THE MANILA TIMES | APRIL 01, 2019

Inflation down further in March — economists »Story on B1 ++

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El Niño damage hits P4.3B

BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

Arroyo meets Chinese premier

Q House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

HOUSE Speaker Gloria Macapagal !RROYO AND OTHER OFkCERS OF THE "OAO Forum for Asia (BFA) met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during the BFA Annual Convention in Hainan, China last week.

The former president described the discussion as “valuable” as it mainly covered the direction China was taking on its 40th year of reforms and its relationship with the rest of the world.

Q Scenes from the recent water shortage crisis (top); below, the men behind the water monopolies: the Zobel de Ayala brothers, Salim and his Executive Manuel Pangilinan.

Water monopolies raking in insane profits

³MeetsA2

Drought claimed 233,007 metric tons (MT) of rice and corn, up by

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F after reading this piece, you find nothing wrong in our oligarch-dominated economic system, then your faith in unbridled capitalism is boundless, bordering on the religious. ³TiglaoA5

RIG RRIGOBERTO IGG DD. TIGLAO

REACH US AT: E-mail: newsdesk@ manilatimes.net Tel. Nos.: 524-5664 to 67 Address: 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002

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GRICULTURAL damage c a u s e d by a weak El Niño went up further to P4.35 billion from the P1.33 billion recorded earlier, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Sunday. ³DamageA2

MILITARY PRESSES EU PROBE INTO FUNDING FOR RED ‘FRONTS’ Church group accused of aiding NPA rebels THE MILITARY on Sunday welcomed the European Union’s (EU) favorable response to the Philippine government’s request for a probe into European-funded groups linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr.,

the military deputy chief of staff for civil-military operations, claimed that the Rural Missionaries in the Philippines (RMP) had been “directly assisting” the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao with funds from the EU and the Belgian government.

What’s inside PNP DEFENDS KILLING OF 14 ‘REBELS’ IN NEGROS ORIENTAL NewsA2 FABRICATING CRISES COULD PENALIZE PH BOND SUCCESS

Parlade also said the Catholic Church-linked RMP had partnered with Ibon Foundation “in the publication of subversive books” used by indigenous children in the Salugpungan and Alcadev schools, “teaching IP

³FundingA2

7,500 troops to join ‘Balikatan’ war games THIS YEAR’S “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises between Manila and Washington will focus on maritime security. ³’Balikatan’A2

TMTTV NEWS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS VP THE Manila Times Broadcasting Corp. (TMTBC) has appointed Clift Daluz (in photo) as vice president for The Manila Times Digital TV News and Public Affairs. As such, Daluz will head the TMTTV Digital News Operation.

With almost 30 years of journalism experience, working as a writer, editor, content producer and media consultant, Daluz has played an integral role in the production of news and content for various news organizations. His recent work was with CNN Philippines as head of its Digital News Operation, managing its editorial team and providing digital solutions to enable growth of digital products. Prior to CNN, Daluz served as head of Mobile News at ABS-CBN, producing and managing innovative mobile news services and online content.

Dan SteinbockA4 PHILIPPINE EAGLE STARS IN NEW NETFLIX SERIES

HARDEN FUELS ROCKETS OVER KINGS, THUNDER AND SPURS CLINCH

SportsC1

BRILLIANT PORTRAITS

EntertainmentD1

Following the success of its selfie expert series, the OPPO F series, the mobile giant introduces a new line of mobile technology with its latest F11 series especially designed with brilliant portrait features. The launch of OPPO F11 Pro was led by Damon Huang, chief executive officer of OPPO Philippines, together with Jane Wan, vice president for marketing; Zen Han, vice president for channel sales; and F11 Series brand ambassadors Marga Bermudez, Magic Liwanag, Issa Pressman, Rosenthal Tee, Luke Landrigan and Laureen Uy. TV personality Gretchen Ho hosted the event. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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News

˜ The Manila Times

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MONDAY April 1, 2019

PNP defends killing of 14 ‘rebels’ B

BY EUGENE Y. ADIONG

ACOLOD CITY: The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Negros Oriental on Sunday defended its actions during bloody simultaneous police operations that killed 14 alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in three areas on Saturday.

Police Col. Raul Tacaca, provincial police director, said his men did not violate human rights. “What we did was legal. We did not just enter their houses. We just performed our duty as police OFkCERS u HE ADDED Police Col. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman, said law enforcers would not have used force “if there was no threat to the lives of our

POLICE OFkCERS u Based on the report of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police /FkCE SEPARATE OPERATIONS WERE conducted in Canlaon City, Manjuyod and Santa Catalina.

Eight were killed in Canlaon City, four in Manjuyod and two in Santa Catalina, according to a report by Tacaca.

4HE SUSPECTS WERE IDENTIkED

as Steve Arapoc, Manulo Martin, Sunny Palagtiw, Edgardo Avelino, Esmael Avelino, Rogelio Recomono, Ricky Recomono, Genes Palmares, Eric Acabal, Ano Enojo Rapada, Gonzalo Rosales, Melchor PaĂąares, Mario PaĂąares and Franklin Lariosa. Mario, who was not subject of a search warrant, fought police operatives, OFkCIALS SAID Tacaca said the suspects were members of the NPA. In a radio interview, Canlaon City Mayor Jimmy Clerigo confirmed that eight persons were killed, while several others were arrested in Canlaon City, and that kREARMS WERE RECOVERED Clerigo said he had received information that some of those killed were supporters of the NPA. He said families of those killed,

whom he had met at the Canlaon District Hospital, wanted justice for the killings.

Police accused the individuals OF ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF kREARMS 4HEY REPORTEDLY YIELDED TWO RIlE grenades, seven caliber .45 pistols, 13 caliber .38 revolvers, a .357 Magnum revolver, two shotguns, two improvised guns, several ammunition and personal belongings, including subversive documents.

During the operations, which lasted from 6 a.m. until 12 midNIGHT ON 3ATURDAY A POLICE OFkCER was wounded, Tacaca said.

The simultaneous police operations, backed by the Philippine Army, form part of the “One Time, Big Time� operations of the PNP also known as the “Synchronized Enhanced Managing Police Operations� under “Oplan Sauron.�

human rights and dignity of our fellowmen and women,� Alminaza Lawmakers from the Makabayan said in a statement. bloc quickly condemned the “masOf the eight killed in Canlaon sacre� and sought an immediate City, one was a lay minister and probe of the matter. others worked in the San Carlos Anakpawis party-list Rep. diocese’s mission stations.

Ariel Casilao vowed to push Commission on Human Rights for a House inquiry into the spokesman Jacqueline Ann de simultaneous police operations Guia said the agency’s Central in Negros Oriental.

6ISAYAS OFkCE WOULD CONDUCT ITS Bayan Muna party-list Rep. own investigation.

Carlos Zarate said: “We will not “Even claims of resisting arrest take this sitting down, and we will to justify fatalities need to be tried SEEK JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS AND kLE before courts to ensure that there charges against the policemen and are no lapses and ascertain if the their superiors who perpetrated circumstances really warrant the this massacre.� offense from the police, resulting Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, head [in] the curtailment of life,� de of the Diocese of San Carlos, Negros Guia said in a statement.

Occidental, urged authorities to not WITH DEMPSEY REYES, regard human lives as mere statistics.

CATHERINE A. MODESTO “Please as you do your task AND DIVINA NOVA JOY DE LA CRUZ make sure you don’t violate the

Probe sought

Q ‘BALIKATAN’ FROM A1

Q DAMAGE FROM A1

7,500 troops to join 4HIS WILL BE THE kRST "ALIKATAN exercises involving the US Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, which arrived in Subic Bay over the weekend. It carries the F35B Lightning 2 aircraft of the US Marine Corps.

Also aboard the ship are members of the US Marines from the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 4, led by the 4th Marine Regiment.

About 7,500 troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US military will join the exercises. Of the 7,500 soldiers, 4,000 will come from the Philippines and 3,500 from the US. Fifty troops will come from Australia.

Lt. Cmdr. Liezl Vidallon, spokeswoman for the Philippine side of the Balikatan, said Japan won’t participate this year.

Exercise venues include the provinces of Bataan, Batangas,

El NiĂąo damage hits P4.3B

Mindoro, Tarlac, Zambales and Palawan. “This year is also different since we will have the FA-50 of the Air Force to join us and there will also be assets coming from the US. Our exercises will also include community relations activities, humanitarian and civic programs, among others,� Vidallon told reporters.

Balikatan opens on Monday, April 1, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City with US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, Armed Forces chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna and major service commanders from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Marine Corps as guests.

Luna will represent Defense 3ECRETARY $ELkN ,ORENZANA WHO is in the United States.

DEMPSEY REYES

HER BET

Sen. Maria Lourdes ‘Nancy’ Binay endorses the mayoral bid of her brother, Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr., who is running against their sibling, Makati Mayor Mar-len Abigail ‘Abby’ Binay. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

Q MEETS FROM A1

Arroyo meets Chinese premier Arroyo is on her second year as member of the board of the BFA, which gathers leaders in government, business and academic institutions throughout Asia to share their thoughts on the most pressing issues in the region and the world.

During the meeting, Arroyo cited China’s leadership in promoting what many refer to as “Globalization V.2,� or the Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to foster cooperation and development.

The speaker also expressed admiration for the Chinese lead-

ership’s implementation of Deng Xiaoping’s “socialism with Chinese characteristics.�

Arroyo noted that China’s remarkable growth, particularly in the past two decades, showed the world that no development model could be applied universally and that the diversity of historical conditions determines the development paths that countries could choose. “China has given us the lesson that there is just not one path for development because prior to China’s experience, it was thought that the only way to development

is the Western style model of Jeffersonian democracy and coupled with a free market,� she said. “But China has shown the world that you can have your own model of development using your own historical experience, especially China in the last 40 years. Since the opening of China 40 years ago, it has transformed itself, it is the world’s leading growth, unmatched in history.

Four hundred million people lifted out from poverty. China is on the verge of becoming the largest economy in the world,�

Arroyo added.

Q FUNDING FROM A1

Military presses EU probe into funding (indigenous peoples) children to become child warriors.�

The RMP has also been providing support to families of NPA CADRES AND kGHTERS gDIRECTLY AND they cannot deny this.� “We have to expose this because it is so unfair to the other [lawful] workers and sisters whom we in AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), PNP (Philippine National Police) and government partner with for our value formation and moral reforms,� he told reporters in a text message.

Earlier this month, the RMP condemned the government for “red-tagging,� saying: “This is such a desperate move to vilify us, for we have been effective in raising people’s awareness on the plight and demands of our farmers, kSHERFOLK AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

and in exposing the grave abuses of human rights in the country.�

Parlade also tagged several

other groups as connected with the CPP, including Karapatan, Gabriela, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students and Bayan.

Some of the groups, he claimed, were also “exploiting� the IPs in the countryside while asking funding from the EU. In a letter to the EU earlier this month, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon claimed that at least 60 percent of the funding often received by these alleged “legal fronts� were diverted to the CPP-NPA through a “triple or multiple funding scheme.�

The scheme is said to be implemented by simultaneously submitting a single proposal to different countries. “Countries or funding agencies who have given their seal of approval are unaware that they are funding a particular project, which had already been funded by

other countries or funding agencies,� Esperon said.

Parlade said international partners had continuously supported groups found to be linked to the communist rebels from early 2000 up to the present.

In its most recent grant, the EU released an initial 621,000 euros for one Filipino group linked to the CPP-NPA, he claimed. “The second tranche and third tranche, that’s amounting to 1.3 million euros, parating pa (are on their way). Some were advanced, but they are going to conduct audit and freeze once they review these [documents],� he said.

Parlade also said Belgian nongovernment organizations had allocated 15 million euros to the #00 LINKED GROUPS FOR kVE YEARS The EU and Belgium consider it illegal to fund terrorism, whether directly or indirectly.

DEMPSEY REYES AND PNA

213 percent from 74,348 MT recorded on March 19.

The area of drought-ridden agricultural lands also grew to 149,914 hectares, affecting 138,859 farmers and fisherfolk.

Damage to the rice sector alone stood at P2.6 billion, affecting 108,845 rice farmers in 37 provinces.

The estimated volume of production loss was pegged at 125,590 MT over 111,851 hectares of agricultural areas.

For corn, the DA said damage and losses climbed to P1.66 billion or 107,417 MT, covering 37,643 hectares. About 30,014 corn farmers in 13 provinces were affected, it added.

The affected regions inc l u d e d t h e C o r d i l l e r a Ad ministrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato Province, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The DA’s DRRM Operations Center said a total of P95.875 million in financial assistance from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council had been allocated for the Survival and Recovery Assistance Program that would benefit 3,835 affected farmers.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. had also paid P43.083 million to 3,534 farmers in Bicol, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Lag u n a , B a t a n g a s, R i z a l a n d Quezon), Western Visayas and Northern Mindanao, it added.

Moreover, a total of P18.3 million was released for cloud seeding by the Philippine Air Force.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol said the cloud seeding would continue in Cagayan Valley, Davao and Soccsksargen in the coming weeks. “A minimum area of 23,293 hectares have been saved due to the 7,700 units of pump and engine sets distributed between 2017 and 2018, with an equivalent production volume of 90,100 MT of palay (unhusked rice) amounting to P1.53 billion,â€? the DA’s DRRM Operations Center said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has reported that El NiĂąo had peaked and would start weakening in the next months.

˜ The Manila Times

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News

MONDAY April 1, 2019

Drilon backs review of loans

BY BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

S

ENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Sunday backed the proposal to review the various loan agreements with China to promote transparency in government transactions.

The senator said it was “not unusual� for loan agreements to be reviewed. “It’s part of the check and balance,� Drilon said in a radio interview.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chair-

man of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, is scheduled to review China-funded projects such as the Chico River project and the Kaliwa Dam. Drilon cited the $421-million North Rail project that was can-

celled when it was found out to be grossly disadvantageous to the government.

The aborted North Rail project, which Drilon opposed for being grossly overpriced, and the controversial NBN-ZTE deal ($329 million) were two of the biggest deals the country signed with China during the Arroyo administration. g,ET S kND OUT IF THERE ARE INdeed stipulations which are too favorable to China, because many were saying the terms are very disadvantageous to the country,�

Drilon said. “Let us review and expose the

terms. We owe it to the public, because it is the public, through their taxes, who will pay the loan,� he added.

The senator said a review was important to ensure that the country would not fall into the so-called “debt trap� with China, like what happened with some countries, including Sri Lanka and Ecuador, WHICH ARE HAVING DIFkCULTIES PAYING their loan obligations with Beijing. “The important thing to check here is the so-called debt trap, because of the possibility that we may not be able to pay this loan in the future,� Drilon said in Filipino.

Enrile vows review of PH competition law FORMER Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile on Sunday vowed to scrutinize “watered down� laws, such as the Philippine Competition Act, to protect consumers from abusive business groups.

Enrile, who is seeking a fifth term in the Senate in the May elections, raised the need to enact laws that will lower the prices of goods “that continue to burden Filipinos.�

The veteran lawmaker cited Republic Act 10667 or the “Philippine Competition Act� that he

claimed was a “watered down� version of his original proposal, the Anti-Trust Law. “Now, it cannot work.

We have to go back and refine the law. I will review that again to see whether it is effective as a protection for the consumers of the country,�

Enrile said. “I am going to see to it that the consumers are protected. I am against monopolies. I am against cartelization,� the fourterm senator said.

As the first legislator to

Court drops graft raps vs Dimaporo THE Sandiganbayan’s Second Division has dismissed the graft and malversation complaints filed against Lanao del Norte Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo for lack of evidence.

The anti-graft court said the prosecution failed to present evidence to prove the guilt of the lawmaker.

The prosecution alleged that Dimaporo was involved in the fertilizer fund scam in 2004 by conspiring with public officials and private individuals in releasing P5 million to nongovernment organization Lanao Foundation Inc. and making it appear that bags of organic fertilizer were delivered to farmerBENEkCIARIES The court said that inspection reports, as well as the physical AND kNANCIAL STATUS REPORTS AL-

LEGED TO HAVE BEEN FALSIkED BY the accused, were not presented and offered in evidence by the PROSECUTION 4HE FARMER BENEkciaries who were also interviewed by the audit team claimed that they received the fertilizers. “The falsity of the acceptance reports and the distribution list OF FARMER BENEkCIARIES WAS ALSO not established. No witness was presented to prove that accused Dimaporo falsified the documents,� the Sandiganbayan said.

The court lifted the hold departure order it issued against Dimaporo. The bail bond he posted was ordered released.

The resolution was penned

by Associate Justice Frederick Musngi and concurred in by Chairman Oscar Herrera and Associate Justice Lorifel Pahimna.

GLEE JALEA

2 PIA officials quit over irregularities TWO personnel of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) RESIGNED AFTER AN INTERNAL FACT kNDING INQUIRY LAUNCHED BY THE OFkCE revealed irregularities involving its Finance Management Division.

PIA Director General Harold #LAVITE CONkRMED THAT HE CREATED an independent committee in September last year to look into miscalculations in the division. “There were a number of questionable transactions and some of them turned out to be made without prior approval by my ofkCE u #LAVITE SAID 4HE TWO OFkCERS HE SAID VOLUNtarily resigned in November 2018.

The irregular transactions include wrong charging and misappropriation of funds.

4HE FACT kNDING COMMITTEE REported “there were forms for fund transfer where the authorized signatory [were] changed from ‘head OF THE AGENCY TO OFkCIALS OF ;0)! S= Finance Management Division.�

4HIS MEANS THAT SOME OFkCERS made themselves the signatory to these forms and have released funds from government-owned Landbank of the Philippines without the approval and knowledge of the head of the agency.

Two months after the committee began checking the irregularities at the Finance Management $IVISION ITS CHIEF OF kNANCE AND deputy officer submitted their resignation letters.

The PIA management is studying appropriate charges that will BE kLED AGAINST THE ACCOUNTABLE OFkCERS )F PROVEN GUILTY OF MAnipulation and illegal transfer of funds, those accountable will face administrative cases.

Clavite, a former digital content manager for the United Nations, said these actions were vital to PIA’s operations and “to maintain integrity and transparency in the organization.�

Clavite reiterated that the primary goal of the inquiry was to IMPROVE EXISTING kNANCIAL SYSTEMS

processes, and policies. “We do not aim to accuse or single out anyone. We are at the stage of establishing facts with the primary goal of establishing a more stringent set of policies adhering to government rules and regulations. To uphold the integrity of the organization, we want to move forward with better systems and stronger business processes,� he said.

PNA

introduce the Anti-Trust Law in the Philippines, Enrile said he had pushed for consumer protection in his previous Senate term. “That is why I filed an Anti-Trust Law. I drafted it myself, combining the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and the Clayton Act and all the anti-trust, antimonopoly laws of the United States. I improved on what the United States has,� he said.

Among the industries that he plans to focus on if he wins in May are

electricity and telecommunications. “We have to review the cost of electricity, especially the cost of generation,� Enrile said.

He assailed the “very inefficient� telecommunications system that continues to burden Filipinos with slow internet speed and high subscription costs. “We will have to exercise legislative power [to address these problems].

[We can do that through] inquiries in aid of legislation,� Enrile pointed out.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

He cited warnings by other countries such as Malaysia and the US about the possibility of the Philippines falling into a “debt trap� with China.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad earlier cautioned the Philippine government over falling into a debt trap when he visited the country early this month. In 2018, Mahathir cancelled two major infrastructure projects

by Chinese companies in Malaysia.

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Opinion

MONDAY April 1, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l Questions that must be answered in the budget conundrum

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(% BUDGET CONTROVERSY IS NOT RESOLVED JUST BECAUSE THE 3ENATE AND THE (OUSE HAVE TOSSED TO 0RESIDENT $UTERTE THE TASK OF FINALIZING THE 'ENERAL !PPROPRIATIONS !CT '!! WITH HIS SIGNATURE 4HE PROCESS COULD BE DERAILED IN CASE HE GETS THE HICCUPS OR TRIPS ON ANOTHER TROVE OF EXPLETIVES 7E THINK THAT THE 0RESIDENT THIS TIME MUST FOCUS ON THE TASK AT HAND THE REVIEW OF THE BUDGET AND FINALIZATION FOR HIS SIGNATURE AND ENACTMENT 4O SET THE 0RESIDENT IN THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND WE THINK IT WOULD BE CONSTRUCTIVE IF WE INTERROGATE THE HOUSES OF #ONGRESS ON SOME MATTERS THAT NEED CLARIFICATION )N THE BICAMERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE VERSION OF THE BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY BOTH THE (OUSE 3PEAKER AND THE 3ENATE 0RESIDENT WILL THE COUNTRY S SENATORS BE GETTING PORK BARREL OR EARMARK APPROPRIATIONS #AN THE 3ENATE RELEASE TO THE MEDIA THE SPECIFIC ALLOCATION OF EACH SENATOR ALONG WITH AN EXPLANATION OF WHY ALLOCATIONS MAY DIFFER FROM SENATOR TO SENATOR #AN THE (OUSE RELEASE ALSO A LIST OF PORK FOR EACH REPRESENTATIVE INCLUDING THE PARTY LIST REPRESENTATIVES

ALONG WITH EXPLANATIONS FOR ANY INEQUITIES IN AMOUNTS )T IS REPORTED BY OUR MEDIA COLLEAGUE THE Daily Tribune THAT 3EN ,OREN ,EGARDA AS 3ENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN INSERTED OVER 0 BILLION IN PORK BARREL SPECIFICALLY DIRECTED TO THE PROVINCE OF !NTIQUE WHERE SHE IS RUNNING FOR REPRESENTATIVE IN THE -AY ELECTIONS )S THE ALLOCATION FOR !NTIQUE PART OF 3ENATOR ,EGARDA S PORK BARREL )S SHE GETTING MORE PORK THAN OTHERS BY VIRTUE OF HER COMMITTEE WORK $URING THE BUDGET MEETING BETWEEN 3ENATE AND (OUSE LEADERS TO BREAK THE BUDGET IMPASSE THE 3ENATE LEADERS CONTENDED THAT THE MOVE OF (OUSE LEADERS TO ITEMIZE THE 0 BILLION INSERTION IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET WAS ILLEGAL 7HY DID THE 3ENATE PREFER THAT THE INSERTION BE LEFT AS A LUMP SUM $OES THIS SEEK TO PROTECT 3ENATE INSERTIONS 3INCE THE 3UPREME #OURT IN ITS RULING ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OR LEGALITY OF THE 0RIORITY $EVELOPMENT !SSISTANCE &UND 0$!& OR THE PORK BARREL DECLARED THAT SPECIkC APPROPRIATIONS SHOULD BE TEXTUALIZED ISN T THE (OUSE PROPOSAL OF ITEMIZATION IN CONFORMITY WITH THE 3# ORDER "ASED ON OUR READING OF THE 3# RULING WHAT THE HIGH COURT OBJECTS TO MAINLY IS POST ENACTMENT INTERFERENCE BY LEGISLATORS AFTER THE BILL HAS ALREADY BEEN SIGNED INTO LAW

BY THE 0RESIDENT FOLLOWING THE APPROVAL BY BOTH HOUSES 7E CONCLUDE FROM THIS THAT A BUDGETARY OUTLAY BECOMES UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND ILLEGAL ONLY AFTER BUDGET ENACTMENT AND WHEN ACTION IS TAKEN BY LEGISLATORS THAT DO NOT FOLLOW THE RULES FOR USING BUDGET OUTLAYS Technically, a budget appropriation would not beCOME PORK OR AN EARMARK BEFORE A '!! IS ENACTED 9ET FROM THE WAY HE HAS OBSESSIVELY RAGED AGAINST PORK IN EVERY #ONGRESS 3EN 0ANFILO ,ACSON APPEARS TO CLASSIFY AS PORK ANY APPROPRIATIONS SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TOWARDS LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS 7ILL HE SAY THE SAME OF APPROPRIATIONS THAT ARE LEFT TO THE DISCRETION OF SENATORS )N THE SPECIFIC CASE OF THE 0 BILLION INSERTION WHY DOES 3ENATOR ,ACSON APPROVE OF ITS LUMP SUM LISTING IN THE BUDGET /N THE OTHER HAND WHY IS HE OBJECTING TO THE OUTLAY BEING FULLY ITEMIZED 4HESE QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ANSWERED BECAUSE THE HOUSES OF #ONGRESS HAVE A TENDENCY OF EXPLAINING ISSUES AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OTHER HOUSE 4HERE IS NO LITTLE AMOUNT OF HYPOCRISY INVOLVED BECAUSE BOTH REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS SALIVATE AT THE PROSPECT OF GETTING PORK 4HE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND HIS ADVISERS SHOULD BE UNSPARING IN SCRUTINIZING THE BUDGET 4HE HORSE TRADING IS OVER ~

MONDAY April 1, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 169

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor FELIPE F. SALVOSA II, Managing Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL MALLARI, Sports Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER RODA A. ZABAT, Advertising Director VICENTE P. CRUZ, JR., Circulation Director DENISE O. CALNEA, Marketing Communications and Services Director Telephone All Departments: 524-5665 to 66; Subscription: 524-5664 Local 222 Advertising: 524-5664 Local 121 Telefax: 310-5895 or e-mail advertising@manilatimes.net www.manilatimes.net • e-mail newsdesk@manilatimes.net Letters to the Editor THE MANILA TIMES is published daily at 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002 The owners, managers, publishers and editors do not necessarily share the opinions expressed and the statements made by individual authors of columns, commentaries and other articles published in The Manila Times.

Fabricating crises could penalize PH bond success 2ECENTLY 0HILIPPINE BONDS HAVE PROVED AN !SIAN SUCCESS STORY THUS FOSTERING THE COUNTRY S INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION (OWEVER ONGOING POLITICAL PLOYS COULD UNDERMINE THAT SUCCESS

I

N mid-March, two former top 0HILIPPINE GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS filed a communication before the International Criminal Court )## AGAINST #HINA S 0RESIDENT 8I *INMING $AYS LATER !"3 #". .EWS !.# INTERVIEWED gINDEPENDENT ANALYSTu !NDERS #ORR WHO URGED THE 0HILIPPINES TO glOOD #HINA WITH LAWSUITS u WARNING THAT THE COUNTRY WAS gVERY LIKELYu TO LOSE NATURAL RESOURCES IF IT FAILS TO PAY BACK #HINA FOR LOANS !FTERWARDS THE VERY SAME !.# INTERVIEWED 3UPREME #OURT 3ENIOR !SSOCIATE *USTICE !NTONIO #ARPIO WHO CLAIMED THAT "EIJING COULD SEIZE THE COUNTRY S GAS RESERVES IN THE 2EED "ANK IN THE 3OUTH #HINA 3EA IF -ANILA IS UNABLE TO PAY THE loan it got from China (only $62 million) for the Chico River Pump )RRIGATION 0ROJECT 4HE STATEMENTS OF BOTH INTERVIEWEES ARE FLAWED %ACH HAS A POLITICAL AGENDA WHICH IS WELL KNOWN TO !.# WHICH STILL CHOSE to interview each and to elevate the INTERVIEWS INTO MAJOR NEWS ITEMS The timing may have been dictated by the Philippine withdrawal from the ICC and the impending ELECTIONS 9ET POLITICIZED NEWS can harm the economy in interNATIONAL MARKETS 7HEN $UTERTE S ELECTION TRIUMPH RESULTED IN the meltdown of the Liberal Party, the foreign-owned media in the

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOND (10Y): YEAR-TO-DATE TOTAL RETURN

DAN STEINBOCK COUNTRY REPORTED IT AS A KIND OF A DISASTER CAUSING COLLATERAL DAMAGE IN SHORT TERM ECONOMIC PROSPECTS )N THE PAST THREE YEARS THE $UTERTE GOVERNMENT S INFRASTRUCTURE DRIVE HAS DEMONSTRATED ITS STRENGTH AS EVIDENCED BY FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND 0HILIPPINE BONDS 0ERHAPS THAT S WHY THERE IS NOW A NEW POLITICAL EFFORT ON THE WAY TO DISCREDIT THE GOVERNMENT AT THE COST OF NEW potential economic damage.

Philippine bond success

PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT BOND 10Y IN THE AQUINO AND DUTERTE YEARS

Recently, Philippine local governMENT BONDS IMPRESSED INTERNATIONAL MARKETS BY ACHIEVING THE HIGHEST total return (9.6 percent) relative TO ITS !SIAN PEERS -OST OF THE TOTAL CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO kXED INCOME (9.1 percent), which will continue TO DOMINATE AND THE REST TO FOREIGN EXCHANGE PERCENT 4HE 0HILIPPINE RETURN WAS SIGNIkCANTLY HIGHER THAN THAT OF )NDONESIA -ALAYSIA

even Hong Kong. ,ET S ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT THE 0HILippine 10-year government bond TO PERCENT !FTER $UTERTE S FEARMONGERING /N 3EPT

IN THE PAST DECADE )N THE !QUINO 2016 election triumph, bond yield THE BOND REACHED ITS MINIMUM ³SteinbockA5 ERA ITS YIELD HALVED FROM PERCENT PLUNGED THANKS IN PART TO MEDIA

Education, murder and more in Negros Oriental RESURGENCE T

(%2% IS NO DOUBT THAT THE free tuition policy of public UNIVERSITIES IS AN ENORMOUS HELP TO THOUSANDS OF HARD UP &ILIPINO FAMILIES %VEN IF TUITION WAS MODEST COMPARED TO THAT OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS

A FEW THOUSAND PESOS LESS ON THE EXPENSE LIST MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE TO POOR FAMILIES STRIVING TO SEE THEIR children get a college degree.

(OWEVER ) WAS RECENTLY REMINDED WHILE TRAVELING TO 3IATON IN SOUTHERN .EGROS /RIENTAL TO ATTEND the graduation of the children of FARMERS THAT IT ISN T THE TUITION FEES THAT PREVENT CHILDREN FROM THE HINTERLANDS FROM PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION 2ATHER IT IS THE FACT THAT TERTIARY EDUCATION FACILITIES AND OFTEN EVEN THE HIGH SCHOOLS ARE LOCATED SO FAR FROM WHERE THE STUDENTS HOMES ARE THAT THEY HAVE TO LIVE IN BOARDING HOUSES )F ONLY THERE WERE DECENT ROADS BUT HINTERLANDS ARE EXACTLY HINTERLANDS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO ROADS AND THE ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION IS the motorcycle, or "habal-habal Ý !

ONE WAY RIDE OFTEN COSTS MORE THAN 0 4HAT IS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT TO HINTERLAND DWELLERS WHO ARE SUBSISTENCE FARMERS WITH VERY LIMITED CASH INCOME 7HILE GOVERNMENT

THROUGH THE $EPARTMENT OF !GRICULTURE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

OFFERS VARIOUS PROGRAMS FOR FARMERS to improve productivity and yield, THE LACK OF ROADS AND AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTATION PREVENT MILLIONS OF

MARIT STINUSCABUGON FARMERS FROM REAPING THE BENEkTS OF SUCH PROGRAMS 3TUDENTS FROM REMOTE RURAL AREAS MAY SUCCESSFULLY HURDLE FOUR YEARS OF COLLEGE EDUCATION "UT THEN THERE IS THE BOARD EXAM 4HIS MEANS ATTENDING REVIEW CLASSES THAT ARE ONLY AVAILABLE IN PRIVATE REVIEW CENTERS IN URBAN CENTERS 4HE BOARD EXAM PROPER IS ONLY OFFERED IN REGIONAL CENTERS LOCATED EVEN FARTHER AWAY FROM THE GRADUATES HOMES ENTAILING MORE EXPENSES )T IS A MIRACLE WHEN SOMEONE FROM A HINTERLAND barangay IS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY PASS THE BOARD EXAM BECAUSE ALL THE ODDS ARE STACKED AGAINST HIM OR HER )NCIDENTALLY A FEW HOURS AFTER THE GRADUATION CEREMONIES OF THE .EGROS /RIENTAL 3TATE 5NIVERSITY 3IATON #AMPUS HAD kNISHED -IGUEL Dungog, a municipal councilor OF THE TOWN WAS SHOT DEAD A FEW METERS AWAY FROM THE 3ILLIMAN 5NIVERSITY -EDICAL #ENTER IN $UMAGUETE #ITY $UNGOG WAS KILLED WITH A SINGLE BULLET TO HIS HEAD (E WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE 0HILIPPINE #OUNCILORS ,EAGUE .EGROS /RIENTAL CHAPTER AND ONE OF .EGROS /RIENTAL 'OV 2OEL $EGAMO S ALLIES IN THE PROVINCIAL BOARD (E WAS A CANDIDATE

for full-fledged provincial board MEMBER IN THE -AY ELECTIONS HIS WIFE IS RUNNING FOR THE SEAT IN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL THAT HE WAS GOING TO VACATE 4HE COUPLE HAS A four-year-old daughter. .EGROS /RIENTAL 0OLICE $IRECTOR 2AUL 4ACACA IS PERSONALLY HEADING THE 3PECIAL )NVESTIGATION 4ASK 'ROUP $UNGOG WAS CONTROVERSIAL AND THE POLICE ARE LIKELY TO PURSUE SEVERAL ANGLES (E WAS FORMERLY WITH THE .ATIONAL "UREAU OF )NVESTIGATION but left the agency in 2010, allegedly AFTER HIS OWN HOUSE WAS RAIDED A LOCAL SOURCE TOLD ME $UNGOG WAS elected municipal councilor in 2016.

(E HAS NOW BECOME PART OF THE STATISTICS OF THE GROWING LIST OF PERSONS MURDERED BY UNIDENTIkED GUNMEN In 2017, Dungog, Degamo, then provincial police director Henry "IÄAS AND THE POLICE CHIEFS OF TWO ,'5S IN THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND ONE IN THE SECOND DISTRICT WERE THE SUBJECTS OF (OUSE 2ESOLUTION FILED BY .EGROS /RIENTAL 4HIRD $ISTRICT 2EP !RNOLFO 4EVES *R 4EVES ACCUSED $EGAMO

$UNGOG "IÄAS AND THE THREE LOCAL POLICE CHIEFS OF gDELIBERATELY SABOTAGINGu SMALL TOWN LOTTERY 34, OPERATIONS IN .EGROS /RIENTAL ! FEW MONTHS LATER 0HILIPPINE #HARITY 3WEEPSTAKES /FkCE BOARD MEMBER 3ANDRA #AM CLAIMED THAT THE CONGRESSMAN WAS INVOLVED IN 34, OPERATIONS IN .EGROS /RIENTAL

SOMETHING THAT 4EVES VEHEMENTLY

denied. The two engaged in a SHOUTING MATCH DURING A HEARING ON 34, RESULTING IN CONGRESSMEN kLING (OUSE 2ESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE RESIGNATION OF #AM FROM THE 0#3/ BOARD 34, IS HUGELY POPULAR IN .EGROS /RIENTAL DESPITE OR PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THE POVERTY "IG MONEY IS APPARENTLY BEING MADE ON 34, OPERATIONS IN .EGROS /RIENTAL LIKE IN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY 3O WHAT ELSE IS NEW THE CYNICS WILL SAY 7ELL THERE IS GOOD NEWS

TOO +IMES &OODS )NTERNATIONAL )NC

WITH A PRODUCTION FACILITY IN !RGAO

#EBU AND BUSINESS ADDRESS IN -ANDAUE #ITY IS LOOKING FOR SUPPLIERS OF ORGANIC PRODUCE SUCH AS YOUNG COCONUT AND CASSAVA .EGROS /RIENTAL /RGANIC -ULTI 'ROWERS !SSOCIATION IS THE EXCLUSIVE SUPPLIER OF +IMES IN .EGROS /RIENTAL ITS MEMBERS trained on how to grow organic and how to convert agricultural production from conventional to organic. &OOD WRAPS MADE FROM ORGANIC COCONUT IS ONE OF +IMES BEST SELLI G PRODUCTS IN THE 53 MARKET AND THE COMPANY IS DEVELOPING OTHER FOOD PRODUCTS MADE FROM PURELY ORGANIC INGREDIENTS &ARMERS IN .EGROS Oriental are being encouraged to MAKE THE SHIFT TO ORGANIC FARMING AS THE DEMAND FOR ORGANIC PRODUCTS IS GROWING OFFERING BETTER INCOME PROSPECTS AND A HEALTHIER LIFE FOR GROWERS FOOD INDUSTRY WORKERS AND CONSUMERS ALIKE

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY April 1, 2019

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

NET INCOME OF WATER MONOPOLIES In Billions of Pesos Manila Water

Maynilad Water

2009

4.0

4.2

2010

4.0

4.8

2011

5.2

5.9

2012

5.4

6.4

2013

5.8

6.9

2014

5.8

9.6

2015

6.1

6.8

2016

6.2

6.9

2017

5.9

6.5

2018

6.5

6.6

TOTAL

54.9

64.6

Source: Firms’ annual reports

kRM WHOSE RECENT CLAIM TO FAME was its construction of a 46-storey condominium that destroyed the visual backdrop of the Rizal monument and changed the best PARK SKYLINE IN THE CITY OF -ANILA -AYNILAD OF COURSE IS THE KIND OF COMPANY THAT -ETRO 0ACIkC PREFERS A MONOPOLY -ETRO 0ACIkC HAD EXploited a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ruling that gave it a technical excuse to violate the constitutional limits on foreign ownership participation in public utilities, so that its collection of comPANIES ARE ALMOST ENTIRELY kRMS THAT are monopolies or near monopolies, AMONG THEM 0,$4 3MART -ERALCO

Monopoly and toll roads that include NLEX The second monopoly—to call and Cavitex. (Details of these are in the two a duopoly is false, as they my book Colossal Deception, availdon’t compete but have their own able at Popular Book Store, Amazon, TERRITORIES‡IS THE -AYNILAD 7ATER and rigobertotiglao.com.)

The volume of water sold by the #O -AYNILAD HAS THE MONOPOLY of water distribution in the west- two companies have grown only at ern part of the metropolis, cover- an average annual 1 percent per year, ing 17 cities and municipalities, half the metropolitan population which includes Quezon City and growth rate of 2 percent. The two still rely on water from reservoirs parts of Cavite province.

When Fidel Ramos fancied BUILT WAY BACK IN -ARCOS TIME himself to be the president of a 4HEIR CONCESSION FEES PAID TO -733 country at the level of advanced- amount to just P1 billion annually, capitalist United Kingdom, and and their capital investments have privatized– sold off – in 1997 the been in the same magnitude. water business in the metropolis, -AYNILAD OF COURSE WENT TO #ORY S Foreign exchange favorite clan, the Lopezes.

When even three regimes’ sup- 4HE TWO kRMS ARE AMONG THE VERY port of the Lopezes couldn’t save it few which are allowed by governFROM A kNANCIAL CRISIS THE ,OPEZES ment to pass on their foreign exgave up on its concession and had change losses to consumers, which THE REGULATORY BODY -733 AUCTION they do quite often, the most recent it. The winner was a firm con- ones being the P1.56 per cubic metrolled, and owned 53 percent by ter additional charge to consumers the Indonesian magnate Anthoni in October 2018 and P0.75 cubic 3ALIM -ETRO 0ACIkC WHICH TOOK meter in January 2019. They also IN AS MINORITY PARTNER THE $ - enjoyed a 10-year tax holiday.

A part of their capital investConsunji group, a construction

ments are even being passed on to consumers, as in the P700 million COST OF -ANILA 7ATER S #ARDONA 7Ater Plant which was collected even BEFORE ITS COMPLETION 4HE kRM S delay in constructing the plant was one reason for the recent water supply crisis in the metropolis.

Unlike most companies which have to compete with other kRMS‡WHICH DRIVES THEM TO BECOME MORE EFkCIENT AND TO COME up with better products and serVICES‡-ANILA 7ATER AND -AYNILAD Water are monopolies.

They extract what is called monopoly rent, or income derived because of ‘mere’ ownership of a limited resource – in this case, government’s grant to them of the exclusive authority to run the water system in the metropolis, which expires, believe it or not, in 2037.

An astute Chinese-Filipino tycoon described a monopoly as a “money printing press.� The owner of a monopoly doesn’t even have to put in more of his money. He’ll just borrow from banks, or issue longTERM BONDS AS THE TWO WATER kRMS have done), as the franchise to the monopoly is as good a collateral as prime real estate; banks would be queuing to lend to them.

increased share price – but decreased funds for capital investments that would improve service or, as demonstrated in recently, would have prevented water shortages.

-ANILA 7ATER HAS BEEN GIVING OUT MUCH OF ITS PROkTS AS DIVIDENDS TO its stockholders, which include a lot OF FOREIGNERS &OR THE PAST kVE YEARS (for which I could get data), this amounted to P11 billion.

-AYNILAD 7ATER IN THE LAST years, has remitted $1 billion – or roughly P47 billion – in dividends to its mother company First 0ACIkC #O ,TD )N (ONG +ONG

according to the latter’s annual report accessible at its website -AYNILAD 7ATER IN FACT HAS BEEN ONE OF &IRST 0ACIkC S BEST PERFORMING CASH COWS ITS PROkT contribution in certain years even MORE THAN -ERALCO

Salim

Isn’t this insane?

The Philippine government gives A kRM THE AUTHORITY TO RUN A MOnopoly to distribute water to Filipinos, at least 50 percent of whom are THE COUNTRY S POOREST 9ET THAT kRM S income was taken out of the country, increasing the bank accounts of such foreigners as Indonesian magnate Anthoni Salim (the biggest owner OF &IRST 0ACIkC AND THE !YALAS 3INgaporean partners.

Our poorest who have no choice but to buy the water from these two kRMS ARE CONTRIBUTING A LOT TO THE enrichment of these rich foreigners.

There’s another mechanism that forces the two water compaNIES TO PUT PROkTS BEFORE SERVICE the compensation structure of THEIR TOP EXECUTIVES -ANILA 7ATER S TOP kVE EXECUTIVES m ) WAS STARTLED TO kND OUT FROM ITS ANNUAL report – are among the highestpaid executives in the country.

4HE TOTAL INCOME OF ITS kVE TOP EXECUTIVES LED BY ITS #%/ &ERNAND - de la Cruz amounted to P119 million, or a monthly average pay-check Mechanism for each of P2 million. However, a big chunk of the P119 million, P42 There is even a mechanism that million, is in the form of bonuses.

PRACTICALLY FORCES THE TWO WATER kRMS Do you think their bonuses are TO PUT PROkTS RATHER THAN SERVICE determined by an improvement in as their priority – the stock market. -ANILA 7ATER S SERVICES The two have been listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange for more Email: tiglao.manilatimes@ than a decade; and the share price is gmail.com determined obviously not by their Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao SERVICE TO &ILIPINOS BUT BY PROkTS

Twitter: @bobitiglao and particularly the amount of their Order my Debunked book at rigoDIVIDENDS -ORE DIVIDENDS MEAN bertotiglao.com/debunked

CO M M E N TA R Y

Russian foreign ministry comments on Mueller report on alleged Russian interference in US elections W E have taken note of the summary of the main conclusions FROM SPECIAL COUNSEL 2OBERT -UELler’s investigation into the “purity� of the 2016 US presidential election, submitted by the US Department of Justice. The main conclusion, which is that Donald Trump’s election staff did not conspire with Russia – was to be expected.

It is surprising, though, that it took 19 lawyers who were assisted by a team of 40 FBI agents, intelligence forensic accountants and other professional staff, issued more than 2,800 subpoenas, executed nearly 500 search warrants and interviewed approximately 500 witnesses, nearly two years to come to this conclusion. In other words,

A5

FOCUS

Water monopolies raking in insane profits The monopoly profits of the two companies that supply one of the most basic needs of humans, water, which a state is mandated to provide, in the past ten years to 2018 (for which I was able to get data) amounted to P120 billion, according to their annual reports.

At an annual rate of P12 billion IN PROkTS THIS MONOPOLY SUPPLYING WATER IS ONE OF THE MOST PROkTABLE businesses in the country. Some would call that insane.

The two metropolitan water moNOPOLIES ARE kRST THE -ANILA 7ATER Corp., the biggest stockholder of which, the Ayala family, with 42 percent share, is the quintessence of the Spanish-descended landlord class.

Unlike other elites in Asia which led their countries’ industrialization, the Ayalas have stuck to a rent-based business – property.

4HE REST OF -ANILA 7ATER #ORP S owners are also the richest in the country and in the world, their investments in the company made through global fund managers and directly through the stock market.

4HE kRM IS THE MONOPOLY WATER DIStributor in the metropolis’ eastern AREA CONSISTING OF CITIES IN -Anila and Rizal, including of course AS THE !YALA WOULD WANT IT -AKATI and Taguig, where the two premier business districts are.

Opinion

it took huge efforts and, obviously, a great deal of the taxpayers’ money to overturn an obvious fabrication.

Since fake news about the alleged 2USSIAN INTERFERENCE WAS kRST PUBLISHED NEARLY THREE YEARS AGO -OSCOW has pointed out more than once that it was a trumped-up story. Over that PERIOD OF TIME -OSCOW HAS REPEATedly asked for corroboration from the previous administration, which pubLISHED THIS FABRICATION IN THE kRST PLACE

and later from the Trump administraTION 3PECIAL COUNSEL 2OBERT -UELLER S investigation has not produced any PROOF OF -OSCOW S INVOLVEMENT IN the infamous cyber attacks and other attempts to erode American democracy, a charge that has been constantly brought against Russia.

As for the indictments against 25 Russian citizens announced last year to justify the ineffective performance of a huge investigative team, they are grotesque. The political bias of these cases is so glaring that they cannot be described as anything other than a disgrace to the US system of justice.

-OSCOW HAS LONG INVITED 7ASHington to hold professional discussions on any complaints regarding the alleged interference in the elections. For example, we have more than once suggested relaunching the working group on cybersecurity, but the United States is evading the issue because it has no proof of its unsubstantiated complaints.

It is indicative in this context that the US special services have recently

etary easing and possibly weaker peso. In part, manufactured uncertainty has its role, once again.

The more “uncertain� the Philippines is perceived internationally, the less attractive it is to foreign investors and bond purchasers.

What about the medium-term prospects? The central bank’s new governor Benjamin Diokno is likely to favor a more pro-growth stance than his predecessor, which is likely to mean pro-easing bias and faster reduction to banks’ reserve requirement ratio.

In the Philippine bonds, that may reduce the forex side of the total return. Yet, such reduction could

be more than offset by the fixed income side of the return (which has been the driver of the total return).

Indeed, if the government manages TO KEEP INlATION RELATIVELY LOW THAT could lead to another bond rally since markets have not yet priced the prospects for easing.

refused to disclose correspondence conducted between Russia and the United States via cyber threat alert channels from October 2016 to January 2017. The American and international public would have certainly appreciated the grotesque technical arguments of the Obama administration, which accused Russia of hacking attacks for no good reason in a bid to discredit Donald Trump.

We hope that Washington will eventually muster the courage to OFkCIALLY ADMIT THAT THERE WAS NO COLlusion whatsoever, and that all the allegations about Russian interference are nothing more than a defamation attempt designed for use in US politiCAL INkGHTING 4HIS WILL LIKELY END THIS neverending story.

Gun control, climate: A new US generation takes to the barricades NEW YORK: In the United States, David Hogg is a leading campaigner for gun control, while in Europe, Greta Thunberg fights to defend the climate.

They may only be teenagers, but both have drawn worldwide followings for their clear messages and fierce commitment – symbols of a generation of surprising militancy.

Hogg, who is 18, is a leader of THE -ARCH FOR /UR ,IVES MOVEment, launched by students from his high school in Parkland, Florida, where a heavily armed gunman massacred 17 people on Feb. 14, 2018.

The movement, pushing for stricter gun control legislation, has mobilized hundreds of thousands of young Americans.

Thunberg, a pig-tailed Swedish student who looks younger even than her 16 years, has become the European face of the fight against global warming, inspiring huge crowds of young protesters to take to the streets, including in Germany, which had not seen such massive turnouts since the heady days of reunification.

Thunberg has come far from the days when she mounted a brave but lonely protest standing on the steps of the Swedish parliament. She is now mentioned as a possible Nobel Peace Prize winner for 2019.

Were she to win that lofty award, Thunberg would be the youngest laureate ever, younger even than Pakistani schoolgirl -ALALA 9OUSAFZAI WHO AT won the 2014 Nobel for her fight—even after being shot by a Taliban gunman—for education rights for girls and women.

nize what a force they are to be reckoned with... a generation that wants to make things better and who does not really see their age as a barrier.�

As proof she cited the involvement of Americans aged 18 to 29 in last November’s US congressional election: some 31 percent of them voted, the highest rate in 25 years, according to Tufts University’s Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning & Engagement (Circle).

-ORE EDUCATED THAN OLDER Americans, and having grown up with—and become completely lUENT IN‡THE WAYS OF SOCIAL MEdia, this generation knows how to organize and draw attention, said Sam Abrams, a political science professor at Sarah Lawrence College in New York.

These young militants can quickly assemble videos that are “almost movie-quality stuff,� said Abrams, who is 39. “This generation knows how to do that and convey these stories really effectively.�

Without social media, says Hogg—who has 950,000 Twitter followers—the Parkland students could still have organized their protests “but not nearly to the scale that we did.�

Department. Yet, ABS-CBN News and other foreign-owned media portray Corr as an independent analyst. The question is why.

Similarly, Carpio’s allusions to mystery provisions in bilateral contracts between the Philippines and China have been discredited BY 0HILIPPINE kNANCIAL AUTHORIties. So, the question remains: why would a member of the Supreme Court knowingly misrepresent vital bilateral agreements?

The Corr and Carpio cases may be fueled by misrepresentations, interest conflicts, and foreign interests. But as fabricated crises, they can also contribute to reduced

economic success.

If there was an element of truth to these media debacles, they would at least have some legitimacy. But as purposeful misrepresentations, they force one to ask: Since it is not the Philippine sovereign interest that motivates them, then whose interests do they serve?

No guarantees of change

But even if social media make it far easier to attract attention or draw followers, they offer no guarantee that this young generation can effect real change, Abrams emphasized. “The big question always is: can they sustain a movement?� “Social change,� he added, “it is slow, it takes years.�

With college students coming and going – and graduating – Abrams says he has seen many Raising their voices student movements burst onto Some members of this new the scene, and then lose steam generation are even more pre- and fade away.

Nineteen-year-old Zanagee cocious. Consider American schoolgirl Alice Paul Tapper, Artis, who last year co-founded who was only 10 in 2017 when the Zero Hour coalition for she started her “Raise Your climate and environmental jusHand� campaign to encourage tice, admits that after months girls not to let themselves be of intensive activism, he shed intimidated. The movement most of his leadership responsicaught fire on social media, bilities after starting his studies boosted by help from her Girl in political science and the enScout troop and also by the vironment at Brown University. “Older youths like me,� he celebrity of her father, CNN told AFP, “we are going to be newsman Jake Tapper.

Her new book Raise Your more busy and will have less Hand , published this week, time� for activism. “But I don’t have any doubt briefly ranked 12th on Amazon’s list of “hot new releases.� that Zero Hour will be able to According to several experts, continue,� he said. “With the these examples illustrate a rise rise of social media, we are in youthful involvement not seen able to connect with a lot more in years—akin, some say, to the youths than before.�

David Hogg said that after activism seen during the US civil taking a “gap year� to travel rights protests of the 1960s.

If youth has always been syn- across the country, he is ready onymous with protests, the trend to ease off on the gas as he seemed to have gone latent for heads to Harvard University. “I’ll be less involved, but we’ll years. “We went through a generation or almost two when we be just as effective,� he said. “There were not seeing a lot of activism,� are many other people involved, SAID %LIZABETH -ATTO A 2UTGERS and we have a movement that’s University specialist in youthful growing stronger every day.�

Hogg said he is quite aware that political participation. “The teenagers we are calling change on a subject as sensitive as Generation Z now,� she said, US gun control could take years. “It might take a while,� he are showing a “real inclination to engage in expressing their said. “It might take kids running for Congress who are not political voice.�

AFP “They are starting to recog- old enough yet.�

Q STEINBOCK FROM A4

Fabricating yield of 3.4 percent, thanks to the manufactured uncertainty effect in which foreign-owned media in the Philippines played a role.

However, after the government launched its infrastructure program and proposed reforms, bond yield gradually climbed to 5 percent in 2017 and to its maximum yield of 8.2 percent in October 2018, almost tripling from 2016.

In the past weeks, the bond yield has decreased to less than 6 percent. In part, the change can be attributed to expected mon-

elsewhere. In January and February, the net effect in the Philippines meant very strong foreign buying of government bonds – at more than $480 million.

Yet, the ongoing political ploys to undermine the Duterte government internationally, which are generously supported by foreign-owned How to penalize one’s media in the country, have potenown economic success tial to penalize recent economic success. This probability increases Recently, international uncer- if international investors buy into TAINTY HAS BENEkTED 0HILIPPINE fake narratives, as evidenced by the prospects. Concerns about pos- Corr and Carpio cases. sible US contraction and growing According to public profiles, uncertainty in the Eurozone have Anders Corr’s ties are mainly with compelled investors to seek yields the Pentagon and the US State

Dr. Dan Steinbock is the founder of Difference Group and has served at the India, China and America Institute (US), Shanghai Institute for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more, see http:// www.differencegroup.net/

A6

F

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY April 1, 2019

Parent sponsorship compared: Australia, Canada and the US

AMILY unification is the underlying objective of immigration laws in these three countries; reuniting a child (son/ daughter) and parent after the son or daughter has been admitted into the country as a lawful permanent resident. )N ALL CASES THE QUALIkED SPONsor (the son or daughter) must have the financial capacity to support the parent to avoid being a burden to the government.

Of the three countries, the US has the lowest sponsorship fee and shortest processing time.

However, Australia and Canada allow permanent residents to sponsor a parent.

In the US only citizens may petition a parent. Green card holders are not eligible to sponsor a parent. However, the US does not put a cap or limit to the sponsorship of parents.

Parents of US citizens are considered “immediate relatives� not subject to annual numerical limits. Australia and Canada cap or limit the number of parent sponsorships per year.

Australia processing Migration program planning levels for Australia favor skilled migrants. The yearly program cap is set at 160,000 for 2019-2020.

The total program is broken down into the following streams: skill stream – 108,682, and family stream 47,732.

As previously mentioned, parents of US citizens (as immediate relatives) are not subject to the annual preference category limits.

The other family member of US citizens considered “immediate relatives� not subject to the preference category quotas are the spouse and minor child (below 21, biological, step- or adopted).

The overall quota for preference categories in the US is set at 226,000 yearly. For skilled workers, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors, a yearly total of 140,000 is allocated.

country the applicant has lived in for at least 12 months in the past 10 years from age 16.

Australian values statement: CRISPIN R. if applicant is 18 years or over, ARANDA he/she must sign the Australian VALUES STATEMENT WHICH CONkRMS While the total of visas or AP “will respect the Australian places in Australia is smaller than way of life and obey Australian the employment-based categories laws when applying for the visa. in the US, 69.5 percent of the Meet the balance-of-family overall migrant program num- test. While uniting sponsor and bers are for the skill stream: only applicant is the goal, the applicant 30.5 percent places are for quali- parent must have at least half of kED AND ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBERS his/her children and step-children, Of this family yearly cap, or evidence that AP more eligible preference is given to partners or children living in Australia than in Australian family sponsors. any other single country No debt to the Australian govContributory aged ernment. If applicant or any memparent (temporary) ber of his/her family owe the AusCAP subclass 864 tralian government money, such financial obligation must have The parent must be sponsored been paid it back or have a formal by an eligible child (son/daugh- arrangement to pay it back before ter) who is a settled Australian a visa would be granted. citizen, Australian permanent No previous visa refusal or resident or eligible New Zealand cancellation. Since lawful adcitizen. If the sponsoring child is mission in Australia, AP must under 18, sponsorship is possible not have had a visa cancelled through an eligible relative or or refused. community organization.

Visa length and cost: An apHowever, if the child sponsor plicant in this subclass may stay is under 18, the application of in Australia for two years; the the parent may still be refused if visa fee is A$32,985. To stay in the grant of the visa is considered Australia permanently (change as not being in the best interest condition from temporary subof a child. class), the parent must apply for In any or all cases, the sponsorship the Contributory Aged Parent APPLICATION MUST kRST BE APPROVED Subclass 864. Another fee needs The applicant parent (AP) must to be paid – from A$47,455. be old enough (age range for Contributory Parent Visa women or men parent is 65 to (Temporary) Subclass 173. All 67) to receive the Australian aged other visa conditions are similar pension and must be lawfully pres- to the CAP Subclass 874 except ent in Australia – including a visa for the following: without “No further stay� condiThe applicant parent must be tion – when applying for the visa. outside Australia when applying The AP must meet the health and when the visa is issued, This visa costs from A$31,725 and character requirement (medical exam with designated medi- PAYABLE IN TWO INSTALLMENTS kRST cal /physician provider and NBI when applying and second when clearance. Applicants who have instructed to do so.

The applicant parent may lived in any other country (other than the Philippines or Australia) include any family member to may be required to provide a po- apply for the visa with him/her.

LICE CERTIkCATE ALSO CALLED A PENAL There is a separate charge for any CLEARANCE CERTIkCATE FROM EVERY additional family member.

MIGRANT MATTERS

Contributory Parent Visa (Permanent) Subclass 143. The applicant parent in this category must meet the criteria required for the Contributory Parent Subclass 864.

Unlike the Subclass 173 temporary visa, however, the parent must be in Australia when applying and when the visa is issued.

The visa costs A$ 47,455.

In addition, once in permanent parent visa status, the parent: Could stay in Australia indefinitely as a permanent resident and sponsor eligible relatives to Australia May travel to and from AustraLIA FOR kVE YEARS BEFORE BEING CONsidered as a returning resident.

Work and study in Australia Must provide an assurance of support (AoS) that the applicant will not rely on government assistance after being admitted on this visa. The AoS covers the applicant parent and any family members who are coming with the applicant to Australia on this visa.

plication, submission of documents and payment of fees with the National Visa Center; and 3) interview at the US Embassy in -ANILA OR THE SPECIkED CONSULAR post) outside the United States.

Fifth, parents who are in the US may still be sponsored or petition even if the parent is in the US in an unlawful status by paying a $1,000 penalty, provided no other inadmissibility issues arise except for the overstaying violation.

ada, the wait was an average of 45 months. The long backlog prompted the Canadian government to create a temporary visa for parents and grandparents (PGP) of Canadian sponsors.

This PGP visa, valid up to 10 years, allows the parent to be with the sponsoring son or daughter for a maximum of two years each admission. An extension of another two years may be applied for while the parent is in Canada.

A new interest-to-sponsor form Canada: lower age, for parents intending to join the longer waiting period son/daughter permanently was created and made available at As with Australia, even perma- noon of Jan. 28, 2019. Forms nent residents may already spon- submitted online are accepted on sor a parent. In contrast, only US A kRST IN BASIS /NCE ENOUGH SUBcitizens have the ability and right missions are received, the online to petition a parent. form will no longer be available.

Second, Canadian permanent 1UALIkED POTENTIAL SPONSORS residents or citizens 18 years old are then invited to submit a comand over may sponsor a parent. plete application in the same orThe US requires a citizen sponsor- der the interest-to-sponsor forms ing a parent to be 21 years or older. online were received within a Third, Canadian sponsors must SPECIkED TIME FRAME PROVIDE A WRITTEN PROMISE gTO kAustralian counterpart. On US parent key nancially take care of the persons March 1, 2019, Australian Imdifferences you are sponsoring for a period of migration Minister Coleman time.� This promise or undertaking announced that applications to The main difference is that in the commits the sponsor to: sponsor a parent for the newly US only citizens may sponsor or 0ROVIDE kNANCIAL SUPPORT FOR created sponsored parent (tempetition a parent, regardless of the sponsored family members porary) subclass 870 visa will be the parent’s age. for 20 years, starting when they open from April 17, 2019. AppliSecond, the assurance of support become permanent residents; cations for the visa are intended IS SIMILAR TO THE AFkDAVIT OF SUPPORT Repay any provincial social to open from July 1, 2019. required for the parents of US citi- assistance (money from the govThe temporary visa mirrors zens being sponsored or petitioning ernment) the sponsored family Canada’s parent/grandparent in the IR5 category. However, the members get during the time visa which allows parents to be US visa fee is much, much lower – covered by the undertaking. temporarily reunited with their Fourth, the sponsorship fee is children and grandchildren in $535.00 for the petition and $325 when applying for the visa after the lower than Australia, but higher Australia. Both temporary visas than the US: C$1,040; processing require the sponsor to pledge petition is approved.

Third, the sponsoring US citizen time is longer than the US – 20 HAVING kNANCIAL ABILITY TO SUPmust be 21 years or over. Australia to 24 months but only for parent port the parent during the tempoexempts a citizen or settled per- SPONSORSHIPS TO BE kLED rary stay so citizens and resident manent resident 18 years old or For parent sponsorship be- taxpayers are not required to below through an eligible relative fore Jan. 1, 2016, the Canadian cover additional costs. or community organization. government warns “your case is There’s a Tagalog fun-phrase: Fourth, shorter processing time probably complex,� and sponsors “Mahirap magpalaki ng magulang.�

To paraphrase in English, for parent applicants in the US are given the chance to check the take anywhere from just 1 to 1.5 application status by creating it is difficult and complex to years in a three-stage process: 1) an online account and linking a sponsor a parent. Hopefully, filing with the US Citizenship paper application to the account. we are able to provide sufficient and Immigration Services; 2) Before the new procedures information for sponsors in completing immigrant visa ap- for parent sponsorship to Can- Australia, Canada and the US.

Civil society organizations under attack by rightwing governments and extremist groups refugees from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea. And there were also instances of UNITED NATIONS: The widespread political repression in countries activists being charged, tried and such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the convicted in the United States for Philippines—and rising right-wing providing water supplies for minationalism in the US, Brazil, Italy, grants crossing the deadly Sonoran India, Poland and Hungary—have desert on the US/Mexico border.

Lysa John, Civicus secretary genincreasingly triggered attacks on human rights and civil society eral, says “civil society, acting on humanitarian impulses, confronts organizations (CSOs).

The annual 2019 “State of Civil a rising tide of global mean spiritSociety� report released March edness, challenging humanitarian 27 details a “terrifying picture of values in a way unparalleled since fundamental freedoms under se- the Second World War.� “We need a new campaign, at rious threat in 111 of the world’s countries�—well over half of all both global and domestic levels, to reinforce humanitarian values the countries globally.�

Only four percent of the and the rights of progressive civil world’s population live in coun- society groups to act,� added John.

The theme of this year’s ICSW, tries where fundamental freedoms of association, peaceful which takes place in Belgrade assembly and expression are April 8-12, is “The Power of Togetherness� focusing on harnessrespected and enabled.

Authored by the Johannesburg- ing the power of collective action based Civicus, a global alliance of to respond to rights restrictions CSOs and activists dedicated to and right-wing globalism.

According to the Civicus restrengthening citizen action and civil society worldwide, the study port, in Europe, the US and warns that the rise of right-wing beyond – from Brazil to India – POPULISM AND THE INlUENCE OF right-wing populists, nationalists anti-rights extremist groups are and extremist groups are mobihelping to fuel these threats to lizing dominant populations to attack the most vulnerable. democracy in so many nations.

This has led to an attack on But the report also outlines the various ways, in various countries, the values behind humanitarian that civil society and citizens are response as people are being kGHTING BACK AND CLAIMING VICTO- encouraged to blame minorities and vulnerable groups for ries in defense of their rights. their concerns about insecurity, inequality, economic hardship ‘Alarming example’ and isolation from power.

This means that civil society As one of the “alarming examples,â€? it singles out the Ital- organisations that support the ian government’s decision to rights of excluded populations IMPOSE A HEFTY kNE ON ONE OF such as women and LGBTQI the world’s best known humani- people and stand up for labour tarian organizations, MĂŠdecins rights are being attacked.

Sans Frontières (MSF), while simultaneously freezing their ‘Rogue leaders’ assets, impounding their rescue vessel and investigating their As narrow notions of national STAFF FOR HUMAN TRAFkCKINGwIN sovereignty are being asserted, retaliation for their efforts to save the report points out, the inter-

policy influence in the fight against inequality, on labour rights and on efforts to reduce high level corruption.

Often restrictions on civil society are worsened when the increasingly close partnerships between governments and the private sector go unscrutinised.

BY THALIF DEEN

‘Crisis of compassion’

national system is being rewritten by powerful states, such as China, Russia and the US, that refuse to play by the rules. “Borders and walls are being reinforced by rogue leaders who are bringing their styles of personal rule into international affairs by ignoring existing institutions, agreements and norms.�

The report also points to a startling spike in protests relating to economic exclusion, inequality and poverty, which are often met with violent repression, and HIGHLIGHTS A SERIES OF lAWED AND fake elections held in countries around the world in the last year. “Democratic values are under strain around the globe from unaccountable strong men attacking civil society and the media in unprecedented – and often brutal – ways,� said Andrew Firmin, Civicus’ editor-in-chief and the report’s lead author.

And 2018 is being billed as a year in which regressive forces appeared to gain ground.

But the past year was also one in which committed civil society activists fought back against the rising repression of rights.

The report points out to the successes of the global #MeToo women’s rights movement to the

March for Our Lives gun reform movement led by high school students in the US–to the growing school strike climate change movement, collective action gained ground to claim breakthroughs. “Despite the negative trends, active citizens and civil society organizations have been able to achieve change in Armenia, where a new political dispensation is in place, and in Ethiopia, where scores of prisoners of conscience have been released,� said John.

Recommendations The report makes several recommendations for civil society and citizen action. The report calls for new strategies to argue against right-wing populism while urging progressive civil society to engage citizens towards better, more positive alternatives.

These include developing and promoting new ideas on economic democracy for fairer economies that put people and rights at their centre. Notably, the report calls for reinforcing the spirit of internationalism, shared humanity and the central importance of compassion in everything we say and do.

Meanwhile, says the report,

It’s also important to remember, said Tiwana, that while the UN is increasingly turning to the private sector for assistance in achieving sustainable development, it is often civil society organizations that international institutions mostly are working hand in hand with the struggled, hamstrung by the in- UN in delivering humanitarian serterests and alliances of powerful vices on the frontlines, and risking states, doing little to respond to the their lives doing so. g4HE DIVISIVE AND SELkSH ACgreat challenges of the day, failing TO kGHT OVERWHELMING INEQUALITY tions of nationalist leaders insilent on the human rights abuses dicate that we might be heading of states such as Saudi Arabia and towards a full-blown crisis of the Sudan, letting down the people multilateral system�. “In the present situation where of Syria and the Rohingya people of Myanmar, among many others. we are facing a crisis of compassion Asked if the United Nations from the actions of mean-spirited shouldn’t name and shame these right-wing populists, it’s imporcountries where right-wing ex- tant that the UN stands with civil tremism is on the rise, Mandeep society organizations and activists 4IWANA CHIEF PROGRAMS OFkCER AT working towards just, equal and Civicus, told IPS the UN is fac- sustainable societies�.

He argued that public stateing serious funding challenges which make it dependent on the MENTS FROM SENIOR 5. OFkCIALS contributions of big countries for across the institutions’ various pillars, followed by actions and its operating budget. “This might be leading to situa- WILLINGNESS BY 5. OFkCIALS ON THE tions where ultra-nationalist leaders ground to engage governments or those who subscribe to authori- that attack human rights and tarian precepts are getting a free civil society, are urgently needed PASS FOR THEIR ACTIONS THAT lAGRANTLY in the present scenario.

The UN needs to make comviolate the spirit of the UN Charter mon cause with political leaders and also international law.�

He also pointed out that the and governments committed to funding situation is so dire that strengthening multilateralism a number of UN bodies are court- and the international human ing private corporations to shore rights framework in these testing up their funding including with times, he declared. regards to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The writer can be contacted which could lead to undesirable at thalifdeen@ips.org

Regions TF Bangon Marawi blamed for IDPs plight M

˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY April 1, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

FULL SUPPORT

President Rodrigo Duterte said at a recent campaign rally of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan in Koronadal City, South Cotabato that he would only support the Senate candidates who put the interest of the country first. “That is why I am wholeheartedly supporting Bong Go,” he said. Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, former special assistant to the President and Senate hopeful, told his supporters that he would remain as their bridge to the President and make sure to continue support the administration’s campaign against corruption, criminality and drugs. Go added he would prioritize the improved delivery of health services, institutionalize the Malasakit Center and push for programs for the poor, the homeless and senior citizens, as well as bill creating the Department of overseas Filipino Workers. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Hottest temperature recorded in Cotabato 7)4( THE EARLY ONSET OF THE DRY SEASON THE 0HILIPPINE !TMOSPHERIC 'EOPHYSICAL AND !STRONOMICAL 3ERVICES !DMINISTRATION 0AGASA RECORDED THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE SO FAR THIS YEAR AT DEGREES #ELCIUS # IN #OTABATO #ITY 4HIS SURPASSED THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE RECORDED IN #OTABATO #ITY IN YEARS AT # ON -ARCH

)N -ETRO -ANILA THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE RECORDED SO FAR WAS # AT THE WEATHER STATION OF THE .INOY !QUINO )NTERNATIONAL !IRPORT IN 0ASAY #ITY ON -ARCH 0AGASA WEATHER SPECIALIST 'ENER 1UITLONG SAID HOTTER DAYS ARE EXPECTED IN THE COMING DAYS AS THE DRY SEASON HAD JUST STARTED

ADDING THAT THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURES MIGHT BE EXPERIENCED IN !PRIL OR -AY (E ADDED THAT WHILE THE PRESENCE OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON OR AMIHAN WAS OBSERVED ON 3UN-

DAY IT WOULD ONLY AFFECT .ORTHERN AND #ENTRAL ,UZON AND COULD ONLY BRING AROUND TWO CENTIGRADE LOWER TEMPERATURE FOR UP TO TWO DAYS 0AGASA S LATEST FORECAST INDICATES THAT THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURES MAY REACH UP TO # IN .ORTHERN ,UZON IN -AY 4EMPERATURE IN -ETRO -ANILA COULD REACH UP TO # IN -AY 1UITLONG SAID THE HEAT INDEX OR THE LEVEL OF DISCOMFORT FOR AN AVERAGE PERSON COULD ALSO BE HIGHER

BY THREE TO FOUR CENTIGRADE AND WARNED THE PUBLIC TO AVOID GOING OUTDOORS BETWEEN NOON TO P M g4HE TEMPERATURE RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND HEAT INDEX ARE DIFFERENT IF YOU ARE DIRECTLY EXPOSED UNDER THE SUN u 1UITLONG ADDED 7HEN GOING OUTDOORS HE ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO BRING SUN PROTECTION WEAR LIGHT CLOTHES AND DRINK A LOT OF WATER DIVINA JOY DELA CRUZ

Preservation of agricultural, fisheries products in the market Dear PAO, ) AM A kSH VENDOR IN OUR TOWN MARKET !RE THERE ANY LAWS THAT WE NEED TO COMPLY WITH IN RELATION TO THE PRESERVATION OF MY kSH PRODUCTS 3ALVE $EAR 3ALVE

4HE LAW THAT ADDRESSES YOUR SITUATION IS 3ECTION OF 2EPUBLIC !CT OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE g!GRICULTURE AND &ISHERIES -ODERNIZATION !CT OF u WHICH READS g3ECTION 0UBLIC -ARKET AND !BATTOIRS 4HE $EPARTMENT OF !GRICULTURE SHALL ENCOURAGE THE ,'5S LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO TURN OVER THE MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION OF PUBLIC MARKETS AND ABATTOIRS TO MARKET VENDORS COOPERATIVES AND FOR THAT PURPOSE

THE APPROPRIATION FOR POST HARVEST FACILITIES SHALL INCLUDE THE SUPPORT FOR MARKET VENDORS FACILITIES g4HE $EPARTMENT SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE ,'5S IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STANDARDIZED MARKET SYSTEMS AND USE OF SANITARY MARKET FACILITIES AND ABATTOIRS

INTENDED TO ENSURE THE FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY g!LL MARKETS SHALL HAVE A SANITATION UNIT PROPER AND ADEQUATE DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM

AMPLE WATER SUPPLY PUBLIC TOILETS WITH LAVATORIES GARBAGE RECEPTACLES ICE PLANTS AND COLD STORAGE

ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND VENTILATION AND SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY TO ENSURE CLEANLINESS AND SANITATION 0RICE MONITORING BULLETIN BOARDS FOR SELECTED COMMODITIES AND WEIGHING SCALES ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC SHALL ALSO BE ESTABLISHED

DEAR PAO PERSIDA ACOSTA gProper protection and preserVATION OF AGRICULTURE AND kSHERIES PRODUCTS BEING SOLD IN THE MARKET SHALL ALSO BE OBSERVED !LL FOODS WHICH REQUIRE NO FURTHER COOKING SHALL BE WRAPPED

COVERED OR ENCLOSED IN CONTAINERS TO PRESERVE THE FRESHNESS AND PREVENT CONTAMINATION 3ELLING of products on market floors SHALL BE PROHIBITED u %MPHASIS SUPPLIED )T IS CLEAR FROM THE CITED PROVISION THAT PROPER PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF AGRICULTURE AND kSHERIES PRODUCTS SOLD IN THE MARKET IS MANDATED !LL FOODS WHICH REQUIRE NO FURTHER COOKING SHALL BE WRAPPED COVERED OR ENCLOSED IN CONTAINERS TO PRESERVE THE FRESHNESS AND PREVENT CONTAMINATION !LSO THE SELLING OF PRODUCTS ON MARKET lOORS WHICH IS PROHIBITED SHALL BE OBSERVED 4HIS OPINION IS SOLELY BASED ON THE FACTS YOU HAVE NARRATED AND OUR APPRECIATION OF THE SAME 4HUS THE OPINION MAY VARY WHEN THE FACTS ARE CHANGED OR FURTHER ELABORATED 7E HOPE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ENLIGHTEN YOU ON THE MATTER

%DITOR S NOTE $EAR 0!/ IS A DAILY COLUMN OF THE 0UBLIC !TTORNEY S /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF !COSTA MAY BE SENT TO DEARPAO MANILATIMES NET

!2!7) #)49 &ORMER 4ECHNOLOGICAL %DUCATION AND 3KILLS $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY DIRECTOR general Guiling Mamondiong blamed Task Force Bangon -ARAWI 4&"- AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FOR THE SUFFERINGS OF THE EVACUEES CITING THE SLOW PACE IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE DEVASTATED CITY -AMONDIONG MET WITH INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS )$0S WHO WERE TEMPORARILY HOUSED IN TENTS AT THE 3AGONSONGAN !REA IN THIS CITY ON &RIDAY AND WAS DISMAYED TO THE SITUATION OF THE DISPLACED FAMILIES (E SAID 4&"- AND SEVERAL AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE REHABILITATION EFFORT WERE TOO SLOW IN DOING THEIR TASKS g5NTIL NOW NOT A SINGLE SACK OF CEMENT HAS BEEN POURED IN THERE u -AMONDIONG WAS ALSO SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THE SHELTERS WERE MUCH SMALLER THAN WHAT WAS AGREED UPON THAT THERE WOULD BE THREE ROOMS PER UNIT (E SUSPECTED SOME ANOMALY IN THE DELAY OF THE REHABILITATION CITING THE 4&"- HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY CHANGING CONTRACTORS -AMONDIONG SAID HE TALKED WITH 4&"- #HAIRMAN RETIRED 'EN %DUARDO DEL 2OSARIO ABOUT THESE CONCERNS

ADDING THAT 2OSARIO KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE gIT WAS ALWAYS DISCUSSED IN #ABINET MEETINGS WITH 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE u g4HERE ARE MANY VACANT SHELTERS

WHY DID THEY NOT ACCOMMODATE THOSE LIVING IN TENTS u HE ASKED No water, toilets 4HE )$0S ASKED -AMONDIONG TO RELAY TO 0RESIDENT $UTERTE THEIR REAL SITUATION AS HE MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF IT 4HEY ALSO APPEALED THAT THEY BE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN 'ROUND :ERO 4HE )$0S BELONGING TO 3UARA -IYAMAGOYAG LED BY $ATU -ENO -ANABILANG TOLD -AMONDIONG DURING THEIR MEETING THAT THEY COULD NO LONGER BEAR THEIR SUFFERINGS WHILE STAYING FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS IN THE TEMPORARY SHELTERS 4HEY ADDED THAT THEY NO LONGER NEED THE RELIEF GOODS FROM THE $EPARTMENT OF 3OCIAL 7ELFARE AND $EVELOPMENT WHICH ARE MOSTLY ROTTEN DRIED FISH ROTTEN MONGGO

EXPIRED SARDINES HARDENED SUGAR AND COFFEE AND OTHER FOOD THAT EVEN ANIMALS COULD HARDLY SWALLOW 4HE )$0S ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THEY HAD NO WATER SUPPLY SINCE

THEY MOVED TO THE SHELTERS AND HAD TO FETCH WATER FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD POSING DANGER TO SOME YOUNG KIDS TWO OF WHOM WERE HIT

BY A CAR WHILE CROSSING THE STREET 4HEY ALSO SAID THAT THE TOILETS WERE ONLY USEFUL DURING THE kRST THREE MONTHS OF THEIR STAY 4HEY LAMENTED THAT 4&"- DID NOT LISTEN TO THEM EVEN AFTER THE RECENT MEETING WITH DEL 2OSARIO AT THE PROVINCIAL GYM 4HE -ARANAOS SAID THAT FOR AIRING THEIR PLIGHT THE 4&"- CHAIRMAN SAID TO THEM g7HY DON T YOU

A7

THANK THE GOVERNMENT FOR ALL THE ASSISTANCE IT HAS EXTENDED TO YOU u 4HE EVACUEES ASKED FOR THE RESIGNATION OF DEL 2OSARIO AND -ARANAO LEADERS EARLIER SOUGHT FOR THE ABOLITION OF 4&"- FOR ITS FAILURE TO REBUILD THE CITY ALMOST TWO YEARS AFTER IT WAS DEVASTATED DURING THE -ARAWI 3IEGE !CCUSING THE 4&"- LEADERSHIP OF gINCOMPETENCE u THE -ARANAO LEADERS SAID THEY PIN THEIR HOPES ON THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED "ANGSAMORO !UTONOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAO TO REHABILITATE -ARAWI

MONDAY APRIL 1, 2019

Business Times www.manilatimes.net

S H A R E S O U T LO O K F O R T H E W E E K :

Inflation news seen lifting stock market THE stock market could start the second quarter of the year on a positive note given expectations of a continued consumer price slowdown.

Eagle Equities Inc. research head Christopher Mangun said -ARCH INlATION COULD CLOCK IN AT the lower end of central bank’s 3.1-3.9 percent forecast, down from the 3.8 percent recorded a month earlier. “This will be very positive and may prompt investors to come into the market with conviction which in turn will help fuel the PSEi’s (Philippine Stock Exchange index) rally,�

Mangun said, adding that the index could break past 8,000.

B1

Official March inflation data will be announced this Friday, April 5. /NLINE BROKERAGE kRM TRADEAsia.com, meanwhile, underscored THE POTENTIAL OF HIGHER INlATION given the ongoing El Niùo’s damage to crops and the impact of rising global crude futures.

It said subdued trading could continue happen as companies would also be busy preparing for the tax remittance season.

On Friday, the bellwether PSEi grew by 0.56 percent or 44.53 points to close at 7,920.93. The broader All Shares rose by 0.43 percent or 20.73 POINTS TO kNISH AT

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Inflation down further in March – economists I

BY ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

NFLATION likely continued to ease last month as lower food prices tempered fuel price hikes, economists polled by The Manila Times said.

Forecasts for the month ranged from 3.3-4.05 percent with a 3.5-percent average — within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 3.1-3.9 percent estimate for the month.

Consumer price growth returned to the BSP’s 2.0-4.0 percent goal in February, falling to 3.8 percent after 11 months of above-target results.

Official March inflation data is scheduled for release on April 5.

In the Times poll, Asian Institute of Management economist Emmaneul ,EYCO OFFERED THE HIGHEST INlATION forecast of 3.9-4.2 percent. g) THINK THE INlATION RATE WILL SEE some uptick due to the effects of El NiĂąo and fuel price increases but

tempered a bit by the deceleration in rice prices due to cheaper imported rice,� he said.

Eagle Equities Inc. research head Christopher Mangun, meanwhile, SAID INlATION WOULD LIKELY HIT percent. “Food prices and basic commodities got cheaper than in the previous month. The only concern is gas prices went up in March as compared to February,� he noted.

DBS economist Masyita Crystallin SAID INlATION ALSO LIKELY CONTINUED to ease to 3.6 percent despite an ongoing El NiĂąo, with rice, vegetables,

Consortium could fund Sangley airport DEVELOPMENT plans for the proposed Sangly airport are being firmed up, the Cavite provincial government claimed as it sought to dismiss doubts over its capability to pursue the project.

Cavite governor Jesus Crispin Remulla told reporters last week that he was talking to potential members of a consortium, including some of the country’s “biggest banks�, to fund the proposed alternative to Metro Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport. “Right now we’re looking at local kNANCING BECAUSE THERE S SO MUCH controversy surrounding China money ... There’s enough money in the country,� Remulla said at the sidelines of an event in Imus, Cavite.

The local government, he added, COULD ALSO RAISE FUNDS VIA A BOND lOAT “Initially we’re looking at P200 billion [to complete the project] ... that should be enough,� Remulla said, noting that this is lower than the $10 billion (approximately P560 billion) under an initial proposal. “You need 700 hectares for an airport, two runways besides the existing runways we have right now ...

to make it viable ... you may need to double the area. Another 700 hectares for commercial area to be able to recoup the investment,� he said.

The Sangley airport, which will be build on an existing air force base, is expected to service 50 million to 100 million travelers per year once completed.

The proposal, however, has met with skepticism from the government.

The National Economic and Development Authority has cast doubts over #AVITE S kNANCIAL CAPABILITY TO MOUNT the project and the Department of Transportation and Communication last week said the local government unit only had up to the middle of this YEAR TO kNALIZE ITS PLANS Remulla said they were “doing everything right now to be able to comply.�

Last month, the Transportation department said it could consider other Sangley airport proposals.

A $12-billion proposal from the Sangley Airport Infrastructure Group, Inc., which claims the development will come at “no cost to the government�, has been put on hold given Cavite’s interest in the project.

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and poultry prices particularly down from February.

Economists from ING Bank Manila and Moody’s Analytics, meanWHILE BOTH SAID INlATION COULD HAVE fallen to 3.4 percent. “The food component will likely be the biggest drag on price pressures given the recent implementation of THE RICE TARIFkCATION LAW AS WELL AS THE NORMALIZATION OF SUPPLY CHAINS AFTER the supply side shocks in late 2018,�

ING Bank senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa said.

He added that utility prices were

ÂłMarch B2

Govt debt payments drop to P77B in Jan CAUTIONARY TALE

A banner advertising the “Lehman Trilogy� play hangs in front of the Park Ave Armory on March 26, 2019, in New York. For one month only, the original Lehman Brothers return to New York City and they have lots to say about the virtues and vices of American capitalism. AFP PHOTO

Investment pledges up 60% in Q1 – DTI INVESTMENT approvals were up 60 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier, the Department of Trade and Industry said, exceeding a 50-percent growth forecast.

The Board of Investments greenlighted P243-billion worth of investment pledges in the January-March period, up from P152.1 billion posted last year.

In March alone, investment approvals grew nearly seven-fold to P141.25 billion from P20.48 billion a year earlier. It fueled

a recover from a 95-percent year-on-year dip in February.

Electricity and power projects led first quarter investment approvals at P148 billion, followed by manufacturing (P43 billion) and information and communications technology (P33.2 billion).

Among regions, Calabarzon had the most investments approved year-to-date at P162 billion, followed by Central Luzon and the National Capital Region with P25.9

billion and P6.1 billion respectively.

Foreign investments — which accounted for almost 13 percent of total pledges — grew by over 3,700 percent to P30.8 billion in the first quarter from just P792.8 million a year ago.

The Netherlands was the top foreign investor for the period with P9.1 billion, followed by Thailand (P8.4 billion), Japan (P5.3 billion) and the United States (P2.2 billion).

TYRONE C. PIAD

GOVERNMENT debt payments fell in *ANUARY AS LOWER AMORTIZATIONS OFFSET AN increase in interest payments, data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed.

A total of P77.614 billion was paid to creditors during the month, 7.3 percent lower than the P83.806 billion recorded a year earlier. !MORTIZATION EXPENSES FELL percent to P31.698 billion from P40.290 billion a year ago. Domestic AMORTIZATION PLUNGED TO 0 MILLION from P38.992 billion but foreign AMORTIZATION SURGED TO 0 BILlion from P1.298 billion.

Interest payments, which accounted for the bulk or 59.1 percent of debt payments, rose by 5.5 percent to P45.916 billion. Domestic interest payments, at P25.108 billion, were 2.4 percent higher while foreign interest payments totalling P20.808 billion also increased by 9.2 percent.

The government’s outstanding debt stood at P7.494 trillion in January, up over P201 billion from a month ago as local and foreign borrowings increased.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Max’s Group stockholders’ meeting set May 9 A

S of Feb. 28, 2019, PCD Nominee Corp. held 8.382 billion common shares, or 61.29 percent of 13.675 billion outstanding common shares in Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC), according to the company’s preliminary information statement (PIS).

In addition, it also had 720 million outstanding preferred shares, “which are all owned by a Filipino company.� “In sum, the total number of outstanding shares entitled to vote is 14,394,975,117 out of which 10,471,512,983 shares, or 72.74 percent are owned by Filipinos while 3,923,462,134 shares, or 27.26 percent, are owned by non-Filipinos,� Nickel Asia said in its PIS. Nickel Asia also listed the following

stockholders as of Feb. 28, 2019: Sumitomo Mining Philippine Holdings Corp. of Japan, 3.614 billion common shares, or 26.43 percent; and Nonillion Holdings Corp., 1.296 billion common shares, or 9.48 percent. The company listed Nickel Asia Holdings Inc. as the only holder of 720 million NAC’s voting preferred shares.

In an explanatory note, Nickel Asia named Manuel B. Zamora, Philip T Ang and Luis J.L. Virata as owners of Nickel Asia Holdings.

Stockholders of Nickel Asia will hold their annual meeting at 2:30pm on May 20, 2019. The company’s PIS said the place was to be announced later, which could mean the time when it would be ready to issue ITS DEkNITIVE INFORMATION STATEMENT $)3

Public as significant stockholders A public ownership report (POR) as of Dec. 31, 2018 showed the public investors as holders of 4.626 billion NAC common

shares or 33.82 percent. It also listed the company having reported 9.357 million treasury shares out of 13,685,272,117 issued NAC common shares.

Like other listed but not public companies, Nickel Asia’s POR showed the public AS SIGNIkCANT STOCKHOLDERS WHO HOWEVER

were not given a board seat.

Instead, the website of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) listed Nickel Asia’s two independent directors (IDs), namely, Frederick Y. Dee and Fulgencio S. Factoran Jr. As IDs, Dee, chairman emeritus of Security Bank Corp., and Factoran, a former secretary of the Department of Environ-

ÂłPerez B2

B2

Business Times MONDAY April 1, 2019

PH net external liability expands 14.3% in 2018

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

T

HE Philippines’ international investment position (IIP) worsened last year in relative terms given higher net external liabilities, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported. !T BILLION EXTERNAL kNANCIAL assets were smaller than external liabilities of $224.408 billion as of end-2018.

The resulting $48.811-billion net liability was 14.3 percent higher compared to the $42.700 billion posted at end-2017. “This was on account of the 4.7 percent expansion in the country’s external financial liabilities, which negated the 2.4 percent growth in the COUNTRY S EXTERNAL kNANCIAL ASSETS DURING the period,� the BSP said. The resulting net liability was also 39 percent higher when reckoned with the $35.127 billion posted three months earlier.

The BSP said the increase in the COUNTRY S EXTERNAL kNANCIAL LIABILITIES was buoyed mainly by the 17.3 percent rise in foreign portfolio investments to $87.6 billion from $74.7 billion as of end-September 2018. Foreign direct investments and other investments also posted positive growth during the period to reach $83 billion and $53.6

billion, respectively, it elaborated. g)NlOWS OF INVESTMENTS INCREASED ON THE BACK OF STRONG INVESTOR CONkDENCE in the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals and growth prospects,� the BSP said.

It said positive revaluation adjustments also contributed to the increase in the COUNTRY S EXTERNAL LIABILITIES RElECTING THE uptick in the Philippine Stock Exchange Index and the appreciation of the peso against the US dollar during the quarter.

4HE COUNTRY S EXTERNAL kNANCIAL ASsets, on the other hand, grew from $74.9 billion in the previous quarter amid the accumulation of reserve assets, the BSP added. In particular, portfolio investments and other investments grew by 5.9 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively.

The combined increases in reserve assets and portfolio and other investments more than offset the declines in direct INVESTMENTS PERCENT AND kNANCIAL derivatives (19.8 percent), the BSP said.

HER PART SAID A SLOWDOWN IN INlATION would allow the BSP to ease policy rates in the second quarter. “Looks like the expected sustained DOWNTREND IN INlATION WILL BE ENOUGH still lower compared to last year but to drive the central bank to cut rates in noted upside pressures from transport May,� she said. costs.

The lowest forecast in the poll, -APA SAID EASING INlATION WOULD meanwhile, came from UnionBank allow the BSP to relax policy. of the Philippines chief economist “By [its] May 9 [policy] meeting Carlo Asuncion who said he expected BSP will have 3 months’ worth of a 3.3-percent result. data points ... “we feel this will be “The heavy-weighted food and nonTHE SIGNAL THEY NEED TO kNALLY EASE alcoholic beverages index most proboff the brakes and give the economy ably has led the decline. However, this A BREAK AS RUMBLINGS OF SLOWER kRST is seen as a slowing of the slowdown of half GDP (gross domestic product) INlATION AS GLOBAL OIL PRICES CONTINUE will continue to get louder,� he added. to rise, including higher utility costs Moody’s economist Katrina Ell for due to supply shocks,� he added.

Q MARCH FROM B1

Inflation

Q PEREZ FROM B1

Max’s ment and Natural Resources are not SIGNIkCANT STOCKHOLDERS In the PIS, as chairman and chief EXECUTIVE OFkCER OF .ICKEL !SIA 'ERARD ( "RIMO IS AMONG THE COMPANY S kVE highest paid executives. He and four other executives received P61.733 million in 2017 and P72.847 million in 2018. This year, they would be paid P69.625 million.

Of their total pays and perks, 0 MILLION WAS THE kVER PERSON group’s salary in 2017 and P39.539 million in 2018. They will received at the end of this year P43.613 million based only on company estimate.

Fried chicken house Max’s Group Inc., which owns Max Fried Chicken among other brands, will hold its annual stockholders’ meeting on May 9, 2019, the company said in a PIS. As public stockholders of Max’s Group, they will have the one-a-year chance of meeting the company’s other stockholders.

Incidentally, Max’s Group listed PCD Nominee as holder of 1,012,927,352 Max’s common shares, then equivalent to 93.23 percent of outstanding. It also held another block of 71.594 million Max’s common shares, or 6.59 percent, for non-Filipinos.

4HE OTHERS INCLUDED 4ROk 6ENTURES Corp., which owned 82.022 million Max’s common shares, or 7.5 percent, as of Feb. 28, 2019.

Max’s Group’s GIS also listed the following stockholders: Max’s Kitchen Inc., 101.173 million common shares; The Real American Doughnut Co., 81.544 million Max’s common shares; Max’s Bakeshop Inc., 63.640 million

DELOITTE. ON THE DOT

MENCHIE MARZAN-MARCOS

Max’s common shares; No Bia Inc., 37.891 million Max’s common shares; 4ROTA 'IMENEZ 2EALTY #ORP

million Max’s common shares; and MGOC Holdings Inc., 9.982 million Max’s common shares.

The above stockholders held a total of 306,878,046 Max common shares as of Feb. 28, 209.

Publicly held In a public ownership report (POR) as of Dec. 31, 2018, Max’s Group had issued 1,087,082,024 common shares but ended up with 780,203,978 outstanding common shares because it had 306,878,046 treasury shares.

Max’s Group reported in the same POR the public as holders of 265.894 million Max’s common shares, or 34.08 percent of 780.204 million outstanding Max’s common shares.

Apparently, the public’s ownership of 34.08 percent of outstanding topped Max’s Group’s principal stockHOLDERS SUCH AS 4ROk 6ENTURES AND g/THER !FkLIATES WHICH COMBINED FOR ownership of 173.051 million Max’s common shares, or 22.2 percent, according to the POR. Trofi Ventures and “Other AfkLIATESu OWNED MILLION -AX S common shares, or 10.5 percent, and 91.029 million Max’s common shares, or 11.7 percent.

When computed, the total holdings OF 4ROk AND g/THER !FkLIATESu WERE equivalent to 22.18 percent, and not 22.2 percent.

On the other hand, nine members of Max’s Group’s board directly held 200.275 million Max’s common shares, or 25.6 percent. Again, their ownership was equivalent to 25.6695 percent, which, when rounded to the nearest decimals equals 25.67 percent.

By the way, was Due Diligencer right in its computations? Just asking.

ESDPEREZ GMAIL COM

Due to space constraints, “Deloitte on the dot� will instead be published on Tuesday.

˜ The Manila Times

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Corporate News

MONDAY April 1, 2019

B3

30-DAY STOCK PERFORMANCE

HIGH

LOW

AVERAGE

CLOSE

30-day high: P5.68

Bright prospects expected for Travellers International

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

P

ROSPECTS for Resorts World Manila operator Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc. appear bright but trading in its shares last week was not spared from a market downturn.

4RAVELLERS SHARES WERE lAT WEEK on-week, finishing at P5.64 on Friday from the P5.63 posted on March 22 amid the Philippine Stock Exchange index’s 1.15-percent week-on-week drop.

It was down by 4.4 percent from a 52-week high of P5.90 and by 2.8 percent from this year’s highest price of P5.80. On a year-to-date basis, the company’s shares remain up 7 percent.

Philstocks Financial Inc. research associate Japhet Louis 4ANTIANGCO SAID THE lATTISH TRADING could be attributed to overall market sentiment coupled with the

LACK OF COMPANY SPECIkC CATALYSTS However, Tantiangco said bright prospects awaited Travellers on the back of the Philippines’ strong tourism industry, particularly with respect to casinos. “Chinese gamers are increasing in the Philippines [and] this will complement [Travellers’] continuous expansion,� he said.

Timson Securities Inc. trader Jervin de Celis echoed this, sayING THE kRM WAS RECOVERING FROM a 2017 battering due to a deadly rampage by a lone gunman at its Resorts World Manila operations.

The incident led to the casino’s

temporary closure and significantly affected 2017 results.

A year later, Travellers saw net income soar by 414 percent to P1.44 billion, from the P279.8 million registered in 2017, on the back of higher revenues from gaming and non-gaming operations. &ULL YEAR PROkT HOWEVER WAS down from its nine-month net income of P1.82 billion as a P381million loss was incurred during the last three months of 2018.

Net revenues increased by 10.6 percent to P20.6 billion from the P18.6 billion registered year-onyear. “The opening of the Grand

Wing might improve the performance of the company in 2019 so I expect the stock price to reflect the improvement in its fundamentals for the remaining quarters of the year,� de Celis said, referring to Travellers’ expansion program.

The Grand Wing covers three luxury hotel brands — the Hilton Manila, Sheraton Manila Hotel and Hotel Okura Manila that will add 940 rooms to Travellers’ total room portfolio.

Travellers expects to be the largest integrated resort operator in the country once the Grand Wing is fully operational.

FINANCIAL CONDITION Year

Total Assets

Total Liabilities

2016 2017 2018

76,308,789 86,472,365 107,295,782

31,683,728 42,151,627 61,657,929

Market capitalization: P88,705,575,405.50 Outstanding shares: 15,755,874,850

30-day low: P5.52

Q The Resorts World Manila at the Newport City in Pasay. PHOTO GRABBED FROM RWM WEBSITE

Shareholders’ Equity 44,625,061 44,320,738 45,637,853

*amounts in thousand pesos

Date

Close

Date

Close

Mar 29, 2019

5.64

Mar 08, 2019

5.61

Mar 28, 2019

5.63

Mar 07, 2019

5.62

Mar 27, 2019

5.63

Mar 26, 2019 Mar 25, 2019

5.64 5.62

Mar 06, 2019 Mar 05, 2019 Mar 04, 2019

5.62 5.63 5.61

Mar 22, 2019

5.63

Mar 01, 2019

5.65

Mar 21, 2019

5.63

Mar 20, 2019 Mar 19, 2019

5.63 5.63

Feb 28, 2019 Feb 27, 2019

5.61 5.6

Feb 26, 2019

5.57

Mar 18, 2019 Mar 15, 2019 Mar 14, 2019

5.63 5.63 5.62

Mar 13, 2019

5.6

Feb 22, 2019 Feb 21, 2019 Feb 20, 2019 Feb 19, 2019

5.63 5.57 5.56 5.6

Mar 12, 2019 Mar 11, 2019

5.6 5.62

Feb 18, 2019

5.56

Feb 15, 2019

5.6

*amounts in peso

*amounts in peso

PROFITABILITY Date Mar. 25 Mar. 26 Mar. 27 Mar. 28 Mar. 29

P/E ratio 62.4 62.7 62.6 62.6 62.7

Net income Earnings per share Book value per share *Net income in millions

P/E growth (%) 0.48 0.16

Price to book ratio 2.0738 2.0812 2.0775 2.0775 2.0812

2016 3,398 0.26

2017 279 0.01

2018 1,439 0.09

2.65

2.63

2.71

*amounts in pesos

FINANCIAL RATIOS Year

Return on Assets (%)

Return on Equity (%)

Debt to Equity ratio

Common ratio

2016

4.45

7.62

0.7100

0.6181

2017

0.32

0.63

0.9511

0.5241

2018

1.34

3.15

1.3510

1.0045

FOURTH QUARTER REPORT (2018) NET LOSS P381,668,945 TOTAL ASSETS P107,295,782,258 TOTAL LIABILITIES P61,657,929,118 TOTAL EQUITY P45,637,853,140 FINANCIAL RATIOS Return on Assets: -0.36% Return on Equity: -0.84% Debt-to-Equity Ratio: 1.3510 Common Ratio: 1.0045

Corporate News

GT Capital: 2019 capex down markedly at P52B

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

T

Y-LED conglomerate GT Capital Holdings Inc.’s 2019 capital expenditures (capex) have BEEN CAPPED AT 0 BILLION A SENIOR OFkCIAL said last week.

'4 #APITAL #HIEF &INANCE /FkCER &RANCISCO 3UAREZ TOLD REPORTERS that this year’s spending would be 53 percent lower compared to 2018’s P110 billion. ,AST YEAR S SPENDING 3UAREZ noted, was significantly higher given big-ticket items such as a $200-million investment in Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp., among others.

For this year, GT Capital allocated P27.8 billion for itself, P12 billion for Federal Land, Inc., P6.8 billion for Toyota Motor Philippines Corp., P2.3 billion for Property Company of Friends,

Inc., P2 billion for Metrobank and the rest for other businesses.

Sources for the funding will come from both debt and internally generated cash.

The property business, GT Capital President Carmelo Ma. ,UZ "AUTISTA SAID IS EXPECTED TO increase its contribution to 15 percent, from 10 percent currently, and expand this further to 20 percent moving forward. “The property market seems to be very strong. The aspiration is to grow it,� he added.

Bautista said that Federal Land alone would be launching eight

projects this year with a total sales value of P15 billion. Details were not disclosed.

As for the automotive business, Bautista said the group was aiming to grow Toyota Motor Philippines’ sales by 7-9 percent. 2018 sales totaled 153,004, down from 183,908 a year earlier, in line with an overall industry decline.

For Metrobank, GT Capital expects a cut in the reserve requirement ratio to provide an upward bias.

GT Capital saw consolidated net income drop by 5.6 percent to P13.4 billion last year, from P14.2 billion in 2017, given the automotive business decline #ORE NET PROkT FELL PERCENT TO P13.7 billion year-on-year.

GT Capital shares lost 4.95 percent or P48.50 to finish at P931.50 each on Friday, bucking a 0.56-percent gain for the Philippine Stock Exchange index.

KTM PH out to sell 4,000 units this year AYALA-OWNED KTM distributor Adventure Cycle Philippines, Inc. is eyeing to boost sales by nearly 50 percent this year as it expands its dealership network.

Adventure Cycle President Andre Angelo Santos told the reporters last week that the firm was targeting to sell 4,000 units in 2019, up from last year’s 2,700.

Year-to-date sales have neared 900 units, he added. “The growth of KTM as a brand, I think, is really dependent on the number of dealerships,� Santos said.

Adventure Cycle will be opening 10 new dealerships this year under a plan to close 2019 with a total of 42.

Santos said most of the new dealerships would be located outside Metro Manila. “There are still a lot of areas in the Philippines where we do not have dealers ‌ it is part of our agenda, our trajectory and our planning to paint the Philippines orange as we move forward,â€? Santos said, referring to KTM’s signature color.

Adventure Cycle is banking on the Duke 200 to drive sales for the year with an over 50-percent share of the total. “That (the Duke 200) is the most affordable unit,� Santos explained.

Majority or 60 percent of KTM bikes made in the Philippines is exported to China, Vietnam and Thailand and Santos said the

firm was aiming to expand elsewhere. “Now that we are building them, we now want the world to be able to ride Filipino-assembled motorcycles,� he said.

The firm currently has a facility located inside the Laguna Technopark in Santa Rosa, Laguna that was inaugurated in 2017. Four out of its 17 models are locally produced.

The 10,000th unit mark has been reached and Santos claimed “we also have still enough capacities and enough know-how to efficiently produce more,� he added.

A new medium-weight model, the 790 Adventure, is expected to launched later this year.

TYRONE C. PIAD

B4

World

MONDAY April 1, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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May pushes Brexit for 4th time

L

ONDON: The UK might be forced to create a national unity government to end the impasse over Britain leaving the European Union (EU), as Prime Minister Theresa May clings to the Brexit divorce agreement that Parliament has rejected three times, a senior Conservative suggested Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Former Education secretary Nicky Morgan’s comments came a DAY AFTER THE (OUSE OF #OMMONS rebuffed the Prime Minister’s call for lawmakers to “put aside self and party,� sending her Brexit deal to its latest defeat. The rejection leaves the UK facing the stark prospect of a chaotic departure from the EU in just two weeks —

unless squabbling politicians can put aside their differences and engineer a long delay in the process of leaving the bloc.

The British Parliament will vote Monday on a variety of Brexit alterNATIVES IN AN ATTEMPT TO kND AN IDEA that can command a majority. But May’s government is considering a fourth vote on her deal, bolstered

by their success in narrowing her margin of defeat to 58 votes Friday from 230 votes in January. “If the government refused and Theresa May felt she could not implement what Parliament had IDENTIkED AS A WAY OF LEAVING THE EU, then I think we would have to think very hard about whether a cross-party coalition ... could do that in order to make sure that the UK does leave the EU in an orderly FASHION u -ORGAN TOLD THE ""# Britain has, in the past, had national unity governments in times of national crisis, such as World War 2. But critics point out that such coalitions were forged when there was a single goal — such as defeating Nazi Germany. It is un-

clear now how Britain’s political parties would agree to cooperate on an issue like Brexit, which has split the country and its two major political parties, May’s ruling #ONSERVATIVES AND THE OPPOSITION Labor Party.

As a result of Friday’s vote, the UK is now scheduled to leave the EU on April 12, regardless of whether the two sides have reached an agreement to cushion the impact. That has led to concerns about crippling tariffs, border gridlock and shortages of food and medicines.

EU officials have suggested, however, they might agree to a lengthy delay to Britain’s departure from the bloc if UK politicians

agree on a plan.

4HE (OUSE OF #OMMONS ON Wednesday began the process of debating alternatives to the Prime Minister’s deal, but rejected all eight proposals they considered.

Two ideas, a customs union with the EU and a second referendum ON ANY DEAL ACHIEVED SIGNIkCANT support. Lawmakers are expected to hold a second round of votes Monday on Brexit proposals.

Hilary Benn, a Labor Party lawmaker who chairs Parliament’s Brexit committee, dismissed criticism that the parliamentary process was a failure because it didn’t DELIVER A MAJORITY IN THE kRST ROUND of voting. Benn said he hopes the latest defeat for May’s deal would

6,000 people battle forest fire in China MORE than 6,000 people had been battling a forest fire that broke out Friday in Qinyuan County northern China’s Shanxi Province, local authorities said Saturday. Among them are 1,000 professional firefighters and 2,600 factory workers from Shanxi, 1,300 professional firefighters dispatched by the Ministry of Emergency Management, as well as 1,150 soldiers and armed police troops. They will continue

to quench the blaze from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Sunday when the temperature gets lower and the winds abate, according to the rescue headquarters. No casualties have been reported so far. Ten helicopters and 28 fire trucks were mobilized to battle the fire on Saturday. As of 7 a.m. Saturday, more than 3,800 locals had been evacuated, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

GLOBAL TIMES

Worldinbriefs COMEDIAN LEADING IN UKRAINE POLLS KIEV, Ukraine: Ukrainians are casting ballots in Sunday’s presidential election that follows a campaign marred by vicious political infighting and allegations of bribing of voters. The 42-million nation will choose from among 39 candidates it hopes could guide the country out of troubles including endemic corruption, a seemingly intractable conflict with Russia-backed separatists in the country’s east and a struggling economy.

Opinion polls have shown comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy leading the field with President Petro Poroshenko and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko trailing behind by a broad margin. If none of the candidates gets an absolute majority of the vote, a runoff between the top two will be held on April 21.

AP

4 KILLED IN GAZA CONFLICT GAZA City, Gaza Strip: Militants fired five rockets from Gaza into Israel early Sunday, the Israeli military said, following a day of Palestinian mass protests along the Israel-Gaza perimeter fence. Four Palestinians, including three teenagers, were shot dead and dozens were wounded by Israeli soldiers. The rocket fire threatened to undermine Egyptian-mediated efforts to cement a deal that the Gaza Strip’s Hamas rulers hope will ease a crippling Israeli-Egyptian blockade of the crowded territory. No casualties were reported from the rockets and no Palestinian group claimed responsibility. Tens of thousands of Palestinians rallied in the Gaza Strip on Saturday to mark the anniversary of their mass protests along the Israeli border.

AP

7 KILLED IN CHINA’S LATEST ACCIDENT BEIJING: Authorities say at least seven people were killed and five injured when a container containing scrap metal exploded in the latest in a series of industrial accidents in eastern China. Sunday morning’s blast in the city of Kunshan in Jiangsu province caused a fire that spread to a nearby workshop.

The Kunshan city government said on its microblog that the cause of the explosion was under investigation. In March, 78 people were killed in a blast at a chemical plan in the Jiangsu province city of Yancheng that had numerous safety violations.

AP

BLAZE-HIT DHAKA TOWER OWNERS NABBED DHAKA: Police in Bangladesh said Sunday they had arrested the owners of an office tower in Dhaka that caught fire earlier this week, killing 26 people and renewing the country’s debate over lax safety standards. The latest deadly blaze to hit Bangladesh’s congested capital tore through the 22-story FR Tower on Thursday, leaving some of the hundreds trapped inside screaming for help as horrified onlookers massed outside. Police said they had detained two men, SMHI Faruque and Tasvir Ul Islam — who is district leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) — in the capital, after filing charges against them for criminal negligence.

AFP

4 HURT, 10 HELD IN NICARAGUA MANAGUA: A day after Nicaragua’s government pledged to restore the right to protest, at least four people were hurt and 10 detained during a demonstration calling for the release of prisoners, the opposition said.

One of the wounded was linked to the government, said Silvia Gutierrez, of the UNAB opposition umbrella group, who provided the toll and the number of detainees. The clash on Saturday came a day after President Daniel Ortega’s government and the opposition reached an agreement to restore protest and press freedom rights while disarming paramilitaries, following a year-long political upheaval that left hundreds dead. The injuries on Saturday occurred at a commercial center in downtown Managua, where more than 150 people had gathered ahead of a march. AFP

“concentrate minds� and help build a clear majority for one of the Brexit options. “Since it took 2 3/4 years for the government to get what it had negotiated defeated three times, it’s a little bit harsh on Parliament, when it started the process last Wednesday, for not having immediately solved the problem in 24 hours,� Benn said. “So I think a little bit more time is a perfectly reasonable thing to PROVIDE AS WE TRY AND kND A WAY forward.�

While Benn and Morgan are pushing for compromise, others are demanding that the #ONSERVATIVE LED GOVERNMENT not to cave in.

AP

Trump to cut foreign aid to 3 nations

FLOWERS BLOOM People gather to view cherry blossoms in full bloom at Ueno Park in Tokyo. AFP PHOTO

Embassy raid ‘terrorist attack’ – NKorea

PALM Beach, Florida.: Taking drastic action over illegal immigration, President Donald Trump moved Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to cut direct aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, WHOSE CITIZENS ARE lEEING NORTH AND overwhelming US resources at the southern border.

4HE 3TATE $EPARTMENT NOTIkED #ONgress that it would look to suspend 2017 and 2018 payments to the trio of nations, which have been home to some of the migrant caravans that have marched through Mexico to the US border.

Amplified by conservative media, Trump has turned the caravans into the symbol of what he says were the dangers of illegal immigration — a central theme of his midterm campaigning last fall. With the special counsel’s Russia probe seemingly behind him, Trump has revived his warnings of the caravans’ presence.

Trump also has returned to a previous threat he never carried out — closing the border with Mexico. He brought up that possibility on Friday and revisited it in tweets Saturday, blaming Democrats and Mexico for problems at the border and beyond, despite warnings that a closed border could create economic havoc on both sides. g)T WOULD BE SO EASY TO kX OUR WEAK and very stupid Democrat inspired immigration laws,� Trump tweeted Saturday. “In less than one hour, and then a vote, the problem would be solved. But the Dems don’t care about the crime, they don’t want any victory for Trump and the Republicans, even if good for USA.�

AP

SEOUL: North Korea on Sunday described the February raid on its embassy in Madrid by a dissident group as a “grave terrorist attack� and urged an investigation into the perpetrators.

A group of armed men burst into Pyongyang’s Spanish embassy last month and roughed up employees BEFORE lEEING WITH DOCUMENTS AND computers.

The incident came just days before a high-stakes nuclear summit in Hanoi between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump that ultimately failed to reach an accord. )N ITS kRST OFkCIAL COMMENT ON THE raid, North Korea suggested the possible involvement of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and called on Spanish authorities to bring the “terrorists and their wire-pullers to justice�.

“A grave terrorist attack occurred on February 22, where an armed group assaulted the DPRK (Democrati People’s Republic of Korea) Embassy in Spain,� a spokesman for the foreign ministry said in A STATEMENT CARRIED BY THE OFkCIAL +#.! NEWS AGENCY USING THE ACRONYM FOR THE .ORTH S OFkCIAL NAME “We are following the rumours of all hues now in the air that FBI of the United States and the small fry of anti-DPRK ‘body’ were involved in the terror incident,� it added. “We expect that the authorities concerned in Spain... carry out an investigation into the incident to the last in a responsible manner.�

An investigation into the raid is already underway in Madrid.

On Wednesday, a Spanish court

Pope: Protect Jerusalem’s heritage

Black smoke covers Europe

POPE Francis appealed to Jerusalem that its “shared heritage� for humanity, in which the right of Jews, Christians and Muslims to exercise their cult, is guaranteed.

The Pope made the appeal during his dialog with King Mohammed 6th at the end of Francis’ visit to the king of Morocco.

The appeal is a clear, though not explicit, reply to the statements of Israeli government leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Israel’s “perpetual capital� of Israel and support for this claim by US president Donald Trump. “We consider it important to preserve the Holy City of Jerusalem as the common patrimony of humanity and especially the followers of the three monotheistic religions, as a place of encounter and as a symbol of peaceful coexistence, where mutual respect and dialogue can be cultivated. “To this end, the specific multi-religious character, the spiritual dimension and the particular cultural identity of Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif must be protected and promoted,� the pope said.

He added that the Holy City would give full freedom of access to the followers of the three monotheistic religions and their right to worship would be guaranteed, so that in Jerusalem everyone may raise their prayers to God, the Creator of all, for a future of peace and fraternity on the earth.

AP

RYBNIK, Poland: Puffs of yellowish greyand-black smoke billowing out of household chimneys create a blanket of smog choking the southern Polish mining town of Rybnik, one of the most polluted places in the European Union (EU).

The pollution reached neighborinhg countries of Belarus and Ukraine, reports said.

Although it’s early spring, the weather is wintry and Ewa Kempny is still shovelling coal into an antiquated stove to heat her home. “What do you want us to use FOR HEAT HERE #OAL IS THE CHEAPest fuel,� says the forty-something mother to the two unexpected

named Mexican national Adrian Hong #HANG AS LEADER OF THE GROUP WHO CONTACTED gTHE &") IN .EW 9ORK kVE days after the assault� with information related to the incident in the embassy.

According to investigating judge Jose de la Mata, two of the assailants took the embassy’s commercial attache to an underground room and urged him to defect, which he refused.

Speculation over the identity and motive of the assailants has swirled in the media since the murky raid, with some suggesting links to the US #ENTRAL )NTELLIGENCE !GENCY AND &") Hours after the court statement, THE #HEOLLIMA #IVIL $EFENSE ‡ A dissident group believed to include HIGH PROkLE .ORTH +OREAN DEFECtors — claimed responsibility for the raid.

AFP

visitors in her cellar. “It would be far too expensive to hook up natural gas or to connect to the town’s central heating network.�

Municipal police charged with SNIFkNG OUT RESIDENTS ILLEGALLY BURNing highly-polluting rubbish like plastic, rubber or wood-plastic composites have turned up on her doorstep, following an anonymous tip-off about the odd colour of smoke emerging from her chimney. “Whether rich or poor, people burn MDF (Median density fibrebroad) boards, Tetra packs or plastic bottles,� explains Katarzyna Klosok, as she checks the ashes in

ARRIVAL HONORS

Kempny’s stove and the bills for the coal she has bought. “The day we have wages like in western EU countries, we’ll heat with natural gas,� says Jan Kilian, a retired miner at another Rybnik home where the patrol showed up after receiving a complaint.

The patrol also tells homeowners their antiquated coal stoves will have to be replaced with modern, cleaner-burning models by 2021.

A ban on sales of the most polluting stoves was only imposed last year but the low-quality coal which is the main source of smog is still being sold.

AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, along with visiting Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, listen to the national anthem played during a welcome ceremony for the latter upon his arrival at the Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel. AFP PHOTO

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MONDAY April 1, 2019

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

LAGUNA PHENIX STRUCTURES CORPORATION

Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of Incorporation of JPK INTELLIGENT SYSTEM, PHILIPPINES INC. located at Unit 811 The One ([HFXWLYH 2I¿FH %XLOGLQJ :HVW $YH &RU &RO 0DUWLQH] 1D\RQJ .DQOXUDQ 4XH]RQ &LW\ LV VKRUWHQLQJ WKH WHUP RI LWV H[LVWHQFH XS WR 0DUFK WKHUHE\ GLVVROYLQJ WKH VDLG FRUSRUDWLRQ RQ VDLG GDWH KDYH EHHQ DSSURYHG E\ WKH %RDUG RI 'LUHFWRUV DQG 6WRFNKROGHUV

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Public Square

MONDAY April 1, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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Veterans sacrifice theme of 2019 Philippine Veterans Week CLN 17th annual partnership meet held in Manila T HE bravery of our veterans will be placed in the pulpit of reverence yet again as the nation celebrates the 2019 Philippine Veterans Week and 77th Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), with the theme, “ Sakripisyo ng Beterano ay Gunitain, Gawing Tanglaw ng Kabataan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ”.

This national observance aims to revive the principles of Kagitingan or the culture of heroism and love for the country, strengthen the Filipino people’s collective sense of national pride and patriotism, and inspire the youth, who will eventually take on the mantle of being our future defenders and leaders, imbibing the valor and ideals of our veterans as their guiding principles.

The purpose of history is to learn from it. A nation ignorant of its past, after all, will never truly progress. This is the very reason events and commemorations such as these are celebrated, especially on a national level, in order to emphasize the role and efforts of our veterans in contributing to the freedom and democracy our nation enjoys today. These events do not only

value and honor the memory of the wars fought before, but more so, the people who were there when it happened.

We live freely, because they fought bravely. In accordance to Proclamation 466, Series of 1989, we celebrate the Philippine Veterans Week from April 5 to 11 every year to promote, preserve and memorialize the

principles, ideas and deeds of our war veterans as a means to enhance patriotism and love for country, especially among the youth of the land. Meanwhile, April 9 of every year is designated by Executive Order 203, Series of 1986 as Araw ng Kagitingan, to honor the Filipino men and women who served and defended the Philip-

pines during war and peacetime.

The Technical Working Committee for the National Observance of the 2019 Philippine Veterans Week and 77th Araw ng Kagitingan invites the whole nation to honor our veterans. For information on the scheduled week-long activities and commemorative events, visit https:// pvao.gov.ph/veterans-week/.

QC to have faster civil registry document processing QUEZON City (QC) residents may soon expect faster processing of copies of civil registry documents after Mayor Herbert Bautista signed an ordinance authorizing the City Government to enter into an agreement with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for the use of the latter’s new document processing software.

Through the PSA’s Philippine Civil Registry Information System (PhilCRIS) and the Batch Request Entry System (Breqs), QC residents who need copies of their civil registry documents such as birth,

MARRIAGE OR DEATH CERTIkCATES MAY get their copies faster.

The PhilCRIS software enables the encoding of information from civil registry documents, storage of vital data, query and retrieval of encoded records, printing and issuance of certified copies of encoded civil registry documents.

The Breqs software, on the other hand, provides an off-line method of encoding requests for civil registry documents and submission to an online outlet of PSA. “In order to cope with the in-

creasing request for documents and certifications, thereby lessening in delays and inconvenience to the public, including opportunity losses and time waste, the PSA has developed software systems in delivering civil registry documents registered in a local government unit in a more efficient way through its PhilCRIS and Breqs,” the ordinance reads.

The requesting party shall be asked to reimburse an additional service fee of P40 for every certified copy of a document or

CERTIkCATION TO COVER THE COSTS OF delivering and to raise funds for the maintenance, improvement and sustainability of the technological advancement.

Customers, not technology, drive innovation at ING KNOWN around the globe for its “branchless banking” model, Dutch financial giant ING recently introduced its all-digital retail business in the Philippines, so Filipino clients can experience the convenience of the mobileonly banking platform.

Speaking at the first-ever Customer Centricity Briefing at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) last March 14, Mohamed Keraine, Head for Retail Banking at ING Bank in Manila said ING is not the type of bank that would push clients to a certain behavior; instead, it empowers clients through technology. “Putting the focus on satisfying customer needs and being customer centric is what drives innovation at ING Bank,” he added.

With the fast-paced life that people now have, banks should keep up by providing digitally linked

services, which customers can access anytime, anywhere. “We want to be where customers are, and they are in mobile,” said Keraine.

Since the introduction of ING’s mobile banking service last November, he said the bank had been getting positive feedback from early adopters but continues to “think of ways on how to improve” this service. In this regard, customer interaction is a must. “More interactions give us an opportunity to learn more about our customers and to better serve their needs,” he said.

“For us, understanding our clients and being able to proactively FULkLL THEIR NEEDS IS CRITICAL IN THE way we engage. That’s why ING invests a lot in customer analytics… We believe that customer experience is what would really make a difference,” he stressed.

for the guests on selected properties.

Casey Faylona, The Ascott Ltd. Philippines’ Director of Sales and Marketing said, “The aim of this cluster promotion is to give a tranquil staycation to all customers who don’t have time to travel out-of-town during the Holy Week. This will also give families or group of friends a TIME TO RElECT ON THE REAL MEANing of the season while having a quiet time in the city.”

The Holy Week special offer will be available in all Ascott properties, namely Ascott Makati, Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila, Somerset Alabang Manila, Somerset Millen-

Q Mohamed Keraine, Head for Retail Banking at ING Bank in Manila

nium Makati, Somerset Olympia Makati, Citadines Bay City Manila Citadines Salcedo Makati and

Armada Hotel offers special Lenten rates THIS Lenten season, take time to reflect, relax and recharge at Armada Hotel Manila. Escape the busy city this summer without actually leaving it.

For as low as P3,800.00, avoid the TRAFkC RUSH WHEN GOING OUT OF TOWN and chill with your loved ones at the hotel’s comfortable and spacious rooms. Don’t forget to bring your

kids, as you’ll get free two tickets to Armada’s Easter Egg Hunt this April 21, 2019. Lots of prices are up for grab at the Easter Event.

Offer is valid until April 21, 2019.

Armada Hotel Manila is located at 2108 M.H. Del Pilar Street, Malate, Manila For bookings and reservation, check their website at www. armadahotelmanila.com.

source. We received a lot of praise for introducing Manila to them as most members have never been to the Philippines,” said Christian Raeuber, CLN’s director and co-founder.

Participants came from over 50 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Argentina, India, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Portugal, Indonesia, Turkey, Panama, Israel, Mexico, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Bahrain, Australia and South Africa, among others.

This year’s CLN event was sponsored by Royal Cargo Inc., Perimeter Global Logistics, RW Outsourcing, Resources Freight Pte Limited, State Logistic company WLL, SE Global Logistics Sa De CV, CT Freight, Leman Oy, ‘Calenberg Oversea Logistics GmbH & Co. KG Advantage Worlwide (UK) Ltd, Clearfreight Inc., Cardinal Maritime Limited, Francesco Parisi Casa di Spedizioni S.p.A. and Korman International Co Ltd.

Eton Centris unveils giant mural along EDSA AS part of its revitalized branding, Eton Centris commissioned renowned artists Dee Jae Pa’este and Archie Oclos of Kapwa Studios to paint a huge, bright and evocative mural on the wall of Centris Station mall along EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.

The 678-square-meter mural of Eton Centris is one of the largest murals in the Philippines. Expressing a profound respect for females and highlighting the importance of women empowerment in society, the art features three women in different stages — a child, a teenager, and an adult.

The mural’s subjects are also inTERSPERSED IN A lOWING IMAGERY THAT depicts an appreciation for music, culture and human connection.

“This beautiful mural is a milestone for Eton Centris because it is the largest of its kind in a lifestyle space. The vibrant colors communicate that Eton Centris is a place that is always full of celebration and life,” said Assistant Vice President for Eton Centris, Marjorie Abot.

The works of mural artists’ Pa’este

and Oclos have been featured in several local and international galleries and exhibitions. Pa’este has artworks featured in establishments in Poblacion, Makati City, Bonifacio Global City, New York, and Japan among others. While Oclos is among those listed in the coveted “Forbes 30 under 30” list for his profound works tackling social issues.

“I feel that, as an artist, I have the responsibility to share our art and uplift people through it.

Something this bright, large and beautiful can change someone’s atmosphere when they see it on their ride or walk home,” says Pa’este.

4HE MURAL FACING %$3! IS THE kRST OF three parts to be featured in the property. In the pipeline are several murals to be unveiled in the coming months.

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The Ascott Ltd. offers ‘quiet retreat in the city’ THE Ascott Ltd., one of the leading international lodging owner-operators, will offer special rates this coming Holy week.

The Ascott Ltd.’s Holy week room promotion is inclusive of daily breakfast for two persons, welcome amenities, wireless internet connection, use of recreational facilities featuring a SWIMMING POOL AND kTNESS CENter, daily housekeeping service, daily replenishment of bathroom amenities, and one parking slot.

The special rate starts at P3,500 nett per night valid from April 14 to 21, 2019. There will also be a complimentary Easter Sunday activity

ONE of the biggest and most established global freight forwarding networks, Combined Logistics Networks (CLN) has successfully brought more than 260 freight forwarders from across the globe under one roof in a four-day conference held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Manila from March 25 to 28 in cooperation with the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines.

This year’s conference, the company’s 17th Annual Partnership Meeting, involved network management updates, face-to-face meeting sessions, social programs and a loyalty awarding ceremony. Among the topics that were touched included the digitalization of freight forwarding and the shifts in the industry after a massive globalization.

“This is our second event in Manila this year. During our last event, we made use of the conference to introduce Philippines to our clientele as a preferred destination to out-

Citadines Millennium Ortigas. For inquiries and reservations, email enquiry.manila@the-ascott.com.

THE Philippines has one of the highest rates of prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Asia. Based on a 2009 study done by the World Health Organization (WHO), the website Autism Partnership indicated that the Philippines had an estimated 500,000 cases of ASD at a time when our population was 91 million.

4HE 7(/ DEkNES THE CONDITION this way: “ASD refers to a range of conditions characterized by some degree of impaired social behavior, communication and language, and a narrow range of interests and activities that are both unique to the individual and carried out repetitively.”

WHO estimates that currently, 1 in 160 children globally has ASD. Given that the average size of a Filipino family is 5, 1 in 32 Filipinos is affected by this condition. For poor families in rural areas where both parents and often some children work, an untreated child with ASD can have devastating consequences.

It is the mission of the Center for Possibilities Foundation to raise awareness and to change how we as a nation perceive this condition, as well as to raise funds towards pro-

viding life changing interventions FOR POOR &ILIPINOS WHO CAN BENEkT most from these methods.

As part of its fund-raising efforts this year the Foundation staged a benefit concert called Love Inclusively, back to back with an art exhibit called Art Exceptional. The concert featured the Manila Symphony Orchestra, with the special participation of singer Ogie Alcasid.

Art Exceptional featured never-before-seen paintings from Juno Santos, Samantha Kaspar and Vico Cham, an exceptional individual with special NEEDS WHO IS ALSO A PROLIkC PAINTER whose paintings have been sold to patrons here and abroad.

The proceeds of “Love, Inclusively,” and “Art Exceptional” are being used to fund special education (SPED) assessments, evaluations, and classes for the foundation’s SPED center in Sagada and the soon-to-open center in Norzagaray, Bulacan. For more information on the Center for Possibilities Foundation go to: https:// www.facebook.com/thecenterforpossibilities/, if you would like to make a donation, send email to: mpdiokno@manpromad.com.

Expanded Maternity Leave Law passed PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11210 or The Expanded Maternity Leave Law last February 20, thanks in part to the efforts made by former Democratic Independent Workers Association (DIWA) party-list representative Emmeline Aglipay-Villar.

Under the law, which aims to provide pregnant employees enough time to regain their health and to take care of their newborn after birth, what used to be only 60 days of ma-

ternity leave with pay has now been extended to 105 days. An additional 30 days of leave can be requested by the concerned employee, although the additional days are no longer considered as “leave with pay.” !NOTHER DIRECT BENEkT OF THIS LAW is to give more time for mothers to breastfeed their child, while still getting their salaries to help alleviate daily expenses even while on maternity leave. The law is a big step in ensuring the welfare of Filipina workers.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

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MONDAY April 1, 2019

B7

Imee Marcos calls for ‘fast track construction of water flagship projects’

I

)NFINI6!. IS CONCERNED WITH CHANGING THE )NTERNET LANDSCAPE OF THE 0HILIPPINES )N ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS THE COMPANY LAUNCHED THE )NkNI6!. +IOSK AT .!)! 4ERMINAL $EPARTURE AREA LAST *AN

4RAVELERS CAN EXPERIENCE THE RELIABILITY OF &IBER "USINESS FOR FREE 4HE FREE 7I &I ACCESS AT 4ERMINAL IS A JOINT PROJECT WITH #LARUSE .!)! CONCESSIONAIRES WHO IS PROVIDING BAGGAGE TAG SCANNING AND PASS CONTROL TO .!)! 4HREE MORE KIOSKS WILL BE ADDED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS 7I &I ACCESS IN UNIversities and government buildings IS IN THE PIPELINE /NCE THE PROJECTS ARE ROLLED OUT THE KIOSKS WILL PROVIDE FREE )NTERNET CONNECTION WITH DEkNED DURATION AND SPEED FOR REGISTERED AND VERIkED CITY RESIDENTS

Public Square

LOCOS Norte Gov. Maria Imleda Josefa “Imee� Marcos called on the government to hasten the conSTRUCTION OF WATER lAGSHIP PROJECTS

including the Kaliwa and Laiban DAMS AND TO MAKE THE WATER AGENCY and two concessionaires accountable for the water shortage. “Mataas ANG PRESYO NG TUBIG PERO MAAYOS BA ANG SERBISYO +UNG HINDI NILA KAYA MALAMANG MAY IBANG MAGSISIKAP NA MAGSERBISYO SA PUBLIKO NG TAMA u THE 'OVERNOR SAID ADDING THAT THE PUBLIC DESERVES BETTER service than what the two concessionaires have been rendering.

3HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE +ALIWA AND ,AIBAN DAM PROJECTS which were started during the time OF HER FATHER THE LATE 0RESIDENT &ERDINAND -ARCOS HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE BACK BURNER IN PAST administrations. “It has been too LONG SINCE THESE WERE PUT ON THE GOVERNMENT S DEVELOPMENT AGENDA during the Marcos administration.

#OPPING OUT OF MAKING THE DIFkCULT DECISION TO PUSH THROUGH THE construction of additional water SOURCES LIKE THE +ALIWA AND ,AIBAN dams led us to where we are now ‡ A LOOMING MASSIVE SCARCITY OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SURVIVAL RESOURCE OF OUR PEOPLE u -ARCOS SAID The administration Senate bet noted that no less than the chief REGULATOR OF THE -ETROPOLITAN 7ATERWORKS AND 3EWERAGE 3YSTEM attributes the water shortage to the failure to build alternative water SOURCES THAT WERE PROPOSED AS EARLY AS THE -ARCOS ADMINISTRATION The Laiban Dam and the smaller MILLION LITERS PER DAY -,$ +ALIWA $AM WHICH IS PROJECTED to address Metro Manila’s water NEEDS FOR THE NEXT YEARS WERE SHELVED DURING THE TERM OF 0RESIdent Benigno Aquino 3rd. g)T IS ONLY THE $UTERTE ADMINISTRA- MUCH NEEDED WATER PROJECTS u SHE tion’s efforts to revive the two dam TION THAT HAS PUT IN SERIOUS EFFORT OBSERVED -ARCOS EXPRESSED STRONG PROJECTS AND HOPE THAT DILATORY TO PUSH FOR OUR MUCH DELAYED AND SUPPORT TO THE $UTERTE ADMINISTRA- OBSTACLES BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY

Stratoppo Global HK Limited hosts candidates meet and greet Lucio Tan Jr. on importance of sustainability 342!4/00/ 'LOBAL A CONSULTANCY kRM BASED IN -AKATI #ITY RECENTLY LAUNCHED ITS GLOBAL EXPANSION AND INCORPORATED 3TRATOPPO 'LOBAL (+ ,IMITED A BUSINESS CONSULTANCY kRM AND EVENTS MANAGEMENT COMPANY based in Hong Kong.

3TRATOPPO 'LOBAL (+ ,IMITED SPEARHEADED ITS INAUGURAL PROJECT

g+ANDIDATO +O +AKILALA +O u A -EET AND GREET ACTIVITY INVOLVING THE CANDIDATES OF THE -AY NAtional and local elections.

(ELD LAST -ARCH IN (ONG +ONG

THE EVENT WAS ATTENDED BY HUNDREDS OF &ILIPINOS WORKING AND LIVING THERE 3TRATOPPO 'LOBAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER -ARY *ANE 3ALOMON IS VERY HAPPY WITH THE TURNOUT AND IS POSITIVE THAT THE EVENT WILL HELP /VERSEAS &ILIPINO VOTERS IN (ONG +ONG GET TO KNOW CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR SENATORS AND PARTY LIST REPRESENTATIVES IN THE UPCOMING -AY 13 national and local elections. g!S CONCERNED CITIZEN ) AM PROUD TO CREATE ORGANIZE AND MANAGE EVENTS such as the Candidates Meet and Greet for locations abroad. It is an IMPORTANT VEHICLE FOR BOTH THE CANdidates and the voters to connect and COMMUNICATE WITH ONE ANOTHER IN A

MEANINGFUL WAYu SHE STATED 3ENATE CANDIDATE ,ITO ,APID ENTERTAINED THE CROWD BY HIS MERE PRESENCE WHILE "RIAN 0OE WON THE HEARTS of the mothers in the crowd when he CAME TO REPRESENT HIS OWN MOTHER

3EN -ARY 'RACE 0OE WHO IS RUNNING FOR REELECTION 4HEY WERE JOINED BY 2ONNIE /NG REPRESENTATIVE OF !NG 0ROBINSYANO PARTY LIST g7E ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING PROMOTE VOTERS EDUCATION LOCALLY AND ABROAD ON OR BEFORE !PRIL

the start of overseas voting around THE WORLD )T IS OUR ASPIRATION TO SEE QUALITY LEADERS OCCUPYING SEATS IN BOTH THE LOWER AND UPPER HOUSES OF #ONGRESS LEGISLATING IMPORTANT PIECES of legislation for and in the service OF THE &ILIPINOS AROUND THE WORLD u Salomon concluded.

The second edition of the Inclusive Meet and Greet in HK is scheduled THIS COMING !PRIL

Summer made more fun with Everyday is Play Day Year 3

THE biggest collaboration of bestLOVED GLOBAL TOY AND CHILDREN S BRANDS BRINGS TO EVERYONE %VERYDAY IS 0LAY $AY ON ITS THIRD BIGGEST YEAR

LAUNCHING AT 3- #ITY .ORTH %$3! ON March 25. The event will showcase a series of exciting shows and festiviTIES FOR BOTH KIDS AND KIDS AT HEART IN MANY OF YOUR FAVORITE 3- 3UPERMALLS FROM -ARCH TO /CTOBER 4HIS YEAR S CAMPAIGN IS PARTICULARLY EXTRA SPECIAL AS 3- 3UPERMALLS IS PARTNERING WITH 5NICEF AND TOGETHER WILL PROMOTE AND INSTILL EVERY CHILD S RIGHT TO PLAY RELAX AND INDULGE THROUGH A HOLISTIC APPROACH ON BOTH THEIR ARTISTIC and recreational activities.

Through a showcase of a new FOUND WONDERLANDS kLLED WITH REAL PLAY AND DIGITAL EXPERIENCES WHILE ALSO FEATURING TOY COLLECTIONS PLAY machines and giant interactive disPLAYS 3- 3UPERMALLS ALSO TAKE PRIDE IN DELIGHTING EVERYONE WITH OVER GLOBAL BRANDS INCLUDING 4OY +INGDOM S BIGGEST SUCH AS "ARBIE (ATCHIMALS 0AW 0ATROL 3HIMMER AND 3HINE

0OKEMON 3HOPKINS "EYBLADE -Y ,ITTLE 0ONY AND MANY MORE &OR MORE INFORMATION VISIT 3- 3UPERMALLS OFFICIAL WEBSITE at WWW SMSUPERMALLS COM OR ITS &ACEBOOK 4WITTER AND )NSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS SMSUPERMALLS

It’s Gin o’ Clock at Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge THE CLOCK STRIKES 'INĂœ 4OAST TO A FAB TIME WHILE ENJOYING YOUR VIEW FROM UP HIGH WITH A GLASS OR TWO OF 'IN 4ONIC ' 4 AT 6U S 3KY "AR AND ,OUNGE -AY IT BE FOR AFTER WORK DRINKS OR A CELEBRATORY TOAST A ' 4 REFRESHES WITH EVERY SIP $IFFERENT AROMAS COME TO LIFE SIMPLY BY MIXING THIS DRINK WITH A SPREAD OF GARNISHES TO MATCH THE MOOD 0ERHAPS A SIMPLE WEDGE OF LEMON APPEALS TO THOSE who embrace the classics.

6U S 3KY "AR AND ,OUNGE OFFERS ' 4 FANATICS WITH A SPECIAL TREAT 3IMPLY POST A PHOTO OF YOUR "OMBAY 3APPHIRE ' 4 AT THE "AR WITH

THE HASHTAG Û6US8"OMBAY4WIST

SHOW IT TO THE BAR TEAM AND GET A SECOND ONE ON THE HOUSEĂœ -ATCH YOUR DRINK WITH A RANGE OF TAPAS AND PIZZAS TO MAKE THE NIGHT EVEN MORE INTERESTING WHILE ENJOYING THE 3KY "AR S CHOICE ENTERTAINMENT ACTS For more information about -ARCO 0OLO /RTIGAS -ANILA AND ITS ONGOING PROMOTIONS VISIT www.

MARCOPOLOHOTELS COM Subscribe to UPDATES VIA SOCIAL MEDIA THROUGH THE HOTEL S OFkCIAL SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS FACEBOOK COM -ARCO0OLO/RTIGASManila and -ARCO0OLO-ANILA on Twitter and Instagram.

AS it celebrates the success of its 165 YEARS 4ANDUAY $ISTILLERS )NC 4$) LOOKS TO THE FUTURE BY DOING ITS SHARE IN PROTECTING THE EARTH S RESOURCES 4$) 0RESIDENT AND #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER Lucio “Bong� Tan Jr. sees the comPANY CONTINUING THE GREEN INITIATIVES IT STARTED YEARS BACK AND LOOKING FOR WAYS TO MAKE ITS OPERATIONS EVEN MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY g7E ALWAYS STRIVE TO kND A HEALTHY balance between environmental develOPMENT AND OPERATIONAL EFkCIENCY 7E HAVE REALIZED THIS LONG AGO IN 4ANDUAY

WE NEVER STOPPED IN LOOKING FOR BETTER WAYS TO ENSURE WE DO OUR PART FOR THE SAKE OF THE ENVIRONMENT TO ENSURE THE FUTURE OF OUR BUSINESS u HE SAID !CCORDING TO 4AN STAKEHOLDERS DO

NOT ONLY DEMAND STRONG BUSINESS PERFORMANCE BUT CALLS ON BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS TO CHAMPION SOCIALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE AS WELL AS RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS PRACTICES 3USTAINABILITY SHOULD BE PART OF THE COMPANY S CORPORATE $.!

HE SAID

EMPHASIZING HOW THE TRANSFORMATION TO A ZERO WASTE FACILITY OF 4$) S DISTILLERY IN "ATANGAS HAS PROVIDED GREATER VALUE FOR BUSINESS OVER THE YEARS g"USINESSES NEED TO LEVEL UP OUR GAME IN MAKING ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND DECISIONS IN OUR OPERATIONS !S A RESULT OF transferring into sustainable business PRACTICES WE WERE ABLE TO DERIVE DIRECT AND INDIRECT VALUES THAT IMPROVED OUR PROCESSES AND OUR RELATIONSHIPS TO OUR STAKEHOLDERS u HE ADDED

Q Tanduay Distillers, Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Lucio ‘Bong’ Tan, Jr.

City of Dreams Manila holds Earth Hour 2019 activities CITY OF $REAMS -ANILA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH "ANTAY +ALIKASAN

!"3 #". ,INGKOD +APAMILYA Foundation Inc.’s environmental ARM IS TAKING PART IN THE GLOBAL annual Earth Hour on March 30 THROUGH A PROGRAM DUBBED g!

7ALK TO 3AVE THE %ARTH u -ORE than the ceremonial one-hour LIGHTS OUT ACTIVITY THE EVENT TO BE HELD AT THE LUXURY RESORT S MAIN CASINO ENTRANCE HIGHLIGHTS BOTH PROPONENTS PLEDGE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE THROUGH PRACTICING ECO EFkCIENT OPERATIONS 4HE RESORT S 3USTAINABILITY !Mbassadors are leading the event WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF AROUND EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERS OF #ITY of Dreams Manila and a continGENT FROM "ANTAY +ALIKASAN FOR THE SYMBOLIC WALK AT P M AROUND THE PROPERTY ‡ REPRESENTING THE TWO INSTITUTIONS SOLIDARITY TOwards Earth Hour’s goal of uniting

PEOPLE TO TAKE ACTION ON VARIOUS environmental issues.

4HE SYMBOLIC WALK IS FOLLOWED

BY THE OBSERVANCE OF THE CEREMONIAL SWITCH OFF FROM TO P M SIMULTANEOUS WITH OTHER countries. The resort will be turning off the lights of its dome DUBBED THE &ORTUNE %GG ‡ #ITY OF $REAMS AND THE -ANILA "AY AREA S ICONIC LANDMARK g#ITY OF $REAMS -ANILA TOGETHER WITH "ANTAY +ALIKASAN JOINS

THE MANY COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD IN THE %ARTH (OUR TO SPARK CONVERSATION AND TAKE ACTION TO HELP PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND CURB CLIMATE CHANGE u +EVIN "ENNING #ITY OF $REAMS -ANILA CHIEF OPERATING OFkCER SAID An initiative of the World 7IDE &UND %ARTH (OUR STARTED AS A SYMBOLIC LIGHTS OUT EVENT IN 3YDNEY BACK IN /VER THE YEARS IT HAS GROWN TO BECOME a global grassroots movement

for the environment that inSPIRED INDIVIDUALS COMMUNITIES GOVERNMENTS BUSINESSES

AND ORGANIZATIONS TO TAKE TANGIBLE ACTION TO ADDRESS PRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 4HIS YEAR

with the theme “#Connect2EARTH u IT ENCOURAGES MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TO SPEAK UP ABOUT WHY nature matters. &OR INQUIRIES EMAIL guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit WWW CITYOFDREAMSMANILA COM.

Online gamer wins car from Smart and SM Store CALL center agent and online GAMER *AY "RENT "ITAN WON A BRAND NEW 4OYOTA !LTIS FROM 0,$4 WIREless unit Smart Communications 3MART AND 4HE 3- 3TORE Bitan never thought that his WEEKLY LOADING HABIT WHICH HE DOES TO SUSTAIN HIS PASSION FOR GAMING WOULD ALSO RESULT TO him bringing home the grand PRIZE OF 3- AND 3MART S 3CRATCH AND 7IN 0ROMO g) PLAY 2AGNAROK ONLINE SO ASIDE FROM USING MOBILE DATA ) ALSO USE MY PREPAID LOAD TO TOP UP FOR ITEMS DURING GAMES /NE TIME ) RECEIVED A LINK AFTER ) BOUGHT E Load at the information booth in 3- #UBAO ) SIGNED UP JUST TO TRY

MY LUCK u "ITAN SAID g!ND THEN ONE DAY ) REceived a messaged that I won THE GRAND PRIZE !T FIRST ) HAD MY DOUBTS OF COURSE ) COULD NOT BELIEVE IT u HE ADDED g7E ARE VERY PLEASED WITH THE SUCCESS OF THIS ACTIVITY WITH 3MART

and we are glad to have had the chance to somehow change the life OF A PERSON THROUGH THIS PROMO u SAID %UGENE 3AW SENIOR VICE PRESIdent at The SM Store. g7E AT 3MART ARE VERY EXCITED FOR *AY BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES HE ENJOY THE FASTEST MOBILE NETWORK IN THE COUNTRY WHENEVER HE PLAYS HIS FAVORITE ONLINE GAME BUT HE IS NOW ALSO THE PROUD OWNER OF A

Q Executives from Smart Communications and The SM Store award the grand prize to Jay Brent Bitan, winner of the Scratch and Win Promo. brand new car. This is a testament +EY !CCOUNTS AT 3MART 3MART PARTNERED WITH 4HE 3- OF THE FRUITFUL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN 4HE 3- 3TORE AND 3MART WHICH WE 3TORE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON HOPE TO STRENGTHEN IN THE YEARS TO LAST YEAR TO REWARD 3MART 4.4

COME u SAID 0RECY +ATIGBAK 6ICE AND 3UN SUBSCRIBERS WHO SHOP AND 0RESIDENT AND HEAD OF .ATIONAL LOAD AT 3- AND ITS AFkLIATES

Ibarra Watches is La Boutique Sofitel’s latest player BEGINNING -ARCH &ILIPINO watch brand Ibarra Watches will be ON DISPLAY INSIDE ONE OF THE COUNTRY S PREMIER kVE STAR HOTELS THE 3OkTEL 0HILIPPINE 0LAZA -ANILA ,A "OUTIQUE 3OkTEL THE HOTEL S IN HOUSE LUXURY STORE IS ADDING &ILIPINO MADE TIMEPIECES TO ITS SELECT CONSIGNORS WHICH INCLUDES *ASMIN 0EARLS

#HILL BY .OOKS 5NITED .IKE $AVE 0IMENTEL 3OkTEL S DIRECTOR FOR

-ARKETING AND #OMMUNICATIONS RECognizes that Ibarra Watches is not to BE OUTSHINED BY INTERNATIONAL BRANDS g4HE PRECISION AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL CANNOT BE DENIED /NE LOOK AT EACH OF THEIR PRODUCTS INSTANTLY REVEALS THE EFFORT AND QUALITY OF THE MATERIALS THAT GO INTO THE TIMEPIECES 4HESE ARE TRUE MARKS OF LUXURY WHICH OUR GUESTS WILL APPRECIATE u QUIPS 0IMENTEL .ICO -ORENO )BARRA 7ATCHES

founder and chief executive ofkCER VIEWS THIS LATEST OPPORTUNITY WITH OPTIMISM g7E ARE MORE THAN HONORED TO kND A HOME IN 3OkTEL 4HROUGH OUR PRESENCE HERE ONE OF OUR HOPES IS TO INTRODUCE THE BEST OF &ILIPINO CRAFTMANSHIP TO THE HOTEL S FOREIGN GUESTS 7E WANT THEIR kRST PREVIEW OF THE COUNTRY TO BE MEMORABLE u SHARES -ORENO AT THE ##0 #OMPLEX 2OXAS ,A "OUTIQUE 3OFITEL IS LOCATED "OULEVARD 0ASAY #ITY

Sports

C1 MONDAY APRIL 1, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

Harden fuels Rockets over Kings, Thunder and Spurs clinch

L

OS ANGELES: James Harden’s 50-point triple-double powered the Houston Rockets to a 119-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) that sent San Antonio and Oklahoma City into the NBA playoffs.

Harden, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, scored 50 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and handed out 10 assists as the playoff-bound Rockets fended off a Kings squad that WAS OFkCIALLY ELIMINATED FROM POST season contention with the defeat.

Harden had his 42nd career tripledouble — reaching double digits in three key statistical categories — and his NBA RECORD kFTH WITH OR MORE POINTS “I just tried to be aggressive, whether it was making assists or into the basket,� said James.

It was his third 50-point game in the last six and his seven threepointers saw him become the ninth player in league history to reach 2,000 career three-pointers.

The Rockets needed every bit of that output to put away a Kings team kGHTING FOR THEIR PLAYOFF LIVES Harden, who scored 31 points in the kRST HALF GOT IN THE kNAL SIX MINUTES as the Rockets came back from a 93-91 DEkCIT HEADING INTO THE FOURTH QUARTER A 7-2 spurt from Houston saw

the Rockets take a 98-95 lead, and it was nip-and-tuck until Harden scored all 10 points in a 10-2 Rockets run that gave them a 111-102 lead with 3:13 remaining.

From there the Kings wouldn’t GET THE DEkCIT BELOW SEVEN POINTS

as the Rockets turned the defensive screws — limiting Sacramento to 15 POINTS IN THE kNAL FRAME Harden said the defensive effort was crucial — and something the Rockets must cultivate for a deep playoff run. “Obviously, this is the NBA and teams are going to make shots,� he said. “But when it’s time to get stops, we do a really good job of that. That’s something we can hang our hat on.�

Point guard Chris Paul added 22 points and Clint Capela chipped in 24 points with 15 rebounds for the Rockets, who improved to 49-28 and edged into third place in the Western Conference when the Portland Trail Blazers lost 99-90 to the Detroit Pistons to fall to 48-27. “This was a much-needed win,�

Rockets guard Eric Gordon said. “You know we’re trying to win the rest of these games for the rest of the year.

Just try to build championship habits and just try to win every game.�

With Sacramento’s elimination all eight Western Conference playoff TEAMS WERE CONkRMED WITH THE 3AN Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder — both idle Saturday — the last two to clinch.

In the East, the battle rages for the last three playoff berths.

The sixth-placed Pistons helped their cause by ending Portland’s six-game winning streak.

Reggie Jackson scored 28 points and Andre Drummond added 22 with 19 rebounds as the Pistons overcame the ABSENCE OF "LAKE 'RIFkN WHO WAS A late scratch with a sore left knee.

‘Every game means something’ The Pistons remained half a game ahead of the seventh placed Brooklyn Nets, who beat the playoffbound Boston Celtics 110-96.

D’Angelo Russell scored 20 of his 29 points in the third quarter as the Nets broke open a close game and ended a two-game skid.

The Miami Heat kept their tenuous hold on

LAKERS CALL TIME ON LEBRON JAMES’ SEASON LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Lakers, eliminated from NBA playoff contention, said Saturday (Sunday in Manila) that superstar LeBron James will sit out the last six games of the regular season.

The Lakers said the move is being made to ensure that the groin injury suffered by 34-year-old James in a Christmas Day game can fully heal. “After consulting with our team doctors and medical staff, we have decided to hold LeBron out of games for the remainder of the season,� Lakers executive Magic Johnson said in a statement. “This decision will allow his groin to fully heal,

and is best for the future success of both LeBron and the Lakers.�

In his first season with the Lakers, James averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists but was limited to just 55 games because of the injury.

The Lakers, 34-42, were officially eliminated from playoff contention last week, marking the first time since 2005 that James has failed to make the playoffs.

He had reached the NBA Finals eight straight years with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, winning three titles in that span.

AFP

New York Knicks can change the NBA landscape I

T is the worst-kept secret in the NBA that every Commissioner’s wish is for the league’s most valuable franchises, the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers, to become relevant again. This has led to some interesting conspiracy theories which included ALLEGATIONS OF RIGGING THE kRST EVER draft lottery in 1985, which awarded the Knicks with franchise player Patrick Ewing.

That notion was challenged in 2011, when former Commissioner David Stern vetoed the trade that would’ve sent Chris Paul to the Lakers, capped

by Stern’s now infamous “Basketball Reasons� statement. The possibility of a Lakers’ dynasty was quashed, and a new dynasty emerged.

Nevertheless, the Lakers got LeBron James and became the talk of the basketball world, but the Knicks are still sorely missed.

The Knicks, ideally, could pick any two of: Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, Jimmy Butler, Khris Middleton, Kemba Walker, Tobias Harris, Al Horford, Nikola Vucevic, Marc Gasol, Julius Randle and even DeAndre Jordan.

If they miss out on those, there are still guys like JJ Reddick, Derrick Rose, Goran Dragic, Harrison Barnes, Malcolm Brogdon and Brook Lopez. It’s a Sale and the Knicks have the most money. Even if they don’t get the BIG kSH THEY WON T GO HOME EMPTY HANDED

BASKETBALL SLEUTH

MICHAEL ANGELO B. ASIS

The Big Apple boost The NBA needs a boost right now. Last year’s Finals had the lowest TV ratings as fans got tired of LeBron James’ impression of Don Quixote chasing the Warriors’ windmills.

They are hoping that a new team, or a new hero could actually give Golden State a worthy challenge.

The Celtics didn’t give them any favours, and the bloodbath in the East almost guarantees that their champion would be battle-weary. In contrast, if the playoffs started now, the Warriors will take on the slumping Thunder, the winner of the Blazers (without injured Nurkic) versus Jazz match-up. They could even avoid the Houston Rockets entirely. The PATH SEEMS ALIGNED FOR THE TEAM WITH kVE !LL 3TARS The Lakers having LeBron James guaranteed their relevance despite their standing. However, it is the Knicks who can blow the league wide open this summer for various reasons.

Reason No.1: Cap space The Knicks have the highest potential cap space if they renounce all cap holds. Spotrac listed it at $72,910,109. Considering the rich free agent market this summer and the surfacing of rape allegations against Kristaps Porzingis, their controversial trade is suddenly making sense.

Reason No.2: NBA Draft odds The Knicks are the worst team in the NBA, and if there’s one thing they did the right way, it was tanking. If you really want to tank, go hard and be the worst. The Knicks have a 14% chance of landing the top pick. Not as much as before since the NBA recalibrated the lottery odds starting this year, but it is the highest chance, although they share it with the other two worst teams.

The projected no.1 pick, Zion Williamson of Duke, is totally worth tanking for. He has had NBA owners salivating and is hailed as the best prospect since Anthony Davis.

Reason No.3: The big trade possibility Speaking of Davis, The Lakers and Celtics’ trade assets for the Unibrow devalued since February.

Brandon Ingram was diagnosed with a blood disease raising serious question marks and their relations with the Pelicans turned sour. Celtics’ Jayson Tatum has looked pedestrian as of late, and he was supposed to be the reason for the hold-up.

This opens the door for new players. If the Knicks land Zion Williamson and offer it to the Pelicans ALONG WITH kLLERS LIKE +EVIN +NOX $ENNIS 3MITH *R

New Orleans would take it over a Tatum-centered Boston package.

If the three reasons pan out, the Knicks could parade Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis on opening night. It has gone from pipe dream to actual possibility. The next step is reality. What is certain is that 2019 is the summer of the Knicks.

THE EIGHTH AND kNAL Eastern berth with a 100-92 victory over the Knicks in New York.

Dion Waiters led Miami with a season-high 28 points, while Goran Dragic added 10 points and 10 assists. “We understand, obviously, every game it means something in the standings of the playoff push,�

Heat veteran Dwyane Wade said before the game.

But the Heat trailed 33-29 after the first quarter and 6155 at halftime.

Tied at 79-79 heading into the fourth, the Heat opened the final frame with an 8-0 scoring run and kNALLY PULLED AWAY FROM THE LAST placed Knicks.

But the Orlando Magic are still

Q Houston Rockets guard James Harden (No. 13) grabs a rebound from Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley III during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday in Houston. AP PHOTO snapping at the Heat’s heels, downing the Indiana Pacers 121-116 to stay in touch.

Aaron Gordon scored 23 points

and grabbed 10 rebounds and Nikola Vucevic added 19 points as the Magic rebounded from Thursday’s loss to Detroit.

AFP

C2

Sports

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY April 1, 2019

PSL’s Luistro cops 5 gold medals in Day 3 of Phuket tourney P

BY EMIL C. NOGUERA

HUKET, Thailand: Philippine Swimming League (PSL) standout Trump Christian ,UISTRO MADE WAVES BY WINNING kVE GOLD medals in the third day of the 2019 Thanyapura International Swimming Championship on Sunday at the Thanyapura Swimming Pool here.

Luistro, a Hope Christian School-Legazpi student, dominated five events in the boys’ 9-10 category against tall and seasoned opponents.

Luistro displayed his impressive form in the 50m backstroke ‡ HIS kRST GOLD ‡ WITH A TIME OF 38.30 seconds.

He won another gold in the 200m freestyle with 2:34.39 He wrapped the day by ruling THE M BUTTERlY M

freestyle (1:10.18) and 50m breaststroke (43.52). “It’s a bit tiring to swim five events in one day against taller swimmers but we are really motivated because we want to dedicate these gold medals to coach Susan Papa. I still have two events tomorrow and hopefully get those two,� said Luistro.

Masville Elementary SchoolParaĂąaque tanker Marc Bryan Dula and Dipolog City pride

Mary Maika Montecillo contributed three gold medals each to the PSL squad’s medal haul.

They joined Luistro in the list of quintuple gold medal winners in the four-day meet.

After topping the 50m backSTROKE AND M BUTTERlY (1:09.57) last Saturday, Dula won the the boys’ 11-12 division’s 100m freestyle (1:05.07), 50m BUTTERlY AND M BACKstroke (1:13.40) events.

For her part, Montecillo dominated the 100m backstroke

M BUTTERlY and 100m freestyle (1:11.53) in the girls’ 9-10 class.

Montecillo earlier ruled the 50m backstroke (38.83) and M BUTTERlY Diliman Preparatory School bet Jenn Albreicht Sermonia chipped in three silver medals

Kings snatch ticket to FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters Doha PASIG Grindhouse clinched the lone berth in the 2019 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters Doha and the P1 million prize after ruling the 2019 Chooks to Go Pilipinas 3x3 President’s Cup Grand Finals on Sunday at the SM Fairview Events Center in Quezon City.

The Kings — bannered by Joshua Munzon, Taylor Statham, Troy Rike and Leo De Vera who temporarily replaced Dylan Ababou — battered the 1Bataan Risers, 19-7, in the championship MATCH OF THE kFTH AND kNAL LEG OF THE kRST X league in the country.

Munzon, the No. 1 Filipino 3x3 player according to FIBA, notched a game-high 11 points TO LEAD 0ASIG IN THE kNALS “This is a tribute to our hardwork,� said Munzon, who nabbed the Most Valuable Player of the League award that came along with P50,000.

Earlier, Pasig leaned on Statham to outlast San Juan-Go For Gold Knights, 19-18, in a highlyphysical semis to secure a spot in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour slated in Doha, Qatar on April 18 to 19. “I came here for one reason only and that is to play 3x3 and represent the Philippines.

I want to be part of the team that hoes to the World Tour,� said Statham.

“I want to make my grandma, my family from Iloilo proud,� he added. “There’s a lot riding on it for me and it’s bigger than basketball.�

The Kings clobbered the Zamboanga ValienTES

TO ADVANCE TO THE SEMIkNALS Bataan, on the other hand, beat the Quezon #ITY :ARK S *AWBREAKERS

IN THE QUARTERkNALS and nipped the Pasay Voyagers, 18-17, in the semis.

4HE 2ISERS WHO SNAGGED THE kRST AND THIRD leg crowns, took home the runners-up prize of P200,000.

The two teams will represent the country in THE #HOOKS TO 'O X !SIA 0ACIkC 3UPER Quest set on April 6 to 7 at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall.

At stake in the Super Quest are two tickets to the World Tour in Doha, with professional teams from South Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and China joining the regional tourney.

Meanwhile, Kobe Paras beat David Carlos for the Slam Dunk title and the P20,000 prize money while Chris De Chavez of Valenzuela Classic bagged the Three-point Shootout trophy along with the P10,000 prize.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Q Hope Christian School-Legazpi standout Trump Christian Luistro finishes a lap during the boys’ 9-10 division’s 50m breaststroke event at the Thanyapura Swimming Pool.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

after finishing second in the girls’ 9-10 100m backstroke ( 1 : 2 6 . 8 5 ) , 10 0 m b u t t e r f l y (34.50) and 50m breaststroke (44.71) while Albert Sermonia II also won silver in the 50m butterfly (29.04) on top of two bronze medals in the 100m freestyle (1:00.02) and 50m breaststroke (34.80).

Overall, the Philippines has already garnered 16 gold medals, surpassing its previous record of 11 in the 2018 edition of the tournament. “We are happy that we were able to surpass our medal target last year. But we’re not yet done, there’s a few more events left and we are looking to win more gold

medals,� said PSL delegation head coach Alex Papa.

Luistro is set to compete in two more events namely 50m freestyle and 100m breast while Dula will see action in 50m freestyle and 200m Individual Medley.

Montecillo vies for gold in 50m freestyle while Jenn Albreicht hopes to deliver in 100m breaststroke.

NU DOWN LADY FALCONS NATIONAL University (NU) returned to the win column after beating Adamson University, 28-26, 30-32, 25-21, 25-22, in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. &OUR ,ADY "ULLDOGS SCORED IN DOUBLE kGures as they ended their three-game losing skid and surpassed University of the East (UE) at No. 6 with an improved 3-7 record. “We’re happy because it’s been a long while since we had a win. We made changes in our system,� said NU head coach Norman Miguel.

6ETERAN BLOCKER 2OSELYN $ORIA kNISHED with a game-high 18 points anchored on KILLS kVE ACES AND A BLOCK FUELING THE Sampaloc-based squad’s balanced attack.

Rookie hitter Ivy Lacsina tallied 15 points, fellow freshman Princess Robles chipped in 14 markers while seasoned spiker Audrey Paran added 11.

The Lady Bulldogs also avenged their 19-25, 19-25, 22-25 defeat to the Lady &ALCONS BACK IN THE kRST ROUND “Before coming into the game, we set our mind that we really want to win against Adamson this time around,� said Miguel.

Bern Flora had a team-best 16 points on 12 spikes and four aces for the Lady Falcons even as Chiara Permentilla had 14 markers and skipper Eli Soyud had 12.

Adamson sank deeper with its sixth straight setback and an overall 1-9 slate.

Earlier in men’s play, Far Eastern University tightened its grip of No. 2 with a 25-15, 26-28, 25-22, 25-14 victory over University of Sto. Tomas. *OHN 0AUL "UGAOAN AND *UDE 'ARCIA kRED 18 and 17 points, respectively, powering the Tamaraw Spikers to their eighth win against a lone loss. $E ,A 3ALLE 5NIVERSITY CLIMBED TO SOLO kFTH

Q Adamson’s Bernadette Flora (No. 3) blocks NU’s Audrey Paran (No. 15) during a UAAP women’s volleyball game on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ‘ADA after sweeping UE, 25-21, 25-22, 29-27.

Chris Bernard Dumago tallied a game-high 12 points while John Delos Reyes racked up 10 markers for the Green Spikers, who improved to 4-6.

The No. 6 Tiger Spikers suffered their fourth consecutive defeat for a 3-6 sheet even as the No. 7 Red Warriors absorbed their third straight setback for a 2-8 card.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Chicano tops TRI-Factor National Duathlon JOHN CHICANO and Phoebe Kee topped the inaugural TRI-Factor Asian Series Run-BikeRun 2019 National Duathlon Championship on Sunday in Clark.

For the Elite Male (Standard Distance 10-kilometer run — 40km bike — 5km run) title, Chicano led all the way from run one with no letup in the grueling 40-km bike and cross the finish line in one hour, 58 minutes and 24 seconds almost a minute ahead of Emmanuel Commendador (1:59:21) and Singapore’s mien Mau Lim (1:59:33).

In the ladies’ side of the event organized

by TRI-Factor Philippines and co-presented

by Clark Development Corporation, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Triathlon Association of the Philippines and supported by Cignaland and Oakley, Phoebe Kee of Singapore coasted to an easy victory with a time record of 2:20:53. She defeated former junior champion Jelsie Sabado and national standout Mirasol Abad that finished second and third with2:22:15 and 2:25:06, respectively.

Other Standard Distance champions were Chrissa Borja and Carl Gutierrez (20-29), Jayline Balatibat and Dan Concepcion, Jr. (30-39), Martes Christabel and Rene Tayag (40-49) and Jojo Macalintal (Male 50-above).

The champions in the Sprint Distance (5km run — 20km bike — 2.5km run) were Mary Joy Trupa and Kim Remolino (Elite), Angelo Quitlong and Erika Nicole Burgos (16-19), Celina Constantino and Reymart Songco (20-29), Noelle Frances De Guzman and Stephen Zarate (30-39), Jonalyn Unlayao and Alexander Luterio (40-49).

Meanwhile, Moira Erediano and Matthew Hermosa (19-below), Jena Valdez (Female 20-above), Ryan Laurino (20-29), and Marc Dela Cruz (30-39) emerged as champions in the Super Sprint Distance (2.5km run — 10km bike — 2.5km run) .

For complete race results, visit https:// trifactor.ph

Gvozdyk retains WBC light heavyweight title as Ngumbu hurt WASHINGTON, D.C.: Unbeaten Oleksandr Gvozdyk retained his World Boxing Council light heavyweight title SaturDAY 3UNDAY IN -ANILA WITH A kFTH round technical knockout of Doudou Ngumbu, who was halted by a right leg injury.

5KRAINE S 'VOZDYK MAKING HIS kRST defense of a title he won with a devastating knockout of Adonis Stevenson in December, improved to 17-0 with 14 knockouts.

Although Gvozdyk had some trouble with Ngumbu’s awkward style, he

CONNECTED WITH A HARD RIGHT IN THE kRST round and a left hook in the fourth.

The champion was leading on the cards when the proceedings at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia came to an anti-climactic ending as CongoleseBORN &RENCH kGHTER .GUMBU SUDDENLY pulled back in the fifth round and limped into a corner.

The bout was paused for a few MINUTES BEFORE REFEREE %RIC $ALI knally called a halt at 58 seconds of THE kFTH ROUND A distraught Ngumbu, his first

world title challenge in ruins, wept in his corner after falling to 38-9 with 14 knockouts. g)T DEkNITELY DIDN T HAPPEN WHAT I expected and wasn’t what he expected,� Gvozdyk said. “I just tried to do my best. I don’t know what happened actually.�

'VOZDYK S PREVIOUS kGHT AGAINST 3TEvenson had near-tragic consequences as the 31-year-old Canadian, who was making his 10th title defense, suffered traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for several weeks.

AFP

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY April 1, 2019

Sports

C3

Tiger loses to Bjerregaard in WGC Match Play quarterfinal W

ASHINGTON: Tiger Woods won a dramatic morning showdown with Rory McIlroy only to be upset by Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard in Saturday’s (Sunday in -ANILA QUARTERkNALS OF THE 7'# -ATCH 0LAY #HAMPIONSHIP 7OODS A TIME MAJOR CHAMPION SEEKING A FOURTH 7'# -ATCH 0LAY TITLE DEFEATED -C)LROY IN A MORNING KNOCKOUT MATCH ONLY TO FALL UP TO THE TH SEEDED $ANE

DROPPING THE TH HOLE WHEN HE MISSED A FOUR FOOT PAR PUTT g7E READ IT INSIDE LEFT CENTER AND IT WENT LEFT u 7OODS SAID g)T WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE WEIRD SPOTS )T S MATCH PLAY 4HEY ARE GOING TO PUT THE PINS IN DIFkCULT SPOTS AND WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE THE SHOTS u "JERREGAARD WHO WILL FACE 53 RD SEED -ATT +UCHAR IN A SEMI kNAL 3UNDAY MARVELED AT HIS ACHIEVEMENT AND THE CROWDS 7OODS DREW TO !USTIN 4EXAS #OUNTRY #LUB g7E HAD A GREAT MATCH )T S A SHAME IT HAD TO END LIKE THIS u "JERREGAARD SAID g) ENJOYED PLAYING WITH HIM )T WAS A COOL EXPERIENCE 4O SAY ) VE BEATEN 4IGER IT S RIGHT UP THERE g)T S SO DIFFERENT TO WHAT ) VE EVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE ) VE NEVER HEARD SO MANY YELLS HIS NAME ALL THE WAY AROUND )T WAS REALLY ENJOYABLE BUT IT MUST BE HARD TO DO THAT EVERY DAY u )TALY S &RANCESCO -OLINARI THE HIGHEST REMAINING SEED AT SEVENTH

WILL MEET 53 TH SEED +EVIN +ISNER LAST YEAR S RUNNER UP TO "UBBA 7ATSON IN 3UNDAY S OTHER MORNING

SEMI kNAL TO SET UP AN HOLE AFTERNOON CHAMPIONSHIP kNAL "JERREGAARD WHO ALSO OUSTED 3WEDEN S (ENRIK 3TENSON OPENED WITH A FOOT BIRDIE THEN RALLIED AFTER 7OODS ANSWERED WITH THREE CONSECUTIVE BIRDIES ! BOGEY WAS ENOUGH FOR 7OODS TO WIN THE PAR TH FOR A UP LEAD "OTH BIRDIED AND THEN "JERREGAARD MISSED LONG BIRDIE PUTTS TO HALVE AND "JERREGAARD SANK A FOOT EAGLE PUTT AT THE PAR TH TO LEVEL THE MATCH

THEN DRAINED A FOOTER FOR BIRDIE AT THE PAR TH FORCING 7OODS TO SINK A TENSE SIX FOOTER FOR BIRDIE TO STAY LEVEL AS THEY REACHED THE TH g(IS BALL lIGHT WAS LOW AND IN THESE CONDITIONS THAT WAS ADVANTAGEOUS u 7OODS SAID 7OODS CHIPPED INTO A BUNKER BUT BLASTED OUT AND AFTER "JERREGAARD MISSED A BIRDIE PUT TO WIN THE YEAR OLD !MERICAN LIPPED OUT HIS LAST PUTT

Rory ‘let one get away’ 7OODS THE TH SEED NEVER TRAILED IN TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF -C)LROY S STRUGGLES WITH THE PUTTER AND A DOUBLE BOGEY DISASTER AT THE TH HOLE AS SPECTATORS ROARED

Q Tiger Woods of the United States reacts after being defeated

by Lucas Bjerregaard of Denmark 1up during the quarterfinal round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on Sunday in Austin, Texas.

AFP PHOTO

g)T WAS BIG FOR US INSIDE THE ROPES TOO u 7OODS SAID g)T WAS FUN FOR US 7E BATTLED HARD AGAINST EACH OTHER ) WAS FORTUNATE TO COME OUT ON TOP u -C)LROY WHO HAD DROPPED ONLY three holes in three matches, was DOWN AFTER AGAINST 7OODS BUT BIRDIED TO WIN AND AND LOOKED TO WIN AFTER 7OODS BURIED HIS TEE SHOT UNDER A BUNKER LIP )NSTEAD -C)LROY FOLLOWED A MAMMOTH TEE SHOT BY kNDING A RIGHT ROUGH slope, chipping over the green against A BOUNDARY MARK CHIPPING AGAIN INTO A BUNKER AND BLASTING OUT TO TWO FEET BEFORE SURRENDERING THE HOLE

7OODS HOLED A FOOTER TO HALVE AND COMPLETE THE VICTORY g) PLAYED PRETTY CONSISTENT THE ENTIRE DAY u 7OODS SAID g) DIDN T GIVE HIM ANY HOLES AND 2ORY DIDN T MAKE ANY PUTTS )T WAS A TOUGH DAY ALL AROUND u -C)LROY A FOUR TIME MAJOR CHAMPION CAN COMPLETE A #AREER 'RAND 3LAM IN TWO WEEKS BY WINNING THE -ASTERS !FTER HIS kRST MATCH PLAY BATTLE WITH HIS BOYHOOD IDOL -C)LROY APOLOGIZED ON )NSTAGRAM FOR EXITING WITHOUT TALKING TO REPORTERS AND PRAISED 7OODS FOR CLUTCH PUTTS LATE g!LTHOUGH ) WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH HOW THE MATCH ENDED ) SHOWED REAL

PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE TO CLAW A COUPLE OF HOLES BACK ON THE BACK NINE

THEN SQUANDERED A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET BACK TO ALL SQUARE ON u -C)LROY WROTE g$EkNITELY ONE ) LET GET AWAY BUT ) LL LEARN AND MOVE ON u

Molinari cruises twice 2EIGNING "RITISH /PEN CHAMPION -OLINARI %UROPE S 2YDER #UP HERO IN LAST YEAR S TRIUMPH OVER THE 53 TEAM IN &RANCE ELIMINATED %NGLISH TH SEED 0AUL #ASEY AND THEN BEAT 53 TH SEED +EVIN .A

.A WHO HAD UPSET %NGLISH SECOND SEED *USTIN 2OSE UP BEGAN WITH A BIRDIE BUT DROPPED THE NEXT SIX HOLES AND NEVER RECOVERED g) JUST PLAYED VERY WELL FROM THE START u -OLINARI SAID g) MADE A LOT OF PUTTS AND DIDN T MAKE TOO MANY MISTAKES u +ISNER ROUTED #HINA S ,I (AOTONG THEN EDGED 3OUTH !FRICAN TH SEED ,OUIS /OSTHUIZEN +UCHAR THE WINNER BEAT %NGLISH TH SEED 4YRRELL (ATTON AND THEN BEAT 3PANISH TH SEED 3ERGIO 'ARCIA UP 4HE 3PANIARD BIRDIED AND TO PULL WITHIN DOWN BUT LOST AT AFP

Riviera romp Park In-bee birdies 18 to seize LPGA Kia Classic lead boosts Juvic’s PH Open drive JUVIC PAGUNSAN will have all the motivation, not to mention momentum, when he sets out for the elusive Solaire Philippine Open crown against A STELLAR INTERNATIONAL kELD STARTING 7EDNESDAY AT 4HE #OUNTRY #LUB IN ,AGUNA "Y DOMINATING THE )#43) 2IVIERA #HALLENGE IN HIS VERY kRST 0HILIPPINE 'OLF 4OUR !SIA FORAY LAST 3ATURDAY

0AGUNSAN WILL BE BRINGING IN SOME CLOAK OF INVINCIBILITY TO THE EVENT WHOSE COMPOSITION REMAINS AS TALENT LADEN AS EVER DESPITE THE WITHDRAWAL OF LAST YEAR S CHAMPION -IGUEL 4ABUENA g4HIS WIN IS A BIG BOOST HEADING TO THE 0HL /PEN u SAID THE SOFT SPOKEN 0AGUNSAN AFTER BEATING FELLOW *APAN 0'! 4OUR CAMPAIGNER AND FORMER 0HL /PEN CHAMP !NGELO 1UE BY SEVEN AT 2IVIERA 7ITHOUT THE INJURED 4ABUENA OBSERVERS NOTE Pagunsan will have one less chief rival in his pursuit FOR A kRST EVER /PEN DIADEM ALTHOUGH 1UE WILL BE THERE TO SHOOT FOR A SECOND CHAMPIONSHIP ALONG WITH THE OTHER LOCAL TOP GUNS AND THE REST OF THE CAST THAT INCUDES SOME OF THE LEADING PLAYERS FROM !USTRALIA THE 53 *APAN +OREA 4HAILAND #OLOMBIA -ACEDONIA THE .ETHERLANDS )NDONESIA )NDIA

%NGLAND AND #ANADA )N SHORT 0AGUNSAN WILL STILL BE IN FOR A TOUGH CHALLENGE WITH THE 4## LAYOUT ALSO TO PROVIDE A TRUE TEST OF GOLF WITH ITS LENGTH HAZARDS AND SLEEK PUTTING SURFACE WITH THE WIND ALSO EXPECTED TO COME INTO PLAY IN ALL FOUR DAYS @7INNING YOUR .ATIONAL /PEN AGAIN IS ALWAYS SPECIAL u SAID 1UE HINTING AT A STRONG PERFORMANCE FOR THE POWER HITTING SHOTMAKER FOLLOWING A NUMBER OF MEDIOCRE kNISH AFTER REIGNING AT 7ACK 7ACK IN 2EIGNING 0HILIPPINE 'OLF 4OUR /RDER OF -EIT WINNER *OBIM #ARLOS AND FORMER //- CHAMPION #LYDE -ONDILLA MEANWHILE WILL SEEK REDEMPTION IN THE FABLED EVENT SPONSORED BY 3OLAIRE 2ESORT #ASINO FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR AFTER MISSING THE CUT LAST WEEK ,IKE 0AGUNSAN AND A HORDE OF OTHERS THE 4HAIS ARE ALSO GOING ALL OUT TO SCORE THEIR kRST /PEN VICTORY 4HEY CAME TANTALIZINGLY CLOSE LAST YEAR BUT VETERAN 0ROM -EESAWAT BOWED TO 4ABUENA IN A THRILLER OF A SUDDEN DEATH 4HE TITLE RACE WAS ALSO DECIDED IN A PLAYOFF WITH %NGLAND S 3TEVE ,EWTON NIPPING !MERICAN *OHANNES 6EERMAN WITH THE SAME kNISH EXPECTED THIS WEEK GIVEN THE DEPTH OF THE kELD AND AN EXACTING LAYOUT KEPT IN CHAMPIONSHIP FORM ALL YEAR LONG 4EN !USTRALIANS LED BY 0'4 !SIA LEG WINNERS $AMIEN *ORDAN AND $AVID 'LEESON AND PLAYERS FROM THE 53 HEADED BY REGULAR LOCAL CAMPAIGNERS 3AM 'ILLIS ,EXUS +EONINH "RETT -UNSON #ORY /RIDE AND 0'4 LEG TITLIST .ICHOLAS 0AEZ ARE ALSO IN THE FOLD

ALL SEEKING TO GET A CRACK AT THE COVETED CROWN IN THE EVENT SANCTIONED BY THE .ATIONAL 'OLF !SSOCIATION OF THE 0HILIPPINES HEADED BY PRESIDENT -ARTIN ,ORENZO AND BACKED BY 0IN (IGH GOLF APPAREL 3TILL FOCUS WILL BE ON THE SMOOTH SWINGING 0AGUNSAN WHOSE SKILLS TALENT AND CURRENT FORM

PLUS SKY HIGH CONkDENCE COULD BE TOUGH FOR THE kELD TO OVERCOME

LOS ANGELES: 3OUTH +OREAN 0ARK )N BEE DRAINED A LONG BIRDIE PUTT AT THE TH HOLE ON 3ATURDAY 3UNDAY IN -ANILA TO GRAB A ONE SHOT LEAD OVER *APAN S .ASA (ATAOKA IN THE ,0'! +IA #LASSIC 0ARK A SEVEN TIME MAJOR CHAMPION SEEKING TO END A YEAR LONG TITLE DROUGHT CARDED HER SECOND STRAIGHT FIVE UNDER PAR AT !VIARA 'OLF #LUB IN #ARLSBAD #ALIFORNIA (ER UNDER PAR TOTAL OF PUT HER ONE IN FRONT OF (ATAOKA WHO HAD EIGHT BIRDIES

WITHOUT A BOGEY IN HER FOR 0ARK SEEKING A TH ,0'! TITLE IN THIS LAST EVENT BEFORE THE kRST MAJOR OF THE YEAR

THE !.! )NSPIRATION SAID THE KEY TO HER ROUND WAS gA COMBINATION OF CONSISTENCY AND THE PUTTING u g) HOLED SOME GOOD PUTTS ESPECIALLY ON THE BACK NINE u SHE SAID g*UST THE FEEL ON THE GREENS IS REALLY GOOD THIS WEEK AND ) REALLY WANT TO KEEP THAT GOING TOMORROW u (ATAOKA

IS TRYING TO ADD TO THE TWO

TITLES SHE WON LAST SEASON g) STARTED OUT PLAYING REALLY WELL ATTACKING THE PINS AND HAD A LOT OF PAR SAVES AS WELL GOOD PAR SAVES u SHE SAID ADDING THAT SHE WANTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GOOD SCORING CONDITIONS 3OUTH +OREA S (UR -I JUNG MADE THE MOST OF THEM kRING A TOURNAMENT RECORD THAT INCLUDED SEVEN OF HER BIRDIES ON THE BACK NINE g) GOT GOOSEBUMPS u SHE SAID g3O EXCITED PLAYING THE BACK NINE ) HAD GREAT SHOTS AND GREAT PUTTS AND MADE SEVEN

BIRDIES IN A ROW u (ER SPARKLING EFFORT LEFT HER TIED WITH WORLD NUMBER ONE 0ARK 3UNG (YUN ON ‡ A STROKE BEHIND 4HAILAND S 4HIDAPA 3UWANNAPURA 4HIDAPA TIED FOR THE OVERNIGHT LEAD WITH 0ARK 3UNG HYUN CARDED A WHILE THE 3OUTH +OREAN POSTED A ‡ BOUNCING BACK FROM A DOUBLE BOGEY AND TWO BOGEYS IN HER kRST SIX HOLES WITH SIX BIRDIES BEFORE A BOGEY AT THE LAST AFP

LADY FALCONS SOAR TO GREATER HEIGHTS THAT Adamson University has been dominating the UAAP women’s softball for the past two decades is an understatement.

From the time the Lady Falcons, then under coach Filomeno “Boyâ€? CodiĂąera, won their first crown in the varsity league’s 60th Season (19971998), the San Marcelino-based softbelles have ruled the event 16 more times until last year.

This year, the now Lady Falcons of coach Ana Santiago are batting for their 18th jewel and a ninepeat. And they’re one game away from accomplishing their target following another masterful, 11-2, domination of archrivals University of Santo Tomas Growing Tigresses on Saturday in the opener of their best-of-three for all the marble series.

This is the fourth time in-a-row that the Lady Falcons and the Tigresses are disputing the UAAP softball tiara. The fifth time, actually, since 2010 when UST bagged the plum by dethroning Adamson.

From 2011 till last season, it was Adamson’s blue and white clad Lady Falcons who’ve been trooping the victory podium to receive the gonfalon.

Coronation day is on Tuesday, Game 2 of the first-to-win-two series, which they’re heavy favorite to prevail like their first three encounters from the elimination round.

Should coach Santiago’s girls bring home the championship trophy anew, they move three victories shy of tying the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, who held the most number of title triumphs at 21 before they disbanded in the mid-80s FEU still owns the longest 19 consecutive titles from 1963–1984. Manila Central University , which has been inactive since 1962, had seven consecutive titles from 1955–61.

FEU equaled that MCU record after winning seven consecutive titles from 1963-1970.

Adamson has three four-peat titles, seasons

1997-2000, 2003–2006 and 2010-2013.

Santiago and her Adamson lasses had a historic 73 game-winning streak which started in UAAP Season 73 (2010-2011). The streak ended on March 2, 2016 when Adamson lost to UST in UAAP Season 78 tournament’s elimination round.

Incidentally, since the ‘small but terrible’, four-feet flat Santiago assumed the head coaching job from CodiĂąera in 2004, the Lady Falcons have racked up 12 UAAP championship victories, the most by any coach in any sport in the varsity league. Count a pair as CodiĂąera’s understudy in 2001 and 2002 and her total championship winnings would be 14.

And coach Ana stands to raise that amazing record to 15 on Tuesday with her Lady Falcon’s expected repeat win over the Tigresses for this year’s UAAP women’ softball championship.

Women’s softball was added to the varsity league’s

yearly calendar in 1953. There were years, though, when the tournament was not held. It was not played in thirteen Seasons (1970–73 and 1985–95).

Softball has not only made a comeback from its past hiatus, it has now more school participants than in baseball, its counterpart for the male ballgames. There are currently seven teams participating in the softball tournament while baseball has only six.

Softball happens to be one of only three team events outside of basketball and baseball, that the Philippines won medals in world level competitions — a bronze — scooped up by the PH Blu Girls during the 1970 World Women’s championship in Osaka, Japan.

It, too, is the only team sport, outside of basketball and baseball, the Filipinos have been dominating when it is played in the Southeast Asian Games.

EDDIE G. ALINEA

Proud Barty defeats Pliskova to capture WTA Miami Open title MIAMI: !SHLEIGH "ARTY S TRANSFORMATION IS COMPLETE AFTER THE !USTRALIAN DEFEATED #ZECH kFTH

Q Ashleigh Barty of Australia returns a shot to Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic during the women’s final of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Florida. AFP PHOTO

SEED +AROLINA 0LISKOVA 3ATURDAY 3UNDAY IN -ANILA TO WIN THE BIGGEST SINGLES TITLE OF HER CAREER AT THE 74! -IAMI /PEN 4HE YEAR OLD !USSIE QUIT TENNIS kVE YEARS AGO AFTER kNDING THE MENTAL GRIND OF THE TOUR TOO MUCH TO BEAR TURNING TO PROFESSIONAL CRICKET IN A BID TO kND SPORTING HAPPINESS "ARTY HOWEVER KNEW SHE HAD THE TENNIS SKILLS TO COMPETE AT THE VERY TOP AND AFTER RETURNING IN &EBRUARY HAS TAKEN HER career to an elite level, culminating in her kRST EVER 74! 0REMIER -ANDATORY TITLE TO FOLLOW ON FROM THE 53 /PEN DOUBLES CROWN SHE WON LAST 3EPTEMBER "ARTY A JUNIOR 7IMBLEDON WINNER AT AGE

WILL RISE FROM TH TO NUMBER NINE IN THE WORLD RANKINGS AND BECOME THE kRST Australian woman since Sam Stosur in *UNE TO CRACK THE TOP g)T FEELS LIKE IT S A LONG TIME AGO NOW SINCE ) TOOK THE BREAK AND SINCE ) CAME BACK u SAID "ARTY WHO ALSO REACHED THE DOUBLES SEMI kNALS AT THE (ARD 2OCK 3TADIUM WITH 6ICTORIA !ZARENKA g)T S BEEN A FEW YEARS NOW BUT ) CERTAINLY FEEL LIKE ) M A VERY DIFFERENT PERSON ) FEEL LIKE ) M A MORE COMPLETE PLAYER ) M A BETTER PLAYER g) WAS AN AVERAGE CRICKETER AND ) M BECOMING A BETTER TENNIS PLAYER

g) FEEL LIKE WHEN ) PLAY MY BEST ) M GOOD ENOUGH TO MATCH IT WITH THE VERY BEST IN THE WORLD u "ARTY HIT ACES AND WINNERS COMPARED TO FROM AN OUT OF SORTS 0LISKOVA g) HAD TO KEEP IT PHYSICAL MAKE AS MANY BALLS AS POSSIBLE AND KEEP MY RUNNING SHOES ON u "ARTY SAID "ARTY S VICTORY MEANS THAT FOR THE kRST TIME EVER THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT WINNERS IN 74! EVENTS SO FAR THIS SEASON 0LISKOVA WHO WILL RISE TO FOURTH IN THE RANKINGS DESPITE A DISAPPOINTING kNAL

BADLY STRUGGLED WITH HER SERVE AND MOVEMENT OFF THE PACE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY AFTER REACHING THE QUARTER kNALS OR BETTER IN HER kVE PRIOR TOURNAMENTS THIS YEAR g3HE PLAYED WELL AND ) WAS SUPER TIRED u SAID THE #ZECH g4HE CONDITIONS WERE DIFFERENT TO THE NIGHT MATCHES ) PLAYED &OR SURE ) COULD PLAY BETTER BUT SHE WENT FOR IT IN THE TIE BREAK g4HE kRST SET WAS KEY FOR THE MATCH AND ONE ) SHOULD HAVE WON )T WAS TOUGH TO kGHT IN THE SECOND u 4HE YEAR OLD #ZECH WHO BEAT "ARTY

IN THE ROUND OF AT LAST YEAR S 53 /PEN CAME INTO THE FINAL WITH ACES MOST IN THE WOMEN S DRAW BUT SHE WON ONLY OF POINTS ON HER kRST SERVE

COMPARED TO FROM "ARTY g3HE SERVED GREAT u SAID 0LISKOVA WHO DEFEATED 3IMONA (ALEP IN THE SEMI kNALS AND DENIED THE 2OMANIAN THE CHANCE TO RECLAIM THE WORLD .O RANKING

‘Amazing fortnight’ 7HEN THE !USTRALIAN DOUBLE FAULTED AT TO HAND 0LISKOVA AN EARLY BREAK IT WASN T THE START "ARTY SOUGHT AND MORE ERRORS IN THE FOLLOWING GAME ALLOWED 0LISKOVA TO EXTEND HER LEAD "ARTY THEN BEGAN TO SETTLE DOWN AND CRISPLY STRUCK A FOREHAND WINNER TO BREAK 0LISKOVA FOR THE kRST TIME 4HE !USSIE STARTED SUPERBLY IN THE TIE BREAKER MOVING AHEAD BEFORE 0LISKOVA HIT LONG TO SEAL THE SET FOR "ARTY WHO BROKE EARLY IN THE SECOND SET TO SIGNAL IT WOULD BE HER DAY g)T S BEEN AN AMAZING FORTNIGHT OF TENNIS AND IT S PRETTY COOL TO HAVE PLAYED A GOOD MATCH ON SUCH A BIG STAGE g)T WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A MATCH OF SMALL OPPORTUNITIES SO GETTING THE kRST SET WAS MASSIVE g4HERE WERE ZERO EXPECTATIONS COMING INTO THIS TOURNAMENT ) JUST SAW IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET BETTER EVERY DAY BUT ) HAVE GRABBED MY CHANCE WITH BOTH HANDS g) AM PROUD OF MYSELF u SHE SAID AFP

Âťtvlandia'slatest

MONDAY M O N DAY APRIL 1, 2019

Entertainment

D1 Max, Mark and Jason team up for actionpacked drama

www.manilatimes.net

Philippine Eagle stars in new Netflix series F

OUR YEARS, 50 countries and more than three and A HALF THOUSAND kLMING DAYS USING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY AND + VIDEO HAVE CAPTURED THE %ARTH FROM END TO END FOR .ETlIX S AMBITIOUS NEW SERIES g/UR 0LANET u In The Know had the chance to screen the eight-part series narrated by Sir David Attenborough in advance, and it left us bewildered, surprised, sentimental and hopeful on how we can understand our connection with each living creature on this planet and actually thoroughly care for one another.

Our Planet leaves us with a bucket full of triggered emotions, making us feel as if we are actually there as they capture the Earth’s key biomes or habitats, the icy frozen worlds, jungles, coastal seas, deserts and grasslands, high seas, freshwater regions and forests.

With the best wildlife cinematographers and scientists on board, the show takes viewers from the remote Arctic wilderness and mysterious deep oceans to the vast landscapes of Africa and diverse jungles of South America, and to the grasslands of India and back.

Each shot and story on living creatures are a visual spectacle, leaving you awestruck with cinematography you have never seen before.

To be sure, the series offers never-beforeseen footage of wildlife and their habitats — while also revealing why the natural world matters to us all and what steps must be Q The spotlight also taken to preserve it. shines on our very own Moreover, the brilliant and catchy endangered Philippine storytelling succeeds in capturing the Eagle in 'Our Planet.' attention of all generations to make AFP PHOTO humans realize how connected and how similar we can be with the birds and the BEES ‡ AND EVEN THE kSHĂœ In the first episode “One Planet,â€? viewers will travel from the Brazilian rainforest to Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, discovering how each fragile

IN THE KNOW MJ MARFORI

Q Sir David Attenborough

Q Salma Hayek habitat is connected and why they are all essential for life to thrive on this planet.

The spotlight also shines on our very own endangered Philippine Eagle — on what they’re like and how they should be in their natural habitat. This will surely strike a chord on how to wake up and save

Q Penelope Cruz what is left of what we have.

Besides the viewers who will marvel at diverse landscapes and precious and rare wildlife, the series will help start an important conversation about the home we all share at a crucial moment when action IS NEEDED ‡ AND NOWĂœ The series will premiere this %ARTH MONTH ON !PRIL ON .ETlIX In addition to Sir David Attenborough, the series will feature local narrators in 10 languages, including Spanish-language narrators PenĂŠlope Cruz for Spain and Salma Hayek for Latin America.

Do yourself and your loved ones a favor and take time to see this.

NNN 5NTIL NEXT WEEKĂœ 4A TAĂœ

TV series favorites Max Collins, Mark Herras and Jason Abalos are back on the drama block with the premiere of “Bihag� — a story about love and bittersweet Q Max Collins and Jason Abalos revenge — on GMA Network’s Afternoon Prime line-up.

According to the trio of young and talented actors, viewers are in for an all new plot that wields action, mystery and suspense together with the heart wrenching story of a family struck with tragedy.

Bihag opens with an image of a happy family — Jessie (Collin), a simple and loving wife and mother; her close to perfect husband Brylle (Abalos) who is also a pediatric surgeon; and their cheerful son Ethan (Raphael Landicho). Jessie is the ideal homemaker who chooses to be a stay-at-home mommy blogger, while Brylle faithfully and dutifully supports his family, working hard as a doctor. But when an unfortunate hostage-taking involving their son happens, lives are lost and betrayal seeps in, rendering the once happy family in pieces.

Herras plays a pivotal role as SPO1 Larry Pineda, an honest police officer and Jessie’s high school classmate who comes to the family’s aid.

Bihag is directed by Neal del Q Mark Rosario and airs weekday afterHerras noons beginning today.

D2

Funtimes

MONDAY April 1, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Solution to puzzle

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (04/01/19). Explore fresh terrain this year.

Steady routines grow your professional skills. You could hit the jackpot! Begin a new domestic phase this summer, before professional changes reveal unconsidered options.

Your career leaps ahead next winter, leading to domestic renewal. Try new flavors.

BY NANCY BLACK L I B R A (S E P T. 23-O C T. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Focus on physical work, labors and fitness. Fulfill promises. If you encounter resistance, slow down. Don’t force an issue or movement. Take it easy.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

S C O R P I O (O C T. 23-N O V. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Passions can get riled up. Keep it behind closed doors. Secrets can get revealed. Someone finds you attractive. Share a magical moment or several.

A R I E S (M A R C H 21-A P R I L 19) -- Today is a 6 -- Find a peaceful spot to think. Review priorities and make plans for a few days. New income or a delightful discovery is possible.

Visualize perfection.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Domestic projects satisfy multiple objectives. Fix something before it breaks. Beautify your space while cooking up something delicious for worker bees. Your greatest strength is love.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Get more done and have more fun with friends, especially today and tomorrow. Stay in communication with your team. Beneficial and profitable opportunities beckon.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- An intellectual puzzle tempts you to sift through facts and data. Walk and think. Do the homework, and write your conclusions. Your research could get fruitful.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Work takes priority.

Take charge for the results you want. Devote attention to a challenge or test. Balance the numbers. Close a deal or sign papers.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Leave your money where it is. Don’t let someone else spend it frivolously.

Values could get tested. Discover another revenue source. Your work is in demand.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Travel and education hold your focus. Explore a fascinating thread or vista.

Friends make a trip more fun. Pack lightly. Plan your route and itinerary carefully.

L E O ( J U LY 23- A U G . 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Handle finances over the next few days. Avoid arguments or fussing.

Things could seem chaotic or in a state of flux. Consider potential pitfalls.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Partnership expands your results. Share the load. Listen to intuition. Avoid hassles or arguments by letting the small stuff go. Let magnetism draw you together.

» SUDOKU

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is a 9 -- You’re ready to make improvements. Take charge of your destiny. Assertiveness works. A personal insight or epiphany reveals a hidden truth. Generate harmonious results.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like today’s Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.)

NANCY BLACK. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

Expats&Diplomats Bangladesh celebrates 48th Independence and National Day in Manila ห The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY ARLO CUSTODIO

B

TO THE DELIGHT OF THE GUESTS 4HE -ANILA 4IMES LEARNED FROM "ANGLADESH %MBASSY STAFF THAT THERE ARE AROUND "ANGLADESHIS SCATTERED ALL OVER THE 0HILIPPINES MOSTLY STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS WITH SOME GETTING INTO INTERMARRIAGE WITH &ILIPINOS

angladesh nationals, led by Ambassador Asad Alam Siam and his wife Madame Farhana Saif, were joined by Filipino friends and members of the diplomatic corps to celebrate the 48th Independence and National Day of the South Asian Philippinescountry at Fairmont Hotel in Makati City Bangladesh relations on March 26.

4HE 0HILIPPINES WAS ONE OF THE 0HILIPPINE GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS WHO GRACED THE AFFAIR INCLUDED $EPARTMENT OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY OF !SIAN AND 0ACIFIC !FFAIRS -EYNARDO -ONTEALEGRE $EPARTMENT OF 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY 5NDERSECRETARY !BDULGANI -ACATOMAN 0HILIPPINE .AVY #OMMODORE ,OUMER "ERNABE

0HILIPPINE !IR &ORCE 0!& 6ICE #OMMANDER -AJ 'EN .ICOLAS 0ARILLA AND 0!& !SSISTANT #HIEF OF

!IR 3TAFF FOR )NTELLIGENCE ! #OL ,ORETO 0ASAMONTE #URRENT $EAN OF $IPLOMATIC #ORPS !POSTOLIC .UNCIO 'ABRIELE 'IORDANO #ACCIA AND IMMEDIATE PAST $EAN OF $IPLOMATIC #ORPS *ORDAN (ONORARY #ONSUL 'ENERAL -ICHAEL !LEXANDER !NG WERE ALSO AMONG THE WELL WISHERS !WARD WINNING #ORO 3AN "ENILDO OF THE $E ,A 3ALLE #OLLEGE OF 3AINT "ENILDE PROVIDED MUSICAL NUMBERS

kRST COUNTRIES TO RECOGNIZE "ANGLADESH ON &EB AFTER ITS INDEPENDENCE IN 0RESENTLY THE 0HILIPPINE RESIDENT AMBASSADOR IN "ANGLADESH IS 6ICENTE 6IVENCIO "ANDILLO BASED IN $HAKA WITH JURISDICTION OVER 3RI ,ANKA AND -ALDIVES "ANGLADESH OPENED ITS EMBASSY IN -ANILA IN "ANGLADESH IS THE THIRD LARGEST TRADING PARTNER OF THE 0HILIPPINES IN 3OUTH !SIA WITH THE "ANGLADESH 0HILIPPINES #HAMBER OF #OMMERCE AND )NDUSTRY AS THE RECOGNIZED TRADE BODY BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES

MONDAY April 1, 2019

D3

Q Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Philippines Asad Alam Siam (third from right) shares a special anniversary cake ceremony with guests that included Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Gabriele Giordano Caccia (second from right), Foreign Affairs Asst. Sec. of Asian and Pacific Affairs Meynardo Montealegre, Trade and Industry Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman, Philippine Navy Commodore Loumer Bernabe, Philippine Air Force Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Nicolas Parilla and Asst. Chief of Air Staff for Intelligence-A2 Col. Loreto Pasamonte.

PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE CIVILIZATION 'REEKS AND 2OMANS NAMED THE REGION AS 'ANGARIDAI

A POWERFUL KINGDOM OF THE )NDIAN SUBCONTINENT IN THE THIRD CENTURY "#% 4HE "ENGAL 3ULTANATE AND -UGHAL "ENGAL TRANSFORMED THE REGION INTO A COSMOPOLITAN )SLAMIC IMPERIAL POWER BETWEEN THE TH AND TH CENTURIES !S PART OF THEN "RITISH )NDIA

THE REGION WAS INlUENCED BY THE "ENGALI 2ENAISSANCE AND PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ANTI COLONIAL MOVEMENTS 4HE 0ARTITION OF "RITISH )NDIA MADE %AST "ENGAL A PART OF THE $OMINION OF 0AKISTAN AND

RENAMED IT AS %AST 0AKISTAN 4HE REGION WITNESSED THE "ENGALI ,ANGUAGE -OVEMENT IN AND THE "ANGLADESH ,IBERATION 7AR IN !FTER GAINING INDEPENDENCE A PARLIAMENTARY REPUBLIC WAS ESTABLISHED BUT SHIFTED TO PRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT FROM TO

FOLLOWED BY A RETURN TO PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY UNTIL NOW #URRENTLY THE "ANGLADESH UNITARY PARLIAMENTARY REPUBLIC IS HEADED BY 0RESIDENT !BDUL (AMID AND 0RIME -INISTER 3HEIKH (ASINA #ONSIDERED A MIDDLE POWER AND DEVELOPING NATION THE WORLD S

EIGHTH MOST POPULOUS COUNTRY IS LISTED AS ONE OF THE .EXT %LEVEN ย RANKING RD IN TERMS OF NOMINAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND TH IN TERMS OF PURCHASING POWER PARITY )T IS ONE OF THE LARGEST TEXTILE EXPORTERS IN THE WORLD 7ITH ITS STRATEGICALLY VITAL LOCATION BETWEEN 3OUTH %AST AND 3OUTHEAST !SIA "ANGLADESH IS AN IMPORTANT PROMOTER OF REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY AND COOPERATION "ENGALI IS THE OFkCIAL LANGUAGE

WITH $HAKA THE LARGEST CITY AS ITS CAPITAL WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM WIKIPEDIA

Country of rivers and waterways

Q Guests listen to Ambassador Siam as he welcomes everyone to the celebration of the 48th anniversary of Bangladesh Independence and National Day at Fairmont Hotel Grand Ballroom 2 in Makati City on March 26.

/FkCIALLY CALLED THE 0EOPLE S 2EPUBLIC OF "ANGLADESH g4HE #OUNTRY OF "ENGALu HAS RIVERS

MILES OF INLAND WATERWAYS AND IS MOSTLY COVERED BY THE "ENGAL $ELTA THE LARGEST DELTA ON EARTH )T SHARES LAND BORDERS WITH )NDIA AND -YANMAR )N THE EARLY PART OF MODERN

Q Coro San Benildo delights guests with a capella musical numbers.

US and Tagbilaran City forge partnership to expand access to safe drinking water

Q Portugalโ s Secretary of State for Internationalization Eurico Brilhante Dias (second from left) meets with Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Group Allan Gepty (second from right) to discuss further trade collaborations between Portugal and the Philippines. With them are Honorary Consul Antonio Rufino (leftmost) and Ambassador Rui Carmo (rightmost).

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

THE US government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAid), joined Tagbilaran City and Maynilad Water Services Inc. to celebrate World Water Day. The March 20 event highlighted the cityโ s successes in improving access to safe water and reaffirmed the partnership between Tagbilaran, USAid and Maynilad. As a result of this partnership, more than 21,500 Tagbilaran City residents now enjoy around-the-clock access to clean water. Previously, these residents only had access to water eight hours a day.

For the past two years, USAid and Maynilad provided training and mentoring to enhance the operational and management capabilities of the Tagbilaran City Waterworks System.

In April 2017, USAid and Maynilad Water Academy teamed up with the Tagbilaran City Waterworks System to improve business planning, strengthen fiscal management and boost the

efficiency of services.

Through these measures, Tagbilaran City was able to collect more fees, increasing the water budget by 34 percent. The additional funding allowed Tagbilaran City to upgrade facilities and install 7.5 kilometers of new water pipes as well as 1,000 new water meters.

These enhancements reduce leakage and augment the cityโ s ability to monitor its water needs.

During the World Water Day program at the city hall, Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap recognized the achievements of Tagbilaran City Waterworks System, which is run by the local government. At the event, USAid Urban Planning Specialist Marian Navata noted, โ USAid continues to be a committed partner of the Philippine government to expand access to safe water and support good governance in the water and sanitation sectors.โ

Q Tagbilaran City officials during the city's World Water Day celebration, led by Mayor John Geesnell Yap (fifth from left) with guests from USAid Marian Cruz-Navata (fourth from left) and Bernadette Cariaga (second from left).

To increase access to clean water and improve water service delivery, USAid has partnered with cities across the Philippines, including Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Iloilo, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran,

Zamboanga and Marawi City. In partnership with the Philippine government, USAidโ s water and sanitation programs have provided almost 2 million Filipinos with access to safe drinking water over the last five years.

EU, UST mount music and dance symposium 4(% %UROPEAN 5NION %5 IN THE 0HILIPPINES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3ANTO 4OMAS 534 THROUGH THE /FkCE OF 0UBLIC !FFAIRS

PRESENTED THE THIRD DISCOURSE FOR g(EMISPHERES ! %UROPEAN 5NION #ULTURAL 3YMPOSIUM u 7ITH THE THEME g%5 0( "EAT (ARMONIZING .OTES AND 2HYTHM u THE SYMPOSIUM WAS HELD AT THE $R 'EORGE 3 + 4Y (ALL OF THE 534 "LESSED "UENAVENTURA 'ARCIA 0AREDES / 0 "UILDING 3PEAKERS INCLUDED 3WEDISH CLASSICAL VIOLINISTS *EANETTE +AMPHUIS AND 3TEFAN 2ANDEHED &ILIPINO CELLIST 2ENATO ,UCAS FROM THE 534 #ONSERVATORY OF -USIC &ILIPINO PERCUSSIONIST *EAN 0AUL :IALCITA AND 3PANISH lAMENCO GUITARIST !LEJANDRO !LCARAZ FOR THE MORNING SESSION ON MUSIC "ALLET INSTRUCTOR #HERISH 'ARCIA

THESPIAN 2AFLESIA #HIARRA "RAVO AND lAMENCO VIRTUOSO -A %MMA %STRADA SPOKE DURING THE AFTERNOON SESSION ON DANCE 3AID ARTISTS ALSO PERFORMED FOR THEIR AUDIENCE COMPOSED OF STUDENTS FROM THE DIFFERENT COLLEGES OF 534 AND FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES g)T IS WITH GRATITUDE AND JOY THAT 534 WELCOMES OPPORTUNITIES FOR

Q European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen EXPRESSING ITS COMMITMENT TO BE A CREATIVE AND DYNAMIC PARTNER OF THE %5 TOWARD THE PROMOTION OF CULTURE AND THE ARTS u 534 /FkCE 0UBLIC !FFAIRS $IRECTOR 'IOVANNA &ONTANILLA REMARKED -EANWHILE %5 !MBASSADOR TO THE 0HILIPPINES &RANZ *ESSEN

WHO ALSO GRACED THE EVENT SHARED

g) HOPE THAT WHEN YOU LISTEN TO THE MUSIC ;PERFORMED DURING THE EVENT= YOU WOULD ALSO BE INSPIRED TO VISIT %UROPE TO LEARN OF THE HISTORY THAT IT POSSESSES AND OFFERS SO MUCH TO THE WORLD u

!CTUALLY SIBLINGS +AMPHUIS AND 2ANDEHED PLAYED MELODIES INCLUDING A ร GยบNGLยบT ร WHICH IS A TYPE OF 3WEDISH FOLK WALKING OR MARCHING TUNE FOLLOWED BY A ร POLSKAร TUNE MEANT FOR LIVELY DANCING #ONCERT CELLIST AND CONDUCTOR 2ENATO ,UCAS PLAYED SOLO PIECES COMPOSED BY *OHANNES 3EBASTIAN "ACH THEN ORIGINAL &ILIPINO PIECES :IALCITA AND !LCARAZ PERFORMED UNTITLED INDIVIDUAL PIECES THEN Q Swedish violinists and siblings Stefan Randehed (left) TEAMED UP TO PLAY A FAST PACED and Jeanette Kamphuis play a โ gรฅnglรฅt,โ a Swedish folk tune.

MODERN TANGO DOING A lAMENCO MELODY IN THE kNALE Q Ballet instructor 4HE 534 GUITAR ENSEMBLE PLAYED Cherish Garcia TWO SONGS g7ALTZ OF THE &LOWERSu FROM THE g.UTCRACKER 3UITEuBY 4CHAIKOVSKY AND g$JEMBEu BY !NDREW 9ORK 0OPULAR 534 3ALINGGAWI $ANCE 4ROUPE PRESENTED THE *OTA 1UIRINO

A 0HILIPPINE FOLK DANCE MARKED BY COMPLEX RHYTHMS ACCOMPANIED BY CLACKING BAMBOO CASTANETS %5 0( "EAT (ARMONIZING .OTES AND 2HYTHM IS THE THIRD (EMISPHERES SYMPOSIUM HOSTED BY 534

WITH THE kRST TITLED g)N &OCUS %UROPEAN ,ITERATUREu IN -AY AND THE SECOND g!RT 4HROUGH THE %YES Q Thespian Raflesia Bravo OF %UROPEu IN !UGUST

Q Spanish flamenco guitarist Alejandro Alcaraz (left) and Filipino percussionist Jean Paul Zialcita perform a Buleria flamenco piece.

Q Concert cellist and conductor Renato Lucas

MONDAY M O N DAY AAPRIL P RIL 1, 2019

Lifestyle

D4

www.manilatimes.net

Q Mags Cue, Shilpa Tolani, Tess de Guzman and Sim Abinoja

Q Skin Rejuve Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer Precy Yulo and President Ronald Yulo, Helen Ong, Secretary Salvador Panelo, Hi! Society, Sushil Pandey, Raj Tolani and Prestige Q Dr. Joel Javate, Precy Yulo, Nini Layug, Malou Martinez and Delby Bragais President Shipa Tolani

Skin Rejuve to the 10th power S KIN 2EJUVE HAS kNALLY OPENED IN THE "'# AREA AT THE ND &LOOR OF 4HE &ORUM The event was graciously att e n d e d by Secretary Salvador Panelo, Sushil Kumar Pandey and Angola Consul Helen Ong who, along with Hi! Society, shared the stage in cutting the ribbon to signal the readiness to serve the BGC Area.

Skin Rejuve Prestige is a collaboration of Skin Rejuve Group of Companies Chief Executive OfkCER 0RECY 9ULO 3KIN 2EJUVE 0RESIDENT 2ONALD 9ULO 3URAJ )NTERNATIONAL 0RESIDENT 2AJ 4OLANI and Skin Rejuve Prestige President Shilpa Tolani. The event was hosted by established society columnist and emcee Johnny Litton.

The brand offers skin care, body sculpting, laser, dermatologic intervention, and nail art. )T IS A PREMIERE MEDICAL SPA THAT HOUSES HIGH end body sculpting machines like the Venus Sculpt to treat stubborn bulges and cellulite; CO2 Fractional Laser and Carbon Laser Peel to address open pores, stretch marks, scars, WRINKLES AND kNE LINES Skin Rejuve branches are located in Kamias, Katipunan, Timog, Ortigas, Greenhills, Pasig, Makati, Alabang and Sta. Rosa, with another ONE OPENING SOON IN ,UCKY #HINA 4OWN )F YOU are near one of the mentioned branches, try to check it out and be rejuvenated.

HI! SOCIETY BECKY GARCIA

Q Ronald Yulo, Tolani, Johnny Litton and Sushil Pandey

Q Maru Go, Baby Tan, Georgette Wilson and Nanette Garcia

Q Mike Planas, Victoria Singson, Mhel Pechera, Precy Yulo and Mon Guerrero

Q Mildred Vitangcol, Baby Ramos and Beth Rabuy

Q Pepito Bengson and Doris Ensomo

Q Rita Torrechila, Lina Castillo, Angeli Gurnamal and Tess de Guzman

Uniting people through the art of Ikebana

Q President of Ikebana International Manila Chapter 108 Marc Tomas and wife of Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Ihoko Haneda

)+%"!.! )NTERNATIONAL A NONPROFIT cultural organization dedicated to the PROMOTION AND APPRECIATION OF )KEBANA

WAS FOUNDED IN )T IS NOW PRESENT IN over 50 countries, with 161 chapters uniting peoples of the world through their mutual love of nature and enjoyment of THE ANCIENT ART OF lOWER ARRANGEMENT To celebrate its 52nd anniversary, the Manila Chapter held an exhibition of lORAL ARRANGEMENTS CREATED BY ITS MEMbers, the embassy of Japan, and members OF )KEBANA 0HILIPPINES CHAPTERS FROM Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Davao.

Participating exhibitors from Davao and Cagayan de Oro were led by their CHAPTER PRESIDENTS ,EA )MPERIAL AND Raissa Velez, respectively.

4HE EXHIBITION WAS OPENED BY )HOKO Haneda, wife of Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda. She was assisted by Marc Tomas, president of )KEBANA )NTERNATIONAL -ANILA #HAPTER 108 in the traditional “lighting of the sulo.� This year’s exhibit was Filipinianainspired, with exhibitors utilizing native materials rendering Sogetsu, Ohara and )KENOBO ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE AMONG THE POPULAR SCHOOLS IN )KEBANA #ERTIFIED )KEBANA TEACHERS 6IRGINIA Cheng, Margarita Perez and incoming president Christina Abalos, conducted free demonstrations on the Sogetsu School. Jun Balderama taught a demo for THE )KENOBO 3CHOOL WHEREAS *OYCE #ATO conducted for the Ohara School.

Q Margaret Mary de Marcaida

Q Lea Imperial, president of the Ikebana International Davao Chapter.

Q Amy Robles’ display

Q Mel Elido

Q Nonnette Hubilla

Q Tin Abalos

Q Sogetsu arrangement of Liliana Iskandar