The Manila Times | April 14, 2019

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THE JOURNEY OF THE HUMBLE ‘PALASPAS’

APRIL 14, 2019 19

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Trusted since 1898

Duterte OKs bill splitting Palawan into 3 provinces PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill dividing Palawan into three distinct and independent provinces.

Republic Act (RA) 11259, which was signed by the President on April 5, divided Palawan into new provinces to be known as Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur, which will be the “mother province.”

“The terrestrial jurisdictions of the newly created provinces shall be within the present metes and bounds of all the

³Palawan A2

Sara: ‘Not thinking of presidential run’

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

D

AVAO City Mayor Sara “Inday” DuterteCarpio on Saturday said running for president in 2022 was not yet on her mind.

She made the statement after her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, said he would not let

his daughter succeed him when he steps down in 2022.

Sara, who is seeking reelection

in Davao City in the May 13, 2019 midterm elections, said she was now focused on her mayoral bid.

“I have not decided on anything except my plan is to finish three terms as mayor in Davao

City if Dabawenyos agree with me,” she told The Manila Times in a text message.

“And [the President] is correct: I am not thinking about running for president,” Sara said.

In his speech during a campaign rally in Bacolod City on Thursday, the President said he would discourage Sara

from running in the next race to Malacañang.

“I will advise her to lay off.

Pero (But) if I know Inday, hindi yan tatakbo ng presidente (she will not run for president),” Duterte added.

“Wise masyado ‘yan si Inday (Inday is very wise). She just

³Run A2

MMDA’s war on data and transport science SUNDAY STORIES MARLEN V. RONQUILLO

O

NE of the most amazing stories on urban planning and transformation comes from Barcelona City in Spain. It is a radical plan to rid the major streets of cars — all cars, with no exception.

Given the serious planning that goes with it, the planned “superblocks” are designed to encourage the city residents to walk, bike, then take mass transport if they plan to go farther.

³Ronquillo A4

The evil web of human trafficking REFLECTIONS

FR. SHAY CULLEN, SSC

T

HE most recent case of human trafkCKING THAT ) HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN

and they are many, is that of Angelica, a 15-year-old girl sold by her mother to her employer. This boss is a rough, crude man, the owner of several mini-buses, from which he earns a lot of money that enables him to buy children for sexual abuse.

³Cullen 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

MOBBED

Hundreds of Cagayan de Oro residents ring the vehicle carrying Senate bet Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go who went around the city over the weekend. Throngs of supporters followed the former Palace official, who was again mobbed when he stopped to have lunch at a canteen at the Cogon Market. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

AFTER DUTERTE GOVT INVOKES HAGUE RULING ON WEST PH SEA

Economic deal with China only way out of dispute – analyst ONLY a deal with China, based on economic objectives, will resolve the dispute over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) as both countries are expected to defend their rights over the contested waters, an analyst said on Saturday.

Analyst Antonio “Butch” Valdes made THE STATEMENT AFTER -ALACAÄANG FOR THE kRST time invoked the 2016 ruling of an international arbitration court in response to the Chinese government’s insistence that the Spratlys or Kalayaan Group of Islands

Lawmakers to lose ‘pork’ if budget vetoed – Sotto SENATE President Vicente “Tito” Sotto 3rd on Saturday said President Rodrigo Duterte vetoing the entire P3.757- trillion national budget for 2019 would lead to the loss of “pork barrel” among legislators whose terms end and who were involved in illegal realignments.

“Actually, if there is indeed pork barrel in the budget, a reenacted budget erases all that. Everything is left to the discretion of the executive department. I will support the President’s decision, anyway, we can pass a new one in the next Congress with new leaders,” Sotto said in a text message.

The Senate chief issued the statement over reports that the country’s economic

managers are preparing to equip the government with measures to cushion the impact on the economy of the reenacted budget extending for the entire year based on the warning of the President to prevent billions of pesos of insertions from pulling through.

Speaking before a campaign sortie of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan in Bacolod City on Thursday last week, Duterte threatened to veto the ENTIRE ENROLLED BUDGET BILL IF HE kNDS out that the spending measure contained illegal provisions.

Sotto said that as of April 13, the President was still reviewing the budget

³Budget A2

were part of its territory.

Valdes, who heads the Save the Nation Movement, said the Duterte government should push bilateral talks with China and “work out a peace agreement based on economic development.”

“There has not been any change in the position of China regarding the West Philippine Sea. Neither has our government with regard to the unilateral decision made by the international arbitral court,” Valdes told The Manila Times.

“China has been calling for bilateral talks on the disputed territories since 2011, but [then president Benigno Aquino 3rd], upon the instigation of Washington D.C, refused. It’s high time the Philippines reconsider its stand, and accept China’s offer for bilateral talks,” he added.

It was during Aquino’s time when the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague issued a ruling siding with the Philippines and invalidating China’s vast territorial claims to the West Philippine

Sea on historical grounds.

The arbitration tribunal declared that &ILIPINO kSHERMEN ENJOY kSHING RIGHTS at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal and that the Kalayaan Islands, as well as Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Recto (Reed) Bank, are all within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. China refuses to recognize the ruling.

China has refused to acknowledge the

³Hague A2

NEW ENDORSER Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray takes a break beside Jollibee mascot Twirlie on Saturday, when Gray was introduced as the new endorser of the fastfood giant.

PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

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News

˜ The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

Q RUN FROM A1

Albayalde downplays Sara: Not thinking US travel advisory Interior Secretary AĂąo questions list

BY ROY D.R. NARRA

P

HILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde on Saturday downplayed the United States’ issuance of a travel advisory over the supposedly high kidnapping risk in the Philippines, saying it was not a RElECTION OF THE PEACE AND ORDER SITUATION Albayalde said in a radio interview it was understandable for the US to include the Philippines among 35 countries with increased risk of kidnapping. “We cannot deny that there are kidnapping incidents especially in the southern Philippines, where there are terrorist groups so it’s normal for them to issue a security advisory for our country,� Albayalde said in Filipino.

He added: “We should not worry. The peace and security in our country are under control.�

Albayalde noted that the rate of

kidnapping incidents decreased from TO THE kRST QUARTER OF Majority of the kidnapping incidents occurred in Mindanao, with 68 incidents recorded in 2018.

This was 11 cases lower compared with 2017.

The PNP has recorded 10 cases of kidnapping so far in 2019, again mostly attributed to terrorist groups in Mindanao. “These were mostly done by terrorist groups so that is why we have martial law implemented in the whole island of Mindanao,�

Albayalde said.

Interior Secretary Eduardo AĂąo struck a different tone, however, saying the travel advisory was “questionable.â€? “We do not know yet how they came up with the list, but with the strong stance of President Rodrigo Duterte against criminality in general, we see no basis for including us in this list. We will request from the US Embassy what were the parameters used since even Malaysia and Russia were included,â€? he said. “A list is just a list. What we have are factual data pointing to the decreasing number of kidnapping cases in the Philippines,â€?

AĂąo added.

The latest incident of kidnapping involved an Indonesian, who was rescued by army troops from the Abu Sayyaf Group on April 5. He was kidnapped by the terror group in the Zamboanga peninsula.

Another Indonesian kidnap victim in the incident died because of

drowning while escaping the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Risky The US also named the Philippines a risky place to visit because of crime, terrorism, civil unrest and a measles outbreak. “Terrorist and armed groups continue plotting possible kidnappings, bombings and other attacks in the Philippines,� the advisory said.

Other countries included in the travel advisory were Afghanistan , Algeria Angola, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Colombia, Democratic, Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon , Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria , Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, eastern Ukraine, Venezuela and Yemen.

WEAVING PALMS Vendors weave palm fronds that will be sold to Catholic faithful today, Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week.

PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

wants to shake the tree para maglabasan, mahulog yung mga hinog, yung hilaw maiwan (so the ripe fruit will fall). Shaking the tree and getting rid of the dried leaves and everything.

Kung ako tatanungin ninyo hindi ako papayag na tatakbo (If you ask me, I will not allow her to run),� the President said.

There have been claims that Sara organized the administrationbacked regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago to lay the groundwork for her potential bid for president.

But the Davao City mayor has repeatedly denied that she was

eyeing the presidency, saying she was only helping her father.

In February, Duterte-Carpio said she would make a decision on a possible bid for presidency by 2021. “Running for president is not an overnight decision. It needs money, machinery, but the most important thing is wisdom and guidance from THE ,ORD BECAUSE IT WILL BE DIFkCULT IF it’s not intended for you,� she said. “It depends on the circumstances. Maybe, let’s just set a deadline, in January of 2021 [when I would announce my bid for the Palace],�

Sara added.

Q HAGUE FROM A1

Economic deal with China ruling and continues to claim nearly the entire South China Sea. Duterte has repeatedly said the country cannot afford to go to war against China, but has promised to bring up the arbitral ruling with China during his term.

of the two countries as well as imperil future bilateral negotiations on matters of mutual concern,�

Panelo said.

More protests

Panelo made the statement after China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lu Kang maintained In a statement, Palace spokesman that Spratlys, which China calls Salvador Panelo said that while the Nansha Islands, were Chinese the government agreed with China territory. that the dispute could be settled “The Nansha Islands are China’s peacefully, it was already known TERRITORY WHICH IS BACKED BY SUFkthat Spratlys belongs to the Phil- cient historical and jurisprudential ippines. evidence,� Lu said in his regular “We concur with the Chinese press conference on Thursday.

OFkCIAL S STATEMENT THAT THE DISLu made the statement after pute can be best threshed out Panelo this week said that the Chithrough peaceful negotiation and nese vessels should leave the vicinconsultation between the two ity of the Philippine-held islands countries just as it will strengthen in the West Philippine Sea, saying the Philippines-China relation- that their presence was a violation ship towards a solid partnership of the country’s sovereignty.

BENEkCIAL TO &ILIPINO AND #HINESE The military’s Western Comcommunities,� Panelo said. mand had reported the pres“The arbitral ruling, however, ence of some 600 vessels near has already been rendered and Pag-asa Island, the largest of we remain steadfast in maintain- Philippine-occupied islands in ing our claims with respect to our the disputed waters. territory and exclusive economic Panelo said the government zones pursuant not only to the WOULD BE kLING ANOTHER DIPLOMATsaid arbitral judgment based on ic protest with Beijing should the accepted principles of public in- Chinese vessels refuse to get out. ternational law but consistent with “[We are filing the protest] the directives of our Constitution because they cannot be intruding and the aspirations of the Filipino IN OUR TERRITORIAL PROPERTY ;"Y kLpeople,� he added. ing], they will know that we are 4HE 0ALACE OFkCIAL STRESSED THAT against it. That we will not allow China should stop performing acts it. That we will not tolerate such that would disrupt the peace in the presence in our territory,� Panelo disputed waters. said. “They should [go away]. They “It is our principled stand that have no business being there,� the the peace in the West Philippine 0ALACE OFkCIAL ADDED Sea should be maintained and Last week, President Rodrigo that China should avoid perform- Duterte told China to lay off Paging acts that will place at risk the asa Island in the West Philippine &ILIPINO kSHERMEN kSHING IN THE Sea, promising action should disputed areas and at the same something bad happen to Filitime cause irritants that will dis- pinos there. rupt the current friendly relations CATHERINE S. VALENTE

‘Principled stand’

Q PALAWAN FROM A1

OKs bill splitting 9 Intramuros churches, chapels ready for Visita Iglesia Duterte municipalities that comprise nor, vice governor, sangguniang THE Department of Tourism (DoT) said the Intramuros Administration (IA) would open nine churches and chapels for visitors

and pilgrims next week. “For this year, from eight churches and chapels that we’ve opened last year, we are opening additional ones,�

Assistant Secretary Robert Alabado said.

On regular days, only the Manila Cathedral and the San Agustin Church are accessible to the public. This year, the DoT

and the IA coordinated to open two more sites, some located inside SCHOOLS OR GOVERNMENT OFkCES Aside from the two churches, religious sites that will be opened during the Visita Iglesia include the Fr. Willman Chapel at the Knights of Columbus Building, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Chapel, Mapua University Chapel, Lyceum of the Philippines University Chapel, Colegio de San Juan de Letran Chapel, St. Matthew’s Chapel at the

Bureau of Internal Revenues Building, and the Guadalupe Shrine in Fort Santiago.

Alabado said more than 800,000 local and foreign tourISTS lOCKED TO )NTRAMUROS FOR (OLY Week last year.

The DoT expects a million visitors this year.

Stations of the Cross will also be on display at the stretch of General Luna Street, from Beaterio Street to Muralla Street.

PNA

Q BUDGET FROM A1

Lawmakers to lose ‘pork’ measure.

Duterte received a copy of the enrolled bill, the 2019 General Appropriations Bill, on March 26, ending months of deadlock between the Senate and the House of Representatives caused by questionable allocations and alleged insertions.

The government has been operating on a reenacted budget since January this year after Congress failed to pass the spending measure before the end of 2018.

The budget bill will nevertheless lapse into law if the President does not act on it 30 days AFTER IT WAS RECEIVED BY HIS OFkCE 3EN 0ANkLO g0INGu ,ACSON AN ANTI PORK barrel advocate in the Senate, said Duterte was well within his legal authority to veto in whole or in parts the enrolled bill already before him if he and his economic team see it wise to do so. “Undoubtedly, and as I have always pointed

out, the 2019 national budget measure had been subjected to abuse and indiscretions by some legislators from both houses of Congress, with the [House] leadership even going beyond the mandate of the law and time-honored legislative practice. At the end of the day, it is greed and insatiability of those who cannot control their appetite for more and more ‘pork’ and all the perks and commissions that go with it,� Lacson added. g!S FOR ME ) AM PREPARED TO kGHT THE NEXT battle when the National Expenditure Program for the 2020 national budget is submitted by THE 0RESIDENT AT THE OPENING OF THE kRST REGUlar session of the 18th Congress. It is tiring and frustrating, but I am always ready and ABLE TO kGHT ANOTHER DAY FOR MY CAREER LONG advocacy as an elected senator of the RepubLIC THAT OF kGHTING CORRUPTION PARTICULARLY in the authorization phase of the budgeting process,� he said.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

the respective provinces,� the law read.

Under the law, the province of Palawan del Norte will be composed of the municipalities of Coron, Culion, Busuanga, Linacapan, Taytay and El Nido.

The province of Palawan Oriental will be comprised of the municipalities of Roxas, Araceli, Dumaran, Cuyo, Agutaya, Magsaysay, Cayancillo, and San Vicente.

The province of Palawan del Sur, meanwhile, will be composed of the municipalities of Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, Rizal, Espanola, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Balacbac, and Kalayaan.

Each province will have its legislative districts effective UPON THE ELECTION AND QUALIkCAtion of their representatives to be held on the second Monday of May 2022.

Under the law, Puerto Princesa City will have its own legislative district by the same year.

Incumbent representatives of the present province will continue to represent their respective legislative districts until new representatives shall have been DULY ELECTED QUALIkED AND ASSUMED OFkCE Each of the three new provinces will have a provincial gover-

panlalawigan (provincial board) secretary and members, provincial treasurer, assessor, accountant, budget officer, planning and development coordinator, ENGINEER HEALTH OFkCER ADMINISTRATOR LEGAL OFkCER AGRICULTURIST

social welfare and development OFkCER VETERINARIAN AND GENERAL SERVICES OFkCER The proposed measure has been criticized by residents of Palawan and members of province’s indigenous peoples.

But Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny� Angara, who endorsed the bill, explained that the proposal was not “motivated by partisan political concerns, nor (sic) a gerrymandering exercise.�

He said it was appropriate since Palawan is the biggest province in the Philippines in terms of area. “If we speak of economic potential, Palawan is a powerhouse.

Its local growth rate has been clocked at bristling 7 percent per annum for many years now. And this was achieved with a total ban on the exploitation of natural resources over a wide swath of its land,� Angara had said.

The new law takes effect 15 days AFTER ITS PUBLICATION IN THE /FkCIAL Gazette or any newspaper.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

News Water, power agencies face probe T The Sunday Times

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

HE Senate leadership on Saturday vowed to evaluate the performance of all concerned corporations amid the water and electricity shortage that affected large portions of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

Senate President Vicente “Tito�

Sotto 3rd said the current situation gave more reasons for the Senate to debate and pass the proposed Public Service Act and review the franchises and performance of all concerned corporations.

Under Senate Bill 1754 or the proposed “New Public Service Act of the Philippines,� Sotto said the State recognized that public utilities were necessary to the public and were natural monopolies that must be regulated. “It is the policy of the state to ensure that the consuming public’s satisfaction and quality of life shall be the

yardsticks for an effective regulation of public utility providers without compromising the reasonable rate of return of the latter,� the Senate chief said.

Under the measure, which is pending for second reading, the list of public utilities included transmission of electricity, distribution of electricity, and water works and sewerage systems.

Section 23 of the proposed act provides that, “Any public service corporation that shall perform, commit, or do any act or thing forbidden or prohibited or shall neglect, fail or omit to do or perform any act or thing here into be done

or performed, shall be punished by A kNE OF NOT EXCEEDING 0 MILLION

or by imprisonment of not lower than six years and not higher than 12 years, or both, in the discretion of the court.�

Sen. Sherwin “Win� Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, also called for an investigation of the brownouts that hit several towns and cities in Luzon. “The brownouts felt by our constituents in Luzon these past few days is totally unacceptable.

The Department of Energy assured us even before the start of summer that there would be enough power supply in the country. If there’s enough power supply, then how come that there are towns and provinces in Luzon that are experiencing rotational brownouts?�

Gatchalian pointed out. g$EkNITELY HEADS MUST ROLL THIS time. We owe it to the power consumers to give them accurate information

on the power situation in the country.

Mukhang na-overestimate ng DoE (Department of Energy) ang available capacity ng kuryente natin (The DoE may have overestimated the available capacity),� he added.

Citing a report from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), Gatchalian said at least seven provinces along with 40 cities and towns had been affected by the rotating brownouts due to the forced AND UNPLANNED OUTAGES OF kVE GENERators in Luzon.

Gatchalian said part of the investigation to be conducted by the Senate Committee on Energy would center on the DoE’s inaccurate electricity forecast, as well as the department’s contingency measures should there be unexpected power interruptions.

The lawmaker pointed out that the DoE’s forecast did not include unplanned outages.

Gatchalian also called on the

DoE to remain vigilant for possible collusion amid thin reserves and high demand.

On Thursday, Sen. Ana Theresi “Risa� Hontiveros urged the government to probe and address the recent power outages in Luzon, warning that any shortage would disrupt public health programs and other key services. “We cannot afford to have brownouts during this time when our people rely on electricity to cope with the sweltering summer heat, and when hospitals are packed with people suffering from diseases common during summer,� she said.

Yellow alert On Saturday, the Luzon grid was again placed on yellow alert for 12 hours.

The NGCP said the available capacity was 10,326 megawatts (MW), but peak demand was at 9,933MW. The NGCP declares a yellow alert

A3

when power reserves are less than the capacity of the biggest plant in Luzon.

A yellow alert, however, does not mean that there would be power outages.

The DoE said some power plants WERE EITHER OFlINE OR NOT OPERATING AT full capacity.

Plants under unplanned outage are Limay A1 of Panasia Energy Inc., with 70MW; Limay Unit 2 of SMC Consolidated Power Corp. , with 150 MW; Sual Unit 1 of TeaM Energy and San Miguel, with 647 MW; Unit 2 of Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp., with 150 MW; and Pagbilao Unit 3 of Pagbilao Energy Corp., with 420 MW. Meanwhile, Calaca Unit 2 of SEMCalaca Power Corp., with 300 MW, is operating at a de-rated capacity of 100 MW. The 420-MW San Gabriel natural GAS kRED POWER PLANT S CAPACITY WAS also lowered by 210 MW due to gas volume restrictions.

WITH JORDEENE B. LAGARE

Labor groups seek protection of female OFWs LABOR groups on Saturday backed a call by women overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for the government and other stakeholders to address the growing number of female workers distressed and exposed to risks abroad.

Migrante International said most of women OFWs, the bulk of some 10 million Filipinos abroad, remained employed in “elementary occupations� such as domestic helpers and massage therapists, among others.

Maricel Aguilar of the United Nations’ (UN) women office said females were the most disproportionately vulnerable to violence and discrimination at all stages of the migration cycle. “Many women move abroad to support their families, learn skills or simply find work. Yet, their migration is temporary and precarious and they can face violence, gender discrimination, restrictions on movement or labor exploitation,�

Aguilar said in a forum.

A study done by the nongovernment organization Center for Women’s Resources noted that working abroad had become the only viable option for many Filipino women.

Data from the Department of Foreign Affairs showed that in 2016, 7,556 OFWs were in distress and repatriated by the government. Of these, 67 percent were women.

In the same year, 251 experienced trafficking, 82 percent of

whom were women.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Hans Cacdac urged the government and other stakeholders to ensure the safety of migrant workers and provide sufficient support to reintegrate those who return. “We should provide care and protection when the OFW needs us the most. We must look at the effectiveness and timeliness of the services that we deliver,� he said.

OFWs are one of the drivers of the country’s economy, sending home billions of dollars in remittances from abroad. Last year, remittances were recorded at $32.21 billion, up by 3 percent from 2017’s $31.29 billion.

Rex Varona of the International Labor Organization called for a more stringent implementation of the existing Safe and Fair program of international and local labor coalitions. “A critical element in making labor migration more safe and fair for women OFWs, is ensuring that we strengthen the voice, choice and agency of women migrants, so that they become the drivers in realizing these changes,� Varona said.

Safe and Fair, launched in 2018, is a program of the European Union and the UN to eliminate violence and discrimination against women. In the Philippines, the program focuses on women OFWs, both land and sea-based.

NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

VIA DOLOROSA The image of Our Lady of Sorrow is taken out of the Shrine of Sto. NiĂąo de Tondo for the Via Dolorosa procession in Tondo, Manila on Friday night. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

Bong Go vows to make Senate serve Filipinos FORMER top aide to the President and now a candidate for senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong�

Go said a Senate seat should be utilized to help improve the lives of Filipinos.

He made the statement in Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental on Friday after going around the city in a motorcade where he received enthusiastic welcome from residents.

Go, at the same time, vowed to continue the programs and policies of President Rodrigo Duterte, including crackdowns on illegal drugs, corruption and criminality.

He was mobbed by adoring supporters when he stopped to eat in a carinderia at Cogon Market.

Chants of “Go! Bong Go! Go! Bong Go!� echoed at the market when the customers realized that he was taking his meal at one of

the eateries there.

Go gave assurances that apart from the campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption, he also wants to improve the delivery of health services in the country, particularly through the law that would allow the establishment of Malasakit Centers in more provinces and key urban areas of the country. “Service to people is service to God.

The President and I only wish for the best for every Filipino,� he said.

Other priority concerns under Go’s legislative agenda include programs for agriculture, housing for the poor, education, long-term SPORTS DEVELOPMENT kRE PROTECTION and prevention, localized peace talks, barangay (village) welfare, creation of a Department of overseas Filipino workers and improved benEkTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Health workers pledge support for Bam Angat Dam nears critical level BARANGAY (village) health workers threw their support behind Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam� Aquino 4th, boosting his reelection bid.

In a manifesto signed during a meeting in Legazpi City, the Barangay Health Workers (BHW) party-list said Aquino would help push its proposals for the betterment of the sector it represents. The meeting was attended by around 500 BHWs. g7E kRMLY BELIEVE THAT 3EN "AM !QUINO

whose ideals are for the betterment of the &ILIPINO PEOPLE SHALL SPECIkCALLY CHAMPION these special concerns in the Upper House,� the group said. “In order for him to champion this cause,

we are signifying our utmost support by giving him our solid vote this coming May 13, 2019 Senate Elections,� it added.

The pledge of support came days after the TRANSPORTATION SECTOR ALSO SIGNIkED ITS SUPPORT to the senator.

Among the advocacies being pushed by BHW party-list is the capacity building for BHWs through training and workshop.

4HE PARTY LIST IS ALSO PUSHING FOR kNANCIAL empowerment for BHWs through the grant of monthly honorarium, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) coverage and pension plan.

Aquino recognized the important role

BHWs play in keeping communities healthy, saying they should be given proper compenSATION AND OTHER BENEkTS “Isa sa mga kinikilala natin na mga bayani ay ang ating masisipag na barangay health workers (One of our recognized heroes are our hardworking village health workers),� he said. “Importante sila sa pagpapalaganap ng mga impormasyon para sa kalusugan (They are vital in the dissemination of information ON HEALTH u ADDED !QUINO WHO kLED 3ENATE Bill 700 or the “Support for Barangay Workers Act,� which seeks to provide honoraria, PhilHealth coverage and free legal service for BHWs. JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

THE National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said on Saturday that Angat Dam’s water level might slip past the “critical� level by the end of April.

If this happens, the water supply in Metro Manila would be greatly affected.

The NWRB advised Metro Manila residents to conserve water.

Last Friday, the NWRB said the water level in Angat Dam, which supplies 96 percent of water in Metro Manila, was 187.7 meters above sea level.

This was less than 8 meters away from the critical level of 180 meters. “If it reaches 180 [meters], we will set priorities for the water supply to minimize the negative impact,� NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David said.

Maynilad had also called on its customers in parts of Manila, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Quezon City, ParaĂąaque, Pasay, Las PiĂąas, and Bacoor, Cavite to conserve water.

FRANCIS EARL CUETO

Prohibited marriages Dear PAO, I know a couple who are planning to get married. However, it seems that they are somewhat related and might not be allowed to marry. I cannot give you any additional information regarding their relationship due to the sensitive nature of my query. But can you just inform me of the marriages that are not allowed by law because the parties are somewhat related?

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA Olivia Dear Olivia, The Family Code of the Philippines’ Articles 37 and 38 enumerate marriages that are void.

Quoted below are the aforemen-

tioned provisions of the law for your reference: “Article 37. Marriages between the following are incestuous and void from the beginning, whether the relationship between the parties be legitimate or illegitimate: “Between ascendants and descendants of any degree; and “Between brothers and sisters, whether of the full or half blood. “Article 38. The following marriages shall be void from the begin-

ning for reasons of public policy: “Between collateral blood relatives, whether legitimate or illegitimate, up to the fourth civil degree; “Between step-parents and step-children; “Between parents-in-law and children-in-law; “Between the adopting parent and the adopted child; “Between the surviving spouse of the adopting parent and the

adopted child; “Between the surviving spouse of the adopted child and the adopter; “Between and adopted child and a legitimate child of the adopter “Between the adopted children of the same adopter; and “Between parties where one, with the intent to marry the other, killed that other person’s spouse or his or her own spouse.�

This opinion is solely based on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Thus, 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 /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF !COSTA may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net

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Opinion

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

E d i to r i a l Wounding the body of Christ

T

O solve a problem, as the saying goes, one must first recognize its existence. Put another way, the important first step to problemsolving is to define exactly what the problem is.

The Catholic Church has done as much in dealing with the crisis of clerical sex abuse.

For Pope Francis and his top aides, the root cause is “clericalism,� a combination of elitism and careerism and the kind of power wielded by iniquitous clergymen over their victims.

This is a common theme of Francis’ papacy that is not without its critics. The militant, New Yorkbased Catholic League, for instance, argues that this is a Marxist analysis that skirts the real issue of why there are priests who prey on minors or young men.

In the Vatican, it has become politically incorrect to blame the crisis on homosexual predation, and this was in full display at the sex abuse summit attended by the world’s bishops in Rome in February.

Clericalism might explain why bishops covered up abuse cases and, thus, helped propagate and prolong it. The Church is hierarchical after all. But “irresponsible decisions account for sexual molestation, not a mantle of power,� the League argues.

This line of thinking has been validated by no less than the retired Pope Benedict 16th. In a 6,000word essay published by select German and American outlets late last week, the emeritus Pope broke his silence on the recent wave of abuse revelations in the Church that has seen the downfall, so far, of two cardinals, Theodore McCarrick of America and George Pell of Australia, formerly the Vatican’s third highest official.

Benedict, who had defrocked hundreds of priests for sex abuse, is known to not mince words on what he had called “filth� in the Church.

In his latest missive, Benedict blamed the sexual permissiveness of the 1960s that found its way into the Church and led to a collapse in its authority. “[In] the 1960s an egregious event occurred ‌ the previously normative standards regarding sexuality collapsed entirely and a new normalcy arose,â€? he wrote. “This was in many ways a very difficult time ‌ the extensive collapse of the next generation of priests in those years and the very high number of laicizations were a consequence of all these developments.â€?

He added: “Catholic moral theology suffered a collapse that rendered the Church defenseless against these changes in society.�

Ultimately, the crisis is a crisis of faith. It was no coincidence that under Benedict, cases of priestly sexual abuse fell not under the Vatican dicastery or office for clergy or bishops, but the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the former Holy Office of Inquisition. “Why did pedophilia reach such proportions?�

Benedict asks. “Ultimately, the reason is the absence of God.�

Sex abuse in the Church and the way it is being dealt with by the Vatican is a problem so grave that a retired pontiff had to be roused from monastic seclusion and weigh in on the issue.

Benedict’s views come ahead of the holiest week of the liturgical calendar, and should give laity and clergy a reason to reflect ever so deeply on how best to deal with the wounds inflicted on the Church, the mystical body of Christ.

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

The Sunday Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 183

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor FELIPE F. SALVOSA 2ND, Managing Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL MALLARI, Sports Editor DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD, Motoring Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER RODA A. ZABAT, Advertising Director VICENTE P. CRUZ, JR., Circulation Director DENISE O. CALNEA, Marketing Communications and Services Director Telephone All Departments: 524-5665 to 66; Subscription: 524-5664 Local 222 Advertising: 524-5664 Local 121 Telefax: 310-5895 or e-mail advertising@manilatimes.net www.manilatimes.net • e-mail newsdesk@manilatimes.net Letters to the Editor THE MANILA TIMES is published daily at 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002 The owners, managers, publishers and editors do not necessarily share the opinions expressed and the statements made by individual authors of columns, commentaries and other articles published in The Manila Times.

To suffer with Christ, we must stop denying Him Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. — St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians 2:6-8

which was in Christ Jesus� (2:3-5).

Eve’s doubt and disobedience, and Cain’s murder of Abel, to Why we must suffer the atrocities and oppression spawned by conquering empires, That Christians must suffer is and the killing of God’s prophets, plain from Christ’s own words: from Jeremiah and Isaiah to St. “If any man would come after me, John the Baptist. let him deny himself and take up While God does not demand The verses before and after the his crossâ€? (Matthew 16:24). By THAT WE BE LITERALLY CRUCIkED LIKE cited lines from the Epistle to the our pains we share in our Lord’s *ESUS WHOSE SACRIkCE ALREADY REPhilippians spell out what we REDEEMING SACRIkCE ### deemed all creation (CCC 613, should do in response to Christ’s WHICH SUBSTITUTED HIS SELlESS OBE- 616), the call to divinity must SAVING SACRIkCE WORSHIP AND LOVE dience for our sinful disobedience INCLUDE SACRIkCE 4HE ,ORD HAS ENDue to Christ’s obedient, lov- (CCC 615). Thus, declared the dured suffering since the beginning F you were with us the past three Sundays, you would ING SACRIkCE 3T 0AUL WROTE g'OD Catechism, “Jesus atoned for our of time, allowing creation to exist have heard of God’s call for us greatly exalted him ‌ that at the faults and made satisfaction for despite its constant failings and affronts to his perfection. If we mean to be like Him by His goodness name of Jesus every knee should our sins to the Father.â€?

GRACES kLLING US IF WE EMPTY AND bend, of those in heaven and on Besides partaking in Christ’s to become like God, we, too, must open ourselves through prayer, earth and under the earth [in Passion and Death, our pains also suffer the failings of our world.

And not just suffer, but forgive self-denial, and charity. Today, short, all creation], and every mirror God’s own sufferance of let’s talk about one more thing tongue confess that Jesus Christ creation’s imperfections. Indeed, and redeem, as God has done. As to do for us to become like God: is Lord [a Biblical title only for His forgiving acceptance of our Christ preached and practiced, we God], to the glory of God the fallen world, with all its injustice, not only show mercy seventy times SACRIkCE 9ES NO PAIN NO GAIN despoliation and violence; is at seven, but serve our fellowmen, As the second mass reading Father� (Philippians 2:9-11).

And in the verses preceding the least as excruciating as the count- laboring and, if necessary, laying quoted above says, Jesus Christ, Second Person of God’s Blessed mass reading, Paul admonished less wounds of Jesus from the down our lives, so that others may Trinity, became human, sent by love for one another: “Do nothing beating, scourging and crowning be liberated. Not just from matethe First Person, God The Father, FROM SELkSHNESS OR CONCEIT BUT with thorns; the carrying of the rial hardships, but more so from spiritual subjugation.

TO OFFER HIMSELF AS A SACRIkCE ON in humility count others better CROSS AND THE CRUCIkXION Calvary for our redemption from than yourselves. Let each of you Remember: Millennia before The early Christians watered sin. So said, too, the Catechism look not only to his own interests, the Holy Week events, the Blessed the faith with their blood, and of the Catholic Church (CCC, but also to the interests of others. Trinity endured humanity’s in- THAT SELlESS SACRIkCES IN THE kRST paragraphs 598-623.

Have this mind among yourselves, iquity and sin, from Adam and ÂłSaludoA5

FAITH HEALER

RICARDO SALUDO

I

Q RONQUILLO FROM A1

MMDA’s war on data and transport science Bus networks are part of the ambitious plan.

Other European cities, like Munich in Germany, which used to answer to the tag “Car capital of the world,� are shunning car use but in ways less radical than that of Barcelona. They impose strict parking rules, charge heavy levies on car registration and ownership, and the city regulations are hazardous to car ownership.

Of course, nearer to us is Singapore, where the convoy of the prime minister gives way to buses. The place is considered a First World country, deeply ingrained WITH THE VALUE THAT EFkCIENT MASS carriers should have priority over the road systems.

Then we have Metro Manila, where the governing metro body, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), is about to roll out and pilot-test a supposed comprehensive plan to ease the METRO TRAFkC (OW "Y BANNING provincial buses from entering the metro proper. Buses from Southern Luzon will cut short their trips and stop at Sta. Rosa City in Laguna. Buses from four Central Luzon provinces will cut short their trips, too, for a supposed “central terminal� at Valenzuela City.

What about the cars? They are banning the buses to free up the streets for cars. There is no science and data behind the plan, just urban planning as rank stupidity.

Here is the basic math on the MMDA provincial bus ban to be pilot-tested by the MMDA: According to all three House

representatives from Albay, there are 2.8 million cars in Metro Manila. And there are 4,000 buses from North Luzon to South Luzon. The total number of Luzon buses is not even a tiny fraction of the 2.8 million cars.

The math problem of the MMDA plan is not only with the number of cars that overwhelms the Metro Manila roads, choking and crippling the metro’s main thoroughfares. A car carries oneand-a half passengers per trip.

Buses from the provinces carry 35 passengers during the lean hours and 50 passengers during the peak ride hours. “Who do you think is actually causing traffic,� asked Joey Salceda, the trained economist and numbers man who represents one of Albay’s three congressional districts in the House. The MMDA DEEPLY BELIEVES THAT EFkCIENT MASS CARRIERS CAUSE MORE TRAFkC than 2.8 million cars.

There is one other thing that the fact-free assumptions of the MMDA overlook. Or, something it chooses to ignore — that the regular, almost daily commuting of passengers from Central Luzon helps ease the strain on the populated and congested and choking metropolis. The agency thinks that because these commuters move to their home provinces after conducting their business in the metropolis on a regular basis, they reduce the strain on housing, water, electricity and other utilities . What if they stopped their daily commute to permanently live in the metropolis? They would be

another strain on water use, electricity use, housing needs etc., etc.

If we closely examine the MMDA plan, would the setting up of terminals outside Metro Manila actually reduce the number of vehicles that would ply, say, EDSA? No. In fact, the provincial bus ban may lead to the increase of vehicles that will use EDSA. I will explain: The number of metro buses that will pick up the passengers unloaded will have to match the number of original carriers – the provincial buses. Fifty buses will unload and 50 metro buses will load them up for that second trip.

In cases where the smaller PUVs and vans are deployed (metro buses are overworked), this will mean more vehicles will have to be deployed from either Valenzuela or Sta. Rosa, and all of these will touch EDSA. MMDA’s war on data and the assault on all known best practices of transport science is still not the most cruel component of the MMDA plan. It is the out and out cruelty against people from the provinces.

As the Albay representative said, it is “anti-poor and anti-probinsyano.� Let us imagine this scenario: A pregnant woman with a minor in tow takes a bus ride to Metro Manila from one of the many waiting points along the Gapan-Olongapo Road, the long stretch of highway where buses bound for Metro Manila pick up passengers. Embarking is quite easy, the burning heat of the sun a minor inconvenience.

Then the bus slows down at the

toll booth for Valenzuela as a long line of buses is stuck along the NLEX lane going to the booth, waiting for their passage to the innards of the city. This will take at least 20 minutes.

Past the toll booth, the bus moves at a snail pace into the interiors of Valenzuela, notorious for its two-lane roads and BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFkC 4HIS will take a further 30 minutes, at the very least. At the terminal, the woman will have to wait for the metro buses, then pay for a second time. What if it were terribly hot at the “central terminal?�

What if it were raining?

Double rides. Double pay. A delay of one to two hours. A narrative of suffering that does not EVEN EASE THE TRAFkC GRIDLOCKS OF the metropolis. (Full disclosure: I commute to Quezon City twice a week from my barrio in Pampanga to write this column. I schlepp myself onto buses, despite the wear and tear of three major heart surgeries and 30 years of diabetic medication, because it is a straight ride and it is the right thing to do.)

Why is the MMDA doing this?

First, because it can. Second, because car owners are untouchable. The Filipino partners of the major car assemblers and dealers belong to the dollar billionaire class. Because the clueless commentariat class and TV bloviators who support the brutal plan are car owners and are “inconvenienced� by the buses. Because the MMDA is on a state of forever-war on data and transport science.

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

Q CULLEN FROM A1

The evil web of human trafficking Angelica was brought to this middle-aged Filipino man in a distant town to be sexually exploited and abused -- a crime of HUMAN TRAFkCKING CHILD RAPE AND sexual abuse. He brought her to A HOTEL AND THE HOTEL MANAGER and staff either ignored it or were COMPLICIT IN THE TRAFkCKING SO that he raped her there with no ONE BOTHERING HIM (ER MOTHER

IN THIS CASE WAS ALSO GUILTY OF HUMAN TRAFkCKING OF HER OWN CHILDĂœ The “employerâ€? turned out to BE A CHILD RAPIST SEXUALLY ABUSING Angelica several times and giving money to her and her mother. The CHILD COULD NOT RESIST SHE BEING ONLY AND UNDER THE POWER AND INlUence of the adults in ascendancy OVER HER INCLUDING HER OWN MOTHER There are many hundreds of thousands of similar cases of HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE happening everyday around the WORLD NOT ONLY IN THE 0HILIPPINES )T IS ALL TOO COMMON ESPECIALLY IN 3OUTHEAST !SIA !FRICA AND THE -IDDLE %AST EVEN IN THE United States -- any where with laws that are lax and not enforced. )N SOME COUNTRIES CHILD ABUSE is tolerated under some guise of CULTURAL TRADITION SUCH AS CHILD MARRIAGE WHICH IS RAMPANT IN !FGHANISTAN )NDIA AND 0AKISTAN An estimated 24.5 million ADULTS CHILDREN AND YOUTH HAVE BEEN VICTIMS AND ARE TRAFkCKED worldwide in the past decade by organized crime syndicates.

(UMAN TRAFkCKERS ARE CRIMINALS who operate in many ways. Most of the 24.5 million victims are women and 33 percent are children under the age of 18.

4HE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFkCKING ARE ALMOST ALWAYS POOR UNEMPLOYED NOT WELL EDUCATED AND VULnerable. Many minors come from BROKEN FAMILIES ARE ABANDONED and left with a distant relative who neglects them and treats them as A SERVANT OR SELLS THEM TO TRAFkCKers for a promised job in a hotel or as a domestic helper. They are FREQUENTLY ABUSED UNDERPAID AND sexually exploited.

The root of the problem is IN THE BROKEN HOME 7ITHOUT A SECURE STABLE LOVING AND CARING FAMILY CHILDREN DON T HAVE A CHANCE TO SUCCEED IN LIFE 7HEN parents have no love for each OTHER THE CHILD IS GENERALLY UNLOVED TOO 4HEY ARE EASY PREY FOR HUMAN TRAFkCKERS (UMAN TRAFkCKING AND ABUSE of women and minors as underpaid labor is so widespread that MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE TRAFkCKED EVERYWHERE &ROM %ASTERN %UROPE

MANY THOUSANDS ARE TRAFkCKED AND brought to wealthy Europeans IN THE MEGA BROTHELS WHICH ARE legal. But the women are not free to leave and are trapped in a web of insidious debt. )N SOME COUNTRIES LIKE THE 0HILIPPINES THE AGE OF SEXUAL CONSENT FOR A CHILD UNDER THE 0ENAL #ODE IS VERY LOW AT YEARS OF AGE AND ABUSERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT TO JUSTIFY A RELATIONSHIP 4HE 0ENAL #ODE MUST BE CHANGED (OWEVER

IN THE 0HILIPPINES THE #HILD 0ROTECTION ,AW OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 2EPUBLIC !CT SUPERSEDES THE OLD 0ENAL #ODE !NYONE WHO abuses a child sexually below the age of 18 is criminally liable. If THE CHILD IS BELOW YEARS OF AGE

it is statutory rape. )F YOU KNOW OF A CHILD BEING ABUSED PHYSICALLY PSYCHOLOGICALLY OR SEXUALLY YOU ARE MORALLY and legally obliged to report the ABUSE TO THE PARENTS OR RELATIVES

TO A TRAINED SOCIAL WORKER A POLICE OFkCER OR GOVERNMENT OFkCIAL OR TO ANYONE WHO CAN HELP &AILURE TO DO SO MAKES A PERSON liable to complaints of complicITY AIDING AND ABETTING CHILD ABUSE AND HUMAN TRAFkCKING AND even obstruction of justice if one person stopped another from rePORTING IT ESPECIALLY IF THE CHILD ASKED FOR HELP AND WAS REFUSED )N THE CASE OF !NGELICA IT WAS the child who suffered greatly. She hated what her mother and the man had done to her. One day just after another session in the hotel WHERE THE ABUSE TOOK PLACE SHE WENT TO A LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFkCIAL in the barangay hall and reported that she was being abused by that man. She did not report that her mother sold her to the accused.

The suspect was arrested and JAILED RIGHT AWAY SINCE THE REPORT was received within 24 hours of the crime being committed. The man was charged with human TRAFFICKING AND CHILD RAPE (E PAID THE GRANDMOTHER TO kLE A case of habeas corpus case to get THE CHILD OUT OF THE 0REDA HOME but the child told the judge that she wanted to stay. The case of HUMAN TRAFkCKING AND CHILD RAPE IS ONGOING AND !NGELICA AFTER A YEAR IN RECOVERY WAS ABLE TO testify clearly and coherently. He will surely be convicted.

It is very important that we all understand and are aware of

what is going on in the world.

(UMAN TRAFkCKING OF CHILDREN FOR sexual exploitation is an everyday CRIME #HILD SEXUAL ABUSE IS ALL AROUND US WE JUST DON T KNOW IT as they are ordered with threats to remain silent. They fear they WILL NOT BE BELIEVED THAT THEY will be severely punished if they reveal it. Most live with the pain and secret all their lives. )T S A FACT THAT ONE IN FOUR GIRLS is sexually abused at least once in her lifetime. The demand is PERSISTENT ABUSIVE MEN EVEN consider it an entitlement to do so and disregard and circumvent LAWS FORBIDDING IT WITH THE HELP OF HUMAN TRAFFICKERS CORRUPT police and sex tourist hotels and RESORT OWNERS ,OCAL GOVERNMENT units give operating permits to THESE SEX BARS HOTELS AND RESORTS They turn them into a sexual $ISNEYLAND 3OME OFkCIALS ARE child abusers themselves. Urgent demand comes from the internet and online cybersex business catering to those wealthy elite who want such evil sexual satisFACTION DOMINANCE AND CONTROL over other human beings.

This terrible exploitation of HUMAN BEINGS SUCH AS WHAT HAPPENED TO !NGELICA IS INDEED SLAVERY BANNED BUT NEVER CONQUERED

CONDEMNED BUT NEVER ELIMINATED

OPPOSED BUT STIL LIVES ON 7E MUST NEVER GIVE UP THE kGHT TO OVERCOME this pernicious evil and save the millions of exploited victims.

2EAD MORE ON TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN 2ICKY AND *ULIE http:// amzn.com/B07DXKX4SV

www.preda.org

Die-hards dying hard

I

F the survey result does not favor THEIR CANDIDATES THEY QUESTION THE NUMBERS )F IT DOES THEY GLOAT that “it is the voice of the people.� *** #AMPAIGN )S IT ALL ABOUT DISPLAYING TATTOOS ! JETSKI IN A contested sea? A silhouette video?

Alleged family wealth by an invesTIGATIVE GROUP 3UING A #HINESE 0RESIDENT 0OWER SHORTAGE WATER CRISIS ONLINE BANKING OUTAGE AND A SPEED LIMIT TO A STAND STILL TRAFkC Surely we deserve more than this. *** I agree that the photo opportunity at Scarborough Shoal was SYMBOLIC ! RElECTION OF WHAT THEY are going to do at the Senate. *** ) WISH THAT .,%8 3,%8 3#4%8

40,%8 #AVITEX AND 3KYWAY WILL BE SUFkCIENTLY MANNED THIS COMING (OLY 7EEK 3AME THING WITH PORTS AIRPORTS AND BUS TERMINALS 0REPARATIONS SHOULD ALREADY BE IN PLACE !LL IT TAKES IS INSTINCT GUT FEEL and common sense. *** Getting too close to women is forBIDEN. Stormy Daniel agrees. *** *USTICE 3ECRETARY -ENARDO 'UEvarra has ordered the Bureau of Immigration to immediately terminate the job contracts issued to eight individuals over their INVOLVEMENT IN THE ALLEGED 0 million extortion of 15 Korean nationals whom they arrested IN !NGELES #ITY 0AMPANGA LAST March 6. Swift justice is what he IS KNOWN FOR ***

MIRRORLESS

ROLLY G. REYES *IM 0AREDES g)T WAS PRIVATE AND not meant for public consumpTION ) DO NOT KNOW HOW IT BECAME public. I can only surmise that in THIS UGLY SEASON OF TOXIC POLITICS

MUCKRAKERS DETERMINED TO NEUTRALIZE MY INlUENCE BY VIOLATING MY privacy and digging up dirt on me ARE AT WORK u "LAMING EVERYONE except himself is horrifying. *** $UTERTE THREATENS TO kRE MORE OFkCIALS BEFORE LEAVING FOR #HINA &IRE 0REVENTION -ONTH IS OVER 4HE Equinox for sure will dehydrate some people. *** ) AGREE WITH 3EN $ICK 'ORDON AND $&! 3EC 4EDDY ,OCSIN TO strengthen our defense capability.

7E CANNOT LET WEAKNESS DICTATE OUR foreign policy. *** /N #HINA ) AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH A FRIEND THAT ALWAYS KEEPS ME ON the edge and then resorts to showering me with gifts to calm me down. *** %VEN THOUGH IT S LATE THE #ORDILLERA 'LOBAL .ETWORK REPRESENTED

BY LAWYER #HERYL $AYTEC 9ANGOT IS elated over the decision of the SuPREME #OURT TO ISSUE A PERMANENT halt order against the cutting of trees

by SM Baguio. These giant retailers SHOULD BE ASKED TO COMPENSATE FOR the environmental damage done. ***

!CCORDING TO 0ULSE !SIA S LATEST SENATORIAL SURVEY OF candidates who have a “statistical chance of winning� in the May elections are from Hugpong.

Of course opposition candidates from the Otso Diretso slate remained hopeful of winning seats in THE 3ENATE IN -AY S MIDTERM POLLS

despite their dismal performance in a voter preference survey. Only two opposition bets -- re-electionist 3EN "AM !QUINO AND FORMER $),' Secretary Mar Roxas -- were among 16 candidates with a “statistical CHANCE OF WINNING u ACCORDING TO THE LATEST 0ULSE !SIA SURVEY (OPE springs eternal as they say. *** Kris Aquino withdraws theft COMPLAINT VERSUS .ICKO &ALCIS IN Mandaluyong. He is now a current ex-convict in the future. *** Fossilized remains of individuALS DISCOVERED IN #ALLAO #AVE IN #AGAYAN HAVE BEEN CONkRMED TO belong to a previously undescribed species of prehistoric humans that MAY HAVE ROAMED ,UZON SOME

YEARS AGO .O RELATION TO *0% S ANCESTORS WHATSOEVER *** Brexit is staying too long at the DEPARTURE GATE 4OO MANY lIGHTS MISSED AND 0ARLIAMENT IS STILL delayed in printing a new boarding pass. The people are tired and bored. The UK now has a chancepassenger status. *** &OR ME MUSIC IS A PULSE A HEARTBEAT A lIRTY WIND GONE ASTRAY BUT willingly sways with anything that gets

in its way. Understood by continents AND ACCEPTED BY SOULS IT MAKES IDLE FEET DANCE SOMBER EYES GLISTEN STOPS BREATHS IN AWE COMMUNICATES FEELINGS without words and discards impure THOUGHTS 3LAVERY TO THIS KIND OF GLORY is very much accepted. *** (OW ) WISH 0 0 BUSES WOULD BE the only one allowed to ply Metro -ANILA ON MAJOR STREETS 0ROVINCIAL buses should just drop their passengers on north-south-east-west terminals outside the metropolis. *** #IVILIZATION IS GETTING MORE impatient and mobility is the name of the game these days. No ONE WALKS SLOWLY ANYMORE 0EOPLE EITHER HOP JUMP RUN OR BRISK WALK 3LOW MOTION IS JUST CONkNED to movies. That is why we have INSTANT COFFEE FAST FOOD INSTANT noodles and Instagram. No one writes long letters anymore or send GREETING CARDS &%$%8 503 AND $(, LESSEN MALL VISITATION HOURS and deliver online purchased items AT YOUR DOORSTEP IN A WINK AI and robotics produce items at lightning speed. That is why we LIVE SHORTER LIVES THAN BEFORE 9ES

there is population explosion but it tends to conquer and destroy the environment that supports life. Spaces are diminished and MINDS ARE GETTING TERRITORIAL 7E are betraying our reason to live by racing to die. A seemingly illogical CHOICE SNUFkNG OUT OUR CHANCE FOR longer existence. *** 'OOD WORK GOOD DEEDS AND good faith to all.

Q SALUDO FROM A4

To suffer with Christ, we must stop denying Him CENTURIES OF THE #HURCH MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR BILLION #HRISTIANS TODAY TO KNOW AND LOVE #HRIST AND the God he revealed to humanity. !ND TODAY WE TOO MUST BECOME martyrs to preserve and propagate THE 'OSPEL S SAVING MESSAGE

ER &R *OHN (ARDON WHO WAS spiritual adviser to leading prelATES INCLUDING #ARDINAL 2AYMOND "URKE WARNED PRECISELY OF THE virulent secularization of society.

He frequently reminded the faithful that one must be ready for MARTYRDOM NOT JUST DYING FOR THE Are you ready FAITH BUT LIVING IT IN THE FACE OF SOfor martyrdom?

CIAL PERSECUTION AND DISDAIN EVEN from family and friends. )NDEED WITH THE WORLDWIDE ASSAULT 4HE NEWS ESPECIALLY FROM COUNON #HRISTIANITY IN OUR INCREASINGLY tries gripped by radical Islam or GODLESS AND MATERIALISTIC AGE WOR- ATHEIST COMMUNISM TELLS OF #HRISshiping God and loving Him and tians held captive or executed. But our neighbor demands martyr- EVEN IN MAJORITY #HRISTIAN REGIONS DOM BOTH BLOODY AND UNBLOODY LIKE !MERICA AND %UROPE GOVERN2EVERED !MERICAN *ESUIT PREACH- MENTS ADOPT POLICIES FORCING #ATHO-

LICS TO ASSIST IN ABORTION SAME SEX marriage and other acts contrary to our morals. Those who resist these violations of religious freedom COULD BE kNED kRED OR JAILED %VEN IN THE 0HILIPPINES WHERE THANKFULLY THE 3UPREME #OURT has stopped the Reproductive Health Act from forcing health WORKERS TO VIOLATE THE #HURCH S BAN ON ARTIkCIAL CONTRACEPTION AND ABORTION DEVOUT BELIEVERS face the martyrdom of isolation. #HRISTIANS SPEAKING UP FOR FAITH AND MORALS EVEN IN THE FAMILY AND ESPECIALLY IN SOCIAL MEDIA

COULD FACE CENSURE RIDICULE

RESENTMENT OR SILENT DISDAIN

Even loved ones may turn irritable or cold over expressing and PRACTICING #HURCH MORAL TENETS

especially those relating to family values and sexuality.

In the face of community and even family disdain toward reliGIOSITY MANY BELIEVERS WOULD BE TEMPTED TO DO AS 3T 0ETER DID FOR FEAR OF VIOLENCE PERSECUTION OR DISDAIN DENY OUR ,ORD AND HIS CALL for spirituality and morality in life. !S WE PONDER *ESUS 0ASSION AND $EATH IN THE WEEK AHEAD MAY WE receive the grace and courage to declare and never deny our faith IN HIM WHO IS THE 7AY THE 4RUTH AND THE ,IFE !MEN

Opinion

A5

Xi Jinping: A single flower does not make spring T MY SAY 7/ SIGNIkCANT DEVELOPMENTS TOOK PLACE QUICKLY ONE AFTER ANOTHER IN THE LEAD UP TO THIS YEAR S EPISODE OF 0RESIDENT 8I *INPING S Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) &ORUM FOR )NTERNATIONAL #OOPERATION SCHEDULED TO CONVENE IN "EIJING #HINA ON !PRIL AND &IRST WAS THE BREAK )TALY MADE with the European Union (EU) in -ARCH IN ORDER TO JOIN THE "2)

AND SECOND WAS %5 ITSELF STRIKING A TRADE DEAL WITH #HINA A MONTH later. If Italy and EU were mariTAL PARTNERS THEN #HINA ENDS up here carrying on a conjugal relationship with both spouses OF THE BROKEN MARRIAGE ! CASE OF MAKING THE BEST OF both worlds? )N !MERICA S WORLD HEGEMONIC MINDSET m THE -ONROE $OCTRINE

“America for the Americans� – that WOULDN T DO "UT #HINA HAS LONG STRUCK THE KEY TO A gA WORLD COMMUNITY OF COMMON DESTINYu IF #HINA MUST PROGRESS THE WORLD MUST PROGRESS WITH IT 3O IN WORLD DIVISIONS

THE SOLUTION IS NOT TO TAKE SIDES BUT to accommodate both sides.

In a speech before the First3TAGE -EETING OF THE ' ,EADERS 3UMMIT ON 3EPTEMBER

INCIDENTALLY THE SAME YEAR THE "2) BEGAN 0RESIDENT 8I *INPING DECLARED g#HINA ADOPTS ITS ECONOMIC policies not only for the good of its OWN ECONOMY BUT FOR THE GOOD OF the world economy as well.� )F IT COMES TO THAT THEN SO BE IT 0RESIDENT 8I *INPING MUST TAKE CREDIT FOR MAKING #HINA THE GREAT EQUALIZER IN WORLD CONlICTS 4HE DISPUTE BETWEEN )TALY AND %5

PARTICULARLY OVER THE FORMER S BUDGET HAD GONE IRRECONCILABLE YET SHORTLY AFTER THEIR ANNOUNCED RUPTURE THEY FOUND A COMMON ROAD LEADING TO #HINA So what does that illustrate?

4HAT WHERE REGIONAL UNIONS BREAK APART #HINA IS THERE FOR THEM TO come together again as sharers in a world vision of common peace and prosperity.

China’s economy, the world’s

MAURO GIA SAMONTE NOT LIKE NOT BEING ABLE TO PARTAKE OF THE HUGE #HINESE MARKET FOR &RENCH COSMETICS AND BEVERAGES

not to mention submarines to COUNTER 53 ONES LURKING IN THE 3OUTH #HINA 3EA )N CONTRAST WITH 0RESIDENT Donald Trump reinvigorating the Monroe Doctrine by his CURRENT !MERICA &IRST 0OLICY THE US strengthens its closed-door world economic approach. In 8I S POETIC ALLEGORY THAT S CALLING A gSINGLE lOWERu SPRING 4HAT IS just not the case.

Negating ill propaganda Early reports place attendance in the BRI at no less than 40 heads of state and national leadERS

GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS AND BUSINESS LEADERS OVER PROMINENT INTERNATIONAL SPEAKERS AND EXHIBITORS 7E ARE told to expect more than 230 investment projects up for grabs by world industrialists and business entrepreneurs aiming for COMMERCIAL GAINS FROM #HINA S awesome 1.4 billion consumers.

4HE kGURES MUST ACCOUNT FOR THE INCREASING MOMENTUM 0RESIDENT 8I S INITIATIVE GATHERED YEAR AFTER year since its inception in 2013. !T THE SAME TIME THEY SURELY negate the unabated propaganda by the United States aimed at DISCREDITING IT FOR INSTANCE THE so-called “debt trap� in the cases OF 0AKISTAN AND 3RI ,ANKA Beginning with the construcTION OF THE +ARAKORAM (IGHWAY IN LINKING #HINA TO THE 'WADAR 0ORT IN THE )NDIAN /CEAN

a development that amounted to a revival of the ancient maritime SILK ROUTE BETWEEN #HINA AND %UROPE 0AKISTAN HAS NOT ONLY made big strides in its internal economy but has also become a pillar of the Asian Infrastructure )NVESTMENT "ANK !))"

THE mother funder of the BRI. )N AN !PRIL 7ORLD %CONOMIC Forum discussion moderated by #.. S *OHN $EFTERIOS 0AKISTAN S $EPUTY -INISTER OF #OMMERCE 3HANdana Gulzar Khan explained that the Imran Khan government said the 'WADAR PROJECT CREATED JOBS

WITH MORE TO COME )N THE CASE OF 3RI ,ANKA THE Daily Mirror has reported: g(AMBANTOTA 0ORT SEES STELLAR performance in 1st year -- TrafFIC TO THE ()0 INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY DURING LAST YEAR WITH vessels calling with different SERVICE REQUIREMENTS 7HILE their volume of RORO vessels handled had increased by 136 PERCENT THE MULTI SERVICES PROvided by the port have pushed ITS ACTIVITIES WHICH WERE PREVIously centered around RORO AND PASSENGER SHIP OPERATIONS

TO BULK BREAK BULK SHIP SUPPLY SERVICES REPAIRS AND LAYUPS u

)N THE SAME SPEECH CITED ABOVE

0RESIDENT 8I *INPING ELABORATED g#HINA S ECONOMY IS HIGHLY INTEgrated with the world economy. ! #HINA THAT ENJOYS MORE STABLE

higher-quality and more sustainable growth is conducive to the long-term economic growth of THE WORLD AS A WHOLE #HINA HAS the conditions and ability to achieve sustainable and healthy ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND produce more positive spill-over effects for the world economy.�

7AXING POETIC HE QUOTED AN ANCIENT #HINESE SAYING g! SINGLE FLOWER DOES NOT MAKE SPRING while one hundred flowers in full blossom bring spring to the garden.� And then he made A REAL TIME ELUCIDATION g7E SHOULD MAINTAIN A FREE OPEN AND non-discriminatory multilateral TRADING SYSTEM 7E SHOULD AVOID MAKING EXCLUSIVE TRADE STANDARDS RULES AND SYSTEMS SO AS to avoid the segregation of the GLOBAL MARKET AND THE DISINTEGRAtion of the global system.�

Especially for Filipinos )SN T THE "2) THEREFORE JUST THAT "RINGING gA HUNDRED lOW- 7HAT CAN BE PARTICULARLY ADers� to “full blossom� in order dressed to Filipinos in the comto “bring spring to the garden�? ing BRI forum is an enormous need for English teachers and Words and deeds together household managers (popularly termed “domestic helpers�) with The Beijing BRI Forum can be an hefty salaries offered. These are ILLUSTRATION OF HOW 0RESIDENT 8I parts of a number of business had successfully put words and and economic development deeds together in spreading his DEALS 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE ideal of a shared future for the IS EXPECTED TO STRIKE WITH #HINA WORLD .OT ONLY HAS )TALY BROKEN on the occasion of the BRI FoWITH %5 BUT ALSO HAS %5 CONTIN- rum. That will be on top of the UED TO BE WRACKED BY IMMINENT $25 billion worth of infrastrucDISSOLUTION WHAT WITH "REXIT m TURE BUSINESS INVESTMENT PACK5NITED +INGDOM S OWN BREAK WITH ages and financial grants and the European Union – persisting economic aid already in place for THE COUNTRY FROM #HINA as a raging British controversy.

0RESIDENT $UTERTE WILL BE COMING But granting Brexit does hapPEN STILL NO HOPE IS LOST #HINA to the 2nd BRI Forum for Internais there for the Britons to come TIONAL #OOPERATION TOGETHER WITH TO IN TURN !ND THEN WHO S NEXT WORLD DIGNITARIES WHO WILL INCLUDE &RENCH 0RESIDENT %MMANUEL -A- 2USSIA S 0RESIDENT 6LADIMIR 0UTIN

CRON HIMSELF 9OU LL NEVER KNOW -ALAYSIA S 0RIME -INISTER -OHAMIf he can gripe about losing out to MAD -AHATHIR )TALY S 0RIME -INISthe UK in the commerce of Brit- TER 'IUSEPPE #ONTE AMONG DOZENS ISH APPLES ALL THE MORE WOULD HE of other world leaders.

A6

Opinion

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

FOCUS

WikiLeaks set 21st century model for cyber-leak journalism WASHINGTON: Using cryptography and virtual drop boxes, Julian Assange’s WikiLeaks created a revolutionary new model for media to lure massive digitized leaks from whistleblowers, exposing everything from US military secrets to wealthy tax-dodgers’ illicit offshore accounts.

Assange’s arrest in London Thursday on a US extradition request to face charges of computer crimes could spell the end of 13-year-old WikiLeaks.

But his legacy will live long in the world’s media.

News outlets and journalists everywhere can now offer to potential sources encrypted apps and secure virtual mailboxes to receive secrets that were once divulged by discreet whispers, furtive phone calls and unmarked manila envelopes.

Skilled at hacking and cryptography — and motivated by a deep distrust of traditional institutions — Australia-born Assange took a cypherpunk’s libertarian streak to the chal-

lenge of government secrecy.

In 2006 he built an online platform that offered an anonymous, encrypted path to leak computerIZED kLES WITHOUT FEAR OF EXPOSURE

‘We liberated cryptography’ Leaks have forever been crucial currency in journalism. But no one had before created a convenient, relatively easy-to-use electronic drop box that could almost instantly, with absolute secrecy, take delivery of gigabytes of documents.

And he did it at a ripe time, as the connected world emerged and social media took off.

For Assange, it was the democratization of powers that had before belonged to governments alone. “Cryptography was then the exclusive property of states,� he wrote in 2013. “By writing our own software and disseminating it far and wide we liberated cryptography, democratized it and spread it through the frontiers of the new internet.�

7IKI,EAKS kRST RELEASE IN $E-

cember 2006 was an apparent assassination order by a Somali rebel leader that may or may not have been authentic.

But it drew attention. Over the next year, WikiLeaks obtained documents baring the Kenyan leader’s corruption, the secret operating rules for the US Guantanamo Bay prison camp, and offshore banking records from a Swiss bank.

It began scooping mainstream media on stories from secret climate discussions to Iran’s nuclear activities and Icelandic banking fraud.

The Manning files In 2010 US army intelligence official Chelsea Manning — a transgender woman then known as Bradley — began secretly feeding hundreds of thousands of CLASSIkED kLES TO 7IKI,EAKS They showed possible war crimes by US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, including a neverbefore-seen video of a US helicopter attack in Iraq that killed

18 people, including civilians and two Reuters journalists.

The stunning leak could not have been carried out in the old days of faxes and printers and it put WikiLeaks into the mainstream.

Assange partnered with The New York Times, The Guardian, $ER 3PIEGEL, and others to help sort through and make sense of the Manning material. WikiLeaks won awards and Assange was put on the cover of Time magazine. “What WikiLeaks demonstrated was the potential for a stateless transparency organization to get around the ability of the most powerful governments in the world to suppress information,� said Micah Sifry, author of a 2011 book on WikiLeaks.

kNANCIAL LIFELINE OF DONATIONS And he began to fall out with collaborators, a victim of his domineering personality that made WikiLeaks a one-man show, and his insistence that leaked material be published unedited, including that information that could harm people ‡ SOLDIERS IN THE kELD HUMAN rights activists and others.

But by 2012 others were already adopting his model of setting up encrypted, anonymous paths for leakers to hand over documents.

WikiLeaks copycat sites opened in different countries. Journalists became trained in the use of enCRYPTION AND SECRET kLE TRANSFERS “Exposing the secrets of the US government was a powerful signal that nobody could keep WikiLeaks copycats information under control in the internet age,� said Sifry.

Almost as soon as he hit that peak, US whistleblower Edward Assange’s star began to fade.

Snowden did not deliver his trove of Political pressure to counter hundreds of thousands of top-secret WikiLeaks was huge. A multi-coun- intelligence and military documents try effort got major credit card and to a media drop-box in 2013.

PAYMENT kRMS TO CUT 7IKI,EAKS But he used encrypted com-

Religion and development: An enhanced approach or a transaction? increasingly perceived as an element in the toolbox of developUNITED NATIONS: Since 2008, a num- ment and foreign policy praxis ber of articles/opinions have been – i.e. a transactional commodity.

This can take many forms. Inwritten, on the nexus between cluding an increasing convening of religion and development.

In chronological order, the ar- FBOs as ‘non traditional partners’ to TICLES kRST MADE THE CASE FOR WHY be hosted and feted around policy ‘religion matters’ to the attain- tables, building new NGOs and INment of developmental objectives, GOs around ‘religion’ and ‘religious noting how religious leaders are engagement’, formulating business critical to changing social norms propositions around these themes, which can be in contradiction and now, increasingly, seeking to to human rights, and noting the TAP INTO THE kNANCIAL RESOURCE BASES extent to which faith-based or- of some of these faith-based entities ganizations (FBOs) have anyway (largely Islamic ones).

A few of the most skeptical served as the original social service providers known to human kind. voices are now noting (mostly in Around 2014, the articles con- private conversations) that ‘add tinued in the same vein, i.e. mak- religion and stir’ could be argued ing the case that partnering with TO BE @THE NEW lAVOR IN THE MARKET religious actors was an increas- of international development.

But being in the ‘toolbox of ingly recognized necessity within the UN itself, but also for other practices and approaches’, per se, governments and non-governmen- is not unhelpful. On the contrary, development – writ large to include tal development partners.

Except this time, the argument peace, security and human rights – incorporated some of the politi- is a series of learned processes.

By now it is even a clichĂŠ to say cal facets of religion. At the height of the ISIS/so-called Islamic State THAT THERE IS NO ONE SIZE kTS ALL terrorism, the articles argued for development intervention. By exrecognition of the value of religious tension therefore, different ‘tools’ engagement, whether it was inter- are needed to assess what or which vening in combatting Ebola or seek- intervention works, and what may not, in diverse contexts. ing to counter violent extremism. !ND THERE IS A SIGNIkCANT BODY In 2015 and 2016, the call was to acknowledge that increasing of evidence built, which proves partnerships with religious NGOs, that FBOs are key actors in defor health, education, nutrition velopment, and that investing in and other aspects of development, partnerships with FBOs is cost-efwas “the new normalâ€? for develop- fective and socially transformative.

But when ‘religious engagement’ ment practitioners.

Moreover, the argument was can be part of a transactional apthat such partnerships were in and proach, are there guarantees that of themselves, a means of counter- the link to people’s faith, and being the narratives of violence and lief systems, will not be forgotten, overlooked, or worse still, appear extremism in communities.

In 2017, however, another note to be abused?

The fact is, FBOs symbolize, and crept into the analysis on the intersections between religion, in some cases, epitomize and updevelopment and foreign policy: hold, what many people actually believe in. That is also why many a note of warning.

The caution noted the increasing FBOs can draw upon the regular preference, undertaken by certain contributions of believers (e.g. dogovernments, in promoting more nations and collections in churches direct partnerships with religious and zakat contributions).

Many FBOs are pleased with the NGOs in other countries, rather than supporting multilaterals to secular policy makers’ increased scale up successful partnership ini- attentions, and eager for more TIATIVES FOR THE 3$'S !GENDA as they see this as a vindication The article noted that the interest of their particular wisdom and on the part of some governments unique value-added.

But some are beginning to voice to circumvent multilateral partnerships and aim for direct support to an increasing skepticism, “[W]e feel SPECIkC RELIGIOUS .'/S ABROAD CAR- as though we are treated, at best, as ried a â€œâ€Śdanger ‌ that such efforts a rubber stamp‌ instrumentalised will be misconstrued as the new to serve already agreed upon agencolonial enterprise in international das‌â€? is not an uncommon refrain.

The increase in the number of development, playing into rising meetings (mostly of the same groups religious tensions globally.

History is replete with examples of FBOs) is not necessarily accompawhere mobilizing religious actors NIED BY EQUIVALENT kNANCIAL AND OR in other countries, no matter how political support to actual multi-faith well-intentioned, can create some collaboration or advocacy.

Nor are these multiple convenrather unholy alliances�.

In fact, this was the beginning ings, leading to innovative govof a now ongoing concern wherein ernmental or intergovernmental ‘religion’ and ‘religious engage- support for broader, integrated ment’, somehow delinked from civil society engagement for hupeople’s faith and/or beliefs, are man rights, in an era of shrinking BY AZZA KARAM

civic space globally.

Some of the smaller FBOs are slowly beginning to question the time they are devoting to answer the increasing meetings hosted by some governments and organisations.

Their presence at these increasing number of meetings, the FBOs argue, is likely contributing to enhance the appearance of the conveners’ image as ‘sensitive to religious sensibilities’; as being ‘concerned for freedom of religion or belief, or for religious minorities (often not in their own back yard but in other countries), and/or appearing to be savvy enough to address the ‘missing link’ in development and peacemaking interventions.

Yet other international FBOs, by now well-versed in engaging with certain policymakers, are taking the opportunity to stipulate thinly veiled conditionalities for their engagement. Peacemaking, environmental stewardship, protection of children and minorities, are all ‘good’.

But gender, gender equality, gender identity, comprehensive sexuality education, reproductive health, reproductive rights, sexual rights, and/or family planning, are all no-go areas for some of the well-established FBOs. The price for engagement on one set of issues with these partners, therefore, may well be the forgoing – or silencing – of the human rights – and dignity – of others.

Other faith-based partners are viewing the governmental and intergovernmental interest in their methodologies, and now, increasingly, in their resourcing modaliTIES E G IN )SLAMIC kNANCING WITH more suspicion.

Barely accusatory questions such as “are you interested in partnering with us or in picking our brains?� and “why are you interested in our money all of a sudden?� are now heard in more than one meeting whether in Stockholm, New York, Cairo or Buenos Aires.

Certainly such questions can be dismissed as misunderstandings or lack of awareness, or shrugged off by those whose convictions are so strong that the right thing is being done. But would it be wise, perhaps, to pause and reflect on the root causes which may be inspiring such QUESTIONS IN THE kRST PLACE Are we honoring multi-religious civic collaboration for sustainable development, or are we possibly risking making religious engagement a transactional enterprise – and thereby forgoing some of the MOST DIFkCULT HUMAN RIGHTS IPS

$R !ZZA +ARAM IS A SENIOR ADVIsor at the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), coordinator of UN Interagency Task Force on Religion, and professor of Religion and $EVELOPMENT AT THE 6RIJE 5NIVERsiteit, Amsterdam.

munications that Assange helped popularize to communicate with the journalists he collaborated with.

In 2013 the Freedom of the Press Foundation, which had aided 7IKI,EAKS WITH kNANCING DEVELoped a new anonymous drop box FREE FOR ANYONE TO USE 3ECURE$ROP The New Yorker, an early adopter, explained its value to leakers: “As it’s set up, even we won’t be ABLE TO kGURE OUT WHERE kLES SENT to us come from. If anyone asks us, we won’t be able to tell them.�

3ECURE$ROP IS IMPORTANT TO THE most successful WikiLeaks-like operation, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

In recent years it has obtained FROM LEAKERS MILLIONS OF kNANCIAL account files detailing money laundering and tax avoidance from offshore banking centers — the “Panama Papers� and “Paradise Papers.�

The top of the ICIJ’s web page offers LINKS TO 3ECURE$ROP AND OTHER ENcrypted tools for sharing information.

And it has one simple invitation for its users: “Leak to us.� AFP

Revealed — A roadmap to defeat tobacco tax and keep Indonesians addicted will ruin the industry that employs 6 million workers, resulting in massive unemployment BANGKOK, Thailand: The image of a smoking tod- and reduction in government revenue.

The messages of these groups were all well-aligned, dler from Indonesia horrified the world but did little to motivate local policy makers to echoed, and re-echoed to reinforce one another. Meenact measures to protect children and youth dia coverage of their messages reached a crescendo from the harms of tobacco use. Indonesia has at the appropriate time. On cue, academics and one of the world’s highest smoking rates where research institutes generated and released evidence two out of three men and about 40 percent of THAT REJECTED TAX INCREASE AND TIERS SIMPLIkCATION A prominent religious organization which adolescent boys smoke.

Cigarette prices in Indonesia are among the has a powerful voice in the Muslim majority cheapest in the region, where a pack of Marl- country issued a clear message that the govboro is sold for as little as US$1.70, while local ernment must revoke the excise simplification brands or loose sticks are dirt cheap ($0.05 plan. Champions from relevant government per stick), easily affordable to the nation’s 65 ministries, such as Labor and Industry, made pro-industry statements that influenced the million smokers.

Indonesia has a complex tobacco taxation decision-making process up to the highest exstructure of 12-tiers, dividing between machine- ecutive level (President’s level).

In contrast, voices from health groups supmade white cigarettes, machine-made Kretek cigarettes, hand-rolled cigarettes, size of manu- porting tax increase and simplification were less facturing factories, and more. Annual increases in frequency and magnitude compared to the in tobacco tax are small, having little impact on pro-tobacco industry voices, such that at the cigarette prices to reduce consumption, especially end of 2018, following strong pressure from among the poor, who form the bulk of smokers. various pro-tobacco industry groups and instiIn 2017, the Ministry of Finance issued a tutions and systematic interference from the Regulation on Tobacco Excise Tax to increase tobacco industry, the Government announced tax for 2018 and, at the same time, stipulated it will not increase the excise tax in 2019 and a roadmap for the simplification of tax tiers, revoked the simplification roadmap.

The cancellation of the tax increase and anreducing from 12 tiers to 5 tiers by 2021.

4HE TIER SIMPLIkCATION ROADMAP WAS VIEWED AS nulment of the simplification roadmap show a win for public health, as fewer tiers will close both the might of the tobacco industry in inthe tax and price gaps and reduce the incentive for fluencing policy makers and the vulnerability smokers to switch to cheaper cigarettes. However, of the Government to industry interference.

While the tobacco industry’s strategy to defeat A YEAR LATER IN .OVEMBER THE SIMPLIkCATION roadmap was suddenly revoked, thereby cancel- tax increase may not be new or novel, the willingness of policy makers to respond positively to the ing the tax increase and tier reduction.

In his review of hundreds of news articles, industry is astounding when juxtaposed against curMouhamad Bigwanto, a public health researcher rent global awareness on the harms of tobacco use.

Across the globe countries are setting target FROM THE 5NIVERSITY OF -UHAMMADIYAHfS 0ROF $R HAMKA, saw pro-tobacco industry groups unfold dates to become tobacco-free, but the Indoa systematic, tactical plan that led to the defeat of nesian government is moving purposefully in THE TOBACCO TAX INCREASE AND TIERS SIMPLIkCATION the opposite direction to protect the tobacco $OCUMENTED IN 4OBACCO )NDUSTRY )NTERFER- industry for the next two decades, unmindful ence Undermined Tobacco Tax Policies in In- that about 230,000 Indonesians are killed andonesia, released by the Southeast Asia Tobacco nually by tobacco-related diseases.

Paradoxically, at high level meetings, IndoControl Alliance (SEATCA), his findings illustrate the tobacco industry’s plan to present the nesia has committed to implement the UN industry as being crucial to the economy, while 3USTAINABLE $EVELOPMENT 'OALS 3$'S WHICH simultaneously undermining and derailing the include a target to achieve health for all by tobacco excise policy through a coordinated reducing tobacco use.

Clearly other measures are needed to protect multi-pronged strategy.

In mid-2018, the Coordinating Ministry public health policy from being undermined by of Economic Affairs released a new Tobacco commercial interests. These include: • Adopting a government code of conduct Roadmap on the importance of the industry.

This Tobacco Roadmap was the product of that regulates interactions with the tobacco Independent Research and Advisory Indonesia industry and its affiliates to ensure transparency (IRAI), a thinktank that the Ministry engaged, and prevent industry interference. • Prohibiting institutions and individuals whose founder and head was the former CEO of Sampoerna Foundation, the charity arm of PT with tobacco industry ties from developing HM Sampoerna, which is owned by one of the tobacco control policies because of their clear world’s biggest cigarette manufacturers. IRAI conflict of interests. • Requiring political parties to disclose their lists Sampoerna Strategic, a tobacco-related funding sources as part of good governance. IPS entity, as one of its clients.

The pro-industry Tobacco Roadmap rationalizes the importance of the tobacco industry to $R 5LYSSES $OROTHEO IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE the economy and argues for its protection and Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (Seatca). growth until 2045, rehashing past arguments Seatca is a multi-sectoral non-governmental alliused by the industry to oppose tobacco control. ance promoting health and saving lives by assistIt formed the basis to initiate and support ing Asean countries to accelerate and effectively measures to reject tobacco tax increase and implement the evidence-based tobacco control simplification. The Roadmap was introduced measures contained in the WHO FCTC. Acknowland explained to various government depart- edged by governments, academic institutions, and civil society for its advancement of tobacco ments including with the Ministry of Health.

6ARIOUS PRO TOBACCO INDUSTRY FRONT GROUPS control movements in Southeast Asia, the WHO were mobilized to build support and create BESTOWED ON 3EATCA THE 7ORLD .O 4OBACCO $AY public pressure. These groups vocalized a !WARD IN AND THE 7(/ $IRECTOR 'ENERAL S consistent main message that increasing tax Special Recognition Award in 2014.

BYÂ ULYSSES DOROTHEO

Regions 12 Abu bandits die in Sulu clashes

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

European Union cites ‘model’ drug rehab facility TARLAC: Officials of the European Union (EU) cited Tarlac’s Drug Recovery Clinic (TDRC) as a “model� rehabilitation center for substance dependents when they toured the facility recently.

Ambassador Franz Jessen, who headed the delegation, said the EU supports the Philippine government’s fight against illegal drugs. “This initiative is a very good showcase of how the EU collaborates with the government as we at the same time illustrate our own experiences in addressing drug issues in Europe,� he added.

Jessen noted the recognitions that the TDRC had received recognitions such as the Project of the Year award conferred by a business newspaper’s Mission: PHL Envoys & Expats Award and the Department of Health’s (DoH) 1st Model for a Pilot Recovery Clinic in the Philippines. “I share this award with [Tarlac] Gov. Susan Yap and the TDRC team for their dedication and commitment to the successful establishment of one of the pilot recovery clinics in the country,� he said.

Aside from Tarlac, the DoH has identified other areas for the pilot project in Pasay City, Mandaue in Cebu, Oriental Mindoro, Compostella Valley in Davao and Ifugao.

The TDRC is envisioned to become a center of excellence that will serve as training facility for other recovery clinics, offering evidence-based drug abuse medical treatment in a voluntary outpatient setting that preserves human dignity.

Besides rehabilitating drug dependents, the center also focuses on a holistic approach in reintegrating victims into the community after treatment.

The clinic coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the patients’ food and transport expenses and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for vocation training for livelihood opportunities upon discharge.

JERRY M. HERNANDEZ

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

BY ANTONIO P. RIMANDO

Z

AMBOANGA CITY: At least 12 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists were slain while an undetermined number were wounded during consecutive gunbattles with soldiers on Friday in the hinterlands of Sulu, a military report received at the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) here said on Saturday.

The report said the first encounter came after the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion fought

for 30 minutes, with over 100 ASG bandits led by Radullan Sahiron and Hatib Sawadjaan

at Barangay Panglayahan, Patikul town.

A few hours later, the military’s 1st Scout Ranger Battalion led by Maj. John Aling clashed in the afternoon with over 50 terrorists under Almujer Yadah at Sitio Lanisnain, Barangay Kabontakas, also in Patikul.

4HE BANDITS LATER lED TOWARD different directions, taking with them the bodies of their casualties as troops pursued them and members of the 3rd Scout Ranger Company engaged in a one-hour kREkGHT WITH TERRORISTS AT 3ITIO Tambang, still in Patikul.

Military reports received from

1.5 tons of endangered giant clams seized in NOccidental BACOLOD CITY: An estimated 1.5 tons of endangered giant CLAMS WERE SEIZED ON 4HURSDAY AND THREE kSHERS WERE arrested in a village in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

The police arrested Felix Causapin, 60; Lito CaĂąete, 49; and Adan Atabelo, 54, all residents of Barangay Molocaboc.

Sagay City police chief Maj. Antonio Benitez Jr., said they served the search warrant against the suspects in THE COMPANY OF OFkCIALS FROM THE .EGROS /CCIDENTAL Protected Area Management Board, Task Force Lawod, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The search warrant was in relation to violation of Republic Act 10654 or “An act to prevent, deter and ELIMINATE ILLEGAL UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED kSHING u Judge Joanne Fraces Nifras of the Municipal Trial Court in Cadiz City signed the warrant dated April 3, 2019.

A total of 127 pieces of giant clams, also known locally as manlot were recovered.

Jose Roberto Togle, resource assessment head of the Sagay Marine Reserve, said they had received a report from concerned citizens of Molocaboc that the arrested men had been hoarding the clams since February and they had been verifying reports about this in the past months.

Mayo Antonio Cueva, superintendent of the Sagay Marine Reserve, then ordered a subsequent investiga-

tion after a concerned citizen reported the incident.

4HE ARRESTED kSHERS WERE ALLEGEDLY CONTRACTING WITH an anonymous buyer who offered to buy the clams at P1,000 per kilo, Togle said.

The International Union for Conservation of NaTURE IDENTIkED THE GIANT CLAMS AS A VULNERABLE SPECIES

facing a high-risk of extinction in the wild.

4HE LAW ALSO IMPOSES ON THE OFFENDER A kNE EQUIVALENT TO kVE TIMES THE VALUE OF THE SPECIES OR 0 TO P5,000,000 and imprisonment of 12 to 20 years and a kNE EQUIVALENT TO TWICE THE ADMINISTRATIVE kNE FORFEITURE OF THE SPECIES AND THE CANCELLATION OF kSHING PERMIT Togle said some of the manlot they recovered were about a meter wide and there were some that were already 50 years old.

Sagay City Mayor Alfredo MaraĂąon 3rd in a statement said, “the crime against our environment is a crime against our very own survival as vulnerable species like GIANT CLAMSTHAT PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN PROTECTING OUR REEFS u -ARAĂ„ON RECOMMENDED TO AUTHORITIES THAT THE CONkScated clams be turned over to the Museo sang Bata sang Negros for educational purposes. “We commend the efforts of our raiding team against the perpetrators and I hope this will serve as a strong message to everyone that we will continue TO PROTECT THE 3AGAY -ARINE 2ESERVE AT ALL COST u THE mayor said.

EUGENE Y. ADIONG

MEAL TIME

A carabao tries to eat spouting weeds emerging from the surface of Gabawan lake in Daraga town in Albay after the El NiĂąo weather phenomenon recently caused the lake to dry up.

RHADYZ B. BARCIA

Nationinbrief BAGUIO RESIDENTS, VISITORS ASSURED OF ENOUGH WATER BAGUIO CITY: The Baguio Water District (BWD) has assured residents and visitors that there will be substantial water supply during the dry months that are expected to extend up to June this year. BWD general manager Salvador Royeca said consumers in the Summer Capital need at least 50,000 cubic meters of water daily and that could increase to 55,000 cubic meters daily during the peak tourism months compared to the production of some 47,000 cubic meters of potable water daily from available water sources in different parts of the city. Currently, the BWD has 42,870 residential and commercial consumers with a growth rate of about 1,500 consumers monthly.

GABY B. KEITH

SC DUMPS CITIZENSHIP CASE VS LAWMAKER LA UNION: The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed a petition filed by a losing congressional candidate questioning the citizenship of La Union 2nd District Rep. Sandra Eriguel. In an en banc resolution dated February 26, 2019, the court dismissed the petition for certiorari that Tomas Dumpit filed, challenging an earlier decision of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET), in favor of Eriguel. The petitition was dismissed “for failure to sufficiently show that the HRET committed any grave abuse of discretion in rendering the challenged decision, which, on the contrary, appears to be in accordance with the facts and applicable law and jurisprudence.�

Dumpit sought to reverse the decision of the HRET dated January 17, 2019, which ruled that Eriguel is a natural-born Filipino and as such, eligible to sit as a member of the House of Representatives. Dumpit and Eriguel were candidates for representative of the 2nd District in the 2016 elections. Eriguel obtained 150,020 votes against the 40,201 votes of Dumpit, who will face her again in the May 13 mid-elections.

WILLIAM JUN GARCIA

BARMM DISTRIBUTES DIGNITY KITS TO WOMEN IN CONFLICT AREAS COTABATO CITY: About 957 dignity kits were distributed on Saturday to lactating mothers and pregnant women displaced by the recent armed conflict in the municipalities of Maguindanao such as Datu Saudi, Datu Salibo, Datu Unsay and Datu Piang. The kits will allow the women to meet their hygiene needs and improve their mobility and protection.

Iori Kato, country representative of the United Nations Population Fund, said the dignity kits are an integral part of UNFPA’s assistance to any humanitarian crisis as it is designed to meet the specific hygiene needs of women and girls of reproductive age. It includes basic hygiene and protection items such as sanitary pads, underwear, soap, shampoo, food, water, flashlights and whistles. Official data of social services ministry show that more than 45,000 individuals have been displacedby conflicts across the Bangsamoro autonomous region. The UNFPA estimates that there could be more than 1,400 pregnant women among the affected population. About 900 have already delivered and around 500 are expected to deliver in the next three months.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

NEW AIRPORT, SEA TERMINAL TO RISE IN COTABATO IN JUNE COTABATO CITY: The Cotabato City government recently announced that it will start the construction in June of a bigger airport and a sea terminal to boost the local economy of the city.

Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi announced this on Wednesday in her State of the City Address that specified her administration’s development plans for the 37 barangay (villages) here. Guiani-Sayadi said Chinese benefactors are also committed to help put up the Cotabato City-China Friendship Technical Skills Training Center. Guiani-Sayadi is running for reelection in the May 13 mid-term elections.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

the ground to the WesMinCom headquarters in Barangay Upper Calarian disclosed “that 10 bandits were killed and several others were critically wounded in the series of offensives while a group of soldiers retrieved the bodies of two bandits in one of THE ENCOUNTER AREAS u /N THE MILITARY SIDE kVE SERIOUSLY wounded soldiers were immediately transported to the nearest hospital in the island province.

Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr. said the uSUPPORT AND COOPERATION OF concerned local community

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residents led to the successful conduct of operations and UPLIFTED THE TROOPS MORALE u WesMinCom chief Lt. Gen. Arnel de la Vega commended the soldiers of JTF Sulu for their recent achievements, noting that “the merging of enemy groups from different sub-leaders only shows that we are gaining ground and they are GETTING WEAKER u He said, “Rest assured that our operations will be further intensified further so as to eliminate the enemies and to establish peaceful and progressive COMMUNITIES IN 3ULU u

News Ex-PNU president charged with graft A8

˜ The Manila Times

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY REINA C. TOLENTINO

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HE /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN HAS kLED A GRAFT COMPLAINT AGAINST FORMER 0HILIPPINE .ORMAL 5NIVERSITY 0.5 PRESIDENT %STER /GENA AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS FOR ALLEGEDLY ENTERING INTO AN ADVERTISING CONTRACT IN DESPITE LACK OF BUDGET Charged before the Sandiganbayan were Ogena, former vice president for Finance and

Administration Rebecca Corpuz Nueva EspaĂąa, former Budget /FkCE HEAD &LORENCE !LLEJOS AND

former Financial Management Service director Joseph LuceĂąo.

The Ombudsman alleged that from June 22, 2011 to July 25, 2011, the accused conspired and GAVE UNWARRANTED BENEkTS AND advantage to Universal News Ltd. “by entering into an advertising contract with it for a half-page advertorial in the Foreign Policy Magazine, without the requisite public bidding‌ Despite lack of

budget; and in violation of the austerity measure under Section 1(a)(4) of Administrative Order No. 103 suspending paid media advertisement, among other things; and thereafter causing the payment...to said magazine of more or less P1,095,916.86, paying in advance 50 percent of the contract price without the approved Disbursement Voucher.�

Based on the charge sheet,

EXODUS BEGINS Passengers wait for their ride at a bus terminal in Quezon City on Saturday.

The trek to the provinces started over the weekend as Filipinos prepare for Holy Week.

PHOTO

BY ROGER RAĂ‘ADA

‘QC has ample budget to help poor’ QUEZON City (QC) First District Rep. Vincent “Bingbong� Crisologo vowed to judiciously use the P19 billion yearly BUDGET OF THE CITY TO kNANCE PROJECTS THAT WOULD BENEkT THE POOR IF HE WINS THE mayoral race in May. He said he would set aside billions of pesos for free medicines, free school uniforms and bags, free WiFi, new auditorium, new city university and assisted livelihood programs, among others.

Crisologo said QC had the biggest

income among Metro Manila cities. “QC is the only city in Metro Manila that has no university of its own. We will put up a sports auditorium right at Quezon Memorial Circle. We will make free medicines available, provide free school uniforms and bags, free WiFi, put up free dialysis center, and P500 monthly pension to all senior citizens,� he said.

His running mate, Atty. Jopet Sison, also vowed to pass ordinances to support the programs of Crisologo.

Crisologo also promised to appoint administrators to each of the city’s six districts to facilitate requests for help immediately.

Meanwhile, 48 subdivision leaders in Tandang Sora area headed by Zaldy Soriano expressed support to the CrisologoSison tandem. “It is time to change Quezon City and that change starts with choosing the right leader,� Crisologo said.

JAIME R. PILAPIL

EspaĂąa and Allejos allegedly CERTIkED IN THE "UDGET 5TILIZAtion Request “that the supporting documents were valid, proper and legal, and that there was available budget.â€?

The Ombudsman also alleged that the payment was “illegally sourced� from the Special Trust Fund.

It recommended P30,000 bail for each of the accused.

In January last year, it was reported that the Ombudsman found Ogena, EspaĂąa, LuceĂąo and Allejos administratively liable for grave misconduct and ordered their dismissal from the service with “the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of leave credits and RETIREMENT BENEkTS AND DISQUALIkCATION FROM REEMPLOYMENT IN the government service.â€?

Student falls in Makati drug raid POLICE on Saturday swooped down on the hideout of a drug peddler in Makati City and seized 100 sachets of illegal drugs worth P1.5 million.

Authorities arrested Melvin Bulado, 21, the alleged operator of the drug lair, and John Arman Revidad, 22.

Bulado is a business administration student of the City University of Pasay.

Police Col. Rogelio Simon, Makati chief of police, said operatives acted on a tip from an informant and several concerned citizens.

The suspects were arrested while selling methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, to an undercover operative.

Police seized 123 sachets of

shabu, a plastic bag of marijuana worth P2,000, a pistol and ammunition, and various commercial and recreational drug paraphernalia.

Makati City Mayor Mar-len Abigail “Abby� Binay welcomed the arrest of the drug supplier. “I urge the police to step up visibility and patrols to keep the city’s streets safe against the drug menace,� Binay said.

The suspects are detained at the Makati Central Police Station where they are facing charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002� and RA 10591 or the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.�

NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

Belmonte pushes high-rise condo for poor residents QUEZON City (QC) Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte pledged to push the construction of a high-rise condominium for informal settlers as part of her planned massive in-city relocation. “One of the concerns for our planned in-city relocation is our area, whether we have available space in QC where we can construct houses for our informal settlers.

I think to solve this, we should change the mindset of our people first,� she said. “I know this is something different

but that’s the solution we think can solve the city’s housing backlog,� she said. “My goal is to keep QC residents to live within our city. If you are from Quezon City, then you should be living here in Quezon City,� she added.

The city government has been active in providing socialized housing programs for its residents, which include the construction of Bistekville, introduced by Quezon City Mayor Herbert “Bistek� Bautista.

Jaime R. Pilapil

Rain showers seen beginning Palm Sunday METRO Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao may get a respite from the heat beginning Palm Sunday, as the weather bureau said these areas would have rain showers and thunderstorms.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Metro Davao would have rain showers and thunderstorms on Holy Wednesday. “The Philippines is a tropical country so the chance for thunderstorms is high,� weather

POSTER FESTIVAL

forecaster Raymond Ordinario said.

He said some thunderstorms could be seVERE TRIGGERING lASH lOODS AND URBAN lOODING He said the rain showers might extend until Holy Wednesday.

The Holy Week, a major annual religious observance in predominantly Catholic Philippines, starts on Palm Sunday when Catholics commemorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem by waving palm fronds in churches.

PNA

Campaign posters of various candidates decorate a street in Manila. Billboards and posters have sprouted in all corners of the city as the midterm elections near. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

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

LUCILLE BALCE-ANGELES General Manager Balce-Angeles Consultancy Services

SUNDAY APRIL 14, 2019 Email: bizreports@manilatimes.net

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She runs a consultancy focused on advising developers on the environmental impact of their projects. Through further studies that were holistic, her knowledge of environmental issues has deepened, and it shows in the work produced by her company.

ABOUT ME ROLE MODEL

Real simple

My father for his industriousness and perseverance. My mother for her strength, prayerfulness and tidiness. She always kept our house spic and span.

GOALS To live a ‘Hygge’ lifestyle – the Danish art of creating joy and coziness in life’s ordinary moments.

FIRST PAYING JOB Product engineer for Philmetal Products Inc.

MORNING ROUTINE Upon waking up: coffee, shower, meditate from 6 to 8 a.m. Make it to the office by 9 a.m.

SPECIAL SKILLS At work, able to strike the right balance between the needed technical know how and interpersonal skills required to communicate such knowledge.

BY LOUISE NICHOLE LOGARTA THE youngest of three siblings, Lucille Balce-Angeles was born into a family of engineers and architects — her father a surveyor, her brother a geodetic engineer and her sister an architect. It seemed only natural that in college, she chose to study civil engineering. It was just as well, for mathematics was her favorite subject. “Algebra, geometry, trigonometry,�

Lucille recalls, when asked what mathematics were needed for civil engineering. “Pero ‘wag lang calculus (just not calculus)!� she quickly adds, laughing.

After graduating from the University of Santo Tomas, Lucille worked at Philmetal Products Inc. as a product engineer, giving talks regarding their products and presenting them to clients. She also worked at Extraordinary Development Corp., a low-cost subdivision developer. After a year at each one, Lucille joined the family business.

Lucille’s father, Manuel Calnea Balce, established M.C. Balce Surveying Services (MCBSS), which provided its clients with geodetic engineering and surveying works.

The company then pioneered consultancy services for real estate developers in the 1990s when the government became stricter in terms of requiring the enviRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CERTIkCATE %## before the release of license to build.

Because of high turnover of projects, it was decided that the consultancy arm of the company be entrusted to Lucille, thus giving rise to Balce-Angeles Consultancy Services (BACS). Lucille and her husband Anthony Angeles — who also took up civil engineering — run this company in a partnership.

Like other consultancies that focus on environmental impact, BACS handles liaison work with the government and concerned agencies. In dealing with clients, it provides the ECC and, depending on the scale of the project, an environmental impact statement (EIS).

Lucille says in 2002, Ateneo de Manila University partnered with the University of San Francisco (USF), offering a masteral course in Environmental Management. The couple jumped at the opportunity. They were able to push their company forward as they gained more in-depth knowledge about the environment. Lucille recalls that the education was holistic — they studied environmental economics, environmental ethics and sociology, apart from

“

TIME SPENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA About an hour a day, but that’s not continuous.

If you minimize your wants, your impact on the environment will be lessened.

It’s really all about going back to basics

Q Lucille is intoxicated by the bracing country air of Bavaria, Germany during a recent trip with the United Architects of the Philippines (top and bottom), and with colleagues during a monitoring team powwow with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local government unit officials and the developer. science subjects. Because of this, their knowledge of environmental issues grew deeper, and it showed in their work.

Sustainability has become a buzzword in the environmental scene, and indeed has been the goal of large corporations.

BACS promotes sustainability via the ECC’s environmental management plan that developers must implement.

The company’s projects exemplifying the concept of “green building� are the Zuellig in Makati City and the Megawide buildings. All are LEED-accredited.

Projects outside the city are Unilab warehouses located in Laguna.

Perhaps, it was this early involvement with the environmental aspect of her job that allowed Lucille to become more conscious of good practices before greater awareness about care for the planet arose. “I was able to impart this to my daughters,� she says.

Undoubtedly a plus for Lucille is being able to work not only with her husband but with both her daughters. The COUPLE BOOSTS THE COMPANY S EFkCIENCY

by handling different responsibilities. If Lucille is in charge of permits, Anthony is in charge of business development, having the title of Project Integrator. His JOB ,UCILLE EXPLAINS IS TO kND AND PUT together a group of experts and professionals to collaborate on a proposed project for a proponent.

Their two daughters, Abby and Kit, also help out while taking up their own masters’ degrees in environmental management. Abby, the elder, took up business management in college and will be

graduating this year, while Kit graduated with a degree in civil engineering two years ago and is currently in her masteral PROGRAM !BBY HANDLES THE kNANCES AND loans of BACS as well as family investments, while Kit handles proposals and billings. “Wala naman pilitan dito (I didn’t force them),� Lucille says, when asked if her daughters were expected to JOIN THE FAMILY kRM 3HE ADDS THAT IT IS a plus for her girls to partner with her because they get to work while studying and are able to accommodate school responsibilities when necessary. “The problem with family businesses is that kids don’t see the direction the company is heading toward,� Lucille observes, saying some instances see parents still running the companies, seemingly unable to hand over the reins to the heirs. “For me, I’m just equipping them, for example, with their education. So, then they know what’s in it for them so gaganahan sila (they will want to run it).� Lucille’s believes fully in her daughters that she trusts them to run the company together even if they want to have their own individual businesses.

Apart from her actual family, Lucille reveals that her work environment is much like a family as well. She leads a lean team; when they eat, they eat together.

Lucille hires master’s degree holders or graduates of environment or technicalrelated courses, such as architecture and engineering. BACS, however, is open to graduates of nontechnical courses as long as they are willing to learn. After all, liaison work is teachable. “I think as long AS YOU HAVE PEOPLE SKILLS YOU CAN lOURISH here,� Lucille says.

When she’s not working, she likes to go to the gym and do Pilates. Other times, she prefers staying at home and watching .ETlIX 3HE ENJOYS GOING OUT WITH HER friends to a nearby Eighties-themed bar.

Lucille says she even takes her clients out to lunch or dinner at the bar.

When asked how one can practice and promote sustainability in daily life, Lucille advises moderate consumption. She says that when she and her girls eat out, they do not want to order take-out because of the plastic consumption and waste that it entails. A fan of minimalism, she says: “Simplify your life and once you do that, it goes with being a minimalist. If you minimize your wants, your impact on the environment will be lessened.�

Lucille acknowledges that this is not an overnight process but of it, she says: “It’s really all about going back to basics.�

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Business Times

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

˜˜ The Sunday Times

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

w w w.manilatimes.net

21st century Stone Age

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

‘Win-win’ situation for both employers and employees

BY CORA LLAMAS

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HERE is one area in the employment cycle where the Filipino workplace OUTSHINES THE REST OF ITS 3OUTHEAST !SIAN COUNTERPARTS ! SIGNIkCANT LEVEL OF SUCCESS ACHIEVED WHEN IT COMES TO ACHIEVING WORK LIFE BALANCE !CCORDING TO A STUDY RELEASED LAST MONTH BY INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT SITE -ONSTER COM ABOUT PERCENT OF &ILIPINO WORKING PROFESSIONALS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE HAPPY WHEN IT COMES TO MAINTAINING AN EQUILIBRIUM BETWEEN THEIR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES /F THIS GROUP PERCENT PARTICULARLY EXPRESSED gCONTENTMENTu ABOUT THEIR SITUATION "OTH kGURES ARE HIGHER COMPARED TO THOSE FROM NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES -ALAYSIA WITH PERCENT AND 3INGAPORE WITH PERCENT The 1,000 professionals surveyed across the region attribute this pleasant state of things to their employers who, according to the survey, were supportive of their goal TO BE PRODUCTIVE PROFESSIONALLY WHILE kNDING PERSONAL FULkLLMENT OUTSIDE OF THE DAILY GRIND 4HE 0HILIPPINES again leads in this area, with 88 percent of companies surveyed having concrete, functional employment programs that emphasize health and wellness, continuing education, and community activities that strengthen family ties among employees. Singapore follows with 86 percent, while Malaysia comes third with 81 percent.

About 44 percent of the Filipino professionals surveyed did say that their immediate boss or supervisor recognized the importance of work-life balance. Malaysian employers are a distant second at 31 percent while Singapore is a far-off third at 23 percent.

The three elements that Filipino workers value the most when it comes to work-life balance are as follows: THE lEXIBILITY OF TIME TO ALLOW THEM TO ATTEND TO PERSONAL matters (59 percent); the right to leave their physical OFkCE AT ANY GIVEN TIME PERCENT AND TOTAL FREEDOM

which means not working, on the weekends.

What makes the results of this survey important is their implications on the over-all being and the productivity of the Filipino employee, who has to daily endure the trafkC GRIDLOCK RISING PRICES AND lAKY WEATHER JUST TO REACH his workplace. Stress is reduced and can be managed.

Risks for illnesses can be likewise limited. Motivation to perform remains consistently high, leading to optimal results that make both employer and customers happy. In return, knowing that their work is more than acceptable to his shareholders continues to alleviate the stress from the working man or woman, who continues to perform happily and spectacularly.

The results do indicate an improvement from reports given a couple of years ago by sources like Regus International which said that 42 percent of working Filipinos experience acute stress on the job. The impact of not dealing with those stress factors, or not getting any remedy from it, led to medical conditions like hypertension. )F A &ILIPINO PROFESSIONAL kNDS THAT HIS DIRECT MANAGER IS lEXIBLE AND MORE OPEN ABOUT WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

like allowing him an afternoon off to attend school meetings with his kids, then his sense of loyalty to the company likewise increases. Nor does he feel the need to look over his shoulder all the time, which is another stress-inducing behavior. Correlation of the Monster study with the famous Gallup poll stating that the direct manager is the reason many staff leave their jobs leads to one conclusion: a happily working Filipino professional who knows that his boss recognizes his value and understands his need to spend time with his family will STAY PUT IN THAT OFkCE FOR A LONG TIME )T S A gWIN WINu situation for both employer and employee.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Working women advocate for healthy hearts AS the number of working girls in the country increases, so are the risks to their hearts, especially that they “have other priorities that deviate from their concern about heart disease and how to prevent it�, or as the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) puts it. Thus, the advocacy of PHA’s Council on Women’s Cardiovascular Health (CWCH) to disseminate more information on the “unique needs and features of the Filipino woman’s heart� comes into play with timely relevance to benefit the gender traditionally devalued as inferior.

The Pusongpinay.com microsite has been incorporated in the PHA website as platform towards a heart healthy Philippines. It is proudly a site for the Filipino women. “This microsite will address the many concerns that women have about their heart health,� said Dr. Aileen Cynthia de Lara, who heads the PHA CWCH. “Women have to know their non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors as equipped and empowered beings.�

According to study, the heart disease is the leading cause of death among women but it is preventable. This is much reflective in today’s era when women in the workplace is at a record high even by quick observation. Most of these Filipino women in suits actually go

expressed their support for the site and PHA’s

Mabuhay Ka Pusong Pinay Campaign.

Q Speakers at the recent ‘Puso sa Puso’ media forum organized by the Philippine Heart Association and the Philippine College of Cardiology. home to still act out their duties as homemakers. Women are likely to still cook dinner and clean the house after a grueling eight-day work from a big time businessman’s company. Sadly, such study declares that heart failure “remains a poorly recognized and understood syndrome� among women, since it is not getting the same public awareness as, say, coronary heart disease. The business community may be too busy a lot to even deal with this matter, and the fact glares that heart diseases have “always been considered a male issue.�

The Pusongpinay.com is fundamentally described as an accessible avenue for public

awareness on the very concern involving the hearts of our motherland’s heroines, may they be standouts or equally worth-functioning even in the background. “Change should start with me. Walk the talk as they say,� PHA President Dr. Nanettte Rey is quoted as saying in an article in Heart, PHA’s official publication.

Rey is among three empowered women who gave heartfelt messages during the �Puso Sa Puso� media forum last March 27 at Victorino’s Restaurant in Quezon City. The other two are TV hosts and actresses Amy Perez and Heart Evangelista, who have both

“We appreciate the involvement of celebrities in this pursuit to educate more Filipino women on such a delicate matter. Their influence gives our campaign that extra push,�

Rey added. A growing section among Filipino women deserving of more data on heart health are those engaged in entrepreneurship or working for some billionaire’s empire. More and more women do not wish to just stay at home or are forced not to because of their life situations, like being single moms or decidedly independent. Both Perez and Evangelista shared to the media their healthy routines opposite their hectic schedules as their way of taking care of their hearts. Besides, the said forum has “Pansinin Mo Naman Ang Puso Mo, Ate� for its topic. It also advocated the leveling up ofphilheart.org/pusongpinay as the site to go to on the subject. It’s easy to agree that women are vital to the flow of things and keep men’s businesses going. Besides, past generations have already claimed that behind every man’s success is you know who. YUGEL LOSORATA

T

HE responsible parties can try to explain it away in any manner they like, but the past few weeks have seen a string of minor calamities that are not supposed to happen in societies that have functioning governments and are able to use simple technologies.

It began with the temporary collapse of Manila Water’s ability to actually deliver water to its customers for a period of time last month. Several million people were left with no water for hours or in many cases even days, which the CONCESSIONAIRE AT kRST IMPLICITLY TRIED TO BLAME ON ITS OWN customers. Hoarding of water by some customers fearful of having no supply during one of the frequently-announced “service outages� to repair something the water distributor DIDN T BOTHER TO BUILD CORRECTLY THE kRST TIME HAD DRAINED the La Mesa reservoir, Manila Water said. The company later quietly departed from that unimpressive line of defense to accept a bit more responsibility — but only to the extent of admitting that it is not, after all, very good at dealing with situations beyond its control.

The next disaster to strike affected customers of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), who were left without access to their accounts or any other bank services over the weekend of April 5 to 7, thanks to “system maintenance,� a Filipino phrase borrowed from English that means, “I turned this computer OFF AND NOW ) CAN T kGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT TO START UP AGAIN u The bank’s system outage lasted longer than planned, and WHEN SERVICES kNALLY WERE RESTORED MANY CUSTOMERS FOUND that their accounts had either been rendered invisible, or had BALANCES SIGNIkCANTLY DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE THE SHUTDOWN Although annoying, the problems should not have come as a complete surprise to BPI’s customers; after all, the bank had done exactly the same thing in 2017.

The past week has seen a problem that everyone is familiar with, the beginning of “summer,� which is a Filipino word borrowed from English that means, “whether or not we’ll have electricity at any given time is a total crap shoot.� With temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius, THE AVAILABLE POWER SUPPLY FOR ,UZON BRIElY DROPPED TO A level where rolling blackouts had to be implemented. In this weather, that goes beyond being an uncomfortable inconvenience for some people, although just how many elderly, very young, or people with serious health conditions may have been literal victims is not known, and not something authorities are eager to discuss.

Finally, on Friday Globe Telecom experienced a major outage, a result of, you guessed it, “system maintenance.� Globe services of any sort were unavailable for several hours after midnight Friday, and while basic phone and data services were operating again by about 9 a.m., other services such as loading prepaid numbers, checking account information, or accessing other customer service information were not restored until MID AFTERNOON 'LOBE HOWEVER WAS AWARE OF THE DIFkCULTIES of its users, and took the bold step of graciously apologizing for the inconvenience to anyone who asked.

18 years into the 21st century, the Philippines is still experiencing breakdowns of basic functions that most of the rest of the civilized world learned how to avoid decades ago. The actual reasons why are so simple, they’re almost stupid. There are water shortages because there is not actually enough fresh water available to reliably supply a metropolitan area of 20 million people. Banks experience long service outages because banking systems are, as a rule, years behind the rest of the world and the entire banking industry follows a business model that hasn’t changed much since the end of World War 2. Electricity is in short supply, because economic planning can’t be done on a timescale that extends beyond the next budget year, and so “just enough for current needs� is an institutionalized target. Much the same can be said for telecommunications services as well.

Nothing ever gets done about this because too much time is spent apportioning blame. The government, reacting to public anger, has proposed tearing down and remodeling the entire regulatory and contractual framework of the water industry.

That may be necessary, but at this point, it’s a diversion; nothing about forming a new regulatory agency or new contracts with the water concessionaires will actually produce a single drop of water. Blaming banks for their rent-seeking greed in not investing in modern, integrated systems is not going to make them change, so long as competitive alternatives are discouraged under a regulatory framework that exists as a matter of the local banking industry’s sufferance. Pointing out the ATROCIOUS lAWS IN THE %PIRA LAW THAT HANDICAP THE DEVELOPMENT of new energy supply has so far not produced a single watt of additional electricity. The country has for years bewailed the absence of an alternative to two terrible telecoms providers, but has demanded nothing in the way of improvement in their performance.

5NTIL THERE IS A SIGNIkCANT CHANGE IN MINDSET UNTIL THE country as a whole internalizes the meaning of the word “priorities,� none of this is likely to change; the disappointing prospects of the upcoming elections, whose winners will once again be chosen on the basis of public tastes in polo shirt colors and hand gestures, certainly do not give any reason for hope.

ROUGH TRADE BEN KRITZ

ben.kritz@manilatimes.net

Taxes not the biggest threat to family wealth

T

AXES aren’t the biggest threat to your inheritance. Entitlement heading to family squabbles are. In a CNBC article penned by Darla Mercado, lawyers and acCOUNTANTS POINT TO FAMILY CONlICT as the biggest threat to estate planning with tax reform and market volatility a far second. No wonder these highly accomplished individuals are changing the rules of the game with some deciding not to bequeath any inheritance to their offspring. And this trend appears to be gaining momentum.

(IGH PROkLE BILLIONAIRE REAL EState mogul and one of the world’s top philanthropists, Yu Pang Lin passed away at the age 92 in 2015, but in a gathering with his bankers kVE YEARS EARLIER HE ANNOUNCED THAT he would entrust his entire wealth valued at $1.5 billion to a bank and the money would then be donated to charity after his death.

FAMILIES IN BUSINESS PROF. ENRIQUE SORIANO Yu was believed to be China’s kRST BILLIONAIRE TO DONATE AN ENtire fortune to charity. He gained prominence when he acquired Bruce Lee’s home in the early 70s and rose from toilet cleaner to billionaire. He once said, “If my children are more capable than me, it’s not necessary to leave a lot of money to them. If they are incompetent, a lot of money will only be harmful to them.�

In the West, there appears to be a growing awareness on the dangers of children entitlement.

Elton John, whose net worth is around $550 million has the

same mindset. He has no plans of leaving much of it to his sons: “Of course I want to leave my boys IN A VERY SOUND kNANCIAL STATE "UT it’s terrible to give kids the silver spoon. It ruins their life! Listen, the boys live the most incredible lives, they are not normal kids. But you have to have some semblance of normality, some respect for money, some respect for work.�

The world’s most savvy investor, Warren Buffet whose fortune is estimated at $65 billion intimated that only a very small fortune of that money will go to his three children. According to Fortune magazine, Buffet pledged to give away 99 percent of his wealth over his lifetime. “My family won’t receive huge amounts of my net worth. I still believe in the philosophy‌that a very rich person should leave

his kids enough to do anything but not enough to do nothing.�

It looks like Jaycee Chan will have to make it on his own, as well. His celebrity father, Jackie Chan, has decided to donate his money to charity instead of his son. As reported in Hong Kong media, Jackie Chan, who has a fortune estimated at $350 million, recently announced that he will donate all his wealth to charity. The “Bleeding Steel� star, who originally intended to split his wealth between his family and charity, has decided to give it all to the needy. Chan was quoted as saying that his son Jaycee should be capable of earning his own money now that he has his own career.

Inheritance can be tricky so discussion is often avoided. However, as the founder reaches the age of 60 and up and the children

are all grown up and likely to have been forced (lured) into the business with zero outside work experience, founders can expect the following worrisome scenarios: – Escalating dispute between founder and children related to management style – Simmering sibling rivalry on family and business issues – Children jockeying for power AGGRAVATED BY IN LAW INlUENCE – Worsening marital spats between the founder/spouse – A competitive and highly regulated marketplace – Growing tax pressure exacerbated by different sets of internal books – Urgency to align a complicated ownership structure for estate and transition planning When these combustible issues are mixed, the process of initiating an inheritance plan can be so

overwhelmingly daunting that owners tend to naturally forego the process. Procrastination or the “Do Nothing Option� then ends up as the most convenient choice.

So, when an event like death or illness strikes the founder, expect the phenomenon to reappear, “Rice bowl to rice bowl in three generations�.

Prof Enrique Soriano is a World Bank/IFC Governance consultant, senior advisor of Post and Powell Singapore and the executive director of Wong+Bernstein, a research AND CONSULTING kRM IN !SIA THAT serves family businesses and family foundations. He was the former chairman of the Marketing Cluster at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business in Manila, and is currently a visiting senior fellow of the IPMI International School, Jakarta.

˜ The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

Sunday Business & I.T.

B3

Data explosion poses challenge for APJ

O

RGANIZATIONS IN !SIA 0ACIkC *APAN !0* ARE MANAGING CLOSE TO kVE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF DATA THEY DID IN

Yet, only 13 percent of businesses are data protection “leaders,� according to the third Dell EMC Global Data Protection Index in collaboration with Vanson Bourne.

The research, which surveyed 2,200 Information Technology (IT) decision-makers from both public and private organizations with 250 plus employees across 18 countries and 11 industries, reveals the state of data protection among organizations in Australia, Japan, South Korea, India and Singapore, amidst the current explosive growth of data in APJ. 3PECIkCALLY THE )NDEX REPORTED a large increase in the average amount of data managed — from 1.68 petabytes (PB) in 2016 to 8.13PB in 2018 — and a corresponding increase in business awareness of the value of data.

In fact, 90 percent of respondents see the potential value of data and 35 percent are already monetising their data.

However, the index also found that despite an impressive jump in data protection “leaders� (from 1 percent to 13 percent) and “adopters� (from 8 percent to 53

percent) since 2016, most respondents continue to face challenges in implementing the right data protection measures to address the rapid growth of data and the rising adoption of emerging technologies.

The state of data protection Disruptions and data loss incidents are occurring more frequently than the global average among APJ organizations, underscoring the urgent need for data management and protection in the region.

Eighty percent of APJ respondents have experienced some type of disruption over the last 12 months compared to the global average of 76 percent, among which 32 percent were unable to recover data using their existing data protection solution.

Although unplanned system downtime is more prevalent, data loss has proven to be far more expensive for APJ organizations. On average, 20 hours of downtime in the last 12 months cost businesses $494,869, while companies that lost data, lost 2.04 terabytes on av-

erage with a price tag of $939,703.

Additionally, the likelihood of disruption has almost doubled over time for the affected companies in several areas. The index revealed a sharp increase in the number of reported delays in time-to-market, loss of customers, and loss of repeat business, as key consequences of data loss and system downtime in 2018, compared to 2016.

The good news is 9 in 10 businesses recognize the value of data, and 88 percent in APJ said they took data protection more seriously for categories of data that had the greatest monetary value.

However, the state of data protection in APJ is still in its infancy.

More than 6 in 10 (64 percent) have yet to monetise data assets, and the majority of APJ organizations are still categorized as “laggards,� “evaluators� or adopters in terms of their data protection maturity, as opposed to being leaders. “Today, much of an organisation’s business value is inextricably linked to data. In many respects, APJ companies are in a unique position to become truly data-driven, given the sheer volume of data this region produces,� said Alex Lei, vice president of Data Protection Solutions of Dell EMC, APJ. “The critical building block for success

is a robust data protection framework, which is essential to gaining customers’ trust.�

Data growth, emerging technologies pose challenges.

APJ businesses are facing challenges in selecting the right infrastructure and measures in the face of rapid data growth and emerging technologies adoption. The majority (94 percent) of respondents encounter at least one barrier in relation to data protection. The top three challenges in APJ include: — The inability to keep track of and protect all data because of growth of DevOps and cloud development – 46 percent agree. ‡ 4HE COMPLEXITY OF CONkGURing and operating data protection software/hardware – 45.6 percent agree. — The lack of data protection solutions for emerging technologies — 43.4 percent agree. &OR THOSE STRUGGLING TO kND ADequate data protection solutions for newer technologies, more than half (54 percent) said they could NOT kND SUITABLE DATA PROTECTION SOLUTIONS FOR ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE and machine learning data, followed by cloud-native applications (49 percent) and IoT (40 percent).

The challenges presented by emerging technologies and the rapid growth of data in APJ are just

DICT, Cisco sign MoU on PH cybersecurity THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and global technology leader Cisco recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and strengthen the cybersecurity in the Philippines.

The MoU was signed by Eliseo Rio Jr., DICT acting secretary and Karrie Ilagan, managing director of Cisco Philippines.

Under the MoU, both parties committed to enhance information and intelligence-sharing on cybersecurity threats and incidents. The two also agreed to conduct workshops and facilitate the exchange of ideas to enhance the cybersecurity of Critical Information Infrastructure.

DICT will benefit from the in-depth research from Cisco’s wide telemetry of threat intelligence and leverage the information to better protect the government

and critical infrastructure in the Philippines against emerging cyber threats.

Enhancing cybersecurity capabilities across the Philippines has been a top priority for the DICT. This has been exemplified when the DICT launched the National Cybersecurity Plan 2022 last May 2017.

The Plan aims to assure the continuous operation of country’s critical information infrastructure; implement cyber resiliency measures to enhance the ability to respond to threats before, during and after attacks; effectively coordinate with law enforcement agencies; and boost cybersecurity awareness among citizens.

DICT and Cisco will collaborate on specific programs to build up cybersecurity skills and capabilities in the Philippines, with the aim of enhancing the capacity

and sophistication of cyberthreat defenders in the country. Cisco has been playing an active role on this front.

The Cisco Networking Academy (www.netacad.com) cybersecurity courses upskill individuals to build the workforce of tomorrow. Over 5,800 students in the Philippines have undertaken cybersecurity courses under the academy to date, with almost 400,000 students trained since inception under the broader information and communication technology curriculum offered through the Networking Academy. “Digital adoption and innovation are playing an important role in boosting the growth of the Philippines’ economy,� Ilagan said. “As technology become an integral part of businesses and consumers, and we embark on digitizing the entire country through projects like smart city initiatives,

the reliance on data and connectivity will continue to rise. The success of this digital transformation hinges in large part on the Philippines’ ability to tackle the cybersecurity threat. We are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with DICT and play our part in improving the country’s cybersecurity resilience.� “As the Philippines continues to push towards digital transformation, we are committed to ensure that we build our cybersecurity capabilities accordingly,� Rio said. “This not only includes adopting the right technologies, but also building the local talent pool in the sector. For this all stakeholders from government, to industry and educational institutions need to work together.

Our partnership with Cisco will play a key role in making our cyberspace safe and resilient.�

Q Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing: (from left): Kerry Singleton, Cyber Security for Advanced Threat Solutions of Asia Pacific and Japan APJC at Cisco; Eliseo Rio Jr., Department of Information and Communications Technology acting secretary; Miyuki Suzuki, president of Asia Pacific, Japan and China at Cisco; and Karrie Ilagan, managing director at Cisco Philippines sign a MoU to collaborate and strengthen cybersecurity in the Philippines

NetSuite helps simplify global trade ORACLE NetSuite recently announced a series of new innovations to help organizations across the world achieve the visibility and control needed to navigate change and accelerate growth. The latest innovations within the NetSuite solution include new global financial management capabilities that streamline currency and trade management and localizations to support customers in some of the world’s largest economies, including China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and the UK. “The pace of change around the world is increasing and organizations need to be agile in order to stay ahead of the competition and meet changing customer expectations,� said Evan Goldberg, executive vice president of Oracle NetSuite. “To help our customers manage increasing demands and reach new heights in every market they operate in, we are committed to making the most complex business processes simple through continued global enhancements to NetSuite.�

New global trade management capabilities Help customers streamline the management of multi-subsidiary operations, support global compliance and gain real-time global insight.

Global trade enablement: Customers can simplify and streamline intercompany trade business processes within NetSuite, including transactions, reconciliations and netting.

SuiteTax API: Customers can now streamline compliance with different tax requirements across the globe by eliminating the need to manually monitor tax rate changes across more than 100 countries. The new tax API also supports compliance with US sales tax.

Foreign currency expense report: Customers can now automatically reimburse employees in their local currency instead of the currency of the company’s headquarters.

Installments: Customers can

now set and manage scheduled payment due date arrangements with both their customers and suppliers with new capabilities that allow them to adhere to the local expectations of customers in Latin American countries and beyond.

by the Indian government.

Japan: NetSuite now supports THE :ENGIN 8-, kLE FORMAT THE new requirement from the Japanese Bankers Association (ZenginKyo). Customers are now able to INCREASE EFkCIENCIES BY GENERATING an invoice summary using saved search capabilities and adding New localizations TRANSACTION kELDS TO THE INVOICE summary.

New localized product capabiliMexico: Customers are now ties empower NetSuite custom- enabled to comply digitally with ers headquartered, or operating governmental requirements by subsidiaries in some of the largest allowing all information required economies in the world, to quickly by the Mexico Tax Authority, inand easily leverage an integrated cluding electronic invoicing and suite of modern business applica- electronic accounting, to be within tions to drive growth, reduce costs NetSuite.

AND ACHIEVE THE BENEkTS OF CLOUD UK: NetSuite is now compatcomputing. ible with Making Tax Digital, a India: New tax management government initiative that became capabilities help customers com- mandatory on April 1, 2019, which ply with local goods and service requires UK businesses to submit tax and tax deducted at source tax tax returns and payments online, requirements for India. Customers while also keeping digital records can also leverage localized reports of taxes. NetSuite can help customby generating the data required for ers instantly comply with the new % 7AY "ILL DOCUMENTS AND kLING regulations by enabling the InterTAX RETURNS IN THE FORMAT SPECIkED national Tax Reports SuiteApp.

beginning to take shape. As such, only 18 percent believe current data protection solutions would be able to meet all future business challenges. “Emerging technologies, powered by data, are beginning to yield VERY REAL BUSINESS BENEkTS FOR THIS region. Organizations looking to accelerate their digital transformation must look to enable and protect their data as it moves across their network — from the edge, to their core business, right through to their cloud,� said Lei. “Companies’ data strategies are becoming increasingly more complex as they work to meet the data management, governance, security and accessibility requirements across a multi-cloud infrastructure, off and on premise, private and public cloud. Challenges aside, the insights and data monetisation OPPORTUNITIES ARE INkNITE FOR ORganizations ready to transform.�

Cloud is changing data protection landscape Cloud technology is becoming an integral component of the data protection landscape in APJ. According to the Index, public cloud use has increased from 27 percent of the total IT environment in respondents’ organizations in 2016 to 41 percent in 2018.

Nearly all (99 percent) orga-

nizations using public cloud are leveraging it as part of their data protection strategy. The top use cases for data protection within the public cloud include backup/snapshot services to protect workloads and cloud-enabled data protection software.

4HE kNDINGS ALSO SUGGEST THAT protecting the growing amount of data in the cloud is a concern area for business leaders. More than 6 in 10 considered scalability options of data protection solutions important in anticipation of the inevitable boom of cloud workloads.

Regulation is low on priority list The index also reveals that compliance to data privacy regulations like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation is not among the key concerns for APJ organizations. Regulation compliance was ranked sixth — ranked 4th in Singapore — in the list of top data protection challenges by only 36 percent of respondents.

This sentiment is beginning to translate into reality as only around one-third (34 percent) felt very confident that their organization’s current data protection infrastructure and processes were compliant with regional regulations.

Disrupting the DX status quo with security transformation (SX) T TECH SPACE HE hosannas for businesses and entire industries to take the journey towards digital transformation (DX) are reaching fever pitch. DX promises a corNUCOPIA OF BENEkTS 2EMARKABLE customer experience! Considerable cost reduction! Higher revenues on existing products!

On-time delivery!

Somehow lost in the chorus of ecstatic endorsements is the FACT THAT TO lEX ITS TRANSFORMATIVE powers, DX leverages cloud and mobile solutions, which could lead to major cybersecurity issues. This increases the number of new apps, tools and devices that connects to the network and thereby expands the attack surface that cyber criminals can exploit.

3PEAKING AT THE PRESS BRIEkNG FOR THE kRST #YBERSECURITY &ORUM

Oscar Visaya, country manager of Palo Alto Networks Philippines, said, “When they embark on a path towards digital transformation, many companies did not include security transformation as part of their journey. Cloud service providers adopt a model wherein they will build in the security of the cloud infrastructure but the security of data and apps rests on the shoulders of customERS )N THIS REGARD RESEARCH kNDings that 93 percent of security failures are the customer’s fault make a lot of sense.�

To prepare for security transformation, Visaya proposes the disruption of the status quo. ! KEY kRST STEP IS TO GAIN BETter visibility of the company’s cybersecurity posture, which really involves a count of every hardware, app and device accessing the network. “Visibility is lacking in most Philippine companies and even abroad,� Visaya expounds. “With less visibility, you cannot enforce control over or defend against what you cannot ‘see’. That’s ‘undetected’ attack surface, which cybercriminals will stealthily use TO INkLTRATE AND STEAL DATA u He explained that the disruption in this case entails a different approach, which makes the defender more effective against cyber attackers by putting a lot of automation and leveraging ADVANCES IN ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE and machine learning.

Palo Alto’s leading edge approach provides a tool to cap-

TONY MAGHIRANG ture all data traffic, including nonsense and trivial ones, collected from sensors and gives the needed visibility to customers.

Response enforcers then analyze the data streams automatically and companies can make the right decision on how to act on THE kNDINGS This automated detection and response methodology is incorporated in Cortex XDR, the industry’s only open and integrated ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE BASED SECUrity platform. Its core technology leap frogs from earlier Endpoint Detection and Response, which has been found out to detect only 26 percent of cyberthreats.

In contrast, Cortex XDR covers even the blind spots and just about detects every data on the network, endpoints and cloud altogether. It integrates three main capabilities, adaptive prevention, behavioral analytics and native integration, which in previous iterations were separate technologies to address different forms of cyberattack.

Adaptive prevention is premised on continually evolving to prevent known and unknown threats. With behavioral analytICS NETWORK ACTIVITIES ARE PROkLED to find sophisticated attacks unique to the network. Native integration of network, endpoint and cloud data removes blind spots and accelerates investigations.

Marc Lainez, systems engineer at Palo Alto shares, “Prevent what can be prevented so no effort is wasted in dealing with unknowns. Once Cortex is in place, it does more than the usual analysis of signatures. It collects all data even those that organizations traditionally deem as nonsense and useless. “Look at it this way: If you put ‘useless’ data, alerts and logs together and pit them against a larger set of data, they may even be better indicators of compromise.�

All told, Cortex is the right disruptive prescription for security transformation (SX) in the long DX journey.

B4

Sunday Business & I.T. New AMD processors power mobile devices

SUNDAY APRIL 14, 2019

www manilatimes.net

Editor: Jing Garcia

A

MD recently announced the latest additions to its PRO processor lineup: 2nd Gen AMD Ryzen PRO mobile processors with Radeon Vega Graphics and AMD Athlon PRO mobile processors with Radeon Vega Graphics. “Modern PC users expect the experience between professional and personal to be imperceptible, and business notebook users want to utilize the latest modern features, including 3D modeling, video editing, multi-display setups, while multitasking securely, to get more done,� said Saeid Moshkelani, senior vice president and general manager of AMD Client Compute. “With AMD Ryzen PRO and Athlon PRO mobile processors, AMD delivers the right performance, features and choice to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and commercial users, combined with the productivity, protection and professional features needed to ensure seamless deployment throughout an organization.�

Providing commercial notebook users WITH POWER EFkCIENT PERFORMANCE STATE OF the-art security features, and commercialgrade reliability and manageability, these new processors enable global personal computer (PC) manufacturers to create a wide range of business systems, from premium professional notebooks to everyday productivity notebooks. Initial commercial

systems from HP and Lenovo are expected this quarter with other OEMs and further platform updates anticipated later in 2019. “HP is committed to raising the bar for powerful and secure commercial devices with cutting edge PC innovations,� said Andy Rhodes, global head of the Commercial Personal Systems, HP Inc. “HP is proud to offer the broadest AMD portfolio in the industry with top performance, security, and reliability to business users everywhere.�

2nd Gen Ryzen PRO mobile processors Built on 12nm manufacturing technology, the new AMD Ryzen PRO 3000 Series mobile processors deliver best-in-class performance and increase productivity by offering up to 16 percent more multithreading processor performance than competition.

3PECIkCALLY THE NEW !-$ 2YZEN 02/ mobile processors deliver up to 12 hours OF GENERAL OFkCE USE OR UP TO HOURS OF video playback; up to 14 percent faster content-creation and accelerated everyday

OFkCE APPLICATIONS WITH INTEGRATED 2ADEON Vega graphics, from 3D modeling to video editing; powerful security features on all Ryzen PRO processors with AMD’s security co-processor built into the silicon; and 18-month of image stability, 24-month of processor availability, commercial grade quality, enterprise-class manageability, and 36-month limited warranty

Huawei P30 takes smartphone photography to the next level EXPERIENCE groundbreaking db ki mobile bil photography for your life’s greatest moments with the much-anticipated Huawei P30 Series.

Designed to “rewrite the rules of photography,� the new Huawei P30 Series brings ultimate perfection to your photographs. The P30 Pro gives incredible night-shots, up to 10 times hybrid crystal clear zoom, and smooth stabilization TECHNOLOGY THROUGH THE WORLD S kRST ,EICA quad camera. This super camera system has a 40 megapixel (MP) super sensing Camera, 16 MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and an 8 MP telephoto lens.

The new handsets also bring highest quality videos without jitter through P30’s ultimate stabilization technology and 4K video recording capabilities so users have the power to record life’s most precious moments as they happen, when they happen.

How to get your P30?

Smart offers the Huawei P30 Series under the data-packed postpaid plans.

Get the Huawei P30 Pro at P2,399 per

month, with a one-time cash out of P9,010 for the device; the Huawei P30 at P1,799 per month, with a one-time cash out of P5,690 for the device; and the Huawei P30 Lite at P1,199 per month, with a one-time cash out of P2,010 for the device.

The Huawei P30 and P30 Pro are all inclusive of monthly 15 gigabyte (GB) data that consists of 10GB video streaming and 5GB FOR SURkNG WEBSITES AND ENJOYing online apps; unlimited texts to all networks; and 60 minutes of calls to all networks — under a 24-month contract. On the other hand, the Huawei P30 Lite comes with inclusive 10GB data for video streaming and 4.5GB FOR SURkNG UNLIMITED TEXTS TO ALL networks, and 50 minutes of calls to all networks.

As a special treat, those with approved pre-orders of the Huawei P30 and P30 Pro get a free Huawei Watch GT worth P12,990, while the Huawei P30

,ITE COMES WITH A FREE (UAWEI 3ELkE Stick and Huawei CM51 Soundstone Bluetooth Speaker.

to system manufacturers.

AMD is also offering “Zen�-based Athlon PRO mobile processors, bringing a greater choice of mobile computing experiences across the full budget spectrum. “As work-life integration goes mainSTREAM AND PEOPLE SEEK INCREASING lEXIBILity in their lifestyles, they need accessible tools to stay productive and entertained

anytime, anywhere,� said Jerry Paradise, vice president of the Lenovo Commercial Product Portfolio. “Lenovo is pleased to partner with AMD to offer commercial users mobile experiences that balance performance and portability to power the modern workforce, and excited to extend the partnership to our latest premium ThinkPad series notebooks coming soon.�

Kingston introduces new High Endurance microSD cards KINGSTON Technology announced recently the new High Endurance microsecure digital (microSD) card. The card is especially designed for write-intensive application use such as home security and surveillance cameras, dash cams and body cams.

As write-intensive applications critically depend on a high level of reliability and performance, Kingston’s High Endurance microSD card provides durability, high-storage capacity and prolonged endurance to meet the unique recording demands of security cameras and dash cams. The High Endurance microSD card stores up to 20,000 hours of seamless VIDEO RECORDING IN FULL P HIGH DEkNItion to capture a reliable record of what happens whether at home or on the road.

Kingston’s High Endurance microSD cards are engineered and tested for use in harsh conditions and are durable enough to protect from extreme temperatures, shock, water and x-rays. When needed the most, the High Endurance microSD card is the

reliable solution to capture critical moments over a long period of time without the risk of compromised or lost data. “Surveillance footage captured by home security systems and dash cams can prove to be incredibly valuable.

Consumers need to feel confident their memory cards are built to withstand extreme conditions while still providing a stable storage solution to capture critical recordings when they need it the most,� according to a statement form Kingston. “Dash cameras in vehicles and security cameras at home are becoming more commonplace and with the addition of our new High Endurance microSD card we’re able to meet the ever-growing demand for capturing hours of video monitoring content while providing high performance, seamless recording and trusted Kingston reliability.�

Kingston’s High Endurance microSD cards are available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities and are backed by a two-year warranty, free technical support and legendary Kingston reliability.

Aside from fact-checking, we need more truth-tellers

A

DOLF HITLER pointed out the principle of the Big Lie: People will believe a big lie sooner than a little one, and if you repeat it frequently enough people take it as gospel truth. Educating voters on the effects of negative campaigning and black propaganda have been recurrent themes in BlogWatch voters’ education since 2010.

The phrase “negative campaigning� is often being done during the campaign period. I consider disinformation (fake news) as black propaganda because it is covert and uses false information. Disinformation means “the deliberate creation and sharing of information known to be false�. The purveyors of black propaganda target most of the misinformation and disinformation towards leading candidates in the surveys. The lies and propaganda are out there to create doubt if you are an undecided voter. Another goal is also to suppress voter turnout. Deceptive or exaggerated claims targeting individual candidates even if not in

LET’S TALK #SOCIAL NOEMI LARDIZABAL-DADO the survey’s “magic 12� is happening, too. ) kND MYSELF BUSY WITH VOTERS EDUCAtion in collaboration with poll watchdog group Kontra Daya in schools and religious organizations the past few weeks.

This time around, BlogWatch role is not just teaching voters on their selection criteria or on the effects of negative campaigning. Many are eager to learn about fact-checking, how to vote in an automated election and selecting a party-list. After each fact-checking session, I encourage a call to action. “More than fact-checking, we need more truth tellers.

Lies travel faster than the truth. When not speaking, you are contributing to the disinformation.

By not speaking up, you are allowing the lie to spread�.

The call to action struck a chord among

the participants. Most of them want to go beyond fact-checking. The only effective weapon against the “Big Lie� are truth and reason.

Reason dictates we be discerning in our choice of whom to vote for. Look at the candidates’ platforms, how they respond to issues, their public and (if possible) private demeanor. Fact-checking techniques come in handy here. Try to see behind the mask. Examine their past record and accomplishments. Once you have selected your candidates, promote them online AND OFlINE TO FRIENDS AND RELATIVES Look beyond survey results. Poll results show the popularity of a candidate at the time of the survey. Let’s not waste our vote by basing it on trending and survey-driven analysis. Be wary of online surveys as some are susceptible to manipulation by bots.

Resist the urge to be cynical. Realize that you are the focus of negative campaigning: The undecided, the critical, the careful voter. The intention is to manipulate you. You don’t have to vote against the mudslinging candidate for him or her to win. They want you not to discourage you not to vote on election day. If you stay

away, their dirty tricks would have worked.

Don’t give them the satisfaction.

Choose to be kind over being right.

There are times your close friends or family members might post fake news.

The best recourse is to be patient and tell the truth through a private message.

If you think they will become sensitive about being corrected, post the facts in your timeline. There are ways to deal with friends and family who spread fake news or have a different political leaning from us but we must be prudent and preserve relationships Let’s attempt to distinguish the truth from the lies. Easier said than done, given all the surrounding disinformation. But it would be worthwhile to try, anyway.

Don’t expect to get the truth from politicians.

Keep in mind Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter’s observation that: “Politicians are interested not in truth but in power and in the maintenance of that power. To maintain that power it is essential that people remain in ignorance, that they live in ignorance of the truth.�

It’s up to us to break the shackles of

ignorance and apathy by educating ourselves and finding out the real score regarding the people we want to VOTE INTO OFkCE )T WON T BE EASY BUT if we persevere, the truth will reveal itself. The real challenge is if we have the courage to face the painful fact we deserve the leaders we end up with.

The next synchronized National and Local Elections (NLE) will happen on May 13, 2019. You can make a difference. Be a truth-teller. Take ACTION )N YOUR AREA S OF INlUENCE

kGHT FOR THE TRUTH YOUR PRINCIPLES and values. Don’t let lies and intimidation take over the public sphere where democracy lives.

Noemi Lardizabal Dado is a co-founder and an editorial board member of blogwatch.tv. BlogWatch began in November 2009 as a group of independentminded bloggers and social media users helping with voter education. It has since evolved into a nonpartisan group of citizen advocates who engage government and the private sector, onLINE AND OFlINE FOR SOCIAL GOOD

World

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

C1

FOR MIGRANTS:

Trump eyes ‘sanctuary cities’ W

ASHINGTON, D.C.: US President Donald Trump said on Friday ( S a t u r d ay i n M a n i l a ) he i s seriously considering funneling detained illegal migrants into the self-declared sanctuary cities that oppose his tough immigration policies.

Trump’s announcement on Twitter reversed a previous White House assurance that the idea — criticized as political retribution against cities led by opposition Democrats — had been dropped. “Due to the fact that Democrats are unwilling to change our very dangerous immigration laws, we are indeed, as reported, giving strong considerations to placing

Illegal Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities,� Trump said. “ T h e Ra d i c a l L e f t a l ways seems to have an Open Borders, Open Arms policy — so this should make them very happy!� he tweeted.

The Washington Post revealed the proposal, which would mark a NEW lASHPOINT IN THE EVER GROWING political divide over immigration.

Trump has staked his presidency

on his insistence that the United States is being overrun by migrants and asylum seekers.

But opponents, mostly in the Democratic Party, say his push for building more walls on the Mexican border and his almost daily denunciations of migrants as dangerous criminals incite racial hatred.

In comments to reporters later, Trump said that he wanted Congress, where the House of Representatives is controlled by Democrats, to tighten visas and streamline the deportation process.

Otherwise, he warned, he’ll order migrants to be dumped on the sanctuary cities. “If they don’t agree we might as well do what they say they want....

We’ll bring them to sanctuary city

areas and let that particular area take care of it,� he said. “We can give them an unlimited supply.�

And late Friday, he reiterated his call for a “merit� based immigration system. “If the Radical Left Democrats all of a sudden don’t want the Illegal Migrants in their Sanctuary Cities (no more open arms), why should others be expected to take them into their communities?� he tweeted.

Human ‘pawns’ Sanctuary cities are places where local authorities — usually Democratic-run — have refused to hand over undocumented immigrants for deportation.

San Francisco Mayor London

Khartoum celebrates as Bashir successor steps down KHARTOUM: Crowds of Sudanese waving flags and chanting “we toppled two presidents in two days� celebrated in the capital late Friday after the country’s military council chief stepped down a day after he was sworn in. “We have done it, we have done it,� shouted young men and women as they drove across Khartoum after General Awad Ibn Ouf announced his resignation on state television.

On Thursday, he was sworn in as the chief of a ruling military council that replaced long-time president Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted by the army following months of deadly protests.

Before quitting, Ibn Ouf appointed Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan as his successor, setting off a wave of jubilation across the city.

Car horns sounded on the streets as jubilant crowds streamed out of their homes to cheer the departure of Ibn Ouf, considered a regime insider and close aide of Bashir.

Chants like “It fell again, it fell again� reverberated across the capital’s squares and neighborhoods, onlookers said. “This was our second uprisING kRST AGAINST "ASHIR AND THEN against Ibn Ouf,� said Mohamed, a protester, whistling and clapping in an upscale Khartoum neighbourhood.

Dozens of members of a paramilitary group stood at the sidelines, many atop pick-up vehicles loaded with machine-guns, as cheering crowds drove past, witnesses said.

Protest organizers however warned Burhan that if he failed to transfer powers to a civilian transitional government he would face their fury too.

They called on Burhan to reverse decisions announced by Ibn Ouf such as canceling the suspension of the constitution and also implored him to end the state of emergency and night-time curfew.

Q A handout picture released by the Twitter account of the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) on April 12, 2019 shows Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the new chief of the military council taking over in Sudan following the ouster of president Omar al-Bashir, speaking with demonstrators outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum. AFP PHOTO / HO / SUNA

Crowds flock to demo Thousands of protesters have massed outside the army headquarters in the capital since April 6.

Earlier on Friday, throngs of Sudanese chanting “it will fall again, IT WILL FALL AGAINu lOCKED THERE TO hunker down for a second night defying the curfew, witnesses said.

Dressed in white traditional clothes, men and women headed to the military complex to join thousands of others camped there. “We did it once, we can do it again,� said a protester, who had been at the site of the demonstration since Tuesday night.

Since the appointment of Ibn Ouf as military council chief, the protesters had turned their anger

against him. “We don’t want Ibn Ouf, we don’t want any military government,� said one protester. “This entire group is from Bashir’s regime. We want a civilian leader.�

Several soldiers were however

seen chatting and mingling with protesters at the complex on Friday, witnesses said.

As the evening approached, buses full of protesters headed to the protest site with plans to defy the curfew again, a witness told Agence France-Presse.

AFP

Carrie Fisher in trailer for final ‘Star Wars’ movie CHICAGO ,UCASkLM DELIGHTED g3TAR Wars� fans on Friday (Saturday in Manila) with a glimpse of Carrie Fisher in sneak-peek footage of the HOTLY ANTICIPATED kNAL EPISODE OF the space opera — more than two years after her death.

Director J.J. Abrams told the US “Star Wars Celebration� event the writers had agonized over giving Fisher’s beloved General Leia OrGANA A kTTING SEND OFF IN THE NINTH installment, revealed as “Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker.� “Every day it hits me that she is not here but it’s so surreal because we’re working with her still... she’s

in scenes,� Abrams told the rapt crowd at the five-day event in Chicago. ! WORLD kRST TRAILER RELEASED AT THE convention — and dropped on the internet — reintroduced the “next GENERATIONu CHARACTERS FROM THE kNAL THREE kLMS ALONGSIDE OLD FAVORITES from as far back as the 1977 original, “Star Wars IV: A New Hope.�

They included Lando Calrissian, portrayed by the original actor Billy Dee Williams, and the voice only of Mark Hamill — Luke Skywalker himself — who appeared to DIE IN THE LAST kLM BUT WAS WIDELY expected to have some role in the

latest movie. “No one’s ever really gone,�

Skywalker says in voiceover, as Leia hugs apprentice Jedi Rey, played by English actress Daisy Ridley, who has top billing in the latest of the three trilogies that makes up the long-running saga.

Abrams said it would not continue the story exactly where the last one — 2017’s “Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi� — left off.

‘Weird miracle’ Leia was still alive at the end of 2017’s “The Last Jedi� but the ac-

Q In this file photo taken on December 16, 2015, US actress Carrie Fisher poses with a storm trooper as she attends the opening of the European Premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens� in central London.

AFP PHOTO

tress herself died a year earlier, in December 2016.

Disney said last year Fisher’s role would be gleaned from previously unreleased footage from “The Force Awakens,� with the blessing of her daughter, Billie Lourd.

Abrams described the “weird miracle� of being able to continue Leia’s story by looking at old footage.

Speaking at a panel discussion moderated by comedian and late night television host Stephen ColBERT THE DIRECTOR SAID THE kLM WAS in post-production. )T IS NOT THE kRST TIME &ISHER S likeness has featured in a “Star Wars� movie despite being absent FROM ITS kLMING “Rogue One,� a 2016 spin-off from the main series, directed by Gareth Edwards, had been in theaters for a couple of weeks when Fisher’s death from a heart attack was announced.

A much younger version of Fisher as Leia appears in that movie, thanks to the controversial application of computer wizardry to animate her image.

Cast members returning with 2IDLEY FOR THE kNAL EPISODE INCLUDE Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran and Joonas Suotamo.

Naomi Ackie as a character called Jannah and Richard E. Grant are among the new faces, while old “Star Wars� hand Anthony Daniels returns as C-3PO and Ian McDiarmid reappears as the dastardly Emperor Palpatine.

AFP

Breed dismissed Trump’s proposal. “This is just another in a long line of scare tactics and half-baked ideas that are just about chasing headlines and distracting people from real issues,� she tweeted.

Citing homeland security officials and leaked emails, the Post said White House officials first broached the plan in November, asking several agencies whether members of a caravan of migrants could be arrested at the border and then bussed “to small- and midsized sanctuary cities.�

The White House told the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) that the plan was intended to alleviate a shortage of detention space, but would also send a message to Democrats, the

Post said.

The suggested policy was pushed BACK WITHIN )#% WITH A TOP OFkCIAL saying it was rife with concerns and noting “there are PR risks as well.�

After the White House pressed the issue again earlier this year, ICE rebuffed it as “inappropriate.�

The Post said a White House OFkCIAL AND A SPOKESMAN FOR THE Department of Homeland Security said the proposal was no longer under consideration. “This was just a suggestion that WAS lOATED AND REJECTED WHICH ended any further discussion,� a White House statement said.

One of the centers targeted was the California constituency of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, WHOSE OFkCE ON 4HURSDAY BLASTED the plan.

AFP

RUSSIAN MISSILE DEAL

India hopes to avoid US sanctions NEW DELHI: India is hopeful it will avoid US sanctions over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile system, Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told Agence France-Presse.

New Delhi has been “heard and understood� by the US administration over its accord to buy the S-400 missile defense system for $5.2 billion, the minister said in an interview this week.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in October, defying US warnings of sanctions on countries buying Russian military equipment. The sanctions were part of measures to punish Moscow for its actions in Ukraine in 2014.

President Donald Trump’s administration imposed sanctions on China’s military last year over Beijing’s purchase of the S-400 and other military hardware.

It has also warned NATO member Turkey of sanctions for buying the S-400, and has suspended Turkey’s participation in a US jet programme.

Sitharaman told Agence FrancePresse that Washington has taken on board that India, bordering both Pakistan and China, needed arms from Russia, and others, to remain a “strong partner.�

Negotiations with Moscow, a longstanding supplier to India’s military,

on the S-400 began before the US sanctions were introduced, she said. “In the case of S-400 we have explained ourselves well... That has been heard and understood,� Sitharaman said. “They have appreciated the point of view put forward.�

Asked if she was confident that India would avoid sanctions, Sitharaman said: “Yes I hope so.�

Before the deal was inked, Washington poured cold water on India’s efforts to obtain a waiver from the US Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Upgrades in arms systems “including the S-400 air and missile defense system� would be a particular focus for CAATSA, a US State Department spokesperson was quoted as saying by India’s PTI news agency.

But Randall Schriver, Assistant 3ECRETARY OF $EFENSE FOR )NDO 0ACIkC Security Affairs, told a hearing in March that Washington wanted to “work through� the problem, calling India “an important emerging strategic partner.�

He added however that India’s contract with Russia has not been completed and that the US was “very keen to see (India) make an alternative choice (to the S-400) and we are working with them to provide potential alternatives.�

AFP

‘Assange sho uld face justice in Sweden’ LONDON: More than 70 British legislators have urged the government to make sure WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces Swedish justice if prosecutors there reopen a rape allegation against him.

The lawmakers signed a letter late Friday urging Home Secretary Sajid Javid to “do everything you can to champion action that will ensure Julian Assange can be extradited to Sweden in the event Sweden makes an extradition request.�

Sweden suspended its investigation of serious sexual misconduct two years ago because Assange was beyond their reach while he was living in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London with political asylum status.

He was arrested Thursday after Ecuador withdrew his asylum and is now in British custody facing an extradition request from the United States on charges of conspiring to break into a Pentagon computer.

He is in Belmarsh Prison in southeast London waiting to be sentenced for jumping bail in Britain, and plans TO kGHT EXTRADITION TO THE 5 3 If Britain receives competing extradition requests, lawyers say the Home Secretary would have some leeway in deciding which takes priority. Considerations would usually include which request came kRST AND WHICH ALLEGED CRIME WAS more serious.

Most of the lawmakers who signed the letter are from the opposition Labour Party, whose leader, Jeremy

Corbyn, wants Britain to refuse to send Assange to the US After Assange’s arrest, he praised Assange for exposing US atrocities committed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Assange, 47, has denied the sexual misconduct allegations, which he claims are politically motivated.

When he took up residence inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in 2012, it was to avoid answering the sexual allegations against him in Sweden, which had sought his extradition for questioning. He also sought refuge because of fears he would ultimately be extradited to the U.S. Swedish prosecutors opened an investigation into Assange after two women accused him of sexual offenses during a 2010 visit to Sweden.

Some of the sexual misconduct accusations are no longer viable because their time ran out. But Swedish prosecutors have said a rape case could be reactivated before the statute of limitations ends in August 2020.

After Assange’s arrest, Swedish prosecutor Eva-Marie Persson was tapped to look into a request from a lawyer for one of the accusers to kND OUT WHETHER THE CASE CAN BE pursued.

Elisabeth Massi Fritz, the lawyer for the woman who reported being raped by Assange, told The Associated Press that she would “do everything� to have the Swedish case reopened so Assange can be extradited to Sweden and prosecuted.

AP

C2

World

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

Kim open to another summit P

YONGYANG, North Korea: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he is open to a third summit with President Donald Trump, but set the year’s end as a deadline for Washington to offer mutually acceptable terms for an agreement to salvage the high-stakes nuclear diplomacy, the North’s state-run media said on Saturday.

Kim made the comments during a speech on Friday at a session of North Korea’s rubber stamp parliament, which made a slew of personnel changes that bolstered his diplomatic lineup amid stalemated negotiations with the United States. His speech came hours after Trump and visiting South Korean President Moon Jaein met in Washington and agreed on the importance of nuclear talks with North Korea. “We of course place importance on resolving problems through dialogue and negotiations. But US-style dialogue of unilaterally pushing its demands DOESN T kT US AND WE HAVE NO interest in it,� Kim said during the speech.

According to the Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA, Kim blamed the collapse of his summit with Trump in February on what he described as unilateral demands by the United States, which he said raised questions

over whether Washington has genuine willingness to improve relations. But Kim said his personal relationship with Trump remains good and that they could exchange letters at “any time.�

Kim repeated earlier claims that North Korea’s crippled e c o n o my wo u l d p e r s e ve r e through heavy international sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons program and that he wouldn’t “obsess over summitry with the United States out of thirst for sanctions relief.�

The United States has said the summit in Vietnam broke down because of the North’s excessive demands for sanctions relief in return for limited disarmament MEASURES )N THEIR kRST SUMMIT LAST June in Singapore, Trump and Kim issued a vague statement calling for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula without describing when or how it would occur.

Kim said the United States has been refusing to withdraw what

the North perceives as “hostile policies� while sticking to “mistaken judgment that we would succumb to maximum pressure.�

He said the North would not compromise on the “fundamental interests of our country and people, even by a speck,� and blamed the United States for arriving in Hanoi with “completely unrealizable plans.� “If the United States approaches us with the right manner and offers to hold a third North Korea-U.S. leaders’ summit on the condition of finding solutions we could mutually accept, then we do have a willingness to give it one more try,� Kim added. “We will wait with patience until the end of the year for the United States to come up with a courageous decision. But it will clearly BE DIFkCULT FOR A GOOD OPPORTUnity like last time to come up.�

Kim also during the speech made a nationalistic call for South Korea to support the North’s positions more strongly and criticized Seoul for acting like an “overstepping mediator� between Washington and Pyongyang. Kim held three summits last year with Moon, who lobbied hard to revive the nuclear talks between the United States and North Korea.

Following the collapse of the Trump-Kim summit, the North had been urging the South to break

away from Washington and proceed with inter-Korean economic projects that are currently held back by US-led sanctions against the North. “The South should not act as an ‘overstepping mediator’ or a ‘facilitator’ and should rather get its mind straight as a member of the (Korean) nation and boldly speak up for the interest of the nation,� Kim said.

When asked about Kim’s comments, South Korea’s presidential OFkCE SAID 3EOUL IS COMMITTED toward keeping the atmosphere of dialogue alive and helping negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang resume at an early date.

On Friday, KCNA reported that Kim was reelected as chairman of the State Affairs Commission, the nation’s most important decision-making body, during a session of the Supreme People’s

Nam with a toxic nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur’s international airport in broad daylight shocked the world.

Seoul accused Pyongyang of plotting the Cold War-style hit as Malaysia allowed the two women’s suspected North Korean handlers to leave in the days after the murder. “We have been told by prison authorities that Huong will be freed on May 3,� lawyer Salim Bashir told Agence France-Presse. “Huong is in a jovial mood.

The young woman is expected to BE IMMEDIATELY lOWN TO (ANOI u Huong’s stepmother was overjoyed with the news her step-

daughter would be coming home. “So great to know that she will be back soon,� Nguyen Thi Vy told Agence France-Presse on Saturday.

Last month the charge against co-accused 27-year-old Indonesian suspect Siti Aisyah was dropped.

During the women’s long-running trial which began in October 2017, the court was shown CCTV footage of them approaching Kim AS HE WAITED FOR lIGHT ONE OF THEM placing their hands on his face, and then both of them running TO BATHROOMS BEFORE lEEING THE airport.

But the pair always maintained they were innocent pawns in a plan hatched by North Korea and

ONE MORE TRY

believed they were carrying out pranks for a reality TV show.

The women would have been sentenced to death by hanging if convicted of murder.

The women’s lawyers said the real masterminds were four North Koreans who were seen at the airport on the day of the murder meeting the pair, and WHO lED AFTER THE ASSASSINATION The four were charged in absentia along with the women over the killing. “Obviously Huong deserves this freedom after her long incarceration. She is looking forward to being with her family and friends,� her lawyer Salim said.

AFP

Quake-hit Indonesians refuse to leave high ground LUWUK, Indonesia: Some panicked residents of a quake-hit Indonesian island have refused to return home after the tremor triggered a brief tsunami warning and fears there was more to come, the disaster agency said on Saturday.

Aftershocks rippled across the east coast of Sulawesi — an island where thousands were killed in a quake-tsunami last year — as ofkCIALS SCRAMBLED TO ASSESS WHETHER there are any casualties or major damage.

While one resident of quake-hit Luwuk city reportedly died after falling while trying to flee, the agency has not reported any conkRMED DEATHS OR INJURIES An Agence France-Presse reporter in the city said there were no

signs of major property damage. “The situation is returning to normal,� the disaster agency said early Saturday morning.

Some 1,300 families have returned home, it said, adding that some residents of another small island near the epicentre of Friday’s 6.8 magnitude quake were still refusing to return from higher ground.

It did not say how many residents had refused to leave the high ground.

Luwuk resident Emiliana Rumayer said she and her family slept in the hills overnight “but we’ve now returned home.�

Mohammad Sholeh, police chief of Poso city on Sulawesi, said the quake’s impact there had been

Worldinbriefs VENEZUELA’S EX-SPY CHIEF ARRESTED IN MADRID ON US WARRANT MADRID: Venezuela’s longtime spy chief was arrested on Friday in Madrid by Spanish police acting on a US drug warrant a few weeks after he threw his support behind opponents of President Nicolas Maduro. The arrest of retired Maj. Gen. Hugo Carvajal, who for more than a decade advised the late leader Hugo Chåvez, was celebrated by US law enforcement officials who watched helplessly as the spymaster slipped from their grips five years ago when he was picked up in Aruba on the same New York indictment used to order Friday’s arrest. Prosecutors in New York alleged Carvajal used his high office to coordinate the smuggling of approximately 5,600 kilograms of cocaine from Venezuela to Mexico in 2006, according to the indictment. A spokeswoman with Spain’s National Court, which handles extradition cases, said that Carvajal would testify Saturday before a judge in Madrid. He can either accept the extradition to the United States or fight it before the court, explained the official, who wasn’t authorized to be identified by name in media reports.

AP

POMPEO: CHINA FINANCING OF MADURO PROLONGS VENEZUELA CRISIS SANTIAGO, Chile: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday (Saturday in Manila) that China’s financing of President NicolĂĄs Maduro’s government is prolonging the crisis in Venezuela. “China’s bankrolling of the Maduro regime helped precipitate and prolong the crisis in that country,â€? Pompeo said, adding that China invested over $60 billion, “with no strings attached.â€? Pompeo said “it’s no surprise that Maduro used

minor. “There’s a little bit of damage, BUT NOTHING SIGNIkCANT AND THERE are no casualties,� he said.

On Friday, a tsunami warning was issued for coastal communities in Morowali district, where residents were advised to move away from the coast.

The warning was later lifted by the disaster agency, which had estimated the wave at under a half a metre (20 inches).

Video footage from Luwuk showed scared residents — some carrying children — running from their homes and racing to higher ground on motorcycles.

The quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of 17 kilometers (10 miles) off Sulawesi, where a

becoming clear the North intends to turn the talks with the United States into a bilateral arms reduction negotiation between two nuclear states, rather than a unilateral process of surrendering its arsenal.

Kim has signed vague statements calling for the “complete denuclearization� of the peninsula in his meetings with Trump and Moon. But North Korea for decades has been pushing a concept of denuclearization that bears no resemblance to the !MERICAN DEkNITION WITH 0YONGyang vowing to pursue nuclear development until the United States removes its troops and the nuclear umbrella defending South Korea and Japan.

AP

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers his speech at parliament in Pyongyang, North Korea. KRT VIA AP

Vietnam woman in Kim brother murder freed in May KUALA LUMPUR: A Vietnamese woman accused of killing the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will walk free on May 3, her lawyer said on Saturday.

Following diplomatic pressure from the Vietnamese government, Malaysian prosecutors had dropped the murder charge against Doan Thi Huong on April 1.

Subsequently, the 30-year-old former hair salon worker pleaded guilty to “causing injury� and was handed a three year and four month jail term effective from the date of her arrest in February 2017 and later reduced for good behaviour.

The brazen killing of Kim Jong

Assembly that praised his “outstanding ideological and theoretical wisdom and experienced and seasoned leadership.�

Experts say the new appointments may be a sign of Kim’s desire to keep recent months of upand-down nuclear diplomacy alive rather than returning to the threats and weapons tests that characterized 2017, when many feared war on the Korean Peninsula.

But the lack of substantial disarmament commitments from the North and the deepening impasse in nuclear negotiations have fueled doubts over whether Kim would ever voluntarily relinquish an arsenal he may see as his strongest guarantee of survival.

Some experts say it’s

7.5-magnitude quake-tsunami around the city of Palu killed more than 4,300 people last year.

Residents of Palu, which is hundreds of kilometers away from Friday’s epicentre, still felt the quake.

Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth due to its position straddling the SO CALLED 0ACIkC 2ING OF &IRE WHERE tectonic plates collide.

On Boxing Day 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck westernmost Aceh province, causing a tsunami and killing more than 170,000 in Indonesia.

Last year Indonesia experienced more than 2,500 disasters ranging from a series of deadly earthquakes to killer landslides and volcanic eruptions.

AFP

the money to use for tasks like paying off cronies, crushing pro-democracy activists, and funding ineffective social programs.� Pompeo said China is a major US trading partner, but that its “trade activities often are deeply connected to their national security mission, their technological goals, their desire to steal intellectual property, to have forced technology transfer, to engage in activity that is not economic.� He also criticized Russia’s links with leaders in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

AP

BROTHER OF VIETNAM’S RICHEST MAN FACES ARREST FOR BRIBERY HANOI: Police in Vietnam issued an arrest warrant on Saturday for the brother of the country’s richest man for all egedly bribing officials in a telecoms scandal, state-run media reported, a shocking development as the communist state widens its crackdown on corruption. The latest ensnared in the anti-corruption drive is Pham Nhat Vu, the former chairman of a television company Audio Visual Global (AVG), whose brother has a net worth of $7.6 billion according to Forbes.

Vu is caught up in a scandal that erupted last year when the government started investigating state-run Mobifone telecommunications’ attempted purchase of AVG. While the deal did not go through, officials have said it would have caused $300 million in losses to state coffers. Police have “decided to investigate, arrest and search the house of Vu...who has been accused of providing bribes,� reported online newspaper Cong An Nhan Dan, the public security ministry’s mouthpiece on Saturday. The amount Vu is alleged to have paid in bribes was not reported. Vu’s older brother Pham Nhat Vuong is Vietnam’s richest man and the head of VinGroup, the country’s largest conglomerate with a portfolio that includes holiday resorts, luxury condominiums, shopping malls, convenience stores and supermarkets across the country.

AFP

Thai new year splashes in with water fights

WATERY REVELRY

Revelers throw water on passing motorists as they celebrate Songkran, also known as the Thai New Year, in Narathiwat on April 13, 2019. AFP PHOTO BANGKOK: Water-spraying elephants, raves and boisterous, street-blocking water fights — Thailand’s Buddhist new year arrived with a splash on Saturday, a once calm festival now celebrated with a more raucous edge.

Paying respects to elders and sprinkling water over figures of Buddha at local temples are some of the traditions of the three-day new year celebration — known as Songkran — but the holiday also has a rowdier side involving alcohol-fueled revelry among its youth.

Thais and foreigners sporting lORAL SHIRTS ARM THEMSELVES WITH colourful water pistols and protective goggles, engaging in water kGHTS THAT BRING ENTIRE STREETS TO a standstill.

Authorities had issued warnings beforehand on modesty, saying that nudity and provocative clothing will be prohibited.

There are no such restrictions however on summary drenchings.

In the Bangkok tourist hotspot Khao San road, two young men dressed in school uniforms get doused by passersby wielding high-powered water pistols and buckets of water.

And in Ayutthaya, elephants PAINTED IN COLOURFUL lORAL DEsigns lift their trunks and spray water on delighted tourists, with the town’s ancient temples serving as a backdrop.

As the sun sets, tens of thousands of ravers from across Asia are expected to dance into Saturday night under massive water cannons and spectacular pyrotechnics, as Bangkok’s S2O Songkran festival gets underway.

Some of the world’s best

known — and paid — DJs, including Tiesto, Steve Aoki and UK veteran Fatboy Slim are performing across the threeday dance music event — Asia’s largest.

Neighbouring Laos and Myanmar celebrate the same festival with young and old throwing buckets of water over each other as music thuds from loudspeakers.

In Yangon, where the festival is known as Thingyan, children blow bubbles and play with soap suds at street foam parties, while women dressed in traditional costumes perform dances near the famed Sule Pagoda.

Songkran is also the most perilous time to travel in Thailand, and the week beginning from April 11 is dubbed “seven dangerous days� as millions of Thais make the journey back to their hometowns by bus, vans or motorbikes.

To prevent drink driving incidents, authorities have said they will levy harsh penalties on those imbibing alcohol before getting behind the wheel.

Somchai Wayrojpipat, 57, was charged with premeditated murder after causing a fatal accident UNDER THE INlUENCE LATE 4HURSDAY night in the outskirts of Bangkok, POLICE OFkCER 0ITAK 0OOLPUTTHA told Agence France-Presse. g4HIS IS THE kRST CASE IN THIS country where the drunk driver faced premeditated murder and the highest punishment is the death sentence,� Pitak said.

The Interior Ministry has recorded more than 100 deaths IN THE kRST TWO DAYS PRECEDING the festival, but that number is expected to climb.

AFP

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Brief Description of Barangay Tumbod

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One QTP, shared facilities

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III.

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Very truly yours, (SGD.) EDGARDO V. CABARIOS Deputy Commissioner

MT – Apr. 14, 2019

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DOOH inspires SMEs 2019 SME Summit W

ITH big-name-businessmen dominating the corporate world, Filipino entrepreneurs with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were encouraged to pursue their dreams by Digital OutOf-Home (DOOH) Philippines founder Alvin Carranza.

Carranza ventured into billboard advertising at the young age of 18, back when ads were hand-painted by man.

Speaking to aspiring entrepreneurs, Carranza shared the journey of DOOH that started out as an SME during the Asia 2019 SME Summit held at Manila Marriott Hotel on April 10. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Looking back, setting up the busiNESS WAS DIFkCULT BUT AS WITH ANY KIND of work, if you love it you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t focus ON THE DIFkCULT AREAS AND IT WON T FEEL like work,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To all the aspiring entrepreneurs here, I hope my life story will inspire you to pursue your dreams and contribute to nation-building in these very interesting times.â&#x20AC;?

His story begins with his P5,000 START UP CAPITAL AND HIS kRST BILLBOARD site along the North Luzon Expressway.

Q Digital Out-Of-Home (DOOH) Philippines founder Alvin Carranza Consequently, Carranza venYet on his second year in business, he got swindled with his second billboard tured into the restaurant business site in Manila, making him resign from by putting up his CafĂŠ Lupe. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today, we have evolved into a business and continue studies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One day, I suddenly got a call homegrown LED billboard provider from Dunkinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Donuts offering a bill- through my latest enterprise, Digital board project in Manila,â&#x20AC;? he said. Out-of-Home Philippines, which â&#x20AC;&#x153;From then on, I was hooked on has grown to become one of the the business of billboards at a time foremost billboard companies in when they were still hand-painted.â&#x20AC;? the country with more than 3,700 Come the age of neon billboards, ad platforms,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;DOOH has a 34,200 square Carranza incorporated MacGraphic Carranz, with Unileverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Close-Up foot billboard strategically loToothpaste as its big client at the cated at the heart of EDSA Guatime, with its billboard posted along dalupe that was once tagged by the Guadalupe Bridge in Makati City. a national broadsheet as â&#x20AC;&#x153;The

Mother of All Billboardsâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; considered the biggest and most sought-after billboard space in the Philippines and possibly in all of Southeast Asia,â&#x20AC;? he added.

With its recent contract signing with San Miguel Corp.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s infrastructure arm, DOOH has become the exclusive billboard operator of ad spaces along South Luzon Expressway, Metro Manila Skyway, STAR Tollway, and NAIA Expressway as well as augmenting its existing portfolio of static and digital billboard spots along NLEX, EDSA, C-5, Ortigas Avenue, and Shaw Boulevard.

Coca-Cola partners with Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force THROUGH the World Without Waste vision, the Coca-Cola System in the Philippines once again demonstrates ITS kRM COMMITMENT TOWARD ENVIRONmental preservation and stewardship by providing a top-of-the-line cleaning machinery to the municipality of Malay, Aklan, which aims to service and help the community in their thrust for a continuous responsible care of Boracayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beaches. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The collaboration with the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) attests that we are a staunch partner of the government in looking for opportunities to further the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals towards environmental preservation,â&#x20AC;? says Gareth McGeown, CEO and president of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines (CCBPI), the bottling arm of Coca-Cola in the Philippines.

Together, CCBPI and the CocaCola Foundation Philippines held on March 28, a ceremonial turnover of the equipment to the Municipal Government of Aklan and to members of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;represented

by Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo AĂąo, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu, and Tourism Undersecretary Edwin Enrileâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to further pursue environmental stewardship via a sustainable and holistic plan that begins with the introduction of the surf rake.

The Surf Rake by H. Barber and Sons, manufactured in the USA, is the most popular tractor-towed beachcleaner in the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; this is because it is the fastest and most efficient beach-cleaner in the market.

Q Gareth McGeown (left), CEO and president of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines (CCBPI), exchanges pleasantries with Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu during the turnover of the cleaning machinery for Boracay. With them are Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo AĂąo, Tourism Undersecretary Edwin Enrile and other officials.

Countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest franchise show turns to be one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest

Q Photo shows PFA officers together with the guests-of-honor of the expo opening ceremony at the BPI booth, from left: FAPHL 2019 Overall Co-Chair Chris Lim; BPI Business Banking Vice President Jessymel Cruz; PFA Chairman Alan Escalona; PCCI President Bing Sibal- Limjoco; FAPHL 2019 Expo Chair Dom Hernandez; BPI Business Banking Senior Vice President Junie Veloso; PFA Chairman Emeritus Samie Lim; DTI Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman; PCCI Chairman George Barcelon; H. E. Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng, Thai Ambassador to the Philippines; FAPHL 2019 Overall Chair Sherill Quintana; Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion; PFA President Richard Sanz and PCCI Honorary Chair and Treasurer, ECOP and Philexport President Sergio Ortiz-Luis. BPI is a co-presentor of Franchise Asia Philippines 2019.

FRANCHISE Asia Philippines stands the biggest in the world. Organized to promote franchising as a tool to to grow in response to the growing in the league of the franchise shows by the Philippine Franchise Associa- create businesses and jobs, Fran- interest among Filipinos to start a in Paris and New York, which are tion (PFA) in pursuit of its mission chise Asia Philippines continues business via franchising.

Ateneo CORD holds graduation ceremonies for diplomates THE Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development (Ateneo CORD) held graduation ceremonies for 23 diplomates in Organization Development and 77 diplomates in Strategic Human Resource Management.

The diplomates came from a variety of industries and regions in the Philippines with the largest number coming from the Department of Health. Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Dr. Hiro Masuda, director of Career Executive Service Board, reminisced about his experience, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The atmosphere here at the campus and the warm, professional and learnercentered approach was very effective.

The lessons were challenging but created many AHA moments for us. One of my favorite realizations is the use of self and being mindful that whatever

SENIOR High School graduates in Muntinlupa are set to receive P5,000 vouchers as educational assistance for college from the local government. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi congratulates the graduates and announces the incentives during a completion rites at Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Brgy. Tunasan.

The City Government of Muntin-

lupa puts prime importance in the education of its residents.

The Overall Top 10 students of graduating class in elementary, junior and senior high schools will also receive cash incentives.

Muntinlupa Scholarship Program will announce the schedule of distribution of cash incentives for top students in the city.

QC grants financial aid to Liga ng mga Barangay Kagawad District 1 THE Quezon City government continues to strengthen its partnership with non-government organizations (NGOs) with grants and aids to help them uplift the lives of underprivileged families and communities.

City Resolution 7709-2018, introduced by Councilors Alexis Herrera, Oliviere Belmonte, Elizabeth Delarmente, Lena Marie Juico, Victor Ferrer, Jr., and Anthony Peter Crisologo, authorize Mayor Herbert . Bautista to grant P750,000 to Liga ng mga Barangay Kagawad District 1UEZON #ITY )NC TO kNANCE THEIR various programs and projects.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The donation is necessary to promote and provide support to similar NON STOCK AND NON PROkT ORGANIZATION IN ORDER TO INSPIRE OTHER SIMILAR OUTkTS which aims to support and recognize the Quezon Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plans, programs, projects, and activities under its partnership program,â&#x20AC;? the resolution reads.

The Liga ng mga Barangay Kagawad District 1 Quezon City, Inc., is established and duly organized and sanctioned by the QC government to be involved in the formation and implementation of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plans, programs, projects, and activities under its partnership programs.

Duty Free PH adds Pinoy brands to online shopping website DUTY Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC), in its thrust to help increase the income of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local farmers, recently added homegrown brands to its online shopping website.

Three months after the online shopping website was launched, customers can choose from over 150 products, from perfumes and cosmetics, liquor, toys, confectionaries and now export-quality Filipino brands. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For three decades, Duty Free Philippines is known to be the haven of luxury and imported goods.

That is still true but we want to also emphasize the importance of enabling our local entrepreneur,â&#x20AC;? said DFPC Chief Operating (COO) /FkCER 6INCENTE 0ELAGIO !NGALA Some of the local products available at www.dutyfreephilippines.ph are Just Fruit manufactured in Metro Manila; Kick-start Coffee of Silang, Cavite; Malagos Chocalates of Davao; Risa Chocolates of Las PiĂąas City; Tanay

Hills Coffee of Rizal; and VuQo Premium vodka of Caloocan City.

Angala added that all 54 local brands available at all Duty free stores will be available online before the end of the year.

To shop online, customers need TO PROVIDE THEIR lIGHT DETAILS )TEMS will be prepared and customers could pick them up at the airport.

Each passenger is allowed to buy up to US$ 1,000 worth of items 48 hours upon arrival.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and balikbayans can shop up to 15 days from date of arrival.

The shopping privilege is further extended to 30 days during the Christmas season (arrival from November 15 to January 15).

Senior Citizens and Person With Disabilities (PWD) has an extended privilege up to 365 days from the date of arrival.

Under the Tourism Act of 2009, 50 percent of the revenue of Duty Free Philippines is remitted to the Department of Tourism (DoT) for tourism-development projects.

P&G launches 1st Shopee Regional Super Brand Day I do is an intervention.â&#x20AC;?

According to Dr. Regina Hechanova, Ateneo CORD executive director, this was the biggest number of diploma graduates for Ateneo #/2$ AND IS A kTTING WAY TO CELE-

brate CORDs 45th anniversary. She shared plans for CORD to continue to introduce new programs including online courses and webinars. As part of its outreach, CORD will be providing scholarships for a basic

HR program for small business and NGOs. It is also partnering with LGUs in helping to prepare graduates of community-based drug recovery programs to seek employment.

Belmonte ready to implement platforms on Day 1 if elected mayor in QC QUEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who is running for mayor of the CITY EXPRESSED CONkDENCE THAT SHE CAN IMMEDIATELY FULkLL HER RESPONSIBILITIES if she wins in the upcoming elections. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I already know what I should do and what I should improve in our city.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why, if I will be elected as mayor, as early as July 1, I can already meet my responsibility,â&#x20AC;? said Belmonte.

Muntinlupa senior high school graduates to receive P5K voucher

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have been exposed to leadership and service as vice mayor of the city for nine years. I also observed the governance of Mayor Herbert Bautista,â&#x20AC;? Belmonte added, citing the partnership between her and Bautista for three terms at the helm of Quezon City.

During the proclamation rally of Belmonteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Serbisyo sa Bayan Party (SBP) on March 29, Bautista of-

kCIALLY ENDORSED "ELMONTE S CANDIdacy for mayor. The outgoing mayor assured voters that Belmonte will continue the legacy of genuine public service espoused by her father, former mayor and House Speaker Feliciano â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sonnyâ&#x20AC;? Belmonte.

The younger Belmonte likewise said that Speaker Belmonte has been instrumental in preparing her for the role.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am not my father, but I have learned from his good qualities as a leader and even from his mistakes.

Though I have my own brand of leadership, my entire childhood has been spent observing my dad and mom as they served their community and the country. I have always aspired to serve as well, before, as vice mayor, and now, as a candidate for mayor,â&#x20AC;? Belmonte shared.

PROCTER & Gamble (P&G), a leading global consumer goods company and Shopee, a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, announced the launch of the 1st Regional Super Brand Day to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stop Bad Hair Day.â&#x20AC;? During this campaign, Shopee launched P&Gâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest line of hair care products across six markets in Southeast Asia. This is part of P&G and Shopeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategic partnership to drive its online sales and hair care category growth in eCommerce.

Introducing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Stop Bad Hair Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; campaign, the P&G x Shopee Super Brand Day in the Philippines featured offers from April 3 to 5 across P&Gâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading hair care brands including Head & Shoulders, Pantene, and Rejoice to address top hair problems in the region, such as hair fall, dandruff,

and oily scalp. In the Philippines, P&G is also launching hair care products perfect for the hot summer season. The new Head & Shoulders Subzero Shampoo, which gives an extra cooling sensation and Rejoice Perfume Shampoo, which leaves a long lasting fragrance on your hair will be launched exclusively on Shopee during Super Brand Day period.

For more information, visit https:// shopee.ph/m/super-brand-day.

Sports

D1 SSUNDAY AAPRIL 14, 2019

www.manilatimes.net OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

EDDIE G. ALINEA

Erbito Salavarria: Forgotten ring hero

Q Joshua Pacio fires a spinning back kick against Japanese Yosuke â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Ninjaâ&#x20AC;? Saruta on Friday in the co-main event of ONE: Roots of Honor at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

F

ROM THE TIME &ILIPINO kGHTER 0ANCHO 6ILLA won the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and, for that matter, !SIA S kRST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN BOXING THE country has produced many great ring gladiators as Gabriel â&#x20AC;&#x153;Flashâ&#x20AC;? Elorde Ceferino Garcia and, lately, Manny Pacquiao, to mention a few.

One such ring hero is former two time world champion Erbito Salavarria, who, ironically, has been practically forgotten, too.

No longer remembered is the fact that Salvarria, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eddieâ&#x20AC;? as he is fondly called in the local boxing community, played major role IN THE lYWEIGHT DIVISION IN THE S THROUGH most of the 70â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

This Outsider met my Tucayo during the Elorde Awards Night last month at the posh Okada Hotel. Eddie was sitting in a round table along with old heroes, who were also honorees, among them, Rene Barrientos and Pretty Boy Lucas.

Tucayong Eddie was actually waving his hands at my direction when I entered the door.

So, I approached his group in the table and was surprised it was he. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ikaw pala,â&#x20AC;? I greeted him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang layo ko pa nakilala mo ako agad.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Siyempre naman. Makakalimutan ba kita eh tagal mo rin naman akong na-kober nung lumalaban pa ako. Tsaka alam mo na naman ang boxer, always a boxer habang buhay, always sharp,â&#x20AC;? (Of course, how can I forget you, you had been covering me for QUITE SOMETIME WHEN ) WAS STILL kGHTING !S a boxer, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m always a boxer, always sharp), he said smiling, tapping me on my shoulder.

Asked howâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s he doing, nowadays, Salavarria retorted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sabi ko nga sa â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yo, a boxer, always a boxer. So, nasa boxing pa rin,â&#x20AC;? he said, adding heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s allocated portion of his earnings in a boxing gym located inside the family compound in Barangay San Francisco in Quezon City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kumikita naman, nakakatulong sa pangangailangan. Kaya lang â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung isang main purpose ko kaya ko tinayo â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yun eh para maka-discover ng young talents at ma-develop para katawanin ang bansa sa international competitions, amateur o professional man.

Wala pa eh,â&#x20AC;? the now 73-year-old former WBC/WBA 112-pound titleholder lamented.

(Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s earning and augments the family need.

My only regret is one of my main objectives in establishingthegymâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;thatofdiscoveringyoung talent I can develop to represent our country in international competitions, whether amateur or professional, has yet to gain fruition) But Eddie, though, is not losing hope, saying, I feel that one day, may isang future Manny Pacquiao ang papasok sa pintuan ng gym at magsasabing, Sir, gusto kong mag-boksingero, puwede nyo ba akong turuan?â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Abaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y bukas-palad ko siyang tatanggapin at sasabihang, halika anak. Lahat ng gusto mong malaman sa boksing, ituturo ko sa yo. Basta pagbutuhin mo lang,â&#x20AC;? Eddie exclaimed with a loud laughter.

"ORN *ANUARY IN 3TA #RUZ IN Manila, Salavarria is a former WBC, WBA and LINEAL lYWEIGHT CHAMPION (E MADE HIS PROFESSIONAL DEBUT IN AND crowned the WBC and lineal flyweight title with a TKO win over Chartchai Chionoi seven years later in 1970. He lost the WBC title after being stripped followingadrawagainstBetulioGonzĂĄlezin1971.

Salavarria won an upset 10-round non-title decision over reigning WBA flyweight titleholder Berkrerk Chartvanchai in a victory that earned Erbito a title shot against WBC titlist Chionoi.

The Filipino shocked the boxing world as HE lATTENED THE GREAT #HIONOI IN THE SECOND round. In 1971, Salavarria defended against *APANESE 3UUMO (ANAGATA 7 AND 6ENezuelaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Betulio Gonzalez ( D-15 ).

Thelinealchampionshipinprofessionalboxing regarded a more prestigious and commonly described as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the man who beat the man.â&#x20AC;?

A boxer can only win the lineal championship by defeating the previous lineal champion in the ring.

In combat sports where champions are decided by a challenge, the lineal championship of a weight class is a world championship title held initially by an undisputed champion and subsequently by a fighter when he defeats the reigning champion in a match at that weight class.

Salavarria is the second of only six Filipino fighters to have won the world lineal flyweight championhip, next only to legendary Pancho 6ILLA 4HE OTHER BEING &RANK #EDENO -ANNY 0ACquiao, Malcolm, Tunacao and Sonny Boy Jaro.

Pacquiao, now a Philippine senator and the only man on earth to have won world titles in eight weight divisions, is actually listed lineal champion in four other divisions â&#x20AC;&#x201D;featherweight, super-featherweight, lightwelterweight and welterweight.

Three more Filipino simonpures are acknowledged world, lineal titleholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; bantamweight Gerry PeĂąalosa, super-featherWEIGHT "EN6ILLAlOR TWICE AND &LASH %LORDE In 1973, Salavarria lost his title to the FABULOUS 4HAI SOUTHPAW 6ENICE "ORKHORSOR After losing his WBC belt, Salavarria moved to the WBA and took that version of the 112-pound crown with a split decision win over Hanagata in 1975.

Salavarria stayed in contention winning four of five fights losing only to Panamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alfonso Lopez.HethendefeatedHanagatainatitledefense. )N %RBITO AGAIN MET 0ANAMIAN Lopez who stripped Salavarria of the title via A kFTEENTH ROUND STOPPAGE %RBITO WOULD HAVE one more contest being halted by former light lYWEIGHT KING .ETMOI 3OR 6ORASINGH 3ALAVARRIA ENDED HIS CAREER WITH kGHTS

40 of which he won, 11 via stoppage. He lost eleven and drew three times.

ONE CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO

Pacio reclaims title from Yosuke J

BY JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID

OSHUA â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Passionâ&#x20AC;? Pacio of the famed Team Lakay reclaimed the ONE strawweight world title with a resounding knockout win over Japanese Yosuke â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Ninjaâ&#x20AC;? Saruta on Friday in the co-main event of ONE: Roots of Honor at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The 23-year old Pacioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shattering right knee strike to Sarutaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head sent the Japanese to Neverland at the 2:43 minute mark of the fourth round. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This belt is ours,â&#x20AC;? said the Team Lakay standout after the bout. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Passionâ&#x20AC;? flamboyantly opened the scheduled five-round contest with a spinning back kick to Sarutaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s midsection.

Saruta, after failed atTEMPTS TO BRING THE kGHT TO the ground decided to trade punches and kicks with the Filipino en route to his KO loss in the fourth round. â&#x20AC;&#x153;First of all, I want to thank God for the strength that he gave me and to my kababayan who came out to support us,â&#x20AC;? said Pacio in a postfight interview.

The two-time strawweight champion Pacio improved his record to 14 wins and three losses while Sarutaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dropped to 19-9.

Pacio lost the title in January during his first encounter with Saruta in Indonesia via split decision.

Pacioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stablemate Edward â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Ferociousâ&#x20AC;? Kelly also had a good night after he scored a second round technical knockout win against South Korean Sung Jong Lee in their featherweight contest.

The Baguio City-native Kelly improved his record to 12 wins and six losses while Lee ABSORBED HIS kFTH LOSS AGAINST his two wins.

In the main event, reigning ONE featherweight champion Martin Nguyen also first retained his title after defeating Narantungalag Jadambaa of Mongolia via second round knockout.

Nguyen delivered a textbook flying knee strike to shut down the Mongolian and remain the featherweight division kingpin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m an adopted Filipino.

It is always nice to fight here in the Philippines,â&#x20AC;? said the

30-year old Nguyen, who was a crowd favorite.

Early in the fight night, Filipino Ramon Gonzales defeated Akihiro Fujisawa by submission with guillotine choke at the 1:19 minute mark of Round 1.

The only Filipino casualty was Eric Kelly who was KOed

by Kwon Won Il, 19 seconds after the opening bell.

In other matches, Tatsumitsu Wada defeated Gustavo Balart via unanimous decision (flyweight world Grand Prix quarterfinal), Leandro Issa defeated Fu Chang Xin via submission (MMA catchweight), Andrei Stoica defeated Ibrahim El Bouni via unanimous decision (kickboxing heavyweight), James Nakashima defeated Luis Santos via TKO (MMA welterweight), Anderson Silva defeated Andre Meunier via KO (kickboxing heavyweight), Saemapetch Fairtex defeated Ognjen Topic via majority decision (muay thai bantamweight), Xie Bin defeated Ahmad Qais Jasoor via submission (MMA bantamweight), Niko Soe defeated Eko Roni via TKO (MMA flyweight), Lerdsila Phuket Top Team defeated Momotaro via unanimous decision MUAY THAI lYWEIGHT AND Bi Nguyen defeated Dwi Ani 2ETNO 7ULAN VIA kRST ROUND TKO (MMA atomweight).

Q Rookie Javee Mocon of Rain or Shine (No. 10) defends against Ian Sangalang of Magnolia during the start of their best-of-seven semifinals series in Season 44 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

Q Luke Walton

AFP PHOTO

Lakers split with embattled head coach Luke Walton LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Lakers continued their clearout after a disastrous first season following the arrival of LeBron James by terminating the contract of head coach Luke Walton on Friday (Saturday in Manila).

The club said they had mutually agreed to part ways. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would like to thank Luke for his dedicated service over the last three years,â&#x20AC;? said general manager Rob Pelinka. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wish Luke and his family the best of luck moving forward.â&#x20AC;?

Walton, a former Lakers player, had been coach since 2016, building a 98-148 won loss record. The Lakers have failed to reach the playoffs for the last three seasons. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to thank Jeanie Buss and the Buss family for giving me the opportunity to coach the Lakers,â&#x20AC;? said Walton. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This franchise and the city will always be special to me and my family.â&#x20AC;?

On Tuesday, Magic Johnson plunged the Lakers into further crisis when he surprisingly quit his post as president.

Johnson was reportedly unhappy at the prospect of firing Walton.

Despite the addition of future hall of famer James 10 months ago, the Lakers went 37-45 in what was another embarrassing losing season for the once-storied NBA franchise.

Los Angeles was 20-14 when James suffered a groin injury during a Christmas Day win over the champion Golden State Warriors -- and it was downhill from there. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are losing one of the best human beings in the NBA,â&#x20AC;? said Warriors coach Steve Kerr of Walton and the Lakers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are losing a guy who knows the game as well as anybody Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever met.

They are losing somebody who the players believe in and the players want to play for.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel for Luke. He was dependent on circumstances just like all of us .... We got wonderful people stabilizing our organization every day. I am lucky to be in this position and to be surrounded by these people. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen often in the NBA.â&#x20AC;?

What was supposed to be a revival story turned into a season-long nightmare that saw the losses and injuries pile up and eventually led to the club sitting star players like a healthy James down the stretch in a desperate attempt to secure a better pick at the summer entry draft. The team used more than 25 different starting lineups this season.

But even that strategy isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a sure thing as tanking became such a big problem that the NBA was forced to bring in a lottery system to determine the order of the top draft picks.

The Lakers will not only be hunting for a new coach but also a big-ticket free agent as a right-hand man to James. All-star Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving top the list of possible targets when free agency begins July 1.

The Lakers are the fourth NBA franchise to unload their coach since the end of the regular season on Wednesday, following Memphis, Sacramento and Jamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former team Cleveland.

Among the candidates for the Lakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; job is Tyronn Lue, who coached James in Cleveland, and Philadelphia 76ers assistant Monty Williams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I liked playing for him,â&#x20AC;? Lakers guard Josh Hart said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coach. Lets you kind of play your game, play with passion, so it was fun to play for him. I think heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get another job fairly quickly.â&#x20AC;?

Walton may not be unemployed for long as the Sacramento Kings are reportedly interested in interviewing AFP him for their vacant post.

ROS EYES TO EXTEND SEMIS LEAD VS MAGNOLIA RAIN or Shine guns for a 2-0 advantage against Magnolia in Game 2 of their best-of-seven semifinals series in Season 44 Philippine "ASKETBALL !SSOCIATION 0HILIPPINE #UP AT p.m. tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters took Game 1 with lowscoring 84-77 win behind rookie Javee Mocon, veteran Beau Belga and Ed Daquioag. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want a high scoring game because it is comfortable to watch a high scoring game than

a low scoring game. But as Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve said, both teams played hard defense. So to me personally, I want to try to beat them in high scoring game,â&#x20AC;? said Elasto Painters coach Caloy Garcia.

-OCON kNISHED WITH POINTS AND rebounds in Game 1. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He played today not like a rookie. I think when we were watching him before at San Beda, he was one of the biggest keys to their dominance. If you examine their champi-

onship, basically it was him and (Robert) Bolick who led the team,â&#x20AC;? Garcia said.

Garcia will be exercising extreme caution in Game 2. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Forget about the game, think Game 2 right away. I know we won but it was a hard BATTLE 7E KNOW COACH #HITO 6ICTOLERO

he will make good adjustment in Game 2,â&#x20AC;? Garcia added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just only one game. !GAINST 'INEBRA THEY LOST THE kRST GAME AND

they won the last two.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;So we have to be ready for the adjustments theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made.â&#x20AC;?

-AGNOLIA COACH #HITO 6ICTOLERO IS PREPping his wards for a very physical series against the Elasto Painters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We expect a very physical series. More PHYSICAL THAN 'INEBRA u SAID 6ICTOLERO Paul Lee led Magnolia in Game 1 with 15 points and six assists. JOSEF T. RAMOS

D2

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

Nascar

The h Sundayy Times w w w.manilatimes.net Q Driver Kyle Larson (No. 42) races with Aric Almirola (No. 10) during practice for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Bristol, Tenn. AP PHOTO

NASCARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new rules package hits another short track

B

RISTOL, Tenn. : NASCARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second stop at a short track this season is yet another race thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible to predict. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a new rules package, a traction strip around Bristol Motor Speedway and the general crankiness that short-track racing tends to produce.

Moods were mixed following SatURDAY S kNAL PRACTICE AND DEFENDING RACE WINNER +YLE "USCH WAS LESS THAN PLEASED WITH HOW CONDITIONS ARE COMING TOGETHER (E WAS THE FASTEST 4OYOTA DRIVER OF THE SESSION kFTH OVERALL BUT GOT PRICKLY WHEN ASKED HOW HE EXPECTED 3UNDAY S RACE TO GO UNDER .!3#!2 S HIGH DOWNFORCE RULES PACKAGE g) THINK YOU RE GOING TO RUN OR TRY TO RUN WHEREVER YOU CAN WHERE THE GUY IN FRONT OF YOU AIN T BECAUSE YOU CERTAINLY CAN T FOLLOW u SAID "USCH ADDING HIS CAR WAS gPLOWING TIGHT !EROTIGHT AT "RISTOL !T A SHORT TRACK &ANTASTIC #AN T WAIT u .!3#!2 RACED TWO WEEKS AGO AT -ARTINSVILLE 3PEEDWAY THE SHORTEST TRACK ON THE .!3#!2 CIRCUIT AT MILE AND A TRACK THAT TYPICALLY FORCES DRIVERS TO GOUGE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE kELD "UT THE RACE DID NOT LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS AND "RAD +ESELOWSKI WON IN A RUNAWAY Â&#x2021; HE LED ALL BUT LAPS AND WAS PASSED ON THE TRACK ONLY BY #HASE %LLIOTT "USCH WARNED THAT "RISTOL MIGHT BE MUCH OF THE SAME BECAUSE OF A RULES PACKAGE THAT EMPHASIZES HIGH DOWNFORCE Â&#x2021; ONE HE S BEEN DUBIOUS ABOUT SINCE .!3#!2 SAID LAST YEAR IT WAS MAKING RADICAL CHANGES g4HAT S EXACTLY WHAT WE TOLD EVERYBODY u HE SAID WITH A SMIRK *OEY ,OGANO CAUTIONED THAT

"RISTOL S MILE HIGH BANKED

ALL CONCRETE BULLRING IS SO DIFFERENT FROM THE PAPERCLIP LAYOUT AT -ARTINSVILLE THAT IT WOULD TAKE AN EFFORT SUCH AS +ESELOWSKI S TO REPEAT THAT RACE +ESELOWSKI S STRONG &ORD HAD CLEAN AIR DOWN THE LONG STRAIGHTAWAYS AND INTO THE lAT NARROW TURNS AND THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE UNDERWHELMING RACE g9OU GET A GOOD CAR UP FRONT THAT CAN CONTROL THE PACE ESPECIALLY AT A PLACE LIKE -ARTINSVILLE IF YOU GET LEAD YOU GET MORE AIR COOLING YOUR BRAKES YOU CAN RUN THE PACE THAT YOU WANT TO AND YOU HAVE EVERYTHING COOLER THAN THE GUY THAT WAS CHASING YOU THE WHOLE TIME AND YOU RE ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY u HE SAID ,OGANO DOESN T BELIEVE THE LEADER AT "RISTOL WILL BE ABLE TO PULL AWAY THE SAME WAY +ESELOWSKI DID AT -ARTINSVILLE g(ERE THE ADVANTAGE IS PROBABLY CUT DOWN SOME BECAUSE YOU HAVE TRAFkC WITHIN THE kRST LAPS OF A RUN u ,OGANO SAID g9OU RE GOING TO CATCH LAPPED CARS PRETTY QUICK SO THAT CLEAN AIR ADVANTAGE THAT YOU HAVE WILL GO AWAY AND THAT WILL KEEP THE SECOND THIRD kFTH PLACE CARS ALL CLOSER u $RIVERS ALSO HAVE TO kGURE OUT THE TRACTION COMPOUND APPLIED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE "RISTOL TRACK THAT MAKES FOR A STICKIER SECOND LANE 4HE 0* TRACTION KEEPS DRIVERS IN THE LOW LANE UNTIL IT WEARS AWAY OR ANOTHER DRIVER IS BOLD ENOUGH TO

Q Aric Almirola, driver of the (No. 10) SHAZAMSmithfield Ford, sits in his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 6, 2019 in Bristol, Tennessee. AFP PHOTO VENTURE UP THE HIGH BANKING INTO THE TOP LANE +YLE ,ARSON IS TYPICALLY THE LEADER IN TAKING THAT GAMBLE WHILE CONSERVATIVE TEAMS RUN ALONG THE BOTTOM UNTIL THE TRACTION HAS BEEN WORN OFF *IMMIE *OHNSON WAS THE SECOND FASTEST IN THE FINAL PRACTICE Â&#x2021; QUICKEST OF THE WINLESS #HEVROLET CAMP Â&#x2021; AND SAID WARMER TEMPERATURES 3UNDAY OR A LONG GREEN lAG RUN WILL HAVE DRIVERS FOLLOWING ,ARSON UP TO THE LANE EARLY *OHNSON AND HIS (ENDRICK -OTORSPORTS TEAMMATES ASIDE FROM #HASE %LLIOTT HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING AS #HEVROLET IN ITS SECOND SEASON WITH THE #AMARO STILL HAS NOT CAUGHT ITS COMPETITORS %LLIOTT AND 7ILLIAM "YRON GAVE (ENDRICK THE FRONT ROW IN "RISTOL QUALIFYING AND *OHNSON FOUND SOME LATE SPEED THAT IMPROVED HIS CONFIDENCE ABOUT HIS CAR g7E RE PUTTING STUFF TOGETHER AND ) M TRYING TO HAVE SOME SELF CONTROL AND NOT BE OVERLY EXCITED u THE SEVEN TIME CHAMPION SAID g) THINK OUR CARS ARE JUST GETTING BETTER )NTERNALLY A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE HELPS A TON u 4HROUGH SEVEN RACES 4OYOTA HAS FOUR WINS &ORD HAS THREE AND THE #HEVY CAMP IS STILL LAGGING %LLIOTT S VICTORY AT +ANSAS LAST /CTOBER WAS THE MOST RECENT FOR

A #HEVY DRIVER AND THAT WAS ONLY ONE OF FOUR VICTORIES ALL SEASON FOR THE #AMARO %LLIOTT WHO STARTS FROM THE POLE AT A SHORT TRACK FOR THE kRST TIME IN HIS CAREER LIKES HIS CHANCES 3UNDAY BECAUSE HIS SECOND PLACE kNISH AT -ARTINSVILLE WAS HIS BEST OF THE SEASON (E LED LAPS (E IS ENCOURAGED BY IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN (ENDRICK AND NOT WORRIED ABOUT WHAT COULD BE A LARGER #HEVROLET PROBLEM g) THINK BLAMING THE MANUFACTURER IS THE WRONG ROUTE TO GO AND CERTAINLY ISN T PRODUCTIVE ) THINK THE MORE YOU SIT BACK AND DO YOUR JOB AND MAKE THE MOST OF WHATEVER YOU HAVE THE BETTER RESULTS YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE u %LLIOTT SAID !USTIN $ILLON LEADER OF 2ICHARD #HILDRESS 2ACING AND WINNER OF LAST YEAR S $AYTONA SAID ALL FACETS ARE STILL REBUILDING AND WORKING ON STRONGER FOOTING g7E NEED TO SEE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING DOING THAT AND DOING IT BETTER )T S WHAT THIS GARAGE IS ALL ABOUT LOOKING AT IT AND TRYING TO RECREATE IT AND MAKE IT BETTER u $ILLON SAID g) AM PROUD OF THE EFFORT WE ARE BRINGING TO THE TRACK

AND ) THINK WE ARE HALFWAY THERE AND WE VE GOT ANOTHER HALF WE NEED TO GET TO BEFORE #HEVY IS WINNING AND WINNING CONSISTENTLY u AP

Empty seats at Bristol expose NASCAR attendance challenges BRISTOL, Tenn.: Appalled by so many empty seats at Bristol Motor Speedway, Clint Bowyer did some digging and learned what race fans have known for more than a decade.

Hotels along the TennesseeVirginia line near the iconic NASCAR track have pushed one of the most popular venues on the circuit beyond the budget of the average attendee. Bowyer made a handful of calls and said he was outraged to discover lower-end lodging starting at more than $300 a night. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was so glad Clint brought that up,â&#x20AC;? said Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Bristolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parent company Speedway Motorports Inc. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a crazy number some of these hotels are charging and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just unfortunate.

We continue to work with the business bureaus at all of our speedways and it is a challenge we are trying to find solutions to while working with the local business leaders.â&#x20AC;?

Bristol was once the toughest ticket to get in NASCAR and boasted 55 consecutive sellouts from 1982 through 2010. The track only accommodated 30,000 fans when the streak began and expansions began in earnest when SMI bought the track in 1996.

The Coliseum-style structure now holds 146,000, but the crowd size has shrunk so much over the years that Bristol last weekend did not even sell tickets in the turns.

Closed sections included the Darrell Waltrip Grandstand on the same weekend the Hall of Famer and all-time winningest driver at Bristol was feted for his upcoming retirement from broadcasting.

The swaths of empty seats â&#x20AC;&#x201D; NASCAR and its tracks do not release attendance figures â&#x20AC;&#x201D; made for unpleasant optics Sunday during the Cup race, arguably the best race of the season so far.

It featured 21 lead changes, late pit strategy played a role in the outcome and Kyle Busch won again.

Many drivers had compelling races,

including Brad Keselowski, who lost his shot at the win when he was black-flagged before the final restart for not following a NASCAR directive. Kevin Harvick came from four laps down to finish 13th on a day his team was punished for failing pre-race inspection three times, and Kurt Busch continued to shine as the most consistent driver in the winless Chevrolet camp.

Smith acknowledged the challenges in selling tickets in this current NASCAR climate. Venues doubled and tripled their seating capacity during NASCARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s late 1990s boom and more tracks were built and added to a 10-month schedule.

Oversaturation became a problem and NASCAR and its most loyal fans were among those hit hardest by the 2008 economic collapse. The quality of racing deteriorated, too, and fans stopped coming.

Smith can offer alternatives to the high hotel rates with on-site camping packages; a group can rent a recreational vehicle for the weekend for the same price as booking a single room at most of the local hotels.

Bristolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spring race has also bounced around various March and April dates, and weather is often iffy enough to keep some fans at home.

Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race was moved up eight minutes in anticipation of lateday rain, and last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event was pushed to Monday.

Smith is adamant the easiest promotion is a strong on-track product and the Bristol event was proof that fans can still catch a good show. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The most important element is great racing and the racing we had at Bristol will sell more tickets will draw more eyeballs,â&#x20AC;? Smith said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is the essential component, the essential ingredient for a successful NASCAR event and a successful Bristol event. I think the key for a resurgence in NASCAR is what we saw at Bristol and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great competition.â&#x20AC;?

AP

Motor Sports

The Sunday Times www.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

D3

IAME SERIES ASIA ROUND 1 CONQUERS CLARK Asian Formula revisited S TURBO TIMES

BY MIKE POTENCIANO

W

HEN we were given the chance by Petron Motorsports to display our Asian Formula 2000 in the recent Manila International Auto Show, we were amazed at the number of people THAT WERE TAKING SELkES AND GROUPIES WITH IT It might be because it was the only Formula CAR DISPLAYED AT THAT TIME )T WAS ALSO RIGHT AT the front entrance with Milo Riveraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s multiple slalom and autocross championship winning 4OYOTA 3TARLET 3O IT WAS WITHIN EVERYONE S PATH What most people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know was the historical value of the formula that almost gave US THE WIN IN THE !& CHAMPIONSHIP 3O

hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part one of our story on my most memorable Formula race ever that I wrote about in ) PROMISE YOU IT S WORTH READINGĂ&#x153;

AFOS in Subic The Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS) was coming back to the Philippines in 2002 after a LONG HIATUS !ND WE HAD A CAR THAT WE LET THE ORGANIZERS RENTED OUT DURING THE SERIES &OR THE Philippine leg, we were the ones who would use it and were thinking of just doing the leg FOR OLD TIMES SAKE )N THE kRST RACE ) STARTED IN FOURTH POSITION AND kNISHED SECOND OVERALL AFTER SLIPPING AND SLIDING ALL THE WAY TO THE kNISH 9OU CAN IMAGine the hoopla after the race, as no one ever EXPECTED WE WOULD BE RACING THAT WEEKEND My car was always sliding as we never had A RACE ENGINEER TO SET IT UP ) KNEW IT WASN T the best way to drive a formula car, but we HAD LIMITED KNOWLEDGE IN FORMULAS 7E WERE lucky that no one had prior knowledge of setting up their cars also for the Subic track, and THAT PLACED US ALL ON THE SAME FOOTING )T SURE entertained the fans and I still get comments THAT WAS THE BEST RACE THAT THEY EVER SAWĂ&#x153; The winner was veteran formula driver $ENIS ,IAN OF 3INGAPORE (OWEVER EVERYONE in the paddock started paying attention to the Filipino team like Mickel Ali of Indonesia, Mike Miller of Singapore and Tohru Jitsukawa of Japan, who all congratulated me after the RACE 4HEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD ALL LOOK OUT FOR ME FROM THAT TIME ON

IXTY-three drivers from 10 countries saw action in the first round of the 2019 IAME Series Asia (ISA) at the Clark International Speedway (CIS) Kart Track in Pampanga recently.

The Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; own 10-year old karter WilLIAM 'O DOMINATED THE #ADET #ATEGORY IN A TIGHT RACE TO THE kNISH g4HE TRACK WAS SUPER FAST and bordered on being dangerous for our class,â&#x20AC;?

SAID 'O AFTER THE RACE g) WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY PARENTS AND TEAM FOR MAKING THIS WIN POSSIBLE u 4HE kRST INTERNATIONAL RACE TO HIT THE COUNTRY this year took on a carnival atmosphere, with COLORFUL 0ETRON BANNERS AND lAGS ADDING TO THE VISUAL EXCITEMENT #OMPRISING HIGH SPEED TURNS AND LONG STRETCHES THE #)3 +ART #IRCUIT offered a whole new racing experience to many OF THE DRIVERS RACING HERE FOR THE kRST TIME The foreign drivers, who were used to slower and more technical tracks, had to

Q William Go of the Philippines leads the field in the Cadet Category during the first round of the 2019 IAME Series Asia (ISA) that kicked off recently at the Clark International Speedway (CIS) Kart Track in Pampanga.

gather their nerves and trust their skills to perform overtaking maneuvers under full THROTTLE &ORTUNATELY THE WEATHER LEADING UP to the races was sunny and breezy, which was

IDEAL FOR RACING IN SUCH A DEMANDING CIRCUIT 4HE )3! kRST ROUND BROUGHT TO #LARK ONE OF THE LARGEST GRIDS THE TRACK HAS SEEN (OWEVER

A FEW &ILIPINOS COMPETED IN THE kRST ROUND

Q Amer Harris Jefry of Malaysia cruises to victory in the Senior Category.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Best race In the second race, I started in eighth after hitting a TIRE BARRIER IN QUALIFYING THE DAY BEFORE (OWEVER

I knew that with our spectacular second place in THE kRST RACE OUR kNAL SECOND RACE WOULD BE BETTERĂ&#x153; When the green lights came, I had a good start and climbed up three places before the HAIRPIN ) SAW THE LEADER -IKE -ILLER SPINNING out in front at the hairpin and I managed to OVERTAKE HIM BEFORE HE RECOVERED We diced for a couple of laps and were doing A VERY GOOD BATTLE !T THE CHICANE A LEFT RIGHT

right-left combination) before the long, back straight, the tire barriers started opening up FROM THE CARS HITTING THEM 4HAT ALLOWED US TO GO lAT OUT AFTER ENTERING THE kRST SET OF TIRES On our third lap, the chicane suddenly became tight and I never thought it would be LIKE THIS -IKE AND ) ENTERED IT TOO FAST AND MY CAR lEW OVER THE LAST TIRE BARRIERĂ&#x153; When my formula car landed, it made such a big impact that I thought something broke AFTER THE IMPACT ,UCKILY THE CAR WENT STRAIGHT

braked well and turned into the hairpin in THE END ) KNEW ) WAS LUCKY TO ESCAPE SUCH AN IMPACT AND REGAINED MY COMPOSURE However, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see Miller behind me and THOUGHT HE MUST HAVE HAD A PROBLEM 7HEN I passed the chicane again, I saw Millerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s car on the side of the road and knew he had broken something when he went through the SAME TIRE BARRIER ) WAS REALLY ON THE GROOVE and was up to second overall and catching up WITH THE LEADER "UT ) SAW THE RED lAG COME OUT ) KNEW THE RED lAG WAS FOR -ILLER S STRICKEN CAR and we all parked our cars in the grid of the main STRAIGHT 7HEN ) CAME OUT THE WHOLE CROWD ROARED AND ) NEVER EXPERIENCED THAT BEFOREĂ&#x153; People were shouting my name and making HIGH kVES 4HIS WAS DEkNITELY THE BEST TIME EVERĂ&#x153;

Also, the increased number of drivers resulted IN SPILLS AND LUCKILY NONE WERE SERIOUS The following results for the various catEGORIES FOR THE kRST ROUND OF THE )3! #ADET 7ILLIAM 'O 0HILIPPINES OF !UTO)NC 2ACING kNISHED kRST 4IMOFEY -IKHAYLOV (Malaysia) of DRM Racing second, and Aditya Wibowo (Indonesia) of Baby Race Asia third Junior Category: 'ERRARD 8IE (ONG +ONG OF )3 2ACING kNISHED kRST 4ASANAPOL )NTHRAPHUVASAK (Thailand) also of IS Racing second, and Putera !DAM -ALAYSIA ALSO OF )3 2ACING THIRD Senior Categoryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Amer Harris Jefry (MalaySIA OF $2- 2ACING kRST PLACE $ICK 9U (ONG +ONG OF 02 2ACING SECOND PLACE AND $IPTYA /KTADEWA )NDONESIA OF 3TRATOS ' THIRD PLACE Master Categoryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Adrian Ferguon (SinGAPORE OF 3TRATOS ' FIRST PLACE -ARK $OMASHENZ 3INGAPORE ALSO OF 3TRATOS ' SECOND PLACE AND +ELVIN 9ONG 3INGAPORE ALSO OF 3TRATOS ' THIRD PLACE Veteran Categoryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Adrian Ferguon (SinGAPORE OF 3TRATOS ' kRST PLACE "ENJAMIN Chiang (Singapore) of AutoInc Racing second PLACE AND 9ONGBOON 4IRACHAIMONGKOL 4HAILAND OF -AXIMA -OTORSPORTS THIRD PLACE Rommel Herce of the Philippines from &OCAL 0RAGA 2ACING kNISHED FOURTH IN THE 6ETERAN #ATEGORY 4HE NEXT LEG OF THE )3! WILL BE STAGED IN "IRA +ART 0ATTAYA 4HAILAND ON -AY TO

Bottas wary of quick Ferraris after edging China practice SHANGHAI: Valtteri Bottas remained wary of Ferrariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s formidable speed as he recovered from a spin to pip Sebastian Vettel to the fastest practice time at the Chinese Grand Prix on Friday.

The Finnish Mercedes driver tops the early standings and he showed why with a lap of one minute and 33.330 seconds, shading Ferrariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vettel by 0.027-second ahead of Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s milestone F1 1,000th race.

Red Bullâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Max Verstappen was a close third with Bottasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teammate Lewis Hamilton, the reigning world champion, a significant 0.707-second off the pace and admitting: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was struggling with the car today.â&#x20AC;?

Fifth was Nico Hulkenberg of Renault, followed by

McLarenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Carlos Sainz.

Bottas and Hamilton spun their cars early in second practice in Shanghai in almost identical fashion, but the only real harm was to their pride.

And Bottas, 29, who leads Hamilton by a point in the standings, quickly hit back from his excursion at the first turn. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We got there step by step and the car was feeling okay in the end, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only Friday and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the next two days that count,â&#x20AC;? said Bottas, who was fifth in morning practice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ferrari still seem to be quicker than us on the straights, whereas we were better in most corners in FP2 (second practice),â&#x20AC;? he added.

Charles Leclerc, Vettelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talented young Ferrari team-

mate, has failed to fire so far on the circuit and clocked only the seventh-best time.

Denied a maiden victory in Bahrain two weeks ago when his Ferrari lost power, allowing Hamilton to snatch the win, the 21-year-oldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day finished early for checks on his carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cooling system.

Four-time world champion Vettel, who went fastest in the morning practice, again set the early pace in the second session before Bottas stepped up his challenge.

But Vettel, who is facing criticism after a series of errors stretching back to last season, was given strong backing by Ferrariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team principal.

Despite Leclercâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emergence, the 31-year-old German

remains the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top priority, said Mattia Binotto. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As I said at the start of the season, if there is any 50-50 situation where we need to take a decision, the advantage would have been given to Sebastian simply because Sebastian has got most of the experience with the team in F1,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Going into the third race of the season, Verstappen is third in the standings, behind the Mercedes pair, with Leclerc and Vettel at fourth and fifth, respectively.

Verstappenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s otherwise successful afternoon ended on a sour note, the young Dutchman complaining that â&#x20AC;&#x153;thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something not right.â&#x20AC;?

AFP â&#x20AC;&#x153;It feels like the car is broken,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Q Mercedesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas steers his car during the second practice session for the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Friday. AFP PHOTOÂ

Red flag After a long wait, we heard that the leader had TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL 4HE MARSHALS TOLD ME THAT WHEN MY CAR HIT THE TIRES ONE lEW right in front of his face and they thought it KNOCKED HIM OUT 4HIS LED TO HIS CAR GOING TO the side of the track and crashing the barriERS &ROM EXPERIENCING A BIG HIGH ) WAS NOW CONCERNED FOR -ILLER 7HEN THE OFkCIALS DECISION CAME OUT TO STOP THE RACE ) WELCOMED IT WHOLEHEARTEDLY I got third because of the count back of one LAP FROM THE OFkCIAL RESULT .O ONE WAS IN THE mood to celebrate in the end as no one really KNEW THE CONDITION OF -ILLER Finally, the organizers told us that Miller was in a coma after the crash and passed away AFTER A WEEK ) WAS STRICKEN BY GRIEF AND FELT GUILTY OVER THE RACE ACCIDENT ) EVEN THOUGHT that it could have been me that could have CRASHED IF SOMETHING BROKE IN MY CAR ) never saw Millerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family to even extend my condolences as we were kept in the dark on HIS CONDITION ) EVEN ASKED MYSELF IF ) COULD continue driving in such a dangerous sport or JUST HANG UP MY RACING GLOVES Thereafter, I campaigned intensively for reforms for track safety and marshal coordination IN 3UBIC ) ALSO APPEALED TO THE !&/3 ORGANIZERS to make sure that the life of Mike Miller did not END IN VAIN ) DECIDED TO GO ON AND COMPETE IN THE !& AND BE THE VOICE FOR SAFETY .EXT week, I will share more inside stories of this series AND HOW IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER

Marquez targets magnificent seven in Texas AUSTIN: Marc Marquez returns to one

Q Repsol Hondaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marc Marquez (right) speaks after a group picture in Doha on March 7, 2019 at Lusail Circuit ahead of the seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start at Qatar MotoGP grand prix. AFP PHOTO

of his favourite hunting grounds THIS WEEKEND THE -OTO'0 WORLD champion intent on extending his PERFECT RECORD AT THE 'RAND 0RIX OF THE !MERICAS TO SEVEN FROM SEVEN The Spaniard has won at Austin from pole every year since its arrival ON THE CALENDAR IN He turns up for Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race after a crushing 10-second success over arch-rival Valentino 2OSSI IN !RGENTINA 4HAT gPERFECT DAYu AT 4ERMAS DE Rio Hondo pushed Marquez up to the head of the championship standings with a four-point lead over Andrea Dovizioso before this THIRD LEG OF THE SEASON Marquez, chasing a sixth world title in the elite division, is relishing THE CHANCE OF ANOTHER 4EXAS TRIUMPH !USTIN gIS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE TRACKSu

HE TOLD HIS (ONDA TEAM S WEBSITE g4HESE COUNTER CLOCKWISE CIRCUITS ALWAYS SEEM TO SUIT MY STYLE THE BEST u But he was wary of not allowing his accomplishments in Austin to

LEAD TO ANY COMPLACENCY g!LTHOUGH WE HAVE ACHIEVED A lot of success here in the past, we will work as we always do from free PRACTICE ONE AND REMAIN FOCUSED g%VERY YEAR WHEN YOU GO TO a track there are new things to UNDERSTAND AND ADAPT TO u Dovizioso has a best place runNER UP kNISH TO HIS NAME IN g/UR AIM IS TO ONCE AGAIN BE ON the podium which would be almost like a win,â&#x20AC;? said Ducatiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Italian rider who was victorious in Qatar, adding THE CIRCUIT gIS NOT THE BEST FOR USu Marquezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new teammate, threetime former world champion Jorge Lorenzo, has had a tricky time of it SINCE SWITCHING FROM $UCATI Lorenzo fractured his rib in practice at the season-opening race in Qatar, BEFORE TRAILING IN TH IN !RGENTINA Despite his marriage to Honda getting off to a bumpy start, Lorenzo predicts a rosier future for THE RELATIONSHIP g!FTER THE DISAPPOINTMENT IN !Rgentina I am ready to get back out

ON TRACK AND RIDE AGAIN g4HE RESULT DIDN T SHOW IT BUT we made good progress last time and we are understanding the BIKE MORE AND MORE g7HEN THE CONDITIONS OFFER GRIP ) feel very strong on the Honda -- the team and I just need more time riding to understand how to have this STRONG FEELING WHEN THE GRIP IS LESS u 9AMAHA S EVERGREEN YEAR old Rossi is basking from his podium in Argentina when he burst past Dovizioso on the final CIRCUIT TO SNATCH SECOND g4RICKY DIFkCULT AND TECHNICALu is how the heavily-decorated moTORCYCLING VETERAN DESCRIBES !USTIN (E SAID THE AIM WAS TO gWORK well, ride well, follow the right diRECTION AND THEN WE LL SEEu Teammate Maverick Vinales says HE IS IN gGOOD PHYSICAL CONDITIONu AFTER HIS CRASH IN !RGENTINA g,UCKILY ) DIDN T HURT MYSELF u HE added after he was bumped from BEHIND BY FELLOW 9AMAHA RIDER &RANCO -ORBIDELLI ON THE LAST LAP AFP

D4

Sports

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

L

OS ANGELES: Southpaw V a s i l i y Lomachenko brutally knocked out former title holder Anthony Crolla in the fourth round Friday (Saturday in Manila) to retain his World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization lightweight titles.

The 31-year-old Lomachenko delivered a devastating right hook to the temple that sent the Englishman CRASHING FACE kRST TO THE CANVAS JUST 58 seconds into the fourth round.

The Ukrainian pound-for-pound king had his complete arsenal at his disposal, including blazing hand speed, devastating punching power AND A SUPERIOR RING )1 )T TURNS OUT HE DIDN T NEED IT AS IN the end he barely broke a sweat to reTAIN HIS 7"/ TITLE FOR THE SECOND TIME g) WANT TO UNIFY ALL THE TITLES u SAID ,OMACHENKO ADDING HE WANTS TO kGHT -IKEY 'ARCIA WHO HOLDS THE 7"# LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE g) WANT TO THANK ALL THE FANS WHO CAME TO SUPPORT ME u The knockout came just one round after Lomachenko scored the first KNOCKDOWN OF THE kGHT WHEN HE LANDED a barrage of rights and lefts while the challenger was pinned and defenceless on the ropes. Lomachenko initially THOUGHT THE kGHT HAD BEEN STOPPED The crowd of 10,100 at Staples #ENTER !RENA CAME LOOKING FOR A knockout and they got exactly that.

Theknockoutpunchwassolouditcould be heard by those sitting outside the ring.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Q Vasiliy Lomachenko punches Anthony Crolla during their WBA/WBO lightweight title bout at Staples Center on Saturday in Los Angeles, California.

AFP PHOTO

Lomachenko destroys Crolla with fourth round KO

Crolla remained face first on the canvas until his trainer came into the ring and helped him roll over. He stayed there for some time but even when he was helped to his feet his camp still had to support his wobbly legs.

Lomachenko appeared to injure his hand and was seen holding it and TALKING TO HIS TRAINER AFTER THE kGHT ,OMACHENKO A TWO TIME /LYMPIC

gold medallist, improved to 13-1 with 10 knockouts as he dominated the third and fourth rounds against Crolla who was a massive 100-1 underdog.

Crolla dropped to 34-7-3 as he landed just a handful of punches and only survived the third round because of the bell.

Crolla, 32, wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Lomachenkoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kRST CHOICE AS AN OPPONENT ,OMACHENKO WANTED TO kGHT )"& CHAM-

pion Richard Commey, but Commey suffered a hand injury.

Had Lomachenko not taken the Crolla fight, he would have been stripped of one of his 135-pound belts.

Lomachenkoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rise to the top of the boxing world has been meteoric.

He fought for a world title in just his SECOND PROFESSIONAL kGHT AND IS THE FASTEST kGHTER IN HISTORY TO BECOME

a three division world champion.

Crolla, who was the top ranked MANDATORY CONTENDER HELD THE 7"! belt from 2015-2016.

"UT #ROLLA HAS NOW LOST THREE OF HIS LAST SIX kGHTS (E LOST HIS BELT IN consecutive defeats to Jorge Linares before winning three straight bouts.

Just being in the ring is a win for #ROLLA &OUR YEARS AGO HE WAS BADLY

Cayetano expects 15,000 volunteers for SEAG work

Eagles, Falcons strengthen twice to beat bids ATENEO De Manila University and Adamson University fortified their bids for a Final Four twice-to-beat advantage after walloping their respective foes in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s volleyball on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Anthony Koyfman starred as Ateneo crushed also-ran University of the East (UE), 25-20, 25-12, 27-29, 25-15.

Koyfman posted a game-high 17 points built on 12 spikes, four blocks and an ace to lead two other Blue Spikers in double-digit scoring.

Ron Medalla talled 12 points all via attacks on top of nine excellent digs and Gian Carlo Glorioso chipped 11 markers in the win.

Adamson downed ousted De La Salle University, 25-14, 23-25, 25-19, 25-19, behind Paolo Pablicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prowess.

Pablico pumped in 18 points anchored on 16 kills and two blocks, spearheading the Soaring Falconsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; balanced offense.

Leo Miranda racked up 13 points on 11 hits, a block and an ace while George Labang added 10 markers.

With their respective victories, Ateneo and Adamson remained in the race for the semifinal bonuses with identical 9-4 records at joint third.

The two incentives in the Final Four are still up for grabs as defending champion National University

injured after confronting two men who broke into a neighborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house.

He broke his ankle going after the thieves and suffered a fractured skull when one of them blindsided him with a cement block while he was battling the other one.

Crolla recovered and 11 months later HE WON THE 7"! LIGHTWEIGHT BELT THAT ,OMACHENKO RETAINED ON &RIDAY AFP

(10-1) and second-running Far Eastern University (9-2) need to get a total of 11 wins.

Chris Bernard Dumagoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 18 points and Billie Animaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10 markerswent to waste as the No. 6 Green Spikers droppedto4-8.

Angelu Noel Alba was the lone bright spot with 11 points for the No. 7 Red Warriors, who fell to 2-11.

In the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side, UE ended a three-game losing slide with a 25-14, 25-19, 25-22 win against another eliminated team Adamson University.

Veterans May Ann Mendrez, Roselle Baliton and Judith Abil led the attack, carrying the No. 7 Lady Warriors back to the win column.

Mendrez pounded 15 points, skipper Baliton chalked 14 markers and Abil added 11 as UE joined NU at No. 6 with a similar 3-9 sheet.

Bern Flora was the only double-digit scorer with 10 points for the bottom-dwelling Lady Falcons, who fell to their eighth straight setback for an overall 1-11 card.

Meanwhile, bitter rivals Ateneo (10-1) and La Salle (8-3) are still playing in the second game at press time.

The Final Four-bound Lady Eagles are eyeing a twice-to-beat edge while the Lady Spikers are shooting for the second semifinal spot.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Q Adamsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bernadette Flora (No. 3) blocks a shot by UEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Judith Abil (No. 1) during a UAAP womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s volleyball game on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum. PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ&#x2018;ADA

PH ILIPPINE Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano said he is expecting 15,000 volunteers to help in the preparation for the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) on November 30 to December 11. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our target is 12,000 but I think we can reach over 15,000 volunteers,â&#x20AC;? Cayetano said during the SEA Games Volunteers Program launch on Friday at the Lakeshore tent in Taguig City.

Present during the event were officers of PHISGOC, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee as well as basketball players Jean Marc Pingris, Kiefer Ravena and volleyball star Alyssa Valdez.

Cayetano commended the volunteers for taking up the task without any promise of monetary compensation from the government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is more of volunteerism. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food for volunteers but we will try to make it convenient.â&#x20AC;?

The volunteers aged 18 and above will be assigned to SEA Games venues in Manila, Clark, Subic, La Union, Tagaytay and Batangas. The recruitment will be from April to July while the training will be from August to October.

Cayetano added that they are working to realize a P6 billion budget for the event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a guaranteed P5 billion from the national budget and I think the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) is willing to give another P500 million so thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s P5.5 billion. Then DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) I think committed P300 million so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting closer to P6 billion.â&#x20AC;?

Cayetano assured that everything is on track for the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s JOSEF T. RAMOS hosting of the biennial meet.

Q The Perpetual Junior Altas celebrates after being declared NCAA Season 94 General Champion. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Perpetual Junior Altas relishes NCAA Season 94 triumph HOST School University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Junior Altas topped the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 94 overall sports discipline -- their first ever General Championship since joining the oldest collegiate league in the country in 1984.

The Junior Altasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 365 points beat five-time general champion San Beda U Red Cubsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 363.5 points, denying the Red Cubs the chance to become a six-peat overall champions.

The Tony Tamayo owned school reigned in chess, indoor volleyball, beach volleyball and

track and field for 50 points each. Perpetual emerged as first runner up in swimming for 40 points, third runner up in table tennis and football for 30 points each, earned 20 points in basketball and lawn tennis, 15 points in badminton and 10 points in taekwondo.

The Arellano Braves placed second runner up overall with 302.5 points.

The awarding ceremony of General Champions was held on Thursday (March 28) during the NCAA Cheerleading Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We congratulate the whole team, and the whole of UPHSD community is proud of the accomplishments, said NCAA Policy Board Chair and UPHSD President Anthony Tamayo.

Chris Pondoyo of Junior Altas Chess Team, Hero Austria of indoor volleyball, Noel Micheal Kampton of beach volleyball and Jerick â&#x20AC;&#x153;Totoâ&#x20AC;?

Arzaga emerged as Season MVPs in their respective sports divisions, while FIDE Master Roel Abelgas of the chess team, Sandy Rieta of both indoor and outdoor volleyball and Trece Academia was adjudged Coaches of the Year.

Golf

SUNDAY APRIL 14, 2019 E1

www.manilatimes.net

Woods shines brightest on star-studded Masters leaderboard

A

UGUSTA, United States: Tiger Woods shook off a short weather delay and a close encounter with an security guard, pulled off a miracle recovery shot and sank some monster putts to put himself one shot off the lead midway through the Masters.

Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Saturday in Manila) second round featured all the drama long associated with golfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s undisputed superstar -- whose four-under par 68 put him on six-under 138 and one shot behind a REMARKABLE BUNCH OF kVE CURRENT AND former major champions sharing the LEAD ON SEVEN UNDER â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel like I played my own way back into the tournament,â&#x20AC;? the YEAR OLD SAID g) WAS JUST VERY PATIENT TODAY FELT VERY GOOD TO BE OUT THERE DOING WHAT ) WAS DOING â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is now three straight majors that ) VE BEEN IN THE MIX AND SO IT S GOOD STUFF u Despite the leading groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s undeniable credentials, it was Woodsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surge TOWARD THE TOP THAT STOLE THE SPOTLIGHT After contending in last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s British Open and PGA Championship in his kRST SEASON BACK FROM SPINAL FUSION surgery Woods is again in position to add to his tally of 14 major titles for THE kRST TIME SINCE THE 53 /PEN 7OODS WASN T lAWLESS WITH SOME NOTABLE MISSES OF MID AND SHORT RANGE PUTTS

(E MISSED AN EIGHT FOOTER TO SAVE PAR AT THE EIGHTH A kVE FOOTER FOR BIRDIE AT A FOOTER FOR BIRDIE AT AND ANOTHER EIGHT FOOTER FOR BIRDIE AT

- â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Not too bummedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 4HE MASSIVE GALLERY THAT STUCK WITH HIM through the afternoon rain held its BREATH AS HE STOOD OVER A FOOT BIRDIE ATTEMPT AT THAT WOULD HAVE PUT HIM among the leaders, but it dribbled away AT THE HOLE AND HE SETTLED FOR A PAR â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yeah, I missed a few putts out there but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not too bummed out about it because I hit them on my LINES u 7OODS SAID g3O ) CAN LIVE WITH THAT ) CAN LIVE WITH DAYS WHEN ) M hitting putts on my line and they just DON T GO IN THAT S THE WAY IT GOES â&#x20AC;&#x153;The only two bad putts I hit today WERE ALL ON THE SAME HOLE OVER ON EIGHT

) THREE PUTTED ) HAD A BAD kRST PUTT AND A BAD SECOND PUTT "UT OTHER THAN THAT MY speed was great and I hit a lot of putts THAT LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE GOING IN u

And he had a few long-range bombs TO COMPENSATE INCLUDING A FOOTER FOR BIRDIE AT THE NINTH ANOTHER FROM FEET AT AND A FOOTER AT â&#x20AC;&#x153;They were nice to make and if I keep hitting the putts on my line they WILL START DROPPING u HE SAID Woods made the only birdie of the day at the par-four 11th and had stuck his approach at the par-three TH FIVE FEET FROM THE PIN WHEN the siren sounded to suspend play BECAUSE OF LIGHTNING IN THE AREA When play resumed after half an HOUR 7OODS MISSED THE PUTT (E MISSED A FOOT BIRDIE TRY AT THE next but came up with a thriller at

BENDING A SHOT THROUGH THE TREES â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was literally just trying to hit the BALL SHORT u HE SAID g)F IT HAPPENED to skip up, great, but make sure I KEEP IT ON THE lAG SIDE )F ) KEEP IT ON THE lAG SIDE ) HAVE AN EASY PITCH â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was the game plan and it CAME OUT PERFECT TO FRUITION u Rain was still falling as Woods headed toward the green at 14 and a SECURITY OFkCER HURRYING TO KEEP THE crowds behind him, lost his footing AND SLID INTO 7OODS S RIGHT LEG Woods took a few frightening, stumbling steps but later proNOUNCED HIMSELF JUST kNE g) VE HAD GALLERIES RUN OVER ME u HE SAID g7HEN YOU PLAY IN FRONT OF A LOT OF PEOPLE THINGS HAPPEN u AFP

last Friday also held at the Robert Trent Jones Sr.designed course.

But the locals are also ready to take on the best from the foreign contingent with last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PGT OOM winner Jobim Carlos out to atone for his abbreviated stint in the Phl Open where he withdrew after the first round due to injury.

Mondilla bucked the odds at the tough The Country Club layout and bested a talent-laden field to become the 18th Filipino and third from Del Monte to win the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier championship and Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest National Open.

But the 116-player field is teeming with talent, including those seeking redemption from the Phl Open debacle, including Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former No. 1 and recent PGT Asia Riviera leg champion Juvic Pagunsan, four-time PGT Asia leg winner Jhonnel Ababa, veteran Elmer Salvador, multi-titled Tony LascuĂąa, PGT Asia leg titlist Joenard Rates and Gleeson, who all missed the cut in the

68 Friday (Saturday in Manila) to join a five-way tie for the halfway lead on seven-under 137. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I probably have done every year, but a little bit more intent, maybe, this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Certainly some similarities to that year in 2013, where I want to prove to myself that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got it, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked at it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Certainly the last three weeks, I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t played a golf tournament since The Players and the focus has purely been on being ready for here.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, so far, so good.â&#x20AC;?

Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 69-68 start is his best ever at Augusta National, but with five current or former

MASTERS TOURNAMENT SCORES SCORES after Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second round of the 83rd Masters tournament at par-72 Augusta National Golf Club: 137 - Francesco Molinari (ITA) 70-67, Jason Day (AUS) 70-67, Brooks Koepka (USA) 66-71, Adam Scott (AUS) 69-68, Louis OOsthuizen (RSA) 137 138 - Dustin Johnson (USA) 68-70, Justin Harding (RSA) 69-69, Xander Schauffele (USA) 73-65, Tiger Woods (USA) 70-68 139 - Ian Poulter (ENG) 68-71, Jon Rahm (ESP) 69-70

145 - Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 78-67, Satoshi Kodaira (JPN) 75-70, Andrew Landry (USA) 72-73, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 75-70 146 - Trevor Immelman (RSA) 74-72, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 73-73, Patrick Cantlay (USA) 73-73, Keith Mitchell (USA) 72-74, Aaron Wise 75-71, Henrik Stenson (SWE) 74-72, Li Haotong (CHN) 72-74 147 - Martin Kaymer (GER) 73-74, a-Devon Bling (USA) 74-73, Alex Noren (SWE) 75-72, Billy Horschel (USA) 72-75, Zach Johnson (USA) 74-73, a-Takumi Kanaya (JPN) 73-74, Branden Grace (RSA) 72-75, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 72-75, Eddie Pepperell (ENG) 74-73

MISSED CUT 148 - Sandy Lyle (SCO) 73-75, Stewart Cink (USA) 76-72, Justin Rose (ENG) 75-73, Mike Weir (CAN) 72-76, a-Kevin Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell (USA) 77-71, Danny Willett (ENG) 75-73, Sergio Garcia (ESP) 73-75 149 - Adam Long (USA) 75-74, Brandt Snedeker (USA) 75-74, Fred Couples (USA) 78-71, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 77-72 150 - Shugo Imahira (JPN) 76-74 151 - Shane Lowry (IRL) 78-73 152 - Matt Wallace (ENG) 75-77, a-Jovan Rebula (RSA) 73-79 154 - Michael Kim (USA) 76-78, Paul Casey (ENG) 81-73 155 - Larry Mize (USA) 77-74 156 - Vijay Singh (FIJ) 80-76, Ian Woosnam (WAL) 80-76 157 - Jose Maria Olazabal (ESP) 78-79, Angel Cabrera (ARG) 82-75 AFP

Augusta National chairman dismisses womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Masters idea Q Juvic Pagunsan CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Phl Open, which closed out the second season of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Meanwhile, Mondilla plus a select group of pros test the challenging hazard-laden layout in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Sunday) pro-am where they will be paired with guests and officials of the eventâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chief backers, including ICTSI, , PLDT Enterprise, Meralco, BDO and PGT Asia official apparel Pin High.

Scott focused on rekindling Masters glory AUGUSTA, United States: Adam Scott has geared his year toward a run for a second Masters title, and that singleminded focus is paying off.

The 38-year-old Australian, who beat Argentinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Angel Cabrera in a playoff in 2013 to claim his only major title to date, has endured some lean years, his last titles coming in 2016.

But his three top-10s on the US PGA Tour this season include a runner-up finish at Torrey Pines, and he thinks heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peaking at just the right time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve really worked on everything with the Masters in mind from the start of the year, much like I did in 2013,â&#x20AC;?

Scott said after firing a four-under par

PHOTO

140 - Patton Kizzire (USA) 70-70, Matt Kuchar (USA) 71-69, Phil Mickelson (USA) 67-73, Charles Howell (USA) 73-67 141 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 69-72, Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 66-75, Justin Thomas (USA) 73-68, Corey Conners (CAN) 70-71, Tony Finau (USA) 71-70, Gary Woodland (USA) 70-71, Rickie Fowler (USA) 70-71 142 - Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN) 71-71, Kevin Kisner (USA) 69-73, J.B. Holmes (USA) 70-72, Lucas Bjerregaard (DEN) 70-72, Charley Hoffman (USA) 71-71, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 71-71 143 - Bernhard Langer (GER) 71-72, Rafael Cabrera Bello (ESP) 73-70, Jordan Spieth (USA) 75-68, Kevin Tway (USA) 72-71, Patrick Reed (USA) 73-70, Webb Simpson (USA) 72-71, a-Viktor Hovland (NOR) 72-71 144 - Jimmy Walker (USA) 72-72, Kevin Na (USA) 71-73, a-Alvaro Ortiz (MEX) 73-71, Keegan Bradley (USA) 76-68, Bubba Watson (USA) 72-72, Kim Si-woo (KOR) 72-72, Kyle Stanley (USA) 72-72, Marc Leishman (AUS) 72-72, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 73-71, Cameron Smith (AUS) 70-74

3RD PGT ASIA KICKS OFF AT LUISITA THE Philippine Golf Tour Asia ushers in its third season on Monday with a power-packed cast from at least 19 countries gearing up for four days of battle of shotmaking and wits in the $100,000 event at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.

Aussie David Gleeson outlasted Filipino Erwin Arcillas on the third playoff hole to snare the crown last year with the same ending expected on Thursday given the depth of the field with the wind and the heat expected to add up to the various challenges offered by the tight layout.

Newly crowned Solaire Philippine Open champion and 2018 PGTA Order of Merit winner Clyde Mondilla banners the elite cast that also includes Thais Tawan Phongpun and Ratchapol Jantavara, Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choo Tze Huang and Gregory Foo, Swede Sebastian Hansson, Rory Hie of Indonesia, Scot Ryan Hood, Hwang Myung Chal of Japan, Grant Jackson of England, Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marcos Pastor and Americans Lexus Keoninh, Charles Lee and Micah Shin.

Phongpun and Jantavara are actually coming into the 72-hole championship put up by ICTSI brimming with confidence after sharing top honors in the PGT Asia Qualifying Tournament

Q Tiger Woods of the United States lines up a putt on the 15th green during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Saturday in Augusta, Georgia. AFP

major champions sharing the lead and Tiger Woods just a shot back in a group that also includes major-winner Dustin Johnson, he knows itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a battle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is really stacked,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be an incredible weekend no matter what happens now,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are so many great players in with a chance, and I think my game plan has to be the same as where I started the week.â&#x20AC;?

That means maintaining the solid ball-striking heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shown so far, and, he hopes, some better luck on the greens. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully the putter can warm up a little bit,â&#x20AC;? Scott said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A hot putter will go a long way on the weekend.â&#x20AC;? AFP

AUGUSTA, United States: Augusta National Golf Club is still BASKING IN THE GLOW OF ITS kRST 7OMEN S !MATEUR BUT DON T expect a womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Masters featuring the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top female PROS AT THE FABLED 'EORGIA CLUB â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our focus throughout our history has been on, as far as OUR EFFORTS TO PROMOTE THE GAME OUTSIDE OF THE -ASTERS HAVE always been, on amateur golf,â&#x20AC;? Augusta National chairman &RED 2IDLEY SAID ON THE EVE OF THE -ASTERS ON 4HURSDAY â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think what we would like to do, and hopeFULLY WILL ACHIEVE IS DOING THINGS THAT WILL BENEkT PROFESSIONAL GOLF BENEkT PROFESSIONAL WOMEN S GOLF AND ALL OF GOLF "UT BY PROMOTING WOMEN amateurs, the future stars of the Ladies Professional Golf Association, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to think that THAT IS SOMETHING THAT S GOING TO BENEkT THEM

AS WELL AND ) THINK THAT THE ,0'! WOULD AGREE â&#x20AC;&#x153;So thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the track we are going to conTINUE TO TAKE u ! kELD OF OF THE WORLD S TOP WOMEN AMATEURS COMPETED LAST WEEK IN THE HOLE TOURNAMENT THE kRST TWO ROUNDS TAKING PLACE AT NEIGHBORING #HAMPIONS 2ETREAT BEFORE THE TOP PLAYED THE kNAL ROUND AT !UGUSTA .ATIONAL THE CLUB FOUNDED IN THAT EXCLUDED WOMEN UNTIL !MERICAN *ENNIFER +UPCHO WON THE INAUGURAL TITLE kRING three birdies and an eagle in the last six holes for a four-shot VICTORY OVER -EXICO S -ARIA &ASSI Tiger Woods, a four-time winner of the Masters, was IMPRESSED BY THE QUALITY OF GOLF ON VIEW IN THE kNAL ROUND â&#x20AC;&#x153;They only got one practice round in, so for them to learn a golf course like this, in one day, and go out there AND PERFORM LIKE THEY DID IT WAS INCREDIBLE u HE SAID â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was incredible to see, and I think that it adds to the allure of Augusta National and the Masters tournament, AND ) THINK WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR WOMEN S GOLF IS A HUGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION u Ridley said he hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t anticipated the â&#x20AC;&#x153;emotional reSPONSEu TO THE EVENT FROM PLAYERS THEIR FAMILIES AND !UGUSTA .ATIONAL CLUB MEMBERSHIP AND STAFF â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it made us a better organization,â&#x20AC;? he said, although he refused to be drawn on whether the club erred in refusing to admit women members for SO LONG â&#x20AC;&#x153;No matter what the issue is, you know, we can always look back and say we could do betTER .O QUESTION u HE SAID g"UT WHAT ) THINK IS MOST PRODUCTIVE IS to look at where we are today, realize that throughout the history of this club, we HAVE PROMOTED THE GAME AND WE HAVE

NOW IDENTIkED A REALLY IMPORTANT SEGMENT THE FASTest growing segment of the game, that we can help MAKE A DIFFERENCE u He said whether a greater impact would be made by hosting the best women professionals was â&#x20AC;&#x153;a matter of opinionâ&#x20AC;? and the Masters remains the gEPICENTERu OF !UGUSTA .ATIONAL S COMPETITIVE TOURNAMENT ADMINISTRATION AFP

Q Jennifer Kupcho of the United States plays a shot on the 14th hole during the final round of the Augusta National Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. AFP PHOTO

Golf

E2

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

Spieth hopeful Masters memories can help him end slump

A

BY DOUG FERGUSON

UGUSTA, Ga.: Tiger Woods is a winner again, making him even more appealing at the Masters.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked my way back into one of the players that can win events,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Rory McIlroy is the betting favorite â&#x20AC;&#x201D; perhaps even the senTIMENTAL FAVORITE &ACING A kFTH chance at completing the career Grand Slam at Augusta National, he has never started a year as well as this one. McIlroy won The Players Championship, played in the kNAL GROUP IN THREE OTHER EVENTS AND HAS YET TO kNISH OUT OF THE TOP 10 in his seven PGA Tour events. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy with where everything is â&#x20AC;&#x201D; body, mind, game,â&#x20AC;?

McIlroy said.

Such words sound as soothing to Jordan Spieth as birds nestled in the Georgia pines. Any other year, Spieth would be a big part of the conversation when the 83rd Masters Tournaments begins on Thursday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel like thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s any added pressure this week,â&#x20AC;? Spieth said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel kind of under the radar, which is really nice.â&#x20AC;?

Maybe not for long.

Not since Woods has any young golfer established himself as a master at Augusta National. In five appearances, starting with then 20-year-old Spiethâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s runnerUP kNISH IN HIS -ASTERS DEBUT HE

Q Jordan Spieth hits from the bunker to the second green during his practice round for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2019, in Augusta, Ga. AP PHOTO

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what makes this year so has a green jacket, a share of the intriguing for Spieth.

The next big thing in golf when tournament scoring record, two silver medals for second place and he won the British Open two years a near historic closing round last ago for the third leg of the Grand year until he clipped a tree with his Slam, the 25-year-old Texan is now tee shot on the 18th hole, made in one big slump.

He hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t won since. He hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bogey and had to settle for a 64.

(IS WORST kNISH WAS A TIE FOR TH kNISHED IN THE TOP IN HIS LAST IN AND EVEN THEN HE STARTED 15 tournaments, and even more the final round just two shots JARRING IS THAT HE HAS kNISHED AN AVbehind. No wonder he calls the erage of just over 14 shots behind Masters â&#x20AC;&#x153;my favorite tournament the winner, except for the three times he missed the cut. in the whole world.â&#x20AC;?

)T WOULD kGURE THAT IF ANY GOLF course could cure whatever is ailing him, it would be Augusta National.

Spieth is exuding patience, if not CONkDENCE â&#x20AC;&#x153;My expectations are high this week. I feel great about the state of my game right now,â&#x20AC;? said Spieth, COMING OFF A WEEKEND IN THE Texas Open that took him from a tie for second to a tie for 30th. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel like my recent results arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a tell of where my game is actually

at, and I feel Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made a lot of strides in the last couple days in the tee-to-green game. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a matter of trust in the stuff that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m working on, and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel like I have to play well.â&#x20AC;?

He is climbing out of a hole, and either the way out is taking longer than he would have thought, or the hole was deeper than he ever imagined.

Most telling was what Spieth said at the start of the year, when he returned from two-month break that included his wedding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I almost took ignorance as

bliss in a lot of parts of my game,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I did things well, but I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know why. I just did them. Then they got off, and so I HAD TO kGURE OUT WHY ) DID THEM and how to train it back.â&#x20AC;?

Augusta awaits.

-C)LROY IS AMONG THE TOP kVE players in the world who have a chance to leave the Masters with a green jacket and the No. 1 ranking. &OR SUCH A SMALL kELD Â&#x2021; PLAYers, six of them amateurs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the tournament is wide open. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been that way for years.

The difference is that Spieth usually could be counted on to be part of that mix. And he might be again. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m on the rise right now.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just the way I feel,â&#x20AC;? Spieth said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think I need results to prove anything otherwise. I know where my game is at and I know that good things are coming soon.â&#x20AC;?

But there are far more whispers that this slump is not anything four days â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or two â&#x20AC;&#x201D; at Augusta National can cure; or that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never play as well as his 2015 season at age 21 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; winning the Masters and U.S. Open, missing the British Open PLAYOFF BY ONE SHOT AND kNISHING second at the PGA Championship. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s frustrating to watch from this side everything thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s being said and written about him, because I know heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s close,â&#x20AC;? Justin Thomas said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to play well this week. I really do think that. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shown strides all year. Just hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been able to put it all together over the course of four days. But I would say his record at this course speaks for itself. ... But the thing about this game is you have to let it happen.â&#x20AC;?

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no better time than now, no better course than this one. AP

Another clutch 6-iron for McDowell leads to big win

BY DOUG FERGUSON TWO of the most significant shots Graeme McDowell has hit in his career were a 6-iron, for different reasons and on entirely different stages.

The most famous was on the 16th hole at Celtic Manor in 2010 at Ryder Cup, which came down to the final match between McDowell and Hunter Mahan. McDowell had a 1-up lead when he hit 6-iron to 15 feet for a birdie that gave him control of the match and led to victory.

The other was Sunday in the Dominican Republic, where McDowell was trailing Chris Stroud by one shot with two holes to play. On the par-3 17th, the 6-iron was so pure that McDowell didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even watch, walking over toward caddie Kenny Comboy and looking up only when it settled 8 feet from the flag.

The Ryder Cup made him a hero.

The birdie he made in Punta Cana restored his PGA Tour card.

McDowell, winless on the PGA Tour since Hilton Head in 2017, had been relying on sponsor exemptions. The victory, even at a tournament held opposite a World Golf Championships event, gave him a two-year exemption and moved him to No. 42 in the FedEx Cup. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting my playing privileges was a huge goal this year. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a goal Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never had before,â&#x20AC;? McDowell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the top 50 in the world and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re playing WGCs and majors, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing how the points and money toward your playing privileges just kind of come automatically. But all of a sudden when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re grinding, when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re asking for invites like Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been doing this year, I felt like I had this monkey on my back that I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shake off.â&#x20AC;?

The victory didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get him into the Masters or the British Open, a big goal because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at Royal Portrush in his native Northern Ireland. But heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the PGA Championship, he already was in the U.S. Open from his 2010 victory at Pebble Beach and now he can set a schedule around the majors to boost his chances. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been needing it too much lately,â&#x20AC;? McDowell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And this is going to go a long way to helping me stop needing it and just going out there playing golf and trying to compete every week.â&#x20AC;?

CASEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PREPARATIONS Whisper Rock in Arizona is nothing like Augusta National, except in the mind of Paul Casey.

Casey says he can be home on the range preparing for the Masters because he knows Augusta National well enough that he can imagine every shot in every condition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter where the windâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blowing, doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter the pin position,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I could stand anywhere in the world and practice, and try to replicate shots Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to need that particular week. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say the same for Bethpage (PGA Championship), maybe Pebble Beach (U.S. Open). I never played Portrush (British Open), so I have no way of preparing for Portrush.â&#x20AC;?

Casey said he can map out an entire round based on a certain wind condition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;OK, the windâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be out of the north todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and figure it out, literally go through and play 18 holes on the range,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For me, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to prepare. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very structured.

Maybe thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why my results have been solid around there.â&#x20AC;?

Casey has finished sixth, fourth, sixth and 15th his last four times at the Masters.

LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PLAY TWO (COURSES) The U.S. Amateur uses two courses for the top 64 players to advance to match play. For the first time, the USGA will use two courses for the 36-hole championship match at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club.

Pinehurst No. 2 and No. 4 will be

used for 36 holes of stroke play, and the famed No. 2 course will be used for the opening five rounds of match play. The championship match will start with 18 holes on No. 4. The afternoon round will be played at No. 2.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the second time the USGA has gone outside the box at Pinehurst, where in 2014 it successfully held the U.S. Open and U.S. Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Open in consecutive weeks.

This will be the 10th USGA event at Pinehurst.

Pinehurst No. 2 first held the U.S. Amateur in 1962, won by Labron Harris, and most recently in 2008, won by Danny Lee.

MATCH PLAY Lee Westwood delivered a playful, subtle jab when he tweeted that Kevin Kisner is good at match play and that a perfect course for him would be Le Golf National. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where Europe beat the Americans in the Ryder Cup last year.

Kisner, who finished 14th in the standings, was not chosen.

Kisner thought it was funny. He also didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it was worth reading too much into it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I loved Westwoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comment ... being a little cheeky,â&#x20AC;? Kisner said.

He doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t blame Jim Furyk for not taking him as a captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pick because â&#x20AC;&#x153;I gave Jim no reason to pick me.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was not on form to go over there,â&#x20AC;?

Kisner said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know the golf course suited me perfect. Who was he going to take out? Was he going to leave Phil at home and take Kiz? Nobody is going to do that, right?â&#x20AC;?

Does that make him a lock for the Presidents Cup team? Not necessarily.

GOLF NOTES Performing well in a format is only as valuable as form, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a long way to go â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including four majors, two World Golf Championships and the FedEx Cup â&#x20AC;&#x201D; before the Presidents Cup in Australia. Kisner moved up to No. 15 in the standings.

Only two Match Play champions since 1999 failed to make a team in the year of a Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup: Steve Stricker in 2001 and Hunter Mahan in 2012.

LAST CHANCE The Valero Texas Open is the last chance for a player to get into the Masters, but only by winning.

Rickie Fowler sees it as his last tournament to get in a competitive frame of mind, even though the TPC San Antonio doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t prepare players for Augusta National the way the Houston Open did when it had this spot in the calendar. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like playing competitively if I can leading up to majors or some big weeks,â&#x20AC;? Fowler said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I definitely have seen it be beneficial to play the week before. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not far coming off competition when you tee it up Thursday

Q Graeme McDowell, of Northern Ireland, watches his drive off the 12th tee during the third round of the RSM Classic golf tournament on November 1, 2018 in St. Simons Island, Ga. AP PHOTO morning in a major, and it just makes me feel more comfortable and more confident.â&#x20AC;?

Phil Mickelson felt that way, but the change to San Antonio kept him away.

This will be the first times since 2013 that Mickelson did not play the week before the Masters. That was the last time the Masters ended on April 14, and the Texas Open was held the week before.

DIVOTS The British Open at Royal Portrush, already a sellout in record time, has such demand that the R&A is expanding capacity and will offer additional tickets going on sale April 15. This is the first Open in Northern Ireland since 1951. ... The ANA Inspiration has gone to a sudden-death playoff three of the

last four years, including the eight-hole playoff Pernilla Lindberg won last year over Inbee Park. ... Graeme McDowellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s win in the Dominican Republic made it four straight weeks a European-born player has won on the PGA Tour.

STAT OF THE WEEK Justin Rose returns to No. 1 in the world next week. It will be the sixth straight time that someone reached No. 1 without playing the previous week.

FINAL WORD â&#x20AC;&#x153;When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to make a putt to clear money for the week, to fill your car up and drive back home, it makes you a stronger person. So money has driven me my whole life.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Kevin Kisner. AP

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 es net

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

Ë&#x153; The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Raymundo-Nudalo duo tops Limestone Southern Junior Open Tee Tournament unfolds April 15

BY JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID

THE tandem of Chino Raymundo and Roy Nudalo carded a 159 aggregate to emerge as overall champion in the 22nd Limestone Tee Tournament held on March 28 to 31 at the Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal.

Miguel Roque and Santino Diokno copped the Division 1 trophy after scoring 152 in the member-guest tournament.

Richard Joson and Ray Sangil kNISHED SECOND WITH A $IVISION )) WINNER 0ATRICK 3OLANO AND #HARLIE 0ARK SIZZLED WITH a 138 to beat Emilio Alviar and Arline Sheila Wardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 137.

Diane Sky and Sky Oh posted a TO WIN BY TWO STROKES AGAINST 'EORGE #OLES AND 0OL 'ARCIA IN Division III. Jun Cabitac and Willy Tee Ten kNISHED WITH A TO CLAIM THE $IVISION )6 CROWN FOLLOWED BY 'EORGE )TABLE AND 2ONALD "AJA WITH A

Q Eastridge Sports and Games committee chairman Romeo Cabungcal (left) presents a brand new car to 22nd Limestone Tee Grand Raffle winner Danilo Robles (right).CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 3ERGS !LOG AND *ERRY 0AUL 4INIO PUNCHED IN A TO BEAT kRST runner-up Conrad Cuesta and Vic Aquinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 85 in Division V. Juanchit Jose and Lester Mac

-ACARANAS kNISHED WITH A

seven points ahead of second placer Mark Eso and Cesar Detera in the Sponsors Division 'RAND RAFFLE WINNER $ANNY

2OBLES TOOK HOME A BRAND NEW Ford Raptor Ranger, Nelson Lee WON A TRIP TO (ONG +ONG FOR TWO WHILE +ING 3ARMIENTO WON A u LED TV.

THE Junior Golf Foundation OF THE 0HILIPPINES *'&0 WILL HOST THE 3OUTHERN Junior Open from April 15 T O A T T H E Cebu Country Club in Cebu City.

The tournament is limited to junior golfERS WHO HAVE not reached the age of 19.

4HE CONTEST WILL BE DECIDED AFTER TWO ROUNDS USING the stroke play format.

In the event of a tie, the WINNER SHALL BE DECIDED via hole-by-hole â&#x20AC;&#x153;sudden deathâ&#x20AC;? playoff.

4HE EVENT IS A *'&0 RANKING EVENT WHERE THE SCORES of all participants in the

13-18 years old categories shall be recorded as part of the Leaderboard Ranking

System to be used in determining the JunGolf Order of Merit.

The Southern Junior Open aims to provide more playING OPPORTUNITIES TO *'&0 members all over the counTRY AS WELL AS ESTABLISH STRONG presence in the Southern region of the country.

Sylpauljoyce Cup takes off April 26 CCIP Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf Cup unfolds April 30 THE Chamber of Cosmetics )NDUSTRY OF THE 0HILIPPINES

)NC WILL HOST THE ANNUAL ##)0 0RESIDENT S 'OLF #UP ON !PRIL AT THE ,EGENDS #OURSE OF THE -ANILA 3OUTHWOODS Golf and Country Club in Carmona, Cavite.

The tournament, open to all amateur golfers, has a REGULAR ENTRY FEE OF 0

AND 0 FOR THE EARLY REGistrants. The fee is inclusive of green fee, use of shared golf cart, lunch, raffle entry, and gift items.

On-course registration STARTS AT A M WHILE THE SHOTgun tee off begins at 7 a.m.

4HE ##)0 'OLF #UP is among the scheduled acTIVITIES THAT WILL COMMEMORATE THE ORGANIZATION S TH founding anniversary.

For registration, conT A C T O R

THE Sylpauljoyce Foundation WILL STAGE THE SEVENTH EDITION of the Sylpauljoyce Cup on !PRIL AT THE -OUNT -ALArayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas.

The charity tournament aims to raise funds for the CONSTRUCTION OF THE 3AINT 0ADRE 0IO 3HRINE AT "RGY 2AWIS

Legazpi City.

On-course registration begins AT A M FOLLOWED BY THE TEE OFF FROM A M TO A M %NTRY FEE FOR GUEST IS 0

AND 0 FOR CLUB MEMBERS

INCLUSIVE OF LUNCH RAFlE ENTRY and souvenir items.

For inquiries, contact Chester Gaerlan or Francis Ramil "ENDAĂ&#x201E;A AT OR

2nd Cobra-Puma Scramble Golf Tournament opens June 19

DETERMINED SASO

Asian Games gold medalist Yuka Saso finishes at tied third with a superb three-under 69 in the final round of the Augusta National Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amateur last April 6 at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The 17-year old rising star is looking to extend her geographical domination when she tees it up at the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amateur Asia-Pacific set on April 25 in Japan.

AUGUSTA NATIONAL PHOTO

5th Alta Vista 14th Pomelo Tee rolls off Cup May 1 in Davao City opens April 28 THE 5th Alta Vista Corporate #UP WILL KICK OFF ON !PRIL AT the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club in Cebu City.

The four-man team event requires that at least one player of each team be an eligible club member.

4HE HOLE TOURNEY WILL USE A BEST BALL FORMAT WHEREIN TEAM MEMBERS PLAY THEIR OWN BALL ON EVERY HOLE WITH THE TWO BEST scores counting for the hole. #LASSES ! " AND # WILL EMPLOY A MODIkED STABLEFORD SCORing system. %NTRY FEE PER TEAM IS 0

AND CANCELLATION WITHOUT PENALTY WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL !PRIL Hole-in-one prizes for all par HOLES ARE 0 CASH AND A Skygo motorcycle.

4HERE WILL ALSO BE SPECIAL prizes for nearest to the pin, most accurate drive, and longest putt feats.

For details, email at golfregistration@altavistagolfcebu.com OR CALL

THE TH 0OMELO 4EE WILL kRE OFF ON -AY TO AT THE 2ANCHO 0ALOS 6ERDES 'OLF AND #OUNTRY Club in Mandug-Indangan, Buhangin, Davao City.

The four-day annual memberguest tournament is expected to DRAW MORE THAN ENTRIES The event aims to raise funds for the charitable projects of the

0OMELO 4EE &OUNDATION )NCORporated among them college SCHOLARSHIP FOR SELECTED WORKERS AND CADDIES DEPENDENT 0ART OF THE PROCEEDS WILL ALSO BE USED TO provide educational equipment and other learning materials to Mandug High School and Indangan High School. %NTRY FEE IS 0

INCLUSIVE

OF TWO DAY ONE MULLIGAN PER nine holes.

The tournamentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team and INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES WILL FOLLOW A HOLE STROKE PLAY UNDER THE MODIkED 3TABLEFORD SCORING SYSTEM For registration, contact RanCHO 0ALOS AT

OR

1st WAGC Valley Golf North Classic rolls off April 14 THE 1st WAGC Valley Golf North Classic will tee off on April 14 at the Valley Golf and Country Club in Antipolo, Rizal.

The tournament is a qualifier for the 2019 World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC) National Finals.

Entry fee is pegged at P3,500 for guest and P1,500 for Valley Golf members, inclusive of green fee, lunch, and raffle entry.

The top three finishers in each group will be seeded to the National Finals.

The North Classic will feature four divisions with corresponding handicap categories.

For inquiries, contact the organizers at 09175793400.

THE ND #OBRA 0UMA 3CRAMBLE 'OLF 4OURNAMENT WILL TEE off on June 19 at the Beverly 0LACE 'OLF AND #OUNTRY #LUB IN -EXICO 0AMPANGA 4HE TOURNAMENT WILL ONLY ALLOW TO COMPETE THE FIRST teams to register. Entry fee is 0 PER TWO MAN TEAM 4EAM COMPOSITION WILL BE A TWO MAN PLAY WHICH CAN either be male-male, femalefemale or male-female.

The minimum combined

HANDICAP IS AND THE MAXIMUM IS BASED ON THE *UNE UNIFIED NATIONAL HANDIcapping system.

Registered players can enJOY A SPECIAL RATE OF 0 PER practice round for one month.

An all-expense paid trip to Johor Baru, Malaysia and a chance to compete in THE #OBRA 0UMA 2EGIONAL 'OLF 4OURNAMENT AWAITS THE LOW GROSS AND LOW NET TEAM champions.

NGAP to hold SEA Games qualifying tilt THE National Golf AssoCIATION OF THE 0HILIPPINES .'!0 WILL HOLD A TWO STAGE qualifying tournament for THE UPCOMING 3OUTHEAST !SIAN 3%! 'AMES THAT THE COUNTRY WILL BE HOSTING IN November.

The event, open to all amaTEUR &ILIPINO GOLFER WILL BE played at the Hacienda Luisita Golf and Country Club on June TO AND *UNE TO 0ARTICIPANTS MUST BE IN A GOOD STANDING WITH THE .'!0 and must satisfy all the requirements imposed by the governING BODY 0LAYERS MUST HAVE A VALID HANDICAP INDEX OF OR LOWER ISSUED BY A BONAkDE GOLF

body as of May 1.

4HE QUALIFIER WILL BE COMPOSED OF TWO STAGES OF HOLES each using stroke play.

3TAGE ONE WILL ACCEPT THE kRST PLAYERS TO REGISTER WHEREIN the top 12 players and ties WITHIN STROKES OF THE LEADING SCORE WILL ADVANCE TO THE second stage.

4HE STAGE TWO OF THE QUALIFIER WILL DETERMINE THE TOP THREE PLAYERS WHICH WILL FORM THE 3%! 'AMES TEAM AS set by the committee.

Entry fee for the qualifying tournament is pegged at 0

&OR INQUIRIES CONTACT .'!0 AT

Q The Luisita golf course will host a two-stage qualifying tournament for the upcoming 2019 Southeast Asian Games. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Sunday Times

Inspiration.

Celebrity.

Style.

April 14, 2019 Volume 118 | No. 87

FROM THE HANDS OF DEVOUT CATHOLICS

The journey of the humble ‘palaspas’

•

LITERARY LIFE

FILIPINO CHAMPIONS

ARTS AWAKE

Beauty amid brutality

‘Pailalim’ wins Sinag Maynila Best Picture

Dominic Escobar’s artistic calling

F2

F3

F8

Literary Life SUNDAY April 14, 2019

F2

BOOK REVIEW

Coral Cove: Beauty amid brutality G

BY MARISHELLE R. MEDINA

OOGLE â&#x20AC;&#x153;coral coveâ&#x20AC;? and you will get a list of resorts offering beautiful views and tranquil spaces. In Coral Cove and Other Stories (University of Santo Tomas Publishing House; 160 pages; 2017), THE LATEST SHORT kCTION collection of award-winning author Angelo R. Lacuesta, you will get those â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from Batangas to Boracay, Davao to Macau. But in reading the 11 stories in it, readers would be wise to be vigilant.

A passage from one of those stories, g0ACIkC 0ARADISE u PRETTY MUCH SUMS UP what you can expect from the book: â&#x20AC;&#x153;She wondered if she had known somehow that something like this would happen on the day her marriage began, or when she opened her eyes that dark morning.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sheâ&#x20AC;? is Maricar, who is taking a three-day break in a resort, where she unexpectedly meets high-school friend Carmen, her husband Arnold and their friend Ronald. The resort,

Lacuesta emphasizes, has become a last option for vacationers. And much like the RESORT DISSATISkED MOTHER OF TWO -ARICAR has lost her youthful enthusiasm and is now a â&#x20AC;&#x153;shadow of her former self.â&#x20AC;?

While there, she makes a lastminute decision to recapture life: have an affair. )NkDELITY OCCURS IN A NUMber of Lacuestaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stories. In â&#x20AC;&#x153;Spacer,â&#x20AC;? a story about overseas Filipinos working in casinos in Macau, it springs out of loneliness. In â&#x20AC;&#x153;Errand,â&#x20AC;? it is unsurprising for a tottering politician. In â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Debt,â&#x20AC;? it is the currency that greases the rise â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and fall â&#x20AC;&#x201D; of a man named Leroy.

It is in that

last story that Lacuesta again shows why he is a master storyteller. It is one familiar to Filipinos â&#x20AC;&#x201D; of people coming into money, by hook or by crook, and spending it all in one go as if there was no tomorrow, as if there was no debt to pay, as if one were not poor. Lacuesta tells it as it is, mocking us (me, anyway) into thinking life is such â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it is desperate and we have to do desperate things to continue living a desperate life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always a good thing to owe a little,â&#x20AC;?

Leroyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who was buried right in their own backyard for lack of money â&#x20AC;&#x201D; once told him. He may or may not believe her, but he certainly lives up to it. Leroy makes a precarious living as a kXER )F YOUR DRIVER S LICENSE HAS EXPIRED or is about to, you can call him or he will call you. In exchange for grease money, he will get your license renewed with the help of two female government employees with whom he sleeps with and bribes with gifts. He later sinks into debt and never got out of it, even as he starts earning more than enough from collecting kotong AS A TRAFkC ENFORCER The elegance and casualness of the violence in Lacuestaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stories leaves one breathless, and none more so in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Siren.â&#x20AC;?

Reading this brings to mind a Twilight Zone episode, about genetic evil and such. The story unfolds like a typical melodrama. There is Anna, the not-sopampered only child of an ordinary employee and homemaker who think they

Q Angelo R. Lacuesta answers a question during the launch of Coral Cove and Other Stories at the Solidaridad bookshop in Ermita, Manila, last year. PHOTO BY ALVIN I. DACANAY

are worth more than what they are â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a middle-class family. There is also Clara, their young housemaid with a penchant for radio dramas. A particular favorite of hers focuses on a couple on the run for a crime they did not commit.

Anna gets a birthday gift from her father: a bicycle horn instead of the wished-for bicycle. It makes three sounds, including the sound of a police siren. Her mother dresses up for the occasion wearing her South Sea pearls â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an â&#x20AC;&#x153;investment,â&#x20AC;? she says.

But these go missing the next day, resulting in Clara getting blamed and Anna getting what she desires.

In â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not Like Us,â&#x20AC;? violence is a weapon one wields to stay in power. The protagonist, Mike Santos, learns this a little too late, despite his sophistication. He returns to the country of his birth â&#x20AC;&#x201D; after

Little-known Bicol tales come to light in new books

BY ALVIN I. DACANAY

ESTEEMED essayist Conrado de Quiros once described the Philippines as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;magic-realistâ&#x20AC;? country, where the fantastical and supernatural â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or any logic-defying occurrence â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are often treated as real and natural.

No other place probably proves this more than Bicol, where de Quiros grew up. Outsiders may know of Bicol as home to Mount Mayon and Our Lady of PeĂąafrancia, but this enthralling region in the southern part of Luzon is more than what it presents. It is rich in stories that are both ordinary and extraordinary, in their content and in their telling.

Two writers from that region, anthroPOLOGIST AND kLM CRITIC 4ITO 'ENOVA 6Aliente and former Manila Times literary editor Elmer A. OrdoĂąez, tell some of these little-known stories in handsome books that were launched at National Artist for Literature F. Sionil JosĂŠâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famed Solidaridad bookshop in Ermita, Manila, on March 30.

6ALIENTE SAID HIS LATEST BOOK The Last Sacristan Mayor and the Most Expensive Mass for the Dead: Tales from Ticao, be-

gan â&#x20AC;&#x153;as an attempt to do an ethnography of Ticao islandâ&#x20AC;? in his native Masbate province, partly in response to criticisms about his publisher mostly producing books of poetry.

The work, according to him, soon evolved into a collection of the stories he had heard as a boy, ultimately disregarding the classifications he used â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x153;this is real, this is fantastic, this is natural, this is supernaturalâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; while writing them. /N THE TITLE STORY 6ALIENTE SAID IT was â&#x20AC;&#x153;actually about my real greatgrandfather, who was a sakristan mayor (head sacristan) and who served the church. [When] he died, my lola (grandmother) said they thought the priest or the church would give him a special ceremony because he [had] served the simbahan (church).â&#x20AC;?

But â&#x20AC;&#x153;the priest charged a fee for the funeral Mass,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, in a sense, that was the most expensive Mass for the dead in the world, because it was a Mass that smacked of hypocrisy at kakulangan ng utang ng loob (lack of debt of gratitude).â&#x20AC;?

For his part, OrdoĂąez said his newest

Coral Cove and Other Stories costs P350 and is available in the UST Publishing House bookshop and leading bookstores.

POETRY

State of Being

BY ADRIAN CRISOSTOMO HO The

sun generous with light.

The

grass lapping up the sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MUNIkCENCE

Q The cover of The Last Sacristan Mayor and the Most Expensive Mass for the Dead: Tales from Ticao (left) and The Saga of the Fugitive Indio Priest: A Novella.

book, The Saga of the Fugitive Indio Priest: A Novella, IS gA kCTIONALIZED RENDERING OF an authentic story of Don Lino Alindogan, who studied for the priesthood in Nueva Caceres Seminary in Naga, Camarines Sur, and served as a coadjutor in a parish church in Masbate until he was accused wrongly by the head priest, an Augustinian friar, of theft of church funds.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Linoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s escape from the clutches of the guardia civil, settling down and becoming a member of the landed gentry in the town of Juban is the main thread of this story,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The author noted that â&#x20AC;&#x153;there are Q Elmer A. OrdoĂąez (right) talks about The Saga of the Fugitive Indio Priest: A Novella while Tito Genova Valiente, author at least two Alindogan clans: one of The Last Sacristan Mayor and the Most Expensive Mass for the Dead: Tales from Ticao, listens during the launch of in San Fernando, their books at the Solidaridad bookshop in Ermita, Manila, on March 30. PHOTOS BY ALVIN I. DACANAY

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),

HE AND HIS FAMILY lED TO !MERICA AFTER Martial Law was declared â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to work as an energy consultant. Here, he meets Joey, a lawmaker, and gets an invitation to the latterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resort in Batangas. On the way there, they pick up Joeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s girl Lala.

But Joeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife Erin makes a surprise visit to the resort. The legislator asks Mike to pretend to be with Lala, but it is a wasted effort, as Erin already knows. In any case, Mike gets a little too close to Lala and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where everything begins and ends.

Using evocative language, Lacuesta ekes out more violence in â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Witness,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sparrowâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fossil.â&#x20AC;? But it is the title story that takes the cake. Here, the author veers into Terminator territory. The protaganist co-developed an app called the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Randomaiser,â&#x20AC;? so named because it is a game of chance in which a press of a button could make the user gain or lose something small or big.

Randomaiser makes loads of money for the protaganist and his two co-creators, but it develops a taste for killing, all on its own. But despite the horror the app perpetrates, life goes on; people, unaware of this, continue to go to Megamall. Our protaganist eventually gets his own prize.

That, perhaps, reveals the strength of the entire collection. It ascertains that life will persist amid, despite and because of the violence. A Lacuesta story tells us that life is the prize itself, and it is worth clawing on to. Take the risk; read him to taste life.

Ticao, where the patriarch, Pablo Alindogan of Arevalo, Iloilo, settled in San Fernando after escaping arrest for his participation in THE $AGOHOY REVOLT IN THE 6ISAYAS AND THE other in Juban, Sorsogon, started later by a fugitive indio priest.â&#x20AC;?

That revolt, which began after a Jesuit refused to give a Christian burial to Boholano village chief Francisco Dagohoyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother Sagarino in 1744, was the longest staged against Spanish colonial rule in Philippine history. It lasted for at least eight decades.

Both Tales from Ticao and Fugitive Indio Priest are published by the Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU) Press, the leading publisher of regional literature in the country. Established in 2005, AdNU Press aims to be the premier resource of Bikol studies in the world.

A number of its titles have won awards, the latest of which are the poetry collections Mga Sugat na Naligaw SA 'UBAT BY %MMANUEL 1 6ELASCO AND 2UNNING WITH 'HOSTS by Merlie M. Alunan at the 37th National Book Awards in November.

Tales from Ticao and The Saga of the Fugitive Indio Priest are currently available at the Solidaridad bookshop. For inquiries, visit www.adnu.edu.ph/upress or www. facebook.com/adnupress.

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]

The

clouds tempering the heat.

The

lilies.

The

bees.

The

shade.

The

boy strapped to a wheelchair, numb from the neck down.

The

bitter gaze at the silent swing.

The

yearning for motion.

The

momentum that is not there.

The

desire to wriggle.

The

dream TO lIP THE kNGER

The

heft of his sigh.

The

ungraspable doing.

The

invincible defeat.

The

aching.

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 April 14, 2019

F3

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pailalimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wins Sinag Maynila Best Picture

A

FILM about a gravedigger (played by Joem Bascon as Bangis) living inside a cemetery mausoleum pushed to the limit when his daughter becomes critically ill won the Best Picture award in the Full-Length Film Category in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sinag Maynila.

7KH $ZDUGV 1LJKW *DEL QJ 3DUDQJDO KHOG DW &RQUDG 0DQLOD¡V )RUEHV Ballroom also saw the film, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pailalim,â&#x20AC;? winning the Best Director for Daniel Palacio, Best Cinematography for Rommel Sales and Best Editing IRU 'LHJR 0DU[ 'REOHV ,Q WKH DFWLQJ GHUE\ 0DU &DELFR was named Best Actor for his role in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Akin Ang Korona,â&#x20AC;? while Sylvia Sanchez and Angela Cortez tied for the Best Actress award for their moving portrayals in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jesusaâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jino 7R 0DULH Âľ UHVSHFWLYHO\ -RVHOLWR $OWDUHMRV¡ -LQR 7R 0DULH ZDV WKLV \HDU¡V 6LQDJ 0D\QLOD¡V %R[ 2IĂ&#x20AC;FH Awardee, and also won trophies for %HVW 0XVLFDO 6FRUH IRU 5LFKDUG *RQzales, and Best Screenplay for John Bedia and Joselito Altarejos.

Akin Ang Korona JDUQHUHG WKH 60 Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice award based on the UHVXOWV RI DQ H[LW SROO KHOG DPRQJ moviegoers during the festival. Jesusa also won the festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Special Jury Award; while citations went to Cyrus Khan for Jesusa for Best Production Design, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Persons Of Interestâ&#x20AC;? for Best Sound. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Entabladoâ&#x20AC;? by Lie Rain Clemente and Nori Jane Isturis won Best Documentary while â&#x20AC;&#x153;Panaghoyâ&#x20AC;? by Alvin %DOROR\ ZRQ %HVW 6KRUW )LOP ´0DUianâ&#x20AC;? by Brian Patrick Lim received D %HVW 6KRUW )LOP 6SHFLDO &LWDWLRQ

A distinguished board of judges led by multi-awarded and internationally acclaimed filmmaker Carlitos Siguion-Reyna selected the winners in the main competition.

Other jurors included Joanne Goh, one of the most influential people in 0DOD\VLD¡V HQWHUWDLQPHQW LQGXVWU\ and managing di rector of Jazzy *URXS RI &RPSDQLHV DQG 0LFKDHO Werner, an American-born, Hong Kong-based producer, strategic conVXOWDQW DQG SURGXFHU H[HFXWLYH SURducer of nearly 30 high-profile films.

A joint project of Solar EntertainPHQW &HQWHUVWDJH 3URGXFWLRQV DQG 60 6LQDJ 0D\QLOD VHHNV WR LQVSLUH HGXFDWH and enlighten the viewing public.

Now on its fifth year, the festival continues to showcase quality and thought provoking full length movies, documentaries, and short films IURP \RXQJ QRQ PDLQVWUHDP )LOLpino filmmakers.

True to its mission of bringing (From left) internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza, SM Senior Vice President for Marketing Millie Dizon, sine lokal, pang-international, Sinag Sinag Maynila CEO and founder Wilson Tieng and Malaysia International Film Festival and Malaysia Golden Joanne Goh. 0D\QLOD Âł LQ SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK WKH )LOP 'HYHORSPHQW &RXQFLO RI 7KH 3KLOLSSLQHV )'&3 DQG LQ FHOHEUDtion of 100 years of Philippine cinema Âł KDV EHFRPH DQ LPSRUWDQW SDWKZD\ IRU )LOLSLQR ILOP DUWLVWV WR FRPPXQLcate their stories, and an irresistible opportunity for enthusiasts to watch XQLTXH DQG H[FLWLQJ ILOPV

Cast and crew of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pailalimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; including lead star Joem Bascon (fifth from left) and Sinag Maynila organizers. The winning film was co-produced by TV5 and Centerstage Productions.

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman Liza DiĂąo and actor-singer-songwriter Ice Seguerra.

Jury member Michael Werner with film enthusiast Terry Yip.

Actress-producer Harlene Bautista.

Japan Foundation Manila Director Hiroaki Uesegi and Program Officer Roland Samson with Szusza Velasco, Mariko Okeda and Kanami Namiki.

O

NE of the podcasts I enjoy listening to is by Gospel singer songwriter Christy Nockels, and this week she spoke about the beauty of spring.

Growing up in the Philippines never really afforded me the beauty of spring DQG WKH XQGHUVWDQGLQJ RI KRZ VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW shifting seasons are but if there is any country in the world that understands coming out of darkness to see a ray of light beckoning us to move forward, it is my motherland, the Philippines.

The country has survived storms both in the literal and metaphorical sense and the reason why it was easy for me to relate the shifting of seasons to the country that only boasts of two seasons.

Christy asked a question so thought provoking that I ended up writing about it for this weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s column, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What would you take from your winter into the spring? What are you emerging from?â&#x20AC;?

And I knew that this wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a question DERXW WUHHV EORVVRPLQJ RU Ă RZHUV EORRPing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this was a question about our souls.

Whether you come from a country with four seasons or a tropical country ZLWK RQO\ WZR DOO RXU OLYHV KDYH VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F seasons. Just like what is said in Ecclesiastes, we are constantly reminded that

Best Director Daniel Palacio.

Actor-poet Baron Geisler.

Best Actor Nar Cabico (center) and Best Actress winners Angela Cortez (left) and Sylvia Sanchez (right).

Filmmaker Carlitos Siguion-Reyna.

Oh, what joy the first day of spring brings!

THE THOUGHT JUNKIE CARLA BIANCA RAVANES-HIGHAM God has an ample time for things â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a time to plant, a time to sow, a time to say hello, and a time to bid goodbye.

When we go through dark times and periods of loss, we are faced with our winter seasons â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a season when all is dark and where nothing seems to go right. When the sun doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to shine and when we are left with nothing but our faith. We hold on to our faith, to the anchor of our souls, and we believe that no matter how dark or how cold it gets, a new season will emerge.

When my brother and I go through GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW WLPHV VXUSULVLQJO\ VR ZH GR DW the same time, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to believe we are WZLQV ERUQ Ă&#x20AC;YH \HDUV DSDUW ZH DOZD\V remind each other that unlike the weather seasons, lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seasons could change in an instant. We can go sleep to the coldest ZLQWHU RI RXU OLYHV DQG DZDNHQ WR WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW day of spring. This is the faith that keeps us going â&#x20AC;&#x201C; tomorrow could be our livesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

The US Capitol welcomes first official day of spring with tulips getting early jump. USCAPITOL FLICKR PHOTO

Plum blossom on the first day of spring. FLICKR PHOTO

Ă&#x20AC;UVW GD\ RI VSULQJ And yet, Christy was right, we must never forget the lessons of winter. Because just like the flowers, it is in the winter that we dig deep into the depths of who we are, the winter is what allows us to bloom because despite not seeing anything hap-

pening on the outside, we are being prepared underneath, in the ground where no one sees.

Winter would be useless if we do not remain true to the roots that have allowed us to grow in the winter. Spring can only be thoroughly enjoyed if we truly grow and winter allows that â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it

allows us to grow into a more beautiful version of ourselves only if we remember the days of cold for this is what keeps us grounded.

Spring is so beautiful â&#x20AC;&#x201C; both literally and metaphorically. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a new sense of reawakening and it gives us hope, the Ă&#x20AC;UVW EORRPV DOZD\V JLYH PH KRSH EHFDXVH it means that there is greater joy ahead only if we remain faithful in our winter, spring always comes.

What would you take with you this Spring? What are you emerging from?

Cover Story The Sunday Times

F4

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

F R O M T H E H A N D S O F D E V O U T C AT H O L I C S

The journey of the humble â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;palaspasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

COVER PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE Palm Sunday is essentially the reenactment of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; triumphant entry into Jerusalem, an event which Catholics across the nation commemorate with the palaspas. TMT FILE PHOTO

palaspas as wedding decorations.

For countless generations, however, the sight of palaspas vendors selling simple to elaborately decorated palm leaves is common place every year a couple of days before Palm Sunday.

While city dwellers are inclined to think that the vendors are also from within the metro as re-sellers of palaspas, The Sunday Times Magazine learned from meeting the Perolinas that they are mostly from provinces who have made it their vow to make, transport and sell them in Churches across Manila.

BY CHRISTINA ALPAD

A

T the break of dawn, Belen Perolina and her family wake up to start the day. She quickly prepares a simple breakfast for her brood to nourish them for the busy day ahead. It is less than two weeks before the Catholic Church commemorates Palm Sunday â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s triumphant entry into Jerusalem â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which calls them to prepare for annual opportunity to be of service to their faith while augmenting their honest and humble livelihood.

Blessed with hectares upon hectares of coconut trees in this vastly agricultural area, the Perolinas and their neighbors begin their harvest of young coconut leaves a fortnight before Palm Sunday to use for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;palaspasâ&#x20AC;? they would weave and sell in various churches in Manila.

The run up to Palm Sunday is the only time they set aside weaving straw mats and hats â&#x20AC;&#x201D; their bread and butter for the rest of the year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with the palaspas a sure sale as a quintessential symbol with which Catholics begin Holy Week.

An important day of the yearly Catholic calendar, and therefore across the predominantly Catholic Philippines, Palm Sunday â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or Linggo ng Palaspas in Filipino â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is also considered the culmination of the 40 days of Lent before the faithful are called to recall and ref lect on the Passion and Resur-

The Sunday Times

magazine TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA Editor ALVIN I. DACANAY Literary Editor CHRISTINA ALPAD IZA IGLESIAS Staff Writers ARLO CUSTODIO Deskman *** PETER BAGA ZENAIDA D. ERISPE 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

rection of Christ from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday.

For generations of Filipino families, buying the palaspas and having them blessed at Palm Sunday -ASS REMAINS A SIGNIkCANT RITUAL IN helping them to embark on a week of repentance and prayer.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; business

Jesus Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey Palm Sunday is essentially the reenactment of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and to understand why it is important for Christians to commemorate this event in the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life is to recall the circumstances that led to his journey.

Interpreted by various sources based on the Bible, it is believed that before Jesus traveled to Jerusalem where he would lay down his life to save the world, he and his disciples had been staying in Bethany.

A few kilometers away from Jerusalem, according to the book The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide from Earliest Times to 1700, Bethany is now known as AlEizariya town in the West Bank, the landlocked area between Israel and Jordan. It was in Bethany where Jesus performed the miracle of resurrecting Lazarus four days after his death.

Retold from the New Testament by the website aglobalworld.com, â&#x20AC;&#x153;[Jesus] sent some of the disciples ahead of him to get a donkey on which he could be carried as he entered Jerusalem. Additionally, he asked the owner of the house to prepare the Upper Room for the Last Supper.â&#x20AC;?

As Jesus entered Jer usalem in a donkey, t he Jews hailed him for they heard he was the Messiah from the Scriptures who had indeed per formed miracles and would save them from oppression.

They did so by laying clothes on t he g round he would pass and waving palms, which, according to catholic.org, was considered a form of lavish praise and customar y practice to welcome people regarded with the greatest respect.

The website further explained that palm branches were a â&#x20AC;&#x153;widely recognized symbol of peace and victoryâ&#x20AC;? while the use of a donkey instead of a horse symbolized the â&#x20AC;&#x153;humble arrival of someone in peace, as opposed to arriving on a steed in war.â&#x20AC;?

More t ha n 2,0 0 0 ye a r s a f te r Jesus Chr ist â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s histor ic ent r y to Jerusalem, Christians around the world have adopted var ying commemorations of Palm Sunday.

Palaspas for Filipinos In the Philippines, the celebra-

In the Philippines, the celebration of Palm Sunday emulates the simplicity of Christ with the officiating priest and the congregation proceeding from the church yard all the way to altar in praise of the King of Kings.

tion of Palm Sunday emulates the SIMPLICITY OF #HRIST WITH THE OFkciating priest and the congregation gathering in a procession to go into church and toward the altar waving palms like the Jews.

In more conservative Catholic tow n s i n t he cou nt r y, wome n might line the processionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s route with heirloom aprons or tapis and huge pieces of cloth, while children dressed as angels sing â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hosannaâ&#x20AC;? and strew f lowers as they walk ahead of the congregation.

The mass with a lengthy Gospel reading of the Passion of Christ ensues with the priest ending the eucharistic celebration by going around the church to bless the palms with holy water. Traditionally, Filipinos bring home the blessed palms either to place them at the altar or hang them on doorways and windows.

The latter is done based on an olden belief hanging them in entryways and openings in a home would ward off evil spirits, avert lightning and Â&#x2021; BELIEVE IT OR NOT Â&#x2021; PREVENT kRES To these Filipinos, the palaspas are considered totems. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blessed palms and candles can be kept in the icon corner of the house as [an] evloghia [meaning blessing], but they cannot avert lightning,â&#x20AC;? Fr. Anton Pascual, president of Radio Veritas Philippines, refuted in the Palm Sunday issue of The Sunday Times Magazine in 2015.

While the church allows palms

to be fashioned in smaller crosses or personal devotion items to be kept for a year, they encourage the faithful to return palms to their parishes for use on Ash Wednesday the following year.

As catholic.org explains, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because the palms are blessed, they may not be discarded as trash. Instead, they are appropriately gathered at the church and incinerated to create the ashes that will be used in the follow yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ash Wednesday observance.â&#x20AC;?

Palaspas-making With the symbolic meaning of the palm and to t he Cat holic fait h both explained, it may be of interest to learn about the humble pa l mâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ow n jou r ne y f rom t he hands of humble folk and into those of their fellow faithful.

The Union of Cat holic A sian N e w s â&#x20AC;&#x2122; J o e Tor r e s a nd M a r t i n Jimenez wrote in 2017 that the tradition of palaspas making dates back to the pre-Hispanic era. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In a 1589 account, Franciscan Father Juan de Plasencia noted that Filipinos use â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;leaves of the white palm, wrought into many designsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to decorate lamps during festivities,â&#x20AC;?

Torres and Jimenez wrote.

They added that similar uses of the palaspas have also been noted in non-Catholic ethnic groups citing the Islamized Tausug tribe in Mindanao who had used lightning-shaped

It was on Palm Sunday 2018 when The Sunday Times Magazine kRST MET the Perolina family who were among the throngs of palaspas vendors near Sto. NiĂąo de Molino Parish Church in Pag-asa, Bacoor, Cavite.

From their hometown in Cavinti, a third class municipality in the province of Laguna, the Perolinas and almost everyone in their small barangay engage in making and selling palaspas year after year. Besides the two-week preparation of the actual palms, they need to travel three hours by land before dawn three to four days before Palm Sunday to MAKE IT TO THE kRST ROUND OF MASSES in various churches.

They transport huge and numerous sacks of palaspas and additional young palm fronds â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all cleaned and cut up â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in case they need to weave more depending on the demand, which expectedly surges on the day of Palm Sunday.

Lately for the Perolinas, they have decided not to go too far to set up shop and sell their palms in Bacoor City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maaga pa lang, Huwebes Santo pa la ng , pu mupu nt a n a k a m i dito sa Bacoor para magsimulang mag t inda [as ea rly as Maundy Thursday, we travel to Bacoor to start selling palms],â&#x20AC;? Nanay Belen, as she is fondly called, shared with The Sunday Times Magazine.

Nanay Belen averred she is a veteran when it comes to making and selling palaspas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bata pa lang ako, namulatan ko na ang paggawa ng palaspas. Yung mga nauna sa akin, ang lola at nanay ko, pinakita sa akin kung paano gumawa ng palaspas hanggang sa matutunan ko na rin. Mahirap siya, nakakapagod pero tiyagaan lang.â&#x20AC;?

[Ever since I was a child, I already knew how to weave palm fronds. I just watched my elders in the beginning until I eventually learned how to weave them on my own. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not easy to do and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very tiresome, but eventually, you also learn the patience to do it].

Nanay Belen proudly showed her expert handiwork with an wide array of designs she had mastered over the years. There is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;kandilaâ&#x20AC;? which resembles inter woven shoelaces; the â&#x20AC;&#x153;bawang bawang,â&#x20AC;? knots similar to garlic bulbs; and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;layung layung,â&#x20AC;? the bigger version specially MADE FOR MASS OFkCIANTS Nanay Belen further said that she was only tasked to weave and decorate the palm leaves as a little girl and left home as older members of her family went to Manila to sell

Cover Story The Sunday Times

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

F5

For many in nearby province of Laguna, palaspas-making enables them to be of service to the Church along with the opportunity to augment their livelihood.

them. Eventually in her teens, she WAS kNALLY ALLOWED TO GO TO THE CITY â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nagsimula ako magbenta sa San Pablo, Laguna pero nung nalaman kong mas malakas ang kita sa Maynila, sumama na rin ako dito ;!T kRST ) SOLD MY PALMS IN San Pablo City, Laguna but when ) HEARD IT WAS MORE PROkTABLE IN Manila, I decided to go further].â&#x20AC;?

And so, for the past 15 years, Nanay Belen and her family â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all kVE OF CHILDREN Â&#x2021; WOULD PRODUCE AT least 50 pieces of palaspas each for days on end to come up with a total of 2,000 toward Palm Sunday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maganda rin naman ang kita, pero yung kita dun hindi ko naman sasabihing sobrang laki na sasapat na para sa gastusin namin sa buong taon. Nakakadagdag lang siya. [We make good money every year for Palm Sunday but I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say it would go very far to augment our needs.]

If the amount is not substantial or commensurate to the effort the entire family puts into making, transporting and selling palaspas every year, The Sunday Times Magazine asked Nanay Belen why they continue to do it.

Her simple answer is faith. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maliban naman talaga sa kita, naging parang panata na namin ang paggawa sa palaspas, parang penitensya na rin ba taon-taon at sakripisyo para sa Diyos.â&#x20AC;? [Besides THE MONETARY BENEkT WE HAVE TAKEN this on as a pledge to the Lord, a sort of penance we offer to him].

In fact, Nanay Belen added that in her hometown, the community somehow considers this tradition as a collective penance involving CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS kVE OR SIX YEARS old in the process. It also unites the community and rejuvenates the old, who even at 90 would eagerly join the mass production of beribboned palm leaves.

Moreover, Nanay Belen shared that the heavens bless them for the SACRIkCE BELIEVING WITH ALL HER HEART that the good health of her family and the success of some of her children are result of their faithful devotion to palaspas-making.

Of her five children, two have already started their own families and are doing well. Another daughter was employed by San Miguel

Corporation, while a yet another son landed a job in one of Makatiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest restaurants. Finally, she continues to be able to send her youngest to school as the child does her proud.

Nanay Belen will therefore tell anyone she will keep on making and selling palaspas for Palm Sunday as long as she is strong and able to do so. And with this, her fervent prayer is that her children, just like she did, can pass on this devotion and tradition to their own children and their childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dinarasal ko na dito mamatay ang paggawa ng palaspas pero nakakalungkot isipin kung sa malaon ay wala nang gagawa nito. Kaya sana sa pamamagitan ng pagsama namin sa aming mga anak at mga apo sa paggawa nito ay matutunan din nila itong mahalin.â&#x20AC;? [The possibility of this devotion fading away in generations to come in my family saddens me. I have promised to make t hese palm leaves ever y year until I die so I hope that by involving my children in doing this, they will also come to embrace devotion and keep it alive].

A quintessential symbol of Holy Week, the humble palaspas begins its journey with harvested and cleaned young coconut fronds, then weaved into beautiful strands by the hands of artistic devotees.

For generations of Filipino families, buying the palaspas and having them blessed at Palm Sunday Mass remains a significant ritual in helping them to embark on a week of repentance and prayer.

Besides the monetary benefit, many palaspas vendors like Nanay Belen Perolina, see palaspas making as a form of penance they can offer to the Lord.

Fun Times The Sunday Times

F6

»horoscope

THE SUNDAY CROSSWORD

Grab Bag of Goodies

By Merl Reagle April 14, 2019

...Something for everyone This puzzle is part of Merl's best-of series 1 13 17 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 29 30 32 33 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 44 45 46 47 50 51 52 53 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 73

ACROSS 75 Unstimulating order Johnny Carson’s Art 76 Guitarist who died Fern hosted it at 27 “When I was ___ ...”

77 Animal sound Little drink 79 Simple Stating clearly 80 Video honors, Give up for short Sierra Madre strike 81 Old gold coin TV trouble 82 Prokofiev’s Combines with water Lieutenant Words in a biography 83 Decorate differently title, often 84 Schusses Ben Stiller’s mom 85 Tarts and tortes One of the original 86 Mimes Mouseketeers 88 Some H.S. exams Farm team?

90 Small coins of Specialty of some ancient Greece “doctors” 91 FAO Schwarz Alpine goat events At any time 93 Vehicle coupler Boring job, e.g.

97 Pipe fitting Stain 98 Dill, for one WWII gun 99 Salary Lock of hair 100 Tranquillity, for one “Take this” 101 Sky bear Tinkerbell, for one 102 Fanciful notion Basketball’s Hakeem Hole-puncher DOWN Spain’s ___ del Sol 1 Mai follower Upper-torso armor 2 White-tailed eagle Part of a dance 3 Encouraging words Rich folks 4 Phone connector Signs of a good 5 Last two words of upbringing Segal’s Love Story Pale drinks, 6 Hand warmers sometimes 7 Robt. ___ Fossil-rich spot 8 Tarnish The Hanging Gardens 9 Part of a Cicero of Babylon et al. quotation Stand-in 10 Winy quality Southern festival 11 Cuzco-related flower 12 Elbe tributary Wild-eyed declaimers 13 Essen exclamation Sardonic 14 Early capacitors acknowledgment 15 African antelope Renaissance man 16 Chan’s creator, Earl Albrecht ___ Biggers Shreds 17 Way off Most nerve-wracking 18 Dunne and Ryan Author Hubbard 19 Puzzles Venerates 25 Oldsmobile model Cunningham of dance 28 Continental Long fish purchases Wing part 30 Turkish bigwig The South 31 Developed Nickname for 32 Eyeholes, playwright Simon sometimes It’s a Gift 30’s star 34 Aquarii, e.g.

Gift givers! For info on Merl’s books, visit www.sundaycrosswords.com.

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GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Find creative outlets to advance a cause you feel passionate about. Listen to a wider conversation. Edit communications to clearly express your heart.

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Letter flourish Range finders Where Paris is?

Venice’s canals Easily split minerals Not fore Inventing Mussolini was one Battle-fighting Bradley Tampa or Tempe Salad plant TV oldie set in Africa It’s sometimes poetic Hockey pair Tom’s Eyes Wide Shut co-star Tony’s female name in Some Like It Hot Queen, e.g.

Singer Vaughan Pauline’s situation Island getaway

wishes and visions. Hidden assets help fulfill a dream.

You’re drawn to love magnetically.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- A team or community effort comes together harmoniously. Answers, solutions, resources and support flow through your social channels. Connect for a common cause.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Your reputation precedes you. All the pieces seem to be coming together in a professional puzzle. Use your skills, talents and tricks. Work your magic.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 9 -Stretch your wings, and expand your horizons. Things come together easily. Stay flexible. Your past work reflects you well.

Discover new gems and treasures.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Position yourself for financial growth. Review the data, and keep accounts updated and organized. Discuss priorities with your partner. Give thanks and stay in action.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Whisper sweet nothings with your partner. Talk about love, dreams and visions. You can realize the possibilities that light you both up.

Collaboration sparkles.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Extra income is available. Creative work can pay well. Push beyond old limits.

Invest in your business. You can get the resources you need.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Accept coaching from someone who sees your blind spots. Get farther than expected toward a health or fitness goal. Practice. Great results are possible.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Get a lucky personal break. You’re attractive and charismatic. Score an achievement, milestone or win. Make profitable plans to realize a dream.

(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)

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37 Headquartered 38 Cads 39 High-scoring space in Scrabble: abbr.

41 Small depression, to biologists 43 Ship’s letters 45 Long, heavy pole thrown in a game 46 Water container 48 Puts a whammy on 49 So far 50 Her abduction started the Trojan War 51 Scottish resort town 52 Crop up 53 Punch server 54 Sky blue 55 Pope John Paul II, really 56 Tear 57 Fountain of Youth guy 59 Tangled

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Get into domestic arts and joys. Creative ideas abound. Share some beauty, comfort and relaxation with family and friends. Prepare simple flavors and treats.

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ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Someone attractive is saying nice things about you. Everything seems to be coming together. Good fortune around work, money and romance brightens your outlook. Celebrate together.

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

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Today’s Birthday (04/14/19). Fortune follows an inquisitive investigation this year. Take consistent action to grow into your dream career. Gather up windfall apples. Domestic blossoming this summer motivates a career shift. Your professional status blooms this summer, before home repairs or renovations take focus. It’s all for love.

SUNDAY April 14, 2019

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VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 5 -- Find a quiet place to think. Nature inspires you. Consider hopes, 89 Homey dish 90 Mother of Clytemnestra 92 Agcy. that helps entrepreneurs

94 Science fiction author Stanislaw 95 First year of the 10th century 96 Haw starter

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

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

Arts Awake SUNDAY April 14, 2019

The Sunday Times

F7

Now on view at the National Museum is Filipino artist Jose Alcantara's breathtaking masterpiece from the Philam Foundation's art collection .

The genius of PH's 'last maestro of wood carving' A S part of its commitment to contribute to nationbuilding and art appreciation for mental wellness, Philam Foundation unveiled at the National Museum an artistic masterpiece by renowned Filipino artist Jose Alcantara.

Named as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the last maestro of traditional wood carving in the country,â&#x20AC;?

Alcantara is one of the few artists who used the Philippine classical wood carving tradition. Born in Pasay City, he trained in the atelier of the prince of Philippine sculpture during the colonial period, Isabelo Tampinco, after which he worked as a carver in the furniture shop of Gonzalo Puyat.

His talent took him to numerous shows and gave him countless accolades here and abroad.

The classical carving panel of Alcantara, which is now on display in Gallery 16 of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila, is made from carved wood relief and lacquer feature elements from Philippine folklore, traditional musical instruments, and mythical characters like Maria

Makiling and Malakas at Maganda, all known to have a semi-abstract approach to form.

Philam Life commissioned the carving in 1961 to embellish the wall of the Philam Life Auditorium situated beside its former head office along UN Avenue in Manila, which was then one of the first international-style design buildings in the area.

The auditorium was known for its excellent acoustics which were done

by Bolt, Beranek and Newman who are also credited for the Sydney Opera House, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the United Nations Assembly Hall in New York.

Alcantaraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work indeed celebrates the brilliance of Philippine art, exhibiting its distinct culture through the rich details and formal patterns.

Aibee Cantos, Philam Foundation chairman; Kelvin Ang, Philam Life chief executive officer; Jeremy Barns, director of the National Museum; Ana Labrador, assistant director of the National Museum; and Max Ventura, Philam Foundation president.

Continued partnership with National Museum Meanwhile, as part of its thrust to support nation-building, the Philam Foundation continues to be a strong supporter of Philippine arts. For the SDVW Ă&#x20AC;YH \HDUV WKH )RXQGDWLRQ KDV given the National Museum an in-

stitutional grant of P5 million which supplements funding for acquisition, preservation, and restoration of artworks, as well as for the upkeep of key pieces of Philam Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art collection: the Vicente Manansala paintings and Jose Alcantara murals.

Aside from the unveiling of the carving, the event was also held to formal-

Amy Wannamaker, the renowned artist's daughter in law with Philam Foundation President Max Ventura.

L]H WKH UHQHZDO RI DQRWKHU Ă&#x20AC;YH \HDU institutional grant for the National Museum. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope this partnership will pave the way for further appreciation and cultivation of our love for the arts,â&#x20AC;? said Max Ventura, Philam Foundation President. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Philam Life, through the FoundaWLRQ LV D Ă&#x20AC;UP VXSSRUWHU LQ WKH UROH RI the arts in achieving mental wellness.

We want to go beyond physical and Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO ZHOOQHVV ,W LV RXU LQWHQWLRQ to come full circle in bringing to life our brand promise of helping people live healthier, longer and better lives,â&#x20AC;? added Kelvin Ang, Philam Life Chief ([HFXWLYH 2IĂ&#x20AC;FHU The donation was received by Jeremy Barns, Director of the National Museum, and Ana Labrador, Assistant Director of the National Museum.

Visual arts, film, cartoons Âťnccaupdates â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Capiztahanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; festival kicks off in Roxas City and dance in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Art 2 Artâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;ART 2 Art,â&#x20AC;? hosted by Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, offers a summer harvest of creativity as it IRFXVHV RQ YLVXDO DUWV Ă&#x20AC;OP FDUWRRQV and dance in its episodes for April.

For todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s episode, organizers behind CineSpectra 2019 reveal details DERXW WKH QHZ Ă&#x20AC;OP IHVWLYDO WKDW ZLOO initially focus on HIV-AIDS as theme.

Guesting are Adam Crayne, advocacy lead of EON Foundation, Noel (VFRQGR DZDUG ZLQQLQJ Ă&#x20AC;OPPDNHU and EON Multimedia head, and Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairperson Liza DiĂąo.

On April 21, Art 2 Art pays tribute to National Artist Larry Alcala who was posthumously accorded the honor last October. His granddaughters Ana and Angela Alcala share anecdotes about him as a family man, while colleagues Jun Aquino and Boboy Yonzon of the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas give insights on the cartoonistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popular cartoon series such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Asiong Aksaya,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kalabog en Bosyoâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Slice of Life.â&#x20AC;?

Finally on April 28, in celebration of International Dance Day which is on April 29, newly promoted Ballet Manila principal artist Mark Sumaylo talks about the challenges of being a danseur â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially having started

The late National Artist Larry Alcala's granddaughters Ana and Angela Alcala, and colleagues Jun Aquino and Boboy Yonzon with Liza Macuja-Elizalde

out late at it â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and exploring his interest in photography.

Master abstractionist Edwin Wilwayco also graced the show early on April 7. He related his artistic journey â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from his childhood in Guimba, NueYD (FLMD WR SXUVXLQJ Ă&#x20AC;QH DUWV LQ 83 Diliman and eventually experiencing the highs and lows of a career nurtured in the Philippines and in the US. Produced by the Manila Broadcasting Company and hosted by Ballerina ng Bayan Lisa Macuja, Art 2 Art airs every Sunday, 3:30 to 4 p.m., on DZRH radio, RHTV on cable television and at dzrhnews television.tv for livestream. The show may also be viewed via the Facebook account DZRH News Television.

Macuja with organizers of Cinespectra 2019 (from left) Adam Crayne, advocacy lead of EON Foundation, Noel Escondo, award-winning filmmaker and EON Multimedia head and Liza DiĂąo, Film Development Council of the Philippines chair.

THE Provincial Government of Capiz and its Tourism and Cultural Affairs OfĂ&#x20AC;FH LV FXUUHQWO\ FHOHEUDWLQJ WKH SURYLQFH¡V annual Capiztahan Festival which will end until April 15 in Roxas City, Capiz.

Capiztahan is an annual tourism and cultural event of CapizeĂąos to celebrate the founding anniversary of the civil government. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fete showcases the richness of its agricultural and aquamarine resources.

Before the formal celebration of Capiztahan, pre-Capiztahan activities were held such as farms and industry encounters through science and technology agenda, Mutya sang Capiz, farmHUV DQG Ă&#x20AC;VKHUIRONV GD\ QLJKW PDUNHW zumba for a cause, bloodletting activity, international cock derby, and the Visayas launch of Filipino Food Month.

Capiz is known to be the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Seafood Capital of the Philippines.â&#x20AC;? CapizeĂąos prepared huge servings of crabs, oysters, shrimps, and other seafood as part of the Capiztahan Food Festival.

During the Capiztahan Agro-Industrial/Trade and Tourism Fair, there will be local products and crafts all over the province will be sold.

As the provinceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aim to be the sportstourism capital of the country, Capiz Tri-

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Capiztahan showcases the provinceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich agricultural and aquamarine resources through various cultural activities.

aksyon National Age Group Triathlon 2019 will be highlighted on the festival.

Sadsad Capiz, a street dance competition that showcases colorful and vibrant performance to interest local and foreign tourists will happen until today, April 14.

On the last day, April 15, a wreathlaying ceremony for the 71st death anniversary of President Manuel A. Roxas will be held at his monument.

April 12 was declared by the province

as a special non-working holiday by virtue of Executive Order No. 005, in consonance with Republic Act No. 9217, to commemorate the death anniversary of the late President Manuel A. Roxas.

Other activities to expect are the 5th Capiztahan Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Tournament, 3rd Capiztahan Taekwondo Championship, 3rd Capiztahan Regional Invitational Bowling Tournament, Capiztahan Chess Festival, among others.

Capiz hosts Visayas launch of Filipino Food Month THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Capiz, OHG WKH 9LVD\DV OHJ RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW HYHU )LOLpino Food Month occurred on April 11 to 12 with multi-venue activities within the province.

The celebration of Filipino Food Month is in accordance with the Presidential Proclamation No. 469, signed in April 2018 it carries the theme â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang Sarap: Piyesta ng Pagkaing Pilipino.â&#x20AC;?

Filipino Food Month is a celebration to promote, preserve, and ensure the transmission of vast culinary traditions and treasures to future generations, and to support and appreciate various industries, farmers, and agriFRPPXQLWLHV ZKLFK EHQHĂ&#x20AC;W WKHUHIURP The Filipino Food Month celebration in Visayas opened with Patubas (which means harvest) or farmers and fisherfolk day at the Villar-

eal Stadium, Roxas City, Capiz, and competitions such as the PINAKAContest. Tiyangge was also part of the celebration featuring agricultural and aquamarine products sold by particiSDWLQJ IDUPHUV DQG Ă&#x20AC;VKHUPHQ The formal launch highlighted the unveiling of Filipino Food Month logo, food offering, performances, and cooking competitions among local government units of Capiz. The main proponent of the Filipino Food Month and President of Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement, Chef Jam Melchor shared his views and thoughts on the Filipino food and its celebrations, and also conducted a cooking demonstration.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) also took part in the festivity with their series of food fairs which will happen in different cities and regions around the country including Baguio City, Quezon, and Iloilo.

For the whole month of April, expect multi-venue events all over the country. In Cavite, an exhibition titled Sinag: Tracing Emilio Aguinaldoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Palate is on view through the whole month of April at Sarmiento-Panlilio Room, Museo De la Salle, De la Salle University-DasmariĂąas City.

Pista sa Guevarraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: Celebration of Filipino Food Flavors, Chef Roland and Jaq Laudicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own celebration at Guevarraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, San Juan City, runs until April 30.

Republic of Taste: A Gastronomic Journey in South Luzon with food historian Guillermo â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Igeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ramos will also celebrate the Filipino Food Month from April 26 to 28 at the SM City Rosario, Cavite.

For the culminating activity, PCHM will hold a gala night titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang Sarap! Philippine Food Festival Gala 2019â&#x20AC;? on April 30 at the Manila Hotel, with invited chefs and purveyors from all over the country.

Arts Awake The Sunday Times

F8

April 14, 2019 SUNDAY

Dominic Escobarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artistic calling T

BY NIKA ROQUE

ka kasi yung makikita mo yung bagay sa totoong buhay.â&#x20AC;?

He then explained that his process HEY say a calling â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that strong inner impulse begins with a picture then a study of toward a particular course â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is hard not to heed. the photoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s composition. Thereafter, So when Zamboanga Del Sur native Dominic he would start preliminary sketches once he gets satisfied with his Escobar thought he was being called to priesthood, he im- and â&#x20AC;&#x153;foundation,â&#x20AC;? would proceed to the PHGLDWHO\ HQWHUHG WKH VHPLQDU\ RQO\ WR Ă&#x20AC;QG RXW KLV KHDUW actual painting. Depending on the size, LW ZRXOG WDNH WZR WR Ă&#x20AC;YH KRXUV IRU WKH truly belonged to another vocation. artist to complete his work.

His painting â&#x20AC;&#x153;Patola on the Roof,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pumasok ako ng seminary dahil ing painter na full-time.â&#x20AC;? sa calling na nagsimula sa pagigiging Inside the semi- is inspired by a farm near his homesakristan,â&#x20AC;? he conn a r y, E s c oba r town where the vegetable is usually fessed during used his free time harvested from the roof. Meanwhile, this one-onto strengthen his his â&#x20AC;&#x153;Painit in the Morning,â&#x20AC;? pays one interview craft. In between tribute to the daily morning routine of with The studies, prayers, Filipinos that involve a simple cup of Sunday Times and school activ- coffee and a selection of bread.

Clearly, Escobarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s themes champion Magazine. ities, he turned In the midto painting as the Philippine culture. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the story I want to tell dle of his fora form of medimation, howevtation and ex- because works with this theme are now rarely seen.â&#x20AC;? er, he realized pression.

And his decision to focus on Philipthat he had a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yun yung different calling h i l i g k o e h pine culture was handsomely remunerated. all along. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Patola on the Roof,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; was inspired His artâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Yung last two by the harvest season in the works and years ng forma- artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home town. dedication tion namin ay responsible freedom. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a r t yung gave h i m Dun ko mas feel na attached ako sa outlet na mas g r eat op outside world at mas gusto kong ipag- ma-express ko portunities patuloy ang aking artistic calling. yung sarili ko to partner As it turns out Escobar, had al- sa iba at lalo w ith ga lways been drawn to arts and, even yung na deleries, then, considers himself and his velop sa loob bu i ld h i s family artists. ng seminary,â&#x20AC;? net work , â&#x20AC;&#x153;Simula pagkabata, yung family he explained. 'Painit in the Morning,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; is an ode to the simplicity of and get namin parang nasa genes na maging T h r o u g h Filipino life. invited to artist. Lolo ko was into carving and self-studies, sculpture, tapos yung mama ko sa Escobar became more interested with participate in group exhibits. The ondressmaking naman. Sa generation realism and impressionism. â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Pag tapos going group show â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sidlak sa Habagatan namin, ako lang yung nagpatuloy mag- na yung artwork mo, magiging VDWLVĂ&#x20AC;HG (Shine in the South) at the Buenas

Escobar's talent for the canvas unfolds in realist and impressionists forms. PHOTOS

BY GERARD SEGUIA

Artes Art Facility is one of them. Additionally, it highlights Escobar as the only Mindanaoan artist. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sa seminary, iba kasi yung commitment sa pag-serve kay Lord at sa taumbayan. Siguro ang pagtulong sa

tao, magagawa ko parin bilang artist.

Madaming natutulungan ang art, kahit tignan mo lang. Kapag naka-benta ng painting, pwede ko din itulong sa mga charity,â&#x20AC;? Escobar ended, beaming with IXOĂ&#x20AC;OOPHQW IRU KLV ZRUN

'KUL AY SA TUBIG'

Continuing the tradition of realism GALLERY GENESIS, established in 1981 by Ernesto and Araceli Salas, is known for the most extensive collection of Philippine watercolor paintings, the ardent support given to resident artists, and the Kulay sa Tubig Annual Invitational Watercolor Competition.

As a competition, it became a validating mechanism for artists who have sufficient ability to wield the most difficult medium to master. As an exhibition, it became a platform for consecrating artists who have been thrice victorious into the Hall of Fame, a category where the best of the best compete. Anywhere it is staged, Kulay sa Tubig is a site of taste formation.

As with previous editions, most of the entries demonstrate the insistence on rendering the natural world ranging from the sublime, idealized human beauty, and the nuances of the everyday.

Benjamin Buchloh, writing in 1981 observed a similar sustained practice WHUPHG DV ´WKH UHLQVWDWHPHQW RI Ă&#x20AC;JXration.â&#x20AC;? To him, it was the resurgence of long-established visual and spatial ordering systems or the perceptual conventions of mimetic representation that according to Buchloh were rejected in various art historical movements.

Buchloh asks, â&#x20AC;&#x153;if the credibility of LFRQLF UHIHUHQWLDOLW\ ZDV UH DIĂ&#x20AC;UPHG DQG LI WKH KLHUDUFK\ RI Ă&#x20AC;JXUH JURXQG relationships on the picture plane was again presented as an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ontologicalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; condition, what other ordering systems outside of aesthetic discourse had to have already been put in place in order WR LPEXH WKH QHZ YLVXDO FRQĂ&#x20AC;JXUDWLRQV with historical authenticity?â&#x20AC;? We need not look further. It is worthy to cast a glance at the Philippine artworld in the middle of the 20th century.

From an initial commentary in The Sunday Times Magazine in 1948, a vicious debate between Victorio Edades and Guillermo Tolentino ushered antagonisms between the Philippine moderns and conservatives.

The moderns were seen to have pursued artistic autonomy and absolute ideals while the disenfranchised conservatives mere skilled at copying reality.

Meanwhile, HR Ocampo and Emilio Aguilar Cruz have proposed the term Neo-Realism in 1949, in their pursuit RI SODVWLF UHDOLW\ LQĂ HFWHG E\ WKH ORFDO world situating the artist. The First Exhibition of Non-objective Art in the Philippines was curated by Aurelio Alvero at the Philippine Art Gallery in 1953, an exhibition that featured 11

'Enkargado' by Renato Canlas, 29x21 (2019)

'Job Well Done' by Alfred Morales Jr., 29x21 (2019)

artists for which Alvero wrote a monograph titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;The First Exhibition of Non-objective Art in the Tagalaâ&#x20AC;? using the nom de plume Magtanggul Asa. In 1955, Antonio Dumlao led a controversial walk out in the 8th annual competition of the Art Association of the Philippines sponsored by the Rotary Club of Manila at the Northern Motors Showroom. However, it is worthy to note that the schism emerged not only because of clashing assertions on form and other ontological questions but also due to power struggles within the organization.

Base d on per son a l n a r rat ive s within this moment, along with this dauntless march towards Philippine modern art, was the aspiration for internationalism. Such antagonisms are now retold in art history classes.

History would be further charged

by conceptualist tendencies and the incessant inquiries on the relevance

we see sharp shadows on a wall, light ever evanescent. Renato â&#x20AC;&#x153;Reneâ&#x20AC;? Canlasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Enkargadoâ&#x20AC;? is an insightful depiction of a man cleaning a highly ornamented public fountain.

'Learning the Ropes' by Virgilio Pomida Last but not the least is Joie PabilanJr., 29x21 (2019) do, esteemed by peers and collectors for of painting, especially at a time when his raindrops series. He submitted his ontological questions call the very painting titled On the Way to Mom. A youthful male is on a motorbike, with status of the object into question.

Kulay sa Tubig was adamant in a small child clinging to him at the demonstrating that the narrative of art rear. Without a helmet and drenched history is indeed non-linear and need in the rain, they hurry through narrow not be circumscribed into a binary or streets. Visible on the cart in front is a dominant one. With each edition, a bunch of chrysanthemums. The scene WUDGLWLRQ RI Ă&#x20AC;JXUDWLYH DUW LV VXVWDLQHG seems to be a vignette, a fragment Far from hackneyed visual tropes of a memory. The view from inside a bordering on kitsch, the entries this car, places the spectator as a traveler year embody vignettes, found stories, navigating through busy metropolis.

Meanwhile, Virgilio â&#x20AC;&#x153;Billyâ&#x20AC;? Pomida and poetic musings of the artists.

Alfred Moralesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; painting â&#x20AC;&#x153;Job Well emerges as the victor in the Hall of Fame Doneâ&#x20AC;? shows a lady in the twilight of her category for his painting of a boy wading years tending to plants. Julian Eymard through calm waters. Titled Learning Paguiliganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s painting titled Outside is the Ropes, faint ripples radiate as he a haunting depiction of a long corridor moves underneath the shade of trees. leading to windows. Emmanuel Silvaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pomida captures dappled light, the texpainting of blooms on a branch illu- ture of the rickety wooden boat, and the mined by sunlight is a rumination on UHĂ HFWLRQ RI WKH VXUURXQGLQJ RDVLV ZLWK ephemerality. Titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Borrowed Time,â&#x20AC;? stunning accuracy and local insight.

Kulay sa Tubig is a necessary tradition that emerging and established artists anticipate.

The Kulay sa Tubig exhibit runs until the end of April at the Globe Art Gallery, Basement I, Globe Tower Bldg.,32nd St., corner 7th Ave. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

LAYA BOQUIREN

'On the way to Mom' by Joie Pabilando, 21x20 (2019)

(Contributor Laya Boquiren is a successful author who has published textbooks, Toti Cerda, Filipino Identity in the Arts; coffee table books, Pro Ecclesia HW 3RQWLĂ&#x20AC;FH and Kapampangan imaginero Willy Tadeo Layug; and Erehwon Center for the Artsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Now Here: Access, Activate, Rewind. She teaches art theory and art history at the University of Asia DQG WKH 3DFLĂ&#x20AC;F