Manila Standard - 2017 March 19 - Sunday

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VOL. XXXI • NO. 37 • 5 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

PREMIER POLO SERIES UNWRAPS 4TH EVENT

By Randy Caluag

THE country’s business elite and foreign dignitaries gather once again when the first ever Chairman’s Polo Cup unwraps today at the Manila Polo Club inside Forbes Park in Makati City.

Held in honor of the club’s Polo chairman, Anthony Filamor, the contest serves as the penultimate event to the season-ending President’s Cup. Expected in attendance are the Who’s Who in business and politics, as well as diplomats all eager to get a piece of the game dubbed the “sport of kings.”

The players, who are kings in their

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HOW A MILLENNIAL COUPLE BUILT A CAFÉ

own field, will roll up their sleeves and play for honor and glory aboard their favorite mounts.

“Every Polo match is called a ‘friendly,’ but it’s always competitive. Expect the adrenaline to be pumping among the players, and see horses rushing and balls flying,” said Michael Vincent Ybiernas, MPC Polo and Equestrian manager.

Two teams, with four players each, will battle for the premier High Goal championship trophy, which is considered the expert division in this event held in partnership with the Manila Standard and supported by Martin Romualdez.

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REGAL GAME. Filipino polo enthusiasts play a friendly ahead of the first Chairman’s Cup, the penultimate event of the current polo season, at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City.

ROBREDO UNFAZED

BY IMPEACH PLAN

By Maricel V. Cruz

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FTER Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez threatened to seek her impeachment, Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday denied being part of the impeachment case against President Rodrigo Duterte or seeking to embarrass the Philippines at the United Nations.

“I have not heard what Speaker Alvarez said but I read it in the social media. It is hard to comment since I do not know his basis. But several times our President repeated that he is sure I am not part of the destabilization plot,” Robredo said from her home in Naga City.

“If his basis for impeachment complaint is the one filed by the Magdalo, they themselves said I am not part in the filing of impeachment complaint,” she added.

But a small group of Filipinos appeared unconvinced as they picketed the Office of the Vice President in Quezon City to demand

her resignation although she was in her home province of Camarines Sur. Solicitor General Jose Calida also weighed in on the matter and suggested that voters, who elected Duterte on his platform of a war against drugs, will turn against the Vice President.

“VP Robredo will reap the people’s wrath and contempt for her treasonous act,” Calida posted on his Twitter account, offering his services to Alvarez should he decide to pursue the impeachment complaint against Robredo.

Calida also accused Robredo of being part of destabilization efforts against the Duterte administration.

“VP Robredo shamelessly pan-

dered the desire of the Yellow Cult to depose President Duterte, which if successful, will immensely benefit her,” Calida posted, adding that she debased the Office of the President by “betraying the trust of our people.”

“The carping VP has joined the ranks of the destabilizers,” said the solicitor general, who is also known as the tribune of the people.

But Robredo denied any malice when she released a video statement for a UN commission even before she, as a lawyer, could take any action by raising her allegations before the proper local authorities.

She said the video was done in February and was only released last week.

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US PRESSES CHINA FOR TOUGH NOKOR STANCE

CLARIFY BUILDING PLAN, PH ASKS CHINA

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

COOPERATION AT ITS FINEST. Performers show the beauty of cooperation and athleticism during the opening of the Year of Tourism Cooperation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China at the Philippine International Convention Center. Teddy Pelaez

AQUINO CHEERLEADER PICKS ON WRONG DIGONG

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—Former Aquino administration cheerleader Leah Navarro again picked on Digong in social media over the weekend but netizens were not amused because her target was not the current Malacañang resident but his newborn grandson, Marko Digong“Stonefish”Carpio.

“Poor kid. One day someone’s gonna call him ‘hey, Stonedfish,’”

Navarro, once a member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, posted on her Twitter account.

It was not the first time Navarro hit at Grandpa Digong who has been the butt of her frequent tirades since the presidential campaign last year when she said the candidates of the Liberal Party of former President Benigno Aquino III were all “decent people.”

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But netizens soon took to social media and lashed at the sexagenarian co-founder of the Black & White Movement for picking on a 17-day-old infant. @czar_eight immediately posted “@leahnavarro too bad, the kid was just having his sunrise.. While you? You’re having your sunset... #LeniResign.”

Others took to other social media to reply:

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“Minsan ang iniisip nating matatalinong tao dahil galing sa buena familia ay bobo pala [Sometimes the very person we think is smart because he/she comes from a good family is actually stupid]!” one NB Porras posted on his Facebook account from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“Patunay si Lea Navarro na kinain ng sobrang inggit sa mga Duterte..

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PRESIDENTIAL Spokesman Ernesto Abella on Saturday said the Philippines has asked China to clarify recent reports that revealed its plan to build the first environmental monitoring station on the disputed Panatag Shoal.

Also known as Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, the triangle-shaped sandbank sits within the 200 nautical miles of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, which China is claiming ownership despite Manila’s victorious case against it in the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal.

“We are seeking information from Chinese authorities to clarify the accuracy of the report,” as first published in the state-owned Hainan Daily, Abella said.

Meanwhile, acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the country is not too keen in including its arbitration victory in the United Nations over China in the framework of the Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or Asean.

The Philippines chairs the 10-member Asean this year and will host meetings of the regional bloc, but Manalo said it will remain Turn to A2

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CLARIFY...

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cautious in crafting the framework of the Asean Code of Conduct for the vital waterway.

The acting secretary said the Philippines “would like to focus on the various broad topics” within the 10-member state.

Manalo was reacting to former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario, who has urged Asean to include the results of the UN arbitration case in crafting the guidelines for the code, which will be finished in June.

Julie Bishop, the Australian foreign minister who recently visited Manila, also supported Del Rosario’s call to include the Philippines’ victory over China in the UN Arbitral Tribunal, which the latter has refused to recognize.

“Well that’s (Del Rosario’s) opinion, but as I’ve said, we’re going through this very carefully,” Manalo said.

He said he could not disclose any details on the code yet, since the Asean member countries are still crafting its framework. Including the UN decision “would still go through a process of negotiations” among the 10 Asean member states.

“We are starting off with the framework, and we are looking at adding to framework the various broad topics.

So I think I’m not really in a position to go into the details because this have to be negotiated,” Manalo said.

In 2002, China and Asean signed a Declaration of Conduct, a non-binding edict aimed at reducing tensions in the region and preventing the countries involved—China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan—from aggressively pursuing their claims.

The Code of Conduct, on the other hand, is a more binding proclamation that was enshrined in the Declaration, as it hopes to promote peace and stability in the economically vital sea lane.

China claims most of the resourcerich South China Sea, where $5 trillion worth of trade passes through every year.

Manalo said what is important is that the concerned Asean parties are now starting on the framework and are serious in finishing it in June. The paper “will be the basis of the eventual negotiation of an actual code,” he said.

Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose explained that the framework is the skeleton or outline of the Code, and not the detailed guidelines that would help solve the territorial dispute.

“That’s the mutual aspiration of Asean and China, especially the Philippines, because it is consistent with our position to have a expeditious conclusion of the negotiation for the Code of Conduct,” Jose said.

“But of course, it should be noted this is only the general framework, this is only the skeleton or the outline of the COC. We need to put the flesh on the bones,” he added.

Earlier, Del Rosario said the framework will be “futile” if the Asean will not include the arbitral tribunal’s decision.

MILITANT RANKS SWELL AT NHA PANDI PROJECT P

By Emil G. Gamos

ANDI, Bulacan—Some 600 militants rallied on Saturday at the National Housing Authority-constructed NHA Village Heights 2 in Barangay Mapulang Lupa here to support the urban poor who have occupied the houses there since March 8 and the leftist group that led them there.

Members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Akbayan, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Anak Pawis, and Kabataan party-list swooped down on the village and took turns in assailing the government’s housing programs.

They also vowed to support members of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), who have occupied at least 6,000 “idle” housing units in different resettlement areas in this town.

The NHA had explained the units Kadamay’s members had occupied

were already awarded to the Philippine National Police housing board.

The other units in the village have also been awarded to informal settlers whose houses have been demolished and to families who were removed from geological hazard zones, the agency added.

The NHA said it was merely following instructions of President Rodrigo Duterte to provide adequate living conditions for the people at the village by providing them with water and electricity.

Rep. Sarah Elago of Kabataan

should not be allowed in the Pandi community, diverting his speech to the current offensive of the government against communist insurgents.

When asked what would the leftist groups do if the NHA served the notice of eviction to the occupant indigents this Monday, Carlito Badioc, secretary general of Kadamay, said they would not leave the houses and would “continue to fight for the right of the poor to have their own dwelling place.”

Kadamay was willing to provide the NHA with a masterlist of persons who took over the houses, but the agency’s officials “did not let it happen that way.”

“What they want is for us to leave first the occupied housing units before they process it. And also, we want them to acknowledge our wishes—to pull out the police in the area, remove the food blockade, and provide electricity, water and other needs of the housing sites,” Badioc said. PNA

PVAO, ILOILO HONOR LIVING WORLD WAR 2 VETERANS ON PANAY

AQUINO...

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Dapat nga silang magsama ni Jim Paredes [This is proof that Leah Navarro has been consumed by too much envy of the Dutertes. It’s actually fitting that she’s with Jim Paredes]!!”

Porras added, referring to another Duterte hater.

Amelie Cuevas Manalo also asked on Facebook “what kind of a person such as Lea Navarro, would mock an innocent child?”

“Wag idamay ang bata. Akala ko naman disente kayo. Tsk. [Don’t involve children. And I thought you were decent. Tsk]!” posted Charmaine Olea on Facebook.

Navarro made the remark after Baby Digong was christened at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish here on March 16 with no less than two presidents in attendance—Grandpa Digong and former President Joseph Estrada. Estrada was one of his godfathers.

Baby Digong’s father Manases Carpio maintained his public silence on the matter, but his mother Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, posting on behalf of her son, made a simple Instagram reply that sent Filipino netizens rolling on the floor laughing: “Leah Navarro. Kahit ano pang sabihin mo. Presidente natin ang lolo ko at Presidente ang ninong ko. At mas matalino Mama ko sa iyo, therefore, mas matalino ako sa iyo kahit 15 days lang ako [Leah Navarro, whatever you may say, my grandfather is President and my godfather was President. And my Mom is smarter than you, therefore, I am smarter than you even if I’m just 15 days old].”

said their group of militant partylist organizations belonging to the so-called Makabayan Block in Congress had already filed a resolution to investigate the government’s supposedly idle housing projects.

“The poor has the right to proper shelter, and public funds intended for the poor should go to the poor,” Elago said, but noted their resolution would have to wait because Congress just went on break.

Elago said it was high time to probe the incidents involving urban poor so they would not spill over to other provinces where NHA housing units were located.

The NHA should speed up the processing of papers for the poor since many of them had no means to follow up the requirements, she added.

President Duterte himself did not want people lining up to follow up something in every government office, Elago noted.

Rep. Antonio Tinio of ACT partylist said the police and military

EXPLAINING HIMSELF. Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, a former Marine captain who plotted a coup d’etat in 2003, explains the impeachment complaint he filed against President Rodrigo Duterte. Manny Palmero

PREMIER...

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Making up the White Team are Inigo Zobel, Marty Romualdez, Alfie Araneta and Filamor. On the opposite side is the Blue team, composed of father and son Jun and Santi Juban, Jay De Jesus, and Ricardo Garcia.

Three teams will slug it out in the Low Goal division, with players like Andrew Romualdez, Tonypet Albano, Osang Yulo, Stuart Tomlinson, Sonny and Fred Borromeo, and Angelo Licaros seeing action.

Players are tasked to score against the opposing team by driving a small white plastic ball into the opposing team’s goal using a long-handled mallet. They play on a grass field sized 270 by 140 meters.

Uniforms will be provided by USPA clothing.

Polo, a medieval sport played on horseback, used to be an Olympic sport. A game lasts nearly two hours, and divided into periods called chukkers.

It was dubbed the sport of kings because in medieval times, only kings and their generals could afford to own horses.

“You really can’t play polo without the most basic [element], and which is the most expensive animal in the world—the horse.

This really is a pastime among royalty,” explained Ybiernas.

The Chairman’s Cup could become part of the major tournaments at the Polo Club, namely the Past Presidents Cup, William Cameron Forbes Cup, Mabuhay (Brunei) Cup, and the President’s Cup, held in honor of the incumbent club president.

The MPC Polo season began with the Enrique Zobel Cup in January, followed by the Fila Cup and Okada Manila Cup last February.

The season-ending President’s Cup takes place on March 26.

ILOILO CITY—Six living World War II veterans on Panay Island, all now above 90 years old, were recognized Saturday during the 72nd Anniversary of the Liberation of Panay, Guimaras and Romblon at the Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine in Jaro here.

The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office administrator, retired Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolina, underscored the contribution of the veterans who, “for the love of the country, have sacrificed, offered their lives, and made a significant mark in the history of the country, which serves as an inspiration to the Filipino youth today.”

Carolina joined Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. and Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and other city officials in the ceremony.

Among those receiving plaques and medals of recognition for their service was Sergeant Eladio Macasar Peñaranda, who turns 94 this July and is a native of Iloilo City. He joined the 6th Military District on Sept. 25, 1942, and participated in cordoning the Balabago-Bito-on line during the battle for the liberation of Iloilo City. Other honorees were: Private First Class Cornelio Lustre

Areño, 96, born in Lambunao, Iloilo.

He enlisted on Feb. 13, 1943, and participated in the liberation of Iloilo City and in mop-up operations in the mountain towns of Alimodian, Leon and Maasin in Iloilo province.

Sergeant Ambrosio Alfeche Ambut, turning 99 this December, a native of Alimodian, Iloilo. He participated in the guerilla offensive during the liberation of Iloilo City, and in the offensive that led to the capture of Pamul-ogan Hill.

PFC Loreto Laru-an Lazo, turning 99 this April 12, a native of Lambunao, Iloilo. Lazo was enlisted as a heavy truck driver on Feb. 25, 1941 and was assigned to “A” Company, 14th Engineers, Philippine Scouts, and served with “D” Company, 1st Battalion. His unit participated in the liberation of Panay and was also responsible for the capture of Tering Landing Field in Iloilo province.

PFC Ramon Atintar Oro, turning 100 this May, joined the guerilla movement on Sept. 15, 1942 and was assigned to the “G4 61st Guerilla (F23)” group that fought the Japanese in strategic assaults. The group was also instrumental in the liberation of Iloilo City in March 1945. PNA

ROBREDO...

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“It just happened that it was only this time [that] it was shown since the video will be used in a conference this March. It was done a long time ago,” she said, adding that she had been preparing for that video statement since January.

“I don’t know if at that time they [the Magdalo group of party-list Rep. Gary Alejano] are already thinking of the impeachment complaint because I am not part of the group,” she said.

But Alvarez remained intent on filing an impeachment complaint against Robredo and said on Saturday he was already talking to his lawyers about it.

In a radio dzBB interview, Alvarez said Robredo’s recorded video puts the Philippines in a bad light.

“For the first time in the history of the Philipines, this high official of the government— whom I cannot even call VP because we are not even sure she really won—sent a video clip to the United Nations and unashamedly put down the Philippine nation,” Alvarez said in an interview with radio station dzBB. “Where can you see something like that? She put down the Philippines in many ways: economic, tourism, among others,” he added.

“I am still studying [an impeachment complaint]. Maybe the angle of betrayal of public

trust,” Alvarez said in a television interview. “I will file it as soon as I have a complete study and recommendation by my lawyers.”

Alvarez insisted it was unseemly that Robredo released the video message right after Alejano filed his own impeachment complaint.

Alvarez also accused Robredo of being the brains behind the alleged destabilization plot against the administration which included former coup plotters like Alejano.

Meanwhile, Malacañang on Saturday said the executive department would leave the matter to the discretion of the Speaker.

“Speaker Alvarez’s call to impeach the Vice President is within his purview,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said. “The evaluation of the possible grounds for impeachment and the decision to file the complaint are the prerogative of the House of Representatives.” ”The President is focused on governance and public welfare, especially the building of an inclusive and progressive nation free from crime, drugs and corruption,” he added.

In fact, Abella said the President is leaving for Myanmar and Thailand on Sunday to enhance ties with two of our Southeast Asian neighbors because the country is the current chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DUTERTE URGED: DROP BELLO’S NEW ORDER

By Vito Barcelo

COURTESY CALL. President Rodrigo Duterte meets Friday with Bank of China vice chairman and president Chen Siqing, who pays a courtesy call on the Filipino leader at the Presidential Guest House in Davao City. Malacañang Photo

HOUSE OKS MAGNA CARTA OF DAY CARE WORKERS

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE House of Representatives will soon enact a law establishing a Magna Carta of Day Care Workers.

This emerged after the House committee on the welfare of children chaired by Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Divina Grace Yu approved the unnumbered bill, which aims to improve the social and economic well-being of day care workers.

The bill substituted House Bill 440, 748, 848, 953, 982, 1345, 1971, 2550, 3407, 3428, 3530, 3826, 3968, 4552 and 4738 authored, respectively, by Reps. Romero Quimbo of Marikina, Emmeline Aglipay-Villar of DIWA party-list, Linabelle Ruth Villarica of Bulacan, Rosenda Ann Ocampo of Manila, Lawrence Fortun, Romeo Acop of Antipolo City, Estrellita Suansing of Nueva Ecija, among others.

Quimbo said despite the critical role they play in providing early education and social development services to children, day care workers are afforded little protection under existing laws.

“The economic and well-being, and professional development of day care workers are also afforded little to nil attention,” Quimbo said.

Villarica said as caretakers of children in the absence of their parents who work during the day or even beyond the call of duty, day care center workers deserve only the best treatment by the State.

“In their hands are the future

leaders and foremost personalities in Philippine politics, business, science and technology, culture and the arts,” said Villarica.

Acop said the current plight of day care workers indicated conditions of abject poverty and long years of government neglect.

“They do not enjoy security of tenure and are deprived of benefits enjoyed by other government employees as mandated by law,” Acop said.

Suansing said her bill was a “refile measure” of HB 6410 which was approved on third and final reading on May 23, 2016 during the 16th Congress.

It seeks to improve the general welfare of the unsung heroes, the day care workers, by providing them the compensation and benefits they earnestly warrant, Suansing said.

Suansing said “In spite of the dedication these day care workers have shown, they only receive a measly allowance of P500 as provided for in Republic Act 6972, which is not enough to compensate for their hardships.

“These noble heroes also do not have overtime pay, security of tenure, leave and other benefits that they truly deserve.”

Ocampo, for her part, said the

quality of the citizens of any country depended largely on the kind of care and attention they received during childhood.

As such, day care workers should be given compensation commensurate to their expertise and workload, and opportunities for self-development should also be given to them.

“We must not leave the future of our children to chance. Let us secure their bright future by safeguarding the economic and social development of our day care center workers,” said Ocampo.

The bill’s authors said “by guaranteeing the rights of day care workers to security of tenure, humane working conditions and a living wage, the State would be contributing to the improvement of the quality of early childhood care and education, thereby upholding its mandate to defend and protect children’s rights as well as guaranteeing the rights of all of its workers.”

The bill defines day care workers as persons primarily engaged in the provision of early child development services and programs, such as care, social development, education, protection, and other needs of children aged four years old and below in all government-sponsored day care centers.

It provides for the creation of at least one Day Care Worker I and one Day Care Worker II plantilla positions in all day care centers nationwide.

According to the bill, a day care worker who possesses the following qualifications shall be hired to the position of Day Care

Worker I and entitled to Salary Grade Six: of legal age; must have completed at least two years of college education; must be certified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development or DSWD-deputized entities to have complied with existing requisites and trainings in early childhood care and development; must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime; and must not have a pending case in relation to Republic Act 7610, otherwise known as “Special Protection on Children Against Child Abuse.”

A day care worker who possesses the same qualifications as that of Day Care I, with at least five years of working experience as such, and has completed more than 12 hours of relevant training, shall be hired as Day Care Worker II and entitled to Salary Grade Eight, the bill added.

The bill also provided that day care workers shall also receive additional compensation, whenever applicable, such as overtime pay, hazard allowance and subsistence allowance.

Other benefits to be granted to day care workers include: whenever possible, married couples who are both day care workers shall be assigned in the same municipality or city; right to self-organization; free legal services; free medical examination and treatment; and preferential access to livelihood, loans, grants and skills enhancement.

All day care workers shall automatically become members of the Government Service Insurance System, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth, the bill stated.

OFFICIALS UPBEAT OVER WANG’S VISIT

By Pearl A. Gajunera

TOURISM TEAMWORK. Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang is greeted by Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo during the opening Saturday of the Asean-China Year of Tourism Cooperation at the bayside Philippine International Convention Center. Teddy Pelaez

DAVAO CITY—Officials here are optimistic the visit of Chinese 3rd Vice Premier Wang Yang will result in several infrastructure projects funded by the Chinese government.

National Economic and Development Authority Region 11 Director Maria Lourdes Lim said they saw the light when they presented the five development projects in Davao City, including the Mindanao Railway Project, to Wang on Saturday.

Lim said Wang asked several questions, indicating his interest to invest on the development projects in the city.

But there were no further details disclosed about the specific project the Chinese government will invest in.

Among the five projects were the 23.3-km Davao City Expressway Project

that will cost P24.5 billion, the P34.5billion Davao City Coastal Road, the P38.95-billion Davao Coastline and Port Development Project, the P31.3-billion Mindanao Railway Project and the P40.57-billion Development, Operations and Maintenance of Davao Airport.

Lim said of the five projects only the Davao Coastal Road had an initial layout and would be having an initial P2-billion budget released this year for the Road Right of Way. “He are hoping this will turn out positive, (since) he expressed interest in the projects we have presented,” she said.

She said the Japanese government also showed interest in investing in the Mindanao Railway Project.

On March 24, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua will visit the city to follow up on the proposed projects the Chinese government might invest in.

THE labor group Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to scrap the labor department’s new order 174, approved by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, because it defied his promise to end short-term and agency-hired work arrangement.

“We urge the President to reject [department order] 174 because it is a loss-loss situation for workers and a win-win formula in favor of employers and manpower service providers and cooperatives. It will perpetuate and further proliferate the existing unperturbed race to the bottom for millions of contractualized workers once it becomes operative two weeks from now,” ALU-TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said.

While the new DO bans labor-only job contracting, hiring for less than six months and repeated hiring of employees by employers, manpower service providers, cooperatives as well as in-house supply of workers, Tanjusay said the order created modern-day labor slavery and a race to the bottom phenomenon.

He said employers and capitalists would now seek the lowest and bid out the cheapest job contracts they could get out of the wide pool of manpower labor contractors and manpower cooperatives market with contractualized workers ending up with low and unlawful wages and benefits.

Tanjusay said “Contractualized workers though deemed as regular workers in the manpower service providers and cooperatives but have no relation with principal employers are at the mercy of service providers and cooperatives.

“Workers will remain poor and forever they are trapped in meager pay and benefits and so vulnerable to fire hazard, dangerous workplaces.”

BENGUET PROPOSES MINE REHAB BENGUET Corp. has informed Baguio City and Itogon town it will undertake the final rehabilitation of one of its Antamok Open Pits in Itogon with a project that will involve an Engineered Sanitary Landfill that will lead to a Renewable Waste to Energy Project.

The pit has a capacity of 535,400 cubic meters and could easily handle the disposal of the expected daily volume of 150 to 200 metric tons not only from Itogon and Baguio but also the surrounding areas of LaTrinidad, Itogon, Sablan, and Tuba-Tublay.

In a Memorandum of Agreement to cooperate with Baguio and Itogon Mayors Mauricio Domogan and Victorio Palangdan signed on Jan. 6, 2017, and a further letter to the City Council, Benguet Executive Director Isidro Alcantara informed them that all the necessary project feasibility studies would be done in consultation with the LGU officials to ensure that all their concerns would be addressed.

Initial findings show the ESL could provide a solution to the garbage disposal problem that can run indefinitely since it will provide and recycle bio-degradable raw material input to the WTE estimated to generate as much 25 megawatts.

Additionally, the ESL will avoid any potential health-related issues that may arise from the ill effects of insufficient handling of garbage in a major city.

Currently, Baguio sends its garbage to Capas, Tarlac, 155 kms away, and spends about P80 million yearly.

The proposed Antamok Site is only about 18.5 kms from Baguio while Itogon is 12.5 kms.

Expected savings for Baguio alone could be as much as P45 million annually.

An encouraging factor is that the project can then be launched very quickly without any cost spent for land acquisition, road building and with minimal site development.

Benguet will assign in perpetuity the 42 hectares open pit site.

A joint venture with an industrial partner and developer, Goldrich Natural Resources Exploration and Development Inc., will be formed which will construct and develop the ESL at no cost to Baguio and Itogon.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 Francis S. Lagniton, Issue Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News DUTERTE STARTS MYANMAR 2-DAY VISIT TODAY

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte welcomes Australian Counselor for Political and Public Affairs Richard Rogers, who joins Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop (second from left), in a courtesy call on the President at the Presidential Guest House in Davao City on March 17, 2017. Also in the photo is Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar. PNA

MEETING WITH AUSSIE ENVOY 'FRUITFUL'—DFA

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CTING Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said Saturday he considers his meeting with Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop as fruitful.

In a text message, Manalo said that he discussed with the visiting minister the status of Philippine-Australian relations, which were elevated to the status of Comprehensive Partnership in 2015.

Both officials exchanged views on the strong and robust relations between the two countries, characterized by frequent exchanges of high-level officials of the two sides;

dynamic exchanges between defense officials, robust economic relations, strong development cooperation, and broad exchanges in education and disaster mitigation and risk reduction capacity building, among others, according to a news release from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The two officials also discussed significant regional developments, including the West Philippine Sea.

Manalo has reiterated that the Philippines is firm in its commitments towards international principles and norms that contribute to peace and stability in the area. He also thanked Australia for its contribution to advocating a rules-based order in the South China Sea. Both officials acknowledged that the waters of the South China Sea have served as a valuable link between the Philippines and Australia for many centuries.

Manalo said he and Bishop look forward to convening the 5th Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting possibly in December, and other bilat-

eral mechanisms that further enhance Philippine-Australian relations, which reached 70 years in 2016.

The Australian minister also visited President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City on Friday (March 17) to discuss bilateral relations in various areas, including political, economic and people-to-people cooperation.

More than 200,000 Filipinos in various professional fields live and work in Australia and they contribute to the development of both countries.

Manalo said Bishop’s visit “is an affirmation of Australia’s strong commitment to the Philippines as a Comprehensive Partner.” PNA

MORE THAN 10K MOTORISTS CITED UNDER MMDA SCHEME

By Joel E. Zurbano MORE than 10,000 erring motorists were cited for various traffic violations via the Metro Manila Development Authority’s no-contact apprehension system for the entire month of February to March 15 this year.

Based on a report released by the agency’s Public Information Office, the number of apprehended motorists in February reached 8,323, while on March 1 to 15, the agency has apprehended more than 2,000 motorists.

The no-contact apprehension system records traffic violations using CCTV (closed-circuit television) cam-

EYE OF THE DRAGON.

Lawyer Sol Alburaura, city tourism officer of the City of Manila, dot the eye of the dragon and wave the flag to signal the start of the two-day ‘Manila Bay Summer Seasport Festival‘ 2017 featuring Dragon board and Motorized banca competitions held at Manila Bay, Roxas Boulevard Baywalk on Saturday. Also in photo are Manila Broadcasting Co. president Jun Nicdao, (left) Santi Elizalde, (center) vice president Ellen Pulido, MBC 2nd (right) and Dudgie Legazpi. The event is organized by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation in cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard. Norman Cruz

eras strategically placed along Metro Manila roads.

The last operations conducted last March 17 also resulted in the apprehension of 204 erring motorists.

Most of the violators were caught for overspeeding, illegal parking, disregarding the no loading and unloading zone, beating the red light, swerving, blocking intersections, disregarding traffic signs, making illegal turns, illegal overtaking, entering the yellow lane, defying the closed door policy and bus segregation scheme, motorcycle lane, among others.

According to MMDA acting chairman Thomas Orbos, “the no-contact apprehension scheme complements

the insufficient number of traffic enforcers in the agency.”

Under the scheme, the MMDA will send summons or notice to the vehicle’s owner or operator to identify the driver of the vehicle during the time the traffic violation was captured by the CCTV camera.

The notice which will be sent to the owner or operator, contains the date, time, location and traffic violation. It also contains a statement that the motorist has the right to contest before the MMDA-Traffic Adjudication Division (TAD) within seven days upon receipt of the summons.

Within 15 days from receipt of the adverse TAD resolution, the driver

may still file a motion for reconsideration. If the MR is denied, the driver may file an appeal before the Office of the Chairman where the decision shall be final and executory.

The drivers will not be able to renew the vehicle registration until the fines are settled.

Orbos hired deaf and mute individuals to assist them in manning the monitors of CCTV cameras installed on major thoroughfares used in the policy.

Since then, Orbos said, the apprehensions has increased from 70 to 280 on a daily basis since the agency hired the differently-abled individuals.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is set to arrive today, Sunday, for a twoday official visit in Myanmar to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations between Manila and Nay Pyi Taw. Foreign Affairs acting secretary Enrique Manalo said Duterte and Myanmar president U Htin Kyaw will discuss broad areas involving political and economic issues, particularly on trade and agriculture.

“They’ll be discussing areas of concern on the economy and politics, and we’ll see how we can help each other and at the same time we’re hoping maybe to adopt or sign a couple of MOUs [Memorandum of Understanding] mainly on economic issues,” Manalo said.

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Alex Chua said that two-day visit will also include discussions on improving trade and investment between the two countries.

“President Duterte’s meeting with president U Htin Kyaw, Myanmar’s first civilian president in five decades, is a concrete manifestation of the Philippines’ continued support for countries in the region,” Chua said.

Duterte’s visit coincides with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Philippines-Myanmar bilateral relations.

Chua said the president’s visit also symbolizes the Philippines’ commitment to the shared aspiration and values of Asean.

“Commemorative activities have been held beginning last year and the President’s visit to Myanmar this year is the culmination of the celebration of this milestone in our friendly relations with Myanmar,” he said.

Chua said both leaders are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on food security and agricultural coperation, even as Duterte is also set to meet key political figures in Myanmar.

In security and defense aspect, Duterte will meet State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss regional cooperation and Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to explore the possible deepening of bilateral defense cooperation.

Chua said that the economic relations of Philippines and Myanmar became robust since the establishment of bilateral relations in 1956.

Since 2013, Filipinos can visit Myanmar without a visa and may stay for up to 14 days.

Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority’s trade statistics, the Philippines’ top exports to Myanmar include medicines for therapeutic and prophylactic uses while the country’s major imports from Myanmar are agricultural products.

Majority of Filipinos working and living in Myanmar are professionals working as teachers, lawyers, engineers and humanitarian workers.

Chua said the number of Myanmar citizens who opt to study in the Philippines are also increasing.

POLICE KILL 5 GUN-FOR-HIRE SUSPECTS

By Francisco Tuyay A VILLAGE chief and four other suspected members of a gunfor-hire group were killed while a policeman was wounded in a shootout in Pampanga early dawn Saturday.

Reports said combined operatives from Pampanga’s Provincial Public Safety Company, intelligence agents and members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) were about to serve a warant of arrest against the suspects in Purok 2, Barangay Cupang in Arayat town at around 2

a.m when the shootout occurred.

The slain suspects were identified as Melvin Guervarra, barangay chairman of Barangay Cupang, Aldrin Luriz, Fermin Bato, Jack and one John Doe. The report said the lawmen, armed with a search warrant issued by the Gapan City Regional Trial Court, swooped down on the suspects hideout to serve the court order, but were immediately fired upon.

The first volley of fire hit P03 Raffy Tacdiran, a SWAT member, prompting the policemen to retaliate, wounding the five suspects.

The suspects, along with PO3 Tacdiran, were rushed to the Laquios District Hospital in Arayat, Pampanga, but the wounded suspects were declared dead on arrival.

Tacdiran, however, is now in stable condition.

Recovered from the scene of the encounter were two baby armalite rifles, two caliber .45 pistols, one cal. .38 revolver and two magazines for armalite rifle.

Investigators did not give more details as to the involvement of the slain suspects in criminal activities in the province.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 Adelle Chua, Editor

Opinion

Joyce Pangco Pañares, Issue Editor

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DEATH OF THE SHOE SALESMAN, FINALLY

EDITORIAL

WEAKENING OUR STAND A

By Virginia Postrel

NOTHER overseas Filipino worker in the United Arab Emirates is fighting to save her life. Jennifer Dalquez of General Santos City was jailed in December 2014; she was convicted of murdering her male employer. She was sentenced to death five months later.

Dalquez’s defense said she accidentally killed her employer while she was thwarting his rape attempt.

She narrated that he had tried to burn her, hit her with a bottle on the face, and tried to stab her. She was then able to take the knife from him.

The final hearing for the appeal had been scheduled for February 27 but was moved to March 27.

This is what is expected to happen: the children of the employer will be asked to swear, 50 times, before the court and in the name of Allah, that Dalquez was the only one who could have killed their father. If the children are able to do this, the court will uphold the sentence. If not, Dalquez will be made to pay blood money.

The Department of Foreign Affairs says it is doing everything to save the life of Dalquez.

The UAE Supreme Court will have the final say regardless of what happens in the appeal, says Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose.

The Philippine government, he says, has hired a lawyer to be

by Dalquez’s side every step of the way. The embassy has also reached out to the employer’s family to ask if they would accept blood money; thus far, they have refused. It has facilitated her parents’ visit and has given financial assistance to the family.

Such government efforts have proven ineffective, as seen in the case of Zamboanga Sibugay’s Jakatia Pawa, 44, convicted of murdering her employer’s daughter despite the failure of DNA evidence to support this claim.

This was in 2007. In 2010, then-Vice President Noli de Castro went to Kuwait to appeal for her life.

Pawa was hanged this year, anyway, on January 25.

Of course there is Mary Jane Veloso, who was spared from the firing squad in Indonesia in 2015.

Convicted of drug trafficking, Veloso insisted she had been fooled by someone she trusted into carrying the drugs. We did succeed in staying her execution at the last minute, but her legal battles continue. She may still be executed.

We do not have all the information to conclude whether the Philippine government has been doing enough to save these Filipinos on death row in other countries. What we know is that we try to change the minds of those countries, by continuing to assert the migrants’ innocence, offering new evidence when still possible, and pleading with officials not to impose the capital punishment.

Alas, we know, too, that whatever credibility we might have had in the past in arguing against putting people to death now stands eroded, with our own government’s push for the restoration of the death penalty here albeit only for drugrelated crimes. How can we argue any longer that executions hardly serve a purpose other than perpetuate injustice, and how dare we ask to spare our people from this punishment when we wish to do so here in our own shores?

The House of Representatives has shown us the stuff it is made of. In May, after the legislative break, we will get to see whether our senators are as enlightened as they make themselves out to be. We hope they realize that this “tough” position actually weakens us instead.

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PALANCA AWARDS NOW ACCEPTING NOVEL, NOBELA ENTRIES POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE

IF OUR country had something like a Pulitzer or Man Booker Prize, it would be the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (CPMA).

It is the most prestigious award in the Philippines for literary works, and this year is on its 67th edition. The annually-awaited call for entries has

gone forth, and Filipino writers all over the world are invited to participate.

This year is special because it is a Novel year. Entries for the Novel and Nobela categories are accepted only every two years.

I asked the Palanca Foundation for some information on the most recent

winners in those categories, and here is what they sent: Novel Grand prize winner in 2013: Subversivo, Inc. by Jose Elvin Bueno.

Bueno described his novel as an exploration on why we Filipinos Turn to B2

ANOTHER storied occupation is on its way out and the replacement is neither robots nor foreign workers.

We’re witnessing the death of the shoe salesman.

Macy’s recently said it would convert more shoe departments to an “open sell” format, where customers serve themselves from stacks of boxes. J.C. Penney is experimenting with the format. It’s the way sales have long worked at stores like DSW and TJX Co.’s Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx.

From Victorian-era evangelist Dwight L. Moody to comedian Kevin Hart, selling shoes has been the original calling of many a sweet talker. Before World War II, it was a common and respectable middle-class job, as demonstrated

by Depression-era news accounts of men fallen on hard times who’d previously drawn “a good salary” selling shoes.

Over time, however, popular culture has come to treat shoe salesmen as pitiable and comic. “If you ever have a choice between selling shoes to young ladies and giving birth to a porcupine that is on fire, look into that second, less painful opportunity,” advised the late comedian Richard Jeni, who did a stint selling shoes when he was 17. The combination of demanding customers, grotesque feet, and eagerness for commissions makes for the shared discomfort that often fuels humor. Its most famous representative is, of course, the put-upon misanthrope Al Bundy of the sitcom “Married with Children,” with his corpulent clientele and thwarted sexual fantasies.

In fact, the job is an anachronism, a holdover from the long-gone days when most merchandise was kept away from customers. It hasn’t even caught up with 20th-century norms, let alone 21st. Consider two department store shopping experiences.

1) You’re looking for some new trousers. You wander through the apparel department, flipping through the racks to find your size.

You select a few pairs, and a sales associate asks if you’d like to start a fitting room. You agree and continue looking, picking up another pair and a sweater that catches your eye. When you’re ready, you try everything on, decide what to buy, and check out. The salesperson may help you find a size or suggest a matching shirt, but self-service is the rule.

2) You need new shoes. You start looking around and spot a promising pair. A sales associate swoops down and asks if you need help. You aren’t really ready but worry about missing your chance, so you say yes, you’d like to see these in your size.

The associate disappears into the back room, while you continue to look and find a couple of pairs you like better. After what seems like an eternity—How many blocks away is that warehouse?—the associate reemerges with the bad news: They don’t have the first shoe in your size, but here’s a different size, which doesn’t fit, and another, similar shoe—which you hate. You ask to see the models you found while waiting, and the process starts all over again.

No wonder so many shoe shoppers prefer online retailers with easy returns. Outside of specialized boutiques, the shoe salesman (or woman) isn’t an amenity but an obstacle. Eliminating the position may give future comedians less material, but it promises to make customers happier. Bloomberg

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THE MUSIC OVER ALEPPO’S RUINS

By Joseph Eid ALEPPO—There are some things that bombs and fighting just can’t kill. Like Mohammed Anis and his determination to live, and to begin anew in the ruins that are today his hometown of Aleppo. Even if his home is quite literally a pile of debris. Even if much of what he had treasured— from his beloved collection of vintage American cars to his trusty pipe—is today destroyed, mangled, broken.

Even if the only thing around him that still works is an old gramophone that he cranks by hand.

Anis had been known in rebelheld eastern Aleppo before it fell to government forces at the end of December. Amid the savage fighting and the accompanying shortages, he refused to leave his home and his collection of vintage cars that he showed off whenever he could. The story that my colleague, Karam alMasri, told of him became one of the more inspiring ones to come out of the besieged eastern part of Syria’s second city.

So when an AFP team headed back into the city recently, we set out to find out what happened to him. He wasn’t difficult to find. The residents remaining in his neighborhood of alShaar, directed us readily to the man known around there as the ‘white wolf’ because of his silver mane of hair. We simply asked them if they knew where to find the man who collected old American cars. Karam called him Abu Omar in his report, but we knew that it was a pseudonym, used for security reasons.

Driving first by car and then continuing on foot because of the ruins littering the streets we eventually arrived at a green metal door. We knocked. “You are the French,” he said after opening the door and taking a look at us.

We found out that he only left Aleppo two months before the eastern part fell to government forces. As we spoke, he kept repeating that nothing could destroy his will to live. He was going to restore his “wounded” cars, some destroyed, some damaged. That he would buy new ones. He has an iron will, this man. It’s hard to believe when you see the situation all around him.

But who knows.

To say that he lives in challenging conditions is a great understatement.

He literally lives in ruins.

“How can you live here?” we asked him. “It’s my home,” he answered simply. Like many of Aleppo’s residents, he sleeps in debris.

When we noticed his Gramophone, we asked him if it still worked. “Of course!” he said. It was the kind that you see in old movies, the type you need to crank, so it doesn’t require electricity.

Which is a good thing, because there is hardly one hour of electricity in the eastern part of Aleppo at the moment, with generators here and there.

“I will play it for you,” he said. “But first, I have to light my pipe. Because I never listen to music without it.”

His pipe was broken, too, with a piece of tape holding it together. He lit it, cranked up the Gramophone and

IT’S A LONELIER WORLD FOR VLADIMIR PUTIN

By Leonid Bershidsky RUSSIAN rulers have long been content to accept fear and awe in lieu of respect and admiration, and by that standard, Putin shone in 2016. This year that is proving a tougher gig to keep up as he prepares for what might be his last presidential election in 2018.

Last year, Putin’s boldness, combined with a bit of luck, paid off : The victories in Syria, the successful destabilization of Ukraine, the swelling support for populists in Western nations. Even the Russian economy provided some hopeful signs with something of an agricultural boom and the de-facto end of negative growth (economic output shrank just 0.2 percent last year). But the path to greatness Putin has chosen is a tough one: It’s easier to make headlines than to turn them into tangible, long- or even medium-term advantages.

Russia’s efforts to cultivate an opposition to the continent’s centrist elites look likely to backfire. The wise men at the Kremlin and the Russian foreign ministry never entertained much hope that Geert Wilders would become Dutch prime minister and veto a sanctions extension, or that National Front leader Marine Le Pen would win and dismantle the European Union altogether. French republican candidate Francois Fillon represented a far more solid hope—an alternative to Germany’s determination to treat Russia as an adversary.

Fillon, however, has been tripped up by a satirical newspaper that discovered he had been paying his wife a parliamentary aide’s salary; Putin has always underestimated the power of a free press, perhaps because he has limited experience with one.

In the upcoming German election, no serious party or candidate can be counted on to advance Putin’s goals: Social Democrat Martin Schulz is no more pro-Kremlin than Chancellor Angela Merkel. So here in

PALANCA...

From A1 suffer or enjoy what we have right now.

According to him, Filipinos have the “highest bullshit level detector” and yet they continue to suffer. “This was the idea that led me to write a story with about 140,000 words and 638 pages. It’s a door-stopper of a novel,” says Bueno.

The story of “Subversivo, Inc.” revolves around three main characters whose lives intersect: a senator who is a traditional politician, an advertising honcho, and the leader of the communist party in the country.

All three individuals want out of the game, but circumstances get in the way. Subversivo, Inc. is the name of the advertising agency where one of the characters works and subversiveness is also the general theme that pervades the novel. “It has both comedic and horrific elements but the story is grounded in reality,” he adds.

Novel Grand Prize winner in 2015: All My Lonely Islands by Victorette Joy Z. Campilan.

All My Lonely Islands is about a young woman’s physical and emotional journey and struggles as an expatriate Filipino kid growing up in different countries. “Crisanta’s [the protagonist] struggle is that of so many ThirdCulture Kids [and their] coming to terms with their identities as Filipinos and international citizens,” Campilan said.

The experience resonates deeply with her and became the seed for her writing. “My personal experiences as a TCK living in Bangladesh helped me a lot,” she shared, as her parents worked there as missionaries and community developers. Even in her teens, she was already dabbling with writing what she considered ‘novels’— “as to be expected they were very raw and more like writing exercises than novels.”

Nobela Grand Prize winner in 2015: Toto O.

by Charmaine Mercader Lasar. Toto O. tells the

Germany, Russian interference has been invisible so far, and it will likely stay that way through election season.

Donald Trump’s victory in the US initially looked like a major success for Putin, especially if one believes the stories of Trump’s and his associates’ close ties to Russia. But even if Trump had planned to make any peace offerings to Putin, he has been hemmed in by a major anti-Russian campaign run by the media and his political rivals. And for anyone who still thinks Trump is a Russian puppet, on Thursday, the US State Department, run by supposedly pro-Russian former oil executive Rex Tillerson, put out a statement strongly condemning Russia’s annexation of Crimea timed to coincide with the annexation’s third anniversary.

Trump is nevertheless better for Putin than Clinton would have been. He’s disengaged from Europe, and Merkel’s visit to Washington on Friday is unlikely to fix what started off as a dysfunctional relationship. His focus is clearly domestic, and he’s disinclined and probably ill-equipped to meddle in areas where Russian interests are strong, such as Ukraine, the Balkans and Libya. In Syria, his interest is limited to defeating the Islamic State— something that is also in the Russian interest.

Under Trump, the US has stepped up involvement in Syria. Recent US strikes helped Assad and Russia retake Palmyra from ISIS fighters. All of this moves Russia closer toward its goal of securing Assad’s position in any future settlement, but it’s not ideal. Putin would have preferred to resolve the Syrian crisis in partnership with Turkey, leading to a de-facto division of spheres of influence between the two countries. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, however, proved a less than reliable partner because of his overweening interest in destroying Kurdish separatists, and Russia has been forced to accept a kind of unspoken situational alliance with the US to keep him in

This year is special because it is a Novel year.

Entries for the Novel and Nobela categories are accepted only every two years.

check. This complicates the final deal for Putin; in any case, the deal is nowhere in sight at this point despite Russian and Turkish diplomatic efforts.

Ukraine, where Russia’s immediate interests are stronger than in the Middle East, continues its self-destructive trajectory. President Petro Poroshenko recently decided to back a blockade of eastern Ukraine’s separatist regions, which his government previously said could result in heavy economic losses for the nation. The reason Poroshenko flipflopped is that the blockade was backed by fiercely anti-Russian war veterans – a force Poroshenko himself has unleashed and one he now fears.

It’s possible that, by tightening his stranglehold on Ukraine, Putin isn’t just turning it into a lost cause for the West—he’s also encouraging violent forms of nationalism whose rise are more dangerous to Russia than Poroshenko’s incompetence and corruption.

This year, Ukraine is likely to drift further away from Russia, not get closer to it.

Economically, too, there is not much relief on the horizon for Russia. A joint attempt with Saudi Arabia and other oil exporters to talk up oil prices by promising big production cuts is fizzling. If current prices—below $50 per barrel—hold, the Russian budget won’t collapse, but there will be no growth bonus, either. Gross domestic product is expected to increase by about 1 percent—a slower growth than in other emerging markets or even the EU, and not enough to back any kind of geopolitical expansion beyond the existing relatively cheap projects.

Putin can try to move fast and unpredictably in a new shock-and-awe campaign. But he can’t count on strong allies or on a buoyant economy, and his instinct appears to be to exercise caution for now. That’s a sure way to disappear from the headlines he has counted on to bolster his image. Bloomberg

and migrated to the Philippines in 1884. He engaged in trade—hardware and textiles— and later opened a small distillery called La Tondeña, which made his fortune.

He was a philanthropist, with education being one of his prime causes. When he passed away, his family decided to keep his memory green by endowing a literary prize program that would also promote education and culture in the country.

The awards categories this year are: Novel; Nobela; English Division: Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry Written for Children, One-Act Play, and Full-Length Play; Filipino Division: Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata, Sanaysay, Tula, Tulang Para sa mga Bata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula; and Regional Languages Division: Short Story-Cebuano, Short StoryHiligaynon, and Short Story-Ilokano.

There is also the Kabataan Division for writers 18 or younger who are to write an essay on the following theme: “How can the youth contribute to building interest in Philippine culture and literature?” and “Paano makaaambag ang mga kabataan sa pagsulong ng interes sa kultura at panitikang Pilipino?”

Published/produced works, which were first published or first produced between May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017, and/or unpublished/ unproduced works may be entered in the contest. Contestants may submit only one entry per category. The deadline of submission is on April 30, 2017. For official contest rules and forms, download them from the CPMA website www.palancaawards.com. ph. For details, contact CPMA at cpawards@ palancaawards.com.ph or at (632) 511-0003.

story of a boy stuck in a financial rut that forces him out of the comforts of his rural home to meet new friends, survive various struggles, achieve milestones in life, and realize that there’s no place like home.

As a millennial writer, Wattpad (a free writing and reading site) and blogging became Lasar’s platform for expressing her creative ideas. Her win has proven that not all Wattpad writers turn out hackneyed stories, and that a literary gem can come even from the popular Internet site. “I wanted to prove, especially to myself, that I can write a (Wattpad) novel that can win a Palanca, and that [it] is a springboard for writers,” she said.

Perhaps the most well-known of Palanca Novel winners is Smaller and Smaller Circles

by FH Batacan. The novel received the recognition in 1999, and became popular enough to be taught in the literature classes of some universities. Batacan later released an expanded version which was published abroad by Soho Press to critical acclaim, and a film adaptation is now being filmed by director Raya Martin. *** The CPMA was established in 1950 in Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. honor of Don Carlos Palanca Sr., a prominent Follow her on Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Chinese-Filipino businessman. Palanca (Tan Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @ Quin Lay) was born in Xiamen, China in 1869 jensdecember

Mohammed Anis and his Gramophone— both survivors of the bombings in Aleppo. AFP

out came the voice of an Arab singer from the 1940s, the same one that my grandfather used to listen to in Lebanon. For a moment I was no longer a photographer shooting ruined Aleppo. I was a boy in my mountain village, my grandfather sitting on the sofa in the afternoon listening to the “belle epoque” songs of Arab music.

Anis puffed on his pipe. He seemed to be somewhere else as well. He seemed to forget that we were there. He looked out the window and he had a look on his face of a person watching a beautiful sunset. He sat there, puffing on his broken pipe and staring out the window as the music floated over the ruins of his house and the city outside.

As I snapped away with my camera, I knew the scene in front of me was special.

It touched me and I had a feeling it would touch a lot of other people, too. Though I didn’t realize just how many.

It summed up so nicely Syria today. Life, hope, people so deeply attached to their homes, their country. After six years of war, the Syrians want life. They just want to let the music play. AFP

World ICY FIRST MEETING FOR TRUMP, MERKEL

WASHINGTON—Stark differences between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on everything from trade to immigration were in full view during their first meeting at the White House Friday.

In a frequently awkward joint press conference, Trump and Merkel showed little common ground as they addressed a host of thorny issues including NATO, defense spending and free trade deals.

For most of the 30 minutes in the East Room, Merkel was stony-faced as Trump ripped into Washington’s NATO allies for not paying for their “fair share” for transatlantic defense and demanded “fair and reciprocal trade” deals.

The veteran German chancellor had arrived at a snowy White House hoping to reverse a chill in relations after Trump’s incendiary election rhetoric.

The visit began cordially, with the pair shaking hands at the entrance of the White House.

But later, sitting side-by-side in the Oval Office, Merkel’s suggestion of another handshake went unheard or ignored by Trump – an awkward moment in what are usually highly scripted occasions.

There was never going to be an easy rapport between the cautious German chancellor and impulsive US president.

For years, Merkel – a trained physicist – had been president Barack Obama’s closest international partner, with the two sharing a strong rapport and a similar deliberative approach. AFP

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US PRESSES CHINA FOR TOUGH NOKOR STANCE B

eijing—The United States’ top diplomat will press a tougher new line on North Korea in talks with a wary China on Saturday, in a tense atmosphere after President Donald Trump accused Beijing of failing to rein in Pyongyang.

On a tour of Asia, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has broken with years of strategic patience over North Korea, saying that approach had “failed” and that US military action against North Korea was possible if its threats escalated.

The sea change in US policy follows two North Korean nuclear

tests last year and recent missile launches including a salvo earlier this month that Pyongyang described as practice for an attack on US bases in Japan.

Trump upped the pressure on China to get tough in a Friday Twitter blast accusing Beijing of failing to use its leverage as North Korea’s

key diplomatic and trade partner to put a leash on Pyongyang.

“North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been ‘playing’ the United States for years. China has done little to help!” Trump said.

But Beijing is deeply reluctant to get too tough with its volatile neighbour lest it trigger a confrontation or a messy regime collapse on China’s front door.

China has hit back at the US, angrily accusing it of fuelling tension by holding military exercises with its ally Seoul and deploying an antimissile system in South Korea.

Beijing called this month for all sides to take steps to defuse the situation and avoid a “head-on

collision,” calling for re-started diplomatic efforts to dismantle the North’s banned nuclear and missile programmes.

Years of diplomacy, however, have failed to deter Pyongyang, and Washington has rebuffed the Chinese proposal.

China’s state-run Xinhua news agency said in an editorial on Saturday that “there is nothing new” in the harder stance outlined by Tillerson.

It rejected suggestions that Beijing was not doing enough.

“Positive results require effort and good faith from both sides. China has never fallen short of offering its fair share. It’s all up to Washington now,” it said. AFP

of w as

S. KOREANS PROTEST THAAD MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM SEONGJU, South Korea—Hundreds of South Koreans protested Saturday against the deployment of a US missile defense system, a day after the visiting US Secretary of State reiterated that its installation would go ahead.

Rex Tillerson said in Seoul that the United States and South Korea would “proceed with the installation” of the system, known as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

Residents of Seongju county – where the system will be deployed – say it poses health and environmental hazards and argue that its presence could make them a priority target for North Korea.

About 2,000 residents of Seongju and a neighboring county, 275 kilometers southeast of Seoul, rallied with banners reading: “No THAAD but peace.”

Some 2,000 riot police were mobilized to maintain order at the march and stop protesters reaching the installation site.

Washington and Seoul say the system is for purely defensive purposes, but China fears it could undermine its own nuclear deterrent and has reacted with fury, imposing a series of measures seen as economic retaliation on the South. AFP

BANGLADESHI FORCES KILL MILITANT CARRYING BOMBS

DHAKA—Bangladesh police shot dead a suspected militant in the capital Dhaka on Saturday, a day after a suicide bomber blew himself up at a security forces camp.

The man was killed as he tried to cross a security roadblock on a motorbike carrying a bag with improvised explosive devices, according to Mufti Mahmud Khan, spokesman for the Rapid Action Battalion.

“As he was carrying explosives, we primarily suspect him of being a militant,” Khan told AFP, adding further investigation was needed to ascertain the suspect’s identity.

A bomb disposal unit was rushed to the spot where it recovered the biker’s bag containing multiple small improvised bombs, which were later diffused, Khan said.

According to local RAB commander Tuhin Mohammad Masud, the suspected attacker was in his early twenties.

The latest incident came a day after a man blew himself up at a RAB camp near Dhaka’s international airport, wounding two policemen, in an apparent botched suicide attack.

Dhaka beefed up security at all airports after Friday’s attack, one of the first in recent years against the elite RAB force which is tasked with tackling militancy. AFP

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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi gestures beside US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on March 18. AFP

G20 MINISTERS STRUGGLE TO FIND CONSENSUS ON TRADE, CLIMATE BADEN-BADEN, Germany—Finance ministers and central bankers from top economies are battling Saturday to find common ground on world trade in the face of US President Donald Trump’s “Buy American” drive.

Ministers from G20 nations have gathered in the picturesque western German spa town of Baden Baden since Friday for a meeting clouded by fears of growing protectionism fuelled by Trump’s stance.

Trump, whose tough “America First” talk helped win him the presidency, has withdrawn the US from a trans-Pacific free trade pact and attacked export giants China and Germany.

That stance has grated with Washington’s partners, who are trying to persuade US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to hold fast to a long-standing G20 anti-protectionism commitment.

But talks have so far failed to produce a breakthrough for consensus on the issue, and the clock is ticking down to the close of the two-day session when a final statement is due to be published.

The separate issue of climate change has also become a sticking point, participants said, noting that the US delegation is reticent to sign up to previous pledges to help fund mitigation programmes.

French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said if no agreement could be found on both issues, that could be reflected in Friday’s final statement.

“Our heads of states are meeting in a

few weeks. On subjects that are so important, it’s not up to the finance ministers to block or to walk back on the issue, there will not be any backsliding on such fundamental issues,” he said.

Carried to power on the back of a political storm over deindustrialisation in vast areas of the US, Trump vowed in his inauguration speech to “follow two simple rules: buy American and hire American.”

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development head Angel Gurria pointed to similar developments elsewhere, in a “backlash against globalization” which is seeing growth and economic reforms stutter as populations grumble over inequality.

Governments should spread the proceeds of economic growth more widely to contain popular anger that risks

further roiling the global economy, the rich nations’ club urged in a report presented at Friday’s G20 gathering.

Trump himself insisted at a tense Washington press conference Friday following his first meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel that “I’m a free trader but also a fair trader.”

He also rejected a description of his policies as “isolationist.” AFP

FIGHTING BACK. Supporters of South Korea’s impeached ex-president Park Geun-Hye carry huge flags of South Korea and the US as they march toward the Constitutional Court during a rally demanding a repeal of the impeachment in Seoul on March 18. AFP

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SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@thestandard.com.ph

HOW A MILLENNIAL COUPLE BUILT A CAFE

odrigo Ang Escobar and his girlfriend Andy Wong saved most of their income from office jobs in Makati City in preparation for a married life.

Instead of spending the money in a grand wedding, the couple decided to put up a business that can support a family. Last year, they quit their jobs and established Sulok Cafe in a busy corner of Antipolo City just across Ynares Center at L. Sumulong Memorial Circle.

“When we had the money, we thought we could not be stuck in our jobs. I, for one, cannot be a father if I spend more than 12 hours in the office. I would not be able to fulfill my role as a dad. She also spends four hours a day to commute from Antipolo. And we were salaried employees.

We don’t want to be stuck as employees, so we made sure that once we move on to the next stage of our life which is marriage, we would be better off,” he says.

Escobar says they chose to have their own business first, before the wedding. Aside from being a couple, they are now business partners.

“She is my longtime girlfriend for seven years since college. I am 25 and she is 26. We first met at University of Asia and the Pacific where we were studying. She was taking Business Management and I was taking Integrated Marketing Communications,” says Escobar.

Escobar, who got tired of a 12-hour work day, quit his job as a digital marketing professional while Wong, who used to commute for at least four hours a day between Antipolo and Makati, resigned from an electronic commerce company.

They applied what they learned from school and work in promoting Sulok Cafe, which now has one of the strongest online presence among the 16 cafes in Antipolo City.

“We now work full-time with Sulok,” says Escobar. “We want to have our own business. We are technically in the age group of millennials. I was born in 1992 and my girlfriend in 1990.”

Once they had the money, they looked for a good location for a business, even without a solid concept in mind, says Escobar.

Escobar, who lives near Katipunan Ave. in Quezon City, says they explored various areas in Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig and Antipolo during their weekend dates to find the best site. “We had no solid business concept. That’s why a number of landlords rejected us. We could not blame them because they would not bet on a tenant without a solid concept in mind,” he says.

When they found an ideal place at the second floor of Okinari Arcade Building near Ynares Center—a popular sporting arena in Rizal province—they immediately knew a cafe would be the right business there.

“That is what the location dictated. We made sure it had three qualities we were looking for.

First is purchasing power of people in the area.

Second is foot traffic and third is points of interest,” says Escobar.

Aside from Ynares Center, the cafe is also located near Pinto Art Museum, one of Antipolo’s main tourist attractions. “It had those three qualities that we were looking for,” says Escobar.

Escobar says Wong took the task of overseeing the construction of the cafe, while he was still rendering his remaining 30-day work in Makati.

It is a 36-square-meter commercial space, which they divided into a 25-meter dining area and a small kitchen.

“We did not have a background on hotel and restaurant management. We studied to make professional-grade coffee two weeks before we opened. Most of our investments went to the acquisition of an espresso machine,” he says.

Sulok Cafe, which had a soft opening in July 2016, now has seven tables and 22 chairs. About 60-percent of the coffee shop is a non-smoking

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MILLENNIAL COUPLE.

Sulok Cafe owners Rodrigo Ang Escobar and Andy Wong

area.

“At first, we did not know where to source the coffee beans. But once we got the word out, it is the suppliers who approached us. Very recently, we have established a good supplier connection,” he says.

He says through economies of scale, they are able to bring down their prices. “It is cheaper to buy your products such as coffee and milk in bulk,” says Escobar, who goes to Antipolo public market everyday to source most of their supplies.

“Here, we were able to apply all the discipline, skills and temperament we developed while working for different companies in the past four years,” he says.

Escobar says they decided to choose the name Sulok Cafe, because they want to provide every customer a corner or a confined space that he or she finds comfortable to be in. “That’s how we envision Sulok to be for our customers. It is nothing pretentious—a corner that can be their personal space,” he says.

Aside from coffee and tea, Sulok Cafe is known for its good food, including pasta and meals.

Janine Tolentino, who used to work in Las Vegas, prepared their menu. The cafe also employs a barista, three cooks, a helper and a part-time server.

“We are a self-service cafe,” says Escobar.

“The price of the same drink and quantity is almost half of those in commercialized coffee shops,” he says. “But what makes us different is how we treat people. There is this certain appreciation that people give us. Once customers enter our coffee

shop, we never call them sir or ma’m. We call them tito, tita, pare or idol. Yes, we are feeling close.”

He says Sulok Cafe has built a network of repeat customers. “What sustains a coffee shop is repeat purchases. That affirms you are doing a good job,” he says.

Escobar says the first year is about building the business, the second year is making it profitable and the third year is for expansion. “Two years and eight months is our realistic ROI [return on investment] target. With a growth rate of 10 percent to 15 percent on a monthly basis, we can achieve it in one year and eight months. But realistically, it is two years and eight months,” says Escobar, who has never had a hair cut since the business opened in July last year.

“That’s the symbolism behind my long hair.

Once we have our ROI, that’s the time I will go to the barbershop,” he says.

The couple experienced a number of challenges in operating the business, including falling short of their sales quota for a number of days. “There was a time our sales reached only P398. There was a time we prepared our resume because we did not meet the quota. But we have high hopes for the business. This is our second year. In 2016, the goal was to operationalize the business. This year is to make it stand alone on its own, and next year is to have it franchised,” says Escobar, who looks up to businessman Edgar “Injap” Sia as a model.

“Mang Inasal of Injap Sia is the business model we follow. Start small, make it big and have it franchised,” he says.

Escobar has a piece of advice to other millennials who want to start their own business. “Start moving. Plans won’t get you anything unless you move it. It is when you’ve taken the first step that sets the pace for your business. Be brave and scared at the same time—brave enough to take on the call for putting up a business and scared enough to be delicate about the decisions you make. Don’t get too worried if you make mistakes.

It is part of the process and one of the special things that will shape you to become an entrepreneur,” he says.

As to their wedding plan, Escobar says it remains the ultimate goal. “It will come. We are still young,” he says. Roderick T. dela Cruz

WHICH UNIVERSITY PRODUCES THE MOST EMPLOYABLE MILLENNIALS?

By Othel V. Campos THE country’s largest state-run university also produces the biggest number of employable millennials, results of an online job site show.

In its latest Employers’ Survey on Fresh Graduate Hiring Preferences, Jobstreet.com said newly hired fresh graduates from PUP average 3,000 a year, the highest among

Philippine universities.

The survey conducted in February among 644 companies also shows that employers prefer graduates from PUP, the University of the Philippines and the University of Santo Tomas.

When asked to assess the performance of these fresh hires, UP graduates scored the highest, followed by alumni of PUP and Ateneo

de Manila University.

Particular industries also had different views on where their best new hires graduated. PUP graduates came up on top among employers in the BPO, retail, manufacturing and real estate industries, while IT and education companies gave their highest marks to UP alumni.

According to the survey, eight out of ten employers are happy

to employ a recent graduate into their workforce, similar to last year’s figures.

While the 2016 survey championed their need for applicants who have a solid working experience through internships and part-time employment, this year’s results revealed attitude, field of study, and asking salary as the primary factors they consider for hiring fresh graduates.

WOMEN CLOSING GENDER PAY GAP WOMEN graduating from university in developing markets in 2020 could be the first generation to close the gender pay gap in their lifetime, according to new research from Accenture.

The report, Getting to Equal 2017, reveals that within decades, the pay gap could close if women take advantage of three career equalizers and if business, government and academia provide critical support.

With these changes, the pay gap in developed markets could close by 2044, shortening the time to pay parity by 36 years. In developing markets, the changes could cut more than 100 years off the time to reach pay parity, achieving it by 2066 instead of 2168.

“The future workforce must be an equal workforce. The gender pay gap is an economic and competitive imperative that matters to everyone, and we must all take action to create significant opportunities for women and close the gap more quickly,” said Accenture senior managing director and technology lead in the Philippines Ambe Tierro.

Accenture’s research found that globally, a woman earns an average $100 for every $140 a man earns. Adding to this imbalance is the fact that women are much less likely than men to have paid work (50 percent and 76 percent, respectively).

This contributed to a “hidden pay gap” that increases the economic inequities between men and women: for every $100 a woman earns, a man earns $258, the research shows.

The research also identifies several critical factors that affect a woman’s ability to achieve equal pay as early as university.

Female undergraduates in the Philippines are currently less likely than their male counterparts to choose an area of study that they believe offers high earning potential, have a mentor or aspire to senior leadership positions.

Additionally, young women lag in adopting new technologies quickly and in taking coding and computing courses.

The report, which builds on Accenture’s 2016 research on closing the gender gap in the work place, offers three powerful accelerators to help women close the pay gap: digital fluency – the extent to which people use digital technologies to connect, learn and work; career strategy – the need for women to aim high, make informed choices; and manage their careers proactively; tech immersion – the opportunity to acquire greater technology and stronger digital skills to advance as quickly as men Applying these career accelerators, combined with support from business, government and academia, could reduce the pay gap by 35 percent by 2030, boosting women’s income by $3.9 trillion.

Accenture surveyed more than 28,000 women and men, including undergraduates, in 29 countries.

Othel V. Campos

Business

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SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 business@thestandard.com.ph

Cavite 2nd District Rep. Strike Revilla

LETRAN CELEBRATES 400 YEARS COLEGIO de San Juan de Letran, which will mark its 400th year of existence in 2020, begins the celebration this year with the recognition of Letranites who have done great things in the country on March 23 at the New World Hotel in Makati City.

Colegio de San Juan de Letran is a private Roman Catholic Dominican institution of learning in Intramuros, Manila. The college was founded in 1620. Letran has the distinction of being the oldest college in the Philippines and the oldest secondary institution in Asia.

Th e s c h o o l h a s p ro d u ce d Philippine presidents, revolutionary heroes, poets, legislators, members of the clergy, jurists and it is also one of the only Philippine schools that has produced several Catholic saints who lived and studied on its campus.

The campus contains two statues, representing the two foremost alumni in the fields of secular and religious service: former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon and Vietnamese Saint Vicente Liem de la Paz. Starting this year, Letran Alumni Association is awarding 100 Letranites a year to complete the 400 Great Men and Women or “Grandes Figuras.”

One of the first 100 of “Grandes Figuras” or Letran’s 400 Great Men and Women to be given a Most Outstanding award this year is Cavite 2nd District Rep. Strike Revilla who’s a Letranite from Batch ’93. Revilla had served as mayor of Bacoor, Cavite for nine years, before seating in the House of Representatives. “I am so proud to be part of Letran’s Grandes Figuras.

This inspiration will make me work three times harder,” the lawmaker said.

Letran has programs in Business, Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Information Te c h n o l o g y , D i g i t a l A r t s , Communication Arts, Accountancy and Engineering.

The colleges are divided into six departments: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Business Administration and Accountancy, College of Education, Institute of Communication, Institute of I nformation Technology and College of Engineering.

MOBILE APP ALLOWS OFWS TO REMIT MONEY

By Othel V. Campos

S

eattle-based digital money transfer company Remitly Inc. is hiring more Filipinos to support its growing remittance business.

Remitly chief product manager Karim Meghji and human resources head Allie Hanegan—two of the company’s key officers—are leading the expansion in the Philipines.

“First, we’d like the public to know that Remitly is a mobile app—a digital tool that helps people, families and foreign workers send money to their loved ones at home,” Meghji said.

The company’s first market is in fact the US-Philippines, or overseas Filipino workers in the US sending money to the Philippines. “ We h a v e a v e r y s t r o n g connection to this market because this is where we started. The foreign Filipino workers in the US, the expats working there, we know we have a good chance of delivering the service they need. Five years ago was when it began. We’re sending money here. Now, we’re sending from three countries—the US, Canada and the UK. We send money to the Philippines, Mexico, India, Latin American countries like Panama, Nicaragua, Equador and few others,” he said.

The company also operates from Manila, where it is hosting backend operations, customer service, risk and fraud analysis and suppor t ser vices for the US-Philippines and CanadaPhilippines markets.

I t has recently opened its Nicaraguan operations center that serves the Latin American market.

From a workforce of 120 people, Remitly aims to beef up manpower to over 200 people. “ We l o o k fo r p e o p l e w h o are hungry and want to make a difference. Like if they see a problem, they want to fix it. We have a lot of people seeking us out and they apply directly. Maybe because our rates are a little better than competition. We give competitive salaries and good benefits,” Hanegan said.

The Manila office is also open to hiring fresh college graduates and people from different industries.

“Something that works for us is open house. We get a lot of interest and we really want people to come to us and be hired by us,” said Hanegan.

She said attrition rate in the company is very low, with most of the pioneers still working for Remitly.

The Philippine operations center is currently hiring customer service representatives, risk investigators, leadership and support team and

technology experts.

It does customer service, financial services that involve risk and fraud analysis and protection as well as technical support functions “With what has to do with risk and fraud, transactions are not always done legitimately. We have investigators here who look at those transactions. They can identify cases that are fraud here,” said Meghji.

Remitly will soon open the UKIndian market which will be be served by the Manila Office. It also looks at China and Vietnam as potential expansion areas.

Remitly has 40 to 45 people in the Philippines doing investigation on potential fraud cases.

“They use our technology and a variety of tools to understand transactions that can be fraud or in violation of policies we have. We stay away from transactions that are illegal in nature. This group takes care of the safety of our customers,” Meghji said.

Account capture is the most p re va l e nt c a s e o f f ra u d t h e remittance industry is most likely to deal with.

“Account capture is almost like identity theft. We are very careful of understanding the cases customers are sending. There are cases when stolen credit cards are using Remitly to send money to themselves or to family. We are always careful to look for signals that can be fraud. There’s a number of techniques fraudsters attempt to use our platform,” said Meghji.

Remitly grew its revenue multiple times over the last fives years and aims to sustain the trend. It is dependent on its partners— banks and cash pick-up centers—in bringing seamless money transfer to recipient countries.

On an annual basis, Remitly is transferring transactions of over $2 billion globally.

The Philippines has hundreds of millions of transactions, representing about a third of overall transactions.

“Philippines is not the biggest transaction market but we find the Filipino worker in the ÙS and Canada sending more frequently in smaller amounts. In the next 12 months, we hope to capture bigger market share globally and in the Philippine market,’ said Meghji.

Remitly aims to become the world’s most customer-focused payments company, enabling remittances across international borders.

Remitly Inc. chief product manager Karim Meghji

Remitly Inc. human resources head Allie Hanegan

BENGUET TAPS TURMERIC TO PRODUCE BEAUTY PRODUCTS IN AN effort to reinforce economic and social development in the local communities of Benguet province, the Business Development Service Foundation of Card Mutually Reinforcing Institution teamed up with Oryspa, the first and the finest maker of rice branbased spa products in the Philippines and came up with a lotion and beauty oil out of turmeric.

“This is the first collaborative effort of Card that ventures on wellness products,” said Julius Adrian Alip, president and chief executive of Card-Business Development Service Foundation Inc. The effort, according to Alip, is a part of Card MRI’s commitment to build a professional and sustainable business development service that responds to the needs of Card micro-entrepreneur clients.

Sherill Quintana, the founding president of Oryspa, also expressed her excitement with the collaboration.

“This effort will enable people to bridge the gap in adding value to their raw produce. We also look forward that this will pave the way to more economic gains and job creation,” Quintana said.

The soil of Benguet, according to the Department of Trade and Industry’s provincial profile, can cater to cultivated annual crops, perennial tree and vine crops, pastures, and plantations, among others, which includes turmeric plant.

Turmeric is a perennial plant, which belongs to the ginger family. It has been used for thousands of years in Asia.

Turmeric is also the major component of Siddha medicine, a traditional treatment medicine originated in South India.

Tu r m e r i c, w h e n t ra n s fo r m e d into a lotion and oil, “can be an antioxidant, anti-bacterial as well as antiinflammatory solution; hence, soothing the flare-ups in our skin,” said Quintana.

“The lotion and oil products are for external use only.”

Card MRI, where CARD-BDSFI is a

member-institution, has been operating nationwide for 30 years now with at least four million clients.

As an Asean winner for excellence in healthcare, according to Quintana, Oryspa coalesced with institutions like

Card MRI to pay forward especially to local farmers in the country.

“Card MRI is a huge organization and that is actually our dream…to reach more local communities,” Quintana said.

According to Alip, some of Card

clients are engaged in farming and at least 1,000 of them are their current supplier for various raw materials for their food, apparel, and furniture products. “In Benguet, at least 14 Card members are our suppliers for turmeric.

Through this partnership, we hope to increase more our suppliers,” Alip said.

The collaboration will also open doors for direct sellers of the product.“It will not just help our local farmers but also those individuals who wanted to be re-sellers of the products,” said Quintana.

For now, the direct selling of products will be open for Card MRI members. All the products will be available at all Oryspa branches nationwide and Mga Likha ni Inay stores of Card MRI. Mga Likha ni Inay is a member institution of Card MRI that links grassroots micro-entrepreneurs to the mainstream market. They promote locally sourced materials created by Card MRI clients who are mostly in rural communities.

Sports

TING SAYS FILIPINOS BRING OUT HIS BEST

A confident Ev Ting acknowledges the cheers of the fans as he walks down the ramp and into the cage for another ONE Championship fight. ONE Championship

M

ALAYSIAN-KIWI sensation Ev “E.T.” Ting has beaten more Filipino fighters in ONE Championship competition than any other member of the promotion.

Ting insists says this familiarity has given him a healthy respect for MMA fighters from the Philippines.

“Filipino fighters have this distinct desire and passion to compete in this sport, which I find inspirational for me as a non-Filipino fighter,”he said.“It’s just so happened that my opponents are Filipinos, but I really have high respect for them.”

Ting, a 27-year-old fullblooded Malaysian who grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, has crossed paths with seven Filipino stalwarts in his celebrated 16-fight career that started April 2011.

“E.T.” has won six of his seven bouts against Filipino fighters, with the only loss coming at the hands of Filipino-American standout Mark Striegl via first-round technical submission in February 2011 under the banner of a regional MMA promotion.

After making an impact in his ONE Championship debut against Indonesia’s Yohan Mulia Legowo in June 2014, Ting’s reputation as a serious threat to Filipinos was raised to a notch higher after he knocked out Edward Kelly with a first-round high kick in

October 2014. He then forced Cary Bullos to tap with a second-round guillotine choke in March 2015.

Ting followed-up this victory by defeating former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio Banario in just 56 seconds with a first-round guillotine choke in October 2015.

In January 2016, Ting notched a huge victory over Eric Kelly, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Filipino fighters that the Philippine MMA scene has produced.

Following several back-andforth sequences of takedowns and submission attempts, Ting was able to compel Kelly to wave the white flag for the first time in his illustrious professional MMA stint with a thirdround guillotine choke.

Outside the confines of ONE Championship, Ting also holds impressive wins over the likes of Filipino-Kiwi combatant Mark Abelardo and homegrown talent Rolando Gabriel Dy. Ting admitted that his cage encounters with Filipino athletes in MMA had a big contribution to his success and to where he is presently.

Ev Ting (left) kicks Filipino Edward Kelly on the head during their bout. Kelly was knocked out by the single blow to the head. ONE Championship.

“Filipino fighters are tough as nails. Most of the Filipino fighters that I faced in the past brought out the best in me. Without the battles that I’ve gone through with them, I don’t know if I will be in this position right now. I am thankful for that,” he said.

Ting will be facing another Filipino in his next outing as he is set to challenge Eduard “Landslide” Folayang for the ONE Lightweight World Championship title in the main event of ONE: Kings of Destiny on April 21.

The scheduled five-round championship clash will

take place at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

Ting secured the date with Folayang after he scored a split decision win over former lightweight title challenger Kamal Shalorus last February.

“I have worked tirelessly to be where I am now. It has finally paid off because I will get an opportunity to vie for a world title. It’s every mixed martial artist’s dream to become a champion. This is my chance to fulfill that dream,”Ting said.

Even if Folayang will have the whole crowd cheering for him in their highly-antic-

ipated confrontation, Ting is not bothered by it as his whole focus is on bringing home the gold-plated belt.

“Eduard Folayang is a great champion and is admired by many Filipinos, but he has what I want. I’m coming to Manila to get it from him and bring the belt home to Malaysia,” he said.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ ONEChampionship.

SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017

MAHINDRA FLOODBUSTER STUMBLES AT THE START JAMES White led Mahindra to an explosive four game winning streak to start the competition just two conferences ago.

That seems almost a lifetime ago as the Mahindra Floodbuster stumbled against the Meralco Bolts during their first game of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup. White was his usual productive self with 33 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks. But it simply wasn’t enough as the Floodbuster lost to the Bolts, 94-86.

This was a far cry from last season’s 2016 Governor’s Cup where Mahindra roared off to a franchise best with 4–0 record. Mahindra went on to finish with a 6-5 record after the eliminations and made its first ever appearance in the PBA playoffs.

The team did eventually lose to the Meralco Bolts in the quarterfinals but Mahindra will be hard-pressed to repeat that winning performance.

For one the height limit of the other teams that conference was 6’5” while Mahindra’s import was 6’9” tall.

White simply dominated the other imports and needed to be double- and triple-teamed by locals of opposing teams.

That wasn’t the case against Meralco which paraded an even bigger import in Alex Stepheson.

It was Stepheson who enjoyed the size advantage and it was Stepheson who needed to be double- and triple-teamed inside the paint by Mahindra.

Another more compelling issue may be the Mahindra’s decimated lineup. They may not be all-stars but Niňo Canaleta, Aldrech Ramos, Paolo Taha and Keith Agovida—who were with Mahindra in the Governors’ Cup— were certainly more formidable than their replacements.

The four, who were the best players of Mahindra last season, were called up to reinforce San Miguel Corporation teams. Canaleta and Ramos went to the Star Hotshots. Taha went to Ginebra and Agovida to San Miguel Beer.

White is experienced enough to understand that change is the only constant in team competitions and that it will be up to him to adjust and make up for whatever lack the team has.

They were right there though.

Mahindra almost pulled out the victory. Trailing by four points, 8286, Mark Yee was at the front end of a fastbreak attempt but somehow lost the handle allowing Meralco to steal the ball.

At the other end Chris Newsome drove down the middle and Mark Yee made a matador defense allowing him to score unmolested on a layup, 82-88, Mahindra couldn’t score at the other end. Yee again missed his defensive assignment giving Cliff Hodge space at the three-point distance. Hodge drilled the open threepointer to push Meralco to an insurmountable, 82-91, with less than a minute to play.

White is back and the Floodbuster has got him. Whether that translates to another winning conference is another matter entirely.

Reuel Vidal

LVPI CHOICES MEET FIRESTORM OF PUBLIC CRITICISM

By Reuel Vidal THE Philippine volleyball scene is alive and kicking. But it’s not necessarily for the good.

Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas officials recently named their pool of players for both the women’s and men’s national volleyball team to the coming Southeast Asia Games. Rather than being met with a wave of enthusiasm as people speculate as to who makes the final roster public criticism exploded chastising the officials for omissions.

The biggest question was how University Athletic Association of the Philippines best setter Jia Morado and threetime UAAP Most Valuable Player Marck Espejo were not included in the training pool.

This did not sit well with the public as a firestorm of criticism

Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas (LVP) president Joey Romasanta (right) speaks. Others with him are from left: men’s team head coach Sammy Acaylar, women’s team head coach Francis Vicente and LVP vice president Peter Cayco. The officials announced the composition of the Philippines volleyball teams during the PSA Forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City last Tuesday, March 14. Ey Acasio

exploded on social media questioning their exclusion. The reason put forward was that they did not attend tryouts. But how

could they attend tryouts if they were not invited?

The most recent development is that LVP formally ad-

mitted that they did indeed fail to invite Morado and Espejo. LVP will now arrange special tryouts for the pair as well as two other Ateneo De Manila University volleyball stars in Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino.

It may be unfair to cry favoritism this early. But men’s volleyball team coach Sammy Acaylar will likely take at least one player from among his University of Perpetual Help varsity players. Women’s coach Francis Vicente on the other hand is perceived to be making room for his setter from the University of the East Roselle Baliton in the women’s lineup.

That’s their prerogative actually. They’re the national team coaches. It’s their responsibility to name the

players they will take to the competition.

National team coaches getting their favorite players is not really a new thing in volleyball, or in other sports for that matter.

Just a few years ago there was a howl of protest when Aiza Maizo, then the best player at her position, was not included in the national women’s volleyball team. The protest eventually died out.

Consider though that the last medal the Philippines took home in women’s volleyball was the bronze in the 2005 SEA Games edition in Manila. The country’s last gold medal haul in women’s volleyball happened in 1993 in Singapore with Thailand dominating the sport in the last 10 editions.

C3

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James White

C4

Sports

SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 Riera U. Mallari, Editor / Reuel Vidal, Issue Editor / Randy Caluag, Issue Editor

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Angela Lee and his team in winning the Women’s Atomweight title in Bangkok

WOMEN’S TITLE ON THE LINE AT ‘DYNASTY’

Glean Aguilar showing he still has the daredevil moves

AGUILAR OUT TO SHOW DEADLY, VINTAGE FORM

By Randy Caluag

G

LEN Aguilar was not dubbed Daredevil of Philippine motocross for nothing.

He fears nothing on the race track. After hundreds of falls and stitches and now in his mid40s, he doesn’t see himself putting a stop to his daredevil moves.

“Gusto ko pa ring ipakita sa mga bata ang mataas na kalidad na karera. I still want to give them an elite level of competition to make them better racers,” said Aguilar, who recently topped the first leg of the Diamond Motor Supercross at the Mx Messiah Fairgrounds, Taytay, Rizal.

In the year’s opener, Aguilar found a stiff opposition in rising star from Davao Bornok Mangosong and still managed to pull through to top the PTT Pro open production class.

“I had a good start and it was really a challenging fight. I had the pace and I was just focused,” added Aguilar.

Mangosong, riding for Yamaha Motor Philippines, gave Aguilar a good fight but the latter still dominated from the GoPro holeshot up to the 15th lap. The division is also peppered by up-and-coming riders Jerick Mitra, JC Rellosa, Ralph Ramento and Ompong Gabriel.

“I thank God for this success. I will keep on preparing for the next races,” said Aguilar of KTM Philippines.

Yes, it’s turning out to be tight duel between Mangosong and Aguilar. The two will return to the same venue for the 2nd leg of the event supported by Wheeltek, Dunlop Tires, Coffee Grounds, Xtreme Adrenaline Sports Entertainment Co, PTT Philippines Corporation, Monster Energy and the Municipality of Taytay.

The third leg will be held on April 2, fourth leg on April 29 and the concluding leg on May 21.

Glen Aguilar topped the first leg with (left to right) 4th placer JC Rellosa, 2nd placer Bornok Mangosong, Jerick Mitra (third), Ralph Ramento (5th) and Dennis Sibucao, SAVP for Sales Operation of Diamond Motor Corporation.

A grand prize of P20,000.00 will go to the winner, P14,000.00 to the second placer and P10,000.00 to the third placer..

It’s more than just motocross action as organizer Samuel Mark Tamayo of Generation Congregation, main backer John Blaylock of the Diamond Motor Corporation and Marketing chief Elgene Cruz also put up exciting side events for the fans.

Raffles, giveaways and performances from Firefalldown, Light of Luna, Imbue No Kudos, Maryzark and Reborn delighted the audience in the audience and the fans also got to test-drive the new Montero Sports and Strada.

They will also enjoy the same privilege in the succeeding legs.

Also shining in the first leg were Tamayo’s son Joshua Tamayo, who dopped the Yamaha PW50 (4-6) and Christopher Mercado in the Yamaha PW50 (7-9).

Other winners were Raniel Resuello in the GoPro Amateur open production class, Pia Gabriel (DC ladies class), Roman Llorante (Dunlop executive class) and Jing Leongson (Coffee Grounds veterans class) Also topping their divisions were Nathaniel Morales won the Kids 50 class, Wenson Reyes (Kids 65 class and Kids 85 class) JR Tulawie (Open Underbone class) at Joolee Mendoza (Open local enduro class) Blaylock said the event is more than just winning honors and prizes.

“As a company, we want to push that angle that we want to show the people that we’re not just about selling cars, we are about people. Investing in what people are passionate about,” said Blaylock, lead singer of the band Firefalldown and also the head of planning and marketing of main sponsor Diamond Motor Corporation.

FIL-AM BELLATOR FIGHTER TO JOIN TEST OF WILL WITH the recently concluded Under Armour ‘Test of Will’ national Heats in Malaysia last weekend, held at Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur, The spotlight is now focused on the Philippines.

Who will be the Philippine representatives to the much awaited regional competition of Under Armour’s ‘Test of Will’?

This question will be answered when the Philippine heats take place on March 25 & 26 at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City.

The winners on said dates, will then face-off against representa-

tives from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei during the final round on May 6 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Participants can still sign up for UA ‘Test of Will’, which is on its second year, and designed as “the most advanced urban fitness challenge.”

It offers athletes the chance to compete in a simple 4-minute circuit consisting of Burpees, One Arm Thruster, TRX Rows and Sandbag Throw. Each competitor will be scored based on the maximum number of repetitions they

can achieve within 60 seconds.

The highest scoring man and woman of the national Heats from each respective country will win an all-expense paid trip to compete in the regional finals, happening in Kuala Lumpur.

This year’s overall champion of the regional finals will walk away with S$2,500 cash prize, or around P88,000.00, winners will also get free head-to-toe gear and special discounts.

Newly signed Under Armour athlete, Bellator fighter AJ “the Filipino Punisher” Williams, who has

an 8-5 record, is expected to join the UA ‘Test of Will’ on said dates.

In preparation for this, he had an open work-out session held last March 18 at Edsa Shangrila Health Club, where he showed off his wares as an MMA fighter and his circuit training skills.

AJ Williams also called out to other Philippine participants, who can still sign up for the event.

“Go test your will and join Under Armour’s event, and see what your body is capable of achieving. I will see you there”, said the Filipino Punisher.

ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela “Unstoppable” Lee, fresh off a successful first title defense in her last bout, will put her title on the line once again when she returns to Singapore:Dynasty of Heroes in May to take on Istela Nunes of Parana, Brazil.

“Angela Lee is proving to be an awesome champion and a true competitor. On the heels of an absolutely magnificent performance over Jenny Huang in Bangkok, she just can’t wait to get back inside the ONE Championship cage to put on another show,” said ONE CEO Victor Cui. “Istela Nunes is a worthy challenger for the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship and Singapore has a tremendous fight on their hands. Fans will not want to miss it.”

The 20-year-old Angela Lee of Waipahu, Hawaii, is one of the promotion’s most outstanding athletes regardless of gender or weight class.

She captured the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship with an awe-inspiring victory over Mei Yamaguchi in 2016, and has since then defended the title successfully.

Lee’s beautiful combination of elite striking and grappling skills has proven to be a potent formula for success, as she has remained unbeaten inside the ONE Championship cage. In her last bout, Lee dominated top contender Jenny Huang with a masterful display of striking. She now returns to Singapore to defend her title against Istela Nunes.

“I said at the beginning of the year that I will make 2017 one to remember. I will keep my promise of being as active as I possibly can and I can’t wait to get right back in there,” said Lee. “After my last fight, I showed everybody just how much I have improved over the last couple of months. I’m ready to do it again.

Istela Nunes had better be ready to go to battle, because this time I’m defending the title on my turf.”

The unbeaten Nunes is a twotime Muay Thai world champion with an unblemished 5-0 professional mixed martial arts record. Her exciting style and knack for delivering powerful strikes makes for exciting fights and is one of the biggest components of her game.

In her last bout, Nunes took on top-rated female atomweight Mei Yamaguchi, winning a closelycontested split decision. At her best, Nunes is a well-rounded fighter with a solid striking and grappling skill set.

Bellator fighter AJ Matthews displays some MMA skills during his open workout with fitness instructress Elle Adda at Edsa Shangrila Health Club

D1

SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017

Jimbo Gulle, Editor

Roger Garcia, Issue Editor

LGUs

Local Gov’t Units

mslocalgov@gmail.com

AN OFFERING FOR LARGEST FRESHWATER LAKE IN PH

By Raul M. Francia

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PAL GIVES BACK. Philippine Airlines recently held a tree-planting activity in the town of Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, as part of its 76th anniversary this month.

Different types of fruit-bearing trees were planted by 50 volunteer-employees as part of the airline’s environmental advocacy program. Main photo shows local farmers and employee-volunteers with PAL officials led by Chairman Dr. Lucio C. Tan. Inset shows a volunteer planting a guyabano tree sapling.

‘KALANGUYA’NURSE AIDS TRIBAL FOLK S

By Ben Moses Ebreo

TA. FE, Nueva Vizcaya—Being a nurse has brought Leticia Puguon to international conventions abroad, but she is never remiss in visiting her fellow tribal Ikalahan folk in this upland town and bringing free medical services to them.

In fact, regular visits to the upland barangay of Imugan and its neighboring villages to help treat the Ikalahan and other residents there is no longer a challenge for Puguon, 62, who also holds a Ph.D. It was her vocation, Puguon said, to serve her fellow villagers, considered a sub-tribe of the Igorot, living primarily in northeastern Pangasinan, western Nueva Vizcaya, and western Ifugao. It was a vow she started after earning her nursing degree and entering government service.

Puguon, who holds a Nurse IV position and is the administrative officer of the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital in Bambang town, rose from the care of a poor family in Barangay Imugan, which she treasured as a motivation to advance in her profession.

“This has served as a challenge for me. Our life then was difficult, but because of the help of our fellow villagers who inspired me and pushed me on to study, I did it,” she said.

Puguon studied in Imugan Elementary School, earned her high school diploma at Kiangan Academy in Kiangan, Ifugao, and got her college degrees at Union Christian College, the Lorma School of Nursing in San Fernando City, La Union, and Nueva Ecija Colleges in Cabanatuan City.

The absence of health workers in their barangay, especially during her

Leticia Puguon, administrative officer of the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital

childhood days, prompted her to take up the nursing profession.

Guided by the religious teachings of the Reverend Pastor Delbert Rice, a United Church of Christ in the Philippines missionary during her childhood, Puguon grew up nurturing Christian values along with her cultural beliefs and traditions as a native Kalanguya (an alternate name for the Ikalahan).

Rice also assisted her in acquiring scholarship grants from benefactors abroad.

In return, Puguon continued to provide medical services in Sta. Fe for free, bringing in doctors, fellow nurses, and free medicines for villagers who needed medical attention and treatment.

She helped implement the Community-Based Health Program, a primary health care approach that started in 1984 in Barangay Imugan. Puguon was the provincial coordinator for the Expanded Program on Immunization and Control of Diarrheal Diseases while doing primary health care activities.

In 1989, Puguon also organized the Federation of Barangay Health Workers of Nueva Vizcaya, which she is still an adviser.

“For our fellow indigenous people who are aspiring to progress in their profession, we should be proud of our culture and show to our fellow IPs that we can become cultural models in our communities,” said Puguon.

To that end, she obtained a Master of Science in Nursing, major in mother and child nursing, at St. Paul University in Tuguegarao City, and finished her Doctor of Philosophy degree at the Nueva Vizcaya State University.

She said the improving health and nutritional status of residents in the upland villages have inspired her to move on with her vocation, “to serve with genuine spirit and action.”

“When I started my profession and service, we did not mind our low salary.

First and foremost, for us it’s to serve our fellow IPs [indigenous peoples], and this has given us satisfaction and inspiration,” Puguon said.

IT WAS a festival like no other.

The faith, tradition, love, warmth, trait, beauty, excellence, brain, talent, skill, craftsmanship, food, harvest, product, the people, their resilience and their joy. These are the province’s showcase. They are the bests and pride of its cities and municipalities.

And the weeklong fun, competition, entertainment, sharing of love and laughter, festivities, celebration and thanksgiving was in grateful appreciation of the bounty of nature—the soil, forests, the air and the country’s largest freshwater lake and the third biggest in Southeast Asia – Laguna de Bay. Dubbed Handog ng Laguna sa Lawa ng Pag-Asa, the Ani ng Laguna (AniLag) festival was also meant to raise public awareness on the need to protect and preserve the lake, the province’s excellent water resource that is already woven into the fabric of its people’s way of life.

Aside from fishery, aquaculture and recreation, Laguna Lake is a vital component of the Kalayaan hydroelectric power plant that supplies electricity to the Luzon grid. And in the face of worsening vehicular traffic, the 950-square kilometer lake can provide additional routes and alternative means of transportation between Metro Manila and the surrounding towns of Rizal province and Laguna.

Due to its importance to Lagunenses’ life and livelihood, especially those residing along the coastal areas, special focus is being given and extra efforts being put in jointly by the government and the private sector to preserve the lake and shore up its ability to provide for the basic needs of the people in the Laguna de Bay region.

Sadly, however, these efforts have been prompted by alarming damages to Laguna de Bay by rapid industrialization and population growth. Unhampered abuses and excessive activities in the lake are threatening its potentials as vital water resource.

And so, the thanksgiving.

“Very festive! It was an atmosphere of joy throughout the week,” is how Frandy Nodado, a college instructor from the town of Famy, described the week-long AniLag held at the provincial capitol grounds in Sta. Cruz last week. He adds: “Ipinakita po dito ang init, pagmamahal, galling at pagkakaisa ng ating mga kalalawigan” “Lahat ng sector po ay mayroong representation sa pang-aakit hindi lamang sa buong lalawigan, kundi sa buong bansa at sa buong mundo upang bisitahan at makilala ng lubusan ang ating lalawigan,” says the 33-year old 2014 awardee of the Gawad San Luis Namumukod-Tanging Kabataan ng Laguna.

Featured no less are the mouthwatering kinulob na itik of Victoria, the sweet and juicy pineapple of Calauan, the marshmallow-like puto Biñan, the sought-after buko pie of Los Baños, the fine uraro of Liliw, and the incomparably luscious kesong puti of Sta. Cruz. These are only some of the delightful and sumptuous come-ons for both local and foreign tourists to embark on a journey to the virgin and enchanting beauty of the province.

Turn to D2

BIÑAN MARKS HOSPITAL’S 13TH YEAR

By Roy Tomandao

Biñan Mayor Arman Dimaguila speaks at the 13th anniversary of the Biñan Hospital (inset).

Roy Tomandao

BIÑAN, Laguna—Mayor Arman Dimaguila led city officials on Friday in celebrating the 13th anniversary of Biñan Hospital, which now boasts better medical services and state-of-the-art equipment.

“Within seven months of assuming my post as mayor, I am proud to announce that we have transformed our public hospital, thanks to the unity of our local government officials together with our Lone District Rep. Lenlen Alonte Naguiat and hospital head Dr. George Alora,” Dimaguila said.

“We will continue to improve the services of the hospital, which was built in 2004,” the mayor added. “We will provide additional beds, undertake the expansion of the emergency room, and construct a new building for the out-patient department.”

The hospital, located in Canlalay district, has seen an increasing number of patients arriving from Biñan’s neighboring towns as well as from this city.

City residents, especially poor families, are entitled to free services at the hospital, a practice that has earned high praise from the national govern-

ment, Dimaguila stressed.

“The people of Binan deserve a better hospital,” the mayor said.

Biñan Hospital also recently received a “green banner” from the National Nutrition Council for its services to the city’s 24 barangays.

Studies are under way to transfer the city’s Hall of Justice to a lot adjacent to the hospital to facilitate its expansion, which Dimaguila admitted would require additional funds.

Still, he said: “In the city of Biñan, the government and its people can always be counted on.”

LGUs

SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 D2 Standard TODAY Manila

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S

ARANGANI Energy Corp., a subsidiary of the Alsons Power Group, recently partnered with the Philippine Coast Guard, the local government of the municipality of Maasim, and divers from Sarangani province and General Santos City, to collect garbage and clean up the waters of Sarangani Bay. Dubbed as “scubasureros,” 14 volunteer divers became garbage collectors to keep the waters free from trash. A total of 28 sacks of garbage—mostly plastics—were pulled from the deep waters and shoreline of the bay.

Ruben Tungpalan, Corporate Affairs and Community Relations head of SEC, said the cleanup effort is a key focus of the company to keep the marine environment clean and encourage biodiversity in the area.

The company has carried this out in the last seven years in coordination with the Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation Inc., the corporate social responsibility arm of the Alcantara Group.

“We want the impact of these activities to be felt immediately, and we are also focused on the long-term effect to the fishing communities. By doing these activities, we want the residents to realize the importance of cleaning up the

bay and shorelines, and keeping the marine environment healthy to make it viable for future generations,” Tungpalan said.

The cleanup drive was also part of the activities held to celebrate SEC’s milestone event—the ceremonial switch-on for the first 105-megawatt section of the power company’s 210-megawatt baseload plant located in Maasim, Sarangani that started operating in April last year, and the start of civil works for the second 105-megawatt section of the baseload plant.

The Alsons Power Group is the first and most experienced independent power producer in Mindanao. It is committed to the economic development of the region by providing a reliable and stable supply of electricity through SEC and its other power subsidiaries—the Southern Philippine Power Corp., Western Mindanao Power Corp. and the Mapalad Power Corp.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

‘SCUBASUREROS’

SUPPORT SARANGANI CLEANUP DRIVE

Some of the volunteer divers or ‘scubasureros’ gather their ‘catch’—bags of garbage, mostly plastic items—from the waters of Sarangani Bay.

USAID, PDRF TURN OVER MANGROVE PLANTING IS REPUBLIC’S LATEST ECO DRIVE 100 HOUSES IN TACLOBAN THERE is hope even in the darkest of times. Almost four years after the tragic super typhoon “Yolanda,” the people of Tacloban City have opened new chapters in their lives. Exhibiting the resiliency of the Filipino spirit, they have held on to light and optimism despite chaos and grief.

Over a hundred families in Barangay Suhi who were displaced by “Yolanda” in 2013 were recently given eco-friendly houses under a program jointly run by the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation and the Tacloban City government, with the generous support of the United States Agency for International Development or USAID. Called “butterfly houses,” these transitional dwellings are made from eco-boards, which consist of 100 percent recycled materials— 80 percent plastic and 20 percent aluminum. These innovative houses are fireproof and waterproof, and can withstand storm winds with speeds of up to 195 kph.

Each butterfly house measures 18 square meters, good for a family of five and adhering to the sphere standard for housing, which is 3.5 square meters per family member.

“These smartly-designed homes will help the beneficiary families to move forward,” said PLDT chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, who also co-chairs PDRF. “We hope this project becomes a means for the people of Tacloban to realize their dreams of rebuilding their communities,” said PDRF president Butch Meily.

These dwellings are the second batch of butterfly houses turned over to families in Tacloban under the program called Building Resilient and Economically Adept Communities and Households or BREACH of USAID. Under a two-year cooperative agreement, USAID has tapped PDRF to deliver an integrated package of assistance to families in Northern Tacloban.

PDRF works with local and international partners to mobilize resources to expand the benefits of the USAID support by leveraging existing resources, fundraising activities, and provision of pro bono expertise.

“The US government is pleased to be your partner in rebuilding Leyte, and we look forward to our continued partnership with the Philippine government to achieve our goals towards an inclusive and resilient world,” said USAID Contracts and Agreement officer Sandra Jensen.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Please be informed of the following New Set of Directors/Shareholders effective 15 February 2017 RENATO M. SANTELICES PAMELA S. ALBANO SALVADOR S. ALBANO EVELYNE M. ILIOU MARK HENRICK F. HILVANO (MS-MAR. 19, 2017)

al surges during storms, mangroves have been noted for their ability to effectively store carbon dioxide and provide new means for ecosystems to thrive, the company said.

Mangroves also act as protective breeding grounds and nurseries for marine life that greatly benefit the coastal communities, whose means of livelihood are fishing and aquaculture management.

To complement this environmental restoration and conservation initiative, Republic also partnered with WWF Philippines and various government agencies and local government units to develop a sustainability and management plan for the Morong Watershed, to ensure its continued protection and conservation. This project is now on its second phase.

Paolo Pagaduan of WWF, a longtime partner of the company, said: “We’ve been partners with Republic for over a decade so this [Morong second phase] is just a continuation of our partnership with them to help those living around their plant sites. It’s not just in the interest of the company but of the surrounding communities as well.”

email us at advertise@ thestandard.com.ph or call us at 832-5547

IN RE: PETITION FOR ISSUANCE OF FOREIGN AIR CARRIER’S PERMIT CAB Case No. EP-189-17/HED022017-012-0

NOTICE OF HEARING Pursuant to the provisions of RA776, as amended, Notice is hereby given that T’WAY AIR CO., LTD. has filed with the Civil Aeronautics Board a petition for issuance of Foreign Air Carrier’s Permit (FACP) to operate scheduled international air transportation services. The above-entitled case is scheduled for hearing on April 18, 2017 at 10:00 AM, CAB Conference Room, Old MIA Road, Pasay City before the undersigned, wherein the applicant shall present relevant evidence. Pre-marking and comparison of documents to be presented during the hearing shall be on April 4, 2017 at 10:00 AM, three (3) days thereafter. Applicant shall submit the marked documents together with the scanned copy to Hearing Examiners’ Division (HED) in accordance to CAB Resolution No. 6 (BM 01-01-27-2016) dated January 27, 2016, otherwise known as Less Paper Transaction of CAB. The applicant is hereby required to have this Notice of Hearing published at least once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a broadsheet of national circulation. The Notice of Hearing and the Application shall be served, by this Office, to all concerned parties/airlines, either by facsimile or electronic mail, in compliance with CAB Board Resolution No. 97 (2003).

Parties/airlines opposed to the granting of this application must file their written opposition on or before the scheduled pre-marking date furnishing a copy of the same to the applicant or appear at the hearing with such evidence as may be proper under the circumstances. Failure on the part of any interested party to file their opposition on time or appear at the hearing shall be construed as a waiver of their right to be heard and the Civil Aeronautics Board shall proceed to hear and decide the application on its merits.

Let a copy of the petition and this Notice be posted at the CAB Bulletin Board beginning today.

02 March 2017 Pasay City, Philippines

MARIA ELBEN SL. MORO Hearing Officer (MS-MAR. 19,26 & APR. 2, 2017)

said: “This is not a one-time project for us. It is part of a long-standing program that we created. We’ll monitor and evaluate the site every quarter until the mangroves reach maturity.”

Bolinas explained the activity is part of the company’s iSTAND4 program, which defines its commitments to the environment and its communities.

The company said BantayDagat-Malolos, a local volunteer organization that conducts 24-hour coastal watches, will be one of the project’s proponents, to ensure the mangroves are maintained and protected until they mature into forests that enrich the community’s ecosystem.

“Our idea for building a great wall of mangroves is coming to fruition sooner than expected,” said Gilbert Gatchalian, vice mayor of Malolos. “This is definitely something that will not only benefit us today, but also the next generations, our children and grandchildren. We are thankful to our corporate partner, Republic Cement, along with DENR, and all the rest who are advocating a good future for all of us.”

Apart from providing a shield against tid-

RESERVE YOURADSPACE NOW!

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

T’WAY AIR CO., LTD., Petitioner. x---------------------------------------------x

WITH its commitment to extend its sustainability initiatives to a broader community, Republic Cement recently launched its three-year mangrove rehabilitation and management project in Barangay Pamarawan, Malolos City, Bulacan.

The country’s leading cement and building materials manufacturer and construction solutions provider, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Malolos City government, Bulacan provincial government, and Bulacan Lowland and Upland People’s Organization, aims to rehabilitate the coastal areas in Malolos by growing over 50,000 mangrove propagules.

Forty representatives from Republic’s Makati office and Bulacan cement plants and aggregates quarry joined volunteers from the barangay, Malolos officials, DENR representatives, and partners from World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines, BantayDagat, and BLUPO in planting 5,000 propagules to kick off the project.

Saying their efforts are not meant for short-term results, lawyer Anda Bolinas, Republic Cement’s Sustainability director

LIVELIHOOD FOR FARMERS. Leyte first district Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez (right) and her husband, Philippine Constitution Association president Martin Romualdez (center) discuss livelihood programs for the agricultural towns in her district with Babatngon Mayor Marife Rondina (second from right) and Sta. Fe Mayor Oscar Monteza (second from left, with his wife Amparo). Rep. Romualdez vowed to support the planting of dwarf coconut trees, which bear fruit in just three years, and provide seminars and starting capital for bee farming businesses in the towns. Ver Noveno

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From D1 One would also remember falling in love upon taking the banca in the seven lakes of San Pablo, or the thousand thrills of shooting the rapids in Pansanjan, the water rafting in Magdalena, or the lovely still waters of Caliraya lake in Lumban. And who would not make a second, third, fourth or a regular weekend hideaway at any of the hot springs of Calamba, Los Banos and Bay or take a trek at the mystic forests of Mount Makiling or the foot of Mount Banahaw in Majayjay and Luisiana while having a sip or two of the local lambanog to warm the body from the cool and misty atmosphere.

People would come by for the renowned export quality hand-woven barong Tagalog of Lumban, the cheap but durable tsinelas of Liliw, or the wood carvings and papier mache of Paete, and the rattan chairs and hammocks of Sinoloan or the cut-flowers and decorative plants of Bay. The historical sites and relics are the attractions in Nagcarlan, Magdalena, Rizal, Pila and of course, Calamba. While the turumba of Pakil is known to be the year-long religious fete for the Catholic faithful, tourists would not want to miss the chance of taking the 126 concrete steps to reach the church on a hill in Mabitac town.

And these are only to mention a few.

It was the second year of the Anilag under the administration of Gov. Ramil Hernandez. The celebration took off to a rousing start with a heritage fluvial parade along the vast Laguna de Bay followed by

a thanksgiving mass officiated by retired Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales. Beauty queens of the province led by 2016 Miss Tourism Queen International Leren Bautista from Los Banos and Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 Justine Mae “Jaya” San Jose from Pila graced the opening ceremonies.

Speaking before thousands of provincial and municipal officials and residents, the young governor stresses the festival is not only about agricultural products, handicrafts, food, and dry goods but also about the plenitude of the province’s natural wonders and world class tourist destinations.

“Most importantly, this is about Laguna’s human resource—the abundance of unique skills and talents of our people, making each and every one a wealth of our province,” says the 44-year-old Hernandez.

Among the highlights of the festival opening were trade fair, landscape, and body building competitions; awarding for the search for the cleanest and best hotels, resorts, restaurants, and gasoline stations; search for 2017 Laguna Gay Queen, and fireworks display.

There were about 30 colorful and exciting events and competitions that include land float, drum and lyre, dance revolution, the voice of Laguna singing contest, pyromusical and the Ginoo at Binibining Laguna beauty and talent search, among many others spread over the seven days of the annual event.

Residents were also treated to a magical show from Enchanted Kingdom and a band revolution along with the fun-filled Laguna gay queen contest and the Pinakamagandang Lola ng Laguna quest. Also, there were culinary arts and flair tending, fruits, vegetables and ice

carving and watercolor competition.

The street dancing competition was full of life along with the exciting paralympics, palarong Pinoy, car show, dog show, and the tricycle and motorcycle show.

There was a night of pure musical entertainment and songs by groups like Itchy Worms, Rocksteddy, Salbakuta and GraceNote with local stand-up comedians. It was preceded by a short film on the history, struggles, beauty and wealth of the province.

A jobs fair was also held for local jobseekers, and carnival rides were installed a week ahead that completes the festival.

The float parade, participated in by municipalities and cities highlighted the celebration.

Hernandez spiced up the celebration with prizes. Siniloan bagged the first place in the trade fair contest and got P1 million worth of projects from the provincial government and P200,000 in cash, followed by San Pablo City for P500,000 worth of projects and P100,000 in cash rewards, with Mabitac in third for P300,000 in projects and P50,000 cash. Nonwinning participating municipalities got P30,000 cash each.

In the most attended street dancing competition, Hernandez gifted Lumban, and the cities of San Pablo and Santa Rosa the same package of rewards, while the land float contest was won by Paete, followed by San Pablo and Rizal.

The week of fiesta may have ended, but the joy and excitement in the hearts of the people of Laguna remain. They will continue to celebrate in thanksgiving as they face the challenge of doing their share in helping preserve the bay of their lives.

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AMD RYZEN 5 CPU'S TO POWER PC'S WORLDWIDE

Zubin Gandevia, President, Asia Pacific & Middle East, FNG; Manny V. Pangilinan, Chairman of MVP Group of Companies at the launch of Fox+

FOX+: UNRIVALLED CONTENT, ANY TIME, IN HD

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OX Networks Group Asia has unveiled the launch of FOX+; the first and only internet streaming service in Asia promising an unrivalled combination of the latest TV series, first-run Hollywood blockbusters, hit Chinese series and movies, live sports and thrilling documentaries, all in one place, accessible from any device, at any time, in high definition.

The FOX+ app, launching initially in the Philippines, will showcase the latest TV series shown on the same day as the US, the latest movies shortly after theatrical release, both often one full year before other subscription services.

Particularly important for sports fans is the unique live streaming service; a feature no other Video-On-Demand service offers that will allow them to watch wherever they may be when the action kicks off. FOX+ will be rolled out across the region over the coming months.

Users can browse more than 11,000 hours of programming across multiple genres, embracing the most popular content from global movie studios and television channels, as well as original FOX programing and FOX+ exclusive content. Viewers can enjoy

blockbuster movies such as Deadpool, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Revenant, or binge watch every season of shows such as The Walking Dead, Homeland, The Young Pope or 24 Legacy. FOX+ also has one of the most extensive back catalogues of any Video-On-Demand service, enabling users to watch the latest episodes while also having the opportunity to go back and watch every episode from the first season onwards.

FOX+ is available on any device; mobile, tablet, laptop; and content is easy to access both at or out of home. Waiting for the bus, riding on a train, or enjoying a lazy Sunday at home will never be the same again.

“FOX has always been focused on providing the best stories, through TV shows, movies,

documentaries and sports to its fans. FOX+ is the evolution of this philosophy and will upgrade the TV viewing experience by giving our viewers freedom and choices never seen before on any internet streaming service,” said Zubin Gandevia, President of FOX Networks Group Asia.

“FOX+ will premiere the best TV shows from the US on the same day, it will showcase first-run Hollywood and Chinese series and movies, live sports, extensive back catalogues and a user experience that defines intuitive. For entertainment enthusiasts, the wait is over. There is no better Video-On-Demand experience than FOX+.”

FOX+ in the Philippines is available through Cignal, PLDT and SMART. The FOX+ app can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play Store with an initial 30-day free trial.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your commute with live sports programming on the go; upgrade your evenings with the hottest new series and documentaries; or upgrade your weekend with the biggest movies from Hollywood, Asia and beyond, FOX+ has the best, the first and the most exclusive content. Programs on-demand will be ready when you are, when you want them.

OPPO DUAL SELFIE F3 SERIES TO BE LAUNCHED IN 5 MARKETS MOBILE technology brand OPPO is revolutionizing selfies once again with the release of its line of dual selfie camera phones: the F3 series. The series’ flagship phone the OPPO F3 Plus will debut this March 23 in the Philippines simultaneously in four other markets including India, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

A large advertisement has also been displayed at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, as well as other landmark buildings in Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Times Square in New York.

“At OPPO, product innovation drives everything that we do, and it is our key brand value,” Sky Li, OPPO Vice President and Managing Director of International Mobile Business, said. “The F3 Series will take selfie technology onto another level as well as it sets new trends. We are confident it will be a great success and will set a standard that others will follow.”

The newest OPPO phone sports a 16-megapixel (MP) main camera and an 8MP sub-camera for high-quality images.

OPPO was ranked the No. 2

FOLLOWING the successful introduction of AMD Ryzen™ 7 desktop processors including record pre-orders and award-winning1 performance, AMD recently announced Ryzen™ 5 desktop processors will launch worldwide on April 11, offering disruptive price-toperformance for gamers and creators.

With end users at the heart of everything AMD does, the new Ryzen 5 processors feature the powerful and efficient “Zen” architecture in 6-core,12-thread as well as 4-core, 8-thread options, to deliver enhanced performance, immersive experiences and high performance innovation to gamers and consumers worldwide with a price range of $169 to $249 USD SEP. “Ryzen will ultimately bring innovation and competition to virtually every segment of the PC market, and Ryzen 5 is the next big step on that journey, designed to achieve new levels of compute performance for millions of PC users,” said Jim Anderson, senior vice president and general manager, Computing and Graphics Group, AMD. “AMD reinvigorated the highperformance desktop market with Ryzen 7 earlier this month, and AMD Ryzen 5 now brings the power and efficiency of the “Zen” core to users in the highly popular sub-$300 segment of the market.”

Ryzen 5 Performance and Lineup

During an event in Beijing, China for press, customers, and partners, AMD outlined the AMD Ryzen 5 desktop processor lineup.

AMD specifically designed these processors for performance desktop users, AAA-title and streaming gamers, and the new AM4 desktop platform. Featuring AMD SenseMI technology and impressive multi-tasking capabilities, the groundbreaking AMD Ryzen 5 adapts to consumers’ needs with incredible responsiveness and performance. Previously, AMD demonstrated the Ryzen 5 1600X beating the Intel Core i5 7600K by 69 percent2 in CPU performance testing using Cinebench R15 nT.

Game Optimizations

With the announcement of the Ryzen 5 lineup, AMD reiterated its commitment to delivering excellent gaming performance to ensure existing and future game titles take full advantage of Ryzen.

“We are impressed by the technological evolution enabled by the Zen architecture, which was designed to keep pace now and well into the future as gaming, eSports and virtual reality experiences continually push the limits of devices,” said Vlatko Andonov, president of Bethesda Softworks. “Working with an all-new microarchitecture, like that in the Ryzenfamilyofprocessors,meansthateveryone has the opportunity to raise their game and bring the very best interactive experiences to players. All of us at Bethesda are excited about working with AMD to keep evolving the premium performance that Ryzen offers.”

Ryzen 5 Processor and Platform Availability

Availability for all four Ryzen 5 models begins April 11 at retailers around the world.

All Ryzen processors support the new AM4 infrastructure, with motherboard designs being produced from top ODMs. Announced at CES 2017, AMD and its motherboard partners already debuted a wide array of new motherboards from ASRock, Asus, Biostar, Gigabyte, and MSI, all built upon the following desktop chipsets for AMD Ryzen processors—the X370, B350 and the A320, the latter intended for mainstream PCs at new, consumer-friendly price points.

smartphone manufacturer in Southeast Asia with a 13.2 percent market share and the fourth largest smartphone brand worldwide in 2016, according to the latest International Data Corporation (IDC) reports. In the Philippines, the brand also grew its offline market successfully from 3.2 percent in July 2015 to 8.6 percent in July 2016 based on data from market research firm GfK. These successes have been attributed to the sales of OPPO’s “Selfie Expert” F1 series, which includes the F1, F1 Plus, and F1s.

New Coolers

The AMD Ryzen 5 lineup also includes new Wraith coolers, including the Wraith Spire and the Wraith Stealth, available with select AMD Ryzen processors. These new AMD thermal solutions are designed to provide near-silent operation, with unique styling and superb cooling.

LG'S FULL RANGE OF AWARD-WINNING OLED TVs SHOWCASED LG Electronics proudly showcased its premium 2017 TV lineups, which include its award-winning OLED TV series, as well as SUPER UHD TVs with Nano Cell technology, at InnoFest Asia.

The amazingly thin LG SIGNATURE OLED TV W was shown alongside LG SIGNATURE OLED (G7), E7, C7 and B7 TVs, all of which come in a variety of screen sizes.

In addition, LG displayed its SUPER UHD TVs with Nano Cell technology, which offers enhanced color and viewing angle capabilities.

OLED TVs with Superior Picture, Design and Sound

Each pixel on an OLED display can be individually switched on and off, resulting in the highest quality image rendering with the purest black and lifelike colors. LG has combined this cutting-edge display technology with its superior design aesthetic, resulting in the LG SIGNATURE OLED TV W. The razor-thin profile of the W7 – less than 4mm thick when mounted on the wall with

magnetic brackets – creates the illusion of gazing out a window, which is why the W7’s design concept is called Picture-onWall. The LG SIGNATURE OLED TV series also includes G7, which is known for its pristine Picture-on-Glass design. What sets the G7 apart is its unique strip-lined design which can serve both as soundbar and as a stand or fold downwards for when the G7 is mounted on a wall.

LG’s OLED E7TV also features the Pictureon-Glass design, offering perfect picture quality and perfect sound with its Dolby Atmos surround sound speaker. Furthermore, the LG C7 and B7 TVs have a Blade Slim design, which elegantly combines the immersiveness of their OLED displays with a minimal stand design.The C7 and B7 complement a wide range of interior designs as they are equipped with a Floating Plate Stand and a Linear Crescent Metal Stand, respectively.

The Most Advanced LCD TV Available Today

LG’s third-generation SUPER UHD TV

lineup features Nano Cell technology, which utilizes 1 nanometer-sized particles, to offer incredibly accurate color reproduction. The Nano Cell display achieves impressive picture quality by absorbing excess wavelengths of light, resulting in purer, cleaner colors. This light absorbing capability allows LG’s new LCD displays to filter out specific colors with much greater precision, rendering each color exactly as it was intended. For example, the color red on conventional TVs can blend with other color wavelengths, such as yellow or orange, causing the color to fade and take on yellowish hues. LG Nano Cell dramatically reduces color fading, image instability and other color degradation issues. The LG Nano Cell Display also delivers consistent colors at wider viewing angles with virtually no color difference between viewers seated directly in front of the screen and those watching from a 60 degree angle.

Expanded HDR Capabilities

All 2017 LG OLED and SUPER UHD

LG Signature OLED W at LG InnoFest2017

TVs feature Active HDR to render brighter scenes and greater shadow details when displaying HDR content. Active HDR allows LG TVs to process the picture scene by scene, inserting dynamic data where needed. In addition, 2017 LG TVs support

the full palette of HDR formats, including Dolby VisionTM, HDR10 and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma). This versatility is enhanced with the new HDR Effect feature, which processes standard definition content to improve brightness and contrast ratios.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

Gadgets & Games

FIGHT VS CANCER GETS BOOST WITH GE SCANNER

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The GE Discovery PET/CT 710 system is a combination of a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner and an x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner—used to acquire sequential images from both devices in one session.

By Peter Atencio

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HERE’S a new diagnostic tool now available for cancer patients at the Cardinal Santos Center in San Juan.

This image reconstruction machine is known as the General Electric (GE) Discovery PET/CT 710 system.

In layman’s terms, it is a combination of a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner and an x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner-used to acquire sequential images from both devices in one session.

From there, a single superposed image of an area of the body is produced.

The images gathered will show the spatial distribution of metabolic or biochemical activity in the body, and it can be more precisely aligned

or correlated with anatomic images taken by CT scanning.

After that, two- and three-dimensional image reconstructions can be achieved.

The machine, which was launched last March 8, is said to be 25 times more sensitive than other PET/CT scanners in the country. Although there are other PET/CT scanners around, it’s the only model of its kind available, for now.

According to Dr. Glen Sy, who is the nuclear medicine and clinical application specialist for GE Healthcare, the images produced are very

clear once they use a reconstruction algorithm, known a Q.Clear.

Sy said that they made an effort to eliminate background noise in the images that the scanners produce.

He explains that a lot of image noise is produced once they start magnifying the images obtained.

Image noise, in layman’s terms, is random variations of brightness or color information in images that can be produced by the sensor and circuitry of a scanner or a digital camera.

It makes the picture look grainy.

“We have a very quantitative analysis (on the images). But, still our images become bad. Now, we were able to come with a better way to take of the noise,” said Sy. This is where they use the reconstruction algorithm known as Q.Clear. Through the patented Q.Clear system, medical personnel are able to use more iterations, or

mathematical calculations that is required for accurate contrast recovery of images.

With these advances in the technology, doctors at Cardinals Santos Medical Center now have a big help when they monitor the development of tumors inside a person’s body.

“With Q.Clear, it increases the sensitivity of the images taken with iterations used,” said consultant Dr. Christine Joy-Lee Gruenberg.

The installation of the new scanner, according to president and CEO Pilar Almira, will help the institution focus on their mission to help cancer patients and find the treatment needed for them.

“We are now 100 percent able to provide treatment and healing,” said Dr. Almira, who added that the institution can now consider themselves the leaders in the treatment of cancer in the Philippines.

TRIBE, GLOBE GIVE FANS CHANCE TO SEE KOREAN IDOLS TRIBE, the go-to over-the-top video streaming service for Asian content in partnership with Globe Telecom, the leading mobile brand in the Philippines, is offering you a chance to win a trip to South Korea through their exciting new promo.

Known for its wide variety of K-entertainment offerings, Tribe gives a lucky app subscriber plus a companion the chance to experience the sights and sounds they see in their favorite K-dramas. Joining this exclusive promo for Tribe and Globe subscribers is easy!

First download Tribe via the Apple App Store or Google Play

and register your account. Next log on to www.tribenow.tv/ph/ tribe-globe and encode your Tribe username, password, and Globe phone number.

The lucky winner plus a companion will get flights to Korea, accommodation, meals, tours, and even the visa processing fee. The promo is now on until March 31.

Grand draw and announcement of winner will be on April 6.

This promo is just one initiative Tribe has in store for its subscribers for 2017. Back in February, Tribe gave away 18 VIP tickets for the Exo’rdium in Manila Concert to avid Tribe subscribers.

“We’re really big on fan expe-

riences and for this promo, we wanted a big K-entertainment fan to experience first-hand South Korean culture. Subscribers can expect more promos and fan gatherings which bring excitement beyond just watching their favorite shows on our app,”says Steve Santos, Country Manager for Tribe Philippines.

Tribe’s current content slate includes live and on-demand Kentertainment shows from KBS World and tvN, Anime shows via Aniplus channel, action and thriller content via KIX and Thrill channels, and e-gaming content via eGG channel. More content will be added in the coming months.

Among the popular K-entertainment shows Tribe currently streams include Reply 1988, Cheese in a Trap, and Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon. By April 2, the most awaited second season of Anime fan-favorite Attack on Titan can be streamed via the Tribe app!

There’s so much more that awaits loyal app users in the coming months. The Tribe and Globe partnership promises to take your viewing experience to a different level with more promos and events in the pipeline to go with content that bring you closer to your chosen tribe!

Download the Tribe app now

via Google Play or Apple Store (https://goo.gl/ ugvs4b) to enjoy a 30day free trial. You can continue to stream shows after for a subscription fee of just P69 a month and P30 a week.

Simply text “Tribe69” to 7227 for Globe subscribers to enjoy live and ondemand shows.

For more information on Tribe, please log on to: http://www.tribenow.tv. Join the Tribe on Facebook via facebook.com/Tribe.ph and on Twitter and Instagram (@ tribe_ph). #findyourTribePH

LENOVO INTRODUCES KABY LAKE THINKPADS LENOVO, the world’s top PC maker, has just announced the latest devices in their ThinkPad lineup powered by Intel’s latest 7th Generation Kaby Lake processor to the Philippine market.

Known for its durability, robustness, design, and overall performance when it comes to the office, the ThinkPad is Lenovo’s brand made for those looking for a dedicated and reliable workstation.

Placing power and performance as the main priority, the ThinkPad is designed to keep in pace with your business, whether at home, in the office, or on the move.

Lenovo Philippines Country General Manager Michael Ngan expressed that the new ThinkPad devices are geared for the working class of today who are always on the go.

“Our work methods are faster than ever. Workplaces are being reconfigured to encourage greater collaboration as more and more employees become mobile,” said Ngan. “To strive in this ever-growing digitized world, we need to be both flexible and agile. The new ThinkPads were developed with that in mind.”

A total of four ThinkPad products were revealed at the launch. These are the ThinkPad E470, ThinkPad T470, ThinkPad X270, and ThinkStation P410.

Also revealed at the launch were Lenovo V310 and Lenovo Miix 510. Throughout the development process, Lenovo focused on a customer-centric approach to build on a heritage of product excellence while addressing the changing demands of the market.

Some of the new features added to the latest lineup include a cleaner, premium TouchPad that supports Microsoft Precision TouchPad for a more consistent trackpad user experience while new security features include support for Windows Hello for facial recognition login and a biometric fingerprinting sensor.

All new ThinkPad models with Windows 10 will come preloaded with an optimized Microsoft Signature Image to ensure a clean and fast system, right out of the box.

With regards to color design, the four ThinkPads and the Lenovo V310 will come out in Classic Black while the Miix 510 will be sold in a sleek silver color.

Another visible change is the inclusion of USB Thunderbolt 3 support with a protection circuit chip attached to address incorrect power levels in the ThinkPad devices.

The ThinkPad’s legendary durability remains as every device went through rigorous testing for the Mil-SPEC 810G military standard, consisting of 10 durability tests which include humidity, low temperature, high vibration, and high altitude.

Dynamic duo: Lenovo and Intel Keeping things running under the hood is Intel’s 7th gene r a t i o n K a by Lake processor which promises to boost the ThinkPad’s features further thanks to its faster processing, higher clock speed, improved graphics performance, and a more efficient architecture.

Thinkpad X270

5TH YEAR FOR LAZADA PHILIPPINES IS STRONGEST YET

Lazada CEO - Inanc Balci

WITH a record high 91% market share in the Philippine e-Commerce category, Lazada Philippines has plenty to celebrate for its 5th anniversary.

Since its recent acquisition by global e-Commerce giant, Alibaba.com, the country’s dominant online shopping and selling destination shows no sign of slowing down.

In just five short years, Lazada has been able to guard and grow e-commerce in the Philippines with commitment to its three main customer offerings: assortment, convenience, and topnotch service.

When it comes to variety, no other Philippine e-commerce platform comes close to Lazada, with 6.3 million items under a wide variety of categories including electronics, fashion, home & living, travel, toys, grocery items, and even pet goods.

Convenience and service are best in class with 24/7 access via website or mobile app, free shipping around Metro Manila and nationwide with a minimum purchase of P1,000, and free returns. Lazada also innovated through a wide variety of payment options, including credit and debit cards, and the highly popular cash-on-delivery option.

Lazada’s upcoming anniversary, dubbed ‘Lazada’s 5th Birthday Surprise’, has been marked as the biggest shopping event of the season. From March 21 to 23, Lazada will be showering online shoppers with sitewide discounts of up to 90%, low denomination Peso Sales, and time based Flash Sales. There will also be exclusive offerings from its most popular brands, and raffle prizes like vacation packages and real world treats.

High Five Deals Make your summer sizzle with hot deals such as the Delsey 4-wheel trolley for only P3,507; JBL on-ear headphones for only P699, and Nyx Lip Lingerie for only P490. Also in the lineup are customer favorites such as the VR Box 3D Glasses for only P95, Keds sneakers for as low as P999 and assortedNestleDolceGustocapsulepackswithfree NestleDolceGustoOblomachineforonlyP3,400.

Fierce Flash Sales For a very limited time, Lazada will also be offering top items at markdown prices: The inflatable Banana Bed for only P199, Nivea shower gels for only P68, and a CKK Inspire mobile phone with a 5.0 mega pixel camera and dual sim capability for only P999. Other fierce items include an Avision24”HD LED TV and a Matrix Air Conditioner at P4,999, and

a car stereo Bluetooth player for only P699.

Birthday Treats For All No birthday will be complete without giveaways! For lucky customers who shop from March 21-23, Lazada will be raffling off a trip to Taiwan for two from KKDay. Foodie customers also get free booky.ph subscriptions worth P1,500 with every minimum purchase. Finally, every minimum purchase of P1,000 becomes a true treat, because customers get a P10 discount on FamilyMart’s famous Twirl.

So mark your calendars, make your checklists, and make room for more stuff because Lazada’s 5th Birthday Surprise is going to be the main event on your March calendar!

Celebrate with Lazada by visiting Lazada. com.ph or downloading the Lazada mobile app for free today.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 Isah V. Red, Editor

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Young Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com.ph

Layer using complementing clothes

#SQUADGOALS. Homegrown fashion label Penshoppe introduces #ClubPenshoppePH members (from left) Maria Fabiana, Tanner Mata, Ronnie Alonte, Sofia Andres, Tyler Mata, Loisa Andalio, and Emilio Francisco Perez

THE NEWEST SQUAD TO WATCH OUT FOR

By Bernadette Lunas

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EVEN fresh faces come together to challenge youth stereotypes and inspire today’s young generation. These millennials are known for being the face of several brands and various films and television shows, they are popular for being cool and aspirational, and they each have inspirational stories about resilience and perseverance.

And they are going to be your new #squadgoals. but what I really like about them is each of them is really fightHashtag member and actor Ronnie Alonte, young actress- ing for their dreams—to be successful, to be able to do good, es Loisa Andalio and Sofia Andres, Pinoy Big Brother heart- to inspire other people.” throb Tanner Mata, international model Tyler Mata, The seven members of #ClubPenshoppePH adSpanish model Emilio Francisco Perez, and Brazilmit that there was awkwardness when they first ian model and former PBB Teen housemate Maria met and worked together—much like in most casFabiana comprise the new youth group #ClubPenes. But Sofia says they eventually became comfortshoppePH. able around each other after quite some time. #ClubPenshoppePH is a diverse group of young Tanner seconds, adding they had a good connecpersonalities who will serve as Penshoppe’s brand tion and hit it off after the first time they've worked ambassadors in the Philippines. together. The Fil-Am model reveals it was the first Scan this icon to view the PDF “[Each member of #ClubPenshoppePH] has their time he worked with his twin brother Tyler in one own personal style, and each has inspiring stories project. that the youth can relate to,” says Penshoppe brand In fact, they now know quite a lot about each other, director Jeff Bascon. such as namin Emilio as the funniest in the group, Loisa as the Bascon adds, “They are far from being perfect, which makes most kikay, and Sofia as the number one fan of Penshoppe’s them likable even more. They may be misunderstood at times, global endorser Kendall Jenner.

4 STREET FASHION INSPIRATION GOT nothing to wear again? Want to wear something stylish yet comfortable? Looking for ways to dress like your age? Street fashion answers these “problems” with ensembles that are easy to put together and pull off.

Layer it up

Wearing multiple clothing in this sizzling temperature might be a bad idea, but summer doesn’t mean you can no longer layer. Opt for light undershirts and blouses and pair them with cover-up in light material as well. For those working in offices whose air conditioners are set to “ice-cold,” go for bomber jackets or sweaters that you can take off once you go outside.

(On Him: Stanley top, Forever21 jacket, Saucony Shadow Original in balsam; On Her: Urban Hour denim shorts, Saucony Jazz Original in charcoal/gray)

*** 3 things about each member of the squad Tanner Mata, 21 working male models today—often working overtime • His style can be summed up as model off-duty • His style icons are Harry Styles and himself • He picks various styles from different people and try to incor• His ideal weekend involves hanging out with friends, listenporate his own to come up with his own brand of style ing to good music, and eating delicious food • He loves the weather in the Philippines because he doesn’t worry about the cold when it comes to dressing up Loisa Andalio, 17 • She loves to spend time with family and friends during her free time Tyler Mata, 21 • She is known for her evolving taste in fashion, which ranges • He is more adventurous than his twin brother from light-colored tops and shorts to jeggings and leather jackets • He is known as the more expressive brother, not shying away • She strives to stay true to herself and she dismisses any harsh from speaking his mind criticisms from other people • He loves to wear bright colors and patterns to match his outgoing personality Sofia Andres, 18 • She likes to wear slim-fit clothes that complement her long Ronnie Alonte, 20 legs and slender figure • He looks up to pop star Justin Bieber as his fashion icon • Her favorite summer outfit is sexy short shorts and tank top • If he had to choose between acting, singing, and dancing, • She replies to every single tweet of support sent to her he would choose dancing as he is more passionate about it and considers it his stepping stone to fame Maria Fabiana, 19 • He feels pressured when people consider him as the next big • Her looks are always inspired by her travels matinee idol, thus he works hard to prove them right • She has a positive and friendly personality which she shares to everyone on social media by means of reaching out to them Emilio Francisco Perez, 21 as much as she can • He is a former lifeguard and known as one of the most hard• She likes the open-mindedness of Filipinos

Cropped hemlines are stylish

Keep it cropped

For summer- and street-appropriate outfits, look for tops and bottoms with cropped hemlines—or better yet, just fold them up, which you can do with pants. When done right, shorter and folded hemlines instantly make ordinary pairing look better and the wearer much taller.

(On Him: Stanley top, H&M pants, Saucony Jazz Original Denim in blue; On Her: Topshop lace top, Urban Hour skirt, Saucony Jazz Original Denim in off white) Turn to E2

COCA-COLA BAGS 5 GOLD ANVIL TROPHIES Coca-Cola Philippines' sustainability programs win 5 trophies at the 52nd Anvil Awards

THE sustainability programs of CocaCola Philippines hauled five Gold Anvil trophies during the 52nd Anvil Awards held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

“We are honored by this recognition of our sustainability projects in women economic empowerment and water access. Coca-Cola is committed to continue to help improve the communities we operate in,” said Adel Tamano, Coca-Cola Philippines

vice president for Public Affairs and Communications.

The sustainability programs of Coca-Cola Philippines have been made possible through partnerships with government and non-government organization for its implementation, and with its public relations agency Strategic Works, Inc., for the communications amplification of the programs.

The 5by20 Sari-sari Store Training

and Access to Resources (STAR) Program, which aims to economically empower women from various sectors, bagged two Gold Anvil awards in the PR Programs on a Sustained Basis category and the PR Programs Directed at Specific Stakeholders category. The program is implemented with various partners in government Turn to E2

Young Life

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SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

4FromSTREET...

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LOOK PRETTY ON TOP OF A TRICYCLE. Anne Custodio's amazing makeup tutorial video shot on top of a moving ticycle is now viral on social media.

NOT YOUR ORDINARY

MAKEUP TUTORIAL

Clothes in dark shades exude a cool vibe

Try muted hues

In the sea of bright and pastel colors of summer, go the other way and opt for ensembles in muted hues to exude a cool and nondescript street look.

(On Him: Mossimo jacket, H&M pants, Saucony Jazz Low Pro in green; On Her: Urban Hour clothes, Saucony Shadow Original in plum)

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AKEUP tutorials of beauty vloggers are a gem especially to those who have little to no idea how to properly do their eyebrows or make a cat eye. The success of said videos lies heavily on the skills of the tutor.

But Anne Rhycie Kate Custodio is not your ordinary makeup tutor. This Ilongga does her makeup on top of a moving tricycle, and takes a video while she’s at it.

The video, posted on the Facebook page of Range Advertising, went viral a few hours after it was uploaded. Pak Na Pak Sa Trayk has been watched for over two million times and shared 39,000 times, as of this writing.

The six-minute clip shows Anne on top of the three-wheeled vehicle traversing the street of Iloilo City as she transforms from bare faced to glammed up. She begins with rubbing a block of ice on her face, to tighten her pores, giddily follows it up with primer, foundation, setting powder, and blush on.

She then beautifies her eyebrows, as she quips: “Acads is life, but kilay is still lifer!” Her inconvenient position doesn’t

seem to bother her—or it does, but she doesn’t show it—as she expertly applies eye shadow and mascara. Anne finishes off her look with a few enhancements on her nose line and a swipe of lipstick.

Anne then removes the rollers on her hair to reveal her loose waves, and poses and smizes for the camera. At the end of the entertaining video, she manages to look prettier and stay on top of the tricycle at the same time—girl definitely got some mad skills.

While some of us can’t even draw symmetrical eyebrows.

Also, props to Anne for keeping a straight face and calling out the person who catcalled her while filming the video.

The video is part 2 of Range Advertising’s “Kabalan sa Salakyan.” The first part, which also went viral, shows Anne doing her makeup inside a moving jeepney.

Add a quirky accessory to your ensemble

Add a pop of color

If your style leans on the fun side, don’t hesitate to add a splash of color or quirk in your look. But remember the keyword: “add” which means, don’t overdo it to keep it stylish. Wear a jacket or shoes in bright and bold color or wear socks or scarves with fun prints.

(On Him: H&M pique shirt and pants, Chino Hernandez yellow jacket, Saucony Shadow Original in red; On Her: Saucony Shadow Original in purple)

COCA-COLA...

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and non-government organizations, including the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Labor and Employment.

Since its launch in 2011, the 5by20 STAR Program has impacted the lives of over 80,000 women micro-entrepreneurs across the country.

The Agos Program, which aims to bring water access to water-deprived communities with a mechanical but sustainable technology, also took home two Gold Anvil trophies in the PR Programs Directed at Specific Stakeholders category and PR Programs on a Sustained Basis category. There are currently 149 Agos facilities in the country benefitting over 30,187 households.

The Coca-Cola Water Report: Replenish Communities, Replenish Lives – Just Add Water, a publication which narrates the impact of the Agos Program to its beneficiaries, was also given the Gold Anvil award in the PR Tools category.

In 11 steps—from rubbing ice to her face to applying lipstick—Anne went from bare faced to glammed up. All photos screengrabbed from Range Advertising's Facebook page

WHAT FRESH GRADUATES NEED TO HAVE TO GET A JOB EMPLOYERS have spoken, and the number one factor they look for in a fresh graduate before hiring them is attitude, according to a recruitment portal’s survey.

JobStreet.com Philippines country manager Philip Gioca said that employers are looking at the attitude of applicants since most fresh graduates are millennials—and millennials have the reputation of leaving work after a

short period of time.

“One of the things we always hear is employees leaving in a very fast rate,” shared Gioca. Employers, he said, are now looking for applicants who are positive in terms of working and stay longer in terms of tenure.

The JobStreet Fresh Graduates Report 2017 also revealed the second thing employers consider is the field of study of the applicants, and if this

JobStreet.com's Fresh Graduates Report 2017 reveals 'attitude' as the number one factor employers look for in fresh grad hires

is related to the position they are applying for. They are also looking at the asking salary price of applicants.

This result is different from last year’s survey which found the top three considerations of employers had something to do with prior professional experience of the would-be employees: (1) on-the-job or internship experience, (2) extra-curricular activities, (3) and part-time jobs.

When it comes to attitude employers like about their latest crop of fresh grad hires, they like their willingness to learn, personal grooming, and being a team player.

Meanwhile, companies said fresh grad hires need to brush up on their analysis of situations, English language proficiency, and problem solving ability to be able to move up in their career.

Employers like their new applicants's 'willingness to learn,' 'personal grooming,' and 'being a team player'

Showbiz

JAMES REID’S NEW PASSION

Y

OUNG matinee idol James Reid is best known for his impressive resume of film and television roles. And as a versatile talent, he has also made a legitimate name for himself in different creative areas including dancing, singing and song writing.

It is safe to say that James has been in front of the cameras since people could remember. But little did they know, the 23-year-old actor also enjoys being the one behind the lens.

What started as just a hobby for the young heartthrob has slowly become something that is now almost an everyday routine. From taking photos using a camera phone, he has taken this new found passion to a new level by using a digital camera.

“I was just using my cellphone camera until I got my cameras. These really help capture what you see. So, it helps capture your memories better. Also with videos, you appreciate memories more in the long run,” James reveals.

In a previous interview with Manila Standard, James said that he started with photography in 2015. Although he can’t consider himself as a professional lensman, he’s proud that people appreciate his being experimental in terms of choosing the subjects for his photos.

“I just take photos of what I think beautiful,” he adds.

James showcases most of his works through his Instagram. His feed is a mix

between his personal life including his globetrotting adventures.

Recognizing his keen eyes and his growing passion for photography, James has been named by a popular camera brand as the face of the cameraloving generation called millennials. He headlined the launch of Fujifilm’s newest mirrorless innovation, the X-T20 on March 11 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati. Hundreds of fans trooped to the venue just to have a glimpse of their idol promoting the brand. The ubiquitous heartthrob joined the brand’s executives in launching the handy and powerful X-T20, which is equipped with a 24.3 MP X-Trans CMOS III *1 sensor and X-Processor Pro image-processing engine. It is able to track moving objects with ease because of updated sensors, processors, and redone AF algorithm.

The camera’s LCD monitor can be used to see before you shoot photos and videos, even at 4K quality to make those professional looking movies.

“It’s great to endorse a new camera that I love and use frequently,” says James of the new camera.

Being a strong and highly influential presence on social media, constantly updating his fans with welldefined photographs, expect more vivid photos and movie quality videos from James with his gadget that captures great moments and special memories.

Nickie Wang

SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017

E3

KRIS BERNAL DARES TO BE BOLD

SHE was made of all things sweet and wholesome until sexy became a word associated with Kris Bernal as she started spreading good vibes on social media, posting photos of her self looking comfortable in her own skin.

In a recent photo shoot in Pundaquit, Zambales, the 27-year-old actress treated her fans to sneak peak of her latest project with photos of her wearing two-piece bikinis. In one of the posts, the fitness enthusiast said, “This is exactly the point in my life where I need to ditch the excuses and start being an adult.”

If being adult means, basing on the recurrent theme on her Instagram feed, is dressing down and showing more skin, then people can assume that she’s already ready to appear on the cover of popular men’s magazines.

Two years ago, she started shedding her “tweetums” image when she did a photo shoot for “Muse Philippines,” an online photo magazine, which features modern, brave, and inspirational women. In an interview after feature went up online, she was asked if she’d dare to appear on FHM cover, Kris just said she’s still too young for such bold move.

Meanwhile on TV, Kris stars in the new Kapuso drama, Impostora, which is a remake of the network’s eponymous 2007-primetime soap of the same name.

DASHING LENSMAN.

Apart from music and acting, young heartthrob James Reid considers photography as one of the things that adds zest to his life.

. Kapuso star Kris Bernal flaunts her whistle-bait figure in latest photo shoot

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Sunday, March 19, 2017

ACROSS 1 Period 6 Concentrated 11 Of the Vatican 16 Feats of courage 21 As — — (generally) 22 Wry humor 23 “Witness” folk 24 Metal fastener 25 Kind of eclipse 26 Hiawatha’s transport 27 Make impure 29 Shot in the dark 31 Young raptors 33 Immediately 34 Van — Waals force 35 “La Mer” composer 37 Fishing lures 38 Clock front 39 Gull’s cousin 40 Oz. or tsp.

41 Onward 43 Series of battles 44 Sugar Ray stat 46 Empathize 49 Disco flasher 51 Go by bus 52 Sri — 56 Helped 58 Tokyo, to shoguns 59 Tracks 61 More run-down 63 P.O. service 64 Girders (hyph.)

67 Physique 68 Onetime Trevi Fountain coins 69 Corporate exec 70 Removing offensive words 72 Take the podium 74 Windy City trains 75 Type of wear 76 Sombrero go-with 77 Ms. Barkin of films 79 Galleon or frigate 81 Telegraph code 82 Mil. rank 83 Dizzier 85 Ex-GI 86 Less polluted 89 Bulrush 91 Alpha opposite 93 Split to join 97 Mideast VIP 98 Premier — Zedong 99 Sewell and Miller 101 Coed society 103 Incite Rover 104 Ships’ journals 105 Street in Paris 106 Venomous snake Down Under 108 Groaner, maybe 109 Strategies 111 Tough spots

113 114 116 117 118 121 122 124 125 126 128 131 133 134 138 139 140 142 144 147 149 150

Veld grazer Dane’s neighbor Cloudy regions Salon jobs Vacation option Aphrodite’s lover Tarzan’s nanny Bawl Restful color To date Puppy cries Seem to go on forever Talk up Breadwinners Conceit Withered Kind of numeral Searches out Misunderstand Fight Aluminum company “Crocodile Rock” singer — John 151 Accolades 152 Uncanny 153 Comes down hard 154 Wasps’ homes 155 Wingspreads 156 Gamma follower 157 “The Velvet Fog” DOWN 1 Absorbs, as costs 2 Conceited 3 Unconventional 4 Beach picnic 5 Gaseous element 6 Minces 7 Age 8 Tot’s taboo (hyph.)

9 Deceptive flattery (2 wds.)

10 Cosmetic buy 11 Formal agreements 12 Writer — Oz 13 Tailor’s need 14 Dancer Fred — 15 Tibet’s capital 16 Plumbing problem 17 One, in Munich 18 Sidestep 19 Impede 20 Demanding 28 Fountain fare 30 Sonic-boom makers 32 It may be hard-boiled 36 Gridiron gain 38 June honorees 39 Warty critter 42 Weaving machine 43 Africa antelope 45 Swiss painter Paul — 46 Getups 47 Biathlon weapon 48 More unusual 50 Archie or Jughead 51 Donnybrook

53 54 55 57 60 61 62 65 66 68 71 73 75 78 80 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 92 94 95 96 98 100

More friendly Wails Crawled out of bed Ladle Deserted Fine sediment Speaker’s pausesp Well, in Grenoble Unanimity Meadow More than ready Barn color Go for a drive Not sm. or med.

URL suffix Cantaloupes “— — Believer” Flo’s co-worker Nuisances Kayak’s kin Perfumer Nina — Sleazy newspapers Selene’s sister Incredibly silly Kilted musician Recital piece Units of force Beaded shoe Wimple wearers

102 104 107 110 111 112 115 117 119 120 123 125 127 128 129 130 132 133 135 136 137 139 140 141 143 145 146 148

Symphony or tome Not speak clearly Winter woe Afternoon socials “Titanic” menace Canceled the launch Crushing defeat Gather ingeniously (2 wds.)

Many a senior Fictional governess Delightful place — — few rounds Starry-eyed Sheba, today Like gymnasts Fence supports Spice stands Lock or curl Wouldn’t hurt — — Happen again Tempest Boys Stratford’s stream Jung’s first name Return env.

Fold-up bed Boise’s st.

Funny person

E4

Showbiz

SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 Isah V. Red, Editor / Nickie Wang, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com

TV PROGRAMS

THAT GIVE SUMMER FEELS

TELEVISION has started bringing in the summer vibes. Hence, it’s not surprising that along with the must-visit summer destinations, viewers also see bikini clad women and half-naked men parading on the TV screens.

On this weeks listicles, we are having a rundown of local TV shows that give us the summer feels even before the temperature reach to unbearable scorching level.

Ronwaldo Martin and Hasmine Killip as teenage couple living on the streets in the acclaimed indie film "Pamilya Ordinaryo"

THE OTHER

MARTIN

By Nickie Wang

H

is name is Ronwaldo “Ron” Martin, a young actor who has starred in a couple of independently produced features including Captive, Laut, Tuos, Pamilya Ordinaryo, and the film in competition at the recently concluded Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival, Bhoy Intsik.

During the film festival’s official media launch, a few members of the press were asking if Ron was anyway related to FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano star Coco Martin, who first made a name for himself on indie scene before he crossed over to mainstream.

One senior scribe overheard the conversation and immediately butted in saying, “Yes he is, he’s the younger brother of Coco. They’re half-brothers.”

It’s clear that a lot of people still barely know his name. But unlike most upcoming showbiz wannabes, Ron wanted to be known for his own merit and not because he has a brother who is already popular in showbiz. It’s even rare that you would hear him mentioning his brother’s name unless asked by the press.

“I want to be recognized for my own talent and not as Coco’s brother. I wanted to have my own brand and I wanted to make a name in the field of acting,” the softspoken Ron said in vernacular.

In real life, Ron is a man of few words (literally). He rarely talks but when the camera starts rolling, the 19-year-old actor transforms into a character entirely different and larger than his humble personality.

In an interview with Joel Lamangan, the director of Bhoy Intsik,

he said that Ron is a very professional actor and can even equal the popularity of his older brother.

“He’s good.

Mahusay siyang umarte at napakalaki ng kanyang potensyal na mai-develop bilang isang mas mahusay pang artista dahil sa kanyang pagiging natural,” Lamangan shared.

Ron started his acting career via Ari: My Life With A King, a Metro Manila Film Festival 2015 new wave entry.

Since then, he’s swamped with numerous projects including a movie that starred Nora Aunor (Kabisera). He plans to follow in the footsteps of his brother and make it big as well in the entertainment industry.

Perhaps, his most notable project was Pamilya Ordinaryo, a movie that tackles poverty porn. In the story, Ron plays a teenage father and a street dweller that makes a living out of stealing in the streets.

The film has been recognized here and abroad being the big winner at the 2016 Cinemalaya. It won the Audience Choice Award at the 2016 Venice Days competition, an independent event on the fringes of the Venice Film Festival, and just recently the Best Film in 27th Director’s Week section of 37th Fantasporto International Film Festival in Porto, Portugal.

With a positive disposition, a humble personality, a look that resembles his brother (of course), and a raw talent as a young blood, we might see him realize his dreams in no time.

‘HOTTEST MATH TEACHER’

PIETRO BOSELLI INVADES

IT’S easy to understand why Isabelle Daza enjoyed her sexy “Bato-Bato Pick” game with Pietro Boselli, or why Ellen Adarna was so open about flirting with the Math instructor—he is definitely one hot property.

People Magazine’s “Hottest Math Teacher” was in town for a couple of modeling engagements being the face of a popular clothing apparel’s latest campaign.

Prior to his arrival, netizens noticed that a couple of photos of him wearing (and not wearing anything) Bench undies kept on appearing on their social media timeline. And a couple of hours later, the Engineer and fashion model surprised his Filipino fans with a photo of him standing in a corner of a street in BGC. London-based Pietro earned his moniker after some of his students posted his pictures on Face-

book in 2015. He has since been modeling for several international fashion and accessory brands.

He started modeling at the age of 6, when he was scouted by Armani. He stopped for a bit while he was 11 years old and went back to it when he was 18. He was around 15 years old, when he discovered his love for math and physics, after reading Einstein’s The Evolution of Physics.

He was teaching math for engineering to second year students at UCL when a photo of his went viral. And just like what they say, the rest is history.

Bubble Gang Every year, for the last 21 years, the popular gag show presents a summer special that its loyal fans eagerly anticipate. But it’s not only during summer season where Bubble Gang dishes out something that excites ogling eyes. Take Kim Domingo in a skit with one of the cast members for example.

Her presence alone is a big draw even if her comic timing is a bit off sometimes.

Wildflower It wasn’t called Wildflower for no reason. While Maja Salvador plays an interesting character in the primetime series, her leading men (Joseph Marco, Vin Abrenica, and RK Bagatsing) are the ones who make the drama too hot for TV. They show off their chiseled physique, almost all the time possible – while in the rain, in the bedroom, in the outdoors, you name it. And nobody is complaining.

ASAP The stage of the weekly musical program never fails to give audience reasons to stay at home on a Sunday. For one, ASAP has been a venue where the hottest young stars of the network converge to give not just some wholesome entertainment but also production numbers that make televiewers drool. And that’s the main selling point of ASAP. No wonder, the show has stayed relevant for the last two decades.

FINE SPECIMEN. Londonbased model and Math instructor Pietro Boselli is in town for modelling gigs.

Meant To Be In the Philippines, summer means long hours under the sun and people frolicking on the beach.

This is exactly what the millennial themed series Meant To Be is giving its viewers. From the viral “pa-abs ni Mayor” photo of Jak Roberto, Ken Chan, Addy Raj, and Ivan Dorscher in one of the first episodes of the series, Kapuso network did a repeat of the welcoming sight, this time with Barbie Forteza finally donning a two-piece bikini.