PH can get ‘A’ rating if reforms continue –DoF ÂťStory on B1 ++
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•• 7 SECTIONS PAGES • VOL. 120 NO. 206 36
TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019
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Trusted since 1898
‘Bikoy’ surfaces, seeks lawyers’ help A
BY NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS
PERSON claiming to be “Bikoy� — the hooded man in a series of online videos that accuse President Rodrigo Duterte’s family of having links to the illegal drug trade — came forward on Monday to seek help from the national organization of Philippine lawyers.
Is Kiko Pangilinan good enough to lead the opposition? First word
S
OBSERVER YEN MAKABENTA
TA R T with this puzzle: On April 4, 2019, a Thursday, readers of the Manila Times must have been shocked by the front-page photo of President Rodrigo Duterte looking forlorn with his hands cupping his face and the matching headline: “Drug war in PH failed.â€? ÂłMakabentaA4
THE REAL BIKOY?
“Ako si Bikoy. Ako po ay tunay na tao at hindi kathang isip lang tulad ng sinasabi ng ibang tao (I am Bikoy. I am a real PERSON AND NOT A kGMENT OF THE imagination as some people are saying),� Peter Joemel Advincula said in a news conference at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines )"0 OFkCE IN /RTIGAS
Peter Joemel Advincula, who claimed to be ‘Bikoy,’ surfaced at the office of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Pasig City on Monday. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
ÂłSeeksA2
THE Department of Justice (DoJ) on Monday ordered the indictment of Rodel Jayme, who admitted creating a website where the “Bikoy� videos that linked President Rodrigo Duterte’s family to the
illegal drugs trade were hosted. A resolution passed by the DoJ-National Prosecution Service recommended the filing of sedition charges against Jayme, who
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FORMER special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go again denied allegations of ties to illegal drug syndicates after a man claiming to have personal knowledge of payoffs surfaced on Monday. Peter Joemel Advincula, who revealed himself as the
ÂłDeniesA2
was arrested last week following a search of his house in ParaĂąaque. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) accused Jayme of inciting
others to commit rebellious acts by uploading the “Ang Totoong Narcolist� videos, which claim that Duterte’s son, former Davao vice mayor Paolo “Pulong� Duterte;
ÂłIndictsA2
Duterte calls for peace, change as Ramadan starts PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte called on Filipinos to pray for peace, solidarity and understanding as the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan began on Monday. In his Ramadan message, the President said he was one with “the Muslim Filipino community here in the Philippines and across the globe in celebrating their faith in Allah.� “Let this also be a solemn opportunity to ask God’s forgiveness for the sins we have committed and to be thankful for all the blessings we have received in
IN MY LINE OF SIGHT
RAMON T. TULFO
HINA lauds President Digong’s extending his hand of friendship to the Philippines’ superpower neighbor, but has misgivings about whether his successor would do the same. ³TulfoA6
Go again denies drug allegations
Justice department indicts Rodel Jayme
China wants to become our friend, not enemy Last of 2 parts
NO TATTOO
Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go bares his back for the second time to prove that he has no tattoo as claimed by “Bikoy.�
MORNING PRAYERS
Young boys join their parents and other Muslims who congregated to pray at the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila on Monday, the start of Ramadan. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI
What’s inside BALDO ELUDES ARREST; MANHUNT ON
It’s a boy for Prince Harry, Meghan LONDON: Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are the proud parents of a new baby boy. The baby, who has not yet been named, is seventh in line to the British throne and is Queen Elizabeth 2nd’s eighth great-grandchild. It is the first child for Harry and Meghan, who married a year ago. The couple has said they didn’t find out the baby’s sex in advance. AP
ÂłRamadanA2
Comelec told: Faulty pens could affect poll results RegionsA7
CULTURE, CONFLICT, DIPLOMACY AND THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
Antonio ContrerasA4
AN OPEN LETTER TO DEUTSCHE WELLE: LAURIO IS NOT A FILIPINO VOLTAIRE
Sass SasotA5
ALEX GONZAGA CALLS OUT THE FILIPINO IN EVERY ‘JUAN’
EntertainmentF1
WITH just a week left until the midterm elections, a Senate bet on Monday raised alarm over defective marking pens to be used by voters. “As a Senatorial [sic] candidate and a practicing election lawyer, I was alarmed by the Comelec’s (Commission on Elections) position that the recently discovered defective marking pens that will be used by the voters to shade the ballots is a mere ‘last minute hiccup,’� Otso Diretso bet Lawyer Romulo “Romy� Macalintal said. The Comelec, however, said defective pens had already been
ÂłFaultyA2 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
IN THIS ISSUE: Invictus
SECTION G
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News
˜ The Manila Times TUESDAY May 7, 2019
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Military confident polls will be peaceful T BY DEMPSEY REYES
HE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday assured that enough personnel would be on hand to guard next week’s midterm elections.
Around 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers will be sent off today in ceremonies at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. The deployment will be led by Armed Forces chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., Philippine
National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sheriff Abas. The send-off rites will also include PNP personnel and the
turnover of resources from the Department of Education, Department of Health, Philippine National Red Cross, Department of Energy, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsi ble Voting and the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections. Col. Noel Detoyato, military public affairs chief, said security preparations would prevent untoward incidents during the May 13 polls. “There are enough safeguards ISSUED BY #OMELEC AND SPECIkC
instructions issued by the service commanders and Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr.,� Detoyato said. “With the AFP and PNP’s full support to Comelec, we are conkDENT THATw WE ARE MORE THAN prepared for the conduct of the midterm elections. While these preparations are being undertaken, our primary task of counterinsurgency operations is also ongoing,� he added. AFP troops, in particular, will support PNP contingents deployed to “hotspot� areas.
Absentee voter turnout in Kuwait high – envoy THE Philippine embassy in Kuwait has reported that voter turnout in the Overseas Absentee Voting that started on April 13 was high. As of April 20, the embassy said more than 3,300 cast their votes. ChargĂŠ d’Affaires Mohd Noordin Pendosina Lomondot recently said the high voter turnout was “a sign that the patriotic side of Filipinos in Kuwait has been awakened.â€? He said some Filipinos went to the Embassy as early as 6 a.m. to vote. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin urged Filipinos abroad to vote. “The aim of overseas voting is to return the electoral power to those
who give sweat and tears for the security of their families and the progress of our nation,� he said in a video statement. “We need more of you to vote,� said Locsin, principal author and chief proponent of the Overseas Voting Act when he was still member of the House of Representatives. Lomondot said the high voting turnout in Kuwait showed that Filipinos abroad were still interested in what is happening in the Philippines. “This shows the patriotism of Filipinos here in Kuwait, that despite being miles away from our country, they still want to have a voice and reshape the political landscape of the Philippines,� he said. BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO
Q DENIES FROM A1
Go again denies drug hooded “Bikoy� in a series of online videos accusing Go and members of President Rodrigo Duterte’s family of pocketing drug money, claimed he wanted to testify and sought help from a lawyers’ group. Go, who is seeking a Senate seat, said Advincula — who had accused him and former Davao City vice mayor Paolo “Pulong� Duterte of having tattoos signifying syndicate membership — shouldn’t have gone to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, but instead had himself admitted to a mental facility. “For me, he should have gone to a mental hospital. He should go there first,� the Senate aspirant said in a statement. “May sinabi siya noon na kapag ipinakita ko ang aking likod ay titigil na siya. Hinubad ko na at
ipinakita ang aking likod, wala kayong nakitang tattoo (He previously said he would stop if I showed my back. I already showed my back and you did not see a tattoo),â€? Go added. The “Ang Totoong Narcolistâ€? videos sought to portray Duterte’s war against drugs as a sham, but Go said it was “black propaganda.â€? “Gaya ng ipinangako namin ni Pangulong Duterte, ipagpapatuloy namin ang kampanya laban sa iligal na droga, korapsyon at kriminalidad (Like what President Duterte and I promised, we will continue the war against illegal drugs, corruption and criminality),â€? he added. “We are being painted black here‌ demolition jobs are common during the election season,â€? Go said. DEMPSEY REYES
Q INDICTS FROM A1
Justice department LAST VISIT President Rodrigo Duterte (left) condoles with Rhodora, the widow of former House speaker Prospero Nograles, at the
Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City. MALACAĂ‘ANG PHOTO
Q SEEKS FROM A1
‘Bikoy’ surfaces, seeks lawyers’ help “Andito ako ngayon sa tanggapan ng Integrated Bar of the Philippines upang humingi ng legal assistance. Kailangan ko ng abogado para i-submit ang aking sinumpaang salaysay at tulungan ako magsampa ng kaso laban sa mga miyembro ng sindikato (I am hear at the IBP to seek legal assistance. I need a lawyer so I can submit my sworn testimony and HELP ME kLE A CASE AGAINST MEMbers of the syndicate),� he added. IBP President Abdiel Fajardo said they had not yet accepted Advincula as a client, as the organization still had to evaluate the latter’s claims.
Payoffs made In the videos, Bikoy claimed that drug money was funneled into the bank accounts of Duterte’s son, former Davao City vice mayor Paolo “Pulong� Duterte; his sonin-law Manases “Mans� Carpio; and former aide and now Senate bet Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go, among others. Go had denied the allegations. Advincula said he learned of
their links to the drug trade after he became a marketing executive at Bicol-based company VitaPlus where his boss, Tess RaĂąola, reassigned him to handle payoffs. ! COMPLAINT kLED BY 2AĂ„OLA who was named in the “Ang Totoong Narcolistâ€? videos, led to last week’s arrest of web developer Rodel Jayme, who is facing sedition charges for allegedly uploading the clips. Advincula said he went into hiding after Go spotted him at a new job and after a colleague warned him that his life was in danger. He also denied claims that the release of the videos was politically motivated. “Wala akong kinalaman sa kahit sinong kandidato lalo na sa mga kandidato ng Otso Diretso o political party (I have nothing to do with any candidate, especially Otso Diretso candidates or political party),â€? Advincula said, referring to the eight Senate candidates fielded by the opposition for next week’s midterm elections. He also denied knowing Jayme and said he was ready to testify to
Q FAULTY FROM A1
Comelec told: Faulty pens replaced and added that the supplier could be sanctioned. “The contract will be looked into and reviewed to determine the supplier’s possible liability. But our priority now is really to ensure [a] smooth election on May 13. We will deal with it (contract violations) later,� Education and Information Division (EID) deputy chief Frances Arabe told The Manila Times. “It should not be a reason for postponement [of elections],�
she added. Macalintal said the poll body should have immediately purchased replacements after reporting that it had blotting and bleeding pens had been distributed for overseas absentee voting last month. The issue could affect election results, he claimed, saying: “Any smudge or blot on the ballot might affect the capability of the Vote Counting Machines to read the ballots as the blot could
“Noynoyâ€? Aquino 3rd and thenVice President Jejomar “Jojoâ€? Binay to illegal drugs. “If he would want the Senate Present proof – senators to investigate, give us proof. Give us documents. Submit to us the Senate President Vicente “Titoâ€? documents,â€? Sotto added. 3OTTO AND 3EN 0ANkLO g0INGu ,AC“We can have it investigated and son, meanwhile, said Advincula’s then we will see if there is a need to claims would not automatically call for a (public) hearing or not.â€? prompt the chamber to conduct MalacaĂąang, meanwhile, said an investigation. the persons behind the Bikoy vid“We will await his sworn state- eos should be prosecuted if found ment and whatever supporting guilty of violating the law. evidence he has, after which we “We will leave it to the governwill evaluate and proceed from ment agencies concerned,â€? Palace there. If it merits a Senate inquiry, spokesman Salvador Panelo said WE DEkNITELY WILL CONDUCT ONE u in a television interview. said Lacson, chairman of the Sen“We will let the investigators ate Committee on Public Order DO THEIR JOB AND IF THEY MAY kND and Dangerous Drugs. any evidence... then they have to g"Y THEIR )"0 OFkCIALS ADMIS- prosecute the person,â€? he added. sion, they haven’t evaluated Bikoy’s “As far as we are concerned, accusations, yet they provided him the video is a black propaganda their facility and a forum to air his against the government. The tataccusations,â€? he added. too he claimed was on the back Sotto, on the other hand, of Go was proven to be false. You claimed that someone with a lie in one, you lie in all. That’s it,â€? similar surname as Advincula had Panelo said. WITH REPORTS FROM approached him sometime before RALPH U. VILLANUEVA AND the 2016 presidential elections and BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO linked then-President Benigno “prove that all I spilled in the series of videos were true.â€?
spread to the ovals opposite the names of other candidates. The blot could also affect the back of the ballot, which also contains names and positions of other candidates.� Each clustered precinct needs at least seven pens or a total of 595,000 pens to be delivered before the May 13 elections and AND THE -AY START TO THE kNAL testing and sealing of vote counting machines. Macalintal also urged the Comelec to ensure that the paper used in printing the ballots had passed quality-control standards to lessen
“bleeding� incidents. The EID had said last Friday that excess markers from past elections would be used as replacements as these were still in “very good condition.� Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, however, said 1.029 million new pens had been delivered and were in the process of being distributed. “The problem with the original marking pens tended to be very thin in ink. It dried very slowly instead of drying quickly,� he noted. GLEE JALEA AND WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
son-in-law Manasas “Mans� Carpio; and former presidential aide Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go, among others, had received payoffs from drug syndicates. Inquest prosecutors said Jayme’s creation of a website that was used to circulate the videos aimed to WEAKEN CONkDENCE IN THE GOVERNment and stir up dissent. “By creating a website and subsequently posting videos that allege the involvement in the drug trade and the receipt of payoffs by the President of the Philippines and members of his family, including the President’s minor daughter, is not an exercise of his (Jayme’s) freedom of expression, but a clear act to arouse among its viewers a sense of dissatisfaction against the duly constituted authorities,� the resolution stated. )T ALSO AFkRMED THE VALIDITY OF Jayme’s arrest, noting that he was subjected to surveillance that satiskED THE REQUIREMENT OF PERSONAL knowledge on the part of agents of unlawful acts.
The NBI alleged that “based on the retrieved conversations, there is continuity of‌ efforts to conduct their scurrilous libelous attacks against the government. The conversations also revealed that these attacks are planned and with backing from certain personalities.â€? The recovered conversations included those with a certain “Maru Nguyanâ€? and “Maru Xie,â€? who are allegedly the same person. “The NBI Cybercrime Division [is ordered] to conduct further investigation against Maru Nguyen and Maru Xie on his/her alleged participation in the commission of THE OFFENSE AND IF WARRANTED kLE the appropriate complaint against them,â€? the resolution said. Inquest prosecutors are set to file additional information against Jayme and other unnamed individuals whom he allegedly worked with. If convicted, he will face a prison term of six years and one day up to twelve years, among other penalties. JOMAR CANLAS
Q RAMADAN FROM A1
“As we observe the blessed month of Ramadan, we must look at this solemn occasion not only as a manifestation of the great Islamic faith, but a time for reflection not only of our unity in our cultural diversity as a society, but to a realization that we are all parts of one whole,� he said. Ramadan is a holy month for the world’s nearly 1.5 billion Muslims, many of whom practice ritual dawn-to-dusk fasting and prayers. “All Moon-sighting Committees nationwide, including the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta (an Islamic advisory body), have all reported of not sighting the new moon. As such, and as declared by the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, it is hereby officially declared that the 1440 AH Ramadan will start on Monday, May 6, 2019,� National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan said on Sunday. CATHERINE S. VALENTE
Duterte
the past year,� he added. “I trust that you will offer sincere prayers for peace, solidarity and understanding among our people and all of humanity.� His administration, Duterte said, “strives to unite all Filipinos, regardless of religion, cultural tradition and political belief.� “Together, let us create the c h a n g e t h a t we h ave b e e n aspiring for — the social and moral transformation that is real and meaningful and the lasting progress that will uplift the lives of our kababayans (countrymen),� he said. “I wish you an inspiring and blessed Ramadan,� the President added. In a separate statement, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo urged Muslim Filipinos “to make sacrikCES AS THEY JOURNEY TOWARDS SPIRITUAL PURIkCATION THROUGH PRAYER fasting and contemplation.�
News
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
China slams US warship sail-by in SCS BEIJING: China said two US warships sailed near disputed islands in the South China Sea (SCS or West Philippine Sea) without permission on Monday in the latest US challenge to Beijing’s territorial claims in the region. The Chinese navy asked the US vessels to leave after they entered waters adjacent to Gaven (Burgos) and Johnson South (Mabini) Reefs in the Spratly Islands, which Beijing calls Nansha, the foreign ministry said. The move comes on top of trade tensions as President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would raise tariffs to $200 billion in Chinese goods on Friday because talks were moving“too slowly.� “The relevant actions of the US warships violated China’s sovereignty and undermined peace, security and good order in the relevant sea areas,� ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a press briefing. “The Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition� to the operation, Geng added, noting that the ships had entered “without permission.� The US Navy regularly conducts “freedom of navigation operations� to challenge Beijing’s vast claims in the sea. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) identified the two US ships as the USS Preble and the USS Chung-Hoon, both are guided-missile destroyers. Air and sea forces were deployed to identify and ask the ships to leave, a spokesman for
the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command said on China’s Twitter-like Weibo platform. “The [southern] Theatre troops will maintain a high degree of alert and take all necessary measures to resolutely defend the sovereignty of the country and resolutely safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea,� said spokesman Li Huamin. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the sea, including on the Spratlys. China claims nearly all of the sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. “China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and its adjacent waters. No matter how provocative foreign warships are, this fact cannot be changed,�Li said. Geng said the situation in the sea was “constantly stabilizing� due to the “joint efforts� of Beijing and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. “Under such circumstances, China urges the US to stop such provocative acts, to respect China’s sovereignty and security interests, and respect the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea,� he said.“At the same time, China will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.� AFP
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
A3
SAF 44 CASE
Be a state witness, NapeĂąas urged R
ELATIVES of some of the police commandos killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao four years ago urged Getulio NapeĂąas, former commander of the Special Action Force (SAF), to be a STATE WITNESS IN THE CASE kLED AGAINST HIM former president Benigno Aquino 3rd and former police chief Alan Purisima.
“Sir, please be a hero like your men. Do not be a coward. Have courage. Your men are to be pitied. You know what they did to them. My son’s body was chopped up. Please, have pity on us, mothers. We feel like the SAF 44 had been abandoned,� Telly Sumbilla, MOTHER OF 0OLICE /FkCER 0/ John Lloyd Sumbilla, said. Sumbilla was among the 44 SAF troopers who died on Jan. 25, 2015
in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano during a police operation aimed to CAPTURE -ALAYSIAN TERRORIST :ULKIlI Abdhir, alias Marwan. Marwan died in the operation along with 18 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front -),& AND kVE CIVILIANS )N *ULY THE /FkCE OF THE Ombudsman found probable cause to charge Aquino, Purisima and NapeĂąas with graft and usur-
pation of authority under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code. A police investigation of the Mamasapano clash showed that the operation tagged “Oplan Exodusâ€? was poorly planned. Felicitas Nacino, mother of another SAF 44 member, PO2 Nicky Nacino Jr., believes that NapeĂąas could help them get the justice they deserve.
She urged NapeĂąas to speak out and tell the truth.
“Kailangan po namin ikaw. Sabihin mo po ang buong katotohanan. Wala pa rin po kaming nakakamit na hustisya 7E NEED YOU 0LEASE TELL
the whole truth. We have not gotten JUSTICE u .ACINO ADDED “Magsalita ka na 0LEASE SPEAK UP YOU ARE OUR ONLY HOPE u said Julie Danao, mother of PO2 “ U n a n g u n a p a l a n g p o , Walner Danao. tinanong kita bakit di ka nagThe families of some of the comsalita, ilang hearing na po mandos, with the help of the Volunang nangyari sa atin sa Senado. teer Against Crime and Corruption Sagot mo po sa akin, ‘Nanay kLED COUNTS OF RECKLESS IMPRUDENCE sabi po nila, ‘wag na akong resulting in homicide before the Sumagsalita ) ASKED YOU WHY YOU preme Court, citing the respondents’ did not say anything during “inexcusable lack of precaution.� the Senate hearings that we The complaint was accepted by attended. And your response the high court’s First Division on was, ‘Mother, they told me to Feb. 26, 2019. STOP TALKING u .ACINO SAID CATHERINE A. MODESTO
Allegation of homosexuality no ground to annul marriage Dear PAO, to substantiate that a person is a homosexual. My wife and I have been together for nine years. I was The following was discussed in SURPRISED THAT SHE kLED A PETITION FOR THE ANNULMENT OF the said case: our marriage when she alleged that I was homosexual. “Even assuming, ex gratia Is this allegation enough to cut our marital ties? argument, that Manuel is a homosexual, the lower court cannot appreciate it as a ground to annul his marriage with Leonilda. The law is clear: A marriage may be annulled when the consent of Dear Skippy, The case of Manuel G. Almerol vs Regional either party was obtained by fraud, such as concealTrial Court of Las PiĂąas and Leonilda Almelor '2 ment of homosexuality. Nowhere in the said deci179620, Aug. 26, 2008, Ponente: Associate Justice sion was it proven by preponderance of evidence 2UBEN 2EYES CLARIkED THAT SUFkCIENT PROOF IS NEEDED that Manuel was a homosexual at the onset of his
Skippy
marriage and that he deliberately hid such fact to his wife. It is the concealment of homosexuality, and not homosexuality per se, that vitiates the consent of the innocent party. Such concealment DEAR PAO presupposes bad faith and intent to defraud the other party in giving consent to the marriage.� Clearly, mere allegation of homoSEXUALITY IS NOT A SUFkCIENT GROUND TO annul a marriage. There must be proof to substantiate the allegation, and that there was a deliberate concealment of such fact. The Supreme Court, in the same case, added,
PERSIDA ACOSTA
“Homosexuality per se is only a ground for legal separation [and it is] concealment that serves as a valid ground to annul a marriage. Concealment in this case is not simply a blanket denial, but one that is constitutive of fraud. It is this fundamental element that respondent failed to prove.� This opinion is solely based on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. The opinion may vary when the facts are changed or further elaborated. We hope that we were able to enlighten you on the matter.
Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public !TTORNEY S /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF !COSTA MAY BE SENT to dearpao@manilatimes.net
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Opinion
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
E d i to r i a l
˜ The Manila Times
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LW X U F UH UUXSW V · W /H LU FR VWV WKH XUQDOL MR
NBI should pursue probe into ‘Bikoy’ case
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(% APPEARANCE OF A MAN CLAIMING TO BE g"IKOYu AT THE )NTEGRATED "AR OF THE 0HILIPPINES )"0 ON -ONDAY POINTS ALL THE MORE TO THE NEED FOR THE .ATIONAL "UREAU OF )NVESTIGATION .") TO PURSUE THE TRUTH BEHIND THE CONTROVERSIAL VIDEO SERIES )T IS IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW WHO ARE THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE ALLEGATIONS MOUTHED BY THE DARK HOODED CHARACTER OF "IKOY IN THE VIDEO AGAINST 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE S FAMILY AS WELL AS THE COUNTERCLAIMS BY THE 0ALACE THAT ALL THAT WAS PART OF A PLOT TO OUST THE 0RESIDENT 4HE CASE NATURALLY ATTRACTS WIDE PUBLIC ATTENTION BECAUSE IT SOWS INTRIGUE 4HE g"IKOYu IN FRONT OF THE VIDEO CAMERA IS FOLKSY IN NAME THAT IT CAN BE EASILY REMEMBERED 7HOEVER THOUGHT OF HIS NAME IS BETTER AT NOMENCLATURE THAN THE PERSON WHO INVENTED g/TSO $IRETSO u 0RIOR TO "IKOY S APPEARANCE AT THE )"0 ON -ONDAY THE .") ALREADY IDENTIkED AND APPREHENDED THE UPLOADER OF THE "IKOY VIDEO 2ODEL *AYME 4HE $EPARTMENT OF *USTICE HAS NOW ORDERED HIS INDICTMENT AFTER IT RECOMMENDED CHARGES OF INCITING TO SEDITION TO BE kLED AGAINST HIM "UT THAT IS HARDLY ALL THE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS IN THE PUBLIC MIND 7HAT HAS BEEN PERPETRATED HERE BY THOSE BEHIND THE "IKOY VIDEO IS A VILE ATTEMPT TO SLANDER THE ENTIRE FAMILY OF 0RESIDENT $UTERTE BY NAMING THEM AS ALLEGED RECIPIENTS OF MONEY FROM THE ILLEGAL DRUGS TRADE )T ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON ITS HEAD THE SIGNATURE PROGRAM OF THE 0RESIDENT THE NEARLY THREE YEAR CAMPAIGN OF THE GOVERNMENT TO STAMP OUT THE MENACE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS 4HE FACT THAT THE VIDEOS WERE CIRCULATED AS g!NG 4OTOONG .ARCOLISTu IS A TELL TALE SIGN 4HEY WERE DESIGNED TO DO MAXIMUM DAMAGE ON THIS ADMINISTRATION /DDLY THE 0ALACE HAS SAID THAT IT IS NOT INCLINED TO RUN AFTER THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE ALLEGED OUSTER PLOT SINCE IT IS STILL JUST A PLAN g4HEY CAN DO THEIR WORST WE LL JUST DO OUR BEST u PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN 3ALVADOR 0ANELO SAID $OES THIS MEAN THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD JUST DISMISS AS INCONSEQUENTIAL 2ODEL *AYME S SIGNIkCANT CONNECTION AS A CAMPAIGN WORKER OF THE ,IBERAL 0ARTY 3HOULD WE JUST CAST ASIDE THE CONTENTION OF ,ABOR 5NDERSECRETARY *ACINTO g*INGu 0ARAS THAT THE ARREST OF *AYME POINTS TO A BIGGER NETWORK OF INDIVIDUALS PLOTTING TO TAKE DOWN 0RESIDENT $UTERTE "IKOY IS ONLY ONE SUCH FACTUAL DETAIL 4HE .") MUST INVESTIGATE WHETHER THE "IKOY VIDEOS REALLY FORMED PART OF A LARGER PLOT )F THEY ARE THEN THERE IS COMPELLING REASON TO UNMASK THE IDENTITIES OF THOSE WHO TRULY INSTIGATED "IKOY TO MAKE THESE ALLEGATIONS PUBLIC !ND IF SUCH CONSPIRACY IS INDEED BEING HATCHED THEN THE CONTINUING INVESTIGATION INTO *AYME S ROLE IN IT ‡ IF HE COULD LEAD THE INVESTIGATORS TO THE MAIN PLOTTERS ‡ AND THEREFORE HIS POSSIBLE ADMISSION AS A STATE WITNESS BY THE AUTHORITIES ARE STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION 4HEY POINT THE WAY TOWARD THE IDENTIkCATION OF *AYME S ACCOMPLICES AND THE MASTERMIND OF "IKOY !T THE SAME TIME THE INVESTIGATION WAS GIVEN AN ADDED DIMENSION WITH THE APPEARANCE OF 0ETER *OEMEL !DVINCULA AT THE )"0 IDENTIFYING HIMSELF AS g"IKOY THE MAN IN THE g!NG 4OTOONG .ARCOLIST VIDEOS )N A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE )"0 ON -ONDAY AFTERNOON HE SAID HE WAS SEEKING LEGAL HELP WITH HIS PLAN TO SUBMIT AN AFkDAVIT TO PRESS CHARGES AGAINST THE 0RESIDENT S FAMILY AND ALLIES IN THE ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE AS HE CLAIMED IN THE CONTROVERSIAL SERIES OF VIDEOS CIRCULATED IN THE MEDIA 4HE )"0 MADE A PRUDENT MOVE WHEN IT SAID IT HAS NOT YET ACCEPTED !DVINCULA AS A CLIENT AND WOULD WANT TO EVALUATE kRST THE merit of his case. )T S NOT FOR THE MEDIA TO DETERMINE THE TRUTH OF THESE MATTERS )T IS FOR PROFESSIONAL INVESTIGATORS TO FERRET OUT THE FACTS 7HATEVER THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION THE PUBLIC MUST KNOW ABOUT IT AND IT IS THE MEDIA S MANDATE TO REPORT IT
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TUESDAY May 7, 2019
The Manila Times
VOLUME 120 NUMBER 206
DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL S. MALLARI, Sports Editor DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD, Motoring Editor CONRAD M. CARIÑO, Special Sections Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor ALVIN I. DACANAY, Assistant Business Editor MARIO F. FETALINO JR., Assistant Business Editor REMIA B. EUGENIO, Deskman (Regions) MARISHELLE R. MEDINA, Deskman 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.
Culture, conflict, diplomacy and the West Philippine Sea
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OR many, culture is a periphERAL ISSUE IN CONlICT AND DIPLOmacy. When one speaks of cultural DIPLOMACY THE IMAGE THAT QUICKLY COMES TO MIND IS TOURISM AND international relations. In fact, CULTURAL DIPLOMACY IS BROADLY DEkNED IN THE CONTEXT OF SOFT POWER WHERE A GOVERNMENT USES CULTURE to entice nationals from other COUNTRIES TO HAVE A POSITIVE VIEW OF ITS PEOPLE CULTURE AND POLICIES 4HIS IS WHY CULTURAL DIPLOMACY IS PREDOMINANTLY FOCUSED ON IMAGE BUILDING AND ON SOCIAL MARKETING )T ACTIVELY SELLS IMAGES AND REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT A COUNTRY S PEOPLE AND SCENES AND THE OVERALL AMBIENCE OF A PLACE THAT IS WORTHY OF BEING TRUSTED "ROADLY SPEAKING SELLING SIGHTS SOUNDS AND TASTES TO A FOREIGN AUDIENCE BECOMES A VENUE FOR CONkDENCE BUILDING
ON THE CONTRARY ANTONIO CONTRERAS (OWEVER CULTURE IS NOT LIKE INSTANT NOODLES THAT YOU SIMPLY DOUSE WITH BOILING WATER FOR IT TO BE COOKED )T IS A COMPLEX ARRAY OF SYMBOLS IMAGES REPRESENTATIONS AND MEANING SYSTEMS THAT ARE BUILT OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME !ND THE WAY CITIZENS OF A COUNTRY WOULD IMAGE OTHER COUNTRIES IS LARGELY A FUNCTION OF HISTORY AND OF HOW THAT OTHER COUNTRY HAS PRESENTED ITSELF IN THEIR WORLDVIEWS AND IMAGINATIONS )T IS IN THIS CONTEXT THAT ONE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THE WAY ORDInary people look at the issue of the
7EST 0HILIPPINE 3EA IN THE CONTEXT OF HOW THE ORDINARY &ILIPINO LOOKS AT #HINA AND THE 5NITED 3TATES #ONVERSELY IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE 0HILIPPINES IS LIKEWISE PERCEIVED BY THE ORDINARY citizens of these countries. )N AN 373 SURVEY RELEASED IN -ARCH THE 5NITED 3TATES WAS THE MOST TRUSTED COUNTRY BY &ILIPINOS WITH A NET TRUST RATING OF /THER COUNTRIES THAT RECEIVED POSITIVE NET TRUST RATINGS WERE *APAN WITH A AND !USTRALIA WITH A /N THE OTHER HAND #HINA OBTAINED A NET TRUST RATING OF PERCENT WHICH IS ACTUALLY AN IMPROVEMENT FROM ITS PERCENT RATING IN 3EPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR )T SHOULD BE POINTED OUT THAT #HINA OBTAINED A POSITIVE NET TRUST RATING ONLY IN OUT OF THE TIMES SIMILAR SURVEYS WERE TAKEN SINCE
4HE WORST RATING WAS A PERCENT OBTAINED IN 3EPTEMBER OF )T IS EASY TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE ORDINARY &ILIPINO WOULD HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE 5NITED 3TATES 4HIS WOULD BE DEEPLY ROOTED ON THE COLONIAL MENTAL CONSTRUCTS WHICH ORDINARY 0INOYS WOULD HOLD TOWARDS ANYTHING !MERICAN FROM ITS POPULAR CULTURE TO ITS GOVERNMENT POLICIES 7HAT IS INTERESTING HOWEVER IS THE FACT THAT DESPITE THE ABSENCE OF ANY ADVERSE COLONIAL ENCOUNTER WITH #HINA AS AN OCCUPYING FORCE AND WHILE #HINESE INlUENCES ARE AS SOLIDLY EMBEDDED IN THE HABITUS AND CULTURAL LANDSCAPES OF &ILIPINOS FROM FOOD TO POPULAR CULture, China as a country remains NOT WORTHY OF TRUST BY ORDINARY &ILIPINOS EVEN PERHAPS BY THOSE
³Contreras A6
Q MAKABENTA FROM A1
Is Kiko Pangilinan good enough to lead the opposition? 4HE PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN BY A -ALACAÄANG STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER AND IT WAS CIRCULATED TO NEWS DESKS BY THE 0RESIDENTIAL #OMMUNICATIONS /PERATIONS /FkCE 0#// .OW ONE MONTH LATER 373 THE MASTER OF JUNK SURVEYS TELLS THE NATION THAT $UTERTE IS ENJOYING PERCENT NET SATISFACTION RATING IN THE EYES OF THE &ILIPINO PUBLIC 4HAT S NOT ALL 4HE DRUG WAR WHICH ACCORDING TO $UTERTE HAS FAILED IS ENJOYING THE 373 SAID A SIMILARLY HIGH SATISFACTION RATING WITH THE PUBLIC )S 373 REALLY TELLING THE PUBLIC THAT &ILIPINOS ARE SATISkED WITH THE KILLINGS GOING ON $ESPITE THE CRUSHING PHOTOGRAPH OF THE USUALLY PROUD $5 THE OPPOSITION AND THE ,IBERAL 0ARTY DID not make political capital of the HUMBLING CONFESSION OF FAILURE IN THE DRUG WAR 4HE OPPOSITION DID NOT COMPLAIN TO 373 ABOUT ITS BRAINLESS SURVEY STATISTIC #AN THE DRUG WAR FAIL AND SATISFY THE PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME
Party president and campaign manager #ONSIDER NEXT THE PUBLIC IMAGE OF 3EN &RANCIS @+IKO 0ANGILINAN THE PRESIDENT OF THE ,IBERAL 0ARTY AND THE DESIGNATED CAMPAIGN MANAGER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE -AY ELECTIONS 7ITH JUST SIX DAYS TO GO TO %LECTION $AY IT IS NOT IMPOLITE BUT TIMELY TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP OF THE OPPOSITION AND WHERE IT IS GOING )N VARIOUS DISCUSSIONS AND CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE ELECTION THAT ) HAVE PARTICIPATED IN MANY HAVE ASKED REPEATEDLY 7HO IS THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION 7HY IS 3EN +IKO 0ANGILINAN THE PRESIDENT OF THE ,IBERAL 0ARTY AND HOW WAS HE ELECTED 7HY HAS +IKO BEEN NAMED ALSO AS THE CAMPAIGN MANAGER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR SEATS IN THE -AY ELECTION 7ITH ADMINISTRATION BACKED CANDIDATES THREATENING TO RUN AWAY WITH the election, it is close to panic time AND DESPAIR IN THE RANKS OF THE OPPOSITION 3OME ARE THINKING WHAT
ONCE SEEMED UNTHINKABLE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION AND ITS ALLIES WILL TAKE ALL SEATS IN THE SENATORIAL CONTEST AND A MAJORITY OF SEATS IN THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES AND A DOMINANT MAJORITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT POSTS (AS 0RESIDENT $UTERTE AND HIS ADMINISTRATION BEEN SO STERLING DURING HIS THREE YEAR WATCH THAT NOT A SINGLE ,IBERAL OR OPPOSITIONIST WILL SQUEEZE INTO THE WINNING COLUMN IN THE 3ENATE RACE $5 IS USUALLY THE kRST TO POOH POOH EXCELLENCE IN HIS LEADERSHIP 4HE TROUBLE IS THAT THE OPPOSITION PROVIDES NO CONTRAST TO HIS LEADERSHIP 7HERE $5 IS COCKY OPPOSITION LEADERS ARE BLAND PARTICULARLY 0ANGILINAN /NE ,IBERAL HAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT +IKO WAS NEVER ELECTED ,0 PRESIDENT (E BECAME THAT ONLY BECAUSE THE POSITION WAS VACANT )N PARTY RECORDS +IKO IS ONLY LISTED AS ACTING PRESIDENT 3IMILARLY +IKO BECAME CAMPAIGN MANAGER OF /TSO $IRETSO BY DEFAULT BECAUSE HE IS ,0 PRESIDENT .O ONE WANTED THE JOB LET ALONE THE TASK OF FUNDRAISING
Uphill from the beginning &ROM THE BEGINNING 0ANGILINAN HAD A TIMID VIEW OF THE CHANCES OF the opposition in the May elections. /N .OV HE TOLD THE MEDIA THAT IT WOULD BE AN gUPHILL BATTLEu MANAGING THE OPPOSITION SLATE NOW THAT THE ,IBERAL 0ARTY MEMBERS ARE THE gUNDERDOGS u GOING UP AGAINST THE ALLIES OF 0RESIDENT $UTERTE g)T WON T BE EASY BUT WE ULTIMATELY BELIEVE WE HAVE A MESSAGE WE WILL BRING TO THE PEOPLE AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL RESPOND HOPEFULLY BY WAY OF SUPPORTING OUR EIGHT CANDIDATES u 0ANGILINAN SAID IN AN INTERVIEW WITH /NE .EWS g7E WILL BE MANAGING THE CAMPAIGN WE WILL BE MANAGING THE SCHEDULE AS TO WHICH AREAS WILL BE THE PRIORITIES u 0ANGILINAN SAID g7E WILL ALSO BE kNALIZING THE MESSAGE THAT WE WILL BRING TO THE PEOPLE AND WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER AND MANAGING THE kNANCES u
!T THE TIME THE ,IBERAL PARTY HAD REACHED AGREEMENT WITH OTHER OPPOSITION GROUPS TO kELD A COMMON senatorial slate in the May elections. 4HE g/POSISYON +OALISYON u AS IT WAS INITIALLY CALLED WOULD kELD EIGHT SENATORIAL ASPIRANTS FOR THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS )NCLUDED IN THE OPPOSITION SLATE WERE REELECTIONIST 3EN 0AOLO "ENIGNO g"AMu !QUINO FORMER SENATOR -AR 2OXAS -AGDALO PARTY LIST 'ARY !LEJANO FORMER SOLICITOR GENERAL &LORIN (ILBAY FORMER CONGRESSMAN %RIN 4AÄADA VETERAN LAWYER 2OMULO -ACALINTAL -ARANAO LEADER 3AMIRA 'UTOC 4OMAWIS AND HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER #HEL $IOKNO .O ONE KNOWS WHO DECIDED TO CALL THE 3ENATE SLATE g/TSO $IRETSO u 3OME THOUGHT IT WAS CATCHY LIKE @TUWID NA DAAN 0ANGILINAN ANNOUNCED IN THE MEDIA THAT THE SLATE WOULD CAMPAIGN ON ISSUES THEY THINK THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT GIVEN PRIORITY TO WHICH INCLUDE gPOVERTY JOBS AND PRICES OF GOODS u g7ITHOUT ARTICULATING THE GUT ISSUES THAT WILL AFFECT OUR VOTERS THE VOTERS WILL STAY THERE /UR PEOPLE ARE JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE u HE TOLD /NE .EWS 0ANGILINAN WAS SO DIFkDENT ABOUT THE OPPOSITION S CHANCES THAT HIS WIFE SUPERSTAR 3HARON #UNETA HITCHED HER STAR TO ANOTHER PARTY THE REGIONAL PARTY OF $AVAO #ITY MAYOR 3ARA $UTERTE #ARPIO WHO PROMPTLY ENDORSED 3HARON S BROTHER #HET FOR mayor of Pasay City. +IKO COULD ONLY SAY IN EXPLANATION g&AMILY MEMBERS SHOULD NOT BE DICTATED UPON u
Position demands accountability 7HAT IS WOEFULLY MISSING IN +IKO S LEADERSHIP OF THE OPPOSITION IS THE SENSE OF A MAN IN CHARGE 3OMEONE WHO WILL PUT TOGETHER THE NUTS AND BOLTS FOR THE COALITION TO PERFORM EFFECTIVELY AT THE POLLS 4HE CAMPAIGN MANAGER MUST BE ABLE TO TALK OF CAMPAIGN STRATEGY AND CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION -OST OF ALL HE HAS TO LEAD IN SHAPING A COMPELLING POLITICAL MESSAGE TO WHICH THE
PEOPLE CAN RESPOND )N AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN THE OPposition occupies a position that is ONLY EXCEEDED BY THAT OF THE ADMINistration or majority party. )T COMMANDS SPACE RESERVED FOR IT EVERY DAY BY EVERY MEDIA ORGANIZATION BECAUSE THIS IS THE TRADITION IN OUR ELECTORAL POLITICS 4HE ADMINISTRATION CANNOT OCCUPY EVERYTHING (AVING THAT MEANS THAT THE OPPOSITION LED BY THE CAMPAIGN MANAGER MUST USE THE SPACE EFFECTIVELY TO COMMUNICATE VITAL MESSAGES TO VOTERS The opposition must use this PLATFORM TO ADVANCE ITS CAUSE 4HIS HAS NOT HAPPENED IN THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN 4HERE IS NO STATEMENT ANYWHERE OF THE POLICY PLATFORM OF the opposition. 4HERE HAS BEEN LITTLE EFFORT TO ORGANIZE FOR THE ACTUAL TURNING OUT OF VOTERS FOR THE BALLOTING
Catholic vote 9ESTERDAY THE Times CARRIED AN ENCOURAGING STORY ABOUT THE OPPOSITION THAT HIGHLIGHTS WHAT HAS BEEN MISSING IN ITS CAMPAIGN 4HE STORY WAS HEADLINED g/TSO $IRETSO BETS BANK ON SOLID @#ATHOLIC VOTE u 4HIS IS AN INTRIGUING THOUGHT 4HE ESTRANGEMENT OF THE #ATHOLIC #HURCH AND #ATHOLIC FAITHFUL FROM PRESIDENT $UTERTE IS FACT IT IS A VEIN WAITING TO BE MINED BY ABLE opposition politicians. The opposition is a natural for the Church AND #ATHOLICS TO SUPPORT BECAUSE $5 HAS HAD NO QUALMS ABOUT HIS DISDAIN FOR THE FAITH AND HIS DISRESPECT FOR THE CLERGY !ND YET THERE HAS BEEN NO CONCERTED OPPOSITION EFFORT TO ORGANIZE this support. 5P TO NOW ) HAVE NOT HEARD A CONVINCING PRESENTATION OF THE #ATHOLIC CAUSE IN THE -AY ELECTION )T HAS DISAPPEARED IN ALL THE NOISE )F THIS IS WAKENED WHO KNOWS IT COULD MEAN EITHER DELIVERANCE for the opposition or shock for THE ADMINISTRATION
YENMAKABENTA YAHOO COM
˜ The Manila Times
w w w.manilatimes.net
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
An open letter to Deutsche Welle: Laurio is not a Filipino Voltaire
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LONG with RJ Nieto of Thinking Pinoy, I was instrumental in lifting the veil of anonymity over Jover Laurio, who you’ve been valorizing as a champion of freedom of expression in the Philippines. I’m going to give you the BENEkT OF THE DOUBT AND REFRAIN from accusing you of showing one of the signs of what Stephen Walt called “liberal imperialism,� which is the tendency “not to ask whether rebels, exiles, and other anti-regime forces are trying to enlist your support by telling you what they think you want to hear.� Perhaps your researchers are just lazy, wasting the taxes of German citizens. In celebration of the 2019 World Freedom Day, you quoted Laurio: “An unrestrained environment of expression is what keeps democracies alive.� Did you know that your freedom of expression heroine made history in the PhilIPPINES WHEN SHE kLED IN A libel case against someone for calling her ugly? That is your heroine’s idea of respecting free speech? Laurio said: “As a person who’s been on the receiving end of the attacks, it takes courage and love FOR THE COUNTRY TO CONTINUE kGHTing.� Has she told you why she had been at the receiving end of those attacks? Perhaps she didn’t tell you THE kNDINGS OF THE PROSECUTOR WHO dismissed her libel complaint? In Laurio v. Mabanta (NPS XV ).6 THE DECISION OF THE /FkCE OF THE #ITY 0ROSECUtor states that “Jover became the recipient of ridicule online, not because of Franco’s words, nor
FOR THE MOTHERLAND
SASS ROGANDO SASOT even of her own physical beauty, or the lack thereof, but because she was resented for the vile, offensive, and hostile words that she spewed online while she hid behind anonymity.� I was one of Laurio’s favorite TARGETS )N *ANUARY WHILE remaining anonymous, in her Pinoy Ako blog, Laurio released my photo with corresponding prices in her effort to bolster her invented narrative that I was working as an escort here in the Netherlands. Since then, she subjected me to a transphobic assault by dead-naming me in her posts (i.e. by referring to me using my male legal name instead of the name THAT RElECTS MY GENDER IDENTITY These were the major reasons why I wanted to know the identity behind that anonymous transphobic blog, which were silenced by the Philippine mainstream media which largely coddled this transphobic scumbag. She subjected me to this transphobic assault because I was panning the politicians and journalists she supported and who later became sponsors at her wedding! The prosecutor noted Laurio’s behavior: “In the process of performance of her role as ‘blogger,’ she had the occasion of characterizing Sasot as prostitute and
‘pangit’ UGLY VETERAN JOURNALIST Jojo Robles as @3INUNGALING #HAKA LIAR AND UGLY !TTY 4RIXIE #RUZ !NGELES AND 0RESIDENTIAL #OMMUnications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy as @#ONTRABIDANG #HAKA UGLY VILLAIN AND ‘hindi kagandahan‌noong hindi pa naretoke’ NOT BEAUTIFUL PRIOR TO SURGERY respectively and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre as ‘Pangit na Abogado’ UGLY LAWYER u Thus, Laurio’s compliant that she was being attacked is a consequence of her own vileness. As the prosecutor stressed, while spewing those vile attacks, Laurio “incited others or gave others the opportunity to retaliate with equally sensitive appellation or epithet.â€? In January 2019, it was revealed that Laurio’s blog was being funded by huge Filipino celebrity Kris Aquino, the sister of the former president, Benigno Aquino 3rd. The revelation came from Nicko &ALCIS -S !QUINO S FORMER kNANcial manager. The two had a falling out in 2018, which even escalated into Ms Aquino telling Falcis that her family would kill him. Falcis claimed that Ms Aquino instructed him to pay Facebook to boost Laurio’s posts. The amount spent was staggering, reaching hundreds of thousands of pesos. At first Laurio belied Falcis’ claim. In an open letter addressed to Falcis, she said: “We both know that Kris has nothing to do with the boosts. It was your choice because you don’t want Duterte, Mocha, and Sass.â€? Laurio was proven a liar when Ms Aquino herself admitted that she had asked
Falcis to pay Facebook. Furthemore, you portrayed Laurio as some sort of “fake news� crusader. Well, Laurio’s blog was one of the circulators of the so-called “Bikoy videos,� which accused members of President Duterte’s family of receiving pay-outs from an unknown drug syndicate. The Rural Bank of Guinobatan )NC 2"') WAS ONE OF THE BANKS that the anonymous informant of the video named as a conduit of these payouts, amounting to tens of millions of pesos. RBGI belied this: “RBGI categorically denies that it has existing bank accounts with the number combinations mentioned and that any of the alleged transactions never happened involving RBGI as mentioned in the videos.� Laurio never posted this statement from the bank in her blog. Why? Laurio is not and will never be the Filipino Voltaire. I would have applauded you if you had chosen #ARLOS #ELDRAN )N #ELDRAN held a protest inside a church AGAINST THE #ATHOLIC #HURCH S MEDDLING IN POLITICS #ELDRAN WAS prosecuted under a Spanish-era law against offending religious feelings, and was sentenced to jail. He appealed his case; unfortunately, his conviction was upheld BY THE 3UPREME #OURT IN Did your free speech heroine stand UP FOR #ELDRAN .O 7ILL SHE EVER BE AGAINST THE #ATHOLIC #HURCH WHICH STIlED FREE SPEECH IN OUR country since we were colonized by your fellow Europeans?
srsasot@gmail.com
FOCUS
Council of Europe turns 70 amid Russia crisis STRASBOURG, France: 4HE #OUNCIL OF %UROPE #O% A PAN CONTINENTAL rights watchdog, on Sunday marked ITS TH ANNIVERSARY AT A TIME OF mounting populism and a standoff with Russia as well as doubts over its own role in the modern world. “I didn’t know about it at all, this is really completely new to me,� admitted Zeinila, an 18-year-old student who was visiting the building hosting THE #OUNCIL OF %UROPE IN 3TRASBOURG in northeastern France, during an open day to mark its anniversary. 4HE YEAR OLD BODY SUFFERS from being often confused with the %UROPEAN 5NION #OUNCIL "UT ITS NATION MEMBERSHIP STRETCHES FAR beyond the EU’s reaches to include the likes of Russia, Turkey, Switzerland, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Britain’s World War 2 leader WinSTON #HURCHILL WAS THE kRST TO SUGGEST the creation the creation of such a BODY BACK IN AT THE HEIGHT OF THE war, when he expressed the hope that “the European family may act unitedly AS ONE UNDER A #OUNCIL OF %UROPE u The rights body was created through THE TREATY OF ,ONDON IN -AY There were 10 initial signatories: Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway,
Sweden and the United Kingdom. Their stated mission was to defend human rights, democracy and the rule of law, through international conventions and treaties. “The main success is that Europe toDAY THE MEMBER STATES IS A TOTALLY DEATH PENALTY FREE ZONE u #OUNCIL OF Europe Secretary General Norwegian Thorbjorn Jagland told AFP. “If a member state wants to introduce the death penalty, it would have TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY #O% WITHIN THE SESSION 4HESE THREE ARTICLES ‡ NO death penalty, no torture, no forced LABOUR ‡ HAVE IN A WAY CONSTITUTED the new civilised Europe,� he added.
Human rights court Perhaps better known than the council itself is its judical arm, the EuroPEAN (UMAN 2IGHTS #OURT WHICH IS itself celebrating its 60th birthday. )T IS A TRIBUNAL OF kNAL RESORT FOR THOSE who feel their fundamental rights are being denied by a member state. 3TRASBOURG ‡ A &RENCH CITY CLOSE TO THE 'ERMAN BORDER ‡ WAS ORIGINALLY CHOSEN TO HOUSE THE #OUNCIL of Europe as a symbol of post-war Franco-German reconciliation. Germany joined the council in
1950, a year after it was created. From the Thirty Years War that BEGAN THE TH CENTURY TO THE MASS destruction of the Second World War, the Alsatian city had been the FOCUS OF CONlICT AND DIVISION Now it is home to an organization striving to bring harmony, safeguard the rule of law and to protect human rights. The rights court was also set up in Strasbourg. “We have in a way constituted the new civilised Europe after World War ))u WITH THE %UROPEAN #ONVENTION ON Human RIghts going “much further than the universal declaration of human rights,� said Jagland. On Monday he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, before France assumes the council’s rotating presidency in mid-May.
June, a crucial month The host nation picks up the baton AT A DIFkCULT TIME FOR THE %UROPEAN #OUNCIL For years it has been in dispute with member Russia, which could reach the point of no return in June, notably with the election of Jagland’s successor. After Moscow’s annexation of
#RIMEA FROM 5KRAINE IN THE council’s Parliamentary Assembly deprived the Russian delegation of its voting and other rights. In retaliation, Russia suspended ITS ANNUAL MILLION EURO MILLION PAYMENT TO THE 3TRASBOURG BASED COUNCIL ‡ ABOUT SEVEN PERCENT OF THE BODY S TOTAL BUDGET ‡ AND HAS not participated in sessions of the council’s Parliamentary Assembly. 4HE ASSEMBLY BRINGS TOGETHER men and women from the parliaMENTS OF THE #OUNCIL OF %UROPE S member states. Moscow is threatening to quit altogether if its rights within the #OUNCIL OF %UROPE ARE NOT RESTORED in time for it to participate in the election of the new secretary general. “The immediate consequence will be that we will get a new dividing line in Europe with most of European population living on one side and they have the right to go to the European court,� Jagland told AFP. 4HE g2UXITu SCENARIO ‡ A 2USSIAN EXIT OF THE #OUNCIL ‡ REMAINS A possibility. But the secretary general expressed optimism, speaking of “very good discussions� which give him hope of emerging from the crisis AND INTO THE NEXT YEARS AFP
Hugs and selfies: Thai coronation gives glimpses of royal relations BANGKOK: A normally inscrutable king pulls his sister in for a hug and selfies of royal siblings rebound across Instagram — the coronation of Rama X has provided Thais rare glimpses into a highly-private family cocooned by palace protocols. King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 66, was crowned Saturday in a sumptuous ceremony rich in symbolism and ritual. The monarchy is the apex of Thai society and projections of its power are unmissable in the kingdom, from towering portraits of the stern-faced king, to stiff-backed rituals and public appearances relayed nightly on television news. But Rama X remains an intensely private figure, spending much of his time overseas. The enigma of the new king is doublelocked by one of the world’s harshest royal defamation laws, which keep a tight lid on the dissemination of royal gossip and prevent public criticism inside the kingdom. His coronation, the first in 69 years and given blanket coverage on Thai TV, has stirred curiosity over the goings-on inside the royal court. “I would like to see them loosen up a bit more so we can get to know them,� 22-year-
old student Jin said near the Grand Palace, declining to give her full name. The introduction of Vajiralongkorn’s fourth wife Queen Suthida, a flight attendant turned royal bodyguard whose marriage to the king was unexpectedly announced on Wednesday after years of conjecture about her status, piqued the interest of the watching public. Jin said she was “wowed� by the king’s marriage to a commoner.
Intimate rituals Throughout the coronation formalities the king has remained unsmiling — befitting the sombre, symbol-laden ceremonies held in front of a coterie of palace officials and generals. But Saturday’s rituals, symbolising his transformation from human to the divine, provided intimate imagery of the monarch. A water purification ceremony led by Hindu Brahmins saw the king wear a white robe with one shoulder exposed, a modest moment from a monarch normally seen during official duties in military uniform. Unguarded interactions have also set
tongues wagging. Newspapers ran photos of a warm meeting late Friday between the king and his family in a palace hall. There were big smiles and a hug for Ubolratana, his colourful Instagram-posting elder sister, while his fashion designer daughter Sirivannavari and 14-year-old Dipangkorn — children from his second and third ex-wives —looked on. True to form, Ubolratana — seen as one of the more approachable royals — posted beaming selfies with her younger sister Princess Sirindhorn. Then on Sunday she released a mobile phone photo of her brother wearing the 7.3-kilogram tiered golden crown, hashtagging it #coronationday and #onceinalifetime. Ubolratana’s warm exchange with her brother comes after he dashed her political aspirations in the lead-up to March 24 elections, torpedoing her nomination as a prime ministerial candidate by a nowdissolved political party. Also taking to social media was daughter Sirivannavari, posting studio photos of herself wearing an elegant golden traditional
dress for the ceremonies on Facebook. There is no indication whether the flickers of informality herald a new direction by the palace PR machine, or just a coincidence of modernity from royals armed with smartphones. But observers say the effect could serve to open a channel of communication with the public. “The images of King Vajiralongkorn wearing a sacred crown and then socialising with family members serve the dual purpose of rendering him both divine and relatively approachable,� said anthropologist Edoardo Siani of Kyoto University. Older Thais are more accustomed to their royals holding a remote, venerated position. There should be a “distance� between royals and the public, said 80-year-old Kanha Kitvej as she watched soldiers march by the Grand Palace. “I am his (the king’s) subject.� Aunyaporn Wisanurak, 62, who had volunteered to hand out food during the coronation, echoed the sentiment, insisting nightly royal news bulletins provided ample insight. “Thai people already know every activity of their king,� she said. AFP
Opinion
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When Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla called out extrajudicial killings F THE LONG
%2.!.$/ #APALLA WAS !RCHbishop of Davao from 1996 to 2012. He was not especially close to the Duterte family. It is probably more accurate to say that he was well acquainted with them. He was friendly with the Duterte maTRIARCH KNOWN AS .ANAY MOTHER Soleng, until her death in 2012. He KNEW HER kVE OFFSPRING ‡ %LEANOR Jocelyn, Rodrigo, Emmanuel, BenJAMIN ‡ AND HE CONTINUES TO SIT ON the same charitable committees as Elizabeth Zimmerman, President Rodrigo Duterte’s former wife and MOTHER OF HIS CHILDREN #APALLA has known Rodrigo for years, since the latter was little more than a city prosecutor, and has followed his LONG POLITICAL RISE FROM $AVAO #ITY mayor to the presidency. In past inTERVIEWS #APALLA HAS SPOKEN ABOUT their interactions with some tact and diplomacy. He and Rodrigo, he has reasonably elaborated, may not see eye to eye, but they mutually respect one another. So, it came as a bit of a surprise, in the recent conversation I had with him, to hear him speak of the President in less palatable terms. 4HE kRST THING THAT STRIKES ONE ABOUT #APALLA IS HIS TRANQUILLITY amiability and civility. He is now 85 years old and while age may have mellowed him, I imagine he is by nature a mild man, evidently with impeccable manners, and never A HOT HEADED kREBRAND PREACHER He speaks Ilonggo, his mother tongue, and English, in soft precise sentences, and in quiet, controlled tones. “Let us talk about Davao #ITY u HE SAYS #APALLA CAME TO $AVAO IN from the coastal Mindanao city of Iligan where he was bishop. Duterte at the time was in the middle of his kRST MAYORAL TERM A POST HE WOULD hold, off and on, for the next 22 years. The appearance of killer vigilantes, who came to be known as the Davao Death Squads, did not occur immediately. Journalists began to notice increasing incidences of stabbings and hackings in the city’s poor areas. The murdered victims were largely street children suspected of petty crimes and drug use. Some of the perpetrators were, reportedly, just ordinary locals, even meat butchers from Bankerohan, the municipal grocery market, who had been attracted by the extra money. From at least 1995 to 2001, over 150 people had been murdered. Others began to voice their concern. The Redemptorist priest and activist Father Amado Picardal, the Jesuit priest Father Albert E. Alejo, and the human rights lawyer Manny Quibod, notably, worked with the GROUP THE #OALITION !GAINST 3UMMARY %XECUTIONS #!3% AND ORGAnized the collection of information on the victims. "EFORE THE END OF #APALLA was sufficiently moved to issue a strongly worded pastoral letter entitled “Thou Shall Not Kill.� While being careful not to draw any causal LINKS BETWEEN THE MAYOR S OFkCE AND the killings, the letter, which was read IN EVERY #ATHOLIC CHURCH IN $AVAO criticized what seemed to be Duterte’s tolerance, if not encouragement, of the killings, and police inaction. “We call on our government and its law enforcement agencies to stop them [the death squads] from making $AVAO #ITY A WILD WILD 7EST WHERE the only law is the law of the gun,� #APALLA WROTE g4HEY ALL DESERVED to die,� Mayor Duterte was quoted as saying. Despite this intervention, little was done. #ONDEMNATORY EXpressions did not surface again until a few
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RACHEL A.G. REYES years later, in 2005, in response to over 60 killings at the beginning of that year. The Archdiocese of Davao released banners on which was prominently written “Thou Shall Not Killâ€? and posted the names of 383 victims, researched by #!3% ON THE WALLS OF THE #ATHEDRAL More years passed. The killings continued unabated and things moved slowly until 2009, when THE SITUATION IN $AVAO kNALLY CAPtured and sustained national and international attention. The UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston, the US-based organization, Human Rights Watch, published reports, AND THE #OMMISSION ON (UMAN 2IGHTS #(2 IN -ANILA HEADED BY ,EILA DE ,IMA kNALLY LAUNCHED AN investigation. By this time almost 900 people had been killed. #APALLA THREW HIS SUPPORT BEHIND THE #(2 INVESTIGATION (E THEN issued his most forceful instruction to date, an Oratio Imperata. entitled “Prayer for the healing of our people.â€? Parishoners were obliged to recite its words on bended knees for one year starting on Ash Wednesday. The prayer began: “Heavenly Father, our city is wounded in its soul. Our people’s wounds are deep and wide. These wounds are the hatred and dislike of drug addicts and drug pushers, the senseless disregard of due process of law, the violent killing of mere suspects, the crash [sic] taking of the law into one’s hands, the lustful greed in the hooded killers on motor bike, the baseless claim that there are no witnesses‌ and the unjust socio-political system that tolerates all these to happen.â€? #APALLA S LATEST SALVO ELICITED AN ANGRY INVECTIVE kLLED REACTION from Mayor Duterte. In recallING THAT MOMENT TO ME #APALLA seemed overcome by a sense of despondency. Fear stalked Davao #ITY HE REMARKED BUT CRITICS WERE also silenced by a fear of public SHAMING AND HUMILIATION #APALLA fell silent, choosing not to speak out in opposition of summary killings until many years later, in 2016, after the election of Duterte to the presidency. Bound by the strictures of tradition, hierarchy, and conservatism, THE #ATHOLIC #HURCH IN OUR COUNTRY is better known for gang loyalty and rarely produces dissident voices in its upper ranks. Yet, we have seen, in recent months, an outpouring of impassioned political protest and vigorous denunciation of the thousands of killings that have occurred as a consequence of President Duterte’s catastrophic war against drugs. Archbishop Socrates Villegas has exhorted the faithful to feel “holy angerâ€? at the senseless killings and to “reject the father of lies and prince of darkness,â€? a thinly veiled allusion to the President. Bishop 0ABLO 6IRGILIO $AVID WHOSE lOCK has been decimated, admonished #ATHOLICS FOR TACITLY SUPPORTING what he called the government’s “biggest lieâ€? of the last three years. “How can we even claim to be believers in a Trinitarian God if we’re not capable of renouncing evil in all its rawness? And what I observe all around is really raw evil,â€? he says. 4HESE ARE STRONG TIMELY DEkANT and courageous words. But will they change people’s hearts and minds? 4HE IMMEDIATE FUTURE FOR #APALLA IS ONE kLLED WITH MORE DARKness and evil. “We are becoming more callous,â€? he thinks, “there is AN INVERSION OF VALUES 4HE #HURCH needs to say ‘mea culpa.’ Those who die are all victims of the absence of mea culpa.â€? The way forward, he grimly believes, is the way OF THE #ROSS 4HE COUNTRY WILL NEED TO UNDERGO PURIkCATION a cleansing process involving pain and suffering. “Nothing matures to perfection without pain,â€? he says, sadly.
rachelagreyes@gmail.com Q Former Davao archbishop Fernando Capalla
A6
Opinion
˜ The Manila Times
w w w.manilatimes.net
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
First election under Duterte
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6%29 PRESIDENT POST %$3! HAS HAD THE CHANCE TO PUT THE ELECTION SYSTEM OF THE COUNTRY IN ORDER BUT NOT MUCH HAS BEEN DONE SINCE THEN &ROM A 3MARTMATIC RUN ELECTION IN AND TO AN END TO END MANAGEMENT BY THE #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS #OME LEC WHICH STARTED IN %ACH PRESIDENT WOULD HAVE A MIDTERM AND AN END OF TERM ELEC TION CYCLE DURING HIS HER WATCH SAVE FOR 0'-! WHO HAD THREE ELECTION CYCLES IN AND !UTOMATION STARTED IN AND WE HAVE HAD THREE ELECTION CYCLES SINCE THEN TWO PRESIDENTIAL AND ONE MIDTERM 4HE SECOND midterm under automation is COMING THIS -AY WITH THE #OMELEC DOING AN END TO END MANAGEMENT OF THE PROCESS 4HIS IS THE kRST OF MANY ELEC TIONS WHERE THE #OMELEC CHAIR MAN IS HARDLY SEEN AND FELT ON THE GROUND SAVE IN -INDANAO 3OME PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT THE #OMELEC SPOKESMAN WAS ACTUALLY THE CHAIR MAN SINCE HE IS MORE OFTEN SEEN EXPLAINING THINGS AND EXPOUND ING ON DECISIONS OF #OMELEC 4HE REPORTED PRE SHADED BALLOTS SEEN VIA 56 LIGHTS PENS THAT SMUDGE AND BALLOT MIX UPS IN PACKAGING AS WELL AS BROKEN SEALS OF BOXES DELIV
ZILCH MA. LOURDES TIQUIA ERED TO THE VARIOUS ELECTION BOARDS are not positive signs assuring ev ERYONE OF A SMOOTH %LECTION $AY Then the nightmare transmission OF ELECTION RESULTS DOES NOT MAKE ANY CANDIDATE FEEL SAFE AT THE END SO THAT SOME HAVE ACTUALLY MADE CONTINGENCY PLANS ABOUT THE PRINT ING OF THE EIGHT ELECTION RETURNS BEFORE TRANSMISSION MANDATORY FOR ALL POLL WATCHERS !S ELECTION EQUIPMENT AND PARAPHERNALIA HAVE REACHED THE FAR CORNERS OF THE COUNTRY AND CAMPAIGNS ARE WRAPPING UP THEIR MOTORCADES MITING DE AVANCE PRECINCT WATCHERS AND POLL WORK ERS TRAINING AND SAMPLE BALLOT OPERATIONS CONTINGENCY PLANS ARE BEING MADE IN CASE THERE ARE PROBLEMS IN THE ROLL OUT 4HE #OMELEC IS ALSO TESTING THE VOTER REGISTRATION VERIkCATION SYSTEM OR 6263 THROUGH THE USE OF A VOTER REGISTRATION VERIkCATION MACHINE 626- 4HE 626- IS A HARDWARE TABLET WITH A BUILT IN kNGERPRINT SCANNER AND SMARTCARD READER AND
PRE LOADED WITH THE VOTER S REGIS TERED DATA PER CLUSTERED PRECINCT WHICH IS USED FOR THE VERIkCATION OF VOTERS 4HE DATA INCLUDES THE FULL NAME OF THE VOTER HIS PHOTOGRAPH HIS HER PRECINCT NUMBER POLLING CENTER BARANGAY MUNICIPALITY CITY AND PROVINCE WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY "OOK )) OF THE 6OTERS ,IST 4HE 6263 AIMS TO PROVIDE A VERIkCATION OF VOTERS BEFORE THEY CAN VOTE 4HIS CAN CAUSE DELAY IN THE PROCESS ESPE CIALLY IF THE 626- CAN T RECOGNIZE THE VOTER S kNGERPRINT OR IT RUNS OUT OF POWER The areas that will implement THE USE OF THE 6263 IN THE -AY ELECTIONS .ATIONAL #APITAL 2EGION ‡ #ALOOCAN #ITY -ANILA 1UEZON #ITY 2EGION ) ‡ 0ANGAS INAN PROVINCE INCLUDING $AGUPAN #ITY 2EGION ))) ‡ .UEVA %CIJA IN CLUDING #ABANATUAN #ITY 2EGION )6 ! ‡ #AVITE PROVINCE 2EGION 6) ‡ )LOILO PROVINCE INCLUDING )LOILO #ITY AND .EGROS /CCIDENTAL INCLUDING "ACOLOD #ITY 2EGION 6)) ‡ #EBU PROVINCE INCLUDING #EBU #ITY 2EGION )8 ‡ :AMBOANGA DEL 3UR PROVINCE INCLUDING :AMBOAN GA #ITY 2EGION 8 ‡ -ISAMIS /RI ENTAL PROVINCE INCLUDING #AGAYAN DE /RO #ITY 2EGION 8) ‡ $AVAO DEL 3UR PROVINCE INCLUDING $AVAO #ITY AND "!2-- INCLUDING #OTA
BATO #ITY AND )SABELA #ITY &OR SO LONG AS THERE IS NO TINKER ING WITH THE SERVERS OR SWITCHING OF THE 3$ CARDS VOTERS CAN TRUST THE PROCESS 4HE OTHER POTENTIAL INTER VENTIONS ARE THE USE OF EXTRA BALLOTS AND THE PROBLEMS OF TRANSMISSION VIA DONGLES AND 53" MODEMS THAT ARE OF ' ' VARIETIES !ND THAT IS WHY TELCO REFORMS ARE CRUCIAL AS WELL AS CONNECTIVITY NATIONWIDE ! PERSONAL BEEF IS THAT SINCE ELECTION DATA HAS NOT BEEN SHARED BY #OMELEC SO THAT VARI OUS STUDIES CAN BE MADE ON EVERY ELECTION CYCLE SINCE AUTOMATION #ORRELATION STUDIES ON GENDER AGE SITUS REGIONAL PROVINCIAL CITY AND MUNICIPAL AND VOTER TURN OUTS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE #ONSEQUENTLY PEOPLE WHO CLAIM THERE ARE LABOR WOMEN AND #ATHOLIC VOTES HAVE NO BASIS AT ALL 4HE YOUTH THOUGH BIG IN NUMBERS CAN ALSO BE STUDIED IN TERMS OF EFkCACY AND SUPPORT OF CERTAIN CANDIDATES BUT THERE IS NO DISAGGREGATION OF DATA 4HESE STUDIES CAN FOCUS ON TRENDS BAI LIWICKS AND BELLWETHERS 0ARTY STRENGTHS CAN ALSO BE STUDIED WHETHER THESE ARE LOCAL REGIONAL or national parties. Correlation CAN ALSO BE MADE ON USE OF 46#S AND ACTUAL VOTES AS WELL AS
Q TULFO FROM A1
China wants to become our friend, not enemy The potential Chinese investors I talked WITH DURING MY kVE DAY VISIT TO "EIJING FOR THE ND "ELT AND 2OAD &ORUM EXPRESSED SOME APPREHENSION THAT IF 2ODRIGO 2OA $UTERTE kNISHES HIS TERM HIS #HINA POLICY might go out with him. &OR THEM TO POUR BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CAPITAL INTO THE COUNTRY THEY WANT TO BE ASSURED THAT THEIR INVESTMENTS WOULD BE PROTECTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION THAT WILL SUCCEED $IGONG S /NE EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO SAY #HINA WOULD PREFER TO HAVE $IGONG S DAUGHTER 3ARA $UTERTE #ARPIO THE $AVAO #ITY MAYOR SUCCEED HIM ) SAID THAT THE 0HILIPPINES IS A DEMOCRACY AND OUR LEADERS ARE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE !S SUCH ONLY THE PEOPLE CAN DETERMINE -R $UTERTE S SUCCESSOR "UT ) ALSO SAID THAT BECAUSE THE &ILIPINO PEO PLE HAVE NOW REALIZED THE IMMENSE ECONOMIC BENEkTS OF BEFRIENDING #HINA THEY WOULD SURELY VOTE IN A SUCCESSOR WHO IS PRO #HINA N N N 4HE (ONGYUAN 'ROUP A HUGE LOGISTICS COMPANY WHICH CALLS ITSELF A gCROSS BORDER TRADE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROVIDER u WANTS TO INVEST IN THE 0HILIPPINES BIG TIME )T WANTS TO MAKE THE COUNTRY A LOGISTICS HUB IN !SIA FROM WHERE SEAFOOD TROPICAL FRUITS VEGETABLES FROZEN MEAT AND POULTRY CAN BE SHIPPED TO #HINA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD )TS OFkCIALS ASKED ME IF ) COULD kND FARMS WHERE FRESH CUT lOWERS ARE HARVESTED AND SHIPPED TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD 4HE COUNTRY S PROXIMITY TO "EIJING FOUR HOURS BY JET FROM -ANILA MEANS THAT FRESH FRUITS VEGETABLES FRESH CUT lOWERS CHILLED SEAFOOD AND FROZEN MEAT PRODUCTS CAN ARRIVE IN #HINA S CAPITAL CITY IN A MATTER OF HOURS AND THEN SENT TO OTHER PARTS OF #HINA #HINA THE (ONGYUAN 'ROUP SAID CAN BUY ALL THE FRESH FOOD AND FRUITS THE 0HILIPPINES CAN SELL FOR THE DINING TABLES OF THAT COUNTRY S MULTITUDE )MAGINE EVERY ONE OF #HINA S BILLION PEOPLE EATING ONE 0HILIPPINE BANANA OR MANGO EVERY DAY AND YOU GET AN IDEA OF HOW MUCH OUR FARMERS WILL EARN FROM EXPORTING THOSE TROPICAL FRUITS TO THAT COUNTRY
4HE (ONGYUAN 'ROUP S BOAST THAT #HINA CAN BUY ALL THE TROPICAL FRUITS FROM THE 0HILIPPINES TIES IN WITH ANOTHER #HINESE GROUP WHICH SOUGHT MY HELP IN kNDING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF HECT ARES OF IDLE LANDS FOR LEASE OR RENT TO BE PLANTED WITH BANANA MANGO DURIAN AND CORN ) VE CONNECTED THAT #HINESE GROUP WITH THE -ANDAYA TRIBE OF $AVAO /RIENTAL WHO SAID THEY WOULD RESERVE HECTARES OF LAND FOR RENT OR LEASE ,AST MONTH ) TOOK ANOTHER #HINESE GROUP WHICH WAS LOOKING FOR LAND TO BE CONVERTED INTO GREENHOUSES FOR VEGETABLES TO !GRICUL TURE 3ECRETARY -ANNY 0IÄOL 4HE AGGIE CHIEF OFFERED THE GROUP A VAST TRACT OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN "UKIDNON PROV INCE FOR THAT PURPOSE 3AMAR 2EP 2AUL $AZA TOLD ME HUNDREDS OF HECTARES OF IDLE kSHPONDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE OR RENT TO #HINESE INVESTORS IN THE 3AMAR PROVINCES N N N (AICHAO 3HEN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE &UJIAN !SSO CIATION FOR )NTERNATIONAL &RIENDLY #ONTACT EXPRESSED INTEREST IN BUILDING INDUSTRIAL PARKS IN THE COUNTRY FOR FACTORIES AFFECTED BY #HINA S CURRENT TRADE WAR WITH THE 53 ,IKE OTHER POTENTIAL INVESTORS ) TALKED WITH 3HEN SAID MONEY IS NOT AN ISSUE FOR THEM 4HEIR MAIN CONCERN IS THE PEACE AND ORDER situation in the Philippines. g7ILL THE COUNTRY CONTINUE TO BE FRIENDLY TO #HINA AFTER 0RESIDENT $UTERTE S TERM EX PIRES u ASKED 3HEN Potential Chinese investors would want THE COUNTRY TO CONTINUE ITS FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH #HINA LONG AFTER $IGONG IS GONE 3HEN SAID TO PROTECT THEIR INVESTMENTS g7HY NOT HAVE 3ARA $UTERTE SUCCEED HER FATHER u 3HEN SAID TO WHICH ) REPLIED THAT S LEFT FOR THE &ILIPINO PEOPLE TO DECIDE !S SPECIAL ENVOY ) AVOIDED TALKING ABOUT POLITICS WITH MY HOSTS N N N !NOTHER POSSIBLE INVESTOR WAS LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF SETTING UP A CIGARETTE MANUFACTURING PLANT IN THE 0HILIPPINES The investor said he wanted to partner
Q CONTRERAS FROM A4
Culture, conflict, diplomacy THAT BEAR #HINESE SURNAMES OR HAVE #HINESE ANCESTRY )N THE ABSENCE OF A SYSTEMATIC SCIEN TIkC STUDY OF THIS PHENOMENON ONE CAN ONLY OFFER SEVERAL EDUCATED GUESSES TO EXPLAIN THIS COGNITIVE DISSONANCE )T IS CERTAINLY PERPLEX ING THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF &ILIPINOS DIED AT THE HANDS OF !MERICAN AND *APANESE OCCUPY ING FORCES IN SEPARATE PERIODS IN OUR HISTORY AND NONE DID SO IN A #HINESE INVASION AND YET DECADES AFTER &ILIPINOS TRUST THE 53 AND *APAN MORE THAN #HINA (ISTORICALLY ONE CAN POSSIBLY ATTRIBUTE THIS MISTRUST TO HOW #HINA HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH COMMUNISM AND THAT THE RED SCARE BECAME SO DEEPLY EMBEDDED IN THE COLLECTIVE PSYCHE OF THE &ILIPINO PEOPLE )T IS IRONIC THAT THE ANTI COMMUNIST ATTITUDE THAT BECAME THE FOUNDATION OF AN ANTI #HINA SENTIMENT FES TERS AMONG ORDINARY PEOPLE MANY OF WHOM ARE ALSO PRO $UTERTE SUPPORTERS -EANWHILE THE LEFT LEANING OPPOSITION GROUPS MOST OF WHOM ADHERE TO -AOIST DOCTRINES HAVE ALSO LATELY EXPRESSED AN ANTI #HINA STANCE THEREBY
DIMINISHING THE POTENCY FOR SUSTAINING THE USE OF IDEOLOGY AS A BASIS FOR EXPLAINING THE CULTURE OF MISTRUST PREVAILING AMONG ORDI NARY &ILIPINOS )F AT ALL #HINA IS NO LONGER IMAGED AT LEAST BY THE INTELLECTUAL ELITES AND ACTIVISTS AS A COMMUNIST COUNTRY BUT SIMPLY AS AN AUTHORITARIAN CAPITALIST SUPERPOWER (OWEVER THE STEREOTYPE THAT IT IS STILL GOV ERNED BY THE KIND OF COMMUNISM THAT SCARED &ILIPINOS DURING THE #OLD 7AR REMAINS STRONG AMONG ORDINARY &ILIPINOS &OREIGN DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE HAS BE COME THE MEANS BY WHICH FORMER OCCUPYING FORCES LIKE THE 53 AND *APAN HAVE REPAID THEIR HISTORICAL DEBTS TO THE COUNTRY THROUGH MAS SIVE INlOWS OF LOANS AND GRANTS #HINA HAS EMBARKED ON THIS TOO WITH ITS OWN "ELT AND 2OAD )NITIATIVE (OWEVER WHAT IS INTERESTING IS THAT IN AN AGE WHERE THE IMAGE OF A COLONIAL POWER INVADING OTHER COUNTRIES HAS BECOME A THING OF THE PAST #HINA IS NOW PAINTED BY ITS CRITICS ‡ AND WITH GOOD REASON CITING THE CASE OF 3RI ,ANKA ‡ AS ONE THAT IS SHOWING AN AG
WITH &ILIPINO TOBACCO GROWERS IN THE )LOCOS REGION WHICH IS FAMOUS FOR ITS 6IRGINIA lUE CURED TOBACCO +UI 9ANFENG WHO ) CALL 4HE $UKE BECAUSE HE IS A DESCENDANT OF THE 1ING $YNASTY SAID THE CIGARETTES HE LL MAKE IN THE 0HILIPPINES WOULD BE EXCLUSIVELY FOR #HINESE SMOKERS N N N A very interesting person I met was an ad MIRAL IN THE 0EOPLE S ,IBERATION !RMY 0,! .AVY WHO MANAGES A COMPANY THAT BUILDS SEAPORTS HIGHWAYS AND INDUSTRIAL PARKS (E SAID HE CONTROLS THE kSHING BOATS SEEN OFF THE ISLANDS CLAIMED BY THE 0HILIPPINES IN THE 3OUTH #HINA 3EA (E ASSURED ME THOSE kSHING VESSELS WHICH BELONG TO #HINA S MILITIA WILL NEVER CREATE TROUBLE IN THE DISPUTED ISLANDS (E CAN MAKE THEM GO AWAY HE SAID (E SAID #HINA LOVES -R $UTERTE N N N &INALLY ) HAD THE GREAT HONOR OF MEETING WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE 3INO 0HILIPPINES !SSOCIATION OF THE $ESCENDANTS OF THE 3ULU +ING HEADED BY ITS 9ANG 3HEN *IANG OR #HAIR MAN !NDJUN AS HE IS FONDLY CALLED g) AM A DESCENDANT OF THE +ING OF 3ULU ) AM TRYING TO CONVINCE #HINESE ENTREPRENEURS to invest in the Philippines and help our RELATIVES TO BECOME RICH AND POWERFUL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE u #HAIRMAN !NDJUN TOLD ME THROUGH 2OBERT ,UO MY INTERPRETER DURING the whole trip. 4HE DESCENDANTS OF 3ULU +ING 0ADUKA 0AHALA WOULD LOVE TO VISIT THE HOME OF THEIR GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER AND REUNITE WITH THEIR -USLIM BROTHERS 3ULTAN 0ADUKA 0AHALA LED AN EXPEDITION TO #HINA YEARS AGO UPON THE INVITATION OF the Chinese emperor at the time. 5NFORTUNATELY DURING HIS VISIT THE 3ULU SULTAN DIED OF A DISEASE WHILE ON A TRIP FROM "EIJING TO $EZHOU PROVINCE ON 3EPT 4HE GRIEF STRICKEN %MPEROR ORDERED A GRAND FUNERAL FOR 0ADAKA WHO WAS BURIED in Dezhou. 4ODAY A TEMPLE IN FRONT OF HIS TOMB STANDS AS A TESTAMENT TO THE LONGSTANDING FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN #HINA AND THE 0HILIPPINES GRESSIVE STANCE IN USING DEBT TRAP DIPLOMACY TO ACQUIRE TERRITORY FROM OTHER COUNTRIES )T HAS BEEN PROPAGATED IN POPULAR #HINESE media that the Philippines is the one seen as STEALING LAND FROM #HINA &OR MANY ORDINARY #HINESE NATIONALS IT WOULD NOT BE FARFETCHED to assume that they regard the Philippines is A MERE PROVINCE OF #HINA /N THE OTHER HAND THE POPULAR CULTURAL REPRESENTATION OF #HINA AMONG ORDINARY &ILI PINOS IS SEEN NO LONGER IN PANCIT OR SIOPAO OR #HOW +ING OR IN /NGPIN OR IN THE RICH 4AIPANS BUT AS AN INVADING FORCE NOW ACTU ALLY SWARMING THE SEAS AROUND 0AG !SA OR AS ILLEGAL #HINESE WORKERS NOW CROWDING OUT NOT ONLY WORK OPPORTUNITIES BUT ALSO THE REAL ESTATE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR &ILIPINOS &ILIPINOS TRUST THE 53 AND *APAN EVEN IF THEY INVADED US SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE NO LONGER INVADING US NOW )N FACT WE ARE THE ONES PHYSI CALLY MIGRATING INTO THEIR TERRITORIES )F THERE IS ANY FUTURE IN BUILDING CONkDENCE BETWEEN THE 0HILIPPINES AND #HINA THEN IT MUST SERIOUSLY CONSIDER AFFECTING CULTURAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE MANNER EACH COUNTRY is imaged in the ordinary and everyday lives OF PEOPLE IN THE OTHER COUNTRY
WHETHER DIGITAL INlUENCED THE TRENDS IN HIGHLY URBANIZED CITIES )F WE WANT TO PUT SCIENCE INTO OUR ELECTIONS DATA SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC AND SCHOLARS SHOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE DATA FOR FREE 7HAT .AMFREL WAS ATTEMPTING TO DO ON /PEN !CCESS WAS LAUDABLE AND IF THE SYSTEM IS FULL PROOF #OMELEC SHOULD HAVE ALLOWED .AMFREL TO RUN ITS PROTOCOLS 4HE TH #ONGRESS SHOULD RE CEIVE THE #OMELEC REPORT ON THE CONDUCT OF THE -AY ELECTIONS IMMEDIATELY SO THAT REFORMS ARE INTRODUCED EARLY ON AND NOT AT THE TAIL END OF 4HE SAME REPORT SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC #OMELEC SHOULD NOT SLEEP WHEN THERE ARE NO ELECTIONS )T SHOULD kNISH AND CLOSE ITS BOOK ON THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS AT PERCENT AND NOT LEAVE DATA AT THE LOCAL LEVEL )T SHOULD HAVE REGIONAL PROVINCIAL CITY MUNICIPAL POLL ING CENTER AND PRECINCT DATA AT THE MAIN OFkCE )T SHOULD CLEAN ITS VOT ERS LIST GIVE OUT DATA ON TURN OUTS AND BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY CERTAIN AREAS HAVE BIGGER VOTES CAST THAN THE NUMBER OF VOTERS )F YOU WANT FAITH IN THE SYSTEM AND TRUST IN THE PROCESS THE REPORT AFTER EVERY ELEC TION IS CRITICAL 2EFORMS SHOULD COVER PRE
CAMPAIGN CAMPAIGN AND POST % $AY PHASES 4HESE REFORMS CAN LOOK INTO THE kLLING UP OF VACAN CIES INDEXING EXPENSE PER VOTER TO INlATION PER AREA ATTACHMENT OF PROHIBITIONS ONCE A CANDIDATE FILES THE #/# DESYNCHRONIZE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS MANUAL VOTING FOR LOCAL GOVERN MENTS USE OF BLOCKCHAIN FOR VOT ING SYSTEM MANDATORY PERIOD FOR RESOLUTION OF ELECTORAL CONTESTS SO THAT ALL CONTESTS ARE DECIDED BE FORE THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE BAN THE PUBLIC RELEASE OF SURVEYS DAYS BEFORE AN ELECTION BAN FAM ILY RELATIVES OF INCUMBENT POLITI CIANS AND EX POLITICIANS FROM THE party list system and and improve ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT LOGISTICS TO SHUFlING OF #OMELEC OFkCIALS EVERY ELECTION CYCLE 022$ HAS ISSUED A WARNING AGAINST THE SO CALLED gSYNDICATESu IN ALTERING THE PEOPLE S MAN DATE (E PROMISED TO CALL FOR A revolutionary government the MOMENT EVEN A WHIFF OF ELECTORAL MACHINATIONS IS DISCOVERED ,ET us see how things will turn out AS THE LAST WEEK OF THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD PLAYS OUT 6OTE EARLY VOTE WISELY AND THINK OF COUNTRY AS YOU MAKE THAT kNAL AND SACRED ACT AS A CITIZEN OF THE 2EPUBLIC
May Fourth Movement: Communists celebrate but they don’t deserve credit A ( 5 . $ 2 % $ years ago this MONTH ON -AY DEMONSTRA tions erupted in #HINA AS STUDENTS PRIMARILY FROM 0E KING 5NIVERSITY POURED INTO 4IANAN MEN 3QUARE TO PROTEST EVENTS HALF A WORLD AWAY WHERE 7ESTERN NATIONS ‡ PRIMARILY THE 5NITED +INGDOM AND &RANCE ‡ MEETING IN 6ERSAILLES DECIDED TO TRANSFER THE COLONIAL POS SESSIONS OF A DEFEATED 'ERMANY IN 3HANDONG OR 3HANTUNG PROVINCE TO *APAN WHICH LIKE #HINA WAS AN ALLY IN THE ANTI 'ERMAN WAR RATHER THAN returning them to China. 4HE -AY TH DEMONSTRATIONS CHANGED #HINA 7HILE THEY WERE TOUCHED OFF BY THE CONFERENCE HELD TO MARK THE END OF 7ORLD 7AR THE PROTESTS WERE ACTUALLY A LOUD CALL FOR REFORM IN #HINA )N A MATTER OF WEEKS the protests were elevated to the sta TUS OF A MOVEMENT ,UO *IALUN ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL STUDENT LEADERS WROTE IN AN ARTICLE THAT THE SPIRIT OF THE -AY &OURTH -OVEMENT WAS A CHALLENGE TO ARBITRARY AUTHORITY !FTER -AY THE STUDENTS BEGAN ORGANIZING THEMSELVES /N -AY THE 0EKING 5NIVERSITY 3TUDENT !SSOCIATION WAS ESTABLISHED WITH $UAN 8IPENG ELECTED AS PRESIDENT 4HE FOLLOWING DAY REPRESEN TATIVES MET IN THE 0EKING 5NIVERSITY AUDITORIUM AND FORMED A CITYWIDE 3TUDENT 5NION AGAIN WITH $UAN ELECTED PRESIDENT 4HESE EVENTS WERE OCCURRING AT A TIME OF INTELLECTUAL FERMENT IN #HINA 4HE MONARCHY HAD BEEN OVERTHROWN IN BUT WARLORDS NOT ELECTED LEADERS HAD TAKEN OVER 4HERE WAS A PROLIFERATION OF JOURNALS AND MUCH DISCUSSION OF THE NEED TO MODERNIZE IN PART BY WRITING IN THE VERNACULAR TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE #HINESE CLASSICS 4HERE WAS MUCH CONCERN THAT THE COUNTRY WAS BEING HELD BACK BY ITS TRA DITIONS IN PARTICULAR BY #ONFUCIANISM -ANY FELT THAT IT WAS TIME TO SAY GOOD BYE TO -R #ONFUCIUS AND TO WELCOME -R 3CIENCE AND -R $EMOCRACY ! CENTURY LATER -R 3CIENCE IS WELL ENTRENCHED WITH #HINA HAVING LANDED A SPACECRAFT ON THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON (OWEVER -R $EMOCRACY IS UNWELCOME WITH THE #OMMUNIST Party insisting on a permanent mo nopoly on power. .ONETHELESS THE PARTY HAS HIJACKED THE -AY &OURTH -OVEMENT CLAIMING CREDIT FOR IT #OMING AS IT DID TWO YEARS AFTER THE /CTOBER 2EVOLUTION IN WHICH RESULTED IN THE BIRTH OF THE 3OVIET 5NION IT SEEMED PLAU SIBLE TO ARGUE THAT -ARXIST IDEAS HAD SPREAD INTO #HINA AND INlUENCED THE STUDENT ACTIVISTS OF THE TIME ,AST WEEK 8I *INPING DELIVERED AN HOUR LONG ADDRESS IN WHICH HE HAILED
THE -AY TH STUDENT leaders as patriots who opposed im PERIALISM AND FEU FRANK DALISM (OWEVER CHING HE TOLD TODAY S STU DENTS THAT THEIR JOB WAS TO gFOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDANCE OF THE 0ARTY u 0ATRIOTISM NOW MEANS OBEDIENCE 3TUDENT PROTESTS BEFORE WERE ALMOST INVARIABLY DEEMED AS PATRIOTIC .OW THEY ARE SUPPRESSED 4HE 4IANANMEN PROTESTS WERE LABELED COUNTER REVOLUTIONARY Party leaders who sympathize WITH STUDENT PROTESTERS SUFFER SEVERE CONSEQUENCES (U 9AOBANG THEN PARTY GENERAL SECRETARY FAILED TO CRACK DOWN ON WIDESPREAD STUDENT PROTESTS IN AND WAS FORCED TO STEP DOWN IN :HAO :IYANG HIS SUCCESSOR OP POSED THE DECISION TO SEND TROOPS INTO 4IANANMEN 3QUARE TO DEAL WITH PROTESTERS &OR THIS HE WAS EXPELLED FROM THE PARTY AND SPENT THE REST OF HIS LIFE UNDER HOUSE ARREST $ESPITE THE PARTY S NARRATIVE THAT THE -AY TH DEMONSTRATORS WERE GUIDED BY -ARXIST THINKING NONE OF THE STUDENT LEADERS BECAME prominent within the party. Chen $UXIU A DEAN AT 0EKING 5NIVERSITY WHOSE WRITINGS WERE INlUENTIAL WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE PARTY BUT HE WAS EXPELLED IN $UAN 8IPENG WHO WAS ELECTED THE kRST PRESIDENT OF THE 0EKING 5NI VERSITY 3TUDENT !SSOCIATION ON -AY JOINED THE +UOMINTANG AND TOOK PART IN THE ANTI COMMUNIST PURGE OF (E DIED IN OF LUNG CANCER &U 3INIAN WAS gMARSHALu OF THE PARADE MARCHING IN FRONT HOLDING A BANNER FOLLOWED BY A HUGE COLUMN OF STUDENTS (E BECAME A TOP EDUCA TOR AND LINGUIST AND WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF !CADEMIA 3INICA (E LEFT FOR 4AIWAN AFTER THE COMMUNIST VICTO RY IN THE CIVIL WAR AND WAS APPOINTED CHANCELLOR OF 4AIWAN 5NIVERSITY ,UO *IANLUN WAS THE STUDENT WHO DRAFTED A MANIFESTO CALLING ON CITIZENS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO gHOLD CITIZENS MEETINGS TO SECURE OUR SOVEREIGNTY IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS u ,UO IN LATER YEARS SERVED AS MINISTER OF EDUCATION IN THE Nationalist government. He was ap POINTED AMBASSADOR TO )NDIA IN 7HEN )NDIA RECOGNIZED THE 0EOPLE S 2EPUBLIC OF #HINA HE WENT TO 4AIWAN 4HESE STUDENT LEADERS OF THE -AY &OURTH -OVEMENT OF CLEARLY WEREN T INlUENCED BY -ARXIST THINK ING 2ATHER THEY WERE ACTING BECAUSE they saw their nation in peril. Three YEARS LATER IN 7ASHINGTON *APAN AND #HINA SIGNED A TREATY FOR THE RESTORA TION OF 3HANDONG PROVINCE TO #HINA
&RANK CHING GMAIL COM 4WITTER &RANK#HING
Regions Baldo eludes arrest; manhunt on
˜ The Manila Times
w w w.manilatimes.net
BY RHAYDZ B. BARCIA
T
HE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (DILG) and the Daraga Police serving the arrest warrant for murder against Mayor Carlwyn Baldo of Daraga, Albay are enforcing a MANHUNT AFTER THEY FAILED TO kND HIM AT HIS HOUSE in Barangay Tagas on Monday afternoon. The police team led by Police 3UPT 2ODELON "ETITA $ARAGA 0OLICE CHIEF WITH THE MEMBERS OF the media waited for more than an hour outside the Baldo family compound before they were allowed entry. "ALDO S LAWYER -ERITO ,OVENZKY &ERNANDEZ ACCOMPANIED THE ARRESTING TEAM TO THE SECOND lOOR OF THE HOUSE AND "EBITA WAS ALLOWED to check the bedroom and other PARTS OF THE HOUSE BUT THE SUSPECT was not found. &ERNANDEZ TOLD MEMBERS OF THE media and the police team that "ALDO WAS IN A MEETING BUT HIS
WIFE 2OMELLA !PULI "ALDO SAID her husband was out campaigning. Baldo’s wife told The Manila Times that her husband intended to surrender as soon as they reCEIVE THE ARREST WARRANT BUT WERE surprised that it was released on -ONDAY WITH THE ELECTION ONLY one week away. The Legaspi Regional Trial #OURT "RANCH ISSUED THE WARrant against Baldo for multiple murder and attempted murder charges for allegedly plotting the murder of Ako-Bicol partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his security escort Police Master Sgt.
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
/RLANDO $IAZ ON $EC Batocabe was supposed to chalLENGE "ALDO A REELECTIONIST IN THE MAYORAL POSITION OF $ARAGA IN THE -AY ELECTIONS $ARAGA WAS ALSO PUT UNDER Commission on Elections control after the killing. Baldo denied the accusaTIONS AGAINST HIM SAYING HE WAS just being used as a scapegoat of the real suspect behind the murder.
But his claim was disputed termind in separate testimonies. of the Interior and Local GovernBY SIX OTHER SUSPECTS IN THE CRIME Baldo is also facing administra- ment. WITH A REPORT who pointed at him as the mas- TIVE CHARGES BEFORE THE $EPARTMENT FROMÂ ROY D.R. NARRA
NO BALDO FOUND
Left photo shows Supt. Rodelon Betita (left), Daraga chief of police, faces off Merito Lovenzky Fernandez, legal counsel of embattled mayor Carlwyn Baldo during the serving of the arrest warrant against the mayor. Right photo shows the compound of Baldo’s family in Barangay Tagas, Daraga where their ancestral house is located that also serves as his house along with his siblings. The compound houses several warehouses and private offices of national and local firms. PHOTOS BY RHAYDZ B. BARCIA
Cayetano attests to Go’s commitment to serve THE Cayetano clan of Taguig City threw their full support behind the candidacy of former special assistant TO THE 0RESIDENT 3!0 AND 3ENATE ASPIRANT #HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE g"ONGu Go during a meeting of local leaders and a campaign rally in Lower Bicutan over the weekend. &ORMER FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY Alan Peter Cayetano pointed out that BECAUSE OF 'O S DEDICATION TO SERVICE particularly during his stint as SAP. (E WOULD ALWAYS REPORT FOR WORK even when sick just so he could ENSURE THAT WORK lOWS SMOOTHLY IN THE 0RESIDENT S OFkCE gBisyo niya talaga ay magserbisyo sa tao u 3ERVING PEOPLE IS HIS ONLY VICE #AYETANO SAID #AYETANO AND HIS WIFE #ITY -AYOR -ARIA ,AARNI g,ANIu #AYETANO RALlied the city residents to support the Senate bid of Go. $URING AN EARLIER MEETING WITH
THE CITY S LEADERS !LAN 0ETER SAID if they support Go and he would WIN AS SENATOR THEY WOULD HAVE opened the door of opportunity to their children who may someday follow the footsteps of the former SAP and become a leader and public servant. He noted that current conventional wisdom says only those WHO ARE EITHER FAMOUS AND RICH like show business personalities and children of political dynasties were elected for national POSITIONS BUT WITH 'O S ELECTION it would prove that voters value hardwork and loyalty in choosing their candidates. g0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE HAS an extensive reform agenda but UNLESS LAWS ARE ENACTED these will not become permanent. Who else would know the heart of
THE 0RESIDENT HIS PLANS AND STRATEGIES FOR REFORM BUT OUR NEXT SENATOR "ONG 'O u #AYETANO SAID Go thanked Cayetano and the city RESIDENTS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AS HE ALSO assured them of his full commitment to support the programs and POLICIES OF $UTERTE He said he would push improved BENEkTS AND EXPANDED PROTECTION FOR BARANGAY OFkCIALS NOTING THEY are at the forefront of delivery of government services. The former SAP added he would look into the possibility of extending the term of incumbent village OFkCIALS NOTING THEIR TERM OF OFkCE was cut short due to the previous postponement of barangay elections. Go said among his top priorities is the improvement of the delivery of health services in the
country by upgrading the facilities and equipment of public hospitals through the establishment of MalaSAKIT #ENTERS NATIONWIDE AS WELL AS support programs that would usher more progress and development in Taguig and nearby areas. He cited the BGC-Ortigas Link Plan that would connect Sta. Monica Street in Pasig to Lawton Avenue IN -AKATI AND A FOUR LANE VIADUCT traversing Lawton Avenue to the entrance of Bonifacio Global City. )N ADDITION 'O SAID THE CITY STANDS TO BENEkT FROM THE 3OUTHeast Metro Manila Expressway THAT WOULD RUN FROM 3KYWAY &4) in Taguig to Batasan Complex in Quezon City and the Metro Manila 3UBWAY 0ROJECT WHICH WOULD SERVE as a North-South rail backbone for connecting Metro Manila and THE NEARBY PROVINCES OF #AVITE Bulacan and Laguna.
Q Former special assistant to the President and Senate aspirant Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go being mobbed by supporters in Taguig City, Metro Manila during his campaign. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Cebu mayor links police chief to gambling CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeùa turned the tables on the police as he exposed #EBU #ITY 0OLICE /FkCE ##0/ $IRECTOR 2OYINA 'ARMA AS ONE OF THE OFkCERS SUSpected by the Philippine Charity SweepSTAKES /FkCE 0#3/ TO BE A PROTECTOR OF Globaltech’s Peryahan ng Bayan illegal numbers game. )N HIS OFkCIAL &ACEBOOK &" ACCOUNT Osmeùa posted on Sunday evening a letter from PCSO addressed to the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo !ÄO DATED -AY /SMEÄA S &" POST CAME OUT AFTER NEWS broke out that he was accused before the /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN 6ISAYAS OF ILlegal gambling for allegedly playing poker in a wine house on separate occasions last January.
The letter stated that Garma was one of the protectors of Globaltech’s Peryahan ng Bayan when she was still with the #RIMINAL )NVESTIGATION AND $ETECTION 'ROUP IN #ENTRAL 6ISAYAS #)$' AND WAS RECEIVING 0 MILLION WEEKLY gpayola� PROTECTION MONEY FROM ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATORS AND kNANCIERS Named as Garma’s bagman was a cerTAIN 3ENIOR 0OLICE /FkCER !RT /SMEÄA POSTED ON &" g#OL 'ARMA please verify if these documents are legitimate or just gossip.� -EANWHILE 'ARMA SAID g4HAT ISSUE was last year. I have survived that. It came OUT BEFORE THERE WAS NEWS THAT ) WILL BE REPLACING 'EN !LEXANDER "ALUTAN AS 0#3/ GENERAL MANAGER u 'ARMA SAID g0 MILLION IS TOO SMALL FOR ME TO
gamble on my reputation. Maybe he /SMEÄA WAS THE ONE WHO WAS GIVEN he is mayor and is playing poker in an ILLEGAL POKER HOUSE u 'ARMA TOLD The Manila Times. g) HOPE HE /SMEÄA TALKS ABOUT WHAT he has done for the city during his stint as mayor and what he intends to do should he win again. I am not running. The city DESERVES A BETTER POLITICAL RALLY u SHE ADDED Garma stressed that the letter was never VALIDATED g! LETTER ACCUSING ME WITHOUT EVIDENCE 4HE 0.0 0HILIPPINE .ATIONAL 0OLICE CONDUCTED COUNTER INTELLIGENCE u she added without elaborating the result. She said the complaint against her has NO BASIS g4HAT WAS DURING THE TIME WHEN I condemned illegal gambling.� RHEA RUTH ROSELL
Troops intercept trucks full of gunmen PAGADIAN CITY: Security forces on Monday afternoon intercepted two trucks full of gunmen and high-powered firearms in 0AGADIAN #ITY :AMBOANGA DEL 3UR 3OLDIERS AND POLICE OFkCERS SEIZED ASSORTED AUTOMATIC WEAPONS MOSTLY RIlES FROM THE PASSENGERS WEARING BONnets after stopping the vehicles with no LICENSE PLATES IN "ARANGAY $ANLUGAN g4HESE PEOPLE WERE ALL USING BONNETS Their vehicles have no plate numbers and its conduction stickers were covered
A7
BY A TAPE u SAID THE WITNESS WHO TOOK A video from his cell phone and uploaded IT ON &ACEBOOK PAGE UNDER THE ACCOUNT of BM Marlyn Revelo. !T LEAST PEOPLE WERE ORDERED TO GET off the vehicles as soldiers searched the trucks for weapons. !N UNIDENTIkED ARMY COMMANDER ORDERED PASSENGERS IN THE PRESENCE OF VILLAGE OFkCIALS JOURNALISTS AND POLICE PERSONNEL INCLUDING AN OFkCIAL FROM THE #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS TO DIS-
embark one by one from the trucks. 4HE PASSENGERS WHOSE HANDS RAISED IN THE AIR AS A GESTURE OF PEACEFUL SURRENDER disembarked one by one as civilians watchING NEARBY CHEERED AND CLAPPED THE SOLDIERS WHO WERE LEADING THE UNIDENTIkED MEN IN front of a makeshift table on the middle of the road. An army truck and several military vehicles were also spotted nearby. The identities of the arrested gunmen were not immediately available. AL JACINTO
‘NLEX structures safe after quake’ THE North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and SubicClark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) were declared safe for motorists despite several pavement cracks observed in the bridge approaches along SCTEX, after the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that affected Pampanga and other parts of Central Luzon on April 22.  NLEX Corp. and its engineering consultant AMH Philippines, said inspection showed no major structural damage in NLEX-SCTEX bridges and slopes, but cracks and deformations on pavements and bridge expansion joints that need immediate repairs. It was also noted that the bridges performed well and the cracks and deformations were evidently within anticipated range of the design assumptions. “To ensure the comfort of our motorists, damaged pavements will be replaced and distorted posts as well as bridge expansion joints will be repaired,� said NLEX Corp. President and General Manager Luigi Bautista. Four bridges in SCTEX
Porac — Pasig-Potrero, Babo Pangulo, Planas, and Porac — and two bridges in SCTEX Floridablanca — Caulaman and Gumain — bore pavement cracks, while steel plates and expansion joints became uneven. Some median concrete toppings in the said areas were also broken. Meanwhile, a few light and sign posts along the Candaba Viaduct and Dau and Sta. Ines interchanges along NLEX had noticeably leaned. But Bautista said the structures, including the elevated ones, were designed and built in such a way that they do not collapse during an earthquake. He added the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10, the elevated expressway from Karuhatan, Valenzuela City to Caloocan Interchange in C3 (Metro Manila) was earthquake-resistant and could withstand high magnitude quakes. “Rest assured that our roads adhere to worldclass standards as we use top grade materials and undertake regular road condition surveys,� he said. FREDERICK SILVERIO
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News
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
MMDA suspends bus ban dry run BY NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS
T
HE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has suspended the dry run on the provincial bus ban on EDSA.
MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo “Jojo� Garcia Jr. said the measure was temporarily stopped PENDING THEIR MEETING WITH OFkcials of the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The agencies will decide whether or not to cut the franchise routes of provincial buses. “We will continue with the dry run once the guidelines and implementing rules have been ironed out by the three agencies involved,� Garcia said.
Infra projects to stimulate growth – Ejercito
Last week, party-list group Ako "ICOL kLED A PETITION ASKING THE Supreme Court to stop the MMDA from implementing the provincial bus ban. Garcia said the MMDA would continue to strictly implement the no loading and unloading policy along the major thoroughfare. MMDA Command Center chief Edison “Bong� Nebrija said that while the agency would push for the closure of all provincial bus terminals along EDSA, the common terminal in Cubao would be retained.
More oil firms slash pump prices
Nebrija said the MMDA decided not to close the Cubao terminal for THE BENEkT OF LUGGAGE LADEN COMmuters coming from Southern Luzon, Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao. The MMDA also plans to propose to the LTFRB the replacement of the franchise of some provincial buses and convert them into pointto-point buses. These buses could be used by passengers who wish to be dropped off at the Cubao terminal or at the ParaĂąaque Integrated 4ERMINAL %XCHANGE
MORE oil companies have slashed their pump prices, a week after raising the prices of petroleum products by nearly a peso. Caltex reduced the prices of diesel and kerosene by 80 centavos per liter each, and gasoline by 90 centavos per liter, effective 12:01 a.m., Tuesday. Pilipinas Shell made the same adjustment at 6 a.m. Eastern Petroleum decreased the price of
diesel by 80 centavos per liter and gasoline by 90 centavos per liter at 12:01 a.m., followed by PTT Philippines and Total at 6 a.m. Petro Gazz reduced the prices of diesel and gasoline by 80 centavos per liter and P1 per liter, respectively, on Monday. Seaoil and Unioil adjusted its pump prices on Sunday, while Phoenix Petroleum cut its prices on Saturday. JORDEENE B. LAGARE
GUNS GALORE Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde and National Capital Region Police Office chief Guillermo Eleazar inspect firearms surrendered or seized by authorities during the election period. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA
SEN. Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito believes that the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program would stimulate economic growth and spur development in the countryside. “I support this (Build, Build, Build) 100 percent! [I] Volunteered to defend DoTr’s (Department of Transportation) budget under the $UTERTE ADMINISTRATION SPECIkCALLY BECAUSE OF Build, Build, Build,� the senator tweeted on Monday. “This will spread out the development, stimulate economic growth and pave the way to inclusive growth,� Ejercito said. He earlier called on the government to prioritize hiring Filipinos for jobs under the Build, Build, Build projects nationwide. (E MADE THE CALL AMID THE REPORTED INlUX OF foreign workers, mostly Chinese, who were allegedly employed in government infrastructure projects without proper work permit. BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO
Comelec cancels Edu Manzano’s candidacy THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday canceled the certificate of candidacy (CoC) of Edu Manzano, who seeks to represent San Juan City at the House of Representatives. The poll body said the actor was not a Filipino citizen WHEN HE kLED HIS #O# The Comelec’s second division said Manzano dropped his Philippine citizenship when he served in the US Armed Forces. It also rejected his claim that he retained his status as a natural born Filipino citizen even if he served in the US Armed Forces. “ We h o l d that respondent failed
to reacquire his Philippine citizenship for non-compliance with the requirements of Republic Act No. 2630 and is thus ineligible to run for member, House of Representatives, representing the lone district of San Juan City,� it said. “Without direct proof of his oath of allegiance being registered in the local civil registry in the place where he resides, Respondent cannot be considered to have reacquired his Philippine citizenship under our laws. Hence, Respondent is not a Filipino citizen at the time he kLED HIS #/# FOR MEMber of the House of Representatives for the lone district of San Juan City.� WILLIAM DEPASUPIL Q Edu Manzano
Construction of LRT-1 Cavite extension starts THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE #AVITE EXTENsion of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) would begin on Tuesday, May 7, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said on Monday. “What commences tomorrow is the ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE EXTENSION LINE fulfilling the decades-old promise of connecting the province of Cavite to Metro Manila through a railway network,� THE $/4R SAID IN A STATEMENT This signals the completion of the right of way acquisition for the project, it added. 4HE KILOMETER #AVITE EXTENSION
project will have eight stations connecting Baclaran station to Bacoor, Cavite. It is set to be completed in 2021. The new stations will be dubbed Aseana, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, Dr Santos, Las PiĂąas, Zapote, and Niog. Light Rail Manila Corporation (LMRC) President Juan Alfonso said the project would cost between P25 billion and P30 billion. To finance this, he said LRMC obtained loans amounting to P25 billion. /NCE OPERATIONAL THE ,24 #AVITE EXtension would boost the current 300,000 rail traffic to 800,000. LISBET K. ESMAEL
PSEi 7,862.30 DOWN 1.33%
P51.92 TO $1
www.manilatimes.net
TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019 A S I A N S TO C K S: W S h a n g h a i 5 . 5 8 %
What’s inside THE 2019 MIDTERM ELECTIONS: ENDGAME – MANAGING BusinessB2 FOR SOCIETY
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DISBURSEMENTS OF OFW BENEFITS REACH P5.65B
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‘Higher wages raising costs’ ()'(%2 WAGES IN THE 0HILIPPINES AND OTHER %AST AND 3OUTHEAST Asian countries would not only lead to increasing production COSTS BUT ALSO TO GROWING PRIVATE consumption, according to Fitch Solutions. In a report on Monday, the Fitch Group unit said minimum wages in this region were currently on the rise, increasing the costs of production.
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PH can get ‘A’ rating if reforms continue – DoF T BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO
HE Philippines has a “good chance� of achieving an “A� investment-grade rating from international debt watchers if the government continues to seek REFORMS AND MAINTAIN STABLE kSCAL METRICS ACCORDING TO Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd. )N A SPEECH ON -ONDAY $OMINGUEZ CREDIT SCORE FROM 3 0 'LOBAL 2ATsaid the country’s recently upgraded ings signalled strong international
CONkDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT S kSCAL management. g4HE UPGRADE PUTS THE 0HILIPPINES ABOVE COUNTRIES LIKE )TALY 0ORTUGAL AND )NDONESIA AND JUST A NOTCH BELOW COUNtries like Spain and Malaysia. This puts us at par with countries like Mexico, 0ERU AND 4HAILAND u HE ADDED 3 0 UPGRADED LAST WEEK THE COUNTRY S credit rating from “BBB� to “BBB+� AND ASSIGNED A STABLE OUTLOOK )T SAID
SC: Public bidding for PSAs a must 4(% 3UPREME #OURT 3# HAS RULED that all power-supply agreements 03!S OF THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD UNDERGO PUBLIC BIDDING In a 10-2 decision dated Friday BUT RELEASED ONLY ON -ONDAY THE HIGH COURT SAID 03!S SUBMITTED BY DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES $5S TO THE %NERGY 2EGULATORY #OMMISSION
%2# ON OR AFTER *UNE must undergo a competitive selecTION PROCESS #30 ! #30 IS A FORM OF PUBLIC BIDding for the purchase of electricity BY $5S AND WAS CREATED TO PROTECT consumers. 2ULES FOR IT REQUIRE DISTRIBUTORS to get at least two offers for power
SUPPLY BEFORE AWARDING A DEAL ensuring that consumers get the least cost. 4HE HIGH TRIBUNAL SAID THE %2# COMMITTED GRAVE ABUSE OF DISCRETION amounting to lack or excess of jurisDICTION WHEN IT POSTPONED THE #30 requirement with resolutions issued
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BIR to probe firms with illegal aliens 4(% "UREAU OF )NTERNAL 2EVENUE ")2 WILL RUN AFTER SERVICE providers that employ unregistered foreign workers, and have initial tax discrepancies totaling 0 BILLION In a statement on Monday,
THE TAX BUREAU SAID IT HAD CREATED A TASK FORCE TO PROBE COMpanies that employ foreigners FOR POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS OF THE tax code. “The list of foreign nationals EMPLOYED BY COMPANIES IN THE
0HILIPPINES WERE SECURED FROM various government agencies and reconciled against the AlphaBETICAL ,IST SUBMITTED BY THESE entities and their withholding tax remittances,� it added.
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THE 0HILIPPINES COULD EXPECT ANOTHER upgrade over the next two years if the government makes significant gains IN ITS kSCAL REFORM PROGRAM OR IF THE country’s external position improves such that its status as a net external CREDITOR BECOMES MORE SECURE OVER THE long term. 4HE DEBT WATCHER MAY ALSO RAISE RATings if it would found that the institu-
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Russia’s own flying PR disaster
NY sense of schadenfreude Russia and its aircraft industry might have felt over Boeing’s deepening woes with its apparENTLY UNlYABLE AND UNSELLABLE 737 MAX went up in flames on Monday in the wreck of a SukhoiSuperjet 100 at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. The maker of some of the world’s most DEADLY COMBAT AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN hoping to cash in on Boeing’s struggles and gain a foothold in THE COMMERCIAL MARKET BUT HAVE evidently applied the adjective “deadly� in entirely the wrong way. The Sukhoi airliner operated BY 2USSIAN lAG CARRIER !EROlOT
ROUGH TRADE BEN KRITZ had just departed Sheremetyevo for Murmansk with 78 people ON BOARD WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED AS YET UNKNOWN DIFkCULTIES AND attempted to return to the airport for an emergency landing. The plane, which was reportedly on kRE WHEN IT LANDED MANAGED TO GET BACK TO %ARTH RELATIVELY SAFELY BUT THEN WAS ENGULFED IN lAMES KILLING OF THE ON BOARD
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Business Times
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
Disbursements of OFW benefits reach P5.65B T retirement, as it pushes to implement their compulsory coverage as MANDATED BY 2EPUBLIC !CT or the Social Security Act of 2018. 333 0RESIDENT AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER !URORA )GNACIO SAID THE pension fund would exhaust all ways to come out with guidelines on this coverage. “However, we must settle some issues in the implementing guidelines. We will continue to hold discussions with our partners in government who are jointly mandated with the SSS under the new law to ensure compulsory OFW COVERAGE NAMELY THE $EPARTMENT
OF ,ABOR AND %MPLOYMENT AND its concerned agencies such as THE 0HILIPPINE /VERSEAS %MPLOYment Administration, and the $EPARTMENT OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS u she added. g,EADERS FROM BOTH LAND BASED AND SEA BASED /&7 SECTORS WILL ALSO BE CONSULTED IN THE PROCESS ANDwWE WILL SEE HOW WE CAN BEST IMPLEMENT the provisions of the law.� The SSS is proposing that all LAND BASED /&7S SHOULD PAY AT least a minimum monthly contriBUTION OF 0 4HIS IS EQUIVALENT to 12 percent of the new minimum MONTHLY SALARY CREDIT -3# FOR /&7S OF 0 !N /&7 MEMBER WILL GET times in return from his or her CONTRIBUTION OR 0 IN TOTAL LUMP SUM BENEkTS FOR DISABILITY death or retirement, plus funeral grant even if he or she paid only ONE MONTH OF CONTRIBUTION AT THE
NEW MINIMUM -3# If they opt to pay at the highEST -3# OF 0 OR A 0 MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION THE BENEkT AMOUNT WOULD BE 0 3ICKNESS BENEFIT WILL ALSO INcrease under the new minimum -3# &ROM THE PREVIOUS 0 DAY IT WILL INCREASE BY PERCENT TO 0 DAY -ATERNITY BENEFIT WILL ALSO INCREASE FROM 0 0 TO 0 UNDER THE %XPANDED -ATERNITY ,EAVE ,AW which took effect on March 11. &OR RETIREMENT BENEkT THOSE WITH QUALIFYING MONTHLY CONTRIBUTIONS AT 0 -3# WILL HAVE A BASIC MONTHLY PENSION AMOUNTING TO 0 )F THEY ARE PAYING BASED ON THE 0 -3# THE PENSION BENEkT WILL BE 0 PER MONTH SSS, as an implementor of the law, will make sure that all proVISIONS UNDER 2! WILL BE REALIZED
BUT YOU KNOW ) THINK WE STAND A good chance� of doing that, the $EPARTMENT OF &INANCE $O& chief added. To achieve this, he said, the govTIONAL SETTINGS IN THE 0HILIPPINES ernment would keep on pushing have markedly improved . for crucial legislation, like on tax It cautioned, however, that REFORM AND MAINTAIN SOLID GOVERNhigher-than-expected net general MENT kSCAL ACCOUNTS LOW PUBLIC GOVERNMENT DEBT LEVELS AND A SIG- INDEBTEDNESS AND THE ECONOMY S NIkCANT DECLINE IN GROSS DOMESTIC sound external settings. PRODUCT '$0 COULD LEAD TO A downgrade. Above 6% GDP growth $OMINGUEZ SAID IN AN INTERVIEW that the government aimed to at- -EANWHILE $OMINGUEZ ALSO tain an “A� rating, not just from considered it “very good� if the 3 0 BUT ALSO FROM -OODYS )NVES- ECONOMY WOULD BE ABLE TO GROW tors Service and Fitch Ratings. ABOVE PERCENT IN THE kRST QUARg;!N g!u RATING= BY ‡THAT S TER OF THE YEAR GIVEN THE SETBACKS OUR TARGET ;FOR ALL THREE CREDIT RAT- during the period. ERS= u HE TOLD REPORTERS g!NYTHING ABOVE PERCENT WILL “We will not rest on our laurels. BE VERY GOOD CONSIDERING ALL THE I dont know how these guys do it, conditions that happened,� he said.
/FkCIAL kRST QUARTER '$0 GROWTH IS SET TO BE RELEASED ON 4HURSDAY A Manila Times poll showed that the country’s economy growth LIKELY SLOWED IN *ANUARY TO -ARCH AS ESTIMATES RANGED FROM PERCENT TO PERCENT WITH A percent average. This is lower than the 6.6-percent expansion in the same period in 2018 and the 6.3-percent revised upward growth in the fourth quarter of 2018. %XPLAINING HIS VIEW $OMINGUEZ said the delay in the passage of THE NATIONAL BUDGET LIKELY dragged economic growth during the period. g4HE BUDGET DELAY S IMPACT ON GOVERNMENT SPENDING WAS DOUBLE than what we expected. We expectED 0 BILLION BUT IT TURNS OUT THAT WE UNDERSPENT 0 BILLION DURING
the period,� he added. 4HE BUDGET WAS SIGNED BY 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE TWO weeks ago, after months of delay CAUSED BY A DISPUTE BETWEEN THE Senate and the House of Representatives over alleged insertions that the #HIEF %XECUTIVE ULTIMATELY VETOED The controversy had forced the government to operate on last YEAR S BUDGET SINCE THE START OF UNTIL !PRIL 4HIS MEANT AGENcies could only spend for items detailed in the 2018 outlay and not on programs and projects supPOSED TO BE IMPLEMENTED THIS YEAR 4HE kRST QUARTER BUDGET SHORTFALL OF 0 BILLION WAS SUBSEquently 40.6-percent lower than THE 0 BILLION POSTED A YEAR EARLIER )T WAS ALSO PERCENT OR 0 BILLION LOWER THAN programmed.
Q PROBE FROM B1
In an interview, Internal 2EVENUE #OMMISSIONER #AESAR $ULAY SAID THESE COMPANIES WERE SERVICE PROVIDERS OF foreign workers for the offshore gaming sector, adding that initial estimates showed that they HAVE gA TOTAL OF 0 BILLION ;IN= tax discrepancies.� !CCORDING TO THE BUREAU $ULAY ISSUED NOTICES TO THESE providers to rectify these discrepancies found and pay the TAX DUE OR THEY WILL BE INVESTIgated and audited. “If they fight it, that’s another story. We’ll tell them to open THEIR BOOKS u THE ")2 CHIEF SAID ! $EPARTMENT OF &INANCE led interagency task force is concurrently working to ensure THAT FOREIGNERS EMPLOYED BY THE offshore gaming sector are paying income taxes. The department has estimated that the government is LOSING ABOUT 0 BILLION ANNU-
ally from uncollected offshore gaming worker income taxes. After consolidating data from various agencies, the task force has come up with an initial list of some 138,000 foreigners, OF WHOM HAVE BEEN GIVen alien employment permits and another 83,760 holding special working permits. & I N A N C E 3 E C R E T A R Y # A R L O S $OMINGUEZ RD HAS SAID THOSE on the list have no taxpayer IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS AND THAT their reported salaries were only ABOUT 0 EACH MONTHLY WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS gRIDICUlously low.� Assuming that each foreign worker earns an averAGE OF A MONTH AND IS TAXED AT PERCENT OF HIS OR HER GROSS INCOME $OMINGUEZ came up with a rough estimate OF 0 BILLION A YEAR IN INCOME TAXES TO BE COLLECTED MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO
BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO
HE Social Security System (SSS) reported on Monday that its disbursements for overseas &ILIPINO WORKER /&7 BENEkTS ROSE TO P5.65 billion last year. The state-run pension fund did NOT PROVIDE A COMPARABLE kGURE BUT SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THE AMOUNT BENEkTTED MORE than 63,000 OFW pensioners and MEMBERS 4HE AMOUNT ACCOUNTED FOR PERCENT OF THE 0 BILLION WORTH OF CONTRIBUTIONS COLLECTED FROM OFWs last year. As of end-2018, there were 1.14 million registered OFWs in the sysTEM OF WHICH ABOUT WERE PAYING MEMBERS DURING THE YEAR SSS assured of its commitment to give OFWs higher social-security BENEkTS ESPECIALLY DURING THEIR
Q REFORMS FROM B1
PH can
BIR to probe firms
A
The dark side of labor outsourcing O BEYOND 543/52#).' IS A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD *UST LIKE RELIgion and politics, we can always ARGUE FOR AND AGAINST IT AD INkNItum. It depends much on where ONE IS SEATED 4HE TROUBLE IS WE have heard so many good things ABOUT OUTSOURCING BUT NOT MUCH ON THE BAD SIDE 7ITH THAT IN MIND LET S FOCUS ON THE BAD SIDE 0ROFESSOR 0ANOS -OURDOUKoutas, chair of the economics DEPARTMENT AT ,)5 0OST IN .EW York has written extensively on the many disadvantages of outSOURCING )N HIS &ORBES ARTICLES ON g4HE 5NINTENDED #ONSEQUENCES of Outsourcing,� Mourdoukoutas, WHO ALSO TEACHES AT #OLUMBIA 5NIVERSITY LISTS DOWN WHY WE can’t use outsourcing in achieving a competitive advantage: g/UTSOURCING IS EASY TO BE REPLICATED BY THE COMPETITION IT leads to fragmentation and disintegration of the supply chain, inviting new competitors into the industry. It also nurtures corporate COMPLACENCY AND IT UNDERMINES A COMPANY S RELATIONS WITH ITS LABOR customers and the domestic and local communities.� )N PARTICULAR LET S FOCUS ON LABOR outsourcing which is a muchABUSED MANAGEMENT PRACTICE IN THE 0HILIPPINES THAT LED 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO 2OA $UTERTE TO STOP THE PERNICIOUS PRACTICE OF gENDOu ALSO KNOWN AS OR THE SYSTEMatic and cyclical termination of employment of workers as soon AS THEY REACH THEIR kFTH MONTH OF deployment. "UT WHAT S LABOR OUTSOURCING !CCORDING TO THE BOOK g%Mployment and Outsourcing under 0HILIPPINE ,AW u PROMINENT LABOR MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST #ESARIO ! !ZUCENA SAYS THE TERM IS REFERRED TO AS gLABOR CONTRACTING ALSO KNOWN AS PLAINLY OUTSOURCING IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR /UTSOURCING BASICALLY refers to an arrangement where a WORKER PERFORMS A JOB FOR ANOTHER WITHOUT BECOMING THE LATTER S EMployee. In that arrangement, the worker is considered a contractor rather than an employee and the HIRER IS A PRINCIPAL CLIENT OR CONTRACTEE RATHER THAN AN EMPLOYER “Between the contractor and THE PRINCIPAL THE LABOR LAWS DO NOT APPLY BECAUSE THE RELATIONSHIP BEtween them is not “employment� AND THE LABOR STANDARDS AND LABOR relations laws therefore do not cover them.� 4HIS IS THE BEEF !ND ) KNOW WHAT ) M TALKING ABOUT ) WAS A VICTIM OF LABOR CONTRACTING WHEN ) USED TO WORK AS A BANK MESSENGER COLLECTOR IN THE EARLY S WHEN I was trying to scale the corporate ladder. As I work my way to college, I performed the tasks of SORTING BILLS DELIVERING THEM TO customers and collect payments at the same time. My young mind didn’t even know the difference BETWEEN gEMPLOYMENTu AND gLABOR CONTRACTING u We were receiving direct instruc-
BUZZWORDS
REY ELBO TIONS FROM BANK OFkCIALS AND NOT FROM THE LABOR CONTRACTOR KNOWN today as manpower agency. The BANK S CREDIT AND COLLECTION MANager was closely supervising our WORK 4HE BANK REIMBURSED OUR JEEPNEY AND BUS FARES IN DELIVERING THE BILLS )T WAS A CLEAR CASE OF employer-employee relationship, except that the agency’s role was limited to processing and releasing our payroll. 4HE BANK SUPERVISED US VERY closely. They monitored our performance as to the timeliness of OUR BILLS DELIVERY AND COLLECTION EFkCIENCY ,OOKING BACK ) CONSIDER those management practices and PROCESSES AS THE MOST BACKWARD if not downright stupid when compared with today’s system. But that’s another story. 4HE ISSUE ABOUT LABOR CONTRACTing is legal. We need lawyers and LIARS TO TALK ABOUT IT 3INCE ) M NOT a lawyer, I’d rather focus on the BAD SIDE OF LABOR OUTSOURCING AS A pernicious management practice. ,ET ME COUNT THE WAYS One, endo workers are treated AS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS 0EOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS DENY IT TO HIGH HEAVENS BUT REALITY IS ON OUR SIDE Go to any workplace and you’ll discover a whole lot of difference IN THE WAY THEY RE BEING TREATED BY THE PRINCIPAL CLIENT %VEN IF they exceed work performance consistently over the years, the fact remains they’re non-regulars which would always go against them. Two, endo workers are the MUCH ABUSED PEOPLE 2EGULAR workers of the principal employer would often pass their work assignment to their temporary workers and overload them in the process even if the former is not fully occupied, thus creating a two-level type of unnecessary line superviSION m THE REAL BOSS AND THEIR regular workers. Also, temporaries ARE ASSIGNED TO WORK ON $ DIRTY DIFkCULT DEMEANING JOBS USUALLY without any personal protective equipment. Three, endo workers are the MAIN CAUSE OF INEFkCIENCY 7ELL AT least indirectly when the principal employer is lulled into complacency of hiring more temporary workers when the volume of production goes up. This is an easy APPROACH FOR LAZY MANAGERS OF THE principal who, instead of thinking of smart ways of cutting cost and removing unnecessary wastes, would resort to a hire-and-fire mode of endo workers. Four, endo workers are often discriminated. Temporary and regular workers of the principal employer don’t enjoy the same
ÂłElbo B4
The 2019 midterm elections: Endgame
S of today, !VENGERS %NDGAME HAS EARNED MORE THAN BILLION WORLDWIDE 4HIS IS DEkNITELY much more than the supposed BILLION PRE CAMPAIGN ADS OF certain senatorial candidates as REPORTED BY THE 0HILIPPINE #ENTER FOR )NVESTIGATIVE *OURNALISM IN THE article titled “Mysterious Millions: 4HE 0OOREST ,ESS 7EALTH 3PEND 7ORST ON 0OLITICAL !DSu !LTHOUGH BOTH TALK ABOUT BILLION IN DIFferent denominations, the result, that is the endgame, IS THAT BOTH aim to win people’s hearts and MINDS 7HILE THE MOVIE BROUGHT people to alternate universes and timelines, the upcoming elections will affect the realities and lives of Filipinos at the local, regional and national levels. Aside from the congressmen, governors and mayors who are ending their three-year terms, the changing of the guard in the 5PPER (OUSE IS LOOMING WITH the elections for 12 six-year term senators. More than 60 candidates WANT TO BE PART OF THE 3ENATE BUT
MANAGING FOR SOCIETY
BRIAN GOZUN there are predominantly two groups of candidates. One group PROPOSES COLLABORATION WITH THE current administration while the other opposes the status quo. Both make starkly different campaign PROMISES AND SUBSCRIBE TO gTHE BEGINNING OF THE ENDu MANTRA which is what the %NDGAME plot BRINGS ABOUT *OSEPH ,ALONDE, IN HIS BLOG POST TITLED g1UOTES AND ,EADERSHIP ,ESSONS FROM !VENGERS %NDGAME,â€? provided lessons that CAN BE USED IN CHOOSING LEADERS for our country this coming May &OR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE SPOILERS AHEADĂœ The movie starts with one of THE MAIN CHARACTER S (AWKEYE DAUGHTER HITTING THE BULL S EYE during archery practice. The
scene showed how continuous PRACTICE IS ESSENTIAL IN BECOMING BETTER AND STRONGER 4HUS WHEN choosing leaders, we must make sure they are willing to learn and improve their craft as they create OR IMPLEMENT LAWS ,EADERS WHO ARE LIFELONG LEARNERS WILL BE CRITIcal and creative in dealing with issues facing the country. 6IEWERS WERE SHOCKED BY 4HANOS THE ANTAGONIST DESTRUCTIVE ACTIONS AND HIS ABILITY TO INSTANTLY change things with the snap of his fingers. This is also true in our current world. Our realities CAN CHANGE IN AN INSTANT BECAUSE of disruptions in technologies, climate change, natural disasters AND THE LIKE 3ADLY THERE WILL BE changes which will catch us unaware and unprepared. Thus, we need to vote for politicians with FORESIGHT AND lEXIBILITY TO SEE THE future and adapt to changes. Failure as seen in the movie happens ALL THE TIME BUT WORKING AS A TEAM made the Avengers stronger to face such a powerful villain.
This coming elections, we hope for leaders whose characteristics are found in some of the most MEMORABLE !VENGER SUPERHEROES We all desire to have strong, charismatic, intelligent and powerful leaders who will deliver us from 4HANOS LIKE PROBLEMS BESETTING our country. In the end, we choose our leaders. We have to move forWARD AS A COUNTRY BECAUSE IF WE do not act now, we can no longer UNDO OUR MISTAKES AND FAILURES BEcause “no amount of money ever BOUGHT A SECOND OF TIMEu AS SAID BY ONE OF THE !VENGERS 4HE TIME IS NOW ,ET US ALL VOTE FOR A BRIGHTER AND BETTER 0HILIPPINESĂœ
"RIAN # 'OZUN IS DEAN OF THE 2AMON 6 DEL 2OSARIO #OLLEGE OF "USINESS $E ,A 3ALLE 5NIVERSITY Manila. He is one of the millions WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE BOX OFkCE REVENUES OF !VENGERS %NDGAME and is imploring millions more to DO THEIR SHARE IN SELECTING THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST IN THE UPCOMING elections.
Corporate News SM Prime Q1 profit grows 16% to P8.8B ˜ The Manila Times
w w w.manilatimes.net
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS
L
ISTED SM Prime Holdings Inc. reported on Monday that its net income increased by 16 PERCENT TO 0 BILLION IN THE kRST QUARTER OF FROM 0 BILLION IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR
In a disclosure, the Sy-led property developer said its consolidated revenues rose by 14 percent to 0 BILLION FROM 0 BILLION /F THE LATEST AMOUNT PERCENT
were attributed to its mall business; 35 percent, its residential segment; and the rest, its other RECURRING INCOME PORTFOLIO SUCH as hotels, convention centers and
commercial properties. On a standalone basis, SM Prime’s mall business reported an 8-percent growth in revenues to 0 BILLION IN *ANUARY TO -ARCH FROM 0 BILLION A YEAR AGO Rental income reached P12.9 BILLION AN PERCENT INCREASE FROM P11.9 billion year-on-year, with the growth helped by malls that opened over the past two years. 3- 0RIME IS SET TO OPEN FOUR more malls this year, namely in
Dagupan City in Pangasinan province, Olongapo City in Zambales province, Zamboanga City, and Butuan City in Agusan del Norte province. In the residential segment, SM Prime, through subsidiary SM Development Corp. (SMDC), saw its revenues grow by 23 percent to P9.2 BILLION IN THE THREE MONTHS FROM P7.5 billion. It credited the growth to higher construction accomplishments in 2015 to 2017.
Strong residential sales were still driven by international buyERS OVERSEAS &ILIPINO WORKERS AND the emerging middle class, the company said. SMDC’s reservation sales increased by 20 percent to P17.8 BILLION IN THE PERIOD FROM 0 billion in 2018. It launched 4,585 units in the quarter, 19-percent higher than the 3,894 units launched a year ago. SM Prime is scheduled to launch
B3
15,000 to 20,000 residential units across the company’s high-rise and mid-rise building and singledetached house-and-lot projects this year. !S FOR ITS OTHER BUSINESSES 3- Prime said revenues grew by 14 PERCENT TO 0 BILLION IN *ANUARY TO -ARCH FROM 0 BILLION A YEAR earlier. 3- 0RIME SHARES FELL BY CENtavos or 1.96 percent to close at P40.10 each on Monday.
Businessinbriefs
Globe income up to P6.7B in Jan-March
SECURITY BANK EARNINGS HIT P2.38B IN JAN-MARCH
GLOBE Telecom Inc. saw its net income soar by 44 percent to P6.7 BILLION IN THE kRST THREE MONTHS OF THE YEAR FROM 0 BILLION IN THE same period in 2019. In a disclosure on Monday, the Ayala-led telecommunications giant said the latest amount was buoyed by the 24-percent increase IN ITS CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS BEFORE interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, which stood at P19.9 billion. 4HIS IT ADDED HELPED OFFSET depreciation charges and nonoperating expenses in the period. 'LOBE #HIEF #OMMERCIAL /FkCER !LBERT DE ,ARRAZABAL SAID DATA
SECURITY Bank Corp. reported on Monday that its net income rose to P2.38 billion in the first quarter of 2019. In a disclosure, the listed lender said the amount was a 1.2-percent increase from P2.35 billion in the same period of 2018. The latest income figure, it added, also allowed the bank to post a return on shareholders’ equity of 8.6 percent. Total revenues grew by 20 percent year-on-year to P7.6 billion as net interest income from customer loans and deposits was said to have sustained its healthy trajectory by jumping by 29 percent to P4.7 billion. The growth was driven by the continued expansion of retail loans and low-cost deposits, which grew by 49 percent and 11 percent, respectively. Total loans rose by 12 percent year-on-year to P412 billion; total deposits, 10 percent to P461 billion. Total net interest income grew by 15 percent to P5.8 billion, with interest income from financial investments rising by 11 percent. Service charges, fees and commissions increased by 26 percent to P857 million on the back of major contributors such as credit cards, bancassurance, deposit charges and stock brokerage. Security Bank shares increased by P1.20 or 0.66 percent to close at P180 each on Monday. MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO
EAGLE CEMENT Q1 PROFIT CLIMBS 49% TO P1.6B EAGLE Cement Corp. saw its net profit surge by 49 percent to P1.6 billion during the first quarter of the year from P1.07 billion in the same period in 2018 on the back of higher revenues. In a report, the Ramon Ang-led cement firm said revenues jumped by 34 percent to P5.37 billion from P4 billion year-on-year, supported by the double-digit growth in sales volume and improvement in the average selling price of cement. Of total sales, 81 percent was accounted for Type 1P or bagged cement, and the remaining 19 percent came from Type 1 or bulk cement, with strong demand still driven by private consumption. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization stood at P2.07 billion, a 27-percent jump from P1.63 billion in January to March 2018. Operating income also rose by 22 percent to P1.78 billion from P1.47 billion, while operating expense went up by 27 percent to P522.7 million from P412 million, primarily driven by the 31-percent jump in freight cost and 89-percent rise in manpower cost. Eagle Cement shares remained flat at P16 on Monday. ANGELICA BALLESTEROS
Value
Chg
%Chg
PSEi
7,862.30
-105.68
Ĺş
All Shares
4,859.86
-46.2
Ĺş
Financials
1,735.65
-38.81
Ĺş
Industrial
11,710.81
-121.29
Ĺş
Holding Firms
7,540.83
-51.45
Ĺş
Services
1,596.64
-17.81
Ĺş
Mining and Oil
7,687.45
-50.91
Ĺş
Property
4,196.64
-76.67
Ĺş
!9!,! ,AND )NC LISTED ON -ONDAY kXED RATE bonds worth P8 billion on the Philippine Dealing Exchange (PDEx). The bonds have a tenor or seven years and shall yield 6.369 percent annually. Proceeds will be PARTIALLY USED TO kNANCE THE LISTED PROPERTY COMPANY S 0 BILLION CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FOR Ayala Land tapped BDO Capital and Investment #ORP "0) #APITAL #ORP #HINA "ANK #APITAL #ORP %AST 7EST "ANKING #ORP &IRST -ETRO )NVESTMENT #ORP ).' "ANK . 6 0HILIPPINES 0." #APITAL AND Investment Corp., and SB Capital Investment Corp. AS UNDERWRITERS FOR THE TRANSACTION 4HE BONDS SERVE AS THE kRST TRANCHE OF !YALA ,AND S 0 BILLION SHELF REGISTRATION PROGRAM that the Securities and Exchange Commission
SERVICES
Stock indices as of May 6, 2019
PSEi
ALL SHARES
Globe’s home broadband business saw its revenues rise by 21 perCENT TO 0 BILLION IN THE kRST THREE MONTHS AFTER REGISTERING MORE THAN 1.7 million subscribers, a 22-percent INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR S kGURE g&OR WE ARE CONFIDENT in our ability to maintain this strong growth momentum with the aggressive investments in the NETWORK COUPLED WITH THE EVOLVING LIFESTYLE BUNDLES THAT AIM TO STRONGLY INlUENCE THE DIGITAL LIFE OF &ILIPINOS u 'LOBE 0RESIDENT AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER %RNEST #U WAS QUOTED AS SAYING IN THE kLING “We believe this would allow FULL YEAR REVENUES TO INCREASE
BY HIGH SINGLE DIGITS FROM levels,� he added. Given Globe’s data-driven growth, Larrazabal said data would be prioritized in the P63 billion it alloted as its capital expenditures this year to “support the momentum.� &OR ITS SHIFT TO THE &IFTH 'ENERATION ' NETWORK HE TOLD REPORTERS THAT THE COMPANY WAS ON TRACK TO LAUNCH THE NETWORK IN *UNE tapping home subscribers residing outside Metro Manila. He did not SPECIkY THE gKEY URBAN CENTERSu FOR its initial rollout. Globe shares increased by 3.61 perCENT OR 0 TO kNISH AT 0 APIECE on Monday. LISBET K. ESMAEL
Ayala Land lists P8-B fixed-rate bonds on PDEx
HOLDING FIRMS
Index
usage remained the telco’s main REVENUE DRIVER AS IT ACCOUNTED FOR PERCENT OF SERVICE REVENUES Consolidated service revenues hit P36 billion, 13 percent higher THAN THE kGURE Mobile revenues grew by 11 percent to P27 billion in the quarter, while mobile data revenues reached P16.5 billion on growing DEMAND -OBILE DATA TRAFkC HIT 370 petabytes, compared with 180 petabytes in 2018. g)F YOU LOOK AT OUR PERFORMANCE YOU CAN SEE THAT OUR PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN QUITE STRONG ! LOT OF IT [was] driven by data,� Larrazabal SAID IN A BRIEkNG ON -ONDAY
MINING AND OIL
approved in late April. g7E ARE PLEASED THAT DESPITE THE NUMBER OF COMPETING ISSUES AND A LONGER TENOR OF SEVEN YEARS OUR BOND OFFER WAS WELL RECEIVED BY THE MARKET !ND WE WERE ABLE TO PRICE AT THE TIGHTEST END OF THE MARKETING RANGE u !YALA ,AND #HIEF &INANCE /FkCER !UGUSTO "ENGZON TOLD REPORTERS ON THE SIDELINES OF THE LISTING EVENT ON -ONDAY g) BELIEVE OUR FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE YEAR HAVE BEEN FULLY COVERED u HE ADDED Bengzon said the company also entered into two bilateral-term loan agreements prior to the bond issuance, adding that there would be two more in the next two months. Proceeds will also HELP kNANCE THE CAPITAL ALLOTMENT !YALA ,AND IS ALSO KEEN ON ISSUING GREEN BONDS
SHOULD TERMS GET kNALIZED ACCORDING TO HIM g7E CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT THAT GREEN BONDS !S YOU KNOW WE HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS OVER THE PAST kVE YEARS WITH DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS ON A GREEN BOND FOR !YALA ,AND /UR CONSIDERATION IS that it should be in local currency,� Bengzon said. g)F WE ARE GOING TO RECEIVE GOOD TERMS FOR A green bond, then we will certainly would consider ISSUING ONE OF THOSE INSTRUMENTS u HE ADDED 4HE OFkCIAL SAID !YALA ,AND IDENTIkED FOUR FOCUS AREAS FOR THE BONDS PEDESTRIANIZATION AND TRANSPORT CONNECTIVITY ECO EFkCIENCY SITE RESILIENCE and local community development. Ayala Land shares shed 60 centavos or 1.27 PERCENT TO kNISH AT 0 ON -ONDAY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS
TOP ACTIVE STOCKS No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Security Name Ayala Land, Inc. Ayala Corporation International Container Terminal Services, Inc. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company Jollibee Foods Corporation 0HWUR 3DFLÂżF ,QYHVWPHQWV &RUSRUDWLRQ Universal Robina Corporation SM Investments Corporation BDO Unibank, Inc. Bank of the Philippine Islands Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. Globe Telecom, Inc. Security Bank Corporation PLDT Inc. Cemex Holdings Philippines, Inc. Bloomberry Resorts Corporation Megaworld Corporation Alliance Global Group, Inc. SSI Group, Inc.
Last Price 46.8 898 128 40.1 72.85 302 4.25 163 940 135 83 52.55 1,865.00 180 1,245.00 2.32 12 5.68 15.1 3.11
Chg -0.6 -2 -8.7 -0.8 -1.15 1 -0.1 -4 -20 -4 -2.65 0.55 65 -1.2 25 0.02 -0.26 -0.1 -0.22 -0.12
%Chg -1.27% -0.22% -6.36% -1.96% -1.55% 0.33% -2.30% -2.40% -2.08% -2.88% -3.09% 1.06% 3.61% -0.66% 2.05% 0.87% -2.12% -1.73% -1.44% -3.72%
ź ź ź ź ź Ÿ ź ź ź ź ź Ÿ Ÿ ź Ÿ Ÿ ź ź ź ź
Volume 21,637,100.00 369,980.00 2,261,200.00 6,142,900.00 2,946,850.00 628,950.00 43,601,000.00 1,140,880.00 178,970.00 1,025,170.00 1,651,630.00 2,323,800.00 60,855.00 606,330.00 83,860.00 42,008,000.00 7,922,500.00 16,547,000.00 5,671,600.00 24,071,000.00
Value(P) 1,009,552,820.00 331,643,690.00 296,362,136.00 246,394,810.00 214,927,792.00 190,782,738.00 187,046,910.00 185,353,790.00 168,841,315.00 140,181,166.00 139,533,368.50 122,253,047.00 112,833,190.00 108,707,634.00 104,243,340.00 97,626,790.00 95,346,330.00 94,414,172.00 84,997,302.00 74,972,050.00
*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg
TOP GAINERS
FINANCIALS
INDUSTRIAL
PROPERTY
INDEX HISTORY Date May 6, 2019 May 3, 2019 May 2, 2019 Apr 30, 2019 Apr 29, 2019 Apr 26, 2019 Apr 25, 2019 Apr 24, 2019 Apr 23, 2019 Apr 22, 2019 Apr 17, 2019 Apr 16, 2019 Apr 15, 2019 Apr 12, 2019 Apr 11, 2019 Apr 10, 2019 Apr 8, 2019 Apr 5, 2019 Apr 4, 2019 Apr 3, 2019 Apr 2, 2019 Apr 1, 2019 Mar 29, 2019 Mar 28, 2019 Mar 27, 2019 Mar 26, 2019 Mar 25, 2019 Mar 22, 2019 Mar 21, 2019 Mar 20, 2019
Open 7,973 8,004 7,953 7,892 7,861 7,893 7,848 7,799 7,827 7,840 7,833 7,800 7,888 7,971 7,991 7,976 7,879 7,866 7,893 7,880 7,854 7,923 7,891 7,898 7,916 7,875 7,994 7,957 7,876 7,848
High 7,974 8,078 8,041 7,953 7,897 7,900 7,894 7,847 7,835 7,859 7,861 7,860 7,915 7,980 8,000 8,009 7,955 7,887 7,898 7,895 7,894 7,924 7,921 7,898 7,916 7,911 7,994 8,032 7,955 7,876
Low 7,851 7,968 7,947 7,889 7,846 7,840 7,832 7,799 7,770 7,818 7,824 7,799 7,788 7,881 7,956 7,953 7,879 7,866 7,836 7,861 7,854 7,810 7,887 7,856 7,841 7,869 7,808 7,951 7,869 7,824
Close 7,862 7,968 8,002 7,953 7,897 7,868 7,894 7,847 7,819 7,832 7,835 7,826 7,788 7,881 7,956 8,009 7,916 7,873 7,854 7,895 7,879 7,840 7,921 7,876 7,861 7,907 7,863 8,013 7,955 7,858
CLOSE
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Security Name
Volume
Value
Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. 1,415,300.00 48,245,220.00 Citystate Savings Bank, Inc. 500 4,245.00 Apollo Global Capital, Inc. 45,200,000.00 1,912,700.00 MRC Allied Incorporated 87,520,000.00 31,940,500.00 Phinma Petroleum And Geothermal, Inc. 28,000.00 100,010.00 DFNN, Inc. 41,700.00 284,322.00 Century Peak Metals Holdings Corporation 3,404,000.00 9,572,870.00 Zeus Holdings, Inc. 10,870,000.00 3,653,550.00 Manila Jockey Club, Inc. 116,000.00 576,230.00 Primex Corporation 989,000.00 2,761,500.00 Asian Terminals, Inc. 66,900.00 1,056,098.00 Globe Telecom, Inc. 60,855.00 112,833,190.00 Philippine Realty & Holdings Corporation 1,420,000.00 635,500.00 Arthaland Corporation Series “Bâ€? Perpetual Preferred Shares 500.00 49,500.00 'HO 0RQWH 3DFLÂżF /LPLWHG 200.00 1,196.00 3DFLÂżFD ,QF 7,200,000.00 281,300.00 Swift Foods, Inc. 10,000.00 1,330.00 Puregold Price Club, Inc. 885,100.00 38,943,800.00 Cebu Landmasters, Inc. 2,469,000.00 11,687,440.00 PLDT Inc. 83,860.00 104,243,340.00
Last Price
Chg
%Chg
34.35 8.49 0.043 0.36 3.71 6.94 2.85 0.34 5 2.87 15.88 1,865.00 0.445 99 5.98 0.039 0.133 44.5 4.8 1,245.00
4.05 0.92 0.003 0.02 0.19 0.34 0.13 0.015 0.2 0.11 0.56 65 0.015 2.7 0.16 0.001 0.003 1 0.1 25
13.37% 12.15% 7.50% 5.88% 5.40% 5.15% 4.78% 4.62% 4.17% 3.99% 3.66% 3.61% 3.49% 2.80% 2.75% 2.63% 2.31% 2.30% 2.13% 2.05%
*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg
TOP LOSERS
HIGH
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Security Name
United Paragon Mining Corporation International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Abacore Capital Holdings, Inc. APC Group, Inc. Alliance Select Foods International, Inc. Easycall Communications Phils., Inc. Xurpas Inc. SFA Semicon Philippines Corporation 3DFL¿F 2QOLQH 6\VWHPV &RUSRUDWLRQ Suntrust Home Developers, Inc. Robinsons Land Corporation Vulcan Industrial & Mining Manila Broadcasting Company Abra Mining & Industrial Corporation SOCResources, Inc. Max’s Group, Inc. Integrated Micro-Electronics, Inc. Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc. Synergy Grid & Development Phils., Inc. Greenergy Holdings Incorporated
*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg
Volume
Value
2,000,000.00 14,300.00 2,261,200.00 296,362,136.00 24,275,000.00 15,397,170.00 720,000.00 286,450.00 6,052,000.00 4,858,710.00 140,300.00 1,548,342.00 16,309,000.00 17,552,790.00 94,000.00 118,970.00 291,000.00 1,059,060.00 1,000.00 720 993,100.00 23,763,340.00 3,225,000.00 3,692,400.00 8,100.00 121,500.00 9,000,000.00 17,200.00 1,046,000.00 903,470.00 1,934,900.00 29,426,588.00 1,168,900.00 12,257,578.00 60,000.00 85,110.00 210.00 90,934.00 6,928,000.00 18,026,360.00
Last Price
Chg
%Chg
0.0068 128 0.62 0.395 0.8 10.9 1.06 1.24 3.58 0.72 23.25 1.12 15 0.0019 0.86 15.2 10.42 1.38 465 2.6
-0.0007 -8.7 -0.04 -0.025 -0.05 -0.62 -0.06 -0.07 -0.2 -0.04 -1.25 -0.06 -0.8 -0.0001 -0.04 -0.68 -0.46 -0.06 -20 -0.11
-9.33% -6.36% -6.06% -5.95% -5.88% -5.38% -5.36% -5.34% -5.29% -5.26% -5.10% -5.08% -5.06% -5.00% -4.44% -4.28% -4.23% -4.17% -4.12% -4.06%
Foreign Business China still eyes deal amid tariff threat B B4
˜ The Manila Times
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
w w w.manilatimes.net
EIJING: China said Monday it still plans to send negotiators to the United States for trade talks even after President Donald 4RUMP VOWED TO RAISE TARIFFS LATER THIS WEEK A threat that sent stock markets into a tailspin. Trump upped the ante as negotiators prepared to meet in Washington on Wednesday for what HAS BEEN BILLED AS A LAST DITCH round of negotiations to reach a deal or revive the trade war. g4HE 4RADE $EAL WITH #HINA CONTINUES BUT TOO SLOWLY as they attempt to renegotiate. No!� Trump wrote on Twitter on Sunday. 4HE 53 LEADER SAID TARIFFS ON
BILLION IN #HINESE GOODS would increase from 10 percent TO PERCENT ON &RIDAY 4HE 5NITED 3TATES IS ALREADY APPLYING CUSTOM DUTIES OF PERCENT ON BILLION IN #HINESE HIGH TECH products. Trump also renewed a threat TO IMPOSE TARIFFS ON ALL #HINESE IMPORTS TO THE 53 WORTH BILLION LAST YEAR $ESPITE 4RUMP S TWEETSTORM
#HINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN 'ENG 3HUANG SAID A #HINESE team was “currently preparing to GO TO THE 53 FOR NEGOTIATIONSu ‡ BUT HE DID NOT SAY WHEN OR WHETHER TOP NEGOTIATOR ,IU (E would lead the delegation. Geng said “positive progress� HAS BEEN MADE IN ROUNDS OF high-level negotiations and that the whole world was watching. g7E STILL HOPE THAT THE 53 CAN WORK TOGETHER WITH #HINA WALK shoulder to shoulder and strive FOR A MUTUALLY BENEkCIAL WIN WIN AGREEMENT ON THE BASIS OF MUTUAL respect,� he said at a regular press BRIEkNG “This is not only in line with THE INTERESTS OF THE #HINESE SIDE BUT ALSO THE INTERESTS OF THE 53 and the international commu-
nity,� Geng said. 4HE 7ALL 3TREET *OURNAL HAD EARLIER REPORTED THAT #HINA WAS considering cancelling the talks. g#HINA SHOULDN T NEGOTIATE with a gun pointed to its head,� the newspaper quoted a person BRIEFED ON THE MATTER AS SAYING using a line Beijing has repeatedly said in the past. #HINESE SHARES SANK FOLLOWING the tweets, with Shanghai stocks TUMBLING BY MORE THAN kVE PERcent, their worst day in more than three years. Hong Kong plunged BY PERCENT WHILE 3HENZHEN ended down 7.38 percent. The two sides have imposed TARIFFS ON BILLION IN TWO WAY trade since last year. But Trump AND #HINESE LEADER 8I *INPING AGREED TO A TRUCE IN $ECEMBER TO
refrain from further escalation. 4HE 53 SIDE VISITED "EIJING LAST week for talks that Treasury SecRETARY 3TEVEN -NUCHIN DESCRIBED as “productive�. Trump and Xi would likely hold a summit to seal any deal. Trump says he wants to reDUCE THE HUGE 53 TRADE DEkCIT WITH #HINA WHICH IN TOTALLED BILLION WITH SERvices trade included. Besides a greater opening of THE #HINESE MARKET TO 53 GOODS Trump is pressing for structural changes such as Beijing ending ITS ALLEGED PRACTICE OF FORCING 53 COMPANIES THAT OPERATE IN #HIna to share their technology. Trump is also demanding THAT #HINA HALT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY THEFT AND SUBSIDIES TO STATE
owned companies. 4HE 53 PRESIDENT HAS INSISTED throughout the process that he will not accept a watered-down trade accord. And his administration warned recently that trade talks could not simply go on forever. For now, the Trump administration insists that the trade WAR HAS LEFT THE 53 ECONOMY UNSCATHED UNLIKE THE #HINESE economy, which last year posted its slowest growth in nearly 20 years. Trump asserted that so far the TARIFFS HE IMPOSED ON #HINESE GOODS gARE PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLEu FOR THE ROBUST 53 ECONOMY WHICH IN THE kRST QUARTER GREW at an annual rate of 3.2 percent. AFP
INTEREST AND ;VALIDATE= THE GREAT ABUSE COMMITTED BY THE FORMER %2# COMMISSIONERS u .ASECORE SAID REFERRING TO %2# COMMISSIONers Gloria Yap-Taruc, Alfredo Non, *OSEkNA 0ATRICIA -AGPALE !SIRIT AND Geronimo Sta. Ana. 4HE /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN had suspended the four for one YEAR IN $ECEMBER gCONDUCT PREJUDICIAL TO THE BEST INTEREST OF THE SERVICE AGGRAVATED BY SIMPLE misconduct and simple neglect of duty.� According to First Grade Finance Inc., the ruling may result in lower POWER RATES AND THAT kRMS HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO COMPLY WITH this decision. JOMAR CONLAS AND JORDEENE B. LAGARE
IN /CTOBER AND -ARCH 4HIS POSTPONEMENT LASTED BETWEEN *UNE AND !PRIL 4HIS REQUIREMENT ‡ PROVIDED in the implementing rules of the %LECTRIC 0OWER )NDUSTRY 2EFORM !CT OF OR %PIRA ‡ AIMED TO ENSURE A FAIR REASONABLE AND COST effective generation charge for consumers, under a transparent POWER SALE MECHANISM BETWEEN power-generation companies and $5S 4HE HIGH COURT SAID THE %2# could only implement the process
and had no authority to postpose its application. The ruling stemmed from a COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE 3# BY THE !LYANSA NG "AGONG 0ILIPINAS Inc. consumer group against the -ANILA %LECTRIC #O -ERALCO It had asked the high court in 2016 to stop the commission from approving supply deals worth 0 BILLION ANNUALLY BETWEEN the country’s leading electricity provider and seven power plants, saying that, instead of undergoing COMPETITIVE BIDDING THESE WERE negotiated.
In response to the ruling, the $EPARTMENT OF %NERGY $O% AND THE %2# SAIDIT WOULD FOLLOW IT “We just have to respect and ABIDE THE DECISION OF THE 3# u $O% 3ECRETARY !LFONSO #USI SAID IN A TEXT MESSAGE g)T WILL HELP ;POWER PROJECTS= GET GOING u )N A STATEMENT %2# #HAIRMAN !GNES $EVANADERA SAID HER AGENCY would start working on alleviating THE DECISION S POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS g7E ASSURE THE PUBLIC THAT THE COMMISSION WOULD BE DOING EVerything within its legal mandate to protect consumers� in relation to the ruling, she added. 4HE .ATIONAL !SSOCIATION OF %LECTRICITY #ONSUMERS FOR 2EFORMS )NC .ASECORE HAILED THE HIGH TRIBUNAL S decision to uphold “consumer
Q WAGES FROM B1
undermine the competitiveness OF SEVERAL COUNTRIES IN %AST AND South Asia. g4HE AVAILABILITY OF LARGE POOLS OF LOW COST LABOR HAS POSITIONED %AST AND 3OUTH !SIA AS THE PREMIER HUB FOR LABOR INTENSIVE BUSINESS operations, particularly in manufacturing,� it said. “This model has supported rapid economic growth in counTRIES SUCH AS #HINA -ALAYSIA AND 4HAILAND OVER THE PAST kVE decades,� Fitch Solutions added. According to the report,the avERAGE MINIMUM WAGE IN %AST AND 3OUTHEAST !SIA IN WAS ONLY AROUND PERCENT OF THE GLOBAL average. 4HIS kGURE &ITCH SAID HAS RISEN to nearly 82 percent this year, and is “projected to catch up with the GLOBAL AVERAGE OR EVEN WORSE
OVERTAKE IT BY THE END OF THE NEXT 10-year period.� The report also said the region’s AVERAGE @#OST OF %MPLOYMENT SCORE IN &ITCH 3OLUTIONS ,ABOR Market Risk Index already deCREASED TO OUT OF DOWN FROM OUT OF IN ‡ WHERE LOWEST RISK AND HIGHEST RISK ‡ INDICATING THE GRADUALLY INCREASING LABOR COST RISKS FOR BUSINESSES HERE South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan currently have the highest minimum wages at $1,101.6, $886.3 and $722.7, respectively. ,AOS #HINA AND 6IETNAM ON the other hand, have the largest year-on-year average growth rates OF PERCENT PERCENT AND PERCENT RESPECTIVELY BETWEEN AND Other countries, such as Ma-
laysia and Vietnam, also reported increases in their minimum wage, according to the report. “We expect the average nominal minimum wage to continue rising ACROSS %AST AND 3OUTHEAST !SIA OVER the short-to-medium term, underPINNED BY THE REGION S TRANSITION into high-value manufacturing AND SERVICE BASED ECONOMIES ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER LABOR COSTS while moving away from agriculTURE AND LOW COST LABOR INTENSIVE sectors, which generally have lower wages,� Ficth Solutions said. g4HIS TOGETHER WITH ROBUST economic growth and the rising COSTS OF LIVING RISKS EXACERBATING REGIONAL WEALTH INEQUALITY THEREBY EMBOLDENING WORKERS DEMANDS for higher minimum wages,� it added. ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES
Salak, killing everyone and Sukhoi’s chances of selling any planes in this part of the world. The latest crash comes at a time WHEN THE GLOBAL AIRLINE INDUSTRY is in the process of a comprehenSIVE RETRENCHMENT AND BESIDES its disastrous effect on Sukhoi’s EXPORT ASPIRATIONS PROBABLY MAKES recovery from the industry’s downTURN MORE DIFkCULT 7ITHOUT VIABLE ALTERNATIVES TO COSTLY !IRBUS AND Boeing aircraft, operators will have a hard time accessing the market niches where growth in the indusTRY CAN BE RESTARTED m PLACES WHERE A LEGITIMATE LOW COST CARRIER ,## MODEL CAN BE USED IF COSTS CAN BE controlled, such as the regional MARKETS IN THE 0HILIPPINES )NDOnesia and India. #RASHING PLANES FOR WHATEVER reason, is also a poor strategy for attracting passengers. After a few years in which fatal accidents had BECOME RARE THERE IS A PERCEPTION they are occurring with alarming frequency now – the Moscow accident was the third major fatal CRASH SINCE /CTOBER 4HIS TOO MAY BE A SYMPTOM OF TIGHTENING CONDITIONS IN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY manufacturers and operators alike are looking to cut costs in any way they safely can, and when COST CUTTING BECOMES AN OBJECTIVE CORNER CUTTING INEVITABLY FOLLOWS It will take a great deal of smart work on the part of everyone inVOLVED TO PUT THE AIRLINE BUSINESS BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Q ELBO FROM B1
Q BIDDING FROM B1
SC: Public bidding for
Higher “Governments in countries SUCH AS #AMBODIA 6IETNAM AND THE 0HILIPPINES ARE SUCCUMBING to union pressure as they seek to PREVENT OUTBREAKS OF SOCIAL UNREST THAT COULD CAUSE POLITICAL INSTABILity,� Fitch Solutions said. “On the other hand, higher real wages across the region will lead to an uptick in private consumption over the mediumto-long term, as countries such AS -ALAYSIA THE 0HILIPPINES AND Vietnam increasingly turn to consumption-driven growth as SEEN IN #HINA u IT ADDED Fitch, however, warned that the increase in minimum wage would
Q PEREZ FROM B1
Russia’s own flying The cause of the accident is still UNKNOWN BUT IN A CLUMSY ATTEMPT at damage control Russian investigators speculated the plane may HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING )F that were true, it would completely upend our understanding of how ELECTRICITY WORKS $OZENS OF PLANES ARE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING DAILY AND CONTINUE lYING NORMALLY THIS IS mainly due to their not touching THE GROUND ,IGHTNING CAN ON RARE occasions damage aircraft electriCAL SYSTEMS BUT THIS IS MORE OFTEN THAN PREVENTED BY INSULATING THEM The Russian authorities may HAVE BEEN QUICK TO OFFER AN !CT OF God explanation for the crash to prevent anyone from taking a look at the Superjet 100’s safety record, WHICH HAS BEEN LESS THAN STELLAR Since its introduction to commerCIAL SERVICE IN THE 33* HAS SUFFERED gINCIDENTS u /NLY ONE OF THOSE BEFORE -ONDAY S CRASH RESULTED IN FATALITIES BUT OF THE INCIDENTS WERE ATTRIBUTED TO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE DESIGN THAT HAVE YET TO BE CORRECTED 4HE 33* HAS BEEN PRONE TO CABIN PRESSURE PROBLEMS IN THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT BEFORE -ONDAY S CRASH ANOTHER !EROlOT PLANE AT 2IGA ,ATVIA ON !PRIL EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF CABIN PRESSURE AND THE SAME PROBLEM HAS occurred at least four other times. /THER RECURRING PROBLEMS INCLUDE
LANDING GEAR MALFUNCTIONS SIX INCIDENTS MALFUNCTIONING AIRSPEED INDICATORS SIX INCIDENTS ENGINE FAILURES EIGHT INCIDENTS PIECES OF ENGINE COWLINGS BECOMING DISlodged or falling off the aircraft in FLIGHT FOUR INCIDENTS HYDRAULIC PROBLEMS WITH SLATS lAPS STABILIZERS OR SPOILERS SEVEN INCIDENTS and air conditioning malfunctions, WHICH SOME SUSPECT MIGHT BE THE REAL CAUSE OF THE -ONDAY kRE AND CRASH THREE INCIDENTS 4HE STRING OF PROBLEMS WITH THE 33* IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE when it was introduced the plane APPEARED TO BE A POTENTIALLY COMpetitive alternative to the domiNANCE OF "OEING AND !IRBUS IN the market. The Superjet 100 is a medium-range airliner with a passenger capacity of up to 108, SIMILAR IN APPEARANCE AND SPECIkCATIONS TO THE !IRBUS ! AND 4Upolev Tu-204, and slightly smaller THAN THE !IRBUS ! "OEING AND #OMAC # "ESIDES THE Russian domestic market, which IS DOMINATED BY !IRBUS 3UKHOI WAS ORIGINALLY TARGETING THE BUSY Southeast Asia market where the 33* S RELATIVELY LOW COST AND FLEXIBILITY SEEMED TO BE A GOOD kT "UT ON A DEMONSTRATION lIGHT IN -AY AN 33* WITH Sukhoi personnel and Indonesian AIRLINE REPRESENTATIVES ON BOARD WAS lOWN INTO )NDONESIA S -OUNT BEN KRITZ MANILATIMES NET
The dark pay and perks package even if they PERFORM THE SAME JOB 0EOPLE ACCEPT IT AS A MATTER OF PRACTICE BUT DEEP IN their hearts and minds, they know that such practice is immoral and unethical at all angles and levels. After all, as they say, why hire temporary workers and pay them the SAME RATE AS REGULAR WORKERS ,AST EMPLOYERS EXPLOIT ENDO WORKERS (ERBERT $OCENA A SOCIOLOGY DOCTORAL CANDIDATE AT THE 5NIVERSITY OF #ALIFORNIA SAYS gCONTRACTUALIZATION ACTUALLY ENABLES CAPITALists to pay workers less for the same work, stunt economic development, and therefore harm the interests of all Filipinos – including that of the capitalists themselves. But MORE THAN THAT CONTRACTUALIZATION ALSO ENABLES CAPITALISTS TO WEAKEN THE WORKING CLASS S ABILITY TO RESIST EXPLOITATION ORGANIZE COLLECTIVELY AND kGHT FOR A BETTER SOCIETY u Now, this is perplexing. Have YOU NOTICED THAT ORGANIZATIONS THAT TALK ABOUT INTEGRITY MORALITY AND ethics in their corporate values are THE SAME ORGANIZATIONS THAT ABUSE discriminate, and exploit endo WORKERS
2EY %LBO IS A BUSINESS CONSULTANT SPECIALIZING IN HUMAN RESOURCES and total quality management as A FUSED INTEREST 3END FEEDBACK TO ELBONOMICS GMAIL COM OR VIA HTTPS REYELBO CONSULTING
World Israel, Palestine reach truce after 27 deaths G B6
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
AZA City: Palestinian leaders in Gaza AGREED TO A CEASEkRE WITH )SRAEL ON -ONDAY TO END A DEADLY TWO DAY ESCALATION IN VIOLENCE THAT THREATENED TO WIDEN INTO WAR OFkCIALS WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DEAL SAID
An Israeli military spokesman declined to comment on the deal, but there appeared to have been NO ROCKET kRE OR )SRAELI STRIKES AFTER it was due to take effect, an AFP correspondent in Gaza said. Egypt brokered the agreement to cease hostilities from 4:30 a.m.
'-4 AN OFkCIAL FROM THE strip’s Islamist rulers Hamas and another from its allied group Islamic Jihad said on condition of anonymity. An Egyptian official also confirmed the deal on condition of anonymity.
The deal came after the most seRIOUS lARE UP IN VIOLENCE BETWEEN Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza since a 2014 war. The escalation began Saturday with massive rocket fire from Gaza, drawing waves of Israeli retaliatory strikes, and continued throughout Sunday. At least 23 Palestinians, including at least nine militants, were killed. Four civilians in Israel were killed, at least three of them Israeli citizens. The flare-up came as Hamas sought further steps from Israel
toward easing its blockade under A PREVIOUS CEASEkRE BROKERED BY Egypt and the United Nations. Israel faced pressure to seek to restore calm and put an end to the ROCKET kRE HITTING COMMUNITIES IN the country’s south. It commemorates its Memorial and Independence Days later this week and is due to host the Eurovision song contest in Tel Aviv from May 14 to 18, which is expected to draw thousands to Israel. On the Gazan side, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is set to begin. AFP
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
Ex-Trump lawyer Cohen goes to jail NEW York: Michael Cohen, the former lawyer, media attack dog and all-around fixer for President Donald Trump, is scheduled to begin serving a three-year prison sentence on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) for crimes including campaign finance violations related to hush-money payments made on Trump’s behalf. Cohen faces a 2-p.m. deadline to report to the Federal Correctional Institution, Otisville, a federal prison in the countryside 70 miles (113 kilometers) northwest of New York City. A minimum-security prison camp there has become a haven for “white-collar� criminals. Cohen, who has been disbarred, is trading plaid blazers for khaki prison garb after trying and failing in recent weeks to get his sentence delayed or reduced. His legal team asked House Democrats last month to intercede after Cohen testi-
41 dead, 37 survive in Russia plane emergency landing RUSSIA’S Investigative Committee CONkRMED -ONDAY THAT PEOPLE were killed after an SSJ-100 passenger plane en route to the northwestern Russian city of Murmansk caught fire before an emergency landing on Sunday (Monday in Manila) at the Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow. “Forty-one people died,� Elena Markovskaya, representative of the committee’s Moscow Interregional Investigation Department for Transport, was quoted by Tass news agency as saying. The committee reported 37 survivors from the 78 people aboard the airliner in an earlier statement. The plane reportedly took off from the Sheremetyevo Airport at 6:00 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) and made an emergency landing after circling over the Moscow region for about 40 minutes. )T WAS gENGULFED IN lAMESu BEFORE the emergency landing, Tass news agency quoted a source as saying. It was previously reported that THE kRE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY a lightening strike. The committee had opened a
FATAL EVENT A Russian-made Superjet-100
burst into fire after making an emergency landing at the Sheremetyevo airport outside Moscow. At least 41 of the plane’s 78 passengers and crew died in the incident. AFP PHOTO criminal case on violation of safety regulations for air transport and started further investigation of the accident, according to the statement.
Investigators began to interview the victims, eyewitnesses, airport staff and the airline carrier, as well as others responsible for the oper-
ation of the aircraft, it said. comprehensive study of the data The causes and circumstances and documentation is completed, WERE BEING VERIkED AND AN EXPLICIT the committee said. conclusion would be made after a AP/GLOBAL TIMES
Trump: Mueller should not testify in Congress WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump said on Sunday (Monday in Manila) that special counsel Robert Mueller should not testify before Congress, abandoning his previous declaration that he would leave that decision to his attorney general. Escalating tensions with House Democrats as they seek to bring Mueller before the House Judiciary Committee, Trump tweeted: “Bob Mueller should not testify. No redos for the Dems!� “After spending more than $35,000,000 over a two year period, interviewing 500 people, using 18 Trump Hating Angry Democrats & 49 FBI Agents — all culminating in a more than 400 page Report showing NO COLLUSION — why would the Democrats in Congress now need Robert Mueller to testify,� Trump tweeted Sunday.
Democrats are seeking more information about Mueller’s report on his Russia investigation. Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, Republican senator from South Carolina, has said he doesn’t plan to invite Mueller to testify on the report. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office last week that testimony from Mueller was “up to our attorney general.� William Barr has said he had no objection to Mueller testifying. Trump again asserted on Twitter Sunday that Mueller’s report revealed “NO COLLUSION� and argued that there was “NO OBSTRUCTION.� On collusion, Mueller said he did not assess whether that occurred because it is not a legal term. He looked into a potential criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump team. AP
ANCIENT THING
People look at a jade burial suit from the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC to 9 AD) currently displayed at an exhibition in the National Museum of China in Beijing. AFP PHOTO
Worldinbriefs ILLINOIS EXPLOSION DEATHS RISE TO 3 WAUKEGAN, Ill.: Search and recovery personnel found the body of another worker Sunday (Monday in Manila) in the rubble of a northern Illinois silicone factory that exploded and burst into flames two days earlier, bringing the death toll to three employees with one more body believed to be in the debris, a fire official said. Waukegan Fire Marshal Steve Lenzi told a news conference that the body was found as first responders resumed searching in hazardous conditions in the debris from the AB Specialty Silicones plant in Waukegan, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Chicago. They were searching for the bodies of two of the nine workers who were there when an explosion rocked the building Friday night and left it a shattered skeleton. AP
VENEZUELA HOLDS VIGIL FOR UPRISING VICTIMS CARACAS, Venezuela: Led by Roman Catholic priests in white robes, several hundred Venezuelans said prayers Sunday (Monday in Manila) at a candle-lit vigil for at least five people killed in street clashes following a failed opposition call for a military uprising. Opposition leader Juan GuaidĂł was unable to attend because of meetings, a representative told the crowd at the vigil. He did not elaborate, though he noted that some members of the opposition-controlled National Assembly were at the memorial service. A few police officers watched from a distance. Some of those who gathered waved Venezuelan flags and chanted “Freedom,â€? but the mood was muted after the major setback for the opposition in its long campaign to topple President NicolĂĄs Maduro. AP
OPPOSITION BET WINS PANAMA PRESIDENTIAL POLLS PANAMA City: Panama’s Electoral Court declared opposition candidate Laurentino Cortizo the “virtual winnerâ€? in the country’s tight presidential election on late Sunday. After scrutinizing the results from 92 percent of polling stations, electoral court magistrate Heriberto AraĂşz said in a televised announcement shortly before midnight that Cortizo had a narrow lead of two
fied on Capitol Hill, but they were reticent to do so. Federal prosecutors in New York were also no help, Cohen’s lawyers said. Cohen was originally scheduled to start his sentence in March, but a judge granted a two-month delay so he could recover from surgery and get his affairs in order. Cohen, 53, is the only person charged with a crime in connection with the hush-money payments to women who allegedly had affairs with Trump. Federal prosecutors have said Trump directed Cohen to arrange the payments to buy the silence of porn actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal in the run-up to the 2016 election. Trump denies that he had trysts with either woman. Cohen also pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about a Trump Tower project in Moscow, as well as to charges of tax evasion and bank fraud. AP
Brunei cancels gay sex death penalty law BANDAR Seri Begawan, Brunei: Brunei’s sultan has announced death by stoning for gay sex and adultery would not be enforced after a global backlash, but critics Monday called for harsh sharia laws to be abandoned entirely. In a speech late Sunday, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said a moratorium on capital punishment that already applies to Brunei’s regular criminal code would also extend to its new sharia code, which includes death by stoning for various crimes. The code, which also punishes theft with the amputation of hands and feet, fully came into force last month in the small sultanate on Borneo Island, making it the only country in East or Southeast Asia with sharia law at the national level. The move sparked anger from governments and rights groups; the United Nations slammed it as a “clear violation� of human rights, while celebrities led by actor George Clooney called for Brunei-owned hotels to be boycotted. In a televised address, the ALL POWERFUL SULTAN MADE HIS kRST public comments about the furore and took the rare step of addressing criticism, saying there had been “many questions and misperceptions� regarding the sharia laws. “Both the common law and the sharia law aim to ensure peace and harmony of the country,� he INSISTED ACCORDING TO AN OFkCIAL translation of his speech. Some crimes in Muslim-majority Brunei, including murder and drug-trafkCKING WERE ALREADY PUNISHABLE WITH death by hanging under the regular criminal code — which is enforced alongside the sharia code — but no one has been executed for decades. Hassanal said that “we have practised a de facto moratorium on the execution of death penalty for cases under the common law. “This will also be applied to cases under the (sharia penal code), which provides a wider scope for remission.� AFP
percentage points over his rival Rómulo Roux. Cortizo, of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, had 33 percent of the votes versus 31 percent for Roux, from former President Ricardo Martinelli’s Democratic Change party. Araúz said the voting trend remained stable as results came in. AP
US DEPLOYS CARRIERS IN MIDDLE EAST TO THWART IRAN WASHINGTON, D.C.: A US defense official said the deployments of an aircraft carrier strike group and land-based bombers to the Middle East are in response to indications that Iran and its proxy forces were preparing to possibly attack US forces in the region. The defense official tells the Associated Press that the Pentagon approved the deployments of the USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group of ships and combat aircraft. The official said US forces at sea and on land were thought to be the potential targets. The official wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly and requested anonymity. AP
DEATHS FROM INDIAN CYCLONE RISE TO 33 DEATH toll of Cyclone Fani has risen to 33 in Indian eastern state of Odisha, local media reported. The extremely severe cyclone wreaked havoc in the coastal part of the state, causing widespread destruction and leaving hundreds grappling with water shortage and power cuts due to uprooting of trees and electricity poles. “The death toll in the Cyclone Fani has risen to 33,� local television channel India Today said on Sunday. According to local government officials, the worst affected is Puri town, 68 kilometers south of Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. GLOBAL TIMES
KIDNAPPED FRENCH BOY SAFE; SUSPECT NABBED MARSEILLE: A two-year-old boy who was abducted in the French port city of Marseille had been found safe and sound and his kidnapper arrested, prosecutors said. The toddler was recovered from a hotel in the city of Valence, some 200 kilometres (300 miles) from where he was snatched a few hours earlier on Sunday afternoon, Marseille prosecutor Xavier Tarabeux told AFP. He said the alleged kidnapper, who has a criminal record, was arrested at the hotel. AFP
TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019
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40th National Conference of Employers set WHAT’S in store for business and industry in the future in the face of continually emerging trends and technologies? The challenges are immense givEN THE INTERNET OF THINGS ARTIkCIAL intelligence, drones, mobile apps for communications and robotics in manufacturing, among others. It is against this backdrop that the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) is girding its upcoming 40th National Conference of Employers (NCE 40) to be held on May 28 and 29 at Marriott Grand Ballroom A & B, Marriott Hotel Manila. Bannering the theme, “FuTURE 0ROOkNG "USINESS AND )NDUStry,� NCE 40 looks at creating new
business models and how companies are able to imbed technology in their product. This way, they can get feedback data in real time and learn from how the product is performing and how it can be improved. With a new industrial revolution taking shape, it is poised to bring down walls between other industries as the boundaries between suppliers, producers and consumers and, in some cases, between whole industries shift NCE 40 will look at what’s happening in different industries with the unfolding industrial order. NCE 40 will be capped by the awarding ceremonies of the Kapatiran sa Industriya (Kapatid) Awards on May 29.
UK, Canada urge smokers to switch to e-cigarettes THE United Kingdom and Canada are two of more than 60 countries in the world that have adopted harm reduction strategies as a way to encourage smokers to quit combustible cigarettes. In the UK, e-cigarettes and other vaping products are regulated under the UK Tobacco and Related Products Regulation, allowing the government to manage and control smoke-free environments, domestic advertising, domestic sales, age restrictions, nicotine-free VAPING PRODUCTS AND lAVORINGS IN vaping products. Public Health England, the executive agency of UK Department of Health, calls on smokers to use e-cigarettes after its research
showed that vaping is 95 percent less harmful than smoking. Local statistics show that smoking prevalence in England has dropped below 15 percent, one million smokers fewer than in 2014. Canada, on the other hand, has enacted the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA) to allow adult smokers access to vaping products as a less harmful alternative to smoking, while combating nicotine use among youth. The TVPA regulates the manufacture, sale, labeling, and promotion of tobacco products and vaping products sold in their country. Similar to the UK, smoking prevalence in Canada has steadily decreased.
Buku-Buku Kafe mounts ‘Komiket’ TRUE to its mission of supporting local creativity, Buku-Buku Kafe is all set to bring Komiket: The FIlipino Komiks and Art Market to SM Southmall on May 25 to 26. Now on its third year, Komiket South 2019 will be Buku-Buku Kafe’s biggest art market yet, with over 80 artists from all over Metro Manila, Laguna and Cavite bringing their stickers, art prints, comics, zines and eco-friendly crafts to SM Southmall’s Event Center. Joining the fun are Amalgamated Specialties Corp. (Amspec) and Mary Chi Limon with a creative journaling workshop and the cast AND CREW OF #INEMALAYA kLM !.I The Harvest for an interview and trailer screening. Caviteno arts collective Astrolikha will be starting the creative convention with a talk on the southern art scene and a zine-mak-
ing workshop, proceeds of which will go to Astrolikha’s outreach programs. “Creativity is for everyone,� said Jessica Santiago, manager and partner of Buku-Buku Kafe and head of Secretariat for Komiket South. “We want our friends here in the South to remember this, to keep creating, and to make sure they are heard.� Komiket South 2019 will run from May 25 to 26 at the SM Southmall Event Center. For more information, visit fb. com/komiketinc.
Betadine welcomes Ricci Rivero
ICTSI donates new police station to Lae community W
ITH operations going well in Lae, port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) continues to ramp up the implementation of high-impact PROJECTS FOR THE BENEkT OF IMPACTED stakeholders and communities within its Papua New Guinea operations. Through its wholly-owned subsidiARY )#43) 3OUTH 0ACIkC ,TD AND SOCIAL responsibility arm ICTSI Foundation, the company recently turned over a new 172-square meter police station in Malahang, Lae as part of efforts to further enhance the peace and order situation in the community. Complete with a work station and reception area, file room, interview room, family and sexual violence cases room, a male cell block, two toilets and a kitchen – the new PGK400,000 facility follows ICTSI’s donation of two patrol vehicles and a police sta-
tion, also in Lae, last year. “As we continue to support our ports’ host and hinterland comMUNITIES )#43) 3OUTH 0ACIkC SEES law and order as an equally shared responsibility towards establishing an inclusive and sustainable society. This new facility serves as a token of commitment to the people of Lae that our operations here goes beyond business objectives — as we equally want to contribute to the development of our impacted communities,� said Anil Singh, ICTSI 3OUTH 0ACIkC CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER Filipina Laurena, ICTSI Foundation deputy executive director, expressed that the company hopes the facility would further boost police EFkCIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS CITING the importance of advancing law and order programs: “The fundamentals of peace and order should be in place before any investment
Q Present at the turnover ceremony Malahang suburb gets new police station (from left) John Rosso; Thomas Netato Pelika, Memyamya MP; Anthony Wagambie Jr., Lae Metropolitan superintendent; George Gware, SPICT general manager; Filipina Laurena, ICTSI Foundation deputy executive director; Jelta Wong, PNG police minister; Gari Baki, PNG police commissioner; and Anil Singh, ICTSI South Pacific chief executive officer. CAN lOW )T IS VERY DIFkCULT TO ATTAIN social order and political stability, so police stations such as this are very important in communities.� During the inauguration, Laurena also conveyed the message of
Christian Gonzalez, ICTSI Global Corporate head and president of the ICTSI Foundation, that the company will be funding the construction of another police station in Omili as the next project.
SM Supermalls wins landmark 45 Stevie Awards for 2019 3- 3UPERMALLS WON !SIA 0ACIkC Stevie Awards — out of the 104 !SIA 0ACIkC 3TEVIE !WARDS BAGGED by Philippine companies and out of more than 900 nominations for innovative achievements in the ENTIRE !SIA 0ACIkC REGION THIS YEAR SM also bested its own record and won more than twice of its !SIA 0ACIkC 3TEVIE !WARDS 3TEVIES last year of 21 Stevies. “We are thankful and truly elated by these validations of our hard work, dedication and passion to offer family fun experiences for our valued customers. We strive to do this through constant innovation and offering nothing but the best for SM shoppers, from their online engagement experience — including the website, apps and social media pages — to the exciting and entertaining events in SM malls nationwide,� said Steven Tan, SM Supermalls COO. The prestigious Asia-Pacific
Stevie Awards recognizes gold, silver and bronze categories. SM garnered two gold awards for the Entertainment Apps and Corporate Websites categories, namely the #AweSM Logo Hunt Mobile App and #SMoments in a Click: How Customer Centricity Gave a Rebirth to the SM Supermalls Corporate Website. It also nabbed 23 silver awards and 20 bronze awards. Among them, various SM malls — from Quezon City to Baguio to Bulacan — clinched awards for their numerous innovative and entertaining events for shoppers. Eighteen SM mall events won in the Innovation in Entertainment Event category, eight SM mall events won Innovation in Consumer Events, seven SM mall events won Innovation in the Use of Events, and two SM mall events won Innovation in Branded Entertainment, among others.
QSM Supermalls wins landmark 45 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards: 2 Gold Awards, 23 Silver Awards, and 20 Bronze Awards.
Holcim launches new Solido-blend cement product TO better support the construction boom in the country, leading building solutions provider Holcim Philippines Inc. has launched a new special blended cement product formulated to perform better and have a lower impact on the environment than Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Ram Maganti, senior vice president for Marketing and Innovation of Holcim Philippines, said the new product called Solido has clear advantages over OPC that makes it a better choice in building infrastructures in the country. In terms of performance, Solido-made concrete is more durable as it is less prone to water and chemical seepage that causes deterioration
from within. This is due to Solido’s mineral additives that make concrete less permeable and lower heat that causes thermal cracks in the structure, Maganti said. Part of the offering to Solido users are technical trainings and TESTS AND kELD SUPPORT TO PROVIDE packaging format options that are suitable to their projects. “This new product is further proof of Holcim Philippines’ determination to be a partner for progress of the country anchored on our strengths in innovation and sustainability. As the construction boom in the country continues, Solido will help our customers in
Q Holcim Philippines Senior Vice President for Marketing and Innovation Ram Maganti (standing) explains the seven-star advantages of its new blended cement offering Solido for building infrastructure during the product launch at the SMX Convention Center Davao. building high quality and sustainable structures,� he said. Holcim Philippines formally launched Solido to key customers
in Davao on March 1, with road shows scheduled nationwide for other important business partners IN THE kRST HALF
APEC Schools open search for outstanding youth
Q Mundipharma PH Country Manager Ian Santos (left) welcomes Ricci Rivero as new brand ambassador. MUNDIPHARMA Philippines Country Manager Ian Santos welcomed UP Fighting Maroons’ Ricci 2IVERO AS THE kRST EVER AMBASSADOR for the Povidone-Iodine (Betadine) Wound Care line during the contract signing held at the -UNDIPHARMA OFkCE IN 0ASIG #ITY on April 5. “We are very honored to welcome Ricci to the Mundipharma family. We are very happy to associate Povidone-Iodine (Betadine) Wound Care with one of the best collegiate basketball players in the country today and we are fully CONkDENT THAT HE CAN EMBODY THE
brand as he moves forward in his basketball career,� shared Santos. Rivero, who has represented the country as a member of Gilas Pilipinas during the 2018 Asian Games, shared that as an athlete, he is very prone to injuries. “Now that I have Betadine Wound Solution and Dry Powder Spray with me, I don’t need to worry about getting scratches or wounds when THE GAME GETS ME kRED UP BECAUSE I can always have with me a trusted buddy that I can use to treat these minor injuries. I am very honored to be part of the Mundipharma family,� exclaimed Rivero.
EMPOWERING young leaders, the Ayala-led Affordable Private Education Center Inc. (APEC) Schools launched Sikhay 2019: Community Service Awards, which aims to recognize young Filipino students who pioneered outstanding community service programs and projects that have contributed to a community’s development, held at the Quezon City Experience (QCX) inside the Quezon Memorial Circle. Sikhay Awards 2019 is open to all Grades Seven to 12 public and
private school students who are part of ongoing projects and programs that contribute to the community. The project and/or program may be under the categories’ education, science and technology, health and wellbeing, environment, risk reduction, disaster management, livelihood and entrepreneurship, culture, heritage and arts, among others. For more information, visit https://www.apecschools.edu.ph/ sikhay/.
Q Shown in the photo are (from left) Monette Sabio, Director of Teaching for APEC Schools; Mara de Guzman of Bata PH; Dexter Galban of SDG Youth Force PH; Lei Motilla of Asean Youth Community; Mary Ann Barcelon, CPD officer; and Francis Pinon, Marketing & Comms. head of APEC Schools.
Las PiĂąas police destroys video karera machines MAYOR Imelda Aguilar orders the Las PiĂąas Police to strictly implement the ban on video karera machines and other illegal gambling activities in the city. Eighteen video karera machines WERE CONkSCATED DURING POLICE RAIDS in several areas including Cleanville and Martin Ville in Barangay Manuyo Uno, Basa Compound in Barangay Zapote, Marcos Alvarez and Golden Acres in Barangay Talon Uno, T.S. Cruz Subdivision in Barangay Almanza Dos, Barangay
Pamplona Uno, and Manuyo Dos. Acting Las PiĂąas Police Chief Simnar Gran said that the latest raids on video karera operators were undertaken by the joint action of the various Police Community Precincts (PCPs) and other sections of the Las PiĂąas Police. Mayor Aguilar said that the operation against the proliferation of video karera is a positive step in preventing illegal gambling in Las PiĂąas City, and ensuring a safe and vice-free environment especially for the youth.
Q Video karera machines were destroyed and confiscated at the Las PiĂąas city hall grounds.
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EDITOR: Mario F. Fetalino Jr. mario.fetalino@manilatimes.net
UAP holds NatCon, Conex 2019 BY GELYKA RUTH DUMARAOS
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HE United Architects of the Philippines successfully held its 45th National Convention and Construction Expo (Conex) 2019 from April 11 to 13 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City . With its theme “Architect in Focus,� thousands of member architects from different chapters around the world gathered and took part in the activities, which aimed at giving inspiration, respect and recognition, and installing leadership for the COMING kSCAL YEAR National President Architect Benjamin Panganiban Jr. said the national convention was also an avenue to foster fellowship and enrich experiences among its members and the industry partners. Panganiban highlights that for the past months, UAP, the inte-
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CCORDING to some reports, the scale, frequency and severity of natural disasters have risen progressively over the last 20 years. This trend is likely to continue as rapid urbanization and climate change combine to create a “perfect storm� in terms of increasing levels of vulnerability; a storm, which will be further compounded by poverty, environmental degradation and resource scarcity. The rapidly escalating cost of disasters is an increasing cause for concern for insurers, businesses and governments, but the true costs of a disaster are felt most acutely at community level and are determined by the community’s ability to recover and rebuild their lives. Investment in reducing the impact of natural hazards and in enhancing the ability of communities to recover is more cost-effective and long-term than dealing with the consequences of natural hazards. The architecture community has played an important role in the prevention and mitigation of disasters by carrying out risk assessments, and designing structures that can withstand extreme events or major infrastructure projects. Architects have also played a vital role in humanitarian response by helping to provide clean water, sanitation and shelter, and the infrastructure needed to facilitate delivery of food and medical supplies. The nature and scale of the four challenges presented earlier, matched by the paradigm shift taking place in both humanitarian response and disaster management create an opportunity for more proactive engagement, and demand a more holistic and collaborative approach. In this, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) community is committed to: Embrace a more holistic understanding of risk and fully recognize the potential which our projects afford in reducing vulnerability; recognize that appro-
grated and accredited professional organization of architects, had been active in promoting and protecting the architecture profession through its advocacy campaign “For your Plans and Designs, GET AN ARCHITECT.� He said the campaign “brings to life the role of architects as leaders in improving our cities, towns, and neighborhoods.� Local and international chapters signified their support for the campaign and incorporated this to their social responsibility projects and programs. Coinciding the national convention is the UAP Conex, the
Q United Architects of the Philippines President Architect Benjamine Panganiban Jr. (3rd from right) leads the holding of the organization’s annual convention in SMX, Mall of Asia in Pasay City recently. Philippines’ premiere building and construction expo, which
served as a special venue to proMOTE VARIOUS kRMS AND COMPA-
nies all over the Philippines, to showcase products and services,
and to meet other players of the industry. Conex 2019 gathered over 200 industry partners. UAP Conex was started in 2005 by then-executive director for Conventions Architect Alejandro Cua when he saw the opportunity to conceptualize a bigger and streamlined event for the diverse construction industry partners. UAP also recently celebrated its 44th founding anniversary, as it upholds the great contributions of its founders through continuing various works for promoting the profession, its members and the interest of the society through nation-building and social change. Among the accolades UAP has received in the past years is the Professional Regulation Commission’s Outstanding Accredited Professional Organization (APO) of the Year Award. This year’s award is UAP’s seventh APO award since 2002.
An open letter to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar priate strategies are needed which RElECT LOCAL PERCEPTIONS OF RISK AND kNANCIAL AND TECHNICAL RESOURCES available; adopt a systems perspective in the design of urban infrastructure, recognizing integration and interdependence of projects; encourage a shift to a new culture of safety which acknowledges uncertainty and recognizes the possibility of failure; recognize that collaboration and partnership with other professionals, policy makers and decision makers, is essential if our voice is to be heard; and ensure THAT ALL ARCHITECTS POSSESS SUFkCIENT knowledge and understanding of disaster risk, in order to become critical agents in ensuring the safety and well-being of mankind. And in order to create safer and more resilient communities able to adapt to changing circumstances, and survive and recover from extreme events, the UAP transmitted to Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) this letter for proper collaboration: HON. MARK A. VILLAR Secretary Department of Public Works and Highways Manila, Philippines Dear Honorable Secretary: Greetings! By way of introduction, the United Architects of the Philippines is the integrated professional organization of architects in the Philippines, duly accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission. At present, the UAP has more than 44,000 members from 162 Chapters, nationwide and internationally. UAP is a national section of the International Union of Architects (UIA), founding member of the Architects Regional Council Asia and lifetime member of the Eastern Regional Organization for Planning and Housing.
THE ARCHITECT’S PERSPECTIVE ARCH. BENJAMIN PANGANIBAN JR. The Philippines is among the most disaster-prone countries in the world, being located between three tectonic plates — the Philippine Sea, Sunda and Eurasia — and consequently is exposed to regular earthquakes. Recently, the Philippines was hit by another powerful earthquake on Tuesday afternoon, a day after a deadly tremor hit the north of the country. As we convey our profound sorrow and condolences to the victims of the earthquake, the United Architects of the Philippines stands ready and willing to support the government as it responds to the devastating earthquake that struck Luzon and Visayas, particularly in the post-disaster damage assessments and evaluations on public structures and establishments affected by the temblor. Also, we wish to inform your GOOD OFkCE THAT THE 5!0 IS FULLY SUPportive of the government appeal to local government units (LGUs) to implement stricter rules in the issuance of building and construction permits. In these times wherein the safety of structures is becoming more and more urgent, there is a NEED TO BE SUFkCIENTLY CONCERNED about and clamor to strictly implement all existing laws and regulations, particularly the National Building Code of the Philippines and its implementing rules and regulations, as well as the regulatory laws of all professionals involved in the built environment. UAP believes that the National Building Code of the Philippines addresses many of society’s most important concerns, including public health and safety, and environmental protection. In
large part, the National Building Code of the Philippines establishes a building’s quality, safety and energy performance for years to come, because initial design and construction decisions determine operational and maintenance costs for the life of the building. Hence, the role of architects is vital in the implementation of the said code as they are typically the responsible design professionals, with a corresponding duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of both building occupants and the public at large. As a prime-professional organization of architects, UAP adheres to LEGAL STANDARDS SPECIkCALLY ON THE building industry, as we attempt to safeguard the well-being of our people. This is particularly true as we try to correspond the needs of development with relevant safety and environmental standards. We recognize that in the implementation of the National Building Code of the Philippines and its revised implementing rules and regulations, it is necessary that the ancillary permits as mentioned in Section 301 (2a) must be strictly implemented, to wit: “2. Permits supplementary to a Building Permit shall be applied for AND ISSUED BY THE "UILDING /FkCIAL These include Ancillary and the Accessory Permits. “a. Ancillary Permits The Ancillary Permits duly signed and sealed by the corresponding professionals and the plans and SPECIkCATIONS SHALL BE SUBMITTED together with the duly notarized application for building permit. The building permit is null and void if not accompanied by the ancillary permits. The prescribed Ancillary and other Accessory Permits/forms shall likewise be used whenever applicable. The ancillary permits are the following: i. Architectural Permit
ii. Civil/Structural Permit iii. Electrical Permit iv. Mechanical Permit v. Sanitary Permit vi. Plumbing Permit vii. Electronics Permit � It is our stand that architectural permits be strictly required in the issuance of the building permit, the necessity of which has been brought about by the existing practice of architecture, wherein non-architects illegally prepare and/or sign and seal architectural plans, specifications and other related documents. The architectural permit serves as an important ancillary permit of the building permit, and is equivalent to the mechanical, electrical, sanitary and plumbing permits presently required in various local government units. 0LANS SPECIkCATIONS AND OTHER architectural documents required for the issuance of a building permit must be prepared, signed and sealed by competent professionals who possess the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise to ensure safety to life, health, property and public welfare. Hence, the architectural permit, as one of the ancillary permits, is necessary in the issuance of the building permit. In his keynote address during the 37th UAP National Convention on April 28, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, Secretary Rogelio Singson underscored that “as designers therefore of these buildings, United Architects of the Philippines should play an active role in integrating your efforts to respond to the disaster risk reduction by designing safe and resilient structures. I have said, the price to pay for failure to comply with the appropriate laws, more particularly, the national building code is very stiff by putting the lives of other people at risk. We should also be aware and build away from known hazard zones precisely because of our long term view.�
!RCHITECTS HAVE MADE A SIGNIkCANT contribution to reducing disaster risk, both in post-disaster contexts and in designing infrastructure in hazard-prone areas. There is a sigNIkCANT OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ON OUR experiences and explore how we can contribute to a broader agenda with the ultimate objective of creating resilient communities, businesses and cities able to survive extreme events and adapt to changing circumstances. Resilience is initially A DIFkCULT CONCEPT TO GRASP BUT SO was sustainability. Just as we have learned to accept the challenges posed by an increasing population LIVING ON A kNITE PLANET WE MUST rise to the challenges posed by the increasing risk of disasters. In this connection, the UAP is extending both a reliable helping hand and a hand of long-term collaborative partnership to your good OFkCE TO ENSURE THE PROTECTION AND welfare of the people especially in times of disaster. Looking forward to working with YOUR GOOD OFkCE 4HANK YOU AND our warm regards. Very truly yours, (Sgd) ARCHITECT BENJAMIN PANGANIBAN JR., FUAP National President United Architects of the Philippines
(The writer is the current national president of the United Architects OF THE 0HILIPPINES AND THE kRST NAtional president coming from Mindanao. He has been in the Private practice for more than 33 years and is a fellow of the UAP. He is also the kRST !SSOCIATION OF 3OUTHEAST !SIAN .ATIONS ARCHITECT AND !SIA 0ACIkC Economic Cooperation architect coming from Davao City. He is a graduate of BS Architecture from the University of Mindanao and is also a Doctor Fellow of the Royal Institute of Architects Singapore.)
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LAYOUT AND DESIGN BY PETER NATHANIEL S. BAGA AND GUIAN A. AVANTE
TTUESDAY, TUESDA U ESS DAY DAY AY, Ma May M ay 7 , 22019 ay 0019 T H E M OTO R I N G S E C T I O N O F
Q The all-electric vehicles Audi e-tron GT and Audi e-tron Sportback concept (photo below) that appeared in Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame.�
Audi teams up with Marvel Studios’ ‘Avengers: Endgame’
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HE all-electric vehicles Audi etron Sportback concept and Audi etron GT concept appeared in Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame.�
Audi and Marvel Studios are back together, this time with a hilarious digital short in anticipation of “Avengers: Endgame.â€? The video, called “The Debriefing,â€? follows Brie Larson as Captain Marvel and her re-introduction to society after years away from Earth. The video also features the all-electric Audi e-tron. When Captain Marvel returns to Earth after years away, a government agent recaps all she’s missed, including advances in the war on gluten, technology and the formation of the Avengers. In her efforts to embrace the future, Captain Marvel is introduced to the all-new Audi e-tron and takes it for a spin – where the agent notes: “Speed limits are still a thing.â€? Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame debuted in US theaters on April 26. The kLM FEATURES THE ALL ELECTRIC !UDI E TRON Sportback concept while Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) trades his Audi R8 for the all-electric Audi e-tron GT concept. With the electric-powered Audi etron GT concept, a four-door coupĂŠ made ITS DEBUT AS A SHOW CAR IN THE kLM CAPITAL
of Los Angeles in November 2018. The volumeproduction counterpart is set to follow in around two years. Audi also showcased the Audi e-tron GT concept at the Geneva Motor Show. The next electric Audi is being launched, following in the footsteps of the Audi e-tron SUV and the Audi e-tron Sportback SLATED FOR 4HIS TIME WITH A lAT lOOR ARCHITECture that provides for exciting proportions and a low center of gravity. 434 kW (590 metric horsepower) ENSURES PERFORMANCE kT FOR A SPORTS CAR 4HE TORQUE IS
TRANSFERRED TO THE WHEELS VIA THE QUATTRO PERMANENT ALL WHEEL DRIVE WITH TORQUE VECTORING AS YOU WOULD expect for such a dynamic Audi. The performance subsidiary Audi Sport GmbH is responsible for SUBSEQUENTLY TRANSFORMING THE CAR INTO A VOLUME production model. For more information, contact Audi Philippines at 7270381 to 85 or visit any Audi showroom in Alabang, Global City, Greenhills and SM Seaside City Cebu.
Buick eyes younger market with Encore small crossover BY G. CHAMBERS WILLIAMS 3RD SINCE arriving in the Buick lineup for 2013, the Encore small crossover, with a 2019 base price of just $23,200 (plus $995 freight), quickly became Buick’s top-selling vehicle. A major freshening of the five-passenger Encore made it even better for year 2017. That brought a new, sculpted front end and streamlined design that included new front and rear fascias, a winged grille with a new Buick tricolor insignia, new headlights and taillights with LED signature lighting, a new hood and front fenders, and redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior got its share of changes as well, with a new instrument layout, eight-inch touchscreen audio system, 4.2-inch driver-information screen, chrome accents, contrast stitching on upholstery and premium materials. The 2017 Encore also debuted such new features as pushbutton start, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, keyless lock/ unlock on the door handles, and improved six-power power-adjustable driver’s seat (with manual recline). For 2019, the trim levels have been dropped to four from last year’s five, and include the base Encore ($23,200), Preferred ($24,600), Sport Touring ($25,800) and Essence ($29,300). Those prices are for front-wheel-drive models, but allwheel drive can be added to any trim level except the base model for $1,500. Our test vehicle for this report was the top-
end Essence model with all-wheel drive (base price $30,800). Also new for 2019 is the Safety Package II ($940), available only on the Essence trim. It was included on our tester, and it added rain-sensing wipers, front and rear park assist, forward collision alert, lane departure warning and an air ionizer. The Encore is a big part of efforts to bringing new, younger buyers to Buick as it tries to rebuild a brand that had long been associated with big cars and older clientele. This small crossover is a version of the Opel Mokka, from GM’s now former German subsidiary that was sold to French automaker Peugeot in 2017. The Buick Encore and the similar Chevrolet Trax are assembled in GM’s plant in South Korea. Encore is a junior version of the full-size Enclave crossover, and is among a growing number of small crossovers introduced by a variety of automakers as more consumers look for vehicles that are versatile and economical to operate. Along with the addition of the slightly larger China-built Envision compact crossover for 2016, Buick now has three crossovers, as well as a wagon version of the Opel-based Regal midsize sedan, called the Regal TourX.
Also for retired consumers With room for up to five people, the Encore was designed for young, upwardly mobile singles and couples looking for a vehicle that fits their active lifestyles. It also appeals to empty-nesters and
retired consumers. For 2016, the Sport Touring model was added to the line-up. It comes with some unique features, such as 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with midnight silver finish, rear spoiler, and body-color door handles. The base engine is a 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder with 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. It’s connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. Optional on the Sport Touring and Essence models, for $250 extra, is a more-powerful 1.4-liter Ecotec turbo four-cylinder engine with start-stop technology. It has 153 horsepower and 177 foot-pounds of torque. It’s also paired with a six-speed automatic. This engine was included on
our test vehicle. Encore’s all-wheel drive is designed to send power almost 50-50 to the front and rear on startup, but favors the front wheels in normal driving until the automatic system detects wheel slippage. There is no low-range gearing for serious off-road driving, however. Available high-tech safety features include rear cross traffic alert and side blind zone alert systems, included on all but the base model. Driving the Encore is rather fun for a crossover. Even the base engine is turbocharged, which gives it a good boost when the accelerator is mashed. With either engine, you’ll get the same six-speed automatic transmission. The electric power steering was precise and
predictable, and the four-wheel antilock disc brakes made for quick and sure stopping, even in the occasional near-panic situations that seem to occur with more frequency when traffic gets thick. With its small size and light weight (about 3,400 pounds), the Encore offers the best fuel economy in the Buick lineup, and EPA ratings that are among the best in the crossover realm. With the base engine and front drive, the estimates are 25 mpg city/30 highway/27 combined; for all-wheel-drive models, 24/29/26. The optional turbo engine is rated slightly better, at 26/31/28 for front drive, and 25/30/27 with all-wheel drive. During my test, I averaged about 26.8 mpg,
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TEXT AND PHOTO BY MATTHEW EMMANUEL BUHION
M
ITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) proudly added another milestone in its 55 years of operating in the country by celebrating its onemillionth unit sold. From passenger to commercial vehicles, Mitsubishi is a recognized nameplate, solidifying its presence in the local market.
TUESDAY, May 7, 2019
Mitsubishi celebrates astounding sales feat Celebrating the evening with MMPC were its suppliers, dealerships and bank partners, which have been along side the company to achieve the milestone. “Mitsubishi Motors Philipines has BEEN SELLING TOP QUALITY VEHICLES TO the Filipino people for more than five decades. This unprecedented record withstood the test of time, which brought us to where we are today,� said Mutsuhiro Oshikiri, MMPC president and chief executive officer. Those five decades, which Oshikiri
refers to, are the 55 straight years that MMPC has operated as an automotive manufacturing plant and vehicle distributor in the country. Withstanding difficult economic and political climates, MMPC comes out as the oldest automotive brand to stay in the Philippines. A sneak peek at what lies ahead for MMPC was also made, as they revealed the next generation of L300 utility vehicle. The well-loved L300 is now EQUIPPED WITH A CLEAN BURNING %URO
engine, new front grille and styling that has won the hearts of Filipinos over the years. It is vehicles like the L300 that made MMPC so grateful and proud of a product line up that maintain Mitsubishi as the leading and trusted brand in the Philippines. As MMPC surpassed its millionth unit sales, the company looks forward to bringing the Filipino people more exciting and well-designed vehicles. In addition, MMPC also salutes the government of the Philippines, particularly the
Q From left: Rizal Auto Zone Group General Manager Annie Pili, LICA Group Vice President Tey Sornet, LICA Managing Director Rene Limcaoco, HCPI President General Manager Noriyuki Takakura, HCPI Dealer Business Division head Noel Barachina, HCPI Sales Division head lawyer Louie Soriano, and HCPI Sales Advisor Kokki Hattori at the groundbreaking event of Honda Cars Las PiĂąas last April 12, 2019.
WITH the automotive industry continuing its recovery, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) reported 7,952 units sold for March this year, an 8-percent increase compared to the UNITS SOLD IN -ARCH LAST YEAR 4HIS BUCKS THE TREND IN THE kRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR WHICH SAW A DECLINE OF PERCENT &OR THE kRST QUARTER OF !6)$ SOLD UNITS PERCENT LOWER THAN THE 23,038 units reported in the same period last year. g!6)$ S kRST QUARTER PERFORMANCE INDICATES THAT THE AUTOMOtive industry has turned the corner and is now experiencing modest RECOVERY 7E EXPECT A FURTHER UPTURN IN THE NEXT THREE QUARTERS ON THE back of improved consumer sentiment, the introduction of exciting and innovative vehicles, and the government’s aggressive infrastructure program. AVID aims to be at the forefront of this growth in vehicle sales,� said AVID President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo. For March, the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment registered a 21-percent year-on-year increase with sales totalling 4,998 units, making it the primary growth and VOLUME DRIVER 4HE SEGMENT ROSE BY PERCENT IN THE kRST THREE MONTHS OF the year, bringing the sales tally to 14,168 units. Ford leads the segment WITH UNITS SOLD IN THE kRST QUARTER 4HE PASSENGER CARS 0# SEGMENT declined by 9 percent to 2,831 units in March, and fell 13 percent to 7,993 UNITS IN THE kRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR (YUNDAI CONTINUES TO LEAD THIS SEGMENT with 5,404 units sold during the period. In the commercial vehicles (CV) segment, sales slipped by 2 percent to 123 units in March and slightly dipped by 1 percent to 336 in the kRST QUARTER !S THE LEADER IN THIS SEGMENT (YUNDAI POSTED STRONG GAINS with 239 units sold during the period. g)F POSITIVE ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS INCLUDING LOW INlATION AND rising living standards, are sustained, we can expect a renewed boost to motorization in the country. And AVID is more than ready to offer customers up-to-the-minute innovation in our products and services,� Agudo said. 4HE COMBINED EFFECTS OF EASING INlATION LOWER UNEMPLOYMENT RATES and near-term boost from election-related spending are expected to fuel private consumption for the rest of the year.
Hyundai leads charge in car sales as industry continues recovery
Honda Cars dealership soon to open in Las Piùas HONDA Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) Honda’s automobile business unit in the Philippines, is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of its 40th dealership on April 12, 2019. Honda Cars Las Piùas (HCLP) will operate full sales and service function, and will be located in KM 17 real Street, Alabang Zapote Road, Talon 2, Las Piùas City. Located along the main highway and nearby commercial area of Las Piùas, Honda brings its products and services closer and accessible to residents of Las Piùas. HCLP will offer Honda’s latest product line-
Department of Trade and Industry, and the Board of Investment (BOI), for its unwavering support for the growth of the domestic automotive industry, which contributed to the development of several small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that helped grow the Philippine economy forward. MMPC holds its place in the Philippines and will keep its world-class manufacturing plant, capable of export QUALITY VEHICLES WHICH WILL FURTHER boost the Philippine economy.
up and complete vehicle service facilities for general repair, preventive maintenance, and body-and-paint. HCPI and HCLP celebrated their partnership during the groundbreaking event last April 12, 2019 with the presence of HCPI President and General Manager Noriyuki Takakura, HCPI Dealer Business Division head Noel Barachina, Sales Division head and spokesperson lawyer Louie Soriano, and LICA principals Rene Limcaoco and Tey Sornet. HCLP would be managed by Rizal Autozone Inc.’s Group General Manager Annee Pili.
“We are truly honored to be given the chance to extend HCPI’s commitment of providing outstanding customer satisfaction through delivering innovative products and services for every Filipino family,â€? said Soriano. Honda Cars Las PiĂąas is set to open by the SECOND QUARTER OF For more information on Honda Cars Las PiĂąas (HCLP) and other Honda products, visit the (ONDA #ARS 0HILIPPINES )NC S OFkCIAL WEBSITE AT www.hondaphil.com.
Q CROSSOVER FROM C1
Buick eyes younger market with a combination of city and highway driving. Inside, the Encore doesn’t feel small. Tall people — six feet or more — can ride in comfort in the front bucket seats, and they’re riding higher up than you would imagine in a vehicle with such a small exterior size. There is no feel of being in a tiny vehicle, sitting close to the ground. Outside, the Encore looks somewhat like a junior-size version of the seven-passenger Enclave, with similar front-end styling and overall shape, and the signature Buick grille. We were able to seat three average-size adults in the rear bench seat for some short trips. Outboard passengers had plenty of leg and knee room, although the middle rider was a bit cramped and suggested that might not be a good place for a long trip. A child safety seat would fit there well, however, with two larger kids or even small- to medium-size adults on each side.
But the only cupholders in the back were a pair in a small pull-down center armrest that eliminates the middle seating position. Small door pockets were not wide enough to serve as bottle holders either in front or back. There is 18.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, accessed through a rear hatch that flips up in one piece for easy loading and unloading. Fold down the rear seatback, though, and the cargo area expands to a whopping 48.4 cubic feet. You could get a big-screen TV box back there, if necessary. Encore is relatively quiet inside, aided by Buick’s exclusive QuietTuning, which uses Bose Active Noise Cancellation technology. Even the base model comes loaded with features such as OnStar, cruise control, premium cloth upholstery, heated outside mirrors, six-way power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment, and power windows/door locks with remote.
Our top-end Essence model had leather seats, self-dimming rearview mirror, remote start, dual automatic climate control, 120-volt power outlet, fog lights, heated/leather-wrapped steering wheel, six-way power passenger seat, and a driver memory package with settings for seat position, outside mirrors and climate control. Other extras on our test vehicle included a power sunroof ($900) and Bose premium audio system ($595) with HD radio. Standard safety features include 10 air bags, electronic stability control, rearview camera, cornering brake control with electronic brake assist, tire-pressure monitoring, and a safety-cage body designed to protect the occupants. Total sticker price for our 2019 Buick Encore Essence with all-wheel drive was $34,975, including freight and options. FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM/TNS
TUESDAY, May 7, 2019
Q Glenn Tan, deputy chairman and managing director of Tan Chong International Ltd., led the inaugural ceremonies of Subaru’s Thailand assembly plant.
Tan Chong’s assembly plant to boost presence in Southeast Asia
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TEXT AND PHOTOS BY DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD
ANGKOK, Thailand: In a move that aims to further expand its presence in Southeast Asia, Tan Chong International Ltd. (TCIL), the distributors of the Subaru brand IN THE REGION RECENTLY UNVEILED ITS kRST 3UBARU assembly plant in Ladkrabang Industrial Estate in Bangkok. “This is truly a milestone for us, to be able to build Subaru cars ourselves in Thailand. From distribution, dealerships and after-sales, we are now also manufacturing Subaru cars. This strategic longterm move will allow us to better manage our supply chain, widen our product line up, localize better and be less dependent on supply from Japan. We will be better able to respond and meet consumer demand for Subaru vehicles in the region, and perhaps even beyond the region in future,� said Glenn Tan, deputy chairman and managing director of TCIL, The sprawling facility is a strategic collaboration between TCIL, holding a 74.9-percent stake, and Subaru Corp. of Japan, which holds the remaining 25.1 percent. The Ladkrabang assembly plant IS THE kRST PLANT OUTSIDE OF *APAN THAT fully produces Subaru vehicles for the Southeast Asian region. With an initial INVESTMENT OF kVE BILLION BAHT THE PLANT targets to produce 6,000 Foresters during ITS kRST YEAR OF OPERATION 4HE CARS WOULD be distributed in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia by Motor Image Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TCIL. Some 100 cars have already been delivered to customers in Thailand. Motor )MAGE ALSO REPORTED RECORD SALES kGURES AT the Bangkok International Motor Show in March, largely contributed by strong consumer interest in the Subaru Forester.
$ESPITE THE HUMIDITY QUALITY CONTROL and correction processes take place during and throughout the assembly process. This was evident during a guided tour of the facility, as Subaru 4HAILAND OFkCIALS EXPLAINED THE STEP by-step process in manufacturing and assembly of a Subaru vehicle. Some of THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE PLANT INCLUDE a test track, especially built to assess the condition of every car before it leaves THE FACTORY 4HE ROBUST QUALITY CONtrol procedures ensure that every car produced at Tan Chong Subaru Automotive Thailand (TCSAT) is safe, comfortable and reliable. The plant has a compliment of 400 highly-skilled local workers, with key expatriates from Subaru Japan manning the deli-
cate sections of the assembly process. According to Tan, a committee oversees the overall safety standards of the plant, and PROACTIVELY IDENTIkES AND ISOLATES POTENTIAL RISKS 0ERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ARE worn by all staff and visitors at designated areas. All management staff are trained by external consultants on local regulations and global practices. To further promote staff health and well-being, the canteen serves nutritious Thai and Japanese meals. ,EISURE AREAS SUCH AS A FUTSAL kELD CATER TO staff recreation needs. Like the made-in-Japan model, the Subaru Forester assembled in Thailand provides rug-
Global manufacturing standards
The Thailand assembly plant also employs a team of Japanese staff to ensure that production standards and processes meet the same stringent levels similar to that in Japan. In addition, high-performance robotics would be used at several stages of the assembly process to ensure superior QUALITY AND ZERO DEFECTS !T THE PAINTING line, the pre-treatment, electrical deposits, primer and top coat are applied automatically. The key welding points of the car body and the sealer application for glass components are also automated to achieve total consistency.
C 3
Q The first Subaru Forrester assembled in Thailand is presented to the media.
gedness and space for the whole family. The Subaru Forester features all four Subaru core technologies. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive sends power to all four wheels to give drivers a reliable drive in even the harshest conditions. The Boxer Engine enables a lower center of gravity for better stability and handling. The EyeSight Driver-Assist Technology alerts drivers to unanticipated risks and helps prevent accidents. The Subaru Global Platform elevates overall safety and performance with a new body and chassis design. It was given a Good Design Award by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion last year.
Driven C 4
TUESDAY, May 7, 2019
Q Though the Soluto is made to be more of a city vehicle, it can also carve through the corners.
Q The 1.4-liter inlinefour engine produces 95 PS of power and 132 Nm of torque.
F
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY MATTHEW EMMANUEL BUHION
EBRUARY of 2019 was a key month for Korean car brand Kia, since it was a celebration of a rebirth. Re-launched, and now under the brass of AC Industrials, SPECIkCALLY !# !UTOMOTIVE AN !YALA #ORP Vompany, Kia promised to reinvigorate its “Power to Surprise� by introducing new and exciting models. First to make its debut is the 2019 Kia Soluto.
The Power to Perform
This writer immersed himself with the 2019 Kia Soluto 1.4L LX MT for a weekend, and I’d like to begin this review with attention to the MT part in its name. Manual Transmission, or “Leg Day� for those gym buffs, had me worried, especially when the vehicle was released on payday Friday. I was proven wrong once this gear head began driving around Bonifacio Global #ITY S HORRENDOUS TRAFkC 4HE CLUTCH ISN T stiff at all, yet provides enough haptic FEEDBACK TO YOUR FOOT 0AIRED TO THE kVE speed H-pattern manual transmission is a 1.4-liter inline-four cylinder gasoline, Dual CVVT engine, producing 95 PS OF POWER AND .M OF TORQUE 4HIS engine can be enjoyed across the whole Soluto range. Driving the 2019 Kia Soluto 1.4L LX MT in the city is simple. Steering comes in very light, making getting out of tight situations easy. Parking should I mention is a simple task also, because on top of the light steering, you get a backing camera as standard across all the variants of the Soluto. Riding comfort is good through the city with the Soluto soaking up unexpected imperfections on the road. Taking the 2019 Soluto out TO 2EAL 1UEZON FOR A QUICK beach trip gave the opportunity of running the vehicle on open winding roads with different elevations. Pushing THIS VEHICLE BRINGS OUT ADEQUATE performance, but returned great fuel consumption figures. Since this example of the Kia Soluto was
below 1,000 kilometers, I did not push the engine too hard, but cruising at 80 kph on the highway can give you a range of 19 to 22 km/liter, as compared to city driving, which returned 13 to 15km/liter. The grunt of the power comes out at the higher 4,000-rpm mark, so be prepared to downshift during passing maneuvers or when hard acceleration is needed. Though the Soluto is made to be more of a city vehicle, it’s great fun carving through CORNERS AND BEING A MORE EFkCIENT DRIVER by keeping your momentum.
Q Trim on the interior mainly consists of hard plastics and polyurethane, with gloss piano black accents. competition in its price segment. As standard, you get a backing camera, as mentioned earlier, Bluetooth audio streaming, Aux-in, USB media, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, all accessed through a seven-inch touchscreen display with voice command. Hands-free calling buttons are integrated on the steering wheel, along with audio controls. In addition to that, you get electric mirrors, four power windows. Stepping up to the EX variant, you’ll be getting backing sensors. Trim on the interior mainly consists of hard plastics and polyurethane, with gloss piano black accents. Seats are finished in a black cloth texture, with a driver’s side armrest. It makes the Saluto a comfortable place to sit, AS IT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BOLSTERING AND lumbar support for long city traffic jams. Something to get used to though are the controls for the power windows - instead of giving you an additional storage hole, Kia placed the controls in the center console, underneath the CLIMATE CONTROLS )T REQUIRES REORIENTAtion while pulling up and driving away from the tollbooths. Bu I understand Kia placed it in the center for every-
The power to inform
Kia packaged the 2019 Soluto 1.4L LX MT with technology, unlike the
Q The Saluto’s rear is no-nonsense, with a neatly designed combination rear lamp, in addition to an incorporated rear fog lamp.
Q The steering wheel is easy to grip, allowing for some spirited driving.
body to access the controls. Exterior of the 2019 Kia Soluto 1.4L LX MT is reminiscent of the earlier generations of Kia Rio. Supporting the iconic Tiger Nose Grille with chrome molding, following the design language of Kia, the front fascia is clean, with faux air intakes on the edges of the bumper. Two rounded plastic trimmings represent where the fog lamps should be, but IN THIS ,8 VARIANT ARE NOT EQUIPPED Standard though are the wraparound halogen headlamps, which continue the design line of the grille’s chrome molding. The rear is no-nonsense, with a neatly designed combination rear lamp, in addition to an incorporated rear fog lamp. Wheels on the LX variant are 14-inch steel wheels with wheel caps, which aren’t bad looking when seen in the metal.
The Power to Surprise
Here is where it gets good, the price. Coming in at P625,000, you can have the rear-mounted camera, a voice command infotament system with Apple Car Play, a n d A n - roid Auto, power windows, electric adjustable mirrors, and the
WORLD FAMOUS kVE YEAR KM +IA warranty. In addition to that, it should BE MENTIONED THAT THIS SPECIkC VEHICLE which was used for this review, is just the base model. This LX MT is the entry and cheapest Soluto you can purchase. Step up to an automatic transmission in the LX variant and add only P50,000, totaling to P675,000. The top spec EX with an automatic gearbox, fog lamps, backing sensors, 14-inch alloy wheels, signal repeaters on your side mirrors, leatherette interior with leather interior accents, and an immobilizer would only cost you P735,000. These are the surprises coming out of the new Kia Philippines. An opportunity for everybody to experience the joys of owning a Kia, and mind you, the great LEAPS +IA HAS MADE IN QUALITY DESIGN and reliability in the past decade or SO )F YOU RE LOOKING FOR YOUR kRST CAR this should be the first on your list, and strongly consider purchasing one. Though I would prefer more safety features, like curtain airbags, you get more than enough features for the price. Since driving the 2019 Kia Soluto 1.4L LX MT for four days, it gave me hope that these compact cars are less becoming just transportation tools, and are getting injected with creature comforts, which make them good cars.
D 1
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
THE MOTORING SECTION OF
Q Felipe Estrella, president of Volkswagen Philippines, and Immo Buschmann, senior director for sales at SAIC-VW.
Q The Volkswagen fleet is prominently displayed at the lobby of the VW-SAIC plant.
Volkswagen’s 34-billion euro e-mobility investment TEXT AND PHOTOS BY DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD
A
day after attending the Shanghai International Auto Show, our host Volkswagen Philippine took us to a plant familiarization tour of SAIC-Volkswagen’s massive manufacturing plant in Anting, Shanghai. It was about an hour’s drive from our place in Shanghai. Established in 1984, the Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co.,now known as SIAC Volkswagen Automotive Co. Ltd., is a joint venture between Volkswagen AG (40 percent) and SAIC Motor (50 percent), with Volkswagen China holding 10-percent interest. The media delegation was welcomed by Immo Buschmann, senior director for sales of SAIC-Volkswagen. According to Buschmann, the Anting facility is divided into three massive structures that houses Volkswagen’s advanced auto manufacturing processes. “What you see here, in terms of automotive manufacturing is similar to that in Germany. We strictly adhere to the manufacturing standards of our plant in Germany so the quality is the same, as in
our other plants across the globe,” he explained. The Anting facility manufactures Volkswagen and Skoda vehicles. Our group was accorded the privilege of seeing how a Volkswagen vehicle is made, from its advanced laser online measuring equipment, laser-welding technology and up to the plant’s advanced ESTA automatic painting equipment and full immersion pre-treatment process. From 2005 to 2018, the SAIC-VolkswaGEN GROUP BECAME THE kRST AUTOMOTIVE venture in China to sell more than 4.2 million units in China. g4HIS IS SIGNIkCANT BECAUSE THE SHARE OF China in the global car market accounts for 27.5 percent and in 2018, we were able to hit a record mark,” said Buschmann.
Q The VW Terramont SUV might be introduced in the Philippine market. He also revealed that SAIC-Volkswagen have also made a $2.5-billion investment TO BOOST PRODUCTION AND ONCE kNISHED IS expected to produce some 300,000 cars a year. It will increase production of various VARIANTS FROM 6OLKSWAGEN S UMBRELLA kRMS such as Skoda and Audi starting in 2020. To be referred to as the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) plant, the Anting facility will also manufacture Volkswagen’s line-up of electric vehicles. “The Volkswagen group invested 34 billion euros for the development and pro-
duction of e-mobility vehicles. 10 Billion euros will be funneled into the Chinese market,” Buschmann said. Previously, Audi was produced in China by FAW, another VW AG partner. The new Anting plant would focus on the production of all-electric and plug-in hybrid models, which would be based on the all-new MEB platform. Battery packs will also be built on an assembly line at the plant. This would boost Volkswagen’s dominance in China’s fast-growing NEV market.
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TUESDAY May 7, 2019
N
Q Atsushi Najima
Finance man is new Nissan PH president
ISSAN has announced the appointment of Atsushi Najima as the new president and managing director for Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI), effective on April 1, 2019. Atsushi will report to Vincent Wijnen, senior vice president for sales and for marketing at Nissan Asia and Oceania. He will be based in Manila.
In his new role, Atsushi will be responsible for developing business strategies to maximize Nissan’s overall performance, managing product introductions and expanding the availability of the Nissan brand in the Philippines under its midterm plan Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022. “With his rich experience in managing teams across multiple countries, I am confident that Atsushi will continue to drive the strong growth trajectory established by the current leadership team,� said Vincent. “Under the strong leadership of Ramesh NaraSIMHAN .ISSAN HAS SEEN SIGNIkCANT GROWTH IN THE
promising Philippines market. In calendar year 2018, Nissan’s sales volume in the Philippines grew by 40 percent to an 8.7-percent market share,� Vincent added. Atsushi joined Nissan in 2016 as deputy general MANAGER OF .ISSAN S REGIONAL kNANCIAL MANAGEment group in Japan. Prior to this, he spent 18 years at Procter & Gamble across Asia, holding VARIOUS kNANCE AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT ROLES IN the Philippines, Singapore and Japan. Ramesh Narasimhan, the current president and managing director for the Philippines, would be taking the role of president for Nissan Thailand.
‘Algorithmic Lace’ wins Lexus award Buying a pre-loved LEXUS International has announced the Grand Prix winner of Lexus Design Award 2019, with Lisa Marks winning the prestigious award for her design of “Algorithmic Lace.� A total of 1,548 idea submissions from 65 countries across the globe competed for the award. Through the program and since its inception in 2013, Lexus puts into practice its commitment to support and nurture the next generation of designers who share Lexus’ belief in the power of design and innovation to shape a brighter future. The prototypes from all o this year’s finalists make creative use of technology to design practical solutions that have the power to change lives. Joining the judging panel for the first time, internationally recognized designer and technologist John Maeda, said: “When we think of algorithms, we usually think of computers and the high-tech industry. But the textile industry is where algorithms were first deployed as a means to realize new aesthetic choices in fabrics during the 19th century. Lisa Marks ‘Algorithmic Lace’ project not only feeds on that rich history, but goes even further back in time to incorporate a 16th century technique for weaving complex lace patterns.� “Marks uses this ancient process together with advanced three-dimensional modeling to handcraft bespoke bras for breast cancer survivors who have undergone mastectomy surgery. The result is a combination of function and beauty that positively impacts the survivor’s body aesthetic while
car has its benefits
Q From left: Lexus International President Yoshihiro Sawa and Lisa Marks, Grand Prix Winner of Lexus Design Award 2019. also providing fully customized structural comfort,â€? he added. For her part, Grand Prix winner Marks said: “Lexus doesn’t have to do this. They could be a successful brand without it. But it shows their commitment to design and to a better world. The Grand Prix winning prototype along with prototypes created by the other five Lexus Design Award 2019 finalists went on display at the Lexus exhibition entitled “Leading with Light,â€? from April 9 to 13 at the Milan Design Week’s Superstudio PiĂš in the Tortuna district, the hub of Milan’s international design event. The “Leading with Lightâ€? exhi-
bition, inspired by Lexus’ latest illumination technology and produced in collaboration with new media design studio, Rhizomatiks, is an immersive and emotional experience. By combining playful and dynamic lighting with human dance and advanced robotics, this highly choreographed exhibition uses countless beams of light as robots interact with the movements of a single performer. Within the exhibition, an area called “Lexus Lights Tomorrow� showcases Lexus’ human-centered approach through cutting-edge vehicle lighting technology that can help shape a better and brighter future.
OTHER than a house, a car is probably the most expensive purchase a person ever makes. But while everyone loves the look and feel of a brand new car, buying a pre-loved vehicle might be a better way of managing your finances responsibly and getting more value for your money. While there are also discounted rates or bargain buys on brand new vehicles, buying preloved cars - particularly those that are less than two-years old - can help you keep some of your savings in the bank. Below are the benefits of buying a pre-loved car over a brand new one. Lower price, less depreciation - To state the obvious, second-hand cars are better bargains even when compared to discounted brand new ones, as the original owner has already taken up some of the depreciation. That means lower financing cost for you. So would you rather be the first buyer, who will immediately lose tens of thousands of pesos as soon as you drive your brand new car from the car dealership (from depreciation) or the second buyer who gets to keep the same amount of money in your bank account? This is not to say your pre-loved car isn’t going to depreciate in value, but at least you would avoid the hit that the original owner took and you would lose less money less quickly. Lower insurance rates - Car insurance rates for a new car are evidently higher as you would be paying a premium on a costlier unit compared to a pre-owned car that already depreciated in value. Simply put, the value of a used car is lower than the value of a brand new vehicle, thus, insurance cost is also much lower. Cheaper installation of additional features you actually want - Brand new cars usually come with add-ons that you can easily get at a much lower price outside of a car dealership. This means opting for a second-hand car will save you from paying for add-on features you didn’t ask for and enable you to get every car feature you actually want at a lower price. If you’re lucky, the pre-loved vehicle you’re eyeing may already have a lot of
additional features you need not pay for. Manufacturer’s warranty - If you look patiently enough, you may be able to snag a pre-owned vehicle with an existing manufacturer’s warranty, the same benefit that you get when buying a brand new vehicle.   Wide selection of cars to choose from - Just because you’re opting for a second hand vehicle doesn’t mean your choices are limited. Chances are you would most likely find the car make and model that you prefer without difficulty. On the contrary, buying a brand new car will restrict you to recently-released car models.  Philippine Savings Bank, the thrift banking arm of the Metrobank Group, offers you a wide variety of choices with its PSBank Pre-Owned Automart, which is located along Manalac Avenue, Bagong Tanyag, East Service Road, Taguig City. You may purchase the vehicle of your choice through straight cash payment or through the bank’s financing options with the PSBank Auto Loan with Prime Rebate. The PSBank Auto Loan with Prime Rebate offers competitive interest rates, flexible payment terms and convenient modes of payment to suit your car financing requirements. To ensure that you are on the road in no time, credit decision on your loan approval would be sent to you via SMS in as fast as 24 hours. What’s more, you can even earn rebates for making advance or excess payments on your monthly dues. Buying a pre-owned car from PSBank PreOwned Automart also saves you the trouble of potentially buying a vehicle from fraudsters. Second-hand cars sold by the bank are in the market simply because the original owner could not keep up with loan repayment. This means you are likely to find best-in-quality pre-owned cars at the PSBank Pre-Owned Automart. Needless to say, if you’re considering buying a second-hand vehicle, you should know what you’re looking for, what you’re willing to compromise on and how you’re planning to check for quality.
INDYCAR ADOPTS ADVANCED FRONTAL PROTECTION
INDYCAR has announced that the Advanced &RONTAL 0ROTECTION !&0 DEBRIS DElECTOR RECENTLY introduced as the sport’s latest safety initiative will be used in competition sooner than expected – beginning at next month’s INDYCAR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The titanium AFP, which provides frontal protection for drivers, was tested earlier this week at IMS by INDYCAR teams in an open test on the 2.5-mile oval. INDYCAR President Jay Frye SAID THE SANCTIONING BODY IS SATISkED THE !&0 IS ready for use in all NTT IndyCar Series races this season, starting with the INDYCAR Grand Prix on the IMS road course on May 11 and including its original target date for implementation, the 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 26. “Thanks to a phenomenal effort by Dallara and all of the INDYCAR teams, we are ahead of schedule in making this happen,� Frye said. The AFP is bolted on the Dallara chassis centerline ahead of the cockpit and is designed to push lYING DEBRIS AWAY FROM THE DRIVER )T IS SHOWN above mounted in front of driver Spencer Pigot on the No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet. With brackets and monocoque reinforcement, the AFP WEIGHS JUST UNDER kVE POUNDS AND HAS PASSED THE same load testing as the Indy car roll hoop sitting behind and above the driver. Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver James Hinchcliffe, among the 29 drivers who participated in Wednesday’s open test, praised the sanctioning body for continuing to prioritize driver safety. “It’s great to see that INDYCAR is always pushing safety,� Hinchcliffe said. “Obviously, this is just Step 1 in an evolution of head protection. But having been hit by a piece of debris that would’ve been prevented with this device, I’m all for it. It’s also comforting to know that behind the scenes we are still working hard on a more comprehensive solution.� Frye called the AFP “Phase 1 of our solution� to improve cockpit safety. The next phase is expected to be revealed in May. INDYCAR.COM
Tuned
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
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McLaren’s breath taking supercar vision Q While it was designed exclusively for Gran Turismo Sport, the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo would eventually join real-life McLaren models such as the McLaren 650S Coupe and 650S GT3.
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or supercar enthusiasts, McLaren’s Gran Turismo Vision represents what the future will look like. It is a car built upon the request of Gran Turismo creator Kazanori Yamauchi for vehicle manufacturers to design “visionary GT cars” to compete in Gran Turismo Sport. While not a prototype for any future McLaren model, the Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo showcases the kind of car that McLaren could produce beyond 2030. Players would be able to choose from three liveries: Performance, Ulterior and Noir.
Designing for the virtual world and unburdened by production car constraints, the team that created the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo pushed the boundaries of McLaren design well beyond current realities, while remaining true to inherent principles. The design form of the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo follows its function, meaning every single line and detail has a purpose. Just like McLaren’s road cars, the teardrop cabin and extensive glazing ensure exceptional visibility. And being single-minded in putting the driver first, meant an innovative approach to seating – the driver is positioned not just forward and centrally in the chassis, but lying on their front, with the rest of the car “shrink wrapped” around them. “We wanted to break new ground and to innovate and the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo does exactly that. It puts the driver absolutely at the center of the action, delivering a sen-
sory overload with incredible sound and awe-inspiring acceleration. From the game player’s point of view, the driving experience in this car will be like nothing else: the amazing glass cockpit and the motorcycle-like driving position – with your head far forward, almost right above the front axle – combine to allow you to see exactly where the apex of the corner is so you can shave vital milliseconds off each lap, more than anything though, the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo is a stunning looking car,” said Rob Melville, design director at McLaren Automotive. The design form communicates exactly what the car’s mission is and what its intentions are: it’s the ultimate expression of the McLaren design pillars and principles we have already established, futured into the 2030s,” he added.
Carbon fiber and active aerodynamic technology McLaren pioneered the use of carbon kBER IN &ORMULA AND THE STRONG YET lightweight material forms the chassis of all McLaren road cars. Featured extensively in the upper structure and body of the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo as WELL AS IN THE CHASSIS CARBON kBER HELPS TO deliver a virtual curb weight of just 1,000 kilograms. The McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo features ultra-advanced active aerodynamic technology. Called Integrated Active Aero, it works by opening tiny aperture covers around air inlets on key surfaces during cornering to create drag and generate downforce, rather than moving the surfaces altogether. This gives THE HANDLING BENEkTS OF ACTIVE AERODY-
namics with a reduced number of moving PARTS THAT BENEkTS BOTH COMPLEXITY AND weight. Centrally mounted carbon-ceramic disc brakes reduce unsprung mass, with the driver also able to monitor brake temperatures during racing. Power comes from a break-through hybrid drivetrain. A twin-turbo, 4.0-litre McLaren V8 engine drives the rear wheels, while high output electric motors are housed in each of the front wheel “pods.” Game players will be able to call upon maximum power of 1,150 PS, with 1,275 Nm of torque available instantly from launch, thanks to the electric propulsion and all-wheel traction. Capturing the essence of the spine-tingling sound experienced when driving a McLaren at full throttle was a critical part of the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran
Turismo brief and as such, the exhaust system and hybrid drive work together to generate a unique thrill for the ears, even in the cabin. “I created the Vision Gran Turismo project to give car manufacturers the opportunity to design something that has all of the characteristics of their brand, and will live on as a playable vehicle in Gran Turismo. Many of the cars have become legendary in their own right, continuing to shine for years and attracting players from different eras. For me, a car needs to be an extension of the driver; I am focused not just on the appearance, but on the handling, the sound of the engine, and the feeling you get when you are racing,” said Kazunori Yamauchi, Gran Turismo creator and president of Polyphony Digital Inc. “So, it was an honor to work with McLaren to bring the Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo to life, and to put such a car on the circuits of Gran Turismo Sport for players to enjoy driving at the limit,” he added. Gran Turismo Sport, which will be available starting October 17 of this year, is the latest release in the world-renowned Gran Turismo series for the Sony PlayStation. Gran Turismo Sport gives players the opportunity to choose their preferred car from a range of production and concept vehicles and compete at one of 17 locations, including the Nürburgring 24 Hour circuit, Brands Hatch and other worldclass circuits. Designed exclusively for the game, the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo would join real-life McLaren models such as the McLaren 650S Coupe and 650S GT3.
ŌĞƌŵĂƌŬĞƚ
MAXIMIZE YOUR REAL ESTATE PIAA promotes pedestrian THESE are two major issues motorists encounter everyday in the urban jungle, where one mistake can either cost you a burglarized car or getting towed in business districts such as Makati or Ortigas, and cities like Manila and Quezon City. What happened in Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan is also happening here. Gentrification has caused a lot of areas around the whole country to host the construction of new high-rise buildings beside existing old structures. While this has helped bring up real estate prices, it has also limited the options or spaces where people can park, as most open spaces have been sold or are being developed. Before, people used to park on the streets without any problems. Now, the streets are being cleared out to accommodate rising traffic. This is where Smart Parking comes in. Smart Parking was first developed and used
in Japan and eventually spread across to South Korea and neighboring countries. With Smart Parking, one can convert an
underutilized space of 33 square meters (sqm) (approximately two parking slots) and increase it vertically to accommodate 12 or 16 vehicles. Ingress and egress is not a problem as there is an optional turntable that can go with the unit. At 12.5 sqm per slot, that is an extra 150 to 200 sqm of “real estate” that you have added into your existing property, which can attract tenants and customers to your building. Smart Parking has sold over 566 units in over 32 countries. It can be installed in five days and is very safe, easy and economical to use. It carries a 10-year warranty on parts and lifetime free service on labor, which means maintenance cost is very minimal. And the best part is should you wish to relocate it to another location, it can be easily transferred. For details on how to maximize your parking space, call 372 3601 to 05 or email smartparking@emicor-inc.com.
safety with new horn
GET noticed and promote pedestrian safety with PIAA’s all-new and all-weather automotive horn. With a literal translation of “sound” in Japanese, the OTO Style Horn features the same quality PIAA is known for, well-designed and engineered for those who demand more from a quality product. “Even if subjected to 80 degrees to -30 degrees Celsius, the sound remains the same. Our engineers also subjected the OTO Style Horn to a salt spray test, water spray from 360 degrees and an
endurance test where the sound remained the same after 100,000 to 500,000 times. And the sound did not drop by more than five decibels (db),” explained Masasahi Otsuka of PIAA Japan. The OTO Style Horn features a deep bass horn with a sound frequency of 400Hz+500Hz and maximum output of 112 db. It retails for P1,200 per set. The OTO Style Horn is available in car accessory shops nationwide and in Blade Lifestyle stores in all SM, Robinsons and Ayala Malls.
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TUESDAY
May 7, 2019
Q From left: Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) Sales Vice President Yasuhiko Oyama, IPC President Hajime Koso, and IPC Executive Vice President Shojiro Sakoda.
Heavy Duty
Fans show brand affection in ‘I Love Isuzu’ campaign launch
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jime Koso in his welcome remarks. “The D-Max has been with us for more than a decade and it has proven to provide DURABILITY AND FUEL EFkCIENCY OVER AND OVER again. The mu-X captivated the hearts of Filipino families, reaching more than 45,000 In the late afternoon of April 25, hun- units since its launch in 2014,� he said. dreds of Isuzu vehicle owners and their “The impressive design of these models, families- all loyal fans of the world-re- coupled with comfort, convenience and, nowned maker of diesel-powered vehicles most especially, global safety standards GATHERED TO WITNESS THE LAUNCH OF THE kRST is what makes our customers love it even “I Love Isuzu� Campaign at the Carousel more,� Koso added. Court of the Upper Ground level in FestiThe I Love Isuzu campaign was hinged val Supermall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. on not just on Isuzu vehicles’ exceptional The launch of the campaign was the durability, reliability, power, performance culminating event of months of research, AND FUEL EFkCIENCY BUT ALSO ON THE ENTIRE planning and collaboration among Isuzu motoring lifestyle experiences of the owners Philippines Corp. (IPC) and its dealers, and their families and friends, the kind of business partners, suppliers and the vari- lifestyle experiences that have evolved into ous Isuzu Clubs across the country. fond memories throughout the decades. “Isuzu vehicles are really something to After the 4 pm opening ceremonies, the take pride on. Let me tell you that, we are affair was opened to the public, with free more than just a truck brand. Our pick-up admission to the various exciting activities, and SUV models deliver the same outstand- such as displays of the Isuzu mu-X SUV ing performance coming from our expertise and Isuzu D-Max pick-up, and a special on diesel engines,� said IPC President Ha- performance of “Asia’s Phoenix� Moris-
T was the kind of warm reception that could outshine the hottest of summers.
sette Amon. The guests and the mall-going public were also treated to the premier of the I Love Isuzu video, as well as the launch of the My Isuzu Story videos, depicting heartfelt testimonials from Isuzu customers. Various Isuzu clubs, such as the mu-X Owners Club of the Philippines (mu-x OP), Team Isuzu Pilipinas (TIP) and Team Isuzu Car Enthusiasts (Team ICE), also held their club meet and new member sign ups during the launch. Special promos and discounts on selected Isuzu models were also offered, and free public test drives were also conducted, apart from the mini-games wherein participants won premium Isuzu items. The I Love Isuzu mall display, test drives, special discounts and minigames continued daily up to April 28, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The I Love Isuzu campaign aims to encourage Isuzu customers to actively
promote and share their experiences from the Isuzu brand, and to ultimately grow the community of Isuzu owners in the Philippines. As such, the campaign will also involve social media engagements on Facebook and Instagram. 3HELL 0ILIPINAS IS THE OFkCIAL FUEL PARTNER of I Love Isuzu campaign. For more information on the I Love Isuzu campaign, log on to www. isuzuphil.com.
Q IPC President Hajime Koso delivers his welcome remarks.
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The launch of the campaign was the culminating event of months of research, planning and collaboration among Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) and its dealers, business partners, suppliers and the various Isuzu Clubs across the country
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Q From left: Joseph Bautista (IPC Sales Division head), Shojiro Sakoda (IPC executive vice president), the Isuzu loyal customers, Hajime Koso (IPC president) and Yasuhiko Oyama (IPC vice president for sales).
HINO BREAKS GROUND ITS FIRST BUTUAN DEALERSHIP
HINO Motors Philippines (HMP), the exclusive distributor of Hino trucks and buses in the country, is showing no sign of slowing down as it broke ground for ITS kRST DEALERSHIP IN "UTUAN #ITY !GUSAN del Norte. This addition to Hino’s dealership network in Mindanao highlights the company’s commitment to deliver “Total Support� to Filipinos in different parts of the country through reliable truck and bus solutions. Hino’s newest dealership center is strategically located at the heart of Agusan del Norte, the commercial, industrial and administrative center of the Caraga region in Northern Mindanao. Hino Butuan stands along the national highway, connecting the neighboring cities in the island, including Davao and Cagayan de Oro. “It always gives us a sense of pride and FULkLLMENT WHENEVER WE SEE A DEALERSHIP kNALLY READY TO SERVICE THE &ILIPINOS IN THE area. We continue to seek opportunities to reach more people and businesses as we pursue our vision of a more connected and sustainable community where trucks and fastest and most reliable way possible,� buses transport people and goods in the said HMP Chairman Vicente Mills Jr.
Offering commercial vehicle sales, service and spare parts, Hino Butuan
will be the newest one-stop-shop to support the thriving businesses in the
region. Hino’s principle of Total Support extends to its after-sales program, ensuring every product is maintained properly so it can handle all delivery and logistics TASKS EFkCIENTLY “We believe that Butuan City is one of the most-promising cities in the Caraga region. With this optimistic outlook, we are happy to launch Hino Butuan as a fullline ‘3S’ dealership center that will cater to the growing transport needs of customers and businesses here in Northern Mindanao’s trading hub,� said HMP President Mitsuharu Tabata. Hino Butuan would be managed by Toyota Cagayan de Oro Inc. President and Chairman Betty Lu and Executive Vice President and General Manager Peter Lim Lo Suy. HMP has been engaged in the assembly and exclusive distribution of quality Hino trucks and buses in the Philippines for more than 40 years now. HMP addresses the transport needs of businesses ranging from small and medium enterprises to big corporations by providing safe, durable and reliable trucks and buses.
Sports
T TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019 M
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Murray, Leonard shine as Nuggets, Raptors level series L
OS ANGELES: Jamal Murray scored 34 points, including six clutch free throws down the stretch to lift the Denver Nuggets to a gritty 116-112 NBA playoff win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday (Monday in Manila). The 22-year-old Canadian Murray combined with Serbian Nikola Jokic to form a dynamic scoring duo as the Nuggets squared their second round Western Conference series at two games each. It was a quick turnaround from the Trail Blazers’ 140-137 quadruple overtime victory in Friday’s game three. Game four didn’t last nearly as long as that three hour, 35 minute marathon, but it was another backand-forth battle highlighted by Murray’s precision shooting and a fourth playoff triple-double from Jokic. “The biggest part was mental,� said Murray on playing two playoff games just 40 hours apart. “We know what to do physically but that was a draining game and we had to come back with energy and face a great team. “We were able to get what we wanted on offence and the stops on defense.� Jokic had 21 points, 12 re-
bounds and 11 assists for his second straight triple-double and Murray, who led all scorers, was a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line for Denver, who HANDED 0ORTLAND THEIR kRST PLAYOFF loss at home this season. Two free throws by Murray increased the Nuggets’ edge to 112108 with 13 seconds on the clock. After Damian Lillard scored on a layup with 7.7 seconds remaining, Murray hit a pair of free throws to make it 114-110 with 6.7 seconds to play. CJ McCollum scored on a long two-point shot to cut it to 114-112 with 4.4 seconds to go, but Murray clinched it with another pair at the line with 3.4 seconds left. “I love free throws,� said Murray, the son of Jamaican immigrants who moved to Kitchener, Ontario where he was born. “Everybody knows I love free throws. My team trusts me.� Said Nuggets coach Mike Malone, “Jamal has got a tre-
mendous amount of grit. You think about how young we are and going on the road to win a tough game four in a hostile environment. For Jamal to be a centrepiece of that is phenomenal.� McCollum had 29 points and Lillard added 28 for the Trail Blazers. 'AME kVE IS 4UESDAY AT $ENVER Elsewhere, Kawhi Leonard scored 39 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to propel the Toronto Raptors to a 101-96 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers that knotted their Eastern Conference series at two games apiece. Spanish center Marc Gasol added 16 points and Kyle Lowry contributed 14 for the Raptors, who held ailing Sixers center Joel Embiid to 11 points on two-ofSEVEN SHOOTING FROM THE kELD The Raptors will try to seize a series lead when the action shifts back to 4ORONTO FOR GAME kVE ON 4UESDAY After losing back-to-back games, Leonard said the Raptors’ mindset was to “come in and play hard�. Leonard scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a first HALF THAT kNISHED WITH THE 2APTORS holding a narrow 47-45 lead. )T WAS THE kRST TIME IN HIS CAREER that he notched at least 15 points and 10 rebounds in a half. AFP
Q Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (left) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Portland, Oregon. AP PHOTO
LeBron not OK with Magic’s ‘weird’ departure LOS ANGELES: LeBron James indicated he was shocked and upset by Magic Johnson’s surprise abrupt decision to quit as the president of basketball operations for the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers last month. James made comments in the latest episode of his HBO television show “The Shop� that features him sitting in a barbershop chair and talking informally with friends. The episode aired on Saturday but was taped on April 11, two days after retired Lakers playing legend Johnson’s sudden exit. It was Johnson who played a key role in convincing James to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers last year to come to the Lakers with hopes of leading them back to glory days such as eras with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal or the “Showtime� era featuring Johnson. “I came here to be a part of the Lakers organization, having a conversation with Magic and really kind of breaking it down and saying how we was going to make this ‘Showtime’
again, and I wanted to be part of that process,� James said during the episode. “So it was just weird for him to just be like ‘I’m out of here’ and not even have no like, ‘Hey ‘Bron, kiss my ass. I’m out of here.’ “I would’ve been OK with that. ‘Hey ‘Bron, it’s Magic. Kiss my ass. I’m gone.’ Not even that.� Johnson announced his choice in an impromptu news conferENCE WITHOUT kRST TELLING MANY in the Lakers organization, including owner Jeanie Buss, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and James. The Lakers have dropped coach Luke Walton and are reportedly looking to hire Tyronn L u e, w h o had been coach of the Cavaliers when James led them to an NBA title in 2016. AFP
Q LeBron James AFP FILE PHOTO
Reavis made difference in Magnolia’s Game 3 win LAST year, the Magnolia Hotshots took Game 1 of the PBA seasonopening Philippine Cup Finals against sister team San Miguel as the Pambansang Manok looked capable of frustrating the Beermen’s aspiration for a four straight All Filipino jewel. It wasn’t to be. The Beermen won all four remaining games in consecutive fashion to move into the cusp of CLAIMING A HISTORIC kFTH NO OTHER team has accomplished in the 44year history of the country’s and Asia’s pioneering pro-basketball league. This year, the Hotshots and the Beermen are again disputing who between them will earn the bragging rights as the best team with an all-Filipino roster and as in last season Magnolia shows the way new to its elder by winning not only Game 1 but Game 3 as well of
the best-of-seven gold medal play to lead the series, 2-1. The question now is: Can the Hotshots sustain the momentum they currently enjoy and give the Purefoods franchise its seventh Philippine Cup diadem in addition to its previous title conquests in 1991, 1993, 1994, 2006, 2010 and 2014? Or, like last year, fold up anew and hand the Beermen their eighth crown since winning it first in 1989, 1992, 1994, 2001 and a four-peat starting in 2015 up to last year? -AGNOLIA SLOTMAN 2Ak 2EAVIS diagnosed that if they can sustain the paralyzing defense they exploited in Game 3, there’s no way the monumental 2018 fold up will happen again. Playing like there’s no tomorrow, the Hotshots’ defense frustrated the Beermen all night long,
holding them to a woeful 32% shooting clip, and only 23% (10/43) from beyond the arc. “It takes character, a lot of effort, and a lot of heart,� Reavis told mediamen on what took them to defeat San Miguel for the second time in the series. “This is a tough team we’re playing against. I don’t know how many championships they’ve won. It’s just about respecting those guys and going out giving 110% every night.� Reavis looked to have solved the riddle of June Mar Fajardo, while also contributing on the offensive END kNISHING WITH POINTS AND 15 rebounds, and setting the defensive tone by using his length TO FRUSTRATE THE kVE TINE -60 AND limit his shot opportunities. “Just staying true to what we do, and not doing anything different,� Reavis said on Magnolia’s game plan heading into Game 4.
“Just understanding who we are and what we’re good at, and that’s defense. As long as we stick to our roots and what we’re good at, I THINK WE LL BE kNE u SMB’s Arwind Santos, on the other hand, dismissed Magnolia’s 2-1n lead as nothing, saying, “Wala ‘yan. Ita-tie lang namin ‘yan.� Santos provided the brightest spot for the Beermen in the Game 3 loss, coming out with a double-double 19 points and 12 rebounds. He also dished out four assists and blocked two shots against two turnovers in 38 minUTES ON THE lOOR 4HE -60 EXPRESSED CONkDENT THE "EERMEN CAN BOUNCE back from the 1-2 hole they’re IN AND CAPTURE THEIR HISTORIC kFTH straight title. Santos, admitted though, the Hotshots outplayed them last Sunday. EDDIE G. ALINEA
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12-0 with 11 KOs
IGHTERS with unblemished records could be classified into two categories: “pretenders� who would be exposed when they meet stiff opposition; and THOSE WHO BECOME ELITE kGHTERS or are bound to be done. Fighters like Rocky Marciano, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Andre Ward are among those from the sport’s history that have proven their mettle. Marciano is even a SPECIAL CASE SINCE HIS kRST CRACK AT THE TITLE WAS IN HIS RD kGHT which meant he really had to ESTABLISH HIMSELF kRST AS WORTHY CONTENDER IN HIS kRST kGHTS As for the pretenders, I could still recall how a then undefeated Adrien Broner in December 2013 got mauled by Marcos Maidana in a fight that was supposed to establish the American as a future member of the sport’s elite. )N THE 0HILIPPINES kGHTers with unblemished records are very rare, much more those who make it to the top and remain undefeated. !MONG THE YOUNGER kGHTERS IN the country, Mark Magsayo (19-0 with 14 KOs), Jhack Tepora (22-0 with 17 KOs) and Carl Jammes Martin (12-0 with 11 KOs) are among those with potential to become world champions. For this issue, let us look like Martin’s potential to become world champion. At 19 years old, Martin from Ifugao province has tons of potential to achieve international prominence. But campaigning at bantamweight (118 pounds) can present challenges and stumbling blocks for him. Looking at Martin’s record, he has obviously not fought anybody with a good name recall. However, that should be surprising at all, since a careful scrutiny of Mike Tyson’s undefeated streak prior to winning the world heavyweight championship from Trevor Berbick in September 1986 showed HE FEASTED ON NO NAME kGHTERS patsies, cream puffs and tomato cans. There were also two occaSIONS WHEN 4YSON FACED kGHTERS who had more losses than wins.
ANTITHESIS CONRAD M. CARIĂ‘O 3O THE PROCESS OF gPADDINGu A kGHTer’s record to make it look impressive by making him take on no-name fighters, patsies, cream puffs and tomato cans may be a natural thing. But when Tyson barged into the championship scene, he was wrecking ball and despite suffering stoppage losses, he still is regarded as one of the sport’s greats. So what I am batting at? It would be foolish to rush James INTO A kGHT WITH ANOTHER ESTABLISHED kGHTER AT THIS POINT BECAUSE JUDGING FROM HIS kGHT VIDEOS HE STILL NEEDS more polishing. A fight against Japan’s Naoya Inoue (17-0 with 15 KOs), currently the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion, would also be suicidal for Martin at this point. As for Martin’s potential, he definitely has the makings of the world champion and he can climb to junior featherweight (122 pounds) eventually where there is no monster similar to Inoue. Or am I underestimating Martin? In reality, it is very hard to “selectâ€? opponents for undefeated kGHTERS SINCE THEM TAKING ON NO NAME kGHTERS WOULD RESULT IN kGHT fans calling them “cherry pickers.â€? But if they get into the ring with a kGHTER WHO CAN OFFER A REAL kGHT they can end up losing their unblemished records. So here is my suggestion for Martin — gradually take on stiffer opposition and continually improve on his skills and power so when the climbs into the ring to challenge for a world title, he could have a big chance of winning. Looking at Martin’s roster of opPONENTS HE DEFEATED THREE kGHTERS who had more losses than wins. Please enough of those! And instead of aiming for a world title in the next two to three years, THE CAMP OF -ARTIN CAN kRST SEEK AN intercontinental title for their ward. !T YEARS OLD THERE IS DEknitely no need to rush Martin.
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TUESDAY May 7, 2019
Parks bags historic third ABL MVP plum BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ
R
AY Parks Jr. made history in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) after bagging a third straight Local Most Valuable Player award this Season 9. The 26-year old Parks posted and 3.5 assists to snare anew averages of 16.6 points on a the top individual honors for career-high 52% shooting from local players. THE kELD ON TOP OF REBOUNDS Parks was the first player in
Q Ray Parks Jr. drives to the basket during an Asean Basketball League game. ABL PHOTO
ABL to win an MVP trophy three times, eclipsing two-time winners Wong Wei Long and American big man Chris Charles. The 6-foot-4 combo guard beat Delvin Goh of the Singapore Slingers, Brandon Jawato of the CLS Knights and Chris Dierker of the Saigon Heat for the award. Parks played a big role in carrying last season’s champion San Miguel Alab Pilipinas to a second seed finish with an 18-8 win-loss record. A l a b, h owe ve r, f a i l e d o n its title-retention bid after getting swept by Hong Kong Eastern Sports Club in the bestof-three quarterfinals. Leaving ABL with a record and a championship in a span of three years, Parks is expected to play his much-awaited debut for the Blackwater Elite in the
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup which will begin midway this month. Parks was selected by Blackwater as the second overall p i c k d u r i n g t h e 201 8 P BA Draft last December but opted to complete his final season with Alab in the regional hoops competition. Parks received the Local MVP plaque prior to the tipoff of the Finals Game 2 between the Knights and the Slingers on Sunday at the OCBC Arena in Singapore. Other season awardees were Sinagpore’s frontline duo Xavier !LEXANDER 7ORLD )MPORT -60 and John Fields (Defensive Player of the Year) and Dean Murray of the Formosa Dreamers (Coach of the Year).
Bulldogs eliminate Dula, Mojdeh deliver gold medals in Palaro Wangs in D-League SMDC-National University (NU) kept its flickering quarterfinal hopes alive after eliminating Wangs Basketball, 102-71, in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-League) on Monday at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City. Five players scored in double digits as the Bulldogs stayed in the running for a playoff seat with THEIR THIRD STRAIGHT WIN AGAINST kVE defeats in the Foundation Group. “Good thing is we’re finishing strong and that’s a great sign for us. We’re playing better defense, moving the ball well and the roles are being DEkNED BETTER ) M HAPPY WITH THE way we’re performing,� said SMDCNU head coach Jamike Jarin. “But it could’ve come a little earlier,� added Jarin, whose team is barely hanging to a spot in the next round. 3ENEGALESE CENTER )SSA 'AYE paced the Bulldogs’ balanced attack with 13 points to go with nine rebounds while Niko Abatayo TALLIED MARKERS ON AN EFkCIENT 5-of-6 shooting clip and Dave
)LDEFONSO ADDED POINTS Denzel Wong had a game-high POINTS WHILE !XEL )Ă„IGO HAD 11 markers and Rickson Gerero had 10 for Wangs, which formally crashed out of playoff contention with a 3-5 record. The Couriers also suffered their fourth straight setback following a promising start to the season. )N THE SECOND GAME 4ONTON Peralta exploded with 33 points to carry University of Perpetual Help System DALTA to an 8675 triumph over also-ran CD14 Designs-Trinity University of Asia. Peralta shot 14-of-23 from the kELD ON TOP OF kVE REBOUNDS FOUR assists and a steal, towing the Altas to a 2-5 slate. Edgar Charcos chalked 15 points and eight boards even as Jielo Razon and Jeff Egan added 12 markers each in the win. John Tayongtong had 20 points and Bobby Balucanag had an 18-marker, 12-board double-double for the lowly White Stallions, who remained winless in eight games. JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ
PHILIPPINE Swimming League-Swimming Pinas standouts Marc Bryan Dula of Masville Elementary School-Paranaque and Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh of Immaculate Heart of Mary CollegeParanaque delivered gold medals for powerhouse National Capital Region team in the recentlyconcluded 2019 Palarong Pambansa held in Davao City. Dula, a veteran of international competitions, made his presence felt on his first Palarong Pambansa stint by claiming three gold, one silver and one bronze medals in the boys’ elementary division. A day before the competition, Dula actually had a stiff neck. But the 12-year-old Northern Samar pride was on a mission, nailing gold medals in 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 100m back-
stroke before securing a silver in 4x100m medley relay and a bronze in 100m butterfly. “May stiff neck talaga siya bago mag-start yung competition pero hindi niya inisip yun dahil gusto talaga niyang makagold since first time niya sa Palarong Pambansa. We are all happy na nag-perform siya,� said Marc’s supportive father, Marlon. On the other hand, Mojdeh, a first-year participant in the girls’ secondary division, sizzled with three gold and two silver medals highlighted by two new Phil-
ippine junior records. Mojdeh, the Most Bemedalled Athlete in the 2018 Palarong Pambansa when she was still campaigning in the elementary category, stamped her class in the 200m butterfly event, checking in at two minutes and 22.69 to erase the Philippine junior record of 2:26.13 registered by Regina Maria Paz Castrillo in 2013. Mojdeh then submitted 2:30.11 in the 200m Individual Medley, breaking the 2:31.04 Philippine junior record of Raven Faith Alcoseba in the 2015 Batang Pinoy National Championship. The FilipinoIranian tanker also helped the NCR relay team in breaking records in the
4x50m freestyle relay and 4x100m medley relay before wrapping up her campaign with a runner-up finish in the 100m butterfly. “Grateful for your Palarong Pambansa debut in High School. Records have been established. Best times have been made. More friends have been gained. You have been consistent with your times and that you did an amazing job as a 12 yr old rookie player in High School,â€? said PSLSwimming Pinas Regional Director Joan Mojdeh, the proud mother of Micaela Jasmine.Â
Q Philippine Swimming League-Swimming Pinas standouts Marc Bryan Dula of Masville Elementary School-ParaĂąaque (left) and Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh of Immaculate Heart of Mary College-ParaĂąaque. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Osaka ‘comfortable on clay’ in Madrid MADRID: Naomi Osaka eased concerns about her form and fitness by coming through a tricky first round against Dominika Cibulkova on Sunday (Monday in Manila) at the Madrid Open, declaring she’s “more comfortable� on clay courts than in the past. Osaka has struggled since splitting with her coach Sascha Bajin in February while an abdominal injury forced her to withdraw in Stuttgart eight days ago, creating doubts about her challenge at the French Open later this month. But there was little sign of physical problems during a testing 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) victory over Cibulkova AND AFTERWARDS /SAKA SAID g) FEEL
GOOD ) DON T HAVE MUCH PAIN IN MY abs so that’s always a good sign.� The Japanese world number one will now face Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in round two. Osaka looked set for a more comfortable passage after a dominant opening set but she was stretched by the battling Cibulkova in the second. By the end, Osaka had hit 43 winners and eight aces while world 33 Cibulkova conjured up 23 winners. g) WAS ALSO KIND OF THINKING LIKE THERE IS NOWHERE ELSE ) D RATHER BE AND HONESTLY ) TRAIN FOR THESE MOMENTS SO ) HAVE TO GIVE IT 100 percent,� said Osaka after her first main draw win in Madrid.
g) FEEL LIKE THERE S AN ADJUSTment period for me on clay and it took a few years. g"UT NOW ) M MORE COMFORTABLE ) M NOT SURE IF IT S BECAUSE ) HAD A REALLY LONG TRAINING BLOCK BEFORE ) CAME TO START THE SEASON but yeah, it feels good.� Osaka’s pair of Grand Slam successes have come on hard, at the US and Australian Opens, but she is yet to find her best on clay. )F THE ABDOMINAL INJURY HAS healed, Osaka can feel encouraged by her performance against Cibulkova, one of the tour’s gutsiest competitors even if the Slovakian is also enduring a difficult start to 2019. AFP
˜ The Manila Times
w w w.manilatimes.net
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
W
(OMA kRED A FOUR UNDER PAR AT 1UAIL (OLLOW TO kNISH HOLES at 15-under 269 on the Charlotte, .ORTH #AROLINA LAYOUT The world number 417’s best
PRIOR 53 0'! kNISH CAME WHEN HE TOOK A SHARE OF SIXTH AT THE 3ONY /PEN IN (AWAII (OMA TWICE LOST HIS PLAYING RIGHTS ON THE 53 0'! 4OUR MAKING JUST
TWO CUTS IN EVENTS IN THE campaign only to earn his way back again for this season and now secure HIS SPOT FOR YEARS TO COME g/VER THE MOON u (OMA SAID OF HIS FEELINGS g) HAVE SOME SERIOUS SCAR TISSUE FROM OUT HERE *OB SECURITY IS GREAT MAN ) HAVEN T HAD THAT BEFORE u Joel Dahmen, another American SEEKING HIS kRST 53 0'! TITLE WAS second on 272 after a closing 70 WITH WORLD NUMBER TWO 2OSE OF England third on 273 and Spain’s Sergio Garcia, England’s Paul
AFP PHOTO
#ASEY !MERICAN 2ICKIE &OWLER AND his countryman Dufner all sharing FOURTH ON 0RIOR kRST TIME 53 0'! WINNERS AT 1UAIL (OLLOW INCLUDED 2ORY -C)LROY IN &OWLER IN AND !NTHONY +IM IN (OMA A YEAR OLD FORMER 53 college champion, missed the cut AT THE 53 /PEN AS AN AMATEUR in his only major start but earned a berth in the PGA Championship IN TWO WEEKS AT "ETHPAGE "LACK 2OSE THE 53 /PEN CHAM-
Euro Tour to expand in China as golf  boom returns SHENZHEN, China: Buoyed by record crowds and a wave of exciting young players, the European Tour is looking to expand again in China after some rocky times, a leading official told AFP. The tour has lost two events in China, including the $7 million BMW Masters, in recent years but there are signs that the good times are returning. Last week’s 25th anniversary edition of the Volvo
China Open, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, drew a tournament-record 48,000 spectators to Genzon Golf Club in Shenzhen. Forty-five Chinese players were in the field, an unprecedented number for the European To u r, and a r e cord 10 made the c u t — including
14-year-old local schoolboy Kuang Yang and two other teenage amateurs. “Our aim is to try and have two main tour events back-toback out here (in China),� Ben Cowen, the European Tour’s deputy chief operating officer international, told AFP. “So the Volvo China Open and another the week after in the region. The jump from Morocco last week to here is difficult for all of our guys, so actually we are going to
change that next year.� Volvo China Open board chairman Sven de Smet said he was in talks with the European Tour that could mean moving the China Open from its traditional slot in the May Day holiday week. “It is important to find the right spot in the calendar where players can come not just for one week but maybe two,� he told AFP. “We are working on that together with the tours.� AFP
Q Neil Etheridge (No. 1) AP FILE PHOTO
Etheridge named Cardiff’s Player of the Season 0(),)00).% Azkals goalkeeper .EIL %THERIDGE WAS NAMED 0LAYER of the Season by Cardiff City FC for HIS IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE IN THE %NGLISH 0REMIER ,EAGUE Etheridge, the first Southeast Asian player in the Premier League, CAME THROUGH WITH A LEAGUE SEVenth-best nine clean sheets, secOND BEST SAVES BEHIND ,UKASZ &ABIANSKI OF 7EST (AM 5NITED and league-best three penalty SAVES ALONG WITH *ORDAN 0ICKFORD OF %VERTON
g4HANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR MEĂœ 2ECEIVING 0LAYER OF the Year means so much to me,â€? said the 29-year old Etheridge through Twitter after taking the recognition in the Welsh club’s !WARDS .IGHT ON 3UNDAY (early Monday in Manila) at the #ARDIFF #ITY (ALL The English-born Filipino goalie’s brilliant effort between the POSTS HOWEVER WAS NOT ENOUGH TO SAVE THE "LUEBIRDS FROM RELEGATION Etheridge and Cardiff were
booted out of the English top flight after suffering a slim 2-3 defeat to Crystal Palace at home LAST 3ATURDAY The Bluebirds remained holding their 31 points on a 9-4-24 windraw-loss record and are already SET TO kNISH ON THE th spot despite HAVING A MATCH AT HAND AGAINST POWERHOUSE -ANCHESTER 5NITED Cardiff was not able to chase "RIGHTON (OVE !LBION WHICH HELD ON TO ITS LEAD DESPITE HAVING A HARDER SERIES OF kXTURES TOWARDS
E3
Q Max Homa plays his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
American Homa takes first US PGA title at Quail Hollow ASHINGTON: American -AX (OMA WON HIS kRST 53 0'! TITLE ON 3UNDAY -ONDAY IN -ANILA HOLDING OFF MAJOR WINNERS *USTIN 2OSE AND *ASON $UFNER TO CAPTURE THE 7ELLS &ARGO #HAMPIONSHIP BY THREE STROKES
Sports
THE END OF THE 0REMIER ,EAGUE Cardiff will fight for promotion anew in the English FootBALL ,EAGUE #HAMPIONSHIP NEXT SEASON Last year, Etheridge helped the Bluebirds secure promotion with a RUNNER UP kNISH IN THE SECOND TIER #HAMPIONSHIP 4HE .O &ILIPINO GLOVEMAN then tallied a superb 19 clean sheets and only conceded 37 goals, RESULTING IN #ARDIFF S CARD JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA
pion, was looking ahead to his NEXT MAJOR TEST “This was an important week FOR ME FOR SURE ) WASN T QUITE SURE WHERE ) WAS COMING IN u 2OSE SAID “The whole week was a struggle but that makes a result like this more PLEASING (OPEFULLY ) CAN CLICK INTO the long game and the rest of the ATTRIBUTES STAY WITH ME u Dufner, the 2013 PGA Championship winner, closed with a double bogey to fall back after lurking WITHIN REACH MUCH OF THE DAY
Four-time major winner Mc)LROY TWICE A CHAMPION AT 1UAIL (OLLOW WAS A THREAT ENTERING THE kNAL ROUND BUT STRUGGLED TO A TO SHARE EIGHTH ON Dahmen, ranked 125th, MATCHED HIS BEST 53 0'! kNISH A runner-up effort at last year’s John $EERE #LASSIC g) PLAYED PRETTY WELL ) JUST didn’t make any putts,� Dahmen SAID g) DIDN T BEAT MYSELF WHICH WAS THE GOAL AND -AX WAS PLAYING AWESOME u AFP
Q South Korea’s Kim Seiyoung celebrates making a birdie putt in a sudden death playoff to win during the final round of the LPGA Mediheal Championships at Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City, California. AFP PHOTO
Kim hangs on for Lake Merced playoff victory
SAN FRANCISCO: South Korea’s Kim Seiyoung shook off a disastrous start to win the LPGA Mediheal Championship in a playoff Sunday (Monday in Manila), beating Bronte Law and Lee6 Jeong-eun WITH A BIRDIE AT THE kRST EXTRA HOLE Kim began the day with a threeshot lead at Lake Merced in Daly #ITY #ALIFORNIA But she faltered early with a DOUBLE BOGEY AT THE kRST AND A BOGEY AT THE SECOND 3HE FELL TO SIX UNDER FOR THE TOURnament with a bogey at the eighth, and Law and Lee were in the clubhouse on 281 before Kim made her kRST BIRDIE OF THE DAY AT THE PAR kVE TH TO JOIN THEM ON SEVEN UNDER Kim surrendered her share of the lead with a bogey from a bunker at the par-three 17th, but forced her way into the playoff WITH A BIRDIE AT THE PAR kVE TH CAPPING A THREE OVER The trio returned to the 18th, WHERE ALL THREE FOUND THE FAIRWAY Lee — who uses the numeral 6 to distinguish herself from other players of the same name who played on the Korean ladies’ tour — put her second shot on the back of the green BUT COULDN T MAKE BIRDIE FROM THERE Law missed the green, and her
third shot left her a mid-range BIRDIE ATTEMPT WHICH SHE MISSED Kim’s playoff hole was almost a carbon copy of her birdie in regulation, her second shot landing just off THE FRONT OF THE GREEN (ER PUTT FROM THERE LEFT HER A TWO FOOTER FOR A BIRDIE The playoff came hours after England’s Law had completed her BOGEY FREE (ER kVE BIRDIES INCLUDED FOUR IN a row from the ninth through the TH 3HE EAGLED THE PAR kVE TH where she stuck her second shot THREE FEET FROM THE PIN ,EE PARRED THE kRST NINE HOLES before playing the back nine in kVE UNDER !FTER A BIRDIE AT THE 10th she eagled 15 and birdied SEALING HER kVE UNDER WITH A BIRDIE AT THE ND HOLE But it was Kim who emerged the WINNER IMPROVING HER ,0'! PLAYoff record to 4-0 as she captured HER EIGHTH TOUR TITLE Four players shared fourth on 283: South Koreans Ji Eun-hee and !MY 9ANG !MERICAN ,EXI 4HOMPSON AND %NGLAND S #HARLEY (ULL Ji, Yang and Thompson all shot WHILE (ULL WHO STARTED THE DAY THREE OFF +IM S LEAD kRED A TWO OVER AFP
IOC CHIEF CALLS CASTER SEMENYA CASE ‘COMPLICATED AND DELICATE’ BRISBANE, Australia: )NTERNATIONAL /LYMPIC Committee chief Thomas Bach Monday CALLED THE CONTROVERSIAL GENDER CASE of South African runner Caster SemeNYA gEXTREMELY COMPLICATED AND DELICATEu AND SAID AN EXPERT PANEL WILL STUDY ITS IMPLICATIONS 4WO TIME /LYMPIC CHAMPION 3Emenya last week lost a court challenge
AGAINST THE )NTERNATIONAL !SSOCIATION OF !THLETIC &EDERATIONS )!!& OVER PLANS to force some women to regulate their TESTOSTERONE LEVELS The decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport means female athletes WITH ELEVATED TESTOSTERONE WILL HAVE TO TAKE SUPPRESSIVE TREATMENT IF THEY WISH TO COMPETE AS WOMEN IN CERTAIN EVENTS
4HE )!!& ARGUED THAT gHYPERANDROGENic� athletes — or those with “differences OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENTu $3$ ‡ HAD AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OVER OTHERS "ACH TOLD !&0 IN "RISBANE THAT THE )/# WOULD CREATE A GROUP OF gEXPERTS FROM science, from ethics as well as athletes’ REPRESENTATIVES AND FROM INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONSu TO EXAMINE THE RULING
)T WILL INCLUDE )/# MEDICAL DIRECTOR 2ICHARD "UDGETT AND AN )!!& OFkCIAL WHO WILL gSTUDY THIS EXTREMELY COMPLICATED AND DELICATE PROBLEMu The World Medical Association has urged doctors not to enforce the controVERSIAL NEW RULES FOR CLASSIFYING FEMALE athletes, warning that attempts to do so WOULD BREACH ETHICS CODES
4HE $3$ RULES ‡ kRST ADOPTED LAST year but suspended pending the legal battle — are due to come into effect on -AY 3EMENYA IS MULLING AN APPEAL Bach is in Brisbane to meet Queensland STATE OFkCIALS WHO ARE CONSIDERING A BID FOR THE CITY TO HOST THE /LYMPICS before heading to the nearby Gold Coast FOR A SUMMIT OF SPORTS FEDERATIONS AFP
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»lightscameraboto!
Alex Gonzaga calls out the Filipino in every ‘Juan’ Bubbly celebrity reveals deep love for country as proud supporter of Juan Movement party list
G
ALAWGAW. Kalog. Jologs. Nakaaliw.
That’s Alex Gonzaga’s on-screen image in a nutshell. That is why not a few were surprised to see her actively campaigning for a party list with a powerful advocacy. After all, it is unlike the bubbly and carefree younger sister of Toni Gonzaga and Luis Manzano’s wise-cracking best friend to stake her playful image and throw her hat into the current mayhem of Philippine politics. So why has she decided to join the ranks of showbiz personalities who constantly link their names to different political candidates and parties whenever the political season comes around? “I know that people say that
whenever we come to an election year, it’s open season for those of us in showbiz for politicos looking for popular endorsers,” a serious-looking Alex began. “But for me, it’s not as simple as that. Kailangan ay naniniwala ako sa ipino-promote ko. Mahi-
rap hilingin sa tao na iboto ang isang tao o party na hindi mo pinaniniwalaan. That is why I immediately said yes to Juan Movement Party List when they asked me to endorse them.” Juan Movement is a party list that claims to be the party list of the new Filipino. According to their most famous supporter, she saw for herself that it is different from most party lists that merely promise the delivery of projects which are already provided by go vernment whether at the national or local levels. Juan Movement is set apart with its formidable message and advocacy that aims to imbibe Filipino pride in everyone. “Someone once said that sometimes you have to take
a step back to move forward, and I firmly believe in that,” quipped Jun Llave, Juan Movement’s first nominee.
“ N a n i n i wa l a a k o n a a n g problema ng ating bayan ay nagmumula sa kakulangan sa pagmamahal sa bayan, sa ating kultura at sa ating mga tradisyon. Ito ang nais ibalik ng Juan Movement upang magkaroon tayo ng tamang pondasyon at tibay sa ating pagharap sa mga pagsubok na dumadating sa ating bayan.” “Korek yan!” Alex excitedly agreed in her trademark cute and quirky way. “Dapat proud ka sa pagiging Pinoy, proud ka kung saan ka nanggaling . Right now na palakas ng palakas ang social media, nagkakaroon ulit ng colonialism dahil sa dami
Q Host, actress, comedian and social media star Alex Gonzaga proudly stands with Juan Movement Party List first nominee Jun Llave.
na nakikita natin outside our country. Ang dami ko nang
incentives in terms of governMENT INVESTMENT IN THE kELD OF nakikilala na parang nahihiya arts and culture, particularly in sila sabihin kung saan sila supporting the training of our galing, kung sino sila… pero technical staff so that we are lahat ng pinanggalingan mo, assured of the continuous pro‘yan ang kailangan mo para sa duction of quality movies that pupuntahan mo.” promote the positive side of our In addition to fostering pa- culture, as well as to be able to triotism and love of country, Juan confidently compete with the Movement also aims to promote foreign movies that are shown and strengthen Filipino industry, in the local market.” agriculture and commerce. And Clapping her hands togethas Alex proudly intimated to the er, the playful but seriously entertainment press, this includes pro-Filipino celebrity quickly the Philippine movie industry. exclaimed, “And that is why I Reverting to Llave for the de- stand with No. 31 Juan MoveTAILS THE kRST NOMINEE EXPLAINED ment, bilang isang Bagong “I believe that our movie industry Pilipinong may pagmamahal MUST BE GIVEN MORE SIGNIkCANT sa ating bayan!” TMA
»tvlandia'slatest ‘Cool’ travel show on PH culture
Q Kris Tiffany Janson and Kevin Lape bring audiences on cool trips around the country in IBC 13’s ‘Cooltura.’
TODAY will see the second episode IBC 13’s newest travel program which premiered on April 30 as part of the government network’s thrust to reach out to a younger audience. Hosted by Myx VJ-athlete Kevin Lape and beauty queen-commercial model Kris Tiffany Janson, the 60-minuter titled “Cooltura” combines elements of a documentary and reality show, and aims to encourage viewers to discover, rediscover and embrace different aspects of Filipino life across the many regions and provinces in the country. Both passionate about culture, the millennial slashies showed in their maiden offering their unique way of taking audiences to fun
»globalspotlight
and interesting journeys that showcase destinations and landmarks, art, history, food, traditions, festivals and a whole lot more in this melting pot that is the Philippines. Equipped with the most modern gizmos, the part-time actor and Binibining PilipinasIntercontinental 2014 record portions of their explorations and immersions uploading those to social networking and videosharing sites like Instagram, YouTube and Facebook to connect with the viewers on television and online. Cooltura airs Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. on IBC 13, with replays every Saturday at 9 p.m. with livestreaming on Facebook.
‘Avengers Endgame’ nears global record with over $2 billion LOS ANGELES: “Avengers: Endgame” continued its global domination at the box office in a second week victory lap that saw the blockbuster cross the $2 billion mark in record time and unseat “Titanic” as the second highest-grossing film ever worldwide. The Walt Disney Co. estimated Sunday that “Endgame” added $145.8 million from North American theaters and $282.2 million internationally bringing its global total to $2.2 billion. “Endgame” is one of five movies to ever reach that threshold and, not accounting for inflation, is now second worldwide only to “Avatar’s” $2.8 billion. “Avatar” reached $2 billion in 47 days of release compared with 11 for “Endgame,” although in 2009 the theatrical landscape was different, most notably so in China. “The sprint to $2 billion is unbelievable. We’re in uncharted territory,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. “Usually films like this are marathoners.” To reach “Avatar’s” global record, however, “Endgame” will have to turn into a marathoner itself and the summer movie season is only going to get more competitive. Still, “it’s got a real chance at getting there,” Dergarabedian said. Industry-wide, the continued success of “Endgame” has also helped the box office deficit, which went from down 13.2 percent last weekend to down 10.9 percent this weekend. And Dergarabedian said that the industry may be on its way to a record summer, still. “It’s not just about one movie this summer,” he said. “There’s a lot more to come from every studio. Diversity of content will rule the day.” AP
How is Sharon’s brother in his bid for Pasay mayor?
Star Magic/YouTube artist is Jason Mraz’ concert guest A WHILE some artist can only dream of perhaps getting the attention of a global audience or working with a world-renowned Hollywood performer, ABS-CBN Star Magic artist Renee Dominique is already living both. The young singer, composer and content creATOR S TIME IS DEkNITELY NOW AS SHE FULkLLED ONE OF HER BIGGEST DREAMS when Grammy-award winning performer Jason Mraz reached out to her to collaborate on a song. $OMINIQUE IS THE kRST EVER &ILIPINA TO work with the “I’m Yours” and “Lucky” hitmaker in what she describes as a mellow-acoustic “happy song.” “They saw Samsung’s commercial with a song I sang ‘so [Mraz’s team] looked me up on YouTube. And then natuwa sila and they introduced themselves as a song writing team from Los Angeles and asked to collaborate on a song with Jason Mraz!” Titled “Could I Love You Any More,” the Filipina singer will join Mraz in launching the song at the Manila and Singapore editions of his
“Good Vibes 2019” Asia Tour on May 8 and 11, respectively. Dominique, whose voice was described by the globally known artist as “angelic,” is more than giddy to meet the singer in person after having conversed with him only through emails and video calls. “Hindi ko alam what to expect kasi we’re just going to meet up before the concert to rehearse. Sana hindi ako ma-awkward or ma-starstruck,” the humble Filipino singer who is no stranger to working outside the country following her breakthrough commercial, expressed. In fact, she revealed having signed up with Universal Music Germany bringing her in the company of pop artists like Dua Lipa and Lana del Rey, among others, who started under the same label. “It hasn’t been easy for me to get my career going but my journey is a testament that your dreams can come true if you work hard for them,” ended. Jason Mraz’ concert venue on May 8 is the Mall of Asia Arena.
»cheers!
Q Karen Gillan (left)and Don Cheadle PHOTO FROM DISNEY/MARVEL STUDIOS VIA AP
Q The Megastar was last seen campaigning for her brother Chet Cuneta, a mayoralty candidate in Pasay City, at the latter’s proclamation rally.
Q Renee Dominique has a six-year-old YouTube channel with more than 85 million views enjoying her unique singing voice and ukulele style.
T the grand media conference of Megastar Sharon Cuneta’s upcoming movie “Kuwaresma” from Regal Entertainment, talk about her weight loss almost drowned out the entire event. But while she was able to relate her movie project with her curvier kGURE THE RESULT of the many physically demanding scenes she had to DO FOR THE %RIK -ATTI HORROR THAT WAS as far as she went in her chickahan with the entertainment press corps. Since such events these days come with a reminder from showbiz publicists how questions unrelated to the project let alone personal question are not allowed, this may be the reason why the Megastar missed out on talking about her brother Chet’s candidacy for mayor in Pasay City. It could have been a missed opportunity for Chet given Sharon’s INlUENCE AND CELEBRITY WHAT WITH this southern part of Metro Manila ready to cast their votes to determine the next city leader. Will it be Sharon’s kuya, scion to the longest-serving Pasay City mayor IN HISTORY THEIR LATE FATHER 0ABLO #UNETA OR ANY OF THE FOUR OTHER mayoral aspirants, Vignettes [a registered voter of Pasay] can’t tell. Since the start of the campaign season, Sharon has so far graced Chet and his team’s proclamation rally at the Cuneta Astrodome a few weeks back, even jesting before a not-so-mammoth yet delighted crowd of supporters, “Pag
supporters wanted to hear, didn’t speak much at that rally, though. And true enough, Sharon quipped in her speech, “Pasensiya na, hindi
madaldal ang kuya ko.”
A week later, it was Chet and his team’s turn to hold a caucus right on Vignettes’ street. Stood some hundred-meters away from where they had set up, we could faintly hear each the Team Cuneta bets alternately speak on mic.
VIGNETTES RONNIE CARRASCO 3RD
luluko-luko ang kuya ko, ako mismo ang babatok sa kanya!” Chet, whose concrete plans for the city his throngs of leaders and
“Parang ‘di ko yata narinig si
Chet,” said one neighbor, with another quickly cracking, “Wala naman siyang gaanong sinabi.” Previously, Chet had gone house-tohouse in the vicinity which comprises four relatively small barangays equivalent to a single community in most cities. In all encounters, not once has #HET A FORMER CLASSMATE MADE AN effort to ask where he could Vignettes. Not a single time, too, has Chet ever gone out of his way to contact any of our other still-Pasay City-based schoolmates and batchmates for whatever support he direly needs. We say direly since the latest news that Vignettes heard of Chet is how he tongue-lashed his late father’s former aide de camp who’s running for city councilor at a caucus in Villamor Air Base last Sunday. The source said he was spewing crisp expletives in the vernacular, perhaps a trend set off by the highest leader in the land, but the rough and tough guy style didn’t go down well in this neighborhood of retired soldiers and their families. After all, there were minors in the audience. Even die-hard Sharon fans were supposedly dismayed. Oh, dear.
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Lifestyle
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
PROJECTORS VERSUS LARGE SCREEN TV
A battle of the best for home entertainment W
ITH the myriad of options from multiple streaming sites, cable and free TV, more people are opting to stay home than go to the movies these days. Hence, the trend of the home theatre cinema is now prevalent than ever. For cinephiles looking to take the home cinema experience to the next level, factors from the acoustics, the physical space and seats, down to lighting make a huge difference. Key to the home theatre experience is the quality and size of the viewing screen. The question begs — which is the best option for home, TV or a home projector? Also, what are the factors to be considered? To get the best maximum out of the huge variety of available programming, there are fundamentally two hardware choices ‡ A lAT SCREEN 46 OR A PROJECTOR Both options offer screen sizes that DWARF THE TYPICAL lICKERING INCH CRT sets of the early TV age. A huge screen accompanied by a sophisticated stereo sound SYSTEM FULLY JUSTIkES THE NAME OF “home theatre.� &ACTORS THAT WIL INlUENCE THE CHOICE INCLUDE IMAGE QUALITY lEXibility, ease of setup and maintenance and of course, the total cost of ownership.
ROOM CONkGURATION 9OU WILL NEED to consider the throw distance and the projector features that will give YOU PLACEMENT lEXIBILITY 9OU LL also want to see how your set up can make the optimum use of otherwise dead space in your room.
Overall visual impression The next thing to consider is the overall visual impression the owner is seeking. Homeowners looking to replicate a movie-going experience may be looking for a large screen size of close to 100 inches or even more. A projector can deliver the large screen cinematic experience at a fraction of THE PRICE OF A lAT SCREEN 46 #OMPARED TO A SIMILARLY SIZED lAT SCREEN TV, projectors deliver the most costeffective per inch of picture. For example, the Epson EHLS10500 home projector is able to project enhanced 4K and HDR content at a screen size of 30 to 300 inches. A similarly sized TV screen can cost higher.
Installation and fitting
Size matters 4HE kRST CONSIDERATION WILL BE SIZE Of course, this will be mainly determined by the available space in the user’s home but it’s likely that you will be going for the largest setup the room will allow. This means taking into account your
The issue of installation of projector can be a cause of concern for homeowners, who may be concerned about the aesthetics of having a mounted projector in their room, not to mention the frightening thought of drilling the ceiling for installation.
Users may want to take into the consideration Epson’s EH-LS100 laser home projector, which can project at extremely close distances to a wall without the need for mounting the ceiling. For instance, it is able to project screen sizes of 100 inches from A PLACEMENT OF JUST C M AWAY from the wall, overcoming the issues of distance and space usually associated with home projection systems. It can also be positioned in the same place and angles as any conventional entertainment device. This means the projector can be easily placed on a TV console next to the wall, without need for complicated installation, and can blend seamlessly with the room decor.
Brightness, contrast and resolution A key factor is how well the project can overcome ambient light. A home theatre will typically be designed to create the dark ambience of the traditional cinema but for more casual viewing in a family room, for example, the projector must be able to display rich cinematic content despite brighter ambient light, as well as project large images without degradation. "RIGHTNESS OF LUMENS OR more, is not the only factor affecting the perceived image. Contrast ratio — the difference between light and dark on a screen expressed by a number — is also critical. A high contrast ratio means the projected image will have incredibly rich, crystal-clear detail. Contrast is especially important for home entertainment environment. As well as brightness and contrast, image quality is affected by resolution. This is the number of pixels used to display the image.
Q The key to home theatre experience is the quality and size of the viewing screen. The standard format for home THEATRE USE IS P X PIXELS ASPECT RATION WHICH delivers a clean, crisp image and matches the HDTV broadcast and Blu-ray formats. Resolution is also dependent on the type of content viewed. For home viewers watching online STREAMING CONTENT OR .ETlIX A FULL ($ P DISPLAY IS MORE THAN adequate to deliver a clean and crisp image.
Cost of maintenance An important factor for users is ease and cost of maintenance for a projector. With a laser projector, there is no need to replace the projector lamp. Epson’s EH-LS100 laser projector is able to deliver HOURS OF VIEWING WITHOUT need for maintenance and lamp replacement — this translates to MORE THAN YEARS OF USAGE AT AN average usage of about four hours a day. This can be attributed to its innovative proprietary laser light source technology.
Connectivity and ease of setup The projector should be able to display data, video, photos
Q Screen size and viewing distance ratio also come into play. and games. A dedicated business projector will be best for showing PowerPoint slides and PDFs, but a good home projector should be able to handle these tasks if the USER S SETUP IS A HOME OFkCE AS WELL as a family entertainment center. A projector that handles video well will also be good with photos. Connectivity via HDMI, supporting video resolutions of 1080p, is essential. HDMI 1.4a enables projection from a Bluray player, set-top box and even a computer. Look out too for a built-in Wi-Fi, allowing for content to be projected without a cable. Check whether the model that
interests you offers vertical and horizontal image correction — this will allow you to quickly realign a skewed screen image, key if you’re setting up in a hurry. Getting all these considerations right will ensure you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy hours of trouble-free home entertainment from your projector system. A large screen cinema in your own home is an amazing concept — and when you add in the ability to enjoy video games with your family, share photos and even run business applications, you are looking at a technology that is not only desirable, but truly transformative.
Âťcheers! Starting ‘em young toward stardom
Q This season, parents can take opportunity of their kids’ free time to get them involved in the kitchen.
More summer health tips SUMMER is the perfect time for vacations and beach escapades. For some, especially the kids, it is also a good time to stay at home and enjoy the company of their family and friends. However, the season doesn’t mean you should slack off on your health. To make the most out of your summer, The Manila Times, together with Beko Philippines, shares TIPS TO kGURE OUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO achieve you and your family’s ultimate goal to stay healthy and stay hydrated during summer.
AFTER MORE THAN YEARS OF CELEBRATING talented Filipino kids, SM Little Stars shines brighter than ever as SM Supermalls launches a bigger and more exciting kiddie-talent SEARCH FOR 4HIS YEAR MORE THAN OVER P9.5 million worth of prizes are at stake, including an artist management contract. More than that, this search for talented, lovable, and adorable kids has been the stepping stone for many of its winners to go on to bigger things. 3- ,ITTLE 3TARS "OY 'RAND 7INNER -ARCUS #ABAIS AND HIS COUNTERPART Girl Grand Winner Sheena Kirtsten Bentoy played key roles in “The Lion King the
Musical�— Marcus as the young Simba and 3HEENA AS THE 9OUNG .ALA THE LATTER IN THE musicale’s Asian Tour. .HIKZY #ALMA "OY 'RAND 7INNER who was awarded as WCOPA Junior Grand #HAMPION 0ERFORMER OF THE 7ORLD IN and has now become part of primetime VARIETY SHOWS WHILE 'IRL 'RAND 7INner Chun Sa Jung wins fans with her acting prowess as a mainstay of a kiddie comedy show on TV. This year’s batch will get the chance to be trained by celebrity mentors and entertainment gurus in a series of workshops to DEVELOP THEIR TALENT BOOST THEIR CONkDENCE
and encourage them to make new friends with other participants. &OR THE 'RAND &INALS ON !UGUST AT the SM Mall of Asia Centerstage, celebrity judges include Singer and actress Karylle, movie director Joey Reyes, TV personality 4UESDAY 6ARGAS AND 3- ,ITTLE 3TARS third prize winner Esang de Torres. “Through SM Little Stars, we celebrate our commitment to making mall-going experiences fun, nurturing, and rewarding for the whole family, and to spark moments that kids will treasure today and in the coming years,� said Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls SVP for marketing.
Since the days are longer, the season is the perfect time to do outdoor activities like swimming or hiking. Doing physical activities or exercise not only help reduce the risk of disEASES LIKE TYPE DIABETES cancer, and cardiovascular disease but also presents immediate and long-term health BENEkTS TO THE BODY
Âťmomhacks
You can get your kids involved in cooking
The school year will either be out or winding down this summer, which Abundance of fruits leaves your kids plenty of time to engage and veggies in activities. Why not take this opportunity to get them involved in the kitchen? There are plenty of in-season fruits It not only makes for a good bondduring the summer like avocado, ing moment but also helps your kids pineapple, mango, watermelon, co- veer away from making unhealthy food conut and banana. Satisfy your sweet choices like junk food and sweets. This cravings with these instead of eating is important since health often takes a CHOCOLATES CAKES OR DOUGHNUTS 9OU back seat during this season. While cooking with the family is a can also try making fruit smoothies and add in some vegetables like spin- great way to spend time during the sumach, which is a healthy way to beat the mer, it is important to note that the hot heat this season. weather can cause food to spoil quickly. In fact, leaving them out for too long at Perfect for outdoor activities room temperature can cause bacteria or viruses to grow to dangerous levels. Summer is arguably one of the family’s To avoid food spoilage, consider using favorite seasons — and for good reasons. a Dual Cooling Inverter Refrigerator.
Q National University’s Marc Rey Galido (left) and SM SVP for Marketing Jon Jon San Agustin (right) with SM Little Stars celebrity judges Tuesday Vargas and Karylle.
Q Goin Bulilit mainstay Chunsa Jung
Q Nhikzy Veench Calma Q Esang de Torres will be one of the judges of SM Little Stars 2019.
Q Andre Lei Navarro
Q SM Little Stars 2019 grand prize winner Aleynah Cassedine Redillas.
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net
Funtimes
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
F3
Solution to Mega Maze
» CROSSWORD
BY EUGENE SHEFFER
»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (05/07/19). Family investments gain in value this year. Chart your course and plot your moves well in advance. Summer brings blossoming creativity that inspires a new educational direction. Your journey reveals bold discoveries next winter, motivating a change in your research. Share solutions and possibilities. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Turn down an expensive offer. Self-discipline pays off. Stick to the simple and practical. Back up important data and records. You can charm a skeptic. TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Avoid ephemeral ¿QDQFLDO VFKHPHV RU SRWHQWLDO FRQV %ULQJ IDQWDVLHV GRZQ WR HDUWK 6WHHU FOHDU IURP ULVN\ EXVLQHVV )ROORZ UXOHV FORVHO\ WR SURVSHU DQG SUR¿W GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Imagine a delightful future, and consider what actions to take. Unexpected expenses or other breakdowns could require adaptation. Adjust plans, and recharge your batteries. CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Small changes can reap big rewards. Find a quiet, private spot to make plans and get organized. Friends are there for you. Share support. LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Strengthen your team support structures. Avoid long-shot ideas, and stick to practical goals. Professional opportunities come through social connections. Talk about dreams and visions. VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Travel could interfere with your work. Work out the details before advancing. Can you send someone else ahead? Avoid expensive illusions, and make reservations early.
» SUDOKU
BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Postpone buying stuff you don’t need. Prioritize experiences over toys. Visit fascinating people and places. You can charm your way around a roadblock. SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Collaborate with your partner on shared financial goals. Avoid stepping on another’s sensitivities. Don’t stir up jealousies. Stick to practical priorities. Opposites attract. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Compromise rules the day. Avoid risk or irritations. Rely on each other to manage what needs to happen. Join forces for common cause. CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Slow down to avoid accidents with your work or health. Watch your step, and stay on solid ground. Practice physical routines. Nature revives you. AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Inspire another with your example. Competition can arise with games as well as romance. Remember what’s really important. Keep your feet on the ground. PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Sift through wild fantasies to find practical domestic solutions. Let family needs and desires inform the process. Fix something that was broken at home.
(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. 5/6/19
F4
Special Feature
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net Q With over 7,100 islands, you can’t possibly
#TRAVELGOALS
run out of places to visit in the Philippines. PHOTO FROM UNSPLASH.COM
Go local
TrekkSoft highlights how travelers today choose to immerse in local culture
I
BY MAYLENE STEPHANIE S. VIRAY
T’s summer and it’s the perfect opportunity to satisfy the wanderlust within us and achieve the ultimate #travelgoals experience — whether alone, with family, friends or your SIGNIkCANT OTHER WHEREVER IT MAY BE In a recent travel outlook report by booking software company TrekkSoft, it shows that travelers nowadays are choosing to immerse themselves with local culture by eating local eats and do activities popular among the local. )T ADDED THAT TOURS kLLED WITH history and culture continue to be a leading experience for travelers when visiting a new destination. As an archipelago, the Philippines is one of the most popular destinations because of its natural beaches popular for scuba diving activities and with amazing coral reefs, mountains with hiking trails that lead to breathtaking summits. For a more relaxed adventure,
cities are also gaining popularity with an array of leisure establishments popping around and colorful parades taking the streets, all while keeping its cultural and historical heritage leveraged at best. With over 7,000 islands, you can’t possibly run out of places to visit in the Philippines alone.
In the metro Despite being a bustling metropolis INFAMOUS FOR ITS TRAFkC JAMS -ETRO -ANILA IS BOOMING WITH LEISURE activities ranging from historical museums to amusement parks — all within arm’s reach for a quick day trip around the metropolis.
The historic walled-district of Intramuros encapsulates the history of the Spanish colonial PERIOD OF -ANILA WITH SOME of its Spanish-era architecture, decades-old cathedrals and roadworks that are either preserved or reconstructed to exist today by the Intramuros Administration. 2ECENTLY IT OPENED -USEO DE )Ntramuros at the locations of thenSan Ignacio Church and Convent AND THE -ISSION (OUSE OF THE Society of Jesus to house the administration’s art collections. Another historical spot to visit IS THE kNANCIAL AND LIFESTYLE DISTRICT of the metropolis — Bonifacio Global City, a former military base during the American colonial period that was converted INTO A MAJOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT Filled with shopping, dining and business establishments, BGC is the go-to spot for travelers living the nightlife. - E A NW H I L E F O O D I E S A N D art-lovers alike can experience
THE COLORFUL AND lAVORFUL WORLDS OF -AGUINHAWA 3TREET IN 1UEZON City and Tiendesitas in Pasig, both popular for its wide variety of food stalls, cultural and artistic hubs as well as retail outlets for budget-friendly purchases. "UT THESE ARE JUST AMONG THE DEStinations that awaits in the metro, beyond it is a different universe waiting to be explored.
lECTIONS OF SOCIETAL MOVEMENTS Drive through the chilling climate of Tagaytay, in Cavite and end the trip with a beautiful view of the Taal Volcano sitting amid the Taal Lake. Explore World War 2 ruins of the Battle of Corregidor at the 0ACIkC 7AR -EMORIAL -USEUM IN Corregidor Island, where statues of Filipino and American soldiers and remnants of the war are erected to tell the story.
SAND ,AKI "EACH IN -ARIVELES "ATAAN THE CLEAR WATERED -ASASA Beach in Tingloy, Batangas; the kNE SAND +ATUNGKULAN "EACH 2Esort in Ternate, Cavite; and Puting Buhangin (white sand) Beach in 0AGBILAO 1UEZON 0ROVINCE Outside Luzon, however, are more beach paradise to explore. Wreck dive in Palawan’s city of Coron to visit Japanese shipwrecks from World War 2 underwater or take in the beautiful For art and history lovers sceneries of El Nido and its limestone cliffs, turquoise water Besides beaches and leisure hubs, Summer bod-ready and white sand beaches. the country is also rich in desDiscover the hidden beach of Bitinations that combine the arts For a dose of “vitamin sea,� with history. frolicking at the beach doesn’t taog Beach in the islands of Dinagat Take, for instance, Pinto Art have to equate to the island of in the Caraga region and bask in its -USEUM THAT HOUSES AN EXHIBI- Boracay, in Aklan, especially for peaceful and secluded ambience, all tion space and a contemporary working individuals who often while taking pleasure in its powdery museum in the city of Antipolo, have limited leisure time owing white sands, clear waters and stunning rock formations. Rizal, exhibiting the art col- to hectic work schedules. For a more adventurous expelection of its founder, Filipino 0ROVINCES NEAR -ETRO -ANILA neurologist and patron of the arts offer beaches that are equally as dition, go Whale Shark watching *OVEN #UANANG (IS COLLECTION beautiful as Boracay and complete at Oslob Beach in Cebu that is traces its roots from the Spanish with land and sea activities for ev- equally complete with white-sand colonial occupation to artistic re- ERYONE TO ENJOY SUCH AS THE WHITE beaches and clear waters.
Excellence welcomes the global traveller in Manila
A
S travellers continue to explore the world, an experience not to miss is the hospitality service of Marco Polo /RTIGAS -ANILA 2EDEkNING LUXURY TRAVEL -ARCO 0OLO /RTIGAS -ANILA TAKES PRIDE AS it gets recognized once again in the global hospitality landscape, having earned the Five-Star Award from Forbes Travel Guide for the third consecutive year. -ANAGED BY THE 7HARF (OTELS IN (ONG +ONG -ARCO 0OLO /RTIGAS -ANILA IS ONE OF ONLY TWO HOTELS IN -ANILA TO BE AWARDED the recognition for three straight years by Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority on luxury travel. “It takes a lot of hard work. It
takes perseverance. It takes total dedication, and it takes consistency to get there. Out of all (Forbes Travel Guide) standards, 75 percent is based on service,� said Filip Boyen, Forbes Travel Guide chief EXECUTIVE OFkCER g)T IS ALL ABOUT how you (hotels) make the guests feel in your hotel. It’s all emotional. We live in a world where the art of and the passion for true hospitality sometimes gets lost. -ARCO 0OLO /RTIGAS -ANILA IS AN example for the new generation of hospitality professionals, because
Q Marco Polo Manila Ortigas facade
service is an honour and an art.� !T -ARCO 0OLO EMBRACE TIMELESS hospitality reflected in the most superior standards of service that is distinct in every encounter. Asian warmth with a blend of Western comfort will ultimately give meaning to guests’ travel experience, signalling a whole new dimension in showcasing the renowned brand of Asian hospitality embodied in THE PIONEERING SPIRIT OF -ARCO 0OLO Nestled in the vibrant and growing commercial business district IS THE kRST PURPOSE BUILT kVE STAR -ARCO 0OLO HOTEL IN THE COUNTRY offering distinguished guests 316 large and well-designed rooms and suites, including two ContiNENTAL #LUB lOORS THAT ACCORDS UNRIVALLED PRIVILEGES AND BENEkTS !DJUDGED TO BE THE MOST BEAUtiful in town and one of the best AMONG -ARCO 0OLO HOTELS IN THE world, it is exclusive for guests who desire a higher level of luxury on top of our impressive new Continental Club lounge. The hotel, a product of sophisticated design and well-planned development, is bestowed as the kRST SKY HOTEL IN THE COUNTRY WITH DEDICATED lOOR AREAS EXCLUSIVELY for business and recreational USE 4HE lOORS ARE ACCESSED VIA high-speed elevators including a wellness hub called Flow which houses a full-service spa, indoor INkNITY POOL AND FULLY EQUIPPED kTNESS CENTER PLUS THE kRST SKY lobby in the Philippines nestled at the 25th level of the hotel tower offering unparalleled views of the cityscape. !DDING TO -ANILA S BEST DINING destinations are four specialty outlets that guests can choose from. Cucina, the all-day dining restaurant that features live show kitchENS ,UNG (IN THE CONTEMPORARY Chinese restaurant serving traditional and authentic Cantonese cuisine in a new, fresh and modern style; CafÊ Pronto, the relaxed and friendly coffee area offering a wide range of designer coffee, specialty teas and freshly baked items good for dine-in or to go; and VU’s, the kRST OF ITS KIND SKY BAR AND LOUNGE
Q The hotel’s Continental Club lounge
Q The wellness hub Flow houses a full-service spa, indoor infinity pool and fully-equipped fitness center.
Q VU’s Skybar and Lounge at the topmost 45th floor of the hotel. LOCATED AT THE TOPMOST TH lOOR OF THE HOTEL OFFERS -EDITERRANEAN tapas, signature cocktails, wines, sprits and champagnes amidst awe-inspiring vistas. For momentous social events and corporate meetings, the
-ARCO 0OLO 'RAND "ALLROOM can accommodate up to 600 guests. In addition, the eight state-of-the-art function rooms can accommodate 250 guests. Complimentary high-speed WiFi internet service is available all
throughout the hotel to provide savvy business and leisure travelers a balanced lifestyle of work and play seamlessly. 4O LEARN MORE ABOUT THE -ARCO 0OLO /RTIGAS -ANILA VISIT www. marcopolohotels.com.
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
G 1
The Official Publication of CKS College
th
CKS College Celebrates 80 Anniversary with PAASCU Re-accreditation Grant
Q JHS students using the manipulatives in the Mathematics laboratory
Q JHS students conducting experiments in the Science laboratory
AINTAINING its Level III Member Status, the Junior High School (JHS) division has been granted re-accreditation for THE NEXT kVE YEARS BY THE 0HILIPPINE !CCREDITING !SSOCIATION OF 3CHOOLS #OLLEGES AND 5NIVERSITIES 0!!3#5 AFTER ITS SUCCESSFUL RE SURVEY VISIT IN .OVEMBER OF
This success was possible through the unwavering synergy among the institution’s stakeholders—the teachers, parents, students, alumni, and administrators. In 2017, CKS College received its Level III Status for its Grade School and Junior High School programs. This accolade is the highest level awarded by PAASCU to basic education institutions that successfully fulfill the requirements of accreditation through self-survey and formal re-survey visits. While the PAASCU visit for validity extension of Grade School (GS) division’s re-accredited status will
M
The visit served as an avenue for the accrediting body to appraise the practices and operations of the JHS arm of the college by looking into different evaluation areas such as Administration, Instruction, Faculty, Physical Plant, Library, Laboratories, Student
Services, and School-Community Relations. The RESULTS OF THIS ACTIVITY AFkRMED THE CAPABILITY OF THE institution to achieve excellence by keeping up with the standards of the association promoting quality education.
CKS College President Dr. Dory Poa awarded as the Cebu Intsik Foundation’s 2019 Outstanding Principal Chiang Kai Shek College President Dr. Dory Poa has marked a history as she received the Cebu Intsik Foundation’s 2019 Outstanding Principal Award. This competition is held by the Cebu Intsik Foundation (Huajiao Center) to search for outstanding presidents and model teachers from different Filipino-Chinese schools all over the Philippines. As described by an article issued, Dr. Dory Poa is a leader who has a futuristic mind and a foresighted vision that set the college for international competitiveness. With full commitment, she has taken over CKS College since 2013, and from then on, she has put great seriousness and effort to strengthen the foundations of its basic education. She has changed the programs and pedagogies of teaching Mandarin that will suit the developing society to cultivate the “three languages and four dialectsâ€? (san wen si yu / КᎡഋäˆ?). That has become her new goal for the Filipino – Chinese education. Within the years, Dr. Poa has employed her wisdom, enthusiasm, and perseverance to further develop the administration, management, and leadership skills in the college. The Chiang Kai Shek College pushes holistic Chinese teaching to become internationalized and modernized but localized in terms of the students’ needs. Because of her deep understanding of the real situation of the Filipino-Chinese in the Philippines, Dr. Poa has set her goals to enrich the educational system through different approaches and strategies. She has incorporated Pinyin, HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), and Fookien – both as a language and a medium of instruction – in the Chinese education. She has also ventured the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme in CKS College which currently offers Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes (PYP and MYP) and will soon cater the Diploma Programme (DP). Moreover, she has promoted the trainings of Chinese teachers and optimized their talents and skills. She has also arranged and adapted books focused on Mandarin usage. She has made use of advanced teaching philosophies and innovated teaching instructions through the application of multimedia, Internet, and other high technology that are appropriate to the local conditions. Indeed, Dr. Poa has shown the importance of educating people and has valued significant contributions. Over the
years, she has continued renovating and beautifying the college to establish conducive learning environment. Despite the challenges the society brings to move forward the Chinese education, Dr. Poa has enhanced Chinese learning and teaching administration by maximizing the involveQ Dr. Dory Poa, ment and the forces of the CKS College President three major foundations of the school – the board of trustees, the school administrators, and the alumni – and letting them lead and guide in promoting the changes and development of the school. Through this, she has managed to strengthen the teacher-and-student bond and respect the board of trustees and the alumni association. Under her leadership, the CKS College has been on the limelight by receiving impressive recognitions and achievements. In 2017, the elementary and junior high school divisions passed the PAASCU Level 3, which is the highest accreditation level, and the school has presently maintained this status. In that same year, Chiang Kai Shek College was also chosen as the 2017 winner of the Excellence in Educational Transformation Award (EETA) for Outstanding Innovations in Leadership, Governance, and Management by the EETA National Screening Committee of Bayan Academy for Social Entrepreneurship and Human Resource Development which search was hosted in collaboration with the Department of Education, REX Book Store, Inc., ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, and Knowledge Channel. The entire community of CKS College celebrates the great success of the President and the school. Working hand in hand leads to a higher, brighter, and stronger Chiang Kai Shek College as it builds progress through education.
take place in 2021, the college still eagerly awaits the formulation of accreditation instrument to be used for its Senior High School (SHS) program. Once the PAASCU Board announces administrability of the SURVEY FORM THE COLLEGE WILL DEkNITELY BE AT ITS BEST in undertaking accreditation processes for the SHS division. The joyous celebration of the institution’s 80th founding anniversary is indeed marked by the consistent adherence of its arms to the standards of quality education achieved through the teamwork of its stakeholders.
%MERGING AS #HAMPIONS IN 2OBOTICS LAST January 31, 2019, our very own CKSians, Hart Drexel Ngie, Aaron Chua both from 6A and Josiah Cody Ang of 5A, participated in a Robotics competition at Grace Christian College. That contest really proved that our grade schoolers have the propensity despite the fact that they were just trained for a very short period of time. Moreover, it was their first time to compete in this field against the various schools with robotics program. During the contest, the organizers oriented them about some basic robotic skills. Afterwards, they were asked to assemble an object out of the given K’nex building piec-
es. Two elimination rounds were conducted and our students were fortunate enough to hurdle those. Our School is one among the six institutions which garnered the greatest number of points and qualified to move on to the contest proper. In the contest proper, they were asked to make a vehicle that can successfully move the fastest through different obstacles. That vehicle traveled so fast and beat all the rest! Indeed, these students have made our school so proud for their team emerged the CHAMPION. Victory for CKS College! Another laurel for it’s 80 th year of existence!
Q 1st Elimination Round
Q 2nd Elimination Round
Q Awading Ceremony
MYP Subscribes to Managebac
Q Dr. Poa, together with Ms. Joana C. Que and Ms. Ngar Shan Sia who are also awarded as outstanding Chinese teachers in the similar event
MYP students have started using Managebac after its partial implementation last term. According to its website, Managebac is the leading planning, assessment, and reporting platform for the IB continuum. This PLATFORM ENABLES EFkCIENT CURRICULUM planning because of its ready-made unit planner template which facilitates completion of every section of the MYP unit plan. More importantly, it makes communication to students and parents easy because it is web-based. In other words, it can be accessed on any computer that is connected to the Internet. As a result, students and parents track their progress and even submit tasks online. Students and parents are also informed of deadlines and
submissions through the calendar that is embedded in it. At present only MYP students and teachers are using the Managebac.
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TUESDAY May 7, 2019
-!3#+3# 0RODUCTION ! $REAM 2EALIZED
THE annual production of the Moving Actors Society of Chiang Kai Shek College (MASCKSC) was successfully staged last March 22, 2019 at the CKS auditorium. The club, under the Junior High School division, proudly presented their play entitled Dreamchaser that addressed relevant issues very close to the audience. The play effectively exhibited themes like importance of friendship, dealing with one’s demons, and chasing one’s dreams. Considering the school’s cultural diversity, the production team was able to inculcate the Filipino and Chinese culture. The story is very commendable for creating relatable characters. The main character, Skyler Ong, was played by Matthew Angelo Chua of 10 – G. He was portrayed as a troubled kid in high school who rejected the company of anyone including his long forgotten friends. Luckily, even though
he did not want them, Skyler had genuine friends in the form of Celeste, Jay, Peter, Zoe, and Ai Lee which were played by Andee Beyonce Co (10 – A), Donald Xu (9 –A), Jam Meisy Tan (9 – A), Chloe Yamille Velasco (9 – A), and Sophia Chua (9 – A), respectively. The production was well thought of: from the stage design, lighting and sound effects, up to the script and execution. Foregrounding theater elements, the play exhibited a series of dreams of Skyler’s friends in which he was appearing, trying to save them from his inner demon (played by Albert Astucia of 9 – A). At times he was successful but failing in others. With these unusual ‘Skyler dreams’ do his friends started getting at the bottom of things. It was then when they discovered Skyler Ong’s struggle within him. His demon causing self-doubt and insecurities was growing immensely and
about to take over who he truly is. The play ended with a compelling impact as it highlights essential lessons about friendship, dreams, and self-worth. The play featured the songs of Imagine Dragons from start to kNISH 4HE MUSICIANS WERE ABLE to make various renditions of the song to suit the production. Furthermore, the dancers lit up the stage as they rock to the songs. Generally, both factions were able to convey the message of the song and contribute to the total effect of the play. This masterpiece was made possible by the scriptwriter and director Wynielle Delmo (10 – A) and the brilliant club moderator Mr. Nelson D. Sia. Although there was a power interruption, the play is not short OF lARE AND PASSION !S -R !LLAN Rey S. Villaverde remarked during the 5-minute breather: “Power interruption is no match to one’s
dreams.� Overall, MASCKSC crafted yet another play that will be remembered by those who have witnessed it. It exceeded the high standards that has been set by the previous productions made by the same theater company. Indeed, next year’s production will be highly anticipated considering the limits this year’s play surpassed. Ponder on this: though our nightmares dim us, let our dreams be brighter, for the brightest of stars is surrounded by darkness. Our time has come to destroy the fears that we created. A creation as such should die in the vastness of our dreams. Owning the sky is owning its brightness and darkness. We are the masters of our dreams; while, nightmares will be our slaves. The pathway to our dreams will not be the easiest, but the end will be worthwhile. Live long MASCKSC!
Q Students promoting their own products during the business expo CHIANG Kai Shek College organized two rounds of Business Expo HELD kRST ON -ARCH AND IN ,UCKY #HINATOWN -ALL AND second on its own school grounds on March 8 and 9 in CKS College Narra Campus. “The Business Expo allows CKSC students to understand the dynamic background of the competitive business industry by going through the rigorous process of planning and organizing their own enterprise. Students were arranged into groups and were tasked to develop their unique products with the objective of answering a particular need of their consumers,� said Mr. David Molina, one of the senior high school students’ teachers in Entrepreneurship. The event served as a podium for CKS Senior High School and College students to showcase their skills and creativity in planning and selling innovative products. When asked for the reason behind organizing the Business Expo not only within the CKS College vicinity but also in a highly business competitive area such as Lucky Chinatown Mall, Mr. Molina stated that CKS College wanted to provide students a whole new level of an immersive experience by requiring them to sell their products at locations with varying types of customers. Through this, students learned how to approach and adapt to different types of consumer behaviors. “We hope to equip our future business graduates with a competitive edge by doing business as a WAY OF LIFE u SAID -R -OLINA WHO BELIEVED THAT GAINING kRSTHAND experience in the Business Expo will inspire students to be the best businessmen and businesswomen of the future. A total of 25 groups of students from the SHS STEM and ABM Strands participated in the Business Expo - 12 of them put up their BOOTHS IN THE ,UCKY #HINATOWN -ALL WHILE THE REMAINING GROUPS sold their products in the CKS College Narra Campus. The CKS College students were received with warm welcome by customers who were curious and eager to purchase their products. A careful and thorough evaluation was done by the Senior High School Faculty to identify the groups of students who stood out in the Business Expo. For the Lucky Chinatown Group, the 12F ABM Soaphisticated Emoji soap was awarded the Most Innovative Product while 12A STEM Royal Family Pomade received the Best Booth Design. 12E ABM Cooltech Hot/Cold Packs garnered Best in Salesmanship and Best Overall Performance. On the other hand, 12F ABM Allganizer earned Best Booth Design and Best Overall Performance, while 12D ABM Supernova Beverage Cube was the Most Innovative Product and 12C STEM Sleepy Me Pillows received the Best in Salesmanship for the CKS College Narra Campus group. CKS College aims to continuously provide more opportunities like this one for its students in the succeeding years.
MATEO Rivera, an IB alumnus, visited CKS College last February 7 to speak with Grade 6 and 9 students and the IB faculty about his experience in the PYP, MYP, and DP. In his meetings with these groups, he highlighted how his IB experience has impacted his life as a university student and as an adult entering the workforce. Specifically, he emphasized how IB developed his criticalthinking skills, which according to him, became instrumental in
dealing with the rigors of the academic requirements in the university. Mateo graduated with a degree in Economics from The University of Sydney.
PYP Holds Successful Open House
THERE was an overwhelming number of parents who signed up to observe PYP classes for the PYP Open House last February 26. The Open House started with a short orientation on the role of single subjects in the PYP which was led by the PYP Consultant, Maria Cecilla Salvan. The nearly 200 parents and guests had to be grouped in
Q Dreamchaser’s cast on the spotlight
Towards an Entrepreneurial Thinking
IB Alumnus Visits CKS College
batches so as to accommodate them all in the three classes and three time slots allotted on that day. Through these class observations, parents got to see how teaching and learning happen in the PYP. They also got to interact with teachers and administrators who graciously answered their queries about the programme.
Gone Green with Science Exhibit THE CKSC Science Learning Area successfully celebrated its Science Week on the last week of November 2018. The four-day science and technology celebration focused on environmental awareness, protection and conservation. Mr. Faisal Alonto, junior coordinator for the Science Learning Area, led the series of activities, participated in by elementary, junior high and IB program science teachers and students. The festivities featured a butterfly exhibit, the display of a collection of various science projects, infomercial videos, and documentary kLM VIEWING "UTTERlY %XHIBIT )N THE BUTTERlY EXHIBIT THE guests were introduced to live displays of several SPECIES OF BUTTERlIES ! SHORT ORIENTATION OF THE LIFE CYCLE OF BUTTERlIES WAS GIVEN AND AS A kNALE THE GUESTS WERE GIVEN SAMPLES OF BUTTERlY PUPAE
which they could take home and nurture until THEY DEVELOP INTO BUTTERlIES 4HE BUTTERlY EXHIBIT WAS HELD AT THE SECOND lOOR OF THE %Lementary Building near the elementary library. Infomercial Videos. Grade nine students produced their own infomercial videos. These videos include information on how the school gets itself involved in saving and preserving the environment. Selected videos were played near THE !DMINISTRATIVE /FkCE Documentary Film Viewing. Science students were treated to a documentary of Atom Araullo entitled Philippine Seas. The docuMENTARY ASIDE FROM FEATURING THE AFlUENCE OF the Philippine Marine resources, also opened the eyes of students on the problems and issues faced by Filipinos and the Philippine government in protecting the Philippine ma-
Q Student-centered activities during the Science month
rine resources. The documentary viewing was done independently in classrooms during the science periods. Project Exhibit. Selected science projects were displayed in the exhibit held at the CKSC Lobby near the English Instruction Faculty Room. Projects included the solar system model and the natural disaster bulletin board from Grade 7 students, dish garden plants and virus models from Grade 8 students, motivation posters on energy conservation from Grade 10 students, animal junk art, posters, and eco bags from Grades 1-6 students, and a photo bulletin of IB students’ trip to the La Mesa Watershed. An independent bulletin board provided space for guests to post their personal pledge to help protect the environment. The pledges served as the culminating activity for the festivities.
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
G 3
G 4
TUESDAY May 7, 2019
GIRL POWER IN SPORTS!
I
t’s another fruitful harvest for the #+3IAN STUDENT ATHLETES AS THEY WENT INTO DIFFERENT BATTLE FRONTS
First on board are the mighty Lady Blue Dragons high school girls’ basketball team, which bagged its seventh straight Palarong NCR (National Capital Region) basketball crown last February 2019 at Marikina City. As representatives of the city of Manila to the competition, the team was a cut above the rest in totally dominating the competition. During the Palarong NCR, Angelica Marie Surada emerged Most Valuable Player (MVP), and JOINING HER IN THE MYTHICAL kVE selection were Agatha Bron, Karl Ann Pingol, Bonie Marylene Solis, and Junize Calago, all fellow CKSians. For their feat, the team will represent the National Capital Region during the Palarong Pambansa to be held in Davao City on April 2019. During the Metro Manila Basketball League for School Year 2018-2019, the girls’ basketball team also showed who’s the boss by winning its sixth consecutive
championship title in the annual tournament. The team defeated the University of Santo Tomas during the championship game held at San Beda College Manila last February 10, 2019. Earlier last December 16, 2018, the team also took its fourth straight Women’s Basketball League championship trophy by routing De La Salle Santiago Zobel 3CHOOL IN THE kNALS HELD AT 8AVIER School. Karl Ann Pingol also emerged as Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. Another fourth straight crown for the Lady Dragons came during the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) for School Year 20182019, after sweeping perennial rival De La Salle Santiago Zobel School in the best-of-three championship series for the Juniors division crown. Winning individual awards were Mary Lyn Olive Estacio and Karl Ann Pingol, who both made it to the
Mythical 5 selection. Mary Lyn Olive Estacio was also chosen the season’s MVP, while team mate Angelica Marie N. Surada EMERGED AS THE kNAL S -60 The team is coached by Diana Sy, Angeline Fidellaga, and Cristina dela Cruz. On the side note, CKS high school batch 2014 alumna Ria Joy J. Nabalan was recently acknowledged as the only 80-0 player in the history of the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). Nabalan was part of the Lady Blue Dragons that emerged as champion in the Women’s Basketball League AND -ANILA -EET AND .#2 -EET AND 0ALARONG 0AMBANSA AND -OST 6ALUABLE 0LAYER 7.#!! - Most Valuable Player. She also WON MORE THAN kFTEEN MEDALS AS A TRACK AND kELD ATHLETE IN AND DURING THE 5NITED 4RACK and Field Newcomers Meet, National Chinese Track and Field Meet, Palarong Maynila, among others. Currently, she is playing for the National University Lady Bulldogs,
THE kVE PEAT 5!!0 FROM TO 2018. She took the UAAP Rookie of the Year award in 2014, and was in the Mythical 5 selection in 2017. She also was part of the champion TEAM IN THE 5!!0 X BASKETBALL competition in 2018 and 2019, and Last Man Standing Competition in 2018. Swimming prodigy Mishka Sy splashed her way to harvesting medals from different competitions. She bagged silver medals for 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, and 50m Breaststroke during the 9th Speedo All Girls Inter-School Swimming ChamPIONSHIPS LAST 3EPTEMBER 2018 at Xavier School. She also garnered gold medals in the 100m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke events, and 200m Individual Medley during the Palarong Maynila last November TO AT THE 2IZAL -Emorial Sports Complex. During her stint in the 2018 Philippine Swimming Incorporated (PSI) Long Course Grand Prix Championship last December 7 to 9, 2018, she romped away with three gold medals in the 200m Individual Medley, 100m Backstroke,
and 50m Backstroke events. In the 49 th WNCAA swimming competition last January 27, 2019, she was adjudged Most Valuable Player in the Junior Division, bagging the gold medals in the 200m Individual Medley, 100m Backstroke, and 50m Backstroke events. She also won silver medals in the 100m Backstroke and 200m Backstroke events , aside from being part of the Manila team that won gold medals in the 4x100 Medley Relay and 4x100 Freestyle Relay, during the Palarong NCR at the Marikina Sports Complex last February 27 to March 1, 2019. Most recently, she won the gold medal in the 200m Backstroke,
Q The Blazing Lady Dragons
g0REVENTIONu IS !LWAYS "ETTER THAN g2EHABu
THE Chiang Kai Shek College Health Services Department, in coordination with the Senior High School Program, conducted a lecture and discussion on “Substance Use and Abuse among !DOLESCENTSu LAST *ANUARY at the main auditorium. The speaker is Dr. Maria Stephanie Fay Samadan-Cagayan, MD, FPOGS, FPSECP, FPSSTD, Professor 7, Vice-Chair, and concurrent Assistant Chair for Academics, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the University of the Philippines College
Q Mishka Sy, swimming champ
of Medicine and Past President and Fellow of the Philippine Society of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology. Dr. Cagayan discussed about the risk factors and causes of substance use and abuse as with tobacco (cigarettes), alcohol, caffeine, and drugs, illicit drugs use focusing on shabu, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, ecs t a sy, e t c . , i t s physical, mental, psychological and emotional effects, were all explained and discussed during the lecture. Dr. Cagayan was also our speaker for the “Drug Abuse Prevention and Control� lecture in January 20, 2017. A total of 467 students from Grades 11 and 12 attended this seminar. Our senior high school students were very attentive and interested with this topic that so many of them were raising questions. They admitted to have gained more knowledge on substance and drug abuse, its prevention, and control.
and silver medals in the 100m Backstroke and 200m Individual Medley during the Philippine National Age Group Swimming Championships held at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City LAST -ARCH TO (ER feat in this competition makes her a potential Philippines repRESENTATIVE TO THE RD 3OUTH East Asian Age Group Swimming Championships to be held in #AMBODIA ON *UNE TO 2019. Mishka and the CKS high school girls’ basketball team will also be representing the National Capital Region during the Palarong Pambansa to be held on April 2019 at Davao City.
#+3IAN 3COUTS !CT FOR THE %NVIRONMENT CKSian scouts were recently recognized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) for initiating and organizing various community-oriented and environmental projects. One of these international recognitions went to seventeen (17) scouts who were bestowed the Scouts of the World Award (SWA) last March 2019. The Scouts of the World Award is a challenge to young people aged 15 to 26 years old to think about the global issues they value and act upon them in their local community. The projects are led in three main fields of action: Development, Peace, and the Environment. The award is completed in two phases: the discovery phase where they explore and discover issues faced by the community and the world, and the Voluntary Service phase, where the scouts commit a minimum of 80 voluntary hours to a community project aimed at tackling the issues discovered in the community. The CKS College Scout Center formed two teams, composed of rover and senior scouts, tackling environmental and peace projects. The first team embarked on a venture dubbed as “Project Kinabulusan�, the objective of which was to clean Estero de Kabulusan located in Pritil area of Tondo, Manila. During their implementation of the project, the involved scouts learned how to clean canals with the aid of other barangay volunteers. The team partnered with the Asian Social Institute in adapting the Mabuhay Balls (Bokashi Balls) technology, which uses good active microorganisms mixed with clay soil, among other components. These Mabuhay balls, when thrown into the estero water, consume the bad microorganism and effectively clean and improve the water quality of the estero. After nearly five months of cleaning, producing, and throwing close to 4,000 Mabuhay Balls produced with the help of more than 180 CKSian scouts, studies have shown
Q The proactive senior and rover scouts
significant improvement in the water quality of Estero de Kabulusan, thanks to the joint efforts of the scouts and other volunteers. With this successful undertaking, the team composed of Abigail Laurice R. Go, Allen James G. Chua, Danica Ysabel U. Koa, Michael Benjamin C. Morco, and Steven Jentyn Castro from senior high school, Adrian U. Yung Cheng, Brent Schyler T. Uy, Ethan Jason Y. Tanlimco, and Skyler D. Tapang from junior high school were bestowed the Scouts of the World Award. They were guided during the project duration by alumni scout leaders Dr. Samuel S. Chua, Engineer Kervin Clyde C. Go, and Cara Abigail C. Co. Another scout team had a six-month continuous expedition to Olongapo City, partnering together with the People’s Empowerment Development Assistance Foundation (PREDA), an organization that works on protecting the Human Rights of the Filipino people especially towards women and children. The team conducted different activities aimed at rehabilitating and improving the lives of out of school youth and street children, while also providing basic material needs such as electric fans and mattresses through donations. Amply called “Youth in Dialogue: Scouts with PREDA�, the project was a collaborative effort of Adrienne Christabelle A. Raspado, Daniel Paul R. Li, Jared Blase D. Sy, Jelline C. Cheng and Martin Bryan S. Tandoc from senior high school, working with their junior high school counterparts Johannes Nathan C. Hong, Nazh Christophe Jude L. Lui, and Angelino Barachiel A. Raspado. After the completion of this project and proper scrutiny and evaluation by national scout officials, they also received the Scouts of the World Award. The project was guided by Naty P. Sia, Oliver John Christian Liu, and Capt. Robinson C. Obiles. In yet another development, fifty-nine (59) CKSian scouts were presented the World Scout Environment Programme (WSEP) badge during an awarding ceremony
held last March 2, 2019. The WSEP badge encourages scouts to connect with nature, think about how they interact with the environment and take action to protect it. It focuses on learning about local and global issues and how taking local action can help both of these. The badge is earned through two stages: Explore and Reflect, and Take Action. For the first stage, each aim is explored through a variety of experiential activities that enable the participants to connect with the subject, learn about it and think about how they interact with it. For the second stage, a need to take action is identified and an environmental project is planned and executed. CKSian scouts received their WSEP badge after months of involvement in self-initiated cleanliness drives in different barangay neighborhoods and educational activities related to environmental concerns. During the last three years, the CKS College Scout Center restructured its internal Rover Scouting program to cater to scouts from the senior high school department and get them involved in community service projects. With such goals in mind, the CKSian rover scouts planned and organized projects which benefitted the community they serve and, at the same time, created a good bonding relationship among themselves. They also conducted outreach programs for younger scouts to participate in. These endeavors qualified twelve (12) of them to earn the highest advancement rank in the Rover Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, which is the Chief Scout’s Nation Builder Award, namely Kervin Clyde C. Go, Bea Danica U. Glory, Naty P. Sia, Oliver John Christian Liu, Abigail Laurice R. Co, Andrea Jasmin S. Farnacio, Adrienne Christabelle A. Raspado, Micaella A. Chong, Marjorie Micole O. Ang, Danica Ysabel U. Koa, Jared Blase D. Sy, and Reign Cristine M. Balajadia. Congratulations for a job well done!