The Standard - 2015 July 05 - Sunday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXIX NO. 135 3 Sections 24 Pages P18 SuNday : JuLy 5, 2015 www.manilastandardtoday.com editorial@thestandard.com.ph

TOP PINAY PHYSICIAN ON ‘KIDNEY ATTACK’

MURDER CHARGES VS FERRY OWNER; DEATH TOLL RISES

By Vito Barcelo

THE death toll from the Ormoc sea tragedy rose to 59 as authorities filed murder charges against the owner and crew of the M/B Kim Nirvana-B which capsized off Ormoc City on July 2 enroute to Pilar town in nearby Camotes island. Coast guard spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo said the 59 dead and 140 rescued would indicate the vessel had at least 199 aboard the motorized banca although its manifest had only 173 passengers and 16 crew for a total of 189 people aboard. Balilo said they did not expect

to find other bodies since all passengers were accounted for, with 59 dead, 140 survivors and no reports of anyone else missing. Initial investigation revealed that the banca was overloaded in terms of passengers and cargo with rice, cement and fertilizer sacks, he said. Next page

125K DISPLACED BY RAIN, FLOODS

By Francisco Tuyay

AT least six people have been killed while 125,000 people were affected after weeks of heavy rain and floods in parts of Mindanao, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported on Saturday as Tropical Storm “Egay’ threatened

northern Luzon. The NDRRMC said rain and floods since June 22 have already affected 25,738 families, or 125,699 people, in 24 towns and two cities in five provinces in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Next page

Rescuers battle rough seas as they search for survivors from the MB Kim Nirvana near the pier in Ormoc City while anguished families (inset) await word on the fate of other passengers of the ill-fated ferry. AFP

LOOKING TO RECAPTURE LOST GLORY

2ND BRILLANTE MENDOZA FILM WORKSHOP

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ROXAS HIT OVER MRT DEAL By vito Barcelo

THE camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay lashed out at Interior Secretary Mar Roxas for using his present position for personal political aggrandizement.

Moving closer. Weather forecaster Aldczar Guillermo update journalists on Saturday about the movement of Tropical Storm “Egay” which was continued on a track that pass northern Luzon. eY AcAsio

MURDER From A1... Balilo declined to comment on speculations about the cause of the incident while an investigation is ongoing. He said owner of the vessel was identified as Jorge Bung Zarco while the captain was Warren Oliverio, both of whom along with some of the crew are under investigation. “Among the things we will look into is if there was a faulty maneuver, the stability of the vessel, and of course the weather,” Balilo said. On Friday, the police filed murder charges against Zarco and the crew in Ormoc City, according to Eastern Visayas regional police director Chief Superintendent Asher Dolina. An initial police investigation and interviews with survivors showed the vessel abruptly turned in waters off the central port of Ormoc on Thursday, causing it to capsize, Dolina told AFP. “They were not careful, showing there was an intent to kill. They were reckless on purpose,” Dolina said, explaining why they chose to file murder raps, which would require evidence of premeditation. A total of nineteen people were charged, including Zarco, Oliviero, and 17 crew members, according to Dolina. Under Philippine law, murder is punishable by up to 40 years imprisonment. The police investigation is separate from a coast guard inquiry, which will primarily determine the cause of the mishap, but the coast guard may also recommend criminal and administrative charges. “We filed the charges as soon as we could because we don’t want the suspects to leave the country,” Dolina said.

Fifty-six people were confirmed dead from the sinking, Ormoc city councillor Godiardo Ebcas told AFP. Overloading of cargo and passengers might have been to blame for the disaster, according to Ebcas, who helped oversee rescue operations. Survivors reported seeing up to 150 sacks of cement and more of rice and fertiliser in the ship’s cargo area before it capsized in relatively calm seas, he said. Bloated bodies spilled out of the Kim Nirvana’s wooden hull as a crane lifted it from the water and placed it on Ormoc port, Ebcas added. The coast guard earlier said the 33-tonne ship could carry 194 people including 178 passengers and 16 crew, but according to the casualty count of the city council, the ship was carrying at least 198. “The ship might not be too overloaded in terms of passengers, but imagine the weight of its cargo,” Ebcas said. Each sack of rice, cement and fertilizer weighs 50 kilos and 150 sacks would easily add 7,500 kilos to the ship’s load, excluding passengers, he said. Passengers on the ferry’s regular route from Ormoc to the Camotes islands regularly bring supplies from the city to their remote fishing villages. Search operations with rescue divers were stopped on Friday before the ship was lifted to port’s berthing area. Poorly-maintained, loosely-regulated ferries form the backbone of maritime travel in the Philippines, a sprawling archipelago of 100 million people. Many sea disasters occur during the typhoon season, which starts in June. Frequent accidents in recent decades have claimed thousands of lives, including the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster in 1987 when the Dona Paz ferry collided with an oil tanker, leaving more than 4,300 dead. - With AFP

125K

From A1...

The disaster agency said 9,970 students and 200 teachers were also affected as classes were suspended in 32 public schools in 10 towns in Maguindanao alone. The rain has been pounding Mindanao since June 22 and it was mainly due to the low-pressure areas that developed east of Mindanao and were intensified by the prevailing Intertropical Convergence Zone, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Pagasa said the public must again be wary of flash floods and landslines as Egay (international name: Linfa) moved closer to Northern Luzon on Saturday afternoon. The weather bureau hoisted Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 over six areas: Kalinga, Apayao, Isabela, Quirino, Northern Aurora and Cagayan, including Babuyan and Calayan Islands. Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was also hoisted over the rest of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ilocos Sur, Abra and Ilocos Norte. Pagasa weather division chief Dr. �Esperanza Cayanan said Egay was spotted 160 km northeast of Casiguran, Aurora at 4 p.m. Saturday and was packing sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph. Egay is expected to cause moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall within its 400-km diameter, Cayanan added. She said Egay was moving northwest at 9 kph and is expected to be in the vicinity of Sta. Ana, Cagayan by Sunday afternoon and 125 km west-northwest of Basco, Batanes by Monday. On Tuesday, Egay is forecast to be 325 km northnorthwest of Basco, Batanes and out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday. Egay is the first tropical cyclone to affect the country since the weather bureau announced the start of the rainy season last June 23, but Pagasa expects from three to five tropical this month. Egay was first observed as a low-pressure area 520 kms east of Virac, Catanduanes, but quickly developed into a tropical depression on July 2.

Vice President’s spokesperson for political affairs Atty. Rico Quicho described Roxas’ action as being borne of desperation to cover his fault, particularly over the Metro Rail Transit. “After five years, the MRT is not just slow, it’s slower. And it is not only weak, it’s a public hazard and a certified rolling coffin for the thousands of passengers. And all because of corruption and inefficiency involving Secretary Roxas’ appointees and the Liberal Party,” Quicho said. Quicho said that the downhill slide of the MRT started under Roxas’ watch at the DOTC, which he cannot simply deny. “Unfortunately, despite Secretary Roxas’ failures in the DOTC, he got away with it and was even given the DILG, which he now uses for personal political aggrandizement,” he said “This again illustrates the governance that rewards insensitivity and bingling at the expense of the people,” he added. But Roxas chose not to comment on Quicho’s charges that he was one of the decision makers on the MRT maintenance contract that has been tagged as the root of the train system’ current problems. “No comment,” Roxas said in Lanao del Norte after distributing vehicles to the provincial police command on Saturday. “They don’t say anything good about the government anyway so that’s fine.” ”It’s the Ombudsman’s decision, not mine,” Roxas said when asked to comment on critics implicating him in an allegedly anomalous Metro Rail Transit (MRT) maintenance contract. Roxas said it was the Ombudsman’s decision not to charge him or current Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya for the controversial $11.5-million maintenance contract between the DOTC and Philippine Trans Rail Management and Services Corp. (PH Trams). Without public bidding, PH Trams, a company of former MRT General Manager Al Vitangcol’s uncle-in-law, bagged the maintenance contract in October 2012. The contract was awarded to the company two days later. “If the Ombudsman is saying that Abaya was new to the DOTC and therefore did not know that the contract was anomalous, why not investigate Mar Roxas who was DOTC secretary when the contract was negotiated? Is it only mere coincidence that several of Vitangcol’s coaccused have links to the Liberal Party headed by Roxas and Abaya?” Bayan said. Before he was appointed head of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Roxas was the DOTC secretary in 2011. “I’m not exactly clear of what happened after I had left but ang masasabi ko, it was Sumitomo who was the service provider. Iyon ang nadatnan ko at patuloy na kino-continue lang ‘yon noong nandoon ako,” Roxas said. Sumitomo Corp. was the Japanese firm that used to provide maintenance to MRT coaches.

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NEWS

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ACTIVISTS COMPARE AQUINO TO TRAINS By Joel e. Zurbano THE militant group Bagong Alyasang Makabayan likened the administration of President Benigno Aquino III to the Metro Railway Transit system which charges the people more for less and breaks down all the time. “The Aquino government is like the MRT,” said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. “It promises to take you from point A to point B. It makes you wait and wait. It charges you more for less. It breaks down all the time and still expects you to be thankful that you arrived at your destination in one piece.” “In many aspects, it is a train wreck and an intolerable burden on the people.” Reyes added. Reyes noted that numerous train breakdowns happened almost every week since last year. The latest incidents took place Feb. 17, March 11, April 30, May 25 and just last month when hapless passengers were made to walk along Guadalupe Bridge to find some other transportation. Bayan is bracing for what they described as “a deluge of lies and empty rhetoric” when President Aquino deliver his sixth and final State of the Nation Address on July 27. Reyes said they will not be surprised if Aquino highlights Gross Domestic Product growth, the conditional cash transfer program and the prosecution of political foes as among the so-called achievements of the regime. “What will obviously be missing in the SONA are the facts showing record unemployment amid the reported economic growth, rising prices and the privatization of utilities and services, depressed wages, the proliferation of contractual labor, migration and the lack of genuine land reform and national industrialization,” said Reyes.

Leyte update. Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez answers the questions of broadcaster Cesar Chavez on the situation of Yolanda survivors in Leyte as well as his legislative agenda, including the creation of an Emergency Management Agency. VeR NOVeNO

FAVORABLE RULING ON CHINA CASE SEEN By Sara Susanne d. Fabunan

MALACAÑANG expects to get a favorable ruling from the United Nations tribunal arbitrating its dispute with China over territories in the South China Sea, a presidential spokeswoman said Saturday. “Most of the members of the Philippine delegation as planned [will be going there] and we will be meeting upon landing in Amsterdam, just to have a briefing for everyone and we will be observing the proceedings,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. “The team, essentially prepared a strong case. We believe that we stand on firm legal grounds and we hope that the tribunal will look at our position with favor,” she added in an interview over state-owned Radyo ng Bayan.

While China maintained that it is merely a jurisdiction issue, Valte maintained that the Philippines is confident that the Arbitral Tribunal will rule in favor of Manila. “While some people say that it’s merely a jurisdiction issue, if the tribunal sees that it has no jurisdiction, then we cannot proceed. We cannot even presnet the merits of our case. But we are confident of the Philippine position on this matter,” she said. Manila will argue its position against Beijing’s claim over most of the resource-rich sea at The Hague

on July 7 to 13. China has refused to participate in the arbitration proceedings. The upcoming hearings will decide whether the tribunal has jurisdiction over the case. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario will lead a government delegation to The Hague, assisted by US-based lawyers, foreign affairs spokesman Charles Jose said. If the Netherlands-based court decides it has jurisdiction, Jose said the Philippines would be asked to argue the merits of its case in another round of hearings. “We have prepared well enough for these oral arguments,” Jose told reporters. The Philippines is among the most vocal critics of China’s South China Sea claims, which also overlap with those of Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.

Beijing has reinforced its claim by building artificial islands on disputed reefs. Dwarfed by China in terms of economic and military might, the Philippines has turned to arbitration as it strengthened military alliances with the United States and Japan. The Philippine navy held separate naval drills with their American and Japanese counterparts last month. Valte said the delegation will include Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr, who will also be part of the delegation, has already left for Amsterdam to meet with Philippine lawyers, Valte said.

ALBAY HEEDS POPE’S CLIMATE CHANGE CALL

LOVe iN queue. After a week in the country, a Caucasian couple snack on biscuits as they await the opening of airline counters at the Ninoy Aquino Internaional Airport Terminal 1. Rudy SaNtOS

LEGAZPI CITY—Albay pushed its already acclaimed climate change drive and responded to Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si” by adding five new items in its weekly flag-raising ceremonies to promote awareness on the urgency of global action on the climate change. Following the issuance of the pope second encyclical, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda ordered the inclusion of five new items in the flag-raising ceremonies in various government offices and schools in the province. Salceda recommended the praying the an Oratio Imperata before raising the national colors, followed by the “Albay Forever Hymn,” the National Anthem and Pledge of Loyalty, the “I am an Albayano” oath, the reading of the “Climate Change Adaptation Pledge of Commitment” and the “Ten Commandments for Sustainable Development.” Salceda said the items will help make people aware of the “urgency of global action on climate change and environmental protection and the need for raising the consciousness of our people, based on Pope Francis’ Laudato Si encyclical, and in the critical climate nego-

tiations in November in Paris.” The prayer Oratio Imperata, was written in 2008 by Albay Bishop Lucilo Quiambao at the behest of the Albay provincial government, when it launched its pioneering program on Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). The prayer’s original text has with its a handwritten note by Bishop Quiambao for Gov. Salceda. Oratio Imperata is now a popular invocation around the country, believed to be a powerful prayer to ward off typhoons and disasters. It is also aired by radio and television stations in its English or Pilipino versions, especially when there are weather disturbances. Singing the Albay Forever Hymn and reciting I am an Albayano are both mandated by ordinances passed by the Albay provincial board. Both contain nuggets of wisdom about love for the environment and the need for its protection. The CCA Pledge of Commitment and the Ten Commandments for Sustainable Development—adapted from the Earthsavers’ version—were both crafted by Albay in Action on Climate Change in 2008.

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OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION OUR COMMON HOME

[ EDI TORI A L ]

A BIRTHDAY WISH WE CAN never tell exactly what meaning a person has in mind when he or she utters something, but in school we learned how to make sense of context clues. Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno turned 55 this week, and when asked of her birthday wish, she said in apparent candor: “That the next President should be committed to the Constitution.” Sereno was appointed as associate justice by President Benigno Aquino III at the beginning of his term, and then handpicked to be chief magistrate in defiance of established seniority practices. There were criticisms, to be sure, but Sereno held her ground and tried to work with her colleagues despite accusations that she had earned her post because Mr. Aquino wanted a friendlier chief justice. We all know what happened to Sereno’s immediate predecessor: former Chief Justice Renato Corona, designated top judge by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He was impeached, tried, and convicted on the Senate floor for not declaring all his properties in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. Mr. Aquino was later accused of using government funds at his disposal to sway majority of the senators into deciding against Mr. Corona. In the first three years of her 18-year stint as chief justice, Sereno has shown she is not a stooge of the president who appointed her. She led the court into declaring as unconstitutional the Priority Development Assistance Fund, long enjoyed by lawmakers as their source of goodwill for their constituents, and the Disbursement Acceleration Program, a concoction of this administration’s finance officers. Mr. Aquino seethed at that decision of the court as he likened the DAP to being able to park at a prohibited space just so one could rush to save the life of an accident victim. “My message to the Supreme Court: We do not want two equal branches of government to go head to head, needing a third branch to step in to intervene. We find it difficult to understand your decision,” the President said. Sereno, for her part, understands perfectly the need for individual government branches to balance each other. “Any president who takes the position will have to account for the fact that the primary duty is not to ensure that power is concentrated in the Office of the President. That should not be done but rather, that the constitutional design for the checks and balances for an accountable government is observed.” These days, DAP has fallen into the background while another pet piece of legislation, the Bangsamoro Basic Law that manifests the points in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, has taken centerstage. This agreement is a product of negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front -- but that is the point, many say, because the government merely talked to the MILF and disregarded other stakeholder groups in Mindanao. The CAB is now being questioned in the Supreme Court for being patently against the Constitution. Of course, Chief Justice Sereno made no specific mention of the BBL issue. Of course, too, Palace spokespersons insisted the President did not feel alluded to. What these words sound like, however, is that the chief justice believes much more could be done to adhere to the rule of law and to maintain the independence of the branches of government. We hope Madam Sereno gets her wish. It’s ours, too.

EXPLOITING KIDS

THE Movie and Television Review and Classification Board has summoned the people behind the latest reincarnation of the Pinoy Big Brother show on ABS-CBN to a “developmental conference” supposedly to discuss issues related to the protection of the rights of the children featured in the show. I am not sure if the MTRCB

officials have what it takes to stand up to a media giant such as ABS-CBN, but after watching just a few episodes of PBB, I am mightily glad it has decided to finally intervene, for various reasons. We all know that PBB is that kind of show that legitimizes exploitation under the guise of presenting reality supposedly as it is (the fact that everyone else actually lives in the real world seems to be lost on the people behind the show). In the few editions of the show that I caught this and last week, the show’s host talked incessantly about how the show was doing

And now that there is a backlash, they want to assign the blame somewhere else. They have already shut down the live streaming of the reality show, but until then, it was the station that broadcast the images that started the intrigues.

the whole world a great favor by providing opportunities for everyone else to get to know the pains and joys of the younger

generation. And to do just that, the show has been putting the current housemates – most of whom happen to be minors – to

various physical, mental, emotional, and psychological tests. As a human resource management professional who also happens to conduct all kinds of learning and development programs for a living, I have many things to say about the way the show conducts its various structured learning activities. Let me just say that no trainer or facilitator worth his name would deliberately put learners in a negative situation just to wring out some life-affirming lessons. It is very obvious that PBB conducts “learning activities” mainly to generate emotional highlights, or at least what is re-

ferred to as “teachable moments.” Thus, there is the general tendency to wring every possible bit of drama that can be squeezed out of every situation. This was less objectionable when the housemates were people who have reached a certain level of emotional maturity. But it’s an entirely different story altogether when the housemates are minors (one is barely 12 years old!). So yes, I am glad that the MTRCB has stepped in. One of the disturbing things about the current edition of PBB is the way the supposed “bromance” between two

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male housemates has been played up. The fact that this angle has surfaced immediately after the Supreme Court of the United States made its historic ruling affirming same-sex marriage cannot be merely coincidental. ABS-CBN has taken pains to condemn netizens who supposedly started the malicious rumors about the blooming romance between two male housemates, one of whom happens to be the 12-year old boy. The network is washing its hands of culpability, forgetting that they actually featured the story in the show and,

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in fact, gave it a cliffhanger treatment, which created more fodder to the rumor mill. They could have quashed the rumors quickly and effectively, but no, they chose to use it as a possible hook for the show. And now that there is a backlash, they want to assign the blame somewhere else. They have already shut down the live streaming of the reality show, but until then, it was the station that broadcast the images that started the intrigues. PBB also asks viewers to pick favorites and Continued on A6

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. Isabel “Gina” P. Versoza Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

OUR common home—this is how Pope Francis, in his latest encyclical called Laudato Si released last month, characterized the earth and the environment. Laudato Si talked about climate change but also about other related issues that pertained to the relationship and accountability of nations to each other. What an apt comparison. Homes are where we live, where our things are kept, where our private spaces are, and where we are supposed to derive joy and peace and the energy to do more and do better. It is where we relish togetherness with the people who matter to us. It is a refuge after a long and tiring day at work or school. A place where we are truly ourselves—no pretensions or affectations. When we share our common home with others, whether they are family members, friends, significant others or mere roommates, we try to put on our best behavior. For example, we are not only concerned with our personal space. We make sure that our efforts to keep our spaces clean and presentable do not infringe on the spaces of our housemates. What sense would there be in maintaining my room garbage-free if I simply dump my trash on my sister’s space? We try to be considerate. The fact that I like listening to loud, moving post-rock music, for instance, does not mean I can play music at any time of day or night, oblivious of whether my housemates, or neighbors, are trying to get some sleep, or some work done. If I like watching action or suspense movies using my home theater system, I still have to consider that next door, my housemate may actually hate the sound of firing guns and loud explosions. And if I invite friends over to a party, I have to make sure that I clean up. I will not leave discarded plates and food leftovers in our common area. I have to make sure I segregate my garbage and gather the trash and wash the dishes and wipe the tables, sink and floors. Imagine a housemate coming from his rough day at work to a home in disarray. How would he feel? Roommates aren’t too common here, but there is a reason they say that your roommate can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. Indeed, there is something intimate about sharing your space with another person. In this home setting, if you don’t shape up, you run the risk of quarrels and bickering, and perhaps a reputation of being that housemate nobody wishes to have. ••• On a global scale, failure to clean up after ourselves has far greater, more fatal Continued on A6 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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OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION OUR COMMON HOME

[ EDI TORI A L ]

EXPLOITING KIDS

the whole world a great favor by providing opportunities for everyone else to get to know the pains and joys of the younger

generation. And to do just that, the show has been putting the current housemates – most of whom happen to be minors – to

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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. Isabel “Gina” P. Versoza Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

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OPINION

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CHINA’S BOOM HAS WORLD BANK WORRIED By William Pesek THE World Bank has a timely warning for Chinese President Xi Jinping: Don’t let all that money go to your head. The global lender didn’t refer directly to Shanghai’s stock boom or the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (Beijing’s attempt to develop a World Bank of its own). Nor did it have to. By urging Beijing to clamp down on wasteful investment, unsustainable debt, and a shadow banking industry run amok, it was delivering a clear enough warning that President Xi should stop fanning China’s giant asset bubble. The World Bank was also implying China should get its own economic house in order before trying to change the global economy. “China has reached a critical phase of its economic and social development path,” the lender said in a new report released Wednesday. The economy “will need to be transformed to increase the efficiency of new investments and widen access to finance, enabling China to sustain solid growth and rebalance its economy.” The World Bank’s admonishment was amplified by a fascinating milestone the Chinese economy reached this week—one that presents Xi’s government with a complicated image problem. China’s 90 mainland stock traders now outnumber its 87.8 million Communist Party members. This changing of the guard, if you will, is taking place the same week the party celebrated its 94th anniversary—hardly what Mao Zedong had in mind when he led the Communists to power in 1949. In truth, China’s fast-growing legions of stock traders are betting on a type of financial communism. Everyone knows

And that will mean China will have less money available to pursue its global aspirations, including through its new infrastructure bank. In that sense, the World Bank is right to suggest the best way for Beijing to achieve its international goals is to shore up its domestic economy.

the Chinese economy is slowing and deflation is approaching, but markets have generally stayed aloft amid perceptions Xi will use the full power of the state to protect investments. Along with weekend interestrate cuts, authorities have just made it easier to take on even more leverage. Brokerages now have leeway to boost lending by about $300 billion. Yet recent stock market declines suggest those steps aren’t working their usual magic. Part of the problem is traders have realized nobody is shoring up the shaky pillars of the world’s second-biggest economy. As that awareness sinks in, the 24 percent decline in the Shanghai

Composite Index from its June 12 peak (which wiped out more than the equivalent of Brazil’s annual output) will only intensify. So will the headwinds bearing down on the broader economy as plunging shares dent business and household confidence. And that will mean China will have less money available to pursue its global aspirations, including through its new infrastructure bank. In that sense, the World Bank is right to suggest the best way for Beijing to achieve its international goals is to shore up its domestic economy. That means overhauling a banking system that subsidizes state-owned enterprises at the expense of entrepreneurs and savers. Virtually all of China’s worst economic excesses emanate from its corrupt alliance of top financiers, regulators, executives and their benefactors in the government. Curbing government interference in credit allocation would be the first step to reducing the imbalances the World Bank says could “deflect” China’s “economic trajectory.” But for all his talk about trusting market forces, Xi has made only modest moves to make more credit available to the private sector and loosen controls on interest rates. Meanwhile, his government has been tossing more fuel at the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets by loosening margin financing. Far from being chastened, mainland traders can now buy even more stocks with even greater leverage in an already wildly overleveraged system. The World Bank will no doubt continue telling Chinese officials why that strategy is a mistake. But, to the detriment of the country’s economy, it can’t make them listen. Bloomberg

Our common... From A5 damage to others. Indeed, while climate change is a global issue, its causes and its effects are not evenly distributed. There are countries that emit big amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and have been doing so for centuries. Greenhouse gases, of course, get trapped up there and cause the warming of the globe. Some countries, especially the smaller or poorer ones, do not give off as much—not because they have been using clean energy for a long time but because they just don’t have as much economic activity. When you don’t have much activity, you don’t have much income. Which means you’re poor. And yet, the effects of the warming—extreme weather conditions, more frequent and powerful typhoons -- are felt more profoundly by these vulnerable countries who have little means to cope with the drought or rain and subsequent flooding. We know all too well that the Philippines—our own home -- is one such vulnerable country. If we don’t believe the science, maybe we can be convinced by experience: the likes of Ondoy, Yolanda, Milenyo, Pepeng, and Glenda have left us a lot to think about. In the meantime, high-level negotiations take place every year among diplomats and heads of state. Last year, the Conference of Parties took place in Lima, Peru. This year, in December, it will be in the fashionable city of Paris. These negotiators will add to their carbon footprints and jet into Paris to try and work out an agreement—they have been doing so for two decades, to no avail—that would arrest the level of greenhouse gas emissions and bind the countries that sign that agreement. To bind means to have more weight than a strong suggestion, or merit a frown from the international community. Pope Francis tells us that richer nations have that responsibility toward their poorer counterparts because they have already milked their share of the resources anyway, for ages. It in now time to make that sacrifice. Laudato Si is a powerful document because no other pope has highlighted the great divide between the rich and the poor and has connected it to our common home, the earth. The question is, will the Pope’s exhortations, expressed in beautiful, plain language, be met with inaction, paralysis and self-centeredness? What kind of housemates do we want to be? adellechua@gmail.com

Exploiting... From A5 encourages supporters to rally around their chosen housemates. This results in situations where certain housemates suddenly find themselves the recipient of so much hatred from so many people without even knowing why. One of the kids in the current edition has been unfairly judged and is the subject of vilification in social media just because she revealed that she already had a string of boyfriends at such an early age, and despite hav-

ing an inchoate notion of what love is. Again, this would not be so bad if the housemates were people who have already reached a certain level of maturity, something that the kids who comprise the current crop of housemates, clearly do not have. I think even shows like PBB can still impart some valuable lessons if the people behind the show learn their own lessons too, particularly about how not to treat people like pawns and puppets who can be manipulated for the sake of ratings.

GREEKS SHOULD VOTE YES GREEK Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has called a referendum Sunday to put before his citizens a question they won’t understand and to which there’s no good answer. One other thing: The future of the European Union hinges on the result. Greeks, now reeling from a financial shutdown, will be asked whether they agree to the complex terms for renewed support demanded by the country’s main creditors: the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Technically, that offer has expired, but it’s understood that if voters say yes, a similar deal can still be worked out. If they say no, as Tsipras is demanding, the likely consequence is

full-scale default and exit from the euro system. It should never have come to this. The terms demanded by the creditors—if the IMF’s analysis is to be believed—are too strict. Greece’s best chance for economic recovery, and the creditors’ best chance of getting most of their money back, involves less fiscal austerity and new debt relief. If Europe’s leaders hadn’t been so inflexible, and if Tsipras and his team hadn’t been so infuriating to deal with, the crisis could have been resolved in that way. It hasn’t been resolved, so Greeks have to choose the lesser evil. They should vote yes—and, if they do, Europe should respond with the magnanimity and political vision that have been so utterly lack-

ing in its dealings up to now. Tsipras has gambled throughout that Europe’s other governments would do anything to keep Greece in the euro system. He was wrong. He has so maddened his interlocutors that some of them would do almost anything to get Greece out—regardless of what it might cost both sides. But Europe needs to bolster the euro system, not show it can be dismantled, and the last thing Greece needs is a protracted spell of even greater financial instability. Talks to keep Greece in the euro system urgently need to resume and be brought to a successful conclusion. As things stand, that requires a yes. Tsipras has made the referendum a vote of confidence

in his leadership. Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has said he will quit if voters approve, and Tsipras has said he won’t carry out the deal if Greek voters say to take it— but that’s fine. Greece needs a team in charge that won’t drive its European partners into self-harming rage. However, it’s vital that the EU’s leaders be ready, in the case of a yes vote, to make amends for what Greece has had to endure. In short, they should prepare to give Greece, post-Tsipras, most of what Tsipras has been asking for: a milder profile of fiscal consolidation, greater latitude in putting the program in place and debt relief. This would make sense in macroeconomic terms,

because it would support growth. It would also make sense in humanitarian terms, because Greece has suffered too much already. Above all, it would make sense strategically. Europe must strive to bind Greece back into the union as a friend and partner, not as a cowed and resentful enemy. The EU’s message should be: Our quarrel was with Tsipras and his team, not with the people of Greece, our fellow Europeans. That wouldn’t by any means repair the damage that Tsipras and the EU have, between them, needlessly inflicted on Greece and on the European Union as a whole. But it offers the best hope of not making things any worse. Bloomberg

S U N D AY : j U lY 5 , 2 0 1 5

NEWS editorial@thestandard.com.ph

EBDANE ASSUMES FULL RESPONSIBILITY “I TAKE full responsibility.” Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. made this strong reaction on his indictment on charges of graft and usurpation for theft of minerals in a mine site of the Consolidated Mines Inc. Ebdane maintained his innocence. “As Zambales governor, I take full responsibility for my action but I strongly believe that the conclusion reached in the Ombudsman resolution is mistaken. “We are yet to receive the copy of the Ombudsman reso-

lution which allegedly found probable cause to indict me for usurpation of official functions and violation of Republic Act No. 3019. In my long years in public service in the national government and now on my second term as Local Chief Executive, my actions and deci-

sions have always been based on a thorough evaluation, fair assessment of facts, with all good faith and due regard to our laws.” Ebdane said the same accusations were already raised before the lower court by CMI against small-scale mining permit holders. “But these were dismissed recently by the Regional Trial Court of Iba,” he added. The Ombudsman indicted Ebdane Jr. for alleged violation of Section 103 of Republic Act 7942, or the Mining Act of 1995,

and violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act, and usurpation of official functions under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code. The cases stemmed from a complaint filed by CMI, the mineral rights holder of the area covered by the Coto chromite project (Coto Mines) under a mineral production sharing agreement when Gojo accompanied by policemen entered Coto Mines on Oct. 30, 2011 and presented a small-scale mining permit and other permits.

BIoMeTRIcS. comelec chairman andres bautista oversees the registration of voters at a satellite booth inside a shopping mall on saturday. comelec encourages voters to have their biometric data taken or they will be disenfranchised in the 2016 presidential election. ey AcASIo

Quake training for PWDs PresseD By Macon Araneta

WHEEL-CHAIR bound persons should lock the brakes of their wheelchair and hold on to something sturdy in case of an earthquake, PHILVOCS Director Renato Solidum said in a recent forum. At the First Earthquake Resiliency for People with Disabilities (PWDs) and Senior Citizens’ Conference at the SMX, Mall of Asia, Solidum revealed that these are the people most vulnerable during calamities as they account for more than the death rates during emergencies. He said it is important that they are also taught the emergency plan and actually go through it with authorized personnel assisting them. “We have drills in school and our offices. We should also have drills in our homes especially for our family members who have special needs,” Solidum said. He said they must be assisted and capacitated to prepare and respond to earthquake. Carmen Zubiaga, Executive Director for the National Council for Disability Affairs (NCDA) related that due to the conditions of PWDs and senior citizens, they are put at an extreme disadvantage during times of disasters. Bien Mateo, Vice President for Operations and Program Director of the Disability Affairs of SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, said this is reason why they decided to sponsor the conference which is aimed to make PWDs and senior citizens better prepared for earthquakes and other emergencies. He said the conference of SM’s continuing advocacy to support the causes of PWDs and senior citizens. “This conference is to ensure that you, our PWDs and senior citizens, are in our minds and will always be integrated in our daily operations,” he said. Zubiaga said although a lot have been done for PWDs and senior citizens, their vulnerability during earthquakes and other emergencies has yet to be addressed.

forum tackles benefits of clean air By Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II

ToyoTA eco-Run. toyota motor Philippines corporation celebrated the environment month by holding a 3k eco-run inside the 82-hectaretoyota special economic Zone in santa rosa city, laguna. over thirty toyota team-members participated in the event and then proceeded to a tree-planting activity inside the 11-hectare toyota forest within tseZ. All Toyota affiliates worldwide celebrate the Environment Month every June by promoting environment-friendly activities to its value chain as part of its commitment to the environment. on a larger scale, toyota supports the adopt-a-forest Project at the university of the Philippines los baños (uPlb) campus in laguna.

CLEAN air is not just a Republic Act; it is a right that every Filipino should have access to and enjoy; but there is a need for the public to be properly informed so that monitoring and even regulating it becomes a united effort. These were the main issues discussed during a two-day forum that sought to quantify the economic rewards of the Philippine Clean Air Act. With the theme “Towards identifying the Economic Benefits of Clean Air: A Call to Action,” the 7th Annual Clean Air Forum was held from June 30 to July 1 at the Bulwagan Romeo Edu of the Land Transportation Office Compound in Quezon City. DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones noted the importance of finding solutions and working together on the right action to address air pollution. “It (air pollution) is a real threat to everyone, regardless of age, education or standing

in society,” said Leones, who also serves as concurrent director for the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau. The event also served as a formal launch of the DENR’s Perwisyong Usok ay Pigilan Campaign with the tagline: Makina, Tamang Kundisyon… Gamit, Langis na Malinis… Konting Abala, Laking Ginhawa. Participants to the forum confirmed their support by signing the DENR-EMB’s resolution. “We want to strengthen appreciation of the public of the need to have clean air. As their commitment becomes stronger, so will enforcement become more effective,” said Leones.” Different speakers during the event made related appeals that called for urgent action. Dr. Franklin Diza of the Department of Health warned that more than 50 percent of the causes of death in the Philippines is caused by or is linked to air pollution. “Global tests confirm that air pollution is the greatest threat to human life today,” said Diza.

SUNDAY: JULY 5, 2015

editorial@the standard.com.ph

HAZARD PAY FOR RTC JUDGES By Maricel V. Cruz

A MEASURE granting hazard pay to regional trial court (RTC) judges in the country has been filed at the House of Representatives. The hazard pay is equivalent to 20 percent of the basic pay of RTC judges and tax-exempt, according to House Bill 5804 of Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo. Citing a recent study of the Amnesty International, Castelo said judges as a sector are now

classified as high risk due to the nature of their work. “From 1999 to 2012, some 22 judges have been murdered or assassinated in the Philippines and this translates into two judges being killed annually. If this pattern continues and unabated, it will

wreak various impact upon the role of the courts in this country and put at peril the criminal justice system,” Castelo said. Castelo said not a single pillar of the five pillars of the criminal justice system should be under siege since it will severely distort the public purpose of a speedy, fair, and expeditious disposition of cases especially those relative to heinous crime, drug cases and other syndicate crimes. “When judges are killed, assassinated or maimed, it makes a mockery of the justice system and

places in the hands of disgruntled litigants the option to take the law into their hands,” Castelo said. “The occupational risk should be counterbalanced by a modest grant or entitlement such as a hazard pay that will encourage rather than discourage our judges to face their duties and responsibilities fairly and squarely,” he added. Castelo said other emoluments or remuneration should also be considered in the future in order to promote and preserve a truly vibrant criminal justice system.

Castelo said it is assumed that the judiciary branch is in a capacity to prioritize the grant of this hazard pay based on position and location once the bill is enacted into law. “This means that a scientific and empirical inventory of all RTC positions and locations will be rationalized until such time that all RTC judges throughout the country would have already been granted this incentive,” Castelo, chair of the House special committee on Metro Manila development, pointed out.

FOOD-POISON CASES REACH ALARMING LEVEL—GROUP By Joel E. Zurbano THE Ecowaste Coalition has expressed alarm over the increasing number of food poisoning victims that has reached 300 public school children nationwide. The group called on local government units to enforce Republic Act 10611, or the Food Safety Act of 2013 after monitoring food poisoning incidents that victimized school children from June 7 to July 3, 2015. “In just 27 days, 287 children fell sick after consuming foods that were either adulterated, contaminated or past their expiration date,” said Thony Dizon, Ecowaste Project Protect coordinator. “That’s over 10 pediatric food poisoning cases per day. Luckily, there were no reported fatalities,” he added. Dizon said the spate of food poisoning incidents should serve as a wake-up call to LGUs on the urgency of putting the Implementing Rules and Regulations the law into force. He added the departments of Agriculture and Health promulgated the law’s IRR on February 20, 2015. Under Rule 15, “LGUs shall be responsible for the implementation of the food safety requirements of foods produced within their areas of jurisdiction, including primary, postharvest, processed and prepackaged foods marketed in traditional markets as well as restaurants and school canteens, catered foods, street vended, and/or ambulant-vended foods.” “While the enabling city or municipal ordinances are being prepared, we appeal to all food business operators to adhere to basic food safety requirements and controls to protect consumers from food poisoning,” Dizon said. Citing news reports, the group noted that 36 pupils of Doongan Elementary School were rushed to the Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital on July 3 after eating expired chocolate candies. Prior to this, 114 students from Guelew Elementary School in San Carlos City were brought to the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital and the Virgen Milagrosa Medical Center on July 2 after consuming expired fruitflavored chewing gum. On June 19, 17 students from Don Francisco S. Dizon Elementary School in Davao City fell ill after drinking suspected contaminated fruit shake. On June 10, 41 students from Man-uling Elementary School in Cauayan, Negros Occidental experienced food poisoning after eating a local doughnut sprinkled with sugar that had oxalic acid, a bleaching agent, mixed in it.

FIL-AM DAY. Filipino and American youth delegates celebrate Fil-Am Friendship Day as they undergo a month-long training on leadership,values,volunteerism, cross cultural friendship in Baguio City. Inset, militants mark the occasion with a protest on Saturday July 4, stating that the US granted the Philippines l independence while retaining vast US military presence throughout the country. DANNY PATA/DAVE LEPROZO

LEYTE FARMERS TRAIN ON MODERN METHODS AS PART of SM Foundation’s support to communities in Leyte, the 2nd Farmer’s Training Program or the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Program was completed from June 22-23 in Sta. Elena, Tacloban City. The 12-week- hands-on training on modern farming technologies attended by 168 farmer participants culminated with a Harvest Festival & a graduation program attended by the participants, SM Foundation officials, departments of Social Welfare and Agriculture ,local government units of the City. Part of the training was teaching them simple book-keeping & marketing strategies to better guide them to achieve high daily income. Aside from these doable agricultural technologies, sessions on values formation, capability building & social entrepreneurship were likewise tackled during these sessions. The farmers who participated aside from those from Sta. Elena were from nearby barangays Sto. Nino, Kabalawan, Kamansihay, Bagakay, San Roque, Salvacion, Palanog&Calanipawan. Farmersfrom Alang-alang which is about 40 minutes away sacrificed commuting to the site to avail of the training while 2

SAVEMORE staff tour farmer participants of the KSK in Tacloban to show the quality of fruits & vegetables that must be met to be suppliers of the supermarket.

from Palolikewise braved the heat& expenses to commute to the demo farm. Cristy Angeles, Program Director of the Foundationemphasized to the participants that SM is now gearing towards recovery programs gradually weaning typhoon victims from dependence on relief goods. Farmers are encouraged to apply the training most

especially to those who have sufficient space for backyard farming &to those who till big agricultural farms. This enables them toattain food security & therefore be self-sufficient. At present, there are an abundance of jobs in the construction business in the City so that 60% of the trainees were women. One of the trainees,

Magdalena Oquino, 38 years old, with 4 children trained in the KSK; while her husband is a construction worker in one of the projects of USAID. She is planting sweet corn in a 1,000 sq. meter leasedproperty. Aside from that, she plants veggies in her backyard which she shares with her extended family. She sells the harvested corn to a supplier of vegetables of SAVEMORE and happily tells us that she was able to enrol her 2nd daughter in the East Visayas State University with her earnings in time for school opening in June. She hopes to continue planting corn which is in-season then shift to other products depending on the recommendation of the City agriculturist, Vicky Collantes. Siblings Daniel & Erwin Rellona together with a sisterin-law Minerva Rellonaare tenants of a 6-hectare property of a family who has allowed them to use the land after the devastation of their coconut plantation. Recovery of the coconut may take years so they are doing corn planting & vegetable & fruit-farming until the coconut trees are fully recovered. They together with other farmers have formed an association so that they can deliver vegetables in bulk to supermarkets in Tacloban&Ormoc.

SUNDAY: JULY 5, 2015

Roderick T. dela Cruz EDITOR business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

BUSINESS

FILIPINO SURGEON

BUILDS BEAUTY EMPIRE By Othel V. Campos Dr. Alfredo Callanta provides personal and faceto-face consultation with a patient at Empire Centre for Regenerative Medicine.’

A FILIPINO cosmetic surgeon has built a new facility that promotes non-invasive aesthetic procedures to enhance physical features, using the patient’s own body fat. Dr. Alfredo Callanta, a world- renowned plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon, is an expert in the field of non-surgical fat grafting for facial and bodily rejuvenation. With Singaporean partners sinking in at least $1 million, Callanta and his partners established Empire Center for Regenerative Medicine, considered as the pioneer in minimally invasive cosmetic treatments. “Empire is committed to providing highly specialized procedures to people in and around the globe who have the preference for noninvasive treatments at relatively no downtime at less than normal fees other medical facilities overseas charge,” says Callanta. Empire, located in the business district of Quezon City, began operations in 2014 and has since then become a go-to place for cosmetic procedures in the Philippines, helping drive the growth of medical tourism. The facility’s popularity has encouraged foreign tourists to flock into the country to undergo cosmetic procedures. The fat grafting procedure is the facility’s most popular cosmetic treatment that allows patients to ‘roll back’ the years lost through a technique using their own fat. The use of fat is also fast becom-

ing the procedure of choice for women looking to enhance their body such as the breasts or the butt, says Callanta. “There is definitely a growing demand for regenerative medicine here in the region and cosmetic surgery continues to be an everevolving industry here in the Philippines,” Callanta says. He cites the results of recent studies showing that fat has the highest potential to stimulate the growth of

stem cells. In one of his seminars abroad, Callanta met fellow plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Amar, who created the so-called fat autograft muscle injection fat graft technique. FAMI fat graft seeks to restore the lost volume by utilizing fat from the patient’s body. The technique is touted as a very specialized discipline that only a select group of surgeons across the globe are proficient in it, each hand-

Empire Centre for Regenerative Medicine opens its doors to patients from all over the world who seek minimally invasive cosmetic treatments.

picked by Amar himself. Callanta is the only one in Asia that is able to administer the FAMI technique. Callanta holds a degree in Medicine from the University of Sto. Tomas and has done his internship and residency at the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City where he became chief resident for general surgery. Empire offers select rejuvenation processes to restore the natural tautness of facial, breast and butt muscles that are normally subject to lack of elasticity and firmness as part of the aging process. The facility offers butt augmentation via fat graft, which is commonly referred to as the ‘Brazilian Butt Lift’ and has been a procedure gaining fast popularity. This procedure is more tricky as it requires the procedure to be in proportion to other body parts. Callanta, a pioneer in facial rejuvenation process, also noticed that traditional facelift which usually cuts off excess or sagging skin is not aesthetically pleasing as observed by more discerning clients. “The method oftentimes results in stiff and somewhat overstretched look of the facial skin. Our facial rejuvenation procedure is very natural with surprisingly less down time,” he says. He says Empire clients can undergo a procedure on a Friday and come back to work on a Monday, after three to six hours of non-invasive procedure.

Even young people in teens and young adults have come to embrace the technology of cosmetic procedures to enhance their physical appearance, he says. “What needs to be understood is that our hospitals and medical clinics are already at par with top-notch institutions in Europe and America when it comes to cosmetic procedures. A lot of doctors, if not most, are internationally trained with extensive experience in their respective medical fields,” he says. “I have been doing cosmetic procedures for more than a decade now and each patient I have is a testament to how effective, safe, and reliable fat grafting is. The Philippines has so much potential in this particular medical field and we at Empire are positive that the local medical tourism will continue to grow in the coming years,” he says. He says the Philippines has emerged as one of Asia’s most advanced nations in the field of healthcare. With many countries offering advanced healthcare services, the competitive edge of the Philippines is its lower cost, he says. “We will soon be the hub in aesthetic medical procedures in the region. I’m quite positive that we have the perfect blend of expertise and pricing that will, all the more encourage people to come to the Philippines and have their procedures here,” says Callanta.

SUNDAY: JULY 5, 2015

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

PUP STUDENTS PRODUCE

POWER FROM FILTHY WATER TWO engineering students of Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila have developed a device that can produce electricity from the filthy water of the nearby Pasig River. The prototype was recognized in an international competition held recently by Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management and automation. “We call it Electrifilter, or electricity generation from filthy water. It can generate electricity and at the same time cleanse wastewater,” Christian Sta. Romana, a 19-year-old female Electronics and Communications Engineering student who is now in her third year at PUP says in an interview at Terraz Restaurant at Zuellig Building in Makati City. Sta. Romana teamed up with John Paul Santos, now a fresh graduate, to win third place in the annual ‘Go Green in the City’ grand finals in Paris, France on June 24. Electrifilter was able to impress an international panel of judges to bag the third highest honor, among 12 regional champions. The pair competed against 11 other finalist teams from the United States, Brazil, China, France, Turkey, Russia, Morocco, Pakistan, Australia, Japan and India. Each team presented ideas for efficient energy management in smart cities to a jury composed of Schneider Electric senior management. The team from India, represented by Mohamad Meraj Shaikh and Spoorthy Kotla from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, took the top honors with their efficient energy management application while the team from France took home the second spot. Contestants presented a case study focusing on energy solutions for cities. Working in teams of two, with at least one woman on the team, students devised viable solutions for energy management sectors critical to cities, such as home, university, retail, water and hospital. The annual event is organized and hosted by Schneider Electric, as part of their advocacy in encouraging the youth to dream up ideas and innovations that can help build the smart cities of the future. Before heading to France, Santos and Sta. Romana, who are

PUP students John Paul Santos (left) and Christian Sta. Romana won third place in a global competition on energy solutions for cities. both Electronics and Communications Engineering students, beat 41 other teams in the Philippines to emerge the national champions on March 6. They edged out other twoperson teams from De La Salle University and the Pamantasang Lungsod ng Valenzuela during the country finals. The PUP tandem on April 2 won against champion teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand in the East Asia regional finals. “We feel privileged to be able to

represent our country and the East Asia region, and to be able to hone, not just our technical skills, but also our presentation and community skills,” Sta. Romana says. Schneider Electric Philippines country president Claude Mazallon says the company is satisfied with the results. “We are very happy that they are part of the top three after competing with best and the brightest in the world,” says Mazallon. Sta. Romana, who was born in Negros Occidental, is a scholar of the Science and Technology Department. She says Electrifil-

ter, once fully developed, would help communities produce electricity during calamities such as floods. “Although our output water is not potable, it can be for general usage like flushing the toilet and washing dishes. We designed the prototype as a portable device, so that in times of calamity or flood, you can just pour flood water, and you can generate electricity,” she says. “It can also be used in remote areas where there is no electricity,” Sta. Romana says. She says the device is an idea of Santos, a 22 year-old ECE gradu-

ate who is preparing for the board exam in April 2016. Santos says he developed the idea as a PUP student three years ago. “PUP is just beside the Pasig River and in Metro Manila there is a lot of wastewater. I developed the idea three years ago, during my second year in college. We talked about if it was possible to generate electricity from wastewater. Now, we have the chance to pursue this,” he says. Santos says the ‘Go Green in the City’ competition encouraged him to pursue the project. In need of a female partner, he met Sta. Romana, who is a member of ECE Core, a student body in the Electronics Engineering Department. “I needed a partner and I chose Christian, who is one of my colleagues in the organization,” he says. Santos says the device can be valuable in remote communities. “In the Philippines, we are experiencing different calamities and in our outreach program as a student leader, we went to places where there is no electricity. These communities could use Electrifilter,” he says. Schneider Electric funded the development of the prototype, which has so far cost P10,000. “I think it will take more money to develop it further,” he says. Santos says their target is to produce 1 watt from 1.5 liters of wastewater. “But electricity generation does not only depend on water. There are a number of principles involved. Right now, I cannot disclose all the principles, because the research is ongoing,” he says. “At the same time, we have a filtration system that filters water and make it clean for general use. For now, we are not able to produce potable water,” he says. “The main concept we have is to generate electricity from wastewater. Clean water is just value added.” Santos says the prototype is still a work in progress. PUP is helping the two students secure patent for Electrifilter, he says. Santos, who lives in Antipolo City, says he look forward to working with Schneider Electric in the future, or after the board examination in April 2016. The ‘Go Green in the City’ competition has received a total of around 30,000 participants over the last five years and expanded its scope from eight countries in 2011 to 168 countries in 2015. In 2013, Slyssa Tricia Eloise Vintola and Lorenz Ray Payonga, both fifth-year electronics and communications engineering students of Ateneo del Manila University, emerged as the overall winner in the global competition, for their entry called “Oscillohump”, which uses electromagnetic induction in gathering energy from road humps. Roderick T. dela Cruz

SUNDAY: JULY 5, 2015

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

By Sara Susanne Fabunan

DINNA Cruz, an internationally renowned nephrologist, warns about the dangers of ‘kidney attack’, a silent killer that not all doctors fully understand. Cruz is one of the world’s top researchers on acute kidney injury or AKI, which is sometimes termed as ‘kidney attack’, because of the patient’s sudden loss of kidney functions. She seeks to demystify ‘kidney attack’ and make the public aware of its causes in the same way that ‘heart attack’ is now understood. Cruz is an expert nephrologist, a physician trained in diagnosing and treating diseases of the kidney. He clinical interests include AKI and cardiorenal syndrome. She in interested in how AKI contributes to poor clinical outcomes and progressive chronic kidney disease. She delivers around 10 lectures a year on these topics at medical conferences around the world. An author and co-author of more than 200 scientific articles and book chapters and considered the most prolific Filipino physician-scientist in nephrology, Cruz recently discussed the causes and treatment of AKI with Filipino nephrologists during the annual Philippine Society of Nephrology’s convention. “If detected early, AKI may be reversible once the reason is identified and treated. However, some people may develop chronic kidney disease problems later in life,” she says during the convention. Cruz cites the need to raise awareness among Filipino doctors, hospital staff and the general public on AKI, its risk factors, causes and preventions. She says the increase of cases of patients acquiring AKI is due to inadequate discussion about the disease during clinical education and training, the lack of awareness about the risk of this attack among doctors and patients and insufficient research programs about the disease. “The consequences are missed opportunities to reduce risk, delayed diagnosis, poor management, and increased lengths of hospital stay, which all contribute to spiraling healthcare costs,” she says. Cruz, a daughter of newspaper columnist Neal Cruz, is among the top alumni of the University of the Philippines’ College of Medicine, the leading medical school in the country. UC professor She is currently an associate professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Nephrology at the University of California, San Diego. She also serves as associate editor for Blood Purification and the Clinical Kidney Journal and as a reviewer for a number of high ranking Nephrology, ICU, and Internal Medicine journals. She had stellar academic records, having graduated summa cum laude from the University of the Philippines-Diliman with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology in 1985. She finished her Doctor of Medicine degree at the top of her class at UP Manila’s College of Medicine in 1990 and earned her Masters in Public Health from the UP College of Public Health in 2004. She had extensive training overseas, completing her fellowship in nephrology at the Yale University School of Medicine, and her residency in internal medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine. She became an assistant professor at Yale University. Prior to her arrival at UC San Diego, she completed a critical care nephrology fellowship in the Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Hypertension at St. Bortolo Hospital in Vicenza, Italy. There, she was appointed director of research at the International Renal Research Institute in Vicenza. When she returned to the Philippines, she established the CRRT [Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy] program at St. Luke’s Medical Center and assisted CRRT staff training in other hospitals. What is AKI? Cruz, in her lecture, says ‘kidney attack’ or AKI is a sudden loss of kidney function that occurs over hours to days. This is in contrast to chronic kidney disease, where kidney damage occurs over months to years.

TOP FILIPINO PHYSICIAN

DEMYSTIFIES

‘KIDNEY ATTACK’ Dr. Dinna Cruz, an internationally renowned nephrologist.

AKI, she says, may occur due to a lower blood flow to the kidneys, direct damage to the kidneys, or blockage of urine coming out of the kidneys. “In the ICU, the more common cause is a serious infection that has spread through the body known as sepsis,” Cruz says. Kidney attack is most often detected by blood tests, when there is a sudden rise in the blood level of a substance called creatinine, which indicates a buildup in the body of toxins which are normally excreted by wellfunctioning kidneys. “Sometimes, kidney attack is also detected when the patient makes little or no urine. When AKI is severe, dialysis may be needed in the short term to remove waste and excess fluid from the body,” Cruz says. Who are vulnerable? Cruz says individuals who may fall ill from AKI are those who have poor eating and drinking habits, patients who take herbal supplements or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, those who severe health problems such as heart attack, those with serious infections known as sepsis, those with a blockage of urine from kidney stones. Also vulnerable are people who are diabetic and hypertensive, those with chronic kidney disease, those undergoing a medical procedure used to diagnose and treat certain heart conditions, patients undergoing cardiac bypass surgery, individuals with heart and liver failure and the elderly. Lack of knowledge She says in some instances, kidney attack occurs under the health provider’s care which has no expertise on kidney diseases. She says patients from the intensive care unit are most likely to fall ill from AKI if physicians and nurses do not properly take care of the patient. Cruz says kidney attack is curable when diagnosed during the early stage of damage. She says this knowledge should be passed on to all doctors treating patients who have heart problems, diabetic or individuals who are taking several medications in one day. She says AKI can be prevented among patients in the ICU by giving them the right intravenous solution. Cruz, who has worked on several studies on AKI and dialysis in the

ICU, warns that IV solutions which contain salt and water can damage and injure the kidney of a patient. On the other hand, using “balanced” IV solutions, which contain a mix of salt and non-acidic components such as lactate or gluconate would not damage the patient’s kidneys. “The choice of intravenous fluids during the resuscitation phase of sepsis is very important. Patients are less likely to need dialysis for kidney attack when balanced IV fluids are used, rather than those just containing salt and water,” Cruz says. “This is a simple change that can be done by ICU and kidney doctors anywhere, as these types of IV fluids are easily available in the Philippines and in most countries,” she says. “Sometimes, despite the best care available, ICU patients are just so sick that their kidneys fail and they require temporary dialysis acutely. This is continued while waiting for the kidneys to get better. Rarely, the kidneys do not recover and dialysis may be needed long term,” she says. Even the way in which acute dialysis is performed by physicians can also affect the chances of kidney recovery, she says. CRRT technology Cruz says there is a gentle or gradual type of dialysis called continuous renal replacement therapy or CRRT where nephrologists can perform to patients with severe kidney problems in the ICU. Similar to the patient’s own kidneys, CRRT cleans the blood continuously, 24 hours a day, she says. “It is therefore gentler to the body than the regular type of hemodialysis that most people are familiar with that is performed over four to six hours in a day,” Cruz says. Fortunately, this kind of technology is available in the Philippines, she says. “Treating patients with CRRT rather than regular dialysis, at least in the initial phase, was better for kidneys in the long run. There was a lower chance of needing permanent dialysis down the line,” Cruz says. She observes that majority of kidney doctors still decide to advise their patients for a regular dialysis instead of referring them to undergo the CRRT. This is because the type of technology is a little expensive.

“In economically-challenged areas like the Philippines, kidney doctors have tended to shy away from CRRT because of the costs. There is a tendency to try regular dialysis first, and only when patients do poorly on it, then they are switched to CRRT. This may not be the correct approach,” Cruz says. Cost factor She says the cost of long-term or “permanent” dialysis is very high, and prohibitive for some patients, compared to CRRT. “Doctors should look at the longer-term costs, rather than just the hospitalization costs. If we can decrease the chance that a kidney attack patient will require long term dialysis, then this balances the greater initial cost of CRRT,” Cruz says. Cruz currently conducts more research on AKI and is a part of the International Society of Nephrology-Acute Kidney Injury “Zero by 25” initiative. She says the global initiative seeks to eliminate preventable deaths from AKI by 2025. “The project is multifaceted with a main goal to raise awareness of AKI and demonstrate the global burden of AKI especially in low and middle-income countries,” she says. In April, Cruz was asked to share her expertise and practical advices in taking care of the patient to prevent having an AKI and how to treat an AKI patient in the hospital. Philippine case Filipino nephrologists acknowledge the need for more research on AKI. Philippine Society of Nephrology of Scientific Communication chairman Dr. Edgar Faustino says about 50 percent of healthy patients worldwide who are diagnosed with AKI eventually succumb to the disease. In the Philippines, cases of AKI have been alarming. Faustino says AKI, which does not profess any signs and symptoms, makes it more “under recognized or undiagnosed” by non-kidney specialists in the country. Faustino says Cruz’s lectures during the Philippine Society of Nephrology’s convention have been “very well received” by Filipino nephrologists. “She gave us a lot of practical pointers on how to take care of patients with AKI, especially those in the ICU on how we can improve their survival,” Faustino, the organizer of the event, says.

WORLD

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addresess an anti-austerity rally at the Syntagma square in Athens on July 3, 2015. Tsipras urged voters to ignore European scaremongering and vote ‘No’ for July 5 referendum as polls showed support swinging behind the ‘Yes’ campaign. AFP

SYRIA MOSQUE BLAST KILLS 25 AN explosion in a mosque in northern Syria killed 25 members of Al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, including one of its leaders, as they attended Ramadan prayers, a monitoring group said Friday. Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdel Rahman said the death toll could rise as dozens of civilians were also injured in the explosion during Iftar prayers in the city of Ariha. “Twenty-five members of AlNusra Front, including a leader of the jihadist group, died in an explosion inside a mosque in the city of Ariha, in Idlib province,” the Britain-based observatory said. It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion. Activist group the Syrian Revolution General Commission said «hundreds of civilians were assembled for an Iftar gathering with the Al-Nusra Front in the Salem mosque in the west of Ariha when the blast went off during evening prayers». Civilians were also among those killed while worshipping during the holy Muslim festival of Ramadan, the group said, without giving further details. Most of Idlib province is now under rebel control, after an alliance of opposition groups including Al-Nusra Front evicted regime forces from their last strongholds. More than 230,000 people have died in Syria since anti-government protests erupted in 2011, precipitating a civil war pitting pro-government forces, rebels and jihadist groups against each other. AFP

TIGHT RACE IN GREECE BAILOUT REFERENDUM GREECE braced itself Saturday ahead of a make-orbreak bailout referendum as polls showed the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ camps neck and neck and uncertainty rose over the future of the country’s battered economy. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras got a rock-star welcome at an Athens rally late Friday as he sought to revive support for a ‘No’ vote in a referendum called to strengthen his hand in talks with international creditors. But the most recent polls suggested Sunday’s plebiscite on Greece’s latest bailout offer from its international creditors was too close to call, with the nation of 11

million people evenly divided. EU leaders have warned that a ‘No’ victory could cause Greece to crash out of the eurozone. But Tsipras and his closest ally Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis have accused them of fear-mongering. In an interview published Saturday the outspoken Varoufakis accused Athens’s creditors of “terrorism”. “What they’re doing with Greece

has a name—terrorism,” he told the Spanish El Mundo daily. “What Brussels and the troika want today is for the ‘Yes’ (vote) to win so they could humiliate the Greeks.” As tensions rose he was forced to deny a Financial Times report that suggested Greek savers could lose 30 percent of their bank deposits to shore up the banking system, slamming it a “malicious rumour”. The British business daily, quoting unidentified bankers and businessmen close to negotiations, reported that Greek depositors with over 8,000 euros ($8,900) in an account may be force to take a “haircut”. Rumours that capital controls imposed by the government were

leading to food and medicine shortages were spooking Greeks, as was growing uncertainty over when the country’s banks would re-open. “I’ve heard shops are running out of flour, sugar and salt. I’m really worried, how will we manage if we can’t get to our money and there’s no food to buy?” said Lena Antoniou, a 35-year old mother of two. Nikos Archondis from the Panhellenic Exporters Association (PEA) told AFP “certain supermarkets are very concerned because they cannot forecast how the situation will evolve,” adding that stocks of meat, cheeses, fruits and vegetables “risk running low in the following weeks”. AFP

HONDURANS DEMAND PRESIDENT TO RESIGN TENS of thousands of Hondurans, many of them holding torches,

marched Friday to demand the resignation of President Juan Orlando

Honduras wearing Guy Fawkes masks demonstrate for the resignation of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez in Tegucigalpa. Protesters demand the installation of the International Commission against Impunity due to recent corruption scandals regarding Hernandez’s government. AFP

Hernandez during the latest in a series of demonstrations accusing him of corruption. The demonstrators crammed onto Tegucigalpa’s Suyapa Boulevard near the presidential palace, shouting “out with JOH,” referring to the president by his initials. Activists put the number of protesters at around 100,000. The protesters, who were rallying for a sixth Friday, called for the United Nations to form a commission to investigate the president. During their first protest, demonstrators carried candles, but all subsequent marches have seen participants carrying torches, which have become a symbol of the movement. Meanwhile twelve members of the movement are on hunger strike near the presidential palace.

The protesters allege Hernandez received government money illegally in his campaign for the 2013 presidential election that he won. Hernandez admitted his conservative ruling National Party had in fact accepted $94,000 that had been misappropriated from social security funds. The opposition charges more than $300 million was skimmed from dirt-poor Honduras’s public health system. On Friday a judge released from jail deputy congressional speaker Lena Gutierrez and 15 others who are accused of taking part in the graft scandal and sent them home pending their initial hearing on July 30. Prosecutors argued against the move, saying that the individuals pose a “light risk.” AFP

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WORLD editorial@thestandard.com.ph

JAPAN PLEDGES $6BN TO ‘MEKONG FIVE’ JAPAN on Saturday pledged $6.1 billion in financial aid to the “Mekong Five” countries as it pushes infrastructure exports and courts influence in a region where rival China has an increasing presence. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled the pledge at a summit with his counterparts from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam—fast-growing economies through which the lower section of the Mekong river flows. “Japan will implement support worth around 750 billion yen ($6.1 billion) in official development assistance for the next three years,” Abe told a news conference following the seventh annual Japan-Mekong summit. “The Mekong region, which has vast demand for infrastructure, is one of our most important areas,” Abe said. “Japan will contribute to infrastructure development of the region in both quality and quantity,” he added. “The Mekong region and Japan are partners that will develop together.” It was not immediately clear if the pledge included previously-earmarked Japanese financial assistance, or whether it was made up entirely of newly-allocated funds. “The Mekong region is the most dynamic economic centre, but there still is room for huge growth,” Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha told the news conference. The meeting came as the leading Nikkei business daily said Friday that three Japanese companies had secured an order worth over 32 billion baht ($947 million) to equip a railway linking the Thai capital Bangkok with nearby suburbs. AFP

EGYPT’S SISI RALLIES SINAI TROOPS AFTER IS ATTACK EGYPT’S president made an unannounced visit to the Sinai Peninsula on Saturday to rally troops following a wave of deadly jihadist attacks on security forces, his office said.

Egyptians carry the coffin of Egyptian army first lieutenant Mohamed Ashraf during his funeral in his hometown Ashmoun in the Nile delta on July 2, 2015. Ashraf was among 70 people, mostly Egyptian soldiers but also civilians, who were killed in attacks and ongoing clashes with Islamic State group jihadists in Sinai on July 1. AFP

“President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is inspecting troops and police in the North Sinai,” his office said without specifying where in the restive province. “I have come to salute the heroes of the armed forces and to express to them my recognition,” he was quoted by the army’s spokesman as saying. The government called in air strikes Wednesday after a spectacular attack by Islamic State group jihadists in the North Sinai town of Sheikh Zuweid left dozens dead. The army said 17 soldiers and 100 militants had been killed. But medical and security officials said the death toll was at least 70 people—mostly soldiers—as well as dozens of jihadists. The violence poses a major test for Sisi, a former military chief who has pledged to eliminate the militants. On Saturday a shell slammed into a house in Sheikh Zuweid, killing a woman and two children, medical and security sources said. It was unclear which side fired the shell. Sisi said he saluted “every home, every mother whose child has died a martyr or been wounded for Egypt.” The army, police and even officials have regularly come under fire, not only in Sinai, but in the capital, since then army chief Sisi ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi two years ago. The jihadists say they are acting in response to the bloody repression launched by the authorities after Morsi’s overthrow, which has seen at least 1,400 killed and thousands more jailed. Most of the attacks are claimed by a group calling itself the “Sinai Province.” Formerly known as Ansar Beit al -Maqdis, it changed its name when it pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. AFP

IRAN TALKS WITH WORLD POWERS INCH CLOSER TO NUCLEAR DEAL

US Secretary of State John Kerry (center) C) is pictured during an Iran nuclear talks meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister in Vienna on July 3, 2015. AFP

AFTER months of intense negotiations, global powers and Iran go into a key weekend of talks Saturday amid signs they may be inching towards a historic nuclear deal to end a 13year standoff. While Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned there was still ‘no guarantee’ of success, he said the world had «never been closer» to reaching an accord with his country. In a rare move, Zarif offered the promise of greater cooperation to tackle other global problems, such as the rise of the Islamic State group, should the deal be sealed. Global powers are trying to draw the curtain on almost two years

of negotiations, which gathered fresh impetus after President Hassan Rouhani took power in late 2013. The aim is to finalise a deal which would put a nuclear bomb beyond Iran’s reach, in return for lifting a web of biting international sanctions slapped on the Islamic republic. Speaking in English from the balcony of the Viennese hotel hosting the talks, Zarif said in a message posted on YouTube that at «this 11th hour, despite some differences that remain, we have never been closer to a lasting outcome». “Getting to yes requires the courage to compromise, the selfconfidence to be flex-

ible, the maturity to be reasonable,” he said. But he added that Iran was ready to strike “a balanced and good deal” which could “open new horizons to address important common challenges”. “Our common threat today is the growing menace of violent extremism and outright barbarism,” he said in a clear reference to the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group that has overrun parts of Syria and Iraq. As Zarif met US Secretary of State John Kerry for fresh talks Friday, the top US diplomat praised “the genuine effort” being made by all sides and insisted progress had been made despite “tough issues”. AFP

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SPORTS

REUEL VIDAL EDITOR

sports@thestandard.com.ph

By Peter Atencio

THE San Beda Red Cubs, seeking to extend their six-year reign, are again tipped to make it back to the finals in season 91 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament. But they will face a big challenge from the Mapua Red Robins. Season 91 is a different season for both schools because more than a title will be at stake. When the season ended last year, San Beda owned the distinction as the school with the most high school championships in the league with 21. The Mapua Red Robins dropped to second with 20 after they lost the crown to the Red Cubs last year. Mapua has endured a title drought of 13 years. For the Red Cubs, having won six straight titles is also the longest in league history. They are bent on stretching that streak to another season. The rivalry between the Red Cubs and the Red Cubs got off to a hot start last Monday, June 29 when the Red Cubs and Red Robins played their first game of the season. The Red Cubs, led by Germy Mahinay and Joshua Tagala who are playing their first season for Team A, manhandled the Mapua Red Robins, 80-63. The six-footsix Mahinay came up with aggressive plays under the boards. Two ex-Red Cubs, Joshua Caracut and Norrish Decapia, cheered their former teammates from the stands. Tagala was impressive with 13 points while Mahinay was dominant under the boards with

CUBS, ROBINS

BATTLE FOR NC’ JUNIOR SUPREMACY

San Beda Red Cubs center Germy Mahinay (12) stretches to the hoop. The Red Cubs are again tipped to make it back to the ﬁnals in season 91 of the NCAA junior basketball tournament. PETER ATENCIO

San Beda Red Cubs guard John Tagala (5) drives to hoop against Mapua Red Robins defender Jasper Salenga (right) even as Red Robins coach Randy Alcantara (second from left) almost joins the action. The Red Cubs are again tipped to make it back to the ﬁnals in season 91 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament. PETER ATENCIO

eight big rebounds. “In-encourage po ako ng mga teammates at ng mga coach, para maging ganun ang laro ko,” said Mahinay after the game Mahinay, a 10th grader who hails from Sison, Pangasinan, also made the crucial baskets which allowed the Taytay-based Red Cubs to pull away. His putback in the last

1:08 of the first period handed the Red Cubs a seven-point lead after the quarter, 17-10. “Pangit ang laro ko nung una, pero nung dumating ang second, nagkakumpiyansa na ako,” said Mahinay. The victory gave the Red Cubs a rousing start in their quest for a record sixth straight crown.

“This is a good sign for us. Game 1 namin, at Mapua pa. Malayo pa naman at marami pang puedeng mangyari,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison. It was the Red Cubs first triumph over the Red Robins since they last met and beat Mapua in Game 3 of their best-of-three finals showdown last year. Ryan Nelle hit seven points,

including three treys in the remaining 7:06 of the second period which allowed the Red Cubs to take a 24-12 spread. Sam Abuhijle had 11 points and six rebounds. Romuel Junsay shot 19 points for the Red Robins before he hurt his right knee in the third. Michael Enriquez and Jasper Salenga had 16 points apiece. The Red Cubs tallied their second win last July 2. They got big baskets from Mahinay and Jay Lagumen as they disposed of the Emilio Aguinaldo College- Immaculate Conception Academy Brigadiers, 84-78. The Mapua Red Robins bounced back when they smashed the San Sebastian Staglets, 80-51, with Sherwin Concepcion and Salenga scoring 19 points apiece.

STOCKINGER BRINGS FANS UP TO SPEED

MARLON Stockinger has virtually achieved all his dreams. That’s why he’s eager for his young Filipino fans to follow in his footsteps as a race car driver. Stockinger was introduced to racing at a very young age. He was nine years old when his Swiss father began racing on go-karts. He regularly watched from the sidelines and one day his father just put him in front of the steering wheel. He fell in love with the experience and has not left the wheel since. He made waves in the local go-kart racing circuit and won sixth place at the Philippine Karting Championship shortly thereafter. He joined the Philippine Shell Super Karting Series in 2002 and at seventeen, moved to Europe to pursue his passion. Eager for his young

Filipino fans to share in his dream he teamed up with Globe to hold Slipstream 2.0 last week. They brought the Formula One experience to the streets of Bonifacio Global City.

Marlon Stockinger joins Filipino school children who are eager to see him and his formula car racing vehicle. Stockinger is eager for his young Filipino fans to share in his dream and teamed up with Globe to hold Slipstream 2.0 last week bringing the Formula One experience to the streets of Bonifacio Global City.

Marlon Stockinger

Dan Horan, Senior Advisor Consumer Business group of Globe, said Stockinger is about to become a sports icon like Manny Pacquiao. He called on Filipinos to rally behind Stockinger as he pursues his dream of becoming an F1 driver. “We want every Filipino to see and experience the

excitement that millions of fans around the world associate with this sport. This is a way for us to really express how we support and empower the Filipino dream,” Horan said in a published report. Activities included a display of the Lotus sports cars, demo runs of The Ducati Club, the Manila Sports Car

Club, DTM PH. There was a car show at High Street which displayed exhibits, interactive booths of the different Globe brands and motorcycles. Gamers even got to try their your skills at The Nissan GT Academy booth. The highlight of event was Stockinger himself driving his World Series Renault car

in the streets of Bonifacio Global City. Stockinger caught the attention of racing fans when he won titles at the Senior Rotax World Finals in 2007 and the Formula BMW Pacific 2008 Championships. He worked his way up from his British Formula Renault Championship debut in 2009 and placed first at the Croft Circuit in 2010 which made him the first Filipino driver to win a formula race in Europe. Marlon moved up to GP3 Series in 2011. He won first place in the 2012 GP3 Series at Monaco. The following year, the Globe ambassador was drafted into the F1 Team as a junior driver. Despite his hectic schedule he is very much connected to his Filipino roots and comes home regularly throughout the year. Stockinger is now the flag bearer in the world racing stage of the Filipino’s driving skill, speed and stamina. He gave his Filipino fans a glimpse of the Formula One experience and the dream he is pursuing through Slipstream 2.0 which celebrates how far his talent has taken him. Ray Vidal

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SPORTS

ARMAN ARMERO EDITOR

sports@thestandard.com.ph

By Eddie G. Alinea

EIGHT-DIVISION world boxing champion and Sarangani Congressman Mannny Pacquiao paid tribute to the Philippine delegation’s modest 29-gold medal harvest and sixth overall finish in the recent 28th Southeast Asian Games. Instead of joining the many voices demouncing the Filipino athletes’ performances as a debacle, Pacquiao lauded the athletes’ performance which he said indicates what is in store for the country in future international competitions including next year’s Olympic Games in Brazil. “The mere fact that this year’s medal winners are new faces which, therefore, represent the future of Philippine sports, I consider our athletes’ feats as very successful in terms of investment in the coming international commitments,” Pacquiao, known also as the “Pacman,” said. “Truth to tell, I was expecting old names like Mark Anthony Barriga and Charlie Suarez in boxing, Eduardo Buenavista and Maristella Torres in athletics, Tac Padilla in shooting, to mention a few, as in many years, to adorn our list of medalists,” Pacquiao said in an interview at his Forbes Park Friday night.

“But to my surprise, what I saw were new faces like Claire Adorna and Nikka Bryan Huelas in triathlon, Eric Shawn Cray and Kayla Richardson in track and field and Mario Fernandez,, Eumir Felix Marcial, Junel Cantancio and Ian Clark Bautista, all in boxing and Marella Salamat in cycling, among others, leading our campaign,” Pacquiao said. “What I mean is, mga bago na ito, names unheard th past editions of the SEA Games,” said Pacquiao, who was entertaining a group of chess players led by Grandmaster Eugene Torre, who paid him a visit that night. “This means Philippine spors is not dead as many of our countrymen and even several sports leaders have been claiming.” I’m glad, really of the results, especially in my event boxing where we bagged five gold medals. Magandang balita yan sa campagin natin for out first Olympic gold medal

PACQUIAO LAUDS SEA GAMES ATHLETES’ FEATS

Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao says the Pinoy athletes’ performance in the Singapore SEAG (below) will serve as an investment for future international competitions, such as the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP

next year in Rio de Janeiro,” he added. “Well, hanggang ngayon naman eh alam nating lahat na ang pinakamalaking pag-asa natin sa first Olympic gold ay sa boksing, kaya I’m elated na may-

roon tayong mga ganitong mga batang bagong discovery na may panahon a para ma-train ng maayos,” said Pacquiao. The boxing icon, a loving husbsand to wife, Sarangani and father of

five children, was reportedly have been appointed as chairman of the lower House’s committee on the country’s participation in the 2016 Summer Games. Pacquiao, however, said he has yet to be officially informed about the appointment, which was announced by House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte about a month ago. “Actually, I really still is at a loss on the nature of that appointment, which, honestly speaking, I haven’t seen,” he admitted. “Whatever is the situation, however, I just would like to make it official that whatever help is needed to help in attaining that dream of us , I am very willing to lend my hand.” “Especially in boxing where I spent almos half of my life the past 20 or so years travelling to the world boxing capitals and establishing rapport with the leaders of amateur boxing, who, I’m sure, are also willing to help,” he said. “Kung paanong matetrain natin ang ating mga boksingero ayon sa latest technique, I can even talk to Freddie (Roach) na maavail natin ang facilities ng wild Card Gym kung saan ay maraming topnotch trainers na malakatulong,” the three-time Fighter of the Year said. That, Pacquiao added, wold also benefit local coaches and trainers who could learn through an exchange program with their highly-gifted counterparts. “Lessons which they can transfer to their young and promising Filipino pupils, not in boxing, but in other sports as well such as shooting swimming, taekwondo, and even badminton, tennis and others.’ “As I said, we can use the resuls of the recent SEA Games as investments for our future international commitments,” Pacquiao said.

GOLFERS, SWIMMERS ARE PH’S TOP BETS IN UNIVERSIADE GWANGJU, South Korea—Chess champion GM Wesley So and taekwondo hero Samuel Thomas Morrison, the two biggest names in the Philippine Universiade history, are not around. So made history by winning the country’s first—and only—gold medal in Universiade history with his stunning performance during the 27th edition in Kazan, Russia in 2013. Morrison, bagged a silver medal— also a first—for the country with his brave showing in taekwondo during the 20111 Shenzhen Universiade. But David Ong, president of the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP), the only Philippine sports association duly recognized by the FISU, believes the 120-strong Filipino contingent will perform well and make the country proud

in the 28th Summer Universiade now underway in Gwangju “even without winning a medal.” “As they say, winning isn’t everything. We are here to represent our country in the university sports level, just like we do in the Olympics for our elite athletes,” said Ong, who is widely credited for bringing So (chess) in Kazan and Morrison (taekwondo) in Shenzhen as part o the Filipino delegation under FESSAP. The chess gold medal in the 2013 Kazan Universiade is widely believed as the last major achievement of the 21-year-old So before his much-publicized transfer to the United States Chess Federation (USCF) late last year. Morrison, a member of the starstudded taekwondo team of Far Eastern University, also creared a stir when he won the country’s

first-ever medal in 2011, the first year that FESSAP started sending athletes to the Universiade. In Gwangju, FESSAP is pinning its hopes in golf and swimming. Former world junior golf champion Nico Evangelista and Lloyd Go will banner the Filipinos’ campaign in golf at the Naju Gold Lake Country Club. Evangelista played for the Ateneo golf team from fifth grade up to second year high school before moving to America at the age of 16 to attend the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy in South Carolina until fourth year high school.. The 22-year-old Evangelista, who was also recruited to play for the Johnson and Wales Universiy College in Miami, Florida for four consecutive years, made his mark as a golfer when he ruled a tourna-

ment in the Iinternational Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) in Hllton Head, South Carolina. He also had two Top 10 finishes in the IJGT. and won a junior golf tournament in Burbank, California. Evangelista was also invited to play in the Optimist Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. HE has competed in different major golfcourses all over Florida and played tournaments in Singapore during the off-season. Another Fil-Am, Go, will join Evangelista in the golf competitions. Go is a Cebu-born student now studying at the Seton Hall University in New York. Leading the 48-member swimming team carefully evaluated by Coseteng and Papa based of a rigid PSL year-long qualifiyng tournaments are Loren Dale Echavez, Joy Rodgers, Louie Martin Cesdo-

rio, JV Llaguo, Ariane Alcantara, Marvin Paralisan, Mary Rose Oceno, and Jason Difontrum. The Filipino swimmers will take the plunge at the ultra-modern Nambu University Aquatics Center. In tennis, the six-player team under coach Antonio Quiza is composed of Kazan Universiade veteran Kurt Bryant Ocampo, Maria Eloisa Guillermo, Kezia Adelyn Jabines, Mystica Cher Laureta, Charles Ivan Adato and Janeo Ross Sanchez. Val Stephen Jaca and Dannel Tormis, both of University of Cebu will spearhead the country’s table tennis campaign. In judo, Alfred Querubin will carry the fight. The Philippines, however, does not have a team in the popular sport of basketball for the first time in three Universiade appearances.

S U N D AY : J U LY 5 , 2 0 1 5

RIERA U. MALLARI EDITOR sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

LA LAKERS

LOOKING TO RECAPTURE LOST GLORY

WILL IT BE KOBE BRYANT’S FINAL SEASON?

By Jeric Lopez

SINCE winning back-to-back National Basketball Association championships in 2009 and 2010, the Los Angeles Lakers were never the same team.

The Lakers expect No. 2 pick D’Angelo Russell to be as good as advertised.

A lot of drastic changes occurred following the Lakers’ last championship and it’s safe to say that all of those didn’t exactly go in their favor. Legendary coach Phil Jackson retired, Pau Gasol left, Kobe Bryant battled injuries left and right, Dwight Howard and Steve Nash were failed experiments, the squad missed the playoffs the past two seasons and most recently, finished its worst season in franchise history where it managed an abysmal 21-61 record. Bryant, who is the face of the franchise for the last 19 years, is about to enter his 20th and most likely his final season. He is aching to have one more crack at possibly contending in the playoffs should things fall into place in Hollywood, despite having setback after setback the past couple of seasons. But for a team that’s so used to a winning tradition, being on the losing end for a long stretch is not acceptable, that’s why the Lakers are looking to turn things around as they start re-

building towards the future and eventually recapturing their lost glory. With the addition of incoming rookies No. 2 pick D’Angelo Russell, who seems to have a lot of talent and potential, and No. 29 Larry Nance Jr., as well as the return of Bryant and promising second-year forward Julius Randle, who were both sidelined by season-ending injuries last season, plus the emergence of sophomore combo guard Jordan Clarkson, who made the all-rookie team, optimism is certainly there for the secondwinningest ball club in the NBA. There are already a lot of expectations from Russell being the No. 2 pick as the Lakers anticipate him to run their offense with his capable playmaking skills. Moreover, the Lakers are looking to sign one or two marquee players in the deep free agent pool with negotiations with various available players underway. Should they be able to acquire at least one of those stars in the

market as well as getting some quality players, the Lakers will certainly be boosted and they’ll most likely see a light at the end of the tunnel at the very least. The Lakers expressed their pursuit of a talented big man, preferably either Lamarcus Aldridge or DeAndre Jordan, to be able to shore up their average frontcourt. Playing in the stacked Western Conference isn’t the easiest task either for the Lakers, who will have have to deal with perennial powerhouses and contenders such as defending champion Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder, who are capable of having deep runs in the playoffs. In order for the Lakers to get back to prominence, competition wise and have a shot against the West’ best, they would certainly need a drastic upgrade. Their hunt for a marquee free agent, however, suffered a major blow when Aldridge seemed unimpressed of the Lakers’ pitch and is now looking at the San Antonio Spurs or the Phoenix Suns as possible destinations. Will the Lakers turn it around in the coming season? Their legions of fans certainly hope so.

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

S U NDAY L IF E

LIFE

“

CAROTID ARTERY BY TATUM ANCHETA

Deep down however, I’ve missed publishing work – the regular closing, the endless pursuit of good stories, the many interesting people you meet day by day, the circulating stench of ink on press machines, and of course the excitement of opening the magazine or reading the newspaper with your byline in it. Today, the publishing industry has evolved and adapted to the digital space. You are no longer just on print; you’re also online, and that means websites and social media -not just Facebook, but Instagram, Twitter, Line, We chat, Viber, Snapchat… Oh, I can go on and on, sometimes I would open different applications and websites that I would forget where I read a piece of news or story. What always stands out though is the way the stories are delivered and the content. There’s always these questions was it interesting enough? Is it relatable for me? Is it shareable online?

hy are you back in print?!” exclaimed a friend when she found out about my new job as editor of The Standard’s lifestyle section. I’ve been in the print publishing industry for 13 years as a writer and creative director, starting with Youngstar Magazine and then People Asia, and had done 17 published coffee table books so far. In 2011, I transferred to the digital advertising industry as head digital creative director of Digital FCB Manila in 2011. The digital industry in Manila was just burgeoning then, and it was such an enjoyable ride experiencing how the online landscape evolved, with brands just beginning to integrate interesting content to branded pages. And of course, it was fun collaborating and working with young creatives under my department.

BRAND NEW LIFE The first order of business when I sat with the editorial team was to brainstorm on our content. In the coming days, you’ll see changes on the pages of ‘LIFE.’ We want to be able to cater to the ever-evolving taste of our readers, whether on print or our online site. Expect thought-provoking articles that are insightful, opinionated and always an entertaining read. On social media, you may follow our presence on Instagram and Twitter @LIFEatStandard as we provide you a closer look into the fascinating LIFE of style, travel, culture, arts, and contemporary living. We’ve rounded up a whole new pool of columnists to cater to the different facets of ‘LIFE’ and to complement the strong voice of the current ‘LIFE’ writers and columnists. We will also be introducing a print run for Saturday in the coming weeks catering to pop culture and the millennial reader. Meet the editorial team of LIFE:

Bing Parel - Associate Editor – She considers it a homecoming to be with The Standard again having started out in the newspaper business writing special features for (the old) Manila Standard and doing profiles for Savvy Magazine in the mid-‘90s. She finished AB English Imaginative Writing in UP Diliman and has been crafting profiles and other stories for almost 20 years. She was a writer for PAL’s inflight magazine Mabuhay before moving on to People Asia as its associate editor. Has an eagle eye and has done work on numerous coffee table books as copy editor and even as proof reader. Bob Zozobrado, columnist, ‘For Party Animals Only’ – current head of the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management (CITHM), with over 40 years of travel and tourism industry experience, his column runs every Monday. Read about his many travels, the people he meets, and inside stories on the hospitality industry. Bernadette Lunas – Editorial Writer – Started with The Standard as intern for the Life section in 2011 and was hired the following year as finance and macroeconomics reporter for the Business section, then eventually joined the LIFE section as staff writer. She loves writing about food and travel and regularly bylines for the LIFE section.

- a local wine importer and distributor; well traveled in wine countries (Europe, North America, Oceania and South Africa). He is a regional wine consultant who loves to educate readers on the finer points of vintage wines one sip at a time. Follow his column every Monday and educate yourselves about the intricacies of wine. Ed Biado – columnist, ‘The Gist’ – former editor of the now defunct Manila lifestyle/ youth culture blog ALTMNL.com, Creative Director at Large at Creactivations Inc., and Different Strokes Productions; he has been contributing to The Standard since 2007, his daily column is candid, and talks about trendy stories, product reviews and interesting beats around the Metro.

Paulyn Fermin, columnist, ‘The Busy Queen P’ – Describes herself as “Fierce Mom, Corporate and Tax lawyer, Blue Eagle, Bookworm since birth, Passionate Traveller, Fashion Enthusiast, Shoe Addict, Bargain Sleuth, Bats about Blingbling, Aspiring Chef, Storyteller… and Queen!” She currently runs the blog thebusyqueenp. com and writes weekly for the LIFE section where she talks about fashion trends, lifestyle, and the many adventures of ‘The Busy Queen P.’

Sherwin Lao – columnist, ‘Sip by Sip’A Management Economics Graduate from Ateneo de Manila; first Filipino member of Federation Internationale des Journalists et Ecrivains du Vin et des Spiritueux or FIJEV based in Bordeaux, France; part owner of Golden Wines, Inc.

Icy Mariñas – columnist, ‘Tipple Tales’ – Graduate of Hotel and Restaurant management from the centre International Du Glion, Switzerland; restaurateur, expert drinker, creative proprietor of steam punk bar Hooch, co-owner of fine dining restaurant Lulu, Ampershand (Cebu), and newly opened fine dining steak house SMITH Butcher and Grill Room. She will take us to the colorful world of spirits and liquors. Catch her column every Monday and get educated about the art of libation.

Jigs Mayuga, columnist, ‘Pop-Up Beauty’ – Our resident beauty expert; a professional makeup artist who has done work for TV, print advertising, celebrity makeup, weddings and magazine editorials. A graduate of the University of the Philippines with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration. He studied cosmetology and various makeup courses to be continued on C4

SUNDAY : J ULY 05 : 2015

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

FOLK

ESTER MARCAIDA:

Blazing a trail Shangri-La group’s first Filipino general manager BY AIKA COPON

“S

ometimes, the best man for the job is a woman,” so goes a popular quote. This happens to be true in the case of Ester Marcaida, whose recent appointment as general manager of Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa gives her the distinction of being the first ever Filipino general manager of the Shangri-La Group.

The Standard spent a pleasant afternoon learning more about the affable manager and the hospitality industry through the perspective of the seasoned hotelier. Excerpts:

Have you always wanted to work in the hospitality industry?

Not really. I always thought I’d go into law because my father’s side was mostly lawyers. But one day, I happened to see a newspaper clipping for an opening at the Westin Philippine Plaza, so I went for an interview. The guy who did the interview told me, “Come back tomorrow; you can start working.”

POOLSIDE. Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa

I was in the front office… The work was eight hours a day, and I had to stand up the whole time. But once you get to love your job, those things don’t matter. That’s where I started my career in the hotel industry. I think the main reason was that I’m just interested in people, and the hotel industry is about serving people, to give them the best kind of service while they are in their temporary home. I felt that I was good at it.

And that’s what inspired you to stay in the hotel industry? Oh, yes, 33 years. I’ve been with the Shangri-La group for 22 years; Mactan was my first Shangri-La hotel.

How was your journey like on becoming the Shangri-La group’s first Filipino general manager?

I’m privileged that I work with a company that believes in the development of its people. I may be the first Filipina general manager, but within our group of general managers, a number of us started from within. We actually grew within the company, and that is the beauty of Shangri-La – believing in its people. Being a woman, gentleman, and whatever nationality – it (being general manager) can happen as long as you make that a goal. I think the most important thing is that the company gave that opportunity to me.

You opened the very first Shangri-La property in Lhasa, Tibet. What was the experience like?

I didn’t speak Chinese, so it was not about talking to guests but talking to suppliers and putting the vision of the owners into a product. It took a little bit longer because instead of me just talking to suppliers in English, I had a secretary who spoke both Tibetan and Chinese who would translate to Chinese and then to Tibetan. But the experience proved that language will never be a barrier in the hotel industry because the way you serve is the same. The systems are the same. As long as you understand the system and body language and hand gestures, you can actually have conversations. Tibet was special because it’s so cultural. It’s a beautiful country to work in. You impart your knowledge because most of the staff are new, they haven’t known the hotel

industry for that long. For some countries that don’t have that kind of education system that is very specific to hotels and restaurants, you start from zero. I always say, you hire for attitude and never for the skill because the skill, you can teach. You see it in a person you’re interviewing if the personality fits the job, you have this gut feel when you start talking to people. For Tibet, it was very important for us to open that hotel because it’s iconic. People think that Tibet is Shangri-La, the paradise that is written about in the book “Lost Horizon.”

One thing that I’ve learned from working in a Buddhist country, in a Muslim country, in a Catholic country, is that everybody just wants to be treated fairly. What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from working with Shangri-La?

For me, it’s people. We are inherently the same. What we want in life is to do good. Respect the country that you work in. Sometimes when we go to a new country, we want for the people there to learn what we want, but it should be the other way around. You’re there to actually teach them something when it comes to skills but not with their culture. One thing that I’ve learned from working in a Buddhist country, in a Muslim country, in a Catholic country, is that everybody just wants to be treated fairly. When I went to Myanmar in 1996 when the country was still closed, they had this wooden airport, and your luggage is not on a carousel but is lined up. That is where I learned to explore new cultures. It was encouraging for me because it was the first time I went out of the country. I went to a developing nation to teach people about the hotel industry, but I was also there to learn about their culture. If you’re an expat and you don’t want to assimilate yourself with the culture, then you become lonely.

What changes are you looking forward to at Shangri-La Boracay?

I was here as resident manager, and I came two months after it opened. During that time, Boracay was not known as a five-star destination. Nobody thought about building a five-star hotel in Boracay. So, when I first came in, the goal was to sell it as a destination worthy of a five-star name because people always associated Boracay with short trips, the White Beach, and just hanging out. The hotels were wooden, it was back-to-nature kind of living, and all of a sudden, you come here, and you have tree house villas. So, it was more of making the market realize that Boracay now has Shangri-La. People now think of Boracay not only with regard to White Beach, but that there’s a hotel here that’s exclusive but not secluded. We also opened ourselves to new markets, and our goal for the next few years is to look at ourselves as a destination for weddings. People fly in to have weddings in Boracay. We also have five function rooms and a beautiful ballroom, so we can handle meetings. We’ve done APEC recently and proved that we can handle high-profile government functions. It’s a market we’d like to explore.

How’s it like being a woman GM?

There will always be people will always assume that the gentleman you are with is the GM. It’s a common misconception.

Do you still feel that it’s a man’s job?

Probably 15 years ago when I was starting out. People would not even think that a woman could be the boss. Men have strengths, but women are probably more skilled multi-taskers. We’re more detail-oriented, but we’re more emotional. We tend to verbalize more, while a man will say less. But now, at work, what men can do, we can also do. Before, you had to keep on proving yourself in a sense because everything was male-dominated. Now, women are empowered, so you came in the right decade. Clearly, Ester Marcaida excels at what she does because she is genuinely passionate about it. She may have started her career as a hotel clerk, but through hard work and sheer determination, she rose through the ranks to become the Shangri-La group’s first Filipino general manager. It is not simply a job for her, and it is this mindset that makes her so inspiring to those who get to meet her or work with her.

SUNDAY : J ULY 05 : 2015

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

PORTRAIT

Mother named as “Tibay Hero”

elia Balonzo never thought she would see the day that all her hard work would turn her into an inspiring figure worthy of accolade.

This 67-year-old mother of 13 knows what it’s like to take on multiple jobs just to make ends meet – occasionally acting as a “manghihilot” (midwife) to help women during childbirth, taking in laundry and running a sari-sari store and a small canteen. A grandmother to several children, all her efforts were directed at providing for her big family’s needs and sending all her children to school. Misfortune came when fire razed their old house a few years ago, forcing her family to rent a cramped, single-room apartment. Delia’s innate strength, courage and fortitude despite extraordinary challenges served as a pillar of hope for her children, inspiring them to succeed despite the odds. In fact, one of them is now working in Austria and raising her own family as well. It was no surprise therefore that when Republic® Cement launched its “Republic Tibay Mo, Inspirasyon Ko!” search for inspiring Filipinos who persevere against great odds, she was chosen from among 1,671 entries. Robert Nelson who nominated Balonzo described her as more than just a mother; she is a hero who has raised a new generation of heroes who can

also inspire others into changing people’s lives for the better. “She’s our superhero. She taught us that as long as there is life, there is always a way to take care of your loved ones,” Balonzo’s sixth son Abel lovingly says of her. Adolfo, the youngest, tearfully describes her as “irreplaceable.” Lafarge Republic, Inc. President Renato Sunico said Balonzo’s “tibay mula sa loob” (strength from within) personifies the same kind of strength that is found in every bag of Republic® Cement whose special mix of Tibay Enhancers makes concrete more compact and durable from the inside. “This tibay is our legacy, Delia Balonzo’s legacy to her children and everyone who has heard her story, and our legacy to every Filipino family who builds with Republic ® Cement,” he noted. Balonzo’s sacrifices have certainly been rewarded as she and her family will soon be moving into their new two-storey house made with REPUBLIC® Cement and designed by leading architecture firm Palafox Architecture Group.

LIFE will be a regular column every Sunday. It will feature inspiring stories of real people from different walks of life. We encourage you to send us stories of people with remarkable tales to tell. Please email us at life@thestandard.com.ph or send us a private message on our TW or IG account @LIFEatStandard.

ADMIRABLE DEVOTION True to its pledge, the Wong Chu King Foundation completed the refurbishing of the pews of the Sta. Rosa de Lima church in Cagayan in addition to the renovation of the Church’s dilapidated roofing and ceiling upon the request of Rev. Fr. Fredel Agatep, thru the permission of Archbishop Sergio L. Utleg, D.D. The completion of the refurbishment work coincided with the recent 65th year celebration of the construction of the parish.

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C4 continued from C1

at the Center for Aesthetic Studies in Manila, Beauty Base London, Makeup Institute in the United States, Fashion UpToDate School in Milan, The Powder Group in New York and the Academy of Freelance Makeup in London. Read his column every Friday and get acquainted with tips about makeup, skincare, and the latest beauty trends. Liv Esteban – columnist, ‘LIV.E Simply’ – Among the many hats that Liv wears – including digital designer, photographer, online instructor, teacher, and writer -- the one job that she professes to be her favorite is that of being wife and mama to five boys. Follow her column on Wednesdays as she talks about the adventures and joys of parenthood.

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Cal Tavera – columnist, ‘Caleidoscope World’ – Project Director and stylist for her own partnership design firm called C+C Designs, she’s done work for commercial spaces including restaurants like Mrs. Fields, Via Mare, Pablo’s bar, FrankxDean Coffeeshop, Eummane, and

residential projects for both homes and condos. She was a Runner-Up for the first reality lifestyle competition show entitled “Interior Motives.” She has written and styled for local interior magazines since 2008. Catch her column every Wednesday on LIFE’s Home & Living theme. Bubbles Paraiso – columnist, ‘Fine Fettle’ – actress, celebrity, model,

@LIFEatStandard

entrepreneur (part owner of Tipsy Pig Gastropub in Capitol Commons & BGC), and a workout enthusiast of Muay Thai, circuit training, weights, cardio, yoga, Pilates. A certified teacher of Kids & Family Yoga and is currently in Bali taking her teacher training for Ashtanga Vinyasa Rocket Yoga. Watch out for her column every Thursday as she shares exercising tips, healthy regimen, and other wellbeing trends. Karima Palafox – columnist, ‘Urban Matters’ – An environmental planner and urban designer who is the Managing Partner at Palafox Associates, one of the largest architecture and design firms in the world. A licensed urban planner in UK. She is also a director of the Palafox Architecture Group. Karmi earned her Master’s degree in Industrial Economics

COMMITMENTS

Bali

Jeremy and Divine: A friendship that goes places BY BERNADETTE LUNAS Images courtesy of Divine Lee (@divinemlee)

In Plato’s Split-Apart theory, he suggested that each man is half of one soul and that soul is split apart into two human beings who share the same traits, characteristics and appearance – each an exact duplicate of the other. He theorized that no other soul but your “twin” or “twin flame” can regain your sense of wholeness.

Singapore

Model, blogger and entrepreneur Divine Lee believes she found her “split-apart” in her best friend, celebrity chef Jeremy Favia. From Jeremy’s artistic shots to Divine’s selfies of them together on their Instagram accounts, it’s quite easy to see how special their friendship is and how close they truly are, so much so that many believe they are lovers. Truth is, the two didn’t really hit it off instantly.

Brunei

“Noooo! I used to dislike him. No specific reason, I just found him a bit aloof,” reveals Divine. According to the 33-yearold model, they’ve always seen each other through common friends, but it was not until the celebrity chef started hanging out with one of Divine’s best friends that they got to know each other. From strangers, the two now consider themselves “twins.” In fact, in one of Divine’s posts on her IG account, she describes Jeremy as “the best friend one can ever have.”

Movenpick Cebu

at the University of Asia and the Pacific and her Master of Science degree in Urban Planning with specialization in Urban Design at Oxford Brookes University, plus a string of other credentials and recognition in her field of expertise. Catch her on Wednesdays and read her insights on urban planning, architecture, and trends on infrastructures like resorts, homes, offices, and schools.

Of his many traits that she adores, it’s his sweetness that she likes the most. But the one thing Divine hates the most: “[He

is] moody! And he really enjoys giving me the silent treatment” – and she’s “too confrontational for that!”

Francis de Leon – columnist, ‘#IntheMoment’ – A hospitality marketing and public relations expert, he has extensive background in marketing, membership services, CRM and communications for exclusive clubs and internationally renowned hotels like Crimson Hotels (Mactan, Cebu, Alabang, and Manila) Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, and the Intercontinental Hotel Groups. Current Director for Creative Media and Communications Group, a business unit of Earth and Shore Leisure Communities Corporation (ESLCC). He is our resident social butterfly, and his column focuses on high profile weddings, engagement parties, anniversaries, exhibits, product launches, fashion shows, charity events, benefit dinners, intimate dinner parties, and the like.

Perhaps their differences and similarities helped strengthen their friendship. Divine and Jeremy share all kinds of experiences together from attending events and trade launches to spending an afternoon at the spa followed by a horror movie night to working out at the gym to flying across the Philippines to chase sunsets. Divine and Jeremy have left footsteps and taken snapshots in destinations from Boracay to Bali. Divine handles most of the research and usually acts as the travel guide, but she’s the one who packs more stuff when they travel. When it comes to destinations, both of them decide where they will fly next but sometimes, they “toss coin.” And wherever the coin or their jobs take them, they make sure each trip is unforgettable. “I think each place is memorable for us. We love food! He’s a chef and I eat so we enjoy that part the most,” says Divine. She looks forward to seeing more of the world with Jeremy, and next on her list are Egypt, Africa and Caribbean. “I think the best is yet to come,” enthuses Divine. COMMITMENTS is a new column and will run every Sunday. It will cover stories of love, marriage and unlikely friendships and relationships. If you know a couple with a great story to tell, please email us at life@thestandard.com.ph or send us a private message on our TW or IG account @LIFEatStandard.

Izzy Warren Gonzalez – columnist, ‘The Armchair Pilosopa’ – She has been contributing to different glossies and newspapers in Manila, and ran a startup magazine for three issues as editor in chief. She also dabbles as a producer for events like electronica and chill-out stages of Fete de la Musique and started the”Pink Party,” a popular annual party in Makati. Follow her witty column on the upcoming new Saturday edition of LIFE section on Pop Culture, where she will give us insights on the millennial voice from music, design, DIY, philosophy, theology, psychology, applied physics, history, branding, saving money, building culture, freaking herself off with bugs and undiscovered dinosaurs and conspiracy theories, funny status messages, and fluffy cute things that are simultaneously a little grumpy and snarky. PHOTOS BY NICCOLO COSME, MAKEUP BY NYX COSMETICS PHILIPPINESMAKEUP ARTISTS: JUVYLYN SURIO, EJ DE LEON, RYAN ARCENAS, RENZ MARIANE MARCA BRANCHES: SM MEGAMALL BLDG A, SM FAIRVIEW, SM CEBU, SM NORTH EDSA ANNEX, SM AURA PREMIER, SM MALL OF ASIA, SM MEGAMALL, SM MAKATI, SM NORTH EDSA, SM MANILA. (PHOTOS OF FRANCIS DE LEON AND SHERWIN LAO WERE SUPPLIED; PHOTO OF BUBBLES PARAISO BY CHIQUI OKOL; PHOTO OF LIV ESTEBAN BY JUN DE LEON.)

SUNDAY : J ULY 5 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

Actress Mercedes Cabral accepts the Best Actress prize for her role as Michelle in An Kubo sa Kawayanan from juror Roger Garcia

Dutch director Remy van Heugten accepts the Technical Grand Prize for his film Son of Mine from jurors Serik Zhubandykov and Ahmet Boyacioglu Director Ruben Maria Soriquez accepting the Best Actor prize for his role as Leonardo in Of Sinners and Saints from juror Roger Garcia

Director of Piring, Craig Woodruff Jr., accepting Best Picture second place prize Director of Crimean, Burak Cem Arliel accepting the Grand Jury Prize

Director of An Kubo sa Kawayanan, Alvin B. Yapan accepting the Best Picture first place prize

SpaniSh film winS grand prize

n June 28, World Premieres Film Festival Philippines 2015 handed out awards to the winners in both the Filipino New Cinema and Main Competition at Center Stage, SM Mall of Asia. The jurors for each section were there to hand out the awards. “Eurasia” International Film Festival Director Serik Zhubandykov of Kazakhstan, founder of Film on Wheels Ahmet Boyacioglu of Turkey, and independent film critic and programmer Chris Fujiwara of the United States presented the prizes for the Main Competition. For the Filipino New Cinema, the jurors were Hong Kong International Film Festival Executive Director Roger Garcia, Director of Alliance Francaise Bangkok-Thailand Christian Merer of France, and Korean film producer Hanna Lee. Director and cinematographer Raymond Red, representing his

co-juror UP Dean of Mass Communication Rolando Tolentino, handed out the Cine Verde Best Environmental Film award. For the Parallel Sections’ Intercontinental Prize, the jurors who handed off the award were President on the Board of Directors of the Association of Film Commissioners International George David of Jordan, Executive Editor of ABS-CBN Publishing Inc. Philip T. Cu-Unjieng, and documentarian and broadcast journalist Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala. The Grand Festival Prize went to the social thriller Three Lies by Spanish director Ana Murugarren. In tears during her acceptance speech, she said that she was honored to have won the top prize of the festival for her first feature film, which is the first film to tackle the issue of stolen and sold children during Franco’s dictatorship in Spain in the 1970s.

Turkey’s war epic Crimean, directed by Burak Cem Arliel, took home the Grand Jury Prize. The director accepted the Best Performance by an Actor award for Murat Yidirim. The other Main Competition winners include Taiwanese director Hsu Li-Da’s The End of Love, a cinematic meditation on modern love and winner of the Special Jury Prize; Russian director Aleksandr Melnik’s adventure drama The Territory, winner of Best Artistic Contribution for Cinematography; Remy van Heugten’s gripping social drama Son of Mine, winner of the Technical Grand Prize; and Angga Dwimas Sasongko’s inspiring and uplifting tale of friendship and coffee Filosofi Kopi, winner of Best Ensemble Performance. New to the second edition of WPFF, the Filipino New Cinema section was top billed by Alvin Yapan’s An Kubo sa Kawayanan

and Craig Woodruff Jr.’s Piring, first and second place for Best Picture, respectively. Yapan thanked his cast and crew for their hard work, and extended his gratitude for the honor to the festival founder and director. Upon hearing his film being called, Woodruff Jr. jumped up from his seat in elation. In his speech, he thanked the festival and international jurors for recognizing the achievements of Piring. The two films continued to be the highlight of awards night for FNC. An Kubo sa Kawayanan also won Best Cinematography (Ronald Rebutica), Best Editing (Benjamin Tolentino), and Best Actress (Mercedes Cabral). Piring took home Best Screenplay (Craig Woodruff, Jr.) and Best Performance by a Supporting Actor (Rocky Salumbides). Winners in FNC also include Will Fredo’s Filemon Mamon for

Best Musical Score and Best Performance by a Supporting Actress (Giselle Sanchez). Ruben Maria Soriquez’s Of Sinners and Saints won Best Performance by an Actor (Ruben Maria Soriquez) and Best Production Design. Nestor Abrogena’s Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa took home the Best Sound Engineering award. In the Cine Verde section, Austrian director Gunter Schwalger took home the Best Environmental Film for Since the World was World, which depicts the life of a farmer living in rural Spain. New to this year’s festival, the Intercontinental Prize ended in a tie between ASEAN Skies entry The Last Executioner directed by Tom Waller of Thailand and Euroview entry Naked Island by Tiha Gudac of Croatia. The films are still in the cinemas until July 7. This is in partnership with SM Cinemas.

SUNDAY : J ULY 5 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

BarBie Forteza, Vaness del Moral now ready For higher eduCation

Actors from GMA Artist Centre take instructions from Movie/TV director Laurice Guillen during the acting workshop conducted for Kapuso stars

WORkShOP On aCtinG fOR CamERa

MA Artist Center initiated a specialized workshop on acting for camera on June 27 at the Studio 7 of GMA Network Annex building. This is in line with the network’s objective of keeping an efficient working atmosphere and deepening the emotional interpretation of characters and roles among actors. In the culminating activity that helped the actors assess the valuable lessons they learned from the workshop, the participants staged a performance. Laurice Guillen fronted workshop with Kapuso

stars participating: Abel Estanislao, Aljur Abrenica, Arianne Bautista, Benjamin Alves, Bianca Umali, Diva Montelaba, Ken Chan, Kenneth Paul Cruz, Kris Bernal, Kristoffer Martin, Louise delos Reyes, Max Collins, Miguel Tanfelix, Pancho Magno, Renz Fernandez, Ryza Cenon, Stephanie Sol, and Vince Velasco. The workshop was conducted to build standards for each of the artists in terms of acting for camera. They were exposed to the functions of the set and how each of the equipment is essential to the overall production. After learning

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ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Medieval adventure 6 European capital 11 — tube 16 Ply the broom 21 — influence 22 George who was a she 23 Watered silk 24 Liszt opus 25 More frosty 26 Variety show 27 Dot on a monitor 28 — — in the bucket 29 Best medicine? 30 Matter of dispute 32 Kind of sculpture 34 Fabric meas. 36 Mouths, in biology 37 Puts down 39 Terra — 41 Davis of “The Fly” 43 Mink or ermine 45 Mongol rulers 47 Post-sneeze word 49 Has to have

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Abolishes Ram, in astrology Cod kin Jean Auel heroine Show up Photographer Ansel — “People” people Constantly, to Poe Sink unclogger Avoid capture Taboos (hyph.) Split in two Lightning by-product Ms. Lombard of film Weeping over Gravy morsel Vexes Ale serving Lovely lily Read palms Blender button Drops in the slot Target amount Coffee holder

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Tears to pieces TV’s “Shaka —” Wool-eater Crete locale Stacks It’s often toasted Stooge with bangs Bogs down Thin nails Rangy Rock tumbler stone Face or amble lead-in Rainwater pipes Handbook Looked hard — spumante Dunham of “Girls” Scarlett of Tara Faction makers Sunspot activity Haughty Bread ingredient Winter apple Garden starters Vast expanse Barter Memorable decade “Daddy” War bucks’ servant Unwilling Tramped the woods Pale gray Dwindled Video game pioneer Like a house — Carthage neighbor Bogus Forum speech Krishna devotee Recital pieces Links champ Sam — Glimmerings Fable author Try a mouthful

the basics, they were taught different techniques in acting such as focusing on the emotions, and internalizing the character’s depth. Guillen shared her passion with the new generation of artists. “We need to have this kind of workshop because this will improve the quality of the actors’ work. It can shorten the rehearsals, cut down on taping time, and just keep everything on a professional level. These kids have talent, and we would like to deepen that and also to show them that there will always be room for growth.”

espite their busy work schedule, The Half Sisters stars Barbie Forteza and Vaness del Moral showed dedication in balancing school and their showbiz commitments. The two recently graduated from high school in the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System on June 25. Barbie and Vaness are very proud of their achievements, considering that they had to juggle showbiz and study. To both, it wasn’t a mean feat. “Isa lang naman ang gusto nating lahat, we all want to grow, we want to be better and we want to push ourselves beyond, kaya naman taas noo nating tanggapin ang pagpapa-

tunay na tapos na tayo finally,” says Barbie whose graduation is a milestone in her life. Vaness’ hard work finally paid off. She wanted to continue with her studies and earn a degree. “I dedicate my diploma to my family, friends, relatives as well as the people who have yet to graduate from high school. It’s never too late to attain your goals and dreams in life. Through DEPED’s ALS along with hard work, achieving these goals and dreams are made even more reachable. My dream of pursuing a college degree has indeed become closer.” Both Barbie and Vaness are in The Half Sisters, which airs Monday to Friday, after Eat Bulaga on GMA Afternoon Prime.

Vaness del Moral and Barbie Forteza join the thousands of high-school graduates that will go on to college this school year

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2015

DOWN 1 Throws in the towel 2 Claudius, to Hamlet 3 Royal decree 4 Haul into court 5 Garr of “Tootsie” 6 Individuals 7 Walrus hunters 8 Bolt for a girder 9 Debt memo 10 Proofer’s word 11 Dazzle 12 Ear pollution 13 Ford predecessor 14 Previously 15 Trust 16 Halted 17 British inc. 18 French money 19 Be crazy about 20 View from Everest 31 Snake plate 33 Curved moldings 35 Dork 38 Flock of geese 40 Rub against 42 Not digital 44 Film speed no. 46 Widespread damage 48 Key — pie 50 Really skimps 51 Pie-chart lines 52 Scoreboard posting 53 Halloween doing 54 Teen bane 55 Redhead’s tint 57 Raises one’s voice 58 Flood barrier 59 Glacial ridge 61 Enjoying solitude 62 Slinkies 63 Unisex garment 66 Great Lake natives 67 Declares invalid 69 Crosswise to the keel

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Carpenter’s nail holder Marauds Have a date (2 wds.) Shopping — Hollow stems Completely Amherst sch. Canasta plays Earthshaking event Busch Gardens city

Whodunit suspects 86 Snowy-white bird 87 Dogie catcher 88 “The Prisoner of —” 90 Bradley and Sharif 91 Carved pole 92 Listens to 94 Dried fruits 95 Coiffure 96 — yoga 99 Transvaal trekker 100 Maui cookout 102 Horses’ strides

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Surveyors’ maps Poltergeist Tableau Maybes Admits to the clergy Big change (hyph.) Kind of gas “Will it play in —?” Flake Lagoon protectors Cosmopolitan Deep black Buoy up Does pull-ups

125 Emulates banshees 126 Neck scarf 127 Moon position 130 Sanskrit dialect 132 Joke response (hyph.) 134 Powdery residue 137 NASA counterpart 139 A bit 141 “— upon this quiet life!” 143 Generous — — fault

SUNDAY : J ULY 5 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Princess Punzalan is home

tHor in concert From c8

Thor is an artist’s artist. Relatively, he is not a newbie on the entertainment scene. True to his sound and brand, Master of Soul, he has just gone places and already created his own name on the local music scene. His powerful and distinct voice brings to mind international soul and R&B greats like Donnie Hathaway and Stevie Wonder just to name a few. Over the years, he has gained respect not just of his followers but also of his colleagues and fellow musicians. Way before his back-up vocals stint in Gandang Gabi Vice, Thor has already been a vocal coach to other celebrities and performers. He had two albums

Thor is now a full-fledged performer

released in the market, one is self-titled, Thor, (Warner Music); and the other is an all-duet album, Duets with Thor under Ivory Records. In this album he shared his soulful vocals with some of the local R&B finest like

Jay Durias of South Border, Luke Mejares, Jinky Vidal of Freestyle, Nina and Juris Fernandez. The album was one of the most talked about and highest selling records then and even gave Thor his own segment in a

‘yo-Kai watCh’ in toonami A new Japanese animation premieres on Toonami, the Philippines’ ultimate home for anime and superhero series. Yo-Kai Watch follows the adventures of a boy named Keita Amano. He discovers a peculiar capsule machine next to a sacred tree in Sakura New Town. And when he opens the capsule, it brings forth a Yo-Kai (ghost) named Whisper, who gives Keita a Yo-Kai watch. Using this, Keita is able to identify and uncover many different Yo-Kais. Joined by a cat called Yo-Kai Jibanyan, Keita and Whisper start making friends with all sorts of Yo-Kai which can be summoned to battle against evil Yo-Kai that are causing trouble. Will the gang triumph against the evil Yo-Kai? Or will they stand helpless against their onslaught? These supernatural adventures have taken over Japan since the release of the original game in 2013, which was followed by the sequels: Yo-Kai Watch 2: Ganso and Honke and Yo-Kai Watch 2: Shinuchi. Two manga adaptations have also been produced a shōnen manga series and a shōjo manga series.

show aired over Wave 89.1 with the same title and concept. HHHHH Princess in idol sa Kusina Princess Punzalan is making a big comeback on Philippine TV. Today, she is the guest in GMA News TV’s Idol sa Kusina. Princess has been based in the US for quite sometime. She decided to take a vacation in the Philippines and luckily GMA Network touched base with her. In the show, Chef Boy Logro and co-host Bettina Carlos are treating her to a welcome-home feast with Pinoy dishes given a little twist. The menu includes Bistek Style Chicken, Baked Beef Afritada, Misua Patola with Hibi and Crispy Tawilis, and Avocado with Shaved Ice and Condensed Milk for dessert. Idol sa Kusina airs Sundays, 7:15 p.m.on GMA News TV.

Yo-Kai Watch in Toonami

The popular Yo-Kai dance featured in the series, Gera Gera Po, has a huge online following. See clips from the show and learn the dance moves here: https:// youtu.be/MxVcv9vpWZ4! The Yo-Kai Watch Challenge Dive deeper into the world of Yo-Kai and join Toonami’s Yo-Kai Watch Challenge. Get a chance to win exciting and exclusive prizes! Just look for the Yo-Kai

that will be invading your TV screens on every new episode of Yo-Kai Watch. Here’s How to join: 1. Tune in to fresh episodes of Yo-Kai Watch every Saturday and Sunday at 10:15 a.m. until July 26. 2. Identify the Yo-Kai that invades on your TV screen. 3. Visit www.toonamiasia.com to join the challenge.

EmpowEring baranggay to survivE ‘big onE” Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Joel Villanueva announced with pride that TESDA was coming to Baranggay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City once again to help the community prepare for yet another calamity that ‘might’ come visiting. “Baranggay Bagong Silangan lies at the West Bank of the Marikina River and the community was hit hard by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009 with at least 200 deaths. TESDA aided the baranggay during the Ondoy disaster with the Mobile Training Plus platform which included “The Immediate Response Community-Based Disaster Management Program,” Villanueva says. “And since the launch of TESDA’s community-based disaster preparedness program, Baranggay Bagong Silangan has been registering zero casualty for the typhoons that followed,” he added. Barangay Bagong Silangan is within the West Valley Fault, which is anticipated to move and could cause a ‘massive earthquake’, that experts are calling the “Big One”. “We could not just stand by and watch as the people of Barangay Bagong Silangan worry and become very anxious day after day. I personally have to step in during these times of uncertainty. So TESDA is coming to the aid of Bagong Silangan again, this time by launching the “One for the BIG One - Maging Honda Walang Forever “ Program” Villanueva said. Through the program, TESDA will be giving Barangay Bagong Silangan access to modern training and methodology and new concepts on disaster preparedness. “Personally, the most exciting thing for me is our efforts to empower youths in Baranggay Bagong Silangan through mobile learning technology not only for their safety but to build-up their confidence,” Villanueva explains. The secretary furthered that what Filipino people need, especially the economically disadvantaged ones, is equal access to skills and training to survive and succeed. TESDA, as part of its mandate, and as part of Sec. Villanueva’s mission, they will ensure that everyone gets access to skills and training.

Joel Villanueva hopes to empower communities to prepare them for the Big One

SUNDAY : J ULY 5 : 2015

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

AsiAn superstAr VAnness Wu in MAnilA ISAH V. RED The Asia’s Got Talent judge, Asian superstar Vanness Wu is coming to the Philippines. He will be the star attraction during the launch of Levi’s newest collection at the Valkyrie Nightclub on July 31. The former member of Asian boy band F4 will heat up the fashion show that will showcase the hottest jeans for modern women. “Levi’s is super excited to welcome Vanness Wu to the Philippines! He will be the special guest during the launch of our latest Jeans for women. It’s our way of thanking loyal Levi’s fans who have been patronizing the brand for years,” said Kaths Laudit, Levi’s Philippines Marketing head. Marked by years of consistently superior quality while embracing new trends, global apparel brand Levi’s is launching the New Women’s Denim Collection to cater to the demands of the growing fashion market in the country. The new addition to Levi’s great denim collection was carefully tailored to suit the requirements of modern Asian women, reflecting its belief that behind every woman is a great pair of jeans. “Levi’s continues to innovate and provide the perfect jeans for everyone—no matter who you are and what you do. We ensure that our products are trendy while keeping the quality that Levi’s is known for,” Laudit said. If you want to see Levi’s newest collection and witness a special performance from Vanness Wu, all you have to do is have a minimum purchase of P3, 999.50 from any Levi’s store and get a ticket to Levi’s event.

The promo runs from July 1 to 31 at all Original Levi’s stores nationwide and is applicable to regular priced items only. HHHHH Aljur AbrenicA joins the hAlf sisters From a successful guest appearance in Magpakailanman two Saturdays ago, the episode of which trampled the popular rival on another channel which episode featured an equally popular leading man, Kapuso star Aljur Abrenica is back on the soap circuit having joined the cast of the very popular afternoon series, The Half Sisters. The actor couldn’t be happier that he is now part of the No. 1 daytime show in the country. Abrenica is excited to bond with the entire cast – Barbie Forteza and Thea Tolentino along with Jean Garcia, Jomari Yllana, Ryan Eigenmann, Eula Valdes and also Andre Paras, Vaness del Moral, Mel Martinez, Pancho Magno, Juancho Triviño, Jak Roberto and Winwyn Marquez. He is also happy to work again with director Mark Reyes. “I feel honored and blessed to be part of this top-rating Afternoon Prime series of GMA. I am excited to work with the hardworking cast and staff of the show especially we’ll be taping out of the country so parang vacation and work na rin siya,” the actor said. In the series, Aljur plays Malcom, a human trafficker who will return to his former job to save the life of his daughter. He will bring Ashley (Thea) to Japan to work as a waitress in a bar. Find out how Malcom will alter the lives of Diana (Barbie) and Ashley in The Half Sisters, Mondays to Fridays after Eat Bulaga on GMA Afternoon Prime. ➜ continued on c7

Former F4 member Vaness Wu will be in Manila during the launch of Levi's newest collection for women

Aljur Abrenica is the new addition to the growing cast of The Half Sisters