The Standard - 2015 June 05 - Friday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXIX  NO. 107  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  FRIDAY : JUNE 5, 2015  www.manilastandardtoday.com  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

2 OUT OF 3 DON’T WANT DIVORCE A3

BI DEPUTY TAGGED AS PAYOLA BRAINS Next page

PNoy, Abe agree China is at fault

Truth time. Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison, shown in this file photo at a recent media forum, said one of his key officials is ready to reveal the truth about the alleged bribery incident involving Chinese criminal suspect Wang Bo. LINO SANTOS

Kids got style

Kobe is a marked man

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Marcos: Revised BBL to consider concerns By Macon R. Araneta

Breakfast forum. Senate President Franklin Drilon fields questions on topics such as the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the 2016 elections during Thursday’s breakfast forum at the Senate. Ey AcAsio

BI deputy tagged as payola scam brains By christine F. Herrera

IMMIGRATION and House officials confirmed Thursday that Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Mangotora has tagged Deputy Commissioner Gilberto Repizo as the one who cut a deal to order the release of suspected Chinese crime lord Wang Bo in exchange for millions of pesos that allegedly went to bribing lawmakers into swiftly approving the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). “Kumanta na si Mangotora. Nilaglag si Repizo na siya ang nakipag-meeting sa representative ni Wang (Mangotora has sung. He said it was Repizo who met with a representative of Wang,” a highly placed source told The Standard. Immigration Commissioner Siefred Mison would neither confirm nor deny the statement, but said a key official was “ready to reveal the truth” behind the May 21 release order for Wang, a fugitive wanted by China for running an illegal gambling operation and for money laundering. All three commissioners officially denied they cut a deal with Wang, but a confidential report to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima that included a transcript of their May 26 meeting showed all of them signed the May 21 release order. The document also showed Mison tried to reverse the release order after the Chinese Embassy filed an official protest. Mangotara sent feelers after House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. informed immigration officials and De Lima that the House was conducting an inquiry into the BBL payola scandal. The transcript showed it was Repizo who authored the May 21 release order and that he was backed by Mangotara. Both have since denied cutting a deal with Wang, despite reports that they had met with a representative of the fugitive just before they reversed a deportation order.

De Lima on Thursday met Mison, Repizo and Mangotara but said that there was as yet no evidence that money changed hands in exchange for the release order. “While the insinuations are serious, there is no firm, solid or concrete basis to make such a supposition that money probably changed hands,” De Lima said after the meeting. She said all three denied receiving money in exchange for the May 21 release order. De Lima also said the commissioners raised valid grounds for denying the Chinese Embassy request that Wang be deported, although she offered no details. “They have explanations on why they did not approve the request. There are technicalities cited for their decision,” De Lima said. She added there was no reason to ask the commissioners to take a leave pending the congressional inquiry. Nonetheless, De Lima assured the public that she would review the Wang case over the weekend and decide whether or not there is still a need for an investigation against the Immigration officials. In the House, Belmonte has filed a resolution to investigate the alleged payoff, but denied that the money was used to bribe lawmakers to approve the BBL. Belmonte tapped the leader of the independent minority bloc in the House, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, to represent him in the committee

on good government and public accountability, chaired by Pampanga Rep. Oscar Rodriguez. Rodriguez said the panel will convene on June 9 at 9:30 a.m. for a preliminary hearing to determine if there was a need to proceed. “Then if the committee decides to proceed, we will invite those deemed needed to shed light on the issue,” Rodriguez said. Even if Congress adjourns sine die by June 11, Rodriguez said the hearing would continue and is slated on June 16, also at 9:30 a.m. Mison earlier disclosed that Repizo and Mangotara had met with the representative of Wang to cut a deal. “Shortly after the meeting, Repizo and Mangotara changed their tune and pushed for the lifting of the March 5 deportation order in favor of the May 21 release order that would make Wang a free man and would have his businessman status restored,” Mison told The Standard. Mison admitted also having signed the May 21 release order but claimed he had been misled by Repizo. “Repizo misled the Board by saying Wang was conducting his casino gambling operations through Skybet in Manila and that the operations were legal. He said that even if the operations in Manila were illegal, then it should be the Philippines that should prosecute Wang, so he had to be tried in Manila,” Mison said. “Then the Chinese Embassy protested and submitted new documents that showed Wang’s operations extended to China and the income from his illegal gambling activities there was being laundered and brought to Manila making his crime transnational,” Mison said. Wang, 31, was apprehended at the airport when he arrived from Malaysia on Feb. 10 after he was found to be in the blacklist and in possession of a cancelled passport. “The release order was issued even if the Philippine govern-

ment had been made aware that Wang’s Chinese passport had been cancelled, he was wanted by the Interpol, had a pending warrant of arrest in China due to his illegal gambling activities and other criminal activities, crimes that are punishable by death,” Mison admitted. Official records, copies of which were furnished the Manila Standard, show the release order was issued by the threemember Board of Commissioners on May 21. Mison said he learned about the meeting between Wang and Repizo from officials of the Chinese Embassy. He said he had ordered an investigation but has yet to submit a full official report to De Lima. On May 26, the Board of Commissioners reversed the May 21 release order, but Mangotara signed the reversal with dissent. Repizo did not sign the reversal order, and stood by the May 21 release. On the same day, Chinese officials submitted to De Lima documents showing that Wang was suspected of opening casinos in transnational network gambling and is wanted in China. On May 27, De Lima ordered the May 21 release held in abeyance and upheld the original March 5 deportation order. “We are conducting this probe to get to the bottom of this controversy and to put an end to the finger pointing,” Belmonte said. Belmonte said the reputations of the House and several prominent members of the ruling Liberal Party were at stake. Mangotara and Repizo are LP members. Repizo was appointed to the post upon the recommendation of Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali, a close ally of President Benigno Aquino III and the treasurer of the Liberal Party. Umali earlier said it was Mison, not Repizo, who had cut a deal with Wang, and said the Immigration commissioner pinned the crime on his two deputies after he was exposed. – With Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. cruz

SENATOR Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed Thursday to address the concerns raised by retired military and police officers in a substitute bill he will file in lieu of the Palacedrafted Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that he rejected as constitutionally flawed. In a privilege speech Wednesday, Marcos declared that after 14 hearings, his committee on local governments found that the BBL was full of constitutional infirmities and flaws that would lead to more bloodshed instead of peace in Mindanao. Marcos said the BBL, which the Palace drafted with negotiators from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, failed to address the concerns of major stakeholders, including the Moro National Liberation Front, the sultanates and the non-Muslim indigenous peoples in Mindanao. Marcos said he was preparing a substitute bill to address these flaws. “We intend to incorporate in the substitute bill the inputs of our retired generals. Many of them have a wealth of personal knowledge and experience as veterans in the war against insurgency and terrorism in Mindanao,” Marcos said. “They are the ones who risked their lives in saving Mindanao from separating from our republic. So when they point to danger signs in the draft BBL we should listen,” he added. The Association of General and Flag Officers led by retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, told the committee that while the BBL is touted as an instrument of peace, the draft bill in its present form “contains provisions which can create more problems that it can solve” and lacks provisions that would ensure its workability. “It can lead to the dismemberment of our country,” he warned. The AGFO supports including a provision in the law that explicitly states that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) renounces forever its policy of separation and independence and that it pledges to remain a part of the Republic of the Philippines. It also recommended that the central government continue to exercise authority and jurisdiction over defense and security, both internal and external. Other proposals made by AGFO: • Deleting the provision that allows the creation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Bangsamoro Command; • Deleting provisions on the creation of a Bangsamoro Police. Instead the present regional police of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao should be reconstituted to become the Bangsamoro Region Police Office under the Philippine National Police. • The inclusion of a disarmament in the peace agreement, instead of making it a mere annex. Disarmament, demobilization and re-inte-

gration must be carried out with definite timetables. The MILF armed component must disarm and turn in all their weapons on a fixed date. • All provisions on the redeployment of the Armed Forces should be deleted. • Requirements that the AFP coordinate troop movements with the Bangsamoro government should also be deleted. Senate President Franklin Drilon acknowledged it was the prerogative of the Marcos committee to reject the draft BBL. “Nobody has said that we will not revise the BBL as submitted by the Palace. We have always said that we will review and make sure that the BBL is within the four corners of the Constitution. This is something that all senators agree on. So, we will debate on the substitute bill when it is submitted to the chamber,” Drilon said. “I don’t think the statement of Senator Marcos should cause mass concern. This was the position of the senators from the very start. We will examine closely the BBL,” said Drilon. Once the committee report has been submitted, Drilon said they will debate it. “The Senate is a collegial body. No one can dictate. The senators are all independent. They have their own independent assessment of the situation and we will debate on this,” he added. In the wake of Marcos’ rejection of the BBL, the Palace urged its allies in the Senate to rally behind the original bill as “the best course of action” to attain lasting peace in Mindanao. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda maintained that the original draft submitted to Congress could withstand legal scrutiny. “I think our draft BBL is the most practicable solution to finding lasting peace and development in Mindanao,” Lacierda said. “I think we will leave it with out allies in the Senate to do what is proper. We believe that the Bangsamoro Basic Law as drafted is the best course of action. Certainly, we have some disagreeents with Senator Marcos on the BBL,” he added. Lacierda said he expected that President Benigno Aquino III would convene a meeting of his allies in the Senate to address the issue. “We haven’t seen whatever draft bill that he (Marcos) has in mind. But in so far as the senators, our allies are concerned, we will defer to them for now. We will discuss with out allies in the Senate as to the best course of action,” Lacierda said. The BBL seeks to create a Bangsamoro political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It also stipulates wealth- and power-sharing arrangements between the national government and new political entity. Public support for the bill plummeted in the aftermath of the Jan. 25 Mamasapano massacre in which 44 police commandos were killed by Muslim rebels, including fighter from the government’s peace partner, the MILF.

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2 out of 3 Filipinos don’t want divorce law passed By Adelle Chua

Filipinos are keen on preserving traditional values on sex and marriage even as new trends are emerging among the younger generation, according to The Standard Poll conducted between May 8 and May 18 by this newspaper’s resident pollster, Junie Laylo.

THE STANDARD POLL Strong disagreement with passing a divorce law in the Philippines, especially in rural areas and among the older generation

Respondents nationwide disagree with passing a divorce law, with two out three Filipinos either somewhat (17 percent) or strongly (50 percent) disagreeing with the proposed measure. Even in Metro Manila, 57 percent reject divorce, with 18 percent somewhat disagreeing and 39 percent strongly disagreeing. Opposition is stronger in rural areas (71 percent) than urban areas (61 percent), and is more pronounced among respondents 56 years old and above, 58 percent of whom strongly disagree and 16 percent somewhat disagree. Respondents aged between 18 and 34 are less resistant, with 43 percent strongly disagreeing and 19 percent somewhat disagreeing. Those who disagree however still constitute a majority, with only 18 percent strongly agreeing and 20 percent somewhat agreeing with the need for a divorce law here. Greater agreement to a divorce law is also observed among singles (41 percent), separated (42 percent) or living together (45 percent). The 33 percent of respondents who say they would support a divorce law want a proper legal solution to their separation (26 percent) and the freedom to be away from each other in case couples do not anymore get along (25 percent). A third reason is the ability to marry a new partner legally (15 percent). The 67 percent who would reject a divorce measure say the separation would have an adverse effect on children (22 percent) and would destroy the family (16 percent). The Philippines is the only country in the world that

does not have a divorce law,. The Family Code however has provisions for legal separation, annulment and the declaration of nullity of marriages. Birth control Meanwhile, Filipinos are nearly evenly split between natural family planning (35 percent), artificial family planning (34 percent) and not controlling birth altogether (31 percent). Among those who use birth control, respondents nationwide in the 18-34 age group take birth control pills (37 percent), use the rhythm method (19 percent) or use condoms (16 percent). The usage of birth control pills is also more prevalent among those living together (40 percent). Whatever their preferred method for birth control is, however, Filipinos are supportive of the government’s promotion of such, especially after the passage of the Reproductive Health Law in 2012. The support is most pronounced among respondents living in urban areas (66 percent net of those who agree less those who disagree) than rural areas (46 percent net), and among the ABC economic class (76 percent net) than classes D (53 percent net) and E (52 percent). Sexual behavior and preferences The Standard Poll survey used a sealed-envelope technique for questions on sexual behavior so that respondents

would answer intimidating questions, give honest responses and be assured of confidentiality. According to the survey, Filipinos nationwide get initiated with sex at age 20, with the average for the National Capital Region and Southern Luzon/ Bicol slightly earlier at 19. Nine in ten have their first sexual encounter with the opposite sex. Monogamy appears to be the norm among Filipinos, with 84 percent of respondents nationwide having just one sexual partner. Eightyeight percent of female respondents and 81 percent of males had one partner. Singles and those living together have two sexual partners on average. In terms of age groups, even the young are predominantly monogamous, with 85 percent of 18-34-year-olds saying they just had one sexual partner. Eighty-six percent of respondents aged 35-55 say the same, but those 56 years old and above get a little less monogamous with 79 percent saying they had one sexual partner, and 9 percent saying they had two. Ninety-three percent of respondents have between one and five sexual partners in their lifetime, with only 3 percent having between six to 10 partners and another 3 percent having more than 10. Engagement in sexual activity is at least once a week across all regions and all economic classes.

Meanwhile, less than 10 percent of respondents nationwide have had experience in same-sex intercourse, with the NCR and Visayas figures slightly higher at 11 percent and 12 percent, respectively. Twelve percent of males and 5 percent reported having had same-sex intercourse. Across age groups, 10 percent of 18-34 year-olds have had such experience, with the number going down to 8 percent for respondents aged 35-55 and 6 percent for those 56 years old and above. More single and separated Filipinos engaged in same-sex intercourse, at 17 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Given these, 84 percent of respondents nationwide either somewhat disagree (14 percent) and strongly disagree (70 percent) with passing a law allowing same-sex marriage in the Philippines, with the opposition strongest in Northern and Central Luzon (92 percent). More residents of rural areas reject same-sex marriage (87 percent) than urban residents (80 percent), as do mature respondents (85 percent) than younger ones (81 percent). The Standard Poll had error margins of +/- 3 percent for national and +/- 6 percent for regional results. Laylo, The Standard’s inhouse pollster, has 25 years of experience in political polling and strategic research.

PNoy still choosing next chief of PNP PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III is still choosing the most qualified people to be the next chief of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces chief of staff, a Palace spokesman said Thursday. “I’m sure the President has already started the ball rolling in so far as identifying who will be the next PNP chief and also the AFP chief of staff. So there is a process and it’s an ongoing process,” said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. Lacierda issued the assurance after Senate President Franklin Drilon urged Aquino to appoint a permanent PNP chief as soon as possible. PNP chief Alan Purisima was suspended for six months by the Office of the Ombudsman in December over allegations that he approved an anomalous purchase of guns Purisima was suspended for six months by the Office of the Ombudsman in December. While still serving his suspension, Purisima resigned in February over his involvement in the covert Mamasapano operation in which 44 police commandos were killed by Muslim rebels. Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina has been serving in an acting capacity since then. Espina on Wednesday confirmed that Purisima will return to duty as a fourstar-general but will not be returning as PNP chief. Instead, Purisima will report daily to the Personal Holding and Administrative Unit in Camp Crame for accounting purposes, a pratice that is typical for police personnel on floating status, Espina said. “He will be like any other police officer, like me, on duty status,” Espina said. But Espina said Purisima would stay on in the official residence of the chief PNP, dubbed the White House. He added that Purisima’s powers as PNP chief ended when he resigned. Purisima, 55, will reach retirement age in November and is expected to relinquish his four-star rank three months before his retirement so that the position will be left vacant for the President to appoint a successor. Espina, who retires earlier on July 19, has already started making the rounds of police camps to bid farewell to his men. Espina said he has no plans of holding a government post or of running for any elective position next year. — Sara Susanne D. Fabunan, Florante S. Solmerin and Francisco Tuyay

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Poe defends self amid truce call By Macon R. Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz MAKATI Rep. Mar-len Abigail Binay, daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay, called for a ceasefire in the word war between Navotas City Rep. Tobias Tiangco and Sen. Grace Poe, but the senator said she does not have any quarrel with the Binays and was only answering allegations against her.

Peace, big sister. Rep. Mar-Len Abigail Binay makes a peace sign as she asks for an end to the word war between the camp of her father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and Senator Grace Poe. DANNY PATA

Roxas camp: Mar is ‘most qualified’ By Macon R. Araneta and Sara D. Fabunan WHILE Senator Grace Poe and the camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay skirmish over presidential qualifications, officials of the Liberal Party administration presented Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas as the “most qualified” candidate in 2016. “I am sure Roxas can present himself as the most qualified candidate who does not need a spokesperson,” said Drilon, national vice chairman of the Liberal Party, clarifying however that he does not yet know if President Benigno Aquino III will anoint Roxas as the party’s standard bearer. When asked what Roxas should do to improve his consistently-poor performance and approval ratings, Drilon belittled the surveys and opinions which showed Binay and Poe at the forefront of voters’ list of preferred candidates.

“I am sure that over time, Secretary Roxas can present himself as the most qualified candidate to the public,” he said, adding that he has not had the chance to discuss the matter with Roxas recently because the presumptive candidate was not answering the calls of the Senate president. “There is no answer. He has not given his answer yet. I have been calling him, but he is not answering. He is not answering me,” disclosed Drilon in yesterday’s weekly “Kapihan sa Senado.” “There is no answer. Because I have been calling him. Call a friend,” also said Drilon, national vice chairman of the Liberal Party. Meanwhile, the Senate leader said LP will make an announcement of its presidential bet after Aquino delivered his State-of-the Nation Address during the first Monday of July. “What stands is that the standard bearer of the administration will be announced after the SONA, after the last

Monday of July or July 27. So the week after the SONA. So you can limit it to July 28 to July 31,” he said. Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, a member of Roxas’ gBalay h faction in the Palace, made his own campaign pitch for the Interior secretary and said Roxas has remained untainted by anomalies. “Given the situation right now when there are allegations of corruption, he [Roxas] has been untainted with corruption for so many years. There’s not been a whiff of corruption in his long years of service,” Lacierda said. “We need honesty, we need a man with honesty and integrity and experience. And we have seen the work of ‘Daang Matuwid (the straight path)’,” Lacierda said. Asked how Roxas can be made more palatable to voters, Lacierda said a formal declaration of intent to run for president can boost the interior secretary’s survey ratings.

Binay lamented that the question on Poe’s residency being hurled by Tiangco, interim president of United Nationalist Alliance and a staunch ally of the Vice President, is now being used to draw a “personal war” between his father and Poe. “We believe that is issue can only be resolved in one way only and that is in court. This shouldn’t become a personal verbal joust of lawyers who have various opinions. That will lead to nothing, except fuel the rift between my father and Senator Poe,” the congresswoman said in a news briefing. The congresswoman also clarified that his father has nothing to do with Tiangco’s expose, stressing the Vice President is a also close friend of Poe’s father, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. Tiangco had earlier said Poe was not qualified to run for higher office; either for president or vice president, because of her reported failure to meet the 10-year residential requirement prescribed by the Constitution. But Poe said she does not have any personal quarrels with the Binay family although they have been hurling hurtful allegations against her. “I merely answered the accusations hurled against me by their spokesperson because people have a right to know who I am. I don’t hide anything from them,” said Poe. Poe insisted she has not forgotten the relationship between the Binay and Poe families and reiterated that she has not even decided with finality whether to run for higher office in 2016. Tiangco said Poe is not qualified to run either for president or vice president because she does not meet the 10-year requirement based on the Certificate of Candidacy that she filed in running for senator in 2013. The embattled Poe found an ally in Senator Jose Victor Ejercito, son of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada from another woman.

Prepare for raps, Aquino told By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon R. Araneta PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III should start preparing his defense against the law suits that will likely be filed against him instead of planning to run for a lower public office after his term expires in 2016, his critics said on Thursday. Even his allies, Senate President Franklin Drilon and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, frowned at the suggestion he made during his state visit in Japan that he might seek a lower position after his term expires next year. Aquino critic Rep. Terry Ridon of the Kabataan party-list said Aquino should retire from being a “disaster” leader after his presidency. “The President should get ready to respond to cases to be filed against him come 2016,” Ridon said made the statement in response to the President’s statement in Japan that he may consider lower public office in the 2016 elections.

“He can try [to dodge law suits], but I think he cannot prevent and evade the filing of suits against him and his allies who were involved in anomalous transactions, like Disbursement Acceleration Program, during his term,” Zarate said. “The case of [former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo] is a living proof of this,” Zarate said, a sentiment Rep. Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna. Even Drilon said he was not in favor of Aquino seeking a lower public office after his presidency. “I’m not in favor of that. Period,” Drilon said, vice chairman of Aquino’s ruling Liberal Party. “And personally, I’d prefer that he becomes a statesman.” Aquino, LP’s national chairman was a three-term congressmen before he became senator and then ran in 2010. He defeated former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and former Senate President Manny Villar, who placed No. 2 and 3 in the presidential race.

Notes to a ‘frenemy.’ Protesters display anti-China placards during a rally in front of the

Chinese consular office in Makati City on Thursday. Philippine military and commercial aircraft will continue flights over disputed areas in the South China. AFP

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Emperor ‘feels remorse’ over Japanese acts during WWII

TOKYO—President Benigno S. Aquino III and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe do the handshake at the Asahi-no-Ma Room of the Akasaka State Guest House during their Summit Meeting on Thursday (June 4, 2015). MAlACAñAng Photo BureAu

Japan, PH air concern over China reclamation By Sandy Araneta Tokyo—Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday jointly declared that the relationship between their two countries had entered the stage of “Strengthened Strategic Partnership” in which they cooperate for shared principles and goals even as they expressed concern about the large-scale reclamation in the South China Sea. In the joint declaration, Abe and Aquino said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1956, bilateral relations, especially under the current leaderships of both countries, have reached an excellent stage today. Both leaders had a thor-

ough discussion on the peace and stability of the region, especially on the issue of South China Sea. “We once again confirm that we share serious concern about the large-scale land reclamation, and that we oppose any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo.

We also agreed to thoroughly uphold the principle of the rule of law, they said. Abe for his part conveyed “our support for the utilization of the arbitration procedures by the Philippines.” Aquino pledged to cooperate in advancing “our shared advocacy for members of the international community to act responsibly,” adding that this can be done “through finding just and peaceful solutions to our territorial disputes and maritime concerns by upholding the rule of law.” Both leaders reaffirmed the “Action Plan for Strengthening of Strategic Partnership”. Among those agreed upon are as follows: Strategic Partnership for

Shared Principles and Goals. The significance of the Strategic Partnership of both countries is anchored on collaboration and cooperation under shared universal values including freedom, democracy, the rule of law, respect for basic human rights, and a free and open economy. The Partnership is founded on the long standing freindship between the two countries. Both countries have successfully constructed one of the strongest relations in Asia through the graciousness of the Filipinos and the full and sustained assistance provided by Japan, including its Official Development Assistance (ODA), culminating in the Strategic Partnership both countries share today.

TOKYO—Japan’s emperor Akihito has told President Benigno Aquino III his country feels “remorse” for its actions during World War II, in what one commentator said was a prod to nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Akihito’s role is narrowly defined and he is expected to stay above the fray, so any remarks he makes that stray into the political—however obliquely—are parsed for possible meaning. In a speech welcoming Aquino to a palace banquet late Wednesday, Akihito noted there were active ties between Tokyo and Manila by the beginning of the 20th century. “During World War II, however, fierce battles between Japan and the United States took place on Philippine soil, resulting in the loss of many Filipino lives. “This is something we Japanese must long remember with a profound sense of remorse,” he said, according to the official english translation provided by the Imperial household Agency. “In particular, in this year of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, I offer my deepest condolences to all those who lost their lives then,” he said. his remark comes as Abe prepares a statement he is expected to deliver in August, which is being closely watched for any sign of what critics say is backsliding on previous Japanese apologies. Abe’s predecessors offered apologies for colonial rule and aggression on the 50th and 60th anniversaries, but he has hinted he is unlikely to repeat that, saying instead he wants to issue a “forward-looking” statement. That sentiment has caused disquiet among Japanese liberals and anger in Beijing and Seoul, which insist Tokyo needs to say sorry for its war history. Akira hashimoto, a veteran journalist on royal matters and a former schoolmate of the emperor, said Aquino’s visit had given the nominal head of state “an opportunity to express his opinion” that Japan should squarely admit its past wrongdoing. AFP

House okays ‘house arrest’ reso By Maricel V. Cruz

The house of Representatives has adopted a resolution calling on the Sandiganbayan to place under “house arrest” the former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo whom doctors have said to be ‘no longer responding to medication.’ In a voice voting, the chamber approved a nonbinding resolution asking the Sandiganbayan to grant Arroyo’s request for a house arrest. Last May 19, the house committee on justice chaired by Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas, Jr. approved house Resolution 1908

filed by house Deputy Minority Leader and 1-BAP party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello III. hR 1908 seeks to express the sense of the Lower house to allow Arroyo house arrest due to her debilitating medical conditions as per advised of her doctors. At least 80 have signed the Bello resolution, which will be later transmitted to the plenary for further action. Lawmakers led by the house Independent Bloc leader and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez stressed that “placing the former President under house arrest would do more good on her failing health.” “Let us show compassion to

her condition,” said Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa). Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. maintained that the 67-year old Arroyo should be allowed to stay at her residence in La Vista, Quezon City for proper and immediate medical attention and treatment. Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan on Thursday ordered Arroyo to submit a list of her neighbors in La Vista, Quezon City and Lubao, Pampanga, and the photographs of features of both properties within 15 days to enable it to determine whether or not to grant her bid for house arrest.

Philippine national Herminia Garcia, 53, and her British partner Nick Cousins, 58, arrive at the Eastern Magistrate Court in Hong Kong on June 4, 2015, following the death of their 15-year-old daughter who plunged from their 21-storey apartment block in Repulse Bay on April 7. AFP

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AFP, Karapatan lock horns over Silva arrest By Florante S. Solmerin

THE military and a progressive human rights organization on Thursday clashed over the arrest of 67-year-old Adelberto Silva who was earlier tagged by the military as replacement for detained Wilma Tiamzon, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New people’s Army-National Democratic Front. Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay said Silva is a “peace consultant” of the NDF. And therefore immune from arrest. “Silva…is a holder of JASIG (Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees) documentation of identification with the assumed named

‘Percival Rojo’,” she said. But according to the military, Silva is allegedly No. 2 in the CPP-NPA-NDF and that he replaced Wilma Tiamzon who was arrested with her husband, Benito, CPP-NPANDF leader, together with five of their comrades in March 2014 in Cebu. “Silva is accused of hei-

nous crimes such as murder and frustrated murder. He was also tagged as among those who had a direct hand in the infamous Inopacan massacre which claimed the lives of more or less 400 people,” Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, said. The military reported Wednesday that Silva was arrested past 11 p.m. on June 1 iin Bacoor, Cavite. It did not mention who was with him when arrested. According to Palabay, Silva was arrested in Barangay Molino together with his wife, Rosanna Cabusao, and another companion,

Isidro De Lima, by some 30 members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police (CIDG-PNP). She said Silva was longtime organizer and consultant of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and his wife is a researcherconsultant of the Crispin B. Beltran Resource Center and a founding member of Gabriela. Palabay said the arrest is “another serious violation of the signed agreements between the two parties.” “Silva reportedly was charged with numerous fabricated criminal cases of murder and frustrated/

attempted murder in the courts in Aparri, Cagayan and Laoang, Northern Samar, where NDFP consultants Benito Tiamzon, Wilma Austria Tiamzon and Elizabeth Principe were also charged with the same trumped up cases. Prior to Silva’s arrest, Karapatan has documented 16 NDFP consultants arrested and are still detained, among the 527 political prisoners in the country,” Palabay said. But all these are fabricated charges against Silva including the illegal possession of firearms and explosives filed against them in the inquest proceedings yesterday in Bacoor, Palabay said.

Papal visit book. Papal Nuncio Giuseppe Pinto, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates B. Villega hold copies of the newly published coffeetable book on the January visit of Pope Francis during the launching ceremony held at the Arzobispado de Manila, Intramuros on Thursday June 4. DANNY PATA

SAF 44 kids get scholarships, extra perks from Napolcom By Joel E. Zurbano

Lead phase-out. Advocates for children’s health gather inSan Juan

City to mark the World Environment Day with a common plea for paint companies to hasten the removal of lead, a brain-damaging toxic chemical as the 2016 phase-out deadline for leaded decorative paints approaches. the Eco Waste Coalition says that eliminating lead paint from the market will contribute to reducing children’s exposure to a deadly chemical. LINO SANTOS

CHILDREN of the 44 Special Action Force policemen killed in the Mamasapano encounter in Maguindanao, whose scholarships have been approved, will benefit from the increased educational assistance provided by the National Police Commission. The beneficiaries were already notified to coordinate with the Napolcom Regional Offices for the release of their scholarship benefits. As a pre-requisite for the release however, the beneficiaries must submit a copy of the proof of enrollment with corresponding receipts or submit a copy of fees assessment from the school. The commission issued Memorandum Circular No. 2015-001 which prescribes a new schedule of tuition and miscellaneous expenses

granted to the beneficiaries and children of deceased or permanently incapacitated police personnel. Under the revised rate, the scholars shall now receive the following amounts for tuition and miscellaneous expenses: P10,000 per school year for Kindergarten scholar; from P12,000 to P18,000 per school year for Elementary scholar; from P16,000 to P24,000 per school year for Secondary Education scholar; from P12,000 to P18,000 per semester for Vocational scholar; and from P22,000 to P30,000 per semester for College scholar. “The financial benefits of elementary, secondary and vocational scholars are increased to 50% while college scholars are granted a 36% raise per semester,” said Napolcom Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo Escueta.

Arrest order out on 8 cops charged with Edsa kidnap MANDALUYONG City RTC Branch 213 judge Carlos Valenzuela ordered the arrest of eight policemen who figured in the Edsa “hulidap” case in September last year. Ordered arrested were Senior Inspectors Marco Polo Estrera, Alan Emlano and Oliver Villanueva, SPO2 Ramil Hachero, PO2 Eronn Decatara, PO2 Weavin Masa, PO2 Jerome Datinguinoo, and PO2 Mark De la Paz. The court postponed the arraignment of two other policemen—Chief Inspector Joseph de Vera ad PO2 Jonathan Rodriguez following the petition filed by their lawyers before the Department of Justice. The arraignment of De Vera and Rodriguez was set in August. The 10 policemen were charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention before the Mandaluyong court involving complainants Samanodin Abdul Gafur and Camal Mama. Gafur and Mama claimed they were on their way to buy heavy equipment in Subic but were abducted in Edsa, brought to the La Loma precinct of the Quezon City Police District where the policemen took their cash and emptied their ATMs of cash. John Paolo Bencito

Skyway stage 3 traffic dry run set BEFORE the Skyway Stage 3 proponent Citra Central Expressway Corp. starts its full-blast construction on the project’s Section 1 Phase 2, it will first conduct a 3-day traffic dry-run run along the 225-meter stretch of Osmena Highway between Skyway Buendia Off-ramp and Dela Rosa Street starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 6 until midnight of Monday, June 8, 2015. The CCEC traffic management group, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the traffic units of Makati will jointlyconduct the dry run, prior to the implementation of the final traffic management plan, in order to assess the traffic behavior in affected areas and to test the efficiency of the alternate routes that have been drawn up. During the dry-run, and eventually during the Phase 2 construction, the Buendia Off-ramp will be temporarily closed. Motorists on light vehicles coming from the Skyway System’s elevated section going to Manila and the Makati Central Business District (MCBD) are, therefore, advised to exit at Magallanes, Don Bosco or Amorsolo. Meanwhile, buses must exit at Magallanes or Don Bosco ONLY. Signages leading to alternate routes will be posted along the Skyway and adequate number of the traffic enforcers will be deployed strategically to manage traffic and assist motorists. CCEC, MMDA and the traffic units of Makati City appeal for public understanding and cooperation.

Dr. Vila, 91 DR. FEDERICO Lumibao Vila, former Commander Officer 1351st dental clinic of General Headquarters (GHQ), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and former examiner of the Board of Dentistry, died at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Center (CSMC) in Greenhills, San Juan City, early morning of Thursday, June 4, after a lingering illness. He was 91. Dr. Vila was also the dental surgeon of then President Fidel V. Ramos. He was a long time resident of Oceanside, California, U.S.A. and Barangay Marilag in Quezon City, Philippines. He is survived by his wife Avelina Nevado-Vila; daughters Dr. Agnes Vila-Mata, son-in-law Jan Mata; Dr. Cecilia Vila-Magosing, son-in-law Noel Magosing; son-in-law Jojo Ang, husband of Elizabeth Vila-Ang (+), grandchildren Derek, Iris and husband Charles, Kim, Lira, JV, and great Dr. Vila’s remains lie in state at the Premier Chapel of the Loyola Memorial Park. Interment will be announced later.

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Muslim region meets good governance conditions COTABATO CITY—The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has passed. for the first time, the national government’s Good Governance Conditions, reflecting a revitalized and reformed autonomous region, officials said last week.

Winners. Barangay 35-A Tacloban City joins the Grand Santacruzan . MEL CASPE

ARMM executive secretary lawyer Laisa Alamia said passing the GCC under the ResultsBased Performance Management System is proof that reforms in the ARMM are working. “We have the autonomous region that was touted to be a failed experiment. The people have had a mindset of hopelessness about progressive change. But with this perfect compliance with the six GGC criteria, it shows our reforms work,” she said. The six criteria under the GGC are: performance-based bonus targets, transparency seal, Philippine General Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) posting, liquidation of all cash advances, citizen’s charter, and Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). The Results-Based Performance Manage-

ment System monitors the performance of government agencies, in line with the Aquino administration’s commitment to good governance by encouraging exemplary performance and effective service delivery to the people. According to Alamia, despite the challenges of complying with the requirements because of ARMM’s unique government structure, the regional government managed to pass the conditions because of the hard work of the region’s officials and employees. She said the efforts for the ARMM’s success started with the leadership of Governor Mujiv Hataman even when he was still an officer-incharge governor on December 2011. Hataman was later elected as governor on May 2013. “When Hataman came in as acting governor,

a series of assessments about the region’s problems and issues were conducted. When he was elected, development plans like the Regional Development Plan (RDP) and the three-year Strategic Convergence Plan for 2013-2015 that serve as a transition plan for the Bangsamoro were drafted,” Alamia noted. “This is unprecedented. This is the first for ARMM since its creation 25 years ago,” she said, “We have strengthened our database management system for all ARMM line agencies, and the monitoring and evaluation of our projects and programs,” she said. “We required all agencies to create websites and post their financial transactions and budget expenses beginning 2012 for the Transparency Seal that would signify the message of open governance,” Alamia said. PNA

Economist: No need to fear looming Asean integration By Dexter A. See BAGUIO CITY—An economist said there is no need to fear the Asean economic integration and that it in fact has actually made the government fasttrack the implementation of various projects to improve the competitiveness of local industries. Dr. Cielito Habito, a professor of economics at the Ateneo De Manila University and chief economist under the Ramos administration, has quelled the fears of

many that the completion of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) will flood the country’s market with cheap imported goods and make locally produced goods uncompetitive. Integration instead helps the government and the private sector fight complacency, Habito stressed. Habito was recently in Baguio to speak at a forum about industry roadmapping and the AEC organized by the Department of Trade and Industry—Cordillera Administrative Region.

The former chief economist said that the Philippines is at the forefront of seizing the opportunities brought about by the economic integration. Instead of fearing the economic integration, local companies should equip themselves with the necessary tools to become competitive in a much larger market. The Philippines, according to him, is in a relatively better economic position in the Asean region because of lower inflation rates, decreasing unemployment rates and faster GDP growth.

Livelihood in Tarlac. The Tarlac Heritage Foundation headed by its chairperson Dr. Isa Cojuangco Suntay in cooperation with the Mechanized Infantry Division and 3rd Mechanized Infantry (Makatarungan) Battalion, held an animal dispersal event called Handog Pangkabuhayan: A Livelihood Project in Brgy. Abogado in Paniqui, Tarlac.

Greening program covers 67% of target By Johanne Margarette R. Macob LINGAYEN—The National Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has covered 67% of its target area as of the end of 2014. NGP, a six-year program which concludes in 2016 with the end of term of the present administration, aims to plant one billion trees in an area of 1.5 million hectares in different parts of the country.

By the end of 2014, the program had covered 1,005,000 hectares, said DENR Assistant Secretary Marcial Amaro Jr. during the Regional Summit of NGP on June 3 at the The President Hotel in Lingayen, Pangasinan. He then expressed hope that the program’s main objective will be met, as he urged representatives of the people’s organizations and local government units to continue their support. Amaro also urged the POs/LGUs-partners to report on the real status of the program in

their respective area so as to provide necessary improvements and interventions. “Since 2011, our partnership has been meaningful,” he said. According to Nicasio Urbien, vice president of the Mangatarem Alliance of Upland Farmers Association, Inc., one of the partner POs of DENR, NGP has helped not only the environment but in reducing poverty among their members. “Our source of income has been continuing,” said Nicasio, citing that DENR has expanded

their assigned area of seedling production. Urbien disclosed that in the beginning their group has only 15 members but as concrete proofs, as the release of budget to them for seeking production was released, more people joined in. Meanwhile, DENR Region 1 Director, Paquito Moreno Jr., encouraged leadership and more effort, especially because Region 1 is in the watchlist of the DENRas a result of extreme climatic conditions.

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[ EDI TORI A L ]

Govt spendinG and the elections ReDUCeD state spending in the first three months of 2015 has prompted the government to accelerate the process in the succeeding quarters and possibly toward near the presidential election campaign period. Why the government is speeding up spending close to the presidential elections is up for political analysts to decipher. But given the demands of the economy and widespread poverty in the Philippines, state spending should not be limited within a certain time frame. The government, including all line departments and agencies, should not hesitate to dispose of public funds as programmed in the national budget and as mandated by Congress and the executive department. The government draws up the annual budget to meet, among others, certain economic and social objectives. It aims to spur the economy, generate jobs through public construction and fund social services like education and health care. Government spending slowed down because of government’s obsession to promote transparency and to avoid leakages and corruption. There is nothing wrong here. Post-auditing, as exercised by proper government agencies, however, will address the concerns of Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, and identify and root out undesirable contractors. The government’s slow spending in the January-to-march period, for one, took its toll on the education Department, which was unable to build school buildings and classrooms. Little help went to the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda in central Visayas, as the central government debated on how to spend the funds, including those long granted by several donor institutions and foreign governments. The economy also suffered, as the gross domestic product grew just 5.2 percent in the first quarter, its slowest pace in three years. meanwhile, the decision to spend the bulk of the funds close to the months preceding the presidential elections, instead of the dry months, may taint the goals of the exercise because of the intense political atmosphere. Politicking may influence state spending in favor of the incumbent administration and sidetrack the budget goals.

LeiLa’s striptease lowdown jojo a. Robles SOme people have noted that when President Noynoy Aquino was in Japan, he likened China to Nazi Germany. But of course, the Japanese, whom Aquino was supposedly siding with against China, were the real allies of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis during

World War II – something that Aquino’s very polite and sensitive hosts needed no history lesson to recall. Besides, I’m sure some Japanese must have raised their eyebrows (only ever so slightly, so as not to offend their guest) when Aquino talked about europe’s policy of appeasement, which led to Hitler’s easy conquest of Czechoslovakia. Wasn’t this guy just here in Tokyo, they must have asked them-

selves, to give away a major chunk of his own country to the muslim rebels, in an effort to buy peace? A little History Channel is always a dangerous thing. When you’re a clueless head of state, it can even be disastrous. *** Some months back, the justice secretary had to fend off reports that she had starred in a homemade sex video. But now the only striptease she’s performing

de lima is scraping the bottom of the barrel finding excuses not to charge lawmakers involved in the pork barrel scam.

involves the filing of charges against plundering members of Congress. I think I speak for many people when I say that neither performance is particularly appealing. Really. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has once again found an excuse not to file the charges against lawmakers included in the so-called “third batch” of abusers of Congress’ pork barrel. And yes, Congress has still not voted on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. On the surface, these two incidents are totally unre-

lated. But that’s just on the surface. Since June last year, De Lima has promised to file charges against the handful of senators and scores of congressmen, nearly all of them incumbents, who belong to the ignominious batch. It came to a point where the justice secretary declared that there is just no time for her department to consider the same

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charges that have landed three senators in jail, where they still remain. But apparently, De Lima has been advised about the importance of keeping the filing of plunder charges poised over some very important heads in Congress. And so she found the time to restart her investigation. Coincidentally, both the House and the Senate are now caught up

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in the deliberations over the contentious Bangsamoro Basic Law. The House, in that strange week recently, passed the palace-sponsored measure on the committee level, using a version given to them at the very last moment by President Noynoy Aquino himself; the Senate is still deliberating in committee and may take some time to do the same. Continued on A11

MST Management, Inc. Philip G. Romualdez Arnold C. Liong Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Jocelyn F. Domingo Ron Ryan S. Buguis

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Ma. Editha D. Angeles Advertising Manager Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

ON Sunday, may 31, manila mayor Joseph ejercito “erap” estrada had surprise lunch guests at his Polk Street Greenhills residence – Vice President Jejomar Binay and his son, makati mayor Jejomar “Junjun” Binay Jr. It is the second surprise visit of the father-and-son tandem in a week. On Wednesday, may 27, they visited estrada in his manila City Hall office. “We are the BeST,” enthused Binay before erap’s Sunday guests seated around the circular table. “BeST stands for Binay-estrada,” Jojo said. Indeed, Binay and estrada make for a formidable team. Despite having been convicted and jailed for plunder, the former president proved his votegetting power by finishing a strong second to winner Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III in the 2010 presidential elections. Noynoy Aquino won the presidency with 15 million votes; estrada polled 9.8 million votes. But if the Iglesia Ni Cristo vote of 3 million had not shifted to Aquino, estrada would have won comfortably. You add 3 million to estrada’s 9.8 million, you get 12.8 million votes. You deduct 3 million from Aquino’s 15 million, you get 12 million votes. estrada would have won by 800,000 votes—the same electoral margin Fidel Ramos had over miriam Defensor Santiago in the 1992 presidential elections. In all previous elections up to 2010, estrada had always been backed by the INC. In the 2013 mid-term elections, estrada’s son, JV ejercito won as senator with 34 percent of the votes cast for senators; his nephew, eR ejercito won handily as governor of voterich Laguna; his former partner, Guia Gomez estrada (JV’s mother) won almost unanimously as mayor of San Juan City where erap was mayor for 17 years. In the same 2013 polls, Team Pinoy of Noynoy Aquino grabbed nine of the 12 senatorial seats at stake; UNA, the coalition of estrada and Binay, got the remaining 3 – Jojo’s daughter Nancy Binay, JV ejercito, and Greg Honasan. Clearly, the opposition has a solid 25 to 30 percent of nationwide votes. This was the height of Aquino III’s popularity when people voted not because they liked him but because his mother, the beloved Cory Aquino, died in August 2009, nine months before the 2010 elections. Continued on A11

Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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de lima is scraping the bottom of the barrel finding excuses not to charge lawmakers involved in the pork barrel scam.

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MST Management, Inc. Philip G. Romualdez Arnold C. Liong Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Jocelyn F. Domingo Ron Ryan S. Buguis

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Director of Operations Finance Officer

Ma. Editha D. Angeles Advertising Manager Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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A10

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

RESIDENCE AND ACCURACY

EARthqUAkE, fIRE AND flooD DRIllS

A person can have PENSEES several residences. It is usual for the affluFR. RANHILIO ent “probinsyanos” to CALLANGAN have residences in the province and in MaAQUINO nila. However, a person can have only one domicile -- the place where one is and where one intends to remain (the now familiar “animus manendi”). of course, this is another of the fictions of the law, but how necessary these fictions are. There are many Filipino green-card holders enjoying the best of both worlds: they go on with their lives in the philippines, residing here most of the time, and once a year, trek to the Us, there, for the obligatory presence, and reap the benefits of a permanent migrant. ‘Domicile’ is where the law fixes you, and the singularity of domicile follows from the fact that you cannot intend to remain in more than one place. It is best to parse issues: nationality or citizenship is one thing, domicile is another. The national of a state may not necessarily be domiciled there. Children born in the Us of Filipino parents are Us citizens, but many of them are reared in the philippines and grow up in these climes of forty or so degrees in the summer! They are domiciliaries of the philippines. The supreme Court has interpreted the residence requirements in the Constitution -- for those desirous of elective office -- as “domicile”. Two things are required to esNationality or tablish domicile: physicitizenship is one cal presence (for desire, no matter how ardent, thing, domicile is will never make up for absence!) and the intenanother. tion to remain. And avowed intentions do not count unless there is evidence that courts and administrative agencies can appreciate demonstrating such an intention. positivists will say that the demonstration is the intention. With that, I have no quarrel. When someone is born in the philippines, or is found in the philippines, and here, raised and reared, nurtured and schooled, one speaks of a “domicile of origin”, and in this case, the domicile of origin is the philippines. When one such philippine domiciliary goes abroad for studies, or for business, or for any other purpose that the person, athirst for adventure, may entertain, as long as there is no intention to abandon the philippines for good, he remains a domicile of these blessed archipelago, no matter how long the absence. However, from the time such a Filipino expatriate decides to stay for good in some other country where he is, he acquires what is known as a “domicile of choice”. In the philippines, we have adopted the rule that the domicile of origin is not lost until one has acquired a domicile of choice. This can create very interesting configurations that constitute the stuff of tricky questions in Conflict of Laws. Juan de la Cruz decides that life in Canada will be more promising for him. He invites his friends to a dinner at which he announces his intention with unction, sells his property, transfers his business interests and flies out of the philippines. He drops by Japan where his sister is living for what he hopes will be a threeday visit. At a brawl in the bar where his sister takes him upon his arrival in Japan, he is beaten to pulp up by a sumo wrestler and expires, whispering “Canada” with his dying lips. The law will insist that notwithstanding his

As IF we would not survive pened when super typhoon FILIPINO the next major disaster, pnoy’s Yolanda struck the same rePENSIONER gion three weeks after the Metropolitan Manila DevelopHORACE ment Authority thought they earthquake, on november 8, tEmPLO would subject us Metro Manila and almost leveled Tacloban residents to a five-hour earthCity to the ground. quake drill on July 30 from 3 p.m. To 8 p.m. Did 10,000 really perish in that disaster? Yes MMDA’s objective was noble: prepare us for a or no, what is now relevant is how pnoy – using 7.2-magnitude earthquake that a West Valley former senator panfilo Lacson as his rehabilitaFault’s movement could trigger. tion czar – tried to rebuild the city and the rest The drill will simulate the conditions dur- of Central Visayas. We can adopt the unimpleing a major earthquake. The electric power mented Lacson rehabilitation blueprint. would be cut; telecommunications would be And by the way, wouldn’t that West Valley unavailable; and traffic would be jammed Fault earthquake result in water pipes burstworse than what we now suffer. Thank God, ing and flooding the streets of Metro Manila? a fire won’t be simulated similar to the one Many of us went through this type of dithat gutted the Kentex “tsinelas” factory. saster last saturday night after a downpour. Upon hearing of this drill, I immediately Leaving Up Diliman at about 9:00 p.m., I decided that I would be out of Metro Manila was at Welcome rotunda by 9:20 p.m. Then, starting July 26, the day pnoy would deliver as I proceeded down to españa Boulevard, his last state of the nation Address. I would the drizzle came. To my horror, the rain wanot have any of the chaos and inconveniences ter started to rise quickly into a flood. that these two events would create. Without access to project noAH – DeFortunately, Metro Manila’s pragmatic partment of science and Technology’s namayors prevailed upon MMDA’s chairman to tionwide operational Assessment of Hazards agree to a drill from 10:30 a.m. To 11:30 a.m. – and without its benefits, I was soon helponly except for pasig City that will conduct lessly stuck in knee-deep rain water. a nighttime drill from 7:30 p.m. To 8:30 p.m. Instinctively, I forcefully navigated my car on that same day. to the higher grounds of nearby Cristobal Can we not just review what happened street. The rain stopped by about 9:45 p.m. during the 1990 Luzon earthquake that hit But I decided nonetheless to wait for the waBaguio City and its neighboring provinces? ter to subside. We can do this in solemn observance of its I watched in silence as other small cars 25th anniversary on July 16. braved the flood. Feeling challenged, I plunged How can we forget that earthquake? It is my car into the españa flood and fearfully our biggest and deadliest earthquake in recent drove on. I turned left at Arsenio Lacson Avhistory with a magnitude of 7.9 on the rich- enue but only after patiently waiting like other ter scale. It lasted for only 45 seconds but killed drivers for the traffic light to turn green de1,621 people and caused damages to properties spite the absence of traffic enforcers. and infrastructure worth p15 billion. To the elevated Lacson-Mabini flyover pnoy’s mother –Corazon C. Aquino – was and past the nagtahan Bridge I went. With then our president. We could review and thus vehicles not moving along Quirino Avenue, I replicate what we did – under her leadership decided to turn right at the old otis Avenue. – to rescue the victims and rehabilitate the Again, to my horror, the road was as flooddamaged properties and infrastructure. ed as españa Boulevard up to Taft Avenue. As a second option, there is the fairly re- There, vehicles from four directions were in a cent 2013 Bohol earthquake that hit Bohol, gridlock because those going to flooded Un Cebu and the whole Central Visayas region. Avenue hesitated to move on. of magnitude 7.2, this earthquake ocThe Western police Department and the curred last october 15, 2013 and left 222 national Bureau of Investigation were nearby dead, 8 missing, and 976 injured people. but their personnel must have prioritized doAbout 73,000 structures were estimated dam- ing police and investigative work over helpaged, of which 14,500 were totally destroyed. ing out drivers and pedestrians. We could review what pnoy as president nobody was killing anybody yet, and these did. It would be a case study from which we inconveniences are not considered public could learn from and improve upon if and disorders but mere components of a snAFU when that West Valley Fault earthquake of – situation normal all fouled up – that we go the same magnitude comes. through every day in the philippines. Continued on A11 We could also proceed to review what haptearful goodbyes and his actual departure from the philippines, he dies a philippine domiciliary because he has not yet acquired a Canadian domicile. If one declares in a certificate of candidacy that he has resided in the philippines for so many months but was in fact born, raised, and nurtured here, then one must explain such an entry. one possible reason is inadvertence, and that is excusable. After all,

if most high-ranking government officials submit inaccurate sALns because of inadvertence, we should not be so fastidious in this respect. Another reason is ignorance of the legal meaning of “residence”, and for this, one can and should be readily excused (ignorantia juris non excusat not withstanding!), after all it takes 15 erudite justices of the supreme Court to give special terms Continued on A11 special meanings.

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

Leila’s.. From A9 But de lima, because she is finding it more and more difficult to keep up the pretense that she is not actually sitting on the pork barrel cases, is running out of reasons. This time, if she is to be believed, she wants certain allegedly forged signatures of some lawmakers in the third batch verified before she can proceed with filing all of the charges against the group. de lima is obviously stalling – and lying. The “forged signature” defense was liberally used by Senator ramon “Bong” revilla in his defense; the justice department simply ignored the senator and threw him in jail. Besides, as the private complainants in the pork barrel cases have pointed out, de lima wants to verify alleged forged signatures in the documents submitted to liquidate expenses for released funds in pork barrel projects. While the liquidation papers are important evidence, they are really secondary to the original endorsements for the non-existent projects – where the signatures are not at all being contested. in other words, de lima is really

Residence.. From A10 The third reason, of course, is that one is lying, and for this, there can be no excuse. But why would one lie against one’s interests? however, if one was born or found in the Philippines, grew up here, schooled here and only left for studies or for adventure, the correct answer to the question: “how long have you resided in the

Earthquake.. From A10 Meantime, rain-drenched pedestrians lined up the dry part of Taft avenue, walking or waiting for their rides home. These passengers were stranded. To cut short my flood ordeal, i reached my place at past midnight only after plodding – alongside huge container vans bound for the port area – the flooded finance road beside the national Museum and onto dry roxas Boulevard. Stressed out, i settled down by sipping

#failocracy

scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to finding excuses not to charge the lawmakers involved in the plunder of the pork barrel given to congress. and that’s because, as i’ve already said, she wants to use the cases as leverage against congressmen and senators whose commitment to passing the BBl may be wavering – or who may feel that the reported payola that they have received is not sufficient to buy their vote. de lima can keep denying that she is involved in the implementation of a carrot and stick policy dreamed up by Malacanang to get the BBl passed. But if she really isn’t part of such a scheme, she can just file the charges that she has been sitting on for a year now with the office of the ombudsman. So, will she or won’t she? it really depends on how our distinguished members of congress vote on the BBl. it takes at least two people, after all, to make a real sex video. To railroad a Malacanang measure, you need a congressional majority – and keeping them guessing about who’s going to land in jail and who’s not is a fantastic way of mustering up that critical mass of votes.

Philippines?” would be: “Since i was born”, or “Since i was found”. These are the principles that jurisprudence has evolved. how they will play out in the issues that presently capture national interest, i wait to see, with bated breath! rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com a couple of glasses of my favorite red wine. indeed, my fellow senior citizens and i should no longer be required to participate in disaster drills. We go through them now daily. What we must do – as all must do – is to make sure that always food and drinks are available to last us for days after the occurrence of a major earthquake. Somebody advised me, in fact, that wines and beers last longer under storage than bottled water. But sincerely, would many of our poor be able to do this?

adelle chua EDITOR

A11

ning mate. he offered the vice presidency to Senator grace Poe. This is the same electoral base She declined. She offered the vice that Jojo Binay wants to tap to presidency to duterte. he demake him president in 2016. it clined. Poe and duterte want to is an electoral base that is more be president, not vice president. Besides, Poe wants Binay to loyal to Estrada than to Binay because it goes to the former Presi- answer properly allegations of dent, whether he is right or wrong, corruption hurled against him by the Senate anti-graft investigaguilty of plunder or not. Will the same base vote for Bi- tion body Blue ribbon committee nay whether he is indeed corrupt which had conducted 21 hearings or not? That is not clear. By on alleged corrupt practices of the teaming up with Estrada, Jojo Binays. in fact, Poe is among the first hopes to solidify his hold on this electoral base of between 14 mil- four senators to sign the Senate committee report finding vP Bilion and 16 million votes. in a four-way presidential fight nay, his son, Mayor Junjun, and – Binay, Mar roxas, Senator grace 18 other officials and personalities Poe, and davao city Mayor ro- indictable for plunder for allegdrigo duterte, or five-way, if you edly overpricing an P800-million include former Senator Panfilo Makati government parking build“Ping” lacson (who has started his ing by more than P1.2 billion. “ping!ping” tv commercial), get- “The overprice is really huge,” exting 25 percent of the vote can give claimed Poe. regardless of family Binay the presidency. This is the or friendship, she added, officials same 25 percent, which although must face the law. if the anti-graft prosecutor omit believes Binay could be corrupt, could still go for him, believing he budsman picks up the report, it is pro-masa, pro-people, and prob- could lead to the arrest of the Biably, innocent of corruption charg- nays and their being jailed without bail, thus hampering the vice preses leveled against him. in 1992, ramos snatched the ident’s campaigning for president presidency with just 5.342 million in 2016. Putting Binay behind or 23.58 percent of the vote, against bars in the heat of the campaign six other candidates; over Santiago could backfire, of course. an unby 874,000; over tycoon danding derdog pummeled to the hilt, withcojuangco by 1.226 million votes, out mercy. voters don’t like that. in the meantime, Mayor Erap and over former Speaker ramon Mitra by 2.02 million votes. had seems non-committal about the not former first lady imelda Mar- vice president’s overtures. Estracos run, most, or at least half of her da is keen to run again for mayor 2.338 million votes, would have because of a number of big-ticket gone to cojuangco and he would projects he must undertake to rehabilitate the city – a 128-hectare have beaten ramos. The 1992 election argues the bayside reclamation, the modneed for coalitions and consoli- ernization of central Market and dation of political constituencies. the harrison Plaza Mall (both of for that, any candidate needs Es- which have been awarded to hentrada’s help. his is the masa vote ry Sy’s SM Mall group), as well as which uses its heart rather than its of city properties like rizal Memomind when voting, especially for rial Stadium and the Manila Zoo. happy birthday to dr. loi Ejerthe presidency. after Erap’s ouster from the presidency in 2001 and cito. her family and friends are despite being jailed for alleged cor- hosting a surprise birthday party ruption for six years, three mem- tonight, friday, June 5, at the Blue bers of his family became senators leaf filipinas, Belle ave., aseana – his wife, dr. loi Ejercito, and two city, Parañaque city. attire is sons, Jinggoy Estrada and Jv Ejer- “roaring 20s/great gatsby”. cito. biznewsasia@gmail.com Binay is desperate for a run-

The Best..From A9

chong ardivilla

F RI DAY : J UN E 5 , 2 0 1 5

A12

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Novak: I’m in best form of my life PARIS—Novak Djokovic shattered Rafael Nadal’s French Open stranglehold in a brutal 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 quarter-final demolition on Wednesday and admitted he’s in the best form of his life. The world number one beat the defending champion for the first time in Paris after six losses including the 2012 and 2014 finals. It was just nine-time champion Nadal’s second defeat in 72 matches at Roland Garros and Djokovic’s 27th successive win on the tour this year. “Everything is coming together in my life and I am experiencing probably the pinnacle of my career, of my life. I am a complete person. Very satisfied on and off the court,” said 28-year-old Djokovic who, in the last 12 months, has got married and become a father. “I think it all influences the results and my performances.” This year, Djokovic boasts a 40-2 winning record and is undefeated since February. In that time, he has racked up a fifth Australian Open as well as sweeping Masters at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Rome. Djokovic’s next task is to take on third seed Andy

Murray on Friday for a place in Sunday’s final as he continues his campaign for a first French Open title and a career Grand Slam, something only done by seven other men. A win on Sunday, should he get that far, would also put him halfway to a calendar Grand Slam which has only ever been achieved by two men -- Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969). The Serb was facing Nadal for the 44th time on Wednesday and raced out to a 4-0 lead in the first set before the Spaniard rallied to level at 4-4. That was about as good as it got for the 29-year-old left-hander who was constantly under siege for the rest of the match and in a sobering third set managed to win just 13 points. “I didn’t want to give him too much comfort and the opportunity to dictate the play,” said Djokovic, who carved out 18 break points against the nine-time winner. AFP

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (left) celebrates his victory over a dejected Rafael Nadal (right) at the end of their men’s quarter final match of the Roland Garros 2015 French Tennis Open in Paris. AFP

Playing through pain the NBA Finals OAKLAND—Sore, tired and hurting players have enjoyed the longest-ever break before the NBA Finals, but it’s time to play through the pain again because there’s a championship at stake. The Cleveland Cavaliers, trying to end a 51year title drought for their supremacy-starved city, face the Golden State Warriors, who have not won a crown in 40 years, in the best-of-seven series starting Thursday. Each team has withstood the rigors of an 82-game

season and three playoff rounds to put themselves on the brink of a longsought prize, but both are bruised and battered as a result even with an eightday break. Cleveland guard Kyrie Irving will play left knee tendinitis and a barely healed right foot injury while Golden State’s Klay Thompson has been declared fit after suffering a concussion last week, taking a knee to the head in the Warriors’ finalsclinching win. “There’s not one guy in

this series who is 100 percent,” Golden State center Andrew Bogut said. “Just because we’re not talking about it doesn’t mean we’re not all feeling something.” But he also knows the cure for what ails them all. “Winning relieves everything,” Bogut said. “One of those hoodoos is going to go out the window. There will be a celebration and a record broken either way.” Irving has had to summon the mental strength to keep going.

“It’s an adjustment, but it’s what it is at this point. I’m just going to go out there and will myself to play,” Irving said. “It’s definitely tough because mentally and physically you want to be in line. Some of the things I’m thinking about doing mentally, your body just kind of stops and you catch yourself a little bit sometimes. You’ve got to get off the ball. But for me, it’s just about finding my spots and seeing where I could be more effective out there for my teammates.” AFP

FIFA dominoes fall, but does trail lead to former chief Blatter? WASHINGTON—The US investigation into world football governing body FIFA is modeled after an operation against an organized crime gang. Each henchman to fall is like a domino, knocking over others in a chain to the presumed Mr Big. It’s a technique mastered by US prosecutors targeting mafia rack-

ets and drug cartels, and recognizable to experts observing the case. “Reading the indictment as a former prosecutor, it’s clear that they’re looking at an upper level of the organization,” said John Lauro, who worked in the same New York district that filed the FIFA arrest warrants.

“I think the overall goal of the investigation is to indict the highest level of the association, that’s the ultimate goal.” The highest level of FIFA, throughout the period covered by the investigations, was the body’s Swiss president Sepp Blatter. He strenuously denies all wrongdoing, but the turn taken by the US

investigation suggests that more arrests are in the pipeline. Loretta Lynch, who began the investigation before she was named US Attorney General, said as much as she unveiled the first indictments. The inquiry was just beginning, she said, and FIFA is being targeted under the RICO act as a “Racket-

eer Influenced Corrupt Organization.” When the initially defiant Blatter announced his surprise resignation on Tuesday, many assumed that he was under investigation. Those targeted in last week’s indictments were not the first FIFA executives served. AFP

Futkal holds Field of Hope football

Cage clinic. Rain or Shine’s Ryan Arana teaches the kids some basic basketball techniques during the free basketball clinic last May 16 at the Amaia Scapes Cavite basketball court.

FUTKAL Inc., a non-profit organization that aims to promote education and development among the youth through football, recently organized the Field of Hope Football Games to help uplift the children from Typhoon Haiyanstricken areas in Cebu. Held in Bantayan, Cebu, Philippines, the games hosted young players aged 8 to 14 in an open-forall beach football tournament with DHL as a major sponsor. Aside from helping children recover from post-traumatic stress caused by typhoon Haiyan, the event also aimed to help sustain social and human development activities working with football in the areas of health promotion, peace building, social integration,

education and the environment. Celebrating unity through diversity, the event gathered young players from Cebu to share their love for football and apply principles of discipline, proper nutrition, hard work, persistence and patience. “We were excited to work alongside values-driven partners to offer young people a transformational experience with this socially inclusive football tournament,” said Peter Amores, Founder of Futkal Inc. In partnership with DHL, the Field of Hope Football Games not only focused on promoting the sport, but also emphasized on children’s rights and environment protection through work-

shops that will be facilitated by Teach for the Philippines, a forpurpose, non-stock, non-profit organization that works to provide all Filipino children with an inclusive, relevant, and excellent education. DHL’s support of the Field of Hope Football Games is part of the company’s Corporate Responsibility program which is an integral part of its corporate strategy. With the motto “Living Responsibility,” DHL has organized various initiatives that promote environmental protection, disaster management, and improving educational opportunity and employability across its network comprising more than 220 countries and territories.

F RI DAY : J UN E 5 , 2 0 1 5

A13

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Donaire taking no chances By Ronnie Nathanielsz

FIVE-DIVISION world champion Nonito Donaire is taking no chances in preparation for his 10-round non-title fight against European champion Anthony Settoul of France on July 18 in Macau. Donaire, who is training under his father/trainer Nonito “Dodong” Donaire Sr. in Las Vegas, told The Standard/ boxingmirror.com that he is “training very hard and really well,” and next week plans to spar in Cebu, where several talented fighters from the ALA Gym would be available. Donaire indicated he didn’t wish to make a statement in his fight against Settoul, but wants the fans “to see in the fight what we have trained for.” The 32-year-old Donaire, who has a record of 34-3 with 22 knockouts, is coming off a second-round TKO victory over Brazil’s William Prado last March 28, in which he won the vacant North American Boxing Federation title, when referee Bruce McTavish called a halt at 2:16 of the round as the Filipino was battering the Brazilian. It was a confidence-building victory after Donaire suffered a stunning sixth-round TKO at the hands of Jamaica’s bigger and stronger Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters in Macau on Oct. 18, 2014. The 28-year-old Frenchman Settoul has a record of 20-3 with 8 knockouts and won the vacant European Union bantamweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Craig Lyon on Dec. 7, 2012, sending Lyon into retirement. Settoul is coming off a first-round TKO in a scheduled six-round bout against journeyman Ignac Kassai of Hungary, who had a poor record of 14-35 with 4 knockouts, last Oct. 2, 2014.

Warriors book semifinal ticket

By Peter Atencio

THE University of the East Red Warriors subdued University of Santo TomasA, 68-46, Monday, to book a semifinals ticket in the 21st Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament at the St. Placid gymnasium inside the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola. Jordan Sta. Ana and Cameroonian Bertrand Awana provided the key baskets which carried the Red Warriors to a sevengame sweep of their Group B assignment in the senior division of this cagefest, which is supported by Impakt Power Drink. In the junior division,

the San Beda-A Red Cubs drew big points from Pedro Alfaro and Ivan Melle as they fended off the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas, 82-67. Sta. Ana, a high school standout from National University, banged in 11 points while Awana had 10 for the Red Warriors. The Red Warriors joined the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers and the Arellano University Chiefs, who snared semis slots in Group A. Alfaro shot 14 points and Melle had 13 for the Red Cubs, who picked up their fifth straight triumph and grabbed a quarterfinal slot in Group B.

Azkals backed. PRU Life UK extended anew its support to the Azkals by providing the members of the team,

including the players and coaching and training staff with accident and medical insurance for another year, in time for the start of the qualifying tournament among the Philippines, Bahrain, South Korea and Uzbekistan for a slot in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. PRU Life tendered a lunch for the team at the Century Park Hotel, where Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Belle Tiongco presented the insurance certificates to the team, represented by Azkals’ Team Manager Dan Palami. The Azkals are shown here with Tiongco and Palami.

PH Azkals’ World Cup bid supported BRITISH life insurer Pru Life UK, the official accident insurance provider of the Philippine national men’s football team, the Azkals, held a sendoff lunch for the team recently at the Century Park Sheraton with company Sr. VP Belle Tiongco turning over the insurance certificates to all the players and the coaching staff. The Azkals are aiming for a spot in the world football arena in the 2018 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Russia, with the team starting its journey of pursuing the country’s World Cup dreams on June

11 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, where they will face Bahrain, currently ranked 108th in the FIFA world ranking, higher than the Philippines’ 137th rank. This is the team’s first game in a series of eight matches in the first round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. The team will also have to play and win against Yemen, Uzbekistan, and South Korea in a home-and-away, roundrobin format to be able to advance to the next round. “We continue to support the Azkals as they defend our country’s position in

football in the upcoming qualifiers. The team is a source of pride and honor to our country, and together with the entire country, we will be behind them until they hopefully make it in the 2018 World Cup, “ said Tiongco, whose company also supports a grassroots football development program through its Football for a Better Life nationwide series of football clinics and tournaments supervised by former Azkal Chieffy Caligdong. Pru Life started its partnership with the Azkals in 2014 by sponsoring the

team’s training in the United Kingdom for the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup as well as the showing of its TV documentary “World Cup Dreams.” This year, the partnership has been strengthened through the Football for a Better Life program that will have free football clinics already held in Iloilo, Pampanga, Negros Occidental and Cagayan de Oro, with remaining legs in Dumaguete City, Naga City, Palawan, Tagum, Baguio, and at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig for the culminating leg.

Elite cast vies in Regent 5i50 triathlon THE inaugural Regent 5i50 Triathlon blasts off on Sunday in Subic Bay featuring close to top-notch pros, Filipino elite, age groupers and relay competitors. Aussies Casey Munro, Justin Granger, Clayton Fettell, Belinda Granger, and Dimity Lee-Duke and Thai Carole Fuchs lead a crack field of foreign pros vying for top honors in the 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run race. Banjo Norte, Jenny Guer-

rero, and LC Langit topbill the Filipino elite competitors while Kim Atienza, Matteo Guidicelli, Victor Basa and Onemig Bondoc are among the celebrities who signed up for event sponsored by Regent Foods, the leading snack manufacturing company in the Philippines. “We commend Regent Foods for joining the evergrowing list of backers of this popular three-sport athletic competition. With

a talent-laden international field, we expect a world-class competition since the event also serves as a fitting tuneup for those competing in the Ironman,” said Wilfred Uytengsu, president of the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc. Regent 5i50 feature a challenging 1.5K one-loop, rectangular, clockwise swim at the waters of the Subic Bay Boardwalk, a 40km point-to-point bike

ride to the Subic International Airport, heading to IDESS up to Tarlac Road and head back to Transition 2 in Remy Field. The 10km run will start from Transition 2 in Remy Field and then head on to the first turn around in Dewey Ave. then head back to Remy Field and then go to Rizal Highway entering Argonaut Highway for the second turn around and then back to Remy Field.

Slalom 6th leg at Robinsons

Edrian Resimo, one of the Novice drivers in the slalom series

ROBINSONS Nova Market hosts the sixth leg of the RACE Motorsports National Slalom Grand Prix Series on Sunday. Registration starts at 8 a.m., while the open practice runs are set from 8 to 10 a.m. In between at 9 a.m. is a slalom clinic. Official practice runs will start from 11 a.m., with each driver getting only one official practice run regardless of how many classes or cars he/she is entered. Winners will accumulate points for the overall and class champions, wherein contenders must use the specified Federal Tyres for at least nine or 75% of the series and must possess the Automobile Association of the Philippines Clubman license. All drivers will be charged a fee of P300 per leg for the Clubman License. The national slalom event is affiliated with the AAP and FIA and is the longest-

running motorsport discipline in the country. Expected to participate are the club series champions, headed by Dr. Peewee Mendiola of Big Chill; Milo, Noel and Estefano Rivera of Tough Gear; Cabanatuan Auto Club; MSM Motorsports; AF Racing Team, Team Makaluma and Orthodox Racing, among others. The 2015 National Slalom Grand Prix Series Series is sponsored by Shell Helix Motor Oils with Pureplus technology, Federal Tyres, Outlast Battery, Starbright Body Kits, Auto Transporter, media partners Stoplight TV, C! Magazine and Robinsons Nova Market. For details, contact Bing Bang Dulce tel. nos. 928-6951, 0922-8165344 or 09178119337, email racemotorsportsclub@yahoo.com or like the event’s Facebook page.

F R I D AY : J U N E 5 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS A14 Kobe marked man NLEX and its road to recovery in FIBA dunk meet sports@thestandard.com.ph

DENNIS PRINCIPE

By Ronnie Nathanielsz KOBE Paras, the son of the former pro Benjie Paras, is getting a lot of attention in Debrecen, the second largest city in Hungary, which hosts the fourth staging of the FIBA Under-18 World Championships, including the highly anticipated Slam Dunk competition. FIBA noted that all the future stars of 3x3 basketball are in Debrecen and the local fans cannot help but notice as the iconic Kossuth Square with the city landmark, the Reformed Great Church, has become a vast 3x3 playground. Like every FIBA 3x3 World Championships, the competition will feature men’s events as well as women’s events. A total of

48 teams (24 men’s and 24 women’s) from 34 countries will compete in Hungary for a chance to win one of the five world titles. The Philippines will be represented by probably the smallest team in the tournament, led by Paras, Mike Nieto of Ateneo, Richard Escoto of Far Eastern University and Richard Rivero of La Salle Greenhills. The Philippines is

bracketed with host nation Hungary, Russia, Poland, Uruguay and Kazakhstan and will face Poland in their opening game tonight. In an overseas telephone conversation with The Standard/Viva Sports, Benjie Paras said the 3x3 team practiced in the morning. “I tried to help a little. The boys were tense but excited. This is their chance,” said Benjie. FIBA recalled that two years ago in Jakarta, the youngest player in the tournament, Kobe Paras, became a national hero by winning gold for the Philippines. He is back this year and along with Jalek Felton (USA), Killian Tillie (France) or Tai Wynyard (New Zealand) will be among the men to watch in Debrecen.

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bohol MUNICIPALITY OF SEVILLA

INVITATION TO BID FOR: Location/Project Description: Region VII Design and Build for the Rehabilitation of Sevilla Level III Municipal Waterworks System

Contract Duration

ABC

210 c.d.

13,390,000.00

Bid Documents Fee: Php 25,000.00 1.

The Local Government Unit of Sevilla, Bohol has availed a grant fund from the Department of Interior and Local Government under the Bohol Earthquake Assistance Program, to be appropriated for payment under the contract for the Design and Build for the Rehabilitation of Sevilla Level III Municipal Waterworks System. The Municipality of Sevilla, Bohol, now invites sealed bids from eligible Bidders for design and build thru the installation of transmission/distribution pipelines, river crossing, interconnection, including valve assemblies, and other appurtenances. Approved Budget of Contract is Thirteen Million Three Hundred Ninety Thousand (Php 13,390,000.00). Completion of the Works is required within two hundred ten (210) calendar days from start of Contract. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedure as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9184), otherwise known as Government Procurement Reform Act. Subject to exceptions stated in the Bidding Document, only bids from Bidders who pass the eligibility check will be accepted. The Bidder who passed the technical requirements and complied with the required performance specifications and parameters will be considered for financial evaluation. The bid with the lowest price shall be identified as Lowest Calculated Bid. The bidder with the Lowest Calculated Bid (LCB) shall advance to the post-qualification stage in order to finally determine its responsiveness to the technical and financial requirements of the project. The contract shall then be awarded to the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during postqualification. Award of the contract to the LCRB shall be done once funds are already released by the DILG to the LGU and/or Certificate of Fund Availability is already issued by the DILG. Implementation of the Project shall commence once the design submitted by the LCRB is reviewed and approved by the DILG. Interested Bidders may obtain further information from Municipal Government of Sevilla, Bohol and inspect the Bid documents at the address given below from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. from June 8, 2015 to June 29, 2015. A complete set of Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos Only Php 25,000.00. The Bid documents are available and shall be received personally by the bidder or his duly authorized representative on or before June 29, 2015.

The Municipal Government of Sevilla will hold a Pre-Bid Conference open to all interested Bidders on June 15, 2015 at 2:00 PM, at the SB Session Hall, 2nd floor Municipal Building , Poblacion, Sevilla, Bohol.

Qualification requirements include successful experience as prime contractor in the design and build contract ( as solo, joint venture/consortia) of at least one (1) work of a nature and complexity equivalent to the works in the last three (3) years with single works cited to at least fifty percent (50%) of value estimated contract cost of works under Bid and have and annual turnover from all works average over the last three (3) years equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the value of bid under consideration for award.

The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly in Section II – Instruction to Bidders.

Interested Bidders must submit their bids at the address below on or before June 30, 2015. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security in the form indicated in the Bid Documents. Late bids shall not be accepted. Bid opening shall be at 2:00 P.M. on June 30, 2015 in the presence of the Bidder/ representatives who choose to attend at the address below.

10.

The Municipal Government of Sevilla, Bohol reserves the right to accept or reject any bid or to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders. Bids and Awards Committee (SGD) ARTEMIO D. PERIN BAC Chairman Municipal Hall Poblacion, Sevilla, Bohol 09173282453

SPORTS CHAT

A SIMPLE heart-to-heart talk among import Kwame Alexander, coach Boyet Fernandez and team manager Ronald Dulatre could turn things around for the embattled NLEX Road Warriors. Fernandez and Dulatre needed this tete-a-tete with Alexander primarily to give their import a chance to redeem himself. With a 2-4 record, NLEX is tied with Star Hotshots and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters from ninth to 11th places. Before their awe-inspiring win over the Alaska Aces last Tuesday, the Road Warriors suffered stinging back-to-back losses. The first was an 85-82 defeat when unheralded Hyram Bagatsing threw a hail Mary of a shot from beyond the arc, which swooshed in as time expired. The second loss was a more brutal one when Fernandez and his crew were drubbed by Talk ‘N Text, 108-89. The twin losses made Fernandez and Dulatre realize the need to talk with Alexander. “Iba kasi ‘yung nakita namin sa tapes when we were scrutinizing him as our potential import this conference. ‘Yung determination na nakita namin sa tape hindi namin nakita sa huling mga games namin,” said Fernandez. In their loss to the Tropang Texters, Alexander only had four free

ERRORS & OMISSIONS In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

throw attempts, a testament to his lack of desire at least in that game. “I told him that as import, siya ‘yung dapat nagbibigay ng energy sa team,” said Dulatre. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise when a report about an import on stand-by in former Barako reinforcement Josh Dollard came out. Dollar was apparently ready to replace Alexander. “He realized siguro na anytime puwede siya palitan. We had a good talk and it seems it inspired him to do well in our upcoming games,” said Dulatre. Against Alaska, Alexander showed his true worth by imposing his will inside where his penetrations made him visit the free throw line 13 times and made all but one. But the challenge won’t stop there as Alexander and the Road Warrriors will be in for a tough elimination-round wind up where they will be facing three of the league’s top teams in their last five outings. Still to come for NLEX are the rampaging San Miguel Beer, the always dangerous Rain or Shine and crowd darlings Ginebra San Miguel. Dulatre, however, is confident they can make the playoffs if they do well in their last five outings. “In my estimation, if we win three of five games there is a good chance we can break into the top eight,” said Dulatre. KIA’s CO-PILOT. KIA’s Assistant coach Chito Victolero is not rushing things when it comes to

landing a job as full-time coach in the PBA. This despite the praises he’s been getting with the way he is handling the Carnival in the ongoing PBA Governors’ Cup. Victolero has been calling the shots for KIA in lieu of their acknowledged playing-coach Manny Pacquiao, who has been recuperating from a shoulder injury he suffered in his last fight opposite Floyd Mayweather, Jr. “Stay humble lang naman tayo. Sabi nga nila trabaho lang. Natututo pa naman ako. Lagi ko naman pinagdadasal kung ano ‘yung para sa akin. Ready naman tayo kung ano ‘yung dumating,” said Victolero. A former standout of the Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA, Victolero was drafted 13th overall by the now defunct Sta. Lucia Realtors in the 2002 PBA Draft. KIA is currently having a winning record after tallying a 3-2 slate wherein all five games where handled by Victolero. Still, Victolero would like to think most of his improvement happened because of the privilege of working with Pacquiao. “Marami talaga ako natututunan sa kaniya lalo na sa pag-inspire ng players. At the same time, ‘yung sa pagkatao ko malaki din ‘yung influence niya,” said Victolero. Tonight, Victolero and the Carnival will be in for a tough test when they battle one of the tournament leaders the Alaska Aces.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PH booters yield to Cambodia

This is to inform the public that Wakuto Philippines Inc. located at 16H Burgundy Corporate Tower, 525 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City, Metro Manila w/ TIN 008-685-761 & SEC#201400205, registered on 1/7/14 will be closing its business effective May 12, 2015. (TS-MAY 29, JUNE 5/12, 2015)

TO ALL OUR STOCKHOLDERS: Notice is hereby given that the ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING of COSCO CAPITAL, INC. will be held on June 26, 2015,9:00 AM at the Acacia Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, with the following agenda: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Call to Order Proof of notice and quorum Approval of the Minutes of the 2014 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting and ratification of all acts and resolutions of the Board of Directors and Management from the date of the previous Stockholders’ Meeting Message of the Chairman and the President and Presentation of the Audited Financial Statements as of December 31, 2014 Election of seven (7) directors inclusive of two (2) independent directors Appointment of External Auditor Other Matters Adjournment

Stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 26, 2015 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at such meeting. The stock and transfer book of the company will be closed from June 10,2015 to June 26,2015. If you do not expect to attend the annual meeting, you may execute and return the proxy form to the office of the Company at: No. 900 Romualdez St., Paco, Manila, 1007. The deadline for the submission of proxies is on June 19,2015. On the day of the meeting, you or your duly designated proxy are hereby required to bring this Notice and any form of identification such as driver’s license, passport, company I.D., voter’s I.D., or TIN Card to facilitate registration. Registration shall start at 8:00 a.m. and will close at 8:45 a.m. A copy of the Interim Unaudited Financial Statements with Management Discussion & Analysis for the 1st Quarter of 2015 of Cosco Capital, Inc. or the Company’s SEC FORM 17-Q for the 1st Quarter of 2015 is currently posted in the Company’s website - www.coscocapital.com. A stockholder may request for a hard copy of the Report, and the Company shall provide the same not later than five (5) calendar days before the meeting. However, if the request is made at later date, the Company will endeavor to provide such hard copy as soon as possible. Manila, Philippines. ATTY. JOSE SANTOS, JR. Corporate Secretary

(TS-June 5, 2015)

(J U N E 15 , 2 015 )

Game June 7 (Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore) 8:30 p.m. • Myanmar vs. Malaysia

SINGAPORE—Cambodia reasserted its mastery over the Philippines, 3-1, on Wednesday night, pushing the Filipino booters to the brink of elimination in the 28th Southeast Asian Games football championships at the Jalan Besar Stadium here. The Cambodians, who nipped the Nationals, 2-1, in the AFC Under-23 qualifiers in Thailand last March, struck hard in the first half, erecting a 2-0 lead at the break through goals by Prak Many Udom and Keo Sokpheng in the 30th and 41st minutes, respectively. Undeterred, the Nationals tried to rally eight minutes into the second half and cut the deficit to 1-2 on striker Paolo Salenga’s shot from point blank range through an assist by Filipino-Nigerian Kennedy Uzoka. But Cham Vanathaka sealed his opponents’ doom in the 81st minute, slipping past his opponent’s backline to score from the left flank through the legs of Filipino goalkeeper Florencio Baedelic Jr. as Cambodia posted its first win in Group A.

F R I D AY : J U N E 5 , 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS

PH in dominant chess show SINGAPORE—The Philippines emerged as the most dominant country in the blitz competition of the ongoing 11th Asian Schools Chess Championship here yesterday, bagging four of the 12 gold medals at stake. Candidate Master Rome Pangilinan and Kylen Joy Mordido, who settled for the silver medal after in the shorter end of the tiebreak in last month’s World Schools Chess Tournament, scored a perfect seven wins in as many rounds in ruling the open

Volcanoes like their chances in SEA Games SINGAPORE—After eight years of waiting, the Philippine Volcanoes are raring and ready to go for the gold in the 28tth Southeast Asian Games rugby competitions, which opens at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium here on Sunday. “We are confident that the team will win a medal, and hoping for a gold especially in the men’s division,” said Philippine Rugby Football Union Aaron Briddon on Wednesday, a day after the men’s and women’s rugby squads arrived. The Filipino rugby exponents bagged a silver medal in the 2007 Thailand SEA Games, the last time the event was in the regional sportsfest, placed fifth in last year’s Incheon Asian Games and are currently ranked No. 2 in Southeast Asia, he added. Briddon noted that he considers Thailand, the defending men’s rugby champion, and host Singapore as their main rivals for the gold here. Among those back in harness is Filipino-British actor and model Andrew Wolf, who was a member of the first PH men’s rugby squad that took silver in the Thailand Games held in Nakhon Rachashima. Although they skipped the recent Asian Rugby 7s held back home due to their respective jobs abroad, reinforcing the Volcanoes for the Singapore SEAG Stint are siblings Benjamin, Oliver and Matthew Saunders, Gareth Holgate and Jake Letts. Also hoping to do well is the women’s rugby sevens squad, which is making its SEA Games debut, coached by Australian Shirley Russell. “These girls have been training for 10 weeks and I have been an involvement for them eight weeks,” said Russell, a former national team member and coach of the Australian women’s national team that won the inaugural World Cup Rugby 7s in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

and girls’ under-15 age categories. Both Mordido and Pangilinan finished 1.5 points clear of the opposition. Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza, gold and silver medalist in the school worlds, posted 6.5 points en route to clinching the

gold in the girls’ under-17. She was also 1.5 points ahead of the runner-up. International Master Paulo Bersamina, likewise winner of gold and silver medals in the school worlds, were knotted with two others with 6 points apiece but prevailed in the tiebreak to top the open under 17. WFM Allaney Jia Doroy (girls under 15) contributed a silver to the Philippine campaign sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, with under-7 Jo-

seph Raphael Vergara rounding out the Filipino podium finishers with his bronze showing. John Marvin Miciano was edged out of third place on a tiebreak in the open under-15. The rest of the 12-strong contingent ranked in the Top 10, namely Michael Concio, Jr. (open U11), 6th; Cristina Samarita (girls U9), 6th; Florence Gayle Isabedra, (girls U7), 8th and Jerish John Velarde (open U9), 10th. Mongolia, with a bigger delegation, was second only to the

NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Invitation to Bid The National Housing Authority (NHA), through the Corporate Budget approved by the NHA Board for the year 2015 intends to apply the sum of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payment for the following contracts: Projects

ABC/ Source of Funds (P)

Duration (c.d.)

Required PCAB License

Work Description

201506120

Construction of MultiPurpose Center, San Antonio Village, Brgy. Maparat, Compostela, Compostela Valley

5,962,509.00 NG Subsidy (Typhoon Pablo)

150

At least Cat.“C” and “D” & Small “B” for Bldg.

Const. of Multi-Purpose Center

Construction of MultiPurpose Center, Sariwarain Village, Brgy. Union, Monkayo, Compostela Valley

5,962,509.00 NG Subsidy (Typhoon Pablo)

150

Construction of MultiPurpose Center, New Bataan Resettlement Project 1, Brgy. San Roque, New Bataan, Compostela Valley

5,962,509.00 NG Subsidy (Typhoon Pablo)

150

Construction of MultiPurpose Center, New Bataan Resettlement Project 2, Brgy. Andap, New Bataan, Compostela Valley

5,962,509.00 NG Subsidy (Typhoon Pablo)

Construction of MultiPurpose Center, Boston Housing Project, Brgy. Carmen, Boston, Davao Oriental

5,962,509.00 NG Subsidy (Typhoon Pablo)

201506121

201506122

201506123

201506124

150

At least Cat.“C” and “D” & Small “B” for Bldg.

Const. of Multi-Purpose Center

At least Cat.“C” and “D” & Small “B” for Bldg.

Const. of Multi-Purpose Center

At least Cat.“C” and “D” & Small “B” for Bldg.

I N V I TAT I O N TO B I D T h e M u n i c i p a l i t y o f B i n m a l ey, t h r o u g h t h e B i d s a n d A w a r d s C o m m i t t e e ( B AC) i nv i t e s s u p p l i e r s t o a p p l y f o r e l i g i b i l i t y a n d t o b i d f o r t h e h e r e u n d e r project. Name of Project:

S U P P LY A N D D E L I V E RY O F AT H L E T I C S H O E S

L o c a t i o n:

FO R P U B L I C S C H O O L ( K i n d e r, E l e m e n t a r y a n d H i g h S c h o o l S t u d e n t s) B i n m a l ey, P a n g a s i n a n

Approved Budget for the Contract:

Php 3,000,000.00

S o u r c e o f Fu n d:

S u p p l e m e n t a l A I P # 1 CY 2 015

ITEM NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

ID DESCRIPTION Athletic Athletic Athletic Athletic Athletic Athletic Athletic Athletic

Shoes Shoes Shoes Shoes Shoes Shoes Shoes Shoes

Contract Duration :

Const. of Multi-Purpose Center

Philippines with three gold medals and India, which had more players plucking two. China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan had one each.

Republic of the Philippines O FFI CE O F TH E M AYO R BI DS A N D AWA R DS CO M M IT TEE Binmaley, Pangasinan

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Ref. No.

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

for for for for for for for for

Kinder Grade I Grade II Grade III Grade IV Grade V Grade VI High School

QT Y. 1,379 1,379 1,792 1,896 2,027 1,762 1,692 3,777

UNIT pairs pairs pairs pairs pairs pairs pairs pairs

APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE CONTR ACT

PHP 3,000,000.00 Supplemental AIP # 1 CY 2015

3 0 d ay s

P r o s p e c t i v e b i d d e r s s h o u l d h a v e ex p e r i e n c e d i n u n d e r t a k i n g a s i m i l a r p r o j e c t w i t h i n t h e l a s t t h r e e (3) y e a r s w i t h a n a m o u n t o f a t l e a s t 5 0 % o f the proposed project for bidding. The Eligibility Check / Screening as well as the Preliminar y Examination of the bids shall use non- discretionar y “pass/fail” criteria. Post- Qualif ication of the Lowest Calculated Bid shall be conducted. All par ticulars relative to Eligibilit y Statement and Screening, Bid S e c u r i t y, P e r f o r m a n c e S e c u r i t y , P r e b i d d i n g C o n f e r e n c e (s) , Ev a l u a t i o n o f B i d s , P o s t - Q u a l i f i c a t i o n a n d A w a r d o f C o n t r a c t s h a l l b e g o v e r n e d by t h e p e r t i n e n t p r o v i s i o n s o f R . A . 918 4 a n d i t s I m p l e m e n t i n g R u l e s a n d R e g u l a t i o n s ( I R R) . T h e c o m p l e t e s c h e d u l e o f a c t i v i t i e s i s l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s:

150

At least Cat.“C” and “D” & Small “B” for Bldg.

Const. of Multi-Purpose Center

Schedule M ay 20, 2015 -2PM /C onferenc e R m., Mun. Bldg., Binmaley, Pangasinan

1. Pre - Procurement C onferenc e 2. Issuanc e of Bid Documents

M ay 29, 2015 - June 18, 2015 - BAC O f f ic e, Mun. Bldg., Binmaley, Pangasinan

3. Pre - Bid C onferenc e

June 5, 2015 -2PM / C onferenc e R m., Mun. Bldg., Binmaley, Pangasinan

4. O pening of Bids

June 19, 2015/2PM - C onferenc e Room, Mun. Hall, Binmaley, Pangasinan Deadline for submission of bids is 10am

5. Bid Evaluation

June 2 2, 2015

6. Post Qualif ic ation

June 23, 2015

7. Notic e of Award

June 25, 2015

8. Notic e to Proc eed

June 29, 2015

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The NHA now invites bids for the above-cited projects. Completion of the works is required within the duration herein cited upon receipt of the Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed a single contract similar to the project costing at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. A complete set of Bidding Documents shall be issued only to bidders/authorized official representatives or employees of the bidder who can show proof of Notarized Authority to secure bid documents for the specific project, Official Company ID upon submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and upon Cash Payment of non-refundable fee of P6,000.00 for Ref. Nos. 2015-06-120 to 2015-06-124 at the Office of the NHA-BAC 2 Secretariat, 2nd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting on June 5, 2015. The BAC 2 Secretariat may be contacted at Tel/Fax No. 928-8272. The NHA will hold a Pre-bid Conference on June 25, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. at the Operations Center, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City, which shall be OPEN ONLY to bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered at the NCR Conference Room, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City not later than 9:00 a.m. on the date specified below. S c h e d u l e o f o p e n i n g o f b i d - R e f. N o s . 2 015 - 0 6 -12 0 ,121,12 2 ,12 3 a n d 12 4 All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and amount as stated in Bid Data Sheet (BDS). Bid opening shall follow immediately after the deadline of submission of bids at the same venue. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend. Late bids shall not be accepted. The NHA reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s.

B i d D o c u m e n t s w i l l b e av a i l a b l e o n l y t o p r o s p e c t i v e b i d d e r s u p o n p ay m e n t o f a n o n - r e f u n d a b l e a m o u n t o f P h p 5 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 t o t h e O f f i c e o f t h e Tr e a s u r e r, B i n m a l ey, P a n g a s i n a n . T h e M u n i c i p a l G o v e r n m e n t o f B i n m a l ey a s s u m e s n o r e s p o n s i b i l i t y w h a t s o ev e r t o c o m p e n s a t e o r i n d e m n i f y b i d d e r s f o r a ny ex p e n s e s incurred in the preparation of the bids and reser ves the right to reject a ny o r a l l b i d s , t o w a i v e a ny f o r m a l i t y, i n f o r m a l i t y, a n d /o r d e f e c t a n d t o m a ke a n a w a r d t o t h e b i d d e r w h o s e p r o p o s a l i s m o s t a d v a n t a g e o u s to the government. C O N TAC T P E R S O N :

(S G D) C ATA L I N A R . F L O R E S B AC S e c r e t a r i a t P o b l a c i o n , B i n m a l ey, P a n g a s i n a n Te l . N o . 075 - 6 3 2 - 3 8 81

A P P R OV E D BY: (S G D) FERNANDO B. FERRER B AC C h a i r m a n

(SGD) VICTOR C. BALBA Chairperson, Bids and Awards Committee 2 (BAC 2) NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City ( T S - J U N E 5 , 2 015 )

( T S - J U N E 5 , 2 015 )

F R I D AY : J U N E 5 , 2 0 1 5

A16

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

REUEL VIDAL A S S I S TA N T E D I T O R

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

Fencing silver. Justine Tinio (left), shown here lunging forward against Singapore’s Wang Wengying, made a memorable debut in the 288th Singapore Southeast Asian Games on Wednesday as she salvaged a silver medal in the women’s individual foil at the OCBC Arena. Coming in with little expectations in her first SEA Games, Tinio, last season’s UAAP Most Valuable Player, played with nothing to lose but eventually fell to Singapore veteran Wang, 7-15, in the finals, but still managed to give the country its first medal in the 11-nation sportsfest.

Beermen seek th 6 straight win By Jeric Lopez

THE red-hot San Miguel Beermen want to keep the fire burning.

Now at second spot, the league’s Coliseum today. hottest team shoots for its sixth Preceding that, the Aces (4-2) consecutive win even as third- and the Carnival (3-2) also gun placer Alaska wants for a win that will get to keep in step as them back on track Games Friday they play separate (Smart Araneta Coliseum) and keep their spots opponents at the re- 4:15 p.m. • Alaska vs. Kia in the upper part of sumption of the 2015 7 p.m. • San Miguel vs. NLEX the standings intact Philippine Basketball as they battle at 4:15 Association Governors’ Cup. p.m. to start hostilities. Looking to move closer to Putting their earlier struggles a slot in the next round, San behind them, the Beermen, who Miguel Beer (5-2) eyes another started the conference at 0-2, are win when it takes on a re-ener- suddenly playing at an elite level. gized NLEX (2-4) at 7 p.m. in the They have re-established themmain game at the Smart Araneta selves as a serious contender with

their impressive winning run. Led by the steady dominance of import Arizona Reid and reigning Most Valuable Player Junemar Fajardo, San Miguel is riding high on a five-game winning streak. The Beermen took down solid teams in succession starting with Rain or Shine and then GlobalPort, Star, Barako Bull and most recently, Barangay Ginebra in a 100-85 win last Sunday. The steady move up the ladder by the Beermen placed them in good position to contend for a Top 4 finish and a possible twice-tobeat incentive in the quarterfinals. However, they still need to rack up a couple more wins to secure their berth in the next phase. ]San Miguel Beer coach Leo

‘I’m in best form of my life’

Kobe marked man in dunk tilt

TURN TO A12

TURN TO A14

Austria gave all the credit to his wards. They finally regained their mettle that made them the Philippine Cup champions. Austria wants his charges to keep the ball rolling now that they are heating up to be able to achieve their immediate goal. ‘’I think I have to give credit to our players. They are all so focused and eager to win,’’ said Austria. ‘’I don’t want our streak to stop. Our focus is to get to the playoffs and then finish in the top four so we can have a twice-to-beat advantage.’’ Like San Miguel, Alaska and Kia, which are currently at third and fourth places, respectively, are also looking to remain in the Top 4 as they face a stiff test against each other.

PH assured of another silver medal SINGAPORE—Veteran Richard Gonzales assured the country of its second silver medal in the 28th Southeast Asian Games on Thursday with a gripping comefrom-behind win over Singapore’s Clarence Chew Zhe Yu in the men’s singles table tennis semifinals at the Singapore Indoor Stadium here. Down, 1-3, after four sets and battling a rival 25 years younger than himself, Gonzales dug deep into his back of tricks to outlast Yu 11-14, 10-12, 8-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 12-10, in an epic marathon match lasting one hour and four minutes. The 44-year-old grizzled campaigner will go up against another Singaporean, Gao Ning, who survived Thailand’s Tanviriyachevchaku, 9-11, 11-3, 10-12, 116, 11-6, 13-11, in the other semis, in the finals set at 7:50 p.m. Whatever the result of the championship match, Gonzales has already matched his best SEA Games performance of a silver in the 2005 Philippine SEA Games. Also poised to reach the finals were fencers Nathaniel Perez and Harlene Raguin, who advanced to the men’s individual foil and women’s epee semifinals, respectively, at the OCBC Arena. Perez subdued Indonesia’s Dennis Satriana, 15-13, in the quarterfinals while Raguin, a 2007 Thailand SEA Games silver medalist, subdued compatriot Haniel Abella, 15-12, in an all-Filipina quarterfinal clash.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

FRIDAY: JUNE 5, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

BUSINESS

GMA Network eyes telecom partnership By Darwin G. Amojelar

GMA Network Inc. is seeking a joint venture with a telecommunication company to distribute its content through mobile and broadband devices. “We don’t have the kind of money to invest in a telco, so we need their infrastructure to distribute our content,” said GMA Network chairman Felipe Gozon in a recent interview. “It’s a joint venture to sell our content,” he added. Gozon had said the network was in talks with Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Globe Telecom Inc.in 2013 for

possible media content distribution deals. The broadcasting network’s move to enter a deal with a telco company came after rival ABSCBN Corp. teamed up with Globe to offer mobile phone services. GMA Network had an agreement with businessman Ramon Ang to acquire 30 percent of the broadcasting network. The investment of Ang in GMA Network,

however, has yet to be finalized. Gozon clarified there was no fixed deadline on the closure of the transaction with Ang, “but it should be done within a reasonable period which is not defined.” Ang, however, said he would still pursue the acquisition of a minority stake in GMA Network, but cited some new but “small issues” that need to be resolved. “This is [my] personal deal for a minority stake [in GMA]. The talks are ongoing,” Ang told reporters earlier. Ang declined to disclose the issues, assuring that he was not running away from the deal. Ang offered to acquire at least 30 percent of GMA for P10.80 per share. The Gozon, Duavit and Ji-

menez families own a combined 79 percent of the network. PLDT, meanwhile, said it completed the acquisition of Metro Kidapawan Telephone Corp. (Metro Phone), raising its market share of the fixed line business in Mindanao to 75 percent. The acquisition was made through PLDT’s wholly-owned subsidiary PLDT-Philcom Inc., the biggest local exchange carrier operating in Mindanao. “With this acquisition, PLDT will be able to better serve a greater number of customers with its expanding multimedia and digital services that are powered by its unparalleled fiber optic network,” PLDT president and chief executive Napoleon Nazareno said.

PSe comPoSite index Closing June 4, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

7,553.37 8.02

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing JUNE 4, 2015 46

P44.815

44 43 42

HIGH P44.750 LOW P44.845 AVERAGE P44.808 VOLUME 619.250M

P500.00-P650.00 LPG/11-kg tank P41.85-P47.20 Unleaded Gasoline P29.35-P32.70 Diesel

oPPriceS il today

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, June 4, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

44.6570

Japan

Yen

0.008049

0.3594

Pound

1.534000

68.5038

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128989

5.7603

Switzerland

Franc

1.071237

47.8382

Canada

Dollar

0.803148

35.8662

Singapore

Dollar

0.744823

33.2616

Australia

Dollar

0.780823

34.8692

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652379

118.4473

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

11.9085

Brunei

Dollar

0.742060

33.1382

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.029691

1.3259

UAE

Dirham

0.272257

12.1582

Euro

1.127200

50.3374

Korea

Won

0.000905

0.0404

China

Yuan

0.161353

7.2055

India

Rupee

0.015632

0.6981

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.271481

12.1235

New Zealand

Dollar

0.716178

31.9824

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032508

1.4517 Source: PDS Bridge

Globe Iconic. Globe Telecom Inc. is taking another big step in the retail business with the construction of its newest and grandest Generation 3 Store that aims to bring world-class customer experience to Filipino consumers. Dubbed as the Globe Iconic store, it will soon rise right above the Bonifacio Global City amphitheater at the Bonifacio High Street Central in Taguig City. Leading the groundbreaking ceremony are (from left) Globe executive vice president Gil Genio, Taguig Rep. Lino Cayetano, Globe head of stores and retail transformation management Joe Caliro, Fort Bonifacio Development Corp head of commercial operations Manny Blas and Globe chief finance officer Albert de Larrazabal.

Amdocs sees rapid growth of mobile finance in Asia-Pacific By Roderick T. dela Cruz SINGAPORE—Mobile financial services in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to grow at a faster pace this year with the introduction of new solutions, more than 10 years after Globe Telecom Inc. launched the world’s first mobile money platform, a global telecommunication technology provider said Wednesday. Sharath Dorbala, vice president and head of products, sales and marketing of telecom solutions

provider Amdocs, said more than 70 percent of the people were still unaware of mobile financial services in the region, based on the results conducted by market research company Ovum. “Market education and more targeted marketing are critical next steps in accelerating MFS adoption,” Dorbala told journalists at Westin Singapore. Mobile financial services started in 2004, when Globe launched GCash, based on Amdocs platform. Amdocs now has more than 30

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

mobile finance service customers, with 500 million users, 6 million mobile finance agents and over 16 billion annual transactions. The Amdocs-Ovum global study covered 8,500 end-users worldwide, including in Asia-Pacific countries such as India, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia in May. Dorbala described the current MFS adoption in Asia-Pacific at its infancy. He cited the need for focused marketing and awareness-building to accelerate usage. He said 71-percent of non-

users were either unaware of the features or were unsure about the value of the services. “Majority of consumers are looking for ease of use, increased security and ubiquity above all else in an MFS solution,” said Dorbala. He said to accelerate mobile finance service adoption, telecom providers needed to equip their services with new features such as savings and loans and medical and education payment capabilities. Dorbala said based on the sur-

vey, at least 52 percent of the respondents expressed intention to increase use of mobile financial services, if security, ubiquity and simplicity were met. He said this meant that telecom providers should focus on ease of use and creating omnichannel, ubiquitous and secure offerings. A study by research firm Gartner in 2014 showed that the mobile payment market would reach over 450 million users and a transaction value of over $721 billion by 2017.

FRIDAY: JUNE 5, 2015

BUSINESS business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Thursday, June 4, 2015

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 104 63 2.49 4.2 4 18.48 31.6 9.5 2.95 890 1.01 99.4 1.46 30.5 75 94.95 137 361.2 59 174.8 1700 127.9 3.26

2.5 66 84.6 84.5 45.8 1.97 2.03 8.7 12.02 23.55 6.3 1.75 625 0.225 78 0.9 18.02 58 76.5 95 276 45 107.6 1200 66 2.65

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp. PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

7 73 108.10 100.00 46.1 2.46 1.79 9.2 16 21 7.00 1.66 785.00 0.410 90.85 1 18.26 29.50 68.75 94 311 41 155 1400.00 64.80 3.18

35.6 1.6 1.04 1.41 7.92 32 14.6 10.08 29.15

Aboitiz Power Corp. Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons. Asiabest Group C. Azuc De Tarlac Century Food Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab Federal Res. Inv. Group First Gen Corp. First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Jollibee Foods Corp. Lafarge Rep LMG Chemicals Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ SPC Power Corp. Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp. Vivant Corp. Vulcan Ind’l.

43 1.59 1.05 2 10.58 86.50 18.88 27.5 55.55 2.02 1.69 12.5 19.400 10.02 7.65 9.44 1.7 11.64 26.4 87.65 14.00 14.68 5.85 198.30 10.14 2.37 24.3 24.55 6.5 280.00 4.32 9.80 11.44 3.80 2.18 2.1 4.37 2 6.25 183.2 4.56 1.68 0.154 2.25 191.9 4.3 0.77 23.50 1.34

0.465 57.05 22.50 1.32 6.85 0.265 0.260 780 7.57 13.14 3.56 4.50 0.226 1360 6.43 67.60 5.01 7.47 0.7 13.84 0.65 4.21 5 0.0350 1.280 1.000 2.6 65.00 880.00 1.25 0.73 82.550 0.3500 0.2140

47 5 1.66 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 32 65.8 4.57 23.35 21.6 12.98 9.13 12.34 2.89 17 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 241 12.5 3.95 33.9 90 13.98 292.4 5.25 13.04 14.5 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.68 7.86 8.1 253 5.5 3.28 0.315 2.68 226.6 5.5 1.3 26 2.17 0.7 59.2 31.85 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 800 11.06 84 3.35 5.14 0.66 1380 6.68 72.6 5.29 9.25 0.9 18.9

High

Low

FINANCIAL 7.01 7.01 73.8 72 108.00 106.30 101.00 98.50 46.25 46.1 2.48 2.34 1.84 1.71 9.2 9.2 16 15.7 21.9 21.1 6.21 6.16 1.75 1.74 810.00 800.00 0.410 0.410 89.95 89 1.02 1.02 18.26 18.00 28.50 25.50 72.20 69.50 92.05 92.05 307.2 307 44 41.9 160 158.6 1430.00 1430.00 65.00 64.50 3.24 3.21 INDUSTRIAL 43.5 42.7 1.57 1.38 1.08 1.04 2.01 1.96 10.7 10.44 86.30 86.00 19 18.76 27.5 27 57.5 55.55 2.08 1.97 1.74 1.65 12.3 11.96 19.600 19.14 10.28 9.99 7.66 7.54 9.84 9.75 1.72 1.71 12.3 11.84 26.7 26.25 88.85 87.2 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.44 6.18 5.93 199.20 197.90 9.98 9.4 2.21 2.1 25 24.5 25.5 24.8 6.41 6.32 288.60 280.00 4.6 4.35 9.75 9.60 11.58 11.40 4.00 3.70 2.26 2.18 2.34 2.08 4.60 4.50 2.29 2.05 6.25 6.25 183 181 4.5 4.5 1.61 1.6 0.154 0.150 2.24 2.23 193.5 190.9 4.4 4.3 0.79 0.75 22.60 22.50 1.35 1.27 HOLDING FIRMS 0.465 0.460 56.50 55.50 22.70 22.40 1.32 1.32 6.84 6.82 0.270 0.260 0.280 0.260 776 755 7.9 7.58 13.50 13.12 3.15 3.15 4.41 4.41 0.230 0.202 1361 1331 6.47 6.40 68.05 66.90 5.1 5.1 7.65 7.45 0.71 0.67 13.78 13.58 0.66 0.63 4.53 4.39 5.12 5 0.0340 0.0340 1.420 1.420 1.020 0.990 2.59 2.59 63.95 63.95 889.00 873.50 1.27 1.22 0.72 0.70 83.600 83.400 0.3550 0.3500 0.2120 0.2110 PROPERTY 7.620 7.550 8.70 7.65 0.75 0.71

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

7.01 73.35 107.30 98.85 46.1 2.46 1.84 9.2 15.92 21.1 6.21 1.75 810.00 0.410 89.7 1.02 18.00 28.50 71.00 92.05 307 43.15 158.8 1430.00 64.90 3.24

0.14 0.48 -0.74 -1.15 0.00 0.00 2.79 0.00 -0.50 0.48 -11.29 5.42 3.18 0.00 -1.27 2.00 -1.42 -3.39 3.27 -2.07 -1.29 5.24 2.45 2.14 0.15 1.89

8,100 22,590 1,205,770 856,850 34,500 4,000 55,000 2,000 2,600 379,400 24,900 7,000 790 610,000 3,949,110 10,000 4,100 13,200 230,340 500 15,900 110,800 534,780 90 418,630 16,000

43.1 1.38 1.04 1.97 10.5 86.00 18.78 27.5 57.5 1.98 1.65 12.3 19.480 10.20 7.60 9.76 1.72 12.2 26.6 88.5 14.00 14.50 6.18 198.00 9.94 2.1 24.5 25.3 6.34 286.80 4.57 9.75 11.58 4.00 2.22 2.2 4.50 2.24 6.25 181 4.5 1.6 0.151 2.23 193.3 4.4 0.75 22.50 1.27

0.23 -13.21 -0.95 -1.50 -0.76 -0.58 -0.53 0.00 3.51 -1.98 -2.37 -1.60 0.41 1.80 -0.65 3.39 1.18 4.81 0.76 0.97 0.00 -1.23 5.64 -0.15 -1.97 -11.39 0.82 3.05 -2.46 2.43 5.79 -0.51 1.22 5.26 1.83 4.76 2.97 12.00 0.00 -1.20 -1.32 -4.76 -1.95 -0.89 0.73 2.33 -2.60 -4.26 -5.22

1,262,200 231,000 302,000 2,001,000 3,400 610 227,400 125,200 110 4,715,000 183,000 23,400 3,460,900 1,301,400 10,616,500 127,800 51,000 53,800 2,071,000 169,090 2,000 15,500 2,744,700 625,640 274,000 30,000 1,635,200 85,300 87,100 1,318,300 714,000 467,000 4,100 554,000 726,000 246,000 1,348,000 214,000 1,500 44,670 20,000 66,000 3,670,000 261,000 239,335,911 11,000 2,222,000 12,000 346,000

0.465 55.80 22.55 1.32 6.84 0.265 0.280 766.5 7.81 13.34 3.15 4.41 0.214 1352 6.47 67.50 5.1 7.59 0.7 13.64 0.66 4.49 5 0.0340 1.420 1.020 2.59 63.40 885.00 1.23 0.70 83.600 0.3550 0.2110

0.00 -2.19 0.22 0.00 -0.15 0.00 7.69 -1.73 3.17 1.52 -11.52 -2.00 -5.31 -0.59 0.62 -0.15 1.80 1.61 0.00 -1.45 1.54 6.65 0.00 -2.86 10.94 2.00 -0.38 -2.46 0.57 -1.60 -4.11 1.27 1.43 -1.40

50,000 2,972,790 6,193,900 30,000 23,100 1,490,000 80,000 746,110 3,248,900 10,269,700 60,000 9,000 2,230,000 107,300 505,000 1,781,580 200 1,436,800 4,308,000 1,745,600 261,000 37,900,000 57,000 100,000 8,000 337,000 8,000 54,220 283,920 26,000 450,000 330 690,000 140,000

7.560 8.70 0.73

-3.82 0.00 0.00

288,600 7,200 373,000

766,713.00 -67,462,845.00 -62,072,262.00 4,680.00 -30,930.00 -1,632,305.00 521,200.00 48,000.00 -56,585,712.50

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

2.07 40 6.15 5.4 1.54 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.98 0.305 2.25 1.87 1.8 6.34 4.88 0.180 0.470 8.54 31.8 2.29 3.6 20.6 1.02 1.96 8.59

1.29 29.1 4.1 4.96 0.89 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.445 0.188 1.4 1.42 1.19 2.8 2.75 0.090 0.325 2.57 21.35 1.64 3.08 15.08 0.69 1 5.69

Araneta Prop À’ Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. À’ Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. À’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport À’ Keppel Properties Megaworld Corp. MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp. Primex Corp. Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 12.46 15.82 0.1460 4.61 99.1 2.6 9 1700 2090 8.41 119.5 0.8200 2.2800 12.28 2.85 3.2 5.9 1.97 2.46 15.2 0.62 1.040 22.8 6.41 110.2 14 3486 0.710 2.28 48.5 90.1 11.6 0.87 10.2 0.490 1.6

1.97 32.5 1 0.6 10 9.61 0.0770 2.95 46.55 1.6 5.88 830 1600 5.95 105 0.036 1.200 6.5 1.69 2 1.05 0.490 1.8 8.7 0.34 0.37 14.54 3 79 4.39 2726 0.380 0.32 31.45 60.55 7.59 0.63 6.45 0.305 1.04

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Discovery World DFNN Inc. FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. I.C.T.S.I. Island Info ISM Communications Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Macroasia Corp. Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils. Yehey

0.0098 17.24 25 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.2 1.73 10.98 4.2 0.48 0.455 0.475 0.023 0.026 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 8.65 9.43 0.236 6.5 6.98 0.61 0.78 5.99 1.08 0.330 0.2130 0.2160 0.014 0.014 3.660 20.2 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

Abra Mining Atlas Cons. À’ Atok-Big Wedge À’ Basic Energy Corp. Benguet Corp À’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto À’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining À’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. À’ Petroenergy Res. Corp. Philex À’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. À’ Semirara Corp. TA Petroleum United Paragon

70 553 525 120 8.21 12.28 111 1047 76.9 78.95 84.8 1.34

33 490 500 101.5 5.88 6.5 101 1011 74.2 74.5 75 1

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen G GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C Swift Pref

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

10.96 15 12.88

2.4 3.5 5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

High

Low

1.260 39.50 3.36 5.26 0.82 1.25 1.05 0.143 0.450 0.180 1.26 1.86 1.36 5.45 4.65 0.120 0.3200 7.2 28.85 1.73 3.26 19.26 0.73 0.890 7.180

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

1.270 1.270 1.270 39.40 38.90 39.20 3.62 3.44 3.58 5.28 5.25 5.28 0.83 0.81 0.83 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.06 1.06 1.06 0.145 0.141 0.140 0.430 0.430 0.430 0.180 0.179 0.179 1.26 1.25 1.26 1.87 1.84 1.85 1.37 1.35 1.37 5.02 5.01 5.02 4.75 4.65 4.75 0.119 0.113 0.115 0.3200 0.3050 0.3200 7.34 7.18 7.19 29.75 26.80 28.20 1.74 1.71 1.72 3.39 3.22 3.30 19.70 19.16 19.50 0.72 0.7 0.72 0.900 0.860 0.900 7.190 7.150 7.170 SERVICES 6.4 6.6 6.47 6.53 60.55 61.45 60 61.2 1.11 1.12 1.11 1.11 0.670 0.700 0.660 0.700 13.5 13.86 13.86 13.86 9.40 9.40 9.26 9.34 0.0990 0.0960 0.0950 0.0950 4.11 4.27 4.08 4.23 86 87.3 84 87.3 1.77 1.67 1.67 1.67 6.90 6.78 6.35 6.74 985 980 980 980 2604 2720 2642 2700 6.30 6.28 6.16 6.16 109 111.1 109.8 110.9 0.223 0.225 0.221 0.221 1.2400 1.2600 1.2500 1.2600 9.62 9.59 9.47 9.54 2.88 3.00 2.70 2.95 2.02 2.01 2.00 2.00 55.00 56.00 50.00 50.00 0.670 0.670 0.670 0.670 2 2 1.95 1.95 7.88 7.52 7.15 7.15 0.350 0.350 0.345 0.350 0.475 0.540 0.440 0.510 18.08 18.18 18.02 18.08 4.51 4.50 4.50 4.50 125.00 124.90 124.90 124.90 20.50 20.50 20.20 20.50 2782.00 2816.00 2780.00 2802.00 0.670 0.760 0.690 0.730 1.420 1.460 1.400 1.410 38.65 38.40 37.80 38.00 73.05 75.00 74.00 74.10 9.71 9.54 9.50 9.51 0.66 0.67 0.66 0.67 5.9 5.85 5.79 5.79 0.330 0.330 0.320 0.330 1.320 1.320 1.320 1.320 MINING & OIL 0.0048 0.0048 0.0048 0.0048 6.58 7.09 6.74 7.02 11.50 15.00 11.00 11.68 0.245 0.255 0.255 0.255 8.3000 7.4000 7.4000 7.4000 8.2000 7.7000 7.7000 7.7000 1 1 1 1 0.81 0.8 0.79 0.8 7.39 7.35 7.10 7.32 1.55 1.56 1.51 1.52 0.330 0.330 0.315 0.325 0.235 0.239 0.235 0.239 0.240 0.240 0.238 0.240 0.0150 0.0150 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0150 0.0140 0.0140 3.41 3.58 3.48 3.58 24.6 25.4 24.6 24.6 3.77 3.79 3.7 3.74 0.6800 0.6800 0.6800 0.6800 2.050 2.1700 2.0500 2.1600 0.0110 0.0120 0.0110 0.0110 4.38 4.44 4.41 4.43 6.24 6.7 6.34 6.55 1.98 2.33 2 2.11 0.015 0.015 0.014 0.015 152.00 150.00 148.60 148.90 12.22 12.32 12.04 12.18 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 PREFERRED 60.5 62.6 60.2 61.2 524 524.5 524.5 524.5 526 526 526 526 120 120.1 120.1 120.1 6.08 6 6 6 1.12 1.12 1.1 1.12 111.5 111.1 111.1 111.1 1040 1050 1038 1040 76 76 75.6 75.65 82.5 82.2 82.15 82.15 86.5 87 86.5 86.5 2.2 1.9 1.8 1.9 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.940 4.100 3.800 4.050 SME 9.4 9.72 9.45 9.66 6 6.2 6.2 6.2 9.65 9.89 9.6 9.73 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 123.1 123.5 122.6 123

0.79 -0.76 6.55 0.38 1.22 0.00 0.95 -2.10 -4.44 -0.56 0.00 -0.54 0.74 -7.89 2.15 -4.17 0.00 -0.14 -2.25 -0.58 1.23 1.25 -1.37 1.12 -0.14

24,000 13,883,400 6,266,000 415,400 3,535,000 11,000 40,000 260,000 270,000 560,000 259,000 9,586,000 116,000 2,200 24,598,000 1,680,000 320,000 5,400 2,078,900 2,497,000 80,000 9,501,800 495,000 181,000 5,211,600

2.03 1.07 0.00 4.48 2.67 -0.64 -4.04 2.92 1.51 -5.65 -2.32 -0.51 3.69 -2.22 1.74 -0.90 1.61 -0.83 2.43 -0.99 -9.09 0.00 -2.50 -9.26 0.00 7.37 0.00 -0.22 -0.08 0.00 0.72 8.96 -0.70 -1.68 1.44 -2.06 1.52 -1.86 0.00 0.00

115,000 8,150 3,000 2,046,000 100 3,871,200 14,402,020.00 7,410,000 624,000 663,980 9,468,206.00 6,000 2,300 200 155,550 56,571,820.00 157,600 585,810 16,743,967.00 1,930,000 345,000 2,135,300 19,011,972.00 778,000 369,570.00 200,000 6,800 200,000 15,000 9,280,000 -4,801,550.00 70,000 2,360,000 -5,100.00 12,100 6,000 20 34,530,007,028,060 79,425 -57,034,560.00 81,434,000 3,163,100.00 10,411,000 -4,822,070.00 2,871,700 1,450,260.00 3,838,140 -20,122,046.50 1,381,600 -6,418,181.00 1,031,000 1,443,800 -662,910.00 96,100 125,000

0.00 6.69 1.57 4.08 -10.84 -6.10 0.00 -1.23 -0.95 -1.94 -1.52 1.70 0.00 -6.67 0.00 4.99 0.00 -0.80 0.00 5.37 0.00 1.14 4.97 6.57 0.00 -2.04 -0.33 0.00

25,000,000 2,265,700 44,100 10,000 69,300 1,000 64,000 275,000 3,900 5,690,000 1,050,000 5,170,000 1,490,000 99,000,000 14,100,000 253,000 2,971,800 329,000 6,000,000 903,000 12,800,000 65,000 821,800 29,910,000 1,700,000 339,370 437,200 30,000,000

1.16 0.10 0.00 0.08 -1.32 0.00 -0.36 0.00 -0.46 -0.42 0.00 -13.64

20,310 220 19,880 90 698,800 18,000 110

185,340 27,190 89,060 11,000

2.79

417,000

2.77 3.33 0.83

1,159,200 2,900 453,000

1,061,822.00

-0.08

4,760

14,810.00

-274,447,945.00 9,938,270.00 -1,338,316.00 400,160.00

-90,000.00 -150,800.00 -10,102,850.00

MST 1.04 10.72 8.44 9.79 5.43 9.54 1.06 8.61 18.06 67.9 14 13.24 3.12 168 8.65 2.3 24.4 16.2 7.62 250.2 3.87 9 9.94 3.03 2.22 1 4.72 1.65 6 201.6 4.1 1.67 0.122 2.01 143.4 4.28 0.670 9.01 1.39

0.45 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 1.4 1.6 600 7.390 14.18 2.6 4.25 0.144 818 5.3 46.6 3 4.43 0.59 12

5.53 6.55 0.0670 2.31 0.84 2.99 87 934 2.2 1.39 156 0.710 0.435

4.22 4.5 0.036 1.23 0.450 2.26 66.7 709.5 1.13 0.93 85.2 0.200 0.173

Abacus Cons. À’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor À’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp À’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp. Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Keppel Holdings À’ Lopez Holdings Corp. Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `B’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. Minerales Industrias Corp. Pacifica À’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp À’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries

10.5 26.95 1.99

6.01 12 0.91

8990 HLDG 7.860 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 8.70 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.73

Trading Summary FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS PROPERTY SERVICES MINING & OIL GRAND TOTAL

SHARES 8,517,399 46,260,461 86,464,872 87,713,227 137,780,248 242,118,772 610,474,839

63,000.00

4,872,171.00

1,596,940.00 1,750,955.00 11,815,017.00 30,966.00 -28,890.00

-6,382,360.00 39,600.00

-2,408,044.00 2,875.00 93,000.00

12,000.00 -10,549,870.00 1,660,994.00 -4,049,557.00 -65,189.00 -1,781,650.00 12,068,025.50

40,432.00 -583.00 -17,814,125.00

-13,964,105.00

-362,550.00 -13,295,598.00 865,030.00 413,762.00 27,000.00 -88,800.00

1,588,150.00 366,000.00

10,500.00

43,000.00 183,500.00 225,000.00

-52,056,970.00 -43,016,105.00

-126,984.00

18,200.00 -209,508,575.00 4,525,804.00 -30,852,542.00

45,000.00 -54,458,870.00 837,910.00 -61,840,183.00 -761,770.00

2,790,806.00

3,673,320.00

-50,000.00 20,720.00 -2,603,872.50 -47,768,085.00 199,500.00 -8,360.00

-1,586,609.00 7,830.00

Double Dragon Makati Fin. Corp. Xurpas

T op g ainerS VALUE 718,925,111.85 1,210,371,150.15 1,949,882,406.09 1,176,082,161.41 1,459,863,649.856 409,463,146.129 6,940,727,210.486

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,731.82 (down) 8.90 INDUSTRIAL 11,688.65 (up) 38.92 HOLDING FIRMS 6,671.33 (down) 4.19 PROPERTY 3,088.61 (up) 3.69 SERVICES 2,111.05 (up) 13.92 MINING & OIL 14,303.92 (up) 56.70 PSEI 7,553.65 (down) 8.02 All Shares Index 4,355.00 (up) 8.64 Gainers: 100 Losers: 71; Unchanged: 51; Total: 222

18,335,990.00

5,985,480.00 -2,617,420.00

-29,063,504.00 -13,790,543.00

-249,257.00

0.00

721,480.00

7,500.00 35,740.00 -12,661,680.00 -11,190.00 -408,000.00 12,300.00

-717,770.00 1,762,820.00 1,400.00 -24,094,425.00

-118,104.00

*3841200

-4,825,890.00

2,465,885.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Roxas and Co.

2.24

12.00

Swift Pref

1.9

-13.64

Prime Media Hldg

1.420

10.94

Agrinurture Inc.

1.38

-13.21

PremiereHorizon

0.730

8.96

F&J Prince 'A'

3.15

-11.52

ATN Holdings B

0.280

7.69

LMG Chemicals

2.1

-11.39

NOW Corp.

0.510

7.37

Filipino Fund Inc.

6.21

-11.29

Atlas Cons. `A'

7.02

6.69

Benguet Corp `A'

7.4000

-10.84

Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

4.49

6.65

Melco Crown

7.15

-9.26

PhilexPetroleum

2.11

6.57

Manila Broadcasting

50.00

-9.09

Belle Corp. `A'

3.58

6.55

Keppel Properties

5.02

-7.89

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

4.57

5.79

Manila Mining `A'

0.0140

-6.67

FRIDAY: JUNE 5, 2015

BUSINESS business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

Petron meets Euro-4 standard Appearances A SCANT two weeks after the brouhaha in Cannes concerning guests being turned away for wearing low-heeled shoes, the UK Trade Union Congress is proposing a banning of high heels in the workplace. Meanwhile, in my email this week, was a fresh new dress code declaring flat shoes unsatisfactory attire for working women. Elsewhere on the internet, in a hellogiggles post early this week, Kit Steinkellner declared 2015 “The Year That Girls Got Fed Up With Their Schools’ Sexist Dress Codes and Decided to Take Action Against These Shenanigans” and lauded Chloe Cross’s Yearbook quote: “I would just like to apologize to those who were unable to graduate with the class of 2015 because they were too distracted by my midriff and consequently failed all of their classes!” First impression Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not one of those people who advocate that anyone should be able to wear anything anywhere. There are many very good reasons for dressing appropriately and caring about your appearance. For instance, a recent experiment showed that most interviewers essentially make up their mind about an applicant in less than a minute and the rest of the interview is simply a pursuit of reasons to support the initial impression. Anna Pitts of the Graduate Recruitment Bureau in the UK gives an even tighter timeframe. In a Business Insider article, Pitts explains that the window for making first impressions is only seven seconds long. That’s right. Seven seconds. If that’s how long it takes you just to get out your name, you’re in serious trouble. Come Recommended, a consulting organization that focuses on job search and human resources has an interesting infographic on job interviews which provides some pretty interesting statistics. 33% of bosses claim to know within the first 90 seconds whether they will hire someone. Only 7% of the first impression anyone makes depends on what is said; 38% comes from voice quality, grammar and confidence; 55% comes from the way we dress, act and walk through the door. 65% of interviewers claim that clothes could be the deciding factor between similar candidates. Clothes The sad reality, of course, is that appearance is a very large factor in creating a personal image and clothes are a big part of how people look. I even have personal experience of how important appearances are. Early in my career, I came across a book called Conduct Expected and one of the rules in the book simply said this: “Dress for the next level of management.” The book explained that while your supervisor has personal knowledge of how good you really are in your job, the executives who will actually be making the decision will base virtually their entire impression of you on what they know of how you look and behave and will essentially ask themselves this question: “Do I see him/her as a manager in this company?” When I inherited a department from another manager, I also inherited a long pending recommendation for promotion. The lady had been recommended for promotion to supervisor two years running. Neither glowing performance appraisals nor above average supervisory skill examination results were enough. Finally, it was explained to me that they just couldn’t see her in a leadership role. They used different words, of course. But that was it. I had a long talk with her and we essentially agreed she would change her hair and wardrobe and would begin to use lipstick. She was promoted within the year. Unfortunately, the clothing rules are not rules I have tended to follow myself. For my job interview, I eschewed the black skirt, tailored white blouse combination that is recommended for interviews in the financial services industry. Instead I came in purple slacks and a ruffled white blouse. I didn’t feel like pretending to be someone I am not and I was not applying for a customer service position. Don’t get me wrong. I was dressed quite neatly and my slacks, though purple, were quite nicely tailored. I can also, when needed, be very articulate and well-mannered. I got the job. I could blame it on my upbringing. After all, it was our batch of students at UP high school that pointed out that the definition of school uniform merely specified blue skirts or pants. Since jeans were blue, then they should be allowed. We won that round. We were also the students that lobbied for wooden slippers (the bakya by Happy Feet, then all the rage) as they were far more practical in the tropical rains we had to deal with than the black leather shoes that were then the usual attire. We won that battle too. As I explained with a bit of asperity to someone who had offered unasked-for advice, I’m typically hired for my brains and not for my looks. So yes, certainly, people should dress appropriately. I would not condone wearing a bikini to a conference. However, I believe many organizations go overboard on maintaining appearances. Inside, outside There are two sides to the inside, outside coin. While we are often cautioned not to judge other people on the basis of outward appearances, the sad reality is this often happens. Even more sadly, in a society that forces individuals to conform to a single, acceptable look, there are usually very unhealthy repercussions. One only needs to look at the great number of girls, and increasingly boys, who are obsessed about their weight to understand how incredibly harmful creating a set image can be. When we impose a narrow set of guidelines for clothes, what are we really saying? That we don’t trust our employees to understand what is appropriate? That only our prescribed style is appropriate? There is an even more essential principle involved when we apply the question to creative or academic institutions. In organizations that strive to create and learn and imagine, how can we not be encouraged to embrace people in all their diversity? And then there is the insidious aspect to all of this. Many of these dress codes are inherently sexist. Almost 20 years ago, in 1997, The University of Iowa College of Law published an article by Marc Linder. Its title was: “Smart Women, Stupid Shoes, and Cynical Employers: The Unlawfulness and Adverse Health Consequences of Sexually Discriminatory Workplace Footwear Requirements for Female Employees.” In his conclusions, Linden has this to say: “It is absurd that working women wear sneakers on the subway yet pumps in the office merely because male superordinates decree that the wearers of such comfortable shoes deserve as much respect as “mouseketeers.” Following a conversation with a male colleague who had provided exactly that solution to my protests about heels, I just had to laugh. It’s 2015. Isn’t there something more important for managers to be doing than thinking about how high our heels are? Readers can email Maya at integrations_manila@yahoo.com. Or visit her site at http://integrations.tumblr.com.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

PETRON Corp., the bigger of the two oil refineries in the Philippines, said Thursday all gasoline variants produced at its Bataan facility are now Euro-4 compliant, the first in the industry.

The Euro-4 gasoline products are now available in Petron service stations in Mega Manila and will soon be available nationwide, meeting the government’s mandate ahead of schedule. The Energy Department is encouraging the oil companies to make the Euro 4 compliant fuels available starting June this year ahead of the January 2015 government schedule. “The local production of various gasoline grades under this global fuel standard is another milestone in the oil industry. These products are proudly Philippine-made,” Petron president and chief executive Ramon Ang said. “As the pacesetter in the industry, we hope that this encourages other players to

follow suit. More importantly, our launch of a complete line-up of Euro 4 gasoline products affirms our commitment to introduce fuels relevant to consumers while reducing our environmental footprint,” Ang said. Petron, which pioneered the first locally-produced Euro-4 premium plus gasoline in the Philippines, Blaze 100 Euro-4, is the first company to locally produce a full line-up of gasoline variants that meet Euro-4 standards six months ahead of the government mandate. Petron has four gasoline variants--the most extensive in the industry--namely Blaze 100 Euro 4 (RON 100), XCS (RON 95), Xtra Advance (RON 93) and Super Xtra (RON 91). All Petron Euro-4 gasolines, with world-class additives, ensure

engine cleanliness and efficient combustion for optimum engine performance and improved fuel economy. Euro-4 is a globally-accepted European emission standard for vehicles, which require fuel with significantly low amounts of sulfur (0.005 percent or 50 parts per million) and benzene (maximum of 1 percent by volume). Reduced sulfur and benzene content in gasoline makes fuels more environment-friendly, as vehicles release less harmful emissions. The company said Blaze 100 Euro 4 even exceed Euro-4 global standards. Introduced in July 2013, two-and-a-half years ahead of the mandate, the premium gasoline has a sulfur content of less than 35 parts per million and 1 percet benzene content, superior than the Euro-4 standard. Petron said it made the fuels available ahead of the mandate due to its $2-billion Bataan refinery upgrade, which increased the local production of gasoline, diesel, and petrochemicals and also allowed the production of Euro 4 fuels.

Mama Sita’s exports. Trade Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo Jr. (left) poses with (from left) Trade

Undersecretary Prudencio Reyes Jr., Mama Sita’s president Clara Lapus and Export Marketing Bureau director Senen Perlada at the 10th International Food Exhibition Philippines on May 21, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Trade has been assisting small and medium enterprises like Mama Sita’s in promoting its products in the foreign markets through participation in international food fairs, organizing trade missions, and through Trade’s commercial posts abroad Mama Sita’s is exporting to 40 countries.

Stocks decline; Meralco, Globe gain THE stock market fell Thursday on lack of clear catalysts to spur demand and overseas concerns. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 8.02 points, or 0.1 percent, to 7,553.65 on a value turnover of P5.5 billion. Gainers beat losers, 98 to 74, with with 46 issues unchanged. Ayala Corp. dropped 1.2 percent to P766.50, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the largest fastfood chain, declined 2 percent to P198. Manila Electric Co., the biggest power retailer, rose 2.5 percent to P286.80, while Globe Telecom Inc., the second-largest telecommunications firm, gained 2.2 percent to P2,700. Shanghai stocks, meanwhile, recovered from a huge plunge to end

higher Thursday while Tokyo’s early gains wilted to almost nothing but the euro ticked up after Greece and its creditors held debt reform talks. The dollar edged up following a broadly upbeat round of reports on the US economy as investors look ahead to the release Friday of key US jobs data. Shanghai slumped 5.2 percent at one point after a brokerage imposed restrictions on margin borrowing, limiting a crucial avenue of cash that has helped fuel a surge in mainland markets of the past year. However, it clawed back the majority of those losses to end 0.76 percent higher, adding 37.12 points to 4,947.10--its highest since January 2008. However, Hong Kong ended

down 0.38 percent, or 105.58 points, at 27,551.89. Sydney tumbled 1.42 percent, or 79.30 points, to 5,504.30 for a fourth straight loss. Tokyo was marginally higher, adding 14.68 points to 20,488.19 and Seoul edged up 0.47 percent, or 9.70 points, to 2,072.86. US shares ended Wednesday on a high note after following figures showing solid growth in privatesector job hiring and a healthy outlook on the economy in the Federal Reserve’s latest update. In its closely watched Beige Book, the Fed said the world’s number one economy returned to modestto-moderate growth in April and May after stalling in the first three months of the year, partly because of severe winter weather. With AFP

FRIDAY: JUNE 5, 2015

BUSINESS business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

Viagra for women? Why not? DISCUSSION is getting hot over that little pink pill that’s supposed to help women get over the (sensual) blues. We’re talking about filibanserin, the much debated drug from start-up company Sprout Pharmaceuticals, that is supposed to boost female appetites for something other than food. Equal rights advocates are shouting “inequality” because the US Food and Drug Administration has already thumbed down the drug twice, but the makers are hoping it will be the proverbial third time lucky. Sprout supporters say the pink pill will be the great equalizer as sexual disorders among women have long been neglected particularly by the US FDA, and many disagree about the characterization of their problem as just a simple case of “stress,” if not emotional distress. Unbelievers and skeptics however argue that therapy--not the drug kind of course--will work better instead of pill popping because low libido is “not a medical disease.” Uhmm—does this mean men with erectile dysfunction are “diseased”? Filibanserin started out as an antidepressant but was refashioned into a treatment for female libido issues after women started reporting higher sexual satisfaction levels. FDA thumbed down the drug not once but twice, citing side effects such as nausea, dizziness and fatigue (aren’t these common with other drugs as well, one of our female buddies snarled at us) but some clinicians say they prescribe other antidepressants to treat sexual disorders— without FDA approval anyway—and that these other drugs have side effects worse than recorded with filibanserin. We have to admit we’re at sea on how this wonder drug for women is supposed to work, but experts say it can boost dopamine— that brain chemical that has to do with appetite—but lowers serotonin which is related with feelings of satiation (gratification if you must). FDA, however, continues to dig in its heels despite statistically significant increases in sexual desire while decreasing distress among women. The reason: risks and side effects are deemed to far outweigh the potential benefits. That doesn’t fly with the drug advocates of supporters, many of them couples (who claim their marriage was saved by the little pink pill) and pre-menopausal women experiencing lowered sexual levels. Sprout, the developer that bought the rights from previous developer Boehringer Ingelheim, points to the results of a clinical trial involving 1,000 women diagnosed with low sexual desire who reported experiencing heightened sexual desire and increased satisfaction with sexual events. Sprout also cites new studies that say there have been no liver problems or sleepiness while driving, though fatigue and nausea were still experienced. Woman are certainly fighting back to even the score, coming out with videos mocking the numerous male libido drugs (there are 26 of them) while there are none for women. The FDA is expected to come out with its verdict this August. The ladies will be holding their breaths for sure. Killer Franken Chicken That’s what three Chinese companies have reportedly been spreading over the online rumor mill about American food chain KFC, who has promised to sue the pants off these companies identified as Shanxi Weilukuang Technology Company Ltd., Taiyuan Zero Point Technology Company and Yingchenanzhi Success and Culture Communication Ltd. KFC is the biggest restaurant operator in China with more than 4,800 branches, and it’s not amused by rumors that their chickens are genetically modified, have six wings and eight legs. Reports say that the above-named Chinese companies had accounts on the popular mobile phone app WeChat, and so it figures that they used the same social media app to spread the rumors which KFC dismissed as “one of the best known fake rumors.” The restaurant chain is demanding a very public apology and 1.5 million yuan (about $242,000) as compensation. KFC has been opening hundreds of new outlets annually but last year, there was a drop following accusations that one of the suppliers was selling old meat. That rumor is actually old hat. Even McDonalds was accused of selling old meat. Reports also say the three companies have either pulled their phones off the hook or disconnected their numbers. The only bad thing about these online rumors is that it’s difficult to pin down the culprits because of the difficulty in gathering evidence. They are also hard to dispel because there is always a sucker who just clicks on “like” or “share” without reading through the post or bothering to check facts. ••• For comments, reactions, photos, stories and related concerns, readers may email to happyhourtoday2012@yahoo.com. You may also visit and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook. com/happyhourmanilastandard. We’d be very happy to hear from you. Cheers!

Baseco schools. Asian Terminals Inc. employees recently took timeout from their usual port work to

prepare nearby school facilities for opening of classes this June, as part of its Corporate Responsibility initiatives. Supporting the Education Department’s ‘Brigada Eskwela,’ port volunteers refurbished classrooms (right) and donated fans at Corazon Aquino and Herminigildo Atienza public schools in Baseco, Manila for a more conducive learning environment for students.

SRA: Govt halting sugar exports to US By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

THE Sugar Regulatory Administration on Thursday removed the allocation for the US sugar quota and further increased the supply in the domestic market partly because of the drought.

SRA administrator Regina Martin said in a directive the agency slashed the US sugar quota to zero from 5 percent, and raised the domestic allocation to 100 percent from the previous 95 percent. The directive will cover production in the week ending May 31, 2015 and crop year 2014 to 2015. The sugar crop year begins in September and ends in August of the following year. “The domestic sugar market remains as the priority for the locally produced sugar, and it is to the national interest that a comfortable buffer or carry over volume of domestic sugar during the end of season and for the start of the next crop year for stable supply and prices,” Martin said. She said the adjustment in sugar allocation was due to the expected drop in production caused by the intense heat that affected most of the sugar-producing provinces. “Expected sugar production for the current crop year will be 2.31 million metric tons from the original target of 2.5 million metric tons at the start of the crop year. We have to make sure that we have enough buffer stock for the domestic market which will be good for two months of consumption,” Martin said. SRA earlier said domestic consumption in the crop year would be at 2.25 million metric tons.

Martin said following the reallocation, the Philippines would not be able to complete its annual sugar quota of more than 138,000 metric tons. “I had informed the USDA regarding our intention to ship only a little over half of our volume to support domestic demand. As of March, we have shipped 60,000 metric tons,” Martin said. “We are not yet closing our doors. They understand our situation and they said this will not affect our future quotas. The shortfall is usually reallocated

In BrIef Rates to stay--BSP

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the current monetary policy stance remains appropriate at the moment, despite the economic slowdown in the first quarter and the risks associated with the expected interest rates hike in the United States this year. In his speech during the general membership meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines in Manila on Wednesday, Tetangco said the Philippines was in a good position to withstand these risks. “At the moment, our assessment is that there is no compelling reason to shift the stance of monetary policy, with growth still on a positive path and inflation expectations well anchored,” Tetangco said. Julito G. Rada

Lower Meralco charges

POWER rates of Manila Electric Co. may still go down in June despite the price spike in the charges at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and the recently approved additional recovery. “We can confirm that charges from the WESM did go up. However, there is a strong possibility that reductions in IPP [independent power producers] and PSA

to other countries but we have not been informed so far if our shortfall will be allocated,” added Martin. The El Niño dry spell has destroyed some P2.19 billion worth of crops as of May 21 this year, the Agriculture Department said earlier. Data from the department showed that El Niño had affected 25,086 hectares of rice in the country, including 14,298 hectares that had no chance of recovery. Value of losses in the rice sector reached P1.21 billion. [power supply agreement] rates can more than offset the WESM increase,” Meralco vice president and head of utility economics Lawrence Fernandez said. “Preliminary information from suppliers point to a potential reduction in the generation charge of P0.15 to P0.20 per kilowatthour,” he said. “WESM prices started going up during the Malampaya constriction, but the elevated levels persisted as several power generation units experienced troubles that led to outages or de-ratings,” Fernandez said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Inferior PH taxation

THE European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines expressed concern that the Philippines may find itself at a disadvantage when the Asean integration fully kicks in, if it fails to adjust its taxation system. Chamber president Michael Raeuber said the Philippine government must adjust the tax imposed on individuals and companies to ensure the country’s competitiveness. “We have to bring the Philippines forward. The government now has limited time to approve economic legislation and institute reforms. If we do not address the issue now, companies will be going to Vietnam and not here,” Raeuber said. Othel V. Campos

F R I D AY : J U N E 5 , 2 0 1 5

cEsAR bARRIoqUINto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Beijing cranks up propaganda on disaster BEIJING—China’s propaganda machine has cranked into top gear after a ship disaster, extolling the official response while dousing any public criticism and tightly controlling foreign media. Thousands of police, soldiers and rescue workers were dispatched to the banks of the Yangtze, where the “Eastern Star” capsized Monday night with more than 450 people on board. But with only 14 survivors found, there is little hope for the rest. Premier Li Keqiang has been the omnipresent face of the rescue operation since Tuesday morning. “The sleeves-rolled-up, megaphone-in-hand image of the premier directing rescue efforts at the scene has become a recurring feature of China’s domestic media coverage of disasters,” said Nicholas Dynon, an expert in Chinese media at Macquarie University in Sydney. The Chinese media on Wednesday also gave prominent coverage of the “miraculous” rescue of Zhu Hongmei, who was pulled from the upturned hull of the boat. The 65-year-old woman was shown being hoisted to safety in a concerted effort by divers and rescue workers. It was a scene perfectly in keeping with the communist line of society coming together to support each other in times of trouble. In contrast, the New York Times ran a photograph of a corpse fished from the river on the front page of its international edition, a more jarring image suggesting that the toll will be high. Communist Party leaders are well aware that missteps over a major disaster can quickly turn to criticism of their effectiveness at governing. A deadly high-speed train crash in July 2011 triggered an torrent of criticism that authorities had compromised safety in their rush to expand the network. Deadly floods in Beijing in 2012 and a stampede which killed 36 people at last New Year’s Eve in Shanghai also stirred a barrage of criticism of the authorities. And Beijing is aware of the serious repercussions from the sinking of the Sewol ferry in South Korea—a disaster with many parallels—which saw the prime minister resign. AFP

world Massive vigil expected in HK over Tiananmen HONG KONG—Tens of thousands of people were to join a candlelit vigil in Hong Kong Thursday to mark the 26th anniversary of China’s Tiananmen Square crackdown, with the city deeply divided ahead of a vote on how to choose its next leader.

Break. Hollywood actor Johnny Depp, dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates

of the Caribbean film franchise, returns from a day on the film set in Redland Bay, some 35 kms southeast of Brisbane, on June 4. Depp has been in Queensland state to film the Disney movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” the fifth installment in the blockbuster series, which has raked in more than $3.6 billion at the box office. AFP

Hong Kong is the only location on Chinese soil to see a major commemoration, with residents gathering in Victoria Park to mark the military’s brutal crushing of pro-democracy protests in central Beijing in 1989. Hundreds—by some estimates more than a thousand—died after the Communist Party sent tanks to crush demonstrations in the square at the heart of Beijing, where student-led protesters had staged a peaceful seven-week sit-in to demand democratic reforms. “This is an ongoing struggle for justice,” said Richard Tsoi of the Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, which is organizing the Hong Kong vigil. The US called for “an official accounting of the victims” of the 1989 crackdown, as well as the release from prison of those serving Tiananmenrelated sentences. The State Department also urged a halt to the harassment and detention of those who want to commemorate the anniversary. “The United States urges the Chinese government to uphold its international commitments to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms,” spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. Taiwan’s president Ma Ying-jeou also called for China to “redress the wrongs” of June 4. Tsoi said he expected the event to pass peacefully, although it comes as tensions are high just two weeks ahead of a vote on the government’s controversial election road map. The anniversary also comes after huge pro-democracy protests that paralyzed parts of the city for months last year. The election proposal goes before the legislature on June 17 and lays out a plan for the first ever public vote for Hong Kong’s chief executive. It sticks to a stipulation from China that candidates must be screened, a ruling that triggered last year’s street rallies. Campaigners call the proposal “fake democracy”, and opposition lawmakers have pledged to vote it down. The split will be reflected Thursday, with proBeijing groups—who support the Hong Kong government’s election package—planning their own gatherings. AFP

US regulators to discuss ‘female Viagra’ for 3rd time WASHINGTON—A drug nicknamed the “female Viagra” because it could help increase women’s sex drive will be discussed for a third time at a meeting of an advisory committee to US regulators Thursday. If the US Food and Drug Administration gives flibanserin the go-ahead, it would be the first drug on the market to boost female libido.

But two attempts at bringing the drug to market have already failed—in 2010 and 2013—given what experts have described as inconclusive advantages when compared to a placebo. Flibanserin, which is aimed at pre-menopausal women, also can have significant side effects including nausea, dizziness and sleepiness. On Thursday, a committee of

advisors to the FDA will hear more evidence from clinical studies and from experts both for and against the drug. It will vote at the end of the day on whether or not the FDA should approve the drug, a decision that is non-binding but is usually followed by the regulatory agency. After it was initially rejected by the FDA, flibanserin was sold

by its developer, the German laboratory Boehringer Ingelheim, to a US firm called Sprout Pharmaceuticals. For this latest attempt at approval, Sprout Pharmaceuticals is presenting research that shows the medication does not affect women’s ability to drive. According to documents on the FDA website that describe a previous study of the drug,

women taking flibanserin reported on average 4.4 sexually satisfying encounters per month, compared to 3.7 in a placebo group and 2.7 before beginning the study. The difference between flibanserin and a sugar pill was deemed statistically insignificant in 2010 after a debate among the committee members which included seven women and four men. AFP

F r i D aY : J u n e 5 , 2 0 1 5

WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

Higher alert on Sumatra volcano JA K A RTA— Ne a r l y 3,000 people have been evacuated from their homes after Indonesia upgraded the threat posed by a volcano on Sumatra to the highest possible level, an official said Thursday. Authorities raised the alert status of Mount Sinabung—a highly active volcano on Indonesia’s westernmost island—late Tuesday after a “sharp rise” in activity, said national disaster management agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. The amount of hot ash, smoke and rock spewing from the volcano has ramped up significantly since Sunday, with lava visible at the crater, the Mount Sinabung Observation Station chief Armen Putra said. Military based in the area told AFP that soldiers and police Wednesday evacuated 2,730 residents from four villages within a danger zone around the south and southeast of the volcano. “Volcanic activity is still high today, triggering tremors,” said district military commander LieutenantColonel Asep Sukarna. “Yesterday we worried that the volcano would send hot ash clouds down over the villages, so we moved 2,730 people to a safer place.” People were aware of the danger and left in an orderly fashion, he said, adding that there were no further orders at this stage to evacuate other villages. Those displaced are now in temporary shelter 13 km from the volcano. Nearly 10,000 people have now had to evacuate their homes since Sinabung burst back into life in 2013 after a period of inactivity. While some were able to return once volcanic activity died down, others have been forced to remain in shelters. A massive eruption in February 2014 killed at least 16 people and sent thousands more fleeing for safety. Sinabung is one of 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a belt of seismic activity running around the basin of the Pacific Ocean. AFP

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

900 schools closed over MERS SEOUL—Hundreds of schools closed Thursday in South Korea as officials struggled to ease growing panic over an outbreak of the MERS virus that has infected 35 people, killed two and caused thousands to cancel travel plans.

Arrival. Kylie Jenner arrives at the New Kendall + Kylie Fashion Line Launch Party At TopShop on June 3 in Los Angeles, California. AFP

More than 900 schools—from kindergartens to colleges—have now shut their gates in response to public fears over what has become the largest outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS outside Saudi Arabia. Five more cases were confirmed on Thursday, bringing the total number of known infections to 35, the health ministry said. The first case—reported on May 20—was of a 68-year-old man diagnosed after a trip to Saudi Arabia. Since then, more than 1,660 people who may have been exposed directly or indirectly to the virus have been placed under varying levels of quarantine. While around 160 were isolated at state-designated facilities, most were told to stay home and strictly limit their interactions with other people. In Seoul, growing public concern has been reflected in the daily increase in the number of commuters wearing face masks on buses and subways.

The government’s MERS hotline took more than 3,000 calls on Wednesday. The anxiety has been exported, with the Korea Tourism Organization reporting Thursday that around 7,000 tourists—mostly from China and Taiwan—had canceled planned group trips to South Korea. “A mass cancellation of this scale is very unusual... and many travelers cited the MERS outbreak as the main reason,” a KTO spokesman told AFP. The military has also been affected with more than 20 symptomatic soldiers quarantined, including six who had contact with a South Korean air force officer recently diagnosed with MERS. The officer was serving at the air base in Osan, south of Seoul, which also hosts the US 51st Fighter Wing. “Our hospital has established a plan to care for our population as well as screening those coming onto Osan,” Colonel Brook Leonard wrote on the unit’s official Facebook page. President Park Geun-Hye’s administration, and health officials in general, have been criticized for responding too slowly to the initial outbreak. In an emergency meeting with health officials on Wednesday, Park called for “utmost efforts” to curb the spread of the virus and ease public fear. MERS has now infected 1,161 people globally, with 436 deaths. More than 20 countries have been affected, with most cases in Saudi Arabia. AFP

PETITION NOTICE FOR PERMIT RENEWAL PROPOSAL FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE PERMIT FOR DIRECT USE AS FOOD AND FEED, OR FOR PROCESSING OF 3272 x Bt11 x MIR604 x GA21 Corn 1. 2.

Name of Applicant: SYNGENTA Philippines, Inc. Address/Telephone & Facsimile Nos./ E-Mail Address

INVITATION TO BID

12/F Two World Square, Upper McKinley Road McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 1630 Philippines Tel. +63 2 3702100; Fax +63 2 8569260; E-mail: http://www.syngenta.com.ph 3.

Name of Responsible Officer/Authorized Representative Duong Ba Cau, President and Commercial Unit Head, Philippines Felipe S. dela Cruz, Jr., Regulatory Affairs Manager, Seeds Philippines

NO.

Description of the Regulated Article for Direct Use (mention the crop, transformation event, new trait conferred, name of the gene transferred, method of transformation, and advantages of the trait conferred) 3272 x Bt11 x MIR604 x GA21 is a stacked corn hybrid developed by crossing Event 3272, Event Bt11, Event MIR604, and Event GA21 using conventional breeding techniques. 3272 contains the amy797E gene which expresses the alpha-amylase enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into constituent sugars. Bt11 contains cry1Ab gene which provides protection against European corn borer and is also effective against Asiatic corn borer. It also contains pat gene which codes for the production of the enzyme phosphinothricin-N-acetyltransferase (PAT) which confers tolerance to glufosinate MIR604 contains the mCry3A gene which encodes the mCry3A protein that provides protection against root worm and the pmi gene which enables plant cells to convert mannose to a readily metabolized compound, fructose-6-phosphate, thereby improving the energy status of the cells and avoiding the accumulation of derivatized mannose. pmi also allows the positive selection for the recovery of the transformed plants. GA21 contains the mepsps (modified 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase) gene which confers tolerance to glyphosate.

Countries Where Regulated Article Has Been Approved, Its Approved Uses and Year/s of Approval. Country

Use(s)

1. Year Approved

Canada

Feed

2011

Colombia

Feed

2014

Japan

Food

2010

Korea

Feed and Environment / Food

Mexico

Feed, Food and Processing

2010

Philippines

Feed, Food and Processing

2010

Taiwan

Food

2011

IMPLEMENTING OFFICE

APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE CONTRACT (ABC)

DEPW

P3,331,388.00

Various construction materials for the repair and maintenance of other structures at District I and II

Meals for the use of City Civil Registration Office – 2015 National Census

CRO

P2,940,000.00

Glucose and other laboratory supplies for Clinical, Diagnostic and Laboratory Services of Makati Health Department

MHD

P2,330,305.34

Close Combat Optic and Mounts and other equipment for the use of Makati City Police Station Special Reaction Unit (SRU)

P2,058,030.00

The MAKATI CITY GOVERNMENT, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites interested bidders to apply for eligibility and to bid for the above projects, with Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) indicated, inclusive of all taxes, such as, but not limited to, value added tax (VAT), income tax, local taxes and other fiscal levies. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at Bid Opening.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Narrative Explanation Why the Regulated Article Is As Safe As Its Conventional Counterpart, Including Presence or Absence of Any Adverse Effects

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

Compositional/nutritional analyses, allergenicity and toxicity studies which were specifically conducted to assess the safety and from the currently available data in the scientific literature altogether show that 3272 x Bt11 x MIR604 x GA21 corn is substantially equivalent to and as safe as the conventional corn. It is essentially the same as its conventional counterpart, except for the additional traits which confer resistance to European corn borer, Asiatic corn borer, and root worm; tolerance to glyphosate and glufosinate; and has a gene which expresses the alpha-amylase enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into constituent sugars. It has passed the thorough evaluation of the regulatory agencies in many countries which were granted with the biosafety approvals for 3272 x Bt11 x MIR604 x GA21 corn. To date, no adverse effects have been reported.

A complete set of Bidding Documents will be available one (1) day after posting / publication of the above projects up to Closing Date (before the deadline of the submission of bids),weekdays only from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount stated on the issued order of payment to the City Government of Makati Cashier.

The BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on June 11, 2015 (02:00 P.M.) at PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. Zobel Street, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City to discuss Eligibility Requirements and the Technical and Financial Components of these projects. However, only those interested Bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents are allowed to raise and submit queries or clarifications regarding the Bidding Documents.

Deadline of Submission of Bids shall be on or before June 23, 2015 (02:00 P.M.), at PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. Zobel Street, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City.

2012/2013

Summary of Experiences in the Philippines on the Regulated Article, Including Presence or Absence of Any Adverse Effects There has been no reported adverse effects attributed to 3272 x Bt11 x MIR604 x GA21 corn since it was approved for use as Food, Feed, and Processing on 28 July 2010.

NAME OF PROJECT AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Reasons Why a Renewal of the Existing Permit Should Be Granted The Philippines has adopted biotechnology in order to improve corn productivity and further contribute to the country’s national food supply and food security while meeting strict scientific standards. In this case, it is the Event 3272 x Bt11 x MIR604 x GA21 corn which has passed the thorough evaluation of the regulatory agencies. It has been approved for direct use as food, feed and processing on 28 July 2010 and will expire on 27 July 2015. Thus, in order not to disrupt market access, we would like to renew the permit for the direct use as food, feed and processing of 3272 x Bt11 x MIR604 x GA21 corn. For additional information on the proposed propagation, please contact: Duong Ba Cau/Felipe S. dela Cruz, Jr. Syngenta Philippines, Inc. 12/F Two World Square, #22 Upper McKinley Road McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 1630 Philippines Tel. No. +63 2 3702100; Fax No. +63 2 8569260 E-mail address: ba_cau.duong@syngenta.com felipe.dela_cruz@syngenta.com The public is hereby invited to submit their comments on the proposed renewal of permit for direct use, within fifteen (15) days from the date of publication, to:

Opening of Bids shall be on June 23, 2015 (02:00 P.M.), at Pio del Pilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. Zobel Street, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City. 7.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the said address. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The MAKATI CITY GOVERNMENT reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, or to reduce the corresponding ABC and Terms of Reference (TOR), without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please visit or contact:

Director Bureau of Plant Industry San Andres, Malate, Manila Telephone Number 525-7857 Fax Number 521-7650 E-Mail bpibiotechsecretariat@yahoo.com Approved for Publication:

( T S - J U N E 5 , 2 015 )

(SGD.) PAZ J. BENAVIDEZ II Asst. Secretary for Regulations and OIC-Director Bureau of Plant Industry

(SGD.) MS. VISSIA MARIE P. ALDON Chairperson

BAC SECRETARIAT OFFICE Makati City Government 9th Floor, New Makati City Hall Building F. Zobel Street, Brgy.Poblacion, Makati City Tel. No. 870-1000 loc. 1331; Fax No. 899-8988 website: www.makati.gov.ph

( T S - J U N E 5 , 2 015 )

F R I D AY : J U N E 5 , 2 0 1 5

MOTORING

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

VW Fuel Eco Fun Run ends in ‘Battle of Champions’

The Cars Program has identified pioneering investments in auto parts manufacturing.

Toyota, autoparts industry upbeat about Cars EO The new Executive Order 182 entitled “Providing for a Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program” recently-signed by President Benigno Aquino III was warmly received by Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation, the number one carmaker in the country, as well as parts makers. Expressing optimism over the effects of the EO, Toyota president Sugata said it allows the continuity and increase in contributions to the Philippine economy of the auto industry through local manufacturing. The much-awaited CARS Program is expected to usher in the expansion of local manufacturing capabilities and improve cost competitiveness of industry players, setting the stage for regional integration. With EO 182, Toyota sees a clearer direction from the Government. “I am grateful to the Philippine Government for giving the local auto manufacturing industry a chance to flourish and further contribute to the economy through the CARS Program,” Sugata said. Toyota’s business in the Philippines has been proven to have a major effect on industry linkages. With the CARS program, Toyota’s business growth is expected to further trigger investment opportunities from its supplier network and other auto manufacturingrelated activities. The CARS program is a result of the Industry Roadmapping Project launched by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Board of Investments in January 2012. For its part, the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines also hailed the CARS program.

MVPMAP President Ferdinand Raquelsantos said that with the fiscal and non-fiscal incentives that will be provided by the government, parts makers will be able to reduce the costs of production and be more competitive among ASEAN manufacturers. “The issuance of CARS solidifies the belief that manufacturing is the key to economic growth and sustainability. Parts makers can also expect new product parts developments for whatever new models that will be locally assembled by car manufacturers”. President Aquino’s EO 182 will grant P4.5 billion in annual tax incentives for six years to new investments in auto parts manufacturing and production. This is a total of P27 billion ($600 million) in tax incentives that the government hopes will be offset by an equivalent P27 billion in new investments in auto parts manufacturing and production of a targeted 600,000 units of vehicles. Overall, the economic impact is estimated to be P300 billion that aims to transform the Philippines as the manufacturing hub in the Asean region over the medium term. This is also expected to result in a GDP contribution of about 1.7%. If incorporated in the 2016 national budget, the CARS Program will last until 2021. Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said that the CARS program is

designed to build and grow the parts making capability of the auto industry. “Without a robust parts-making industry, the domestic car making industry will remain uncompetitive. The program is about building capabilities and jobs to make our automotive manufacturing industry competitive in Asean”. Raquelsantos said that since CARS will support three locallyassembled motor vehicle models, this will be a big boost as it is expected to generate 200,000 new, direct jobs. “Considering that at the moment more than 60% of our country’s auto sales is from completely built up imported vehicles, it will mean an increase in local assembly from completely knocked down kits. This will mean local value added benefits in terms of labor, materials and auto parts”. The CARS Program has identified new, pioneering investment areas in auto parts manufacturing such as large body panels, bumpers, instrument panels, headlamps, shock absorbers, plastic fuel tanks, automotive fabric and others. This in effect will support the casting, forging, machining and tool & die sub-sectors of the auto parts making industry. Raquelsantos expressed optimism that CARS will also address technical concerns such as the lack of local testing facilities. “The great majority of parts makers belong to the Small and Medium Enterprises of around 265 companies. This segment sorely lacks resources in Research & Development and thus their prices are not competitive in the ASEAN region. In the development of auto parts and components, testing the product becomes the handicap of parts makers due to the high investment cost in putting up these testing facilities”. The Standard

FOLLOWING three successful runs of the Volkswagen Fuel Eco Fun Run, VW Philippines in partnership with Shell Companies in the Philippines, ups the ante a notch by embarking on a challenging yet fun championship round, pitting all the winners from the past three legs against each other. To make the event even more interesting, the champions were given different vehicle assignments from their last runs. Dubbed as “Battle of the Champions,” the final and championship leg of the VW Fuel Eco Fun Run was held on May 19, 2015, jumpstarting from Shell station in South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). The convoy of three units each of the Polo Sedan 1.6 TDI (MT), Polo Hatchback 1.6 MPI (AT), and, Tiguan 2.0 TDI (AT) weaved their way through normal driving situations--- with air condition units turned on, following standard traffic rules and normal road circumstances. The route, with total distance of 139.9 kilometers, took the teams to the entire stretch of STAR tollway then looped back to SLEX (Eton Exit) before finally reaching Shell station in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa City for the fuel efficiency measurements which were

duly witnessed by Department of Energy Officer Joan Sotelo. The proud champions of the final leg received the prizes from Orbeta and Shell Companies in the Philippines Country Chairman Edgar Chua. “In the past three legs, we were quite amazed by the numbers we achieved, and in this championship round, we once again reinforced the fuel efficiency of our VW models,” Orbeta said during the awarding. Noteworthy fuel efficiency records from previous legs were logged for the Polo Sedan 1.6 TDI (MT) at 30.47 km/l; Jetta 2.0 TDI (MT) at 29.47 km/l; and, Tiguan 2.0 TDI (AT) at 27.39 km/l. The results actually came as no surprise to the participants, who have been previously briefed on the features of the participating VW models. Volkswagen’s distinct characteristics of the Turbo-charged Direct Injection (TDI) engines are fuel economy, low emissions, high pulling power (torque) and outstanding power efficiency. “We are looking forward to more events like this wherein we can showcase the capabilities of our products in the most practical and realistic way,” Orbeta said.

VW PH Chief Operating Adviser Klaus Schadewald jumpstarts the ceremonial flag-off.

Honda Cars spreads wings in Zamboanga HONDA Cars Philippines Inc. is set to open a new full service dealership in Zamboanga by the 4th quarter of 2015. Honda Cars Zamboanga will be situated in Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Avenue, Camino Nuevo, Zamboanga City. Strategically located just across KCC Mall and nearby commercial areas, Honda brings its products and services closer and accessible to residents of Zamboanga and nearby towns and cities. HCZM, with its ap-

proximately 1,800 square meter land area, will offer Honda’s latest product line-up and complete vehicle service facilities for general repair, preventive maintenance and body-and-paint. HCPI and HCZM partnership was sealed last May 22, 2015 with the presence of HCPI President and General Manager, Toshio Kuwahara, and HCZM principals Anthony N. Cheng and Bryna Gayle T. Lim. HCZM will be headed by Yee Siu T. Lim.

Honda Cars Zamboanga principals Anthony N. Cheng and Bryna Gayle T. Lim, and Honda Cars Philippines Inc. president/general manager Toshio Kuwahara at the signing event of Honda Cars Zamboanga on May 22, 2015.

F R I D AY : J U N E 5 , 2 0 1 5

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

MOTORING

NISSAN’S

GT ACADEMY

SHIFTS TO HIGH GEAR

The first Nissan GT Academy Philippines draws closer to its national finals next month, firing up hopes for the first Filipino race car driver to reach podium finish at Silverstone, England.

Motul power at Vios Cup THE Queen City of the South got a healthy dose of adrenaline with the recent staging of the Toyota Vios Cup at the 2.2 kilometer South Road Property in Cebu City. With 44 racers burning rubber and pushing their cars to the limit, the Vios Cup in Cebu drew in record numbers in terms of public attendance and motorsports awareness. “It is nice to see the grid has grown in numbers, and more celebrities are racing this year,” says Michinobu Sugata, President of Toyota Motors Philippines, who also participated in the Cebu Leg of the Vios Cup. “Toyota is also happy with the support of its major sponsors such as Motul, Toyota’s global partner in motorsports,” adds Sugata. One of the world’s leading motorsport lubricant specialists, MOTUL has a longstanding and extremely successful technical relationship with Toyota and its motorsport and performance arm, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and Gazoo Racing.

With more than 50 years of development and racing experience, Motul’s oil and lubricants has been tested in actual conditions and has been proven to provide ultra low-friction for more horsepower, incredibly smooth and almost no noticeable drop in rpms when shifting and instantaneous engine revs with noticeable gains in horsepower. Its high performance anti-wear additive increases engine life duration and decreases wear by reducing engine internal frictions resulting in smooth and light acceleration. Get real protection and performance from the country’s only 100 percent fully synthetic motor oil. MOTUL guarantees total protection for your engine with its line of fully synthetic motor oils, the H-TEC 100 and 300V. For details on how to improve your car’s performance, visit Autoplus Sportzentrium or log on to www.motul.com.ph. Motul oil and lubricants are also available in select dealers nationwide. Dino Directo

Ce-vrrooom! Cebu gets an extra dose of adrenaline at Vios Cup races.

Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

or the past two months, Nissan Philippines, Inc. has been doing the rounds of a popular mall chain in its quest for the first-ever Filipino race car driver who’ll represent the country to race for glory at the historic Silverstone racetrack, as the first Nissan GT Academy Philippines draws to a close in July. The Nissan GT Academy is an international virtual-to-reality contest that allows the video players of the Gran Turismo game the opportunity to become a real-world car racing driver. Established in June 2008 by Nissan Europe in collaboration with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Polyphony Digital, the GT Academy provides an alternative route into professional motor racing for people. The contest comprises different phases. Players begin with virtual racing on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, and progress to National Finals before the winners of each region compete for real in Nissan cars at Race Camp. This experience involves week-long testing and challenges which can result in elimination. Since 2008, Race Camp has been based at Silverstone Circuit, UK , where the title of GT Academy Winner is awarded to whoever demonstrates the greatest potential to make the switch from Gran Turismo gamer to real racer. Competition winners are rewarded with a place in Nissan’s Driver Development Programme as well as entry into an international race or series with Nissan. As of May, 20 players have led in the leaderboards, and the GT Academy participants are set for more challenges as Nissan takes the game on a provincial run as it expands its search for potential talents in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. “Ever since we launched the program last March 25, we at Nissan are overwhelmed to see how the Filipino GT players rose to our call, and answered the challenge of making good time on the virtual track in their quest to become real race car driver,”Antonio Zara, NPI President and Managing Director, said. “This can be seen in the number of players who’ve signed up in all of our Live Events, with nearly 20,000 trials made in the 13 Live events we’ve held to date,”he added. Zara also revealed that young race car driver Marlon Stockinger will be the mentor and guest-judge of the Filipino finalists.“Following the footsteps of Marlon, we are very hopeful that a Filipino will emerge as the next international motorsports sensation,” Zara said. The Nissan GT Academy Philippines will be holding the National Finals for the top 20 finalists from the Live Events in July. The top finalists are expected to hurdle a series of challenges that will tax their driving skills, mental and physical agility as well as tactical ability, in order to qualify for the Race Camp Week in Silverstone, UK this August. The schedule of the Live Events for June: SM BF Paranaque and Robinsons Bacolod– June 5-7 Centrio Mall, CDO – June 5-6 SM Cebu – June 11-17 SM Masinag – June 12-14 SM Sta. Rosa – June 18-24 SM Manila– June 19-21 Glorietta 2 Activity Center – June 26-28 High Street, BGC – June 27

F R I D AY : J U N E 0 5 : 2 0 1 5

BING PAREL A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNAS WRITER g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

LIFE

FASHION

KIDS GOT STYLE

Boys and girls find a new fashion playground as they romp on the runway.

FRIDAY : J UNE 05 : 2015

LIFE glweekend @ gmail.com

FASHION

KIDS GOT STYLE From C1

STYLISH KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Trendy tots hit the runway

n a cute and chic catwalk show, babies, toddlers and tweens clad in age- and season-appropriate pieces show us that style-setters start young – and that they probably dress better than most of us. The Rustan’s Sound of Sunshine put together the hippest and most adorable fashion brands for kids perfect for any summer activities, be it on the beach, at school or on the street. Young boys and girls hit the runway like pros, wearing the latest styles from Neck & Neck, Rustanette, Rustan Jr., Kiddos, Baby Club, Little Me, Periwinkle, Desigual Kids, Tarte Tatin, and Belle Mama. Each stylish outfit finished off with footwear from Feiyue, Meet My Feet, Jelly Nelly, Walnut, and ELLE Shoes. Whether you’re in for a memorable family outing or you want to spend a fun, chill weekend together, stylish kids apparel from Neck

& Neck make any activity pictureperfect, so go get the camera. Rustanette offers a collection with lots of floral patterns, embroidery details, and fabric appliques for the girls while Rustan Jr. has a selection fit for a little playful prince perfect for a picnic with the family or the first day of class. For a getaway trip, Little Me’s 2015 Summer Collection has the most adorable fusion of nautical and floral print in vibrant and pastel colors. For a laid-back and stroll-in-the-park vibe, Baby Club has a cute selection with zesty fruit prints in refreshing colors. Bring the island vibe anywhere with the “Athletic Islander” theme of Kiddos – a perfect combination of sporty aesthetics and tropical elements in bright hues of blue, red, yellow, orange, pink, purple and green. Desigual Kids “Being Grown-up” collection features

garments identical to those from the Women’s collection that will make the chic youngsters enjoy a fun dress up game. Periwinkle also has a wide assortment of trendy ensembles that will make children dazzle this season. Its Summer Cruise Collection has nautical-inspired prints and graphics with a classic yellow, red and navy color palette. For the young belles of the ball, they deserve nothing but the most whimsical fashion outfits from Tarte Tatin. Rustan’s also offers the perfect pairs of shoes to complement every kid’s summer ensemble. Pick out canvas sneakers from Feiyue, Meet My Feet and Walnut to match a casual and sporty outfit. Glitzy and girly designs from Jelly Nelly and Elle Shoes will make any little girl feel like a princess. All these brands and more are available at Rustan’s.

The Rustan’s Sound of Sunshine showcases the most on trend pieces for summer-perfect activities, putting together some of the cutest, hippest and chicest fashion brands for kids. (Neck & Neck, Rustanette, Rustan Jr., Little Me, Baby Club, Kiddos, Desigual Kids, Periwinkle, Tarte Tatin, Feiyue, Meet My Feet, Walnut, Jelly Nelly, Elle Shoes, Belle Mama)

SUMMER FREEDOM Old Navy is celebrating the freedom of summer with a collection of soft fabrics in fresh prints, perfect for all the activities of the season. From stylish maxi dresses to swim essentials for the family, Old Navy has all of the must-haves needed to enjoy the easy, breezy days of summer The Palm Beach theme goes back to basics with tropical prints and effortlessly comfortable fabrics. The collection includes relaxation-ready separates, long, drapey tops, loose-fitted bottoms and flowing skirts. Men will enjoy summer khakis and flat-front shorts as well as button-down short-sleeve shirts in palm tree prints. Global Village has bold prints and patterns in ikat, tribal and geo. Can be worn on their own or as a great balance to summer neutrals. Rompers in silk-like woven fabrics and effortlessly chic maxi dresses pair perfectly with accessories such as a fringe purse, jacquard tote and strappy sandals Americana captures the California cool vibe with linens, chambray and denim offerings. This collection celebrates the classic American colors of red, white and blue in relaxed separates that work seamlessly with flip-flops.

BEAUTY BRIEFS ALL NATURAL

Coconut with a twist The humble coconut has been getting global attention due to the scientific uncovering over 300 benefits that outperform other oils or beauty products, with scientists calling it “the miracle fruit.” A new brand called Cocoline Naturals gives the product a supplemental twist with a delightful look, smell and feel that that addresses the modern woman’s health and beauty needs. Cocoline Naturals are paraben-free. Parabens and other synthetic chemicals can be toxic to the body. It was found that 98 percent of breast cancer tissues studied were paraben-laden. As more chemicals are introduced to our bodies, weakened cells lead to illness. There is definitely a growing concern worldwide. And with this, prevention is always better than cure.

BACK TO WHITE

Memo to skin: Summer is almost over so it’s back to fairer, smoother skin. Next goal: regain the skin moisture that may have been lost from too much exposure to the sun. Dermclinic, the pioneering dermatological center, takes this memo to heart and brings to the Philippines the revolutionary NuDerm Advance GloWhite Kit. Promising to make skin visibly whiter in just seven days, NuDerm Advance GloWhite Kit is formulated for all skin types and is fortified with powerful yet safe whitening components that inhibit the skin’s melanin production while giving intense moisture to rejuvenate skin. Each product also comes in a non-greasy formulation that improves skin elasticity and restores the natural moisture of skin cells.

Cocoline Naturals’ unveils two variants: Intensive Moisturizer and Triple Whitening. Both lines are available in lotion, body wash, and beauty bar soap. The intensive moisturizer provides anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties of virgin coconut oil with the addition of licorice extracts that are known to have good anti-inflammatory and skin calming properties while helping even-out skin tone. It also has milk to provide additional nourishing to the skin without that oily feeling. The Triple Whitening variant infuses the wonders of virgin coconut oil with the skin lightening powers of papaya enzyme, Kojic Acid and Vitamin C. Its lotion provides a matte finish for a natural looking coverage and SPF10 for daily protection from harmful UVA/UVB rays. The NuDerm Advance GloWhite Kit is composed of five unique products that work together to protect and whiten skin: NuDerm Advance Day Whitening Lotion (with antioxidants and SPF 15+); Night Whitening Lotion; Advance Whitening Face and Body Scrub; Advance Whitening Body Soap; and Advance Whitening Capsules. The NuDerm Advance GloWhite Kit is available at all Dermclinic outlets nationwide. Aside from the GloWhite Kit, Dermclinic also offers different whitening and dermatological services for as low as Php695. For inquiries, call 817-FACE (817-3223) or visit www. dermclinic.com.ph. like Dermclinic at www.facebook.com/dermclinicph on Facebook or @dermclinicph on Instagram and Twitter to receive updates on their latest products, services, and promos.

GREEN TEA CEREMONY The Body Shop’s Fuji Green Tea range is infused with the purifying power of green tea, designed to replenish and refresh with pure moisture for healthier looking skin. It promises to revive the body and detox the mind with a modern tea ceremony done in three simple steps: Detox and cleanse with the crisp and refreshingly scented Green Tea Body Scrub to lift away dead skin cells and prepare for moisture. The Body Shop’s Exfoliating Soap has real green tea leaves, while the Body Wash will leave skin feeling cleansed and revitalized. Replenish pure moisture in three sensational textures: the nourishing Body Butter for up to 24 hour full body hydration; the

lightweight Body Lotion; and the cool texture of the innovative Body Sorbet for fresh hydration. Refresh the Senses with the sophisticated aroma of Fuji Green Tea’s Eau de Cologne. Refreshingly light and crisp, it’s a classic scent that awakens and revives the senses. The new Fuji Green Tea Collection is available at selected The Body Shop branches. All SM Advantage Card members can now earn and redeem points in all The Body Shop stores. For more information on the Fuji Green Tea Collection, visit the link https:// app.box.com/s/9kr1uywf6knd926g6nlhb30b2k7wn1rq

FRIDAY : J UNE 05 : 2015

LIFE glweekend @ gmail.com

KIDS GOT STYLE

From C1 Andrea Brillantes

BACK TO BEAUTY SCHOOL

Jillian Ward

The shades and strokes of professional makeup

POP AND PASTEL Two young ladies pick outfits for the bubbly and the girly

For stylish young celebrities Andrea Brillantes and Jillian Ward, the right ensemble does not only suit the season but also reflects the wearer’s personality. The bubbly Andrea prefers outfits in fun prints and bright colors, while girly Jillian dresses up in sweet pastels with feminine details. Andrea, whose busy schedule includes tapings, shoots, traveling, school and family time, picks outfits that are simple and comfortable with prints and colors that pop out and matches her beaming personality. Her options range from brightly colored rompers, pastel-colored tops with shorts and a pair of jeans and a basic tee.

In place of the bright colors, Jillian goes for sweet pastels in feminine prints with lots of delicate little details to add personality to the look. A simple blue romper made even cuter with star prints translates perfectly to Jillian’s outgoing and fun personality. A straw hat with polka-dotted blue ribbon details completes her look for when she’s going on an exciting adventure. From Andrea’s brightly colored fashion picks to Jillian’s stylishly sweet essentials, they both head to SM Kids section at all SM Department Stores where they can find what they need.

For many of us, our basic knowledge about makeup on where and how to put them was first learned from our mothers and aunts. We then turned to magazines for further information. And today, we have hundreds of makeup tutorials available on YouTube to check out for step-by-step guides on application and techniques. Interest in the art and science of makeup is arguably on the rise at the moment. Whether you’re learning makeup to bring out and enhance your natural beauty or to turn this knowledge into a viable career, it’s strongly recommended to learn the ropes from professionals. Here is where Center for Aesthetics and Visual Arts enters the picture. CAVA offers the latest advancement in aesthetics education in the Philippines. More than empowering its students to bring out their individual beauty, CAVA brings students closer to becoming a better artist by exposing them to everything they need to know – the latest makeup trends, product innovations, and versatile techniques. CAVA goes beyond the basic conventional makeup classes by offering advanced programs such as: Basic Airbrush Makeup (8 hours). This fundamental course covers the benefits of using airbrush makeup as well as application techniques. Students will also learn how to clean and maintain their equipment. The course concludes with an introduction to bridal airbrush makeup. Advanced Airbrush Makeup (8 hours) Meant to complement the Basic Airbrush Makeup course, the advanced course tackles a variety of looks to be achieved using the airbrush such as bridal airbrush makeup, avant-garde looks, and tattoo cover-up. Multimedia Makeup (12 hours). This program is essential for artists who want to work in the entertainment industry. It teaches the proper way to do makeup for print, television, film, and theater. Multi-racial Bridal Makeup (12 hours). This is for artists who would like to focus on the bridal industry. A

GRANNY PANTIES ARE BACK “BECAUSE MILLENNIAL”

variety of bridal looks suitable for different races will be covered. CAVA provides both the theoretical foundation and the practical application skills via lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on training. Courses are designed in such a way that students will get the complete makeup experience from each class. This, combined with the mentors’ distinct style of teaching, ensures that students will have more than a complete grasp of the course. At the forefront of CAVA’s highlytrained and highly-esteemed mentor roster is CAVA founder Hazel Gonzales. Hazel started out as a beauty consultant and makeup artist for Estee Lauder and moved on to be distinctly recognized as an International Airbrush Specialist, Professional Bridal Makeup Artist, as well as the Creative Director of HG Studio. She was also given the honor of being the first prestige member at United Makeup Artists of the Philippines, one of the most respected makeup organizations in the country. The other mentors, on the other hand, have earned their makeup artistry degree from schools like the Australian College of Hair Design and Beauty, London School of Make-up, Maquillage Professional School of Makeup Artistry, New York Make-up Designory and Tony Galvez School of Cosmetics in Manila, and received training from renowned experts such as Gregory Arlt and Caitlin Callahan. CAVA is located at the 3rd Floor of Victoria Towers Commercial Bldg., Timog Ave., Quezon City. For inquiries, call +632 504CAVA (2282) or +63917683-CAVA (2282) and look for Faith De Chavez.

‘Feminist’ T-shirt and panties from indie brand Me and You

BY ED BIADO

In the movie Bridget Jones’s Diary, before shapewear was invented, 32-yearold Bridget had to decide between wearing granny panties or wearing lingerie. The former would keep her little bumps and flabs in check. On the outside, she would look seductive enough to get laid. But if she did get laid, the latter would be a smarter choice because they’re sexier when the clothes come off. It seems that – finally – the “Bridget Jones Dilemma” has a solution. Apparently, granny panties, which have long been written off as among the un-sexiest and least stylish pieces of clothing ever, are now fashion’s it garment. Welcome to the age of the anti-Victoria’s Secret. “Within millennial and Generation Y consumer groups, it’s considered cool to be wearing full-bottom underwear,” Hayley Phelan of the New York Times quotes apparel analyst Bernadette Kissane from market intelligence firm Euromonitor. “Thongs have had their moment.” Data show that G-string sales have dropped seven percent over the past year while more-coverage styles, including granny panties and full/high-waist briefs, are up 17 percent. This is revealed as new underwear options designed for comfort

become available, including gender-neutral boxer briefs. “This is the latest sign that when it comes to personal style, millennials just want to be comfortable,” observes The Guardian’s Marci Robin, adding that her “mid-to-late-20s friends... scoff at any garment that could temporarily change the shape of the body it’s on,” probably alluding to items like the Kim Kardashian staple, Spanx. Robin suspects that the granny-panties trend is part of a bigger movement of “studied slouchiness” that may have something to do with this generation’s “walking culture,” mostly seen in cities where driving or commuting is a nightmare. But it could also be about feminism, according to Phelan’s article. The rise of “feminist underwear” is seen as a response to the “traditional” thought that women can only be sexy (to themselves and to their partners) when they’re in a pearl thong. As with most millennial attributes, wearing granny panties (or unisex boxers) is a way for members of the generation to reject norms and express their individuality. The undergarment style is also viewed as classic and retro, and therefore qualifies as a throwback. Before granny panties, fuller bikini bottoms reminiscent of the no-navel-visible swimsuit styles from the 1960s became popular, driven by celebrities such as Taylor Swift.

Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones holding up a pair of granny panties

F R I D AY : J U N E 0 5 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

THE TROPICAL SHADES OF SUMMER Avon launches limited edition makeup collection BY BERNADETTE LUNAS

ummer in the Philippines brings in paralyzing heat enough to melt everything from ice cream to makeup on your face in a few seconds. But this season also brings with it vibrant colors and bold prints reminiscent of lush tropics and deep blue sea. Inspired by bright and refreshing shades of summer, makeup brand Avon launches its limited edition makeup collection Tropical Paradise featuring enticing hues of blue and hints of coral. The latest collection is composed of six shades of lipsticks, two eyeshadow palettes, and four shades of pressed powder perfect for the season and the Filipina skin. “Tropical Paradise’s cool hues of clear blue waters, stunning warm corals, and intense tropical touches are inspired by the hottest runway trends,” says Avon head for marketing Jean Reyes. She adds, “This is an invitation to the beautiful Filipinas to discover new depth of beauty and to make a daring color statement this summer.” Make a bold statement with Tropical Paradise Ultra Color Lipstick which is infused with natural ingredients (Shea Butter, Omega-3 Oil and Vitamin E) that nourish lips and are formulated with True Color Technology that provides vibrant color. Available for only P399, the range comes in six shades: Silky Peach, Tender Kiss, Poppy Love, Beyond Pink, Toasted Rose and Rich Ruby. Keep your face shine-free all-day with Tropical Paradise Ideal Oil Control Pressed

Powder. This compact and silky smooth powder covers blemishes and skin imperfections with a bonus SPF 17 sun protection. For only P299 apiece, choose from Oriental, Natural, Neutral and Medium shades. The Tropical Paradise True Color Eyeshadow Quad comes in two palettes: Aquatic Life and Precious Shells that feature rich, vibrant cool with crease-proof wear that is formulated with True Color technology. The launch of Avon’s hottest collection also heralds the return of Angel Locsin as the brand’s makeup ambassador. “I have been with Avon for [over] 10 years now and being the makeup endorser was my first Avon ambassador role,” says Locsin. From endorsing makeup in 2004, Locsin moved on to become the face of Avon’s line of fragrances. This year, she returns as the brand’s spokesperson for its cosmetics line. “I want to say that it feels wonderful to be with a brand you truly believe in,” she enthuses. Her favorite from the latest collection? Angel is all smiles while explaining how the lipstick in Poppy Love shade makes her stand out. “If you want to make a statement and you want to show your personality, a swipe of Poppy Love does that,” says Locsin. “I also love the eyeshadow palette in Precious Shells because the colors match Filipinas’ skin tone, and because it’s in a palette, I don’t get confused which colors best complement each other.”

F RIDAY : J UNE 5 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

KOREA’S NO. 1 PIZZA COMES TO TOWN

izza lovers, rejoice! Mr. Pizza, Korea’s Number 1 pizza chainis now in the Philippines! The all-time popular gourmet pizza’s first branch located at the ground floor level of Greenbelt 3 Ayala Center, Makati City will be Mr Pizza’s 505th worldwide. “We take pride in being able to provide Filipinos the opportunity to experience Korea’s best-tasting pizza. It is definitely something to look forward to,” says Tony Son, Mr. Pizza Korea’s Director for Global Division. Originated in 1990, Mr Pizza has been number 1 in Korea since 2009. It is the only food brand listed in the KOSDAQ, a first in the food and beverage industry. Other Mr. Pizza locations overseas include of course Korea, China, and United States among others. Among others, Mr. Pizza credits its success to its unflinching commitment to cleanliness, kitchen sanitation, store ambience/atmosphere, ingredients, and customer service. “Among everything else, however, we are very strict with food quality,” adds Mr. Son. Mr. Pizza abides by the 300 percent principle: 100 percent Hand-Kneaded, 100 percent Full-Hearted Topping, and 100 percent Grill-Baked. “It’s a pact written on stone. That is our commitment,” Mr. Son said. When it comes to variety, Mr. Pizza can rightfully claim that it’s the only brand, which offers very unique flavors. “There is nothing in the market that is similar to our top-of-theline pizzas - Eggta, Seafood Island, Potato Gold, Gesal Montand, Macho Grande, and Secret Garden,” prides Mr. Son. Toppings include shrimp, crabmeat, round steak, chicken breast, and buttery potato, which are not only delicious but also healthy.

Diet-conscious pizza fans especially ladies would love Mr Pizza’s Smarty Pizzas. These are thin crust pizzas that are not too heavy but still packs in a lot of flavors. “Having Smarty pizza with beer is a recent trend among young folks in Korea,” Mr. Son said. Pizzas under the Classic Pizza category include a variety of traditional pizza flavors with “live” dough, fresh sauce and flavorful cheese. Mr. Son adds: “Once you taste our oil –less pizza that’s when you’d discover the difference!” Other items that would go perfectly well with Pizza are Mr. and Ms. Chicken, and our varieties of Pastas. No doubt Mr. Pizza is a must-try – fresh, unique, flavorful, fun and scrumptious! “We are number one in Korea, and we will do our best to be number in the Philippines. We plan to expand aggressively in the coming months so watch out for a lot of store openings,” said Mr. Son. Follow Mr Pizza on FB, Twitter, and Instagram @mrpizzaph.

Mr. Pizza abides by the 300 percent principle: 100 percent HandKneaded, 100 percent Full-Hearted Topping, and 100 percent Grill-Baked

Mr. Pizza's delightful pizza concoctions: Spicy Pork Bulgogi

Shrimp Gold

Gesal Montand

The restaurant also serves other dishes like Ms. Chicken

Crab Carbonara

Guests can also enjoy a plate of

Chicken Spice Cream

“CHILDREN’S SHOW” WINS GRAND PRIZE IN SOUTH KOREA

ward-winning documentary producer and filmmaker Roderick Cabrido added another feather to his cap when he took home the grand prize in the Asia-Pacific Young Filmmakers Awards for his debut feature Children’s Show at the Gwangju International Film Festival held from May 14 to 18 in South Korea. Cabrido won over other first or second feature film directors in the Asia-Pacific region to bag the GIFF

Humanity’s Vision section top prize. Another Filipino filmmaker, Mikhail Red, won the Excellent Asia-Pacific Young Director Award last year for his debut film Rekorder. The GIFF praised Cabrido and his effort to promote the development of film culture in the Asia-Pacific region. Buboy Villar and Miggs Cuaderno play brothers Jun and Al, respectively, who earn a living doing any possible job available to them. After losing their mother to suicide

when their father leaves her for another woman, the siblings move in and live with their grandmother, Lola Alice, who raised and nurtured them despite her old age and poverty. The brothers later engage in underground fistfight matches organized by syndicates wanting to exploit their vulnerability. Cabrido works for GMA Network, Inc. as writer, director and executive producer of the documentary program Front Row. - SEYMOUR B. SANCHEZ

A scene from Children's Show Roderick Cabrido directed Children's Show

F RIDAY : J UNE 5 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

PEOPLE

...ARE TALKING ABOUT

DARREN ESPANTO

Darren Espanto

Big surprises come in small packages, indeed. The former The Voice Kids finalist gave people the reason why he won the talent competition. Last Friday, Darren made history for being the youngest music act to headline a concert at the Mall of Asia Arena. And the youngster didn’t just hold a show, he staged a sold out arena. That’s 10,00-strong crowd.

...ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT

KC Concepcion

Arci Muñoz

Janine Gutierrez

JANINE GUTIERREZ

How often do local stars get international exposure? Not all the time, so Janine in landing on the cover of an international magazine gives her and her devoted fans reason to celebrate. The sultry Kapuso star appears on the latest cover of a London-based travel magazine that also puts the spotlight on the paradise island, Palawan.

38TH GAWAD URIAN NOMINEES

As you’ve probably heard, she has an ongoing rift with her mom, Sharon Cuneta. While most celebrities would shove their personal issues beneath the fold, KC and Sharon are taking their rift above and on a national level, if you know what we mean. Why can’t they just talk about their differences privately? Does this mean they’re not as close as we thought they were as they can’t even settle their issues right at their home?

STEVEN SILVA

ARCI MUÑOZ

She is not new in showbiz. In fact, she’s been around for almost a decade now as Kapuso and Kapatid later. Due to several failed attempts to make it big in showbiz, Arci almost gave up until she got one of the leading roles in the hottest afternoon drama series on television today, Pasion de Amor. Great things happen to those who wait and who are diligent enough to master their craft.

KC CONCEPCION

Steven Silva

He almost thought of quitting showbiz due to lack of projects and proper exposure – a job that Kapuso should have performed while he was still under their ward. Steven has transferred to TV 5 hoping that the network would help him become a big star. If TV 5 were really the greener pasture, then many stars would have stayed with the network. We hope Steven got the drift.

WOWOWIN Willie Revillame

Has public interest on the much-publicized game show already waned? We know ratings don’t lie, and most of the time, TV networks rely on these data to claim leadership in the numbers game. After getting the lion’s share of television viewership on its debut, Wowowin registered a significantly lower numbers. If this downward trend continuous, GMA Network should stage another gimmick or pull out the show altogether.

4. Jesse Lucas, 2. Mark Locsin, 3. Manet A. Dayrit, 8. Melvyn M. Quimosing, Alienasyon (Talent Factory, Inc., Mula Sa Kung Ano ang Noon Hari ng Tondo Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo Skyweaver Productions, Office for (Sine Olivia Pilipinas) (Reyna Films, (Philippians Productions) Initiatives in Culture and the Arts, 3. Mark Locsin, Central Digital Lab) 9. Benjamin Tolentino, UPLB, Voyage Studios, PelikuLAB Barber’s Tales 4. Vanessa De Leon, Dagitab (Ten17P) 5. Myke Salomon, (APT Entertainment, Inc./ Hustisya Hari ng Tondo (Reyna Films, Octobertrain) (Likhang Silangan Entertainment) BEST IN MUSIC: Central Digital Lab) 4. Albert Michael Idioma, 5. Lav Diaz, 1.Diwa de Leon, (Continued from yesterday) 6. Jorge Wieneke, Bwaya (Cinemalaya, FrontRow Mula Sa Kung Ano ang Noon Lorna (Cinema One/ BEST IN EDITING: #Y (Stained Glass Productions, International, Eight Films, (Sine Olivia Pilipinas) Creative Programs, Inc.) 1. Lawrence Ang, Source of Light Films) Timeframe Productions, 6. Tara Illenberger, 2. Mon Espia, Barber’s Tales 5. Adam Newns/Mikko Quizon, Dagitab (Ten17P) Media Ventures) The Janitor (APT Entertainment, Inc./ Dagitab (Ten17P) 3. Erwin Fajardo, (APT Entertainment, Inc.) Octobertrain) Bwaya BEST IN SOUND: 7. Carlo Manatad, 2.Lawrence Ang, The 38th Gawad Urian will be (Cinemalaya, FrontRow 1. Corinne De San Jose, Bwaya (Cinemalaya, FrontRow Violator held on June 16 and will be aired live International, Eight Films, Violator International, Eight Films, (Cinema One Originals) on Cinema One. Source of Light Films) (Cinema One Originals) Source of Light Films)

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 40 41 43 44 45 46 47 48 51 52 53

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Nook rival 7 Quick turn 10 Black sheep, once 14 Parka 15 El Dorado loot 16 Aussie gemstone 17 Encroach on 18 Oxford tutor 19 Irene of “Fame” 20 Mendelssohn work (2 wds.) 23 White as a ghost

26 sci-fi 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 37 38 39

Bradbury of Choral section Betelgeuse NFC gridder Vt. neighbor — Lanka Belly dance instrument Throb Snack on Set up — Dawn Chong

56 57 58 62 63 64 65 66 67

Basinger or Novak — one’s thumbs Assist Cheviot papa Ruby Olive in the comics Rowboat Cuttlefish pigment Sooner than Chatty pets It keeps coming back (2 wds.) Not up yet Crooner — Damone Not digital Stratum Pipe fitting Shark tagalong Counting-rhyme start Born as Looked into

DOWN 1 Chiang — -shek 2 Roadhouse 3 Fall mo. 4 Bureau part 5 Fraught 6 Just scraped by 7 Horoscope basis 8 Socrates’ forte 9 “The — Show”

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

10 11 12 13 21 22 23 24 25 29 30 32 33 34 35 36 42 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 54 55 59 60 61

Places Separated A Polo Bored feeling Lowly laborer Handled roughly Money in the bank Sipper’s aid Cuba neighbor Physique Bobwhite Tough going Slightest chance Tire center Dainty ornament Tube trophies Wash-and-wear (hyph.) Apollo’s priestess Energetic one Heavy rainfall Pianist — Blake Fuss before the mirror Griffith or Zola Clementine’s dad Neck and neck Canvas cover Throw slowly Unrefined metal Seek excitement

F RIDAY : J UNE 5 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Gelli de Belen gives tips on nail care to mothers

2015 UP Gawad Plaridel awardee: Ricky Lee

LUCKY SKY SUBSCRIBERS WATCH WWE ‘DIVAS LIVE’ IN SINGAPORE

2015 UP GAWAD PLARIDEL AWARDEE

From C8

icky Lee is the recipient of the UP Gawad Plaridel 2015. The University of the Philippines (UP) College of Mass Communication (CMC) gives the award to Filipino media practitioners who have excelled in any of the media (print, radio, film, and television) and have performed with the highest level of professional integrity in the interest of public service. Lee is the writer of the films Himala, Jaguar, Salome, Moral, and Karnal The UP Gawad Plaridel comes with a trophy, designed by National Artist Napoleon V. Abueva. UP President Alfredo E. Pascual and UP Diliman Chancellor Michael L. Tan will hand the award in ceremonies on Aug. 26, 2 p.m. at the UP Film Center, or Cine Adarna. Lee will also deliver a lecture during the ceremonies. This awarding of the 11th UP Gawad Plaridel is in line with the College’s celebration of its 50th year. The UP CMC established the annual UP Gawad Plaridel. Among its recipients are Eugenia Duran-Apostol (2004, print), Vilma Santos (2005, film),. Fidela “Tiya Dely” Magpayo (2006, radio), Cecilia “Cheche” L. Lazaro (2007, television), Pachico A. Seares (2008, community “Rosa Rosal” Danon-Gayda (2012, television), Jose “Pete” Lacaba (2013, print), Ms. Nora “Nora Aunor” Villamayor (2014, Transmedia). The award is named after Marcelo H. del Pilar (nom de plume, Plaridel), the selfless propagandist whose stewardship of the reform-

Winner of the grand showcase at the DZMM Buntis Congress

ist newspaper La Solidaridad that helped crystallize nationalist sentiments and ignite libertarian ideas in the 1890s. Like Plaridel, the recipient of the award must believe in the vision of a Philippine society that is egalitarian, participative and progressive, and in media that is socially responsible, critical and vigilant, liberative and transformative, and free and independent. HHHHH TIPS FOR MOMS ON NAIL CARE TV/Movie actress Gelli de Belen, who appears in TV5’s Tropa Mo Ko Unli and Solved Na Solved, is crazy over nail care. She goes to California Nails & Day Spa. In May, we paid tribute to our moms, and she shares some tips on how to take care of your nails and hands for busy moms like her. She says, “Keep your hands moisturize all the time.” For mothers who cook all the time, she admonishes them to use rubber gloves to keep hands and nails from harsh chemicals. And, of course, she tells all of them, “Go to your favorite nail salon every two weeks to have your nails cleaned.” Visit California Nails & Day Spa branches l at BF Pergola, SM Southmall, SM Mall Of Asia, Festival Supermall, Starmall Prima Taguig, Greenhills Shoppesville and Market! Market. HHHHH 600 EXPECTANT MOMS JOIN DZMM BUNTIS CONGRESS DZMM Radyo Patrol Sais Trenta remains unbeatable as the leading

AM radio station in Mega Manila, as more listeners continued to rely on it for their news, information, and commentary in the first quarter of 2015. According to Kantar Media Radio Audience Measurement’s latest survey, DZMM continued to shine as the number one source of news on AM radio from January to March this year. It topped the survey with an average audience share of 29 percent, sustaining a glowing lead over its rival AM radio stations such as DWWW (21percent), DZRH (16 percent), and DZBB (10 percent). With its latest ratings win, DZMM stays committed to giving public service to Filipinos in the country. On May 24, it held its award-winning DZMM Buntis Congress at the SM Megatrade Hall to arm more than 600 pregnant participants with knowledge they need during and after pregnancy. In the event, experts from the Department of Health, National Nutrition Council, Midwives Foundation of the Philippines, Population Commission, and Philippine Pediatric Dental Society, Inc. nurtured the participants with lectures and tips. DOH-National Capital Region also offered free vaccines and ultrasound. The expectant moms were also treated to raffle prizes and a special performance from The Voice of the Philippines Season 2 grand-winner Jason Dy. This year, DZMM Buntis Congress will be held in different areas in the country, such as Bulacan, Iloilo, and General Santos City.

The Voice of the Philippines DZMM anchor Winnie Cordero Season 2 grand winner Jason Dy

DZMM anchor Nina Corpuz

e fans can now get a glimpse of what happens outside the ring. With Total Divas, viewers have an exclusive look into the lives of professional wrestling’s best female fighters. A hit show from WWE and E! channel, it focuses on the daily ups and downs of fan favorites like Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Natalya Naomi, Eva Marie, Alicia Fox, and Paige. Catch interesting stories on their lives covering heartache, joy, and hope as they balance their time between family and a very demanding athletic career. Thanks to E!, one SKYcable and one Destiny Cable digital subscriber will get a chance to watch the Divas up-close and personal. Winners will get an all-expense paid 3 days / 2 nights trip package for two to witness a special WWE Match highlighting the Divas. Select WWE Superstars and the best WWE Divas will headline the event

taking place at the Singapore Stadium on July 2. To get a chance to win this fantastic trip, SKYcable and Destiny Cable subscribers need to watch Total Divas on E! , 10 p.m. every Wednesdays. Subscribers in Metro Manila, CAMANAVA, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan can tune-in on Ch. 57 (SD) and Ch. 207 (HD). Those in other regions can catch E! on Ch. 608 (SD) and Ch. 744 (HD). In each Total Divas episode, a special contest question will be flashed onscreen. You have to compile theanswers and fill-out an online form on the SKYcable or Destiny Cable website on or before June 19. A raffle draw will be held on June 23 to determine the winners. SKYcable provides quality home entertainment with the widest range of standard and high definition channels and other top-of-theline services.

ALICE DIXSON, COFFEE LOVER

he must be doing something extraordinary to be sexy all these years. The talented and beautiful actress became a household name in the 90s because of her “I Can Feel It” TV ad. And up to now, Alice Dixson hasn’t aged a bit and remains one of the hottest stars today. Alice herself confirmed that she is a coffee lover – and that is the reason for her fit body and even her glowing skin. “It’s actually my new coffee,” she reveals, adding that her coffee helped her lose weight as it detoxifies her body. She also sleeps more soundly and maintains her complexion with the help of the coffee she drinks. “Well, it has helped me lose some weight as it detoxifies my body. I sleep more soundly and maintain my complexion with the help of the coffee I drink,” says the 1998 Manila Film Festival Best Actress.

Alice is talking about Nice Day Coffee and its variants – White, Slim, and Cleanse. Nice Day Coffee White contains glutathione, collagen and sucralose. The famous glutathione not only whitens skin, but also detoxifies harmful compounds so that they can be removed from the body and has an anti-aging effect. The unique ingredient of Nice Day Coffee Slim, on the other hand, is sucralose, which is about 600 times sweeter than table sugar but has zero calories. Nice Day Coffee Cleanse is a package full of goodies for your health. It has ganoderma, grape seed, goji berry, cranberry, sylimarin, spirulina, and coconut sugar. No wonder Alice’s days are nicer, now that she drinks Nice Day Coffee every day. Be healthier, more beautiful, and happier like Alice. – RMPangilinan

F RIDAY : J UNE 5 : 2015

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

Edgar Allan Guzman might just be it!

Will Melai Cantiveros surprise the audience?

Can Jay-R allow himself to be behind the three?

Will Nyoy Volante win the grand prize?

‘YOUR FACE SOUNDS FAMILIAR’ THE FINAL FOUR FACE OFF THIS WEEKEND 31.9 percent last Saturday and 31.1 percent last Sunday, according to data from Kantar Media. The Grand Showdown of Your Face Sounds Familiar with host Billy Crawford and jurors Gary Valenciano, Jed Madela, and Sharon Cuneta tomorrow after MMK and on Sunday after “Rated K” on ABS-CBN and find out wins the face off.

ISAH V. RED Celebrity performers Edgar Allan Guzman, Jay-R, Melai Cantiveros, and Nyoy Volante, or the Final 4, will undergo their last transformation as music icons in a Grand Showdown at the Resorts World Manila tomorrow and Sunday. The grand winner, who will be determined by public text and online votes, will win P2 million, half of which will go to his or her chosen charity. In the Grand Showdown, the Final 4 performers will reveal the last music icon they will impersonate live in the show. “Expect that I will give more than what I gave these past 12 performances. I will research, practice, and give my heart and my 110 percent for all of you,” says Nyoy, who recorded the highest overall score (257 points) among all performers. Jay-R, who placed second with 246 points, shares, “Every week I get to learn new things and I apply all of them. So the more weeks I do them, I feel like I’m getting better and better. This grand showdown, I think I will be at my best.” Throughout the program’s run, Nyoy has been hailed as the weekly top scorer twice for his impersonation of Justin Bieber and Luciano

➜ Continued on C7

Grand Finals of Your Face Sounds Familiar tomorrow and Sunday at Resorts World features FINAL 4 Edgar Allan Guzman, Melai Cantiveros, Jay-R, and Nyoy Volante

Pavarotti, while Jay-R also topped the scores twice for copying Pepe Smith and Kenny Rogers. Meanwhile, Melai and Edgar Allan both got 202 points in their 12 performances. The both of them say they didn’t expect to get in, thanking their fans for inspiring them weekly. “I was really shocked, I didn’t believe it happened. God moves in mysterious ways. I didn’t expect anything because I expected the worst. But being in the bot-

tom four was not the worst, because we’re all happy in the show. I feel like I just beat Mayweather,” says Melai. Edgar Allan adds, “I want to thank all those who trusted, supported, and believed in me since the start of Your Face. I promise that I will do my best to be the grand winner of Your Face – that I promise.” Melai and Edgar Allan were also named top scorers once, for their impersonation of Elizabeth Ramsey and Vice Ganda, respectively.

In Sunday’s live show, there will be performances from special guests, including celebrity performers Jolina Magdangal, Karla Estrada, Maxene Magalona, and Tutti Caringal. Since it started airing in March this year, “Your Face Sounds Familiar” has consistently topped the list of the country’s most watched TV programs, as well as the trending topics on Twitter. In fact, it was the no. 1 program last weekend when it recorded a national TV rating of

The grand winner, who will be determined by public text and online votes, will win P2 million, half of which will go to his or her chosen charity. In the Grand Showdown, the Final 4 performers will reveal the last music icon they will impersonate live in the show