The Standard - 2015 July 13 - Monday

VOL. XXIX NO. 143 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 MONday : JULy 13, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Palace hopeful talks with Reds on

A2

libeRals milk lto?

Albano blasts overpricing of vehicle license plates

By Christine F. Herrera and Macon Ramos-araneta

ISABELA Rep. Rodolfo Albano III hinted Sunday that the administration could be raising funds for the ruling Liberal Party’s 2016 election campaign after a House panel found that the imported license plates ordered by the Land Transportation Office under a P3.2 billion contract were substandard and overpriced by P180 each or about P1.51 billion.

In an interview over radio dzBB, Albano said the winning bidder priced the imported plate at P380 while the lowest bidder pegged the cost at P200.

Albano demanded that the contract be suspended while Congress investigates the deal.

“First of all, the plates are too

expensive, and second there were only two bidders. Third, why did the plates have to be made outside the country? If it’s possible to make them here, they should have contracted them here so there would be no backlog in plate requests,” Albano said in Filipino.

Next page

Visit. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle is welcomed at the Pope Pius X11 Catholic Center in United Nations Avenue, where Bishop Socrates Villegas was reelected CBCP president on Sunday. Danny Pata

Comelec mall-voting plan gets support

A3

UNA: Veep bet won’t defend Binay

By Christine F. Herrera THE opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Sunday assured five potential running mates of Vice President Jejomar Binay that they will not be required to defend Binay during the campaign for the 2016 elections.

UNA president and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco also announced over

radio dzBB that should UNA’s tandem win, Binay would not make his vice president a “spare tire.”

“The vice president under the Binay administration would be a working vice president, would be given a crucial role in governance and would be as hard working as Binay, to speed up the delivery of basic services,” Tiangco said. “The vice president will not be made a

spare tire.”

Tiangco said the party’s search committee has already started the vetting process.

He said UNA has decided to keep the identities of the five potential vice presidential candidates secret to spare them from an expected demolition job to be mounted against them by the administration.

Next page

M O N d ay : j u ly 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

A2

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Windblown airport. The arrival area at the airport is littered with fire tree flowers following the strong winds resulting from the strong monsoons. Rudy C. SantoS

Malacañang hopes talks happen Liberals From A1...

Albano said the plates are being imported from the Netherlands and that the LTO is claiming they had to put security features on the plates.

“The timing was off,” Albano said, saying people would suspect the new fees would go to a campaign kitty during the coming election year.

Albano said the bid seemed to have been tailor-fit for the winning bidder because the six others who participated but lost the bidding had lower bids.

He said it seemed like the LTO has become a milking cow.

“That’s not right. They are using their position in government to perpetuate themselves in power,” Albano said. “The government’s straight path policy is being damaged by what they are doing with these plates.”

UNA: From A1...

“Our self-imposed deadline to name the vice presidential bet is by end of September or before the filing of certificates of candidacy in October,” Tiangco told dzBB. Tiangco said the party expects that the vice presidential candidate would be asked about the allegations of corruption against Binay.

“We only tell them one thing.

That they need not worry if asked about the allegations and they do not have to defend Binay because he can answer that issue directly and he can very well defend himself,” Tiangco said.

Albano said he could not understand why the plates were substandard and the bid was awarded to a small company, noting that they folded when they passed through flood waters.

“You can see that these plates are really thin. Let’s see how they defend this, including the security features. They say there are watermarks. They should show us those and also tell us how they came up with that price. I don’t know why they changed the old plates when they were fine,” Albano said.

Albano was also irked that some car owners had to wait six months to have their plates issued.

He maintained that the winning bidder had committed a breach of contract and that there was every reason for the LTO to suspend or cancel the contract.

“You bid one thing then deliver another. That’s a breach

of contract,” Albano said. “You bid for apples but you deliver guavas. Won’t you be jailed for that?”

Albano demanded to know why the six other losing companies that were bigger than the winning bidder were disqualified.

Albano said he was waiting for a Commission on Audit report on the LTO plate deal, which could discontinue the contract.

The congressman also asked why the House committee on Metro Manila development had taken jurisdiction over the probe, instead of the committee on transportation.

Albano said Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo and Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon would push for the transportation panel to takeover the probe.

Albano also railed against the LTO policy of “no plate, no travel.”

“They cannot do that. It’s their

fault. You pay but you don’t get your plate. This is shameful.

This is the President’s last year.

They are ruining his reputation and his legacy. What a shame,” the congressman added.

The Palace said Sunday Albano’s allegations about fund-raising needed to be substantiated, and criticized the lawmaker.

“Responsible public officials should refrain from hurling baseless criticisms,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. In June, President Benigno Aquino III lashed out at former Cebu governor Lito Osmeña for suggesting that the Liberal Party might misappropriate the P14.4 billion payment made by an international contractor to upgrade, operate and maintain the Mactan airport and divert these to the 2016 campaign.

Aquino said the allegation was an insult to people’s intelligence. – With Sandy araneta

However, Tiangco said Binay maintains he would continue to answer the allegations against him without facing the Senate.

“There have been 22 hearings but they have not proven anything. The allegations are just that; all are lies,” Tiangco said.

“It is puzzling that in the history of the Senate, this is the only [issue] that took the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee 22 hearings, and counting,” Tiangco said. “And nothing has been proven yet.”

Tiangco lamented that the more important issues, such as the massacre of 44 police commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, only took a few hearings.

Tiangco ruled out the possi-

bility that Binay might run without a running mate.

“That is impossible. We will definitely find him a running mate,” Tiangco said.

He said UNA has imposed two criteria for the vice presidential bet – that he or she would be willing to be a working vice president and he or she should be pro-poor.

“This way, the work of government would speed up with two top officials of the land working hand-in-hand in bringing social services to the public. Vice President Binay wants the big change to happen in the poor’s lives as soon as possible, that they be given immediate relief from poverty,” Tiangco said.

An UNA spokesman on Sun-

day acknowledged that the newly formed opposition party was at a disadvantage as far as resources are concerned, but said Binay’s “core group” would give them the edge over the ruling Liberal Party.

“The Vice President knows and he identifies his allies— those who love him, those who understand him, those whom he helped and those with whom he has a deeply-rooted friendship,” said Binay’s spokesman, Mon Ilagan. “He has this core group and he will not lose this machinery.”

Ilagan said UNA would come out with a complete presidential and senatorial slate in next year’s election. – With Macon Ramos-araneta

THE Palace said Sunday it hoped peace negotiations with communist rebels would resume soon, but reiterated that it would not release captured guerrilla leaders as a condition for new talks.

“We are hoping that from initial talks between House Speaker [Feliciano] Belmonte [Jr.] and leaders of the CPP-NPA-NDF in the Netherlands, there would be progress on the resumption of the dialogue between the two sides,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on state-run radio dzRB. Noting that the peace talks had stalled because of a “misunderstanding on the rules,” Coloma said it was important that the two panels agree on terms.

The Palace earlier rejected the possibility of releasing captured communist leaders as a condition to resume peace talks.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the government will not agree to any “preconditions” for the resumption of negotiations with the communists.

The meeting between Belmonte and leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines and National Democratic Front in the Netherlands is a good start to reviving peace talks, even though much needed to be done before formal talks resume, Malacañang said Saturday.

“This is a good start. Speaker Belmonte and Mr. Joma Sison were able to speak to each other,” Lacierda said on radio dzRB Saturday.

Last week, Belmonte, CPP founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison and NDF peace panel chairman Luis Jalandoni met in the Netherlands. – Sandy araneta

M O N D AY : J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

A3

VP’s camp to palace: Answer our charges

By Macon R. Araneta THE camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay taunted the Aquino administration on Sunday for issuing “arrogant and shrill remarks” instead of addressing the issues on its incompetence and callousness.

“We were told the Palace would be using facts and figures to reply to the legitimate observations of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on the administration’s callous and incompetent governance,” Joey Salgado, head of the Office of the Vice President’s Media Affairs, said in a statement.

“What we have been getting instead from Secretaries [Manuel] Roxas [II] and [Edwin] Lacierda are arrogant and often shrill remarks that barely address the issues.

“Apparently, they believe that shouting down legitimate comments will compensate for the absence of a credible defense for being manhid [callous] at palpak [incompetent].”

While Roxas had repeatedly said the suspension of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay was due to voluminous evidence in the Ombudsman, Salgado said, Roxas had been ignoring the fact that the Ombudsman was still gathering evidence against Binay.

He said the suspension of the vice president’s son over the alleged overpricing in the construction of the Makati Science Building was only “preventive.”

Salgado said Lacierda had also been saying pretty much the same thing.

“This shows that he is simply reading from the same talking point as his real boss,” he said.

The vice president had already submitted his affidavit to the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee to answer the corruption allegations against him, but Salgado said Lacierda had described the affidavit as a mere “scrap of paper.”

“He is even a lawyer, but at least Secretary Lacierda has dropped the long-running Palace pretense of being a disinterested party to the Senate inquisition” he said.

However, he said, Lacierda had failed to make a decently coherent reply to the issues raised by the vice president, particularly the lack of jobs despite economic growth.

“Until now, no answer has been given to the sufferings of MRT commuters. During summer the coaches are like oven toasters, and now that it’s the rainy season it’s like an aquarium due to the drizzle inside the coaches,” Salgado said.

“And until now, Secretary Roxas is yet to answer why, during his stint as DOTC secretary, he decided to change the maintenance contractor of the MRT. This resulted in a contract marred by irregularities in which Liberal Party members were involved and the commuters were the ones being punished.”

Second term. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, who is shown here in a file photo, has been reelected president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. DAnny pAtA

It’s still Poe-Chiz next year, Trillanes predicts

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

IT WILL still be GraceChiz as Senator Grace Poe will not agree to being the running mate of Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II in the 2016 elections, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV told dzBB radio on Sunday.

Trillanes, who has said he will run for vice president with or without the support of the Nacionalista Party, said he believed that President Benigno Aquino III wanted Poe to run with Roxas in the 2016 elections.

“You just have to wait for two more weeks. Most likely, the President will

endorse Roxas before August,” Trillanes said.

He said Aquino will anoint Roxas as the Liberal Party’s standard bearer after he delivers his State-of-Nation Address on July 27.

Following the reports that Aquino had asked Poe to join Roxas in going around the country, Trillanes said that was an indication he wanted Poe to be Roxas’ vice president, but he believed Poe would not do it because her supporters wanted her to lead the country.

Poe, who was the new front runner for President based on the latest SWS and Pulse Asia surveys, reportedly said she would only join Roxas in moving around only if her close friend Escudero was with her.

Poe has been very candid about

her preference for Escudero to be her running mate in case she opted to seek the presidency.

They were together during the last election campaign and both have insisted they have not yet made a decision to run for a higher office.

“I still maintain that the two [will run]: Escudero for vice president and Senator Grace for President. They are just waiting. They will not declare early because they might be attacked,” Trillanes said.

He stood pat on his forecast that the presidency would be a three-way fight among Poe, Roxas and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

He said Vice President Jejomar Binay would be out of the race because he would soon abandon his ambition to become President once he saw the numbers.

Malacañang favors mall-voting proposal MALACAÑANG on Sunday supported the Commission on Elections’ plan to put up voting booths in the shopping malls to de-congest the voting areas and increase the voter turnout in the 2016 elections.

“The government believes in the importance of the voting rights of the citizens,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told the staterun dzRB radio.

“We are leaving it up to the Comelec to do whatever necessary steps according to law to ensure the active participation of the citizens in the up-

coming elections.”

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista earlier said the amenities in the malls—such as air conditioning, food courts and stable—would make voters more comfortable on election day.

Comelec records show that out of the 52,006,910 registered voters in the 2013 midterm elections, 40,144,207 actually voted, resulting in a turnout of 77.19 percent.

That turnout was a slight improvement from the 74.98-percent turnout in the 2010 presidential elections. Sandy Araneta

Meeting up north. American Ambassador Philip Goldberg exchanges pleasantries with Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan while at right is Saint Louis University Museum curator Ike Picpican is shown in his native dress during the launching of a program for people with disability. DAviD C. LepRozo JR.

A4

M O N D AY : J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Ex-Isafp chief new Army head

By Florante S. Solmerin

MAJOR General Eduardo Año, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, who will assume his new position as chief of the Philippine Army this afternoon.

Año had earlier been linked to the abduction eight years ago of activist Jonas Burgos, who has remained missing up to this time.

Año was chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) when Burgos was allegedly kidnapped by soldiers in 2007.

Año is also reportedly a protege of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

Gazmin is believed to have engineered the appointment of new Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Hernando Irriberi, who was chosen over President Benigno Aquino III’s personal choice for the top military post, Southern Luzon Command chief Lieutenant General Ricardo Visaya.

Irriberi was Gazmin’s former senior military adviser and spokesman.

Irriberi, Visaya and Año were classmates in the Philippine Military Academy’s “Matikas” Class of 1983.

Gazmin, himself a former Army chief, was the Presidential Security Group commander during the term of the late President Corazon Aquino, the President’s mother.

After his assumption to the post of AFP chief last Friday, Irriberi admitted his closeness to Gazmin.

“I am proud to be identified with him because I learned a lot from him. But my record speaks for itself,” Irriberi told reporters.

Irriberi has criminal and administrative cases pending against him before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with three allegedly anomalous ammunition sup-

ply contracts worth P97.8 million filed by a military supply firm.

If the Ombudsman finds probable cause against him, Irriberi could suffer the same fate as dismissed national police chief Director General Alan Purisima, who was first preventively suspended before being removed from the service.

Earlier, Aquino vowed to appoint younger generals in the AFP and Philippine National Police who will serve beyond his term.

In the case of Irriberi, Aquino has to extend his term for two months until June 30, 2016 because of the election ban on appointments during the election campaign period.

Irriberi is scheduled to retire in April 2016.

Organic fruits. Renz Fuentes, 6, helps his family sell organic fruits at a stall inside the Quezon Memorial Circle on Sunday. Organic fruit farmers, sellers and advocates assembled at a food fair and festival aimed at raising public awareness on the benefits of organic food and to work towards making their products affordable. EY ACASIO

Villegas reelected president of CBCP

By Rey E. Requejo LINGAYEN-DAGUPAN Archbishop Socrates Villegas was reelected president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines during its annual plenary assembly held in Manila on Sunday.

Majority of the 82 out of the 95 active bishops who attended the CBCP plenary assembly voted in favor of having Villegas continue in his position.

Villegas’ current vice president, Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, was also reelected vice president of the highest governing body of the Catholic Church in the Philippines.

Both will serve for two more years in office until January 2017.

The bishops also elected the following members of the CBCP Permanent Council: Bishops Rodolfo Beltran of San Fernando, La Union; Ruperto Santos of Balanga; Gilbert Garcera of Daet; Bernardino Cortez of Infanta and Reynaldo Evangelista of Imus as regional representatives for Luzon; Bishops Crispin Varquez of Borongan and Narciso Abellana of Romblon for the Visayas; and and Bishops Jose Cabantan of Malaybalay and Angelito Lampon of Jolo for Mindanao.

Except for Santos, Evangelista and Abellana, who will be serving their first terms, all the other bishops are already members of the council.

Palo Archbishop John Du was also reelected as CBCP treasurer, while Rev. Marvin Mejia was retained as secretary general. They will serve from December 1, 2015 to November 30, 2017.

Cops kill 5 suspected car thieves in Bulacan FIVE suspected car theft and robbery suspects were killed in a firefight with policemen early Sunday in Marilao, Bulacan.

Bulacan police provincial director Senior Superintendent Ferdinand Divina said investigators were still trying to identify the suspects, who died in an encounter with elements of the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group in Barangay Loma de Gato, Marilao.

The gun battle took place at around 2:30 a.m. inside Heritage Subdivision, where four of the suspects died on the spot. The fifth suspect was rushed to the Nazarenus Hos-

pital in Meycauayan City but was declared dead on arrival there.

Supt. Rogelio Ramos, chief of police of Marilao, said the HPG and his men earlier set up checkpoints in the area to intercept “a group of notorious criminals.”

The suspects were riding a black Nissan X-trail (XTU-414) and a blue Yamaha Mio motorcycle without license plates heading towards the direction of Marilao on San Jose Del Monte Road when they were intercepted.

When the suspects saw the checkpoint at Likod Bisita in Barangay Loma de Gato, they

turned right into Heritage Subdivision, where the blocking force of the HPG had been positioned.

When they saw that they were cornered, the suspects suddenly fired at the HPG team, which retaliated.

Recovered from the slain suspects were two caliber .45 pistols, an Ingram sub-machine gun with suppressor, a KG9 9mm Luger pistol, a fragmentation grenade and two pairs of handcuffs.

“The five were suspected to be notorious criminals involved in car theft, robbery and other serious crimes,” Divina said.

Florante Solmerin

Mussel man. A fisherman unloads his catch of mussels gathered from Manila Bay, which will be sold in a nearby market. PNA

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK M o n d ay : J u ly 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

A5

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Moratorium on Kuwait placements ruled out

By Sandy Araneta THe Philippine government will not stop Filipino workers from deploying to Kuwait even as cases of maltreatment against them and of violations made by several employment agencies and employers are rampant.

“As of the moment, there is no proposal being made by the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) or DOLe (Department of Labor and employment) regarding the moratorium on deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. This, Coloma said, as President Benigno Aquino III had said that the number of OFWs have gone down from 10 million in 2010, to just a little over 8 million in 2014.

“The government, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in the Middle east, is now focusing on the welfare of the overseas Filipino workers now deployed in Kuwait.

And the government is ready to give them assistance,” said Coloma.

Coloma said the government continues to strengthen its mechanism against human trafficking and illegal recruitment, as well as other violations on the welfare of the Filipinos.

According to Aquino, the government’s reform initiatives and inclusive growth has led to a drop in the number of Filipinos seeking jobs overseas.

List-up. Malling is redefined as voters queue up at the COMELEC satellite registration nook inside a shopping mall on Saturday. Ey ACASiO

349 more people sickened by ‘candy’ Malacañang on Sunday urged food companies to adopt safety nets and avoid a repeat of the candy poisoning incident that sickened 1,699 people in Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Sur sincer Friday.

Communications Secretary soning cases worsened and more Herminio Coloma Jr said the people were rushed to hospitals Office of Civil Defense and the in Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Regional Disaster Risk Reduc- Norte and Agusan del Sur. tion Management Council are Coloma said the local police in investigating the food poisoning Surigao now have custody of sellcase involving at first only 1, ers of the poison durian candy.

350 people in six towns and a city The local government of in Surigao del Sur Friday. Since Surigao del Sur also ordered the then, the number of victims has inspection of all food manufacrisen to 1, 699 as of Saturday. turers in the province, he said Authorities in Caraga region Coloma stressed the importance went on alert after the food poi- of the Food Safety Act of 2013 as

there are food safety measures that should be followed, from manufacturing to packaging and storage to distribution, and sales.

He said the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health have also stepped into the situation.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Caraga region immediately called for an emergency meeting Saturday morning to assess and address the mass food poisoning at tributed to durian and mangosteen candies bearing the brand name “Wendy’s” from Davao City.

But the manufacturer of “Wendy’s” went to the Talomo police station in Davao City on

Friday afternoon to say they had nothing to do with the sale of their candies in Caraga region and that the vendors may have repacked and re-sold their products. The branded candies have a shelf life of only six months but the vendors may have sold the expired products.

As of Saturday afternoon, a total of 1,699 cases of food poisoning allegedly from eating these candies had been reported in Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Sur. Of this number, 339 were admitted in hospitals, Liza Mazo, regional director of the RDRRMC and Office of Civil Defense said.

Sandy Araneta

Food security council sought

On alert. An airport policeman onboard his Segway patroler stands guard at the arrival lobby of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 3 . Rudy C. SANtOS CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

BUTIL party-list Rep. Agapito Guanlao is proposing the creation of a national food security council to harmonize efforts aimed at ensuring food sufficiency and security.

“Food security and food staple’s self-sufficiency is challenged on many fronts.

The country must meet the requirements to feed 100 million Filipinos,” he said.

He authored House Bill 4611, entitled “An Act Creating the National Food Security Council, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes,” which is now under deliberation by the committee on government

reorganization chaired by Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop.

The proposed national food security council, if passed, would be attached to the Office of the President to strengthen through legislation the creation of the Office of the Presidential Assistant on Food Security and Agricultural Modernization.

The PASFSAM would be chairman of the proposed council that shall govern and coordinate the existing task and functions of the National Food Authority, National Irrigation Administration, Philippine Coconut Authority and Fertilizer and Pes-

ticides Authority, and shall effect the harmonization of these agencie.

“The bill seeks to attain focus by harmonizing the programs, functions, and provide a single direction among the NFA, the NIA, the FPA and the PCA without effecting changes in their Charters,” Guanlao said.

He took into account the various challenges and pressures of shrinking agricultural lands, degradation of food resource bases and the looming threat of decimation of food ecosystems and biodiversity caused by extractive activities and climate change. Rio N. Araja

m o n D AY : J U lY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

A6

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

‘Make public funds scam-proof’

By Macon Araneta The Senate will look into the safety nets of the budget allocation for the Philippine health Insurance Corporation, which receives one of the biggest chunks of public spending for health, to ensure it will not go to scammers, according to Senator Francis “Chiz” escudero, chairman of the finance committee.

“We will look at the check and balance, the safeguard mechanisms in Philhealth because this has been happening for a long time even in other countries,” escudero told reporters. “even in the Medicare in America, they have been doing it for a long time, and they got out of it. This is one thing that Philhealth should be aware and conscious,” he said.

In 2014, the government earmarked P35 billion for PhilHealth premiums to cover 15 million indigents in the Philippines, a 179-percent increase in government health subsidy for the poor.

For this year, over P36 billion has been set aside for premium payments of indigents.

“We are allocating the funds of PhilHealth to pay the premium of beneficiaries. This is not fund for running the operations of PhilHealth,” said Escudero, who chairs the Senate finance committee.

Some 90 million Filipinos are enrolled in PhilHealth. of this, 43 million are indigent members and their dependents.

Escudero said the recent scams uncovered by the PhilHealth should not stop the agency from approving claims for cataract surgeries.

Cataract removal is the 5th most common procedure reimbursed

by PhilHealth in 2014, accounting for 128,331 paid that amounted to P2,056,379,782 He noted that it is not necessary to stop all cataract operations of Philhealth members and operations just because of the uncovered anomaly. He said PhilHealth just needs to be thorough about validating claims.

Last year, the PhilHealth made a total of P78 billion in benefit payments, 23 percent of which went to private hospitals and clinics on July 1, the Senate began its inquiry into the reported P2 billion suspicious claims of hospitals and clinics accredited by PhilHealth, many of them for cataract removal procedures./macon ramos-araneta Saying that government should install “access ramps” to public funds, Senate President Pro-Tempore ralph G. recto today called on agencies to implement “without delay” projects for the disabled like the earmarking of 10 percent of this year’s P1.2 billion budget for school furniture for cooperatives of persons with disabilities.

After the storm. Typhoons Egay and Falcon left in their wake tons upon tons of garbage, prompting the MMDA sweepers and the local government of Manila to conduct a clean-up drive on Saturday, July 11, 2015. DANNY PATA

UP student clinches Korean speech tilt For her spirited recollection of her experiences in Korea, a linguistics student from the University of the Philippines-Diliman has taken the much-coveted championship at the 2015 Korean Speech Contest held at the headquarters of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Taguig City.

Maria Concepcion Loren Chua last July 4 bested other contestants from all over the country with her powerful delivery of her speech entitled “Fell for Korean’s Charm.”

For winning the grand prize, Chua will have the opportunity to travel to Jeju Island together with a companion for free,

courtesy of the Korea Tourism organization.

She also received P30,000 cash.

Jannin Alegado from Cebu placed second while Angeli Marie Baclea-an from Tacloban City garnered the third spot.

The panel of judges was composed of Choongsuk oh, Director of Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines; Park In-Shik, Director of the Korea Tourism organization; Hwang Sun-tae, Principal of the Korea International School – Manila; Chang Eun-Gap, Head of Korean Chamber of Commerce Philippines and Sarah Domingo-Lipura, Professor of Ateneo de Manila University.

TESDA Director General Secretary Joel Villanueva said that the speech contest offered a platform for students to acquire new skills as part of their self improvement.

“Knowledge of different languages and the ability to communicate using them can widen the opportunities for employment of Filipinos,” Villanueva said.

“It gives the Filipinos the edge to be competitive on a global scale.”

Marta Hernandez, executive director of the TESDA Partnerships and Linkages office, said the holding of the Korean Speech Contest further strengthened the linkage between TESDA and the

Korean government.

“Although this is the first time for TESDA to partner with the Korean Cultural Center for the 2015 Korean Speech Contest, the Korean Government has always been very supportive to TESDA in developing the skills of the Filipino workforce,” Hernandez said.

The partnership for the holding of the competition was formalized in a Memorandum of Agreement signed between TESDA and the Korean Cultural Center.

The contest was organized by the Korean Cultural Center in collaboration with TESDA, Korea Tourism organization and United Korean Community Association.

John Paolo Bencito

Plastic waste recycled into school chairs In a bid to address the shortage of school chairs, Senator Cynthia A. Villar has been distributing sturdy and durable school chairs that can last up to 20 years.

In a span of two years, Villar said a total of 4,145 school chairs made of recycled plastic wastes were distributed to different schools in the country.

Through Villar’s SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) campaign, the senator was able to contribute to the drive of reducing plastic by recycling the wastes into a more useful form. The drive was highlighted with the

celebration of July 3 as the International Plastic Bag Free Day. A staunch environmentalist, the senator noted that plastics remain as the most common trash, as her monthly clean up activity at the Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and EcoTourism Area would show.

“With this initiative of recycling plastic waste, we were able to create a source of livelihood for the poor, help solve the school chairs shortage in our schools, and at the same time care for the environment,” said the senator.

The nacionalista Party senator said in making the

chairs, some 80,000 kilos of plastic waste was collected and processed to look like wooden replaceable parts of a school chair. one school chair needs 20 kilos of soft plastics such as food wrappers to produce.

When opened in May 24, 2013, the P2-million recycling facility located in Las Pinas was the second of its kind in the country and the first in Metro Manila.

The technology from the Davao-based Envirotech Waste recycling Inc. was used in the facility.

The senator said she was surprised to learn that there was high demand for the recycled chairs

due to the numerous requests from school administration and local government officials.

“We are willing to accommodate as long as they are willing to wait. At present, we can only produce 250 pieces a month. We want to build more to benefit more students. Villar Sipag will build similar plants in the Visayas and Mindanao,” Villar said.

The International Plastic Bag Free Day is a yearly recurring event to raise awareness on the harm single use plastic bags cause to marine life and the environment.

Macon Araneta

m o n d ay : J U ly 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

A7

Ex- GMA 7 employees sue network CEBU CITY—Ten former employees of television network GMA 7-Cebu last week filed a complaint for illegal retrenchment against their former employers before the National Labor Relations C om m i s sion-R e g ion a l Arbitration Branch (NLRC-RAB) 7 in Cebu City.

The reporters, cameramen, and editors of the local TV channel were retrenched last April.

Named respondents were lawyer Felipe Gozon, GMA 7 chief executive officer; Ann Marie Tan, GMA 7-Cebu station manager; and Suzanne Salva-Alueta, GMA 7-Cebu news and public affairs program manager.

Jun Veliganio, a broadcast journalist and one of the retrenched employees, said the complaint was filed to raise some issues, among them, the erroneous computation of their separation pay.

Veliganio, who worked for GMA 7-Cebu for 16 years, said they wanted the NLRC to interpret GMA 7’s alleged failure to explain why they were retrenched.

“They said our positions were redundant, but they were not clear on that. We also passed our performance evaluation,” he said.

He said they were retrenched last April 25 and were given severance packages as part of the broadcasting company’s streamlining of programs and personnel.

Retrenched with Veliganio were fellow reporters Gregy Magdadaro, Bexmae Jumao-as, Jess Campos, and Mark Bautista; assistant producer Randy Gorion; and cameramen Joel Bajenting, Aaron Blanco, Joel Bajenting, and Bruce Labastida. PNA

A time to sow. Women of the Tuwali tribe in Ifugao transplant heirloom rice seedlings of the Tinawon variety while clad in their ethnic attire.

DAVID CHAN

Displaced families in Zambo to move to resettlement site ZAMBOANGA CITY—Two hundred families displaced by the Zamboanga siege in September 2013 are set to leave the Mayor Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex almost two years after they sought refuge there.

The families will be transferred to the Masepla Transitory Site in Barangay Mampang and Barangay Kasanyangan.

Dr. Elmeir Apolinario, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head, said the final date to clear the sports complex has been set for July 16.

The sports complex has served as the biggest evacuation center of families displaced by the 21-day siege in 2013.

Apolinario, who is in charge of the temporary shelter cluster, said the sports complex was initially supposed to be cleared of IDPs in May. This was deferred to June and then deferred again in deference to the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Apolinario said the IDPs would most likely

celebrate Eid’l Fitr or end of Ramadan on July 18 or 19 at their relocation shelters, not at the sports complex.

He said his office has already informed the IDPs that there will be no more extension “because it is affecting our timeline for the rehabilitation of the sports complex.”

“The recovery shelters are already prepared for them, there is no reason why they should not transfer,” he added.

He said his office received a letter last Friday from Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman telling them the sports complex must already be closed “to move back to normalcy.” PNA

US gives $13M to fight trafficking

By Dexter A. See

A time to fix. A man taking from Argao, Cebu fixes his roof which has been damaged by rain in the past week. MICHELLE ALVAREZ

BAGUIO CITY—The United States government is providing the Philippine government at least $13 million to strengthen and sustain the implementation of antihuman trafficking in persons over the past ten years to protect vulnerable sectors from being tricked into modern slavery, US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg said here Friday.

Goldberg was here to attend consultations organized by the Inter-Agency Council Against the Trafficking in Persons seeking to reduce the risk of women and children from being exposed to the dangers of human trafficking, a global menace.

Goldberg added that there are 12 to 17 million people worldwide who exposed to human trafficking, 80 percent of which are women and children.

Further, 75 percent of the women exposed to human trafficking are said to be minors or those below 18 years of age. Six percent of those exposed to human trafficking are women below 12 years old.

Goldberg said Filipinos are among the identified vulnerable citizens to human trafficking because they are desperate to find decent jobs.

“The anti-human trafficking against persons involves not only education but also the provision of appropriate care for the youth,”he added.

The US ambassador cited the initial gains of the Philippines in the campaign against human trafficking, citing there is still a need to involve more non-government organizations in the effort to significantly reduce the victims of trafficking in persons through the years by eliminating the syndicates who are involved in the modern slavery.

A8

adelle chua EDITOR M O N d aY, J u lY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

opinion

[ edI TORI a l ]

MIsusIng ThE flag IT is galling the way the administration waves the flag to justify unnecessary expense to the taxpayer.

This is clearly what the Palace and its drum beaters have done to justify the unjustifiable expense this month of sending 35 people to The Hague in The Netherlands, where a UN tribunal is hearing the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., who is usually quite eager to release the list of officials traveling on business and to say how much a mission will cost, has been silent on the “ topcalibre delegation” that President Benigno Aquino III has sent to The Hague. Perhaps he was too busy this time around, as he himself is on the delegation.

The closest thing we can get to an official list is a fulsome photo release from the Department of Foreign Affairs showing “Team Philippines” posing before the Peace Palace in The Hague.

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial), 832-5546, (Advertising), 832-

5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandardtoday.com E-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Instead of a detailed list of these “top-calibre” officials are and what each of them will do in The Hague, we get a motherhood statement that suggests sending such “a powerhouse team” will show the judges at the international tribunal that we mean business, and that the entire country is united and solidly behind the effort to stand up to China in our dispute over the South China Sea. It is a clever ploy because it allows Palace apologists to wave away valid objections to the size of the delegation and question the patriotism of its critics.

But waving the flag does nothing to negate the fact that of the 18 officials standing proudly at the Peace Palace, only two Filipino officials--Solicitor General Florin Hilbay and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario–are needed to argue the case.

Even for the sake of argument that key Cabinet secretaries such as those for the Defense and Justice

departments are required on a policy level, who can explain what Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Secretary Ronald Llamas—who gained notoriety when he was caught on camera buying pirated movies some time ago—is doing at the UN tribunal.

What role, too, has been assigned to the magistrate of an anti-graft court, Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez, in legal proceedings involving international relations?

If the administration were honest and straightforward in releasing information about the composition of the Philippine delegation and the role of each official sent there, it could have avoided these kinds of embarrassing questions. But it chose to wave the flag instead, hoping that the movement would hide its complete lack of transparency—and its contempt for the need to honestly account for public funds.

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. Verzosa Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

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

Publisher Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

A10 The primacy of chariTy PoPE Francis has just Pensées wound up what I can only surmise was an fr. ranhilio exhausting pilgrimcallangan age to Latin America: aquino Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay. It was South America he visited this time, but he really talked to the world and unmistakably took the entire Church down the often convoluted path of people’s lives domestically, politically and economically. Themes arising out of the everyday struggles of ordinary people were what his homilies and talks, very often interspersed with extemporaneous comments, were all about. In one case, he turned over to the bishop of the place the prepared talk and delivered his message without reading from a printed page. A pastor had come visiting, and he was not about to let the stiffness of rubrics nor the cautiousness of carefully worded papal statements stand in the way of meeting with his people!

The church, led by Francis, is less concerned with itself and more frequently occupied now with the Gospel and with “the least”.

The Pope, it seems, is unwavering in his resolve that never more shall priest and levite pass by the wounded, because of their eagerness for temple worWhat he said to the ship. God, the Pope, prisoners of Bolivia’s is teaching us, is to most notorious jail be worshipped by the should be particularly roadside as one bends relevant to us in the to bind the wounds Philippines. of those left behind in humanity’s often unthinking rampage towards “prosperity”.

He has shunned the robes of his predecessors, is invariably attired in the plain white papal cassock. The shimmering vestments are gone, and the basilica liturgies that used to be some stylized revival of oriental court splendor are now straightforward affairs.

In South America, he talked of poverty, he lambasted corruption, he did not mince words on the evils of unbridled capitalism, he did not sanitize his affinity with some points of liberation theology, and he unabashedly extolled women and all they had done. Almost always, his remarks were met with thunderous applause, because the people -- the world -- felt that they were being addressed on what mattered most to them.

To be sure, there was very sound Christology and, in Caacupe, beautiful, lyrical Mariology. But this was not theological speculation, which is not to say that the engagements of systematic theologians do not have a rightful place in the Church. It was rather, in Francis’ homilies and addresses, DoING THEoLoGY in context: telling God’s people what Revelation meant for their integral liberation and how the dreaded “principalities and powers” of the New Testament did not have to refer to a whole realm of preternatural beings but, more relevantly, to the gnawing greed, consuming avarice and the debilitating godlessness so characteristic of our times. He was taking the world to task for its contemporary ills, not in the position of one who was free of them, but as one who struggles with us all.

What he said to the prisoners of Bolivia’s most notorious jail should be particularly relevant to us in the Philippines. I cannot, until now, understand what the furor is over prisoners who try to make of prison life a little more bearable and comfortable. If we consider it a fundamental right of each person to live a comfortable life, why deny this to men and women behind bars, to the extent that they are able, as long as none is prejudiced thereby? It does seem to be that ugly side of us where self-righteousness takes on a cruel streak. “I too have transgressed and am in need of penance”, Pope Francis told the prisoners. He was not trying to be charming. He has scored enough points to last him a lifetime. He was rather being candidly himself, and teaching us in the process that in many ways, each deserves to be behind bars as well but we have managed somehow to get away with faults, big and small.

M O N D AY : J u lY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opTioNS opeN Santiago, whose fiery crusade against WHAT President Aquino will report so corruption matched with colorful to the nation come the 27th of July language heretofore atypical of tradiis of little moment compared to the i see tional politicians, was gaining much suspense of whom he will endorse for lito traction.

2016.

Banayo

By November, the LDP, which It was not like this when his mother, controlled 90 percent of all elective President Cory, was about to deliver officials, went into a region-based her last State of the Nation Address.

Then, the public wanted to hear how she would bid “convention”, and the runaway winner was predictably them farewell, after a reign that brought the institu- Ramon Mitra. But Ramos refused to give up, and forthtional forms of democracy back despite several coup with marched to the Comelec to register a new party, Lakas ng Tao (People Power) with a mere six or seven attempts.

Back then, elections were manual, and candidates for congressmen in tow. Later, he was to get the support the presidency had until the first week of February 1992 of Raul Manglapus’ Christian Democrats, after their to sign up with the Commission on Elections. Now, putative champion, Marcelo Fernan, still hemmed and because candidates have to file between october 12 and hawed. Thus was born the merged Lakas-NUCD. It wasn’t until after her January 25, 1992 birthday that 16 this year, political fever has eclipsed the significance Tita Cory decided, and it was in favor of FVR and his of the last Sona.

It’s no longer a question of what he did, or what he puny band of loyalists, against Mitra and his humonwill yet do in the next eleven months, but whom PNoy gous LDP. The rest is history. *** would endorse to succeed him as president.

Will history repeat itself? Grace and Chiz prob*** ably hope so. But would Senators Chiz EscuPNoy ditch Mar and their dero and Grace Poe went fathers’ Liberal Party? to Malacanang and saw Trade old gold for new PNoy last Thursday af“silver”?

Discard the ternoon. For four hours some in the Palace are saying that man who “owned” the and a half, they did not the President’s choice might even be LP brand in 2009, yet discuss anything speannounced in the last paragraph of his surrendered it to him cific, Grace avers, just sona. after Tita Cory’s death, “continuity of tuwid na and remained ever-loyal, daan”. ever-true throughout his The more voluble presidency?

Chiz gave clues though.

Abangan. We are told He asked the President the president would anwhether he had made up his mind on whom to endorse, and was told “none yet.” nounce his choice right after his Sona. Some in the Which brings me back to Tita Cory. In July of 1991, Palace are saying it might even be the last paragraph there were two presidential contenders actively seeking of his Sona. *** her endorsement: her Speaker of the House, Ramon Meanwhile, expect the usual pre-election noise.

Villarosa Mitra Jr. and her Defense Secretary, Fidel ValThere will be more mud and brickbats hurled against dez Ramos.

Both were members of the humongous party that each other, using spokesmen. More media spins about comprised her traditional political support, the La- practically anything and everything. “Private” dinners ban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, or Laban, of which will be publicized to create political intrigue; floats will her brother, Rep. Peping Cojuangco of Tarlac, was the be made about presidentiables sliding down to numero dos; and wannabes will be traipsing all over the islands, secretary-general.

Meanwhile, a draft started by Sen. orly Mercado for with a plethora of gimmicks.

The circus has rolled into town.

Chief Justice Marcelo B. Fernan to run for president *** was gaining ground, particularly in his native Visayan Mercifully, from South America, come tidings that region. But Fernan could not make up his mind, yet kept his options open. The very political Cardinal Sin warm the heart. Departing from his prepared speech, was already whispering to his acolytes that Fernan was Pope Francis apologized in Bolivia, the country named his favorite, and many thought that would carry much after the great liberator, Simon Bolivar, for the “colonial sins” of the Roman Catholic Church. weight with the Presidentita.

“Many grave sins were committed against the naThe opposition was itself divided between VicePresident Doy Laurel of the Nacionalista Party, and a tive people of America in the name of God. I humbly break-away faction headed by Ambassador Danding ask forgiveness…” said Francis, who once headed the Cojuangco, quickly labeled the Nationalist People’s Co- Church in Argentina.

He could have said the same in the Philippines last alition. Difficult to classify as to whether pro-administration or opposition was the Liberal Party. Its leader, February, where the colonial sword conquered in the Senate President Jovito Salonga, was definitely “outside name of the cross. But his mensaje del corazon of compassion, delivered especially in Yolanda-ravished Tathe kulambo” of the president.

Meanwhile too, youth groups found a new cham- cloban, was what touched every Filipino’s heart.

Thank God for this messenger of the faith. pion in Immigration Commissioner Miriam Defensor-

For some time now, phenomenologists of religion have predicted that post-traditional Homo sapiens will opt for “religionless” forms of spirituality. That is merely a more intriguing way of conveying the insight that in post-modern times, worshipping persons will prefer more freedom and spontaneity and less institutional control. And rather than allowing the church to be a victim of history, Pope Francis is seizing the opportunity at initiative. He has spoken of social justice definitely more frequently than he has of canon law, and that God is felt to be close to his people, identifying with their vicissitudes, and that liturgy is a joy-

ful encounter with the liberating Lord is far more important to him than the number of candles that should be lit at the Masses over which he presides, or that the rubrics of the Eucharistic Liturgy be punctiliously observed.

If anything should come close to an existential “proof ” that the Spirit is at work in the Church, it undoubtedly is that we have a Francis in our times! rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

M O N D AY : J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

A11

OUR COAST GUARD AMONG the coast guards in the world, ours can boast of having PASTOR one of the most number APOLLO of vessels. Each of the QUIBOLOY 190 Philippine Coast Guard detachments from Basco, Batanes to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi has a boat or two that it can scramble in response to a distress call.

The problem is that most of these boats are with outriggers. With probably 300 of these in its inventory, PCG has the largest banca fleet in the world.

So the joke goes that the BRP decal painted on the hull of its vessels stands for the Banca ng Republika ng Pilipinas. In the Bisaya-speaking universe, the B takes on a colorful translation, so it becomes Baroto ng Republika ng Pilipinas.

Tonnage-wise,the PCG’s bottoms are at, no pun intended, the bottom of the heap.

Other coast guards, many of which guard coasts shorter than ours, are navies in disguise. Some can scramble planes, dispatch choppers in weather fair or foul, and send cutters that can knife through choppy seas.

Fortunately for us what we lack in horsepower is compensated by manpower. Though short in equipment, our PCG men and women have a surplus of courage.

The trolls who doubt the valor of our coast guards should only take a look at their intrepidness. What coast guard men in the world would patrol the typhoon-lashed seas on a 50-meter buoy tender, a hand-me-down from the United States, which was built a year before Hiroshima was bombed?

Or pursue pirates using a gunboat built when Garcia was in Malacanang, Eisenhower was the White House tenant, The Beatles has yet to cut an album, and our 55-year

PLUMBLINE

old president was not yet born?

At present, the PCG has equipment which makes it look like a dilis trying to snare a tuna. And that is an apt description of the whale-size problems it has to confront, like patrolling an archipelago of 7,100 islands.

The PCG’s tip of the spear consists of four 56-meter and four 36-meter search-and-rescue vessels or SARVS. On paper, it has two more Japan-made Bessang Passtype of cutters, plus about nine cutters from the Americans, but these rusting relics are prone to breakdown, if not already mothballed.

It also has about two dozen Mark-type swift boats, like the one John Kerry helmed in the Mekong delta during the Vietnam War. On paper, they exist. If they still float on water, that’s the big question.

Air assets the PCG does have – two German-made choppers, of which one is grounded. And two UK-made two-engine “Islander.”

All of these they use to patrol, which at nearly 59,000 kilometers, a coastline longer than that of continental United States, and an Economic Exclusive Zone about 187,000 square kilometers in size.

In addition, PCG is the traffic enforcer in the 11,300 kilometers of nautical highway, on which about 20,000 merchant and fishing vessels, excluding foreign-flagged ships and small local pumpboats, ply regularly.

On top of these, PCG takes care of the safety of 50 million ship passengers annually.

They board ships before they leave port, check those Roros for overloading, if the cargo, for example, is tightly latched, and impose the no-sail rule during stormy days.

There is another duty the Coast Guard has – that of being environmental police, whose mission is to keep the blue part of the planet green.

Although not widely known as one of its mandates,

helping enforce environment laws is one of PCG’s toughest jobs. The stakes are high. Economic losses to water pollution is pegged at P67 billion a year – P17 billion from fisheries alone.

And on this front, judging by the flotsam of garbage that swirls near its Port Area HQ, it is fighting a losing battle.

Hopefully, it will triumph in its other mission, to keep our fishing grounds from being choked to death by overfishing or fenced off by occupiers.

We can only continue to savor fish if Coast Guard’s vigilance will not waver, whether running after locals who commit fish genocide by dynamite fishing or aliens who fence off our seas so our fishermen can die from mass hunger.

Fact is, PCG deals with the more important security, the food kind. For it is true: “Walang isda sa hapag-kaininan mesa kung wala tanod sa karagatan.”

Yet we are putting such a heavy burden on the broad shoulders of the few. PCG is a mere 7,000-strong organization. And not all of them smell the salt and not all of their boots are wet by seawater. Like any organization, some do their watch in dry, air-conditioned rooms.

Against this obvious chronic lack of equipment of the PCG, it surprises many as to why the mantra of modernization is recited only for the police, the Armed Forces, even Pagasa. The one for PCG does not even register a faint blip in our leaders’ radar.

It is not PCG’s fault. It has sent out an SOS a long time ago. Ten years ago it was not an actionable plea as revenues were low. Now that tax collection is buoyant then maybe a rising tide will also raise the PCG’s fortunes.

It is time that the PCG is included in the modernization spree. The news that the first batch of 10 Japan-made 40-foot patrol boats will be delivered soon is like the loud ship-horn blast that help is on the way.

TAKING STOCK OF THE HOPEFULS CHASING HAPPY ADELLE CHUA First of two parts WE often lament how politics, Philippine-style, has always been personality-driven without much regard for the overall qualities, experience and background of a candidate.

Look at where this has taken us. Many years after a so-called revolution on Edsa inspired the rest of the world to undertake changes of their own, we remain in the dark ages of political patronage, electing leaders because of their surnames, their popularity, their image. How they fit certain archetypes. How they are able to respond to their constituents’ “needs”. How quickly they

arrive at the scene when there is something wrong. How refreshing they appear to be compared to the tired, old style of those whom they purport to replace.

Alas, because the basis of our collective decisions are appearances, it follows we are easily disillusioned, quick to criticize and call for resignations.

This is a fundamental problem in our election system that not even the most sophisticated, fraud-proof voting and canvassing technology cannot address.

This is, after all, how voters decide whom they vote for, in the first place.

Perhaps this explains, too, why we never seem to be able to be happy with the choices we make, feel a sense of community and deep patriotism that would allow us to be more involved in our nation’s affairs beyond the occasion-

#FAILOCRACY

al pseudo-political commentary on social media.

This problem has been noticed by management professionals and academicians, as well.In mid2003, the Management Association of the Philippines through its governance committee headed by its then-chairman, Rex Drilon II, embarked on a project that would help Filipinos make their choices for the 2004 polls in a more systematic, deliberate way.

MAP enlisted the help of Vic Magdaraog, one of its most active members, to head a task force and research team that would look into what a Philippine president must be. Volunteers from the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines and the People Management Association of the Philippines joined the research team, as well.

Choosing a president is an is-

sue of leadership. Magdaraog’s team then looked at the existing leadership models used by management professionals and organizations and determined which among these roles best fit the Philippine setting.

The team eventually narrowed down the “must” roles to five: Navigator/ Strategist, Mobilizer, Servant Leader, Captivator and Guardian of the National Wealth, Patrimony and Law and Order.

Each of these roles were defined and clarified, with the behavior and competencies associated with each role fleshed out.

The committee then conducted its own campaign to ask people to use said standards in objectively coming up with a decision to choose the next leader.

This was 12 years ago, but the research remains relevant especially these days as we draw closer

to deciding, once again, whom we should pick to lead us.

Let’s not get distracted by the antics of the personalities – let’s instead put them under scrutiny to see if they can indeed take on the challenges of one of the toughest jobs there is. And then let’s do the math – devoid of sound bytes, emotional appeal and other distractions.

More on the five roles in my next column. adellechua@gmail.com

OUT OF THE BOX RITA LINDA V. JIMENO Atty. Jimeno’s column will resume next week.

CHONG ARDIVILLA

m o n day : j uly 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

A12

sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

LeBron: Cavs have more work to do CLEVELAND—Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James says he wants to see the team stockpile more talent in the off-season to prepare for another run at an NBA title next season.

James spoke Friday night at a screening of the new romantic comedy in which he plays himself, “Trainwreck”, that was conducted in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

James, who signed his own new two-year contract worth $46 million with the Cavaliers on Friday, has seen the Cavs sign deals with forward Kevin Love, guard Iman Shumpert and guard Mo Williams.

“It has been good so far, but we have a lot of work to do,” James said.

“We definitely don’t want to come back the same team. We want to come back better. But right now, we’ve been doing so far, so good.”

The Cavaliers, who lost to Golden

State in last month’s NBA Finals, are still looking to re-sign top rebounder Tristan Thompson and guards Matthew Dellavedova and J.R. Smith.

“We still got to re-sign Tristan,” James said. “Hopefully we can bring back J.R. as well and see if there’s some other free agents out there that would love to come here and play if we’re able to do that.”

The Cavs are looking to add talent thanks to the non-guaranteed $10.5 million contract of Brendan Haywood, which many teams seek so they can potentially drop him and save that amount off their salary cap.

Cleveland had been talking with Brooklyn about Joe Johnson but with

the Nets waiving Deron Williams, who appears set to sign a deal with Dallas, they are not as interested in letting Johnson leave.

The Cavaliers were reportedly talking with the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers in hopes of obtaining a reserve player who might help contribute next season.

James is a co-star in the film with Amy Schumer and Bill Hader. The movie opens across the United States next Friday. But don’t look for James to be giving up the NBA for Hollywood any time soon.

“I ain’t no movie star,” James said.

“I know my day job.”

Meanwhile, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, who missed the entire 2014-15 NBA season with a right foot injury, will likely miss all of next season, according to a newspaper report Saturday.

The 21-year-old from Cameroon

suffered a setback in his healing, the team announced last month, and the Philadelphia Inquirer said he will require a second surgery, citing unnamed league sources.

The report said the 76ers are already planning as if Embiid will not be available for the upcoming season and are concerned the injury could be career threatening as they decide if the operation will take place in New York or North Carolina.

A public statement on the matter is expected next week, the report said.

The African 7-footer (2.13m) was selected third in last year’s NBA Draft only six days after undergoing surgery on the navicular bone in his right foot.

It was the same injury that sidelined Chinese star Yao Ming from the Houston Rockets in 2008 and 2009 and led to his retirement in 2011. AFP

FIFA under fresh scrutiny WASHINGTON—FIFA will come under fresh scrutiny next week when a US Senate subcommittee meets in Washington, piling more pressure on the corruptiontainted organization and its beleaguered president Sepp Blatter.

US authorities in May indicted 14 people -- nine top football officials and five sports business executives -- over tens of millions of dollars of alleged bribes for media rights contracts.

Swiss authorities are also investigating the hugely controversial award of the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar.

Blatter is not among those accused of wrongdoing but said after the storm erupted that he would step down as the long-time head of football’s world governing body, although he has not yet done so and has suggested that he could change his mind.

On Wednesday on Capitol Hill, a Senate subcommittee will scrutinize a host of delicate issues roiling world football, chief among them the crisis at FIFA.

PH golfer 7th place in Universiade

Gotcha! A Globe Life Park security officer chases a fan across the field as the Texas Rangers take on the San Diego Padres in the top of the eighth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington in Arlington, Texas. AFP

Winning start for Gerrard in LA Galaxy debut LOS ANGELES—Steven Gerrard launched his postLiverpool career with a low key cameo for new club Los Angeles Galaxy Saturday, playing 45 minutes for the Major League Soccer side in a 2-1 win over Mexican giants Club America.

Just under two months after bidding an emotional farewell in front of 44,000 fans at Anfield, the former Liverpool talisman showed one or two glimpses of class before being substituted at half-time to applause from a 27,934-strong crowd.

Gerrard’s full MLS debut is expected to come next Friday in a home fixture against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Gerrard, 35, who has signed an 18-month deal with the Galaxy after spending his entire 17-year professional career with Liverpool, almost secured a fairytale debut goal in his best chance of the night.

The midfielder produced a trademark burst into the penalty from midfield to latch onto a clever flick from Jose Villarreal, only to be denied after a fine save from America goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez.

Earlier, Gerrard showed that his passing ability is also likely to cause problems for MLS opponents, with one sublime 40-yard (120 feet) ball picking out a teammate

after six minutes.

Club America meanwhile seemed determined to spoil Gerrard’s party, with their large contingent of fans -who often outsung their Galaxy counterparts -- when the team took the lead after seven minutes through Carlos Darwin Quintero.

The Galaxy drew level on the stroke of half-time when Robbie Keane controlled Juninho’s long ball superbly with his first touch to wrongfoot America keeper Gonzalez before stroking away the finish.

Substitute Alan Gordon scored a late winner for the Galaxy, climbing high to head home Raul Mendiola’s cross in the 80th minute.

Steven Gerrard (left) of the Los Angeles Galaxy jumps to head the ball against Andres Andradeof Club America in the International Champions Cup 2015 at StubHub Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP

GWANGJU, South Korea — Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines failed to win a medal in the 2015 Summer Universiade golf competitions.

The 22-year-old Filipino-American student from NCAA Division I team Seton Hall University, the last man standing in the 120-strong Filipino delegation sent here by the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines, matched his best score of three-under par 69 for a four-day total of 285 at the Naju Gold Lake Country Club here Saturday.

The Cebu-born campaigner had earlier rounds of 69, 74 and 73.

And although his score failed to win a medal, Go finished a respectable seventh place overall in the four-day, 60-player competition.

The only other Filipino entry -- Nico Evangelista -finished with a six-over 78 and a four-day total of 313.

Evangelista, who played for Ateneo from fifth grade up to second year high school before moving to Johnson and Wales University in Miami, Florida at age 16, made 81, 78 and 76 in the first three rounds.

FESSAP president David Ong said Go and Evangelista made the country proud “even without winning a medal.”

m o n day : J uly 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

A13

sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Bulldogs, Cards clash Games today 1 p.m. – NU vs Mapua 3 p.m. – UP vs Arellano 5 p.m. – FEU vs NCBA

Jordan Spieth tees off on the third hole during the third round of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. AFP

Jaw-dropping 61 nets Spieth lead SILVIS—Reigning Masters and US Open champion Jordan Spieth eagled twice Saturday in shooting a jaw-dropping 10-under-par 61 to seize the lead in his tuneup event for next week’s British Open.

The 21-year-old American prodigy fired six birdies in his lowest career US PGA round to stand on 17-under 196 after 54 holes at the John Deere Classic in Illinois, the event he won two years ago to earn his spot on tour as a teen.

“I’ve just been trying to roll with the momentum,” Spieth said. “It’s just incredible. I could never have imagined two years ago sitting here.”

Spieth, seeking his fourth victory of the year, will next week try

to become the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win the first three majors in a season.

He was only the sixth to win the US Open and Masters in the same year, the first since Tiger Woods in 2002.

New Zealand’s Danny Lee, who won his first PGA title last week in a playoff at the Greenbrier Classic, fired a nine-under 62 to stand second on 198, but the South Koreanborn Kiwi knew his impressive round was overshadowed by playing partner Spieth.

“Jordan just played magnificent today,” Lee said. “I hit it very good. I feel very confident for tomorrow.”

On a day when heavy rain kept the leaders from starting until late afternoon, Shawn Stefani fired a 64 to share third on 199 alongside fellow Americans Johnson Wagner and Justin Thomas.

Halfway to an unprecedented calendar-year Grand Slam, Spieth decided to make this event his lone warmup from next week’s third major championship of the season at historic St. Andrews in Scotland.

Coming off a Bahamas vacation after his US Open victory last month, Spieth struggled in Thursday’s first round but found his form Friday and surged to a second-round 64. AFP

FORMER University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion National University tangles with Mapua, while Arellano tests University of the Philippines’ mettle as the Spikers’ Turf kicks off its inaugural Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan today.

The Bulldogs hope to buck the loss of former top player Peter Torres, who led the school to back-to-back UAAP crowns in 2012-13, as they collide with the Cardinals in the 1 p.m. match ushering in the second conference of the inaugural season of the league presented

by PLDT Home Ultera.

NU coach Dante Alinsunurin is expected to pin his hopes on the troika of Vincent Raphael Mangulabnan, Fauzi Ismael and Ruben Baysac, who, however, will have their hands full against a Mapua squad out to make their mark on a team built around Philip Michael Bagalay and guest players Calvin Vargas and Sam Almalel.

Triathlon PH organizing Asian, trial tournaments

IN LINE with its mandate to develop high-caliber and more competitive national triathlon teams, the Triathlon Association of the Philippines will be organizing the ASTC Asian ParaTriathlon Championships 2015 on Aug. 16 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, as well as the Philippine National Triathlon Trials in Iloilo City on Aug. 22.

For the APC, a record field of around 30 participants from Japan, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Korea and the Philippines will engage in the competition for the much-needed qualifying points for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

At the same time, there will be regular triathlon sprint distance races for elite (mixed relay) and age-groupers at Dungaree Beach in Subic Bay. More notably, the Aug. 16 event sponsored by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department, Philippine Sports Commission, ASTC, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Gatorade, SPEEDO, Philippine Olympic Committee, Standard Insurance, DZSR Sports Radio 918, Channel 4’s TeleDyaryo Program, RaceDay, SBR.ph, Kikay Runner and PinoyFitness.com, was officially recognized by the Asian Paralympic Committee.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Triathlon Trials hosted by Iloilo City, headed by Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog, will give triathletes from the Visayas region a chance to test their skills and try to qualify for the developmental pool as TRAP continues its search for new talents to represent the country.

The event supports the local campaign on strengthening awareness and encouraging the public to support the ongoing Iloilo River Clean-Up Project.

The approved race courses for both Standard (1.5 Km swim – 40 Km bike– 10 Km run) and Sprint (750 M swim – 20 Km bike – 6 Km run) distances will start at the beach at Joe II Garden for the swim followed by cycling, along the city’s thoroughfares and running using Benigno Aquino Avenue going to Esplanade.

At stake for Standard Distance Top 3 men and Top 3 women finishers are cash prizes of P10,000, P6,000 and P4,000. Medals and product prizes will be given to all Top 3 winners in other categories including the Relay category.

DanceSports ranking tilt set

Bicolandia football festival. Around 500 kids from 52 teams from Naga City and Camarines Sur

joined the 6th leg of the PRU Life UK-backed Football for A Better Life nation-wide grassroots football development program, hosted by the Football Council of Naga and supported by the city government of Naga City, headed by Mayor John Bongat. Photo shows Mayor Bongat, Pru Life UK’s football ambassador Chieffy Caligdong, British coach Chris Thomas, FCN president Bogs Canlas, and some of the kids, who participated in the weekend event held at the Metro Naga Sports Complex. The event featured both a sports clinic and an age-group football competition.

DANCESPORT Council of the Philippines will hold the 2015 DSCPI Midyear Ranking and Competition at the Philsports Multi-Purpose Arena, Pasig City this coming Saturday.

DSCPI President Becky Garcia said there are 308 DanceSport athletes all over the Philippines who will compete in the ranking competition supported by Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Flawless, Vitug Beach Resort, Retro DCG-FM 105.9, Studio 116, Studio AK, Caruso RistoranteItaliano, and The Greenery Bulacan.

Seven World DanceSport Federation licensed adjudicators from all over the world will attend the competition.

Tickets are available at the DanceSport Training Center, Philsports Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City and at the entrance of the Philsports Multi-Purpose Arena on July 18. For inquiries, please call Anna or Lorien at 637-2314.

A14

m o n day : J uly 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Nietes gives foe a boxing lesson

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

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

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Donnie Nietes (left) staggers challenger Francisco Rodriguez with a left straight. DONG SECUYA

g a

kids no PHHeartbreak champ ready formore? marquee bouts

maybe on that

he muls was as or Filihe says, routine y. shifted Manila rovince egularly games” d gam-

k to his here he “Lucky the age money ents to d States. d pool’s , where rl “The nd otharound g minor

playing We play pool, ce,” he

timate step the to top put flybehind them Incheon, Korea. proper moment to pit his ward against longest-reigning world titleholder in Philippine boxThe most painful among their Asiad misfortunes. ing history, and whose uninterrupted run has now weights of today.

DENNIS PRINCIPE fighters be-seven years and eight months. them involved“Getting 2012 a London tune-up fight atHowever, flyweight isour an opreached SPORTS CHAT tion, but I will definitely for a fight Valcarcel said they have given the ring to ing victims ofagainst unfair judging, Olympian Mark Anthony Bar- push eitherflyweight Estrada or Gonzalez. will evident be 34 aduring select number of world boxing champions stillDonnie seemed riga and young prosFOR the longest time, time our boxMANDAUE CITY—The is now for world next year so we really have to make it happen this namely Joe Calzaghe, Marco Antonio Barrera, pect Ian Clark Bautista who, the Finals where eight of our ers have suffered countless lightflyweight champion Donnie Nietes to step year,” said Aldeguer.

Juanfor Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao, Vitali despite their Korean 10 boxers went on to battle losses major that one theyof the up to theinplate andbouts challenge world’spummeling Aldeguer, however, said that Estrada’s handler Klitschko and Oscar De La Hoya. their respective the gold. should have won if not for the foes, still lost top two flyweight champions of today.

Zanfer Promotions has showed keen interest in “It’s how we recognize you as a champion and Of the five gold winners, two matches. dreaded hometown decisions.

Fresh from his clinical 12-round unanimous making an Estrada-Nietes fight soon. as a human being. Sometimes you have fighters werethus undeniable “Boxing isThe a sport wherein block decision over Mexican mandatory The win most memorable of challengonly stumbling far is that conquests Es- who afhave seven, eight title defenses, but are not ercourse Francisco Jr. Saturday the tradaput Fernandez Eumir youatpractically your life on was Rodriguez the gold medal fight night is reportedly set toter grant Hawaiianand Brian roleFelix models,” said Valcarcel. “Nietes is a great huWaterfront Hotel, the 33-year-old Nietesthe hasline long every Marcialinscored stoppage wins. timea rematch you stepthis in September Viloria Macau. man being and a great world champion.” of lightflyweight Mansueto been mentioned as potential opponent for NicaAnother option, AldeguerBautista, said is to stage a title thrashed The 14-karat gold ring is said to be worth meanwhile, the ring.

And this is what comes “Onyok” Velasco against Bulgarraguan superstar Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez defense in Bacolod City, people are saidpillar to to around his opponent from post,15 to 20 thousand dollars and is encrustout. It’s really disappointing, ” where ian Daniel Petrov Bojilov during and Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico. be asking for a Nietes outing within the year. ed with but still had to settle for a splitrubies, emeralds and diamonds. was what ABAP president Ricky the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

The undefeated Gonzalez (43-0, 37 knockMeantime, Nietes will decision allow his win swollen righthometown SPORTS CHAT. It’s fight week of the upcomagainst Vargas told media covering the Velasco’s situation, however, outs) is the holder of the World Boxing Council hand to heal, which was injured when it hit the ing tune-up match of five-division world chamMohamed Hanurdeen Hawas a combination of the Games flyweight crown, while Estrada (32-2, Asiad.

23 KOs) head of Rodriguez in the bets 7th round of their title pion Nonito Donaire Jr. Our daily morning promid.

Apart Barriga and Bauusing computerized scoringWorld for Boxing currently reigns as the unified As- from showdown. gram will keep in touch with team Donaire as lightweight Cantista, 2013 SEA Games sociation World Boxing Organization 112-lb the firstand time, while the second RARE RING.gold After yearsOnly of playing secondJunel they complete their training camp in Macau. kingpin. tancio and lightflyweight Josie will battle Anthony Settoul of France and probably the most contro- winner Mario fiddleFernandez to popularwas Filipino champions Nonito Donaire The Murcia-native did not show Gabuco Donnie got some also any oustedDonaire, via controversial Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, Nietesfairinshake a 10-round non-title super bantamweight bout versial one was that Nietes a Bulgarian signs of aging by as the his sport’s skills and stamina in his has finally gotten the accolade he trulyin deserves. in scoring their gold-medal this Saturday at the Cotai Arena. scoring. was assigned intermatch against Rodriguez can still be considered received a prestigious ring from the WBO Donaire is eyeing a shot at the WBA crown curbouts.

In this year’sNietes Southeast Asian national federation AIBA as the exceptional. during being the weigh in of title defense here.Irish rently held by Scott Quigg of the United Kingdom.

Nesthy Petecio, Magno Games currently held inhis recent main man to select officials for But promoter Michael Aldeguer does not want WBO President Paco Valcarcel was on hand to Meantime, Sports Chat airs Monday to Friday and Rogen Ladon may be vicSingapore, the 10-man Philipmatches. tothe take chances when it comes to waiting for the personally bequeath the ring to Nietes, currently the from 6 to 8 a.m. over DZSR Sports Radio 918 While Velasco may have pine boxing contingent brought tims of bum scorecards when lost the last two rounds of that home five gold medals, two of they dropped close verdicts to match, it was evident that the them came from Bautista and their respective foes.

We could never know what Negros-born Olympian got dis- Fernandez.

Barriga was not part of the would ensue in scoring had heartened when he learned that he got zero points despite pep- SEA Games as he was deemed Marcial, who fought a homethe three-peat Universities and Colleges Athletic Astown boy, and Fernandez, who pering his opponents with clean “disqualified” based on AIBA’s Games Saturday (July 18) sociation champions, to the victory in their first-ever faced a Thai whose officials are ruling that boxers who are part blows in the opening round.

12:45 La Onyok Salle-Dasmariñas vs Boxing UST Leaguegame the to Shakey’s V-League. be influential, were not of their Pro can- insaid “Nagulat napm.. lang– si p.m.

St. Benilde TIP “Thisable is thetobiggest played and we happy knock stage their we’ve opponents in non-AIBA-sancnu’ng sinabihan 3siya na –wala si- notvscompete 5 p.m.” –said UP vs tioned PUP events. we won,”out. said TIP mentor Boy Paril in Filipino. yang score sa first round, Five golds in boxing ofplayingareasdefia guest player for 1992 OlympicUniversity bronze winner NATIONAL recovered While from aAIBA shakyrules first and Santiago-Manabat, nitely something to cheer ficials are being used in her SEAalma mater, unloaded 24 about hits, including 16 atRoel Velasco. set stint and overpowered University of the Philipin five this biennial Games tournaments, are and service meet. aces, while Jaja came away with Almost two decades theLady pines in the next threelater, as the Bulldogs poundedtheytacks But for three our officials, the with 15 marknot officially in charge of the biPhilippines continues to get victhree blocks and aces to finish out a 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-18 victory to join Ateneo, scoring pattern in Singapore meet. timized by bum scoring when big start in the tournament sponsored by Far Eastern University and aSt. ennial Benilde in the early ers in NU’s something to by think about In a lot ways, BautistaShakey’s and isand bunch well-trained well- Season presented PLDT Home Ultera. lead of ofthe Shakey’s and V-League 12ofCollegiate we prepare for the 2016 Rio upfront, firing able to use their traveled pugilists fellArena one byin one Pabloasbacked up Santiago-Manabat Conference at The San Fernandez Juan City were yesterday. during the 2014 Asian Games in gold-winning efforts as the 15ulkills Olympics. for an 18-point effort while skipper Jorelle

CEBU CITY –World Boxing Organization light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes bucked an injured right hand from the seventh round onwards to give mandatory challenger and former World Boxing Organization/International Boxing Federation minimum weight champion and mandatory challenger Francisco “Chihuas” Rodriguez of Mexico a neat boxing lesson to retain his title with a comfortable unanimous decision before a sellout crowd at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino on Saturday night.

Rodriguez tried to pressure Nietes with an aggressive start, but the longest-reigning Filipino world champion, who was making his 11th world title defense, seven as a light flyweight, was too smart and too clinical for the 21-year-old Rodriguez, who failed in his bid to win a second world title in the main event of Pinoy Pride XXXI: Battle of the World Champions.

As promised after an extra week of training at the Elorde Gym, along Taft Avenue in Manila, which was apparently intended to help make the 108-pound limit, Rodriguez attempted to use his hand-speed to overcome the power of Nietes, who said after the fight, that he could have knocked out the Mexican challenger if he didn’t hurt his right hand when he caught him with a shot to the head in Round 7.

Nietes connected with several hooks and uppercuts, especially in the first half of the fight and although he appeared to fade a little in the 11th round, Nietes connected with a superb flurry of punches to turn the challenger’s face into a bloody mess, bleeding from his nose and mouth as he chased Nietes in a futile effort to try and score a knockout.

Nietes suffered a small cut on his right eye in the 11th round, while Rodriguez also had a small cut in the second round caused by a punch, but the cuts didn’t bother either fighter.

The three foreign judges, two Americans and a Canadian, all turned in scorecards in favor of Nietes, although there were some wide disparities.

Lady judge Liza Giampa had Nietes the winner by a wide 118-110 margin, while Robert Hecko had the champion ahead by an even wider margin of 119-109, but Benoit Roussel turned in a much closer 115-113 scorecard.

WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel approached this writer after the fight and pointed to his head, signifying that Nietes was the smarter fighter.

“Rodriguez had heart, but Donnie gave him a boxing lesson,” Valarcel said.

Referee Russell Mora did an excellent job and stayed on top of the action throughout and warned Rodriguez several times for using his elbows in sneaking in some cheap shots when they engaged at close range. He also cautioned Nietes for a couple of low blows, although he didn’t penalize either fighter for the infractions.

Lady Bulldogs thwart UP Maroons

Stung by the surprisingly tough Lady Maroons in the opener, the Lady Bulldogs put their act together Singh provided the poise and added eight points.

UP drew 13 hits from Diana Carlos but it was with the vaunted sister tandem of Dindin SantiagoRepublic of the Manabat and Jaja Santiago and Philippines Myla Pablo spear- the Lady Maroons’ solid blocking that stymied the Province ofand Bohol attack in the early going. The Diliheading the counterattack to foil finish off their Lady Bulldogs’From A16 of Sevilla man-based squad finished with 15 blocks, includrivals in one hour Municipality and 34 minutes.

Layug and four from Marian In the other game, Technological Institute of the ing six from Maristela Wakeboarding, a nonto Bid Philippines came backInvitation from two sets down to eke out Buitre.

Olympic sport but a meda shock 20-25, OF 17-25, 25-23,MUNICIPAL 25-20, 15-8HALL, victory over BUILDING Buitre, Justine Dorog and REHABILITATION SEVILLA ANNEX al discipline in theMaria Games,Molde punched LaAND Salle-Dasmarinas. in nine hits apiece while Layug wound MUNICIPAL MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT CENTER showed gold-medal po- up with seven Michelle dela Cruz and Alyssa Layug uncorked 17 markers in thetentials tournament held as part of the particiin Mark Howard 1. The Government Unit of is a Engineers, recipient of an aid from 12 theteams’ buildup for their respective leagues. andLocal 12 hits, respectively, toSevilla, power Bohol the Lady pating Griffin and Maquel John Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) under the Earthquake Assistance Fund for the Rehabilitation of Sevilla Municipal Hall, Annex Selga, who advanced to Building and Municipal Manpower Development Center. The Approved the men’s and women’s Budget for the Contract is TWO MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTY FOUR finals at the Bedok ReserTHOUSAND SIX HUNDRED THIRTEEN PESOS ONLY (Php 2,734,613.00) The Municipality of Sevilla, Bohol now invites sealed bids from eligible Bidders voir on Thursday.

SEAG...

for the supply and delivery of various construction materials on site within 30

Mara Galicia of La Salle-Dasmariñas (center) rams in a vicious kill against TIP’s Rochelle Fidel (4) and Hezzy Acuna (9) during their Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference showdown at The Arena yesterday.

M O N DAY : J ULY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Hingis wins 1 Wimbledon title in 17 years st

LONDON—Martina Hingis won her first Wimbledon title since 1998 when she and partner Sania Mirza captured the women’s double trophy on Saturday.

Hingis, 34, and 28-year-old India star Mirza came from a set down and 2-5 behind in the final set to beat Russian duo Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 5-7, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5.

It was the top seeds’ first Grand Slam title as a team having only decided to play together in March this year.

Hingis won the Wimbledon doubles with Helena Sukova in 1996 and Jana Novotna in 1998.

For Mirza, it was a maiden women’s doubles title at a Grand Slam although she has won three mixed doubles at the majors.

“It’s been another lifetime.

Seventeen years, usually you’re lucky to win it once or happy to be out here and play on the Wimbledon grounds.

It’s above my expectations,” said Hingis who was also the singles champion at Wimble-

don in 1997.

“I have a great partner to pull me through. It takes guts and courage being 5-2 down in the third set. Couldn’t have asked for more drama how to win it.”

The final was halted at 5-5 in the deciding set due to fading light and to allow the Centre Court roof to be closed.

When the players returned, Hingis and Mirza raced through the next two games to take the title.

“To come out here at Wimbledon, this is something we dream of as kids,” said Mirza.

“Every kid that picks up a tennis racquet this is about winning Wimbledon or playing at Wimbledon one day.

“When we came out at 5-5 we had goosebumps. The energy on the court, we were getting a standing ovation, it was unbe-

lievable. We both came out and I said, This is what we play for, this is what we work for, this energy.”

Mirza praised the support she and Hingis received throughout the tournament and hoped her win will have a positive impact back home in cricket-mad India.

“I hope it inspires a lot of girls and makes them believe they can be Grand Slam champions too,” she said.

“I think for me as an Indian, I’m in Little India here. There are so many Indians in England.

Thankfully there are a lot of us everywhere. In England especially I’ve always had amazing support.”

Hingis can be back amongst the silverware on Sunday when she and Leander Paes face Alexander Peya and Timea Babos in the mixed doubles championship match.

Switzerland’s Martina Hingis (left) and India’s Sania Mirza celebrate after beating Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina in the women’s doubles final on Day 12 of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London. Hingis and Mirza won, 5-7, 7-6, 7-5. AFP

Cylists clear a jump during the BMX competition at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada. AFP

No sweat for Serena LONDON (AFP)--Wimbledon champion Serena Williams insists she can cope with the pressure of going for an historic calendar Grand Slam on home turf at the US Open.

Williams is within touching distance of becoming the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1988 to win all four major titles in the same year following her sixth Wimbledon triumph.

The 33-year-old American recovered from a slow start to ease to a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Spain’s Garbine Muguruza that gave her a 21st Grand Slam crown on Saturday and made her the oldest woman to win a major in the Open era.

But Serena had barely finished parading the Venus Rosewater Dish around Centre Court before her thoughts turned to New York and the tantalising prospect of becoming only the fourth woman ever to complete a calender year sweep of the sport’s top prizes.

“I did the whole walk around the court. I was peaceful, feeling really good, then maybe a little after that I started thinking about New York,” she said.

“I just thought, Oh, man, I’ve won New York three times in a row. I hope this isn’t the year that I go down. I want to do well there.

“I feel like if I can do the Serena Slam, I will be okay heading into the (calendar) Grand Slam.

“Like I always say, there’s 127 other players (in the tournament) that don’t want to see me win. Nothing personal, they just want to win.

“But I really don’t feel like I have anything to lose. I’ve kind of solidified my place at No. 1, so we’ll just go from there.”

During her Wimbledon run, Williams tried to insulate herself from outside pressures by refusing to answer questions about her successful attempt to win a ‘Serena Slam’ -- holding all four majors at once.

The six-time US Open winner acknowledged the scrutiny will be even more intense at Flushing Meadows, but once again she will try to focus on each match rather than the legacy-defining success at her fingertips.

“It’s huge. But I haven’t done it. I have the Serena Slam now, which is amazing. But, you know, it’s different to actually have something and then try to accomplish it,” she said.

“Of course I’m going to try to do the best I can, but I don’t have the Grand Slam in my hands.

“I can’t really feel that if it’s not there. Hopefully I’ll do well at the Open and then I can answer that question.”

- Treacherous draw Williams was pushed to her limits time and again at Wimbledon as she survived a treacherous draw that included showdowns with former world number ones Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka and sister Venus.

“I’ve learned a lot. That I’m able to do anything I set my mind to,” she said.

“I had a really tough draw. This gives me confidence that if I had this draw, I can do it again.”

PH gymnasts to train for Rio Olympics

By Peter Atencio TWO gymnasts, who won medals in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, will be given a chance to gain qualifying slots in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Reyland Capellan, who ended a 10-year goldmedal drought in gymnastics, will be sent to the World Championships in Glasgow this October, with Fil-American bet Ava Verdeflor.

Gymnastics Association of the Philippines

secretary general Bettina Pou said this after she discussed GAP’s plans for the two during a radio interview yesterday.

“If he qualifies, he will have another chance to join a pre-qualifier for the Olympics,” said Pou. Capellan ruled the men’s artistic all-around event, unmindful of a right shoulder injury to take the gold medal with a score of 14.733 points.

Singapore’s Hoe Wah Toon (14.566) took the silver, while Vietnam’s Phuoc Hung Pham was third (14.500) for the bronze.

Verdeflor, 19, delivered a silver in the uneven bars and led the women’s team to a bronze.

Pou said the two need to reach a ranking that is inside the Top 24 to earn an Olympic slot.

“Kung makakapasok, they can go to the Olympics,” said Pou. Cappellan’s victory is the country’s first gold medal in the men’s artistic gymnastics since Roel Ramirez won two golds in the 2005 Philippine SEA Games.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-0

P16M

3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

A16

m o n day : j uly 1 3 , 2 0 1 5 RIERa u. mall aRI EDITOR

REuEl vIdal A S S I S TA N T E D I T O R

sports@thestandard.com.ph

sports

Best Player of the Conference JuneMar Fajardo (right) of San Miguel Beer and Best Import Romeo Travis of Alaska hoist their awards.

Lassiter’s treys fuel Beermen past Aces

by Jeric lopez

IT WAS tougher this time around, but San Miguel Beer still found a way to win.

Marcio Lassiter knocked down two huge triples in the final two minutes, including a go-ahead one with exactly a minute remaining to help the Beermen hack out a hardearned 103-95 over Alaska in Game 2 and gain a commanding 2-0 series lead in their best-of-seven finals clash in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Arizona Reid scattered a gamehigh 37 points and seven assists to lead the way for San Miguel Beer, which can now shoot for an even more imposing 3-0 series lead when

the war between the two protagonists resume on Wednesday with Game 3. ‘’We thought we would lose with the adjustments Alaska made, but it’s

game wednesday (Game 3, Finals - Smart Araneta Coliseum): 7 p.m. - San Miguel vs. Alaska

a good thing we have Marcio (Lassiter) around. He showed he is the best shooter in the league right now,’’ said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. ‘’I’m happy the players executed our game-plan, but we know it will be a different ballgame in Game 3.’’

With the game hanging in the balance at 95-all, entering the final minute, the Beermen executed and swung the ball perfectly until they found a wide-open Lassiter behind the arc in the left corner. Lassiter then nailed the go-ahead trey that gave them a critical 98-95 edge head-

spieth grAbs leAd with A 61

nietes extends boxing reign

turn to A14

turn to A14

ing the final 60 seconds of play.

In the succeeding play, Romeo Travis missed a tough lay-up in traffic with over 40 seconds left, fouling Junemar Fajardo afterwards in frustration.

Fajardo then calmly sank his two freebies with 38.1 ticks left to stretch San Miguel’s lead to five, 100-95, and eventually ice another huge victory for the Beermen, who held Alaska scoreless in the last 2:40 of the game while finishing the contest on a 13-0 finishing kick.

It was actually the Aces, who were ahead, 95-90, with just under three minutes left after Travis’ basket but they eventually faltered in the waning minutes, allowing themselves to fall to a deep 0-2 hole against the Beermen.

Fajardo is Best Player of Conference JUNE MAR FAJARDO strengthened his case even more for a second straight Most Valuable Player award after winning his second Best Player of the Conference plum yesterday.

The skilled 6’10” inside force of San Miguel Beer was named the Best Player of the Conference for the Governors’ Cup after another strong run in this season-ending tournament, while Romeo Travis of Alaska was named the Best Import before the start of Game 2 of the Finals.

Fajardo garnered a total of 1,134 points to claim the award as he bested GlobalPort’s Terrence Romeo (662), teammate Marcio Lassiter (519), NLEX’s Asi Taulava (345), Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar (342) and Talk ‘N Text’s Jayson Castro (326).

For the do-it-all Travis, he narrowly won over second place AZ Reid of San Miguel by just 37 points. Travis had 1,060 points compared to 1,023 for the latter.

Rain or Shine’s Wendell McKines (748) and Star’s Marqus Blakely (497) were the other candidates for the Best Import award.

This conference, Fajardo had solid double-double averages of 17.8 points, 11.6 rebounds on top of 1.2 block, 0.8 assists and 0.5 steals per game for 36.2 statistical point average. Travis produced averages of 23.38 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.69 assists.

Fajardo also won the BPC award in the Philippine Cup, where he led the Beermen to the championship.

Overall, this is the reigning MVP’s third BPC plum. He won the first one during the Philippine Cup in the 2013-14 season.

With this win, Fajardo became the favorite to win another MVP award.

Jeric lopez

MONDAY: JULY 13, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

B1 Last-ditch talks.

International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde leaves a Eurogroup meeting discussing the Greek crisis in Brussels early on July 12, 2015. Eurozone finance ministers have suspended lastditch talks on Greece’s bailout, Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem said, describing the negotiations as ‘very difficult’ but making progress. The ministers will meet again at 0900 GMT on Sunday, just hours before a summit of all 28 European Union leaders that is meant to be the final deadline for a deal to prevent Greece crashing out of the euro. AFP

PSe comPoSite index Closing July 10, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

7,392.59 14.90

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing JULY 10, 2015 42

P45.125

43

CLOSE

44 45 46

HIGH P45.120 LOW P45.200 AVERAGE P45.154 VOLUME 456.900M

P480.00-P680.00 LPG/11-kg tank P41.20-P47.85 Unleaded Gasoline P28.85-P32.20 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG

Reduced ‘15 exports threaten growth goal

By Julito G. Rada

BARCLAYS, a multinational banking and financial services company based in London, said lower exports in April and May are threatening the country’s growth outlook this year.

“We believe the weakness in both April and May exports add downside risks to our 6.5 percent 2015 growth forecast, following the very weak Q1 GDP print,” Barclays said in a report over the weekend.

Barclays earlier forecasted growth for the Philippines this year at 6.5 percent. It kept the forecast in the middle of the year despite the sluggish 5.2-percent expansion in the first quarter.

“Exports came in much weaker than expected in May--the steepest decline in three years. May’s weak showing was accentuated by a high base and one fewer work-

ing day, compared to last year.

As with April, the weakness was driven by non-electronics--mining, machinery and agriculture, industries with higher local content,” Barclays said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority earlier said April exports declined 4.1 percent year-on-year due to fragile global demand. It noted lower revenues from petroleum, mineral and agro-based products.

On Friday, the agency reported an even bigger decline of 17.4 percent in exports in May, the sharpest drop since December 2011 which, according to the National

Economic and Development Authority, was a reflection of the general market outlook and “signaling a slowdown of the global economy.”

Barclays said partly to reflect the persistent weakness in exports amid smaller crop harvests, the International Monetary Fund lowered on Friday its forecast for the Philippines this year to 6.2 percent from the previous estimate of 6.7 percent.

The IMF, however, upgraded its 2016 growth forecast to 6.5 percent from the previous assumption of 6.3 percent on the back of an improved budget outlook.

“Looking ahead, the recent pickup in the US ISM suggests stronger external demand could support a recovery in the coming months, although China’s slowdown will likely remain a drag,” Barclays said.

Earlier, Barclays said downside risks could not be discounted if a

significant rebound could not be seen in the second quarter.

Growth was unexpectedly weak in the first quarter, driven by a slowdown in fiscal spending and weak exports. It was slower than 5.6 percent in the same period a year ago.

Barclays said the economy looked primed for an acceleration in the second quarter, as the government committed to increase disbursement.

But Barclays said the government’s earlier growth target of 7 percent to 8 percent this year “looks unlikely to be reached.”

Gross domestic product in 2014 grew 6.1 percent, significantly lower than 7.2 percent in 2013, weighed down by the government’s underspending which impacted on the third-quarter expansion.

Third-quarter GDP stood at 5.3 percent, lower than 6.4 percent in the second quarter.

PH losing edge in Japan banana market—farmers

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, July 10, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

45.1700

Japan

Yen

0.008245

0.3724

UK

Pound

1.538800

69.5076

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129014

5.8276

Switzerland

Franc

1.054741

47.6427

Canada

Dollar

0.787650

35.5782

Singapore

Dollar

0.740960

33.4692

Australia

Dollar

0.743716

33.5937

Bahrain

Dinar

2.657949

120.0596

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

12.0453

Brunei

Dollar

0.738225

33.3456

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.029455

1.3305

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

12.2982

Euro

Euro

1.103200

49.8315

Korea

Won

0.000885

0.0400

China

Yuan

0.161062

7.2752

India

Rupee

0.015794

0.7134

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.263539

11.9041

New Zealand

Dollar

0.672585

30.3807

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032216

1.4552 Source: PDS Bridge

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales FILIPINO farmers on Sunday asked the government to secure lower tariff rates on banana exports to Japan by taking advantage of the free trade agreement between the two countries.

The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association called on the Agriculture and Trade Departments to review the concessions in the Philippine-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and secure the country’s position in the Japanese market.

PBGEA said more Japanese importers had struck deals with suppliers in Mozambique, Vietnam, Costa Rica and Indonesia, reducing Japan’s dependence on the Philippines.

The group said under bilateral and economic partnership agreements, fresh bananas exported from these countries enjoy zero tariffs

for their pooled quotas of 1,000 tons per year against those on Philippine bananas that range from 8.5 percent to 18.5 percent.

“We are, therefore, reiterating our request for the re-negotiation to possibly reduce, if not eliminate, the tariffs on Philippine bananas, a move that is clearly supported by Japanese fruit importers particularly the Japan Fresh Produce lmport and Safety Association since four years ago,” said PBGEA executive director Stephen Antig.

Antig said last year, records showed Japan imported fresh bananas from 12 countries, including the Philippines, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, Taiwan, Mexico, Colombia, Thailand, Costa Rica, China, Mozambique and the Dominican Republic.

He said Japanese imports from Ecuador and Guatemala had increased sharply, while imports from the Philippines went down.

“Based on the same official report, the volume of Philippine bananas imported by Japan in 2014 is the lowest since 2005 despite excellent production volume in the Philippines,” Antig said.

“The gradual decrease in volume is some sort of an embarrassment to the quality of Philippine exports,” Antig said.

Aside from securing lower tariffs, PBGEA also asked DA to support the industry’s opposition on House Bill 5161.

HB 5161, introduced by Representative Teddy Baguilat, proposed to make all agribusiness venture agreements subject to the approval of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council.

AVAs refer to the entrepreneurial collaboration between agrarian reform beneficiaries and private investors in the implementation of an agriculturally-related business venture involving lands distributed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

MONDAY: JULY 13, 2015

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS Weekly STockS revieW STOCKS

JULY 6-10, 2015 Close Volume

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. Inc. Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

4.89 73.1 103.10 94.50 45.3 2.50 1.57 15.98 20.2 6.40 0.74 1.81 760.00 0.395 90 0.97 18.00 26.50 64.30 94 306 37 150.8 1470.00 59.55 3.23

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Bogo Medellin C. Azuc De Tarlac Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab. Federal Res. Inv. Group First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Lafarge Rep Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

43.4 1.38 1.02 1.94 10.1 53 91.00 18 135 26.65 55.35 2.33 1.41 12.3 20.000 8.87 7.28 9.65 1.78 13.48 24.85 80 14.00 13.78 5.74 0.500 189.00 10.44 28.00 2.04 58.00 24 25.45 5.85 294.00 3.93 4.85 8.40 11.90 3.15 2.13 2.8 4.08 1.96 6.25 168.9 1.64 0.144 1.25 2.10 185 4.5 0.7 23.80 1.20

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `B’ Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Minerales Industrias Corp.

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Transgrid Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.470 57.2500 22.00 1.27 6.88 0.246 0.242 747 7.5 13.10 3.14 4.20 0.205 1315 6.50 70.50 3.99 6.89 0.65 12.64 0.57 4.69 7.19 3.8 0.0300 1.280 1.910 2.67 59.95 862.00 1.23 0.68 155.20 79.500 0.3300 0.2000 0.265

8990 HLDG Anchor Land Holdings Inc. A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `B’ Centennial City City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc.

7.380 8.40 0.70 1.150 0.220 36.85 3.2 5.15 6.5 0.82 1.19 1.08 0.126 0.430 0.840 0.170 1.19 1.89

Value

FINANCIAL 6,355,444.00 13,210,919.00 1,729,615,450.00 754,878,920.00 15,032,505.00 82,680.00 484,040.00 22,664,398.00 78,741,953.00 36,517 31,240 304,970.00 169,570.00 431,400.00 1,681,185,075.50 2,072,580.00 5,801,112.00 303,110.00 103,386,018.00 15,890.00 17,820,980.00 57,310,310.00 921,325,909.00 176,455.00 11,252,236.50 4,843,300.00 INDUSTRIAL 10,256,500 442,545,915.00 17,000 24,020.00 1,345,000 1,374,340.00 3,433,000 6,577,240.00 14,200 142,864.00 780 39,583.50 130 11,830.00 1,676,800 30,465,104.00 290 36,390.00 2,016,500 54,697,095.00 279,030 15,491,218.50 17,226,000 40,167,730.00 338,000 479,030.00 530,500 6,541,958.00 11,503,200 227,350,897.00 10,488,900 93,563,106.00 63,450,700 459,843,082.00 3,814,500 36,556,634.00 1,823,000 3,191,750.00 256,100 3,280,810.00 16,080,100 403,760,470.00 2,236,760 175,714,465.00 22,100 305,622.00 2,151,000 29,332,644.00 3,559,700 20,754,156.00 342,000 172,050.00 3,301,350 628,078,950.00 4,753,600 48,866,042.00 800 22,700.00 13,000 26,760.00 1,950 103,010.00 4,125,900 97,441,650.00 949,300 23,702,480.00 22,520,300 125,135,271.00 3,036,650 878,385,088.00 5,000 19,720.00 4,476,000 21,534,940.00 13,855,700 116,529,527.00 22,300 263,294.00 1,418,000 4,574,490.00 5,637,000 11,610,160.00 29,696,000 93,816,100.00 4,668,000 19,023,380.00 46,000 89,540.00 40,700 247,845.00 8,660 1,411,805.00 493,000 794,190.00 6,960,000 1,002,370.00 9,000 11,250.00 4,226,000 8,968,950.00 14,659,730 2,775,129,708.00 1,233,000 5,378,510.00 21,533,000 14,951,080.00 19,500 463,800.00 503,000 596,300.00 HOLDING FIRMS 6,730,000 3,155,300.00 7,104,390 406,562,060.00 56,590,800 1,242,759,310.00 19,000 22,750.00 210,900 1,452,839.00 48,260,000 13,103,350.00 4,540,000 1,231,610.00 2,106,080 1,580,190,310.00 4,224,500 31,735,549.00 16,073,200 211,076,362.00 2,000 6,280.00 206,000 898,670.00 900,000 187,530.00 924,047 1,458,395,715.00 75,000 491,354.00 11,144,820 771,270,217.00 3,000 11,780.00 12,750,000 89,284,120.00 2,217,000 1,422,240.00 15,504,500 199,506,332.00 1,933,000 1,143,240.00 80,341,000 366,442,710.00 4,747,100 32,235,844.00 35,000 133,500.00 28,500,000 882,300.00 12,000 15,280.00 59,861,000 112,201,330.00 45,000 118,720.00 501,030 29,982,161.00 1,658,140 1,446,484,665.00 1,084,000 1,270,600.00 474,000 330,070.00 690 107,568.00 21,080 1,689,196.50 3,350,000 1,072,250.00 1,240,000 245,900.00 700,000 181,820.00 PROPERTY 6,156,100 44,115,976.00 8,100 65,139.00 851,000 581,310.00 693,000 804,619.00 1,400,000 309,830.00 52,250,700 1,900,976,925.00 7,458,000 23,953,080.00 288,300 1,479,149.00 500 3,250.00 4,971,000 4,068,600.00 61,000 64,400.00 81,000 84,290.00 19,860,000 2,515,050.00 2,031,000 955,850.00 927,000 784,630.00 1,800,000 309,460.00 4,360,000 5,209,340.00 75,877,000 143,689,940.00 1,219,300 181,050 16,493,850 8,260,670 332,700 34,000 312,000 1,421,400 4,017,100 5,700 45,000 179,000 220 1,070,000 18,378,320 2,136,000 319,600 11,200 544,790 170 59,030 1,541,100 6,033,790 120 187,880 1,500,000

Close

JUNE 29-JUL 3, 2015 Volume Value

STOCKS

JULY 6-10, 2015 Close Volume

Interport `A’ Keppel Properties Megaworld Corp.

Megaworld Prop.

MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

1.29 3.27 4.75 4.63 0.110 0.2850 0.4600 23.00 7.28 27.50 1.67 3.24 20.15 0.72 7.14 0.810 6.780

2GO Group ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp.

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) DFNN Inc. Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons Retail SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

6.19 61.8 1.14 0.620 13.56 8.60 0.0780 3.5 84.95 6.29 2.73 929.5 2384 6.30 1.30 110.4 12.08 0.011 0.204 1.3500 2.59 9.20 2.55 1.15 2.01 35.00 0.680 2 5.1 0.320 0.460 18.1 4.64 3 8.61 107.00 18.80 2830.00 0.630 1.280 36.00 70.50 8.50 0.62 1.79 5.15 0.325 2.170

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Basic Energy Corp.

Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp.

TA Petroleum United Paragon

0.0061 2.65 5.69 11.86 0.227 7.0000 0.9 0.77 6.58 1.38 0.305 0.216 0.227 0.014 0.014 3.11 20 3.62 0.5600 1.9900 0.0110 0.0120 4.20 5.56 1.76 0.013 138.90 9.18 0.0095

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen F First Gen G FPH Pref C GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure & Resort Pref.

MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C Swift Pref

62 528 540 110.4 118 500 520 6 1.07 113 1070 1148 1054 75.4 84.5 88.1 3.25

7.4 73 108.00 94.25 45.4 2.50 1.74 15.94 19.4 6.43 0.7 1.79 820.00 0.415 93.5 0.98 19.06 28.40 66.05 93 306.6 38.5 160.1 1475.00 60.00 3.15

10,729,800 117,340 10,305,370 7,897,150 290,500 251,000 226,000 911,100 5,219,600 15,800 592,000 17,000 420 2,090,000 12,980,300 1,863,000 264,500 14,600 528,220 6,150 30,770 1,393,900 3,176,050 185 84,990 343,000

80,644,010.00 8,585,530.00 1,116,892,345.00 745,126,851.00 13,164,765.00 628,980.00 399,410.00 14,531,116.00 102,095,270.00 101,877 426,280 29,630.00 348,150.00 929,200.00 1,208,273,425.00 1,825,770.00 4,987,534.00 400,160.00 35,463,200.00 574,344.50 9,382,024.00 55,003,700.00 515,130,123.00 277,875.00 5,116,768.00 1,080,650.00

44 1.37 1.04 1.96 10.32 54.95 93.00 18.38 100 26.95 57.2 2.48 1.4 12.5 20.400 9.00 7.45 10.22 1.7 11.88 26.15 82.5 13.98 13.78 5.87 0.510 195.70 10.14 29.00 2.03 59.00 24 25.6 5.98 296.00 3.98 4.8 9.00 11.98 3.33 1.97 3.46 4.15 1.97 6.4 166 1.63 0.142 1.25 2.17 193.8 4.49 0.74 23.00 1.21

15,167,400 34,000 1,602,000 3,667,000 21,300 2,190 3,230 6,116,700 10 2,265,200 647,110 35,117,000 864,000 1,531,400 23,716,600 10,409,200 59,404,600 1,649,200 18,000 76,400 17,682,500 1,091,720 200 321,400 2,308,600 47,000 6,826,450 3,276,500 3,900 114,040 17,420 4,623,300 637,600 8,751,000 1,893,320 36,000 6,538,000 8,536,100 24,300 4,802,000 3,053,000 35,916,000 3,185,000 87,000 59,700 165,910 350,000 6,220,000 11,000 3,718,000 14,000,490 7,000 7,408,000 3,700 327,000

680,952,715.00 47,490.00 1,645,120.00 7,025,340.00 222,258.00 115,102.00 295,280.00 112,520,556.00 1,000.00 61,391,670.00 21,118,585.50 87,286,700.00 1,240,090.00 18,820,620.00 470,458,548.00 91,753,656.00 444,090,892.00 16,402,557.00 30,700.00 899,982.00 457,399,905.00 89,456,616.00 2,796.00 4,281,434.00 13,426,174.00 24,420.00 1,339,579,805.00 33,209,634.00 113,200.00 235,960.00 1,021,565.00 111,321,245.00 15,769,195.00 52,440,443.00 554,293,614.00 142,510.00 31,749,020.00 76,604,751.00 290,062.00 16,508,360.00 6,054,840.00 121,430,330.00 13,227,230.00 166,470.00 364,520.00 27,755,531.00 1,253,050.00 880,470.00 13,850.00 8,052,400.00 2,717,978,478.00 29,540.00 5,619,830.00 86,815.00 396,210.00

0.470 57.0000 22.15 1.17 7.00 0.245 0.270 772 7.62 13.44 3.43 4.40 0.214 1345 6.56 71.70 3.7 7.3 0.66 13.62 0.63 4.62 6.5 3.85 0.0330

3,790,000 16,917,970 37,249,600 23,000 91,700 2,422,000 220,000 1,886,350 4,146,200 58,745,900 17,000 1,281,000 1,140,000 808,335 65,400 11,025,370 11,000 10,766,500 291,000 12,805,100 208,000 127,492,000 4,429,600 53,000 5,800,000

1,781,600.00 978,002,066.50 823,921,555.00 28,800.00 634,529.00 598,290.00 51,400.00 1,470,061,670.00 31,896,351.00 784,172,398.00 54,980.00 5,471,070.00 236,590.00 1,103,204,110.00 429,989.00 789,604,639.50 40,820.00 76,465,568.00 193,910.00 177,404,908.00 128,300.00 601,663,190.00 28,010,538.00 202,980.00 189,600.00

2.010 2.69 59.45 886.00 1.20 0.75 155.10 81.300 0.3350 0.2080 0.290

113,085,000 83,000 718,600 1,812,720 692,000 172,000 230 519,680 10,090,000 2,650,000 300,000

164,271,932.00 218,180.00 42,877,151.00 1,617,304,965.00 833,940.00 129,000.00 31,683.00 42,331,847.50 3,367,050.00 514,760.00 87,600.00

Leisure & Resort Warr.

3.500

Double Dragon Makati Fin. Corp.

Ripple E-Business Intl Xurpas

9.8 6.78 70 11.24

7.300

840,900

6,070,775.00

First Metro ETF

120.9

0.71 1.200 0.228 36.80 3.33 5.25 5.61 0.84 1.25 1.08 0.134 0.440 0.870 0.174 1.21 1.99

3,050,000 30,000 100,000 54,179,100 24,794,000 1,018,900 16,500 8,565,000 140,000 124,000 13,710,000 1,880,000 1,554,000 130,000 2,812,000 118,916,000

2,056,950.00 36,000.00 22,380.00 2,024,367,945.00 82,711,900.00 5,235,297.00 33,330.00 7,135,870.00 174,070.00 124,920.00 1,767,130.00 832,050.00 1,328,470.00 22,920.00 3,413,150.00 228,914,800.00

Value

Close

1,761,000 2,256,940.00 300 981.00 49,240,000 232,111,050.00 113,572,000 479,736,930.00 3,410,000 365,440.00 1,230,000 363,950.00 40,000 17,800.00 4,500 104,380.00 90,800 651,914.00 17,921,000 497,745,665.00 2,133,000 3,599,720.00 90,000 296,170.00 106,156,600 1,841,474,149.00 3,918,000 2,817,650.00 6,400 45,070.00 1,633,000 1,343,380.00 18,415,900 121,561,335.00 SERVICES 199,500 1,250,051.00 122,890 7,622,869.50 32,000 36,410.00 4,222,000 2,606,390.00 9,800 128,128.00 41,726,000 368,626,480.00 30,300,000 2,413,420.00 1,333,000 4,618,470.00 1,636,340 139,616,070.50 135,900 846,378.00 10,000 27,560.00 1,200 1,102,045.00 694,155 1,670,802,200 349,200 2,187,632.00 353,000 458,670.00 4,114,350 455,244,351.00 22,200 261,238.00 33,200,000 348,700.00 55,160,000 11,517,390.00 1,583,000 2,050,540.00 65,000 150,410.00 631,400 5,824,699.00 674,000 1,719,740.00 113,000 125,300.00 127,000 261,460.00 4,100 160,260.00 141,000 95,220.00 469,000 931,020.00 24,652,600 133,613,367.00 4,080,000 1,244,450.00 200,000 91,400.00 11,794,300 213,243,654.00 24,000 109,420 54,000 161,000.00 200 1,722.00 344,480 38,833,964.00 403,900 7,549,590.00 664,680 1,853,804,170.00 24,873,000 15,855,170.00 194,219,000 246,132,120.00 9,104,500 328,612,190.00 4,363,040 311,172,803.00 58,941,700 518,639,501.00 16,063,000 10,092,670.00 5,000 8,950.00 4,847,000 25,159,935.00 1,200,000 384,000.00 84,351,000 166,953,400.00 MINING & OIL 40,770,000,000 256,937,200.00 13,000 34,450.00 4,021,200 23,632,269.00 11,300 123,336.00 480,000 109,710.00 11,100 75,445.00 21,846,000 19,693,730.00 2,906,000 2,233,910.00 66,400 438,464.00 66,965,000 98,357,830.00 6,770,000 2,051,500.00 46,910,000 10,337,330.00 3,490,000 789,450.00 105,500,000 1,382,500.00 144,000,000 1,932,600.00 1,540,000 4,711,980.00 27,675,300 567,751,938.00 4,232,000 10,582,410.00 1,346,000 767,540.00 2,884,000 5,735,430.00 25,400,000 258,500.00 30,000,000 360,000.00 147,000 621,580.00 8,093,100 46,682,764.00 16,877,000 28,777,910.00 354,500,000 4,518,200.00 5,241,110 735,946,061.00 2,806,100 26,325,184.00 400,000 3,750.00 PREFERRED 1,038,350 64,369,127.50 7,810 4,120,550.00 20 10,800 9,340 1,031,136.00 6,170 728,060.00 4,000 2,000,000.00 1,800 938,550.00 139,600 841,693.00 4,231,000 4,539,710 15,350 1,728,380.00 355 378,895.00 55 63,140.00 9,940 10,476,460.00 676,310 50,991,860.00 70,000 5,940,250.00 105,250 9,270,979.00 41,000 108,700.00 WARRANTS & BONDS 954,000 3,397,420.00 SME 5,699,400 55,663,364.00 16,500 106,850.00 2,710 178,012.50 7,350,700 82,282,088.00 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 241,580 29,169,938.00

JUNE 29-JUL 3, 2015 Volume Value

1.29 5.00 4.87 4.88 0.110

665,000 200 135,049,000 22,745,000 2,580,000

871,120.00 1,000.00 652,714,230.00 110,692,010.00 285,710.00

0.4400 23.25 7.2 29.00 1.72 3.34 20.35 0.75 7.2 0.840 6.780

70,000 3,000 91,200 17,132,400 2,063,000 94,000 87,227,200 2,485,000 124,800 266,000 64,837,600

30,800.00 69,375.00 655,834.00 500,252,965.00 3,562,740.00 313,340.00 1,746,354,705.00 1,842,910.00 859,571.00 220,740.00 395,919,983.00

6.09 62.4 1.11 0.640 12.86 9.14 0.0800 3.52 88.7 6.65

422,800 70,820 20,000 2,657,000 17,700 45,152,300 76,827,410 3,406,000 28,910,586 106,900

2,514,162.00 4,416,784.50 22,730.00 1,666,250.00 230,590.00 407,790,420.00 6,913,730.00 12,310,770.00 321,736,125.50 675,645.00

930 2482 6.48 1.30 111.8 12 0.011 0.219 1.3000 2.2 9.30 2.66 1.21 2.16 47.00 0.680 2 5.81 0.340 0.490 18.12 4.77 3 9.49 113.50 18.78 2800.00 0.670 1.270 37.05 74.80 9.47 0.64 1.71 5.35 0.330 1.840

1,190 484,170 448,600 175,000 5,157,720 73,300 88,400,000 92,330,000 707,000 15,000 2,214,300 2,266,000 146,000 255,000 2,800 449,000 438,000 36,735,200 130,000 70,000 15,600 96,000 51,000 100 437,740 558,500 724,360 11,989,000 371,529,000 6,197,500 3,225,090 18,544,300 5,954,000 5,000 7,080,500 780,000 5,169,000

1,161,340.00 1,219,720,850.00 2,938,286.00 227,560.00 573,837,570.00 877,888.00 976,400.00 20,064,830.00 935,450.00 33,000.00 20,381,294.00 5,884,970.00 176,350.00 532,930.00 127,840.00 296,200.00 864,900.00 208,836,853.00 44,050.00 32,900.00 284,488.00 439,440 153,050.00 949.00 51,947,525.00 10,311,974.00 2,037,123,720.00 8,032,710.00 456,721,800.00 229,334,830.00 239,546,292.00 177,959,165.00 3,860,170.00 8,550.00 37,362,814.00 250,400.00 9,716,530.00

0.0050 2.65 6.39 11.40 0.238

1,856,000,000 650,000 1,527,000 400 490,000

9,355,900.00 1,743,560.00 9,905,820.00 4,488.00 113,490.00

0.93 0.79 6.95 1.65 0.310 0.224 0.237 0.0130 0.0140 3.28 22.7 3.78 0.6200 2.0400 0.0120 0.0120 4.29 6.08 1.73 0.015 144.00 10.4 0.0100

26,455,000 1,577,000 13,300 142,657,000 2,060,000 12,790,000 4,590,000 292,600,000 53,700,000 4,951,000 13,601,300 6,578,000 310,000 984,000 10,600,000 300,000 133,000 2,707,800 16,162,000 128,200,000 2,555,570 2,124,900 2,300,000

25,201,560.00 1,242,120.00 92,980.00 233,805,910.00 645,250.00 2,850,740.00 1,040,990.00 3,806,200.00 751,800.00 15,551,020.00 315,336,670.00 25,219,330.00 187,060.00 2,015,830.00 117,300.00 3,600.00 571,850.00 16,530,133.00 29,595,240.00 1,799,300.00 365,966,941.00 22,708,906.00 22,200.00

62.9 526 531 105.5 118

816,830 11,500 2,570 500 17,900

50,922,692.00 6,045,600.00 1,365,865 52,750.00 2,113,625.00

523 6.1 1.11 114 1080 1149 1055 75.3 85 89 2

13,590 90,200 1,154,000 29,590 20,000 4,965 16,520 750,260 90,450 719,700 4,000

7,077,680.00 578,290.00 1,258,460 3,294,805.00 21,600,000.00 5,702,465.00 17,395,450.00 56,425,377.50 7,678,160.00 64,007,702.00 8,000.00

3.700

1,038,000

3,894,740.00

10.22 6.63 65.95 11.44

5,655,000 25,900 2,490 9,137,200

56,887,977.00 166,477.00 155,919.50 102,501,040.00

123

115,790

14,204,818.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining Philodrill Corp. `A’ Premium Leisure Manila Mining `B’ Megaworld Prop.

SM Prime Holdings Manila Mining `A’ Yehey Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Filinvest Land,Inc.

VOLUME 40,770,000,000 354,500,000 194,219,000 144,000,000 113,572,000 106,156,600 105,500,000 84,351,000 80,341,000 75,877,000

STOCKS Universal Robina Ayala Land `B’ PLDT Common SM Prime Holdings Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Metrobank Globe Telecom Ayala Corp `A’ GT Capital SM Investments Inc.

VALUE 2,775,129,708.00 1,900,976,925.00 1,853,804,170.00 1,841,474,149.00 1,729,615,450.00 1,681,185,075.50 1,670,802,200 1,580,190,310.00 1,458,395,715.00 1,446,484,665.00

MONDAY: JULY 13, 2015

B3

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

New supermarket to open in Ayala malls A 50-50 joint venture between Ayala Land Inc. and Puregold Price Club Inc. will soon launch a new retail brand called “Merkado Supermarket.”

Mekardo Supermarket, which needs board approval from both companies, will be based in Ayala-run shopping malls and will target the middle-income segment.

The strategy of building mall-based supermarkets will enable Puregold, the current second largest supermarket chain, to tap a broader market as most of its supermarkets are stand-alone stores.

By venturing into mall-based supermarkets, Puregold and Ayala Land will directly compete with SM Retail, the leading supermarket chain owned by the Sy family, which has been the anchor supermarket for all SM shopping malls.

Based on initial plans, Merkado will be located within Ayalaowned shopping malls. At present Ayala Land’s shopping mall in Fairview, Quezon City has Puregold as its supermarket tenant.

Ayala Land’s Varejo Corp. and Puregold’s Entenso Equities signed a joint venture agreement last year to develop and operate mid-market supermarkets for some of Ayala Land’s new integrated and mixed-use developments.

However, it is only now that the joint venture partners unveiled their plans for the venture. Jenniffer B. Austria

PH banks unfazed by foreign lenders

A top executive of one of the country’s most aggressive banks remains unfazed by the entry of more foreign banks, after the government further liberalized the industry last year to attract more foreign direct investments.

In an event held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas recently, where the banker was one of the guests, he said he welcomed the influx of foreign lenders into the Philippines.

“There’s nothing to worry about… the more, the merrier,” the banker said confidently.

He said he knew it from the start that foreign lenders would be no match to domestic banks as far as retail banking was concerned.

“Most of them will just cater to wholesale banking,” he said, adding most of the local banks had been intensifying their retail banking business for the past years already.

However, the banker was clueless on how many foreign lenders would be allowed by Bangko Sentral to expand in the Philippines.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the acceptance of applications of foreign banks was almost limitless, because their share of the domestic banking industry was just around 11 percent of the total assets, significantly lower than the allowable ceiling of 40 percent.

As of the first half, Bangko Sentral approved five applications from Asian banks eyeing to expand in the Philippines. These include Taiwan-based Yuanta Commercial Bank Co. Ltd. which is acquiring 100 percent of Makati-based Tongyang Savings Bank; Industrial Bank of Korea; Shinhan Bank of Korea; Japan-based Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.; and Cathay United Bank of Taiwan. Julito G. Rada

Albay’s lot prices climb 10 times

Lot prices in several parts of Albay, particularly in the new economic township called Guicadale, have climbed by nearly ten times since 2007, after the calamity-prone province unveiled a new redevelopment plan and implemented a disaster risk reduction strategy.

Undeveloped lots in parts of Guicadale which sold for P30 per square meter in 2007 now command prices of P300 or more per square meter. Guicadale refers to a new township in the towns of Guinobatan, Camalig and Daraga as well as the city of Legazpi.

Guicadale covers some 64,000 hectares of safe lands for development, which has been identified under the province’s disaster risk reduction strategy.

Housing subdivisions are currently being developed in the area, while commercial and recreational spaces are laid out with road networks linking up with several towns and cities and additional 87,000 hectares of upland areas, according to Albay Governor Joey Salceda.

Salceda said with disaster risks in the province now properly addressed, Albay’s DRR strategy is now geared towards economic expansion. Guicadale started with the build up of 40 resettlement communities for 10,076 people, followed by the construction of the P4.7 billion Bicol International Airport.

Salceda said one proof of redevelopment is a tiny village, called Barangay Anislag in Daraga town, which now teems with people almost equal to a town community where church, marketplace, commercial spaces and a hospital were established to serve the needs of its growing population. Roderick T. dela Cruz

PBSP members. Philippine Business for Social Progress welcomed into the organization new member-companies Lear Corp. and City Savings Bank during its Visayas membership meeting held last month.

Shown are (from left) PBSP executive director Rafael Lopa, Lear Corp. human resources manager for Gabriela plant Noe Reyes, City Saving Banks management head Paula Ruelan and PBSP vice chairman for Visayas and Wellmade Motors Development Corp. president and chief executive Philip Tan.

Ortigas reviews investment plan

By Jenniffer B. Austria

OCLP Holdings Inc., the parent company of property developer Ortigas and Company Limited Partnership, which is jointly managed and owned by Ayala Land Inc. and SM Prime Holdings Inc., will review its existing plan to determine capital expenditure requirements.

Ayala Land chief finance officer Jaime Ysmael said the review would focus on the development of four major parcels of land owned by Ortigas group, including the Greenhills Shopping Center, commercial development Tiendesitas in Ortigas, mixed-use development Capital Commons in Pasig and residential development Circulo Verde in Quezon City.

“There is an existing plan of up

to 2020. We’re reviewing it and we are trying to align it with our plans,” Ysmael said The company said for Greenhills Shopping Center, the company’s crown jewel which generates strong revenues from rental of commercial spaces, would be redeveloped into phases, which would involve construction of new residential towers.

“Right now, there is the Viridian, which was the first residential

tower. But a couple of towers can be put up there,” Ysmael said.

Ysmael said the redevelopment of Greenhills would be done in phases in order not to affect revenues.

“It will be done with the lease disruption, so it will not affect the revenues,” he said.

Ysmael said the company would also review development of other small parcels of land owned by the Ortigas group in the Ortigas business district and the possible reversion of a portion of Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo back to Ortigas group.

Ortigas & Co’s current landbank is estimated at around 50 hectares.

OCLP, however, can add another 40 hectares of prime land to its landbank, including portions of Camp Crame (10 hectares) and Camp Aguinaldo (30 hectares), which were donated to the government years ago.

Analysts see stock index falling further

By Jenniffer B. Austria TRADING at the Philippine Stock Exchange will remain volatile this week, with share prices expected to move sideways with a downward bias, as the developments in Greece and China continue to affect investor sentiments.

“We expect the PSEi to trade between 7,375 and 7,575 with a downward bias. We expect developments in the Greece debt negotiations and North Asian markets to be the main driver of movements in the local equity market in the upcoming week,” BPI Asset Management said in its weekly outlook.

BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravales said once the index breached the critical support of 7,500 level, the

market’s next support would be 7,200.

“Should that level hold, expect the index to bounce back to the 7,500 levels. However, key risk still lies at 7000,” Ravelas said.

Analysts said despite the developments in China, the Philippines was expected to stand out because of continued strong growth of the domestic economy and sound macroeconomic conditions.

The PSEi last week closed at 7,392.59, down 1.89 percent from the previous week’s finish, pulled down by recent developments in Greece and the Chinese stock market.

The broader all-shares index also declined 2.16 percent to 4,227.21.

All major subindices ended in the red, led by mining and oil

(-6.05 percent), industrial (-2.86 percent) and financials (-2.69 percent).

Foreign investors were net sellers last week by P2.48 billion as total foreign selling hit P19.6 billion while total foreign buying amounted to P17.11 billion.

Top gainers last week were Chemical Industries of the Philippines, which jumped 35 percent to P135; Abra Mining and Industrial Corp., which advanced 22 percent to P0.0061; and Yehey!

Corp., which climbed 17.9 percent to P2.17.

Heavy losers were Keppel Philippines Properties Inc., which declined 34.6 percent to P3.27; AG Finance Inc., which dropped 34 percent to P4.89; and Manila Broadcasting Corp., which dipped 25.5 percent to P35.

B4 PPA set to expand capacity of 3 ports

By Darwin G Amojelar THE Philippine Ports Authority is expanding the cargo handling capacity of the country’s three gateway ports in preparation for the expected influx of cargoes from its Asean neighbors.

The port authority said the existing crane capacity of the Iloilo, Zamboanga and General Santos Ports were not enough to handle the forecasted higher volume of cargo arising from the implementation of the Asean Economic Community by the end of this year.

PPA general manager Juan Sta. Ana said the projects at the ports of Iloilo, Zamboanga and General Santos were set to be implemented in the next couple of weeks.

“These gateway ports handle a considerable volume of containerized cargoes, hence, require efficient quay crane operations in preparation for the AEC implementation,” Sta. Ana said.

“We have commissioned a study to determine the structural soundness of the existing facilities of the three ports to accommodate the wheel load of shore cranes and this was the basis of the development requirement of each port upgrade,” he added.

Sta. Ana said the other seven Philippine gateway ports like the Manila International Container Terminal, the Manila South Harbor, the Manila North Harbor and Batangas in Luzon were in terms of cargo handling capacity for the AEC, while Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Ozamiz in Mindanao were also being primed for the the Asean integration.

The projects, meanwhile, will be financed using PPA’s fund.

As early as the start of last year, the PPA has stepped up efforts to improve other port facilities in preparation for the AEC.

OceanaGold advocacy. School children of Barangay San Roque in Cortez, Bohol province have moved out of temporary tent that served as their classroom for months back to their former, now newly-rebuilt school building. The San Roque Elementary Building was severely damaged by the earthquake which ravaged Bohol in 2013, tearing down the school building walls, roofs, doors, windows and amenities. OceanaGold, a leading mining company, responded to the call for support of Bangon Bohol Program of the province. The company as part of its corporate social responsibility teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to rebuild and rehabilitate the schoold facilities. Shown at the turnover of the restored school facilities are (from left) San Roque Barangay Captain Felix Yana, Habitat for Humanity chief operating officer for Western Visayas Carlos Holganza, Raul Molina of the Bohol governor office, San Roque Elementary School Principal Ernesto Concon, (School Division Superintendent, Wilfreda Bongalos, OceanaGold representative Perfecto Floresca, sustainability manager Lucita Exconde and Habitat manager for Western Visayas Vince Delector.

SM bullish despite China market woes

By Jenniffer B. Austria SM Prime Holdings Inc., the country’s leading integrated real estate developer owned by retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr., remains bullish on investing in China, as it plans to build one mall a year and start developing two residential towers in the world’s second-biggest economy.

SM Prime reiterated the commitment despite the steep decline in China’s stock market last week that sent fears of a slowing economy.

SM Prime executive vice president Jeffrey Lim said in an interview the company would invest P1.5 billion to build the first two of the four-tower development being planned in Chengdu, China.

“Not really. What is happening in the [China] stock market is really more realization that a lot of people have been trading on the markets. But the retail on ground

in still growing. We think we would be able to withstand whatever headwinds or problems these recent events will have in our investments,” Lim told reporters, when asked whether the company was concerned about current developments in China.

Lim said SM Prime’s residential unit SM Development Corp. was completing the design of the residential projects and securing the necessary permits to enable it to start building the first two towers.

The company expects to complete the project over the next

two years.

SMDC’s China condominium projects will offer bigger unit sizes of between 40 and 50 square meters compared to an average of 24 sq. m. in its Philippine projects.

SMDC plans to offer 2,000 condominium units for the fourtower project.

Lim said the company will also pursue its strategy of developing one mall per year in China.

SM Prime is one of the domestic property developers that has huge investments in China.

SM Prime this year will open its biggest shopping mall in China--SM Tianjin-- with a gross leasable area of 540,000 square meters.

“We are just trying to determine the occupancy level [of SM Tianjin] and which building we will open,” Lim said.

The company will start developing a mall within a 10-hectare lot in Yangzhou, which it ac-

quired through a long-term lease.

“We will continue with our approach of developing one site or one mall per year,” Lim said.

M Prime has six malls in the cities of Xiamen, Jinjiang, Chengdu, Suzho, Chongquing and Zibo.

SM Prime is investing P66 billion this year to open more shopping malls, residential projects, office buildings and hotels.

It said by end-2015, the mall business unit would have 53 malls in the Philippines and six in China, with a combined gross floor area of 7.8 million square meters SM Prime said for the residential business, it would launch five new projects and expand five existing towers in Metro Manila and in Tagaytay, equivalent to about 19,000 additional units.

SM Prime currently has 25 residential projects in the market, including 23 in Metro Manila and two in Tagaytay.

Govt has flexibility to boost economy amid volatilities—Tetangco

By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. assured the government has enough monetary and fiscal space to back up the economy amid the risks emanating from the global front, especially the slowdown in China and the debt crisis in Greece.

“The developments in China, plus talks in Greece and the timing of Fed lift-off all add to market uncertainty, and thus a tendency for portfolios to rebal-

ance, or stay in the cash market,” Tetangco said over the weekend.

He said what was important was to prevent an unraveling of market confidence.

Tetangco said the monetary policy in the Philippines would continue to be driven by the inflation outlook.

The inflation rate in the first half averaged 2 percent, the low end of the government’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for 2015. Due to the manageable inflation environment, the Monetary Board kept the

benchmark interest rates at 4 percent for overnight borrowing and 6 percent for overnight lending during its latest meeting on June 25.

“We have other tools to contain volatilities in the financial markets,” Tetangco said. “We may still see some further weakness in the markets, but our macroeconomic fundamentals remain sound. We have both monetary and fiscal space to help support the economy, should such be required,” he said.

Tetangco also expressed con-

fidence China would still grow by around 7 percent or “the high 6’s,” echoing analysts’ observations.

He said China’s recovery would provide the underlying support for trade in the region, including in the Philippines, adding the immediate impact would be on financial markets.

Earlier, Tetangco said the robust domestic economy would enable the Philippines to ride out any volatilities in the global financial markets.

He said Asian’s emerging mar-

ket economies might be affected by the turmoil, but there was fundamental robustness in domestic economies, including the Philippines, that should help shield it from any fallout.

Tetangco, in his speech during a recent American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines event held in Manila, said the Philippines was in a good position to withstand the risks arising from the volatile global financial markets, including the expected rate hike in the United States this year.

M O N D AY : J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

B5

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

PCCI backs Skyway 3 project

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the country’s largest business organization, has backed the elevated expressway project that will ease port congestion at the Port of Manila and help spare consumers, exporters and importers from the high cost of delivery.

PCCI president Alfredo Yao told the Toll Regulatory Board the proposed expressway would give 24/7 access to trucks and other vehicles traveling along the stretch of North Boulevard and R-10 to the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 project.

The proposal, a Public-Private Partnership project, is being built by Indonesia’s Citra Lamtoro Gung Persada and state-run Philippine National Construction Corp. in partnership with conglomerate San Miguel Corp.

When completed, the Skyway Stage 3 project will link the North and South Luzon expressways from Buendia Avenue in Makati to Balintawak in Caloocan City.

“Our membership is concerned over the repeat of the port congestion last 2014 resulting in business losses amounting to P70 billion if no new road infrastructures are put in place in the medium term,” Yao said in a letter to TRB dated June 2015.

He said the group saw port congestion as part of of the real

problem of road congestion.

Yao noted that almost half of the number of delivery trucks from the Port of Manila would drive up to the proposed elevated link to Stage 3 and benefit from the reduced travel time to their destinations outside Metro Manila.

“Continuity of business is key to PCCI. By accelerating the movement of raw materials and finished goods to and from the ports, we are certain that this proposed project would increase productivity and propel the growth of our economy,” he said.

Traffic volumes in the streets of Metro Manila even during nontruck ban hours would also be cut by almost half, he added.

He said the worsening traffic in Metro Manila cost the economy P140 billion annually as estimated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency as of 2013.

The PCCI wants the Toll Regulatory Board to approve early the implementation of the elevated expressway project.

D.M. Construction Inc. of the

Consunji family and EEI Corp. of the Yuchengco Group have bagged the contracts to build the P26-billion Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 project.

DM Construction would be the contractor for second segment of the project from Buendia Ave. to Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City worth over P17 billion.

EEI said it recently signed a contract with Citra Central Expressway to construct Sections 3 and 4 of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project.

Section 3 covers a 2.7-kilometer section from Aurora Blvd. to Quezon Ave., while Section 4 spans a 4.8-kilometer section from Quezon Ave. to Balintawak.

The elevated expressway project covers 14.82 kilometers from Buendia to Balintawak.

It will link the South and North Luzon Expressways through eight strategic interchanges located in Buendia, President Quirino Avenue, Plaza Dilao and Nagtahan, Aurora Boulevard, E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Sgt. Rivera and Balintawak.

Citra began work on the first segment of the project, which covers the Manila to Makati stretch in the first quarter of 2014.

The first stage of the Skyway System consists of a 9.5-kilometer elevated road from Bicutan, Parañaque City to Makati, as well as the rehabilitation of the 13.5-kilometer section of the SLEX from Alabang to Magallanes.

IN BRIEF Cebu Pacific passengers up 10%

THE Cebu Pacific Group said passenger traffic grew nearly 10 percent in the first five months of the year on new domestic and international routes.

Cebu Air Inc. said the combined passengers of Cebu Pacific and Cebgo rose 9.6 percent to 7.76 million in the January-to-May period from 7.08 million year-on-year.

The load factors of the two carriers, which is the percentage of occupied seats per flight, fell 3.4 percentage points to 82.5 percent in the first five months of the year from 85.9 percent on year.

The two carriers in May flew a combined 1.79 million, up 4.8 percent from last year’s 7.03 million.

The load factor of Cebu Pacific and Cebgo in May also dropped to 87.9 percent from 91.1 percent last year.

“Growth in passengers carried by the Cebu Pacific Group in May 2015 can be attributed to the launch of CEB’s new long haul routes, including Riyadh, Sydney and Kuwait; and the launch of additional domestic routes,” JR Mantaring, office-incharge of CEB Corporate Affairs, said.

The company is targeting 18 million passengers this year, higher by 7 percent from last year’s 16.9 million. Darwin G. Amojelar

Flexcoat product relaunched

FLEXCOAT, once the biggest-selling protective coating for shipping, industrial construction and residential buildings for several decades in the Philippines, was relaunched recently at the Tower Club of the Philamlife Tower in Makati City.

The relaunch was sponsored by PCR Industries Inc., which has been appointed the exclusive distributor of Flexcoat products. It is headed by Dennis Alexander F. Pe as president and chief executive. Pe is also president and CEO of Crown Property Appraisal Corp.

Highlight of the relaunching was an audio-visual presentation of Flexcoat products that will be revived and sold in the market.

About 15 big clients and end-users of coating products attended the event.

Among them were Chris Malaca, project manager of San Miguel Properties Inc.; Florante Tolentino, project manager of V. Consunji Inc.; Michael Santico, general manager of Santico Construction; and Joey Ortega, project manager of TCGI Engineers.

Flexcoat products are manufactured by Yumpil Industries Inc. at its 3,000 squaremeter plant in Manggahan, General Trias, Cavite.

Red tide in Bohol, Western Samar

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources raised the red tide in the coastal waters of Dauis in Bohol, and Irong-Irong Bay and Cambatutay Bay in Western Samar.

BFAR in its latest shellfish bulletin said based on the latest laboratory results of the agency and local government units, shellfish collected at the Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental and coastal waters of Mandaon in Masbate, were also still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

BFAR added that the coastal waters of of Milagros in Masbate wasalso positive for red tide toxin.

“Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and the internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” said BFAR director Asis Perez.

BFAR earlier lifted the red tide alert in the coastal waters of Bolinao and Anda in Pangasinan. Anna Leah E. Gonzales

Smart, Apple forge content partnership

By Darwin G Amojelar THE mobile phone unit of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. has teamed up with Apple, an American multinational technology company, for its mobile wallet service.

“With Smart Money, Smart is in the best position to deliver Apple content in the Philippines, allowing mobile users to sidestep the often tedious and stringent process of getting a credit card just to be able to maximize their mobile devices.

Ariel Fermin, executive vice president and Consumer Business Group head of Smart Communications Inc., said.

An innovative mobile wallet similar to having a bank account in one’s phone, Smart Money can be used by all Smart prepaid and postpaid subscribers to purchase App Store and iTunes content and pay for Apple Music subscription-- even without a credit card, which has long been a barrier for many Filipino users in maximizing their Apple devices.

Smart subscribers may also use Smart Money to pay bills, remit money, shop online and reload one’s account for just a few taps on their phone.

Smart Money bolsters Smart’s grand push to enable Filipinos to experience the Smart Life, which highlights a suite of meaningful mobile innovations that deliver “entertainment everywhere, convenience everywhere, and peace of mind everywhere.”

“Moreover, through Smart Money, Filipinos can truly experience Entertainment Everywhere as they unlock the full range of Apple content at their fingertips --from the millions of other apps, movies, books and songs available on the App Store and iTunes to the newly launched Apple Music app--backed by no less than the country’s largest and most advanced network,” Fermin said.

Smart Money is expected to make it easier for more Filipinos to enjoy all the features of Apple Music on their devices.

MONDAY: JULY 13, 2015

B6

BUSINESS business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com

IFC adding P2b in energy loans

By Alena Mae S. Flores

INTERNATIONAL Finance Corp., the private sector lending arm of the World Bank, plans to infuse another P2 billion into an energy loan facility handled by Bank of the Philippine Islands.

IFC said it wanted to expand its risk sharing facility with BPI to support the sustainable energy finance program, which focuses on financing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the country.

“IFC proposes to offer an enhanced risk sharing facility to BPI to continue to support the growth of its SEF program focused on financing projects in energy efficiency [and] renewable energy,” IFC said.

IFC has previously provided an RSF for BPI’s SEF business. IFC also provides advisory services to Manila

Standard

TODAY

BPI on capacity building to support the development of lending opportunities in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

It said the advisory engagement with BPI on SEF was expanded as the bank entered new areas such as solar projects and lending to energy service companies.

“IFC will support the development of an SEF portfolio of loans

by BPI based on an agreed criteria and provide 50 percent credit risk guarantee in this portfolio under a risk sharing agreement,” it said.

IFC said its maximum risk exposure under the proposed risk sharing agreement would be P2 billion to support an SEF portfolio focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency projects of up to P4 billion, subject to certain terms and conditions.

IFC said the proposed risk sharing facility would support BPI’s sustainability agenda, promote increased lending to the vital energy sector and support energy efficiency.

It said the project would contribute to the development and diversification of the financial sector by supporting a leading bank develop new markets and products in sustainable finance.

“Through the demonstration effect from BPI, the project will support the mainstreaming of SEF among other commercial banks,” it said.

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE InvItatIon to BId no. Infra -050- 2015

The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the General Fund1 intends to apply the below listed projects w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Name of Project Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC) 1. Construction of Catmon Bridge (Phase II) Sitio Kabukiran, Brgy. Calaylayan, Abucay, Bataan =P=7,999,965.32 The Provincial Government of Bataan now invites bids for the above listed Projects. Completion of works is required on or before the maturity date stipulated on contract. Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

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

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committee and inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office.

Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a nonrefundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 04-2012 listed below.

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents Approved Budget for the Contract (in in Philippine Peso) 500,000 and below 500.00 More than 500,000 up to 1 Million 1,000.00 More than 1 Million up to 5 Million 5,000.00 More than 5 Million up to 10 Million 10,000.00 More than 10 Million up to 50 Million 25,000.00 More than 50 Million up to 500 Million 50,000.00 More than 500 Million 75,000.00 The Provincial Government of Bataan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on July 17, 2015 at 10:00 A.M at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered on or before July 31, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 and Bid Securing Declaration in standard form.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted.

In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days.

Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan Activities 1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid 2. Eligibility Check 3. Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents 4. Request for Clarification 5. Opening of Bids

Schedule July 10 – July 16, 2015 Refer to date of Opening of Bids July 10 – July 31, 2015 July 21, 2015 July 31, 2015

The Provincial Government of Bataan reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Engr. Josephine R. Valenzuela Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan 047-237-9316

(TS-JULY 13, 2015)

(SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC Chairman

SEC collecting inputs for new Corporate Code

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission said it expects Congress to approve the proposed amendments to the Corporate Code of the Philippines that will align the country’s investment policy with international best standards and practices.

SEC chairman Teresita Herbosa said the corporate regulator would continue to get comments from stakeholders on the proposed amendments and expected the Senate committee on trade, commerce and entrepreneurship to complete a report on the bill before the end of the year.

“Senator [Paolo Benigno IV] Aquino is very active. He plans to finish maybe the committee report by the end of the year,” Herbosa said.

One of the proposed amendments to the Corporation Code of the Philippines under Senate Bill 2194, which was introduced by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, was the shift in corporate life to perpetuity, from the current maximum of 50 years, to enable “a more long-term mindset that will foster sustainability. ” CYAN MAGENTA YELL

Presidential inaugural speech (Part 1)

you have proved yourself trustworthy in a very small thing, you shall have the govFIRST of all I’d like to ernment of ten (or five) citthank his Eminence, ies.” The increased number of Cardinal Chito, for pretalents are not for the servant. siding in our Eucharist BR. RAYMUNDO Instead, the Master increases in spite of his hectic servant’s responsibility! schedule. He just got B. SUPLIDO FSC, PHD. the All the talents are ordained back from meetings in towards the service of others!

Italy a few days ago. I These gifts are for the comsuspect he’s still adjustmon good. ing to some jet lag.

I’d like to anchor my presiI thank all of you for your presence this morning. You represent different sec- dency on this premise. I believe that the tremendous tors and stakeholders in the mission of education, espe- talents and resources of this community of learners and mentors are ordained towards the greater good of our cially, Catholic higher education.

I also treasure the presence of my distinguished pre- Church, our country and the world. And when these decessors: Dr. Lita Quebengco, Brother Armin Luistro, gifts benefit our learners, mentors and others, the benBrother Jun Erguiza, Brother Ricky Laguda, and Brother efits come with an added responsibility - that they place Dennis Magbanua. While it is true that Brothers Ricky these talents at the service of others… The Lord apand Dennis are from Bacolod, and Brother Armin fin- points the enterprising servant to serve five, ten or more ished his doctorate in La Salle Bacolod, there is no truth communities!

What does this imply for DLSU? Hasn’t she been to the rumor that my election as DLSU president was entrusted with an abundance of talents by the Master, orchestrated by an Ilonggo mafia!

As I told the members of our board upon my elec- talents to carry out her mission? The university’s vition, I am honored and humbled to be chosen for sion-mission statement avows that DLSU is “a leading this position. A few moments ago, I found out that learner-centered research university, bridging faith and the mace is indeed heavy, and rightly so, because it scholarship in the service of society, especially the poor.”

If the Master returns today and demands an accountsymbolizes the gravitas of De La Salle University, the first and flagship institution of the Philippine Lasal- ing, what could we present in terms of being learnercentered, of bridging faith and scholarship, of serving lian educational family. our society, especially the poor? Certainly she would not What is the Lord asking of me?

After my election, I was moved to pray: what is the come up empty handed.

DLSU has not buried her talents. Just to give an exLord asking of me? The Parable of the Talents kept ringing in my mind and heart. In St. Matthew’s version of the ample. DLSU has had five (5) presidents over the last five parable, the Master entrusts his servants with different or six years. This is not because DLSU presidents are an measures of talents, expecting each one to make those endangered or unpopular species. Dr. Lita Quebengco retired but continues serving as board member or contalents bear fruit.

I felt like the servant who received, not 1, 3, or 5 tal- sultant in over 20 educational institutions and NGOs. ents, but rather 50 talents! For when I consider DLSU, Br. Armin Luistro is now Secretary of the Department I see the outstanding quality of her teaching faculty, of Education. Br. Jun Erguiza is president of De La Salle the giftedness of her students, and the high caliber - Araneta and president of CEAP. And Br. Ricky Laguda of her co-academic faculty and service personnel. is in Rome as General Councillor of the worldwide LaTo these resources, I must add the unlimited social sallian Family!

In many other ways, DLSU offers her talents to serve capital of DLSU’s network of alumni and alumnae, parents and guardians, her links with Church leaders, the Church and our nation through its faculty, staff, stuindustry, government and colleagues in other educa- dents and alumni.

As I take over the helm, I am asked: “What directions tional institutions.

But I remembered, that in the parable, the Master ex- must DLSU take to broaden and strengthen her efforts pects the talents he has given to bear fruit. Then, I felt in carrying out her mission?” As a new President, I don’t fear and anxiety. That’s why, when many of you congrat- presume to know the answer. I am painfully aware of my ulated me, I texted or emailed you: “Please pray for me!” need to have a deeper and more comprehensive grasp of DLSU: the persons who make up the academic family, Now, you know why. the students, the programs, etc…

What is the Lord asking of DLSU? Bertrand Russell said, “In all affairs, it’s a healthy But another question came to me: “What is the Lord asking of DLSU at this time of her history?” Isn’t thing now and then to hang a question mark on the DLSU a servant to whom the Master has entrusted a things you have long taken for granted.” I think this is an opportune time to raise some questions, for myself generous amount of talents?

The parable speaks of the growth and multiplica- and for our academic family. The answers we will distion of the talents: the servant with 3 talents presents cern and pursue together.

For the sake of brevity and clarity, I “hang question 3 more, the one with 5 talents presents 5 more. And the talent that did not grow, was given to the more marks” on three areas of DLSU’s mission: being a leading learner-centerer university, integrating faith and enterprising servant.

And this led me to the question: For whom are the scholarship, and serving the Church and nation, especially the poor. (To be continued) resources of the university?

In St. Matthew’s version of the parable, the Master Br. Raymundo B. Suplido FSC was inaugurated as the tells the successful servant: “You have shown you are trustworthy in small things, I will trust you with great- 23rd president of De La Salle University on June 30, 2015. er…” In the version of St. Luke, the Master says: “Since He can be reached at opc@dlsu.edu.ph.

GREEN LIGHT

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

THE SUPPLEMENT AGREEMENT

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE ENERGY SUPPLY AGREEMENT BETWEEN BUKIDNON SECOND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BUSECO) AND THERMA MARINE, INC. (TMI), WITH MOTION FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND MOTION FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION ERC CASE NO. 2015-096RC BUKIDNON SECOND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BUSECO) AND THERMA MARINE, INC. (TMI), Applicants.

10. Additional Term. The Supplement to the ESA provides that the ESA shall remain in force for an additional period of three (3) years from the expiration of the Original Term, commencing on May 18, 2015 and shall terminate on May 18 , 2018 unless either Party sends a written notice of pre-termination to the other Party at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of each contract year. The Supplement to the ESA further provides that it may be terminated effective on the Operations Effective Date defined in the Energy Supply Agreement between BUSECO and Therma South, Inc. (“TSI”) covering the supply of power from the coal-fired power plant of TSI or, if Operations Effective Date of the power plant of TSI has not yet occurred by the end of the Additional Term, the ESA shall be automatically renewed on a year-to-year basis, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of the ESA. Upon expiration of the Additional Term, and any extensions thereof, the Parties may agree to further extend the term of the Agreement under the same terms and conditions of the ESA, as supplemented by the Supplement Agreement;

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on May 14, 2015, Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BUSECO) and Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI) filed a joint application for the approval of their Supplement to the Energy Supply Agreement, with motion for provisional authority and motion for confidential treatment of information.

In the said joint application, BUSECO and TMI alleged, among others, the following:

2.

BUSECO is a non-stock, non-profit electric cooperative, organized and existing under and by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 269, as amended, with principal address at Poblacion, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. It holds an exclusive franchise issued by the National Electrification Commission to operate an electric light and power distribution service in the City of Malaybalay and the Municipalities of Baungon, Cabanglasan, Impasug-ong, Lantapan, Libona, Malitbog, Manolo Fortich, Sumilao and Talakag, and in Barangay Lilingayon of Valencia City, all in the Province of Bukidnon (Franchise Area); TMI is a generation company duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with principal office address in Mobile 2, Lawis, Sta. Ana, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.

Copies of TMI’s Securities and Exchange Commission Certificate of Registration, Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, General Information Sheet and Audited Financial Statements are attached to the joint application as Annexes “A”, “B”, “C” and “D,” respectively; 2.1

TMI owns and operates the 100 MW Power Barge No. 117 (PB 117) in Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte and the 100 MW Power Barge No. 118 (PB 118) in Maco, Compostela Valley, which it acquired from the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) upon their privatization in accordance with Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the “Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA); and

2.2

TMI is joining BUSECO as co-applicant in this case in order to assist it in securing approval of the terms and conditions of the Energy Supply Agreement dated October 7, 2011 (ESA),as supplemented by the Supplement to the Energy Supply Agreement dated March 27, 2015 (Supplement Agreement), entered into by and between BUSECO and TMI;

COMPLIANCE WITH PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS 3.

4.

In compliance with the pre-filing requirements under Section 2, Rule 6 of the Commission’s Rules on Practice and Procedure, the applicants furnished copies of this Application together with all its annexes the legislative bodies of the Municipality of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon where its office is principally located, as well as the Provincial Board of the Province of Bukidnon, as evidenced by the certifications issued by the Legislative Bodies aforementioned, herewith attached as Annex “E”; Further, said applicants have caused the publication of the instant Application in the Gold Star Daily, a newspaper of general circulation in the franchise area of BUSECO, as evidenced by the Affidavit of Publication executed by the Editor, and original copy of the issue showing the published application, copies of which are attached hereto as Annexes “F” and “G”, respectively; NATURE OF THE APPLICATION

5.

The instant joint application seeks approval by the Commission of the ESA, as supplemented by the Supplement Agreement, entered into by and between BUSECO and TMI, pursuant to Rule 20 (B) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (ERC Rules).

6.1

On March 5, 2012, BUSECO entered into an ESA with TMI for the supply of 5 MW for a term of three (3) years from Effective Date (Original Term). The ESA was approved by the Commission in a Decision dated 26 November 2012 in ERC Case No. 2012-057 RC, with the following applicable rates:

Cost Component

Approved Rates

Capacity Fee (PhP/kW/month)

2012

278

2013

296

2014

323

2015 Fixed O&M Fee (PhP/kW/month)

a.

2016

2017

2018

323

305

287

268

250

FOM

PhP/kW/mo

314

314

314

314

314

EF

PhP/kWh

0.15245

0.15245

0.15245

0.15245

0.15245

HFCR

L/kWh

0.23580

0.23580

0.23580

0.23580

0.23580

LOCR

L/kWh

0.00240

0.00240

0.00240

0.00240

0.00240

11.1

Board of Investments (BOI) Certificate of Registration of TMI (Annex “M” of the joint application); Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to TMI (Annex “N” of the joint application); Certification by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) (Annex “O” of the joint application); Certificate of Compliance (COC) issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to TMI (Annex “P” of the joint application); Relevant Technical and Economic Characteristics of TMI’s Power Barges (Annex “Q” of the joint application); Sources of Funds/Financial Plans (Annex “R” of the joint application); Purchased Power Rate (Annex “S” of the joint application); Cash Flow (Annex “T” of the joint application); Financial Model (Annex “U”); Fuel Procurement Process of TMI (Annex “V” of the joint application); Letter from BUSECO to the NGCP regarding their Transmission Service Agreement (Annex “W” of the joint application);and Procurement Process of BUSECO (Annex “X” of the joint application);

b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l.

19. In further compliance with the requirements of the Commission, they considered BUSECO’s supply scenario. The Rate Impact Simulation based on these considerations is attached to the joint application as Annex “Y” and may be summarized as follows:

The formula for FC in item 2 (Contract Energy Fee per month) of Schedule III (Contract Energy Fee) of the ESA shall be deemed amended to read as follows:1

BUSECO’s Existing Generation Rate with TMI

Where: INSy

=

actual insurance cost for the two barges for the current year

INS1

=

PhP43,035,782.00 for the two barges, representing insurance cost included in the FOM

Total BC

=

Total Billing Capacity for the two barges under the existing energy supply agreements and existing ancillary service procurement agreements

11.2

BUSECO’s Generation Rate Upon Renewal of TMI Rate Impact

For calendar month m = 1, 2, ..., 12 = =

FC VC CF

= = =

FOM IFf BC INS

= = = =

Where: INSy

=

INS1

=

IFv

=

Inflation factor for Energy Fee

TotalBC

=

FLR EDm

= =

Total Billing Capacity for all Energy Supply Agreements entered into by Supplier which have achieved effectivity date and for the duration of such effectivity, as such terms and conditions are defined under the respective Energy Supply Agreements Fuel oil, lube oil and related fuel rate in Php/kWh The Sum of the hourly volumes of Contract Energy as found in the Contract Energy Schedule (or as revised by the Parties or by MSO/MSO RCC) for the Billing Period primarily associated with calendar month m (for example December 26-January 25 is associated with January) (and adjusted for transmission losses, if any, imputed by the transmission service provider if measured at a meter other than the Generator Metering Point), in kWh

Contract Energy Fee in Php Energy Fee (before adding the applicable VAT) for the Billing Period in Php/kWh Fixed charge per month in Pesos Variable charge per month in Pesos the Capacity fee in Php/kW/month for the current Contract Year Fixed O&M fee in Php/kW/month Inflation factor for fixed O&M fee Billing Capacity in kW or 5,000kW INSy‒ INS1 actual insurance cost for the two barges for the current year PhP43,035,782.00 for the two barges, representing insurance cost included in the FOM

b.

0.14864

Fuel and Lube Oil Rate

Pass thru cost based on fuel consumption rates of 0.2358 liter/kWh or actual, whichever is lower, for Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and 0.0024 liter/kWh or actual, whichever is lower, for Lube Oil (LO)

Details of BUSECO’s other ERC approved supply contracts are as follows:

SUPPLIER

CONTRACT CAPACITY

DATE OF EXECUTION OF SUPPLY CONTRACT

TERM

PSALM

6 MW (Depends on Availability)

26 December 2012

4 years

FDC MISAMIS

10 MW

26 December 2015

2 years

TSI

2MW

2015

25 years

It is expected that the energy requirements of BUSECO’s customers will significantly increase in the next few years as demonstrated by BUSECO’s Distribution Development Plan (DDP), and Historical and Forecasted Load Data, which is hereto attached as Annexes “J” and “K”, respectively;

8.

The expiration of the Contract for the Supply of Electric Energy with PSALM, as well as the projected increase in the energy requirements of BUSECO’s customers will result in a shortage of the energy available to it and its customers;

9.

On March 25, 2015, BUSECO and TMI executed the Supplement Agreement extending the term of the ESA for an additional period of three (3) years from the expiration of the term (Additional Term) and stipulating the rights and obligations of the Parties during the Additional Term, which shall be under the same terms and conditions of the ESA, subject to salient provisions described below. Copies of the Board Resolutions attesting to the authority of BUSECO to enter into the Supplement Agreement is attached as Annexes “L” and “L-1”; SALIENT PROVISIONS OF THE ESA AS SUPPLEMENTED BY

Mindanao Power Crisis. The power shortage in Mindanao has remained a critical problem for BUSECO, which continues to suffer rotating brownouts in the grid, with each outage lasting three to four (3-4) hours. A bilateral contract, such as the Supplement Agreement, will significantly aid BUSECO in minimizing the rotating brownouts in its franchise area to one to two (1-2) hours as well as limit the debilitating impact these outages have upon the local economy;

b.

Insufficiency of NPC/PSALM Supply. The reduction of the NPC/PSALM CSEE capacity from BUSECO’s portfolio renders imperative a bilateral supply contract to answer for the equivalent capacity, lest BUSECO be compelled to resort to the unpredictable and expectedly higher prices in the IMEM or worse, be curtailed for insufficient contracted capacity. Copies of the PSALM certification of insufficiency of supply and the letter of PSALM manifesting reduction of BUSECO CSEE are attached hereto as Annexes “Z” and “AA”,respectively; and

c.

Continuing Demand Growth. As illustrated in its DDP, BUSECO is expecting a growth in the total demand of its end-users so that, coupled with reduction of the NPC/PSALM capacity, there is a wide supply gap that urgently needs to be filled. Without the Supplement Agreement, BUSECO will be incapable of satisfying the electricity requirements of its end-users who must be forced to suffer brownouts resulting from its curtailment;

22. Under Section 13 of the ESA, each Party undertook to keep in strict confidence and not to disclose to any third party any and all Confidential Information of the other Party; 23. Under Rule 4 of the ERC Rules, the Commission may, upon request of a party and determination of the existence of conditions which would warrant such remedy, treat certain information submitted to it as confidential. Pursuant to its undertaking, BUSECO and TMI move that Annexes“R”, “S”, “T”, “U”, and “V” not be disclosed and be treated as confidential documents in accordance with Rule 4 of the ERC Rules and accordingly, not be disclosed to persons other than the officers and staff of the Commission, as necessary.

These documents contain certain non-public information, data and calculations involving business operations and financial trade secrets reflecting TMI’s investment and business calculations;

The Contract Energy Delivery days in a Billing Period are less the total number of days in the Billing Period (to adjust to first and last Billing Periods of the ESA); and

24. They submitted one (1) copy of Annexes“R”, “S”, “T”,“U” and “V” in a sealed envelope, with the envelope and each page of the document stamped with the word “Confidential”; and

The non-delivery days (or fraction thereof) in any Billing Period caused by Allowed Downtime described under Section 8 of the ESA. 11.3

a.

21. Considering the foregoing, they request the Commission for the provisional approval of the ESA, as supplemented by the Supplement Agreement to enable BUSECO to draw under the said agreement. This will avoid the power interruptions which have caused irreversible losses upon economic productivity within its franchise area. The Affidavit in support of the prayer for the issuance of Provisional Authority i s a t t a c h e d t o t h e j o i n t a p p l i c a t i o n a s A n n ex “ B B ”;

The Fixed Charge (“FC”) shall be proportionately adjusted if: a.

25. They pray that the Commission: a.

Issue an Order treating Annexes “R”, “S”, “T”, “U”, and “V” and the information contained therein as confidential, directing their non-disclosure to persons other than the officers and staff of the Commission, pursuant to Rule 4 of the ERC Rules, and prescribing the guidelines for the protection thereof;

b.

Pending trial on the merits, provisionally approve the ESA, as supplemented by the Supplement Agreement, effective May 18, 2015; and

c.

After trial on the merits, approve with finality the ESA, as supplemented by the Supplement Agreement, including the rates, Security Deposit and Application Costs which shall be for the account of BUSECO.

Finally, the base indices in Item 3 (Inflation Factor) of Schedule III (Contract Energy Fee) of the ESA shall be deemed amended to read as follows:3

PCPIb = Philippine CPI of 126.4 as of June 2011 UCPIb = US CPI of 225.722 as of June 2011 JCPIb = Japan CPI of 99.9 as of June 2011 10. Billing Capacity. In the event that TMI is required to reduce its installed capacity in order to remain compliant with Section 45 of the EPIRA, TMI shall have the right to reduce the Billing Capacity of BUSECO to the extent of the reduction required under Section 45 of the EPIRA, provided that, the reduction in the Billing Capacity of BUSECO shall not exceed its pro rata share in the total Billing Capacity of TMI in relation with other off takers of TMI;4 11. Contract Energy. Under the ESA, TMI shall make available, on a monthly basis, the capacity of 5 MW, to be delivered in accordance with the Schedule of Contract of Energy under the ESA; 12. Additional Energy. TMI may, at its option, make available to BUSECO such energy in excess of the contracted energy for which BUSECO shall be liable to pay the Additional Energy Fee consisting of variable and fixed charges pro-rated for the hours of delivery of the additional energy, subject to annual adjustments. The same formula for the Additional Energy Fee Rate under the ESA shall continue to be in effect; 13. Load Curtailment Adjustment. For Contract Energy subject of load curtailment, BUSECO shall pay the Load Curtailment Adjustment in lieu of the Capacity Fee component of the electricity fees. The same formula for the Load Curtailment Adjustment Rate under the ESA shall continue to be in effect; 14. Replacement Energy. TMI has the option but not the obligation to source replacement or alternative supply from its own back-up facility and/or any third party to supply all or part of the Contract Energy; 15. Security Deposit. No later than thirty (30) days before the commencement of the second (2nd) Contract Year and every year thereafter, BUSECO shall provide TMI a Renewal Security Deposit in the form of a Standby Letter of Credit in an amount equivalent to the estimated average one (1) month Invoice projected for the next twelve (12) months as agreed by TMI and BUSECO or, in case of disagreement, in an amount equal to the highest Invoice issued by TMI to BUSECO in the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the commencement of such Contract Year;5 16. Application Costs. The Supplement Agreement provides that BUSECO shall bear the costs of all filing fees, costs of publication, legal fees and similar costs arising from the preparation and filing of the instant application; 17. The extension of the Contract Term under the Supplement Agreement and the implementation thereof will redound to the benefit of BUSECO’s consumers which may otherwise be forced to bear the cost of 5 MW

4.7593 /kWh Php0.0316/kWh 6

20. They move for the issuance of a provisional approval of the Supplement Agreement, pending trial on the merits thereof, upon the following reasons:

Hence, the formula for Contract Energy Fee per Month as provided in the ESA shall be:2

Where: CEF EF

Php 4.7277 /kWh

MOTIONS FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION

ECPIb = EURO CPI of 113.10 as of June 2011

Energy Fee (PhP/kWh)

6.2

7.

305 239

2015

PhP/kW/mo

STATEMENT OF FACTS BUSECO currently sources its electricity requirements from the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), and the remainder from FDC MISAMIS Power Corporation and TMI.

2014 CF

Copies of the ESA and the Supplement Agreement are attached to the joint application as Annexes “H” and “I”, respectively;

6.

SUBMISSIONS 18. In support of the instant application and in compliance with Rule 20 (B) of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, it submits the following additional documents:

11. Electricity Fees. Beginning on the expiration of the Original Term, the Electricity Fees shall be computed based on the following values:

x- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

1.

purchased from the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM) or to suffer a corresponding amount of brownouts. In undertaking the extension of the ESA under the Supplement to the ESA, BUSECO seeks to comply with its obligation of providing stable and continuous power supply, pursuant to the Department Circular No. DC 2012-03004 dated March 19, 2012 of the Department of Energy (DOE);

The Commission has set the said application for jurisdictional hearing, pre-trial conference, expository presentation and evidentiary hearing on July 23, 2015 (Thursday) at nine o’ clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) at BUSECO’s Principal Office, Poblacion, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the applicants conclude the presentation of their evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon.

All such persons who may wish to have a copy of the application may request the applicants, prior to the date of the initial hearing, that they be furnished with a copy of the application. The applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making a request with copies of the application and its attachments, subject to reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs.

Likewise, any such person may examine the application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the usual office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson, ZENAIDA G. CRUZDUCUT, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA,, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 22nd day of June, 2015 at Pasig City.

ATTY. FRANCIS SATURNINO C. JUAN LBB/NJS 1 2 3 4 5 6

Executive Director III

S u p p l e m e n t A g r e e m e n t , S e c t i o n 2 .1 ESA , Schedule III, Item 2, as amended by the Section 2 of the Supplement Agreement.

Supplement Agreement, Section 2.3.

Supplement Agreement, Clause 2.9 E S A , C l a u s e 6 .1. 2 , a s a m e n d e d b y S e c t i o n 2 . 4 o f t h e S u p p l e m e n t a l A g r e e m e n t .

The Applic ants note that if the PSA bet ween TMI and BUSECO is not renewed and taking into c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h e r e d u c e d c o n t r a c t e d c a p a c i t y w i t h N P C / P S A L M , t h e B U S E C O ’s m e m b e rc o n s u m e r a n d c u s t o m e r s w i l l b e e x p o s e d t o c o n s t a n t b r o w n o u t s l a s t i n g f o r t h r e e t o f o u r (3 - 4) hours each. ( T S - J U L . 6 & 13 , 2 015 )

M O N D AY : J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

B8

cesAr bArriOqUiNtO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

Purification. Believers carry a portable Shinto shrine into the sea to purify themselves during the annual Enoshima Tenno festival in Fujisawa, suburban Tokyo, on July 12. AFP

Second escape for ‘El Chapo’ Journalists in HK faced assaults during protests HONG KONG—Hong Kong’s journalists faced an “unprecedented” number of assaults last year as political tensions surged during a massive pro-democracy movement in the city, a press freedom watchdog said on Sunday.

A ruling by Beijing restricting how Hong Kong chooses its next leader sent discontent surging in the southern Chinese city last year, sparking mass street rallies for more than two months.

More than 30 journalists were harassed or physically assaulted by either protesters or police during the demonstrations, the Hong Kong Journalists Association said in its annual report on press freedom in the city.

“It was a range of assaults from getting hit by water bottles to being punched and kicked. Some have got their cameras pushed down

and dragged onto the floor,” the independent watchdog’s vice chairwoman Shirley Yam told AFP. “In terms of physical assaults, it was definitely a record (year).”

China ruled last summer that the public could vote for Hong Kong’s chief executive for the first time in 2017, but the move has been derided as “fake democracy” by the opposition as candidates must first be vetted by a pro-Beijing committee.

The bill enshrining that measure was voted down by pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong’s legislature last month.

Hong Kong was a British colony until it was handed back to China in 1997 and is ruled under a “one country, two systems” deal that allows it far greater civil liberties than those enjoyed on the Chinese mainland, including freedom of speech and the right to protest. AFP

MEXICO CITY—Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has escaped from a maximumsecurity prison outside Mexico City, authorities said Sunday, a second jail break in 14 years that deals an embarrassing blow to the government.

The kingpin was last spotted by security cameras in the shower area of the Altiplano prison, 90 kilometers west of the capital, on Saturday night before disappearing, the National Security Commission said.

An alarm was issued after “he was not visible” for a while and “the escape of Guzman was confirmed,” the commission said in a statement.

“An operation to locate him was deployed in the area and on roads of neighboring states,” it said, adding that flights were suspended at the nearby Toluca airport.

The Altiplano prison houses the country’s most notorious drug lords, murderers and kidnappers.

The security commission did not have more details about the escape, and scheduled a press conference for Sunday morning.

Guzman’s first break from prison was in 2001, when he slipped past authorities by hiding in a laundry cart.

Marines finally recaptured Guzman in February 2014 in a predawn raid in a condo in Mazatlan, a Pacific resort in Sinaloa state.

Guzman, 58, whose Sinaloa cartel shipped narcotics across the globe, was considered the world’s most wanted drug lord.

His second escape is sure to embarrass the administration of President Enrique Pena Nieto, who was flying to France for a state visit when Guzman fled.

Pena Nieto’s government had won praise for capturing the powerful kingpin, a diminutive but feared man whose nickname means “Shorty.”

After his capture, the government had paraded Guzman in front

of television cameras, showing the mustachioed mafia boss being frogmarched by two marines in front of television cameras before taking him to prison.

Guzman’s Sinaloa cartel’s empire stretches along Mexico’s Pacific coast and deals drugs to the United States and as far as Europe and Asia.

Before his last capture, the United States had offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest, while the city of Chicago declared him “Public Enemy Number One,” joining American gangster Al Capone as the only criminal to ever get the moniker.

He used to be on Forbes magazine’s list of billionaires until the US publication said in 2013 that it could not verify his wealth and that it believed he was increasingly spending his fortune on protection.

His cartel became entangled in brutal turf wars against the paramilitary-like Zetas cartel and other gangs for years.

More than 80,000 people have been killed in drug violence in Mexico since 2006. AFP

Chaos as volcano closes airport again DENPASAR—Ash spewing from an Indonesian volcano closed Bali airport again Sunday, just a day after it reopened, causing fresh travel chaos for weary holidaymakers stranded on the holiday island.

Mount Raung on the main island of Java has been erupting for weeks, and on Thursday a cloud of drifting ash forced the closure of Bali airport during peak holiday season, and four others.

The airport at Bali, a top international holiday destination that attracts millions of foreign tourists every year, reopened on Saturday as the ash drifted away, allowing some passengers to board flights home and

others to arrive.

But Sunday morning, the transport ministry announced wind had once again pushed the cloud over the resort island and that the airport was being closed again until at least 4:00 pm (0800 GMT).

“We will continue to monitor developments and decide if the closure will be extended later,” transport ministry spokesman J.A. Barata told AFP. Many passengers were surprised after the new closure was announced.

“Someone just said the airport was closed for at least six hours ... gotta be kidding,” said one stranded tourist, Steve Dunthorne, on Twitter.

“Standing in queue for check-in like a lemon. Staff look as confused as passengers,” he added.

Indonesian passenger Dwi Anggoro had already checked in for his flight to the central Java city of Yogyakarta when the announcement was made.

“Instead of going back, I’ll just stay here and wait for developments,” he told Metrotvnews.com website.

Another airport on Java serving domestic routes was also closed, he said. The other three originally closed Thursday, including the international airport on popular Lombok island, east of Bali, are now open. AFP

Sixth bull-run. Participants wait for the sixth bull-run of the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 12. Each morning of the Jul y 7-14 fiesta, six-half ton fighting bulls are freed from a corral at 8 a.m. to rumble after hundreds of runners. AFP

M O N D AY : J U LY 1 3 : 2 0 1 5

C1

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

E AT, DRINK , T R AV EL

LIFE DESIRABLY DESIDERATA A new cocktail lounge offers good food, good drinks and good music to enjoy with good company

BY BERNADETTE LUNAS PHOTOS BY SONNY ESPIRITU

“W

hatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.”

In his 1927 prose poem, “Desiderata,” Max Ehrmann shared the essential things mankind must yearn for.

The things that make life worth living. The things the Zamora family took to heart when they recently established a cocktail lounge and music library with the same name.

“To us, it’s more of a credo. Everything in this lounge: our food, our music, our cocktails, is what we desire and what we want to show to the people,” Desiderata Lounge general manager Anton Zamora shared with The Standard.

And if it’s peace amid the noise and haste that you desire, you can definitely find it at the quiet corner on 26th Street in Bonifacio Global City where Desiderata is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the business district.

Desiderata, which opened early this year, aims to create a new culture and society in the midst of posh bars and lively clubs around BGC. Here people can indulge in sumptuous food, down a glass or two of signature cocktails, and listen to jazz and blues while having conversation with friends sans noise and disorder.

With interiors by Nix Alanon, Desiderata exudes a relaxed yet tasteful ambiance with its overall look that is undeniably inspired by midcentury Art Deco but with a contemporary twist.

The warm tones, metal wall fixtures, Edison filament bulbs chandeliers and geometric tables give that Art Deco feel which are balanced by the modernity of dark teal and gold furnishing.

“We wanted to transport guests to a different time, but we wanted a little bit of contemporary also,” said Zamora, further explaining, “If you take a picture of this place in black and white, it looks really old so we kinda compensated with colors so it would look a bit contemporary.”

With all aesthetic elements considered, the lounge gives off a masculine vibe, something that may daunt some ladies. But the custommade plush couches in delicate color and shape and other stylish decors that adorn the establishment diffuse the boys’ club feel.

(Top) Desiderata Lounge and Music Library, located at a secluded corner in BGC, features mid-century Art Deco design that exudes a relaxed and refined ambiance. (Clockwise from top left) Grilled Caesar Salad; Pork Buns are Desiderata’s popular bar chow perfect with beer; New York Sour. Desiderata’s signature cocktails are created by mixologist Tim Walters; and Tuna Tataki.

“It’s like a cigar bar but a more feminine cigar bar,” noted Zamora.

The Zamora clan has been in the food and beverage business “for about half a century.” They are the people behind Basilio’s Restaurant and other dining establishments.

“We used to own bars before but [now] we want something more subtle; we didn’t want to do the bar thing like it’s just about beers. We want something more refined,” emphasized Zamora.

Inspired by a music bar the family visited in Ebisu, Tokyo, they added a music library on the mezzanine where customers can book a table, eat, drink, stay and play vinyl records. Perfect for groups of friends, the spot has a small bar, shelves that will be filled up with more vinyl, turntables, couches and a long table for dinner service.

This makes the lounge area on the ground floor a place for conversation and the music library ideal for people who want to appreciate music. But the owners also plan to hold poker games at the music area twice a month following a successful turnout on their first run held recently.

“We’re not yet sure how often we’re gonna do it, but we’re gonna try every other week. It’s

gonna be a table for 10 on the mezzanine floor.”

But aesthetics and other add-ons can only take establishments like Desiderata so far, especially in such a competitive area.

So apart from the feel and experience, it also offers delectable dishes and speciallyconcocted cocktails served by its crew clad in Joey Samson uniform. Desiderata’s menu features contemporary cuisine, with Spanish chef Borja Duran at the helm of the kitchen.

“We don’t really stick to a single cuisine or the traditional too much. We use as much as possible good ingredients sourced locally and internationally, and it’s more on the techniques that we use that make our food different,” said Zamora.

All the techniques are courtesy of Chef Duran who was given free hand in the kitchen, so much so that whenever they get good ingredients, the executive chef whips up something using them and offers it to the guests.

One of their bestselling bar chows is the Pork Buns adapted from Chef David Chang’s recipe but given a twist. “He usually uses liempo/pork belly, the twist that we made is we use sisig/pork face in making the patties and while he uses

hoisin, we mix hoisin with peanut butter and pair them with sriracha as a dip,” said Chef Duran.

This dish is so popular that Desiderata has customers coming just for those fluffy, savory buns. Another popular dish of the lounge is Tuna Tartare, made with tuna loin cured in salt and smoked for about 45 minutes. This delicacy is one of the most requested Desiderata fares that is not yet included on the menu.

Other must-trys include Grilled Caesar Salad (deconstructed Caesar salad with bacon bits and whole anchovy), Tuna Tataki (pan seared tuna served with quinoa and salted egg salad), Braised Wagyu Lengua (slow-cooked Wagyu tongue with homemade beetroot cream and mustard emulsion), Ceviche, and Crepe Inutak (traditional coconut curd served with a scoop of pistachio ice cream and jackfruit).

For the cocktails, Desiderata tapped mixologist Tim Walters who curated and created signature cocktail concoctions for them.

“We also do a lot of research and we try to teach our bartenders the proper way of doing things and what would be good,” said Zamora.

The list of cocktails include New York Sour, Granada, Tarragon Gin & Tonic, Negroni, Michelada, Mid-Winter Margarita, and other palate-pleasing drinks that complement and bring out the flavors of the lounge’s food.

Anton Zamora says Desiderata Lounge showcases everything that his co-owners and partners desire.

Desiderata Lounge is located at Unit 106 Infinity Tower, 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Open Mondays to Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

C2

M ONDAY : J ULY 13 : 2015

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

STORY BEHIND THE ARROGANT FROG NAME

Arrogant Frog wine press launch at Le Jardin Restaurant

ARROGANT FROG: ANTITHESIS OF FRENCH WINES? French wines, from the most prestigious first growths in Bordeaux to the surreal Pinot Noirs of premier SIP BY SIP grand cru

BY SHERWIN A. LAO Burgundies, to luxury champagnes Cristal and Dom Perignon and much more, are wines we mortals only dream of drinking. We do occasionally get lucky to try these wines, but the outrageous high price tags are surely not for everyday splurging. The aforementioned wines exemplify the snobbery and seeming inaccessibility of French wines to the general drinking public – more so for the young Philippine wine market.

But this is the 21st century where marketing savvy, not mere quality of wines, speaks for the commercial success and even survival of wine businesses. This is where the Arrogant Frog wine brand comes in. Arrogant Frog is the latest wine brand being exclusively imported and

distributed by Forth & Tay, a company owned by industry stalwart James Duvivier. In the clever label we see a dapperly dressed frog wearing a red French beret, devoid of the usual castle and vineyard images that dominate traditional French wine labels. The Arrogant Frog brand is owned by Domaines Paul Mas, the largest private wine producer from the LanguedocRousillon wine region in Southern France.

The Languedoc-Rousillon wine region is also the single biggest wine-producing region in the world, and accounts for roughly a third of France’s total wine production. The majority of the French Vin de pays or more recently classified as IGP (Indication Geographique Protegee) are from this huge region. These are the French wines with single varietal names similar to New World wine labels, like Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc. Vin de pays that come from Languedoc are classified as Vin de pays d’Oc (for Languedoc). Arrogant Frog is actually not the first to have an animal in a French wine label as fellow Languedoc brand, Fat Bastard, another quirky New World-like brand name, has a hippopotamus in its label and was commercially released in the late 1990s.

I had the pleasure of having a tête-à-tête with Guillaume Borrot, Technical Director of Domaines Paul Mas, who was present to grace the press launch of Arrogant Frog held at the ultra chic Le Jardin restaurant, penthouse of the W Fifth Avenue Building at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. Arrogant Frog started in 2004, and I was told by the very courteous Monsieur Borrot that there was a nice evolution that led to this brand name. Back in 2003, France was one of the countries that was vehemently opposed to the US invasion of Iraq. This was also the time when there appeared to be a rift between then-US president George W. Bush, and then-French president Jacques Chirac especially pertaining to the US’ Iraq policies. This feud created some antiFrench sentiments in the US, including a call to boycott French products (wine included). The Americans were calling the French “Arrogant.”

On the other hand, the “frog” association has long been a derogatory term used by the British on the French people. The British also ridiculed the French for eating frog legs. So in a brilliant marketing twist, Domaines Paul Mas came out with their satirical brand Arrogant Frog, to be the name and label of their Vin de pays d’Oc brand in a very highly competitive price segment. Within the Arrogant Frog brand, there are multiple ranges and price points, with the highest being the Chateau Arrogant Frog, a Limoux AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protegee) wine. Forth & Tay at present carries the entry level Arrogant Frog and slightly more premium Elegant Frog ranges only.

CUSTOMARY TASTING NOTES:

There were seven wines presented by Forth & Tay during the press event, but since I was very late, I missed out on one of the wines, the odd sounding Tutti Frutti Rouge. Below are the ones I tasted: • Arrogant Frog Tutti Fruiti Blanc 2013: this is a blend of seven white varietals with majority being the Colombard and Chardonnay varietals; “herbal, petal, white flower, fresh, with bitter-tea leafy finish”; estimated retail price P360.00/bottle

Arrogant Frog Sauvignon Blanc 2013: “asparagus, grassy, lime, grapefruit, dry, noticeable acid and steely on the finish’” this one is actually Guillaume’s favorite among the range; estimated retail price P410.00/bottle Elegant Frog Viognier 2013: “longan, pineapple, nicely aromatic, buttery, nice flintiness, dry with citrus undertones on the finish’” this is my favorite among all the six wines I tasted; estimated price P460.00/bottle Arrogant Frog Cabernet-Merlot 2013: this Bordeaux blend is 55 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 45 percent Merlot; “prunes, cassis, friendly tannins, semi-dry, very quaffable and easy to drink”; estimated price P410.00/bottle Arrogant Frog Syrah 2013: “blueberry jam, leathery, stewed tomatoes, mocha taste, supple texture, with long lingering sweet oak finish”; estimated retail price P410.00/bottle Elegant Frog Cabernet Sauvignon 2013: “vanilla, cinnamon bark, meaty, black currant, long echoing black fruits on the palate, truffles, and coffee latte finish”; estimated price P460.00/bottle.

•

•

•

•

•

With none of the wines retailing above P500.00, not only is the label very “New World” in style, even the majority of wines, with the exceptions of the Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, also taste New World-like driven by its fruit forward, sweeter taste, and less complex approach. The price is however exceptionally good and it is even a bonus to be able to pronounce with no mistake this French wine brand.

For queries on the Arrogant Frog wines, please contact Forth & Tay at (02)828-1067, or visit their website at www.forthtay.com.

For comments, inquiries, wine event coverage, and other wine related concerns, please e-mail me at protegeinc@yahoo.com. I am a proud member of the Federation Internationale des Journalists et Ecrivains du Vin et des Spiritueux or FIJEV since 2010. You can also follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/sherwinlao.

WHISKY COCKTAILS I hope you enjoyed my ramblings about the basics of whisky and all that. I TIPPLE TALES know not everyone

BY ICY MARIÑAS likes drinking w h i s k y straight up. So let’s shake things up a bit!

This week, I’d like to share with you another way to have whiskey… as a cocktail. I’ll be introducing some of my favorites: a couple of classics, modern classics, and one that I created myself.

If I were on death row and had to choose my final drink before facing the firing squad and bidding the world adieu, I would definitely ask for an Old Fashioned. I just realized that instead of a cocktail glass that makes me look dainty on my column picture, I should have been holding an Old Fashioned in a rock glass! That’s more my style. l need to get behind the bar and whip up these cocktails for inspiration and – fine, I’ll admit – for bit of a tipple! Let’s start with the Old Fashioned. It’s the only cocktail to have the distinction of being the first ever cocktail, dating back to 1806 (as noted in Professor

Jerry Thomas’ 1862 Bartender’s Guide, “How to Mix Drinks or the Bon Vivant’s Companion”). It’s been around for over 200 years! The Old Fashioned’s popularity is, at present, stronger than ever. Wanna be the cool cat at the bar? This is what you order.

Mad Men and Crazy, Stupid, Love brought the sexy back to the Old Fashioned (even if it did have fruits muddled in it). For the men, who among you wouldn’t want to be as dapper as Don Draper and as sexy as Ryan Gosling? And ladies… who can refuse the Old Fashioned from the seductive hands of Mr. Gosling? Old Fashioned is definitely “in fashion!”

So how can you tell if you have a proper Old Fashioned? Look at it. No sugar particles should be left, nor any other alien things (you can use sugar syrup). Fruit in an Old Fashioned is TERRIBLE! An Old Fashioned that does not taste like whiskey is not an Old Fashioned. Take in its aroma, not just a whiff, get in there! Like really, deeply inhale it! Taste it and get that warm fuzzy feeling like you just had great s#%… or like Christmas morning (or whatever gives you the warm fuzzies).

To prepare this drink, you will need a mixing glass or a large rock glass. The process starts with a sugar cube, a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters (on the cube), and a few drops of water muddled together to make a

Old Fashioned cocktail

nice paste. (A little tidbit: sugar doesn’t melt in alcohol, so adding water helps dissolve it. You don’t want to have grains of sugar in the bottom of your drink. If you do, be a cocktail snob and send it back! ). Add 2 oz. of spirit (in this case, Maker’s Mark Whiskey Bourbon), ice to the brim, stir till cold and diluted to perfection. Take a thin long orange peel, twist the peel over the glass to release its essential oils, then gently rub it around the rim. Nose it and enjoy.

The Manhattan is touted as the ‘King of Cocktails’ (much to the dismay of the loyal subjects of the ‘other’ King of Cocktails, the Martini). There are different origin stories

for this drink. We may never know for sure how it came about, so let’s just stick to what we do know. The Manhattan is beautiful in its simplicity. A mix of whiskey, sweet vermouth and a few dashes of Angostura bitters, garnished with a maraschino cherry.

Stirred and never shaken, best prepared in a mixing glass with a bar spoon and lots of ice and served in a chilled coupette glass.

The best Manhattans slide down the throat with ease, and linger and dance on the tongue. It is the base from which a lot of bartenders can test out their creativity, as is demonstrated by the hundred and one variations of Manhattans out there.

Continued on C3

M ONDAY : J ULY 13 : 2015

C3

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

WHISKY COCKTAILS From C2

Now moving on to modern classics (drinks created during the resurgence of cocktails in the early 2000s). Perfect for the cold, rainy weather is the curiously named Penicillin cocktail. Invented in New York by Sam Ross in 2005 at the famous Milk and Honey, this modern classic is made up of honey, lemon juice, fresh ginger, and blended Scotch whisky, shaken then topped with a little bit of Islay malt. This gateway drink (for those easing their way into whisky) results in a combination of smokiness (from the Islay Malt Whiskey) and tanginess (from the citrus), with a hint of sweetness. This cocktail can definitely cure a tough day.

In contrast to the warm feel of the Penicillin, the modern whisky sour called the Gold Rush is a refreshing drink that was created by T.J. Siegal in 2003 (at Milk and Honey as well). Essentially made up of bourbon, honey syrup and lemon juice, it has a well-rounded sweetness, tangy, and full-bodied. A well-balanced spirit for the perfect tipple!

Lastly, I’ve pulled out my recipe box and will leave you with a cocktail that I created.

It’s called the Dixie Sour (Named it after myself. Vain, I know. It’s my cocktail after all!). It’s a twisted whisky sour; velvety, spiced up and deliriously yummy! Never fails to leave a smile on my face.

RECIPE: DIXIE SOUR

Ingredients: 2oz Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whisky 1 bar spoon Bonne Maman Bitter Orange Marmalade 15 ml Lemon 15 ml Cardamom Syrup Egg white Finish with Bitter Truth Creole Bitters Directions: Get your cocktail coupette glass out and chill it with ice. Let it sit. In a large tin shaker, put in all ingredients with ice (preferably full sized tube ice ¾ full), except the bitters. Seal with a small tin shaker. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Use a Hawthorne strainer to strain liquid into the smaller tin. You will notice that the liquid has become frothy, but we like it to be frothier so we will do a reverse dry shake. Take a coil from the Hawthorne strainer (this technique allows more air while shaking, therefore creates more froth) and drop it in the small tin with the liquid without ice. Seal it again with the larger tin and do long hard shakes till you have created maximum froth.

Strain into the chilled coupette. Put three drops of bitters and serve.

Make this a whisky cocktail week! Remember to look, smell, sip and savor. Cheers!

Follow me on Instagram @sanvicentegirl

Dixie Sour

One-third of the Grand Ballroom

The opposite third of the Grand Ballroom

I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT FOR PARTY ANIMALS ONLY

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO Where? At the Marriott Manila’s newly opened Grand Ballroom, the biggest in the county. When I learned from Mitch Garcia, the hotel’s Director for Corporate Communications, that they would be opening this cavernous hall, I made sure I’d be there to see for myself how big their “big” really is. Well, I was awed.

The Grand Ballroom takes up so much space that it is housed in a separate building, a shuttle-ride away from the hotel itself. When you enter the lobby, a beautiful bamboo art piece greets you, as the lead display of more than a hundred modern art pieces all throughout the building. Commissioned to do the beautiful display items were famous sculptor Impy Pilapil, contemporary artist Roberto Robles, and Australian artist Tony Twigg whose designs show a lot of Filipino influence. The humongous wall décor was produced by Melange Studio.

Also very visible are the unique furniture pieces of Cebu’s pride, Kenneth Cobonpue.

Inside the hall is 8,000 square meters of function space that can accommodate close to 4,000 people, on a theater-style set-up or for receptions. The ballroom is paired with 28 meeting rooms and six VIP Sky boxes, all designed by Getty’s Group, an international hospitality design firm.

The hotel management is now jumping with excitement as they make themselves ready for a much bigger slice of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) market, especially with the

APEC Conference coming very soon. They are also gearing up for the metro’s elaborate product launches and other high profile events that require enormous floor space.

On opening night, we were served cocktails at the ballroom’s foyer and were not allowed inside the hall until a certain time. At exactly 8 p.m., we were led inside what they called “The Black Hole,” a completely dark pathway leading to a completely dark hall, lit only by a network of laser lights.

Once the dark hall was filled with guests, a gigantic wall lifted, unveiling the brightly lit, humongous Grand Ballroom to the excited guests. I was awed by the sheer size of the hall.

I was imagining myself attending a conference in that hall, using a golf cart to take me from one end to the opposite end. It is THAT big!

Food stations were scattered all over the place, and I must say those were the biggest (giant-sized) shrimps I’ve ever seen. They also had a huge round chocolate cake, two meters in diameter, with frosting showing the globe. Throughout the circumference of the humongous confection were hundreds of round samples of the cake on sticks, like big lollipops which guests devoured in no time.

There were elevated platforms in strategic locations used by the evening’s entertainers, a bevy of dancers using electric lights as part of their costumes, making them look like inter-galactic creatures. In fact, guests were actually asked to come in their space costumes but only about a dozen showed spunk by obliging the hosts with their individual versions of space attire.

There were poi dancers, bringing the crowd’s excitement to a higher level, and aerial silk dancers, further elevating the guests’ enjoyment at this launching event. It certainly was a “big way” to introduce the biggest function space in the country. I could have waltzed all night in that hall and wouldn’t bump into anybody.

Mitch Garcia, Manila Marriott’s Director for Corporate Communications

Aerial silk dancers

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

Personality of the Week We had, as our guest for lunch recently, Renan B. Dalisay, Administrator of the National Food Authority who was handpicked by Presidential Assistant Renan B. Dalisay, NFA Administrator for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis Pangilinan. I’m happy to hear that, since he took over the position, Dalisay has eradicated the low morale of the employees in that government agency, making it more efficient and service-oriented, as any government agency should be.

I asked him about the fake rice recently discovered in Davao and he said this is believed to have been smuggled in from China and that they are now tracing the source.

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE: COP: Did you kill this man?

ASSAILANT: No, a bullet killed him. Bullets are made of lead, which comes from the ground. The ground is part of nature. He died of natural causes. Case closed.

The giant shrimps served during the launch

The giant-sized cake

M O N D AY : J U LY 1 3 : 2 0 1 5

C4

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Café Ilang-Ilang’s dessert station boasts of luscious pastries, custom made cakes and a variety of delectable sweets.

MANILA HOTEL

LA MAISON DU MACARON How many macarons do you bake in a day?

Easily 600 during the weekdays. On weekends, when we have over 200 guests, my chefs make over a thousand! People line up and I see them putting five or six macarons on their plate. That puts a smile on my face.

Executive Pastry Chef Jerome Benda is responsible for the queue at the confectionary THE BUSY QUEEN P section of Café Ilang-Ilang at

BY PAULYNE FERMIN The Manila Hotel.

His baked creations are luring diners like bees to the honeypot. Think of chocolate éclairs, scones, assorted cookies, cakes, strawberry panna cotta and crème brûlée. Just to sweeten the deal a little bit more, there’s also a chocolate fondue to dip your favorite fruits into. And for the piece de résistance, every guest MUST taste the star of the dessert bar – the French macarons.

What can the dessert lovers expect next?

Well, I’m adding three or more flavors to the French macarons line as well as the mille-feuille (custard cream slices). I like to surprise the guests with my creations.

So just come on over and enjoy the treats!

THE BQP ASKS THE CHEF

Have you always wanted to be a baker?

In school, I was very good in Mathematics.

There were only two choices for me – to be an accountant or to be a baker. I got to do both. In the army, I was an accountant and now I’ve been all over the world doing what I do best – creating my signature pastries.

They say baking is a science as well as an art. Is that true for you?

C’est vrai! In creating my macarons, for example, exact measurements must be followed.

After that, the mixture has to stay inside the refrigerator for a number of hours to get the right bite and flavor. Keeping it in the cold for too long or too short a time will result in disaster!

“I want my joy in baking to result in the pleasure of eating.” Chef Jerome earned his certificate in Professional Qualification in Pastry, Chocolate and Ice Cream Making in Vincennes, Paris. Prior to his stint at the Manila Hotel, he was the head pastry cook of the King of Morocco.

So it seems that the French Macaron is not only everyone’s favorite dessert but yours as well.

Yes, the macarons and the cheesecakes. I try to infuse local flavors in whatever country I work in. When I arrived in Manila, I immediately asked what the Filipinos love to eat and they said “ube!” We tried it in the kitchen and voila! The ube macaron is the most popular out of the eight flavors that we serve now at Café Ilang-Ilang.

With that, I decided to try the blueberry cheesecake that Chef Jerome recommended.

DELICIOUS! I had already consumed all the flavors of the multi-colored macarons and decided that mango was my favorite.

So many desserts, so little time! I’m already planning my next visit!

Satisfy your sweet cravings and visit Café IlangIlang at The Manila Hotel. Call 527-0011 or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph for more information.

With a pocketful of glitter,

Follow me on Twitter, IG and Facebook.

Visit http://thebusyqueenp.com/ for more interesting reads!

From top: These delightful melt-in-your mouth pastries are baked using a perfect combination of almond powder, egg whites and icing sugar; Chef Jerome with M and R. My kids love the chocolate fountain and the macarons!; Baked cheesecake topped with blueberry compote; Get your sugar fix!

M ONDAY : J ULY 13 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

C5 Kastigo

Franz Dy of High Frequency Productions

Timelight Panorama

Keeping the fire alive

W

hile it seems that the local underground music community has suffered too many losses of late, it is false to say that it has lost its strength in the process, even if through the years, it had struggled to produce good music, all the while disregarding profit as a motivation to thrive.

Part of the reason why the community thrives is because of people who have a genuine love for what they do, coupled with an appreciation of others who may or may not be within their same genre or class, but possess the same passion for music.

These are well-meaning individuals and groups who, despite

By Vince Dioquino

the perceived indifference, apathy and antagonisms within the music scene, still keep a conscientious outlook are what make the community whole and united.

For the longest time, the so-called “music productions” or “prods” gained notoriety because of the way they relate with emerging and even established artists. That music has become an arm of culture industry, and has then sought to produce more work without the requisite regard for artists is a symptom of modernity. The ways of producing music has changed: it seems that everything else is easier and faster.

It seems that the spirit of music, of people bonding together for music and because of music, is lost. It’s

one thing to succeed in the music business; it’s another to do so even while helping others. For almost eight years, Stuff of Legends Music Studio has helped foster the music community in the Metro South.

When it opened in 2007, we were in our third year in high school. As youth then, we started our love for music by listening to different bands and eventually forming our own.

Years on, Stuff, as we fondly called it, has become a home for us. We met fellow musicians, exchanged ideas and found friends. It seems as if the good times will always roll.

But this isn’t always the case, different problems set in and this is when we realize how priceless the value of

true friendship is in a world where greed and profit dictate the terms.

In spite of the struggles and hardships, Stuff of Legends has continued to be of service to the community of bands in the Metro South. With the selfless initiative of groups such as High Frequency Productions, and bands like Timelight Panorama and Kastigo, among others; the studio was able to thrive and carry on.

From benefit shows to credits in videos and other such acts of selflessness, all the people who have been part of the music community, which Stuff of Legends has fostered have given back to it and helped keep it alive.

Despite rumors of its closure

some two years back, the unwavering love and support of the community is what makes the struggle worth it. With this in mind, Stuff of Legends Music Studio invites you to its 70th Thanksgiving Get-together Tugtugan entitled Setenta, Uno Mas, a free show at 8 p.m. on July 18 at Checkpoint Rock Bar, MetroStar Mall, Aguirre Avenue, B.F. Homes Parañaque.

With the support of High Frequency Productions, Timelight Panorama and Kastigo will headline the free show and feature bands who have continued to help Stuff of Legends such as Johnny Cross, Jackal, Hunting Lilac, Brutal Punishment, Dalisay, Gasera, Nebraska, and April Fools.

Get your booGie shoes ready

A Brandon Rubenall is Tony Manero in the stage version of Saturday Night Fever

Rubenall in a well applauded number

A scene with Rubenall and other members of the cast

ll roads lead to The Theater, Solaire Resorts and Casino , Metro Manila as this year’s grandest musical, Saturday Night Fever (SNF) brings the magic and the groove of the 1970s back.

The musical is based on phenomenal film starring John Travolta and featuring songs by the Bee Gees’s greatest disco hits such as “Night Fever,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “You Should Be Dancing,” and “Staying Alive,” among others. Regarded as one of world’s most powerful and best-selling artists of all time, Bee Gees music has touched the lives of millions of people around the world.

Brandon Rubendall and Jenna Rubaii star in the stage re-imagining of the film. Brandon who plays the iconic role of Tony Manero is an original cast member of Spider Man’s musical version - Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. Likewise, versatile actress Jenna Rubaii leads the musical’s female cast by portraying the role of Stephanie Mangano, Tony’s dance partner. The cast also includes local and international performers. With award-winning theater director Bobby Garcia at the helm, viewers from different generations are expected to fall in love again with the immortal music of the disco decade.

The local staging of this Broad-

way hit is made possible by Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) in cooperation with Ten Bridges Media Corp. and Robert Stigwood Organization. Those belonging to school batches from the 60s, 70s and 80s can now take advantage of SNF’s special packages for block buying that will surely give them the “hot venue” to raise funds for their alumni associations and to reconnect with their old friends and batch mates by dancing the night away accompanied by the ultimate disco band – the Bee Gees.

For inquiries, contact ATEG at (632) 650-5144 or (0917) 8381534. Follow them on Facebook, facebook.com/ATEGasia.

M ONDAY : J ULY 13 : 2015

C6

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

LOvi bUSy With nEW tv ShOW anD mOviE Nadine Lustre shakes off intrigues about James Reid

JOSEPh PEtER GOnZaLES After Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real, Lovi Poe is back on the prime time scene with the project titled Beautiful Strangers where she shares stellar billing with Heart Evangelista.

“That’s right! It’s another grand soap opera and I’m honored to be working with some of the industry’s most respected and talented actors. This early, I’m really happy to be part of this drama series. It holds a lot of promise,” she avers.

What’s her role in this Albert Langitan opus?

“Oh, I’m Joyce in the story.

She is a woman with a mission: to take revenge on the family that made life difficult for her in the past. I can say that it’s another challenging character that will linger long

Lovi Poe stars in Beautiful Strangers on TV and Lakambini in a movie

in the minds of the viewers.

We are to air very soon so I hope people will patronize our offering,” she says.

Apart from her new GMA show, the dusky actress will also be busy shooting the period movie called Lakambini where she plays the role of Gregoria “Oryang” De Jesus.

“I’m proud to be part of the film. It’s not just about the Philippine Revolution but the love triangle among Oryang, Julio Nakpil and Andres Bonifacio as well. I heard Paulo (Avelino) will breathe life to the character of Julio while management is still searching for the actor who will play Bonifacio. It’s another wonderful project I assure everybody.”

According to Lovi, playing Oryang on the silver screen is a dream-come-true for her.

“Yes! It’s a huge challenge to be doing a movie about a woman who made history. This is a rare project so I vow to give it my best shot,” she states.

HHHHH Nadine Lustre is aware of the hot issue nowadays linking her perennial leading man James Reid with Kapamilya teen star Julia Barretto who was part of their recently shown movie titled, Para sa Hopeless Romantic.

“Yes, I heard that of late although James hasn’t told me yet. Rumor has it that he is allegedly courting Julia. I trust James because we are open to each other. I would reserve my statement after he tells me everything about the issue. As long as James hasn’t made any confirmation yet, I won’t believe it,” she says.

The popular teen actress believes that James considers their love team important.

“Oh yes! We’ve worked so hard for this since Diary ng Panget. I know that JaDine matters to him a lot and he will not do anything that would ruin it. We’re partners in this journey so I’m certain he will tell me if there are stumbling

blocks, whatsoever.”

She made a cameo role in the horror flick Chain Mail sans James. Some quarters thought it’s a sign that their love team will be gradually abolished.

“Well, I respect their opinion but as far as I know, there’s no plan like that. I agreed to do a cameo appearance in the movie because I haven’t done a project under that genre yet. For me, it’s a new experience. It’s also my way of showing support to my fellow Viva talents like Shy Carlos who supported us in Para sa Hopeless Romantic, Meg Imperial, and AJ Muhlach.

“One thing more, James and I are doing a soap opera for ABS-CBN titled, On the Wings of Love so the thought of separating us won’t definitely happen at this point in our career.

Although we are aware that we can’t be screen partners forever and that we have to be paired with other stars for us to grow as artists. I hope JaDine will really last long,” ends Nadine.

Gold AwArd in 2015 reAder’s diGest trusted BrAnd AwArds

G

MA Network won the Gold Award in the TV Network category at the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Awards, adding to its long history of winning in the annual consumer survey spearheaded by Reader’s Digest..

GMA Chairman and CEO Atty.

Felipe L. Gozon thanked the people who voted for GMA. “We thank Reader’s Digest and its readers for their continued trust throughout the years. Indeed, our commitment to deliver unbiased news and quality entertainment will continue to grow stronger,” Gozon said.

Aside from the gold seal of GMA

Network, Jessica Soho was named Most Trusted News Presenter for the fifth consecutive year.

“Trust can easily be lost so we broadcasters and journalists should not take ourselves too seriously. It is always about the story and never about ourselves,” said the multi-awarded broadcast journalist in her speech during the awarding ceremony.

According to Ma Teresa L. Pacis, GMA Network’s assistant vice president for Corporate Affairs, “We really put the welfare of our televiewers on top of our list of priorities. In fact, one of our Core Values states that the viewer is

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 42 44 46 47 48 49 53 57 58 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Black sheep, once 5 FedEx trucks 9 Status — 12 Kind of rug 13 For — — (cheap) 15 Chekov’s crewmate 16 Coin eater 17 Havana export 18 Faint trace 19 Blond 21 They really take a beating

23 24 25 28 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 41

Allot Beaded shoe Nogales nosh Turn signals Rentals Slide sideways Chop — Escorted Beatle Ringo — Tavern “Othello” plotter Pelt

Spyri girl Boss’s weight Singer — Brewer Walk barefoot Meditation guide Angler’s gear (2 wds.)

Plebe’s place Don Juan Big pitchers List particular Unattractive Stallone role Face-powder base Right, to Dobbin Unstable lepton “Frozen” princess

DOWN 1 Survive 2 Singer — Guthrie 3 Pet plea 4 Drip catcher (2 wds.)

5 Leave empty 6 Stage whisper 7 Holiday drink 8 Ginger cookie 9 Go cold turkey 10 Humerus neighbor 11 Scoreboard data 14 Dirtier

our boss.” Pacis received the Network’s Gold Award as the Most Trusted Television Network.

Other Kapuso personalities were also recognized by Reader’s Digest.

Vic Sotto, one of the main hosts of Eat Bulaga and lead star of Vampire Ang Daddy Ko, was named Most Trusted Entertainment Presenter, while Filipino World Boxing Champion Manny Pacquiao was Most Trusted Sports Personality.

In order to identify the winners of the Trusted Brand Awards, Reader’s Digest conducts a survey among approximately 5,000 consumers all over Asia. The Trusted Brands Awards is now on its 17th year.

MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

15 20 22 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 34 37 40 42 43 45 46 48 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 59

Rough cabins Underwater shockers Oui opposite Red flower Keep — — to the ground Gnat Leaf of grass Decoy Blake of jazz Skims through Lebanon neighbor Cook in a wok Show horror Fish hawk Jealous goddess Well-read — Paulo, Brazil Arizona city Renowned recluse Kin of the twist Mezzanine Festive log Dogpaddled Term paper abbr.

(2 wds.)

Alice’s diner Gym org.

Flightless bird

GMA Network Assistant Vice President for Corporate Affairs Teresa L. Pacis received the Gold award for GMA Network from Sheron White, Reader’s Digest Group Advertising Director for Asia Pacific

M ONDAY : J ULY 13 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

C7

Senator Chiz Escudero is very supportive of his wife

Senator Grace Poe still has a mind of her own, says her mother Susan Roces

Romnick Liporada and Jillson Macapinlac and Michelle Galuadros won iPad minis at Padi's point

Michael Angelo Lobrin packs laughter in his book Laugh With God Today

chiz Supportive of heart’S art

N

ewlyweds Senator Chiz Escudero and Heart Evangelista-Escudero opened the benefit exhibit of the Actors Guild of the Philippines (Kapisanan ng Mga Artista ng Pelikulang Pilipino) called PortrAYAL (LAYA): Portraits for Freedom with Human Rights & Freedom as its theme on July 4 at the A.R.T. Center, SM Megamall.

Apart from the works of other artists who joined the exhibit, Heart’s “Forgotten” in oil on canvass (48 inches by 72 inches) was also there.

Sen. Escudero was visibly very happy to see his wife’s work as one of those the guests were curious to see. He is definitely very supportive of his wife’s preoccupation. She has become an excellent painter that she even converted her Hermes bag as canvas.

Anyway, many among the guests were also curious about the Senator’s political plans in 2016. Is he running for election and for what position?

President or Vice President?

While he isn’t very vocal about it, the mass media have been speculating that he is going to run in tandem with fellow senator, Grace Poe. This is like a cliffhanger as we wait for the senator’s decision.

Meanwhile, Sen. Escudero told officials of the National Food Authority to look into its list of pri-

from c8

vate companies given permit to import rice in the light of the recent issue of “fake rice” in Davao Presidential Decree 4 and Republic Act 8178 or the a Agricultural Tariffication Act allows only the NFA to import rice. NFA also has the sole authority to issue importation permits to private companies..

“NFA is the key to unraveling where the ‘adulterated rice’ came from. It should look into its records so it could revoke the permit to those that imported fake rice,” the Senator said.

HHHHH SuSaN divulgeS daughter’S iNdepeNdeNce In the light of the Poe-Escudera tandem being pushed by some quarters in next year’s elections, the entertainment sector is also in some kind of Catch 22 situation. Will she run for President or Vice-President. If she decides to run, would it be with Chiz for President or Vice President.

Susan Roces is mum about the political rumors involving her daughter.

Susan said her daughter doesn’t make a decision that she isn’t sure of. She added that even during Grace Poe’s childhood she already has her own mind.

“She chose the school she wanted to go to,” Susan recalls.

Susan says she will support her

daughter’s decision.

Is Sen. Grace Poe destined to be president, something that her father would have been if not for some unfortunate twist of fate in the country’s political scenario in the past?

Senator Escudero was quoted to say that he was willing to run with Grace Poe as vice president.

Yet, the two have no definite plans and they haven’t decided.

HHHHH Summer StroNg treat wiNNer It was definitely a summer to remember for Packaging Attendant Romnick Liporada. This came to be as he spent one of his gimmick nights with 11 co-workers and friends at Padi’s Point-Marikina, making way for his entry and win at the Padi’s Point- Summer Strong Treat 2015 promo.

This annual Summer Promo of Padi’s Point ran from March 30 to May 18 wherein, upon purchase of Colt 45 at 3 for P100 during Happy Hour, a customer gets a raffle coupon and a chance to win three brand new iPad mini 3s.

Romnick’s entry was drawn in the raffle held recently. “First time ko pong manalo sa mga ganitong raffle,” expresses an excited Romnick as he was handed his prize.

The two other units will go to his companions Jillson Macapinlac and Michelle Galuadros.

Romnick and his friends frequent Padi’s Point during their “sahod days” as aside from being near their workplace, they find it as the perfect place to unwind and have fun with the nightly bands and dancing.

His win made him a bigger fan of Padi’s Point and he promises to gimmick more often and visit the branches of the number one bar chain.

He’ll be using his prize mainly for leisure and will be sharing it with his siblings who love to play games and go on-line aside from partying at Padi’s Point.

HHHHH comedy iN a Small package Michael Angelo Lobrin, 32, is a small guy with big laughs, lots of it, in fact.

Early this year, he produced his own TV show on GMA News TV Channel 11, #Michael Angelo, which ran for six episodes. He has a reason why it did not stay long. “Kasi niloko ako ng production team ko.”

Now, he is into a new season every Saturday, 3 to 4 p.m.. “Binago ko na ang buong staff ko at may sponsor na ko, Chooks to Go, the oven roasted chicken from Bounty Argo Ventures.”

Bounty Argo President Ronald Mascarinas believes in Michael’s talent, hence is throwing his support for him all the way.

“We met nang maging inspirational speaker ako ng company nila in Tagaytay”, says Michael. “We clicked at parang tatay ko na siya.”

Michael also appears in Pepito Manaloto on GMA-7 and in PTV4’s Go Negosyo. Recently, he was also in Pari ‘Koy with Dingdong Dantes.

A seminarian (San Carlos Seminary in Guadalupe, Makati), he left two years before his ordination.

“I realized there was rage inside of me at pag nagagalit ako, I can resort to violence. I love the church so much and I want to be an asset to it, not a liability. I sought the help of the late Cardinal Sin and he told me to seek counseling. Doon lumabas na may unresolved issues ako as a battered child. My parents broke up at kami ng sister ko, ginugulpi ng ama namin. Once, when we’re so hungry, hinanap namin ang ama namin at nakikipag-inuman, ang daming pagkain sa mesa nila. Nang makita kami, pinalayas kami at binato ako. So yun ang pinag-uugatan ng galit sa puso ko. Eventually, our mom went abroad to work at lumaki ako sa lola ko.”

Michael is also a best selling author. His book, Laugh with God Today sold 10,000 copies in only two months. It presents his own personal takes on Christian faith but presented in his own witty way and laugh out loud humor.

C8 Jasmine Curtis-Smith plays Maryang Makiling

M ONDAY : J ULY 13 : 2015

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ Kapatid networK launches innovative shows ISAH V. RED TV5 is experimenting. These days the belittled network has commissioned a new company formed by a former TV5 executive-turned-producer/director and an ex-Kapuso screenwriter/director for two new shows. The shows premiered last Saturday, back-toback, and the response of the audience seemed encouraging.

The shows were the fantasy LolaBasyang.com and the horror-tinged #ParangNormal Activity. The two programs, say the Kapatid execs, are meant to strengthen Saturday primetime This rainy season, TV5 is giving kids and the kids-at-heart more reasons to stay at home with the modern fantasy series LolaBasyang.com at 7 p.m. and at 8 p.m. with the teen horror-com-

edy #ParangNormal Activity.

LolaBasyang.com, says First Ideas’ Perci Intalan, is a modern day, one-of-a-kind reimagining of the timeless Filipino icon, Lola Basyang, who has become synonymous to storytelling, and the vast collection of folklore and stories that are inherent to Filipino culture.

In this modern twist, Lola Basyang, now known as Lola B, is a tech-savvy blogger who shares her values-laden stories to her grandchildren here and abroad, via webcam. Boots Anson-Roa plays the title role.

“The irony is that, as we move forward with advances in technology, there is a bigger need to look back and be reminded of our traditions and our values,” says Intalan, who created this new series with his partner both in business and real life, the award-winning filmmaker Jun Robles Lana.

In an era where kids are crazy over different gadgets, mobile and computer games, TV5 and series producers The IdeaFirst Company, created LolaBasyang.com to address the need to retell classic Filipino stories, teach moral values, and preserve the Filipinos’ rich cultural and literary heritage through visually-appealing media that captures the attention and imagination of young viewers.

Every Saturday, classic stories such as “Maryang Makiling,” “Ang Plawtin ni Periking,” “Rosa Mistika.” and “Ang Prinsipeng Mapa-

This rainy season, TV5 is giving kids and the kids-atheart more reasons to stay at home with the modern fantasy series LolaBasyang.com at 7 p.m. and at 8 p.m. with the teen horror-comedy #ParangNormal Activity.

Boots Anson-Rodrigo plays a modern-day Lola Basyang in TV5's Lola Basiang.com

The cast of #Parang Normal Activity (from left) Shaun Salvador as Third, Ella Cruz as Charlie, Rye Paolo Santiago as Makoy and Andre Garcia as Red

ghanap,” to name a few, will be presented in a way that will spark the imagination of kids today.

For the pilot episode, Jasmine Curtis Smith played the role of Maryang Makiling. Vin Abrenica plays the lead role of Periking this coming Saturday in “Ang Plawtin ni Periking,” the story of a young man who tries to win the heart of his crush by using magic flute.

Right after Lola Basyang.com, #ParangNormalActivity follows.

The weekly series is about the journey of four young friends – the only members of a school’s ‘Paranormal Club’ – as they attempt to solve various eerie mysteries unfolding in each episode.

Along the way, the group deals with the antics of supernatural creatures and elements (whether it be ghosts, manananggal, or zombies, among many more others).

They become the laughing stock of their school and are branded the #ParangNormal club.

But the program puts a unique and entertaining spin to its paranormal theme because, unknown to her friends, one of the protagonists is actually a ghost herself.

Charlie (Ella Cruz) is bubbly, upbeat, positive and smart. The friendly ghost plays a big role in the ‘Paranormal Club’ as she helps the group figure out various mysteries around them while at the same time letting them understand more about the supernatural.

The comedic flavor and romantic twist in the program kick in with Charlie’s uncharacteristic friendship with the members of the #ParangNormal boys: three nerdy, unpopular teenagers named Makoy (showbiz scion Ryle Paolo Santiago), Red (child star Andre Garcia) and Third (commercial model Shaun Salvador).

For the pilot episode, The ‘Paranormal Club’ looked into the case of the ghost that appeared in people’s selfies and scared students until they were catatonic.

If you’re looking for something different from the usual you see on prime time TV, then LolaBasyang. com aand #ParangNormal Activity are the shows you want to watch.

These are on TV5 exclusively. ➜ continued on c7