The Manila Times | May 12, 2019

THE GIFT OF LIFE KORINA SANCHEZ’S LONG AWAITED THAT COMES ONLY MOTHER’S DAY FROM A MOTHER

SOUTH KOREA’S KANG FIRES 61 TO GRAB PGA BYRON NELSON LEAD

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•• SECTIONS PAGES • VOL. 120 NO. 2111 6 32

Sunday Times imes Magazine F1

MAY 12, 20199

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Comelec to poll bets: No more campaigning T H E # O M M I S S I O N O N % L E C T I O N S #OMELEC REMINDED NATIONAL AND LOCAL CANDIDATES AND THEIR SUPPORTERS THAT CAMPAIGNING IS NO LONGER ALLOWED ON 3UNDAY A DAY BEFORE THE MIDTERM POLLS g.O CAMPAIGN ON 3UNDAY 4HE PEOPLE MUST BE GIVEN A TIME FOR SILENCE FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO CONTEMPLATE ON WHO TO SUPPORT ON ELECTION DAY ,ET S LET THEM DECIDE WITHOUT HEARING THESE REPETITIVE CAMPAIGN JINGLES u #OMELEC SPOKESMAN *AMES *IMENEZ SAID ON &RIDAY 3ECTION OF #OMELEC 2ESOLUTION PROHIBITS CAMPAIGNING ON THE EVE OF THE ELECTIONS *IMENEZ ALSO REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE LIQUOR BAN WILL ALSO TAKE EFFECT 3UNDAY MIDNIGHT g.O SELLING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND DRINKING IN PUBLIC ON 3UNDAY "Y 4UESDAY AT A M IT WILL BE LIFTED u HE SAID (OWEVER *IMENEZ SAID THE LIQUOR BAN DOES NOT APPLY TO FOREIGNERS g9OU CAN SELL LIQUOR OR CONSUME LIQUOR ONLY IF YOU HAVE AN EXEMPTION 4HIS IS FOR THOSE SELLING TO FOREIGN ;TOURISTS= "UT AS FOR LOCALS NO DRINKING UNTIL THE POLLS END u HE ADDED 6IOLATORS FACE IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR BUT NOT MORE THAN SIX YEARS AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO PROBATION /N -ONDAY -AY OVER MILLION VOTERS NATIONWIDE ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MIDTERM POLLS ! TOTAL OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL POSITIONS ARE AT STAKE FROM SENATOR TO MUNICIPAL CITY COUNCILOR 4HE VOTING STARTS AT A M AND ENDS AT P M PNA

Suspending stupidity SUNDAY STORIES MARLEN V. RONQUILLO

Villar, Poe, Cayetano lead pre-poll survey T

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

HREE women, two of them endorsed by the Duterte administration, topped the pre-election survey of Pulse Asia.

Q Sen. Cynthia Villar

Q Sen. Mary Grace Poe

3EN #YNTHIA 6ILLAR WHO GOT PERCENT VOTER PREFERENCE LED THE POLL

EDGING OUT PERENNIAL SURVEY TOPNOTCHER 3EN -ARY 'RACE 0OE 0OE WITH VOTER PREFERENCE OCCUPIED SECOND TO THIRD PLACES 4HE TWO

³Survey A2

Q Rep. Pilar Juliana ‘Pia’ Cayetano

9 party-list groups likely to win House seats – Pulse Asia /.,9 NINE OF THE PARTY LIST GROUPS REGISTERED IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS COULD SECURE CONGRESSIONAL SEATS ACCORDING TO THE LATEST 0ULSE !SIA SURVEY RELEASED TWO DAYS BEFORE THE -AY POLLS 4HE NATIONWIDE SURVEY CONDUCTED FROM

-AY TO AMONG RESPONDENTS

SHOWED LESS THAN PERCENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED PARTY LISTS GARNERED OVER PERCENT OF VOTES THE MINIMUM VOTER SUPPORT REQUIREMENT TO EARN AT LEAST ONE SEAT IN THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES

!NTI #RIME AND 4ERRORISM #OMMUNITY )NVOLVEMENT AND 3UPPORT !#4 #)3 TOPPED THE POLL WITH PERCENT VOTER PREFERENCE FOLLOWED BY !KO "ICOL

PERCENT "AYAN -UNA WITH PERCENT

#ITIZENS "ATTLE !GAINST #ORRUPTION

PERCENT /NE 0ATRIOTIC #OALITION OF -ARGINALIZED .ATIONALS PERCENT #OALITION OF !SSOCIATIONS OF 3ENIOR #ITIZENS IN THE 0HILIPPINES PERCENT !LYANSA NG MGA -AMAMAYANG 0ROBINSIYANO

³Party-list A2

Widow candidates take center stage

T

HE TRAFkC DECONGESTION PLAN OF THE -ETROPOLITAN -ANILA $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY --$! IS THE STUPIDEST TRAFkC ALLEVIATION PLAN IN OUR CONTEMPORARY HISTORY )T SEEKS TO BAN PROVINCIAL BUSES

SO FAR THE ONLY EFkCIENT CARRIERS OF PEOPLE GOING TO -ETRO -ANILA FROM MANY POINTS IN THE COUNTRY ‡ GIVEN THE RAIL SERVICE BEING INADEQUATE ‡ FROM ENTERING THE METROPOLIS "USES COMING FROM 3OUTHERN ,UZON WILL BE STOPPED AT 3TA 2OSA #ITY

WHILE THOSE FROM .ORTHERN ,UZON WILL BE DIVERTED TO 6ALENZUELA #ITY

'%2425$%3 "!4/#!"% NEVER WANTED TO ENTER THE 0HILIPPINES CUTTHROATS POLITICS BUT AFTER HER HUSBAND WAS SHOT DEAD ALLEGEDLY BY A RIVAL IN NEXT WEEK S MIDTERM ELECTIONS SHE FELT BOUND TO TAKE HIS PLACE g)T S NOT REALLY AUTOMATIC THAT THE WIFE TAKES OVER

BUT IN THIS CASE ) CANNOT SEE MY OPPONENTS SITTING DOWN u SHE SAID HOLDING BACK TEARS g) HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO DO FOR 2ODEL FOR THE PEOPLE

³Candidates A2

180 nations OK UN deal to regulate plastic waste export

³Ronquillo A5 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

SENATORS SHARED THE LEAD IN THE SURVEY CONDUCTED BY 0ULSE !SIA FROM !PRIL TO 4RAILING 0OE IS 4AGUIG #ITY 2EP 0ILAR *ULIANA g0IAu #AYETANO A FORMER SENATOR

WHOSE PERCENT PLACED HER IN SECOND TO

GETTING READY

Workers from the Manila City Treasurer’s Office unload ballots and election paraphernalia that will be used on Monday, May 13. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

GENEVA: !ROUND GOVERNMENTS ON &RIDAY 3ATURDAY IN -ANILA AGREED ON A NEW 5. ACCORD TO REGULATE THE EXPORT OF PLASTIC WASTE SOME MILLION TONS OF WHICH ENDS UP IN THE OCEANS EACH YEAR ORGANIZERS SAID 4HE REPRESENTATIVE MEETING IN 'ENEVA REACHED THE AGREEMENT AFTER DAYS DISCUSSION ON WHAT 2OLPH

³Waste A2

A2

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SUNDAY May 12, 2019

Electoral boards can avail of P50K legal aid T

BY ROY D.R. NARRA

EACHERS and other individuals who will serve as members of electoral boards in Monday’s midterm elections can avail of legal assistance of up to P50,000, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Saturday morning. )NTERIOR 5NDERSECRETARY AND SPOKESMAN *ONATHAN -ALAYA ON 3ATURDAY SAID THE ASSISTANCE WASS IN LINE WITH 2EPUBLIC !CT 2!

OR THE g%LECTION 3ERVICE 2EFORM !CTu THAT SEEKS TO PROTECT THE BOARD MEMBERS FROM HARASS

MENT AND OTHER THREATS WHILE PERFORMING THEIR ELECTORAL DUTIES 4HE #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS #OMELEC HAS CREATED A SPECIAL TRUST FUND UNDER 2! TO COVER THE COSTS OF LEGAL AS WELL AS MEDI CAL ASSISTANCE AND LEGAL INDEM

NIkCATION FOR PERSONS RENDERING ELECTION RELATED SERVICES -ALAYA SAID ELECTORAL BOARD MEMBERS WERE NOW BETTER PRO TECTED THAN IN THE PAST g7E HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN PROMOTING THE RIGHTS OF OUR TEACHERS WHO SERVE IN OUR ELEC TIONS )F EVER THEY ENCOUNTER LEGAL PROBLEMS ALL THEY NEED TO DO IS TO MAKE A CLAIM WITH THE #OMELEC OR WITH THEIR AGENCY

THE $EPARTMENT OF %DUCATION

AND THERE ARE ALREADY SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS u HE ADDED g4EACHERS ARE DOING ELECTION DUTY OVER AND ABOVE THE CALL OF

DUTY SO WE ARE PLEASED THAT THEY NOW HAVE LEGAL PROTECTION FROM UNSCRUPULOUS CANDIDATES OR POLITI CIANS WHO WANT TO HARASS THEM u -ALAYA SAID ! CLAIMANT IS ENTITLED TO A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF 0

AS LEGAL INDEMNIkCATION AND THE #OMELEC WILL CREATE A #OMMITTEE ON #LAIMS AND !SSESSMENT TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS 4HE #OMELEC CAN ALSO DIRECT THE 0HILIPPINE .ATIONAL 0OLICE OR ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO PROVIDE SECURITY TO ANY TEACHER WHO MIGHT EXPERIENCE IMMINENT THREAT OF VIO LENCE OR INTIMIDATION FOR FULkLLING THEIR ELECTORAL DUTIES

DFA: Turnout high in overseas voting THE Department of Foreign AffairsOverseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS) on Saturday said that despite numerous challenges on the conduct and management of elections overseas, Philippine embassies and consulates general abroad have pulled through, with the 2019 midterm elections posting the highest voter turnout in elections for aspiring senators and party-list lawmakers.

DFA-OVS Acting Vice Chairman Edgardo Castro said the high voter turnout could be attributed to efforts of the embassies and consulates general to encourage Filipinos overseas to register as voters, which was evident when the number of registered overseas voters climbed to 1.8 million.

“This record-breaking number is expected to bring the 2019 midterm polls on Monday second only to the 2016 national elections, which saw the highest voter turnout in the history of overseas voting since the Overseas Absentee Voting Act was signed into law in 2003,” Castro added.

Based on numbers from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that were updated as of February 2019, there are 1,779,140 land-based and 43,033 seabased voters registered to vote for the 2019 midterm elections.

Filipino citizens who are 18 years old and above and will be overseas from April 13 to May 13 are eligible for overseas voting.

Filipinos who have pledged allegiance to foreign countries and thus carry foreign passports are not allowed to vote.

Dual citizens who hold Philippine passports are eligible.

Overseas voting is done in certain Philippine embassies or consulates around the world.

Voting may also be conducted in Comelec-authorized field or mobile voting centers for a limited period of time.

Voting, however, was suspended in Baghdad, Iraq; Damascus, Syria; and Tripoli, Libya because of armed conflict and civil unrest in these countries.

The DFA-OVS met with officials from the Comelec on May 9 to discuss preparations for the closing of the month-long overseas voting for the 2019 Senate and party-list elections on May 13.

It is now preparing for the arrival in Manila of the chairmen of the Special Board of Canvassers, who will bring the actual election returns from the Philippine embassies and consulates general worldwide after tabulating results in their areas.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

Q SURVEY FROM A1

Villar, Poe, Cayetano FOURTH PLACES

KEEPING THE FLAME Gertrudes Batocabe, wife of the late congressman Rodel Batocabe, speaks during a campaign rally in the town

of Daraga, Albay province. AFP PHOTO

Q CANDIDATES FROM A1

Widow candidates OF $ARAGA u SHE SAID REFERRING TO HER HUSBAND A FORMER MEMBER OF THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES AND THE CENTRAL CITY WHERE SHE IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR )N TAKING OVER HIS CANDIDACY

"ATOCABE WAS AMONG AT LEAST HALF A DOZEN WOMEN STANDING IN FOR THEIR SLAIN HUSBANDS THIS YEAR A LONG TRADITION IN THE 0HILIPPINES NOTORIOUSLY DEADLY POLITICS $OZENS OF PEOPLE INCLUDING CANDIDATES AND THEIR SUPPORTERS

ROUTINELY GET KILLED IN THE kERCE COMPETITION FOR ELECTED POSTS /VER SEATS RANGING FROM LOCAL COUNCILS TO THE UPPER HOUSE 3ENATE ARE UP FOR GRABS WHEN THE NATION S MORE THAN MILLION VOTERS ARE CALLED TO CAST BALLOTS ON

-ONDAY /NE WIDOW STYLED HER CAM PAIGN AS A QUEST FOR JUSTICE FOR HER HUSBAND WHO WAS MURDERED LAST YEAR AFTER ANNOUNCING PLANS TO RUN FOR MAYOR IN 4RECE -ARTIRES A CITY SOUTH OF -ANILA g-Y NAME IS 'EMMA ,UBIGAN ) WILL TAKE UP THE kGHT OF 6ICE -AYOR !LEX ,UBIGAN u SHE TOLD A CHEERING CROWD AT A RECENT CAM PAIGN RALLY ! POLITICAL RIVAL THE SITTING MAYOR OF 4RECE -ARTIRES WAS INITIALLY FINGERED AS A SUSPECT

BUT PROSECUTORS HAVE DECLINED TO kLE CHARGES 0OLITICAL WIDOWHOOD REACHED ITS APOGEE IN THE 0HILIPPINES IN

WHEN #ORAZON !QUINO TOOK POWER AFTER A BLOODLESS POPULAR

Q WASTE FROM A1

180 nations agree 0AYET %XECUTIVE 3ECRETARY OF THE 5. %NVIRONMENT 0ROGRAM 5.%0 CALLED gONE OF THE WORLD S MOST PRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES u 4HE 'ENEVA MEETING AMENDED THE "ASEL #ONVENTION ON THE CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS WASTES TO INCLUDE PLASTIC WASTE IN A LEGALLY BINDING FRAMEWORK g) M PROUD THAT THIS WEEK IN 'E NEVA 0ARTIES TO THE "ASEL #ONVEN

TION HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT ON A LEGALLY BINDING GLOBALLY REACHING MECHANISM FOR MANAGING PLASTIC WASTE u SAID 0AYET 4HE )0%. UMBRELLA GROUP SEEKING TO ELIMINATE HAZARDOUS

TOXIC CHEMICALS SAID THE NEW AMENDMENT WOULD EMPOWER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO REFUSE PLASTIC WASTE DUMPING u g&OR FAR TOO LONG DEVELOPED

REVOLT THAT TOPPLED THE LATE DICTATOR &ERDINAND -ARCOS 4HE UPHEAVAL WAS TRIGGERED BY THE ASSASSINATION OF HER OP POSITION LEADER HUSBAND "ENIGNO !QUINO *R FORCING HER INTO POLITICS )N THE 0HILIPPINES WIDOW CAN DIDATES CARRY A POWERFUL AURA OF SUFFERING AND PERSEVERANCE THAT RESONATES WITH VOTERS IN THE OVERWHELMINGLY #ATHOLIC NATION

EXPERTS SAY g)T WORKS ESPECIALLY IN THE 0HILIPPINE CONTEXT BECAUSE WIDOWHOOD HAS SYMBOLIC ELE MENTS THAT ARE VERY MUCH VALUED IN POLITICS u SAID 5NIVERSITY OF THE 0HILIPPINES POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR *EAN &RANCO 3OME OF !SIA S MOST POWER FUL POLITICAL FAMILIES HAVE BEEN MARKED BY THE SAME PHENOMENON )NDIA S 3ONIA 'ANDHI WAS PUSHED INTO POLITICS AFTER HER HUSBAND FOR MER PRIME MINISTER 2AJIV 'ANDHI

WAS ASSASSINATED "ENAZIR "HUTTO LED 0AKISTAN S RETURN TO DEMOCRACY ABOUT A DE CADE AFTER HER FATHER WAS OUSTED AS PRIME MINISTER IN A COUP AND SUBSEQUENTLY EXECUTED &RANCO SAID THE RISE OF THE 0HIL IPPINE WIDOWS ALSO MARKS A WAY INTO THE NATION S MALE DOMINATED POLITICAL AREA g-ANY OF OUR FEMALE POLITICIANS

ESPECIALLY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL ARE MEMBERS OF POLITICAL DYNASTIES u SHE ADDED "EFORE 2ODEL S MURDER THE PLAN WAS FOR THE "ATOCABES TO GROOM THEIR kRST BORN SON A NEWLY MINT ED LAWYER TO FOLLOW HIS FATHER S FOOTSTEPS INTO POLITICS "UT THAT CHANGED AFTER 2ODEL

WHO WAS AN ALLY OF 0RESIDENT 2O DRIGO $UTERTE WAS GUNNED DOWN DAYS BEFORE #HRISTMAS WHILE HAND ING OUT GIFTS TO ELDERLY AND DIS ABLED $ARAGA RESIDENTS AFP

COUNTRIES LIKE THE 53 AND #ANADA HAVE BEEN EXPORTING THEIR MIXED TOXIC PLASTIC WASTES TO DEVELOP ING !SIAN COUNTRIES CLAIMING IT WOULD BE RECYCLED IN THE RECEIV ING COUNTRY )NSTEAD MUCH OF THIS CONTAMINATED MIXED WASTE CANNOT BE RECYCLED AND IS DUMPED OR BURNED OR kNDS ITS WAY INTO THE OCEAN u SAID )0%. SCIENCE ADVISOR 3ARA "ROSCHE 0LASTIC WASTE POLLUTION HAS REACHED gEPIDEMIC PROPORTIONSu WITH AN ESTIMATED MILLION TONS OF PLASTIC NOW FOUND IN THE OCEANS 4HE 'ENEVA MEETING ALSO UN

DERTOOK TO ELIMINATE TWO TOXIC CHEMICAL GROUPS $ICOFOL AND 0ERFLUOROOCTANOIC !CID PLUS RELATED COMPOUNDS 4HE LATTER HAS BEEN USED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC AP PLICATIONS INCLUDING NON STICK COOKWARE AND FOOD PROCESSING EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS CARPETS

PAPER AND PAINTS 4HE %UROPEAN 5NION COORDI NATES AND DIRECTS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FOR ITS MEMBERS

THROUGH THE REGULATION OF IN DUSTRY AND THE SETTING OF GREEN POLICY GOALS AFP

0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE S TOP AIDE #HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE g"ONGu 'O WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY IN THE FOURTH TO EIGHTH BRACKET JUMPED TO THE THIRD TO SEVENTH PLACE AFTER ACQUIRING PERCENT VOTER PREFERENCE &ORMER SENATOR 2AMON g"ONGu 2EVILLA *R SECURED PERCENT

GIVING HIM A STATISTICAL RANKING OF FOURTH TO EIGHTH PLACES 3HARING FOURTH TO NINTH PLACES ARE FORMER SENATOR -ANUEL g,ITOu ,APID AND FORMER "UREAU OF #OR RECTIONS CHIEF 2ONALD g"ATOu DELA 2OSA WITH PERCENT AND PER CENT VOTER PREFERENCES RESPECTIVELY ,AST MONTH ,APID RANKED THIRD TO FOURTH WHILE DE LA 2OSA PLACED kFTH TO NINTH 3EN *UAN %DGARDO g3ONNYu !N GARA WHO PREVIOUSLY RANKED FOURTH TO NINTH NOW PLACED kFTH TO TH

AFTER GETTING PERCENT VOTER PREFERENCE #OMPLETING THE LIST OF PROBABLE WINNERS ARE )LOCOS .ORTE 'OV -ARIA )MELDA *OSEFA g)MEEu -ARCOS PERCENT SIXTH TO TH PLACES 3EN -ARIA ,OURDES .ANCY "INAY PERCENT EIGHTH TO TH PLACES

3EN !QUILINO 0IMENTEL RD PERCENT NINTH TO TH PLACES 3EN *OSEPH 6ICTOR g*6u %JERCITO PER CENT NINTH TO TH PLACES FORMER SENATOR *OSE g*INGGOYu %STRADA PERCENT NINTH TO TH PLACES 3EN 0AOLO "ENIGNO g"AMu !QUINO TH PERCENT NINTH TO TH PLACES

AND FORMER 0RESIDENTIAL !DVISER ON 0OLITICAL !FFAIRS &RANCIS 4OLENTINO PERCENT TH TO TH PLACES 4HE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED FROM -AY TO AMONG RESPON DENTS NATIONWIDE 0ULSE !SIA SAID OF THE OFkCIAL CANDIDATES FOR SENATOR WOULD HAVE A gSTATISTICALu CHANCE OF WINNING -OST OF THE PROBABLE WINNERS ARE EITHER CURRENT OR FORMER MEM BERS OF #ONGRESS !MONG THOSE WITH A STATISTICAL CHANCE OF WIN NING BELONG TO THE ADMINIS TRATION BACKED (UGPONG NG 0AG BABAGO COALITION ONE IS RUNNING AS AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE 4HE .ATIONALIST 0EOPLE S #OALITION

5NITED .ATIONALIST !LLIANCE AND ,IBERAL 0ARTY EACH HAD CANDIDATE

IN THE WINNERS CIRCLE 'O WELCOMED THE SURVEY RESULTS AND ATTRIBUTED HIS STRONG SHOWING TO THE ENDORSEMENT OF 0RESIDENT $UTERTE AND THE SUPPORT OF &ILIPINOS g-ARAMING SALAMAT PO SA MGA KAPWA KO 0ILIPINO SA INYONG PAGTITIWALA SA AKING KAKAYAHAN AT HANGARIN NA ISULONG ANG MGA PAGBABAGONG NASIMULAN NI 0AN GULONG 2ODRIGO $UTERTE ) WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY FELLOW &ILIPINOS FOR YOUR TRUST IN MY CAPABILITY AND MY DESIRE TO CONTINUE THE CHANGES THAT 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE STARTED u HE SAID 'O ALSO THANKED THE )GLESIA NI #RISTO %L 3HADDAI -USLIM LEADERS

THE )NDEPENDENT "ISHOPS #ONFER ENCE OF THE 0HILIPPINES *ESUS IS ,ORD #HURCH THE 0ENTECOSTAL -ISSIONARY #HURCH OF #HRIST AND SEVENTH $AY !DVENTIST LEADERS FOR THEIR PRAYERS g"AGUHAN PA LANG PO AKO AT MEDYO KINAKABAHAN 0ERO DAHIL SA MAINIT NA SUPORTA NG ATING MGA KABABAYAN AY NAKAKATABA NG PUSO AT NAGPAPALAKAS NG AKING LOOB ) AM A NEOPHYTE AND ) M A BIT NER VOUS BUT THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT BOOSTS MY CONkDENCE u HE SAID

ADDING THAT HE HAS PLACED HIS FATE IN 'OD S HANDS 4HE 0ULSE !SIA SURVEY FOUND THAT REGISTERED VOTERS IDENTIFIED A MEAN OF EIGHT AND A MEDIAN OF EIGHT OUT OF A MAXIMUM OF 3ENATE CANDIDATES g!CROSS GEOGRAPHIC AREAS AND SOCIO ECONOMIC CLASSES MEAN kG URES VARY FROM SEVEN TO NINE WHILE MEDIAN kGURES RANGE FROM TO u THE POLLSTER SAID 0ULSE !SIA SAID THAT A LITTLE OVER A THIRD OF REGISTERED VOTERS OR PERCENT HAVE A COMPLETE 3ENATE SLATE !CROSS GEOGRAPHIC AREAS THE PERCENTAGES OF VOTERS WHO HAVE FAVORED 3ENATE CANDIDATES RANGE FROM PERCENT IN THE REST OF ,UZON TO PERCENT IN -INDANAO )N SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPINGS

kGURES VARY ONLY FROM PERCENT IN #LASS $ OR THE MASA TO PERCENT IN THE POOREST #LASS % 4HE SURVEY CONDUCTED USING FACE TO FACE INTERVIEWS HAD A PERCENT ERROR MARGIN AT PERCENT CONkDENCE LEVEL

Q PARTY-LIST FROM A1

Only 9 party-list groups PERCENT !N 7ARAY PERCENT AND -AGKAKASAMA SA 3AKAHAN

+AUNLARAN PERCENT 5NDER THE LAW SEATS IN #ON GRESS WOULD BE ALLOCATED FOR PARTY LIST REPRESENTATIVES 0ULSE !SIA SAID SINCE A MAXI MUM OF SEATS HAVE BEEN ALLOT TED FOR PARTY LIST REPRESENTATIVES

THREE GROUPS MAY HAVE THREE SEATS EACH IN THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTA TIVES BASED ON SURVEY RESULTS 4HESE GROUPS ARE !#4 #)3 !KO "ICOL 0OLITICAL 0ARTY AND "AYAN -UNA g/VERALL ONLY OF THE SEATS FOR PARTY LIST REPRESENTATIVES WOULD

BE ALLOCATED IF THE -AY ELEC TIONS COINCIDED WITH THE CONDUCT OF THIS PRE ELECTION SURVEY u 0ULSE !SIA SAID 4HE SURVEY CONDUCTED THROUGH FACE TO FACE INTERVIEWS HAD A PERCENT ERROR MARGIN AT THE PERCENT CONkDENCE LEVEL &OR THE GEOGRAPHIC AREAS SUB NATIONAL ESTIMATES ERROR MARGINS AT THE PERCENT CONkDENCE LEVEL ARE PERCENT FOR -ETRO -A NILA PERCENT FOR THE REST OF ,UZON PERCENT FOR 6ISAYAS AND PERCENT FOR -INDANAO CATHERINE S. VALENTE

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The Sunday Times w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY May 12, 2019

A3

Duterte wants more Moros in govt P

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

2%3)$%.4 Rodrigo Duterte has called FOR A STRONGER REPRESENTATION OF -ORO AND ,UMAD PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNMENT

SAYING THAT gNO ONE SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND u $UTERTE THE kRST PRESIDENT FROM Mindanao, made the statement after learning that his regional party Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod only has one Muslim candidate.

“Karon nga naa na ta sa puder halos, taga-e ninyo’g panahon ang atong mga kaigsuonan. Ang Moro, ang mga Lumad, kinahanglan matagaan pud sila og

importansya nga dili lang ingon nga sila ginaitoy-itoy (Now that almost everyone is under the same roof, give our brothers and sisters a chance to lead. The Moros and Lumads need to be given importance. They should not be viewed as marginalized sectors),�

Duterte said in his speech at the miting de avance of Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP)-Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod in Davao City on Friday night.

“They must have a voice to be able to tell the truth and what is in their heart,� he added.

The President stressed that “no man is left behind� under his administration. “Now I will ask Inday. Would you still retain the deputy mayors of the tribes? If the council can’t appreciate them, at least let there be a representative that would insist and persuade that they should not be forgotten,� Duterte said,

referring to his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is the head of HnP. “No one will be able to say that anyone was left behind, all of us included. And no matter what you do to Davao, whether you make peace or wage war, it will still remain as a city for the people,� he added.

In July, Duterte signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which he said would not only address the

historical injustices committed against the Moro people in Mindanao but also included the rights and interests of the indigenous peoples and Christian settlers.

An executive order paving the way for the decommissioning of Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces and weapons, and the possible grant of amnesty or pardon to those involved in the armed CONlICT HAS ALSO BEEN SIGNED BY the President.

Bong Go lauds signing of energy law PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s former top aide Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go hailed the signing OF THE %NERGY %FkCIENCY AND #ONSERVATION !CT A landmark legislation that promotes prudent use of energy.

4HE MEASURE WAS kRST kLED IN “Napapanahon na po ang batas na ito.

Matagal na pong dapat naisabatas ito. Mabuti na lamang at binigyang pansin ni Pangulong Duterte ang napakahalagang batas na ito para sa masinop na paggamit sa ating energy resources (This law is overdue. It was a good thing that President Duterte gave importance to this law),� Go said.

He noted that while government pursues programs to ensure energy security by encouraging the development of new energy sources, the demand for power is growing.

The yellow and red alerts raised in the Luzon grid since April should prompt Filipinos to conserve energy.

4HE NEW LAW SEEKS TO STANDARDIZE ENERGY EFk-

ciency and conservation measures and provides INCENTIVES FOR ENERGY EFkCIENT PROJECTS It calls for the creation of a National Energy EfkCIENCY AND #ONSERVATION 0LAN AND THE INCLUSION of Energy Conservation Design as a requirement in the issuance of building permits. !N )NTERAGENCY %NERGY %FkCIENCY AND #ONSERVAtion Committee will be created to implement the Government Energy Management Program that seeks to reduce government agencies’ consumption of electricity and petroleum products.

According to EU Access to Sustainable Energy Program estimates, a mere 10-percent improveMENT IN EFkCIENCY WILL SAVE THE COUNTRY AROUND P55.5 billion, translating to P140-monthly savings (P1,680 in one year) in the monthly electricity bill of average households.

A World Bank study said the new law would allow the government to save as much as P3.4 billion per year.

The money saved can be used by government in improving the delivery of health services.

HOMEWARD BOUND

Passengers wait for buses that will transport them to their provinces where they will vote on Monday, May 13. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

Congressional power panel OKs amended Epira IRR THE Joint Congressional Power Commission (JCPC) has approved the amendments to the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) that would allow communities to feel the benefits of hosting power generation facilities as quickly as possible. Â Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, JCPC co-chairman, said on Saturday that during the last hearing of the com-

mission, both panels of the Senate and House of Representative approved Department of Energy Circulars (DC) 2018-03-005 and 2018-08-0021.

DC 2018-03-005 aims to include indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples in the list of host communities, while DC 2018-08-0021 fast tracks the release and use of the funds to host communities. Â Gatchalian, who is also the chairman

of the Senate energy committee, said the amended IRR hastens the giving of benefits mandated by law to host communities and promotes harmony and cooperation among the local government units, residents, and generation companies or energy-resource developers.  “As we speak right now, the total fund for benefits for host communities in the entire country is P12 billion. As of

August of last year, only P6 billion has either been utilized or allocated for use because of red tape,� the lawmaker said.  The fund, he added, could be used for rural electrification, development and livelihood, and rehabilitation of watershed management, health, and environmental enhancement projects.  However, Gatchalian pointed out that these funds take years to trickle down to

Norwegian dies of rabies after rescuing puppy in PH OSLO: A 24 year-old Norwegian woman died this week of rabies after she was bitten by a puppy she rescued while on vacation in the Philippines, her family said.

In February, while on holiday with friends, Birgitte Kallestad found a “helpless� puppy on the side of the road during a scooter ride. “Birgitte put the puppy in a basket and brought him home. She cleaned it and cared for it and to her joy it started healing. They played with the puppy in the garden� of the resort where they were staying, the family said in a statement.

“After a while the puppy started trying to bite them like puppies do. It nipped their fingers when they were playing,� it added.

The young woman, a hospital employee, started feeling ill after her return to Norway and was put into intensive care at Forde hospital, where she worked and where she passed away on Monday.

According to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the last recorded case of rabies contracted by a human in mainland Norway dates back to 1815, and to 1826 for an animal.

According to the family, no one in the group of friends had been vaccinated against rabies. “Our dear Birgitte loved animals. Our fear is that this will happen to others who have a warm heart like hers,� her family said. !T LEAST PEOPLE WORLDWIDE DIE each year worldwide from the animal-borne disease, according to the World Health Organization.

-ORE THAN PERCENT OF VICTIMS ARE concentrated in Asia, Africa and South America.

AFP

Termination of an employee due to substantial financial losses Dear PAO, My employer incurred continuOUS kNANCIAL LOSSES 3UBSEQUENTly, a retrenchment program was IMPLEMENTED BY OUR COMPANY TO PREVENT ITS TOTAL BANKRUPTCY AND CLOSURE ) WAS ONE OF THE employees retrenched without ANY NOTICE !FTER EIGHT YEARS OF SERVICE ) WAS MERELY ADVISED BY my supervisor that my employMENT HAS BEEN TERMINATED 7AS my termination valid?

Chris Dear Chris, We shall refer to Article 283 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, which states: g!RTICLE Closure of establishment and reduction of personnel. The employer may also TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT OF ANY employee due to the installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, retrenchment to prevent losses or THE CLOSING OR CESSATION OF OPERATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OR UNDERTAKING unless the closing is for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of this Title, by serving A WRITTEN NOTICE ON THE WORKERS AND THE -INISTRY OF ,ABOR AND Employment at least one (1) MONTH BEFORE THE INTENDED DATE THEREOF xxx� (Emphasis supplied) 2ETRENCHMENT TO PREVENT kNANcial losses is an authorized cause

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA for terminating the services of an employee. The Supreme Court through Associate Justice Jose Perez in the case of Sanoh Fulton Phils., Inc. vs. Emmanuel Bernardo (GR 187214, Aug. 14, 2013), discussed the requirements for retrenchment to be valid, to wit: “Retrenchment is reduction OF PERSONNEL USUALLY DUE TO POOR kNANCIAL RETURNS SO AS TO CUT DOWN ON COSTS OF OPERATIONS IN TERMS OF SALARIES AND WAGES TO PREVENT BANKRUPTCY OF THE COMPANY It is sometimes also referred to as down-sizing.

Retrenchment is an authorized CAUSE FOR TERMINATION OF EMployment which the law accords AN EMPLOYER WHO IS NOT MAKING good in its operations in order TO CUT BACK ON EXPENSES FOR SALARIES AND WAGES BY LAYING OFF SOME EMPLOYEES The purpose of RETRENCHMENT IS TO SAVE A kNANcially ailing business establishment from eventually collapsing. xxx For retrenchment, the three BASIC REQUIREMENTS ARE A PROOF THAT THE RETRENCHMENT IS

necessary to prevent losses or IMPENDING LOSSES B SERVICE OF written notices to the employees AND TO THE $EPARTMENT OF ,ABOR and Employment at least one (1) month prior to the intendED DATE OF RETRENCHMENT AND C PAYMENT OF SEPARATION PAY EQUIVALENT TO ONE MONTH PAY OR AT LEAST ONE HALF MONTH PAY FOR EVERY YEAR OF service, whichever is higher. In addition, jurisprudence has set the standards for losses which may justify retrenchment, viz: (1) THE LOSSES INCURRED ARE SUBSTANtial and not de minimis; (2) the LOSSES ARE ACTUAL OR REASONABLY imminent; (3) the retrenchMENT IS REASONABLY NECESSARY AND IS LIKELY TO BE EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING THE EXPECTED LOSSES AND THE ALLEGED LOSSES IF ALREADY INCURRED OR THE EXPECTED IMMINENT LOSSES SOUGHT TO BE FORESTALLED ARE PROVEN BY SUFkCIENT AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE u (Emphases supplied) Termination on the ground of retrenchment can only be valid if there is a written notice to the employee and to the Department of Labor and Employment at least one month prior to the termination of the employee, who should be paid an equivalent of one month pay, or at least one-

half month pay for every year of service, whichever is higher. Hence, your termination was not made in accordance with the requirements of the law since no written notice and separation pay was given you.

In termination cases by retrenchment, the burden of proving that the termination of services is for a valid cause rests on the employer. The employer must prove that the losses are substantial and the retrenchment is necessary to forestall such losses. The employer must likewise prove that it exercised its prerogative to retrench employees in good faith and that it used fair and reasonable criteria in ascertaining who would be dismissed based on status, efficiency, seniority, physical fitness, age and skills of the employees.

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 Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@ manilatimes.net

host communities because of the current procedure in the Epira IRR. Under the present setup, generation companies will remit the funds to the Energy department, in turn will release the fund to host communities that will implement the projects subject to submission of various documentary requirements. The lawmaker said DC 2018-08-0021 removes DoE from the picture and allows

the generation companies to directly remit the funds to the host communities. Meanwhile, DC 2018-03-005 expands the benefits to indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples who were previously not included as beneficiaries.  Gatchalian believes that these twin department circulars will eliminate red tape that complicates the process of giving the funds to the host communities.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

A4

Opinion

SUNDAY May 12, 2019

The Sunday Times w w w.manilatimes.net

E d i to r i a l Great mothers for our generation and the next

'

REAT VERSES HAVE BEEN WOVEN FROM THE kBERS OF GREAT mothers’ unconditional love for their children. For rightly so, at this time of year at least, they deserve the loads of odes dedicated to them by the souls they have brought out into this world and nurtured into warm-bodied human beings for a chance at greatness in their lifetime.

The wise prophets of age past, as well as the heroes of our time, all had mothers who must have cared for them at least in the days of their youth, regardless of their awareness of the fact that they were loved even before birth.

We never had a say on where we should be born and to whom, but to have a beginning, however humble, in the care of a mother or a loving, mother-like presence to nurture us into young adulthood is in itself a good start to make something worthwhile of our existence. Where we differ is how we make our individual lives count.

Many of those who have chosen greatness, or had an opportunity to live a life beyond the ordinary, have credited their mothers for their SUCCESS &ROM g(ISTORY S 'REATEST -OMSu BY 3UZANNE 2AGA PUBLISHED on the MENTALlOSS COM website, we are given the example of the sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams. He said of his MOTHER !BIGAIL g-Y MOTHER WAS AN ANGEL UPON EARTH 3HE WAS A MINister of blessing to all human beings within her sphere of action. Her heart was the abode of heavenly purity.� Abigail Smith Adams (1744 to 1818), whose husband John Adams was a political philosopher and the second US President, had to run their farm and household OF kVE CHILDREN SINGLEHANDEDLY 3HE ALSO FOUGHT HARD FOR THE ABOLITION of slavery and equal rights for women in America.

Scientist Marie Curie (1867-1934) was also mentioned as sharING A .OBEL 0RIZE FOR 0HYSICS IN WITH HER HUSBAND 0IERRE and another scientist Henri Becquerel, who discovered spontaneous radioactivity. The Curies shared the award for contributing FURTHER STUDY ON IT -ARIE BECAME KNOWN AS THE kRST WOMAN TO win a Nobel, while she was also raising their two young daughters alone after Pierre died in an accident three years later. She TAUGHT THEM THIS LESSON gONE MUST DO SOME WORK SERIOUSLY AND must be independent and not merely amuse oneself in life.� Her daughter later co-won the Nobel in Chemistry with her husband for their further work on radioactivity.

From Asia, we have the great examples of India’s former Prime -INISTER )NDIRA 'ANDHI AND #HINA S ,OU 8IAOYING 'ANDHI DEDICATED HER LIFE TO kGHTING INEQUALITY UNEMPLOYMENT and food shortages in her country. Her son Rajiv became Prime -INISTER AFTER HIS MOTHER WAS ASSASSINATED IN 8IAOYING

a poor scavenger, supported herself and managed to adopt and raise 30 babies she found in the trash starting in 1972.

In the Philippines, of course, stories of great suffering mothers abound. But on this day of mothers, the great heroines of our history deserve mention for their bravery and motherly love for their country.

Known as the “Mother of Balintawak� or “Mother of Katipunan,� Melchora Aquino (1812-1919) offered her home to help the wounded Katipuneros fighting to defend the Filipinos against their Spanish conquistadors in the 1896 Philippine Revolution. Another woman who fought alongside male generals and nursed several wounded Katipuneros was Trinidad Tecson, who later became known as “Ina ng Biak-na-Bato� and “Mother of the Philippine Red Cross.�

Perhaps for the millennials and the generation after them, a more familiar name of a supermom, or stepmom, for that matter, would be Frigga, the Asgardian goddess who raised the prince of thunder, Thor, in the famous comics and movie series The Avengers.

Surely, these are not the women Hubert H. Humphrey (19111978), the 38th vice president of the US, had in mind when HE WROTE g"EHIND EVERY SUCCESSFUL MAN IS A PROUD WIFE AND A surprised mother-in-law.�

They are the sort of mothers our society badly needs for their ABILITY TO RAISE GREAT MEN WHO CAN GROW WISE ENOUGH TO SELlESSLY plant trees that will provide shade, not for them old men to sit in, but for the next generations to enjoy.

SUNDAY May 12, 2019

The Sunday Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 211

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, 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.

When religion is used to win votes, God loses (The last part of the article on Pope Francis is deferred to next Sunday, GIVING WAY TO A FAITH RElECTION ON tomorrow’s national election.)

excluded anyone “who does not HAVE THE FEAR OF 'OD IN HIMu AND supports federalism, on its contention “that the present state of the country is not ready for federalism and charter change.�

N the May 3 to 6 Pulse Asia voter 4HE kNAL ROUND OF SELECTION WAS survey, the last before the elections BASED ON FOUR CRITERIA g#HARACTER tomorrow, the following senatorial and Honor; Competence and candidates ranked among the top Diretso slate of the Liberal Party (LP) Abilities; Faithfulness to public #YNTHIA 6ILLAR 'RACE 0OE 0IA and its supporters in the Catholic #AYETANO "ONG 'O "ONG 2EVILLA #HURCH HAVE INTENSIkED THEIR 3-3 Battle for the religious vote SERVICE AND &AITHFULNESS TO 'OD

the Constitution and the laws.�

Lito Lapid, Bato de la Rosa, Sonny and social media campaign, even From messages of PCM and its Angara, Imee Marcos, Nancy Binay, sending a poster falsely claiming that Prelates of Protestant denominations Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle had en- do not follow CBCP rules, so the allies, however, their ultimate goal +OKO 0IMENTEL AND *6 %JERCITO In 13th to 18th places were Jing- dorsed 10 opposition hopefuls.

Independent Bishops Conference of may well be to prevent the administraThe Archdiocese of Manila and the Philippines endorse 10 HnP can- tion from gaining a Senate majority goy Estrada, Bam Aquino, Francis Tolentino, Serge OsmeĂąa, Mar the Catholic Bishops Conference of didates, plus two LPs. IBCP president big enough to approve a new draft the Philippines both denied it. Fr. "ISHOP %FRAIM 0EREZ SAID THEY FAVORED charter for referendum. Hence, the Roxas and Juan Ponce Enrile.

The last Social Weather Stations Roy Bellen, head of the Archdiocese those “who will help President’s vi- immediate exclusion of pro-Duterte candidates favoring federalism. poll, conducted on April 28 to May MEDIA OFkCE SAID OF 4AGLE g7HAT sions for our country.�

PCM claims that HnP’s massive

HAD !QUINO IN THE TOP DOZEN AND he is endorsing is the process of Also backing mostly administraMarcos out, plus some ranking dif- discernment [as voters] prepare and tion candidates were the Catholic victory would compromise Senferences. Placing 13th to 16th were choose candidates to vote for in the El Shaddai congregation, with just ate independence. In fact, once Estrada, Marcos, Roxas and Tolentino. coming election, as example made four non-HnP senatoriables among elected, even administration senaWith the ruling coalition likely to by the People’s Choice Movement.� its 14 endorsees; and the bloc-voting tors oppose the Palace. Witness the MOBILIZE VOTERS BETTER GIVEN ITS MUCH PCM is a Catholic lay group endors- Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), endorsing four-month budget delay, due to broader local-level support, one may ing Otso and two other non-HnP all but one HnP hopeful, plus in- the Senate’s objections, despite its see the administration’s Hugpong ng candidates, based on its criteria DEPENDENT 'RACE 0OE pro-Duterte majority.

Pagbabago (HnP) candidates post (more on this later).

Both INC and El Shaddai usually The pro-LP group further claims gains at the precincts, even as opposiCBCP President Archbishop Ro- back candidates leading in opinion the Senate is the only body left to tion bets face challenges in converting MULO 6ALLES OF $AVAO SAID BISHOPS polls and supported by the masses. check Malacaùang. Yet the Supreme poll ratings into actual votes. and priests are barred from endors- However, PCM is undeterred by Court and constitutional bodies like the Commission on Audit, the ComDespite or probably because of ing candidates. But he repeated the HnP’s survey dominance. ³SaludoA5 these numbers, the opposition Otso call of several bishops and lay groups )N ITS SELECTION PROCESS 0#- kRST

I

W

FAITH HEALER

RICARDO SALUDO

TO CHOOSE CANDIDATES gWHO ARE 'OD fearing and not tainted with graft.�

Amid the cacophony of discordant voices favoring rival slates, purportedly for moral and governance reasons, this article reviews the endorsements by religious entities, then gives advice on voting with 'OD AND COUNTRY IN MIND

The future of the natural world

E humans, the species on Earth with the large brains and so-called intelligence, ability and power to change the face of our planet, are doing so with a huge negative impact. We are endangering ourselves, our children and grandchildren and generations of children to come will be harmed by our wasteful and negligent ways.

The human species is the most dominant, aggressive being that stalks the planet. We are the T-Rex species of today, devouring all before us with an insatiable appetite for destroying most of the natural world around us. “Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history,� an eye-opening United Nations report on the state of the natural world said and it shows how humans cause much of the DESTRUCTION )T IS THE MOST SCIENTIkC and accurate assessment to date on the health of the planet. It is sickly and we must heal it. The extinction of a million species is very likely if human behavior and lifestyle do not evolve to something better and more protective of the planet, it says.

It is upon this natural environment that we, humans, depend on for our survival. The soil produces our food, clean water is essential for life, insects pollinate the trees and plants, and the once balanced climate make it work, but the climate is changing and global warming is upon us. Making it even worse is that most people are unaware of it. The natural world, the environment, is collapsing before our eyes, yet we, humans, ignore it and go on killing each other and the life all around us.

lOATING PLASTIC A VORTEX THE SIZE OF &RANCE lOATING IN THE 0ACIkC ocean. Plastic is contaminating kSH AND HUMANS THAT EAT THEM There is even micro-plastic parIt is the natural biodiversity that ticles falling in abundance in is greatly endangered and almost pristine areas far from cities and a million creatures are facing industrial factories. A carcass of extinction. Some extraordinary a sperm whale with a dead fetus species will be gone forever in was washed up in Sardinia in the just a few decades. The pollinators Mediterranean recently. It had are the most important insects on 22 kilos of plastic in its stomach.

4HE VERY AIR WE BREATHE IS kLLED the planet and they are dying out.

Certain species of bee colonies with micro-plastics, poison gases, are in a state of collapse from smog, fumes and particles from some pesticide-induced disease. smoke stacks. Millions of veIn China, people go through hicles spew monoxide and other orchards pollinating fruit trees. poisonous gases and millions In California, truckloads of bee- of humans and animals are afhives are hired to drive across fected. The earth’s biodiversity the US and pollinate the almond is impacted. The poison gets into orchards in the state from where everything, causing cancers in human and animals. Bill Chappell, most bees are gone.

Humans depend on nature for in his article on May 6 this year, our survival, yet it is in a dire con- made a list of the most important dition because of our destructive, kNDINGS OF THE REPORT 75 percent of land environment uncaring ways. We are so absorbed with our own desires and pursuit and some 66 percent of the marine of comfort, prosperity, power, ENVIRONMENT gHAVE BEEN SIGNIkwealth and pleasure that we are cantly altered by human actions.� “More than a third of the world’s ignoring nature and destroying our own habitat. Uncaring capitalism land surface and nearly 75 percent is behind most of irresponsible of freshwater resources� are used and indiscriminate logging, min- for crops or livestock. “Up to $577 billion in annual ING OVERkSHING AND BURNING FOSSIL fuels non-stop. Business corpora- global crops are at risk from poltions are pouring pollution, toxic linator loss.�

Between 100 million and 300 chemicals, CO2, methane and pesticides into the atmosphere and million people now face “insoil .The industrial chemicals and creased risk of floods and hurhuman waste are being washed ricanes because of loss of coastal into rivers and creeks. Creatures habitats and protection.�

Since 1992, the world’s urban are dying and so are we.

Plastic waste is filling the areas have more than doubled. “Plastic pollution has increased OCEANS 4HERE IS THE GREAT 0ACIkC garbage patch, an island made of tenfold since 1980,� “300-400

REFLECTIONS

FR. SHAY CULLEN, SSC

million tons of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge� and other industrial waste are dumped into the world’s water systems.

In Canada, the warmer climate is pushing deadly insects to attack the caribou. The caribou migrate higher to a colder climate but leave behind the rich nutritious grassland. They are eating less and dying off quickly. From a herd of 80,000 ten years ago, there is now only 30,000. The indigenous Canadian tribes are facing an end to their way of life.

We are soiling the nest, losing precious creatures that will never be seen again and soon it will be a more dangerous, unhealthy and insecure planet for all humans, plants and creatures.

The human race is continuing to grow and is demanding food, housing, more land and the people CONlICT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD AND they damage the environment.

For them, it is survival. As of April 2019, the population of the world was estimated to be 7.697 billion people. By 2050, it will be 9.9 billion, an increase of 2.3 billion more mouths to feed and use the planet’s resources.

3OLUTIONS ARE KNOWN FAMILY planning to reduce populations, social equality to reduce poverty, stop burning fossil fuels, invest in technologies to clean CO2 from the air and education to bring a great change in human attitudes to end wastefulness and irresponsibility. Many creatures on the planet, including ourselves, will have a chance to survive in dignity.

www.preda.org

The Sunday Times SUNDAY May 12, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net Q RONQUILLO FROM A1

and care for during his campaign.

The rank stupidity of banning mass carriers will light up the meme, “Only in the Philippines.� Across the globe, transport planners are banning cars to push metropolitan residents to do three things: walk, bike and take the mass carriers.

Once the rank's stupidity of the MMDA takes place, the reputation of the Philippines as the only country in the world that banned mass carriers to free up the metropolitan roads for cars and other private vehicles will add to our stories of infamy.

Do you know of a civilized place in the world that banned mass carriers in favor of cars?

That will be us, if no sane people in government reins in the giddiness of the MMDA to bring back transport planning to the 19th century.

The good news is that the MMDA has reportedly suspended the dry runs for the ban. Temporarily, the MMDA said. It is reportedly calibrating and recalibrating the plan. The agency, according to a statement, does not want politicians to capitalize ON ITS GRAND TRAFkC PLAN FOR THEIR own self-serving purposes.

Parsing through the public statement of the MMDA re the suspension of its own stupid plan, I have a hint on the reasons for the suspension. The Supreme

#OURT APPEAL kLED BY THE !+/ Bicol party-list, which now has lawyer Bobby Ang as second representative, will unmask the zero numeracy behind the provincial bus ban. Ang, who worked on policy at the Senate, is deeply grounded on the fact that policy should be anchored on data and empirical evidence.

The MMDA will be asked by the Supreme Court this question in a hearing. What data drives this plan? And because no data and transport science undergird the plan, the high court will just unmask the sheer cruelty, stupidity and hollowness of the bus ban.

Or, the real intent of pandering to the interests of the car owners, the car manufacturers, the car dealers at the expense of the faceless and voiceless promdis. *** Tomorrow will be Election Day. We, voters, also have to suspend our own stupidity, so we can vote for the right candidates.

The general rule should be this: Don’t vote for the clowns and crooks. Be discerning.

At the national level, 12 Senate seats will be at stake. The Commission on Elections has advised us voters to prepare a codigo — a sort of guide so as not to tie up the voting lines.

I have prepared my own codigo.

I will vote for the five candidates of the Labor Win. My

forefathers, with no exception, voted for the Democratic Alliance candidate in their respective congressional district: Amado Yuzon and Luis Taruc.

Candidates Colmenares, Arellano, Matula, de Guzman and Montano represent Labor, which has historical kinship with my sector, the peasantry. We have a very unequal society. Only the voice of Labor in the Senate can REIN IN THE EXTREME INlUENCE OF the oligarchy in the crafting and writing of policy.

I will also vote for Chel Diokno and Erin TaĂąada. Patriots.

Lawyers. The son of Ka Pepe and the grandson of Tanny TaĂąada.

I will vote for Sonny Angara without any hesitation. This guy is a grind. He can plod through hours of boring committee work and plenary debates without losing focus, the legislative zeal not waning a bit. He also comes prepared. His extraordinary work ethic is something you cannot miss.You can’t also ignore his impressive academic credentials — London School of Economics, UP Law and Harvard.

For party-list, Butil. The only party-list group outside of the Makabayan bloc and the only group allied with the administraTION TO REJECT THE RICE TARIFkCATION law. The law is the equivalent of a death sentence on the 3 million small rice farmers.

Rearing an ugly head already?

W

HAT really gives?

It is a phenomenon for SURE 3EN 0ANkLO g0INGu ,ACSON kGURES IN MOST SIGNIkCANT POLITIcal happenings. He issues calls on who and who not to vote in tomorrow’s elections, for instance, ISSUING GUIDELINES FOR INlUENCING electorates in their choices of Senate candidates. In street lingo, he makes sawsaw in the “Bikoy� video controversy and join critics of the Duterte administration’s leaning toward China. Betraying deep bias against China — therefore, ingratiating himself to the United States in the dispute of the superpowers over the South China Sea — he lauds the filing by former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario and ombudsman Conchita Morales Carpio of a case of Crime Against Humanity versus China President Xi Jinping at the International Criminal Court. Though he has announced partiality to one or two of Hugpong ng Pagbabago bets, his main favor goes to the Otso Diretso, both in their concerns in the Philippines’ internal politics and in the country’s involvement in the simmering conflict between the US and China over the South China Sea. Lacson’s leanings in the disPUTE ARE DEkNITELY PRO 53 7AS IT any wonder that in the last year of the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, when the court issued a warrant for his arrest in the double murder case of prominent press relations man Bubby Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito, his immeDIATE IMPULSE WAS TO lY TO THE United States for sanctuary? He stayed in America until he was given assurance during the PNoy administration that he would no longer be arrested. (Sometime in the early 2000s, I was shown the spot on a dry river where reportedly the police recovered the burnt remains of Dacer; this was in Alfonso, Cavite, Senator Lacson’s home province.)

Turf building One thing is very noticeable about Lacson’s public attitude toward the current Senate. He doesn’t seem inclined to disturb the status quo in the chamber.

Thus, in making public his stand on the Senate race, he announced support for all reelectionist senators, who should include — aside from JV Ejercito, Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar, Nancy Binay, Sonny Angara and Koko Pimentel — Bong Revilla, Jing-

must aim for a three-fourthsplus-one majority at the Senate MY SAY to ensure passage of his most critical vision of social change in the Philippines — whatever it is.

Three-fourths-plus-one-majority means 17 of 24. An observer goy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile PUT FORWARD THE kGURE OF EIGHT AS and Bam Aquino. the number of senators among Political pundits go as far as the incumbents already in the predicting that these reelection- ambit of the President; so he ist senators, save for one or two, needs nine more to make up the will come out winners. Grant- needed 17, and those nine will ing this exemption is true, it come from the ones running in becomes a logical presumption the elections tomorrow. that Lacson will enjoy the clout It is in regard of those nine that of majority of the coming 18th Lacson must, slyly that is, have Senate, counting the incumbent been increasingly engaging the senators namely Senate Presi- President in a veritable tug-o’war. dent Vicente “Tito� Sotto 3rd, What nine senators President Senate President Pro Tempore Duterte needs in order to bring Ralph Recto, Senate Majority about a radical transformation Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri of the Philippine social and poand Senate Minority Floor Lead- litical setup are the same ones er Franklin Drilon, and Senators Lacson must need to advance his Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatch- own political ambitions.

It has been increasingly, if alian, Richard Gordon, Manny Pacquiao, Riza Hontiveros and quietly yet, bruited about in the media grapevine that Lacson and the incarcerated Leila de Lima.

With Sotto, an evident ally, at Sotto will team up for the top the helm of the Upper House, posts of the land in the 2022 ,ACSON MUST FEEL CONkDENT THAT presidential elections. But this whatever his plans are for the fu- scenario is early on being negated ture, he wouldn’t be encumbered by President Duterte’s drive toward federalism or the more radiby a hostile Senate. cal revolutionary government.

Anti-Duterte In other words, if the President, say, through constitutional change, On the other hand, President succeeds in veering the country Duterte must have his own plans. toward federalism or the more More so because he is the incum- radical alternative revolutionary bent president, his plans must be GOVERNMENT THAT WOULD WRITE kNthe most overriding among those ISH TO ,ACSON S MAGNIkCENT OBSESof pretenders to the leadership of sion for the Philippine presidency. the Filipino nation. And of late, Sort of another extremely amthe President has manifested a bitious senator, Benigno Aquino strong inclination toward shak- Jr., who, perceiving the frustraing the political setup, by which tion of his grand political illualone meaningful social change sion as President of the Philipmay be accomplished. pines, ultimately launched a For instance, the shift to federalism. sustained hate campaign against Two modes are open for the President Ferdinand E. Marcos President to amend the consti- beginning 1968. tution to shift from the present And that, to the extent of colludpresidential form of government ing with communist rebels, too. to a federal one. One is through a In like manner, Lacson must popular plebiscite and the other endeavor even now to frustrate is through constituent assembly. the President Duterte’s grand The latter mode is deemed the development designs for the more practical and expeditious. country, by which thereby to There is a popular consensus damn the President in the eyes that already, the President is of the public. It becomes easy to assured of strong support by understand the so-called budget the House of Representative if impasse that confronted the charter change through a con-ass nation at the advent of the new comes down to it. The Senate year. Under the leadership of — which at the CNN senatorial House Speaker Arroyo, the lower debate, Sen. JV Ejercito repeat- chamber passed the General Apedly stressed as the last bastion propriations Act 2019 as early of democracy — can be a battle- as November 2018, with the BiGROUND FOR kERCE SKIRMISHES cameral Conference Committee And so — and this I discussed eventually crafting the enrolled in a past column — the President BILL FOR TRANSMISSION TO THE /FkCE

MAURO GIA SAMONTE

A5

Decision 2019

Suspending stupidity From those two terminals, the passengers will be picked up by secondary carriers, a torturous process of double- and tripletrips and additional fares. Plus the delays, plus the need to transfer personal cargo from one carrier to another, plus the torment brought about by aborted trips.

Pregnant women, passengers with disability, senior citizens, sick senior citizens (I am in this category because I commute TWICE A WEEK TO THE CITY TO kLE columns), passengers accompanying minors and the vulnerable will suffer most.

Given that the number of provincial carriers will have to be matched – bus by bus – by the metro buses that will purportedly serve as secondary carriers, the purpose of bus reduction is not likely to be achieved. And because there is an acute lack of metro buses that can be tapped to serve as feeder buses, franchised vans with a maximum of 15 seats will be tapped for the purpose.

This will increase, not decrease, the density of public utility buses in the major metropolitan roads.

Empty and abandoned bus terminals, yes. But vehicle density will not move downward by a tiny, wee bit.

The only result will be the torture of provincial people, the very same promdi that President Rodrigo Duterte had vowed to protect

Opinion

of the President for the approval.

This is a function that behooves the Senate after entering its own version on various aspects.

But for reasons known only to Lacson, he raised questions on the House version that evidently were never meant to clarify any SIGNIkCANT ISSUES CONCERNING THE budget. For at the end of the third quarter of the year, Lacson withdrew his stated objections, thereby ultimately paving the way for the Senate transmittal of the enrolled bill for the President’s signature.

Meantime, what resulted was a derailment of the President’s Build Build Build program, as allotments for infrastructure projects are provided for in the new budget measure not in the reenactment of the 2018 budget.

Due to constraints on government spending, the growth of the PhilipPINE ECONOMY IN THE kRST QUARTER OF 2019 substantially slowed down.

The headline story of The Manila Times the other day has this to say on the issue: “First quarter’s 5.6% result lowest in 4 years “Philippine economic growth HIT A FOUR YEAR LOW IN THE kRST quarter, slowing to 5.6 percent from 6.3 percent three months earlier and the 6.5 percent posted a year ago, as Congress’ failure to pass the 2019 budget weighed on state spending. “The result — the lowest since the 5.1-percent recorded in the kRST QUARTER OF ‡ COULD HAVE been higher compared to the end of last year had the government not been forced to operate on a reenacted budget, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a statement.�

And all for one man’s obsession — like that of Ninoy's — to become president.

In this regard, it is noteworthy to cite Cory’s candor stated soon after she ascended to the presidency in 1986: “Now I know why people would kill for the presidency.�

The statement throws one back to the Plaza Miranda bombing of 1971, the Mendiola Massacre of 1979 and the SAP 44 Massacre of 2015 — all involving Aquinos — from father to wife to son.

I cite one more — the Kuratong Baleleng Massacre of 1995, which involved a loot reportedly amounting to millions of dollars.

Which senator like Ninoy will throw us back to this act so dastardly it has earned for the perpetrators the moniker Kuratong Baleleng Generals? One of them ran for president but lost. He is planning to run again.

W

E are flooded with the seemingly divine phrase “Vote wisely� during elections that we end up asking the question, “Who’s Mr. Wisely?�

The line “Let me count the ways� from a sonnet by Elizabeth Barret Browning comes handy to procure thoughts on how to do it. Dispensing with my poetic mood and being perspicuous in my attempt to craft prescriptive electoral reminders, please allow me to share some of these ways.

Yes, we are on a different time zone every time we practice suffrage. For most of us, we fail to value the honor of the opportunity to express our voices in an accredited way. I will not even talk about conscience, as this noun is evidently “too wide� of a subject or an intuitive subject for me to discuss.

I will not vote as dictated by my religion. Voting is an investment for the future, and, with this in mind, I expect that my children and I should profit from every centavo that I pay for the wages of my selected candidates.

The indecision to vote is an outright violation of choosing where we want to go. Filling or marking the spaces is an obligation that we should not waste thinking as an action that will never matter at all.

Let us vote based on issues rather than on emotions. No government is perfect, and so nor are the candidates vying for the positions. Race or gender issues should not even enter our minds.

I will not vote because of party AFkLIATION NOR FALL INTO THEIR TRAP OF being “Mr. Nice.� Candidates are very good at playing that role as they have that kind of talent to act or pretend to be someone they are not.

Always consider credentials, credibility and track record. Why not character? I have seen most of them turn chameleonic in varying circumstances. Being nice does not guarantee competence and integrity. Hugging babies, shaking millions of hands and getting botoxed grins are easy to do. Wearing PRETENTIOUS OUTkTS IS A STRATEGY TO blend with the target crowds.

Never be a victim of initial impressions; focus more on the candidate’s capability to serve the public. Yes, make sure that his organs used to see and listen are perfectly functioning.

Democracy is a guarantee that your right to choose belongs to you and nobody else. That is why you must have the fortitude to invest time in scrutinizing every minute detail of your decision.

That includes the vigilance to see to it that your vote is counted correctly. Voting for a losing candidate does not matter at all. The things that matter are that you chose and made your voice heard.

I will vote according to my choice, not hampered by dis-

MIRRORLESS

ROLLY G. REYES tractions like political ads, surveys or media coverage.

Knowing the track record (or lack of it) of the candidate is an IMPORTANT kRST STEP 7E CANNOT ELECT somebody just based on promises.

While I acknowledge that leadership is not about educational AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIkCATIONS ) rank second these attributes. An educated and professionally qualikED ASPIRANT IS MORE LIKELY TO USE lessons acquired from their school process to better effect.

We complain a lot if our chosen leaders become reckless and corRUPT /UR THREE kNGERS POINT BACK at us when we tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption.

Find out the candidate’s platform. Learn what his stand is on local, national or even global issues. Watch debates or read up on interviews and other articles that may provide you with more insights on the candidates’ views on issues and policies.

Look beyond personality. Look beyond charisma. Being nice does not guarantee competence and integrity. Politicians are adept at playing nice. It would be political suicide for them not to as this serves a purpose. Look beyond initial impressions when it comes to personality, and look for other factors that would make a candidate a credible choice.

My idea in this article is to encourage voters to employ critical thinking when choosing candidates. Although not equal in intensity, the criteria for selecting candidates should always be based on merits. Medals and multiple stripes are not prerequisites, but at least they should be wearing the proper uniform.

It is our choice to be unhindered by other claimants. Issues that matter to us, and what they say about these issues, are a matter of great importance.

The media is not unbiased, and so are the surveys. Don’t believe everything you hear. Websites and social media are not so clean cut either. It is up to us to properly enrich our databank of each candidate and extract from various sources the views of competing sides. This gives us a complete picture of every candidate, so we can make the best possible decision.

Let this quote guide us all: “Elections belong to the people.

It’s their decision. If they decide TO TURN THEIR BACK ON THE kRE AND burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.� — Abraham Lincoln *** Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.

Q SALUDO FROM A4

When religion is used MISSION ON %LECTIONS AND THE /FkCE of the Ombudsman are functioning.

Indeed, the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled against the government.

It recently ordered the release of volumiNOUS CASE kLES ON DRUG WAR KILLINGS 4HE justices also compelled the government TO PROTECT kSHING AREAS IN THE 3OUTH China Sea, backing petitioners who contended that the Duterte regime failed to counter Chinese intrusions.

Notably, PCM groups and the bishops backing them were silent when then President Benigno Aquino 3rd used pork barrel funds to induce Congress to impeach the Chief Justice and the Ombudsman, and approve the Reproductive Health Act. No objections either when Aquino named his Ateneo classmate Maria Lourdes Sereno as Chief Justice, and his election lawyer Sixto Brillantes Jr. as Comelec chairman.

Plainly, PCM rejects Duterte dominance, but not Aquino control.

Voting with conscience Judging from INC, El Shaddai and PCM endorsements, it is political rather than religious considerations largely shaping their choices.

PCM and its CBCP backers oppose Duterte, while INC and El Shaddai

lean where political winds blow.

So, how can one vote with God and country in mind? From voter surveys as well as government satisfaction and approval ratings, most Filipinos seem to support HnP, due to gains from Duterte’s administration, which rated “excellent� in helping the poor, under the March SWS survey, and “very good� in most other governance concerns. Nothing un-Christian in that.

Nor should one fault voters wanting federalism’s promise of more cash and clout for the regions. Sure, there will be big problems with big change. But citizens rightly want to vote on it, not rule it out because certain groups think it’s no good.

If voters make their choices based on satisfaction with the government, and their wish for greater regional autonomy, those are perfectly moral and reasonable criteria.

So, listen to endorsers, but don’t feel morally obliged to follow them. Rather, pray for guidance, then choose — and take responsibility for your vote.

It would be far worse for God and country if one heeds supposedly religious endorsements, then loses faith in religion because the purportedly godly choices proved to be wrong or self-serving.

Vote wisely.

A6

Opinion

The Sunday Times SUNDAY May 12, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Trump’s one-on-one approach to China has dangerous implications for global trade and world peace

BY CHARLES HANKLA, GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

N

OT too long ago, President Donald Trump seemed to be on the cusp of a trade deal with China. A couple of threatening tweets and an escalation of tariffs later, the odds of ending the 16-month-old US-China trade waranytime soon have dropped dramatically.

Whether or not American and Chinese trade negotiators ultimately salvage a deal — they are still planning to meet in the coming days — the episode highlights drawbacks in Trump’s trade strategy, which tends to be protectionist, confrontational and negotiated one on one.

Unfortunately, Trump’s policies are only an acceleration of a trend in international trade that’s been going on for several decades. It’s a move away from multilateralism — in which many countries agree on certain trading principles – and toward bilateralism — which pits nation against nation, raising the stakes.

I am a specialist in the politics of trade. My observations lead me to believe that the increasing abandonment of multilateralism will have pernicious long-term consequences. Not only will trade

become more costly for businesses and consumers, it may even make the planet a more dangerous place.

World trade — Trump style Before we can understand what has changed, we need to revisit how trade deals have historically been done.

In the decades following World War 2, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade was the center of gravity for trade negotiations.

While that system wasn’t perfect, most of the world’s countries could at least participate, to one degree or another, in hammering out the rules of trade.

This multilateral trading order reached its heyday in 1995, with the creation of the World Trade Organization. But more recently, the system has weakened. Today, most of the world’s new agreements are struck between only two countries or within a single region.

Trump has shown little appetite for continuing the multilateral negotiations his predecessors were working on. He’s also hammered on regional accords, famously renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement and withdrawing from THE 4RANS 0ACIkC 0ARTNERSHIP Trump’s clear preference is for

An urgent need to advance peace civic space and dramatic decline in countries considered safe for jourSTOCKHOLM: Let us be blunt: the nalists and for human rights defendworld is in crisis. Peace, human ers and women’s rights defenders.

And within the leading global rights, our planetary ecosystem, AND OUR SYSTEMS OF CONlICT MAN- governance bodies, such as the UN agement and global governance Security Council, divisions among major powers and failure in leadare under enormous strain.

Global military expenditures ership to constructively address reached $1.8 trillion in 2018, their current crises in Libya, Sudan, Yehighest level in real terms since the men and Venezuela are calling into Cold War, driven by great power question the continued credibility competition between the US and of such arrangements.

Within this fraught context, China. The "Doomsday clock" is now set at two minutes to mid- leading individuals from the night, as the world has moved closer humanitarian, development and than ever to nuclear self-destruction SECURITY kELDS WILL BE CONVENING as a result of US withdrawal from in Stockholm next week*. The the Iran nuclear deal (the Joint Stockholm Forum on Peace and Common Plan of Action or JPOA), Development, cohosted by SIand withdrawal from the Interme- PRI and the Swedish Ministry of diate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Foreign Affairs, will discuss how Treaty, and uncertainties about the world can better respond to emergencies and crises, and how North Korea’s nuclear plans.

And, buttressed by regular reports it can stabilize and strengthen about the growing effects of global prospects for peace and longer warming, rapidly declining biodi- term development.

By bringing together subject and versity and the extinction of thousands of species, climate change is regional specialists, humanitarian now widely acknowledged by citi- workers, human rights defenders, zens and experts in many countries peace researchers, police and military representatives, political leaders as the world’s biggest threat.

The past decade has seen a re- and policy makers, the Forum seeks versal of the long-term trend of to stimulate essential, sometimes declining civil wars. According difficult, conversations among to the UN-World Bank publica- those who are working to support tion Pathways to Peace, the world peace, rule of law and development has seen sharp increases in the embodied by the 2030 Agenda for number of internal armed con- Sustainable Development.

The international and professionlICTS IN THE WORLD OVER THE PAST decade, most involving numerous al diversity of those who will attend non-state armed groups, and such RElECTS THE RECOGNITION OF THE NEED conflicts are both increasingly for interdisciplinary understanding internationalized and protracted. OF DRIVERS OF CONlICT COORDINATION -OSTLY AS A RESULT OF CONlICT across sectors and comprehensive some 68.5 million people are approaches in responding to viocurrently displaced, with the lence, hunger and injustice.

Substantial participation by overwhelming majority of refugees residing in poor or middle- representatives from the Global income countries. While there are 3OUTH RElECTS THE NEED TO DEVELOP often multiple, complex causes truly people-centred approaches of conflict, key structural fac- THAT ARE CONTEXT SPECIkC POLITItors include weak institutions in cally informed and locally owned. combination with political and It embodies the realization that technocratic, template approaches economic exclusion.

In developing and post-in- TO PREVENTING CONlICT AND ASSISTING dustrial states alike, factors such shattered states and societies are as growing income inequali- not acceptable and do not work.

With its commitment to advancties and the continued failure of MOST COUNTRIES TO SIGNIkCANTLY ing peace through evidence-based control corruption are undermin- data, research and analysis, Sipri is ing governance and faith in the proud to co-host the Forum and to ability of states and the political CONTRIBUTE TO GLOBAL EFFORTS TO kND class to uphold the public good. solutions to the grave problems IPS Across the world we are witness- that confront us. ing a rise in populism rooted in anti-pluralism and exclusionary Dr. Marina Caparini is a Senior nationalist politics, attacks on Researcher and Director of the the basic democratic tenets and Governance and Society Program at Sipri. Her research focuses on a crisis of democracy.

With the global rolling back of peacebuilding and the nexus behuman rights, there is a shrinking of tween security and development.

BYÂ DR MARINA CAPARINI

bilateral deals where the US can use its market power to force concessions from its negotiating partners. But Trump has added a level of confrontation and antagonism to world trade not known in the postwar era.

For evidence, look no further than his use of threats during the recent trade talks and his decision to raise tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese goods on May 10, which is expected to prompt retaliation from China.

In essence, the United States under Trump has begun to see itself as the victim, rather than the guarantor, of the liberal trading order. This new perspective has made American negotiators more willing to extract temporary concessions from trading partners, even when these come at the cost of destabilizing the system as a whole.

Rules upon rules One pernicious consequence of abandoning multilateralism is the mounting complexity and discriminatory nature of global trading arrangements.

In international trade, the fewer rules there are the better. /NE REAL BENEkT OF THE 74/ SYStem is that the same rules, more or less, apply to everyone.

But the world’s increasing rejection of multilateralism is creating a complex web of trade regulations that are tremendously hard to navigate. The number of preferential trade agreements jumped from just over 50 in 1990 to nearly 300 in 2010.

More deals like these mean that one set of rules is overlaid by more rules that only apply when trading WITH SPECIkC COUNTRIES IN CERTAIN goods and services. For this reason, the economist Jagdish Bhagwati has called bilateral deals “termites in the trading system.�

These “termites� and the informational burdens they create have real costs for companies and consumers, whether in Europe, Asia or the United States. And this growing complexity weakens competition by giving certain companies an edge over others based on their national origin, distorting the efkCIENCY OF GLOBAL MARKETS In the end, these burdens can discourage smaller companies from engaging in global commerce, make it more expensive for even the largest businesses and drive up the cost of products for consumers.

Trade conflicts A second drawback to Trump’s ap-

proach is that it increases the risk of war, at least over the long term.

As the political economist David Lake has pointed out, one purpose of the trading system that the US helped set up after World War 2 was to forestall mutually antagonistic trading blocs like the ones built by Adolf Hitler or, earlier, by the European and Japanese colonial powers.

The origins of the two world wars may have been principally political, but there is little doubt that economic conflicts between blocs contributed to the military tensions.

During the postwar era, the multilateral system took a major step toward insulating trade from such international disputes and strategic competition. Outside of relations with the communist bloc, which only later participated in multilateral trade deals, there is ample reason to believe that economic interdependence helped produce the “long peace� of that period.

For this reason, we should all be worried about the wobbly state of the global trading system. Bilateral and regional deals are making it easier for large countries to use trade policy more explicitly as an arm of foreign and military policy.

Modern bilateral deals are not

recreating the colonial systems of the past, but they do tend to center on major powers in what some scholars have called a “hub� and “spoke� pattern.

4HE gHUBu OFTEN ENJOYS SIGNIkCANT INlUENCE OVER THE gSPOKE u and not just in commercial affairs. China’s overtures to African countries over a free trade deal, for example, are likely linked to its strategic interest in securing access to national resources.

While I’m not suggesting that these deals are likely to trigger a shooting war anytime soon, an increasingly fractured world will gradually reduce interdependence among countries – which can act as a strong incentive to avoid a fight.

If the rising number of bilateral deals become an instrument of security policy, and trade increasingly flows only to strategically friendly countries, we should all prepare for more violent conflict in the future.

ASSOCIATED PRESS (AP)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. The Conversation is an independent AND NONPROkT SOURCE OF NEWS

analysis and commentary from academic experts.

FOCUS

Battle for Libya’s Tripoli gives chance to IS TRIPOLI: The battle for Tripoli between rival Libyan forces both championing the fight against “terrorism� has created a security vacuum, allowing the Islamic State group a chance to reemerge, analysts warn.

Libya expert Emad Badi says the fighting has given IS “the opportunity to reorganize, recruit and strike alliances with other groups (and organize attacks) to show they are still around�.

Jihadist groups capitalized on Libya’s descent into chaos after the 2011 uprising that killed veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi to establish a presence in the North African country.

IS had its main stronghold in Kadhafi’s hometown of Sirte, east of Tripoli, until it was expelled from the Mediterranean coastal city in December 2016.

The group’s demise came at the hands of forces loyal to the Tripoli-based internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), especially fight-

ers from the western city of Misrata.

Those fighters are among pro-GNA forces now battling the self-styled Libyan National Army of military strongman Khalifa Haftar who launched an assault on Tripoli on April 4.

Haftar has vowed to “cleanse� Libya of jihadists and presents himself as the country’s savior.

In 2017, he drove hardline Islamists out of second city Benghazi after a three-year battle and ousted jihadists from Derna, also in the east.

Then, in January, he launched an operation to “purge the south of terrorist and criminal groups� before setting his sights on Tripoli.

But despite being weakened, the jihadists still pose a threat in oil-rich Libya, where they were blamed for around 20 attacks last year.

And over the past week IS has carried out two deadly assaults targeting Haftar’s forces — on a training camp in the southern city of Sebha on May

4 that left nine dead and an attack Thursday in Ghodwa, also in the south, that killed two civilians.

Jihadists feeding on divisions Instability has reigned over Libya since the 2011 uprising, with rival political and military forces vying for power and fighting for the country’s oil wealth and cities.

Jihadist groups such as IS have fed on this chaos to grow, and divisions that persist as reflected by the battle for Tripoli only serve to bolster them, analysts say. “The divisions give terrorists an unexpected opportunity to mobilize and reorganize,� said Khaled al-Montasser, a professor of international studies who lectures at Libyan universities.

After losing Sirte and Derna, IS was weakened but not totally defeated as its fighters withdrew to the country’s remote and vast desert in the south or

infiltrated coastal communities.

The threat jihadists pose was highlighted in a statement Thursday by the GNA, which also blamed Haftar’s offensive for giving groups like IS another chance to regroup. “GNA forces continue to repel the Haftar militias but their attacks... destabilize our country and allow terrorist groups like Daesh to reemerge,� it said using an Arabic acronym for IS. Karim Bitar, director of research at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs, draws a parallel with Syria and Iraq, where IS built a “caliphate� after a lightning offensive in 2014. “In Libya, as in Iraq and Syria before it, IS took advantage of a vacuum... and the collapse of the state’s structures to anchor itself,� he said. “As long as Libya is divided and as long as the state’s sovereign authority is not reestablished across the country, there is a risk that IS will be able to regain ground,� he said. AFP

The age of the internet calls for younger leaders which means that all these leaders are, statistically speaking, already ACCRA: Days before Algeria’s living on borrowed time.

As more technology has become 82-year-old strongman president !BDELAZIZ "OUTElIKA WAS OUSTED available to an average person in Affrom power, the country made one rica, the continent’s technology challast ditch attempt to keep control: lenge has moved beyond access to harnessing tech innovations to how it it shut down the internet.

A few weeks later, 75-year-old can improve performance in areas like Sudanese president Omar Hassan al- education, or health. We need leaders Bashir’s rule ended with a picture of WHO VALUE AND ARE lUENT IN THESE NEW mainly female protestors going viral technologies and their promise.

Countries like Democratic Republic on social media platforms.

If there has been any common of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Chad threads in the unseating of au- and Mali have some of the lowest thoritarian African leaders in the human development indices in the past few months, then it has been world according to the UNDP’s Human Development Indices for 2018. age and the internet.

Indeed, the main contenders in These countries are also ones with Nigeria’s recent general elections some of the highest costs per 1 gigawere the incumbent Muhammadu byte of internet data — at around $10.

Despite these costs, across the conBuhari, 76, and Abubacar Atiku, 72.

Together with the likes of Cameroon tinent are real examples of how the President Paul Biya, Uganda President internet is changing lives. The mobile Yoweri Museveni, Equatorial Guinea economy in 2017 alone added $150 President Teodoro Obiang Nguema billion to African economies But the internet revolution in Mbasogo and a host of other African leaders, they share one thing in com- Africa is encountering a bottleneck: elderly African leaders. And the reality mon: they are all over 70.

Yet, they are still keen on their is that these laggards are mostly born presidential ambitions with some generations before the rise of the even amending constitutional pro- internet. It has become obvious that visions to extend their tenures — the struggle of Africa’s older leaders to sometimes from hospital beds in understand technology has had dire consequences for their citizens. other countries.

In July 2018, Uganda put a tax on Only 5 percent of Africans are aged 65 and above, but the po- social media and mobile money paylitical expectation is that this 5 ments to raise revenue and “control percent should set the agenda for gossip�. Within a day, certain accounts the 70 percent or so Africans who indicated a 60 percent drop in transare under 35 years of age. Already, actions. By December 2018, Uganda the average life expectancy across had lost 5 million internet users as a Africa is between 61 and 65 years, direct result of these taxes. The sharp BY SELORM BRANTTIE

drop in remittances meant that businesses were impacted in areas like agriculture, remittances from urban areas to family and relatives in rural areas as well as basic e-commerce.

The Global Network Initiative reports that between 0.4 percent and 1 percent of a country’s daily GDP is lost because of internet shutdowns, or about $6.6 million per 10 million users daily.

On Jan. 15, 2019, Zimbabwe shut down internet connectivity for three days in a bid to quell public protests. According to Netblocks, this shutdown affected an estimated 17 million people and cost the nation’s economy some $17 million dollars.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s greatest asset is its youth. There are 420 million people between 15 and 35, of which just more than 30 percent are unemployed, according to the African Development Bank. Because the median age of an African today is 19.4 years, leaders should focus on transforming African economies to become centers of entrepreneurial success.

Dr Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, currently Africa’s youngest leader at 42, believes that strengthening ecommerce and virtual government is more important than running state monopolies. By selling off half of the state-owned Ethio Telecom, he has demonstrated the willingness to open up the telcom sector to innovation.

Of course, it can also be said that younger African leaders are not always best equipped to modernize their nations. Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, 61, has improved e-governance and innovation to the point where his

country ranks just behind Mauritius in a World Bank assessment of African business environments. His younger neighbor, the 54-year old Pierre Nkurunziza in Burundi, however, still ranks among the lower performers in Africa 14 years in power after gaining power at the age of 40. Youth itself is not necessary, but a youthful, outward-looking mindset is.

Many African leaders are also aware that the internet can provide the very tools that can threaten their political control. They will be watching warily the situation in Algeria, where activists have used the internet as part of a campaign to challenge 82-year-old PRESIDENT !BDELAZIZ "OUTElIKA WHO has been in power for two decades.

One easy way African countries could revitalize their political leadership would be to limit political leaders to the civil service retirement age.

In Nigeria, the presidential contest was declared for Buhari, who at age 76 is 16 years older than the mandatory retirement age for Nigerian civil servants. Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed, on the other hand, would have to work another 13 years to even qualify for early retirement in his country.

African voters should ask themselves which type of leader is better equipped to guide their countries into the future. IPS

Selorm Branttie is the global strategy sirector of mPedigree, which DESIGNED THE WORLD S kRST 3-3 BASED anti-counterfeiting solution. He is very passionate about how technology can create a new future for Africa and the global south.

Regions

˜ The Sunday Times w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY May 12, 2019

A7

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WAS RUNNING FOR THE VICE MAYORAL POST IN #$/ UNDER THE COALITION POLITICAL PARTY OF THE 0ADAYON 0ILIPINO THE REGIONAL POLITICAL PARTY HE FOUNDED IN THE @ S AND THE #ENTRIST $EMOCRATIC 0ARTY #$0 AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH ON -AY 4HOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WAVING VIOLET lAGS HANDKERCHIEFS AND CLOTH LINED THE HIGHWAYS OF #LARO - 2ECTO !VENUE AS %MANO S URN WAS TRANSPORTED FROM HIS HOUSE IN 3TA #ECILIA 6ILLAGE IN "ARANGAY 'USA TO THE TOWN OF 4AGOLO AN

KILOMETERS EAST OF #$/ &ROM THE FAMILY RESIDENCE THE DILAPIDATED BLACK PICKUP THAT %MANO USED DURING HIS TERM AS A PUBLIC OFkCIAL FOR YEARS CARRIED THE URN WHICH WAS TAKEN DIRECTLY TO THE #ANDELARIA #HURCH OF 4AGOLO AN )N HIS EULOGY %MANO S ONLY SON -ISAMIS /RIENTAL 'OV 9EVGENY 6INCENTE %MANO SAID HIS FATHER DID NOT WISH FOR A WAKE TO BE HELD BUT WANTED TO BE CREMATED AND BURIED IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS DEATH "UT DURING HIS DAYS AT THE HOSPITAL gMY FATHER CHANGED HIS MIND AND AGREED TO A THREE DAY WAKE HOPING THAT THE lOWER VENDORS IN FRONT OF THE 3T !UGUSTIN #ATHEDRAL IN #AGAYAN DE /RO #ITY COULD EARN u HE ADDED (E SAID HIS FATHER LOVED THE POOR AND THE LESS FORTUNATE SO THAT HE PREFERRED TO LIVE A SIMPLE LIFE AND HAD NEVER BOUGHT A NEW CAR SINCE HE BECAME A PUBLIC SERVANT (E ADDED THE 0ADAYON 0ILIPINO HAS ADOPTED THE COLOR VIOLET AS THE OFkCIAL COLOR BECAUSE IT DENOTES THE SUFFERINGS OF THE POOR AND THE LESS PRIVILEGE ! RADIO REPORTER DESCRIBED THE lOWERS SENT DURING THE WAKE OF %MANO AS ENORMOUS AND UNBELIEVABLE SINCE IT TOOK SEVEN DUMP TRACKS TO HAUL ALL OF THESE -EANWHILE THE FAMILY DECIDED TO APPOINT %MANO S DAUGHTER LAWYER AND #ITY #OUNCILOR .ADYA %MANO AS THE SUBSTITUTE FOR THE OFkCIAL S VACATED VICE MAYORAL CANDIDACY ON -ONDAY S ELECTIONS CRIS DIAZ

(E SAID THEY RECEIVED THE kRE ALARM AT A M &IREkGHTERS RAISED THE kRE TO SECOND ALARM AT A M AND TO THIRD ALARM AT A M &IRE OUT WAS DECLARED AT A M 4HE #EBU #ITY &IRE $EPARTMENT DECLARED AT LEAST HOUSES MOSTLY MADE OF LIGHT MATERIALS DESTROYED BY THE kRE AS OF A M

UNDER INVESTIGATION u !BABON TOLD The

-ANILA 4IMES &LOR "ARTOLOME HEAD OF THE CITY S 3OCIAL 7ELFARE 3ERVICES SAID HOUSES WERE AFFECTED BY THE kRE AS OF P M LEAVING FAMILIES HOMELESS 3HE SAID THE SURVIVORS URGENTLY NEEDED DRINKING WATER RHEA RUTH ROSELL

Comelec affirms CamNorte gov’s CoC cancellation

BY BELLY M. OTORDOZ

T

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc AFkRMED THE RULING OF ITS &IRST $IVISION CANCELING THE #ERTIkCATE OF #ANDIDACY #O# OF REELECTIONIST 'OV %DGARDO 4ALLADO OF $AET #AMARINES .ORTE 4HE CANCELLATION OF 4ALLADO S #O# STEMMED FROM THE PETITION OF .ORBERTO 6ILLAMIN AND 3ENANDRO *ALGALADO kLED LAST YEAR ON THE GROUND THAT THE MID TERM ELECTIONS THIS MONTH WOULD BE HIS FOURTH TERM ! FIVE PAGE RESOLUTION PROMULGATED ON -AY SIGNED BY #OMELEC #HAIRMAN 3HERIFF !BAS READS g!FTER CAREFUL REVIEW OF THE RECORDS OF THE CASE THE #OMMISSION FINDS NO COGENT REASON TO DISTURB OR MODIFY THE FINDINGS REACHED IN THE !SSAILED 2ESOLUTION 2ESPONDENT FAILED TO PROVE THAT THE EVIDENCE IS INSUFFICIENT TO JUSTIFY THE !SSAILED 2ESOLUTION OR THAT THE SAME IS CONTRARY TO LAW u )T ADDED THE TWO DECISIONS OF THE /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN IMPOSING UPON 4ALLADO THE PENALTY OF DISMISSAL FROM SERVICE DID NOT ATTAIN kNALITY BECAUSE HE AVAILED OF THE REMEDY OF APPEAL AND THE

Cyberlibel case filed vs 2 foreign reporters CANABATUAN CITY: ! 0HILIPPINE COMPANY HAS FILED A CYBERLIBEL CASE AGAINST TWO REPORTERS OF THE &INANCIAL 4IMES &4 WITH THE #ABANATUAN #ITY 0ROSECUTOR S /FFICE IN .UEVA %CIJA 4HE COMPLAINT FILED BY #ONEPAY )NTERNATIONAL )NC STEMMED FROM AN &4 ARTICLE DATED -ARCH THAT ALLEGED THE 'ERMAN FINTECH FIRM 7IRECARD WAS COMPLICIT IN ACCOUNTING IRREGULARITIES AT ITS SUBSIDIARY IN 3INGAPORE # O N E P AY ) N T E R N A T I O N A L ) N C WA S TAGGED AS gONE OF MORE THAN A DOZEN CURIOUS COMPANIES IDENTIFIED DURING a &INANCIAL 4IMES INVESTIGATIONu THAT WERE ALLEGEDLY COLLUDING WITH 7IRECARD S 3INGAPORE SUBSIDIARY 2ESPONDENTS TO THE COMPLAINT ARE $AN -C#RUM AND 3TEFANIA 0ALMA THE authors of the &4 ARTICLE 4HE COMPLAINT SAID THE ARTICLE ABOUT #ONEPAY S INVOLVEMENT IN THE ALLEGED COLLUSION WAS BASED ON THE WITNESS STATEMENT OF A #ABANATUAN #ITY RESIDENT AND FATHER OF ONE OF THE COMPANY S DIRECTORS WHO ADMITTED TO BEING PAID TO LIE ABOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE OF #ONEPAY AND TO PROVIDE &4 WITH DOCUMENTS USED IN THE ARTICLE )N HIS SWORN STATEMENT THE WITNESS REVEALED HE WAS OFFERED 0

BY AN UNKNOWN INDIVIDUAL TO PROVIDE THE &4 WITH A #ONEPAY BANK STATEMENT AND TO SAY HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE COMPANY "UT HE SAID DURING AN EXCHANGE with the unknown individual that # O N E P A Y W A S R E G I S T E R E D I N T H E I R FAMILY HOME AND HIS DAUGHTER WAS AMONG THE FIRM S DIRECTORS #ONEPAY MAINTAINS THAT IT IS A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS THAT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCOUNTING SCAM g4O BASE THE LEGITIMACY OR LEGALITY OF A BUSINESS MERELY ON ITS OFFICE ADDRESS BETRAYS THE IGNORANCE OF THE AUTHORS of the &4 ARTICLE ON HOW BUSINESS IS CUSTOMARILY CARRIED OUT IN THE 0HILIPPINES )NDEED IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR CORPORATIONS HERE IN THE 0HILIPPINES TO CARRY OUT ITS BUSINESS IN AN OFFICE OR AREA

$AMAGE TO PROPERTY WAS ESTIMATED AT 0

!BABON SAID THE lAMES ORIGINATED FROM THE HOUSE OF %DNA "ASILLOTE ALONG 'ENERAL -AXILOM %XTENSION BUT THE CAUSE OF THE kRE WAS STILL UNDETERMINED g4HERE WAS A MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY SET SOMETHING ON kRE 4HEY RESIDENTS IN THE AREA MAULED THE MAN "UT THIS WAS STILL

TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE STATED IN ITS !RTICLES OF )NCORPORATION u THE COMPLAINT FURTHER SAID 4HE ARTICLE INVOLVING #ONEPAY WAS PART OF A SERIES OF REPORTS BY -C#RUM A N D 0A L M A F O R T H E , O N D O N B A S E D PUBLICATION ACCUSING 7IRECARD OF ACCOUNTING IRREGULARITIES IN THE !SIAN REGION WHICH CAUSED THE FIRM TO LOSE BILLION EUROS IN STOCK MARKET VALUE WITHIN ONLY A FEW DAYS The &4 ARTICLES WERE LARGELY BASED ON AN INTERNAL COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATION PAPER ISSUED BY 2AJAH 4ANN A LAW FIRM 7IRECARD HIRED IN TO INVESTIGATE INTERNAL WHISTLE BLOWER ALLEGATIONS 4HERE WERE CLAIMS FROM RELIABLE SOURCES THAT AN UNKNOWN SOURCE OFFERED THE SO CALLED gPRELIMINARY REPORTu BY 2AJAH 4ANN TO MULTIPLE NEWSPAPERS IN /CTOBER 4HE 2AJAH 4ANN INVESTIGATION

HOWEVER DID NOT FIND ANY gINACCURACIES WITH MATERIAL IMPACT ON THE FINANCIAL REPORTSu OF 7IRECARD )N $ECEMBER 'ERMAN PUBLIC PROSECUTORS ISSUED A PENALTY ORDER SEEKING TO FINE "RITISH SHORT SELLER &RASER 0ERRING FOR MANIPULATION OF 7IRECARD S SHARE PRICE !PPARENTLY INTERNAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN &RASER 0ERRING AND HIS CO CONSPIRATORS RELEASED ON THE )NTERNET IN MADE MULTIPLE REFERENCES TO gDEFAULT;ING= TO THE &4 u FOR PUBLICATION OF THEIR ALLEGATIONS AND TO CONSULTING WITH $AN -C#RUM ON HOW TO BEST TO STRUCTURE THEIR PUBLICATION "A&IN THE 'ERMAN FINANCIAL REGULATOR ALSO FILED LAST MONTH A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST TWO UNIDENTIFIED &4 journalists and several short sellers for POTENTIAL MARKET MANIPULATION OVER THE REPORTS 7IRECARD RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT *APAN S 3OFTBANK COMMITTED TO INVEST MILLION EUROS BILLION OR A STAKE OF ABOUT PERCENT WHICH IS CONSIDERED A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FIRM S INTEGRITY DESPITE -C#RUM S ALLEGATIONS CELSO M. CAJUCOM

/MBUDSMAN S DECISIONS ON HIS DISMISSALS WERE MODIkED TO SUSPENSION ONLY OR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER TO HOLD THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE DISMISSAL 4HE /MBUDSMAN SUSPENDED 4ALLADO IN AND METED THE PENALTY OF PERPETUAL DISQUALIkCATION FROM OFkCE IN -ARCH "OTH DECISIONS STEMMED FROM A COMPLAINT

BY FORMER PROVINCIAL VETERINARIAN %DGARDO 'ONZALES FOR GRAVE ABUSE OF AUTHORITY AND GRAVE MISCONDUCT FOR 4ALLADO S RELIEF OF HIM FROM THE POSITION AND HIS ASSIGNMENT AS PUBLIC INFORMATION OFkCER

CDO mayor can run -EANWHILE A PETITIONER WHO HAD QUESTIONED #AGAYAN DE /RO #$/ #ITY -AYOR /SCAR -ORENO S QUALIFICATION TO RUN IN -ONDAY S ELECTIONS SAID THE #OMELEC

3ECOND $IVISION HAS ISSUED A RESOLUTION DISQUALIFYING THE MAYOR "UT CITY ELECTION OFFICER 2AMIL !COL SAID THE #$/ #ITY #OMELEC HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION FROM THE #OMELEC MAIN OFkCE IN -ANILA ABOUT THE ALLEGED DISQUALIkCATION OF -ORENO g5NTIL #OMELEC -ANILA SENDS AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT DISQUALIFYING -ORENO TO RUN IN THE -AY LOCAL ELECTIONS HE REMAINS QUALIFIED TO RUN FOR CITY MAYOR u HE SAID %ARLIER -ORENO S LEGAL TEAM QUESTIONED THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE ALLEGED #OMELEC RESOLUTION

DESCRIBING IT AS gFAKEu HAVING NO #OMELEC SEAL AND NOT FOLLOWED THE PRESCRIBED FORM $ALE -ORDENO -ORENO S CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL SAID THE PROMULGATION OF THE RESOLUTION WAS HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE BECAUSE IT WAS REPORTEDLY DATED -AY WHEN THERE WAS NO OFkCE AS IT WAS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN OBSERVANCE OF ,ABOR $AY 7ILLIAM 'UIALANI THE FORMER BARANGAY VILLAGE CHAIRMAN WHO FILED THE PETITION TO DISQUALIFY -ORENO HOWEVER INSISTED THE DOCUMENT WAS GENUINE AND THE RESOLUTION WAS MAILED TO HIM THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT POSTAL SERVICE g) WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE

#OMELEC LETTER ON &RIDAY AFTERNOON "UT ) SENT MY LAWYER TO GET THE MAIL IN THE CITY POST OFFICE BECAUSE ) WAS IN -ANILA u HE SAID 4HE -ANILA 4IMES obtained a COPY OF THE SIX PAGE RESOLUTION DISQUALIFYING -ORENO TO RUN FOR THE MAYORAL POST )N THE COMPLAINT 'UIALANI PROVIDED THE #OMELEC A COPY OF THE /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN S DECISION DATED !PRIL

gWHICH METED THE PENALTY OF DISMISSAL FROM THE SERVICE AND PERPETUAL DISQUALIkCATION FOR REEMPLOYMENT IN THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE ON /SCAR 3ERIÄA -ORENO %LMER 7ABE 0ATRICK 'ABUTINA AND 2OLANDO 0ACURIBOT u 'UIALANI SAID THE #OMELEC TOOK COGNIZANCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN S ORDER DISQUALIFYING -ORENO AS gIMMEDIATELY ENFORCEABLEu BY THE TIME THE ANTI GRAFT COURT METED THE PENALTY OF DISQUALIFICATION

WHICH DECISION WAS NEVER OVERTURNED BY ANY COMPETENT COURT 4HE RESOLUTION IN #OMELEC #ASE 30! $# FOR $ISQUALIFICATION WAS SIGNED BY ,UIE 4ITO 'UIA

PRESIDING OFFICER ALONG WITH #OMMISSIONERS 3OCORRO )NTING AND !NTONIO +HO WITH A REPORT FROM CRIS DIAZ

A8

News

SUNDAY May 12 2019

Gas prices down

by P1.30 per liter O

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

IL companies announced a big-time price cut over the weekend.

0HOENIX 0ETROLEUM WAS THE kRST to adjust its pump prices on Saturday, slashing the cost of gasoline BY 0 PER LITER 4HE PRICE OF diesel was unchanged.

Seaoil also did not change the

price of diesel but reduced the price of gasoline and kerosene by 0 PER LITER AND CENTAVOS PER LITER RESPECTIVELY AT A M ON Sunday.

Petro Gazz and Pilipinas Shell

will also cut the cost of gasoline by 0 PER LITER ON 4UESDAY Pilipinas Shell will likewise reduce the price of kerosene

BY CENTAVOS PER LITER ON Tuesday. /THER OIL kRMS ARE EXPECTED TO follow suit.

I n d u s t r y p l aye r s l owe r e d pump prices as global crude prices steadied, according to a report by Reuters. It said Brent

CRUDE OIL SETTLED AT CENTS AT PER BARREL WHILE THE 53 7EST 4EXAS )NTERMEDIATE 74) CRUDE FUTURES SHED CENTS AT PER BARREL This is the second consecutive time that firms reduced their pump prices. Last week, the prices of diesel and kerosene WENT DOWN BY CENTAVOS PER LITER AND GASOLINE BY CENTAvos per liter.

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

WITH INC SUPPORT

Isko Moreno sees election victory MANILA mayoral candidate Francisco “Isko Moreno�

Domagoso said the support of THE INlUENTIAL )GLESIA .I #RISTO (INC) and some barangay (village) captains would greatly boost his chances of winning the mayoral race in the capital city.

Domagoso said the INC’s endorsement and the support of village heads who shifted their allegiance from incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada to him “would tip the balance in his favor on election day.�

The INC, with its membership OF CLOSE TO MILLION IS KNOWN to practice bloc voting during elections. “Malinaw na maraming ManileĂąo gusto ng pagbabago (It is clear that many Manila residents want change),â€? he said in a statement. “Nakikita ito sa mga survey, sa pagsalubong sa amin sa kampanya (That is apparent in surveys and in the reception we have gotten during the campaign),â€? he added, referring to the recent survey conducted by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. which

showed him leading over his rivals.

Based on the independent poll CONDUCTED FROM !PRIL TO -AY

$OMAGOSO GOT PERCENT OF THE VOTE GIVING HIM A POINT LEAD OVER %STRADA WHO GOT percent.

In a previous survey conducted

by Publicus Asia, Domagoso also enjoyed a substantial lead, with PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS SAYing they would vote for him, as OPPOSED TO THE PERCENT OF respondents who chose Estrada.

Domagoso said barangay captains decided to support his candidacy after they learned that he had a concrete plan to reverse the deterioration of Manila. “They know we need new blood, a fresh perspective, and a dynamic approach. ‘Yan ang handog natin. (That is what we offer),� he added.

Domagoso will contest the top post in Manila with Estrada and former mayor Alfredo Lim. The former actor first held THE VICE MAYORAL POST IN He sought reelection alongside %STRADA IN CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Crisologo leads QC mayoral race – survey

FINAL CAMPAIGN

Reelectionist Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay raises the hand of his brother, Makati mayoral candidate Jejomar ‘Junjun’ Binay Jr., along with his ‘Team Be Nice’ slate during their Miting de Avance in Makati on Saturday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Binay’s wish: Family reconciliation &/2-%2 vice president Jejomar Binay hopes that when the election dust had settled, his children would reconcile so that his family would be united once again.

Reelectionist Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail “Abby�

Binay was challenged by her brother, former vice mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun� Binay Jr., dividing the Binay family. The patriarch sided with Abby while Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay, who is seeking reelection, supported her brother. “Dadagdagan ko ‘yong dasal, na pagkatapos na eleksiyon eh magbalik na uli ‘yong samahan

ng pamilya (I will pray hard that after the elections, our family will be united),� the former vice president said.

Junjun and Nancy said they were open for reconciliation. “We’re still a family after all,� the siblings said.

However, Abby said she would HAVE TO gHEALu kRST g) HAVE TO HEAL kRST BEFORE WE get to talk about reconciliation and healing will begin after elections,� she said.

The Binay family admitted that THIS YEAR S ELECTORAL EXERCISE HAD BEEN THE MOST DIFkCULT FOR THEM /N 3ATURDAY *UNJUN HELD HIS

Miting de Avance, joined by his sisters Anne and Nancy. Their mother, former Makati mayor Elenita Binay, was also present.

Nancy said they had no feelings of resentment against their father, who backed Abby’s candidacy. “She (Abby) had no allies. My father was just being a father by being with her,� Nancy told reporters. /N &RIDAY !BBY BECAME EMOtional during her Miting de Avance as she recalled the “harrowing� campaign she and her family went through. g$AD WE THOUGHT WAS THE

hardest fight. They threw everything at you. You were shamed, charged... But we didn’t know that there would be a harder and a more PAINFUL kGHT u THE MAYOR SAID The bitter rivalry between Abby and Junjun became apparent last year when the latter announced that he would run for Makati mayor.

Abby said the mudslinging and family feud were the most DIFkCULT PART OF HER CAMPAIGN “The mudslinging was also DIFkCULT FOR OUR FATHER BECAUSE our family is not together,� she told reporters.

NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

FIRST District Rep. Vincent “Bingbong�

Crisologo is leading the mayoral race in Quezon City, according to a prepoll survey of The Issues and Advocacy Center (The Center).

The survey conducted from April 29 to May 2 showed that Crisologo got the support of 42 percent of the 1,200 respondents polled in the city’s six legislative districts.

This was 7 percent higher than the 35 percent posted by Vice Mayor Josefina “Joy�

Belmonte. Former Rep. Ismael “Chuck� Mathay was third with 19 percent.

The survey has a margin of error of 2.5 percent + and a confidence level in excess of 98 percent.

The Center also said that what might become a factor when Quezon City residents cast their votes on Monday were the many issues that

the city government had failed to address in recent years, especially the delivery of basic social services.

The survey showed that Crisologo is the preferred choice of voters in all socio-economic classes. In in ABC classes, he holds a slight edge with 42 percent against Belmonte’s 39 percent. As the preferred candidate in the D and E classes, Crisologo has a 45 percent and 43 percent lead respectively, against Belmonte’s 34 percent and 28 percent, respectively.

In the vice mayoral race, Joseph Peter “Jopet� Sison leads with 43 percent to the 29 percent of Roderick Paulate. Gian Sotto placed third with 25 percent.

In the congressional race, Anthony Peter Crisologo is leading in the First District with 42 percent against the 30 percent of Elizabeth Delarmente.

17 arrested for QC deploys emergency teams for polls vote-buying TWENTY-SIX suspects were reported for alleged vote-buying and -selling since January 13, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Seventeen of these 26 alleged suspects were arrested, while nine of them are still at large as of Saturday.

Four were arrested in an operation on Friday in Mlang, Cotabato after police authorities in the town received a call that they were buying votes in Barangay New Kalibo.

Retrieved from them were four sheets of papers containing the names of voters with their corresponding signatures and P200,660 in cash.

According to the Omnibus Election Code, any person found guilty of vote-buying and vote-selling face imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years, disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right to vote.

ROY D.R. NARRA

THE Quezon City Disaster Risk 2EDUCTION AND -ANAGEMENT /FkCE 1#$22-/ WILL DEPLOY ITS emergency medical services (EMS) TO STRATEGIC LOCATIONS IN ALL SIX DIStricts as part of its preparation for THE ELECTIONS ON -ONDAY -AY The City’s Disaster Risk ReducTION AND -ANAGEMENT /FFICE

WILL DEPLOY %-3 PERSONNEL and nine ambulances in polling precincts and in the City Hall compound.

There will be one ambulance in EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PRECINCTS Toro Hills Elementary School FOR $ISTRICT 0RES #ORAZON # Aquino Elementary School for

$ISTRICT /LD "ALARA %LEMENTARY 3CHOOL FOR $ISTRICT $IOSDADO Macapagal Elementary School FOR $ISTRICT 3AN "ARTOLOME Elementary School for District

AND 0ASONG 4AMO %LEMENTARY 3CHOOL FOR $ISTRICT 4HREE AMbulances will be positioned in the city hall compound.

The medical team will respond to all medical emergency cases and coordinate with nearby hospitals for possible transport of patients.

Meanwhile, additional three EMS Teams and four Search and Rescue personnel are on standby AT THE 1#$22-/

Court acquits ex-Pagcor chairman of perjury THE Sandiganbayan’s Third Division has acquitted former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chairman Efraim Genuino of four counts of perjury.

4HE CASES kLED BY THE /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN IN

stemmed from his alleged failure to disclose several real properties in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) FOR THE YEARS

AND The court, in a decision issued ON -AY

SAID THE PROSecution failed to prove Genuino’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

It thus lifted the hold departure order issued against him, and ordered the release of the bail bond Genuino posted for his provisional liberty.

The Sandiganbayan’s Special Third Division also dismissed a GRAFT CASE kLED AGAINST 'ENUINO

and several individuals in connection with alleged direct remittance of the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) share from Pagcor’s income.

4HE /MBUDSMAN ALLEGED that the accused conspired and “cause[d] the direct remittance OFu 03# S PERCENT SHARE FROM Pagcor’s income amounting to ABOUT 0

FROM Pagcor to the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association,

Inc. “which the latter, in turn, used to pay Trace College or Trace Aquatic Center (TAC),� a facility which was supposedly “effectively owned and controlled� by Genuino and his family, to Synercraft Control Technologies and/or an individual, “among others, which direct remittance did not have the approval of the PSC Board of Directors.�

REINA TOLENTINO

Business Times Q keep in view Business leaders to watch out for

JACINTO C. NG JR. #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER Elanvital Enclaves Inc., Joy Nostalg Group

SUNDAY MAY 12, 2019 Email: bizreports@manilatimes.net

B1

He may be a son of privilege, but he has long been concerned about the lack of shelter for many low-income families. With thorough research, he designed a housing scheme that is affordable and needs no equity to obtain a loan

The good steward ABOUT ME ROLE MODELS My father and mother for showing me how to be a good and persevering person. Another is my friend John Ong, who always reminds me to face any situation with a “loving response,� and lastly, Jesus Christ, as I feel happiest when I feel I’m being like Him.

BY THERESE NECIO-ORTEGA JACINTO C. Ng. Jr. — “Jack� as he is known to all — was already in business as a youngster.

The current treasurer of Republic Biscuit Corp. (Rebisco), the 56-year-old San Juan bakery founded by his father Jacinto Ng Sr. and director of several companies didn’t quite get to enjoy his weekends as a free agent. “From my early grade school days, I would help my mom every Saturday prepare the payroll and pay slips,�

Jack recalls. “I physically had to compute and help put the checks in the respective envelopes for every employee. I also assisted her in preparing the deposit slips.�

This eldest of four siblings, followed

by Jonathan, Jacob and Julie, was under the constant tutelage of his father Jacinto Sr. and mother Anita Co Ng, who served AS THE COMPANY S CHIEF kNANCIAL OFkCER Jack grew up in a compound in Novaliches where their home nested above THE OFkCE AND WAS ADJACENT TO THE FACTORY that produced the popular Rebisco biscuits. (Remember Marie and Party Mix cookies?) Days were long for him as they started very early. “I would be awake by 3:30 a.m. to make the journey [to Xavier School in San Juan] since we had to be in school prior to the bell at 7 a.m. every day,� Jack recounts. Sometime in the early 1980s, the family moved to Wack Wack subdivision, Mandaluyong to be closer to school, thus cutting the travel time by half.

Studies and involvement in company operations made the Ng kids thoroughly appreciate Sundays. Says Jack: “That’s when we spent time together. We would start with Mass in Novaliches, then proceed to either lunch in a Chinese restaurant or at Ferino’s for their good food and bibingka (rice cake). Then, we would watch an English movie in Cubao OR A #HINESE kLM IN /NGPIN ;-ANILA= u Jack completed his BS Architecture degree at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City in 1992, following an inclination toward real estate DEVELOPMENT !FTER GRADUATION HE lEW TO Taipei to intern with the Hong Kuo company, owned by his father’s friend, C.Y. Lee, who exposed him to “really strong buildings.�

He continues: “I credit my love for architecture and design to him. He taught me early on to celebrate and cherish one’s culture, understand the meaning of work, discipline and perfection, and adopt strong attention to detail.� He recalls that the master even had a tatami room *APANESE STYLE ROOM WITH lOORS OF STRAW

GOAL

“

To be like the light of the sun to others

FIRST PAYCHECK

I am blessed to have my dad, who is entrepreneurial, and my mom, who does the right thing for the right reasons. [Their way of doing things] is not taught in school, but is so important in the university of hard knocks. matting) for meditation to which he retired to after work.

In 1991, aware of the severe housing dearth for the country’s lower- to middleincome class and lack of players serving the sector, Jack launched Earth and Style Corp., targeting a middle-income clientele. “We focused on the South, identifying potential growth areas and providing an affordable price point, quality product and a good location.�

Meanwhile, Jack’s father, Jacinto Sr., decided that each of his children develop their own line of expertise and areas of specialization. This would ensure that the SIBLINGS WOULD NOT HAVE TO kGHT FOR THEIR share of the pie and stressed the tenet THAT gFAMILY SHOULD ALWAYS COME kRST u The patriarch also emphasized that “none of his children should have or exercise a sense of entitlement,� and that the businesses should be kept at arm’s length from each other. He also pointed out to them the goals of seeking excellence, competence and no conveniences from each other’s line of businesses in order to maintain integrity, transparency and good governance.

The Joy-Nostalg (JN) company was established in 1997 and with it, the JN Foundation, which is values-based and works to empower people with knowledge. Staff volunteer four hours of service each month to the community and make their “HELP� — Home Empowerment Learning Programme — a reality.

In 2012, Jack launched Elanvital to support a gnawing housing issue that had concerned him for many years. At the time, there was a 5-million backlog in proper housing facilities. Hence, his RESPONSE WAS TO kLL THE NICHE AND THENEED for “socialized housing,� using a low-tech model without charging for any equity on the housing loan.

He explains: “My idea was to work with Pag-IBIG for an effective collection system, providing affordable housing products without need for equity to obtain the loan. I worked it out by looking

The first paycheck I received was when I worked as an intern in Taiwan. It was about NT$20,000 (P35,500 in today’s currency). It was unexpected to receive a salary, and a sizable amount at that. I insisted on returning it, but they told me to just keep it. I then used that money to buy my family gifts.

MORNING ROUTINE I don’t eat breakfast. I used to live in distant Novaliches and would rush in the morning to go to school.

It became a habit.

SPECIAL SKILLS They say I’m good at taking selfies and photos, either with a cellphone or with a camera. I can also be very perceptive of a person’s character.

TIME SPENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA It’s mostly to document moments of my life that I treasure — my time with my family and posting my thoughts and reflections.

Q (Top) Jack (center) posing with the senior management team of his Raemulan Land in front of their newly built Pasinaya Homes project in Naic, Cavite; (bottom) sharing the award from Pag-IBIG Fund for Raemulan Land, which boasts of one of the best Take Out Loan Value for the first semester of 2018, with his staff.

AT ALL THE EFkCIENCIES POSSIBLE HOUSE SIZES start at 18 to 32 square meters) and sacrikCING ON THE PROkT MARGINS EACH HOUSE is sold at P450,000 with 30 years to pay), so that people could have a place they could call their home and start building good memories and values to raise their children. “We sell an average of 200 to 300 units per month,� Jack beams.

His parents, Jack considers to be his

greatest mentors and role models in both his personal and professional lives. He says: “I am blessed to have my dad, who is entrepreneurial, a numbers person, is data driven and requires feasibility studies and proof of concept on paper, and my mom, who is disciplined in money matters and in doing what is right for the right reasons. “[Their way of doing things] is not usually taught in school, but is so important in the university of hard knocks.�

Jacinto Sr. turned Rebisco group’s banking unit Asia United Bank (AUB) into a publicly traded company, and after 20 years at the helm, he relinquished his post as chairman and announced his retirement as AUB’s chairman emeritus in late 2017.

His namesake does him proud, serving as director of the following companies: Rebisco, Asia United Insurance Corp., Manila Bay Development Corp., Highlands Prime Inc., and Quantuvis Resources Corp. as well as nonexecutive director of Belle Corp. since August 2000.

Jack is married to Rachel and together, they have four children — JP, Joey, Josh and Ania. There is a running joke that Jack is “obedient� to his parents by even following the number of children and the order of the gender of the children.

Summing up, Jack says: “I think if we kND OUR SENSE OF PURPOSE AND WORK ON this earth with passion and joy, keep our focus on God, family, country and the environment, go through life with a sense of respect, kindness and compassion and a sense of gratefulness, then we would be doing our share of stewardship. “And that would make a difference in the lives of others and also make way for the next generations to inherit a better world.�

B2

Business Times

SUNDAY May 12, 2019

Editor: Edwin P. Sallan Email: edwin.sallan@manilatimes.net

SPI sees new LPG supplier Wanhua as increasing growth

BY EDWIN P. SALLAN

I

N a move to ensure continuous and reliable SUPPLY OF LIQUEkED PETROLEUM GAS ,0' AND adequately serve its growing markets, South 0ACIkC )NC 30) THE COUNTRY S THIRD BIGGEST ,0' kRM HAS RECENTLY INKED A DEAL WITH 7ANHUA #HEMICAL 'ROUP REGARDED AS THE MOST COMPETITIVE METHYLENE DIPHENYL DIISOCYANATE -$) PRODUCER in the world and the biggest toluene diisocyanate supplier in Europe.

30) 0RESIDENT )ÄIGO 'OLINGAY

*R IS CONkDENT THAT 7ANHUA CAN ADEQUATELY SUPPLY ITS ,0' NEEDS AND INCREASE ITS SALES IN THE 6ISAYAS -INDANAO 6IS-IN AREA WHERE 30) IS VERY STRONG 7ANHUA CURRENTLY OPERATES ON A WORLD

SCALE ADVANCED COMPLETE # # PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIAL CHAIN WITH AN INCREASING PRESENCE IN LPG trading.

4HE 7ANHUA 'ROUP HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY CITED FOR ITS PRODUCTS QUALITY COMMERCIAL VALUE DELIV-

ERY DOCUMENTATION INNOVATION

RESPONSIVENESS AND SUSTAINABILITY g4HE COMPANY HAS FOUR INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING BASES GLOBALLY AND MORE THAN SUBSIDIARIES OR BRANCHES IN %UROPE -IDDLE EAST

!MERICA *APAN 2USSIA AND )NDIA

AND OTHERS u 'OLINGAY NOTED 30) ON THE OTHER HAND BOASTS OF THE BIGGEST ,0' STORAGE FACILITY IN THE COUNTRY SITUATED IN #ALACA "ATANGAS )T RECENTLY OPENED ANOTHER PLANT IN -ANDAUE #EBU PROVINCE THE FIRST OF ITS PLANNED SEVEN TERMINALS IN THE 6IS-IN AREA g7E ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT A SURGE OF BUSINESS WILL BE GENERATED WITH THE OPENING OF 30) S NEW PLANTS IN 3OUTHERN 0HILIPPINES u 'OLINGAY FURTHER NOTED 30) FOUNDER PARTY LIST 2EP !RNEL

4Y ,0'-! ADDED THAT 30) WOULD CONTINUE TO IMPROVE ITS LOGISTICS TO BETTER SERVE THE COMPANY S GROWING ROSTER OF CLIENTS !LREADY CORNERING MORE THAN PERCENT MARKET SHARE OR A THIRD OF THE 0HILIPPINE S ,0' MARKET OF MILLION METRIC TONS IN JUST THREE YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY 30) IS AGGRESSIVELY ACCELERATING GROWTH THROUGH RELIABLE SUPPLY AND COMPETITIVE PRICING TO ITS CUSTOMER BASE 0RESENT DURING THE CONTRACT SIGNING WERE 30) FOUNDER 2EP !RNEL 4Y 'OLINGAY AND 7ANHUA 0ETROCHEMICAL 9ANTAI #O ,TD S 'ENERAL -ANAGER ,I 9ONG AND !SSISTANT 'ENERAL -ANAGER ,IANG "IN 'OLINGAY IS OPTIMISTIC THAT A SURGE OF BUSINESS WILL BE GENERATED WITH THE OPENING OF 30) S NEW PLANTS IN 3OUTHERN 0HILIPPINES

Q LPG company South Pacific Inc., (SPI) recently signed up Wanhua Chemical Group as its new supplier to ensure reliability of supplies in the country’s biggest LPG facility. Present during the contract signing were SPI Founder Rep. Arnel Ty, Wanhua Petrochemical (Yantai) Co., Ltd.’s General Manager Li Yong and SPI President Iñigo Golingay, Jr.

MAP urges govt: Issue order to protect Laguna Lake 4(% GOVERNMENT SHOULD ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER MANDATING NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF ,AGUNA ,AKE ONE OF THE COUNTRY S MAJOR WATER RESERVOIRS THE -ANAGEMENT !SSOCIATION OF THE 0HILIPPINES -!0 SAID g4HE PUBLIC MUST BE WARNED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL STRICTLY ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS THAT PROHIBIT UNDER PAIN OF PENALTY THE DUMPING OF WASTE INTO THE LAKE 0OLLUTING INDUSTRIES SUCH AS FACTORIES kSH CULTURE POULTRY AND LIVESTOCK FARMS MUST BE STRICTLY REGULATED AND RESTRICTED TO A SUSTAINABLE LEVEL u -!0 SAID IN A STATEMENT ON 7EDNESDAY 4HE BUSINESS ORGANIZATION SAID THAT THE WATER QUALITY HAS BEEN DEGRADING DESPITE EFFORTS TO CLEAN

UP THE LAKE AS gNEGLECT AND WANTON DISREGARD FOR ;ITS= WELL BEINGu ARE STILL EVIDENT !PART FROM THE BODY OF WATER ITSELF -!0 ALSO CALLED ON FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE FOREST COVER OF ,AGUNA ,AKE S WATERSHED IN THE SURROUNDING HILLS AND MOUNTAINS THROUGH REFORESTATION 4HIS AFTER SHUTTING DOWN "ORACAY )SLAND FOR SIX MONTHS TO MAKE WAY FOR REHABILITATION WHICH -!0 SAID YIELDED gPOSITIVE RESULTS EVEN AFTER JUST A BRIEF PERIOD u g7ATER SECURITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT ARE MAJOR CONCERNS OF -!0 )T IS FOR THESE REASONS THAT -!0 URGES AN IMMEDIATE EFFORT

BY THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT TOGETHER WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO CLEAN CONSERVE REJUVENATE AND PRESERVE ,AGUNA ,AKE AND ITS WA-

TERSHED u THE BUSINESS GROUP SAID 6ESSELS WHICH ARE POWERED BY FOSSIL FUELS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PASS THROUGH THE LAKE -!0 URGED

TO LESSEN THE SOURCE OF POLLUTION )T SUGGESTED THAT ONLY VESSELS THAT ARE USING CLEAN ENERGY SUCH AS ELECTRIC OR NATURAL GAS BE ALLOWED .O STRUCTURES OR DEVELOPMENTS SHALL BE ESTABLISHED WITHIN NO BUILD ZONE FROM THE HIGH WATER MARK TO MAKE SPACE FOR PUBLIC RECREATION IT ADDED 4HE 4OURISM DEPARTMENT WAS URGED BY -!0 TO gPLAN DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT ECO TOURISM PROJECTS TO FULLY EXPLOIT THE LAKE S POTENTIAL u 4HE "IODIVERSITY -ANAGEMENT "UREAU MEANWHILE WAS ASKED TO RECOMMEND PUBLIC RECREATIONAL PARKS THAT COULD BE ESTABLISHED within the area.

g,AGUNA ,AKE IS THE LARGEST FRESHWATER LAKE IN OUR COUNTRY AND AMONG THE LARGEST IN 3OUTHEAST !SIA )T IS AN IDEAL AND LOGICAL SOURCE OF POTABLE WATER AND HAS A VAST POTENTIAL FOR ECO TOURISM u IT SAID 4HE BUSINESS GROUP ALSO URGED 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE TO INSTRUCT THE 4RANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE LAKE FERRY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ALLOWING THE EASE OF CONNECTIVITY AMONG THE TOWNS AND CITIES AROUND THE LAKE -!0 INVITED THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND CIVIL GROUPS TO PARTICIPATE IN A BID TO PROTECT THE ,AGUNA ,AKE g,ET THE 3AVE ,AGUNA ,AKE -OVEMENT BE THE MODEL FOR THE PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION OF ALL OUR FRESHWATER LAKES AND REPLICATED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY u TYRONE C. PIAD

˜˜ The Sunday Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Latest hack further erodes Bitcoin mythos O

. 4UESDAY 4AIWAN BASED "INANCE ONE OF THE WORLD S LARGEST CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGES AND CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE ANNOUNCED THAT HACKERS HAD STOLEN BITCOINS ‡ AT THE TIME WORTH ABOUT MILLION ‡ WITHDRAWING THE LOT IN A SINGLE TRANSACTION THE EXCHANGE DROLLY DESCRIBED AS gA LARGE SCALE SECURITY BREACH u #RYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGE ROBBERIES HAVE OCCURRED WITH SUCH FREQUENCY AND AT SUCH A SCALE THAT BEN THE "INANCE HACK ONLY QUALIFIES AS THE SIXTH LARGEST IN HISTORY SO FAR KRITZ )N THE PAST FIVE YEARS HACKERS HAVE MADE OFF WITH AN ESTIMATED BILLION IN "ITCOIN /THER NOTABLE THEFTS INCLUDE THE -T 'OX EXCHANGE COLLAPSE MILLION IN WHAT WAS PROBABLY AN INSIDE JOB THE "ITFINEX HEIST MILLION AND LAST YEAR THE ROBBERY OF AN ASTONISHING MILLION IN DIGITAL COINS FROM THE #OINCHECK EXCHANGE 7HAT SURPRISED CRYPTOFANATICS ABOUT THE "INANCE HACK IS THAT THE EXCHANGE WAS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST SECURE )TS SYSTEMS ARE SETUP TO DETECT UNUSUAL ACTIVITY THAT MAY BE A PRECURSOR TO A HACKING ATTEMPT 4HE HACKERS IN THIS CASE HOWEVER WERE ABLE TO DISGUISE THEIR MOVEMENTS IN THE SYSTEM AS ORDINARY INNOCENT TRANSACTIONS UNTIL THE VERY END AND AVOIDED TRIGGERING ANY ALARMS 4O "INANCE S CREDIT IT DID AT LEAST LEARN SOMETHING FROM PREVIOUS EXCHANGE ATTACKS AND HAD IMPLEMENTED A COUPLE OF MEASURES TO BETTER RECOVER FROM A ROBBERY EVEN IF IT PROVED NO BETTER AT STOPPING ONE THAN ANYONE ELSE /NLY ABOUT PERCENT OF THE BITCOINS HELD BY THE EXCHANGE WERE IN ITS gHOT WALLETu A REPOSITORY ACCESSIBLE ONLINE AND THE EXCHANGE HAS BEEN DIVERTING A PORTION OF ITS PROFITS TO A USER RECOVERY FUND AS A FORM OF INSURANCE 4HE EXCHANGE WILL LOSE MONEY OF COURSE BUT IT WILL AT LEAST BE ABLE TO RESTORE ITS CUSTOMERS FUNDS 4HE THEFT WAS BAD ENOUGH BUT "INANCE #%/ #HENGPENG :HAO FURTHER ROILED THE CRYPTOWORLD BY SUGGESTING THAT THE BLOCKCHAIN ‡ THE DISTRIBUTED PUBLIC LEDGER THAT CONTAINS A RECORD OF EVERY "ITCOIN TRANSACTION EVER MADE AND ESSENTIALLY GIVES INDIVIDUAL BITCOINS THEIR VALUE BY CONFIRMING THEIR EXISTENCE ‡ COULD SIMPLY BE gREORGANIZED u 4HIS WOULD INVOLVE ENLISTING A MAJORITY OF "ITCOIN gMINERSu TO REWRITE THE TRANSACTION HISTORY INVOLVING THE STOLEN BITCOINS AS THE INCENTIVE FOR THE MINERS TO DO THIS THE BITCOINS WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BACK TO THE MINERS RATHER THAN BEING RETURNED TO THE EXCHANGE "INANCE WOULD STILL HAVE TO BITE THE BULLET ON RESTORING CUSTOMER FUNDS BUT AT LEAST THE THIEVES WOULD BE PREVENTED FROM ENJOYING THEIR ILL GOTTEN GAINS 4O MOST PEOPLE THIS IDEA WAS CONSIDERED A RECIPE FOR ECONOMIC DISASTER

AND A COMPLETE HERESY AGAINST THE IDEA THAT THE BLOCKCHAIN IS AN IMMUTABLE RECORD :HAO EVENTUALLY WITHDREW THE SUGGESTION "Y EVEN MAKING THE SUGGESTION HOWEVER :HAO MAY HAVE OPENED ANOTHER 0ANDORA S BOX 4HE SUPPOSED PERMANENCE OF THE BLOCKCHAIN HAS ALWAYS BEEN ITS BIGGEST SELLING POINT BUT THE FACT IS

THERE IS NOTHING INHERENTLY IRREVERSIBLE ABOUT IT #RYPTOCURRENCY BLOCKCHAIN HAD BEEN MODIFIED IN THE PAST IN WHEN MILLION WORTH OF %THEREUM WAS STOLEN FROM THE NOW DEFUNCT $!/ SMART CONTRACT AND IN ON THE SMALL 6ERICOIN BLOCKCHAIN AFTER HACKERS LIFTED MILLION WORTH OF TOKENS ! BLOCKCHAIN S PERMANENCE IS WHOLLY A MATTER OF CONSENSUS AMONG MINERS WHO CONkRM TRANSACTIONS AND ASSEMBLE THEM INTO NEW BLOCKS IN THE CHAIN )F THERE IS A CONlICT SUCH AS TWO DIFFERENT TRANSACTIONS THAT CAN BE TRACED TO ONE COMMON ONE A STEP EARLIER IN THE CHAIN

WHICHEVER ONE A MAJORITY OF MINERS DECIDE IS CORRECT IS THE ONE ACCEPTED )F ONE CAN CONTROL OR GAIN THE COOPERATION OF PERCENT OF THE MINING POWER THE BLOCKCHAIN CAN BE ALTERED "ECAUSE THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF MINERS IT IS CONSIDERED VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO gHIJACKu THE NETWORK BUT THIS MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE TRUE -INERS ORGANIZE THEMSELVES INTO POOLS THAT ACT AS SINGLE LARGE UNITS AND THE kVE LARGEST OF THESE CONTROL BETWEEN AND PERCENT OF THE TOTAL MINING POWER !NY FOUR OF THESE kVE ACTING TOGETHER WOULD FORM A MAJORITY THAT COULD CONTROL THE ENTIRE BLOCKCHAIN 7ITH EACH NEW EMBARRASSMENT THE LAZY UNDERLYING PHILOSOPHY OF "ITCOIN ‡ THAT VALUE CAN BE CREATED OUT OF THIN AIR ON THE BASIS OF PEOPLE S OPINION OF IT ‡ ERODES A LITTLE MORE $ESPITE BEING AMONG SOME OF THE BRIGHTEST MINDS ON THE PLANET "ITCOIN FANATICS HAVE NEVER SEEMED TO GRASP THE AXIOM THAT HACKING TECHNOLOGY IS NEVER LESS SOPHISTICATED THAN MEASURES AGAINST IT AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT IS SUPERIOR #ONTINUAL OBJECT LESSONS THAT "ITCOIN S PRESUMED ATTRIBUTES ‡ ANONYMITY AND VALUE BASED ON A CONSENSUS BASED LEDGER ‡ ARE ACTUALLY ITS BIGGEST WEAKNESSES DO NOT SEEM TO MAKE A DENT IN THE STUBBORN ADHERENCE TO THE CONCEPT 4HE REASON FOR THAT IS CLEAR ENOUGH ALTHOUGH THE IRONY OF IT ESCAPES MOST PEOPLE 4OO MUCH REAL MONEY HAS BEEN SUNK INTO IT TO TURN BACK NOW AND THE ONLY THING THAT WILL BRING ON ITS INEVITABLE OVERDUE END WILL BE AN UTTER CATASTROPHE

ROUGH TRADE

BEN KRITZ MANILATIMES NET

Tragic family feuds

O

WNERSHIP is a right of possession. Stewardship IS A kDUCIARY ROLE )T IS HOLDING THE INSTITUTION IN gTRUST FORu THE NEXT GENERATION 7E FEEL AS A FAMILY THAT THIS INSTITUTION HAS BEEN PASSED ON TO US FOR OUR CARE AND NOT FOR US TO DISSIPATE OR DO WHAT WE WILL WITH IT FOR OUR PERSONAL GAIN !CCORDING TO THE &AMILY "USINESS )NSTITUTE ONLY PERCENT OF &AMILY "USINESS ORGANIZATIONS LAST INTO THE SECOND GENERATION

PERCENT REMAIN VIABLE INTO THE THIRD AND PERCENT OPERATE INTO THE FOURTH GENERATION OR BEYOND &AMILY FEUDS ALL OVER THE WORLD HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT MONEY

LOTS OF MONEY !LTHOUGH ESTATE FIGHTS ARE COMMONLY PERCEIVED TO BE JUST ABOUT MONEY THERE IS ALMOST ALWAYS MORE TO A FAMILY WAR THAN JUST THE MONEY -ANY ESTATE DISPUTES ARE SEWN BY THE SEEDS OF JEALOUSY GREED THIRST FOR CONTROL BITTERNESS HATRED AND

FAMILIES IN BUSINESS PROF. ENRIQUE SORIANO HURT FEELINGS RESULTING FROM REAL OR PERCEIVED PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT

BY A PARENT ,ET ME SHARE ACTUAL CONlICTS BETWEEN WARRING FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ENDED IN CHAOS Murder of Sibling. In a RapPLER REPORT THAT CAME OUT ALMOST A MONTH AGO THE POLICE POINTED TO THE SLAIN BUSINESSMAN $OMINIC 3YTIN S OWN BROTHER AS THE MASTERMIND IN HIS KILLING .O LESS THAN THE .ATIONAL 0OLICE #HIEF $IRECTOR 'ENERAL /SCAR !LBAYALDE SAID THERE WAS A gDIRECT LINKu BETWEEN THE ALLEGED GUNMAN WHO WAS ARRESTED %DGARDO ,UIB AND $OMINIC S YOUNGER BROTHER $ENNIS 3YTIN 4HE 0.0 #HIEF WENT FURTHER

BY SAYING THAT gTHIS HIGH PROkLE

MURDER OF $OMINIC 3YTIN WAS APPARENTLY MOTIVATED BY RIVALRY AMONG CORPORATE SIBLINGS AND CARRIED OUT THROUGH A GUN FOR HIRE CONTRACT WITH A HITMAN u 3YTIN WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN THE EVENING OF .OVEMBER AS HE STEPPED OUT OF THE ,IGHTHOUSE (OTEL INSIDE THE 3UBIC "AY &REEPORT :ONE (E WAS ACKNOWLEDGED AS THE FOUNDER #%/ AND PRESIDENT OF 5NITED !UCTIONEERS )NC 5!)

A LEADING COMPANY ENGAGED IN THE IMPORTATION OF SECONDHAND VEHICLES 4HE FAMILY IS ALSO THE EXCLUSIVE 0HILIPPINE DISTRIBUTOR OF &OTON -OTORS Ilusorio Family. ! VERY BITTER AND PUBLIC SQUABBLE AMONGST SIBLINGS PITTING ONE SIDE %RLINDA )LUSORIO "ILDNER -AXIMO )LUSORIO AND 3YLVIA )LUSORIO 9AP AGAINST THE GROUP OF 2AMON )LUSORIO

-ARIETTA )LUSORIO AND 3HEREEN )LUSORIO 4HE SIBLINGS ACCUSED EACH OTHER OF MURDERING THEIR FATHER OR MANIPULATING HIS LAST WILL AND

TESTAMENT TO GAIN CONTROL OVER HIS ESTATE 4HE FEUD DRAGGED FOR MORE THAN YEARS AND CLOGGED THE COURT SYSTEM WITH MORE THAN LEGAL SUITS AND COUNTER SUITS Manila Cosmos Aerated Factory. )T IS A BEVERAGE COMPANY STARTED BY 7ONG .ING IN AND SUCCESSFULLY STEERED BY THE SECOND GENERATION ONLY TO COLLAPSE IN THE THIRD GENERATION DUE TO THE SUDDEN DEATH OF THE PATRIARCH AND THE LACK OF SUCCESSION PLANNING 4HIS LED TO A POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE UNCLES AND THE COUSINS ENDING WITH A SELL OUT TO THE 2&- 'ROUP #OSMOS WOULD HAVE CELEBRATED THEIR TH YEAR LAST YEAR 4HE THIRD GENERATION LEADER 0ROF $ANNY 7ONG "ARRENECHEA IS ONE OF 7 " S &AMILY "USINESS ADVISOR &OUNDERS AND BUSINESS LEADERS NEED NOT GO THROUGH THE SAME PERIODS OF ADVERSITY 4O PRESERVE THEIR WEALTH THEY MUST INITIATE GOVERNANCE AND SUCCESSION AT THE ONSET AND NOT WHEN THEY ARE OLD

SICKLY AND DYING )MAGINE THE BENEkT HAD THE COMPANY MASTERED THE ART AND SCIENCE OF GOVERNANCE

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESSION PRACTICES )MAGINE THE ENORMOUS REWARDS HAD GOVERNANCE BEEN REINFORCED WITH A SHARED VISION SUPPORTED WITH POWERFUL VALUES THAT THE FOUNDER PASSED ON TO THE next generation. )MAGINE LEGACY BUILDING BENEFITS HAD THE FOUNDER PUT IN motion the training of the next GENERATION LEADERS SO THEY CAN WHOLEHEARTEDLY EMBRACE THE VALUE OF FAIRNESS AND MERITOCRACY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING DECISIONS BASED ON gWHAT IS GOOD FOR THE COMPANY u 4HE REAL CHALLENGE FOR FOUNDERS AND LEADERS IS THIS -AKE EVERY FAMILY MEMBER UNDERSTAND EARLY ON THE IMPORTANT CONCEPT OF STEWardship rather than ownership.

(OW "Y ESPOUSING OPEN

HONEST TRANSPARENT COMMUNICA-

TION AND BY LEARNING FROM CENTURIES OLD FAMILY OWNED BUSINESSES WHO HAVE DEkED THE ODDS WENT THROUGH ROUGH PATCHES IN THE SECOND GENERATION SUMMONED EXTRAORDINARY STRENGTH TO GET THINGS RIGHT AND DEFTLY OVERCOMING THE THIRD GENERATION CURSE 'OVERNANCE AND 3UCCESSION IS NON NEGOTIABLE )T IS YOUR WONDERFUL GIFT TO THE NEXT GENERATIONÜ

0ROF %NRIQUE 3ORIANO IS A 7ORLD "ANK )&# 'OVERNANCE #ONSULTANT

SENIOR ADVISOR OF 0OST AND 0OWELL 3INGAPORE AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF 7ONG "ERNSTEIN &AMILY !DVISORY 'ROUP A RESEARCH AND CONSULTING kRM IN !SIA THAT SERVES FAMILY BUSINESSES AND FAMIL Y FOUNDATIONS (E WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETING CLUSTER AT THE !TENEO 'RADUATE 3CHOOL OF "USINESS IN -ANILA AND IS CURRENTLY A VISITING SENIOR FELLOW OF THE )0-) )NTERNATIONAL 3CHOOL IN *AKARTA

The Sunday Times SUNDAY May 12, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Sunday Business & I.T.

B3

Survey: High data breach in 2018 C YBERSECURITY software developer ESET recently released the results from its ESET 2018 APAC Consumer Behavior Survey results. The results revealed that 58 percent of APAC respondents had experienced a data breach in the past 12 months. The top response for the type of breach that respondents suffered from the most was virus attacks at 25 percent.

Of the seven countries that were part of the ESET APAC Consumer Behavior Survey, Thailand had the highest occurrence of data breaches, with 44 percent of respondents attributing this to virus attacks. In addition, Thai nationals topped the charts when it came to spending time online, with 32 percent of respondents spending more than 10 hours a day on the internet. In comparison with the rest of the countries, only 13 percent of respondents spend more than 10 hours a day on the internet. “Like a double-edged sword, the evolutionary use of data comes hand-in-hand with cyberthreats, which are increasingly getting SOPHISTICATED /UR SURVEY kNDING SUGGESTS THAT CONSUMERS HAVE A SUPERkCIAL UNDERSTANDING OF cyberthreats. It is therefore imperative that con-

sumers are educated about the growing threats, and the steps they could take to protect themselves online as well as oflINE u SAID ,UKAS 2ASKA CHIEF OPERATING OFkCER FOR %3%4 !SIA 0ACIkC The survey was conducted to understand consumer’s behavior online, and their at-

titudes towards cybersecurity in light of the recent cases of data compromises. Several countries participated in the survey — Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Each country consisted of 2,000 respondents.

Overall, respondents were 52 percent male

and 48 percent female, with a majority aged between 18-24 years old, followed by the range of 25-34 years. “It is reassuring that 78 percent of APAC respondents have indicated that they would be open to receiving more information about cybersecurity. There

are various aspects of cybersecurity for everyone to learn from, whether you are a parent, online shopper, social media user, or a gamer. At the end of the day, by being more informed, consumers are better prepared to deal with the cyberthreats that they face in their daily lives,� said Lukas.

PH parents’ concern on childcare, return to work Fear and loathing

DESPITE a rise of flexible arrangements at the workplace, inadequate compensation and poor work-life balance are pushing an increasing number of Filipino professionals to quit their jobs, according to a new study by Monster.com.

Monster.com surveyed more than 2,000 professionals across Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines to understand the unique challenges and barriers both men and women face at work, particularly with regard to parental leave and work-life balance.

This survey was conducted for the third consecutive year as part of the #SheMakesItWork campaign in celebration and support of mothers in the workforce, or returning to work after having children

While an overwhelming 77 percent of Filipino professionals say that they have flexibility at their workplace, 50 percent still feel challenged in terms of striking an appropriate work-life balance, while 40 percent also feel inadequately compensated.

The same survey reveals an alarming number of both men (62 percent) and women (71 percent) planning to look for a new job within the next 12 months.

This is especially true of new parents — over half of moms (56 percent) and dads (53 percent) say they feel the pressure to provide for their family. Interestingly, more men in the Philippines (54 percent) than women (46 percent) claim to worry about getting the right childcare support, while

more women (64 percent) than men (61 percent) say they are only returning to work after having a baby only for financial reasons.

It cannot be denied that the bulk of parenting load falls upon women — and men are quick to acknowledge this. Sixty-three percent of male respondents recognize that their partners do most of the housework, and 61 percent admit their spouse spends significant time taking care of their children.

Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that a quarter of Filipino men (26 percent) say their partners don’t have enough time to relax and unwind. “It’s interesting to note that both men and women in the Philippines feel the same levels of concern

around raising a family and managing work. Gone are the days when the pressure of childcare used to fall on mothers alone — men are now beginning to step up and take equal ownership of family needs, which is a necessary step towards building an equality-based workforce,� said Abhijeet Mukherjee, chief executive of Monster.comAPAC & Gulf.

A significant number of working mothers (60 percent) in the Philippines also say that they find it emotionally difficult to leave their children at home while they head out to work. Most men (74 percent) agree that the desire to spend more time with their family is one of the main reasons why new mothers quit their jobs.

in the race to 5G technology 5

G promises a revolution. The next generation wireless technology after the current 4G is being proclaimed as the harbinger OF SUCH BENEkCIAL INNOVATIONS AS factory robots, driverless vehicles and remote surgery.

In the pursuit of such advantages, the race to be the first 5G-enabled nation is heating up the battle for global supremacy between the two most powerful countries in the world right now, US and China. It’s not actually a war, not even a cold one at that, but political analysts, mostly American pundits, make it sound like the loss of leadership in 5G development means WashingTON GETS TO PLAY SECOND kDDLE TO Beijing’s expansionist ambitions.

The present state of the competition between US and China is actually a battle of perception on who’s leading who. At the foreground is the fact that the SPECIkCATIONS STANDARDS GOVERNing 5G technology would still be kNALIZED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR China has set in place its “Made in China 2025� policy roadmap on which 5G is a key technological lynchpin to break into new areas for industrial growth. Reports say key Chinese cities are already gearing up for 5G connectivity with existing communications tower being tapped in tandem with erecting smaller new towers appropriate for 5G transmission.

It’s in hot pursuit of gaining competitive edge because 5G could finally break the dominance of the West in innovative telecoms technology. Kinder observers put this as an expression of relentless Chinese entrepreneurship on top of the prospect of UNIMAGINABLE REVENUE BONANZAS just as Apple or Microsoft has generated with the technological breakthroughs of their time.

The US isn’t actually falling BEHIND 6ERIZON HAS STARTED MARketing its own version of 5G wired broadband for homes and OFkCES !4 4 IS INTRODUCING MObile 5G services in 12 key cities, while Sprint and T-Mobile have announced rollout of their 5G networks by the third quarter of this year.

More than the absence of standards, America’s 5G initiative is burdened by the need to

TECH SPACE TONY MAGHIRANG build a lot more towers for the NEXT kVE YEARS TO TURN THE ENTIRE US of A into a 5G nation. Also, unlike China, the US would not reuse the spectrum band already allocated for 3G and 4G and plan to use instead a high frequency band which requires more cell sites. US carriers have to negotiate the installation of additional towers with each city and some urban centers aren’t keen on the idea.

The race for 5G supremacy between the two giant nations is tainted somewhat when the Trump administration blocked Huawei, now the world’s largest provider of telecommunications infrastructure equipment, from the US market. The US government has long suspected that Huawei could be used by Beijing TO SPY ON !MERICAN CITIZENS AND businesses. The longer perspective with respect to 5G supremacy is that America would have to turn to its homegrown network equipment providers such as Cisco and Juniper.

Talk about open economies Impartial observers aren’t impressed by the emerging “battle for global domination.� They argue that the potentials of 4G have yet to reach those who need quick connection most — the poor, the disadvantaged and people in remote areas. Also, 5G technology would begin to become widespread by 2025 by which time plans for 6G would BE BUILDING UP FOR ROLL OUT kVE years hence. What’s up with that?

Let us further contend for the Philippines. Driverless vehicles in TRAFkC ON THE BRINK OF CARMAGEDdon? Factory robots when human jobs are hard to come by? Remote surgery in a land still hounded by TB, dengue and malaria?

Change brought about by technological innovation is accelerating. Here’s hoping the greater public good doesn’t fall by the wayside.

Sunday Business & I.T.

B4

SUNDAY MAY 12, 2019

www manilatimes.net

Editor: Jing Garcia

BPO, gaming important industries in PH – IBM exec A

BY ARIC JOHN SY CUA

N EXECUTIVE from technology giant IBM said the business process outsources (BPO) and gaming industries are important in cybersecurity in the Philippines.

Malcolm Rowe, IBM business unit executive for Southeast Asia, said in a roundtable discussion earlier this week that the BPO and gaming industries are “big investors� to Philippine cybersecurity, investments, services, and activities. “The BPO industry is a global busiNESS AND IT S A SIGNIkCANT CONTRIBUTOR TO [Philippine] big business,� Rowe said. “It’s a critical global industry and it is highly vulnerable to a bit down because it is 24/7, depends on the internet and huge amounts of ports of entry. That’s AN AREA WHICH HAS INVESTED SIGNIkCANTLY in cybersecurity services and cybersecurity software and continues to do so for the obvious reasons.�

Rowe also pointed that gaming, the other industry, is subject to software attack as gaming is an object of attack for ransomware, exploitation or just pure theft.�

The response to cybersecurity attacks is that there are already good investors in cybersecurity, response, detection, proTECTION AND RECOVERY ALONG WITH kNANCIAL services, infrastructure, and government, the IBM executive said.

The Philippines is ranked 37th out of COUNTRIES IN THE 5NITED .Ations Global Cybersecurity Index and 58th out of 175 countries in a 2018 index by the International TelecommuNICATION 5NION

Lazada O2O: The new online shopping experience LAZADA is bringing fashion to everyday consumers in the Philippines, connecting brands and sellers, e-commerce and entertainMENT IN ITS kRST EVER gSEE NOW buy-now� fashion show.

The May 17 mega-event will KICK OFF ,AZADA 0HILIPPINES kRST ever three-day Women’s Festival, which runs until May 19, during which shoppers can choose from over 50,000 new styles and enjoy deals of with up to 90 percent off.

The “see now, buy now� fashion

W

E must not just vote. We must use all our powers as social media users to encourage others to vote and to guard the vote.

Today, familiarize the look of your ballot by trying out the template (http://www. comelec.gov.ph/?r=2019NLE/ BallotFaceTemplates) of your district for the National and Local Elections (NLE) on May 13, 2019. The template at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) website displays the names of candidates aspiring for a seat in the Senate and House of Representatives, party-list groups, and local government candidates of your district. Complete the list of candidates you would vote for.

Base your choice for local government candidates and the party list on platforms for the marginalized sector and not just on their desire for political power. Vote for an independent Senate who could say “No,

show held at the The Atrium of Eastwood Mall, leverages on the cutting edge in-app live streaming technology and Lazada’s e-commerce platform. This will allow both fashion show attendees and customers to watch the event on their Lazada app and buy products or brands that they see real time on the fashion runway. Viewers may also get a chance to interact with INlUENCERS AND WIN SPECIAL PRIZES and collectible vouchers as they tune in live.

The event is among a series of moves by Lazada to combine shopping and entertainment as the e-commerce platform spearheads Shoppertainment in Southeast Asia. “Lazada continues to be the game-changer by revolutionizing the way consumers get access to and shop for their fashion wants and needs. With see-now-buynow, we are bringing together the best of our technology, fashion assortment, entertainment to better engage Filipinos and offer-

ing them a one-of-a-kind multisensory shopping,� said Jason Huan, Lazada Philippines chief MARKETING OFkCER The Philippines, being the social media capital of the world, makes it the best market for Lazada to drive its shoppertainment thrust.

With daily in-app livestreams, games and an upcoming “see-nowbuy-now� fashion show, this is just the beginning of many engaging features the eCommerce platform will rollout soon for its customers.

DTI pushes for stronger IP protection THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is gearing up to strengthen intellectual property (IP) protection in the country amid efforts from both public and private sectors to establish a robust creative economy. “What we are trying to do now is to come up with our own IP assets ‌ One vital factor is the presence of intellectual property protection,â€? DTI Export Marketing Bureau Assistant Director Anthony Rivera said in a recent interview.

The Creative Economy Roadmap, which is currently under a DTI review, aims to develop five sectors — development and design.

The roadmap eyes the Philippines to be the top creative economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) region by 2030 “in terms of size and value of our creative industries, as well as the competitiveness and attractiveness of our creative talent and content in international markets.�

While the creative sector was considered to have wide scope, it was limited to areas where an IP seal could be issued.

Rivera said that DTI, along with other involved agencies, was working with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to raise awareness on the matter. “We are working with IPOPHL on the processing. IPOPHL is bound with international standard processing time,� he said. “What we are trying to really [achieve] is to help those who produce IP assets to

be protected under IP [so they can sell their] IP assets,� Rivera continued.

By 2030, the roadmap aims to have at least five smart cities — Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Intramuros, Bicol and Cebu, and more than 10 special economic zones for all creative clusters.

The roadmap was in line with the memorandum of understanding inked in December last year between DTI, Creative Economy Council of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and Arts and the British Council to create collaboration in crafting and implementing programs to boost the Philippine creative economy.

It covers six cultural domains: cultural and natural heritage; performance and celebration; visual arts and artisan products; books and press; audio-visual, broadcast and interactive media; and creative services. Other related domains were tourism and sports and recreation.

A technical working group — comprising Department of Tourism, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority — was established to come up with “more specific strategy in addressing common issues.�

According to IPOPHL, local and foreign IP filings rose 15 percent to 44,461 in 2018 from 38,801 applications on the previous year as outputs from creative and scientific sectors increased.

TYRONE C. PIAD

who make a mistake. You can feed the ballot into the machine any way you want. If the receipt doesn’t match what you remember of your vote, you could lodge a complaint before the BEI. You could help cover the conduct of the elections in your respective precincts. Join election monitoring through the nonpartisan poll watchdog, Kontra Daya (Against Fraud). BlogWatch (blogwatch.tv), including myself, have collaborated with Kontra Daya (kontradaya. org) since the 2010 elections with the focus on Grassroots Engagement and Election Monitoring. While taking photos inside the precincts is prohibited by law, one can use mobile phones discreetly to capture vote-buying, illegal campaigning and similar incidents. One could report incidents on vote-buying, harassment, illegal campaigning, malfunctioning VCM and Voters’ 2EGISTRATION 6ERIkCATION -ACHINE Procedure Complaint. Reports must include: time of incident,

location (Polling Center, Municipality, and Province), a detailed report, and photo (if sent online). Hotline number is 09184058441. Netizens need to use hashtags #KontraDaya and #VoteReportPH and tag Kontra Daya online through facebook.com/kontra. daya and twitter.com/kontradaya. One can also email kontradaya@gmail.com or tag me at @momblogger on twitter with #juanvote hashtag.

Do your part to keep our elections clean by educating yourself about the voting process and keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity. Get to the polls tomorrow and vote for an independent senate.

You can also communicate with Comelec through their social media network https:// www.facebook.com/RadyoComelec/ and https://twitter. com/radyocomelec. For Voters’ education, please visit blogwatch.tv.

Go out and vote!

LET’S TALK #SOCIAL NOEMI LARDIZABAL-DADO Mr. President� to issues such as Charter Change that will allow Chinese state and enterprises and other foreigners to own our land and control industries. We need people who would never sell our beloved country and who would defend our territories and marine resources. The website, iboto.ph lists the more progressive Senate candidates.

You could search for your precinct online at the Comelec Precinct finder (Link at #PrecinctFinder on twitter). If the online site is down, an alternative way of knowing your precinct number beforehand is to visit your identikED SCHOOL OR VOTING CENTER AND GO through the list of registered voters posted there.

On the day of the election,

bring a valid identification card along with a list of your chosen candidates. Voting starts 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Voters can look for their name at the Posted Computerized Voters List (PCVL) near the door of the voting center to determine their precinct number and sequence number. The voter will provide this information to the Bureau of Election Inspector (BEI).

What changed from the past three automated elections? Comelec Resolution10522 lists 14 areas for the pilot testing of the Voters’ 2EGISTRATION 6ERIkCATION -ACHINE (VRVM). The VRVMs make use of LIVE kNGERPRINT SCANNING TECHNOLogy to go through a voter’s identity and if registered in a certain precinct. The scanning technology replaces the Comelec old system, where election inspectors check out the voters’ names on a list of REGISTERED VOTERS /NCE VERIkED BY THE 626- IT WOULD PRINT A VERIkCAtion receipt out. Poll clerks would issue a receipt, in order for you to

get a ballot, ballot secrecy folder and a marking pen from the chairman of the BEI. Each ballot has a unique QR (Quick Response) code. A video circulating last week on a preshaded ballot is false. Comelec CLARIkED THAT 56 MARKS WERE NOT ADDED ON ANY OVAL OF THE OFkCIAL ballots and even if there were, the VCM would not read them.

No need to bring a pen since precincts have their own marking pens. Voters need to shade the circle beside the name of the candidate of their choice. The shading threshold is 25 percent, meaning that vote counting machines (VCM) would only count the vote if the voter shaded a quarter of the oval.

Remember, you can abstain or vote less than the maximum number of candidates listed beside each position. Voting over the maximum number could invalidate your vote. Every voter receives only ONE ballot. BEI would give no replacement ballots to voters

World Trump cool on NKorea missile tests W

The Sunday Times

SUNDAY

w w w.manilatimes.net

ASHINGTON, D.C.: North Korean missile launches over the past week have not affected Donald Trump’s relationship with Kim Jong Un, the US president said on Friday (Saturday in Manila), in a change of course after initially expressing his dissatisfaction.

0YONGYANG kRED TWO SHORT RANGE MISSILES ON 4HURSDAY FOLLOWING AN EARLIER DRILL THE PREVIOUS 3ATURDAY ‡ THE kRST IN MONTHS 4HE .ORTH HAD NOT LAUNCHED ANY MISSILES SINCE .OVEMBER

SHORTLY BEFORE ONCE RECLUSIVE +IM EMBARKED ON DIPLOMATIC OVERTURES

g) DON T CONSIDER THAT A BREACH OF TRUST AT ALL !ND YOU KNOW AT SOME POINT ) MAY "UT AT THIS POINT NO u 4RUMP SAID IN AN INTERVIEW WITH 0OLITICO g4HESE WERE SHORT RANGE MIS SILES AND VERY STANDARD STUFF 6ERY STANDARD u 4WENTY FOUR HOURS EARLIER

HOWEVER 4RUMP SHOWED HIS IR RITATION AND IMPATIENCE ON AN ISSUE WHERE HE HOPES TO SUCCEED WHILE ALL HIS PREDECESSORS ‡ 2E PUBLICANS AND $EMOCRATS ‡ HAVE FAILED g.OBODY S HAPPY ABOUT IT u HE TOLD REPORTERS IN REACTION TO THE LAUNCHES g7E LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS u 4RUMP ADDED g) KNOW THEY WANT TO NEGOTIATE THEY RE TALKING ABOUT NEGOTIATING "UT ) DON T THINK THEY ARE READY TO NEGOTIATE u 7ILL THE 53 PRESIDENT AT SOME POINT LOSE FAITH IN +IM (E HAS MET TWICE WITH THE .ORTH +OREAN LEADER AND CLAIMED THAT THE TWO HAVE A SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP AND EVEN gLOVE u

g) MEAN IT S POSSIBLE THAT AT 3INCE THEN +IM HAS ACCUSED SOME POINT ) WILL BUT RIGHT NOW 7ASHINGTON OF ACTING IN gBAD NOT AT ALL u HE TOLD 0OLITICO FAITHu AND GIVEN IT UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR TO CHANGE ITS AP ‘Undiminished threat’ PROACH .ORTH +OREA S 2ODONG 3INMUN 4HE FIRST FACE TO FACE HISTORIC NEWSPAPER THE MOUTHPIECE OF MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO MEN IN THE RULING PARTY DEVOTED ITS ENTIRE *UNE IN 3INGAPORE PRODUCED FRONT PAGE AND HALF OF PAGE TWO ONLY A VAGUE STATEMENT ABOUT TO THE LAUNCH ON &RIDAY WITH DENUCLEARIZATION ALLOWING BOTH PICTURES THE MAIN ONE OF +IM SIDES TO MAKE VERY DIFFERENT INTER WATCHING THE LAUNCH FROM A CAM PRETATIONS OF IT OUlAGED SHELTER &EBRUARY S SECOND SUMMIT

$ESPITE RECENT THREATS BY THE IN (ANOI BROKE UP WITHOUT A .ORTH TO SEEK A NEW PATH THE DEAL AFTER THEY FAILED TO AGREE NATURE AND PRESENTATION OF THE ON WHAT 0YONGYANG WOULD BE TWO RECENT LAUNCHES DEMONSTRATE WILLING TO GIVE UP IN EXCHANGE THAT 0YONGYANG DOES NOT INTEND FOR SANCTIONS RELIEF TO WALK AWAY FROM TALKS ANY TIME

May 12, 2019

C1

SOON ANALYSTS SAY /N &RIDAY AT THE 5NITED .ATIONS

COUNTRIES URGED .ORTH +OREA TO SCRAP ITS NUCLEAR WEAPONS BALLISTIC MISSILES AND RELATED PROGRAMS DE CRYING THE gUNDIMINISHED THREATu POSED TO WORLD PEACE 3IGNATORIES INCLUDED THE 5NITED 3TATES AND 3OUTH +OREA AS WELL AS NATIONS IN !SIA ,ATIN !MERICA

!FRICA AND %UROPE 2USSIA AND #HINA SUPPORTERS OF 0YONGYANG DID NOT SIGN THE DOCU MENT DRAFTED BY &RANCE !CCORDING TO A DIPLOMATIC SOURCE ABOUT COUNTRIES ASKED TO SIGN ON TO THE REQUEST FOR .ORTH +OREAN DISARMAMENT AFTER THE NEW MISSILE kRINGS AFP

HONG KONG EXTRADITION ROW SPARKS PARLIAMENT SCUFFLES HONG KONG: !NGER OVER (ONG +ONG S CONTROVERSIAL PLANS TO AL LOW EXTRADITIONS TO THE #HINESE MAINLAND BOILED OVER IN THE CITY S LEGISLATURE ON 3ATURDAY AS RIVAL LAWMAKERS SCUFFLED WITH EACH OTHER IN CHAOTIC SCENES 4HE LEGISLATIVE MEETING ON THE GOVERNMENT S DISPUTED EXTRADITION BILL WAS ORIGINALLY CHAIRED BY PRO DEMOCRACY LAWMAKER *AMES 4O

BUT THE PRO "EIJING CAMP EARLIER THIS WEEK FORCIBLY UNSEATED 4O AND REPLACED HIM WITH THEIR CHOICE OF CHAIRMAN !BRAHAM 3HEK 2ANCOR BETWEEN THE TWO PO LITICAL CAMPS EXPLODED WITH RIVAL LAWMAKERS SHOUTING AND TUSSLING AMIDST A DENSE PACK OF REPORTERS

AS PRO DEMOCRACY LAWMAKERS TRIED TO SEIZE THE MICROPHONE AND STOP THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE LEGISLATURE FROM CONTROLLING THE MEETING 0RO DEMOCRACY LAWMAKER 'ARY &AN COLLAPSED AND WAS CARRIED OUT FROM THE CHAMBER ON A STRETCHER

WHILE OTHERS FROM THE PRO "EIJING CAMP CLAIMED THEY WERE WOUNDED g7E COULDN T POSSIBLY AGREE TO THE SUGGESTION THAT OUR MEETING CHAIRED BY *AMES 4O SHOULD BE SUSPENDED IN ANY WAY BECAUSE IT IS COMPLETELY CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL u PRO DEMOCRACY LAWMAKER #LAUDIA -O SAID AFTER THE MEETING "UT PRO "EIJING LAWMAKER 3HEK INSISTED IT IS gLEGALu FOR HIM TO HOST THE MEETING (ONG +ONG S GOVERNMENT IS PUSHING A BILL THROUGH THE CITY S LEGISLATURE WHICH WOULD ALLOW CASE BY CASE EXTRADITIONS TO ANY JURISDICTIONS IT DOESN T HAVE AN ALREADY AGREED TREATY WITH IN CLUDING MAINLAND #HINA -ACAU AND 4AIWAN 4HE PLAN HAS SPARKED HUGE PROTESTS AND MOUNTING ALARM WITHIN THE CITY S BUSINESS AND LEGAL COMMUNITIES‡AS WELL AS FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS ‡WHO FEAR IT WILL HAMMER THE SEMI AUTONOMOUS k

NANCIAL HUB S INTERNATIONAL APPEAL AND TANGLE PEOPLE UP IN #HINA S COURT SYSTEM (ISTORICALLY (ONG +ONG HAS BALKED AT MAINLAND EXTRADITIONS BECAUSE OF THE OPACITY OF #HINA S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ITS LIBERAL USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY 4ENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HIT THE STREETS LAST MONTH TO PROTEST AGAINST THE BILL "UT (ONG +ONG S PRO "EIJING GOVERNMENT HAS ARGUED THE BILL MUST BE PASSED QUICKLY TO STOP YEAR OLD RESIDENT #HAN 4ONG KAI EVADING JUSTICE FOR THE MURDER OF HIS GIRLFRIEND DURING A 6ALEN TINE S HOLIDAY IN 4AIPEI LAST YEAR #HAN ADMITTED TO (ONG +ONG POLICE THAT HE KILLED HIS PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND 0OON (IU WING ALSO FROM (ONG +ONG AND THEN lEW HOME 0OLICE WERE UNABLE TO CHARGE HIM FOR MURDER OR EXTRADITE HIM TO 4AIWAN BECAUSE NO AGREE MENT IS IN PLACE

CHAOS

Pro-democracy and proBeijing lawmakers scuffle in the chamber at Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Saturday, May 11, 2019. AP PHOTO 4AIWAN AUTHORITIES SAID ON &RI DAY THAT IT HAS NO INTENTION OF ASK ING (ONG +ONG TO RETURN A MURDER SUSPECT BECAUSE IT IS CONCERNED THAT (ONG +ONG S EXTRADITION LAW PUTS

ITS PEOPLE AT RISK OF BEING SNATCHED BY #HINA #HIU #HUI CHENG DEPUTY MIN ISTER OF 4AIWAN S -AINLAND !FFAIRS #OUNCIL SAID 4AIWANESE PEOPLE

FEARED ENDING UP LIKE ,EE -ING CHE A DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST WHO DIS APPEARED ON A TRIP TO THE #HINESE MAINLAND AND WAS LATER JAILED FOR gSUBVERTING STATE POWER u AFP

Indonesian police hunt inmates after mass prison break HK to cull 6,000 pigs as first g0OLICE WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE DURING THE RIOTING THE LOCAL HEALTH JAKARTA: -ORE THAN INMATES SHOWED THE FACILITY ENGULFED IN ARMY AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITY OFkCE TOLD !GENCE &RANCE 0RESSE ESCAPED FROM AN )NDONESIAN JAIL ON lAMES swine fever case found !UTHORITIES LAUNCHED A MASSIVE ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR THE REST u *AILBREAKS ARE COMMON IN )N 3UMATRA ISLAND ON 3ATURDAY POLICE SAID IN THE LATEST BREAKOUT TO HIT THE COUNTRY S CREAKING PRISON SYSTEM 4HE PRISONERS lED THE JAIL IN 3IAK DISTRICT ON 3UMATRA ISLAND EARLY IN THE MORNING AFTER RIOTING AND A kRE BROKE OUT AT THE DETENTION CENTER &OOTAGE ON LOCAL 46 STATIONS

MANHUNT AND PRISONERS HAD BEEN RECAPTURED BY LATE MORNING

2IAU PROVINCE POLICE CHIEF 7IDODO %KO 0RIHASTOPO SAID $OZENS OF DETAINEES FROM A PRISON POPULATION OF MORE NEARLY REMAINED AT LARGE HE ADDED

0RIHASTOPO SAID 4HE RIOTING WAS TRIGGERED AFTER GUARDS BEAT SEVERAL INMATES WHO WERE CAUGHT USING METHAMPHET AMINE POLICE SAID 4HREE DETAINEES SUFFERED STAB WOUNDS AND A POLICEMAN WAS SHOT

DONESIA WHERE INMATES ARE OFTEN HELD IN UNSANITARY CONDITIONS AT OVERCROWDED PRISONS 4HERE WAS A SPATE OF BREAKOUTS IN

INCLUDING ONE WHERE ABOUT PRISONERS‡INCLUDING TERROR CONVICTS‡ESCAPED FROM A JAIL AFP

O B A M A D O N AT I O N S

Fugees founder, Malaysian financier indicted

WASHINGTON, D.C.: ! FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE HIP HOP GROUP THE &UGEES AND A lAMBOYANT -ALAYSIAN BUSINESS MAN HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR MAKING ILLEGAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO 53 PRESIDENT "ARACK /BAMA S REELECTION CAMPAIGN (AITIAN !MERICAN RAPPER 0RAKAZ REL g0RASu -ICHEL

AND ,OW 4AEK *HO

WERE ACCUSED OF CONSPIRACY AND OTHER CHARGES IN THE FOUR COUNT INDICTMENT UNSEALED ON &RIDAY ,OW ALSO KNOWN AS *HO ,OW IS A KEY kGURE IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE -$" SCANDAL WHICH HAS ROCKED -A LAYSIAN POLITICAL AND kNANCIAL CIRCLES 4HE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE RE

CEIVING THE CONTRIBUTIONS WAS NOT IDENTIkED IN THE INDICTMENT AND WAS REFERRED TO ONLY AS g#ANDIDATE ! u "UT IT HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED AND IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE INDICTMENT THAT IT WAS /BAMA 4HE INDICTMENT ALLEGES THAT BE TWEEN *UNE AND .OVEMBER

,OW TRANSFERRED MILLION TO -ICHEL gFOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNNELING SIGNIkCANT SUMS OF MONEY INTO THE 5NITED 3TATES PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION u -ICHEL ALLEGEDLY PAID ABOUT

TO ABOUT gSTRAW DO NORSu SO THEY COULD MAKE DONATIONS IN THEIR NAMES TO A PRESIDENTIAL JOINT FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

Worldinbriefs ARIANA GRANDE ANNOUNCED AS NEW FACE OF GIVENCHY NEW YORK: French fashion house Givenchy on Friday named pop princess Ariana Grande as the face of its fall/winter campaign, calling her “a strong, independent woman of refreshing character and style.� In a statement, Givenchy, which is owned by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, said that Ariana is a modern muse and the voice of a generation. It added that “Ariana has emerged as one of the most influential forces in pop culture today.� “She naturally embodies the spirit of the Givenchy woman with impertinence, generosity and a lightning wit—all cloaked in a touch of mystery.� The announcement came one day after the fashion brand teased the reveal, posting to social media a video clip with the silhouette of a woman quickly identified as Grande thanks to her signature high, extra-long ponytail. Grande said she’s proud to be a the new face of Givenchy. The 26-year-old Grammy winner’s Givenchy campaign is set for release in July.

AFP

GUNS N’ ROSES SUING OVER ROSE-STYLE BEER, ALLEGING TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT LOS ANGELES: The band Guns N’ Roses is suing a Colorado brewery for naming one of its beers “Guns ‘N’ Rose,� saying the alleged trademark infringement has caused the hard rockers “irreparable damage.� The offending craft beer is made by Oskar Blues Brewery, part of the Canarchy Craft Brewing Collective in the western US state. In its complaint filed Thursday in Los Angeles federal court, the band, which is seeking undisclosed

-ORE THAN MILLION WAS ALLEGEDLY FUNNELED TO AN INDEPENDENT COMMIT TEE ALSO INVOLVED IN THE ELECTION g4HE OBJECT OF THE CONSPIRACY WAS FOR -ICHEL AND *HO ,OW TO GAIN AC CESS TO AND POTENTIAL INlUENCE WITH

#ANDIDATE ! AND HIS ADMINISTRATION

BY SECRETLY FUNNELING FOREIGN MONEY FROM *HO ,OW THROUGH -ICHEL u THE INDICTMENT SAID g4O GAIN FURTHER ACCESS TO AND INlUENCE WITH #ANDIDATE ! AND HIS ADMINISTRATION *HO ,OW ATTENDED OR ARRANGED FOR HIS ASSOCIATES TO AT TEND EVENTS AT THE 7HITE (OUSE WITH #ANDIDATE ! u THE INDICTMENT SAID )T IS ILLEGAL FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS

TO CONTRIBUTE TO 53 ELECTION CAM PAIGNS !CCORDING TO THE INDICTMENT -I CHEL AND ,OW CONCEALED THEIR SCHEME FROM /BAMA AND HIS CAMPAIGN -ICHEL APPEARED IN COURT IN 7ASHINGTON ON &RIDAY AND PLEADED NOT GUILTY ,OW REMAINS AT LARGE AND HIS WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN ! SPOKESPERSON FOR ,OW PRO CLAIMED HIS INNOCENCE IN A STATE MENT g-R ,OW IS INNOCENT‡AND HE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNDER 53 LAW u THE STATEMENT SAID AFP

damages and legal costs, accused the brewery of selling products that “intentionally trade on the GNR’s goodwill, prestige, and fame without GNR’s approval, license, or consent.� The headbangers hold the brewery is falsely implying a connection to the band by using an alleged play on its name to market its ale, which the Guns N’ Roses says has been sold since 2018 in canned and keg form. Oskar Blues Brewery did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

AFP

FACEBOOK SUES SOUTH KOREA DATA ANALYTICS FIRM SAN FRANCISCO: Facebook is suing South Korean data analytics firm Rankwave to make sure it isn’t breaking the leading social network’s rules, the US company said on Friday (Saturday in Manila). A lawsuit was filed against Rankwave in a California State court in Silicon Valley to enforce terms the company agreed to in order to operate apps on the social network, according to director of platform and litigation, Jessica Romero. Facebook was investigating Rankwave data practices relating to advertising and marketing and the South Korean company didn’t cooperate with efforts to confirm it was complying with policies for all developers synching to the platform, Romero said in an online post.

Facebook suspended apps and accounts associated with Rankwave, and asked the court to order Rankwave to abide by its rules for applications, according to Romero. Romero said that by filing the lawsuit, they are sending a message to developers that Facebook is serious about enforcing their policies, including requiring developers to cooperate with them during an investigation.

VIETNAM JAILS TWO ACTIVISTS FOR ‘SPREADING PROPAGANDA’ ON FACEBOOK HANOI: A Vietnamese court has jailed two activists on charges of publishing damaging

HONG KONG: Some 6,000 pigs will be culled by Hong Kong after African swine fever was detected in an animal at a slaughterhouse close to the border with China, the first case of the disease in the densely populated financial hub. “In order to minimize the risk of ASF virus spreading from the slaughterhouse, all pigs in Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse will be culled so that thorough cleansing and also disinfection could be conducted,� Sophia Chan, Secretary of the city’s Food and Health Department, said late Friday.

She added that the pig detected with African swine fever was imported from a farm in the southern mainland Chinese province of Guangdong.

Pork is a staple of Chinese cuisine. Ever y day Hong Kong imports around 4,000

live pigs from China with only around 200 pigs coming from local farms in the crowded city.

After African swine fever spread across more than half of China’s provinces last year, Hong Kong imposed impor t bans from any Chinese farms where the virus were detected.

With some of the world’s most densely populated streets, Hong Kong remains on high alert to diseases.

In 2003, some 300 people died during an outbreak of severe acute respiratory disease (SARS).

C h i n e s e o f f i c i a l s h ave said hundreds of thousands of pigs were culled in a bid to stop its spread—an effort that has also seen restrictions placed on moving pigs from affected areas.

The virus is not dangerous to humans but is fatal to pigs and wild boar. AFP

anti-state propaganda about the communist-run country, state media reported Saturday.

Vu Thi Dung and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Suong, were sentenced on Friday to six and five years in prison respectively for posting videos and articles on Facebook against proposed special economic zones and a beefed up cybersecurity law. The court found them both guilty of “making, hoarding and spreading propaganda information, documents and materials against the socialist republic of Vietnam.� Both market vendors, the two women are the latest to face harsh blowback for publicly opposing the cybersecurity law, which would require internet companies to hand over user data and remove content if requested by the government. The proposed special economic zones are also deeply sensitive and sparked rare nationwide protests last year in which police stations and government offices were ransacked.

AFP

XI TO ADDRESS ASIAN CIVILIZATIONS EVENT Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations on May 15 in Beijing, a senior official said. With the theme “exchanges and mutual learning among Asian civilizations and a community with a shared future,� the conference includes an opening ceremony and sub-forums, Xu Lin, director of the State Council Information Office, said at a press conference on Thursday. More than 2,000 government officials and representatives from 47 Asian countries and other countries outside the region will attend the ceremony and forums, said Xu, also vice president of the event’s executive committee. Chinese scholars noted that the event is another public good offered by China to boost international exchanges and development following the Belt and Road Initiative forum and the horticultural expo this year. The conference is expected to further revive Asian cultures and promote world peace.

GLOBAL TIMES

C2

World

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY May 12, 2019

House issues subpoenas A S T E N S I O N S R I S E W I T H I R A N for Trump tax returns WASHINGTON, D.C.: A top House Democrat has issued subpoenas for six years of President Donald Trump’s tax returns, giving Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig a deadline of next Friday to deliver them.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal issued the subpoenas on Friday, just days after Mnuchin refused to comply with demands to turn over Trump’s returns. Mnuchin told the panel he wouldn’t provide Trump’s tax records because the panel’s request “lacks a legitimate legislative purpose,� as Supreme Court precedent requires.

Neal reminded the two Trump appointees in a Friday letter that federal law states that the IRS “shall furnish� the tax returns of any individual upon the request of the chairmen of Congress’ tax-writing committees and that Ways and Means “has never been denied� a request.

The White House and the Democratic-controlled House are waging a multi-front battle over investigations into Trump and the administration has been refusing to comply across the board, refusing to comply with subpoenas for the unredacted report by Special

Counsel Robert Mueller and documents related to the testimony by former White House Counsel Donald McGahn.

If Mnuchin and Rettig refuse to comply with the subpoenas, Neal is likely to file a lawsuit in federal court. He indicated earlier this week that he was leaning toward filing a court case immediately but changed course after meeting with lawyers for the House.

Neal originally demanded access to Trump’s tax returns in early April. He maintains that the committee is looking into the effectiveness of IRS mandatory audits of tax returns of all sitting presidents, a way to justify his claim that the panel has a potential legislative PURPOSE $EMOCRATS ARE CONkDENT IN THEIR LEGAL JUSTIkCATION AND SAY Trump is stalling in an attempt to punt the issue past the 2020 election.

In rejecting Neal’s request earlier this week, Mnuchin said he relied on the advice of the Justice Department. He concluded that the Treasury Department is “not authorized to disclose the requested returns and return information.�

Mnuchin has also said that Neal’s request would potentially weaponize private tax returns for political purposes.

AP

Cuba launches widespread rationing HAVANA: The Cuban government announced on Friday (Saturday in Manila) that it is launching widespread rationing of chicken, eggs, rice, beans, soap and other basic products in the face of a grave economic crisis.

Commerce Minister Betsy DĂ­az VelĂĄzquez told the state-run Cuban News Agency that various forms of rationing would be employed in order to deal with shortages of staple foods. She blamed the hardening of the US trade embargo by the Trump administration. Economists give equal or greater blame to a plunge in aid from Venezuela, where the collapse of the staterun oil company has led to a nearly two-thirds cut in shipments of subsidized fuel that Cuba used for power and to earn hard currency on the open market. “We’re calling for calm,â€? DĂ­az said, adding that Cubans should feel reassured that at least cooking oil would be in ample supply. “It’s not a product that will be absent from the market in any way.â€?

Cuba imports roughly two thirds of its food at an annual cost of more than $2 billion and brief shortages of individual products have been common for years. In recent months, a growing number of products have started to go missing for days or weeks at a time, and long lines have sprung up within minutes of the appearance of scarce PRODUCTS LIKE CHICKEN OR lOUR -ANY SHOPPERS kND THEMSELVES still standing in line when the

products run out, a problem the government has been blaming on “hoarders.â€? “The country’s going through a tough moment. This is the right response. Without this, there’ll be hoarders. I just got out of work and I was able to buy hot dogs,â€? said Lazara GarcĂ­a, a 56-year-old tobacco-factory worker.

At the Havana shopping center where GarcĂ­a bought her hot dogs, cashiers received orders Friday morning to limit powdered milk to four packets per person, sausages to four packs per perSON AND PEAS TO kVE PACKETS PER person.

Manuel OrdoĂąez, 43, who idenTIkED HIMSELF AS A SMALL BUSINESS owner, said the new measures would do nothing to resolve Cuban’s fundamental problems. “What the country needs to do IS PRODUCE 3UFkCIENT MERCHANdise is what will lead to shorter lines,â€? he said.

Limited rationing of certain products has already begun in many parts of the country, with stores limiting the number of items like bottles of cooking oil that a single shopper can purchase. The policy announced by DĂ­az appears to go further and apply the same standards across the country of 11 million people.

The Cuban economy crashed with the fall of the Soviet Union and plunged the island into a more than decade-long period of misery and hunger that ended with the arrival of subsidized Venezuelan oil in the early 2000s AP

US sends naval strike group W

ASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States is deploying an amphibious assault ship and a Patriot missile battery to bolster an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers already sent to the Gulf, ratcheting up pressure Saturday on archfoe Iran.

In response to alleged threats from Iran, the USS Arlington, which transports marines, amphibious vehicles, conventional landing craft and rotary aircraft, and the Patriot air defense system will join the Abraham Lincoln carrier group, the Pentagon announced Friday.

The carrier and a B-52 bomber task force were ordered towards the Gulf, as Washington reiterated that intelligence reports suggested Iran was planning some sort of attack in the region.

CENTCOM, the US forces for the Middle East and Afghanistan, said Friday on Twitter that the B-52 bombers arrived at the area of operations on May 8, without saying where they had landed.

US President Donald Trump’s

national security advisor John Bolton has said the deployment aimed to send a “clear and unmistakable� message to Iran about any attack against the US or its partners in the region.

Washington has not elaborated on the alleged threat, drawing criticism that it is overreacting and unnecessarily driving up tensions in the region.

There was no immediate reaction from Tehran on the latest US moves, but earlier in the week it shrugged off the carrier deployment. “Bolton’s statement is a clumsy use of an out-of-date event for psychological warfare,� Iran’s Supreme National Security Council spokesman Keyvan Khosravi said.

The increasing tensions come as Tehran said Wednesday it had

stopped respecting limits on its nuclear activities agreed under a 2015 deal with major powers.

Iran said it was responding to the sweeping unilateral sanctions that Washington has re-imposed since it quit the agreement one year ago, which have dealt a severe blow to the Iranian economy.

US ‘not seeking war’ The Pentagon, for its part, said the deployments were “in response to indications of heightened Iranian readiness to conduct offensive operations against US forces and our interests�. “The Department of Defense continues to closely monitor the activities of the Iranian regime, their military and proxies,� it said. “The United States does not seek CONlICT WITH )RAN BUT WE ARE POStured and ready to defend US forces and interests in the region.�

Amid the rising tensions, Trump said Thursday he was open to talks with Tehran’s leadership. “What I would like to see with

Iran, I would like to see them call me,� Trump told reporters at the White House. “We don’t want them to have nuclear weapons — not much to ask,� he said.

In the latest of a series of escalating statements, however, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo the same day threatened a “swift and decisive� US response to any attack by Iran. “Our restraint to this point should not be mistaken by Iran for a lack of resolve,� he said, adding however: “We do not seek war.�

In May last year, Trump pulled the United States out of an agreement aimed at curtailing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and reinstated unilateral economic sanctions.

On Wednesday, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran would no longer implement parts of the deal and threatened to go further if the remaining members of the pact, including the European Union, failed to deliver sanctions relief to counterbalance Trump’s renewed assault on the Iranian economy within 60 days.

AFP

Q San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington. AFP PHOTO /US MARINE

Rihanna teams up with LVMH, launches fashion brand PARIS: Pop idol Rihanna said on Friday (Saturday in Manila) that she would team up with French luxury giant LVMH to launch her own luxury fashion brand in spring, BECOMING THE kRST BLACK WOMEN TO HEAD UP A HOUSE FOR THE kRM The new luxury house will be called Fenty after Robyn Rihanna Fenty, the full name of the Barbados-born superstar, who already has her own highly successful Fenty sportswear and Savage lingerie labels.

The world’s biggest fashion conglomerate LVMH, which is owned by the industry titan Bernard Arnault, said the brand will be based in Paris and make ready-to-wear clothes, shoes and accessories. “Mr. Arnault has given me a unique opportunity to develop a fashion house in the luxury sector, with no artistic limits,� Rihanna said. “I couldn’t imagine a better partner both creatively and businesswise, and I’m ready for the world to see what we have built together.�

Rumors have been rife for LVMH has not started a luxury months that LVMH, which owns brand from scratch since Christian such iconic brands as Dior, Louis Lacroix in 1987.

Fashion insiders say the first Vuitton, Fendi and Givenchy, was assembling a group of top design- creations for Rihanna’s new line are likely to be unveiled later this ers for the project. /N &RIDAY !RNAULT CONkRMED month.

Fashion anthe rumors, saying that LVMH had alyst Serge built up a “talented and multiculCarreira tural� team to support Rihanna’s said newest brand. t h e With her huge fan base and “relanearly 170 million social media tively followers, Rihanna is one of the MOST POWERFUL STYLE INlUENCnovers on the planet. e l A new large-scale luxury label — especially one led by a black woman — is a huge development in the fashion world.

The top end of the market has been traditionally hogged by historic French and Italian houses.

Despite its domiQ Singer Rihanna. AP PHOTO nance,

move (to set up the luxury house) makes complete sense. “It is millennials who are driving growth in the luxury market,� he told Agence France-Presse. !ND 2IHANNA PERSONIkES THEIR values and the “battle for diversity, women’s rights and a vision of the future,� he added.

A regular on the front row of fashion shows, and particularly at Dior in Paris, the singer has also proved herself to be a canny creator.

As well as her existing Fenty sportswear line, Rihanna upped sales at Puma when she became its creative director, and has also dipped her toe into lingerie.

Her Fenty Beauty operation — which is also involved a hook-up with LVMH — racked up sales of more than $100 million within weeks of its 2016 launch. “Everybody knows Rihanna as a wonderful singer, but through our partnership at Fenty Beauty, I discovered a true entrepreneur, a real #%/ AND A TERRIkC LEADER u ,6-( S Arnault said in a statement. AFP

TRUMP ORDERS TARIFF HIKE ON REMAINING CHINESE IMPORTS WASHINGTON, D.C.: US President Donald Trump cranked up the heat in a trade battle with China on Friday, ordering a tariff hike on almost all remaining imports from the world’s second-biggest economy, but Beijing said talks would continue to resolve the row.

After tweeting that two days of trade talks in Washington had been “candid and constructive,� the businessman-turnedpolitician changed tack and followed through on a threat he had been making for months. “The President... ordered us to begin the process of raising tariffs on essentially all remaining imports from China, which are valued at approximately $300 billion,�

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement.

The move came less than 24 hours after Washington increased punitive duties on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports, raising them to 25 percent from 10 percent, days after the Trump administration

accused Beijing of reneging on its commitments.

Details on the process for public notice and comment will be posted Monday, AHEAD OF A kNAL DECISION ON THE NEW TARIFFS

Lighthizer said. They were not expected to go into effect for several months.

China’s top trade negotiator, Vice Premier Liu He, had warned earlier that Beijing “must respond� to any US tariffs.

The developments came as two days of talks to resolve the trade battle ended Friday with no deal, but no immediate breakdown either, offering a glimmer of hope that Washington and Beijing could kND A WAY TO AVERT DAMAGE TO THE GLOBAL economy. “Over the course of the past two days, the United States and China have held candid and constructive conversations on the status of the trade relationship between both countries,� Trump tweeted. “The relationship between President Xi (Jinping) and myself remains a very strong

one, and conversations into the future will continue.�

The tariffs on China “may or may not be removed depending on what happens with respect to future negotiations!�

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Lighthizer met for about two hours with Liu on Friday and then headed for the White House to brief Trump, who had said he was in no hurry to reach a deal, arguing the United States was negotiating Three disagreements from a position of strength. “We have a consensus in lots of areas Liu told reporters the talks had been but to speak frankly there are areas we “productive� and said the two sides would have differences on, and we believe these MEET AGAIN IN "EIJING AT AN UNSPECIkED concern big principles,� Liu said. date, but he warned that China would Liu pointed to three major areas of make no concessions on “important disagreement: whether to cancel all principles.� trade war tariffs when an agreement is “Negotiations have not broken down, reached, the exact size of Chinese purbut rather on the contrary, this is only a chases of US goods, and a “balanced� normal twist in the negotiations between agreement text. the two countries, it is inevitable,� Liu “Any country needs its own dignity, so said. the text must be balanced,� Liu said.

The seemingly positive messages — Liu and his backer Xi cannot be seen as coming before the announcement that giving in too much with trade concessions Trump had ordered the latest round of tar- to the US in fear of triggering comparisons iffs — had cheered Wall Street with shares to past “unequal treaties� forced on China rising after being under pressure all week. in the 19th and 20th centuries.

“Every country has important principles, and we will not make concessions on matters of principle,� Liu said. ‘Darkness before dawn’ Yang Delong, chief economist at First Seafront Fund Management in Shanghai, told Agence France-Presse that the “sudden hardening� of Trump’s tone is likely linked to the 2020 US presidential election. “The US hopes China will make greater concessions in many areas, these concessions might harm a foundation of our economic development or impact our institutional reform,� Yang said. “When it comes to core interests China is not able to yield,� he said.

Washington is pressing China to change its policies on protections for intellectual property, as well as massive subsidies for STATE OWNED kRMS AND TO REDUCE THE YAWNING TRADE DEkCIT AFP

SSUNDAY U N DAY MAY 12,, 2019

Public Square

C4 Public Square appears on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

For contributions, email to publicsquare@manilatimes.net

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Mother’s Day surprise at F1 Hotel Manila E

VERY mother deserves to be honored and spoiled for the love and care they give generously and endlessly. Why not show your appreciation to your mom by celebrating her special day at F1 Hotel Manila with the whole family.

Surprise that special woman in your life by rewarding her with a happy experience at F1 Hotel Manila this Mother’s Day. Treat her with the MOMentous Room Package prepared specially for all the wonder women out there. Let her experience a grand staycation in a City Suite available from May 8 to 15, perfect for family bonding. More pampering is in store for your mom as this promo

is inclusive of a free one hour F1 signature massage, breakfast buffet for two persons, access to pool area and Wi-Fi, compliments from the hotel for being such an amazing woman. Furthermore, La Filipina will also be giving free loot bags for those moms who will check-in on Mother’s Day, May 12.

Introduce mom to the luxury of a staycation and let her feel appreciated at The Home of Happy Experiences. Moms are entitled to relax and unwind, too, and there’s no place better to celebrate Mother’s Day than F1 Hotel Manila.

For more information, visit www. f1hotelmanila.com.

Oriental Mindoro offers culture, traditions and tourism THOUSANDS of swaying candles light up the city as the Province of Oriental Mindoro celebrated its much-anticipated festival — PandangGitab or Festival of Lights on April 27. “In the previous years, the Department of Tourism (DoT) supported financially festival undertakings through prizes for street dance competitions and other tourism related events and activities. This year, to entice more tourists to visit our destinations and tourism sites, we invest on promotion and marketing. Media familiarization and exposure tour is one of the strategies,� DoT Region IV-B Director Danilo Intong said.

According to Oriental Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr., Pandang-Gitab represents the province’s rich cul-

ture and history. “It (festival) is unique. Dito talaga nag-umpisa ang Pandanggo sa Ilaw , which Pandang-Gitab took inspiration from, really originated from Oriental Mindoro,� Gov. Umali added.

Pandang-Gitab, an annual festival, is a lively street dance, adapting the basic steps and music of the original Pandanggo sa Ilaw. It was coined from the words “pandango� or dance and “gitabu OR lICKER OF lIGHTS Doctor Jaymark Atienza, a folk choreographer, also emphasized that Pandang-Gitab should not only be seen as a festival where people hold lighted lamps on the palm and head while dancing, but more importantly, as an opportunity to bring back the culture and

Q Pandang-Gitab was inspired by women carrying oil lamps as they send off their husbands to fish out to the sea at early dawn. sand beaches, Bulalacao has a lot of old tradition of the MindoreĂąos.

Oriental Mindoro also offers pris- promising islands to explore.

Tourists can go island hopping tine and amazing beaches away from the noise and chaos of the city that to get to secluded and stunning are perfect for a relaxing vacation. islands like Suguicay, Aslom and Other than Puerto Galera, which is Target to see long sand bar beaches known for its dive sites and white with crystal clear waters.

Q Dr. Roy Vizcarra, head of St. Luke’s Quezon City Institute of Radiology; Dr. Manuel Martin Lopez, head of St. Luke’s Quezon City Radiation Oncology; Dr. Arturo De La PeĂąa, president and CEO; Rafael Solis, EVP and head of Hospital Operations; Dr. Benjamin Campomanes Jr., SVP and chief medical officer; and, Dr. Anthony Uygongco, VP of Medical Practice Group and assistant CMO led the unveiling of the new 3.0T SignaTM Pioneer Wide Bore MRI available at St. Luke’s Quezon City. this would enable us to serve more detail, and exceptional comfort for 3.0T SignaTM Pioneer Wide Bore our patients,â€? said Dr. Roy Vizcarra, MRI,â€? shares de la PeĂąa, “Truly, this patients in this institution.â€? “The 3.0T SignaTM Pioneer Wide head of the St. Luke’s Quezon City is a testament of the St. Luke’s commitment to our patients in providing "ORE -2) REDEkNES THE WAY AN -2) Institute of Radiology. g7E ARE PROUD TO BE THE kRST HOS- a more accurate diagnosis, essential to scan can be performed today. It can provide superior diagnosis, greater pital in the Philippines to acquire the the over-all patient experience.â€?

Beyond the Metro: Property sector of several progressive provincial cities on an upswing THANKS to a booming economy, the real estate sector of several progressive cities outside of the metro are on a roll, growing remarkably well over the last few years and expected to continue soaring to new heights in the next decade or so.

More and more property developers are answering the growing demand for residential and commercial properties in Cebu, Cavite, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod and Pampanga as their property landscapes evolve and are expected to be at the forefront of a property development boom in the country.

The growing interest from local and foreign investors, as bolstered by the national government’s robust infrastructure projects in these provincial cities, attracted a surge in interest among property buyers

Q Bhavna Suresh (fourth from left), CEO of Lamudi, moderates the media roundtable discussion. The panelists of the media roundtable are Joey Bondoc, senior research manager of Colliers International Philippines; Charles Ong, chief operating officer of Innoland Development Corp.; Fernando Camus, senior consultant of Berthaphil Inc.; Emmanuel Rapadas, chief financial officer of Torre Lorenzo Development Corp.; and Richard Tay, business unit head of the Commercial Business Group of Property Company of Friends Inc. leads, Davao raked in 69 percent, while these cities are currently enjoying from here and abroad.

From 2017 to 2018, Pampanga Cebu and Iloilo also increased by 274 a shining moment in their real registered a whopping 873-percent in- and 214 percent, respectively. Page estate sector. In conjunction with crease in leads on the Lamudi platform. views among properties in Bacolod this impressive upward trend in demand, the property supply in During the same time frame, Cavite likewise spiked by 38 percent.

These numbers go to show that these cities followed suit. witnessed a 298-percent increase in

Globe Telecom supports Boracay sustainability week IN support of the government’s call for responsible and sustainable tourism, Globe Telecom joined the week-long celebration of Boracay’s rehabilitation aimed at encouraging residents, tourists and other stakeholders to be more environmentally conscious.

Almost 300 participants from the Globe Store in Boracay, Boracay Foundation Inc., Boracay Interagency Task Force, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, Team Boracay Cyclist, Philippine National Police, Malay Solid Waste, and Asean Center for Biodiversity worked together to ensure that the country’s favorite summer getaway retains its pristine condition. The team gathered 32 bags of plastic

Q The Globe team gathers several plastic bags full trash during the Boracay beach clean up. waste and trash scattered along the popular White Beach where local and foreign tourists often converge.

At the same time, Globe put up an Eco Booth in D’mall where anyone can exchange their plastic bags with eco bags to encourage a

AT Rustan’s, there is a wide array of Mother’s Day gift ideas to suit Mom’s personal preferences, with luxe items that show how much you value all the love and care. The country’s premiere retail specialist has Mom’s special day in mind, from designer fashion brands THAT RElECT HER TIMELESS TASTE AND GRACEful style, to jewelry that shines as bright as her motherly pride, and gorgeous HOME ACCENTS THAT SHE WILL DEkNITELY treasure and show off to impress the guests at the home that is her castle.

Rustan’s is also celebrating Mother’s Day with exciting discounts, promos, AND ACTIVITIES THAT MOMS CAN DEkNITELY enjoy. Top glamor brands Natori, Josie Natori, Natori Undergarments, Tadashi, Halston, Vivienne Tam, Pedro

del Hierro, Adrianna Papell, Aidan Mattox, Laundry, Allen Schwartz, Bari Jay, Nicole Miller, Mac Duggal and Marina Rinaldi are offering 20 percent off on all their items from May 10 to 13 in all Rustan’s stores.

To level up its rewards experience, Rustan’s is adding X10 FSP (Frequent Shoppers Program) points for its home lifestyle brands from May 1 to 31, while home luxury brands will have additional X10 points from May 1 to 15. Make your mom feel extra special as Rustan’s Home, Robert Welch and Schott Wiesel offers 20 percent discount on select items from May 1 to 31 in all Rustan’s department stores.

For more information visit rustans.com.

Surprise mom with Shakey’s

St. Luke’s Medical Center Quezon City introduces country’s first 3.0T Signa Pioneer Wide Bore MRI THE most technologically advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology is now available in St. Luke’s Medical Center Quezon City.

The 3.0T SignaTM Pioneer Wide Bore MRI offers a whole level of precision imaging with revolutionary coil technology and hyperacceleration techniques designed to minimize scan times and improve image quality.

During the launch on April 29, President and CEO Dr. Arturo de la PeĂąa shared that the acquisition of this new technology would add more to the services St. Luke’s Medical Center is already giving. “This is an indication that we have been continuously improving our services to our patients by getting the latest technology. As we always say, ‘In St. Luke’s, the needs of our patients come first.’ I hope

Make Mother’s Day extra special with a gift from Rustan’s

more sustainable practice. “Boracay has always been very close to the hearts of every Filipino.

Recently, it became the center of everyone’s attention. As Filipino Citizens, it is our responsibility to help out and contribute in our shared purpose to

rehabilitate Boracay. Beyond business, we will help make the island a safe and sustainable ecotourism destination through replicable and scalable solutions,� said Globe Senior Vice President for Consumer Mobile Business Issa Guevarra-Cabreira.

WHAT are your plans to surprise Mom this year besides the tradiWLRQDO Ă&#x20AC;RZHUV DQG FDNHV" Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at home or living DQG ZRUNLQJ DEURDG ZK\ GRQÂśW \RX VXUSULVH PRP ZLWK KHU 6KDNH\ÂśV IDYRULWHV WKURXJK 6HQG $ 6KDNH\ÂśV WKLV 0RWKHUÂśV 'D\" $OO \RX KDYH WR GR LV YLVLW www.shakeyspizza.ph FOLFN 6HQG $ 6KDNH\ÂśV FKRRVH \RXU RUGHUV DQG WKHQ FKHFNRXW FRQYHQLHQWO\ DQG SD\ RQOLQH <RX FDQ DOVR LQFOXGH PHVVDJHV RI ORYH XQGHU 6SHFLDO ,QVWUXFWLRQV

<RX FDQ VHQG WKDW VXUSULVH QRZ RU RUGHU LQ DGYDQFH IRU 0RWKHUÂśV 'D\ WKURXJK 6HQG $ 6KDNH\ÂśV -XVW LQGLFDWH GHOLYHU\ GDWH WLPH DQG \RXU PRPÂśV GHOLYHU\ DGGUHVV 7KLV ZLOO VDYH \RX WLPH DQG HIIRUW IURP WKH KDVVOH RI ODVW PLQXWH DUUDQJHPHQWV 7KDWÂśV FRQYHQLHQFH LQ MXVW D IHZ FOLFNV 6R UHDG\ WR VKDNH XS WKH VXUSULVH IRU your super wo-Mom? Visit www. shakeyspizza.ph QRZ DQG SODQ DQ XQH[SHFWHG HDV\ DQG FRQYHQLHQW ZD\ RI KRQRULQJ \RXU 0RP WKURXJK 6HQG $ 6KDNH\ÂśV +DSS\ 0RWKHUÂśV 'D\

PhilHealth reminds public facilities to register POS patients promptly THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) reminds all concerned healthcare institutions (HCIs) to register their patients assessed as kNANCIALLY INCAPABLE &) UNDER THE Point of Service (PoS) program within 72 hours from assessment so that their claims will not be denied.

The reminder was issued in the light of observations and reports that there are HCIs registering their patients assessed as FI thru the PoS beyond the 72-hour requirement or sometimes even a month after discharge.

The PoS is a program provided in the Government Appropriations Act for the current year, to cover all Filipinos under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), includ-

ing the unregistered and inactive registered members especially those WHO ARE kNANCIALLY INCAPABLE Filipino citizens who will be covered under the PoS Program, must be admitted in a ward type of accomMODATION AND CLASSIkED AS kNANCIALLY incapable to pay his/her PhilHealth contribution according to the Health DEPARTMENT CLASSIkCATION ON INDIGENTS 0HIL(EALTH OFkCES NATIONWIDE ARE ready to process the PhilHealth IdenTIkCATION .UMBER 0). OF PATIENTS enrolled as POS-FI immediately upon receipt of requests from public HCIs. Hence, HCIs are therefore encouraged to promptly register their FI patients to avoid denial of claims due to delayed issuance of PIN.

QC assessor assures public: No 500% property tax increase, no tax on churches, ISFs THE public should be wary of disinformation being circulated on a supposed 500 percent increase in real property taxes and property taxes on churches and informal settler families )3&S IN 1UEZON #ITY SAID AN OFkCIAL OF THE /FkCE OF THE #ITY !SSESSOR g$EkNITELY THERE WILL NOT BE AN INcrease of 500 percent in the real property taxes,â&#x20AC;? said Sherry Gonzalvo, acting city assessor of Quezon City, in response to false information circulating that a hefty increase in real property taxes (RPT) is set to be implemented.

According to Gonzalvo, the Quezon City Council has implemented Ordinance 2778 suspending the implementation of the increase in fair market values which was sup-

posed to be enacted under Ordinance 2556 in 2016.

Although there is a clear need to update Quezon Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fair market values, Gonzalvo agrees with the councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move to suspend the implementation due to the rising prices of commodities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They say the churches will be TAXED $EkNITELY CHURCHES ARE not taxable because they are exempt under the local government CODE u 'ONZALVO CLARIkED Even if the updated fair market values were to take effect, Gonzalvo also reminded Quezon City taxpayers that the RPT increase would only be marginal, clarifying that an increase in fair market values would not jack up the actual tax to be paid.

How to avoid election disqualification with your SOCE THE Comission on Election (Comelec) PERPETUALLY DISQUALIkED A TOTAL OF CANDIDATES TO HOLD PUBLIC OFkCE gDUE TO REPEATED FAILURE TO kLE THEIR 3TATEMENT of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE)â&#x20AC;? in the previous elections. This is based on Comelecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strict implementation of Resolution 9476 and Republic Act 7122 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; mandating all election candidates and political parties[winning or not] to submit their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) within 30 days after election. To HELP THOSE RUNNING FOR AN OFkCE AVOID DISQUALIkCATIONS THE #ENTER FOR 'LOBAL Best Practice will host a special training entitled, Election Best Practices on How to Prepare Your SOCE to be held on Thursday, May 30, at the EDSA ShangriLa Hotel, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. (For details, check www.cgbp.org.

This website contains CGBPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complete list of best practices programs including How to Prepare Unsolicited Proposals for Government Projects, What You Must Know About the Procurement ,AW 000 #ERTIkCATION #OURSE (OW to Joint Venture Effectively with the 'OVERNMENT #ERTIkCATION #OURSE FOR #HIEF OF 3TAFF OF ,EGISLATORS #ERTIkCAtion Course for LGU Administrators, Omnibus Rules on Appointment and other Human Resource Actions, Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service and many more. .ONkLING OR NONCOMPLIANCE OF candidates means that they cannot ASSUME OFkCE AND CAN BE kNED AS much as P60,000.00 and/or the harsher penalty of being meted perpetual disqualification from HOLDING A PUBLIC OFkCE

Sports

SSUNDAY MAY 12, 2019 M

D1

www.manilatimes.net Q Stephen Curry (No. 30) of the Golden State Warriors rives around Austin Rivers (No. 25) of the Houston Rockets during Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on Saturday in Houston, Texas. AFP PHOTO

Floodgates open for Curry in second half as Warriors oust Rockets

L

OS ANGELES: Stephen Curry scored all 33 of his points in the second half as the Golden State Warriors shook off the absence of Kevin Durant to beat the Houston Rockets 118-113 on Friday (Saturday in Manila) and advance to the 7ESTERN #ONFERENCE kNALS The two-time defending champions punched their ticket to the ."! S kNAL FOUR FOR THE kFTH CONsecutive season and eliminated the Rockets from the postseason for THE FOURTH TIME IN kVE YEARS â&#x20AC;&#x153;We knew at some point we would have a chance to steal this game and we did,â&#x20AC;? said Curry, who PLAYED WITH A DISLOCATED kNGER ON

his left hand.

The Warriors clinched the series in six games by reverting to their championship form pre-Durant, WHO WAS INJURED IN GAME kVE 2EIGNING ."! kNALS -60 $Urant suffered a calf strain in the THIRD QUARTER OF GAME kVE 'OLDEN State is hoping to get him back before the end of the playoffs.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We miss our guy but we know he is going to be back,â&#x20AC;? said Curry of Durant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This whole playoff run he has been the best player in the league and has carried us so the least we could do is have his back tonight and move on to the next round.â&#x20AC;?

Durantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s status is uncertain for game one of the Western ConferENCE kNALS /N 4UESDAY IN /AKland, California, against either the Portland Trail Blazers or the Denver Nuggets.

Warriors forward Draymond Green said they had to revert to their vintage championship form from before Durant joined them in 2016.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There were some times it felt like that -- a lot of movement just trying to push the tempo,â&#x20AC;? Green said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With Kevin, you can kind of be lazy knowing you can throw the ball to (him) and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get that BUCKET )T DEkNITELY WAS A LITTLE throwback for us, for sure.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Stay out of troubleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Curry, who went scoreless in the opening half, discovered his scoring touch after the break â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially in the fourth quarter where he poured in 23 points.

3CORELESS ON ZERO FOR kVE SHOOTi n g IN THE kRST HALF #URRY SANK A pair of clutch three-pointers

Upbeat Magnolia aims to finish off Beermen in Game 6

MAGNOLIA is poised to snatch its seventh Philippine Cup and 15th overall crown at 6:30 p.m. tonight when it battles defending champion San Miguel Beer in Game 6 of the best-of-seven championship series of Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots, behind Mark Barrocaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buzzer-beating jumper, escaped the Beermen, 88-86, in Game 5 to establish a 3-2 series lead. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They (Beermen) are a powerhouse team. We are the underdog in this series but we will do our best TO kNISH THEM OFF TONIGHT 3INCE the start, we are the only one who believe in ourselves. So our battle cry is believe,â&#x20AC;? said Barroca, who scored 22 points in Game 5.

Meanwhile, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leaving everything to providence. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For us, it is still one game at a time.

If God wants to give it to us, we are going to accept it wholeheartedly.â&#x20AC;? )AN 3ANGALANG kNISHED WITH points and 14 rebounds in the previous game while Paul Lee

contributed 12 points. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the story of this series.

We capitalized on our strength, which is defense. If we can limit them below 100 points, we have a good chance. If they score above 100 points, they would likely win,â&#x20AC;? added Victolero.

San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria and his wards are determined to force a do-or-die Game 7 on Wednesday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a do-or-die for us. We have to use all the talents we have,â&#x20AC;? said Austria, who admitted that they shot poorly (29.8 percent) overall FROM THE kELD g)T S VERY EVIDENT our shots selection is very poor.

Imagine it is hard to win if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re only shooting 30 percent against 40 percent [of Magnolia].â&#x20AC;?

Arwind Santos is not throwing in the towel yet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are challenged. What is good here is, we still have a chance and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to give up easily. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see in Game 6,â&#x20AC;? said Santos.

Despite the commotion caused by a man dressed in Spiderman costume during the last three minutes of the game, June

PHILIPPINE Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Willie Marcial said that 31-year-old Paolo Felizarta of Imus, Cavite, who, dressed as Spiderman, disrupted Game 5 of the bestof-seven finals between San Miguel Beer and Magnolia on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum, will be charged with alarm and scandal, grave scandal and unjust vexation.

Felizarta rushed into the court carrying a placard with â&#x20AC;&#x153;vote loveâ&#x20AC;? written on it. SMBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s June Mar Fajardo was hit in the jaw in the ensuing commotion.

Marcial said Felizarta was brought to Police Station 7 after the incident.

Fajardo said he was not hurt seriously and has already forgiven Felizarta. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Walang problema pero mali â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung way ng pag-send niya ng message. At sana natuto siya,

PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

Mar Fajardo scored 13 of his 21 of 22 rebounds and three blocks.

JOSEF T. RAMOS POINTS IN THE kNAL CANTO ON TOP

BUCKSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; PAU GASOL HAS FOOT SURGERY, OUT FOR PLAYOFFS

Q The Milwaukee Bucks bench reacts to a three-point basket during the second half of Game 4 of a second round NBA basketball playoff series against the Boston Celtics in Boston on May 6, 2019. AP PHOTO

the Warriors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is like he is playing in the park shooting on a chain-link net,â&#x20AC;? said Curry of Thompson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win this game tonight without everybody on the court, especially Klay.â&#x20AC;?

Thompson added 27 points on seven-of-13 three-point shooting, and the Golden State bench contributed 33 points, with Kevon Looney (14 points) and Shaun Livingston BOTH SCORING IN DOUBLE kGURES James Harden paced the Rockets with 35 points and added eight rebounds and four steals.

Chris Paul produced his best game of the series with 27 points and 11 rebounds but his season is now over.

AFP

PBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marcial says cases will be filed vs â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Spidermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Q Mark Barroca of Magnolia prepares to drive on Terrence Romeo of San Miguel Beer during Game 5 of the best-of-seven championship series of Season 44 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

MILWAUKEE: Bucks center Pau Gasol will miss the rest of the NBA playoffs after surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot.

The Bucks said Friday that the surgery done a day earlier was successful and Gasol is expected to make a full recovery.

The 38-year-old Spaniard was signed by the Bucks on March 3 after he reached a buyout agreement with the San Antonio Spurs. The two-time NBA champion and six-time All-Star averaged 4.2 points, 4.7

down the stretch of the fourth. He was a perfect eight-for-eight from THE FOUL LINE IN THE kNAL SECONDS â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just had to stay out of foul trouble,â&#x20AC;? Curry said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The guys were telling me to be aggressive and that the floodgates would open at some point. In the fourth quarter it was amazing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was telling myself that if I could get on the court and play consistent minutes, I could do something. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A night like tonight doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen without belief in myself and the people around me pouring in positivity.â&#x20AC;?

With the Rockets trailing 107104 Klay Thompson drained a three-point dagger with 36 seconds remaining to clinch the series for

rebounds and 12.2 minutes in 27 games for the Spurs this season, his 18th in the NBA. He averaged 10.1 minutes in three games for the Bucks, all during the regular season.

Gasol is one of four players with over 20,000 points, 11,000 rebounds, 3,500 assists and 1,500 blocks in his career, along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. The 7-footer helped the Lakers win titles in 2009 and 2010. AP

nakuyog tuloy siya so I hope okay siya (No problem. But he sent his message the wrong way.

I hope he learned his lesson. He GOT MOBBED ) HOPE HE S kNE u Fajardo told reporters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nagulat ako hindi ko rin nakita â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung tao at medyo nahilo rin ako (I was caught off-guard and I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see the guy. I was a bit dizzy.â&#x20AC;?

Fajardo, who won his eighth overall Best Player of the Conference plum on Wednesday, hopes that the incident will serve as a reminder to hoops fans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sa mga fans, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wag sanang tularan ang ganoon. Lahat naman kami naglalaro lang dito. At the end of the day, ginagawa lang namin trabaho namin. (I hope the fans would not copy what he did.

All of us are just playing here. At the end of the day, we are just doing our job),â&#x20AC;? said Fajardo.

JOSEF T. RAMOS

Q June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer talks to reporters after Game 5 of the best-of-seven finals on Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

PHOTO BY JOSEF T. RAMOS

D2

Nascar

SUNDAY May 12, 2019

The Sunday Times w w w.manilatimes.net Q Martin Truex Jr., driver of the (No. 19) SiriusXM Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Dover International Speedway on May 6, 2019 in Dover, Delaware.

Truex wins 2nd career Monday NASCAR race at Dover D

OVER, Del.: Martin Truex Jr. stood next to the 60-pound metallic gold Monster trophy on the victory lane stage and was uncertain ABOUT HOW MANY kNGERS HE SHOULD lASH for his celebratory photo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Two for the season or three for Dover?â&#x20AC;? Truex asked.

How about one of each?

Truex solved his snapshot situation about as efficiently as he WEAVED THROUGH TRAFkC FROM THE BACK OF THE kELD TO WIN A -ONday race at Dover International 3PEEDWAY FOR THE SECOND TIME IN HIS #UP CAREER 4RUEX WON HIS kRST career NASCAR Cup race on June 4, 2007, at Dover and 12 years later used another Sunday rainout to TAKE THE CHECKERED lAG g) M GOING TO LOBBY FOR ALL $OVER RACES TO BE ON -ONDAYS u 4RUEX said with a laugh.

He knows how to win on SunDAYS TOO 4RUEX IS WARMING UP IN HIS kRST SEASON WITH *OE 'IBBS 2ACing and won in the No. 19 Toyota FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE RACES 4RUEX THE #UP CHAMPION

WON AT 2ICHMOND THREE WEEKS ago and is hitting his stride as the SUMMER STRETCH APPROACHES g7E VE HAD SOME REALLY STRONG race cars at a lot of racetracks,â&#x20AC;?

Truex said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For a lot of reasons, we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been able to show it, been having issues that set us back. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been tough. The last couple weeks

I just feel itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s execution. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing all the little things right.â&#x20AC;?

Truex and crew chief Cole Pearn didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let rain, an inspection failURE THAT DUMPED THE CAR TO THE REAR OR EVEN A MALIGNED RACE PACKAGE AFFECT THEIR PUSH TOWARD THE kNISH 4RUEX WHO IS FROM -AYETTA

New Jersey has long considered $OVER HIS HOME TRACK LED LAPS AND DOMINATED RUNNER UP !LEX "OWMAN BY A BREEZY SECONDS TO WIN AT $OVER FOR THE kRST TIME since 2016.

(E HAD NO COMPLAINS ABOUT THE new high drag, high downforce, HORSEPOWER PACKAGE THAT LED to track-record speeds posted in qualifying. +YLE "USCH THE .!3#!2 CHAMPION PEPPERED HIS COMMENTS ON THE PACKAGE WITH PROFANITY AND SAID HIS COMPLAINTS TO NASCAR would fall on deaf ears.

Kevin Harvick said cars are â&#x20AC;&#x153;hard TO RACE g UNDER THE PACKAGE 4EAM owner Bob Leavine tweeted he agreed with Busch and wrote â&#x20AC;&#x153;this package sucks.â&#x20AC;?

4RUEX BRUSHED OFF THE COMplaints. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all had to deal with the

was 10th for the second straight RACE 3HEPHERD REACHED THE MARK IN DRIVING FOR (ALL OF &AME CAR OWNER "UD -OORE "USCH STARTED THE STREAK WHEN HE kNISHED SECOND BEHIND TEAMMATE $ENNY (AMLIN IN THE $AYTONA (E also has three wins, two thirds, a sixth, an eighth and two other TH PLACE kNISHES TO GO WITH HIS victories during the streak.

Ill Hamlin (AMLIN FELT ILL AFTER THE RACE AND WAS ATTENDED TO BY MEDICAL STAFF ON PIT ROAD AFTER HE kNISHED ST (AMLIN WAS TREATED AND RELEASED FROM THE .!3#!2 MEDICAL CARE CENTER

Winless Johnson Q Martin Truex Jr., driver of the (No. 19) SiriusXM Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Dover International Speedway. AFP PHOTOS SAME THING u 4RUEX SAID g/BVIously, we dealt with it better than everybody else.â&#x20AC;?

"OWMAN kNISHED SECOND FOR THE second straight week in the No. 88 Chevrolet. Kyle Larson, Harvick and Chase Elliott rounded out the top kVE %LLIOTT GAVE (ENDRICK -OTORSPORTS AND #HEVROLET THEIR kRST WINS of the season at Talladega last week.

"OWMAN AND %LLIOTT MADE IT ANOTHER SOLID RACE FOR A MANUFACTURER THAT was in dire need of a boost. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We at least had a shot at it. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s REALLY ALL YOU CAN ASK FOR u "OWMAN SAID g7E HAD A MISERABLE START TO the reason. We really did a good

job resetting in the off week.â&#x20AC;?

"UT ALL THE TEAMS ARE CHASING 'IBBS *'2 HAS SEVEN WINS IN RACES this season and has established ITSELF AS THE TEAM TO BEAT g)T S A BIG DEAL FOR US u 'IBBS said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As everybody knows, in pro sports these things can go and COME VERY QUICK 4HE HARDEST THING to do is to stay up there.â&#x20AC;?

Truex has been as reliable with 0EARN IN HIS kRST SEASON WITH 'IBBS as he was for years at the sinceshuttered Furniture Row Racing.

Truex, who has 21 career wins, MADE IT TO VICTORY LANE FOR THE kRST TIME IN BUT DIDN T WIN AGAIN

UNTIL (E HASN T SNIFFED MUCH OF A VICTORY DROUGHT SINCE

winning 19 races and a series CHAMPIONSHIP OVER THAT SPAN â&#x20AC;&#x153;This track is a big part of the REASON ) GOT TO WHERE ) M AT u 4RUEX said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Without tracks like this and ,OUDON 7ATKINS 'LEN ) WOULD never have been noticed.â&#x20AC;?

(ERE ARE OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE FROM $OVER

Top 10 +YLE "USCH MATCHED -ORGAN Shepherdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NASCAR record with STRAIGHT TOP kNISHES IN THE kRST RACES OF THE SEASON "USCH

*IMMIE *OHNSON HOLDS THE TRACK record of 11 victories at Dover, WHERE HE kNISHED TH *OHNSON HAS BEEN STUCK ON CAREER WINS since he last reached victory lane on June 4, 2017, also at Dover.

Garage makeover 7ORK WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY ON NEW MILLION GARAGE AT $OVER that should be ready for the fall race. The current garage area has BEEN IN PLACE SINCE THE -ONSTER -ILE S kRST RACE ON *ULY

!MONG THE IMPROVEMENTS garage bays for the Cup cars.

Up next

The series shifts to Kansas Speedway, where Kevin Harvick is the defending race winner.

AP

Motor Sports

The Sunday Times w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY May 12, 2019

D3

Amazing Filipinos W

HEN we see Filipinos compete abroad, we feel a heightened sense of nationalism and pride. We forget all our POLITICAL DIFFERENCES AND kNANCIAL problems, and we become united for our country. This doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t apply only to the major sports but even to our beloved motor sports!

Here are the latest Pinoy achievers in motor sports. May you all continue to make us proud and congratulations to you all!

Vincent Floirendo, winner of the Audi R8 LMS Cup The long time international campaigner and banana magnate Vincent Floirendo made good in his return to the Audi R8 LMS Cup and won the inaugural Challenger Trophy in Zhuhai, China, just last weekend.

The Challenger Trophy class is where privateer drivers who are new to GT3 racing compete in the latest generation Audi R8 LMS GT3 car, which has about 500 hp engine mated to a sixspeed, sequential transmission in rear-wheel drive form. They also qualify for points in the premiere Audi R8 LMS Cup championship.

It was a very lucky weekend for Floirendo as he won both the Challenger Trophy rounds three and four, and placed third overall in the Premier class in both races.

The last round was a very wet race AND HE QUALIkED IN SEVENTH PLACE He knew he had to stay cool since he had not raced in the wet for a long time and this proved to be the right strategy. He saw others spinning and going off the track, and that allowed him to rise to second place before being overtaken by the 2018 champion Andrew Haryanto.

He now has a commanding lead in the Challenger Trophy race since the seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; organizers launched it during the Zhuhai weekend. Floirendo is also gaining on the veterans with his STRONG PODIUM kNISHES AND WILL be a threat in the future. We will follow the progress of Enteng, as he is fondly called by his friends.

William Go, winner of AKOC round one The new sensation in karting is William Go from Cebu. The kRST TIME WE WROTE ABOUT 'O WAS when he was only 10 years old and the only Filipino that went TO THE PODIUM DURING THE kRST round of the IAME Series Asia held at Clark on April 5. He won the Cadet Class in a hard fought

TURBO TIMES

race and just zoomed from there.

In his 11th birthday, Go won the ROK Cup Round 2 in Singapore on April 15 and then the Asian Karting Open Championship (AKOC) round one in China two weeks after. These wins were not easy and he is truly turning out to be the future of Philippine karting.

Go is well supported by his parents Wendell and Virna Go. We met them in Cebu last year and they are truly a great couple who love motor sports. They are well guided by one of my mentors in karting, multiple race champion Jody Coseteng, and he has brought them to international kart races that gave Go the exposure and skills to level up the young karter.

We hope their dreams come true to have Go in Formula One in the future!

Daniel Miranda, winner TCR Asia We reported the great debut of 2017 Toyota Vios Cup Champion Daniel Miranda in the TCR Asia where he won the Asian Drivers Class and emerged second overALL IN THE kRST ROUND IN 3EPANG

Malaysia, on April 6. The young Cebuano impressed much in that race that made Hyundai include him in their young driver development program.

When TCR Asia went to Zhuhai, China, for the second round, the Euroasia Motorsport Team driver HAD A GOOD QUALIFYING IN kFTH BUT BLEW HIS CLUTCH IN THE kRST RACE In the second race, Daniel took it easier on the start and fought all the way up to third overall and kRST AGAIN IN THE !SIAN $RIVERS CLASS 4HIS PROVED THAT HIS kRST WIN WAS NOT A lUKE AND HE IS NOW IN a good position to win the Asian Drivers championship. He is also UP TO kFTH PLACE IN THE OVERALL championship and would have been up there if it werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t for the $.& DID NOT kNISH HE GOT IN THE third round.

These are just some of the FiliPINOS CURRENTLY WAVING OUR lAG in the podiums of international racing. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pray they continue to win and let us give our support by wishing them well. Mabuhay ang Filipino racers!

Q Actor Fabio Ide was the first to set the best time in the Celebrity Class.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

Anton, Montero top Vios autocross races F

BY MIKE POTENCIANO

Q Actor Troy Montero (left) and IĂąigo Anton topped their classes in inaugural Toyota Vios Racing Festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Autocross Challenge.

CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO

OURTEEN-year old racing phenom IĂąigo Anton and actor Troy Montero scored dramatic wins in their respective categories in the inaugural Toyota Vios Racing Festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Autocross Challenge at the concert grounds of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, recently.

Anton of Mark Young RacingYokohama showed his mettle in the Car Club Class against 40 competitors by qualifying second fastest during the opening day's kRST ROUND KNOCKOUT COMPETITION The feat booked him a place in the kNALS THE NEXT DAY Anton consistently set the fastest times during the knockout stage TO MAKE IT TO THE kNAL FOUR (E then battled it out with autocross veteran Michael Scott Carbonel in THE kNALS WITH THE LATTER DRAWING kRST BLOOD WITH THE BEST TIME OF 1:12.23 (minutes) in their class.

Anton had to dig deep but tried not be pressured by the crowd. In HIS kNAL RUN )Ă&#x201E;IGO SET A TIME OF THAT PROPELLED HIM TO kRST place in the Car Club division.

Carbonel finished second and Daryl Brady, who also drove well with 1:12.47, third. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was really tough,â&#x20AC;? said Anton. g)T WAS MY kRST TIME TO DRIVE THE Vios race car and I had to adjust to it with only two runs. Luckily, I set the fastest time when it mattered most.â&#x20AC;?

Anton was given a special racing license by the Automobile Associa-

tion of the Philippine because of his numerous championships.

He is preparing for his first Philippine GT circuit race with Team Obengers-Parts Pro-DTE. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The knock out stages in this form of competition leaves you with no room for error, one mistake and you are out.

Inigo held it together all the way to the end,â&#x20AC;? said Antonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father Carlos, referring to the international Gymkhana format the organizers used in the event.

In the Celebrity Class, Montero shocked a lot of racers by handling the new Toyota Vios Cup race car superbly and posting the best overall time of 1:10.63 in his last run of the day. Montero just took up autocross only that weekend and registered quick times in qualifying and the elimination rounds.

He eventually ruled the Celebrity Class. !CTOR &ABIO )DE WAS THE kRST TO set the best time in the same class in his last run with 1:14.10. His TIME HELD ON UNTIL THE kNAL ROUND when Montero overtook him, relegating Ide to second place.

Q Andrea Dovizioso AFP PHOTO

Female TV host and volleyball player Gretchen Ho came in third with 1:14.77.

The Toyota Vios Racing Festival

goes back to its roots with the next round going to the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga in June.

MotoGP star Dovizioso to race on four wheels at Misano PARIS: Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso will exchange two wheels for four when he drives the two races on the Italian leg of the German touring car championship (DTM).

Dovizioso, who rides for Audi-owned Italian team Ducati in MotoGP, would drive for the WRT team, which is also tied to Audi, in DTM races at Misano on June 8 and 9.

The 33-year-old has finished runner-up in MotoGP for the last two seasons and is fourth in this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s standings. He won the San Marino MotoGP at Misano last year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m delighted that in

Andrea Dovizioso we managed to get a real superstar to race as a guest in the DTM,â&#x20AC;? said Dieter Gass, the head of Audi Motorsport. â&#x20AC;&#x153;MotoGP riders are true heroes in Italy.

Andrea hails from the Misano area, won the motorcycle Grand Prix there last year and is going to attract many additional fans,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Dovizioso is replacing Brazilian Pietro Fittipaldi who will be in Montreal as a backup driver for Haas at the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love cars,â&#x20AC;? Dovizioso said in an Audi PRESS RELEASE g)T S TOUGH TO kND THE TIME TO prepare for it during the MotoGP season but I am really looking forward to compete in such a high-level context.â&#x20AC;?

AFP

Hamilton sees no trouble with Bottas BARCELONA: Lewis Hamilton said that respect and a well-established team ethic would prevent any trouble between him and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas this year if they are locked in a title duel.

The defending five-time champion told reporters on Thursday that he did not expect to see any kind of degeneration of his relationship with the Finn who, after four races, leads him by a point in the driversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; standings.

The pair have two wins apiece in Mercedesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stunning and unprecedented run of four straight season-opening one-twos, and their rivalry has raised the specter of the acrimony of 2016 when Nico Rosberg ignored team focus to beat Hamilton to take the title. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What happened before (was that) an individual continued to go down that route, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not what we have here. We have a really great energy in the team, the respect is there, we have agreed rules set out so that we do finish the races one-two and we play supporting roles either way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, I truly believe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best pairing in terms of that respect, in terms of how we deliver each weekend more than any other team has ever had or currently has.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;So when (team boss) Toto (Wolff) mentions â&#x20AC;&#x153;And, yes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be close and tight beglimpses of that, he has seen a glimpse of it, but tween us and with tensions, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just there whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really important is that we pull together as because thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always tension when you want to a team. We have discussed it and hopefully rectibeat someone else. fied it so that it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t spring up again.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the fundamental key is that we have to Hamilton said also that he had no immediate be a team player. We are not here for ourselves. intention of revealing how his relationship with Of course we want to win the championship Rosberg soured so badly in 2016. individually, but what we are paid to do is win for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Probably not. Maybe one day when I write a the team and deliver for the team. book, probably one day when I retire, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be able â&#x20AC;&#x153;As long as we remember that, we shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t to talk about it, but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really need to talk have problems.â&#x20AC;? much about it now.

Hamilton explained â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just let my results do the talking also that there were so thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I focus on.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;things that happened in AFP the background that you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about.

I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really feel this is the place to talk about it, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s things that happen Q Mercedesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas drives during the first practice that you just session at the Circuit de Catalunya on Friday in Montmelo on the outskirts of Barcelona ahead of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix. AFP PHOTO donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know.

D4

Sports

SUNDAY May 12, 2019

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Rampaging Tigresses take Game One U

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

NIVERSITY of Sto. Tomas (UST) moved closer to ending a nine-year title drought after sweeping Ateneo De Manila University, 25-17, 25-16, 25-20, in Game 1 of THE BEST OF THREE kNALS OF 3EASON 5NIVERSITY Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s volleyball tournament on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most Valuable Player Sisi Rodina powered the Golden 4IGRESSES kERY ATTACK AS THEY INCHED TOWARD THEIR kRST CROWN SINCE 3EAson 72, and 17th overall. )T WAS ALSO 534 S kRST VICTORY IN a championship series since 2010.

Rondina sizzled with 23 points built on 20 attacks, two blocks and an ace. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Going into this game, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think of anything but to win. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ALREADY THE kNALS 7HATEVER IT takes,â&#x20AC;? said the graduating captain Rondina borrowing a quote from the blockbuster movie Avengers: Endgame.

The Tigresses also snapped a 15-game losing streak against the Lady Eagles in front of 17,682

fans. UST last beat Ateneo in January 15, 2012.

Game 2 is on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll celebrate today but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll immediately get back to the drawing board,â&#x20AC;? said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.

Rookie of the Year Eya Laure supported Rondina with 11 points anchored on nine kills.

UST waxed hot on the offensive END kRING ATTACKS AND ACES against Ateneoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 24 spikes and a lone ace.

Veteran hitter Kat Tolentino was the lone bright spot for Ateneo with 12 points on 10 hits and two blocks.

Earlier in the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s division kNALS .ATIONAL 5NIVERSITY .5 is now a win away from back-toback titles after posting a 21-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-18 victory over Far Easter University.

The Bulldogs showed their championship pedigree by recovERING FROM A kRST SET MELTDOWN TO claim the win. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our advantage was our experience in championship games.

We were able to bring it to this match,â&#x20AC;? said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin, who led the team to a seventh straight finals appearance.

Season MVP Bryan Bagunas notched a game-high 18 points highlighted by 16 spikes for the Bulldogs, who are shooting for their fourth overall crown.

James Natividad tallied 16 points on 15 attacks and an ace while Kim Malabunga and Madzlan Gampong added 10 markers apiece.

Richard Solis had a team-best 17 points on 15 kills and two aces while John Paul Bugaoan had 14 markers on 10 spikes and four blocks for the Tamaraw Spikers.

Q USTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sisi Rondina PHOTO

BY ROGER RAĂ&#x2018;ADA

Thiem ends Federerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clay court return 2022 Winter Olympics MADRID: Dominic Thiem saved two match points and ended the first chapter of Roger Federerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return to clay court tennis with a come-frombehind 3-6, 7-6 (13/11), 6-4 win and REACH THE -ADRID /PEN SEMIkNALS ON Friday (Saturday in Manila).

The 37-year-old Swiss had returned this week to the surface for THE kRST TIME IN THREE YEARS Â&#x2021; HIS last clay court match was a loss to Thiem in Rome in 2016.

While Federer was heading out, there were no such problems for top seed Novak Djokovic who made the last-four when Marin Cilic withdrew and Rafael Nadal, the second seed, who brushed aside Stan Wawrinka 6-1, 6-2.

Thiem, the 2018 Roland Garros runner-up and winner of the Barcelona title last month, prevailed in two hours 10 minutes against Federer having saved two match points in a 15-minute second set tie-break.

He will on Saturday face world number one Djokovic, who advanced on a walkover when Cilic pulled out with a stomach virus.

Five-time champion Nadal needed just over an hour to reach his 11th Madrid semi-final and will face Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, a winner over defending champion Alexander Zverev by 7-5, 3-6, 6-2. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a good match for me, Stan is not an easy opponent regardless of the scoreline,â&#x20AC;? said Nadal after HIS TH QUARTER kNAL IN THE LAST years in the Spanish capital. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had to play good tennis and reach my best level.â&#x20AC;?

Federer said he was happy to have made his clay court comeback. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel very good about my game.

I thought I had some good matches here,â&#x20AC;? the 20-time Grand Slam champion said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel good on the

countdown begins

Q Austriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dominic Thiem serves to Switzerlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roger Federer during their ATP Madrid Open quarterfinal tennis match at the Caja Magica in Madrid on Saturday. AFP PHOTO clay right now.â&#x20AC;?

Federer now has the option to take up a wild card being held for him next week in Rome. Otherwise, his next clay event will be the French Open where he last played in 2015. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The match was so close,â&#x20AC;? said !USTRIAN kFTH SEED 4HIEM WHO HAD also defeated Federer in the Indian 7ELLS kNAL IN -ARCH g) WAS REALLY lucky to save the match points. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Roger was playing unbelievable on the clay. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very, very happy to win.

He is so special, maybe the best ever in tennis, he has something different. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every time you play him, every point is a big challenge.â&#x20AC;? )N THE kNAL SET 4HIEM EARNED A break for 2-1 as Federer netted a backhand but the Swiss rallied to

break back, 4-4.

4HE MOMENTUM kZZLED OUT THOUGH and a game later Thiem broke again for 5-4 with a lob winner.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nice feelingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Austrian served out his fourth victory in six matches against Federer a game later.

Meanwhile, Simona Halep closed in on a return to the top of the world rankings after beating Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-7 (2/7), 6-0 to advance to THE WOMEN S kNAL Halep, currently number three in the world, will reclaim the number one ranking should she win her third title at the Caja Magica.

Bencic had defeated Halep in

their last two matches, but the reigning French Open champion, who lifted the trophy in Madrid in 2016 and 2017, came through in just under two hours.

Halep will play Dutch seventh seed Kiki Bertens, a finalist in Madrid last year, who defeated 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-2, 7-5. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s such a nice feeling to be back in the kNAL HERE ) REally enjoy playing in Madrid, it motivates me,â&#x20AC;? Halep said. AFP

Wallace turns up heat at British Masters SOUTHPORT, United Kingdom: Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Matt Wallace opened up a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the British Masters on Friday before explaining that giving up pizzas has helped energize his rise up the rankings.

The world No. 36 fired a second round 67 on a lightning-hit day in the English north-west as he targets a fifth European Tour title.

Wallace has recently started working with fitness expert Steve McGregor, who counts

former world number ones Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood among his previous clients. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a brilliant team with the inclusion of Steve now, his history speaks for itself getting two players to world number one,â&#x20AC;? the 29-year-old said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assessing what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m doing during the week with my physio and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll come up with a plan to get better and fitter and stronger and mentally stronger. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For example, at Hilton Head recently after a first round of four over Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d go

back and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be so annoyed and all Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d want to do is have a pizza and go to bed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whereas if you look at the bigger picture itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not about that four over, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about the long-term where you go back, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry about it, get some good food, good rest so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re better off the next day and that gives you the best chance of competing the next day.â&#x20AC;?

At 12 under par, Wallace has a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Ross Fisher and Swedenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nik-

las Lemke.

Lemke carded eight birdies in a row during from the 13th to the second to fall just one shor t of the mark set by former Open champion Mark Calcavecchia in 2009 and equalled by Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s James Nitties in February â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vic Open.

AFP

BEIJING: China on Friday launched its 1,000-day countdown to the 2022 Winter Olympics with a lavish songand-dance celebration, as Beijing prepares to become the only city in the world to have hosted both a Summer and Winter Games.

Actor Jackie Chan took part in the extravaganza along with officials from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), including vice-president Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the... countdown celebration comes a new stage of Games preparations,â&#x20AC;? Beijing mayor Chen Jining said at the capitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olympic Park. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will continue to scrupulously and fully implement the instructions of Chinese President Xi Jinpingâ&#x20AC;?, he added.

China, which topped the 2008 Beijing Summer Games medals table, has a long way to go in winter sports, as shown by its

tepid performance at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, where it won only one gold medal, in short-track speed skating.

Beijing aims to boost the number of Chinese taking part in winTER SPORTS TO MILLION Â&#x2021; OR PERCENT OF THE POPULATION Â&#x2021; BY THE start of the event.

Ski resorts have multiplied in the country since Beijing won its bid for the Winter Olympics in 2015, with major promotional campaigns helping to attract particularly young and middle class Chinese fans.

Several facilities used for the 2008 Summer Olympics will be venues at the Winter Games for events including skating and ice hockey.

In addition, the construction of new Olympic facilities is also underway, with an alpine ski complex due to be completed before the end of the year, according to the OFkCIAL 8INHUA NEWS AGENCY AFP

Neymar gets three-game ban for lashing out at fan PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar was banned for three matches Friday (Saturday in Manila) with a further twomatch ban suspended for lashing out at a fan following the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shock defeat in the French Cup final.

Announcing the ban, the French football federation said the sanction would go into effect from May 13 allowing the Brazilian superstar to appear for the French champions against Angers in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

But he will miss the last two games of the domestic season and the French Champions Trophy pitting PSG against their cup kNAL CONQUERORS winners Rennes in Shenzhen, China in August.

Neymar swung at an abusive opposing fan while climbing the steps to receive his French Cup kNAL LOSERS MEDAL FOLLOWING THE shock defeat to Rennes on penalties last month.

On a nightmare night for PSG, Rennes came back from 2-0 down to 2-2 at the end of regulation time, forcing extra time and penalties.

Meanwhile, Neymar has appealed against another ban, this time a three-match Champions League ban imposed by European footballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s governing body UEFA .

He was punished for an angry outburst at match officials of PSGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last-16 tie against Manchester United in March.

PSG lost following a last-minute penalty award to the Premier League side after a VAR review of a disputed handball appeal.

Neymar did not play in the match through injury but took to social media to call the penalty award a â&#x20AC;&#x153;scandalâ&#x20AC;? and accuse the VAR referees of incompetence.

AFP

Q Paris Saint-Germainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brazilian forward Neymar reacts after missing an opportunity to score during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and OGC Nice at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris.

AFP PHOTO

Golf

E1 SUNDAY MAY 12, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

ng South Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kang fires 61 to grab PGA GA Byron Nelson lead W

ASHINGTON: South Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kang 3UNG HOON kRED SIX BIRDIES IN A ROW ON HIS WAY TO A BOGEY FREE UNDER PAR &RIDAY 3ATURDAY IN -ANILA TO GRAB A FOUR STROKE LEAD IN THE SECOND ROUND OF THE 53 0'! "YRON .ELSON TOURNAMENT +ANG SEEKING HIS kRST 53 0'!

TITLE STOOD ON UNDER AFTER HOLES AT 4RINITY &OREST 'OLF #LUB IN $ALLAS FOUR STROKES AHEAD OF -ATT %VERY AND 4YLER $UNCAN

WHO SHOT A AND RESPECTIVELY !IDED BY COOL EARLY CONDITIONS

THE $ALLAS RESIDENT OPENED WITH A BIRDIE HIS APPROACH AT THE PAR kVE kRST LANDING INCHES FROM THE CUP g)T WAS PERFECT AND AWESOME u +ANG SAID g) LIVE IN $ALLAS

ABOUT MINUTES FROM THE GOLF COURSE AND ) V E

NEVER SEEN WEATHER LIKE THIS IN -AY ) KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE COLD AND WINDY SO ) REALLY TRIED TO PREPARE FOR HOW FAR THE BALL WAS GOING TO GO THIS MORNING AND IT WORKED OUT GREAT u +ANG BEGAN HIS RUN OF SIX BIRDIES IN A ROW AT THE PAR FOUR kFTH

LANDING HIS APPROACH INCHES FROM THE CUP (E SANK A SIX FOOT BIRDIE PUTT AT THE SIXTH AND ONE HALF AS LONG AT THE PAR kVE SEVENTH (E FOLLOWED WITH A BIRDIE FROM SEVEN FEET AT THE PAR THREE SEVENTH

ANOTHER FROM SIX FEET AT THE NINTH AND CAPPED THE RUN BY SINKING A FOOT BIRDIE PUTT TO BEGIN THE BACK NINE g) JUST TRIED TO KEEP IT IN PLAY u +ANG SAID g4HERE ARE SOME PAR kVES SO WE CAN MAKE SOME BIRDIES AND SOME SHORT PAR THREES ) JUST TRIED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE HOLES AND MISS IT IN THE RIGHT SPOTS ) MISSED IT IN THE RIGHT SPOTS WHERE ) NEEDED TO MISS IT AND IT WORKED OUT GREAT u +ANG WHO kRED A AT 0EBBLE "EACH IN ADDED BIRDIE PUTTS FROM FEET AT THE PAR FOUR TH

FEET AT THE PAR kVE TH AND FEET AT THE PAR FOUR TH "UT HE WASN T THINKING ABOUT kNISHING WITH TWO MORE BIRDIES TO SHOOT g) HADN T THOUGHT ABOUT u HE SAID g) THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY FAR AWAY UNTIL ) kNISHED u

+ A N G W A S J U S T S H O R T O N A FOOT B I R D I E P U T T A T THE PAR THREE TH AND NEEDED TO SINK A FOOTER TO SAVE PAR AT !MERICAN "ROOKS +OEPKA FIRED A AND IS ALONE IN THIRD WHILE 2ORY 3ABBATINI HAS SOLE POSSESSION OF FOURTH AFTER SHOOTING A &ORMER $ALLAS #OWBOYS QUARTERBACK 4ONY 2OMO SHOT A THREE OVER IN THE SECOND ROUND AND MISSED THE CUT 2OMO PLAYED BETTER ON &RIDAY THAN THE kRST ROUND WHEN HE STUMBLED TO A kVE OVER

AFP

Q Kang Sung of Korea plays his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the AT&T Byron Nelson at Trinity Forest Golf Club on Saturday in Dallas, Texas.

AFP PHOTO

US PGA TOUR BYRON NELSON SCORES LEADING scores after Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second round of the Byron Nelson tournament (par-71, USA unless noted): 126 - Kang Sung-hoon (KOR) 65-61 130 - Matt Every 65-65, Tyler Duncan 64-66 131 - Brooks Koepka 65-66 132 - Rory Sabbatini (SVK) 67-65 133 - Martin Laird (SCO) 67-66, Beau Hossler 67-66, Roberto DĂ­az (MEX) 66-67 134 - Michael Thompson 66-68 135 - Jordan Spieth 68-67, Matt Jones (AUS) 65-70, Jonas Blixt (SWE) 65-70, Sebastian Munoz (COL) 69-66, Stephan Jaeger (GER) 69-66, Doug Ghim 69-66, Zack Sucher 67-68 AFP

Pagunsan-Chan takes Delimondo pro-am crown REY PAGUNSAN and Aidric Chan used a solid frontside game to regain control then ripped the field with an equally superb backside stint to crown themselves the new Delimondo ProAm champions with a whopping six-stroke victory over Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marcos Pastor and Nicole Abelar with a closing 69 at Taal

Q Pro golfer Rey Pagunsan (right) and teammate Aidric Chan study their approach to Hole 17 during the Delimondo National pro-am held at the Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas on Friday. PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ&#x2018;ADA

Splendido Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas on Saturday.

Not even a bogey in the rain at the finish could stop Pagunsan and Chan from nailing the crown they had virtually bagged with a 34 start as the duo stormed to leads to as many as seven after Chan rolled in their fourth birdie on No. 16 as their rivals faded one after the other in overcast skies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have

picked a better partner.

Aidricâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so good,â&#x20AC;? said Pagunsan of his teammate, a fellow Southwoods bet and the reigning national junior champion, who set up Pagunsan for two birdies at the front that they used as a springboard to overpower the field with a 54-hole total of fourunder 212.

The first on No. 1 from 10 feet and the second from 45 feet on the par-3 No. 8. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tsamba yun (No. 8) but I really didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect we could win it until we pulled away at the back,â&#x20AC;? said Pagunsan, ecstatic after earning a juicy P500,000 purse he said he would use for his campaign on the Philippine Golf Tour starting in Bacolod next month.

It was actually Pagunsanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second victory in team play after his partnership with Ryan Monsalve at Veterans last year but the 51-year-old former national team mainstay remained win-

TIGER WIN ELECTRIFIES PGA MOVE, BUT WILL IT BOOST GOLF? BETHPAGE, United States: Shifting the PGA Championship to May IN TIME TO BE THE kRST MAJOR AFTER 4IGER 7OODS SNAPPED AN YEAR MAJOR WIN DROUGHT WAS BRILLIANT TIMING !N ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE IS EXPECTED TO GREET THE TIME MAJOR WINNER NEXT WEEK AT THE ST 0'! #HAMPIONSHIP AT "ETHPAGE "LACK WITH HUGE NUMBERS OF CASUAL TELEVISION GOLF FANS LIKELY TO LIFT RATINGS TO RECORD LEVELS "UT THE 0'! OF !MERICA ALSO HOPES 7OODS WINNING THE -ASTERS LAST MONTH AT AGE AND CHASING A TH MAJOR TITLE CAN BOOST LAGGING PARTICIPATION NUMBERS THE WAY HIS kRST MAJOR WIN DID AT THE -ASTERS g/BVIOUSLY 4IGER HAS IMPACT SORT OF THE MOON LANDING Â&#x2021; IT S NOT GOLF IT S @7HERE WERE YOU WHEN KIND OF STUFF u SAID 0'! OF !MERICA CHIEF EXECUTIVE 3ETH 7AUGH g7E ABSOLUTELY KNOW THE FAN BASE WILL BE CRANKED UP g7E HOPE IT WILL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT THAT HE HAD HIS kRST GO AROUND ON PARTICIPATION AS WELL (OPEFULLY WE CAN RIDE NOT ONLY THE WAVE AND EXCITEMENT ABOUT WATCHING HIM PLAY BUT OTHERS WANTING TO PLAY (OPEFULLY THAT KNOCK ON EFFECT HAS A LONG TERM EFFECT u 4HE DECISION TO SHIFT THE 0'! CAME TWO YEARS AGO AS PART OF A REVAMP OF THE GLOBAL GOLF CALENDAR WHEN 7OODS WAS STILL RECOVERING FROM THE SPINAL FUSION SURGERY THAT WOULD END HIS NAGGING BACK INJURIES AND ALLOW HIM TO RETURN TO ELITE GOLF SUCCESS (IS DRAMATIC BREAKTHROUGH VICTORY AT THE -ASTERS BROUGHT HIS kRST MAJOR TITLE SINCE THE 53 /PEN AND MADE IT A GOOD YEAR TO STAGE A MAJOR IN -AY g7E WERE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE -AY CHANGE BEFORE 4IGER MADE HIS kREWORKS IN 'EORGIA u 7AUGH SAID g7E THOUGHT IT WAS SMART )T LOOKS BRILLIANT NOW

g) DON T KNOW IF WE COULD COUNT ON HIM FOREVER BUT THAT MOMENTUM FROM THE -ASTERS INTO THE 0'! IS EXTRAORDINARY u 4ICKETS SOLD OUT FOR THE WEEKEND 6OLUNTEER HELPERS GREW g3O WE REALLY EXPECT TO HAVE AN AMAZING CHAMPIONSHIP AT AN AMAZING PLACE #OULDN T BE A BETTER KIND OF STORY ) THINK "ETHPAGE IS ONE OF THOSE KIND OF AMAZING MIRACLES u 7AUGH SAID SOME OF THE MISTAKES THAT FOLLOWED GOLF GROWTH IN THE WAKE OF g4IGERMANIAu IN WILL NOT BE REPEATED THE SECOND TIME AROUND g7E LL BE SORT OF MORE CAUTIOUS u 7AUGH SAID g7E HOPE AND WE EXPECT THAT WE LL GET A PARTICIPATION BUMP HERE WHICH WE VE BEEN WAITING FOR FOR A WHILE AND HOPEFULLY WE CATN RIDE IT INTO SOMETHING BEYOND HIM AND DO IT IN A PRUDENT BUT A GROWTH WAY g7E HOPE THIS WILL TURBOCHARGE IT A LITTLE BIT u

More daylight in May 4HE 0'! WILL HAVE SLIGHTLY MORE DAYLIGHT TIME THAN IN !UGUST AND LESS HEAT BUT THE GRASS IS STILL GROWING IN -AY AND THAT COULD MAKE ROUGH MANAGEMENT TO TO INCHES TRICKY SAID 0'! OF !MERICA CHIEF CHAMPIONSHIPS OFkCER +ERRY (AIGH g) THINK THE GOLF COURSE WILL BE IN JUST OUTSTANDING CONDITION u HE SAID g4HE COOL SEASON GRASSES SHOULD BE A LOT HEALTHIER 4HEY WILL BE SORT OF IMPROVING AS OPPOSED TO IN THE !UGUST DATE WE WERE SORT OF MORE ON A HANGING ON

KEEPING THE GRASS ALIVE MODE g"UT ALSO MORE LIKELY POSSIBLY HAVE MORE CHANCE OF WIND AND PROBABLY TOUGHER PLAYING CONDITIONS u AFP

less in individual competition that stretches back to over a decade ago.

Chan received merchandises and gift packs from the sponsoring Delimondo and organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. with the victory also boosting his confidence and giving him some kind of momentum heading to the SEA Games team qualifying tournament at Luisita next month.

While their rivals hobbled and stumbled over the rolling, hazard-laden layout, Pagunsan and Chan kept their poise and kept playing as one solid team, overcoming a twostroke deficit to second round leaders Daniella Uy and brother Lanz early to move 3-up over Art Arbole and Joel Yamyamin. They sustained their form at the back that proved too much for the Uy siblings and Arbole and Yamyamin, who yielded strokes after strokes trying to match Pagunsan and

Chanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impressive games.

That enabled the erstwhile 10th-running Pastor and Abelar to snatch second place at 218 after a 69 worth P335,000 for the pro while Joseph Suarez and Paqo Barro also snared third place at 220 worth P190,000 for Suarez.

Omar Dungca and Carl Corpus carded a 75 to tie Arbole-Yamyamin, who skied to a 77, and the Uys, who limped with an 80, at third at 221.

The Arbole-Yamyamin tandem reeled from four straight bogeys from No. 13 and wound up with a while the Uy siblings bogeyed four of the last eight after closing out the frontside with backto-back double bogeys and bowed out of the title race in the event backed

by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc.

E2

Golf

The Sunday Times SUNDAY May 12, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Hard part for Homa was waiting his turn C

BY DOUG FERGUSON

HARLOTTE, N.C.: He was among the best as an amateur, winning a prestigious national title and moving onto the PGA Tour.

While he never thought it was going to be easy, making it tougher was seeing so many peers from his college days collecting trophies as he wondered when, if ever, his turn would come.

So there was great satisfaction, and a small measure of relief, when former NCAA champion Max Homa won at Quail Hollow.

-ARK / -EARA kTS THE SAME description.

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meara won the 1979 U.S. Amateur over John Cook, who won the previous year over Scott Hoch. They were part of a strong generation of young stars that included Hal Sutton (who won the 1980 U.S. Amateur), Gary Hallberg and Payne Stewart.

All of them won within a few years on the PGA Tour.

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meara, now in the World Golf Hall of Fame, didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win until his 129th start, late in his fourth year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re happy for your buddy to get the win, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hey, I need to do this.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; It pushes everybody,â&#x20AC;? Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meara said Tuesday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was a driving force.

Just because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a top amateur, top college player, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no guarantee itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to carry on. It gives you

Q Max Homa celebrates after winning the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C. on May 5, 2019.

AP PHOTO

an edge. But that edge goes away when you have to step it up on the next level. And all of us put tremendous pressure on ourselves to succeed.â&#x20AC;?

Curtis Strange hit 1-iron to 6 FEET ON THE kNAL HOLE TO WIN THE 1975 NCAA title at Wake Forest and tied for 15th at the Masters the following year as an amateur. He didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make it through Q-school ON HIS kRST TRY )N THE THREE YEARS and 83 tries before winning, he watched Gary Koch, Jerry Pate and Jay Haas win tournaments. Pate won the U.S. Open. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do you have patience to lose and to learn?â&#x20AC;? Strange said Tuesday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was hard. I hit that practice tee every single day.â&#x20AC;?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been that way for years, even as each generation gets a little better and a little deeper.

Justin Thomas, as honest as his drives are long, spoke about the mixture of joy and jealousy toward the end of 2017, after he won his kRST MAJOR AT THE 0'! #HAMPI-

onship. He grew up in golf with Jordan Spieth, who won so often so quickly that for the longest time, 4HOMAS WAS KNOWN ON kRST REFERENCE AS 3PIETH S BUDDY (IS kRST year on tour, he lost out on rookie of the year to Daniel Berger. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all excited and happy for each other,â&#x20AC;? Thomas said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But it DEkNITELY PUTS A LITTLE BIT OF kRE IN US u Early in his rookie year, Thomas played a practice round at the Valspar Championship with Spieth, Berger and Ollie Schniederjans, a Georgia Tech senior and the No. 1 amateur in the world. They all were 21, separated by 111 days, and so they lined up youngest to oldest. Spieth was the youngest.

He had just crossed the $9 million mark in career earnings. Thomas and Spieth reached No. 1 in the world at age 25 or younger. Berger joined those two on the Presidents Cup team in 2017.

Schniederjans is in his third year AND STILL LOOKING FOR HIS kRST WIN So is Patrick Rodgers, another former No. 1 amateur who in three years at Stanford won 11 times to tie the record set by Tiger Woods.

(E IS IN HIS kFTH YEAR ON TOUR WITH 123 starts and no wins.

Homa can relate.

He won the NCAA while at Cal in 2013, qualified a few weeks later for the U.S. Open at Merion and spent one year in the minor leagues before making his PGA Tour debut. It was the same path as Thomas, his Walker Cup teammate who is a few years younger.

Homa considers Thomas to

be a better player, though heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s certainly close enough to make some fair comparisons. And what Homa saw was that one guy was winning and the other was missing so many cuts that he played only one round on a Sunday in 2017 on the PGA Tour. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You feel a little inadequate because you think to yourself, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why am I not doing that?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Homa said at Quail Hollow, two days before he won. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Justin Thomas is still one of my best buddies out here. I never envied it. I envy that he was able to just keep being him, because thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s who he is. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very good.â&#x20AC;?

Homa realizes now he fell into a trap of thinking he had to be better. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought I had to get a lot better, which is crazy,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard that 50 times in college: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t try to be anything more.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; As you get older, you think about all the hours you put in and it only gets greater.â&#x20AC;?

He was happy to see Thomas do so well, and in some respects, it showed him what could be done. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know Justin is far superior, but I also knew that my good golf was somewhat similar,â&#x20AC;? Homa said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I doubt that he has gotten incredibly better because he was already an incredible golfer. It was kind of the reminder for me to be like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;All right, just got to get back TO BEING ME kVE YEARS AGO u It brought him back to winning again.

Players like Schniederjans and Rodgers no doubt were watching.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a hard game.

AP

Bae still trying to find his game after military service

BY DOUG FERGUSON CHARLOTTE, N.C.: He was away from golf for two years, and his world ranking plummeted lower than it had been at any point in his career.

For Sangmoon Bae, the re-entry has not gone as well as he would have liked.

Bae started well enough at the Wells Fargo Championship until his five birdies were wasted by five bogeys, and he ended up missing the cut for the ninth time in 13 starts on the PGA Tour this year. He knows the game that took him to 13 wins worldwide, including two on the PGA Tour and a spot in the Presidents Cup, is still in there. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think my game is a lot better than before. My swing is better,â&#x20AC;? Bae said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve kind of lost my feel how to play golf. Not how to swing â&#x20AC;&#x201D; I forgot how to play golf.â&#x20AC;?

Bae was in the final match at home in South Korea in 2015 at the Presidents Cup, and he flubbed a chip on the 18th hole that was the International teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last chance to win the trophy. That was his final competition before he faced two-year mandatory military service.

He was the second-best player from South Korea in the world ranking (No. 88) going into the Presidents Cup. When he returned, he was No. 1,869 in the world.

Bae, who lost an appeal to extend his work permit to play golf, was in the Army with kids some 10 years younger than him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t able to play there because I was a rifleman,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had a five- or six-day holiday every month, but Korea is really cold in the winter. Five days is not enough to play and I was happy in that time to hang out with my family. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to think about the military.â&#x20AC;?

He had never shot a rifle before he joined the Army. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I learned. I was good at it,â&#x20AC;? he said with a laugh. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shoot every day, it was more training. We had a lot of running, working out and military theory, so we studied. We wake at 6 a.m. every day, the same schedule.â&#x20AC;?

The food? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not as good as it is here,â&#x20AC;? he said with another laugh from the Quail Hollow Club locker room.

The world ranking wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a concern, it was keeping his job. Bae said he had 27 events to try to earn back his card. He played 17 times and made five cuts but did well enough to get into the Web.com Tour Finals. After a tie for sixth in the second

event at Canterbury, he won the Boise Open to secure his card. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I made an 8-foot putt on the last hole, and that meant a lot,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was a championship putt. That gave me a strong mind. It was like: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oh, the game is back. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m ready to play on the PGA Tour next year.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; I went to Napa â&#x20AC;&#x201D; I had won that tournament â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and had so much confidence. But I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play well that week.â&#x20AC;?

Bae said his mistake was not going to the Web.com Tour Championship after his win at Boise for a chance to win the postseason money title, which would have made him fully exempt for the year. Now, his priority depends on his performance, and his performance has been lacking.

One problem is seeing too many coaches. Bae says he saw five or six coaches last year, some for only one session on the range. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Too many swing thoughts,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have better swing thoughts now â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not millions, just a couple of them.â&#x20AC;?

He moved from Dallas to Las Vegas, where he said it was easier to practice at the TPC Summerlin. He also has found more entertainment in Las Vegas, and he has a group of friends for practice. That includes Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PGA champion Danielle Kang, her brother and Inbee Park and her husband.

He is in the field at the AT&T Byron Nelson this week, hopeful he can get it turned around. Bae has made only four cuts in 14 starts this year and is No. 212 in the FedEx Cup standings. He needs to be in the top 200 to at least return to the Web. com Tour Finals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m trying not to think of negative things. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m trying to think of good golf,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope to play well on tournament days, not practice rounds. I need to focus on how I play, not how I swing. Golf is a

mental game. I need to work on my swing but do half and half. That balance is a little off right now.â&#x20AC;?

KIRK RECOVERY Chris Kirk turns 34 on Wednesday and feels as though he is starting over in what he calls a â&#x20AC;&#x153;new and better chapter in my life.â&#x20AC;?

Kirk posted a message on Twitter revealing he has dealt with alcohol abuse and depression and thought he could control it on his own. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But after multiple relapses, I have come to realize that I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fix this on my own,â&#x20AC;?

Kirk said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will be taking an indefinite leave from the PGA Tour to deal with these issues. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know when I will be back, but for now I need my full focus on being the man my family deserves.â&#x20AC;?

Kirk is a four-time winner on the PGA Tour, his most recent victory at Colonial in 2015. That was the year he holed a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th in South Korea that was the most pivotal in a one-point victory for the Americans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It takes a great deal of courage to talk publicly about issues such as mental health and substance abuse, and the entire PGA Tour family stands with Chris Kirk in taking this difficult first step toward his recovery and well-being,â&#x20AC;? PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said.

MCILROY PERSPECTIVE Rory McIlroy won his first major at Congressional in the 2011 U.S. Open when he built a three-shot lead after one round and went on to win by eight shots.

That would seem to give him better perspective than most when it comes to what

Tiger Woods did at Pebble Beach in the 2000 U.S. Open, winning by nearly twice that many shots. Woods was the only player under par and won by 15. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have given it a thought,â&#x20AC;?

McIlroy said.

McIlroy says the only comparison â&#x20AC;&#x201D; he led by eight after 54 holes, Woods led by 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is that it allowed him to savor the last hour. McIlroy also won the PGA Championship by eight shots in 2012 at Kiawah Island. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I remember at Kiawah the last few holes thinking, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Geez, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m about to become a multiple major champion,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? he said.

He also nearly lost a big lead. McIlroy recalls being six shots clear on the back nine in Dubai as he went after his first professional victory. He had to make a nervy 5-footer on the last hole to win by one shot. He says that served him well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in that position, you know anything can happen,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re five or six behind with six to play, anything can happen and you have to stay positive.â&#x20AC;?

DIVOTS Stewart Cink has withdrawn from the PGA Championship because of back issues that have been bothering him for the last three months. He says he is taking time away and hopes to return this summer. ... Golf Channel has added another college tournament to its TV schedule, signing a partnership with Maridoe Golf Club in Texas to create the Maridoe Collegiate Invitational that will be held in September 2020. That gives Golf Channel five college tournaments. ... Three of the four past champions at Bethpage Black will be at the PGA Cham-

GOLF NOTES pionship.

The exception is Nick Watney, who won The Barclays in 2012.

He fell short of qualifying, in part because of timing.

With the move to May, the PGA Championship money list used for qualifying began with the 2018 Players Championship. Watney was runner-up at Quail Hollow the week before.

STAT OF THE WEEK Max Homa (No. 417) became the fifth player in the last nine years to win the Wells Fargo Championship when ranked outside the top 100 in the world.

FINAL WORD â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smart, he knows how to play, he knows how to win. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not going to leave you.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Jack Nicklaus on Tiger Woods.

AP

Q Sangmoon Bae, of South Korea, watches his shot on the 16th hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C. on May 2, 2019.

AP PHOTO

PAGE FROM THE PAST

Today, we look back at an old front page of The Manila Times, the oldest national daily that was founded on October 11, 1898. (Note: This image was adjusted to fit the page.)

E4

Golf

FOR announcements on tournaments, rankings and other golf-related events, email the sports editor at pgs_mallari@manilatimes.net mes net

SUNDAY May 12, 2019

The Sunday Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Saso braces for US Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Open

BY JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID ASIAN Games gold medalist Yuka Saso will compete in the US Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Open on May 30 to June 3 in South Carolina, United States.

The 17-year old Filipino-Japanese TOPPED THE HOLE SECTIONAL QUALIkER held at the Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia recently. Saso accomplished the feat by carding rounds of AND FOR AN UNDER kNISH The shotmaker, who also bagged the low scorer plum and low amateur silver medal, was a stroke ahead of SECOND QUALIkER ,EONA -AGUIRE OF )RELAND WHO kNISHED WITH A TOTAL via rounds of 66 and 68.

4HE BACK TO BACK 0HILIPPINE ,ADIES Amateur Open champion Saso will test her mettle against the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CREAM OF THE CROP THAT INCLUDES of the top 50 players among them defending champion Thai Ariya Jutanugard, Sung Hyun Park, In Gee Chun, Na Yeon Choi, Inbee Park, -ICHELLE 7IE "RITTANY ,ANG #RISTIE Kerr, Karrie Webb, and inaugural Augusta Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amateur Champion Jennifer Kupcho.

3ASO kNISHED TIED AT .O IN !UGUSTA AND kNISHED TH IN THE RECENT !SIA 0ACIkC 'OLF #HAMPIONSHIP IN *APAN

Q Yuka Saso during the Augusta Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amateur Championship last month. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Rho tops Mount Malarayat Junior Golf Championships Q Players pose for a group photo during the 7th Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup on May 3 at the Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club.

PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ&#x2018;ADA

Turkish Airlines holds 7th TAWGC in Manila THE 7th Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup (TAWGC), the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest corporate golf tournament, came to Manila on May 3, 2019.

The airline prides itself on the quality of its products and services, from the freshest seasonal ingredients used in onboard catering to the Stopover Service in Istanbul and bonuses like free transport of sports equipment including golf clubs.

In its seventh year, the TAWGC continues to deliver the highest quality as players, all invited by the airline, will once again play at some OF THE kNEST COURSES IN THE WORLD The event at Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club was one of 103 tournaments in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record-breaking TAWGC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with THE VICTORS COMPETING IN THE GRAND kNALS

in Turkey later this year.

From a global total of 103, those that win will go through to the Grand Finals and have the chance to play in the Turkish Airlines Open pro-am where previously winners have teed it up alongside the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Michael Miguel won the compeTITION WITH POINTS GOING ON TO REPRESENT -ANILA IN THE GRAND kNALS Alex Yu was runner-up, Ariel Ong was third.

The Nearest the Pin competition was won by Mark Khambatta for the men. Junro Mamaril won the lowest gross score with 69. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We warmly thank all of our guests who made the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup here in Manila

a huge success,â&#x20AC;? said Erhan Balaban, General Manager for Turkish Airlines Manila. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once again, it was a thrilling tournament in the TAWGC series, congratulations to our winner, Michael Miguel. We wish him the best of luck in Turkey.â&#x20AC;? !LL 4!7'# kNALISTS WILL lY TO 4URKEY in the luxury of Turkish Airlinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Business Class. Events such as the Turkish Airlines Open and TAWGC have made Turkish Airlinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; support essential to Antalya being recognized as an international premium destination for golfers with outstanding facilities.

Turkish Airlines continues its unparalleled and ambitious growth throughout its network of 306 DESTINATIONS IN COUNTRIES WITH a 10 per cent increase in passenger

numbers, from 68 million in 2017 to 75 million in 2018, the best year on record. The newly-opened Istanbul Airport hub will facilitate the growth of Turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aviation sector as global aviation shifts eastwards, with Istanbul at the centre. The megaproject will be launched in FOUR PHASES WITH THE kNAL PHASE SET to be complete in 2028 including six runways, four terminals and 233 aircraft parking positions, with the capacity to serve up to 200 million passengers a year with 500+ check in desks and 225,000 employees The TAWGC is supported by National Car Rental & SOCAR, and local sponsors The Manila Times, Meralco, Marco Polo Ortigas, Pacsports, and Oppo.

RHO Hyun Ho carded a 73 to win the Mount Malarayat Junior Golf Championships on April 28 IN ,IPA #ITY "ATANGAS 3ANTINO ,AUREL MEANWHILE

finished with a 77 to top the boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 13-18 division followed

by Jacob Rolida (79), David Guangko (81), Santino Diokno

AND *AMES ,UBGUBAN In the girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 12 and under, Anya Cedo pulled off an 86 to beat Nicole Gan (91) and Reese Ng (92). Grabbing the last two spots were Arianna Ramos (109) and Chloe Rada (116).

Santino Pineda dominated the boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 12 and under with an 81 net followed by Bhuvas Nagpal

,UIS "ALLESTEROS 2AJAH #RISOSTOMO AND 2OCCO Pineda (97).

Julianna Go ruled the girls AND GIRLS AGE GROUPS with a 108 net.

The tournament also honored

the top three players in each age group of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP). ,AUREL TOPPED THE BOY S followed by Rolida and Guangko while overall winner Rho Hyun (O LED THE CHARGE IN THE class together with Diokno and ,UBGUBAN The boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 11-12 was bannered

by Pineda, Nagpal, and Del Rosario while Ballesteros, Crisostomo, and Rocco Pineda outshined their rivals in the 10-under class.

Cedo and Ng dominated the girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 11-12 and girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10-and-under followed by Gan, Ramos, and Rada.

A total of 50 players joined the Mount Malarayat Junior Golf Championship, which is sanctioned by the JGFP. 4HE TOURNAMENT IS AN OFkCIAL ranking event of the Junior Order OF -ERIT WHICH CLASSIkES PLAYER using the Score-Based System.

Princesa cops Seniors Trimester Birthday Bash Class A crown 7),,9 Princesa emerged as the Class A Champion of the Seniors Trimester Birthday Bash Tournament on April 26 at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club in Carmona, Cavite.

Princesa carded a 77 gross to kNISH WITH 3TABLEFORD POINTS against first runner-up Brian Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 80 gross for 39 points.

Class B winner Ariel Abonal SIZZLED WITH A FROM A gross to beat second placer Jun

"ELICENA S In Class C, Jake Buenaflor subdued Manny Panlilio by two STROKES

TO CLAIM THE TOP plum.

The tournament was backed

by Romago, BMG Solar, Coffee Stains, Wicks Realty and Development Corporation, BJZ %NTERPRISES 2ED %AGLE ,ENDING Corporation, Camp John Hay Golf Club, and Forest Hills Golf and Country Club.

Q Class A champion Willy Princesa (center), Class B winner Ariel Abonal (left) and Manila Southwoods Seniors Chapter president Paco Gonzales.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Q The top finishers pose for a photo during the culmination of the Mount Malarayat Junior Golf Championships on April 28 in Lipa City, Batangas.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

2nd Cobra-Puma NGAP to hold SEA Games qualifying tilt Scramble Golf Tournament opens June 19

1st Melencio Policarpio Sr. Memorial Cup opens May 24

THE 2nd Cobra-Puma Scramble Golf Tournament will tee off on June 19 at the Beverly Place Golf and Country Club in Mexico, Pampanga.

The tournament will only allow to compete the kRST TEAMS TO REGISTER %NTRY FEE IS 0 PER two-man team.

Team composition will be a two-man play, which can either be male-male, female-female or male-female.

The minimum combined handicap is 10 and the MAXIMUM IS BASED ON THE *UNE UNIkED NAtional handicapping system.

Registered players can enjoy a special rate of P750 per practice round for one month.

An all-expense paid trip to Johor Baru, Malaysia and a chance to compete in the Cobra-Puma Regional Golf Tournament awaits the low gross and low net team champions.

THE 1st Melencio Policarpio Sr. Memorial Cup WILL TEE OFF ON -AY AT THE !PO 'OLF AND Country Club in Davao City.

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Caddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Tournamentâ&#x20AC;? will follow a bestball format in the front nine and a one-ball twosome play at the back nine.

On-course registration begins at 5:30 a.m. followed by the tee off from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Entry fee per team composed of an amateur and caddy is pegged at P1,500.

The tournament is limited to 50 slots and REGISTRATION WILL BE ON A kRST COME kRST SERVE basis.

Champion will receive a trophy plus 0 CASH WHILE THE kRST RUNNER UP AND SECond runner-up will get a trophies and P7,500 and P5,000 cash, respectively.

For inquiry, contact Randy Policarpio at 09175625599.

THE National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) will hold a two-stage qualifying tournament for the upcoming 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games that the country will be hosting in November.

The event, open to all amateur Filipino golfer will be played at THE (ACIENDA ,UISITA 'OLF AND #OUNTRY #LUB ON *UNE TO AND June 10 to 13.

Participants must be in a

good standing with the NGAP and must satisfy all the requirements imposed by the governing body. Players must have a valid handicap index of 5.0 or lower ISSUED BY A BONAkDE GOLF BODY as of May 1.

4HE QUALIkER WILL BE COMPOSED of two stages of 72 holes each using stroke play.

3TAGE ONE WILL ACCEPT THE kRST PLAYERS TO REGISTER WHEREIN THE

top 12 players and ties within 10 strokes of the leading score will advance to the second stage.

4HE STAGE TWO OF THE QUALIkER will determine the top three players which will form the 2019 SEA Games team as set by the committee.

Entry fee for the qualifying tournament is pegged at P3,000.

For inquiries, contact NGAP at 7065926.

Ignation Golf Tournament unfolds May 17 THE Ignation Golf Tournament will tee off on May 17 at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City.

Entry fee is pegged at P5,000 for non-club members and P3,500 for Wack Wack members, inclusive of green, lunch,

raffle entry and giveaways.

The tournament will follow a System 36 scoring system. ! lAT SCREEN 46 HOME ENTERtainment system, Mi Bands, electric scooters, and robotic vacuum CLEANERS WILL BE RAFlED OFF The hole in one prize in-

cludes a four-day-and-threenight accommodation at the Mission Hills Golf Club in China, Mizuno Golf Items plus P50,000 cash.

For reservation, call Johann Ramos at 09175358910 or Joao Miranda at 09175165626.

The Sunday Times

Inspiration.

Celebrity.

Style.

May 12, 2019 Volume 118 | No. 91

Korina Sanchez’ long awaited

Mother’s Day

•

LITERARY LIFE

FILIPINO CHAMPIONS

ARTS AWAKE

The Newspaper Widow: Dark dispatches F2

The gift of life that comes only from a mother er F3

‘Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical’ returns in July ly F8

Literary Life SUNDAY May 12, 2019

F2

POETRY

BOOK REVIEW

The Newspaper Widow: A cut above other whodunits

F

BY FAYE VALENCIA

to cheap tricks when it comes to the novelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dark revelations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My original intention had been to write a mystery, but I rely too much on character and character development more than the plot, and so I present a novel that is more about Ines Maceda than it is about the mystery of the dead priest,â&#x20AC;? she explains.

In this sense, The Newspaper Widow FOLLOWS CRIME kCTION WRITER 2AYMOND Chandlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective on the genre.

In his critical essay â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Simple Art of Murder,â&#x20AC;? Chandler asserts: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Murder, which is a frustration of the individual and hence a frustration of the race, may have and, in fact, has a good deal of sociological implication.â&#x20AC;?

The other quality that makes The Newspaper Widow stand out is that even the supporting characters are fully fleshed out. And theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not just the basic personas, either. For instance, the one who becomes the title characterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unexpected best friend is a French expatriate named Melisande Moreau, who also happens to be the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sought-after dress designer. Brainard gives Melisande the sauciest lines. In one scene, the Frenchwoman tells Ines: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I should GO ) HAVE TO kNISH THE MAYOR S WIFE S gown. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the Maria Elena procession of the carnival. You know she is big-boned and it took me a while to come up with the right design, but kNALLY ) DISCOVERED THAT THE ACCENT has to be on her big bosom. She has beautiful breasts, so we have some cleavage, and we have to tell all eyes to look there...and not elsewhere.â&#x20AC;?

Ultimately, it is Melisande who convinces Ines that she should think of The Ubec Daily as her own instead of just something that was left behind by her husband.

Then thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a character named Juan dela Cruz, whose common name belies his extraordinary reality. Brainard writes: â&#x20AC;&#x153;People learned that Juan dela Cruz was the only son of the owner of 3ANDOVAL 2UM AND THAT FATHER AND SON were like oil and water. His father had wanted Juan to go to business school,

BY F. JORDAN CARNICE

For Natividad My mother keeps telling me to search for things with eyes open.

Not with mouth or anger.

But when I asked her once more where she kept the chipped green Tupperware with the lid lost

/2 THE MOST PART CRIME kCTION ALSO CALLED THE â&#x20AC;&#x153;whodunit,â&#x20AC;? is considered escapist entertainment.

After all, it follows a formula. Crime â&#x20AC;&#x201D; most often murder â&#x20AC;&#x201D; serves as the centerpiece of the story, whose main character is usually a detective or expert of some sort who is guaranteed to catch the perpetrator.

Consider: Sir Arthur Conan Doyleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brilliant sleuth Sherlock Holmes closes every case, Stieg Larssonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hacker extraordinaire Lisbeth Salander never fails to dish out justice, and so on.

In her paper â&#x20AC;&#x153;Murder as Social Criticism,â&#x20AC;? professor Catherine Nickerson theorizes: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The world of the detective novel is a place of untimely death, cruelty, suspicion and betrayal. )F DETECTIVE kCTION IS A LITERATURE OF escape, why would anyone want to be transported to such anxious locales?

0ERHAPS DETECTIVE kCTION PRODUCES its pleasurable effects by allowing us to feel that no matter how overwhelming our own situations seem, something much worse is happening to someone else.â&#x20AC;?

The Newspaper Widow (University of Santo Tomas Publishing House; 238 pages; 2017) by Cecilia Manguerra "RAINARD MAY BE CLASSIkED AS CRIME kCTION BUT IT DOESN T REALLY FOLLOW THE formula â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and that, in this case, is a very good thing. The opening scene of Brainardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s murder mystery, set in the small town of Ubec in Cebu province, indicates that this isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t your usual detective novel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the summer of 1909, Ubec was OVERRUN BY RATS 2ODENTS LARGER THAN cats scampered throughout the seaside city, fearless of man even during the daytime when the scorching sun shone down on them exposing their hideousness â&#x20AC;&#x201D; their wiry brown fur, long snouts, and naked tails as long as their bodies,â&#x20AC;? it reads.

Brainardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disturbingly vivid introduction serves as a warning that people are not always what they seem, and there are far worse things that could happen to a town than a rat infestation.

In fact, the rodents were the reason for the discovery of Father Nicolas Zafraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body. The novelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s title character, the quietly tenacious Ines Maceda, ends up covering the story for The Ubec Daily. The paper is something that Ines inherits from her late husband, the cerebral Pablo.

Ines becomes more involved in the investigation of the priestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s murder WHEN HER SON !NDRES IS IDENTIkED AS the main suspect. In her attempt to clear her sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name, Ines knocks over a few cans of worms and what-not.

Thankfully, Brainard does not resort

Guide to Searching

to our many cousins, she turned to me with a pout, lips rounded like a sweet little donut on her face lovingly aged. I smiled as a slight upward tilt with her head completed this brief pantomime. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There,â&#x20AC;? she said with neither detail NOR kNGER THAT POINTS TO A DISCOVERY (the point of all that is human?).

Just this kind of kiss meant to reveal THINGS THAT NEEDED kNDING LIKE SOME actual kisses do. I think we search with all parts and organs, just as a mountain seeks for trees and rivers and animals with ledges and folds and caves to be a proper mountain: lungs to construe crispness of morning air, or toes to fathom foot of water, tender nibble of sand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Here,â&#x20AC;?

MY MOTHER kNALLY SAID

and I got more than I asked for.

In this she proved herself wrong, this she found not with her eyes.

BUT *UAN PREFERRED kNE ARTS AND MUSIC His father had pressured him to marry the daughter of his business partner, an unacceptable situation for Juan. Juanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MOTHER kNALLY SOLD SOME OF HER JEWELRY TO kNANCE HER SON S STUDIES AT THE 2EIAL Academia Catalana de Belles Arts de Sant Jordi in Barcelona.â&#x20AC;?

Juan goes on to fall in love with a Spaniard named Esteban Magri. The couple live in Ubec and are wellrespected members of the community.

The only real problem they encounter is when Juan also becomes a suspect in Father Zafraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s murder.

Aside from its complex characters, The Newspaper Widow also contains a lot of historical detail. These include even the most disturbing things, such as instruments of torture.

Brainard writes: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The garrote, an all-time Spanish favorite, was used for capital punishment during the Spanish time, and for a few years, the American military government availed of the garrote for executions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The principle behind garroting was

simple: Crush the larynx while applying pressure to the victimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back. All you needed was a chair with a back rest and a neck clamp which could be tightened by crank, wheel, or hand, thereby strangling the victim.â&#x20AC;?

The Newspaper Widow may not HAVE A lASHY DETECTIVE AS ITS PROTAGONIST BUT IT IS DEkNITELY CRIME kCTION thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a cut above the usual whodunits.

Thanks to Brainardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elegant prose and insights, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a social commentary that attempts to shine the light on the dark corners of organized religion. It does not demonize the Church, but it recognizes the fact that there are a few demons posing as angels within it.

Brainardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s masterpiece also reminds us that in life, things are not always resolved as neatly as we would like them to be. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a clear demarcation between good and bad, but there are also a lot of gray areas that we have to learn to navigate.

The Newspaper Widow costs P400 and is available in leading bookstores.

Videoke Confession

BY JAMES M. FAJARITO Music devotees religiously do confession, Chanted before a box of sing-along.

But it rarely leads to the singerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s redemption, For itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like buying absolution for a song.

Chanted before a box of sing-along, Old guilt is spilled to the crowd.

It sure is like buying absolution for a song And thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freedom in singing it out loud.

While old guilt is spilled to the crowd, Listeners cringe at the bitter tone.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freedom in singing it out loud, But the tension mounts in the microphone.

Listeners cringe at the bitter tone As they line up to purge every regret.

Though the tension mounts in the microphone, Listeners canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to sing in order to forget.

People lining up to purge every regret Are music devotees who pine for confession.

They canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to sing in order to forget, But it rarely leads to the singerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s redemption.

BOOK REVIEW

The End of the End of the Earth: Birds and beings on the planet ONE subject comes up frequently in The End of the End of the Earth: Essays (Farrar, Strauss and Giroux; 2018), Jonathan Franzenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest collection of essays: how to live responsibly in the face of our all but certain extinction as a species. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every one of us is now in the position of the indigenous Americans when the Europeans arrived with guns and smallpox: our world is poised to change vastly, unpredictably, and mostly for the worse,â&#x20AC;? Franzen writes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any hope that we can stop the change from coming. My only hope is that we can accept the reality in time to prepare for it humanely,â&#x20AC;? he adds.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re late to the Franzen game, or know him only through one of the controversies that have dogged

him online â&#x20AC;&#x201D; He snubbed Oprah!

Dissed Edith Wharton! Disrespected the Audubon Society! â&#x20AC;&#x201D; this book is a good place to catch up with the acclaimed novelist (The Corrections, Freedom) whose graceful, trenchant essays are a joy to read, even when the subject is terrifying.

The End of the End of the Earth brings together 16 essays and speechES WRITTEN MOSTLY IN THE PAST kVE YEARS

although the publisher chose not to list the original publication date or media outlet. Half are about birds, birdwatching and climate change â&#x20AC;&#x201D; subjects he cares about as deeply as literature and writing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you could see every bird in the world, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d see the whole world,â&#x20AC;? he writes in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why Birds Matter,â&#x20AC;? a lyrical

THE Literary Life page of The Sunday Times Magazine is now accepting contributions of new, original and unpublished short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, preferably in English, from emerging and established writers. Works must be encoded in Microsoft Word using the typefaces Arial, Times New Roman, or Palatino Linotype, font size 12 and letter-sized paper (8.5 x 11 inches),

essay that persuasively argues that bird populations â&#x20AC;&#x153;indicate the health of ... our ethical values.â&#x20AC;?

The rest touch on a variety of subjects, including photography, technology and Manhattan, pre-gentrification. One piece published two days after 9/11 shows the limits of deadline journalism because, like virtually everyone else in America, Franzen thought things would never be the same. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the space of two hours, we left behind a happy era of Game Boy economics and trophy houses,â&#x20AC;? Franzen says.

Well, not exactly. The trophy houses in 2018 are even bigger.

In the final essay, Franzen slyly offers up a bit of advice for readers WHO LIKE HIM WORRY ABOUT kNDING A moral and ethical way to live in the

late Anthropocene.

After noting the human tendency to take the short view, he observes that every minute in America, 30,000 paper cups are tossed even as rain forests are leveled to supply the world with pulp. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your life is complicated enough already without dragging a reusable cup around with you all day,â&#x20AC;? Franzen says. Sure, but reading that sentence, you know thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exactly what you should do.

AP The End of the End of the Earth: Essays costs P1,025 and is available in leading bookstores.

Q This photo from Farrar, Straus and Giroux shows the cover of The End of the End of the Earth: Essays. AP PHOTO

and saved in either .doc or .rtf format. Each short story and creative nonfiction piece should be between ten (10) and twenty (20) pages (double-spaced), while each poem should be limited to only one (1) page (single-spaced).

Works littered with glaring grammatical and typographical errors will not be considered. Send your works to the literary editor, Alvin I. Dacanay, at literarylife[at]

manilatimes[dot]net. Kindly put the genre and title of the work in the emailâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s subject line (example: Short Story: Dead Stars). Authors whose creative works are published in the magazine agree to have these included in literary anthologies that The Manila Times may conceive and publish in the future. Full copyright ownership of the works shall remain with their respective authors.

Filipino Champions The Sunday Times

SUNDAY May 12, 2019

The gift of life that comes only from a mother

F3

Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day an important occassion for OFWs Survey shows spike in remmitance every year toward second Sunday of May

M

OTHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Day was kRST CELEBRATED IN WHEN !NNA *ARVIS HELD A MEMORIAL FOR HER MOTHER ! N N 2EEVES *ARVIS WHO DIED IN AT 3T !NDREW S -ETHODIST #HURCH IN 'RAFTON 7EST 6IRGINIA

The author with her mother, Chay Ravanes

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NE of my favorite childhood memor ie s i nvolve s me wa king up early one morning, going to THE THOUGHT the kitchen, and announcing to my JUNKIE mother that I did not feel like going CARLA BIANCA to school. As a first grader, I was unRAVANES-HIGHAM sure of how she would respond to such request but I was surprised when she always believed that God was in conmerely replied with, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you do not trol and she had faith that no matter like to go to school, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go.â&#x20AC;? what the circumstance, He will show My mom was an irony in such a way himself strong and faithful. that she was strict and meticulously My mother gave life to me â&#x20AC;&#x201D; such well-mannered constantly giving us a simple yet incredibly powerful lessons on how to sit, how to stand, and statement that we sometimes take for how to properly behave in public. And granted. Without my mother, I would yet, she gave us the freedom to be who not be here, I would not be writing we were. She supported me when all I this, and I would have not been given ever wanted to do was bury my head in the education to pursue my dreams. I books and did not question when I chose wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the heart to give, the a degree for college. My mom, along heart to love, or the capacity to empawith my dad, allowed me to live my life thize. I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the strength to WKH ZD\ WKDW , VDZ Ă&#x20AC;W 7KH\ WUXVWHG LQ go after my dreams or the courage to the values and faith that they instilled love life even if it has failed me before. in me when I was younger so when I was 7KDW LV WKH JLIW RI D PRWKHU Âł older, they let me go. from the moment we wake on this And while some people may have earth, a love that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just give mistaken my mother as overly pro- us life but it is a love that carries tective, looking back, she wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. us through, whether we are near or She was merely shielding me from far. It is a love that strengthens us unnecessary pain and protecting and a love that is unlike no other. me as much as she could. My mother Happy Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day to moms everydedicated her life to protecting us and where, the world would not be the same for that, I am grateful. without you in it.

In fact, working in the mental health industry has made me appreciate my www.carlabiancaravanes.com parents even more. As children, we sometimes forget that our parents are human beings who lived full lives before we came into the world and I am thankful for the way my mom survived and thrived through the many seasons of her life. My mom did the best that she could with what she had. She did the best that she could and I am who I am because of her bravery to move forward in life, even if she probably did not know how to do so.

0\ PRP OHW XV Ă \ DQG live our dreams. She never shielded us from the realities of life and was always the first person to pick us up when life became challenging as it would for anyone. My momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faith â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My mother dedicated her life to protecting us and has inspired my own, she for that, I am grateful.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

'HVSLWH REMHFWLRQ IURP WKH 86 &RQJUHVV in 1908, Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day was observed by all states by 1911 due to Jarvisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; efforts. President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation in 1914, designating Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day on the second Sunday of May as a national KROLGD\ WR KRQRU PRWKHUV 7KH WUDGLWLRQ spread to other nations.

Filipino tradition 7HFKQLFDOO\ 0RWKHU¡V 'D\ LQ WKH 3KLOLSpines should remain celebrated on the Ă&#x20AC;UVW 0RQGD\ RI 'HFHPEHU ,W KDV EHHQ that way since the 1920s until 1980 when Pres. Ferdinand Marcos signed a proclamation declaring the date as both Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day and Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. :LWK WKH DVVXPSWLRQ RI &RU\ $TXLQR to the presidency in 1986, the date was changed to align with the US tradition of celebrating Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day on the second Sunday of May, and the Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day on the third Sunday of June. When Joseph Estrada became President in 1998, he changed the date of Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day back to Ă&#x20AC;UVW 0RQGD\ RI 'HFHPEHU ,W ZDVQ¡W RYHUruled by the succeding leaders until now so legally Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day in the Philippines should be in December and not in May. However, with Filipinos inclined to assimilate into American culture and traditions, Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day continues to be celebrated on the second Sunday of May, and Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day on the third Sunday of June.

7KH 3KLOLSSLQH VRFLHW\ EHLQJ PDWHUnal, with the mother touted as â&#x20AC;&#x153;ilaw ng tahananâ&#x20AC;? (light of the home), children are normally closer to the one who gave birth to them â&#x20AC;&#x201D; recognizing the guidDQFH VDFULĂ&#x20AC;FHV ZDUPWK JHQHURVLW\ DQG patience of their mom. Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day then becomes a full celebration also for other women in the family â&#x20AC;&#x201D; lolas, aunties, ninangs, ates, cousins and other women who are also mothers.

While there are those who opt eating out to celebrate the occasion, most families prefer to stay at home and enjoy dinner most likely with party foods like pancit, spaghetti, pizza, fried chicken or lechon manok â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with mom getting gifts of chocolates, kitchen implements, bedroom and EDWKURRP HVVHQWLDOV RU ERXTXHW RI Ă RZHUV

The Filipino mother is touted as ilaw ng tahanan (light of the home), whom children are normally closer to the one who gave birth to them â&#x20AC;&#x201D; recognizing the guidance, sacrifices, warmth, generosity and patience of their beloved nanay. IMAGE FROM

PINTEREST OF A PAINTING BY ARACELI DANS AS DEPICTION OF OUR LADY IN â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;BARO AT SAYAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; NOW HOUSED AT REGINA RICA IN TANAY, RIZAL OF THE DOMINICAN SISTERS OF REGINA ROSARII.

transfer if they use the code MDAYWR when making payment.

WorldRemit app and website make sending money home as easy as sending an instant message. Filipinos living in over 50 countries, including the USA, &DQDGD DQG $XVWUDOLD FDQ VHQG PRQH\ in a few taps directly from their smartphones, without having to travel and pay expensive fees at a money transfer agent,â&#x20AC;? WorldRemit Managing Director IRU $VLD 3DFLĂ&#x20AC;F 0LFKDHO /LX VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day is an important time for the 10 million Filipinos living and working abroad to show their moms that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thinking of them. Our online money transfer service makes it easier to send money to your mom WKLV 0RWKHU¡V 'D\ &XVWRPHUV FDQ PDNH transfers at any time from anywhere with just a few taps on their smartSKRQHV :H DOVR GHOLYHU QRWLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQV WR you and your mom when the money has been sent and received to help you stay connected at every stage of the money transfer journey,â&#x20AC;? he explained.

For recipients in the Philippines, OFW survey WorldRemit offers a variety of convenient ways to receive money, includIn a survey conducted by online interna- Save on fees ing mobile money, bank deposit, cash tional money transfer service WorldRemit collection at around 15,000 locations ERWK LQ LWV 0DQLOD DQG /RQGRQ RIĂ&#x20AC;FHV HDUO\ For Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, WorldRemit is offer- across urban and rural areas of the this month, majority of Filipinos working LQJ QHZ FXVWRPHUV ]HUR IHHV RQ WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;UVW Philippines, and mobile airtime top-up. abroad or OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) send money thru their moms.

Data showed that money transfers during the week leading up to Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day last year increased by 13 percent. Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day is a special time for OFWs to show their love and appreciation for their moms.

7KH VXUYH\ DOVR UHYHDOHG â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 62 percent said they send money to their moms in the Philippines. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 43 percent said they havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen their moms for at least two years. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 99 percent who send money to their mothers celebrate Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 82 percent send money to their moms on Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 78 percent of those who send money to ther mom for Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day give her mom a call and 52 percent also send her a gift.

Responses were collected from a survey of 2,384 WorldRemit customers aged 18 to 50 years old who have sent money to the Philippines in the last six months from the 86$ $XVWUDOLD &DQDGD 8. DQG 1RUZD\ &DOOHG ´PJD EDJRQJ ED\DQL Âľ 2):V are a strong force in keeping the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HFRQRP\ DĂ RDW /DVW \HDU UHPLWWDQFHV from OFWs totaled $33.8 billion.

Taguig City mothers intensify fight against cervical cancer 6833257(' by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of the I nter ior a nd L oca l Government (DILG), the Department of Health (DoH) recognizes the integral role of mothers in helping their daughters understand the importance of early protection from Human Papillomavirus (HPV) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the leading cause of cervical cancer.

DoHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School-Based Immunization Program (SBIP) recently reached /DNHVKRUH +DOO LQ 7DJXLJ &LW\ ZKHUH mothers accompanied their young daughters aged nine to 13 years old LQ UHFHLYLQJ WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;UVW GRVH RI TXDGULvalent HPV vaccine administered by the government for free as part of its expanded program on immunization.

7KH +39 YDFFLQDWLRQ SURJUDP LV targeted to make protection against HPV-related diseases such as cervical cancer more accessible to Filipino women especially for those who cannot afford the cost of immunization.

OB-Gyn and Infectious Disease VSHFLDOLVW -HQQLIHU &R QRWHG WKDW RQH dose of the vaccine ranges between

3 DQG 7KRVH DJHG QLQH to 13 years old would need two doses of HPV vaccine. Meanwhile, adult females up to 45 years old would follow the three dose regimen schedule.

Under the HPV SBIP, more parents learn the value of having their daughters vaccinated at a young age through awareness and education seminars that are held before the schools ask for WKHLU FRQVHQW 7KH TXDGULYDOHQW +39 vaccine is most recommended to be administered to girls nine to 13 years old because they still have optimum immune resistance to the infection.

What is HPV? HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that causes more than 90 percent of cervical cancer cases. It can also lead to genital warts, and other malignancies such as anal and oropharynx cancer in both men and women, vaginal and vulvar cancer in women, and penile cancer in men.

In the rise of cervical cancer incidence, with an estimate of 6,000 new

Parents show full support of DOHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HPV School-Based Immunization Program to help prevent cervical cancer and HPV infections among young females.

cases reported every year in the Philippines, the value of HPV vaccination cannot be underestimated and many more mothers have been joining the Ă&#x20AC;JKW IRU DQ +39 IUHH IXWXUH

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nakatanggap ako ng three doses ng HPV vaccine. Dahil ako rin po ay isang nanay, naisip ko na kailangan din ng anak kong babae ng proteksyon.

Kaya yung mga bata dito, masuwerte

kayo kasi ibinibigay po ito ng DoH at pamahalaang lungsod ng 7DJXLJ nang libre Âľ VDLG $QQHWWH &ULVWREDO SULQFLSDO RI &3 6WD 7HUHVD (OHPHQWDU\ 6FKRRO Mothers who accompanied their daughters at the activity equally beOLHYHG LQ WKH EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV RI +39 LPPXQLzation and encouraged other mothers to get their daughters vaccinated under the government vaccination program. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bilang ina ng isa sa mga nabiyayaan ng HPV vaccine, inaanyayahan ko po ang ibang mga magulang na pabakunahan ang kanilang mga anak upang matulungan silang mabigyan ng sapat na proteksyon at maagapan ang pagkakaroon ng HPV infection. Naniniwala po ako na prevention is better than cure,â&#x20AC;? said Geraldine Obuyes, mother of &U\VWDO 2EX\HV ZKR ZLOO EH UHFHLYing her second dose of HPV vaccine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Paglaki namin, may tulong proteksyon na po kami sa HPV at cervical cancer. Dapat huwag matakot magpabakuna kasi na-test na ito at may research sila nang ilang dekada na,â&#x20AC;? said Arielle &DQWD RQH RI WKH UHFLSLHQWV RI 6%,3

Cover Story The Sunday Times

F4

SUNDAY MAY 12, 2019 COVER AND INSIDE PHOTOS BY J.GERARD SEGUIA

Korina Sanchezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; long awaited

Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day

â&#x20AC;&#x153;D

BY TESSA MAURICIO ARRIOLA

ATI-rati ako ang namamahagi ng bulaklak tuwing Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day,â&#x20AC;? happily boomed a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s voice, familiar to every household across the country.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Puwes ngayonâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? it mockingly warned, just as quickly breaking into a round of blissful laughter.

The famous voice is veteran broadcast journalistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Korina Sanchez-Roxas who looked exactly like she does on TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rated Kâ&#x20AC;? when she welcomed The Sunday Times Magazine to her home at the Aranetasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; residential compound in Cubao, Quezon City, except for a brighter twinkle in her eyes and a wider smile that never seemed to leave her lips throughout this conversation.

Hosting a small luncheon to celebrate her politician-husband Mar Roxasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; birthday a few days ahead his natal day on May 13, the ABS-CBN News and Public Affairs stalwart couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but talk about two other people more that the man of the hour. The celebrant didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mind by the way for he also talked about nothing else.

In other words, the gathering turned out to be all about Pepe and Pilar, the coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now famous â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and extremely adorable â&#x20AC;&#x201D; twin babies whom the Roxases had via surrogate exactly three months ago on February 12 in

The Sunday Times

magazine TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA Editor ALVIN I. DACANAY Literary Editor CHRISTINA ALPAD IZA IGLESIAS Staff Writers ARLO CUSTODIO Deskman *** PETER NATHANIEL S. BAGA MARJORIE T. DIZON ENRICO D. BERATA JOANNA C. UMADHAY HORACIO MAKABENTA Layout Artists *** DANTE FRANCIS M. ANG 2ND President & CEO *** Telephone: 524-5664 to 66 Telefax: 521-6897 â&#x20AC;˘ 521-6872 Subscription: 528-1319 www.manilatimes.net Website lifestyle@manilatimes.net E-mail

The ~Manila Times is published daily at 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002

Pittsburg, USA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve said it before and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll say it again: Sinong mag-aakala na magiging nanay pa ako?â&#x20AC;? Sanchez, the epitome of the modern career-driven woman achiever, laughed again.

Had the wonders of science been unable to help her have children at this stage in her life, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not as if she has nothing to show for choosing to reach the pinnacle of her profession rather starting a family earlier in life. Reputed as one of the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; foremost broadcast journalists, Sanchez is a proud pioneer of the iconic evening news program â&#x20AC;&#x153;TV Patrolâ&#x20AC;? on ABS-CBN, and had trailblazed numerous public affairs formats like the early morning talk show â&#x20AC;&#x153;Magandang Umagaâ&#x20AC;? with Noli de Castro; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Morning Girlsâ&#x20AC;? with Kris Aquino; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tambalang Failon at Korinaâ&#x20AC;? with Ted Failon on AM Radio DZBB; and of course the magazine show â&#x20AC;&#x153;Balitang K,â&#x20AC;? the precursor of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-running â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rated Kâ&#x20AC;? production, among many others.

Gaining awards for most if not all of her past endeavors, including the coveted Ka Doroy Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2008, Sanchez could have easily chosen to spend the rest of her life in comfortable companionship with her husband and no one would have dared to judge her. Nevertheless, to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surprise, the career woman embarked on what she had secretly called their â&#x20AC;&#x153;baby projectâ&#x20AC;? for years, and is now a mother of twin babies at 60. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think I would ever have children anymore but if thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one thing I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live with, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the feeling of regret,â&#x20AC;? Sanchez asserted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I came to a point in my life when I told myself, before I regret not even trying, I have to try, and what happened is nothing short of a miracle.â&#x20AC;?

In the following Q&A, discover a different Korina Sanchez, who rather than chasing deadlines, moves heaven and earth to secure precious breastmilk for her twins. A Korina Sanchez, who rather than asking tough questions about the state of the nation gets a consensus on the best diaper brand to use at night. And most remarkably, discover Korina Sanchez, a woman whose name had long been synonymous with VWUHQJWK DQG FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQFH VKDUH IHHOLQJV of fear and uncertainty in caring for two little human beings who instantly UHGHĂ&#x20AC;QHG WKH PHDQLQJ RI ORYH DQG KDSpiness in her life.

0RWKHU¡V 'D\ KDV GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ EHHQ D long time coming for Korina SanchezRoxas, but as she opens her eyes on her YHU\ Ă&#x20AC;UVW RQH WKLV PRUQLQJ DQG ZUDSV her arms around two little bundles who GHSHQG RQ KHU FRPSOHWHO\ VKH ZLOO GHĂ&#x20AC;nitely say itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been worth the wait.

Since Pepe and Pilar were born, when

Q Pepe (right) and Pilar were delivered on February 12, at 1 p.m. in Pittsburgh, USA. Pepe was born first at 5.4 lbs. while Pilar was born after an hour at 4.10 lbs.

So nung dumating na yung mga bataâ&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ay, okay, parang tao, humihinga na siya.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; [Laughs]. Tapos hindi rin ako masyado maka-bond kasi I have caregivers kaya hindi naman ikaw yung super kasama nila. Pero unti-unti, day by day, nadadagdagan yung bond, and most especially, nadadagdagan yung joy.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not immediate but builds it up day by day, and now that they can already see, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interactive, and bumubuhos na talaga ang connection ninyo.

Can you describe your emotions now, three months into motherhood?

Tinatanong ko nga sa iba kung weird ba ako, pero apparently even with mothers who carry their own children, they feel the same way. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re beset by worry. Sabi ko, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Negative ba â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;kong tao?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Kasi parang sobra akong takot and worried if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m caring for them properly. Ano ba â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;to, postpartum, eh hindi naman ako nanganak?

Nahuli ko nga yung asawa ko sa ospital when they were born na nakatingin rin sa mga bata na parang, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What did I do?â&#x20AC;? [Laughs]. May picture pa â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yun eh.

So I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s normal to get worried but you can only take it one day at a time as with any parent.

Q Celebrating the twinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first month still in Pittsburg until â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mommy Korinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; got the green light to fly them home to Manila. did it really sink in that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re now a mother?

You know, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really the right words to use. When did it really sink in. Kasi hindi immediate yung pag-sink in nung motherhood lalo na since hindi ako yung nagdala nung dalawa.

Parang medyo strange especially

at the start when we were waiting for them to be born. When people would ask me, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are you excited?,â&#x20AC;? hindi ako makasagot kasi ang busy, busy ko sa trabaho.

Until the last minute when I boarded the plane to Pittsburgh, I was so busy so parang hindi mo maramdamanâ&#x20AC;Ś

Does your fear go as far as sending them to school one day and having to let them go on their own?

Well, gusto ko nga sana one day at a time pero naisip ko na yan na lahat ng nanay sa school mas bata sa akin! [Laughs]. Baka pagpasok ko sa classroom, magtayuan akala ako yung teacher. Magpapadala na lang kaya ako ng representative? [Laughs].

As a highly accomplished woman, did you ever tell yourself that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to have children to complete the cycle of life? If you did, how did all that change?

Cover Story The Sunday Times

SUNDAY MAY 12, 2019

F5

I’ve always loved children but I never thought I’d have any of my own talaga. But like I said earlier, I can’t live with regret, and after we got married and we decided to try, what I couldn’t accept next was the word “impossible.”

I was turned down in New York, I was turned down in Singapore. They didn’t want to work with me [to have babies] kasi mahihirapan lang daw.

Sabi ko naman, eh kung mahihirapan lang, p’wede pa yan. Kasi kahit sinabi pa nilang imposible, I didn’t even believe that. Doctors can also be wrong and those who said so were wrong kasi tinrabaho ko talaga.

In saying that, what did the whole “baby project” entail?

It was a whole year of really resting; dapat walang stress. Galit na galit na ko, nakangiti pa rin ako. Acupuncture dito, acupressure sa paa… Tyinaga ko talaga.

The doctor I worked with was very aggressive — every week nandiyan ako para magpa-ultrasound, nag-hahanap ng phonic route. There are many who are willing [to treat you] but you have to be unrelenting. The doctor will only be unrelenting as you are. So ako rin talaga ang kumakatok, ‘Mag-ultrasound tayo ngayon,’ so nakahuli kami.

Q ‘Motherhood is not defined by whether you carry the baby or not.

It probably doesn’t even matter whether ampon yan, dugo mo o hindi.

Motherhood is about the bond and the care that you give the child. The child knows who his or her mother is, depending on who gave him or her the love and inspiration while growing up.’ tahimik nalang ako kasi alam ko ako talaga ang kamukha! [Laughs again].

How many attempts did you make in total [to be able to harvest eggs]?

Basta tuloy tuloy — wala ngayon, bukas meron. Magre-retrieve ka pero hindi lahat buo. It was a continuous process hanggang makaipon ako ng enough, hanggang sa hindi na ko makakilos. Talagang tail-end na. Maaga kasi ako nag-menopause because I only have one ovary. I had endometriosis very early in my life, around my 20s. Unti-unti na ini-slice yung ovary ko, and I had four operations in total for that. So ang natira nalang sa akin is half an ovary — half of one — that’s why Pepe and Pilar are really a miracle.

How did you learn about the surrogacy process? , GLG P\ UHVHDUFK DQG ZH ÀQDOO\ went to what is called a surrogacy concierge. I used the same concierge as [Dr.] Vicki Belo because I started in India and it wasn’t working out — four years na hanggang nagbago na sila ng batas. Dati yung mga same-sex na mag-asawa, diyan nakaka-buo ng anak sa India because ang mga babae 24/7 parang Big Brother House, nasa loob lang ng facility. Talagang guwardiyado sila so gusto ko sana ‘dun.

Eh sa tagal nagbago na nga batas so sabi ko, ikakatanda ko na ito!

So I went to Vicki and [her husband] Hayden [Kho], and sabi ko I’ll use your team. Tapos this concierge puts everybody together — the doctor, the lawyer, the carrier. Pagdating mo ‘dun, meron ka nang crib, basinet, lampin. Siya na lahat ang nag-asikaso.

Going through this, I’m happy that in the Philippines, hindi na sila nagtataka ngayon and hindi na nila kinwe-question yung proseso ngayon, and I think it’s because pag dumating na yung bata, maligaya na ang lahat.

Did you really want twins from the start?

Alam mo nung una, ang balak ko lang isa. Yung asawa ko naman gusto kambal —

Speaking of your husband, it was caught on camera how he teared up when he saw the babies at the hospital.

Did you cry too?

Mababaw ang luha nun kasi nung kasal namin, siya yung umiiyak! Alam mo naman ako, amazona!

I don’t know but there’s something about motherhood that just kinda makes you an amazona. Agad pumasok sa akin that moment was, “OK, kaya ko ‘to,” but then again, like I said, the fear came along soon enough. The worry that you’re doing everything right, and apparently, whether or not you were the one who carried the babies, the feelings are the same.

I think motherhood is like that and motherhood is not defined by whether you carry the baby or not. It probably doesn’t even matter whether ampon yan, dugo mo o hindi. I think motherhood is about the bond and the care that you give the child. The child knows who his or her mother is, depending on who gave him or her the love and inspiration while growing up.

Are you spoiling them with lots of clothes and other baby things?

Sa Pittsburgh, nalumpo ako dun kasi ang pang-shopping, pinambili ko na lang ng gatas. Ang mahal ng breastmilk sa America! Sobrang mahal but I insist that they really are on breastmilk kasi everybody says it’s the best and praning ako sa sakit. Breastmilk really increases their resistance and nagiging mas matalino according to studies.

Q The new mom’s Instagram post with this photo read, ‘Am waiting for the first moment they can see, and I want my face to be the first image. I talk to them a lot. I tell them they’re beautiful, they’re kind, they’re strong, they’re go getters, they love people and people love them, they love God and God loves them...paulit ulit.’ gusto pa ata triplets! Sabi ko, ‘Malakas ang loob ni lolo ha!’ I think it’s because he feels strong and he is strong. He’s physically stronger than me.

Aakyat kami sa bundok meron siyang 15 kilos sa likod niya, ako four kilos lang sumusuko pa ko.

Tsaka s’yempre nag-iisip siya na matagal na namin pinaplano ito, and nandun na ‘din tintutubuan na ng ngipin at balbas sa

freezer yung mga embryo! So tutal naman kaya, tatlo na kaagad, di’ba? Pero dalawa lang talaga yung kaya nung surrogate. Kung pumayag yung surrogate, tatlo siguro yan.

But all the same, it’s really a miracle kasi usually dalawa lang ang magsu-survive or minsan pa wala.

Uulit ka nang uulit and that was our worry kasi baka maubusan ng embryo eh hindi naman karamihan.

Tapos babae at lalaki pa sila kaya miracle talaga siya. Tapos ang cute pa nila pareho! [Laughs] Who do you think the babies look like?

Alam mo, pinauubaya ko na yan sa tumitingin kasi syempre yung asawa ko sinasabi, ‘Ako ang kamukha.’

So

What do you do for breastmilk now in Manila?

Biro mo, tatlong buwan na, arawaraw ako naglilimos. Pine-pressure ako ng mga nurses kung may gatas pa daw, so araw-araw iniisip ko kung saan ako kukuha ng gatas ngayon.

And hospitals in this country, they can only give you little because so many are in need of breastmilk. And you can’t buy breastmilk here, they allot it to you, like in Quezon City General Hospital, ganito lang kakonti. Tapos ayoko naman kumuha nang kumuha sa ospital kasi dinu-donate yan para sa premature. Ayoko na makiagaw dun.

I have friends [feigns a cough], I mean the daughters of my barkada na meron nang mga baby, sa kanila ako nakikihingi tapos yung mga barkada nila. May Viber group yan and may matrix pa ako so I know who I can ask from kasi iniiba-iba ko siyempre. Tapos pinapadalan ko yan ng malunggay capsules, breastmilk bag, lactation cookies! You’ll do everything for your babies di’ba and thankfully I’m getting a lot of help.

What are their names besides Pepe and Pilar?

Tig-apat na pangalan sila, pinagsama-sama naming lahat! Pepe is Pepe Ramon Gerardo Denzel (the second and third names after Sanchez and Roxas’ fathers, respectively); and Pilar is Pilar Judy Celia Korina (again the second and third names after the couples’ mothers).

Q ‘I really didn’t think I would ever have children anymore but if there’s one thing I can’t live with it’s the feeling of regret. And I came to a point in my life when I told myself, before I regret not even trying, I have to try, and what happened was sort of a miracle.’

Do you have a date for the baptism yet?

It will have to be after the elections and we’ve decided to have our nephews and nieces from both sides as godparents because they really need younger ninongs and ninangs di’ba?

Fun Times The Sunday Times

F6

»horoscope

THE SUNDAY CROSSWORD

Movie Hype, Translated

By Merl Reagle May 12, 2019

...Reading between the ad lines This puzzle is part of Merl's best-of series 1 8 14 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 32 34 36 37 46 47 48 49 52 53 56 58 62 63 64 68 69 70 71 72 74 77 79 85 86 88 89 90 94 96 97 98 100 102 106 109 110 111 113

ACROSS Mary Tyler Moore co-star Severe trial Stealthy Japanese warrior “Dazzling special effects!”

Shortcoming Leaving word “Ten years in the making!”

Left the La-Z-Boy Monstrous, old-style Winter runners?

Get ___ (ace the exam) Actress Carter and cartoonist Barry Artless one Frito-___ The No. 1 suffix “The fun never stops!”

Masada holdout Flying-wedge members Kahoolawe’s county Swit co-star Concealed “Slice-of-life realism ...”

Poky arboreal primate Raise Nostalgic time Transgression “Massive in scope ... definitive ...”

Car front end protector Pompous one Geologic concept Squinty-eyed Mr. of cartoons Old music note Discount word Deceit metaphor “Builds to a shattering climax!”

Cartoon collectible Actress Rooney Princess’s headwear Excellent, in Variety “Sumptuous ... with an international cast!”

I.D. abbr.

Bacteriologist Walter Camarade Funny Anne Photographer Richard “Haunting ... mindbending ... surreal ...”

The network in Network Boston-born poet File, for one Concealed Last-to-know type

116 Coffeehouse order 120 Goofball 123 Land of the world’s highest and lowest points 124 “Outrageous cult classic!”

129 Palmer, to pals 130 Undies fabric 131 “Introspective ... brooding ... insightful ...”

132 Drive a car 133 Pugilistic combination 134 Treats with an antiseptic 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 22 23 24 30 31 33 35 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

DOWN Messengers “It ___ matter” ___ as a beet Trash pad?

IRS-form pencilings Erstwhile Harper’s Bazaar cover illustrator 1960s runner Jim See 31 Down Living (with) Slight drop Israeli statesman Abba In addition Not as much The teen-slang language in A Clockwork Orange Testimony preface Santa Maria’s “sister” Catch up with Celluloid canine First name in whodunits Holey food Members of a conger line Dug in Ayatollah’s predecessor, with 8 Down Cow chow November sweets Mr. Yale Big name in travel guides With hum, an army vehicle Observe Knock over again?

Late first lady of Russia Capital near Carthage

Gift givers! For info on Merl’s books, visit www.sundaycrosswords.com.

1

2

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19

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85 90

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106 107 108 111

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121 122

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VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Make agreements and promises to advance a personal goal. Use

118 Zig or zag 119 Falco of The Sopranos 121 Critter on New Zealand stamps 122 Studio effect

125 Jewel on Guanabara Bay 126 Stage routine 127 Ilsa, to Rick 128 Queen Victoria’s granddaughter

Solution: ¶$QDJUDP 1LFNQDPHV · (May 5) L O L A I R AQ P E RU C A S CH P L E A A I S L SO L O A N ONU S L EGO D A H MR T U AMOS N E N E S DU Z I DO S AWN C L I E S L E D

H A G RG O I D S E N T A P O OD N A T P OA B L L E O T N T GE

E R R O L C A L O R I C E P O C H

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Things are starting to make sense. Adapt communications to an unexpected situation. You can see what needs to change.

Talk about the results you want.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Your work has rising profit potential. Stay in action. Take advantage of an unexpected opportunity. Align your words and actions for lucrative results.

127 128

129

82 Olympic event, ___ dancing 83 Scratch (out) a living 84 Homeland 87 Ripening agent 91 Louis-Dreyfus comedy series 92 Chassis-welder’s org.

93 Part of QED 95 Citrus drinks 99 Starting immediately 100 World book 101 Lyric work 103 Less friendly 104 Blue shade 105 Purchased by 106 Of bears 107 Life forms 108 Deer sir?

112 “Shut up!”

113 Vied in a pool game 114 Flying prefix 115 Beer amount 117 Miss Gulch took him

84

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105

117 118 119

83

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Home renovations and repairs satisfy. Surprising news gets your family’s attention. Stifle rebellion with a delicious distraction. You can work wonders with soap and water.

96

100

110

45 Early warnings 46 Equator nation, formerly 49 Kansan Landon 50 Parliament head?

51 Actress Joanne 54 Made a boo-boo 55 Posturepedics 57 Missourian’s challenge 59 “Woe ___!”

60 Serb or Croat 61 Play hard ___ 65 He played in size 22 basketball shoes 66 “Neither you” follower 67 Maja Clothed painter 73 Embellish 74 Group of 8 75 A-bomb physicist Enrico 76 Bent 78 Fizz for a headache 80 Applauder’s shout 81 Like an old bucket of song

73

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103 104

116

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Physical action gets the job done. Take care of your body. Don’t overextend. Nurture your health with good food, exercise and time with nature.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Romance blossoms over the next two days. Enjoy time with people you love. Consider an outrageous idea or wild possibility. Crazy news travels fast.

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63 68

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62 67

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71 77

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

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9

Today’s Birthday (05/12/19). Fortune blesses what you’re building together this year. Carefully plan your adventures. Win through communications this summer, before changes alter your itinerary. Explore exciting new directions this summer, before a creative shift leads your work another way. Connect and share for common passion.

A P T E E A T SO R AG A N S S T P S E C I SO GA N UM A PO N A V A NU L T T E H E I NG NOO E R I

COMA L AOS A RMT S M I SWA N E R SOAM N S A I GA R N B I S K A N E N T E T E E T T T H I A T E R R B R E L A I I R V I K E L E R A

H A S T E S T I R R U P C A N B Y

C L A M O R S

L A T I N O

L T E E S N S E V A S T H H T E I G A S

E A R S NC E T CH E R E V E S EW T ROMA A N A S V E N S CU E S E A T I L L S E L ND T O N E RD AWE D H E S OU P R AM U S N A S T Y X

SUDOKU

SUNDAY May 12, 2019

your energy to propel a practical solution. Dress for the part you want.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Lay low, and take it easy. Take stock of surprising circumstances, and assess your best options. An opportunity could be hiding in the details.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- All for one, and one for all! Adapt to changes. Connect with friends. Share resources, information and encouragement.

Pull for a team victory.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Work takes priority. Navigate changes to your industry, profession or individual situation. List your obligations and chores. Use hidden talents and resources.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -Plan a vacation or educational adventure. Study options and possibilities. Create your agenda, and nail down the itinerary. Schedule a fascinating exploration. Or just go.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -Unexpected changes could necessitate budget revisions.

Strategize with your partner. Avoid impulsive moves. Make agreements, and then back up your words with action.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- You can make magic with your partner if you can avoid accidental outbursts. Keep your promises. Listen to other views. Discover a nice surprise.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @lindablack. For more astrological interpretations visit Linda Black Horoscopes and 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.

Arts Awake SUNDAY May 12, 2019

The Sunday Times

F7

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Binondo, A Tsinoy Musicalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; returns in July

A

BY IZA IGLESIAS

FTER its successful staging in 2018, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Binondo, A Tsinoy Musicalâ&#x20AC;? is set to return for a limited rerun in July.

In 2018, the original Filipino musical has earned six trophies from the Aliw Awards â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Best Original Musical Production; Best Stage Director (Musical) for Joel Lamangan; Best Ensemble Performance; Best Composer for Original Musical Theater (Von de Guzman); Best Actress (Musical) Carla Gievara-Laforteza; and Best Actor (Musical) for David Ezra.

Spanning two decades and two countries, the story explores how love prevails even in times of racial prejudice, political turmoil, absence and longing. It also speaks about a deep and enduring love that transforms the lives of everyone who dares to put their hearts on the line.

Set in Manilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pre-martial law days, it revolves around Lily (Shiela Valderrama-Martinez), a Filipina night club singer, and Ah Tiong (Arman Ferrer), a mainland Chinese scholar, who fall in love during a tumultuous time. Vying for Lilyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart is her childhood friend Carlos (Noel Rayos), a local ChineseFilipino who is forced to confront his feelings for Lily. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the only musical na nagsasabi ng buhay ng isang Filipino-Chinese.

Wala namang iba pa,â&#x20AC;? director Lamangan noted during the press conference. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kailangan mabigyan ng pagkakataon na marinig sila sapagkat sa pamamagitan ng musika, sa pamamagitan ng pagsasadula nalalaman natin ang mga problema ng mga

Filipino-Chinese na ngayon ay problema pa din. Practically, 70 percent of Filipinos have at least Chinese blood. That comparison and analogy of two cultures are better understood when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in theater. There are a lot of similarities and as well as differences, but at the end of it all, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the same human experience which is still relevant until now,â&#x20AC;? he added.

According to Martinez, can relate to the musical Filipino-Chinese and even full blooded Filipinos. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This particular musical is very relatable and very relevant even it was staged during the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;70s. I can assure the ones who are going to watch that they are going to fall in love with the characters and the music as well because the story is very Pinoy. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the kind of love story that we like to watch â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we like kilig, we like to cry, a little bit of anger here and there. Of course, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also an original Filipino musical.

We really have a lot of wonderful talent that we would like to showcase as well,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Rayos, agreed and added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Walang sayang na pag-ibig â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what the people can take away from our story.

Love can take in many forms â&#x20AC;&#x201D; love for your romantic interest, country, family, child, passion, work. We would like to encourage everyone to just love as much as they can dahil hinding hindi masasayang kapag nagmahal sila.â&#x20AC;?

Also in the cast are Mariella Laurel

Âťnccaupdates

Shiela Valderrama-Martinez as Lily (left) and Arman Ferrer as Ah Tiong

Jim Pebanco

(Jasmine), Jim Pebanco, Lorenz Martinez, Khalil Kaimo, Rhapsody Li, Ellrica Laguardia (Koro), Ima Castro (Mrs. dela Rosa), Ashley Mickaela Factor (Rubi), Dondi Ong (Mr. Chua), Kay Balajadia (Mrs. Chua), Jennifer dela Cruz (Lourdes), Elizabeth Chua (Mrs. Zhang), Russell Magno (Mr. Zhang), Jonel Mojica (Ge Lao), and Philip Deles (Swing).

Meanwhile, the ensemble includes Cheeno Uy Macaraig, Carlos Deriada,

Isabela hosts National Heritage Month kick-off

THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in partnership with The Filipino Heritage Festival Inc. (FHFI) and the provincial government of Isabela spearheaded the kick-off ceremony of the National Heritage Month 2019 in Tumauini, Isabela on May 2.

The NCCA, led by its chairman National Artist Virgilio Almario and its executive director Rico Pableo, Jr., through the Subcommission on Cultural Heritage (SCH) led by its commissioner Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA convened the month-long celebration of national heritage at the St. Matthias Parish Church facade, carrying the theme â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mga Pinuno para sa Pamanaâ&#x20AC;?

(Leaders for Heritage), which aims to send a message to Filipinos to be the frontrunners in preserving and promoting culture and heritage.

The St. Matthias Parish Church in Tumauini, Isabela.

Ilocos officials with Philippine Postal Corporation Postmaster General Joel Otarra, NCCA Subcommission on Cultural Heritage Commissioner Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA, and National Museum of the Philippines Director Jeremy Barns.

During the ceremony, the Municipal Mayor of Tumauini, Arnold Bautista opened the ceremony with an inspirational message, the provincial governor Faustino Dy also extended his support on the celebration. Cultural performance from local performers were also showcased during the ceremony.

The Philippine Postal Corporation, led by Postmaster General Joel Otarra also launched this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commemorative stamp featuring Women as Keepers of Heritage. Awarding of certificate of recognition to the 15th anniversary of the FHFI also transpired. The audiovisual presentation

of winning National Heritage Month 2019 video during the social media contest was also viewed. Jeremy Barns, Director of National Museum of the Philippines (NM) and Rene Escalante of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) were present to support the celebration of National Heritage Month.

The St. Matthias Parish Church is declared by the NHCP as a National Historical Landmark and by NM as National Cultural Property, it is also one of the four Baroque Churches in the Philippines included in the tentative list of the Unesco World Heritage Sites.

The National Heritage Month celebration takes a prime among Filipinos the consciousness, respect, and love for the cultural heritage is pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation no.

439 signed in 2013.

Ferrer (Ah Tiong) and Mariella Laurel (Jasmine)

Jr., Daniel Joseph Cruz, Dusty Suarez, Patrick Paul Clark, Randy Rey, Rence Avilles, Romcel Brinquiz, Roy

Iringan, Ryan Caraan, VJ Cortel, Xander Pineda, Janine Tolentino, Julia Chua, Precious Sementilla, Douglas Nierras Powerdance (Christaliza Sawada-Dabaluz, Froilan Dabaluz, Divine Dacles, Ronald Policarpio, Ricmar Policarpio, Joshua Orbasido, Katlyn Kate Jacob, Cheska Quimno and Jay R Aguvida Calumpiano.

An original story of Rebecca Chuaunsu and written by Ricky Lee, Gershom Chua, and Eljay Castro (book and lyrics) with choreography by Doiglas Nierras, lighting direction by Joey Nombres, production design and technical direction by Otto Hernandez, and music composition and musical direction by Von de Guzman, the musical is presented by Maritess Alava-Yong Foundation It will be staged on July 12 at the Theatre in Pasay City with a Gala Night at 8 p.m.; July 13, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and July 14 at 3 p.m.

7LFNHW VDOHV ZLOO EH IRU WKH %HQHĂ&#x20AC;W of Cancer Support and Research Charity for People Living with Cancer and Potential Prevention in St. Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Medical Center.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Rakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is back!

OPM musical returns for 7th season

THE Filipino musical phenomenon, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA)â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rak of Aegis makes a much-awaited return from July to September. Now on its seventh season, the musical will be staged in partnership with Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) and The PhilPop MusicFest Foundation (Philpop).

Since the show opened in 2014, Rak of $HJLV KDV WDNHQ 0DQLOD Ă&#x20AC;JXUDWLYHO\ DQG literally, by storm. The original musical brought one of the greatest OPM icons, The Aegis Band, to the spotlight by featuring their powerful hits and karaoke favorites like â&#x20AC;&#x153;Halik,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sinta,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Basang Basa sa Ulan,â&#x20AC;? and more.

5DN RI $HJLV ZDV DOVR RQH RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW Filipino productions which ushered in the trend of jukebox musicals, giving birth to a newfound appreciation for theater and OPM that crosses all boundaries of social class and age. Today, Rak of Aegis is the longest-running original Filipino musical in contemporary Philippine theater.

7KLV 5DN RI $HJLV 6HDVRQ LV EHĂ&#x20AC;Wtingly partnered with OPM and PhilPop â&#x20AC;&#x153;to celebrate and pay tribute to Philippine music, performances, and artistry,â&#x20AC;? according to PETA Executive Director Beng Cabangon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pinoy music speaks of our culture and identity as Filipinos. It encapsulates our dreams and continues to inspire us to love and hope,â&#x20AC;? she noted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In partnering with OPM and Philpop, we wish not only to recognize our wealth of Filipino songs and talents, but also impart to the audience how music,

theater, the arts can evoke our highest aspirations and bring out the best in our humanity,â&#x20AC;? Cabangon added.

The collaboration between PETA, OPM, and PhilPop brings in a new and exciting season for Rak of Aegis, as it now becomes a coming together of music and theater lovers, and avid fans of various OPM artists.

OPM President Ogie Alcasid, upon ZDWFKLQJ WKH VKRZ GXULQJ LWV Ă&#x20AC;UVW VHDson, stressed the importance of supporting music thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sariling atin: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A show like Rak of Aegis is an embodiment of what we have to do as Filipinos â&#x20AC;&#x201D; suportahan, tangkilikin at ipagbunyi po natin ang ating sariling musika!â&#x20AC;?

While Rak of Aegis remains to be a wildly entertaining and heartwarming piece of theater, six runs and more than 300 shows later, Season 7 now brings something new to the table.

New cast members including OPM artists will breathe life into the well-loved characters of the show. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have busking in the PETA lobby and have some OPM artists join in the play,â&#x20AC;? director Maribel Legarda also reveals.

On top of that, she and Rak of Aegis musical director Myke Salomon will also enjoin the PhilPop Songwriting Boot Camp 2109 to share their expertise creating original musical theater productions with Rak of Aegis as a case study.

Rak of Aegis runs from July 5 to September 29 at the PETA-Phinma Theater located at The PETA Theater Center, New Manila, Quezon City.

Call for Papers for Filipino researchers THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) invites Filipino researchers to submit papers related to a wide range of topics in the culture and arts sector for the 2019 International Conference on Cultural Statistics and Creative Economy to be held in Cebu City this October 2019.

Carrying the theme, Culture and Development, the 3rd run of the conference will focus on how culture contributes to national development.

The conference seeks to give an opportunity for local researchers to showcase how their researches contributed to policy-making and planning relative to their subjects, thus this call is strictly for Filipino citizens only. International speakers will also be invited by NCCA to deliver pre-determined topics.

The abstract must not be less than 300 words and must contain: Problem being addressed and the purpose of the paper; Statistical methods use; Statistics derived / main findings; and Principal conclusions and policy implications.

The researches to be submitted must highlight how the results have been utilized in project implementation or policy development. Abstracts must not contain UHIHUHQFHV WDEOHV RU Ă&#x20AC;JXUHV ,W VKRXOG EH concise and use good English. The topic of the paper must be one of the following: For plenary sessions, there should be: Utilization of quantitative methods in writing historical research; Intellectual property rights on cultural and creative products; Development cultural indices; Intangible cultural heritage; and Cul-

tural education and training.

For breakout sessions, any topic related to statistics and development on: Cultural and Natural Heritage; Performance and Celebration; Visual Arts and Artisan Products; Books and Press; Audio, Visual, Broadcast and Interactive Media; Creative Services; Tourism; Sports and Recreation The abstract must be submitted in Word document format and should come with the curriculum vitae (CV) of the author/s in PDF format.

Submissions should be sent to ncca. iccsce@gmail.com with the subject â&#x20AC;&#x153;Submission to 2019 International Conference on Cultural Statistics and Creative Economy.â&#x20AC;? Only one abstract is allowed per author.

Deadline of submission is on May 15.

PETA President Cecilia Garrucho and PhilPop Music Festival Chairman and Board Member Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.