The Manila Times | January 20, 2019

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The Sunday Times ‘Rizza Divine has not come home’

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WHITNEY THORE IS FAT, HAPPY AND PROUD

JANUARY 20, 2019

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Without grandparents, human species would have been extinct SUNDAY READ RIGOBERTO D. TIGLAO

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HAT’S not an exaggeration, although I admit I am elated by that discovery.

I myself became a grandfather last year, in July, to a radiant boy, Ocean. (If you think that’s a strange name, I had named his father Siddharta).

I graduated into another category of human being, a very special one. Other than homo sapiens, only a few other primates, whales and elephants, have such

Mother not sure if UST student is in Quezon

BY ROY D.R. NARRA

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HE University of Santo Tomas (UST) student who was reported missing in December last year has not returned home, her mother said on Sunday.

Luisa Camingawan said she has not seen Rizza Divine since she left home on December 19 to celebrate Christmas and New Year with farmers in Quezon province.

Rizza Divine is a Legal Management freshman.

In an article published by The Varsitarian, THE OFkCIAL PUBLICATION OF THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3ANTO 4OMAS #AMINGAWAN denied her husband’s statement that Rizza Divine has returned.

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$412M for bankrupt Hanjin, zero for small farmers SUNDAY STORIES MARLEN V. RONQUILLO

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ANKS are mandated by law, Republic Act 10000, to allot 25 percent of their loanable funds to the production needs of two sectors: agriculture, which means small farmers, in the original formulation, and agrarian reform beneficiaries. RA 10000 is supposedly a much more forceful version of the old and weak Marcos decree that ordered the same thing, the massive infusion of countryside loans, also at 25

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STO. NIÑO PARADE Images of Santo Niño were paraded in Tondo, Manila on the eve of the Feast of the Child Jesus. PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA

Gretchen Sulu, cities of Isabela, Cotabato to reject BOL Henry Sy Sr., lashes at Kris SPECIALREPORT PH’s richest, dies at 94

BY AL JACINTO

BY ARLO CUSTODIO

ACTRESS Gretchen Barretto set the record straight through Instagram Live on Friday on why she has been giving a piece of her mind in the Kris AquinoNicko Falcis brouhaha.

“Good vibes lang,” she said.

“According to 150/arte (referring to what Aquino’s staff revelation to Falcis that whenever the former complains of

³Kris A2

ZAMBOANGA CITY: With the Bangsamoro plebiscite set on Monday, Muslims in Sulu province, Isabela City in Basilan and Cotabato City in Maguindanao have vowed to reject the organic law, which the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF is strongly pushing.

T h e MILF, which

Pacquiao: I can be at my best at 40 LAS VEGAS: Filipino star Manny Pacquiao tipped the scales half a pound lighter here Friday (Saturday in Manila) for his WBA welterweight title bout against Adrien Broner.

A trim-looking Pacquiao, who faces Broner at Las Vegas’s MGM Grand Garden Arena, weighed in at exactly 146 pounds.

Broner, who is determined to wreck what will be 0ACQUIAO S kRST kGHT ON 53 SOIL SINCE CAME IN AT 146.5 pounds.

Pacquiao smiled broadly as he faced off with Broner for the cameras following the weigh-in.

The eight-division world champion later said he wanted to prove that he still had the ability to be a force in the welterweight division despite turning 40 last month. g) M HAPPY TO BE BACK HERE AND HAPPY TO kGHT TOmorrow night,” Pacquiao said.

“Forty is just a number, it doesn’t matter that I’m 40 years old — I feel young,” he added. “Tomorrow I have something to prove, that at 40 I can still be at my best ... I want to prove that Manny Pacquiao is still there.”

Pacquiao (60-4-2, 39 knockouts) last fought in

³Best A2

signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014, is expected to rule the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region should Muslims vote in favor of the Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL (Republic Act 11054), which shall replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM. The ARMM is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-

Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces.

A second referendum has been set for February 6 with several towns in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte being included in the proposed Bangsamoro region.

Majority of Sulu’s over 830,000 Tausug population led by Gov. Abdusakur “Toto” Tan and his father, Dr. Sakur Tan, wanted out of the autonomous region and be a part again of Zamboanga Peninsula or Region 9.

Sulu, along with Basilan and Tawi-Tawi,

TYCOON Henry Sy Sr., the country’s wealthiest man, passed away on Saturday at the age of 94.

“It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the peaceful passing of our beloved Chairman Emeritus, founder and Tatang (Father), Mr. Henry Sy Sr. this morning.

We join the Sy family in fervent prayer,”

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³BOL A2 REACH US AT:

BRING IT ON World Boxing Association welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (left) and challenger Adrien Broner weigh in on Saturday, hours before their bout at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday. AFP PHOTO

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

Q Henry Sy Sr.

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News

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SUNDAY January 20, 2019

Sri Lankan leader seeks PNP advice on drug war S

BY ROY D.R. NARRA

RI Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday paid the Philippine National Police a visit at its Camp Crame main headquarters in Quezon City to consult the PNP on how to deal with the drug menace how it has been.

Sirisena was welcomed by the PNP chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde.

A conference meeting was then held with Sirisena and officials of the PNP, Department of the Interior and Local Government and other agencies involved in the Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs. )T WAS THE kRST TIME THAT A WORLD leader visited Camp Crame.

Albayalde described the conference meeting with the Sri Lankan president as “fruitful� and “very productive.� “I think [he] also realized that [the Philippines and Sri Lanka] have the same problem... The president of Sri Lanka was very appreciative of what we presented to and he saw the [Philippine] government’s approach [to] the campaign against illegal drugs and said [he] would like to

apply it to [his country], too,� he said in a chance interview.

Shortly after his arrival on Tuesday in the Philippines, Sirisena cited the local crackdown as an “example� to the world.

The campaign was initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte when he assumed the presidency in 2016.

Albayalde said Sirisena told him that Colombo has adopted some features of the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. “He said there are some methods [that] are already being applied and if there is anything to improve their campaign against illegal drugs, our presentation to them is a big help,� he added.

Based on the latest figure of Real Numbers PH as of November

2018, there were 5,050 alleged drug suspects killed in anti-drug operations since 2016.

Various human rights groups, however, believe the number of casualties is higher than 12,000.

Albayalde said the PNP already kLED CHARGES AGAINST POLICE personnel who committed human rights violations during anti-drug operations. “That is why we are saying that it (drug campaign) is not perfect BECAUSE WE kLED CASES OF HUMAN rights against our own personnel and that is initiated by us and the CHR (Commission on Human Rights) [was] still not even in the picture at the time,� he added.

Sirisena is in the Philippines for A kVE DAY STATE VISIT

Duterte: ‘I am not Catholic, I am Islam’ PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte had praise for Allah for the progress of the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), but he continued to lash out against members of the Catholic clergy.

Speaking before a Muslimdominated crowd in a peace asSEMBLY FOR THE "/, RATIkCATION in Cotabato City on Friday night, Duterte reiterated that he was not Catholic, criticizing its leaders, whom he called “crazy.� “There is a part of me which is Islam actually. Kaya kung mag away-away kami ng mga buang na pari na ‘yan, hindi man ako Katoliko. Islam man. Totoo (That’s why even if I and those crazy priests bicker, I am not a Catholic.

I’m Islam. It’s true),� he said in his speech. “God must be good to us. The fact that we have reached this point after so many years of negotiation and interruptions. We are here.

Insha’ Allah. God is great. Allahu Akbar,� Duterte added.

Duterte’s pronouncements came a day after Malacaùang told Catholic Church leaders not to meddle in how the President runs the government.

His spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President’s tirades against the clergy and the Catholic teachings should not worry the bishops considering the church’s long existence. “There is therefore no need for some of its leaders to act distressed and manifest their

unpleasant comments against the President, especially with respect to how the President runs the government,�Panelo added.

The Palace official made the remark after LingayenDagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas expressed concern over Duterte’s health. “Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas has expressed his concern about the President and said that the latter’s statements on the Church may not be good for his health and stature as the country’s leader,� Panelo said. “The concern of Archbishop Villegas is, in fact, shared by the majority of Filipinos who understand that the success of this President equates to the success of the nation,� he added.

Duterte, born and raised a Catholic, routinely attacks the Church and its teachings.

Last year, he drew flak after calling God “stupid.� He held a dialogue with church leaders after his rant.

Recently, the President suggested to bystanders to rob and kill moneyed bishops, stepping up his attacks on the church that has been critical of his brutal drug war.

Malacaùang, however, has repeatedly defended Duterte’s rhetoric against members of the church, noting that he was just defending himself against bishops and priests who use the pulpit against his administration.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Q BEST FROM A1

to be angling for a rematch with retired welterweight king Floyd Mayweather.

Mayweather won their moneySPINNING kRST BOUT IN IN A contest that failed to live up to its “Fight of the Century� hype.

Broner, 29, said Friday he is determined to seize his opportunity. “I feel good. It’s a helluva opportunity,� he said. “After I win tomorrow night I’ll be a legend overnight.� AFP

Pacquiao July last year, when he scored HIS kRST KNOCKOUT IN SIX YEARS with a seventh-round stoppage of Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur.

Pacquiao, who holds the lesser version of the WBA’s two welterweight belts, is widely believed

Q KRIS FROM A1

Gretchen

CAMP VISIT Armed Forces chief Benjamin Madrigal Jr. (second fron right) visits Camp Ranao in Marawi City to check the security preparations for the plebiscite for a new Bangsamoro territory in Mindanao. PHOTO BY GERARD SEGUIA

Q BOL FROM A1

Sulu, cities of Isabela were originally part of Region 9 with the signing of the 1986 peace agreement between the Moro National Liberation Front under Nur Misuari and the Ramos administration.

After the accord, a referendum was held on the heels of the 1989 signing by then-President Corazon Aquino of Republic Act 6734, and amended in 2001, paving the way for another plebiscite, which included Basilan and Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. Last year, the governor of Sulu kLED A PETITION WITH THE 3UPREME Court questioning the legality and constitutionality of the BOL. The Philippine Constitution Association also asked the high court to reject the BOL, saying the law violates the 1987 Constitution that mandated only one organic act for Muslim Mindanao.

Oral arguments on the controversial law have been scheduled for next month.

The Tan patriarch has urged Duterte to make good on his threat to establish a “revolutionary governMENT u SO HE COULD QUICKLY RECONkGure the country’s regions and shift to a federal form of government. “Only through federalism you CAN CONkGURE THE TERRITORIES THAT WILL constitute the federal states and not cluster only the laggards together LIKE THE kVE PROVINCES IN THE !2-- Now they say that [the BOL] it is also federalism [that will make only one region under the BOL], but it is not, it is an isolation, because it will only BE CONSTITUTED BY kVE PROVINCES THAT are laggards, so it is only through

federalism that you can mix the lagGARDS WITH THE AFlUENT OTHERWISE

these laggards will never progress.� “[To speed up] federalism, [we have to declare a] revolutionary government to make things easier.

So [what happened was that it was immediately done by our] Constitution. So the President can now appoint members of the commission that will draft the new Constitution and then come up with the new government and then come up with the form of government that we will have. Instead of a unitary form of government then, we can have a parliamentaryfederal system of government,� the elder Tan said, adding, “It is far better than creating a monster like the BOL.�

Federal government Duterte, who has pushed a shift from presidential system of government to federal, has urged Muslims to ratify the BOL. During his visit to Cotabato City on January 18, Duterte told thousands of pro-MILF supporters: “Your approval of this law will not only serve as an expression of your desire to end more than half a century of armed struggle in the region. It will also serve testament of your determination to bring genuine peace and development in Muslim Mindanao to an autonomous government that truly represents and understands the needs of the people. Mga mahal kong (My

dear) Moro brothers and sisters, Magboto kayo ng (Vote) Yes.�

Autonomous region ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, a strong advocate of the BOL, also urged his constituents to support the BOL and participate in the plebiscite. “The yes vote is a yes to our dreams. If there is a BOL, the Bangsamoro government will be freer to decide for itself. Apart from this, the BOL symbolizes the triumph of the peace process. )F IT IS RATIkED IT BECOMES A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT CONlICT IS OVER 4HE repetitive requests that we make to Manila will be reduced. Government services will be delivered faster,� he said.

In Cotabato, Mayor Cynthia 3AYADI WHO IS kGHTING THE CITY S INclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro region, said she received many reports that pro-BOL campaigners were harassing residents into VOTING FOR THE RATIkCATION OF THE organic law. “I received harassment complaints from my people by Bangsamoro plebiscite campaigners. Number one is the abuses, abuses from the people who wanted the BOL to win in the city‌ all of those who are supporting the inclusion of [Cotabato in the Bangsamoro autonomous region], the Bangsamoro Organic Law,â€? the mayor added. “The city will reject the BOL and that is based on the consultations with the people, consultations with the different sectors and not just my voice, it is the voice of everyone that I consulted,â€? she said.

“Cotabato is the seat of the ARMM government even though the city is not part of the Muslim autonomous region. And there were reports that Ebrahim and other rebel leaders — who took advantage of the peace process — have allegedly invested heavily in various businesses in Cotabato and that is why they wanted the city to be part of the expanded autonomous region,� she added.

Isabela City The same sentiments are also felt among residents in Isabela where Vice Mayor Cherryln Akbar is also leading the campaign against the city’s inclusion in the Bangsamoro autonomous region. She said the BOL would only benefit the MILF and its interest in the region. “Look at actor Robin Padilla who came here to campaign for the BOL. Why, is Robin Padilla from Isabela City, does he know the predicaments of the people here?� Akbar asked.

She also took a swipe at lawmakers who approved the BOL. “If our children are sick, if we do not have rice on the table, do any of them congressmen come here to help us?� the mayor said.

All the ARMM governors, except Tan, are campaigning for the BOL — Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindanao, Jim Saliman of Basilan, Soraya Adiong of Lanao del Sur, and Rashidin Matba of Tawi-Tawi. The four politicians were all strong supporters of then President Benigno Aquino 3rd and defeated presidential candidate Manuel Roxas 2nd.

high blood pressure, it’s actually JUST BEING kNICKY THE REASON WHY I’m mad at her is because Alice Eduardo is her friend; that’s not true, [that’s only] one of the many reasons why. Hindi ako nakikisawsaw sa buhay ng ibang tao kung hindi naman isinasawsaw ang buhay nila sa akin,� she said, adding that many times over Aquino meddled in her personal affairs. “But let’s talk about taxpayers money. Ate Alice Eduardo had always been my friend. I have no friction with her. It’s with her sister that I have issues with for businesses I don’t want to disclose.

Tonyboy Cojuangco (cousin of Aquino] and I had been partners for many years, exactly 25 years on February 2. He has businesses that got entangled [laughs). You know what, I’m not into the business world, I’m into the creative side, as artist, puro showbiz. Pag artist ka, you are not good in business.

Iniiwan ko yun kay Dada (CoJUANGCO u "ARRETTO QUALIkED She also adressed bashers and paid trolls, saying she misses them. “Ladies and gentlemen, ano nga ba ang sinasabi ng ating pinakamamahal na drama queen na si Kris Aquino? And sinasabi niya, dinadamay siya. Hindi po siya dinadamay, dinadamay po niya ang sarili niya. Kung sinasabi n’yo na sawsawera ako, mas sawsawera po siya. Hindi po ako nagsasawsaw sa suka kung hindi niya sinawsaw ang kanyang buhay sa aking buhay. “Ako po ay nananahimik, matagal na. When she was in power, sinawsaw niya ang kanyang kNGERS sa aking buhay many times over, like with Alice Eduardo. I hate to do this because Alice Eduardo means a lot to me also. Many years ago, Alice Eduardo had trouble with her tax. I don’t want to say it but I will say it anyway because that is me, ako po yan,� she related.

Barretto said Eduardo had tax problems when she was charged hundreds of millions of pesos, and Aquino helped her with

Q Gretchen Barretto then-Bureau of Internal Revenue chief Kim Henares to lower the tax that should have been paid to the government. “I didn’t want to tell the truth ;AT kRST= ginaganun-ganun ko lang naman, e. There is always a reason bakit tayo sumasawsaw. Ayokong magsawsaw pero meron tayong pinanggagalingan. Whether you bash me or not, I really don’t care, but at this point, I will tell the truth,� she said. “Kris, kung talagang mahal mo ang Pilipino at buong Pilipinas, sana prinotektahan mo ang mamamayang Pilipino. Because at that time na your brother Abnoy was in power, he was the President of the Philippines, e, di ba dapat, kung kailangang magbayad si Alice Eduardo ng kanyang tax, na tayong Filipino people ang mag BENEkT Pero at that time, tinulungan ni Kris Aquino si Alice Eduardo na bumaba ang tax [babayaran niya],� she said.

She added that they knew about the issue because Alice Eduardo herself admitted it. “Pinagkakalat din ni Alice Eduardo at ng kanyang mga kapatid na tinulungan ni Kris Aquino at ang halaga lang daw ay binabayaran lang daw ng mga pinangsa-shopping ni Gary Garcia, the gay friend from LA, na he would buy things from the States and send those to Kris Aquino.� “May nagsasabing, ‘stop.’ I’m not gonna stop. I am a Filipino, we all pay taxes, we all work very hard, so my point is, prinotektahan ni Kris Aquino when she was in power, and she said, ‘I love Ate Alice.’ Whatever girl, you love her so much, in exchange for bags and clothes and shoes. That’s so not fair,� she said.

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Opinion

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

The Sunday Times

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E d i to r i a l Henry Sy: Ultimate success through sheer hard work

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HE FILIPINO business community has lost one of its strongest pillars with the demise on Saturday of property and banking taipan Henry Sy Sr., patriarch of the SM group.

Sy's life is a true rags-to-riches story, a Chinese immigrant who saw vast opportunity in a foreign land, transforming in the process the Philippine economy and providing livelihoods to countless Filipinos.

Born in Xiamen’s Jinjiang county on Oct. 15, 1924, Henry Sy was given the Chinese name Si ChĂŹ-SĂŞng, which means “to attain ultimate success.â€?

Sy, through patience and hard work, business acumen and ambition, achieved exactly that. His SM conglomerate, based on mall and property businesses, is unrivaled in the country and the rest of the region.

Today, the SM group has a total of 72 properties, 2,149 retail stores and 1,827 banking branches. Its malls are kVE TIMES THE SIZE OF -ONACO ITS OFkCES OCCUPY A SPACE as big as the Vatican, its convention centers are equivalent to 75 basketball courts, and its stores are the size OF FOOTBALL kELDS To his more than 80,000 workers, Henry Sy was “Tatang,� a great and dear father, who rose from very humble beginnings as a shoe retailer in Carriedo in the late ‘50s to become the richest man in the Philippines and, perhaps, Southeast Asia, but who remained simple and could eat with pancit noodles in one of his own food courts.

A true visionary, Sy’s thinking was well ahead of the competition. He introduced air-conditioning at his Shoemart in Carriedo when others felt it unnecessary and drew customers to his store and its wide selection of shoes. “Shoemart� became a household name.

In 1985, he blazed the trail with the opening of SM City on North EDSA, and was scoffed at by the older and more experienced property developers for putting up a mall in what they thought was the middle of nowhere.

But Sy saw on North EDSA a crossroads of people from Central Luzon and northern Metro Manila, an untapped FOOT TRAFkC FROM 1UEZON #ITY RESIDENTS AND MOTORISTS AND commuters passing along the metropolis’s main thoroughfare. Today, there are three malls in the heavily congested area — SM City and two owned by rival Ayala group.

Hardly anyone sneered when Sy opened the SM Mall of Asia in 2006, the seaside complex that catalyzed the development of the Manila Bay reclamation area, and which has become a major destination of foreign and local tourists.

3Y OPENED HIS kRST SHOPPING MALL IN #HINA IN today there are seven in the mainland on top of 72 malls in the Philippines.

Aware that the ubiquitous SM malls could be displacing smaller businesses, SM’s mall-and-retail network has accommodated homegrown food products and handicraft, as well as restaurant businesses. The nationwide expansion of SM also meant the expansion of many small and medium enterprises.

These are just some of Henry Sy’s visible accomplishments; hardly noticed by media is the SM group’s activities in corporate social responsibility. Sy, who was UNABLE TO kNISH COLLEGE AND HIS WIFE &ELICIDAD HAVE sent some 4,000 students through college, and the Sys have expanded their educational philanthropy with the acquisition of National University in 2008.

The Manila Times extends its condolences to the Sy family and the SM group for the untimely death of their founder. Henry Sy leaves a sterling example of success through sheer hard work and patience, which all Filipinos would do well to emulate.

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

The Sunday Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 100

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor FELIPE F. SALVOSA II, Managing Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL MALLARI, Sports Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER EVELYN A. FAUNI, Vice President for Finance 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.

Q SUNDAY READ FROM A1

Without grandparents, human species would have been extinct creatures as grandparents. Not only did grandparents ensure the survival of homo sapiens as a species that became thelord of the earth. Hundreds of thousands of years later, grandparents in the Philippines today are playing a very crucial role in taking care of a rather unique generation of Filipinos.

Because of the twin phenomena of massive migration of Filipinas abroad for work and the rise in teenaged motherhood, more and more grandparents are taking care of the emotional needs, acculturation, and, most importantly, the moral education of an entire generation of Filipinos.

I would not be exaggerating to say that without Filipino grandparents, we could have a generation of Filipinos deprived of emotional nurturing in their crucial young years that they are likely to be sociopaths.

Government, therefore, must give grandparents, ahem, like me — even if they’re still below 60 years old —more discounts and privileges than mere senior citizens, since they spend money and time for their grandchildren who are, to use that clichÊ, the future of our country. In fact, in the case of the United States, a study showed that 45 percent of grandparents there helped pay the living expenses of their grandchildren, and more than half spend money on their education.

Huge brains I didn’t get to see any of my grandparents, so I had little interest in this category of human beings. I was surprised, though, that researching into this topic after I became one, I discovered that there have been COUNTLESS SCIENTIkC MOSTLY ANTHROpological and sociological) studies on the role of grandparents in the survival of the human species that emerged 200,000 years ago.

The feature that has made us lords of the earth, our huge brains, made child birth so risky that more than half of mothers during the prehistoric stage died while giving birth. With that kind of a casualty rate due to child birth and with no mother to take care of the infant — and other factors such as disease, wars and accidents — mankind would have perished a few thousands of years after it emerged.

But thanks to grandparents, humanity survived. In that era, when a mother died in childbirth, it was the grandmother who survived her own period of having children who would take care of the helpless child — with the father mostly out somewhere in the wild hunting. Sometimes the grandmother even had to do multitasking, taking care of the child while at the same time foraging for food, like wild berries around the campsite.

Due to the size of our brains, humans had to be born premature, BEFORE THE SKULL GREW TO ITS kNAL SIZE While the babies of most animals could live on their own, hours or days after they were born, those of

Q That’s not an exaggeration: The grandpa, the grandson and the dad. humans required care for as long as four years before they could survive in the wildness of the prehistoric era. The father also led a very risky life hunting saber-toothed tigers or mammoths in the wild, and so chances were high that he would have died before his child could take care of himself. The few grandfathers took care of their sons.

The role of grandmothers in mankind’s survival has even become a well-known “grandmother hypothesis� to explain female menopause.

One summary of this hypothesis “states that as mothers age, the costs of reproducing become greater, and energy devoted to those activities would be better spent helping her offspring in their reproductive efforts. “By redirecting their energy onto those of their offspring — which they are forced to do with the onset of menopause — such mothers can better ensure the survival of their genes through younger generations.�

Grandmothering Kristen Hawkes, an anthropologist at the University of Utah, even did a computer simulation on this hypothesis, and one of her conclusions was the following: “Grandmothering gave us the kind of upbringing that made us more dependent on each other socially and prone to engage each other’s attention.�

This trend, Hawkes says, drove the increase in brain size, along with longer lifespans and menopause.

These ideas are not just theoretical, and have been the conclusions of actual research on existing primitive societies, such as a hunter-gatherer tribe in Tanzania. “After examining a large body of evidence from traditional human societies, the evidence suggested that the presence of some grandparents can substantially increase the chances of a child surviving during the high risk period of infancy and childhood,� according to a study

by Dr. David Coall from the University of Western Australia.

Grandparents today continue

ity Survey�showed that about 14 percent of Filipino girls become eiTHER PREGNANT WITH THEIR kRST CHILD or are already mothers between the ages of 15 and 19.

Who take care of the babies of these babies? The grandmothers, more often. My caddy in her late 40s, for instance, recently told me she was happy that I was playing again, as she needed more income to buy the infant-milk formula for the baby of her daughter who’s still in college. I’m sure this case isn’t an exceptional one.

It’s not a one-way street, though: Grandparenting is good for the grandparent. A study published in the Journal of the North American Menopause Society, found the highest cognitive scores among older women who spent one day weekly babysitting their grandchildren.

Providing at least some support in caring for grandchildren might lead to a longer life, according to a December 2016 study in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior. Among more than 500 elderly European grandparents between the ages of 70 and 103, those who provided some occasional care for THEIR GRANDCHILDREN LIVED kVE YEARS more than those didn’t.

That’s fantastic! But there’s a caCrucial to society veat. Some studies show that grandparenting could also be stressful, and Who takes care of these children seniors’ bones and lungs are obviously left by OFWs? no longer appropriate for caring for The grandparents, and even an infant who constantly needs to be grandfathers — learning perhaps carried or even worse, running after a from the past, or wanting to relive toddler around the house. it — are more caring of their grandAs one writer put it: “It seems as children and more doting to them though there’s a Goldilocks principle than to their own children before. to grandparenting: too little and you Grandparents have also become won’t get the physical, emotional and crucial in our society because of SPIRITUAL BENEkTS OF BEING A GRANDPARthe drastic rise in the number ent; too much and you could be putof teenaged mothers. This is the ting your health at risk.� result of the decline of puritan That means I shouldn’t be changATTITUDES TOWARD SEX AND EASIER ing the stinking diaper. access to pornography), combined with the limited availability Email: tiglao.manilatimes@ of and education on the use of gmail.com contraceptives, due to Catholic Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao Church dogma against it. A report Twitter: @bobitiglao “Young Adult Fertility and Sexual- Archives at: www.rigobertotiglao.com to play a crucial role in society.

Research in the US and the West concluded that 8 out of 10 adult grandchildren feel their grandparents INlUENCED THEIR VALUES AND BEHAViors. “Grandparents transmit to their grandchildren the values and norms of social order. Without such intergenerational continuity, some theorists SAY gTHE STAGE IS SET FOR CONlICT AND disruptive change, not only within the family but also in the broader society,� one study concluded.

Other studies in Switzerland and Australia concluded: “GrandparENTS PRACTICAL AND kNANCIAL SUPPORT HELPS KEEP YOUNGSTERS kT AND healthy, while their love and ability to listen helps children and teens GET THROUGH DIFkCULT PERIODS SUCH AS the divorce of their parents.�

I suspect the role of grandparents in the Philippines is more crucial. The Unicef estimated from its survey that 4 million Overseas Filipino Workers have left at least 3 million children in the country, mostly toddlers. The study claimed that the case of mothers working abroad is a worse scenario, as fathers do not provide the same kind of motherly nurturing needed by the child left behind.

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

Opinion

A5

Q RONQUILLO FROM A1

The warming of the planet $412M for bankrupt Hanjin, zero for small farmers T REFLECTIONS

percent, of total funds for lending. )N THEORY THIS IS A STRONG AFkRMAtive action for the small farmers AND AGRARIAN REFORM BENEkCIARIES Without a law, small farmers and AGRARIAN REFORM BENEkCIARIES ARE AT the mercy of informal credit, which in real trade is usury. Think of 5:6 and you have a rough idea of how unconscionable the lending rates are by the informal sector to small farmers and the agrarian reform BENEkCIARIES 3OME INTEREST RATES ARE DEkNITELY HIGHER THAN Like so many laws in this sad country of ours, they are made to be broken, mocked and dekED 2! IS %XHIBIT ! OF THIS predisposition to violate and defy the law with impunity. Of course, loopholes in the law itself and THE RIDERS ABET THE DEkANCE AND mockery of RA 10000 by the banks.

OK, how cavalier are the banks in their compliance with RA 10000? Let us look at the data.

Of the 25 percent provided for under the law, 10 percent of the loanable funds are supposed to go to agrarian BENEkCIARIES THE ACTIVE FARMERS WITH #ERTIkCATE OF ,AND /WNERSHIP !WARD (CLOA) titles. On a good year, the compliance rate of the banks with that mandate is a little above 2 percent. On a bad year, it is 1 percent.

The truth is, RA 10000 and the original presidential decree (PD) are mere paper tigers. The original decree was littered with escape clauses,

called “alternative modes of compliANCE u 7HEN BANKS BUY GOVERNMENT bonds and debt papers, that is in compliance with the law. When the banks lend to so-called “socialized HOUSING u THAT IS ALSO CONSIDERED compliance. When banks buy private debt notes that are supposedly lOATED BY COMPANIES ENGAGED IN agricultural productivity, they sign in on the escape clauses of the law.

The lending rate to agriculture, the 15 percent of the 25 percent total, has been historically higher than the 1 percent or 2 percent for agrarian REFORM BENEkCIARIES "UT FOR ONE AND only one reason: Lending to agribusiness giants, the so-called Big Agri, is considered agricultural lending. It is not small farmers that get the loans.

My late father died at 83 and had been a small farmer through most of his life. I don’t think he had seen the inside of a bank, even a small rural bank.

4HE gALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCEu CLAUSes of the law have limits so banks regularly run out of excuses not to lend to agriculture and agrarian REFORM BENEkCIARIES )N AN IDEAL AND fair world, banks should risk lending to the two sectors after the alternative modes shall have run out. After all, it is the obligation of the rich and the powerful and the strong to help the weak. Both the spiritual and temporal teachings are strong on that.

Banks are banks and bankers hold themselves beyond and above the moral and spiritual as-

tory of Philippine banking, the $412 million loans extended to bankrupt Subic-based Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines.

4HE FACT THAT THE kVE BANKS DO NOT EVEN HAVE THE CONkDENCE TO PUBLICLY state that the $412 million is backed up by solid collateral means the colLAPSE OF THE kDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY The supposedly exacting and rigorous evaluation of the small farmers’ ability to pay was an epic fail in the Hanjin case. What rubs salt on the open wound of credit-starved small farmers and agrarian reform BENEkCIARIES IS THIS THE ,AND "ANK of the Philippines, whose original mandate is to lend to small farmers AND AGRARIAN REFORM BENEkCIARIES

has been treating small farmers and AGRARIAN REFORM BENEkCIARIES LIKE dirt. Land Bank’s unsecured Hanjin exposure is $85 million. )T TURNS OUT THAT kDUCIARY RESPONsibility has two sets of rules, one for the balasubas farmers and one for Lesson from the likes of Hanjin. Lax on the big the Hanjin default and screw-tight on the small ones.

No one wants an unstable banking Of course, all bad intentions, biases system and all responsible Filipinos and prejudices, as the Bard would are praying for the Hanjin failure to say, end up badly. The Hanjin de- have a satisfactory, stabilizing end. fault proves this point.

But there is one lesson to be While refusing to grant small and learned by the bankers from the negligible loans to small farmers on Hanjin collapse. It is not to the the pretext- and the tenuous claim — mighty that all loans should go. And THAT THEY ARE BALASUBAS ‡ kVE OF THE those that list farming as their livelicountry’s largest banks are now faced hood should not be automatically with the biggest default in the his- categorized as defaulters. sumptions of society.

So banks that were found not complying with the law or barely complying with the law would RATHER PAY kNES THE NEGLIGIBLE kNES under the weak law, than comply with the 25 percent mandate.

Over the last two years, according to records of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) , the banking sector paid about P6 billion in kNES JUST TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR UTter disdain for small farmers and AGRARIAN REFORM BENEkCIARIES 0AY 0 BILLION IN kNES RATHER than lend money to those wretched of the earth.

Banks invoke one thing to justify THIS CRUELTY 4HEY HAVE THE kDUCIARY obligation to protect the money of depositors. Fines we would pay. But never would lend money to scum like farmers and agrarian reform BENEkCIARIES )NTERNALLY BANKS CALL the small farmers balasubas.

Signing of Asia Reassurance Initiative Act a welcome, well-timed move principled United States policy for THE )NDO 0ACIkC REGIONwu RESIDENT Trump’s December Building upon US security strate31 signing of the Asia Reassur- gies in years past, ARIA puts in place a ance Initiative Act (ARIA) is a robust needed strategy to advance American statement of America’s commitment VALUES AND INTERESTS IN THE )NDO 0ACIkC TO THE )NDO 0ACIkC AND SHOULD BE AP- by working with area partners on plauded. It is also well-timed amid the addressing the challenges associated various challenges and opportunities with China’s rise. that Asia provides to the United States.

In particular, Beijing has demonDetractors of the new law may strated efforts to supplant the United think it is alarmist, antagonistic States as the world’s preeminent powtowards China, ill-conceived, er and offer other countries a Chinese unnecessary or simply too little, solution to politics — authoritarian too late. While no legislation is capitalism — that provides an alternaperfect, ARIA is an earnest follow tive model and undermines the values up to Obama’s Asia Pivot, provid- of the United States and its allies. ing a solid platform for America’s Other China-related challenges renewed commitment to Asia. include the militarization of the With ARIA’s passage, America’s South China Sea, the 21st century ENGAGEMENT OF THE )NDO 0ACIkC HAS space race, the Belt and Road Inimore focus and resources. The new tiative infrastructure development legislation also makes for a long strategy, the Made In China 2025 overdue commitment to strategic manufacturing blueprint and Beithinking about the region. jing’s race to become the undisputed The law, which received bipartisan leader in science, quantum computsupport in Congress and was co-au- ing, AI and military prowess. thored by US Senators Cory Gardner While ARIA addresses potential (R-CO) and Ed Markey (D-MA), is a threats emanating from China’s rise, principled diplomatic and security it also strikes a balance by allowing for plan that opposes Chinese domina- further discussion and cooperation tion of the Asia-Pacific, a region between Beijing and Washington.

REFERRED TO AS THE g)NDO 0ACIkCu BY Additionally, AIRA also focuses policymakers in Washington. its sights on North Korea’s nuclear Specifically, ARIA mandates and ballistic missile programs, the president to “to develop a regional maritime domain awarelong-term strategic vision and a ness and counterterrorism procomprehensive, multifaceted, and grams in Southeast Asia.

BY TED GROVER, PH.D.

P

Another commendable aspect of the act is that it promotes non-security imperatives such as human rights, democracy, transparency as well as reciprocal and free trade.

On a yearly basis, the law appropriates $1.5 billion dollars to address cyber security issues, people-to-people exchange programs, engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), intellectual property protection and the development of integrated energy strategies among partners.

ARIA is also a response to the reality that Asia is where the action is in the 21st century. The region offers expanding markets for US companies to grow and invest, its local institutions of higher learning increasingly educate American youth, and its emerging tech and science sectors provide new start up ecosystems and opportunities for collaboration.

Skeptics may think that Asia is too distant, foreign and different from American society, and therefore the US does not have any business being in the region. Yet, the United States IS A 0ACIkC POWER THAT IS INEXTRICABLY linked to Asia via common interests spanning commercial, environmental, geopolitical and security realms.

There are also growing ties of heritage between the US and Asia.

Bourgeoning Asian immigration to the US — Asians are projected to be the largest American immigrant

group by 2055, overtaking Hispanics — builds upon a deepening cultural relationship that the U.S. shares with the region.

One could make the case that America’s geography alone justikES !2)! AND COMPELS THE 53 TO be an involved member of the Indo-Pacific community during this pivotal time in history.

Given the scope of the challenges AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE )NDO 0ACIkC

ARIA will likely need to be built upon and upgraded in the coming years. Yet, the new law is a good start and a step in the right direction.

Asia’s dynamism brings with it tests, trials and opportunities for the United States. The signing of the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act is a welltimed commitment of American power and prestige to protect its partNERS AND INTERESTS IN THE )NDO 0ACIkC

making good on US responsibility to the region. This is a worthy endeavor amid the Trump administration’s stated aspiration to reassert U.S. prominence in the 21st century. Long term, it will help Washington engage THE 0ACIkC COMMUNITY WHERE IT WILL continue to have vital interests for generations to come.

Ted Gover, PhD writes on US-Asian relations and foreign policy, and he is the Director of the Tribal Administration Program at Claremont Graduate University.

HERE is something strange and unusual happening to our world and every one of us will be impacted. The indigenous people of the Philippines, the Aetas, have survived for as many as 30,000 years.

They have survived by their unique survival skills in the rainforests as hunters and gatherers. Their love and respect for nature, its cycles and seasons, and intimate knowledge of the hundreds of medicinal plants, helped them survive. Their lives are now changing with the climate change at a pace they have never experienced before.

Life is very different from the way it was about 70 years ago, when there were still lush rainforests in the Philippines. But now the rainforests are almost all gone. Hundreds of thousands of trees were cut and shipped out to Japan, Korea and Europe for reconstruction after World War 2. The Aeta indigenous people retreated further up the mountains and became subsistence farmers.

The Aeta people of Luzon had all of their ancestral lands stripped bare and they, being a peaceful people living in small remote villages, became planters and harvesters on the bare hills and mountains left behind. They planted vegetables, root crops and a variety of fruit trees. But the absence of forests has changed the climate drastically.

Their crops are failing. There is more drought when there should be rain, and powerful typhoons where there should be dry, sunny weather.

The earth is warming, overheating; the recent years were the hottest ever recorded. This causes disruptions all over the globe. Nothing like this has happened for millions of years in the past, and when it did, the piece of earth in those areas became inhabitable. Thousands of species became extinct.

It’s happening again, all because of us, humans, the species with the big intelligent brains who should know better. We, humans, have become less human and more driven by our animal instincts and passion, and no longer guided by reason, discipline and self-control.

We are the most destructive species after the dinosaur Tyrannous Rex. Our society is powered more by greed than by love of each other.

Many of us, humans, know what is right but choose to do what is wrong. So rainforests are destroyed, the air is polluted and poisoned, and our lifestyle is causing the planet to overheat. It will have more devastating consequences than we have already experienced.

Many politicians and corporate bosses, especially in the developed economies, refuse to face and admit the truth of global warming and dangerous climate change, simply because of corporate greed, the love of comfort and money, and to retain political power and economic growth. Some say it is a hoax. We need to elect politicians who have education, strong moral values and love for the environment. We need them who can see and respond positively to the needs of the poor people and the planet.

The absence of political will and

FR. SHAY CULLEN, SSC the blindness of denial is allowing the planet’s temperature to creep upward to the maximum allowable temperature increase of 2 degree celsius before disaster strikes. Even this present level, experts say, is already a calamity. An increase in ocean temperature is causing the death of the coral reefs — they produce the life-giving food of thousands of SPECIES OF kSH UPON WHICH MILLIONS of families depend on for their daily meals. Damage the coral reefs and we damage the food chain.

The wanton destruction of the Philippine black corals of Mindanao is the result of corporate and local government corruption. They take a long time to recover. Besides, the oceans are absorbing all the carbon dioxide (CO2) they can absorb, and they are becoming more acidic.

'LOBAL kSH STOCKS ARE THREATENED

too. The European Union has a law MAKING NETS BIGGER SO SMALL kSH CAN escape and live and reproduce.

There will be more massive crop FAILURES DROUGHT lOODS AND RISING sea levels. There will be greater forest destruction in the Amazon and massive population migrations. The Aeta and farmers everywhere will have fewer harvests as a result of global warming.

The prices of food commodities are increasing at an alarming rate and as production drops, famine could once again kill millions in some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The tipping point of global temperature is approaching, which could make the warming irreversible.

Besides, the earth is already warmer and vast tracts of marshlands in Siberia and near the Arctic Circle are melting, releasing billions of tons of methane into the atmosphere. This is adding to the blanket of gas that is insulating the planet and preventing the heat from escaping. Meanwhile, the sun penetrates THE EARTH DIRECTLY UNRElECTED BY THE ice caps that have melted. Severe winter storms will be harsher, colder and more prolonged. As I write this, parts of Europe are buried under mountains of snow.

The rising level of emissions of CO2 causes global warming. Before the industrial revolution, carbon dioxide levels were around 280 parts per million (ppm). Now the level is close to 400 ppm.

If we, humans, continue this destructive behavior, like destroying forests and burning fossil fuels in coal plants to make electricity, we are going to cook the planet and destroy our own ability to survive.

We have to protect the environment, clean the oceans of plastic and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

www.preda.org Read more about the environment in Ricky and Julie on Amazon. http://amzn.com/B07DXKX4SV

Davos, inequality & the climate emergency around the world for too long.

It has resulted in national laws, BERLIN: Four of the top five TRADE AND kNANCE RULES THAT DRIVE most impactful threats in this our current overconsumption of year’s World Economic Forum´s resources, lead to climate disrup"Global Risks" report are related tion — and bring about more and to climate change. The report more inequality.

The world’s richest 1 perwarns that we are “sleepwalking TO DISASTERu "UT THAT IS NOT TRUE cent took home an obscene The disaster is already here, it´s 82 percent of all new wealth not something we are still walk- last year and, according to the ing towards. Climate change is no World Bank, almost half of all future threat, it´s a current one. people worldwide are one mediWe have entered a new phase, one cal bill or crop failure away from in which the impacts are coming destitution. Inequality continues to rise as the world warms and faster, with greater intensity.

Already this year, Thailand has the causes of both are linked.

As Oxfam has shown, the richseen its worst storm in 30 years rip through coastal areas. In the est 10 percent are responsible Alps, just east of Davos, extreme for almost half carbon emissions caused by consumption. And yet weather is causing snow chaos.

The climate crisis also isn´t all around the world it’s the poor caused by sleep or ignorance. The and marginalized that are most at rich and powerful gathered in Da- risk from the devastating effects vos brought us to the existential of climate change.

The failure by governments brink wide awake. The “profit kRSTu NEOLIBERAL ECONOMIC MODEL to prioritize climate action and has dominated policy making the fight against inequality is BY DANIEL MITTLER

caused by state institutions and decision-makers — in South as well as North — being captured by specific corporate interests.

The report Justice for People and Planet , for example, showcases 20 examples of how the rules that govern our global economy (and sometimes the lack thereof) result in environmental destruction and corporate human rights abuses.

The sad truth is, that those cases are just the tip of the iceberg. They merely illustrate the systemic problem we face.

Because the crises we face are the result of our current economic and political rules, neither the climate emergency nor inequality can be fixed by public private partnerships, as Klaus Schwab, the founder and director of the World Economic Forum tries to make us believe.

To the contrary. We only have a chance to stop walking towards catastrophe if we force our gov-

ernments to adopt new rules – nationally and globally – that have ending climate pollution and inequality at their heart.

This is certainly possible. At the global level, we do have some regulations with teeth.

The World Trade Organisation, for example, can sanction countries that break its rules.

Those very rules have prevented many positive laws and changes — because the threat of the WTO overruling a social or environmental measure always looms.

We need similarly strong rules to counter the climate emergency and to fight inequality. Environmental and social bodies should be able to impose sanctions and kNES #ORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY AND liability needs to extend to all corporate impacts on people and the environment around the world. Trade rules, similarly, need to be revamped TO PUT PEOPLE AND PLANET kRST At the national level, we need binding targets to at least halve

global emissions by 2030, and we need tax rules that ensure that the corporations and the rich pay their fair share. We can take heart in some rules that are already on the statute books.

France, for example, requires corporations to identify potential risks to people and the environment as a result of their activities, and act to prevent harm to people and the environment.

The UK’s Modern Slavery Act meanwhile require businesses to tackle slavery and human trafficking in their supply chains — one extreme part of the inequality crisis.

We need more such laws, in more countries. Urgently. And that´s, luckily, what grassroots movements are demanding around the world.

As the World Economic Forum gathers in Davos, January 22 to 25, people are mobilizing in many countries to put an end to inequality as part of the Fight In-

equality alliance week of action.

Feminists, workers, environmentalists and many more movements have come together in this alliance in the knowledge that we do not need nice words or acts of charity from the Davos elite but fundamentally different rules for our global economy if we are to survive.

As the global Fight Inequality alliance manifesto says: “We stand together to build a world of greater equality — where all people’s RIGHTS ARE RESPECTED AND FULkLLED A world of shared prosperity, opportunity and dignity, living within THE PLANET S BOUNDARIES u That world is possible. Via collective mobilization around the world we are making it a little bit more real every day.

IPSÂ

Daniel Mittler is the Political Director of Greenpeace International and is on the steering committee of the global Fight Inequality alliance.

A6

Opinion

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

Give me a dozen wise men and...

O

N 3EPT

A RESOLUTION calling for the extension of the Military Bases Agreement (MBA) between the United States and the Philippines was put to a vote by the Philippine Senate. By a 12-11 vote, the Senate forever killed the MBA that had served as the basis for the existence in the Philippines of the biggest military installations in the world outside of Homeland America. They were the Clark AirkELD IN !NGELES #ITY 0AMPANGA AND the Subic Naval Base in Olongapo, Zambales, on top of other military FACILITIES SUCH AS 0ORO 0OINT IN ,A Union, Camp John Hay in Baguio City, Sangley Point in Cavite City, and the Voice of America tower stations in Tarlac.

7ITHOUT THE g3ENATE -AGNIkCENT

u THE AGREEMENT WOULD HAVE gone on to operate for the next 10 years thereafter. Originally intended TO EXIST FOR YEARS THE -"! WAS AMENDED IN TO REDUCE THAT NEAR century tenure of American military presence in the country to 25 years and give way to the imposition of rentals on US military installations (thus, earning for President Ferdinand E. Marcos utter US contempt, culminating in his ouster in the so-called 0EOPLE 0OWER 2EVOLT IN ‡ WHEN another review of the MBA was to take place and potentially one more upping of rentals on the US bases.)

H

The Sunday Times

cleverly injected into the Mutual $EFENSE 4REATY -$4 WHICH IT MY SAY concluded with the Philippines in

THE 53 WORKED OUT A SCHEME that enabled American troops to continue coming and going all over the country. Through the Visiting The heavens couldn’t wait, it Forces Agreement (VFA), American seemed, for the US to tear down its troops have partnered with Filipino Philippine military bases. Shortly counterparts in military exercises, after the so-called Senate Magnifi- regularly paced year after year since cent 12 dealt those bases their death ‡ WHEN WHO SHOULD ASCEND TO sentence, Mt. Pinatubo erupted and the presidency but, don’t look now, buried Clark and Subic in ultra Joseph Estrada — one of the Magsuper megatons upon megatons of nificent 12! Popularly promoted lahar. Eighteen years to this day, the as Balikatan, those exercises have, enormous amount of ashes spewed even now, resurrected for America out by Mt. Pinatubo in that eruption the freedom of troop movements continues to provide quarry operators in the Philippines. with a lucrative sand supply business 3TILL BY VIRTUE OF THE -$4 0RESIDENT OVER #ENTRAL ,UZON AND -ETRO -ANILA Noynoy Aquino gifted America with 4HAT S HOW WRATHFUL 'OD S SEEMING THE %NHANCED $EFENSE #OOPERATION revenge against the US was for its de- !GREEMENT %$#!

EVIDENTLY AS A cades of abuse of the Filipino nation. farewell present to his benefactors But did the bells toll really for US before leaving the presidency in 2016. military presence in the country?

4HROUGH THE %$#! !MERICA NEED NO If it were in the vernacular, no. longer build bases of its own in the As we would say it, “Ang masa- country; all it needs is send troops mang damo, mahirap mamatay and equipment, and these are all "(Bad weeds die hard). The Sen- accommodated in the very bases of ate Magnificent 12, for all their the Armed Forces of the Philippines vaunted bravado and patriotism, (AFP), including storage of nuclear failed, deliberately or unwittingly, arms — none of which is subject to to recognize that America has a bot- inspection by Philippine authorities. tomless bag of tricks that enabled it, Can you beat that? Where else in due time, to recover lost ground. in the world does a country allow Working on the American schemes its military camps to be used by a

MAURO GIA SAMONTE

foreign power as if those camps were that power’s own?

Only in the Philippines! !ND NOW COMES THE $EFENSE SECRETARY PROMOTING A REVIEW OF THE -$4

as contained in a paper presented by a spokesman of the Phil-BRICS StudIES GROUP g,ATE IN $ECEMBER

$EFENSE 3ECRETARY $ELkN ,ORENZANA raised the possibility of scrapping the -UTUAL $EFENSE 4REATY -$4 between the Philippines and the United States. The secretary had ordered a review of the pact to see if it is still relevant to the country’s national interest at this point in its history. g,ORENZANA WAS QUOTED BY VARIOUS newspapers saying: That was done in

THERE WAS THIS RAGING COLD WAR $O WE STILL HAVE A COLD WAR TODAY Is it [still] relevant to our security?

Baka hindi na (This may no longer be true). While the secretary is seen by some quarters as a pro-American eleMENT IN 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE S cabinet, others see a more balanced and objective professional retired &ILIPINO OFkCER IN HIM u A small sector fearing the potential of a continuing sellout of Philippine sovereignty called an emergency meeting the other Saturday in order to ascertain the implication of the ,ORENZANA REVIEW IDEA !T THE HEAD of the group was former Ambassador Alberto Encomienda, who cited that gTHE PREAMBULAR PARAGRAPH OF THE

Maintaining digital health is wealth

ERE’S how to live a healthy life:

we have to pay for parking fees and service charges on restau4IRED ,OG OFF LOG ON rant bills as if those are extra services rendered by the people Stressed? Hard reset. who serve the food that we pay 4ROUBLED $EFRAG for and order from them?

Confused? Reformat.

Kris Aquino denied that she *** Sick because of a virus? Call threatened news personalities Cellphone users and inter$R .ORTON (UNGRY FOR KNOWLEDGE 'OOGLE +ORINA 3ANCHEZ AND 2ICKY ,O net subscribers are the most entertainer Mocha Uson, motor- marginalized sector of our search or Wikibrowse.

ING WRITER 46 HOST *AMES $EAKIN community. What are we doing 'ET RID OF JUNK -ICROWAVE *USand ex-husband James Yap. She about this? tin Bieber’s albums. is really the “Queen of All Media� — We all know that we have 7ANT TO TRAVEL 'O TO Force somebody to look or as she knows how to be in the been shortchanged for years with news always. No, she did not; she poor connections, versus our listen? Tag. only threatened them as “Queen neighbors in Asia, if not worldHate somebody? Eject. of the Medyo-Medyo.�

Feel used? Ebay yourself. wide. Yet we are charged the same *** Frustrated with age? Update. high rates, if not higher.

Why is Comelec so addicted to ,AZY TO SHOP #LICK !MAZON — They will introduce a new Smartmatic? Its charm must be so SERVICE THAT CLAIMS ' ' ,4% or Alibaba.

Sex change? Visit Amazing Thailand. irresistible to corner the contract or Fiber, only to find out later Forgot who you are? Change three times. And we have this that they are yet to complete the white-haired former commission- infrastructure to a wider area. password.

Bored? Watch an aquarium er (lawyering for a vice presidential Why sell if your framework is candidate) complaining about yet incomplete? screen saver.

Hate your boss? Play angry birds anomalies done by the very same — Isn’t it cruel to charge a subsupplier he forcefully endorsed scriber for a service he did not use? or Mortal Kombat.

Want to live a happy and nor- during his tenure. — Isn’t it false advertising to *** mal life? Throw your laptop and indicate untruthful data speed in Again, I have to raise the is- their brochure and campaign ads? smartphone in the trash can. sue of why we have to pay for — Is system maintenance, given Want to die early? Keep them. clean toilets in malls? Why do as a reason for service interrup***

MIRRORLESS

ROLLY G. REYES

tion, really true or is it just a case of congestion due to overselling? — Is it fair to languish for weeks having no internet connection yet quickly get reminded of unpaid BILLS IN JUST HOURS — Why are access to our numbers given to marketeers or advertisers? — Why are technical troubleshooting services given to third-party contractors that are poorly trained?

-—Is NTC powerless, or is it just “employed� by the telecom giants to keep its people quiet?

You and I and millions of others are being exploited hourly and daily and yet the government is just watching us being massacred. *** A good quote I read: “Having a job is getting dressed in clothes that you buy to report for work looking decent, and drivING THROUGH TRAFkC IN A CAR THAT YOU are still paying for, in order to get to your work location. Then you come back to your mortgaged house that has been left unoccupied the whole day. *** 'OOD WORK GOOD DEEDS AND good faith to all.

Trump is an almost inexpressibly sad specimen WASHINGTON, D.C: Half or a quarter of the way through this interesting experiment with an incessantly splenetic presidency, much of the nation has become accusTOMED TO DAILY MORTIkCATIONS /R has lost its capacity for embarrassment, which is even worse.

If the country’s condition is calibrated simply by economic data — if, that is, America is nothing but an economy — then the state of the union is good. Except that AFTER TWO YEARS OF UNIkED GOVERNment under the party that formerly CLAIMED TO CARE ABOUT kSCAL FACTS and rectitude, the nation faces A TRILLION DEkCIT DURING BRISK growth and full employment.

Unless the president has forever banished business cycles — if he has, his modesty would not have prevented him from mentioning it — the next recession will begin with gargantuan deficits, which will be instructive.

The president has kept his promise not to address the unsustainable trajectory of the entitlement state (about the coming unpleasant reckoning, he says: “Yeah, but I won’t be here�), and his party’s congressional caucuses have elevated subservience to him into a political philosophy. The Republican-controlled Senate — the world’s most overrated deliberative body — will not deliberate about, much less pass, legislation the president does not favor. The evident theory is that it would

WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP

GEORGE F. WILL be lese-majeste for the Senate to express independent judgments.

And that senatorial dignity is too brittle to survive the disapproval of a president not famous for familiarity with actual policies. Congressional Republicans have their ears to the ground — never mind Churchill’s observaTION THAT IT IS DIFkCULT TO LOOK UP to anyone in that position.

The president’s most consequential exercise of power has been the abandonment of the 4RANS 0ACIkC 0ARTNERSHIP OPENING THE WAY FOR #HINA TO kLL THE void of US involvement. His protectionism — government telling Americans what they can consume, in what quantities and at what prices — completes his extinguishing of the limitedgovernment pretenses of the '/0 WHICH NEEDS AN ENTIRELY new vocabulary. Pending that, the party is resorting to crybaby conservatism: We are being victimized by “elites,� markets, Wall Street, foreigners, etc. !FTER YEARS OF 53 DIPLOMATIC futility regarding North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, the artist of the deal spent a few hours

in Singapore with Kim Jong Un, then tweeted: “There is no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea.� What price will the president pay — easing sanctions? ending joint military exercises with South Korea? — in attempts to make his tweet seem less dotty?

By his comportment, the presiDENT BENEkTS HIS MEDIA DETRACtors with serial vindications of their disparagements. They, however, have sunk to his level of insufferable self-satisfaction by preening about their superiority to someone they consider morally horrifying and intellectually cretinous. For most Americans, President Trump’s expostulations are audible wallpaper, always there but not really noticed. Still, the ubiquity of his outpourings in the media’s outpourings gives American life its current claustrophobic feel. This results from many journalists considering him an excuse for a four-year sabbatical from thinking about anything other than the shiny thing that mesmerizes them by dangling himself in front them. $ISLIKE OF HIM SHOULD BE TEMpered by this consideration: He is an almost inexpressibly sad specimen. It must be misery to awaken to another day of being $ONALD 4RUMP (E SEEMS TO HAVE as many friends as his pluperfect self-centeredness allows, and as he has earned in an entirely transactional life. His historical

ignorance deprives him of the satisfaction of working in a house WHERE MUCH MAGNIkCENT HISTORY has been made. His childlike ignorance — preserved by a lifetime of single-minded self-promotion — concerning governance and economics guarantees that whenever he must interact with experienced and accomplished people he is as bewildered as a kindergartener at a seminar on string theory.

Which is why this fountain of self-refuting boasts (“I have a very good brain�) lies so much.

He does so less to deceive anyone than to reassure himself. And as balm for his base, which remains oblivious to his likely contempt for them as sheep who can be effortlessly gulled by preposterous kCTIONS 4HE TUNGSTEN STRENGTH of his supporters’ loyalty is as impressive as his indifference to expanding their numbers.

Either the electorate, bored with a menu of faintly variant servings of boorishness, or the 22nd Amendment will end this, our shabbiest BUT NOT OUR kRST SHABBY PRESIDENCY As Mark Twain and fellow novelist 7ILLIAM $EAN (OWELLS STEPPED outside together one morning, a downpour began and Howells ASKED g$O YOU THINK IT WILL STOP u Twain replied, “It always has.�

(C) 2019, WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP

'EORGE 7ILL S EMAIL ADDRESS IS georgewill@washpost.com.

-$4 PROVIDES THE raison d‘etre for the TREATY AS g$ESIRING TO STRENGTHEN THEIR present efforts for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security pending the development of a more comprehensive system of REGIONAL SECURITY IN THE 0ACIkC !REA u The Ambassador argued that such a system of regional security had already been reached in the Pacific Area in the form of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), thereby rendering THE -$4 S REASON FOR BEING PASSÂź “At best,â€? Encomienda argued, “the -$4 IS AN UNEQUAL TREATY WITH A ONE WAY APPLICATION !BROGATING THE -$4 might just be a matter of national self-respect for the Philippines as it appears to compromise the primary STATE POLICY ENUNCIATED IN THE Constitution for the country to “pursue an independent foreign policy.â€?

It was a lively occasion for spirited debates, most everyone contributing his pedantry on the controversy.

Most of the time I was listening, and I spoke up only when the question on HOW THE -$4 MAY BE ABROGATED WAS raised. I had known long before that ABROGATING THE -$4 IS JUST A MATTER OF either of the parties notifying the other of its intention to end the deal, still I thought it prudent to ask the former diplomat whether there was nothing IN THE -$4 WHICH PROVIDED FOR HOW IT might be ended. It was the spokesman

T

from the Phil-Brics who provided the ANSWER g!RTICLE 4HIS TREATY SHALL REMAIN IN FORCE INDEkNITELY %ITHER PARTY may terminate it one year after notice has been given to the other party.�

My quick say came, thus: “So all IT TAKES IS FOR 0RESIDENT $UTERTE TO notify Trump that the Philippines is ending the treaty, so that, come January 2020, the Philippines can UNILATERALLY CONSIDER THE -$4 ABrogated. But why hasn’t President $UTERTE DONE SO TO THIS DAY u For a second, everybody got tongue-tied‌ It was three o’clock when the meeting ended. I rushed back home to try beating the deadline for my Sunday column. No way I could make it. I just delighted myself with THE RECOLLECTION OF A POPULAR ,ENIN QUOTE g'IVE ME A DOZEN WISE MEN and I’ll turn Europe upside down.â€?

You see, when, during my trip back home, I threw back on the attendance in the meeting, I got to counting Encomienda and one other former diplomat, the Phil-Brics spokesman, a businessman scholar and his Ateneo professor sparring partner, a UP professor, two newspaper columnists, a newspaper editorial writer, and two lYERS OF THE 0HILIPPINE !IR &ORCE Count and see if these people don’t actually add up to 12. To whom are they to be given to turn THE -$4 UPSIDE DOWN

The Mojares panel

HE drums are rolling this weekend for the Sinulog Festival and the feast of the Sto. NiĂąo de Cebu, gifted by explorer Ferdinand Magellan to the Queen of Cebu almost 500 years ago in 1521. It played a crucial role in the arrival of Catholicism in the Philippines.

Another part of that story was the 1521 Easter Sunday Mass that became so controversial, with people still debating over where it took place.

So for the fourth time, a panel to review the Butuan claim was created. It is chaired by historian and newly-minted National Artist Resil Mojares. It was convened for the kRST TIME ON $EC TO IN Cebu City by the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC) and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

Mojares is joined in the panel by HISTORIANS $R $ANILO 'ERONA 0ARtido State University, author of a new STUDY ON -AGELLAN AND $R #ARLOS Madrid Ă lvarez-PiĂąer (Instituto Cervantes de Manila), church historian &R !NTONIO &RANCISCO " $E #ASTRO

S.J. of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and HISTORIAN PALEOGRAPHER $R &RANCIS “Chas� M. Navarro (Ateneo de MaNILA 5NIVERSITY (ISTORIAN $R *OSE 6ICTOR 4ORRES $E ,A 3ALLE 5NIVERSITY is the panel’s secretary general.

To help the panel, the expertise of a navigator from the Philippine Navy, geologist and University of the Philippines National Institute of 'EOLOGICAL 3CIENCES $IRECTOR $R -Ario Aurelio, was tapped, along with cartographer Engr. Sheila Eugenio of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (Namria).

Church historians also observed the proceedings, namely Manila Archdiocesan Archives Head Fr. Albert Flores, Jesuit Archives Representative Fr. Amado Tumbali, SJ, CBCP representative Fr. Milan Ted Torralba and &R !NTOLIN 5Y 36$ The meeting comprised the second stage of the process which started in a focus group discussion &'$ ON .OV IN "UTUAN The call for papers last October stated that, “notwithstanding the possibilities that reopening this controversy may open old wounds or even create new ones, the NHCP and the NQC want everyone to be somber, respectful and professional.�

They added, “everyone should be guided by the fact that no one has a monopoly on truth and all must be given equal opportunity to articulate HIS POSITION ON THIS ISSUE ,ASTLY WE should be prepared to accept the possibility that the NQC may not be able to settle this issue conclusively because of the unavailability and ambiguity of the sources.�

'ABRIEL !TEGA AND 0OTENCIANO -ALVAR - $ WERE THE ONLY TWO who responded and in Cebu were given time to present their data and to answer questions

WALKING HISTORY MICHAEL “XIAO� CHUA from the panel members.

Atega claimed that the measurements as recorded in a French manuscript of the Magellan Expedition chronicle by Antonio Pigafetta, now in the Yale-Bienecke Collection, provided accurate measureMENTS AND THUS THE DEGREES N latitude referred therein passes through Mindanao, the island of which Magallanes, Agusan del Norte (Old Butuan) was part. It should be noted that no original of Pigafetta’s account could be found.

Malvar, on the other hand, suggests that based on the agreement of Magellan with King Charles 5 THAT PROkTS FROM TRADE FROM DISCOVERED LANDS WILL BENEkT -AGELLAN S descendants, Pigafetta will not let other travelers accurately know the exact location of “Mazaua� because the area was rich in resources.

Both agreed that the site of the Mass was a different place from Mazaua AND THAT THE CLUE IS IN AN MONUment for the aforementioned mass in Magallanes, Agusan del Norte. They also pointed out to Francisco Albo’s testimony that when they planted the cross on the highest hill then, they saw three islands west-southwest. Malvar and Atega claimed that climbing the TWO NEAREST MOUNTAINS TO THE monument, you would see Camiguin Island west-southwest, but only its three mountains were visible (which made them look like islands).

The panel will also read other studies done in the past (including THOSE THAT WERE DONE BY 'REG (ONtiveros and Jose Kalibo de Jesus).

Mojares, thus, expressed his respect to all the Butuan proponents past and present for their decades-long campaign for Butuan, which he described as a “civic duty;� “you have done your work as citizens and nobody commissioned you.�

The next step is to make propoNENTS OF ,IMASAWA ,EYTE ANSWER the claim of Butuan. Also, the panel is set to meet again in FebRUARY TO EXAMINE SOME OLD manuscripts for textual analysis. /N .OV

.1# /FkCER IN CHARGE 2ENE 2 %SCALANTE 0H$

WENT TO THE "EINECKE ,IBRARY OF 9ALE University to request assistance for clearer scans of the French manuscript of Pigafetta’s account of the Magellan expedition. Also, requests were made for other manuscripts and sources from the Bibliotheque Nationale de France, Biblioteca Ambrosiana in -ILAN AND THE .EWBERRY ,IBRARY 3OME MAY kND THIS TRIVIAL BUT any newfound data that points us closer to the real location of Mazzaua is a victory for historical studies and for truth itself.

Regions

˜ The Sunday Times

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SUNDAY January 20, 2019

A7

Lanao Sur sees low plebiscite turnout

BY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

M

ARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur: Local leaders here are optimistic about the conduct of a peaceful plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on Monday, but express doubt over the turnout of voters.

Haroun Alrashid Lucman Jr., vice governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), told The Manila Times that he saw the plebiscite to be peaceful but was not sure as to the turnout of voters. “With the presence of the security forces and since it is not like those contested local elections where passion and rivalry among candidates are high, the plebiscite would be relatively peaceful,� he said.

He, however, said the actual voter turnout might be lower than that in regular elections. “But, since there are many local government units within ARMM which have committed to ensure a high turnout for the ‘Yes’ vote,

THEY MIGHT kND WAYS TO LET AS MANY voters as possible go out and vote,�

Lucman added.

Monday’s plebiscite will have at least 62 areas in the ARMM to vote for the adoption of the BOL or 2EPUBLIC !CT WHILE VOTERS in Isabela in Basilan and Cotabato City will decide if they are willing to have their areas included in the Bangsamoro Autonomous region.

Duterte visit The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Cotabato City on Friday would boost the BOL Yes votes, especially in the city where the mayor had expressed strong opposition to its inclusion.

!L (AJJ -URAD %BRAHIM -),& chairman, expressed his gratitude to Duterte saying, “You gave as the key to peace and progress.�

He added that the MILF had already prepared its security forces to ensure the safety of the voters during the plebiscite.

Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi had openly expressed her opposition to the inclusion of Cotabato City to the political entity, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that would replace the present ARMM. But Murad appealed to those who were not in favor of the BOL to give the proposed measure a chance and vote Yes. Duterte visited the ARMM to SUPPORT THE "/, RATIkCATION -OST likely that would be his last visit to the seat of regional government located in this city, which had BEEN ITS CENTRAL OFkCE FOR YEARS In his speech during the peace assembly, the President said the approval of the BOL would serve as testament to Bangsamoro’s determination to bring genuine peace and development to Mus-

Q President Rodrigo Duterte is welcomed by Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim upon his arrival for the Peace Assembly in Cotabato City for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. MALACAĂ‘ANG PHOTO lim Mindanao through an autonomous government that truly represents and understands the needs of the people. “We listened to the indispensable sentiments and concerns of Muslims, Christians, Lumads, and other indigenous peoples and

Negros bishops oppose coal plant entry BACOLOD CITY: Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos said he and many other organizations WERE READY TO kGHT LONG TERM WITH four other bishops in Negros island against the entry of the proposed COAL kRED POWER PLANT PLANNED IN San Carlos City.

At a news conference recently, Alminaza led several groups in reiterating their opposition to the proposal of San Miguel Corp. Global Power Holdings to put up a coalkRED PLANT AS THEY PLAN TO CONDUCT an energy summit and island-wide signature campaign against it. “I am in this for the long term and I am willing to give my life for this,� he said.

Negros Island is already home to various renewable energy facilities such as solar, ethanol and bagasse.

It also hosts a geothermal plant in Valencia town, Negros Oriental that PROVIDES POWER SOURCE TO ALL THE kVE POWER COOPERATIVES IN .EGROS Alminaza pointed out that he was open to dialogue with all sectors not JUST TO HIS HOME DIOCESE ADDING THAT progress could still be achieved in sustainable and climate friendly means.

He appealed to the plant’s developer to invest its capital instead in developing renewable sources of energy.

He said San Carlos City had been recognized by the United Nations as one of the most liveable cities in the world, and was also considered as the energy hub of the Philippines.

The proposed coal plant, the prelate added, would not only stain the recognition of the city, but would also pollute the commons and downturn community resilience.

Alminaza called on the city government of San Carlos and the provincial government of Negros Occidental to disapprove the proposed MEGA WATT COAL PLANT (E ALSO URGED BANKING AND kNANCing institutions to withdraw their money invested in coal plants.

Meanwhile, Arvin Buenaagua of the Center for Energy, Ecology and Development said there was no such thing as “clean� coal and called it a “dirty lie.�

He said coal is not cheap, that it costs more to mine and burn it, than to setup wind and solar power plants. “Coal is never clean. It is burning fuel which is the primary reason for climate change. The proposed coal plant will not bring development, as it has no room in the global market," Buenaagua said.

EUGENE Y. ADIONG

2 killed in Sultan Kudarat ambush after BOL rally COTABATO CITY:Â Two persons were killed while another was wounded in a late night ambush in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao after they attended the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) peace rally held on Friday.

Sultan Kudarat police said Dungag Macabangon died on the spot while his companion, identified only as Bryan, died at Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital where he was brought after the ambush.

4HE SURVIVOR IDENTIkED AS .ASSER 3ANDAY

OF "ARANGAY .ITUAN

Parang was undergoing medication at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.

Police investigation revealed the victims were on board a tricycle, locally known as “payong-payong,� heading to Parang, Maguindanao from Cotabato City when they were attacked in a dimly lit portion of the highway in Barangay Macaguiling,

3ULTAN +UDARAT AT PAST P M They came from a peace rally held at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center inside the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Complex in this city where President Rodrigo Duterte was the special guest.

Responding police found empty SHELLS FOR - - CALIBER PISTOL AND GAUGE SHOTGUN AT THE ambush site.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

HALAMANAN FESTIVAL

Hataman stressed that the new law was a symbol of success for the peace process. g)F IT WILL BE RATIkED THE MESsage would be clear: ‘The war is over,’ he added.

WITH A REPORT FROM JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Baldo appeals for justice, fairness DARAGA, ALBAY: Embattled Daraga town Mayor Carlwyn Go Baldo appealed to President 2ODRIGO $UTERTE FOR JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS AND the safety of his family.

Baldo, who was accused as the mastermind behind the killing of AKO Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe, aired his appeal to the 0RESIDENT DURING A NEWS BRIEkNG HE CALLED AT his residence in Tagas village here. g-R 0RESIDENT ) ASK FOR YOUR HELP AND JUSTICE ) WILL SQUARELY FACE WHATEVER CHARGES ARE hurled against me, but I only ask that the life of my family is not put in danger,� Baldo said.

4HE NEWS BRIEkNG WAS HASTILY CALLED ON Friday afternoon after Baldo received information that a search warrant would be served at his residence.

He aired his appeal to Duterte in the presence of his wife, mother, daughter and several relatives along with his legal team who faced the media.

Duterte earlier warned that he would confront, drag and slap the person behind the killing of Batocabe during his visit to the lawmaker’s wake at the Bicol University.

The President said that he would not allow political terrorism, oppression and intimidation to continue in the country as THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS DRAW NEAR Batocabe and his police escort, Senior 0OLICE /FkCER /RLANDO $IAZ WERE GUNNED down on December 22 at the covered court of Burgos Elementary School during the annual gift-giving event he conducted for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

Baldo is facing two counts of murder and eight frustrated murder cases before the proVINCIAL PROSECUTOR S OFkCE IN !LBAY

Duterte creates IT ecozone in Cavite PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation 655 designating a building in Bacoor City, Cavite as an information technology (IT) economic zone.

The planned special economic zone along Daang Hari Road in Barangay Molino 4, would be named VistaHub BPO Molino which would HAVE A GROSS lOOR AREA OF SQUARE METERS AND LOT AREA OF SQM The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) earlier asked the national government to expedite the approval of about P60 billion worth of special economic zones and information centers.

PEZA Director General Charito Plaza said there was a backlog of 46 economic zones as OF *ULY WITH A TOTAL PROJECT COST OF AT LEAST 0 BILLION )N /CTOBER SHE TOLD REPORTERS THAT THE NUMBER HAD GONE UP TO 0%:! PROMOTES THE lOW OF BOTH LOCAL and foreign investors into special economic zones to generate employment opportunities and establish backward and foreign linkages among industries in and around the economic zones.

It also promotes the establishment of economic zones, IT arks and buildings to respond to demands for ready-to-occupy locations for foreign and domestic investors who are export manufacturers or exporters of IT-enabled services.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

various stakeholders who call Mindanao their own,� Duterte said.

-EANWHILE !2-- 'OV -UJIV Hataman reiterated that the BOL was the answer to the aspirations of the Bangsamoro since it would allow the Bangsamoro administration to decide on its own.

The town of Guiguinto in Bulacan celebrates its 21st Halamanan Festival highlighted by the street dancing competition, ‘Indakan sa Kalye’ represented by 14 villages with Mayor Ambrosio Cruz Jr. (inset) leading the opening ceremony for the celebration of the feast of the town’s patron, Saint San Ildefonso, on Saturday. PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK POST OF GUIGUINTO MAYOR

-EANWHILE +RISTELLE !NN "ALDO

the mayor’s eldest daughter who is based in the United States, said her father was falsely accused.

Kristelle, who is serving as member of the United States Air Force, recently came home to give support to her beleaguered father. “I woke up one day and my father is accused of a crime he is not capable of committing. My father is not the man that everybody portrayed him to be. The people of Daraga know this,� she said.

She also appealed to the people, even those who do not support her father but believe in AN IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION TO JOIN THEM IN ACHIEVING JUSTICE FOR "ATOCABE RHAYDZ B. BARCIA

News Comelec sees clean polls T A8

˜ The Manila Times

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

BY ALEC NALDO AND REINA C. TOLENTINO

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is CONkDENT THAT THE ELECTIONS IN -AY THIS YEAR will be clean and credible.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the transmission of votes would also be faster. g7E ARE VERY CONkDENT IN OUR system and we expect that we will have good, clean elections [come] May 2019,� Jimenez told reporters during the holding of mock elections on Sunday. “So far, this mock election is runNING SMOOTHLY 7E ARE SEEING A GOOD mix of insights coming in from our

observers on the ground,� he said.

Jimenez observed the holding of mock polls at the Toro Hills ElEMENTARY 3CHOOL IN 1UEZON #ITY “Sa tingin ko maganda ‘yung nangyayari ngayon pero kaunti ang dumarating. Because this is mock elections, we expect it to be different on election day. But we can see different aspects of the procedure thus we have an insight on what works and what doesn’t,� he said.

He said the handling of people when they enter the polling place needed to be improved. “They’re all doing very well here. But we want to see, we want to get more data so that we can determine if we can still improve the process. Right now, nasa one minute up to one minute and a half ang tinatagal nung gamit ng ating VRVS ( the use of Voter 2EGISTRATION 6ERIkCATION 3YSTEM takes one minute to one-and-a half MINUTES 7E LL SEE IF WE CAN CUT that down further,� Jimenez said. g7E WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE who were not supposed to be here.

So the VRVS is doing well right

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now,� he added.

The poll body simulated the use of the Emergency Accessible Polling Place (EAPP) system. Jimenez said the EAPP is the Comelec’s response to the need to provide an easier way for disabled persons, senior citizens, and pregnant women to vote.

Jimenez called on Filipinos to vote on May 13. “You cannot take this for granted and let other people decide for you. You need to be engaged,� he said in Filipino.

He urged voters not to accept pre-marked or pre-shaded ballots, and to report such incidents to authorities.

MOCK POLLS A woman participates in the mock elections held at Araullo High School in Manila on Saturday.

PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA

Bahay Tsinoy opens exhibit on China’s devt Use youth council funds THE Bahay Tsinoy, a museum of Chinese in Philippine life, on Saturday presented its 20th anniversary offering, a view of China’s development from an “accidental Chinese� — Jaime FlorCruz.

Jaime FlorCruz was a student at the University of the Philippines (UP) in the 1970s when he was stranded in China because then-President Ferdinand Marcos suspended the writ of habeas CORPUS 7HAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE a three-week student tour became a 40-year stay.

Being the longest serving foreign correspondent in China, FlorCruz witnessed the development OF #HINA SPANNING kVE LEADERS

from Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai to Xi Jinping. “Peering into a kaleidoscope through the collection of Jaime FlorCruz,� highlights the development of China through the eyes of a Filipino who became a journalist in China.

FlorCruz’s collection of China memorabilia — posters, calendars, Mao collectibles, badges, photographs, dictionaries and even ration coupons — give an insider-outsider view of China.

FlorCruz reminisces, “The red Guard leaders and students I met wanted to turn China into

properly – Bong Go

ANNIVERSARY EXHIBIT

Jaime FlorCruz attends the opening of ‘From the Perch of an Accidental China Hand: Peering into a kaleidoscope with the collection of Jaime FlorCruz,’ during the 20th Anniversary Exhibition of Bahay Tsinoy Museum in Intramuros, Manila. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN a socialist paradise, and yet, they abhorred what they labeled as ‘book learning.’ They spoke of ‘unity and friendship among the peoples of the world’ but they also advocated waging ‘class struggle.’ I could sense, but had a hard time understanding, the radical, uncompromising political, social and economic experi-

Q SY FROM A1

Henry Sy Sr. SM Group said in a statement.

The Sy family expressed its gratitude to those who have extended their condolences but requested privacy as they are still preparing for the wake of the self-made retail magnate. g7E ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THE OUTPOURing of sympathy on the passing of our father, Henry Sy Sr. May we respectfully ask for privacy today to give the family TIME TO RElECT AND TO kNALIZE ARRANGEments,� the family said in a separate statement.

Sy, who topped the Forbes Philippines Rich List for 11 consecutive years, had a net worth of $19 billion.

The philanthropist also ranked 52nd on Forbes’ list of billionaires worldwide.

He was the chairman emeritus of SM Investments Corp.; SM Prime Holdings Inc.; SM Development Corp.; Highlands Prime Inc.; and BDO Unibank Inc. as well as honorary chairman of China Banking Corp.

Sy was born on Oct. 25, 1924 in

ments underway in China.�

The exhibit would be open to the public from January 20 to February 17 at Bahay Tsinoy museum in Intramuros, Manila.

The museum was designed

by Eva Penamora in collaboration with the late architect Honrado Fernandez in 1996.

It was completed and inaugu-

Fujian province in China. He left his hometown when he was barely a teenager to live in the country with his father, Xiu Shi Sy, who was operating a small grocery business. $URING 7ORLD 7AR HIS FAMILY LOST everything, prompting his father to return to China.

Sy, however, decided to stay in the country where he earned his Associate of Arts degree in Commerce Studies at the Far Eastern University.

According to Forbes’ website, Sy learned the ropes of the retail beside his father in the family’s convenience store.

After saving enough money, he went OUT ON HIS OWN AND OPENED THE kRST footwear shop called ShoeMart in 1958.

In 1985, Sy made history when he OPENED HIS kRST g3UPERMALLu ‡ 3- #ITY .ORTH %DSA ‡ IN 1UEZON #ITY Sy’s company has since evolved into a dynamic group of companies with three lines of businesses — retail, banking and property.

Sy is survived by his wife Felicidad, and six children — Teresita, Hans, Harley, Elizabeth, Herbert and Henry Jr. JORDEENE B. LAGARE WITH A REPORT FROM ARIC CUA

rated in 1999. Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran Inc., a nonprofit organization co-founded by Teresita Ang-See, envisioned the project to provide another venue for advocating patriotism and promoting cultural identity and understanding between the local Chinese and Filipino communities. JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

CHRISTOPHER Lawrence “Bong�

Go urged concerned government agencies to fast track the issuance of guidelines for the release of Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) funds.

Go said the release of funds would enable the 400,000 youth leaders to implement their projects and activities in 42,000 barangays nationwide. “As our partners for change, let us equip them with the proper reSOURCES TO FULkLL THEIR MANDATE 7E gave them responsibility over the country, so it is only right we give THEM THE CAPACITY TO FULkLL THIS u he said in English and Filipino.

The former special assistant of President Rodrigo Duterte said the administration allowed the return of the youth council to allow the youth to elect their leaders and be the direct partners OF GOVERNMENT IN kGHTING ILLEGAL drugs as well as in reporting crimes, terrorism and corruption.

Prior to the May 2018 SK elections, the last one was held in October 2010.

The amended SK law, RA 10742 or the “Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act of 2015,� was enacted in January 2016, synchronizing the SK elections with the

barangay (village) elections.

Go said youth leaders could not properly function if they could not tap the 10 percent of the village funds allocated for the youth council.

National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairman Ronald Cardema said the only remaining obstacle was the release of the SK fund guidelines being formulated by the Department of Budget and Management, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Commission on Audit.

SK leaders, Go said, play a crucial role in ensuring that the youth do not engage in the sale or use of drugs by focusing their energies on useful projects.

He called on youth councils to push projects that could mobilize the youth in helping government respond to disasters in their towns and provinces and in spreading nationalism in schools and communities.

The NYC recently issued Resolution 44 commending Go’s numerous initiatives, including “Sapatos ni SAP, Tsinelas ka-swap,� and Malasakit Centers.

Go declined the commendation, saying he was merely doing his job as a government worker.

Q DIVINE FROM A1

‘Rizza Divine has not come home’ 3HE HOWEVER CONkRMED that she talked over the phone with her daughter on 7EDNESDAY LAST WEEK “Boses nya yung kausap ko, kaya lang may tumatawa [sa background]. Tatlong babae naririnig ko. Kapag may itatanong ako sa kanya, may sumasagot ng isasagot niya (I can recognize her voice but I can hear other people in the background laughing.

There were three girls. Every time I ask her something, someone would tell her what to tell me),� Luisa said.

She said there were times when her daughter would send her a text message, but she was not sure now whether it was really Rizza Divine she was talking to.

Luisa said she was not certain if her daughter reALLY WAS IN 1UEZON BECAUSE

Rizza Divine refused to say where she was.

Luisa said Rizza told her that she was not planning to enroll again.

Luisa earlier bared plans TO kLE A REPORT WITH AUTHORITIES AND 534 OFkCIALS “Kung ako lang ang masusunod, gusto ko talaga makuha ‘yong anak ko sa lalong madaling panahon, kasi nanay ako (If I’d have my way, I really want my child back at the soonest possible time, because I’m a mother),� she said.

Roland Camingawan last week sought help in getting his daughter back.

He said Rizza left on December 19 and told them that she would spend the holidays “immersing with the farmers.�

The League of Filipino

Students (LFS)-UST conkRMED IN A STATEMENT THAT Rizza participated in an immersion program with FARMERS IN 1UEZON The left-leaning student group said joining immersions was part of its orientation for their members like Rizza. “It is true that she (Rizza) is in an immersion program in a farming community in THE 1UEZON PROVINCE 3HE told her parents that there is nothing that they should worry about because she is safe and she is being taken care of by the farmers there,� the statement read.

UST Simbahayan, the office in charge of student community development activities, said the university did not give any permit for the immersion program.

Although Rizza’s parents

HAVE YET TO kLE A POLICE REport on the disappearance of their daughter, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde on Saturday urged the student’s relatives to come forward so that the police could help them.

Albayalde said the story of 2IZZA $IVINE CONkRMED THE REports the police obtained from former communist rebels that the New People’s Army (NPA) is recruiting students. “This validates what the surrenderers told us before so that is why we encounter young people who join the fight for rebellion instead of being in school,� he said.

T h e A r m e d Fo r c e s o f the Philippines (AFP) had named 18 schools where the NPA allegedly recruits members, including UST. WITH PNA

Right to demand payment Dear PAO, I migrated to the United States last year. Before I left the Philippines, I hurriedly sold some pieces of furniture to a friend. As everything was done in a rush, we just agreed on the price but we weren’t able to agree on the terms of payment. I understand that my friend would not be able to pay me in full immediately because it was a “rush sale,� but even after a year, my friend still tells me that he doesn’t have extra money to pay for even a fraction of the price. Last month, when I attempted to ask for payment from my friend, he insisted

DEAR PAO PERSIDA ACOSTA that he will suspend payment until we can both agree on the date and terms of payment. To be honest, I feel that I’m at the losing end of this sale and I want my friend to pay up when I get back to the Philippines next month. Thus, I want to know if I can demand for the complete payment of the pieces of fur-

niture that I sold to my friend upon my return to the Philippines even if we don’t have an agreement on the date and terms of payment.

Edward Dear Edward, Yes, you may demand payment from your friend. Article 1582 of the Civil Code of the Philippines is very clear on this matter, it provides that “if the time and place should not have been stipulated, the payments must be made at the time and place of the delivery of the thing sold.� In the case of Ocejo vs. The International Banking Corporation (GR L-10658,

Feb. 14 1918), the Supreme Court explained the aforequoted law as follows: “No term having been stipulated within which the payment should be made, payment was demandable at the time and place of the delivery of the thing sold. The seller did not avail himself of his right to demand payment as soon as the right to such payment arose, but as no term for payment was stipulated, he was entitled, to require payment to be made at any time after delivery, and it was the duty of the buyer to pay the price immediately upon demand.�

(Emphasis supplied.)

This means that if the term of payment has not been agreed upon by the parties, payment must be made at the place and time of delivery of the goods being sold; and if the seller did not demand payment upon delivery of the goods being sold, then the seller may demand payment at any time after delivery of the goods being sold. From your narration, it is clear that there has already been a delivery of the pieces of furniture that you sold to your friend as the said items are in his possession. Thus, following the reasoning in the Ocejo case, you

may demand for payment at any time after delivery of the furniture from your friend without the need to agree on the terms of payment.

This opinion is solely based on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same.

Thus, the opinion may vary when the facts are changed or further ELABORATED 7E HOPE THAT WE were able to enlighten you on the matter.

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public AttorNEY S /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF Acosta may be sent to dearpao@ manilatimes.net

Business Times

SUNDAY JANUARY 20, 2019 Editor: Edwin P. Sallan Email: edwin.sallan@manilatimes.net

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CEO CORNER

Q Kronenburg Philippines President and CEO Dindo Garciano poses beside one of his company’s fire trucks.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BY MAAN D’ASIS PAMARAN

H

E grew up in a time when one needed to be steady and sturdy. “My generation’s parents did not believe in coddling. We WERE NOT SPOON FED SOLUTIONS WE HAD TO kGURE out how to get results on our own,� says laywer Dionisio Donato “Dindo� Garciano, the former mayor of Rizal province’s Baras town who is now the president and CEO of Kronenburg Philippines, a joint venture that he formed with Dutch company p y Kronenburgg BV.

This was how Garciano explains his upbringing in a family in which he is the unico hijo: “I told my wife, Victoria, when we were still boyfriend-girlfriend, ‘You will be marrying a prince,’� he jokes.

He is strong-willed, to the point that he was able to convince his father to allow him to pursue law, despite the latter’s insistence that he start working after graduating with a social sciences degree. “There was a [television] series I used to watch about lawyer Anthony Petrocelli (played by Barry Newman), and I idolized how he handled cases to defend the innocent,� Garciano says. He also met lawyers in his Cursillo movement, and he was impressed with how ELOQUENT AND CONkDENT THEY WERE That strong will led Garciano to run for office back in the late 1990s, even though he was considered an “outsider,� having grown up in Manila and only spent weekends in their ancestral home in Baras. To introduce himself, he started going around the municipality, reaching even its most remote areas. When he won as mayor in his second attempt three years later, he utilized his can-do attitude to bring about improvements in the lives of those people whose hands he shook, even those way up in the most FAR lUNG VILLAGES From 2001 to 2004, the mayor built “monuments� — the new municipal hall, a gymnasium, and cemented roads that lead to Sitio

Pader and Sitio Seedling, which were previously inaccessible.

He also had artesian wells constructed to serve the mountainside communities. “Those 30 artesian wells are still there, with the words ‘Tubig ni Dindo’ (Dindo’s Water) and the people tell me, every time they drink water or take a bath, they think of me,� he says, smiling.

Lives matter more His mayoral stint also offered him important linkages to the business community. “Because of my local government experience, I became part of the European Chamber of Commerce’s Committee on Local Governments, representing the chambers of Europe, America and Australia in the Senate and [House of Representatives in] their advocacy of doing ease of business in the country. This was pro bono or for free,� Garciano explains. “When the Dutch company Kronenburg was looking for a local partner who is familiar with government processes, the European Chamber of Commerce recommended me. So ‘yung pro bono, naging pro bonus! (So the pro bono became pro bonus!),� he says with a laugh.

As Kronenberg Philippines chief, Garciano has big orders to fulfill. Based on Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) statistics, the company needs about 1,700 MORE kRETRUCKS WITH A DEkCIENCY

KRONENBURG PHILIPPINES CEO DINDO GARCIANO

Blazing trails for service and public safety amounting to about P70 billion.

He is glad for the support of President Rodrigo Duterte in his MISSION OF BRINGING QUALITY kREkGHTING EQUIPMENT TO THE COUNTRY “He (Duterte) understands the value of rescue capabilities, and looks more on the quality rather than the price. Under present laws, lowest bids are awarded the contract — this is something that the President and I don’t conform to.

With the lowest process, you don’t necessarily get the best quality — and with rescue equipment, this is very important, kasi buhay ang nakasalalay diyan (because lives are at stake there).�

His firetrucks may be “more expensive� than the other trucks we have here, but Garciano says the brand is one of the best, if not the BEST BECAUSE OF ALL ITS CERTIkcations. “They are customized according to the specifications of the BFP regarding the materials to be used and the strength of the tank.

We supply them with trucks that

have a reinforced polyester body to make it sturdy, and the pressure from the water tanks will be have the force needed for use on tall buildings,� he says.

Even the ladders are designed for city rescues. “We have buildings NOW THAT GO AS HIGH AS lOORS 7HAT IF THERE IS A kRE IN A HIGH RISE (OW WILL YOU REACH THE TH lOOR We have ladders that can do that, they are hydraulic, parang elevator,� he adds.

4HE kRM DOESN T HAVE PRIVATE CLIENTS BUT IT SUPPLIES kRETRUCKS TO airports in order for them to meet international standards.

“I think my experience as a mayor can help because I am in touch with the people and I know their situation along with this are my degrees in law and public administration, along with my pending PhD on development studies.�

In the House, he aspires to be a member on the committees on public safety and transportation, “because that is where my advocacies are,� he explains.

He likewise wishes to be on the housing committee, as Rizal is where most informal settlers are relocated. “We want to look into how we can improve their lives Back in the there. In San Jose, Montalban, political scene for example, you get the feeling that they were abandoned there While Garciano is content with his without support services. Then, business and his teaching career at if they don’t pay their amortithe University of Asia and the Pa- zation, they are evicted. In my CIkC AND AT THE 5NIVERSITY OF 2IZAL opinion, they should be given System, he says he was prevailed a grace period for the payments upon by Rizal Gov. Nini Ynares and evicting them should be the to run as representative of Rizal’s last resort because they will go second district. back to being informal settlers.�

Safety first The communities where informal settlers live in highly urbanized areas ARE ALSO THE MOST AT RISK FOR kRES Because of the light building maTERIALS OF THEIR SHANTIES A SMALL kRE can soon become an uncontrollable blaze that can spread very quickly. “Our situation in the cities is dikit-dikit ang mga bahay (that these houses are crammed).

There’s no electricity and they resort to candles or gas lamps or use improper wiring. Fire prevention EDUCATION MUST BE INTENSIkED u Garciano says. g7E ARE A kRE PRONE COUNTRY u he adds. “Fires will always be there but the chances of saving a lot of lives and minimizing the damage to property will be greater if we have the right equipment. Top of mind among the people is that there is help coming — may proteksiyon na dadating na makakasugpo sa sakuna (protection that can prevent disasters is forthcoming).�

Reaccreditation of printers of official receipts/invoices

A

LOT of us have asked for an OFkCIAL RECEIPT /2 WHILE eating out at a restaurant. The reasons we do this are varied, the most common of which is so that our employers may reimburse the amount on the bill that we paid for (granted that the meal is a legitimate representation expense).

The OR (for the sale of services) and the sales invoice (for the sale of goods) may be ubiquitous documents, but only a few of us hardly know anything about them, particularly who gets to print them. Well, the long

THE FINE PRINT ATTY. PEACHES ARANAS and short of it is that only printers duly accredited by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) may engage in the business of printing ORs, sales invoices and other commercial receipts or invoices.

Just recently, the BIR issued Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) 6-2019, which provides the guide-

lines, policies and procedures in the reaccreditation of printers of ORs and sales invoices. Below are its salient provisions: — The accreditation of printers SHALL BE FOR kVE YEARS FROM THE DATE of the issuance by the BIR of the #ERTIkCATE OF !CCREDITATION — Only accredited printers who are compliant with the criteria PRESCRIBED BY THE ")2 AS SPECIkED in Revenue Regulations 15-2012, as amended by RR 5-2016 (i.e., no record of any pending criminal complaint for tax evasion; has not been tagged as a “Cannot Be Located� taxpayer; has not been tagged in

the BIR system as “inactive,� among others) may qualify to apply for the renewal of its accreditation. — To avoid incurring penalties, accredited printers shall apply for the renewal with their particular ")2 2EVENUE $ISTRICT /FkCE 2$/ within 30 days from the expiration of the current accreditation. — The RDO shall assign to the accredited printer a new accreditation number (in lieu of the old one), which the printer shall indicate in the ORs and sales invoices that it will print from the DATE OF ISSUANCE OF ITS #ERTIkCATE of Accreditation.

— Accredited printers shall be subject to ocular inspection by the BIR within 30 days from the date of reaccreditation to ensure compliance with the policies and procedures under the regulations.

As such, non-compliant printers will have their accreditations revoked by the BIR. — Printers who failed to apply for the renewal of their accreditation, as well as those who failed to pass the reaccreditation process, will have to reapply with the BIR as a new applicant, and will have to observe the procedure and undergo the accreditation process

under the relevant regulations. — Printers with expired accreditations, as well as those who have not secured any accreditation from the BIR are prohibited from printing ORs and sales invoices. Violators shall be imposed a penalty of not less than P500,000 but not more than P10,000,000, and imprisonment of not fewer than six years but not more than 10 years. The corresponding ORs and sales invoices issued by these printers are considered unauthorized and should not be used by taxpayers.

B2

Business Times

˜ The Sunday Times

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SUNDAY January 20, 2019

Govt still committed to green financing

T

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

HE government remains committed to improve green financing in the Philippines.

“Climate change is the most pressing problem of our time.

The challenges posed by climate change demand all hands be on deck — [the] government, the private sector and nongovernment organizations,� Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said during the “Green Finance Towards a Sustainable Philippines� forum at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Thursday.

Dominguez underscored green financing as a weapon the Philippines has against climate change, which would allow the government to mobilize investments for a range of initiatives.

He said that, since strategies for climate-change adaptation and mitigation across all sectors required huge investments, the

government needed to refine its concepts and instruments for green financing to help make investments in adaptation and resilience attractive.

He also said the government was keen on strengthening its climate-financing policies, adding that it was looking at expanding the coverage of the Asean Framework for Green Bonds to cover such sectors as transportation, infrastructure, and commercial banking.

Asean Green Bonds refer to bonds and sukuk (Islamic bonds) that comply with the Asean Green Bond Standards, which were developed through consultations with the International Capital Market Associations, capital regulators and industry players in Southeast Asia.

Asean stands for the Association of Southeast Asia Nations.

It is made up of 10 members: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore Thailand and Vietnam.

Proceeds from the issuance of Asean Green Bonds will be exclusively applied to finance or refinance, in part or full, new and/or existing eligible green projects. “We hope to mainstream access to green financing through the banks and microfinance institutions. We are, to be sure, exploring possible funding of various public-private partnerships or PPPs through green financing,� Dominguez said.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the government should be pushing for measures to funnel more resources to green kNANCE GIVEN THE COUNTRY S VULnerability to climate risks. “In the Department of Budget and Management, there is

an initiative to channel more resources to green projects,� he added.

He said climate change expenditures by the government now exceeded P200 billion annually both for adaptation and mitigation. He added that 96 percent of climate change expenditures are now allocated for adaptation programs and projects. “This is a massive turnaround from previous experiences, unexpected from a development country that is not a major greenhouse gas emitter,�

Diokno said.

He also said climate change expenditure already reached 6 to 7 percent of the national budget, with most of the funds allocated to agriculture, environment and public works sectors. “The government is channeling virtually all of its resources to climate change adaptation.

I n d e e d , t h e g ove r n m e n t i s slowly improving its climate financing,� the Budget chief said.

Can family firms survive?

Y

ES, but their founders will die.

No ifs about it. Let me be brutally honest and straightforward: When a business owner dies or becomes permanently disabled, his or her business may itself die or become permanently disabled that day, not because something wrong was done, but because nothing was done!

As the founder or owner of a business that you built from hard work, is it prepared for such a major transition? Whether the family, business or ownership (wealth), everything is in transition. When illness, incapacity or death of a key family shareholder strikes, or when events like marriage, separation or dispersed ownership happens, its impact on the family business system may cripple it overnight.

By default, business owners procrastinate, asserting that they are “super healthy humans.� With a mindset bordering on immortality, they totally disregard any form of transition. But when a sudden event like death occurs, it would leave everybody broken, gasping for breath, barely surviving and being dragged under by the overwhelming weight of the business and the family. There is no doubt that any BUSINESS WILL FACE SOME VERY DIFkCULT choices in the months and years to come, so being prepared is critical.

As the leader of the clan, you cannot bury your head in the sand and pray that challenges to your family business will magically work themselves out. Owners must anticipate

FAMILIES IN BUSINESS PROF. ENRIQUE SORIANO these predictable events. They must THINK OF THE FUTURE OF THE FAMILY kRST and not be tied up with daily sales and operations all the time. Finally, they must craft solid agreements and make the right decisions now to prepare for the future.

So how does one navigate changes like these in the business?

In my last column, I highlighted the Aboitiz family’s 130-year journey that started with a small abaca business in Ormoc, Leyte. Years later, the family business ventured into inter-island shipping to transport its goods across the Visayas. Fast-forward 100 years later, it has become one of the largest, oldest and most respected conglomerates in the Philippines. The group has SPANNED kVE GENERATIONS BLENDING family and professional management.

And behind its business success is a powerful and enforceable family constitution that is meant to ensure the sustainability of its wide range of businesses all over Asia.

To quote what fourth-generation CEO Erramon Aboitiz replied when asked what the family’s enduring qualities were: “What makes the family stick together is a question asked of us many times. There is no simple answer, but trust, mutual respect and the love

of being together are foremost in my mind. Promotion within the family and company is based on respect and merits. Family members are professionals in every sense of the word. No family member has a right to work for the company. All of us, whether male or female, have gone through the ranks.�

He also went on to articulate the value of the fairness principle that must be upheld within the clan. And to avoid any misunderstanding and encourage open communication, the members, as mandated in their constitution, must hold regular meetings where transparency is promoted among the leaders. Similarly, to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings and minimize role CONlICTS THEIR AGREEMENTS EXPLICITLY say that governance forums will be created as avenues for family members to raise their grievances. These governance forums are classified into family, business and ownership councils, and prevent petty issues from exploding in the wrong forum.

And finally, to perpetuate the legacy of the Aboitiz family business, a well-designed leadership program is in place to shape expectations of members of the next generation with respect to their competence, roles in the business and, most important, their future stewardship.

As expressed by Chief Human Resource Officer Xavier “Txabi�

Aboitiz, another fourth-generation MEMBER g4HE kFTH GENERATION OF THE Aboitiz family may soon be ready to

TAKE OVER THE COMPANY 7E RE DEknitely in the process of passing on the torch into their capable hands.�

Staying true to the tenets of the family constitution, the Aboitiz family continues to inspire family businesses in Asia and has kept itself united, with every single family member that signed the constitution committed to the future of the family business.

For them, succession has always been smooth, despite studies saying that family-owned businesses tend to die out by the third generation.

Prof Enrique Soriano is a World Bank/IFC governance consultant, senior advisor of Post and Powell Singapore, and the executive director of Wong + Bernstein, a research and CONSULTING kRM IN !SIA THAT SERVES FAMily businesses and family foundations.

He was the chairman of the marketing cluster at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business in Manila, and is currently a visiting senior fellow of the IPMI International School in Jakarta.

He is also an associate member of the Singapore Institute of Directors and an advisor to business families worldwide, a sought-after governance speaker at conferences, and author of more than 200 articles and publications, including two best-selling Family Business books. He currently mentors and advises family businesses, CEOs and top-level entrepreneurs on how to successfully systemize their businesses so that they can increase revenue, scale, and even exit their business.

Chicken importers told to go slow THE United Broilers Raisers Association (UBRA) is urging the country’s chicken importers to go slow in their business to address the influx of imported chicken and plummeting farmgate prices of the commodity. “Our importers should be encouraged for the cut or stoppage of importation of chicken until we get timely data, so that the stakeholders of the poultry industry could make appropriate business decisions,�

UBRA President Elias Jose Inciong told The Manila Times on Friday. “We are expecting [importers’] opposition on this matter, but it’s one way to address our problem in oversupply and very low prices of chicken at the farmgate level,� he said.

Inciong explained that no “timely data� were made available to the stakeholders of the poultry industry, which could present an understanding of the overall supply and consumption in the country. The absence of such, he said, has made local poultry producers suffer from supply glut. “There should be timely data so that the players and stakeholders can decide [what to do] on their own.

Right now, we don’t have timely data to tell us whether or not our importation has already exceeded the volume we need,� Inciong said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) earlier said the unabated importation had caused prices of chicken to drop substantially, to the detriment of local poultry producers. Data from the DTI showed that importation of

the chicken leg quarter from January to November 2018 had reached 61.43 million kilos, significantly higher than the 44.83 million kilos imported in 2017. �Normally, farmgate prices are LOW DURING THE kRST AND LAST QUARter of the year because production conditions are good, so we normally expect increase in overall production. However, in the second quarter and part of the third quarter, that’s when we expect DIFkCULTIES u )NCIONG EXPLAINED Inciong emphasized that while farmgate prices of chicken had fallen to about P38 per kilo in some areas in the country due to oversupply, its retail prices at market level remain HIGH DUE TO ALLEGED PROkTEERING OF some players in the industry.

He fears that if importation of chicken is not cut, even at least temporarily, poultry growers could be pushed to quit raising chickens. “Why is it that when prices at the farmgate level are going down, there is no clear assistance form the government. But when the prices are high, may it be at the farmgate or retail level, their instinct is to favor the importers and yet they do not recognize that there is really no connection between the farmgate and the retail prices,� Inciong said. “The industry has been losing money since September [last year] and a lot of small and medium businesses have either cut back or stopped growing [chickens] and waiting for the [market] cost to go down,� he added..

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

Subic books 6 cruise ship arrivals in Jan THE Subic Bay Freeport is starting the year on a positive note by booking six vessel arrivals for January.

The vessels include cruise ship World Dream, which the freeport has welcomed for the third time. “Right now, we’re experiencing a phenomenal influx of cruise ships and this is really a strong start for Subic, which recorded 17 arrivals last year,�

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma said in a statement.

World Dream is the flagship of Chinese brand Dream Cruises owned by Genting Hong Kong. It booked its arrival on January 30.

Meanwhile, Italian-flagged and Costa Crociere-owned Costa Atlantica, which is another Subic regular, has set two arrival dates, the second being January 29. “We are very happy that our cruise ship program is really picking up, and this is just the start. By next month, we hope to see more cruise ships coming in and some of them would be staying here in Subic overnight,� Eisma said.

In 2018, ship arrivals in Subic generated over P85 million in the first eight months. Eisma is expecting to

keep up the momentum this year with the recent implementation of Executive Order (EO) 72.

Eisma said EO 72 “eased the entry of foreign nationals via the Subic sea ports and extended them a visa-free stay of 14 days similar to those entering through the Subic airport.� “This arrangement is less complicated, and thus we foresee that the resulting ease of travel would make Subic Bay an even bigger tourist magnet and anchor destination in Central Luzon,� she added.

The new measure can also facilitate the development of tourism in nearby areas of Region 3, with Subic as the “anchor destination and gateway,�

Eisma said.

Meanwhile, SBMA Tourism department manager Jem Camba said there were about 3,000 tourists per visiting cruise ship. They tour the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City and Clark Freeport Zone. Other parts of Zambales and Bataan are visited.

The top destinations, Camba said, are the nature theme parks in Subic and historical places in Bataan and Pampanga.

TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

Toxic marketing: Gillette and that infamous ‘#MeToo’ video T

HE disposable razor has exactly one use: to remove unwanted hair from human skin.

Although various refinements have been applied to it over the years, the product concept has remained uncomplicated, and so has its natural market: humans, primarily men but also women, who have skin and who for reasons of hygiene or personal grooming choices wish to efkCIENTLY AND PAINLESSLY REMOVE hair from it.

Marketing the disposal razor — a straightforward product with a market that comprises practically every living adult human – should be virtually impossible to get wrong. Disposal razor manufacturer Gillette, however, managed to do precisely that earlier in the week by posting a video to its YouTube channel embracing last year’s “#MeToo� movement and taking aim at “toxic masculinity.�

The video, just under two minutes long, is titled “We Believe: The Best Men Can Be,� a twist on Gillette’s decades-old brand tagline, “The best a man can get.� The video delivers a clumsy moral lesson, contrasting stereotypical “toxic

they were switching brands out ROUGH of disgust; for a brief time on the hashtag #GilletteTRADE Wednesday, Boycott was trending on Twitter.

Although a few social media BEN observers that the “toxic�

KRITZ video maysuggested have been a sublime masculine� behavior — bullying, publicity stunt — in objective fighting, catcalling, sexualized terms, it did make the Gillette humor, and patronizing women — brand a topic of public conversawith socially acceptable behavior, tion for a time — it is hard to imagSUCH AS STOPPING THE kGHT CHASING ine that Gillette purposely sought away the bullies, and scolding the to offend roughly two-thirds of friend for making inappropriate the brand’s target market. Still, the remarks to women. whole sorry episode was not comExcept for the vague nod to years pletely without purpose, because it of its earlier advertising by mocking does provide an excellent lesson in the company’s own copyrighted what not to do in seeking to estabtagline, the video does not at any lish social responsibility credibility. point refer to the product suppos4HE FATAL lAWS IN 'ILLETTE S MESedly being marketed. sage are not in its salient points, Evidently, a majority of Gil- but in its presentation and aslette’s male target market did sociation with a controversial, not appreciate being lectured morally questionable perspective. on morality by their supplier of The essence of the message is that personal hygiene appliances. As good men do not treat women in of Thursday night, the video had a disrespectful or condescending more than 15 million views, and manner, do not use violence to reactions were decidedly negative RESOLVE CONlICTS AND ARE MINDwith “dislikes� outnumbering ful of how their behavior serves “likes� by better than two-to-one. as a role model for young boys.

Many of the comments left by Nobody would argue that those viewers were declarations that points are debatable, or that is

inappropriate for Gillette or any other company whose target market is mostly men to raise them.

A more positive message would have more effectively met the real objective of the marketing exercise, which, after all, is to encourage the target market to purchase more Gillette disposable razors. A message that subtly implies, “Good men use Gillette,� or conversely, “Using Gillette will help make you a good man� works. A message that states in inelegantly direct terms that good behavior is the exception for an entire gender does not.

Tapping into current zeitgeist is a common marketing strategy, but as Gillette has demonstrated it is a risky one. For one thing, timing is important. The #MeToo “movement� is so last year, because the public attitude is evolving to reject the concept of “toxic masculinity� as being as sexist as the behavior it presumes to describe. The term — which Gillette highlights in its video — makes an immutable part of the being of half the population of the planet a problem that must be condemned. Indeed, there are men who are thoughtless,

abusive jackasses; but that is not “masculinity,� that is unacceptable, boorish behavior. There are women who are emotionally manipulative gold-diggers, but no one (apart from perhaps the most boorish of men) would dare to tag that as “toxic femininity,� and for good reason — stereotypes are as inaccurate as they are offensive.

Six months ago before the public began to rethink its attitude, Gillette may have gotten away with its ham-handed attempt at virtue-signaling. Now, its message simply comes across as insincere and out of step. Again, it is worth emphasizing that none of this has anything at all to do with the product Gillette is actually trying to sell; it provides no actively positive cue for potential new customers to try its product, or for existing customers to continue using it. By choosing to attach itself to a controversial advocacy — or perhaps more accurately, an unproductively harmful iteration of an otherwise laudable one — Gillette has done worse, providing an actively negative cue to provoke at least some of its existing and potential customer base to reject its product.

Social awareness and responsibility can be a powerful factor in branding and marketing, but as Gillette has demonstrated, it must be used thoughtfully. Get Real Philippines’ Benign0 insightfully offered an alternative in a post not long after the Gillette video hit the proverbial fan: A far better option for the company — one that would provide a clear product tie-in, tap a much broader current moral sentiment, and provide opportunities for measurable action – would have been to address what is perhaps the only bad feature of the disposal razor, the fact that it is a chunk of eventual planet-killing plastic waste.

On the other hand, that would require Gillette and its parent company P&G to actually do something other than produce a two-minute video. The fact that the company opted for the latter and apparently dismissed or didn’t even consider the far more worthwhile environmental question is perhaps the most damning indictment of its marketing cynicism.

ben.kritz@manilatimes.net

˜ The Sunday Times

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That Facebook ‘10-Year Challenge’ isn’t as harmless as you think

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

Business Times

B3

EDWARD TOGONON

Envisioning a thriving biz community in Pasay City B

BY YUGEL LOSORATA

THE DIGITAL NOMAD JOSEPH HOLANDES UBALDE

T

HE recent Facebook “10-Year Challenge�

IS LIKE WILDkRE OR A VENEREAL DISEASE )T IS SPREADING FAST AND COULD LEAVE A BURNING sensation to those affected by it.

Yes, posting a picture of yourself between now and 10 years ago might seem harmless at kRST UNTIL YOU REALIZE THAT BACK IN FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY WASN T AS ADVANCED AND PERVASIVE AS IT IS NOW IN The current meme dominating most FaceBOOK TIMELINES HAS EVEN BEEN TRENDJACKED BY SEVERAL BRANDS .OW A SIDE BY SIDE COMPARIson of two car models is harmless enough but when a human’s face is on it, that’s when a Pandora’s box of security risks is opened.

Technology commentator Paul Brislen said it BEST g7HEN YOUR ACCOUNT IS HACKED YOU CAN TRY to reclaim it, and hopefully once all is done and DUSTED YOU CAN CARRY ON WITH YOUR LIFE 7HEN SOMEONE HACKS YOUR FACE IT S GOING TO BE VERY DIFkCULT TO CLAIM BACK YOUR IDENTITY u And identity is something we throw away so carelessly on Facebook these days. How MANY OF US HAVE WILLINGLY SURRENDERED OUR personal details, or access to it, through third PARTY APPS JUST SO WE CAN VAGUELY LOOK LIKE a celebrity or share a post some concocted CONVERSATION BETWEEN YOU AND THE 0RESIDENT )N AN OPINION PIECE FOR 7IRED COM WRITER +ATE / .EILL SHARED A TWEET THAT GAINED TRACTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT THIS CURRENT MEME g-E YEARS AGO PROBABLY WOULD HAVE PLAYED ALONG WITH THE PROkLE PICTURE AGING MEME GOING AROUND ON &ACEBOOK AND )NSTAGRAM -E NOW PONDERS HOW ALL THIS DATA COULD BE mined to train facial recognition algorithms on age progression and age recognition.�

4ECH GIANTS LIKE &ACEBOOK AND 'OOGLE HAVE HAD a shady reputation for mining users’ data for their OWN GAIN 7E VE ALREADY UPLOADED SEVERAL OF OUR digital pictures online and who knows how far THEY VE GONE TO SELL OUR DATA TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER 7HEN ) VISITED 'OOGLE S OFkCE IN 'ERMANY BACK IN ) ASKED WHERE THEY GET THE BULK OF THEIR MONEY )S IT FROM ADS 'OOGLE THEN DIDN T SELL THE TOP SEARCH FOR ANYTHING )S IT FROM OTHER SERVICES 9ES THEY EARN FROM VARIOUS SERVICES BUT NOT QUITE )T WAS ONLY WHEN ONE OF OUR VISITING LECTURERS FROM (AMBURG REVEALED THAT 'OOGLE HAS BEEN SELLING OUR PERSONAL DATA THAT ) VE BEGUN to put two and two together. .OW EVEN VARIOUS GOVERNMENTS HAVE CAPTURED OUR FACIAL PROkLES g7HEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE ELECTRONIC gates at the airport, chances are you’ll be photographed hundreds of times so the computer can compare your current face with the one IN YOUR PASSPORT u / .EILL ADDED 3OME BANKS TOO HAVE TAKEN TO GREAT HEIGHTS TO USE OUR FACES FOR THEIR SERVICES g)F YOU BANK WITH !.: YOU CAN TAKE THAT one step further and log into your mobile BANKING APP USING !PPLE S &ACE )$ SERVICE 4HIS IS INCREDIBLY CONVENIENT BECAUSE YOU GENERALLY HAVE YOUR FACE WITH YOU WHEN you’re using your phone so that’s one less PASSWORD TO WORRY ABOUT ONE LESS 0).

ONE less button to press.� .OW THIS BRINGS US BACK TO THE gHARMLESSu meme that has captured our hearts, or in this case, our faces. ) ADMIT THAT ) VE POSTED MY OWN g 9EAR #HALLENGEu TWICE ONE ON )NSTAGRAM AND ANOTHER ON &ACEBOOK "UT ) SHOULD VE KNOWN BETTER )N SOCIAL MEDIA MOST PEOPLE THINK THEIR GREATEST CURRENCY IS INlUENCE WHICH INCLUDES THE NUMBER OF FRIENDS OR FOLLOWERS THEY HAVE "UT IN FACT THE GREAT EQUALIZER IN SOCIAL MEDIA is personal data, regardless of one’s sphere OF INlUENCE So, what to do about those self-congratuLATORY PHOTOS WE VE POSTED THIS PAST WEEK $ELETE IT ,ET IT GO THIS TIME 0ERHAPS YEARS FROM NOW WE VE ALL CHANGED OUR PRIORITIES FROM VANITY TO PRIVACY BECAUSE AT THE END of the day, that’s the only thing that should remain the same in decades.

Joseph Ubalde is a digital content expert and social media strategist who has worked FOR VARIOUS LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMPANIES The $IGITAL .OMAD IS THE kRST AND ONLY COLUMN dedicated to social media in the Philippines. )F YOU HAVE COMMENTS OR WANT TO CONNECT WITH HIM SEND AN EMAIL TO MARKJUBALDE gmail.com.

5),$).' A COMMUNITY WHERE BUSINESSES lOURISH entails empowering its residents and providing tax incentives to entrepreneurs.

4HIS IS WHAT %DWARD 4OGONON ENVISIONS FOR HIS BELOVED 0ASAY #ITY WHICH HE SERVED AS ITS PROSECUTOR FOR YEARS !ND IF GIVEN the chance, he would do exactly that. g"IG COMPANIES IN A CITY SHOULD GIVE PRIORITY TO EMPLOYING ITS LOCALS 7HY not make use of your manpower before LOOKING ELSEWHERE u HE ASKED Togonon is eyeing the post of Pasay mayor under the banner of the Partido $EMOKRATIKO 0ILIPINO ,AKAS NG "AYAN 0$0 ,ABAN IN THE -AY MIDTERM ELECtions. He is doing so after assuming important leadership positions during HIS CAREER kRST PRESIDENT OF THE 0ASAY #ITY 0ROSECUTORS ,EAGUE PRESIDENT OF #HIEF 0ROSECUTORS !SSOCIATION )NC AND TWO TIME PRESIDENT OF THE .ATIONAL 0ROSECUTORS ,EAGUE OF THE 0HILIPPINES !S PROVEN BY HIS DEDICATION TO HIS WORK ‡ FOR WHICH HE RECEIVED THE g/UTSTANDING 0ROSECUTORu AWARD THRICE‡ENVISIONING IS a serious business for a man who recently RETIRED FROM THE $EPARTMENT OF *USTICE (E DID NOT CHOOSE TO ENJOY HIS RETIREMENT SITting pretty, but felt the urge to complete WHAT HE SEES IS UNkNISHED BUSINESS FOR the people in his city. “Job generation is an [issue] we care about, among others like peace and order, housing, seniors’ welfare and health care,�

4OGONON SAID g,IVELIHOOD PROJECTS FOR THE poor, as guided by Tesda (Technical EduCATION AND 3KILLS $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY is of utmost importance.�

'IVEN THAT PART OF 0ASAY #ITY IS IN THE

Q Edward Togonon.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

-ANILA "AY AREA THE )LOILO PROVINCE RAISED FATHER OF TWO SEES THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVING A GOOD LOCATION AS PATHWAY TO BEING VALUED AS AMONG THE gBUSINESS friendly cities� in the metropolis.

For him, a harmonious relationship between business owners and THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS POSSIBLE IF THE LATTER OFFERS TAX INCENTIVES

with the aim to show the former that the city sees them as partNERS IN CITY BUILDING )N THIS scenario, taxmen play their part as ensurers of public commitment toward the CITY S IMPROVEMENT g4HIS CAN BE ACHIEVED

as we should open doors to more businesses in the CITY ,ET S GIVE CHANCE TO those types of businesses that can help in the promotion of our city as a business district,� the soft-spoken Togonon said. g)T IS NOT BAD TO TAKE THE LEAD from other cities that [succeeded in boosting] their town in the business community‌� he pointed out. g!S WE LIVE IN THE INTERNET AGE CONNECTIVITY IS A VALUABLE ELEMENT IN CREATING A MODERN COMMUNITY 4HAT IS WHY PROVIDING 7I &I connection in strategic places is a must.�

7ELL THIS FORMER PROSECUTOR HAS NOW positioned himself for more entrepreneurial talk. He clearly means business.

CSR FOCUS

Pru Life UK Kiwanis caring for indigent children unveils new campaign, to open new firm

Q (From left) Dr. Elton See Tan, E- Hotel chairman and past lieutenant governor of the Kiwanis Club;  Ezelle Gascon, bank manager and past Kiwanis president of Manila Bay; Glenda Hufano, custom broker and Kiwanis president of Pasay; Grace Bondad Nicolas, entrepreneur and Kiwanis president of Makati; Carrie Manlangit, insurance manager and Kiwanis president of Malate Central; Lorna Ballesteros, retired senior citizen and Kiwanis president of Malate West; Wilma Enad, Kiwanis Club of Pasay secretary; and Tan Yu 3rd, Kiwanis Club Division 3A lieutenant governor, Makati Tourism Foundation Inc. secretary and president of the E- Hotel.

BY GRACE BONDAD NICOLAS 4(%2% ARE FIVE WOMEN UNDER THE +IWANIS )NTERNATIONAL #LUB IN THE 0HILIPpines who formed “KKK,� or Kind-hearted +IWANIANS FOR THE +IDS 4HEIR OBJECTIVE IS TO HELP AND ALLEVIATE THE CONDITION OF INDIGENT KIDS IN THE COUNTRY THROUGH PROJECTS LIKE FEEDING PROGRAMS GIFT GIVING EVENTS

medical checkups and counselling sessions. ,ORNA "ALLESTEROS -ALATE 7EST %ZELLE Gascon (Manila Bay), Carrie Manlangit -ALATE #ENTRAL 'RACE "ONDAD .ICOLAS (Makati) and Glenda Hufano (Pasay) are the current and former presidents of DIFFERENT CLUBS OF +IWANIS )NTERNATIONAL A global community of clubs, members and PARTNERS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF children, one community at a time. &OUNDED IN $ETROIT -ICHIGAN IN

THE ORGANIZATION NOW HAS MORE THAN 600,000 members — from K-Kids to Key Club to Kiwanis — and many ages in between in more than 80 countries.

Each community has different needs, and Kiwanis empowers members to pursue CREATIVE WAYS TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN

SUCH AS kGHTING HUNGER IMPROVING LITERACY and offering guidance. Kiwanis clubs host NEARLY SERVICE PROJECTS EACH YEAR For its former leaders in the Philippines, it takes a lot of commitment and dedication to be a Kiwanis member.

“Being the president of Kiwanis Club OR ANY ORGANIZATION IS NOT EASY 9OU need to lead. You need to show that YOU RE CAPABLE AND YOU HAVE THE MEANS TO SHARE GIVE AND MUST WALK THE TALK Members can see that, and then they will follow you. Most of the time, if THE CLUB DOESN T HAVE BUDGET AND THERE are orphanages that we need to help, the leader must initiate something to make,� Hufano said. g"EING PASSIONATE IS THE KEY 7E RE not paid to do this, but we like to SPEND MORE AND INVEST OUR TIME TO reach these children and to feed them.

4HOSE MEMBERS WHO ARE JUST THERE TO network, they’re gone now. Those who ARE REALLY WITH THEIR HEART IN SERVING these children are only the ones who are still with us,� Gascon said.

4HESE kVE WOMEN RANGING FROM TO YEARS OLD BELONG TO DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES One is a custom broker, another an entrepreneur, the third a bank manager, the FOURTH AN INSURANCE MANAGER AND THE LAST A RETIRED SENIOR CITIZEN $ESPITE THEIR AGE AND professional differences, they all managed TO GET ALONG JUST kNE WITH THE SAME STRONG PASSION IN SERVICE OF THE CHILDREN )N BETWEEN JUGGLING THEIR WORK AND social responsibilities, these ladies are ALSO ACTIVE IN DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE -AKATI 4OURISM &OUNDATION )NC THE

American Association of the Philippines, 'O .EGOSYO AND 0EOPLES -ANAGEMENT Association of the Philippines. g7E ARE FROM DIFFERENT CITIES IN -ETRO -ANILA AND YET WE STILL kND THE TIME TO GET TOGETHER AND DISCUSS OUR PROJECTS FOR THE CHILDREN 7E BELIEVE THAT WE RE BLESSED and that we like to share the blessings to THESE KIDS !LSO WE BELIEVE THAT IT S EASY TO SHARE YOU JUST NEED TO HAVE THE HEART and the will to do it,� Manlangit said. g&OR THIS $ECEMBER ALONE WE LAUNCHED MORE THAN PROJECTS IN DIFferent parts of the country like in Clark, 3UBIC 0ASIG #AVITE 4AGAYTAY AND -ETRO -ANILA 7E WILL REACH THE INDIGENT CHILDREN WHO NEED OUR HELP WHEREVER they are,� Ballesteros said. &OR HER PART .ICOLAS SHARED MORE PROJECTS BY THEIR GROUP g*UST RECENTLY WE TURNED OVER THE 0ASIG 2IVER 2EHABILITATION Commission Komiks for the children to READ 7E BELIEVE ALSO IN EDUCATION AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION 7E KNOW that to be concerned, one must be aware kRST IN WHAT S HAPPENING 7E WILL CONTINUE THIS ADVOCACY AND WE ARE THANKFUL TO OUR PARTNERS FOR THE SUPPORT )N GIVING ALSO WE RECEIVED MORE u

4O JOIN THE +IWANIS )NTERNATIONAL #LUB IN the Philippines or to send donations, call OR TEXT OR

025 ,IFE 5+ RECENTLY INTRODUCED ITS g7E $/u campaign to further strengthen its commitMENT TO CUSTOMERS AND UNVEILVED SOME OF ITS PLANS FOR INCLUDING ESTABLISHING ITS OWN trust company. )N A MEDIA BRIEFING IN -AKATI #ITY ON 4HURSDAY 0RU ,IFE 5+ #HIEF -ARKETING /FkCER !LLAN 4UMBAGA SAID THE CAMPAIGN WAS “about ‘we’ imparting [to] our customers that we can do more.� g)T S A CALL TO ALL OF US DOERS IF WE REALLY WANT to make our money grow, become healthier, know about our body and, of course, the inNOVATION COMPONENT u HE ADDED 4HE CAMPAIGN ‡ WHICH FEATURES SEVERAL THEMES INCLUDING INNOVATION MONEY AND FITNESS ‡ WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN OF its markets in Asia, including the PhilipPINES )T WAS ALREADY LAUNCHED IN (ONG Kong and Cambodia.

0RU ,IFE IS ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO ESTABLISHING ITS OWN TRUST COMPANY ‡ 0RU ,IFE !SSET Management and Trust Co. — which will offer A UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST FUND 5)4& 5)4& IS A READY MADE INVESTMENT IN WHICH THE MONEY OF VARIOUS INVESTORS ARE POOLED INTO ONE FUND TO BE MANAGED BY AN INVESTment manager.

0RU ,IFE HAS SECURED THE 3ECURITIES AND %XCHANGE #OMMISSION S APPROVAL FOR IT BUT HAS YET TO RECEIVE THE SAME FROM THE "ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The new company will be headed by Pru ,IFE #HIEF )NVESTMENT /FkCER !NTONIO 'ARCES !CCORDING TO 4UMBAGA 0RU ,IFE IS FOCUSED on issuing more insurance contracts this year, but stressed that a balance between protection AND INVESTMENT SHOULD ALWAYS BE OBSERVED g)F YOU REALLY WANT TO STAY TRUE TO YOUR MISSION OF PROVIDING FOR &ILIPINOS THEN YOU GO ON something basic. And protection is something THAT EVERYBODY WOULD NEED u HE SAID !MID TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS 4UMBAGA SAID 0RU ,IFE WAS KEEN ON DEVELOPING more distribution channels to expand its presence. g7E D LIKE TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE BY DEVELOPING MORE TOUCH POINTS OR CHANNELS TO INTERACT WITH US u HE ADDED g7E D LIKE TO make sure that those who need information will easily get it.�

0RU ,IFE CURRENTLY HAS MORE THAN

LICENSED AGENTS FROM OVER BRANCHES NAtionwide.

TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

B4

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

Business Times

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Advantages of franchising hailed by entrepreneurs

Q Giancarlo Capco posing with solar panels. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

S TA R T U P S P OT L I G H T

Calriger: Harnessing the sun’s power to brighten lives I N 2006 2006, Gi Giancarlo l C Capco went to the h renowned Harvard Business School in the US state of Massachussetts and represented the Philippines in the World Business Plan Competition sponsored by the Harvard Business Club. There, he won international recognition, and awards, for his solar-ready Sanitary Aqua Vendo Water Vending Machine.

Six years later, Capco returned to the country and set up his own company, Calriger MC Technologies, to bring innovation and technological advancement to Filipino families, communities and businesses. He did so under the research and development arm of the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The company went into full operations a year later and ventured into using solar technology.

This venture resulted in products

that include streetlights, generators and ChargingCore power stations for electronic vehicles, as well as its much-touted SolarRev Generator. “All our products are assembled in the Philippines. Its parts are also available here, as well,� Capco said.

On the SolarRev Generator, he said it “has helped various soldiers in their off-grid power operation needs. It also helped in giving emergency solar lights to farmers in the mountains, where electricity is a big problem.

It also “reduced electricity consumption [in] many homes and provided emergency power to medical devices in medical misSIONS HELD IN FAR lUNG AREAS IN THE Philippines,� he added.

According to him, more Filipinos have become aware of solar technology, which is why their consumers have increased over the years. “Our users definitely doubled.

From residential to commercial consumers then to tactical and industrial developers, these include military BASES TACTICAL SECURITY kRMS TO FARMing facilities and industries that caters usage of renewable energy powered generators for road constructions and industrial processes,� Capco said.

Because of tremendous response, Capco is now planning to create more products and continue his advocacy on nation building. “We actually have so many things

in mind. First, we want to help ebike and e-vehicle users with their charging needs through our SolarRev Generators. Second, we want to create a Calriger renewable energy-powered organic agri-farming village in various farm sites in the Philippines and make these‌the source of organic, healthy food for the Filipino people. [And] third, we want to create a school and educate people about solar technology, leadership, innovation, and the like and at the same time utilize our products to conserve energy,� he said.

The SolarRev Generator is just one of the many products created

by Filipinos that can compete in the global market. “There are actually a lot of great inventions and locally made products.

Right now, we just really need to support and trust our Filipino technologists and businesses,� Capco said.

MARGA BELLOSILLO

! '2/50 of entrepreneurs under the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI) is pushing aspiring business owners to pursue franchising and other self-sustaining business solution concepts.

In a recent press conference, the AFFI launched the 17th Franchise and Business Expo, to be held from February 1 to 3 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The event aims to teach the attendees some basic techniques on how to start their own business with cultural presentations, stage demonstrations and mentoring sessions with the help of Go Negosyo mentors.

AFFI Chairman Eric Pike Caeg said that, “because of its triedand-tested success, sometimes it’s better to go [into] franchising, rather than conceptualize your own business,� “Right now, AFFI has more than 200 members with 16,000 outlets. Thirty-six percent are company-owned, while the rest are franchise businesses that have generated total sales of around P54 billion,� he added.

One of the most successful entrepreneurs and franchisees is Robert Laurel Yupangco, chief EXECUTIVE OFkCER OF 3AMGYUPSALAMAT 5NLIMITED +OREAN ""1 )T

has branches at Century City Mall in Makati City, Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City, Residence Inn Tagaytay in Tagaytay City, and Ruins in Makati. It will soon have a branch at the 4RINOMA MALL IN 1UEZON #ITY Here’s his take about franchising: “Considering that the entry of doing business, especially in retail, is getting‌more expensive [and] competitive, and entails a longer time in doing product and business development — designing logos and all that — getting into franchising is the best and less riskier alternative, as long as you have the budget and the passion for that brand’s products and/or services. It also helps if their values and culture are aligned with yours.â€?

The AFFI’s objective is to promote franchising and help Filipinos succeed via entrepreneurship.

The group’s members are very active in the Go Negosyo mentoring program, which helps young and aspiring entrepreneurs by sharing their own experience of both failure and success; give friendly, unbiased support; provide honest and constructive feedback; and be a sounding board for ideas.

GRACE BONDAD NICOLAS

Q Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. officers Jorge Noel Wieneke, Joyce Co Yu, Willen Ma and Eric Pike Caeg. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Consumers start to hang up on smartphones

T

HE old consumer can’t come to the phone right now, literally.

The drop in smartphone sales has become so obvious that The Wall Street Journal recently published a businesstechnology shocker of an article titled “The Big Hangup: Why The Future Is Not Just Your Phone.�

According to this eyeopening January 13 article, consumers are no longer swept off their feet by the latest flagship devices. A catalog of alternatives to first-tier smartphones, their extremely high price range and — get this — a seemingly conscious effort to depart from the all-controlling powerful handset are some of the reasons it pointed out. “The once-revolutionary smartphone is losing its power to amaze — and maybe its singular hold on our lives,� the article’s tagline read before reminding readers that it was only a dozen years ago that smartphones GOT THEIR kRST TASTE OF THE SPOTLIGHT “Steve Jobs took the stage a dozen years ago this week to present a revolutionary new PRODUCT TO THE WORLD !PPLE S kRST I0HONE That innovative device, and the competitors that followed, changed the way people communicated, ordered dinner and stopped a taxi. The world of technology has been reoriented around the smartphone, replacing the personal computer, MP3 players, digital camera and maps. And the mobile economy was born,� the article said.

But today, the tides have turned and “smartphones no longer seem so smart.� “Nowadays, it seems that the era of the supremacy of smartphones is beginning to diminish. The devices will not disappear soon, but their control over the consumer is weakening. A drop in global sales and the lack of new successful advances has underlined a painful reality for the mature industry: smartphones no longer seem so smart. While once smartphones were like a centripetal force absorbing tools from DOZENS OF DEVICES FROM lASHLIGHTS TO CALCUlators and video game consoles, functions

NOW lY FROM PHONES TO OTHER PRODUCTS WITH their own embedded smart connections.

Wristwatches can now send text messages to emojis. Televisions can talk and listen.

Voice activated speakers can order diapers,� the article said.

Needless to say, this is an alarming development for the tech industry. At a time when marketing people are moving toward the most digital approach (Read: FAVORING INlUENCERS AND viral push over traditional channels) when it comes to marketing their products and services, the industry takes this solid hit.

We understand why consumers are turned OFF BY PRICES EACH TIME A NEW lAGSHIP PHONE posts a challenge to take away your savings for the year. But WSJ noted that the same smartphone that has been the portal to everything is testing the patience of consumers when it comes to dealing with, let’s say, too many NOTIkCATIONS 5SERS ARE OPTING FOR CONSCIOUS uncoupling with their handheld devices. “The amplitude of the connected devices HAS MADE IT MORE DIFkCULT TO DISCONNECT them. But the more incipient additions attract people’s attention differently to smartphones, an attractive potential for people WHO GET IRRITATED BY THE lURRY OF NOTIkCATIONS from their phones,� the article said.

One of the resource persons in the article also surmised that it might be possible that the popularity of the smartphone peaked the way personal computers did back in the day.

The long and short of it is that the spoils of connectivity have started to exhaust users.

5NLESS SMARTPHONES BREAK THE MOLD COME out with jaw-dropping foldable models or any solid escape from what is now known to be ordinary, we will soon be saying, “Thank you, next!� to smartphones.

TAP, SWIPE, SCROLL KAYE VILLAGOMEZ

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

Sunday Business & I.T. www.manilatimes.net

C1 SUNDAY JANUARY 20, 2019 Editor: Jing Garcia

B E AT I N G T R A D I T I O N A L I . T.

Cloud infra revenues up in Q3 2018 A

CCORDING TO RESEARCH kRM )$# VENDOR REVENUE FROM SALES OF )4 INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS SERVER

ENTERPRISE STORAGE AND %THERNET SWITCH FOR CLOUD ENVIRONMENTS BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CLOUD GREW PERCENT YEAR OVER YEAR IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1

REACHING BILLION IDC also raised its forecast for total spending (vendor revenue plus channel mark-up) on cloud IT infrastructure in 2018 to $65.2 billion with year-over-year growth of 37.2 percent.

Quarterly spending on public cloud IT infrastructure has more than doubled in the past two years, reaching $12.1 billion in 3Q18 and growing 56.1 percent year over year, while spending on private cloud infrastructure grew at half of this rate, 28.3 percent, reaching $4.7 billion.

Since 2013, when IDC started tracking IT infrastructure deployments in different

environments, public cloud has represented the majority of spending on cloud IT infrastructure and in 2018 IDC expects this share will peak at 68.8 percent with spending on public cloud infrastructure growing at an annual rate of 44.7 percent.

Spending on private cloud will grow 23.3 percent year over year in 2018. )N 1 FOR THE kRST TIME QUARTERLY vendor revenues from IT infrastructure product sales into cloud environments surpassed revenues from sales into traditional IT environments, accounting for 50.9 percent of the total worldwide IT

infrastructure vendor revenues, up from 43.6 percent a year ago.

However, for the full year 2018, spending on cloud IT infrastructure will remain below the 50 percent mark at 47.4 percent. Spending on all three-technology segments in cloud IT environments is forecast to deliver double-digit growth in 2018. Compute platforms will be the fastest growing at 59.1 percent, while spending on Ethernet switches and storage platforms will grow 18.5 percent and 20.4 percent, respectively.

The rate of growth for the traditional (non-cloud) IT infrastructure segment SLOWED DOWN FROM THE kRST HALF OF THE YEAR to 14.8 percent, which is still exceptional for this market segment.

For the full year, worldwide spending on traditional non-cloud IT infrastructure is expected to grow by 12.3 percent as the market goes through a technology refresh cycle, which will wind down by 2019.

By 2022, IDC expects that traditional non-cloud IT infrastructure will only represent 42.4 percent of total worldwide IT infrastructure spending (down from 52.6 percent in 2018). This share loss and the growing share of cloud environments in overall spending on IT infrastructure is common across all regions. g4HE kRST THREE QUARTERS OF WERE EXceptional for the IT Infrastructure market across all deployment environments and the increase in IT infrastructure investments by public cloud datacenters was especially strong driven by the opening of new datacenters and infrastructure refresh in existing datacenters,� said Natalya Yezhkova, research director for IT infrastructure and platforms at IDC. “After such a strong year we expect some slowdown in 2019 as the overall market cools down and some cloud providers work through adjustments in their supply chain. However, IDC expects the shift in

IT infrastructure spending toward cloud environments will continue.�

All regions grew their cloud IT Infrastructure revenues by double digits in 3Q18. Revenue growth was the fastest in !SIA 0ACIkC EXCLUDING *APAN !0E* AT 62.6 percent year over year, with China growing at an even higher rate of 88.7 percent. Other regions among the fastest GROWING IN 1 INCLUDED *APAN percent), USA (44.2 percent), and Canada (43.4 percent).

Long-term, IDC said it expects spending on cloud IT infrastructure to grow at A kVE YEAR COMPOUND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE (CAGR) of 13.3 percent, reaching $88.6 billion in 2022 and accounting for 57.6 percent of total IT infrastructure spend.

Public cloud datacenters will account for 66.3 percent of this amount, growing at an 13.6 percent CAGR. Spending on private cloud infrastructure will grow at a CAGR of 12.6 percent.

5G smartphones requires new vendor strategies DESPITE the smartphone market’s slowing growth due to saturating addressable markets, ballooni n g

innovative ways to interact with their devices.

Taking full advantage of these new functionalities, users will see improvements in the UX, including upgrades to voice assistance, AI and smart biometrics.

With 5G acting as the fulcrum, the market is also set to witness the introduction of new device form factors that leverage a host of new and improved technologies, activated by cues taken from the users’ surroundings, applications, or circumstances.

However, vendors will need to ensure that these latest innovations provide a clear purpose to consumers, offering strong reasons for purchase, or else they run the risk of becoming low-volume niche products.

Expectations are that 5G smartphones will start TO BECOME AVAILABLE DURING THE kRST HALF OF and by the end of 2020, all major vendors will have at least one high-end model that is 5G-ready.

ABI Research forecasts that 5G smartphone shipments will reach 49 million in 2019 (around 3 percent of global smartphone shipments) and will rise steadily norm,� said Da- to account for 43 percent of the total by 2023. vid McQueen, research direc“It is incumbent on major smartphone vendors tor at ABI Research. from Apple to ZTE, to ensure that they remain “In fairness, it has become increasingly dif- competitive in the next 18 months as these new aver- kCULT FOR VENDORS TO DIFFERENTIATE ON FEATURES technologies are introduced, continually providage selling prices with price being one of the very few competitive ing a set of captivating and effective innovations (ASPs), prevailing con- factors left, but new technology innovation and in their portfolios,� said McQueen. sumer price fatigue, and lengthening features are just around the corner to help arrest “If the established vendors are to take full adreplacement cycles, all is not lost. this decline.� vantage, they will need to modernize and refresh !CCORDING TO ANALYST kRM !") 2ESEARCH THE It is expected that 5G will be used initially as a their strategies to strengthen their business commarket is to witness a 4.1 percent rise in ship- point of differentiation, but it could actually be petitiveness and technological leadership in the ments in 2019, growing to just under 1.6 billion the “silver bullet� that smartphone vendors are mid- to long-term. Failure to do so could result in for the year. pinning their hopes on. a dramatic collapse in business, which would not Through the launch of 5G with its enhanced BE THE kRST TIME IN THE SMARTPHONE INDUSTRY WHERE )T IS EXPECTED THAT THE USE OF ' AND lEXIBLE DISplays will be the catalysts to galvanize the industry, mobile broadband speeds, plus the inclusion of a prominent vendor has been caught out and creating improved user experiences (UXs), while lEXIBLE DISPLAYS USERS WILL BE INTRODUCED TO NEW FALLEN QUICKLY FROM A POSITION OF MARKET STRENGTH u

D

ID you know that every 40 seconds, someone dies of suicide? The World Health Organization (WHO) states that close to 800 000 people died by suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. We cannot avoid reading about suicide in our social media news feeds or private group chats. Let me point out the phrases “died of suicide� or “died by suicide� as neutral ways to explain the death. These phrases replace “committed suicide� or “completed suicide.�

Social media use and depression Growing evidence showed that social media could influence pro-suicide behavior. The 2012 study on “Social Media and Suicide: A Public Health PerSPECTIVEu $AVID $ ,UXTON 0H$ *ENNIFER $ *UNE "!

AND *ONATHAN - Fairall, BS) cited the role social media might have in suicide-related behavior.

The rise of pro-suicide, social media sites may pose a new risk to vulnerable people who might not have been exposed to these potential hazards. MeDIA ALSO PLAYS AN INlUENCE ON SUICIDAL behavior, and suicide methods used.

Cyberbullying and cyber harassment

stimulating smartphone replacement rates. “For too long, major vendors have been lambasted for upgraded devices looking far too similar to their predecessors, with iteration rather than design innovation becoming the

Social media and suicide LET’S TALK #SOCIAL NOEMI LARDIZABAL-DADO are prevalent problems. An increase in publicized cases of suicide in 2011 involved social media.

Another paper came out on “Increases in Depressive Symptoms, Suicide-Related Outcomes, and Suicide Rates Among US Adolescents After 2010 and Links to )NCREASED .EW -EDIA 3CREEN 4IMEu *EAN - 4WENGE 4HOMAS % *OINER -EGAN , Rogers, Gabrielle N. Martin) in 2017. The study discovered that adolescents who devoted more time online such as social media were more likely to report mental health issues. Psychiatrist Dr. Dinah Nadera says “that sense of lack of social connectedness is very, very prevalent‌.

They’re connected but they can’t seem to have a trusted person.� Without experimental evidence, one is unclear that the rise in new media screen time causes the increase in mental health issues after 2011. Three earlier studies, however, provided evidence that “screen time in social

media use, may cause depressed mood rather than vice versa, at least among adults.� The research concludes that adolescent mental health issues rose since 2010, among females. New media screen time is both associated with mental health issues and increased over this time period.

The relationship between social media use and depression remains a controversial topic. A study in 2018 by San Francisco-based social innovation group CALLED (OPE,AB DID NOT kND A CORRELATION between use and self-reported depressive symptoms. Despite the lack of conclusive studies, I cannot stress enough that our digital well-being matters. It is best to disconnect when called for and create healthy habits for ourselves.

WHO says suicides are preventable There is hope. WHO believes suicide is preventable with timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions. We need a comprehensive multisectoral suicide prevention strategy for national responses to be effective. This is where Mental Health Law (Republic Act 11036) comes in. The law provides affordable and accessible mental health services to

Filipinos if implemented well.

Social networking sites for suicide prevention can facilitate social connections among peers with similar experiences.

Know of legitimate sites to increase awareness of prevention programs, crisis help lines, and other support and educational resources. A Facebook page called “Anxiety and Depression Support Philippines�

(ADSP) is a mental health support group run by volunteers. The page is a closed Facebook group where people can vent their feelings, meet new people and ask QUESTIONS WITHOUT JUDGMENTS Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (http:// www.ngf-hope.org) started Hopeline, a depression and suicide prevention hotline to help those suffering from depression. The NUMBERS TO CALL ARE AND 558-4673. Globe and TM subscribers may call the toll-free number 2919.

Ten years ago, I added a Suicide Prevention page (https://aboutmyrecovery.com/ suicide-prevention/) in my blog to save a life. What if each one of us do their share in saving a life by educating ourselves and our community? Let us take advantage of current suicide news to educate people and/or ourselves about suicide and mental health instead of spreading hate and fueling stigma.

Use social media for good.

Suicide prevention is everybody’s business ADSP warns about sharing any photos and videos that describes the suicide and self-harm related content. Why? It could trigger other mental health warriors. It could encourage copycat self-harming or suicide. None of us can fathom their pain, so let’s stop judging people who suffer from depression. Stigma, surrounding mental disorders and suicide, means many people thinking of taking their own life or who have attempted suicide are not seeking help and not getting the help they need. By raising awareness and educating the public, we can SAVE lives. A person talking about how they feel reduces their distress; they also see other options and are much less likely to attempt to suicide. Talking the situation over with a caring person helps whether you’re in a crisis yourself, or worried about someone else who is. You don’t have to wait until the deepest point of crisis or until you have a life-threatening problem before you seek help.

Hopeline hotlines 02-804-HOPE (4673); 0917-558-HOPE (4673); or 2919 (toll-free number for Globe and TM subscribers). The Department of Health manages the Hopeline. Support is out there.

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Sunday Business & I.T.

The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

How entrepreneurs create value from nothing

EV chargers are vulnerable W and can be exploited

E’VE heard how entrepreneurs develop their ideas into real products and later on, multi billion dollar enterprises.

0EOPLE LIKE 3TEVE *OBS AND %LON Musk have served as inspiration to millions of entrepreneurs globally, creating a new generation of entrepreneurs today.

From zero to billions of dollars, how do these entrepreneurs scale their businesses and create value for their products and services from nothing?

W

(),% MODERN ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE TESTED CONSTANTLY FOR VULNERABILITIES SOME OF THEIR ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES SUCH AS THE BATTERY CHARGERS OFTEN REMAIN NEGLECTED +ASPERSKY ,AB EXPERTS HAVE DISCOVERED THAT ELECTRIC VEHICLE %6 CHARGERS SUPPLIED BY A MAJOR VENDOR CARRY VULNERABILITIES THAT CAN BE EXPLOITED

BY CYBERATTACKERS AND THAT THE CONSEQUENCES OF A SUCCESSFUL ATTACK COULD INCLUDE DAMAGE TO THE HOME ELECTRICITY NETWORK EVs are a hot topic as their development makes a vital contribution to environmental sustainability. In some regions, public and private charging points are becoming commonplace.

The growing popularity of EVs led Kaspersky Lab experts to check widely available domestic chargers that include a remote access feature. The researchers found that, if compromised, the connected charger could cause a power overload that would take down the network it was connected to, causing both kNANCIAL IMPACT AND IN THE WORST case scenario, damaging other devices connected to the network.

The researchers found a way to initiate commands on the charger and to either stop the charging processor or set it to the maximum current posSIBLE 7HILE THE kRST OPTION WOULD only prevent a person from using the car, the second one could potentially

cause the wires to overheat on a device that is not protected by a trip fuse.

All an attacker needs to do to change the amount of electricity being consumed is obtain Wi-Fi access to the network the charger is connected to. Since the devices are made for domestic use, security for the wireless network is likely to be limited.

This means that attackers could gain access easily, for example by brute-forcing all possible passWORD OPTIONS WHICH IS QUITE common: according to Kaspersky Lab statistics 94 percent of attacks on internet of things (IoT) in 2018 came from Telnet and SSH password brute-forcing.

Once inside the wireless network, the intruders can easily find the charger’s IP-address. This, in turn, will allow them to exploit any vulnerabilities and disrupt operations.

All the vulnerabilities found

Limited supply and high demand equal high value

were reported to the vendor and have now been patched. “People often forget that in a targeted attack, cybercriminals always look for the least obvious elements to compromise in order to remain unnoticed,� said Dmitry Sklyar, a security researcher at Kaspersky Lab. “This is why it is very important to look for vulnerabilities, not just into unresearched technical innovations, but also in their accessories — they are usually a coveted prize for threat actors. As we have shown, vendors should be extra careful with connected vehicle devices, and initiate bugbounties or ask cybersecurity experts to check their devices. In this case, we were fortunate to have a positive response and a rapid patch of the devices, which helped to prevent potential attacks.�

Kaspersky Lab recommends taking following security measures: – Regularly update all your smart devices to the latest software versions. Updates may contain patches for critical vulnerabilities, which, if left unpatched, may give cybercriminals access to your house and private life. – Don’t use the default password for Wi-Fi routers and other devices, change it to strong ones and don’t use the same password for several devices. – We recommend isolating the smart home network from the network used by your or your family’s personal devices for basic Internet searching. This is to ensure that if a device is compromised with generic malware through a phishing email, your smart home system won’t be affected.

SFA Semicon announces new chairman, president PUBLICLY listed SFA Semicon Philippines Corp. (Trading Symbol: SSP), a global outsourced semiconductor assembly and test COMPANY ANNOUNCED THAT *OON Sang Kang has been elected the new chairman and president during the Board of Directors Meeting held on Dec. 26, 2018. “I am pleased to accept the position as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of SSP,� Kang said upon his election during the board meeting, “and commit to making the Company perform better for the benefit of all stockholders.�

He added that his familiarity and long experience with the Company’s operations and

production management since its construction and start-up in 2010 will enable him to push its semiconductor assembly business to stronger recovery.

Kang takes over the position efFECTIVE *AN FROM "YUNGGIL Go, who, has been reassigned to SSP’s parent company SFA Semicon Corp. in Korea as manufacturing director.

An industrial engineering graduate, Kang has been with the company as production team head for six years since 2012 when SSP was then named Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines (PSPC). He was part of the original engineering team that designed and implemented the

Phase 1 semiconductor assembly and packaging system under the Samsung Electronics (Korea) production agreement, which was forged under then parent

Q Joon Sang Kang

STS Electronics.

Kang was temporarily assigned in SFA Korea in 2016 but he later took over his previous post as production team lead in February 2018. He was elected director during the company’s board of director’s meeting effective Mar.1, 2018. Previous to joining then PSPC, he served as production manager of Samsung Electronics (Korea) for 14 years.

During the board meeting, Seo, Minhoon, who is concurrently the utility team head of SSP, was elected director in place OF 'O *OONSANG +ANG WAS ALSO elected by the board to be the chairman of the board nominations committee.

Next-gen cloud platform for automotive retail INVESTMENT in US provider of dealership software systems marks a new commitment for digital consumer experience in first year of corporate venture capital fund.

Alliance Ventures, the strategic venture capital arm of Renault-NissanMitsubishi, has announced a new investment in digital technologies and services by investing in Tekion, a US company. Tekion brings connected digital experiences to automotive retail through the most advanced Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence capa-

bilities available.

The investment in Tekion, based in California’s Silicon Valley, is the latest investment by Alliance Ventures in start-ups, early-stage development and entrepreneurs at the cutting edge of next-generation systems for the automotive industry.

François Dossa, Alliance Global vice president, Ventures and Open Innovation, said: Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi believes that automotive groups with the most advanced and digitally-connected customer

services will enjoy significant competitive advantages. This is one of the reasons we are investing in Tekion, a company that is leveraging the most advanced technologies to provide digital experiences and solutions for automotive retail.

Jay Vijayan, founder and chief executive officer of Tekion added: “At Tekion, we offer the latest technology from ML/ AI to Big Data and Internet of Things, all integrated in one cloud platform, bringing a seamless digital experience from online to in-store. This investment

from Alliance Ventures will enable us to go farther and faster in creating bestin-class, integrated experiences that connect OEMs, dealers, and consumers better than ever before.�

The investment follows nine other direct investments in 2018, in startups based in North America, Europe, Middle-East and China, to allow Alliance Ventures to contribute to the future of mobility for all.

Financial terms of the Tekion investment will not be disclosed.

A little over a decade ago, in our college dorm, one of my roommates, Darrun, introduced me to “organic smokes.� &OR THE MOST PART OF MY kRST year in college, after classes, I’d go back to our dorm and have a session with him and our other roommate, Theejey. What at kRST SEEMED TO BE A PRIVATE SESsion became bigger and bigger as word spreads around about our evening session.

Obviously, with limited space OUR ROOM CAN ONLY kT IN PEOple), at some point, we couldn’t entertain all interested people.

Despite this fact, the word continued to spread, and gave a massive value on getting a slot in our nightly session, to the point that some people started to pay for a seat. As more people became interested, the cost of the seat became higher and higher as people bid for it — not only did this exercise subsidize our rent, it taught us the principle of supply and demand.

This same concept is how exclusive and highbrow brands like Chanel, Gucci and Lamborghini are able to price their products exorbitantly despite having a low to mid-cost on their production (gives them high margins on a single product). They are able to build a perception of value by creating enough hype and following towards a limited supply of their product. Lamborghini’s Veneno Roadster’s supply is only 9 in the world. The hype and the massive following of the brand plus the known fact that the supply is very limited created a perceived value of around $4.5 million for this car.

Network effects: More customers equal higher value Back in gradeschool, we formed a student club called “POKElovers Clubâ€? — our club was a group of enthusiastic and highly energetic boys who have a deep desire, compassion, and inherent addiction towards poke‌mon. Our club started with 10 members.

Every day, during lunchbreak, we would meet in one of the unused rooms in the campus and play our Gameboys (Poke-

GALLEON E-TRADE MAGELLAN FETALINO mon Yellow version) or trade our Pokemon cards.

When we were only 10 in the club, people didn’t really care much. After a few months, our group grew to over 100 enthusiastic boys. When we were 100, we started to feel powerful. We suddenly had the leverage to ask our school admin to recognize US AS AN OFkCIAL STUDENT CLUB AND at the same time, give us one of the airconditioned rooms in the school. For Christ’s sake, our club had more members than THE $RAMA #LUB AND *OURNALISM club combined. This phenomenon is what you call Network Effects — this happens when an increase in customer base coincide with the increase of value of an enterprise/organization.

This concept is often applied and seen in a lot of online platforms. From social media platforms like Facebook, ride hailing apps like Grab, to e-commerce platforms like Alibaba, market adoption and a sustained growth in user base are very important to the company’s growth overall.

Anybody can create their own Facebook, Grab and Alibaba, and we’ve seen this happen, but the stickiness of these platforms give them leverage to make people stay in their ecosystem.

These platforms want people to stay for a reason, and that is because they understand that their value depends on their user base. When they retain users, they pretty much start to control a lot of aspects in their life.

From the way they buy, the way they pay, the way they send parcels, to even the way they travel, it’s a never-ending expansion of services that you can offer — all by owning the market. This is the reason why a company like Grab is not just a ride hailing company anymore; it now offers a wide variety of services, like loans and payments (financial services), because they have a strong base of users, now totaling around 800,000 drivers, and more than 36 million users, whom they know would need it.

The business landscape is changing, and new emerging models are proving to be disrupting the old world. Despite this fact, one simple principle remains the same: people buy what they need and what they want. There will always be a lot of new tricks in the bag, but as long as you are solving a real problem, there will always be value in what you do, and there will always be a market for you, whether big or small.

Telecommuting Act: Workers’ rights, productivity and the alternative work arrangements

P

RESIDENT Duterte signed into law Republi Act (RA) 11165 aka An Act Institutionalizing Telecommuting as an Alternative Work Arrangement for Employees in the Private Sector, which allows private sector employees to telecommute or work from home.

3EN *OEL 6ILLANUEVA FORMER Tesda chief, is the principal author and sponsor of the original bill. He said RA 11165 provides enough safeguards to protect the rights of homebased workers. Villanueva added that the law also promotes work-life balance as it helps ease the worsening trafkC CONDITIONS IN URBAN AREAS around the country.

TECH SPACE TONY MAGHIRANG The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) welcomes the new law as a game-changing labor policy. DICT Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio also viewed the Telecommuting Law from the perspective of an initiative that harnesses the power of ICT solutions to solve daily commuting PROBLEMS SUCH AS TRAFkC (E EVEN urged the telcos to prepare for increased demand for faster and more reliable Internet connection.

Under new law, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) will have to come up with guidelines pertaining to pay RATE AND MONETARY BENEkTS RIGHT to rest periods, access to training opportunities and career and advancement, among others.

Historically, telecommuting has had a bad rep. It’s easy to imagine telecommuter dad or mom spending more time in FRONT OF THE 46 SURkNG THE )NTERnet or attending to household chores to the detriment of delivering on their actual job.

A two-year old study by a Stanford business management professor argues otherwise. It shows massive improvement, a 13 percent increase, in performance of

work-at-home employees.

Professor Nicholas Bloom credits the revealing results to the fact that telecommuters actually work their full eight-hour shift and they concentrate onthe-job at hand better despite working in an environment of competing priorities. He now calls working from home a future-looking technology.

Philippine industry has already seen the advantages and benefits of telecommuting informally from the standpoint of both employer and employees.

It’s in fact a de facto practice in media, the arts and in the conSULTING kELDS The Telecommuting Law now provides a formal framework.

It even stipulates the establishment of a pilot program for a period of not more than three years, enabling DoLE to assess its advantages and disadvantages of telecommuting in the Philippine setting.

In the US, telecommuting jobs in the healthcare industry have been growing in the past two years. Also projected for growth are remote working jobs in information technology, sales and marketing, customer support and education &training.

It may be time to look deeper into issues impacting work-athome engagements.

How will the telecommuters be selected? Who or how will their performance be monitored?

Who will provide the techNOLOGY TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

including the Internet connection, for telecommuters?

Will there be a template for the proper working conditions at home?

Who assumes and addresses cybersecurity concerns?

(OW WILL DAMAGE TO EQUIPment and injuries to telecommuters be treated?

How will competition and collaboration in an office environment be factored in going up the corporate ladder and in the attendant salary and compensation package?

How will telecommuting be considered in traditional collective bargaining agreements?

˜ The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

Lenovo, Intel kick off Legion of Champions III 2019 LENOVO, the world’s leading PC and smart device manufacturer, has announced the kick-off of its Legion of Champions Series III (LoC III) Grand Finals.

In partnership with Intel, this eSports competition will bring together over 60 gaming talents from 11 markets across Asia Pacific, as they seek to be crowned 2019’s LoC III champions.

This year’s tournament is the biggest one yet, including first-time competitors India, Japan and Korea, in addition to Hong Kong/Macau, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. After multiple elimination rounds at the local level, in-market winners will face-off in an intense international showdown at Central Plaza Ladprao, Bangkok, from Jan. 25 to 27, 2019. “LoC is a testament to Lenovo’s ongoing commitment to foster Asia’s gaming community. With eSports’ meteoric rise in legitimacy and influence in the region, our initiatives seek to further connect like-minded enthusiasts and empower the nextgeneration of gamers,� said Ken Wong, president of Lenovo Asia Pacific. “Lenovo Legion was designed with gamers’ needs in mind and we will continue to provide the most exciting and relevant gaming experiences and devices.� “With the rapid growth in eSports and gaming in Asia, Intel continues to support the industry through partnerships with the ecosystem, including global and regional gaming leagues such as Legion of Champions with Lenovo, and provide the gaming community with the best-in-class gaming experience powered by Intel technologies,� said George Chacko, global account director for Lenovo, Asia Pacific and Japan.

During the previous LoC, which was held last year, the tournament welcomed participation from close to 7,000 gamers and 20,000 on-site attendees.

Such events have become crucial and

valuable moments for Lenovo to interact with the community and better understand their gaming needs and motivations. The evolution of Lenovo Legion has been driven by feedback from the gaming community itself, with its latest innovations offering purposeful design to match the needs of the modern avid gamer — stylish and sophisticated on the outside, yet savage on the inside, delivering supreme performance for work and play. “Competitive gaming has become a hallmark in the Asia Pacific region and we are happy to say that the LoC has become a major annual highlight that is wholly anticipated and supported by both gaming organizations and fans alike,� said Michael Ngan, Lenovo Philippines country general manager. “We’re proud to be part of our local teams’ eSports journey by providing them a platform to enhance and hone their skills.�

Representing the Philippines in the LoC Grand Finals in Bangkok is ArkAngel, composed of Cedrik “Ivalice� Santos, Nickelson “Nickstah� Yanga, Robert Dan “Trebor�

Mansilungan, Keefe Jyro “Zensho� Pascual, and Cristhoper Jordan “Raux� Pamintuan.

The group topped the grueling five-round qualifying tournament that saw a total of 98 teams participating.

At the end of the tournament, the winning team will walk away with $7,000 cash and $5,000 worth of Legion Y530 notebooks, while the first and second runners-up will take home $3,000 and $2,000, respectively.

The total combined prize pool of the entire LoC III tournament is $35,000 (approximately P1,900,000) — the largest of any LoC tournament yet.

Spectators can expect to experience the grit and tenacity of the gamers as they band together to seize the championship title. Those who wish to be part of the excitement may also take part in the Rise of Legion walk-in tournaments, LAN party, and cosplay contests.

Q The Philippine delegates to the Legion of Champions III 2019

Sunday Business & I.T.

C3

Samsung TVs to offer Apple iTunes, Airplay S AMSUNG %LECTRONICS #O ,TD ANNOUNCED DURING THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED #%3 THAT IT WOULD OFFER I4UNES -OVIES AND 46 3HOWS AND !PPLE !IR0LAY SUPPORT ON 3AMSUNG 3MART 46 MODELS BEGINNING THIS SPRING 3UPPORT ON 3AMSUNG 3MART 46S WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE VIA kRMWARE UPDATE

In an industry first, a new iTunes Movies and TV Shows app will debut only on Samsung Smart TVs in more than 100 countries.

AirPlay 2 support will be available on Samsung Smart TVs in 190 countries worldwide.

With the new iTunes Movies and TV Shows app on Samsung Smart TVs, Samsung customers can access their existing iTunes library and browse the iTunes Store to buy or rent from a selection of hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes — including the largest selection of 4K HDR movies. iTunes Movies and TV Shows will

work seamlessly with Samsung’s Smart TV Services, such as Universal Guide, the New Bixby and Search, to create a consistent experience across Samsung’s platform.

With AirPlay 2 support, Samsung customers will be able to effortlessly play videos, photos, music, podcasts and more from Apple devices directly to Samsung Smart TVs, including QLED 4K and 8K TVs, The Frame and Serif lifestyle TVs, as well as other Samsung UHD and HD models.

As the global leader in television for 13 years, Samsung Smart TVs have grown to become one of the largest entertainment platforms available on the market. “We pride ourselves on working with top industry leaders to deliver the widest range of content services to our Smart TV platform,� said 7ON *IN ,EE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIdent of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Bringing more content, value and open platform functionality to Samsung

TV owners and Apple customers through iTunes and AirPlay is ideal for everyone.� “We look forward to bringing the iTunes and AirPlay 2 experience to even more customers around the world through Samsung Smart TVs, so iPhone, iPad and Mac users have yet another way to enjoy all their favorite content on the biggest screen in their home,� said Eddy Cue, senior vice president of Internet Software and Services at Apple.

ASUS X570ZD: GTX 1050-powered laptop IT’S TIME TO REDEkNE GAMING

as ASUS introduces the latest iteration of their entry-level gaming line.

The ASUS Gaming X570ZD brings mainstream gaming capabilities in an affordable package, giving aspiring gamers a chance to get started in their kRST MACHINE WITHOUT BREAKING the bank.

Powered by an AMD Ryzen 2 5 QUAD CORE PROCESsor, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050, 4GB of RAM, and a 15.6�

FHD display, the ASUS Gaming

X570ZD is a great starting point for casual gamers looking to get

their gaming journeys started.

What’s more, should these gamers decide to take their gaming to the next level, the ASUS Gaming X570ZD can be upgradeable with an M.2 SATA SSD for faster game load times, and up to 16GB of RAM for more intense gaming sessions.

Gamers also need not compromise on their connectivity as the ASUS Gaming X570ZD comes with 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity, USB 3.1 Type C Gen 1, and USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports. Also get comprehensive warranty coverage

with an optional one-year extension on top of the 2-year Global Warranty coverage as part of ASUS Premium Care for only P3,499.

The ASUS Gaming X570ZDDM209T is now available in ASUS Concept Stores and authorized resellers for a cash price of P37,995.

The ASUS Gaming X570ZD is available in all Asianic, Silicon Valley, PC Express, and Gigahertzstores nationwide, as well as in the ASUS e-commerce concept store in Shopee. End-users may also refer to the nearest ASUS concept stores to check out the device.

Should you shut down Facebook?

F

ACEBOOK officially went mobile in 2007 with m.

FACEBOOK COM !T kRST IT WAS thought to be some virus or Trojan affecting the desktop version of Facebook, the mobile redirect eventually created the Facebook app we know today.

Publicly available Facebook data shows that it was about this time when the social network grew exponentially as it went mobile. Its entry into the mobile interestingly came at the INTRODUCTION OF THE kRST GENERAtion iPhone which was released ON *AN BY 3TEVE *OBS at the MacWorld 2007. As the iPhone changed the way smartphones look and work, Facebook too, changed how it interfaced with its users and how it now continues to affect a whole generation of people.

If there is one app that I would recommend to be shut down by users, it is Facebook.

And the mobile version in particular, as the app has gone from a social connector to a social addiction. People entertain themselves by browsing Facebook. Catching up with friends, old classmates, old girlfriends or ex-spouses, lost cousins and MAKING NEW ACQUAINTANCES ARE important to many people. But Facebook also offers a distressing side — one that causes great disharmony and sometimes, according to the University of Copenhagen 2015 report (which was updated recently) that appeared in the university’s journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.

Called “Quitting Facebook

APP’TIGHT DERIQ BERNARD Leads to Higher Levels of WellBeing,� browsing Facebook can MAKE YOU MORE STRESSED ) kRST read of the report, well from a feed, on the mobile version of Facebook Lite — the latest iteration of Facebook — a stripped down version of the app that uses less mobile data.

That is exactly my point. Facebook has become so accessible and permanent in most people’s LIVES THAT QUITTING &ACEBOOK

whether temporarily or permanently, can help you de-stress?

Even Facebook’s former employees echo this sentiment.

In a BBC report “You are being programmed,� written by Rozina Sini in December 2017, Chamath Palihapitiya, a former Facebook executive, criticized the social network for ripping society apart. On NUMEROUS TIME DURING A QUESTION and answer session on TV, the former vice president for user growth said even he had “tremendous guilt� in helping the social media company attract two billion users. “We have created tools that are ripping apart the social fabric of how society works.� He also advises people to take a “hard break� from social media (he may also be referring to other social media networks) and his comments were similar to those of Facebook founding president Sean Parker, who explained how

After the one-week experiment, 88 percent of the treatment group SHARED THAT QUITTING &ACEBOOK made them happier, compared to 81 percent from the control group These were what they found out: 1) Facebook users were 55 percent more likely to feel stressed, 2) about 39 percent of Facebook users had a greater tendency to “feel less happy than their friends; 3) at least four out of 10 of users “envy the apparent success of others.�

Sounds familiar?

On the other hand, the results of the study also showed that on the part of the people who went oflINE FROM &ACEBOOK ACTUAL POSITIVE changes took place and they had LESS DIFkCULTY CONCENTRATING ON THEIR tasks. The participants who “detoxed� said that they “felt like they wasted less of their time� on social media with 18 percent more likely to “feel present in the moment.�

The Copenhagen researchers concluded that going on a Facebook DETOX HAD A TWO FOLD BENEkCIAL EFfect on a person’s mental health.

First is it increases life satisfaction (meaning the current and personal life one leads), and second it makes one’s emotions “more positive.�

The report also concluded that the effects of a Facebook detox The results? were more noticeable “for heavy Findings showed that the vol- Facebook users (spending at least unteers who kept their word 4-6 hours and over, including not and didn’t use Facebook for logging out and responding to all the whole week reported a higher NOTIkCATIONS VERSUS PASSIVE &ACElevel of happiness than the control book users (who are on Facebook group. And only 87 percent of the less, and may use it primarily to GROUP WHO HAD TO QUIT THE SOCIAL connect to family members). This network made it the full week. The numerical measure also included remaining 13 percent had gone A DEkNER THAT IF SOMEONE USED &" back to their taking dopamine hits the whole day and users who tend to envy others on Facebook.� from browsing Facebook. social media provides a “social validation feedback loop� which he described as a shot in the arm of a little dopamine.

4RISTAN (ARRIS OF 0ACIkC (EART SAID that social media is a “race to the bottom of the brainstem.� Almost THE SAME kNDINGS AS THE #OPEHAGEN UNIVERSITY S kNDINGS IN Simply because someone liked or commented on a photo or a post on Facebook, people react positively and get positive feelings or validations, that they want the “hit� again.

Though applying to a rather limited group and culture of people, the University of Copenhagen report recruited 1,095 volunteers who were separated into two groups: one who promised not to use Facebook for a week and a control group that used it as usual.

Danish researcher Morten Tromholt reported that their group held the experiment for one week. It was aimed to determine if regular Facebook use negatively affected a person’s well-being. The researchers compared data from a separate treatment group who took a break from Facebook to release themselves from anxieties or negative feelings from social media.

Since this column is focused on apps, let me give you my practical, non-psychologist, non-psychiatrist tips to come clean on Facebook.

Let me do it on two levels. Mild and hard-core.

Mild detoxing simply means SHUTTING DOWN YOUR NOTIkCATIONS SO updates do not bother you. You can also change Facebook settings to exclude certain people who you THINK ARE RECTAL ORIkCES AND BOvine excrement by “keeping them silent� and activating the “do not hear from� setting. Also log out of FB at night and shut down the tab on the desktop browser or the app on the mobile device at least 10 times a day. A simple softcore learning experience is to not check &" THE kRST THING IN THE MORNING Now if you want to try going on a hardcore Facebook detox, this is what you do: 1. Apply the “mild� activities ABOVE FOR THE kRST WEEK !FTER THAT PAINFUL kRST OR SECond week make an announcement to your friends that you will deactivate your account for a while.

3. Actually deactivate your account. Don’t be scared. This action won’t delete your account per se. It will give you time to think about life after Facebook. Deactivation also prevents you from regularly checking Facebook when you feel the urge to get updates on your friends. Since your icon with be grayed out it lets other people know that you’re not on Facebook.

Suddenly a friend might text you asking why you are not on FB. Simple send back a text that you are on detox.

4. Gradually uninstall all social media apps on your phone and

gadgets. This includes Instagram, Twitter (Donald Trump alone is a big stress to the whole world on Twitter, so is Bong Go and Imee Marcos), Pinterest and so on. You might want keeping LinkedIn on though. Of all the social media platforms, to me it makes the most sense. The uninstall will also disable the app alerts and NOTIkCATIONS THAT ARE LINKED TO social media addiction.

If No. 4 works for you, then you can try block all social media sites on your computer, laptop, or devices. This ensures that you won’t be tempted to check Facebook even if you don’t have the app installed on your phone. So what’s next?

The Utopian end is a world without Facebook. You might want to try another hobby or activity for that dopamine hit, like engaging your brain in reading, writing, doing arts and crafts, scale models, listening to ham radio transmissions, or go into sports or physical activities like biking or running. I wanted to say watching YouTube videos that can teach you new skills, but that is another social media platform so I might be breaking my own rules here.

At day’s end you might fail at all this, just as I did. But the heck! You tried!

The author is an avid gamer, restaurant entrepreneur and aspiring filmmaker at UP Diliman. For comments and SUGGESTIONS EMAIL DERIQ tribdino.com

World Japan, Russia meet over disputed isles The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

T

OKYO: The leaders of Japan and Russia will hold crunch summit talks on Tuesday, with the two countries locked in an undiplomatic war of words over a set of disputed islands.

3IMMERING TENSION BETWEEN Moscow and Tokyo over the ISLANDS HAS RAMPED UP IN RECENT WEEKS WITH 2USSIA ANGRILY accusing Japan of whipping UP TENSION AHEAD OF THE SUMMIT AND FAILING TO ACCEPT IT LOST IN 7ORLD 7AR

3ETTING THE TONE FOR THE TALKS

0UTIN S FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR 9URI 5SHAKOV ADMITTED THE MEETING WOULD gNOT BE EASY u 4HE 2USSIAN ARMY CLAIMED THE FOUR ISLANDS IN THE CLOSING DAYS OF 7ORLD 7AR AND A DISPUTE over their sovereignty prevented

the two countries signing a peace TREATY ‡ A SITUATION BOTH COUNTRIES have vowed to rectify.

4HE ISLANDS OFF THE NORTHERN COAST OF *APAN S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND OF (OKKAIDO ARE KNOWN AS THE SOUTHERN +URILS IN 2USSIA AND the Northern Territories in Japan. $URING A .EW 9EAR ADDRESS

*APANESE 0RIME -INISTER 3HINZO !BE SPARKED OUTRAGE IN -OSCOW WHEN HE SPOKE OF THE NEED TO HELP Russian residents on the disputed ISLANDS gACCEPT AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THEIR HOMES WILL CHANGE u

! FURIOUS 2USSIA SUMMONED THE *APANESE AMBASSADOR TO COMPLAIN THAT !BE S STATEMENTS WERE AN gATTEMPT TO ARTIkCIALLY STIR UP THE ATMOSPHEREu OVER THE ISSUE OF A POSSIBLE PEACE TREATY -OSCOW ALSO FUMED *APAN was trying to “disorientate� the PUBLIC AND THAT THE *APANESE LEADER S STATEMENTS gFLAGRANTLY distort the essence of the agreeMENTSu REACHED BY 0UTIN AND !BE IN 3INGAPORE IN .OVEMBER WHERE THEY VOWED TO ACCELERATE EFFORTS towards peace.

4ALKS LASTING SEVERAL HOURS BE-

There is no ‘China threat’ – Beijing CHINA expressed strong dissatisFACTION WITH AND kRM OPPOSITION TO A 53 MISSILE DEFENSE REPORT S hyping up a�China threat.�

4HE REPORT -ISSILE $EFENSE 2EVIEW UNVEILED 4HURSDAY AT THE 0ENTAGON WAS THE kRST UPDATE TO THE 53 MISSILE DEFENSE POLICY SINCE its 2010 version.

4HE REPORT WITH A COLD WAR MENTALITY AND OUTDATED CONCEPTS SUCH AS THE ZERO SUM GAME HAS IGNORED THE

PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT THEME OF THE TIMES AND EXAGGERATED GEOPOLITICAL CONFRONTATION AND GREAT POWER COMPETITION WITH GROUNDLESS HYPING UP OF “China threat,� said Foreign Ministry SPOKESMAN (UA #HUNYING g4HE 53 SIDE S MOVE IS NOT CONSTRUCTIVE AT ALL u (UA SAID ADDING THAT IT WILL JEOPARDIZE REGIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY IMPEDE THE PROCESS OF INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT TRIGGER ARMS RACES

AND UNDERMINE GLOBAL STRATEGIC BALANCE AND STABILITY #HINA ALWAYS CHAMPIONS SOLVING THE MISSILE PROLIFERATION THROUGH POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC MEANS AND opposes pursuing own interests at THE PRICE OF OTHER COUNTRIES SECURITY AND INTERESTS THE SPOKESMAN SAID 3AYING #HINA IS kRMLY COMMITTED TO THE PATH OF PEACEFUL DEVELOPMENT AND A NATIONAL DEFENSE POLICY THAT is defensive in nature, Hua stressed

THAT #HINA ALWAYS EXERCISES UTMOST RESTRAINT IN DEVELOPING ITS STRATEGIC forces “with no intention to pose a THREAT TO ANY COUNTRY INCLUDING THE United States.� g7E URGE THE 53 SIDE TO ABANDON THE COLD WAR MENTALITY MAINTAIN GLOBAL AND REGIONAL PEACE WITH A RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE AND TAKE concrete actions to safeguard interNATIONAL PEACE AND STABILITY u (UA said. PEOPLE’S DAILY ONLINE

UNREST A Thai soldier with an assault rifle takes position outside the Rattanaupap temple in Narathiwat province on Jan. 19, 2019, following an attack by black-clad gunmen that killed two Buddhist monks. Gunmen in Thailand’s deep south shot dead two Buddhist monks and wounded two others inside a temple, police said January 19, capping a week of deadly violence as the prime minister vowed to ‘punish’ those responsible. AFP PHOTO

MUSLIMS, BUDDHISTS CLASH IN THAILAND BANGKOK: 'UNMEN IN 4HAILAND S deep south shot dead two Buddhist MONKS AND WOUNDED TWO OTHERS INSIDE A TEMPLE POLICE SAID 3ATURDAY CAPPING A WEEK OF DEADLY VIOLENCE AS THE PRIME MINISTER VOWED TO gPUNISHu THOSE RESPONSIBLE "LACK CLAD ASSAILANTS CARRYING RIFLES CREPT INTO 2ATTANAUPAP TEMPLE IN .ARATHIWAT PROVINCE NEAR -ALAYSIA S BORDER ON &RIDAY EVENING AND STARTED kRING LOCAL superintendant Pakdi PreechaCHON TOLD !&0 g4HE ATTACK TOOK PLACE AROUND P M '-4 WHEN AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF GUNMEN DRESSED IN BLACK ENTERED THE TEMPLE through a rear area via a creek,�

Pakdi said. g4WO MONKS WERE SHOT DEAD AT THE TEMPLE WHILE TWO OTHERS

were wounded.�

3INCE CLASHES BETWEEN ETHNIC -ALAY -USLIM REBELS AND THE "UDDHIST MAJORITY 4HAI state that annexed the region a CENTURY AGO HAVE KILLED NEARLY

PEOPLE MOSTLY CIVILIANS OF BOTH FAITHS 4HE DEATH TOLL IN THE SOUTH DROPPED TO A RECORD LOW LAST YEAR AS 4HAILAND S JUNTA TIGHTENED ITS SECURITY WEB BUT VIOLENCE HAS BOILED OVER IN RECENT DAYS RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT SOFT TARGETS AT SCHOOLS AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS )N THE PAST "UDDHIST MONKS HAVE RARELY BEEN TARGETED "UT THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD TO SUSPEND MORNING ALMS COLLECTION STARTING FROM 3ATURDAY IN three southern provinces and the SOUTHERN ARMY COMMANDER HAS

Worldinbriefs 21 KILLED, DOZENS HURT IN BOGOTA CAR BLAST BOGOTA, Colombia: Colombia called on Cuba to arrest 10 National Liberation Army commanders currently in Havana for stalled peace talks after a car bombing blamed on the leftist rebels killed 21 people and injured dozens at a police academy in Bogota. President Ivan Duque said late Friday (Saturday in Manila) that he had revoked a decree suspending arrest orders against leaders of Colombia’s last remaining rebel group, known as the ELN for its Spanish initials, who have been living on the communist-run island. “It’s clear to all of Colombia that the ELN has no true desire for peace,� Duque said in a televised address, citing a long list of 400 terrorist attacks attributed to the guerrillas since peace talks began in 2017.

TRUMP CLAIMS HE IS PRO-LIFE WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump sought to assure opponents of abortion rights on Friday that he stands with them and would veto any legislation from a Democratic-controlled House that “weakens the protection of human life.�

Trump spoke via video to participants at this year’s “March for Life on the National

INSTRUCTED SECURITY OFkCIALS TO STEP UP SAFEGUARDS OF )SLAMIC LEADERS WHO COULD ALSO BE AT RISK *UNTA LEADER AND PRIME MINISTER 0RAYUT #HAN / #HA CONDEMNED THE TEMPLE SHOOTINGS g4HE PRIME MINISTER DENOUNCED SUCH A BRAZEN ATTACK AND INSTRUCTED OFkCIALS TO INVESTIGATE AND kND THE ASSAILANTS TO PUNISH THEM u SAID GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN "UDDHIpongse Punnakanta.

(UMAN 2IGHTS 7ATCH SAID THE gGHASTLYu ASSAULT ON CIVILIANS IN A PLACE OF WORSHIP AMOUNTED TO A WAR CRIME ,AST WEEK AN IMAM IN THE SAME PROVINCE WAS SHOT DEAD BUT IT WAS UNCLEAR IF THE TEMPLE ATTACK WAS RELATED &RIDAY S SHOOTING CAME THE SAME DAY AS FOUR SECURITY OFkCIALS WERE

WOUNDED BY TWO SEPARATE ROADSIDE BOMBS AND AN INSURGENT WAS SHOT DEAD IN A CLASH NEAR A SCHOOL THAT SENT STUDENTS HOME FOR THE DAY &OUR CIVIL DEFENCE VOLUNTEERS WERE ALSO KILLED IN A DRIVE BY SHOOTING OUTSIDE A SCHOOL ON *ANUARY IN THE SOUTH S 0ATTANI PROVINCE

WITH SECURITY FORCES INJURING A BOY AS THEY GUNNED DOWN REBELS BELIEVED TO BE RESPONSIBLE )N A RARE PUBLIC STATEMENT DATED *ANUARY THE MAIN -ALAY -USLIM REBEL GROUP ‡ THE "ARISAN 2EVOLUSI .ASIONAL "2. ‡ WHICH HAS COMMAND AND CONTROL OVER MOST OF THE INSURGENT FOOT SOLDIERS SWORE TO gKEEP kGHTING u g3IAM 4HAILAND CAN T HOLD out,� the BRN wrote, signing off WITH A WARNING g$O NOT HELP AND SUPPORT 3IAM u AFP

Mall.“ Thousands of people across the country braved the cold to attend the event. “As president, I will always defend the first right in our Declaration of Independence, the right to life,� Trump said. Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle highlighted legislative efforts on the abortion issue ahead of Friday’s march. Some Democratic lawmakers in the House held a news conference last week to note their support for ending a ban of Medicaid funding for abortion services known as the Hyde Act. The Republican-led Senate failed to advance a measure that would permanently prohibit taxpayer funding for abortion.

Trump said he supported that effort.

DAY 28 OF SHUTDOWN: WHITE HOUSE CARETAKERS FURLOUGHED THE partial government shutdown is hitting home for President Donald Trump in a very personal way. He lives in government-run housing, after all. Just 21 of the roughly 80 people who help care for the White House — from butlers to electricians to chefs — are reporting to work. The rest have been furloughed. In the latest example of brinkmanship during the partial government shutdown, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi canceled her plans to travel by commercial plane to visit US troops in

TWEEN THE TWO FOREIGN MINISTERS ON *ANUARY FAILED TO IMPROVE THE situation, with Taro Kono and Sergei Lavrov not even appearing together FOR A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE !ND AT HIS OWN .EW 9EAR S NEWS CONFERENCE ,AVROV LET RIP AT 4OKYO

SAYING THE TWO COUNTRIES WERE gSTILL FAR FROM BEING PARTNERS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS u g7HY IS *APAN THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THAT CANNOT ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF 7ORLD 7AR IN THEIR entirety?� he asked.

(E ALSO LASHED OUT AT THE PRO 7ESTERN BIAS OF *APAN ‡ THE

D1

KEY 53 ALLY IN THE REGION g*APAN VOTES NOT WITH US BUT AGAINST US ON ALL THE RESOLUtions that interest Russia in the 5. u -OSCOW S VETERAN TOP DIPLOMAT SAID 0UTIN AIDE 5SHAKOV WAS CLEAR THAT THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE ISLANDS was not up for negotiation.

2USSIA OWNS THE ISLANDS LEGALLY gACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF 7ORLD 7AR u AND HAS NO PLANS TO HAND THEM OVER TO 4OKYO HE SAID g4HIS IS OUR LAND AND NOBODY IS GOING TO GIVE THIS LAND TO ANYBODY u AFP

UN: Myanmar must let Rohingya return soon UNITED NATIONS, United States: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday (Saturday in Manila) criticized as “too slow� Myanmar’s efforts to allow the return of Rohingya Muslim refugees, describing the lack of progress as a source of “enormous frustration.�

More than 720,000 Rohingya are living in camps in Bangladesh after they were driven out of Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state during a military campaign in 2017 that the UN has described as ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar has agreed to take back some of the refugees in a deal reached with Bangladesh, but the UN insists that the safety of the Rohingya be a condition for their return. “I feel an enormous frustration with the lack of progress in relation to Myanmar and with the suffering of the people,�

Guterres told a news conference. “We insist on the need to create conditions for them to be willing to go back,� he said. “Things have been too slow.�

Myanmar’s government this month postponed a planned visit by UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi who was due to travel to Rakhine.

UN envoy Christine Schraner Burgener is expected to hold talks

in Myanmar later this month and report to the Security Council on the steps taken to address the refugee crisis, UN diplomats said.

After a closed-door council meeting on Myanmar on Wednesday, German Ambassador Christoph Heusgen said there was “extremely limited progress� on the ground and that the council was “very concerned� by the situation.

Britain in December circulated a draft Security Council resolution on Myanmar that would have set a deadline for authorities to roll out a strategy for addressing the Rohingya crisis.

China, backed by Russia, however raised strong objections and refused to take part in negotiations, suggesting it was ready to use its veto at the council to block the measure.

China, which has close ties with Myanmar’s military, has argued that the crisis in Rakhine is linked to poverty and has opposed any step to put pressure on the authorities.

Rohingya in Buddhist-majority Myanmar have suffered decades of persecution and are denied citizenship rights.

Myanmar has denied that it has singled out the Rohingya and described its army operations as a campaign to root out terrorists. AFP

LIMBER

Chinese acrobats perform during the Sri Lanka-China Cultural Tourism Week in Colombo. AFP PHOTO

Afghanistan, saying President Donald Trump had caused a security risk by talking about the trip. The Democratic governors of Michigan, New York and Washington on Friday asked the Trump administration to let states offer unemployment benefits to federal employees who are working without pay during the partial government shutdown that began nearly a month ago.

WHITE OFFICER WHO SHOT BLACK TEEN GETS 7 YEARS CHICAGO: The white Chicago officer who gunned down a black teenager in 2014 was sentenced Friday to nearly seven years in prison, ending an explosive case that arose from one of the nation’s most graphic dashcam videos and added fuel to debates about race and policing and law enforcement’s “code of silence.� Jason Van Dyke was convicted last year of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery — one for each bullet fired at Laquan McDonald. Attorneys on both sides agreed that if he behaves in prison, the 40-year-old could be released in less than three and a half years. McDonald’s family lamented that the penalty was too light. Van Dyke acknowledged the teen’s death, telling the judge that “as a God-fearing man and father, I will have to live with this the rest of my life.�

AP

D2

World

The Sunday Times w w w.manilatimes.net

SUNDAY January 2O, 2019

Kim-Trump summit set in February W ASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump will meet for the second time with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un around the end of February, the White House said Friday (Saturday in Manila), after a top general from Pyongyang paid a rare visit to Washington.

Vice Chairman Kim Yong Chol, a right-hand man to the North Korean strongman, met the embattled president at the White House for an unusually long 90 minutes as the countries seek a denuclearization accord that could ease decades of hostility.

South Korea says it expects the second summit between Trump and Kim to be “a turning point in kRMLY ESTABLISHING A PERMANENT peace on the Korean Peninsula.�

Yonhap News Agency quoted a spokesman for the South Korean president, Kim Eui-kyeom, as saying his government will spare no effort for a successful outcome of the summit by closely cooperating with the US and holding more talks with North Korea.

White House spokesman Sarah Sanders said that Trump — who has opined that he and Kim Jong Un fell “in love� after last year’s LANDMARK kRST SUMMIT ‡ WOULD again meet the North Korean leader “near the end of February� at a location to be announced later.

4HE lURRY OF DIPLOMACY COMES little more than a year after Trump was threatening to wipe North Korea off the map, with Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile tests rattling nerves in East Asia.

Sanders praised North Korea’s efforts to reconcile but ruled out, for now, a key demand of Pyongyang — a lifting of sanctions. “The United States is going to continue to keep pressure and sanctions on North Korea until we

SEE FULLY AND VERIkED DENUCLEARIZAtion,� Sanders told reporters. “We’ve had very good steps in good faith from the North Koreans in releasing the hostages and other moves and so we’ll continue those conversations,� she said.

She was referring to Pyongyang’s quick deportation last year of an American. In 2017, a US student returned home comatose from North Korea and died within days after what a US judge said was torture. +IM *ONG 5N AND 4RUMP kRST met in June in Singapore, where they signed a vaguely worded document in which Kim pledged to work toward the “denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.�

But progress stalled soon afterward as Pyongyang and Washington — which stations 28,500 troops in South Korea — disagree over what that means.

Critics say that the Singapore summit was little more than a photo-op. The second round with the young and elusive North Korean leader will again offer a change of headlines for Trump amid a barrage of scandalous allegations and a political deadlock that has shut

down the US government. “Let’s hope the second summit produces real results, but don’t hold your breath as we wait for episode two of the Trump-Kim show,� said Michael Fuchs, a senior fellow at the left-leaning Center for American Progress who worked closely with former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

Abe Denmark, director of the Asia program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, said the Singapore summit had thrown into question the security of US allies with little in return. “With another summit in the making, I hope for tangible progress and fear for a repeat: little movement from Kim, major concessions from Trump,� he said.

But Trump has pointed to the halt in missile launches by North Korea and recently said there would have been “a nice big fat war in Asia� if it were not for his efforts.

Kim Yong Chol is the first North Korean dignitary in nearly two decades to spend a night in Washington, staying at a fashionable hotel a short drive from the AFP WITH AP White House.

Mexico pipeline fire kills 21, burns 71 MEXICO CITY: ! HUGE kRE EXPLODED AT a pipeline leaking fuel in central Mexico on Friday (Saturday in Manila), killing at least 21 people and badly burning 71 others as locals were collecting the spilling gasoline in buckets and garbage CANS OFkCIALS SAID The leak was caused by an illegal tap that fuel thieves had drilled into the pipeline in a small town in the state of Hidalgo, about 62 miles (100 kilometers) north of Mexico City, according to state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex.

Video footage showed dozens of residents near the town of Tlahuelilpan gathered to collect spilled fuel in buckets, garbage cans and other vessels. It appeared an almost festive atmosphere as WHOLE FAMILIES GATHERED IN A kELD as a geyser of fuel spouted dozens of feet into the air from the tap.

Footage then showed flames shooting high into the air against a night sky and the pipeline ablaze.

Screams could be heard.

Hidalgo Gov. Omar Fayad said 21 people were killed immediately and 71 suffered burns in the blast at THE DUCT THAT CARRIES FUEL APPARENTLY GASOLINE FROM THE 'ULF COAST TO Tula, a city just north of Mexico City. “Caring for the wounded is our top priority,� Fayad said.

Pemex attributed the blaze to “the manipulation of an illegal tap.�

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has declared an offensive against fuel theft and the blast will further focus attention on the $3- billion per-year illegal industry. “I greatly lament the grave situation Tlahuelilpan is suffering because of the explosion of the duct,�

Supermoon eclipse seen this weekend CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida: Here comes a total lunar eclipse and supermoon, all wrapped into one.

The moon, Earth and sun will line up this weekend for the only total lunar eclipse this year and next. At the same time, the moon will be ever so closer to Earth and appear slightly bigger and brighter than usual — a supermoon. “This one is particularly good,� said Rice University astrophysicist Patrick Hartigan. “It not only is a supermoon and it’s a total eclipse, but the total eclipse also lasts pretty long. It’s about an hour.�

The whole eclipse starts Sunday night or early Monday, depending on location, and will take about three hours.

It begins with the partial phase around 10:34 p.m. EST Sunday.

That’s when Earth’s shadow will begin to nip at the moon. Totality — when Earth’s shadow completely blankets the moon — will last 62 minutes, beginning at 11:41 p.m. EST Sunday.

If the skies are clear, the entire eclipse will be visible in North and South America, as well as Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Great Britain, Norway, Sweden, Portugal and the French and Spanish coasts. The rest of Europe, as well as Africa, will have partial viewing before the moon sets. Some places will be livestreaming it, including the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.

During totality, the moon will look red because of sunlight scat-

tering off Earth’s atmosphere. That’s why an eclipsed moon is sometimes known as a “blood moon.� In January, the full moon is also sometimes known as the “wolf moon� or “great spirit moon.�

So informally speaking, the upcoming lunar eclipse will be a “super blood wolf� — or “great spirit — moon.�

In the US, the eclipse will begin relatively early Sunday evening, making it easier for children to stay up and enjoy the show. Plus the next day is a federal holiday, with most schools closed. But the weather forecast for much of the US doesn’t look good.

Parents “can keep their kids up maybe a little bit later,� said, Hartigan, who will catch the lunar extravaganza from Houston. “It’s just a wonderful thing for the whole family to see because it’s fairly rare to have all these things kind of come together at the same time.� “The good thing about this is that you don’t need any special equipment,� he added.

Asia, Australia and New Zealand are out of luck. But they had prime viewing last year, when two total lunar eclipses occurred.

The next total lunar eclipse won’t be until May 2021.

As for full-moon supermoons, THIS WILL BE THE kRST OF THREE THIS year. The upcoming supermoon will be about 222,000 miles (357,300 kilometers) away. The February 19 supermoon will be a bit closer and the one on March 20 AP will be the farthest.

No settlement yet in LA teachers strike

INFERNO

Mexican soldiers stand guard near a fire after a leaking gas pipeline triggered a blaze in Tlahuelilpan, Hidalgo state, on Jan. 18, 2019. The massive blaze in central Mexico has killed at least 21 people and injured another 71, officials said. Omar Fayad, governor of Hidalgo state, said locals at the site of the leak were scrambling to steal some of the leaking oil when at least 20 of them were burned to death. AFP PHOTO Lopez Obrador tweeted. He called on all branches of government to assist the victims.

Hidalgo state police said the leak WAS kRST REPORTED AT ABOUT P M local time. “There was a report that residents were on the scene trying to obtain fuel,� according to a police report. Two hours later, the pipeLINE BURST INTO lAMES And another pipeline burst into lAMES IN THE NEIGHBORING STATE OF Queretaro, because of another ilLEGAL TAP 0EMEX SAID THE kRE NEAR the city of San Juan del Rio “is in an unpopulated area and there is no risk to human beings.� )T IS NOT THE kRST TIME SUCH AN ACcidents have occurred.

In December 2010, authorities blamed oil thieves for a pipeline explosion in a central Mexico near the capital that killed 28 people, including 13 children.

That blast burned people and scorched homes, affecting 5,000 residents in an area 6 miles (10 kilometers) wide in San Martin Texmelucan.

Lopez Obrador launched an offensive against fuel theft after taking OFkCE $ECEMBER 4HIEVES DRILLED ABOUT ILLEGAL TAPS IN THE kRST 10 months of 2018 and the country has deployed 3,200 marines to GUARD PIPELINES AND REkNERIES The new administration has also shut down pipelines to detect and deter illegal taps, relying more on

delivering fuel by tanker truck.

But there aren’t enough trucks, and long lines at gas stations have plagued several states.

However, fuel theft gangs have been able to win the loyalty of whole neighborhoods, using free gas and getting local residents to act as lookouts and confront military patrols carrying out raids against the thefts.

It is unclear whether Friday’s tragedy would turn the tide of opinion against the gangs in the impoverished villages that lie above the underground pipelines. “I am calling on the entire population not to be accomplices to fuel theft,� Fayad wrote. “What happened today in Tlahuelilpan must never happen again.�

AP

LOS ANGELES: Tens of thousands of striking teachers and supporters marched in Los Angeles on Friday (Saturday in Manila), as talks to end the crippling walkout offered hope of a settlement between the UNION AND SCHOOL DISTRICT OFkCIALS Some 30,000 teachers walked off the job on Monday, after two years of contract negotiations on salaries, CLASS SIZES AND MORE STAFkNG FAILED The strike is affecting about 500,000 students and has cost the district — the second largest in the nation — nearly $100 million in state funding, which is based on student attendance.

The Los Angeles teachers union and the school district went back to the negotiating table on Thursday and talks resumed on Friday and were expected to extend into the weekend. “We should be aware that we’ve been at this for 21 months, and there are some very fundamental issues that there are key differences on,� Alex Caputo-Pearl, president of the United Teachers Los Angeles Union, told reporters on Thursday. “An agreement is not going to take shape overnight, it’s not going to be a quick and easy process, but today, there’s been good and hard work done on that.�

The union has said that the main point of contention is not so much salaries but class sizes,

which can be over 40, and the need for more support staff, including nurses.

The union is also demanding that the district cap and regulate charter schools, which are publicly funded institutions that operate independently of the established state school system.

Such schools have proliferated in Los Angeles in recent years.

3CHOOL OFkCIALS INSIST THEY HAVE offered the union the maximum possible and say the teachers’ demands are unrealistic and would bankrupt the district. “It’s just math,� district superintendent Austin Beutner, a former investment banker, told reporters earlier this week. “This is just math. It’s not a values conversation. “The experts have all said we do not have the ability to spend more than we’re spending.�

However the teachers union says the district could tap into $1.8 billion in reserves to meet their demands and has vowed the strike would continue until a satisfactory deal is reached. “We are going to work relentlessly this weekend in negotiations,� Caputo-Pearl told the rally in downtown Los Angeles Friday. “But we have to come back on Tuesday with our picket lines even AFP stronger than this week.�

African wildlife products sold in US

ENDANGERED

Photo shows a painting on elephant hide for sale at the Safari Club International conference in Reno, Nevada, on Jan. 9, 2019.

Photos and video taken by animal welfare activists show an array of potentially illicit products crafted from the body parts of threatened big-game animals, including boots, chaps, belts and furniture labeled as elephant leather.Â

RENO, Nevada: Photos and video taken by animal welfare activists at a recent trophy hunting convention show an array of products crafted from the body parts of threatened biggame animals, including boots, chaps, belts and furniture labeled as elephant leather.

Vendors at the Safari Club International event held last week in Reno, Nevada, also were recorded hawking African vacations to shoot captive-bred lions raised in pens. The club has previously said it wouldn’t allow the sale of so-called canned hunts at its events.

The hidden camera footage was released Friday (Saturday in Manila) by the Humane Society of the United States. Both federal and state laws restrict the commercial sale of hides from African elephants, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Nevada’s chief game warden confirmed to The Associated Press on Friday that an investigation is underway to determine if state law was violated.

Safari Club spokesman Steve Comus said Friday the group was also conducting an

internal investigation after what he described as allegations based on “what appears to be an unauthorized visit� by the Humane Society.

The group didn’t respond to written questions from the AP about what steps it takes to ensure exhibitors at its events are following the law.

The club denied a request earlier this month from the AP for a media credential to attend its annual conference, billed as the nation’s premier big-game hunting show. “This hunters’ heaven has everything the mind can dream of and occupies more than 650,000 square feet of exhibit space,� the group’s web site boasts. “Six continents are under one roof where SCI members come to book hunts, rendezvous with old friends and shop for the latest guns and hunting equipment.�

Humane Society investigators purchased tickets to the conference and prowled the exhibit booths with concealed cameras. They recorded racks of clothing and other products made from the hides, bones and teeth of imperiled African wildlife. “Making money off the opportunity to kill

these animals for bragging rights is something that most people around the world find appalling,� said Kitty Block, acting president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. “It’s an elitist hobby of the 1 percent, and there is no place for trophy hunting in today’s world.�

The wares included oil paintings of big-game animals painted on stretched elephant skins, bracelets woven from elephant hair and an elephant leather bench. There was also a coffee table made from the skull of a hippopotamus and boxes filled with hippo teeth.

Under a state law passed in 2017, it is illegal in Nevada to purchase, sell or possess with intent to sell any item that contains the body parts of elephant, lion, rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, hippopotamus and other imperiled wildlife. A first offense is a misdemeanor that carries a fine up to $6,500 or an amount equal to four times the fair market value of the item sold, whichever is greater. Additional violations can be classified as a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

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.)

SSUNDAY U N DAY JANUARY 20,, 2019

Public Square publicsquare@manilatimes.net

PRA receives ISO 9001:2015 certification

Q Philippine Retirement Agency General Manager and CEO Bienvenido Chy (6th, L) and Acting Deputy General Manager Maria Milagros Lisaca (7th, L) hold up the certification given to the agency.

HILIPPINE Retirement Agen- the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa at the Philippine International foreign retirees flocking into the cy (PRA) was among the 200 (SRRV) program, effective in its Convention Center, in Pasay City, COUNTRY THE )3/ CERTIkCATION ENSURES registered government agencies four sites until Nov. 21, 2021. on Dec. 14, 2018. excellence in the delivery of services in the country who received the PRA General Manager and Chief “This is undoubtedly a trailblaz- to the authority’s stakeholders. latest International Organiza- %XECUTIVE /FkCER "IENVENIDO #HY ing achievement for us,� GM Chy The PRA, created by virtue of EO tion for Standardization (ISO) received the certificate awarded said in his acceptance speech. “I can- 1037, is mandated to develop and 9001:2015 certification.

by AJA Registrars, Inc.’s Manag- not fail to acknowledge the efforts promote the Philippines as a retireThe agency successfully passed ing Director and President Paul and manifold contribution(s) of all ment haven to foreign nationals the audit for its provision of mar- "AGATSING DURING THE AGENCY S of our personnel and employees.� and former Filipinos, with SRRVisa keting and enrollment services to yuletide celebration for retirees With the spiraling number of as its main product.

P

Newly-appointed DoLE directors take oath ,!"/2 3ECRETARY 3ILVESTRE "ELLO RD (center) administers the oath of ofkCE OF !HMMA #HARISMA 3ATUMBA (left) as director of the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) and Alice Visperas (right) as director of the )NTERNATIONAL ,ABOR !FFAIRS "UREAU ),!"

DURING A CEREMONY AT THE $O,% #ENTRAL /FkCE ON *AN Joining the secretary are Undersecretaries Jacinto Paras (extreme left), Ciriaco Lagunzad 3rd (2nd, L), and Claro Arellano (3 rd, L), along with Human Resource Development Service OIC-Director "RENALYN 0EJI BEHIND 3ATUMBA

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

For contributions, email to publicsquare@manilatimes.net

STL earnings up by 65% in 2018 PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) ended 2018 with its highest reCORD OF 0 BILLION gross sales owing to the strict implementation of small town lottery (STL). “I cannot say that illegal gambling has been 100 percent banned, but more and more are migrating to STL,� said PCSO General Manager AlexanDER "ALUTAN g&ROM original 18, we now have 84 Authorized Q PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan.

RECTORS kNISHED WITH 0 STL Agents (ASAs) BILLION SALES u ADDED "ALUTAN nationwide.�

34, WAS INTRODUCED IN AS /F THE 0 BILLION GROSS SALES in 2018, Lotto and digit games part of the government campaign was the highest earning product at to eradicate illegal numbers 0

FOLLOWED BY 34, game, but the initial implemeng)N THE AGENCY EARNED tation was unsuccessful.

5NLIKE IN JUETENG WHICH IS BEP37.4 billion. Under former PCSO Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz, we ing drawn only under a mango ended 2017 with P53.9 billion tree, STL has draw courts where sales to almost P54 billion. Now proceedings are being supervised with PCSO Chairman Anselmo by representatives from PCSO and 3IMEON 0INILI AND THE "OARD OF $I- Commission on Audit (COA).

Travelbook lists January festivals, discounts

SM ties up with Ilocos Norte Electric Corporation SHOPPERS at SM’s northern stores and malls can now make payments for the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (INEC) while they shop with the recent SM-INEC tie-up.

Under the partnership, INEC BILLS ARE NOW ACCEPTED AT 3- "ILLS Payment Counters located at The 3- 3TORE "AGUIO 3- (YPERMARKET Laoag, Savemore Market Laoag, Savemore Isabel Cinema Laoag and Savemore San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte.

It also accepts payments for credit cards, PLDT, Smart, Globe, SSS, Philhealth and Pag-ibig.

4HE )LOCOS .ORTE %LECTRIC "ILL payment acceptance is one of the many services SM extends beyond shopping to its customers.

D4

Q Signing the Memorandum of Agreement (from left) Elizabeth Yu, SM Mart Inc.’s SVP controllership; SM SVP Eugene Saw; Ilocos Norte Electric President Enrico Pacifico Ruiz; and General Manager Felino Herbert Agdigos.

Las PiĂąas City Police Office renews commitment LAS PIĂ‘AS City Chief of Police Senior Superintendent Simnar Gran (3rd, , ALONG WITH WOMEN OFkCERS OF THE #ITY 0OLICE /FkCE PAID A COURTESY CALL to Mayor Imelda Aguilar (3rd, R) to renew their commitment to a safe and secure community of the city.

This came after the station ranked one among the Southern Police District in the Performance Evaluation Rating in Operations, Intelligence, Investigation and Police Community Relation in 2018.

Also in photo are (from left) 3ENIOR )NSPECTOR 'LADYS "IARE

Chief Inspector Rosanna Sidocon, 3ENIOR )NSPECTOR *OYLENE "ULAN

and Senior Inspector Joy Datul.

92 city entrepreneurs receive loan assistance AS it continues to support budding entrepreneurs in the city through a zero-interest loan assistance program, Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (center) led the distribution of a P1.5 million financial assistance to some 92 entrepreneurs, held at Plaza Central, "RGY 0OBLACION ON *AN "ATCH MEMBERS RECEIVE LOAN ASSISTANCE from P3,000 to P75,000, in partnership with THE 'ENDER AND $EVELOPMENT /FkCE Muntinlupa City is hailed the Most "USINESS &RIENDLY ,'5 LOCAL GOVERNMENT unit) by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry for 2017 and 2018.

FOR backpackers and leisure travelers alike, January is the moment when plans and preparations are kNALLY STARTING TO ROLL OUT More than the beauty of the Philippines, one main reason WHY TOURISTS lOCK IN THE COUNTRY is the number of different festivities we celebrate, often entailing superb experience since our local communities encourage tourists to imbibe and experience Filipino culture and tradition.

For January alone, three huge festivals are worthy to be attended and reveled.

Travel to Cebu for its Sinulog Festival, the highly-anticipated celebration to honor Sto. NiĂąo

who is the patron saint of the PROVINCE WITH UP TO PERCENT discount on selected hotels.

Experience Aklan’s Ati-Atihan Festival, a cultural and religious festival which is also celebrated in honor of Sto. Niùo, while ENJOYING PERCENT DISCOUNT ON SELECTED "ORACAY HOTELS Witness Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival—a celebration of love and thanksgiving to Seùor Sto. Niùo and the locals’ preservation of Iloilo’s rich heritage, culture, devotion, and tradition—while booking with as much as 40 percent discount.

Hotel discounts are valid until January 31, 2019. For more information, visit www.travelbook.ph.

Drug surrenderees graduate in Caloocan rehab program SOME 30 plea bargainers graduated the rehabilitation program of the City Government of Caloocan in partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). $UBBED g"ALAY 3ILANGAN u Caloocan City Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CADAO) Head Sikini Labastilla said the graduates underwent an intensive reformation program, which serves as a home

for former drug dependents who aim to turn themselves into productive members of society.

While inside, graduates also had skills and livelihood training under the Caloocan City Public EmPLOYMENT 3ERVICES /FkCE 0%3/ Meanwhile, Mayor Oscar Malapitan encouraged the graduates to continue what they have started and never go back to illegal drugs.

QC implements accident insurance for tricycle drivers, passengers QUEZON City Mayor Herbert "AUTISTA RECENTLY SIGNED AN ORdinance granting tricycle drivers and passengers in the city a personal accident insurance.

According to Vice Mayor Joy "ELMONTE /RDINANCE .O is the product of the city’s concern for tricycle drivers since numerous families in the city depend on tricycles as livelihood and as a practical mode of transportation. “Tricycles are used for shortdistance travels, but we cannot disregard the fact that these vehicles get into accidents as well,�

SAID "ELMONTE g.OW THAT WE HAVE

an ordinance for this, the city government can help fund the insurance for our tricycle drivers including their passengers.�

In the event of an accident, the said insurance will provide a maximum P50,000 to victims depending on the severity of the damage acquired.

The city government will subsidize 50 percent of the total amount of the insurance proGRAM FOR ITS kRST YEAR OF IMPLEmentation, while the other 50 percent will be shouldered by tricycle operators.

The city allocated P20 million for the seed fund of the said program.

Sports

SUNDAY JANUARY 20, 2019

E1

www.manilatimes.net

Q Manyy Pacquiao gestures during the official weigh in for his fight against Adrien Broner in Las Vegas, Nevada.

PHOTO BY WENDELL ALINEA

Pacquiao celebrates WK \HDU DV SUL]HĂ€JKWHU L

BY EDDIE G. ALINEA

AS VEGAS: On Tuesday, January 22 (Manila time) marks the exact 24th anniversary of Manny Pacquiao’s professional boxing career.

It was on that day in 1995 when a skinny 17-year-old boy from General Santos City in far away Mindanao, who only weighed 98 pounds, seven pounds under the required 105-pound to kGHT AS A LIGHT lYWEIGHT THAT HE HAD TO PUT COINS in his underwear to make the weight.

Of course no one knew at that time in Occidental Mindoro that the boy, who was INTRODUCED TO kGHT A CERTAIN %NTING )GNACIO

whom he beat by points, in a four-round curtain-raiser would someday become the toast of the boxing world as the only man in the history of sweet science to win championships in eight weight divisions.

Meaning in all those 24 years of swapping punches against who crossed his path, the Pride of the Philippines has scaled a total 47 pounds to reach the 154-pound superwelterweight (junior middleweight) category.

On Saturday (Sunday in Manila), Pac-

quiao is defending his World Boxing Association welterweight belt against title pretender Adrien Broner at the MGM Grand Arena and at age 40 will try to emulate similarly ring legends George Foreman and Bernard Hopkins, among others, whose greatness were measured not only by their accomplishment in their prime, but, likewise late in their career.

Foreman, it can be remembered, regained the heavyweight title in 1994 at age 45, as he established a remarkable new milestone. It lasted until 2013, when Hopkins upped the ante by annexing a piece of the light heavyweight title at 48.

Pacquiao (60-7-2, 39 KOs) last fought in July 2018, when he TKOed then defending titlist Lucas Matthysse in Malaysia that earned him the WBA version of the 147-pound division.

4HE kGHTING SENATOR IS SET OUT TO PROVE HE has much gas left in the tank and keeping the title will certainly make that point clear.

The controversial Broner (33-3-1, 24 +/S WILL ATTEMPT TO EARN HIS kRST VICTORY since January 2017 when he lost can somehow upset Pacquiao by unanimous decision to Mikey Garcia. Broner battled Jessie Vargas to a majority draw last April.

Broner is a counterpuncher, and the Filipino great has had problems with counterpunchers like Floyd Mayweather Jr., who outclassed him and Juan Manuel Marquez.

The trash-talking American challenger though doesn’t have the skills of Mayweather or the timing of Marquez to catch Pacquiao on the way in, so no advantage, training consultant Freddie Roach said.

Besides, Broner looks struggling with volume punchers like the Filipino who’s fast with combinations, especially at 147 pounds class, according to Pacquiao’s conditioning coach Justin Fortune.

Broner doesn’t hit back with more than one punch,� Fortune said of the challenger’s capability to respond to quick-punching opponents. “One thing’s sure though is Broner’s got a great chin, but Manny ‘ got an answer to that,�

Fortune said, adding a decision would be easy for Manny. And KO is not that remote, too.�

Tepora fails to make weight; fight cancelled THE fight of World Boxing Association interim featherweight champion Jhack Tepora against Hugo Ruiz of Mexico on Friday (Saturday in Manila) was cancelled after the Filipino was declared overweight during the official weigh in at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Cousins scores 14, makes hasty exit in season debut with Warriors LOS ANGELES: DeMarcus Cousins

Q Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins (left) goes up for a dunk as Los Angeles Clippers forward Danilo Gallinari watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday in Los Angeles. AP PHOTO

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

EDDIE G. ALINEA

L

AS VEGAS: One day in 2001, a bright-eyed 22-year-old former World Boxing Council flyweight champion but unknown outside of his native Philippines, walked into trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club gym in Hollywood, California looking to fight in the United States.

As history would have it, it was there where his career and life changed, and boxing history as well. A few months later on June 23, 2001, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Pacquiao challenged then-top junior featherweight world titleholder Lehlo Ledwaba on short notice as a

scored 14 points in his muchanticipated Golden State debut and Stephen Curry once again sparkled as the Warriors won their seventh straight game with a 112-94 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday (Saturday in Manila). #OUSINS SHOT kVE OF FROM THE lOOR GRABBED SIX REBOUNDS and had three three pointers before fouling out after just 15 minutes of playing time.

Cousins season debut came almost a year after he tore his left Achilles tendon, an injury that took place when he was with the New Orleans Pelicans. “I told myself coming in that I would go with flow and try to make the right plays,�

Cousins said. “It felt great to be out there. It has been a long journey. There were a lot of dark days, good days, but this is where my passion is.� #URRY kNISHED WITH A TEAM high 28 points and Kevin Durant tallied 24 as the two-time defending league champion Warriors took over the game in the third quarter.

The temperamental Cousins left the game at 8:51 of the fourth in what was the quickest foul out of his career. He has now fouled out 50 times, more than double any other player since he joined the league in 2010-11.

The Warriors are hopeful that Cousins will have an immediate impact, but management is also looking to see if he will be able to fit in around a bevy of all-star players.

Coach Steve Kerr said he is willing to be patient with Cousins’ return. “This is about him getting CONkDENCE GETTING ON THE lOOR It takes a long time to come back from an injury. This is just the kRST GAME u +ERR SAID Elsewhere, D’Angelo Russell drained a clutch three pointer with 27 seconds remaining as the Brooklyn Nets rallied from A POINT DEkCIT TO DEFEAT THE Orlando Magic 117-115.

Russell equalled his career high total with 40 points and his three pointer gave them the LEAD FOR THE kRST TIME SINCE THEY OPENED THE SCORING WITH THE kRST basket of the contest.

Manny Pacquiao, the legend replacement opponent undercard of Oscar De La Hoya’s challenge of junior middleweight world champion Javier Castillejo.

Ledwaba was the odds on favorite. But Pacquiao, displaying remarkable speed, piston-like pair of hands and with an unorthodox style, destroyed him in six one-sided rounds and on the way to a TKO victory to the shock stole of those at ringside, including media men as the soon-to-be great tore him apart.

Who is this guy was the common question that night. Indeed, Pacquiao’s performance was sensational and the launching pad for his legendary career.

Pretty soon, Pacuiao himself would answer that question as he went on to become one of the greatest and MOST LOVED kGHTER IN THE WORLD He’s the only man to win titles in eight weight DIVISIONS FROM lYWEIGHT TO JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT )T

could have been 10, had he not skipped the junior bantamweight and bantamweight classes.

0ACQUIAO IS THE kRST BOXER TO WIN THE LINEAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN kVE DIFFERENT WEIGHT DIVISIONS AND THE kRST kGHTER IN HISTORY TO WIN A MAJOR TITLE in four of the original eight weight divisions also KNOWN AS THE gGLAMOURu DIVISIONS‡lYWEIGHT

featherweight, lightweight and welterweight.

Paquiao was long-rated the best active boxer in the world pound-for-pound by most sporting news and boxing websites, including ESPN, Sport illustrated, Sporting Life, Yahoo Sports, About.com, BoxRec, and The Ring, starting from his climb to lightweight until his losses at welterweight in 2012. He is also the longest reigning top-ten active boxer on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list.

Pacquiao was so unstoppable during his prime

Tepora was 5.5 lbs over the required 126 lbs limit.

His 30-year-old rival made it at 125 lbs.

International matchmaker Sean Gibbons said that the 25-year-old unbeaten Tepora (22-0 win-loss record with 17 knockouts) would remain a champion since he didn’t fight. Should the fight pushed through; Tepora will be automatically stripped of his title. “He still has the belt,� Gibbons told The Manila Times via online interview.

The Cebuano fighter though will not receive the $100,000 (P5.2 M) fight purse, which was supposed to be the biggest prize money he will ever receive as a boxer. “No pay for Jhack,� added Gibbons who refused to comment further on the issue.

The Tepora-Ruiz fight was supposed to usher in the Pacquiao- Broner main event. JOSEF T. RAMOS Q WBA interim featherweight champion Jhack Tepora reacts on the scale as he fails to make weight for his fight against Hugo Ruiz during their official weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP PHOTO

“We’ve got a great group of guys with the same goals and that’s what we’re starting to notice,� said Russell. “We’re all buying in and we’re all hanging on each other’s success. It’s a great feeling.�

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half for Brooklyn, who posted their 16th win in the last 24 games.

The Nets made 19 free throws compared to just 10 for the Magic.

Aaron Gordon scored 23 points, Nikola Vucevic finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds for Orlando, who have lost six of eight.

After Russell hit his key three, the Nets held onto their slim two-point lead when both teams missed free throws.

Orlando’s Evan Fournier missed a shot in the lane

that would have tied it for Orlando allowing the Nets to sneak off with the win. “It’s not every day you see a team coming back from 21 points down,� said Jarrett Allen. “When you start winning GAMES LIKE THIS IT DEkNITELY changes your personality.�

In Minneapolis, head coach Gregg Popovich recorded his 520th win on the road as the San Antonio Spurs continued their dominance over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 116-113 victory.

Road warrior Popovich’s victory ties him with Pat Riley for the most on the road by a coach in league history.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 25 points, Rudy Gay added 22 and the San Antonio Spurs

from his 2003 demolition of Marco Antonio "ARRERA IN THEIR kRST kGHT TO EARN THE LINEAL FEATHerweight title to his 2012 decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez to retain a welterweight belt in THEIR THIRD kGHT DRAWING COMPARISON TO THE GREAT Henry Armstrong, who once held world titles in three weight classes at the same time.

He fought Marquez four times in epic battles, Barrera twice, Erik Morales and Timothy Bradley Jr. thrice. He dominated Shane Mosley and Antonio Margarito. All of them, except Margarito, are either already in the International Boxing Hall of Fame or likely will be someday.

Pacquiao turned 40 last December 17 and remains in the consciousness of boxing fans for more than half of his life. He insists his age is just a number and, in fact, vowed to KO Adrien Broner when they meet on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

He was elected senator in the 2016 elections, 18 years since that memorable night against ,EDWABA AND STILL kGHTING AT A HIGH LEVEL WITH

held on to win their 16th game in the past 18 against the Timberwolves.

Marco Belinelli added 19 points off the bench for San Antonio, who were playing without leading scorer DeMar DeRozan because of left ankle soreness.

In Boston, Kyrie Irving led by example, scoring 20 of his 38 points in the third quarter as his Boston Celtics defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 122-116.

Irving, coming off a 27-point, 18-assist performance in a win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, added 11 assists and seven rebounds as the Celtics won their second straight in the wake of a three-game skid.

Over his last two games, Irving has averaged 32.5 points on 62.5 percent shooting.

AFP

seemingly, no desire to hang up his gloves even after dancing atop the ring for 462 physically violent and rigorous rounds.

(IS FACE OFF WITH "RONER WILL BE 0ACQUIAO S kRST kGHT IN THE 5 3 IN MORE THAN TWO YEARS AFTER SEEing action in Australia and Malaysia. He has had such a long and storied career that showed just how great the prime Pacquiao was, how exciting HIS kGHTS WERE AS HE BROUGHT IMMEASURABLE HAPpiness to fans around the world.

The very best of Manny Pacquiao might have ALREADY GONE BUT HE REMAINS A QUALITY kGHTER and one of the biggest names in sports. WhatEVER HAPPENS ON 3ATURDAY IN A kGHT THE 0ACMAN is heavily favored to win, by the way —the end will come eventually.

Father Time is—and always will be—undefeated. So why don’t we just reflect on the many thrills Pacquiao has given us and appreciate him while he’s still fighting, because nothing lasts forever.

E2

Nascar

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

D

˜ The Sunday Times w w w.manilatimes.net

ETROIT: Last year, Will PowER kNALLY BROKE THROUGH AND WON THE )NDIANAPOLIS SO HE CAN CROSS THAT ACCOMPLISHMENT OFF THE LIST Now 37, Power is reaching an age when it’s fair to wonder how much longer he’ll keep at it. “I’m really enjoying my racing. I’ve NEVER BEEN SO MOTIVATED ) M kTTER THAN I’ve ever been, mentally on the game,�

Power said. “I think once you get to this part of your career, you realize that you’re not going to be doing this forever. So you’ve got to enjoy it and you’ve got to go for it when you’ve got it, because, you KNOW PROBABLY ONLY ANOTHER kVE YEARS AT maximum, and you’re retired.�

Whenever Power’s career does wind down, his 2018 Indy 500 win will remain a moment to remember. He was in Detroit on Wednesday night with team owner Roger Penske for a ceremony in which they received their “Baby Borg� trophies for winning last year’s race. The Baby Borgs are replicas of the Borg-Warner Trophy that honors the Indy 500 winner.

Power finished second at Indy in 2015, and his victory last year made him THE RACE S kRST !USTRALIAN WINNER )T WAS Penske’s 17th Indy 500 win as an owner, part of a banner year for him. Penske ALSO WON A .!3#!2 #UP TITLE WITH DRIVER Joey Logano. “When you think about 2018, we had 32 race wins, 35 poles. I think we led almost 5,400 laps, with all the series,�

Penske said.

On Wednesday, Penske collected ANOTHER SIGNIkCANT TROPHY AND HE LL BE celebrated again in a couple weeks. He’s BEING INDUCTED INTO THE .!3#!2 (ALL OF &AME IN #HARLOTTE .ORTH #AROLINA

on Feb. 1. “It’s amazing that a guy from the north can get into the Hall of Fame in the south,� Penske joked. “No, it’s special. ...

Q Fred Lissalde (left) president and CEO of BorgWarner; Roger Penske, team owner; and Will Power (right) winner of the 2018 Indianapolis 500, hold their “Baby Borg� driver’s and team owner’s trophies in Detroit on Thursday. AP PHOTO

Power, Penske collect Indy 500 trophies .!3#!2 HAS HELPED US BUILD OUR BRAND over the years, certainly, with the reputation it has, and the notoriety we get, being A .!3#!2 TEAM OWNER u Penske’s most recent Indy 500 title came courtesy of Power, who long preferred road courses to ovals but certainly LOOKED COMFORTABLE AT )NDIANAPOLIS -O-

tor Speedway last year. “The 500 was one record that he didn’t have, and I think you saw the excitement he and his wife, and the whole team, when he was able to win the race,� Penske said. g(E S PROBABLY THE BEST QUALIkER WE VE EVER had, as a road racer, and no question his expertise. He didn’t like ovals to start with,

but I think today, he loves racing on ovals.�

Power seems content with all aspects of his racing life at the moment. The aftermath of an Indy 500 victory can be a whirlwind, and it would be understandable for a driver to be weary of it eight months later, but for Power, it’s a new experience.

IndyCar lands NTT as title sponsor ).$9#!2 announced a multiyear title sponsorship deal Tuesday with NTT, a global information technology and communications company based in Japan.

The series will be called the .44 )NDY#AR 3ERIES .44 $ATA

a subsidiary of parent company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone #ORP ALREADY SPONSORS A CAR FOR #HIP 'ANASSI 2ACING AND RECEIVED enough exposure from that deal to warrant a larger piece of the open-wheel racing series. The SEASON S kRST RACE IS -ARCH IN St. Petersburg, Florida.

The partnership revealed at THE .ORTH !MERICAN )NTERNATIONAL !UTO 3HOW IN $ETROIT ALSO MAKES .44 THE OFkCIAL TECHNOLOGY PARTNER OF THE )NDY#AR 3ERIES )NDIANAPOLIS -OTOR 3PEEDWAY THE )NDIANAPOLIS AND .!3#!2 S

Brickyard 400. g)NDY#AR HAS GROWN IN TERMS of all of our fan metrics and is a valuable global brand that NTT RECOGNIZES u -ARK -ILES PRESIDENT AND #%/ OF )NDY#AR AND )-3 PARENT COMPANY (ULMAN #OMPANY TOLD 4HE !SSOCIATED Press. “We feel great about it because they are a corporate giant in global communications and their strategy is to begin to expose the NTT parent brand, which in Japan is a company much like a merger BETWEEN !4 4 AND 6ERIZON u .44 REPLACES 6ERIZON WHICH was title sponsor of the series from 2014 until it ended its partnership LAST SEASON )NDY#AR HAD NEARLY TWO YEARS TO REPLACE 6ERIZON BUT THE NTT deal came together rapidly at the end of last season.

The company approached

)NDY#AR EXECUTIVES BEFORE THE 3EPTEMBER SEASON kNALE ASKING if it was too late to discuss the entitlement package, and Indy#AR IMMEDIATELY OPENED TALKS The broader deal was completed in roughly three months and sealed with a November trip to 4OKYO IN WHICH )NDY#AR OFkCIALS and Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato made a winning pitch to NTT. “This is a huge chance for us to let people know who NTT is,� said Tsunehisa Okuno, executive vice president and head of global BUSINESS FOR .44 g%VERYONE KNOWS ABOUT )NDY#AR AND THERE IS ROOM FOR GROWTH IN THE %UROPEAN market and the Japanese market.

NTT is a global company and .ORTH !MERICA IS A VERY IMPORTANT market for the brand. We think

we could offer something exciting with NTT and Indy by using the NTT technology.�

NTT has already been developing a new mobile application for the SERIES THAT WILL REPLACE THE 6ERIZON app, which limited live content TO 6ERIZON SUBSCRIBERS .44 ALSO will use its proprietary platform to support the series and venues in delivering analytical insights. “In an average two-hour race, )NDY#AR TIMING AND SCORING PULLS in more than 50 million data ratINGS OFF THE CARS u -ILES SAID g)T S fertile ground if we can turn it into digestible compelling content to the fans.�

Driver Tony Kanaan, who was at the event in Detroit, said NTT helped develop a shirt he wore under his suit that could give him information about his body heat,

“I’ve been looking forward to this event for a few months now, to actually get the Baby Borg. You have the face on it — I didn’t realize that, you actually get your own face on it,� Power said. “It makes you REALIZE THE SIGNIkCANCE OF THE EVENT WHEN you think about all the things that come AP with winning the 500.�

muscle strength and heart rate. “I was able to read what was happening during the race — especially a three-hour race, you don’t get to drink, you don’t get to hydrate, you don’t get to eat anything — and simulate that at the gym,�

Kanaan said. “It was a huge improvement for me.�

"OB 0RYOR THE #%/ OF .44 Data Services, said the partnerSHIP WITH THE 'ANASSI TEAM helped the company recognize THE POTENTIAL IN )NDY#AR “We’ve seen how NTT technology and innovation can help drivers and teams, and we believe it can also advance the sport and fan engagement,�

0RYOR SAID g!LSO THE DEPTH OF the relationships we were able to expand with our clients, other sponsors, and the automotive industry as well as the brand awareness we were able to build, has and continues to

BE SIGNIkCANT u NTT began as a Japanese telephone company that has grown into a $106 billion tech services giant with U.S. operations based IN 0LANO 4EXAS .44 #OMMUNIcations is a technology partner OF -C,AREN &ORMULA /NE )NDY#AR S SCHEDULE INcludes 17 races, all of them in the United States except for a stop in Toronto.

-ILES IS TRYING TO ADD TWO INternational events to the schedule that would run in February, AND )NDY#AR HAS ALREADY VISITED !USTRALIA ABOUT A POTENTIAL RACE .44 SUPPORTS )NDY#AR S VISION on expansion. g4HERE S BEEN AN )NDY#AR RACE in Japan and we would love MORE )NDY#AR RACING IN *APAN u Okuno said. “If we could make it happen, it is a very good showcase to let Japanese clients know what we are doing in bigger markets.�

AP

The Sunday Times www.manilatimes.net

Motor Sports

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

E3

TURBO TIMES Q Toyota’s Nasser Al-Attiyah and Matheiu Baumel celebrate after winning the Dakar Rally. DAKAR

RALLY WEBSITE PHOTO

Why is Dakar Rally the ultimate test (Part 1)

W

HEN you ask race/rally fans as to what is the ultimate test for man and machines, they will have different answers depending on their background. The Le Mans 24 hours will be the hardest for the oldies, or they might say it’s the old East African Safari Rally of 30-40 years ago.

If you mention Dakar Rally as the ultimate test, I’m sure the real racers will agree. Not one but the Dakar participants themselves will say that there is anything harder or more dangerous than this grueling event. It is because of this that people and sponsors pour in millions of dollars to win the event.

The rally’s format is also unique with bikes, buggies, trucks, quads and other vehicles all running together for more than 5,600 kilometers in 10 stages over 12 days in this 2019 edition. Because of the vast area that they race on, the trucks carry the parts and mechanics to service the vehicles in the rally, and they get to race amongst themselves too.

Congratulations again to Toyota for winNING THEIR kRST $AKAR 2ALLY THROUGH THE EFforts of two-time Dakar Champion Nasser Al-Attiyah from Qatar and French co-pilot Mathieu Baumel! Congratulations also to KTM’s Toby Price for winning the bike category with an injured wrist that I couldn’t imagine the pain he had to endure to win.

I have tried to give the Dakar Rally the exposure it deserves and showed Motorsports.com’s great online coverage through my Facebook account. We will publish some inside stories that we got from different online sites and hope you can see why it is truly the ultimate test.

Prince of the Desert Al-Attiyah is fondly called the “Prince of the $ESERTu AND kTS HIM TO A TEE HE HAD JUST won his third Dakar Rally, with 2011 and 2015 as his previous triumphs.

Attiyah and Baumel played it safe against his much-vaunted competitors in the early going. They balanced their speed and navigated around the treacherous stages to avoid the pitfalls that the others were plagued with.

This proved to be the right strategy especially if you have the likes of multi-time Dakar car and bike champion Stephane Peterhansel, 2018 Dakar and living legend rally champion Carlos Sainz, WRC and touring car champion Sebastien Loeb and A LOT MORE $AKAR CHAMPIONS IN THE kELD There were also the factory Mini team and strong privateer teams from Peugeot, Ford and Nissan to keep them on their toes.

Al-Attiyah wasn’t just lucky to have won it, but it was also because of the great support and experience of Toyota’s Gazoo Racing South Africa that made the car as tough and reliable as possible. As we have always said before, it’s not the driver alone that wins the event, but the whole team that gave him the best support possible!

Price’s Herculean effort Unknown to many at the start of the rally, KTM’s Toby Price suffered a broken wrist during training and had to undergo surgery to repair the damage. His injury though wasn’t able to heal before the event and had to make a crucial decision if he will race or not.

Being on a bike, it wasn’t going to be EASY AND IT WILL DEkNITELY BE PUNISHING himself too much and risk further damage that might lead to something more severe.

Against all odds, he decided to join and be part of the huge KTM team. The team leader was 2018 champion Walkner, who was ready to defend his title.

What he didn’t expect was the tough competition that presented itself this year.

Honda’s American rider Brabec led most of the way with Husqvarna’s Quintanilla always there to take the lead. There were even about 10 riders that could have won the event in the penultimate stage.

With only a minute lead in Stage 9 over Chilean rider Quintanilla, Price wasn’t optimistic on winning the event. Never giving up, Price found an ingenious way of maintaining the throttle by using his parts of battery cage and using his left hand also in the long transport stages.

Sensing it was his time to shine after a failing a lot of times to win, Quintanilla RODE FAST AND CONkDENT THAT 0RICE CAN ONLY do so much with his injury. Unfortunately, Quintanilla suffered a severe accident that BROKE HIS ANKLE IN THE EARLY PART OF THE kNAL stage. He got on his bike but could only RIDE SLOWLY TO THE kNISH AND DROPPED TO 4th place in the end.

One man’s loss is another man’s gain. It was painful to see this happen to two great riders and this incident just highlighted the extreme hardships one has to undergo to win the Dakar.

Next week, we will have more stories on the Dakar including the stories of the great DRIVERS IN THE kELD 'ODSPEED TO ALLĂœ

AL-ATTIYAH, BAUMEL WINS DAKAR RALLY N

BY MIKE POTENCIANO

ASSER AL-ATTIYAH and Matheiu Baumel in their Toyota Hilux again conquered the Dakar Rally after traversing 5,000 kilometers of sand, rocky mountains and rough roads. This was Toyota’s maiden triumph in the Dakar Rally, touted as the ultimate test of man and machine.

The 2011 Dakar champion al-Attiyah erased bad memories when his Toyota broke DOWN IN (E kNISHED SECOND BEHIND Mini’s Carlos Sainz in 2018. And Toyota got its wish in only three years with a win that saw the al-Attiyah and Baumel lead by more than

46 minutes at the end of 10 grueling stages. “Everybody wants to win the Dakar. But we felt when we came that in Peru, a 100-percent Peru rally, with no other country, there would be a lot of sand dunes, so we could do what we know we’re good at,� al-Attiyah told

Agence France-Presse.

Mini’s Nani Roma and Alex Haro came in at second overall and managed to lead their OLDER VEHICLE TO THE kNISH LINE 2OMA WON the event in 2014 and was very consistent in the 12-day rally. His Mini 4x4 was older than the newer Mini Buggies of rally legend and 2018 Dakar winner Carlos Sainz and three others in the team.

Third place went to rally legends and Dakar Rally first timers Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena with their privateer Peugeot buggy. Loeb’s climb to the final podium spot was a result of fantastic runs that netted him four stage wins after getting lost for more than two hours in the early part of the rally.

Defending champion Sainz won the last stage but that was not enough to compensate

GLEN WOOD, AUTO RACING PIONEER AND PATRIARCH, DIES AT 93 G LEN WOOD, the courtly and innovative patriarch of the famed Wood Brothers Racing team who had been the oldest living member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, died Friday. He was 93.

Wood Brothers announced the death of its team founder on social media, saying he died in Stuart, Virginia, after a long illness.

Wood Brothers is the longest continuous Cup team in NASCAR and has weathered lean years over nearly seven decades, including seasons in which the organization ran only a partial schedule. The team has been credited with revolutionizing pit stops from routine service calls into carefully orchestrated strategic events that can win or lose races.

Wood and younger brother Leonard co-founded Wood Brothers Racing in 1953. Glen Wood won four races as a driver over an 11-year racing career, but in 1998 was nonetheless named one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers — a list that included 20 drivers who had once raced a Wood Brothers car. “In building the famed Wood Brothers Racing at the very beginnings of our sport, Glen laid a foundation for NASCAR excellence that remains to this day,� NASCAR Chairman Jim France said. “As both a driver and a team owner, he was, and always will be, the gold standard.

But personally, even more significant than his exemplary on-track record, he was a true gentleman and a close confidant to my father, mother and brother.�

Wood in 2011 was elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame

in a contentious decision in which many voters felt Glen and Leonard should be elected together as one entity. It was former Wood Brothers driver Kyle Petty who swayed the room, arguing the brothers could be separated. Glen Wood was elected as part of the Hall’s third class, and Leonard Wood was elected the next year. “I made a case for separation, because I think they are two different people,� Kyle Petty told The Associated Press then. “I think Leonard is the smartest man I ever met that works on a race car, bumper to bumper. There are some guys out there that are good strategists and good mechanics, but he is the total package and always has been. But Glen owned the thing. He owned the team. You have to make that separation.

To put them in and judge them as a single entity against some other people was not right.�

The Wood brothers came from humble beginnings but built a race team ahead of its time that still competes at NASCAR’s top level. The team has won 99 races in more than 1,500 starts in NASCAR’s elite division and they did it with an array of manufacturers and multiple star drivers. “We started racing in 1950 with a car we bought for $50,� Glen Wood told The Associated Press as the team readied for its 1,000th start in 2000. “We put No. 50 on the side of the car because it just seemed like the right thing to do. Now here we are 50 years later.�

The car number was eventually changed to No. 21, which is now one of the most iconic numbers in

NASCAR. Wood Brothers has won at least one NASCAR race in each of the last six decades.

Among those who raced for the team were David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Curtis Turner and A.J. Foyt. The team won the Daytona 500 in 1963 (Tiny Lund), 1968 (Yarborough), 1972 (Foyt), 1976 (Pearson) and 2011 (Trevor Bayne). Pearson waged most of his battles with rival Richard Petty while driving for Wood Brothers.

Foyt drove 13 races for the Wood Brothers in 1971 and 1972, winning four races along with seven poles. “I never had as much fun down there (in NASCAR) as I did driving for the Wood Brothers,� Foyt said. “Their cars were unbelievable to drive. Their team was the kingpin of stock car racing and I felt honored to be driving for them.�

Wood himself drove in the inaugural 1959 Daytona 500 and won the race five times as team owner. He attended every Speedweeks in Daytona since 1947 until his deteriorating health and fear of widespread flu kept him home for the first time last season.

Glen Wood always rode by car to Daytona Beach, driving a 1940 two-door Ford on his first trip in 1947. Wood took every ride through eight decades in a Ford. “The Wood Brothers race team, by any measure, has been one of the most successful racing operations in the history of NASCAR. Most importantly for our company, Glen and his family have remained loyal to Ford throughout their 69-year history,� said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of Ford Motor Co.’s

for his big losses early on. He fell victim to navigational and technical problems that left him more than four hours behind the leader.

(E kNISHED AT th place with more than two hours taken back in the remaining stages.

Another Dakar legend was Mini’s Stephane Peterhansel who won three stages posing great challenge to the victors.

However, he suffered an accident in the penultimate stage and his navigator David Castera was hospitalized. Luckily, Castera escaped spinal injury but that was the end of their participation in the rally.

There were three Toyotas, five Minis, one Peugeot and one Ford Raptor in the top 10 standings. There were 100 participants that started on January 6 in Lima, Peru, but only 55 reached the finish line at Lima after 12 days of rallying.

board of directors. “Glen was an innovator who, along with his family, changed the sport itself. But, more importantly, he was a true Southern gentleman who was quick with a smile and a handshake and he was a man of his word.�

NASCAR Hall of Fame executive director Winston Kelley credited the team with dropping the time teams spent on pit road by as much as 50 percent. Kelley noted that Wood Brothers Racing was recently recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest active NASCAR team, 69 years and counting.

Wood was nicknamed “The Woodchopper� because he first worked in a sawmill and, legend has it, he initially adorned “The Woodchopper� on cars he entered at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Wood was first hooked on racing when he made a trip to Daytona Beach, Florida, to watch cars on the beachroad course in 1947. His driving days ended in 1964, but he and brother Leonard carried on the team. At the Indianapolis 500 in 1965, four Wood brothers — Glen, Leonard, Delano and Ray Lee — served as the pit crew for Jim Clark, the most glamorous Formula One driver of the day and the winner that day. “They pioneered the quick pit stops and were part of the reason Jimmy Clark won the Indianapolis 500 because they pitted him,� said Foyt, a four-time Indy 500 winner.

Bayne’s victory in the 2011 Daytona 500 was the team’s first win in more than a decade. Roger Penske and Ford strengthened their alignment with the Wood Brothers in 2016 and Ryan Blaney won his first Cup race the next season.

Blaney now drives for Team Penske, but Penske-affiliated driver Paul Menard pilots the No. 21 for Wood Brothers.

The team is currently run by Wood’s two sons and grandson, with a heavy technical alliance from Roger Penske. AP

Mikkelsen eyes turnaround this season ANDREAS MIKKELSEN will make radical changes to his car set-up and driving style in an effort to change his fortunes this year.

Much was expected of the former Volkswagen ace when he joined Hyundai Shell Mobis

World Rally Team in late 2017. But he had ONLY ONE PODIUM kNISH IN LAST YEAR S 7ORLD Rally Championship (WRC) season.

Mikkelsen admitted his performance had led him to rethink his approach,

especially on asphalt rallies. “I think in general on gravel we did an okay job, but on asphalt I struggled a lot,� he told wrc.com. “After a lot of studying I’m coming into this season with a fresh mindset.�

Q Andreas Mikkelsen (third from right) targets to improve his World Rally Championship campaign this year with the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team. WRC.COM PHOTO

The Norwegian believes a simpler approach to the set-up of his Hyundai i20 will be the key to improving his chances of taking MORE PODIUM kNISHES “Last year I tried to make it more like what I was used to, but maybe this car you just have to drive as it is - like the other JX\V KDYH VSHQW ÂżYH \HDUV GRLQJ ´ he explained. “I will now try to copy a lot, and just drive it like it is.â€?

The 29-year-old is also looking to alter his driving style and has analyzed data and onboard footage of team-mates Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo to take inspiration from their techniques. “It’s a lot about how they approach corners as well as the car set-up they have,� he explained. “I was braking a bit later and trailing more on the brakes going into the corners to get the car to turn in.

The way I set up the car was probably better for turning in, but it cost a lot of grip.â€? “It looks very easy when you see the differences, but I’ve driven with this approach IRU \HDUV DQG FKDQJLQJ LW LV GLIÂżFXOW ´ Mikkelsen added. .ONETHELESS -IKKELSEN REMAINS CONkDENT THAT he can turn his fortunes around this WRC season. “It’s quite normal in sport that you have good years and challenging years. Last year has been my most challenging, but I know if we keep working hard and put all our efforts and energy into it, it will turn around,â€? he said. THE TIMES

E4

SUNDAY January 20, 2018

Sports

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Q San Miguel Beer’s Arwind Santos (No. 29) blocks a shot by Columbian Dyip’s Jackson Corpuz as San Miguel Beer’s Chris Ross (No. 6) looks on during a Season 44 PBA Philippine Cup game on Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. PBA MEDIA

BUREAU PHOTO

Beermen vow to bounce back from loss to Columbian Dyip PH eyes podium finish in 10th Asean Para Games S

BY JOSEF T. RAMOS

AN Miguel Beer is keen to redeem itself from a surprise loss to Columbian Dyip, 124-118, on Friday. The Beermen will face Barangay Ginebra San Miguel of Grand Slam coach Tim Cone at 6:45 p.m. tonight in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

“It is just our first game as what coach Leo (Austria) said. We’re wounded but those wounds would heal if we win on Sunday,” said Arwind Santos, who scored 34 points in the said game.

“But if we lose again, those wounds will become deeper.

So we need to bounce back.

We have a problem with our defense. The score was very high just like in the NBA. We have to focus very well on our defense,” added Santos Cone said the upset has made SMB super motivated.

“Columbian Dyip really stirred up the hornet’s nest for us by beating them (San Miguel Beer) tonight,” Cone

said via text message. “We are going to see a highly motivated team on Sunday.”

“It is still early in the conference but all the games count, so this is an important one for both of us.”

It is still uncertain if Terrence Romeo will play today after spraining his ankle late in the previous game.

In the 4:30 p.m. first game, Northport shoots for second straight win as it clashes against Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

Northport’s won 117-91 over B l a c k wa t e r o n We d n e s d ay while NLEX suffered a 76-87 beating from Rain or Shine on Friday.

PHILIPPINE Paralympic Committee (PPC) President Michael Barredo wants a podium finish for Pinoy bets as the country hosts the 10th Asean Para Games January 18 to 25 next year at different playing venues in Clark, Subic and Manila.

The PH finished fifth in the previous edition of the biennial meet in Malaysia.

“It is hard to win the overall championship in the Para Games because we're limited ourselves to 14 to 18 sports,” Barredo

told reporters during the 10th Asean Para Games news conference at the Novotel Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City on Friday.

Indonesia ruled the last Para Games with 126 gold, 75 silver and 50 bronze medals, followed by Malaysia with 90-85-83 and Thailand with 68-73-95.

Vietnam ended fourth with 40-61-60 and the Philippines fifth with 20-20-29.

“But we aim to improve our standings from

the previous ones. Hopefully we bag the top four or three positions,” Barredo said. “We still have to catch up with Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. We will show our countrymen that our athletes will give their best.”

The Asean Para Games will be held a few weeks after the 30th Southeast Asian Games, which the PH will also be the hosting from November 30 to December 11.

Host Philippines will compete against

Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia and Timor Leste.

Among the sports to be included in the games are archery, athletics, badminton, boccia, chess, cycling, volleysitting, wheelchairbasketball, goalball, judo, powerlifting, swimming, tenpin bowling, table tennis, para triathlon, football 7-a-side, wheel chair tennis and shooting. JOSEF T. RAMOS

Q Romania’s Simona Halep celebrates after victory over Venus Williams of the US during their women’s singles match on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Saturday.

AFP PHOTO

Halep sets up Serena showdown as Djokovic relentlessly marches on MELBOURNE: World No. 1 Simona Halep set up a headline last 16 showdown with Serena Williams by beating her sister Venus Saturday as Novak Djokovic’s relentless drive towards more Australian Open glory cranked up another gear.

On day six at Melbourne Park, the Romanian finally hit form to pull off her best win of the year and cruise past the veteran American 6-2, 6-3.

“I was super-motivated today,” she said after being taken to three sets in both her opening two matches as she bounces back from a herniated disc that ended her 2018 season early.

“I have nothing to lose,” she added, looking ahead to Monday’s clash against 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena. “I playing against a great champion. It’s going to a bigger challenge but I’m ready to face it.”

Williams crushed Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska 6-2, 6-1 before consoling her at the net as the teenager burst into tears.

The ominous 37-year-old, seeded 16, has dropped just nine games in her three matches so far on her first return to the tournament since winning it in 2017 while pregnant.

“I just play each match at a time, play as hard as I can and do the best I can. That really is all you can do,” she said as she zeroes in on an eighth Australian title and a record-equalling 24th Slam crown.

Fourteen-time Grand Slam winner and top seed Djokovic is gunning for a record seventh Australian title.

He dropped a set for the first time this year against fast-rising Canadian Denis Shapovalov, before demolishing him in the fourth stanza to win 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0.

“I just tried to be in the moment and weather the storm,” said the Serb, who was unsettled when the lights were switched on in Rod Laver Arena for television reasons, despite it still being daylight.

“Completely unnecessary to turn on the lights,” he said in roasting the organisers.

Djokovic’s victory means he is guaranteed to stay world number one when the new rankings are released after the tournament.

He next plays another up-and-coming star, Russia’s 15th seed Daniil Medvedev, who eased past David Goffin and has yet to drop a set.

Another young gun Alexander Zverev made the last 16 for the first time when he swatted aside Australian Alex Bolt in three sets and will play former world number three Milos Raonic for a place in the quarter-finals.

Fourth seed Naomi Osaka looked down and out against Taiwanese veteran Hsieh Su-wei before battling back to win 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 and set up meeting with Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova.

‘Die or win’ Osaka’s win equals the 21-year-old’s best performance at the Australian Open, where she

reached the last 16 in 2018 but lost to Halep.

But she looked headed for the exit when she conceded the first set and was down 4-1 in the second, before winning five straight games to force a decider.

“I just didn’t want to give up,” said the Japanese, who received a code violation after throwing her racquet.

Sixth seed Elina Svitolina struggled with a painful shoulder complaint that required treatment at every changeover, and medical timeouts, before she somehow beat China’s Zhang Shuai 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 as the temperature rose in the centre court sunshine.

“I just told myself ‘you’re going to die or win’,” said Svitolina, who scored her biggest career win by clinching the WTA Finals in Singapore last October.

She will next meet 17th-seeded American Madison Keys.

Eighth seed Kei Nishikori made it back-to-back victories for Japan, following Osaka on court by beating Portugal’s 44th-ranked Joao Sousa in three sets.

The 29-year-old has won all three of his first week matches on Margaret Court Arena to reach the last 16 for the seventh time in nine appearances.

“I love to play this court,” said the 2014 US Open finalist after delighting a large contingent of Japanese fans.

He next plays Spain’s 23rd seed Pablo Carreno Busta.

AFP

Golf

F 1 SUNDAY JANUARY 20, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

L

OS ANGELES: Fivetime major winner Phil Mickelson followed up his spectacular first-round 60 with a four-under par 68 on Friday (Saturday in Manila) to hold a twoshot lead after two rounds of the Desert Classic.

-ICKELSON BIRDIED FOUR OF HIS LAST kVE HOLES ON THE .ICKLAUS 4OURNAMENT COURSE

ONE OF THREE PAR LAYOUTS IN USE IN THE 53 0'! 4OUR TOURNAMENT IN THE #ALIFOR NIA DESERT EAST OF ,OS !NGELES (E OVERCAME A DOUBLE BOGEY SIX AT THE PAR FOUR TH ‡ HIS NINTH OF THE DAY WHICH SAW HIM MAKE THE TURN AT EVEN PAR FOR THE ROUND -ICKELSON S UNDER TOTAL OF PUT HIM TWO STROKES IN FRONT OF !USTRALIAN ROOKIE #URTIS ,UCK WHO GRABBED HIS EIGHTH BIRDIE OF THE DAY AT HIS kNAL HOLE ‡ THE NINTH ‡ TO POST A ON THE .ICKLAUS COURSE AND A UNDER PAR TOTAL OF #ANADIAN !DAM (ADWIN AND !MERI CAN 3TEVE -ARINO SHARED THIRD ON -ARINO HAD kVE BIRDIES AND AN EAGLE HOLE IN ONE ON THE PAR THREE SEVENTH ON THE WAY TO A SEVEN UNDER PAR AT THE ,A 1UINTA COURSE (ADWIN HAD SEVEN BIRDIES AND ONE BOGY IN A AT ,A 1UINTA WHERE -ICK ELSON FASHIONED HIS A DAY EARLIER g) ACTUALLY FELT BETTER STRIKING IT BUT ) DIDN T PUTT VERY WELL TODAY CERTAINLY RELA TIVE TO YESTERDAY WHERE ) WAS MAKING EV ERYTHING u -ICKELSON SAID g"UT ) kNISHED STRONG BIRDIED FOUR OF THE LAST kVE -ICKELSON PLAYING HIS kRST TOURNAMENT OF CALLED IT A gFUN IF NOT SURPRISING

STARTu TO HIS YEAR g)T S FUN TO BE IN THE MIX u SAID -ICKEL SON WHOSE TWO ROUND TOTAL IS THE SECOND BEST OF HIS CAREER BEHIND THE HOLE TOTAL OF TO START THE 0HOENIX /PEN

Mickelson maintains two-shot Desert Classic lead US PGA SCORES LEADING second-round scores on Saturday in the US PGA Tour Desert Classic in La Quinta, California (par-72; USA unless stated): 128 - Phil Mickelson 60-68 130 - Curtis Luck (AUS) 64-66 131 - Adam Hadwin (CAN) 65-66, Steve Marino 66-65 132 - Wyndham Clark 65-67, Jon Rahm (ESP) 66-66, Joey Garber 68-64 133 - Sean O’Hair 66-67, Abraham Ancer (MEX) 66-67, Patrick Cantlay 67-66 134 - Alex Cejka (GER) 66-68, Adam Svensson (CAN) 66-68, Vaughn Taylor 6866, Michael Thompson 68-66, Sam Saunders 68-66 Adam Long 63-71, Carlos Ortiz (MEX) 72-62, Sam Burns 68-66, Daniel Berger 67-67, Talor Gooch 67-67 AFP Q Phil Mickelson of the United States tees off at the 4th hole during the second round of the Desert Classic at the Nicklaus Tournament Course on Saturday in La Quinta, California. AFP PHOTO -ICKELSON APPEARED TO BE PICKING UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF WITH BACK TO BACK BIRD IES AT THE TH AND TH HOLES BUT HIS APPROACH AT THE TH FOUND THE WATER AND HE TOOK A DOUBLE BOGEY

STRING OF THREE STRAIGHT BIRDIES AND HE PICKED UP ONE MORE SHOT AT THE NINTH g) TURNED A ROUND THAT WAS NOT VERY GOOD INTO A RESPECTABLE ROUND u SAID -ICKELSON ALTHOUGH HE ADMITTED THAT HE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO BE EVEN LOWER HEAD ‘Keep firing’ ING INTO A THIRD ROUND ON THE TOUGHER 3TADIUM COURSE !N EIGHT FOOT BIRDIE PUTT AT THE kFTH SPARKED A g)F YOU SHOOT SIX SEVEN UNDER PAR ON

THE .ICKLAUS COURSE THAT S A GOOD SOLID ROUND u HE SAID g) SHOT FOUR UNDER SO ) LL JUST HAVE TO COME OUT TOMORROW AND SHOOT SIX OR SEVEN UNDER TO MAKE UP FOR IT u $EFENDING CHAMPION *ON 2AHM kRED HIS SECOND STRAIGHT TO HEAD A TRIO OF PLAYERS ON ALONGSIDE 7YNDHAM #LARK AND *OEY 'ARBER -ICKELSON SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO STAY

AGGRESSIVE ON THE WEEKEND g9OU JUST HAVE TO KEEP kRING ON ALL CYL INDERS AND GOING AFTER BIRDIES BECAUSE THIS IS A COURSE WHERE THERE S GOING TO BE A LOT OF BIRDIES u HE SAID g5SUALLY WHEN YOU PLAY THAT WELL THE kRST TWO ROUNDS YOU RE HITTING THE BALL WHERE YOU WANT AND MAKING SOME PUTTS ) JUST HAVE TO KEEP THAT GOING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS u AFP

Ababa rises again, keeps Henderson surges ahead in LPGA opener PGTA Pradera crown *(/..%, !"!"! KEPT HIS ASTOUNDING STREAK OF LUCK ON THE 0HILIPPINE 'OLF 4OUR !SIA BESTING A HORDE OF RIVALS WITH A SOLID WINDUP TO RETAIN THE )#43) 0RADERA 6ERDE #LASSIC CROWN BY TWO OVER !USTRALIAN $AVID 'LEESON ON A CLOSING FOUR UNDER IN ,UBAO 0AMPANGA ON 3ATURDAY !BABA BEAT AT LEAST BIDDERS IN THE MOST kERCELY FOUGHT kNAL ROUND CLASH IN THE TWO YEAR OLD CIRCUIT GUNNING DOWN THREE BIRDIES IN THE LAST kVE HOLES IN HOT BREEZY CONDITION

THE LAST ON .O GIVING HIM A TWO SHOT CUSHION OVER ERSTWHILE PURSUERS 3AM 'ILLIS OF THE 53 AND #LYDE -ONDILLA WHO HAD WRAPPED UP THEIR RESPECTIVE ROUNDS AHEAD OF THE BACK TO BACK CHAMPION AND 'LEESON g&ANTASTIC u SAID !BABA WHOSE UNDER TOTAL THAT INCLUDED ROUNDS OF NETTED THE DIMINUTIVE FORMER AMATEUR HOTSHOT HIS FOURTH CHAMPIONSHIP BECOM ING THE kRST PLAYER TO SCORE BACK TO BACK VICTORIES IN THE REGION S NEWEST CIRCUIT PUT UP BY )#43) WORTH ANOTHER

g) THINK ) M JUST LUCKY PLAYING ON 0'4 !SIA "UT THE KEY WAS MY BIRDIE ON .O )T DIDN T ONLY BOLSTER MY MORALE BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY

IT GAVE ME A ONE STROKE LEAD 4HAT S WHEN ) FELT ) COULD WIN AGAIN u SAID !BABA WHO THEN CAME THROUGH WITH SUPERB APPROACH SHOTS ON .OS AND THAT SET UP BIRDIE CHANCES FROM CLOSE RANGE TO SEAL THE VICTORY !BABA ALSO SCORED BACK TO BACK WINS AT %AGLE 2IDGE AND HERE TO CLOSE OUT THE CIRCUIT S INAUGURAL SEASON LAST YEAR THEN BROKE AWAY FROM A TIGHT kNAL ROUND DUEL WITH THREE OTHERS AND BEAT *OBIM #ARLOS BY THREE TO RULE THE 0'4! SECOND SEASON STOP AT &OREST (ILLS LAST *ULY 'LEESON WHO SNARED THE KICKOFF LEG CROWN OF THE SECOND 0'4! AT ,UISITA ON A THREE HOLE

Q Jhonnel Ababa savors the sweet taste of another PGTA Pradera victory.

PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ‘ADA

WASHINGTON: Canada’s Brooke Henderson kRED A FOUR UNDER PAR ON &RIDAY 3AT URDAY IN -ANILA TO GRAB A TWO STROKE LEAD AFTER THE SECOND ROUND OF THE ,0'! S SEA SON OPENING 4OURNAMENT OF #HAMPIONS .INTH RANKED (ENDERSON CLOSED A BOGEY FREE ROUND WITH SEVEN PARS IN A ROW TO STAND ON UNDER AFTER HOLES AT &OUR 3EASONS 'OLF AND 3PORTS # L U B I N

,AKE "UENA 6ISTA &LORIDA g) FELT LIKE ) GAVE MYSELF A LOT OF BIRDIE OPPORTUNITIES u (ENDERSON SAID g-Y BALL STRIKING HAS BEEN REALLY GOOD THIS WEEK AND ) M HAPPY ABOUT THAT 4HE HOLES WHERE ) DID RUN INTO A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE ) WAS ABLE TO GET UP AND DOWN g/VERALL ) M JUST HAPPY TO BE IN THE POSI TION ) M IN AND JUST HOPE ) CAN KEEP IT GOING OVER THE WEEKEND u 7ORLD NUMBER ONE !RIYA *UTANUGARN WAS HOT ON (ENDERSON S HEELS AFTER FIRING A SECOND CONSECUTIVE TO SHARE SECOND ON ALONGSIDE .EW :EALAND S TH RANKED ,YDIA +O AND 3OUTH +OREA S ND RANKED *I %UN HEE (ENDERSON A YEAR OLD WHO HAS NOW GONE HOLES WITHOUT A BOGEY

BEGAN THE DAY LEVEL FOR THE LEAD WITH *I BUT JUMPED AHEAD WITH BIRDIES AT T H E F O U R T H AND PAR S E V E N T H H O L E S

T H E N

PLAYOFF WITH %RWIN !RCILLAS LAST !PRIL SNATCHED RUNNER UP HONORS WITH AN EAGLE ON THE PAR TH MATCHING !BABA S CLOSING FOUR UNDER CARD FOR A (E POCKETED

g(E !BABA REALLY PLAYED GOOD ALL DAY (E S A REAL WARRIOR AND A REAL CHAMPION u SAID !USSIE !NDREW #AMPBELL WHOM !BABA BEAT HERE LAST YEAR 'ILLIS BATTLED BACK FROM FOUR SHOTS DOWN FROM kFTH TO THE LAST lIGHT WITH A BOGEY FREE

FORCING A FOUR WAY TIE AT SEVEN UNDER OVERALL AFTER HIS LAST BIRDIE ON .O "UT HE lUBBED A COUPLE OF BIRDIE CHANCES THE REST OF THE WAY ENDING UP AT FOR JOINT THIRD WITH -ONDILLA WHO BIRDIED THREE OF THE LAST HOLES TO CARD A %ACH RECEIVED

7ITH FOUR TIED ON TOP AND SIX OTHERS JUST TWO BEHIND AFTER HOLES THE TITLE PICTURE REMAINED UNCLEAR AS 'LEESON HOLES 'ILLIS HOLES AND -ONDILLA HOLES CAUGHT UP WITH !BABA WHO BIRDIED .O AT SEVEN UNDER OVERALL IN SEPARATE lIGHTS AS ERSTWHILE JOINT LEADERS +EANU *AHNS #AMPBELL AND 4HAI 4AWIT 0OLTHAI FELL BEHIND WITH OVER PAR CARDS "UT !BABA SAVED HIS BEST FOR LAST BIRDYING .OS AND TO PULL AWAY FROM 'ILLIS AND Q Brooke Henderson of Canada hits her tee shot on the seventh hole during the second round of the -ONDILLA THEN DRILLED IN ANOTHER BIRDIE ON THE Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions at Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Golf and Sports TH TO FEND OFF 'LEESON S kNAL HOLE ASSAULT Club Orlando on Saturday in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. AFP PHOTO 3WEDE !NDREAS 'RONKVIST MATCHED PAR AND WOUND UP TIED AT WITH +EANU *AHNS

ONE OF THE FOUR THIRD ROUND CO LEADERS WHO CRUMBLED UNDER PRESSURE AND LIMPED WITH place at 11-under.

THREE BOGEYS AT THE FRONT 4HOUGH HE BIRDIED ABU DHABI: Shane Lowry continued his mastery over the par-three holes of the Abu World No. 2 Brooks Koepka (70) improved to TWO OF THE kRST THREE HOLES AT THE BACK THE Dhabi Golf Club on Friday (Saturday in Manila), tied ninth place at nine-under par, but would &IL 'ERMAN BOGEYED THE TH FOR A making birdies on three out of four to take a have to make up a deficit of eight shots to prevent 4ONY ,ASCUĂ„A KEPT HIS BID GOING WITH AN commanding lead into the final round of the Lowry from winning.

EAGLE ON THE PAR .O TO STAY AT FOUR HSBC Championship.

A high finish would help the American regain UNDER BUT SETTLED FOR A BOGEY BIRDIE GAME The Irishman has now birdied the par-3 his world number one ranking, although it THE LAST SIX HOLES FOR A TO JOIN 'RONKVIST seventh, 12th and 15th holes of the golf course depends on how England’s Justin Rose plays this AND *AHNS AT kFTH on each of the first three rounds, carrying him to week on the US PGA Tour’s Desert Classic. !USSIE !NDREW #AMPBELL THE OTHER a three-shot lead in the $7 million event.

After starting with a birdie on the par-five HOLE CO LEADER WITH 4AWIT 0OLTHAI BOWED He had four other birdies to show in his fivesecond hole, the 31-year-old Lowry unexpectOUT WITH A START MARRED BY A DOUBLE edly made a bogey on the par-three fourth and BOGEY ON THE EIGHTH (E ENDED UP JOINT under par 67, a commendable effort in windy conditions that took him to a 17-under-par 199 was briefly caught at the top by Scotsman Scott EIGHTH AT WITH 4HAI .AMCHOK 4ANTI after 54 holes.

Jamieson, who made a fast start with three birdPOKHAKUL WHO FUMBLED WITH A AND In his quest for a first win since 2015, Lowry ies in four holes, and Sterne.

SECOND DAY LEADER AND COURSE RECORD SETTER enjoys a three-shot lead over South African But a hat-trick of birdies from the sixth hole $UTCH 'UIDO 6AN DER 6ALK WHO SHOT A Richard Sterne (69) going into the final round onwards helped him move ahead even as the rest 0OLTHAI WHO SPARKED HOPES FOR A 4HAI on Saturday. of the field struggled in the wind.

BREAKTHROUGH IN THE CIRCUIT ORGANIZED BY England’s Ian Poulter (69) leapt to solo third Sterne kept pushing Lowry with a chipped-in 0ILIPINAS 'OLF 4OURNAMENTS )NC WITH A place at 12-under par with an eagle on his final eagle on the 10th hole, but birdies on the par&RIDAY REELED BACK WITH A FRONTSIDE AND hole, smashing a three wood to eight feet and three 12th and 15th took the Irishman three clear.

HOBBLED WITH A MARRED BY THREE BOGEYS making the putt.

Even thought he had a three-shot cushion, IN THE LAST kVE HOLES FOR SOLO TH AT IN Lowry wasn’t taking anything for granted.

THE EVENT BACKED BY #USTOM #LUBMAKERS

“Obviously, I need to go out and play my Koepka has work to do -ERALCO + ' 'OLF !PPAREL "$/ 3HARP

own game and stay aggressive and see what +:' 0,$4 %MPIRE 'OLF AND 3PORTS AND the lads behind me can do,� said the world Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal (68), champion here - 9 3HOKAI 4ECHNOLOGY )NC number 75, who could move to inside the topin 2014, was one shot behind Poulter in fourth

BEGAN THE INWARD NINE WITH BACK TO BACK BIRDIES g)T S ALWAYS FUN TO BE IN THE kNAL GROUPS AND BE IN CONTENTION 4HAT S WHAT WE PLAY FOR u (EN DERSON SAID g)T S ONLY THE HALFWAY POINT (OPE FULLY ) CAN KEEP PLAYING THE WAY ) HAVE BEEN u !RIYA WHO HAD A BOGEY FREE OPENING ROUND TOOK BOGEYS AT THE PAR kFTH AND TH HOLES BUT SANDWICHED SIX BIRDIES IN BETWEEN 3HE BIRDIED ALL FOUR PAR HOLES ‡ THE SEVENTH TH TH AND TH ‡ AS WELL AS THE PAR EIGHTH AND TH g)T WAS GREAT u !RIYA SAID g) DIDN T EXPECT TO HIT UNDER TODAY BECAUSE ) WAS EVERYWHERE u +O BIRDIED THE kRST AND FOURTH HOLES BEFORE STUMBLING WITH A BOGEY AT THE kFTH 3HE OPENED THE BACK NINE WITH A BIRDIE AND ADDED ANOTHER AT BUT BOGEYED BEFORE ANSWERING WITH A BIRDIE AT IN THE NEW EVENT WHICH MATCHES ,0'! WINNERS AND CELEBRITIES FROM OTHER kELDS g) VE JUST BEEN EMBRACING THIS FORMAT AND ENJOYING PLAYING WITH THESE CELEBRITIES u +O SAID *I SHOOK OFF A BIRDIE BOGEY START AND AN SWERED A BOGEY AT SIX WITH A BIRDIE TWO HOLES LATER THEN BIRDIED AND AND CLOSED WITH TWO PARS TO STAY IN THE SECOND PLACE PACK (ENDERSON WON LAST YEAR S ,0'! ,OTTE #HAMPIONSHIP AND #ANADIAN 7OMEN S /PEN TO QUALIFY FOR THE 4OURNAMENT OF #HAMPIONS WHILE !RIYA WON THREE TIMES

INCLUDING HER SECOND CAREER MAJOR TITLE AT THE 53 7OMEN S /PEN AFP

Lowry masters par-threes to extend lead 50 with a win Saturday. “I’m not going to say I feel invincible (on the par-threes), because we all know that this game is not easy, and it can jump up and bite you when you least expect it. I’m just trying to go out and do what I’ve been doing. I’ve been hitting some lovely iron shots. It just so happens that I’ve hit them on the par 3s and holed a few putts.�

Sterne, who has dropped to number 281 in the world ranking following various injury issues, is winless since the 2013 Johannesburg Open.

He was disappointed he could not close the gap on Lowry by making a birdie on the par-5 18th hole, but delighted with his round. “I’m very happy, good back nine and I hit the ball pretty decently. It was obviously a lot tougher today. The course showed its teeth,� said the 37-year-old from Pretoria. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in contention but I’ve managed to pull it off a few times, so maybe there’s some magic left in me.�

World number three Dustin Johnson failed to make a charge and shot an even-par 72 to fall to tied 40th place.

Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood shot a similar score to Johnson and was tied 50th at three-under par.

AFP

F2

Golf

The Sunday Times

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SUNDAY January 20, 2019

Rose unfazed by top spot ahead of 2019 debut

Q Justin Rose of England and swing coach Sean Foley talk prior to the start of the Desert Classic at the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West on Thursday in La Quinta, California.

AFP PHOTO

L

OS ANGELES: Justin Rose said he was not weighed down by his world No. 1 ranking when he made his 2019 debut at the PGA Tour’s Desert Classic in La Quinta, California on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

4HE %NGLISH ACE MADE HIS kRST APPEARANCE OF THE YEAR WHEN HE TEED IT UP IN THE TH EDITION OF THE TOURNAMENT STAGED AT THE *ACK .ICKLAUS 4OURNAMENT #OURSE AT 0'!

7EST SOUTHEAST OF ,OS !NGELES 4HE /LYMPIC CHAMPION ENJOYED A STELLAR SEASON LAST YEAR POSTING JUST ONE FINISH OUTSIDE THE TOP AND CLINCHING VICTORY IN THE LUCRATIVE

&ED%X #UP POSTSEASON (E NARROWLY MISSED OUT ON kNISHING AS WORLD .O BUT RECLAIMED THE RANKING FROM "ROOKS +OEPKA LAST WEEK AFTER THE !MERICAN COULD ONLY kNISH TH AT THE 4OURNAMENT OF #HAMPIONS IN (AWAII 4HE YEAR OLD %NGLISHMAN TOLD REPORTERS ON 4HURSDAY HOWEVER HE WILL NOT BE PREOCCUPIED BY TRYING TO RETAIN HIS PLACE AT THE SUMMIT OF THE WORLD RANKINGS THIS YEAR g9OU ONLY GET TO NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD BY PLAYING CONSISTENTLY GOOD GOLF AND THAT S ALWAYS BEEN MY GOAL TO TRY AND GET THE BEST OUT OF MY GAME WEEK IN WEEK OUT u 2OSE SAID g/NCE .O PRESENTED ITSELF IT

BECAME A BIG GOAL AND IT S BEEN A FANTASTIC MILESTONE IN MY CAREER TO HAVE GOT THERE g"UT ) FEEL LIKE HAVING GOT THERE NOW IT S ABOUT LETTING IT GO A LITTLE BIT IN THE SENSE OF ) NEED TO FOCUS ON OTHER GOALS NOW )F ) ACHIEVE THOSE OTHER GOALS ) LL REMAIN AT THE TOP u 2OSE WHOSE LAST OUTING CAME AT THE )NDONESIAN -ASTERS IN *AKARTA LAST MONTH

WILL BE PLAYING HIS kRST TOURNAMENT SINCE SWITCHING TO (OMNA GOLF CLUBS g/F COURSE THERE S A FEW UNKNOWNS THERE S ALWAYS A SETTLING IN PERIOD WITH CHANGE GENERALLY u 2OSE SAID g/BVIOUSLY ) BELIEVE THAT ) VE MADE SOME GOOD DECISIONS AND SOME GOOD CHANGES AND ) FEEL CONkDENT ABOUT THINGS "UT YOU NEVER QUITE KNOW UNTIL THE SCORECARD IS IN YOUR HAND g4HERE WILL BE SOME LEARNING THIS WEEK AND POTENTIALLY TWEAKING NEXT WEEK )T S JUST ABOUT GOING OUT AND PLAYING AND GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH IT u 2OSE WILL MOVE FROM ,A 1UINTA TO THE &ARMERS )NSURANCE /PEN AT 4ORREY 0INES OUTSIDE 3AN $IEGO NEXT WEEK 2OSE CAN EXPECT STIFF COMPETITION FROM 3PAIN S DEFENDING CHAMPION *ON 2AHM WHILE TWO TIME FORMER WINNER 0HIL -ICKELSON IS ALSO IN THE kELD AFP

Stricker looking to play more on PGA Tour this year

BY DOUG FERGUSON HONOLULU: Steve Stricker came to Hawaii for two weeks of work, just like the old days, but with a twist. Instead of starting at the winners-only field at Kapalua and then going over to the Sony Open, he started at the Sony Open and heads to the winners-only field on the Big Island for the PGA Tour Champions opener.

The question is how long he stays with players his own age.

It’s a question Vijay Singh and Davis Love III have contemplated over the last few years.

Stricker, who is about to turn 52, played 13 times on the PGA Tour and six times on the Champions in his first year of eligibility. Last year, he was up to seven Champions event and one fewer on the PGA Tour.

Now he appears to be leaning toward the PGA Tour, with Pebble Beach and Riviera on his schedule, and possibly Phoenix. “I talked to Tom Kite at the Ryder Cup about my position a little bit. He gave me the idea like I should be on the Champions tour. Take advantage of this opportunity, you have a short window, all this kind of stuff,� Stricker said. “Then you talk to somebody else and they say: ‘The number of years is winding down for you on the regular tour. Stay out there as long as you can.’ “I don’t know which way to go,� he said. “Everybody has their opinion. I think bottom line is I’m just doing what I feel like doing. ... My intention right now is to be out here and try to play as well as I can and try to win again. I still feel like it can happen.�

Both sides make sense, though times were different when Kite turned 50 in 2000. The arrival of Tiger Woods and his impact on TV contracts and prize money was just starting to kick in. Stricker already had more than $40 million in career earnings when he turned 50, and that includes five lean years in his prime. Ditto for Love, minus the lean years. Singh was over the $65 million mark.

It’s also hard to ignore that Stricker made $1,196,235 in seven Champions events last year, and $582,566 in 12 starts on the PGA Tour. “I’m not looking at the money part of it,� Stricker said. “If that was the case, I would be playing more on the Champions tour. I feel it’s a challenge, and I’m still feeling good enough and excited enough to take on that challenge.�

Love won the Wyndham Champion-

GOLF NOTES ship in 2015 at age 51, so he has proof it can be done. He also tied for seventh in the Sony Open. “I’ve talked to Vijay about it,�

Love said. “You’ve got to pick one or the other.�

Love has been eligible for the PGA Tour Champions since April 2014. Last year, he played more than ever on the Champions — a whopping four times.

Still to be determined is how Singh looks at the season. He turned 50 in early 2013, and it took six years before he played more on the Champions (20) than on the PGA Tour (10). Singh played 12 times on the Champions in 2017, compared with 18 on the regular circuit.

Before that, he didn’t play more than six times a year on the Champions.

Of the five Champions-eligible players at the Sony Open, Love was the only player who did not go over to Hualalai on the Big Island. Instead, he’s going to the Singapore Open, where four spots for the British Open are available.

Scheduling issues The story hasn’t changed for several years now as PGA Tour players try to build a schedule and find too many tournaments they don’t want to miss.

Adam Scott is taking a simple approach, even if that means missing $10 million events with no cut. “I don’t know how everyone can define a big tournament different,� Scott said. “But at the moment, I have not scheduled a World Golf Championship because they don’t fall in the right place for me.�

Ten years ago, that would have been surprising to hear someone skip out on

a World Golf Championship. Now, not so much.

The first one of the year is in Mexico City and falls right after a popular West Coast stretch that includes Phoenix, Pebble Beach and Riviera, and right before a packed part of the schedule in Florida as the Masters gets closer.

Match Play in Austin, Texas, falls after four straight Florida events — Honda Classic, Bay Hill, The Players Championship and Valspar Championship outside Tampa, Florida — and two weeks before the Masters. Some players have skipped Match Play in recent years because of the format, which no longer is single elimination. Tiger Woods likely will have to choose between Tampa and Match Play as it relates to his pre-Masters play.

The difference in FedEx Cup points is minimal — 550 to the winner of a WGC event, 500 for a regular event (and 600 for majors). Money? The WGC purse is $10.25 million this year. The Memorial and the Arnold Palmer Invitational purses are at $9.1 million.

These days, what’s $1 million, anyway? “I feel like there are good tournaments right around them that are a preferred option,� Scott said about missing the WGCs. The other one is in Memphis, Tennessee, the week after the British Open in Northern Ireland.

Election time Rory McIlroy, never shy about sharing his unvarnished opinions, now gets a new audience. He was among 16 players selected for the Player Advisory Council for 2019. That’s the group that consults with the four players on the PGA Tour policy board on tour issues.

Half of the PAC was chosen by the four players on the board, and the other eight were selected by a vote.

Also on the PAC for this year are Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Matt Kuchar, Ryan Armour, Paul Casey, Roberto Castro, James Hahn, Zach Johnson, Kevin Kisner, Anirban Lahiri, Peter Malnati, Sam Saunders, Josh Teater, Michael Thompson and Harold Varner III. Next up is selecting the co-chairmen.

Whichever two PAC members get the most votes will move up to the policy board in 2020. On the ballot are Thomas, Casey, Hahn and Kisner. That means Casey is the latest offering to make his own brand of PGA Tour history.

A foreign-born player has never served on the PGA Tour policy board.

Divots The LPGA Tour opens its season in Florida for the first time since 2015 with the Diamond Resorts Invitational, a field limited to winners in 2017 and 2018. ...

Justin Leonard and Stuart Appleby have been selected as captains for the Junior Presidents Cup, to be held Dec. 8-9 at Royal Melbourne in Australia, the Sunday and Monday ahead of the Presidents Cup. ... A new Web.com Tour event in Florida has a sponsor. The Lecom Suncoast Classic

Reavie on the rise Since the Masters began using the world ranking as part of its criteria in 1999, no American has ever qualified two years in a row by getting into the top 50 just before the Masters.

Chez Reavie might be the first.

Reavie ended 2017 at No. 95 in the world, and then had successive runner-up finishes in Phoenix and Pebble Beach to crack the top 50, and he narrowly hung on (No. 48) to receive an invitation two weeks before the Masters.

He ended last year at No. 63 and already is making progress. Reavie tied for third in the Sony Open and is up to No. 54, with the rest of the West Coast Swing and all of Florida still to go.

Three internationals players have moved into the top 50 just weeks before the Masters in back-to-back years — Alvaro Quiros and Louis Oosthuizen in 2009 and 2010, and Craig Parry in 2004 and 2005.

14-17 at Lakewood National. ... Charles Howell III is among five players who are in each of the first three PGA Tour events this year. The others are Patton Kizzire, Andrew Landry, Scott Piercy and Andrew Putnam.

Stat of the week The Desert Classic has the No. 1 player in the field for the first time since the world ranking began in 1986.

Final word “The thing for us is not to get caught up in today’s news. I learned that lesson already because I know what’s wrong with Jordan Spieth, and I know what’s right with Jordan Spieth. I know how to get to where I want to go with my golf game and have fun doing it.� — Jordan Spieth.

Q Steve Stricker hits on the ninth fairway during the final round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament, in Silvis, Illinois on July 15, 2018. will be Feb.

AP PHOTO

The Sunday Times

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BY DOUG FERGUSON

H

ONOLULU: Davis Love III is headed off to play in the Singapore Open, and so is his son.

This will be the 14th time they have played in the same tournament since Davis Love IV — who goes by Dru — turned professional 18 months ago. That doesn’t include the PNC Father-Son Challenge, which they won last month with a record score. Nor does it include the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills, where Dru played his kRST MAJOR AS A QUALIkER AND HIS father caddied.

Singapore will not be the last tournament they play together.

Success has come slowly for Dru Love. Opportunity has not.

Sponsor exemptions have been viewed with a cynical eye long before Dru Love shot a 65 as a teenager to beat his father for the kRST TIME EVEN BEFORE HE WAS A toddler and his father would roll a rubber ball down the grocery store aisles for him to whack when his mother wasn’t looking.

Would it be different if his last name was Smith?

Sure, perhaps in more ways than one. “If he was Joe Blow, he could JUST GO PLAY u ,OVE SAID AT THE 3ONY Open, where he tied for seventh at age 54. “He wouldn’t get any spots, but now when he does get A CHANCE YOU KNOW JUST HE TRIES TOO HARD u The pressure on children of famous golfers always comes more from the outside. There is not a long history of success with fathers and sons except for Old Tom Mor-

ris and Young Tom Morris, each four-time winners of the British Open when it was the only golf championship around.

Love is sensitive about the criticism his son might face for getting more exemptions than other youngsters trying to make their way. He isn’t lobbying for exemptions. Most times, tournaments bring up the idea of inviting his son.

S i n g a p o r e wa s an example. Love normally would play the PGA Tour Champions opener on the Big Island this week.

The Singapore Open was appealing because he might make as much or more in appearance money than if he were to stay in Hawaii, his wife had never been to Singapore and wanted to go, and the TOURNAMENT INQUIRED about Dru. “They said if Dru doesn’t make it through Q-school, we’ll give him A SPOT TOO u ,OVE SAID “I’d rather him be in the "AHAMAS u The Bahamas is where the Web.com Tour is for the opening two weeks of its season.

Dru Love didn’t make it OUT OF THE kRST STAGE OF 7EB QUALIFYING SCHOOL LAST FALL ! month later, he shot 64 in the third round of the PGA Tour event at Sea Island and had an outside chance at a top 10 until he stumbled over the back nine.

Kaufman eager to see Women’s PGA at Hazeltine AS close to a Minnesotan as the LPGA currently gets, South Dakotan Kim Kaufman played plenty OF JUNIOR TOURNAMENTS IN THESE here parts, but until Tuesday DIDN T GET HER kRST LOOK AT FAMED Hazeltine National Golf Club, site of June’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. “I’ve played a lot of courses AROUND HERE u SHE SAID gBUT NEVER (AZELTINE OR )NTERLACHEN u The site of two men’s US Opens and two PGA Championships, two US Women’s Opens and a Ryder Cup, Hazeltine was covered by a crust of snow Tuesday, but even at kRST SIGHT SHE KNEW WELL A COURSE SHE has seen on television often. “I told everyone right away: You can TELL THEY VE HOSTED MAJORS BEFORE u SAID Kaufman, a Texas resident now who was raised a four-hour drive from Hazeltine National straight out Hwy. 212 away in Clark, South Dakota.

It’s what the LPGA and PGA of America aimed for when they partnered in 2014 with sponsor KPMG AUDITING kRM FOR A REMADE MAJOR championship, seeking to raise all boats on the women’s tour by bringing it to historic men’s championship venues.

The event so far has been played at Westchester (N.Y.) Country Club, Sahalee near Seattle and 2003 men’s U.S. Open venue Olympia Fields outside Chicago, visits Hazeltine this summer and is scheduled for revered Aronimink near Philadelphia in 2020 and New Jersey’s multiple men’s maJOR SITE "ALTUSROL IN The PGA of America last summer announced together the women’s PGA and the 2029 men’s PGA to Baltusrol. They didn’t do the same with the 2019 women’s PGA and the Ryder Cup’s 2028 return to Hazeltine National, but, like Baltusrol, the two events are a package deal. “They have raised the bar across THE BOARD u +AUFMAN SAID OF THE LPGA and PGA of America partnership. “It is the best tournament.

They’re pushed the USGA [US Golf Association] to be better.

We’re playing Hazeltine now, the U.S. Open is suddenly going to 0EBBLE "EACH ;FOR THE kRST TIME IN

= 7E RE kNALLY GETTING TO PLAY these great golf courses. The guys are always playing Hazeltine and Congressional. We were playing great courses, but nothing with the names like this: Suddenly, we’re going to Hazeltine and we’re going to Olympia Field and we’re going to go to Baltusrol. “That’s fun. The courses are fantastic. The player dining is fantastic. We get a courtesy car. %VERYTHING WE FEEL IS MORE EQUAL TO what the guys get, which we don’t get every week. They’ve pushed everyone to be better -- and I’m NOT JUST SAYING THAT u Kaufman looked around Hazeltine National Tuesday while in town for media appearances and her turn at ANNOUNCING g,ET S 0LAY (OCKEYu AT THE Wild game. She saw a vast expanse of what will be, come June 18-23.

She looked out from a clubhouse SHE CALLED gAMAZINGu AND SAW THE driving range to her right and the NINTH AND kNISHING TH HOLE SIDE BY side directly in front of her in a state that always draws big crowds for its MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF g4HEY HAVE ROOM FOR EVERYONE u Kaufman said. “I think the atmoSPHERE WILL BE GREAT u South Dakota-raised and college educated at Texas Tech, Kaufman is a sixth-year touring pro who has played her way back from mononucleosis that dampened the end of her 2017 season and start of her 2018 season. She has declared HERSELF WELL kT AND READY FOR A season that will start soon with a month’s play in Australia. Like most PLAYERS ON TOUR SHE LL HAVE TO QUALIFY for this year’s KPMG Women’s PGA by playing well this season.

Her career winnings exceed $1.4 million, a long way from the oddly shaped prize she brought home to 3OUTH $AKOTA FROM A JUNIOR TOURnament across the border when she was eight. “I brought home this trophy/ PLAQUE AND MY PARENTS SAID @$O YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS u +AUFMAN SAID “They said, ‘That’s the state of Minnesota.’ I had no idea. That’s how I LEARNED MY GEOGRAPHY BUT ) WAS JUST HAPPY TO GET A TROPHY u TNS

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

Golf

F3

Love worries about too many exemptions for his son The talent is there. So is the temptation to swing for the fences.

Love is torn between wanting to lead his son in the right direction and letting HIM kGURE it out on

Q Davis Love III, left, talks with his son Dru, right, on the 18th hole during the first round of the Father Son Challenge golf tournament on December 12, 2015 in Orlando, Fla. AP PHOTO

his own.

He loves being in the same tournament, and he isn’t the least bit naive to realize that a father-andson entry — especially when the father is a former PGA champion, two-time Ryder Cup captain and Hall of Famer — is bound to draw attention. That’s what these tournaments need.

But he’d rather see his son start on the ground up, play a full schedule on a lesser tour and get into a rhythm of playing. g(E NEEDS TO PLAY AT HIS LEVEL u Love said. “He doesn’t need to go up a level. He needs to be playing his way in Q-school. There’s nothing wrong with that. ThouSANDS OF KIDS DO THAT u Thousands of kids are not the son of Davis Love III. Sponsor exemptions to PGA Tour events ARE DIFkCULT TO PASS UP !LL IT takes is one week. “I wish he wouldn’t take exemptions and go play SOMEWHERE ELSE u ,OVE said. “He gets tempted. He played John Deere and Barbasol and it messed up his whole summer. He can get offers to go play the Challenge Tour in Europe.

They love kids like that. He could have played a lot of tournaments.

But he was gearing up to win

Barbasol, or get a top 10 and get INTO THE NEXT WEEK )T S HARD u It was different when Love started, even though he was known in golf circles through his father, Davis Love Jr., a highly respected golf teacher.

Love played on one exemption, the Atlanta Classic, while in school at North Carolina. He turned pro after HIS JUNIOR YEAR AND MADE IT THROUGH 1 SCHOOL ON THE kRST TRY g)T WAS EASY THEN u ,OVE SAID He also was very good and very dedicated, but yes, golf wasn’t loaded with as much talent as today.

The father in him wants badly to see his son live up to his potential.

But he doesn’t want to dictate to Dru the path he should be taking.

Ultimately, the game itself will determine the right way. “I see things he’s doing that I don’t agree with, and I could tell HIM ALL ) WANT "UT HE S GOT TO kGURE IT OUT ON HIS OWN u ,OVE SAID “At the RSM one year, we had a family argument over something he had done in a tournament. His mom said, ‘Your dad would never do that.’ I said, ‘Look, you don’t have to worry about that. The PGA Tour will take care of that for him.’ “She said, ‘What, they have rules?’ I said, ‘No, they have SCORES u

AP

83-year-old Player shares golf, fitness tips ABU DHABI: At the ripe old age of 83, Gary Player swings his golf club as good as any other pro at the Saadiyat Golf Beach Club in Abu Dhabi. Player is one of the world’s greatest golfers and one of ONLY kVE IN THE MODERN ERA TO HAVE WON THE #AREER 'RAND Slam -- apart from Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

The South African held the fourth Gary Player Invitational, a charity golf series, in Abu Dhabi with the proceeds going to the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs. ‘Mr. Fitness’ of golf held an informative and lively clinic for the children of determination from the Zayed Higher Organization. g) HAVE SEEN YOU LAST TIME u THE OCtogenarian said, pointing to a child.

He stunned everyone by balancing TWO CLUBS BETWEEN HIS TWO kNGERS Player told kids that, in most sports events, the strength comes from the abdomen, hips and thighs. “Where do you see more muscles, in your forearm or thighs? People think power comes from having a strong foreARM BUT THEY ARE WRONG u Apart from giving tips on golf, Player’s main aim is to spread awareness about the NEED FOR EXERCISE AND ITS HEALTH BENEkTS “I was a very poor boy. I suffered a lot as a young kid. So I have a great sense OF APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE u HE TOLD +HALEEJ 4IMES IN AN EXCLUSIVE CHAT

Q South African golfing legend Gary Player.

AFP PHOTO

Fitness tips for UAE schools

Player travels a lot and has a great insight into culture, tradition, religion and, importantly, people of places he visits. “People take health for granted. There’s probably three per cent of the world that’s worried about exercise and eating properly. You take Dubai and here, the young people are riddled with diabetes. They play on smartphones and don’t work out. Every school should make children walk around the school twice as they come in the morning. At break, walk around the school again, and before they go home, walk around the school TWICE )T SHOULD BE COMPULSORY u Player reveals health secret “I work out four times a week. I do thousands of sit-ups. I run on the treadmill. I do all weight-training exercises. But the big secret is to undereat and exercise. The less you eat, the longer you live. People think the more you eat the better you are. Look at this country alone, DIABETES IS PROLIkC )T IS ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS DISEASES TODAY u

UAE is best place to live

The South African is in love with the UAE -- and Abu Dhabi is one of his favourite places in the world. “You have rules, law and order, and safety. You don’t have that in the West and places around the world. The world is not safe anymore.

(ERE YOU FEEL SAFE AND IT S JUST UNBELIEVABLE 0EOPLE RESPECT EACH OTHER

WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT 9OU SEE THE ARCHITECTURE OF MOSQUES THE ,OUVRE AND 'UGGENHEIM COMING ALONG MAGNIkCENT HOTELS STYLISH buildings and beautiful beaches and climate. This is the place to live for any young man or if you got family. The safety aspect is a worrying THING FOR THE 7EST AND THE REST OF THE WORLD u HE ADDED BEFORE SETTING off to knock balls at his self-designed golf course.

TNS

One-eyed Dubai golfer still packs a punch at 63 ASHOK Kumar C.A. is a 63-year-old amateur golfer from Dubai who continues his passion for the sport despite losing an eye to cataract. “I came here in 1983. I am into supplies of building material but have passion for tennis and golf. I started playing as an amateur from 1990s. I have won championships at Dubai Creek 'OLF AND 9ACHT #LUB AND THE (ONOUR OF -ERIT u HE SAID ON THE sidelines of Gary Player Invitational in Abu Dhabi.

His passion for the sport was such that he sent his only daughter Rhea Nair to train in the US. “She was only 11 then. She won the Future Collegians World 4OUR 3HE HAS STARTED HER OWN GOLF CLOTHING kRM 3TRIKE #UFF LAST YEAR THERE ) ALSO PLAYED ONCE IN !UGUSTA )NVITATIONAL u His life turned upside down three years back when a cataract operation done in India went wrong. “It was a simple operation but then an infection developed due to wrong procedures. I went to another hospital and my face is still intact. But I continue my passion for sport with one eye. &OR ME THERE IS NO GREATER JOY THAN BEING AT A GOLF COURSE u TNS

F4

Golf

FOR announcements on tournaments, rankings and other golf-related events, email the sports editor at pgs_mallari@manilatimes.net es net

SUNDAY January 20, 2018

˜ The Sunday Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

14th Pomelo Tee rolls off May 1 in Davao City THE TH 0OMELO 4EE WILL kRE OFF ON May 1 to4 at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club in MandugIndangan, Buhangin, Davao City.

T h e f o u r - d ay a n n u a l m e m b e r guest tournament is expected to draw more than 200 entries.

The event aims to raise funds for the charitable projects of the Pomelo Tee Foundation Incorporated among them college scholarship for selected workers and caddies’ dependent. Part of the proceeds will

also be used to provide educational equipment and other learning materials to Mandug High School and Indangan High School.

Entry fee is P6,000, inclusive of two-day, one mulligan per nine holes.

The tournament’s team and individual categories will follow a 36hole stroke play under the modified Stableford scoring system.

For registration, contact Rancho Palos at (082) 3300859, 09177705528, 09156032302, or 09173121887.

Q 2019 champion Team International Schools

Q 2019 runner-up Team Philippine Schools. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

IS Team dominates 2019 Directors Cup

BY JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID THE International Schools (IS) Team dominated the 2019 Directors Cup with 17 points to beat Philippine Schools by seven last January 12 to 13 at the Southlinks Golf Club in Las Piñas City.

The IS jungolfers immediately showed dominance after scoring seven against the two of the Philippine Schools in the opening round of the contest under a two-man scramble match play.

The IS team is composed of team leader Jet Hernandez along with Liam Harvey,

Santino Diokno, Santino Pineda, Sean Young, Joachim Yu, Rho Hyun Ho, Burberry Zang, Reese Ng, Gabie Rosca, Bhuvas Nagpal, Rocco Pineda, Stevie Umali, and Armand Copok.

Meanwhile, skipper Aidric Chan, and teammates Coby Rolida, Jamina Uttohm and Ice Miravite were the only players that scored for the Philippine Schools on Day 1 of the culminating event of the 2018 Interschool Golf Championship.

In the second round singles matchplay, Team Philippines captain Chan defeated Hernandez but the win was not enough

Batang Kumbento golf tilt starts Feb 4 THE 3rd Batang Kumbento Golf Tournament will unfold on February 4 at the Valley Golf and Country Club South Course in Antipolo City.

The one-day tournament, organized by the Pasig Catholic College Alumni Association Incorporated and the Batang Kumbento Golf Club, aims to support the organization’s causes as well as generate funds for its Grand Alumni Homecoming this year.

Shotgun tee off begins at 12 p.m. after the 10 a.m. registration.

2EGISTRATION FEE IS 0

INCLUSIVE OF DINNER RAFlE ENTRY AND giveaways.

For ticket reservation and sponsorship opportunities, contact Al Pilapil at 7385429.

to tow his team to victory.

Among the 36 jungolfers who saw action in the tilt were Carlo Villaroman, Kishan Babuji, Preston Doll and Rianne Malixi while Philippine School players were Marc Corrales, Riggs Illescas, Rico See, Jet Ang, Dylan Castillo, Vince Tiamsic, Miggy Roque, Jose Rico, Joaquin Arenas, Jaime Alabastro, Celine Abalos, Venice Tiamsic, Rafael Leonio, and Zach Villaroman.

4HE EVENT S OFkCIAL UNIFORM WAS PROvided by Decathlon while Ayala Land was the tourney’s venue partner.

Pinays break Thais’ Santi Cup reign

THE 1st Zamora Cup will tee off on February 27 at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City.

The by-invitation tournament will hold a double shotgun tee off at 6 a.m. and 12 p.m.

The inaugural Zamora Cup will test its participants’ skills at Wack Wack’s West course.

The price of the tickets covers green fee, dinner and giveaways.

Awarding ceremony begins at 6 p.m. at the Clubhouse.

For ticket inquiries, contact 0918-4449777 or (02) 941-0465 or email the organizers at zamoragolfcup@gmail.com.

THE 24th W E x p r e s s RVF Cup Amateur Golf Championship w i l l u n f o l d o n Fe b r u a r y 1 2 a t the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna.

The four-day national amateur g ol f tour will feature four rounds of 18 holes decided by strokeplay.

After 36 holes, only half of the participants from men and ladies division will advance to the third and final rounds of the tournament organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP).

The players with the lowest aggregate scores after 72 holes will be declared champions.

The event also features a special division for players 12 years and below, wherein they will compete over 36 holes in the last two days

of the tournament. Entries to the special division will be limited to the first 21 players that will register and pay their fees.

Entry fee for the championship division is P3,000 for Filipino citizens and P4,000 for foreign nationals. Rates for the special division, meanwhile, is P2,000 for locals and P3,000 for foreigners.

The top three finishers in each division will be awarded with trophies.

The tournament, which will be held in honor of the late NGAP president and sport patron Rod V. Feliciano is backed by W Express, PLDT and the MVP Sports Foundation.

Deadline for entries is on February 8 at 12 noon.

To register, email ngap2009handicap@yahoo.com or contact Canlubang Golf and Country Club at (049) 5432670.

PASIA tourney opens March 29 THE Procurement and Supply Institute of Asia (PASIA) will hold a golf tournament for supply chain professionals and logistics providers on March 29, next year at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club in Carmona, Cavite.

Riding on the success of its golf tournament last October, PASIA is pushing its advocacy for ethics, excellence, and e-enablement in another edition of the tilt.

Registration is ongoing with an entry fee of P5,500 ($105) for Q Members of Team Philippines (from left) Bernice Ilas-Olivarez, Lois Kaye Go and Bianca Pagdanganan display their medals as they pose with team captain and NGAP secretary general Bones Floro after sweeping the team and individual crowns in the Santi Cup of the South East Asia Golf Team Championships in Myanmar.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

1st Zamora Cup fires off February 27

24th W Express RVF Cup takes off February 12

THE Philippines ended Thailand’s domination of the Santi Cup in resounding fashion, claiming the team crown via a whopping 18-stroke victory and sweeping the top two posts in individual play of the South East Asia Golf Team Championships in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar recently.

Asian Games gold medal teammates Bianca Pagdanganan and Lois Kaye Go sustained their top forms and teamed up with Bernice IlasOlivarez to power the Phl to the team championship in the 10th staging of the event for the top lady amateurs in the region, pooling a 72-hole total of 559.

Thailand, which ruled the kRST FOUR EDITIONS FROM 2012 then swept the last three championships, failed to match the PH’s hot start and STRONG kNISH AT THE #ITY 'OLF Course, ending up with a 577 aggregate with Malaysia

taking the bronze with a 593.

Pagdanganan, also a former PH Ladies Amateur Open champion, stood at the forefront of the Pinays’ charge, scoring a 10-under 278 total to clinch the individual gold with Go bagging the silver with a 281. Thai Napabhach Boon-in settled for bronze with 287.

The PH nailed a breakthrough in Santi Cup in 2014 in Brunei where Amelia Legaspi also won the individual gold to complete the sweep. *AYVIE !GOJO DELIVERED THE kRST individual gold in Indonesia in 2012.

Weeks after their Santi Cup feat, Go and Pagdanganan trounced Thailand’s top amateur Atthaya Thitikul in the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championship at Riviera with the Pinay aces switching places this time with Go taking the gold and Pagdanganan beating Thitikul by six for runner-up honors.

non-members and P4,500 ($85) for Manila Southwoods members inclusive of green fee, shared golf cart use, caddie fee, buffet lunch, cocktails, and raffle entry..

Players can avail of the 4+1 promo if they bring in their colleagues.

For inquiries, call PASIA and Transprocure Shared Services Office at 09178243330, 09199124789 or (02) 844-2680, or email the organizer at info@transprocure. com or visit www.transpocure.com.

PH Ladies Am Open returns to Manila Golf and Country Club THE Philippine Ladies Amateur Open makes a sentimental return to what has long been considered as its home when the 57th edition of the country’s premier championship unfolds on February 19 to 21 at the Manila Golf and Country Club.

T h e l ayo u t i n s i d e t h e p o s h Forbes Park last hosted the event more than a decade ago before it underwent a facelift with the organizing Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines (WGAP) moving the annual event to various championship courses, including Manila Southwoods, The Country Club, Wack Wack, Mt. Malarayat, Forest Hills, Tagaytay Midlands and at Orchard.

Bianca Pagdanganan topped the 2017 edition at Midlands then Yuka Saso reigned at Orchard’s Palmer course last year with the two young but talented aces teaming up with Lois Kaye Go to sweep

the gold medals in the recent Asian Games. Saso capped Team Philippines’ remarkable romp by ruling the individual competition.

They are expected to lead the competitors in the upcoming tournament numbering 80 to 100, including those from Australia, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.

“We thank the MGCC for hosting this prestigious event again where golfers from various countries in Asia will compete and we guarantee three days of top-notch competition among these top and rising players in the region,” said the WGAP in a statement.

Meanwhile, registration is ongoing with an entry of P10,000 for local players and $300 for foreign participants. For reservations and inquiries, email kathy_uy@yahoo. com (WGAP chairperson) or secretariat@wgap-golf.com (WGAP president Anna Haurie).

The Sunday Times

Inspiration.

Celebrity.

Style.

January 20, 2019 Volume 118 | No. 75

Whitney Thore is fat,

happy and proud

LITERARY LIFE

•

FILIPINO CHAMPIONS

ARTS AWAKE

‘Dynasty’

More exciting Manila FAME set for April

Classic children tale comes alive on stage G8

G2

G3

Literary Life SUNDAY January 20, 2019

G2

ESSAY

I

N 1986, months after the overthrow of the Marcos regime, I co-wrote a soap opera set in a Philippine sugar plantation, a thrilling milestone for a small-town boy with lofty literary and cosmopolitan aspirations. “Angkan� (The Clan) was inspired by “Sakada� (The Tenants), A SOCIAL REALIST kLM OUR DIRECTOR "EHN Cervantes made in the 1970s. It was AIRED DAILY BY !"3 #".

A TELEVISION network that was shut down during martial law and relaunched after the -ARCOSES lED The show’s lead writer, Ricky Lee, who was jailed during martial law, saw an opportunity to open doors for fresh talent. At seventeen, I was one of the youngest among ten writers he selected from his workshop to work on the story week after week.

It was my first professional writing JOB ) ACTUALLY GOT PAID "UT BEFORE THE writing even started, I knew had one BIG PROBLEM ) NEVER SAW THE kLM THE show was supposed to be based on. I knew it was about migrant workers and unrest in a sugar mill, but I was only ten years old the year it was produced.

Also, it didn’t make it to the big screen.

6ERY FEW PEOPLE HAD SEEN IT 4HE kLM REELS WERE CONkSCATED BY THE MILITARY and its screening subsequently banned.

"EHN UNDERSTOOD OUR PREDICAMENT $URING OUR kRST MEETING HE EXPLAINED to us that the soap opera would be TOPBILLED BY "ARBARA 0EREZ 4HE VETERAN actress would be playing the role of the matriarch who held power over the SUGARCANE kELDS 4HINK *ANE 7YMAN IN g&ALCON #REST u HE SAID 7HEN ) HEARD that, everything fell into place.

There wasn’t anything the tyrannical matriarch Angela Channing wouldn’t do to maintain control over the Falcon Crest winery. Anyone who wants to take it away from her was in deep shit.

I remember watching the soap as a young man in our agricultural town IN 3AN *OSE .UEVA %CIJA ) WAS DRAWN TO IT BECAUSE ) KNEW POWER kRSTHAND My own clan, the Pascuals, held power over our town for more than half a century, from the early 1920s during the American period to the late 1970s. ) REMEMBER THE kRST TIME ) SAW THE opening sequence of “Falcon Crestâ€? — Angela Channing’s limousine being driven from San Francisco across the 'OLDEN 'ATE "RIDGE TO THE &ALCON #REST vineyards. My queer thirteen-year-old heart skipped a beat: I knew what power did to those who wielded it and what it did to the powerless. ) 7!3 NINE IN WHEN MY GRANDfather made a crucial decision that would divide his family between those who migrated to America and those who stayed behind. Five of his eleven surviving children would have to migrate to the United States. In a letter he wrote to his wife Marina, who had migrated the month before TO JOIN THEIR ELDEST SON IN 7ASHINGTON MY GRANDFATHER EXPRESSED HIS DETERMINATION gTO BEAR THESE SACRIkCES to bring [the children] to the United States for the sake of their future‌ 7E DO NOT KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN to the properties in the Philippines considering what is going on.â€? My grandfather did not elaborate on the uncertainty of the times, but there was a clear urgency in his tone. Dark clouds loomed. One of his children believed that my grandfather’s decision was motivated by what was happening in the country at the time. !RTURO "ASCOS 0ASCUAL WAS 3AN *OSE #ITY S LONGEST SERVING MAYOR then, a position he held for more than two decades. Mayor Pascual, then a staunch ally of then-President Ferdinand Marcos, successfully campaigned and delivered the northern .UEVA %CIJA VOTES FOR THE LATE DICTATOR S senatorial and presidential bids.

Marcos’ and my grandfather’s ancestors both hailed from Ilocos, an arid coastal region in the country’s northwest, a long narrow strip of land between the sea and the Cordillera mountain range. Operating on regional politics, their rise to power banked on the electoral base of Ilocanos, an ethnolinguistic group bound by a single journey. In the late 19th century, during the ferment of a revolution that ended three centuries of Spanish rule in the islands, thousands and thousands of Ilocanos left their Ilocos hometowns, the churches they had built and the tobacco farms they would never own, and journeyed south to the central plains of

Q The library of the Georgian country house on the Filoli estate in Woodside, California. PHOTO BY WILFREDO PASCUAL

Dynasty

BY WILFREDO PASCUAL ,UZON AN EXODUS IN SEARCH OF THE promised land. One of those who made this journey was my great, great grandfather, whose son and grandson would later hold power in local politics. My great grandfather became 3AN *OSE S presidente municipal during the Commonwealth Period under the Americans, while his son Arturo’s TERM AS MAYOR BEGAN AFTER 7ORLD 7AR 2. For almost half a century, they built a political dynasty that allied with and served the growing number of Ilocano migrants and their descendants in our HOMETOWN "ANDING WITH THE GROWING popularity of Marcos in the 1960s, Mayor Pascual counted on the Ilocanos’ support to elect a president with whom he would part ways a decade later.

Things changed when Marcos declared martial law in 1972. The country that had been known as “the showcase of democracy� lived for over eight years under American-backed martial law, with its suppression of habeas corpus and human rights, its electoral fraud, constitutional tinkering, censorship, jailings and torture. “Daddy grew disillusioned of -ARCOS u MY UNCLE *OSEkNO TOLD ME more than twenty years later.

7HILE GOING THROUGH MY LATE GRANDMOTHER S OLD LETTERS IN 7ASHington, I found a handwritten note from Marcos addressed to then$EFENSE -INISTER *UAN 0ONCE %NRILE “Please investigate the case of Mayor Pascual,� the president wrote. I have no clue what he was referring to.

4HE ONLY CASE kLED AGAINST HIM WAS a complaint by a local businessman whose building in town was ordered demolished by my grandfather because it violated city regulations, the structure blocking a sewage canal. Surely not enough to merit an investigation from the president and the defense minister. So what was that investigation all about? I wonder if it was all about loyalty waning noticeably. Is it also possible that my grandfather had wielded ENOUGH POWER THAT MADE HIS INlUence threatening or the wealth he had amassed suspicious?

In his letter to his wife in September 1976, Mayor Pascual mentioned that he had scheduled a meeting WITH THE ,AND "ANK OF THE 0HILIPPINES TO kNALLY NEGOTIATE THE SALE of his agricultural lands. The government would end up owning it anyway, he wrote. Marcos’ original idea had been to let farmers pay a nominal rent for 15 years, after which the land would revert to them. Predictably, Marcos faced resistance among many of the Philippines’ most powerful oligarchs who were themselves landowners and who didn’t want their estates sequestered, parcelled up and given away to their tenants, not even with compensation. This was most true in our province, the central plains of THE MAIN ISLAND OF ,UZON A REGION also known as the rice granary of

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),

the Philippines. Still, it’s hard to say how much of the early years of martial law and my grandfather’s reACTION TO -ARCOS MUCH PUBLICIZED LAND REFORM PROGRAM INlUENCED HIS decisions in 1976.

Arturo made contingency plans that year. His eldest son had proposed SETTING UP A BUSINESS IN 7ASHINGTON For the capital, Arturo considered selling one of his two ranches, which included a bungalow, irrigation canals, rice fields, vegetable farms and hundreds of cattle. Meetings with prospective buyers were set. He decided to retain the old ranch, also known as the Villa Marina Ranch and Dairy Farm, named after his wife. He would turn over its management to his married children who remained in THE 0HILIPPINES 4HE .ATIONAL "UREAU of Animal Industry had selected Villa Marina as the sole pilot project for dairy development in the country.

Amid acres of orchards and pastureLAND AN OFkCE WAS BUILT FOR EXPERTS in dairy, livestock, cattle disease and artificial insemination. My grandfather had entrusted the animals to my father, who took up botany and animal husbandry in college. My father took full charge, branding cattles and conducting pregnancy tests by inserting his arm through the rectum of the animals. In two days, 170 were found pregnant. My father still had to go through one hundred cattles. “The only bottleneck,� Arturo wrote regarding the possible sale of the other ranch, “is the law,� which does not permit dollar transmitTAL OUTSIDE THE 0HILIPPINES "EFORE FINALIZING TRANSACTIONS HE ASKED HIS ELDEST SON IN 7ASHINGTON TO kND OUT HOW TO TRANSFER THE MONEY to the US. “Otherwise, what are we going to do with all that money?�

He promised to send money to his wife and asked one of his daughters, who in her early twenties acted as the treasurer of the estate, to discuss bank-to-bank transactions with her godfather in Manila, then the vice president of the "ANK OF THE 0HILIPPINE )SLANDS In the meantime, my grandfather busied himself farming squash while one of his sons, a city councilor, harvested sorghum.

Family-owned commercial buildings were rented out, including a hotel and restaurant.

The only distraction in October 1976 came with the visit of another daughter who had married a Thai AND MOVED TO "ANGKOK 3HE NEEDED money to pay the last installment of a house and lot she had bought in Thailand. Her two children came with her and the children needed to go back to school as soon as possible. My grandfather immediately sold 200 sacks of rice and gave her the money. He worried about her situation in Thailand, where martial law was again declared after a bloody coup resulted in the massa-

cre of university students. I wonder if he worried about the political unrest in Southeast Asia as a whole, FROM THE 6IETNAM 7AR TO THE +HMER Rouge takeover of Cambodia the year before, and the coup d’etat in Thailand — all instigated by the #OLD 7AR !LL THESE WOULD FURTHER REinforce America’s support of martial law in the Philippines. How would THE 7EST S MUCH FEARED DOMINO effect affect the way things stood between him and the president?

On October 14, Arturo received the approval of US immigrant visas for his unmarried children. They had to act fast. There were rumors that the quota allowing Filipinos to migrate to the US would soon be reduced. The situation looked grim. %VERYWHERE 4HE WHOLE WORLD WAS going through an oil crisis. There were rumors that in two months, the value of the Philippine peso in dollars would plunge. An earthquake and a tsunami claimed lives in the southern island of Mindanao. His daughter failed to mortgage a family-owned lot in Manila because Marcos suspended all lending activities of government banks to support disaster relief funds to aid the victims. After attending a meeting of governors and city mayors at the InterContinental Manila in Makati City, Arturo suffered chest pains. He reassured his wife that there was nothing to worry about and even mailed her his test results. It was a portent ignored.

Ten years later, after the Pascuals lost their political power in our hometown, an abnormal growth in my grandfather’s heart would burst and kill him. It happened one morning in March 1986, a few weeks after THE -ARCOSES lED THE COUNTRY THE regime toppled by a People Powerbacked revolt. My grandfather was in the kitchen having breakfast when a telegram arrived. It was from thenVice President Salvador Laurel. He was offering him a position in the Forestry Department, a return to local POLITICS ) M GOING TO RUN FOR OFkCE

he said. Those were his last words — “Tatakbo ako.� Then he closed his eyes and slumped.

I can only speculate on what prompted my grandfather to make critical decisions in 1976. How do I speak truth to power? I’m a martial-law baby. I grew up with power, unmindful of what that power did to those in power and the powerless, my maturity marked by my family’s loss of that power, my kNAL PAYMENTS AN ONGOING RITUAL of interrogation, questioning my worth, my virtues and the person I have become. The impact of my grandfather’s decision would span across generations. It is felt to this day, among his children, grandchildren and great great-grandchildren, our strengths and frailties woven together by many stranded lives connected by promises and mis-

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]

takes, dreams and fears, violence and compassion; each carrying as a legacy of the past, the need to kND A TRUE PLACE IN THE FAMILY IN America and the Philippines, and the world at large. It continues to UNFOLD 7E RE BOUND BY OUR CLAIM to this trembling odyssey, navigating an ocean of remembering and FORGETTING OUR VOICES ANXIOUS TO reach the other side.

-/2% THAN A YEAR AGO ) TOURED MY FAMILY AROUND THE "AY !REA /UR group included my husband, my mom, an uncle and aunt, and my AUNT S NEIGHBOR 7E MET IN 6ALLEJO and drove through Napa, where my mother and I lived with my younger BROTHER S FAMILY WHEN WE kRST MOVED to the mainland. A couple of weeks BEFORE WILDkRES THAT LASTED FOR DAYS burnt the wineries. I thought of all THE ESTABLISHING SHOTS kLMED IN THIS region that were used for “Falcon Crest.� For a long while, the sky reMAINED A PALE ORANGE AND A kLM OF ash covered all the houses and cars.

7E CROSSED THE 'OLDEN 'ATE "RIDGE and spent the morning in San Francisco. After lunch, we drove another forty MILES TO &ILOLI IN 7OODSIDE ONE OF THE kNEST EARLY TH CENTURY COUNTRY estates in the US. The 54,000-squarefoot Georgian country house was featured in the opening credits of “Dynasty,� another 1980s primetime soap about two feuding wealthy families in oil-rich Denver, Colorado. As I stepped out of the car I imagined an unseen camera pulling back. It soared as the Falcon Crest emblem appeared ON THE SCREEN NEXT TO ME I remember being seventeen and writing for Philippine television — a young writer, a broadcast network and a country rebuilding itself after decades of American-backed represSION 7HEN ) SAT DOWN IN FRONT OF THE typewriter, the script unfolded from LAYERS OF STORIES A STRATIkCATION OF speaking truth to power. As we toured the Georgian country house and the spectacular 16-acre Renaissance garden, I told my mother, my aunt and my uncle about our ancestor Pedro "ASCOS WHO ARRIVED IN 3AN &RANCISCO IN IN TIME FOR THE 7ORLD S &AIR

who put himself through law school at the University of Iowa working as a janitor in a moviehouse. I also shared the story of Larry Itliong, how at the "ANCROFT !RCHIVES ) CAME ACROSS A CASsette recording of labor leader Cesar #HAVEZ )T WAS HIS EULOGY FOR )TLIONG

the Filipino hero who led a grape strike that became a watershed moment in the struggle for labor rights in America.

My family and I walked around a pool in the garden and talked about the world and the times we left behind. It occurred to me that I was in the company of two women who survived those times, sister-in-laws WHO DEkED POWER AT HOME AND IN OUR HOMETOWN 4HEY DEkNED THEMSELVES

for better or for worse against men of power. They were no different from ME 7E KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN everything would suddenly go quiet and you could hear the giant’s breathing. My grandfather, the mayor. The man in power was taller than anyone we knew. He towered over our lives.

"UT WE SAW HIM TOO WHEN THE FAMILY faced a violent electoral defeat in the LATE S 7E SAW HIM GO THROUGH dishonor and dispossession until the bones of our lives were picked clean. “Angkan� was short-lived. It wasn’t perfect, but I don’t think it was that BAD 7E HAD COMPELLING STORYLINES AND AN AMAZING CAST INCLUDING theater stalwarts Naty Crame-Rogers and Pinky Amador. Our creative pool included young writers who, decades later, made it big in the industry, inCLUDING ACCLAIMED kLMMAKER 2ALSTON *OVER AND AUTHOR PUBLISHER 3EGUNDO -ATIAS *R "UT ONLY IN RETROSPECT DO you get to place yourself in that era and observe how we were in fact trying to write while we were still unshackling ourselves from decades of tyranny. I met with my co-writers again in Manila in a reunion Ricky hosted in February 2017. A lot has changed. One of us had passed away, another raised a family, several of us won literary awards, and another became a professor of porn studies in a university. None of us had thought that we were breaking new grounds at the time. Richard Reynante, a college freshman then, was one of our co-writers. Today he heads the DIGITAL CONTENT OF !"3 #". 3OME of the production conventions we started are still being practiced today, HE SAID 7E TOOK RISKS 7E WERE HARD ON OURSELVES 7E HAD NO CLEAR MEDIA models — one of the saddest legacies of the Marcos dictatorship. The IDEA OF FREE EXPRESSION SOMEHOW FELT STRANGE 3TRANGE BUT URGENT 7HEN you think about those who disappeared during the Marcos regime, those who were silenced, tortured and killed, you know that one, two or three revolutions would not be enough to keep writing their stories.

7E WILL HAVE TO LIVE THIS STRUGGLE THIS battle against forgetting.

7E NOW LIVE IN HORRIFIC TIMES

with monsters breathing down our necks. Thirty years after we wrote that soap opera, the Philippine government allowed a hero’s burial for the late dictator, a sneaky move orchestrated by his surviving family members who to this day remain in power. A stamp was issued to mark the birth centennial of the plunderer described as one the world’s all-time most corrupt leaders. Sometimes I feel like I’m reliving a dark period in OUR HISTORY %XCEPT IT S THE INTERNET ) M SURkNG INSTEAD OF THE 46 ) SCROLL through my newsfeed looking for young writers who can see the bigger story beyond this barrage of online POSTS WHO RELENTLESSLY EXAMINE what was being fed to us, by who and how, hungry young writers trying to make sense of a world turned upside down, who write furiously about truth and justice, about their bleeding personal lives; emerging writers who are famished for meaning, who may not fully understand everything, are somewhat deeply insecure and off-centered, but brimming with sadness and compasSION /N kRE ) THOUGHT OF THE NEW Marcos stamp and it made me sick imagining people licking it. I was reading The Name of the Rose in

5MBERTO %CO S NOVEL ABOUT A series of mysterious murders taking place in a 14th-century monastery.

Monks were getting killed because they didn’t know that they were LICKING THEIR kNGERS AFTER TURNING THE poisoned pages of a lost manuscript.

Our walk at the Filoli country estate ended in a garden with more than 400 fragrant rose bushes in full bloom. Our hushed conversation turned to the killings, the tragedies we survived, the evil we saw, and evERYTHING WE DEkED /NE OF THE HALLmarks of “Angkan� was the strong presence of remarkable women in our stories. They held all the secrets.

They knew what happened.

My aunt turned to me and said, “Oyet, do you know what’s the best thing that happened to us during those years?�

“Ano po? 7HAT u g7E LOST POWER u Q

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 January 20, 2019

G3

More exciting Manila FAME set for April Increased orders leave renewed vibe for exhibitors and buyers

Design Commune Special Setting at Manila FAME’s 68th edition.

E

me in this endeavor,� Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan said. “As we prepare for the next show, we want to take into consideration the needs and wants of our buyers that is why we are opening our trade buyer registration through our website. The Philippines is a melting pot of artisanal from the United States, commented that the show was impressive as it fea- The October 2018 edition saw the designers and we are confident that we tured talented Filipino designers and launch of two new digital platforms always have something new, something such as the Manila FAME app and the bold and something different to showthe trade fair was well laid out. case. Understanding our clients even Meanwhile, an exhibitor who was very Touchpoint website.

The app is downloadable from Google more through our interactive social happy with the turnout of the event shared that their buyers were not only interested with Play for Android and App Store for media pages and websites will also their products but with their company as well. I/3 )T SERVES AS AN EFkCIENT CHANNEL FOR help us address the preferences of our “They checked us out online before business-matching and buyer-exhibitor clients better,� Suaco-Juan — who now they came to us and shared that they interaction, as well as supplying the lat- heads the country’s famed exhibition platform — added. are very interested with the story of our est updates to its subscribers.

Touchpoint, on the other hand, foThe last edition saw nearly 400 exhibicompany. This is really an interesting and exciting change,� related Christina cuses on the intricate narratives behind tors from the country’s 18 regions and nine Borromeo-Gaston, owner and creative the products, designers and companies countries within Asia. It was attended by director of Hacienda Crafts. She added that have been a part of Manila FAME over close to 7,000 local and international buyers that they are optimistic the upcoming the years. It aims to present the exhibitors FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES WITH TOP kVE HAILING shows will be better under the direction in a new light by delivering the freshest from the United States, Japan, Australia, content for each company that produces Hong Kong, Singapore and Germany. of its new head.

Around 800 new products were excluThe said company strengthened its export quality products. “Both the physical show and our online sively developed and launched through online presence through a well-designed website. A part of numerous editions, it presence should be equally dynamic, so we the Design Commune initiative — a IS ALSO ONE OF THE kRST BUSINESS VENTURES can retain the interest of our buyers; and I am program that aims to establish a designerhappy that our partner-exhibitors are with manufacturer relationship to help build featured in Manila FAME’s Touchpoint.

XPORT orders during the 68th edition of Manila FAME in October 2018 increased by 21.79 percent compared to the show that happened on the same month in 2017, leaving an energetic and renewed vibe with its exhibitors and buyers.

Chanelle Dupre, a first-time buyer Onto digital sphere

‘Pacquiao versus Broner’ airs free on GMA today

PHILIPPINE pride, Pambansang Kamao Manny “PacMANu 0ACQUIAO RETURNS TO kGHT IN THE 5NITED 3TATES AFter two years to defend his WBA Welterweight belt from American challenger Adrien “The Problem� Broner.

4HIS YEAR S kRST BIG BOXING SHOWDOWN HAPPENS AT the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas today and broadcast via satellite on GMA Network starting at 10 a.m. An exclusive blow-by-blow coverage of the kGHT ALSO AIRS ON THE NETWORK S lAGSHIP !- RADIO STAtion Super Radyo DZBB 594 and in all Super Radyo stations nationwide starting at 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Eight-division world champion Pacquiao, who holds a 60-7 record including 39 knockouts and 2 draws, is determined to defend his title after his knockout victory over Argentinian Lucas Matthysse IN HIS LAST kGHT IN *ULY A replay of “Pacquiao versus Broner� will be aired on the same day at 10:30 p.m. on GMA “Sunday .IGHT "OX /FkCE 3."/ u

T

Digital platform Touchpoint showcases engaging stories about Filipino design excellence.

the capacity of local entrepreneurs.

The show recognized eight outstanding and innovative companies through the annual Katha Awards as well.

As the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), CITEM invites everyone to take part and witness how the show continually elevates

&ILIPINO CRAFTSMANSHIP IN kRST EDITION FOR 2019 slated on April 25 to 27.

One of the longest-running trade shows IN THE !SIA 0ACIkC REGION -ANILA &!-% is the only trade event in the Philippines approved by the Union des Foires Internationales (UFI), the global association of the exhibition industry.

Rest assured the best is yet to come

HE past week my social meing to the same song every day, dia feed has been filtered sticking closely to my routine) with interesting collages of THE THOUGHT but life would be the first to my friend and family’s photos JUNKIE tell you that no matter how showcasing how much they CARLA BIANCA you stick to your routine, life have “grown� in the past year. RAVANES-HIGHAM happens and it’s okay to be sad.

For one thing, it amazes me The first step is to realize that that social media, specifically being sad or feeling other emoFacebook, has chronicled our lives for ten years tions other than “being okay� is totally okay. or so and every day, through its Memories app, It doesn’t make you less of a person. Having we are reminded of how much we’ve grown and emotions and understanding why we feel what how much life has changed — for the better, I we feel. To truly understand ourselves, we must hope for everyone. listen to our bodies, our thoughts, and our emoWhile everyone was so fixated on how much tions. We do not have to pressure ourselves to be they have “aged,� I was more into celebrating happy all the time. how much I have grown in the past ten years.

Social media has added to the pressure simply How many challenges I have overcome by God’s because people have chosen to share the highgrace and how much God has changed me from lighted parts of their lives. the inside out. Instead of counting the lines on my face, I chose to see it as tiny victories because they all have a story to tell.

In the past ten years and to this day, one of the things that I spend a lot of time thinking about is the irony of searching for happiness. As an adolescent, I have always been told to chase my happiness, find my joy and just be happy.

Growing up a highly emotional youngster, I have always found it difficult to simply be happy.

I was never quite still and in my young mind, I have always felt that having joy meant never being sad. I was always searching and most of the time felt frustrated when I was not able to be happy for the day.

Instead of feeling happy, I started becoming anxious, worried that if I wasn’t happy now then it would affect the rest of my day. I used to have ‘How much have you grown in 10 years specific coping skills when I was younger (listen- challenge’ accepted.

In this week’s sermon from Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church, he stated that the generations before us had it easy simply because they were not constantly scrolling or comparing as we do now.

And we do it so mindlessly — a search to see how our classmate from high school is doing instantly becomes an obsession to see whose life is better.

There’s no winning because there is always someone better than you, more attractive than you, and richer than you in the same way that there is someone who has less than yourself.

Pastor Steven also shared something that struck a cord with me, “Joy only comes in my life when I am focused on what God is doing now in my life.� Not in someone else’s life, not in my past, and not in the future. Just in the now, at this moment.

It also helps to know that joy is not the absence of sadness and that joy is deeper than happiness.

Joy depends on a steady anchor, one that remains unchanged no matter what happens on the outside.

Pastor Steven also spoke of looking at our priorities and where we base our self-worth on because it is these priorities that affect us the most. It’s all about perspective and thankfully, that is one thing we can control.

To others, inner work may not be as visible as the outside changes but it is the most vital. I believe that growing up is all about being kind to ourselves, understanding what our bodies need, and truly being content where we are.

As you look back on your own ten years, I hope you give yourself a pat on the back for all you have won and may you have the joy today to keep going on. The best is yet to come. *** www.carlabiancaravanes.com

Cover Story The Sunday Times

G4

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

Whitney Thore is fat, happy and proud

BY CHRISTINA ALPAD

T

HREE weeks into the new year, most people who resolved that 2019 is the year they will finally get fit and healthy should still be on track. After all, gyms everywhere are still packed at all hours, health store tills continue to ring, and following a slow season, salad bars are overf lowing with low-calorie eaters.

New year on new year, such businesses enjoy major spikes in their sales what with hopes renewed over and over again for drastic weight loss, sugar and cholesterol levels within range, and with some luck, toned arms and hard abs to go with the “new” them. The new them, that is, that for most is ever elusive.

American T V personality and body positivity advocate Whitney Thore knows this never ending struggle all too well, which is why she is always ready to tell her story in the hopes it could help others see weight loss in a different light.

Overnight changes Despite her infectious optimism and the tremendous energy she channels via her cable TV show “My Big Fat Fabulous Life” on TLC, Thore admitted it took her a long time before she became the body advocate girls her size look up to today.

“I always suffered with really bad body image which I think, unfortunately, is terribly common,” the TV star told The Sunday Times Magazine in an interview during her visit in the Philippines.

“I was actually thin my whole life until I was 18 years old, but I was always struggling, feeling that I was fat even though I was very small. I wasn’t even chubby,” she recalled.

She suddenly went through an extreme body CHANGE DURING HER kRST YEAR IN COLLEGE AND gained 100 pounds over her ideal body weight.

"AFlED BY THE UNEXPLAINED GROWTH 4HORE said she consulted a number of doctors to kND OUT WHY IT HAPPENED BUT HAD LITTLE SUPport from those around her who dismissed her concern. They pointed out that she was in college anyway where bullying wouldn’t be as bad as it is in high school.

“At that time I remember feeling like IT WAS A SELF FULkLLING PROPHECY BECAUSE I’d always felt so fat and I always hated my body. So I thought like, ‘Wow, now I am actually fat’.”

The Sunday Times

magazine

Thore said the entire experience felt like she was living out a social experiment where she had to put on a fat suit and go out to see how the public would react to her size.

“Overnight, everything changed for me — everyone treated me differently, some in overt ways, others in subtle ways. There were people who suddenly didn’t want to stand close to me in an elevator or something like that. It was really traumatic.”

Three years later, in 2005, Thore discovered she had Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which caused the sudden physical changes and extreme weight gain.

But by the time she was diagnosed with the condition, she had already added more poundage and felt she was at the point of no return.

“I was so ashamed [with my looks] that I quit dancing and exercising altogether. I coped with alcohol and food and other things, but every coping mechanism I turned to just exacerbated my weight gain.”

‘Rude awakening’ Thore continued living unhealthily for a long time until she decided she needed a complete change of scenery to lift up her spirits.

3HE lEW MILES AWAY FROM HER HOME OF North Carolina and embraced a new life in South Korea as an English teacher.

“I just didn’t know what I wanted to do after college. I had a college friend who had moved to Korea and he said it was [a] good [place]. He was also a teacher and he said you could travel and the job was fun and all that so I just went for it.”

But what she thought was the change she needed turned for the worst as Thore was met with ridicule in a foreign country.

“I experienced a lot of hate. I got assaulted, I got spit on, I got called a pig, I got laughed at and pointed at every single day.”

Thore said she realized the Asian’s beauty standard is much more rigid that the American’s.

“In the West, things are pretty covert, I would say, but in Korea it was very overt.

And I think it had to do with the amount of exposure that a lot of people in other countries

have never had. I was like literally the fattest person a lot of people [in Korea] had ever seen so that made me a really big anomaly.”

Still, she loved the opportunity to teach young minds and the children whose lives she touched.

“I would talk about stuff like this from time to time with my Korean students and they were brilliant and very open and accepting. And that gave me hope that things can change there too.”

Time for ‘change’ “All the same, I wanted to prevent my experience in Korea from ever happening again to me or to anyone else, so I decided I had to lose weight,” Thore continued her story.

3HE THEN lEW HOME AFTER HER four-year stint in South Korea to kNALLY EMBARK ON HER gWEIGHT loss journey,” but it was anything but healthy. She became a slave at the gym and worked out almost four hours a day, every day of the week. She also followed an extremely restrictive diet, and hardly ate anything.

The result was neither her ideal weight nor her dream body but a terrible eating disorder.

“I ended up losing 100 pounds in about eight months, when in reality I was suffering from an eating disorder. Still, everyone was like, ‘Wow you look great! You are so disciplined’ when I was just dying inside.”

In her brief moment of triumph, however, Thore realized the feeling of contentment she thought would wash over her if she slimmed down a little was neither there.

“It hit me that nothing had really changed because I was still fat, just less fat and life was still bad. I thought people still hated me because I still wasn’t small enough just as I did when I experienced ridicule abroad.

COVER PHOTO BY GERARD SEGUIA “But one day I just told myself, maybe the answer isn’t just weight loss, maybe there’s something else, maybe I can be happy without that. In a way, my experience in South Korea was the catalyst to the catalyst I had for this journey.”

The next question Thore had to deal with was how she could take on a journey toward a healthier lifestyle and selfacceptance differently.

“And just as instantly, I thought that

instead of trying to lose all these weight again, I’m just going to try to live like I wasn’t fat, and here we are. My life changed pretty much, once again, overnight.”

Her confidence back, she found a job as on-air producer of a radio show titled “Jared & Katie in the Morning” in North Carolina. Her love for dance also re-emerged and even resulted in a dance video project she wholeheartedly dubbed, “A Fat Girl Dancing.”

TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA Editor ALVIN I. DACANAY Literary Editor CHRISTINA ALPAD IZA IGLESIAS Staff Writers ARLO CUSTODIO Deskman *** PETER BAGA ZENAIDA D. ERISPE MARJORIE T. DIZON ENRICO D. BERATA JOANNA C. UMADHAY HORACIO MAKABENTA Layout Artists *** DANTE FRANCIS M. ANG 2ND President & CEO *** Telephone: 524-5664 to 66 Telefax: 521-6897 • 521-6872 Subscription: 528-1319 www.manilatimes.net Website lifestyle@manilatimes.net E-mail

~

The Manila Times is published daily at 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002

Whitney Thore was actually thin growing up but she still suffered from bad body image early on. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

FROM INSTAGRAM.COM/WHITNEYWAYTHORE

Cover Story SUNDAY January 20, 2019

The Sunday Times

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Soon, the video went viral and Thore found a platform and a personal mission to promote positive body image. Once they heard her story, the likes of “ABC News,�

NBC’s “Today Show� and 4HE (UFkNGTON Post came knocking so that millions of OTHERS CAN kND INSPIRATION IN HER JOURNEY But that’s not all. “Two months later I had a TV show.

Really, it all happened very quickly!�

In the spotlight The year 2015 became a pivotal year for Thore as the popular cable channel TLC began airing “My Big Fat Fabulous Life� in early January.

She quickly gained a following who related with her lifelong battle with yo-yoing weight, her determination to become healthier and eventual triumph in self-acceptance.

The show became such a success that it just WENT ON ITS kFTH SEASON THIS MONTH g) VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE TELL ME @7HEN ) kRST heard about your show, I wasn’t sure about it, then I watched it and I fell in love with you!’�

Thore believes that one of the things that have made My Big Fat Fabulous Life such a hit is its innovative portrayal of fat people on television. “It’s really about humanizing fat people because we don’t typically see them in the media as full three-dimensional human beings. We’re just like props so I’m just trying to live and hope that people catch on.�

As the show progressed, Thore also noticed she was no longer just representing people of bigger sizes. “I think my biggest accomplishment is that I hear from folks all over the world who are actually nothing like me but who turn on the TV and say, ‘I see myself in you.’ I think it’s important for people to see someone who isn’t the societal norm but who is still REPRESENTING THEMSELVES WITH CONkDENCE ON a platform as extensive as television.�

But if there’s so much love for Thore from her fans around the world, there are also those who raise their eyebrows and accuse her of promoting obesity. She always says after all that slimming down is not her end goal.

When The Sunday Times Magazine asked her to comment on what others deem as a dissonance between the big happy woman she is and her call for a healthy lifestyle, Thore replied, “For people who say ‘I think you’re really promoting an unhealthy lifestyle and obesity,’ and they feel that it’s their job to change that or something, I always ask them, ‘Do you walk down the street and knock cigarettes from people’s hands? Do you go into fastfood restaurants and tell people not to eat there if they want to be thin? Do you ask people how much sleep they get every night?’ Of course, their answer is no and it becomes clear they have a fat prejudice and not a concern for health. “I think the best thing to do is just lead by example.�

Start the journey to happiness Rounding up the interview, Thore stated she hopes fat people everywhere will realize they deserve all the love and respect like the rest of the world and for that feeling to eventually empower them to make a conscious move to start their own journey of happiness.

Easier said than done, Thore also enumerated the ways in which people with insecurities can hold their head up high. “When I started to gain recognition and all these people started reaching out to me to share their stories, I was actually really SAD AT kRST ) THOUGHT LIFE WAS SO AWFUL THAT

Her advocacy has brought her to places and countries whose people can relate to her story, the Philippines included. Thore visited the country in December to lead TLC’s ‘Discovery Festival.’

After experiencing a drastic weight gain, and later on, weight loss, Thore realized her happiness does not lie in the digits of her weighing scale. From then on she embarked on a journey to positive body image.

‘ I think it’s important for people to see someone who isn’t the societal norm but who is still representing themselves with confidence on extensive platforms.’

people are just so awful, and that there’s so much pain in the world. But I realized that if I wasn’t unique in my struggle, then I wasn’t alone. There is strength in solidarity and knowing that you are not alone. I think THAT S THE kRST STEP IN BEATING INSECURITY “The second thing is what I tell people when they ASK ME @(OW DO YOU BECOME CONkDENT 4HERE ARE numerous reasons why people struggle with not HAVING CONkDENCE AND ) think that the way we view that is really backwards. We tend to think, we HAVE TO HAVE CONkDENCE TO BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING But I think it’s the reverse. I think it’s when you do SOMETHING THAT YOU ACTUALLY GAIN THE CONkDENCE “If I had to wait to have the confidence to do the things I did, I would never be here right now. I think that you just have to do the hard stuff and get out of your comfort zone and then the confidence comes as a reward. So I urge people not to feel they can’t do something just because they’re not confident. “Lastly, I advice people to surround themselves with people who are supportive. I’m really luck y to have supportive family and friends, and it’s so wonderful to realize that you deserve to be loved, to reach out and make connections in your life, and support other people and get that same support back.�

At the end of the day, Thore said she simply wants to be remembered as a TV personality who went the extra mile for her viewers. “I just want to be remembered as a woman who put everything about her out there — the good, the bad, the hard stuff, the fun stuff, the scary stuff — so that other PEOPLE CAN kND SOMEONE THEY CAN RELATE TO u

The TV star feels lucky to have supportive family and friends who surely make her feel she deserves all the love.

Thore refuses to let her body weight take away activities she loves doing, like dancing.

Fun Times The Sunday Times

G6

»horoscope

THE SUNDAY CROSSWORD

Classified 4-F

By Merl Reagle January 20, 2019

...How a Famous Foursome can make a diFFerence This puzzle is part of Merl's best-of series 1 5 9 13 18 19 20 21 22 23 26 28 29 30 31 33 34 36 38 40 41 44 45 48 50 51 53 54 56 58 62 63 64 66 67 69 74 75 76 77 80 82 83 84 85 87 90

ACROSS Sound of Batman hitting Willy Loman’s son?

Trousers minimum Surveyor’s nail Metaphor, e.g.

Herd escapee Aunt with a Cope Book Circle overhead?

Of the kidneys Norse kings They tell drivers where to go Had a delayed reaction Paris airport “Answer yes ___” Orioles’ home “Babycakes” Landing site for Santa People with slurred speech?

What pheromones do Condescending one “Evil Woman” band: abbr. ___ by the rules Krypton or xenon Peptic problem Thanksgiving Day streetwalker?

Nobelist Cassin Released on bail: slang Medicine-chest tincture Heart of REO Does a laundry job Pollute ___ the question Anti-drug org. “___ lied!”

Pursuing “Stormy” bird Bread Sung syllable Hard ___ (tough and stringy) Great ability Ad text Active Mauna Loa crater Smites, Stooge-style Champion in Arabic Lucky rolls Jeanne d’Arc, e.g.: abbr.

Plop kin Charming

92 Start of a Judy Garland musical 95 Les Etats-___ 97 Farm equipment pioneer 98 Concerning 101 Slight fight 102 “Duke” 103 Latté, sometimes 107 Emulated a famous home wrecker?

109 Of certain neural tissue 110 To possess, in Provençe 111 Playwright-producer Schary 112 Act the nomad 113 Actress Witherspoon 114 Paddy’s butcher 115 “Make a new plan, ___” (Paul Simon lyric) 116 Father of Nobelist Elihu Root 117 In ___ (existing, in Latin)

Gift givers! For info on Merl’s books, visit www.sundaycrosswords.com.

1

2

3

4

5

18

19

22

23

26

27

28

29

33

34 38

51

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 24 25 27 32 35 36 37

9

10

11

12

25

30

31

48

42

74 78

43

80

83

64 70

71

91 99

94

88 95

89 96

102 106 109

110

111

112

113

114

115

116

117

65 68 70 71 72 73 77 78 79 81 82 84 86 88 89 91 92 93 94 96 98

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Collaborate with friends. Team efforts and projects are favored this month, with the Sun in Aquarius. Schedule carefully.

Your social life gets extra fun.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Writing projects benefit from the Aquarius Sun. Creative communications flower. Learn and retain complex material.

Stick with the truth. Listen carefully and summarize.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is an 8 --Take advantage of opportunities to advance your career this month, with the Sun in Aquarius. Your status and influence are on the rise.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -Money comes easier this month, with the Sun in Aquarius.

Push for positive cash flow. Profitable ideas abound. Agree on terms and conditions.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Travel beckons, with the Sun in Aquarius this month. You’re eager to leap boundaries, push limitations and discover. You’re learning by leaps and bounds.

87

101 105

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Go for passion, fun and family adventures this month, with the Sun entering Aquarius. Practice hobbies, sports and games.

Express your creativity. Fall in love.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Actions now have long-lasting benefit. Home improvement and family responsibilities are in the spotlight under the Aquarius Sun. Fill your place with love.

61

66

86 93

100

107 108

39 “Dictionary game” player 41 Seed coat (or certain foreign money going up?)

42 Cutter with pulleys 43 The ___ March 46 Your body’s neural network: abbr.

47 Folksy exclamation 49 Brouhaha 50 Manipulate cards a certain way 51 Turn on a pivot 52 Golfcart sound 53 Gem Stater 55 Handout 56 Dandy 57 Vex 59 Pack ___ (go home) 60 Not used or eaten 61 Before, once upon a time

60

73

92 98 104

59

76

85

97

55

82

84

90

65

72

81

Sun in Aquarius. Mental creativity is at maximum. Raise the level of your performance with practice.

44

54

75

79

37

58

69

17

50

63 68

16

32

49

53

67

15

36 41

47

14

21

24

57

62

13

20

52

103

DOWN Spanish dances 4 quarts Historic latitude It follows Oktober The Great, of Russia Composition interpreter Sinatra’s “___ To Want You” Finn’s floater English county Treasure-map measures Somewhere up there Tip, as one’s derby Warp-knit fabrics Parish leader Simple, as a rocket One short of a bogey Rels. of subways “What can I ___ you?”

Marshy homes Shackled Nail or nob preceder Use a periscope “___ the morning!”

Lemon attachment Prufrock creator’s monogram

8

40 46

56

77

7

35

39 45

6

Today’s Birthday (01/20/19). Community efforts reap rewards this year. Rigorous planning sets the stage for success. Domestic surprises could arise.

Winter brings changes with a partner. Summer breakthroughs with health and fitness lead to a peaceful introspective phase. Plan and strategize.

Together, you’re more powerful.

SUNDAY January 20, 2019

104 They’re craze-y As ___ say 99 Actress Volz of Diff’rent Strokes (or 105 Picked hairdo Hoover Dam forms it actress Eve standing 106 Grouch-and-a-half Old French coins 107 Christmas entree on her head?)

Michael Learned 100 Approach the picking 108 Grape, to Bacchus or Stevie Nicks point Hector Fine wood Solution: ¶7RS 7HQ *DPH 6KRZV RQ & 63$1· (Jan 13) Cornfield cry OP I UM AGA P E C A R A S P C A On the stinky side T ONGA F I B E R AME S P E A R Missed terribly H I GHRO L L E R S H I S T OR F F Common contraction E T E S R I T H E B I G P A Y O F F L I S A CC S E L O I I F E E L Little goat-getter L E T SMA K E A D E A L GA P C I A Merlin’s métier OR A T E WR E N T HO A T NO A L MOS T A N Y T H I NGGOE S Determine the H A A R L EM F I OR E E R A presence of OB J R A P S OD I S T AMA T I Consolidates B L A N K CH E C K A BOU T F A C E S Leaf curl or ergot, S EGU E A R R OW E D G E T E N R E F R I T A S OR A L I S T e.g.

L E T S P L A Y POS T O F F I C E Deem appropriate I NR E I T S T A X I R E E F S Caterer’s concern AGA A P T I V EGO T A S E CR E T R I V A L OMN I S B A H A L O Infuriate N AME DROP P E R S A S P S I C “King” Brynner’s ME NU A NN A P A S S T H E B UC K catchall abbr.

B E T S Y E A R E S T E E CUR I E Inscribed monument E R I E S Y S T E A S E S K N E A D On the other hand

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Focus to grow family finances over the next month, with the Aquarius Sun. Consider long-term goals, and plot your moves. Try a new direction.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Collaborate, compromise and negotiate terms. A new phase in a partnership develops over the next month, with the Sun in Aquarius. Rely on each other.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Balance work with physical health over the next month with the

SUDOKU

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is a 9 -- Go for your personal best. You have the advantage this month, with the Sun in your sign. Use your growing personal power and talent for good.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is a 6 -- You get more done in private. Finish old projects, with the Sun in Aquarius. Savor solitude and introspection. Restore energy through rest and meditation.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @lindablack. For more astrological interpretations visit Linda Black Horoscopes and www.nancyblack.com) NANCY BLACK. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

By ROGER SEVILLA Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

Arts Awake SUNDAY January 20, 2019

The Sunday Times

G7

NCCA fetes artistic excellence in ‘Ani ng Sining 2019’

F

National Arts Month opening ceremonies in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao

ILIPINO artistry and creative genius are once again recognized as the whole nation celebrates National Arts Month (NAM).

As the country’s leading government agency for arts and culture, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) leads in the 2019 NAM celebration with the multi-venue series of events — “Ani ng Sining: Philippine Arts Festival� — emphasizing the richness of artistic endeavors in the Philippines and the passion of Filipino artists and cultural workers.

The month-long festival offers a wide array of events and activities aim at celebrating a bountiful harvest of Philippine arts as well as inspiring Filipinos to immerse in and appreciate the diversity of cultural expressions, insights and creativity.

It is composed of the flagship projects of the seven national committees — Architecture, Cinema, Dance, Literary Arts, Music, Dramatic Arts and Visual Arts — and held at different venues all over the country.

Opening ceremonies are to be held in the National Capital Region (NCR), Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

For NCR, Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, Manila, will host the opening on February 3, while in Luzon, it will be in the municipality of Bagac in Bataan on February 8. Opening ceremonies will also be held in Bago City, Negros Occidental on February 1 for the Visayas; and Koronadal City, South Cotabato on February 15 for Mindanao.

NCCA is burgeoning under the leadership of Chairman National Artist Virgilio Almario, executive director Rico Pableo and deputy executive director Marichu Tellano, Ani ng Sining is under the aegis of NCCA’s Subcommission on the Arts (SCA) led by commissioner Teddy Co.

Architecture and Allied Arts

The National Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts, headed by Rogelio Caringal, will present “Loob at Labas: Talakayan at Pagpaparangya,� an exhibit and forum which will travel around the country to enhance appreciation and

National Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts will present ‘Loob at Labas: Talakayan at Pagpaparangya,’ an exhibit and forum enhancing appreciation and awareness on Philippine architecture.

‘Musicapuluan: Music of the Philippine Islands’ is a music festival with performances, lectures and workshops featuring local music.

awareness on Philippine architecture from February 22 to March 21.

Cinema

The National Committee on Cinema headed by Co will hold the eleventh installment of Cinema Rehiyon Film )HVWLYDO D QRQ FRPSHWLWLRQ ÀOP IHVWLval which highlights some of the best works in the regions from February 23 to March 1 at Foundation University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

Dance

Headed by Shirley Halili-Cruz, the National Committee on Dance will once again amaze the public with the month-long traveling dance concert series “Sayaw Pinoy� in different parts of the country, bringing together different dance forms such as classical ballet, folk dance, contemporary and modern dance as the country’s top dance companies perform with the local dance troupes of host cities and municipalities.

Dramatic Arts

The National Committee on Dramatic

‘Tampok’ is a convergence in the regions to gather and document the pioneers and key theater practitioners.

Arts, headed by Rossana Palm, will hold “Tampok,â€? convergences in the regions to gather and document the pioneers and key theater practitioners from February 27 to March 1 in Malabon (NCR); from February 26 to March 1 at University of the Philippines Los BaĂąos, Laguna (Luzon); from February 28 to March 2 in Bohol (Visayas); and from March 2 to 4 in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental (Mindanao).

Literary Arts

The National Committee on Literary Arts, head by Hope Yu, presents “NAMnamin,� a convergence of food and literature from February 25 to 27 at The Orchid Gardens, San Fernando, Pampanga, with a food trip on February 27 in Angeles City.

National Committee on Cinema will hold the 11th installment of Cinema Rehiyon Film Festival.

Music

Headed by Mauricia Borromeo, the National Committee on Music will hold “Musicapuluan: Music of the Philippine Islands,� a music festival with performances, lectures and workshops that celebrates local music. It will be held in different venues—Baguio City on February 8; Catbalogan City, Samar, on February 1 and 8; and Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, on February 23.

Visual Arts

The National Committee on Visual A r ts, headed by Edgar Talusan Fernandez, will mount the Philippine Visual Arts Festival in Manila from February 4 to 7. It will include workshops, art talks, exhibits and

numerous activities that will highlight the works of visual artists around the country.

Ani ng Dangal

As a tradition for several years now, the NCCA’s NAM celebration will close with Ani ng Dangal (Harvest of Honors) awarding ceremonies, recognizing artists who have earned international awards and accolades during the past year.

Presidential Proclamation 683 signed in 1991 declared February as National Arts Month. Over the years, NCCA, as well as private and government agencies, has been organizing events and activities to highlight Filipino artistic brilliance and creativity.

LPT conducts Exhibition celebrates Brocka and Bernal acting workshop for ensembles CONTEMPORARY performance company Langgam Performance Troupe (LPT) presents its second acting module offering, “Bodies as One,â€? a wholeGD\ SK\VLFDO WKHDWHU ZRUNVKRS GHVLJQHG VSHFLĂ€cally for ensemble performances on all Saturdays of February. It follows LPT’s initial workshop for solo pieces dubbed the “Personal Spectacleâ€? which took place in November.

Focusing on producing process-based and practice-as-research works, one of LPT’s mission points is to conduct workshops to share its collected methodologies to potential collaborators. “In the Personal Spectacle workshop, the participants took the risk to unravel themselves; dove deep into intense work; broke some generous sweat on our VWXGLR Ă RRU DV WKH\ FKDOOHQJHG WKHPVHOYHV SK\VLFDOO\ and articulated verbally and through movements what solo performance meant to them,â€? LPT founder and artistic director Jenny Logico-Cruz said. “The momentum garnered by and the engagement level of the initial workshop made us very excited for the Bodies as One workshop,â€? the University of Roehampton’s London’s Theater and Performance graduate added.

Bodies as One draws methods and exercises from Polish theater practitioner and theorist Jerzy Grotowski; feminist theater practices such as collaboration; contemporary performance practices like devised works; and LPT’s own ensemble work processes.

Anggoy Calura Jalla, Kamille Ortega Espiel, and Betty Uy-Regala completed the Personal Spectacle workshop with a showcase of their work in progress SUHVHQWDWLRQV 7KH\ ZLOO SUHVHQW WKHLU ÀQDO VROR ZRUNV RQ WKH ÀUVW GD\ RI WKH %RGLHV DV 2QH ZRUNVKRS on February 2.

With the framework of physical theater, the second module workshop further strengthens the group’s communication and interconnectedness through physical sensitivity and intuition.

Besides Logico-Cruz, Langgam Performance Troupe (LPT) is composed of company manager Blonski Cruz; artistic associates Joel Garcia, Jacq Nacu-Garcia and Diana Aviado; and administrator Gaya dela Rosa. Its headquarters is located at 37C T. Bautista Street, AFPOVAI Phase 2, Western Bicutan, Taguig City.

A SPECIAL exhibition that features the interesting lives and impressive works of Philippine National Artists for Film Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal marks an early celebration of the Philippine cinema’s 100 years of existence.

Called “Brocka, Bernal and the City,� the exhibition honors the legacies of the iconic auteurs at the 12th Floor Gallery of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus.

Apart from creating some of the country’s ÀQHVW ÀOPV DQG FRPPHQFLQJ WKH UHPDUNDEOH cinematic journeys of the industry’s leading actors and actresses, both Brocka and Bernal Lino Brocka were known as street parliamentarians during the dictatorship whose narratives encapsulated advocacies, battled political censorship, chamBenilde’s Digitial Filmmaking (DFilm) Program, SLRQHG ÀOP ZRUNHUV¡ ULJKWV VKDUHG FRPSUHKHQwill also impart their insights. Pascual and Red sive gender depictions, and demonstrated the will share how the works of Brocka and Bernal power of the artist in initiating social change. motivated them as artists.

The exhibition examines how the two creContemporary artworks of the members of the ative geniuses used Manila as a milieu that Urban Sketchers of Manila that illustrate some greatly impacted on the lives of Filipinos. It Manila hotspots used by the two directors as IHDWXUHV D VHULHV RI XVHU GLUHFWHG Ă€OP VKRZLQJV shoot locations are where the viewers can freely choose which displayed and are DPRQJ WKH VLJQLĂ€FDQW SLHFHV DUH VFUHHQHG for sale during the Brocka’s “Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanagâ€? exhibition.

(1975) and Bernal’s “Manila By Nightâ€? “Film is always rel ZKLFK SURMHFWHG D FULWLFDO UHĂ HFWLRQ RI evant because it is a the urban experience at that time, headline UHĂ HFWLRQ RI VRFLHW\ the selections. and Brocka and Other masterpieces available on view are Brocka’s “Insiangâ€? (1976), “Jaguarâ€? (1979), and “Bonaâ€? (1980) as well as Bernal’s “Ikaw Ay Akinâ€? (1978), “Relasyonâ€? (1982), “Broken Marriageâ€? (1983), and “Working Girlsâ€? (1984).

Two separate spaces have been allocated for the works of Brocka and Bernal, while a third area is dedicated to recent Brocka- and Bernal-inspired movies such as “Manilaâ€? (2009), starred and co-produced by Piolo Pascual, and “Aninoâ€? (2000), directed by Raymond Red. Brocka, Bernal, and the City likewise features recorded interviews from the individuals who have worked with the Ă€OPPDNHUV RQ DQG RII WKH FDPHUD WR LQclude scriptwriter Clodualdo del Mundo Jr. and actors Bembol Roco, Cherie Gil, Gina Alajar and Ronnie Lazaro.

Film scholar Ed Cabagnot, directors Nonon Padilla, Peque Gallaga, Mel Chionglo, and Ismael Bernal Jose Javier Reyes, who serves as chairman of

%HUQDO¡V Ă€OPV VKRZFDVH WKDW Âľ &HQWHU IRU &DPSXV Art (CCA) director architect Gerry Torres noted. “They were activists who voiced out what they saw were the ills of society at that time and what ills they were protesting against then are still around, some even became worse,â€? he added.

Spearheaded by the CCA, Torres believes that this exhibition will focus on the future crop of %HQLOGHDQ Ă€OPPDNHUV DUWLVWV ZKR FRQWLQXHG WR Ă€JKW WKHLU EDWWOHV GHVSLWH WKH GDQJHUV “Brocka and Bernal used their craft to try to correct what was wrong in society and that is one important lesson that I hope the students see,â€? he shared. “I want them to remember that through their art, they can at the very least create awareness about certain issues and hopefully affect change.â€?

The exhibition is part of the series of activities in line with the 30th anniversary celebration of College of St. Benilde, its contribution to the commemoration of 2019 as the 100th year of Philippine cinema.

The exhibit is open to the public from January 25 to April 29, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the 12th Floor Gallery of DLS-CSB, SDA Campus, 950 Pablo Ocampo (Vito Cruz) Street, Malate, Manila.

Arts Awake January 20, 2019 SUNDAY

The Sunday Times

G8

Composer Abi Casauay

Angelique Frades as Yaya, Diwata

Earl John Diaz as Timothy, Bapor, Do and Doktor

James Vic Allen Pangan as Kabayo, So and Doktor

Director and playwright Jay Crisostomo 4th

‘MANIKANG KUNEHO’

Classic children tale comes alive on stage H OW does one become “real?� This is the central question that the musical “Manikang Kuneho� explores.

Adapted from Margery Williams’s timeless classic, “The Velveteen RabELW Âľ 0DQLNDQJ .XQHKR LV WKH Ă€UVW RIfering of performance company Ikarus Theater Collaborative for 2019.

The company’s Artistic Director, award-winning playwright and director Jay Crisostomo 4th, translated and wrote the songs. Crisostomo is also directing the musical.

In Manikang Kuneho, a stuffed rabELW Ă€QGV D QHZ KRPH LQ D \RXQJ ER\ She longs to be “real,â€? although she does not fully understand what that means. She only knows that, to be real, she has to be loved fully, loved until she is worn-down and until only one person FDQ HYHU Ă€QG KHU ORYDEOH The company had been discussing staging the play for three years now, but adapting the children’s story for stage production proved to be challenging. “The book is wonderful, it’s very accessible to both children and adults.

The problem is it’s very thin, so we

needed to add something to it, to make it more lively, more whole,� shared Crisostomo. “What I tried to do was, of course, respect Margery Williams’s work, stretch her themes and her thesis: how is it to be real?� he added.

And while adults will no doubt feel a familiar twinge in their hearts once they see the popular story from their childhood brought to life on the stage, children will definitely benefit more from the musical, not only because of its entertainment value, but also because of the lessons it imparts along the way. “For children, well, it’s colorful, it’s vibrant, it will remind children to love their toys, to take care of precious things. To be in the moment,� Crisostomo explained.

Ultimately, children will be invited to take their time growing up and enjoy the little moments when fantasy can still take root in their souls.

The musical also features a variety

In Manikang Kuneho, a stuffed rabbit (Joyce Miranda, left photo) finds a new home in a young boy (CJ Maramara, above photo). She longs to be real, although she does not fully understand what that means.

“To adults, mararamdaman nyo ang buhay na buhay na OPM — ‘90s, balik sa ‘80s and ‘70s, ramdam natin ito,� she added, addressing the adult audience.

Meanwhile, since the play is about love, Ikarus Theater Collaborative has of songs, ranging from the soulful taken several steps to extend that love (“Baul,� “Nang Mahalin ng Isang to other kids.

Bata�), upbeat (“Totoo,� “Sagana�)

One initiative of the company is the and head-boppingly catchy (“Ambot�). Toy Drive, where cast members will Singer and educator Abi Casauay be accepting toy donations during the composed and served as the musical show dates. director of the play.

Moreover, proceeds from the Febru“What you can expect from the play ary 2 show will go towards supporting LV Ă€UVW \RX¡UH JRLQJ WR KDYH IXQ :KHQ kids from Destiny’s Promise Home for you are here in the theater, feel free to Children Foundation, a charity organibounce along, clap along, and bounce zation helping children at risk. along,â€? said Casauay in her message to Finally, the company has also partkids who may watch the play. nered with Concepcion Integrated

The life of Benilde in a musical

PETA’S 'CHAROT!'

Is it all imaginary?

FILIPINOS have a knack for comedy.

They joke about their struggles and ODXJK DERXW GLIĂ€FXOW VLWXDWLRQV DV D way to get by them. But when things become too absurd, where do they draw the line between what is still funny and what is no longer a laughing matter? “Charot,â€? a Filipino colloquial term that means “just kidding,â€? underlines a pun. It is used to downplay an otherwise scathing statement to mere jest.

A safe word, it turns its argument on its head, watering it down to avoid the ire of the message’s receiver.

As things become more and more ridiculous in the society, Filipinos do not choose to remain silent. Unfortunately, many opt for something worse: laughter. They laugh to escape and to convince ourselves that the joke, too, shall pass. But what if they are brought to the front and center?

What if they have the power to make the laughter stop?

Set in 2020 Philippines, PETA’s 51st Theater Season ender is a comedy play with songs aptly entitled “Charot!� It engages audiences by taking into account an important choice they will make during the play that will decide how the story unravels.

Moreover, PETA’s Charot! has a hilarious punchline: Under a new charter, the Philippines will be united under the banner of federalism‌ Charot!

The show provides a platform for dis-

School in Marikina through the Buy One-Give One show where, for every ticket bought for the 4pm show on February 16, a ticket will be given to a grade school student so that they can watch the play as well.

Manikang Kuneho stars Mary Joyce Miranda, CJ Maramara, James Vic Allen Pangan, Angelique Frades, and Earl John Diaz.

Show dates are January 25 and 26, February 1, 2, 8 and 15, at 7 p.m.; and February 16 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The musical will be staged at DITO: Bahay ng Sining, J. Molina St, Concepcion Uno, Marikina. For inquiries and reservations, contact +63917.863.2364 or send an email to ikarustheater@ gmail.com.

Set in 2020 Philippines, PETA’s 51st Theater Season ender is a comedy musical play.

FXVVLRQ UHJDUGLQJ WKH ÀQH SULQW RI WKH proposed Charter Change: the amendments on the freedoms of expression, ownership, and most especially, federalism. What is it and what will it borne in the given context of Filipinos? As a response to the call for unity by breaking the walls between generations and social classes, Charot! will constantly break the fourth wall to engage audiences in a dialogue, in an aim to rid of what divides Filipinos beyond the stage, such political biases, poverty, FRQà LFWLQJ ZRUOGYLHZV DQG PRUH PETA’s 51st Theater Season ender introduces a dynamic cast of newcomers and veterans: Jack Yabut as Papsy, Teetin Villanueva and Gardo Vicente as Millennial Girl, Bene Manaois and ABS-CBN Star Magic’s CJ Navato as Millennial Boy, Meann Espinosa as Tita Mary Grace, Sister Joy, and Karen De Villa, Kitsi

Charot!’s characters will engage the audience by taking into account an important choice they will make during the play.

Pagaspas as Nanay, Jason Barcial and Gie Onida as Boss, Gio Gahol and Lemuel Silvestre as Beki Grab Driver, Gold Villar-Lim and Jimma Nariz as Grethel Tuba, Icee Po and Rhapsody Garza as Mall Saleslady, and Norbs Portales as Street Vendor.

Similarly, the artistic team includes up and coming talents as well as seasoned ones: J-mee Katanyag and Michelle Ngu (playwrights), Maribel Legarda (director), Vince Lim (musical director), Jeff Hernandez (additional songs), Ian Segarra (choreographer), Boni Juan (set esigner), Julio Garcia (set supervisor), Gio Gahol (costume stylist), Denise Nayve (associate costume stylist), Gerhard Daco (technical director), Jonjon Villareal (lights designer), and Ellen Ramos (video and animation).

C h a r ot ! w i l l m a k e aud i e n c e s laugh. It will inform them of what the joke’s all about, and then will make them think: Is it really funny? Is this still imaginary? Who’s really laughing now?

Charot! runs from February 8 to March 17 at The PETA Theater Center, #5 Eymard Drive, Brgy. Kristong Hari, New Manila, Quezon City, with shows on Fridays (3 p.m.), Saturdays and Sundays (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.). For inquiries and ticket reservations, contact PETA Marketing and Public 5HODWLRQV 2IĂ€FH DW

“BR. BENILDE,� a theatrical showcase of the extraordinary life, works, and principles of the French educator and saint, is set to be shown on Wednesdays to Saturdays, from January 23 to 26, 30 to 31, and February 1 to 2 at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) SDA Theater.

Award-winning playwright Layeta Bucoy and Virgin Labfest director and dramaturg Tuxqs Rutaquio will bring the extraordinary life of Pierre Romançon, better known as St. Benilde, in an anniversary-special a cappella musical.

In celebration of DLS-CSB’s 30th year, the musical will feature a collaborative performance of locally renowned artists to be led by Al Gatmaitan as Br. Benilde, Natasha Cabrera as the mother and Design Foundation Department visual-artist professor Fredyl Hernandez as the father.

Promising Benildean student-artists

The show celebrates the extraordinary life, works, and principles of the French educator and saint.

will join the production as well as theater arts major Brio Divinagracia, and dance scholar Brixmond Utrera, who will play the role of the young Pierre Romançon.

The show will be supported by the College’s resident groups, the Coro San Benildo chorale and Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company (SBDC).

It will likewise showcase the musical direction, arrangement and composition by TJ Ramos, choreography by Dance Program Chairperson Christine Crame, production design by Joee Mejias, technical direction and lighting design by Jay Aranda, and costume design by Jay Lorenz Conanan.

Br. Benilde will have shows at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the SDA Theater, 5/F School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 950 Pablo Ocampo (Vito Cruz) Street, Malate, Manila. For inquires, call +632 230 5100 local 3863.