The Manila Times | February 17, 2019

BAYBAYIN ‘ARCO DE EMPERADOR’ CALLIGRAPHIST FOREVER IMPRINTS TAIPAN LUCERO AND FILIPINO VICTORY THE STROKES OF OVER ADVERSITY NATIONALISM Arts Awake G8

SCOTT, THOMAS LEAD AT RAIN-HIT RIVIERA

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SWS SURVE Y: Abolish billionaires?

Not in this billionaireworshipping country SUNDAY STORIES MARLEN V. RONQUILLO

I

N the richest country in the world, there is a current and intense debate on extreme wealth and the many, multi-faced, multi-fangled distortions that billionaires, consciously or unconsciously, bring to the broader society. The corruptive power of extreme wealth, the temptation to use extreme wealth to pursue more wealth and to rig the rules in furtherance of that wealth quest, is now openly being discussed. What used to be an issue on the margins is now at the back, front and center of the national discussions.

Filipinos see drop in number of drug users

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

M

AJORITY of Filipinos said the number of drug addicts had decreased as the government continues its campaign against illegal drugs, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The poll, conducted from Dec. 16 to 19, 2018 among 1,440 adults nationwide, showed that 66 percent of Filipinos believed that the number of drug users in their community had dropped.

Meanwhile, 14 percent said it increased, while the rest said it was unchanged.

Ejercito pushes provincial food terminals

³Food A2

OUCH OF PROTECTION

Philippine Red Cross personnel inoculate a child against measles at the Baseco compound in Tondo, Manila on Saturday. PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA

Learning rural, agri devt from PH neighbors

BY CONRAD M. CARIÑO

(Conclusion) THE success of Park Chung Hee’s Saemaul Undong, which started in 1970, in spurring rural development in South

Korea is still evident to this day in the success of its farmer cooperatives that operate their own retail outlets and banks.

The article “Consumer Cooperative in the Republic of Korea” posted in the International Labor Organization website, cited that

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³Drug A2

2.6M children may contract measles – DoH

³Ronquillo A4

THERE is a need to establish agricultural food terminals and trading centers in every province to protect farmers from exploitation of unscrupulous traders.

“Ang mga kawawang magsasaka natin dahil walang mapagdalhan ng kanilang ani, napipilitang magbenta sa mga mapagsamantalang traders o middlemen na binabarat sila (Our poor farmers who have no place to bring their farm produce to are forced to sell their goods to

The number of people who said there were fewer drug addicts in their area compared to last year was highest in Mindanao at 83 percent, followed by Visayas at 71 percent, Metro Manila at 67 percent and Balance Luzon at 54 percent.

iCoop Korea, a federation of six primary cooperatives in South Korea mainly involved in food production, recorded a turnover of $460 million in 2015.

In the Philippines, among the most successful of farmer cooperatives is the Nueva Segovia Consor-

US author tackles Battle of Manila in new book Alvin I. Dacanay A3

³Agri A2

SOME 2.6 million Filipino children, most of them below 5 years old, are at risk of contracting measles, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

In an interview over radio station dzMM on Friday EVENING -ARICEL #ASTRO TECHNICAL OFkCER OF THE 7(/ S expanded program on immunization, noted that many children, especially those under the age of 5, have not received vaccination.

“Sa pag-aaral natin sa limang taon na datos na nakalap natin sa DoH (Department of Health), lumalabas na merong 2.6 milyong mga bata na limang taon pababa ang actually na puwedeng magkaroon ng impeksiyon sa tigdas "ASED ON DATA GATHERED OVER kVE YEARS BY THE $O( IT WAS shown that there are 2.6 million children 5 years old and below who actually can contract measles),” Castro said.

She added that parents balked at having their children vaccinated because of the fear generated by the Dengvaxia mess.

Quoting a study by London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Castro said only 32 percent of Filipinos trust vaccines in 2018, a steep drop compared to the recorded 93 percent in 2015. g Yung Dengvaxia po, masasabi natin, nakadagdag siya doon sa problema, sapagkat simula noong nag-

³Measles A2

A2

News

˜ The Sunday Times

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SUNDAY February 17, 2019

22 COUNTRIES DANGEROUS TO OFWS – POEA THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reminded Filipinos that the government may have partially lifted the ban on the deployment of workers to Libya, but there are still 22 countries deemed not safe for

Filipino workers.

POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), especially domestic workers or maids, face the risk of abuse in these countries. “We are not deploying OFWs to

Federalism to loosen PH cohesion – Enrile FORMER senator Juan Ponce Enrile on Saturday warned that federalism may loosen “the cohesion of the country.� “Once you loosen the cohesion of the country, you do not know where that will go,� he said in a news forum.

Enrile, who is running for senator in the midterm elections this May, shared his views on several issues during a forum. g) M NOT AGAINST FEDERALISM but I have a problem with that.

First problem is the question of money. Can we afford to have a federalized system?� he said. “Second, the division of power.

If you read [about] the division of power especially... taxation, IT S IMPRACTICAL )F ) MAY SAY SO

FRANKLY IT S CRAZY u THE FORMER senator added.

The country is a unitary presidential constitutional republic under the 1987 Constitution.

The same Constitution provides a 60-40 restriction on foreign ownership of businesses, which, for Enrile, must be scrapped. “We must abandon it already,�

he said.

He added that “the restrictions in the Constitution about foreign ownership of certain business assets in the country... protect only these rich people to the detriment of the real people in this country who need the protection of government and these are the poor people who do not have the capital to have big businesses.�

Meanwhile, Enrile expressed hopes that the Bangsamoro Organic Law would settle the problem of violence in Mindanao.

However, he said that from his experience, “the passing of a law is not enough to quiet the problem of Mindanao.�

He added that there were seven tribes in Mindanao that had different languages, customs and traditions. “And the only binding and unifying element among them is Islam. Even that is problematic because, as you know, you have two divisions of Islam...

How can you expect them to be unified?� Enrile said.

REINA C. TOLENTINO

countries where there is high risk on the security of our OFWs, particularly where the alert level is big as certified by the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs),� the POEA chief told The Manila Times .

In 2018, the government banned the deployment of Filipino workers to Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan (except Khartoum and the Kenana Sugar Plantation), Rwanda, Burundi, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Chechnya Republic, South

‘Press freedom not under attack’

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

T

HE country’s press freedom is not under attack, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar maintained on Saturday, amid the outrage expressed by some groups on the recent arrest of Rappler head Maria Ressa.

Andanar, co-chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Media 3ECURITY 04&O-3 SAID 2ESSA S CASE was no different from complaints kLED AGAINST OTHER JOURNALISTS “Press freedom is not under attack. Press freedom is alive and kicking and very well in our country,�

Andanar said in a radio interview. “The case of Ms. Ressa is no different from the case of reporter perhaps in Zamboanga or in Tawi-Tawi or in Butuan City or in Capiz — pareparehas lang hong karapatan niyan.

Wala hong tinitingnan na social status ang batas natin, at lalung-lalo na hindi po dis-

criminatory iyong batas natin (everyone has equal rights. The law does not respect social status, and it does not discriminate),� he added.

Andanar said some journalists have faced libel charges for articles and underwent the process of getting arrested, posting bail, and going to trial “without fanfare and in many cases, without adequate legal assistance.� “There are some [journalists] who, unfortunately, do not get the opportunity to avail of due process but are just physically assaulted or murdered in cold blood for their hard-hitting news — these are the types of cases that the Task Force deals with on a regular basis as it

B AKER R S’ FAIR A cake madde in PHOT PH OTO O BY DJ DIOSIN INA A

Filipinos see drop By locale, 68 percent of respondents in rural areas said the number of drug users fell, 9 percent said it increased, and 6 percent said it remained the same.

On the other hand, 63 percent of those surveyed in urban areas think the number of drug addicts decreased, 23 percent said it increased, and 9 percent said it remained the same.

In the same survey, 95 percent of adult Filipinos said it was “important� for them that the police capture illegal drug suspects alive, while 5 percent said otherwise. “This is similar to 95 percent (76 percent very important, 19 percent somewhat important) WHEN THE QUESTION WAS kRST SURveyed in June 2018,� SWS said.

“The dominant opinion in all areas was that it is important that drug suspects are captured alive: it was 97 percent in Metro Manila and the Visayas, 96 percent in Mindanao, and 92 percent in Balance Luzon,� it added.

The survey had sampling error margins of Âą2.6 percent for national percentages, and Âą5 percent each for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao.

More than 5,000 people have been killed in the brutal drug operations based on the latest report from the Philippine National Police.

In August last year, the families OF THOSE KILLED kLED ANOTHER COMplaint before the International Criminal Court against President Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes

Q MEASLES FROM A1

cinated increased),� she said.

Difficulty in accessing health services as well as vaccination being against their beliefs were also among the reasons for the low immunization coverage.

Castro explained that the measles outbreak occurred in some parts of the National Capital Region (Metro Manila) because of congestion in residential areas, which makes the spread of the disease faster.

Measles outbreaks have been declared in Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas,

2.6M children karoon ng kontrobersiya, mas lalo pang dumami ang mga magulang naghe- hesitate na magpabakuna ng kanilang mga anak (We can say that Dengvaxia exacerbated the problem as the number of parents who hesitate to get their childen vac-

seeks to address issues on the safety of media workers,� he added. “This case of Ms. Ressa is not an isolated one. The impulsive conclusion that their non-exemption from the judicial process constitutes a blanket attack on press freedom in the Philippines is a blatant disregard for the earnest efforts of the very stakeholders to come up with programs aimed at safeguarding it.�

International and local press freedom and human rights groups have condemned the arrest of Ressa, who is facing cyberlibel charges.

Ressa was arrested in her Pasig #ITY OFkCE LAST WEEK BUT WAS FREED after paying P100,000 bail.

Ressa said her arrest was part of the ADMINISTRATION S CONTINUING HARASSMENT OVER 2APPLER S CRITICAL REPORTING “It seems the government was bent on having me spend the night in detention,� she said in a television interview. “If the purpose is to make me feel the government has power, I think

what they have achieved is to make me realize that the government will go to all lengths to abuse its power to violate my rights,� she added.

Meanwhile, Andanar said the PTFoMS (Presidential Task Force on Media Security) was holding discussions with media groups to discuss security concerns and to COME UP WITH A UNIkED STANCE FOR the decriminalization of libel. “The upcoming project of the Task Force with Unesco (United .ATIONS %DUCATIONAL 3CIENTIkC AND Cultural Oganization) for strengthENING JOURNALISTS SAFETY IN THE 0HILIPpines, for one, will be implemented in collaboration with various media organizations. The Task Force has also facilitated discussions among its media partners and resource persons for a consolidated position on the decriminalization of libel,� he said. “Let us all be vigilant in ensuring that the accused in criminal proceedings are accorded due PROCESS u THE 0ALACE OFkCIAL ADDED

Q AGRI FROM A1

range of ancillary and service industries, generating economic activity in supply and distribution chains as well as processing industries. Where agriculture is the primary economic activity, the entire rural economy, including services such as health care, education and basic infrastructure, may depend on the profitability of the sector,� Dar said.

Learning rural, agri devt

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Q DRUG FROM A1

Sudan, Iraqi Kurdistan region, Ukraine, #HAD #UBA $EMOCRATIC 0EOPLE S 2Epublic of Korea (North Korea), Haiti, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Palestine, Somalia and Zimbabwe.

ED VELASCO

hibited narcotics. We ask them to stop playing blind and dumb and instead listen to the people,�

Panelo said.

Success “Even as our people acknowledge MalacaĂąang said the survey result THE !DMINISTRATION S EFFORTS TO BRING was a “a validation of the success down the number of drug personOF THE $UTERTE ADMINISTRATION S alities, our focus and drive remain unwavering in destroying the drug campaign against illegal drugs.â€? “As we all know, it is a major apparatus and putting behind bars campaign platform of President the drug pushers, with strict obserDuterte and remains a centerpiece vance to operational protocols, until program of his administration, THE LAST DAY OF THE 0RESIDENT S TERM OF notwithstanding the harshest criti- OFkCE IN u HE ADDED Last week, Duterte vowed that cisms, brickbats and pressures the current government is receiving he would not to lift the “killâ€? order here and abroad,â€? Palace Spokes- AGAINST DRUG TRAFkCKERS “If you destroy my country, I will man Salvador Panelo said.

He asked the opposition and the kill you,� the President said in his detractors of the President to stop speech during the inauguration of from vilifying the Chief Executive a drug treatment facility in Laur, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday. and his administration. “If you continue to sell shabu, “They remain skeptical, unimpressed and indifferent of the cocaine and the drugs that are deleterisignificant strides made by our ous and toxic and can cause death to authorities in relation to pro- the Filipinos, I will kill you,� he added. against humanity in connection with the drug war.

Rizal and Quezon) Western Visayas and Central Visayas.

Deadly President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday urged parents to have their children vaccinated amid the measles outbreak in several regions.

In a short message aired over government-owned PTV4, Duterte stressed that measles in children is deadly, and can only be prevented through immunization. “Mga kababayan, dumadami ang kaso ng tigdas at ang kom-

plikasyon nito ay mamatay ka (To our fellowmen, the case of measles continues to rise and has complications, which is death),� the President said. “Sa mga anak natin, bakuna lamang ang tanging paraan makaiwas sa sakit na ito (To our children, vaccination is the only way for them to be protected from this disease),� he added.

Duterte has ordered the DoH to step up the vaccination campaign nationwide.

FRANCIS EARL CUETO AND CATHERINE VALENTE

tium of Cooperatives (NSCC), an umbrella organization of 200 primary cooperatives with 30,000 members, boasting of a total asset base of more than P2 billion. NSCC operates largely in the northern part of the country.

Government representatives who visited South Korea usually have the same story to tell: that of the successful farmer cooperative movement aided by Park’s Saemaul Undong, also known as the New Community Movement, New Village Movement.

Rod Estigoy, PhD, head of the applied communications division of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, told The Manila Times that South Korean farmer cooperatives also export their products abroad because they also studied what goods markets need. “South Korea and Thailand first studied the markets for various agriculture products so the farmers will know what type of crops to plant, and what type of agriculture products to produce,�

Estigoy said.

Former Agriculture secretary William Dar also sees the agriculture sector as the lynchpin in rural development, especially if the sector is treated like an industry. “The agriculture sector supports a

Q FOOD FROM A1

Ejercito pushes unscrupulous traders or middlemen at much lower prices),� Sen. Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito said on Saturday.

To protect the farmers, the reelectionist senator underscored the need to establish food terminals and trading centers.

This, he said, would increase their income “kasi direkta sa buyers na mas mataas ang presyo at hindi na sa mga mandarayang negosyante (because they directly deal with buyers at higher prices, instead of the unscrupulous traders).�

Ejercito said once reelected to the Senate, he would refile his Senate Bill 1514, which seeks to establish an agricultural food terminal and trading center in every province to be set up adjacent to bus or any transport hub and train

Strong leadership, laws needed Gabby Lopez, who has been at the forefront of rural development efforts since the 1970s, and whose expertise is still being sought by government, also believes that very strong leadership is essential to the effective implementation of rural development programs.

He said President Rodrigo Duterte’s advocacy of federalism was the right step towards further spurring rural development. “You must seize power, have strong leadership which you must use not only to transform, but also to re-educate the pag-iisip (mass consciousness). The largest enemy in transformation and revolution is pag-iisip,� he said.

Dar said candidates in this year’s midterm polls should include agriculture and rural development in their platforms. “Yes, if a candidate is really sincere in solving poverty in the country, he/ she must know that agriculture is the answer. With the coming elections, aspirants must consider agriculture and rural development in the top priority of their platforms,� said the former head of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. stations to facilitate easy transportation as well as serve as a trading place for farm produce. “Magtatayo ng agri-food terminal and trading center sa mga istasyon ng tren. Matagal na nating ipinaglalaban at patuloy na ipaglalaban ang modernong railway system para sa mabilis at maayos na pagbibiyahe ng mga produkto at mga pasahero (We will put-up agri-food terminasl and trading centers in TRAIN STATIONS 7E D BEEN kGHTING FOR modern railway system for fast and better transportation of products and passengers),� he said.

Ejercito explained that each center shall be equipped with a warehousing facility, cold storage and similar facilities necessary to accommodate and store agricultural products. “We need to institutionalize the supply and market chain of agricultural products starting from farmers, to agricultural and food terminals, to markets and other distribution channels, until they reach the consumers,� he said.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

News

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SUNDAY February 17, 2019

A3

Duterte signs new SSS charter

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into LAW A BILL SEEKING TO OVERHAUL THE YEAR OLD CHARTER OF THE 3OCIAL 3ECURITY 3YSTEM 333

The new law will repeal the Social Security Law, or Republic Act 1161, as amended by RA 8282, and expand the powers of the SSS to ensure the long-term viability of the system.

The amendment aims to emPOWER THE 333 TO INCREASE BENEkTS

condone penalties and rationalize

investments, among others.

The new law will also ensure the social security of the growing number of Filipinos outside the country, as it provides for the mandatory SSS coverage of overseas Filipino workers.

The signing of the new law elated Sen. Richard Gordon, who

said that the law aims to provide a sound, viable and meaningful social security for the people by inculcating the principle of “Work, Save, Invest and Prosper.� “This is a landmark law for the SSS. The purpose of this law is to uplift the dignity of our people. MagsaSACRIkCE ANG MGA MEMBERS NGAYON -EMBERS WILL MAKE THE SACRIkCE by contributing more, but they will ENJOY A DIGNIkED RETIREMENT LATER on. When they retire, they won’t get a pittance. They will retire with a measure of prosperity,� he said.

Gordon said the law would strengthen the SSS as an institu-

tion, expand its membership base AND PROVIDE INCREASED BENEkTS TO its members and their families.

Salient provisions of the law include providing higher pensions for MEMBERS BY HAVING BOTH A DEkNED benefit feature which will assure workers of a minimum pension regardless of market condition and DEkNED CONTRIBUTION FEATURE 0ROVIdent Fund), where workers who are earning more and saving more can have greater pension for retirement.

The law also allows the Social Security Commission to invest, with skill, care, prudence and diligence, revenues of the SSS that

are not needed to meet the current administrative and operational expenses in order to grow the fund.

and criminal sanctions, to include FORFEITURE OF PROkTS FROM UNAUTHORIZED kNANCIAL TRANSACTIONS The new law also grants the cenNew Central Bank Act tral bank authority to impose sanctions on transfers and acquisitions The President also signed into law a of substantial shares of banks and bill increasing the Bangko Sentral ng quasi-banks without its approval.

Pilipinas’ (BSP) capitalization and The BSP shall also have the strengthening its regulatory powers. authority to require from any Under the new law, the BSP’s person or entity to submit “data expanded supervisory power will for statistical and policy developNOW INCLUDE OTHER CATEGORIES OF k- ment purposes� in relation to NANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FULL lEXIBILITY the discharge of its functions and to conduct risk-based supervision responsibilities although the reOF kNANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND MORE lease of such data shall be subject teeth in imposing administrative TO PREVAILING CONkDENTIALITY LAWS

US author tackles Battle of Manila in new book Enrile no fan of surveys

BY ALVIN I. DACANAY FOR Filipinos born after World War 2, there was rarely a time when Manila was not bursting with energy and life. There is always something going on in the city.

Tourists gathering in Intramuros.

Students attending classes at any of the schools in the area, from the University of Santo Tomas to De La Salle University. Devout Catholics lining up to kiss or wipe the feet of the image of the Black Nazarene at ITS SHRINE IN 1UIAPO But there was a time when Manila was not its lively and vibrant self. Seventy-four years ago this month, US forces tried to retake the capital by shelling it to compel the remaining Japanese troops hiding behind sturdy barriers to surrender, whatever the cost. Aware that defeat was inevitable, these soldiers went on a mad butchering spree, turning the city into what author Gilda Cordero-Fernando described in one of her stories as a “wilderness of slaughter.�

At the end of what is now known as the Battle of Manila in early March 1945, an estimated 100,000 Filipino civilians were killed and nearly the entire city — its churches and ofkCE BUILDINGS SCHOOLS AND genteel neighborhoods — was reduced to ashes and rubble. That 29-day battle was one of the most harrowing episodes of the Second World War, and the destruction was said to rival Warsaw’s. But for a long time, no US book focused on that painful chapter in the PaCIkC 7AR HAS BEEN written and published — until now.

That book, Rampage: MacArthur, Yamashita and the Battle of Manila, MAY NOT BE THE kRST TO DEAL with the subject. Lourdes ReyesMontinola’s memoir Breaking the Silence — about the massacre of her entire family during the battle and her coping with it — comes TO MIND "UT IT IS THE kRST BY AN American, historian and Pulitzer 0RIZE kNALIST *AMES - 3COTT WHO was in Manila for a week-long university book tour to promote Rampage, which was published last year to great acclaim.

In his lectures on the book, Scott described the Battle of Manila as A gkGHT UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN THE 0ACIkC 7AR u “It was a bloody, urban brawl

that forced American soldiers to battle block by block, house by house, even room by room,� he said. “The end result was the catastrophic destruction of the city and a rampage by Japanese troops that terrorized the civilian population. Landmarks were demolished, houses torched, countless women raped and their husbands and children murdered,� the author added. “[T]hose brief weeks in February 1945 forever transformed the city, once known as the Pearl of the Orient, and decimated generations of Filipino families, the ripples [of] which still echo through lives, even today, almost 75 years [later].�

In an interview with The Manila Times on Friday, Scott adm i t t e d

that he was “stunned� that before Rampage, there was no other book tackling the Battle of Manila. “It’s a hugely consequential battle: the whole city was destroyed, 100,000 civilians killed.

It’s the only urban battle in the 0ACIkC 7AR AND OF COURSE THERE IS this huge relationship between the United States and the Philippines [in the background]. All these ingredients should have made this a natural recipe for coverage until now,� he said.

Scott was glad, though, that it gave him “the opportunity to really jump in and tackle this project, and hopefully it would spur more interest and people wanting to learn more about the Battle of Manila.�

According to him, he worked on Rampage for about

Q Author James M. Scott.

PHOTO BY ALVIN I. DACANAY

four years, from the time he signed the contract until its publication.

4HE kRST THREE WERE DEVOTED TO REsearch and writing — the “hardest part of the work,� he said — and THE kNAL YEAR TO EDITING He pointed out that “one of the things that Rampage has that other books before haven’t had is access to thousands of survivor statements that were taken by American war crimes investigators right after the Battle of Manila.� “Those statements really formed the basis of the book,� he said, WITH A gLOT OF THESE TAKEN IN kELD hospitals right after the battle, so people’s memories [then] were really fresh [and] very raw.�

Since the book tells a very civilian story, the journalist-turnedauthor said, “I wanted to have those voices be present,� because “I think it’s so much more important for people to hear what happened directly from the survivors than it is for me, the writer, to [act as] a sort of middle person.�

The magnitude of the devastation the battle had wreaked had dawned on some of the perpetrators, who even expressed remorse, according to Scott. He said one Japanese soldier, in one of the countless letters the author has secured as part of his extensive research, worried about what his mother would think of him afterward; in another, an American commander wrote how relieved he was that no American city is yet to endure what Manila went through.

What Scott lamented most about the battle was the loss of “important human capital,� stressing that when the Philippines gained independence from the United States in July 1946, it had already “lost visionaries and inventors and teachers and judges and mothers and fathers, and that is a [great] handicap going forward.�

Scott wants readers to not only remember the Battle of Manila and those who perished in it, but also to understand that it was truly a “transformative� one for the city, for it changed its development patterns.

He recounted that, in one dinner he attended during the book tour, some of the guests whose parents survived the battle talked how that fact affected the way they were raised.

The effects of the Battle of Manila on the city and its survivors continue to echo “through several generations,� Scott said.

SOME candidates give much attention to the result of surveys, but for former senator Juan Ponce Enrile, the only survey that matters is the election day.

Enrile, a former Senate president, is running for senator in the midterm elections in May. “I never bother to get involved with the surveys. I never subscribe in any survey,� he said in a forum IN 1UEZON #ITY ON 3ATURDAY “I do not know how they do it but, in my case, I go around the country, I ask...’Have you ever been asked a question by any surveying body?’ None has given me a positive answer,� he said. “So let them enjoy their surveys. The only survey that matters to me is on election day.�

Enrile served as senator from 1987 to 1992 and then as Cagayan 1st district’s congressional representative before serving as a senator again from 1995 to 2001. He ran for reelection in 2001 but lost.

He was elected senator in 2004 and in 2010. )N THE /FkCE OF THE /M-

BUDSMAN kLED A PLUNDER CASE AND 15 counts of graft against him and other individuals before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel scam.

In August 2015, he gained temporary liberty after he was allowed by the Supreme Court to post bail. “I will not want to discuss my case but all I can say is that the government will be lucky if it can present any credible evidence because I know what I did. We did not do anything wrong,� Enrile said.

Enrile, who turned 95 on Feb. 14, 2019, said he would launch a nationwide campaign. “I intend to go around the country beginning March and April all the way to...a day before the election,� he said.

Asked if he can endure the rigor of a national campaign, the former lawmaker answered, “[W]ell, all I can tell you is every month I go to my province, I go by car, 15 hours on the road.�

REINA C. TOLENTINO

Esperon pushes ‘opening’ of WPS BAGUIO CITY: National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Saturday proposed that the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) be “internationalized,� or opened to all Southeast Asian nations and China.

Esperon said he supports the idea of allowing foreign experts to visit Philippine-occupied islands in the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly Group of Islands) in the West Philippine Sea. “We are making a study now on what would it bring about if we internationalize the features [in the West Philippine Sea], meaning there could be access by others especially China and Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations),� he told reporters at the sidelines of the Philippine Military Academy’s alumni homecoming.

Esperon said foreign visitors at the Philippine-occupied islands, such as the Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, would include marine biological researchers or anyone interested to study the environment.

Reducing the military presence in the area might also pave the way for the demilitarization of the South China Sea, which he said was the “overall objective.�

4HE !SEAN AND #HINA ARE kNALizing discussions on the Code of Conduct that would lay down guidelines on the peaceful resolu-

tion of territorial disputes. “I hope non military matters like safety of life at sea, research and the like [would be discussed], and again, the overall objective, the ultimate objective is to demilitarize the area,�

Esperon said.

But he stressed that opening the West Philippine Sea did not mean that the Philippines was giving up its claims over islands and reefs.

His suggestion for the internationalization of the sea would be a symbolic act “welcoming everyone for the good of humanity.� “We may not, at this time, talk about sovereignty. We simply should TALK ON WHAT WOULD BENEkT HUMANity,� Esperon said.

-EANWHILE THE OFkCIAL WELCOMED the proposal of the United States to conduct freedom of navigational operations at the West Philippine Sea. ,AST WEEK 53 )NDO 0ACIkC #OMmand chief Admiral Phil Davidson told the US Senate that there might be a collaboration with the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Australia, New Zealand and Canada in stepping up patrols in the South China Sea. “That is alright with us,� Esperon said. “But if their intent is to go to near the contested areas, it can become a source of more tension.�

DEMPSEY REYES

Crime of unjust vexation Dear PAO, My husband and I were sued by our neighbor for unjust vexation. My neighbor refused to settle amicably. Our case WAS kLED BEFORE A -ETROPOLITAN Trial Court in Las Piùas City. I don’t really understand why my NEIGHBOR kLED UNJUST VEXATION against us. What is the crime of UNJUST VEXATION )F PROVEN GUILTY

WHAT WILL BE OUR PENALTY 0LEASE enlighten me.

Teresa Dear Teresa, The crime of unjust vexation was explained by the Supreme Court in the case of Melchor G. Maderazo, et al. vs. People of the

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA Philippines (GR 165065, Sept. 26, 2006), through Associate Justice Romeo Callejo Sr., thus: “The second paragraph of Article 287 is broad enough to include any human conduct WHICH ALTHOUGH NOT PRODUCTIVE OF SOME PHYSICAL OR MATErial harm, could unjustifiably annoy or vex an innocent PERSON xxx

“In unjust vexation, being a felony by dolo (deceit), malice is an inherent element of the crime. Good faith is a good defense to a charge for unjust vexation because good faith negates malice. “The paramount question to be considered is whether the offender’s act caused annoyance, irritation, torment, distress or disturbance to the mind of the PERSON TO WHOM IT IS DIRECTED Xxx� (Emphasis supplied).

To answer your question on penalty, we shall now refer to Section 73 of Republic Act (RA) 10951 (An Act Adjusting the Amount or the Value of Property

and Damage on Which a Penalty is Based and the Fines Imposed Under the Revised Penal Code, Amending for the Purpose Act 3815, Otherwise Known as “The Revised Penal Code�, as Amended), to wit: Section 73. Article 287 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: “Art. 287. Light coercions. Any person who, by means of violence, shall seize anything belonging to his debtor for the purpose of applying the same to the payment of the debt, shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor IN ITS MINIMUM PERIOD AND A kNE equivalent to the value of the

thing, but in no case less than Fifteen thousand pesos (P15,000). “Any other coercions or unJUST VEXATIONS SHALL BE PUNISHED BY ARRESTO MENOR OR A kNE ranging from One thousand PESOS 0 TO NOT MORE THAN &ORTY THOUSAND PESOS 0

OR BOTH u Applying the jurisprudence and the provision in your situation, the prosecution must adduce evidence that your acts have caused annoyance, irritation, torment or disturbance to the mind of your neighbor.

Moreover, the penalty for unjust vexation is arresto menor, which has the duration of 1 to 30 days

OF IMPRISONMENT AND A kNE RANGing from P1,000 to P40,000, or both imprisonment and fine, if the prosecution will be able to establish your guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

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 OfkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF !COSTA MAY be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net

A4

Opinion

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

The Sunday Times

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E d i to r i a l 17th Congress: A productive final session

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HE 17th Congress has come to an end, weeks ahead of the midterm elections for senators, repRESENTATIVES AND LOCAL OFkCIALS IN -AY With the exception of the delay in the passage of the 2019 General Appropriations Act, the P3.757-trillion national budget, this Congress has been a most productive one post-EDSA, having passed major legislation that WILL HAVE A SIGNIkCANT IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF &ILIPINOS On Friday, MalacaĂąang announced that President 2ODRIGO $UTERTE HAD SIGNED kVE BILLS INTO LAW 4HESE ARE THE 2ICE 4ARIFkCATION ,AW WHICH kNALLY ABOLISHES NON quantitative restrictions on rice imports; amendments to the charters of the Social Security System (SSS) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; An Act Providing for Reasonable Rates for Political Advertisements; and the Tax Amnesty Act, albeit with a veto.

The importance of these legislative measures cannot BE UNDERSCORED ENOUGH 4HE 2ICE 4ARIFkCATION ,AW FOR instance, long recommended by economists and agriCULTURAL EXPERTS kNALLY DOES AWAY WITH THE ECONOMIC INEFkCIENCIES BROUGHT ABOUT BY A GOVERNMENT MONOPOLY on rice importation, not to mention the This Congress corruption accompanyhas been a most ing government’s dealings with rice traders. productive one postThe law also provides EDSA, having passed billions of pesos in support for farmers, major legislation that who have not really will have a significant BENEkTED FROM DECADES impact on the lives of of protection through Filipinos. non-tariff barriers.

Also enacted was an important bill that involved amendments to the New #ENTRAL "ANK !CT BEEkNG UP THE CAPITAL OF THE "ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas to allow it to deal with the multiFACETED CHALLENGES OF A NEW GLOBAL kNANCIAL SYSTEM

where so much risk abounds.

In the same vein, amendments to the SSS Charter would allow the state-run private workers’ pension fund TO STRENGTHEN ITS kNANCIAL RESOURCES AND MEET FUTURE obligations to its members.

After years of lobbying by businessmen, the Executive and Legislative branches have agreed to declare a tax amnesty so that individuals and businesses who HAVE HAD DIFkCULTIES WITH THEIR TAX OBLIGATIONS COULD begin anew, and on a clean slate. In the process, the government will earn some revenues from tax amnesty payments, save the manpower expended on costly and time-consuming tax investigations and prosecutions, and build a database of taxpayers that the government can use to improve tax administration and collection.

Ahead of the May 2019 elections, the new law requiring media entities to give discounts to election ads will AT LEAST TRY TO EVEN THE PLAYING kELD AMONG CANDIDATES for elective posts.

The 17th Congress, led by Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, both of whom are at the end of their terms, have ENSURED THAT THEY WILL LEAVE THEIR POSTS WITH SIGNIkCANT items ticked off in the Duterte administration’s legislative agenda.

We hope that the succeeding 18th Congress will produce EVEN MORE SIGNIkCANT PIECES OF LEGISLATION

BY FOCUSING ON lawmaking and less on lengthy, politically divisive and ultimately unproductive congressional investigations.

“

“

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

The Sunday Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 128

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

A Cardinal warns of ‘growing confusion’ in faith It is the shepherds’ very own task to guide those entrusted to them on the path of salvation. This can only succeed if they know this way and follow it themselves.‌ Today, many Christians are no longer even aware of the basic teachings of the Faith, so there is a growing danger of missing the path to eternal life. — Cardinal Gerhard MĂźller, Manifesto of Faith

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HEN the former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), the highest Vatican body overseeing THE #ATHOLIC #HURCH kNDS gGROWing confusion about the doctrine of the Faith� and “growing danger of missing the path to eternal life,� many believers cannot but worry.

Cardinal Gerhard MĂźller, the CDF’s head from 2012 to 2017, expressed those concerns about the billion-strong religion in his “Manifesto of Faith,â€? issued on February 8, and available at: https://www. catholicnewsagency.com/column/ manifesto-of-faith-3978.

The four-page statement seems to address doctrinal concerns under Pope Francis, also raised previously by other prelates, priests

but not God. MĂźller adds: “Him alone, we worship in unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit as the Only and True God.â€?

The doctrine of the Blessed Trinity states that God has three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, who is Christ; and God the Holy and theologians. MĂźller received Spirit. But a segment of the Church support from at least three bish- leadership has downplayed the ops, but drew sharp criticism from divinity of Jesus to build bridges fellow German Cardinal Walter with other faiths, as well as atheKasper, whose liberal views have ists, many of whom see Christ as a won papal support. The Holy holy and wise man, but not God. Father replaced MĂźller when his In the next two sections, the CDF term expired in 2017.

Cardinal spoke of the Church’s What did MĂźller say, and what is sacramental aspect, stressing that ITS SIGNIkCANCE FOR THE FAITHFUL AND it can perform this redeeming the Church? Plenty. role “only when truth revealed in Jesus Christ becomes the point of ‘Resist the relapse to reference, rather than the views of a heresies’ majority or the spirit of the times.â€?

Under Francis, the Vatican has First issue raised is the prevalent promoted synodality, the intendency to downplay the divinity creased role of synods of bishops of Christ, due to disinterest shown in shaping Church policies and by the world, including segments pronouncements. Plus: global surof the Church, in the supernatural. veys on how Catholics see Church “We are to resist the relapse doctrines, like family and youth into ancient heresies with clear morals. These opinion polls then resolve, which saw in Jesus Christ become primary inputs in synods, only a good person, brother and and may then be cited to push friend, prophet and moralist� — doctrinal changes.

FAITH HEALER

RICARDO SALUDO

For millennia, Scripture, ageold tradition and the hierarchy’s teachings have been the paramount sole considerations in DEkNING DOCTRINES 4HIS kDELITY to the Bible, Apostolic Tradition, and the papal and episcopal Magisterium is seen as ensuring that Christ’s word and will hold sway.

MĂźller manifests concern over ideas and practices violating Catholic principles and practices, quoting St. Paul’s curse against those “proclaiming another gospelâ€? than that of Christ.

The leading prelate warned of pastors “who, in some cases have abandoned the people entrusted to them, unsettling them and severely damaging their faith ‌ who do not listen to the truth and who FOLLOW THEIR OWN WISHES WHO lATter their ears because they cannot endure sound doctrine.â€?

Notably, after Pope Francis published his Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia (AL) three years ago, based on the Synod on the Family in 2014 to 2015, four senior Cardinals (not MĂźller) and more than 40 theologians and clergy around the globe issued three

ÂłSaludoA5

Q RONQUILLO FROM A1

Abolish billionaires?

Not this billionaire-worshipping country Months before the presidential aspirants and the leading young stars of the Democratic Party in the United States proposed measures to guarantee redistribution and pre-redistribution, with the aim of reining in extreme wealth in the US, a blog editor, Tom Scocca, posted these words that the punditry had either supported or dismissed, but nonetheless, digested and commented upon: “Some ideas about how to make the world better require careful nuanced thinking about how best to balance competing interests. Others don’t: Billionaires are bad. We should presumptively get rid of billionaires. All of them.�

His arguments? A billion dollars is more than anyone needs.

It is excessive, even for one with lavish and excessive needs.

Right now, on Planet Earth, an estimated 2,200 individuals are dollar billionaires, more than 40 of them in our own country, where their extreme wealth co-exists with the extreme poverty seen in the rural areas and the urban slums. Even Filipinos who are not really dirt-poor know the difference between extreme wealth and their lowly status in lives. (I was schlepping aboard a bus as I framed this piece while billionaires were plotting for the next utility they would acquire.)

And the good thing is, the debate is not at all loose talk,

all sound and fury, without the detailed plans on how to deal with extreme wealth and extreme poverty. The push to rein in extreme wealth, the other term for “Abolish Billionaires� is supported by concrete proposals on how to do it.

Take the case of US Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who is running for President, with a policy proposal anchored on pre-redistribution of economic power and opportunities.

Warren recently filed with the US Senate a radical plan to make sure that corporate gains are shared by both corporations and their shareholders and the workers. Under the Accountable Capitalism Act, Warren proposes the mandatory inclusion of workers on the board of directors of all US corporations. Such boards set the basic policies of corporations, and, according to Warren, the presence of workers on these boards guarantees that there is a balance of power in the determination on where the corporations gains will go.

That is just for starters. After going big on a pre-redistribution, Warren goes into the heart of a grand strategy for redistribution: imposing a gWEALTH TAX u 3HE HAS SPECIkCS !

2-percent tax on Americans with assets in excess of $50 million and a 3-percent tax on those with assets in excess of $1 billion.

The wealth tax she proposed is another version of what the rising

star of the Democratic Party, New York City Rep. Alexandria Ocasio#ORTEZ WHO BRIElY WORKED AS A waitress, has put forward. She has proposed a 70-percent tax on rich Americans. The radical rise in the marginal tax rate should start at incomes that are $10 million and above, said Cortez, the youngest representative in the history of the US Congress.

Cortez’s proposal is a tax on income. Warren’s version is a tax on wealth. But regardless of what is taxed, the imposition is on the wealthy. And the aim is to create, via redistribution, a fairer society.

Now, would such imposition on the wealthy gain traction here? There are only two answers. No and never. To use a cyber term, what is “trending� is our deeply unequal society in terms of pre-redistribution and redistribution policies? What we have on the table are actually the opposite of the two. Let us start with pre-redistribution.

The grand dream of the working class to get an equitable share OF CORPORATE PROkTS IS AN IMPOSsible, hopeless one. The evisceration of the legitimate trade unions, which is the only leverage workers have, has reduced the number of workers with decent collective bargaining agreements to less than 1 million. Even if only half of the estimated 43 million in the workforce were in jobs that can organize and form trade unions, there is only one verdict

on the present and the future of organized labor: extremely weak.

More, the labor movement lacks leaders in the mold of Ka Bert Olalia on the Left and Roberto Oca on the Right.

We also have no one in the two chambers of Congress who frame policies like Elizabeth Warren. Or one with the courage and the chutzpah to tell the super-rich that it was society as a whole, not them on an individual basis, that built great wealth.

Remember Warren’s “You did not build that“ statement?

On redistribution, it is much more hopeless.

What is on the table right now is a tax measure that seeks to reduce the corporate income tax on a gradual basis, from the current 35 percent to 20 percent. On the tired premise that the money freed would lead to more investments, then jobs.

Philippine policy is still glued to the failed orthodoxy of trickledown economics. That when the rich are freed from the supposed burdens from government in form of rules and regulations on business and “oppressive� taxes, they will pay back in terms of intensifying investments, creating more jobs and sharing the gains with their workers.

Simply put, government policy is still stuck in the failed orthodoxy of billionaire-worship, the inordinate deference and reverence for the moneyed class.

The Sunday Times

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SUNDAY February 17, 2019

Opinion

A5

The end of the earth as we know it

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UMAN society, of which we are all a part, is facing an environmental catastrophe unprecedented in history. The planet is in dire condition and ecosystems that keep all species of plant, animal and insects in harmonious co-existence ensuring the survival of all are moving quickly toward collapse.

This is due to the nonstop manmade industrialization driven by COAL kRED POWER PLANTS BILLIONS OF vehicles, destruction of the forests, clearing of the land and chemical farming to feed millions of cows.

All these contribute to global warming, climate change and environmental degradation. This, in turn, is increasing the rate of extinction of the many species of insects that help to pollinate the fruits and plants we rely on for food. We are exterminating ourselves.

The insects are food for hundreds of birds, reptiles and mammals. If the insects, grubs and worms disappear, so do the birds and many more beautiful creatures , and eventually plant life itself will deteriorate beyond recovery. The entire ecosystem relies on insects to keep it going, and we are entering another age of mass extinction,

and ponds. Insects are heading for total extinction eight times REFLECTIONS faster than that of the reptiles and mammals and birds. They, too, are in grave danger of extinction. The Black West African Rhino is gone forever, never to roam the African this time, the fastest in the history plains again.

4HE SHOCKING kNDINGS ON THE DEof the planet. And it’s man-made.

The world’s insects are threat- cline of the insect world was pubened with rapid extinction and lished in the journal, Biological this will introduce a “catastrophic Conservation. Francisco SĂĄnchezcollapse of nature’s ecosystems,â€? Bayo at the University of Sydney, SAYS AN IMPORTANT SCIENTIkC REPORT !USTRALIA WHO WROTE THE kNDINGS

WHICH IS THE kRST SUCH REVIEW OF THE told The Guardian newspaper: “It threat to hundreds of thousands is very rapid. In 10 years you will of species of insects and the crops have a quarter less, in 50 years only half left, and in 100 years you will that rely on them.

The study found that more that have none.�

Soon you will be lucky to see 40 percent of the world’s insects are in serious decline and a third bats and birds. The bird song in of them are endangered. The en- the morning is rare, indeed, and tire mass of the world’s insects is there are fewer swallows and swifts falling at a rate of 2.5 percent per flying around. They depend on year, which means they could all insects to live. In a period of 35 be gone within a century. This is years, as much as 98 percent of a shocking discovery. That would ground insects in Puerto Rico have be hundreds of millions of years already vanished. Wildlife is disapof exquisite evolution wiped out pearing, too. In England, the butTERlY POPULATION HAS FALLEN BY in a hundred years.

4HE MAGNIkCENT HOVERING FOUR percent on farmland in a nine-year winged dragonfly would be no period. We may have heard of the more flirting over our streams massive decline in the honeybee

FR. SHAY CULLEN, SSC

Q SALUDO FROM A4

A Cardinal public statements citing possible deviations from core Church docTRINES INCLUDING THOSE AFkRMED BY both Popes St. John Paul 2nd and Benedict 16th.

When ‘salvation becomes impossible’ One alleged deviation was liberal interpretations of statements in Chapter 8 of Amoris Laetitia, which would allow communion and absolution for Catholics who remain married under Church law, but have become civilly divorced and taken new spouses in state ceremonies.

In his manifesto, MĂźller pointedly admonished that such divorced but civilly remarried persons, along with non-Catholics “cannot receive the Holy Eucharist fruitfully,â€? with reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph CCC 1457. The Vatican had also selectively allowed Protestants to receive communion, especially those who join their Catholic spouses at Mass.

Under Church law, those with mortal sins like adultery would commit more mortal offenses if they receive communion, further endangering their souls. MĂźller also worried: “When believers who no longer confess their sin and no longer experience the absolution of their sins, salvation becomes impossible.â€?

Eternal salvation may also be compromised by excessive preoccupation with secular or worldly concerns. “Many wonder today what purpose the Church still has in its existence, when even bishops prefer to be politicians rather than to proclaim the Gospel as teachers of the Faith,â€? MĂźller said.

Among fundamental doctrines he urges for vigorous teaching is “the eternity of the punishment of hell.� In one interview, Pope Francis was quoted denying hell’s existence, though the Vatican press OFkCE EXPRESSED DOUBT HE SAID SUCH heresy. And Catholics would be hard-pressed to recall a mass homily prominently warning of hell. “To keep silent about these and the other truths of the Faith and to teach people accordingly is the greatest deception against which the Catechism vigorously warns,� admonished the Cardinal. “It represents the last trial of the Church and leads man to a religious delusion, ‘the price of their apostasy’ (CCC 675); it is the fraud of Antichrist.�

In conclusion, the MĂźller manifesto quoted St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy: “Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. For there shall be a time, when [people] will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires ‌ turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned into fables.â€?

Pray for the Catholic Church.

population. There were 6 million honeybee colonies in the United States in 1947 but by 2017, more than half had been wiped out.

The modern methods of commercial farming are largely responsible, although climate change is also a contributing factor. The cutting of forests, destroying hedgerows, leaving open flat fields sprayed with ever more toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers are also responsible.

The chemicals are blown by the wind across the lands, even into protected forest areas, as the Germans discovered. There was a massive loss of insects in the protected forests. As much as a 75-percent loss of the insect population has been recorded, which shocked researchers and sparked government research into the dangers of pesticides in the environment.

The worst of all kinds of insect killers are neonicotinoids and kPRONIL 4HEY ARE AT THE ROOTS OF THE problem. “When you consider 80 percent of biomass of insects has disappeared in 25 to 30 years, it is a big concern,� the scientist said.

The industrial scale of sprayed poisons is the problem. These

deadly chemicals enter the food chain and humans ingest them and they accumulate in the fatty tissue. One day they reach critical mass and trigger cancer tumors and other diseases.

This form of farming is driven by corporate farming and market demand to provide cheap food for an overconsuming and exploding population. The massive consumption of beef, pigs and chicken produced on an industrial scale is causing the ever-present climate change. The rising temperatures are killing the insects that can’t adapt. The methane gas produced by the billions of farm animals and the melting of the Siberian permafrost is mixing with CO2 and forming a blanket around the globe, cooking us at one time and freezing us at another.

There is an ever increasing rising of annual temperatures around the world that is harming crops, contributing to the melting ice cap, raising the level of oceans and inundating estuaries and coastal AREAS )SLANDS IN THE 3OUTH 0ACIkC are disappearing.

The only answer is to change our lifestyles and use our power as

consumers, shoppers and customers to demand organic food that is pesticide- and chemical-free. If consumers buy only those, the farmers will adapt and supply to meet that demand.

Then we can go one better and demand plastic-free seafood. The OCEANS ARE kLLING UP WITH MICRO plastic that is being swallowed by THE kSH IN EVERY OCEAN AND SEA (UMANS ARE CONSUMING THE kSH WITH the micro-plastic pellets and its harmful effects are still unknown.

We can also eat less meat and more organic vegetables and fruits.

There is more that we can do.

Support and vote for political candidates committed to an environmentally clean world.

Unless we take seriously this ongoing deadly decline in the insect species, our entire ecosystem will be damaged forever. Once they are gone, they are gone forever. With THE BEES AND BUTTERlIES GONE WE WILL BE LEFT WITH THE lIES AND COCKroaches. That will be a miserable and dangerous world.

www.preda.org Read Ricky and Julie, click here http://amzn.com/B07DXKX4SV

The ‘Mighty Thor’ we call press freedom

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E all know that press freedom is sacred and consistently enshrined in almost all charters of the democratic world. Yes, press freedom is the “Mighty Thor� of the cosmos and any government that gets in its way risks being vaporized to oblivion.

The problem with press freedom lies in “lies.�

I’ve spent most of my life so far being employed in this “select� group called the press.

One thing we, and that includes me, often forget in the process of doing our job is to be determined to cater to the need of our readers for factual and truthful information at all cost.

Journalist or not, we all have the same responsibility toward society in general: we have to observe and practice the same ethical standards that we demand of our subject. Disrespect from either side could ruin our forum for any healthy discussion.

Code of ethics you say? All media entities for that matter should abide by this code; it is not as complicated or mysterious as the Da Vinci code.

MIRRORLESS

ROLLY G. REYES According to the Journalism Ethics found on the EthicNet website of Belarus, “The present Code shall set a very high standard of ethical and professional behavior for people involved in searching, receiving, keeping, distributing and commenting on information in the mass media. “Mass media freedom is one of the major guarantees of the freedom of speech, an obligatory element for ensuring other civil rights and freedoms,� it says. “The journalist must defend the freedom of speech, retain independence of his or her political views and convictions.

He/she must resist any efforts to distort information or introduce censorship. However, in his/her professional activity, he/ she should remain neutral and objective.�

EthicNet added: The right of society to objective information should be given respect. The

news should be based on facts and information where truthfulness can be thoroughly checked.

Another important aspect is that every journalist should do his/ her best to obtain information from all possible sources and make sure it is complete, truthful and unbiased.

Now hear this: “Information which may offend or humiliate a person should be checked especially carefully. Information should be obtained in legal and ethical ways ... Trust must not be abused. Journalists may not misrepresent themselves.�

Freedom of the press is partly good and partly bad. Sometimes the mere utterance of the term “press freedom� comes with an indication of its importance.

Sadly, the same significance is not given to the responsibility that comes with it. This awesome power makes it susceptible to abuse by any institution or by the media itself.

While we all agree that a truly free press would be free from intervention not just by the state, but also by market forces and ownership bonds, many

powerful bodies use the press for their private interests in order to make propaganda that may be harmful to the public.

Nowadays, some media outlets publish stories just to denigrate someone (like an opponent in politics or a hated politician). In such cases, the press loses its function as a free institution, and becomes a tool to abuse the constitutional freedom of expression and of speech at the same time.

This is often seen where a political party controls a newspaper, with the objective of influencing a reader’s way of thinking. This is a form of abuse of this freedom. So, the press must check its facts before publishing any report in order to avoid stories based on half-truths, but instead, present unbiased information.

To quote Lord Denning: “The freedom of the press is heralded as one of the great bulwarks of liberty. It is duly entrenched in the constitutions of the world. It can publish whatever it chooses to publish.

But it does so at its own risk. Af-

terwards, after the publication, if the press has done anything unlawful, it can be dealt with by the courts. If they should damage the reputation of innocent people, they may be made liable in damages. The press is not always above the law.�

It is the court which maintains a balance between the civic interest and other competing interests. While some media men will cry in desperation that in today’s world there is no absolute freedom, we are forced to ask ourselves where does a journalist draw the line when disseminating information? What part of any speech should and should not be covered by the law?

Freedom of the press is considered a cornerstone of a democratic society. What is not always considered is the possibility of abuse of that freedom. Reports must be warranted by facts.

As Abraham Lincoln once articulated: “Let the people know the facts, and the country will be safe. *** Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.

FOCUS

Trump’s border wall ‘emergency’ faces tough legal hurdles WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump’s declaration of an emergency Friday to build a border wall immediately drew legal challenges that could easily escalate into a landmark test of the balance of power between the White House and Congress.

Legal experts said it was “unprecedented� for a president to use his emergency powers to overcome Congress’s refusal to fund his wishes, in this case a barrier on the US-Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants.

They also questioned Trump’s categorization of the immigration issue as a national emergency and his tapping military funds for a nonmilitary project.

Hours after the announcement, the Trump administration faced an investigation by the House Judiciary committee and lawsuits from New York, California and the American Civil Liberties Union. “President Trump is manufacturing a crisis and declaring a made-up ‘national emergency’ in order to seize power and subvert the constitution,� said California Governor Gavin Newsome. “California will see you in court.�

Trump said he expected a legal fight and predicted he would prevail. “We will have a national emergency, and we will then be sued,� Trump said Friday.

Q Washington, District of Columbia : US President Donald Trump speaks about a state of emergency from the Rose Garden of the White House February 15, 2019 in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/ BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI “Then we will end up in the Supreme Court, and hopefully we will get a fair shake, and we’ll win in the Supreme Court.�

Dangerous precedent Trump invoked the 1976 Na-

tional Emergencies Act after Congress refused to allocate his requested $5.7 billion for a wall in a spending bill.

The White House says the emergency order empowers it to pull around $6.6 billion from other sources, mostly already-

allocated funds in the Defense Department budget.

Democrats accused the president of an unconstitutional power grab. “The president’s actions clearly violate the Congress’s exclusive power of the purse,� Nancy

Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leaders in Congress, said in a joint statement.

It is a precedent-setting move, said American University law professor Jennifer Daskal, adding that the National Emergen-

ÂłFocusA6

A6

T

Opinion

The Sunday Times

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SUNDAY February 17, 2019

Research with your feet on the ground

ODAY, local and international universities covet high ratings conjured up by global marketing companies in their periodic world rankings.

For them, good ratings translate to being on the cusp of glory in the world of education. The currency needed to afford this stake is research productivity.

Somehow, this explains the frenzy of publicity about universities being a research hub that is lavished with funds, oozing with research talents and internationally connected with other schools. This manufactured image rings as the perfect logical framework that rhymes with success.

Such a frame of mind immediately puts the research agenda in line with the key result areas of a university; hence, the push for faculty members to embark on their research journey. Unfortunately, the push varies from the most honorable of reasons to the most misguided ones, such as giving incentives of promotion to researchers and security for those whose tenureship hangs in uncertainty. All this makes doing research harder.

Doing research is not about a fantasy production where one

NON SCHOLAE SED VITAE

JESUS JAY MIRANDA, OP has to flawlessly deliver the script to please a paying audience. Such speculation about research needs to be dispelled so as to arrive at its ultimate goal, that is, to expand the horizon of knowledge in order to address the questions and problems of society, as well as to improve lives. As the Harvard’s academic chair Abraham Loeb said, “It is important for research’s discovery of truth [to be] not encumbered by political or ideological forces.�

An honest approach to research should create more space for motivation and innovation.

Loeb has insights about a researcher, who is in the right direction in the undertaking of research. According to him, researchers continuously need spaces — physically, socially, financially, including a huge space for understanding, allotted for them by their research heads and directors. These are essential because a research is

a product of a tedious effort of finding order out of chaos. “Scholarly books and journals often give the impression that the truth is revealed through a neat, orderly and logical process. But research is far from being a pristine landscape; in fact, it resembles a battlefield, littered with miscalculations, failed experiments and discarded assumptions,�

Loeb said. “The path to truth is often convoluted, and those who travel along it often must navigate fierce competition and professional intrigue.�

However, while research center heads give ample room for their FELLOWS AND AFkLIATES RESEARCHERS must also understand that transparency and accountability are crucial parts of their agenda. Researchers must communicate the results of their work in a way that supports accountability. Their research should be a testament to positive outcomes, borne out of a donation, a university fund, OR EDUCATION BENEkT AVAILED OF BY a researcher during the conduct of his work. “The duty to communicate findings also ensures that the POTENTIAL RECIPIENTS OF THE kNDings or discoveries are educated

about, not only the topic itself, but also the way research actually works,� Loeb suggests. To be true, researchers beget researchers.

The search for new knowledge is supposed to be contagious and continuous. “[Researchers] should approach their job as mentors of future leaders in science, technology, the arts, and humanities, rather than attempting to mold students in their own intellectual image.�

Peeling off the mask of our own making about research in the university should lead us to think that there is no ivory tower of research. Research is not a manipulated tool for selfish gains. Neither is it for glamorizing a university image.

Research, after all, is for the progress of humankind.

Jesus Jay Miranda, OP is the secretary general of the University of Santo Tomas. He holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management (ELM) and teaches at the Graduate School of UST and the ELM Department of the Bro. Andrew Gonzalez, FSC–College of Education of De La Salle University-Manila. Contact him at jaymiranda.op@ust.edu.ph.

A N A LY S I S

Shutdown saga offers lesson in divided govt WASHINGTON , DC: When you want results in a polarized Washington, sometimes it pays to simply leave the professionals alone to do their jobs.

That seems to especially be the case now in an era in which liberal House Democrats are sharing power in Washington with a GOP-led Senate and President Donald Trump.

It’s a lesson relearned after a hard-won deal on border security sailed through the House and Senate by sweeping votes on Thursday as part of a $333-billion catchall spending bill to close the books on the bitter shutdown battle.

The results defied skeptics’ expectations that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., would be hemmed in by her party’s ascendant progressive wing or that Trump would be unable to bring himself to sign a bill handing him a defeat on his $5.7 billion demand for a wall along the US-Mexico border.

The 300-128 House vote on Thursday revealed strong unity among Democrats — who lost the votes of only 19 of their members — and the isolation of the tea party Republicans who drove the train during GOP control of the House over the past eight years.

The border compromise, part of an 1,100-page-plus catchall government funding bill negotiated by a quartet of Capitol Hill old-timers, was driven through by a powerful coalition of Democrats and the GOP’s more pragmatic members. No-

body was wholly pleased by the agreement, but there was widespread acceptance that it represented a fair compromise and was what the current balance of power could produce. “You’re not compromising your values. You’re just going according to democracy,� said New York Rep. Peter King, a veteran GOP pragmatist. “In divided government you have to get less than you want, and you have to accept more that you don’t want. That’s divided government.�

Or, as preschool teachers sometimes say when handing out treats: “You get what you get, and you don’t get upset.�

While Pelosi garnered much of the attention, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was a key force as well.

After taking his cues from the White House during most of the 35-day partial shutdown, McConnell decided to largely cut the White House and Trump loose, deputizing Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala. — a 40-year veteran of Congress — to work out a deal within parameters that Trump would hopefully accept.

McConnell and Pelosi don’t have a warm relationship, but they regard each other as professionals, and the huge margins of support for the bill — the Senate passed it 83-16 — show that the two seem unstoppable if their interests align.

Pelosi displayed her pragmatic streak as well, instructing her

negotiators to drop a demand to limit the number of immigrants living illegally in the country who could be detained. She argued, said a senior Democratic aide, that the stance was politically unsustainable. “I thought it was a pretty good example of the ways things should work,� said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. “The best thing to do is to leave it to the members of Congress to work out our differences. If we do our job well, that’s what we do.�

Alexander and other veteran members of the Appropriations committees hope the agreement sets the stage for another successful round of spending bills this year. The must-do measures not only set budget priorities but also can often be used as vehicles to address midtier issues that can get snagged when advancing on their own.

First, Pelosi, McConnell and the White House need to come together on a broader budget framework, which is doable but tricky.

But the relative comity that produced the border agreement may be difficult to replicate on other agenda items. It was forged under intense pressure, with GOP leaders and Trump desperate to avoid another shutdown. Most of the underlying $333-billion spending bill had been worked out last year, and even the border security piece pretty much resembled an agreement forged last year.

Perhaps a better indicator of the future came on Wednesday,

when, in a bitterly partisan allday Judiciary hearing, Democrats approved legislation to establish universal background checks for gun purchases, one of their top agenda items.

For 10 hours the two sides slugged it out before approving the measure on a straight partyline vote. The bill is likely to pass the whole House soon but appears destined to get buried by the GOP-controlled Senate.

While high-profile issues such as taxes, universal health care and climate change legislation are mountains that are too high to climb, especially with the 2020 presidential campaign already revving up, veteran lawmakers see promise in middletier topics such as infrastructure and addressing the high cost of prescription drugs. “Look, we don’t control the Senate, we don’t control the White House, so if you’re going to get things done, you’re going to have to deal,� said Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., a Pelosi loyalist.

That means legislating the old-fashioned way: Build support across the political spectrum and pass bills with a big vote. “We’re looking to do things that D’s and R’s will support in both houses and that the president will sign,� said powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-NJ. “The president hasn’t really vetoed anything, so I think the main thing is to get the ReAP publicans on your side.�

Q FOCUS FROM A5

Trump’s border wall ‘emergency’ faces tough legal hurdles cies Act had “never been used in that way, for good reason.�

Critics warn that Trump opened the door for future presidents to call on the act whenever they fail to get their way with Congress. A frustrated Democratic president might some day invoke it to get FUNDS TO kGHT ONGOING gEMERGENcies� of climate change and gun proliferation.

The White House dismissed this argument, underscoring how a court showdown might proceed. “This actually creates zero precedent. This is authority given to the president in law already,� said acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. “It’s not as if he just didn’t get

what he wanted, so he is waving a magic wand and taking a bunch of money.�

criminals across the border.

In the abstract, he appears within his rights.

However, said Bobby Chesney, A real ‘emergency’? the associate dean at the University of Texas School of Law, Any legal battle will focus on “litigation won’t be in abstract.� the definition of “emergency.� “The pretext issue looms large The emergencies act “does not here,� he said in a comment on provide any explicit limitations Twitter. on what does and does not conHe was referring to the probstitute a national emergency,� l e m o f Tr u m p r e s o r t i n g t o Daskal told AFP. declaring the border issue an Previous governments have emergency after spending two declared emergencies based on years in a losing political battle the act due to immediate threats for wall funding. such as the September 11, 2001 Trump himself appeared to attacks and the 2009 outbreak undermine his argument as he anof swine flu. nounced the emergency on Friday.

Trump said the emergency now “I didn’t need to do this, but I’d IS THE lOW OF DRUGS AND VIOLENT rather do it much faster,� he said.

Land, military issues Daskal expects border landowners also to sue to protect their property rights. “A lot of the land that’s at issue is not federal land, it’s private land,� she said.

Chesney points to a challenge over the use of military funds.

Defense Department rules say that, even if diverted, construction funds must be for a project that “requires the use of the armed forces.�

The wall, however, has been cast from the outset as a civilian project. “That is the main point of litigation vulnerability,� said Chesney.

AFP

Socialism has become a classification that no longer classifies “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs!� — Karl Marx WASHINGTON, DC: Norman Thomas was not easily discouraged. Running for president in 1932, three years into the shattering, terrifying Depression, which seemed to many to be a systemic crisis of capitalism, Thomas, who had been the Socialist Party’s candidate in 1928 and would be in 1936, 1940, 1944 and 1948, received, as this column previously noted, fewer votes (884,885) than Eugene Debs had won (913,693) as the party’s candidate in 1920, when, thanks to the wartime hysteria President Woodrow Wilson had fomented, Debs was in jail.

In 1962, Michael Harrington, a founder of the Democratic Socialists of America (it succumbed to a familiar phenomenon: Two American socialists = three factions), published 'The Other America.'

It supposedly kindled President John Kennedy’s interest in poverty, which had not escaped his attention while campaigning in West Virginia’s primary. Harrington, like “democratic socialist� Sen. Bernie Sanders today, thought socialism should be advanced through the Democratic Party.

Today, socialism has new, angrier advocates. Speaking well of it gives the speaker the frisson of being naughty and the fun of provoking Republicans like those whose hosannas rattled the rafters when the president vowed that America would never become socialist. Socialism is, however, more FREQUENTLY PRAISED THAN DEkNED BECAUSE IT HAS BECOME A CLASSIkCATION THAT NO LONGER CLASSIkES 3O

a president who promiscuously wields government power to inlUENCE THE ALLOCATION OF CAPITAL (e.g., bossing around Carrier even before he was inaugurated; using protectionism to pick industrial winners and losers) can preen as capitalism’s defender against socialists who, like the Bolsheviks, would storm America’s Winter Palace if America had one.

Time was, socialism meant thorough collectivism: state ownership of the means of production (including arable land), distribution and exchange. When this did not go swimmingly where it was kRST TRIED ,ENIN SAID IN that socialism meant government ownership of the economy’s “commanding heights� — big entities.

After many subsequent dilutions, today’s watery conceptions of socialism amount to this: almost everyone will be nice to almost everyone, using money taken from a few. This means having government distribute, according to its conception of equity, the wealth produced by capitalism. This conception is shaped by muscular factions: the elderly, government employees unions, the steel industry, the sugar growers, and so on and on and on. Some wealth is

WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP

GEORGE F. WILL distributed to the poor; most goes to the “neglected� middle class.

Some neglect: The political class talks of little else.

Two-thirds of the federal budget (and 14 percent of GDP) goes to transfer payments, mostly to the non-poor. The US economy’s healthcare sector (about 18 percent of the economy) is larger than the economies of all but three nations, and is permeated by government money and mandates. Before the Affordable Care Act was enacted, 40 cents of every health care dollar was government’s 40 cents. The sturdy yeomanry who till America’s soil?

Last year’s 529-page Agriculture Improvement Act will be administered by the Agriculture Department, which has about one employee for every 20 American farms.

Socialists favor a steeply progressive income tax, as did those who created today’s: The top 1 percent pay 40 percent of taxes; the bottom 50 percent pay only 3 percent; 50 percent of households pay either no income tax or 10 percent or less of their income. Law professor Richard Epstein notes that in the last 35 years the fraction of total taxes paid by the lower 90 percent has shrunk from more than 50 percent to about 35 percent.

In his volume in the Oxford History of the United States (“The Republic for Which It Stands,� covering 1865-1896) Stanford’s Richard White says that John Bates Clark, the leading economist of that era, said “true socialism� is “economic republicanism,� which meant more cooperation and less individualism. Others saw socialism as “a system of social ethics.�

All was vagueness.

Today’s angrier socialists rail, WITH SPECIkCITY AND SOME JUSTIkCAtion, against today’s “rigged� system of government in the service of the strong. But as the Hoover Institution’s John H. Cochrane (aka the Grumpy Economist) says, “If the central problem is rent-seeking, abuse of the power of the state, to deliver economic goods to the wealthy and politically powerful, how in the world is more government the answer?�

The “boldness� of today’s explicit and implicit socialists — taxing the “rich� — is a perennial temptation of democracy: inciting the majority to attack an unpopular minority. This is socialism now: From each faction according to its vulnerability, to each faction acCORDING TO ITS ABILITY TO CONkSCATE (C) 2019, WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP

George Will’s email address is georgewill@washpost.com.

s COLUMNIST FRANCISCO S. TATAD ASKS SEN. PANFILO LACSON TO EXPLAIN 'BUDGET INSERTION' IT is obviously out of a sense of fairness that the editor of the Times has decided to publish a letter written by one Joel Locsin for Sen. Panfilo Lacson pointing out that some proposed insertions in the 2019 General Appropriations Act, which I referred to in a previous column, actually belong to the good senator. This is useful information, except that there was no need for this paid hack to throw cheap and unnecessary ad hominems in my direction. I understand letter sender Locsin ... has not earned the right to ridicule me or my credentials.

In my column, I quoted sources at the bicameral conference committee on the insertions proposed, but respected their discretion not to name the senatorproponent/s. I did not lack the courage to name Senator Lacson, as his media officer suggests; I simply did not have the information when I wrote my column. Now that the good senator’s media officer has made that known, I will have to ask the good senator, whom I admire very much, to explain the rationale for his every proposed insertion, and how the massive total fits into his carefully cultivated image as a senator who has not profited from the “pork barrel system� in any form.

Thank you very much.

Francisco S. Tatad, FIRST THINGS FIRST

Regions

˜ The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Marawi demolition starts despite warning vs bombs MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur: Despite warning from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that some 49 unexploded ordnances (UXOs) were not yet retrieved from the ground zero or the Marawi siege’s most affected area (MAA), the National Housing Authority (NHA) has started demolishing structures inside the MAA. The demolition that started on Thursday was part of an inter-agency in charge of rehabilitating the city.

UXOs are explosive weapons that did not explode when they were employed but still pose risks of detonation even decades after they were used or discarded.

This was the main reason given by the AFP on why no one was allowed to visit ground zero as the explosives pose great danger to lives.

A Luzon contractor, CJI General Services, which won the contract to clear sectors 2 to 9 of the MAA, began with the demolition of a ruined property owned by Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra on OsmeĂąa Street in Barangay Sangkay, located inside sector 5.

Ikmat Bantuas, an NHA engineer, said Gandamra’s building was one of the 409 structures whose owners consented to demolition of their property.

Bantuas added that there were guidelines for the demolition such as the owners must be present during the demolition, and that all the concerned agencies would sign for the demolition permit.

He said residents who did not consent to demolition would be respected, but they might not

be able to request government assistance should they change their mind later.

Some owners refused to allow the demolition of their property for fear that they might not get them back.

But the Task Force Bangon Marawi has repeatedly assured that all demolished property will be returned to rightful owners.

There are 6,800 structures inside the 250-hectare MAA, composed of nonhabitable, hazardous and partly destroyed houses and buildings, according to the NHA. The affected structures will be evaluated and identified by the three government agencymembers of the Inter-Agency Committee on Debris Clearing, which includes the NHA and the local government unit.

Edsel Alan Manigbas, deputy project manager of CJI, said they exPECT TO kNISH THE DEMOLITION WORKS in eight months — or four months if the weather condition permits, especially if property owners cooperate in completing the demolition earlier than scheduled.

He noted that one of the challenges they were facing was time spent on waiting for the owners because they could not proceed with the demolition without the latter’s presence.

It was said the demolition of STRUCTURES DESTROYED DURING THE kVE month war between government forces and the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group in 2017 promised a fresh start for a ruined city whose majority of residents remain displaced in temporary shelters.

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

Bacolod fire leaves P58-M damage BACOLOD CITY: A huge fire nearly razed the Manapla Public Market here on Friday morning, causing an estimated P58 million worth of damage to goods and property.

Manapla Mayor Lourdes EsCALANTE SAID THE kRE DESTROYED market blocks.

The municipal government WILL EXTEND kNANCIAL ASSISTANCE to the block owners, according to Escalante.

The municipal government would give P20,000 each to 19 big market blocks, P10,000 each to 35 medium blocks and P3,000 each to 11 small blocks, the mayor said.

Escalante said the affected vendors would be temporarily allowed to set up market stalls at the public plaza.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the blaze start-

ed around 3:20 a.m. at a coffee shop located inside the market.

Local residents, however, BLAMED THE LOCAL kRE STATION FOR THE RAPID SPREAD OF THE kRE SAYING it did not respond on time, and a kRE TRUCK FROM NEIGHBORING 6ICTORIAS #ITY ARRIVED AT THE SCENE kRST 3ENIOR &IRE /FkCER &RANKIE 'UILLEM THE -ANAPLA TOWN kRE marshall, said they only had three on-duty personnel at the town’s fire station at the time and the remaining personnel in the station were asleep.

Guillem denied accusations by the local residents that their TWO kRE TRUCKS DID NOT HAVE ANY supply of water.

Supt. Pamela Rojane Candido, BFP-Negros Occidental provinCIAL kRE MARSHALL VISITED THE AREA to assess the damages.

EUGENE Y. ADIONGÂ

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

P244M cocaine only ‘passing through’ PH Â

BY ROY D.R. NARRA

T

HE Philippines was only a transhipment point for the 70 blocks of cocaine found on the shores of Siargao and Dinagat islands, the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief said on Saturday afternoon.

PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde told reporters in this year’s Philippine Military Academy (PMA) alumni homecoming that the 70 blocks or 37 bricks of cocaine weighing 48.825 kilograms

and worth P244,125,000 were not for anyone in the Philippines. “[The blocks of cocaine] will just pass through in the Philippines, then these will be shipped to other countries. Remember, cocaine is

not popular here. Although it is being used [by some], because of its expensive price, it is not popular among drug users,� Albayalde said in Filipino.

He added that this way of smuggling drugs into the country was not something new in their book, explaining that those blocks of cocaine were intentionally thrown at sea and then would be monitored through the GPS attached to it.

The blocks of cocaine found on Siargao and Dinagat islands, however, had no GPS. “It was supposed to stay there

and when someone saw it, it will be shipped again. Probably, something went wrong because the GPS was missing. Usually, it has GPS attached to it,� Albayalde said.

He suspects that the blocks of cocaine were meant to be delivered to western South Africa. “What we know is, it is usually delivered to western South Africa.

A lot of people there are using cocaine, but with regard to Asian countries, it is not popular here,�

Albayalde said.

Investigation of possible source of the drugs is ongoing.

WORLD PEACE

The Peace Congress 2019 is launched on Friday by the Commission on Higher Education, the Volunteer Individuals of Peace and the Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light at the Philippine Arena Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan. Organizers said 25,000 delegates from state colleges and universities in Central Luzon attended the congress. PHOTO BY FREDERICK SILVERIO

Borrowers told to pay loan obligations despite closure of lender bank in Lanao MALABANG, Lanao del Sur: Borrowers of the shuttered Bagong Bangko Rural ng Malabang (Lanao del Sur) Inc. are advised to pay their loan obligations notwithstanding the closure of the bank, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) said in an advisory circulated in this town on Friday.

The PDIC advised borrowers to transact only with authorized PDIC representatives and to always secure copies of official receipts issued by the corporation. In a statement, it said the borrowers had three options to pay: 1. Direct payment at any branch of the Philippine National Bank (PNB).  Payment

should be for the account name, PDIC BURL FAO Bagong Bangko Rural ng Malabang (Lanao del Sur) Inc. Borrowers are advised to indicate their Account Reference No., which they can secure from the PDIC Public Assistance Department, and the Payor’s Name on the PNB payment slips and keep copies of the same to ensure proper recording of their payments; 2. Through Postal Money Order (PMO) or check payable to “PDIC BURL-Bagong Bangko Rural ng Malabang (Lanao del Sur) Inc.� Payment should be directly sent via mail to the PDIC Public Assistance Department at the 6th Floor, SSS Bldg., Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street,

Makati City; or 3. Direct payment at the PDIC Public Assistance Center located at the 3/F, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Avenue cor. V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City.

The bank was closed on January 25 after the Monetary Board (MB) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas prohibited the Bagong Bangko Rural ng Malabang (Lanao del Sur) Inc. from doing business in the Philippines.

Under Resolution 159 dated Jan. 24, 2019, the MB directed the PDIC as receiver to proceed with the takeover and liquidation of the bank.

The Notice of Closure was served on Jan. 25, 2019.

Bong Go, Hugpong allies visit Mariveles FORMER special assistant to the President and aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go joined his allies from the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) party in their campaign sortie in Mariveles, Bataan, recently.

Go announced in a meeting with supporters that a Malasakit Center would soon be opened in Bataan. “It is a one-stop shop, a continuing program of the President to make it easier for indigent patients to avail themselves of financial assistance for their medical needs. With the Malasakit Center, they need not go to several agencies for help and spend on transportation,� he said.

Relevant agencies like the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Phililippine Health Insurance Corp. and the Philippine #HARITY 3WEEPSTAKES /FkCE ARE HOUSED in one room in a Malasakit Center.

Go’s legislative agenda covers agriculture, housing, improved health service delivery, education, long-term sports development, localized peace Another Malasakit Center will soon rise in Bataan. This was announced by aspiring senator talks, anti-drug and crime drive, Christopher Lawrence 'Bong' Go before Bataan residents during a barnstorming in the province recently. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO anti-corruption drive, barangay (village) welfare, senior citizen concerns and creation of a Department of ter, he assured his supporters that he munities, particularly those in Orion, gay Capunitan left one resident dead, would continue to help victims of Bataan, which he also visited recently. destroyed 800 houses and displaced Overseas Filipino Workers.

4HE kRE IN 3ITIO $EPENSA IN "ARAN- 1,018 families.

After discussing the Malasakit Cen- kRE AND CALAMITIES IN VARIOUS COM-

RISING SOON

A7

The PDIC assured depositors that all valid insured deposit claims would be paid up to the maximum deposit insurance coverage of P500,000.00 through the designated servicing branches of the Land Bank of the Philippines. When filing claims, depositors are advised to prepare the duly accomplished Claim Form, which can be secured from the Mayor’s Office in Malabang, Lanao del Sur; original evidence of deposit such as Savings Passbook, Certificate of Time Deposit, used or unused checks, bank statement or ATM card; and photocopy of one valid photo-bearing ID card containing the signature of the depositor.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Peace covenant for honest polls signed in Bataan BALANGA City, Bataan:Â Municipal, provincial and congressional candidates on Saturday signed a peace covenant at the Saint Joseph Cathedral here for honest and peaceful mid-term elections in Bataan.

The Bataan police, the Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion, the Commission on Elections and the Parish Pastoral #OUNCIL FOR 2ESPONSIBLE 6OTING SPONSORED THE COVENANT Candidates in each of Bataan’s 11 towns and a city signed Integrity Pledge Boards where they pledged to abide by tenets of the Constitution, election laws, rules and regulations and respect the sanctity of the electoral exercise.

Bishop Ruperto Santos of the Diocese of Balanga advised the electorate not to vote for candidates based merely on names but on what they have accomplished.

The Bataan prelate said the candidates to be chosen should be honest, industrious and helpful. “They should help not themselves but others, not their families but the community. They should be ready to MAKE SACRIkCES TO SERVE u 3ANTOS ADDED Senior Supt. Marcelo Dayag, Bataan police director, said he was hopeful that like in past elections in Bataan, the May 13 electoral exercise would be peaceful. “There is no recorded election hotspot in Bataan,� he said.

The signing of the covenant saw Santos leading a Catholic prayer, Iman Hassan Macacua reciting the Muslim prayer and Pastor Jhonny Tomboc leading a Christian prayer.

Doves were later released.

ERNIE B. ESCONDE

A8

News

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

AQUINO LAUDS PASSAGE OF SPACE AGENCY BILL

SEN. Paolo Benigno “Bam� Aquino 4th on Saturday hailed the Senate approval of a measure he coauthored with Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd and Sen. Loren Legarda which seeks to establish the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).

Aquino, who sponsored Senate Bill 1983, an Act Establishing the Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy and Creating the Philippine Space Agency, said the launching of a space program would give Filipinos a new perspective and valuable insights that could help solve some of the country’s biggest problems. “Satellites can improve disaster management by providing accurate information that allow

early warnings and predicting of disasters to reliable and quick communication during relief and recovery operations,� Aquino said in his sponsorship speech.

Space technology, he pointed out, could enhance production AND PROkTABILITY OF AGRIBUSINESSES due to soil and weather monitoring and assessment. It could help conserve and preserve the environment, improve urban planning, transportation and communication networks.

The Philippines has been involved in space technology since the 1960s when the government built a satellite receiving station during the Marcos era. In the 1970s, the country also started its

kRST ROCKET DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM In 1996, a Filipino private kRM -ABUHAY 3ATELLITE #ORP

ACQUIRED THE COUNTRY S kRST IN orbit satellite, Agila-1.

In 1997, the company had its own telecommunications satellite, Agila 2, which was launched to space from China.

In 2014, the Philippine government partnered with universities IN *APAN TO LAUNCH THE kRST MICrosatellite developed by Filipinos, Diwata-1. The government was able to develop and send two more satellites, Diwata-2 microsatellite and Maya-1 cube satellite in 2018. )NSUFkCIENT FUNDING AND LACK OF a centralized agency to manage the space program has hindered

the development of space technology in the country. Currently, several agencies under the Department of Science and Technology maintain the country’s space program. Other government departments also implement various space-related activities for agriculture, environment, communications, transportation and security.

If enacted into law, the Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy would serve as the Philippines’ strategic roadmap for space development.

Aquino hopes the proposed legislation would enable the Philippines to be space-capable in the next decade.

Under the bill, the initial funding of P1 billion for the space program would be taken from the CURRENT kSCAL YEAR S APPROPRIATION of the Office of the President.

The amount for the subsequent operation and maintenance of the PhilSA will be included in the General Appropriations Act. Additional funding amounting to P10 billion would come from the gross income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority for five years after the effectivity of the act, with P2 billion to be released to PhilSA yearly.

5NDER THE BILL THE 0HIL3! OFkCE and its research facilities would

be housed in at least 30 hectares of land under the administration of the Bases Conversion and Developement Authority in the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga and Tarlac. Additional areas for research and launch sites would be developed in the future. “A solid space program can improve disaster management, enhance the lives of Filipino farmers, speed up our internet and telecommunications systems and help us build better, more livable cities,� Aquino said. “Let us continue to dream big for our country and let us never tire OF kNDING BETTER SOLUTIONS FOR OUR countrymen,� he added.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

Spare children, group urges rebels, soldiers

BY NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

C

HILDREN’S organization Save the Children Philippines on Saturday called on rebels and government forces to ensure the safety of children in conflict-torn areas, especially in Mindanao.

Albert Muyot, chief exECUTIVE OFkCER OF 3AVE THE Children Philippines, said ARMED CONlICTS PUT AN END to children’s future as thouSANDS GET KILLED IN kREkGHTS Many more miss out on schools and suffer hunger and sickness. g4HE IMPACT OF CONlICT on children is deep, devastating and lifelong,� Muyot said as he appealed to rebels and state forces to ensure children in conflict areas are safe from abduction, detention and displacement, and that their rights are respected.

“Schools and health centers must be treated as zones of peace and protection and every child is protected from rape and sexual violence,� he added.

The group’s 64-page report released on Saturday said that at least 350,000 people were displaced by THE kVE MONTH LONG SIEGE in Marawi City, which broke out in May 23, 2017.

Of these, 45.71 percent or 160,000 were children.

With 24 of the 96 barangays in the city destroyed, at least 62,000 students had missed school.

The breakdown of essential public services such as health care, water supply and sanitation also resulted in diseases, hunger and insecurity among nursing mothers and children, the report indicated.

Muyot said the psychological effects and severe emotional distress could last beyond THE END OF THE CONlICT In 2017, at least 30 children were recruited and were used as human shield by armed groups such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, New People’s Army and the Maute Group.

Large-scale recruitment of children was also reported at the height of the Marawi siege.

Sixty attacks on schools were recorded.

At least 33 children were killed or maimed during the siege, while three cases of rape of girls aged as young as 14 by

THE -AUTE 'ROUP WERE VERIkED by the United Nations. “Everyday, children face the threat of being killed or maimed, recruited by armed groups, abducted, falling victim to sexual violence, seeing their school attacked or humanitarian aid denied.

In many cases, children are specifically targeted,� said the group.

Save the Children called on the global community to strengthen campaigns to protect children from war AND ARMED CONlICT At least 100,000 infants worldwide die yearly due to ARMED CONlICT AND ITS INDIrect effects such as hunger, displacement, lack of health care access and sanitation.

The group’s report also revealed that 420 million children or 1 in 5 around THE WORLD NOW LIVE IN CONlICT areas, an increase of 30 million from 2016.

WALK FOR LIFE

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle speaks during the ‘Walk for Life’ event held on Saturday at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. The event, now on its third year, was organized by the Council of the Laity of the Philippines to uphold the dignity of life.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

‘BONG REVILLA HAS NOTHING TO RETURN’ THE camp of former Sen. Ramon “Bong� Revilla Jr. asked the Sandiganbayan’s Special First Division to deny the prosecution’s appeal for a writ of execution for him to settle his supposed civil liability despite his acquittal of plunder in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel scam.

Prosecutors filed a motion on January 28 asking the court to issue a writ.

They said Revilla and his co-accused Richard Cambe and Janet Lim-Napoles should return P124.5 million to

the national treasury.

But Revilla’s camp argued that “there was nothing for him to return.�

The anti-graft court found Cambe and Napoles guilty beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced them to reclusion perpetua with perpetual absolute disqualification to hold any public office in December last year.

But the court acquitted Revilla, saying the prosecution failed to establish beyond reasonable doubt that he received rebates, commissions and kickbacks from his PDAF. REINA C. TOLENTINO

Madrigal seeks dialogue on recruitment of students BAGUIO CITY: Armed Forces chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. wants a dialogue with officials of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), the Department of Education (DepEd) and members of the academe to tackle the recruitment of students by the communist movement.

Madrigal said he was saddened by the death of a veterinary medicine student from the University of the Philippines (UP) Los BaĂąos, one of those killed in an encounter between soldiers and communist rebels at the boundary of Quezon and Laguna last week. “It is right for students to exercise their academic freedom but let us remind them there is a limit to being a revolutionary and of course, having sense of nationalism,â€? he told reporters.

A member of the New People’s Army WAS ALSO KILLED IN THE kREkGHT The Southern Luzon Command confirmed that a student, identified as John Carlo Capistrano Alberto, was killed. He allegedly joined the NPA

in January. )T WAS NOT THE kRST TIME THAT A STUDENT was killed in an encounter between communist rebels and soldiers.

In 2017, Josephine Lapira, an alleged member of the Gabriela party-list, was killed in an encounter with troops in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, military spokesman, appealed to parents and SCHOOL OFkCIALS TO PREVENT STUDENTS FROM joining rebel organizations.

(E SAID PARENTS AND SCHOOL OFkCIALS should be aware of the students’ whereabouts, and what groups they had joined. “The CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA terrorists continue to lurk in our schools and communities spyING FOR NEW RECRUITS TO kLL THE DWINDLING number of their cadres,� Arevalo said in a statement. “Be on the lookout. Report the presence of these unscrupulous individuals to your AFP and allow us to save your children and students,� he added.

DEMPSEY REYES

Business Times

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2019 Editor: Edwin P. Sallan Email: edwin.sallan@manilatimes.net

B1

CEO CORNER

How to be a titan

The de facto leader of Titans Business Ventures Corp. shares his thoughts on developing a right mindset for business growth

BY YUGEL LOSORATAÂ

J

UST how do you turn a Row 4 student into a winner in the real world? Make that an INlUENTIAL kGURE IN THE BUSINESS kELD 4HE answer is realization — or once a person discovers HE NEEDS TO REALLY LEARN THINGS AND SYNC THAT WITH HIS NATURAL GIFTS OR TALENTS For Joey Garcia, who proudly associates himself with the uniquely changing world Gen-Xers grew up in, that alignment culminated AFTER HE kNISHED HIS MASTERS FROM the Asian Institute Management and Ateneo de Manila University, with focus on entrepreneurship and business management. He NEEDED CERTIkCATIONS TO GO WITH HIS knack for creating concepts, which helped their now-renowned family business grow. It also legitimized the “golden boy� tag put on him by his successful rags-to-riches, restaurateur dad Benjie Garcia of

Rai Rai Ken fame.

Joey’s entrepreneurial excellence was a major turnaround for one “never a good student.� Funny as it sounds, he spent long hours in college playing billiards and failing some key subjects. It did not help much that he is rooted in a family tree not really known for being enterprising until his old man opened a carinderia offering authentic Japanese food. As fate would have it, a Japanese customer suggested they use the name Rai Rai Ken. “Somehow hindi maniniwala

sa’yo ang business world if you don’t have enough credentials or in the long run you will suffer din the consequences of not knowing the technicalities of doing business,� shared Joey in a casual INTERVIEW kLLED WITH HONESTY AND wisdom. “You have to invest time and effort para ma AFkRM ANG EXperience mo. When I realized na ang dami ko pa dapat matutunan, I started reading books and attending seminars.�

This father of four is the acknowledged head of Titans Business Ventures Corp. that offers brands a business model canvass DESIGNED TO HELP BUSINESSES lOURish. It’s a company put up by established entrepreneurs wanting to take their triumphs to another level. His partners in this corporation founded just a few months ago are Edmar Batac, Christian Leynes, Pocholo Gonzales, Ed Paras and Dave Varona.

4ITANS BY DEkNITION ARE INlU-

ential in a certain field. These guys know their exact spot in the open sea.

On the same page and with the cumulative strength of over 100 years’ experience in helping entrepreneurs develop businesses and personal lives, Joey and his comrades have already tapped a number of partner-brands who pitched for their businesses in order to earn Titans’ vote of condidence.

4HE COMPANY S FOCUS IS gkNDing areas where business could be more productive and successful and helping develop the path to get there.� Whether in need of business planning, back office support or, game-changing executive decisions, it offers programs and services a brand might need to make it really work. “We are not shark investors. You may categorize us as venture capitalISTS u CLARIkED *OEY WHO ATTRIBUTES THE birth of their group to his association with the elite pool of Makati Jaycees

Q Titans Business Ventures Corp. President Joey Garcia (in light coat) with partners (from left) Edmar Batac, Christian Leynes, Pocholo Gonzales, Ed Paras and Dave Varona

T

HE Department of Finance (DOF) recently issued Revenue Regulations (RR) 1-2019, amending the creditable withholding tax (CWT) rates on refunds paid by the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to its customers.

The regulation’s effectivity date is Jan. 1, 2019.

The refund pertains to rate increase fees and meter deposits that Meralco is currently refunding to its customers. At this rate, it would be worthwhile to take a closer look at how the Meralco refund came about, in relation to previous Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) regulations issued on these issues.

On Dec. 23, 1993, Meralco kLED WITH THE %NERGY 2EGULATORY

Q Titans Business Ventures Corp. President Joey Garcia (JCI Makati). He is extra proud to inform that past JCI stalwarts include men who took brands like Jollibee and SM from nowhere to being household names. Those tycoons, he said, were young men just like him all those years ago.

Vocal about his dislike for doing legwork otherwise no longer his scope, Joey, humbly reminding everyone he’s “laking Leveriza,� would rather think that his actual duty now is to hire talented individuals, effectively teach, and compensate them.

He wants to describe his brilliance at conceptualization as his “artistic side of doing things.� In relation, he stated, “Business is never a science. It is an art made possible by maximizing the use of things you have learned.�

This titan started early, helping out in their family business at 14 and professionally involving

HIMSELF AT (E WAS SIGNIkCANT IN rebranding Rai Rai Ken that led to its quick growth, opening up 15 stores at one point sometime in 2002.

Having honed his expertise in business development, he conceptualized and gave birth to other restaurants like Tokyo Joe, Ramen Metro and Oishi Batchoi. “Hindi ako magaling magluto ng pagkain pero marunong akong magluto ng konsepto.,� he declared in his usual punchline-powered tone.

For someone previously unable to carry a conversation in deep English, he studied public speaking to address it and is now earning around P50,000 per talk.

Does he deserve the pay? Certainly.

He has proven his entrepreneurial INGENUITY BACKED IT UP WITH CERTIkcates, and inspired people in and around the business block since his last billiard break in school.

Withholding tax on Meralco refunds THE FINE PRINT RON ARRIESGADO Board (ERB) an application for a rate increase. The ERB granted Meralco a provisional increase on the condition that if Meralco is found to be actually entitled to a lesser rate increase, all excess amounts collected shall be refunded to its customers or credited in their favor for future consumption.

Subsequently, a Commission on Audit (CoA) report found Meralco to be entitled to a lesser rate increase, which prompted

the ERB to issue an order asking Meralco to refund or credit the excess amounts to its customers. Meralco brought the case to court, and after years of litigation, the Supreme Court upheld the ERB’s decision, and ordered Meralco to refund its customers.

As to the meter deposits, Meralco previously required a meter deposit from customers applying for a new service connection to guarantee against loss or damage of the electrical meter installed. The deposit was equivalent to one-half of the cost of the electric meter and its accessories. Meralco stopped collecting meter deposits from residential customers in July of 2004, as well as non-residential

customers since April of 2006 on account of the resolutions issued by the ERB obligating Meralco to refund the meter deposits to ITS CUSTOMERS 3PECIkCALLY THE refund consists of the principal amount paid by the customer, plus interest earned.

With Meralco clients having extra income, the BIR saw the opportunity to subject to CWT the refund payments made by Meralco. Several regulations were issued by the BIR, like RR No. 11-2018, reiterating the CWT on the rate increase refund under the following rates: - 25 percent for customers with active contracts; - 32 percent for customers with terminated contracts.

22 ALSO CONkRMED the following CWT rates on the interest earned on the refund of the meter deposits: - 10 percent for residential and general service customers whose monthly electricity exceeds 200 kw/h; - 20 percent for non-residential customers.

Under RR 1-2019, the CWT for the rate increase refund has been lowered to 15 percent. As to the interest earned on the refund of the meter deposits, the CWT rate for non-residential customers is also at 15 percent.

Note that these CWT rate reductions are mainly brought about by Republic Act 10963, the “Tax Reform for Acceleration

and Inclusion� Law, which provides, effective Jan. 1, 2019, the withholding tax on income payments to persons residing in the Philippines shall not be less than 1 percent, but not more than 15 percent of the income payment.

Ron Arriesgado is a tax lawyer, a transfer pricing specialist, and is a Partner at the LMA Law /FkCES IN -AKATI #ITY (E HAS managed and resolved taxation issues of local and multinational entities; resolved various tax assessment cases issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue; and provided clients with the proper tax strategies to cancel or substantially lower tax assessments, among others.

Kwentong Jollibee Valentine campaign goes viral anew The heartfelt videos have become a much-awaited yearly ‘hugot’ campaignÂ

BY MAAN D’ASIS PAMARAN WHAT does a burger brand have to do with Valentine’s Day? In the case of Jollibee, quite a lot. On a day that is mostly connected with hearts and flowers, the homegrown fastfood restaurant brings forth its heartwarming and relatable stories of romance set against a backdrop of its bestselling combos. Last year, Jollibee took Valentine’s Day by storm and inspired millions of Filipinos to believe in the power of love with the 2018 “Kwentong Jollibee�

Valentine’s Day episodes — “Homecoming,� “Signs,� and “Status� — which pooled in 167 million in reach on Facebook and 63 million views counting on both Facebook and YouTube.

It was also the only Philippine brand to make it as a finalist in the Creative Marketing Effectiveness category at the New York Festivals International Advertising Awards in 2018.

This year, the love stories centered on resilience and faith after facing love’s tough challenges. At the launch of the latest batch of love stories, Jollibee Global Brand Chief Marketing Officer and Philippine Marketing Head Francis Flores shared, “Our stories have always been inspired by true events and I think it’s most evident with this series. The reality is that love is not always easy, but what matters most is having faith in love no matter how tough things may get and this lesson is what I hope people will take home after watching.â€?Â

Filipino romantics did watch and shared the love bug with their friends and families. The three stories, “Choice,� “Proposal,� and “Anniversary,� have again captivated the collective imaginations of Pinoys, with millions of views garnered for each video. As of presstime, the Facebook views have each already reached the millions marks — “Proposal� has 6.6 million views, “Choice� has 5.1 million, while “Anniversary� has 4.7 million. It seems that Filipinos are not the only ones enamoured with the stories, too.

Several Youtube videos have popped up over the years, of foreigners favorably reacting to “Kwentong Jollibee,� giving credence that indeed, love makes the world go ‘round.

Q The cast of this year’s Kwentong Jollibee videos for Valentine’s Day

B2

Business Times

˜ The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

CSR FOCUS

PVB to raise funds for Death March markers

BY YUGEL LOSORATA

T

HE VALOR OF &ILIPINO 7ORLD 7AR VETERANS IS CERTAINLY NOT FORGOTTEN IN THE HEARTS OF SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS NEARLY YEARS SINCE THE INFAMOUS "ATAAN $EATH -ARCH "UT FUNDS ARE NEEDED TO KEEP THEIR MEMORIES ALIVE Thus, proceeds from the staging of this year’s Bataan Freedom Run and Freedom Trail to mark the 77th anniversary of the Bataan Death March will be used for the restoration of key points located along its route. Funds generated from last year’s edition amounted to P400,000 to help construct Hospital 1 in Mariveles, Bataan. “These events are our way of remembering and honoring the BRAVERY AND SACRIkCES OF OUR 7ORLD War 2 veterans,� said Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) Chairman Dr. Roberto de Ocampo, a son of a veteran himself.

The two-day Freedom Trail is set on March 2 and 3, covering the 140-kilometer route that took off from Mariveles all the way to Capas National Shrine in Tarlac. The marchers will be asked to relay the lAG KNOWN AS THE &REEDOM -ARCH Symbolic Guidon.

There is also the Ride For Valor to be held a week after (March 10), with participants engaging in Big Bike competitive tour of the same route.

Come April 14, the Bataan Freedom Run will see runners kick off their morning journey from Bataan to Mt. Samat at least for the daring 42-kilometer full marathoner. There are 21 km, 10 km, 5 km, and even a 1 km runs to accommodate all types of runners — from the pro to the kids and the pets.

Veterans Bank First Vice President Mike Villa-Real, a veteran’s grandson, noted with a little smile, “Our mandate is to generate PROkT AND SHARE PERCENT OF IT to the veterans and their families.

Magagalit sila sa amin kapag di kami naka-generate.�

There are only less than 5,000 veterans still alive, almost everyone of them no longer able to attend public gatherings because of health and physical reasons.

The pressure Villa-Real talks about is more of a metaphor for loud history knocking on the hearts of younger generations enjoying a free and patriotic republic, sigNIkCANTLY MADE POSSIBLE BY THE heroism displayed by those brave

men during those dark years.

Philippine Veterans Bank, a government depository bank, is owned by the vets in their individual capacities. It has around P50 billion in total assets with a clientele of local government units whose payroll and development loans are worked out under its wing.

Villa-Real poignantly shared, “There is a Bataan Memorial Death March event that happened last year in New Mexico in the US, with around 8,000 people from around the world coming. There is a

contingent in there that went to Bataan.�

If people in the US do that, all the more it makes sense that the bank and its partners make an effort to involve people who remember their Pinoy counterparts, especially the youth of today, to run, march, or do team relays in the name of Filipino veterans.

Besides, 60,000 of the 70,000 Death Marchers were Filipinos To register, visit FB pages FB.com/veteransbanktrail and fb. com/BFRRUN).

Q Philippine Veterans Bank First Vice President Miguel Angelo ‘Mike’ Villa-Real, a veteran’s grandson

Is the Chinese succession model doomed to fail?

P

ROFESSOR Joseph P.H. Fan, researcher and educator of family business governance at The Chinese University of Hong Kong wrote in his book Critical Generations — Out of the Succession Dilemma of Chinese Family Businesses that the market value of 250 listed family kRMS IN (ONG +ONG 4AIWAN AND Singapore declined by almost 60 PERCENT ON AVERAGE STARTING FROM kVE years before to the year the family patriarch handed over the business to his successor. In other words, if an investor bought shares valued at kVE YEARS BEFORE THE SUCCESSION

the value of their shares would be reduced to an average of $40 three years after the succession. Hong Kong companies dropped the most, losing some 80 percent on average with Taiwan and Singapore family owned companies falling about 40 percent and 20 percent respectively.

Why is this happening amongst overseas Chinese family enterprises?

The reason behind the shocking succession decline is twofold. According to Fan, intangible assets such as values, skills and networks, although commonly found among the first GENERATION ENTREPRENEURS ARE DIFkCULT to be passed on to the next generation.

Second, Chinese families also face various family, industrial and institutional obstacles such as family brain drain, regulatory changes and political uncertainty, which can destroy or ruin the families and their businesses.

FAMILIES IN BUSINESS PROF. ENRIQUE SORIANO History of family conflict Presented with these numbers, there is something brewing amongs overSEAS #HINESE FAMILY kRMS !S THE next generation Chinese businessmen become increasingly exposed to Western values, the gap between them and the older generation has BECOME A SOURCE OF CONlICT IN THE transition to the next generation.

One of the major causes why there are internal family disputes is the fading of traditional Chinese culture and values within family businesses. “The Chinese practice of bequeathing all the family wealth to the eldest son is diminishing,� says Fan. “This tradition, although perceived by some as ‘unfair,� has helped preserve family wealth and PREEMPT CONlICT (OWEVER THE NEW generation of Chinese family memBERS WHO HAVE BEEN INlUENCED BY Western culture and education are adopting different family values such as equality and democracy. Succession planning is, therefore, less straightforward and more complex with greater potential for family disputes.�

Another cause of many business

failures are attributed to next generation successors themselves. Even if they share the same values and passion with that of their parent founders, they may not be seasoned business professionals. It is therefore important for senior business leaders to build a strong management team and put in place a model of corporate governance that can effectively measure next generation leadership performance. Having QUALIkED PROFESSIONALS AND EFFECTing governance early is no longer an option. They are non-negotiable “best practices� tools that can ensure business continuity.

In conclusion, the pervasive nature of family business disputes is increasing at an alarming rate with poor succession planning as the root cause of the problem. Hence, the impact of poorly managed succession and famILY INkGHTING IS SIGNIkCANT BOTH FOR the family business and investors. It is time for overseas Chinese business leaders to heed Fan’s advice to take their companies public.

Succession failure by default 2ElECTING ON WORLD HISTORY #HInese rulers were obsessed in building dynasties for thousands of years and building empires to further their commercial interests was part of their culture. There is no better arena for observing a culture in action than fam-

ily owned businesses. Cultures tend to reveal themselves in situations where much is at stake, because it is here that their resources are most needed and business practices are shaped by deeply-held cultural attitudes toward work, power, trust and wealth.

Does this volatile mix of culture, old values, wealth, power and western values weigh in heavily on the succession decline of most overseas Chinese businesses? Absolutely!

Is separation an inevitable reality that should prompt business leaders to put in place an exit mechanism for heirs who do not share the same vision? Yes! Some think the best path to future success is to ditch leadership by family members — and instead bring in the professionals. But are these the right way forward — and what lessons can we learn from the family approach to business?

To be continued...

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 firm in Asia that serves family businesses and family foundations. He was formerly Chair 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.

All-digital mobile bank launches PH online presence CIMB recently launched its online banking presence in the Philippines.

CIMB Bank Philippines as it aspires TO BE THE COUNTRY S kRST ALL DIGITAL AND MOBILE kRST BANK PROMISING TO make banking simpler, more convenient and truly hassle-free.

Effendy Shahul Hamid, CEO of Group Ventures and Partnerships, CIMB Group said, “We are extremely pleased to begin serving customers in the Philippines. This completes CIMB’s operating footprint in Asean and we look forward to bringing a truly differentiated and digital proposition to the market. Internet and mobile penetration in the Philippines remains one of the highest in the world, a clear sign of the progressive and modern society we hope to serve.�

CIMB Bank Philippines is an all-digital mobile bank with headquarters at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. Vijay Manoharan, CEO

of CIMB Philippines, shared details on how CIMB Philippines aims to provide a new banking experience for Filipinos. “Consumers of today and tomorrow need innovative kNANCIAL SOLUTIONS THAT ARE RELEVANT to their needs as well as help them get ahead and advance their financial well-being, but they don’t necessarily need a physical fering bank. By ofmost of our products via the OCTO app securely, we are offer-

ing the next-level any day, any time convenience for our customers by enabling them to effectively ‘carry’ our bank branch in the palm of their hands.�

To cater to those who want to really start preparing for what’s ahead and save for the future, CIMB Bank Save Account, offers the Upwhich allows greater savings with its terest rate high inof 2 percent per annum.

Q CIMB Bank’s executives Effendy Shahul Hamid and Vijay Manoharan

CIMB Philippines’ retail banking convenience is powered by the OCTO app, which can be downloaded from the Apple App store or Google Play. Through this OCTO app, CIMB Bank Philippines offers 24/7 safe and secure banking with their seamless account opening in 10 minutes, the best in market rates, no initial deposit or maintaining balance requirements, convenient deposit and withdrawal locations, and zero transaction fees.

CIMB Philippines’ 8,000 merchant partners include 7-Eleven and DragonPay, both known for their convenient deposit, withdrawal, and payments touchpoints. The CIMB Bank VISA-powered Debit Card are accepted at any of the 20,000 Bancnet, VISA, and VISA Plus Automatic Teller Machine (“ATMs�) nationwide and two million VISA and VISA Plus ATMs worldwide.

GINA AREOPAGITA

A good week for the little people I

T is unfortunate that the antics of America’s Tangerine Tyrant have turned the term “populism� into a slur, because when it is being practiced with sincere intent, its potential to solve some deep-rooted economic problems quickly is actually quite impressive. Three MEASURES THAT BRIElY BUBBLED to the top of the news cycle stew this week in the Philippines hold some promise and are worth a second look.

4HE kRST WAS THE LONG OVERdue update of the Social Security System (SSS) charter, which was signed into law by President Duterte. The new law repeals the 21-year-old Social Security Act, and expands the powers of the SSS to increase BENEkTS MODIFY OR CONDONE penalties, and exercise more flexibility in its investments, among other things.

Of course, how the SSS uses its enhanced authority will determine the effectiveness of the updated law, but provided it is managed well, it could result in A MORE RESPONSIVE AND kNANcially healthier pension system.

Under the old law, many basic critical functions of the SSS, such as adjusting monthly pension payments, were micromanaged by Congress, with the predictable result that changes have been few, infrequent and unsatisfactory.

The only potential snag in the new SSS charter is its mandate that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) be covered by the PROGRAM 4HIS IS A BENEkT FROM the workers’ point of view — most OFWs now have to make their own contributions to the retirement program, and many are discouraged by the red tape of doing so — but might have a negative impact on overseas employment as some foreign employers may balk at the additional requirement.

The second measure, not yet implemented but soon to pass the final step in the legislative process, is the so-called “Murang Kuryente� (cheap electricity) Act, the brainchild of Sen. Ralph Recto. Senate Bill (SB) 924 has passed the upper chamber, and a counterpart measure has also been approved by the House of Representatives; only the work to mesh the two versions into a single law remains to be done, which is expected to take place sometime before the end of the month.

The Murang Kuryente Act, assuming Duterte signs it (and he should, lest he wants to see his front lawn full of torches and pitchforks), will use the government’s royalties from the Malampaya gas field to pay the universal charges that now appear on every electric consumer’s bill: Stranded debt and stranded contract costs of the National Power Corp. (Napocor), the missionary fund for ELECTRIkCATION IN REMOTE AREAS

the environment fund, and feed-in tariff pass-throughs to subsidize renewable energy development. The only difference between the House and Senate versions of the bill is how much of the estimated P207-billion Malampaya Fund will be earmarked for it; SB 924 proposes to use the entire amount, while the House version sets aside about half, or P120 billion. Presumably, the kNAL VERSION WILL EARMARK AN amount somewhere between those two recommendations.

The relief that each electric consumer will see on his bill

ROUGH TRADE BEN KRITZ is modest, but not insubstantial; a household using 200 kWh of electricity per month would see a savings of about P127, or about P1,500 per year.

Nevertheless, it is a win for the consumer; one of the sticking points in the Philippines’ persistently high electricity costs is the large number of additional charges levied on consumers by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) of 2001. The high costs of generation and distribution are still a matter that needs to productively, and THE PERSISTENCE OF A SIGNIkCANT number of non-consumption related charges has always seemed to undermine any attempt to lower or rationalize electricity costs. Taking the universal charges out of the equation provides a bit of practical immediate relief, and removes them as an excuse for not doing more to address the bigger problem.

And finally, although its passage is far less certain, there is the sweeping overhaul of the country’s minimum wage system proposed by Sen. JV Ejercito in SB 2205, which would do away with the regional wage-setting boards and replace them with a national system. The basis for setting minimum wages would also be altered from regional cost of living estimates to industrySPECIkC BENCHMARKS ALTHOUGH within whatever categories are kNALLY DEVISED SOME LEVEL OF generalization is inevitable.

Minimum wages are at best a problematic policy area, because they are economically irrational; it is virtually impossible to satisfy all stakeholders, with the usual result being NONE OF THEM ARE SATISkED 4HE new system, if Senator Ejercito can sell it, will make a couple of significant improvements over the demonstrably ineffective, 30-year-old system in place now. First, it will help to reduce regional disparities in income levels, which have been aggravated by the current system and as a result have contributed to extreme disparity in poverty levels among regions.

Second, it will potentially more accurately value labor than the current broad categorization of “agricultural� and “nonagricultural� work.

People being what they are, it is too much to hope for that anyone will be completely satISkED WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM LAbor advocates will undoubtedly complain it does not provide for high enough wages, while employers will fret over the added burden to labor costs.

Focusing the determination of WAGES ON MORE SPECIkC LABOR and industry classifications, however, will oblige both sides to make more specific arguments to support their respective positions, which will result in minimum wage mandates that are at least a little more responsive and economically realistic. For the sake of the country and as a reward to Senator Ejercito for being one of the handful of legislators who seems to take his job seriously, it would be nice to see the upgraded minimum wage act passed. ben.kritz@manilatimes.net

˜ The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

How your brand can use Facebook Live Stream Since it was unveiled in early 2016, Facebook’s Live Stream feature has been a popular addition to the platform’s experience.

When I was still heading News5. com.ph, we used it extensively not JOSEPH HOLANDES only to stream our news to our folUBALDE lowers but also to cover the entire 2016 elections. We did a Facebook Live Stream of “PAGBABAGO 2016� from sun up to sun down.

It was great for expanding the reach of our Page and also in engaging our followers. Aside from receiving real-time feedback, we also gained a better understanding of our key audience, which eventually led us to tailor-fit our content to them.

Now, as I’m doing the social media strategy of a multi-billion, globally-recognized company, we have been utilizing the Facebook live stream to showcase the brand and push the audience to sale. We also found out that video posts gain more traction in our page than the usual static content.

So what is it about the Facebook Live Stream that makes it a good compliment to any digital marketing strategy and how can you start adapting it for your business?

Here are three reasons why your brand should be using Facebook’s livestream now: 1. All eyes on you Digital marketers are always on the lookout for “eyeballs� to their content to increase impressions or visibility of the brand. A live stream is a cost-effective way of getting attention for a content. But make sure the content is compelling and worth the while of your audience.

Remember, video still consumes a lot of date for mobile viewers so unless you’ve got something important or cool to show, maybe park this idea of streaming first.

But once you have the content right, then the rewards are immense. When we did a question and answer live stream in News5, it brought us a 49-percent increase in engagement for that week and a bump of 30,000 new followers.

2. Instant content Facebook live streams provide instant content for brands since it can be saved and posted as a video after. This is a good addition to existing Page content. I suggest you build a separate playlist for this to organize this content type.

If you weren’t able to get significant viewers during your live stream, just leave it for the mean time as a post. This was what happened to the viral sensation “Chewbacca Mom,� which was originally recorded live, but became viral when the stream stayed on Facebook. It became the most watched live video of 2016, gaining 170 million views by the end of the year.

3. Talk to your audience How many brands have said, “If only we know what our audience is thinking?�

When using Facebook live stream, that question can be answered by the very audience you are thinking of. The interactivity of the platform is one of its best features and offers insights into your followers that are otherwise unavailable, or costly to procure.

Be aware of your audience when doing your stream. Acknowledge them.

Greet them. Call them by their name. This is an excellent way of showing a face behind the brand and making them feel important or listened to.

Research shows that a highly engaged audience is most likely to propel future content on the Page to greater heights. So don’t just rest on your laurels, especially if you already have, say, a million likes on Facebook. That is hardly enough to ensure that your content is consumed.

Live streaming is here to stay and so far, it’s free. So what are you waiting for?

Don’t be overwhelmed by it, especially if it’s your first time. Have fun at first and then see where it goes.

Business Times

B3

Q GoDaddy brand ambassador Maggie Wilson-Consunji (screenshot from GoDaddy TVC posted on YouTube).

THE DIGITAL NOMAD

Joseph Ubalde is a digital content expert and social media strategist who has worked for various local and global companies.“The Digital Nomad� is the first and only column dedicated to social media in the Philippines. If you have comments or want to connect with him, send an email to markjubalde@gmail.com.

AXN announces regional partnership with GoDaddy P AY television network AXN recently announced a new regional partnership with GoDaddy, the world’s largest cloud platform dedicated to small, independent ventures, to strengthen its presence in Asia.

This partnership will see Maggie Wilson-Consunji, one-half of the winning pair of AXN’s The Amazing Race Asia Season 5, as GoDaddy Brand Ambassador. As a dedicated entrepreneur, Maggie has leveraged GoDaddy’s online tools to launch an online presence and website for her business unique cafÊ and store concept, Casa Consunji (http:// www.CasaConsunji.com/) in the Philippines.

Maggie Wilson-Consunji will be featured in two GoDaddy TVCs — “The Start Up� and “Power Your Passion� — which were filmed on location at Casa Consunji. The TVCs mark the launch phase of the partnership and will air from January to April. “AXN is the number one Eng-

lish General Entertainment channel across Asia. Our audience is constantly craving for premium content, and we couldn’t be happier to work with a partner like GoDaddy to help take their vision of entrepreneurship mainstream. We are confident of amplifying GoDaddy’s brand awareness and help drive their next phase of growth in 2019 across Asia,� said Avani Bhanchawat, vice president, Media & Sponsorship Sales, Sony Pictures Entertainment Networks, Asia.

GoDaddy offers an integrated suite of products for small business owners and entrepreneurs, ranging from domain names, hosting, website building, to email marketing, security protections and an online store.

GoDaddy offers 24/7 customer support locally, to help guide customers in the growth of their VENTURE AND TO kND THE TOOLS THAT best meet their needs. “Partnering with AXN Asia gives us the opportunity to reach a broader audience across Asia.

We are pleased to be working with them, including sponsoring Asia’s Got Talent and in working more closely together on promoting the GoDaddy brand with targeted audiences in a variety of formats,� said Roger Chen, senior vice president of GoDaddy Asia Region. A cornerstone of the partnership is the sponsorship of “Asia’s Got Talent� that brings together passionate people pursuing their dreams. “GoDaddy supports people who want to create and manage an online presence for their idea,� added Chen. “Asia’s Got Talent� is the 67th adaptation of the Guinness-WorldRecord-breaking hit “Got Talent� format, which was created by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment

and is co-produced by FremantleMedia. The “Got Talent� format is officially the most successful reality TV format in history and currently airs in 186 countries.

AXN is a leader of regionally produced original content in Asia, with notable ratings successes including two record-breaking seasons of g!SIA S 'OT 4ALENT u kVE SEASONS OF the award-winning “The Amazing Race Asia;“ “The Elements: Cosentino;� “Adventure Your Way;�“Cash Cab Asia� and “Cash Cab Philippines;� “The Apprentice Asia;� “Cyril: Rio Magic;� “Cyril’s Family Vacation: Hawaii Edition;� and “Cyril: Simply Magic.� ,AUNCHED kRST IN !SIA IN

AXN is a global channel brand with a presence in Latin America, Africa and Europe. In Asia, the channel is enjoyed in 133 million households across 21 territories and is available in both SD and HD. AXN Asia is wholly owned

by Sony Pictures Entertainment and managed by Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia.

Biometrics to further enhance #Google4PH champions Digiskarteng Pinay and free, fast internet e-govt security, access control AS more and more people open social media accounts, personal identity has gone digital; which means it has become more mobile. But with this ongoing trend comes the sinister underworld full of digital fraudulent schemes, cyberhacks, account take-over attacks and identity thefts, which can leave not just the users but also the government, regulators and businesses, vulnerable if these concerns are not addressed properly.

7HILE TRADITIONAL IDENTITY VERIkCATION SERVICES including knowledge-based authentication and two-step authentication procedures, have proven their mettle, the ever-changing digital landscape demands a much more robust, advance and secured identity authentication method that can safeguard the citizens against their fraudulent acts and make transactions MUCH MORE EFkCIENT AND SECURED 4HE RESPONSE TO THE GROWING kNTECH MARKET Real-time mobile cross-border authentication services, which uses biometrics to authenticate identity of people in real time. The Department OF &INANCE $O& IS ONE OF THE kRST TO EMPLOY this kind of authentication service through partnership with MyEG Philippines, a leading one-stop e-government solutions provider, and Hong Kong-based Finda International Consultancy & Management.

In recent years, with its strong commitment to cut red tape and improve the ease of doing business in the country, the DoF has successfully linked up with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member countries with the ASEAN Single Window System (ASW), an initiative that targets to ease the electronic exchange of cross-border trading documents among the 10 member-states.

As government services take large volumes of data, the new service is a necessary tool to ensure THAT kNANCE DEPARTMENT HAS THE CAPACITY AND SECUrity to process and access such data in short span of time. The mobile cross-border authentication services can help businesses validate the identity of potential customers, and screen potential counter parties. )T WILL HELP IT PROVIDE EFkCIENT AND ECONOMICAL

border access and control and broaden applicaTIONS TO CROSS BORDER kNANCIAL TRANSACTIONS )T HELPS IMPROVE EFkCIENCY USING A SINGLE SOURCE OF DATA THAT can be utilized by several teams, streamlining the PROCESS FOR INCREASE OPERATIONAL EFkCIENCY “We are excited to bring this one-of-a-kind technology solutions in the country. This is a remarkable step in ensuring the digital security of the Filipinos. You can expect MyEG to continue its commitment to provide seamless e-solutions FOR THE EFkCIENCY OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES u SAID MyEG Philippines President Ron Aquino.

MyEG Philippines aims to focus on providing the Philippine government agencies and local government units with “e-solutions� to streamline their processes. These initiatives are focused on (but not limited to) electronic payment and collection system facilities, development of web system services, and system integration TO EXISTING SYSTEMS AND FACILITIES THAT SPECIkC institution have in place.

The partnership with Finda, a company specializing in providing digital Know-Your-Customer (“KYC�) authentication systems and with access to golden data sources, has been a welcome development. Finda is known for its Live-FacialRecognition (LFR) system that serves as a technical backbone for real-ID authentication solutions for VARIOUS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES kNANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND HEALTH INSURANCE kRMS IN !SIA Finda’s technology was granted a proof-ofconcept (POC) by the Monetary Authority in Singapore (MAS) with the POC was completed satisfactorily according to the stipulated criteria.

The technology is also helping other government agencies in performing KYC compliances. Finda’s solutions has also minimized the risk of defaulting claims from government healthcare plans and commercial insurance companies in China. “Philippines is a strategic market for our company because we see the increasing need and demand for e-solutions amidst discussions on digital security in the country,� shared Finda Director Chen Yingjie.

MA. GLAIZA LEE

I

N anticipation of Women’s Month (March), we’re going ahead with this short tribute.

In our family, we call my mom Joy Villagomez “The Gineral,� after Ginebra point guard LA Tenorio, because she simply makes every play possible. At 63, she takes care of two grandsons and navigates the digital age using YouTube (her version of Google) and Netflix (her bingewatch app). She uses the internet for school projects, gift ideas, cooking, BAKING WHILE kXING OUR ENTIRE WORLD on the side. Meanwhile, my motherin-law, Amalia Losorata, 74, earned the nickname Remedio Queen, because she tapped on her “remedy skills� raising nine children and a couple of grandkids back in the day.

At the recent Google for Philippines event, Google launched several &ILIPINO kT SERVICES MEANT TO CONVERT the rest of the country into digital savvy citizens, able to maximize their full potentials because they have fast, easy and free access to tools and information at the palm of their hands. Digiskarteng Pinay and Google Stations debuted at the event held at The Blue Leaf in Paranaque last Wednesday.

Digiskarteng Pinay paid tribute to the kind of patience, hard work and ingenuity every Filipina goes through on a daily basis. According to Google’s Gara Santos-Ontiveros, a Filipina’s battle is unique because unlike men in the workforce, she constantly recalibrates HER PLAY IN ORDER TO WALK THAT kNE LINE BETWEEN WORK WHETHER AT THE OFkCE

field or as a housewife) and family.

While the Philippines ranks No. 8 with the smallest gender gap based on World Economic Forum, what we Pinays earn remains 40 percent lower than our macho counterparts.

TAP, SWIPE, SCROLL KAYE VILLAGOMEZ Ontiveros highlights the Pinay’s brand of “diskarte , which she DEkNES AS THE ART OF TURNING LIMItations into opportunities.� And if you are a Filipina, living in the Philippines, there are no truer words. It doesn’t matter if you are part of top-level management in giant corporations, a single mom or housewife; we Filipinas are daily miracle workers and it would be a big lift if we all capitalize on “diskarte that has gone digital.�

Beginning March, Google is using YouTube to create more women-led contents. Bianca Gonzalez’s “I Am Super Bianca� and “Team Lyca� channels will feature more empowering contents and life hacks dedicated to every dedicated Filipina. A maledominated web portal, Google is also encouraging more women to tap their inner superheroes and bless YouTube with content that can only come from ma-Digiskarteng Pinays.

If you are reading this, you were most likely raised by a point guard/doit-all kind of mom or lola as well. Just think about it: If our grandmothers and their mothers had the internet to back them up, imagine the countless former limitations-turned-opportunities this generation could have had.

Fast, free internet from Google Station, Smart Wifi Speaking of YouTube, 85 percent of

Filipinos are glued to it. Video consumption is really this country’s current play. Google successfully wired other countries in the world with fast and free internet via Google Station.

In a couple of weeks, the Philippines will experience the same fast and free democratized data as Google Station TEAMS UP WITH 3MART 7Ik FOR A CONnected Philippines.

4HE 'OOGLE 3TATION 3MART 7Ik platform will provide free and high quality hotspots in areas WITH HEAVY TRAFkC SUCH AS AIRPORTS

markets, malls and bus stations.

These “stations� will be available in more than 50 locations including airports in Manila, Clark and Davao and in LRT 2 and MRT 3 stations by the end of the month.

According to Google’s global director for Next Billion Users Partnership Mahesh Bhalerao, “Access to information plays a great role in the everyday lives of people. It creates opportunities for individuals and businesses to learn and grow and that is why we want to bring high quality internet to more Filipinos across the country and create positive impact on their lives.�

During the launch, Google also announced Jobs on Google Search, Google my Business, Google Go and Number Coding on Google Maps that allows motorists to get to their destinations even during coding day.

Not bad for an internet-obsessed country. Not bad, indeed.

The author is a former broadsheet entertainment and lifestyle reporter and section editor for an entertainment magazine before crossing over to corporate and marketing PR.

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The 9th Business Forum

7KH 3KLOLSSLQH (FRQRPLF 2XWORRN IRU “Riding the Tailwinds: Pursuing Growth and Value Amid Rising Global Risks�

March 6, 2019 | Registration: 8:30 a.m. | Program: 9:40 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Mayuree Ballroom, Dusit Thani Manila, Makati City The global economy enters 2019 with decidedly slower growth, continued volatility and heightened risks. Interest rates are normalizing and pushing investors in search of higher-yielding assets, as economic performance diverges across countries and regions. While the US is poised for strong performance, China is looking for a soft landing, and emerging markets are showing signs of weakness. Also heightening risks are populist policies and the prospect of trade wars.

The Philippines, however, remains a bright spot as it forges ahead with its infrastructure drive, expands revenue collections, and sustains growth at above 6 percent. The domestic economy

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could yet ride through, if not defy, the tailwinds of 2019, getting a boost from increased spending due to the midterm elections and the slowdown in consumer inflation. The Philippines will also continue to benefit from its favorable demographic profile, with growing disposable incomes sustaining demand for property, leisure, automobiles, technology and others.

The Manila Times Economic Outlook 2019 Forum will feature top policymakers and business leaders who will make the case for the Philippines’ continued viability as an investment and growth hub.

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Sunday Business & I.T.

C1 SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

Editor: Jing Garcia

RISK REPORT 2019

Cybersecurity: What’s now and what’s next

A

GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES kRM THAT PROVIDES A BROAD RANGE OF RISK RETIREMENT AND HEALTH SOLUTIONS RELEASED ITS g #YBER 3ECURITY 2ISK 2EPORT RECENTLY u The report from Aon details the greatest cybersecurity threats and challenges organizations are currently facing, discusses that as companies continue to use technology to speed up the transfer of information, game-changing business opportunities are created, as well as increased cyber risk. “2018 will be remembered as the year that cyber risk truly impacted Asia with some of the largest data breach and business interruption losses emanating from the region,� said Andrew Mahony, regional director, Commercial Risk Solutions, Aon Asia. “Looking ahead, the ‘2019 CyBERSECURITY 2ISK 2EPORT IDENTIkES key exposures which companies must address to maximize cyber resilience. You need to be looking both inward and outward.

Internally, you must understand the threat posed by employees and the increasing rate of claims being made against directors and OFkCERS %XTERNALLY WHILE BEING aware of malicious actors, understand your exposure to supply chain risk and the importance of verifying third parties’ cybersecurity, particularly when considering mergers and acquisitions.� “In 2018 we witnessed that a proactive approach to cyber preparation and planning paid off for the companies that invested in it, and in 2019, we anticipate the need for advanced planning will only further accelerate,� said J. Hogg, chief executive of Cyber Solutions at Aon. “Leaders must work to better insulate their companies and their processes, while simultaneously identifying the ways they CAN BENEkT FROM THE OPPORTUNITIES

offered through technology and digital transformation.� “Our 2019 report also shows that organizations must recognize the need to share threat intelligence across not only their own network but with others as well,� said Hogg. “While it may seem counterintuitive when thinking about cybersecurity, collaboration within and across enterprises and industries can keep private data of companies and individuals alike safer. Working together can result in improved efforts to hunt bad actors, while also raising the bar and making all parties more prepared for the inevitable day when a disruption does happen.�

The “What’s Now and What’s Next� report focuses ON EIGHT SPECIkC RISK AREAS that companies may face in 2019. The risks illustrate how, as organizations TRANSITION TO A DIGITAL kRST approach across all transactions, the attack surface of global business expands rapidly and sometimes in unexpected ways. In other words, thanks to the rapid enhancements and constant changes in technology, the number of touch points that cyber criminals can access within a business is growing exponentially.

Highlights from the report include: 4ECHNOLOGY – While technology has revolutionized the way organizations today conduct business, broader and wider-spread use of technology also brings vulner-

abilities. From publishing to automotive, industries are facing new, evolving services and business models. These new opportunities however, bring with them a radically different set of risks, which organizations will need to anticipate and manage as they continue the digital transformation process.

3UPPLY #HAIN – Two prevailing supply chain trends will heighten cyber risks dramatically in the

der to sustain reliable and viable business operations.

IoT – IoT devices are everywhere, and every device in a workplace now presents a potential security risk. Many companies don’t securely manage or even inventory all IoT devices that touch their business, which is already resulting in breaches. As time goes on, the number of IoT endpoints will increase dramatically, facilitated by

coming year: one is the rapid expansion of operational data exposed to cyber adversaries, from mobile and edge devices like the Internet of Things (IoT); and the other trend is companies’ growing reliance on third-party — and even fourth-party — vendors and service providers. Both trends present attackers with new openings into supply chains, and require board-level, forwardlooking risk management in or-

the current worldwide rollouts of cellular IoT and the forthcoming transition to 5G. Effective organizational inventory and monitoring process implementation will be critical for companies in the coming year and beyond.

"USINESS OPERATIONS – Connectivity to the Internet improves operational tasks dramatically, but increased connectivity also leads to new security vulnerabilities.

The attack surface expands greatly

as connectivity increases, making it easier for attackers to move laterally across an entire network.

Further, operational shortcuts or ineffective backup processes can make the impact of an attack on business operations even more SIGNIkCANT /RGANIZATIONS NEED TO be better aware of, and prepared for, the cyber impact of increased connectivity.

Employees — Employees re-

security policies throughout the organization, and implementing effective access and data-protection controls.

- E R G E R S A C Q U I S I T I O N S (M&A) m 0ROJECTIONS ANTICIPATE that M&A deal value will top $4 trillion in 2018, which would be the highest in four years. The conundrum this poses to companies acquiring other businesses is that while they may have a flawless approach to cybersecurity enterprise risk, there is no guarantee that their M&A target has the same approach in place. DealmakERS MUST WEAVE SPECIkC CYber security strategies into their larger M&A plans if they want to ensure seamless transitions in the future.

Regulatory – Increased regulation, laws, rules and standards related to cyber are designed to protect and insulate businesses and their customers. The pace of cyber regulation enforcement increased in 2018, setting the stage for heightened compliance risk in 2019. Regulation and compliance, however, cannot become the sole focus. Firms must balance both new regulations and evolving cyber threats, which will require vigimain one of the most common lance on all sides. causes of breaches. Yet employees "OARD OF DIRECTORS – Cyberselikely do not even realize the curity oversight continues to be true threat they pose to an entire a point of emphasis for board organization’s cyber security. As DIRECTORS AND OFkCERS BUT RECENT technology continues to impact history has seen an expanding EVERY JOB FUNCTION FROM THE personal risk raising the stakes.

CEO to the entry-level intern, it Boards must continue to expand is imperative for organizations their focus and set a strong tone to establish a comprehensive across the company, not only for approach to mitigate insider actions taken after a cyber incirisks, including strong data gov- dent, but also proactive preparaernance, communicating cyber tion and planning.

Fighting disinformation, defending press freedom and protecting our democracy

A

PERIOD of “silence� among the critical voices online prevailed from August 2016 to August 2017. Were you one of them? I admit I used to be one of those silent voices. When not speaking up, I contributed to the disinformation.

By being silent, I allowed the lie to spread. I added to the violence, too. False information spread at an alarming rate on social media when people become LESS CRITICAL OF THE INFORMATION THAT lOOD their comments’ section or on their timeline. To distinguish between right and wrong and what is false becomes a challenge. The strategy of “death by a thousand cuts� capitalized on the algorithms that power social media to sow confusion and uncertainty. Included in the strategy is chopping away at facts and making half-truths that bring in an alternative reality. Purveyors of fake news designed the strategy to manipulate real people by integrating the power of bots and fake accounts on social media.

When people encounter someone harassed, it stops members of that group from speaking out. It is like the “chilling effect� in surveillance. The brutal murders of teenagers like Kian Loyd delos Santos by three policemen and Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman allegedly by POLICE OFkCERS ALSO WOKE ME UP FROM MY stupor. More people became outspoken and courageous. “Someone is trying to break into your brain and into your heart,� Maria Ressa of Rappler, sounded the alarm against state-sponsored trolling and disinformation. “You

and Responsibility, Citizen Safe, the Foundation for Media Alternatives, and Pagbabago@Pilipinas. Howie Severino of GMA News expressed it so well. “I think the period of intimidaNOEMI tion is ending; there’s more and more LARDIZABAL-DADO courage. Organizing the Democracy have to get rid of apathy; If you want and Disinformation conference itself a safe space, build communities; is an act of courage.�

Topics of D&D conferences include collaborate.� &OR THE kRST TIME JOURNALISTS ONLINE fighting disinformation, improving media and bloggers collaborated to media literacy, and protecting press tackle why fake news and other forms freedom. The D&D consortium orgaof disinformation threaten our free- NIZED ITS kRST SERIES OF CONFERENCES IN DOMS AND WAYS ON kGHTING BACK 4HE Cebu and Pampanga in the latter half of two-day conference titled “Democracy 2018. Conferences took place in Baguio and Disinformation: How Fake News and Iloilo early this year. The discussion and Other Forms of Disinformation covered the role of the media and the Threaten Our Freedoms, and How obstacles we face on democracy and disto Fight Back,� held on Feb. 12 and INFORMATION 4HE PUBLIC JOINS THE SECOND 13, 2018 inspired the collaborators day‘s workshops on what they can do to to bring the conference outside of be part of the solution. Ellen Tordesillas Metro Manila. Now organized under of VERA Files challenged students in the Consortium on Democracy and Cebu to fact-check information before Disinformation (D&D), they are made sharing the news online. Tordesillas UP OF A NETWORK OF JOURNALISTS ACADEM- expects fake news to spread more ics, bloggers, and other independents. as the 2019 midterm elections draw The network includes members from NEARER *OHN .ERY A JOURNALIST ADDED ABS-CBN, Al-Jazeera, GMA, Philippine that the purpose of fake news intended Daily Inquirer, Rappler, Vera Files; the to blur the lines between reality and University of the Philippines Diliman fiction, which causes the audience College of Mass Communication, the to be vulnerable to manipulation. In Department of Communication at De Angeles City, Pampanga, BlogWatch La Salle University, the Communica- conducted a workshop on “Blogging tion department at Ateneo de Manila, (and Social Media) as Weapons of Truth and the Asian Institute of Journalism and Disinformation� on the second day and Communication; BlogWatch (my while Rappler held a separate workshop group), Center for Media Freedom on Fact Checking. BlogWatch shared

LET’S TALK #SOCIAL

eight tips to responsible blogging and to be credible truth tellers: Create, CrowdSource, Curate, Call to action, Check Facts, Correct, Collaborate and Courtesy. More than vigilance, we need ACTION. We encouraged students to blog about the truth, and to 1) tell it in a timely manner, 2) tell everyone, 3) tell till someone listens, and 4) tell it all the time.

The Filipino people must continue to stand its ground to defend their rights and freedoms necessary for a democratic society to function.

2EGARDLESS OF YOUR POLITICAL AFkLIATION

SOCIAL MEDIA IS AN INlUENTIAL TOOL AND IF MISUSED THE TRUTH IS THE kRST CASUALTY As we travel from region to region, our D&D Conferences aim to empower all our participants. Jane Uymatiao, blogger and co-convenor hopes that the participants realize that their voices MATTER THAT THEY CAN INlUENCE MANY more, and that they have a critical role to play as truth tellers in a posttruth world that continues to deceive, misinform, and confuse. We need to reclaim our voices and speak up.

Watch out for our Democracy & Disinformation conference this year: March 4-5: Legazpi; March 8-9: UST or Batangas; March 22-23: Bacolod; April 5-6: Zamboanga; April 12-13: Davao; April 24-25: 2nd D&D National conference.

Follow #FightDisinfo on twitter to get kNAL VENUE OF THESE DATES OR EMAIL momblogger@protonmail.com.

Finance blockchain market to reach $462B by 2030 BARELY a day goes by without a fresh announcement about banks and financial institutions using blockchain technology to transform significant parts of their businesses. In fact, the value of blockchain in the financial sector reached $1.9 billion in 2017, according to marker research firm IHS Markit.

With the projected increase in the number of blockchain projects expected to launch and become commercially deployed in the coming years, revenues are projected to reach $462 billion by 2030. “The Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States, the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and other regulatory bodies are reacting positively towards blockchain technology within the financial sector,� said Don Tait, principal analyst, IHS Markit. “The backing by these regulatory bodies bolsters the credibility of blockchain technology, helping it become more mainstream.�

There are numerous ways the financial industry can leverage blockchain, including cross-border payments, share trading and syndicated lending. Over the next decade, the global financial market, which includes insurance and fintech, will continue to be the largest value market using blockchain technology.

Because the financial sector includes markets of significant value, even a small percentage of cost savings and efficiency gains can lead to significant business value for companies and industries that introduce blockchain technology.

The derivatives market, for example, is worth around $544 trillion a year and the market capitalization of all the world’s stock markets is equal to $73 trillion. “By applying blockchain to the clearing and settlement of cash securities — specifically, equities — investment companies could save up to $12 billion in fees,� Tait said. “Blockchains can also save financial organizations money, by cutting out many of the traditional middlemen involved in the financial sector.�

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SUNDAY February 17, 2019

Next-gen cybersecurity services released G LOBAL cyberseCURITY PROVIDER 0ALO !LTO .ETWORKS UNDERSCORED THE need for increased IT SECURITY BY RELEASING SEVERAL NEW CAPABILITIES THAT PREDICT MALICIOUS ATTACKS AND USE AUTOMATION TO STOP THEM IN PROGRESS

From hereon, next-generation kREWALL CUSTOMERS WHO UPGRADE to PAN-OS version 9.0 will get access to these new security capabilities, over 60 new features and new tools for easily implementing security best practices. “At Palo Alto Networks, we’re focused on simplifying security by using analytics and automation,� said Lee Klarich, chief product officer. “Customers choose our NEXT GENERATION kREWALL PLATFORM because of our commitment to continuous innovation and our focus on reducing the need for standalone products. Today’s announcements include our new DNS Security service, which uses machine learning to stop stealthy attacks aimed at stealing information from legitimate businesses.�

Among the new capabilities announced today, Palo Alto Networks unveiled software and hardware enhancements to the LEADING NEXT GENERATION kREWALL platform that will help organizations strengthen security and simplify protections across their hybrid cloud environments.

0REDICT AND PREVENT According to Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 researchers, nearly 80 percent of all malware uses DNS to establish command-and-control, making it DIFkCULT TO SPOT AND STOP ATTACKS The new DNS Security service uses machine learning to proactively

IBM unveils faster, more secured path to hybrid cloud TECH behemoth IBM recently announced new hybrid cloud offerings to help businesses migrate, integrate and manage applications and workloads seamlessly and with security across any public or private cloud and on-premises IT environment.

The IBM Institute for Business Value estimates that by 2021, 98 percent of organizations surveyed plan to adopt hybrid ARCHITECTURES BUT JUST PERcent would have the procedures and tools they need to operate that environment. The process today is challenging because it IS LARGELY MANUAL WITH MAJOR security implications and a lack of consistent management and integration tools.

New Cloud Integration Platform

block malicious domains and stop attacks in progress.

0ERFORMANCE Palo Alto Networks recognizes that customers with large data centers, high volumes of ENCRYPTED TRAFkC AND A GROWING ECOsystem of Internet of Things devices need performance without compromising security. The PA-7000 Series, with new network processing cards, offers threat prevention at speeds twice as fast as the nearest competitor and delivers decryption three times faster than before.

3IMPLICITY ,EGACY kREWALL RULES leave dangerous security gaps. The new Policy Optimizer helps security teams replace legacy rules with intuitive policies that provide better security and are easier to manage. Taking the complexity out of managing scores of rules reduces human error, which is a leading cause of data breaches.

"ROADER FASTER CLOUD SECURITY Organizations want consistent

security across multiple public clouds and virtualized data centers. The VM-Series now provides the broadest range of public cloud and virtualized data center environments by adding support for Oracle Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, Cisco Enterprise Network Compute System (ENCS) and Nutanix.

Firewall throughput performance improvements for AWS and Azure of up to 2.5X, combined with autoscaling and transitive architectures, allow customers to automate security for dynamic and largescale public cloud deployments.

Over the last year, Palo Alto Networks completed extensive customer research to guide the product changes. Customers overwhelmingly reference ease of operations as a reason they choose Palo Alto Networks. They want an integrated platform that reduces operational complexity and gives security teams CONkDENCE THEY CAN USE BEST PRAC-

tices and minimize human error. “We listened and responded to customer feedback and found that what customers want above all is simplicity and control,� said Klarich. “With this release, we’re not only adding features like the DNS Security service, which eliminates the need for security teams to bolt on yet another standalone tool, we are minimizing manual efforts that are error-prone, so teams CAN FOCUS ON PROJECTS AIMED AT GROWing their business,� he added.

Additionally, Palo Alto Networks announced the general availability of the K2-Series, the industry’s first 5G-ready nextgeneration firewall, specifically developed for service providers with 5G and IoT requirements in mind. With the K2-Series, service providers can prevent advanced cyberattacks targeting 4G and 5G mobile networks, IoT devices, and mobile users with unprecedented VISIBILITY INTO NETWORK TRAFkC

Cloud solutions to meet digital transformation needs END-TO-END cloud solutions provider Tech Data recently announced the launch of Cloud Solutions Factory, a new global portfolio of end-to-end cloud solutions. The new offering features a host of click-to-run solutions developed by leveraging Tech Data’s ecosystem of vendors to deliver SPECIkC BUSINESS OUTCOMES RANGing from core infrastructure and data protection, to the internet of things and analytics. “In launching Cloud Solutions Factory, our focus has been on enabling our partners to deliver business outcomes with solutions that are immediately ready to deploy,� said Sergio Farache, senior vice president, Strategy, Innovation, Cloud and M&A, at Tech Data. “Cloud solution design and implementation can be a complex and lengthy process, so all our offerings are pre-configured, validated and tested, and deployments are monitored

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by Tech Data. The result is a suite of reliable solutions that help our partners reduce costs, maximize efficiency and drive competitive differentiation.�

As businesses navigate the challenges of digital transformation, they are increasingly investing in cloud solutions to achieve a host of business outCOMES &OR THE kRST TIME CLOUD infrastructure sales surpassed revenue for traditional non-cloud IT environments in the third quarter of 2018, according to

IDC. Tech Data Cloud Solutions Factory enables partners to keep up with this demand by adding differentiated solutions to their portfolios while reducing cost, implementation risk and time to market.

The Tech Data Cloud Solutions Factory includes a broad set of IT and business solutions practices.

These are created by integrating licenses, services and third-party components, and including core infrastructure, application innovation and data protection, among

others. Through a solutions practice, Tech Data enables partners to think and sell based on customers’ business outcomes. Each practice combines a logical set of click-torun solutions, services and independent software vendors. “By working with industryleading cloud providers, we have built a portfolio of integrated, packaged solutions that can be easily and quickly configured, customized and deployed by our partners,� Farache said. “These best-in-class providers are selected based on how well they align with the high-demand workloads needed by today’s businesses, AND THEY MUST ALSO MEET SPECIkC requirements designed to protect our partners and deliver maximum value to them.�

The Tech Data Solutions Factory will add a variety of vendors going forward. Some of the initial partners include Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Red Hat, NetApp, Veeam, Autodesk and many others.

The IBM Cloud Integration Platform is designed to securely connect applications, software and services from any vendor regardless of whether those systems are on-premises, in a public cloud or a private cloud. The platform brings together a comprehensive set of integration tools in a single development environment. It can help improve productivity because integration specialists can write, test and secure code once, store it in the platform and reuse it — an arduous task that once monopolized their time.

This can help companies cut the time and cost of integration by one-third, while staying within their unique requirements for security and compliance.

Integration is critical as enterprises optimize business processes and create more personalized customer experiences. However, integration is becoming increasingly complex because many enterprises surveyed are already using between 2 to 15 different clouds and want to deploy new cloud services such as AI, analytics and blockchain to stay ahead of the competition.

With the IBM Cloud Integration Platform, companies can quickly bring to market new capabilities while freeing up integration specialists to focus on the more complex, system-level integrations. “Most large organizations have data and workloads spread across multiple public and private clouds, SaaS and on-premises environments — sometimes as a result of their business process infrastructure, but also for compliance, regulatory and data privacy reasons,� said Denis Kennelly, general manager, cloud integration, IBM. “The challenge in this environment is to overcome data and technology siloes to quickly deploy new business services and applications with security. Today, we are launching new capabilities designed to help unleash the full power of the hybrid cloud.�

End-to-end hybrid cloud services IBM is launching new IBM Services for Cloud Strategy and

Design, a comprehensive set of services designed to advise clients on how to architect the right holistic cloud strategy from design, migration, integration, road mapping and architectural SERVICES TO NAVIGATING THEIR JOURney to Cloud. IBM Services is establishing dedicated teams OF CONSULTANTS WHO ARE CERTIkED experts in the latest services and technologies across multiple cloud platforms. Teams will use open and secure multicloud strategies, drawing upon IBM’s experience in IT transformation and collaboration with an ecosystem of cloud partners.

The new services leverage IBM’s industry-leading Cloud Innovate method, automated decision accelerators and IBM Cloud Garage approach to support clients with co-creation and scaled innovation in application development, migration, modernization and management.

Building off of a recent partnership expansion announcement with ServiceNow, IBM is also introducing new IBM services for Multicloud Management to provide a single system to help enterprises simplify the management of their IT resources across multiple cloud providers, on-premises environments and private clouds.

In addition, it includes a unikED SELF SERVICE EXPERIENCE TO users to facilitate faster and easier access to cloud services via an environment integrated with THE 3ERVICE.OW 0ORTAL TO CONkGure and buy cloud services and solutions from multiple cloud providers. It also provides performance management services and offers the means to monitor and manage the health of the cloud.

Security in the public cloud Security remains a top concern across all industries and markets when deploying apps and data in hybrid cloud environments. In order to minimize threats, enterprises need to the ability to protect data AT EVERY STAGE OF ITS JOURNEY EASILY manage access and identity and gain visibility into the security posture for all of their applications.

IBM is launching the IBM Cloud Hyper Protect Crypto Service, which is designed to provide the industry-leading security on the public cloud and is made possible by bringing IBM Linux ONE into IBM’s global cloud data centers.

This service will provide encryption key management with a dedicated cloud hardware security module (HSM) built on the only FIPS 140-2 level 4-based technology offered by a public cloud provider.

This is part of the IBM Cloud Hyper Protect family of services, which is already providing enterprises like DACS and Solitaire Interglobal with industry-leading security and resiliency for their applications. To provide high levels of security across both public and private clouds, IBM is also ANNOUNCING SIGNIkCANT ENHANCEments to IBM Cloud Private on Z.

Our slow, uncertain response to the looming climate change catastrophe A TECH SPACE SPECIAL report titled “Global Warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius� released late last year by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) proposes drastic, rapid and widespread changes in society to avert unprecedented adverse impacts around the WORLD )TS MAJOR TAKEAWAY IS that nations have 12 years to bring global warming down to pre-industrial levels or face devastating consequences such as destructive typhoons and rising sea levels starting year 2030.

To radically reduce global warming, the report recommends that greenhouse gas pollution must be reduced by 45

TONY MAGHIRANG percent from 2010 levels by 2030.

Use of coal in power generation must also drop from 40 percent today to less than 7 percent by year 2050. The share of renewable energy in the mix of electricity sources should increase from the present 20 percent to 60 percent.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) ranks climate risks at the top of its list of environmental threats for 2019. WEF’s “Global Risks Report� warns that extreme

weather intensified by climate change will see the world “sleepwalking into catastrophe� over the next decade. )T kTS IN WITH kNDINGS THAT THE Philippines ranks third among four countries considered to be the most vulnerable to climate change in the world. The vulnerability arises from inability to respond to extreme weather events such as typhoons AND lOODING Early last year, the biggest news in the global environmental movement was the investigation conducted by the Commission on Human Rights to probe into the responsibility of carbon producers for human rights violations resulting from climate change. The

landmark international initiative seeks to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for the carbon emissions that drive global warming.

Hearings have already been held in London and New York.

Recent press releases from the Climate Change Commission website feature the Commission JOINING OTHER NATIONS IN CELEBRATing World Wetlands Day and the Cabinet cluster lauding NEDA’s commitment to green its systems and practices while tracking its carbon footprint. There’s also an extensive folder of messages and remarks delivered here and abroad by the head of the agency.

Is it lethargy, procrastination or distress the face of the seemingly

insurmountable challenges that lie ahead? It’s easy to fall into stupor when one realizes the enormity of the grave responsibility for the future not only of the country but also of the entire world. At the same time, the available solutions at present hardly scale in comparison.

Reforestation or massive planting of trees to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere will make JUST A DENT ON EMISSION REDUCTION targets, researches show. Huge tracts of land that may include plantations currently devoted to food production or as natural habitat will have to be converted to carbon sinks to have an appreciable positive impact. In reality, carbon sequestration technology is

still the most effective approach in curbing CO2 emissions.

Unfortunately, the development of carbon capture mechanisms is typically described as viable but DIFkCULT 4HE EXISTING PROTOTYPES created by enterprising start-ups are expensive, specializing mostly in the removal of carbon from power plants. Drawing carbon from air requires a different methodology and it’s the one needed to cut down pervasive CO2 in the atmosphere. (Now, here’s an aspect of relevant R&D that Filipino inventors can look into.)

2030 or bust! The next two years will likely set the tone and pace of how we will surmount killer hazards of our own making.

˜ The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

Sunday Business & I.T.

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Lenovo IdeaPad 330: The budget notebook L //+).' FOR A POWERFUL GAMING LAPTOP BUT ON A BUDGET ,ENOVO HAS GOT YOU COVERED AS THE GLOBAL INNOVATION LEADER IS OFFERING ITS )DEA0AD 'AMING LAPTOP AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

Perfect for casual gamers and are those who want to get started on PC gaming while at the same time looking for a powerful device for work or school, the IdeaPad Gaming 330 laptop is a gaming PC variant of the IdeaPad 330 laptop that was released late last year.

One feature of the laptop that is sure to entice gamers is its Intel Core i5-8300H processor.

Compared to the Intel Core i58250U and AMD Ryzen 5 used by competitors in their entrylevel gaming laptops, the Intel Core i5-8300H processor caches faster at 2.3-4 GHz, making it ideal for users who play hardwaredemanding games, as well as for professionals like videographers, photo the release of the IdeaPad Gaming 330 laptop is in line with the company’s focus on highly innovative yet affordable consumer

technology targeting gamers.

The processor also includes Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, which gives an additional boost that allows devices to run demanding applications simultaneously while maintaining system responsiveness, and Intel Turbo Boost Technology, an add-on that accelerates processor and graphics performance for peak loads.

Together with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 330 can easily handle new and upcoming AAA games.

It also comes with a 15.6-inch FHD display, 4G DDR4 2400 onboard memory, and 1TB storage. “PC games are increasingly demanding and require powerful and typically expensive devices for a good gaming experience,� said Michael Ngan, country general manager, Lenovo Philippines, com-

menting on the release of the IdeaPad Gaming 330 laptop is in line with the company’s focus on highly innovative yet affordable consumer technology targeting gamers. “As a brand that puts customers at the core of our business, we want to ensure that gamers at nearly any budget can afford technology that ALLOWS THEM TO ENJOY GRAPHICALLY DEmanding games of today. With the release of the IdeaPad Gaming 330 laptop, we hope to achieve that as we continue to focus on the gaming sector and bring leading-edge innovation to the gaming community,� said Ngan.

From now up to March 31, 2019, gamers can purchase the IdeaPad Gaming 330 laptop for only P39,995 exclusively at the Legion Concept Store in SM North EDSA. The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 330 will also BE AVAILABLE IN OTHER MAJOR electronics stores at the new SRP of P47,495.

During the promo period, buyers will also get up to P9,000 worth of exciting freebies including a JBL Clip 2, a Lenovo backpack, and Lenovo Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) on top of the two-year carry-in warranty upon purchase at participating stores.

Create the future with what you create today

Google to invest $13B in new US offices, data centers GOOGLE plans to invest more than $13 billion this year on new and expanded data centers and OFkCES ACROSS THE 53 CEO Sundar Pichai announced the news in a blog post Wednesday, emphasizing the company’s growth outside its Mountain View, California, home and across the Midwest and South. “2019 marks the second year in a row we’ll be growing faster outside of the [San Francisco] Bay Area than in it,� he wrote.

Google will build new data centers in Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia. Pichai estimated the construction of the new centers

T

HERE’S are only two bottles of Coca Cola left. You know you need two, but you overheard the person behind you that he’s going to buy one bottle. What will you do?

As a young entrepreneur, I make it a point that I regularly meet my mentors to seek advice and guidance. The few hours of time I spend with them yieldsan abundance of experience and insights. One, if not the biggest, INlUENCER IN THE WAY ) DO BUSIness today is JJ Atencio.

A couple of days ago, I had dinner with him and a common friend who’s also a successful businessman in Bonifacio Global City. We talked about a lot of things concerning business, politics and morals. I want to use this platform to share one very powerful idea that JJ

would employ 10,000 workers.

It makes good political sense for Google to highlight its expansions outside coastal cities, said CFRA Research analyst Scott Kessler. US legislators have paid increasing attention to Google and other big tech companies in the past year, and are considering passing privacy laws to regulate the companies’ reach. Investing more widely across the US could help it curry favor with federal politicians and OFkCIALS HE SAID Google is focused on expanding its cloud-computing business, a market where it faces stiff competition from larger rivals Amazon and Microsoft.

WHAT does the future hold?

Back in the 1950s, Doris Day answered that question with a simple lyric: “QueserĂĄ, serĂĄ, whatever will be, will be.â€? Her cheerful brand of fatalism encouraged a generation to let go of their worries and let the future unfold as it may. As the world now enters a new era of uncertainty, Samsung refuses to accept those laissez-faire lyrics with a promise to empower people to create their own future.

In the spirit of this approach, Samsung is launching its own brand campaign

to kick off a year that will both celebrate the 10th anniversary of Galaxy smartphones and set the foundation for the next decade of new, innovative and groundbreaking products.

The campaign flips the carefree lyrics of the classic song on its head by juxtaposing them with Samsung’s bold leadership stance: What we create today empowers you to create the future.

The campaign builds on Samsung’s “Do What You Can’t� philosophy in a video that highlights potential breakthrough technologies

— including seamless multidevice experiences, artificial intelligence, and radical new displays — and teases Samsung’s 5G products and foldable display technology to be launched later this year.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, fashion designer or mobile gamer, Samsung is blazing the trail for change by bringing innovation to a wide variety of industries. Check out the video on Samsung’s official Facebook Page & YouTube Channel to see how Samsung is reshaping the future for its users.

The company will have a physical presence in 24 states by the end of the year. It currently has locations in 21 states, and is expanding into Nevada, Ohio and Nebraska.

Its expansion is likely also a way to attract new employees, Kessler SAID 'OOGLE WILL ADD AN OFkCE IN 'EORGIA AND EXPAND ITS OFkCES IN several cities including in Seattle and Chicago.

Google said it spent more than $9 billion on similar expansions across the country last year.

Google did not give an exact number of employees it expects to hire as a result of the 2019 expansions, but said it would be “tens of thousands� of full-time workers. AP

Always leave something for the one next in line GALLEON E-TRADE MAGELLAN FETALINO shared during this very insightful dinner.

For years now, JJ moved to using IQOS, a Marlboro product that helps people quit smoking cigarettes by using the IQOS product as an alternative. In fact, IQOS is the abbreviation for “I Quit On Smoking.� Ever since Marlboro launched this, it has become a massive hit globally. Unfortunately, the product’s distribution is still limited to certain countries.

Marlboro hasn’t established a direct distribution of the product in the Philippines yet. This limits

the availability of the product for Filipino consumers.

As a solution, most customers, when they travel to countries like Japan, would buy multiple boxes of the IQOS sticks. So one time, when JJ was in Japan, he went to a 711 store to buy multiple boxes of IQOS sticks. At that time, he saw that there were only kVE BOXES LEFT /BVIOUSLY IT WOULD BE a while before he goes back, so he had to somehow buy as much as he could.

Despite this fact, he still left one box, and only bought four. “Mags, I left one box even if I needed it because I know how it FEELS TO GO TO A STORE AND kND OUT that that product I need is not available. Always leave something for the one next in line,� JJ explained. “Just imagine how happy the next person would be when he sees THAT THERE IS A BOX LEFT JUST FOR HIM Isn’t that a sight.�

This simple act of generosity and SELlESSNESS REALLY STRUCK ME 4HIS IS because I know for a fact that this is also JJ’s mindset and practices in business. He always thinks about WHAT S GOOD NOT JUST FOR HIM BUT for other people as well.

The Greater Good — I live by this concept everyday. What’s the win-win scenario for all the people involved? How far into the future DO WE THINK ABOUT THE BENEkCIARIES of our action today? Just imagine if everyone has this mindset, wouldn’t we have a better world?

And wouldn’t the succeeding generations feel safer and more secure?

This gave me a realization that the way we are in life is an indication of how we do business and how we deal with people. Our attitude and morals dictate our actions. If you’ve seen the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, Freddie

Mercury’s dad had a very powerful quote on this — “Good thoughts, good words, good deeds.� Our actions are results of what’s inside us.

If we think of positive ideas, these come out as positive words, and later on, as positive actions.

Every action has an equal and OPPOSITE REACTION ‡ ) kRST HEARD this principle back in college, almost a decade ago, in one of the coffee sessions I had with an old mentor, Rico Colayco.

If you show an act of kindness to someone, the expected reaction would be gratitude and love. On the other hand, if you show an act of aggression, the expected reaction would be of equal aggression and anxiety.

There’s a lot of things that we can’t control being a tiny speck of dust in the world, but one thing we can DEkNITELY INlUENCE IS THE WAY PEOPLE

react to us through our actions where positive actions yield positive results.

In running a business, we were taught that one of the most important aspects of the business is DEkNING THE COMPANY CULTURE )F your culture embodies excitement, RESPECT AND JOY IN WORKING THEN YOU CAN EXPECT HAPPY AND SATISkED employees. If it’s the opposite, then expect a stressful atmosphere and high attrition rate.

Our actions and our attitude have a bigger effect on our environment, the people around us, than you may think. A simple act OF GENEROSITY AND SELlESSNESS TO someone could yield a domino effect of positivity to other people that he will encounter. So, the next time you visit a store to buy a product, always remember to leave something for the one next in line.

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

World

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

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UN seeks $920-M aid for exiled Rohingya GENEVA: The United Nations on Friday (Saturday in Manila) called for $920 million in aid for around a million Rohingya taking shelter in Bangladesh after bloodshed in Buddhist-majority Myanmar.

About 740,000 of the Muslim minority fled to Bangladesh as a result of a military crackdown in August 2017, condemned by the UN as ethnic cleansing.

They joined another 300,000 Rohingya who were already living in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar following previous bouts of violence.

In a joint statement, the UN refugee agency and the International Organization of Migration (IOM) said they were looking to raise $920 million (817 million euros) to meet “the massive needs of more than 900,000 refugees from Myanmar and over 330,000 vulnerable Bangladeshis in host communities.� “Critical aid and services such as food, water, sanitation and shelter represent more than half of the funding needs this year. “Other key sectors of the appeal include health, site management, protection activities including child protection and addressing sexual and gender-based violence, immunisation education and nutrition,� it added.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called on Myanmar “to take urgent action to address the root causes of this crisis which have persisted for decades, so that people are no longer forced to flee and can eventually return home in safety and dignity.�

In Myanmar, the Rohingya are widely seen as interlopers from Bangladesh and have been denied citizenship, rights and access to services for decades.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government remains in a fragile power-sharing agreement with the military, which has denied abuses and said its operations were justified to root out Rohingya insurgents following a series of deadly attacks on police posts.

Suu Kyi’s refusal to stand up for the Rohingya has left her international reputation in tatters.

This is the third appeal for aid issued jointly by the UNHCR, IOM and Bangladesh.

They said the situation of the refugees had improved vastly with money raised earlier.

Acute malnutrition has falling from emergency levels in late 2017, immunization coverage has grown to 89 percent, and women delivering their babies in health facilities has risen from 22 percent to 40 percent, the UN joint statement said.

But Bangladeshi State Minister of Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam insisted the goal remains repatriation. “We have signed [an] agreem e n t w i t h M ya n m a r b u t unfortunately the situation in Myanmar is still not conducive for voluntary safe and dignified return,� he said. “So we urge on the international community to put pressure on Myanmar and engage with them constructively, so as a responsible... member of the United Nations they take their citizens back without further delays.�

AFP

Worldinbriefs UK STUDENTS RALLY VS CLIMATE CHANGE LONDON: Thousands of schoolchildren went on “strike� across Britain on Friday in a protest against climate change, with hundreds rallying in London’s Parliament Square. Children of all ages chanted “Save our planet,� cheered as flares were lit and clambered onto statues in the shadow of Big Ben to call for action, and to raise awareness. “As humans, we got ourselves into this predicament, it’s our responsiblity to get out of it,� said Hal, a 15-year-old from London. “As well as being a message to the politicians, it’s a way to spread awareness to everyone,� added the teenager, who was wearing his school uniform “to accentuate the fact that I should be at school.� The protesters waved makeshift placards reading “Make Earth Cool Again,� “Don’t Mess With My Mother,�, “We Stand For What We Stand On� and “I’m Getting Detention For This.� There were similar protests in dozens of British towns and cities, including Brighton, Leeds, Manchester and Oxford.

AFP

NIGERIA POSTPONES POLLS AS 66 KILLED KANO, Nigeria: Nigeria’s electoral commission delayed the presidential election until February 23, making the announcement a mere five hours before polls were set to open Saturday (Sunday in Manila). It cited unspecified “challenges� amid reports that voting materials had not been delivered to all parts of the country. Authorities in Nigeria’s Kaduna state are reporting at least 66 deaths in a wave of violence just before the country’s presidential election.

Residents of Africa’s most populous nation and largest democracy will soon wake up to outrage. Many had relocated for the chance to vote. “This was a difficult decision to take but necessary for successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of our democracy,� commission chairman Mahmood Yakubu told reporters in the capital, Abuja. A review of logistics, along with the determination to hold a credible vote, led the commission to conclude that going ahead with the election as planned was “no longer feasible,� he said. AP

US MAN KILLS 5 CO-WORKERS, HURTS 5 POLICEMEN CHICAGO: A US man being fired from his job shot dead five co-workers at a factory on the outskirts of Chicago and wounded five police officers before being gunned down himself, in the country’s latest mass shooting. The gunfire took place at 1:24 p.m. (1924 GMT) at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, Illinois, a suburb 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Chicago, the country’s third-largest city. Police named the suspect as Gary Martin, 45, of Aurora.

He was a 15-year employee of the company and “information that we have indicates that he was being terminated today,� said Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman. The shooting came the day after Nancy Pelosi, the powerful speaker of the House of Representatives, said gun violence is a “national emergency� far more real than the one President Donald Trump ultimately declared Friday to build his wall at the Mexican border. Police Chief Ziman did not have further details about why Martin was being fired, whether the killing was pre-meditated, or whether the victims were involved in his dismissal.

BOOK ALLEGES GAY SUBCULTURE IN VATICAN PARIS: A gay French writer has lifted the lid on what he calls one of the world’s largest gay communities, the Vatican, estimating that most of its prelates are homosexually inclined and attributing much of the current crisis in the Catholic Church to an internal struggle. In the explosive book, In the Closet of the Vatican , author Frederic Martel describes a gay subculture at the Vatican and calls out the hypocrisy of Catholic bishops and cardinals who in public denounce homosexuality but in private lead double lives. Aside from the subject matter, the book is astonishing for the access Martel had to the inner sanctum of the Holy See. Martel writes that he spent four years researching it in 30 countries, including weeks at a time living inside the Vatican walls. He says the doors were opened by a key Vatican gatekeeper and friend of Pope Francis who was the subject of the pontiff’s famous remark about gay priests, “Who am I to judge?� AP

FIERY PROTEST

Israeli soldiers walk past burning tires during clashes with Palestinian protestors following a demonstration against Jewish settlements in the West Bank village of Urif, south of Nablus, on Friday (Saturday in Manila). AFP PHOTO

Trump declares border emergency W ASHINGTON, D.C.: Let the lawsuits begin. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency along the southern border Friday (Saturday in Manila) and predicted his administration would end up defending it all the way to the Supreme Court.

That might have been the only thing Trump said Friday that produced near-universal agreement.

The American Civil Liberties Union announced its intention to sue less than an hour after the White House released the text of Trump’s declaration that the “current situation at the southern border presents a border security and humanitarian crisis that threatens core national security interests and constitutes a national emergency.� .ONPROkT WATCHDOG GROUP 0UBLIC #ITIZEN kLED SUIT LATER URGING the US District Court for the District of Columbia to “bar Trump and the US Department of Defense from using the declaration

and funds appropriated for other purposes to build a border wall.�

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several Democratic state attorneys general already have said they might go to court.

The coming legal fight seems likely to hinge on two main issues: Can the president declare a national emergency to build a border wall in the face of Congress’ refusal to give him all the money he wanted and, under the federal law Trump invoked in his declaration, can the Defense Department take money from some congressionally approved military construction projects to pay for wall construction?

The Pentagon has so far not said

which projects might be affected.

But after weeks of publicly ruminating whether to act, Trump’s signature on the declaration set in motion a quick march to the courthouse.

Trump relied on the National Emergencies Act of 1976, which Congress adopted as a way to put some limits on presidential use of national emergencies. The act requires a president to notify Congress publicly of the national emergency and to report every six months. The law also says the president must renew the emergency every year, simply by notifying Congress. The House and Senate also can revoke a declaration by majority vote, though it would take a two-thirds vote by each house to override an expected presidential veto.

Beyond that, though, the law doesn’t say what constitutes a national emergency or impose any other limits on the president.

The broad grant of discretion to the president could make it hard to persuade courts to rule that Trump exceeded his authority in

declaring a border emergency. “He’s the one who gets to make the call. We can’t second-guess it,� said John Eastman, a professor of constitutional law at the Chapman University School of Law. Courts often are reluctant to look BEYOND THE JUSTIkCATIONS THE PRESIDENT included in his proclamation, Ohio State University law professor Peter Shane said on a call organized by the liberal American Constitution Society.

But other legal experts said the facts are powerfully arrayed against the president. They include government statistics showing a decades-long decline in illegal border crossings as well as Trump’s rejection of a deal last year that would have provided more than the nearly $1.4 billion he got for border security in the budget agreement he signed Thursday. Opponents of the declaration also are certain to use Trump’s own words at his Rose Garden news conference Friday to argue that there is no emergency along the border.

AP

US steals billions, but offers crumbs – Maduro CARACAS: Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro hit out at the United States on Friday (Saturday in Manila) for “stealing� billions of dollars and offering “crumbs� in return as humanitarian aid, as Washington SANCTIONED kVE OFkCIALS CLOSE TO THE Venezuelan leader.

Tons of US aid is piling up in Colombia close to the border with Venezuela as opposition leader Juan Guaido has vowed to defy Maduro’s efforts to block the supplies from entering the country. “It’s a booby trap; they’re putting on a show with rotten and contaminated food,� said Maduro, speaking at an event in the southeastern town of Ciudad Bolivar. “They’ve stolen $30 billion and are offering four crumbs of rotten food,� added the beleaguered socialist leader, referring to the United States.

Later Friday, Maduro asked the military to prepare for a “special deployment� to reinforce the border with Colombia — and make it “impregnable.� “I am not exaggerating. In the White House, Donald Trump and Ivan Duque announced plans for war against Venezuela,� he said, referring to a meeting on Wednesday in which Trump reiterated that “all options� were on the table with regard to Venezuela.

The country is in the midst of an economic crisis that has left millions in poverty and facing shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicine.

Guaido, who is recognized by 50 countries as the interim president, accuses Maduro of causing economic hardship through mismanagement.

Among those countries is Costa Rica, whose foreign affairs ministry on Friday gave three Maduro-appointed diplomats “60 calendar days� to leave the country.

Maduro, meanwhile, blames Venezuela’s woes on US sanctions.

The 56-year-old, the handPICKED SUCCESSOR TO SOCIALIST kREbrand Hugo Chavez, branded it the “war of the oligarchy.�

US sanctions mostly target regime individuals and state oil company PDVSA, the government’s main source of income, but the US Treasury announced Friday that it was imposing sanctions ON kVE INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY OFkCIALS CLOSE TO -ADURO Those targeted are “aligned with illegitimate former President Nicolas Maduro, who (continues) to repress democracy and democratic actors in Venezuela,� a Treasury Department statement said. !MONG THE kVE MEN IS -ANUEL Quevedo, described by the Treasury as the “illegitimate� president of PDVSA. Humanitarian aid has become a key issue in the power struggle between Maduro and Guaido.

The opposition leader, who last month declared himself acting president, has promised to bring in the aid on February 23.

Maduro refuses to let it in. And his loyal military has barricaded a border bridge between Venezuela and Colombia.

The socialist leader insists the aid is just a cover for a planned US military invasion, while Guaido says 300,000 people could die without the desperately-needed aid.

AFP

COMMEMORATION

Veterans and other participants march during a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the Soviet troops withdrawal from Afghanistan at Moscow’s Poklonnaya Gora War Memorial Park on Friday (Saturday in Manila). AFP PHOTO

US-China talks deadline may be extended—Trump BEIJING: US President Donald Trump said that “there’s a possibility� he would extend a March 2 deadline in trade talks with China if the two countries are closing in on a deal.

Trump made the remarks after two days of high-level negotiations broke up in Beijing Friday, and the two countries announced plans to resume talks next week in Washington. The world’s two biggest economies are locked in a dispute over China’s aggressive push to challenge American technological dominance.

The US is scheduled to hike import taxes on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods on March 2. But Trump told reporters that he might extend the deadline “if I see that we’re close to a deal or the deal is going in the right direction.� He had made similar comments on Tuesday.

Earlier Friday, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told Chinese President Xi Jinping that negotiators “made headway� in

talks this week in Beijing.

Economists said this week’s two days of talks were too brief to resolve the sprawling dispute that extends to cyberspying and China’s trade surplus.

They said Beijing is trying to persuade Trump enough progress is being made to postpone the penalties. . “I hope you will continue to work hard to promote a mutually beneficial and win-win agreement,� Xi told Lighthizer in a meeting after the negotiations ended, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

The decision to hold more talks suggested they were making progress. But there was no indication of movement on the thorniest dispute: US pressure on Beijing to scale back plans for government-led creation of Chinese global leaders in robotics and other technologies. “We feel we have made headway on very, very important and difficult issues,� Lighthizer told Xi. “We have additional work to do, but we are hopeful.�

AP

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World

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

China must disarm, like US, Russia – Merkel M

UNICH, Germany: China must be involved in international disarmament efforts, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday, amid rising concern about Beijing’s missile arsenal and the suspension of a key USRussia arms treaty. “Disarmament is something that concerns us all and where we would of course be glad if such talks were held not just between the United

States, Europe and Russia but also with China,� said Merkel.

The United States began pulling out of a landmark Cold War missile

control agreement with Russia, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, this month in response to Moscow’s deployment of the 9M729 missile, prompting Russia to announce its own withdrawal.

While pointing the finger at each other, both Washington and Moscow have also voiced concern that the INF — a bilateral treaty between the US and Russia — does nothing to constrain rapidly growing military power China.

According to a new report by the

Institute for Strategic Studies, up to 95 percent of China’s arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles would be in breach of the INF if Beijing were party to it.

'IVEN THIS gIT IS DIFkCULT TO ENVIsion a scenario under which China would today enter a regime such as the INF Treaty,� the report said.

Germany is organising an international conference in Berlin next month to start talks about how to create an arms control regime to replace the one forged in the bipolar Cold War era.

AFP

102 drug dealers surrender to Bangladeshi police TEKNAF, Bangladesh:Â Some 102 Bangladeshi meth dealers have surrendered to authorities at a pre-scheduled ceremony in a coastal town, OFkCIALS SAID 3ATURDAY AS A 0HILippines-style anti-narcotics crackdown sows fear among kingpins.

Bangladesh last year launched a “war� on drugs following a proliferation of illegal substances in the South Asian nation of 165 million people, mostly of cheap methamphetamine pills known as “yaba.�

0OLICE SAID YABA gGODFATHERS u as well as lieutenants and peddlers, surrendered to the country’s home minister in Teknaf town — the key gateway for smuggling yaba into the country from Myanmar, where the pills are manufactured by the millions.

The dealers also surrendered 350,000 vanilla-scented, small red yaba pills — whose name comes from a Thai word meaning “crazy MEDICINEu ‡ AND ILLEGAL kREARMS The country’s police chief MoHAMMAD *AVED 0ATWARY SAID AUthorities would advocate for lesser prison sentences for those who had surrendered, and would “assist� them in returning to normal life.

But he promised “harsh upcoming days� for those who had stayed away. “Those who are in hiding, don’t get carried away. You’ll not be spared,� he told the mass gathering of several thousand locals who came to witness the event.

Teknaf is situated in Cox’s Bazar district — home to around a mil-

lion Rohingya refugees — bordering Myanmar.

Cox’s Bazar is flooded with yaba, with many of the Rohingya refugees used as “mules� for carrying the pills.

The pills have become an easy source of income for the RohingYA SOME OF WHOM HAVE poured across the border since Myanmar launched a military crackdown in August 2017 that the UN has described as ethnic cleansing.

The mass surrender comes during a concerted crackdown against drug traffickers, which has left nearly 300 people dead, INCLUDING FROM 4EKNAF AND seen about 25,000 arrested since May last year.

On Friday Bangladesh security forces seized 570,000 yaba pills in separate drives in the border region next to Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state.

According to the Department OF .ARCOTICS #ONTROL SOME kVE million people in Bangladesh are drug users, with yaba the most popular substance. The country seized a record 53 million yaba pills last year.

In October, authorities made yaba a class-A banned substance and parliament passed a law allowing the death penalty for dealing the drug.

0HILIPPINE 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO Duterte’s highly controversial anti-drug crackdown has killed thousands of alleged users and pushers since 2016.

AFP

NKorea’s econ potential ‘tremendous’ — Trump MOURNING

Indian muslims burn posters of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, center, and Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Masood Azhar, during a protest against Thursday’s attack on a paramilitary convoy in Kashmir that killed at least 40 in Mumbai, India. AP PHOTO

Thailand hosts Cobra Gold military exercises SATTAHIP, Thailand:Â With weapons DRAWN CAMOUlAGED TROOPS LEAPT out of amphibious assault craft while explosions sounded and parachutists glided in from above as the annual Cobra Gold war games took over a placid Thai beach Saturday.

Now in its 38th year, Cobra Gold is one of the largest military exercises in Asia, bringing thousands of forces from the United States, Thailand and other countries together for 11 days of training

on Thai shores.

This year’s drill includes some 2,000 US Marines, 1,000 US soldiers and hundreds from the country’s Navy and Air Force.

On Saturday US, Thai and South Korean forces descended on Namsai beach in Chonburi province in a joint drill intented to simulate securing the territory.

Captain Melvin Spiese told !&0 THE GOAL WAS TO gBRING POWER from ship to shore� and be ready for “any kind of future crisis we

might need to respond to with our Thai counterparts.�

Helicopters buzzed overheard and fighter jets roared across the skies.

Cobra Gold exercises span air, land and sea and feature a jungle survivalist session where participants take turns drinking blood from a severed cobra and snacking on insects and scorpions.

Singapore, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia also took part in the war games.

! ARMY COUP IN 4HAILAND tested ties with Washington, and the kingdom tilted towards China WITH HIGH PROkLE ARMS BUYS But US military sales continued and the two countries have upped THEIR ENGAGEMENT UNDER 53 0RESident Donald Trump, who has stepped back on human rights isSUES AND INVITED JUNTA CHIEF 0RAYUT Chan-O-Cha to the White House.

0RAYUT WHO LED THE COUP

is standing for prime minister in ELECTIONS SET FOR -ARCH AFP

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Donald Trump on Friday (Saturday in Manila) HAILED 0YONGYANG S gTREMENDOUSu economic potential and his “great relationship� with his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un ahead of a second scheduled summit between the two leaders.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, the US president also took a dig at Barack Obama, suggesting his predecessor had been close to going to war with the nuclear-armed state.

0YONGYANG HAS YET TO PROVIDE ANY OFkCIAL CONkRMATION OF THE &EBRUARY 27 to28 summit, which will be the second time the pair come together following their Singapore meeting on June 12 last year.

But Trump held out the prospect of growth and prosperity for the impoverished and isolated country should it follow a path of peace. “Their location between South Korea and Russia and China, right smack in the middle, is phenomenal.

And we think they have a great chance for tremendous economic prosperity in the future,� Trump said.

The president later hailed his warm relationship with Kim, adding that such an accomplishment had been beyond the capacity of Obama.

Recalling a conversation he had with Obama shortly before entering office, Trump said: “I don’t want to speak for him but I believe he would have gone to war with North Korea.

“I think he was ready to go to war, he told me he was so close to starting a big war with North Korea. Where are we now? No missiles, no rockets, no nuclear testing. “We’ve learned a lot. But much more importantly... we have a great relationship. I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un.�

4HE PRESIDENT ADDED THAT 0RIME Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan HAD SENT HIM A COPY OF A kVE PAGE LETTER DELIVERED TO THE .OBEL 0EACE 0RIZE COMMITTEE IN WHICH !BE HAD nominated Trump for his efforts in DEFUSING TENSIONS WITH 0YONGYANG “He said ‘I have nominated you respectfully on behalf of Japan. I am asking them to give you the .OBEL 0EACE 0RIZE ) SAID THANK you,� Trump said. “Many other people feel that way, too. I’ll probably never get it.

That’s okay.�

Trump also ran through some of THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE kERY RHETORIC he and Kim exchanged in 2017 when tensions between the two countries were skyrocketing. “It was a very tough dialogue at the beginning: Fire and fury, total annihilation, my button is bigger than yours. g0EOPLE SAID @4RUMP IS CRAZY And you know what it ended up being? A very good relationship.

I like him a lot and he likes me a lot. Nobody else would have done that. The Obama administration couldn’t have done it.�

AFP

Trump lauds China’s death penalty for drug dealers

MASS DANCE

Students participate in a ‘mass dance’ as part of celebrations marking the birthday of late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, known as the ‘Day of the Shining Star,’ in Pyongyang on Saturday. AFP PHOTO

WASHINGTON, D.C.: 0RESIDENT $ONald Trump on Friday (Saturday in Manila) praised China’s use of capital punishment for drug dealers, suggesting that the United States would deal better WITH NARCOTICS TRAFkCKING IF IT PUT offenders to death.

In China, drug dealers get “a thing called the death penalty. Our criminal drug dealer gets a thing CALLED @HOW ABOUT A kNE u 4RUMP told reporters at the White House. “So if we want to get smart, we can get smart. You can end the drug problem. You can end it a lot faster than you think.�

)T IS NOT THE kRST TIME THAT 4RUMP has advocated capital punishment for drug-related crimes.

Last March, he suggested the United States could bring in the death penalty for drug dealers. /FkCIALS INDICATED THERE WOULD be no attempt to change the law to make the death penalty mandatory FOR TRAFkCKING ALONE A MOVE THAT would could well run afoul of Supreme Court rulings on proportional punishment.

In those rulings, the high court suggested that nothing other than murder would be considered a capital offense.

AFP

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.)

SSUNDAY U N DAY FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Public Square

D4 Public Square appears on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

For contributions, email to publicsquare@manilatimes.net

publicsquare@manilatimes.net

ICRC launches campaign vs nuclear weapons S

EVENTY-FOUR years after nuclear weapons obliterated the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the risk that nuclear weapons will again be used is growing.

With this, the International Committee of the Red Cross is deeply concerned about a worrying erosion of the nuclear disarmament and arms control framework. The ICRC calls on concerned states and those in a position to influence them to reverse this distressing trend.

To stem the rising tide of nuclear risks in world politics, the ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the wider International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement recently launched a global campaign that aims

Q The Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital was severely damaged in the atomic bomb explosion in August 1945. Its staff— many of whom were injured—continued to perform their medical duty for the survivors. Seven decades on, the hospital continues to attend to the needs of thousands of people still suffering from ailments caused by radiation from the blast. to draw further attention of the public to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of a nuclear war, and ultimately

encourage people to urge their governments to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

For more information, email mdesjonqueres@icrc.org or watch the campaign video on https://youtu.be/Yr5yh1O5mnA.

DEPARTMENT of Energy (DoE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi assures electric cooperatives (ECs) of the objectivity of their performance review that seeks to identify the problems besetting troubled cooperatives. “There will be due process for all ECs,� he emphasized. “Our priority is to address the root causes of their problems and help in their rehabilitation so they may provide the quality of services consumers in their franchise areas truly deserve.�

About 17 ECs that have been chronically failing to provide sat-

PHILIPPINE Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Administrator Bernard Olalia (center) signs a Cooperation Agreement with Kristin Dadey (left), chief of Mission from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Philippines, and Maruja Asis, executive director of the Scalabrini Migration Center, on the conduct of policy research and risk assessment on the system of direct hiring of OFWs in Ortigas, Pasay City on February 9.

Muntinlupa, BuCor discusses New Bilibid Prison transfer MUNTINLUPA City Administrator Allan Cachuela (right) visited Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Nicanor Faeldon to discuss local development initiatives of transferring the New Bilibid Prison in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, on February 12.

The local government of Muntinlupa supports the initiative as it plans to develop the property into a commercial business district.

Also joining the meeting were (not in photo) Local Economic DQG ,QYHVWPHQW 3URPRWLRQV 2ŕľśFHU Gary Llamas, Brgy. Poblacion Capt.

Allen Ampaya, Environmental Sanitation Center chief Lorna Misa, City Security Office head Efren Villanueva, and Muntinlupa Public ,QIRUPDWLRQ 2ŕľśFHU 7H] 1DYDUUR

isfactory services required by their electric distribution franchise are Daneco (Davao del Norte), Aleco (Albay), Baselco (Basilan), Casureco 3 (Camarines Sur), Ficelco (Catanduanes), Lasureco (Lanao), Maselco (Masbate), Omeco (Occidental Mindoro), Ormeco (Oriental Mindoro) , Paleco (Palawan), Pelco (Pampanga), Suleco (Sulu), and Zamcelco (Zamboanga).

For many years, residents of these areas have been complaining of persistent and unresolved brownouts caused by some ECs’ heavy debts and failure to pay for their power supply.

PhilHealth covers confinements due to measles AMID recent declaration of measles outbreak in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and other parts of the county by the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) guaranteed the public that confinements due to measles are compensable.

PhilHealth coverage for measles ranges from P7,700 to P25,700, with uncomplicated cases being paid at P7,700 while pneumonia

POEA signs agreement on research of direct hiring

in measles at P15,000.

The state health insurer declared that even non-members can also avail themselves of PhilHealth benEkTS WHEN NEEDING CONkNEMENT DUE to complications of measles. “Patients with no active PhilHealth coverage can avail of our BENEkTS THRU THE 0OINT OF 3ERVICE (PoS) program where they are instantly afforded with health insurance,� PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Roy Ferrer explained.

DFPC extends shopping privileges for senior citizens, PWDs SENIOR citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) can enjoy their shopping privileges in all Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) stores, within 365 days from the date of arrival in the country.

DFPC COO Vicente Pelagio Angala announced the privilege is extended to senior citizens and PWDs with Filipino passports or natural born Filipinos who acquired foreign citizenship.

The one-year shopping privilege also comes with a 5 percent dis-

count in all regular items (except liquors and cigarettes), with no minimum purchase requirements.

In order for senior citizens and PWDs to obtain the discount, they need to show their passports and PWD IDs at the registration counters of DFPC outlets.

Lenovo awards Xavier University

DILG awards Las PiĂąas for Good Financial Housekeeping

Q Odilon Pasaraba (4th, L), director of the Bureau of Local Government Supervision and Jovial Ingeniero (3rd, L), assistant regional director (DILG-NCR) present the award to Mayor Mel Aguilar (center). With them are DILG Las Piùas City Director Mary Anne Planas (6th, L), city councilors and department heads.

LAS PiĂąas City Mayor Mel Aguilar from the Department of Interior and UHFHLYHG WKH FHUWLÂżFDWH RI UHFRJQLWLRQ Local Government (DILG) for the

city government’s initiative in Good Financial Housekeeping passing the

standards set by the Bureau of Local Government Supervision of the DILG.

Alvin was taught well by his mentor and friend, the legendary photojournalist Honesto Vitug who shots photos of Presidents— from Emilio Aguinaldo to Ferdinand Marcos. He learned at a young age to see with his eyes, think with his mind, and feel with his heart before taking any phoTOGRAPH 4HIS IS STILL HIS WORKlOW ethics in any photograph he takes.

Alvin is also a firm believer that a photograph not printed is only half done. He believes that photographs shared only in the internet are missing one important quality of art. Photographs must be printed, framed, and displayed to complete the cycle.

Alvin Lee’s solo exhibit “Glimps-

es� will be held from March 5 to March 17 at the Crucible Gallery 4th

XAVIER University’s (XU) Ateneo Night School Program was recognized by Lenovo as an Outstanding Tech Visionary at the recently concluded 16th TAYO (Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations) Awards ceremony.

The XU Night School leverages technology to provide alternative education to drop-outs, out-ofschool youth, and street children living in Cagayan de Oro City.

The program, which started in 2016, aims to provide youth access to education and help them pass the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Acceleration and Equivalency test (A&E), which will allow them to return to formal schooling.

The XU Night School program is a 10-month curriculum based

Q Camille Antonio (left), PR manager for Lenovo Philippines, CID Communication and Edchelle Rellama, XU Night School Program Volunteer-Teacher (Science). on DepEd’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) modules, further enhanced with lessons that ensures holistic development.

Eriguel authors law to strengthen HIV-AIDS prevention

Alvin Lee features ‘Glimpses’ in solo exhibit ALVIN ,EE IS A kRM BELIEVER THAT EVERY photograph should be taken with a heart and a story to tell. This is his guiding theme for this solo exhibit.

After more than 40 years of taking photographs mostly in black and white, Alvin is back - this time incorporating color photographs of land and seascape in his portfolio.

He shoots with the unique style of a street and documentary photographer, feeling what nature wants to say and capturing the scene to convey that certain moment. This style of photography goes back to his humble beginnings as an energetic 20 year old photographer scouring the streets of Metro Manila for subject matters that best represent his view of society and its surroundings.

DoE assures ECs due process in performance review

lOOR 3- -EGAMALL ! !RTIST RECEPtion is 6p.m. on March 5.

A NEW law co-authored by La Union Second District Representative Sandra Eriguel will strengthen SROLF\ RQ +XPDQ ,PPXQRGHÂżFLHQF\ Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune 'HÂżFLHQF\ 6\QGURPH $,'6 SUHvention, treatment, care and support in the Philippines. “This law will help prevent the further spread of HIV-AIDS among Filipinos, especially among the vulnerable groups,â€? said Eriguel, referring to Republic Act No. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Act which was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on Dec. 20, 2018.

Eriguel’s version (House Bill No. 1804) of the law was consolidated with other similar bills into a substitute bill

which was approved by the House and eventually transmitted to the Senate.

The new law repealed RA No. 9504 or the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998 to strengthen and reconstitute the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) with full budgetary support.

Sports

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2019

E1

www.manilatimes.net

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

EDDIE G. ALINEA

Big blow to PH's SEA Games hosting

B

ASED on recent developments, the Philippines might as well go into the motion of playing host to the 30th Southeast Asian Games it is scheduled to stage from November 30 to December 11 in different venues in Central Luzon, Metro Manila and suburbs.

The country, alright, remains as host of the biggest ever edition of the once every two-year competitions among the best athletes in the 11-member meet in terms of the number sports at 56 and events to be disputed at 523.

To make this Games the most memorable and the most successful as expected of the Filipinos’ world—r renowned reputation as the best organizers of events of this magnitude and most hospitable at that has been put to doubt.

In a span of a few days last week, the Senate cut the proposed P7.5 billion budget submitted by the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) by 33 percent, thus, reducing the amount to merely P5 billion or P1.5 billion short of the INTENDED kNANCIAL REQUIREMENTS Then on Wednesday, in a meeting in MalacaĂąang among PHISGOC cochairmen, Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Philippine Sports Commission head Butch Ramirez and Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas, with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, held to lessen the impact of the senate decision, nothing positive seemed to have come out.

Meaning not even the Palace, if Ramirez was to be believed, could provide the additional P1.5 billion slashed by the Upper Chamber of Congress from the original P7.5 billion. “No assurance,â€? Ramirez told media men emphatically when asked what transpired during then meeting at MalacaĂąang where representatives from the Budget Department and the Public Works and Highways also attended along with POC chair, Rep. Abraham Tolentino.

It was hoped that with the intervention of MalacaĂąang, President Duterte, for that matter, the Senate would have a change of heart and provide organizers of the Games the amount it needs. “With a 33 percent cut, mahirap. Our estimate to have the level of hosting we want, international standard, security, venues, broadcast, etc., we aready need about P6 billion,â€? Cayetano bemoaned. “Part of our meeting (with Medialdea) ay kung paano mapupunan ‘yung P1 billion from the private and public funds.â€?

The DBM was reportedly been tasked to look where it can source the money to augment the reduced fundING REQUIREMENTS !N INITIAL BATCH OF sponsors from the private sector has also been asked to help as Platinum sponsors to produce from $1 million to $3 million. according to Cayetano.

Despite the 33-percent budget cut, preparations, especially on the venues REQUIREMENTS ARE ON SCHEDULE 0()3'/# executive director Tom Carrasco, assured. “There are and there will be challenges.

And we must be prepared to meet them.

Kaya nga ang Presidente na mismo nagbigay ng directive to all concerned – DBM, $07( 03# 0/# ) M VERY CONkDENT WE CAN kND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM u “When we won the right to play as host, we immediately planned to stage a SEA Games that would surpass all previous SEAGs,� Carrasco recalled. “May kayabangan nga kasi tayo. Pero ang kayabangan natin, ginagawa natin.

We had already hosted these Games thrice and nobody could accuse us of bungling those times na nag-host tayo.

Kaya pa natin, nine months pa bago magopening. Kailangan lang magkaisa tayo at magsama-sama alang-alang sa bayan.� “Hindi lamang naman and Pangulo ang mapapahiya kung pumalpak tayo, Hindi lamang ang Senado. Tayong lahat, ang buong bansa at ang buong sambayanang Pilipino. At sisiguruhin ko ito, walang Pilipinong papayag na mangyayari ‘yun,� Carrasco declared.

The hosting rights of the 2019 Games were originally awarded to Brunei Darussalam, but that country pulled out days before the 2015 3OUTHEAST !SIAN 'AMES DUE TO gkNANcial and logistical reasons.�

The Philippines was offered as site for the Games with then POC president Jose “Peping� Cojuangco virtually volunteering to ho host the Games. However, the Philippines’ hosting was left uncertain following the withdrawal of government support on July 2017 as it plans to use the funds intended for the games on the rehabilitation of Marawi after being occupied by ISIS supporters.

Thailand was willing to step in if no other countries expressed interest to host.

Eventually, the Philippines reversed its withdrawal of support and announced that it accepted the hosting of the Games on August 16, 2017.

The country’s hosting of the 30th SEA Games is considered as a stepping-stone for its possible bid to host the 2022 Asian Games.

Team USA rebounds to win 2019 Rising Stars contest

L

OS ANGELES: Slam dunks and three pointers were the order of the day and defense disappeared completely as Team USA outgunned Team World 161-144 in the NBA Rising Stars game on Friday night (Saturday in Manila).

Los Angeles Lakers player Kyle Kuzma scored a gamehigh 35 points and was named MVP of the contest which features the league’s top first and second-year players and opens the NBA all-star festivities in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Kuzma went 15-of-27 from THE kELD AND ALSO HAD SIX REbounds, while Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum added 30 points for Team USA. The teams combined for 37 three-pointers, 55 dunks and shot a total of just 12 free throws. “Last year, the World team

kicked our butts,� Kuzma said. “They came in here and beat us by 30. A lot of us kind of remembered that.�

Atlanta’s Trae Young finished with 25 points and 10 assists, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox had 15 assists and Utah’s Donovan Mitchell added 20 points and nine assists.

Ben Simmons, of the Philadelphia 76ers, led the World team with 28 points. Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen had 21 points and Dallas’s Luka Doncic had 13 points and nine assists for the World

Q Kyle Kuzma (No. 0) of the US Team dunks during the 2019 Mountain Dew ICE Rising Stars at Spectrum Center on Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina. AFP PHOTO

Team, whose players came from 10 different nations. “As you can see, not much defense. Guys just want to get up and play,� World guard Simmons said. “It’s good to get out there and just get up and down with guys you don’t normally go up and down with.�

Rookie guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, of Canada, scored 15 points.

This was the fifth year of the Americans against Wo r l d f o r m a t a n d t h e World now leads the alltime series 3-2 .

AFP

Q WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz (left) trades blows with Abner Mares. AFP PHOTO

Cancer-fighting dad inspires Santa Cruz in featherweight title showdown LOS ANGELES: World Boxing Association featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz defends his crown Saturday (Sunday in Manila) against fellow Mexican Rafael Rivera while taking inspiration from his father’s ONGOING kGHT AGAINST CANCER Santa Cruz, 35-1-1 with 19 knockouts, will face Rivera, 26-2-2 with 17 knockouts, in the feature of a Los Angeles card with Rivera as A LATE kLL IN FOR ORIGINAL CHALLENGER Miguel Flores, lost to an ankle injury last month.

Santa Cruz is being trained by his father, Jose Santa Cruz, who

IS kGHTING MULTIPLE MYELOMA OR bone marrow cancer. “Seeing my dad going through cancer treatment has been very tough,� Santa Cruz said. “He motivates me to go to the gym and train hard, because I know if he sees me working hard, it will motivate him as well. “Sometimes when my dad is having tough days dealing with the cancer, I want to stay at home with him, but he tells me to go to the gym and train hard. So I tell him that we’re going to work hard for him. We

both motivate each other.�

If he wins, Santa Cruz wants a unikCATION BOUT AGAINST !MERICAN 'ARY Russell Jr., the World Boxing Council champion, or a third career matchup against Britain’s Carl Frampton.

Santa Cruz suffered his only career loss in 2016 to the Northern Ireland fighter but avenged the defeat in early 2017 to reclaim the WBA crown, which he now defends for a third time in this reign. “Gary Russell Jr. is the fight that I want. He beat me in the amateurs, but in the pros I get 12 rounds. I think that I can beat

him,� Santa Cruz said. “We want to unify the belts or make the third fight against Carl Frampton. If not, we will go to 130 pounds and seek a title in a new weight class.�

Rivera enters after losses to Americans Joseph Diaz and Joet 'ONZALEZ THE kRST OF HIS CAREER

and a knockout win over Mexico’s Jose Ramos last October in his MOST RECENT kGHT “I’ve stepped in late before to a BIG kGHT ) M ALWAYS READY WHEN it comes. Expect a surprise come Saturday night,� Rivera said. AFP

PBA old timers see action in 'Return of the Rivals' RETIRED players of San Miguel Beer, Alaska, Purefoods and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will show they still got the moves in Return of the Rivals of the Philippine Basketball Association today at the Araneta Coliseum.

San Miguel Beer, the 1989 grand slam team will face Alaska, the 1996 grand slam team, in the 4:30 p.m. kRST GAME WHILE 0UREFOODS NOW Magnolia) will meet its Manila Clasico archival Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the 7 p.m. main event.

Allan Caidic banners the Beermen under coach Pilo Pumaren along with Danny Ildefonso, Olsen Racela, Nic Belasco, Elmer Reyes, Dennis Miranda, Alvin Teng, Freddie Abuda, Danny Seigle, Nelson Asaytono, Dondon Hontiveros, Benjie Paras, Art dela Cruz, Arnold Gamboa, Bong Alvarez and Chris Calaguio. “More than the rivalry, it’s a good cause to help their fellow players. It’s more of a fund raising event,� said San Miguel Beer assistant coach Jong Uichico, a former SMB head coach.

Alaska will be led by Jojo Lastimosa supported by Roehl Gomez, Rodney Santos, Willie Miller, Eddie Laure, Johnny Abarrientos, Kenneth Duremdes, Jeffrey Cariaso, Ervin Sotto, Bogs Adornado, Tony dela Cruz, Rodney Santos and John Ferriols.

Four-time Most Valuable Player Alvin Patrimonio will lead Purefoods together with Bonel Balingit, Dindo Pumaren, Bong Ravena, Al Solis, Tony Boy Espinosa, Paul Artadi, Ronnie Magsanoc, Peter Naron, Jerry CodiĂąera, Joey Sta. Maria, Glen Capacio, Roger 9AP 2ICHARD 9EE AND 4OTOY -ARQUEZ “I will be coaching and not playing. I don’t have any practice. We’ll see how’s the condition of the guys.

But it’s not important what team will win. What important is how we can help our fellow players,� said Purefoods coach Ramon Fernandez, who is also a Philippine Sports Commission commissioner. “It’s more of a fund raising event.

It’s also good for the fans to see the old players play again.�

Ginebra will parade Noli Locsin, Bal David, Bennet Palad, Vince (IZON ,EO )SAAC -ARLOU !QUINO

Pido Jarencio, EJ Feihl, Wilmer, Ong, Joey Loyzaga, Benny Cheng, Rudy Distrito, Jayvee Gayoso, Bobby Jose and Romulo Mamaril.

Ginebra, the PBA’s most popular team of all-time, is expected to be coached by Robert Sonny “The Living Legend� Jaworski Sr. 4HE EVENT S PROCEEDS WILL BENEkT members of Samahan ng mga Dating Propesyonal na Basketbolista ng Pilipinas, an association of retired Filipino professional basketball players. JOSEF T. RAMOS

E2

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

Nascar

˜ The Sunday Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Q Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19), Denny Hamlin (No. 11), Kevin Harvick (No. 4), Austin Dillon (No. 3), Clint Bowyer (No. 14), Erik Jones (No. 20), Chase Elliott (No. 9), Daniel Suarez (No. 41), Ryan Newman (No. 6), Alex Bowman (No. 88) and Aric Almirola (No. 10) are involved in a multi-car pileup during the NASCAR Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, in Daytona Beach, Fla. AP PHOTO

Johnson triggers wreck, then wins Clash at Daytona D

AYTONA BEACH, Fla.: Jimmie Johnson’s youngest daughter prays every night for Daddy TO WIN A RACE 7HEN *OHNSON SCUFlED through the worst season of his career, he felt the strain of not reaching victory lane. “It was putting some pressure on me,� Johnson said.

Johnson called the invocation “cute to hear.�

He didn’t feel the same about critical comments saying Johnson was past his prime. The 43-yearold Johnson tweeted “I’m far from done� in the offseason, and with a risky move in the rain, he showed there’s plenty left.

Johnson triggered a wreck that wiped out nearly the entire 20-car field at Daytona and zipped to the lead to win the rain-shortened exhibition Clash on Sunday.

The seven-time Cup Series champion failed to win a race for THE kRST TIME IN HIS CAREER IN

but a dose of aggression put him back in victory lane during the opening weekend of Speedweeks.

Johnson’s win capped a banner day for Hendrick Motorsports: teammates William Byron and Alex Bowman locked in the front row for the Daytona 500 earlier in the day in qualifying. “It’s been a pretty awesome day,� Hendrick said. “I hate we had the wreck there at the end, but it’s been a really good day for the team.�

The celebration at Daytona comes with a caveat: the last Daytona 500 pole-sitter to win the race was Dale Jarrett in 2000, and Johnson’s victory doesn’t count in the official NASCAR record book.

0AUL -ENARD LED LAPS AND controlled the race interrupted

three times for rain. With more rain looming, Johnson dipped low and tried to side-draft Menard as they battled for the lead. But Johnson turned Menard and started a chain-reaction accident that left cars sideways and smoking behind THE .O #HEVROLET “I looked in the mirror and there were a lot of cars caught up in it,� Johnson said.

The rain that ended the race hit not long after the decisive move and Johnson won for the first time with new crew chief Kevin Meendering and new primary sponsor Ally. “I inherited a great core group OF GUYS WITH THE TEAM u -EENdering said. “There’s a strong foundation there, and the team really works well together, and it jells together It’s made that transition a lot easier.�

Johnson and longtime crew chief Chad Knaus split at the end of last season after seven championships. Knaus beat Johnson IN THE RACE TO THE kRST RACE DAY bash — by just a few hours. But the race to victory lane in a race that really counts comes in the regular season, and Johnson hasn’t won a Cup race since June

AT $OVER “We still need a points race win to say we’re back in victory lane,�

Johnson said. “But it was a great kRST STEP TODAY u The wreck came 55 laps into THE LAP EVENT AND THE RACE was called just four laps later.

Kurt Busch was second, followed

by Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney and Bowman.

Busch said team owner Chip Ganassi complained to NASCAR about Johnson driving below the double-yellow line to make the move. But Johnson was not penalized because the wreck forced him that low. “I think Johnson had a legitimate run to go for the lead,�

Busch said.

Menard was positioned to win for Wood Brothers Racing only weeks after the death of team founder Glen Wood. Wood was 93 and had been the oldest living member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame when he died last month after a long illness. “I felt like it was aggressive side-drafting,� Menard said. “I got turned to the inside and hooked to

the right and all hell broke loose.�

Johnson had been caught up in many crashes in the Clash, failing TO kNISH ON THE LEAD LAP IN EACH of the seven exhibition races. He WAS DOWN AT LEAST LAPS IN kVE straight Clashes, and understands just how quickly a race at Daytona can change. “I have a split-second decision to try to win a race, and I set up the pass and got position on him

clean, “Johnson said. “ I don’t know what triggered his car wobbling and then the accident started from there.�

Johnson had already proved at Daytona he was good on the long RUN ‡ AND WITH THE IN THE GArage. He competed in the 40 to 44 age division early Sunday in the Daytona Beach half marathon and kNISHED WITH A TIME OF HOUR

MINUTES SECONDS AP

Fort Kent racer lands multirace deal with NASCAR truck series team FORT Kent native Austin Theriault worked long and hard last year to find a competitive race car driving situation that was the right fit, but to no avail.

However, Theriault will back behind the wheel on a part-time basis in 2019 as he has landed a multirace deal in the NASCAR Gandor Outdoors Truck Series, formerly the Camping World Truck Series.

His driving duties begin Friday, Feb. 15, with the NextERA 250 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Theriault has joined forces with Ricky Benton Racing Enterprises, and he will drive the No. 92 Black’s Tire and Auto Service/Highland Construction Ford 150 for races at Martinsville Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.

The 25-year-old Theriault has been with the team for a month and said he is excited to be back in a truck. “This is a real opportunity to thrive. I want to make the best

of the opportunity,� Theriault said. “There are a lot of shorttrack racers out there that would love a chance to drive in the truck series. “Since we’re driving a limited schedule, we are going to have to be on our game. Since we won’t be running for points, we are going to have to earn our way into every race [through qualifying]. We won’t have anything to fall back on,� Theriault said.

Theriault said it appears Ricky Benton Racing will race twice at Martinsville, and once each at Bristol and Charlotte.

Theriault has enjoyed a good track record in the truck series.

He has run 12 races and posted five top-10 finishes, including two top-fives.

He made his return to the truck series last season for the first time since 2016 and provided the fledgling On Point Motorsports Team with its first top-10 finish. He came home in eighth place after starting 21st in the 32-truck field at the World

of Westgate 200 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Theriault has been working in the RBR Enterprises shop in Cerro Gordo, North Carolina, which is 165 miles from Theriault’s home in Mooresville, North Carolina, familiarizing himself with crew chief Mike Hester and the rest of the team. “It has been going well. A big part of success in racing is communication and chemistry,�

Theriault said.

Ricky Benton Racing has been involved in 80 NASCAR truck series races over the past nine years, and has three top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. Timothy Peters placed seventh in the RBR’s only truck series race last year after Regan Smith notched two top-10 efforts in 13 races in 2017.

Theriault said the RBR Enterprises team may not have the resources of other highly funded teams, but he is convinced the team’s track record and his experience in the truck series can overcome that.

“This team has run well in the past, and I have experience in the series. I’m not going into this blind,� Theriault said. “It’s a work in progress right now.�

Theriault raced only a few times last year after winning the ARCA Series points championship for Ken Schrader Racing in 2017, when he notched a series-high seven wins and 16 top-five showings in 20 races. “When you go through struggles, it makes you appreciate an opportunity like this,� he said. “Austin has had a lot of success in his career and came highly recommended [from Schrader],� team owner Ricky Benton said. “He has spent a lot of time at the shop working with [Hester], and the team to get the Daytona truck ready to race and has fit in with what we are doing well. “ “Ricky has done some great things and helped a lot of drivers in the truck series. I think we can build on that this year,�

Theriault said.

TNS

The Sunday Times www.manilatimes.net

Motor Sports

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

E3

Q Bianca Bustamante won the two races of the Petron Blaze 100 X30 Senior Division last weekend at the new Clark International Speedway Kart Track in Pampanga.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BUSTAMANTE STARTS STRONG IN PETRON BLAZE 100 X30 SERIES Friends of the Marques 2 L

BY MIKE POTENCIANO

018 Asian Karting Junior Champion Bianca "USTAMANTE DOMINATED BOTH RACES OF THE kRST round of Petron Blaze 100 X30 Senior Division held at the new Clark International Speedway Kart Track in Pampanga last weekend.

4HE YEAR OLD KARTING SENSATION BEAT ALL the regular drivers in the X30 class and had as MUCH AS SECONDS EDGE OVER THE REST OF THE kELD IN THE kNAL RACE "USTAMANTE S SKILLS WERE polished in several international events evident in her dominance of the new Clark Kart track. g7E DEkNITELY HAD THE SPEED AND CONkdence throughout the whole weekend,� said Bustamante after the race. “Since I was one

OF THE kRST FEW DRIVERS WHO HAD THE PRIVILEGE to race the new Kart Republic brand, we focused on being consistent. I’m fortunate to have my two remarkable parents and our two mechanics who all brought out the best performance in my kart.�

The only challenge came from the junior drivers in the X30 JR Restricted karts, particularly Jolo Suba and Miguel Angeles along with

Miguel Quinones, a past junior-runner up in the Asian Karting Open Championship.

The three karters gave Bustamante some semblance of competition though they were on different technical regulations.

The competitive young tandem of Angeles and Suba each shared one race in the X30 JR Restricted class. The two also extended their battle into the MiniROK class with Angeles besting Suba.

Arvin Drueco won the X30 Master class while $ON "ATINO AND 'ERICK (OLGANZA kNISHED SECOND and third, respectively. Drueco and Batino were also in the same class as of Bustamante. )N THE 6ETERANS CLASS *ING 'ARCIA WON THE kRST RACE but he had a mishap in the second race. Rommel (ERCE WHO RAN SECOND BEHIND 'ARCIA IN THE kRST RACE WON THE SECOND RACE 7ILLIAM 4AN kNISHED THIRD IN THE kRST RACE AND kFTH IN THE SECOND RACE For details, visit the IAME X30 Philippines Facebook page.

Ferrari launches new race car looking to end F1 title drought MILAN: Ferrari on Friday unveiled its new Formula One SF90 car that the Italian stable hopes will end its decade-long title drought to mark the team’s 90th anniversary.

The new SF90, featuring the team’s traditional red with splashes of black, was launched at a glitzy ceremony at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters by drivers Sebastian Vettel and new 21-year-old teammate Charles Leclerc. “I’m extremely excited, I see the car completely asSEMBLED FOR THE kRST TIME u said Vettel, 31, who along with Leclerc wore a black suit with the Ferrari crest. Q This undated handout image released by the Ferrari Press Office on Friday shows the new Ferrari Formula One “Unfortunately, I’m not dressed properly and can’t SF90 race car that was unveiled the same day. AFP PHOTO just jump in and drive off. I “This year is an important one for us the 2018 model.� can’t wait. I’m looking for“We got really good achievements in ward to this year, I think the team is on the as we celebrate our 90th anniversary as the Scuderia Ferrari was born in 2018 and it’s a development of last year’s right path and hopefully we can continue Modena in 1929. car,� he said. “We tried to push again to improving,� he said. “It’s an important milestone as we raise the bar and tried to be as extreme as Ferrari is the sport’s most successful team, but have not won the drivers’ title continue to be inspired and guided by the we could,� he added.

The new car features a radical front wing since Kimi Raikkonen took the title in vision of our founder Enzo Ferrari. “Last season was our best in the last 10 design to meet new regulations, the aim of 2007. The team’s last constructors’ title years, yet we fell short of our objectives. which is reduce turbulence and to allow was in 2008. “Such a setback is never easy to swallow, cars to race closer together.

The past two seasons have held out but I assure you we look forward with The rearward flaps slope downwards the promise of Ferrari challenging Merfrom the center towards the outside of the cedes’ dominance, with Vettel finishing strong commitment and determination.�

Before joining Ferrari, Vettel monopo- wing, with the intention of being more runner-up to Briton Lewis Hamilton on lized the world title for four consecutive aerodynamic. both occasions.

Leclerc, a Monegasque, said he was “ex6ETTEL IS HEADING INTO HIS kFTH SEASON years with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013.

Ferrari team is under a new leadership tremely excited to start this new adventure.� with the team while Leclerc has replaced with Mattia Binotto replacing Maurizio “It’s a dream since childhood: I’ve always Raikkonen. been looking at the red car hoping to one “Sebastian is hungry as ever, he knows Arrivabene as team principal.

Binotto explained that the “innovative� day be in it. So it’s a very emotional day for the whole team is behind him,� said FerAFP RARI #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER ,OUIS #AMILLERI new car built on the successful features of me,� he added.

(Conclusion)

AST WEEK WE TALKED ABOUT OUR VERY kRST BMW Asian Awardee – Edwin Reyes winning the coveted award for loyal and true lovers of BMW cars in 2017.

This week, we will show why the racing slogan, “What wins on Sunday, sells on Monday,� is still very relevant today. Motor sports help sell cars and build great partnerships between the brand and their patrons.

Forgive us for turning this week’s column into a short tribute to our MP Turbo Team that helped some brands along the way, as well as the multiple champions that we produced in more than 36 years of racing and rallying, both here and abroad. Here is a short summary of those great times with the different marques we had the chance to be associated with.

MP Turbo’s early years Since there wasn’t any racing after the 1979 global fuel crisis and the tragic local racing incident involving spectators, we turned to rallying as our entry into motor sports. When we started in 1983, we were mesmerized at the local factory teams of Toyota, Ford, Mitsubishi and General Motors/Opel that were joining rallies before.

-Y BROTHER HAD A MODIkED 3PRINTER BY Autometics of Butch Viola and Boy Saycon and was constantly amazed by it. Since I was too young to drive it, I would just sit on the driver’s seat every day and say that one day I will get to drive one in a rally. That chance only came after college after my parents made it a condition for US TO GET A DEGREE kRST BEFORE WE CAN RALLY Thus, after I graduated BS Biology in UP Diliman, I was able to rally and almost became a doctor. However, my love for cars and anything mechanical was more than my parent’s wish for me to become a doctor. Therefore, I enrolled again for my 2nd degree as an Industrial Management Engineering, minor in Mechanical, in De La Salle University and had good knowledge for making good rally cars and making the business side of it grow.

Rally Lancer In international rally competitions, the East African Safari Rallies were always the much awaited event for us with the locally available 1976 Mitsubishi Lancer winning a couple of this grueling event with Joginder Singh becoming a living legend in our eyes.

Thus, the winning slogan impressed on me early on and I longed to have the Lancer L-type AS MY kRST RALLY CAR WHEN ) STARTED MY CAREER There were a lot of us in that loved it including one of my mentors in rallying, Tammy Campos who also rallied his own Lancer.

7E SOON MODIkED THE LOOKS OF THE , TYPE WITH lARES FRONT AIR DAM HOOD SCOOP OUR -0 4URBO team color and stripes. This even had political undertones as we just graduated from UP and Ninoy Aquino was just killed during those turbulent times in 1983. We would have the Lancer in yellow at the start and then black after the assassination.

Rossi finds fountain of youth in his academy TAVULLIA, Italy: Italian motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi says he has discovered the fountain of youth in his VR46 Riders Academy as he aspires to continue competing at the highest level past his 40th birthday on Saturday. “Working with young people keeps me young,� said the nine-time world champion who set up the Academy near his hometown of Tavullia in 2013 to help aspiring young riders and revive the ailing MotoGP sector in Italy.

Five years on, the Yahama rider, also known as “The Doctor,� is competing against two of his proteges -Franco Morbidelli and Francesco Bagnaia.

Three of the six Italians who will line-out in the first Grand Prix of the season on March 10 in Qatar train on a dirt track circuit at Rossi’s “Motor Ranch� at Tavullia, a village in eastern Italy where the local hero grew up.

Forming two oval circuits, the 2.4-kilometer (1.5-mile) track stands out in the valley against a

backdrop of vineyards and olive groves.

In this unlikely location 11 aspiring riders train alongside their idol, during long “American-style� sessions -- two eliminations on each passage before a final four.

Next season, they will all be competing at the world championships in MotoGP, Moto2 or Moto3. “The original idea of the Academy was to bring Italian motorcycling back to where it was 15 years ago, when we were on top,� Alessio Salucci, a childhood friend and righthand man of Rossi, now the Academy’s sporting director, told Agence France-Presse. “It was a lot of work, listening to Valentino and going full throttle.�

The ranch is located on the site of an abandoned gypsum quarry, where Rossi used to train with his friends.

Rossi enjoyed working within a group so much that he decided to convert an abandoned farmhouse and

start the Academy on 65 hectares of his father’s land. “First there were riders, only afterwards did it become the Academy,� explains Salucci. “Valentino worked out at a gym at Pesaro. Local kids Niccolo Antonelli, Andrea Migno, Franco Morbidelli used to tag along because they knew he trained there. “They would say: ‘Vale (Valentino) we don’t have gloves; Vale, we don’t have a riding suit’. “We helped them, but in a basic way. So Vale offered to start the Academy, to help these boys, but to do so in a serious way.�

The business has grown to such a point that there are now 12 riders working at the Academy. “It has become a successful project because we’ve had two junior world champions, two Moto2 world champions (Morbidelli in 2017, Bagnaia in 2018) and we’re going to have two MotoGP riders,� Alberto Tebaldi, another of Rossi’s friends who oversees the VR46 project, told Agence France-Presse.

‘All-consuming passion’ Rossi’s lifestyle provides the model for the aspiring riders.

Eleven mini-Valentinos work out and compete alongside the maestro and have assess to his personal doctors, dieticians and trainer Carlo Casabianca. “Valentino’s lifestyle revolves around the bike,� said Saluccio. “The others need to understand how to live like a rider. So everything that Valentino does, every minute, is worth following.� “He’s been in this sport for the past 23 years and I’m 22. All the difficulties, he has already experienced them. And thanks to him we know immediately how to resolve them,� Bagnaia told AFP. “I’ve grown up with Valentino as my idol. It’s obvious to see he can’t live without this. The simple fact

TURBO TIMES

Toyota influence When the local Toyota came out with exciting cars like the Corolla Sprinter, Liftback, DX, and the iconic 1986 AE86 that were being raced abroad and here in our shores, we knew we needed to get our hands on trying them as our 1976 L-type was showing its age in rallying.

When the Audi Quattro came with its wide lARES ) KNEW THAT THE 4OYOTA ,IFTBACK WILL LOOK GOOD AND WE MADE AN ICONIC lARED MODEL THAT WE RALLIED ALONG WITH A SQUARED lARED $8 TOO That again shows how cars used in rallying perked our passion and creative powers to do our own custom designed body kits.

Nissan 240RS Group B The late 1980’s international rally scene was ablaze with Group B rally cars and the Nissan 23 WAS ONE OF THOSE MADE TO FULkLL THE Group B homologation requirements. We were fortunate to have a few of these powerful AND GREAT SOUNDING 23 IN OUR SHORES AND brought in by our Filipino rally drivers led

by Robert Aventajado, Mandy Eduque, Alex Limjuco and Boy Saycon.

These cars were barely street legal and didn’t have any air conditioning or other amenities of a modern day car. Even though they were expensive back then, people still bought them and became instant classics that demand a hefty price now. We were fortunate to have 2 of them and rallied them here and abroad with good results. It was really a beast to drive and I will never forget those days!

The only problem was that the time of the 7$ CARS WERE SOON COMING TO AN END AS 7$ cars were coming and they would easily beat THE POWERFUL CARS LIKE THE .ISSAN %VEN THE internationally exciting Group B was banned for being too fast and the last straw was when top rally driver Henri Toivonen was killed in a rally.

Inspiration for the future Up to now, a lot of people still look for pictures of our customized cars that we rallied before – the Lancer L-type, Box Type, Evo, 4OYOTA ,IFTBACK $8 AND .ISSAN 23 4HESE pictures serve as inspiration for future drivers and enthusiasts that want to have a piece of rallying history in their lives.

We are happy that we were able to help motor SPORTS AND DEkNITELY PROVE THAT WINNING IN MOtor sports really help sell cars. We hope to see more car manufacturers join motor sports and our Rally of Champions soon. Godspeed to all!

he’s the first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave training, that tells you a lot. “It’s an all-consuming passion.�

The Academy students’ success has, however, resulted in a unexpected conflict of interest -- riders who train together compete for rival stables, including Rossi’s Sky Racing Team by VR46 which takes part in Moto2 and Moto3. “They guys know our philosophy. We’re very happy to have Team Sky and some results, but we also give the maximum for Marco Bezzecchi (an Academy member but also a Red Bull KTM rider). And if Bezzecchi wins a race, we’ll be very happy,� insisted Tebaldi.

For Rossi, who finished third last season in MotoGP, his 18th podium finish in all categories in 23 years, it’s a win-win situation. “Training on your own is boring,� said Saluccio. “Now he’s training with guys who go fast and who want to beat him. He wants to beat them too and it’s not easy. Competition, day in, day out, that’s what Valentino gets out of the Academy.�

AFP

Sports ‘Almost perfect’ Nishikori sets up Wawrinka Rotterdam semis R E4

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

OTTERDAM, Netherlands: Kei Nishikori continued his unbeaten debut week at the Rotterdam Open with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics on Friday to reach the SEMI kNALS ON THE BACK OF A PERFORMANCE HE DESCRIBED as “almost perfect.�

4HE *APANESE TOP SEED SET UP A SEMI kNAL WITH TREBLE 'RAND 3LAM WINNER 3TAN 7AWRINKA WHO HAD HIS TROUBLES BEFORE PUTTING AWAY #ANADIAN $ENIS 3HAPOVALOV

.ISHIKORI WON HIS TH MATCH OF THE SEASON AS HE CONTROLLED &UCSOVICS IN THEIR kRST CAREER MEETING !SIA S TOP PLAYER BEGAN THE YEAR WITH A TH CAREER TITLE IN "RISBANE BEFORE SUFFERING HIS ONLY LOSS AT THE !USTRALIAN /PEN AGAINST .OVAK $JOKOVIC IN AN INJURY HIT QUARTER kNAL EXIT &UCSOVICS ARRIVED IN THE $UTCH PORT CITY AFTER PLAYING THE 3OkA kNAL LAST WEEKEND g4HIS IS ONE OF THE BEST THAT ) VE PLAYED THE SECOND SET WAS ALMOST PERFECT u .ISHIKORI SAID g) FEEL LIKE ) M IMPROVING WITH EACH MATCH g) WAS MAKING ALMOST EVERY BALL u 7AWRINKA LEADS THE SERIES WITH .ISHIKORI

WINNING THEIR LAST MATCH IN !UGUST AT #INCINNATI g3TAN IS A VERY GOOD PLAYER ) M GLAD TO SEE HIM BACK FROM INJURY u .ISHIKORI SAID g) HOPE WE CAN HAVE A GOOD MATCH u g(E S GOT A GREAT BACKHAND AND PLAYS VERY AGGRESSIVE IT WILL BE TOUGH u 7AWRINKA THE CHAMPION IN 2OTTERDAM WAS BROKEN WHILE SERVING FOR THE MATCH

AGAINST 3HAPOVALOV LEADING A SET AND As the set went into a tiebreaker, his RESISTANCE STIFFENED WITH 7AWRINKA RUNNING OUT THE WINNER ON HIS SECOND MATCH POINT AS THE #ANADIAN DROVE LONG g) FEEL RELIEVED HAPPY ) WAS PLAYING GREAT u SAID THE VETERAN 3WISS

Monfils eyes ‘revenge’ g) COULDN T kND A WAY TO CLOSE OUT the match, he STARTED PLAYING BETTER (E WAS MORE AGGRESSIVE AND ) WAS GIVING HIM TOO MUCH TIME g"UT ) M HAPPY TO BE IN THE SEMIkNALS 4HERE WERE A LOT OF TOUGH AND LONG RALLIES IN THE TIEBREAKER u $ANIIL -EDVEDEV ENDED *O 7ILFRIED 4SONGA S SEVEN MATCH WIN STREAK WHEN THE 2USSIAN TRIUMPHED

4SONGA RANKED A LOWLY AFTER KNEE SURGERY HAD BEEN ON A ROLL IN THE

$UTCH PORT CITY FOLLOWING HIS TITLE VICTORY LAST WEEK IN -ONTPELLIER "UT FIFTH SEED -EDVEDEV ARRIVED IN 2OTTERDAM BUOYED BY A TITLE OF HIS OWN AFTER LIFTING THE 3OFIA TROPHY FIVE DAYS AGO -EDVEDEV OUTLASTED YEAR OLD 4SONGA IN A MINUTE STRUGGLE TO REACH THE SEMI kNALS AND A MEETING WITH 'AEL -ONkLS 4HE &RENCH SHOWMAN TOOK MINUTES TO ADVANCE TO HIS SECOND STRAIGHT SEMI kNAL OF THE SEASON WITH HIS THRASHING OF "OSNIAN $AMIR $ZUMHUR -EDVEDEV IMPROVED TO THIS SEASON AFTER ADVANCING WITH SEVEN ACES AND SAVING BOTH BREAK POINTS HE FACED AGAINST 4SONGA WHO SUFFERED ONLY HIS THIRD LOSS OF g4HE MATCH FELT STRANGE

) DON T THINK ) WAS PLAYING THAT WELL u SAID THE BEANPOLE 2USSIAN g*O WAS PROBABLY NOT HAPPY WITH HIS LEVEL BUT THAT IS NORMAL 7E VE BOTH PLAYED A LOT OF MATCHES IN RECENT WEEKS ) M JUST HAPPY ) MANAGED TO WIN TODAY u -ONkLS kNISHED RUNNER UP IN 2OTTERDAM TO -ARTIN +LIZAN AND LOST TO 2AFAEL .ADAL IN THE TITLE MATCH AT THE !HOY !RENA $ZUMHUR HAD BEATEN THIRD SEED 3TEFANOS 4SITSIPAS IN THE OPENING ROUND !FTER GOING DOWN TO -EDVEDEV LAST WEEK IN THE 3OkA SEMI kNALS -ONkLS KNOWS HIS PRIORITIES FOR 3ATURDAY g) D LIKE TO TAKE A BIT OF REVENGE u HE SAID AFP

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Q Japan’s Kei Nishikori returns the ball to Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis during their men’s singles match on day four of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam on Friday. AFP PHOTO

Cusing, Mojdeh lead top PH U-22 finishers in PSL swim meet team takes on Vietnam in AFF meet Q The gold medal winners pose for a photo with coaches Alex Papa, Marlon Dula and Luisito Luistro during the awarding ceremonies of the 153rd Philippine Swimming League (PSL) National Series. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

DILIMAN Preparatory School (DPS) standout Paul Christian King Cusing and Susan Papa Swim Academy bet Behrouz Mojdeh copped two gold medals each to lead the gold medal winners in the 153rd Philippine Swimming League (PSL) National Series - DPS Class C and Motivational Swim Meet on Saturday at the DPS swimming pool in Quezon City.

Cusing dominated the boys’ 15-over 50m butterfly in 29.50 seconds and the 100m individual medley event in one minute and 8.59 ticks while Mojdeh reigned supreme in the boys’ 7-year 25m butterfly (19.25) and 25m backstroke (23.00) events.

Marc Bryan Dula of Masville Elementary School and Trump Christian Luistro of Hope Christian School-Legazpi underscored their readiness for the 2019 Palarong Pambansa Regional Qualifying Meet after topping their respective categories.

Dula ruled the boys’ 12-year 50m butterfly (30.05) while Luistro topped the boys’ 10-year 100m IM (1:24.22) in the tournament supported by The Manila Times, MX3 and DPS president Nikki Coseteng. “We’re happy to see a lot of new talented swimmers. We will monitor their prog-

ress because our focus right now is identifying and developing young swimmers for future international competitions,� said PSL president Susan Papa.

Sharing the spotlight were Montessori De Manila-Paraùaque Kevala Wasan (boys’ 11-year), and Susan Papa Swim Academy tankers Marcus Jared Dula (boys’ 6-under) and Mikaela Bliss Dula (girls’ 10-year), who won medals in their pet events.

The other gold medalists were Rica Angel De Silva; Kristine Sophia Avenido and Jhoenie Romulus Naife of Makati Sailfish Swimming Team; Jenn Albreicht Sermonia, Albert Sermonia II, Jewel Susan Sermonia, Lee Grant Cabral and Paula Carmela Cusing of the DPS Blue Dragons; Euna Alindayu, Christiana Anna Jandayan, Arienn Bernaldez, Jonrell Gabriano, Xavier John Salinel, Sean Quides, Vilzon Corpuz, John Jomlun, Khian Perales, Deron Cervas, Juliana Sajo, Polina Reyes, Antonio Catangay, John Berenguel, Gabriel Del Rosario, Jeric Cortez and Chelsea Mendoza.

Lady Maroons survive gritty fight with UE 5.)6%23)49 OF THE 0HILIPPINES 50 SCORED A GUTSY

VICTORY OVER 5NIVERSITY OF THE %AST 5% IN 3EASON 5NIVERSITY !THLETIC !SSOCIATION OF THE 0HILIPPINES 5!!0 WOMEN S VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT ON 3ATURDAY AT THE &IL/IL &LYING 6 #ENTRE IN 3AN *UAN #ITY 4HE ,ADY -AROONS DOMINATED THE OPENING SET BUT NEEDED TO GIVE ALL THEY VE GOT THE REST OF THE GAME TO ESCAPE THE ,ADY 7ARRIORS g7E PLAYED AS A TEAM THAT S WHY WE RE ABLE TO GET THE LAST THREE SETS !S ) VE SAID BEFORE NOTHING COMES

EASY u SAID 50 HEAD COACH 'ODFREY /KUMU WHOSE TEAM GRABBED THE 0REMIER 6OLLEYBALL ,EAGUE #OLLEGIATE #ONFERENCE CROWN LAST YEAR 3TAR SPIKER )SA -OLDE kNISHED WITH A GAME HIGH POINTS BUILT ON ATTACKS TWO BLOCKS AND TWO ACES 6ETERAN HITTER 4OTS #ARLOS CHIPPED IN POINTS HIGHLIGHTED BY SPIKES OPPOSITE SPIKER *USTINE $OROG ADDED MARKERS WHILE SETTER !RIELLE %STRAĂ„ERO ORCHESTRATED 50 S OFFENSE WITH EXCELLENT SETS 50 ZOOMED TO AN START TO BAG THE kRST SET BUT HAD TO NEUTRALIZE 5% S SPIRITED kGHTBACK

TO FORCE A DECIDING kFTH FRAME )N THE SECOND GAME AT PRESS TIME LAST YEAR S kNALIST &AR %ASTERN 5NIVERSITY &%5 IS SHOOTING FOR A kRST WIN AGAINST SEMIkNALIST .ATIONAL 5NIVERSITY .5 -EANWHILE IN THE MEN S DIVISION &%5 PULLED THE RUG FROM UNDER DEFENDING CHAMPION .5

FOR A MAIDEN VICTORY 4HE 4AMARAWS TRAMPLED ON THE ERROR PLAGUED "ULLDOGS WHO GAVE UP POINTS OFF BLUNDERS 5% ALSO OPENED THE SEASON ON A WINNING NOTE AFTER BEATING 50

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

FIFA president ‘optimistic’ about 48-team Qatar World Cup ISTANBUL: FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Friday (Saturday in Manila) he was “optimistic� about organizing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with 48 teams instead of 32 but warned that it would be “not easy�. “I’m optimistic but is it easy?

No, it’s not easy, I have to be honest,� said the boss of the International Football Federation at a press conference in Istanbul after a three-day executive summit.

FIFA has decided to increase the number of teams that will participate in the 2026 World Cup from 32 to 48 but the Italian-Swiss president of the world football governing body

is campaigning to implement this reform as early as 2022.

FIFA is due to announce its decision in mid-March at a meeting in Miami.

Qatar, which says it is preparing for a 32-team competition, said it would have a say before deciding to move to an expanded tournament that would lead to logistical and political complications.

While Infantino has raised the possibility of organizing meetings in neighbouring countries, a serious diplomatic crisis pits Qatar against its neighbours including Saudi Arabia -- which since 2017

has imposed an economic blockade to the gas rich state. “I am not that naive to overlook the political situation as well in the region,� said Infantino while adding that “football can work miracles sometimes.�

Taking the example of the 2026 World Cup that will be organized

by Canada, Mexico and the United States, Infantino said that “there are a lot of debates about a wall being built� between the United States and Mexico but “these two countries will organize a competition together so they will have to work together.�

AFP

THE 0HILIPPINE MEN S 5NDER NATIONAL TEAM FACES A FORMIDABLE FOE IN 6IETNAM AS IT STARTS ITS CAMPAIGN IN THE !SEAN &OOTBALL &EDERATION !&& 5 #HAMPIONSHIP AT P M P M IN -ANILA TODAY AT THE .ATIONAL /LYMPIC 3TADIUM IN 0HNOM 0ENH #AMBODIA 4HE !&& 5 TILT WILL USHER IN THE 3OUTHEAST !SIAN 'AMES TO BE HOSTED BY THE 0HILIPPINES LATE THIS YEAR #OLLEGIATE STALWARTS AND A FEW CLUB BASED BOOTERS COMPOSE THE MAN LINEUP FOR THE REGIONAL COMPETITION 4HE EXPERIENCE OF VETERANS NAMELY #ERES .EGROS &# MIDkELDER $YLAN DE "RUYCKER FORMER 'LOBAL #EBU &# TURNED (ONG +ONG %ASTERN 3PORTS #LUB DEFENDER *ORDAN *ARVIS AND 3UNDERLAND !&# FORWARD $MITRI ,IMBO ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLEMENT THE ENERGY OF THE JUNIOR !ZKALS 4HE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SQUAD ARE GOALKEEPERS !* !RCILLA OF !TENEO $E -ANILA 5NIVERSITY -ICHAEL !SONG AND +ENRY "ALOBO OF 3AN "EDA 5NIVERSITY DEFENDERS $EAN %BARLE OF +AYA &# )LOILO -IGGY #LARINO AND 2AY 3ANCIANGCO OF 5NIVERSITY OF THE 0HILIPPINES *AMES -ANSUETO "ANJO -AHINAY AND 7INCES "ALBINO OF ,YCEUM OF THE 0HILIPPINES 5NIVERSITY ,AWRENCE "AGUIO OF #OLLEGE OF 3T "ENILDE 7ILLIAM 'RIERSON OF !TENEO MIDkELDERS *EREMIAH "ORLONGAN #HRISTIAN ,APAS

+YLE -AGDATO AND 2OLAND 3AAVEDRA OF 50 6INCENT ,OVITOS AND %ARL ,AGUERTA OF #3" *UMBEL 'UINABANG OF !RELLANO 5NIVERSITY -ARK 7INHOFFER OF 9ALE 5NIVERSITY AND FORWARD 2ICO !NDES OF &AR %ASTERN 5NIVERSITY !TENEO STAR STRIKER *ARVEY 'AYOSO IS NOTABLY MISSING FROM THE ROSTER -ENTORING THE TEAM WILL BE HEAD COACH 3ALVADOR 3ALVACION AND ASSISTANT COACHES !NDRES 'ONZALES

#HRISTOPHER 0EDIMONTE 2ANDOLFO #LARINO AND 2ALPH $ATOY 4HIS 5 TEAM WILL ALSO BE THE COUNTRY S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE !SIAN &OOTBALL #ONFEDERATION 5 #HAMPIONSHIP QUALIkERS NEXT MONTH IN -ALAYSIA JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Golf

F 1 SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

Scott, Thomas lead at rain-hit Riviera L

OS ANGELES: Australia’s Adam Scott and American Justin Thomas topped the leaderboard at 10-under par on Friday (Saturday in Manila) when darkness halted play in the second round of the weather-disrupted Genesis Open.

Scott and Thomas both posted five-under par 66s on Friday, AND EACH WAS kVE UNDER FOR THE second round when darkness fell on another rainy day at Riviera Country Club, where organizers were scrambling to get the tournament back on track for a Sunday kNISH AFTER A SEVEN HOUR WEATHER delay on Thursday.

Tournament host Tiger Woods made little headway on the marathon day, struggling with THE PUTTER IN A ONE UNDER kRST round and still one-under, tied FOR TH THROUGH HOLES OF the second. “It was a tough day,� Woods said. “I’m stiff right now. It got pretty chilly towards the end, the ball wasn’t going very far.�

Woods strung together four birdies in a row in the middle of HIS kRST ROUND BUT HIS TROUBLES ON the greens kept him from building any momentum.

“I putted awful today,� said Woods, whose 44-foot eagle putt AT HIS TH HOLE IN THE SECOND round was an anomaly on a day when he hit 17 of 18 greens in REGULATION IN THE kRST ROUND BUT had four three-putt bogeys.

No sooner had the eagle enlivened his round than he had two straight bogeys before play ended. “I didn’t hit it that bad, felt like I controlled it well enough and just a terrible day on the greens,� he said.

Despite the long day in tough conditions, Woods noted that plenty of players — more than ‡ WERE UNDER PAR “You have to go get it, and JT did it and I just wasn’t able to do it,� Woods said, lauding playing partner Thomas. “He made tough conditions look easy,� Woods said.

Thomas totalled 14 birdies in HIS DAY S HOLES ‡ SEVEN IN THE

Q Justin Thomas hits his second shot on the 18th hole during a rain shower in the second round of the Genesis Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club on Saturday in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. AP PHOTO

kRST ROUND AND SEVEN THROUGH holes in the second. “I’m just proud of myself the way I fought out there today,� he said.

Awesome ace Thomas and Scott were one stroke clear of J.B. Holmes, who led after A kRST ROUND HIGHLIGHTED BY A hole in one at the par-three sixth. “It was awesome to see that,�

Holmes said of the ace, which landed past the hole and spun BACK SOME FEET g) WANTED TO get it past the hole because I knew how much they were coming back.

Hit it exactly how I wanted it and it went in.�

At nine-under with nine to play, Holmes was two strokes in front of Luke List, who was seven under with three to play, and American Jordan Spieth — who was sevenunder and due to tee off in the second round on Saturday along WITH HALF THE kELD Spieth added two more birdies to a bogey-free 64 as he played the LAST SIX HOLES OF HIS kRST ROUND ON Friday morning before having the afternoon off.

Scott, no stranger to disruptive weather at Riviera where he won

THE TITLE IN A EDITION SHORTened to 36 holes, said maintaining momentum amid the starts and stops was tricky.

(E PLAYED HOLES WITHOUT a bogey before dropping a shot at his eighth hole of the second round — the 17th, but fired back-to-back birdies before play was halted. “I just got the momentum going and I kept it going,� Scott said. “I wasn’t really in much trouble, but I up-and-downed it when I AFP had to.�

GENESIS OPEN SCORES LEADING first-round scores on Saturday in the rain-disrupted US PGA Tour Genesis Open (second round underway. USA unless noted. Par-71): 63 - J.B. Holmes 64 - Jordan Spieth 66 - Patrick Rodgers, Tony Finau, Kramer Hickok, Keegan Bradley, Justin Thomas, Adam Scott (AUS) 67 - Jimmy Walker, Bill Haas, J.T. Poston, Jon Rahm (ESP), Jim Furyk, Vaughn Taylor, Carlos Ortiz (MEX) 68 - Adam Hadwin (CAN), Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP), John Huh, Kyle Jones, Lee Tae-hee (KOR), Matt Kuchar, Beau Hossler, Ryan Moore, Kim Si-woo (KOR), Patrick Cantlay, J.J. Spaun, Dylan Frittelli, Bronson Burgoon AFP

Gabasa seeks to sustain form, eyes PLO crown

Q Sandy Lyle of Scotland hits his drive on the 15th hole during the first round of the Chubb Classic held at The Classics at Lely Resort on Saturday in Naples, Florida. AFP PHOTO

Lyle, Ames share PGA Tour Champions lead NAPLES, Fla.: Playing partners Sandy Lyle and Stephen Ames matched the course record at 8-under 63 to SHARE THE kRST ROUND LEAD 3ATURDAY in the PGA Tour Champions’ Chubb Classic.

Lyle topped a leaderboard for THE kRST TIME IN CAREER STARTS ON THE AND OVER TOUR 4HE YEAR OLD 3COT WON THE British Open and 1988 Masters. “Surprising, I just kept knocking some wedges quite close and never really put the putter under pressure,� Lyle said. “Today was one of the good days and I might even have a few beers at the bar before I go and drive home.�

Ames had a hole-in-one with a 9-iron on the 141-yard 12th hole at The Classics at Lely Resort. He WON THE -ITSUBISHI %LECTRIC Classic for his lone senior title. “The course is there for the taking,� Ames said. “It’s soft out there and the pins are somewhat accessible. Kept the ball in play and made the most of the opportunities when they arose. ... You’ve

got to keep your foot down on the pedal here because the golf course is so easy and soft, they’re going TO BE GOING AT EVERY lAG BASICALLY out here.� *AY (AAS AT YEARS OLD BETTERED HIS AGE FOR THE kRST TIME ON the tour with a 64. “I’ve missed by one for the last SIX YEARS u (AAS SAID g) SHOT AT the Schwab Cup at Desert MounTAIN WHEN ) WAS AND ) SHOT A SOMEWHERE WHEN ) WAS AND a 62 when I was 61.�

Dudley Hart, Glen Day, Ken Tanigawa, Dan Olsenand Kent *ONES SHOT Steve Stricker opened with a 67.

Bernhard Langer, the Oasis Championship winner last week near his home in Boca Raton, had a 68. The 61-year-old German STAR WON THE EVENT IN

AND Hale Irwin, at 73 years old, BETTERED HIS AGE FOR THE TH TIME ON THE TOUR SHOOTING A He won the tournament in 1997 AND

AFP

JUNIA GABASA hopes to ride the momentum of her recent victory in W Express RVF Cup as she gears up against a stellar international cast in the Champion Philippine Ladies Amateur Open which gets going on Tuesday at the Manila Golf and Country Club.

The 17-year-old Cebuana, a former MVPSF regional champ and veteran of many international events, bucked the odds to humBLE A TOUGH kELD IN #ANLUBANG LAST &RIDAY TOUGHENING UP AT THE kNISH to hold off young Rianne Malixi by one and add the crown to her growing list of victories.

She shoots for another — and the biggest — in the Phl Ladies Open, which drew one of the strongest casts ever, including reigning Asian Games gold medalist and defending champion Yuka Saso, a troika of young, talented Thai shotmakers and a mix of foreign players ready to take on the best at the well-kept layout making its return as host of the country’s premier championship.

Still, Gabasa will be coming

INTO THE TH STAGING OF THE ANnual championship presented

by Champion and sponsored by Hana Shampoo, EVA Air, San Miguel Corp. and Diamond MoTOR #ORP BRIMMING WITH CONkdence and a form tipped to reach its peak this week. /THER LOCALS VYING IN THE hole event, backed by Cherrylume, Inquirer, Elm’s Kapihan Group, Atty. Gilberto Duavit, G&W Club Shares, Inc., Pascual Laboratories, -ETRO 0ACIkC #ORP !YALA ,AND Premiere, Venice Godio, Taishan Insurance Brokers Phils. and the National Golf Association of the Philippines, are Nicole Abelar, Sunshine Baraquiel, Laia Barro, Sophia Blanco, Annyka Cayabyab,

Laurea Duque, Sophia Legaspi, Pamela Mariano, Kayla Nocum, Rafaela Singson, Eagle Ace Superal and Malixi.

Thirty percent of the lowest handicaps from among the 94-player cast are automatically seeded into the Open ChampionSHIP WITH PERCENT OF THE LOWEST SCORES AND TIES AFTER THE kRST ROUND also qualifying in the centerpiece DIVISION 4HE REST WILL BE CLASSIkED into Classes A and B. Meanwhile, 31 Taiwanese, six Singaporeans, four Koreans, three

Australians, two Japanese and six Americans are also competing in the event, all going all out to end the hosts’ reign in the event after Princess Superal, Bianca Pagdanganan and Saso won at Tagaytay Midlands, Wack Wack and Orchard, respectively.

Other backers of the event are the ladies chapters of Alabang, Forest Hills, Tagaytay Highlands, Canlubang and Manila G o l f C l u b w i t h Ve r m o g e n , Sports + Action and Sports U channels of ABS-CBN.

Q Junia Gabasa confident but wary of the talent-laden PLO. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Woods had ‘great time’ playing with Trump, Nicklaus LOS ANGELES: Tiger Woods said Thursday he had a ‘great time’ playing golf with President Donald Trump and Jack Nicklaus this month while deftly declining to discuss the state of the commander in chief’s game. “I’ve had a bit of an opportunity to play with a couple of presidents in a few weeks and enjoyed both days,�

said Woods, nothing that he teed it up with former President Barack Obama before the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January.

He and 18-time major champion Nicklaus played a round with Trump in Jupiter, Florida, earlier this month, Trump tweeting a picture of himself standing between the two golf legends on a green at

the Trump National Golf Club.

Woods, talking to reporters on the eve of the US PGA Tour’s Genesis Open, was asked to analyze Trump’s game, but didn’t go into details. “President Trump has been very busy up in DC, hasn’t played a lot of golf — hasn’t had the tan that (comes from) playing in the outside,� Woods

said. “He’s been working. “We just had a great time,�

Woods added. “I hadn’t played with Jack in a very long time. “I played well that day, I shot 64 so I enjoyed the way I played.

It was a great day to be able to play with our president and play with one of my idols that helped inspire me to play the game.�

AFP

F2

Golf

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

Mickelson beats everyone but the dark at Pebble P

BY DOUG FERGUSON

E B B L E BEACH, Calif.: Phil Mickelson had everything go his way Sunday in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

He just couldn’t beat the darkness.

On a wild day of weather even

by Pebble Beach standards, sunshine gave way to a hail storm that covered the greens in a sheet of white in a matter of minutes.

The delay kept Mickelson from finishing off a remarkable rally in which he turned a three-shot DEkCIT AGAINST 0AUL #ASEY INTO A three-shot lead until it was too DARK TO kNISH THE LAST TWO HOLES Mickelson at least wanted to try. g) CAN SEE kNE u HE SAID TO A 0'!

4OUR RULES OFkCIAL AS THEY WALKED up the 16th fairway. “I don’t want TO PUT 0AUL IN A BAD SPOT u #ASEY SIMPLY COULDN T SEE AND WE REALIZED IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO kNISH ALL HOLES ‡ g7E CAN T kNISH TWO HOLES IN SIX MINUTES u HE SAID TO THE OFkCIAL ‡ HE OPTED TO MARK HIS BALL on the 16th green.

Mickelson already made his par on the 16th and was 6 under for the day, with no bogeys on his card, and 18-under par for the tournament. #ASEY HAS A FOOT PAR PUTT TO STAY three shots behind when they return AT A M -ONDAY TO PLAY THE PAR 17th and the par-5 18th.

Lost in the late start — one hour

Q Paul Casey, right, of England, follows his drive from the third tee of the Pebble Beach Golf Links as Phil Mickelson looks on during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament on February 10, in Pebble Beach, Calif. AP PHOTO delay from rain, a two-hour suspension from hail — was sheer brilliance from the 48-year-old Mickelson who didn’t come remotely close to making a bogey and was on the brink OF A kFTH VICTORY IN THE !4 4 0EBBLE "EACH 0RO !M (IS kRST ONE ALSO WAS A -ONDAY finish, when players returned in !UGUST ‡ MORE THAN SIX MONTHS LATER ‡ TO kNISH THE THIRD ROUND OF the weather-plagued tournament to

MAKE IT OFkCIAL “We’ve got two tough holes left and I don’t want to jump the gun AND GET PAST THAT u -ICKELSON SAID “I know a lot can happen in these two holes and they have happened in the past, so I want to stay focused and just come out tomorrow and try TO kNISH IT OFF ) WISH WE COULD DO IT TONIGHT u Mickelson made his big run starting with a 9-iron to a foot

behind the cup on the par-4 ninth.

4HAT WAS START OF A kVE HOLE STRETCH when Mickelson made three birdIES AND 0AUL #ASEY HAD TWO BOGEYS

taking Lefty from two behind to three ahead. “I didn’t make anything. I hit some good golf shots and didn’t get anyTHING OUT OF IT TODAY u #ASEY SAID g0HIL has put together a spectacular round of golf so far — 6 under, no dropped SHOTS 2EMARKABLE STUFF u

Even as Mickelson strongly hinted AT WANTING TO kNISH ‡ AT POINT SUGgesting they play the 17th and he could scoot ahead to get a ball in play ON THE TH SO AT LEAST HE COULD kNISH ‡ #ASEY STOOD HIS GROUND #ASEY WAS AT UNDER TIED WITH Scott Stallings, who closed with a !LONG WITH AN OUTSIDE CHANCE AT FORCING A PLAYOFF kNISHING ALONE in second instead of a tie is a difference of $152,000, along with world RANKING POINTS AND &ED%X #UP POINTS #ASEY AND &ED%X EXECUTIVE $ON #OLLERAN HAD A ONE SHOT LEAD in the pro-am.

Mickelson was standing on the 17th tee when he heard the horn sound to stop play, and he shook his head.

The rest of his day was far better than the weather.

Mickelson is on the verge of winning for the 44th time in his career, and matching Mark O’Meara with kVE VICTORIES AT A TOURNAMENT HE kRST played in 1995. )T ALSO WOULD BE HIS kRST VICTORY ON !MERICAN SOIL SINCE THE 0HOENIX Open six years ago. He won the British Open that summer in Scotland, AND THE -EXICO #HAMPIONSHIP last year.

His brilliant play still shared the stage with weather that was bizarre even by Pebble standards.

-ICKELSON AND #ASEY WERE WAITing to tee off when clouds moved in quickly moved in, and rain turned into hail that pounded umbrellas, many of them held sideways to account for the wind.

'REENS QUICKLY WERE COVERED BY the tiny white pellets, and workers went from using squeegees for

excess water to power blowers to remove the hail.

Sam Saunders, whose grandfather !RNOLD 0ALMER WAS AMONG THE 0EBBLE Beach owners, scooped up hail and tossed it like a snowball. Patrick Reed’s brother laid on his back and tried to make a snow angel.

There was never a reasonable CHANCE TO kNISH IN HIS PRO AM FORmat, with mostly foursomes across the golf course. #ASEY HAS NEVER WON IN THREE previous times he had a 54-hole LEAD ON THE 0'! 4OUR ALL OF THEM BY two shots or more, and he was holding his own against the relentless pursuit of Mickelson, who missed three straight birdie putts from the 12-foot range by the slimmest marGINS #ASEY HAD GREAT PAR SAVES AND then Mickelson took off. !FTER HIS IRON INTO A FOOT AT .O 9 to get within one shot, Mickelson holed a 12-foot birdie on the 10th with a drive that hugged the right side of the fairway and likely would have bounced into the ocean if not for conditions so soft from rain that balls plugged where they landed. #ASEY BLINKED kRST WITH A BOGEY on the 11th hole, and another on THE PAR TH WHEN HIS TEE SHOT came up short and into the bunker.

Mickelson poured it on, showing his skills have not deteriorated a bit at age 48, controlling spin beautifully to back pin positions.

He just didn’t want to stay another day. “I get where Paul is coming FROM u -ICKELSON SAID g7E RE GOing to have a good chance to come out on fresh greens. I have good viSION ) CAN SEE kNE AND ) WANTED TO continue. In all honesty, it’s a good thing to play the last two holes in FRESH CONDITIONS u 3OME PLAYERS kNISHED IN THE DARK with no chance of winning, but showed the effect of playing without light. Scott Piercy had a 15-foot putt that was slightly uphill, and he still ran it 7 feet by the hole and threeputted for bogey.

Jason Day closed with a 68 and WAS TIED FOR FOURTH AT UNDER AP with Si Woo Kim (68).

Golf Channel adding live college event, looking for more Q Phi PPhil hil Mickelson walks up the 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Links with his brother and caddie Tim Mickelson during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament on February 11, in Pebble Beach, Calif.

Mickelson won the tournament after finishing at 19-underpar.

GOLF NOTES Cup,� Woods said. “And we’re basically coming full circle at Royal Melbourne. He and I teamed up in one our matches in ‘98, I was a captain’s pick in ‘11 and now we get to return as two leaders of this team. We’re going to have some fun, but we’re there to win.�

California kings

degree that we can come up with a televised series that makes sense,� he said.

Tiger’s assistants

AP PHOTO

BY DOUG FERGUSON LOS ANGELES: Golf Channel is interested in live programming from Monday to Wednesday, and the answer might be found in college tournaments. It is adding another prestigious event this year, and more could be on the way. “We’re trying to grow appropriately,� Tom Knapp, executive vice president of programming and partnerships, said last week at Pebble Beach when Golf Channel announced plans to televise the Western Intercollegiate. “Somewhere in the 10-to-12 range feels right as a long-term goal.�

Golf Channel already has the East Lake Cup in the fall, along with the NCAA men’s and women’s championships in May, which has made for compelling television with eight finalists competing in team match play.

The Western Intercollegiate is next.

The 54-hole stroke play event is entering its 73rd year and is held at storied Pasatiempo, an Alister MacKenzie design in Santa Cruz, California. It will be televised live from April 15-17, the Monday through Wednesday right after the Masters.

Getting televised live will only add to the prestige of what already is one of the premier college events in the spring.

The trick is figuring out what else would fit. It helps to have courses with heritage, such as East Lake and Pasatiempo, and Knapp said there needs to be a balance between fall and spring. Golf Channel

already has elevated interest in college golf through the NCAAs, and more live events could be a plus. “We learned a lot when we started doing this,� Knapp said. “Thirty percent of sports fans are golf fans, and 60 percent of sports fans are college fans. To be able to combine those is huge for us.�

Knapp said he hoped to have a full college slate of events over the next four years, conceding that not every tournament (or course) works for TV. Even so, it can be hard for the average fan to keep track of a college season, such as who is playing where. “We’re trying to help with that to a

What would a Presidents Cup be without Fred Couples involved? Go back to 2007 to find the last time Couples was not part of the matches.

U.S. captain Tiger Woods appointed the 59-year-old Couples to be an assistant at Royal Melbourne in December. Couples remains one of the most popular figures in golf with players and fans. He was Presidents Cup captain in 2009, 2011 and 2013, and an assistant the last two times.

Woods also selected Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson, and he plans to announce one more before the Presidents Cup on Dec. 12-15.

Stricker was Presidents Cup captain in 2017 and is expected to be appointed Ryder Cup captain for next year. “Freddie and I go way back in the Presidents

Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Billy Casper — all native Californians — now share an obscure record for most PGA Tour victories in California at 14.

But there are differences.

Woods won his tournaments on four courses — eight at Torrey Pines, three at La Costa Resort, two at Pebble Beach and one at Harding Park. Nine of his 14 were regular PGA Tour events. He won U.S. Opens at Torrey and Pebble, two World Golf Championships at La Costa (Match Play) and one at Harding Park.

Mickelson won multiple times on all the West Coast venues, except for the Safeway Open at Silverado, which has been around for only five years. Along with his five titles at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Lefty has won three times at Torrey Pines and twice each at the old Bob Hope Classic, Riviera and the winners-only Mercedes Championship when it was at La Costa.

Casper was the real king of California. He won the U.S. Open at Olympic Club in 1966.

He won twice at Pebble and the Hope, and twice in the Los Angeles area on different courses, neither of them Riviera. He also won seven other PGA Tour events, some of which no longer exist, such as the Bakersfield Open and Hesperia Open.

In all, Casper won his 14 titles in California on 12 courses. That doesn’t include the three-course rotation at the Hope.

Kuchar’s caddie

The Mexican caddie for Matt Kuchar when he won the Mayakoba Classic told golf.com he was paid $5,000 the night after the victory, and that Kuchar later offered an additional $15,000 that the caddie turned down because he found it unacceptable. “No thank you. They can keep their money,� David Girl Ortiz told the website.

Kuchar used Ortiz for Mayakoba when his regular caddie couldn’t make it. Kuchar earned $1,296,000 for the victory.

Michael Bamberger at golf.com spoke to Ortiz through a translator. The caddie says the original agreement was $3,000, plus an unspecific percentage of whatever Kuchar won. Ortiz says he didn’t expect to be paid like a regular PGA Tour caddie — a typical payout is 10 percent for a victory — but that he thought it was worth $50,000.

The story was panned in social media last month when PGA Tour Champions player Tom Gillis tweeted about it, saying Kuchar paid only $3,000. Asked about it at the Sony Open, Kuchar said: “It wasn’t 10 percent. It wasn’t $3,000. It’s not a story.�

According to the website, Ortiz wrote in a Jan. 24 email to Kuchar’s agent, Mark Steinberg: “I am not looking to disparage Matt or give him a bad name. Fair is fair, and I feel like I was taken advantage of by placing my trust in Matt.�

Ortiz says he wrote three emails and received one reply from Steinberg that said in part, “What Matt has offered is fair.�

Tour’s main development tour, who is taking a role in sponsorship strategy.

Baldwin most recently was vice president of marketing partnerships for the tour.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan called it a “watershed moment for our organization.�

Before joining the tour in 2017, Baldwin worked at Fenway Sports Management and CAA Sports. She also was an agent at IMG, where her clients included Hall of Famer Karrie Webb and Brad Faxon.

Divots James Hahn and Kevin Kisner have been elected co-chairmen of the Player Advisory Council for 2019. That means they join the PGA Tour Policy Board next year for three-year terms. Hahn and Kisner were elected over Paul Casey and Justin Thomas. An international player has never served on the PGA Tour board. ... Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, who won the celebrity portion of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, is getting sponsor exemptions to three PGA Tour Champions events — the Cologuard Classic in Arizona (March 1-3), the Mitsubishi Electric Classic outside Atlanta (April 19-21) and the American Family Insurance Championship in Wisconsin (June 21-23). ... The Web.com Tour added the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Championship in Alabama to its schedule, to be played April 18-21.

Stat of the week With his victory at Pebble Beach, Phil Mickelson joined Tiger Woods as the only players to surpass $90 million in career PGA Tour earnings. Woods, now with more than $115 million, went over the $90 million mark 10 years ago.

Web president

Final word

Alex Baldwin has been appointed president of the Web.com Tour, becoming the first woman to lead one of the six tours sanctioned by the PGA Tour. She replaces Dan Glod, president the last two years of the PGA

“The behavior is not acceptable. But what’s going on? What’s led to that behavior? That’s the question.� — Paul Casey, on Sergio Garcia damaging five greens out of frustration at the Saudi International.

AP

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

Golf

F3

Woods, Mickelson still going strong

L

/3 !.'%,%3 4HE MAN kELD AT 2IVIERA HAS PLAYERS WHO HAVE COMBINED TO WIN TIMES ON THE 0'! 4OUR

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson account for 25 percent of those victories.

No one should be surprised.

While too one-sided to be a rivalry, they have been a powerful onetwo punch in golf. The same day Woods won his third straight U.S. Amateur right before he turned pro, Mickelson won the World Series of Golf at Firestone. Woods picked up his 80th career victory at the Tour Championship to end last season. Mickelson won his 44th at Pebble Beach on Monday.

If anything raises eyebrows, it’s that Mickelson believes their trophy collection will keep growing. “I just believe that, even today, if I play my best, if Tiger plays his best, it’s good enough to win on any week,� Mickelson said. “And the challenge is there are so many great young players, and so many great players in the game today, that it takes our best to win. I just think that both myself and Tiger are going to have a really, really good year this year.�

Nothing changes the outlook like winning, and Mickelson made it look easy on the weekend at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He recovered from consecutive bogeys along the ocean, when the wind and rain were at their worst,

BY PLAYING THE kNAL HOLES WITH-

out a bogey. Mickelson made an 8-foot par putt on the 17th hole Saturday. Otherwise, his longest putt for par during that stretch was 4 feet.

But it’s harder than it looks.

Mickelson turns 49 this summer, and one of the most underrated qualities has been his health. He revealed in the summer of 2010 that he was dealing with psoriatic arthritis. Otherwise, his injuries have been either minor

(left wrist from Oakmont’s rough in 2007) or temporary (broken leg from skiing in 1994). “The challenge is getting myself to play my best,� Mickelson said.

Woods is 43 with eight surgeries behind him — four on his left knee, four on his lower back.

His comeback last year is why expectations are so high now.

Woods played well in Florida last year, took a dip in the late spring and then kept getting better until winning the Tour Championship the way he won so many other

But it’s not easy.

tournaments. He built a lead over 54 holes and played the kind of golf that was tough to beat.

He was at his best that week, and he had to be.

With the meat of the season about to begin, the question is how often they can be at their best against deeper and younger competition.

(E SEEMS TO BE DOING JUST kNE Mickelson was poised to win the Desert Classic until he lost on a birdie at the last hole to Adam Long, who was No. 417 in the world ranking. He overcame a

three-shot deficit against Paul Casey by closing with a 65 at Pebble Beach. In between was a missed cut at the Phoenix Open, where he changed driver in search of a few extra yards. Mickelson is always chasing distance.

His optimism comes from picking up 6 mph of swing speed for his driver, which he says rarely happens to anybody, let alone someone in his late 40s.

There was no secret involved.

I’d fill my water bottle with vodka while playing on Tour – Mediate BOCA RATON: For years, Rocco Mediate’s golf bag held more than clubs and tees and balls.

Tucked inside was his deep, dark secret.

The clear liquid in his water bottle was not water. In fact, it wasn’t even something Mediate could use to hydrate himself.

Instead, it was vodka, something that became as much a part of his daily life as chipping and putting and reading greens. “Did I get drunk every day? No,�

Mediate said Saturday after shooting a two-under-par 70 at the Oasis Championship. “Every single day I had something.

I couldn’t tell you when I didn’t over the years and years and years. “I’d have a drink, maybe more than one.

A lot more than one.�

But on October 23, 2017, Mediate, 56, decided to say when. He had had one drink the previous day, woke up that morning and quit cold turkey. He got through that day with a slight headache and has not had a drink since.

No rebab. No relapses.

Just a life altering last call.

Mediate’s story was not known until Wednesday when he came out to the Golf Channel. He opened up more about his struggle to the Palm Beach Post on Saturday. He said the every-day drinking started in the mid-1990s because of debilitating back pain. But he emphasized, he blames himself and not the pain. He said even warnings from his wife, Jessica, that he would “lose everything� took years to convince him to stop. “It lasted that long knowing full well the consequences,�

Mediate said. “That’s h o w powerful this is.

It is the most brutal. ... It doesn’t give a s--- who you are, w h a t yo u ’ ve done. It w i l l tear your lungs o u t a n d

Even when he wasn’t winning, he was a runner-up at majors three straight years.

7OODS WENT kVE YEARS WITHOUT winning, but that was different.

During a four-year stretch when he had four back surgeries, he played only 19 times on the PGA Tour AND REGISTERED ONLY ONE TOP kNish. To have won last year, to have risen to just outside the top 10 in the world, is cause for optimism.

Q Phil Mickelson (left) listens to Tiger Woods speak during a news conference on September 4, 2018 where they were announced as captain’s picks for the 2018 US Ryder Cup Team, in West Conshohocken, Pa. AP PHOTO

laugh when you’re dying. Alcohol is evil when you overdo it.�

Mediate considers himself lucky that he could quit drinking without having to go through rehab. “The people who can’t or the people who are chemically dependent or it’s HEREDITARY THAT S MORE DIFkCULT u HE SAID “So, I didn’t want to come out and say ‘anybody (can do it).’ You can’t. Some can. Some people can’t. And if you can’t. ... get help. “I enjoyed it so much so I kept doing it. Then bad things could happen and bad things didn’t happen but they were going to. It was going to effect everything like it does with everybody.�

Mediate, who lives in Naples, enters 3UNDAY S kNAL ROUND OF THE 0'! 4OUR Champions event tied for 18th, six strokes behind leader Bernard Langer. Included were two eagle hole-outs from 110 yards on Friday, something he said he’s never done in his life.

He listed three reasons for making the decision to stop drinking: Jessica, and their daughter, Francesca, who turns 4 in May; his health; and his golf game that WAS gABSOLUTE CRAP THE LAST kVE YEARS UNTIL last year.�

In that order, he stressed.

Jessica has been by Mediate’s side t h r o u g h t h e highs and lows, on and off the course. She has followed her husband around the 6,807-yard Old Course at Broken Sound this weekend pushing Francesca in a strolle r. A n d Rocco

seems to genuinely enjoy seeing his wife and daughter in the gallery. “How dare me make my daughter deal with my weakness in her life,� Mediate said. “How dare me do that. Her growing up with an alcoholic father (wouldn’t be) fair. If I have the power to stop it, which I do, then I need to stop. “She’s almost 4, does she know? There’s nothing to really remember. But when she’s 6, 7, 8, 10 if I were still doing it, she’d know. It would be just terrible for that to happen.�

As for his health, Mediate is not sure how many pounds he has lost, but said HE IS A WAIST FOR THE kRST TIME SINCE HE was a two-time All-American at Florida Southern College.

As for his game, Mediate had seven top kNISHES IN EQUALING HIS TOTAL OF the previous three seasons combined. He IS LOOKING FOR HIS kRST TITLE SINCE WINNING the 2015 Senior PGA Championship, which was his third victory of the Champions Tour following six titles on the PGA Tour. He joined the PGA tour in 1985.

As the back pain became unbearable, Mediate started depending on a long putter, which helped his game; and the bottle, which nearly destroyed his life. “You have a water bottle,� Mediate said. “It’s clear — I was a vodka guy — that’s what I did. “Now, did I do it all the time? No. But it was there.

If I needed it, I had it.�

Mediate’s phone has blown up since the Golf Channel interview.

And he is convinced h e is doing the right thing talking about his addiction. “I wanted to wait awhile. I don’t tell anybody,� Mediate said. “All of sudden I’m thinking, maybe it could make a difference and the (feedback) I’ve gotten, it could. It could help somebody. “It seems like it may help a lot of people.�

TNS

Q AFP PHOTO

“It’s not really a secret. It was nine months of hard work,� Mickelson said. “And then overnight I was swinging 6 mph fast. It was biometric swing studies, taking weaknesses and making them strengths.

It was time in the gym. It was a whole workout process. It’s been a lot of work, but days like this make it worthwhile.�

Mickelson last year won the -EXICO #HAMPIONSHIP FOR HIS kRST victory in more than four years, the longest drought of his career.

“I’ve worked to give my body the best chance to do my job, but there are days when I just don’t practice and I don’t train. Those are days I’ve just got to rest,�

Woods said at Torrey Pines. “That’s probably been one of the lessons I’ve learned through all of this, is there are days I just have to shut it down.�

4HE 'ENESIS /PEN IS THEIR kRST time competing against each other since the Tour Championship, notwithstanding the overhyped made-for-TV match they played with $9 million going to the winner (Mickelson). They are in elite TERRITORY kNANCIALLY TOO 7ITH HIS victory, Mickelson joined Woods as the only players to surpass $90 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour.

Mickelson says his goal of 50 victories might be tougher to achieve than he realized. What about $100 million? “I just need one more match with Tiger and I should get there,� he said.

His game is sharp is ever. So is the needle.

AP

Davis Love III honored for charitable work DAVIS Love III, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and a two-time winner of The Players Championship, was named the recipient of this year’s Charlie Bartlett Award, given by the Golf Writers Association of America to professional golfers who make contributions to the betterment of society.

Love, a lifelong resident of St. Simons Island, Ga., created the Davis Love FounDATION IN WHICH IS THE BENEkCIARY OF the RSM Classic, the PGA Tour’s fall event at the Sea Island Club. The tournament and its Birdies Fore Love initiative has raised more than $12 million since 2010, which goes to charities such as Special Olympics, the Safe Harbor Children’s Center in Brunswick and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia.

Love has won 21 PGA Tour titles, including the 1992 and 2003 Players and the 1997 PGA. He is a two-time Ryder Cup captain and guided the U.S. to a victory over Europe in 2016.

He has also been the recipient of the highest service awards presented by the PGA Tour and the United States Golf

Association, the Payne Stewart Award in 2008 and the Bob Jones Award in 2013.

Past winners of the Bartlett award, named for the former Chicago Tribune WRITER AND kRST SECRETARY OF THE '7!!

INclude fellow Hall of Fame members such as Ernie Els, Greg Norman, Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Gene Sarazen, Jack Nicklaus, Billy Casper, Lee Trevino, Patty Sheehan, Betsy King and Lorena Ochoa. “I’m honored to receive this meaningful award from the GWAA and to be associated with such a distinguished list of former recipients,� Love said in a statement. “I caught on early with my dad hosting a PGA Tour event and me playing in so many to know what [giving back] meant. Then, watching Arnie [Palmer] and Jack and all of them as their careers wound down and they created tournaments and kept giving back.

I’m happy to give back to something that’s given so much to me.�

Love will be honored April 10 at the ISPS GWAA 47th Annual Awards Dinner IN !UGUSTA 'A THE NIGHT BEFORE THE kRST round of the Masters.

TNS

Orangeburg County climate allows lots of golf MILD year-round temperatures and frequent sunny, blue skies make Orangeburg County an idyllic place to live and enjoy the great outdoors.

Nothing perhaps speaks more eloquently about the climate than the number of golf courses throughout the county which are open and operational year round.

Orangeburg County draws many golfers WITH A VARIETY OF GOLkNG VENUES The Orangeburg Country Club, with its 18th hole listed as the “Most Challenging Finishing Hole in the Midlands,� is among the state’s best.

The golf course has been selected as one of the state’s two “Best Renovations/Restorations� and Top 30 “Best You Can Play.�

One of the best courses in the Southeast, it was renovated by award-winning architect Richard Mandell in 2009.

The Orangeburg Country Club is now among the top 50 golf courses in the state, according to the South Carolina Golf Course Ratings Panel’s bi-annual rankings.

The course was rated No. 45 overall in South Carolina. The panel placed OCC at #5 among courses in the Midlands region.

The Country Club is located at 2745 'RIFkTH $RIVE IN /RANGEBURG Hillcrest Golf Club also offers a test for

all golfers regardless of their skill level.

The 18-hole championship course was designed and constructed by Russell Breeden and opened in September 1973. This par 72 course measures 6,722 yards in length.

It is rated as a top municipal golf course in the Carolinas.

Hillcrest is located at 1280 State A&M Road in Orangeburg.

The Santee National Golf Club possesses all of the charms of the Carolina Lowcountry but also features highland terrain. There are also four lakes throughout that come into play on several holes.

The 18-hole golf course features Bermuda fairways and Champion Bermuda greens.

With four tees at each hole, golfers can match the challenge of the course to their skill level.

The golf course has been rated 4 stars

by Golf Digest’s Places to Play.

The golf course if located at 8636 Old Number Six Highway in Santee.

Lake Marion Golf Course, which opened in 1978, is touted as a perennial favorite with traveling golfers and features Miniverde greens.

Designed by Eddie Riccoboni, the golf course has pine tree-lined fairways, bordering lakes and 47 sand bunkers.

TNS

F4

Golf

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

FOR announcements on tournaments, rankings and other golf-related events, email the sports editor at pgs_mallari@manilatimes.net es net

˜ The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Hernandez snares ERJGC overall crown

Q Erik Escalona (second from right) receives the overall gross trophy in behalf of his teammate Butch Bakunawa from Riviera Golf Club executives.

Q Overall net champions Hiroyuki Kamiya and Nobuo Yoshino together with Riviera Golf Club executives.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

JET (ERNANDEZ kNISHED WITH AN EVEN PAR to grab the Eagle Ridge Junior Golf Championship (ERJGC) overall crown on February 3 at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in Cavite.

4HE YEAR OLD (ERNANDEZ kRED kVE BIRDies to negate his late double mishap at Aoki’s hole No. 18.

Hernandez also bagged the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) Boy’s 13 to 14 division plum.

Meanwhile, Sean Jean Ramos finished with a 77-total to win the Boy’s 13-18 division of the ERJGC. 2AMOS WAS FOLLOWED BY kRST AND SECOND runners-up Rho Hyun Ho and Sean Dominique Granada, who both carded a 78.

Burberry Zhang dominated the same age group with Ramos after scoring a 79. FausTINA ,AUREA $UQUE kNISHED SECOND WITH AN WHILE 3ABRINA -ACATANGAY kNISHED THIRD with an 88.

The 12-under boy’s category was bannered

by Santino Pineda, who won via countback against Vince Tiamsic, after both players kNISHED WITH AN -IKO 'RANADA kNISHED third with an 88.

Rianne Mikhaela Malixi bested Francesca Gan, 79-79, also by countback, to clinch the top honor in the girl’s 12-under. Venice 4IAMSI HAD AN TO kNISH SECOND Meanwhile, leading the JGFP Honors awardees in the 10-under girls were Francesca Gan (79), Venice Tiamsic (81) and Celine Abalos (83).

Luis Ballesteros (89) topped the boy’s 10-under followed by Shiniichi Suzuki with a 93 and Scott Nicholas Ng with a 94.

The Top three jungolfers in the boy’s 11-12 were Pineda (85), Vince Tiamsic (85) and Granada (88) while Rianne Mikhaela Malixi (79), Jeong Yeaheun (83), and Alethea Paige Gaccion (84) dominated the girl’s side.

2HO (YUN (O AND 'RANADA kNISHED SECond and third, respectively, with identical 78s in the 13-14 boy’s division.

Q Eagle Ridge Junior Golf Championship overall champion Jet Hernandez hoists his trophy. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Other JGFP age group medalists were Buberry Zhang (girl’s 13-14), Sabrina Macatangay (girl’s 13-14), Jody Cassandra Castillo (girl’s 13-14), Sean Jean Ramos (boy’s 15-18).

Masaiichi Otake (boy’s 15-18), Jaco Riggs Illescas (boy’s 15-18), Faustina Laurea Duque (girl’s 15-18), Kang Dayun (girl’s 15-18), and -ARIA 3OkA %NCARNACION GIRL S The Eagle Ridge Junior Golf Championship WAS THE kFTH RANKING EVENT OF THE *UNIOR /RDER of Merit (JOOM) that served as a tune-up tournament for the upcoming IMG Academy *UNIOR 7ORLD QUALIkER THAT WILL BE HELD FROM February 23 to 25 at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club and Riviera Sports Club.

Summit Ridge backed the qualifying event AS THE OFkCIAL HOTEL PARTNER WHILE 0HILIPPINE !IRLINES SERVED AS THE OFkCIAL CARRIER

Filipinos, Japanese top Riviera Invitational

BY JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID THE pairs of Erik Escalona and Butch Bakunawa, and Hiroyuki Kamiya and Nobuo Yoshino, shared the top honors during the 20th Riviera Invitational on February 7 to 9 at the Riviera Golf Club in Silang, Cavite.

Escalona and Bakunawa finished with 93 points to clinch the overall low gross plum while Kamiya and Yoshina had a 127 to bag the overall net honor.

Division A champions Domeng De

Leon and Willy Cabalce had a 117 to beat Gerry CastaĂąeda and Renato Mercado with a 115.

In Division B, Romj Ignacio and Greg Sebastian romped away with the crown after besting Ariel Javelosa and Rodolfo Bernardo, 114-113.

Ben Carandang and Red Gil sizzled with 120 points to claim the Division C title beating Ed Lim and Bully Navarro with 117 points The Ladies side was dominated by Jung Hee Kyung and Park Su Hee,

WHO kNISHED WITH A FOLLOWED BY Jerkin Del Rosario and Eden Chipman with 114.

Special division champions Daniel Reyes and Carlos Caramanzana won via countback over Lee Tae Won and Chung "YUNG 9ONG AFTER THE TWO PAIRS BOTH kNished with a 119.

Meanwhile, Boyet Velazco and Sendy Olivares scored a 57 to snare the Couples course low net award while Bonnie Pimentel and Jimbo IĂąigo made a 71 to bag the Langer course low net plum.

DONE DEAL

World No. 2 Sung Hyun Park (right) shakes hands with Solaire Executive Vice President Cyrus Sherafat after signing a sponsorship contract with Solaire Resort & Casino in Korea on Thursday. The 25-year-old South Korean ace will be wearing the logo of Solaire, which is run by Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels, across her headware for the next two years. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

72nd PAL Interclub returns to Cebu THE Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub golf team championships return to Cebu City late this month with Manila Southwoods and Canlubang defending their regular and seniors crowns, respectively.

Four courses will be used in the two-week long event with the 33rd edition of the seniors tournament kicking off on February 27 at Alta Vista Golf Club and at Club Filipino de Cebu.

Last year, Canlubang held off Luisita to regain the seniors crown in Bacolod City.

Canlubang collected 573 points to beat Luisita by eight. Del Monte Golf Club was a poor third with 549 points.

The other division champions last year were Cebu Country Club in Founders, Alta Vista in Aviator, Rancho Palos Verdes in Sportswriters and South Bay of Los Angeles in Friendship.

Senior teams are expected to fly in on February 24 for the three-day practice rounds.

The seniors event adopts the Molave scoring system which awards 3 points for par. An even-par score is worth 54 points.

%ACH TEAM IS ALLOWED TO kELD AS MANY AS four players per round with the top three scores to count. Each player is limited to two rounds of play.

The 72nd PAL Men’s Interclub, on the other HAND kRES OFF ON -ARCH AT THE #EBU #OUNTRY Club and the Mactan Island Golf Club.

-ANILA 3OUTHWOODS OVERWHELMED THE kELD last year with a record 551 points, 41 points ahead of Luisita. Canlubang placed third with AND $EL -ONTE FOURTH WITH 2EGULAR TEAMS CAN kELD kVE PLAYERS PER round with the top four scores counting.

The PAL scoring system will be used. A PAR IS WORTH POINTS WHICH TRANSLATES TO points for players who matched par.

The new golf rules will take effect, according to tournament director Henry Arabelo. “Hopefully, the new rules will speed up play,� Arabelo said.

Nearly 200 teams are expected to take part in the twin events. These include squads from the United States, Canada and the Middle East.

Q One of holes of Alta Vista Golf Club PHOTO FROM ALTA VISTA WEBSITE

The Sunday Times

Inspiration.

Celebrity.

Style.

February 17, 2019 Volume 118 | No. 79

Baybayin calligraphist Taipan Lucero and the strokes of nationalism •

LITERARY LIFE

FILIPINO CHAMPIONS

ARTS AWAKE

Big Bad Wolf 2019 excites bibliophiles es G2

15 years of giving hope to cancerstricken children en G3

‘Arco de Emperador’ and the Filipino victory G8

Literary Life SUNDAY February 17, 2019

G2

Bigger discounts, AR books offered at Big Bad Wolf sale

BY ALVIN I. DACANAY

A

YEAR after its sensational debut in the Philippines, the 24-hour Big Bad Wolf Book Sale will return to the World Trade Center in Pasay City on February 22 to again tantalize and thrill Manila’s bibliophiles for 11 days with at least 2 million books of various genres and irresistible discounts ranging between 50 and 90 percent. “We had such an exciting time in 2018 and we are thrilled to return to the Philippines this year,�

Big Bad Wolf Book Sale founder *ACQUELINE .G SAID IN A STATEMENT “We’re happy to continue our long-term commitment to make books affordable and accessible.�

This edition of what is touted as the world’s biggest book sale follows those held in Cebu City last July and Davao City last November — an unprecedented development involving a single country in the 10-year history of THE EVENT kRST HELD IN -ALAYSIA and later brought to Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and, most recently, Yangon in Myanmar. “We want to continue to bring the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale to more communities in the Philippines to enable more people to enjoy a wide array of books at more affordable prices,� Ng said.

Among these are Little Hippo Books’ augmented-reality (AR) versions of children’s books — including Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks and the Three Bears — that the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, as their exclusive distributor in Asia, is bringing to -ANILA FOR THE kRST TIME )T PREVIously introduced these during the Cebu and Davao sales. “Children will be able to read, play and learn through the Little Hippo AR books, which uses cutting-edge AR technology to revolutionize reading for the next generation,� Ng said. “These books ‘come to life’ as the characters speak, dance and sing.

This creates a ‘magical’ feeling for children, which will help them get excited to read more,� she added.

‘Overwhelming’ $URING A PRESS BRIEkNG ON THIS year’s event in Mandaluyong City late last month, Ng told The Manila Times that Filipinos’

Q These books are just some that will be sold at the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale in Manila beginning on Friday. “overwhelmingâ€? appreciation and gratitude for holding the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale in the country last February 2018 were something she never encountered anywhere else. “It’s overwhelming that everyone‌is thanking [me], thanking Big Bad Wolf for coming to the Philippines. I will never get that [kind of response] in any [other] country,â€? said Ng, who read thrillers as a youngster in her native Malaysia before shifting to lighter fare, inspirational and Christian books when she grew older. “They are literally so joyous when they see the books. They were loving the books, they were hogging [the books],â€? she added.

According to her, Filipinos’ response to the 2018 sale in Manila — which led people to petition the organizers to mount the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale outside the National Capital Region, even while that sale was ongoing — was part of the reason two more were held in the Visayas and Mindanao. “[L]ooking at how Filipinos in Manila reacted to our sale at the time, we just felt that [there] are so [many] people who wanted us there, so there’s no reason not to ACCOMMODATE THEIR REQUEST IF WE could,â€? Ng said. “I think it’s [their] very sincereâ€? expression “of needing Big Bad Wolf in their city that [pushed] us to try to make [that] possible‌â€? she added.

Business and self-help books also sold very well, as did those on health and travel, according to her.

Ng hopes to hold Big Bad Wolf sales in two or three more Philippine cities in the near future, if not this year, although she emphasized that she was leaving it up to advocacy partner Gawad Kalinga — to which it donated P5 million last year to help the communitydevelopment foundation build and refurbish libraries in the communites it established — “to tell us which city they want us to� go to.

A challenge to this, she said, is the fact not too many cities in the country have venues spacious enough to accommodate such an event.

She also hopes to work with Philip-

pine publishers to help them promote local authors and their works — be it in English or Filipino — to the general reading public by inviting them to participate in the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale.

The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale will run for 24 hours at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from February 22 to March 4.

Admission is free.

Fo r u p d a t e s, visit https:// w w w. f a c e book.com/ bbwbooksphilippines.

Q Jacqueline Ng

Non-children’s books selling well Although half of the books it brought last year were those for children, in keeping with Big Bad Wolf’s advocacy of promoting reading among young people, Ng reported that these were not the only books that proved to be profitable. “Fiction [books] sold very well,� she said, noting that Filipinos, who are more into reading than their Southeast Asian neighbors, generally know which authors they like enough for them to pick out those writers’ works.

POETRY

Straight, No Chaser

BY JOE BERT LAZARTE On the day I tried to kill myself They killed someone else, a kid, in an alley Human garbage in all that garbage, they said.

He shot at us, so we shot him dead, They said All fourteen years old, mourned By a girlfriend he never had, remembered By those who knew him not.

On the day I tried to kill myself The police fashioned a wild Rorschach blot on the pavement With another kid’s blood, some thirteen-year-old Who’d just stepped out of some barbershop (IS 2ORSCHACH BLOOD WAS A BUTTERlY A MOTH A BAT All depending on what angle you look at his shattered head ! BUTTERlY A MOTH A BAT PERSISTING LIKE CERTAIN kNGERPRINTS Long after they’d hauled him off, a carnival prize That made me ask: were you watching, too?

As we’re thrown into shadow, our hands on our backs Choking soundlessly at the whole fucking foolish world On fury’s very cusp.

BOOK REVIEW

‘Blood Communion’: A book with a ‘happy’ vibe %6%29 TIME ) kNISHING READING AN Anne Rice vampire book, I vow it will be the last one. I will read no more.

No more the interior, existential struggles of Lestat. No more vampire soul-searching. No more loving relationships between vampires. No more descriptions of velvet and lace vampire wardrobes.

No more paying for a new book kLLED WITH LONG WINDED PASSAGES recapping past stories in The Vampire Chronicles.

Almost every time, for more than 30 years, I make the vow. No more Lestat. No more Vampire Chronicles. No more Anne Rice.

Then, every time a new Lestat book is published, that vow is broken. The book is purchased.

And the vicious love-hate struggle begins again.

But not this time.

Rice’s latest Vampire Chronicles installment is Blood Communion: A Tale of Prince Lestat (Knopf; 272 pages; 2018). It is the third book since Lestat has become the ruling prince of the vampires.

Here, he faces old enemies. Allies want him to rule more harshly, to kill enemies. They whisper in his ear to remember, remember, vampires don’t want love; they want to kill. It’s in their nature.

Lestat makes compromises, but still rules the court in his own way. In a way that consolidates the vampires of the world in a welcoming fashion. In a way that the once-arrogant Lestat rules as a kRST AMONG EQUALS Blood Communion is only 272

pages. Much shorter than most Vampire Chronicles novels. But the book is better for it. There’s a mix of adventure, of suspense and horror, without shortchanging the personalities of any of the longrunning characters.

This is a Lestat I would be happy to see and read about again. Just like my experience reading The Vampire Lestat, the second book in The Vampire Chronicles, more than 30 years ago.

But Blood Communion reads LIKE A kNAL VOLUME 4HE BOOK HAS a happily-ever-after vibe. Like it could well be the last chapter of The Vampire Chronicles.

Perhaps, Anne Rice is done.

Perhaps, she’s taking a break from Lestat as she did for several years until the publication of Prince Lestat a couple of years ago.

Blood Communion is not the place for new readers to start with Lestat. A new reader should ARGUABLY START WITH THE kRST BOOK

Interview with the Vampire, but a reader could just as well start with The Vampire Lestat.

Then decide book by book if it’s worth continuing. There are some gems in the series. There are plenty of lesser works, too.

But longtime readers should kND Blood Communion a reminder why thousands have returned to the series again and again.

THE VALDOSTA DAILY TIMES, GA./TNS Blood Communion costs P1,315 in hard cover and is available in leading bookstores.

KWF opens ‘Sali(n) Na, Chitang’ tilt to students YOUNG Filipinos are encouraged to discover and translate into Filipino the outstanding works of the late essayist Carmen “Chitang� Guerrero Nakpil by joining the “Sali(n) Na, Chitang!� translation contest.

The competition is open to students between 12 and 17 years old, who shall choose either Nakpil’s “A Question of Identity� or “Where’s the Patis?� to translate.

Deadline for the translated entries is on April 6, 2019.

The following prizes will be given to the winning translated works: 0 kRST PRIZE 0 SECOND prize) and P1,500 (third prize).

Nakpil (1922–2018) is one of the Philippines’ leading writers

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),

and historians after the Second World War. She served as chairman of the National Historical Commission from 1967 to 1971.

She is known for describing the country’s history as being 300 years in a convent and 50 in Hollywood.

Some of Napkil’s books include Woman Enough (1963), A Question of Identity (1973) and The Philippines (1989).

The contest is organized by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) in celebration of April as National Literature Month, whose theme this year is “Buklugan Panitikan.�

For more details, visit kwf.gov.ph.

and saved in either .doc or .rtf format. Each short story and creative nonfiction piece should be between ten (10) and twenty (20) pages (double-spaced), while each poem should be limited to only one (1) page (single-spaced).

Works littered with glaring grammatical and typographical errors will not be considered. Send your works to the literary editor, Alvin I. Dacanay, at literarylife[at]

manilatimes[dot]net. Kindly put the genre and title of the work in the email’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 February 17, 2019

G3

Ricky Reyes’ Child Haus 15 years of giving hope and changing lives for cancer-stricken children

F

ROM its humble beginnings at the Quezon Institute Compound, the Center for Health Improvement and Life Development Haus or Child Haus, has grown into a seven-story multi-purpose complex located on Agoncillo Street in Paco, Manila.

Through the initiative of the Ricky Reyes Foundation, the center was created to provide respite for cancer-stricken children FROM THE PROVINCES WHO ARE IN NEED OF knancial support and a home to stay while undergoing treatment in Manila.

It was through the efforts of philanthropist Ricky Reyes, endearingly called Mother Ricky in and out of showbiz circles, that Child Haus was able to extend a helping and healing hand to children with cancer from all over the Philippines.

Mother Ricky credits the continued success of Child Haus to the neverending kindness and generosity of their various donors and benefactors, most especially to SM Holdings Inc. President Hans Sy. It was on the 60th birthday of Hans Sy or “Kuya Hans ng Child Haus” in 2015 that the business magnate decided to build a bigger and better home for the children and their parents or guardians seeking shelter at Child Haus.

Instead of opting to buy material things

for himself on his birthday, Sy wanted to do something to help other people in need. The construction of the Child Haus complex is the result of his love, understanding and support for these sick children. It is also a tribute of his love and respect to his father, Henry Sy Sr. For over 15 years now, Child Haus has provided a home for children diagnosed with cancer.

One of the many residents of the center was 19-year-old Ronalyn Bataller from Albay, Bicol. She was orphaned at just four years old and was left to take care of her two younger siblings. Their home was lost in 2015 because of the damage brought by Bagyong Reming.

To be able to provide for her siblings, Ronalyn started joining barangay pageants and doing housework for her relatives. At just 16 years old, she was operated on and had her right ovary and appendix removed. She was also diagnosed with having mixed germ cell tumor and given only six months to live. Refusing to give up, she traveled to

Those in the organization lovingly call him ‘Kuya Hans ng Child Haus.’

Child Haus has grown into a seven-story complex in Paco, Manila.

Ricky Reyes credits the continued success of Child Haus to the never-ending kindness and generosity of their donors, most especially to SM Holdings Inc. President Hans Sy.

Manila to seek another doctor’s opinion on her illness. It was through her Manila doctor’s referral to Child Haus that she was able to undergo treatment.

She has now returned to her home in Albay to complete her road to recovery and reunite with her siblings.

Baby Richard Moreno, also a Child Haus resident from Bicol, was only three months old when he was diagnosed with having liver cancer. His mother sought out help for his treatment from one hospital to another until they came to Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC). They were referred to Child Haus for shelter and treatment.

After several months at Child Haus, Baby Richard’s surgery will now push through, thanks to the numerous kindhearted donors especially Mayor Sandy Javier of the Municipality of Javier in Leyte who volunteered for his expenses to India. Baby Richard is currently conkNED AT -AX 3UPER 3PECIALTY (OSPITAL IN New Delhi awaiting his liver transplant.

The organization continues to give new hope to children and their families.

The stories of recovery of Bataller and Baby Richard are just two of the hundreds of children that Child Haus has helped in their road to healing.

In 2018 alone, the Child Haus complex was able to accommodate as many as 800 residents.

With the mission to provide a tem-

porary home for these sick children, the center has gone beyond giving a roof over their heads and beds to sleep in while they undergo treatment in Manila, as Child Haus has also given these children and their families hope and a chance at continuing their lives free of cancer. KARYLLE ABIGAIL MANCE

Child Haus has been home to cancer-stricken children for over 15 years.

PBA Legends gather for a noble cause

T

O say that the Philippines is a basketball-loving country would be the biggest understatement in the history of the sport. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) as described on their WEBSITE IS gTHE kRST PROFESSIONAL BASketball league in Asia and is the second oldest continuously existing in the world after the National Basketball Association (NBA).” Basketball players are looked up to with pride and are adored by Filipinos no matter where they are from.

For me, the PBA is more personal. I would always share with anyone who cares to listen that the PBA, along with the San Miguel Corporation, is the reason why my brothers and I were able to have a good education, live in a beautiful home, and able to travel the world.

My dad has given his life completely to basketball and the PBA, along with SMC, has always been so kind to him in return.

To hear that my dad was included in the PBA Legends Foundation’s Return of the Rivals game made me extremely proud of him and the cause behind the PBA Legends Foundation.

The foundation is a brainchild of Daniel Razon of UNTV alongside Tito Allan “The Trigerman” Caidic.

“Kuya Daniel spearheaded and pushed US TO FORM A FOUNDATION FOR THE BENEkT OF all retired PBA players in need of medical help. He donated one million pesos

THE THOUGHT JUNKIE CARLA BIANCA RAVANES-HIGHAM as seed money for the foundation and IN THE FOUNDATION WAS OFkCIALLY formed under the name of ‘Samahan ng mga Dating Propesyonal na Basketbolista ng Pilipinas Foundation, Inc’ (SDPBPFI). This year, the PBA Board of Governors allowed us to use the name ‘PBA Legends’,” Tito Allan informed.

As one of the country’s most famous basketball players, he felt passionate to give back to all players who have shared their talent, hard work, and skills to the PBA. “It is very important to have this foundation and show our solidarity to help our former fellow PBA players in need of medical assistance. And we are so thankful to everyone who has expressed their interest to participate in this noble cause,” the former hardcourt hero said.

Tito Allan together with former players and legends such as Atoy Co, Alvin Patrimonio, Philip Cesar, Jojo Lastimosa, Ed Cordero, Ramon Fernandez, William Adornado, Jerry Codiñera, Pido Jarencio, Kenneth Duremdes, Johnny Abbarientos, Art Dela Cruz, and Ronnie Magsanoc, joined forces TO CREATE ITS kRST EVENT LAST YEAR CALLED THE

The Return of the Rivals is committed to raise P3 million for former PBA players in need of medical assistance.

Celebrity Charity Golf Tournament which raised a good amount of money.

This year, the Return of the Rivals in partnership with UNTV, is committed to raise P3 million. The already sold out Return of the Rivals aims to bring back the nostalgic rivalry between Alaska and San Miguel, as well as the crowd favorite Ginebra and Purefoods in the SMART Araneta Coliseum on February 17.

“The initial plan was to have a Crispa vs. Toyota game but since most of them are not active anymore we decided to

have the second-generation rivalry instead. We thought it is a good rivalry featuring two grand slam teams in the kRST GAME AND THE EVER FAMOUS -ANILA Classico match-up in the second game,” Tito Allan further informed.

He then noted how important it is for PBA legends to come together to inspire current PBA players to always lend a hand to those who were once players, “We started this foundation not just for our own good but for all of us, even the PBA players of today. )T WILL BENEkT ALL OF US AND WE EXPECT YOUR

full support in future projects.”

My dad, who excitedly told me about the reason behind the foundation, understands the importance of helping those who once dedicated their lives to a game the whole country loves.

The PBA Legends Foundation is a great way to honor them, their families, and to remind them that they are not alone and that their teammates of old will continue to be with them even off the court. *** www.carlabiancaravanes.com

Cover Story The Sunday Times

G4

SUNDAY February 17, 2019 Taipan Lucero holds two of his favorite Baybayin calligraphy paintings – ‘Ilaw’ (left) and ‘Sikhay’ (right, Visayan word for zeal or passion).

COVER PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA LOCATION: NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

Baybayin calligraphist Taipan Lucero and the stroke of nationalism

BY ARLO CUSTODIO

A

GRAPHIC artist by profession, George Ian Joseph Figueras Lucero has always been fascinated by calligraphy, moreso the early writing system of the far eastern inhabitants of Las Islas Filipinas in the mid-15th century.

But it wasn’t until an eventual stint in Japan that Lucero truly became serious about the ancient writing of his ancestors, known to be civilized and literate even before foreigners came to these shores, and contrary to the ignorant indios that Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan regarded them to be.

As such in this exclusive interview with The Sunday Times Magazine, Lucero passionately corrected the common notion that the ancient Filipino writing is called Alibata.

“The correct name is Baybayin,” he declared. “Alibata may have come from THE PRONUNCIATION OF THE kRST LETTERS OF the Arabic alphabet — alif, ba, ta [which were established earlier than Roman writing since Islam came to these shores 300 years ahead of Catholicism].”

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 • 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

A University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman Cum Laude, Lucero graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and majored in Visual Communication in 2012. Self-employed at kRST THEN HIRED BY AN !MERICAN BUSInessman based in Japan for his excellent work three years later, he was sent by his company to Kobe in 2015.

Part of his work was training with Japanese calligraphy. There, he found himself as the only Filipino among creative managers from across the neighboring Asian country.

“I was inspired by their high regard for their writing system, as well as their love and respect for their culture in general,” the 30-year-old boyish-looking artist shared with The Sunday Times Magazine, adding that his immersion was ignited when he saw how his teacher painstakingly performed ancient rituals before beginning to paint shodo, the Japanese art of calligraphy.

“That really inspired me to apply what I saw to our culture since we have our own old system of writing,” he said.

Question of nationalism “I had lots of introspective moments during my time in Japan. Most of them were about my patriotism — am I nationalistic enough, do I really love my country and culture as I thought? You see, I had always thought myself to be nationalistic, having the utmost love and respect for our culture. Yet I found myself with the question, if indeed this was true, why was I working for a foreign company, in a foreign land? Why am I using my skills and talents for the BENEkT OF ANOTHER CULTURE WHEN ) would be lifting up our own? That was when I quit my work in Japan and came back home,” he recalled.

Since then he had been using his talents in art and design to preserve Filipino culture, starting with his digital calligraphy works of Baybayin which were very well received on social media. He was heartened that in so short a time, the Facebook Page he created for his calligraphic art garnered close to 20,000 followers and counting.

Wearing his own designed-shirt that reads ‘Maharlika,’ the young calligraphist has been espousing the change of name of the country since he created the Facebook Page ‘Maharlika Life’ in 2016.

With Persian calligrapher Madame Tandis Taghavi at their joint ‘Harbinger of Peace Among Nations’ exhibit at the Philippine Christian University on October 15, 2018. At right is Iran Embassy Cultural Counselor Mohammad Jafarimalak. INSIDE PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA AND TAIPAN LUCERO

SELF DEVELOPED STYLE OF "AYBAYIN kNE ART CALLIGRAPHY THAT DRAWS INlUENCE from elements of Filipino culture such as our ancestors’ royal garbs and jewelry, the Maranao’s Okir and Pintados among others,” he explained.

“With CalligraFilipino, Baybayin can be seen more than just our writing system — it has a new and meaningful direction as an art form. Ultimately, CalligraFilipino is an innovation on traditional Filipino culture. It is a movement toward strengthening our identity in a globally homogenizing world.”

Persian-Baybayin collaboration It was through the NCCA exhibit that Iranian calligrapher Madame Tandis

Taghavi and her husband Iran Embassy’s Cultural Counselor Mohammad Jafarimalak saw Lucero’s works which gave birth to the idea of a collaboration.

Notably, Persian calligraphy — one of the most revered arts throughout the history of Iran — and Baybayin have stark similarities in their strokes, curls and shapes and bringing them together would be an ideal fusion of two dynamic cultures.

The beautiful fusion gave birth to their joint exhibit called “Harbinger of Peace Among Nations.”

Using different languages but the same medium in art, Taghavi said that their aim was to propagate peace. Lucero, for his part, said it was harder to imagine how the art would turn out when Persian calligraphy was mixed with other

‘CalligraFilipino’ advocacy In August 2018, Lucero showcased his "AYBAYIN kNE ART CALLIGRAPHY THROUGH “CalligraFilipino 1” at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in Intramuros, Manila.

“My advocacy is CalligraFilipino, a portmanteau of Calligraphy and Filipino. It is a term I coined for my

The artist shares his ‘Tadhana’ painting with Nelia Teodoro Gonzalez, former Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary and one of UP Alumni Association’s Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Awardees.

Asian systems of writing like Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Thai.

Their earliest work together saw the word “peace” written in Persian calligraphy with Baybayin sining (art) strokes surrounding it. The result was a perfect geometrical symmetry.

It took them three more months to kNISH kVE CALLIGRAPHIC PAINTINGS AND mount their exhibit.

Their combined ar t have seen back-to-back presentations at the UP Bulwagan ng Dangal on October 13 then at the Philippine Christian University on October 15. Both Taghavi AND ,UCERO EXPRESSED FULkLLMENT IN their collaboration. Since then, the Filipino artist was always invited to grace or speak at the Iranian calligrapher’s solo exhibits.

From hobby to full-time career The younger of two siblings, Lucero grew up doing what normal Filipino kids do — play agawan base, patintero and taguan. However, in addition to these traditional games, he and his friends gathered in groups then drew their favorite pop culture characters from teks cards, comic books and television.

In high school, his hobby expanded to dabbling in graphics using the early versions of Photoshop.

“I used to create avatars and signatures for forums and charged people for my service,” he shared. He chose to go to UP because its Fine Arts program was more advanced, he said.

Right out of college, he and two friends put up a small design studio, calling it Trifecta Visual Communications.

“Trifecta is a horse racing term that means triple victory, symbolizing us,” he explained.

And though small, they competed well and landed clients such as Procter & Gamble Asia, Asia Brewey, Abenson, JAM Liner and Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation among others.

As most millennials have strong desires to be independent in their thinking, the partnership did not prosper but Lucero decided to pursue design and advertising as an independent professional, focusing

Cover Story The Sunday Times

SUNDAY February 17, 2019 on Western clients as he deemed they appreciate design more than locals, hence, they pay more.

One of those impressed with the quality of his works was an American businessman based in Japan, and wanted him to work fulltime for the company, Asterism USA Inc., the reason why he was sent to learn more in the Land of the Rising Sun. Now a full-time artist, he considers his business relationship with Mary Kay Inc. (Philippines), Bay Care (Tokyo, Japan), Budtender Magazine (California, USA), Splash Corporation, AgriSpecialist Inc., University of the Philippines, and Henson Corporation as great booster for his passion.

Admitting that he’s not good at drawING kGURES ,UCERO FOUND FULkLLMENT IN Baybayin calligraphy, enhancing it with kaleidoscopic backgrounds or contrasting kGURES TURNING HIS WORKS INTO kNE ART Besides the NCCA exhibit, his works also found display at the 2018 Elevate at Alvero Gallery in Quezon City, 2018 Art in the Mall at SM Megamall, 2017 GSIS Art Exhibition, and Quiapo 2016 Pistahan Festival in San Francisco, California, USA. He has also gone around the country to talk about the importance of art as a catalyst in reviving a national script and how it may be the centerpiece of a cultural renaissance.

Persian calligraphy meaning ‘Peace’ at the center, surrounding it is Baybayin ‘Kapayapaan,’ as part of his collaboration with Taghavi.

‘Sining at Kultura: A Compendium of Studies on Philippine Arts and Cultures: Traditions and Innovations’ — cover design for the National Research Council of the Philippines’ Humanitie Division’s special project.

Maharlika or any other name Even before President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement that then President Ferdinand Marcos was correct in saying that the country should be named Maharlika instead of its current name which pays tribute to Spain’s King Philip 2nd — and which is currently spawning debates among citizens and netizens — Lucero had already been espousing “Maharlika Life.� In fact, it’s the name of the Facebook Page he created, which receives comments and posts from people who share the same sentiments.

Educated at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University from elementary to high school, this son of a lawyer and a UP teacher thinks that Maharlika is a better name for the country than the one adapted for the archipelago all in the glory of colonialism. “There are many meanings of Maharlika coming out now, that it’s not really noble but means free people. Another one is the 3ANSKRIT WORD THAT MEANS MAGNIkCENT PENIS Nevertheless, a name of native origin is better than a name that came from the King of Spain at the time of colonialization. Perhaps one that springs from Baybayin,� he shared.

Venting his displeasure over the name given by colonial Spain and readily adapted by the locals of this rich region in the Far East, Lucero posted something for his followers on social media to know his most inner thoughts. “I hate that history books say we were discovered by Spain in the 1500s when the Manunggul Jar of Palawan dates way back to 890 BC. We were a thriving civilization before any invaders came. “I hate the name Philippines as it comes from Spain’s king Philip. I hate being identikED AS &ILIPINO BECAUSE IT AGAIN REFERS TO Spain’s king Philip. Each time I use #CalligraFilipino, I cringe. But I have no choice because that is what we have been known as.

Rebranding an entire country and ethnicity is almost impossible. But who knows? In the meantime, let us put that aside and celebrate our heritage,� he said.

For Lucero, Baybayin is more than just a Filipino writing system. “I see it is an art form that is a beacon of pride, inspiration, and identity. It is my dream to see traditional Filipino culture lOURISH TODAY FOR IT TO RISE BEYOND ITS COLONIAL CONkNES FOR IT TO THRIVE AND display all its splendor, as it could ignite renewed enthusiasm for traditional Filipino culture and arts,� he expressed.

G5

‘CalligraFilipino 1’ exhibit at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Gallery in August 2018.

Lucero ventured first in Baybayin-designed apparel before going fulltime in calligraphic art.

Guests who attended the NCCA exhibit gamely wrote their names using the ancient script.

With Japanese calligraphy sensei Haruyo Fukuoka in Kobe, Japan in 2015 – the start of his passion for the country’s own ancient writing system.

‘Kapatid (Sibling).’

Epitome of a Filipino artist – Marangal, Malikhain, Mapagbago (Honorable, Creative, Innovative).

‘Guro 2 (Teacher)’ that even a cat seems interested to learn.

Calligraphy—the art of giving form to signs in expressive, harmonious manner FROM the Greek word ÎşÎąÎťÎťÎšÎłĎ ÎąĎ†ÎŻÎą, calligraphy is a visual art of the design and execution of lettering with a broad tip instrument, brush, or other writing instruments.

According to Wikipedia, a contemporary calligraphic practice can be defined as “the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious, and skillful manner.� A calligrapher may practice

both typography and non-classical hand-lettering.

Common calligraphy pens and brushes are quill, dip pen, ink brush, qalam (cut, dried reed used for Islamic calligraph) and fountain pen.

Latin alphabet first appeared about 600 BC in Rome, became a general use as Roman cursive then developed into uncial lettering style in the second and third centuries, further developing into the Gothic script in the 14th century. That was what the Spaniards brought to the Islands in their expidition around the globe.

In the Orient, Chinese graphs on

old steles — some dating back from 200 BC with a set of 3300 standard Xiaozhuan characters — are still accessible.

Although Japanese and Korean calligraphy were influenced by Chinese characters, they have developed their own specific sensibilities and styles.

For Muslims, Islamic calligraphy is a visible expression of the highest art of all — the art of the spiritual world — most venerated form of art because it provides a link between the languages of Muslims with their religion, with Qur’an playing an important role.

Even in Baybayin, Pilipinas spells beautiful.

Suyat calligraphy INDIGENOUS Filipino scripts are collectively called as suyat. There were about 16 ethno-linguistic groups in the Islands before Spanish colonization that used scripts with various mediums.

By the end of colonialism, only four of the suyat scripts survived and continue to be used by certain communities in their everyday life — Hanunoo of the Hanuno’o Mangyan tribe, Buid of the Buhid Mangyan people, Apurahuano of the Tagbanwas, and Palaw’an of the Palaw’an people. All four scripts were inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Program, under the name “Philippine Paleographs (Hanunoo, Buid, Tagbanwa and Palaw’an)� in 1999.

Scripts that became extinct due to Spanish persecution are being revived by many artists and cultural experts, foremost of which is the Baybayin script of the Tagalogs. The others are the Badlit script of various Visayan ethnic groups, Kulitan of the Kapampangans, Iniskaya of the Eskaya people and the Kur-itan or Kurdita script of the Ilocanos.

Students learn Baybayin early in their educational formative years.

Fun Times The Sunday Times

G6

»horoscope

THE SUNDAY CROSSWORD

Chaney Cameos

By Merl Reagle February 17, 2019

...Movies he appeared in, so to speak This puzzle is part of Merl's best-of series 1 6 10 14 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 28 29 30 32 34 37 38 39 40 42 45 47 49 51 52 54 56 57 58 59 62 64 65 70 73 75 78 79 80 81 82 84 86 88 89 91 94 95

ACROSS “Get lost!”

Indian tourist stop Poly finish Horne’s namesakes Game setting One of Red’s characters Literary governess Primatelike 1958 Danny Kaye film Capital of unoccupied France, 1940-44 Elec. unit Afflictions ___ one’s stripes Type of contract Files a countersuit, e.g.

1976 Jodie Foster film Judge in a TV drama Myrrh-men?

Slogan addition Tone-___ Structure starter “O Captain! my Captain!” subject “Made you look!” prelude Like a ballerina Wrap material Place for a bill Throw to the wrong base Archipelago unit Edda territory: abbr.

Badly Economist Smith Prophet ending Singer Sumac With 73 Across, a 1962 Tom Courtenay film 1947 Gerald Mohr film See 65 Across Study under Strasberg Beatles hit, “___ Back” Oft-reserved item Revenuer’s tool “Land sakes ...”

Language of Iran “Are you talking to me?”

Fashion magazine Move stealthily More than happy Puppy bites Capp and others Gillette razors

96 97 99 101 102 105 110 111 112 113 114 116 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 24 25 31 33 35 36 38 41 42 43 44

Low dam Swiss canton Prestigious sch.

Bother 1932 Marlene Dietrich film Old snapshots and campaign buttons Run Calculator features John Irving’s Meany Online address Self-imposed state, sometimes 1955 Alan Ladd film Was a fan of Word in a Haggard title Yves Saint-Laurent’s birthplace Conservationist Gibbons Very passionate Ticked (off) White House section She played Loretta DOWN Philippine island Donut filler Wields a sickle Actress Blyth She’s crazy Pounded Cagney portrayer Taping abbr.

Pseudopodal life U.S. or Russian place Redgrave et al.

Heavy-metal combo?

“Say ...”

Palindromic city NW of Montreal Shows Prude ___ blond Move suddenly, as when startled The lead Soprano React to Fey Sound processors Like some bars Part of IGY “Yum yum, ___ up!”

Braveheart guy Greek cheese “Who ___?”

Night, in Bonn Louis of the FBI

Gift givers! For info on Merl’s books, visit www.sundaycrosswords.com.

1

2

3

4

5

6

19

7

9

10

20

23

37 45

57

47

59

66

16

17

18

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

35

36 40

48

53

58

15

31

39

46

52

65

30

38

44

14

26

34

51

13

22

29

33

43

12

25

28

32

11

21

24

27

42

8

49

54 60

55

61

41

50

63

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Romantic dreams can come true. Wait for things to play out.

Family matters have your attention for a few days. Prioritize domestic harmony. Feather your nest.

64

68

69

70

71

72

73 75

76

77

82

74 78

79

83

84

89

90

96

97 102

80

85

86

91

92

98

103

93

99

88

94

95

100

101 105 106

111

107 108 109

112

116 117

113

118

120

121

122

123

125

126

127

53 55 58 60 61 63 66 67 68 69 71 72

74 Workout actions, often 75 Not too many 76 He and Joshua entered the Promised Land 77 Off-road two-wheeler 83 On-sidewalk fourwheeler 85 Prestigious sch.

87 Young one 88 Beats 90 Bud, to a surfer 92 Like some walls 93 Former Italian coin 98 Burning up 100 “Its fleece was white ___” 101 Iowa State city 103 Indigent 104 With 106 Down, Barbara Bel Geddes on Dallas 105 Erin of Happy Days

SUDOKU

Solution: ¶6HWWLQJ WKH &ORFNV %DFN· (Feb 10) L A M B T O

I T A L I A

R O O T

U T A H

B I T E

A C H Y

S H R U N K E N T R E A S U R E

P A S HR A D E GS A

T E R E N A T E L E PO S HR I E A A CH G EG O WA S HR RMO B E T I L R TW I U S H A S I D ON T P A EWO N N A U E B I B

A B O U T A L I H A R L O T A R S

N T H A H I V E R L MA E HUMA MS S I T T D COO E S N A MP L E T OA T R OW T R I N E E L E R G L D A Y NOR HRON E E A U C B U T T O L O I N S N L S E R B O

S A H L T HRU Y S HR I N E D A UD I NGO L I E S T O A ON G S E UC K S R I E N AW S K S E L POEM A N S N T I S A V B A

L I S T O N G U N O H I O R E A L

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Look back for insight on the road ahead. Notice your dreams and emotions.

Peace and quiet help you organize your thoughts and plans.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Your social life leads to interesting connections. Align forces with someone talented. Develop a team strategy to implement later. Express your appreciation and gratitude.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Take advantage of a lucky professional opportunity. Make plans, reservations and arrangements. Travel later; unexpected deviations or obstacles line the road. Manage things backstage.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 7 -Anticipate changes along your educational route. Unexpected circumstances could disrupt transportation and traffic. Study your options. Set backup plans. Try the road less traveled.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Manage financial matters. Love is part of the equation.

Reaffirm a commitment. Things don’t always work. Get terms and promises in writing. Adjust as you go.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Share encouragement with your partner. Actions could backfire; avoid sensitivities or irritations. Strategize and make plans to realize a shared dream. It could get romantic.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Consider a physical challenge, and admit impracticalities. Slow down when the steps get tricky. Take care around sharp objects. Make careful preparations, and keep practicing.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @lindablack. For more astrological interpretations visit Linda Black Horoscopes and www.nancyblack.com) NANCY BLACK. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

115 Midnight hour 117 Homophone of a certain scream 118 Day of the wk.

119 Affirmatif answer

106 See 104 Down 107 Toothpaste containers 108 Some exams 109 In a furtive way 114 Little worker

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Choose the most promising financial option. The next few days could get profitable. Unexpected expenses could arise; save up for a rainy day fund.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- You’re especially hot today and tomorrow. Take time for yourself.

Follow a personal dream or mission. Wait, and watch the news. Adjust to changing circumstances.

119

124

For quite a while Came by Traps, in a way Part of the Hindu trinity Woolly Good ones help when playing video games Hole-___ Silty spot “___ would have it ...”

Put away Cousin of an ism, in French “___ knew” Available, as a doctor Man of the sewer Bond film, ___ Majesty’s Secret Service Temple of Zeus site, once

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Don’t get distracted by bad news or negative comments. Discuss dreams and ideas. Action may not go as planned. Envision possibilities, and take notes.

81

87

104

110 114 115

45 46 48 50

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is an 8 -- You’re looking good. Make an interesting connection. No need to rush. Go for substance over symbolism. Find agreement where least expected. Wait for developments.

56

62

67

Today’s Birthday (02/17/19). This year, win by strengthening collaborative friendships. Reinforce support structures through methodical planning.

Expect domestic repairs. Fresh energy revitalizes your work and health this summer, prompting a shift toward peaceful rest. Winter epiphanies motivate healthy improvements that reinvigorate your work.

Share support with friends and community.

SUNDAY February 17, 2019

L A L A

OX N E L S Y

C H R O M E F R O M B E H I N D

T I E R

O S S A

C A A N

A X L E

B R O N T E

Y E S S I R

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 February 17, 2019

The Sunday Times

G7

Mindanoan musical and dance groups collaborate to showcase the region's cultural expressions and traditions.

Regional productions kick off CCP’s golden celebration

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OINCIDING with the 50th anniversary of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the CCP Outreach Program kicks off its Ruby Year with a performance series at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater) featuring four regional collaborative productions.

)URP WR WKH &&3 &XOtural Exchange Department (CED) under its program entitled “Ugnayan sa Sining� successfully mounted and toured four collaborative productions which highlighted the cultural expressions and traditions of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

For 2019, the productions will be presented at the CCP Little Theater starting February to October. The Mindanao collaborative production opened the series with “Panaghabi: Weaving Mindanao’s Triumphs in Life� on February 15.

Written and directed by Hobart Savior and assisted by Leonardo Bing Carino, Panaghabi showcases mythical and some mortal women, whose stories bestow the qualities of strength and fertility, sources, givers and takers of lives, mothers, nurturers of nature, and weavers of dreams, faiths, traditions and celebrations.

These are Fu Dalu (T’boli), Mebuyan (Bagobo), Matabagka (Bukidnon), Potri

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Rainalaut (Meranao), Maguindanao and B’laan women.

Bayang Barrios plays the dream weaver who strings the present from the past and weaves the tapestry of a well-dreamt future.

THE International Press Photo Contest named after Andrei Stenin, a Rossiya Segodnya photojournalist who died in the line of duty, is now acFHSWLQJ VXEPLVVLRQV IRU LWV ÀIWK \HDU Entries from young photographers aged 18 to 33 will be accepted on the contest’s website, stenincontest.com, until February 28.

The Stenin Contest is the only competition in Russia that discovers new names in international photojournalism and develops standards of quality for documentary photography. The contest is aimed at supporting young photojournalists and helping them on the world photojournalism stage.

In 2019, five years since the contest was established, the contenders will compete in five categories: the usual four —“Top News,� “Sport,� “My Planet,� and “Portrait, A Hero of Our Time� — plus a new one, “Inspiration.�

Entries in this new category must be single photographs depicting either the cause or expression of inspiration, such as nature, ethnic or genre photos, and portraits of children and adults shot using various techniques and styles. The contenders can submit one single image and one series entry in every category.

7KH SUL]H PRQH\ IRU WKLV \HDU¡V ÀUVW second and third place winners will be DQG UXEOHV DSSUR[LPDWHO\ DQG

respectively while the Grand Prix

The RMMC Teatro Ambahanon of Gen. Santos City plays the strings while the Mebuyan of Davao plays the local nuances of tone, timbre, sound, rhythm, melody, beat and harmony.

Moreover, the Helobung Community Dance Troupe (T'boli’s of Lake Sebu) will perform their T’nalak Ritual Dance and Madal Tahaw in vignettes; Kabpapagariya Ensemble of MSU-General Santos City, the Maguindanao’s Hope and B’laan vignettes and the RMMC Teatro Ambahanon, distilled and decon-

'Panaghabi' showcases mythical and some mortal women, whose stories bestow the qualities of strength and fertility, sources, givers and takers of lives, mothers, nurturers of nature, and weavers of dreams and faith.

The Andrei Stenin int'l photo contest ZLQQHU ZLOO UHFHLYH UXEOHV DSSUR[LPDWHO\

Another perk of winning is having the winner’s work showcased both in Russia and around the world in a traveling exhibition that has EHFRPH D Ă€[WXUH RI WKH FRQWHVW DQG already reached dozens of major cities in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. “The Andrei Stenin Contest is expanding its presence on the global VWDJH RI SKRWRMRXUQDOLVP 2XU Ă€QDOists say that young photographers who want to improve their skills see the contest as a must. There are few countries from which we have not received any interesting entries yet. We invite young photojournalists from around the world to take part in the 2019 contest and wish them all the best,â€? contest curator Oksana Oleinik, head of the Visual Projects Service of the Rossiya Segodnya United Photo Information Directorate, said.

The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest was launched

by Rossiya Segodnya under the aegis of the Russian Commission for UNESCO. Its main goal is to support young photographers and draw public attention to the challenges of modern photojournalism.

This contest is a platform for young photographers — talented, empathetic and open-minded — who draw the global audience’s attention to people and events.

Singersongwriter Bayang Barrios plays the dream weaver in 'Panaghabi'

structed images of Potri Rainalaut and Matabagka.

Finally, select artists from the Sining Kambayoka Ensemble of Marawi City and Kagten Performing Arts of General Santos City are playing movement improvisations.

A fter its successf u l CCP r un, Panaghabi is now moving to MSU Tawi Tawi College of Technology and Oceanology (TCTO) in Bongao, Tawi Tawi City, with performances from today until February 21. The

move-over engagement is part of the Kaisa sa Sining (KSS) partnership recently forged by the CCP and the MSU TCTO. The 2019 Ugnayan sa Sining performances @ the CCP are offerings of the center to commemorate its 50th Anniversary and the 40th Year of its Outreach Program and are intended for the students and local communities who have limited or no access/means to experience live cultural engagements at the CCP.

PH dance film reaches NY film fest INSPIRING ZRUNV RI \RXQJ ÀOPmakers from around the world were FKRVHQ DV ÀQDOLVWV IRU WKH WK 0DQhattan International Film Festival (MIFF), an annual cultural initiative of the World Youth Alliance (WYA).

WYA is a global organization that acknowledges directors committed to exploring the depth of human condition.

After meticulously looking for entries that exhibit technical excellence and content relevant to the mission of :<$ SURPLVLQJ Ă&#x20AC;OPV IURP 0H[LFR the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Philippines, and the United States of America made it to this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roster.

The selection included in previous installments of the festival have portrayed themes on family, community, suffering, empathy, happiness, truth and transcendence. This particular year, MIFF 2019 delivers pieces that speak of human dignity in the context of migration, sickness, war and death.

The Philippine entry is â&#x20AC;&#x153; Indak ng Panahonâ&#x20AC;? by Jose Bryan Nonay and Aurea Marie Bueno, both Digital Filmmaking (DFilm) graduates from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Design and Arts (SDA).

It narrates the story of Daniel, an aspiring dancer who struggles to pursue his dreams after the unexpected death of his beloved father-mentor. In the midst of his battle against his own anxieties and fears, he meets a girl named Cecile, whose presence revives his passion.

Daniel is portrayed by Cultural Center of the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; resident dance company Ballet Philippines dancer Mark Anthony Balucay, while Cecile is played by multi-awarded Adlib Dance Company member Sasa Cabalquinto.

Thespians Lito Capina and Lee Jairus Ramirez give life to the characters of the father and the young Daniel, respectively.

Creative duo Nonay and Bueno believes their project relays the allimportant message that there is still someone who can give a shed of light even in a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lowest point in life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All we wanted to convey through our simple story is to never give up â&#x20AC;&#x201C; nothing can hinder us from aspiring and dreaming,â&#x20AC;? Bueno shared, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It may sound clichĂŠ but sometimes we just need to be reminded we must keep moving forward. There may be burdens and difficulties along the way, but it canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop you. There are people who are willing to help

and motivate you.â&#x20AC;? ,Q ,QGDN QJ 3DQDKRQ SDUWLFLpated in the Ika-30 Gawad CCP para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video and was also part of the non-competition selection of 2018 Viddsee Jurree PH, which celebrated the entertainment LQGXVWU\¡V SLFN RQ $VLDQ VKRUW Ă&#x20AC;OPV In addition to Indak ng Panahon, WKH FKRLFH Ă&#x20AC;OPV LQFOXGH ´%XLOG 5DPSV Not Wallsâ&#x20AC;? by Brian Adamkiewicz of Mexico; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Mirror of the Artistâ&#x20AC;? by Tamino Parren of the Netherlands; and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Father of the Manâ&#x20AC;? by Tommy Creagh of United Kingdom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Daybreakâ&#x20AC;? by Daniela Maria Magsaysay is the second selection from of the Philippines, while the USA Ă&#x20AC;HOGV Ă&#x20AC;YH PRYLHV LQFOXGLQJ ´)LQGLQJ Refugeâ&#x20AC;? by Caitlin Brunnock, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Year Zeroâ&#x20AC;? by David Siev, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bitter Sweetâ&#x20AC;? by Jacqueline Prata, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jesus Loves Bikers Tooâ&#x20AC;? by Will Garofalo, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bow with Meâ&#x20AC;? by Erin Cutler and Emily Weiss.

MIFF 2019 will open its doors to the public on March 25, at the Taipei EcoQRPLF DQG &XOWXUDO 2IĂ&#x20AC;FH LQ 1HZ <RUN City. The winners will be screened in :<$ UHJLRQDO RIĂ&#x20AC;FHV LQ 1HZ <RUN Lebanon, Mexico, Belgium, Kenya, and the Philippines.

'Indak ng Panahon,' the Philippines' entry to the 7th Manhattan International Film Festival

Arts Awake The Sunday Times

G8

February 17, 2019 SUNDAY

Renowned Spanish sculptor Gines Serran Pagan

The 19-meter tall â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Arco de Emperadorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of Megaworldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s township Arcovia City in Pasig highlights the Filipinosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; potential for greatness and success. (Top photo) Leading the monumentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s launch on February 12 were Megaworld EVP and Chief Strategy Officer Kevin Tan, artist Gines Serran-Pagan and Megaworld Resort Estates President William Co. PHOTOS BY DJ DIOSINA

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Arco de Emperadorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; forever imprints Filipino victory over adversity

S

BY CHRISTINA ALPAD

CULPTURAL works are proven to endure elements and to last â&#x20AC;&#x201D; clichĂŠ as it may sound â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a lifetime. As such, sculpture is a favorite expression of religion or political persuasion since the earliest known civilizations.

Think â&#x20AC;&#x153;Davidâ&#x20AC;? by Michaelangelo Buonarroti, now housed in Accademia Gallery of Florence, Italy; or â&#x20AC;&#x153;Julius Caesarâ&#x20AC;? by Nicolas Coustou in Louvre Museum, Paris, France.

From three-dimensional works come more imposing sculptures such as monuments or triumphal arcs that commemorate monumental events.

In this regard, the Arch of Titus in Rome, which honors Roman Emperor Titusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; victories including the Siege of Jerusalem; and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which commemorate those

who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, easily come to mind.

However, sculptures â&#x20AC;&#x201D; monuments or triumphal arcs, for that matter â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are not limited to historical events or people.

The recently unveiled 19-meter tall â&#x20AC;&#x153;Arco de Emperadorâ&#x20AC;? of Megaworldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s township Arcovia City in Pasig is a prime example.

A unique masterpiece It was at the tail end of 2012 when

renowned Spanish sculptor Gines Serran Pagan got a message from Megaworldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chairman Emeritus Andrew Tan to develop Arco de Emperador.

But there was a catch. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The concept of this kind of project LQ (XURSH LV D KLVWRULFDO Ă&#x20AC;JXUH %XW the one that Dr. Andrew Tan wanted and what we eventually have here, is QRW DERXW DQ\ KLVWRULFDO Ă&#x20AC;JXUH DQ\ VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F KHUR RU OHDGHU LW LV DERXW D concept,â&#x20AC;? Pagan said in an interview at the arcâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unveiling.

First designed in 2013, Pagan eventually had to travel around Europe and visit famed arcs in London, Madrid, Berlin, Rome and even St. Petersburg in Russia, to develop a unique arc that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be seen anywhere else in the world.

Pagan then revealed how he processed Dr. Tanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s idea and to eventu-

ally come up with the inspiration for $UFR GH (PSHUDGRU¡V Ă&#x20AC;QDO ORRN â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dr. Tanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concept is that anyone can be an emperor or a hero. With a lot of hard work, perseverance and dedication, anyone can reach his or her dreams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not all. To do that, you have to be prepared for a journey, and in that journey, you have to go from the ordinary world that we live in to a world that LV IXOO RI REVWDFOHV DQG GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOWLHV %XW if you believe in yourself and you work very hard, you become a hero. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And then, what happens when you become a hero, when you have the victory? You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stay in that world, you come back. And in that return, you tell the people what happened, you celebrate, you share with no arrogance, you show the world how you overcome DOO WKH GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOWLHV â&#x20AC;&#x153;You want to be an inspiration to future generations, you want to be a sample to the society. These are the concepts that make the hero that we can now see in Arco de Emperador.â&#x20AC;?

Quadriga with three horses Arco de Emperador is an imposing masterpiece composed of a victorious Emperor, three horses pulling his chariot, two lions named Pride and Passion, and two trumpeting angels coated in 24-karat gold.

Just as interesting to learn was how Arco de Emperador came to be and how unique it is.

First, a quadriga â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a familiar image in ancient times â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is a car or chariot drawn by four horses abreast. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the only quadriga in the world that has no four horses. It has only three,â&#x20AC;? Pagan said laughingly.

As it turned out, it was Dr. Tanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F UHTXHVW WR UHGXFH WKH QXPEHU to three. As a Chinese, Tan follows their belief that four means death, a bad luck. ´7KH RSWLRQ ZDV WR KDYH WKUHH RU Ă&#x20AC;YH horses instead. But five horses were extremely big for a pedestal. However, an emperor with three horses was a poor emperor so we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have three or Ă&#x20AC;YH Âľ 3DJDQ UHFDOOHG For compromise, Pagan suggested adding two animals to protect and guide the emperorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quadriga, hence, the addition of the two lions.

The actual work on the bronze sculpture began in 2015 and ended a year after. However, the last pieces â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the two golden angels â&#x20AC;&#x201D; were only completed late last year and installed a few days before the unveiling.

Explaining the seemingly last-minute idea of the angels, Pagan said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG WKHP ZH UHDOL]HG WKDW VLQFH WKH arc is over 12 meters high excluding the base, when looking up form the ground, the gap between the lions and the horses was too big. Hence, you can only see the belly of the horses. The gap bothered us so I suggested to have two angels to cover that gap.â&#x20AC;?

Not only an afterthought, the angels were made to look like they were celebrating â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in a very angelic way complete with trumpets â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the victory of the emperor. With these angels, the story concept was completed.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Also, I thought of using angels to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Also pay homage to the religion and belief of Filipinos. I want to make them beautiful so I used the rococo movement [relating to an artistic style especially of the 18th century characterized by fanciful curved asymmetrical forms and elaborate ornamentation] to come up with sculptures with transparencies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transparency in the angels' clothes to make them beautiful and because I want to make them unique, I covered them in gold.â&#x20AC;?

Pagan proudly noted that the two angels, which are made of bronze, have three layers of pure 24-karat gold.

Finally, Pagan shared the anecdote of the central character in his masterpiece â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the emperor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the beginning I sculpted the emperor with Trajan, one of the most sucFHVVIXO HPSHURUV LQ PLQG 6R , PRGLĂ&#x20AC;HG his face but copied his clothes and the position that he used to appear in when he came from his battles. ´:KHQ , Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG WKH PRGHO LQ FOD\ and when I was to do the bronze casting, I showed it to Dr. Tan and he said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In the Philippines, emperador has become D IDPLOLDU Ă&#x20AC;JXUH $QG VLQFH RXU PDUNHW is Philippines, would it be possible to do the emperador in Filipino face?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Of course, I agreed.â&#x20AC;?

To make it even more unique, Pagan worked on a mix of characters from Jose Rizal, Manuel Quezon, Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo, among others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve mixed their features [and] came up with this original face that we have. +HQFH KH LV WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW HPSHURU LQ WKH HQtire world with a Filipino face!â&#x20AC;?

Overall, Arco de Emperador comes off a perfect pyramid with the emperor on top. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have the control and the harmony of a leader on the emperorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face. Then you have animals jumping and showing the passion and the instinct of the animal world. Finally, you have two angelical Ă&#x20AC;JXUHV WKDW VRIWHQ WKH ZKROH VFXOSWXUH Âľ 3DJDQ Ă&#x20AC;QDOO\ DQG SURXGO\ QRWHG

Potential for greatness and success For Kevin Tan, Megaworldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive vice president and chief strategy RIĂ&#x20AC;FHU $UFR GH (PSHUDGRU KLJKOLJKWV the Filipinosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; potential for greatness and success. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Arco de Emperadoer delivers the message of how hard work, passion and perseverance can create a self-made, successful man,â&#x20AC;? the executive shared during the grand unveiling of the arco. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just like an emperor or emperador, he rules the empire not because he inherited the throne but because he has won a war.â&#x20AC;?

Translating this message, the new Arco de Emperador hopes to inspire millennials and the young generation to strive hard, work hard and create their own success stories, according to Tan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This monument is very close to our hearts, especially to our family because this brings out story of how my father, Dr. Andrew Tan, started and eventually became a self-made man himself,â&#x20AC;? the H[HFXWLYH Ă&#x20AC;QDOO\ QRWHG