The Manila Times | May 19, 2019

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MAY 19, 20199

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‘Votes should S E N A T E C A N D I D A T E D E G U Z M A N T O C O M E L E C : have been manually counted’ THE head of the National Citizens’ MoveMENT FOR &REE %LECTIONS .AMFREL SAID the integrity of the midterm elections would not have been doubted had the #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS #OMELEC not automated the counting of votes at the precincts.

Namfel National Chairman Augusto “Gus� Lagman, a former Comelec commissioner and a political analyst, said many countries have discarded automated vote-counting because the process is not transparent and is not observable by the voters. “What would it have cost us had we counted the votes manually? Maybe 12 to 24 hours more work at the precincts. But it would have saved us billions of pesos IN LESS EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT THAT CAN BE bought from out of the shelves of local vendors,� Lagman said. “And then, because these are equipment that could be sold, even at a huge

‘Stop vote count’

BY CATHERINE A MODESTO

S

ENATE candidate Leody de Guzman on Saturday asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to stop the CANVASSING OF ELECTION RETURNS SAYING IT SHOULD kRST ensure the authenticity of the votes.

The Labor Win senatorial bet, through HIS COUNSEL *OSE !ARON 0EDROSA kLED a manifestation and urgent motion asking the poll b o d y, sit-

ting as the National Board of CanvassERS ."# TO SUSPEND THE CANVASSING OF votes for senators and party-list groups, citing alleged irregularities and allegations of fraud. g0ROCEEDING WITH THE n a t i o n a l c a n va s s i n g without ascertaining the accuracy, authenticity

AND DUE EXECUTION OF THE VOTES BEING canvassed by way of looking at the data LOGS GENERATED FROM THE 6#-3 VOTE COUNTING MACHINES IMPERILS THE SANCtity of popular suffrage,� he said.

De Guzman also asked the Comelec to grant him access to system and audit logs from all the VCMs and telecommunications provider, transparency and central servers, among other information, equipment and electronic paraphernalia, to “ultimately allow the public to check and refute allegations of fraud� and

to ensure� that the “genuine will of the electorate prevails.�

He said he wanted to check other servERS kREWALLS ROUTERS AND SWITCHES INTRUsion detection and prevention appliances, load balancers, and other active network devices used in the network, including those in the transparency server data center, central server data center, “transmission router.�

De Guzman also requested for electronic copies of the election returns, CERTIkCATES OF CANVASS STATEMENT OF VOTES

ACCESS TO 6OTER 6ERIkED 0APER !UDIT AND an inventory of

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No city for old men SUNDAY STORIES MARLEN V. RONQUILLO

I

F there was one politician who never lost an election before 2019, on any turf and under any political environment, that was Erap Estrada.

He slayed the ruling political clan in HIS kRST 3AN *UAN MAYORALTY RACE THEN presided over the city like it were his own. In the 1987 senatorial election, the euphoria of the democratic restoration failed to rein in the national appeal of the action hero-turned mayor. Estrada AND *UAN 0ONCE %NRILE WERE THE ONLY TWO survivors of the administration sweep of

ÂłRonquillo A4 REACH US AT: E-mail: newsdesk@ manilatimes.net Tel. Nos.: 524-5664 to 67 Address: 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002

NEW VOLUNTEERS Nuns sort election returns at the Pope Pius Catholic Center where the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting is canvassing votes. PHOTO

BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

PALACE DARES CAM TO SHOW PROOF OF PCSO CORRUPTION THERE ARE gNO SACRED COWSu IN 0RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, MalacaÄANG ASSURED THE PUBLIC ON 3ATURDAY AMID ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION IN THE 0HILIPPINE #HARITY 3WEEPSTAKES /FkCE 0#3/ 0ALACE SPOKESMAN 3ALVADOR 0ANELO SAID Duterte would spare no one, including his friends or allies, in his government’s campaign against corruption.

0RESIDENT $UTERTE gIS BEHOLDEN TO NO

one. He will not spare even his close friends and long-time allies in his drive to weed out corruption in the bureaucracy,�

0ANELO SAID “We repeat: There are no sacred cows IN THIS ADMINISTRATION u THE 0ALACE OFkCIAL ADDED 0ANELO MADE THE STATEMENT AFTER 0#3/ BOARD MEMBER 3ANDRA #AM ASKED $UTERTE to remove her from her post since she “can

no longer take the corruption.�

Cam, who was appointed in 2017, alleged that retired police generals in the 0#3/ ACT AS “mistahs� behind small town LOTTERY 34, AGENTS 3HE SAID THE 0#3/ UNDER THE LEADERship of its chairman and general manager !NSELMO 3IMEON 0INILI HAS gNO SYSTEMu and is “misguided and unfocused.�

0ANELO SAID #AM SHOULD FORMALLY kLE

A COMPLAINT WITH THE 0RESIDENTIAL !NTI Corruption Commission instead of telling Duterte to sack her from her post. g3HE COULD FILE CORRUPTION CHARGES AGAINST THE 0#3/ OFkCIALS AND SUBMIT proof of her allegations before the commission,� he added. g4HE 0RESIDENT WILL ORDER A FULL BLOWN investigation of those allegations of

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Ateneo volleybelles crush UST, win UAAP crown ‘Blame of ATENEO de Manila University ended a four-year title drought after crushing 5NIVERSITY OF 3ANTO 4OMAS 534

IN THE WINNER TAKE ALL GAME FOR THE 3EASON 5NIVERSITY !THLETIC !SSOCIATION OF THE 0HILIPPINES 5!!0 WOMEN S VOLLEYBALL CROWN ON 3ATURDAY AT THE -ALL OF !SIA !RENA IN 0ASAY #ITY The Lady Eagles soared to a strong start anchored on their furious attack en route TO SNARING THEIR kRST SILVERWARE SINCE 3EAson 77 in front of 21,347 fans.

It was Ateneo’s third overall champiONSHIP AND kRST FOR HEAD COACH /LIVER Almadro in the women’s division. “It’s all God’s plan. I don’t know that I would be here leading the Lady Eagles to this championship,� said Almadro, who steered Ateneo men’s volleyball squad to three titles.

Almadro and his wards came from beHIND TO PREVAIL IN THE kNALS SERIES FORCING A TITLE DECIDER WITH A

VICTORY IN 'AME LAST 7EDNESDAY “I’m just an instrument. My players are the ones who really did this,� Almadro said.

3EASON S TOP OPPOSITE HITTER +AT 4OLENTINO PACED !TENEO WITH POINTS

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EAGLES SOAR The Ateneo Lady Eagles revel after winning a set against the UST Lady Tigresses in the deciding Game 3 of Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball finals held on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

Thrones’: Furious fans seek do-over NEW YORK: As “Game of Thrones� suits UP FOR ONE LAST SWORDkGHT A PHALANX OF ENRAGED VIEWERS LARGE ENOUGH TO lATTEN the massed armies of Westeros is voicing its displeasure over what they consider a botched ending to the beloved show — with some even clamoring for a do-over.

3INCE ITS kRST EPISODE EIGHT YEARS AGO

the HBO show about noble families vying for the Iron Throne has picked up just about every award going on the way to becoming a global ratings smash and a cultural phenomenon.

But its legacy is under threat from an increasingly vocal section of fans furious over what they consider poor writing in THE SHORTENED kNAL TWO SEASONS AFTER THE script had moved beyond the source novels by American writer George R.R. Martin.

A Change.org petition called “ReMAKE 'AME OF 4HRONES 3EASON

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News

˜ The Sunday Times

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SUNDAY May 19, 2019

Sara may have a good shot at 2022 presidency – analyst

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

D

AVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio might have a good chance in the next elections for president if her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, managed to maintain a high level of popularity until 2022, an analyst said on Saturday.

Antonio “Butch� Valdes, head OF THE 3AVE THE .ATION -OVEMENT

SAID THE 0RESIDENT S POPULARITY WAS EXPECTED TO AFFECT THE PEOPLE S VOTE IN THE NEXT ELECTIONS 4HE 0RESIDENT S APPROVAL RATINGS had inched up to hit his personal best of 79 percent, according to LATEST kNDINGS BY POLLSTER 3OCIAL 7EATHER 3TATIONS “If the popularity of Duterte is maintained at present levels, all THE WAY TO 3ARA MAY HAVE a good chance at running for the presidency,� Valdes told The Manila Times in an interview. “But there is the possibility that living conditions may get worse

if main issues are not addressed WHICH AFFECT 022$ S $UTERTE S popularity,� he said.

Valdes cited the high cost of electricity, water, hospitalization and telecommunications, rising prices of food and medicine, which he said, were “controlled by oligarchic interests� and “protected by legislation and legislators.� “If these issues are not adDRESSED THE NEXT PRESIDENT WILL BE chosen by the oligarchy and not by the people as what had happened in the recent elections,� he said.

But analyst Ramon Casiple, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE )NSTITUTE FOR 0OLITICAL AND %LECTORAL 2EFORM

said it was “too early� to predict the winning chance of DuterteCarpio, who is rumored to be gunning for the country’s top post. !NALYST 0ERLITA &RAGO -ARAsigan, political science professor AT THE 5NIVERSITY OF THE 0HILIPpines Diliman in Quezon City, said “timing matters� as voters’ support for the Duterte administration might still change. “It is true that those who have reached the senatorial position usually aspire for the presidency, too. But the timing matters a lot,�

Marasigan told The Times. g)F THE 0RESIDENT S DAUGHTER decides to run for the presidency in 2022, she can if she wants to, but winning it is another thing,� she said.

Duterte-Carpio heads the administration-backed regional party HugPONG NG 0AGBABAGO WHICH TOURED the country to campaign for its 3ENATE SLATE IN THE -AY ELECTIONS Majority of its candidates are tipped to win the polls, in a boost to THE ADMINISTRATION SEEKING TO kRM

UP ITS HOLD ON ALLIES IN THE 3ENATE Analysts had said Duterte-Carpio’s major role in the midterm polls indicated that she was positioning herself as a possible contender for the presidency in 2022.

The Davao City mayor, however, remained coy about her political plans in 2022. g) DID NOT RUN FOR THE 3ENATE because I am not interested in a NATIONAL POSITION )F 0$0 0ARTIDO $EMOKRATIKO 0ILIPINOm,AKAS NG "AYAN RAN THIS CAMPAIGN OPPOsition senators would have won,�

Duterte-Carpio told The Manila Times IN A TEXT MESSAGE “That is why I decided to step in and help my father because I think he needs more loyal friends in the 3ENATE u SHE SAID In February, Duterte-Carpio said running for president was a decision that requires a lot of thought and that she might come up with ONE BY *ANUARY Her father, however, urged her not to run for president, saying the presidency would destroy her.

Revilla climbs to 11th spot in unofficial PPCRV tally FORMER senator Ramon “Bong� Revilla Jr. climbed to 11th place in the latest unofficial tally of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV). Sen. Cynthia Villar was still the runaway topnotcher with 25,106,383 votes based on the tally as of 5:20 p.m. Saturday.

Most (15 percent) of her votes came from Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna), followed by Metro Manila (12 percent) and Central Luzon (12 percent). Sen. Mary Grace Poe remained on second place with 21,906,041 votes.

She was followed by Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go, Taguig Rep. Pilar Juliana “Pia� Cayetano, former Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato� dela Rosa, and reelectionist Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny� Angara.

Go got 20,440,090 votes, Cayetano

garnered 19,625,599 votes; dela Rosa, 18,789,949 votes; and Angara, 18,036,181.

Also in the top 12 were former senator Manuel “Lito� Lapid (16,873,684), Ilocos Norte Gov. Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee�

Marcos (15,723,409), former Metro Manila Development Authority chief Francis Tolentino (15,347,275), Revilla (14,538,416), Sen. Aquilino “Koko�

Pimentel 3rd (14,530,365), and Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay (14,444,135).

Meanwhile, Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) party-list maintained its lead with 2,608,485 votes.

Bayan Muna placed second with 1,108,795 votes, followed by Ako Bicol with 1,046,317, Citizens’ Battlecry Against Corruption with 923,980 votes, and Ang Probinsyano, 767,435 votes. Â

Q VOTE FROM A1

of the transparency server. g7E SHOULD NOT LET EXTREME EMOtions or anger get the better of us, but we also need to remain vigilant. Asking what happened and to insist on AN EXPLANATION FROM #OMELEC IS THE right thing to do. Comelec needs to answer a lot of questions. Meanwhile, we are gathering all the reports and complaints from different areas regarding our election process,� he said. “Every vote is sacred. We ask only FOR A CLEAR AND ACCEPTABLE EXPLANATION to the questions of voters. This is part OF #OMELEC S JOB u 0ANGILINAN ADDED The Comelec, sitting as the NBC, SAID ON 3ATURDAY THAT IT WAS NOT READY to proclaim winning senators and party-list groups.

Frances Arabe, director of the poll body’s Education and Information Department, said the schedule of the proclamation would be announced once the counting of votes has been completed.

3HE SAID THE ."/# HAS YET TO PROCESS MORE CERTIkCATES OF CANVASS #O#S !S OF 3ATURDAY THE #OMELEC HAS CANVASSED OUT #O# OR 89.2 percent of the total votes cast.

The Comelec would also wait for the results of the special elections in *ONES )SABELA WHICH COULD AFFECT the rankings of party-list groups.

Arabe added that 13 CoCs, seven of which are to be manually delivered by ambassadors or consuls, HAVE NOT REACHED THE 0HILIPPINE International Convention Center, the national canvassing center.

These CoCs are from Isabela, :AMBOANGA DEL 3UR :AMBOANGA DEL .ORTE 7ASHINGTON $ # *APAN

3AUDI !RABIA +UWAIT !BUJA IN .Igeria, Nairobi, and Tehran.

Stop VCMs that malfunctioned.

The labor leader argued that even if the transparency server LOGS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO THE 0ARISH 0ASTORAL #OUNCIL OF 2ESPONSIBLE Voting, the poll body’s citizen’s arm, “this alone will not give the electorate satisfactory answers that would eliminate suspicions.â€? “It is truly tragic if people are denied their right to choose the nation’s leaders. Once every three years, ordinary folks are empowered by the power of choice through the right to vote. Minsanang pagkakataon na lamang ito para sa mamamayan, dinadaya pa 4HIS IS A rare chance for the people and yet they ARE CHEATED Ăœu HE SAID

Under scrutiny 4HE ,IBERAL 0ARTY ,0 ALSO ASKED THE Comelec to release information on the defective VCMs and a report on the technical glitch that delayed the transmission of votes shortly after the elections on May 13.

3EN &RANCIS g+IKOu 0ANGILINAN

,0 PRESIDENT SAID HIS PARTY WILL scrutinize and question the results of the midterm polls that saw all of the opposition Otso Diretso’s senatorial bets losing the race.

The senator said his group submitted to the Comelec on Friday a manifestation asking the poll body TO PROVIDE SIGNIkCANT DETAILS AND INformation on the 961 defective VCMs,

CORRUPTED 3$ CARDS FULL TECHNIcal report of the seven-hour “technical glitch,� and an audit and systems log

CATHERINE A. MODESTO

WITHÂ JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

Q FANS FROM A1

‘Blame of Thrones’ with competent writers� was

CLEANUP CONTINUES

Personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways continue dredging work in Manila Bay, which has become cleaner after weeks of cleanup. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA drop ball and a quick hit before 3AMONTE SMASHED THE CHAMPIONship-winning point for Ateneo.

3EASON -60 2ONDINA CLOSED HER 5!!0 CAREER WITH POINTS ON hits and an ace, while Rookie of the Year Laure had 10 markers.

534 FAILED TO SNAP A NINE YEAR title dry spell despite winning the kNALS OPENER

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

highlighted by 11 attacks while graduating blocker Maddie Madayag pounded 10 markers ON SIX SPIKES AND FOUR BLOCKS Graduating captain and FiNALS -60 "EA DE ,EON CHIPPED

in 6 points. g) CAN kNALLY SAY ) M DONE HERE ;IN THE 5!!0= )T S GREAT .OTHING can be compared to what I’m feeling now,� de Leon said.

Ateneo’s solid net defense resultED IN BLOCKS AGAINST 534 S THREE The Lady Eagles also pounced on the Golden Tigresses’ 29 errors while limiting their own to just 16. /FF A DOMINATING kRST SET !T-

Q PCSO FROM A1

Q COUNTED FROM A1

PALACE

Votes should have been manually

corruption as soon as formal CHARGES ARE kLED u 0ANELO SAID “We thus urge the likes of Miss #AM TO COME FORWARD AND EXPOSE government shenanigans and malfeasance if she knows any. We assure her and other whistleblowERS THAT THEY HAVE ;THE 0RESIDENT S= EARS IN THIS REGARD u 0ANELO SAID He added that if Cam could not stand the alleged corruption in the 0#3/ SHE SHOULD JUST RESIGN g3HE DOES NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR HER RELIEF BY THE 0RESIDENT 3HE CAN tender her resignation if she cannot stand the alleged corruption WITHIN THE 0#3/ u 0ANELO SAID Cam’s call for her sacking came TWO MONTHS AFTER FORMER 0#3/ GENERAL MANAGER !LEXANDER "ALUtan resigned from his post “out of delicadeza SENSE OF PROPRIETY u amid the “serious� allegations of corruption against him.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

discount, to the likes of the Department of Education after each election, some cost recovery would be possible. Or, they could simply be donated to this government department for use by the teachers and/or students,� he added.

Lagman said automation could be employed while the votes are being counted manually, or, at least, immediately after. That way, the transmission of the results from precincts to canvassing points can be done electronically and the three levels of canvassing could be fully automated.

4HE .AMFREL HEAD EXPRESSED hoped that the commission would seriously consider this alternative system for future elections.

Various groups and some defeated candidates had questioned the results of the midterm polls,

Q UAAP FROM A1

Ateneo

ENEO HAD TO ERASE A DEkCIT and unleash a 7-2 run to take a commanding two-set advantage.

The Lady Eagles posted a huge 16-9 lead in the third set via Tolentino’s down the line hit but the Tigresses fought back, tying the game at 22-all behind Eya Laure AND 3ISI 2ONDINA 4HAT WOULD BE 534 S LAST KICK

though, as Madayag scored on a

citing the vote counting machines’ glitches and the delay in the transmission of votes from local precincts.

Meanwhile, Fr. Ranhilio Callangan Aquino, dean of THE 'RADUATE 3CHOOL OF ,AW OF 3AN "EDA #OLLEGE SAID SOME opposition senatorial candidates could have made it to the winning circle had they been endorsed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the 0HILIPPINES #"#0 Unlike the Iglesia ni Cristo, the Catholic church did not endorse any candidate.

On the eve of the elections, the INC endorsed 12 senatorial candidates, 11 of whom are in the top 12.

Aquino also observed that 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE S ENdorsement made a difference as evidenced by the results of the May

2019 midterm polls. “The continuing appeal of Digong, despite his rudeness, his uncouth manners, his vicious attacks on established religion, particularly the Catholic Church, his shady relations with women, is a matter that social theorists and phenomenologists must study with greater attention,� he said.

Aquino however said Otso Diretso bets Romulo “Romy�

-ACALINTAL AND *OSE -ANUEL “Chel� Diokno deserved to be in THE 3ENATE “Without a doubt, people like Romy Macalintal and Chel Diokno deserved to be in the 3ENATE "UT ) THINK THAT THEIR UNdoing was their labeling as “the opposition� and worse, their association with the detested ‘Yellow’ cabal,� he said.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

APPROACHING SIGNATURES EARLY &RIDAY 3ATURDAY IN -ANILA

AHEAD OF 3UNDAY S kNALE “There’s been a lot of negativity about the windup, but I think it’s just because people don’t want ANY ending,� tweetED HORROR AUTHOR 3TEPHEN +ING ONE OF THE SHOW S MOST HIGH PROkLE FANS “But you know what they say: All good things...�

One source of discontent is a dramatically sped-up narrative arc that has seen central character Daenerys 4ARGARYEN %MILIA #LARKE DESCEND suddenly and incongruously into atrocity-committing madness. “Turning one of the top two heroes in the game into a villain is something that you have to really set up straight... to have the fan base just go along with it,� said entertainment host A. Ron Hubbard on his top-rated “Game of 4HRONES 4HE 0ODCAST u “It’s just that I don’t think they did the job particularly well.�

Other fans are equally bewildered by the moral regression of Nikolaj #OSTER 7ALDAU S *AIME ,ANNISTER — an unambiguous bad guy back in 2011 whose redemptive arc over seven seasons was one of the most interesting aspects of the show’s scrupulous, patient plotting. “It feels like some of the characters’ arcs are false because they’re not given enough time to play out,� said University of Northern Illinois medieval history professor Valerie Garver, who accused showrunners David Benioff and D.B Weiss of “rushing� the trunCATED SIX EPISODE kNAL SEASON

Millions of sick days 4HE EFFECT HAS BEEN TO LOWER EXPECTATIONS TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT MANY fans are complaining about a de-

nouement they have yet to even see. g) M REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN .EXT 3UNDAY NIGHT S kNALE OF g'AME OF 4HRONES u JOKED "RENT 3PINER WHO PLAYED ANDROID $ATA IN g3TAR 4REK 4HE .EXT 'ENERATION u More than 100,000 people voted on the Internet Movie Database to give season eight’s penultimate episode 6.1 out of 10, a harsh rating for a show that had never rated lower than 8.1 in previous seasons. “This show is just so good and has been so important that even if most people are upset with the ending I think still it will be held up as a show that was PRETTY EXTRAORDINARY u SAID 'ARVER And if the social media backlash looks harsh, it is worth remembering that the vast majority of any show’s viewers do not immediately take to Twitter with their comments if they liked what they saw.

The proof of this can be found in the g'AME OF 4HRONESu AUDIENCE kGURES

WHICH HIT A RECORD MILLION LIVE 53 viewers for the most recent episode — WITH A FURTHER SIX MILLION WATCHING LATER For perspective, one of the show’s NEAREST PREMIUM CABLE RIVALS 3HOWtime’s “Homeland,� managed 1.2 million viewers per episode in 2018 AND g4HE 3OPRANOS u REGARDED AS HBO’s greatest show, would pull in 11 million a week at its 2002 peak.

4HERE S LITTLE REASON TO EXPECT ANYTHING BUT PHENOMENAL kGURES FOR THE FEATURE LENGTH g'O4u kNALE WITH AN ESTIMATED MILLION !MERICANS EXPECTED to skip work the following morning to catch up, according to a survey by The 7ORKFORCE )NSTITUTE AT +RONOS Back in the fictional continent of Westeros, the biggest mystery of “Game of Thrones� remains: who will be sitting on the Iron Throne as RULER OF THE 3EVEN +INGDOMS WHEN THE curtain comes down?

AFP

News Pinoys kidnapped in Libya home T The Sunday Times

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY JAVIER JOE ISMAEL AND AFP

HREE Filipino civil engineers taken hostage in Libya in 2018 arrived in Manila on Saturday.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Te- with Ambassador to the United odoro Locsin Jr. welcomed the Arab Emirates (UAE) Hjayceelyn THREE WHO lEW TO -ANILA ALONG Quintana.

“We are glad that we were able to bring them home alive and safe to their families. These Filipinos coming home to their families are living proof that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will never leave a Filipino in danger behind,�

Locsin said.

4HE $&!

THROUGH THE /FkCE OF

the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, shouldered their airline tickets to Manila and provided them cash assistance.

The release of the hostages was mediated by the UAE, which worked with the Libyan National Army led by commander Khalifa Hifter.

The three Filipinos and a South Korean colleague were kidnapped in Libya in July last year. They were working on a desalination plant in western Libya.

The Emirates is a supporter of Haftar, whose forces launched an assault in early April to try to take over Tripoli from the internation-

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ally recognized Government of National Accord.

Since the 2011 overthrow of Libya’s longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi, foreign workers and diplomats have been frequent targets of attacks or kidnappings by powerful militias or the Islamic State group.

Vitangcol allowed to seek dismissal of graft raps THE Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division has allowed former Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3) General Manager Al Vitangcol 3rd and 7ILSON DE 6ERA TO kLE DEMURRER TO evidence in the two graft cases they are facing.

A demurrer to evidence is a motion to dismiss that challenges the SUFkCIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE PRESENTed by the prosecution during trial. “To the mind of this Court, the MOTIONS FOR LEAVE TO kLE DEMURRER IN THIS CASE WERE kLED NOT FOR THE purpose of delaying the proceedings but appears to be based on accused’s sincere belief that the prosecution’s evidence failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that they are guilty of violating Section 3(b) of Republic Act (RA) 3019,� the court said.

Section 23, Rule 119 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure provides that if a court denies a demurrer which the defendant filed with its permission, he may adduce evidence in his defense. But if the DEFENDANT kLES A DEMURRER WITHOUT the court’s permission, he waives his right to present evidence and submits the case for judgment on the basis of the prosecution’s evidence.

4HE /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN kLED THE CASES IN ACCUSING Vitangcol and de Vera of violating Section 3(b) of RA 3019 or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.� The cases were docketed as cases number SB-16-CRM-1207 and SB-16-CRM-1208.

Case SB-16-CRM-1207 stemmed from an alleged extortion try on representatives of Czech company Inekon Group in connection with

the contract for the supply of Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) in 2012, while case SB-16-CRM-1208 stemmed from an alleged request to Inekon representatives to forge a joint venture deal with a group for the for the train system’s maintenance service.

Associate Justice Kevin Narce Vivero penned the resolution, which was concurred in by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez, who leads the Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division, and by Associate Justice Karl Miranda.

The Manila Times’ Chairman Emeritus Dr. Dante Ang was the kRST TO REPORT ABOUT THE MEETINGS HELD BETWEEN )NEKON OFkCIALS AND Vitangcol. )N kLING THE CHARGES IN THE Ombudsman alleged that Vitangcol, through de Vera, attempted to extort money from Inekon representatives in exchange for the selection of Inekon as supplier of LRVs. The Inekon representatives turned down the alleged request or demand for $30 million, which was lowered to $2.5 million but which was also rejected.

The Ombudsman also alleged that Vitangcol pressured Inekon representatives to forge a joint venture agreement with a group that included de Vera for a 6040 percent sharing agreement between Inekon and the group, respectively, for the contract for the maintenance service of the MRT 3 line.

In 2016, Vitangcol, who left ofkCE IN DISMISSED THE CHARGES as “baseless.�

He and de Vera are out on bail.

REINA C. TOLENTINO

‘Do not lower age of criminal liability’ CHILD rights advocates reiterated their call on lawmakers not to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) as the Senate is poised to resume debates on the issue on Monday.

The Child Rights Network (CRN), the largest alliance of organizations and agencies pushing for children’s rights in the Philippines, pleaded with lawmake rs to retain the MACR at 15 years old, saying reducing it to 12 would deny the youth the time to mend their ways.

In February, Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, sponsored Senate Bill 2198 on second reading and opened the debate on the Senate plenary.

In a show of force, CRN and other child rights advocates pick-

eted at the Senate gates to call on senators to put the welfare of children at the forefront of the deliberations.

Opposition to the bill has snowballed, with over 482 civil society organizations, including groups of medical practitioners and social workers, along with several government agencies including the Commission on Human Rights, the National Anti-Poverty Commission-Children Basic Sector, and the secretariat of the Council for the Welfare of Children, expressing vehement opposition to the proposal to lower the MACR. The CRN said it would again troop to the Senate to reiterate its call on lawmakers not to lower the MACR. JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

BETTER TIES US Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Charles Brown Jr. (left) shakes hands with Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. The two officials discussed increasing multilateral training opportunities between the two countries.

TOLENTINO TO PUSH ‘TRAFFIC’ POWERS FRANCIS Tolentino, former head of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), on Saturday vowed to revive a proposal to grant the President emergency powers to address the traffic crisis in the country’s urban centers.

Tolentino, now in the Magic 12 of aspiring senators who ran in the May 13 midterm elections, cited the need to immediately address the traffic congestion in the country. “Kinakailangang ire-file iyong emergency powers, gagawin po natin ‘yan (We really need to refile the bill granting emergency powers and I will do that)... So willing po akong ire-file ‘yan nang sa ganoon po eh makita nila, ito talaga iyong kailangan (I’m willing to refile the bill so that they will see that it is what we need),� Tolentino said during an interview aired over state-run Radyo Pilipinas. “At maging siguro, pagbabago ng mandato na rin noong MMDA, kung papaan o mas magiging epektibo sila para tumulong maibsan ang traffic ho sa Metro Manila (I will also push changes on the mandate of the MMDA, on how this agency will effectively help ease traffic in Metro Manila),� he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly asked Congress for emergency powers to solve traffic congestion, particularly on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

According to Duterte, he needed emergency powers so that the government would have funds to make necessary repairs or rehabilitation.

“So look at EDSA, until now, I cannot do anything. But never did I ask [for] money without any bidding,� the President said.

In December 2018, the House of Representatives approved a bill seeking to grant emergency powers to the Department of Transportation chief, not to the President.

The Senate version of the measure, which remains pending for second reading at the plenary, will grant the emergency powers to a traffic crisis manager to be appointed by the President.

In February, Sen. Mary Grace Poe, sponsor of Senate Bill 1284, pointed out the need to grant Duterte the extraordinary powers as she noted that “current laws do not adequately provide for the means to expeditiously and effectively solve this traffic and congestion crisis.� “The bill should have passed already but is being hindered by extended debates.

Though the President initially asked for emergency powers, he said later on that he does not need it,� Poe earlier said in a statement.

Under the proposed bill, the President would be granted emergency powers to “urgently utilize all necessary government resources, exercise police power, including eminent domain, and employ executive actions and measures to ensure the effective implementation, reconfiguration and harmonization of national and local government projects intended to directly address the traffic and congestion crisis.�

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Revilla: No Budots dance in Senate FORMER senator Ramon “Bong’’ Revilla Jr. on Saturday vowed not to do his popular Budots dance at the Senate, saying he would file bills and help craft measures that would propel the country forward.

Revilla’s campaign ad showing him and members of his family dancing became viral on social media. The former lawmaker said the dance video could be one of the reasons behind his strong showing.

He, however, lamented that he could have rated higher had it not been for the attacks against him on social media. Partial vote count placed Revilla at number 10.

Once he is back in the Senate, Revilla said he would sit down with his colleagues to increase the penalty against those who churn out fake news.

He denied reports that the Sandiganbayan ordered him to return P224 million in pork barrel funds he allegedly pocketed after it acquitted him of plunder in December. “It was a lie. The court did not say I return [the money]. If I pocketed a single centavo, I would still be in jail,�

Revilla said in a radio interview.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

Moral ascendancy in rape cases Dear PAO, I was raped by my stepfather 15 years ago. I am afraid no one will ever believe me anymore because I did not report it during that time.

Can he still be found guilty of rape?

Jercel Dear Jercel, Given the factual situation you disclosed, the case of People of the Philippines vs. Tito M. Amor (GR

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA 216937, June 5, 2017), penned by Associate Justice Noel Tijam, shall enlighten you in your situation. It clearly stated: “And even assuming arguendo that AAA failed to resist, the same does not necessar-

ily amount to consent to accused-appellant’s criminal acts.

It is not necessary that actual force or intimidation be emPLOYED AS MORAL INlUENCE OR ascendancy takes the place of violence or intimidation. Jurisprudence holds that the failure of the victim to shout for help does not negate rape. Even the victim’s lack of resistance, especially when intimidated by the offender into submission, does not signify voluntariness or consent. In the cases of People v. Ofemaniano

and People v. Corpuz, it has been acknowledged that even absent any actual force or intimidation, rape may be committed if the malefactor has moral ascendancy over the victim. Considering that accused-appellant was the common-law spouse of AAA’s mother, and as such, he was exercising parental authority over AAA. Indeed, in this case, moral ascendancy is substituted for force and intimidation.� (Emphasis supplied) As stated in the above-men-

tioned case, your stepfather’s relationship to your mother entails “moral ascendancy.� As such, even if no actual force or violence attended the situation or that the victim failed to shout during the ordeal, rape may still be committed. Hence, you may still pursue the case against your stepfather.

However, based on Article 90 of the Revised Penal Code, the prescriptive period for which rape may be prosecuted is 20 years from the time that right of action commences. Thus, the abuses you may have

experienced 15 years ago may still be brought to justice today, subject to the substantive and procedural requirements of law.

We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@ manilatimes.net

A4

Opinion

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

The Sunday Times

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E d i to r i a l

J

Staying behind the leaders we chose

UST as there is no way at this juncture to dislodge Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe and Bong Go from their top three positions in last week’s race for Senate seats, there is little chance now for anyone to doubt the election victories of the young, earnest but politically callow new mayors of Manila, Pasig and San Juan.

Isko Moreno of Manila, Vico Sotto of Pasig and Francis :AMORA OF 3AN *UAN kT THE IMAGE OF FRESH YOUNG BLOOD that could be the stuff legends are made of in the eyes of a weary generation desperate to see genuine reform in their world as led by real heroes.

This national aspiration may be a blessing or a curse.

The wise will recognize that a nation of hopeful people could mean massive, formidable support rallying behind a leader they believe in and accomplishing the sustainable development goals set before them. The fool will turn that hopeful aspiration into a curse — a dreadful pall of disillusionment descending upon the nation and crystallizing into jaded indifference more DIFkCULT TO VANQUISH THAN THE WRATH OF A PEOPLE SEEKING to topple a regime.

Turning that national aspiration into a blessing is the biggest challenge that lies ahead for those who have stepped forward to lead.

But as a people, let us not delude ourselves into believing that perfect leaders will arise from our midst to CORRECT THE WRONGS WE HAVE INlICTED UPON OURSELVES AS A nation. We don’t have the luxury of having been reared in a sophisticated democracy to expect politically mature AND SELlESS LEADERS TO GUIDE US INTO OUR RIGHTFUL PLACE in a global community of fairly minded, productive, progressive citizens respecting everyone as co-equals.

What we need are real-life leaders who will emerge from among our ranks as a damaged nation to show us the way and inspire and enable us to help lift up one another out of the same messed-up lives we have lived as a corrupted people for generations.

After all, history is replete with inspiring stories of the weak, downtrodden and imperfect people rising above their misery and succeeding not only in their own life goals but becoming great leaders of their generation.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was stricken with a paralytic illness as an adult but did not allow that to stop him from RUNNING FOR OFkCE AND BECOMING A FOUR TERM 0RESIDENT of the United States.

Frederick Douglass had lived from birth through slavery AND VIOLENCE BUT LEARNED kNE ORATORY AND INCISIVE WRITING TO kGHT THE PRACTICE OF SLAVERY DURING HIS TIME LATER BECOMing the leader of the abolitionist movement in America.

Moses of the Bible, the prince of Egypt, was once a murderer and when called by God to lead the Israelites out of the country of their bondage, initially declined THE JOB OFFER FOR LACK OF CONkDENCE IN HIS PUBLIC SPEAKING skills, but God gave him provisions and enabled him to eventually lead his people into the promised land.

We do not need perfect leaders to show us the way forward. Broken as we may be by disappointment with the deep-seated corruption and other deadly menace to our society, staying and putting our heads together as a people behind the leaders we chose, engaging them and holding them to account for their actions may still be the better way to grapple with national issues, rather than moving away, or worse, opting for indifference.

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

The Sunday Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 218

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

The curse of sex tourism – Part I

T

HE DEPRAVITY of human nature reveals itself in the most shocking way as sex tourism. This phenomenon has become a government-supported and -encouraged form of personal and national income generations in many countries that exploit and abuse millions of peoples around the world.

Currently, almost half a million PEOPLE IN THE 0HILIPPINES SPECIkCALLY

and many more in other nations, work in the huge sex-tourist industry that generates billions of dollars annually. Yet, the human suffering experienced is incalculable. Millions of lives are broken, damaged and destroyed.

The sex-tourist industry is a highly organized money-making business.

Behind its growth is the demand of middle-aged and older men who cannot find sexual satisfaction in their own countries and travel abroad SEEKING GRATIkCATION WITH YOUNG VULnerable and impoverished girls. These men tend to be divorced, widowed or unmarried, or isolated from their wives or partners. Many of them have no regard for the dignity of women and young girls, seeing them as objects to be bought and used for their personal pleasure. There is no apparent concern for the victims of sex tourism.

Thousands of the exploited young women are uneducated and unwanted by their penniless families. Unless they can earn by being commercially and sexually exploited, they have no value. Indeed, their sexual commoditization is their only value. Their human dignity, importance and rights are totally disregarded.

The worth of these women is lessened by the vast sums of money generated by sex tourism for politicians and tycoons. The police are in on the game, too. The sole motive is the satisfaction of their

from dawn to dusk, they scavenge for money, or anyway else they can lay their hands on, to get enough to buy a cup of rice and some vegetables or eat pagpag, the recooked scrapings GREED SELkSHNESS AND DEPRAVITY from the used plates of restaurants.

Minors in the sex-tourist industry Many also have their own young, underage mistresses and sex slaves. are oftentimes victims of sexual abuse The human cost is enormous. The in their own homes — by relatives, dignity of the victims is violated; their neighbors or even their own biologirights to a decent life, to education cal fathers. These young girls have no and career are all denied them. A alternative but to run away for their nation that sells its young people to own survival. Their available options tourists, domestic and international, are to be on the streets or to go with is despicable. It is a tarnished, corrupt a “recruiter.� Once under the power society that allows the domination of the sex-tourism recruiter — who of the lives of millions of vulnerable provides them with money, food and accommodation — they are young people worldwide.

Sex tourism is not really tour- sold to brothels, sex bars or clubs in ism. It is really a form of modern the neon-lit sex strips of cities from sex slavery, as the perpetrators and Johannesburg to London to Manila. wrongdoers exploit the young. The There is no end to their exploitation.

Not only the Philippines, South abusive encounters between sex tourists and young women are truth- Africa or the mega-brothels of Eufully more about power, control and rope notorious for sex tourism and domination, manifesting a sadistic the human destruction it brings with desire to own and abuse the lives it, but all the other governments and of others. Such ascendency by a sex societies that encourage the same tourist over a weaker person may must be held responsible for the be compensation for the weakness PAIN AND HARDSHIP THAT AFlICT THE of his or her own inner character. lives of the youth, many of them Perhaps it makes up for feelings of underage children. Sex tourism has being rejected by their own families created a wonderland of child sex, or communities. Whatever its source, aided and abetted by the societies the abuse is criminal behavior and that are supposed to protect and everyone who abuses a woman or a nurture these children.

Sex tourism destroys the purpose minor ought to be brought to justice.

The extreme poverty of the families and fabric of society. The dignity of out of which these young women women, youth and children is downcome is undoubtedly the reason for graded by the people who operate their involvement in the sex-tourism and allow the sex-tourist industry to industry. Without resources, access to thrive and grow. They see the young education is slim and, so, these rural as bodies for sale. They do not treat or slum dwelling women are com- them as individuals with hearts and pelled to do anything to earn money souls, feelings, ambitions and hopes for food. It is about survival, it is about for a brighter, happier future. staying alive. Like hunter gatherers, 4HE TRAFkCKERS ARE HUMAN TRAD-

REFLECTIONS

FR. SHAY CULLEN, SSC

ers who broker lives and sell them to whoever is willing to pay a large sum to rape and abuse a child in a hotel room, without fear of retribution or responsibility to the law or human dignity.

Impunity is the attraction. Prostitution is illegal in the Philippines and many other countries, yet it thrives in those places. The sex bars and clubs are protected by police and politicians, many of whom are club owners themselves.

Once, I went to rescue some children trapped in debt bondage in a hotel frequented by foreign sex tourists. Posing as a customer, I asked the manager in a quiet undertone, nodding toward a small stage where six teenagers, each clad in a tiny bikini, were gyrating in a languid manner on a pole: “Is it safe here to have one of those young girls?� “Oh, sir,� the manager answered, “you don’t have to worry, here you are completely safe and protected.� “Oh, really? Why is that so?�

I answered. “But this place is owned by a POLICE OFkCER u HE SAID The system is corrupt in its exploitation of young women.

People tend to blame the young girls for being lured into the dirty business of sex tourism and abuse, but it is the apathy and indifference of the public that fuel such an exploitation of the young and vulnerable. There is no church or public outcry against it.

It is tolerated and thousands of young people suffer, lives destroyed and a once proud nation is prostituted.

Read more about it in Ricky and Julie by this author at http://amzn.com/ B07DXKX4SV. $5 goes toward the proceeds for the Preda Foundation

Q RONQUILLO FROM A1 elections, while the elected president, Fidel V. Ramos, barely squeaked past his many opponents (FVR got 24 the senatorial elections that year. percent of the votes). That Erap was Even the peak of Mrs. Aquino’s a vice president of little consequence popularity couldn’t dim the na- and with very little understanding of tional appeal of Erap Estrada. the national issues never mattered to Juan Ponce Enrile’s win was a re- the Erap-intoxicated electorate. Erap sult of hard work, massive resources won by a landslide in the 1998 presiand strategic campaigning. Erap Es- dential election. That Erap would win trada’s convincing victory belonged and crush Joe de Venecia was a given to the natural order of political ON THE DAY %RAP kLED HIS CERTIkCATE OF things. He spent almost nothing and candidacy. It was all over, they said, did very little campaigning.

EXCEPT FOR THE kNAL COUNT OF THE VAST !T THE SENATE HE kSCALIZED WITH and unprecedented margin. biting, but trivial, one liners that his Jailed for plunder after his ouster countless admirers compiled as “Erap- from MalacaĂąang, Erap made a tionsâ€? — or the supposed displays of spectacular comeback as mayor of his native genius. During plenary de- Manila six years ago. It was the city bates, he would put on tinted glasses, of his late father, not his. But the then take long naps. I was one of the carpetbagger status was just one of few senate beat reporters who took the minor irritants along the way note of his disrespect for the boring, to a major victory. Few politicians plodding, time-consuming (but time- can pull off that feat — move from honored) legislative process. Erap one city to another then crush the Estrada was in a hurry to win his next political plans of the city’s natives. national election. His senate term was Erap, before 2019, had not only seen as time spent worthlessly while cultivated the myth of a politicianhis giddy promoters raised funds and winner. He lived it and did it, his prepared the groundwork for the next PERSONAL lAWS AND LACK OF GOVERNING big gig — a vice presidential run. competence subsumed in the overall He was overwhelmingly elected narrative of invincibility.

4HE ELECTIONS OF kNALLY CAUGHT vice president in the 1992 general

No  city

UP WITH THE MYTHIC kGURE (E WAS beaten by Isko Moreno, a former teen actor and his former protĂŠgĂŠ, a challenger half his age. Moreno did not only win, the Manila votes showed a desperate, urgent need to boot Erap OUT OF THE CITY AND kNALLY SLAY THE myth of his political invincibility.

Erap, right now, cannot process the reality of an electoral loss, the shellshock made more bitter by the loss of sons and granddaughters in what should have been easy wins. For the meantime, the surname Estrada would be out of the metropolitan and the national political ecosystem.

The surname Binay will not disppear from the country’s political system. Abby Binay will serve a second term as Makati City mayor. Abby’s husband will still represent a district of her city, still to be supplanted by the Bonifacio Global City as the country’s main business hub. Nancy Binay was voted anew to the senate [partial and OFkCIAL RESULTS SHOW AS OF PRESSTIME ‡ ed.], for another six-year term.

But the loss of Jejomar Binay, the patriarch of the clan, in a contest for one of Makati’s two congressional seats, was one of the true few shockers of the 2019 elections. His loss to a candidate who bills himself as “The Kid�

is now on record the second-most unexpected defeat in 2019, next only to Erap’s beating in Manila.

Jojo Binay, remember, was one of only two Cory Aquino OICs in Metro Manila (the other being Ben Abalos, of Mandaluyong) whose political careers evolved from appointees to duly elected Metro Manila mayors and for three full terms of nine years at that.

He was so used to winning that he upset Mar Roxas and Loren Legarda in the 2016 vice presidential race.

What was the third shocker? The loss of the reigning Eusebio clan, who lorded over Pasig City politics for close to three decades. The new mayor, Vico Sotto, is 29 years old.

In Quezon City, another mayoral aspirant past 70 years old, Bingbong Crisologo, lost to the young Joy Belmonte, though Belmonte’s victory was entirely expected. Crisologo campaigned on the “sawa� factor.

Belmonte highlighted the age and the generational gap.

On May 13, Quezon City voters preferred the young candidate and opted out of the aged one.

Metro Manila’s overall leap of faith tended and trended young. On May 13, the metropolis had no political space left for aging men.

The Sunday Times

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SUNDAY May 19, 2019

A

ROLLY G. REYES

A5

What if opposition ‘Otso’ hadn’t gotten twisted?

Official tally: Bikoy lost GOOD number of my *** MIRRORLESS Unverified facts and the choice candidates lost but I did not resort to name humor that comes with it calling and insults. As I said clearly portray our penchant before, there are only two for laughing at ourselves. Last categories in election results 2016, we elected a president in our country: the winners with a convincing majority and those who were cheated.

AND SUDDENLY A GROUP OF POLITICAL HECKLERS *** from displaced occupants went active after Nowadays, it seems that winning is the the first few days. Winners were portrayed as greater sin, while losers should be praised for bullies and losers were portrayed as victims. their rude behaviors.

This is a case where history repeats itself in *** an ugly manner.

They say that if you want to trace your family Nothing has changed. Nonpartisan media TREE LEGITIMATE OR NOT RUN FOR PUBLIC OFkCE AND PRACTITIONERS SEEM TO TAKE THE BACKSIDE OVERTAKEN YOUR OPPONENTS WILL kND THEM FOR YOU

BY THOSE WHO SHAMELESSLY TAKE SIDES IN A BRUTAL *** manner. And we all laugh just the same and never To sore losers, don’t threaten the country by EXERT AN EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO DIG DEEPER migrating. And you call yourselves patriotic by *** lEEING 0ACK YOUR BAGS NOW AND CONTINUE YOUR A biased editorial is a form of terrorism that kXATION TO SHAME THE COUNTRY SOMEWHERE ELSE AND tends to silence the majority. It is a form of hate BE PART OF A MINORITY THAT GOES BERSERK WHEN OUT- inducer that can be compared to a road rage emavoted by the majority. Rally all you want without NATING FROM A POLITICAL TRAFkC GRIDLOCK permits and test the patience of the leaders in your *** NEWFOUND gDEMOCRATICu SANCTUARY 'OOD LUCK Hazards confronting senior male drivers: On the other hand, I heard that some people Always in a confused state trying to recall really don’t want them to leave. They pity the which panel switches to push. More chances countries where they are headed. of forgetting eyeglasses. *** 3EXY WOMEN IN MINIS AND SHORT SHORTS CROSSSaying “I pity this country� just because ing the street.

YOUR CANDIDATES LOST 9ES WE PITY THIS COUNTRY Forgetting destination.

AS WELL BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO Wife seated beside you trying to be better than Waze. just can’t swallow defeat. .EWS ON RADIO SAYING THAT A kRE HAS JUST STARTED in your area. *** Calling “bobotantes� those who voted for the The pedestrian you bumped is caught on your CANDIDATES THAT YOU DID NOT PICK IS AN EXTREME IN- WINDSHIELD AND LOOKS LIKE A POLICE OFkCER sult to our electorate. They dismantled dynasties by ! TEXT FROM YOUR WIFE SAYING THAT YOUR MOTHER voting for newbies, they weathered the discomforts, in-law just moved in to stay for good.

TROOPED TO THE PRECINCTS TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS AND 3EEING A GIANT BILLBOARD OF %LLEN !DARNA IN A faithfully monitored the outcome. I assume that we cover photo of FHM. KNOW NOW WHO ARE THE REAL BOBOTANTES A news report saying that your shares dropped *** by 15 points.

They are now laughing at those “educated� los! TEXT FROM WIFE INFORMING YOU THAT YOUR ers who were proven wrong by the results. daughter eloped. *** 3EEING A &ERRARI OF A YOUNG HUNK NEAR YOU WITH 3OME SAY THAT DRINKING ALCOHOL IS GOOD FOR ONE S your wife beside him.

HEALTH ) DECIDED ) LL STAY kT FROM NOW ON *** *** -Y DRIVING DISTRACTS MY DRINKING IN MY CAR ) Some opinion shapers are always afraid and EXPECT THAT ) LL BE PENALIZED FOR DRINKING UNDER SKEPTICAL OF #HINA S MOTIVES AND BEHAVIOR THE INlUENCE OF DRIVING Funny thing is, while they praise Uncle Sam, *** THEY SEEM TO FORGET A 53 SOLDIER CALLED 0EMWhile driving, I’m really distracted by wearing BERTON WHO WAS NOT EXACTLY FRIENDLY my seatbelt. It’s never enough for my waistline. *** *** Sadly, I miss the quality of reportage during Dear Comelec, Why is our relationship always my time. The in-depth research it represented, complicated, considering we only see each other the absence of ideology and broader viewpoints. EVERY THREE YEARS We all agreed then, even if we were competitors, *** to call it “objective journalism.� We need truth 7HAT S WRONG WITH PEOPLE IS THAT THEY THINK so badly in our news today. they are always correct.

The diminishing number of journalists with *** principles is attributed to the increasing tribe g%LECTIONS BELONG TO THE PEOPLE )T S THEIR DECIOF BOOTLICKERS WHO GETS PROMOTIONS AND OTHER SION )F THEY DECIDE TO TURN THEIR BACK ON THE kRE FRINGE BENEkTS %ASY TO DO *UST FALL IN LINE FOL- and burn their behinds, then they will just have to low the body language of the media owners sit on their blisters.� — Abraham Lincoln *** and, behold, one gets a new car plan, a housing 'OOD WORK GOOD DEEDS AND GOOD FAITH TO ALL INCENTIVE AND A HIGHER RANK

Opinion

“U

MOTSO� is how street guys would call what happens to the tire of a car that rams itself against a Meralco post; the otherwise straight wheel get so twisted it’s turned into an “8.�

Thus, had the opposition not realized that in choosing a name for its senatorial slate in the midterm elections just past, it already foreBODED DISASTER FOR ITS ENTIRE TICKET None of the eight made it to the winning circle. Reelectionist Bam Aquino, the last remaining rampart of the opposition who, for a while, appeared able to cling on to the g-AGIC u kNALLY LOST GRIP AND AT this writing, had dropped from the WIN LIST TO GIVE WAY TO *6 %JERCITO That is, as ABS-CBN puts in in its report made at this writing.

-AR 2OXAS WHO HAD HAD TERRIBLE political crashes already (lost to *OJO "INAY FOR THE VICE PRESIDENCY IN 2010, then the presidency to Duterte in 2016), must have suffered the worst, having, according to a source, SPENT NO LESS THAN 0 BILLION IN TELEvision advertisements.

The rest in the Twisted 8 were veritable nuisance candidates, serving no purpose of note but for advancing the United States propaganda against China and the sly yellow ouster move AGAINST 0RESIDENT $UTERTE 4AKE FOR INSTANCE #OLMENARES EVER A NOISY AGITATOR FOR 0( ASSERTION OF its so-called victory in the arbitral CASE AGAINST #HINA AT THE 0ERMANENT #OURT OF !RBITRATION 0#!

AT THE Hague, who, in discussing the water crisis in Metro Manila, arbitrarily digresses to the issue of Chinese loans, calling for their rejection. Macalintal (Bato calls him Maca-Romy) was a clown pretender, always striving to entertain, if not engaging, in shallow pedantry. Hilbay was pathetic for his latent sincerity in raising in THE 0HILIPPINE CONTEXT THE SO CALLED #HINESE DEBT TRAP IN 3RI ,ANKA -UCH has been written about foremost US propagandist Anders Corr mouthing THE ATTACK ON #HINA ON THE ISSUE THE world over, but on no occasion have I seen or heard him at all. In Hilbay I saw Anders Corr perfectly. Gutoc was at worst a high school aspirant to histrionics and, at best, a Beverly 3ALVIEJO GONE DRAMATIC $IOKNO WAS a failure if gauged on popular perception of his being of the intellectual class; he appeared no better in speech, style and discernment than

MY SAY

MAURO GIA SAMONTE A 50 STUDENT ACTIVIST Alejano showed class and disposition of a statesman and did evince sincere sentiments of one aspiring good for his country, but TOO BAD THAT LIKE THE REST OF THE Twisted 8, he sought to equate WHAT S GOOD FOR THE 0HILIPPINES with what’s good for the US. And that’s bad. And he, too, must lose.

Thus, had the midterm elections OF BEEN ONE FOR DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT THE 0HILIPPINES is to persevere in its current PRO#HINA STANCE 4HE 4WISTED had designed it to be so. By their overwhelming support of the adMINISTRATION BACKED CANDIDATES

the Filipino people, therefore, EXPRESSED THEIR OVERWHELMING APproval of Duterte’s heavy reliance on Chinese assistance in pursuing his Build, Build, Build program.

In another respect, the results of THE PAST ELECTIONS SERVE AS A REBUKE of attempts by leading elements of the current senate to derail Duterte’s infrastructure program by delaying APPROVAL OF THE NATIONAL BUDget. There have been speculations THAT 3EN 0ANFILO g0INGu ,ACSON S objections to the so-called itemization of the lump sum provisions of the budget were calculated to stall the government infrastructure projects, thereby depriving the Duterte administration of claims of concrete public performance which its senate bets could stand on to gain the favor of the electorates.

For instance, the China-funded Kaliwa Dam project meant to solve the water crisis in Metro Manila couldn’t get started since funding FOR THE UNDERTAKING WOULD COME FROM THE BUDGET PASSAGE OF which Lacson’s objections successfully stalled during much of the campaign period. Is it any wonder, then, that Lacson endorsed the Otso Diretso candidates in ITS ENTIRETY 4HEY SPOKE THE SAME language, and that language has everything ill for China and nothing good for Duterte.

Now that the coming 18th Senate is clearly shaping up to be

DOMINATED BY THE $UTERTE BACKED candidates, Otso Diretso allies in THE SENATE HAVE BEGUN lEXING THEIR MUSCLES SO TO SPEAK 4HIS IS THE IMpression you get from the statement BY 3ENATE 0RESIDENT 4ITO 3OTTO THAT the new senate wouldn’t be a rubBER STAMP OF THE 0RESIDENT 7HAT DOES THE STATEMENT IMPLY 4HAT THE 0RESIDENT IS UP TO SOMETHING NASTY from their viewpoint and that the coming new senate would be there TO kSCALIZE THE EXECUTIVE That should go without saying. )T IS PROVIDED FOR IN THE CHECK AND balance principle of the constitutional government and no need to accentuate the obvious. But that it is being stressed at all already betrays a gearing up for battle.

So what battles could Sotto be GEARING UP FOR WITH -ALACAĂ„ANG ) hate to speculate. Unless it is true that, already, Sotto and Lacson are planning to team up for the two top posts of the land, their criticisms of THE 0RESIDENT COULD BE SUBJECT TO A TAMER APPROACH LIKE COMPROMISE

accommodation into each other’s POLITICAL EXIGENCIES AND COOPERATION But on the proposition that the planned teamup of the duo for the political battle in 2022 has already BEEN IN THE WORKS ,ACSON ENDORSing all the reelectionist senators and strengthening alliances with the current sitting ones; and again, his DELAYING MOVES AS REGARDS THE budget that, aside from substantially crippling the Duterte government for being forced to operate on a reenacted 2018 budget, actually brought about a slump in the nation’s econOMY DURING THE kRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR THEN TAKE 3OTTO S STATEMENT AS PUSHING THE ADVOCACIES TAKEN UP BY the Otso Diretso in the senatorial campaign. As Duterte’s deals with China had become open season for the Otso Diretso in all its campaign sorties and in public debates, so would they face rough sailing with Lacson, Sotto et al. early on in the convening of the 18th Senate. Let’s monitor Lacson’s stand, and Sotto’s, TOO ON SUCH ISSUES AS THE 0#! RULING ON THE 0( #HINA DISPUTE IN THE South China Sea, the number of loans agreements entered into by the Duterte government with China, the so-called danger of China debt trap, and the other calls that the Otso Diretso had raised as their battle cries in the senatorial campaign.

FOCUS

Dirty data: Firms count environmental costs of digital planet PARIS: Technology is often touted as a solution to the world’s environmental challenges, but it is also part of the PROBLEM INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES ARE FACing rising pressure to clean up their energy and resource-intensive business.

(OW MUCH ENERGY FOR EXAMPLE DOES IT TAKE TO SEND A ONE MEGABYTE EMAIL Around 25 watts per hour, repreSENTING GRAMS OF CARBON DIOXIDE emissions, according to France’s CNRS research center. )T MIGHT NOT SEEM LIKE MUCH

but the Radicati research group EXPECTS BILLION EMAILS WILL BE sent every single day this year and the power needs to be generated — mostly from fossil fuels. !PPS CAN QUICKLY DRAIN AND SHORTen the life of phone batteries, with Snapchat a particularly “heavy� messaging service because it automatically turns on the camera.

Then there are the server farms crunching mammoth amounts of data worldwide, which require huge amounts of electricity both to run and TO POWER AIRCONDITIONING WHICH KEEPS the equipment from getting too hot. “Under the current global enERGY MIX THE SHARE OF GREENHOUSE gas emissions from information and communication technologies will rise FROM PERCENT IN TO PERCENT IN u THE &RENCH THINK TANK 3HIFT 0ROJECT SAID IN A RECENT REPORT 4HAT MAKES THE SECTOR MORE carbon-intensive than civil aviation (a 2-percent share of emissions in AND ON TRACK TO REACH AUTOmobiles (8 percent), it said.

‘Huge impact’ In February, Greenpeace warned

about the concentration of data centers, in particular those used by Amazon, in the US state of Virginia, which reportedly help transmit 70 PERCENT OF THE WORLD S INTERNET TRAFkC To cope with the voracious energy needs, the local power company Dominion turned to nonrenewable fuel sources — DRAWING THE IRE OF TECH kRMS Most have pledged to use as much “clean� energy from wind farms or other sources as possible, with &ACEBOOK SIGNING A PARTNERSHIP WITH Greenpeace several years ago. “The idea that the IT sector CAN HELP TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE is not a new one — They’ve been TALKING ABOUT IT FOR OVER YEARS

and what we need now to see is ACTION u SAID 'ARY #OOK AN )4 campaigner at Greenpeace. “Given their rapid growth, decisions about how they get their power become really critical,� he said.

The surge in video and streaming services poses a particular challenge: already in 2017 Greenpeace estimated that the viral K-pop sensation “Gangnam Style,� viewed more than 2.7 billion times, had consumed a year’s worth of production from a small power plant.

Video streaming now accounts for nearly 60 percent of all “downSTREAMu INTERNET TRAFkC FROM SERVers to individual devices, with NetlIX ALONE GENERATING PERCENT

according to an October report FROM 53 NETWORK ANALYSIS AND services group Sandvine.

-USIC SERVICES ALSO TAKE A TOLL )N 2000, researchers at the Universities of Glasgow and Oslo found that greenhouse gas emissions from the US music industry alone stood at

Q The Basel Action Network NGO estimates that the European Union exports some 350,000 tons of electronic and electrical waste. AFP/CHARLY TRIBALLEAU MILLION KILOGRAMS IN But by 2016, even as the use of plastics for CDs and their cases plummeted, the storage and sharing of ONLINE MUSIC kLES IN THE 53 GENERATED BETWEEN MILLION AND MILLION KILOGRAMS OF GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS

Recycling costs 4ECH EXECUTIVES SAY THEY RE TAKING ACTION TO SHRINK THEIR ENVIronmental footprints.

#AROLE -ARECHAL OF $!4!

WHICH operates data centers in France, Italy AND ,UXEMBOURG SAID HER CLIENTS can get real-time readings of how much energy and water they are using, as well as their share of greenhouse gas emissions. “But it’s not limited only to energy consumption,� Marechal said, pointing to the energy and resources required to build digital infrastructures worldwide, and to recycle them.

4HE "ASEL !CTION .ETWORK .'/ ESTIMATES THAT THE %UROPEAN 5NION EXPORTS SOME TONS OF electronic and electrical waste (a category that also includes appliANCES LIKE WASHING MACHINES TO developing countries each year.

Activists have denounced the practice, saying it burdens poor COUNTRIES WITH TOXIC RESIDUES that eventually contaminate the local environment.

4HE RACE TO EXTRACT THE RARE EARTH

metals essential for modern phones and other devices, often leading to deforestation and water pollution, is also an environmental threat in Africa and Asia in particular.

4HE 3HIFT 0ROJECT NOTES AS WELL that the push for smaller yet more POWERFUL DEVICES MAKES RECYCLING even more costly. “The energy needed to separate the metals increases as a FUNCTION OF THE COMPLEXITY OF the assembly,� it warned. AFP

A6

Opinion

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

N E W S F E AT U R E

Stop the war on children

BY THARANGA YAKUPITIYAGE UNITED NATIONS: 4OO MANY CHILDREN ARE DYING AS A RESULT OF EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST STEP UP TO PROTECT AND DECLARE CHILDREN OFF LIMITS IN WAR )N A NEW REPORT 3AVE THE #HILDREN DOCUMENTED THE DEVASTATING TOLL THAT ARMED CONFLICTS HAVE ON CHILDREN PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND PHYSICALLY AND IS URGING FURTHER RESOURCES AND POLITICAL COMMITMENT TO PROTECT THEM g)NTERNATIONAL LAW MAKES CLEAR THAT EVERYONE HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED IN WAR 9ET EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS CONTINUE TO KILL MAIM AND TERRORIZE THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN EVERY YEAR u SAID #%/ OF 3AVE THE #HILDREN )NTERNATIONAL (ELLE 4HORNING 3CHMIDT g%VERY WARRING PARTY FROM ARMED GROUPS TO GOVERNMENTS MUST DO MORE TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND ABIDE BY THIS IMPORTANT MORAL PRINCIPLE TO PROTECT CHILDREN u SHE ADDED g7E ARE CALLING ON GOVERNMENTS TO ADHERE TO THE HUMANITARIAN LAWS AND NORMS AND HUMAN RIGHTS PROVISIONS THAT ARE THERE TO PROTECT CHILDREN 7E HAVE BEEN UNDERESTIMATING THE HARM DONE TO CHILDREN BY EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS IN DENSELY POPULATED URBAN AREAS !ND ATTACKS THAT CAUSE DISPROPORTIONATE CIVILIAN HARM ARE ILLEGAL UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW u ECHOED +EVIN 7ATKINS #%/ OF 3AVE THE #HILDREN 5+ !CCORDING TO THE REPORT

PERCENT OF CHILD DEATHS AND INJUries across the world’s deadliest CONlICT ZONES ARE CAUSED BY LANDMINES UNEXPLODED ORDINANCE AIR STRIKES AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES )N FACT CHILDREN ARE SEVEN TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM BLAST INJURIES THAN ADULTS INVOLVED IN FIGHTING )N !FGHANISTAN EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS WERE THE CAUSE OF DEATH

IN PERCENT OF CHILD CONFLICT FATALITIES OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD COMPARED TO PERCENT OF CIVILIAN ADULT DEATHS )N 'AZA IN ALL REPORTED CHILD FATALITIES WERE THE RESULT OF EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS *UST EARLIER THIS WEEK 3AUDI LED COALITION AIRSTRIKES IN 9EMEN S CAPITAL 3ANA A KILLED FOUR CHILDREN #HILDREN ARE ALSO PERCENT MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMS OF A BLAST INJURY AFTER CONFLICTS ARE OVER AS THEY ARE FINALLY ABLE TO GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY AGAIN - A H M O U D A YE A R O L D FROM 'AZA WAS PLAYING IN THE STREET WHEN HE WAS HIT BY AN EXPLOSIVE WEAPON AND LOST HIS EYE g) HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND ) FELT SOMETHING GO INTO MY EYE ) TOUCHED MY EYE AND BEGAN TO RUN ) FELT BLOOD POURING OUT u HE TOLD 3AVE THE #HILDREN .OT ONLY DO SUCH EXPERIENCES LEAVE AN EMOTIONAL SCAR BUT ALSO INJURED CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY THAN ADULTS TO SUFFER MORE COMPLEX INTERNAL DAMAGE AS THEIR UNDERDEVELOPED SKULLS AND MUSCLES OFFER LESS PROTECTION TO THE BRAIN AND OTHER ORGANS For instance, the different MAKE UP OF CHILDREN S BONES AND TISSUE MEANS THAT AMPUTATED LIMBS MUST BE MANAGED CAREFULLY "ONES CONTINUE TO GROW AS THE CHILD GROWS SO WOUNDS MUST BE REGULARLY TENDED AND BONE SHAVED DOWN 7ITHOUT CARE OR THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE CHILDREN WILL LIVE WITH LIFE LASTING CONSEQUENCES NOTED FORMER $IRECTOR 'ENERAL OF "RITISH !RMY -EDICAL 3ERVICES AND MEMBER OF THE 0AEDIATRIC "LAST )NJURY 0ARTNERSHIP 0")0 -AJOR 'ENERAL -ICHAEL VON "ERTELE g4HE SAD REALITY IS MOST MEDICS JUST HAVEN T BEEN TRAINED TO TREAT CHILDREN INJURED BY BLASTS .EARLY ALL THE TEXTBOOKS AND PROCEDURES WE HAVE ARE BASED ON RESEARCH ON INJURED SOLDIERS WHO ARE USUALLY kT ADULTS u SAID VON "ERTELE

GUIDE ! L O N G S I D E T H E M A N U A L

3AVE THE #HILDREN LAUNCHED A NEW CAMPAIGN TO Û3TOP4 H E 7A R / N Children and a POINT CHARTER WHICH WAS PREsented at the (AGUE IN THE .ETHERLANDS TO 5NITED .ATIONS (IGH #OMMISSIONER FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS -Ichelle Bachelet AND $UTCH 0RINCESS 6IKTORIA The charter highlights the need to enSURE PARTIES TO conflicts adhere to international law and standards, INCLUDING THE S U S P E N S I O N Q A Palestinian family on the street in Beit Lahia in north Gaza. According to a new Save the Children report, 72 percent of child deaths OF ARMS SALES and injuries across the world’s deadliest conflict zones are caused by landmines, unexploded ordinance, air strikes and other explosives. where there is MOHAMMED OMER/IPS a risk of killBY BLASTS &OR THE FIRST TIME IT ING OR INJURING g7E KNOW CHILDREN S BODIES PREVENTED WITH BASIC TRAINING u .OW 0")0 A COALITION OF DOC- TACKLES PSYCHOLOGICAL AS WELL AS CHILDREN HOLD PERPETRATORS TO ACARE DIFFERENT 4HEY AREN T JUST SMALL ADULTSw WITHOUT ;HIGHLY TORS AND EXPERTS FOUNDED BY 3AVE THE PHYSICAL CHALLENGES )T S NOT COUNT AND PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE= CHIL- THE #HILDREN HAS DEVELOPED THE JUST A GUIDE TO PRACTICAL PROCE- NECESSARY PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE g4HIS MANUAL IS A PRACTICAL STEP DREN ARE LEFT WITH EVEN WORSE WORLD S kRST GUIDE TO HELP DOCTORS DURES IT S A CRUCIAL EMOTIONAL THAT WILL SAVE COUNTLESS LIVES "UT DISABILITIES AND OFTEN INTRAC- TREAT AND SAVE MORE CHILDREN S LIVES CRUTCH u HE ADDED )N -AY 3AVE THE #HILDREN S PREVENTION IS THE BEST OPTION )T PROVIDES CHILD SPECIkC KNOWLEDGE TABLE PAIN FOR LIFE u HE ADDED &OR EXAMPLE )RAQI YEAR OLD AND TREATMENTS GEARED TOWARDS THOSE PARTNER 3YRIA 2ELIEF BEGAN DIS- %VEN IN WAR CHILDREN HAVE A RIGHT TRIBUTING THE MANUAL TO EMER- TO PROTECTION u SAID 7ATKINS (ASSOUNI WAS SEVERELY INJURED WHO HAVE SUFFERED BLAST INJURIES g)N A WAR ZONE YOU RE MENTAL- GENCY UNITS ACROSS NORTHWEST g4HE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT ALL

BY A CAR BOMB AS SHRAPNEL PENETRATED HIS SKULL /NE OF LY PREPARED FOR THE ADULTS 9OU 3YRIA INCLUDING )DLIB AND !LEP- GOVERNMENTS AND ARMED FORCES HIS HANDS WAS PARALYZED AND EXPECT TO TREAT INJURED SOLDIERS PO 4HE GUIDE WILL LATER BE DIS- NEED TO STOP TREATING CHILDREN AS (ASSOUNI LIVES IN CONSTANT PAIN AND EVEN CIVILIAN ADULTS "UT THE PERSED TO OTHER CONFLICT ZONES THOUGH THEY ARE ADULTS IN MIN-EDICAL MANAGER OF 3YRIAN SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF A YOUNG SUCH AS !FGHANISTAN AND 9EMEN IATURE %VIDENCE ON BLAST INJURY g4HIS MANUAL IS DESIGNED FOR SHOWS THEY ARE MORE VULNERABLE

2ELIEF $R -ALIK .EDAM !L $EEN CHILD TORN APART BY BOMBS ARE ECHOED SIMILAR COMMENTS STAT- SOMETHING ELSE u SAID LEAD AU- ANYONE WITH A MEDICAL DEGREE AND THIS SHOULD BE REFLECTED ING g&OR MORE THAN EIGHT YEARS THOR OF THE MANUAL 0AUL 2EAVLEY AND A SCALPEL ) M EXCITED THIS IN HOW THOSE USING EXPLOSIVE g5NTIL THIS MANUAL THERE IS GOING TO DOCTORS IN 3YRIA WEAPONS ASSESS RISK AND HOW WE VE SEEN CHILDREN DYING ON THE OPERATING TABLE FROM WOUNDS THAT REALLY HASN T BEEN ANYTHING TO )T S A SIMPLE SOLUTION THAT WILL AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR INVESTIADULTS HAVE SURVIVED 4HE TRAGEDY PREPARE DOCTORS FOR DEALING WITH UNDOUBTEDLY SAVE LIVES uSAID !L GATING POSSIBLE WAR CRIMES REVIEW IS THESE DEATHS COULD HAVE BEEN THE HORROR OF CHILDREN INJURED $EEN WHO HELPED CO AUTHOR THE EVIDENCE u HE ADDED IPS

N E W S F E AT U R E

FOCUS

Do we need a global convention of common principles for building peace?

Gulf standoff: Iran calm in face of US pressure

BY THALIF DEEN STOCKHOLM: 7HEN THE 3TOCKHOLM )NTERNATIONAL 0EACE 2ESEARCH )NSTITUTE 3)02) CONCLUDED A THREE DAY FORUM ON g0EACE AND $EVELOPMENTu ON -AY

THE PRIMARY FOCUS WAS THE DAUNTING CHALLENGES THREATENING GLOBAL SECURITY INCLUDING GROWING MILITARY INTERVENTIONS SPREADING HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCIES FORCED MIGRATION

INCREASING CIVIL WARS EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS TRIGGERED BY CLIMATE CHANGE AND WIDESPREAD POVERTY AND CONlICT RELATED HUNGER &OR MANY DECADES SAID THE 3WEDISH -INISTER FOR )NTERNATIONAL $EVELOPMENT #OOPERATION 0ETER %RIKSSON

THE RULES OF WAR WERE DESIGNED BY THE 'ENEVA #ONVENTIONS g$O WE NEED TO DEVELOP AND ADOPT COMMON PRINCIPLES FOR BUILDING PEACE u HE ASKED BEFORE A GATHERING OF MORE THAN HIGH LEVEL POLICYMAKERS RESEARCHERS AND PRACTITIONERS IN THE 3WEDISH CAPITAL DURING THE OPENING SESSION OF THE SIXTH ANNUAL 3TOCKHOLM &ORUM ON 0EACE AND $EVELOPMENT 4HE 5NITED .ATIONS HE POINTED OUT

IS CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTING REFORMS FOR IMPROVED DELIVERY ON CRISIS RESPONSE

SUSTAINING PEACE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WHILE THE 7ORLD "ANK HAS INITIATED THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW STRATEGY FOR g&RAGILITY #ONlICT AND 6IOLENCE u !T THE SAME TIME THE %UROPEAN 5NION %5 IS IMPLEMENTING ITS g)NTEGRATED !PPROACH TO #ONlICT AND #RISESu WHILE THE !FRICAN 5NION !5 IS STEPPING UP ITS gENGAGEMENT BEYOND CRISIS RESPONSE u !ND THE /RGANIZATION FOR %CONOMIC #OOPERATION AND $EVELOPMENT S $EVELOPMENT !SSISTANCE #OMMITTEE /%#$ $!# HAS DEVELOPED NEW RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE (UMANITARIAN $EVELOPMENT 0EACE NEXUS !RE THERE SUFFICIENT MECHANISMS IN PLACE FOR BRINGING ACTORS IN CRISIS RESPONSE TOGETHER WITH PEACE BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT ACTORS )F NOT WHAT IS NEEDED %RIKSSON ASKED !DDRESSING THE &ORUM *AN %LIASSON

CHAIRMAN OF THE 'OVERNING "OARD OF 3IPRI AND A FORMER 5. $EPUTY 3ECRETARY 'ENERAL SAID OVER THE PAST kVE YEARS THE &ORUM HAS SHAPED GLOBAL DISCUSSIONS DEVELOPED INNOVATIVE POLICIES AND BUILT CRUCIAL BRIDGES (E SAID 3IPRI HAS A 3AHEL PROGRAM FOCUSING ON LOCAL PERSPECTIVES ON PEACE AND SECURITY AND LOCAL PERSPECTIVES ON INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTIONS IN -ALI AND THE REGION 4HE &ORUM WAS CO HOSTED BY 3IPRI AND THE 3WEDISH -INISTRY FOR &OREIGN !FFAIRS 3)02) IN COOPERATION WITH THE 5.

7ORLD &OOD 0ROGRAM 7&0 HAS BEEN EMBARKING ON A PROJECT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE LINKAGES BETWEEN FOOD SECURITY AND HUNGER AND HELP IMPROVE THE CONlICT SENSITIVITY OF ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CRISIS RESPONSE PROGRAMS HE NOTED g/UR WORK ON GENDER AND SOCIAL INCLUSIVITY IN PEACE PROCESSES CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD AS WE ADVANCE THE KNOWLEDGE BASE AND LINKAGES BETWEEN THE 3$'S 3IPRI S $EPUTY $IRECTOR HAS JOINED THE NEWLY LAUNCHED ,ANCETm3IGHT #OMMISSION EVALUATING HOW HEALTH AND GENDER EQUALITY CONTRIBUTES TO PEACEFUL JUST AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETIES 4HE GLOBAL CHALLENGES CAN NEVER BE OVERCOME IN ISOLATION BUT CAN ONLY BE TACKLED THROUGH DIALOGUE AND COOPERATION %LIASSON DECLARED !SKED FOR A RESPONSE 3USAN 7ILDING WHO HEADS THE 'ENEVA /FkCE OF #)6)#53 THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS #3/S TOLD )03 g4HE ANSWER TO THE -INISTER S QUESTION SHOULD BE YES WE DO NEED TO DEVELOP COMMON PRINCIPLES FOR BUILDING PEACE u 3HE SAID THE /%#$ $!# RECOMMENDATIONS SPEAK ABOUT ÝPREVENTION ALWAYS DEVELOPMENT WHEREVER POSSIBLE HUMANITARIAN ACTION WHEN NECESSARYÝ AND THE ÝHUMANITARIAN

DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE NEXUS Ý "UT WHAT THEY FAIL TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

ESPECIALLY WITH REGARDS TO THE PREVENTION PORTION IS THE NEXUS WITH HUMAN RIGHTS g(OW CAN WE EXPECT TO PREVENT CONlICT IF WE DO NOT kRST FOCUS ON THE PREVENTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES

(OW CAN WE EXPECT TO ACHIEVE THE 3$'S AT A NATIONAL LEVEL WHILE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND CIVIC SPACE RESTRICTIONS PREVAIL u SHE ASKED “If we do not start to see the link BETWEEN HUMAN RIGHTS CIVIC SPACE AND THE HUMANITARIAN DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE AGENDA WE WILL SURELY FAIL IN OUR ENDEAVOURS TO REACH ANY OF THE GOALS u !LEX 3HOEBRIDGE /XFAM )")3 S 0EACEBUILDING !DVISOR TOLD )03 THAT WHILE THE 7ORLD "ANK THE 5.

AND SOME DONORS HAVE SOUGHT TO RElECT ON AND REWORK THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO BUILDING PEACE

THERE IS A NEED FOR A MORE FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT IN INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT 3USTAINABLE PEACE CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY LOCALLY LED EFFORTS THAT ARE INCLUSIVE INTERCONNECTED AND GO BEYOND GOVERNMENTS ALONE HE NOTED 4HIS IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE IN CONTEXTS WHERE GOVERNMENTS THEMSELVES ARE PART OF THE CONlICT AS WE SEE IN AN INCREASING NUMBER OF CONTEXTS

INCLUDING MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES

3HOEBRIDGE POINTED OUT g7OMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE MUST PLAY A KEY ROLE IN SHAPING PEACEFUL FUTURES FOR THEIR COUNTRIES AND NOT BE SIDE LINED OR INVOLVED IN A TOKENISTIC WAY u (E SAID IT ALSO REQUIRES THAT EXTERNAL SUPPORT TO PEACEBUILDING GO BEYOND THE PROJECT CYCLE AND BEYOND TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOCUSSING ON REFORM OF STATE LED INSTITUTIONS Research shows that it takes at least TWO DECADES FOR A COUNTRY TO EMERGE FROM AND TRANSFORM LEGACIES OF CONlICT #ONlICTS ARE RELATIONAL WITH DEEP SEATED INEQUALITIES HISTORICAL GRIEVANCES AND NEGATIVE GENDER NORMS SUSTAINING AND PERPETUATING CONlICTS BETWEEN GROUPS !ND PERCENT OF CONlICTS TAKE PLACE IN COUNTRIES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED CONlICT BEFORE MEANING THAT DEVELOPMENT AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE MUST DO MORE TO ENSURE PEACEBUILDING OUTCOMES ARE SUPPORTED IN THE SHORT MEDIUM AND LONGER TERM HE ADDED g7E CAN T TAKE OUR EYE OFF THE BALL

WHEN STRUCTURAL CAUSES OF CONlICT SUCH AS INEQUALITY AND MARGINALIZATION REMAIN UNADDRESSED u DECLARED 3HOEBRIDGE IPS

TEHRAN: In face of soaring tensions with the United 3TATES )RAN HAS SO FAR STEERED CLEAR OF INlAMMATORY RHETORIC ITS LEADERS INSISTING THE )SLAMIC REPUBLIC IS NOT SEEKING A WAR WITH ITS ARCH ENEMY g4HIS FACE OFF IS NOT MILITARY BECAUSE THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE ANY WAR .EITHER WE NOR ;THE 53= SEEK WAR 4HEY KNOW IT WILL NOT BE IN THEIR INTEREST u )RAN S SUPREME LEADER !YATOLLAH !LI +HAMENEI SAID 4UESDAY g4HE DEkNITE DECISION OF THE )RANIAN NATION IS TO RESIST AGAINST !MERICA u HE ADDED BEFORE REPEATING HIS OPPOSITION TO ANY NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE 5NITED 3TATES ! DAY LATER 53 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP SAID ON 4WITTER THAT HE WAS gSURE THAT )RAN WILL WANT TO TALK SOON u &OR !MIR -OHEBBIAN A CONSERVATIVE )RANIAN POLITICIAN AND ANALYST +HAMENEI S WORDS RElECTED 4EHRAN S BELIEF THAT 4RUMP gIS NOT READY TO LAUNCH A LARGE SCALE WAR IN A SENSITIVE REGION u /FkCIALS IN )RAN ESPECIALLY COMMANDERS OF THE 2EVOLUTIONARY 'UARDS )RAN S IDEOLOGICAL ARMY OFTEN MAKE COMMENTS DEEMED PROVOCATIVE IN THE 7EST "UT IN RECENT DAYS THEY HAVE CHOSEN THEIR WORDS CAREFULLY )RANIAN &OREIGN -INISTER -OHAMMAD *AVAD :ARIF SAID IN 4OKYO ON 4HURSDAY THAT gWE EXERCISE MAXIMUM RESTRAINTu IN THE FACE OF AN gUNACCEPTABLEu ESCALATION BY THE 5NITED 3TATES /THER OFkCIALS HAVE WARNED THE 53 AGAINST ATTACKING )RAN PREDICTING IT WOULD FAIL WHILE INSISTING THEIR OWN COUNTRY IS NOT HOSTILE 0RESIDENT (ASSAN 2OUHANI DECLARED ON -ONDAY THAT )RAN IS gTOO GREAT TO BE INTIMIDATED BY ANYONE u

‘No war, no negotiations’ g4HE )RANIAN AUTHORITIES ARE ADHERING THE SUPREME LEADER S POLICY OF @NO WAR NO NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE 4RUMP ADMINISTRATION u SAID #LEMENT 4HERME AN )RAN SPECIALIST AT THE )NTERNATIONAL )NSTITUTE OF 3TRATEGIC 3TUDIES ))33 g4HE RHETORICAL ONE UPMANSHIPu ON THE )RANIAN SIDE gIS HINDERED BY THE LIMITED MILITARY MEANSu OF THE )SLAMIC REPUBLIC THE RESEARCHER SAID )RAN HAS SOME SOLDIERS IN ITS REGULAR ARMY AND )SLAMIC 2EVOLUTIONARY 'UARD #ORPS

ACCORDING TO THE ))33 "UT AN INTERNATIONAL ARMS EMBARGO HAS LEFT IT WITH AN AGEING AND RELATIVELY SMALL AIR FORCE

A CRUCIAL WEAKNESS IN ANY CONlICT )TS ECONOMY CRIPPLED )RAN HAS LIMITED MEANS TO INCREASE DEFENCE SPENDING That is in stark contrast to the United States, WHOSE '$0 IS TIMES THAT OF THE )SLAMIC REPUBLIC

ACCORDING TO THE )NTERNATIONAL -ONETARY &UND 2ELATIONS BETWEEN 4EHRAN AND 7ASHINGTON HAVE BECOME EVEN MORE TENSE IN RECENT WEEKS

A YEAR AFTER 4RUMP UNILATERALLY WITHDREW THE 53 FROM A NUCLEAR DEAL UNDER WHICH )RAN AGREED TO CURB ITS NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES IN EXCHANGE FOR SANCTIONS RELIEF )RAN SAID ON -AY THAT IT HAD STOPPED RESPECTING LIMITS ON ITS NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES AGREED UNDER THE NUCLEAR ACCORD 4HE SAME DAY THE 5NITED 3TATES TIGHTENED THE SCREWS WITH FURTHER SANCTIONS BEFORE ANNOUNCING IT WAS BOOSTING ITS MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE -IDDLE %AST IN RESPONSE TO ALLEGED )RANIAN THREATS

Trump ‘trap’ 4RUMP S APPROACH WAS TO APPLY EVER MORE PRESSURE ON )RAN BUT THE )SLAMIC REPUBLIC gHAS TRIED VERY HARD NOT TO FALL INTO HIS TRAP u SAID THE )RANIAN CONSERVATIVE -OHEBBIAN 3O FAR HE SAID )RAN HAD ACTED gIN A lEXIBLE AND RESTRAINED MANNER TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT IT S 4RUMP WHO S TRYING TO DESTROY THE DEAL u )N !PRIL THE 5NITED 3TATES BLACKLISTED )RAN S 2EVOLUTIONARY 'UARDS AS A gFOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION u )N RESPONSE )RAN DECLARED THE 53 A gSTATE SPONSOR OF TERRORISMu AND !MERICAN FORCES IN THE -IDDLE %AST AND BEYOND AS gTERRORIST GROUPS u "UT ANY )RANIAN MOVE AGAINST THE 53 FACES DIFkCULTIES AS IT RISKS HARMING TIES WITH NEIGHBOURS INCLUDING )RAQ 4HERME SAID (OWEVER gTHE MAIN FACTOR IN FAVOR OF MAINTAINING A COLD PEACE IS THE STRONG OPPOSITION TO WAR AMONG PEOPLE IN BOTH COUNTRIES u THE ANALYST TOLD !&0 g)N )RAN THE )RAN )RAQ WAR IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE IN THE COLLECTIVE MEMORY u HE SAID g/NE OF THE MAIN STRENGTHS OF THE )SLAMIC REPUBLIC IS ENSURING STABILITY u IN CONTRAST TO ITS WAR TORN NEIGHBORS )RAQ AND !FGHANISTAN 4HE WAR BETWEEN )RAN AND )RAQ EXHAUSTED BOTH SIDES AND SAW NEITHER MAKE ANY TERRITORIAL GAINS )T IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE LEFT A TOTAL

PEOPLE DEAD OR MISSING ON BOTH SIDES AFP

˜ The Manila Times

Cebu SK members in vote-buying freed 4(% #EBU #ITY 0ROSECUTOR S /FkCE ORDERED THE RELEASE FROM DETENTION of the 3ANGGUNIAG +ABATAAN (Youth #OUNCIL OR 3+ MEMBERS AND THREE others who were arrested for voteBUYING AFTER THE CASE FILED AGAINST THEM BY THE POLICE WAS DISMISSED FOR LACK OF PROBABLE CAUSE +YLE "ARICUATRO

AN 3+ MEMBER OF "ARANGAY #OGON 2AMOS *OHN Paul Mahinay, 18, SK secretary of "ARANGAY #OGON 2AMOS 4HEODORIC 0EPITO AND !NJO 0EPITO

WERE ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED VOTE BUYING IN "ARANGAY #OGON #ENTRAL 2AMOS IN #EBU #ITY ON -AY )N A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE #EBU #ITY 0ROSECUTOR S /FkCE DATED -AY 15, Prosecutor Maria Theresa CaliBUGAN #ASIĂ„O FOUND INSUFFICIENT evidence to indict the suspects for LACK OF PROBABLE CAUSE “Being known election violations, PERPETRATORS WOULD COMMONLY HIDE on the cloak of darkness, use stealth or surreptitiously approach voters to INDUCE THEM TO VOTE FOR OR AGAINST a candidate. This did not true in THE HEREIN CASE !S ESTABLISHED THE PLACE OF THE INCIDENT WAS A PUBLIC place, well-lighted and done in the PRESENCE OF OTHER CIVILIANS u THE resolution reads.

Regions Kalinga protest looms as gov wins by 10 votes SUNDAY May 19, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

,AWYER !RMANDO 6IRGIL ,IGUTAN

WHO RECEIVED A COPY OF THE kSCAL S RESOlution on Thursday, said his clients WERE TRAUMATIZED AFTER THEIR ARREST “All throughout those ordeals, one WAS CRYING THEY WERE SO TRAUMATIZED

BY THE EVENT u HE ADDED Mahinay was allegedly caught in THE ACT OF GIVING MONEY TO "ARICUATRO

4HEODORIC AND !NJO TO VOTE FOR Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) MEMBER *ERRY 'UARDO OF #EBU #ITY

who ran for reelection under the "ANDO /SMEĂ„A 0UNDOK +AUSWAGAN

the regional political party of outgoING #EBU #ITY -AYOR 4OMAS /SMEĂ„A 0OLICE SEIZED FROM -AHINAY SHEETS OF PAYROLL WITH DIFFERENT NAMES and signatures, and a white envelope LABELED g#/.3 2)#u WITH 0 CASH AND CAMPAIGN lYERS OF 'UARDO WHILE "ARICUATRO AND !NJO WERE FOUND WITH white envelopes containing P200 each AND 'UARDO S CAMPAIGN lYER g)T IS SAD THAT THESE YOUNG MEN WERE INTENTIONALLY INCARCERATED BY the police for no apparent reason at ALL u ,IGUTAN TOLD 4HE -ANILA 4IMES. 7HEN ASKED IF HIS CLIENTS WERE PLANNING TO kLE COUNTERCHARGES AGAINST THE police, Ligutan said it was up to his CLIENTS TO DECIDE ON THE MATTER RHEA RUTH ROSELL

BY DEXTER A. SEE

T

ABUK CITY, Kalinga: An election protest is REPORTEDLY IN THE OFkNG IN +ALINGA PROVINCE after a neck-and-neck match between two GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES THAT BOILED DOWN TO A VOTE DIFFERENCE IN FAVOR OF 4ABUK -AYOR &ERDINAND 4UBBAN

WHO HAS SINCE BEEN PROCLAIMED GOVERNOR ELECT (IS OPPONENT +ALINGA 6ICE 'OV *AMES %DDUBA WAS SAID TO BE LEADING EARLIER ON BUT WAS NARROWLY OVERTAKEN BY 4UBBAN 4HE TRANSMITTAL OF ELECTION RESULTS FROM

certain towns was also delayed, according to reports. )N AN EARLIER INTERVIEW %DDUBA CONkRMED HIS CAMP WAS PREPARing to file an election protest

THAT WOULD DEMAND A RECOUNT IN SOME AREAS g) WAS TELLING THEM SUPPORTERS AND VOLUNTEERS TO JUST LET GO AS ) AM ALREADY VERY TIRED BUT THE VOLUNTEERS WERE INSISTING BECAUSE they also want to know what hapPENED u HE SAID %DDUBA NOTED THAT THE VOLUNTEERS DEMAND AN EXPLANATION ABOUT MISSING BALLOTS AND THE DELAYED TRANSMITTAL OF RESULTS FROM "ARANGAY 3UCBOT IN Pinukpuk town, which supposEDLY CHANGED THE OUTCOME OF THE elections.

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“The lawyers are the ones in charge. They are doing what needs TO BE DONE u HE SAID Kalinga provincial election ofkCER 2ICARDO ,AMPAC IN A SEPARATE interview, told 4HE -ANILA 4IMES that the delay of the result and THE TRANSMISSION FROM 3UCBOT WAS BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE VOTE COUNTING MACHINE 6#-

WHICH PROMPTED THE CHANGE TO A SUBSTITUTE MACHINE He said they initially thought IT WAS MERELY A PROBLEM WITH THE SECURE DATE CARD BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A DEFECT IN THE 6#- ITSELF

Firm inks deal for Iloilo supply power MORE Electric and Power Corp.

-/2% 0OWER THE POWER kRM of tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., has sealed a deal with Kepko SPC Power Corp. (KSPC) to supply electricity to Iloilo.

5NDER THE ONE YEAR INTERIM POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT +30# WILL DELIVER MEGAWATTS -7 OF electricity to MORE Power, with THE OPTION FOR ANOTHER -7 The accord will take effect once MORE Power starts operations in Iloilo City.

MORE Power said KSPC, which OPERATES A ä -7 #IRCULATING &LUIDIZED "ED #OMBUSTOR #&"# coal-fired power plant in Naga #ITY #EBU HAD AGREED TO PROVIDE gRELIABLE POWERu TO THE CITY gAT A MUCH LOWER RATEu THAN ITS CURRENT supplier. g7E ARE HAPPY TO BE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH +EPCO 30# AS WE COMMIT TO BRING MORE TO THE LIVES OF THE

)LONGGOS BY DELIVERING CHEAPER POWER u -/2% 0OWER 0RESIDENT AND #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER 2OEL Castro said. )N &EBRUARY THIS YEAR 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE SIGNED 2EPUBLIC Act 11212, which grants the RazonOWNED kRM A FRANCHISE TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE AS A POWER DISTRIBUTOR in Iloilo City.

The franchise calls for a two-year transition period, which entails negotiations on the use of facilities TO PREVENT BLACKOUTS THROUGHOUT the city.

Founded in 1923, Panay Electric Co. Inc.’s (PECO) franchise to supply electricity to end-users in Iloilo City expired on Jan. 18, 2019.

But PECO continued to operATE UNDER THE #ERTIkCATE OF 0UBLIC Convenience and Necessity issued

BY THE %NERGY 2EGULATORY #OMMISsion, which will expire on May 25.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

Palace upholds ex-DoTR official’s dismissal in CAR BAGUIO CITY: The office of the President found former assistant regional director Datu Mohammad Nasser Abbas of the Department of TransportationCordillera Administrative Region (DoTRCAR) guilty of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, meting him dismissal from service.

In a nine-page decision released recently, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea stated the affidavits of numerous individuals and evidence point to the administrative liability of Abbas for gross misconduct.

The complainants and witnesses positively identified Abbas as the one who apprehended and illegally impounded their motor vehicles.

The decision said the act of Abbas brandishing and totting a gun against Regina Migano, an employee of Garcia Medical Clinic, constituted the administrative offense of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

It added that Abbas demonstrated grave misconduct in the course of the apprehension and impoundment of the motor vehicles of the complainants.

The case stemmed from the complaints of a number of individuals accusing Abbas of misconduct or irregularities such as allegedly directly and indirectly accepting sums of money to facilitate the issuance of certificates of public convenience; extorting money in exchange for the release of impounded vehicles, accepting commissions from medical and notarial fees relative to franchise applications and brandishing and totting a gun against certain individuals.

Abbas assailed the validity of the charges against him on the ground of lack of jurisdiction.

But in a resolution dated Aug. 20, 2018, the DoTR recommended that Abbas be held liable for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and be dismissed from the service. DEXTER A. SEE

Q MIMAROPA WATERPARK The P350-million waterpark, one of the biggest and first in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro opened to the public on Friday. The themed waterpark is an integrated adventure park which features one of the biggest wave pools in the Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan (Mimaropa) region and a major investment, according to Calapan City Mayor Arnan Panaligan. PHOTO BY NIKKI DE LOS REYES

SSS offers aid to Porac quake-affected members 4(% 3OCIAL 3ECURITY 3YSTEM 333 HAS ANNOUNCED THAT MEMBERS AND PENSIONERS IN 0ORAC 0AMPANGA MAY AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE #ALAMITY !SSISTANCE 0ACKAGE #!0 FOR THEIR SHORT TERM AND IMMEDIATE kNANCIAL NEEDS AFTER A MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE HIT #ENTRAL ,UZON LAST MONTH SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora Ignacio, in A STATEMENT SAID THE ASSISTANCE package would allow qualified MEMBERS TO AVAIL OF THE PENSION FUND S #ALAMITY ,OAN !SSISTANCE 0ROGRAM #,!0 THREE MONTH advance pension and Direct (OUSE 2EPAIR AND )MPROVEMENT Loan.

To qualify, the applicant’s HOME ADDRESS OR PROPERTY MUST BE IN 0ORAC 0AMPANGA THE ONLY AREA DECLARED BY THE .Ational Disaster Risk ReducTION AND -ANAGEMENT #OUNCIL (NDRRMC) as under state of CALAMITY The assistance package would BE EXTENDED TO OTHER AREAS AFFECTED BY THE !PRIL EARTHQUAKES IF THESE WOULD BE DECLARED UNDER THE STATE OF CALAMity, the SSS added. #,!0 OFFERS MEMBER BORROWERS A LOAN AMOUNT OF AS MUCH AS HIS

OR HER MONTHLY SALARY CREDIT PAYABLE IN TWO YEARS IN EQUAL MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS WITH AN ANNUAL INTERest rate of 10 percent and a one PERCENT MONTHLY PENALTY FOR LATE PAYMENTS The state-run agency also waived the CLAP service fee. g4HE #OMMISSION ALSO DEcided not to charge a service FEE FOR THIS LOAN PROGRAM TO HELP OUR MEMBERS #ALAMITY LOAN CHECKS MAY BE PICKED UP WITHIN WORKING DAYS FROM THE 333 SERVICING BRANCH WHERE THE MEMBER FILED HIS HER APPLICATION u )GNACIO SAID 4O QUALIFY FOR #,!0 A MEMBER MUST HAVE AT LEAST MONTHLY CONTRIBUTIONS SIX OF WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN PAID WITHIN THE MONTH PERIOD PRECEDING THE date of application. )GNACIO SAID MEMBERS COULD file their application for CLAP WITH ANY 333 BRANCH AS LONG AS THEY HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING THE Barangay Certification. “Qualified Overseas Filipino 7ORKER AND 3EAFARER MEMBERS WHO CANNOT kLE THEIR LOAN APPLICATIONS PERSONALLY MAY ASSIGN A REPRESENtative, provided they present an auTHORIZATION LETTER u )GNACIO ADDED

Separate loan CLAP is a separate loan facility FROM THE REGULAR SALARY LOAN

SO MEMBERS CAN AVAIL OF THE LOAN PROGRAM EVEN IF THEY HAVE an outstanding salary loan.

"UT MEMBERS WITH OUTSTANDing loans under the Loan ReSTRUCTURING 0ROGRAM PREVIOUS CLAPs, and those receiving TOTAL PERMANENT DISABILITY OR RETIREMENT PENSIONS ARE NOT qualified to avail of the said LOAN PROGRAM 3OCIAL 3ECURITY AND %MPLOYEES #OMPENSATION PENSIONERS

ON THE OTHER HAND MAY APPLY to receive their advance threeMONTH PENSION 4HE LOAN PROGRAM HAS A SIX MONTH MORATORIUM OF AMORTIZATION AND INTEREST PAYMENTS with an interest rate of 8 or 9 PERCENT PER ANNUM DEPENDING ON THE LOAN AMOUNT g - E M B E R S C A N BORROW A MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF 0 MILlion under the Direct House Repair and )MPROVEMENT ,OAN There is also no service fee for this proGRAM u )GNACIO SAID

Duterte declares special holidays in regions PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has issued several proclamations declaring special nonworking holidays in celebration of significant events in the regions.

Duterte, through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, signed Proclamation 723 declaring May 22 as a special nonworking holiday in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental for the celebration of its Lubi-Lubi Festival. “It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Gingoog be given full opportunity to celebrate and par-

ticipate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,� the proclamation reads.

The annual Lubi-Lubi Festival celebrates peace, love and unity among Gingoognons. Similarly, Duterte signed Proclamation 721, making May 20 a special nonworking day to celebrate the founding anniversary of the municipality of Sual in Pangasinan.

The birth anniversary of Gen. Eleuterio Marasigan, one of the leaders during the libertarian movement in

Batangas, will also be celebrated on May 23 with a special nonworking day in Calaca, Batangas.

June 3 was likewise declared as a special nonworking day in Macabebe, Pampanga.

June 11 would be a nonworking day in the province of Rizal in celebration of its 118th founding anniversary, while June 17 was also declared as a nonworking day in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur for its 71st founding anniversary.

RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA

To qualify, the applicant MUST NOT BE MORE THAN YEARS OLD AND WITH AT LEAST MONTHLY CONTRIBUTIONS THREE OF WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN PAID WITHIN THE MONTH PERIOD PRIOR TO THE MONTH OF FILING the loan.

SSS said the applicant and HIS HER SPOUSE MUST ALSO BE updated in paying their other existing loans with the SSS. g-EMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN previously granted a house REPAIR LOAN OR A FINAL BENEFIT

BY THE 333 ARE NO LONGER QUALIFIED TO AVAIL OF SAID PROGRAM u said SSS. The application period for #,!0 AND THE THREE MONTH ADvance pension is until Aug. 16, 2019 while the Direct House 2EPAIR AND )MPROVEMENT ,OAN WILL BE UNTIL -AY

ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

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

Tan Yu 3rd

Financial Controller The E-Hotel Makati and Quezon City

SUNDAY MAY 19, 2019 Email: bizreports@manilatimes.net

Philanthropy runs deep in this 30-year-old accountant’s well-known family. He’s doing his relatives proud with his involvement in a number of organizations and civic bodies such as the Kiwanis International, Young Presidents’ Organization and Rotaract Club, among others.

“

ABOUT ME ROLE MODEL It’s none other than my dad Dr. Elton See Tan.

I remember a hotel in Singapore where instead of a person, it was a robot that brought room service.

It even responded when you said ‘Thank you.’ That might work here

FIRST PAYING JOB I was a high school Dean assistant at Rio Lindo Adventist Academy in California.

MORNING RITUAL I play basketball at 6 a.m. and then go to work at 8 a.m.

SPECIAL SKILLS I believe I am an effective leader and manager.

GOALS To be able to have a global hotel chain.

TIME YOU SPEND ON SOCIAL MEDIA About three hours a day.

BY MARGIE T. LOGARTA Photos by Hermes Singson IF a day could have more than 24 hours, 4AN 9U RD WOULD CERTAINLY BE THE kRST TO sign up for such a miracle.

4HE kNANCIAL CONTROLLER OF 4HE % (OTEL Makati and The E-Hotel Manila puts in no LESS THAN Ăœ HOURS AT THE OFkCE WHEN he’s not traveling, attending hospitality trade shows and participating in civic conventions. In fact, the day Keep in View met up with him and his father, Dr. Elton See Tan, at their boutique The E-Hotel in Makati City, he had just arrived from Singapore representing the country in the Young Presidents’ Organization. “He travels every month,â€? his proud father beams at his oldest child’s energy for work and civic involvement.

The grandson of colorful tycoon Tan Yu, listed in 1997 by Forbes magazine as the seventh wealthiest man in the world, is just living up to the business DNA that runs through many members of his clan. After being educated at the Dunhua Elementary School and Fuhsing Private School, both in Taipei, he attended Monte Vista Christian School and Rio Lindo Adventist School in the US’ West Coast.

Living in the student dormitory — despite the family owning a house in the area — he learned to be independent and even honed his cooking skills.

During summer and winter holidays, HE TRAINED IN SEVERAL ACCOUNTING kRMS and banks. He bagged a scholarship at the prestigious Menlo College in Atherton, California, where he earned a degree in accounting, going on to work in accounting kRMS AND kNANCIAL INSTITUTIONS It was then that duty and opportunity called. “We asked him to come back,� Dr. Tan takes up the narrative. “We needed him.�

Upon returning to Manila, Tan Yu 3rd WAS APPOINTED kNANCIAL CONTROLLER OF 4HE E-Hotels, Resorts and Residences Suites brand, under which falls The E-Hotel along Chino Roces Avenue. He will also take charge of the planned E-Hotel Manila on Macapagal Boulevard in the Manila Bay Reclamation area, set to launch before 2022 and The E-Hotel in Quezon City.

An E-Hotel in Puerto Princesa, Palawan that caters to families through apartelle services is also in the pipeline. Dr. Tan and his son divide the work, with the older man handling construction concerns and his offspring focusing on operations and marketing. Dr. Tan’s only daughter Carel, a UCLA architecture major, is contributing her design expertise to the upcoming hotels.

The Tans have been constructing hotels

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Helping hand and condominiums in the Philippines, Taiwan and China for decades.

Philanthropy is another Tan trait that manifests itself in the 6’3�, soft-spoken Tan Yu 3rd. The Kingpaoguat Typoco Tanyu Internationale (KTTI) Foundation, the platform his family uses to support their various civic projcts, was established by his grandfather Tan Yu in honor of his mother. “My grandmother believed education to be priceless,� says Dr. Tan. “She encouraged us to go all the way in our studies, get a master’s, get a PhD, because that was the most important thing society could give us, she believed. Then, she re-

minded us to give back to society as well.�

Her grandson is doing her proud. He is currently the Kiwanis International Philippine Luzon District division 3A lieutenant governor as well as Makati Tourism Foundation Inc. secretary general. Kiwanis, which looks after the health of needy youngsters through vaccinations and feeding programs, is especially dear to Tan Yu 3rd’s heart. He gives up precious Sundays to oversee activities in depressed areas such as Marikina. “It’s alright,� he says. “I have Sunday nights to do my thing.�

He will attend the Kiwanis International Convention in Walt Disney World Resort,

Florida, from June 24 to 30 as well as the Philippine Luzon District 44th District Convention in Baguio from September 4 to 9.

Other involvements include being Rotaract Club president, Regional Ambassadors Club Quezon City Trade and Public Relations Committee chairman and PCCI PhilippineKorea Economic Council (PhilKorec) Membership Committee chairman. During President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit to Seoul last year, Tan Yu 3rd joined the delegation.

Q (Right) The hotelier with Happy, one of his Belgian Malinois; (left) with his father Dr. Elton See Tan (center) and the team behind The E-Hotel Makati

Korea is a country that resonates with him because his mother Carolyn is Korean. A pageant winner, she was visiting Manila when she met Dr. Tan who recalls gIT WAS LOVE AT kRST SIGHT u Since the young lady was still studying AT THE TIME HER kANCÂź HAD TO APPEASE HER parents by waiting for her to graduate.

They wed in a sumptuous ceremony at the Manila Cathedral with the late CarDINAL 3IN OFkCIATING 4HEIR GODPARENTS were made up of the top executives of Taiwanese companies and Korean chaebols (industrial conglomerates) such as Hyundai and Daewoo. Several receptions were held in Taiwan, Korea and China.

Besides Tan and Carel, the couple has another son Elton Jr. (E MAY NOT SPEAK +OREAN lUENTLY BUT Tan Yu 3rd professes to cook Korean dishes very well. “Let me cook for you some time,� he says enthusiastically to Keep in View. His father adds that he does a mean PRIME RIB AND kLLET MIGNON AS WELL His other passion are his canines, which include Belgian Malnois and Beagles.

At times, these loyal companions of his put in watch duty at The E-Hotel Makati.

At 30, Tan Yu has many years of meaningful work ahead of him.

(E PROMISES TO kLL UP ALL THOSE hours in a day.

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Business Times

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

˜˜ The Sunday Times

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

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Sound and fury, signifying nothing

ON THE RISE

A strong voice in entrepreneurship Q Philippine Center for Voice Acting’s Pocholo Gonzales

BY YUGEL LOSORATA

F

ILIPINOS are known for being a set of people with natural vocal gift.

3O MUCH SO THAT YOU CAN kND RANDOM PEOPLE MIMICKING FAMILIAR speaking voices almost without effort. They’re actually not few.

But perhaps not many are billed as a true blue VoiceMaster like Pocholo Gonzales, a certified corporate figure whose voice enabled him to put up Philippine Center for Voice Acting and be awarded by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as a Go Negosyo Most Inspiring Entrepreneur. The said acting school has already produced more than a thousand graduates since 2005.

The business community hands-down acknowledged the brilliance of this voice talent considering he, more than anyone, has successfully pushed for voice acting to stand as an industry by itself. He is entrepreneurial, and he makes use of his voice to be accepted in the world of businessmen. “It all started with a dream, a dream to uphold voice acting as an art and not just a job or a gig,� he was quoted as saying.

By the phrase “as an art,� he also means turning the craft into a career, same as a business going nowhere but up. A quick look at Po-

cholo’s credentials should point to his voice heard in a variety of intonations and characters in literally thousands of radio and television commercials, telenovelas, animes, and video games.

Pocholo’s voice, powered by a clear entrepreneurial sense, has made him more than just A MEDIUM FOR ENTERTAINMENT IT has helped him transform into a business leader in his own right.

That he was able to establish companies like Creativoices and Creativents Productions only strengthened the idea of his voice being a rallying tool to deliver something of worth and purpose. “I do things unconventionally,� he said in an interview. “I’m not afraid to go beyond boundaries since I believe in the immense power of voice to make something out of nothing.�

Even by way of the written word, Pocholo utilizes his voice to stir whatever mix is in his glass.

Two years back, his book “Gusto Kong Maging Voice TaLENTu EARNED A kNALIST SLOT IN THE National Book Awards under the Professions Category.

His business associates couldn’t resist his charm that in September that same year, he was elected President of Junior Chamber International–Makati. Last year he founded the Makati Young Business Club — a network of Filipino entrepreneurs ages 25 to 40 and home to Youth Entrepreneurship Academy. “Leaders have creative ideas, grand visions and noble,� he noted.

Small wonder he now belongs to a pool of visionaries under the corporate name Titans Business Ventures Corp. He serves as its marketing and PR (public relations) director.

A graduate of BA Speech Communication and MA Broadcast Communication at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Pocholo Gonzales surely heard his calling early on. Eventually, he was bestowed Best Voice Actor at the 2003 Ad Congress in Baguio City.

He did it by imitating the voice of Mike Enriquez, arguably better than any comedian could. !S HIS REPUTATION RElECTS IT S NOT enough to have a voice. It’s really how to make your voice mind its own business.

W Express launches ECPay easy payment system LOGISTICS company W Express recently launched ECPay, a new service designed to make payments hassle-free for its customers.

ECPay allows W Express to accept and process payments for Home Credit, Cashalo, Dragon Loans, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Sky Cable, Cignal TV,

BPI Banko, Security Bank Mastercard, Coins.ph, PLDT, Globe, SSS, BIR, NBI, local electric cooperatives and water districts, insurances, and loans, among others.

It will also allow customers to top up their prepaid phone credits and their Autosweep or Easytrip RFIDs. The ECPay service is now available in

82 Metro Manila and Luzon W Express branches. The company aims to offer ECPay in the Visayas and Mindanao in June. “Providing our customers a one-stop shop for bills payments, alongside our courier delivery services, is just one of our efforts in keeping with our philosophy of delivering with care and confidence,

and our slogan ‘Cargo mo, kargo ko!’� W Express Chairman and President Dawn J. Feliciano said.

In April, W Express announced its major expansion in 2019, starting with the opening of the first two of 19 new branches in growth areas around the country.

Q W Express Chairman and President Dawn Feliciano and ECPay Chairman Jude Aguilar seal their new partnership with a handshake. Also present at the signing of the contract are W Express Executive Vice President Emily Alcid and ECPay Director Ting Estrella.

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LECTIONS in this country are fascinating to watch, because nowhere in the world is navel-gazing practiced on such a massive scale.

Despite the fantastic emotional and intellectual contortions applied by the Philippines’ BEN media and “thinking class� to conjure something worth KRITZ analyzing from the exercise and attach some sort of meaning to it, the reality is that, ever since the ouster of Ferdinand Marcos, the political landscape in this country is immutable. It looks no different now than it did 30 years ago, and could not possibly look any different no matter who had won in the recent polls. This unique stability is, in at least political terms, the country’s strength and perhaps its greatest weakness.

4HE URGE TO kND SOMETHING IN THE ELECTION RESULTS TO ANALYZE EXtends to the economic realm as well. On Thursday, London-based consultancy Capital Economics and Fitch Ratings both offered their judgments of the outcome of the elections. Their conclusions were ambiguous, which is perhaps the best any analysis of this political system can muster.

Capital Economics said that given the near-shutout achieved by allies of President Rodrigo Duterte in the Senate races, prospects are good for continuation of positive economic reforms, such as passage of the next packages of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program. On the other hand, giving a stronger mandate to an autocratic president with a dim regard for political institutions and an UNHEALTHY FOCUS ON ATTACKING OPPONENTS MIGHT BACKkRE AND DRIVE AWAY FOREIGN INVESTORS THE kRM CONCLUDED #APITAL %CONOMICS also expressed reservations about Durterte’s push to decentralize the government, “a move we think would cause inequality across the country to widen even further.�

Fitch Ratings’ assessment was a bit more positive, but likewise did not ignore the other side of the coin, though in less explicit terms. Fitch also saw the presumed results of the Senate elections as an advantage for “policy continuity,� but suggested in an offhand way that it would not change Fitch’s rating assignment for the Philippines, which it has not changed since December 2017.

Fitch said that it would continue to watch key factors such as THE COUNTRY S GROWTH OUTLOOK PROGRESS ON TAX REFORMS AND kSCAL policies, which is as much to say it does not feel the Philippines should be given any more attention than it has been for the past year and a half. “Policy continuity� seems to imply that conditions such as “a weaker business environment and lower standards of governance compared with its ratings category peers� will also continue in Fitch’s view.

The mistake that Capital Economics, Fitch Ratings, and just about every other political and economic analyst both inside and outside the Philippines make is in misidentifying this political system as an actual democracy. It is not. It is basically an oligarchy, but “corPORATE STATEu MIGHT EVEN BE A BETTER DEkNITION ! NARROW CLASS OF POLITICIANS TRADE OFkCES AMONG THEMSELVES AND GOVERN ACCORDING to broad strategies dictated by an even narrower class of business conglomerates. Voters are given the pretense of choice, but policy DIFFERENCES ARE NONEXISTENT THE CHOICE IS ALWAYS BETWEEN gTHOSE currently in power� and “the opposition,� and based on personality appeal. Duterte is not really any more or less effective than any of his predecessors, nor would any of the failed “opposition� candidates for Senate have seriously challenged the main components of current policy had they won the election. Personality-driven issues such as the rhetorical position on the South China Sea dispute, perceptions of press freedom (or lack thereof), and law-and-order rhetoric may have been affected, but not the core economic policies that actually drive the country.

It is those policies that account for the relative stability of the Philippines while rendering democracy largely irrelevant. And as much as Philippine nationalists might be loath to admit it, those policies are an amalgam of classical Federalist/Whig and post-Bretton Woods neoliberal principles borrowed wholesale from America: Strong central banking with an active monetary policy, a focus on internal improvements (physical infrastructure and social safety nets), and a moderately protective trade and investment stance.

Until there are candidates who present platforms that differ SIGNIkCANTLY FROM THOSE POLICY PRINCIPLES 0HILIPPINE ELECTIONS will continue to be an intense exercise conducted for no real PURPOSE OTHER THAN TO SHUFlE INTERCHANGEABLE PLACEHOLDERS IN AN ENTRENCHED SYSTEM 4HOSE WHO kND THEMSELVES ON THE LOSING end of this bargain insist that the system must be changed, but on the other hand, rarely if ever present candidates from outside the system, and have yet to maintain the call for change if they do overcome the odds and win an election.

ROUGH TRADE

ben.kritz@manilatimes.net

BIR issues RMO on Amnesty for Tax Delinquents

I

N our April 21 article, we discussed Revenue Regulations (RR) 4-2019, the implementing rules and regulations covering the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies (TAD) under Republic Act 11213, the “Tax Amnesty Act of 2019.� The regulations took effect on April 24, 2019.

Under the TAD, any person may enjoy the benefits and privileges of the tax amnesty by paying the following tax amnesty rates: – 40 percent of the basic tax in cases of tax delinquencies and assessments which HAVE BECOME kNAL AND EXECUTORY – 50 percent of the basic tax for cases SUBJECT TO kNAL AND EXECUTORY JUDGMENT

BY THE COURTS – 60 percent of the basic tax for ongoING TAX EVASION CASES AND – 100 percent of the basic tax for withholding agents and their withholding tax liabilities.

Quite recently, the BIR issued Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) 23-2019, which provides further guidelines in processing applications for TAD. We provide below the salient features dis-

THE FINE PRINT RON ARRIESGADO cussed under the RMO: 0REVIOUSLY WE PROVIDED FOR THE SPECIkC steps that taxpayers will have to follow IN APPLYING FOR THE 4!$ THE kRST STEP OF WHICH IS TO SECURE THE #ERTIkCATE OF 4AX Delinquencies (CTD) from the concerned ")2 OFkCES DEPENDING ON THE TAX LIABILITY and whether applicant is a large taxpayer or not). The issuance of the CTD is subject to THE PAYMENT OF A CERTIkCATION FEE OF 0 and documentary stamp tax of P30.

Once the CTD is secured, the applicant WILL HAVE TO kLL UP THE 4AX !MNESTY 2ETURN (TAR) and Acceptance Payment Form (APF), and have the APF endorsed by the BIR, before payment can be made with the appropriate BIR authorized agent bank !!" 3PECIkCALLY FOR LARGE TAXPAYERS TAX amnesty payments shall only be made with AAB branches cited in the table:

Large Taxpayers Under

AAB Branches

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Once the tax amnesty payment has been made, the applicant has to prepare the following documents in triplicate copies and file the same with the BIR RDO/Large Taxpayers Division (LTD)/ Large Taxpayers Collection Enforcement Division (LTCED): – TAR (BIR Form 2118-DA) duly ACCOMPLISHED AND MADE UNDER OATH – CTD duly issued by the concerned ")2 /FFICE – APF (BIR Form 0621-DA) duly endorsed and validated or duly endorsed and stamped “received� with attached validated bank deposit slip, or Revenue Official Receipt as proof OF THE TAX AMNESTY PAYMENT

Copy of the Final Assessment Notice (FAN), or Final Decision on Disputed !SSESSMENT &$$! ISSUED BY THE ")2 Copy of Preliminary Assessment Notice (PAN), or Notice for Informal Conference, or equivalent document issued by the BIR showing assessment of withholding tax liabilities arising from non-remittance of withheld taxes, if applicable.

An “Authority to Cancel Assessment� (ATCA) will be prepared by the concerned BIR Regional Collection Divisions (RCD)/LTD/LTCED within five days from receipt of the applicant’s TAR and accompanying documents discussed above.

The RCD/LTD/LTCED will then send to the taxpayer a “Notice of Issuance of ATCA within two days from the approval of the ATCA.

Ron Arriesgado is a tax lawyer, a transfer pricing specialist, and is a Partner at the LMA Law Offices in Makati City.

He has managed and resolved taxation issues of local and multinational entiTIES RESOLVED VARIOUS TAX ASSESSMENT cases issued by the Bureau of Internal 2EVENUE AND PROVIDED CLIENTS WITH the proper tax strategies to cancel or substantially lower tax assessments, among others.

˜ The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

Sunday Business & I.T.

Corporations must use licensed software I NVESTORS IN THE 0HILIPPINES STAND TO BENEkT if they pressure business leaders to eliminate their use of illegal and unlicensed software.

Companies which adopt a “zero tolerance� policy toward such software would increase their defenses against data BREACHES CYBERCRIME kNANCIAL losses, regulatory issues and legal consequences, decreasing the risk for investors.

This point of view is supported by both the public and private sectors.

This week, the Optical Media Board (OMB) stated that corporations in the Philippines should legalize software to safeguard development and growth in the country. Corporations must enhance their level of software compliance and respect for intellectual property rights in order to comply with the laws of the Philippines and international trade agreements, said governMENT OFkCIALS “We envision an economy that is free from illegal software and WHERE THERE IS A LEVEL PLAYING kELD for all legitimate businesses.“ said lawyer Anselmo Adriano, chairman and chief executive at OMB, who noted that the agency is launching a strong effort to inspect corporations suspected of using unlicensed software. “We are also working hard to protect businesses from cyberattack and it is impossible to be safe from cyber criminals and impossible to have national security if thousands of companies are using illegal software,�

OMB is committed to combat the use of unlicensed software together with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPhl), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), said Adriano. The move is aimed to accelerate reduction of illegal software use among companies and to support the Philippines growing IT sector.

BSA | The Software Alliance, which represents many of the most prominent software creators worldwide, recently organized a campaign called “Legalize and Protect.�

The campaign uses marketing, communications, social media content, and direct outreach in partnership with governments in the Asean region to encourage businesses to legalize their

software assets. BSA has contacted thousands of companies in the Philippines to provide insights about the correlation between unlicensed software and cyber crime and intrusions.

However, BSA said executives at too few companies actually pay attention to the warnings and therefore remain at risk. “The use of unlicensed or illegal software is a sign of poor judgment and unnecessary risk-

is unlicensed.

Furthermore, according to the global market intelligence firm, International Data Corp.

(IDC), businesses generally realize increased profits up to 11 percent as a result of making the switch to fully legalized software, for which investors also stand to gain.

Investors can see returns slip away as a result of the costs associated with data breaches.

This includes but is not limited to lost business, negative impact on reputation, employee time spent on recovery and legal and regulatory activities.

software and can be used to steal the personal or company data, monitor activities, damage device functionality, or hijack the SYSTEM S POWER FOR THE BENEkT OF the malware creator. As malware becomes more sophisticated, the costs of dealing with infections increase. A single malware attack now costs about $10,000 per computer to resolve, a process that can take up to 50 days and ultimately set large companies back $2.4 million on average.

To the extent that the infection leads to company downtime or lost data, it can also create a negative brand perception

A dangerously common practice

among various stakeholders in a business, including clients, investors, employees, industry partners and consumers. “Even one instance of unlicensed software is too much for a business,� said Sawney. “It creates vulnerabilities regarding shared resources and sets a precedent for others in the company. Investors know the risks and have the power to pressure companies to keep everything legitimate. If these businesses seek to attract investment, they must first earn the trust of investors, and legalizing all software is a major part of that.�

Q Unlicensed software runs the risk of malicious software attacks

taking,� said Tarun Sawney, BSA senior director. “Equity investments are particularly not safe in companies that take such risks, as they can easily lose their values in the event of a breach.

The Optical Media Board recognizes this, and has been an active partner in reducing use of illegal software among corporations in the Philippines.�

Each week, companies throughout the Asean region SUFFER FROM kNANCIAL LOSSES DUE TO CYBER CRIME 4HESE kNANCIAL losses are rarely reported publicly, but they are making an IMPACT IN !SIA 0ACIkC WHERE AN estimated 57 percent of software

“Currently, far too many companies in Philippines use some form of unlicensed software, making them highly susceptible to cybercrime and crippled growth,� said Sawney. “Large companies stand to lose big, and smaller companies and startups can even be put out of business by the resulting losses. Naturally, such losses are not in investors’ best interests.�

Some of the risk of unlicensed software is the result of malicious software (malware), which is often hidden away within the

GoBear announces $80M funding, seeks talents ASIAN financial supermarket GoBear recently announced $80 million in funding to date. GoBear would use the funds to drive growth through product and technology enhancements, expand its PARTNER NETWORK AND kLL KEY ROLES Improvements to the platform’s search and match functionality would be made through two strategic approaches: partnerships with, and investments into other technology companies, to acquire access to additional key technology.

This funding was furnished by Walvis Participaties, a Dutch venture capital fund, and Aegon NV, a LEADING kNANCIAL SERVICES PROVIDER 'O"EAR IS A kNANCIAL SUPERMARket whose purpose is to improve !SIA S kNANCIAL HEALTH BY MAKING kNANCIAL LITERACY kNANCIAL INCLUSION AND kNANCIAL SECURITY ATTAINable for everyone. GoBear has served more than 40 million users across Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. GoBear’s partners are leading financial institutions, banks and insurance providers. “Our latest round of funding would be invested in our priority areas of product, technology, senior management and technical

talent,� said Adrian Chng, chief executive of GoBear. “We are also very interested in partnering with and/or investing in other technology companies who have developed exciting new technologies that would enhance our ecosystem and our ability to improve people’s financial health. Specific areas include customer onboarding AND FULkLMENT SOLUTIONS PERSONAL kNANCIAL MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE CREDIT SCORING kNANCIAL EDUCATION

and investment platforms.�

Opportunities in the region are being driven by several large, interconnected developments: world-beating economic growth, rapid urbanisation, a fast-growing middle class and mobile everywhere; Asean’s digital economy is estimated to reach S$270 billion by 2025.

At the same time, many consumer products and services remain ill-suited to this mobile generation, and cash transactions are the norm. The prevalence of a cashbased economy limits consumers’ kNANCIAL ACCESS BECAUSE WITHOUT A PERSONAL kNANCIAL PROkLE kNANcial institutions cannot assess and price customers’ risk and evaluate product suitability. “GoBear’s purpose is to improve

YOUR kNANCIAL HEALTH u SAID -ARIA Rodriguez Java, country director, GoBear Philippines. “Filipino consumers are able to make informed choices across 14 personal kNANCIAL PRODUCT AREAS INCLUDING insurance, personal loans, deposits and credit cards, in a simple and transparent way. Our users have the advantages of GoBear’s variety OF PRODUCTS AND kNANCIAL PARTNERS

and its adept technology to search FOR APPROPRIATE kNANCIAL SOLUTIONS that match well with their personal objectives,� “GoBear has been offering innovation financial solutions in the Philippines for the past three years. We have over a dozen bank partners whose products match well with our current user demographics. As our customer base grows and develops, so would our product offerings,� Java said.

GoBear is excited by the opportunity to create the infrastructure and ecosystem to improve kNANCIAL HEALTH FOR HUNDREDS OF millions of customers across Asia.

It would utilise its product, technology and data capabilities as key enablers in assessing and pricing risk, which would help partners better understand consumer preferences based on digital personas

and journeys. It is also on these journeys that consumers undergo a MORE EFkCIENT AND SUPERIOR DIGITAL experience whilst being matched to the most relevant products for their needs. “A few great things to note about THE &ILIPINO kNANCIAL CONSUMER AT least 68 percent of card and loan applicants that GoBear served are working moms, responsible for THEIR HOUSEHOLD kNANCES )T S ALSO interesting how young Filipino millennials are self-educating, considering and buying insurance products after using GoBear, from a simple travel insurance plan, to term health, motor or even life insurance. We are very excited about the positive outlook of the millennials,� Java said.

GoBear is actively recruiting for key talent across Asia in pace with its rapid expansion plans in the region. “We are always looking for good TALENT AND THE 0HILIPPINE OFkCE is currently looking for content, SEO, and digital marketing talent with strong data analysis and humanities skillsets, for internship, project-based or permanent posts,� Java said.

Listings are available on GoBear’s LinkedIn page.

B3

Canva acquires Pexels, Pixabay ONLINE design and publishing platform Canva is accelerating its vision to democratize design with two milestone announcements today: making an additional collection of more than 1 million free stock photos, vectors and illustrations discoverable in Canva by joining forces with Pexels and Pixabay, and the launch of Photos Unlimited, a new “Netflix-style� subscription model for more affordable paid stock photography. “We believe everyone should have access to great design ingredients for their visuals; this is why free content would always play a central role in Canva’s vision of democratizing design,� said Melanie Perkins, chief executive and cofounder at Canva. “Together with Pexels and Pixabay, we’ll be able to help people discover a whole new world of amazing, fresh content. With over one million images downloaded over 500 million times on their platforms combined, both Pexels and Pixabay have proven that there is a huge demand for free, quality content from small businesses, social media marketers and others, not just from designers and companies with big budgets,� she added.

Both the founders of Pexels and Pixabay said they were inspired by their collective vision to democratize content, and the potential of Canva’s strong global presence. “There’s a lot of synergy between Canva and Pexels, it’s a perfect match. No other design platform truly believes in the mission of empowering the world to design like Canva, and providing free stock

content is central to their mission,� said Ingo Joseph Pexels cofounder. “Today’s announcement signifies a huge step forward in the right direction. We’re on our way to put an end to cheesy stock photos and open the doors to more authentic, trending content for free.�

Content from Pexels and Pixabay would be discoverable in Canva, and completely free under a Creative Commons CCO licence.

On top of providing free stock content, Canva has also announced the roll-out of Photos Unlimited, a world-first stock photography subscription model offering unprecedented “all you can consume�-access to a library of an additional tens of millions of premium stock photos, at an affordable monthly subscription of only$12.95 (or $120.00 per annum) as opposed to paying hundreds of dollars for a single image sourced from other libraries — giving designers even more choices, and the freedom to use any photo for anything, anywhere.

The new subscription model from Canva rivals traditional stock photography services from Shutterstock and Stocksy, and boasts an industry leading 50/50 revenue share agreement with their contributors.

With over 15 million monthly active users who have collectively created over 1 billion designs since Canva’s launch in 2013, the introduction of Canva’s Photos Unlimited further propels the design startup towards its strong growth trajectory by cementing its market positioning in the stock media space.

Infor leads in Warehouse Management Systems INFOR, a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry, today announced that Gartner Inc. has positioned Infor in the Leaders quadrant of the 2019 Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems.

Infor was positioned in the Leaders quadrant for its ability to execute and its completeness of vision. “While a very mature market, WMS offerings continue to differ in areas like usability, adaptability, intelligence, scalability up and down market, and life cycle costs,� Gartner said in the report. “Furthermore, customers increasingly favor supply chain suites that can support end-to-end logistics process orchestration.�

Infor CloudSuite WMS is the next evolution of Infor SCE (Supply Chain Execution), combining Infor’s enhanced capabilities in warehouse management with the computing power of the cloud. As a cloud offering, Infor CloudSuite WMS offers the same experience to customers, no matter how they

choose to deploy it — multitenant, single-tenant or onpremises — and it has native support for 14 languages. “We believe that Infor’s position as a Leader in this Gartner Magic Quadrant reafkRMS OUR BELIEF THAT A SINGLE

UNIkED GLOBAL WAREHOUSING solution built to take advantage of business value of the cloud, provides a strong foundation for sustainable growth in the age of customerdriven supply chains,� said Rod Johnson, executive vice president and general manager for Manufacturing and Supply Chain at Infor.

The newest member of Infor’s CloudSuite products, CloudSuite WMS also brings THE AGILE lEXIBLE AND PROVEN performance Infor cloud customers have come to expect.

Visual warehousing, labor management and open API framework come standard with CloudSuite WMS, to help reduce the need to add additional features or customizations, while paving the way for advanced warehousing capabilities.

Sunday Business & I.T.

B4

SUNDAY MAY 19, 2019

www manilatimes.net

Editor: Jing Garcia

Inkjet printers: Better for the environment, business

E

NVIRONMENTAL responsibility has become an important goal for many of today’s companies as there is ever mounting societal and political pressure to meet environmental targets, and you don’t want to be left out of the “green race.�

When it comes to “green tech� there is NO DOUBT THAT EQUIPPING YOUR OFkCE WITH eco-friendly machines is the best choice BOTH ECOLOGICALLY AND kNANCIALLY &OR AN OFkCE TO BECOME A MORE ENVIronmentally friendly place to work in, paying attention to the smallest details and making more sound decisions reGARDING kNANCIAL MATTERS COULD REALLY make a difference.

So, when choosing between an inkjet and a laser printer, questions on which printer will provide better quality printing or which is more environmentally friendly, less expensive to operate and how do costs differ up-front, often come up.

Eco-friendly choice As they cost less at the outset and are cheaper to run in the long term than traditional laser printers, Epson’s environmentally friendly inkjet printers are the ideal choice.

These printers consume far less power than laser printers as they do not use heat in the printing process. And in A TYPICAL OFkCE THAT REQUIRES FREQUENT printing, Epson printers consume up to 85 percent less energy than a similarspeed laser printer. This could amount distinct savings in annual energy bills.

and print speeds superior to the ones found on laser models, producing brilliant prints at up to half the cost. It offers speeds of 100 image per minute in black and color, PLUS A SUPERFAST kRST PAGE out with minimum warm up time, which is perfect for busy workgroups. This comes without compromising on quality.

Epson’s linehead inkjet is designed around scalable technology that is originally used in large-scale label presses, which offers laser-sharp text and brilliant colors on a wide variety of media products. Some of its features include high print quality up to 600x2400dpi.

It uses the PrecisionCore print chip that generates up to 40 million precise dots per second, with astonishing ink placement accuracy.

Epson inkjet printers also produce up to 85 percent less carbon dioxide than those of comparable laser printers.

With fewer components that need replacing, Epson’s inkjet printers are more convenient to operate as they require only changing of the ink and waste ink box as compared to the toner, drum, developer, fusers and more components for laser models. Up to 59 percent less replacement parts compared to laser printers, using inkjet printers would result in a SIGNIkCANTLY REDUCED IMPACT ON THE ENvironment over the lifetime of a printer.

With less consumables required and LESS PARTS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED SIGNIkcantly less downtime and maintenance would be needed compared to a laser

printer. In fact, the user intervention time required to replace the parts is less than half compared to a laser printer, WHICH TRANSLATES INTO IMPROVED OFkCE productivity in the long-term, in terms of waste generation.

Uncompromising on speed and quality Thanks to its design and technology, the Epson inkjet printers offer plenty OF BENEkTS FOR BUSINESS 4HE 7ORK&ORCE range doesn’t just reduce your waste, but it also maximizes your uptime. Energy efficiency comes without sacrificing speed and quality.

The WF-C20590 series boast features

Why choose Epson inkjet?

Epson has a great history of developing inNOVATIVE AND ENERGY EFkCIENT PRODUCTS AND your company deserves the highest quality PRINT WORKlOW "Y PARTNERING WITH THE INdustry’s best printing services and document management solutions you would create a SEAMLESS UNIkED EXPERIENCE Epson can help your company cut your overall business running costs, while REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT AT THE OFkCE and ensuring your printing solutions are as safe and secure as possible. With the Epson WorkForce range you are certain to meet the “triple bottom line� for business printing by improving environmental, economic and societal performances.

5G, IoT-ready parking app wins Sweep Awards IN its 15th Sweep Innovation and Excellence Awards, Smart Communications celebrated the #FutureReady 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions of young innovators from various universities and colleges nationwide. “So from cellular IoT and 5G to connected vehicles and industry...it is all happening now. Jeffrey Joven, Ericsson account director, said as the awards judge stressed the importance of being future-ready. “But to realize the full potential of these opportunities, we need intelligent tools that make it easy to connect and deploy devices across global ecosystems. This is what today’s Sweep challenge is all about: What tools do the

S

EVERAL pleasant surprises and upsets happened a few hours after voting ended on May 13, 2019. While awaiting in frustration for the media report from the transparency server of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), I noticed the hashtag #ibaNaman trending on twitter at around 8 pm.

Early results in the local level left many happy because these were unexpected, given the perceived continuing power of the incumbents.

Joseph Estrada lost the mayoral in Manila to Isko Moreno.

Francis Zamora took the San Juan mayoralty and defeated Janelle Ejercito, daughter of Jinggoy Estrada and granddaughter of Joseph Estrada.

Abby Binay won over her brother Junjun Binay in the Makati mayoral race. Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao defeated another member of the Ecleo political clan, in the race for governor. But Mayor Bobby Eusebio losing in Pasig to Vico

young leaders of this country imagine, what kind of future do you envision, and what it becomes to connectivity.�

CarSpace of the University of San Jose-Recoletos clinched the top spot. The winning mobile app is a parking solution featuring the use of IoT. CarSpace aims to help drivers locate vacant parking slots and remotely monitor their vehicles while lot or garage owners can also use the app as a potential incomegenerating tool.

Coming in at second place is Lynia, a terminal queueing system created and designed by students from the Asia 0ACIkC #OLLEGE 4HIS SOLUTION INCLUDES the usage of contactless smart cards and

card reader devices. Lynia, disrupting the traditional queuing, hopes to ease the commuter experience through providing real-time queue information and estimated time of arrival public utility vehicles at the terminal.

On the other hand, BeeNotified bagged the third spot in the tourney.

Prided by the Technological University of the Philippines Manila, it is a costEFkCIENT AUTOMATED MONITORING SYSTEM for apiary or beekeeping. Enabled by Raspberry Pi and an IoT application, "EE.OTIkED INTENDS TO MITIGATE PROBlems in beekeeping and minimize the disturbance of the colony.

Over 160 entries from collegiate in-

novators vied in the 15th Sweep Awards anchored on “#FutureReady: Creative Innovations Beyond Imagination.� The top kNALISTS WERE SELECTED AFTER THE THREE day boot camp last March.

Finalists took home P50,000 in cash prize each. The third and second placers earned cash prizes of P100,000 and

RESPECTIVELY WHILE THE kRST PLACER got P300,000 cash and a chance to send a representative to the Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program in China.

For 15 years, Smart has partnered with Sweep schools to help produce more future-ready students by leveraging on its network, infrastructure and technologies.

Microsoft, Ayala Foundation

launch CodelT IN the future, students will face a job market vastly different from the one that we have right now. In fact, studies show that 65 percent of current students will be applying for jobs that do not yet exist, many of which are in the ever-expanding kELD OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY 4HIS IS WHY digital education plays an increasingly crucial role among the youth, and there is a need to bridge the digital divide as it continues to widen.

To help address this gap, Ayala Foundation has recently partnered with Microsoft Philippines to launch its latest digital education project called CodeIT. This initiative aims to provide underserved Filipino youth access to technology and computer science training, in order to equip them with the right skills and prepare them for the workplace of tomorrow.

Together with the Department of Education, CodeIT strives to make an impact in the lives of at least 4,000 students and 120 teachers from public elementary schools nationwide.

The project is composed of a twopronged strategy that starts with a “train the trainers� approach; lead teachers are trained, who in turn tap partner schools and impart programming knowledge to new teachers. CodeIT trainers are also provided with close mentoring and resources throughout the program. “Ayala Foundation actively supports the continuing growth and development of our teachers and students in the public school sector,� said Ruel Maranan, Ayala Foundation president. “Through digital education brought by CodeIT, we are equipping our students and teachers with the necessary tools and skills that will prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow.�

CodeIT is complemented by computer science lessons integrated into grades 3-6 classes, as well as computer science after-hour programs to sustain engagement among students. Apart from learning how to use coding platforms, the students also get to develop skills like critical thinking, problemsolving, logical reasoning, creativity, and innovation. “We, at Microsoft, recognize the importance of developing our academic curriculum in order to include new courses that would help Filipino students be future-ready,â€? said AndrĂŠs Ortola, Microsoft Philippines general manager. “Through this partnership, we hope to empower the young generation with skills that would allow them to EASILY ADAPT AND LEVERAGE ARTIkCIAL INTELligence in their future careers.â€?

CodeIT will be piloted in 12 public elementary schools nationwide this June.

From #ibaNaman to #ibaNa LET’S TALK #SOCIAL NOEMI LARDIZABAL-DADO Sotto hits close to home. Why is there a shift in voter preference from the old, experienced hands to the newer and still willing-tobe-further-tested local executives?

I can only speak for my city. I wanted a change of leadership.

As a PasigueĂąo, I was oblivious OF 3OTTO SERVING AS COUNCILOR ) kRST learned of his candidacy on my Twitter feed. Sotto believed Pasig residents were looking for change.

He talked about the Eusebio family sitting for close to three decades in Pasig City. The blue and yellow themed barangay halls or public spaces are a stark reminder of their stronghold. A tweet read “Time for new blood without the E scarlet letter, after 27 years.� As one of the co-founders of #epalwatch, being epal (a slang for “mapapel,� a Filipino term for attention grabbers)

is a subtle way of campaigning very early on for elections. It was like they were campaigning for the last 27 years. If one is epal before Comelec’s mandated campaign period, then loopholes in the system are being used.

The impact of local politics is more personal and relevant to the day-to-day concerns of voters. The desire for something new is more palpable. He took the words right off my mouth, that people were not just looking for another mayor but a new style, without fear or utang na loob (indebtedness). A tricycle driver narrated the abuse of the blue kotong (bribery and extortion) boys requiring as much AS 0 FOR A TRAFkC VIOLATION -Y helper noticed biko (sweet rice cake) disappeared from the public market as soon as plans of Vico Sotto were clear. Why do we need a budget of P100 million for an elevated walkway?

Twitter mentions led me to a photo of President Rodrigo Duterte endorsing Sotto. I know many competent officials ap-

pointed by the President so this is not an issue. My criteria on a clear platform and track record prevailed. He promised to monitor and ensure proper implementation of the Universal Health Care program in Pasig City to his constituents. According to him, it is time to change the culture of politics in the city by governing with “transparency.�

I had initial doubts. The Eusebio name is an established dynasty but what if I was enabling a new one?

Sotto is the nephew of Senate President Vicente “Tito� Sotto 3rd, and cousin to Quezon City vice mayorelect Gian Sotto. Before he ran for OFkCE HE MENTIONED ON 4WITTER HE WAS QUALIkED AND NOT BECAUSE OF HIS family name. “Civil society makes you see a different perspective,� he said in an interview three years ago. This is the perspective that led to the creation of his platform: people’s participation. I believed social media interconnectivity not only broke down bureaucratic borders but also set the stage for increased citizen engagement.

It was one reason I asked him on twitter “Dear @VicoSotto if you win, can Pasig residents engage with you here on Twitter? Or will you have channels of citizen engagement?�

3OTTO REPLIED THAT IT IS gDIFkCULT for me to keep track of mentions/ conversations here. Instead, let’s kX ONLINE AND PHYSICAL FEEDBACK mechanisms. Including a 24-hour manned Facebook page (Public Information Office) that must reply within a given time period.�

Once convinced he was my candidate, I campaigned for him in my neighborhood and on private messaging apps. Tarpaulins of the two Eusebios running for Mayor and Congress flooded almost every house. It felt intimidating.

I got lucky to take home a few tarpaulins when I knocked on a neighbor’s door. When I displayed the tarpaulins on my fence, my next-door neighbor followed suit.

What sets Sotto apart from the traditional politician is that his tarpaulin contained no image of himself. It emphasized the phrases

“Walang Palakasan, Walang Pananakot, Dapat Makabago� above his name.

Quite a campaign he ran on social media and on the ground.

Sotto deserves to be our new mayor. The duty of a citizen does not end on election day.

I will be vigilant and hold Vico accountable on his promises.

The PasigueĂąos are full of hope.

Just read the tweets with hashtag #ibaNa. A lot of congratulatory tweets were on the theme of wanting to be a volunteer, or moving to Pasig. A tweet from a nonresident friend says “Despite all the negativity with the senatorial election results, I look to Vico Sotto’s win with wide eyes and so much hope. It can be done. You can slay giants in Philippine politics.� “I think the mark of a truly great leader is if he’s able to pass it on to the next generation,� Sotto tweeted.

Yes, there is hope. #ibaNaman means “we need new blood,� while #ibaNa is a “new order.�

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

World

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

C1

US OKs missile sales to SKorea, Japan

W

ASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States said on Friday (Saturday in Manila) it had approved more than $600 million in sales of air defense missiles to South Korea and Japan as tensions return with North Korea.

The State Department said it had approved 94 SM-2 missiles used by ships against air threats, along with 12 guidance systems for a total cost of $313.9 million.

It separately gave the green light to sell 160 anti-air AMRAAM missiles and related guidance equip-

ment to Japan for $317 million.

The sales “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States� by assisting key allies and “will not alter the basic military balance in the region,� a State Department statement said.

North Korea last week tested what the South Korean military said appeared to be two shortrange missiles in its second launch in less than a week.

The tests come amid a standstill in negotiations between North Korea and the United States, where President Donald Trump had boasted of ending Pyongyang’s missile tests.

A second summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ended in deadlock in February, with the US side refusing demands to ease sanctions until Pyongyang takes major steps to

end its nuclear program.

‘Gangster’ US Meanwhile, North Korea has demanded the United Nations take “urgent measures� to help return a cargo ship taken by the United States, calling the seizure a “heinous� act.

Washington announced last week it had taken possession of the North Korean-registered bulk carrier M/V Wise Honest — a year after it was detained in Indonesia — citing sanctionsviolating activities.

In a letter sent on Friday to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Kim Song — Pyongyang’s permanent representative at the UN — said the incident was “an unlawful and outrageous act,� according to North Korea’s state news agency KCNA. “This act of dispossession has clearly indicated that the United States is indeed a gangster country that does not care at all about international laws,� the letter said.

The North Korean representative asked Guterres to “take urgent measures as a way of contributing to the stability of the Korean pen-

insula and proving the impartiality of the UN.�

Earlier this week, Pyongyang had slammed the seizure as an “outright denial� of the spirit of a statement signed by Kim and Trump at their first summit in Singapore last year.

North Korea is sanctioned under multiple UN Security Council resolutions for its nuclear and missile programs, and lifting of some of the measures was a key demand from Pyongyang at the second Trump-Kim summit in February that ultimately broke down without a deal.

AFP

MODI MEDITATES AS INDIA POLLS NEAR END NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a spiritual break on Saturday as India’s acrimonious marathon election wound to a close after almost seven weeks awash with insults, violence and fake news.

On the eve of the seventh and final day of voting in the world’s biggest democratic exercise, local media reports said Modi, 68, would also spend some time in a “mediation cave.�

Having addressed more than 140 election rallies across the country, Modi arrived on Saturday in Dehradun, the capital of the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand famous for its Hindu pilgrimage sites.

Modi’s hectic campaign which started in March has seen him address three rallies a day on average, crisscrossing the length and breadth of the geographically diverse nation of 1.3 billion people.

From Dehradun, the Hindu nationalist premier travelled to Kedarnath and was due to go on to Badrinath to pay his respects at shrines dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva.

But it was not all relaxation, with the premier also expected to review reconstruction projects after floods in Uttarakhand in 2013 killed some 6,000 people.

Modi is seeking a second term from India’s 900 million voters after leading his right-

wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in 2014, with results due on May 23.

Opinion polls, although unreliable, predict that the BJP may lose seats this time despite its formidable campaigning machine, meaning it might need a coalition to form a new government.

His main rival is Rahul Gandhi, 48, of the Congress party, the scion of India’s famed Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.

The rival par ties have thrown almost daily barbs at each other, accusing each other of corruption, nepotism and fake nationalism.

As in previous elections, the polling has been marked by violence, most recently in West Bengal state where tens of thousands of security forces have been deployed following street clashes between BJP and rival supporters of the regional Trinamool Congress party.

The gargantuan election has also seen a flood of “fake news,� including photoshopped images and edited video clips, with both main parties using legions of people to manage social media. “The likelihood that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party wins a majority by itself is falling (10%, from 15% previously),� Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, said Friday in a report.

AFP

Worldinbriefs SRI LANKA FREES CONVICTS TO MARK BUDDHIST ANNIVERSARY COLOMBO: Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday granted an amnesty to 762 convicts to mark a key Buddhist anniversary, but resisted calls to release a firebrand Buddhist monk. Addressing inmates at the main Welikada prison, Sirisena promised financial support to re-integrate them in society, but made no reference to monk Galagodaatte Gnanasara, whose release was demanded on Friday by the Buddhist hierarchy. Sri Lanka has declared two days of holidays for nation-wide celebrations of Vesak, or the commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha. Those who benefited from the amnesty had been serving short jail terms for minor offenses and none had been convicted of murder or rape, officials said.

EX-CIA AGENT GETS 20-YEAR SENTENCE FOR SPYING FOR CHINA WASHINGTON, D.C.: An ex-CIA officer was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Friday for spying for China in a case called part of an “alarming trend� in the US intelligence community. Kevin Mallory, 62, was convicted under the Espionage Act for selling classified US “defense information� to a Chinese intelligence agent for $25,000 during trips to Shanghai in March and April 2017. The fluent Mandarin speaker had served in the US army, then as a special agent for the security service of the State Department, before becoming a covert case officer for the Central Intelligence Agency. Mallory is one of several US officials with high-level security clearances arrested and charged over unsanctioned dealings with Chinese intelligence.

US UNIVERSITY DOCTOR SEXUALLY ABUSED AT LEAST 177 STUDENTS: WASHINGTON, D.C.: An Ohio State University team doctor sexually abused at least 177 male students over nearly two decades and was never disciplined at the US school despite reports of his actions, an investigation found Friday. Richard Strauss, who died in 2005, committed the abuse while employed at the school from 1978 to 1998, and university staff were made aware of claims as early as 1979, a 12-month independent probe said. The victims included school athletes as well as other students who saw Strauss at the university health center and at an off-campus private medical office. University president Michael Drake said an independent investigation was launched into the allegations after they were brought to the university’s attention last year. Perkins Coie, the law firm that conducted the investigation, said it is also examining whether Strauss may have examined students of high school age while serving at the university. The university is covering the costs of counseling for those affected by the abuse. AFP

THWARTED

Anti-terror police officers carry evidence from a house at Nanggewer Mekar village, in Cibinong, West Java province on Saturday. Indonesian police said that they have arrested dozens of Islamic-State linked terror suspects, including some who planned to detonate bombs at political demonstrations when election results are announced next week. AFP PHOTO

Hero dog saves buried baby in Thailand BANGKOK: An attentive dog in northeastern Thailand is being hailed as A HERO AFTER kNDING AND SAVING AN INFANT ALLEGEDLY BURIED IN A kELD by his teenage mother, police said on Saturday.

The newborn was lying under a layer of dirt near a farm in the Chumpuang district of Nakhon Ratchasima province but was found the same day — May 15 —

by a curious canine named Ping Pong.

The dog dug around the area and began barking, alerting his owner a cattle herder, who went to the site. “I don’t think it was long after his mother buried him before the dog found him,� case officer Panuvat Udkam told Agence France-Presse.

He added that the boy was healthy, was recovering in hospital, and was so young he had not been named yet.

The teenage mother was charged with attempted murder and abandonment of children. /FkCER 0ANUVAT SAID THE SUSpect was 15 years old and had tried to dispose of the child because she was afraid her parents

Bangladesh stops 84 Rohingyas COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh: "ANGLAdesh authorities prevented 84 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar from attempting a perilous boat journey to Malaysia, ofkCIALS SAID ON 3ATURDAY Police in Pekua said 67 Rohingya Muslims from Kutupalong — the largest refugee settlement in the world — were stopped as they waited to board A kSHING TRAWLER They included 31 women and 15 children.

On Saint Martin’s, a small "ANGLADESH ISLAND IN THE "AY OF "ENGAL THE COUNTRY S COAST GUARD stopped 17 other Rohingya and kVE "ANGLADESHI TRAFkCKERS BEfore they could board a rickety kSHING BOAT Fayezul Islam Mondol, the regional coast guard commander, said they were acting on a tip off.

About 740,000 Muslim minorITY 2OHINGYA HAVE lED -YANMAR FOR "ANGLADESH SINCE A BRUTAL military crackdown began in August 2017.

They joined another 300,000 Rohingya already living in overcrowded camps in the Cox’s "AZAR AREA FOLLOWING PREVIOUS bouts of violence.

Thousands of refugees attempt to flee the camps each year in pursuit of better opportunities in countries such as Malaysia and Thailand.

They frequently spend their

life savings to embark on dangerous boat journeys they believe will improve their lives, but many fall prey to international HUMAN TRAFkCKING GANGS Most attempt the journey before March, when the sea is calm before the monsoon season SETS IN BUT EXPERTS SAY TRAFkCKERS are now convincing the refugees to attempt the crossing even in rough waters. “This is a very alarming situaTION u *ISHU "ARUA AN AID WORKER SPECIALISING IN TRAFkCKING TOLD Agence France-Presse.

AFP

BUSTED Bangladesh Coast Guard pose for a photo with rescued Rohingya refugees in Teknaf on Saturday.

AFP PHOTO

would get angry. “So after she delivered the baby by herself she buried it,� he said.

Local media coverage hailed the achievement and social media users praised Ping Pong’s good deed.

A dog is the “best friend� of human beings, a Facebook user commented on the page of media outlet Khaosod English.

AFP

China to upgrade coal-fired plants #/!, kRED POWER PLANTS IN #HINA are looking toward digitalization for industrial transformation and upgrade, as the nation continues to restrict overcapacity and set high environmental protection goals.

The pledge to cut overcapacity was reiterated once again in a joint notice released by the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and National Energy Administration. g!RTIkCIAL )NTELLIGENCE IS A CORE technology for a successful digital transformation and offers tremendous opportunities for all industries. We are excited to work with Chinese customers on their most urgent topics to make production MORE EFkCIENT u $R 2OLAND "USCH

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFkCER OF 3IEMENS AG, said to the audience at the Siemens Innovation Day China in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan province, on May 15.

The German powerhouse said it has joined hands with Chinese energy giant China Resources Power to set up a remote operation center that can SUPERVISE AND ANALYZE THE EFkCIENCY and conditions of units in remote power plants.

PEOPLE’S DAILY

C2

World

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

US WARNS AIRLINERS FLYING IN PERSIAN GULF DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: US diplomats warned on Saturday that commercial AIRLINERS lYING OVER THE WIDER 0ERSIAN 'ULF FACED A RISK OF BEING gMISIDENTIkEDu AMID HEIGHTENED TENSIONS BETWEEN the US and Iran.

4HE WARNING RELAYED BY 53 DIPLOMATIC POSTS FROM THE &EDERAL !VIATION Administration underlined the risks the CURRENT TENSIONS POSE TO A REGION CRUCIAL TO GLOBAL AIR TRAVEL )T ALSO CAME AS ,LOYD S OF ,ONDON WARNED OF INCREASING RISKS TO MARITIME SHIPPING IN THE REGION #ONCERNS ABOUT A POSSIBLE CONlICT HAVE FLARED SINCE THE 7HITE (OUSE ordered warships and bombers to the re-

GION TO COUNTER AN ALLEGED UNEXPLAINED threat from Iran that has seen America order nonessential diplomatic staff out OF )RAQ 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP SINCE HAS SOUGHT TO SOFTEN HIS TONE -EANWHILE AUTHORITIES ALLEGE THAT A SABOTAGE OPERATION TARGETED FOUR oil tankers off the coast of the United !RAB %MIRATES AND )RAN ALIGNED REBELS in Yemen claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a crucial Saudi oil pipeline.

Saudi Arabia directly blamed Iran for THE DRONE ASSAULT AND A LOCAL NEWSPAPER linked to the Al Saud royal family called on Thursday for America to launch

gSURGICAL STRIKESu ON 4EHRAN 4HIS ALL TAKES ROOT IN 4RUMP S DECIsion last year to withdraw the US from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers and impose wideREACHING SANCTIONS )RAN JUST ANNOUNCED IT WOULD BEGIN BACKING AWAY FROM TERMS OF THE DEAL SETTING A DAY DEADLINE FOR Europe to come up with new terms or it WOULD BEGIN ENRICHING URANIUM CLOSER TO WEAPONS GRADE LEVELS 4EHRAN LONG has insisted it does not seek nuclear WEAPONS THOUGH THE 7EST FEARS ITS PROGRAM COULD ALLOW IT TO BUILD ATOMIC bombs.

The order relayed Saturday by US

diplomats in Kuwait and the UAE came from an FAA Notice to Airmen published late Thursday in the US It SAID THAT ALL COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT lYING OVER THE WATERS OF 0ERSIAN 'ULF AND the Gulf of Oman needed to be aware OF gHEIGHTENED MILITARY ACTIVITIES AND INCREASED POLITICAL TENSION u 4HIS PRESENTS gAN INCREASING INADVERTENT RISK TO 53 CIVIL AVIATION OPERATIONS due to the potential for miscalculation OR MISIDENTIkCATION u THE WARNING SAID )T ALSO SAID AIRCRAFT COULD EXPERIENCE INTERFERENCE WITH ITS NAVIGATION INSTRUMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS JAMMING gWITH LITTLE TO NO WARNING u AP

Q In this Wednesday, May 15, 2019 photograph released by the US Navy, Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Alexandrina Ross (right) and Aviation and an Aviatio Av tiioon on Ordnanceman OOrrdn rddnnance ncceem eman an Airman Air irma man Hunter Hunter er Musil Muss inspect a bomb on the USS Abraham Lincoln while it sails in the Arabian Sea. MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST SEAMAN MICHAEL

Abbott falls in Australia polls S

YDNEY: Former Australian prime Labor win minister Tony Abbott, infamous for once calling the science behind climate %XIT POLLS IN !USTRALIA S CLIMATE DOMINATED ELECTION CAMPAIGN CHANGE gCRAP u HAS BECOME THE kRST BIG SCALP pointed on Saturday to a win for ,ABOR AFTER SIX YEARS OF CONSERVAin the country’s elections Saturday.

!BBOTT WHO WAS PRIME MINISTER FROM TO WAS ONE OF THE MOST VOCAL CLIMATE SKEPTICS in parliament and had held his SEAT OF 7ARRINGAH IN 3YDNEY S northern suburbs for a quarter of a century.

"UT AMID A GROUNDSWELL OF ACTIVISM ON CLIMATE CHANGE AMONG HIS AFlUENT BEACHSIDE ELECTORATE AND A STRONG CHALLENGE FROM INDEPENDENT candidate and former Olympian :ALI 3TEGGALL !BBOTT WAS UNABLE to hold on.

7HILE THE NATIONAL ELECTION REmained too close to call — with the CONSERVATIVE COALITION GOVERNMENT OF 0RIME -INISTER 3COTT -ORRISON DOING BETTER THAN EXPECTED ‡ !BBOTT ADMITTED HIS DEFEAT LESS THAN three hours after polls closed. g) CAN T SAY THAT IT DOESN T HURT TO LOSE u HE TOLD SUPPORTERS BUT ADDED g) D RATHER BE A LOSER THAN A QUITTER u g)T S OFTEN SAID THAT ALL PUBLIC LIVES END BADLY BUT ) M CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO LET ONE BAD DAY SPOIL GREAT YEARS u HE SAID 4HE CONTEST IN 7ARRINGAH HAD become so heated that an Abbott VOLUNTEER WAS STABBED IN THE STOMach with a corkscrew late Friday WHILE PUTTING UP CAMPAIGN POSTERS

WITH THE ,IBERAL CANDIDATE SAYING IT RElECTED THE UGLINESS OF THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN 3TEGGALL SAID EARLIER 3ATURDAY SHE BELIEVED SHE COULD WIN AND

OF VICTORY #ASTING HIS BALLOT IN -ELBOURNE

would-be prime minister Shorten WAS BULLISH ABOUT FORMING A MAJORITY GOVERNMENT AFTER A kNAL POLL BEFORE THE VOTE SHOWED HIS LEAD INCREASING g4ODAY IS THE PEOPLE S DAY u HE SAID g"E IT BUYING A @DEMOCRACY SAUSAGE THE KIDS HAVING A BIT OF A SUGAR CAKE OR WHAT HAVE YOU AND VOTING u HE ADDED REFERRING TO THE TRADITION OF SERVING GRILLED SAUSAGES on election day. g)N THE EVENT THAT THE PEOPLE OF !USTRALIA VOTED TO STOP THE CHAOS AND VOTED FOR ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE WE WILL BE READY TO HIT THE GROUND FROM TOMORROW u 7EEKS AGO 0RIME -INISTER 3COTT -ORRISON S CONSERVATIVE ,IBERALS

HAD BEEN HEADING FOR AN ELECTORAL DRUBBING "UT HE HAS CLOSED THE GAP WITH A NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN AND BACKING FROM THE COUNTRY S BIGGEST MEDIA ORGANIZATION OWNED BY 2UPERT -URDOCH MAINLY TARGETING OLDER

WEALTHIER VOTERS WHO FACE FEWER TAX BREAKS UNDER ,ABOR !FTER CASTING HIS VOTE IN THE 3YDNEY SUBURBS -ORRISON ACKNOWLEDGED THE CHALLENGE HIS COALITION FACED SAYING g) DON T TAKE ANYONE S SUPPORT IN THIS COUNTRY FOR GRANTED u g!USTRALIANS KNOW VERY WELL WHAT IT IS WE ARE SAYING IN TERMS OF KEEPING OUR ECONOMY STRONG

KEEPING OUR BUDGET UNDER CONTROL KEEPING !USTRALIANS SAFE AND SECURE u HE SAID HITTING THE

CONSERVATIVES KEY TALKING POINTS AGAINST ,ABOR "UT ANGER OVER HIS GOVERNMENT S INACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE MAY PROVE THE REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN the two parties.

Australia is one of the most VULNERABLE OF ALL DEVELOPED NATIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND A SEASON OF RECORD FLOODS WILDFIRES AND DROUGHTS HAVE BROUGHT the issue from the political FRINGES TO FRONT AND CENTER OF THE CAMPAIGN )N TRADITIONALLY MORE CONSERVATIVE RURAL AREAS CLIMATE HIT FARMERS ARE DEMANDING ACTION !ND IN SEVERAL RICH SUBURBS A GENERAtional shift has seen eco-minded CANDIDATES RUNNING ,IBERAL PARTY luminaries close.

AFP

TIVE RULE WAS RUNNING IN THE ELECTION TO GIVE "ETWEEN AND MILLION locals a choice.

PEOPLE WERE EXPECTED TO VOTE g!FTER YEARS THERE ARE A LOT OF ACROSS THE VAST ISLAND CONTINENT IN people that are ready for different A BITTERLY FOUGHT ELECTION THAT MAY representation and a different style BE THE kRST ANYWHERE DECIDED BY OF POLITICS u SHE TOLD REPORTERS AFTER climate policy.

VOTING !S THE FIRST POLLS CLOSED A $URING VOTING ON 3ATURDAY NEAR .INE 'ALAXY EXIT POLL SHOWED !BBOTT S SURF CLUB THE SITE OF ONE OF "ILL 3HORTEN S ,ABOR BEATING THE THE POLLING STATIONS ANTI FOSSIL FUEL GOVERNING ,IBERAL COALITION CAMPAIGNERS SET UP A gDEMOCRACY WHICH WOULD SIGNAL A CLEAR SAUSAGEu STAND ‡ A ELECTION DAY PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY FOR THE TRADITION ‡ WITH SIGNS gFRY SAU- opposition. A second poll for Ten SAGES NOT THE CLIMATEu AND gLET S NETWORK SHOWED A SIMILAR MARGIN SNAG SOME CLIMATE ACTION u 6OTERS ENTERING THE POLLING BOOTH WERE GREETED BY VOLUNTEERS WEARING BRIGHT ORANGE g) M A CLIMATE VOTERu T SHIRTS AND g YEARS of climate denial: Vote Abbott OUTu SIGNS ,OCALS EMERGING FROM THE OCEAN with their surfboards beside the STATION SAID THEY WERE VOTING FOR A CHANGE IN DIRECTION g)T S TIME FOR 4ONY TO GO u 32-year-old surfer Aidan Street TOLD !GENCE &RANCE 0RESSE !T ANOTHER POLLING STATION !Bbott was surrounded and questioned by students who skipped school early this year to protest AGAINST GOVERNMENT INACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE !USTRALIA IS ONE OF THE WORLD S WORST PER CAPITA GREENHOUSE GAS POLLUTERS DUE TO HEAVY USE OF COAL This handout picture released by the Australian Antarctic Division on May 18, 2019 shows researchers queuing up to kRED POWER AND A RELATIVELY SMALL cast their votes at a polling station at Davis research station, Antarctica. AFP PHOTO / AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC DIVISION / GREG STONE population of 25 million.

ANTARCTIC VOTE

Firms count environmental AUSTRIAN LEADER RESIGNS OVER ‘IBIZA AFFAIR’ costs of digital planet THOSE USED BY !MAZON IN THE 53 STATE OF 6IRGINIA WHICH REPORTEDLY HELP TRANSMIT PERCENT OF THE WORLD S INTERNET TRAFkC 4O COPE WITH THE VORACIOUS ENERGY NEEDS THE LOCAL POWER COMPANY $OMINion turned to non-renewable fuel sources ‡ DRAWING THE IRE OF TECH kRMS -OST HAVE PLEDGED TO USE AS MUCH gCLEANu ENERGY FROM WIND FARMS OR OTHER SOURCES AS POSSIBLE WITH &ACEBOOK SIGNING A PARTNERSHIP WITH 'REENPEACE SEVERAL YEARS AGO g4HE IDEA THAT THE )4 SECTOR CAN HELP TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOT A NEW ONE ‡ 4HEY VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR OVER TEN YEARS AND WHAT WE NEED NOW TO SEE IS ACTION u SAID 'ARY #OOK AN )4 CAMPAIGNER at Greenpeace. g'IVEN THEIR RAPID GROWTH DECISIONS ABOUT HOW THEY GET THEIR POWER BECOME REALLY CRITICAL u HE SAID 4HE SURGE IN VIDEO AND STREAMING SERVICES POSES A PARTICULAR CHALLENGE ALREADY IN 'REENPEACE ESTIMATED THAT THE VIRAL + POP SENSATION g'ANGNAM 3TYLE u VIEWED MORE THAN BILLION TIMES HAD CONSUMED A YEAR S WORTH OF PRODUCTION from a small power plant.

6IDEO STREAMING NOW ACCOUNTS FOR NEARLY PERCENT OF ALL gDOWNSTREAMu INTERNET TRAFkC FROM SERVERS TO INDIVIDUAL DEVICES WITH .ETlIX ALONE GENERATING PERCENT ACCORDING TO AN /CTOBER REPORT FROM 53 NETWORK ANALYSIS AND SERVICES GROUP 3ANDVINE -USIC SERVICES ALSO TAKE A TOLL )N

RESEARCHERS AT THE 5NIVERSITIES OF 'LASGOW AND /SLO FOUND THAT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM THE ‘Huge impact’ 53 MUSIC INDUSTRY ALONE STOOD AT )N &EBRUARY 'REENPEACE WARNED ABOUT THE MILLION KILOGRAMS IN AFP CONCENTRATION OF DATA CENTRES IN PARTICULAR PARIS: 4ECHNOLOGY IS OFTEN TOUTED AS A SOLUTION TO THE WORLD S ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES BUT IT IS ALSO PART OF THE PROBLEM INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES ARE FACING RISING PRESSURE TO CLEAN UP THEIR ENERGY AND RESOURCE INTENSIVE BUSINESS (OW MUCH ENERGY FOR EXAMPLE DOES IT TAKE TO SEND A ONE MEGABYTE EMAIL !ROUND WATTS PER HOUR REPRESENTING GRAMS OF CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS ACCORDING TO &RANCE S #.23 RESEARCH CENTRE )T MIGHT NOT SEEM LIKE MUCH BUT THE 2ADICATI RESEARCH GROUP EXPECTS BILLION EMAILS WILL BE SENT EVERY SINGLE DAY THIS YEAR AND THE POWER NEEDS TO BE GENERated — mostly from fossil fuels.

Apps can quickly drain and shorten the LIFE OF PHONE BATTERIES WITH 3NAPCHAT A PARTICULARLY gHEAVYu MESSAGING SERVICE BEcause it automatically turns on the camera.

4HEN THERE ARE THE SERVER FARMS CRUNCHING MAMMOTH AMOUNTS OF DATA WORLDWIDE WHICH REQUIRE HUGE AMOUNTS OF electricity both to run and to power airCONDITIONING WHICH KEEPS THE EQUIPMENT FROM GETTING TOO HOT g5NDER THE CURRENT GLOBAL ENERGY MIX

THE SHARE OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS from information and communication TECHNOLOGIES WILL RISE FROM PERCENT IN TO FOUR PERCENT IN u THE &RENCH THINK TANK 3HIFT 0ROJECT SAID IN A recent report.

That makes the sector more carbonINTENSIVE THAN CIVIL AVIATION A PERCENT share of emissions in 2018) and on track TO REACH AUTOMOBILES PERCENT IT SAID

VIENNA: Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, a key figure of the European far-right, resigned on Saturday after explosive revelations from a hidden camera sting, just days before key EU elections. “I tendered my resignation as vice chancellor of Austria to Chancellor Kurz, and he accepted this decision,� an emotional Strache said in a televised statement.

Media reports emerged on Friday alleging that Strache promised public contracts in return for campaign help from a fake Russian backer he met in a luxury villa on the island of Ibiza a few months before 2017’s parliamentary elections in Austria.

On Saturday Strache insisted he was the “victim of a targeted political attack� which had used illegal means, but that he was leaving in order to avoid further damage to the government.

Germany’s Der Spiegel and Sueddeutsche Zeitung published hidden- camera recordings of the sophisticated sting operation.

In the recordings Strache and his party’s group leader in parliament Johann Gudenus are seen discussing with a woman purporting to be the niece of a Russian oligarch how she can invest in Austria.

She says she specifically wants to gain control of the country’s largest-circulation tabloid, the Krone Zeitung.

Strache is seen suggesting that new owners could make staff changes at the Krone and use the paper to help his Freedom Party

(FPOe) in its election campaign.

He goes on to suggest the woman would then be able to gain access to public contracts.

Acco rd i n g t h e n e ws p a p e r s, Strache says that there would be no resistance among the Krone’s editorial staff as “journalists are the biggest whores on the planet.�

Both the newspapers that published the footage say they don’t have any firm information over who set up the elaborate sting.

‘Done for!’ Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was due to give his reaction to the scandal on Saturday, with rumours rife that he may push for early elections.

The Krone Zeitung took a particularly outraged tone in its coverage, with its Saturday edition sporting a banner headline reading “The FPOe is done for!.�

The Die Presse newspaper’s headline talks of a “coalition on the brink.�

The Austrian APA agency reports FPOe party sources as saying they want to try to save the coalition with Kurz’s centre-right People’s Party (OeVP) by replacing Strache as vice-chancellor with Transport Minister Norbert Hofer, also from the FPOe. Elsewhere in the video Strache evokes the possibility of privatising part of Austria’s public broadcaster ORF and says he would like Austria’s media landscape to resemble that of neighbouring Hungary.

Hungary’s right-wing nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has

overhauled the country’s public media into a government propaganda organ while allies have steadily bought up swathes of the private media sector.

The FPOe has mounted repeated attacks on the ORF’s coverage, accusing it of being biased against the party.

Strache also appeared to hint at possible ways political donations could be made to a foundation linked to the FPOe and not to the party directly, apparently in order to escape legal scrutiny.

In recent weeks Kurz has already had to defend his decision to enter government with the far-right after a string of revelations about extremist sympathies in the FPOe’s ranks.

The putative link to Russia in the scandal is particularly embarrassing as the FPOe has a cooperation agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, leading many to accuse the FPOe of an overly close relationship with Moscow.

The FPOe’s lead candidate in next week’s elections, MEP Harald Vilimsky, cancelled a planned trip to Milan on Saturday where he was due to take part in a campaign event with far-right Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.

Strache, 49, succeeded the mercurial Joerg Haider as leader of the party in 2005.

He himself flir ted with neo Nazism in his youth, but as leader sought to clean up the party’s image and make it more electable.

AFP

SSUNDAY U N DAY MAY 19,, 2019

Public Square publicsquare@manilatimes.net

Budget and Treasury Management Systems launches new e-Learning System T

HE United States Agency for International Development (USAid) of the United States of America Embassy in the Philippines led the launch and ceremonial handover of the Budget and Treasury Management System’s (BTMS) e-Learning System to the Department of Budget Management (DBM).

The BTMS is a common, modern, integrated, accurate, reliable and secure information system for THE PUBLIC kNANCIAL MANAGEMENT (PFM) of the Philippine government. Its e-Learning System will aid the training of over 15,000 BTMS users in a short period of time.

The BTMS System is the technology centerpiece of the PFM Reforms Roadmap of the government and will be used across national government agencies as a sustainable resource planning solution that will fast-track, standardize, and automate public financial requirements and processes. “I am pleased that the BTMS e-learning facility will aid the DBM and government agencies in accelerating the roll-out of the

Q Present during the launch (from left) DBM Assistant Secretary Clarito Alejandro Magsino, DBM Officer-in-Charge Janet Abuel, USAid Philippines Deputy Mission Director Patrick Wesner, and USAid Philippines Deputy Director for Economic Development Jenna Diallo.

BTMS, allowing them to smoothly transfer service that allows one System (PhilGEPS) in achieving transition from a manual to a fully party to pay another party di- an end-to-end digitalization of automated system at lower cost to rectly to their bank or e-money the procurement process thereby the Philippine government,� said accounts across any of the over BOOSTING OUR OPERATIONAL EFkCIENCY We expect to continue our partnerUSAid-Philippines Deputy Mis- 40 participating banks.

DBM Officer in Charge Janet ship with USAid Philippines in the sion Director Patrick Wesner.

The BTMS also leverages on Abuel said that “With PESONet, the expansion of e-payments in the the payment and settlement sys- DBM and the rest of the Govern- Philippine government.�

The BTMS will be used mainly tems already existing under the ment of the Philippines can now BSP’s National Retail Payments fully digitalize the payment process BY KEY $"- TECHNICAL OFkCERS AND System framework by enabling AND ELIMINATE THE INEFkCIENT CASH government planning and budget the national government to pay and paper check payments. This TECHNICAL OFkCERS AND IS DUE FOR ITS CREDITORS MORE EFkCIENTLY VIA complements the Philippine Gov- mandatory adoption by national PESONet, an electronic funds ernment Electronic Procurement government agencies in July.

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

For contributions, email to publicsquare@manilatimes.net

Ibarra Watches celebrates culture and craftsmanship in ‘Kwentong Kultura’ IBARRA Watches, the country’s pioneer watch brand, joined SM Supermall’s premium shopping concept Kultura Store in its Kwentong Kultura event held at The Podium in Ortigas on April 30.

The event featured Kultura’s various consignors and their common mission to promote the Filipinos’ ingenuity through the quality of their products.

Speaking for Ibarra Watches, brand founder and CEO Nico Moreno said, “Filipinos have a history of being skilled artisans in various industries. But somehow, we just seem to have forgotten it as events in our history took place.

I believe we’ve always had what it takes to create great things — and even in watchmaking. We just need to look back and remember where we started as we rediscover

ourselves today.�

Live product demonstrations on how the products are manufactured capped the afternoon.

Joining Ibarra were other Filipino social enterprises such as Tumandok, EN Barong Filipino and Invisible Sisters.

FirstMetroSec wins awards from International Finance

PNIA highlights global prospects of Philippine nickel THE Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA), represented

by Chairman Isidro Alcantara, underlined the nickel industry’s efforts in boosting global prospects to remain competitive in the world market during the 1st Philippine Natural Resources Development Forum in Marriott Hotel, Manila on April 26.

Sharing good practices in responsible resource management, PNIA shared insights from its recently concluded Nickel Initiative 2019, which

discussed collaborative development opportunities in the nickel sector in the country.

PNIA is founded by seven member-companies: Platinum Group Metals Corp., CTP Construction and Mining Corp., Citinickel Mines and Development Corp., Carrascal Nickel Corp., DMCI Mining Corp., Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. and Agata Mining Ventures Inc. The forum was convened by The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

Q The Best Online Trading Platform award are FirstMetroSec President Gonzalo Ordoùez (left) and Chairman Rabboni Francis Arjonillo.

Q Philippine Nickel Industry Association Chaiman Isidro Alcantara shares development opportunities in the nickel industry in the country.

Fresnedi wins mayoral race in Muntinlupa City by landslide REELECTIONIST Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi has secured his third consecutive term with a landslide victory, along with allies dominating the local midterm elections.

The Commission on Elections proclaimed Fresnedi, running under the Liberal Party, and his running mates Temy Simundac for vice mayor and Rep. Ruffy Biazon, both under the PDPLaban, as winners in Muntinlupa City on May 14.

With a margin of more than 110,000 votes, Fresnedi garnered 164,144 votes over his rival mayoralty bet and former Bureau of Immigration Deputy Commissioner Red MariĂąas trailing behind at 52,127 votes.

Team Fresnedi City Council bets also took the lead in two

PRINTED FORMS OR OFkCE VISITS FirstMetroSec is wholly owned

by First Metro Investment Corp., the investment banking arm of the Metrobank Group, which seeks to provide institutional and retail clients with the most effective trading tools through which they can participate in the stock market. By offering timely and accurate research, it aims to empower clients to make informed investment decisions.

For more information, visit www. kRSTMETROSEC COM PH

Be environment-friendly with Epson inkjet printers Q The Commission on Elections proclaims reelectionist Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (fourth from left), along with his running mates Temy Simundac (fifth from left) for vice mayor and Ruffy Biazon (right) for representative, as winners in the local midterm elections.

Fresnedi extended his gratitude districts. In District 1, winning Niefes. While District 2 winners include Nep Santiago, Marissa to the people of Muntinlupa for councilors under Fresnedi’s team Rongavilla, Ryan Bagatsing, Lester trusting his administration and include Raul Corro, Alexson Diaz, Baes, Jun Metong Sevilla, Arlene vowed to continue to advocate Paty Katy Boncayao, Louie ArciaHilapo and Eliot Martinez. good governance in the city. ga, Allan Camilon and Valentino

Bautista inaugurates new Quezon City hospital QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista led the inauguration of the Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital (RMBGH) on May 14.

RMBGH is a three-story, 106bed capacity level 2 tertiary hospital located along IBP Road in Barangay Batasan Hills.

The new general hospital will provide continuous delivery of quality and accessible medical health care for all.

FIRST Metro Securities Brokerage Corp. (FirstMetroSec), the stockbrokerage arm of the Metrobank Group, was awarded by United Kingdom-based publishing firm, International Finance, as Best Online Broker and Best Online Trading Platform versus international peers.

During the awards covered period, the company introduced FirstMetroSec PRO, by far the most advanced online trading platform designed for active traders and its paperless account opening process, which takes away the need for

Q Mayor Herbert Bautista (left)

Manila Doctors Hospital conducts surgical mission in Western Visayas Region ABOUT 238 patients underwent successful operations at the recently conducted Manila Doctors Hospital surgical mission in Capiz province.

In collaboration with Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital, The Health Centrum Hospital and the provincial government of Capiz, the medical team comprised of 36 volunteers was led by Department of Surgery Chairman Albert Roxas, Medical Director Mario Juco, MSA President Roehl Salvador and MSA Board Genaro Chan.

The surgical mission was held at Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital and The Health Centrum Hospital, made possible with the generosity of GT Foundation in partnership with Capiznon sa Manila.

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CND launches ‘Yes, I do’ bridal collection IN time for the bridal season, Creative Nail Design Inc. (CDN) recently launched its limited edition “I do� collection, featuring four romantic shades in neutral, milk and semi-sheer tones that are perfect for the event.

Inspired by a classic wedding color palette, the collection incorporated the small details that come together to create a magical moment, such as the bride’s bouquet and an elegant veil. “Your wedding day, is one of the most pivotal moments in a person’s life; our goal with this collection is not to stray too far from the elegant color story synonymous with weddings but instead offer a modern take on those tones,�

said CND Co–Founder and Style Director Jan Arnold. “This collection intertwines the beauty of classic bridal sophistication with the fresh feeling of young romance, making it perfect for any bride.�

CND is the global leader in professional nail, hand and foot beauty distributed by New Summit Colors Distribution Inc.

Sports

SSUNDAY MAY 19, 2019 M

D1

www.manilatimes.net

Bucks rout Raptors to take 2-0 NBA Eastern Conference c ÀQDOV OHDG

Q Giannis Antetokounmpo (No. 34) of the Milwaukee Bucks attempts a shot in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at the Fiserv Forum on Saturday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. AFP PHOTO

L

OS ANGELES: Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a convincing 125-103 victory over the Toronto Raptors Friday (Saturday in Manila) for a 2-0 lead in the NBA Eastern #ONFERENCE kNALS 4HE TOP SEEDED "UCKS WHO RALLIED TO WIN GAME ONE OF THE BEST OF SEVEN SERIES NEVER TRAILED AND LED

BY AS MANY AS POINTS TO DOUBLE THEIR LEAD IN THE SERIES WHICH MOVES TO 4ORONTO FOR GAMES THREE AND FOUR ON 3UNDAY AND 4UESDAY g-ENTALLY WE WERE READY FOR THIS GAME u !NTETOKOUNMPO SAID g/NCE THE GAME STARTED WE DID A GREAT JOB SETTING THE TONE 7E KNEW 4ORONTO WAS GOING TO COME AND TRY TO PLAY hard and try to get one at our place.�

Antetokounmpo played a key role IN SETTING THAT TONE WITH A DUNK

an emphatic block on Raptors center Marc Gasol and another dunk in the opening minute of the contest. g) KNOW EVERY NIGHT WHEN THE game starts my teammates are

looking at ME u !NTEtokounmpo said. “I think it definitely gave the team a lot of energy.�

4HE "UCKS MADE SURE THE 2APTORS NEVER GOT A SNIFF ROARING TO AN POINT LEAD IN THE kRST QUARTER on the back of nine quick points from Nikola Mirotic and a 12-0 scoring run late in the period.

-ILWAUKEE LED BY POINTS

AT HALFTIME WITH %RSAN )LYASOVA CONTRIBUTING OF HIS BEFORE THE BREAK AND -ALCOLM "ROGDON OF HIS OFF THE "UCKS BENCH IN THE kRST HALF Overall the hosts’ reserves outSCORED 4ORONTO S IN THE kRST HALF AND OVERALL

3IX "UCKS PLAYERS SCORED IN DOUBLE kGURES AND COACH -IKE "UDENHOLZER SAID IT ALL STARTED WITH Antetokounmpo. “I think everybody fed off of 'IANNIS AND HOW HE STARTED THE GAME u "UDENHOLZER SAID +AWHI ,EONARD LED THE 2APTORS WITH POINTS (E CAME OUT kRING in the third quarter but despite his aggression the Raptors never got THE DEkCIT BELOW +YLE ,OWRY FINISHED WITH POINTS CONNECTING ON JUST FOUR OF SHOTS FROM THE kELD .ORMAN

by at least 20 points — tying an NBA record.

4HE "UCKS ONLY DEFEAT THIS POST season came in game one of the second round against the Boston Celtics. !NTETOKOUNMPO WAS ONE OF THREE kNALISTS FOR THE ."! -OST 6ALUABLE 0LAYER AWARD ANNOUNCED ON &RIDAY ALONG WITH (OUSTON S James Harden and Oklahoma MVP finalist City’s Paul George.

"UT HE SAID THE HONOR WAS FAR -ILWAUKEE NOTCHED THEIR SIXTH form his thoughts — despite the STRAIGHT WIN IN THESE PLAYOFFS AND chants of “MVP! MVP!� that fans THEIR SIXTH POST SEASON VICTORY rained on him in the fourth quarter

0OWELL ADDED OFF THE BENCH BUT THEY WERE THE ONLY 2APTORS TO SCORE IN DOUBLE kGURES g7E DIDN T PLAY VERY WELL TONIGHT u 2APTORS COACH .ICK .URSE SAID g7E WERE JUST A STEP TOO SLOW 7E SETTLED IN WITH SOME SPACE AND GAVE THEM SOME CONkDENCE EARLY

and you just can’t do that.�

Parks makes Blackwater debut today ROOKIE Bobby Ray Parks Jr. makes his Blackwater debut today as the Elite battle Meralco in the opener of Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Also seeing action with Blackwater are first timer head coach Aries Dimaunahan and former Meralco import Alex Stepheson.

Game begins at 4:30 p.m.

Dimaunahan replaced former head coach Bong Ramos after the Elite finished with a pitiful 2-9 win-loss record in the last Philippine Cup. “We are very excited and we’re looking for our first win in a long time — Aries’ first win as a rookie coach. We are extremely happy with Alex Stepheson — very down to earth and humble, also same with Ray Parks,� Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy told The Manila Times.

Parks was the Elite’s second overall pick during the pre-Season 44 rookie

draft. Parks skipped the Philippine Cup because he played for Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League.

“Ray has blended perfectly with the team and was a teammate of Alex in the NBA G league before,� added Sy. Meanwhile, Meralco coach Norman Black said newly signed Raymond Almazan is yet to see action because of injury. “Almazan will not play because of his past calf injury. He will return to action in the PBA in two to three weeks. Still, we are ready to go and looking forward to our first game versus Blackwater,� said Black, who will be counting on Nigerian import Gali Lawal.

In the 6:45 p.m. game, new American import Kyle Barone will display his prowess when Columbian Dyip under coach John Cardel faces Alaska.

The Aces, on the other hand, are fortified by import Chris Daniels supported by locals Simon Enciso, Sonny Thoss, Kevin Racal, Vic Manuel and Jayvee Casio.

JOSEF T. RAMOS

Q Bobby Ray Parks Jr. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Giannis, George finalists for NBA MVP and defensive award NEW YORK: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Paul George have a chance to be both the NBA’s MVP and its Defensive Player of the Year.

Reigning MVP James Harden is the other kNALIST FOR THE LEAGUE S TOP AWARD 4HE ."!

ANNOUNCED THREE kNALISTS FOR SIX INDIVIDUAL AWARD CATEGORIES &RIDAY 3ATURDAY IN -ANILA

based on voting results from a panel of SPORTSWRITERS AND BROADCASTERS !NTETOKOUNMPO LED -ILWAUKEE TO THE best record in the league and a berth in the

%ASTERN #ONFERENCE kNALS /KLAHOMA #ITY WAS ELIMINATED IN THE kRST ROUND AS 'EORGE STRUGGLED WITH A SHOULDER INJURY THAT EVENTUally required surgery.

4HE OTHER kNALIST FOR THE LEAGUE S TOP DEFENSIVE AWARD WAS 5TAH S 2UDY 'OBERT WHO WON THE AWARD LAST YEAR 4HE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED *UNE DURING THE ."! !WARDS WHEN ,E"RON *AMES WILL FINISH OUTSIDE THE TOP THREE OF the MVP voting for just the second time in the past 11 years.

AP

THE OTHER AWARD FINALISTS Rookie of the Year: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix; Luka Doncic, Dallas; Trae Young, Atlanta.

Sixth Man Award: Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams, Clippers; Domantas Sabonis, Indiana.

Coach of the Year: Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee; Michael Malone, Denver; Doc Rivers, Clippers.

Most Improved Player: De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento; D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn; Pascal Siakam, Toronto

AFTER HE DROVE FOR A LAYUP DREW A FOUL AND CONVERTED THE FREE THROW WITH TO PLAY “I don’t care about that right NOW u SAID !NTETOKOUNMPO WHO scored 11 points in the fourth quarTER g) CARE ABOUT GOING TO 4ORONTO and focusing for game three.�

4HAT S EXACTLY WHAT THE 2APTORS PLAN TO DO TOO g4HEY VE DONE WHAT THEY WERE supposed to do and protected THEIR HOME COURT u .URSE SAID g.OW WE VE GOT TO GO AND DO the same.�

AFP

Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry: How it came about 4 OUTSIDE

HE ."! WILL BE HONORING FORMER RIVALS -AGIC *OHNSON AND ,ARRY "IRD WITH A joint Lifetime Achievement on the league’s !WARDS .IGHT ON *UNE -AGIC AND "IRD WERE EMBROILED IN A PERSONAL RIVALRY IN THE WORLD S OLDEST AND MOST prestigious professional basketball league DURING THEIR TIME WHILE CARRYING THE COLORS of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston #ELTICS RESPECTIVELY IN THE S "UT DID YOU KNOW THAT THE DUO S CELebrated and glorious feud had started during their college days at the Michigan 3TATE 3PARTANS IN THE CASE OF *OHNSON

AND ,ARRY S )NDIANA 3TATE 3YCAMORES PROTAGONISTS FOR THE 53 .#!! CHAMPIONSHIP THE BASKETBALL CRAZY !MERICANS called “March Madness.�

(ONESTLY SPEAKING ) WASN T AT 3ALT ,AKE #ITY WHERE THE CHAMPIONSHIP DUEL TOOK PLACE ALTHOUGH ) WAS ALREADY IN MY SEVENTH YEAR AS A SPORTSWRITER BY THAT TIME

manning the sports desk of the Philippines .EWS !GENCY AS ITS SPORTS EDITOR "ESIDES ) COULDN T AFFORD TO GO TO THE BATTLEkELD FOR obvious reason. I didn’t even see the game through the magic of television for some reasons I can’t remember.

-AYBE ) WAS BUSY PREPARING FOR THE OPENING OF THE kFTH SEASON OF THE 0"!

WHERE THE LEGENDARY #RISPA 2EDMANIZERS WERE TO EXACT REVENGE FOR HAVING BEEN shutout for a PBA title the previous year.

Or maybe readying the sports staff for the COMING BICYCLE TOUR THEN POPULARLY KNOWN AS THE g3UMMER 3PECTACLE ON 7HEELS u 4HERE WERE ACTUALLY MANY REASONS AS TO WHY THIS /543)$%2 MISSED THAT IMPORTANT EVENT LIKE PREPARATIONS FOR THE 'OLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF THE 7ORLD #UP OF 'OLF THE COUNTRY WAS SCHEDULED TO HOST before year 1979 ended. !NYWAY TO ABREAST MYSELF OF WHAT transpired during that classic matchup THAT SERVED NOTICE OF WHAT TO COME WHEN Magic and Larry resumed their soon-toBE STORIED RIVALRY IN THE ."! ) HAD TO RELY ON THE NEXT MORNING S WIRE REPORTS

WHICH WERE DUMPED ON MY DESK AND WHICH ALL THE MORE MADE ME SORRY FOR the unforgivable miss. !S MEDIA REPORTS HAD IT ,ARRY PLAYED IN THE GOLD MEDAL GAME WITH A BROKEN LEFT thumb although he never used the injury as AN EXCUSE THEN AND NOW WHEN BOTH ARE ALready retired despite shooting 7 of 21 from THE lOOR 4HE REAL CULPRIT AS HE ADMITTED LATER WAS THE 3PARTANS MATCHUP ZONE

IN WHICH A PLAYER WAS ASSIGNED TO TRAIN "IRD step-for-step.

LOOKING IN

EDDIE ALINEA 7HENEVER HE RECEIVED A PASS OR TRIED TO DRIBBLE ANOTHER 3PARTAN WOULD SHADE over for the double-team. Bird admitted he had never seen such an intense defensive PRESSURE AND IT SHOWED (E COULD COUNT ON one hand the open looks he had and the FRUSTRATION WAS ETCHED ON HIS FACE ALL NIGHT 4HE 3YCAMORES COULD NOT COUNTER A SIMILAR TACTIC ON -AGIC WHO HAD SUCH A great passing skills and talented offensive TEAMMATES LIKE 'REG +ELSER WHO HELPED *OHNSON AND THE 3PARTANS ERECT A POINT lead in the second half.

7HEN +ELSER NEEDED TO BE RESTED ON FOUR FOULS ,ARRY AND THE 3YCAMORES MADE A RUN BUT COULDN T GET CLOSER THAN SIX POINTS THE REST OF THE WAY 7HEN +ELSER WAS kELDED BACK HE EVEN MADE AN EXCLAMATION POINT WITH A POWER DUNK IN THE kNAL SECONDS OF THE CONTEST ON A NO LOOK

over-the-shoulder lob pass from Magic in THE 3PARTANS TRIUMPH #ONTRIBUTING TO THE DOWNFALL WAS "IRD

A CAREER FREE THROW SHOOTER WHO HIT JUST OF FROM THE LINE THAT NIGHT 9EARS AFTER ESTABLISHING HIMSELF WELL AS A #ELTIC HE talked about that Indiana loss to MichiGAN WITH SOME OBJECTIVITY 7E COULD HAVE PLAYED THEM TIMES u HE ADMITTED gAND THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEATEN US EIGHT u 4HE ANIMOSITY THAT EXISTED BETWEEN THE TWO (ALL OF &AMERS TURNED SO DEEP THAT THEY REPORTS HAD IT BARELY SPOKE WITH EACH OTHER DURING THEIR EARLY YEARS IN THE ."!

EYEING EACH OTHER WITH MUTUAL DISTRUST )T WAS ONLY DURING THE kLMING OF A #ONVERSE COMMERCIAL AT "IRD S &RENCH ,ICK )ND HOME IN THE SUMMER OF kNALLY CEmented their friendship. ,ARRY AND -AGIC REVIVED THE ."! WITH THEIR TALENT THEIR HIGH BASKETBALL )1 THEIR COMMITMENT AND MOST OF ALL THEIR PERSONAL COMPETITION 4HEIR VICTORIES AND THEIR FAILURES THEIR EPIC BATTLE FOR THE CROWNS (OW ) WISH TO HAVE MORE CHANCES FOR ME TO WATCH -AGIC AND ,ARRY IN THE DUEL THAT WILL CONTINUE TO CAPTURE THE IMAGINATION OF THE WHOLE WORLD #HANCES TO SOAK IN THE game that made history and created one of the most fascinating rivalries in sports. !FTER ALL THERE IS NO MORE #RISPA 4OYOTA GAMES TO COVER NO MORE 4OUR OF ,UZON TO WORRY ABOUT AS A SPORTS EDITOR .O MORE 7ORLD #UP OF 'OLF TO PREPARE FOR

D2

Nascar

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan.: Brad Keselowski had planned to head to St. Louis after the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway to visit Mike Mittler, a longtime Truck Series owner who helped him early in his career and had been battling cancer the past couple years.

But after Mittler died Friday night at the age of 67, Keselowski headed to victory lane instead, CAPTURING THE CHECKERED lAG 3ATURday night and dedicating the win to his friend and mentor. “He helped a lot of guys in their career. Just a huge loss for the .!3#!2 COMMUNITY u SAID +ESELowski, who held off Alex Bowman AND A CHARGING kELD IN OVERTIME for his third win this season. g/NE OF THOSE UNSUNG HEROES u Keselowski added. “Gave his WHOLE LIFE TO THIS SPORT u Mittler would have liked the hardscrabble way Keselowski won at Kansas.

He dealt with balance problems early in the race, never really contended with the faster cars of Kevin Harvick and Kyle "USCH THROUGH THE kRST COUPLE of stages, yet managed to get everything sorted out in time to give Team Penske a satisfying 3ATURDAY SWEEP 3IMON 0AGENAUD WON A WET AND WILD )NDY#AR 'RAND 0RIX IN )NDIAnapolis earlier in the day.

Bowman finished second for the third straight week, while Erik Jones triggered some bad blood WITH +ANSAS NATIVE #LINT "OWYER by making an aggressive move that allowed him to hold onto third. g) THINK IT WAS JUST RACING u *ONES said with a shrug. “We were racing hard. This pack really leads to a lot of protecting your position.

The Sunday Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Keselowski wins in overtime at Kansas ahead of Bowman Q Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 2 Wurth Ford, does a burn out after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Digital Ally 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 11, 2019 in Kansas City, Kansas.

Q Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 2 Wurth Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winnnig the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Digital Ally 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 11, 2019 in Kansas City, Kansas. AFP PHOTOS I’m not going to give up three or FOUR SPOTS u Elliott dominated long stretches of the race before losing the LEAD TO 2ICKY 3TENHOUSE *R WITH 22 laps to go. But after his car failed inspection twice and Elliott had to start at the back, he still managed to work his way to the front for his third consecutive TOP kVE kNISH Bowyer rounded out the top kVE THOUGH HIS RUN IN WITH *ONES left him in no mood to celebrate.

The big question coming into

THE RACE WAS HOW .!3#!2 S NEW rules package would fare, especially after it was panned by drivers and owners alike this week.

But with an overcast sky and cool temps, the package wound up producing arguably the best race OF THE ENTIRE #UP 3ERIES SEASON Harvick dominated early before A lAT RIGHT TIRE WITH LAPS TO GO got him out of pit sequence. Busch then pulled into contention and was challenging for the lead when a caution came out for Austin DilLON S LOST TIRE WITH LAPS TO GO

sending the leaders to the pits.

Busch wound up going through too many boxes and was sent to THE BACK OF THE kELD g3URE TAKES THE WIN AWAY

DOESN T IT u "USCH SAID RUEFULLY on his radio.

3TENHOUSE TOOK THE LEAD WHEN he swung past Bowman and Elliott, and Keselowski suddenly appeared in his rearview mirror.

4HE FORMER #UP 3ERIES CHAMPION had been hanging around the top ALL DAY BUT HAD BEEN STRUGGLING with balance, and he seemed to kND IT AT THE PERFECT TIME Keselowski pulled even with seven laps to go, then held his lead on the green-white-checkered RESTART TO WIN THE kRST OVERTIME SPRING RACE AT +ANSAS 3PEEDWAY “We just kept working it all NIGHT "RAD NEVER GAVE UP u SAID his crew chief, Paul Wolfe. “Brad

never gave up. We fought through it and I knew once we got the balance right we could contend, and WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT TONIGHT u UNHAPPY HARVICK: 3TILL IN SEARCH OF HIS kRST WIN THIS SEASON

(ARVICK LED A RACE HIGH LAPS and became the career leader in laps led at Kansas before a cut tire ruined his day. Harvick wound up 13th, even though he may have had the fastest car of the day.

EQUALLY UNHAPPY BUSCH: Nobody was more critical of the rules package than Busch, especially after last week’s race at Dover. Busch was griping about THE AERO PACKAGE WITHIN THE kRST LAPS 3ATURDAY NIGHT BUT HE WAS still near the front before his pitroad miscue dropped him from contention.

BOWMAN’S BUMMER: It took Bowman all of 5 minutes to

Chastain races to 1st NASCAR Trucks victory KANSAS CITY, Kan.: Ross Chastain raced to his first NASCAR

Trucks victory Friday night after leader Stewart Friesen ran out of gas with three laps to go at Kansas Speedway. “This is what sports is all about — comebacks man,�

Chastain said after leading just five laps.

Friesen took the first two stages for the first time this season, but a costly mistake of leaving the pit box early with 42 laps to go left him without enough gas. He held the lead after a restart with 16 laps to go and led a race-high 87 laps on the 1 1/2-mile oval, but ended up 15th. “We just can’t close it,� said Friesen, who was seeking his first Trucks win after five runner-up finishes. “I

didn’t know we were taking four (tires). I thought for sure we were taking two. Just a lot of silence on the radio. That’s it.�

The winner of a NASCAR Xfinity Series race last year in Vas Vegas, Chastain topped Ben Rhodes by 0.483 seconds.

Todd Gilliland was third, followed by Austin Hill and Brandon Jones and twotime Kansas winner Matt Crafton. Johnny Sauter, coming off a victory at Dover, was forced to the garage after his 20th lap because of mechanical woes and came back AP to complete 97 laps.

tweet after the race how sorely HE WANTED HIS kRST CAREER WIN (E has guided the No. 88 to the front each of the past three races, only TO SETTLE FOR RUNNER UP kNISHES “Just made some bad decision and never should have given the 2 car a CHANCE AT IT u "OWMAN SAID g*UST made some bad calls through lap TRAFkC AND GOT TIED OFF u A FOURTH FAIL: The car chiefs for Joey Logano, Elliott and Kyle Larson were ejected after their cars failed inspection for a second time, though all three made it through on the third try.

In fact, more than a fourth of the kELD FAILED THEIR kRST INSPECTION 4HAT INCLUDED kVE OF THE TOP EIGHT QUALIkERS INCLUDING !RIC !LMIROLA

$ANIEL 3UAREZ AND -ARTIN 4RUEX *R UP NEXT: The series heads to #HARLOTTE FOR THE !LL 3TAR RACE NEXT 3ATURDAY NIGHT AP

Q Ross Chastain, driver of the No. 45 TruNorth/ Paul Jr. Designs Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Digital Ally 250 at Kansas Speedway on May 10, 2019 in Kansas City, Kansas. AFP PHOTO

Motor Sports Floirendo makes dream debut in Audi R8 challenge race T The Sunday Times

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

D3

BY MIKE POTENCIANO

HE country’s lone racer in the Audi R8 Challenge Trophy Cup, Vincent Floirendo, made a dream debut by winning both races of the inaugural series at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China recently.

The veteran international campaigner Floirendo applied his strategy of driving consistently and avoiding the accidents happening around him, especially during the wet afternoon race. Since it was his kRST RACE IN THE TRICKY :HUHAI #IRcuit, his strategy proved successful AS IT BROUGHT HIM TWO kRST PLACES in the Challenge Trophy class and two third overall places in the premiere R8 LMS Cup GT3 Class. “I just focused on my driving and [being] consistent on both wet and dry races,� said a very happy Floirendo after the races. “I haven’t raced in the rain for a long time and visibility was bad

from the start. I was very happy to move up from P8 (eighth position) in qualifying to third in the end and win both Challenge Trophy Class races.�

The banana magnate has now taken a superb lead in the Challenge Trophy class for drivers new to the series or who have not been competing regularly. Vincent is A kRST TIME DRIVER IN THE !UDI 2 series but has impressed the entire kELD INCLUDING THE ORGANIZERS WHO gave him the prestigious Castrol Performance of the Weekend award. “I would like to thank my family and chief mechanic Mato Tan for

supporting me,� added Enteng, as his friends fondly call him. “They have been there with me in every race, and I would like to dedicate this race to them and our fellow countrymen!� )N THE kRST RACE OF THE :HUHAI leg, Floirendo took a tentative seventh position in qualifying after EXPLORING THE DEMANDING :HUHAI TRACK FOR THE kRST TIME "UT HIS CONkDENCE GREW SLOWLY DURING THE RACE AND HE kNISHED kRST IN THE Challenge Trophy class and fourth place overall. However, secondplacer driver Bhurit Bhirombhakdi from Thailand was penalized for overtaking during a yellow

lAG CONDITION DROPPING HIM TO fourth. This promoted Vincent to third place.

The hardest challenge came on THE NEXT DAY S RACE WHEN A BIG downpour and a lot of drama happened after the start. There were three times the safety car came out during the race because of cars spinning out and getting stranded on dangerous parts of the track. But Floirendo kept his cool and went up to second place with his strategy and great car control. After starting in eighth place, he climbed to second overall during the race. Yet, he DIDN T RISK kERCELY DEFENDING HIS

Q Floirendo (right) takes part in the traditional champagne spray after taking first place in the Challenge Trophy class. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS POSITION IN THE kNAL LAPS AGAINST his teammate, 2018 champion Andrew Haryanto. Floirendo kNISHED THIRD Floirendo is only seven points away from the leaders in the battle

for a seat in the prestigious Audi R8 LMS team that will compete in NEXT YEAR S HOUR ENDURANCE RACE in Suzuka, Japan. The deciding race will be held in Shanghai on June 1 to 2.

rental karts with Honda 4-stroke engines. This would be the cheapest and most durable kart to start ON 4HE NEXT LEVEL WOULD BE DIRECT drive, Yamaha KT100S, 2-stroke engines on race karts, which are more powerful and lighter than the 4- stroke engines.

veterans so it would have non-stop action right from the start. There can be special celebrity and media classes also to drum up the event. The best part is the fans and participants would be treated like royalty during the event, and make it worth their time to visit and join the series.

Race series/venues

Media blitz

Permanent tracks like Carmona (Cavite), Clark (Pampanga) and Batangas are great and safe tracks for the fast machines. However, fans have a hard time going all the way to these tracks to watch and cheer.

So, we would have to organize events in commercial establishments, parking lots and places WITH HIGH PUBLIC TRAFkC TO MAKE the sport visually appealing and TO SHOWCASE THE EXCITING RACING action that karting can offer. Having 20 karts all funneling into one turn and dicing for every little bit of space to overtake would make anyone stand on their feet during the whole race.

The race series would have classes FOR BEGINNERS LADIES EXECUTIVES AND

The karting series and its participants would not attain the recognition it deserves without big media promotions tied to it. With the advent of social media, promoting the kart series would be much easier and could be done in real time. Even the more traditional television medium IS BECOMING MORE lEXIBLE IN TERMS of content, thus it’s the proper time for Speed TV to come back and promote karting.

I hope we could all work for karting’s revival because this is where we COULD DRAW OUR NEXT CROP OF CHAMpions in other forms of racing. Will keep you all posted and sorry if we sound like a broken record, but it’s our passion to make karting No. 1 again. Godspeed to all!

The revival of karting

W

HILE I was looking at the results of the just concluded IAME Series Asia Leg 2 in Bira, Thailand, I was sad to see so few Filipinos attending this great, international event that would test driver’s skills in different tracks across Southeast Asia. We had less than a handful that competed, and even our local and national karting events have dwindled to almost nil in some classes.

I have dug up an old article of mine on how to help revive the sport that I love, and bring it back to its feet. I believe that karting is still the best venue for getting your racing skills honed, and it’s a matter of doing it right, both in terms of the drivers and organizers.

So below is a part of my article “Karting — Filipino Style� (The Manila Times, Aug. 13, 2016) and hope my new friends would help

Q Vincent Floirendo holds on to second position in the afternoon wet race of the Audi R8 Challenge Trophy Cup held at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China.

ME kX THE SPORT THAT MADE ME A TRULY good driver.

around a kart track. Some people have also said that karting is already mainstream and is known by the majority of people that like cars.

With all of these positive factors, why is karting not as big as it should be? I believe that these steps should be done to help bring back the golden age of karting.

and veteran drivers would be happy with a new track that no one has previous knowledge of. This would remove the factor of drivers getting AN EXTRA ADVANTAGE BY PRACTICING day in and day out on the same track. The good drivers would also shine in these tracks as the natural talent would be seen right away.

Good news

Kart clinics

Affordable costs

Let’s start with the good news. The Filipinos have the right built and STATURE TO EXCEL IN KARTING 7E DON T need height and heft to win. Our petite frame is just right and in fact, is a big advantage. There are also good kart tracks around that were established since 1991 with very good instructors to help the newbies.

The sport is also complemented by rental kart venues where people can share their passion for fun

One of the best ways to bring back karting is to get new and old blood back into the sport. We would have to invite them to kart clinics and do it on a regular basis, even in nonpermanent tracks. This would entail a lot more work, especially with safety barriers and a bigger team to marshal the event but I believe this would be worth it.

These non-permanent locations would not be ideal for cadet drivers 12 years old and b e l ow, but the young professionals

As in any form of racing, the one who has the deeper pocket can almost be assured of winning the event. We should try to keep costs down, and make it affordable and available to a bigger number of enthusiasts.

One way of making it more affordable is to use one-make karts in an arrive-and-drive format. This means that all the karts have the same chassis, same engine and same tires, and are taken care of by one team. There would be tight REGULATIONS AS TO WHAT YOU CAN kX OR change on the kart and there would be drawing of lots as to what engine you would be able to use for that day.

The karts for beginners would be

TURBO TIMES

MIKE POTENCIANO

France's Quartararo hopes to star at Le Mans LE MANS, France: )N ONLY HIS kFTH -OTO'0

20-year-old Fabio Quartararo will be the center of attention this weekend for the race at Le Mans in his native France.

Two weeks ago in Jerez, the rookie from Nice became the youngest man TO TAKE POLE POSITION IN A GRAND PRIX

breaking the record set in 2013 by the sport’s dominant rider, Marc Marquez.

Marquez still won the race, while Quartararo was forced out by mechanical problems with his Yamaha, but he has taken encouragement from his form in qualifying and post-race testing. “We can only draw positive conclusions from the Spanish GP. We took pole position,� he told the Yamaha SRT website. g7E WERE kGHTING FOR THE PODIUM and on Monday we were the fastest at the test whilst we were trying out many things for the coming races,� he added.

He is looking forward to racing in FRONT OF &RENCH FANS FOR THE kRST TIME since stepping up to MotoGP this season. “It’s good to go to Le Mans after a great weekend like we had at Jerez.

There will be a lot of fans at the French '0 AND THAT WILL GIVE ME EXTRA MOTIVAtion,� Quartararo said. “It also generates more stress and PRESSURE AS IT S MY HOME 'RAND 0RIX

but in the end it’s good to have a race where the fans are all behind me,� he added.

The other French rider in the race,

Johann Zarco, took his only pole position on a Yamaha last year.

The memory might lift Zarco’s mood, which has been glum as he has struggled at his new team KTM to set up his bike in a way he likes.

Meanwhile, the five-time world champion, titleholder and winner last year, Marc Marquez is again leading the standings after two WINS AND A SECOND IN THE kRST THREE races. But he is only one point ahead OF FELLOW 3PANIARD !LEX 2INS The gap is so small because Marquez CRASHED WHILE LEADING THE 'RAND 0RIX of the Americas. His Honda can be lively.

‘Tricky GP’ Rain is forecast for Saturday and Sunday and the Le Mans track demands a lot of braking and acceleration. “Le Mans can be a tricky GP, especially with the weather so we must be prepared for any conditions,� Marquez said.

Rins is in impressive form on his Suzuki. The young Spaniard won in 4EXAS AFTER -ARQUEZ FELL AND WAS SECond in Jerez. “The latest results have been very positive, but we’ll stay grounded and not get carried away,� he said. “We know that Le Mans can be a tricky circuit for us as it is mainly ‘stop and go’, but, at the same time, the growth we’ve done with the bike com-

Q Petronas Yamaha SRT’s French rider Fabio Quartararo rides during the second MotoGP free practice session on Friday, ahead of the French Motorcycle Grand Prix in Le Mans, northwestern France. AFP PHOTO pared to last year, and my increased EXPERIENCE COULD BE TWO IMPORTANT factors for a good race in France,�

Marquez added.

Suzuki’s last title was won by Kenny Roberts in 500cc in 2000, two years before the launch of the MotoGP format.

Two Italians, Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso and veteran Valentino Rossi, are third and fourth in the standings.

Rossi has two second places but no victories this season and has not won at Le Mans since 2008. He was a distant SIXTH IN *EREZ “I like the track at Le Mans and our Yamaha is usually competitive here,� he said. “I want to get back on the podium.�

AFP

D4

Sports

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

PSL’s Mojdeh shines anew in Ontario meet P

BY EMIL C. NOGUERA

HILIPPINE Swimming League (PSL)Swimming Pinas star Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh shone bright in the 2019 Ralph Hicken International Swimming Championship after she won three gold medals and established two new records on Friday (Saturday in Manila) at the Markham Pan Am Center in Ontario, Canada.

Mojdeh, a Philippine national junior record holder, started her campaign on a high note by posting a record-breaking performance in the girls’ 12-year 50m breaststroke.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary College-ParaĂąaque student submitted 36.69 seconds to erase the 38.01 old mark.

Mojdeh continued her impressive showing, notching another record IN THE M BUTTERlY WITH A TIME OF 29.71 seconds, better that the 30.68 previous tournament record.

Mojdeh won her third gold after winning the lung-busting 400m

individual medley where she REGISTERED TO COMPETE A three-gold sweep for the day.

Mojdeh guns for more gold medals and new records in six more events namely the 200m individual medley, 200m breaststroke, 100m BUTTERlY M BUTTERlY M FREEstyle and 100m breaststroke events, in the third and fourth days of the competition. g*ASMINE HAS ALREADY FULkLLED her promise to coach Susan Papa that she’ll break records in this tournament. But she’s not yet done as she aims for more gold medals and hopefully a couple of new

Q Philippine national junior record holder Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh displays her winning form during the backstroke event of the ongoing 2019 Ralph Hicken International Swimming Championship at the Markham Pan Am Center in Ontario, Canada. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO records more in the coming days,� said PSL-Swimming Pinas delegation head Joan Melissa Mojdeh.

Besides Mojdeh’s three gold medals, the other members of the team also earned two gold, two silver and three bronze medals in their respective age-groups.

General Santos City tanker Jie Angela Talosig copped the top honors in the girls’ 12-year 200m FREESTYLE IN BEATING #ANADIANS )SABEL -ARSHALL AND ,INDSAY 'ORDON Talosig chipped in a bronze in 50m breaststroke (37.60).

Palarong Pambansa veteran Francisco Cordero III also bagged a gold medal in the boys’ 13-14 50m breaststroke, checking in at 33.86 seconds to outclass tall and older Canadian foes James Bertrim (33.94) and Matthew Kuusk (35.29).

Saira Pabellon got two silver medals in the girls’ 11-year class (50m breaststroke, 38.33 and M BUTTERlY WHILE *OHN Alexander Talosig won two bronze medals in the boys’ 13-14 category M FREESTYLE

AND M FREESTYLE

Pliskova set for Sakkari rematch in Rome Capadocia, Patrimonio ROME: Former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova set up a rematch with Greece’s Maria Sakkari at the Italian Open on Friday, a year after the Czech player smashed the umpire’s chair in a temper tantrum after losing to the Greek.

Pliskova and Sakkari last met in the second round at the Foro Italico when the Czech, furious at a line call, smashed a hole in the umpire’s chair after losing in three sets.

Pliskova, the fourth seed, beat Belarusian Victoria Azarenka 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-2 on Friday and plays 39th-ranked Sakkari, who ousted France’s Kristina Mladenovic 5-7,

FOR A PLACE IN THE kNAL “With Sakkari I didn’t play since last year, so I think everybody is — even me,� said the 27-year-old Pliskova, who was fined by the WTA for her outburst.

“It was I think (at a) couple (of) tournaments already close to happening, the rematch after this. But she always lost before.� “I think she was scared to face me,� she joked.

Since then, Sakkari has won her kRST 74! TITLE ON CLAY IN -OROCCO last month. “It was not a nice memory I have,� said the player from Athens. “But since then, I think we have both forgot about it. “We both moved on. I’m sure it’s going to be a very, very tough match. She’s going to be up for it. “Of course, we both want to BE IN THE kNAL ) M JUST LOOKING forward for the match.�

Pliskova is the top seed left in the kNAL TOURNAMENT BEFORE THE &RENCH Open after the top three seeds, Naomi Osaka, Roland Garros champion Simona Halep, and Petra Kvitova, all

pulled out injured.

No Czech woman has won the Rome tournament since Regina Marsikova in 1978, with former French Open champion Hana Mandlikova THE LAST kNALIST BACK IN “There is nobody really like Rafa (Nadal) in the girls,� said Pliskova. “There’s Simona (Halep), she’s the best the way she moves on the clay. “ I t h i n k e ve r y b o d y r i g h t now is beatable.�

Pliskova has credited fourtime Italian Open winner Conchita M a r tinez, n ow h e r coach,

for improving her clay form. “I have Conchita. She won (in Rome) four times, so that’s quite (a lot of) motivation for me,� said Pliskova of the Spanish former Wimbledon champion. “She tries to teach me things that are a little bit different. “Rome for me was terrible so far in last couple years. Especially last year.�

Madrid Open champion and sixth seed Kiki Bertens advanced after Osaka withdrew injured.

She next plays Britain’s Johanna Konta, who battled past Czech Marketa Vondrousova 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to celebrate her 28th birthday in style.

AFP

Escobar’s 3-run triple helps Diamondbacks beat Giants 7-0 PHOENIX: A r i z o n a h a d g o o d pitching, timely hitting and solid defense.

It’s just the kind of game Torey Lovullo likes from the Diamondbacks, helping him become the second-fastest manager in team history to reach 200 wins.

Eduardo Escobar hit a three-run triple and David Peralta homered, lifting the Diamondbacks to a 7-0 win over the San Francisco Giants on Friday night. “Two hundred wins is something I’m very proud of, but the players are more responsible for that than I am,� Lovullo said.

Lovullo reached 200 wins in 369 games, behind only Bob Brenly, who did it 349 games.

The Diamondbacks used Lovullo’s blueprint to get him to the milestone, getting good pitching early and building quality at-bats as the game progressed.

Peralta hit a solo homer off Jeff Samardzija (2-2) and Escobar cleared the bases with a slicing triple against Derek Holland in the seventh.

Adam Jones had a run-scoring double among his three hits and three relievers combined with Merrill Kelly (4-4) for Arizona’s third shutout of the season. “You look at that game and the story was we just couldn’t get a big hit,� Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “We had runners out there we were just missing one more hit there to get things rolling and we just couldn’t get it tonight.�

Kelly worked around a high early pitch count in 5 1/3 scoreless

innings after two shaky outings.

The right-hander allowed 10 combined earned runs his previous two outings, but was effective against the Giants until running into trouble in the sixth inning.

San Francisco loaded the bases to with one out to chase the right-hander, but Yoshihisa Hirano struck out Brandon CrawFORD AND GOT +EVIN 0ILLAR TO lY out to right.

Kelly allowed six hits and struck out four. “He was using his defense,�

Jones said. “That’s what we’re there for and he was pounding the strike zone.�

4HE kRST INNING HAS BEEN A STRUGgle for Samardzija this season. He has a 12.38 ERA in the opening frame and allowed a majors-most SIX kRST INNING HOMERS The right-hander made it through the first inning unscathed and held the Diamondbacks in check until Peralta lifted a solo homer to left-center in the fourth inning.

Jones chased Samardzija with a run-scoring double and Ketel Marte put Arizona up 3-0 with a broken-bat RBI single off Reyes Moronta.

FROM MLB.COM

Q Eduardo Escobar (No. 5) of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a three run triple in the seventh inning of the MLB game against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on May 17, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. AFP PHOTO Samardzija allowed three runs ON kVE HITS AND WALKED THREE IN 1/3 innings. He did not strike out A BATTER FOR THE kRST TIME IN career starts. “They are aggressive out there,�

Samardzija said. “I thought we were making good pitches, which kind of created the atmosphere that it did, just kind of moving along there.�

Bochy ejected Bochy was ejected in the seventh inning for arguing a call after

Jarod Dyson was hit on the hand attempting a bunt.

Bochy walked out of the dugout while trainers attended to Dyson and home plate umpire Andy Fletcher gave him an almost nonchalant ejection. “They say he pulled back. He attempted to bunt the ball, not the right call there,� Bochy said AFTER HIS THIRD EJECTION OF HIS kNAL season before retiring. “I don’t know how much it played into the game, but the call was not right. He was attempting to bunt that ball.�

AP

seal title faceoff MARIAN CAPADOCIA and Clarice Patrimonio forged another title clash in the PPS-PEPP Brookside Hills Open Tennis Championships, posting victories in lopsided fashions even as the big guns continued to dominate the men’s singles at the Brookside Hills Tennis Club in Cainta, Rizal on Saturday.

The top seeded Capadocia dropped just two games in three matches to earn another crack at the crown she won via a tough 6-4, 6-4 victory over Patrimonio last year, including a 6-1, 6-0 romp over Christine Patrimonio in the semifinals while the second ranked Clarice yielded eight games to g a i n a shot at redemption, including a 6-4, 6-0 triumph over Khim Iglupas in the Final Four.

They dispute the crown and the top P25,000 prize at 1 p.m. today (Sunday) with Capadocia, 23, all primed up to make it twoin-row and Patrimonio raring to get back at the Antique City ace in the event put up by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala and backed by Rep. Jack Duavit, One Cainta, Bgy. San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal, BRAI, Feeds Edition Batangas, RMJ Agricultural, board member Ross Gongora, Allan del Castillo and Dunlop as official ball.

Jeson Patrombon and Johnny Arcilla likewise set a title clash of the top two seeds in men’s play at 3 p.m. today with the former repeating over No. 3 Vicente Anasta, 6-2, 6-2, and the latter overpowering No. 4 Fritz Verdad, 6-1, 6-1, in the semis.

Patrombon, who survived Leander Lazaro, 4-6, 6-1, 10-7, in the quarters, also whipped Anasta, 6-0, 6-3, to pocket the crown last year with the 26-year-old veteran Davis Cupper from Iligan City also dominating Arcilla in the Gov. Umali Cup in Oriental Mindoro last month.

Unlike Patrombon, Arcilla has turned in a more impressive showing this week, crushing Deo Talatayod, 6-1, 6-1, in the quarters then cruising past Verdad, who held off doubles partner Eric Jed Olivarez Jr., 6-4, 7-6(2), in the Last 8.

Meanwhile, Jenric Accion and Jelic Amazona hacked out a shock 1-6, 6-3, 10-6 victory over top seed Anasta and Mark Alcoseba to barge into the semis of the men’s doubles.

They will next take on the Arcilla-Olivarez pair, which turned back Kinaadman and Antonio Tria, 7-5, 6-2.

Verdad and Lazaro fended off Joseph Arcilla and Alberto Villamor, 2-6, 7-6(8), 11-9, to clinch a semis spot in the lower half of the draw against Patrombon and Noel Damian Jr., who eased out Jude Ceniza and Harvey Gilbuena.

Making it to the women’s doubles semis are Capadocia-Iglupas, Miles VitalianoMikaela Vicencio, Justine Maneja-Jenailia Prulla, and the Patrimonio sisters.

Up next in the country’s biggest and long-running talentsearch is the Valle Verde leg, a juniors Group I tournament, on May 21-25, in Pasig while the Manila Southwoods will host the next stop for another Group I event on May 26-30 in Carmona, Cavite. Listup is ongoing. For details, call 09154046464.

PH'S DUNO WINS WBO NABO CROWN FILIPINO boxer Romero Duno scored a split decision win over Mexican Juan Antonio Rodriguez for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Northern American Boxing Organization (NABO) lightweight title on Friday at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in California.

Referee Raul Caiz Sr. stopped the kGHT WITH LEFT IN ROUND NINE after Rodriguez suffered a deep cut

on his right cheek because of an accidental headbutt. g) THINK THE kGHT WAS REALLY CLOSE although it is clear that Duno really won. We respect the decision of the judges,� said Duno’s Filipino promoter JC Mananquil.

Duno’s win-loss record improved to 20-1 with 15 knockouts while Rodriguez’s dropped to 30-8 with 26 knockouts.

JOSEF T. RAMOS

Golf

E1 SUNDAY MAY 19, 2019

www.manilatimes.net Q Brooks Koepka of the United States and Tiger Woods of the United States shake hands on the 18th green during the second round of the 2019 PGA Championship on May 16, 2019 at the Bethpage Black course in Farmingdale, New York.

AFP PHOTO

Tiger passes golf supremacy to Koepka at historic PGA B

ETHPAGE, United States: There wasn’t a ceremony and Brooks Koepka says he needs plenty more major wins to match Tiger Woods, but the aura of golf invincibility has been passed, at least verbally.

It happened at the PGA Championship after defending champion +OEPKA kRED A kVE UNDER PAR AT Bethpage Black on Friday (Saturday in Manila) to seize a seven-stroke lead on 12-under 128.

It’s the largest 36-hole lead in modern major history. It’s the lowest 36-hole score in major history by two shots.

And it’s clear Woods, Koepka’s playing partner the past two days who missed the cut with scores of 72 and 73, sees what happens when a new generation learns from his legend. “At 29 he has got many more years ahead of him where he can do this,� Woods said. “He paid his dues. He found a game and a dedication that he needed to play well and he’s doing that.�

Woods edged Koepka by a stroke last month to win the Masters, ending an 11-year major win drought for his TH CAREER MAJOR TITLE (E WON THE kRST WITH BIG HOLE LEADS AND sees Koepka able to do the same now. “He’s driving it 330 yards in the middle of the fairway. He’s got 9-irons when most of us are HITTING IRONS IRONS AND HE S putting well,� Woods said. “That adds up to a pretty substantial lead and if he keeps doing what he’s doing, there’s no reason why he can’t build on this lead.�

Woods can see himself in Koepka.

g2ELATIVE TO THE kELD ) WAS ABOUT that long early in my career, when you’re able to hit the ball much further than other players,� Woods said. “I was never that big. I was 130 pounds. But we’re both able to generate speed. I didn’t have muscle. I did it through whip and timing. “Brooksy has just got pure power and he’s an athlete. He played other sports and he could have easily been a baseball player. Players like that who come to golf generally hit the ball far because a baseball bat is so much heavier than a golf club.�

Koepka dismisses the hurry to anoint him as the new Tiger, even as he admits he has a great chance to win his fourth major in his past eight starts on Sunday. “I’ve got 11 more to go or 12 more to go before that happens,�

Koepka said.

He shot the lowest round by any Woods playing partner in a major since Woods turned professional in 1996. “You have to bring your game when you’re with him,� Koepka said.

Koepka said that when Woods shook his hand after the round he said, “Keep it up. Great playing, and kNISH IT OFF STRONG u Koepka said it wasn’t even a great day lamenting two bogeys. “I didn’t strike it

that good. But the way I hung in there today and battled it, I think was probably more impressive than (his 63), not having your A game but still being able to shoot a great score.�

‘Why I go to the gym’ Asked about how he blasted out

Australian Scott doesn’t see Koepka as unbeatable at PGA BETHPAGE, United States: Australia’s Adam Scott isn’t going to roll over and let runaway 36hole leader Brooks Koepka win the PGA Championship without putting up a serious fight.

The 2013 Masters winner nearly matched Koepka’s day-old Bethpage Black course record 63 before settling for a six-under par 64 Friday (Saturday in Manila) and a share of second with Jordan Spieth at seven shots adrift entering Saturday’s third round.

Defending champion Koepka, also winner of the past two US Opens, has the largest lead in modern major golf history after two rounds, and the lowest 36-hole total in major golf history at 12-under 128.

But like everyone else, the US star is only half done. “Yeah, I know he has won three majors. I know he seems impenetrable at the moment in this position, but at some point he’s got to think about it,� Scott said. “If he didn’t have a hot day tomorrow, the gap narrows and there’s pressure over whatever lead he might have or might not on Sunday. “Hey, if the guy can just keep doing that for another two days, then there’s not much you can do. But I think someone, hopefully

me, will chip away tomorrow and sneak up in the right direction.�

Koepka seeks his fourth major win in his eight most recent major starts. It’s like when Tiger Woods won his first 14 major titles from 54-hole leads. “It has to come to an end eventually, that good front-running,� Scott said. “Let’s hope it’s not 12 years like Tiger’s frontrunning lasted.�

Scott started his day with stunning birdie putts from 25 feet at the first hole, 38 feet at the second and 27 feet at the par-3 third then added a 14-footer at the fifth. “I came out and they just started rolling in and didn’t think much about it. I felt good with it,� Scott said. “It was a great start. Managed to keep it going for a lot of the day.�

Scott birdied three of the first five holes on the back nine and thoughts of super-low scores drifted into his head before reality in the form of a two-foot par miss at the par-3 17th produced his lone bogey and a 64. “I thought, whether it was low or possible leaving the 15th green, 16, 17, 18 are actually very gettable,� Scott admitted. “It was a

of tall weeds, Koepka said, “That’s why I go to the gym.�

Asked about his putting, Koepka said, “I feel as comfortable as I’ve ever felt putting this week.

I feel every time I even slide the putter right behind the ball it’s lined up perfectly.�

And he admits he learned by playing alongside Woods in the

past not to watch him as he had on television as a child. “All I did was watch him for nine holes. That’s what I grew up doing,� Koepka said. “And you can’t do that. You’ve got to focus on your own game.�

And it’s clear Koepka has learned from Woods when you have a lead to keep going.

“I’d like to see that lead grow as large as it possibly can,� Koepka said. “I still have to go out there and do what I’m supposed to do, keep putting the ball in the right spot. “Make sure you don’t make any double bogeys and I should have a good chance of winning the championship.�

AFP

SCORES FROM THE 101ST PGA CHAMPIONSHIP SCORES after Saturday’s second round of the 101st PGA Championship at par-70 Bethpage Black: 128 - Brooks Koepka (USA) 63-65 135 - Jordan Spieth (USA) 69-66, Adam Scott (AUS) 71-64 136 - Daniel Berger (USA) 70-66, Dustin Johnson (USA) 69-67, Kelly Kraft (USA) 71-65, Matt Wallace (ENG) 69-67, Luke List (USA) 68-68 137 - Justin Rose (ENG) 70-67 138 - Danny Lee (NZL) 64-74, Kang Sung (KOR) 68-70, Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 70-68, Harold Varner (USA) 7167, Erik Van Rooyen (RSA) 70-68, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 67-71, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 70-68, Rickie Fowler (USA) 69-69, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-68 139 - Patrick Cantlay (USA) 69-70, Bronson Burgoon (USA) 73-66, Scott Piercy (USA) 72-67, Mike LorenzoVera (FRA) 68-71, Chez Reavie (USA) 68-71, Xander Schauffele (USA) 70-69, Charles Howell (USA) 72-67 140 - Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 75-65, Gary Woodland (USA) 70-70, Keegan Bradley (USA) 70-70, Zach Johnson (USA) 71-69, Phil Mickelson (USA) 69-71, Matt Kuchar (USA) 70-70, Jimmy Walker (USA) 70-70, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 71-69, Francesco Molinari (ITA) 72-68, Lucas Bjerregaard (DEN) 71-69 141 - Ross Fisher (ENG) 74-67, Lucas Glover (USA) 72-69, Paul Casey (ENG) 70-71, Danny Willett (ENG) 71-70, Webb Simpson (USA) 72-69, Pat Perez (USA) 6873, Beau Hossler (USA) 72-69, Brandt Snedeker (USA) 74-67, Max Homa (USA) 70-71, Aaron Wise (USA) 70-71, Marty Jertson (USA) 72-69 142 - Joel Dahmen (USA) 70-72, Billy Horschel (USA) 70-72, Kurt Kitayama (USA)

Q Adam Scott of Australia plays his shot from the 18th tee during the second round of the 2019 PGA Championship at the Bethpage Black course on May 17, 2019 in Farmingdale, New York.

AFP PHOTO

fleeting thought. Not happening at the end of the day. I was very happy to get up-and-down for 64 on the last. “I’ve just got my head into a good place this week. I feel like my game’s in a really great place. If I can get out of my own head a little bit and just play and swing, I think good results are there.�

‘Great stuff’ needed Scott, whose third behind Koepka and Woods in last year’s PGA was his best major finish since 2013, knows he needs something special at the weekend. “Whether I’m six back, seven back, equal lead, to win a major, you’re going to have to do some great stuff over the weekend. “That’s going to require some really great golf and when you’re behind I just can’t afford to make many errors. You can accept a bogey but probably not more than one a day the next couple days.�

AFP

74-68, Adam Hadwin (CAN) 72-70, Sam Burns (USA) 70-72, Henrik Stenson (SWE) 74-68, Charley Hoffman (USA) 73-69, Graeme McDowell (NIR) 70-72, Alex Noren (SWE) 73-69, Li Haotong (CHN) 73-69 143 - Jason Kokrak (USA) 73-70, Tony Finau (USA) 70-73, Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN) 73-70, Cameron Champ (USA) 72-71, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 76-67, Kevin Tway (USA) 73-70, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 72-71, Jason Day (AUS) 69-74, Cameron Smith (AUS) 73-70, Abraham Ancer (MEX) 73-70, Adam Long (USA) 73-70 144 - Ryan Vermeer (USA) 70-74, Rich Beem (USA) 75-69, Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP) 75-69, Corey Conners (CAN) 72-72, J.J. Spaun (USA) 72-72, Rob Labritz (USA) 75-69, Thomas Pieters (BEL) 74-70, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 76-68, Andrew Putnam (USA) 74-70, David Lipsky (USA) 70-74, Justin Harding (RSA) 74-70, Shane Lowry (IRL) 75-69, J.T. Poston (USA) 77-67, Lucas Herbert (AUS) 74-70, Joost Luiten (NED) 72-72

Missed the cut 145 - Adrian Otaegui (ESP) 73-72, Steve Stricker (USA) 7372, Martin Kaymer (GER) 74-71, Kevin Na (USA) 72-73, Ryan Armour (USA) 74-71, Tyler Hall (USA) 72-73, Michael Kim (USA) 74-71, Jon Rahm (ESP) 70-75, Jim Furyk (USA) 73-72, Dylan Frittelli (RSA) 77-68, Patton Kizzire (USA) 70-75, Keith Mitchell (USA) 74-71, Kyle Stanley (USA) 71-74, Sergio Garcia (ESP) 74-71, Bubba Watson (USA) 76-69, Russell Knox (SCO) 72-73, Tiger Woods (USA) 72-73, Julian Suri (USA) 7273, Martin Trainer (USA) 75-70, Im Sung-jai (KOR) 71-74 146 - Branden Grace (RSA) 73-73, Ian Poulter (ENG) 72-74, Kim Si-woo (KOR) 69-77, Bryson DeChambeau (USA)

72-74, Richy Werenski (USA) 72-74, Patrick Reed (USA) 74-72, Joaquin Niemann (CHI) 75-71 147 - Tom Lewis (ENG) 76-71, Ben Cook (USA) 7473, Lee Westwood (ENG) 75-72, Shaun Norris (RSA) 73-74, Shugo Imahira (JPN) 74-73, Troy Merritt (USA) 72-75, Brian Mackey (USA) 74-73 148 - Mikko Korhonen (FIN) 74-74, Marc Leishman (AUS) 74-74, An Byeong-hun (KOR) 74-74, Richard Sterne (RSA) 75-73, Jason Dufner (USA) 76-72, Ryan Fox (NZL) 78-70, J.B. Holmes (USA) 71-77 149 - Michael Thompson (USA) 77-72, Pan C.T. (TPE) 78-71, Satoshi Kodaira (JPN) 73-76, Chesson Hadley (USA) 72-77, Jason Caron (USA) 70-79 150 - Justin Bertsch (USA) 77-73, Ryan Moore (USA) 73-77, Jorge Campillo (ESP) 77-73, Casey Russell (USA) 77-73 151 - Eddie Pepperell (ENG) 76-75, Yang Yong-eun (KOR) 76-75, John Daly (USA) 75-76, Rich Berberian (USA) 76-75 152 - Alex Beach (USA) 77-75, Ryan Palmer (USA) 77-75, Padraig Harrington (IRL) 75-77, Brandon Stone (RSA) 79-73 153 - Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 76-77, Kevin Kisner (USA) 77-76, Craig Bowden (USA) 78-75 154 - Rod Perry (USA) 77-77, Brian Harman (USA) 77-77, Shaun Micheel (USA) 77-77 155 - Alex Bjork (SWE) 80-75, Danny Balin (USA) 78-77, Brendan Jones (AUS) 78-77 157 - John O’Leary (USA) 79-78 158 - Stuart Deane (AUS) 82-76 159 - Craig Hocknull (AUS) 82-77, Jeffrey Schmid (USA) 81-78, Cory Schneider (USA) 74-85 166 - Andrew Filbert (USA) 84-82 AFP

E2

Golf

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

PGA a new major challenge for Woods with a familiar look

F

BY DOUG FERGUSON

ARMINGDALE, N.Y.: Tiger Woods, the Masters champion, going for the second leg of the Grand Slam on a long, wet course at Bethpage Black.

It all sounds so familiar.

For Woods, it feels entirely different.

The PGA Championship now occupies the second slot in the major championship schedule GIVEN ITS MOVE TO -AY FOR THE kRST time since 1949, and with only a month between majors, Woods chose not to play a tournament SINCE WINNING HIS kFTH GREEN JACKET He is every bit the global superstar he was in 2002 when he followed a Masters victory with a 5 3 /PEN TITLE AT "ETHPAGE "LACK

but he is not No. 1 in the world.

And along with being 43, he is two

years removed from fusion surgery ON HIS LOWER BACK AND SOME DAYS he doesn’t move as well as others. “There’s more days I feel older than my age than I do younger than my age,� Woods said.

The new version of an older Tiger is more than capable.

He showed that last September when he won the Tour ChamPIONSHIP AT %AST ,AKE HIS FIRST victory since going through four BACK SURGERIES !ND HE SHOWED IN April, with his 15th major, that he WAS CAPABLE OF CHALLENGING THE *ACK .ICKLAUS STANDARD OF MAJORS Still to be determined is whether

Q Tiger Woods flips his ball as he walks along the ninth green during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament, Monday, May 13, 2019, in Farmingdale, NY. AP PHOTO Woods can be the dominant force he had been for a dozen years. g) M NOT LOOKING AT IT LIKE THAT u Woods said. “Whether I’m dominant or not going forward, that REMAINS TO BE SEEN 7HAT ) KNOW is I need to give myself the best chance to win the events I play in, AND SOMETIMES THAT CAN BE TAKING A LITTLE BIT MORE BREAKS HERE AND THERE AND MAKING SURE THAT ) AM ready to go and being able to give it my best at those events.�

Of the top 10 players in the world, Woods (No. 6) and Bryson DeChambeau (No. 8) are the only ones who have not played since

the Masters.

This will be only the seventh time that Woods has gone major to major without having played somewhere in between, with mixed results. The most famous was in 2008 when he showed up at Torrey Pines for the U.S. Open on a shattered left leg and won in a playoff.

7HAT HELD HIM BACK THIS TIME was emotional exhaustion from a moment in golf that won’t be soon forgotten. Lucas Glover had gone to the movies, taped the final round and was tearyeyed at the end, especially when

Artist Valentino Dixon, 49, saved by golf WASHINGTON: Convicted for a crime he did not commit, Valentino Dixon spent 28 years behind bars.

Then, less than a year after his release, he has returned to prison to tell inmates how golf saved his life. “I played twice (and) I am no good at it,� said the 49-year-old during a visit to a penitentiary in Washington.

Yet it was this sport that ultimately got him out of jail and which now allows him to lobby for reform in the US penal system before unexpected audiences.

Dixon, who grew up in a rough neighborhood of Buffalo in the northeastern United States, had never before set foot on a green when his life was upended one night in August 1991.

4HAT WAS WHEN A kGHT BROKE OUT in front of a restaurant and shots WERE kRED LEAVING A MAN DEAD Two days later, on the basis of an anonymous tip-off, police arrested Dixon, who was at the time the young father of a six-monthold baby girl.

Another man later told reporters that he was the one who actually pulled the trigger that night, but the authorities refused to SPEAK TO HIM “Eight witnesses cleared me of the crime. When I went to trial, my lawyer did not call any of those witnesses. So, I was convicted and given a 39-year sentence,� Dixon told Agence France-Presse.

For the first seven years in prison Dixon said he was simply bored, but then he began “drawing my butt off.� He spent up to HOURS PER DAY DRAWING REkNing his technique and impressing those around him.

No gunpowder After being shown a photo by a prison guard, Dixon drew a picture of the 12th hole of the famous Augusta golf course in Georgia. That launched him on a journey to draw other clubs, and even to invent his own.

One day, he wrote to a journalist penning a column called “Golf Saved Me� in the magazine Golf Digest.

Recognizing his talent, the reporter did some research on Dixon and penned a long article about him.

That article garnered atten-

tion at Georgetown University in Washington, which had a study program dedicated to clearing people who had been wrongly convicted. Three students started investigating Dixon’s case and kNALLY PRODUCED A DOCUMENTARY about him.

In front of their camera, the prosecutor in charge of the case admitted having sought traces of gunpowder on the suspect’s CLOTHES IN AND kNDING NOTHing, a vital piece of information he HAD ALWAYS KEPT TO HIMSELF “Twenty-seven years later, without doing it on purpose, he confessed,� Marc Howard, the professor in charge of the program at Georgetown, said of the prosecutor. “Valentino’s lawyer was able to use that to get him out of jail.�

On September 19, 2018, Dixon, now in his late FORTIES WALKED out of prison a free man.

Different worlds Since then, he was has been trying to be a “good grandfather� and catch up on all the new technologies that have transformed THE WORLD WHILE HE WAS LOCKED UP (E HAS ALSO BEEN WORKING TO help the two million or so Americans who are behind bars, and whose sentences he says are all too often “excessive.�

In early May this year, he made HIS kRST TRIP BACK TO A PRISON SINCE his release. “I don’t want to be here, but I got to be here, to show support,� he said, showing no signs of jitters. “I am not nervous at all,� he said. “It’s LIKE A SECOND HOME

I hate to say it, but that’s the reality.

I am used to being around guys who are incarcerated.�

The man with a broad smile earned laughs and approval from his audience of around 30 men and women in orange prison uniforms who had come to hear

HIM SPEAK AND WHO THANKED HIM as he left for the visit.

The next day, Dixon headed to a completely different world, INVITED TO TALK TO MEMBERS OF A 3T Louis golf club in Missouri, as he had already done at the Masters in Augusta. g) HAVE BEEN SPEAKING AT GOLF CLUBS YOU KNOW JUST TRYING TO inform people in the golf community about the issues in regard with prison reforms, because these are not issues that they would norMALLY EITHER KNOW ABOUT OR COME into contact with,� said Dixon, WHO HAS MET GOLF CHAMPIONS LIKE 4IGER 7OODS AND *ACK .ICKLAUS g3O ) AM THE LINK BETWEEN THE INner city and the golf course,� he said.

Howard, the Georgetown professor, attended one of the meetings. “Valentino has a great deal of charm, everyone loves to hear him SPEAK u HE said. “Two worlds meet in him and his story.� AFP

Q Video grab dated May 2, 2019 shows Valentino Dixon (left), presenting his drawings to inmates in a prison in Washington, DC during a visit as Marc Howard, a Georgetown University Professor and founding Director of the Prisons and Justice Initiative, a study program dedicated to clearing people who had been wrongly convicted, looks on. AFP PHOTO

7OODS HUGGED HIS SON "ROOKS +OEPKA WHOSE LAST HOPE ENDed when he missed a 10foot birdie putt on the 18th, recalls being in the scoring area, unable to K E E P h i s eyes off the TV. “ I T H I N K i t ’ s something that any player, any fan, a ny g o l f e r wa s p r o b ably glued to the TV at that moment watching it,� +OEPKA SAID “It was pretty neat, pretty special for all of us. I was a little bit disappointed. But at the same time, that’s what our sport needed. We needed him to win a major.�

How about another? +OEPKA LISTED AMONG THE BETTING favorites, isn’t about to concede.

"ETHPAGE "LACK WHICH kGURES TO play even longer than its 7,459 yards in soft conditions, is suited FOR GOOD DRIVERS LIKE +OEPKA

Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy.

Woods couldn’t reach the green on the par-4 seventh hole with a

3-wood on Monday. Johnson got there with a 3-iron, though he gave it all he had.

Woods now relies as much on his experience as brute strength, though he remains long enough.

Padraig Harrington noticed watchING THE kNAL ROUND OF THE -ASTERS Harrington suspects Woods has lost a little ball speed off the club.

What got his attention was how Woods played amid a six-player LOGJAM ON THE BACK NINE g(E CLOSED IT OUT LIKE HE WAS only interested in winning that tournament,� Harrington said. “He wasn’t interested in proving to the world that he’s a good DRIVER OF THE BALL OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT ) THINK HE JUST WAS INTERESTED in getting the job done. That’s a tough Tiger to beat when he’s in that frame of mind.�

Woods declared himself “rested and ready� after his month away from competition. He says he spent time in the gym and didn’t GET BACK TO THE GRIND UNTIL HE WAS ready, which was just over two WEEKS AGO (E CAME TO "ETHPAGE "LACK LAST WEEK FOR HOLES A LONG ROUND that tried to cover every detail of how to handle the course. He kGURED OUT QUICKLY THAT DRIVING will be paramount because of the elevated green and the lush, wet rough. Woods played nine holes Monday, spent Tuesday practicing on the range and chipping area, and planned to play nine holes Wednesday. “This is not only a big golf course, but this is going to be a LONG WEEK THE WAY THE GOLF COURSE is set up and potentially could play,� he said. “This could be a hell of a championship.�

AP

Daly says cart a disadvantage at PGA FARMINGDALE, N.J.: John Daly hates having to use a cart in the PGA Championship and probably wouldn’t do it unless the major didn’t mean so much to him.

Daly used the cart for nine practice holes Wednesday, arriving at the Bethpage Black clubhouse with an elastic bandage around his right knee, a cigarette in one hand and a wish that he could simply walk the 7,459-yard rolling course the next four days.

The PGA of America has come under criticism for giving Daly access to a cart for medical reasons. A committee on the American with Disabilities Act gave Daly an exemption because the arthritis in his knee would have prevented him from competing.

After playing Wednesday, Daly said the cart is a big disadvantage. He can’t figure out where he can go with it. “Trust me, I hate riding in

the cart,� the 53-yearold said. “If I could walk, I would do it. I could probably walk

four holes and be done. The thing swells up so bad.�

The long-hitting Daly has been playing in the PGA Tour Champions, a 50-and-older circuit that allows for carts, since 2016, winning once in 2017. He has not won on the PGA Tour since capturing the 2004 Buick Open.

What everybody remembers, though, is his first victory. He captured the PGA Championship in 1991 after getting into the field as the ninth alternate.

That memory keeps him coming back. “I am a past major winner of this; I just feel obligated.

I don’t know why,� Daly said. “I just do. It got me started in my career. It’s very special to me and I just feel like I need to play, or try to anyway.�

Daly will be the first player to ride in a cart at a major since Casey Martin in the U.S. Open at Olympic Club in 1998 and 2012.

Bethpage will be a challenge, Daly said. It’s long and the fairways are not providing much roll after recent rain. He noted the greens are perfect.

His game isn’t. “It’s so-so,� said the heavy-set player who has lived on the wild side and paid a price for it. “It’s not great, but you never know.

Give it a shot and see what happens.�

AP

PAGE FROM THE PAST

Today, we look back at an old front page of The Manila Times, the oldest national daily that was founded on October 11, 1898. (Note: This image was adjusted to fit the page.)

E4

Golf

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

FOR announcements on tournaments, rankings and other golf-related events, email the sports editor at pgs_mallari@manilatimes.net mes net

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Jack Nicklaus Apparel concludes JNII PH National Finals

Q Winners of the 2019 Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) Age Group Golf Luzon leg pose for a group photo. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Young golfer Baquiran batters rivals in JGFP Age Group Golf Luzon leg

BY JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID MIGUEL Lorenzo Baquiran finished with 91 Molave points to top the 2019 Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) Age Group Golf Luzon leg on May 11 and 12 at the Club Intramuros in Manila.

Baquiran posted rounds of 45 and 46 besting 13 players in the boys’ 18-under division of the two-day competition.

Finishing second was Robin See, who won via countback over James

Lubguban after both players tallied identical 79s.

Pierre Ticzon finished fourth with a 75 followed by Kent Tee with a 69.

4HE TOP kNISHERS OF THE TILT WILL advance to the National Championship at the end of the year.

Annika Chua, who posted 61 points, took the girls’ 18-under diadem followed by Mallory Cua (56) and Ayeesha Ong (38).

Santino Pineda ruled the the boys’ 14-under class with a 94 from rounds of 52 and 42.

Following Pineda were Rico See (93), Dominic Villamor (86), Jose Audi Espiritu (81) and Tyler Zamuco (78).

Gabie Rosca dominated the girls’ 14-under with an 84 followed by Reese Ng (74), Sabrina Macatangay (69), Bianca Macatangay (65), and Christiana Castillo (40).

Meanwhile, Rajah Crisostomo and Nicole Gan dominated the 10-under group.

Crisostomo sizzled with a 91 to beat Jakob Taruc (77), Scott Ng

(70), Aenzo Sulaik (59) and Rafael See (45).

Gan, on the other hand, carded 49 points to beat Angelie Chua (22).

Forty players participated in the kRST OF THE THREE LEG !GE 'ROUP Championship.

JGFP will hold the Valley Golf Junior Golf Championship on May 26 and the Manila Southwoods Junior Golf Championship on May 31.

Interested players may register through www.jgfp.ph.

THE Philippine National Finals of the 13th Jack Nicklaus International Invitational (JNII) concludes with Don Mate and Laurenz Ruiz finishing first. With a final score of 65 in the Peoria format, Mate and Ruiz were able to beat 96 other two-man teams vying to compete at the international final. This includes the team of Alan Sulaik and Manuelito Manuel that finished second with 67, and low gross winners Tonichi Bautista and Paolo Lobregat.

Mate and Ruiz will advance to the international final Tournament of Champions happening in Ohio on May 28 to compete with the national champions of other participating countries. More than the victory and the honor of playing for their country, the national champions will also be able to watch live the Memorial Tournament in the US as well as rub elbows w i t h g o l f ’s l i v i n g l e g e n d

“Golden Bear� Jack Nicklaus and other professional golf players.

Since 2006, the Jack Nicklaus International Invitational has been giving recreational golfers a chance to play tournament golf on worldclass courses. Open to men and women of any skill level, the tournament serves as a social event that promotes camaraderie as much as it lights the competitive fire. Winners of qualifying tournaments advance to the Tournament of Champions held annually in Ohio USA concurrently with the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament hosted by Jack Nicklaus. Teams get a chance of a lifetime to play for their country while being Jack’s guests at The Memorial where they watch the world’s best.

Fo r d e t a i l s, v i s i t w w w. jniigolf.com, or follow @ JackNicklausph on Facebook and Instagram for instant updates.

Discovery, Inc. acquires Golf Digest from CondÊ Nast DISCOVERY, Inc. announced recently that it has acquired Golf Digest from CondÊ Nast. Golf Digest is the world’s No. 1 golf media brand and will extend Discovery’s global golf media business to the US market through Golf Digest’s multiplatform distribution and reach.

The acquisition creates a powerful programming engine by adding Golf Digest to GOLFTV’s offerings that already include exclusive carriage of the PGA Tour, the European Tour, and the Ladies European Tour, as well as the Masters Tournament, in select territories outside the US and Discovery’s exclusive global content partnerships with Tiger Woods, winner of 81 PGA Tour events and 15 major championships, and Francesco Molinari, winner of three PGA Tour events and the reigning Open champion.

The addition of Golf Digest boosts Discovery’s global golf ecosystem with a leading platform in the US, which will allow the company to now reach golf fans with everything associated with the game, including instructional videos, equipment advice, course rankings, travel destinations, online bookings and more.

Additionally, Discovery and the PGA Tour are expanding their 12-year strategic partnership with a new content and sales relationship in the U.S., among other initiatives. The organizations will deepen their partnership and join forces to create the largest digital network in golf with a one-stop activation platform, now including Golf Digest, for advertisers to engage with fans and players. This includes a full suite of editorial coverage, live and on-demand video streaming, digital, social, print and branded content opportunities. The current Golf Digest sales teams will continue to be responsible for ad sales during a transition period until the Discovery / PGA Tour sales integration is complete. “Golf Digest is a world-class

Q Tiger Woods on the cover of Golf Digest CONTRIBUTED PHOTO brand that has become the ‘goto’ authority for millions of golf enthusiasts, professional players and global advertisers. It’s a natURAL STRATEGIC kT WITH $ISCOVERY S goal to be the leading golf media platform in the world. Through our investments with the PGA TOUR, the European Tour and our partnership with Tiger Woods, we wanted to bolster GOLFTV’s international offerings with Golf Digest’s award-winning journalism, broad consumer reach and deep content library while also creating the largest U.S. digital golf business. Jay Monahan and the PGA TOUR have been great partners and we are excited to expand our mutual vision to bring these amazing players and all of their terrific play to more people on more devices in every market in the world,� David Zaslav, president and CEO of Discovery, Inc. said.

Discovery will seek to optimize

its exclusive global partnership with Tiger Woods across both Golf Digest and PGA TOUR platforms.

GOLFTV is collaborating with Woods on a range of content, such as deep-dive instruction to help players improve their game, WHICH BEGAN kLMING LAST MONTH

and exclusive access to his tournament preparation. The unique collaboration offers an authentic look into the life, mind and performance of the game’s ultimate icon. “This is an important step in enhancing and expanding the US and global reach of Discovery and GOLFTV. It gives me another platform to tell my story directly to fans and makes my partnership with Discovery even stronger. This acquisition, along with what Discovery and GOLFTV have already done with the PGA TOUR, is great for the game of golf,� Woods said.

Golf Digest’s award-winning editorial content, including news,

instructional videos, and rankings, as well as tentpoles such as ‘100 Greatest Course Rankings’ and its annual ‘Hot List,’ will drive engagement for GOLFTV around the world, provide opportunities for Discovery to leverage its golf content in the US and bring more exciting opportunities to partner with the PGA TOUR and all the world-class players.

Discovery will seek to leverage its global scale, with reach into 220 markets and territories, to further grow the Golf Digest brand around the world. Golf Digest, which earns nearly half of its revenues from digital advertising, will continue to publish a US monthly print magazine and Discovery will assume the global licenses for editions serving nearly 70 countries.

Golf Digest’s editorial team will join Discovery Golf under the continued leadership of editor-in-chief Jerry Tarde. In addition to overseeing the world-class editorial content of Golf Digest, Tarde will expand his purview to include GOLFTV and report to Alex Kaplan, President and General Manager, Discovery Golf. “Golf Digest has this amazing team of editors, reporters, producers, photographers and contributors — all dedicated to helping golfers improve and be smarter consumers of the game we love. Discovery’s vision to create one global destination for everything a golf fan could want is perfectly aligned with what Golf Digest does every day. As we look to the future, Discovery’s global scale and ability to light up content on all platforms and in every language, combined with the PGA 4/52 S BRAND WILL BENEkT GOLF AND golfers worldwide,�said Tarde who is also the global head of strategy and content of Discovery Golf. “A critical piece is Golf Digest’s people. We’re thrilled to welcome aboard Golf Digest’s world-class team and its chairman and editor-in-chief, Jerry Tarde, who is widely considered the dean of golf journalism,� Kaplan added.

1st Melencio Policarpio NGAP to hold SEA Games qualifying tournament Sr. Memorial Cup opens May 24 THE 1st Melencio Policarpio Sr. Memorial Cup will tee off on May 24 at the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao City.

The “Caddy’s Day Tournament� will follow a bestball format in the front nine and a one-ball twosome play at the back nine.

On-course registration begins at 5:30 a.m. followed by the tee off from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Entry fee per team composed of an

amateur and caddy is pegged at P1,500.

The tournament is limited to 50 slots AND REGISTRATION WILL BE ON A kRST COME

kRST SERVE BASIS Champion will receive a trophy plus 0 CASH WHILE THE kRST RUNNER UP and second runner-up will get a trophies and P7,500 and P5,000 cash, respectively.

For inquiry, contact Randy Policarpio at 09175625599.

THE National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) will hold a two-stage qualifying tournament for the upcoming 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games that the country will be hosting in November.

The event, open to all amateur Filipino golfer will be played at the Hacienda Luisita Golf and Country Club on June 4 to 7 and June 10 to 13.

Participants must be in a good standing with the NGAP and must satisfy all the requirements imposed by the governing body.

Players must have a valid handicap index of 5.0 or lower issued by a bonafide golf body as

of May 1.

The qualifier will be composed of two stages of 72 holes each using stroke play.

Stage one will accept the first 40 players to register; wherein the top 12 players and ties within 10 strokes of the leading score will advance to the second stage.

The stage two of the qualifier will determine the top three players which will form the 2019 SEA Games team as set by the committee.

Entry fee for the qualifying tournament is pegged at P3,000.

For inquiries, contact NGAP at 7065926.

Q JNII 2019 champions Don Vicente Mate III and Steve Laurenz Ruiz hoist their trophies. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

JNII 2019 NATIONAL WINNERS 36 EUSEBIO V/TIU R 43 46 89 17 72 National Champions Don Vicente Mate IIIÂ Steve Laurenz Ruiz Gross Score: 68 Net Score: 65Â

2nd Place Allan Sulaik Manuelito Manuel Gross Score: 73 Net Score: 67

Low Gross Tonichi Bautista Paolo Lobregat Gross Score: 66

JACK NICKLAUS INTERNATIONAL INVITATIONAL SCOREBOARD Final results at the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Cabuyao, Laguna (Rank, Players, Back Nine, Front Nine, Total, Hcp, Net) 1 MATE D/RUIZ S 34 34 68 3 65 2 SULAIK A/MANUEL M 36 37 73 6 67 3 CATABAY E/BIAY R 35 38 73 6 67 4 ELEAZAR J/ARCEO R 38 40 78 11 67 5 SI T/VILLAR A 38 38 76 8 68 6 MOJICA R/JIMENEZ F 38 38 76 8 68 7 DE PAZ A/DE GUZMAN J 41 41 82 14 68 8 ONG J/BALLESTEROS L 34 37 71 3 68 9 TIAMSIC V/TIAMSIC V 38 39 77 8 69 10 SUNTAY A/HIZON V 43 37 80 11 69 11 SO E/YAP W 42 38 80 11 69 12 JOSON R/SANGIL R 36 33 69 0 69 13 MENDOZA M/MENDOZA M 33 36 69 0 69 14 GONZALES M/ALCANTARA B 40 41 81 11 70 15 RICABLANCA S/VALENTON T 40 44 84 14 70 16 DE GUIA C/EUGENIO J 41 46 87 17 70 17 NEPOMUCENO A/BELANDRES G 38 35 73 3 70 18 EMBUSCADO A/CADIZ J 36 37 73 3 70 19 GO A/LIM L 44 43 87 17 70 20 POPP C/GARCIA J 41 35 76 6 70 21 SOLIS J/ TECZON J 34 34 68 -3 71 22 ESTREVILLO J/CORTINA J 42 40 82 11 71 23 ALVAREZ J/FLORENDO L 35 36 71 0 71 24 AVANZADO D/LUGTU R 44 41 85 14 71 25 ANGELES J/GARCIA J 37 37 74 3 71 26 ERMITA E/ERMITA V 37 37 74 3 71 27 MELENDRES J/MELENDRES J 45 43 88 17 71 28 AHN W/LEE M 41 39 80 8 72 29 MIJARES H/MONTALLA C 42 41 83 11 72 30 SO E/BAHANI S 41 42 83 11 72 31 CABANGON N/TELAN M 46 40 86 14 72 32 MAGPANTAY L/MAGPANTAY R 46 40 86 14 72 33 VARGAS A/FERNANDEZ J 48 41 89 17 72 34 NACINO R/GAMASAN G 44 45 89 17 72 35 CHUA P/REMPILLO R 44 45 89 17 72

37 BERCADEZ I/PUNAY M 43 46 89 17 72 38 AMATORIO M/BAZAR M 43 46 89 17 72 39 VALERA M/UMALI R 37 38 75 3 72 40 JUMALON A/VALERA A 37 38 75 3 72 41 MANUEL E/DECHAVEZ G 36 39 75 3 72 42 ALINDADA J/FORONDA C 43 46 89 17 72 43 DIAZ E/FRANCISCO F 42 47 89 17 72 44 CANAPI A/OLIVEROS D 40 38 78 6 72 45 CORREA F/IGNACIO J 39 39 78 6 72 46 UY R/NEISH C 40 41 81 8 73 47 ALEGRE A/CHANG B 34 36 70 -3 73 48 VERAR G/VERAR L 46 38 84 11 73 49 NAKATA S/DOCTORA J 43 41 84 11 73 50 TIU C/VERAR M 45 42 87 14 73 51 BRIONES E/BRIONES D 45 45 90 17 73 52 SANTOS C/RAMOS C 45 45 90 17 73 53 TORRES E/NG J 45 45 90 17 73 54 DE JESUS T/LIM H 38 38 76 3 73 55 ENRIQUEZ R/MANZANARES E 38 38 76 3 73 56 CALICA D/AQUE S 46 44 90 17 73 57 BORJA C/RAMIREZ J 43 39 82 8 74 58 FEDEREZO R/EFFENDI W 40 45 85 11 74 59 MACALAGUIM G/MACALAGUIM R 36 38 74 0 74 60 DEL ROSARIO M/PRUDENTE N 47 41 88 14 74 61 DAMIAN A/SUGURAN A 48 43 91 17 74 62 ROQUE M/CATRAL M 44 47 91 17 74 63 FERRERIA J/EDUQUE M 45 46 91 17 74 64 BAUTISTA T/LOBREGAT P 35 31 66 -8 74 65 LEE E/GARCIA C 41 39 80 6 74 66 DY J/GUIANG J 38 42 80 6 74 67 SANCHEZ E/SANCHEZ D 46 43 89 14 75 68 LIM E/BENDY G 40 38 78 3 75 69 PIZARRO F/PIZARRO M 38 40 78 3 75 70 MEDIANA M/CASTILLO P 37 41 78 3 75 71 CABATAY A/DAVID E 47 45 92 17 75 72 OGAYON P/OLASO C 46 46 92 17 75 73 NAIDOO C/HORAN R 39 37 76 0 76 74 DEL ROSARIO N/ROQUE R 43 47 90 14 76 75 SY M/VELOSO J 40 39 79 3 76 76FLORES D/FLORES D 38 39 77 0 77 77 CHUA E/BAIRAN R 36 44 80 3 77 78 LEGASPI P/SAMSON D 42 41 83 6 77 79 PIZARRO M/PIZARRO M 38 37 75 -3 78 80 SUNTAY K/SAN PEDRO 44 45 89 11 78 81 CAMINADE J/OBENZA J 46 46 92 14 78 82 LONGA A/LONGA J 37 39 76 -3 79 83 ABELLA J/YAP G 39 40 79 0 79 84 CUA S/DELEON S 51 45 96 17 79 85 SORIANO J/CONE T 42 40 82 3 79 86 ATILANO C/ATILANO V 45 40 85 6 79 87 JOSE J/LEE M 48 49 97 17 80 88 UY W/NEISH R 47 50 97 17 80 89 DELOS SANTOS A/DELOS SANTOS K 46 53 99 17 82 90 CARO W/RUBRICA A 38 40 78 -6 84 91 LIM M/MEIRELLES P 48 58 106 17 89 92 COSIO A 55 54 109 17 92 93 BUENAVEN F/ROSALES M 52 57 109 17 92 94 ROQUE C/ESMAILZADEH J 58 54 112 17 95 95 FAYLONA C/REYES R 58 55 113 17 96 96 WEE D/BARNES P 56 58 114 17 97

The Sunday Times

Inspiration.

Celebrity.

Style.

May 19, 2019 Volume 118 | No. 92

Flores de Mayo in the new millennium

•

LITERARY LIFE

FILIPINO CHAMPIONS

ARTS AWAKE

Encyclopedia of Philippine Art heads to Iloilo ilo F2

A partnership for women empowerment F3

The scenes and stories of Silay F8

Literary Life SUNDAY May 19, 2019

F2

Oates: Haunted by denial of Jewish roots

BY ISABEL DEBRE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

J

ERUSALEM: American author Joyce Carol Oates says her family’s denial of its Jewish roots haunted her for decades and has shaped HER INTO THE FAMOUSLY PROLIkC WRITER SHE IS TODAY /ATES WHO TRAVELED TO )SRAEL FOR THE FIRST TIME TO RECEIVE THE PRESTIGIOUS *ERUSALEM 0RIZE SAID HER *EWISH GRANDMOTHER lED PERSECUTION IN HER NATIVE 'ERMANY TO RURAL UPSTATE .EW 9ORK IN THE LATE TH CENTURY "UT SHE REPRESSED HER TRAUMA AND *EWISH HERITAGE FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE /ATES WHO WAS RAISED NOMINALLY #ATHOLIC YET DISCONNECTED FROM RELIGION SAID SHE LEARNED OF HER GRANDMOTHER S SECRET ONLY AFTER HER DEATH IN WHEN A BIOGRAPHER BEGAN DIGGING INTO HER ANCESTRY g) FELT AN IMMENSE LOSS AND SYMPATHY BECAUSE ) NEVER REALLY KNEW THAT MY GRANDMOTHER WAS *EWISH

SO MY WHOLE CULTURAL INHERITANCE WAS LOST u /ATES TOLD 4HE !SSOCIATED 0RESS IN AN INTERVIEW AT THE *ERUSALEM )NTERNATIONAL "OOK &AIR

ON -AY g"UT IT S THE *EWISH RESPECT FOR CULTURE AND ART THAT ) INHERITED FROM MY GRANDMOTHER SO THAT S ACTUALLY BEAUTIFUL u /ATES SAID HER GRANDMOTHER PLAYED AN INSTRUMENTAL ROLE IN HER CAREER CHOICE GIVING HER A COPY OF !LICE IN 7ONDERLAND

A LIBRARY CARD AND A TYPEWRITER WHEN SHE WAS A TEENAGER INSPIRING HER TO PURSUE WRITING g.O ONE ELSE IN MY (UNGARIAN AND )RISH FAMILY HAD ANY INTEREST IN BOOKS u SHE SAID g4HERE S A TRAGEDY AT THE LOSS OF MY GRANDMOTHER S HISTORY BUT THEN ;THERE IS ALSO= A JOY IN THIS CONNECTION u !T /ATES IS STILL WRITING NOVELS EXPANDING A VAST AND VARIED OEUVRE THAT HAS BROUGHT HER WIDE ACCLAIM (ER POLITICAL THRILLER (AZARDS OF

4IME 4RAVEL PUBLISHED LAST WINTER

REPRESENTED HER kRST REAL FORAY INTO DYSTOPIA IMAGINING !MERICA S GRIM FUTURE AS A TOTALITARIAN SURVEILLANCE STATE 2EVIEWERS CALLED IT RElECTIVE OF THE 4RUMP PRESIDENCY

BUT /ATES SAID IT WAS MORE ABOUT HOW THE gFUTURE LOOKS LIKE GLOBAL CONTROL THROUGH ENORMOUSLY WEALTHY CORPORATIONS u (ER UPCOMING NOVEL -Y ,IFE AS A 2AT WHICH COMES OUT NEXT MONTH GRAPPLES WITH THE PERSONAL REPERCUSSIONS OF A RACIST HATE CRIME /ATES DESCRIBED THE NEW BOOK AS FAMILIAR TERRITORY FOR HER

DEALING WITH HER TRADEMARK THEME OF PAINFUL FAMILY DYNAMICS AND SET IN RURAL .EW 9ORK WHERE SHE GREW UP IN A WORKING CLASS FAMILY WITH A SEVERELY AUTISTIC SISTER /ATES SAID HER WRITING WAS gMOTIVATED BY SOCIAL JUSTICE u AND SHE OFTEN TACKLED TIMELY TOPICS SUCH AS THE ABORTION DEBATE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN ADDITION TO CRITICIZING 53 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP S POLICIES ON 4WITTER "UT SHE REJECTS THE LABEL OF POLITICAL WRITER g) M NOT WRITING POLITICAL NOVELS ) M WRITING ABOUT PEOPLE u SHE SAID

g9OU CAN BE CONCERNED WITH A SOCIETY IN WHICH YOU LIVE WITHOUT BEING AWARE OF A LARGER POLITICAL STRUCTURE u /ATES ALSO STEERED CLEAR OF THE )SRAELI 0ALESTINIAN CONlICT SAYING *ERUSALEM WAS gOBVIOUSLY A CITY OF GREAT DIVERSITY u BUT THAT SHE gCAN T MAKE ANY JUDGMENT u 3HE SAID BEING IN *ERUSALEM WOULD LIKELY INFLUENCE HER NEXT PROJECT g) M EXCITED TO BE HERE

LISTENING TO THE (EBREW LANGUAGE u THE NOVELIST SAID g) M VERY INTERESTED IN THAT CULTURE AND IDENTITY AND TRYING TO SEE HOW ) COULD WRITE ABOUT IT u 4HE MOST RECENT UPHEAVAL IN HER LIFE WAS THE DEATH OF HER SECOND HUSBAND PROFESSOR OF NEUROSCIENCE #HARLES 'ROSS LAST MONTH 3HE SAID IT WAS TOO SOON TO DISCUSS HER GRIEF 4HE DEATH OF HER FIRST HUSBAND EDITOR AND LITERARY PUBLISHER 2AYMOND 3MITH MOTIVATED HER TO MEMORIALIZE HIM IN HER CELEBRATED MEMOIR

! 7IDOW S 3TORY /ATES HAS WRITTEN NEARLY

F E AT U R E

Academics restock Mosul’s barren bookshelves

NOVELS WON THE .ATIONAL "OOK !WARD AND RECEIVED FIVE 0ULITZER NOMINATIONS AMONG OTHER HONORS "UT SHE CALLED THE *ERUSALEM 0RIZE gTHE HIGH POINTu IN HER CAREER 4HE PRIZE IS AWARD-

ED EVERY TWO YEARS TO AN AUTHOR WHO EXPRESSES THE IDEAL OF HUMAN FREEDOM IN SOCIETY )T HAS GONE TO SOME OF THE WORLD S MOST REVERED WRITERS INCLUDING "ERTRAND 2USSELL /CTAVIO 0AZ 6 3 .AIPAUL 3USAN 3ONTAG AND * - #OETZEE

Q Joyce Carol Oates. AP PHOTO

POETRY

May

BY EUNICE BARBARA C. NOVIO -ONTH OF -AY lOWERS BLOOM AMIDST THE STORM 9OU CUT A ROSE GENTLY AFRAID OF THE THORNS 0ROTECTING THE DELICATE PETALS STILL BATHED IN DEW 4HE SAMPAGUITA BUSH BLOOMS LIKE 3NOWlAKES SPRINKLED UPON THE EARTH YOU (AVE SEEN ONLY IN PICTURES OR IN (OLLYWOOD MOVIES 4HE MYSTERIES OF THE (OLY 2OSARY CAME POURING /UT OF YOUR LIPS ! DAILY PETITION TO DELIVER US FROM !LL EVILS 4HE ,ADY DID NOT MOVE (ER COMPASSIONATE 'AZE AN ETERNAL VOID -Y EYES WERE TIGHTLY SHUT 4HERE S /NLY DARKNESS ! PINCH BROUGHT ME BACK ) STOOD AND GATHERED MY &LOWERS .O LONGER ROSE OR SAMPAGUITA BUT 3ANTAN OF RED /F PINK /F WHITE ) WALKED SLOWLY 4OWARD THE ,ADY OFFERING MY lOWERS OF DESPAIR 4HE ,ADY IN 7HITE FAVORED THE ROSES 9OU KNELT AS THE LIGHT %NVELOPED YOU FOR ETERNITY

Q The burnt Central Library in the Faysaliyah quarter in Iraq’s northern city of Mosul is pictured on April 17, 2019. AFP PHOTO MOSUL, Iraq: 7ATHEQ -AHMUD IS PURSUING AN ADVANCED ENGINEERING DEGREE BUT THE TEXTBOOKS HE NEEDS ARE OFTEN MISSING IN HIS NATIVE -OSUL THE )RAQI CITY WHERE JIHADISTS BURNED VOLUMES AND DESTROYED LIBRARIES 4O TRACK DOWN THE BOOKS HE HAS HAD TO TRAVEL KILOMETERS MILES SOUTH TO "AGHDAD AND EVEN A FURTHER KILOMETERS TO "ASRA g%VERYTHING IS REVERSED TODAY -OSUL USED TO BE THE HUB FOR STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS FROM ALL ACROSS )RAQ AND THE !RAB WORLD u SAID -AHMUD

g"UT TODAY -OSUL S PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO LEAVE THEIR CITY IN SEARCH OF EDUCATION BOOKS AND RESOURCES u HE ADDED &OR CENTURIES -OSUL WAS KNOWN FOR ITS ARTISTS AND WRITERS FOR LIBRARIES BRIMMING WITH BOOKS IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES AND FOR HOUSING )RAQ S kRST PRINTING PRESS "UT WHEN THE )SLAMIC 3TATE )3 SEIZED THE CITY IN IT BANNED ANY TEXTS DEEMED UN )SLAMIC AND BURNED TREASURED ARCHIVES !ND ALTHOUGH -OSUL HAS BEEN BACK IN GOVERNMENT HANDS SINCE

ITS YOUNG ACADEMICS SEE THE BARREN BOOKSHELVES AS PART OF )3 S DARK LEGACY g)T S EXTREMELY HARD FOR A RESEARCHER TO COMPLETE HIS DISSERTATION BECAUSE THERE ARE SO FEW RESOURCES AVAILABLE u !BDULHAMID -OHAMMAD A YEAR OLD PUR-

SUING A DOCTORATE IN HISTORY TOLD !GENCE &RANCE 0RESSE 2OA AL (ASSAN WHO IS STUDYING FOOD SCIENCE FEARS MUCH OF HER CITY S WRITTEN RICHES WOULD NEVER BE RECOVERED g3OME BOOKS WERE NEVER DIGITALLY AVAILABLE AND NOW THEY LL BE LOST FOREVER u SHE LAMENTED

Looted, burned /NE OF -OSUL S MOST PROMINENT LITERARY HUBS WAS THE #ENTRAL ,IBRARY ERECTED IN IN THE EASTERN &AYSALIYAH QUARTER )T HOUSED BOOKS RANGING FROM DONATED NOVELS TO RARE VOLUMES

FRAGILE MANUSCRIPTS AND OLD BLUEPRINTS 4HE LIBRARY EVEN HELD BOOKS IN THE 3YRIAC LANGUAGE PRODUCED IN THE TH CENTURY BY )RAQ S kRST PRINTING PRESS ACROSS THE 4IGRIS RIVER IN -OSUL S WEST -OSUL ALSO BOASTED SEVERAL LARGE GOVERNMENT COLLECTIONS A LIBRARY OF RELIGIOUS TEXTS THE -OSUL 5NIVERSITY LIBRARY DOZENS OF ARCHIVES LINKED TO CHURCHES AND MOSQUES

AND EVEN MORE PRIVATE BOOKSTORES ALONG .UJAIk 3TREET NICKNAMED g#ULTURE "OULEVARD u 4HOSE GEMS WERE ALL DESTROYED IN &EBRUARY WHEN )3 kGHTERS LOOTED THE #ENTRAL ,IBRARY AND SYSTEMATICALLY DESTROYED OTHER COLLECTIONS DESPITE HOWLS OF PROTEST LOCALLY 3OME EXPERTS SAY )3 SET ASIDE

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),

PRECIOUS MANUSCRIPTS TO SELL ON THE BLACK MARKET ALONG WITH ANCIENT ARTEFACTS RETRIEVED FROM HERITAGE SITES IT HAD DESTROYED 4HE )RAQI GOVERNMENT S RECAPTURE OF -OSUL IN FACILITATED SUPPORT TO RESTOCK THE LIBRARIES

WITH DONATED VOLUMES ARRIVING FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD g7E HAD BOOKS BEFORE THE LIBRARY WAS LOOTED AND RUINED u SAID *AMAL !HMAD (ESSO THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE #ENTRAL ,IBRARY 4HE LIBRARY HAS RECEIVED

VOLUMES BUT IS STILL MISSING MORE THAN A QUARTER OF ITS PREVIOUS CONTENT SAID (ESSO -OSUL S MAIN RELIGIOUS ARCHIVE ONCE HOUSED AROUND

BOOKS )T NOW HOLDS

ACCORDING TO ITS KEEPER 3HAMEL ,AZEM 4AH g!MONG THEM WERE RARE AND IMPORTANT MANUSCRIPTS THAT WERE ALL STOLEN BY $AESH )3 u SAID 4AH

4HEY INCLUDED gAL -UHIT AL "URHANI u A KEY TEXT IN )SLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE THAT DATED BACK YEARS

‘What it once was’ -OSUL 5NIVERSITY TOO WAS RAVAGED BY )3 S THREE YEAR RULE OVER THE CITY

SAID AGRICULTURE PROFESSOR -OHAMMAD !BDALLAH g4HE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY LOST MORE THAN A MILLION SCIENTIkC AND ACADEMIC BOOKS INCLUDING MORE

THAN VALUABLE PRINTS u HE TOLD !&0 g-ANUSCRIPTS PERIODICALS MORE THAN YEARS OLD COPIES OF THE 1URAN DATING BACK TO THE TH CENTURY ‡ ALL OF THEM WERE LOOTED OR BURNED u !BDALLAH SAID !BOUT TO PERCENT OF THE LIBRARY S CONTENTS WERE LOST 3LOWLY BUT SURELY THE UNIVERSITY IS RESTOCKING NEARLY BOOKS WERE DONATED FROM OTHER COLLEGES AND NONGOVERNMENT AGENCIES

BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE )RAQ g4HE UNIVERSITY IS DETERMINED TO REBUILD ITS LIBRARY SO IT CAN BE WHAT IT ONCE WAS ‡ A RICH RESOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE AND ACADEMIA u !BDALLAH TOLD !&0 7HILE MOST OF THE CURRENT STOCKS ARE DONATIONS SOME VOLUMES REMAIN FROM -OSUL S ORIGINAL ARCHIVES ‡ SURVIVORS OF )3 g-ORE THAN BOOKS WERE SAVED 7E HAVE ALSO STORED AWAY THE REMNANTS OF ANOTHER

DESTROYED BOOKS u SAID -OSUL 5NIVERSITY LIBRARIAN /MAR 4UkQ !BU -OHAMMAD

WAS ONE OF THE -OSUL RESIDENTS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE RESCUE EFFORT g) RESCUED MORE THAN BOOKS ONE OF MY FRIENDS AND ) u HE SAID (E HID THE LITERARY TREASURES IN THE CELLAR OF AN ABANDONED HOME g7HEN THE LIBRARY WAS BEING BURNED WE CARRIED THEM AWAY IN SMALL BAGS DESPITE IT BEING DANGEROUS u -OHAMMAD SAID AFP

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]

CCP Encyclopedia of PH Art in Iloilo THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) will hold the regional launch of the second edition of the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art (EPA) at the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (Ilomoca) in Iloilo province on May 24 at 5 p.m.

CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado, also CCP EPA project director, will give an introduction. This is followed by talks by Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson, EPA editor in chief, Dr. Ruth Pison, associate area editor for the encyclopedia’s dance volume; and Elmer Gatchalian, creative director.

The event is expected to gather writers, artists and key representatives of cultural organizations and institutions from Iloilo and other provinces in Western Visayas.

The CCP EPA is the most comprehensive and

authoritative reservoir of information on Philippine art and culture. Divided into 12 volumes, the encyclopedia covers the different Philippine art forms, such as architecture, visual arts, film, music, dance, theater, broadcast arts and literature, as well as the study of the peoples of the Philippines.

The second edition of the CCP EPA was first launched at the CCP on Nov. 28, 2018, over 20 years after the original nine-volume edition came out.

The volume on broadcast arts is added to the new edition.

Written by more than 500 scholars and experts from different regions of the Philippines, the CCP EPA seeks to contribute to the enrichment of Filipino-oriented scholarship and help shape Filipino identity and nationhood.

The CCP EPA is now available for pre-order at the Ilomoca, located at Casa de Emperador Festive Walk Parade, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Iloilo. For reservations, call (033) 501-8622 or (033) 501-8621.

For more information on the CCP EPA, visit www. culturalcenter. gov.ph.

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 May 19, 2019

F3

RCBC, Zonta Intl partner for women empowerment

BY MAYLENE STEPHANIE S. VIRAY

W

OMEN are often lauded for their innate ability to carelessly love and nurture for themselves, their families, friends and community, which are deemed part of what they call “woman’s intuition.�

But across the globe, these same women continue to suffer from abuse in their respective areas.

In the Philippines, cases of physical violence, sexual abuse and spousal violence continue to prevail, according to the latest Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

To help in addressing violence against women, the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), through its RCBC Bankard Diamond Mastercard rewards program, partnered with global organization Zonta International to pursue its shared aspirations of empowering women nationwide. “We partnered with Zonta because of two things: the cause and credibility,â€? said Angela Mirasol, RCBC Bankard Ă€UVW YLFH SUHVLGHQW DQG PDUNHWLQJ KHDG “We see this as a strong commitment to Zonta and as an empowerment to our cardholders that they too can help in their own way by simply redeeming their rewards points and donating to Zonta.â€?

Launched at the Yuchengco Museum in Makati on May 9, RCBC Diamond Mastercard allows cardholders to donate rewards points to Zonta International.

The donations will primarily go to the organization’s endowment fund as well

as to support its local programs. “In our effort to strengthen our alliances and collaborative links with institutions to recognize, support and celebrate women empowerment, we seek partners who empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community,� said Olivia Ferry, Zonta International’s first and only Asian president and Centennial Anniversary Endowment Campaign (CAEC) director. “Together with RCBC Bankard and like-minded institutions, Zonta envisions a world where women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential; where every woman is literate and has equal access to education, healthcare, legal and economic resources and where no woman lives in fear of violence,� she added.

RCBC Bankard’s Diamond Mastercard is the bank’s platinum card solely dedicated for women, developed with a built-in Diamond Cares Program, which allows cardholders to automatically donate to Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga, as well as a Rewards Program.

This also enables them to collect rewards points and redeem equivalent rewards,

Zonta Club of Makati and Environs President Maritess Pineda and RCBC Bankard President and CEO Simon Calasansz seal their program partnership for women empowerment. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

VXFK DV IUHH Ă LJKWV FDVK UHEDWHV DQG VKRSSLQJ FUHGLWV DPRQJ RWKHU EHQHĂ€WV Initially starting out as a co-sponsorship for Zonta’s fundraiser event, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musicale,â€?

Mylene Bico, RCBC Bankard senior vice president and business segment head, said it wanted a more long-term partnership through its rewards program. “When we developed our Diamond Mastercard, we really made it a point to have an advocacy for women because we know that women are naturally nurturing and they care more about others than sometimes more than themselves, so the advocacy component of the Diamond card is really part of the features of the card from day one,� she

Mother’s love nurtures business venture to success

Chef Bryan Francsico at work at the original Kapeng Mainit in Las PiĂąas City. FACEBOOK PHOTO

With mom Anna Marie Marin and brother Ron Poe.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

my mother’s unconditional love for me and her support THE THOUGHT ÀQDQFLDOO\ HPRWLRQDOO\ DQG JUNKIE mentally. Her contribution is CARLA BIANCA XQTXDQWLÀDEOH \RX MXVW UHDOO\ RAVANES-HIGHAM cannot put a number to it.�

He also adds on how his mom HEN it comes to being a mother, there has created a strong foundation for his business, is really no telling when it stops. A “Growth is rooted on a strong foundation and she mother is always a mother, it doesn’t matter if is one of the reasons why Kapeng Mainit has been her children are grown, live far away, or have able to grow through the years.�

Bryan also shares the best advice his mother has families of their own. A mother would always given to him that allows him to get through the be thinking of the well-being of her children.

Children often think that once they move out of challenging times, “She always tells me, double for the home or begin to live independent lives, they your trouble, keep your head down and work hard stop being children. But the truth of the matter is, no matter what the trials you face, keep your faith no matter how old you are and no matter what you in God, and keep going.�

It is this love that has allowed Bryan and his have accomplished in your life, you would always brother Ron to soar, “My mother’s love has motineed a mother’s love and guidance.

A mother’s relationship with her children can be vated me to work smarter, harder, and wiser.� This quite complex. While there are mothers who have strong foundation of love has also encouraged Bryan become so lost in themselves that they could never to take giant leaps in his business, especially since care for another, most mothers desire one thing for he knows that he has support that would not waver.

One of his latest ventures is opening Kapeng their children and that is for them to live happy and successful lives. A mother would always be there for Mainit in Tagaytay, the popular restaurant he her children, helping them in any way that she can. himself developed is now open in one of the country’s This type of mother’s love is displayed in the re- favorite destinations. “Our Tagaytay branch has lationship former actress Anna Marie Marin shares always been a passion project of mine, I believe all chefs dream of having a place in Tagaytay.� with her children Ron Poe and Bryan Francisco.

Bryan adds a little twist to the famed restaurant Anna Marie, who has made a mark for herVHOI LQ ORFDO WLQVHOWRZQ LV D SHUPDQHQW Ă€[WXUH by adding a unique touch to his Tagaytay branch, in Bryan’s thriving business Kapeng Mainit. “My goal for Kapeng Mainit is to be the ‘must-go’ Whether it is to help her son with his many place when you’re in Tagaytay for beignets, egg holiday orders or just to oversee the operations, ZDIĂ H DQG SDVWULHV :H DUH LQ WKH SURFHVV RI FUHDWAnna Marie is Bryan’s number one supporter. LQJ D VSHFLĂ€F SURGXFW OLQH WKDW ZLOO EH H[FOXVLYHO\ “Without her belief in me, I would not be experienced in Kapeng Mainit Tagaytay.â€?

Bryan’s excitement cannot be denied and with where I am now. Like all mother-and-son relationships, we do have our ups and downs but this excitement comes gratitude for one of his what matters is the forgiveness and uncondi- mother’s greatest lessons. “It’s all about giving glory to God for without tional love that we have in each other,â€? says of Him, I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere. Hard work, his relationship with his mom. %U\DQ LV DOVR TXLFN WR UHĂ HFW RQ KRZ KLV PRP perseverance, and faith,â€? he stresses.

To know more about Bryan, you may visit has supported his business. “The success of Kapeng Mainit is rooted in Kapeng Mainit on Facebook.

“When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.� — Sophia Loren

W

explained. “So, with this Zonta partnership, we really aim to strengthen the advocacy feature of the card.�

As of April 2019, RCBC Bankard recorded about 20,000 Diamond Mastercard cardholders, growing at 83 percent since it relaunched in November 2016.

For its part, Zonta International, which celebrates its centennial anniversary this year, through its Philippine unit will be donating the proceeds of the partnership to the Zonta International Foundation, the fundraising arm of the organization, to fund its centennial project dubbed “CAEC,� which aims to build an “everlasting fund� that will help the work of Zonta in the future. “The proceeds of this fundraiser will

help Zonta build a healthy and valued fund, which is necessary to establish a Ă€QDQFLDO EDVH WKDW ZLOO KHOS XV VXSSRUW our projects in the future,â€? said Ferry. “We consider this a great opportunity to develop a new category of donors for Zonta and to raise awareness to the mission and vision of Zonta.â€?

Zonta is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to empower women and girls worldwide through service and advocacy. Throughout its 100-year history, Zonta’s local service has covered 63 countries since its founding in Buffalo, New York in 1919.

It established a local unit in the Philippines in 1952 with the Zonta Club of the Philippines, which was later renamed to Zonta Club of Manila Foundation Inc., as the 12th country to join the international QHWZRUN DQG WKH ÀUVW LQ $VLD 7RGD\ Zonta clubs are established in the country.

Zonta’s footprint of local service per biennium is estimated to be worth at least $8 million with service hours collectively run to more than 500,000 hours. Some of its local programs in the Philippines include income generation and livelihood; maternal and reproductive health interventions, including breast and cervical cancer screening tests and HIV/ AIDS awareness talks; establishments of shelters and crisis centers for abused and battered women; pre-departure seminars to protect and orient women seeking overseas employment; and education and scholarship opportunities.

For its biennium 2018 to 2020, Zonta International focuses its projects to end child marriage and teenage pregnancy.

Atom Araullo, eco-tourism group lead ‘2B KM to Safety’ global campaign in PH A GLOBAL campaign called “2 Billion Kilometers to Safety� invites people all over the world to cover said distance traveled by refugees through individual acts of solidarity to the resilience and strength of those fleeing their original habitats.

Spearheaded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), data shows that refugees around the world walk an estimated two billion kilometers every year to reach the first point of safety.

In the Philippines, fitness groups and brands have taken up the challenge to run, walk, cycle, and hike to contribute to the global target.

On April 27, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Atom Araullo and eco-tourism group Trail Adventours teamed up for a hike-for-a-cause up Mt. Nagpatong in Tanay, Rizal in support of the plight of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

It was Trail Adventours’ seventh hike in support of the campaign, with previous ones including an ascent to Mt. Everest’s Base Camp and in Mt. Pulag in Benguet. In all, Trail Adventours has logged on 1,614 kilometers to the global target.

Conquering Nagpatong Rock for a cause Trail Adventours took its commitment to new local grounds by dedicating the climb to Mt. Nagpatong, otherwise known as “Nagpatong Rock.� Consisting of two towering limestone cliffs facing each other, the hiking hotspot has quickly caught growing attention and curiosity all around the country. It is impressively layered with huge blocks of rock placed on top of each other, hence earning its name derived from the Tagalog word “ patong.� How these rock formations were formed remains unknown that only

nature can answer.

Filipino hikers and enthusiasts led by Trail Adventours co-founders Coby and Guido Sarreal with Araullo, logged in their cumulative step count of 150 kilometers while triumphantly completing the Nagapatong Rock hike in twoand-a-half hours.

With a challenging path, bamboo ladders, and vertical climbs, the hike draws a parallelism to the GLIÀFXOW\ IDFHG E\ UHIXJHHV¡ VHHPLQJO\ LPSRVVLEOH task to make it to a safe place just by walking.

Citing the everyday struggle of refugees all around the world and displaced persons in our own country, Angie Sarreal of Trail Adventours shared, “Oftentimes we are intimidated by how big the refugee and displacement crisis, that we can’t imagine how we can actually help make a real difference as individuals or on a local level.

When the reality is that, anyone, anywhere, can make a difference even if it’s just to walk, run, or hike with thoughtful purpose to empathize and support someone in need. This shows that we care as a community and are doing something about it.�

Trail Adventours hikes happen every third Sunday of the month. Proceeds from these themed hikes go to the 2 Billion Kilometer to Safety campaign fund.

To lear n more about UNHCR and Trai l Adventours partnership, visit https://stepwithrefugees.org/en-ph/trail-adventours/. Supporters are encouraged to register and add their kilometers directly onto the campaign website stepwithrefugees.org/en-ph/.

Participants can choose to sync fitness apps like Fitbit or Strava to automatically add to hiked kilometers, but can also add them manually by setting a target up to a maximum of 50 kilometers per entry.

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Atom Araullo and Eco-tourism group Trail Adventours lead a group of hikers atop the famous Nagpatong Rock in Tanay, Rizal. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Cover Story The Sunday Times

F4

SUNDAY MAY 19, 2019 COVER AND INSIDE PHOTOS

BY DJ DIOSINA

Mark Gabriel Luancing and Sarina Paez Santiago in Renee Salud.

Gretchen Ho and escort Job Abogado in Paul Semira.

Flores de Mayo in the new millennium

BY ARLO CUSTODIO

The country’s ‘festival of all festivals’ as devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary traces its beginnings just after the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854.

I

N the Philippines, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary reaches its crescendo in May with the monthlong celebration of Flores de Mayo. Literally MEANING glOWERS OF -AYu IN 3PANISH THE COUNTRY S gFESTIVAL OF ALL FESTIVALSu TRACES ITS BEGINNINGS JUST AFTER THE PROCLAMATION OF THE DOGMA OF THE )MMACULATE Conception in 1854.

In 1865, Filipino priest Mariano Sevilla wrote “Dalit kay Maria,â€? the vernacular for Flores de Mayo, based on Italy’s “Misa de Maggio.â€? He based what would become a church tradition on prayers and hymns he had written before, which was first performed as a whole at the Church of Nuestra SeĂąora De La Asuncion in his hometown of Bulacan.

For his deep devotion to the patroness, Sevilla aimed to propagate the offering of the most beautiful and most VSHFLDO Ă RZHUV WR WKH 9LUJLQ 0DU\ HYHU\ day for the entire month of May. Moreover, his translation of the devotional “Flores de Maria (Flowers of Mary)â€? in 1867 strengthened the adoration for the Lord’s mother, with the longer title of the publication expressing, “Mariquit na Bulaclac na sa

Pagninilaynilay sa Buong Buan nang Mayo ay Inihahandog nang Manga Devoto cay Maria Santisima (Beautiful Flowers that in the Meditations in the Whole Month of May are Offered by Devotees to Mary Most Holy).�

The practice spread throughout Catholic Philippines with processions of beautiful ladies representing Mary as sagalas — literally “maidens in queenly attire� — culminating on the last day of the month, which is the grand feast of the Coronation of the %OHVVHG 9LUJLQ DV 4XHHQ RI +HDYHQ and Earth, alongside the Santacruzan. (See Sidebar) Processions are led by a priest with a company of sacristans and a live brass band playing “Ave, Ave, Ave Maria� and “Dios Te Salve (Hail Mary).�

Grandest celebration The Sunday Times

magazine TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA Editor ALVIN I. DACANAY Literary Editor CHRISTINA ALPAD IZA IGLESIAS Staff Writers ARLO CUSTODIO Deskman *** PETER NATHANIEL S. BAGA MARJORIE T. DIZON ENRICO D. BERATA JOANNA C. UMADHAY HORACIO MAKABENTA Layout Artists *** DANTE FRANCIS M. ANG 2ND President & CEO

Outside Bulacan, one of the grandest celebrations of Flores de Mayo goes back some 40 years, when acknowledged Dean of Philippine Fashion Ben Farrales founded the Flores de Mayo at The Manila Hotel in 1979, which combined the grand Filipino tradition with fashion, artistry and culture. It was organized under the Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre del NiĂąo Jesus or devotees of the Child Jesus.

Merged with a designers competition, WKH YHU\ Ă€UVW ZLQQHU RI WKH SDJHDQWU\ was Danny dela Cuesta, who went full circle when he sat as one of the judges at the event revival following a lull at the start of the new millennium. “I won [Best Designer Award] in the first and 17th editions. I made my mark as fashion designer in The Manila Hotel Flores de Mayo, but I eventually shifted careers when I won a culinary contest,â€? dela Cuesta, who is now a chef at MalacaĂąang, intimat-

ed to The Sunday Times Magazine.

During that time, dela Cuesta recalled how The Manila Hotel Flores de Mayo was the most anticipated event of the social scene come May, given the participation of the fairest Filipinas as sagalas year after year. They would comprise beauty queens, models, actresses and other young prominent personalities, and escorted by equally good looking eligible gentlemen.

Asked why the event went into hiatus for a good number of years, Manila Hotel president Joey Lina told The Sunday Times Magazine there was an unfortunate incident during a particular parade that discouraged designers to participate again.

Thankfully, the capital’s foremost Flores de Mayo was revived this year when The Manila Hotel partnered with the Designers Circle PhilipSLQHV '&3 DQG WKH 2IĂ€FH of the Mayor of Manila for “Pagsulyap sa mga Reyna: Flores de Mayo at The Manila Hotel.â€? Thirty designers participated in the

much awaited comeback showcasing designs inspired by 19th century traje de mestizas.

Among the sagalas LQ WKH Ă€UVW HGLtion of the revival were ABS-CBN newscaster-volleybelle Gretchen Ho wearing a gown by Paul Semira, beauty queen-newscaster Tina Marasigan in Glenn Lopez, Catwalk Philippines 2018 grand winner Eloisa Jauod in Francis Calaquian, Miss Philippines Earth 2016 Sheena Dalo in Ole Morabe, and GMA artist Ameera Johara in Fanny Serrano and escorted by Raphael Leuterio. “It’s good na na-revive because sobrang saya ang

Flores de Mayo sa Manila Hotel. Iikot sa kahabaan ng Roxas Boulevard [and other thoroughfares] at punumpuno ng mga tao both sides [of the road],� highly respected fashion designercum-beauty salon guru Fanny Serrano reminisced.

He said he first joined the procession with actress-beauty queen Charlene Gonzalez, the country’s representative to the Miss Universe 1994 pageant, as his model, with FilipinoAmerican model-actor Troy Montero as her escort.

Serrano noted, however, that for the first edition revival, veteran designers like himself, Renee Salud, Johnny Abad (Designers Circle Philippines co-founder and president), 5RODQG /LULR $OILH 2QJ 0DOX 9HORVR and Edgar San Diego only joined for exhibition purposes. “Part of our ‘promise’ to the younger designers when they joined DCP was exposure, and that we, the veterans, would support them. In fact, we told them na ipakita nila ang kanilang talent to the best of their ability, huwag silang mag-alinlangan na ipagyabang ang kanilang kakayahan, higitan nila kami,� the popular fashion and beauty personality, who is currently DCP vice president, added.

Santacruzan passĂŠ to millennials While Flores de Mayo is a native Filipino tradition, the Santacruzan on the other hand was established by the Spaniards when they colonized the archipelago.

From the Spanish term santa cruz or holy cross, Santacruzan

*** 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

The Manila Hotel President Joey Lina (fourth from left) with the panel of judges composed of (from left) Danny dela Cuesta, Barge Ramos (chairman), Malu Veloso, Grace Franciso-Torres and Minnie Atienza. Not in photo is resident manager Chris Orta.

caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption Fashion designer-cum-beauty salon guru caption caption Fanny Serrano with model Ameeracaption Johara captionLeuterio. caption and caption escort Raphael

Cover Story The Sunday Times

SUNDAY MAY 19, 2019

F5

Leandro Mujica and Maxine Nicole Rangel win the Vestido Filipino Award for Santa Emmanuelle.

reenacts the search of the True Cross

by Roman Empress Helena (known as Reyna Elena), mother of Constantine the Great.

A religious-historical beauty pageant held in both big and small cities and towns around the country, the Santacruzan emerged as part of Filipino traditions associated with youth, love and romance. It is said to have its roots in joyous thanksgiving celebrations following the discovery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem (Israel) and its journey to Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey).

Whereas the Santacruzan was more of a religious rite before World War 2 with Biblical characters as Matusalem (Methuselah), Esther, Ruth, Naomi, Maria Magdalena (Mary Magdalene), Maria Salome as part in the procession, the tradition has long been lost along the way with participants focusing more on the glamour of the event with their grand gowns rather than representing characters from the Scriptures. “Nagbago na after the war, maybe in the 1960s. Gusto lang kasi nila na maganda sila. Dito nga [in the Manila Hotel revival] of the Santacruzan I was assigned [to dress] Reyna Baderada 4XHHQ ZLWK D %DQQHU :KHQ ZH pitched [the other names] to our [50 to 60] members ayaw nila. Gusto nila lumabas ang kanilang artistry sa damit na suot ng mga sagala. And this is the same thing around the country,� Serrano further told The Sunday Times Magazine, adding that there should hardly be fashion showcase in Reyna Justicia 4XHHQ RI -XVWLFH IRU H[DPSOH “Flores de Mayo is here to stay though because mahilig tayong mga Pilipino sa magaganda. Mawala man ang characters na dapat kasama sa Santacruzan, hindi mawawala ang pagnanais natin na iparada ang ating

Designer Circle Philippines members who participated in the Flores de Mayo at The Manila Hotel revival.

Mujica, Emmanuelle, Rangel, Mark Kevin Baloaloa, ‘Bituin ng Gabi’ Samantha Lo, Edwin Uy, ‘Natatanging Ginoo’ Aaron de Tomasso and ‘Magandang Paraluman’ Sheena Dalo. magagandang dilag at likha ng designers. Sa mga sinaunang Santacruzan, nire-reserve ang Reyna Elena sa anak ng pulitiko o galing sa angkan ng mga maykapangyarihan sa bayan. Walang ganun sa Flores de Mayo,� he said.

Asked to comment on the practice of the LGBT community who hold their own Marian parades, Serrano said that it is their right to express what to them LV EHDXWLIXO ÀQGLQJ QRWKLQJ ZURQJ ZLWK it, give or take the religious aspect of the celebration.

Other venues The Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre del NiĂąo Jesus under Farrales, however, continued the Marian tradition even when The Manila Hotel stopped holding the event. In 2013, they held it

at Casino EspaĂąol, also in the capital, with the theme “Colors of Mindanao.â€?

Last year, on its 39th edition, it was held at the Music Hall of the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. Termed as another sagalahan, the hermanos and hermanas included businessman-philanthropist Nelson Mendoza, beauty queen-restaurateur Jessica Maloles and entrepreneur Milagros Hao. Miss International 2018 First Runner-Up Ahtisa Manalo, Miss Multinational 2018 Sophia Seùoron, Miss Global Philippines 2017 Mary Ann Moncal and Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational 2014 Yvette Marie Santiago were among the beauties who paraded in glitzy ternos and Filipiniana gowns from the country’s top designers.

7RXULVP 4XHHQ RI WKH <HDU Leren Mae Bautista who wore Chico Es-

Models Gemma Heaton, Cecil de Castro Alviz, Unilever Philippines PR Head for Personal Care Apples Aberin and Stephanie Magali all in Ben Farrales during the launch of Flores de Mayo 2013 with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Colors of Mindanaoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; held at the Casino EspaĂąol in Manila.

THE MANILA TIMES FILE PHOTO tiva was unanimously chosen Rosa Mistica; Miss Lumiere International 2017 First Runner-Up Sammy Ann Legaspi in Ole Morabe was adjudged Reina de las Flores; model Sirene Sutton in Paolo Blanco was named La Flor de Manila; DQG .LWNDW <XLNL LQ 4XLWFR ZDV FKRVHQ as La Flor De Pasay.

Parish practice In some parts of the Philippines, SDUWLFXODUO\ LQ 9LVD\DV DQG &KULVWLDQ Mindanao, children attend catechism classes throughout the month to learn DERXW WKH 9LUJLQ 0DU\ DQG QRYHQDV prayers and other teachings surrounding the Mother of Jesus, including the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, which took place on May 13, 1917.

At the end of the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s session, chil-

GUHQ VLQJ Âś$YH 0DULD¡ DQG RIIHU Ă RZHUV to the statue of the Blessed Mother as symbol of love, affection and veneration. On the last day of the month, one girl is chosen as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rose of Mayâ&#x20AC;? and another as Reyna Elena. Participants are Ă&#x20AC;QDOO\ JLYHQ SUHVHQWV OLNH QRWHERRNV pens, crayons and prayer books that they can use for the coming school year.

Batangas, particularly Lipa, has its unique way of honoring the Blessed Mother. Called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Luglugan,â&#x20AC;? devotees RIIHU Ă RZHUV DQG SUD\HUV WR D 9LUJLQ Mary image in structures called tuklong.

After prayers, hermanos or hermanas for the day give away treats to participants and mount a party. The Tapusan (ending) on the last day of May is marked with a mass, a Santacruzan and SURFHVVLRQ IROORZHG E\ D Ă&#x20AC;QDO Luglugan lasting until the following morning.

The Marian titles and their symbolic articles

Traditional and biblical assembly of Santacruzan THE original practice of Santacruzan in the Philippines as taught by the Spanish saw Biblical characters in procession as follows.

1. Matusalem (Methuselah). A bearded man and bent with age, depicted as riding a cart and looking preoccupied with toasting grains of sand in a pan over fire. A reminder that the world is temporary and will end like the dust being toasted.

2. Reyna Banderada (Queen with a Banner). A young lady dressed in a long red gown bearing yellow pennant, as symbol of the arrival of Christianity.

3. Aetas. Dark-skinned indigenous peoples of the Philippines such as Aeta and Ati, which predate the ancestors of Austronesian Filipinos by tens of thousands of years.

4. Reyna Mora (Queen Moor). A representation of Muslim Filipinos as Islam came to the archipelago two centuries earlier than Christianity. Mary is also honored in the Qurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;an, 19th sura (chapter).

5. Reyna ng Saba (Queen of Sheba). Carrying a jewelry box, she represents the unnamed queen who visited King Solomon and was overwhelmed by his wisdom, power and riches. She is described in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Legenda Aureaâ&#x20AC;? as one who venerated the beam of a bridge she was crossing, as prophesy of the role of the wood as part of the True Cross.

6. Rut at Noemi (Ruth and Naomi). Moabite convert to Judaism and her mother-in-law from whom she was inseparable. Ruth came from the ancestry of King David, and one of four women listed in the genealogies of Jesus found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

7. Reyna Judit (Queen Judith). Biblical widow Judith of Bethulia, who saved her city from the Assyrians by slaying the general Holofernes. Also known as Infanta (Princess) Judit, she carries Holofernesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; head in one hand

and a sword in the other.

8. Reyna Ester (Queen Esther). Jewish queen of Persia who spared her people from death at the hands of Haman through her timely intervention with King Xerxes.

She carries a scepter.

9. Cleopatra. Famous last active pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, with Roman senator and general Marc Anthony as her lover.

10. Samaritana/Sta. Photinna (The Female Samaritan). The Samaritan woman at the well with whom Jesus conversed. Traditionally named Photini, she carries a water jug on her shoulder.

11. Sta. Veronica. One who wiped the face of the Lord bearing a veil that has three images of the Holy Face Jesus.

12. Tres Marias (Three Marys). Each holds a unique attribute associated with the Entombment of Christ.

13. Sta. Maria Magdalena (Mary Magdalene).

Holds a bottle of perfume. Was once conflated with Mary of Bethany, who anointed and wiped Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; feet.

14. Sta. Maria de Cleofas (Mary, mother of James, wife of Cleopas). Bears a whisk broom.

15. Sta. Maria Salome (Mary Salome). Bears a thurible or a bottle of oil, alluding to her role as myrrh bearer).

16. Reyna Fe (Queen Faith). Carries a cross, as symbol of faith, the first of the theological virtues.

17. Reyna Esperanza (Queen Hope). Carries an anchor, as symbol of hope, the second theological virtue.

18. Reyna Caridad (Queen Charity). Carries a redcolored heart, as symbol of charity, the third theological virtue.

19. Reyna Sentenciada (Queen Convicted). Her are hands bound by rope to symbolize early Christians, particularly virgins, who were persecuted and martyred for the faith. Sometimes accompanied by two Roman soldiers.

EACH character alludes to a title of the Blessed Mother, found in the Litany of Loreto, or to a figure associated with her or her attributes.

1. Reyna Abogada (Queen Advocate/Lawyer). Defender of the poor and the oppressed, wearing graduation gown and black mortarboard cap and carries a large book. Representation of Mary, Help (Advocate) of Christians.

2. Reyna Doctora (Queen Doctor). Representation of Mary, Health of the Sick.

3. Reyna Justicia (Queen Justice). Personification of Mirror of Justice, bearing a weighing scale and a sword.

4. Divina Pastora (Divine Shepherdess). Bears a shepherdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crook.

5. Reyna de los Angeles (Queen of the Angels). Bears a bouquet of white flowers, escorted by children dressed as angels.

6. Luklukan ng Karunungan (Seat of Wisdom). Carries a Bible, representing Mary as the Sedes Sapiaentiae.

7. Susi ng Langit (Key of Heaven). Bears two keys, one gold and the other silver, adapted from the design of the Papal arms.

8. Reyna de las Estrellas (Queen of the Stars). Holds a wand topped with a star.

9. Rosa Mistica (Mystical Rose). Carries a bouquet of roses.

10. Puso ni Maria/Corazon de Maria (Heart of Mary). Holds a pink heart.

11. Reyna del Santisimo Rosario (Queen of the Most Holy Rosary). Carries a large rosary.

12. Reyna Luna (Queen Moon). Represents the moon, the footstool of Mary as the Woman of the Apocalypse.

13. Reyna Candelaria (Queen of Candles). Carries a long, lit taper as symbol of the Purification of Mary.

14. Reyna de la Paz (Queen of Peace).

Holds a dove, real or otherwise.

15. Reyna delos Patriarcas (Queen of Patriarchs). Bears a wooden rod.

16. Reyna de los Profetas (Queen of Prophets). Bears hourglass.

17. Reyna de los Confesores (Queen of Confessors). Holds a scroll.

18. Reyna de los Martires (Queen of Martyrs). Bears the Crown of Thorns or a pierced heart, as second representation of the Mater Dolorosa.

19. Reyna de los Apostoles (Queen of Apostles). Holds the Palm of Martyrdom.

20. Reyna de los Santos (Queen of Saints). A golden wreath, as symbol of the Crown of the Saints.

21. Reyna del Cielo (Queen of Heaven). A flower, accompanied by two children dressed as angels.

22. Reyna de las Virgenes (Queen of Virgins). A rosary or a lily, the latter signifying chastity, escorted by two little angels.

Other titles outside the novena include: 1. Reyna de las Flores (Queen of Flowers). Queen of Flores de Mayo, carrying a bouquet of flowers.

2. Reyna Emperatriz (Queen Empress). Representation of Saint Helena of Constantinople, particularly her title Augusta (empress or queen mother).

3. Reyna Elena (Queen Helena). Always the last member of the procession. Carries a cross or crucifix in her arms as symbol of the True Cross. Usually the honor is given to the most beautiful girl or most important matron of the pageant. She is escorted by Constantino, played by a young boy in royal attire, as representation of her son, Constantine the Great. In some instances, three Reyna Elenas are allowed in the processions.

Flores de Mayo author for canonization WHILE both Flores de Mayo and the Santacruzan are religious events and not just fashion shows on open streets, it is important to understand that the processions are venerations to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

As such, devotees hold lighted candles (electronic lamps in the urban areas) and sing Marian prayers as they walk. Males participating in the processions, particularly the consorts, wear the traditional Barong Tagalog and females wear any Filipiniana-inspired attire.

In Bulacan where Padre Sevilla established the Nuestra SeĂąora De La Asuncion parish Hijas de Maria (Daugthers of Mary) organization, the present Hijas y Caballeros de Maria (Daughters and Knights of Mary) carries on the tradition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dapat maintindihan ng mambabasa ang kaibahan ng Flores de Mayo sa Santakrusan. Ang Santakrusan ay pamana ng Kastila, samantalang ang Flores de Mayo ay isang imbensyong Bulakenyo.

Ang Santakrusan ay tungkol sa pagkakatuklas ni Santa Elena ng Banal na Krus, samantalang ang Flores De Mayo ay isang parangal

sa Birheng Maria. Magkakaiba ang mga karakter na sinasagala sa dalawang prusisyon. Gayunpaman, pareho silang gawaing panrelihiyon na dapat na mahigpit na binibigyan ng sagradong pagtingin at hindi sila fashion show lamang,â&#x20AC;? members of the organization emphasized on their social media account.

They are also in the process of petitioning the Vatican for the canonization of Padre Sevilla whose works and efforts centered on the devotion and veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

His works include â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vida Buena y Mala del Cristianoâ&#x20AC;? (1895); â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vida Espiritual Comparada a Arboles, Uno Esteril y Otro Fructiferoâ&#x20AC;? (1895); â&#x20AC;&#x153;La Perfeccionâ&#x20AC;? (1884); â&#x20AC;&#x153;Las Hijas de Mariaâ&#x20AC;? (1884); â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dios Con Nosotros Antes y Despues de la Comunionâ&#x20AC;? (1895); â&#x20AC;&#x153;Preparacion Para Adviento de Natividadâ&#x20AC;? (1894 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1895); â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mes de Marzo Dedicado a San Joseâ&#x20AC;? (1870); â&#x20AC;&#x153;Novena a Santa Anaâ&#x20AC;? (1868); â&#x20AC;&#x153;Preparacion para la Natividad del Senora, en Prosa y Versoâ&#x20AC;?

(1869); â&#x20AC;&#x153;Novena del Nuestra Sra. de Lourdesâ&#x20AC;? (undated).

Fun Times The Sunday Times

F6

Âťhoroscope

THE SUNDAY CROSSWORD

Finny Business

By Merl Reagle May 19, 2019

...A wharf on the wild side This puzzle is part of Merl's best-of series 1 8 12 16 19 20 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 31 33 34 37 38 39 40 42 45 48 49 50 51 52 54 56 57 61 63 67 68 70 73 75 76 77 78 79 82 83 85 86 88 89 90 92

ACROSS John Wayneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world Salt Lake athletes Distinctive â&#x20AC;&#x153;fishâ&#x20AC;? shape STURGEON ___ Shirleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hooker, 1963 TROUT ___ Big man on campus Humphreyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;kidâ&#x20AC;?

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Functions Quote from Julius Caesar SALMON ___ Revolutionary Allen TURBOT ___ Muttered mot SOLE ___ Burtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Batman co-star Daredevilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need Olympic boycotter, 1980 First month, to Fernando A moving subject?

Vito Corleone, for one Element elements 1985 Hanks film, The Man with ___ Shoe Guitarist Segovia Explosive, briefly Interstate guide Dry, in Napa My, in Bordeaux Like budding or fission Red-carpet arrival

95 MACKEREL ___ (would apologizing for this one do any good? no) 97 Peter Pan character 98 Somewhat 99 Old French coin 100 Bristles, in biology 102 Spill catcher 103 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Better you ___â&#x20AC;?

105 A single time 107 BASS ___ 111 Over again 112 KIPPER ___ 113 It rhymes with â&#x20AC;&#x153;fireâ&#x20AC;? in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Light My Fireâ&#x20AC;?

114 Actress Arlene 115 Snip

Gift givers! For info on Merlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s books, visit www.sundaycrosswords.com.

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ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is an 8 -- The next two days are good for travel. Educational opportunities present themselves. Keep things frugal; you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need bells and whistles. Confirm connections and reservations.

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14

22

31

39 45

25

30

13

19 21

67

DOWN Royal divorcee First few bars, often Site of a Samson slaughter Wilburâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pet Kirk, to Michael Bullring shout Sluggoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s victim on early SNL shows Doing Horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hoof Big name in art deco Loud person Lorna Luftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dad SHARK ___ Gather Superiors may pull it Hunter S. Thompsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journalism style Part of EST Soup alternative Heritable piece of land Romeo and Juliet queen Hector dies in it Trisha Yearwoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s label Passes in the newsroom?

Diner sign Slangy toddlers April org.

Pocket, in biology â&#x20AC;&#x153;Get ___ the church ...â&#x20AC;?

Same letters, different word Shore bird Do a blacksmithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job

8

93

94

98

102

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Join forces with a partner to get farther. Strategize and make plans together. Stick to practical steps, and schedule them.

Support each other.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Maintain practical routines for best performance. Good luck follows dedicated efforts. Focus on your own health and well-being. Break it down. Practice your moves.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Relax and share some unexpected sweetness with someone you love.

Make sure to handle practical urgencies. Let the other stuff go, and enjoy the company.

103 104

108

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthday (05/19/19). Capture shared financial gains this year. Strategize to strengthen educational and travel plans. Realize a creative dream this summer, before your adventure takes a new twist. Investigations reveal wondrous solutions next winter, inspiring resolution of a creative challenge. Share with a powerful team.

109 110

112 114

70 The Naked Maja 43 Morse sound actress 44 White-bearded 71 Dapper dude galloper 72 CARP ___ 45 â&#x20AC;&#x153;This ___ test ...â&#x20AC;?

74 Having an â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;?

46 Meeting: abbr. problem 47 Asian prefix 78 Orlops and poops 48 Backup military grp.

80 Mouthlike opening 49 â&#x20AC;&#x153;You ___!â&#x20AC;? (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sure!â&#x20AC;?) 81 More covered with 52 Steinbeckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bryophytes East ___ 82 Pay ending 53 Gimletâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cousin 84 ___ room 55 Certain punches 85 Base, litmus-wise 86 Tool by the woodpile 56 Diesels, e.g.

87 Elect. day 58 Horned chargers 89 Theme or pattern 59 Old Buick import, 91 Raise in relief the Opel ___ 92 Superficial 60 Environmental appearance prefix 93 â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ about you, 62 Near the kidneys darling!â&#x20AC;?

64 Burden 94 Fishing platform 65 History, in a way 95 Quest of cartoons 66 Old palindrome, 96 Aug. follower â&#x20AC;&#x153;Able was ___ 98 Approval I saw Elbaâ&#x20AC;?

99 Dial or Tone 101 Sicilian volcano 69 Prop for Huck

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Communicate with family before making big changes at home.

115

102 Cabaret singer Jacques 103 Abbr. of a common name 104 Annual toy truck brand

106 108 109 110

Lady of the lea â&#x20AC;&#x153;Disgusting!â&#x20AC;?

TV monitoring grp.

Three-colored dog, for short

Solution: œ0RYLH +\SH 7UDQVODWHG¡ (May 12)

E R L E

E N V O Y S

D O E S N T

A L D L OR F OU O C T A D

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A S R E D

S N E R ORD T OR Y F O I Y S T UD I OP E NORM A S N A I F T H E F UNN E Z E A L O T GE A H I D D I S HO I S T RHOUR S L ON EON MAGO WE B E V E R MA R A T I V E L OGU E E ME A R A E C T ORWA S S POE T OO L A T T E F L RD L OUD A ND I E T R I CO T O R O N E T WO

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L N E A S E D S E S L A V E R S T E S E E P R E S YOR E G B R A O E L Y BOD Y A R A S A K A A V E DO T ON E D L S E A K E S I C K E WH I N I OD A

I N J A D I OS ON I T A N A Y A R T S MA U I S I NG S I N A S S A D I E S OC KO R E E D N U B S CR E T A S I A N I NG I NG T E S

SUDOKU

SUNDAY May 19, 2019

Break surprising news gently and with compassion.

Results satisfy; though the process may require sensitivity.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re generating positive buzz, and it could get profitable. Keep doing whatever is working. Put aside other tasks, and focus to expand your influence.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Selfdiscovery provides power and confidence. Have faith in your own imagination. Lucrative opportunities arise over the next two days. Carpe diem! Grab a chance.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Inspiration motivates a phase of personal focus and determination. Let your heart lead you. Patient, practical actions work wonders. Take one step at a time.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is a 6 -- Rest and recuperate for a few days. Take time to consider recent changes. Meditate, and consider past, present and future.

Treat yourself with kindness.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -Friends have great suggestions. Connect with someone who has been where you want to go. Collaborate for mutual gain. Teamwork takes you farther.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is a 9 -Professional matters have your attention. Prepare for an upcoming inspection or challenge. Go for a prize.

Reinforce structural elements. Polish elaborations on strong foundations.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Blackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @lindablack. For more astrological interpretations visit Linda Black Horoscopes and www.nancyblack.com) NANCY BLACK. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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

Arts Awake SUNDAY May 19, 2019

I

The Sunday Times

F7

Dance scholars showcase flair beyond choreography

N this age of modernity, there is a tendency to set aside WUDGLWLRQ DQG FXOWXUH 7KH ÀHOG RI GDQFH LV QR H[FHSWLRQ New forms sprout and prosper, as there are numerous dance genres that continue to develop with time.

While this is good because it adds up to the proliferation of performance, modernization also causes for other genres to become forgotten. Fortunately, there are still those who choose to preserve and perpetuate cultural dances.

In 2018, Erehwon Center for the Arts (ECA) Chairman and Chief ExHFXWLYH 2IÀFHU 5DIDHO 5LYHUD %HQLWH] and dance teacher Dante Ballesteros thought of forming a resident dance company for the school. The concept gave birth to the Erehwon Dance Scholars program.

Ballesteros tapped Roldan Bonifacio and Janet Amor who are both dance teachers specializing in folk.

These three invited their students to audition in order to form the group.

Initially, 18 Senior High School students (13 girls and 5 boys), aged 14 to 19, from Batasan Hills National High School, Bagong Silangan High School, Diliman Preparatory School, Lyceum of the Philippines Manila, and New Era High School, comprised the members of the scholarship program.

These students have already graced the stage through different events such as Erehwon Fiesta 2018, Tugtog at Sayaw sa Erehwon 2018, Pasinaya 2019, and their very own concert, ,QGDN QJ /DKL RQ 0D\ DW WKH ÀUVW $VLD 3DFLÀF 1LFN -RDTXLQ /LWHUDU\ Awards at Winford Manila Resort and Casino in Santa Cruz, Manila.

According to Bonifacio, Indak ng Lahi would always have a special

place in their hearts because it is through this concert where they became truly united as a group.

Another inspiring thing to note about their last performance was the fact that the scholars were so dedicated to their craft to the point that they were the ones who sold their own concert tickets to their friends and families, earn ing them two full-house shows, with an estimated number of 500 audience per show.

P roc e e d s of the concert went st ra i ght to the

scholars’ funds to be used for their costume, transportation, and other related expenses.

These students allot their time, talent and resources to embrace and proudly promote the Filipino folk culture, seeing themselves performing in big events inside and outside the country. Their aim is to keep on performing because a world without dance for them is a world without vibrancy.

A Gawad Parangal awardee recogn ized for its contributions to the arts and culture, ECA is located at 1 Don Francisco Street Villa Beatriz, Old Balara, Quezon City. It is also a member of the Cultural Center of the Philippines project, Philippine Performing Art Centers Consortium.

'Indak ng Lahi 2018.’

Erehwon Dance Scholars with mentor Roldan Bonifacio.

nccaupdate » NCCA celebrates International Dance Day in Capiz DANCE is the language of the soul and the recently concluded “Dance Xchange: The Philippine International Dance Workshop and Festival” bore witness to its communicative power with local and international performers.

The week-long festivity held in Roxas City, Capiz commenced with a parade of delegates from the Capiz Provincial Capitol to the Villareal Stadium where delegates, visitors, and partners were welcomed by an array of performances from local and international dance troupes.

With Capiz’ long-standing and strong support of arts and culture programs, as seen in Dayaw International Indigenous Peoples’ Festival held in the province in October 2018 and the National Filipino Food Month Visayas launch in April, incumbent Gov. Tony Del Rosario expressed once more the province’s utmost support to the sector through hosting Dance Xchange’s series of workshops and dance concert in various venues within the province.

Among these venues are the Villareal Stadium and Grounds and the Capiz Provincial Park for the dance concerts, Don Ynocencio A. Del Rosario National High School Gymnasium for the dance workshops and various communities in select municipalities for its outreach programs.

Dance Xchange is one of the banner projects of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), led by Chairman and National Artist Virgilio Almario. Festival Director and head of the NCCA National Committee on Dance Shirley Halili-Cruz convened

NCCA calls for submission on Rolando S. Tinio Translator’s Prize

Bhangra Team Folk Blaster from India.

Outreach workshop led by delegates from Hong Kong.

Halili-Cruz Dance Company.

Workshop at Don Ynocencio A. Del Rosario National High School.

the DX in Capiz, together with NCCA Deputy Executive Director Marichu Tellano as Co-Festival Director.

“While largely known as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines, we are more than that, as Capiz has much to offer especially in the preservation of the cultural and artistic heritage of the province and of the country in general. We are always reminded that this [heritage] is our spirit and it makes us who we are. It

The annual Dance Xchange is the Philippine celebration of International Dance Day.

is our breath of identity and having all of you here is an attestation that this spirit can only get stronger through time.” Del Rosario said in his message.

The theme “Cultural Connectivity through Dance” underscored the power of dance to bridge and unite communities, nations, and inspire one movement across various dance forms and practitioners.

Among the international participants joining the Dance Xchange

were from Bangladesh, Belgium, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Taiwan, and Thailand.

There were also 21 dance troupes from across the country who participated in the four-day dance extravaganza.

Communities in Capiz and nearby provinces were able to learn basic dance movements and arias in contemporary and traditional dances from international delegations in the two-day outreach workshops and performances hosted by select municipalities.

The annual Dance Xchange is the Philippine celebration of International Dance Day held every April 29. The International Dance Day aims to promote dance in all its forms across the world, to make people aware of the value of dance, share the joy of dance with others and, enable the dance community to promote their work on a broad scale, so that governments and opinion leaders are aware of the value and importance of dance and support it.

Dance Xchange is also held in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 154, declaring the last week of April as the National Dance Week.

THE National Commission for Cu ltu re and the A r ts (NCCA) welcomes submission of novels, poem and epic for the Rolando S. Tinio Translator’s Prize. The prize aims to provide a huge avenue on texts and compositions interpretation and translation from different language to Filipino for better understanding of Filipino readers.

The Rolando S. Tinio Translator’s Prize is according to NCCA’s mandate to “encourage and monitor a comprehensive translation program which shall make works

by Filipinos and selected foreign classics equally accessible to Filipino as well as international readers” (section 12.c.4, RA 7356).

In this Translator’s Prize, they will work on the composition for one year and submit it to NCCA for possible publication. The formal ceremony of the Translator’s Prize will be held in accordance to the celebration of the National Literature Month pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation No. 968 signed in 2015.

For i nterested pa r ticipants, completed appl ication for m must be submitted to the Cultural Dissemination Section of Pla n / Pol icy For mu lat ion a nd Prog ramm i ng Div ision of the NCCA, curriculum vitae, and a three to five page concept paper that tack les the rationale and obje c t ive of the proje c t w ith four copies of the initially translated composition.

Participants can only join in one category: novel, poem or epic. The compositions will be reviewed by the National Committee for Language and Translation The documents must be submitted until June 30 at NCCA, which is located at 633 General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila 100.

Arts Awake The Sunday Times

F8

May 19, 2019 SUNDAY

'Benita Jara/Armin Jalandoni House'

'Lino Lope Severino Building'

'Biking sa Hawaiian'

Anthony Fermin

paints Silay's scenes and stories

I

N celebration of the National Heritage Month, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Gallery presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;Panublion: Scenes and Stories,â&#x20AC;? an exhibition by Negros-based artist Anthony Fermin.

Born in 1976, the Visayan artist has come a long way. His works have been exhibited in Negros, Cebu, Manila, Malaysia, Germany, Austria and the United States.

He paints the everyday lives of )LOLSLQRV ZLWK SOD\IXO \HW FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQW strokes. Each canvas, exuding vibrant KXHV DQG FRORUV GHSLFWV OLIH Ă&#x20AC;OOHG ZLWK hope. His animated renditions of common scenes express his pragmatic views of culture and heritage.

Panublion is a Hiligaynon word for heritage. For this exhibit, Fermin renders scenes and stories from Silay, Negros Occidental, his wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hometown

that he has come to love as his own.

Out of this fondness grew a passion to capture the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-running love affair with cultural heritage.

Although Fermin is known for his naif works with strokes reminiscent of RussianFrench modernist Marc Chagallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expanses of swirly dark splashes, viewers will also be treated to Ferminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mastery of impressionism as he renders in watercolor some of Silayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ancestral houses.

'Panublion: Scenes and Stories' is on view at the NCCA Gallery until May 31. Open daily from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., the gallery is located at 633 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. Admission is free.

'Rambutan Harvest'

'Cesar Locsin House (El Ideal Bakery)'

'Market Vendors'

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;TIME OF FLIGHTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Fitz Ocampo's personal and intimate exhibit FOR Filipina visual artist Fitz Ocampo, an exhibit is more than a showcase of artistry. In her 7th solo exhibition at ArtistSpace, she get very personal and intimate.

Titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Time of Flight,â&#x20AC;? Ocampoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inspiration came the concept of time and is explored by showing time through changes in season. It is also explored through childhood objects and themes representing time as both temporary or f leeting yet eternal and unchanging.

Ocampoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motivation as an artist is to express her life experiences â&#x20AC;&#x201D; both beautiful and painful which she celebrates in her artworks as part of her identity, self-discovery and personal healing. The exhibition becomes a mirror of her life.

In her painting â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Time Spring Will Come,â&#x20AC;? the artist represented her years of struggle of not having a baby. In time, her dream of being a mother was fulfilled. Her painting â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our Time Together is as Colorful as Autumn Leaves,â&#x20AC;? represents the colorful journey with her daughter.

Another painting â&#x20AC;&#x153;Directing My Steps to Find My Wings in This Winter Timeâ&#x20AC;? represents the artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggle with depression. It â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Directing My Steps to Find my Wings in This Winter took years of counseling and expressTime,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; oil on canvas, 102 x 76 cm (2018) ing her emotions through painting that helped in her healing.

Meanwhile, her painting of her daughter in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Praying for Summer All the Timeâ&#x20AC;? represents her time of healing. Each of these four major paintings shows the artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s belief that difficulties in life are just seasons and time can really heal wounds.

Her other paintings are still life of clocks and other childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s toys. Like seasons, childhood is also like time that slips away so fast. Therefore, one should cherish and treasure it. Flight is presented through images of fairies and fairy wings. It is a symbolism for hopes, dreams and her inner most wishes that are destined to be achieved in time.

In this exhibition, time is represented as both valuable and precious. It focuses on how time can help a person reach their dreams â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the concept of f light.

At the given perfect time, goals and dreams can be achieved. In the process, one should learn to value time and enjoy the journey.

Time of Flight will be on view at the ArtistSpace until May 29. ArtistSpace is located at the Ayala â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Our Time Museum Annex, Ground Level, Makati Avenue corner Together is as Colorful as De La Rosa Street, Makati City. It is open from Mondays Autumn Leaves,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; oil on canvas, 152 X 183 cm (2019) to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In Time Spring Will Come,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; oil on canvas, 91 x 122 cm (2017)

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Praying for Summer All the Time,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; oil on canvas, 102 x 76 cm (2018)