THE MANILA TIMES | APRIL 29, 2019

Economists expect 3.3% inflation for 2019 – BSP »Story on B1 ++

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•• 4 SECTIONS PAGES • VOL. 120 NO. 198 28

MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2019

PH diplomatic relations at ‘new height’ – Palace AN independent Philippine foreign policy had led “to a new height of diplomatic relations” under President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang said on Sunday as the Chief Executive returned from a three-day trip to China. ³RelationsA2

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Trusted since 1898

Angat water level below critical mark

BY DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ

T

HE water level at Angat Dam, the main source for Metro Manila, fell below a crucial mark on Sunday as the dry season and an ongoing El Niño continued to affect the country.

A Postscript to the Oust Duterte Plot

Q Yellow blogger behind ‘Philippines, Province of China’ propaganda poster.

Yellows’ vilest propaganda line: Inciting anti-Chinese racism

BY DR. DANTE A. ANG CHAIRMAN EMERITUS

F

ROM odious blogger Jover Laurio and former Aquino 3rd spokesman Edwin Lacierda, to its stalwarts at the highest levels of government like Vice President Leny Robredo, Francis Pangilinan, and even Justice Antonio Carpio, the Yellows have been trying to rouse anti-Chinese xenophobia as their main propaganda thrust against President Duterte. ³TiglaoA5

RIG RRIGOBERTO IGG DD. TIGLAO

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

TRIBUTE TO THE PACMAN

A street artist creating a mural with boxing superstar, Sen. Emmanuel ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao, as its centerpiece at the Meeting of Style Philippines 2019 at Anonas, Quezon City. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

What’s inside 3 REMAIN MISSING IN CHUZON COLLAPSE

NewsA2

CANADIAN WASTE, EXPORTED POLLUTION

Dan SteinbockA4 TONY LABRUSCA FEELS BLESSED TO WORK AGAIN

SportsC1

EntertainmentD1

OOZING with confidence and punching power, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. crushed Stephon Young with a devastating technical knockout on Sunday (Philippine time) at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. ³TKOA2

WILCON DEPOT STA. BARBARA ILOILO GRAND OPENING Wilcon Depot, the Philippines’ leading home improvement and construction supply retailer, officially opened its 53rd retail outlet last Friday, April 26, at Lot 506-B Brgy. Bolong Este, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

OUR erstwhile managing editor, Felipe Salvosa 2nd, did not resign; I asked for his resignation for betraying the interests of The Manila Times and for highly unethical behavior. While still under the employ of the Times, he tweeted Monday last week: “A diagram is by no means an evidence of ‘destabilization’ or an ‘ouster plot,’” he said, adding that it was a “very huge stretch for anyone to accuse” journalists of plotting to unseat the President. That tweet was picked up

by ABS-CBN. No self-respecting manager would allow such a transgression by an employee to go unpunished. The manager is duty-bound to discipline employees who screw up. In much the same fashion, no self-respecting employee or

³PostscriptA8

Binay siblings fight in church

Donaire on to finals with 6th round TKO

BY JOSEF T. RAMOS

NUGGETS EDGE SPURS, ENTER 2ND ROUND

The state weather bureau said that as of 6:00 a.m., Angat had fallen to 179.97 meters, breaching the minimum operating level of 180 meters and well below the normal high water mark of 210 meters. ³CriticalA2

Q Nonito ‘Dodong’ Donaire Sr. wraps the hands of his son — WBA bantamweight super champion Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire Jr. — on Sunday at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana.

THE sibling rivalry between Makati mayoral candidates Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. and reelectionist Mayor Mar-len Abigail “Abby” Binay escalated on Saturday, following a public confrontation inside a church.

Videos making the rounds of social media shows Junjun confronting Abby during a forum hosted by the Parish

³FightA2

A2

News

˜ The Manila Times MONDAY April 29, 2019

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3 remain missing in Chuzon collapse T

BY DEMPSEY REYES

HREE persons remained missing from the Chuzon Supermarket in Pampanga, which collapsed when a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck the province and nearby Zambales, both in Central Luzon, last week.

Two p e r s o n s s u p p o s e d l y trapped at the supermarket were found to be at their respective homes with their families, the Philippine Army announced on Sunday.

They were removed from the missing list as of 9 a.m. on the

same day, according to Brig. Gen. Rowen Tolentino, commander of the Army’s 703rd Infantry Brigade.

Of the 92 employees of the supermarket, Tolentino said all were accounted for, including security personnel.

The search for apparently miss-

ing shoppers, however, continued, Tolentino said.

He added that the three missing persons might still be alive, as search and rescue operations were ongoing.

Focus of the operations was the main entrance of the supermarket where many persons were seen on a closed-circuit television footage, Tolentino said. “Since the earthquake happened, many families have signikED THAT THEY HAVE KIN WHO WERE trapped inside the supermarket, but, eventually, most were already accounted for and went home to their loved ones as far as Balanga, Bataan,� he told reporters.

The search and rescue would not zero in on the rubble, Tolentino said, because the presumably missing persons might be in other places when the earthquake struck.

Latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed 18 persons were killed and 242 injured in the temblor.

In a report also on Sunday, the NDRRMC said 3,362 families or 17,410 persons had been affected by the earthquake in Central Luzon.

Of this, 986 families or 3,771 persons are housed in six evacuation centers and 951 families or 4,756 individuals are staying outside the centers.

PH offers help to Thais wishing to leave Tripoli THE Philippines, being the only southeast Asian foreign post still operating in Libya amid the political turmoil there, has offered assistance to Thais who may want to leave Tripoli amid worsening conflict in the Libyan capital.

Charges d’Affaires and Philippine head of mission Elmer Cato on Sunday said Thai officials on April 25 went to the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli to seek his views “on where the conflict may be headed, he being the only Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) diplomats on the ground.�

In his Facebook post, Cato said, “Last Thursday, our Asean brothers from Thailand flew into Tripoli and came to see us.� “They were here to convince the remaining Thai nationals in the Libyan capital to consider going home before the situation here deteriorates further,� he added. “We briefed them about the security situation as well as our own preparations in case we would need to lead our

Q RELATIONS FROM A1

PH Navy ship arrives in Korea for Asean drills A Philippine Navy ship has arrived in Busan, South Korea to participate in exercises with navies from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and its allies.

Capt. Jonathan Zata, Navy spokesman, on Sunday said the BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17) docked at the Busan Naval Base Pier on Saturday afternoon for the Asean Defense Ministers’ MeetingPlus Maritime Security Field Training Exercises 2019.

This is the second time that a Philippine Navy ship went to 3OUTH +OREA AND IT IS THE kRST FOR Manila to have one of its ships dock in Busan.

The visitors, led by Capt. Roy Vincent Trinidad, commander of the Naval Task Group 80.6, were warmly welcomed by the South Korean Navy.

Last week, BRP Andres Bonifacio unexpectedly encountered the Taiwanese Navy near the northernmost part of Batanes island as they exercised the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea. Participants in the Busan exercises will include navies from tt the Southeast Asian region — the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.

DEMPSEY REYES

Q FIGHT FROM A1

Binay Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) at the San Ildefonso Parish in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City.

Tension rose after Abby, who sat beside Junjun, called on candidates to stop spreading lies, which led to a heated argument. Irked, Junjun stood up, looked set to walk out but then knelt and bowed to Abby.

Makati police chief Rogelio Simon initially intervened, followed by Vice Mayor Monique Yazmin Maria “Nik� Lagdameo and the Binay patriarch, former vice president Jejomar Binay.

Junjun told the gathering that he was upset by the accusation that he was lying and took a swipe at Abby

BY POINTING TO UNkNISHED PROJECTS

prompting cheers and boos.

The incumbent later issued a STATEMENT SAYING g) kND IT MOST unfortunate that my brother said hurtful things to me and acted in such a manner inside a church and in the presence of my father and our Makatizens (Makati citizens).�

Abby won the Makati mayorship in the 2016 elections after Junjun was dismissed the previous year over project irregularities.

Two of her siblings, reelectionist Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay and Anne Binay have come out in support of Junjun.

CATHERINE A. MODESTO

PH diplomatic

RESPECT FOR RULES

A clean and fair election campaign was promised by candidate for senator Chrisopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go to the people of Quezon City on Saturday. Go is seen as a frontrunner in the May 13 midterm polls. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Keep campaign clean, fight fair – Bong Go CHRISTOPHER Lawrence “Bong�

Go, former special assistant to the President (SAP) and now candidate for senator in the May 13 midterm polls, has vowed to keep his election campaign clean and fair amid increasing use of fake news to malign candidates and undermine their chances of winning.

Go had been at the receiving end of unfounded allegations recently.

He promised to follow poll rules before the residents Quezon City, who on Saturday cheered the former SAP when he returned to the city on a motorcade as part of his campaign.

During his stint as SAP, Go helped MANY kRE VICTIMS IN THE CITY Even after declaring his Senate bid, he would take time to VISIT kRE VICTIMS TO LISTEN TO THEIR concerns, cheer them up and call for assistance.

With barely two weeks before the May 13 midterm elections, he said he would press his efforts to go around the country up to the last day of the campaign not just because of his bid for the Senate, but also to meet ordinary people and hear their concerns directly.

Upon learning that somebody recently passed away in a community along the route of the

motorcade, Go decided to take time off to visit the wake and extend his sympathies to the family of the deceased.

He had declared his full support for programs and policies of President Rodrigo Duterte, particularly the campaign against criminality, corruption and illegal drugs.

Go said he was equally in favor of infrastructure and other develOPMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEkT OF the people of Quezon City and other Metro Manila cities.

Among others, he pointed to the P356.9-billion Metro Manila Subway Projects, expected to start limited operations by 2022, that would eventually link Manila, Quezon City, Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna.

In addition, Go noted the P62.7-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 7 that would link Quezon City, Caloocan City and Bulacan and is expected to be completed this year.

He cited plans for the P45billion Southeast Metro Manila Expressway, expected to be completed by 2020, and the P7.45billion North Luzon Expressway Harbor Link Segment 8.2 connecting Mindanao Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue, targeted for completion by mid-2021.

For his legislative agenda,

Go said he gives top priority to improving the delivery of health services particularly through the establishment of Malasakit Center, which seeks to help drive down to the lowest possible the hospital bill, particularly of indigent patients.

A project of the Duterte administration, the Malasakit Center makes the process of availing of MEDICAL AND kNANCIAL ASSISTANCE from the government easier and faster by bringing together in one room all concerned agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity 3WEEPSTAKES /FkCE AND 0HILIPPINE Health Insurance Corp.

Go wants to enact a law to ensure continuation of the program and allow the establishment of Malasakit Centers in more provinces and key urban centers in the country.

Other priority concerns that he has identified as part of his legislative agenda include programs for agriculture, education, housing for the poor, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, creation of a Department of overseas Filipino workers and improved benefits for senior citizens.

In a statement, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte’s attendance at the 2nd Belt and Road Forum provided the country an opportunity to work towards a shared goal of inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth and prosperity. “Our countrymen are assured that the President is chartering our independent foreign policy to a new height of diplomatic relations with other nations, solely based on our national security and interest and towards a direction that will contribute to our national development,� Panelo claimed.

The Palace spokesman said Duterte assured prospective foreign investors that his government would create an enabling environment to allow businesses and investments to prosper.

During a high-level meeting, meanwhile, the President highlighted the contribution of migrant

Q TKO FROM A1

Donaire Donaire ended his World BoxING 3UPER 3ERIES 7"33 SEMIkNAL fight by delivering a finishing counter-left hook in the sixth round and retained his World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight super title.

He also kept the World Boxing Council Diamond bantamweight belt. “Stephon [Young] is a slick kGHTER SO IT WAS TOUGH TO COME UP with a particular game plan,� the 36-year-old four-division world champion told www.worldboxingsuperseries.com during the POST kGHT INTERVIEW “There was one thing I saw, which was the straight, he kept throwing it. “So, I kept timing the hook and one way or another I paid for it with scratches on my right eye and hand, but it paid due because ) WAS ABLE TO kGURE OUT THE TIMING AND DISTANCE IN THE kGHT ) TAKE THE damage to earn the victory.�

Donaire, who improved to a 40-5 win-loss record with 26 knockouts, relied heavily on accurate jabs and solid combinations in the early rounds. He bloodied the nose of Young (18-2-3 win-loss-draw record with seven knockouts) with a power-

Q CRITICAL FROM A1

Angat water level below critical mark The supply of potable water to Metro Manila consumers is not expected to be affected, however, with authorities already having scheduled a reduction in irrigation allocations.

Next month, water releases for farmers will be reduced to 10 cubic meters per second (cms), down from 40 cms and 35 cms in March and April, respectively. The allocation for the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), on the other hand, will be maintained at 48 cms.

The National Water Resources

Board, however, has urged the public to conserve at least 4 liters of water or a total of 48 million liters daily to reduce demand on the Angat reservoir, which supplies 90 percent of Metro Manila’s water supply.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) expects Angat’s water level to fall to as low as 173.5 meters in May given expected rainfall during the dry season, the impact of El Niùo and projected consumption.

The weather pattern has already

affected much of the country, but the weather bureau said some relief could be expected next month from increased rains. “Ang forecast kasi natin, maulan na sa May (Our forecast is that it will be rainy in May),â€? Pagasa Senior Climate Specialist Rusy Abastillas said. “Maraming areas ang magkakaroon ng near normal rainfall condition kaya nabawasan ‘yung ating‌ potential for dry spell and drought (Many areas will experience near normal rainfall condition, lowering the potential for

dry spell and drought),� he added.

As of April 21, 22 provinces in Luzon, 11 provinces in the Visayas and 8 provinces in Mindanao were said to be suffering from droughts.

Meanwhile, 23 provinces were experiencing dry spells.

Next month, only 17 provinces are expected to remain in drought, while 3 provinces will continue to be hit by dry spells.

Most of the areas that will continue to be affected by droughts are in Luzon: Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Marinduque, Romblon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Cama-

kababayan (countrymen) out to safety,�

Cato said.

He added, “We also discussed how we could extend a helping hand to Thai nationals who may also want to leave Tripoli.�

He added that the 13 carpet factory employees were first evacuated to Khoms before being flown out of Misrata.

Their repatriation brings to 32 the total number of Filipinos who have left Tripoli since fighting began on April 4.

Nineteen others were earlier repatriated by the embassy, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. lauded the Libyan employer’s gesture to ensure the safety of his Filipino workers. “When and if the President lets me go to Libya, I will kiss their employer,�

Locsin said on Twitter.

There are about 1,000 Filipinos in Tripoli working in hospitals and service industries.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO workers to the development of host countries and called for their protection and welfare.

He also backed development assistance based on reciprocal BENEkTS 0ANELO SAID “He welcomed economic investments that will help our country improve its economic productivity in the area of agriculture as well as in our country’s massive infrastructure development program while ensuring that it will be clean and green,� the spokesman added.

Panelo said Duterte’s trip to China yielded 19 business agreements worth $12.165 billion that are expected to generate more than 21,000 jobs.

A bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping also yielded a 1-billion renminbi grant to the Philippines, he added.

During his meeting with Xi, Duterte aslo raised the West Philippine (South China) Sea issue and stressed the need to make the area a “sea of peace, stability and prosperity� amid increased incursions by Chinese vessels.

RALPH U. VILLANUEVA ful uppercut in the 4th round.

Young, six years younger than $ONAIRE STAYED DEkANT IN THE kFTH despite Donaire’s hard-hitting punches. But with 2:37 left in the TH ROUND $ONAIRE kRED A LEFT CROSS that knocked him out for good. “It was a matter of time until I kGURED OUT THE DISTANCE SO ) KEPT pressuring him and I kept taking him down until the right moment I could counter with a left hook and that’s what happened,� Donaire said.

His victory followed a fourth technical knockout win against Irishman Ryan Burnett last NoVEMBER IN THE QUARTERkNAL ROUND of WBSS in Glasgow, Scotland. “His opponent (Young) moves a lot and fast, but Nonito’s timing and super power were too much for him,� Nonito Sr., the father of Donaire, told The Manila Times through overseas call. “But he has no power. Nonito’s discipline also returned.�

Donaire Sr. served as cutman DURING THE kGHT WHILE HIS SON WAS coached and trained by legendary trainer Kenny Adams.

Donaire will wait and face the May 18 winner between Japan’s Naoya Inoue, the WBA regular bantamweight champion, and Puerto Rican International Boxing Federation bantamweight titleholder Emmanuel 2ODRIGUEZ IN THE 7"33 kNALS

rines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon. In the Visayas, the 6 provinces expected to remain in drought are Aklan, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar and Western Samar.

Mindanao is expected to be free of El NiĂąo conditions as rainfall normalizes. Last week, eight of its provinces were declared to be hit by droughts: Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Misamis Occidental, Davao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Abastillas, however, said that the effects of the “weak El NiĂąoâ€? could still prevail until August as some areas would experience below normal rainfall.

Special Features

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY April 29, 2019

The Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation

Chinese President Xi delivers keynote speech at second B&R forum

P

RESIDENT Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on Friday. Here are the highlights. and value chains for interconnected development.

Belt and Road opens up new space for global economic growth

China to sign more high-standard free trade agreements

Joint building of the Belt and Road has opened up new space for the world’s economic growth. It also created a new platform to boost international trade and investment, expanded new practices to optimize the global economic governance, and made new contributions to improving people’s well-being of all countries.

China will negotiate and sign highstandard free trade agreements with more countries.

vited to China for exchanges in the NEXT kVE YEARS

China to allow foreign businesses in more sectors with controlling or full stake China will allow foreign investors to operate businesses in more sectors with controlling or full stake. China will roll out a new batch of pilot free trade zones.

China prohibits forced technology transfer China will step up protecting the

China will continue to improve the exchange rate formation mechanism of its currency, the renminbi, and keep the exchange rate generally stable on a reasonable and balanced level.

China establishes mechanism for fulfilling international agreements China attaches great importance to the establishment of a constraint MECHANISM FOR THE FULkLLMENT AND implementation of international AGREEMENTS AND THE MODIkCATION

China to support 5,000 people for BRI innovation exchanges China will support 5,000 people from innovation sector in Belt and Road countries in conducting exchanges, training programs and JOINT RESEARCHES IN THE NEXT kVE YEARS

High-quality development of Belt and Road stressed The principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits should be upheld. The open, green and clean approaches should be adhered to. The goals of high-standard, livelihood-improving and sustainable development should be achieved.

Sustainable development under BRI stressed China will work with other parties to promote a coalition of sustainable cities and an international coalition for green development under the Belt and Road Initiative.

High-quality, sustainable infrastructure under BRI highlighted

China to invite 10,000 representatives of Infrastructure is the cornerstone of political parties, think connectivity and a bottleneck of tanks, NGOs from B&R development confronting many countries

A total of 10,000 representatives of political parties, think tanks and non-governmental organizations from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative will be in-

countries. Building infrastructure with such standards can help countries give full play to their advantages in resources and better integrate into the global supply, industry

legitimate rights and interests of foreign owners of intellectual property rights, and prohibit the forced transfer of technology. China will create a business environment in which the value of knowledge is respected.

China to increase imports on larger scale China will increase imports of goods and services on a larger scale. China will further lower its tariff rates.

China not to adopt beggar-thy-neighbor currency devaluation

and improvement of laws and regulations in accordance with the need of further opening-up.

Fair treatment to Chinese enterprises, students, scholars abroad called for All countries should create a sound investment environment, and treat Chinese enterprises, students and scholars abroad as equals. All countries should provide a fair and friendly environment for them to carry out normal international exchanges and cooperation.

Chinese President Xi meets Philippine President Duterte BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua): Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday met with his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte, who is here to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Xi said bilateral relations had achieved positive turnaround, consolidation and elevation over the past three years, and had entered a new stage of development.

Facts have proven that maintaining good-neighborliness and friendship between China and the Philippines keeps abreast of the historical trend, conforms with the peoples’ expectation, and is the only right option, Xi said. “I would like to stand together with Mr. President, and continue to bring forward the bilateral relations along the right direction from a strategic and long-term perspective,� he said.

Xi called on the two sides to adhere to the general direction toward good-

neighborliness and friendship, create a grand framework of jointly pursuing common development, give play to the profound wisdom of properly handling differences, and grasp the general trend of global development.

China is willing to enhance the synergy of development strategies with the Philippines, create highlights of cooperation under the framework of jointly building the Belt and Road, and promote connectivity and development for China and the Philippines as well as for all countries in the region, he said.

The two countries should honor their promises, carry forward the spirit of partnership, maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, and strengthen maritime cooperation, Xi said.

China will continue to firmly support the just cause of the Philippine people in areas such as anti-narcotics and antiterrorism, he said.

“China is a lasting and reliable friend of the Philippines,� Duterte said, adding that the Philippines will stick to an independent foreign policy.

Duterte said he will work with President Xi to rise above disturbances and uphold firm conviction to make friendly cooperation prevail in bilat-

eral relations.

The Philippines is willing to properly handle the maritime issues in order not to affect the development of bilateral relations, he said.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.Â

Chinese Premier Li meets Philippine President Duterte BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua): Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday met with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is here to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

China and the Philippines are neighbors facing each other across the sea, and their development and stability is closely related, Li said, adding that bilateral relations had achieved positive turnaround and consolidation, and had been progressing on the right track, after the joint efforts of the two sides over the past

three years.

China is willing to see new achievements in the economic and social development of the Philippines, and align the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the “Build, Build, Build� program of the Philippines, he said.

Peace and stability in the South China Sea is in line with the common interests of China, the Philippines and other countries in the region, Li added.

China supports the Philippines in fulfilling its responsibilities as the coun-

try coordinator for ChinaASEAN relations, and expects negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea to be completed soon, Li said. ,I ALSO EXPRESSED CONkDENCE that countries around the South China Sea will be able to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region with wisdom, adding that it is necessary to properly manage existing issues through dialogue and consultation, so as to realize common development.

Noting the contribution of the BRI to global prosper-

ity and connectivity, Duterte said the Philippines is ready to deepen the cooperation with China under the BRI framework.

The Philippines will further improve its business environment, and welcomes more investments from Chinese companies, said the president.

Duterte said the Philippines will firmly make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, and is looking forward to working with other parties to conclude the negotiations on the COC as soon as possible.

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Opinion

MONDAY April 29, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

E d i to r i a l Hail or blast the message, not the messenger

I

T is unfortunate when political discourse on legitimate issues such as an allegation of a plot to oust a President involving media personalities takes a wrong turn, away from the reported message and into shooting the messenger down.

But in the age of social media in the Philippines, such is what often befalls national issues brought to public attention for scrutiny. The level of intellectual discourse sorely lacks the desired critical thinking that could result in an appropriate course of action to avert any public threat.

Instead, the message itself is pushed aside and the messenger himself and his manner of delivery become easy target for a free-for-all bashing.

The Manila Times endeavored to report to its readers last week TOP LEVEL INFORMATION IT RECEIVED EXCLUSIVELY FROM THE /FkCE OF THE President about an alleged plot to destabilize the Duterte government. Such information with accompanying diagrams illustrating THE lOW OF ANTI $UTERTE VIDEO MATERIALS FROM THE SOURCE TO THE media outlets was enough to pique any journalist’s curiosity.

It certainly roused the interest of the journalist in Dr. Dante A. Ang, owner and chairman emeritus of The Times , who has been a media person all his adult life.

Seeing the news value of the materials he received, from the office of the top official of the land on one hand, and the sensitivity of the allegations against the journalists and groups named in the diagrams on the other, he proceeded with caution in the verification process required. The effort included help to get the side of at least the central figure named in the so-called “Association Matrix� between the originator of the malicious video and its purported distributors. #ONkRMED BY HIGHLY RELIABLE SOURCES IN OTHER SECTORS UNDER A tight deadline later in the day, the story could no longer wait for ANY FURTHER CONkRMATION IN ORDER TO BE WRITTEN $R !NG WROTE the story himself and had the text edited by his chief editor in time for the deadline. The piece was presented as nothing less and nothing more than a legitimate news report that needed to be brought to national attention for public scrutiny in a timely fashion, despite its lack of details and pending comments from those concerned as these could be available the next day.

Other columnists of the Times, namely Rigoberto Tiglao and Sass Rogando Sasot, also wrote on the same controversial oustDuterte plot with the spread of the anti-Duterte “BiKoy� video.

The rest is now history. And that includes the abrupt departure of the paper’s managing editor, Felipe Salvosa 2nd, when Dr. Ang asked him to resign for breach of trust as he first opted to go public with his objections to that Oust-Duterte story instead of taking them up immediately with the writer and owner of the publication he was working for.

That sour turn of events has hurt both sides, for sure. But the bigger picture of the truth must have also suffered by being relegated to the side.

With limited resources, The Times gave space to all the denials by the individuals and organizations mentioned in the “matrix,� even the verbal assaults on the paper’s owner, on the front page of the edition the following day. We also continue to ask questions with an open mind and check for facts if any to establish the veracity, or the lack of it, of the alleged Oust-Duterte plot.

As the dust settles, however, it would be wise for everyone with a thinking mind and a stake in the political stability of this country to contribute to its vetting for the whole truth to emerge in the end. The search must go on in both high and low places and everywhere the culprits behind any such plot might be hiding, away from the storm.

Or should we now dismiss the whole idea of an OustDuterte plot because the authorities have not offered fresh evidence to confirm it?

Government cyberexperts and investigators must continue the probe and disclose the results to the public, whatever they may be.

The Times and the nation should want nothing more than the allegations of such a conspiracy being debunked and replaced with credible assurances of peace and stability in the government of this land.

~

MONDAY April 29, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 198

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

Canadian waste, exported pollution Recently, President Duterte slammed Canada for sending waste to the Philippines. Yet, the challenge is huge. Exported pollution from the advanced West penalizes the rest of the world and distorts climate gains.

P

RESIDENT Duterte’s statement ensued after environmental groups’ renewed calls for Canada to take back the waste sent to the Philippines in the Aquino 3rd era, some six years ago. !CCORDING TO THE 0ACIkC #ENter for Environmental Law and Litigation (PCELL), Ontario-based Chronic Inc. shipped 40-foot containers to the country in 2013, WHICH IS CONSIDERED gILLEGAL TRAFkCu under Article 9 of the Basel Convention. More than 100 shipping containers arrived in Philippine ports around 2013-2014.

The toxic discovery, made on Mindanao, is the third (known) time in recent years that the Philippines has served as a dumping ground for hazardous foreign trash. South Korea has been the culprit on two occasions. Like the Philippines, South Korea and Canada are signatories to the Convention.

In the 2017 Asean Summit, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to Duterte that “Canada is working hard to resolve the issue.� Trudeau portrays himself as a committed proponent of

regulatory penalties at home.

In the early 1990s many advanced economies still refused to take responsibility for the waste in the “Third World� saying they had little or nothing to do with it.

The statements relied on research claiming that only 4 percent of carbon tax at home and of climate- hazardous wastes that came from OECD countries were shipped change struggle internationally.

Yet, little progress has been across international borders.

In reality, recent studies of carachieved. bon trade indicate that 25 percent or more of the world’s total emisExporting pollution sions have been offshored into Effective since 1992, the interna- less-wealthy economies. Here’s the tional Basel Convention was cre- bottom line of the “pollution haated to reduce the movements of ven hypothesis�: When major adhazardous waste between nations vanced economies set up factories and to prevent the transfer of haz- OR OFkCES ABROAD THEY OFTEN LOOK for the cheapest option in terms of ardous waste to the Third World.

Yet, it failed to contain the fatal resources, labor, land, and matepractice. As a result, China, in the rial access. Consequently, environsummer 2017, imposed a ban mentally unsound practices expose on more than 20 types of waste vulnerable developing economies, imports, including recyclable which tend to have less stringent plastic. As it became effective in environmental regulations.

For instance, when Americans January 2018, the waste plastic commodity market took a hit turn spent batteries to be recycled, and behind-the-façade dumping they often end up in Mexico, where LIKELY INTENSIkED ELSEWHERE ‡ AS the lead is extracted by crude waste shippers sought to escape methods that are illegal in the

DAN STEINBOCK

US, due to tougher environmental standards on lead pollution. To avoid costly regulation at home, US battery industry exports the lead to Mexico, which thus serves as America’s “pollution heaven.�

Today, there is increasing awareness of the detrimental impact of CO2 pollution on the world climate, yet countries vary widely in how they design and enforce environmental laws. That allows SOME MULTINATIONAL kRMS TO LOOK “environmentally friendly� in their advanced economies, even as they dump waste into less prosperous economies, which are then charged for pollution.

According to new research, firms headquartered in countries with strict environmental policies perform their polluting ACTIVITIES ABROAD ‡ IN COUNTRIES with relatively weaker policies.

Typically, these effects are stronGER FOR kRMS IN HIGH POLLUTING INdustries and with poor corporate governance characteristics.

Although firms export pollution, they nevertheless emit less overall CO2 globally in response

ÂłSteinbockA5

The ‘matrix’

T

HE conversation is supposed to be about the veracity of the so-called “matrix,� which in fact is a network diagram of alleged plotters to oust President Rodrigo Duterte. Instead, it is now about this newspaper and a former employee. And it is because some people find it more convenient to muddle the issue.

At the outset, any newspaper would publish any information the source of which is the President himself, more so if it is something controversial. This paper is not the source of the “matrixâ€? and the IP addresses. These pieces of information were provided to it by a source that turned out to be MalacaĂąang.

The only responsibility of this paper, or any paper for that matter, is to accord those accused the opportunity to air their side. Attempts were made to seek the side of Ellen 4ORDESILLAS THE CENTRAL kGURE IN THE “matrix� but she did not respond.

The side of those named as alleged plotters were aired in subsequent issues of the paper.

In effect, this paper did what others also do. Rappler is in the habit of publishing adverse information about the President and his government, or other political personalities, even if these are not yet fully ascertained as factual, simply because these are newsworthy. Information adverse to Imee Marcos was published even if this was based on a student publication.

After all, if ABS-CBN can feature news about Kris Aquino’s troubles, why would this paper be taken to task for publishing a diagram from the President showing a network of

ON THE CONTRARY ANTONIO CONTRERAS people allegedly plotting his ouster.

Besides, had the so-called “matrix� been released by the President in a press conference, media would have covered and published it anyway, with their own spin.

Some people now focus on the departure of Felipe Salvosa 2nd, the Manila Times’ resigned managing editor, as if it is the core of the controversy. Certainly, Mr. Salvosa has every right to express his personal opinion. But as an employee he also knew the limits within which he could express his disagreement with the paper’s content and the actions of its management, and he also knew fully well that his actions would have consequences.

What is sad is how the discourse has veered away from the so-called “matrix,� and is now aimed at discrediting this paper and Mr. Salvosa. Once again, the debate is focusing more on personalities, and it is fed by partisan bias. Those eagerly defending the President pounce on Mr. Salvosa who simply exercised his right to disagree with his employer, and has in fact suffered the consequences. Those eagerly attacking the President train their guns on this paper and its owner for an act that other newspapers would have also done, and are in fact doing.

What is lost in the process is a scrutiny of the so-called “matrix,�

focusing on its content and the very logic of what it symbolizes.

These are things that cannot be addressed if we focus on the actions of Mr. Salvosa and of this paper.

And these will not be fully understood if we keep on highlighting the partisan agenda of the cheerers and jeerers of both sides.

At the outset, while media is supposed to report about facts, it is not entirely correct to expect that every piece of news is a comprehensive representation of the entire body of truth. This will be a tall order for any journalist, newspaper and network to follow, more so in the fast-paced age of internet-mediated news. This is precisely why an investigative report is a special class different from everyday news coverage and features. What is only required for regular daily news is that there is a credible source, and that the other side is given adequate opportunity either in the same report, or in a later report.

While the contents of the “matrix� are factually problematic, its existence and its being released

by MalacaĂąang are factual events that are newsworthy in their own right. It is now the job of investigative journalists to follow this up with a more comprehensive fact- checking of its contents.

For one, there are simply a lot of holes in the network diagram released by Malacaùang. For example, Inday Espina-Varona is lumped with public interest lawyers and prosecutors who are associated with the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) even

if she is not a lawyer.

The more fundamental problem of the matrix is the total absence of proof of involvement in a plot, and the meaningless representation of the links in the diagram.

It behooves to ask what the lines linking the names exactly mean. If these are simply about the acts of sharing information, like the Bikoy tapes, then it begs the question of whether merely sharing information would already constitute being engaged in an ouster plot.

An ouster plot would entail the PRESENCE OF kNANCIERS AND THE lOW of funds. The diagram does not exactly show this. It involves people from media and public interest lawyers. Hence, there is reason to suspect that if at all, this is at best AN INFORMATION lOW NETWORK )T IS certainly woefully problematic for the Duterte government to consider the sharing of videotapes or of derogatory material adverse to its interests as strong evidence to show the existence of an ouster plot. In a democracy, these people are simply exercising their freedom to share information even if it is inconvenient to the government.

It is therefore reasonable to conclude that what can only be safely established is that a diagram referred to as a “matrixâ€? was indeed released by MalacaĂąang.

This is what this paper reported, and as such there is no proof of any malpractice. However, this so-called “matrix� is grossly insufkCIENT TO SHOW THE EXISTENCE OF AN illegal network of plotters to oust the President, and it fails to prove the existence of a crime.

˜ The Manila Times MONDAY April 29, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Opinion

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

s

Yellows’ vilest propaganda line “The Chinese are invading our territory, they are taking over Filipino jobs, they are mining our sand to build their artificial islands, and they are uncouth people spitting on the white sand of Boracay. This is the fault of Duterte who has been befriending the Chinese.� As Laurio put it in a poster she hung over a pedestrian overpass, and Lacierda in his tweets, Duterte has made the country a “Province of China.�

This in gist has been the Yellows’ newest, most despicable black-propaganda line, since their allegations of extrajudicial killings because of Duterte’s war against illegal drugs have failed. Indeed, that campaign has been a huge feather in Duterte’s cap, with Social Weather Stations’ surveys showing nearly 80 percent of Filipinos supporting it.

Reviving anti-Chinese xenophobia would be the vilest propaganda tack ever to be undertaken by the Yellows. It is dangerous, and a very slippery slope for our country. Racism has been, and will be, a demon that has resulted and will result in bloody wars. That the Yellows are on to that tack only demonstrates their shameful lack of concern for the future of the country, just for the sake of toppling Duterte.

The Yellows know full well that they are fanning the embers of centuries-old anti-Chinese xenophobia in the country.

gated in our best cultural works. “Maynila: Sa Kuko ng Liwanag,� produced in 1975 by Lino Brocka, one of the best Filipino directors ever, was widely acclaimed locally and even internationally. It depicted vividly the poverty in our rural areas that drove its young people to Metro -ANILA BUT TO HORRIkC TRAGEDIES Who was the most hateful villain there into whose chest the HERO DROVE A DOZEN KNIFE THRUSTS

with the audience cheering? An evil-looking brothel owner, AhTek, the Chinese who made the hero’s boyhood love his kept woman. “Ah-Tek,� a near homonym to the slang for money, atik 4HE kLM was rereleased in 2013.

ONE OF THE UNTOLD TRUTHS

Q How the opposition is fanning anti-Chinese racism for their candidates. really has been the very under- it had intended for the Philippines. stated achievement of Duterte: He pulled the country from the 34th largest brink of certain economic ruin, which would have resulted from Whether we like it or not, the biggest the Aquino 3rd regime’s move to economy of the world today, China, Xenophobia make the Philippines an enemy of could very afford to boycott the 34th The Americans revived anti-Chinese China, because of his anti-Chinese largest, the Philippines, just as the xenophobia in the Cold War, depict- rantings over the South China Sea US did with Cuba in the 1950s. And ing Mao Zedong and his “yellow disputes, and more importantly in a reverse of the Cuban experience, hordes� out to conquer Asia. Even HIS GOVERNMENT S kLING OF A SUIT which drove it to be totally dependent on the Soviet Union, we would during the Marcos years when invoking the Unclos.

If a Yellow regime had won in be totally dependent on the US. China supported the new ComThat, I suspect, was the US intenmunist Party, newspaper cartoonists 2016, it would have worsened tion, so we would be its complete depicted the New People’s Army as our relationship with China to puppet, which it desperately needs the brink of a total cut-off of ties. chinky-eyed, wearing Mao jackets. as China is emerging as the ecoBut as the historian Rafael also China’s Communist Party leadernomic and military power in Asia, pointed out, Filipinos are “racial ship would have had to bow down and Asean countries are so smart opportunists.� Our “racial feelings to the calls of even ordinary Chinot to be its lackeys. are loosely structured, unevenly nese to make the Philippines “pay�

The US started in 2011 its so-called POLICED AND HIGHLY lEXIBLE 4HEY for its aggression against so-called “Pivot to Asia,� which was its eupherun wide but shallow, capable of Chinese territory. mistic term for its redoubled efforts The Scarborough Shoal incident changing directions, largely depento contain China’s rise in the region in 2012 was depicted in China as the dent on social context.�

With our centuries-old brain- result of the Philippines sending a and maintain its decades-long hegeParian washing to look up to the mighty warship against unarmed Chinese mony there. It was not a coincidence %VEN AS THEY PROkTED FROM #HINESE and the rich, our anti-Chinese rac- fishermen. The Aquino govern- that tensions in the South China Sea CHEAP LABOR AND kNE CRAFTSMANSHIP ism nearly vanished when the iconic ment was in fact so stupid that it broke out right after the US implethe Spaniards for four centuries put Chinese was no longer the pancite- even released to media photos of mented its “Pivot to Asia.�

One of its propaganda aspects is for them in the earliest version of ghet- ria owner but the mall owner, i.e., Navy troopers boarding Chinees Asean countries, especially us, to see tos, called the Parian. Twice or thrice the likes of magnates Henry Sy and kSHING VESSELS NEARLY POINTING THEIR China as the Evil Empire in Asia, just a century, when the colony’s econ- John Gokongwei. There has been Armalites at Chinese fishermen. as the US had successfully painted the omy fell into a crisis, the Spaniards hardly a whiff of anti-Chinese rac- Chinese authorities during that Soviet Union as being so. would blame the Chinese, burn ism when for instance Lucio Tan episode had to censor hundreds of We have a dispute with China the Parian and mercilessly kill its bought Philippine National Bank thousands of social media postings over who rightfully owns islands and RESIDENTS WHO HAD FAILED TO lEE 4O and the Philippine Airlines. Sy in CRITICIZING THE 0EOPLE S ,IBERATION rocks in the South China Sea. But we justify such pogroms, the Spaniards fact was accorded the old and very Army Navy for not defending the also have such disputes with Vietnam with the help of the Church demon- Filipino terms for respect, Tatang; #HINESE kSHERMEN BY SINKING THE and Taiwan, who occupy most of the Philippine Coast Guard vessels.

IZED THEM AS SPREADING DISEASE AND and Tan, Kapitan. “prime real estate� in what we call our The Chinese authorities in fact as godless heathens.

As a result of Marcos’ executive Kalayaan Group of islands.

As much as they tightly em- DECREES IN LIBERALIZING #HINESE started to move during the ScarBut a report in the respected US braced Catholicism, the indios IMMIGRANTS NATURALIZATION SUCCEED- borough Shoal stand-off, when MEDIA kRM "LOOMBERG POINTED OUT imbibed Spanish anti-Chinese ing generations of Chinese have they impounded our exports of xenophobia. As historian Vicente been able to move into professions bananas on the excuse that it had to “History shows that China has tended Rafael has pointed out, even “mes- such as architecture, engineering and go through stricter inspections, and TO AVOID INlAMING ITS TERRITORIAL DISTIZO NATIONALISTS INCORPORATING medicine, enhancing their prestige TOURIST kRMS WHICH ARE ALL OWNED putes; Communist Party leaders have Spanish prejudices, were often vir- in social circles. The doctor you go by Chinese government corpora- settled 17 of China’s 23 disputes since ulently anti-Chinese themselves.� to for consultation in a top-of-the tions) suspended all operations to 1949, sometimes receiving less than There was a massive post-war line hospital, I was told, would likely the Philippines. Could we have 50 percent of the land at issue.�

Our territorial dispute with China retaliated by impounding Chinese migration into the Philippines of have a Chinese name. is far, far from being an issue to get #HINESE WHO WERE lEEING THE FAMHowever, the Liberal Party and exports of commodities — which angry about, much less a cause over ines in Southern China during its its wider circle the Yellow Cult have probably now represents 80 percent which to incite our centuries old civil war and Mao’s disastrous 1950s been stirring up xenophobia to get at of products sold in our groceries?? anti-Chinese racism. The Yellows are We just have no product China Great Leap Forward. Their eventual Duterte for various reasons and facso shamefully trying to make it so. success in the retail trade was used tors, other than their calculation—a cannot export elsewhere, and to revive anti-Chinese xenophobia, very wrong one—that the centuries- Asean — even the Vietnamese who Email: tiglao.manilatimes@ what with almost every town in the old embers of Filipinos’ anti-Chinese LOST OVER NAVY MEN IN kGHTS gmail.com with China in the South China country having a Chinese-owned racism is so easy to stoke.

Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao Sea over territory — would be bakery or panciteria. In my generaTwitter: @bobitiglao falling over each other asking the tion certainly, was the anti-Chinese From the brink Order my Debunked book at Chinese to give them instead the limerick “Intsik bejo tulo laway.� rigobertotiglao.com/debunked The xenophobia was even propa- This would serve to conceal what investments and government loans

China’s rise and the Philippines

I

T is not a matter of if but when China will overtake the United States of America as the world’s undisputed superpower. Its economy is already the world’s second largest thanks to three decades of average annual gross domestic product growth of 9.52 percent (Trading Economics), a growth that has lifted nearly 1 billion people out of poverty.

China is the world’s factory: it manufactures and exports to every corner of the world everything from cheap plastic toys to sophisticated surveillance systems and designer bags. It is the most populous country in the world with 1.386 billion people ‡ kVE TIMES THE POPULATION OF THE USA — and is expected to rank as a gHIGH INCOME COUNTRYu ‡ DEkNED by the World Bank as a country with a GDP per capita of at least $12,236 — in two to three years. Per capita income was $9,777 in 2018, up from $8,827 in 2017. By comparison, GDP per capita in the Philippines in 2017 was only $2,989.

The rising affluence of ordinary #HINESE CITIZENS HAS MADE #HINA THE most lucrative market for other countries, including the Philippines. China has overtaken Japan as the biggest importer of Philippine bananas (The Manila Times, April 26, 2019). Tourist arrivals from China reached 1.25 million in 2018, or a 29.3 percent increase

might not have thought much about China as a world power. Yes, an ocean spanning more than a thousand miles separates the two countries but it so happens that China claims the entire area as its territory. Ironically, China from 2017 (ABS-CBN, Jan. 24, 2019). played an important role in the adopOf course, a substantial number of tion of the 200-nautical mile exclusive Chinese who entered the Philippines ECONOMIC ZONE IN THE 5NITED .ATIONS on tourist visas came to work illegally Convention on the Law of the Sea in offshore gaming operations. These during the negotiations in the 1970s. illegal operations are further manifes- The adoption of the EEZ was seen as TATION OF THE AFlUENCE AND MODERN a victory for developing nations over LIFESTYLE OF ORDINARY #HINESE CITIZENS the interest of superpowers the US and the business perspectives that this and then Soviet Union. China, then presents for the Philippines. itself a developing country, worked for China’s growth has made it a player the containment of the superpowers. in the international political scene, as Today, China is a superpower the ambitious Belt and Road Initia- and well on its way to assuming tive shows. From being an underde- world hegemony. There is a saying veloped, poor nation, China now that might is right, and China has offers help to other nations in times demonstrated this by continuing of natural calamity. Its grants, loans to do what it pleases in the South and technical knowhow increasingly China Sea. Despite all the niceties, shape economic and infrastructure de- the supposed “golden age� in the velopment around the world. Western relationship between China and the NATIONS THAT HAVE DEkNED THE WORLD Philippines reflected in booming order and the political, economic, trade, tourism, donations and investsocial and even cultural standards ments, the former has not moved an against which the development and inch on its claim to the entire South status of nations are measured, are China Sea. The presence of a Chinese watching warily as China takes over lOTILLA NEAR 0AG ASA )SLAND AND OTHER the world stage, challenging the domi- features claimed by the Philippines nance of the West. in the Spratly archipelago, and the Had the Philippines been located recent harvesting of giant clams at the somewhere else on the planet we Scarborough Shoal show that “golden

RESURGENCE

MARIT STINUSCABUGON

A5

ageâ€? notwithstanding, it is business as usual in the South China Sea. The Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague in its July 12, 2016 ruling spoke clearly on the high-tide features in the Spratlys. Not a single one of them — including Pag-asa and the larger, Taiwan-held Itu Aba — are “capable of sustaining an economic life of their ownâ€? and thus, they cannot generate entitlement to an EEZ. Note that the tribunal didn’t say anything about the validity of claims of territorial sovereignty such as the Philippines’ claim over Pag-asa, Kota, Panata and other “islandsâ€? in the Spratlys. The country has been occupying these rocks since the 1970s but THIS Ă?OWNERSHIPĂ? IS RECOGNIZED ONLY by the Philippines. These maritime features, unlike Mischief Reef, Second Thomas Shoal, Reed Bank and Scarborough Shoal, are all located beyond and outside the Philippines’ EEZ. The world order is shifting and the rules are bound to change. The Philippines is both blessed and cursed with being a neighbor of the rising world power as it presents opportunities and threats at the same time. Whether we see the Philippines’ predicament as mostly positive or negative, being united as a nation beyond short-term political interest would help us reap THE BENEkTS AND ‡ SHOULD IT COME TO that — manage the fall-out.

“THE Catholic Church Holds the Truth� by Mark Gifford is over a thousand years old.

In current times, EWTN, the global Catholic network, uses two powerful slogans: “Catholic Splendor of the Truth� and “Be True – Be Catholic.�

Random facts about the Catholic Church have been the truth consisting of the following: St. Peter lived, preached, died as a Jew. He was never baptized Catholic, never ordained as priest, never appointed bishop, nor elected Pope of the Catholic Church. This is the truth.

The Roman Holy Catholic Church was a creation of the Roman Empire. It was created by the decree of Emperor Theodosius as the empire’s religion in 380 AD. After it became the empire’s religion, it hijacked the word “Kristo� from the Greeks in Antioch. The Jewish churches and the Gospel of Good News became part of a series of hijackings in solidifying the empire’s claim. Note: The Hebrew Jews (apostles/ disciples) centuries before 403 AD established Yeshua/Jesus/Messiah churches in Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch, Ephesus, Phrygia, Corinth, Anatolia, Aleppo and in numerous places. Jesus, the Jewish Son of Hebrew parents, said: “I did not come to destroy the Law (of Moses) and the prophets but to fulfill them.� This is the truth.

The Inquisition, the most brutal system of torture and mass murder for 500 years, was created by two popes, Pope Innocent and Pope Gregory, and sustained by subsequent popes. Millions under the Church empire perished. Pope Urban initiated the First, Second and Third Crusades, and about the same period the Catharsis Crusade that caused the slaughter of countless numbers of Hebrew Jews, non-believers, and independent Christians. This is the truth. If dumbfounded, study the political, cultural, economic, religious history of the periods mentioned.

The global conquests by the Empire Church, which for over 300 years, saw millions of deaths, confiscation of lands, resources and human skills – for the wealth accumulation work of the Catholics. This is the way to the ladder of truth. Pope Francis, in many of his statements/declarations, appears to be a reformist for the most numerous members of the Catholic Church. But groups of cardinals, bishops, priests, theologians, affiliates want him resigned or retired — all claim the backing of the Holy Spirit. Check out if this is the truth.

So, it came to pass that the Roman Church — being independent, separate, distinct, peculiar in itself from the Church of Jesus (Judea) after 380 AD — evolved, developed, expanded and spread into a monstrous religious organization. Being interwoven/interlocked into the fiber and fabric of the Roman Empire, it became an integral component of the Byzantine empire, the Hapsburg empire, the French empire, the Portuguese empire, and the mightiest and greatest of them all, the Spanish empire.

It also came to pass that the religious empires, ruled, encompassed, and controlled the entire world to its prestigious brand of religion, with all its barbarism, cruelty, wickedness, greed and avarice. Over 500 years of the Inquisition, the First, Second and Third Crusades and the Cathar Crusade, 105 years of religious wars, over 300 years of conquests, the Nazi conquests, all told — caused the death of over 50 million of humanity. In the wealth accumulation work, the religious monsters confiscated the lands, mineral resources, skills, and talents of natives around the world for its grand schemes, designs, intents and purposes.

Ejaculating and catapulting to modern, contemporary times, after many countries succeeded in uprisings and revolutions against the tyranny of the religious/state empires, the religious monsters changed their accumulation deeds. Still under the regular, endless support of the legion of Lucifer, the said monsters created or fabricated hundreds of stories of “miracles, including mysteries, super-naturals, appearances, apparitions with voices, scripts, words, prayers as tools for enticement.

Using the Jewish son, the Jewish mother, the many Jewish saints as fronts, the religious monster has been engaged, on a global scale, in solicitations, offers and sales of rosaries, masses, intercessions, with images, statues, portraits, carvings, and all sorts of physical and material objects. Centuries of despicable, worldly endeavors have been, and are being carried out on planet earth with neither the prior consent, nor approval, nor acceptance of Jewish divine manifestations. There were, there had been too many morons, idiots and imbeciles within the religious monster organization that could not comprehend or identify the trickery and masquerade being peddled by the satanic impersonators, by the insidious words and scripts, and by the over 300 so-called “appearances� and apparitions — all clearly are the works of the devil being dangled as the “works of God.�

Ross Brilliantes attyross@yahoo.com

Q STEINBOCK FROM A4

Canadian waste to strict environmental policies at home and use it as a “resource� for new green technologies — two birds with one stone, if you will.

while moving production capacity into relatively poorer emerging and developing economies.

When President Trump withdrew the United States from the Pollution gains in the Paris Climate Accord, had vital enWest, penalizing the rest vironmental regulatory practices dismantled and then began the Here’s the dilemma: The US and push for “made in America� coal particularly the EU, have made and steel (his trade hawks have major strides in reducing green- deep ties with the steel industry) house gas emissions at home. But AND STARTED OIL EXPORTS FOR THE kRST when international trade is taken time in decades, he virtually eninto account, advanced economies sured that environmental progress have effectively “outsourced� a in the 20th century America will be big bulk of their carbon pollution undermined in the 21st century. overseas, by importing more steel, Yet, the problem is an old one. cement and other goods from In 1992, Jim Puckett of Greenfactories in China, emerging Asia peace, coined the term “toxic and elsewhere. colonialism� for the dumping of 4HE 5+ THE kRST INDUSTRIALIZER industrial waste from the advanced cut its domestic emissions within West onto the territories of emergits borders by one-third between ing and developing countries.

1990 and 2015. However, if these Environmental pollution has kGURES ARE REASSESSED IN TERMS OF not disappeared from the ademissions from imported steel, vanced West; it has been exported the UK’s total carbon footprint has to more vulnerable economies. actually slightly increased. In the same period, progressive advanced Dr. Dan Steinbock is the founder of countries, such as Japan and Ger- Difference Group and has served at many, cut their own emissions, the India, China and America Instibut doubled or tripled the carbon tute (US), Shanghai Institute for Indioxide they offshored to China. ternational Studies (China) and the As long as no coordinated, long- EU Center (Singapore). For more, term international effort is under- see http://www.differencegroup.net/ taken to address all contributing factors in climate change, key stake- The commentary is based on Dr. holders, including multinationals, Steinbock’s recent presentation WILL kND WAYS TO PARTIALLY CIRCUM- on the economic and human vent strict environmental regula- costs of exported pollution and tions in their wealthy home markets, toxic colonialism.

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times MONDAY April 29, 2019

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Triple E of migration

O

F the 10,000 plus Filipinos going abroad daily as workers, students, visitors and immigrants or permanent residents, education, experience and %NGLISH PROkCIENCY ARE THE THREE key factors for leaving.

The Philippine Statistics Authority and other government sources show there are more than 2 million OFWs at any given time either as new hires or rehires.

For the US alone, from 54,000 to 60,000 Filipinos get their permanent residency or immigrant visas.

In 2018, Australia admitted 8,233 Filipino students; Canada and New Zealand issued more than 4,000 student visas each. The US leads with the most number of student visa issuances — 14,609 in THAT YEAR %NGLISH PROkCIENCY IS A requirement for enrolment.

While deployment to the Middle East may decline, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains the top destination for workers with experience in various trade and craft.

Canada admitted 35,045 permanent residents in 2018. For those without family relationship or other connections, education and English were prime considerations.

When Canada launched the Express Entry immigrant selection system, English was on top of the factors that provide a permanent resident applicant with the highest point scores.

An applicant’s language prokCIENCY SCORE IS ADDED OR COMbined with his or her points in education and experience.

Applicants between the age of 18 to 35 get the highest point allocation for age (12). Scores of 8.0 in each of the IELTS components (speaking, reading, writing and listening, general module) get 128 points.

Together, the age, English/ LANGUAGE PROkCIENCY AND WORK experience in Canada comprise the core or human capital factors.

So, a 35-year-old applicant with a common-law partner, both having a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a Canadian coun-

ing with the selected candidate and have the accepted applicant in Canada to start work within six months after the candidate CRISPIN R. accepts the invitation to apply ARANDA for residency.

The applicant pays for the apterpart and both with high lan- plication and residency fees — GUAGE PROkCIENCY SCORES WOULD not the employer — because the get 310 points. candidate worker/applicant is go4HE %NGLISH PROkCIENCY SCORES ing to Canada as an immigrant, combined with the applicant’s not a contracted or overseas work experience outside Canada Filipino worker. and the degree obtained in the Philippines (but assessed as a OFWs with low Canadian equivalent) adds 75 English proficiency points under the Skill Transferability component of the Express Millions of OFWs in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia Entry scoring matrix.

The partner’s high language pro- are experienced workers in their kCIENCY AND EDUCATION BACHELOR S trade or craft (mostly in construcdegree) make up the spouse factors tion and service sectors). Since and contribute another 38 points. employers place a premium on The overall score of this hy- experience instead of English or pothetical applicant is 423, less LANGUAGE PROkCIENCY /&7S IN THE than the average total compre- Middle East usually would not be hensive ranking score (CRS) to be among those issued invitations to invited for permanent residency. apply for permanent residency.

The government and employers In the April 17, 2019 draw, the lowest CRS score of the candidate in Canada, Australia, New Zealand all need — and aggressively comin the pool was 451. pete for — skilled workers.

All is not lost, however.

Employers that immediately The profile of candidates in Canada’s Express Entry pool are NEED WORKERS IN SPECIkC OCCUPAaccessible to the federal and pro- tions use Canada’s Temporary vincial governments as well as to Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program to get Canadian employers.

Canadian employers in partic- needed workers fast. This is where ular issue job offers or arranged licensed agencies and the POEA employment for pre-qualified come into play since OFWs must go candidates in the pool, instead of through the Philippine government offering employment to overseas overseas recruitment process.

As of April 26, 2019, Canadian applicants. In the case of the Philippines, a Canadian employer employers have immediate and must go through the Philippine unlimited need for beekeepers, Overseas Employment Admin- apiary workers, food service suistration (POEA) to recruit and pervisors, electrical and industrial DEPLOY A QUALIkED APPLICANT 4HE mechanics, cattle technicians, beef, employer must pay thousands of cattle farm workers and caregivers.

Philippine-based OFWs exdollars to the Canadian and Philippine governments for the cost perienced in these occupations of recruitment and deployment. converse in the local language or In contrast, giving a job offer dialect — Tagalog, Cebuano, IloTO A PRE QUALIkED APPLICANT IN THE cano, Kapampangan or Bicolano, Express Entry pool would entail rarely in English.

Workers deployed for these nominal costs such as accessing the candidate pool, communicat- occupations may later pursue

MIGRANT MATTERS

Vehicular accidents: Who gets paid and by how much under CTPL? INSURANCE I INSIGHTS

N the Philippines, before anyone can register a motor vehicle with the Land Transportation OfkCE ,4/ HE IS REQUIRED to secure a compulsory third party liability (CTPL) insurance.

The purpose of this insurance is to protect the owner of the vehicle from providing kNANCIAL OBLIGATIONS TO A THIRD PARTY WHO is injured or killed by the insured vehicle.

But who is the third party referred to in this type of insurance? Is it the driver? The public utility vehicle (PUV) passengers? A nonpaying occupant of the vehicle? A passerby?

Despite being a requirement among vehicle owners and operators, many still do not fully understand how the CTPL insurance truly works.

Worse, many people still have the wrong belief that it protects the owner or the driver and any passenger of the vehicles involved in an accident from monetary liabilities.

If not the owner or the driver or the PASSENGER WHO CAN THEN BENEkT FROM THE CTPL insurance? Who gets paid and by how much?

4HE MAIN BENEkCIARY OF A #40, INSURance is a third party who is any person affected by the vehicular accident other than a fare-paying passenger, the household or family members and employees of the vehicle owner.

An innocent pedestrian walking along the sidewalk or a bystander unfortunately injured in a vehicular accident is considered a third party.

On the other hand, a PUV passenger is not considered a third party and will not BENEkT FROM A #40, INSURANCE This is so because, under the Insurance Code, a passenger is any fare-paying person inside the vehicle, even those persons expressly authorized by law or by the vehicle driver or his agents to ride without fare.

Also not considered a third party are the household members (such as a housemaid or a houseboy) or family members within the second degree of consanguinity (children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and GRANDCHILDREN AND AFkNITY SPOUSE PARents-in-law, grandparents-in-law, siblingsin-law, and children-in-law) of the insured motor vehicle owner who is at fault.

Furthermore, an employee of the owner of the motor vehicle who is at fault is also not considRANDY B. ered a third party.

ESCOLANGO In case the third party tragically passes away due to the accident, his heirs may avail from the insurance company of the vehicle owner at fault an amount up to P100,000 0 FOR DEATH BENEkTS AND 0

for funeral and burial expenses).

However, if the third party has been injured, he may avail of some amount [but not exceeding a total of P100,000] depending on the “schedule of indemnities for bodily injuries� in the insurance policy, as long as he can support it with documentary PROOF LIKE MEDICAL CERTIkCATES OR OFkCIAL receipts of hospital expenses.

Any claim that exceeds those covered by the CTPL insurance will be shouldered by the driver or owner of the vehicle who is at fault. It is also important to note that CTPL insurance does not cover property damages, even of the third party.

Victims of a vehicular accident may immediately avail a maximum of P15,000 under the “no-fault indemnity clause� of the CTPL insurance policy pending the investigation of who is at fault.

In other words, the victims will be immediately compensated under this rule without the need to prove who is at fault.

However, claim should be made against the insurer of the vehicle where the occupant victim is riding, mounting or dismounting.

To better protect themselves from further liabilities, or those beyond what is covered under a CTPL insurance, vehicle owners are given the option to obtain a comprehensive vehicle insurance policy, the coverage of which may vary depending on the agreement of the issuing company and the choice of the policyholder.

Comprehensive car insurance can provide protection against loss and/or damage of vehicle, excess bodily injury, property damage, no-fault indemnity cover, and auto passenger personal accident.

The author has been deputy commissioner for legal services of the Insurance Commission since August 2017. He may be contacted at rb.escolango@yahoo.com.

her scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are high.

Rico and Alice have relatives in Australia and New Zealand who have been egging them to apply for permanent residency in either country.

Australia and New Zealand share the same occupational clasSIkCATION SO IF EITHER 2ICO OR !LICIA obtain a suitable assessment of their occupation (meaning their education, experience is considered or recognized in either country), either one of them could apply for permanent residency.

Australia has the SkillSelect for skilled migrants intending to apply for residency. New Zealand has the Expression of Interest route (EOI).

Both countries have a list of in-demand occupations. Systems administrator is on New Zealand’s long-term skills shortage list and Australia’s list of eligible occupations for skilled independent stream (Subclass 189).

Rico has the experience and could easily get a positive assessNursing ambition ment from Australian Computer to immigrate (ACS) because of his extensive Alice is a licensed nurse in the experience. New Zealand presPhilippines. She was not able ents a more challenging scenario TO kND EMPLOYMENT OR PURSUED because Mapua is no longer in her occupation as an RN in the NZ’s list of recognized schools.

To be invited for permanent Philippines because of lack of residency through NZ’s EOI, an apopportunities and low pay.

Instead she took up a two-year plicant must have a least 160 points diploma course in IT — systems based on age, education, experience. administrator. Her work led to a %NGLISH PROkCIENCY IS A MUST BUT relationship with Rico, a Mapua engi- does not contribute points. After neering graduate who also works as a going through NZ’s points indicator systems administrator. They have not site, Rico got only 155.

Alicia may opt to be the priconsidered getting married because mary applicant, but since IELTS Rico has a previous marriage.

While Rico and his spouse or language proficiency is not have been separated for years allocated points towards the total now (she has migrated to the US, needed to be invited for resiobtained a divorce and remarried dency, she also got 155 points.

Not giving up, Alicia and Rico in Florida). However, Rico’s marriage is still valid in the Philip- turned towards Australia. Under pines. Alice and Rico have been SkillSelect, an applicant must in a common-law relationship have a positive assessment from for almost four years now. They the organization specifically are living in a condominium and authorized to conduct a skilled migrant assessment. have no children of their own.

Whoever is the principal ap!LICIA IS PROkCIENT IN %NGLISH permanent residency after completing at least one-year full-time legal employment. Canada offers two schemes for workers with average English-language skills: the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC).

To qualify for permanent residency through FSTC, an OFW of a skilled worker in the Philippines must have a valid job offer of continuous, paid, full-time employment (at least 30 hours a week) from a Canadian employer for at least one year.

Alternatively, an OFW who has been working in Canada for a YEAR AND HAS OBTAINED A CERTIkCATE OF QUALIkCATION FROM THE PROVINcial or territorial body where he or she works may also apply for permanent residency with just BASIC LANGUAGE PROkCIENCY 4HE same applicant must have two years of full-time work experience (in or outside Canada).

plicant must choose or nominate an occupation to pursue the residency application. As an RN, Alicia must apply for registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). To be registered, Alicia must complete a bridging course in Australia. Unlike the NCLEX, the bridging course is not offered outside Australia.

After comparing the criteria for both Australia and New Zealand, Alicia decided that it would be best for them to apply for SkillSelect in Australia BECAUSE HER %NGLISH PROkCIENCY would get her a score of 20 points which would contribute towards a 75-point total.

Candidates in the SkillSelect pool must be able to earn a minimum of 65 points. However, Australia issues invitation to candidates with the highest scores to those with minimum points. In reality, during the latest SkillSelect draw this month, applicants with minimum scores of 80 were invited to apply, Getting into the SkillSelect pool requires 67 points, but to be taken out of the pool (invited to apply) an applicant must earn more points — in this case 80. In Canada, a candidate needs only 67 points to be in the Express Entry pool, but he or she must earn 451 points to be taken out of the pool.

Alicia is currently checking with the State Territory in Australia if it needs systems administrators. If Victoria or Western Australia has systems administrator in their list of occupations in demand, then Alicia could get another 5 points which would enhance her chance of being selected.

A job offer or employmet would boost their chances. They would explore the possibility of getting job offers from their relatives.

Even without one, Australia seems to be the country where their combined Triple E factors would lead towards permanent residency Down Under.

FOCUS

Xinjiang crackdown at the heart of China’s Belt and Road KHORGOS, Kazakhstan: Traders travel freely through the bustling Khorgos special economic zone that straddles the Kazakhstan-China border, but signs on the Chinese side bear a blunt warning — no veils or long beards allowed.

It’s a stark reminder of the severe security policies that China has imposed on mostly Muslim ethnic minorities in its vast border region of Xinjiang, which it considers crucial to the success of President Xi Jinping’s cherished Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The gateway to Central Asia and key project partner Pakistan, Xinjiang is at the heart of the globe-spanning trade infrastructure program.

A series of riots, bombings and stabbings blamed on ethnic Uighurs over the years prompted authorities to launch a massive security crackdown in the far western region. “The BRI is an important factor behind the central government’s urge to bring the restive region of Xinjiang once and for all under its control,� said Adrian Zenz, an independent German researcher specializing in Xinjiang.

The drastic measures have included placing as many as 1 million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim Turkicspeaking minorities, including ethnic Kazakhs and Kyrgyz, in internment camps that Beijing downplays as “vocational education centers.�

Uighur wives of Pakistani traders have also been swept up in the dragnet.

The crackdown has put the leaders of Central Asia and Pakistan, who attended a Belt and Road summit in Beijing this week, in an awkward position.

Key recipients of BRI projects, they have refrained from publicly criticizing China’s Xinjiang approach despite discontent within their own countries. “Frankly, I don’t know much about that,�

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan told the Financial Times in March when asked about China’s treatment of Uighurs.

Although Kazakhstan has stated that the well-being of ethnic Kazakhs in China is an “important factor� in ties with Beijing, it has also voiced support for China’s battle against terrorism, extremism and separatism.

Kazakh authorities are holding an

activist on suspicion of inciting interethnic hatred after he highlighted the treatment of ethnic Kazakhs in Xinjiang, while an escaped Chinese national who described conditions in an internment camp has been denied asylum. “Fundamentally for these countries IT S QUITE DIFkCULT BECAUSE THEY HAVE this economic partner which is only going to become bigger and more powerful,� said Raffaello Pantucci, director of international security studies at the Royal United Services Institute. “They need to try to manage that relationship while at the same time make sure that they are representing their people to some degree,� Pantucci said.

chose to stay back.

On the Chinese side, journalists were prevented from approaching a sign showing Muslim veils are prohibited — an apparent violation of an agreement on a common law governing the special trade zone.

Authorities have banned a number of Muslim practices in Xinjiang, including wearing “abnormal� beards.

Public anger

Gaukhar Kurmanaliyeva associates the special economic zone on the border with the long arm of Beijing after her cousin Asqar Azatbek was allegedly snatched by unknown Chinese people on the Kazakh side in December 2017.

The Kazakh foreign ministry raised the Trade hub case with Beijing and told KurmanaliXi picked Kazakhstan’s capital to launch yeva that Azatbek, a Chinese-born Kazakh his pet project in 2013, a symbolic choice passport holder, was jailed for breaking highlighting Central Asia’s historic place Chinese citizenship laws. “We don’t know where he is [being held] on the ancient Silk Road.

Projects include a highway connect- or how he is,� Kurmanaliyeva told AFP. In Kyrgyzstan, a committee was ing China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, a railway tunnel in Uzbekistan and a formed by relatives of those vanished in Xinjiang’s security sweep. regional natural gas pipeline.

Marat Tagayev, who joined the committee China’s investments in Central Asia pre-date BRI as Beijing has long seen de- over fears for friends living in China, said the velopment in the region as key to pacifying foreign ministry reported that most Kyrgyz have left the internment camps.

Xinjiang, Pantucci said. “But how many still remain in the “From China’s perspective, the longterm answer to problems — separatism, camps?� Tagayev said.

The Chinese foreign ministry did not unhappiness in Xinjiang — is basically respond to questions related to security or economic prosperity,� he said.

Kazakhstan and China share the mas- detentions in Xinjiang, but said in a statesive, special trade hub in Khorgos, where ment that Belt and Road “has become the traders can shop for clothes, kitchenware main line of cooperation between China and other goods without needing a visa to and Central Asian countries.�

In Pakistan, which hosts the multi-billiongo through security checkpoints. “The goods are cheaper there. Every dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor day we can come to the border without linking Xinjiang to the port of Gwadar, tradit [feeling] like a border,� said Aida ers have protested over the detention of their Massimzhanova, a resident of Kazakh- Uighur wives in the Chinese region.

Ali Ibrar, a 39-year-old trader from northstan’s largest city Almaty.

But Khorgos is also a reminder of ern Pakistan married to a woman from XinChina’s tightening stance on the Muslim jiang, has been involved in a push to bring abuses there to the attention of Islamabad. faith that is dominant in Kazakhstan. “Pakistan is not only silent about the A Kazakh journalist on a press tour was TOLD BY +AZAKH OFkCIALS THAT SHE WOULD plight of Uighur Muslims but is also not be able to pass through the Chinese aiding and abetting China by forcing security check if she kept her hijab. She people like me to silence,� he said. AFP

Regions

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY April 29, 2019

A7

Meningococcemia kills 2 kids in Bulacan LGUs told to conduct surveillance

BY FREDERICK SILVERIO

T

FEDERALISM SUMMIT

Moro National Liberation Front founder Nur Misuari leads the federalism summit at the Bulacan Provincial Capitol Gym in Malolos where he expressed his support for a revolutionary form of government.

PHOTO BY FREDERICK SILVERIO

Nur bats for revolutionary govt in Bulacan summit MORO National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari openly expressed his support for a revolutionary form of government during a Federalism for Peace State of Luzon Summit on Saturday at the Bulacan capitol compound in Malolos City.

He explained that a change in the form of government was imperative to address the problems the country is facing now.

The unitary form of government spawns political dynasties that lead to corruption, poverty and war, Misuari said.

His supporters in Luzon cheered and shouted “RevGov, RevGov� repeatedly to show their support for federalism.

The “Misuari-Duterte Tandem for Federalism for Peace� was launched in Malolos because of the city’s place in the country’s history.

Misuari said to have genuine peace, the country must get rid of political dynasties that tend to be the main source of corruption and enable politicians to engage in vote-buying during elections and amass wealth once elected.

He urged participants from all over Northern Luzon to help them end political dynasties and the unilateral form of government to establish a federal form

of government that would create an equitable distribution of wealth for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with its federal states collecting its own taxes and spending these on their own people. It would also put an end to the national government dictating where their taxes would be spent.

The summit was a joint effort of the MNLF and the People’s Solidarity Federal Party of the Philippines, headed by Joel Obar.

Participants then signed a manifesto urging President Rodrigo Duterte to establish a federal system of government.

Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, during a campaign sortie of Hugpong ng Pagbabago candidates in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday, said she was opposed to federalism because wider political and kSCAL AUTONOMY GRANTED TO AREAS long held by political clans could spell trouble.

She added that Mindanao is kLLED WITH gKINGDOMSu OF LOCAL politicians, local warlords and she DID NOT THINK IT IS RIGHT THAT THEY BE granted wider powers.

The President’s daughter, however, noted that the decision to shift to a federal form of government rests on Congress and the President.

FREDERICK SILVERIO

WO local government units (LGUs) in Bulacan have been advised by a private hospital in Sta. Maria town on Sunday to trace the origins of the meningococcemia virus originated that could caused the death of two children, aged 1 and 3.

The Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital (RMMMH) URGED LOCAL OFkCIALS OF 3TA -ARIA and Norzagaray towns to conduct surveillance within the perimeter and out of the victims’ houses, and place precautionary measures once IT IS CONkRMED THAT THE CHILDREN died of meningococcemia.

Meningococcemia and meningitis are common types of meningococcal diseases caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacTERIA THAT COULD KILL THE AFlICTed within hours.

The toddlers were brought to RMMMH on Saturday morning after reportedly showing menin-

gococcemia symptoms, including vomiting, rashes, cough and fever. They were transferred to San Lazaro Hospital in Manila where they died.

The names and addresses of the victims, both girls, were withheld for security reasons and to prevent possible adverse reactions from residents in the area.

It was learned that the RMMMH was instructed to install infection control measures in the hospital and provide prophylaxis to those who came in contact with the victims and their family members.

The Manila Times tried to contact Dr. Joy Gomez, head of the

Bulacan Provincial Health Office, for information regarding the case, but she has not replied to text messages and phone calls as of Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DoH) recorded 61 cases, with 30 deaths, of meninggococcal disease in the country from January 1 to March 30.

Data from the DoH Epidemiology Bureau showed that Metro Manila recorded the highest numBER OF AFlICTED WITH CASES WITH nine deaths.

The Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) Region reported seven cases with three deaths, and Central Luzon also seven cases with two deaths.

Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) Region reported one case and one death; Bicol with four cases, two deaths; Western Visayas — three cases, two deaths; #ENTRAL 6ISAYAS ‡ SIX CASES kVE deaths; Eastern Visayas — three cases, two deaths; Zamboanga

Peninsula -- six cases, three deaths; Northern Mindanao and Davao Region — three cases, no deaths; Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao — two cases, one death; and Caraga Region, one case, no death.

The Health department said 57 percent of the cases were children aged 4 years old and below, with 73 percent fatalities.

Dr. Anthony Leachon, former president of the Philippine College of Physicians, said the meningococcal bacteria usually thrives on the nose or throat of the carrier and the infection may be airborne or spread through close contact.

The carrier might spread the inFECTION FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS IF NOT diagnosed and treated, he added.

In January, the emergency rooms of two Manila hospitals were shut down because of a meningococcemia scare.

WITH A REPORT FROM CATHERINE A. MODESTO

Boracay ‘better’ a year after closure (EDITOR’S NOTE: The Manila Times is reprinting the article to correct the second paragraph, which appeared on the paper’s April 18, 2019 issue as: “Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo 0UYAT SAID THE $EPARTMENT OF 0UBLIC 7ORKS AND (IGHWAYS HAD kNISHED REPAIRING ALL THE roads there.�)

BORACAY )SLAND IS BACK TO ITS PRISTINE STATE almost a year after it was ordered closed for rehabilitation, the Department of Tourism (DoT) said.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat SAID THE $EPARTMENT OF 0UBLIC 7ORKS AND (IGHWAYS $07( kNISHED REPAIRING ALL PROBLEMS on the main roads.

The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise :ONE WAS ALSO ON TRACK IN kNISHING THE CONstruction of a sewerage system, part of the "ORACAY )NTER !GENCY 4ASK &ORCE S ")4& 0HASE 2 of the island rehabilitation.

Businesses had also started to boom, Puyat said. “Together with Aboitiz Foundation, we’re DOING A WETLAND ;PROJECT= WE ARE MAKING IT INTO A PARK ECO TOURISM ZONE 4HERE ARE SO

many places to go to in Boracay, not just the beaches,� she added.

The Tourism chief said coliform bacteria levels in Boracay waters were now down to zero from the very high level of 1 million most probable number.

The DoT attributed the progress to the relentless efforts of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The DENR is also regularly doing the tests on THE COLIFORM LEVEL EVERY TWO WEEKS TO MAINTAIN the present condition of Boracay Island, espeCIALLY DURING THE PEAK SEASON As of April 8, more than 339 hotels and tourism establishments have been reopened, accounting to more than 12,000 rooms.

Puyat also said respective hotels and resorts were told to supply potable water for both domestic and foreign travelers while local government OFkCIALS WERE RELIGIOUSLY MONITORING THE GARBAGE “Garbage is continuously being monitored by the LGUs (local government units), we have ground enforcers who ensure that the tourists will dispose trash properly. Receptacles have

also been placed everywhere,� she said.

While the BITF and the local government of Boracay have allowed parties since the reopening of the island last October, Puyat said there would be no more LaBoracay or any other beach parties this year.

LaBoracay is an annual summer beach party held in the island, dubbed as southeast Asia’s OWN gSPRING BREAK u “Bawal ang LaBoracay ngayon NO DRINKING AND NO SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES 3O THAT STILL STANDS !CTUALLY THERE S A LAW ‡ NO SMOKING IS an executive order and there’s a local ordinance na bawal talaga ‘yung ganun sa beach,� she said.

3HE CLARIkED HOWEVER THAT SOME PARTIES WERE allowed on Boracay “provided that establishments follow laws and existing ordinances that were in place even before the closure and rehabilitation.�

Under existing local ordinances and national LAWS SMOKING AND DRINKING ARE NOT ALLOWED in the public beach; parties must not be held within “25+5� easement; and the maximum allowed noise level is 55 decibels in nighttime for open areas.

NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

Firearms, ammo seized from Abra bet’s vehicle BANGUED Abra: Authorities seized ASSAULT RIlES THREE HIGH POWERED kREARMS AND OVER A HUNDRED BULlets from the campaign vehicle of Tayum town mayoral candidate Jose Mari Brillantes.

Armed by a search warrant, poLICE OFkCERS ON &RIDAY FOUND TWO - ASSAULT RIlES AN - ASSAULT RIlE TWO 0ARA /RDNANCE CALIBER .45 pistols and another STI Edge caliber .45 pistol, and ammunition for the firearms from the &ORD 2ANGER PICK UP TRUCK THAT Brillantes and his men abandoned along the road after they fired at Walter Tugadi, village chairman of Barangay Budac on

Tuesday.

Before the incident, the suspects reportedly went to Tugadi’s house, but his live-in partner Zenaida claimed the group threatened her, so she called Tugadi who was then on his way home.

Brillantes’ group, whose vehiCLES WERE PARKED ALONG THE ROAD

ALLEGEDLY kRED AT THE APPROACHING vehicle of Tugadi.

One of Tugadi’s companions, barangay tanod (village watchman) Alvin Padagas, 23, was hit by a bullet on his right thigh.

4HE SUSPECTS THEN lED LEAVING BEHIND THE kREARMS AND THE PICK

UP TRUCK WHICH HAD NO LICENSE plate and is registered under a certain Daisy Madriaga.

The vehicle of Tugadi’s group reportedly bore six bullet holes and scene of the crime investigators found embedded on it, 28 spent shells of caliber .45 pistol and 11 spent shells of caliber ASSAULT RIlES Brillantes and his men, who would be facing criminal charges, including illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Comelec gun ban, have not surfaced so far.

Meanwhile, Abra Gov. Ma. Jocelyn Valera Bernos, condemned

the incident and appealed to the police and the military not to TAKE SIDES IN THE POLITICAL RIVALRIES in the province. “We especially call out against those ignoring the election gun BAN AND lAUNTING THAT THEY ARE under the protection of a highRANKING POLICE OFkCIAL u "ERNOS said.

Abra Rep. Joseph Sto. NiĂąo Bernos also questioned the professionalism of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) personnel stationed in the province, as he questioned the deployment of at least 27 agents of the National Support

Unit in the province.

One of Bernos’ opponents in THE CONGRESSIONAL RACE IS 6ICKY Seares Corpuz, wife of CIDG director, Police Maj. Gen. Amador

Corpuz, and aunt of gubernatorial candidate Robert Victor “JR�

Seares. Another congressional bet is Seares’ cousin Dreirei Luna Ifurung.

THOM F. PICANA

Zambo electric co-op, provider agree to address power crisis ZAMBOANGA CITY: The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) and power provider Western Mindanao Power Corp. (WMPC) reached a compromise agreement after a meeting with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), thus ending months of power crisis here.

Prior to this, both groups WERE LOCKED IN A BITTER DISPUTE after WMPC cut-off power supply to Zamcelco after the cooperative, now under the management of Crown Investments Holdings Inc. (Crown Investments) and Desco Inc., refused to pay its overdue account amounting to P460 million.

Zamcelco insisted that

WMPC, of Alsons Power Group and operated by Alto Power Management Corp., overbilled the electric cooperative by P440 million since 2015. It is demanding a refund. ,AWYER 7ENDELL 3OTTO kLED with ERC on April 17 a motion ad cautelam (meaning “for security� or “as a precaution�) on behalf of about 180,000 cooperative members for the issuance of a status quo ante order. This was heard during a meeting between ERC and representatives of Zamcelco and 7-0# LAST WEEK Sotto said he studied WMPC’s petition against Zamcelco, which he found consisting of legal issues with different in-

terpretations and applications of contract law principles, but “should not unduly prejudice the rights and interests of ZamboangueĂąos.â€? “We are forced to endure hours long of daily brownouts during the hot summer months.

On top of this, we also have a recurring water supply shortage.

These adversely affect the daily lives of my fellow Zamboangueùos,� he said.

Crown Investments and DesCO )NC TOOK OVER :AMCELCO IN January this year after bailing out the heavily-indebted electric cooperative for P2.5 billion. “The hearing called WMPC and Zamcelco to explore means and they reached a compromise

and agreed that by this Monday, April 29, they will revert BACK TO THE 0OWER 3ALES !GREEment [between them],� Sotto told The Manila Times.

He said Zamcelco agreed to pay WMPC an initial P220 million. “At least pending the final resolution of the case, we will now have a stable supply of power following the compromise agreement between Zamcelco and WMPC,� Sotto said.

The compromise deal was reached after the Department of Energy sent Energy Assistant Secretary Redentor Delola to Zamboanga early this month TO LOOK INTO THE CRISIS (E SAID a team of lawyers and engineers were also expected to arrive

here soon to conduct an audit AND REPORT THEIR kNDINGS Â

To mitigate the power crisis, Zamcelco said it acquired more expensive diesel-powExpensive ered generators to supply generator sets Zamboanga’s power demand of at least 80 megawatts, but With Zamcelco and WMPC these were only used during LOCKED IN A LEGAL BATTLE CON- PEAK HOURS sumers and businesses here Salazar said rotational power suffered from power outages outages, which began in Februand poor utility services, which ary, had already affected the local prompted Mayor Maria Isabelle economy, with many business #LIMACO 3ALAZAR TO BROKER establishments spending more several meetings with the two on fuel to run their generators POWER SUPPLIERS TO kND A SOLU- for hours on a daily basis. tion to their problems.

Aside from power outages, The mayor also wrote lawyer Zamcelco’s irregular supply of Jomar Castillo of Crown Invest- electricity resulted in low voltments on April 1, demanding age most of the time, damaging that they restore normal elec- the appliances of consumers. tricity supply in the city.

AL JACINTO

A8

News

MONDAY April 29, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Labor group wants P710-wage hike

T

BY WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

HE country’s biggest aggrupation of LABOR GROUP WILL kLE ON -ONDAY A P710-wage increase petition before the National Capital Region (NCR) due to growing poverty in the country

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), through spokesman Alan Tanjusay, said on Sunday that there was an urgent need for another round of salary increase even as the one year period

rule since the last wage increase was granted has not yet lapsed. “We will be citing supervening CONDITIONS IN kLING THE PETITIONS We are also going to test once again the capacity of the wage boards to

remain relevant with its mandate to raise the minimum wage to an amount that can ably support a family,� Tanjusay said.

Section 3, Rule IV of the National Wages and Productivity Commission Revised Rules of Procedure on Minimum Wage Fixing provides that any Wage Order issued by the Board may not be disturbed within 12 months from effectivity, and no petition for wage increase shall be entertained within said period, except when there is a supervening condition such as extraordinary increase in prices of petroleum products and

basic goods/services, which demands a review of minimum wage rates as determined by the Board AND CONkRMED BY THE COMMISSION All 17 wage boards in different regions have adjusted the minimum wage rates from P8.50 to P56 daily wage increases in different periods last year, including Metro Manila on November 2018 with a P25-daily wage hike.

The last wage increase amounting to P21 per day was granted to minimum wage earners in Metro Manila on Oct. 5, 2017, out of the original petition of P184 per day. It brought

Metro TODA pledges support for Go THE National Capital Region-Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (NCR TODA) Coalition has pledged their support for the candidacy of Senate aspirant Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go. “We solemnly swear to support the candidacy of Go as senator. We assure you of our partnership in working for the change President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing for,� the NCR TODA said in a manifest.

Signed by TODA leaders in Metro Manila led by NCR TODA Coalition President Ace Sevilla, the pledge of support was given to Go during the Pasig City First TODA Summit held at Urbano Velasco Avenue in Barangay Pinagbuhatan last Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Go went around Pasig City in a motorcade.

He thanked the people of the city for the enthusiastic reception he received from them.

3PEAKING AT THE SUMMIT 'O REAFkRMED HIS COMMITMENT TO champion the cause of the TODA and promote their welfare, recalling that a chance meeting with Sevilla in a carinderia in Pasay City marked the beginning of his earnest efforts to help the TODA. “We swapped stories. He spoke of the grievances of the TODA. I told him I will bring these to President Duterte. Hence, we have the Toda Summit,� Go said.

In January this year, the government held a national TODA Summit in Pasay City to listen to the concern of the tricycle operators AND DRIVERS IN THE COUNTRY 4/$! OFkCIALS WERE ALSO INVITED TO MalacaĂąang to express their concerns.

Sevilla noted that during their meeting with President Duterte, arranged by Go, he requested fuel subsidy for tricycle drivers similar to that enjoyed by jeepney drivers. He said this would soon be realized through the help of the private sector.

Go assured the TODA that if elected to the Senate he would undertake a review of existing laws, including those governing their livelihood and operations, to ensure the regulations would BE BENEkCIAL TO THEM The former top aide of President Duterte also told them that he remains committed to supporting the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte against criminality, corruption and illegal drugs, as he warned them to stay away from drugs.

In addition, Go said he supports the Duterte administration’s development and infrastructure programs, noting there are many ON GOING AND PLANNED PROJECTS THAT WOULD BENEkT NOT ONLY 0ASIG but other adjacent cities in Metro Manila.

Among others, he cited P27.3-billion project for the

MAN OF THE MASSES

Supporters of Senate aspirant Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go flooded his caravan in ParaĂąaque City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO construction of consisting of 10 bridges crossing the PasigMarikina River and Manggahan Floodway. The government has requested international loan financing for the project since June 6, 2018.

There were also plans for other bridges such as the MercuryEvangelista Bridge, the J.P. Rizal-Lopez Jaena Bridge, as well as THE "'# /RTIGAS ,INK ALL MEANT TO REDUCE TRAFkC AND IMPROVE travel time between Pasig and nearby cities in Metro Manila, among others.

Q POSTSCRIPT FROM A1

A Postscript to the Oust Duterte Plot editor should speak ill of his employer while still working for the company. The honorable thing to DO IS TO RESIGN kRST BEFORE SPEAKING unfavorably of his employer. That is called decency.

If he had really wanted to resign out of protest over the publication of the “Oust Duterte Plot Bared� article, why did he not do so immediately following the publication of the story that Monday? In an interview over ANC, he said he had wanted to resign, but “Naunahan lang ako (I was beaten to a draw).� Three days after the fact? For the record, I was the one who phoned our president and chief executive OFkCER #%/ TO SET UP A MEETing with Salvosa last Wednesday AFTERNOON IN MY OFkCE

That fateful afternoon

During that meeting, I waited for him to apologize for speaking ill of the paper in public. I tried no less than three times to give him an opening to just say sorry for his transgression, but he did not.

I tried to prick his conscience by repeating the question no less than three times if it was okay for an employee to tweet ill of his employer while still in the employ of his employer. All in vain. So, after sensing no apology was forthcoming, I said: “I need your resignation.�

I told him that I was not happy with his performance and had WANTED TO kRE HIM FOR TARDINESS He would report for work at 5:00

p.m. when the 3:00 p.m. story conference was long over. Such arrangement was contrary to the principles of good management and in the short and long run would engender a morale problem among the staff, but I told him I kept my peace out of respect for our president and CEO.

Salvosa failed to do his job

Assuming he was against the publication of the report, he should have called me to raise his objection. He did not. If he did, I could have explained to him that my source did not support or explain the claims in the matrix. I merely quoted my source and simply reported the matrix without comments.

I would have also reminded him that the job of the newspaper was to call those mentioned in the matrix, time permitting. And we did; we tried to call the principal actor, Ellen Tordesillas, for comment. We published her reaction along with those from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Rappler and Vera Files the following day.

No malice

I personally phoned our publishereditor, Neri Tenorio, on Sunday afternoon to seek a reaction from Tordesillas. One of her editors texted to say that she “is in [a province] and the internet connection there is weak.� The following day,

Monday, she sent her reaction to the desk.

On Monday afternoon, our publisher phoned me to say that the NUJP, PCIJ and Rappler had also submitted their reactions and that they were personal and offensive. ) GAVE SPECIkC INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE these published prominently and unedited, regardless.

Tenorio, in turn, instructed Salvosa to publish all the negative reactions, who could not believe that I would allow the nasty, vicious, personal reactions assaulting me to be included in the follow-up piece. “Are you sure DAA (Dante A. Ang) would like to publish these vicious reactions?� or words to that effect were asked Neri. My only request, I told Neri, was to also publish the other reactions from our readers to balance the negative comments from PCIJ, Rappler and the NUJP. The PCIJ, Rappler and NUJP reactions were given prominent treatment, above the fold, beside the banner for the day.

The matrix is a story

The oust Duterte plot is a legitimate story. A solitary matrix, esPECIALLY IF IT CAME FROM THE /FkCE of the President, is a story in itself.

There was absolutely no need, or an urgent need on the same day, to have another source — as the PCIJ, NUJP and Rappler would say in criticizing me — before printing the story.

I did not accuse those named in the matrix as being involved in the

the daily minimum wage rate in the private sector to P512 from P491.

The last wage increase amounting to P25 was granted in November 2018 by the National Wages and Productivity Commission, bringing the minimum wage in Metro Manila from P512 to P537 across different sectors.

If the new petition is granted, it will bring the minimum wage in NCR to P1,247.

TUCP said that workers in the highly urbanized region should be receiving a minimum of P1,247 salary in order for ordinary workers

and their families to live normal and decent lives.

It said the current P537 wage for minimum wage earners in Metro -ANILA WAS HIGHLY INSUFkCIENT IN THE light of rising costs food and services caused by taxes and inadequate government services and social protection assistance to poor Filipinos.

Government standards announced by the Philippine Statistics Authority and the National Economic Development Authorit two weeks ago sets the minimum amount of P349 a day or 0 A MONTH FOR A FAMILY OF kVE to be considered out of poverty.

When consignation of payment in court is proper Dear PAO, I fell in love with the daughter of my landlord, but she rejected me when I courted her. I never wanted to see her again, but I am obliged, as per contract, to pay my monthly rentals directly to her. Can I just consign or deposit the rental payments in court?

Rodolfo Dear Rodolfo, For your information, the case of PNB vs Lilibeth Chan (GR 206037, March 13, 2017) penned by Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, clearly discussed the propriety in making consignation in court, viz.: “Consignation is the act of depositing the thing due with the court or judicial authorities whenever the creditor cannot accept or refuses to accept payment.

It generally requires a prior tender of payment.� “Under Article 1256 of the Civil Code, CONSIGNATION ALONE IS SUFkCIENT EVEN without a prior tender of payment a) when the creditor is absent or unknown or does not appear at the place of payment; b) when he is incapacitated to receive the payment at the time it is due; c) when, without just cause, he refuses to give a receipt; d) when two or more persons claim the same right to collect; and e) when the title of the obligation has been lost. “For consignation to be valid, the debtor must comply with the following requirements under the law: “1) there was a debt due;

plot against the President; I merely quoted the matrix. I did not even comment on it; just reported it. ) DID NOT kLL IN THE INADEQUACIES of the matrix because none was offered by my source.

I did not force my story on Salvosa or anyone in The Manila Times. The matrix came from a highly reliable source in the Palace and no less than the President, through the Presidential SpokesMAN 3AL 0ANELO HAS CONkRMED IT So much for the one-source story.

A running story

An editor worth his salt would have known that the oust Duterte plot story is a running one. His job was to call those mentioned in the matrix for their reactions the day after its publication. He did not.

If he thought there was still a need to widen the scope of the reaction, he should have done so.

He was free to do that, nobody was stopping him. He did not.

Now he is saying that the story should not have been published at all until all those named in the matrix were called for their reactions. Bull. ANC, CNN PhilIPPINES AND OTHER MEDIA OUTkTS did not call me for my side of the story when they interviewed Salvosa. Up to this writing, ANC and CNN Philippines have not called. In fairness to GMA Network, it sought my comment immediately following Salvosa’s interview. It was followed by an interview by Anthony Taberna and Gerry Baja over DZMM radio on Friday or four days after the publication of the oust Duterte story.

Salvosa was also being mentally dishonest because he knows that publishing or airing stories even

“2) valid prior tender of payment, unless the consignation was made DEAR PAO because of some legal cause provided in Article 1256; “3) previous notice of the consignation has been given to the persons interested in the performance of the obligation; “4) the amount or thing due was placed at the disposal of the court; and, “5) after the consignation had been made, the persons interested were notikED THEREOF ‘Failure in any of these requirements is enough ground to render consignation ineffective.’� (Emphasis supplied) Considering that there was no incapacity on the part of your landlord’s daughter to receive the necessary rental payment, you cannot just decide on your own to deposit the same in court.

There will be no valid payment in case you did so and may result in your payment of penalties, interests or surcharges. In your situation, consignation of payment in court cannot be made based on the mentioned reasons.

7E kND IT NECESSARY TO MENTION THAT this opinion is solely based on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Thus, the opinion may vary when the facts are changed or further elaborated. We hope that we were able to enlighten you on the matter.

PERSIDA ACOSTA

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column OF THE 0UBLIC !TTORNEY S /FkCE 1UESTIONS for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@ manilatimes.net

before reactions can be had happens all the time and that seeking reactions after the fact are commonplace. In many cases, reactions are printed or aired days after the main story is published or aired. He did not do his job. Despite what has happened between the two of us, I still respect Salvosa. I hope we can remain friends. I wish him well.

Shooting the messenger

Instead of answering the allegations, these so-called journalists assaulted my character. They turned their bile on the messenger just because they did not like the message. And they call themselves journalists?

The NUJP, in particular, seems to have gone overboard in its reaction.

It issued what I consider to be an unadulterated, if personal “threat.� “Should any harm come to those he has maligned, Dante Ang should be held just as fully accountable,� the NUJP wrote. If this is not a threat, what is? Sorry, ‘Day, I don’t scare easily. Matagal na ‘kong takot. NUJP calls that journalism?

can’t because there is none. I am not a consultant of the President nor do I receive any remuneration from him or any of the governMENT OFkCES And she calls herself a journalist? Give me a break. Maybe I should sue her for libel. About time to put her in her proper PLACE 4HIS IS NOT THE kRST TIME she has maligned me. During a Senate investigation about the media, I can’t remember the agenda, she projected my picture on the screen out of the blue. I was not even in her narrative, for goodness sake!

If she can show me a single proof that I have received PR money from the President or I am in the payroll of Malacaùang, I will gladly close The Manila Times. If, on the other hand, Ressa can’t come up with even a single proof, she should just get out of the Philippines and return to her native Indonesia, there to spread her brand of journalism.

Rappler ac-dc

What is the difference between Rappler and a journalist caught A dare to Maria Ressa receiving payola from a businessShe called me a “Paid PR� twice man? None! When asked to exin her reaction to the matrix story. plain, the journalist lamely said: Is name calling journalism? Also, g3IR kNANCIAL ASSISTANCE PO ITO

what was her basis for accusing HINDI LAGAY 3IR THIS IS kNANCIAL me of being a “Paid PR�? Does she assistance, not a bribe).�

In much the same tortured exhave a source? Has she vetted her planation, Rappler, PCIJ and the accusation against me?

My appointment as special NUJP claim that the money they envoy of the President is purely receive from abroad are “grants.�

Put another way, these media HONORIkC !S SPECIAL ENVOY ) DO NOT HAVE A LINE AGENCY NO OFkCE ORGANIZATIONS ARE CONlICTED 4HEY no salary, not even an allowance. are hardly independent at all. They If Ressa thinks I am in the payroll defend and promote the interests of MalacaĂąang or anybody in the of those foreign groups that fiPalace, I challenge her to show me, nance them.

Talk of journalism! or better yet the public, proof. She

What’s inside ‘MORE INFRA INVESTMENTS NEEDED FOR PH REGIONS’ BusinessB2

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Q1 PROFIT LIFTS CEMEX’S STOCK PRICE BY 6%

ÂťStock WatchB3

FILINVEST GROUP SETS P39-B CAPEX

ÂťCorporate NewsB4

US OIL SANCTIONS TAKE EFFECT ON VENEZUELA

ÂťForeign BusinessB5

www.manilatimes.net

DELOITTE ON THE DOT

B2

W

MONDAY APRIL 29, 2019

Business Times

B1

Economists expect 3.3% inflation for 2019 – BSP E

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

#/./-)343 SEE INlATION SETTLING AT PERCENT THIS YEAR THE "ANGKO 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS "30 SAID HIGHER THAN ITS PERCENT FULL YEAR FORECAST BUT STILL WITHIN THE PERCENT TARGET )N THE &IRST 1UARTER )NlATION 2EPORT 2018 survey.� released on Friday, the central bank Analysts expect downward pressures SAID THE LATEST kGURE WAS A DECREASE TO DOMINATE THE RISKS TO THE INlATION from “4.1 percent in the December outlook, according to the BSP.

g0OSSIBLE DOWNSIDE RISKS TO INlATION include the implementation of the RICE TARIFkCATION LAW WHICH IS EXPECTED to improve domestic rice supply and stabilize prices, and lower global crude oil prices,� it said.

Signed in February, the rice tarifkCATION LAW LIFTS IMPORT LIMITS ON RICE

which according to the Bangko Sentral, WAS EXPECTED TO REDUCE INlATION BY percentage points this year.

Meanwhile, the central bank said

the latest futures prices indicated that global crude oil prices could remain subdued in 2019 and 2020. “On the other hand, the key upside RISKS TO INlATION ARE SEEN TO EMANATE from adverse weather conditions, such as El NiĂąo; volatile global oil prices and [the] foreign exchange market; possible policy rate cut by the BSP; higher domestic demand due to the upcoming midterm elections

ÂłInflation B4

Banks tighten real-estate lending GOCC

Q These photos taken in March and April show Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell (left) and US President Donald Trump. AP PHOTOS

Fed to hold its fire despite rate-cut call WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Federal Reserve (Fed) is poised to hold its fire this week, leaving benchmark US interest rates untouched as central bankers await firm indications of where the world’s largest economy is headed.

But as policymakers gather for their third meeting of the year on

Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), US President Donald Trump is still hammering the Fed, demanding they lower interest rates.

He also made plans to fill Fed vacancies with political loyalists to help get his way.

Top White House economic adviser Larry Kud-

ÂłFire B4

BANKS have tightened credit standards on loans extended to real-estate companies but maintained those for individual borrowers, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

Results of the First Quarter 2019 3ENIOR "ANK ,OAN /FkCERS 3URVEY released on Friday indicated a net tightening of overall credit standards for real-estate loans during the quarter using the diffusion index (DI) approach.

A positive DI indicates that the proportion of banks that tightened their credit standards is greater than those that did otherwise (net tightening). In contrast, a negative DI indicates that more banks eased those standards than those that tightened (net easing).

The central bank said this was the 13th consecutive quarter that the DI approach pointed to a net tightening “due to respondent BANKS PERCEPTION OF STRICTER knancial system regulations and reduced tolerance for risk.�

S H A R E S O U T LO O K F O R T H E W E E K

Sideways trading on investor caution THE stock market is expected to trade sideways during a shortened, four-day trading week as investors remain cautious ahead of the May 13 midterm elections.

In a market comment over the weekend, Eagle Equities Inc. research head Christopher Mangun said the market would continue “its trend of boring sideways action, as it cannot decide whether to go higher or lower.� “I doubt that we will see any major move from blue-chips, as the general investor sentiment remains extremely cautious,� Mangun said.

Market players will stay on the sidelines until after results of the polls, he added.

Trading is closed on Wednesday, May 1, to

A

mark Labor Day. In a separate comment, online brokerage kRM TRADEASIA COM SAID IT EXPECTED THE MARket to become volatile this week ahead of the elections.

In the spotlight, it said, is the two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting to be held from April 30 to May 1 (Wednesday and Thursday in Manila), during which interest are expected to be lowered.

On Friday, the bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index slipped 0.33 percent or 26.17 points to close at 7,868.28. The wider All Shares, meanwhile, shed 0.23 percent or 11.31 POINTS TO kNISH AT

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Foreigners dominate Holcim’s 6-man board

T 10 a.m. on May 24, 2019, the public stockholders of Holcim Philippines Inc. (HPI) will meet their six-man board when they and the company’s foreign owners hold their annual meeting at Marquiz Events Place, Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. Although they don’t elect or nominate their own directors, they should know the companies behind Holcim.

Holcim is owned by foreigners. It listed Union Cement Holdings Corp. as holder of 3.906 billion HPI common shares, which were then — and still are — equivalent to 60.55 percent, according to Holcim’s preliminary information statement (PIS).

A PIS is intended to inform stockholders of either their annual or special meetings. It is USUALLY FOLLOWED BY A DEkNITIVE INFORMATION statement (DIS), which, being definitive, MUST BE kNAL Union Cement is Filipino but its ownership PROkLE IS NOT KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC Aside from Union Cement, Holcim’s other STOCKHOLDERS INCLUDE (OLDERkN " 6 A $UTCH

company, with 1.168 billion HPI common shares, or 18.11 percent; Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co. Ltd., a *APANESE kRM MILlion HPI common shares, or 9.22 percent; and Cemco Holdings Inc., which a public ownership report (POR) says is Filipino, 456.69 million HPI common shares, or 7.08 percent.

Aliens on board If the public investors were to go by the composition of the board, foreigners own Holcim.

As directors. Tomas I. Alcantara, Martin Kriegner, John William Stull, Rajani Kesari and Yasuo Kitamoto each hold a nominal HPI COMMON SHARE /NLY 3IMEON 6 -ARCELO WHO is the sixth member of the board, indirectly holds 54,262 HPI common shares.

The list indicated the nationalities of the six directors. Only Alcantara, chairman of the board, and Marcelo are Filipinos. The rest are foreigners: Kriegner, Austrian; Stull, who is the company president, American; Kesari, Indian;

ÂłPerez B5

The net tightening also reflected banks’ wider loan margins, reduced credit line sizes, stricter collateral requirements and loan covenants, shortened loan maturities and increased use of interest rate floors.

Demand for commercial realestate loans was noted to indicate a net decrease. Banks attributed this to borrowers’ decreased working capital needs, increase in customers’ internally generated funds, higher interest rates, and less optimistic economic outlook, among others. “Over the next quarter, although most of the respondent banks anticipate generally steady loan demand, more banks expect demand for commercial real-estate loans to increase, compared to those expecting the opposite,� the BSP said.

Meanwhile, credit rules for housing loans extended to individual borrowers were observed to have been maintained in the first quarter of 2019, due largely

to banks’ unchanged tolerance for risk.

Over the next quarter, poll results point to expectations of a net tightening of credit standards for housing loans in the second quarter, as banks anticipate stricter financial system regulations and lower risk tolerance.

They also showed decreased demand for housing loans in the first quarter, as well as expectations of a net increase in demand for such loans in the next quarter.

Conducted since 2009, the survey helps the BSP enhance its understanding of banks’ lending behavior, an important indicator of the strength of credit activity in the country.

It also helps assess demand conditions, potential risks in asset markets, and possible strains in bank lending as a transmission channel of monetary policy.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLOÂ

subsidies down 83% in March SUBSIDIES received by state-run companies from the national government dropped in March, latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed.

Twenty-three government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) received a total of P5.740 billion in the month, a 83.7-percent decrease from P35.240 billion a year earlier.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which is responsible for irrigation development and management, accounted for the bulk at P3.588 billion.

The National Food Authority got P1.065 billion; the Philippine National Railways (PNR), P296 million; and the National Power Corp., P273 million.

ÂłSubsidies B2

B2

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY April 29, 2019

and taxes: ‘More infra investments AElections story of compliance C needed for PH regions’ T

BY ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

O SPUR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN OTHER REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY ECONOMISTS RECENTLY CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO BOOST INVESTMENTS IN ITS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES Doing so would pave the way for new economic hubs outside of the national capital region (NCR), RESEARCH kRM )(3 -ARKIT SAID 4HE kRM MADE THE STATEMENT after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said last week economic growth in the NCR including Metro Manila lost pace in 2018. The region, however, still contributed the largest to the country’s economy, it added.

Data released by the agency said the NCR had the largest share of gross domestic product (GDP) at 36 percent, but its growth slowed to 4.8

percent from 6.2 percent in 2017. “The latest data highlights the importance for national economic and industrial policies to foster the economic development of other regions, in order to create new hubs for economic growth and reduce the overall dependence of the national economy on the NCR,� Rajiv Biswas, CHIEF ECONOMIST FOR !SIA 0ACIkC OF IHS Markit said.

Biswas said a key national strategy to help improve industrial competitiveness of other regions will be public investment in critical infrastructure such as ports,

airports, roads and power projects to attract foreign and domestic investment into new regional growth hubs. “The creation of industrial infraSTRUCTURE SUCH AS OFkCE PARKS AND industrial parks are also important policies to facilitate the emergence of second tier and third tier cities as commercial hubs,� he added.

The PSA further said that while economies of all 17 regions grew in 2018, some regions posted slower growth. Regions with faster growth include Bicol (8.9 percent), #ENTRAL 6ISAYAS PERCENT #ALabarzon (7.3 percent), Northern Mindanao (7.0 percent), Ilocos Region (6.5 percent), Zamboanga Peninsula (6.3 percent), and EastERN 6ISAYAS PERCENT $ESPITE being among the fastest growing economies in 2018, the growth of Davao Region slowed down at

8.6 percent.

The following regions’ economies also grew, but at a slower pace as compared with the previous year: Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) grew by 7.3 percent; Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), 7.2 percent; Central Luzon, 7.1 percent; Soccsksargen, 6.9 percent; Western 6ISAYAS PERCENT .ATIONAL Capital Region (NCR), 4.8 percent; #AGAYAN 6ALLEY PERCENT AND Caraga, 3.2 percent.

Robert Dan Roces, assistant vice president and economist of Security Bank said the slow down in NCR could be attributed to the HIGH INlATION LAST YEAR g4HE SLOWDOWN PERHAPS RElECTS THE COMBINED EFFECTS FROM INlAtion and the resulting policy rate hikes by the BSP last year,� said Roces.

More Guimaras mangoes in NCR sought EFFORTS are being stepped up to boost the presence of the worldfamous Guimaras mangoes in Metro Manila markets, as the commodity is set to be exported to Eastern Europe soon. “Before the Russians enjoy the sweetness of the Guimaras Mango, we would like our kababayans from Metro Manila to get a taste of this world renowned variety,â€? Guimaras Board Member Dan Elby HabaĂąa, who has worked with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to promote the product, was quoted as saying.

In a statement Sunday, DA Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol said they would feature Guimaras Mango in an eight-day -ANGO %XPO AT THE $! CENTRAL OFkCE IN Quezon City starting May 2. “An estimated 5 to 10 metric tons will be put on sale during the expo

by Guimaras Mango farmers themselves who will be assisted by the DA Agriculture and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) and DA Regional &IELD /FkCE 7ESTERN 6ISAYAS u HE SAID Guimaras Governor Nestor Gumarin also appreciated the DA’s support in the promotions and marketing of

the Guimaras mango in the domestic market as well the order of the importing countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, he added.

Recently, Moscow-based Exim PaCIkC ,## PLACED AN ORDER OF METRIC tons of Guimaras mangoes a week. &OUNDED IN %XIM 0ACIkC HAS become one of the leading Russian importers of food products from Southeast Asia, China and Japan. It works with the major retailers and institutional clients in Russia to bring !SIAN lAVORS TO CONSUMERS ACROSS THE country.

PiĂąol said the DA is optimistic the DEAL WITH %XIM 0ACIkC WOULD ALSO establish long-term relationships with Russian importers for a year-round supply of Guimaras mangoes and other Philippine agricultural products as the country penetrates the Eastern European market.

The export-quality mangoes from Guimaras have been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Record as the “sweetest mango�, which have been reportedly served at the White House and the Buckingham Palace.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

Zero tariff mulled for SKorean e-vehicle parts TARIFFS on electric vehicle (EV) parts from South Korea may be removed in exchange for easier market access for Philippine agricultural products, a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) official said.

The DTI is currently studying the possibility of providing zero tariff on South Korean electric vehicle part imports, DTI Undersecretary Rodolfo Ceferino said in Taguig City last week. “Number one [for us] would be agricultural products, not just bananas,� Rodolfo said when asked for possible deal exchange for South Korea’s request for the government to lift tax on electric vehicle parts.

The DTI earlier announced the beginning of the free-trade agreement talks with South Korea to ease

the entry of Philippine agricultural products, especially banana, to its market. It was eyed to be settled and signed by November this year.

Rodolfo said the DTI could also offer assistance in developing infrastructures for electric vehicles, such as production facility and charging station, provided that interested firms can do so.

He said the Philippines was particularly interested to produce electric motors — which consist of 200 to 300 parts — and batteries because of the ample supply of nickel and copper wires in the country. However, he stressed that a significant market share was needed for an assembly or production plant to be allowed.

Rodolfo said the DTI was “enticing� South Korean

auto firms to invest in electric vehicle plants in the country, noting that the Philippines’ competitors are Vietnam and Thailand.

Apart from electronic vehicles and agricultural products, DTI said it was also aiming to have “more collaboration on trade and investments� for electronics and information technology.

DTI said there are currently 30 electric vehicle industry players in the country with annual production capacity of 80,000 units. As of 2018, there are 4,362 registered electric vehicles and 40 charging stations, it added.

Last year, merchandise trade between the two countries amounted to $13.7 billion, making South Korea the Philippines’ fifth largest trading partner.

Most of Philippines exports to Korea are bananas, pineapples and copper. The Philippines’ banana exports to South Korea currently have a tariff of 30 percent.

Investment pledges —  mostly on real estate and manufacturing — from Korea reached $35.79 million last year.

TYRONE C. PIAD

Q SUBSIDIES FROM B1

GOCC subsidies /THER GOVERNMENT kRMS THAT RECEIVED ASSISTANCE were the Light Rail Transit Authority, Aurora PaCIkC %CONOMIC :ONE AND &REEPORT !UTHORITY "ASES Conversion and Development Authority, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC), Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care, People’s Television Network Inc., Small Business Corp., Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Southern Philippines Development Authority, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, and the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority.

Year-to-date, government subsidies plunged by 79.4 percent to P9.304 billion from a year earlier.

State companies with the biggest funding assistance for the two-month period were the NIA, P5.769 billion; PNR, P296 million; and the PCMC, P277 million.

The subsidies fell under the national government’s disbursements program.

In March, state spending fell by 8.2 percent to P287.327 billion, bringing the year-to-date tally to P777.990 billion, 0.78 percent higher than a year ago, but P98.308 billion less than the estimated programmed funds of P876.298 billion.

In 2018, the government gave away a record P136.652 billion in subsidies.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

OLORFUL banners with the faces of politicians, POLITICAL 46 AND RADIO ADVERtisements, rallies, meeting de avance and campaign jingles are just some of the indications that election 2019 is just around the corner.

On May 13, 2019, roughly two weeks from now, Filipino voters will have the chance to elect a new set of public officials, including senators and congressional representatives.

While everyone is excited to exercise their voting rights during the general elections, let us hope nobody forgets about the tax compliance requirements involved during the campaign/election period.

Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 31-2019 issued on March 17, 2019 discusses the tax compliance requirements of the candidates, political parties and campaign contributors following the issuance of RMC 38-2018, dated May 3, 2018.

All politicians/candidates, political parties and campaign contributors are responsible for registering or updating their registration with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in relation to their candidacy. The Client Support Section (CSS) of the concerned Revenue District /FkCE 2$/ IS RESPONSIBLE FOR the registration process of the electoral candidates. Once the registration process is complete, all candidates and political parties should ensure they comply with the following tax requirements: Pay annual registration fee (ARF) of P500. Note that a certificate of registration is no longer required to be issued to individual candidates who are not engaged in business.

2EGISTER NON 6!4 OFFICIAL receipts. Such receipts must be issued for every contribution received, whether in cash or in kind valued at fair market VALUE &-6 .OTE THAT INdividual candidates shall be recognized as “professional� to secure an authority to Print Receipts/Invoices.

Preserve records of contributions and expenditures, together with all pertinent documents for a period of three years from the close of the taxable year during which the election was held.

All political parties/party list groups shall register and keep adequate books and other accounting records.

Individual candidates may opt to use simplified books of accounts as long as it can provide accurate information.

DELOITTE. ON THE DOT

JENNIFER ROSE AGUILERA

of goods and services. At the end of the year, the candidates SHALL kLE THE ANNUAL INFORMAtion return (BIR Form 1604-E) together with the statement of contributions and expenditures DULY STAMPED g2%#%)6%$u BY the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on or before March 1 following the year of election.

All expenses not subjected to 5 percent CWT are not considered utilized campaign funds and the candidates/political parties are precluded in claiming such income payments as deductions from campaign contributions.

Secondly, the unutilized/ excess contributions over the campaign expenditures shall be subject to income tax and must be included in the declaration of the candidate’s taxable income for a taxable year. Bear in mind that any candidate, whether they won or lost, who fails to file the appropriate statement of expenditures with the Comelec is automatically barred from claiming the expenditures as a deduction from the campaign contributions. As such, the entire amount of contributions is considered subject to income tax.

Lastly, the donations/contributions utilized during the campaign period as set by the Comelec are exempt from donor’s tax. Donations utilized before or after the campaign period are subject to donor’s tax and not deductible as political contributions on the part of the donor. Further, donations made by a corporation in violation of Section 36 of the Corporation Code of the Philippines shall be properly subjected to donor’s tax. Due to the implementation of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Act, donor’s tax rate is 6 percent.

What happens when elections are over?

The registration of individuals as candidates shall automatically end 10 days after the DEADLINE OF kLING THE QUARTERLY remittance return of creditable income taxes withheld (BIR Form 1601EQ). The CSS shall monitor and update the individual’s registration. However, the registration of the political parties and party list groups shall subsist, unless they opt to update their registration.

Another post-election obliOther tax filing gation is that each candidate obligations of the or treasurer of a political party candidates during shall submit the statement of election period contributions and expenditures to Comelec and the Revenue First, the purchase of goods and $ISTRICT /FkCE WHERE THE CANservices as part of campaign didates are registered within 30 expenditures is subject to 5 days after the election. percent creditable withholding Penalties shall be imposed tax (CWT) in accordance with for non compliance with the Section 2.57.2 of Revenue Regu- foregoing tax requirements. lations (RR) 2-98, as amended.

In a country where electoral This 5 percent CWT shall be candidates go to great lengths remitted to the BIR on or before to win, how can we assure the 10th day of the month after that they are adhering to tax which the withholding was laws? As the saying goes, to MADE FOR THE kRST TWO MONTHS be a good leader, one must of the quarter using BIR Form first be a good follower. Let 0619-E. us hope that all of the current For the quarterly withhold- candidates are doing just that: ing tax return, the same shall complying with the tax rules of be filed on or before the last the nation they aspire to lead. day of the month following the end of the quarter using The author is a Senior with the BIR Form 1601-EQ. A quarterly Tax & Corporate Services divialpha list of payees shall also sion of Navarro Amper & Co., be submitted along with the one of 11 practices that make filing of the quarterly with- up Deloitte Southeast Asia Ltd. holding tax return.

Deloitte Southeast Asia Ltd is With the act of withhold- a member of Deloitte Touche ing, the candidates, political Tohmatsu Limited, a leading parties and other campaign global provider of audit and contributors shall issue a cer- assurance, consulting, finanTIkCATE OF TAXES WITHHELD ")2 cial advisory, risk advisory, tax Form 2307) to the provider and related services.

Stock Watch Q1 profit lifts Cemex’s stock price by 6% ˜ The Manila Times

B3

MONDAY April 29, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

30-DAY STOCK PERFORMANCE

HIGH

LOW

AVERAGE

CLOSE

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

S

( ! 2 % 3 O F #EMEX (OLDINGS 0 H I L I P P I N E S #ORP INCREASED BY PERCENT WEEK ON WEEK

BUOYED BY ITS IMPROVED kNANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN THE kRST THREE MONTHS OF THE YEAR The listed cement manufacTURER S STOCK PRICE kNISHED &RIDAY at P2 each — a 6.38-percent jump from the P1.88 close on April 17 — after it reported that its net INCOME IN THE kRST QUARTER SOARED by 137 percent to P172 million from P73 million in the same period last year on the back of lower foreign-exchange (forex) losses and higher operating gains.

4HIS WAS #EMEX S kRST SWING TO income after posting three consecutive quarters of losses last year.

Based on data from the Philippine Stock Exchange, Cemex was the 17th actively traded stock and the 7th gainer as of Friday.

Compared with its 52-week high, the current price was still 45 percent down from P3.65 and was only 2.6 percent higher on a year-to-date basis.

Philstocks Financial Inc. research associate Japhet Louis Tantiangco said the stock price was BOOSTED BY THE SURGE IN NET PROkT

coupled with bargain-hunting after a slide in its prices from April 3 to 15. “Cemex is still in the process of recovery from last year’s landslide,

30-day high: P2.92 30-day low: P1.75

Date

Q A manufacturing plant of Cemex Philippines’ subsidiary Solid Cement Corp. in Barangay San Jose, Antipolo, Rizal. PHOTO FROM CEMEX PHILIPPINES’ WEBSITE which affected their raw material suppliers and eventually their operations,� Tantiangco said, referring to the Sept. 20, 2018 landslide in Naga City, Cebu province that left scores dead and led to the suspension of quarrying operations there for a few months. “However, opportunities remain wide, given the ongoing and upcoming construction activities, both [by] the government and the property sector,� he added.

According to him, key chalLENGES WILL REMAIN ON FOREX lUCtuations and how it would meet growing demand in the construction industry.

Cemex is currently expanding the cement plant of subsidiary Sol-

id Cement Corp. in Antipolo City, Rizal province. It is expected to have a production capacity of 1.5 million metric tons (MT) annually. It is set to begin commercial operations by the fourth quarter of 2020, after which annual production capacity is expected to rise by 26 percent.

Solid Cement had inked a deal with China-based CBMI Construction Co. Ltd. on the procurement,

Year

Total Assets

Total Liabilities

2016 2017 2018

51,041,884,000 51,853,387,000 55,854,051,000

22,357,672,000 22,430,991,000 26,981,771,000

*amounts in pesos

Shareholders’ Equity 28,684,212,000 29,422,396,000 28,872,280,000

Close

Close

2

Apr 01, 2019

2.63

Apr 25, 2019

1.9

Mar 29, 2019

2.62

Apr 24, 2019

1.96

Mar 28, 2019

2.64

Apr 23, 2019 Apr 22, 2019

1.9 1.89

Mar 27, 2019

2.58

Mar 26, 2019

2.62

Apr 17, 2019 Apr 16, 2019 Apr 15, 2019 Apr 12, 2019 Apr 11, 2019 Apr 10, 2019 Apr 08, 2019

1.88 1.83 1.82 1.94 1.99 2.06 2.04

Mar 25, 2019

2.75

Apr 05, 2019

2.02

Apr 04, 2019 Apr 03, 2019

2.02 2.26

Mar 22, 2019

2.8

Mar 21, 2019 Mar 20, 2019

2.76 2.82

Mar 19, 2019 Mar 18, 2019 Mar 15, 2019 Mar 14, 2019 Mar 13, 2019 Apr 01, 2019

2.71 2.85 2.75 2.6 2.62 2.63

*amounts in peso

PROFITABILITY Date Apr. 22 Apr. 23 Apr. 24 Apr. 25 Apr. 26

P/E ratio 14.54 14.62 15.08 14.62 15.38

Net income (loss) Earnings per share Book value per share *Net income in millions

P/E growth (%) 0.55 3.15 5.20

Price to book ratio 0.3399 0.3417 0.3525 0.3417 0.3597

2016 2017 2018 1,413,466 658,811 (930,158) 0.5 0.13 -0.18 5.52 5.66 5.56 *amounts in pesos

FOURTH QUARTER REPORT (2018) NET INCOME (LOSS) (P325,433,000)

TOTAL ASSETS P55,854,051,000

TOTAL LIABILITIES P26,981,771,000

TOTAL EQUITY

FINANCIAL RATIOS

P28,872,280,000

Return on Assets (%)

Return on Equity (%)

Debt to Equity ratio

Common ratio

2016

2.77

4.93

0.7794

1.1650

2017

1.27

2.24

0.7624

0.9678

2018

-1.67

-3.22

0.9345

0.8685

Year

Date

Apr 26, 2019

*amounts in peso

construction and installation of the said plant.

Earlier this month, the company announced plans to increase its authorized capital stock to P18.3 billion from P5.2 billion to raise the funds NEEDED TO kNANCE THE EXPANSION If the necessary approvals are secured, Cemex would conduct an equity offering not limited to a rights offer to raise as much as $250 million or P13 billion.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Market capitalization: P9,871,251,362.60 Outstanding shares: 5,195,395,454

FINANCIAL RATIOS Return on Assets: -0.58% Return on Equity: -1.13% Debt-to-Equity Ratio: 0.9345 Common Ratio: 0.8685

B4

Corporate News

MONDAY April 29, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Filinvest Group sets P39-B capex

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

L

)34%$ &ILINVEST $EVELOPMENT #ORP &$# WILL SPEND 0 BILLION THIS YEAR TO EXPAND ITS REAL ESTATE BUSINESS

In a statement over the weekend, the Gotianun-led holding company said the amount would go to subsidiaries Filinvest Land Inc., Filinvest Alabang Inc. and Filinvest Hospitality Inc. for their land-acquisition and propertydevelopment efforts.

A portion would be alloted for projects in Pampanga province,

namely the 201-hectare Mimosa + Leisure City estate, Clark InternaTIONAL !IRPORT AND THE kRST PHASE of its township development in New Clark City that covers 64 ha.

For its leasing business, FDC is building 2,600 additional hotel rooms across 10 new hotels, in line with its target to register 5,000 rooms by 2023. The company

primarily runs its hospitality business under its Crimson and Quest brands.

Earlier this month, Filinvest Land reported that it had set aside P32 billion — P10 billion or 42 percent more than 2018’s P22 billion — as capital expenditure this year to diversify its business portfolio.

Of this amount, P13 billion would be used for investment properties; P7 billion, land acquisition; and the rest, for residential and township development.

The property unit is set to venture into logistics by turning its 120-hectare land bank within

the 9,450-ha New Clark City in Pampanga province into an industrial park. It is doing so to take advantage of the rising number OF #HINESE MANUFACTURING kRMS in the country and address the growing needs of logistics, light manufacturing, technology and e-commerce companies.

FDC’s net income increased by 30 percent to P13.4 billion in 2018 from P10.3 billion the year before on the strong performance of its property and power businesses, which offset the tempered growth of its banking arm.

Revenues rose by 8.4 percent

to P73.3 billion last year from P67.6 billion in 2017. Of the latest amount, Filinvest Land contributed 43 percent; EastWest Banking Corp., 41 percent; FDC Utilities Inc., 13 percent; and sugar, 3 percent. &ILINVEST ,AND S NET PROkT GREW by 4 percent to P6.08 billion in 2018 from P5.83 billion a year earlier, spurred by its recurring income portfolio.

Its revenues rose by 10 percent to P22.21 billion from P18.16 billion year-on-year.

Rental revenues jumped by 27 percent to P5.61 billion from the YEAR AGO S kGURE

FDC Utilities contributed P2.1 billion or 16 percent of the conGLOMERATE S NET PROkT DRIVEN BY higher sales from its 3x135-megawatt (MW) power plant in Misamis Oriental province.

EastWest saw its income dip by 12 percent to P4.5 billion last year from P5.1 billion in 2017, due to higher interest costs and lower trading gains.

Revenues were flat at P25.5 billion versus P25.7 billion yearon-year.

FDC shares dropped by 8 cenTAVOS OR PERCENT TO kNISH AT P14.84 apiece on Friday.

AC Energy, BIM launch 330-MW solar farm Mislatel group mulls NINH THUAN PROVINCE, VIETNAM: Ayala-led AC Energy )NC AND ITS 6IETNAMESE PARTNER ")- 'ROUP INaugurated on Saturday a 330-megawatt (MW) solar farm here, said to be the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia.

Standing on more than 300 hectares of land, the $294-million farm is composed of three facilities with installed capacities of 30 MW, 250 MW, and 50 MW, respectively.

The Ayala Corp.’s power arm is expected to generate 545 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy (RE) from the farm annually, as well as generate income and jobs for the province.

4HE FARM IS THE kRST PROJECT UNDER ")- !# 2Enewables, the RE platform of AC Energy and BIM, which has interests in tourism development, real estate investment, agriculture and RE. The farm’s construction began in January last year after AC Energy and BIM signed an agreement to jointly develop solar power projects.

They employed approximately 2,000 workers to complete the farm within 14 months.

"OTH COMPANIES ARE lESHING OUT DETAILS FOR another project in the same province after opening the farm. g7E RE DISCUSSING FURTHER PROJECTS IN 6IETNAM in the energy sector with AC Energy right now in the renewable space. We’re looking at wind right now,� BIM Group Chief Executive OfkCER AND 6ICE #HAIRMAN $OAN 1UOC (UY TOLD reporters after the inauguration. !# %NERGY #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER %RIC &RAN-

increasing investment

Q Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Ninth Thuan Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duc Thanh, Ninh Thuan Chairman of People’s Committee Luu Xuan Vinh, Ayala President and Chief Operating Officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala, and BIM Group Chairman Doan Quoc Viet inaugurate the 330-megawatt solar farm in Vietnam’s Ninh Thuan province on Saturday. PHOTO BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE cia, which shared BIM Group’s long-term goal of generating 1,000 MW of clean energy by 2025, said “we’re hopeful that we can partner with them to get to that 1,000 MW and they also announced over 300 MW of wind as part of that 1,000 MW.� g7HILE WE DON T HAVE ANY kRM AGREEMENT OF

course, being good partners we’ll be discussing to what extent we can continue our collaboration,� he added. !YALA 0RESIDENT AND #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER Fernando Zobel de Ayala said this “could be AN EXCITING NEXT PROJECT u AS THE kRM INTENDS TO DEEPEN ITS INVOLVEMENT IN 6IETNAM S ENERGY sector in the coming years.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. was the sole lender for the project. It provided nonRECOURSE PROJECT kNANCING WORTH MILLION The farm — AC Energy’s maiden project in 6IETNAM ‡ WAS COMMISSIONED TO MEET THE government’s June deadline for solar feed-intariff (FiT).

AC Energy has over $1 billion of invested and committed equity in renewable and thermal energy in the Philippines and across the region.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

MISLATEL is considering increasing its investment to keep up with the network upgrades of PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom, the spokesman of the consortium behind the chosen third telecommunications player said on Sunday.

Asked if investments in Mislatel would be raised, given the Pangilinan- and Ayala-led telecomMUNICATIONS kRMS PREPARATION TO shift to the Fifth Generation (5G) network, Mislatel spokesman Adel Tamano told The Manila Times: “Yes, competition will affect our rollout and our capex (capital expenditures) and opex (operational expenditures).�

His remarks come after consortium members Udenna Corp. and state-run China Telecommunications Corp. signed last Thursday a $5.4-billion investment agreement to formally develop Mislatel with third member and Udenna unit Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. during the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing. “This is a historic occasion. This is another step forward in realizing Udenna’s vision to improve the lives of Filipinos,� Davao Citybased businessman and Udenna Chairman Dennis Uy was quoted as saying in a statement last Friday. “Everything that we do is about making lives better not just for this generation, but for the next generation.� “This landmark investment agreement,� he explained, “solidi-

kES THE 0HILIPPINE GOVERNMENT S commitment to improving the country’s telecommunications industry through the entry of a new telco operator that would challenge the dominance of the two giant incumbents amid persistent calls from consumers for improved services.�

The deal, Tamano said, would kNANCE THE CONSORTIUM S gCAPEX AND OPEX FOR THE kVE YEAR COMMITment period.�

Selected by the government as the country’s third telco player last November, the Mislatel group vowed to deliver speeds of up to 55 megabits per second (Mbps) and a cumulative coverage of up to 84.01 percent, and spend P257 BILLION OVER THOSE kVE YEARS The spokesman said earlier that the consortium had started planning for its network infrastructure, despite the franchise issue facing Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. — the corporate entity that will receive the group’s investment and after which it was named — stressing that the matter would not delay its rollout.

Once Congress approves Mislatel’s request to transfer the controlling interest to the partners, the Department of Information and Communications Technology CAN AWARD THE CERTIkCATE OF PUBLIC convenience and necessity to the company and allow it to operate.

Mislatel aims to begin commercial operations by late 2020.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

ALI to develop industrial park in CLuzon AYALA Land Inc. (ALI) plans to turn 200 hectares of land in Central Luzon into an industrial park that would primarily cater to Chinese manufacturing companies. !YALA ,AND 0RESIDENT "ERNARD 6INcent Dy told reporters on the sidelines OF PARENT kRM !YALA #ORP S ANNUAL stockholders’ meeting in Makati City last Friday that the listed property developer was in advanced talks with landowners on the matter. “We’re going to start with 100-200 [has], and then hopefully expand it,� he said.

Dy also said his company was also TALKING TO THE MANUFACTURING kRMS ON

establishing operations in the company’s industrial parks. “There is quite a [number] of companies from China that are looking for manufacturing sites outside of� their country, he added. “In the last two to three years, we’ve seen interest from some of their manufacturing companies to locate here in the Philippines, so we want to be able to provide the appropriate site for some of these companies to bring in their manufacturing operations here.�

According to Dy, the planned development would be also open to NON #HINESE kRMS PRIMARILY ENGAGED in light manufacturing activities.

Within its Alviera industrial park in Porac town, Pampanga province, Dy said one of Guangdong’s largest tile manufacturers had taken up a 1.9-ha area for its production operations. He declined to disclose the entity’s name.

Ayala Land develops industrial parks through its 63.9-percent owned subsidiary Prime Orion Philippines Inc., which is set to become Ayalaland Logistics Holdings Corp.

The latter owns the Tutuban Center in Manila’s Divisoria district, as well as logistics facilities in Laguna province.

Ayala Land shares dipped by P1 or 2.02 percent to close at P48.50 each on Friday. ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

key interest rates unchanged at its March 21 meeting.

7ITH INlATION ALREADY DOWN TO percent in March and the economy also expected to slow this year, given El and school enrollment; and higher previous El Niùo episodes,� the Bangko Niùo, budget delay and the US-China electricity rates,� it added.

Sentral said. trade war, some analysts now expect According to the report, a prolonged On the other hand, it added that, central bank rate cuts to come as early El NiĂąo presents upside price pressures DESPITE AVERAGING LOWER IN kRST QUAR- as May. on food prices. ter, Dubai crude oil prices had been The Bangko Sentral also said there “The start of a weak El NiĂąo condition steadily rising since January due to were potential sources of upside presCOULD LEAD TO DROUGHTS IN THE kRST HALF OF tighter supply. sures on electricity charges, such as 2019,â€? the BSP said.

Estimated futures prices of Dubai existing petitions for rate increases and Citing the latest assessment of the crude as of end-March, six of which petitions for refunds.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical are based on the movements of Brent It pointed out that based on the proband Astronomical Services Admin- crude oil, showed a higher path for ability distribution of forecasts by 21 out istration, the central bank warned 2019–2022, compared to the previous of the 26 private economists surveyed, that a slightly warmer average tem- quarter’s estimates. the central bank said there was an 81-perPERATURE AND SIGNIkCANT REDUCTION Meanwhile, the peso averaged CENT CHANCE THAT AVERAGE INlATION WOULD in rainfall could result in moderate 0 IN THE kRST QUARTER APPRECI- fall within the 2.0-4.0 percent target. to severe drought over the forecast ating by 1.71 percent from the previous For 2020, economists had a mean horizon. quarter’s average of P53.26:$1.

INlATION FORECAST OF PERCENT ALSO “This could result in higher prices %ASING INlATION PROMPTED THE "30 S higher than the BSP’s 3-percent estiof key food items broadly similar to policymaking Monetary Board to keep mate.

Q INFLATION FROM B1

Economists expect

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Foreign Business

MONDAY April 29, 2019

B5

FOCUS

Climate change puts pressure on oil industry PARIS: The oil industry, under mounting pressure from environmental activists to react more quickly to counter climate change, has begun to change its strategy, but is struggling to convince critics it is doing enough.

Last week, activists, responding to a call from the Extinction Rebellion group, laid siege to Shell’s London headquarters, whose windows were smashed.

Several days later, hundreds of activists blocked several symbolic sites in France, including the headquarters of oil giant Total. “They are mastodons whose business model is based on fossil fuels and which don’t want to shift one iota because up until now they’ve made money that way,� said Cecile Marchand, who heads up climate activities of the French branch of the Friends of the Earth network of environmental protection groups. “The activities of these multinationals are not at all regulated today, and they should be if we are to be serious about the idea of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees�

Celsius, she added, referring to the goal laid out in the 2015 Paris climate deal.

The pressure isn’t only coming from environmental activists. “Investment funds are now requiring oil and gas companies to explain how climate change might affect a company’s value,� said David Elmes, a professor at Warwick Business School. “This is driving some companies to be much more transparent about the emissions they cause and their plans to reduce them,� he added.

Oil to gas The big actors in the sector — BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Saudi Aramco, Shell, Total and others — have banded together in the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), which has a billion-dollar war chest to fund initiatives to reduce climate change emissions.

The companies are trying to limit their methane emissions, which escape when fossil fuels are taken out of the ground and transported.

Along with agriculture, the energy industry remains a key source of methane, which causes more warm-

Q PEREZ FROM B1

Foreigners and Kitamoto, Japanese. All four of them are expected to be elected on May 24, 2019 during Holcim’s annual stockholders’ meeting.

As for Kitamoto and Marcelo, they are appointees to the board as independent directors. No one knows who appointed them. No one among the public knows who they represent as directors, even if THEY ARE CLASSIkED AS INDEPENDENT

Outstanding common shares Way back on July 31, 2014, Due Diligencer wrote: Holcim Philippines is listed but not public.

In said piece, having done my own computations, I wrote and concluded it was time for the Securities and Exchange CommisSION 3%# TO REDEkNE THE RULE ON minimum public ownership. !S IT DID MORE THAN kVE YEARS ago, Holcim listed Union Cement Corp. – not the holding company - as its majority stockholder being the holder of 3.906 billion HPI common shares or 60.55 percent.

In its latest public ownership report (POR) posted on April 15, 2019 on the website of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Holcim’s majority stockholder is no longer Union Cement but Union Cement Holdings Corp., which is credited with ownership of the same number of HPI common shares — 3.906 billion common shares.

Even the percent equivalent did not change and stood also at 60.55 percent of 6,452,099,144 outstanding HPI common shares.

These were the same number of common shares and the same

ing than carbon dioxide.

Other energy giants are trying to counterbalance their carbon footprint, like the Italian group ENI, which has promised to plant vast forests. #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER #LAUDIO Descalzi has said “our objective is to achieve net zero emissions in our upstream business by 2030� via emission reductions and offsets.

The industry has also taken on board a strategic shift toward using more natural gas — which has a lighter carbon footprint than oil — as well as producing electricity via renewables like wind and solar.

Shell recently surprised observers by declaring its ambition to become the world’s top electricity producer by 2030.

‘Evidence’ lacking But some environmental groups point to the fact that energy companies are still pouring most of their investments into pumping out more fossil fuels. “These companies want to continue exploiting fossil fuels as long as possible,� said Marchand. “For them, climate change doesn’t matter.�

While the spectacular plunge in oil prices in 2014 led to a drastic cut in investment in exploration and DEVELOPMENT BY ENERGY kRMS SUCH spending is on the rise again.

Plans by oil and gas majors to spend $4.9 trillion on fuel exploration are incompatible with the goal of the Paris climate deal to limit the rise in global temperature rises, according to an analysis released last week by the pressure group Global Witness. “The evidence that people are looking for is whether companies are shifting the billions they invest each year away from fossil fuels,� said Elmes. “While some companies are making commitments to do so ... the percentage being invested in non-fossil fuel businesses are still small,� he added.

To achieve the Paris targets, oil consumption needs to begin declining dramatically in the next couple of years, according to estimates by the International Energy Agency, which would only be possible by a major shift by the transportation sector towards electric vehicles.

AFP

percent equivalent that Holcim reported to the SEC and PSE in a POR two years ago.

Apparently, the numbers are intended to inform the public that Holcim’s outstanding common shares did not change since 2017.

Neither did the foreigner-owned cement maker issue additional common shares nor expand their authorized capital stock.

According to Holcim’s general information sheet (GIS), the company’s authorized capital stock remains at 10 billion shares divided into 9.98 billion common shares and 20 million preferred shares.

Due Diligencer’s take With only two Filipinos as members of Holcim’s six-member board, it follows that Holcim is controlled by foreigners.

Consider the following: Union Cement owns 3.906 billion HPI common shares, or 60.55 percent.

Its holdings plus those of its foreign partners total 6.127 billion (0) COMMON SHARES (OLDERkN

1.18 billion HPI common shares, or 18.11 percent, and Sumitomo Osaka, 594.953 million HPI common shares, or .22 percent.

Including Cemco’s 456.69 million HPI common shares, or 7.08 percent, the holdings of the four principal stockholders would account for ownership of 94.96 percent of 6.452 billion outstanding HPI common shares, which would be equivalent to 6.127 billion common shares.

How then could the public stockholders own 920.479 million HPI common shares, or 14.27 percent of 6.452 billion outstanding common shares when 94.95 percent plus 14.27 percent equals 109.23 percent? Just asking.

esdperez@gmail.com

Q A technician tries to repair a portable electric generator at a workshop in Barinas, Venezuela, on April 25, days before US sanctions took effect to block the country’s economic lifeline on oil exports.

AFP PHOTO

US oil sanctions take effect on Venezuela W

ASHINGTON, D.C.: US sanctions came into effect on Sunday to block Venezuela’s economic lifeline of oil exports, in what Washington hopes will be a MAJOR BLOW IN ITS lEDGLING CAMPAIGN TO TOPPLE leftist President Nicolas Maduro.

As of 12:01 am (Washington time), the United States will take action against anyone who deals with state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela, or PDVSA, or any entity in which the company holds at least a 50-percent stake.

It is among a volley of steps

by President Donald Trump’s administration to oust Maduro and install opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is recognized by more than 50 countries, including most of those in Latin America.

Last Friday, the Trump administration said it would block any US assets of Foreign Minister *ORGE !RREAZA CONkRMING IT HAS NO desire to negotiate with Maduro, A SOCIALIST kREBRAND WHO PRESIDES over a crumbling economy, but has withstood three months of intense pressure.

Until the crisis, Venezuela exported 500,00 barrels a day to the United States, its largest customer, with PDVSA omnipresent, if not highly visible, through ownership OF THE #ITGO REkNING AND GAS STAtion chain.

Washington has already moved to put Citgo under the control of

Guaido, who appointed his own board.

Even though sanctions legally came into force on Sunday, “the reality is that the oil trade between the United States and Venezuela has been absolutely limited and fallen sharply,� said Mariano de Alba, a Washingtonbased international law expert from Venezuela.

But the sanctions will still have an effect, with Washington vowing to enforce them against any foreign company with interactions in the United States — including the US financial system, which dominates the globe.

As of Sunday, “there is no doubt that the sanctions are in force and that any company assumes bigger risks than they did before this date,� de Alba said.

Searching for customers Energy-hungry India was the third-biggest buyer of Venezuelan oil in 2017 after the United States and China, and until recently had been a major source of cash.

But Indian companies have backed off in the face of US sanctions, making China and Russia the crucial economic and political backers of Maduro, whose reelection last year was widely criticized for irregularities.

The sanctions take effect just as global oil markets are trending higher after the United States similarly demanded that all countries, notably India and China, stop buying oil from Iran.

Oil is the blood of Venezuela’s crippled economy, accounting for 96 percent of exports.

The country, nonetheless, is facing a major economic crisis, with PROJECTIONS THAT INlATION COULD soar to a mind-boggling 10 million percent this year.

Some 2.7 million Venezuelans HAVE lED SINCE FACED WITH shortage of basic goods and medicine, according to United Nations kGURES One immediate problem for Venezuela is not its exports, but its imports. It used to rely on 120,000 barrels of light crude each day from the United States to blend with its heavier oil. It will need to turn to other suppliers to sell its own crude, increasing production costs.

US-based consultancy Rapidan Energy Group says PDVSA’s production could temporarily fall by 200,000 barrels a day.

It would be a stunning further reduction for PDVSA, which pumped 3.2 million a day in 2008,

A kGURE THAT HAD NOSEDIVED TO JUST 840,000 in March.

Blaming Maduro The United States has wasted no opportunity to blame Maduro and his late predecessor Hugo Chavez for Venezuela’s economic woes, with Trump also trying to link their socialism to his Democratic foes at home.

Elliott Abrams, the US envoy leading the effort to oust Maduro, promised that “tens of billions of DOLLARSu WILL lOW INTO 6ENEZUELA to rebuild its economy. “That recovery can only start when there is a fully inclusive government that represents all Venezuelans,� he said last Thursday.

But a study by two prominent left-leaning US economists, Mark Weisbrot and Jeffrey Sachs, warned that the growing sanctions would “vastly� harm ordinary Venezuelans.

The study, released by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, found that Venezuela recorded more than 40,000 additional deaths between 2017 and 2018 as they blamed sanctions for shortages of food and medicine. “American sanctions are deliberately aiming to wreck Venezuela’s economy and thereby lead to regime change,� Sachs said. “It’s a fruitless, heartless, illegal and failed policy, causing grave harm to the Venezuelan people.�

AFP

Q FIRE FROM B1

Fed to hold its fire despite rate-cut call low said on Friday (Saturday in Manila) that the surprisingly strong growth in the first quarter of the year could “open the door to a target rate reduction in the months ahead,� though he hastened to add that he respected the Fed’s independence.

In addition, inflation “is coming in way below their own benchmark,� he told CNBC, referring to the central bank’s 2-percent target, while its most-watched measure has remained stubbornly slow, coming in at 1.3 percent in the quarter.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell has steadfastly defended the central bank’s independence, and made it clear officials will base their decisions on economic data.

After four increases in the benchmark lending rate in 2018, the Fed has signaled clearly it would not raise rates this year.

And given the strength of recent data reports, a rate cut could seem

counterintuitive.

But some economists still think the next move will be a cut.

The minutes from last month’s policy meeting show members of the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) believed their policy stance could “shift in either direction,� at least raising the possibility of a rate cut at some point.

Futures markets appear convinced the FOMC will feel compelled to lower rates at least once in the next nine months, and as of Friday odds were at 20 percent it will cut as soon as June.

In recent media interviews, Richard Clarida, the Fed’s vice chairman, and Charles Evans, president of the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank, acknowledged that rate cuts could become necessary.

‘Hmm... I don’t know’ But with Wall Street

hovering at record levels unemployment below 4 percent and job creation holding steady, economists say that, for the moment, the central bank is sticking with the pause announced in December.

Ian Shepherdson of Pantheon Macroeconomics said on Friday the blockbuster first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) could put rate hikes “back on the agenda� if it continues through the year.

But other economists said the 3.2 percent growth recorded in January to March hid worrisome signs of weakness, such as falling imports, weak consumption, rising inventories and poor business investment.

Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton, told Agence FrancePresse the GDP estimate was “a lousy 3 percent� that masked warning signs in its details and came amid perpetually soft inflation.

In March, a closely

watched measure of consumer inflation hit its slowest pace in 13 months. And the Fed’s preferred gauge, the “core� Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, has not exceeded the Fed’s 2-percent target in seven years. “The reality is that once inflation started to recede, even though the economy’s stronger, something’s wrong,�

Swonk said.

Though unemployment is low and wages have begun to rise, she said, price pressures simply have not responded, leaving the Fed with little impetus to push its target interest rate range any higher. “They’d like to stay optimistic that their next move would be up but there are enough people sitting on the sidelines saying, ‘Hmm... I don’t know.’ That keeps the Fed firmly on the sidelines,� she said. “Their cautious optimism is the way to play it right now.�

AFP

B6

Classified Ads

MONDAY April 29, 2019

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION AND CLOSURE OF BUSINESS

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION AND CLOSURE OF BUSINESS

NO T I C E I S HE R E B Y GIV E N t h a t GUOCO ASSETS (PHILIPPINES), INC. (“the Corporation�) has shortened its corporate term to until 15 October 2017 as approved by the Board of Directors and Stockholders.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that HONG WAY HOLDINGS, INC. (“the Corporation�) has shortened its corporate term to until 30 September 2017 as approved by the Board of Directors and Stockholders.

All persons having claims against the Corporation are requested WR SUHVHQW WKH VDPH DW 0H]]DQLQH % /3/ &HQWHU / 3 Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City for review and if in order, its settlement.

All persons having claims against the Corporation are requested WR SUHVHQW WKH VDPH DW 0H]]DQLQH % /3/ &HQWHU / 3 Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City for review and if in order, its settlement.

This announcement serves as notice to all concerned of the legal dissolution of the Corporation.

This announcement serves as notice to all concerned of the legal dissolution of the Corporation.

MA. ROSARIO C.Z. NAVA Corporate Secretary MT - Apr. 26, 29 & May 6, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

ERRORS & OMISSIONS Any incorrect advertisement published in The Manila Times Classified Ads must be brought to our attention on the same day the advertisement came out. We will not be held liable for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

MA. ROSARIO C.Z. NAVA Corporate Secretary MT - Apr. 26, 29 & May 6, 2019

PUBLIC INFORMATION SHEET FOR COMMERCIAL PROPAGATION

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the estate of the late GERARDO C. SOLIMAN has been extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs as per EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF GERARDO C. SOLIMAN WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE executed on 02 April 2019 and entered as per Doc. No. 95; Page No. 19; Book No. 52; Series of 2019 of the notarial registry of Atty. Ma. Margarita C. 5RGULJXH] %DVFR QRWDU\ SXEOLF for and in the City of Manila.

MT - April 24, 29 & May 6, 2019

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late PURA MUĂ‘OZ LIOANAGALMENDAREZ was the subject of a deed of extrajudicial settlement of estate executed by and among her heirs on March 29, 2019 and acknowledged as Doc. No. 120 on Page No. 24 of Book No. 233 Series of 2019 before Atty. Nestor C. Tambio, a notary public for and in the City of Manila.

MT – Apr. 22, 29 & May 6, 2019

YOUR ADS HERE GET RESULTS

PROPOSAL FOR THE COMMERCIAL PROPAGATION OF GA21 Corn

MARKETS AND SECURITIES REGULATION DEPARTMENT IN THE MATTER OF THE

: REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES : ABOITIZ EQUITY VENTURES, INC. : (Shelf Registration of Fixed-Rate (Registrant) : Retail Bonds) x----------------------------------------------------x NOTICE Notice is hereby given that on 29 March 2019, a sworn Registration 6WDWHPHQW Âł56´ KDV EHHQ ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH 6HFXULWLHV DQG ([FKDQJH &RPPLVVLRQ (the “Commissionâ€?) for and on behalf of ABOITIZ EQUITY VENTURES, INC. WKH Âł&RUSRUDWLRQ´ IRU WKH UHJLVWUDWLRQ RI Âż[HG UDWH UHWDLO ERQGV ZLWK DQ DJJUHJDWH principal amount of up to Thirty Billion Pesos (PhP30,000,000,000.00) Âż[HG UDWH retail bonds (“Bondsâ€?) WR EH RIIHUHG LQ RQH RU VHYHUDO WUDQFKHV )RU WKH ÂżUVW WUDQFKH the offer of the Bonds shall be up to an aggregate principal amount of up to Three Billion Pesos (PhP3,000,000,000.00) plus an oversubscription option of up to Two Billion Pesos (PhP2,000,000,000.00).

According to the documents presented on 29 March 2019, the following persons DUH WKH GLUHFWRUV DQG RU H[HFXWLYH RIÂżFHUV RI WKH &RUSRUDWLRQ POSITION Chairman of the Board Vice Chairman of the Board 'LUHFWRU 3UHVLGHQW DQG &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2IÂżFHU Director/ Executive Vice President and Chief 2SHUDWLQJ 2IÂżFHU Ana Maria A. Delgado Director Edwin R. Bautista Director Raphael P. M. Lotilla Lead Independent Director Justice Jose C. Vitug (ret) Independent Director Manuel R. Salak III Independent Director 0DQXHO 5 /R]DQR 6HQLRU 9LFH 3UHVLGHQW &KLHI )LQDQFLDO 2IÂżFHU &RUSRUDWH ,QIRUPDWLRQ 2IÂżFHU 6XVDQ 9 9DOGH] Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources 2IÂżFHU Gabriel T. MaĂąalac Senior Vice President and Group Treasurer Robert Mc Gregor ([HFXWLYH 'LUHFWRU &KLHI ,QYHVWPHQWV 2IÂżFHU /XLV 0LJXHO 2 $ERLWL] Senior Vice President Jojo S. Guingao 6HQLRU 9LFH 3UHVLGHQW DQG &KLHI 'LJLWDO 2IÂżFHU David Jude L. Sta. Ana Senior Vice President and Chief External Affairs 2IÂżFHU Christopher P. Beshouri ([HFXWLYH 'LUHFWRU &KLHI 6WUDWHJ\ 2IÂżFHU Ricardo F. Lacson, Jr. 'DWD 3ULYDF\ 2IÂżFHU Annacel A. Natividad &KLHI 5LVN 2IÂżFHU Maria Lourdes Y. Tanate Group Internal Audit Head Manuel Alberto R. Colayco &KLHI /HJDO 2IÂżFHU &RUSRUDWH 6HFUHWDU\ &KLHI &RPSOLDQFH 2IÂżFHU Mailene M. de la Torre Assistant Corporate Secretary Joanne L. Ranada Assistant Corporate Secretary

1.

Applicant’s Name Syngenta Philippines, Inc.

2.

Applicant’s Address 12th Floor, Two World Square, # 22 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, 1630 Philippines

3.

Telephone Number/ Facsimile Number, E-Mail Address of the Applicant Tel. +63 2 370 2100; Fax: +63 2 856 9260; E-mail: c/o jet.parma@syngenta.com

1DPH RI 5HVSRQVLEOH 2IÂżFHU $XWKRUL]HG 5HSUHVHQWDWLYH Jet Marcial G. Parma, President and Commercial Unit Head, Philippines 0D (PHUX %RRO 5RGULJXH] 6HHGV DQG 7UDLWV 5HJXODWRU\ 0DQDJHU 3KLOLSSLQHV

5.

Description of the Regulated Article for Direct Use *$ FRUQ LV D JHQHWLFDOO\ PRGLÂżHG FRUQ ZKLFK KDV EHHQ GHYHORSHG WKURXJK PRGHUQ ELRWHFKQRORJ\ via microprojectile bombardment of corn suspension culture cells. It expresses a mutated corn HQROS\UXY\OVKLNLPDWH SKRVSKDWH V\QWKDVH HQ]\PH P(3636 (3636 LV D NH\ HQ]\PH LQ WKH VKLNLPDWH pathway, involved in the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids and is naturally found in all plants, fungi, and bacteria but absent in animals. EPSPS is highly sensitive to herbicide products containing glyphosate. Corn plants transformed with the mepsps JHQH VXFK DV WKRVH GHULYHG IURP *$ FRUQ V\QWKHVL]H WKH P(3636 protein that confers tolerance to herbicide products containing glyphosate.

Therefore, corn plants transformed with the mepsps gene as expressed in the transgenic corn GA21 corn display tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate, whereas non-transgenic corn plants do not display a glyphosatetolerant phenotype.

6.

If to be imported, Country (ies) of Origin of the Regulated Article 8QLWHG 6WDWHV $UJHQWLQD %UD]LO &DQDGD &RORPELD 3DUDJXD\ 6RXWK $IULFD

7.

Brief Summary of Potential Effects on Human and Animal Health and the Environment GA21 corn has been adequately assessed to demonstrate its safety as food, feed, and its safety to the environment. Studies conducted show that there are no indications that the mEPSPS protein in GA21 corn may be allergenic nor toxic. In addition, the mode of action of this protein is distinct. The mEPSPS produced by GA21 FRUQ KDV ORZ DIÂżQLW\ IRU JO\SKRVDWH FRPSDUHG WR WKH QDWLYH (3636 WKXV FRQIHUULQJ WROHUDQFH WR JO\SKRVDWH LQ herbicide products. Furthermore, studies show that GA21 corn is nutritionally and compositionally similar to, and as safe and as nutritious as the conventional corn.

NAME (QULTXH 0 $ERLWL] 0LNHO $ $ERLWL] (UUDPRQ , $ERLWL] 6DELQ 0 $ERLWL]

5HVXOWV RI WKH PXOWL ORFDWLRQ ÂżHOG WULDOV IRU WZR VHDVRQV DFURVV PDMRU FRUQ JURZLQJ DUHDV RI WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV showed that the GA21 corn was consistently tolerant to herbicide containing glyphosate. Also, GA21 corn does not affect non-target organisms. %ULHI 6XPPDU\ RI 3RWHQWLDO %HQHÂżWV GA21 corn was developed through modern biotechnology to tolerate glyphosate herbicide. GA21 corn offers EHQHÂżWV WR WKH JURZHUV E\ SURYLGLQJ D KLJKHU DQG EHWWHU TXDOLW\ RI KDUYHVW DQG D PRUH HFRQRPLFDO ZD\ RI controlling weeds because GA21 corn display the ability to withstand post-emergence applications of nonselective herbicide products containing glyphosate. Such herbicides provide excellent post-emergence broadspectrum weed control.

9.

Countries Where Approvals Have Been Granted GA21 corn has already been approved in Argentina (cultivation, feed, and food), Australia/New Zealand (food), %UD]LO FXOWLYDWLRQ IHHG DQG IRRG %HODUXV .D]DNKVWDQ IRRG &DQDGD FXOWLYDWLRQ IHHG DQG IRRG &KLQD IRRG feed, and processing), Colombia (cultivation, feed, and food), European Union (food, feed, and processing), Indonesia (food), Japan (food, feed, and cultivation), Republic of Korea (food, feed, and environment), Malaysia (food, feed, and processing), Mexico (food, feed, and processing), Paraguay (cultivation, food, and feed), Philippines (food, feed, processing, cultivation), Russian Federation (food), Singapore (food, feed, and processing), South Africa (food, feed, processing, and cultivation), Taiwan, province of China (food and feed), Turkey (feed), United States (cultivation, feed, food and processing), Uruguay (cultivation, feed, and food), and Vietnam (environment, feed, and food).

The public is hereby invited to submit their comments to the BPI Director (within 60 days from date of publication) on the Proposal for the Commercial Propagation of GA21 Corn.

Director Bureau of Plant Industry San Andres, Malate, Manila E-Mail bpibiotechsecretariat@gmail.com

MT - Apr. 22 & 29, 2019

(5& &HUWLÂżFDWH RI &RPSOLDQFH (QYLURQPHQWDO &RPSOLDQFH &HUWLÂżFDWH IURP WKH 'HSDUWPHQW RI Environment and Natural Resources Details of the CSP (as contained in the Petition in ERC Case No. 2009-025 RC) Transmission projects or grid connection projects necessary to complement the proposed generation capacity &HUWLÂżFDWLRQ RI WKH FRQVLVWHQFLHV DQG LQFRQVLVWHQFLHV EHWZHHQ WKH proposed generation capacity and the Doe Philippine Development Plant.

Load Forecast Projects in accordance with the Distribution Development Plan Alternative Demand Side Management Program of PALECO

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE ADDENDUM TO THE POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT BETWEEN PALAWAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (PALECO) AND DELTA P INC., WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY ERC CASE NO. 2019-010 RC PALAWAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (PALECO) AND DELTA P INC., Applicants. x---------------------------------------------------------------------------x

9.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that on 13 February 2019, Applicants Palawan Electric Cooperative, ,QF 3$/(&2 DQG 'HOWD 3 ,QF 'HOWD 3 ¿OHG DQ Application dated 10 December 2018, seeking the Commission’s approval of the addendum to their Power Supply Agreement (PSA), with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

The pertinent allegations of the said Application are hereunder quoted as follows: PALECO is an electric cooperative existing under the laws of the Republic of the 3KLOLSSLQHV VSHFLÂżFDOO\ XQGHU 3UHVLGHQWLDO 'HFUHH 1R DQG GXO\ UHJLVWHUHG ZLWK the Cooperative Development Authority under Registration Number QC-1616-EC-012, ZLWK SULQFLSDO RIÂżFH DGGUHVV ORFDWHG DW 7LQLJXLEDQ 3XHUWR 3ULQFHVD &LW\ 3DODZDQ ,W LV D KROGHU RI D &HUWLÂżFDWH RI )UDQFKLVH LVVXHG E\ WKH 1DWLRQDO (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ &RPPLVVLRQ to operate as an electric distribution utility servicing its member-consumers within the Province of Palawan.

7KH 1DWLRQDO (OHFWUL¿FDWLRQ $GPLQLVWUDWLRQ JUDQWHG 3$/(&2 D ¿IW\ \HDU franchise to distribute electric service to its member-consumers in its franchise area covering Puerto Princesa City, Aborlan, Narra, Brooke’s Point, Espanola, &X\R 0DJVD\VD\ 4XH]RQ 5R[DV 7D\WD\ (O 1LGR $UDFHOL 6DQ 9LFHQWH %DWDU]D 5L]DO %DODEDF &DJD\DQFLOOR $JXWD\D DQG 'XPDUDQ 'HOWD 3 LV D GRPHVWLF FRUSRUDWLRQ GXO\ RUJDQL]HG DQG H[LVWLQJ SXUVXDQW WR WKH ODZV of the Republic of the Philippines. Its principal place of business is at Kilometer 13, North National Highway, Barangay Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It may be served with pleadings and court processes through its counsel J. P. Garcia & Associates at Units 1501-1502 Ayala Life-FGU Center, Mindanao Avenue corner Biliran Road, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City.

Pursuant to Rule 20 (B) of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, and other pertinent rules and regulations, this Joint Application is submitted to this Honorable Commission to approve the Power Supply Agreement (“PSA�) executed by and between PALECO and Delta P I. STATEMENT OF FACTS 4.

Delta P is a corporation duly existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic RI WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV ZLWK SULQFLSDO RIÂżFH DW .LORPHWHU 1RUWK 1DWLRQDO +LJKZD\ Barangay Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

4.1 Copies of pertinent documents evidencing Delta P’s due registration and permit to operate as a generation company are attached as follows and made integral parts hereof:

DOCUMENT Latest Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws 6(& &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 5HJLVWUDWLRQ RI WKH $UWLFOHV RI ,QFRUSRUDWLRQ Generation Information Sheet for 2018 Latest Audited Financial Statements 5.

6.

ANNEX “A� “B� “C� “D�

August 8, 2009, PALECO conducted a competitive selection process (“CSP�) for the appointment of a New Power Provider (“NPP�) that will provide a portion of its present and future power requirements in accordance with the Department of Energy (“DOE’’) Circular No. 2004-01-001.

The CSP concluded with the signing of a Power Supply Agreement on February 6, 2009 for the supply of an Estimated Deliverable Energy of 4,583,333 kWh/ month or 55,000,000 kWh/ year or a Maximum Deliverable Energy of 6,000,000 kWh/ month or 72,000,000 kWh/ year for a Cooperation Period of ten (10) years from Commercial 2SHUDWLRQV 'DWH DV WKHVH FDSLWDOL]HG WHUPV DUH GH¿QHG LQ WKH 36$ WKH ³2OG 36$´

Energy will be transmitted through the PALECO-owned 13.2 kV transmission line with the billing meter located within PALECO’s substation.

8.

“H� “I� “J�

)ROORZLQJ WKH H[HFXWLRQ RI WKH 2OG 36$ RQ $SULO 3$/(&2 DQG 'HOWD 3 ÂżOHG a joint petition with the Honorable Commission for its approval which was docketed as ERC Case no. 2009-025 RC entitled “In Re: Petition for Approval of the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) and the New Power Provider-True Cost Generation Rate (NPP TCGR), with Prayer for Provisional Authority, Palawan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PALECO and Delta P, Inc. (Delta P), Petitioners.â€?

In support of the application for the approval of the Old PSA, PALECO and Delta P submitted the following documentary evidence:

DOCUMENT Executive Summary of the Old PSA Relevant Technical and Economic Characteristics of the Generation Capacity; Installed Capacity; Mode of Operation; Dependable Capacity Sources of Funds / Financial Plans Purchase Power Rate Cash Flow Procurement Process of Fuel

ANNEX

“F�

22. Rule 14, Section 3 of the Honorable Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure allows the issuance of Provisional Authority, even prior to the conduct of a hearing on an application. Thus: “Section 3. Action on the Motion. - Motions for provisional authority or interim relief may be acted upon with or without hearing. The Commission shall act on the motion on the basis of the allegations of the application or petition and supporting documents and other evidences that applicant or petitioner has submitted and the FRPPHQWV RU RSSRVLWLRQ ÂżOHG E\ DQ\ interested person, if there be any.â€?

“L� “M ‘’

After due notice and hearing, the Old PSA was approved in a November 9 , 2009 Decision of the Honorable Commission.

10. Several years after the approval of the Old PSA, PALECO foresaw a need to secure additional power to cope with the increase in load in its franchise area. Accordingly, PALECO conducted another CSP (the “2nd CSP�) for the appointment of a New Power Provider to provide a Guaranteed Dependable Capacity of 20.0 MW in accordance with the same DOE Circular No. 2004-01-001.

23. For the foregoing reasons, in the interest of keeping whole the Old PSA, the Applicants jointly seek the indulgence of this Honorable Commission for the issuance of a Provisional Authority for the Addendum.

IV. Compliance with Pre-Filing Requirements 7KH $SSOLFDQWV MRLQWO\ PDQLIHVW FRPSOLDQFH ZLWK WKH SUH ÂżOLQJ UHTXLUHPHQWV XQGHU 5XOH 3, Section 4(e) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the EPIRA and Rule 6 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, as evidenced by the following documents:

11. The 2nd CSP resulted in the signing of a Power Supply Agreement with Delta P on March 18, 2016, having been declared as the winning bidder of the CSP (the “New PSA�). This time, the capacity is to be made available through the 13.2 kV of PALECO or 69 kV transmission line of the National Power Corporation (“NPC�).

7KHUHDIWHU RQ $SULO 3$/(&2 DQG 'HOWD 3 ÂżOHG D -RLQW $SSOLFDWLRQ IRU WKH approval of the New PSA with the Honorable Commission which was docketed as ERC Case No. 2016-082 RC and entitled “In the Matter of the Application for Approval of the Power Supply Agreement Between Palawan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PALECO) and Delta P Inc. and New Power Provider-True Cost Generation Rate (NPP-TCGR), with Prayer for Provisional Authority, Palawan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PALECO) and Delta P Inc., Applicants.â€?

13. On January 9, 2018, the parties, through their legal counsel, received an Order for Interim Relief, granting provisional authority to the New PSA. 14. At the time of the execution of the Old PSA on February 6, 2009, the parties did not contemplate that another power plant will use the same transmission line, that there will be a need to allocate system loss that will arise and which party shall bear the cost of the system loss. With the execution of the New PSA, even as the same supplier is involved, the parties saw the need to clarify the treatment of the system loss through an Addendum.

Salient Provision of the Addendum To the Power Supply Agreements 15. The Addendum was signed on October 10, 2018 solely for the parties to implement a formula to allocate the system loss resulting from two (2) power plants using the same 13.2 kV transmission line.

16. The formula is as follows: EOTt

=

Energy delivered by Delta P (from the existing plant under the PSA signed on February 6, 2009) to PALECO as indicated in the Billing Meters during each Billing Period t expressed in kWh

EOTt

=

oDPlBM x (oDPISM / (EDBM + oDPISM))

oDPlBM

=

Energy delivered by Delta P (from the existing plant under the PSA signed on February 6, 2009) to PALECO as indicated in the Billing Meters during each Billing Period t expressed in kWh

oDPISM

=

Energy generated by Delta P (from the existing plant under the PSA signed on February 6, 2009) to PALECO as indicated in the Summation Meter during each Billing Period t expressed in kWh

EDBM

=

Energy delivered (of the expansion plant under the PSA signed on March 18, 2016) to PALECO as indicated in the Billing Meters during the Billing Month t expressed in kWh

Where:

17. Subject to the approval by the Honorable Commission, the parties intend to implement the foregoing formula starting on March 25, 2017, RU WKH WLPH ZKHQ H'3, ÂżUVW LQIXVHG energy into the grid.

18.1 As proof of the respective authority of PALECO and Delta P to execute the Addendum and apply for its approval, a copy of the Resolution of PALECO and WKH 6HFUHWDU\ÂśV &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 'HOWD 3 DUHD DWWDFKHG DQG PDGH LQWHJUDO SDUW KHUHRI as Annexes “Oâ€? and “O-1 “, respectively.

II. Financial Impact on PALECO’s Rates 19. If approved, the Addendum and the formula on the treatment of system loss shall not have any impact on PALECO’s rates to its customers. Any system loss resulting from applying the formula shall be paid by the National Power Corporation.

III. Motion for Issuance of Provisional Authority

“E’

21. However, the effectivity and term of this Addendum is dependent upon a provisional or ÂżQDO DXWKRULW\ IURP WKLV +RQRUDEOH &RPPLVVLRQ

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18. Lastly, all other provisions of the Old PSA and the New PSA that are not inconsistent with the formula shall remain in effect. A copy of the Addendum is attached as Annex ‘N� and made an integral part hereof.

6.1 Thus, the Old PSA will end on April 03, 2019.

“G�

The Entry of the New Supplier

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

3.

Please email your resumĂŠ at: hrd@manilatimes.net, or you may apply personally at 2/F Sitio Grande Bldg., 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila (Formerly TRB Bldg.), or you may call Irish de Guzman at 524-5664 local 122.

MT - Apr. 29, 2019

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

REPORTERS Competencies • Excellent command of written and spoken English • Degree holder preferably in journalism, communications, or related discipline • Ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts in government and the private sector as source of information and analysis • Ability to identify the angle of news from a raft of available information or seek out information to build a solid news story • Familiarity with local issues and an understanding of relevant world affairs • $ VHQVH RI VSHHG DQG DFFXUDF\ LQ ZULWLQJ DQG ¿OOLQJ UHDO WLPH VWRULHV to the news desk to meet tight deadlines • Knows Microsoft Office, social media and search engines • A good team player, but is able to work independently within the perimeters of a given assignment • Good attitude, willingness to adjust to new systems and ability to respect authority within the organization Interested applicants, please send a full resume, specifying your subject of expertise, with links to samples of online work or appropriate attachments.

The Registration Statement, its attachments and any amendments therein (collectively referred to as “RS�) are open for inspection by interested parties during business hours. Copies thereof, photostatic or otherwise, shall be furnished to every party upon request at such reasonable fees as the Commission may prescribe.

Said RS and its updated version may be downloaded from the corporation’s website: http:/ ZZZ DERLWL] FRP

1.

EDITORS AND DESKMEN Competencies • Excellent command of written and spoken English • Degree holder preferably in journalism, communications, or related discipline (e.g. political science or economics with journalism experience) • Experience in editing news, analytical reports and columns • Strong news judgment and familiarity with local issues, as well as an understanding of relevant world affairs • $ELOLW\ WR ZULWH DQG HGLW ZLWK ÀDLU DQG VSHHG WR PHHW WLJKW GHDGOLQHV • )DPLOLDU ZLWK 0LFURVRIW 2I¿FH VRFLDO PHGLD DQG VHDUFK HQJLQHV • Ability to lead and organize a team well • Good attitude, willingness to adjust to new systems and ability to respect authority within the organization

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&HUWLÂżFDWLRQ LVVXHG E\ WKH Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Palawan and the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Puerto Princesa, attached as Annexes “Pâ€? and “Qâ€?, respectively;

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1RWDUL]HG $IÂżGDYLW RI 3XEOLFDWLRQ certifying to the publication of this Application in a newspaper of generation circulation within the Franchise Area of PALECO, attached as Annex “Râ€?; and

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A copy of the newspaper where the Application was published, attached as Annex “S�.

PRAYER

WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, it is most respectfully prayed from this Honorable Commission: 1.

To IMMEDIATELY HEAR the instant Application;

7R 5(62/9( WKH 0RWLRQ IRU 3URYLVLRQDO $XWKRULW\ ZLWKLQ VHYHQW\ ÂżYH GD\V IURP WKH ÂżOLQJ RI WKLV -RLQW $SSOLFDWLRQ

7R $33529( ZLWK ÂżQDOLW\ WKH $GGHQGXP DIWHU GXH QRWLFH DQG KHDULQJ LQFOXGLQJ WKH formula for addressing system loss; and

4.

Should the Provisional or Final Authority be issued after the expiration of the Old 36$ RU DIWHU $SULO WKDW WKH +RQRUDEOH &RPPLVVLRQ DXWKRUL]H 'HOWD 3 WR RECOVER THROUGH THE NEW PSA.

Other reliefs as may be just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and evidentiary hearing on 15 May 2019 (Wednesday) at one o’clock in the afternoon (1:00 P.M.) at 3$/(&2œV 3ULQFLSDO 2I¿FH DW 7LQLJXLEDQ 3XHUWR 3ULQFHVD &LW\ 3DODZDQ All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a SDUW\ E\ ¿OLQJ ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ D YHUL¿HG 3HWLWLRQ WR ,QWHUYHQH DW OHDVW ¿YH GD\V SULRU WR the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

2)

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the VXEMHFW PDWWHU RI WKH FDVH PD\ ÂżOH WKHLU 2SSRVLWLRQ RU &RPPHQW WKHUHRQ DW DQ\ VWDJH RI WKH proceeding before Applicants rest their case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application DQG RWKHU SHUWLQHQW UHFRUGV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ GXULQJ WKH VWDQGDUG RIÂżFH KRXUV WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA and the Honorable Commissioners CATHERINE P. MACEDA, ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN and PAUL CHRISTIAN M. CERVANTES, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 4th day of March 2019 in Pasig City.

20. As alleged in paragraph 6.1, the Old PSA shall end on April 03, 2019. For this reason, there is a need to grant provisional authority to the Addendum to keep the Old PSA whole in terms of system loss.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal Service MT - Apr. 22 & 29, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Belmonte to provide customer service training to QC hall staff !3 PART OF HER PLAN TO IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCE OF RESIDENTS IN REQUESTING SERVICES AND ACQUIRING DOCUMENTS IN 1UEZON #ITY HALL 1UEZON #ITY 6ICE -AYOR *OY "ELMONTE VOWED TO IMPLEMENT CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING TO EMPLOYEES IN 1UEZON #ITY HALL TO PROVIDE A MORE CUSTOMER FRIENDLY EXPERIENCE IN CATERING TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE g7E APPRECIATE THE SERVICES OF ALL OUR STAFF BUT OF COURSE WE ALWAYS AIM FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT 'OOD AND FAST SERVICE IN A WARM AND FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT WILL BE GOOD NOT JUST FOR

RESIDENTS BUT ALSO FOR ALL CITY HALL RANK AND kLE u "ELMONTE SAID "ELMONTE ALSO MENTIONED HER PLANS TO INNOVATE THE SERVICES OFFERED IN 1UEZON #ITY (ALL THROUGH THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY WHEREIN THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING DOCUMENTS WILL BE AUTOMATED AND WILL BE ACCESSIBLE THROUGH SMARTPHONES 4HE VICE MAYOR ALSO VOWED TO BRING SERVICES CLOSER TO COMMUNITIES

BY OFFERING SERVICES TO THE BARANGAY HALLS SO THAT DISTRICTS FAR FROM THE CITY HALL IN $ILIMAN DO NOT NEED TO TRAVEL JUST TO OBTAIN DOCUMENTS

NCWP holds seminar to make change work for women

MONDAY April 29, 2019

Public Square

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The After Six Club partners with SMX Convention Center in bringing VAST opportunities to digital professionals T

HE After Six Club (Peopable 7ORLDWIDE #ORPORATION OFkCIALLY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH 3-8 #ONVENTION #ENTER 3- 0RIME (OLDINGS )NC AS THE OFkCIAL VENUE PARTNER FOR 0ROJECT 6!34 AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THAT OFFERS A SERIES OF HOLISTIC TRAINING AND WORKSHOP FOR ASPIRING &ILIPINO DIGITAL PROFESSIONALS !S ADVOCATES OF LIFELONG LEARNING

4HE !FTER 3IX #LUB IS CHAMPIONING THE $IGITAL .OMAD LIFESTYLE 0ROJECT 6!34 IS AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT WHOSE GOAL IS TO ENABLE &ILIPINOS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE 6!34 OPPORTUNITIES THEY CAN GET

BY BECOMING A $IGITAL 0ROFESSIONAL OR SIMPLY $IGI02/ 0ROJECT 6!34 WILL BE OFFERING HALF DAY CLASSES AT 3-8 #ONVENTION #ENTERS WHEREIN PARTICIPANTS WILL NOT ONLY LEARN HOW TO GET STARTED AS A $IGI02/ USING THEIR CURRENT SKILL SETS BUT ALSO LEARN WHERE AND HOW TO GET CLIENTS SET RATE CARDS GET PAID AND LEARN NEW SPECIkC SKILLS 0RESENT DURING THE CONTRACT SIGN-

ING WERE 3-8 #ONVENTION #ENTER S 6ICE 0RESIDENT FOR 3ALES AND -ARKETING -A !GNES 0ACIS !SSISTANT 6ICE 0RESIDENT FOR 3ALES -INA +AHN

3ENIOR 0ROJECT -ANAGER FOR "USINESS $EVELOPMENT 'ROUP 3HERYL #HAM 0EREA 0EOPABLE 7ORLDWIDE #ORPORATION #%/ +ASSY 0AJARILLO

0ROJECT 6!34 #O &OUNDER AND 4HE !FTER 3IX #LUB %DITOR )N #HIEF +ATH # %USTAQUIO $ERLA 0ROJECT 6!34 &OUNDING 4RAINER !VA "ANZUELA %SPLANADA 4HE !FTER 3IX #LUB /P-

ERATIONS -ANAGER 2AYMOND "RAGANZA AND %VENTS AND 0ARTNERSHIP $IRECTOR ,YSA 3ANCHEZ 2EGARDLESS OF AGE AND EMPLOYMENT STATUS BUILDING AN ABUNDANCE MINDSET AND LEARNING ADVANCED DIGITAL SKILLS CAN HELP &ILIPINOS EVEN THOSE WITH A M TO P M CORPORATE JOBS EARN EXTRA INCOME AFTER P M -OREOVER HAVING AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET WILL HELP FREELANCERS VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS WORK FROM HOME PARENTS

ONLINE COACHES AND MORE THRIVE AS A

RESPONSIBLE AND PROACTIVE $IGI02/ g!S AN EXPERIENCED VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

) HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY SEARCHING FOR DIFFERENT TRAININGS WHERE ) COULD LEARN SOMETHING NEW 7E CREATED 0ROJECT 6!34 TO PROVIDE DIFFERENT AVENUES FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT u SAID !VA !LIGNED WITH 4HE !FTER 3IX #LUB S SLOGAN Û$RIVE!MBITION 0ROJECT 6!34 CLASSES WILL COVER MIND AND CULTURE SETTING SO ASPIRING $IGI02/S CAN DECIDE IF THIS TYPE OF REMOTE LIFESTYLE REALLY IS FOR THEM

Ayala group supports relief efforts following 6.1-magnitude earthquake THE .ATIONAL #OUNCIL OF 7OMEN OF THE 0HILIPPINES HELD A SEMINAR WORKSHOP WITH THE THEME g7E -AKE #HANGE 7ORK &OR 7OMENu IN CELEBRATION OF 7OMEN S -ONTH HELD AT THE "ICOL 5NIVERSITY AMPHITHEATER IN ,EGAZPI #ITY 'UEST SPEAKER #RISTITA

4RIUNFANTE ND FROM LEFT 0HILIPPINE #OUNCIL OF 7OMEN #OMMISSION TALKED ON THE PROVISIONS OF -AGNA #ARTA OF 7OMEN )N PHOTO FROM LEFT -ARITESS 0ASA .#70 0RES .ORMA ,OZANO $EAN ,ETICIA ,OPEZ $R 2AMONA 2AÄESES AND 2EBECCA 9USINGCO

Mayor Herbert Bautista reorganizes DRRM Council -!9/2 (ERBERT "AUTISTA REORGANIZED THE 1UEZON #ITY $ISASTER 2ISK 2EDUCTION -ANAGEMENT #OUNCIL 1#$22-# INTRODUCING MORE INNOVATIONS IN THE WORKlOW OF THE PROGRAM ADJUDGED AS THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY 4HE OUTGOING CHIEF EXECUTIVE RECENTLY ISSUED %XECUTIVE /RDER .UMBER TO FURTHER ENSURE EFkCIENT AND PROFESSIONAL FLOW OF INFORMATION

COMMUNICATION AND INTEROPERABILITY OF THE COUNCIL WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES VARIOUS CITY DEPARTMENTS AND BARANGAYS DURING INCIDENTS OF CALAMITIES AND DISASTERS "AUTISTA S %/ REORGANIZED THE 1#$22- #OUNCIL IS INTO

FOUR THEMATIC AREAS A #OMMITTEE ON $ISASTER 0REVENTION AND -ITIGATION LED BY THE #ITY %NGINEERING $EPARTMENT B #OMMITTEE ON $ISASTER 0REPAREDNESS HEADED BY THE $ISASTER 2ISK 2EDUCTION AND -ANAGEMENT /FkCE C #OMMITTEE ON $ISASTER 2ESPONSE LED BY 3OCIAL 3ERVICES $EVELOPMENT $EPARTMENT AND D #OMMITTEE ON $ISASTER 2ECOVERY AND 2EHABILITATION LED BY THE #ITY 0LANNING AND $EVELOPMENT /FkCE 1UEZON #ITY S DISASTER RISK RESPONSE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IS THE REIGNING 'AWAD +ALASAG AWARDEE OF THE $EPARTMENT OF )NTERIOR AND ,OCAL 'OVERNMENT

New report reveals Filipino consumers are redefining who and how to trust ). AN AGE OF ALMOST BOUNDLESS INFORMATION AND NEARLY ENDLESS BRAND OPTIONS &ILIPINOS ARE BEGINNING TO BE MORE CRITICAL OF THE CHOICES THAT THEY MAKE AND THE BRANDS AND ENTITIES THAT THEY PUT THEIR TRUST IN 4HIS IS THE KEY REVELATION OF A NEW STUDY SHARED BY THE (AVAS /RTEGA 'ROUP 4HE COMMUNICATIONS kRM FURTHER EMPHASIZES THAT THERE ARE IMPLICATIONS THAT ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD ADDRESS IF THEY WISH TO REMAIN RELEVANT IN THIS CHANGED m AND CHANGING m LANDSCAPE 4HE 0INOY 0ROSUMER 2EPORT ON 4HE &UTURE OF 4RUST REVEALS THAT WHILE DIGITAL MEDIA AND ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKS WERE EARLIER SEEN AS CRUCIAL TRUST BUILDING CATALYSTS UPON THEIR INCEPTION FAKE NEWS PAID TROLLS

UNETHICAL AND GAMEABLE ALGORITHMS

AND BAD E COMMERCE EXPERIENCES ARE MAKING &ILIPINOS EXTRA SELECTIVE ABOUT WHAT THEY SEE HEAR DISCOVER AND TRUST NOT JUST IN THE DIGITAL REALM BUT ALSO IN REAL LIFE 4HIS EROSION OF TRUST IS EVIDENCED BY MAJOR kNDINGS AMONG &ILIPINO 0ROSUMERS AN INFLUENTIAL

SET OF CONSUMERS THE kRM HAS BEEN STUDYING FOR OVER A DECADE %IGHTY SIX PER CENT PERCENT OF 0ROSUMERS FEEL TRUST IS NOW A RARE VALUE AND WORRY ABOUT THE LOSS OF RELIABLE LEADERS PERCENT WORRY THAT &ILIPINOS NO LONGER TRUST EACH OTHER PERCENT kND IT DISHONEST INAUTHENTIC AND ANNOYING WHEN PEOPLE THEY FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISE PRODUCTS AND PERCENT BELIEVE BRANDS TRYING TO GAIN PEOPLE S TRUST ARE INSINCERE AND LOOKING ONLY TO MAKE PROkT g4HESE TRENDS IN TRUST ARE IN LINE WITH GLOBAL PROSUMER ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR m AND THESE TRENDS ARE A FAR CRY FROM THE OPTIMISM THE DIGITAL WORLD ENGENDERED A DECADE AGO 7E USED TO BELIEVE THAT THE DIGITAL MEDIUM WOULD BE A BRIDGE TO OTHERS AND A BRIDGE TO RELIABLE

TIMELY AND ACCURATE INFORMATION 4ODAY WE NO LONGER ARE SURE AND ARE QUESTIONING THE TRUST THAT WE GIVE TO THESE DIGITAL MEDIA CHANNELS u SAYS 0HIL 4IONGSON (AVAS /RTEGA S (EAD OF $ATA !NALYTICS

TransUnion appoints Satish Pillai as president in Asia 42!.35.)/.

A LEADING GLOBAL INFORMATION SOLUTIONS PROVIDER ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF 3ATISH 0ILLAI TO THE NEWLY CREATED ROLE OF PRESIDENT OF 4RANS5NION !SIA (E WILL HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OPERATIONS IN THE !SIA 0ACIkC AND )NDIA REGIONS THE LATTER OF WHICH IS 4RANS5NION S FASTEST GROWING MARKET 4HE APPOINTMENT IS EFFECTIVE !UGUST

0ILLAI HAS SERVED AS MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER OF 4RANS5NION #)"), )NDIA S LEADING CREDIT INFORMATION COMPANY SINCE *ULY WHERE HE HAS HELPED GROW 4RANS5NION #)"), BY PERCENT #!'2 COMPOUND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS )N HIS NEW ROLE HE WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE

4RANS5NION S )NTERNATIONAL STRATEGY ACROSS !SIA 0ACIkC MARKETS AND EXTEND OUR GLOBAL SOLUTIONS TO CONSUMERS AND BUSINESSES ACROSS THE REGION &OR MORE INFORMATION HTTPS WWW TRANSUNION PH

4(% !YALA GROUP IS CLOSELY COORDINATING WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN 0ORAC 0AMPANGA TO SUPPORT EVACUATION AND RELIEF EFFORTS FOLLOWING A MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE THAT SHOOK ,UZON ON !PRIL 3EVERAL !YALA COMPANIES ARE ALREADY ASSISTING IN EMERGENCY OPERATIONS !YALA ,AND !,) MANAGED TO EVACUATE RESIDENTS AND TENANTS FROM ALL AFFECTED !,) OWNED RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES PLUS

EVACUEES FROM ALL ITS AFFECTED MALLS IN -ETRO -ANILA )T ALSO SENT AN AMBULANCE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND SAFETY TEAMS FROM ITS !LVIERA ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION kRM -AKATI $EVELOPMENT

#ENTER TO 0ORAC S #HUZON 3UPERMARKET

WHICH COLLAPSED DURING THE QUAKE !,) S TOWER LIGHTS TENTS AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT WERE DEPLOYED TO ASSIST IN ROAD CLEARING OPERATIONS IN 3APANG 5WAK -ANILA 7ATER &OUNDATION SENT kVE GALLON WATER BOTTLES TO THE VICTIMS IN 0AMPANGA THROUGH THE /FkCE OF THE -AYOR OF 0ORAC )T IS ALSO COORDINATING CLOSELY WITH -ANILA 7ATER S SUBSIDIARY #LARK 7ATER TO CONTINUOUSLY CHECK ON OTHER NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY 'LOBE 4ELECOM SET UP ,IBRENG 4AWAG AND ,IBRENG #HARGING STATIONS IN THREE SITES 0UBLIC -ARKET #OMPOUND "RGY #ANGATBA IN

-EANWHILE !YALA &OUNDATION IS 0ORAC #APITOL 'ROUND IN 3AN &ERNANDO AND #LARK !IRPORT 'LOBE REACHING OUT AND COORDINATING WITH MOBILE AND BROADBAND SIGNAL ARE THE ,'5 AND .'/S TO ASSIST THE !ETA ALSO BACK UP IN THE 0AMPANGA AREA COMMUNITY IN 0ORAC

Compostela Valley nets P 1.2 B at investment confab THE 0ROVINCE OF #OMPOSTELA 6ALLEY NETTED 0 BILLION WORTH OF INVESTMENTS SURPASSING ITS 0 MILLION TARGET IN THE RECENT $E /RO "USINESS AND )NVESTMENT #ONFERENCE HELD AT THE "EACH #LUB !T ,UBI 0LANTATION )SLAND IN -ABINI TOWN $UBBED $E /RO "IZ )CON THE CONFERENCE GATHERED DELEGATES HEADED BY #HINA CONSUL GENERAL ,I ,IN !USTRIA HONORARY CONSUL 0ETER &AISTAUER AND ACTING )NDONESIAN CONSUL GENERAL %NDAH 2ACHMI 9ULIARTI AS WELL AS LOCAL BUSINESS PLAYERS &OLLOWING THE PLENARY SESSION WHERE #OMPOSTELA 6ALLEY 'OVERNOR *AYVEE 4YRONE 5Y PRESENTED THE BUSINESS AND INVESTMENTS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PROVINCE AN INVESTMENT MATCHING SESSION GROUPED INTO REAL ESTATE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AGRIBUSINESS AND TOURISM CLUSTERS WAS CONDUCTED 4HE INVESTMENT MATCHING SUC-

Q During the conference (from left) ComVal Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, ComVal District Engineer Joselito Caballero, Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Raymundo Agravante, Torre Lorenzo Development Corp.

CEO Tomas Lorenzo, Cong. Maricar Zamora, Trade and Industry secretary Ramon Lopez, Mindanao Development Authority Director Olie Dagala.

CESSFULLY MATCHED PROPONENTS PROPOSED BY -AWAB #OOPERATIVE MUNICIPALITIES WERE SEPARATED IN 4HE kRST OF ITS KIND FOR #OMPOSTELA FROM ITS MOTHER PROVINCE $AVAO $EL AND INVESTORS FOR PROJECTS

6ALLEY THE BUSINESS CONFERENCE WAS .ORTE )T WILL BE REBRANDED $AVAO $E INCLUDING A 0 - COMMITMENT HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROV/RO TO RElECT ITS $AVAOEÄO HERITAGE BY 3, !GRITECH #ORP FOR THE RICE INCE S ST FOUNDATION DAY WHEN AND ITS GOLD MINING INDUSTRY PROCESSING EXPANSION FACILITIES

Adzhar Baluan promotes peace in Basilan by promoting Yakan weaving !$:(!2 "ALUAN WAS KICKED OUT FROM SCHOOL 4HIS INCIDENT PUT TO AN ABRUPT END HIS DREAM OF kNISHING HIS STUDIES IN ONE OF THE PRIVATE COLLEGES IN )SABELA "ASILAN /NCE HE WAS OUT OF SCHOOL HE THOUGHT ABOUT GETTING BACK AT THE PROFESSOR WHO HAD EXPELLED HIM FROM SCHOOL (E PREPARED FOR TRAINING IN ARMED CONlICT IN THE HINTERLANDS OF 4IPO 4IPO "ASILAN LOOKING FORWARD TO USING HIS TRAINING FOR REVENGE "UT ARMED CONlICT DID NOT TURN OUT TO BE THE SOLUTION HE WAS LOOKING FOR (E LEFT THE GROUP AND BEGAN THE PROCESS OF REINTEGRATING INTO THE MAINSTREAM (E UNDERWENT )SLAMIC STUDIES AS PART OF HIS REINTEGRATION BUT

AFTER FOUR MONTHS FELT HE WAS BACK AT SQUARE ONE‡A TAMBAY

WITH NOTHING TO DO &ORTUNATELY HE GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK TO COLLEGE 5NDER A SCHOLARSHIP HE ENROLLED AS A PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION MAJOR AT THE "ASILAN 3TATE #OLLEGE )T WAS THERE WHERE HE FIRST HEARD ABOUT THE "ANGSAMORO 9OUNG ,EADERS 0ROGRAMm,EADERSHIP #OMMUNITIES "9,0m,EAD#OM

A YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED BY !YALA &OUNDATION THE %ISENHOWER &ELLOWS !SSOCIATION OF THE 0HILIPPINES AND WHAT WAS THEN KNOWN AS THE !UTONOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAOm/FkCE OF THE 2EGIONAL 'OVERNOR (E THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT HE COULD

DO FOR HIS COMMUNITY ! RESIDENT OF "AGUINDA 4IPO 4IPO "ASILAN !DZHAR WAS ACUTELY AWARE OF THE CONSTANT THREAT OF VIOLENCE FACED BY THEIR COMMUNITY !DZHAR AND HIS FELLOW PEACE ADVOCATES SEEK TO CHANGE ALL THAT /NE WAY BY WHICH THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS IS BY PROMOTING THE TRADITION OF WEAVING AMONG THE 9AKAN 3UPPORTED BY A SEED FUND AND TECHNICAL TRAINING PROVIDED BY !YALA &OUNDATION THE /2'm!2--

AND %&!0 !DZHAR S TEAM STARTED WORKING WITH WEAVERS !T PRESENT THE PROJECT PARTICIPANTS ARE PRODUCING BOLTS OF CLOTH &ROM AN ANGRY AND VENGEFUL YOUNG MAN

!DZHAR HAS MADE THE TRANSFORMATION INTO AN INSPIRING PEACE ADVOCATE

Q One of the Yakan weavers that Adzhar’s group is working with.

Kansai Paint Philippines Inc. introduces new president +!.3!) 0AINT 0HILIPPINES )NC +00) ONE OF THE COUNTRY S GROWING PAINT SUPPLIERS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF !KIYOSHI 7ATANABE AS +00) PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER EFFECTIVE !PRIL 7ATANABE TAKES OVER FROM OUTGOING PRESIDENT 4AKUSHI 9AMAMOTO

WHO STARTED HIS 0HILIPPINE ASSIGNMENT IN !PRIL 5NDER 9AMAMOTO S LEADERSHIP THE COMPANY SAW STEADY GROWTH IN SALES AND CLIENT BASE (E ALSO SPEARHEADED THE COMPANY S FORAY INTO THE 0ROTECTIVE AND $ECORATIVE PAINT BUSINESS WHICH WAS BOLSTERED BY THE +00) PARTNERSHIP WITH *APANESE

CONTRACTORS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEWLY OPENED "OHOL 0ANGLAO )NTERNATIONAL !IRPORT 5PON HIS RETURN TO *APAN 9AMAMOTO WILL ASSUME THE POSITION OF MANAGER AT +ANSAI 0AINT S +YUSHU /FkCE 4AKING OVER FROM 9AMAMOTO AT +00) IS !KIYOSHI 7ATANABE WHO HAS BEEN WITH +ANSAI 0AINT *APAN FOR YEARS ! SEASONED SALESPERSON

7ATANABE WAS LAST POSTED AS ASSISTANT MANAGER OF 3ALES AT +ANSAI 0AINT S +YUSHU /FkCE BEFORE HIS APPOINTMENT AS +00) PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER TO BE BASED IN ,AGUNA &OR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW KANSAIPAINT COM PH

Q Outgoing President Takushi Yamamoto and incoming President Akiyoshi Watanabe during the turn over ceremony held at KPPI Office in Calamba, Laguna.

MONDAY M O NDAY APRIL 29,, 2019

Public Square publicsquare@manilatimes.net

Metrobank shines in PDS Awards Night M

ETROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) garnered the prestigious Cesar EA Virata Award – Best Securities House (Bank Category) at the recently concluded 14th Philippine Dealing System (PDS Group) Annual Awards. The Cesar EA Virata Award is the highest honor bestowed

BY THE 0$3 'ROUP TO A kXED INCOME SECURITIES DEALER THAT HAD EXCEPTIONAL performance in trading, distribution, and settlement activities for the year.

Metrobank has won this award FOR SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS g"EING AWARDED THE TOP PRIZE SIX times is indeed a great honor. But what makes this award truly special is that it validates our efforts in staying in the market even during the most trying TIMES u SAID -ETROBANK 3ENIOR %XECUtive Vice President Fernand Antonio

Q Metrobank SVP Anton Yap, SEVP Fernand Antonio Tansingco, SVP Jikee Reyes, FVP Kathryn Abes, and FVP Ricardo Pedrosa after a successful award run at the 14th Annual PDS Awards.

Tansingco, who was in attendance to 0V0 0ARTICIPANTS TH 4OP &IXED Brokering Participants Retail TransIncome Cash Settlement Banks (4th); ACTIONS 4OP &IXED )NCOME $EALING receive the bank’s many awards.

Apart from the Cesar EA Virata Top Dealing Participant (Corporate Participant; and a Special Citation for Award, Metrobank also received the 3ECURITIES 4OP &IXED )NCOME Pilot Issuance of Bank Issued Bond following accolades: Top 5 PDDTS- Brokering Participants (5th); Top and Commercial Paper Program.

Mober and Globe myBusiness:Â Â Driving success for SMEs SENDING products to various places can be a hassle for most small businesses that may not have the resources to buy their own trucks or which simply want to avoid the heavy trafkC THAT DRIVERS AND COMMUTERS IN THE metropolis face every day.

As a solution to this problem, Dennis Ng founded Mober, a Filipino tech startup that offers an on-demand mobile platform for same-day delivery services, thereby, providing cost-effective, safe, and fast logistical assistance for small businesses.

Starting in 2015, Mober was the Q During the signing (from left) Globe Senior Advisor for Globe myBusiness Derrick Heng, Globe myBusiness kRST ON DEMAND DELIVERY TECH START- Marketing Head Celeste Porto, Mober Founder Dennis Ng, Globe myBusiness Segment Marketing. myBusiness, the micro, small, and nesses just as much. up that connects small businesses one place to another.

For more information, visto their customers and clients, as This commitment to service medium enterprise arm of Globe well as helps families move from was why Uy partnered with Globe Telecom which values clients’ busi- it https://mybusinessacademy.ph/

Don Papa celebrates Filipino modern food tradition, names first PH chef and shakers DON Papa Rum recently named the kRST g#HEF AND 3HAKER 0HILIPpines� winners after the much-anTICIPATED GRAND kNALE HELD AT -ARTIN Place Social in Bonifacio Global City. Following the competition’s great success in its European run, Don Papa Rum felt now is the perfect time to delve deep into the rich Filipino food tradition and brandish its modern evolution by way of food and cocktail pairing.

Five teams competed, with each dish and cocktail judged according to presentation, taste, harmony of the food-and-cocktail pairing, and brand use or story. Garnering a TOTAL SCORE OF POINTS THE JUDGES

declared Team Gecko consisting of Chef Kel Zaguirre of Locavore and MIXOLOGISTS !LLIUS !BRAZADO OF 4HE Peak - Grand Hyatt and Enzo Luna of Run Rabbit Run as the best group.

Team Gecko’s overall theme was Filipino. Chef Kel’s dish “Wrong Sisig� is the Filipino favorite sisig with a curious twist. Served in a golden tin can, Wrong Sisig is a rillettes of pork belly, pork ribs, and bacon, MIXED WITH PICKLED MUSHROOMS WITH chili, and pickled red onion topped with ikura (salmon roe). To heighten Q Chef and Shaker 2019 Philippines winners Enzo Luna, Chef Kel Zaguirre, UP THE lAVOR THE DISH IS SERVED WITH and Allius Abrazado of Team Gecko. an emulsion of sinamak (spiced WILL RECEIVE AN ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP and guest shifts at Trade Venues, vinegar) and ginger sauce. to London in October, including with a thousand pounds pocket The winning Chef and Shakers access to the London Cocktail Week money (roughly P68,000).

Joshua Garcia is cola maker’s newest endorser JOSHUA 'ARCIA S STAR IS DEkNITELY on the rise. He has come a long way from his Pinoy Big Brother: All In days with a successful run of Ngayon at Kailanman as well hit movies such as Love You to the Stars and Back, I Love You, Hater, and Vince and Kath and James.

(IS BOY NEXT DOOR CHARM TALENT

and good looks continue to appeal to a wide audience. He is loved as an “Idol ng Bayan� but, despite his celebrity status, his down-to-earth attitude makes him very approachable and relatable to his fans. His likeable demeanor and natural charisma

makes Joshua Garcia the perfect endorser of RC Cola, your ‘RC ng Bayan,’ that is loved by many Filipinos for its great taste and great value.

Garcia also enjoys basketball.

He used to play it growing up in Batangas. This is timely because ARC Refreshments Corporation, the licensed manufacturer of RC Cola in the Philippines, is holding this year the first-ever “RC Cola Liga ng Bayan,� a unique X BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT THAT aims to build a community of sports-minded youths who are passionate about basketball.

onds to complete as much steps as they can. Would you believe that the highest number completed was 116 steps in just 30 seconds?

3rd Station: Claw Mi Up Participants were given three tries to get the Mi Bunnies from the claw machine.

4th Station: Drive Mi Participants were given the chance to binge on the thrill of drive around the Activity Center using the Mi Personal Transport Devices: Mi Electric Scooter, Mi QiCycle Electric Bike, Mi Ninebot S and Mi Ninebot Go Kart.

5th Station: Guess Mi The players had a blast playing this guessing game! The Mi Fans WERE SHOWN A SET OF PIXELATED images of Xiaomi’s eco-products and were given 60 seconds to

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

For contributions, email to publicsquare@manilatimes.net

All that Jazz in Conrad Manila IN celebration of the 14th Philippine International Jazz Festival, Conrad Manila’s C Lounge is set to welcome guest international artists for All that Jazz concert this April 30 to May 5 from 7p.m. to 11p.m. %XPERIENCE THE SEAMLESS HARmony of soulful melodies, captivating views of Manila Bay and # ,OUNGE EXQUISITE SELECTION OF COCKTAILS kNE WINES AND BEERS The show will feature Mishka Adams and Beto Caletti, Wairua Collective, Daniel Zamir and Nitzan Bar, Henry Katindig and Damon Grant, -ICHAL -ARTYNIUK AND 2OX 0UNO

Clark Marriott combines Lego Easter Fest and fun family day CLARK Marriott Hotel’s first Lego-themed Easter activity at the Grand Ballroom turned into a fun family bonding. More than 300 kids age zero to ten with almost a hundred parents and guardians spent the entire Easter Sunday morning with festival of fun activities.

Five winners of the Golden Egg search at The A-MAZE-ing Hunt brought home premium Lego toys, plus accommodation and buffet vouchers. While premium Lego toys were given to kids that ticked off all items in the scavengers list.

Guests were welcomed by thematic displays along hallways of the ballroom leading to different ZONES WHICH CATERED TO SPECIkC interests and age groups – The A-MAZE-ing Hunt, The Play Academy, The Movie Room, The %ASTER &EAST ER 4HE ,EGO 'ROUkE

and The Painting Camp.

The warm reception of the Lego Easter Fest of Clark Freeport’s first and only 5-star hotel

is an indication of its success; hence, the hotel promises even MORE EXCITING SEASONAL ACTIVITIES as the year progresses.

To keep up with upcoming events, follow Clark Marriott HoTEL S OFkCIAL &ACEBOOK )NSTAGRAM

and Twitter accounts, or e-mail at clarkmarriotthotel@marriott.com.

Kitsho celebrates Mother’s Day in style ON May 12, Sunday, Mother’s day will be celebrated in the Philippines and in the United States. Other countries that observe their versions of this annual event, either hold them on an earlier, or later, date as the case may be. What has started as something quietly celebrated in homes has now become a muchawaited global affair that has involved various industries that include airlines, hotels, resorts, retail establishments, and, most especially, food outlets.

At Kitsho, Mother’s Day is a special summer event that celebrates motherhood and all the love surROUNDING THE kGURE MANY CALL THE ‘light of every home.’ Mothers will surely delight in Kitsho’s freshly prepared concoctions.

The smorgasbord spread that day will feature a varied selection of fresh fruits, salads, sashimi,

and sushi. The a la carte buffet will likewise proffer a lot of CHOICES FROM THE EXTENSIVE MENU list. Simply tell the waiting staff all the dishes you want to sample, and they’d gladly have them prepared for you – fresh.

Diners may also partake of the specially-prepared food platter that is loaded with shrimp tempura, sauteed pork, salmon teppan, sauteed beef, fresh green salad, and miso soup.

For more information, visit KITSHO FB|| KITSHO instagram|| KITSHO twitter.

4As PH brings industry’s best to CreativeFest 2019 Q Idol ng Bayan Joshua Garcia as the new brand ambassador of RC Cola.

Xiaomi PH holds its third Fan Meet XIAOMI Philippines held its third Fan Meet Event in Market! Market!

Activity Center. Mi fans were invited TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FUN kLLED ACTIVIties that includes their smartphone devices and eco-products.

The Fan Meet event was organized to give thanks and appreciation to their loyal customers who continuously supported the brand.

Xiaomi Philippines prepared SIX CHALLENGING ACTIVITY BOOTHS for its avid fans.

1st Station: Photo with Mi Participants gets to choose which photo background they prefer and take a photo with the 8IAOMI SMARTPHONES -I 2EDMI Note 7 and Pocophone.

2nd Station: Walk with Mi Participants were given 30 sec-

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Q Mi Fan Meet 2019 at the Market! Market! Activity Center.

GUESS SIX IMAGES RIGHT US- Xiaomi’s signature Mi Transparing the Xiaomi’s fastest in class, ENXT ,UGGAGE WITHIN SECONDS The participants who completed power that lasts Redmi 7 or Go Smart, Do More and Redmi Go. the tasks, received the special Xiaomi 6th Station: Load MiMi Fans merchandise and were eligible to the were given a set of Mi products that RAFlE DRAW 4HE -I WILL SOON BE they will have to pack inside the available in all Authorized Mi Stores.

THE Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines (4As) staged one of the largest gatherings for creative professionals in the country, CreATIVE&EST ON !PRIL TO AT the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. The event was packed with relevant topics and insightful discussions led by prominent names in the local and global creative industry, aimed at inspiring young professionals and students who want to make it big in the advertisING INDUSTRY g#REATIVE&EST aims to prove one thing: CreativITY RULESĂœu !S #REATIVE&EST Chairperson Merlee Jayme said.

There was one theme for each day: Creative Marketing and Creative Technology, respectively. Burger King Global Chief Marketing OfkCER &ERNANDO -ACHADO LED THE kRST day, followed by presentations from top clients and creative hotshots about creative and effective work.

Day two kicked off with Google’s

Head of Design Carla Echeverria as keynote speaker, also known as the Filipino who invented and patented Facebook’s Safety Check. Moreover, digital gurus and creative heads will continue discussing trends that WILL DOMINATE THE REST OF AND tackle the importance of creativity in the digital world.Budjette Tan, author of graphic novel Trese which has been recently picked up FOR A .ETlIX ANIMATED ADAPTATION

also delivered a keynote speech on Creative Storytelling on day two of the event. He is currently based in Denmark and is the Group Creative Director of Lego. In his talk, he shard his journey from being an Advertising Creative to becoming one of the most sought-after content creators today. The 4As CreativeFest WAS CAPPED WITH THE +IDLAT Awards, an annual awarding ceremony celebrating the best creative advertising work of the past year.

For more information, visit www. creativeguildph.com.

World Trump lauds economy, hits back at Democrats Suitcases match claims of Cyprus serial killer N ˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY April 29, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

GREEN Bay, Wis.: US President Donald Trump boasted of a strong economy and criticized his Democratic presidential opponents as he rallied supporters with familiar themes.

Trump pointed to the economy’s 3.2-percent growth in the kRST QUARTER BEFORE DRAWING EVEN more applause by citing gains in employment and reductions in FAMILY POVERTY IN 7ISCONSIN 4HE state helped propel Trump’s 2016 VICTORY AND $EMOCRATS ARE FOCUSED ON RECLAIMING ITS ELECTORAL VOTES in 2020.

4URNING TO PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS

the president had a suggestion for members of the Democratic Party. “They should change that to the 2ADICAL ,EFT $EMOCRAT 0ARTY u HE TOLD A CROWD THAT NEARLY kLLED THE

SEAT 2ISCH #ENTER IN 'REEN Bay. “It’s crazy what’s going on WITH THEM /H DO ) LOOK FORWARD

TO RUNNING AGAINST THEM u It was a signal that what the 0RESIDENT AND 2EPUBLICANS HAVE been saying about Democrats for months could be a lasting part of his reelection campaign STORY 4RUMP WHO LOVES BRANDING OPPONENTS POINTED TO THE ' R E E N . E W $ E A L A B O R T I O N rights policy and the self-described socialism of prominent Democrats to paint the whole party as radical. )N CONTRAST HE SAID g4HE 2Epublican Party is the party of all !MERICANS !ND COMMON SENSE u HE SAID ELICITING CHEERS AND CHANTS OF g53!Ăœu 4RUMP ALSO REFERENCED HIS NICKnames for two of the leading Democratic presidential contenders ‡ g3LEEPY *OEu "IDEN AND g#RAZY "ERNIEu 3ANDERS ‡ AND PREDICTED THAT %LIZABETH 7ARREN S CANDIDACY WAS ALREADY OVER AP

Iran spies on US ships in Persian Gulf – report TEHRAN: !N )RANIAN 2EVOLUTIONARY 'UARDS DRONE SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT A SURVEILLANCE lIGHT OVER AN !MERICAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN THE 'ULF 4ASNIM NEWS AGENCY claimed in a Sunday report on its website. ! VIDEO PUBLISHED BY THE AGENCY

which could not be immediately VERIkED SHOWS A LIGHT BLUE COLORED DRONE WITH THE NAME g!BABIL u written on the wings in Farsi and Latin script. )T IS SEEN TAKING OFF FROM A DESERT BASE NEAR THE SEA AS THE SOUNDTRACK OF AN ACTION MOVIE PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND AND FLIES OVER FIRST AN ESCORT SHIP

and then an aircraft carrier WITH FIGHTER PLANES PARKED ON THE DECK g4HE NAVAL FORCE OF 3EPAH THE 'UARDS &ARSI NAME IS AWARE OF ALL THE MOVEMENTS OF !MERICAN TERrorist forces in the region and the 0ERSIAN 'ULF AND CLOSELY MONITORS THEM u 4ASNIM WROTE Tasnim did not name the airCRAFT CARRIER OR SAY WHEN THE VIDEO was shot. )N THE +ORAN !BABIL REFERS TO A type of magical birds that protected Islam’s holy city of Mecca in 3AUDI !RABIA AGAINST AN INVADER KING S ELEPHANT ARMY BY DROPPING stones on them.

AFP

Worldinbriefs

ICOSIA, Cyprus: Search teams located two suitcases at the bottom of a lake where a detained military OFkCER WHO ALLEGEDLY CONFESSED TO KILLING SEVEN FOREIGN WOMEN AND GIRLS TOLD INVESTIGATORS HE DUMPED SOME OF THE BODIES OFkCIALS SAID /FkCERS SPOTTED THE POSSIBLE EVidence with a robotic camera that WILL BE USED TO KEEP SCOURING THE MAN MAN LAKE FOR A THIRD SUITCASE SUSPECTED TO BE UNDER WATER &IRE 3ERVICE CHIEF -ARCOS 4RANGOLAS said.

4HE SUSPECT A YEAR OLD .ATIONAL 'UARD CAPTAIN SAID UNDER QUESTIONING THAT HE PUT THE BODIES OF THREE VICTIMS INSIDE LUGGAGE THAT HE DITCHED IN THE LAKE A POLICE OFkCIAL TOLD 4HE !SSOCIATED 0RESS 4HE OFkCIAL SPOKE ON CONDITION of anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose details of an ONGOING INVESTIGATION

4HE LAKE LOCATED SOME KILOMETERS MILES WEST OF #YPRUS CAPITAL OF .ICOSIA IS PART OF AN abandoned copper pyrite mine where a woman’s body was found IN A lOODED SHAFT ON !PRIL 4HE DISCOVERY TRIGGERED A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION THAT LED TO THE captain’s arrest before a second woman’s body was found in the mineshaft on April 20. Police SAID THE SUSPECT ADMITTED KILLING them both.

But police said the scope of CASE SICKENINGLY EXPANDED WHEN the suspect told them Thursday ABOUT FOUR MORE VICTIMS BRINGING

THE TOTAL TO kVE WOMEN AND TWO OF their daughters.

The suspect has not been named because he has not been charged yet. He faces charges including preMEDITATED MURDER AND KIDNAPPING FOR ALLEGED CRIMES DATING BACK TO 3EPT

Police told a judge at a court hearing on Saturday that the suspect GAVE DETAILS OF THE SLAYINGS IN handwritten pages. The judge ordered him held for eight more days.

4HE #YPRUS .EWS !GENCY REPORTed that he was married with two CHILDREN BUT SEPARATED FROM HIS WIFE 4HE NEWS AGENCY SAID INVESTIGAtors found photos of the mineshaft where the in his possession.

3HOCKED #YPRIOTS ARE GRAPPLING WITH THE MOUNTING EVIDENCE FROM POLICE THAT A SERIAL KILLER WAS IN their midst preying on women WHO CAME TO WORK ON THE EAST Mediterranean island nation.

Hundreds of people turned up FOR A PROTEST VIGIL OUTSIDE THE PRESI-

Polish blogger Eva zu Beck poses in the front seat of a decorated truck during her trip to Chilas, Pakistan, a small town in the country’s northern mountainous region called Gilgit.

Decorated trucks are among the attractions in the region.

AFP PHOTO

BULLET-HIT PALESTINIAN DIES

4 KILLED IN SEATTLE CRANE FALL SEATTLE: A construction crane fell from a building on Google’s new Seattle campus during a storm that brought wind gusts, crashing down onto one of the city’s busiest streets and killing four people. One female and three males had died by the time firefighters had arrived Saturday afternoon, Fire Chief Harold Scoggins said. Two of the dead were ironworkers who had been inside the crane while the other two were people who were inside cars, Fire Department spokesman Lance Garland said. A 25-year-old mother and her four-month-old daughter were in a car that was smashed by the crane on its passenger side, and both managed to escape with only minor injuries, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said, calling it a miracle. They and a 28-year-old man were taken to Harborview Medical Center. A fourth person also was injured and treated at the scene.

AP

ILL MODEL DIES AFTER CATWALK SHOW

US QUITS UN ARMS TREATY US President Donald Trump told the National Rifle Association (NRA) he was pulling the country out of an international arms treaty signed in 2013 by former president Barack Obama, but opposed by the NRA and other conservative groups.

Trump told members of the gun lobby at an annual meeting he intends to revoke the status of the US as a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty, which was never ratified by the US Senate. “We’re taking our signature back,� Trump said to thousands of cheering attendees, many wearing red hats emblazoned with the Republican President’s “Make America Great Again� slogan.

GLOBAL TIMES

SPANIARDS VOTE FOR 3RD TIME IN 4 YEARS MADRID: A divided Spain is voting in its third general election in four years, with all eyes on whether the rise of conservative nationalism will allow the right wing to unseat the incumbent prime minister. Pedro SĂĄnchez is set to win the most votes, but his Socialists seem far from scoring a majority in parliament to form a government on their own. The fragmentation of the political landscape is the result of austerity that followed the economic recession, disenchantment with bipartisan politics and the recent rise of far-right populism.

AP

700,000 AT RISK IN MOZAMBIQUE FLOODS PEMBA, Mozambique: At least 700,000 people are at risk in massive flooding in many parts of northern Mozambique that were hit by Cyclone Kenneth three days ago. Mozambique’s government has urged many people to immediately seek higher ground, fearing flooding and mudslides in the days ahead. It said at least five people had died since the storm arrived Thursday evening with the force of a Category 4 hurricane. Heavy rain is falling in the region’s main city of Pemba, which has lost power. Aerial photos Saturday showed several coastal communities flattened by the storm in northernmost Cabo Delgado province.

AP

Man wanted for 5 deaths arrested WESTMORELAND, Tenn.: !N OFkCER IN rural Tennessee shot the suspect in THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE DISCOVERY OF kVE BODIES IN TWO HOMES

capping an hours-long manhunt on Saturday that ended with his capture.

4ENNESSEE "UREAU OF )NVESTIGATION 4") SPOKESMAN *OSH $E6INE SAID -ICHAEL #UMMINS

WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY THAT NIGHT ABOUT A MILE KILOMETERS AWAY FROM ONE OF THE 3UMNER #OUNTY crime scenes. g#UMMINS WAS SHOT AFTER HE EMERGED FROM THE WOODS IS BELIEVED TO HAVE PRODUC ED MULTIPLE weapons and the situation escalatED u $E6INE SAID #UMMINS WAS

RELAXATION

dential palace Friday to mourn the VICTIMS AND TO QUESTION IF AUTHORITIES FAILED TO ADEQUATELY INVESTIGATE WHEN WOMEN WHO WORKED AS HOUSEKEEPERS OR IN LOW PAYING jobs were reported missing. )N A POIGNANT MOMENT A GROUP OF tearful Filipino women held lighted candles and bowed their heads in prayer for the three women and ONE GIRL OF &ILIPINO DESCENT WHO ARE BELIEVED TO BE AMONG THE DEAD 4HE CHILD IS THE SIX YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OF THE kRST WOMAN FOUND AT THE MINE -ARY 2OSE 4IBURCIO

"OTH HAD BEEN MISSING SINCE May of last year. )NVESTIGATORS ZEROED IN ON THE captain as a suspect based on online chat communications between him and Tiburcio during a SIX MONTH RELATIONSHIP #YPRIOT MEDIA HAVE IDENTIkED THE OTHER VICTIM FROM THE MINESHAFT AS YEAR OLD !RIAN 0ALANAS ,OZANO ALSO FROM THE 0HILIPPINES AP/GLOBAL TIMES

1 killed, 3 injured in California shooting

NICE TRUCK

JERUSALEM: A Palestinian shot by Israeli police in an alleged April 20 knife attack died of his wounds a week later, the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. It named him as Omar Awni Younes, 20, and said he died in an Israeli hospital near Tel Aviv on Saturday evening. Police said at the time that he had “approached officers with a knife� near the Tapuach Junction military checkpoint outside Nablus in the occupied West Bank. A police statement said that the “terrorist was shot and injured,� but no police officers were hurt.

AFP

RIO de Janeiro: A model participating in Sao Paulo’s Fashion Week has died after getting sick and falling on the catwalk. A statement from organizers said Tales Soares took ill Saturday while in a parade of fashion brand Ocksa. A medical team attended to him on the catwalk and Soares was later taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The statement did not provide more details. Daily Folha de S. Paulo reported that Soares tripped on his shoelace and fell. According to the paper, people in the crowd initially thought his fall was part of a performance.

AP

B9

being treated at a local hospital for WHAT S BELIEVED TO BE NO LIFE THREATENING INJURIES $E6INE ADDED .ONE OF THE RESPONDING OFkCERS were injured.

TBI’s airplane was able to HELP AUTHORITIES SPOT #UMMINS ON THE GROUND IN A CREEK BED

$E6INE SAID A number of law enforcement agencies had been searching for #UMMINS SAYING HE COULD BE armed and dangerous. “The community should hopefully be able to rest a little bit easier TONIGHT KNOWING THAT ;#UMMINS= IS IN CUSTODY TONIGHT u $E6INE SAID 0OLICE SAID OFkCERS RESPONDING to a 911 call from a family member

LED TO THE ORIGINAL DISCOVERY OF FOUR bodies and an injured person at THE kRST HOME 4HE INJURED VICTIM was transported to the hospital WITH UNSPECIkED INJURIES 4HE kFTH body was found in another home.

4HE 4") BELIEVES THE TWO SCENES were related. !UTHORITIES HAVE NOT RELEASED ANY DETAILS ABOUT THE VICTIMS 4HEY ALSO HAVE NOT SAID WHAT KIND OF weapon was used.

4") WAS INVESTIGATING THE DEATHS AND THE OFkCER INVOLVED SHOOTING

$E6INE SAID 3UMNER #OUNTY IS NORTHEAST OF .ASHVILLE AND BORDERS +ENTUCKY The slaying were near the town of 7ESTMORELAND AP

People walk on a platform at a beach in Lhokseudu near Banda Aceh, Indonesia. AFP PHOTO

POWAY, Calif.: A 19-year-old gunman OPENED kRE INSIDE A SYNAGOGUE near San Diego as worshippers celebrated the last day of a major *EWISH HOLIDAY KILLING A WOMAN and wounding the rabbi and two OTHERS 3ATURDAY 3UNDAY IN -ANILA AUTHORITIES SAID US President Donald Trump AND OTHER ELECTED OFkCIALS DECRIED what they called an anti-Semitic ATTACK EXACTLY SIX MONTHS SINCE PEOPLE WERE KILLED AT A 0ITTSBURGH synagogue in the deadliest assault on Jews in US history.

There were indications an ARTYPE ASSAULT WEAPON MIGHT HAVE MALFUNCTIONED AFTER THE GUNMAN

IDENTIkED AS *OHN %ARNEST kRED numerous rounds inside the #HABAD OF 0OWAY 3AN $IEGO #OUNTY 3HERIFF 7ILLIAM 'ORE SAID An off-duty Border Patrol agent WORKING AS A SECURITY GUARD kRED AT THE SHOOTER AS HE RAN AWAY MISSING HIM BUT STRIKING HIS GETAWAY VEHICLE 3AN $IEGO #OUNTY 3HERIFF 7ILLIAM 'ORE SAID 3HORTLY AFTER lEEING %ARNEST CALLED TO REPORT THE SHOOTING 3AN $IEGO 0OLICE CHIEF $AVID .ISLEIT SAID 7HEN AN OFkCER REACHED HIM ON A ROADWAY

gTHE SUSPECT PULLED OVER JUMPED OUT of his car with his hands up and was IMMEDIATELY TAKEN INTO CUSTODY u .ISLEIT SAID The sheriff said a girl and two MEN INCLUDING THE RABBI WERE wounded as the Jewish congregaTION GATHERED FOR 0ASSOVER A WEEKLONG COMMEMORATION OF THE DELIVerance of the ancient Hebrews from SLAVERY IN %GYPT 4HE THREE WERE IN stable condition at hospitals.

A Jewish leader in the San Diego AREA IDENTIkED THE VICTIMS OF THE shooting. ,ORI +AYE

OF 0OWAY WAS KILLED 2ABBI 9ONAH &RADKIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF #HABAD OF 3AN $IEGO #OUNTY SAID IN A STATEMENT Those injured in the shooting 3ATURDAY WERE 2ABBI 9ISROEL 'OLDSTEIN .OYA $AHAN

AND !LMOG 0ERETZ

HE SAID “In the face of senseless hate we COMMIT TO LIVE PROUDLY AS *EWS IN THIS GLORIOUS COUNTRY u &RADKIN SAID g7E STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT LOVE IS EXPONENTIALLY MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE 7E ARE DEEPLY SHAKEN BY THE LOSS OF A TRUE WOMAN OF VALOR

,ORI +AYE WHO LOST HER LIFE SOLELY FOR LIVING AS A *EW u %ARNEST HAS NO CRIMINAL RECORD

BUT INVESTIGATORS WERE LOOKING into a claim he made in an online manifesto about setting fire at A MOSQUE IN NEARBY %SCONDIDO LAST MONTH 'ORE SAID 4HERE WAS damage but no injuries.

AP

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MONDAY April 29, 2019

Special Feature

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

PART 1: THE BASICS

What you should know about financial literacy Wise financial decision is a skill that everyone should learn early in life

BY MARIFE T. REMO

F

INANCIAL literacy is the key to sound kNANCIAL HEALTH ,EARN ITS BASICS AND WITH PRACTICE BE SET FOR LIFE

-AKING WISE kNANCIAL DECISIONS IS A SKILL THAT EVERYONE SHOULD LEARN EARLY ON IN LIFE (AVING kNANCIAL ACUMEN BRINGS ABOUT A COMFORTABLE LIFE AND ITS ULTIMATE GOAL ‡ YEARS OF WORRY FREE RETIREMENT (ERE IN THE 0HILIPPINES CERTAIN LAWS ARE ENACTED TO ENSURE THAT THE &ILIPINO YOUTH ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS TO SMOOTHLY NAVIGATE THE kNANCIAL ASPECT OF LIFE %NACTED IN 2EPUBLIC !CT 2! NO IS g!N !CT 0ROMOTING %NTREPRENEURSHIP AND &INANCIAL %DUCATION !MONG &ILIPINO 9OUTH u 7HILE 2 ! NO IS ALSO KNOWN AS g!N !CT $ECLARING THE 3ECOND 7EEK OF .OVEMBER %VERY 9EAR AS %CONOM IC AND &INANCIAL ,ITERACY 7EEK u !SIDE FROM PROMOTING kNANCIAL AWARENESS BOTH LAWS ARE CREATED TO ENCOURAGE LEARNERS TO FURTHER HONE THEIR kNANCIAL SKILLS THROUGH EDUCATION AND SPECIAL TRAININGS &INANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS BANKS HAVE ALSO TAKEN ON THE CHALLENGE TO PROMOTE FINANCIAL EDUCATION IN THE COUNTRY "$/ &OUNDATION THE CORPORATE RESPON SIBILITY ARM OF "$/ 5NIBANK CRE ATES kNANCIAL LITERACY VIDEOS AND EDUCATION MATERIALS FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN AND OVERSEAS &ILIPINO WORKERS "ANK OF THE 0HILIPPINE )SLAND S "0) &OUNDATION HAS THE g-ANNY -Eu PROGRAM THAT INTEGRATES kNANCIAL MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS IN ELEMENTARY SUBJECTS &OR WORKING INDIVIDUALS AND EVEN MOMS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR kNANCES IT S NOT TOO LATE TO BE COME PROkCIENT MONEYWISE (ERE ARE SOME BASIC CONCEPTS TO HELP YOU GET YOUR kNANCIAL ACT TOGETHER

Components of financial literacy -ASTERING kNANCIAL LITERACY IS A DAUNTING TASK EVEN FOR SOME WHO ARE ALREADY WAY UP IN THE COR PORATE LADDER -AKING kNANCIAL DECISIONS CAN BE EASIER WHEN YOU BREAK DOWN THE CONCEPT OF PER SONAL kNANCES INTO THE FOLLOWING BUILDING BLOCKS %ARNING AND BUDGETING &IRST IT IS IMPORTANT TO ASK WHERE

DOES YOUR MONEY COME FROM AND WHERE DOES IT GO )DENTIFYING SOURC ES OF INCOME NOT JUST YOUR SALARY AND LAYING DOWN kXED AND VARIABLE EXPENSES ARE TWO IMPORTANT STEPS IN CREATING AND MAINTAINING AN IDEAL BUDGET PLAN THAT SUITS YOUR LIFESTYLE )T DOES NOT TAKE A -ATH GENIUS TO TRACK WHAT COMES AND GOES 3INCE VIRTUALLY EVERY PERSON HAS A MO BILE PHONE THERE ARE LOTS OF APPS OUT THERE TO HELP YOU DEVELOP THAT BUDGETING HABIT Saving and investing 4HERE ARE A LOT OF kNANCIAL IN STITUTIONS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU SAVE AND INVEST YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY ‡ TAKE AD VANTAGE OF IT 7HEN IT COMES TO SAVINGS REMEMBER THAT A PAYROLL ACCOUNT IS DIFFERENT FROM A SAVINGS ACCOUNT AND A SAVINGS ACCOUNT IS DIFFERENT FROM AN EMERGENCY FUND 3EGREGATING YOUR EARNINGS GIVES YOU AN OVERVIEW OF YOUR SPENDING POWER m THAT GIVES YOU CONTROL OVER YOUR OWN MONEY AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND -OST PEOPLE DEEM SAVING AS RESTRICTIVE WHEN IT ESSENTIALLY BOOSTS kNANC ES IN THE LONG RUN )T MAKES YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF INTEREST WHICH IN TURN WILL LEAD YOU TO EXPLORE INVESTING AND THIS CAN BE GOOD FOR YOUR RETIREMENT PLANS Spending /NE S SPENDING HABITS IS LIKE A 0ANDORA S "OX OF CASH OUTlOW THAT WHEN DIVULGED CAN BE A SOURCE OF GREAT ANXIETY AND EMBARRASSMENT 3PENDING REQUIRES THE HARDEST PULL OF THE REINS WHEN CREATING A BUD GET PLAN &IXED EXPENSES ARE THE CONSTANT ONES LIKE RENT AND MOBILE PHONE PLANS 4HE VARIABLE EXPENSES GO UP AND DOWN THEY COME AND GO LIKE HAIRCUTS AND CONCERT TICKETS 4HESE EXPENDITURES ARE PRETTY MUCH CONSTANT WHICH MAKES IT EASY FOR THEM TO MAINTAIN "UT THEN THERE ARE THE IN BETWEENS YOUR 7!.43 AND .%%$3 )T S NOT THAT HARD TO CATEGORIZE )S A MAJOR HOME RENOVA TION NECESSARY WHEN YOU JUST NEED A SIMPLE PAINT JOB TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR HOME 4AKING CONTROL OF YOUR SPENDING ALLOWS FOR GREAT SAVING AND INVESTING OPPORTUNITIES

Borrowing "ORROWING MONEY IS NEVER A BAD THING )TS SIMPLE PURPOSE IS TO HELP INCREASE YOUR ASSETS AND WHEN HAN DLED PROPERLY CAN BECOME A MEANS TO ACCUMULATE WEALTH AND NOT BAD DEBT ,OANS USED AS SEED MONEY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES HOUSING REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND EVEN EDUCATIONAL LOANS ARE EXAMPLES OF HOW BORROWING CAN BE USED TO YOUR kNANCIAL ADVAN TAGE /N THE OTHER HAND BORROWERS WITHOUT DEkNITE PAYMENT PLANS CAN GO ON A DOWNWARD SPIRAL ACCRUING MORE DEBT THAN ASSETS Protecting !FTER BUILDING UP EVERYTHING IT S NOW TIME TO SECURE YOUR kNANCIAL PLAN )N THIS MODERN AGE EVERYTHING IS DIGITAL ‡ EVEN STEALING 4RANSACTING ONLINE MAKE kNANCIAL DUTIES MORE CONVENIENT AND IT ALSO MAKES YOUR kNANCIAL INFORMATION MORE VULNER ABLE TO FRAUD 0REVENTATIVE MEASURES ARE ADVISED SUCH SIMPLY CHANGING YOUR PASSWORDS REGULARLY OR LIMITING ONLINE TRANSACTIONS )NSURANCE IS ALSO ONE WAY TO PROTECT YOUR kNANCES 5NEXPECT ED LIFE EVENTS CAN TAKE A CHUNK OFF YOUR LIFE SAVINGS IF YOU RE NOT PREPARED 4HERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INSURANCE THERE S ONE FOR LIFE

HEALTH DISABILITY RETIREMENT AND MORE 4HERE S EVEN A TYPE OF INSUR

“

ANCE CALLED IDENTITY THEFT THAT PRO 2ELEVANT 4IME "OUND %SCALATING LIES IN MINDLESS CONSUMPTION IT VIDES SECURITY IN CASE YOU BECOME AND 2EWARDING WHEN ESTABLISH ALWAYS TURNS INTO EXCESSIVE CON ING PERSONAL AND kNANCIAL GOALS SUMPTION u HE ADDS A VICTIM OF CYBERCRIME OR FRAUD !NALYZING YOUR FINANCES HELPS 3AVING UP IS ALWAYS A BETTER YOU SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE AND THE IDEA "EEN EYEING A HIGH TICKET The road to financial stability and well-being AREAS THAT NEED TO BE ADJUSTED ITEM BUT CAN T AFFORD IT NOW 3AVE REDUCED ADDED OR RELOCATED FOR IT INSTEAD OF CHOOSING TO SWIPE YOUR CREDIT CARD .EVER SPEND 9OU MIGHT BE RECEIVING THE SALARY MONEY THAT YOU DON T HAVE OF YOUR DREAMS RIGHT NOW BUT How to manage, WITHOUT kNANCIAL KNOW HOW IT IS minimize and ultimately NOT IMPOSSIBLE THAT YOU LIVE FROM eliminate debt Keys to efficient PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK AND INCUR budgeting RING MASSIVE DEBTS &INANCIAL LIT $EBTS CAN BE HARMLESS IF YOU HAVE ERACY CAN BE SELF TAUGHT ,IFE GOALS A WELL DEkNED PAYMENT PLAN AND "UDGETING IS BUT A SIMPLE SKILL THAT ESPECIALLY THOSE OF THE kNANCIAL A PLAN " TO BACK IT UP "UT FOR OUT CAN HELP YOU REMAIN ON TOP OF YOUR KIND CAN BE EASILY ATTAINED WHEN STANDING DEBTS IT IS ALWAYS GOOD kNANCES 4HE GOOD THING ABOUT IT IS YOU ARE kNANCIALLY INDEPENDENT TO GIVE YOURSELF DUE TIME TO PAY YOU CAN CUSTOMIZE IT ACCORDING TO 4HE INTERNET IS FRAUGHT WITH IN EVERYTHING OFF BEFORE JUMPING YOUR PREFERENCES AND YOUR LIFESTYLE FORMATION ON kNANCIAL LITERACY AND INTO ANOTHER kNANCIAL COMMIT +EEP EVERYTHING SIMPLE )T S EASIER ONE CAN EASILY LEARN "UT -OTIVATING MENT "EING IMPULSIVE CAN THROW TO STICK TO A SIMPLE BUDGET PLAN THAN -INDS #%/ AND kNANCIAL PLANNING YOU OFF YOUR BUDGETING STRATEGY A COMPLICATED ONE LECTURER -ELVIN %STEBAN ENCOURAGES AND CAN EVENTUALLY DESTROY YOUR g0ERSONA L BUDGET ING ‡ IS INDIVIDUALS TO ALWAYS SEEK THE HELP MOTIVATION TO STAY IN THE PATH OF ALL ABOUT UNDERSTANDING YOUR OF A kNANCIAL PLANNER g! kNANCIAL kNANCIAL INDEPENDENCE MONEY 4HIS ALLOWS YOU TO CON PLANNER HELPS INDIVIDUALS MEET #HRISTOPHER #ERVANTES ALSO A TROL AND MANAGE YOUR kNANCES THEIR MEDIUM AND LONG TERM kNAN kNANCIAL PLANNING LECTURER AND PROPERLY AS WELL AS LETS YOU HAVE CIAL GOALS WHILE BALANCING IT WITH AUTHOR OF FINANCIAL PLANNING A BETTER CHANCE OF ATTAINING YOUR HIS SHORT TERM NEEDS BY USING THE BOOKS SUGGESTS AVOIDING CON FINANCIAL GOALS u -R %STEBAN kNANCIAL PLANNING PROCESS (E IS SUMERISM -ALLS SPROUTING EVERY EXPLAINS (E SUGGESTS TO PRACTICE TASKED TO ANALYZE YOUR STATUS AND WHERE AND THE BOOMING BUSINESS 0,!.4 IN BUDGETING 0REPARE SET UP A PROGRAM TO HELP MEET THOSE OF ONLINE RETAIL LEAVES CONSUMERS AND ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE ,AY GOALS AND MONITOR THEM IN A TIMELY RESTLESS (AVING SO MANY OPTIONS DOWN YOUR PLAN !DJUST IF NEED MANNER u HE EXPLAINS TO SPEND YOUR PESO BRINGS ABOUT BE .OTE YOUR EARNINGS AND EX !S A kNANCIAL PLANNER HIMSELF STRESS AND ACTS AS A MAGNET NOT PENSES AND 4RACK YOUR PROGRESS %STEBAN ADVISES 3-!24%2 3PE ONLY FOR HOARDING STUFF BUT ALSO 3EEING THAT PLANT GROW MUST BE CIFIC -EASURABLE !TTAINABLE DEBT ACCUMULATION g4HE PROBLEM THE MOST REWARDING FEELING

You might be receiving the salary of your dreams right now but without financial know-how, it is not impossible that you live from paycheck to paycheck and incurring massive debts. Financial literacy can be self-taught. Life goals especially those of the financial kind, can be easily attained when you are financially independent.

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Special Feature

MONDAY April 29, 2019

B11

The P100 challenge:

A simple way to save money every month There are many ways to save money. Just Google “saving tips” and the search engine will turn up about 4,430,000,000 results in just 0.74 seconds.

Going through billions of results may take a while so it’s a good idea to be practical and make things simple. This is where the P100 challenge comes in. The idea behind it is simple: save at least P100 a month for a rainy day or for a better financial future.

While the P100 challenge may sound new, it’s not. In fact, the idea behind it has been around since the 1980s. And if you’re employed, there’s a good chance that you’re already doing it.

If you check your pay slip, you’ll see that P100 goes to Home Development Mutual Fund, more popularly known as PagIBIG Fund, every month. While these fall under deductions or contributions, the P100 is actually your savings! The amount is saved in Pag-IBIG Fund under your name. Think of it like a deposit account - but with better terms.

What differs your Pag-IBIG savings from a deposit account are three things – employer counterpart, high returns, and government backing. The employer counterpart simply means that, under Republic Act No. 9679 (Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009), your employer is required to match your P100 Pag-IBIG savings which effectively doubles it to P200 per month.

Your savings then earns high returns because Pag-IBIG Fund declares dividends annually. For 2018, Pag-IBIG Fund declared dividends at 6.91 percent, higher than what your money will earn from most savings or investment programs.

Also, the earnings are tax-free as prescribed under the same

law. When your Pag-IBIG Savings mature in 20 years, all of it – along with the dividends it has earned – will be given back to you.

Lastly, your Pag-IBIG Savings is virtually safe from risk. The benefits of Pag-IBIG Fund prescribed under RA 9679, including the savings, are guaranteed by the Philippine government.

This means that Pag-IBIG Savings are protected in full.

Now, you may be surprised to know that Pag-IBIG Savings remain unchanged for more than three decades. The minimum was set at P100 in 1980s. These days, P100 doesn’t sound much, especially when you consider that fast food meals and a cup of barista-prepared or tapioca-laden drink costs a lot more. Setting aside P100 a month may not be challenging at all.

So, you may want to consider saving more than P100 a month in Pag-IBIG Fund. While the law set a minimum amount for Pag-IBIG Savings, there is actually no maximum amount. Thus, you can save as much as you want.

Saving more means taking full advantage of its high returns with zero risk.

Doing so should cause no hassle at all. All you have to do is to talk to you HR officer or visit any of the 133 branches of Pag-IBIG Fund and tell them that you want to increase your savings.

Remember, the small amount you save with Pag-IBIG Fund every month can make a big impact on your future. So, if you want to grow your savings for the future, challenge yourself now and save more.

World Sri Lanka bans groups linked to bombings S B12

MONDAY April 29, 2019

RI Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena banned the National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) and another radical group suspected to be behind the Easter Sunday explosions, which killed over 250 people and injured 500, the President’s /FkCE SAID IN A STATEMENT The statement said that under the emergency regulations, President Sirisena had taken steps to declare the NTJ and Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) in Sri Lanka as banned organizations.

4HE OFkCE OF 3IRISENA SAID IN A statement Saturday evening that NTJ and JMI would be banned by presidential decree.

Presidential spokesman Dharmasri Ekanayake said the move

allowed the government to conkSCATE ANY PROPERTY BELONGING TO the two organizations. “As such, all activities of those organizations as well as their property will be seized by the government.

Steps are being taken to ban other EXTREMIST ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING IN Sri Lanka, under Emergency Regulations,� the statement added.

President Sirisena declared a conditional state of emergency

last Tuesday to arrest all the suspected terrorists who were behind Sunday’s attacks, which targeted CHURCHES AND LUXURY HOTELS The police said over 100 suspects had been arrested so far and a massive search operation was underway to detain more suspects, linked to the NTJ and other radical groups operating in the country.

President Sirisena said on Friday that there were about 140 people in Sri Lanka suspected to have links to the Islamic State group and assured all would be arrested in the coming days.

The president’s order came a day afTER BODIES INCLUDING SIX children, have been found after a raid in east Sri Lanka on militants

linked to the Easter bombings.

4HE EXTREMISTS DETONATED A POWerful bomb upon sensing that Sri Lankan commandos were present to assault their safehouse on Friday night. !FTER THE EXPLOSION A kERCE GUNkGHT HAPPENED BETWEEN THE EXTREMists and commando forces Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara gave the figures early 3UNDAY AFTER THE GUNkGHT The gunbattle began Friday night after police tipped off soldiers to a suspected safe house, where authorities say the miliTANTS SET OFF THREE EXPLOSIONS AND OPENED kRE !T LEAST THREE OTHERS were wounded in the attack.

Gunasekara says some of the dead were likely militants, who blew themselves up in suicide bombings. AP/GLOBAL TIMES

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10 killed in severe floods in Indonesia JAKARTA: At least 10 people are dead and eight were missing after days OF HEAVY RAIN TRIGGERED lOODS AND landslides on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, authorities said Sunday.

Some 12,000 people had been evacuated, while hundreds of buildings, bridges and roads had been damaged by the severe weather, which affected nine districts or towns across "ENGKULU PROVINCE OFkCIALS SAID The waters have receded in some PLACES BUT OFkCIALS WARNED THE FULL EXtent of the damage was not yet known and some areas were still cut off. “The impact of this disaster may increase,� National Disaster Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said, adding that several people were ALSO INJURED IN THE lOODING g,ANDSLIDES AND lOODS COULD HAPpen again if rainfall is high,� he said.

A “secondary disaster� in the form of skin diseases and acute respiratory infection due to poor hygiene and a lack of clean water was possible, he added.

Aerial images showed swollen rivers that had burst their banks and inundated settlements in some parts of the province.

Public kitchens and evacuation shelters have been set up to cater to some 13,000 people affected

BY THE lOODING WHILE SEARCH AND rescue teams try to reach hard-hit areas with rubber boats. “The distribution of aid has been hampered because road acCESS HAS BEEN CUT OFF BY THE lOODS and landslides,� Nugroho said, ADDING THAT EXCAVATORS WERE BEING used to clear debris from roads. ,ANDSLIDES AND lOODS ARE COMMON in Indonesia, especially during the monsoon season between October and April, when rains lash the vast Southeast Asian archipelago.

Flooding in parts of the Indonesian capital Jakarta this week killed at least two people and forced more than 2000 to evacuate their homes.

AFP

Myanmar legalizes cannabis-growing YANGON, Myanmar: The arrest of an American man in Myanmar for growing 20 acres of cannabis plants is unjust because authorities were aware that his company was doing scientific research and police were confusing hemp with recreational marijuana, his lawyer said Friday.

Lawyer Thein Than Oo said John Fredric Todoroki and the III M Global .UTRACEUTICAL #O HAD RECEIVED OFkCIAL permission for their activity, which he described as research. “This company rented the land AND IS RUNNING ITS LABORATORY OFkcially,� he said. “Their intention is to do research, not to sell or distribute. If their research goes well, they will work with the government.�

Myanmar’s anti-drug agency says Todoroki and two Myanmar citizens were arrested after police raided the plantation on an industrial estate in the country’s central Mandalay region.

Police found what they said were about 349,300 marijuana plants, 5,200 seedlings, 380 kilograms (838 pounds) of marijuana seeds, 1,804 grams (64

ounces) of marijuana oil, and chemicals and equipment for processing the plants into CBD or cannabidiol, a NON INTOXICATING COMPOUND THAT MANY BELIEVE HAS HEALTH BENEkTS Police said they were also seeking to ARREST !LEXANDER 3KEMP 4ODOROKI )T S unclear where the Todorokis, believed to be father and son, last lived in the US. Hemp can be grown legally in many countries, and it is often used for making CBD products. Marijuana is another form of cannabis and a source of CBD. But it has psychoactive effects, causing a high.

Myanmar law does not distinguish between the two, and the suspects face criminal charges that could land THEM IN PRISON FOR kVE TO YEARS OR more, depending on what charges are FORMALLY kLED AGAINST THEM Neighboring Thailand in December legalized the regulated production and sale of cannabis products for medical purposes, responding in part to a growing informal market for such items. In the country’s recent election, a major party advocated liberalizing marijuana LAWS MORE TO BENEkT FARMERS AP

Iran FM sets state visit to NKorea TEHRAN, Iran: Iran’s Foreign minister says he would visit North Korea as both countries struggle under US sanctions.

Iran’s official IRNA news agency on Sunday quoted Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that the visit is being planned and a date would be announced soon.

The US has ramped up sanctions on Iran since President Donald Trump

withdrew from its 2015 nuclear accord with world powers last year. The US has tightened sanctions on North Korea to try to persuade it to give up its nuclear weapons.

An Iranian parliamentary delegation visited North Korea in December, and North Korea’s top diplomat, Ri Yong Ho, visited Iran in August.

AP

POLITICIAN’S TOUCH

Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Amritsar’s Parliament seat Hardeep Singh Puri (center) greets voters during a morning walk at Ram Bagh Garden in Amritsar, India, the day before the fourth phase of India’s six-week general elections. AFP PHOTO

Heat forces Cambodia to shift school hours EDUCATION Minister Hang Chuon Naron sent a directive to all municipal and provincial education department directors on Thursday, April 25, ordering them to shift school hours during the dry season. “I want to inform all department directors that during the dry season of 2019‌ temperatures can reach over 40 degrees Celsius (105 Fahrenheit), especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.,â€? Naron said.

To reduce the risks the heat wave presents to teachers

and pupils, especially the younger ones, the ministry has proposed new school hours: Morning classes will be held from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and afternoon classes from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

4HE MINISTER EXPLAINED “Once the weather gets back to normal, all institutions will FOLLOW THE EXISTING SCHEDULE u which is: Morning sessions from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., and afternoon sessions from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

In Monday’s seminar on

the Kingdom’s ability to meet global standards in e-learning, held by the National Assembly and the Education Ministry, the minister reported that his ministry was unable to equip all schools with fans or airconditions, and asked for the cooperation from the guardians during the hot season.

The Labor Ministry also addressed the seasonal temperatures in its appeal from Friday. “In order to protect people’s health during the hot period, we remind all workers

and company owners to follow the instructions released by relevant ministries.�

It is advised to drink as much water as possible, even without feeling thirsty; not to drink alcoholic or sugared beverages as they are diuretic — they cause the body to lose water; to avoid DIRECT EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT BY wearing a wide-brimmed hat, or using an umbrella; and to apply ample amounts of sunscreen and wear thin airy clothes if one must go outside.

KHMER TIMES

VIETNAM HOT AIR BALLOON SHOW WOOS FANS Suu Kyi HUE, Vietnam: Rainbow-colored hot air balloons ferried giddy visitors over Vietnam’s ancient city of Hue on Sunday for a festival organizers hope would KICKSTART A PASSION FOR lYING IN THE TOURIST HOTSPOT Several balloons — including one shaped as an octopus and another as a heart — offered aerial views of the former capital’s sprawling stone citadel, which was once the seat of Vietnam’s emperors.

It is not a journey for the faint of heart. “When the balloon started to go up, I was buzzing and I could see the full view of Hue,� tourist Ha Anh Ngoc told the Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Hue is one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting some 4.3 million visitors last year.

Most visitors travel by foot or cycle rickshaw to see the city’s ancient pagodas, imperial tombs and citadel, which still bears damage from intense kGHTING DURING THE 6IETNAM 7AR Balloon enthusiasts are hoping to change that. “I really hope hot air ballooning will be more popular and closer to Vietnamese people,� said Vo Ngoc Ha, one of the organisers of the third annual festival.

At $280 for a 40-minute jaunt into the skies, hot air balloon rides remain out of reach for most.

Some visitors at Sunday’s festival opted instead for a tethered ride for about $6, while others enJOYED THE EVENT FROM THE GROUND SNAPPING SELkES as the balloons soared over the city.

Dutch pilot Wout Bakker, who has come to the FESTIVAL EVERY YEAR SINCE IT WAS kRST HELD IN

said he had seen a gradual uptick in interest in hot air ballooning, which he hopes would grow AFP further.

SELFIE TIME

A woman takes a selfie inside a hot air balloon during a hot air balloon festival in the central Vietnamese city of Hue. AFP PHOTO

to visit Cambodia

THE Cambodia Foreign Ministry announced that Aung San Suu Kyi, state counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (formerly "URMA WOULD PAY AN OFkCIAL VISIT TO Cambodia from April 29 to May 1.

As stated in a statement, Suu Kyi will have separate audiences with King Norodom Sihamoni and the Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk at the Royal Palace.

Courtesy calls on Say Chhum, president of the Senate, and Heng Samrin, president of the National Assembly, are also planned, as are bilateral talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen. Suu Kyi will also lay wreaths at the Independence Monument and at the monument of the King-Father, and to top off her visit, she will go to see the temples in Siem Reap province.

(ER OFkCIAL VISIT TO #AMBODIA WILL STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE BILATERAL bonds of friendship and cooperation, as well as those within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations framework.

Hun Sen said that Suu Kyi, who is also Myanmar’s Foreign Affairs Minister, WOULD lY DIRECTLY TO 0HNOM 0ENH FROM Beijing, after attending the Belt and Road Forum in China. KHMER TIMES

MONDAY APRIL 29, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

Battle for dominance, battle for relevance T

HE Golden State Warriors have won THEIR kRST ROUND SERIES

and everything is back to normal in the NBA world. They will face THE (OUSTON 2OCKETS a team that many per CEIVE IS THE BIGGEST THREAT TO A THIRD STRAIGHT TITLE RUN There are some slight differences. This is not the Con FERENCE &INALS JUST THE SEMIkNALS )T IS HARD TO IMAGINE THAT THE (OUSTON 2OCKETS PURPOSEFULLY SLIPPED TO THE TH SEED IN ORDER TO GET AN EARLY SHOT AT THE 7ARRIORS BUT FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES THEY HAVE SLIGHTLY BETTER ODDS AT least they start off being the “fresher” team.

4HE 2OCKETS HAVE TO THANK THE ,OS !NGELES #LIPPERS FOR THAT %XPECTATIONS WERE HEAVY THAT THE 7ARRIORS WOULD BE THE kRST TO BOOK THE TICKET 4HIS SEASON SHOULD HAVE BEEN JUST A STOPOVER FOR THE #LIPPERS WHILE THIS COULD BE THE END OF THE 7ARRIORS AS THE JUGGERNAUT WE HAVE KNOWN THEM TO BE

BASKETBALL SLEUTH

MICHAEL ANGELO B. ASIS

Kevin Durant’s reminder 'AME 3IX OF THE 7ARRIORS #LIPPERS SERIES SERVED AS +$ S NOTICE TO THE REST OF THE LEAGUE AND TO HIS OWN TEAM g) AM STILL THE MOST DOMINANT SCORER IN THIS LEAGUE u 4HERE COULD BE A DOZEN DIFFERENT SUBTITLES TO THAT STATEMENT

LIKE gYOU WON T WIN WITHOUT MEu AND g) CAN CARRY A TEAM ON MY SHOULDERS u 7E GET IT +$ 9OU ARE A SPECIAL PLAYER 0ATRICK "EVERLEY AND ,OU 7ILLIAMS SHOWERED +EVIN $U RANT WITH PHRASES WHEN THEY WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR DEFENSE ON +$ )T WAS A BLOOMING DISPLAY OF SPORTSMANSHIP BUT CONSPIRACY THEORISTS MAY CALL IT A RECRUITMENT PITCH g7E RE JUST TOUGH GUYS +$ BUT DEEP INSIDE WE REALLY LOVE YOU u

The best sales pitch 4HE #LIPPERS ACTUALLY MADE THEIR BEST SALES PITCH TO +EVIN $URANT WITH THEIR TWO VICTORIES IN THIS SERIES INCLUDING THE ONE WITH THE HISTORIC COMEBACK 4HIS IS A CLASSY ORGANIZA TION THE OWNER IS TOTALLY SUPPORTIVE DAD DANCING IN THE STANDS AND LOOSE WITH THE PURSE STRINGS )MPRESSIVE AS THIS RUN MAY HAVE BEEN THE GOAL FOR THE #LIPPERS TO BE A VERY different team from what they are now.

4HEY WILL RETAIN SOME OF THE PLAYERS ON THIS RUN 7ILLIAMS IS A NO BRAINER "EVERLEY COULD GET BETTER OFFERS HE IS A FREE AGENT -ONTREZL (ARRELL IS UNDER CONTRACT AND THEY SHOULD KEEP IT THAT WAY FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE 4HEY HAVE GREAT ROOKIE CONTRIBUTORS IN 3HAI 'ILGEOUS !LEXANDER AND ,ANDRY 3HAMET 4HIS IS THE BEST BACKGROUND CAST FOR A SUPERSTAR 4HE #LIPPERS WANT TO BE RELEVANT IN THE SUMMER BUT TO DO SO THEY NEED TO MAKE A STATEMENT SEASON 4HEY HAVE DEkNITELY DONE THAT 4HEY CAN ONLY HOPE THE TOP FREE AGENTS ARE CONVINCED ENOUGH

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Ateneo tames UE, claims Final Four top seeding C2

Nuggets edge Spurs, enter 2nd round L OS ANGELES: Nikola Jokic had a triple-double and Jamal Murray tallied 23 points as the Denver Nuggets punched their ticket to the second round of the NBA playoffs with a 90-86 game seven win over San Antonio.

3ERBIAN *OKIC FINISHED WITH POINTS REBOUNDS AND ASSISTS WHILE -URRAY OF #ANADA FLOATED IN SEVERAL CLUTCH BASKETS WITH THE GAME ON THE LINE AS THE HOST .UG gets won their first game seven in OVER FOUR DECADES 4HE LAST TIME THE .UGGETS WERE VICTORIES IN A DECIDING GAME WAS -AY WHEN THEY BEAT THE -ILWAUKEE "UCKS IN THE PLAYOFF QUARTERkNALS -URRAY SAID EVERYBODY PLAYED A role in helping them get the series VICTORY ON 3ATURDAY “We are hooping and winning GAMES u SAID -URRAY g7E HAVEN T gone this far in a while. g7E WERE ABLE TO CLOSE IT OUT AND IT WAS AN AMAZING EFFORT FROM THE TEAM ALL AROUND u 4HE SECOND SEEDED .UGGETS ADVANCE TO PLAY THE FOURTH SEEDED 0ORTLAND 4RAIL "LAZERS IN THE SEC OND ROUND 'AME ONE IS -ONDAY IN $ENVER 4HE .UGGETS LED WIRE TO WIRE 3ATURDAY BUT HAD TO SWEAT IT OUT AT THE END AS THE 3PURS FOUGHT BACK TO make it close.

San Antonio was at times their own WORST ENEMIES )N THE CLOSING SECONDS OF GAME SEVEN 3PURS COACH 'REGG Popovich walked part way onto the COURT AND YELLED AT HIS PLAYERS TO FOUL BUT THEY IGNORED HIM 0OPOVICH DIDN T GET THE FOUL AND

THE .UGGETS WERE ABLE TO RUN THE clock down and hold on for the series clincher. g(E DIDN T HEAR ANYBODY CAUSE HE DIDN T FOUL u SAID 0OPOVICH OF ,E-ARCUS !LDRIDGE WHO WAS THE closest of the five players TO THE BALL g) THINK both teams sent basketball back IN THE kRST HALF ) WAS SURPRISED people stayed.”

This is the first TIME A 0OPOVICH coached team has lost consec UTIVE SEASONS in the first ROUND 2UDY 'AY HAD POINTS

$E-AR $E2O ZAN AND "RYN Forbes scored EACH AND , A - A R C U S !LDRIDGE HAD POINTS AND RE BOUNDS FOR SEVENTH SEEDED 3PURS &ORBES HIT A THREE POINTER BEFORE $E2OZAN MADE ONE OF TWO FREE throws with 70 seconds left to MAKE IT &ORBES DUNKED AFTER A $ENVER MISS TO MAKE IT A TWO POINT GAME WITH seconds left.

Q Demar Derozan (No. 10) of the San Antonio Spurs duns over Nikola Jokic (No. 15) of the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter during Game Seven of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. AFP PHOTO -URRAY OF 4ORONTO DRAINED A FLOATING FOOTER MAKE IT A FOUR POINT LEAD AND 4ORREY #RAIG BLOCKED $E2OZAN S DRIVE TO THE BASKET WITH SECONDS LEFT g) AM EXTREMELY HAPPY AND PROUD OF MY GUYS u SAID .UGGETS COACH -ICHAEL -ALONE g4HIS WAS A REALLY HARD FOUGHT SERIES )F WE PLAYED THEM

TIMES IT WOULD BE ) LOVE OUR GRIT AND TOUGHNESS TONIGHT 7E NEVER LOST OUR COMPOSURE u )N A SECOND ROUND %AST SERIES OPENER +AWHI ,EONARD SCORED A CA REER PLAYOFF BEST WITH POINTS AND GRABBED REBOUNDS AS THE 4ORONTO 2APTORS DEFEATED THE 0HILADELPHIA ERS AFP

The enthusiasm has been curbed

BLUE EAGLES GUN FOR TOP 2 SPOTS IN ASPIRANTS GROUP

! VIDEO MADE THE ROUNDS OF THE ."! WORLD WHICH FOR MANY SEEMED LIKE THE CONkRMATION THAT $URANT WAS LEAVING )N A -INUTES FEATURE THE 7ARRIORS WERE ASKED ON WHETHER THEY ENVISION THEMSELVES PLAYING FOR ANOTHER TEAM 3TEPH #URRY

!NDRE )GUODALA AND 3HAUN ,IVINGSTON SCOFFED AT THE IDEA BUT +EVIN $URANT AND +LAY 4HOMPSON WERE CURIOUSLY STOIC )S THIS AN OVERREACTION -OST PROBABLY "UT IS IT MEAN INGLESS .OT LIKELY $URANT WILL STILL BE A PROFESSIONAL AND NO LESS THAN THE BEST ACTIVE PLAYER IN THE ."! WILL SHOW UP FOR THE SERIES AGAINST THE 2OCKETS "UT THE gHAPPY TO BE HEREu VIBE IS NO LONGER THERE %VERYONE OUTSIDE THE "AY !REA IS URGING HIM TO DO IT

AS PART OF THEIR g-AKE THE ."! &INALS INTERESTING AGAINu CAMPAIGN ,AST SEASON S #AVS VS 7ARRIORS PART HAD THE lowest ratings in recent Finals history and we all know why.

4HE TOUGHEST BATTLE FOR $URANT AND EVENTUALLY THE 7AR RIORS IS AGAINST THEIR OWN DOMINANCE 7HEN THE TROPHY HAS LOST ITS MEANING YOU NEED ANOTHER REASON TO SOLDIER ON $OMINANCE CAN ACTUALLY LOSE ITS RELEVANCE IF YOU DON T feel like a winner.

3OMETIMES THE FEUDS WITH THE OPPOSING PLAYERS THE PROVO CATIONS CAN MOTIVATE $URANT IT DID WITH THE #LIPPERS AND THE 2OCKETS WOULD BE VERY WILLING TO OBLIGE 4HAT COULD BE THEIR FATAL MISTAKE "UT THEY HAVE MADE IT THEIR OBSESSION TO BEAT THE 7ARRIORS AND THEY WOULDN T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY %NJOY THE SERIES )T LL BE A LONG ONE

#)'.!, !TENEO HAS ITS EYES SET on the top two spots in the Aspi RANTS 'ROUP WHEN IT WRAPS UP ITS eliminations assignment against THE TOUGH #HE ,U "AR AND 'RILL -ONDAY IN THE 0"! $ ,EAGUE AT *#3'/ 'YM IN #UBAO 2IDING A FIVE GAME WIN STREAK AND CARRYING A CARD THE "LUE %AGLES CAN CLINCH A TWICE TO BEAT ADVANTAGE IN THE CROSSOVER QUAR terfinals with a victory over the 2EVELLERS IN THE P M GAME 0LAYOFF POSITIONING HOWEVER IS THE LEAST OF COACH 4AB "ALDWIN S CONCERNS AS HE REMAINS kRM IN HIS desire of constant improvement every game. g7HEN YOU GO THROUGH AN OFFSEA SON YOUR SYSTEM SHOULD GROW 7E DON T DO A LOT OF OUR SYSTEM STUFF IN *ANUARY THROUGH *UNE BUT LITTLE BY LITTLE WE RE INTRODUCING A COUPLE OF different things that we may or may NOT USE LATER ON u HE SAID Those things worked to a tee

Q Cignal-Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena goes for a layup during a game in the 2019 PBA League. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

LAST 4HURSDAY WHEN #IGNAL !TENEO WILL BE COUNTED ON TO LEAD THE kGHT BAMBOOZLED "ATANGAS %!# FOR THE "LUE %AGLES IN THEIR CLOSER

)VORIAN SLOTMAN !NGE +OUAME TOGETHER WITH 4HIRDY 2AVENA AND

BROTHERS -ATT AND -IKE .IETO /N THE OTHER HAND #HE ,U IS JUST INTENT TO GET ITSELF BACK IN THE PLAYOFF RACE AS IT IS ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN WITH ITS SLATE 4HE 2EVELLERS SUFFERED A SHOCK LOSS TO 'O FOR 'OLD #3" LAST !PRIL AND COACH 3TEVENSON 4IU WILL LEAN ON HIS VETERANS *EFF 6IERNES *HAPS "AUTISTA AND *ES SIE #OLLADO AS WELL AS PROMISING UPSTARTS 3EAN -ANGANTI AND 2EY 3UERTE TO SCORE THE UPSET -EANWHILE )RONCON 534 AIMS FOR A REBOUND WIN AGAINST LOWLY -C$AVID AT P M WITH THE Growling Tigers intent on getting back on the winning note after their kRST LOSS OF THE TOURNEY A DEFEAT TO 0ETRON ,ETRAN LAST !PRIL -C$AVID ON THE OTHER HAND

IS JUST OUT TO ERASE ITS FORGETTABLE SHOWING LAST !PRIL IN ITS DEFEAT TO #IGNAL !TENEO WHERE IT RECORDED THE LOWEST SCORING OUTPUT IN LEAGUE HISTORY

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˜ The Manila Times

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MONDAY April 29, 2019

Ateneo tames UE, claims Final Four top seeding

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ

A

TENEO de Manila University grabbed the top seed heading into the Final Four after walloping University of the East (UE), 2520, 27-25, 25-11, in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

3AVE FOR A TIGHT SECOND SET THE ,ADY %AGLES DISPLAYED DOMINANCE ALL THROUGHOUT TO BAG THE .O SPOT WITH A RECORD AT THE END OF THE ELIMINATION ROUND Head coach Oliver Almadro was ELATED TO SEE !TENEO GET THE JOB DONE BUT STRESSED THAT THEIR GOAL IS TO SOAR BACK TO THE kNALS g7E LL WORK HARD AND FOCUS kRST ON THE SEMIkNALS 7E LL PRAY AND work to reach the championship SERIES u SAID !LMADRO g/UR MINDSET NOW IS REALLY TO GET BACK TO THE kNALS u HE ADDED !RMED WITH A TWICE TO BEAT ADVANTAGE !TENEO WILL BATTLE &AR %ASTERN 5NIVERSITY &%5 IN the semifinals regardless of the RESULT OF THE ,ADY 4AMARAWS

GAME AGAINST $E ,A 3ALLE 5NI versity at press time. +AT 4OLENTINO PACED !TENEO WITH POINTS ON EIGHT SPIKES TWO BLOCKS AND AN ACE WHILE -ADDIE -ADAYAG CHIPPED IN MARKERS highlighted by three blocks.

Ponggay Gaston added nine points on eight attacks and an ACE EVEN AS "EA $E ,EON AND *ULES 3AMONTE CONTRIBUTED EIGHT MARK ers apiece in the win.

4HE ,ADY %AGLES RALLIED BACK FROM A DEkCIT IN THE SECOND SET AS $E ,EON CAME UP WITH A KILL BLOCK AND -ADAYAG HIT AN ACE FOR A COMMANDING TWO SET LEAD !TENEO TOOK CARE OF BUSINESS IN THE THIRD FRAME TAKING OFF TO AN ADVANTAGE EN ROUTE TO

the lopsided win.

-EANN -ENDREZ AND GRADUATING SPIKER *UDITH !BIL LED 5% WITH AND POINTS RESPECTIVELY "ESIDES !BIL LIBERO +ATH !RADO

2OSELLE "ALITON ,AI "ENDONG AND Jasmine Alcayde also played their LAST GAME FOR THE ,ADY 7ARRIORS

who closed the season at No. 7 WITH A SLATE -EANWHILE IN MEN S PLAY DE FENDING CHAMPION .ATIONAL 5NI VERSITY .5 ALSO NABBED THE TOP SEED WITH A VENGEFUL VICTORY OVER &%5

!NGELO !LMENDRAS ERUPTED F O R P O I N T S W H I L E " R YA N "AGUNAS AND *AMES .ATIVI DAD CHALKED AND MARK ERS RESPECTIVELY TO HAND THE "ULLDOGS THE TOP SPOT WITH A TH STRAIGHT WIN AGAINST A LOSS 4HE 4AMARAW 3PIKERS STILL kN ISHED AT .O WITH AN CARD !RMED WITH TWICE TO BEAT IN CENTIVES .5 WILL TAKE ON .O !DAMSON 5NIVERSITY WHILE &%5 WILL SQUARE OFF WITH .O !TENEO IN THE SEMIkNALS 4HE "LUE 3PIKERS EARLIER SWEPT THE 3OARING &ALCONS

Amogius, Cabalo win two golds in Arafura Games DARWIN, Australia: Lora Micah Amogius and John Lloyd Cabalo became double gold winners late Saturday night as the Philippines won 10 gold medals in Day 1 of the 2019 Arafura Games here.

Amogius captured gold medals in the 13-14 100m backstroke and the 200m individual medley in swimming, while Cabalo topped the men’s 400m run and the men’s 4x100m relay in athletics to emerge as the first two double gold medalists in the Philippine campaign.

The 13-year-old Amogius clocked one minute, 10.53 seconds in the 100m backstroke, about two seconds ahead of second placer Taila Jane Wilkinson of Western Australia (1:12.19). The Davao City lass also ruled 200m IM with a time of 2:33.63, three seconds adrift of Wilkinson in the event held at the Parap Swimming Pool.

Over at the Marrara Sporting Complex, the 18-year-old Cabalo also won in dominating fashion in the 400m run, crossing the finish line at 50.73 seconds, two seconds ahead of Blair Andrews of Northern Territory (52.08) and Joseph

Q Ateneo de Manila University’s Jules Samonte attacks University of the East’s Seth Rodriguez (No. 7) and Laizah Bendong (No. 14) during the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

PHOTO BY ROGER RAÑADA

Salmon of Northern Territory (52.34).

The National University standout teamed up with Joviane Calixto, Jason Buenacosa, and Romel Bautista to win the 4x100m relay with a time of 43.49 seconds, beating entries from Northern Territory and Malaysia.

The Philippines won six more golds to go along with 12 silvers, and six bronzes in an eventful first day for the country in the multisports competition which is making a return after an eight-year hiatus.

Also winning the gold Saturday were Ivo Nikolai Enot (13-14 men’s 100m backstroke) in swimming, and Abigail Manzano (women’s 3,000m steeplechase), Nicko Caparoso (men’s 3,000m steeplechase), Bruce Fernia (men’s javelin throw), Jessel Lumapas (women’s 400m run), and Mark Anthony Casena (men’s triple jump) in athletics.

Amogius, who also captured the silver in the 200m freestyle medley Saturday, shattered her personal marks in winning the two golds.

Aussie, Kiwi dominate Sun Life 5150 triathlon !5342!,)!. 3AM "ETTEN REPULSED !LEX 0OLIZZI WHILE !MELIA 7ATKINSON FROM New Zealand stamped her class in wom EN S SIDE AS THEY RULED THEIR RESPECTIVE DIVISIONS IN THE INAUGURAL 3UN ,IFE TRIATHLON IN .AGA #ITY #EBU ON 3UNDAY "ETTER WHO HAS RULED A NUMBER RACES IN THE COUNTRY BEFORE YIELDING TO COMPATRIOT -ITCH 2OBINS IN 3UBIC LAST YEAR PULLED AWAY FROM A TIGHT BATTLE WITH 0OLIZZI AFTER THE OPENING SWIM LEG

leaning on a strong bike ride to post a CLOCKING IN THE + SWIM + BIKE + RUN RACE PUT UP BY 3UN ,IFE AND ORGANIZED BY 3UNRISE %VENTS )NC 0OLIZZI CLOCKED FOR SECOND WHILE 2OBINS STRUGGLED IN THE BIKE PART AND WOUND UP THIRD IN WITH $AN "ROWN kNISHING FOURTH IN IN THE MEN S PRO DIVISION OF THE EVENT ALSO HELD to promote a healthy lifestyle among the Filipinos.

7ATKINSON MEANWHILE PUT ON A STRONG SHOWING THAT SAW HER RUN AT THIRD OVERALL BEHIND "ETTEN AND 0OLIZZI AFTER the bike ride.

3HE WENT ON TO SUBMIT A

CLOCKING WAY AHEAD OF (UNGARY S !NNA %BERHARDT WHILE RECENT 3UBIC WINNER -ANAMI )IJIMA OF 'UAM lost steam in the last two stages after a LEAD GRABBING STINT IN THE SWIM LEG 3HE WOUND UP WITH 3HARING THE SPOTLIGHT WERE 'IAN 4AYLOR

WHO TOPPED THE 'O &OR 'OLD 3UNRISE 3PRINT WHO EDGED 2ENZO 0AHAGANAS AND *ERICHO !UGUIS IN THE AGE CATEGORY /THER WINNERS WERE MALE

$ENVER $AYONOT AND +ING #HARLES %SPANOL MALE $ANDY -ATURAN -ALE $ENNIS 2EY 2ENTILLOSA

3HERWIN $ICHOS MALE *AYRAN -ANLANGIT 0IMCO 0IMENTEL $ICKSON 9U MALE *ULIUS (IBRADA 2OLDAN #ALDA AND (ENDRY &RITZ #O AND MALE

2OMULO 2OSELL !LAN #HOACHUY /THER WINNERS WERE +ING #HARLES %SPANOL MALE $ANDY -ATURAN MALE $ENNIS 2EY 2ENTILLOSA

3HERWIN $ICHOS -ALE *AYRAN -ANLANGIT 0IMCO 0IMENTEL $ICKSON 9U -ALE *ULIUS (IBRADA 2OLDAN #ALDA AND (ENDRY &RITZ #O AND -ALE

2OMULO 2OSELL !LAN #HOACHUY

-EANWHILE -AYOR +RISTINE #HIONG TOOK PRIDE IN HELPING ENSURE THE SUCCESSFUL STAG ING OF THE EVENT WHICH BOOSTED THE HOST CITY S TOURISM INDUSTRY AND BROUGHT THE CITY S INHABITANTS TOGETHER 3%) GENERAL MANAGER 0RINCESS 'ALURA also thanked the City of Naga as well AS THE 0ROVINCE OF #EBU FOR HOSTING THE Olympic and the Sprint triathlon events.

3HE SAID THE AND 3PRINT TRIATHLONS SERVED AS PERFECT VENUES FOR THOSE TRYING THE SPORT FOR THE kRST TIME AND THOSE who have been absent from the sport awhile and who wish to compete again.

4HE kELD ALSO INCLUDED GRADUATES OF THE !LASKA )RON+IDS RACES WHO WANT TO CON TINUE TO COMPETE IN THE SPORT 3UN ,IFE &INANCIAL 0HILIPPINES SAID THEY PARTNERED WITH 3UNRISE %VENTS AND the city to promote a healthy lifestyle THROUGH FUN ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS HELP PEOPLE ACHIEVE LIFETIME kNANCIAL SECURITY 3UN ,IFE &INANCIAL IN THE 0HILIPPINES OF FERS A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES THAT INCLUDE ,IFE )NSURANCE !CCIDENTAL )NSURANCE

0ENSION 0LANS %DUCATION 0LANS AND -UTUAL &UNDS

Phoenix taps Dozier for Commissioner’s Cup 0(/%.)8 0ULSE HEAD COACH ,OUIE !LAS SHIFTS HIS SIGHTS ON 3EASON Philippine Basketball Association #OMMISSIONER S #UP WITH FORMER !LASKA BEST IMPORT 2OB $OZIER SERV ING AS &UEL -ASTERS REINFORCEMENT !LAS SAID HE PERSONALLY CHOSE THE $OZIER BECAUSE OF HIS WINNING ATTITUDE and hard work especially when he led the !CES TO #OMMISSIONER S #UP CROWN g&IRST IT IS HIS ATTITUDE AND HE S A winner. He has championship with !LASKA AND THE 53 .#!! u !LAS TOLD 4HE -ANILA 4IMES g7E HAVE NO ANY ADJUSTMENTS ON THE LOCAL PLAYERS AS WE REMAIN INTACT AND WE LL EXPECTING 7ILLIE 7ILSON TO RETURN FROM INJURY u $OZIER A FORMER STANDOUT IN 5NIVER SITY OF -EMPHIS WILL ARRIVE IN -ANILA ON -AY OR g(OPEFULLY OUR HUNGER WILL STAY next conference. When it comes to ef FORT WE RE THERE ,IKE WHAT ) HAVE SAID

) HOPE WE BRING THAT EXPERIENCE NEXT CONFERENCE AND THE TEAM S CHEMISTRY u ADDED !LAS NOTING THAT 0HOENIX WILL RETURN ON PRACTICE BY NEXT -ONDAY 0HOENIX 0ULSE TEAM MANAGER 0AOLO "UGIA FOR HIS PART BELIEVES THAT $OZIER WOULD ABSOLUTELY BE IN HIS PRIME AS IMPORT AT g(E $OZIER JUST kNISHED HIS THREE YEARS STINT IN *APAN AND ) THINK HE IS IN PEAK CONDITION AT HIS AGE u "UGIA SAID g AND IS THE PEAK OF A PLAYER 2EMEMBER -AGNOLIA S IMPORT 2OMEO 4RAVIS LAST CONFERENCE HE S JUST u "UGIA WAS PERTAINING TO 4RAVIS WHO

LED -AGNOLIA TO 'OVERNORS #UP TITLE INSIDE PRESENCE PLUS THE DEFENSIVE (E AGREED WITH !LAS SENTIMENTS MENTALITY WOULD DEFINITELY BENEFIT THAT $OZIER S WINNING EXPERIENCE AND 0HOENIX 0ULSE IN THE LONG RUN Q Former Alaska import Rob Dozier (right) will serve as Phoenix’ reinforcement in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

Funtimes

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY April 29, 2019

C3

Solution to puzzle

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (04/29/19). Rake in the gold together this year. Schedule and prepare your educational itinerary with care. Your creative communications flourish this summer, before a shift in your exploration. Next winter brings an exciting educational journey, motivating a shift in your story. Provide a voice of inspiration.

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 a 5 -- Settle into a peaceful spot with privacy for contemplation. Review your plans, dreams and visions. What’s on your bucket list? An interesting opportunity sparks your curiosity.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Brilliant ideas spark in conversation between friends. Share information, ideas and resources. Take another’s idea, and give it a perfect twist. Create new possibilities.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 9 -- A professional opportunity surprises you. It includes a test or challenge. You may discover an insider advantage. Follow an elder’s sage advice.

Envision winning.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Get out and explore. Wander, trek and investigate. Discover unexpected treasure. Friends help you advance. Share your journey with someone fascinating. Visit a loved one.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Take advantage of a golden opportunity for a rewarding benefit. Collaborate for shared gain. Together, you can pull in a nice harvest. Save for something special.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Talk strategy with someone you respect and admire. An intriguing idea warrants at-

» SUDOKU

BY NANCY BLACK tention. What could be possible? Come up with a coordinated plan.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Keep to your physical and health routines. A dream seems within reach. Luck follows good work. Practice to provide the best results you can.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Enjoy the game without taking expensive risks. You may find yourself holding a fabulous hand. Relax, and engage with talented players. Have fun.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- A domestic vision can be realized. Imagine your place the way you want it.

What would it take? Assess family needs and desires.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Creative inspiration sparks when least expected. Take an idea, and run with it. Get advice, but make your own decisions. Express your vision.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Extra silver becomes available. Stick to your budget and plan. Keep your objective in mind. Tap into a secret source. Discover nice perks and benefits.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Take charge.

You’re energized and ready to make changes for the better. Good planning increases your holdings. Completion leads to new status.

Power on.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like today’s Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to 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.

C4

Sports

MONDAY April 29, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Rahm-Palmer duo matches MullinaxStallings for PGA lead

N

EW ORLEANS: Spain’s Jon Rahm sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to give himself and American partner Ryan Palmer a share of the lead after Saturday’s (Sunday in Manila) third round of the US PGA Zurich Classic.

2AHM AND 0ALMER FIRED AN EIGHT UNDER PAR TO MATCH 3COTT 3TALLINGS AND 4REY -UL linax atop the leader board on UNDER PAR AFTER HOLES AT THE 40# OF ,OUISIANA COURSE near New Orleans.

4HE UNIQUE PAIRS EVENT FEA TURES FOUR BALL BEST BALL kRST AND THIRD ROUNDS AND FOURSOMES ALTERNATE SHOT IN THE SECOND AND kNAL ROUNDS 2AHM AND 0ALMER AND THE 53 DUO WHO COMBINED FOR A UN DER STOOD ONE STROKE AHEAD OF 3OUTH !FRICANS *USTIN (ARDING AND "RANDEN 'RACE WHO kRED

ON 3ATURDAY American Brian Gay and Slo VAKIA S 2ORY 3ABBATINI SHARED FOURTH ON WITH !MERICANS 0ETER -ALNATI AND "ILLY (URLEY 2AHM SANK A kVE FOOT BIRDIE PUTT AT THE kRST HOLE AND 0ALMER DROPPED IN A FOOTER TO BIRDIE THE PAR SECOND AND EACH BIRD ied the sixth as well.

2AHM TAPPED IN FOR BIRDIE AT SEVEN SANK AN FOOTER TO BIRDIE THE NINTH TAPPED IN TO BIRDIE THE TH AND SANK A THREE FOOTER FOR BIRDIE AT After they grabbed a share OF THE LEAD WHEN 2AHM SANK A

SIX FOOTER FOR BIRDIE AT BOTH 0ALMER AND 2AHM FOUND WATER OFF THE TH TEE AND 0ALMER SAL vaged a bogey to keep them one ADRIFT HEADING TO THE TH HOLE

SETTING UP 2AHM S CLOSING HERO ics to level them for the lead.

-ULLINAX DROPPED HIS APPROACH TO kVE FEET AT THE OPENING HOLE AND SANK THE BIRDIE PUTT THEN DROVE the second green in two and made A FOOT EAGLE PUTT !FTER A BOGEY AT THREE 3TALLINGS ADDED SOME LONG PUTT HEROICS WITH A FOOTER FOR BIRDIE AT THE FOURTH AND A FOOTER FOR BIRDIE AT THE kFTH -ULLINAX SANK FOOT BIRDIE PUTTS AT THE PAR SEVENTH AND PAR EIGHTH AND BEGAN THE BACK NINE WITH A FOOT BIRDIE EFFORT 3TALLINGS ADDED A FOOT BIRDIE PUTT AT THE PAR TH AND -ULLINAX SANK A FOOTER FOR BIRDIE AT AFP

Q Jon Rahm of Spain plays his shot from the eighth tee during the first round of the Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in Avondale, Louisiana.

AFP PHOTO

Australia’s Lee leads Los Angeles Open Nadal’s worries pile up as Thiem pulls off Barcelona triumph LOS ANGELES: Australia’s Minjee Lee shook off a triple bogey to finish with a four-under 67 and maintain a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the Los Angeles Open.

The 22-year-old Lee, of Perth, started and ended the day with one stroke lead over Nanna Koerstz Madsen and now has a three-round total of 11-under 202.

She had a triple bogey on the third hole but countered that with seven birdies on

the Wilshire Country Club course.

Denmark’s Madsen shot her second straight four-under 67 and is at 10-under. “I wasn’t super nervous,� said Lee. a four-time winner on the USLPGA Tour. “I just believed in myself and just go out there and make as many birdies as I can. I tried and hit as many good shots as I can.�

Lee tied for third in Hawaii last week, her third top-three finish of the season.

South Korea’s Park In-bee fired a 68 and is in third place, trailing by four shots.

American Morgan Pressel (70) and South Korean Ko Jin-young (67) are tied for fourth, five strokes back of Lee. Megan Khang carded a tournament-record seven-under 64, to climb within six shots of the lead.

Pressel’s bogey-free round included seven birdies as she snapped a streak of 23 consecutive holes without a birdie.

BARCELONA: $OMINIC 4HIEM SAVED THREE BREAK POINTS IN THE kNAL GAME TO DELIVER A

UPSET OF TIME CHAMPION 2AFAEL .ADAL AND REACH THE kNAL OF THE "ARCELONA /PEN ON 3AT URDAY 3UNDAY IN -ANILA 4HE !USTRIAN WHO LOST THE 2OLAND 'ARROS kNAL TO THE 3PANISH GREAT LAST YEAR DENIED .ADAL THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME THE kRST MAN TO CAPTURE THE SAME !40 TITLE TIMES g) M HAPPY WITH HOW ) PLAYED ) WAS COM PETITIVE FOR THE kRST TIME IN A FEW MATCHES u Nadal insisted.

4HIEM WILL FACE ON 3UNDAY $ANIIL -EDVEDEV

A

WINNER OVER TWO TIME TOURNA MENT WINNER +EI .ISHIKORI g4HINGS WERE POSITIVE EVEN IF ) LOST #ONGRATS TO HIM HE S A GREAT GUY AND A GREAT PLAYER u ADDED TOP SEED .ADAL WHO WAS A SEMI kNAL LOSER LAST WEEK TO &ABIO &OGNINI IN -ONTE #ARLO WHERE HE WAS ALSO AN TIME CHAMPION g4ODAY ) PLAYED AT A GOOD LEVEL IT WAS A GREAT IMPROVEMENT ON LAST WEEK WHEN ) WAS NOT competitive at all. g) ENJOYED THE MATCH ) M FEELING THE WAY )

WANT TO FEEL ABOUT MY GAME ) M HAPPY AND ) M CONkDENT u 4HIRD SEEDED 4HIEM TOOK REVENGE FOR NOT ONLY HIS &RENCH /PEN kNAL LOSS TO .ADAL BUT ALSO AVENGED LOSING THE "ARCELONA TITLE MATCH TO THE YEAR OLD 3PANIARD Nadal had never before lost a Barcelona SEMI kNAL 4HIEM JOINS .OVAK $JOKOVIC AS THE ONLY PLAYER TO HAVE DEFEATED .ADAL FOUR TIMES ON CLAY AFTER "UENOS !IRES IN 2OME IN AND LAST YEAR IN THE -ADRID QUARTER kNALS &OURTH SEED .ISHIKORI HAD REACHED THE kNAL OF THE #ATALAN CLAY COURT EVENT THREE TIMES

WINNING IN AND BUT LOSING THE kNAL TO .ADAL The players exchanged breaks in the third SET BEFORE THE SEVENTH SEEDED -EDVEDEV SEIZED THE kRST MATCH POINT TO BREAK IN THE TH GAME .ISHIKORI HAD DEFEATED -EDVEDEV IN *ANUARY S "RISBANE FINAL A SUCCESS WHICH ENDED A TOURNAMENT TITLE DROUGHT FOR the Japanese ace.

AFP Q Austria’s Dominic Thiem returns the ball to Spain’s Rafael Nadal during the ATP Tour Barcelona Open semifinal tennis match in Barcelona. AFP PHOTO

Kaya routs Archers in PPL opener

+!9! &# )LOILO CRUISED TO A ROUSING VIC TORY OVER 'LOBE 'REEN !RCHERS 5NITED &# IN THE OPENING DAY OF THE 0HILIPPINE 0RE MIER ,EAGUE 00, ON 3ATURDAY NIGHT AT THE 2IZAL -EMORIAL &OOTBALL 3TADIUM IN -ANILA 4HREE PLAYERS HIT A GOAL APIECE AS THE ,I ONS ROARED TO A WINNING DEBUT IN THE NEW TOP lIGHT THAT WAS MARRED BY ISSUES PRIOR to its start. g4HE BOYS WORKED VERY HARD IN THE kRST MINUTES AND WERE ABLE TO DICTATE THE TEMPO FOR THE WHOLE MATCH u SAID +AYA )LOILO HEAD COACH .OEL -ARCAIDA Arnel Amita drew first blood in the th MINUTE BEFORE NATIONAL TEAM FORWARD *OVIN "EDIC DOUBLED THE LEAD JUST THREE MIN UTES LATER 9ANNICK 4UASON PUT THE RESULT BEYOND DOUBT WITH A th MINUTE STRIKE %ARLIER YEAR OLD !ZKALS LEGEND 9ANTI "ARSALES STRUCK A LATE EQUALIZER AS 0HILIPPINE !IR &ORCE &# FORCED A DRAW WITH -ENDIOLA &# "ARSALES FOUND THE BACK OF THE NET JUST MINUTES LEFT IN THE REGULATION CANCELLING OUT

0APUH #ORSAME S POTENTIAL MATCH WINNER IN THE TH -ENDIOLA STRIKER .IMROD "ALABAT NETTED THE HISTORIC FIRST GOAL OF THE LEAGUE EIGHT MINUTES INTO THE GAME BUT !IR &ORCE DEFENDER 2UDOLF "EBANCE NULLIkED IT WITH A HEADER OFF A REBOUND IN THE TH 4HE 00, PUSHED THROUGH WITH ITS KICKOFF DESPITE WITH 'LOBAL -AKATI &# AND 3TALLION ,AGUNA &# PULLING OUT JUST A DAY BEFORE "OTH CLUB MANAGEMENTS CITED LACK OF SPON SORSHIP VIOLATION OF FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS

SHORTAGE OF LICENSED TEAMS AMONG OTHERS AS REASONS FOR THEIR SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL The Philippine Football Federation also ANNOUNCED ON &RIDAY ITS DENIAL OF -ENDIOLA A CLUB LICENSE WHILE !IR &ORCE S APPEAL WAS held for reconsideration.

7ITH kVE TEAMS LEFT THE 00, IS NOW LOOKING FOR A SIXTH CLUB AS THE !SIAN &OOTBALL #ONFED ERATION !&# REQUIRES AT LEAST SIX SQUADS FOR A LEAGUE TO SEND TEAMS TO ITS CONTINENTAL CLUB competitions namely the AFC Champions ,EAGUE AND !&# #UP JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ

MONDAY M O N DAY APRIL 29 29, 9, 2019 20

Entertainment

D1 Q The promising actor feels blessed to be able to work again after an unforunate incident at NAIA.

www.manilatimes.net

Tony Labrusca feels blessed to work again

BY IZA IGLESIAS

I

T is both a privilege and an opportunity for a newcomer to be given major acting projects consistently. Tony Labrusca knows that and exPERIENCED THE RARITY SINCE kRST APPEARING IN A VIRAL ad for a fast food chain in 2016.

That same year, he joined the reality search “Pinoy Boyband Superstar� where he became one of the top contenders.

Although he failed to reach the grand finals and be selected as member of BoybandPH, planets still aligned and stars shone brightly for him as his career prospered heavily — thanks to his good looks, masculine body and of course, surprising acting talent.

He made his acting debut in 2017 via TV5’s “Wattpad Presents� with Louise delos Reyes. After that, he joined “La Luna Sangre� and this was considered as HIS kRST BIG BREAK PLAYING THE ROLE OF *AKE

Arguelles, a third person in the Kathryn Bernardo-Daniel Padilla love team.

The year 2018 hit him with fortune as the 23-year-old rising star made waves with the success of his daring digital movie for IWant with veteran actress Angel Aquino titled “Glorious.� He also starred in independent films such as “Double Twisting Double Back� for Cinema One Originals and “ML� for Cinemalaya.

However, despite a string of big breaks, it was temporarily cut short because of a controversy that rocked his young career.

Q ‘Sino Ang Maysala?: Mea Culpa’ lead cast (from left) Ketchup Eusebio, Kit Thompson, Ivana Alawi, Jodi Sta. Maria, Bela Padilla, Labrusca and Sandino Martin.

Netflix highlights fighting chance of Pinoy street food S

URE we’ve heard and tasted Asian global Suffice it to say, Mang Entoy’s story goes favorites like Thailand’s Pad Thai, Vietnam’s beyond a food feature but also showcases Pho, Singapore’s Chili Crabs and Japan’s Takoyathe Filipino’s resourcefulness. As Bacalso and kis. That’s why long Chef Tatung Sarthou, overdue as it may who is also part of the be, the time is now series put it, “Those for the Philippines who see the show will to get its much understand that the deserved uncomfood shown from the mercialized spotlight Philippines is not just in dressed down delicious but also a cuisine with Netflix’s means for survival.� newest program “Street Food Asia.�

Along with Mang Entoy’s story, the producers The Internet streaming giant even went all randomly came across a neon green stall bethe way to Manila to throw an intimate and longing to one Aling Rubi Manayon as well. She heartfelt event at the much talked about Toyo has more than 17 dishes in her stall but stood Eatery in Makati City to celebrate four of the out because of her vegetable lumpia which is cooks they met along the production way, sold out almost every day. specifically in Cebu. In The Leslie Enjambre of Talisay is Know got behind the scenes also featured for her efforts that with them thereby opening set off the Cebu Lechon to fame a whole new perspective way back in the ‘70s; she claims on how Filipinos enjoy their their roasted pig to be the best. street food.

Finally, Manong Ian is also According to food writer headed to global streaming for Jude Bacalso, the idea on his efforts to make the Tuslobspotlighting Filipino street Buwa a popular go-to dish food all came about when among the Cebuanos. Accordthe producer of the show ing to history, this interesting [the same producers of the concoction came about with critically acclaimed hit show people who couldn’t afford “Chef’s Tableâ€?] contacted meat in mind. What they do her in August after reading is they dip the puso (steamed Q 71-year-old cook Mang Entoy rice wrapped in banana leaf ) an article from an inflight of Cordova, Cebu magazine of a Philippine in bubbling gravy made with flag carrier. rice, sautĂŠed onions, garlic and pig brains “The Philippines initially wasn’t supposed to which together is very filling. be in the lineup but they found it interesting to According to Bacalso, those who’ve been askread an article of food from Cebu they’ve never ing her and Chef Tatung why Cebu is taking cenheard of before,â€? Bacalso explained. ter stage in this global opportunity should know Take for example the Nilarang Bakasi or this: “Cebu is where our history started and the reef eel, which is a cross between the sinigang cuisine is very diverse and some are unheard of. and tinola of 71-year-old cook Mang Entoy of This is just the tipping point. There are so much Cordova, Cebu. The small fishing town managed more stories like these to be highlighted in the to popularize Mang Entoy’s dish with Nilarang Philippines and we do hope after the success even reputed to help men increase their stamina of this show, other provinces will get the same in the bedroom. feature as well. Their stories have to be told and Mang Entoy is the center of this story, who be known around the world as well.â€? besides concocting Nilarang has turned it into Street Food Asia is now streaming on Netflix. a sustainable livelihood for his village with NNN carinderia regulars.

Until next week! Ta-ta!

IN THE KNOW MJ MARFORI

/N *ANUARY ,ABRUSCA LANDED IN Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Canada and was only given 30 days to stay by the Philippine IMMIGRATION OFkCIALS DUE TO HIS INABILITY to show proof of Philippine citizenship and was not accompanied by Filipino parents. There was a heated confrontation with the immigration supervisor and he insisted on extending his stay due to his status as an actor.

Netizens were outraged because of his behavior toward airport immigration OFkCIALS ! DAY AFTER ,ABRUSCA IN HIS public apology, referred to being informed of his limited stay in the country as “very upsetting.� “I want to extend my sincerest apoLOGY TO THE SUPERIOR )MMIGRATION /FkCER (IO) who was on duty and I had a talk with yesterday morning... After lining up and crossing the immigration, I went up to the superior IO and we ended up going inside the enclosed space inside her OFkCE TO DISCUSS PRIVATELY ) ADMIT ) WAS A bit frustrated and that I asked why I was only given 30 days to stay in the country this time. I was unaware of the policy that because I was not with my mother, I did not qualify for a Balikbayan stamp,� he posted in his social media account.

Now that everything is settled and his life is back to normal, Labrusca admitted he has learned so many things after the pitfall. “I learned a lot about humanity, I learned a lot about what humans can do to each other and I also learned a lot about this industry. This is what I signed up for so I can’t complain now.

Now I really want to work, I really want to do it for my family,� he said in an

ambush interview in the sidelines of the premiere of his new show, “Sino Ang May Sala: Mea Culpa.� “In my career, I always talk about stars lining up and my destiny, so I believe na if para sa ‘yo, para sa ‘yo talaga yun. Nobody can ever take away what’s meant to be yours or what’s not meant to be yours. So I just took it day by day, I talked to God and I said ‘Lord, kayo na po bahala.’ What’s meant for me will always be mine and that’s it,� he added.

When asked if he was worried about not coming back to showbiz after what happened, he explained, “I think it’s normal for everyone to be scared of that. As human beings, we can all admit we all make mistakes and we all go through life in our own way. So if it’s really for you, no one can ever take that away from you.� “I also wanted to say to all the fans that supported me throughout my entire career, thank you! Thank you for believing in me, thank you for treating me like another normal human being and

ginagawa ko rin ito para sa inyo, para makabawi sa inyo,� he added.

For now, he feels blessed to be able TO WORK AGAIN AS HE STARS WITH *ODI 3TA Maria, Bela Padilla, Kit Thompson, Sandino Martin, Ivana Alawi, and Ketchup Eusebio for the said ABS-CBN’s newest primetime crime-drama series. “After Glorious, nag -start na ako mag-taping dito. We’ve been working since November and makikita n’yo naman ang hard work namin. I’m just very happy and very thankful that I’m working. I’m with an amazing ensemble cast and I hope that you guys continue to support me,� Labrusca ended.

'Mea Culpa,' the plot “Sino Ang Maysala?: Mea Culpa� is about two mothers with opposing versions of the truth who take a stand in the name of love and justice.

Fina (played by Sta. Maria) is a hardworking farmer who hopes to give her family a better future, and later on looks for and fights for her missing child.

Their real-life nightmare begins when Juris (Padilla), Andrei Labrusca), Gaylord (Martin), Greco (Thompson), Lolita (Alawi), and Bogs (Eusebio) travel to Baguio to celebrate after passing the bar.

The road trip takes a disastrous turn that will compromise their future — they get into an accident that will separate Fina from her child, while Juris takes on adopting and raising the little girl.

They keep their dark secret hidden in the grave up until construction unearths a rotting corpse.

Because of the news, Fina gets her hopes up, starts to believe that her daughter is still alive, and embarks on a search for her.

The controversial case then sparks a dispute between the two mothers — Fina believes her daughter is with Juris, who, in turn, defends herself against the accusation in order to keep the child she has raised and come to love.

Does Fina stand a chance to obtain justice against the five successful lawyers? Will she ever be reunited with her daughter? How long will Juris and her friends hide the truth?

Produced by Dreamscape Entertainment and directed by Andoy Ranay and Dan Villegas, the new teleserye also features veteran actors Agot Isidro, Janice de Belen, Ayen Munji-Laurel, Jay Manalo, Allan Paule and Boboy Garovillo. It premieres today, April 29.

D2

Lifestyle

MONDAY April 29, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net Q Phoemela Baranda

Q Mari Jasmine

Q Ara Arida

Q Laureen Uy

Q Patricia Henson

Q Sam Corrales

Manila's ‘queen bees’ are ready to date!

BY CHRISTINA ALPAD

A

T a time when women have successfully achieved equality in the workplace, at home and even in politics, they seem to still be at a disadvantage when it comes to dating.

Most women still feel like they have to wait around for someone to come up to them. Otherwise, they come off as too aggressive, something considered very unladylike.

That is until dating app Bumble came along in 2014.

Founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd, Bumble became a hit worldwide — with 50 million users to boot — for its unique proposition of requiring women to make the kRST MOVE “Bumble is all about removing the state of gameplay. Traditionally, guys got to make the first move and girls can’t text him too soon, they have to wait half an hour or wait three days, because

they don’t want to seem too keen.

On Bumble, women have to make THE kRST MOVE AND THEN THE OTHER person has to respond within 24 hours, otherwise, the match will be gone,� explained Michelle Battersby, Bumble associate director FOR !SIA 0ACIkC DURING THE OFkCIAL launch of Bumble in Manila.

Question is, in a hugely Catholic and conservative country that is the Philippines, does an app like Bumble has the chance to thrive? g) THINK THAT THERE S DEkNITELY traditional gender perception that play here in the Philippines.

But I think the fact that you are really progressive in the way you think about women shows that

Q Michelle Battersby, Bumble Associate Director APAC; and Alex Suarez, Bumble Country Lead, Philippines

Q Niko del Rosario and Emmanuelle Vera our brand mission probably does really have a place here,� Battersby answered The Manila Times. “You know, women are really well educated here that, they are often the leader of the house. The fact THAT THE 0HILIPPINES IS RANKED kFTH in a recent study on how women in the workplace perform out of 35 countries, that shows that you’ve got women in senior leadership posi-

tions in the workplace. It also shows that you’re already pretty doing great things with women over here. So I think that really aligns with what we’re doing as a brand as well,� the executive added.

With this potential they saw in the country, it was only apt for Bumble to host a chic party at Whitespace Manila and introduce the platform that celebrates

women, Filipinas included.

Besides acquainting guests — consisting of some of the most familiar Filipina faces — to Bumble’s dating component, the app also introduced Bumble BFF and "UMBLE "IZZ WHERE THEY CAN kND new friend or grow their professional network, respectively. “All three Bumble modes are rooted in encouraging empower-

Q Katz Salao ing connections, respectful conversations and meaningful interactions,� said Battersby.

Overall, Bumble — now available for download both of Apple’s App Store and Androd’s Google Play — is proud to have evolved from a dating app to a social network platform that allows women TO MAKE THE kRST MOVE NO MATTER the type of relationship.

Three days at the Crimson U

Q Crimson Boracay General Manager, Laurent Bourgeois and Vice-President for Sales and Marketing of Chroma Hospitality, Carmela Bocanegra

Q Aum Spa’s outdoor treatment service

Q J’s Pool Bar

PON the invitation of Carmela Bocanegra, vice-president for sales and marketing of Chroma Hospitality, we spent three glorious days at the Crimson Resort and Spa in Boracay’s Station :ERO WHERE YOU kND THE pristine white sand and crystal clear waters despite being the newest paradise in the island.

We were given a truly VIP treatment upon arrival from the airport up to a beachfront docking via the Crimson speedboat. We were then greeted by a local ensemble of drummers and graciously welcomed by their dashing general manager Laurent Bourgeois along with his smiling, EFkCIENT AND HARDWORKING TEAM — Heidi Manabat, marketing and communications manager, and Cecille Kimpo, director of sales marketing. Tradition was through the seasonal welcome drinks, cold towels and the hand washing ritual.

Next stop was the early lunch at the Azure Beach Club where we enjoyed a variety of international and Asian dishes such as curried and fresh Aklan oysters, laksa, authentic tandoori with naan and ahi tuna poke salad paired with their refreshing beverages which include the blue pea mojito, fresh fruit juices and shakes.

After an enjoyable lunch we had the chance to tour the luxurious and sprawling property where

we were shown the jaw-dropping presidential villa, and some of the luxurious private villas with their own plunge pools, bedroom suites and deluxe rooms. Most of the rooms have an amazing view of the ocean.

There was also the Coral Ballroom which is just perfect for indoor weddings and even meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions or MICE events. The events pavilion overlooking the ocean, Crimzone Kids Club, four swimming pools, gym, J’s Pool Bar by the beach and our favorite Aum Spa — where we enjoyed the massage and other spa amenities — completed our tour.

The best part of our tour was the secret garden of Laurent where he grows all kinds of fresh herbs and SPICES LIKE +AFkR LIME BASIL THYME

parsley, lime and mint. With all these in one big resort, you have no time to get bored. They even had a weekend foam pool party with a live band where guests had a great time.

A big buffet breakfast is served daily at the Saffron Cafe. We also had the chance to dine at the lovely Mosaic Latin American Grill where we enjoyed classic starters such as queso empanada and chorizo picante with a main

HI! SOCIETY BECKY GARCIA

of juicy wagyu steak paired with Malbec wine. On our last night, we were treated to a grilled seafood and steak dinner at the beachfront prepared by Azure’s culinary team.

When we had to say goodbye, WE RELEASED SMALL CLOWN kSHES into the sea to return them to their natural habitat. They call them “Pishy,� and do this tradition with all guests that have children to encourage responsible and sustainable tourism.

What a really pleasant experience and we could not ask for more. We were truly spoiled by the hospitality of Crimson. We surely look forward to going back there with our friends.

Congratulations to the Chroma Hospitality group, a young, forward thinking company with its innovative hospitality brand owned by Filinvest Hospitality Corporation. Chroma is the management company behind Crimson Filinvest Alabang, Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay and Mactan, Quest Hotels in Cebu, Clark and Tagaytay.

See you all at Crimson Boracay, in a heartbeat!

NNN

Meanwhile... Muebles Italiano's Noel Gonzales launched the new Carico Ultra Tech Silver Collection plus mattresses, pillows and toppers on bed, from the makers of Nutraway System Inc. “Fatto a mano in Italia,� or handcrafted in Italy, this is made with exclusive silver thermofresh memory foam which is a laser cut patented mateRIAL kT AND AVAILABLE IN ANY SIZE )TS BENEkTS ARE THE CHANNEL FOR continuous air flow, breathable, stays fresh and dry, 99.9-percent bacteria-free. Their thermo capsules also help regular body temperature, protect the body from electromagnetic fields and improve blood circulation. Separate interlocking comes with desired height support and will not lose its shape.

It is available at the Muebles Italiano Showroom in Magallanes, Makati City. Invited artists are Jonathan Badon, Kakay, Cathy Mass, Michael Austria, Kris John Paul, and the special participation of Kammerchoir Manila Choir.

Q President of Nutraway System Inc. Gerald Geroni, Eileen and Noel Gonzales and Robert Cruz

Q Chef Raj of Azure (above) and Chef Pablo of Mosaic Q Arlene Jacobo, Ernie Garcia, Cathy Mass, Eileen Gonzales and Baby Antonio at the Muebles Italiano Showroom

Q Noel Gonzales, Nonie, Irene, and Bert Basilio and Grace Basili-Soong

Expats&Diplomats Belgium Embassy fosters music as harbinger of culture ˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY April 29, 2019

D3

2nd Manila International Piano Masterclass Festival set in August the masters to Manila instead to tutelage talented Filipinos.

BY ARLO CUSTODIO

F

OLLOWING a successful inauguration edition last year, the Manila International Piano Masterclass Festival (MIPMF) eagerly returns from August 2 to 12 to gather more students across the country to receive training from some of the world’s best musicians.

In a lunch meeting hosted by Ambassador of Belgium to the Philippines Michel Goffin and his wife on Friday at the envoy residence in South Forbes Park, Makati City, stakeholders of this advocacy to train Filipino musical talents eventually for the international stage agreed to support and promote the endeavor.

Among those present were US Ambassador Sung Kim, Korean Ambassador Han Dong-Man, Helen Ong, Rafael Guevara, Jun Camcam, Anna Pamplona and Remy Reyes.

Goffin, a pianist himself, explained that enrolling in a master class abroad costs so much, and very few can afford to take on the opportunity that’s why they are bringing

Q Guests at the exclusive luncheon hosted by Ambassador Goffin at his official residence to discuss the festival included US Ambassador Sung Kim and Korean Ambassador Han Dong-Man.

Artists-Faculty The nine-day intimate yet intensive music camp is focused on the art of piano performance and seeks to give more young Filipino classical pianists to be tutored by renowned musicians from Europe and the United States without having to travel abroad.

On hand to guide the students to become masters themselves are Nelson Delle-Vigne Fabbri (Italy/ France); Wael Farouk (Egypt/ USA); Chi-Ying Hung (Taiwan); Anait Karpova (Belgium/Russia); Adam Kent (USA); Kyung-Ah Kim (Korea); Roberta Rust (USA); and Jiovianney Emmanuel Cruz (Phi-

Q Pianist Eric Reyes regales the guests.

lippines), the organizer of MIPMF. Cruz, who teaches Piano Performance at the University of the Philippines College of Music has won many piano performance competitions abroad including Gold Medal, The Queens Symphony Soloists Competition and First Prize, New York State Music Teachers Association State Collegiate Artist Competition in 1984; First Prizes in Five Towns Music and Art Solo Competition, The Port Washington Piano Competition, The Great Neck Symphony Piano Competition in 1985 as well as The Bergen Philharmonic Piano Soloists Competition AND 4HE (ADDONkELD 3YMPHONEY Piano Soloists Competition in 1988.

He was educated at Chetham’s School of Music in England and at the Manhattan School of Music in New York, where he completed his Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees in Piano Performance.

In 1996, Cruz was conferred The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award for his contribution to the arts as one of the pioneers of the renaissance of the classical music awareness in the Philippines. He SAID THAT MANY CONTESTANTS kNALISTS and winners in talent reality shows around the world such as “American Idol,� “X Factor,� “The Voice� and “World of Dance� point to Filipinos

Q Ambassador of Belgium to the Philippines Michel Goffin PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE as truly excellent performers and there are many skillful pianists out there just waiting to be discovered.

Initially supported by the Embassies of Belgium, the Netherlands and France, the camp this year counts additional support from the US and South Korea Embassies, and a number of residents and art patrons from Forbes Park. Like last year, pianist-entreprenur Eric Reyes of Manila Pianos Inc. is willing to lend or install pianos in residences who will host the delegates during the camp.

Concept The camp has two categories — Ebony (P70,000) and Ivory (P50,000) which are actually just half of the

cost of training abroad. A total of 32 slots is open for application, with some of last year’s participants coming back for the second edition.

-)0&- IS THE kRST CLASSICAL MUSIC festival in the Philippines set in a 19th century salon style environment.

Recitals, masterclasses, performance revues, and one-on-one lessons with a limited audience are conducted by CONCERT PIANISTS TEACHERS 4HE kNAL concerts feature participating delegates in two solo concerts. !MBASSADOR 'OFkN HOPES THAT what can’t be bridged through verbal or written communication can be bridged by music, bringing closer ties not only for the Philippines and Belgium and the European Union but other people from different cultures and backgrounds as well.

Korean Cultural Center mounts cooking competition KOREAN Cultural Center in the Philippines, in partnership with Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Culinary Institute, is now accepting applications for its annual “Global Taste of Korea� cooking competition happening on June 15 at LPU Culinary Institute.

The annual cooking contest is open to all motivated chefs and individuals who have the passion for cooking Korean food.

The contest is divided into two cat-

egories to celebrate the 70th year of the Philippines-Korea bilateral relations.

For the Fusion battle, participants should create a dish using both Korean AND &ILIPINO lAVORS 4HE DISH SHOULD USE THE +OREAN lAVOR AS ITS MAIN BASE and combine it with a Filipino Flavor (ex: Kimchi Sinigang, Bulgogi adobo, etc.). The participant should be able to tell his or her creative story on why he or she decided to cook the dish.

In Jjigae or Korean stew battle, the participants should create an authentic

Korean stew of any type they want (ex: Kimchi or Soybean stew).

For this year, the grand winners of both categories will win P15,000 cash prize and a roundtrip ticket to Korea.

Application is until May 10, with THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF kNALISTS ON May 15. The complete set of guidelines and the application form may be downloaded from the Center’s OFkCIAL WEBSITE PHIL KOREAN CULTURE org and submitted via email or at the +OREAN #ULTURAL #ENTER OFkCE

Japan turns over disaster reduction equipment to PH MINISTER Atsushi Kuwabara of the Embassy of Japan led the turnover ceremony of the Japanese disaster reduction equipment under Japan’s Non-Project Grant Aid (NPGA) on April 16 at the Department of Social Welfare and Development National Resource Operation Center.

Equipment was handed over by the Japanese government to the Philippine government in the presence of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Roland Joselito Bautista and national government agency representatives.

Included in the ÂĽ110-million package are 13 units of wing van delivery trucks, a set of UHF Repeater and 20 units of UHF based radios, which will be utilized in the Philippines.

Minister Kuwabara said in the ceremony, “I hope this equipment will help our Filipino friends when they are in need in the time of disaster.� *APAN AS THE TOP OFkCIAL DEVELOPment assistance (ODA) donor to the Philippines as well as a disaster-prone country itself, has supported the Philippines’ disaster mitigation efforts by sharing its experiences and lessons learned from the past natural disasters.

4HIS PROJECT REAFkRMS THE CONTINued commitment of Japan to extend cooperation in minimizing threats of disasters. It is expected to further foster the strategic partnership between the two countries and serve as a model for other disaster-prone areas of the Philippines.

Q Guitarist Nitzan Bar and saxophonistcomposer Daniel Zamir

Israeli musicians to perform at the PH Int’l Jazz Festival

Q Japan Embassy Minister Atsushi Kuwabara (right) hands over the disaster reduction equipment ceremonial key to Social Welfare and Development Secretary Roland Joselito Bautista.

GET ready for a sweeping music experience as Israeli saxophonist-composer Daniel Zamir and guitarist Nitzan Bar perform at the 14th edition of the annual Philippine International Jazz Festival (Pijazzfest).

Daniel Zamir is described as “one of the most influential and busy musicians in Israel.� His music is dubbed as “Jewish jazz� which fuses elements of Jewish sounds and high-quality jazz, along with ethnic and world music.

Zamir is also the youngest to receive Israel’s Award for Outstanding Jazz Composer. He has performed around the world with Avishai Cohen and is currently completing his 13th album. He will be joined on stage with young guitar player and one of the great promises of Israeli Jazz, Nitzan Bar. In line with this anticipated Pijazzfest, the Embassy of Israel invites everyone to witness the duo performance of Daniel Zamir and Nitzan Bar on May 4, 5:30 p.m. in The City Club at Alphaland Makati Place.

Scandinavian Film Festival launches in Davao City EMBASSIES of Denmark, Norway and Sweden in Manila, in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and SM Lanang Premiere, have COME TOGETHER FOR THE kRST 3CANDInavian Film Festival in the Philippines. It will happen in Davao City until May 3.

4HIS MOMENTOUS kLM FESTIVAL WILL FEATURE OVER CONTEMPORARY kLMS of different genres, offering Filipinos a glimpse of Scandinavian culture and way of life. By reaching out to the Mindanao audience, the Scandinavian Film Festival leverages on THE POWER OF kLM TO FOSTER A DEEPER mutual understanding and dialogue between our cultures.

Among the notable lineup of films that will be screened for THE kRST TIME IN -INDANAO IS THE intimate triangle drama “Rosita�

.ORWAY S "OX OFkCE kLM g4HE Wave� (2015) is about a Norwegian geologist and his family’s kGHT FOR SURVIVAL WHEN A LANDslide causes a 250-foot tidal wave.

The Wave received the award for Best Norwegian Film in Theatrical Release, as well as the awards for Best Sound Design and Best Visual Effects.

The festival will showcase 23 FULL LENGTH kLMS FROM $ENMARK

Norway and Sweden, while a numQ Mercedes Cabral stars in 'Rosita,' a movie about a Filipina mail-order bride. ber of documentaries, children’s (2015) starring Mercedes Cabral. Who Saved My Life� (2016) tells the short films and films from the Rosita tells a story about a father STORY OF A 3WEDISH kLMMAKER RETURN- Mindanao Film Community will and son who fall in love with ING TO )RAQ TO kLM REFUGEES lEEING be screened at the Cinematheque THE SAME WOMAN 4HE kLM WON Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Centre Davao. �We are very happy to be back Frederikke AspÜck best director WHILE TRYING TO kND A YOUNG GIRL WHOM award at the Moscow International he believes saved his life. The Girl Who IN $AVAO AGAIN WITH $ANISH kLMS Festival in 2015. Rosita will be the saved My Life won the GÜteborg Film This time joined by our Norwegian FESTIVAL S INAUGURAL kLM Festival in 2016 for the Angelos Award AND 3WEDISH BROTHERS IN OUR kRST Scandinavian Film Fest in Davao.

Swedish documentary “The Girl for Best Swedish Feature.

It is very important for us to get out of Manila and engage with Filipinos all over. We hope to see A kNE CROWD FOR OUR SCREENINGS Scandinavia is well-known for its QUALITY kLMSu SAID $ANISH !MBASsador Jan Top Christensen.

Swedish Ambassador Harald Fries notes that “the Embassy of Sweden IS VERY PLEASED WITH JOINING THIS kLM festival in Davao City. Through a variety of contemporary Scandinavian kLMS WE WANT TO BRING THE $AVAOeĂąos and the Scandinavian people closer to each other.“ “We are excited to share our stories of laughter, suspense, and HISTORY THROUGH kLMu SAID .ORWEgian Ambassador to the Philippines "JÂ?RN *AHNSEN g%VERYONE WILL kND movies that would appeal to their personal tastes as we have carefully selected the best of Scandinavian

cinema today,� he added.

Davao is known for its thriving kLM COMMUNITY )T HOLDS THE LO NGEST RUNNING REGIONAL kLM FESTIVAL in the Philippines, the Mindanao Film Festival, which is now on its 17th year. With Davao’s sustained growth, and its location as a gateway to Mindanao, there is a blooming landscape for the city to be the next cultural hub of the Philippines. !LL kLMS WILL BE SCREENED FOR FREE ON A kRST COME kRST SERVED basis. The selection and screening OF kLMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY THE Embassy of Denmark Manila, the Royal Norwegian Embassy Manila, the Embassy of Sweden in Manila, the Danish Film Institute, SM Lanang Premier, SM Cinema, the Film Development Council of the Philippines and Cinematheque Centre Davao.

D4

Special Feature

MONDAY April 29, 2019

Q Summer is the opportunity to spend days-on-end doing activities.

PHOTO FROM PEXELS.COM

SUMMER IDEAS

Beat the heat Make memories under the scorching sun

BY MAYLENE STEPHANIE S. VIRAY

S

UNGLASSES, sunscreen and sun visor — if these items are the current essentials of the season, then summer IS DEkNITELY HERE +IDS AND ADULTS OFTEN TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND DAYS ON END DOING ACTIVITIES AND SPENDING A VERY MUCH NEEDED QUALITY TIME

INDOOR OR OUTDOOR AFTER MONTHS OF SCHOOLING AND WORKING ! POPULAR SUMMER ACTIVITY IS TO TRAVEL AND FROLICK IN THE BEACHES OUR COUNTRY IS QUITE NOTABLE FOR AS AN ALTERNATIVE HOTEL POOLS AND RESORTS CAN SUFkCE AS WELL TO BEAT THE HEAT !S A TROPICAL COUNTRY THE 0HILIPPINES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME HEAT THAT CAN SOAR UP TO DEGREES #ELSIUS IN THE PROVINCES AND DEGREES IN -ETRO -ANILA AS RECORDED

BY THE 0HILIPPINE !TMOSPHERIC

'EOPHYSICAL AND !STRONOMICAL 3ERVICES !SSOCIATION 0AGASA

2ECENTLY 0AGASA REPORTED -ANILA S HIGHEST HEAT INDEX AT DEGREES #ELSIUS WHICH OCCURRED AT THE BUREAU S 3CIENCE 'ARDEN IN $ILIMAN 1UEZON #ITY ON !PRIL OWING TO A DEGREE TEMPERATURE ACCOMPANIED WITH A HUMIDITY OF PERCENT 7ITH THIS HEAT IT SEEMS THAT WATER AND AIR CONDITIONERS ARE THE ONLY ANSWERS TO KEEP OUR BODIES COOL "UT WORRY NOT AS THERE ARE PLENTY OTHER ACTIVITIES AND ESSENTIAL TIPS TO ENJOY THIS SUMMER SEASON Travel to cooler climates !SIDE FROM BEACHES AND HOTEL RESORTS THE 0HILIPPINES HAS OTHER DESTINATIONS FOR THAT BLAST OF NATU-

RAL COOL AIR WHERE SWEATING IS THE LEAST OF YOUR WORRIES 0ROVINCES IN THE NORTHERNMOST AND SOUTHERNMOST PART OF THE COUNTRY TEND TO HAVE COOLER CLIMATES THAN THOSE IN THE METRO AND CENTRAL REGIONS .EAR THE METRO "AGUIO #ITY IN "ENGUET AND 4AGAYTAY #ITY IN #AVITE ARE POPULAR DESTINATIONS AS THEIR AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE DOESN T GO ABOVE DEGREES #ELSIUS

ACCORDING TO CLIMATE WATCH PLATFORM #LIMATE DATA ORG 4RAVEL AS FAR NORTH AS "ATANES AND AS DOWN SOUTH AS 4AWI 4AWI

WHICH ALSO HAVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES BARELY EXCEEDING DEGREES Join summer programs 3UMMER PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN TO ENJOY RANGING FROM SPORTS ORIENTED LESSONS TO MUSIC TUTORIALS THAT WILL SURELY MEET A CHILD S INTEREST &OR PARENTS WITH CHILDREN RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CHILDREN LEARN MORE WITH HANDS ON EXPERIENCE AND SUMMER IS THE BEST OPPORTU-

NITY FOR THEM TO DO SO AS IT ENGULFS THEM IN A MORE RELAXED ENVIRONMENT TO FEED THEIR ACTUAL INTERESTS -EANWHILE FOR THOSE WHO DON T WANT TO ENROLL THEIR KIDS IN A FORMAL PROGRAM SIMPLE ACTIVITIES THAT BOOST INTERACTION ARE AS EQUALLY EDUCATIONAL 7HATEVER ACTIVITY IT MAY BE A CHILD S SUMMER CAN EQUALLY BE FUN AND EDUCATIONAL 'O BEYOND THE ROAD 7HEN BEACHES AND POOLS ARE BOOKED IT MAY BE TIME FOR HEART PUMPING ADVENTURES TO CONQUER THE COUNTRY S CLIFFS AND DISCOVERY HIDDEN SPOTS BY TREKKING ROCK CLIMBING OR MOUNTAIN BIKING !SIA 4ATLER SAYS IT IS ONLY BY TREKKING WHERE PEOPLE CAN DISCOVER CRYSTAL RIVERS RUNNING THROUGH FORESTS WITNESS THE TRIBAL WAY OF LIFE OF OUR NATIVE &ILIPINOS OR STARGAZE ATOP MOUNTAINS -EANWHILE ROCK CLIMBING IS A RELATIVELY NEW ACTIVITY IN THE 0HILIPPINES

BUT THERE ALREADY ARE A NUMBER OF CLIFFS DEEMED SAFE FOR THE SPORT ,ASTLY TRAVEL CYCLING TRAILS WITH

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net MOUNTAIN BIKES THAT WILL LEAD YOU TO ROADS LESS TRAVELLED Plan out activities 4HE SUN MAY BE SCORCHINGLY HOT

BUT DO NOT LET THE HEAT HINDER ACTIVITIES YOU ENJOY )NSTEAD WORK AROUND IT BY PLANNING OUT FAVORITE ACTIVITIES FOR INDOORS AND OUTDOORS &LORIDA BASED DIETARY COMPANY "ISTRO-$ SAYS THE SUN S RAYS ARE AT ITS HOTTEST BETWEEN A M AND P M WHILE ITS COOLEST CAN USUALLY BE FELT AT DUSK AND DAWN 7ITH THIS IN MIND IT IS SUGGESTED TO DO OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES STARTING AT DAWN THEN CONTINUE THEM INDOORS during the hot hours and end the DAY WITH MORE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN THE EVENING %NJOY COOLING DOWN INDOORS

LOUNGING IN FRONT OF AN ELECTRIC FAN OR IN AN AIR CONDITIONED ROOM AND AVOID HEADING OUT IF THE MATTER IS UNNECESSARY Work that summer bod !FTER ENJOYING A FILLING MEAL

your “summer body” image may not be at its best now that summer IS ACTUALLY HERE 7ORRY NOT YOU CAN STILL WORK FOR THAT HEALTHY SUMMER BODY WHILE ENJOYING FOOD ITEMS BEST ENJOYED DURING THE SEASON "ISTRO-$ SAYS THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS DURING A SUMMER TRIP IS PACKING FOOD HIGH IN SUGAR

FAT AND CALORIES SUCH AS CHIPS SODAS BURGERS AND ICE CREAM ALL OF WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO WEIGHT GAIN 4O REMEDY THIS IT IS SUGGESTED TO INTAKE THE gRIGHT FOODu BY SWAPPING OUT THOSE UNHEALTHY ONES WITH FOOD ITEMS HIGH IN kBER AND LOW IN CALORIES (EALTH AND MEDICAL WEBSITE (EALTH COM LIST CORN WATERMELON FRESH ICED TEA FRUIT SALADS CHILLED SOUPS GRILLED CHICKEN ZUCCHINI AND SHRIMP AS SOME OF THE ALTERNATIVES FOR THIS SUMMER Wear light-colored clothing 7EARING DARK COLORED CLOTHES

MAY GIVE THE ILLUSION OF HAVING A SLIMMER BODY BUT IT S A DEkNITE gNO

THANK YOUu WHEN IT S SUMMER TIME 3UMMER IS THE BEST TIME TO WEAR LIGHT COLORED CLOTHES AS IT CAN RElECT THE SUN S RAYS AS OPPOSE TO THE ABSORBING FUNCTION OF DARK CLOTHES #OTTON AND LINEN BASED FABRICS ARE HIGHLY SUGGESTED MATERIALS AS THEY ARE IDEAL CONDUCTORS OF HEAT

STIMULATING VENTILATION THROUGHOUT THE BODY ,IKEWISE SWAP SKINNY JEANS WITH SHORTS AND SKIRT FOR MORE LEG FREEDOM !ND WHILE YOU STROLL AROUND UNDER THE SUN SUNSCREENS AND SUNGLASSES POSSESS MORE IMPORTANCE DURING SUMMER TO AVOID UNNECESSARY HEALTH RISKS CAUSED BY THE SUN S HARMFUL ULTRAVIOLET RAYS "ISTRO-$ ACCOUNTS THESE PROBLEMS WHICH INCLUDE AMONG OTHERS

SUNBURN SKIN CANCER CATARACTS

BLURRED VISION AND MACULAR DEGENERATION 3TAY HYDRATED !S YOU BASK IN THE SUMMER HEAT

IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO STAY HYDRATED DURING THE SEASON AND

BY THAT DRINK LOADS OF WATER TO AVOID DEHYDRATION $OCTORS OFTEN RECOMMEND TO INTAKE TO CUPS OF WATER A DAY AND SUMMER IS THE SEASON TO TAKE THE RECOMMENDATION SERIOUSLY 3TAYING OUT IN THE SUMMER SUN CAN CAUSE THE BODY TO SWEAT A LOT AND LOSE ESSENTIAL lUIDS WHICH CAN LEAD TO HEALTH RISKS SUCH AS EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE !S YOU INTAKE lUIDS MODERATE DRINKING ALCOHOL AS IT IS NOT AN IDEAL BEVERAGE CHOICE BECAUSE IT LEADS TO DEHYDRATION 4O SPICE UP PLAIN WATER MIX IT WITH FRESH FRUITS AND ICE TO CREATE A REFRESHING ICED TEA OR SMOOTHIE 3TAY COOL DRY AND HEALTHY THIS SUMMER AND DON T LET THE HEAT STOP YOU FROM ENJOYING THE SEASON

Gotta love summer TOY Kingdom brings you the MOST AMAZING INlATABLES TRENDY lOATERS AND SPLASHY POOLS GIVING us more reasons why we Gotta ,OVE 3UMMER 0LUNGE INTO THE COOL WATERS IN STYLE WITH UNIQUE AND VIBRANT INlATABLES LIKE THE &LAMINGO )SLAND

-EGA 5NICORN )SLAND #AMEL 0OOL lOAT AND 0OP 2HINO /STRICH lOATER 4HERE ARE ALSO TRENDY lOATERS INSPIRED BY KIDS FAVORITE SNACKS 0OPCORN -AT 0OTATO #HIPS &LOAT

&RENCH &RIES &LOAT AND (AMBURGER )SLAND THAT WILL SURELY MAKE YOU CRAVE 3UMMER IS ALSO MORE FUN WITH EXCITING POOL PARTIES WITH FAMILY

AND FRIENDS #HECK OUT THIS 0RISM &RAME /VAL 0OOL 3ET THAT IS EASY TO ASSEMBLE AND COMES IN A HUGE SIZE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO ENJOY 4OY +INGDOM ALSO HAS OTHER STYLISH SWIM ESSENTIALS FOR KIDS (YDRO 3WIM 'LIDER SET AND -ETALLIC -ERMAID 4AIL FOR A MORE FUN WATER ADVENTURE +EEP COOL IN STYLISH INlATABLES AND FLOATERS AT 4OY +INGDOM These amazing summer treats are AVAILABLE AT 4OY +INGDOM %XPRESS OUTLETS IN 4HE 3- 3TORES AND 4OY +INGDOM STORES IN MOST 3- 3UPERMALLS 6ISIT WWW TOYKINGDOM PH AND FOLLOW 4OY+INGDOM0( AT &ACEBOOK FOR MORE UPDATES

Q Enjoy a family pool party with this Prism Frame Oval Pool Set.

vibrant Pop

Q Swim in style with

Q Colorful and n floater.

Rhino Ostrich

fu

this exclusive fashionable Flamingo inflatable.

Q Pop in

the summer fun with this Q Glide into the waters Popcorn Mat. with grace and elegance with this Whit e Swan Ring.

Q Get a glimpse of life under the sea with Hydro Swim Lil Glider Set and Metallic Mermaid Tail.