Q2 2016 THE IMMIGRANT NEWSPAPER by THE IMMIGRANT NEWSPAPER

A new start in Angeles p.3

Peace, Amanpulo p.6

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The issue of extradition p.4

Ragtop down p.8

Vol. 5 No.15 Q2 2016 Philippine Edition ISSN No.

Smart Cities The Philippines looks to stay in step with the world by making its urban centers tech-reliant and sustainable. But what is a smart city? Business writer Jimbo Gulle explores this landscape.

e are now in the age of the Internet of Things (IoT), and in an effort to stay in step with the rest of the world, the Philippines has sought to make Metro Manila, and its other urban centers, a “smart city.” But what is a smart city, and how is it built? Are there any existing ones the Philippines can pattern its own smart cities after? And will it be better, not only for any city we have at present, but for the people that will live in it?

Smart city defined

If a city is, to paraphrase a definition by tech giant IBM, a “system of systems” – a system of people, a system of infrastructure, and a system of operations – then a smart city uses the latest technology to connect all of these systems to run efficiently, drive and sustain economic growth, and give value and prosperity for all its citizens. Although that’s not the exact definition of a smart city (in fact, there are a lot of variations), the term first emerged in the early 2000s, and most of the definitions arrive at the same conclusions. That is, smart cities make extensive

use of information and communication technology (ICT) for everything from government to the environment to transform lives and working environments within their areas. According to a background paper on smart cities written in 2013 by the British Department for Business Innovation and Skills (now called the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy), the concept of a smart city is not static. There is “no absolute definition of a smart city, no end point, but rather a process, or series of steps, by which cities become more livable and resilient and, hence, able to respond quicker to new challenges,” the paper says.

Smart city criteria

If being a smart city is a process, where is Metro Manila (or other Philippine cities) in the process? The country itself may boast of being one of the world’s most-connected on social media (thanks, Facebook and Twitter), but many experts think the Philippines is still miles away from building a true smart city. Cities are “smart,” according to the European academic definition formed by Andrea Caragliu, Chiara Del Bo and Peter Nijkamp of the University of Amsterdam in 2009, when

“investments in human and social capital” and “traditional (public transport) and modern (ICT) communication infrastructure” fuel sustainable economic development and a high quality of life, with a “wise management of natural resources, through participatory action, engagement and participatory governance.” By those criteria, no PH city quite makes the grade at present. But being “a developing nation with inchoate (rudimentary or immature) cities,” the Philippines has an “incredible opportunity to create a series of smart cities whose importance could help propel our country toward sustained economic growth and a more globally competitive country,” the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said in its Asian Development Outlook for 2013. Two years since that report, the country is still making baby steps. For instance, with the Philippines as a participant, the ADB staged a Knowledge Partnership Week in May 2015 to discuss ways to improve transportation, waste management, energy and environment issues in Asian cities along with other members of the regional bank. Yumiko Noda, the former deputy mayor of Yokohama – Japan’s most populous city – said in that forum that governments need to take a holistic approach to tackle the Turn to page 2

Illustration from IROOM STOCK/Shutterstock.com

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news bytes Australia marks 70 years of diplomatic relations with PH

Smart Cities From page 1

many problems related to rapid urbanization, and that it was not enough for them to “simply invest in infrastructure.” “We have to create value for citizens living in the cities,” Noda said in a report on Rappler.com by Katerina Francisco. “It’s easy to forget the citizens. But you shouldn’t forget what [public services] the citizens find value in.”

“A 60-year-old planning mistake (as in San Juan) might not be easy to correct, but a city built on the principles of sustainable development is not just resilient and adaptive: It also promotes urban investments,” says Palafox, who is frequently tapped by TV news groups to comment on the national government’s proposed infrastructure projects, in the same column.

Photo courtesy USAID

Illustration courtesy of Arizona State University School of Sustainability

Australia marked 70 years of diplomatic relations with the Philippines through a reception on June 20 hosted by Australian Foreign Secretary Peter Varghese. The event was “an opportunity to reflect on our strong and enduring relationship built on shared values including a commitment to democracy, regional security and prosperity, and the rule of law,” Secretary Varghese said. “It is also an opportunity to showcase the diversity of Australian expertise and innovation, highlight trade and investment opportunities, and to deepen our people-to-people links.” Former Philippine Ambassador to Australia Delia DomingoAlbert was also honored with the 70th Anniversary Friendship Award. She was integral in securing Philippine Government recognition for Australian soldiers who supported the campaign for Philippine liberation during World War II. Albert has also been an advocate for responsible mining investment, is a strong supporter of ASEAN and is a champion of women’s empowerment. The opening of Australia’s Consulate-General in Manila on May 22, 1946 marked the official beginning of the relationship, but the link between the countries extends back to Australia’s pearling industry in the late 1800s. Today the number of Filipinos living in Australia is approaching 300,000, with the Philippines being the fourth largest source of migrants in Australia.

Present and future moves

Investments are no more obvious than in the country’s financial capital, Makati, where electric jeepneys, hybrid buses, mixed-use developments and an e-government platform Smart city policy made it the leading smart city in the Philippines – at least To build a true smart city, governments not only have to according to former Vice President Jejomar Binay, whose worry how to fund the technology that will create valued family had lorded over the city for the last three decades. change (which can be leveraged from the private sector Binay touted these programs in Makati in an Asia-Pacific initially), they also need to know how to keep it up. Weeks forum in Berlin, Germany in 2013, where he delivered In the Philippines, the recent policy of publicthe opening keynote address. The erstwhile vice president private partnerships (PPPs), coupled with increased said that while as mayor he had ample time and space to set citizen participation, as advised by Noda, should help Makati’s smart city foundations, “most local government set the policies and launch the particular projects that officials operate on a narrower time horizon.” make up the six “pillars” of a smart city: economic Building smart cities in time, competitiveness, social and human however, is crucial in sustaining capital, citizen participation, ...the Philippines has an the growth the Philippines is transport and ICT, natural “incredible opportunity currently enjoying, as the Manilaresources, and quality of life. based ADB prescribed in its Asian The recent birth of the Department to create a series of Development Outlook three years of Information and Communications smart cities whose ago. While the report focused Technology (DICT) through importance could help mainly on an Asian energy Republic Act No. 10844, signed management agenda to sustain into law by President Benigno propel our country the so-called “Asian Century” Simeon Aquino III last May before toward sustained of growth, it also noted the his term ended, should also help set economic growth development of smart cities as a the national ICT agenda apart from strategy for saving energy. endeavors in science (as the DICT and a more globally In particular, the ADB report sprung from the Department of competitive country.” says smart cities “may rely on Science and Technology). – Asian Development telecommuting and telepresence Architect Felino “Jun” Palafox, to minimize travel costs, design the country’s preeminent urban Bank (ADB) work flows that allow teams to planning expert, notes in his work asynchronously toward column in The Manila Times on flexible work hours, provide real-time information to enable December 4, 2013 that smart cities are “now widely viewed more efficient consumption and travel patterns, establish as the sound solution towards inclusive growth,” and smart on-demand and real-time control of materials and energy urban developments in particular are needed to “improve the flows to residences and businesses, and remotely control mobility and connectivity” in Philippine cities. industrial and commercial processes.” In the same column, Palafox cited two examples: Some of these are already being done in the PH, thanks planning projects involving his company in the cities of to improvements in mobile data technology rolled out Angeles in Pampanga and San Juan in Metro Manila. The by local service providers. The government has adopted first, at Clark Field inside Angeles, is the Sabah Al-Ahmad more “e-services” and electronic filing systems to reach Global Gateway Logistics City, envisioned as a “premier those outside of urban centers, while the private sector has aerotropolis” that would be an aviation logistics hub inside the former American air base. It dovetails with the long-term picked up the slack elsewhere – just try to count Pinoys that regularly hail Uber taxis and sell goods through online stores. goal of making the Clark Freeport Zone “as the Philippines’ It remains to be seen if the Philippines can implement premiere gateway and business mecca,” he adds. more policies and bankroll the changes that will lead to The second project has Palafox Associates and the more smart, sustainable cities across the archipelago (and San Juan government collaborating “to reshape the city” not just in Metro Manila, which is made up of 17 cities by applying “green architecture and green urbanism itself). But with an active telecommunications and ICT concepts,” the architect adds in the column. It calls for sector, a robust legion in social media ensuring the Filipino the city government to “change its land-use plan, zoning, voice is heard, and still-untapped natural resources waiting transportation, mobility, and disaster-preparedness” to be optimized, the next smart city might just rise next policies to help make San Juan become a smart city by door to yours. 2023, Palafox says.

VP Robredo at USAID confab on urban development

Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg were among those who attended the recent 2016 International Conference on Urban Development, organized by US Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID), at Sofitel Philippine Plaza. With half of the Philippines’ population of more than 100 million living in cities, “urban development presents a tremendous opportunity to pursue resilience and inclusive growth of secondary cities outside of Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao,” Goldberg said at the event with the theme “Accelerating Resilience and Inclusive Growth.” More than 1,300 international and local planning experts, policy makers, government officials, industry and business leaders, development players and students gathered in Manila to share knowledge, experience, and aspirations in shaping livable and resilient cities. Renowned speakers included Professor Charles Landry, an international authority on the use of imagination and creativity in urban change. For more information about the presentations, please visit http://surge.org.ph/2016urbandev.

Atty. Jose ‘Pepe’ Villanueva III Publisher Ernesto P. Maceda Jr. • Henry J. Schumacher • Katrina Legarda Editorial Board Owen Orseno Editor-at-Large

Sonny Ramirez Art Director

Dimitris Lyritzis Sports Editor

Claire Madarang Copy Editor

Maribel de Guzman Accounts Manager Kristine Vinas Circulation Manager

Mabel Fortuno Editorial Coordinator Amar Estoya Distribution Manager

The IMMIGRANT P.O. Box 4230 Makati City, Philippines For feedback and comments, please email us at theimmigrantnewspaper@gmail.com or visit our website at www.theimmigrant.com.ph The IMMIGRANT is in ISSUU. Get your e-copy at http://www.issuu.com/theimmigrantnewspaper (c) 2015-2016

ON THE COVER:

Smart cities hope to build on the concept of the Internet of Things and use technology to make marked improvements in all facets of its daily life, and thus improve the quality of life for its citizens. Communication technology illustration from IROOM STOCK/Shutterstock.com

A new start in Angeles

Ted Lerner moved to the city outside the former US-run Clark Air Base 15 years ago, and argues why expats, or anyone else, should come and stay

The airport and moving in

For that, you can thank the two massive slabs of concrete baking in the scorching Pampanga sun out on Clark Field – two worldclass runways sitting parallel to each other, built by the Americans when they ran the base. It is said the deep, reinforced concrete is some of the finest ever installed anywhere in the world. Locals like to boast that these runways are one of only three in the world where you could land the Space Shuttle. When the Philippine Senate and the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo forced the Americans to hightail it out in 1991 – 78 years after ostensibly stopping in to just rest their horses and suckle a few cold drinks – the locals were left in utter shock. Overnight, 50,000 jobs and over 1 million dollars a day that pumped into the local economy vanished. Lahar and ash from the volcano inundated the entire region, while the locals finished the job, looting Clark of all its American household and hardware goodies. The area went from one of the country’s few economic bright spots to seemingly having no reason to exist. When I first visited Angeles City in the mid-1990s, however, those runways were all anyone could talk about. Despite no noticeable progress on the base, many locals

Illustration by Sonny Ramirez

et me tell you about my home town. It’s a place of familiarity and severe contradictions, a place where, depending on your type of personality, you might think of as beautiful or downright filthy. A place that elicits utter loathing from those who have never been here, and often a grudging nod of approval from those who have taken the time to visit. A place that is perhaps the most un-Filipino city in the Philippines, a place that will surely be one of the pillars of progress for the future of this archipelago. I live in this place. Its name? Angeles City. I know, the moment you read “Angeles City” you immediately formed an opinion of me, and it’s probably not very flattering. Isn’t Angeles that dusty, grungy town that grew up around the former US-controlled Clark Air Force Base, then and now littered with sleazy girly bars catering to old, liquored-up foreign sex addicts? In some ways that’s not an inaccurate description. I’m here to inform you, however, that there is more, much more than meets the eye in the town my family and I have called home for the last 15 years. And you better pay attention, because this place may very well be where your future lies in the Philippines. Before I start sounding like a paid shill of the Angeles City Chamber of Commerce, let me say that Angeles and its environs is not the next Shangri-La or garden city of Asia. Yes, the vast expanse now known as the Clark Freeport Zone, which sits adjacent to Angeles, is one beautiful piece of real estate, complete with American-built infrastructure. Yes, this area some 80 kilometers north of Manila has serious potential. It also has some serious downsides. Over the years I have had – like many who live here – a stark love-hate relationship with this place. But no matter how many times local officials keep shooting themselves in the foot, there is a certain energy in Angeles and Clark: a freewheeling, anything-goes vibrancy that makes every day a new day; it’s a place where dreams are made and lost, where you can reinvent yourself every few hours.

were telling me the airport would soon be as busy as Hong Kong. In 1999, my family and I moved from Manila to Angeles, right outside the main gates of Clark, on a whim. Lots of large Americanstyle ranch houses were available for relatively cheap. They had obviously seen better days, but the houses were big and livable with a bit of fixing up. And so we stayed.

Pros and cons

At first, it was hard to convince myself that I made the right move. In Angeles, you were never far from a cheap date and a tall tale, as well as scams, lies and over-the-top bullshit, all delivered by a parade of bawdy foreign characters over endless cheap drinks. Say what you will, but cheap sex and liquor provided powerful drivers for the local economy after Pinatubo. As the years passed, I began to discover the gems of living here. Clark, with its beautiful old trees and expansive vistas, was the perfect place to go biking and jogging. I discovered areas behind Clark that are as beautiful as anywhere in Southeast Asia. I met and befriended a tribe of Aetas, aside from local billiards hero and Philippine legend Efren “Bata” Reyes. My kid became friends with other kids in the neighborhood, where they played on the lahar-packed streets every day for hours and enjoyed childhood as it should be. When torrential rains drowned the entire province of Pampanga, Angeles, at its slightly higher elevation, remained floodfree. I’ve also met a lot of crazy characters and made amazing friends here. Despite its world-class promise, however, Clark muddled along. President Ramos built the Expo Filipino to celebrate the Philippine Centennial, but it closed after six months and became the poster boy for white elephant construction. The oft-promised high speed rail from Manila never materialized. Several low-cost airlines did start service out of Clark, but many eventually packed up and left. Some

blamed Imperial Manila; I wasn’t so sure. Even some Kapampangans will tell you that their clan has long had a sense of entitlement, and who could blame them? For nearly a century, landlords, businesses, jeepney and tricycle drivers didn’t have to do anything to get money. Success was a guarantee in the form of GI Joes pouring off the base and brimming with dollars. Predictably, Angeles was the ultimate easycome, easy-go city.

Highways and frontiers

Sometime in the mid-2000s however, sprouts of change quietly appeared. The god-awful highway to Manila was revamped (becoming the NLEX) and Quezon City was now only an hour away. Texas Instruments built a sparkling facility, hiring thousands in high-paying jobs. A few years later, the first of many call centers opened up in Clark, providing thousands of young people with jobs. A new highway, the SCTEX, soon opened, and Subic – another former American base – was now only a 45-minute drive away. Tarlac, to the north, was an hour closer than before. A sure sign of progress came when SM opened a massive mall right at the entrance to Clark. Even the vaunted girlie bar scene began to go upscale. Foreigners with too much money to spend started opening up Vegas-style show bars, replacing the dingy bars that had defined Angeles for so long. Koreans came in droves, taking over whole areas and pushing the restaurant, bar and hotel scene to new heights. But that nagging question always persisted: what else did the place offer? Last year, over the course of a month, I think I discovered the answer. We drove up to Baguio, the country’s highland summer capital, and along the way discovered the brand new TPLEX – 60 kilometers of the finest highway in the Philippines, which picks up where the SCTEX ends in Tarlac and brings you into the heart of Pangasinan. We

made it to Baguio in a record 3.5 hours, where it had previously taken 5 or 6 hours. When TPLEX is soon completed (with its endpoint in La Union), Baguio will just be an astounding 2.5 hours away from Angeles. Sometime later, I had to go to London. Qatar Airways was now flying daily out of Clark to Doha. I left my house and was at the gate in – get this – 25 minutes. After a 90-minute layover in Doha, I was on my way to London. Now even Emirates Air has moved in, offering daily flights to Dubai and on to the rest of the world. Also around this time, the local Internet company Converge started offering blazingfast fiber optic connections at very reasonable prices. Sounds like an urban paradise, right? Hold on. The Clark airport still feels very provincial and there’s still no high-speed train to Manila. While business seems to be booming on the base, outside the gates the city of Angeles seems woefully unprepared for any progress that is surely heading its way in the coming years. The roads are narrow and old, and traffic snarls more each day. The city could use a good solid scrubbing, and city elite can’t seem to curb the proliferation of jeepney and tricycles and implement a proper taxi system. Crime can be a concern. The city can at times feel rough around the edges. It’s reputation as a modern-day Wild West is not without reason. But with gridlocked Manila now a quick shot down the highway, progress is surely coming north, whether anyone is prepared or not. And I’m convinced you couldn’t pick a better place for it to happen. Like the myth of the old American West, Angeles City is the land where you come to start anew, to roll the dice, to seek and lose a fortune, to live free and do as you please. Every country needs a way station, a place along the long and winding road to get you from here to there, to kick up your heels for a while, then move on. My home town is that place.

The Immigrant faqs

The issue of extradition Dean Ernesto P. Maceda Jr. revisits the concept of extradition, in light of the government’s efforts to fight crime even across borders

“J

urisprudence on extradition is but in its infancy in this jurisdiction.” 1 This is the observation of the honorable Supreme Court in the case of Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region vs. Olalia, et al in 2007 despite the existence of an extradition law enacted way back in 1977. Considering the ease of international travels and porous borders nowadays, where flight of criminals and/or fugitives are easily facilitated, it is important to revisit the concept of extradition and its significance to our foreign relations with other states. This article aims to explain the concept.

Q: What law governs extradition cases? A: Presidential Decree 1069, otherwise known as the

Philippine Extradition Law.

Q: What is extradition? A: It is “the removal of an accused from the Philippines

Illustration by Manix Abrera

with the object of placing him at the disposal of foreign authorities to enable the requesting state or government to hold him in connection with any criminal investigation directed against him or the execution of a penalty imposed on him under the penal or criminal law of the requesting state or government.” (Sec 2, PD 1069)

Q: By what authority may it be granted? A: Extradition may be granted pursuant to either a (1)

Treaty or (2) a Convention between the Philippines and the requesting country.

Q: The Philippines has an extradition treaty with the following countries: Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Switzerland, United States and Thailand. What kinds of cases is extradition applicable to? A: (1) A criminal investigation instituted by authorities of

the requesting state or government charging the accused with an offense punishable under the laws both of the requesting state or government and Philippines or (2) For the execution of a prison sentence imposed by a court

of the requesting state or government, to be served in the jurisdiction of and as a punishment for an offense committed by the accused within the territorial jurisdiction of the requesting state or government.

Q: How is it done? A: I. A Foreign Diplomat may request for the extradition

of any accused who is suspected of being in the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines. The request shall be addressed to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and shall be accompanied by the original or authentic copy of either: (1) The decision or sentence imposed upon the accused by the court of the requesting state or government, or (2) A criminal

charge and the warrant of arrest issued by the authority of the requesting state or government. II. The request must have a recital of acts for which extradition is requested, with the fullest particulars such as the name and identity of the accused as well as his whereabouts if known, the acts or omissions complained of, and the time and place of the commission of these acts. It must also include the applicable law or statement of the contents of said law, and the designation or description of the offense law. Other documents or information in support of the request may also be included. III. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines shall then forward the request which meets the requirements of the treaty or convention and this extradition law to the Secretary of Justice, who, through a panel of attorneys, shall file a petition with the Regional Trial Court. IV. Upon receipt of the petition, the Presiding Judge of the Court shall summon the accused to appear and answer the petition on the day and time fixed in the order. A warrant of arrest may be issued and served on the accused anywhere in the Philippines.

Q: How are hearings for extradition cases conducted? A: Although summary in nature, the proceedings shall be

conducted in a fair and speedy manner. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the Court shall render a decision granting the extradition giving its reasons upon showing of the existence of a prima facie case; otherwise, it shall dismiss the petition. Within ten (10) days from receipt of the decision of the court, the accused may appeal to the Court of Appeals, whose decision in extradition cases shall be final and immediately executory.

Q: What happens if the extradition becomes final and executory? A: After the decision of the court has become final and

executory, the accused shall be surrendered to the requesting state or government for extradition. The requesting state may request for provisional arrest of the accused for a period of twenty (20) days, pending receipt of the request for extradition, in case of urgency. Turn to page 9

1. Gov’t of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, represented by the Philippine Department of Justice vs. Hon. Felixberto T. Olalia, Jr. and Juan Antonio Muñoz, G.R. No. 153675, April 19, 2007. 2. Philippine Treaties Online. A Project of the Office of Legal Affairs and the Department of Foreign Affairs

Questions, questions, questions…

o one knows. Who is he? What will he do? Where will the country go? What does he believe in? Who will he choose to join him? What will be his policies? What actions will he take? Will he be able to assume a national role, or understand international diplomacy? Questions, questions, questions. Are there answers? The first question really is: Why did Rodrigo Duterte, the new President, win? I believe it wasn’t so much him, although it very certainly was that too. His folksy, rambling, anecdotal style of speaking appealed to voters. But it was more a rejection of the political system we suffer with every day. People are sick and tired of the machinations of too many of the people in power. And the insufferable frustrations of dealing with the bureaucratic systems, their mindless complexity and turtle speed. People were rejecting the Daang Matuwid (Straight Path) of the Aquino government because it had turned out to be a rutted, dirt road going nowhere ─ for them. It was time for change, and to hell with the risks of that change. The public welcomed the risk. It’s the same in America; Americans are fed up with trapos (traditional politicians) so they want change. But to liken Duterte to Trump is wrong. Yes, they make the same outlandish comments and claims, but that’s it. They’re quite different in how they’d lead their countries. I wonder if we’ll see it, but if Trump wins, I’ve little doubt the two would get on famously. How Duterte will get on with Hillary Clinton is much less certain, but he’s not the misogynist Trump appears to be.

FROM THE DESK

Peter Wallace

But voters also wanted what Duterte promised. Firstly, action. They’d had enough of political promises, they wanted someone who would “damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.” Someone who would trample on bureaucratic roadblocks and just get things done. This he promised, and is already doing in his first few weeks in office. His primary – almost overwhelmingly so – focus is on crime, corruption and drugs. A huge portion of his rambling, down-to-earth speeches (another thing that appealed to the electorate) was devoted to these problems. People vote for what affects their day-to-day life; they don’t give a damn for GDP achievements, or investment-grade credit ratings. They care for what happens to them daily, and purse snatching or pay-outs to get a license processed isn’t what they want. Everyone has seen the ravages of drug abuse, and know someone who suffers ─ a relative far too often. This is what they voted to address. He had the added advantage, at least over Mar Roxas, of empathizing with the people; he was one of them. He related to them. Mar was on a different plane. Former Vice President Jojo Binay was of the same ilk as Duterte, but the unanswered questions of corruption brought him down. It didn’t seem to matter how outrageous Duterte’s comments were. He developed almost a fanatical cult following in just a few short months ─ from an unknown 6 months ago to 16 million votes on May 9. It was remarkable to say the least. So what sort of person is Duterte? Surprisingly, he’s gentle and considerate. He is thoughtful in our time talking to him, and able to understand complex Turn to page 9

or purchase-order financing, so be prepared to whip out your business plan when asked.

3) They have the “consultants” to help you out. “Consultant” means the people

you probably didn’t consider hiring when you started your business, like a competent bookkeeper or a marketing person to promote your new service. The people behind an incubator are usually expert professionals that you shouldn’t hesitate to consult with and ask coaching from.

4) They are a “legit” incubator and has “street cred.” A true incubator

should be a couple of years older than your startup, has reputable leadership and business connections, and has a financial “wall” to lean on for its own needs. Sadly, some swindlers pretend to run an incubation program just to lure startups as their initial customers.

5) They can enhance your network. From your fellow startup “tenants” in

There is power in business incubation, and startups should take advantage of it whenever they can. Aspiring entrepreneur Alex Valdez tells us why.

based businesses, but they all have some common characteristics that you should look out for (yes, even if you are an expat in the Philippines, which still has a nascent incubation industry). While looking for the right incubator for you, these traits should help you unlock the power of your startup:

f you were in my shoes as a startup business owner, wouldn’t you want a mentor to help you learn more about your chosen industry? Wouldn’t you want to save your precious capital by sharing an office space, getting affordable supplies and back-office support, obtaining more funds, introducing you to potential investors, and letting you focus on delivering your MVP (most valuable product)? I would want all of the above, which led me two years ago to apply for a business incubation program. Better known as incubators (and not to be confused for those devices that help hatch chicks in poultry farms), these are private companies or nonprofit institutions that aim to help new businesses by supplying the financial, technical and advisory support they need to grow. Bigger firms often launch incubators to look for the “next big thing” and either invest in these fledgling companies or purchase them outright. A government or private foundation into incubation can be more altruistic, with the overarching goals of stimulating the economy, generating employment and providing income for the country’s citizens (not to mention the business owner). Not all incubators are the same: some are geared toward specific fields like technology or school-

1) They should help you save.

Startups have so little money and so many financial concerns: cost of materials, salaries, utilities, office equipment, and incidental expenses are just a few. An incubator that allows you to cut your basic operating costs like office rent will go a long way toward devoting your funds for the things that matter, like your next shipment of raw materials.

2) They can point you to financiers. If the incubators, usually the ones

tied to a government body or the academe, can’t buy into your startup, they can usually point you to a bank, angel investor, or venture capitalists that can. The seed capital they eventually direct you to can come in the form of financial grants or funding proposals, royalty financing,

Small but beautiful

Kitchens in condos don’t have to look shoddy and shrunken. Todd delos Santos gives us some decorating ideas.

Photo courtesy Narcadia Home Interiors

Image courtesy Arabnet.me

Hatching a business

hat kitchen? That’s probably what you blurt out when you enter your condominium unit for the first time, especially if it’s already furnished with premade cabinets and appliances to maximize the space ideas of the condo builder’s interior design “experts.” With condos in Metro Manila starting at a measly 28 square meters, you’d think you are resigned to having the sink, personal refrigerator, electric stove, plastic drawer cabinet, and folding tables and chairs thrown together and calling that a “kitchen.” But take heart, condo homemakers: with determination, some extra cash and a little imagination, you can turn your Lilliputian dining workspace into a thing of beauty and functionality. If you can hire an interior designer, you can execute your ideas to meet your needs with these kitchen areas in mind:

The working area: A center island, perhaps one just behind you when you stand facing the sink, is

the incubator to the lawyers, accountants, tax experts, government officials and business advisers you’ll need to know to get your business moving in the right direction, your chosen incubator should underscore the saying “it’s not what you know, but who you know that counts.” It should be able to get you to know the people who will be relevant to your business, years down the line. If you’re an expat looking to start a firm here in the Philippines, there are other things you need to know, chief of which is that under the law foreigners cannot 100-percent own a company in certain industries. But if you already have a startup here and have your corporate legalities in order, you can start asking about these local incubators (mostly devoted to information technology or IT) and see if they can help you out in any way (thanks to John Arce at WebGeek. ph for this list): • Ayala Technology Business Incubator (Ayala TBI) • Cebu Business Incubator for I.T. • DOST-PEZA Open Technology Business Incubator • Founders Institute Manila • Hatchd • Ideaspace • Kickstart • Launchgarage • ManilaAngels • PSIA SPrInG.PH • UP Enterprise Center for Technopreneurship With any of these incubators, it’s important to bring your fully-fleshed-out business plan for their review – and you need to give them a good reason to pick you for their incubation programs. As with anything in business, incubators only put their money on the startups that have the best chance to succeed, so show them you can be their MVP (most valuable protégé).

essential for you to prepare the food at before you throw it into the stove, gas range, oven, toaster, microwave, or whatever cooking appliance you have. (It’s also more sanitary to prepare food away from the sink, which is where most stoves in condos are wedged into.) But be mindful of the so-called kitchen triangle – the sink, stove and fridge – as you need unfettered access to all of them. A word on miniaturized appliances: get the normal-sized versions instead, but arrange them in such a way to give you maximum maneuverability. Granite or marble island tops look classiest for kitchen counters but will most likely be fixed, limiting your redecorating options later on. Fold-away stainless steel or wooden islands that double as dinner tables are options, but most likely will need to be custom-made for your kitchen space. They’re often paired with high chairs or bar stools to save even more floor space, so choose wisely.

The storage area: Don’t waste storage space.

Use every square inch from floor to ceiling if possible. Always build a cabinet over a ref; long overhead cabinets with molding work best. Placing strip lights or a nice plant or two will help draw attention to this area, and you can store your large pots and pans (or kitchen items you occasionally use) here. Make enough space for your groceries and supplies as well. You’ll want as much open horizontal surface area in a kitchen as possible, so as an example, install shelves across Turn to page 9

Photos courtesy Aman Resorts

Peace, Amanpulo

This exclusive island resort between Palawan and Panay wants you to take nature in, says former visitor Nicholas Turner

“W

hite sand, incredible flora and fauna, giant lizards and turtles wandering around.” That’s a direct quote by Hollywood actor Jude Law, when CNN Traveller asked him to describe the best hotel he’s stayed in. Although he didn’t mention the hotel by name, Law was referring to “the one that impressed (him) most, an island hotel in the Philippines.” That is none other than Amanpulo, the exclusive resort on Pamalican Island in the Cuyo cluster between Palawan and Panay, about 360 kilometers south of Manila. Taking its name from the Sanskrit word for “peace” and the Filipino word for “island,” Amanpulo is on a tiny pop of land in the middle of a 7-square-kilometer coral reef.

Pamalican is a bird sanctuary, and enjoys the pristine tranquility and seclusion that probably no other resort in Palawan can boast of. It’s no wonder that Law and other global celebrities like Bill Gates, Michael Jackson, Tom Cruise, Robert de Niro, Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Diana Ross have reportedly spent time in Amanpulo, where the rooms go for at least USD 1155 (about Php 52,000) a night. The lucky few, like I was once in 2014 with some relatives, who manage to reach Amanpulo have no shortage of activities to indulge in. Your eyes alone will be busy darting between the exotic creatures in and around the island and underneath its waters. For starters, swimming is a must: either run for the powdery white shores as soon as

you drop your bags off at your room or don your bathing suit and relax at Amanpulo’s main pool. The resort has a Beach Club and enough loungers to just sit back and inhale the fresh sea breeze. Snorkeling is another must-do, and Amanpulo stages two trips a day, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with resort staff on hand. Apart from turtles, the coral reef is host to rays, lobsters, parrot fish, anemones, “Nemos” (clownfish), “Patricks” (starfish) and other typical tropical fish. (If I mentioned cartoon characters there, it’s because my kids were with me; this activity is easy enough for most children to do.) Those with more advanced aquatic skills may try the scuba diving, sailing, kayaking and windsurfing at Amanpulo, and the

Dare to visit Davao

Photo by GinaD/commons.wikimedia.org

Yes, it may be dangerous to tour President Duterte’s hometown, but city native Carlito Mallo gives us a dozen reasons why you still should

accommodations inside their hectares of mountain land. The Davao Crocodile Park, also privately owned, boasts of a state-ofthe-art system for the reptiles and has an adjoining Butterfly House as well. Curated by American Darrell Blatchley, who has lived half his life in Davao, D’Bone Collector Museum boasts over 700 specimens of skeletons and skulls and is a stone’s throw from City Hall. To learn more about Davao itself though, it’s better to head to Museo Dabawenyo, which highlights the city’s 11 indigenous tribes.

Eat and relax

Held every August, the Kadayawan Festival shows just how vibrant life in Davao has become.

f you happen to be curious about Davao City (the premier city of Mindanao and the hometown of the new Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte), Wikitravel has a big red exclamation point in a triangle to show you. The travel website helpfully warns its readers that many world governments “strongly dissuade any travels to the island of Mindanao because of the threat of terrorist attacks, bombings, shootings and kidnappings of foreigners” and that “most insurers will not pay out if you need to make a claim while being in Davao.” It ends by advising the reader to “contact your embassy and insurer before traveling.” But if you are the type of traveler who has to go to Davao for business, has family and friends in the city (like I do), or generally

resort’s Dive Shop even offers to set up a drift diving session, provided you have the experience (the dive masters say it’s the closest thing to flying underwater and can be done by rookies, but I chickened out at the last minute). Above water, one can also sample the Spa, which has great overlooking views of the island, or use Amanpulo’s refractor telescope for some proper stargazing on a cloudless night. But of all the things you can do at this resort, the best tip comes from Jude Law still: “It was quite a simple place, not pompous, which was nice. It was all about the environment you were in,” he told CNN Traveller. In other words: just soak everything in, you’re in paradise after all.

throws caution to the wind, then the so-called Durian Capital of the Philippines is well worth your time. There are at least a dozen things to do or visit while in Metro Davao (which, strictly speaking, also includes the neighboring towns of Digos, Tagum, Panabo, Samal, Carmen and Santa Cruz, but we’ll keep it to Davao City here), so here’s a quick rundown:

Discover

Now would be the perfect time to book your hotels in Davao, as it absolutely explodes during the Kadayawan Festival, the annual fiesta every third week of August. A celebration of life, the gifts of nature and the wealth of Mindanaoan culture, then-Mayor Duterte expanded the festival in the late 1980s to celebrate

everything Davao, and it has generated several spinoff fiestas. Mount Apo, the Philippines’ highest mountain, looms large in Davao’s horizon 45 kilometers away. Bushfires in March caused by careless hikers, however, forced officials to close the mountain’s park indefinitely, so it can only be admired from afar for now. A bit closer, however, is the Philippine Eagle Center. An hour’s drive from the city center, it costs just 50 pesos to enter the facility devoted to the national bird, and tour guides are available free of charge. Want more flora and fauna? Davao has two excellent private parks in the Malagos Garden Resort (which should reopen this August after renovations) and the Eden Nature Park. Both offer cozy

If your stomach starts rumbling, especially around dinnertime, Davaoeños will almost always tell you to go to Jack’s Ridge Resort and take in its terrific view of the city from the hills of Matina from any of its three restaurants (Taklobo, Kai’s Bar and Grill, and Karlo’s Gourmet and Coffee). Davao is renowned for the stinky durian and fresh fruits of all kinds, and the best place to get them is the Bankerohan Market, described by Lonely Planet as “vibrant, chaotic, claustrophobic, smelly and resembling a sprawling shanty town.” The Magsaysay Avenue fruit stands offer a less grimy alternative. The Aldevinco shopping center has a lot of pasalubong souvenir shops, but those looking for a higher-end shopping experience may opt for Abreeza or the other bigger malls within the city. Finally, if you have time to spare, head to Samal Island just 10 minutes away by ferry for any of its beach resorts. But be extremely careful: this is where three foreigners were recently kidnapped and killed by terrorists – hence the stern Wikitravel warning. With long-time mayor Duterte now our President, we natives of Davao hope this will be a thing of the past.

Suppl sp P ec RA em ial en t

Active rest

A dozen home options

The retiree’s visa explained

Philippines: A retirement haven The country has so much to offer to the foreigner looking for a second home in his sundown years By Florentino Garcia

he Philippines and retirement. Sounds odd to you? As a foreigner or expatriate, you might not consider this country of 7,600-plus islands with so much natural beauty and hospitality as the place to spend your sundown years. Friends might tell you the archipelago is ideal only for the seasonal four-day, threenight beach-hopping jaunt while your part of the world is in bitter winter, or for that extended Asian business trip that would take you elsewhere around the region. But if you are at least 35 years old, have earned and saved enough to take care of yourself (and your spouse or family) through your old age, have grown tired of cold climates or your native scenery, and simply desire a new place to call home, then the Philippines may just be able to provide what you need in your retirement. If no one has told you how good this country can be for you (which, we assume, is next to impossible given that over 10 million Filipino workers are scattered across the globe, not to mention the millions of Pinoy expats who have become citizens in their adopted countries), let us count the ways, especially if you consider yourself to be in the “pre-tirement” stage:

Geography and warm climate.

The Philippines sits 14 degrees north of the Equator, which gives it the kind of tropical maritime climate that’s ideal

to anyone who hates shivering despite layers of clothing. Depending on where you eventually live, you can see calming green mountains, lush river valleys, and miles and miles of beaches (22,549 miles or 36,289 kilometers, to be exact) – and you can experience them all in one day with just one trip from Manila, the nation’s capital, to Baguio, the summer capital. “Hot, humid, and wet” best describe the Philippine climate. The country has two main seasons: rainy from June to November and dry from December to May. The cold dry season ranges from December to February, and the warm dry half kicks in from March to May. If you’re older and suffer from ailments triggered by the cold, the Philippines has an average yearly temperature of 26.6 degrees Celsius (79.9 degrees Fahrenheit) for just the right warmth on most days of the year. If you’re younger but don’t want to sweat through your shirt that often, highland areas like Baguio can be as cool as 18.3 C (64.9 F) – much cooler than the lowland mean temperature. Map-wise, the Philippines is the hub or gateway to Southeast and East Asia. From the airports or seaports in Manila, Cebu or Davao, you can proceed to Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau in the north; Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos in the west; and Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea

to the south and southwest. Even the islands of Palau, Guam, and the Marianas are just two hours away by plane to the east of the Philippines.

Rich culture and environment.

Yes, the Philippines is rich, in both natural resources and culture. Its rainforests and long coastlines are teeming with wildlife as one of the world’s ten most biologically “mega-diverse” countries. As part of the Coral Triangle, the archipelago has delighted many a diver, rookie, or pro – an astounding 500 coral species and 2,400 marine fish species are found in its waters. In fact, the Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea off Mindanao was declared a World Heritage Site in 1993. On land, animals native to the country include the Philippine eagle (considered the largest eagle in the world), the palm civet cat, the dugong (sea cow), cloud rat, and the tarsier. Scientists say over 100 mammal species and 170 kinds of birds exist only in the Philippines, along with 3,200 unique plant species (including lots of rare orchids). This wealth extends to Philippine culture, which one of the country’s national artists described as a result of “300 years in a convent and 50 in Hollywood.” A true amalgam of East and West, Filipinos today display Malay, Chinese, Spanish, American, British, French, Japanese, Korean, and even African

Photo courtesy of Philippine Retirement Authority

Retirees have at least 7,600 places where they can set up a hammock on a beach – one for every island in the Philippines, if they choose to spend the rest of their days here. Photo courtesy of Philippine Retirement Authority

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Active rest

Some people never really retire, so the PRA has guidelines for those busybodies who want to do business in the Philippines

Philippines... From page 1

Photos courtesy of Philippine Retirement Authority

influences in their everyday lives, making it easier for a retiring expat like you to fit in.

leisure and luxury. Food is abundant and affordable, and expats are able to savor international and local cuisines. The website Numbeo also has a very detailed breakdown on the cost of living in the PH; it says it is 51.68 percent lower (cheaper) to live here than in the United States. A foreigner may also enjoy affordable, fast and stable access to the Internet – an absolute necessity, not only to get a hold of all the important information on visa requirements, public transportation, and local events, but also to keep in touch with their relatives abroad. Cable television fees go for just $12 (Php 540) a month, on average with the option of adding foreign channels for a minimal cost.

English as a second language. The Philippines is the only country in Asia that uses English as its second official language. Indeed, the global lingua franca is the second tongue of most Filipinos, even for those in the provinces. English is taught and practiced not just in schools and universities but in virtually all medical, health care, and tourism training centers across the country. Newspapers, signage, instruction manuals, journals, and other World-class medical and health related teaching literature are invariably printed in English.That facilities. Partly owing to efforts to match worldwide makes the country’s tourism and health care professionals standards for medical tourism, several local hospitals and well-versed in the world’s language, and removes the critical clinics have undergone a number of accreditations and language barrier between expats and locals. certifications to ensure that the level, standard, and service But even for those whose native tongue is not English, of health care institutions in the country are world-class and many periodicals in various globally competitive. languages are available, and In addition to hospitals already “Filipinos are, for reasons accredited Filipinos are supremely helpful to by the government’s I have yet to figure out, foreigners who look lost and ask PhilHealth System, the Department of for help, even in halting English. probably the most giving Tourism (DOT), in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), of all people on the planet. has identified institutions certified as Lower cost of Filipinos love feeding Medical Tourism hospitals. There are living. According to the 2016 Global Retirement Index of the people… Filipinos give Joint Commission International (JCI)hospitals like St. Luke’s, magazine International Living, the – of themselves, of their accredited Medical City, Makati Medical Center, Philippines is 17th overall out of time, their money, their and Asian Hospital. 194 countries on the list (ranked Practically speaking, hospital costs between Italy and Uruguay), love – to others.” and medicines are cheap in the and matches Portugal and the – Anthony Bourdain Philippines. The amount of co-pay in Dominican Republic in the cost of Chef, author, and TV host the US may be practically equal to the living category. Indeed, this country amount of the whole medical procedure in the Philippines. is the perfect place if you want your money to go a lot With this kind of health care system, a foreign retiree will be further – Forbes Magazine even put it in its list of “20 Best able to save a lot. Also, local doctors and nurses are highly Foreign Retirement Havens” in 2015. skilled and professionally competent, capable of giving topMost foreigners live comfortably in the Philippines notch health services. for about $800 to $1,200 a month (about Php36,000 to Php54,000, or what a corporate middle manager’s monthly salary would be) and that already provides a great deal of Filipino warmth and hospitality. Indeed, it’s more fun in the Philippines, but Filipino society is likewise innately respectful and caring to the elderly. The government believed in this cultural trait enough to put up the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) in 1985, a government corporation with the mission of attracting more foreigners and former Filipino nationals to the islands. The agency has now helped over 40,000 expats to invest, reside and retire here since 2010, according to official records. Plus, the one Pinoy trait that remains consistent – and warm like the country’s weather – all over the islands is the world-famous hospitality. The chef, author, and TV host Anthony Bourdain recently said on his travel program on CNN: “Filipinos are, for reasons I have yet to figure out, probably the most giving of all people on the planet. Filipinos love feeding people… Filipinos give – of themselves, of their Fresh shrimp and time, their money, their love – to others.” cold beer right on the With such a ringing endorsement from the “Parts beach? No problem, as Unknown” host – apart from the nods of a long list of the Philippines boasts of thousands of places global celebrities in years past – seeing yourself as a retiree to do this across its here may not be a strange idea at all. Indeed, why just stay archipelago for the winter when you can spend the rest of your days in paradise? Philippine Retirement Authority Special Supplement

You can use your retiree visa deposit to purchase shares of golf and country clubs anywhere in the Philippines.

For other investments, especially those made by PRA retiree-members outside the PRA program as noted above, the Philippines’ laws on enterprises, foreign ownership and investment apply, particularly those indicated by the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 (or Republic Act No. 7042). Here, retirees may use other funds separate and distinct from the qualifying dollar time deposit for their SRRV for any business of their choice. For instance, foreign ownership of up to 100 percent is allowed for export enterprises, which are defined as those businesses where at least 60 percent of output is exported.

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Photo courtesy of Philippine Retirement Authority

This magical lagoon in Coron, Palawan is one of the places you must visit if you choose to retire in the Philippines.

he Philippine Retirement Authority notes in its PRA Business Guide that as a general rule, “anyone regardless of nationality may invest in the Philippines.” That includes you, dear foreigner, if you’ve taken the steps to enjoy your retirement on these shores. The Authority’s existing Implementing Investment Guidelines state that foreign nationals enrolled in the PRA’s Retirement Program may use the visa dollar investments they placed in time deposits in local banks after a holding period of 30 days. This is after they are issued their Special Resident Retiree’s Visa or SRRV (see more on page 4 – Editor). Once the holding period passes, foreigners can convert their time deposits into active investments in any or a combination of the following: 1. Purchase or acquisition of a condo unit anywhere in the Philippines; 2. Long-term lease of house and lot for a period not shorter than 20 years; and 3. Purchase of golf or country club shares. For former Filipinos in the PRA program, purchase of a lot is limited to not more than 5,000 square meters in urban areas, or three hectares in rural areas, to be used for business or other purposes.

A view of the Ibiza Beach Club at Movenpick Resort Cebu – one reason why you might pick the "Queen City of the South" as your new retirement home in the Philippines.

These 12 cities could hold your new home address in the Philippines

ou’ve made the decision to pack up your things, leave your old home behind, and settle in the Philippines for your retirement. But where on this country’s many great places to live should you make your second home? For expats in the PH, city living may make the most sense, as it keeps you close to the major public utilities like government offices, hospitals (especially if you have a condition that requires constant care) and schools (if you have children). If you prefer some solitude, there is no shortage of quiet places in the mountains or along the beaches to set up your new sanctuary. The place you choose for your new home will ultimately boil down to the lifestyle you will pursue in your retirement, and the Philippines offers a range of options across its 80 provinces, 17 regions, and 138 cities. Of course, safety is a primary concern, and you should pay heed to any advisories the government or your home country’s embassy may issue from time to time. Before you make that down payment for your new home, here are short profiles of 12 Philippine cities you could live in. Remember, as a foreigner in the Philippines you can always rent a place, but not always buy one (and you might want to use your sizable visa dollar deposit right away for that purpose).

The Sprawling Green Cities

Baguio – The Philippines’ summer capital is 5,000 feet above sea level and is the economic center of Northern Luzon. Built to support the region’s decades-old gold-mining industry, Baguio is about five hours from Manila by bus and about two hours from the beaches of La Union and Pangasinan. “The City of Pines” is certainly touristy, but many hillside condos and Swiss-type chalets in gated villages on its outskirts can give you some privacy. On a typical day you might play golf, go cycling or ride horses, then hit the markets for fresh vegetables and organic produce. You won’t need airconditioning on most days, but you might need to earthquake-proof your home, as one in 1990 destroyed most of Baguio. Angeles/Clark Green City – The former site of a US military air base, this city in Pampanga province is being groomed as the country’s first “green, global and smart metropolis” by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). It has an international airport that’s two hours away from Manila, and boasts of American infrastructure within Clark Freeport, where many foreign firms have set up shop. A sizable expat community lives in Angeles City, the area just outside Clark, and restaurants of all cuisines – including the native Kapampangan dishes known for their rich flavors – are waiting to be tried. Santa Rosa – The gateway city to Laguna province, Santa Rosa is the classic suburbia south of Metro Manila. It borders the Laguna de Bay lake on one side, and upscale villages have sprouted around its old soft drink and car manufacturing plants, which earned it the moniker “Detroit of the Philippines.” Santa Rosa is about an hour away from Manila via the South Luzon Expressway or SLEX. Kids will probably want to visit the Enchanted Kingdom theme park every day, while adults may have fun with fishing and water sports at Laguna de Bay, or spend the afternoon in Tagaytay just up the hill.

Tagaytay – About 90 minutes south of Manila in

the hills of Cavite province, 2,100 feet above sea level, is “Baguio Lite,” which sits on a ridge overlooking Lake Taal and the famed Taal Volcano. If you don’t want to stay far from Manila but love great scenery and fresh produce, Tagaytay already has great retirement homes and assisted care facilities to consider. If you’re done exploring its row of al fresco restaurants, coffee shops, and hotel diners, Tagaytay is a short hop away from Batangas province and its beaches. Stay within city limits and you could find yourself playing in any of its 18-hole championship golf courses, or taking your family to either the Picnic Grove or Sky Ranch for a leisurely afternoon. Davao – The premier city in the Mindanao region is one of superlatives. It is the largest in the world in terms of land area, it’s the most crime-free area in the country (thanks in part to its long-time mayor, Rodrigo Duterte, who is now President), and has amazing attractions (Mount Apo, the Philippine eagle, durian and other fruits) for nature lovers and adventurers to enjoy. Sitting outside the Philippines’ typhoon belt, Davao is close to both the beach (Samal Island’s resorts are just 30 minutes away) and the mountains (Bukidnon’s cool hills are an hour to the west). Metro Davao only has a tenth of Metro Manila’s population – so traffic is almost never a problem – yet commodities cost about a third less than in the Big City.

The Major Provincial Cities

Vigan – The capital of Ilocos Sur province, Vigan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the “New 7 Wonders” cities, cited for its Spanish colonial architecture and cobblestone streets preserved from the 15th century. If you’re looking for European-style art and culture but want a rustic feel for a retirement haven, this city has it. Foodies will enjoy the delectable Ilocos empanada, Vigan longganisa, bagnet (deep-fried pork) and other local delicacies, but active types can opt to tour the city’s museums and preserved mansions or learn how to weave the colorful abel cloth that’s an Ilocano heirloom. The amazing sand dunes of Ilocos Norte and beaches of Pagudpud are just three hours to the north. Makati – One might argue that after retiring from corporate life, why would anyone want to live in the city that houses the Philippines’ central business district (CBD)? Well, Makati does have the best of everything an expat may need – the finest homes in its private enclaves, the best hospitals, the glitziest malls, embassy offices, top-tier schools, and even foreign clubs and associations. Foreigners who grew up as urbanites will appreciate Makati’s parks and recreational centers, especially on weekends when pop-up markets occupy its streets. Even if you choose to live away from the CBD, Makati has the country’s richest local government, allowing it to provide better public services than most other Philippine cities. Even the

Photos courtesy of Philippine Retirement Authority

A dozen home options

Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) named Makati the most retirement-friendly city in the country in 2012, based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Cebu – The Queen City of the South, and by extension the province that bears its name, has a long, rich history with expats. It’s the country’s oldest city (the explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed here in 1521), and to this day remains the country’s main domestic shipping port and the commercial heart of the Central Visayas region. Some call Cebu a more laid-back Manila (with about the same major facilities), but you can get just as busy here while enjoying all sorts of leisure activities, from islandhopping trips to dancing in the annual Sinulog festival. Cebu is also a hub for trips throughout Asia, thanks to its own international airport on Mactan Island. Did we mention the world-famous Cebu mangoes? Tagbilaran – Some might consider this capital of Bohol province a virtual suburb of Cebu, as it’s just an hour by boat to the south. But “Tagbi” has a growing reputation as a university town, and the cost of living here is even lower than its big Visayan brother. You’ll probably settle somewhere on Panglao Island, which houses most of Bohol’s top beach resorts and is separated from the city by a short bridge. A new airport is also being built on Panglao, so you might choose one of the coastal towns close to Tagbilaran like Baclayon, which houses one of Bohol’s centuries-old Catholic church buildings made from coral. Sadly, some were destroyed by the earthquake in 2013, but Tagbilaran and the rest of Bohol have a lot more attractions (tarsiers included) to keep you occupied. Dumaguete – In 2014, this capital of Negros Oriental province got the nod of Forbes Magazine as one of the seven best places to retire around the world (Forbes based its ranking on the Retire Overseas Index). In the same year, Dumaguete ranked fourth on a Yahoo Finance list of most affordable places to retire globally. The list said a retiree could have a monthly budget of $1,000 and still live comfortably here. A staging area for diving adventures at nearby Apo Island and whale shark watching at the southern coast of Cebu, Dumaguete is home to Silliman University, and “The City of Gentle People” truly acts like a classic college town. Like Davao, it is geographically outside the typhoon belt, making the weather warm and pleasant all year. Iloilo – The capital of its namesake province on Panay Island, Iloilo is the regional center of Western Visayas and the social heart of those who speak the Hiligaynon language. Its refined, aristocratic air stems from its years as the country’s textile and sugar capital, and the influence of the Spanish and Americans that used it as a hub for their activities on Panay and Negros. From Iloilo, one can cross the sea to the island of Guimaras, which is famed for its sweet mangoes, or tour Panay to visit the neighboring provinces of Antique, Capiz, and Aklan. The city’s international airport also serves as a gateway to world-famous Boracay Island, which is off the coast of Aklan on the northern side of Panay. Cagayan de Oro – Misamis Oriental province’s capital, “The City of Golden Friendship” is truly hospitable as a melting pot of Christian and Muslim cultures for over four centuries. It is to Mindanao’s northern coast as Davao is to the south, and mirrors much of the latter’s strengths. In Cagayan de Oro you can go whitewater rafting on the Cagayan River in one moment and kayaking on Macajalar Bay the next, not to mention go splashing at one of the city’s three waterfalls (Catanico, Migtusok, and Palalan). The city hosts the region’s top power plants and oil firms, so expat workers among these companies could show you around.

Although they are rare, colorful calesas are ready to take passengers in some major cities in the country.

With an SRRV identification card (inset), your retirement in the Philippines becomes a much more pleasant experience, as it guarantees government assistance through the Philippine Retirement Authority and exclusive benefits and privileges from the PRA's partner establishments.

The additional visa deposit is waived for former Filipino citizens.

What are the requirements for the SRRV?

The SRRV explained

Photo courtesy of Philippine Retirement Authority

As the Philippine Retirement Authority’s top ‘product’, the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa is the key to making the PH truly your home away from home

s a government-owned and controlled corporation under the supervision of the Department of Tourism, the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) is mandated to attract foreign nationals and former Filipinos to live in the country and provide them with the best quality of life in the most attractive package. To open that package, the PRA offers as its primary “product” the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), which allows all foreign retirees (and Pinoys who became citizens of other countries but want to return home) who avail of it “to retire and live in the Philippines for as long as they want.” An SRRV holder may come in and out of the Philippines as often as he desires, and enjoy privileges such as: 1) Exemption from securing the ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration Immigration Card) from the Bureau of Immigration; 2) Exemption from paying the travel tax at the Philippine Airports; 3) Exemption from getting a Study Permit or Student’s Visa for their dependent-children who intend to pursue their education in the Philippines; and 4) Exemption from income tax on your pension and annuities. PRA retiree-members may also use health cards issued abroad in Philippine hospitals and clinics accredited by selected health card companies. They may also avail of the one-time tax-free importation of household goods and personal effects (up to US$7,000), get access to greet-andassist programs, and get discount privileges from services offered by PRA Merchant Partners. The PRA may also assist its retiree-members in obtaining documents from other government agencies, such as but not limited to: • Alien Employment Permit • Driver’s License • Tax Exemption/Extension Certificate • Tax Identification Number (TIN) • National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance. Here is a quick guide on what the SRRV is and how one can obtain this special visa:

What is the SRRV?

It is a non-immigrant, multiple-entry, indefinite-stay visa. With it, SRRV holders (and their families) may stay in the Philippines for as long as they want without giving up their citizenship. It is issued by the Bureau of Immigration through the PRA, and is especially designed for those who wish to live in the Philippines on an extended or permanent basis.

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For domestic market enterprises, foreign ownership is allowed up to 100 percent, except for specific areas listed under the Foreign Investments Negative List (FINL), where foreign investment is limited up to 40 percent. Once an SRRV applicant decides to invest in the Philippines, the PRA can assist in: 1. Pre-processing and evaluation of the application for the conversion of the dollar time deposit into an investment; 2. Annotation of the PRA restriction on the title representing

Who may apply for the SRRV?

A Principal Retiree must be at least 35 years old to enjoy the benefits and privileges that only SRRV holders can avail of. Any foreigner with an entry visa issued by the Philippine Embassy or former Filipino citizens who are current holders of foreign passports are eligible to apply for the SRRV.

What are the types of SRRV?

Through the PRA, retirees who want to make the Philippines their retirement home can now choose from 4 SRRV options: 1) SRRV Smile – For active and healthy principal retirees 35 years and older who wish to maintain their Visa deposit of US$20,000 in any of the PRA-designated banks; 2) SRRV Classic – For active and healthy principal retirees who would choose to use their Visa deposit of US$10,000 (with pension) or US$20,000 (without pension) who are 50 years and older; or US$50,000 (for retirees 35 to 49 years old) to purchase condominium units or use it for a longterm lease of a house and lot; 3) SRRV Courtesy – For former Filipinos (35 years and older) and foreign nationals (50 years and older) who have served in the Philippines as diplomats, ambassadors, officers or staff of international organizations. The visa deposit is US$1,500; 4) RRV Human Touch – For ailing principal retirees (35 years and older) who are shown to have need for medical and clinical services. Under this option, the retiree needs to have a Visa deposit of US$10,000, a monthly pension of at least US$1,500, and a Health Insurance Policy.

Can an SRRV applicant bring along his or her spouse or dependents to the Philippines?

For SRRV Smile, Classic and Courtesy/Extended Courtesy principal applicants, they may be joined by their dependents (their spouse and children). The spouse should be of legal age and the legitimate spouse of the principal applicant. A child must be the legitimate or legally adopted child of the principal, and must be unmarried and below 21 years old. For SRRV Human Touch principal applicants, they may only be joined by one dependent, either by the spouse or by the child. The visa deposits are for the principal retiree and two dependents. An additional visa deposit of US$15,000 is needed for each additional dependent in excess of two.

the investment with the Register of Deeds (RD); and 3. Processing and approval of the investment application within five working days. The PRA is always looking for new partner-investors to assist its efforts in providing world-class services to its resident-retirees and developing the local retirement industry. In particular, the Authority is looking for partnerships to build hotels, condominiums, condotels, apartments, resorts, housing facilities and retirement facilities with or without caring services. Those keen on building businesses for the local market without any export activity, or those registering a business

Philippine Retirement Authority Special Supplement

1) The retiree’s Original Passport with valid and updated tourist visa in the Philippines (Tourist Visa sponsored by Travel Agency or Tour Operator is NOT allowed); 2) Accomplished PRA Application Form (may be filed online at http://www.pra.gov.ph/main/srrv_form); 3) The visa deposit (depending on the SRRV option being applied for) with a PRA-accredited bank. The current list includes the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Allied Bank, Philippine National Bank (PNB), Banco de Oro (Pacific Star Branch Only), Bank of China, Korea Exchange Bank, Tong Yang Bank, and Unionbank; 4) Original Medical Clearance document; 5) Original Police Clearance document from country of origin; 6) NBI Clearance (if applicant has stayed in the Philippines for more than 30 days from last date of entry prior to application of SRRV); 7) Photos (12 pieces of 2”x2”); 8) Proof of Relationship for joining dependents. Other requirements are: • If the spouse is joining the principal applicant, the Marriage Certificate or Marriage Contract if the applicant’s marriage was solemnized in the Philippines, or Marriage Certificate duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate nearest the applicant’s residence abroad if the marriage was contracted abroad; and • If dependents are joining the applicant, the Birth Certificates of the dependents born in the Philippines; or the Birth Certificates or Household Register duly authenticated by the Philippine Consulate nearest the applicant’s residence abroad. Documents obtained and issued outside of the Philippines must be translated into English, if necessary, and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate concerned.

What fees should be paid for the SRRV?

Apart from the Visa deposit, upon joining the program principal applicants must pay an Application Fee of US$1,400, an additional US$300 for each dependent, and a Program Annual Fee (PAF) of US$360 that covers three family members. For more than three retiree members in a family, an additional PAF of US$100 for each additional dependent must be paid. Under the SRRV Courtesy/Expanded Courtesy option, the PRA Annual Fee of US$360 is not applicable. However, in case of more than two dependents, US$10 for each dependent must be paid for the issuance of the PRA ID Card. Note that the required investment money for the SRRV must be deposited in a bank accredited by the PRA. This deposit can be withdrawn after six months but must be invested in the Philippines (to buy stocks and securities, for example) or used to buy properties (such as condominiums).

What are the obligations of an SRRV Retiree-Member?

Members are obliged to update the PRA of any changes in contact information (e.g. status name, address, telephone/ fax number and email address). They must secure an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the Department of Labor and Employment if they want to work in the Philippines. They must also renew the PRA ID Card and pay the PRA Annual Fee of US$360. For PRA Members under the SRRV Courtesy program, they must pay the Annual Fee of US$10 for each retiree member in the family. For more information, you may refer to the SRRV Information Guide on the PRA website (www.pra.gov.ph).

as a sole proprietorship under the Foreign Investments Act (RA 7042), should consult with the Department of Trade and Industry (http://www.dti.gov.ph). If you will form or join a corporation, the Securities and Exchange Commission (http://www.sec.gov.ph) or the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (http://www.peza.gov. ph) can advise you too. Finally, if you plan on an enterprise that exports at least 70 percent of its products, or if your business is among the ones listed in the government’s Investment Priorities Plan (IPP), the Board of Investments (http://www.boi.gov.ph) is the best agency for your concerns.

Developed at Don Bosco “simply” juvenile delinquents with nowhere else to go. Other governmental, civic, or religious organizations have turned away the boys that eventually find their way to Don Bosco Pugad, but at the center they are right at home. Not only do the Salesians – also known as the Society of St. Francis de Sales, which Don Bosco started in 1845 in Turin, Italy – provide social development and educational services to these underprivileged youth, they also teach them the technical skills that lead to stable jobs with the country’s top employers. In fact, Don Bosco graduates are staples of the Philippines’ top manufacturing and engineering firms. According to the Salesian Missions, the United States-based development arm of the society that has worked in the Philippines since 1950, Don Bosco Pugad offers traditional classroom programs in electrical technology, welding, machinery and equipment installation, air-conditioning and refrigeration, automotive technology, water refill station management, baking, cooking and poultry and vegetable gardening. Moreover, graduates come back to the center to teach the next generation of boys. Speaking of baking, Don Bosco Pugad is well-known in Makati for its breads made in-house by the center’s boys and sold through its Coffee and Saints Café. It also

Ragtop down

It might not be common in the Philippines, but a convertible like the new one from MINI Cooper, Owen Aguilar argues, is perfect for cruising its country roads

he running joke among some car aficionados I know is that you can’t drive a convertible in Manila; truck drivers, bus passengers and even bike riders will attempt to spit at your seats out of envy, if the smog and sudden torrential rains won’t sully your seats first. But if you intend to hit the highways more often than you pack the metropolis’ mangled roads – and that’s pleasantly possible now that we have long stretches of concrete and asphalt known as the NLEX, SLEX, SCTEX and TPLEX, plus the lonely coastal roads all across the country – then the new 2016 MINI Convertible should be an option for your weekend driving.

Launched in the Philippines last May, this ragtop comes in two variants: the Mini Cooper Convertible S (which debuted locally with a chili-colored body) and Mini John Cooper Works Convertible, which comes in red, white, blue, gray and black. A toggle switch on the front roof frame or a button on the remote key (when the car is at rest) activates this Cooper’s automatic, electrically-powered soft-top roof, which can spring open (or snap shut) in just 18 seconds. It’s terrific when the weather changes from bright to drizzling, and you can even do this while running at up to 30 kilometers per hour (going faster, of course, could completely blow it off).

serves a variety of meals; more importantly, the café gives the Pugad wards a taste of running their own restaurant someday. However, it’s not all work at Pugad, where boys are admitted and accommodated for up to 18 months before they start looking for work elsewhere. Don Bosco centers also have vaunted sports programs (soccer in particular), and as Father Mark Hyde, Salesian Missions Director, says: “Sports The local dealer, MINI Philippines, says it initially brought in only a dozen of these babies, so if you want to have one before the rainy season really acts up, hurry and scrape up Php 3.15 million for the Mini Cooper S Convertible (or Php 800,000 more for the Mini John Cooper Works Convertible variant). If you get the cash and place your order, then in a few months you can expect to play with this Mini Cooper’s full-range Driver Assistance Systems. That includes Park Distance Control, Parking Assistant, and Rear View Camera (thanks to its sensors at the rear), a Mini Head-Up Display (camerabased collision and pedestrian warning systems with initial brake function), a high beam assistant, and road sign detection. But these bells and whistle pale in comparison to the exquisite feeling of the fresh country air whipping your hair as you rush through the open roads away from Metro Manila, in the comfort and quality one has come to expect from a Mini Cooper. In fact, MINI Philippines executives think that expats – like you – will be the first ones to buy this convertible to better appreciate the prettier parts of the country. Take this car up even once up north, through the roads leading to Baguio or Pagudpud, and you’ll see what they mean, spittle be damned.

programs for youth teach valuable skills both on and off the field.” So the next time you see a wayward youth roaming the roads, have a heart and bring him to a center such as Pugad (which is actually an acronym for Parish Urchins Gathered at Don Bosco). You’re not just giving a young man a new lease in life; you’re keeping yourself from reading a sad news item in the future.

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the backs of lower kitchen cabinets (ones below your waist). You’ll need space like this for your toaster, blender, coffeemaker and various food processors as well.

The cleanup area: Again,

think about the sink, as well as your dishwasher, trash bins and storage for cleaning supplies. You may have to shift your sink toward a window, if it isn’t already, to best utilize available light. Hanging pendant lights over your counter and sink help illuminate your food as you prepare them, and placing lights inside your cabinets ensures you can find supplies when you need them, while uncovering and keeping away any pests and insects. Often overlooked, in terms of keeping kitchens clean, are the backsplash (tile or metal pieces that make it easier to clean grease off walls above stoves) and range hood (which help purify kitchen air and extend the life of your appliances by sucking in grease and airborne particles). Getting quality items for these purposes will round out a good-looking kitchen – and make your condo that much nicer to live in, size be damned.

Photo courtesy MINI Philippines

he rush of extrajudicial killings in the news lately is worrisome not only because it reveals the extent of the drug epidemic in the Philippines, but also because it has young men and women as its unwitting victims – regardless if they are drug users, pawns in the illegal trade, or just poor bystanders caught in the crossfire. That’s why it’s imperative for society to keep the youth off the streets, train them in meaningful vocations or professions, and teach them the life skills that help break the cycle of poverty in the country. Thankfully, big-hearted organizations like the Salesians of Don Bosco have helped the Filipino youth improve their lives for over a century now, and are even more relevant in the new government’s drive to stamp out crime in the streets. One of the busiest centers operated by the Salesians for the disadvantaged youth is Don Bosco Pugad, right inside the grounds of the Parish of St. John Bosco (the Italian saint who founded the Salesian Society) in Makati City. Here, young Filipino men aged 17 to 24 get a second chance in life. Youths at Pugad have either migrated from the provinces without a place to stay in Metro Manila, were used in human or drug trafficking, sexual exploitation and child labor, were young rebel combatants, or are

Photo courtesy Don Bosco Pugad

Young men get a second chance in life at centers run by Salesians, as former graduate Khris Crisostomo attests

The issue of...

Questions...

Q: Is bail available in extradition proceedings? A: As a general rule, the constitutional

subjects. He has a genuine, not “politicofaked,” concern for people, without an excessive ego. He rejects the norms of society, the niceties of diplomatic interchange ─ why attend the declaration of the winners of the election when there’s work to do? Society is going to have trouble adapting to him. I have no problem with this domestically (won’t be too happy with the simple food at his receptions), but I’m concerned as to whether he’ll make the necessary adaptation to conform (more or less) to dealing with world leaders and accept the diplomatic norms of that environment. He must. Duterte may not like it, but the world won’t adapt to him, he must adapt to it. We’ll not know until the new President does interact. He actually hit the national stage not as a presidential hopeful but as a determined advocate for federalism. He wanted to break the Manila-centric national overreach of the current political system. He stumped the country for a year or so, convincing other mayors to support him. So change to the Constitution to a federal system will be of the highest priority, with the high likelihood of success. Dragged along with it will be ever so much argument as to whether federalism should be with a presidential or parliamentary system (with parliamentary having a slight edge). Included in it will be removal of the economic restrictions on foreign investment. That will happen, but maybe not for land ownership. He’s not keen on that. The big question is, when will this change happen? Duterte will try for two years, and a special plebiscite would

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guarantee of bail under Section 13 of the Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution is only available in criminal proceedings. Since extradition is not a criminal proceeding, there is no right to bail. However, since extradition partakes in the nature of a criminal proceeding where there may be deprivation of liberty, “….after a potential extraditee has been arrested or placed under the custody of the law, bail may be applied for and granted as an exception, only upon a clear and convincing showing (1) that, once granted bail, the applicant will not be a flight risk or a danger to the community; and (2) that there exist special, humanitarian and compelling circumstances including, as a matter of reciprocity, those cited by the highest court in the requesting state when it grants provisional liberty in extradition cases.

Q: What if two or more states are requesting the extradition of the same person? A: The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, after consultation with the Secretary of Justice, shall decide which of the several requests shall be first considered, and copies of the former’s decision thereon shall promptly be forwarded to the attorney having charge of the case, if there be one, through the Department of Justice. * Dean Ernesto P. Maceda Jr. is the former Dean of the College of Law of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. He is managing partner of MACEDALAW. Disclaimer: The FAQs above are the sole opinion of the writer and should not constitute as legal opinion or advice. – The IMMIGRANT

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be held then. If not, then it would be coincident with the 2019 mid-term elections ─ a more likely time frame. It could, though, even drag beyond that if agreement just doesn’t get reached on such a complex and controversial subject, but we see this as less likely. For business, he’s shown in Davao that he supports it. Davao got into the top 5 cities in the Philippines, in part because of the treatment of business. Permits are easier and quicker to get, bribes to process are not needed. Registrations are simple, and honest business is not interfered with. He’s promised the same nationally. Mind you, Aquino did too ─ but without ever delivering. Duterte has proven he can deliver, so you can expect an improved bureaucracy. Computerization of government services will help, and we must praise ex-President Aquino for finally agreeing to sign the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) bill into law. Although it was really the work of Sen. Frank Drilon and Sonny Dominguez (now the Finance Secretary) that achieved it, Aquino was a reluctant, last-minute collaborator. A holistic, integrated, working online bureaucratic system can now be expected. But it will take many years for it to have enough effect. Mindanao inevitably will get more attention, and as the breadbasket of the country, it needs it. It’s been too long ignored because of the unsettled and risky environment created by the insurgency of the Muslim communities. Duterte’s personal relationship with them augurs well for achieving peace. They trust him, and trust is an essential, and until now, missing ingredient. That attention too will be on agriculture, which will extend nationwide. With the average age of

farmers at 57, the young going elsewhere and food growth below population growth, attention to agriculture is essential. The much-needed wider, larger growth in manufacturing will depend on how quickly Duterte reassures business he’s on their side. And for foreign investment, how safe in terms of consistency of rules, of ease of business, of not being interfered with, he can promise them. His choice of Ramon Lopez as DTI Secretary is reassuring in this regard as he comes from business. One thing very beneficial to business Duterte will do is to reduce taxes, corporate and personal. Corporate will drop to 25 percent fairly quickly, possibly even 20 percent much later if funds allow, but I wouldn’t bank on that. What to do with personal taxes will require extensive debate. It will take time, but tax reduction for the lower-salaried will eventually occur. The upper levels can expect little benefit. Duterte wants full and free health services for all those who need it. That will cost him, and the money must come from somewhere. He wants, thank God, to accelerate infrastructure spending to 5 percent, even 7 percent of GDP. That money must come from somewhere. We can expect the pace of awarding PPP projects to speed up, once the Duterte government agrees to the list decided under Aquino. He comes to the presidency as a 22-year successful mayor of a major city. He has served it well, brought it from chaos and crime to the fifth safest city in the world. He has imposed discipline on a city. Duterte now has a nation in which to replicate this performance. Can he? That’s the real question. Disclaimer: The article above is the sole opinion of the writer and are not necessarily those of Immigra Publishing. – The IMMIGRANT

good company

In full regalia Love soars as a Navy airman weds a high-flying PR maven, with elite guests to boot, Maurice Arcache reports Sealed with a kiss under the arc of swords by Philippine Military Academy Kaakibat Class of 2001.

A Navy saber was used in the traditional cake-cutting ceremonies. Francis Arcabos of Toy Cake and Pastries provided the delectable banana walnut cake. The bride with Senator Bam Aquino

Hosts DJ Boom Gonzales and Ginger Conejero, Cheska and Doug Kramer, Marc Pingris and Danica Sotto-Pingris, and Cheska and LA Tenorio.

Godparents Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Anna Sobrepeña with the gentlemen of the Philippine Navy.

Gentlemen of Public Relations (from left): Jerome Bayhon, Ring Macabenta, Timmy Jayme, Joel Lacsamana, Noel De Luna, Raul Redoblado and Jeff Tarayao

With parents of the groom Crispin and Marlyn Simeon, mother of the bride Emma Liberato, and the bride’s brother Erwin Liberato

sports

Spike Roa, Abe Olandres of Yugatech, Tony and Michelle Velasquez of ANC News, and Capt. Joy Roa of ANC show Asian Air Safari

Photos courtesy Simeon-Liberato couple

he oh-so-romantic, timeless wedding of Millet Liberato, PR Director of DDB Philippines, to Lieutenant Commander Mark Christopher Simeon, a dapper aviator of the Philippine Navy, had everyone swooning and sighing. The military tradition is the stuff of royal fairy tales, and these two brought the story to life. Grade school batchmates back in 1996, Mark and Millet met again in a class reunion in December 2010. Since then, the two have become inseparable, and decided to tie the knot after a five-year engagement. The couple chose a classic-themed military wedding at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati, and a rustic-travel-themed reception at the Manila Polo Club, where tables were named after codes of the airports the couple has been to. Millet walked down the aisle in a breathtaking Bridehouse couture gown by Carmen Lazaro inspired by Grace Kelly, and later changed into a Vera Wang gown for the reception. At the end of the day, despite the battalion of military men and celebrity friends present to celebrate, the wedding was, at its very heart, a celebration of two very special people embarking on their own happily ever after.

Millet Liberato in her couture Grace Kellyinspired wedding gown with a Lily of the Valley delicate flower bouquet imported from Germany by Tropical Blooms

The groom, LCDR Mark Christopher Simeon, is a naval aviator from Philippine Military Academy Kaakibat Class 2001.

Young blood

These teenagers will make a splash in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics this August, as Lem Lyritzis explains

Marcus Vinicius D’Almeida

What was astonishing was that his time of 12.96 seconds was faster than that recorded by Russia’s Sergey Shubenkov in the World Championships in the same year. He is not necessarily a favorite for a medal, but it’s a very good possibility. Marcus Vinicius D’Almeida is known as the “Neymar of Archery” and he is actually, at just 18 years old, Brazil’s best hope for a medal. He shot to fame (pun intended) in 2014 when he finished second in the World Cup final (when he was just 16 years old), before claiming silver at the Youth Olympic Games the same year and three gold medals at the South American Games. The other one to watch from the host nation is the swimming sensation Matheus Santana, who took silver in the 50-meter freestyle at the Youth Olympics in 2015 before then breaking his own world record on his way to winning gold in the 100-meter freestyle. Giarnni Regini-Moran, another mouthful of a name, is the young gymnast to watch. He is the current Youth Olympic all-around, floor, and vault champion, as well as the 2016 European Junior all-around and floor champion; at the Youth Olympics, he won three gold (floor, vault, and all-around) and two bronze medals (parallel bars and horizontal bar) – and this while having the flu! This year’s Olympics are coming just at the right time for him. Also in gymnastics, representing Russia is Yana Kudryavtseva. The 18-year-old has already tasted success with three gold

medals at the 2013 World Championships (becoming the youngest all-around champion at just 15 years old), while the following year her win rose to five golds. Si Yajie is a Chinese diving sensation, super-young at just 17 years old, and she has already stunned the world by winning the ten-meter title at the World Championships in 2013 (at just 14 years old), before then taking gold in the same event at the Asian Games a year later. She’s one reason Asians will be glued to the Olympics in Rio.

Si Yajie

Jaheel Hyde

Giarnni Regini-Moran

Yana Kudryavtseva

All photos courtesy Olympics.org

he Olympics are always exciting for the simple reason that there is a wealth of sports in the quadrennial Games, which means a wealth of opportunities for athletes to shine in so many different disciplines. Of course, part of the attraction is tuning in to watch the likes of Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps attempt to break more records and cement their place in history, but the spirit of the Games is such that we also long to see new and exciting youngsters reach for the stars. And this year should see plenty of newbies make an impact and capture the world’s attention. Jaheel Hyde was a promising young footballer and actually played for Jamaica’s U17 side until he decided to concentrate on athletics, namely the hurdles. He won gold in the 400-meter hurdles at the World Junior Championships in 2014, and then followed it up with another gold in the 110-meter hurdles at the Youth Olympic games a year later.