The Standard - 2015 July 20 - Monday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXIX NO. 160 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 mONday : JULy 20, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

‘Govt saved funds to fatten up allies’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta VICE President Jejomar C. Binay castigated the administration of President Benigno Aquino III Sunday for squandering funds on its political allies while skimping on key social services. Next page

2-week rain kiLLs 4 Monsoon submerges farms, cuts off Pangasinan By Rio N. Araja

HEAVY monsoon rain over 15 straight days brought floods that killed four people, rendered roads impassable and submerged 90 percent of farmlands in Bani, Pangasinan, disaster officials said Sunday.

At least four people died as a result of the rains, including a six-month-old boy who was buried by a landslide. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Pangasinan said Bani and Bolinao town were the hardest hit, with more than 4,000 hectares of agricultural land damaged. Civil defense officials moved more than 3,000 peo-

ple to safety as heavy rains inundated more than 5,000 homes. The municipal government, fearing a storm surge, restricted fishing in the area. Reports said 100 percent of Bani’s fishery business was lost. All 27 of Bani’s barangays were affected by the floods, with eight of them considered the worst-hit. Next page

Sailor down. Crewmen of the MV Alam Manis, which ran aground in a marine sanctuary off Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur, carry the body of one of their fellow sailors, Henry Libo-on, to shore. Libo-on was killed in the accident at sea last Saturday night. CHRISTINE JUNIO

Poe unsure if she wants six-year job as President

Lawmakers scared BBL will cost them votes

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

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

‘Govt From A1...

Rush job. In Metro Manila, workers take advantage of the recent hot and dry weather to do road repair, like patching up this portion of Edsa in Kamuning, Quezon City. ey acasio

Govt working to aid victims of monsoon THE Palace said Sunday the government is working to address the disastrous flooding in Pangasinan, where the local government has activated a disaster management plan. “The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) is continuing to monitor [the situation] and focusing on the efforts made by the local government—meaning regional and provincial DRRMCs,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr, in an

2-week From A1... Bani Mayor Gwen Yamamoto declared the town to be in a state of calamity. Ten other towns--Sta. Barbara, Calasiao, Alamimos, Mangatarem, San Jacinto, San Fabian, Bugallon, Agnostic, Malasiqui and Asingan--and Dagupan City were also hit by flooding. The monsoon rains have also flooded several provinces in Region 1, the Cordillera Autonomous Region and Central Luzon. The monsoon rains also flooded several provinces in Region 1, the Cordillera Autonomous Region and Central Luzon. Social welfare and relief agencies are delivering aid

interview over state-run radio station dzRB. At least 12 towns and Dagupan City have been hit by heavy floods brought about by 15 days of non-stop rain brought about by the Non-stop rains brought about by the monsoon have flooded 12 towns and Dagupan City. In the town of Bani, 90 percent of farmlands were under water. Coloma said the national agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have already immediately sent help to those affected by the calamities. He said teams from the Department of Public Works and Highways were also ready to repair the damaged in-

to affected areas while the Public Works Department is preparing to repair damaged infrastructure, said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. Although no storm is forecast to hit, the government weather bureau warned that monsoon rains which may trigger flash floods and landslides will be experienced over large areas of the northern part of the country Sunday. Except for Northern and Central Luzon, most parts of the country will experience fair weather in the next three days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. Weather forecaster Gener Quitlong said that the southwest monsoon continues to

frastructure, and that the Agriculture Department was ready to help farmers whose crops were destroyed. “We are calling on all our Filipino citizens to continue monitoring the weather reports,” Coloma said. Amid heavy rain in past weeks, police in Pangasinan have gone on heightened alert and activated a disaster management plan that includes disaster preparedness and rescue operations. The provincial police have also been equipped with life vests, spine boards, search lights and disaster kits. But the local government says it is still lacking in rubber boats to be used in rescue operations. – sandy araneta

affect Luzon, but the country will remain storm-free until Wednesday. Quitlong said the monsoon would bring rains over the Ilocos and Cordillera regions and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan which may trigger flash floods and landslides. He added that occasional rains are expected over Cagayan Valley and the rest of Central Luzon while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country. In its advisory, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming

from the south to southwest with slight to moderate seas. The state-run weather bureau also issued a gale warning due to the effects of the southwest monsoon as the sea condition will be rough to very rough due to strong to gale force winds expected to affect the seaboard of Northern Luzon and western seaboards of Central Luzon. – With AFP, PNA ”Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it warned. The country is hit by about 20 typhoons and storms each year, many of them deadly. Earlier this month, tropical storm Egay inundated whole towns in the north. PNa

Speaking in the 69th Annual Representative Assembly of the Negros Occidental Teachers Federation in Bacolod City, Binay noted that instead of spending the money to serve the poor, the administration used it to bribe politicians and to bankroll programs of their allies. “There is a lot of money. The money was unfortunately used to bribe politicians so the ruling party could get rid of their political enemies,” Binay said. He said very little has been given back to the people, especially the poor. “This administration has been a tightwad in spending for necessary services, so much so that the World Bank and other international lending institutions have commented that our growth has been hampered by government’s underspending in public works and social services,” Binay said. He slammed the administration for spending the money to fund programs of their favorite leaders and friends, including a junket for officials to the hearing of ITLOS (International Tribunal of the Law on the Seas) in The Hague. Of the 35-member delegation sent to the Netherlands, Binay said, only three presented oral arguments. Binay also questioned the big allocation for the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program despite studies revealing its failure to reach intended recipients and to improve their lives. “The ratios of the basic services budgets vis-à-vis the GDP [gross domestic product] have been relatively low, except for the Conditional Cash Transfer or CCT. But according to an ADB [Asian Development Bank] report, 30 percent of CCT’s beneficiaries are not poor. And only 5 percent of the doubtful beneficiaries have been delisted,” he said. For five years, he said the administration has bragged about the growing economy. But these gains were barely felt by the poor, he said. “Our GDP may have posted increases every year, but many even feel poorer now than they were five years ago. Growth has been exclusively for the ruling class and their allies. Not the majority of our people,” Binay said. Recognizing education as “potent instrument for human development and nation-building,” Binay mapped out a plan to improve the education sector. He said the plan used Makati City as a model where its components have been tried and proven effective by the city government.

The Vice President said the program will need the creation of a National Education Council or NEC to be composed of government’s training arms such as the Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The Vice President noted that the jobs-skills mismatch is a growing problem of the labor force, and stressed the need for schools to be advised about upcoming job trends and students to be equipped with the necessary skills. He said also said that the private partners of the NEC will be tapped to build more classrooms. “Part of the President’s Social Fund can be used as counterpart fund for these classrooms. We will pay special attention to rural areas without schools,” he added. Binay also acknowledged the problem in the decline of the country’s education system due to budget cuts. “We propose that government increase the share of the education budget by 20 percent to hire more teachers, increase investments in teacher training and purchase additional books, computers and other instructional facilities and materials,” he said. “Part of the CCT funds can be allocated to DepEd for teacher hiring. Likewise, the LGUs [local government units] can be asked to use their special education funds – which comes from the additional 1 percent real property tax of LGUs – for teacher hiring and classroom repairs,” he added. The Vice President vowed that basic education will be free for children attending public schools. While all public elementary school students may not be given free uniforms like they are in Makati, he said undernourished children will be fed through partnership with agencies and private institutions. Binay also guaranteed there will be enough books and other reading materials for students, and more schools for the gifted. “We are looking at the possibility of offering one collegiate study grant per family. We aim to help the child get through school while we help his parents find jobs or increase their incomes,” he added. The Vice President also said that for those in private schools, a better system of student loans will be set up and that he would work to increase the coverage of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education law. ''Binay also laid out plans to improve the welfare of teachers, whom he called the nucleus of the educational system.”

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

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Poe unsure if she needs 6-year job SENATOR Senator Grace Poe said Sunday she now had doubts if she could do the President’s job because it would involve a “six-year contract” with the Filipino people. She told dzBB radio she started having doubts about running for President after meeting with President Benigno III four times, and that she was now praying hard to know if she could do the President’s job. “The most important is what I can do [as President] in case I join the race,” Poe said. “If I see that I can improve the lives of our people and maintain honesty in the government, why not? its a privilege to serve, but at this point I have not yet reached that [decision to run].” But even if a candidate had the machinery and endorsement, a candidate should not run in the absence of the intention to attend to his work and platform of government, Poe said. The campaign would be difficult, but it would be more difficult if one won the presidency. “I need to think about it [running for President] deeply. I need to ponder,” Poe said. The first-term senator is also considering what happened to his adoptive father, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. who suffered

a heart attack after losing to former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the 2004 presidential elections. The camp of the late “King of Philippine movies” believes the actor was cheated by Arroyo, who was then running for a second term after serving the unfinished term of ousted President Joseph Estrada. “That’s important. You have see what happened to my father. What happened to my father in 2004 was not easy,” Poe said. She dismissed the allegations she asked Aquino to keep intact the “GraceChiz” tandem during their meetings in Malacañang. She said Aquino told her he wanted his reforms to continue during their last meeting. “And why was Chiz [Francis Escudero] there? We can’t deny that in the vice presidential survey, Senator Chiz is second. We have no party but we are together. We are friends.” Poe, who has been leading in the last presidential surveys, said she was prepared to answer questions about her citizenship and residency in the Philippines amid speculation those issues would be used against her by her detractors in case she ran for President. “I can show in whatever court what I need to show,” Poe said. Macon RamosAraneta

Lawmakers scared BBL will hurt them THE biggest stumbling block to the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law is the lawmakers’ fears of losing the 2016 elections as more than 50 percent of their constituents reject the BBL, House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said Sunday. He told dzBB radio that the feedback from the House members revealed that at least 50 percent of their constituents were not in favor of the BBL and voting for the BBL would mean a “sure defeat.” The strongest opposition against the BBL was coming from Mindanao, Gonzales said. “Of course everybody wants to win in the elections,” he said. “However, how can you win if more than 50 percent of your constituents are against the measure?” But Gonzales said the House leadership was willing to compromise. He said the lawmakers seemed to have reconsidered their opposition to the BBL when the leadership agreed to scrap the opt-in provision. He said from 33 on the list of interpellators, the number had decreased to around 15 when the opt-in provision was promised to be deleted. He said Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat,

a staunch anti-BBL, was equivalent to 10 House members. Majority of the lawmakers in Mindanao looked upon Lobregat as their symbol of opposition and spokesman of their grievances and position on the matter. Gonzales said of all the priority measures, the BBL was the most controversial. “Ang pinaka-controversial sa amin talaga is the BBL. Ito nga ay walang kinikilalang partido. Lalo na at magpa-file na ng COC [certificate of candidacy] in October,” he said. “So among the Mindanaoans, the people’s sentiment is anti-BBL, doon magkakaroon ng difficulty yong mga members of the House from Mindanao,” Gonzales said. “Unlike other measures that only need the signature of the President to become laws, or in the case of the national budget if it fails to pass, there is always a reenacted budget, the BBL had to undergo a plebiscite for it to finally become a law,” Gonzales said. “The BBL is controversial kasi meron kang hinahabol na plebiscite, election nang magsisimula munang mamuno that will lead to the establishment of Bangsamoro autonomous region,” he said. Christine F. Herrera

PNoy wants to choose bet ‘acceptable to all’ By Christine F. Herrera

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III wants his anointed one to be “acceptable” to all the majority coalition partners and to be the standard bearer not only of the ruling Liberal Party but of the coalition, LP stalwart and party whip House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said Sunday. He told dzBB radio that the President wanted the presidential bet to be the “unifying factor” so that the coalition would remain intact to continue the reforms beyond his term. It was for this reason that the President was taking so long to decide to endorse the presidential bet, he explained. “Being the leader of the Liberal Party, he is not only considering but he wants to protect

the unity of the coalition that supported him,” Gonzales said. “That’s what’s delaying him: how to be sure that when he anoints his choice it will not only have the support of the Liberal Party but the coalition partners as well.” Gonzales said if the President was just thinking of the LP, it would have been easier for him to name Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, the presumptive standard bearer of the LP. “If the President only will consider LP as a party at wala nang iba dahil he is a member of the Liberal Party naman, then I do suppose na hindi siya mahihirapan sa desisyon nya. Iisa lang naman ang kandidato ng Liberal, wala nang iba. But the mere fact that it is very important to him to make sure na intact pa rin ang coalition partners as we venture on the election next year, yon ang nagpapa-delay. Gonzales said Senators Francis Escudero and Grace Poe were not members of the Liberal Party but they were part of the coalition. In fact, he said, they were part of the Team PNoy, the ticket where they ran and won for the Senate in the 2013 midterm polls. “May utang na loob siya kay Mar. Pero may

utang na loob din siya sa mga coalition partners na sumuporta sa kanyang problema particularly the last three years of his term,” Gonzales said. He said in the case of the Nacionalista Party, the party had presidential bets like Senators Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes IV. Gonzales said the President was in the process of consulting the coalition partners. As for the Nationalist People’s Coalition, Gonzales said, he was not aware if the NPC would field its own candidate or that if LP’s Roxas would be acceptable to the NPC members. He said he was not also sure if Escudero, who was once a member of the NPC until he bolted and became independent, would be acceptable to the NPC. Meanwhile, Gonzales said he believed Vice President Jejomar Binay would have a better chance to win in a three-way fight than in a oneon-one fight. He said if Roxas and Poe would not be able to reach a consensus as to who would be the administration’s standard bearer and both would run for President, Binay would easily get a good shot at the presidency.

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

A4 Andal Sr.’s death will not stop civil case By Rey E. Requejo THE civil case filed against the late Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr. in connection with the so-called Maguindanao Massacre will proceed despite his death, the Department of Justice said on Sunday. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that only the criminal case against the patriarch of the Ampatuan clan was extinguished due to his death last Friday night at 74. “Datu Andal Sr.’s death extinguishes his criminal liability, but not his civil liability for the massacre,” De Lima said, in a text message. But De Lima stressed that Ampatuan’s death would not affect the criminal and civil cases against the other accused. “It has no effect on the trial of the case. The trial continues with respect to the other accused,” the DOJ chief explained. Malacanang earlier said the case against the other accused should go on and instructed the DOJ to prevent possible dilatory tactics that defense lawyers could employ because of the death of the massacre’s reported mastermind. University of the Philippines law professor Harry Roque Jr., counsel of 15 of the 58 victims of the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre, lamented that the death of Ampatuan came before the resolution of the multiple murder case against him in court.

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

PH-Aussie group to drill for oil west of Palawan By Rio N. Araja

AN AUSTRALIAN-Filipino consortium will drill a new deep-water exploratory well in the West Philippine Sea, according to House deputy minority leader Rep. Arnel Ty. Ty, of the LPGMA party-list, said he is supporting the oil exploration project, which is not in the part of the disputed area of the sea west of the Philippines. “Fortunately, Service Contract (SC) 55 is not situated in contested territory,” said Ty, a member of the House committee on energy. The private consortium handling SC 55 will make the initial drilling on Aug. 1, immediately after the arrival on July 31 of the super deepwater drill ship Maersk Venturer.

“We welcome the consortium’s resolve to push through with the drilling of the well, at a time when many oil and gas explorers around the world have abandoned their search for new hydrocarbon deposits amid a 50 percent plunge in oil prices,” Ty said. He cited the economic value of the West Philippine Sea as the source of most of the country’s productive offshore oil and gas fields, saying the West Philippine Sea has deposits of hydrocarbons that could enable the Philippines to become self-sufficient in its energy requirements.

The SC 55 consortium will spend some $24.5 million (about P1 billion) to drill the well. The consortium is composed of Australia’s Otto Energy Investments Ltd. (78.18 percent interest), Red Emperor Resources NL (15 percent) and Palawan 55 Exploration and Production Corp. (6.82 percent). SC 55 is a deep-water block in the southwest Palawan Basin covering an area of 988 hectares. According to Ty, the Department of Energy has issued a total of 29 SCs allowing private foreign and local firms to explore new oil and gas basins, of which 16 SCs cover offshore areas in northwest, west and southwest Palawan, all within the West Philippine Sea. Meanwhile, Malacanang yesterday said efforts being made by the Philippines to resolve the territorial

disputes in the disputed sea are gaining support. Malacanang welcomed the statements made by two United States senators recently expressing support for the Philippines in its arbitration case filed against China before an United Nations Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands. “The statements made by Senators John McCain and Jack Reed have [encouraged] several others [to] express support for our case to seek a peaceful resolution to the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea issue,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr in an interview over state-run radio station dzRB. Coloma said that earlier, the European Union and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan, have all expressed support for the Philippines’ position.

Preaching to the marginalized. Pastor Kakay Pamaran preaches at the Metropolitan Community Church as members of her homosexual congregation look on approvingly. AFP

Church offers sanctuary for homosexuals searching for God A GOSPEL serenade of deep baritones echoed through a dim alley in one of Metro Manila’s red light districts on a humid Sunday evening -- the joyful sounds emanating from a rare religious outpost for gay Filipinos. In the small room, where a rainbow flag hangs next to a lace-covered crucifix at an altar, a few dozen worshippers raised their hands in prayer as sex workers strutted in front of fleabag motels on the street below. Tucked away above a seedy bar, the makeshift Protestant church is a safe haven for gays who for decades have struggled for acceptance in the conservative Roman Catholic society. “We are a sanctuary for those who are heavily burdened. If you are suf-

fering because of bigotry, you can come here to unload,” Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) pastor Kakay Pamaran told AFP. Like many in her flock, the 33-year-old former television commercial producer agonized her entire life trying to reconcile her sexual orientation with the Christian faith that she was born into. Pamaran said she led a “double life,” keeping a girlfriend and going to church with her conservative parents who tried to ignore her being a lesbian. “I was taught that being gay is an abomination. I struggled as a Christian because I feel there is nothing wrong with me,” she said, preparing that evening’s sermon on her smartphone. AFP At the MCC, which says it is

the country’s biggest gay-friendly church, Pamaran said she learned that: “God’s diversity is manifested in God’s people.” Gay pride marches and pageants are freely staged across the Philippines, and a primetime television soap about two gay men was a major hit. But barriers remain. Michael Mia, a 42-year-old call center worker, recalled how his former born-again church tried to “restore” him to heterosexuality when he came out as gay. Mia said pastors vigorously prayed over him, made him date women, fast and memorize the Bible to “cure” him. “I almost gave up on God. I thought I was born to be a sinner and will go to hell just because I’m gay,”

he told AFP. Eighty percent of the Philippines’ 100 million people are Catholics and the church’s conservative views still have a deep influence throughout society as well as government policy. On a visit in January, when crowds thronged the streets, Pope Francis spoke out against “confusing” versions of sexuality, marriage and family, saying these were under attack. The Philippines is the only country outside of the Vatican where divorce is outlawed. Abortion is also illegal. Homosexuality is not a crime, but an antidiscrimination bill has languished in Congress for two years. And while the Catholic Church does not officially condemn homosexuality, anti-gay sentiments from

its local leaders are never far from the surface. “In Sodom and Gomorrah, there were same-sex activities and God destroyed these cities in a hail or fire and brimstone,” Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, one of the Philippines’ most senior bishops, told AFP when asked about MCC, citing the Bible. “Even among animals, a union is between a male and a female. How can they [gays] possibly generate their own kind?” But MCC does not subscribe to a “literal” interpretation of the text, Pamaran said. “There is no one way to read Scripture. God is much larger than the Bible. God did not stop speaking after the Bible was published.” AFP

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

News

sports@thestandard.com.ph

Parade of beauties. Some of the 30 candidates for the Mutya ng Pilipinas beauty pageant put their best foot forward before the media at the Resorts World Manila. TEDDY PELAEZ

Police boast two-day gains By Francisco Tuyay and sandy Araneta

Policemen on Sunday chalked up a sizable number of arrests made and firearms captured nationwide in a span of two days after President Aquino named the new chief of the Philippine National Police, Ricardo Aquino however admonished the police and other law enforcers not to use torture to make the suspects confess or own up to the crime, according to Malacanang. At least 95 suspects were arrested, 38 assorted firearms, including hand grenades and P3.8 million worth of shabu were seized in different parts of the country, according to Police Director Benjamin Magalong, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Magalong said the breakthrough was a result of the “One Time, Big Time” operation intended to neutralize crime syndicates. Magalong said the arrests were made in a series of police actions in Pangasinan, Ilocos, Cagayan, Laguna, Quezon, Benguet, Anrinque, Cebu, Davao City, Sarangani province, Masbate and Taguig City. The most notable was the killing of 7 suspected drug pushers in Davao City last Friday that led also to the

arrest of 39 other drug suspects and busting of 4 criminal gangs. At the Palace, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr reminded the police to enforce the laws and not do anything illegal. Torture is illegal and has no place in a democratic society, he said. Coloma was commenting on the antitorture act of 2009 in light of charges that five Manila policemen figured in the alleged rubout of a suspect. The Commission on Human Rights has

stepped into the case and other incidents of alleged torture or rubout of suspects by policemen, Coloma said. The Manila Police District (MPD) has already in their custody the five policemen accused of rubout of a suspect. “What I know is that the police immediately took action on the incident (rubout). And when PNP (Philippine National Police) chief Police Director General Ricardo Marquez was installed, he immediately took action in order to ensure that those involved be made responsible. From what we know, five of those allegedly involved are now in the custody of the Manila Police District,” said Coloma.

‘Polls more expensive than MRT subsidy’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta SeNATOR Francis “Chiz” escudero on Sunday bewailed the fact the Commission on elections will be spending for the 2016 polls an amount that is greater than the cost of state subsidy for the MRT operations. “So if you add this year’s expenditures of P16.8 billion and next year’s proposed budget of P15.6 billion, then you’re looking at almost P35 billion for just one election alone. If that’s the case, our election is more expensive than the MRT subsidy,” escudero pointed out. Malacañang is set to recommend a P15.6-billion budget for the Comelc for 2016, an election year when about 18,100 positions from the presidency down to town council seats are up for grabs. escudero, chairman of the senate committee on finance, said the government is spending more to elect 18,100 people every three years than transporting half a million people everyday. If approved by Congress, the senator said it will raise to P32.4 billion

the price tag of the general elections that will be held 10 months from now. escudero said that for this year the Comelec has a budget of P16. 8 billion, P12.6 billion of which will finance “preparatory activities” for the May 2016 general polls. While details of the 2016 spending have yet to be submitted to Congress, escudero said he has “advance information” on the approved budget ceiling of certain agencies. “Actually, I was informed that the Comelec asked for P20.3 billion, but this was pared down by the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) to P15.6 billion,“ escudero said. Following the budgeting practice, the two recommended amounts will be presented side-by-side in the National expenditure Program that President Aquino will reportedly submit to Congress on the day he delivers his 6th and final State of the Nation Address on July 27. escudero said the conduct of elections in the country has always been a “costly proposition.”

Purge of cash-transfer list sought OPPOSITION lawmakers are prodding Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman of to overhaul its list on conditional cash transfer scheme for the poor to ensure that recipients actually benefit from the program. House independent bloc leader Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez of Leyte and Buhay party-list Rep. Joselito Atienza, said their proposal could help address any irregularities, such as double entries in the database or payroll of the beneficiaries.

The government must once and for all resolve the long-standing controversies in the release of funds through the conditional cash transfer (CCT) or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). “The DSWD must step up the process of wiping out spurious names from the list of deserving beneficiaries. We must ensure that the most vulnerable sectors are the ones benefitting from the centerpiece poverty alleviation program. Otherwise, it will defeat the purpose of the CCT,”

Romualdez said. He said there is a need to purge the list of the 4Ps beneficiaries to ensure that public funds do not just go into waste. Atienza, for his part, said the process of cleansing the list is too slow, affecting the regularity and transparency of the program. “Since the government is spending people’s money here, we should ensure that only deserving people are benefitting from the program,” he added. Rio N. Araja

Parody of awards. Women’s party-list Gabriela sums up its critique of

President Aquino’s five year rule in a parody of awards leading up to the Chief Executive’s sixth State of the Nation Address on July 27 Calling it the ‘NoyNoy Aquino-Pinaka Awards’, the group gave PNoy five awards propped on a squash or ‘Kalabasa’,a vegetable generally used to represent the lack of achievment or capabilities. EY AcAsio

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

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

A sea of Zumba-natics. The Philippines sets a Guinness world record for the largest Zumba class in a single venue with 12,975 taking part on Sunday, July 19, in Mandaluyong City, surpassing the one set by Cebu in 2014, with 8,200 participants. EY ACASIO

LRTA told: Protect commuters’ interest

A CONSUMERS’ group has prodded the Light Rail Transit Authority to rethink its position awarding the controversial bid for LRT Line 2 (Santolan to Recto) to a service provider that has allegedly failed to meet the technical requirements.

Lawyer Oliver San Antonio, legal counsel of the National Coalition of Filipino Consumers said LRTA officials must realize that the interest of the LRT and MRT commuters is paramount and should be protected at all cost. “The possibility or likelihood of any change in the LRTA’s position is not a sign of weakness. It’s not too late.” San Antonio, NCFC spokesperson, made the call to Jose Jobel V. Belarmino, chairman of the LRTA bids and awards committee (BAC), the

body tasked with screening and selecting bids for the maintenance service provider of LRT Line 2. NCFC filed a criminal and administrative complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman last week against Belarmino and other members of the LRTA-BAC based on what the coalition considered as a “highly suspicious and highly questionable tender offer” made by a bidder in the LRT 2 maintenance service contract. The filing of the case was followed by revelations that the bid made by the BUSANEDC Joint Venture was copied from the technical specifications of the breakdown-ridden MRT3 and didn’t meet the requirements of LRT Line 2. According to San Antonio, the BUSANEDC group was given the go-ahead by the LRTA-BAC and wasn’t disqualified and declared ineligible despite numerous differences in the technical specifications in its bid. The detailed list of discrepancies were reported to the LRTA by its very own Technical Working Group of engineers. “What really baffles us is the declaration made by the BAC that BUSAN-EDC’s bid was even beneficial to the government. That

really makes us scratch our heads in disbelief.” “This prompted us to file the complaint with the Ombudsman. We see clear violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in the BAC’s act of unduly favoring one bidder. That bidder clearly violated the bid rules but it was still allowed and was even declared to favor the public interest. We are confident that the Ombudsman will look favorably into our complaint,” declared San Antonio. NCFC, according to San Antonio, would also be writing and appealing to the LRTA Administrator and other DOTC officials, as well as to the Department of Justice, the Senate and the House of Representatives, on the LRT 2 maintenance contract issue. “With the litany of breakdowns suffered by the EDSA MRT Line 3 and the Muñoz to Baclaran LRT Line 1 and the damage and inconvenience these bring to the riding public, doesn’t Belarmino and the BAC worry about the big possibility of accidents happening to LRT Line 2 if this contract with BUSAN-EDC is pushed through?” the NCFC lawyer asked.

Manila court to hear business tax hike plan By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has paved the way for the Manila City Regional Trial Court to hear and resolve the legal dispute between the Manila City government and operators of retail businesses in the city arising from the implementation of an ordinance that increases local business tax by as much as 314.69 percent. In a 14-page decision, the CA’s Second Division through Associate Justice Remedios Salazar-Fernando ruled that the Manila City RTC, Branch 7, committed error when it

dismissed the case filed by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada against Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and retail operators on the ground of lack of jurisdiction. “In view of the encompassing importance of the petition’s subject matter which is the local business tax rates in the entire City of Manila where there are countless retailers, the case cannot be allowed to be dismissed on such flimsy and tenuous ground,” the CA stressed. Associate Justices Priscilla Baltazar-Padilla and Socorro Inting concurred with the ruling. Estrada elevated the issue on

the constitutionality and legality of Ordinance No. 8331, Series of 2013, otherwise known as “An Ordinance Enacting the 2013 Omnibus Revenue Code of the City of Manila” before the trial court after De Lima granted the appeal filed by several retail operators to void the ordinance for being contrary to Section 191 of the Local Government Code (LGC), which imposes a 10 percent ceiling on increase on business tax. In a resolution issued on April 7, 2014, the Justice Secretary ruled that in the previous years, the city government itself opted to impose

rates, which are below what the LGC allows. On May 15, 2014, the city government filed a petition for review before the Manila RTC seeking to annul de Lima’s resolution and to declare as valid and enforceable the ordinance. But instead of acting on the petition, the Manila RTC dismissed the same for lack of jurisdiction. It ruled that the filing of the petition was premature and that the Manila City government violated the principle of exhaustion of administrative remedies.

Tiger City sets record Zumba class By JP Bencito EXACTLY 12,945 “Zumba” participants clad in yellow joined forces in Mandaluyong streets to break the country’s own feat for largest Zumba class in a single location on July 19, 2015. Also called the “Tiger City” Mandaluyong and its residents broke the estimated 8,000 record set by Cebu City in 2014 to claim the title for the largest Zumba class. “We are very thankful and very blessed for our new Guinness record of largest ZUMBA class,” said Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos. “This feat bears the fruit of our continuous efforts to strengthen our nutrition programs for the benefit of our constituents,” Abalos added. The Guinness feat add to the many accolades received by the Tiger City under Abalos’ watch. Earlier this year, the city won its Consistent Regional Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Maintenance Award for the second straight year in recognition for the effectiveness of their nutrition programs and the UN Service Award for its Project Teach catering mostly to children with learning disabilities. Abalos said that the city government has lined up many programs to change not only the resident’s food habits but also for the ultimate renewal of their lifestyle. “Our Guinness record is just the start of our many projects to renew the lifestyle of our residents - later this year, we will be launching our “One Apple a Day” program” for school children, where we aim to regulate the sale of junk foods in schools,” said Abalos.

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

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Yolanda victims in Iloilo agree to move back coastal homes ILOILO CITY—Yolanda victims from the coastal Barangay Talucgangan have agreed to move back 40 meters away from their current “no-build zone” residences in the northern town of Banate. Renante Dellero, who acted as spokesman of the group of 37 residents who trooped last week to the office of Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr., said that their houses had been totally or partially damaged during the Nov. 8, 2013 super typhoon Yolanda. They said they would prefer to remain in their current residences because these were near their source of livelihood. The proposed resettlement site in the upland Barangay Asin, Banate was to them far and inaccessible. Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, who faced the complainants, said that upon consultation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Office 6, the residents could either write the DSWD asking for re-evaluation of the list of recipients if they go for the Emergency Shelter Assistance or ask for a dialogue with Banate Mayor Carlos Cabangal and officials of the Iloilo Provincial Government, National Housing Authority, and DSWD to bring up their plea to only move back 40 meters from their present site, which is safer ground. Because of the options presented them, Dellero and his group decided to seek a dialogue for them to be allowed by the concerned agencies to be moved back to safer ground but still in Barangay Talucgangan. “This is the best option given us,” Dellero said, referring to their preference for moving back 40 meters . Banias then cited the cases of Carles, Concepcion, and Estancia, where the residents also made an appeal letter to then Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson Sr. that they be allowed to stay in their current residents, which is considered vulnerable area. They however vowed to implement pre-evacuation in their resettlement sites at the first notice of typhoon or calamity. PNA

Peace! Moro children smile for the cameras as they gathered for Eid’l Fitr prayers on Friday, marking the end of Ramadan. OMAR MANGORSI

Armed soldiers take over disputed N. Ecija farmland By Ferdie G. Domingo PALAYAN CITY—Armed soldiers took over a disputed parcel of land here on Sunday morning, rolling out barbedwire fences as farmers watched helplessly after they were barred entry to their long-claimed turf following a three-day stand-off. The takeover was led by Army Col. Emerito Pineda, who did not speak to reporters as his men installed the

perimeter fences. The farmers, whose families have been camping on a farm-to-market road in the area, said it is now uncertain how they can continue farming after the military cordoned it off and put up markings which read : “government property, no trespassing.” “We could no longer plant. We could not even pull out our hand tractors,” said farmer Armando Ducusin. Ducusin earlier borrowed money so he could start land and seeds preparation. But with what happened, he said poverty and starvation now stare his family in the face. Felix Rombaoa, president of the local irrigators’ association, noted that the fences set up by the Army also cordoned off

the irrigation canal built by the National Irrigation Administration in 1983. Tension has been gripping the farming community since Tuesday when the soldiers faced off with farmers who were trying to fight off a Regional Trial Court (RTC) order evicting them from their farmlands. Only 14 of the 200 farmers were covered by the order but even the other farmers were affected, they complained. “They have been oppressing us when they are supposed to protect us, being the soldiers of the people,” the farmers said. The petitioners said they have been tilling their farmlands for at least 10 years, with other farmers claiming a longer period.

Court acquits former communist officer

A day’s work. Fishermen clean their nets after selling their catch for the day at Barangay Tomongtong, Guimaras Island. MICHELLE ALVAREZ

BALER, Aurora—The Regional Trial Court of Aurora has acquitted a former officer of the communist New People’s Army in Central Luzon and his wife of various major criminal offenses. Judge Jude Erwin Alaba of Baler RTC Branch 91 dismissed the charges of violation of Presidential Decree 1866 as amended by Republic Act 8294 (illegal possession of firearms) against Delfin Pimentel alias “Medy” and wife Imelda Estrella-Pimentel alias “Sierra” of San Luis town. The two former NPA rebels were also acquitted from the charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder in connection with the ambush-killing of two soldiers some 15 years ago. However, Delfin remains detained because he has another pending non-bailable case in another court in this town. Delfin, who also carried the aliases Ka Crispin, Ka Liben and Tanda, was a member of the executive committee of the Communist

Party of the Philippines CPP-NPA’s Central Luzon Regional Committee and has been the secretary of the rebel group’s Aurora Provincial Committee since 2002. He has been detained at the provincial jail here following his arrest in September 2009 in Dingalan town. Two M-16 rifles, a shotgun and three hand grenades were seized from Delfin. At the time of his arrest by elements of the Philippine National Police, Delfin was listed as the PNP’s “most wanted man” with a Php2.6million bounty on his head. In February 2000, a group of armed men, allegedly led by Delfin fired from the mountain top a civilian vehicle loaded with soldiers and civilian passengers while passing through the Sierra Madre mountains range in Barangay Diteki, San Luis. Killed were Private First Class (Pfc) Mario Dasalla, Pfc. Julio Angeles and Pfc. Alexander Castañeda. PNA

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

opinion

ADELLE chuA editor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

If ChIna Isn’t a global rIsk, what Is?

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Stumbling toward irrelevance

By William Pesek

PRESiDEnT aquino is in a pickle. although he has not said so, he clearly considers neophyte Senator Grace Poe a force to be reckoned with in the 2016 presidential elections. Why else would he have bothered to meet her on four separate occasions regarding her plans for next year? after these meetings, he gave the impression that Poe was the sort of leader that he believed would continue his “reform” program—and that, as he has said time and again, is one of the main criteria for choosing his anointed presidential aspirant. But there are signs that the independent senator will balk at the President’s offer for her to run as the vice president for the liberal Party’s presumptive presidential candidate, interior and local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas ii—who has consistently trailed in opinion polls for 2016. on friday, Poe joined her good friend, Senator francis Escudero, on what could well be seen as a pre-campaign stump to a bailiwick of the nationalist People’s Coalition in South Cotabato. During her speech, she took a shot at her critics, who have questioned her lack of experience. “Some have said that a leader must have the right experience and right skills. i believe that. But it is also important that a leader has the heart and loyalty to his or her countrymen. What will we do with a leader who is very intelligent but does not have the interest of the people at heart?” it was a sharp rejoinder that could easily have been aimed at Roxas and the liberals as Vice President Jejomar Binay, who has already declared his intention to run for the presidency under the opposition United nationalist alliance. Both sides have argued—with some justification—that Poe is inexperienced. Binay, who has seen his standing in opinion polls for the next president drop to second place behind Poe, has raised this point several times. President aquino, on the other hand, has used his liberal Party allies to counsel patience to Poe, also on the basis of her inexperience. Use the next six years, they urge her, to learn the ropes under a Roxas presidency and gain the experience needed to be president in 2022. But Poe, from her recent statements, seems determined to follow her own agenda, which brings us back to Mr. aquino’s pickle. Should Poe turn down his offer to run as vice president under the liberal Party banner, the President can no longer credibly take back his public statements that Poe is a candidate who is likely to continue his reforms. if both she and Roxas run for the presidency, he would have given his blessing to two candidates, instead of the one he will anoint. But Mr. aquino has nobody to blame but himself for squandering five years on a vindictive agenda aimed at putting his political opponents behind bars and doing very little to truly build up the productive capacity of the economy in a way that will benefit everyone—not just his friends. had Mr. aquino given us a truly responsive government in the last five years, he would not find himself stumbling towards irrelevance in his final year in office.

DEFYING THE HIGH COURT enunciated the first time around were not enough! The editorial fr. ranhilio of Manila Bulletin’s Saturday callangan issue refers to the iMf report that the Philippine budget aquino credibility is undermined Panfilo lacson has alerted because of “unusually large the nation to the fact that tucked amount of complexity and conjunction into next year’s budget are lump flexibility”—a sums that once more grant that succinctly summarizes legislators the prerogative to the sins of the country: an identify projects to be funded. unwieldy bureaucracy and Serge osmena, a fellow senator unconscionable amounts in who used to be allied with Pnoy, the hands of those who should seems to say as much, although not have them! While Chiz he has dared Sen. lacson to Escudero does not seem as bring the matter to the Supreme alarmed as lacson, he does Court, as if the very clear rule point to red flags insofar as he

penSéeS

asks Malacanang to explain how the lump sums allocated to education in the budget are to be distributed. it is too much to ask the people to believe that all the President’s men misunderstood the Supreme Court ruling. The judgment was clear and so were the reasons. Even nonlaw students who understand the doctrine of separation of powers will not be too hard put to give the gist of the doctrine. The budget goes through three phases, taught the Supreme Court: budget preparation— an executive function, budget

this is not the first time we are treated to the spectacle of executive defiance of law.

enactment—clearly legislative as it is Congress alone that determines how money in the public coffers is to be spent, and budget implementation —once more a task entrusted to the executive. When lump sums

in the budget allow legislators to identify which projects are to receive funds from allocations afTER the budget has been enacted, members of Congress are thereby allowed to encroach into executive functions.

after the budget has been enacted, members of Congress have no further role besides, perhaps, oversight! Certainly, no matter the subterfuge or machination employed, it is anathema to the constitutionally ordained scheme of things for legislators, in the implementation phase, to create new items or to provide for appropriations not found within the law. That is not too difficult to understand, really, except that Malacañang and the legislators who pant and faint from the ardors of their official duties without

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-

a generous serving of pork insist that lump sums as have been proscribed are necessary. Many things are necessary, indeed, but in a government of enumerated powers like ours and in a State that professes adherence to the Rule of law, the necessary is not always legal, and unless we are prepared to accept the proposition that necessity makes everything legal, then it might do us well—our leaders especially—to be more heedful of the law! But this is not the first time we are treated to the spectacle of executive de-

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

fiance of law. Just after the PDaf and DaP decisions, so deafening was the saber-rattling from that insalubrious side of the Pasig that the demigods on faura shook and quaked as thunderbolts ominously warning of “impeachment” and charges of “overreaching” flew in their direction! it says so much of the integrity of the high Court that the sound and the fury notwithstanding, the magistrates stood pat on their decision: lump sums that allowed legislators to create new items or to craft Continued on A11

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

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

ThE international ratings agency fitch was downplaying concerns on Thursday that Chinese stocks are a systemic risk to global markets. Many investors, however, are far less sanguine. Take hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer, who worries Beijing’s debt-fueled stock mania could do even more damage than the U.S. subprime crisis. or Bill ackman, who runs Pershing Square Capital Management. asked about Greece on Wednesday, he said: “China is a bigger global threat by far. The Chinese stock market is a fairly remarkable phenomenon and i think kind of a frightening one.” Who’s right -- fitch or market players? The deciding factor could be whether deflation rears its head in China -- falling prices, and the prospect of a slowing national economy, would suggest the hedge funds are right. let’s consider the data. a common takeaway from China’s better-than-expected data this week is that deflation’s grip is easing. The claimed 7 percent GDP growth rate, rising middle-class incomes and a pickup in credit would seem to augur well for a stable price outlook in the world’s second-biggest economy. But those numbers are deceiving. for starters, China’s second-quarter performance was pumped up by a stock bubble that’s now losing air. financialsector growth combined with government stimulus (and some creative accounting, of course) to boost gross domestic product. financial services alone surged 17.4 percent in the first six months of 2015, a dynamic that helped offset a weak real estate market. But, given the recent stock rout that wiped out almost $4 trillion in market value, it should be obvious this isn’t a durable source of growth. Meanwhile, China’s housing slowdown is a major deflationary event. Real estate has been China’s biggest growth engine since the 2008 global crisis. now, it’s in negative-growth territory. and that’s having knock-on effects for local-government finances and vital sectors like manufacturing. But there’s another deflationary force confronting President Xi Jinping: the fading of China’s credit super-cycle, in which people and businesses tried to borrow their way out of debt problems. “The world-beating growth in debt of recent years is unlikely to be repeated as worries about financial stability grow,” says andrew Batson, China research director at consulting firm Gavekal Dragonomics. “This creates another barrier to China’s return to rude inflationary health.” Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

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

opinion

ADELLE chuA editor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

If ChIna Isn’t a global rIsk, what Is?

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Stumbling toward irrelevance

By William Pesek

penSéeS

this is not the first time we are treated to the spectacle of executive defiance of law.

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

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

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

A10 BETRAYING THEIR PEOPLE IN EVERY story of struggle between good and bad, there emerge heroes and RITA LINDA anti-heroes; champiV. JIMENO ons of the oppressed and villains. In the fight against the threat of open-pit gold mining in Lobo, Batangas—that idyllic little town which fronts the Verde Island passage, known worldwide as the center of the center of earth’s marine bio-diversity—villains and anti-heroes have surfaced, most of them masquerading as local public officials. It is a time-honored doctrine that a public office is a public trust. They who are elected to office swear to serve the people who entrust in them their welfare and well being. Thus, the Local Government Code’s most encompassing provision is the General Welfare Clause which states in part: “Within their respective territorial jurisdictions, local government units shall ensure and support, among other things, the preservation and enrichment of culture, promote health and safety, enhance the This is how mining right of the people will be done in Lobo. to a balanced ecology, xxx enhance economic prosperity, xxx and preserve the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants.” In the municipality of Lobo, the Sangguniang Bayan chaired by Vice Mayor Renato M. Perez, with nine members, passed a Resolution on 20 April 2015 unanimously endorsing gold mining, exploration, processing and all mining operations by Egerton Gold Philippines Inc. and MRL Gold Inc., without consulting its citizens. When the people of Lobo finally got wind of the plan, they started protest actions against the Sangguniang Bayan and filed a complaint with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to deny the companies’ application for environmental compliance certificate. The people cited as their grounds in opposing mining that cyanide leaching from the gold mining and processing will kill the Verde Island Island Passage which is a protected body of water for its marine biodiversity. The mountains of Lobo are mostly made up of lime which is porous. Thus, it will absorb the cyanide tailings which will leak into the soil and flow into the river and the sea which is the Verde Passage. Mining will destroy the flora and fauna of Lobo where the Philippine teak wood exclusively thrives. The town’s freshwater resources will all be used up by mining, leaving hardly anything for its people. It will destroy and cause the cutting down of the trees which the DENR and the Lobo Water District have been protecting as they serve as the watershed of Lobo, San Juan and other towns of Batangas. It will displace and further impoverish the residents who depend mainly on farming and fishing for their means of living. Despite the vehement protests of the people, the Sanggunian members have refused to listen--betraying the trust reposed in them by the people they are sworn to serve. They claim that they signed the Resolution because ten out of the 26 barangay captains of the municipality have favorably voted in favor of mining. What’s worse is that the Sanggunian has been concealing the fact that not only two Mineral Production Sharing Agreements or MPSAs were granted to the mining companies which cover a total of 262.3 hectares. Records from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau reveal that Egerton Gold and MRL were, in fact, given a total of seven MPSAs in Lobo alone and three other municipalities in Batangas for a total of a whopping 29,000

OUT OF THE BOX

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

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

GENERATION ENTITLED “YOUNG people these days are different.” We used to hear our elders say this, referring to us. And now we hear ourselves saying the same thing about the generation next to ours. Are we growing old, or are they really all that different? It’s a common line among us GenXers, for instance, to characterize ourselves as humble, uncomplaining and diligent. If our parents told us to do something, we did it. They scolded us, we took it all in. We finished school so we could work and earn money, and we saved for the rainy days. If we land a job, we are thankful. We do our best because we are lucky we have jobs to begin with. It’s a bonus if it’s a job you find meaningful, your boss is someone you can respect and your colleagues are awesome. If you happen upon your dream job, you stay on it for years, even decades, until you retire. I have heard many conversations about the new generation of workers displaying a patently different attitude from the one their elders had. One government agency, for instance, which has been found to have a shortage of employees given the sheer volume of work it is mandated to do, now finds itself at crossroads when it comes to boosting its manpower. Back in the day, as an elite agency, it admitted only professionals with a decent Board exam rating. But that batch of the cream of the crop, so to speak, has aged out and are now reaching retirement age— by the bulk. Meanwhile, the demands of the job are as daunting as ever, given the focus on transparency and good governance.

CHASING HAPPY ADELLE CHUA How, then, can the agency find young people who are passionate about serving the country, often for less competitive compensation, and who are willing to stay put, in good times and bad? Another company characterized today’s batch of manpower similarly. Younger workers, it said, are restless and always on the lookout for better opportunities. They tend to ask “what’s in it for me?” rather than what they can contribute to the whole. And if they find just the slightest reason to be dissatisfied, they leave, believing they will be able to explore more, and better, opportunities for themselves. Even younger kids display the same kind of entitled attitude. When we were younger, we took what was given to us and made do with what we had. Today, the latest gadgets seem to be a measure of self-worth, and only the really well-brought up ones are able to separate their possessions—or the number of their friends, or the number of likes their recent selfies generate—from the source of their self-esteem. A Time magazine cover once depicted this generation as narcissists —it was all about “me, me, me.” We make it sound like feeling entitled is such a bad thing. Is it, really? *** First, there is no use fighting the wave. Of course, the younger set are different. It’s called evolution. Believe it or not, these emerging trends and patterns are unstoppa-

hectares. If mining pushes through, Lobo as a community of people and which only consists of 17,503 hectares, will disappear from the face of the earth. Now, the heroes. The chair of the ABS CBN Foundation Inc., Gina Lopez, has come to the rescue of the people of Lobo and the Verde Island Passage. Known as a staunch and passionate advocate of the environment, she has been selflessly sharing her time, resources and expertise. The archdiocese of Batangas has been at the forefront, too, along with civil society leaders and NGOs. The emerging heroes are some of the barangay captains who were misled into voting in favor of mining but are now speaking up. They say they did not understand what mining will cause; they were pressured into signing because they were given some cash allowances; they were promised scholarships for their children; and were even treated to a trip to a mining site operated by Oceana Gold that straddles Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela by the mining proponents in Lobo. Expectedly, only the pleasant was presented for their eyes to see. They were told this is how mining will be done in Lobo. A research on the open-pit gold mining operations by Oceana Gold in Didipio, Kasubu, Nueva Vizcaya, where the barangay captains of Lobo were brought, reveals harrowing facts, however. An article written by Ilang Ilang Quijano in September 2013—the year the mining operations started there--states that the open pit mine in Didipio gapes where once stood Dinkidi, the biggest hill in the village which was a significant wildlife and biodiversity corridor along the Sierra Madre. The locals

ble. Resistance to change and pining for how things were in the past are not going to do us any good. A sense of entitlement is not altogether bad. We can be comforted that the younger generation will not take silly talk from anyone, and will not allow themselves to be taken advantage of. Is this not a welcome development from the lessons in sacrifice and (sometimes, faux) humility we were bombarded with as kids? It is not necessarily being rude or arrogant. Members of the so-called “selfie” generation just think highly of themselves. This does not have to mean they think less of others. Great things, after all, are accomplished by people who are actually convinced they can do it. As parents and elders, it is not for us to choose whether to suffer or to tolerate these entitled kids. It is our role to guide them when they step out of bounds. In the natural progression of things, our offspring are supposed to be better than us, more capable than us, more competitive than we ever were. Aren’t we happy they are putting themselves out there, getting to know what works and what does not for them, and deciding for themselves? Is it not a good thing that they use critical thinking instead of just saying “yes” to everything they are told? Do we really want our kids to be yes men and women? I wouldn’t! This is a generation that’s bound to achieve great things. Let’s temper the entitlement, trim its excesses, and channel it so that it benefits a cause bigger than any one of us. adellechua@gmail.com

who used to plant rice in its terraced slopes, or maintain citrus orchards in its lush valleys, are now displaced, clustered in uniform wooden houses outside the gates of the mining complex. A local pastor, Akino Beduya, interviewed by the writer, said that their creek and river have turned orange-brown with toxic wastes and the locals can no longer catch mudfish, snails and prawns as they used to. In a news article published late last year, Oceana Gold was reported to have failed to pay its long overdue taxes of P91M to the Provincial government despite having extracted and processed 20,553 ounces of gold and 9,373 tons of copper during the first half of 2013 alone. But it’s not just the taxes, the article said. Many locals say that Oceana Gold did not honor much of its commitments to the people such as build a school, a hospital and a gymnasium. The Sangguniang Bayan of Lobo can well say they believe that Egerton Gold and MRL Gold—although they have no track record as yet—will be different and will ensure that all their promises will be fulfilled and all precautions will be taken. The Verde Island Passage and Lobo are too precious to put to risk, however. Any damage caused to the Verde Passage and Lobo by mining will be irreversible. And Murphy’s Law should tell us why there have invariably been disasters and tragedies in mining sites. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong in time. Email: ritalindaj@gmail.com Visit: www.jimenolaw.com.ph

M O N d aY : J u lY 2 0 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION

adelle chua EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

A11

Voter psychographics We had a very interesting encounter with top political consultants and a mass communication expert last friday at the club filipino. organized by Publicus asia, inc., the focus of the presentations made by dr. clarissa c. david of the UP college of Mass communications graduate Studies and our good friend Malou Tiquia, founder and general manager of Publicus asia, inc., was on understanding noT the filipino politician-candidate, but the “mindscape” of the filipino voter. The technical term is the voter psychographics. There should be space in future articles about the research findings, some of which defy current praxis in Philippine political strategy. What struck me was an indictment made by dr. david in the open forum, about the heavy responsibility media bears in elevating political discussions in this country, the kind of discussions and reports that influence the mindscapes of the average voter. Tri-media trivializes politics. it talks and writes about “poli-tics instead of poli-cies”. headlines like “guess who’s coming to dinner”, and so much fuss about a cozy six-hour chinese dinner with no less than the President where nothing of any substance (according to

the guests) was discussed, she cited as an example. i guess we are all guilty in some way. Political trivia indeed has taken the front seat, and more of the same will be expected in the next few months leading to the filing of presidential and vice-presidential candidacies. hopefully, the period after the filing in october 16, and during the campaign proper starting the first week of february next year, will be time for the voting public to hear from, and examine, the credentials of those who seek the highest office in the land as well as their stand on “poli-cies” rather than be regaled by the spectacle of the political circus. We should get those who seek to lead us to debate seriously among themselves, and not be led by siren calls of popularity nor 30-minute infomercials and jingles or “anthems” (what a descriptive) put together by paid creative minds to “enhance” the chances of those driven by pure ambition and not public service. *** a giant step forward is the opportunity to listen to the country’s “best minds”

DEFyInG... From A9 appropriations after the enactment of the budget, and to share in the power of implementing it are unconstitutional. it is amazing, in fact, that the executive branch should engineer the re-appearance of these dreadful “lumps” considering that the Supreme court has ruled that the scheme constituted a derogation of presidential power. Justice estela Perlas-Bernabe, the ponente, decried the fact that the President was in fact stripped partly of his line-item veto power. To be able to veto an item, there has to be an item; but a lump sum is the very opposite of an item. it avoids itemizing expenditure. The result is that the President is denied his power to veto appropriation specifics. But should it not surprise, even shock us, that it is the President’s Palace that has tucked lump sums nicely (well, not really “nicely”!) into the trillion-peso budget of

IF CHIna... From A9 let’s say china actually did grow 7 percent between april and June. That’s still markedly slower than the 12 percent jump in corporate and household borrowing last month. all that borrowing limits the ability of companies to increase employment and consumers to spend. outstanding loans for companies and households are now a record 207 percent of

gdP (and growing fast), compared with 125 percent in 2008. While the government is sure to do more to stabilize growth, “we are far from certain that china is about to exit the deflationary dynamic of recent years,” Batson says. While china’s consumer prices rose 1.4 percent in June, producer prices plunged 4.8 percent. That dynamic explains why commodity-currency nations australia and new Zealand

#failocracy

in an attempt to “forge a consensus towards SO changing the political I SEE system by revising the 1987 constitution to LITO secure the country’s banayO future”. again to be held at the club filipino this coming Wednesday, lead convenors are two highly respected and erudite nationalists, former chief Justice reynato S. Puno and former Secretary of finance and the Budget Salvador M. enriquez. for the past three decades, we have been operating government on the basis of the 1987 constitution, forged under reactionary conditions right after the fall of the Marcos’ experience on authoritarianism. after this long period, i strongly agree that there is need to examine whether first, the political structure it has fostered is working for the benefit of the majority of filipinos and second, whether the legal framework itself has become the root cause for the exclusionary character of our polity, leading to social and economic conditions where, trite though it may sound, “the poor get poorer while the rich get richer”. it is a whole working day affair, with

a distinguished list of speakers that include former vice President Tito guingona Jr., former Senator nene Pimentel, former UP President Pepe abueva, auxiliary Bishop of Manila Broderick Pabillo, economist and writer calixto chikiamco, and rene v. Sarmiento, a member of the 1986 constitutional commission that drafted the present charter. indeed, “it is the system, stupid”, to ape Bill clinton’s famous remarks about the american economy when he beat the first President Bush that we should be concerned with, and not just the choice of who should lead us after Pnoy. in this regard, i am reminded of what the greatly misunderstood but truly great President elpidio Quirino, in a time long forgotten, remarked about electoral choice: “it is not about who can lead. it is who ShoUld lead”. *** i must apologize, both to the editors and our readers, for that awfully convoluted and long article that saw print last Wednesday, the 15th of July. i forgot to delete some previously drafted paragraphs which i wrote into my laptop as inputs for a future column, and in haste, sent everything, including redundant issues and unfinished paragraphs, to the Standard desk. Mea culpa.

the coming year? This revives the whole debate over daang Matuwid. certainly, where one has exorcised the public sphere of religious standards for what is “matuwid”, then you hardly have any other reference besides the law. But if the law receives cavalier dispatch from an administration that claims that it is in search of one who can continue its legacy of rectitude, how indeed does one reckon “matuwid”? rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

are under pressure to slash interest rates. Both the aussie dollar and the kiwi tumbled to multi-year lows Thursday after fellow commodity exporter canada eased monetary policy. Meanwhile, waning chinese demand has resulted in falling global prices for everything from oil to metals to milk. Those problems will be amplified if china begins exporting deflation to the region. Japan, which still has yet

to beat its own multi-decade right: if china doesn’t count as bout with falling prices, is a systemic economic risk, what particularly vulnerable, as is does? South Korea. Bloomberg The People’s Bank of china can always cut interest rates. (its one-year benchmark rate pLumbLInE is still 4.85 percent.) But amid cratering growth, rate cuts paSTOR might just exacerbate the debt apOLLO troubles of asia’s only engine quIbOLOy of economic growth. in other Pastor Quiboloy’s column will words, it seems safe to say the resume next week. hedge fund managers have it

chong ardivilla

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

A12

sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Spieth chases pace-setting Johnson ST ANDREWS—Play was back underway in the third round of the British Open at St Andrews on Sunday with history-seeking Jordan Spieth looking to close the gap on leader Dustin Johnson. The 21-year-old Texan sees fellow American Johnson as the main obstacle in his path to completing a clean sweep of the year’s first three major titles. He has already won the Masters and the US Open and needs the British Open crown to stand a PGA Championship away from being the first player in the history of the sport to achieve the calendar-year Grand Slam. But so far at St Andrews, he has played second fiddle to playing partner Johnson, the man he

pipped at the post to win the US Open title at Chambers Bay last month. After two rounds, Johnson leads at 10 under, with Spieth five shots adrift and needing a good round on Sunday to have a chance in Monday’s delayed finale to the tournament. He still thinks he can make it three in a row. “I believe I’m still in contention,” he said. “I still believe I can win this tournament. I need a really solid round

tomorrow, though, because Dustin is not letting up. “He’s the only one I can speak of, he and Hideki (Matsuyama) because I saw it first hand. Dustin is going to shoot a good round tomorrow with less wind, and I’m going to need to shoot a great round to really give myself a chance. “To fall from two back to five back isn’t exactly what I wanted on a Friday, but it could have been worse, could have been better. “It is what it is, and if I can shoot something like 10-under in the last two rounds, I think I’ll have a chance to win.” Johnson is the player many believe should have won a major by now, having come close in all four Grand Slam events, culminating in his three-putt meltdown at Chambers Bay.

But he has looked by far the best player in the field over the first 36 holes at St Andrews. Now he needs to build on that for Sunday and Monday in the weather-hit tournament. He will head out in the final pairing of the day with England’s Danny Willett, who will have had nearly two days of inactivity, having completed his second round on Friday before darkness fell. The 27-year-old from Sheffield will be entering unchartered territory for him, but he says he relished the prospect of becoming the first English winner of the Open since Nick Faldo 23 years ago. Top Scot Paul Lawrie, the 1999 Open champion, will provide plenty for the home fans to cheer about as he stands alone in third at eight under. AFP

Villanueva bows to Arroyo By Ronnie Nathanielsz PREVIOUSLY undefeated King Arthur Villanueva lost by a tenth-round technical decision to Puerto Rico’s unbeaten southpaw McJoe Arroyo in a verdict that was lustily booed by fight fans for a long time afterwards, with boxing news.24 writer Jim Dower reporting that the fans at the Don Haskins Convention Center seeing it as a robbery. Villanueva, who was deducted a point by Puerto Rican-born referee Rafael Ramos in the sixth round after an accidental clash of heads, himself suffered a really nasty cut above his right eye. The referee was criticized for what Dower said: “Looked like a really bad call, but then again the scoring of the fight was really poor as well.” All three judges scored the fight for Arroyo after referee Ramos stopped the fight on the instructions of the ring doctor and they were forced to go to the scorecards. Two judges scored it 9891 for Arroyo, while the third judge had him ahead, 97-92. Dower said he scored it for King Arthur, “who was the more active guy and the fighter that landed more.” It was also reported that while Villanueva was the much busier fighter and landed more punches , Arroyo clinched constantly.

Games today 1 p.m. – UE vs NU 3 p.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle-Dasma 5 p.m. – St. Benilde vs UP

Benilde, UP duel for lead

Out of my way. Yoshikazu Fujita (left) of Japan struggles during a run with Daniel Tailliferrer Hauman van der Merwe of Canada during a World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup match at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California on July 18, 2015. Japan beat Canada 20-6. AFP

Diolola wrests Shell chess lead ALBERTO Diolola Jr. stamped his class over lower-ranked rivals and racked up five straight victories to seize the solo lead in the seniors divisions while two shared the lead in junior play of the 23rd Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship Northern Mindanao leg at SM CDO City Event Center in Cagayan de Oro Saturday. The ninth-ranked Diolola, a University of Mindanao standout, bested No. 32 Richie Salcedo, No. 34 Joseph Abella, 16th-ranked Keith Ibaoc, No. 41 Paul Omongos and No. 20 Harold Taganas to move past second seed Diego Caparino-Claro, who racked up four wins and a draw halfway through the nine-round Swiss system tournament sponsored by Pilipinas Shell. Top seed Allan Pason fell to No. 14 Dexter Echalico in the second round but won his four other matches to remain in the title hunt along with Rowena Padro, Kenneth Tabada, Ibaoc and Taganas with four points while Ronnel Cantonjos, Michael Gastala and Marvin Maribojoc pooled 3.5 points apiece in the premier 17-20 age category.

Cari, Loreto share Palawan-Baybay net honors YOUNG local aces Gia Cari and Paolo Loreto dished out a pair of big-time games to trounce their respective rivals and score two victories each in the Baybay leg of the Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis tournament at Baybay City Tennis Club in Leyte yesterday. Cari, 13, survived a couple of scary first-setters against Maasin City’s Angel Albino and leaned on her baseline game to cop the 14-and-under crown, 7-6(4), 6-1, and the 16-U diadem, 7-6(2), 6-2. But Cari failed to complete a three-title romp, dropping a 6-3, 6-2 setback to Albino, who took the 18-U crown in the four-day Group 3 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association headed by president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez. The third ranked Loreto, 15, stunned top seed Venz Alforque, 6-7(5), 6-3, 10-8, in the semis then held off Joel Albino, 6-3, 6-4, to snare the boys’ 16-U title. He later stopped No. 4 Chyme Arradaza, 6-2, 6-3, to pocket the 18-U diadem. “Cari and Loreto could be the sport’s next future stars and Palawan Pawnshop is here to help them fulfill their dreams by providing a series of ranking year-long tournaments,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Gia Cari (second from left) and Paolo Loreto (second from right) hold their trophy after completing a pair of twinkill in the Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala age group tennis tournament in Baybay, Leyte. With them are Rep. Jose Carlos Cari (left) and tournament director Jurgen Torres of Baybay Tennis Club.

Another local bet, Franconero Nunez took the boys’ 12-U plum with a 6-1, 6-0 demolition of Ghylem Basalo while Alforque, of Naga City, Cebu, rebounded with a tough 4-6, 6-4, 12-10 decision over Joshua Torres to snatch the 14-U crown.

ST. BENILDE tests University of the Philippines’ mettle as they dispute the Group B lead today, while Ateneo tries to gain a share of it as it takes on La SalleDasmariñas at the resumption of the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan. The Blazers, runnersup to the NCAA champion Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, overwhelmed the La Salle-Dasma Patriots in three last Wednesday and are fancied to use their power and experience against the Maroons in their 5 p.m. clash in the second week of the firstever inter-collegiate men’s volley championship presented by PLDT Home Ultera. UP also hurdled its opening day match against Arellano U, which it beat in four but the Maroons will have their hands full against a St. Benilde side spearheaded by skipper Johnvic Guzman, Mark Orian, Racmade Etrone, Ron Jordan, Isaah Arda and Berwin Coming.

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

A13

sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

PH memory group gets international body’s nod THE World Memory Sports Council, the international governing body of mind sports of memory, has accredited the Philippine Mind Sports Association Inc. to oversee all memory sports activities in the country. For the past three years, the PMSA has been sending Filipino mental athletes to various international tournaments including the prestigious World Memory Championships and the Extreme Memory Tournament, where only the world’s best players are invited to compete. The PMSA has also hosted two international tournaments in Metro Manila. The Philippine memory team has has brought home numerous awards and achievements including the overall championship in the Kids and Adults divisions in the Hong Kong Memory Championship 2013; 11 medals in the WMC 2013 in London, three medals in the WMC 2014 in China; and eight medals in the 2014 U.S. Memory Championships. The Philippines started joining WMSC events in 2010 and has already produced three Grandmasters of Memory, namely Mark Anthony Castaneda, Erwin Balines and Johann Randall Abrina. The country’s most promising young memory athlete, 14-year-old International Master of Memory Jamyla Lambunao, also holds three world records in the Kids’ division. The WMSC Certificate of Accreditation was awarded to the PMSA at Hainan, China during the World Memory Championships last year and signed by its president and co-founder Tony Buzan. This license allows the PMSA to stage memory sport events and regulate the sports in the country.

A14

Fil-Am swimmer breaks PH record By Peter Atencio

FIL-AMERICAN swimmer Chloe Isleta surpassed the Olympic B qualifying mark in the 2015 Summer Super League long tcourse championships last Friday in Los Angeles. The 17-year-old Isleta swam 4:52.57 in the girls’ 400-meter individual medley to win the gold in the finals. According to the tournament’s official website, she beat Emma Barksdale and Jordan Ander-

son, who had similar clockings of 4:57.18. This is the third time this year that Isleta has broken the national record, which used to belong to Erica Totten in 2005. She also duplicated the new 200m IM record she set last month at 2015 Arena Pro Am Swim Series in Sta. Fe, California for a seventhplace finish at 2:19.47. Her clocking in the 400-m IM is under the Olympic B standard time of 4:53.38 for the qualifying period of F R IMarch D AY : J U1, N E2015 1 2 , 2 to 0 1 5May 31, 2016, according to research done by pinoyathletics.info. Since the Los Angeles meet is not sports@thestandard.com.ph an Olympic qualifying meet, she needs to come up with a similar

SPORTS

Age catching up with Bata SINGAPORE—Few sportspeople have perfected their craft like Efren Reyes, but the one-time king of pool admits age is catching up with him as he finally yields to younger talent.

The 60-year-old Fili- only two other balls on a pino says neck pain, his pocketless table, scoring eyes and even the strength one point for each successof his arms can betray him ful shot. The winner is the in long matches, and he is first to 100. weary after losing to wave Reyes’ vision and shotafter wave of hotshots. making came to the fore as “That’s a long time ago,” he he clawed back from 80-56 said at the Southeast Asian down to level at 84-all, be(SEA) Games, when remind- fore a lapse in concentraed of his heyday when he tion allowed his opponent hoarded world titles and was back to the table. widely regarded as the globe’s And Vietnam’s Ma finest player. Minh Cam, wearing a dis“At this time there’s a lot tinctive blue glove on his of good players from the bridge hand to ease fricPhilippines. Everybody tion, seized victory with a can beat me.” 16 break on his next visit. Reyes shuffled out of Money games Singapore’s SEA Games Afterwards Reyes, wearin the semi-finals of one- ing a crumpled, dark blue cushion carom, an ob- waistcoat and a resigned exscure, delicate game in pression, rued the mistake which the Philippines has which consigned him to his Rupert Zaragosa displays his trophy while standing beside a Philippine flag. few players. third SEA Games bronze in Two competitors must the little-known sport. use their cue-ball to hit the “I missed an easy shot, if

kids no more KIA’s Heartbreak rise on and off hardcourt DENNIS PRINCIPE

SPORTS CHAT

theone longest AT FOR least for team, time, it has our beenboxproven have suffered thaters the Philippine Basketballcountless Association truly the best vehiclebouts to sell that one’s product losses in major they I hadn’t missed that maybe is to Pinoy consumers. should have won if not for the I would have won that Columbian Autocar Corporation Presihometown decisions. dentdreaded Elena Mari Ginia Domingo revealed game,” he said. The joining most thememorable of that since PBA this season, His chief role in the mul- theircourse company a 23%fight growth washas theenjoyed gold medal ti-sport SEA Games was as in sales. of lightflyweight Mansueto CAC is one of two expansion teams practice partner for Fili- that“Onyok” Velasco against were accepted by the PBA Bulgarlast season Petrov Bojilov during pino pool players, he says, andian theyDaniel own the KIA squad that also had growth in Olympics. the league, perforthe 1996 Atlanta much like his usual routine a gradual mance-wise. Velasco’s situation, however, in his home country. Domingo though admitted that a huge wasofatheir combination of the Games Reyes, who has shifted factor sales increase is the overall using computerized scoring for to upsurge of car sales which this year rose out of the capital Manila about the15%. first time, while the second back to his home province “But than that, really like and more probably the what mostwecontroour PBA participation is ‘yung mga of Pampanga, is regularly about versial one was that a Bulgarian gains. Whenever I travel invited to “money games” non-quantifiable by the sport’s andwas theyassigned see me wearing a KIA intershirt, tawhere players and gam- lagang sinisigaw nila ‘yung brand national federation AIBA as and the si Manny Pacquiao, ” said Domingo. blers will bet cash. main man to select officials“During for first conference, mga empleyado lang matches. By the third conferIt’s very much back to his the angthe pumapalakpak. While naVelasco havefans roots in the sport, where he ence nakikita namin namay may mga regularly cheer forrounds us.” the last two of that played in his uncle’s “Lucky wholost Pacquiao,it of course, is the acknowlmatch, was evident that the 13” pool hall from the age edged playing-coach of the team which, Negros-born Olympian got name of eight, rising from money entering next season, will change itsdisheartenedEnforcers, when he though learnedassistant that Mahindra games to tournaments to to coach Victolero is regarded many he Chito got zero points despite by pephustling in the United States. as the man responsible for KIA’s pering his opponents withrise. clean “May approval na kami sa PBA. Ang Finally he reached pool’s blows inathe opening round. is division of CAC and ang denascent world stage, where Mahindra lang si Onyok cision “Nagulat ng board is na to help market the prodhis battles with Earl “The uct,”nu’ng said Domingo. sinabihan siya na wala siThere’sscore won’tsabefirst anyround, major” changes said Pearl” Strickland and oth- yang though within the composition of the team 1992forOlympic bronze winner ers were broadcast around except Tomas Alvarez, who will be RoelasVelasco. their representative to the PBA the globe, becoming minor named board.Almost two decades later, the classics. The team willcontinues also have two newvicalterto get “We always are playing natePhilippines governors, namely Chito Santos and timized by bum scoring when a pool every day. We play Bobby Rosales who happens to be the head

money games of pool, that’s our practice,” he said. AFP

Zaragosa settles for 4th in Junior World

RUPERT Zaragosa settled for beating Shahith Theegala of Cali- Filipino finisher in the girls’ side a fourth-place finish despite a fornia (71) just by one with an- won by Japanese Nasa Hataoka one-under-par 71 Friday in the other Californian Norman Xiong with a closing 73 giving her a INVITATION PRE-QUALIFY ANDofBID FOR IMG Academy Junior World checking TO in third at 288 after a 73. share 17th at 299. THE CONSTRUCTION OF ONE (1) STOREY golf championships at the TorIt was a fitting farewell stint in Hataoka shot a 70 for 278. COMMERCIAL BUILDING NISTC, rey Pines south that ended Frithe Junior WorldANNEX for Zaragosa, Pauline@del Rosario placed CABUGAO, ILOCOS SUR THROUGH day (Saturday in Manila) in San one of the 12 players flown to tied for 25th with her 78-302 BUILD –OPERATE-TRANSFER Diego, California. Los Angeles for free by national and LKSCHEME Go shared 33rd with It was the country’s best finish carrier Philippine Airlines, who her 77-304. The Localalso Government Unit 11-12 of Cabugao, Sur Tiamsic, invites interested in the boys’ 15-17 years division won the boys’ years Ilocos Venice third placer parties todivision submitinapplications to pre-qualify bid for6-under, the design, in 29 years since Carito Villaro2010. in and the girls’ was the financing, construction and maintenance of a commercial building @ man, now a teaching pro, won it Cabugao, There were who commercial best finisher amongwill thehave 38 bets NISTC, Ilocos207 Sur.players, The proposed building back-to-back in 1985-86. a dimension joined this age-group the eleven an- sent here by the of 43.46m x 19.43mofWith (11) commercial stallJunior spacesGolf two (2) primarily for commercial and food at the Foundation of kiosks the Philippines. Zaragosa totalled 289,and four nualunits event participated in by 58 banks center alley. strokes off the winning 285 of countries and 46 states from the The team was also sponsored by ICTSI Sports, Chile’s Joaquin Niemann. The project hostwill nation. be awarded through competitive public Friends bidding, of asJungolf a (BOT) project, in accordance with applicable laws, Niemann shot a 70 forBuild-Operate-Transfer 285, Abby Arevalo was the best and Cleanpak. including Republic Act No. 6957, as amended by Republic Act No. 7718, otherwise known as the Build-Operate and Transfer Law (BOT) Law, and its 2012 Revised Implementing Rules & Regulations. The project will be implemented using Build-Operate-Transfer contractual agreement, whereby a private entity undertakes the financing and construction of the infrastructure facility and after the expiration of the contract, the building will

time in the 2015 World Junior meet from Sept. 1 to 6 in Singapore. The second time that Isleta reset the 400-meter IM national record was when she finished 20th with a time of 4:56.68 at the Sta. Fe meet. She had a slower clocking in the finals at 4:56.91. The first time she did it was in the Speedo Southern Sectional in Orlando, Florida on Feb. 28 when she submitted a 5:011. Totten used to hold the mark with her time of 5:05.43 in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games. As for the 200-m IM, Isleta shattered the national mark held by Hannah Dato twice (2:21.00) in the SEA Games, in the prelims (2:19.67) and in the finals (2:19.47).

bunch of well-trained and welltraveled pugilists fell one by one during the 2014 Asian Games in

of their basketball operations. timate step to put Incheon, “WeKorea. still have Mr. Eric Pineda as team their The most painful among manager, together with Mr. Joe Ramos as Asiad misfor However, our assistant team manager. coaching staff them involved 2012 The London will still beMark the same, ” added BarDomingo. ing victims of un Olympian Anthony Domingo, meanwhile, made a clarifistill seemed evi riga and young flyweight proscation about insinuations that Pacquiao pect Clark Bautista who, or the has Ian a stake in their PBA franchise theirFinals where company. despite pummeling their Korean 10 boxers went on the record walangthe pag-gold. foes, “To stillsetlost their straight, respective mamay-ari si congressman Manny sa CoOf the five gold matches. lumbian Autocar Corporation,” disclosed “Boxing is a sport wherein were undeniable Domingo. you practically your life on terSu-Fernandez and ANOTHERputHEARTBREAKER. Arthur in Marcial scored sto theperflyweight line everybet time you Villanueva step in lost firstAnd worldthis titleisattempt when his bout Bautista, meanw thehis ring. what comes opposite McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico was hisELopponent from out. It’s really disappointing, ” in stopped in the 10th round yesterday was what ABAP president Ricky but still had to se Paso, Texas. The boutmedia was stopped after referee decision win again Vargas told covering the Rafael Ramos decided that Villanueva couldbets not Mohamed Ha Asiad. continue because of a supposed dangerous mid. Apart from Barriga and Baucut on the Filipino challenger’s right eye. Only lightweigh tista, The 2013 SEA Villanueva, Games gold 26-year-old when contacted by this writer, has insisted thatwas the match was and lightfl tancio winner Mario Fernandez stopped prematurely and it happened at aGabuco time got som also ousted via controversial when he felt he was already gaining enough in scoring in the scoring. momentum to score an upset. bouts. In “May this year’s Southeast Asian dugo talaga siya nu’ng nagkaroon ng headbutt sa 6th round, peroinnagtataka Nesthy Petecio, Games currently being held lang ako, kasi nu’ng itinigilPhilipng referee,and wala Rogen Ladon Singapore, the 10-man nang dugo ‘yung cut,” said a distraught Vilpine boxing contingent brought tims of bum sco lanueva. homeVillanueva five gold felt medals, ofstill they that hetwo could con- dropped clo tinuecame and that the cut was notand that serious their respective foe them from Bautista as his cornermen were able to do a splenWe could neve Fernandez. did job on the cut. would ensue in Barriga not part of the “May was momentum na ako at napansin Marcial, who fou SEA Games he was deemed ko na hindi as na siya masyado sumusuntok. Alam ko naman na medyo dehado ako sa boy, and Fe town “disqualified” based on AIBA’s referee andboxers judges pero hindi ko akalain na a Thai whos faced ruling that who are part ganito ang gagawin nila,” said Villanueva. of their Boxing LeagueincanAs Pro the bout was stopped the 10thsaid due to be influen able to knock the nottocompete non-AIBA-sanca cut, thein match went to the scorecards, whereevents. Arroyo got the nod of all three judgout. tioned es via scores of 97-92 and identical 98-91 Five golds in bo While AIBA rules and oftallies on the two other cards. nitely something t ficials “‘Yung are being used in SEA mga tao nag-boo sa decision this biennial me Games tournaments, they din are angin and pagbaba ng ring marami nagsa charge akin,” said Villanueva. But for our notcongratulate officially in of the biTeam chief pattern ennial meet.Villanueva, who is led by scoring trainer Edito Villamor, is scheduled to aris something to In a lot of ways, Bautista and rive tomorrow morning. Fernandez were able to use their as we prepare for gold-winning efforts as the ul- Olympics.

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bohol Municipality of Sevilla Invitation to Bid REHABILITATION OF SEVILLA MUNICIPAL HALL, ANNEX BUILDING AND MUNICIPAL MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT CENTER 1. The Local Government Unit of Sevilla, Bohol is a recipient of an aid from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) under the Earthquake Assistance Fund for the Rehabilitation of Sevilla Municipal Hall, Annex Building and Municipal Manpower Development Center. The Approved Budget for the Contract is TWO MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTY FOUR THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED THIRTEEN PESOS ONLY (Php 2,734,613.00) The Municipality of Sevilla, Bohol now invites sealed bids from eligible Bidders for the supply and delivery of various construction materials on site within 30 calendar days upon receipt of the University Notice to Proceed. Marathon champ. Far Eastern varsity athlete Mary Grace Dela

reaches finish line to win the 21Kcompetitive title in the 39th National MILOas Bidding will the be conducted through open bidding procedure 2. Torre Marathon specified in in Balanga. the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as Government Procurement Reform Act. Subject to exceptions stated in the Bidding Document, only bids from Bidders who pass the eligibility check will be accepted. The Bidder who passed the technical requirements and complied with the required performance specifications and parameters will be considered for the financial evaluation. The bid with the lowest price shall be identified as Lowest Calculated Bid.

SEAG From A16

Wakebo Olympic sp al disciplin showed g tentials in Griffin an Selga, who the men’s finals at th voir on Th Griffin points in topped by T jan Padwat Selga was 34.44 point nals domin pore’s Sasha

A14

PALAWAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE (PALECO) Tiniguiban, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan INVITATION TO SUBMIT COMPARATIVE PROPOSALS PALAWAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE (“PALECO”), is a non-stock, non-profit, service-oriented electric cooperative duly organized and existing under and by virtue of Presidential Degree No. 269, as amended, and duly registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (“CDA”) by virtue of Republic Act No. 6938, as amended,received from Emerging Power, Inc. an Unsolicited Proposal for new hybrid power supply agreementsand for the construction and installation of sub-transmission line to connect the Municipalities of El Nido, Taytay, San Vicente and Roxas, Northern Palawan. The proponent proposed to install brand new hybrid (solar-bunker) generation system with a total net capacity of 25MW and its sub-transmission delivery service system for PALECO energy requirements. PALECO,through its Bids and Awards Committee (“BAC”), intends to subject the Unsolicited Proposal, as negotiated with the proponent, to a Swiss Challenge in accordance with its rules on competitive selection (“Competitive Selection Rules”) based on the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 6957, as amended by R.A. No. 7718, or the Build-Operate-Transfer Law, and in accordance with the Energy Regulatory Commission’s rulings in ERC Case No. 2009-025 RC and ERC Case No. 2012-018 RC. A complete set of the Competitive SelectionRules and related documents (“Competitive Selection Package”) is available from the BAC during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) starting 28 July 2015 to 30 July 2015at the Main Office of PALECO at Tiniguiban, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Interested parties may obtain the Competitive Selection Package upon submission to the BAC of the following: 

Letter of Intent. It must state the party’s intent to purchase the Competitive SelectionPackage for purposes of submitting a comparative proposal in response to this invitation.It must be signed by the party’s duly authorized representative and be accompanied by proof (i.e., original Board Resolution or Secretary’s Certificate) that the signatory is authorized to represent and bind the party, sign the Letter of Intent and execute the Acceptance Agreement stated below.



Non-refundable fee of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00) in cash or manager’s check payable to Palawan Electric Cooperative



Execution of an Acceptance Agreement by the authorized signatory in the form provided by the BAC.

PALECOhereby invites interested parties to submit comparative proposals to the said Unsolicited Proposal. Only interested parties that were issued the Competitive SelectionPackage shall be allowed to submit comparative proposals. The comparative proposal must be submitted stricitly in accordance with the said Competitive Selection Rules with the following Terms of Reference: NetCapacity of the Power Station/s:

25 MW Hybrid (Solar-Bunker), brand new equipment consisting of 15MW bunker-fired and 10MW Solar PV plus 5MW reserve capacity bunker-fired Build 69kV three phase sub-transmission line with associated components (e.g. substations) according to the following specifications:

Delivery line:

DESCRIPTION

LENGTH

TARGET COMPLETION DATE

69 kV sub-transmission line from the Municipality of El Nido to the Municipality of Taytay

63 km

12 months from Effective Date

69 kV sub-transmission line from the Municipality of Taytay to the Municipality of Roxas

76 km

15 months from Effective Date

69 kV sub-transmission line from Barangay Itabiak, San Vicente to the town proper of the Municipality of San Vicente

19 km

15 months from Effective Date

DESCRIPTION El Nido substation

LENGTH

M O NDAY : JU LY 2 0 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Suarez moves closer to Olympics The 26-year-old Suarez dominated 2004 Olympian and AIBA world championship medalist Domenico Valentino of Italy, 2-0, in their 8-round, lightweight encounter. Suarez, silver medallist in the Incheon Asian Games, utilized his powerful straights and hooks to drop Valentino three times. Valentino went down in the 4th , 6th

By Peter Atencio

CHARLY Suarez is getting closer to his dreams. Suarez solidified his bid to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics when he notched his second straight win in the AIBA Pro Cycle One Round 2 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

and in 7th round, which was the only time the referee gave a standing 8-count. It was the second triumph for Suarez after a fifth-round knockout result over former World Junior Champion Magomedrashid Dzhabrailov of Russia in Round 1 last May. In September, Suarez will fight again, in a bid to compile more wins and reach

Cignal spikers advance

TARGET COMPLETION DATE

5 MVA

6 months from Effective Date

Taytay substation

5 MVA

9 months from Effective Date

San Vicente substation

5 MVA

12 months from Effective Date

By Peter Atencio

For the sub-transmissionline,fee of P14,985,220/month for 20 years. Connection Point:

13.2kV three phase

Type of Supply:

Hybrid Solar-Bunker, full service (base load, regulating and N-1 reserve power)

Target Commercial Operation Date:

12 months after approval by the Energy Regulatory Commission of the relevant Power Supply Agreement.

Term:

20 years from commencement of commercial operations Bunker Rate Structure

R a t e S t r u c t u r e:

Cha Cruz of Cignal lunges forward to keepthe ball alive. ROMAN PROSPERO

Ye ar s of C o nt r ac t

B unke r CCR P/ k W M o nt h

B unke r FO M F P/ k W - M o nt h

B unke r VO M F P/ k W

B unke r Fu e l Fe e P/ k W h

1- 4

1,9 07.74

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

5 -10

9 6 4 . 61

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

11-15

650.23

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

16 -20

335.85

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

P a r a m e t e r s f o r t h e B u n ke r P o w e r S t a t i o n: 1. Bunker 15 MW Guaranteed Dependable Capacit y plus 5 MW reser ve; 2. 8 0 % Ava i l a b i l i t y ; 3. 5% A u x i l i a r y ; 4. 0 . 2424 L / k W h Fu e l C o n s u m p t i o n R a t e a t 74 . 5% L o a d Fa c t o r ; 5. 0 . 0 0 24 L / k W h L u b e s C o n s u m p t i o n R a t e 6. H FO P r i c e i s P 3 2 . 5 2 07/ l i t e r a s o f J u l y 2 014 d e l i ve r e d p r i c e a t N P C Po w e r P l a n t i n Tay t ay, Pa l a w a n 7. L FO P r i c e i s P 3 6 . 5 2 07/ l i t e r a s o f J u l y 2 014 d e l i ve r e d p r i c e a t N P C Po w e r P l a n t i n Tay t ay, Pa l a w a n 8. L u b e O i l P r i c e i s P 9 5 . 517 7/ l i t e r a s o f J u l y 2 014 d e l i ve r e d p r i c e a t N P C Po w e r P l a n t i n Tay t ay, Pa l a w a n

Republic of the Philippines MUNICIPALITY OF SANTO DOMINGO Province of Ilocos Sur BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE =========================================================== INVITATION TO BID The Municipality of Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites contractors registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to apply for eligibility and if found eligible, to bid for the hereunder contract:

Year s of C ont rac t

Bunker CC R P/ kW- M onth

Bunker FO M F P/ kW- M onth

Bunker VO M F P/ k W

Bunker Fuel Fee P/ k W h

1- 4

1,9 07.74

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

Contract Ref. Number Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

CONSTRUCTION OF BORPARLUNA DIVERSION DAM BOROBOR, STO. DOMINGO, ILOCOS SUR TO DO THE CONCRETING OF THE PROJECT I – 15 –07 – 036

Php 9,850,000.00

5 -10

9 6 4 . 61

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

Source of Fund

TRUST FUND / DA

11-15

650.23

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

Contract Period

160 WORKING DAYS

16 -20

335.85

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

Prospective bidders should possess a valid PCAB License applicable to the contract, have completed a similar contract with a value of at least 50% of the ABC, and have key personnel and equipment (listed in the eligibility forms) available for the prosecution of the contract. The BAC will use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria in the Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids. The BAC will conduct post-qualification of the lowest calculated bid.

5MW Bunker Reserved Rate Structure:

Solar Rate Structure:

Year s of C ont rac t

S o l a r Cr r P/ k W h

S o l a r Fo M F P/ k W h

1- 4

12 .7 7

0.86

5 -10

6.85

0.86

11-15

4.87

0.86

16 -20

2.90

0.86

Name of Contract

Location

Brief Description

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-bidding Conference, Evaluation of Bids, Post-qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The schedule of BAC Activities is as follows:

1. 2. O t h e r c o n d i t i o n s:

Proposal shall be able to service the four Municipalities: El Nido, Taytay, San Vicente and Roxas. Proposal shall include the comprehensive plan forconstruction of Subtransmission lineto connect four Municipalities of El Nido, Taytay, San Vicente and Roxas The interested Private Sector Participants must have, at the time of the submission of its challenge, a minimum authorized capital stock of PhP6,853,486,323.00 to match or exceed the collective authorized capital stock of the entities comprasing the project original proponent consortium. Proposal for an option to supply 25 MW bunker plus 5 MW reserve capacity, subject to the above-stated rate structure.

A p r e l i m i n a r y c o n f e r e n c e s h a l l b e c o n d u c t e d o n 1 S e p t e m b e r 2 015 a t 8 : 3 0 a . m o n w a r d s a t t h e PA L E C O M a i n O f f i c e . A l l c o m p a r a t i v e p r o p o n e n t s ’ p r o p o s a l s m u s t b e r e c e i v e d i n s e a l e d e n v e l o p e s b y t h e B A C n o t l a t e r t h a n 5 : 0 0 p . m . o f 2 8 S e p t e m b e r 2 015 a t t h e PA L E C O M a i n O f f ic e. A ll c omparative proponents’ proposals must be acc ompanied by a bid securit y in the a m o u n t o f F i f t e e n M i l l i o n P e s o s ( P h P 15 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0) i n t h e f o r m o f c a s h o r m a n a g e r ’s c h e c k p a y a b l e t o PA L E C O. PA L E C O a n d t h e B A C r e s e r v e t h e r i g h t t o a c c e p t o r r e j e c t a n y r e q u e s t t o o b t a i n t h e C o m p e t i t i v e SelectionPackage, to ac c ept or reject any proposal, to annul the selection proc ess, and to r e j e c t a l l p r o p o s a l s a t a n y t i m e p r i o r t o c o n t r a c t a w a r d ,w i t h o u t i n c u r r i n g a n y l i a b i l i t y t o a n y p a r t y. PA L E C O a n d t h e B A C a s s u m e n o r e s p o n s i b i l i t y w h a t s o e v e r t o c o m p e n s a t e o r i n d e m n i f y any par t y for any expense or liabilit y incur red in its par ticipation in the proc ess, and in the p r e p a r a t i o n a n d s u b m i s s i o n o f a n o f f e r. F o r f u r t h e r d e t a i l s , p l e a s e c o n t a c t N a p o l e o n M . C o r t e s J r. , B A C S e c r e t a r i a t , o r t h e d e s i g n a t e d o f f i c e r- i n - c h a r g e d u r i n g o f f i c e h o u r s a t t h e f o l l o w i n g c o n t a c t n u m b e r s : t e l e p h o n e n o . ( 0 4 8) 4 3 3 914 4 l o c 8 6 3 o r f a x n o .: ( 0 4 8) 4 3 4 4 4 01. A p p r o v e d:

RIC B. Z AMBALES General Manager and CEO

next year’s finals. The gold medalist of the AIBA PRO will get automatic berths to the Olympics. There is another another Filipino hopeful in London Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga. Barriga’s stint is on hold after undergoing surgery on his right knuckle, which will keep him out of the ring for three months.

( T S - J U L . 17, 2 0 , 2 7, 2 015 )

BAC ACTIVITIES 1. Advertisement /Posting of ITB/ Request for Expression of Interest 2. Issuance of Bidding Documents 3. Pre-bid Conference 4. Receipt of Eligibility Requirements 5. Receipt and Opening of Bids

SCHEDULE JULY 21 – 27, 2015 JULY 21 – AUGUST 12, 2015; 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. JULY29, 2015 AT 9:00 A.M. BEFORE AUGUST 12, 2015 AT 9:00 A.M. AUGUST 12, 2015 AT 9:00 A.M.

The BAC will issue to prospective bidders Eligibility Forms at the Office of the BAC Chairman upon their payment of non-refundable of Ten thousand pesos (Php 10,000.00) to the Municipality of Santo Domingo Cashier. The Municipality of Santo Domingo assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids. Prepared by:

Approved by:

(SGD) DR. MA. CORAZON V. TADENA BAC Secretariat

(SGD) LUIS T. GONZALES BAC Chairman

( T S - J U lY 21, 2 015 )

NO one was looking their way when La Salle spiker Wensh Tiu and April Ross Hingpit pulled off a surprise and reached the quarterfinal round of the of the PLDT Home Ultera-Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup 2015 presented by Smart Live More on Saturday at the Sands By the Bay of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Playing for Cignal HD, Tiu and Hingpit came up with two straight wins in Group B of the women’s division, rattling favored spikers Charo Soriano and Grethen Ho of Petron XCS with their aggressive attacks at the net for a 21-16, 2113 triumph. “It was on first serves in the first set. Then placements shots did it in the second set,” said Tiu, a La Salle advertising management student, who was seen as a longshot with Hingpit before the start of the competition. Tiu came up with booming serves as she and Hingpit disposed off Accel Quantum Plus B’s Aurora Tripoli and Rochet de la Paz, 21-12, 2112, to finish unbeaten in their three-team bracket. This allowed the pair to become the first women’s team to reach quarterfinals in this four-week spikefest. Other favored team teams suffered upset wins after the Gilligan’s pair of Danica Gendrauli and Jane Diaz won over the heavily favored Cignal’s tandem of Cha Cruz and Michelle Laborte, 2115, 21-13.

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

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

SMB’s glory days are back By Jeric Lopez

AFTER San Miguel Beert won the Philippine Cup title and the Governors’ Cup crown just last Friday, it was clear that the recently concluded 40th Philippine Basketball Association Season was all about the Beermen’s dominance and return to glory. ‘’We got two championships this season. I guess that’s not bad,’’ said San Miguel coach Leo Austria as he summarized the Beermen’s successful season as the league’s winningest squad with 21 titles. The Beermen are definitely back to their winning ways. For the past few seasons, the drama piled up for San Miguel as it had a tough time finding the right formula to win a championship despite always having one of the strongest line-ups on paper. That all changed this season with the entry of Austria as coach, the emergence of superstar June Mar Fajardo as the

league’s most dominant force and the coming together of the team’s talented players. The turmoil that haunted the team several seasons ago are all forgotten and San Miguel is now back on top. ‘’The glory days are back for San Miguel,’’ said San Miguel Beer Governor Robert Non. Despite Alaska’s talent and great effort, San Miguel still handled the Governors’ Cup Finals quite well. The Beermen swept the gritty Aces with ease on the way to the championship. Austria expressed how tough it was for his squad to get this latest addition to their trophy collection. ‘’Hindi ko nga maisip kung paa-

no namin na-sweep ang Alaska. Sila ang naging barometer namin this conference and they made us work really hard in order to beat them,’’ said Austria. He then added that the early battles of the Beermen in the playoffs prepared them quite well for their clash with the Aces in the finale. ‘’Ang nagpa-special dito sa championship na ito was that we were 0-2 at the start and then nanalo kami ng eight straight. Tapos we lost to Meralco pa in the quarterfinals bago kami nakapasok sa semis and then, we were lucky to beat Rain or Shine,’’ said Austria of the team’s campaign this conference.

Ateneo’s Kim Gequillana (18) goes for a one-handed power tip against Katherine Villegas of San Sebastian during their Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference clash at The Arena.

Lady Eagles welcome Valdez with a victory Games on July 25 12:45 p.m. – Arellano vs NU 3 p.m. – FEU vs PUP 5 p.m. – SSC vs TIP

Filipino campaigner Levita Ronna Ilao, shown tagging her opponent with a front foot sidekick to the face, is ready and raring for the Korea Open.

ALYSSA Valdez suited up late in the match and Ateneo soared past a hapless San Sebastian side, 2517, 25-13, 25-21, yesterday to post its second straight victory for a share of the Group B lead with St. Benilde in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City. Valdez, who sat out the team’s four-set win over UST last week for a much-needed rest following a hectic summer campaign, came in only in the third set and fired five hits, helping cap the reigning UAAP champions’ 71-minute romp over the undermanned former many-time NCAA titlists in the event sponsored by Shakey’s and presented by PLDT Home Ultera. Jhoanna Maraguinot, who starred in Ateneo’s 25-11, 27-25, 1925, 25-20 triumph over UST, unloaded a match-best 13 hits, including 10 on spikes and two on blocks while Kim Gequillana scattered 11 markers. But it was Valdez’s return that highlighted the Lady Eagles’ rout of the Lady Stags, who fell to their second straight defeat in the mid-

SMART/Meralco/MVP teams join taekwondo tilt THE SMART/MVP Sports Foundation national team and Meralco/ MVPSF national poomsae squad try to bring honors to the Philippines once more when they compete in the Korea Open Taekwondo (Kyorugi) Championships and World Hanmadang Festival on July 22 to August 2 at Chuncheon City, Gangwon-do, South Korea. Recent Singapore Southeast Asian Games Kyorugi (spar-

ring) gold medalists Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison and Pauline Louise Lopez and poomsae (forms) silver winner Rinna Babanto will banner the 52-strong delegation. Kyorugi silver medalists Francis Aaron Agojo and Irene Therese Bermejo and bronze winners Jenar Torillos and Levita Ronna Ilao are also seeing action in the Korean events.

Martial arts combatants from 59 other countries including Korea, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Iran, China and Japan will also vie for honors, according to the Philippine Taekwondo Association. Thirty-seven senior and junior jins will carry the national colors in Kyorugi while 10 senior and junior athletes will gun for medals in poomsae. Five officials will complete the nation-

al delegation which is supported by PLDT, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee. Filipino entries have always been considered among the top contenders in prestigious international taekwondo and poomsae tournaments. In fact, the country’s Kyorugi and poomsae bets have consistently earned medals from these events.

season tournament of the league backed by Mikasa and Accel and organized by Sports Vision. Ateneo coach Tai Bundit was supposed to give Valdez an extended rest but apparently had a change of heart following the continued sidelining of FilCanadian rookie Kat Tolentino, who suffered a season-ending ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury during warm ups in the league opener last week. Ella de Jesus, a former spiker converted into a libero this conference, was also a late scratch with an eye infection although Jamie Lavitoria has stepped up in her absence. San Sebastian continued to play top spiker Gretchel Soltones as libero after the SEAG and Asian Under-23 Championship veteran suffered a shoulder tear in Singapore last month. Soltones alternated with Alyssa Eroa but the Lady Stags have missed her power spikes and big serves with Denice Lim and Jolina Labiano forced to take the cudgels and fired nine hits apiece. Ateneo thus matched St. Benilde’s 2-0 record after the Lady Blazers foiled the Technological Institute of the Philippines Lady Engineers, 25-15, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, last Saturday.

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 2 0 , 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

Donaire: British champ much easier opponent Frenchman Anthony Settoul (left) is counted out by the referee after Nonito Donaire (right) of the Philippines sent him down in the second round during their super bantamweight boxing fight at the Venetian’s Cotai Arena in Macau. AFP

By Ronnie Nathanielsz NONITO “The Filipino Flash” Donaire continued his journey to redemption with a smashing second-round technical knockout of former European bantamweight champion Anthony Settoul, whom he dropped three times en route to a defining victory that is destined to set-up a mouth-watering showdown with World Boxing Association champion Scott Quigg of Britain. The British champion, on the other hand, mauled former world champion Kiko Martinez in similar fashion to win by a second-round TKO. With the win, Donaire’s father and trainer Dodong Donaire is now looking ahead at a possible title fight by his son against Quigg. “Quigg is a much easier opponent, because he moves forward and Nonito is much stronger. It’s going to be a good fight, but it won’t last more than six rounds especially now that Nonito realizes he must hit his opponent and not get hit,” the elder Donaire said.

Donaire, the five-division world champion, who suffered a crushing sixth-round stoppage at the hands of the bigger and stronger Jamaican, Nicholas “The Axe Man” Walters, began his journey of recovering the lost glory of being named Fighter of the Year in 2012, by surging to the No. 5 spot in the Ring Magazine rankings with a second-round knockout over Brazilian William Prado before upping the overall quality of his efforts with the win over the lanky Settoul, whose height and reach advantage was quickly negated by the Filipino’s speed and power. A vicious counter-body shot

dropped Settoul in the opening round, before another cracking shot to the body seconds before the end of the round sent the Frenchman down once again. Unlike in the past when he threw caution to the winds and went after his opponent looking for a knockout, this time around, Donaire stuck to the game-plan his father/ trainer worked out during training at the ALA Gym in Cebu, where he also benefited with some excellent sparring against promising prospects Mark Magsayo and Prince Albert Pagara, two undefeated fighters on the crest of international recognition. A confident but methodical Donaire didn’t rush in to finish off Settoul, but merely bided his time and picked his moments before connecting with a perfectly timed uppercut that sent his foe crashing to the canvas. As referee Danrex Tapdasan began to count, his cornermen sent a towel flying into the ring to signal surrender at 1:41 of the second round. Donaire Sr. was ecstatic over Nonito’s performance, telling The

ZARAGOSA 4TH IN JUNIOR WORLD

ATENEO WELCOMES VALDEZ WITH A WIN

TURN TO A13

TURN TO A15

Standard/boxingmirror.com that “he was strong and for the first time followed all the instructions.” The former champion even confirmed it. “I am satisfied because I followed the game plan. Usually, if I hurt an opponent I’m like a wild animal, I batter him right away but this time, I was patient and realized that I needed to study his movements and his style and when I saw the opening thats when I caught him with the right hand. I’m happy because I followed my father’s game-plan which was not to be tense, be smart, look at the timing and the opportunity then take him, but be smart,” he said. Donaire Jr. stressed that he now has “an arsenal of punches not just the left hook. I need to use all I have, including the right hand and the body shots.” “Dodong” Donaire was also profuse in his gratitude to renowned boxing patron Tony Aldeguer for allowing them to use all the facilities of the ALA Gym in Cebu and providing excellent sparring partners in Magsayo and Pagara, “who gave Nonito quality sparring.”

Former soccer VP pleads not guilty NEW YORK—Former FIFA vice president Jeffrey Webb pleaded not guilty in US court Saturday in connection with a massive international corruption scandal, with his release set at a $10 million bond. He is the first former official from soccer’s governing body to appear in a New York federal court in connection with the sweeping investigation by US prosecutors that has rocked the sporting world. The 50-year-old dual British and Cayman Islands citizen has surrendered his passports to the FBI and must remain within a 20-mile (32-kilometer) radius of the courthouse in Brooklyn. He is the only one of seven FIFA officials arrested in Zurich not to contest extradition and was flown earlier this week to the United States, where he lives with his wife and their young son. His physician wife, a US citizen, her pensioner grandmother and his in-laws signed his bond papers in court. Six other members of Webb’s extended family will also sign his bond application. In all, 14 defendants stand accused of soliciting and receiving more than $150 million in bribes and kickbacks across 24 years. US Attorney General Loretta Lynch unveiled the 47-count indictment in May, charging soccer officials and marketing executives with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, blue tie and navy suit, Webb strode into court, giving a little wave to his family in the gallery and shaking hands with his lawyer at the start of the nearly 50-minute hearing. AFP

MONDAY: JULY 20, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

New Greek ministers.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (left) and the government’s new spokeperson Olga Gerovasili (right) leave the Presidential Palace after a swearing in ceremony of the government’s newly appointed ministers on July 18, 2015 in Athens. Tsipras on July 17 reshufﬂed his government, a day after a major lawmaker mutiny in his radical left Syriza party over a draconian bailout deal. AFP

PSe comPoSite index Closing July 16, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

7,617.13 58.09

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing JULY 16, 2015 42

P45.250

44 45 46

HIGH P45.240 LOW P45.280 AVERAGE P45.262 VOLUME 549.600M

P475.00-P675.00 LPG/11-kg tank P40.55-P46.70 Unleaded Gasoline P27.90-P31.15 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene

PAL set to replace ﬂeet of Airbus 340s By Darwin G Amojelar

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines plans to sell its fleet of Airbus 340s and replace them with more fuel-efficient jets for long-haul flights, especially the US. “If there’s a buyer, we can sell the A340s. The A340s are becoming more expensive to operate because it consumes more fuel,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista told reporters Friday. PAL currently operates six Airbus 340-300s for its longhaul destinations. The A340 is

being used on the new route to New York via Vancouver. Besides A340, PAL uses six Boeing 777-300ERs in operating daily flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto and London. Bautista said the A340s might be replaced with either A350s or Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a long-

range, twin-engine wide-body jet. “We are in the process of evaluation because we can only operate one-type of additional long-haul aircraft. Right now, we are operating B777 and A340 and when we phase out the A340, we will replace this with only one-type of aircraft. So, it’s either A350 or B787,” he said. Bautista said PAL would made the decision on which aircraft to acquire within the year. He said the delivery of the aircraft from the manufacturer could be expected by 2018 or 2019 yet because of increased demand. Bautista added the company

Vista Land okays capital hike to P18b

P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, July 16, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

45.2000

Japan

Yen

0.008080

0.3652

Pound

1.564100

70.6973

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129032

5.8322

Switzerland

Franc

1.050531

47.4840

Canada

Dollar

0.774593

35.0116

Singapore

Dollar

0.732386

33.1038

Australia

Dollar

0.737790

33.3481

Bahrain

Dinar

2.656960

120.0946

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

12.0524

Brunei

Dollar

0.729714

32.9831

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.029342

1.3263

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

12.3070

Euro

1.094800

49.4850

Korea

Won

0.000872

0.0394

China

Yuan

0.161051

7.2795

India

Rupee

0.015751

0.7119

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.262840

11.8804

New Zealand

Dollar

0.660415

29.8508

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032191

1.4550 Source: PDS Bridge

HOME builder Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. is increasing its authorized capital stock to P18 billion from P12 billion in preparation for a possible fund raising activity. Vista Land said in a regulatory filing its board approved the increase in the company’s capital stock and called for a special stockholders’ meeting next month to clear the proposal. “With the increased authorized capital stock, the company will be able to take advantage of any equity fund raising opportunities that may become available, as the company will now have sufficient authorized and unissued shares that it can issue in an expeditious and efficient manner,” Vista Land said.

Vista land set the special stockholders’ meeting on August 28, 2015. The P18-billion capital stock will be divided into 17.9 billion common shares with a par value of P1 apiece and 10 million preferred shares with a par value of P0.01 per share. Owned by the family of former senator Manuel Villar, Vista Land is the largest homebuilder in the Philippines having built about 300,000 homes in 86 cities and municipalities in 35 provinces around the country. Unit VLL International last month raised $300 million from the sale of senior unsecured notes due in 2022 with a nominal rate of 7.375 percent. It was the first 7-year tenor notes issued by the company under a $1-billion medium term note program.

VLL plans to use proceeds from the offering for refinancing, general working capital purposes and other general corporate activities. Since its re-IPO in 2007 when it raised P25.1 billion in proceeds, Vista Land has not generated funds through the equities market and has done most of its fund raising through the debt and bond markets. Vista Land posted a net income of P1.64 billion in the first quarter of 2015, up 10 percent from P1.49 billion year-on-year. Revenyes increased 10 percent to P6.06 billion fromn P5.49 billion on year. Vista Land said it would spend P25 billion in capital expenditures this year. Share price of Vista Land closed at P6.98 Thursday.

already completed the delivery of five A321s for the year. “Next year, we will take delivery of another five A321s and two B777-300 ER,” he said. Bautista said the delivery of brand new Boeing 777s was scheduled between October and December 2016. PAL will use the jet for long-haul flights to the US and London. The airline, which is aggressively expanding its international destinations, plans to fly to Port Moresby in October and Cairns, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand on Dec. 2, 2015. The airline, now whollyowned by tycoon Lucio Tan after he bought back a 49-percent stake that San Miguel Corp. purchased from him in 2012, posted a comprehensive income of $85 million in the January-March period this year, a reversal of the $20.7-million net loss booked in the same period last year. PAL said revenues grew 30 percent in the first quarter to $627 million from $482.4 million a year ago, supported by an increase in passenger traffic. The flag carrier said the growth was led by the opening of new international destinations as well as the expansion of domestic route network, following an enhanced commercial arrangement with unit PAL Express. In 2014, the flag carrier reported total comprehensive income of $20.4 million, breaking a three-year losing streak and setting the airline on a path to sustained growth.

MONDAY: JULY 20, 2015

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

The STandard BuSineSS Weekly STockS revieW STOCKS

JULY 13-16, 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 Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank 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

4.6 73 105.00 95.00 45.6 2.53 1.53 10.1 16 20.5 6.73 0.72 1.83 815.00 0.420 91.5 17.90 26.20 63.70 95 307 37.55 152.7 1470.00 60.00 3.24

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 Mabuhay Vinyl Corp. Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group MBF Inc. Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ SPC Power Corp. Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp. Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp. Vivant Corp. Vulcan Ind’l.

44.65 1.36 1.04 1.95 10.18 54.3 91.40 18.36 194.8 26.75 57 2.45 1.47 12.28 21.250 9.00 7.45 9.77 1.76 13.78 25.45 79.6 13.50 14.00 5.9 0.530 192.60 10.8 28.00 2.16 2.52 57.90 24.2 25.9 28200 5.8 295.00 3.90 4.93 8.25 4.4 11.90 3.32 2.35 2.76 4.05 1.85 6.24 167 4.5 1.8 0.150 1.37 2.14 186.1 4.57 0.71 24.70 1.24

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

0.480 58.5000 22.90 1.22 6.88 0.240 0.240 763 7.61 13.50 3.4 4.30 0.220 1380 6.66 72.00 3.85 5 5 7.3 0.68 13.34 0.6 4.78 7.6 3.15 0.0330 2.020 2.7 60.00 2.80 915.00 1.20 0.70 190.00 76.500 0.3200 0.1980 0.285

8990 HLDG Anchor Land Holdings Inc. A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop À’ Arthaland Corp. Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. À’ Cebu Holdings Centennial City City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. À’ Crown Equities Inc.

7.300 8.35 0.73 1.260 0.235 38.30 3.38 5.15 0.85 1.13 1.04 0.130

Value

FINANCIAL 1,437,400.00 6,531,061.00 1,895,689,233.00 286,531,782.50 13,496,925.00 187,150.00 157,260.00 1,010.00 10,347,314.00 15,659,875.00 19,495 23,850 84,190.00 306,345.00 54,100.00 924,850,147.50 15,365,602.00 18,340.00 33,742,590.00 53,239.50 16,029,514.00 47,916,270.00 936,956,792.00 3,020,850.00 10,092,378.50 102,530.00 INDUSTRIAL 7,439,500 327,466,500.00 140,000 191,100.00 1,494,000 1,541,050.00 1,167,000 2,270,740.00 4,200 43,080.00 760 38,288.00 1,120 102,368.00 856,100 15,518,058.00 1,280 229,817.00 792,400 21,181,745.00 12,610 714,701.00 7,432,000 17,951,520.00 165,000 236,290.00 206,000 2,482,232.00 25,916,800 536,419,027.00 11,636,800 104,340,579.00 37,602,500 281,365,663.00 21,600,500 210,824,282.00 16,000 27,440.00 38,300 511,766.00 18,147,400 456,897,085.00 790,440 63,470,865.50 22,200 310,598.00 2,062,100 28,694,968.00 1,408,300 8,160,465.00 10,000 5,150.00 2,880,180 553,030,611.00 6,051,600 64,734,204.00 1,200 33,600.00 2,000 4,330.00 3,000 7,560.00 8,860 463,890.00 3,615,400 86,838,455.00 270,200 6,934,535.00 726,200 -271,540.00 9,882,100 54,698,712.00 1,418,060 415,619,372.00 21,000 82,050.00 2,905,000 14,340,830.00 14,331,500 117,870,174.00 2,000 8,600.00 128,800 1,508,820.00 689,000 2,247,350.00 10,539,000 24,064,480.00 9,197,000 24,773,590.00 23,964,000 97,043,610.00 16,000 29,600.00 300 1,872.00 35,790 5,935,929.00 2,000 9,000.00 2,973,000 5,288,720.00 12,670,000 1,880,360.00 1,000 1,370.00 1,348,000 2,894,330.00 6,212,020 1,173,738,169.00 45,000 202,570.00 4,306,000 3,100,880.00 1,500 36,300.00 113,000 135,880.00 HOLDING FIRMS 19,565,000 9,419,450.00 6,447,120 370,964,203.50 46,086,000 1,022,711,140.00 45,000 54,900.00 109,800 757,153.00 4,510,000 1,087,260.00 1,030,000 247,250.00 1,226,230 936,387,045.00 10,285,200 77,782,098.00 38,331,300 513,543,438.00 2,000 6,870.00 53,000 229,300.00 410,000 84,920.00 394,865 539,933,225.00 17,707 124,706.00 5,851,720 417,739,735.00 107,000 409,960.00 2,000 10,000.00 3,000 12,480.00 3,934,800 28,011,633.00 150,000 99,330.00 11,638,400 148,772,708.00 1,349,000 784,220.00 107,495,000 519,078,740.00 3,431,100 25,122,873.00 11,000 24,150.00 100,000 3,300.00 41,518,000 82,770,080.00 184,000 497,000.00 1,312,570 78,876,494.00 546,000 1,403,020.00 729,180 659,190,085.00 206,000 249,490.00 78,000 55,220.00 780 133,272.00 81,930 6,363,681.00 3,680,000 1,132,150.00 1,030,000 202,520.00 610,000 167,100.00 PROPERTY 2,791,500 20,317,554.00 1,000 8,350.00 4,566,000 3,456,820.00 394,000 467,090.00 95,000 51,800.00 28,619,800 1,090,639,525.00 4,699,000 15,593,580.00 138,800 718,325.00 6,089,000 5,149,190.00 9,000 9,650.00 87,000 88,080.00 5,960,000 768,880.00 308,000 89,570 18,166,250 3,033,200 296,100 75,000 105,000 100 646,200 768,400 2,900 35,000 48,000 380 130,000 10,159,010 858,100 700 575,600 580 52,890 1,275,900 6,146,740 2,055 168,520 32,000

JULY 6-10, 2015 Volume Value

4.89 73.1 103.10 94.50 45.3 2.50 1.57

1,219,300 181,050 16,493,850 8,260,670 332,700 34,000 312,000

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

15.98 20.2 6.40 0.74 1.81 760.00 0.395 90 18.00 26.50 64.30 94 306 37 150.8 1470.00 59.55 3.23

1,421,400 4,017,100 5,700 45,000 179,000 220 1,070,000 18,378,320 319,600 11,200 544,790 170 59,030 1,541,100 6,033,790 120 187,880 1,500,000

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 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

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

10,256,500 17,000 1,345,000 3,433,000 14,200 780 130 1,676,800 290 2,016,500 279,030 17,226,000 338,000 530,500 11,503,200 10,488,900 63,450,700 3,814,500 1,823,000 256,100 16,080,100 2,236,760 22,100 2,151,000 3,559,700 342,000 3,301,350 4,753,600 800 13,000

442,545,915.00 24,020.00 1,374,340.00 6,577,240.00 142,864.00 39,583.50 11,830.00 30,465,104.00 36,390.00 54,697,095.00 15,491,218.50 40,167,730.00 479,030.00 6,541,958.00 227,350,897.00 93,563,106.00 459,843,082.00 36,556,634.00 3,191,750.00 3,280,810.00 403,760,470.00 175,714,465.00 305,622.00 29,332,644.00 20,754,156.00 172,050.00 628,078,950.00 48,866,042.00 22,700.00 26,760.00

58.00 24 25.45

1,950 4,125,900 949,300

103,010.00 97,441,650.00 23,702,480.00

5.85 294.00 3.93 4.85 8.40

22,520,300 3,036,650 5,000 4,476,000 13,855,700

125,135,271.00 878,385,088.00 19,720.00 21,534,940.00 116,529,527.00

11.90 3.15 2.13 2.8 4.08 1.96 6.25 168.9

22,300 1,418,000 5,637,000 29,696,000 4,668,000 46,000 40,700 8,660

263,294.00 4,574,490.00 11,610,160.00 93,816,100.00 19,023,380.00 89,540.00 247,845.00 1,411,805.00

1.64 0.144 1.25 2.10 185 4.5 0.7 23.80 1.20

493,000 6,960,000 9,000 4,226,000 14,659,730 1,233,000 21,533,000 19,500 503,000

794,190.00 1,002,370.00 11,250.00 8,968,950.00 2,775,129,708.00 5,378,510.00 14,951,080.00 463,800.00 596,300.00

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

6,730,000 7,104,390 56,590,800 19,000 210,900 48,260,000 4,540,000 2,106,080 4,224,500 16,073,200 2,000 206,000 900,000 924,047 75,000 11,144,820 3,000

3,155,300.00 406,562,060.00 1,242,759,310.00 22,750.00 1,452,839.00 13,103,350.00 1,231,610.00 1,580,190,310.00 31,735,549.00 211,076,362.00 6,280.00 898,670.00 187,530.00 1,458,395,715.00 491,354.00 771,270,217.00 11,780.00

6.89 0.65 12.64 0.57 4.69 7.19 3.8 0.0300 1.910 2.67 59.95

12,750,000 2,217,000 15,504,500 1,933,000 80,341,000 4,747,100 35,000 28,500,000 59,861,000 45,000 501,030

89,284,120.00 1,422,240.00 199,506,332.00 1,143,240.00 366,442,710.00 32,235,844.00 133,500.00 882,300.00 112,201,330.00 118,720.00 29,982,161.00

STOCKS

JULY 13-16, 2015 Close Volume

Cyber Bay Corp. Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Megaworld Corp. MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp. Phil. Realty `A’ 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

0.445 10.5 0.910 0.177 1.21 1.96 1.32 4.88 0.106 0.2900 0.4000 7.37 28.50 1.7 3.34 21.00 0.74 7.15 0.830 6.980

2GO Group ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. 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. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons Retail SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils. Yehey

6.46 62.75 1.15 0.650 13 9.50 0.0800 3.49 88.25 10.4 6.00 2.73 990 2526 6.38 1.27 112 12 0.011 0.228 1.3900 2.35 9.60 2.88 1.26 2.00 41.00 0.670 2.07 5.9 0.325 0.475 18.88 4.64 3.25 114.00 18.90 2936.00 0.650 1.500 35.80 72.75 8.55 0.63 1.79 5.2 0.325 2.350

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

0.0062 2.61 5.72 11.56 0.225 6.9000 7.5000 0.85 0.79 6.59 1.51 0.310 0.218 0.232 0.013 0.014 3.23 11.5 3.69 0.6600 1.9900 0.0110 0.0110 4.24 5.90 1.72 0.013 143.00 10

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen G 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

62.5 529 547.5 120 525 6.35 1.09 112 1080 1149 1050 75.4 84.5 88 3.2

Leisure & Resort Warr.

3.920 6 65.4 11.88

First Metro ETF

123.8

862.00 1.23 0.68 155.20 79.500 0.3300 0.2000 0.265

1,658,140 1,084,000 474,000 690 21,080 3,350,000 1,240,000 700,000

1,446,484,665.00 1,270,600.00 330,070.00 107,568.00 1,689,196.50 1,072,250.00 245,900.00 181,820.00

Makati Fin. Corp. Ripple E-Business Intl Xurpas

7.380 8.40 0.70 1.150 0.220 36.85 3.2 5.15 0.82 1.19 1.08 0.126

6,156,100 8,100 851,000 693,000 1,400,000 52,250,700 7,458,000 288,300 4,971,000 61,000 81,000 19,860,000

44,115,976.00 65,139.00 581,310.00 804,619.00 309,830.00 1,900,976,925.00 23,953,080.00 1,479,149.00 4,068,600.00 64,400.00 84,290.00 2,515,050.00

STOCKS

Value

920,000 11,106,500 2,471,000 4,230,000 2,033,000 92,173,000 531,000 94,981,000 2,930,000 350,000 40,000 99,100 11,109,300 2,500,000 195,000 64,541,400 2,469,000 18,800 151,000 22,409,000

403,650.00 115,437,579.00 2,170,440.00 744,640.00 2,462,330.00 177,348,830.00 681,830.00 461,101,030.00 309,950.00 102,700.00 15,750.00 726,324.00 316,317,420.00 4,179,470.00 634,770.00 1,332,503,845.00 1,787,350.00 133,107.00 125,240.00 153,669,839.00 SERVICES 860,900 5,638,233.00 85,060 5,254,419.50 15,000 17,240.00 1,302,000 816,450.00 20,000 260,000.00 80,648,600 740,413,087.00 29,783,530 2,721,350.00 578,000 2,006,740.00 1,721,260 151,632,917.50 412,500 4,121,460.00 240,800 1,462,195.00 1,000 2,730.00 450 445,455.00 629,865 1,551,207,930 332,400 2,100,758.00 456,000 587,050.00 3,107,610 345,127,524.00 7,600 91,528.00 47,700,000 525,000.00 87,700,000 19,199,310.00 27,899,000 41,147,680.00 96,000 221,750.00 1,364,800 13,027,593.00 7,702,000 23,379,740.00 185,000 232,720.00 187,000 374,090.00 8,200 340,755.00 92,000 62,240.00 202,000 410,540.00 44,894,100 248,424,328.00 1,280,000 398,250.00 210,000 99,100.00 112,800 2,119,288.00 300 14,040 22,000 26,500.00 178,890 20,310,622.00 211,600 3,971,386.00 526,475 1,509,797,230.00 5,195,000 3,289,080.00 325,229,000 460,297,270.00 10,795,300 389,127,015.00 603,410 42,860,813.50 36,356,900 310,139,182.00 2,886,000 1,845,380.00 2,000 3,580.00 15,012,400 78,091,550.00 490,000 157,700.00 9,308,000 21,084,780.00 MINING & OIL 12,473,000,000 79,901,900.00 36,000 94,050.00 854,300 4,977,077.00 1,600 17,772.00 1,620,000 4,196,000.00 54,000 370,980.00 6,000 41,751.00 9,058,000 7,827,020.00 879,000 673,490.00 29,100 194,189.00 38,907,000 56,072,870.00 1,660,000 516,700.00 9,220,000 2,001,030.00 1,300,000 293,190.00 334,700,000 4,400,200.00 52,800,000 782,100.00 1,499,000 4,790,370.00 15,206,200 164,570,016.00 1,627,000 5,949,150.00 462,000 275,920.00 395,000 779,780.00 21,900,000 220,200.00 71,900,000 824,600.00 451,000 1,966,610.00 2,018,800 11,789,075.00 3,808,000 6,554,590.00 301,800,000 3,774,300.00 1,115,370 158,016,971.00 1,298,400 12,054,853.00 PREFERRED 526,710 32,714,169.00 24,330 12,852,275.00 5,480 3,001,550 26,000 3,115,000.00 550 286,250.00 599,200 3,777,004.00 109,000 119,090 17,010 1,916,500.00 20,055 22,493,885.00 4,430 5,088,645.00 11,460 12,033,405.00 110,940 8,366,826.50 7,000 591,500.00 36,650 3,221,204.00 12,000 38,400.00 WARRANTS & BONDS 1,974,000 7,507,970.00 SME 21,700 133,993.00 1,600 98,237.50 10,415,900 123,413,202.00 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 46,440 5,680,125.00

JULY 6-10, 2015 Volume Value

0.430 9.8 0.840 0.170 1.19 1.89 1.29 4.75 0.110 0.2850 0.4600 7.28 27.50 1.67 3.24 20.15 0.72 7.14 0.810 6.780

2,031,000 5,699,400 927,000 1,800,000 4,360,000 75,877,000 1,761,000 49,240,000 3,410,000 1,230,000 40,000 90,800 17,921,000 2,133,000 90,000 106,156,600 3,918,000 6,400 1,633,000 18,415,900

955,850.00 55,663,364.00 784,630.00 309,460.00 5,209,340.00 143,689,940.00 2,256,940.00 232,111,050.00 365,440.00 363,950.00 17,800.00 651,914.00 497,745,665.00 3,599,720.00 296,170.00 1,841,474,149.00 2,817,650.00 45,070.00 1,343,380.00 121,561,335.00

6.19 61.8 1.14 0.620 13.56 8.60 0.0780 3.5 84.95

199,500 122,890 32,000 4,222,000 9,800 41,726,000 30,300,000 1,333,000 1,636,340

1,250,051.00 7,622,869.50 36,410.00 2,606,390.00 128,128.00 368,626,480.00 2,413,420.00 4,618,470.00 139,616,070.50

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 3 107.00 18.80 2830.00 0.630 1.280 36.00 70.50 8.50 0.62 1.79 5.15 0.325 2.170

135,900 10,000 1,200 694,155 349,200 353,000 4,114,350 22,200 33,200,000 55,160,000 1,583,000 65,000 631,400 674,000 113,000 127,000 4,100 141,000 469,000 24,652,600 4,080,000 200,000 11,794,300 24,000 54,000 344,480 403,900 664,680 24,873,000 194,219,000 9,104,500 4,363,040 58,941,700 16,063,000 5,000 4,847,000 1,200,000 84,351,000

846,378.00 27,560.00 1,102,045.00 1,670,802,200 2,187,632.00 458,670.00 455,244,351.00 261,238.00 348,700.00 11,517,390.00 2,050,540.00 150,410.00 5,824,699.00 1,719,740.00 125,300.00 261,460.00 160,260.00 95,220.00 931,020.00 133,613,367.00 1,244,450.00 91,400.00 213,243,654.00 109,420 161,000.00 38,833,964.00 7,549,590.00 1,853,804,170.00 15,855,170.00 246,132,120.00 328,612,190.00 311,172,803.00 518,639,501.00 10,092,670.00 8,950.00 25,159,935.00 384,000.00 166,953,400.00

0.0061 2.65 5.69 11.86 0.227

40,770,000,000 13,000 4,021,200 11,300 480,000

256,937,200.00 34,450.00 23,632,269.00 123,336.00 109,710.00

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

11,100 21,846,000 2,906,000 66,400 66,965,000 6,770,000 46,910,000 3,490,000 105,500,000 144,000,000 1,540,000 27,675,300 4,232,000 1,346,000 2,884,000 25,400,000 30,000,000 147,000 8,093,100 16,877,000 354,500,000 5,241,110 2,806,100

75,445.00 19,693,730.00 2,233,910.00 438,464.00 98,357,830.00 2,051,500.00 10,337,330.00 789,450.00 1,382,500.00 1,932,600.00 4,711,980.00 567,751,938.00 10,582,410.00 767,540.00 5,735,430.00 258,500.00 360,000.00 621,580.00 46,682,764.00 28,777,910.00 4,518,200.00 735,946,061.00 26,325,184.00

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

1,038,350 7,810 20 6,170 1,800 139,600 4,231,000 15,350 355 55 9,940 676,310 70,000 105,250 41,000

64,369,127.50 4,120,550.00 10,800 728,060.00 938,550.00 841,693.00 4,539,710 1,728,380.00 378,895.00 63,140.00 10,476,460.00 50,991,860.00 5,940,250.00 9,270,979.00 108,700.00

3.500

954,000

3,397,420.00

6.78 70 11.24

16,500 2,710 7,350,700

106,850.00 178,012.50 82,282,088.00

120.9

241,580

29,169,938.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED Abra Mining Manila Mining `A’ Premium Leisure Philodrill Corp. `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. Megaworld Corp. Filinvest Land,Inc. Island Info Bloomberry Oriental Pet. `B’

VOLUME 12,473,000,000 334,700,000 325,229,000 301,800,000 107,495,000 94,981,000 92,173,000 87,700,000 80,648,600 71,900,000

STOCKS Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Globe Telecom PLDT Common SM Prime Holdings Universal Robina Ayala Land `B’ Alliance Global Inc. Security Bank Ayala Corp `A’ Metrobank

VALUE 1,895,689,233.00 1,551,207,930.00 1,509,797,230.00 1,332,503,845.00 1,173,738,169.00 1,090,639,525.00 1,022,711,140.00 936,956,792.00 936,387,045.00 924,850,147.50

MONDAY: JULY 20, 2015

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

Market likely to sustain gains By Jenniffer B. Austria

StockS are expected to sustain gains this week amid progress in Greece’s debt negotiations and expectations of strong second-quarter earnings of listed companies.

Prudential’s award.

Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company Inc. received the Superbrand Seal of Excellence from the Superbrand Marketing International Inc. Philippine Prudential remains the only life insurance company to be given the distinction for four consecutive times, for 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2013-2014 awarding periods and now, for the 2015-2016 awarding period. Shown are (from left) SMI chairman Karl McLean, Philippine Prudential president and chief executive Gregorio Mercado and marketing director Kenneth Rocete. Superbrands is the only international award-giving body on marketing and branding in the Philippines.

PNB GENERAL INSURERS COMPANY, INC.

BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan ravales said optimism over Greece’s bailout deal and China posting a GDP growth of 7 percent in the second quarter werepositive developments for the local equities market. “Chartwise, the index managed to close above the 7,500 level. As such, we continue to see a test towards the 7,800 levels in the nearterm,” ravelas said. BPI Asset Management said in its weekly outlook the developments in Greece and North Asian markets would drive the movement of the local stock market this week. “We expect the PSei to trade between 7,529 and 7,741 with an upward bias,” BPI Asset said. The PSei, the 30-company benchmar of the Philippine Stock exchange, last week closed at 7,617.13 on July 16, up 3 percent from previous week’s close while the all-shares index advanced 2.8 percent to end the shortebed trading week at 4,345.56. “The local market tracked the positive movement on Wall St. for most of the week and will likely trend upwards should compa-

nies release better-than-expected 2Q2015 results in the coming weeks,” rCBC Securities said. All major sub-indices ended in the green, led by mining and ion (up 4.9 percent), services (up 3.8 percent) and property (up 3.8 percent). foreign investors, however, remained net sellers last week by P963 million, as total foreign selling reached P13.48 billion while foreign buying amounted to P12.51 billion. Average daily turnover amounted to P6.47 billion, slightly lower than the previous week’s average of P16.48 billion. top gainers last week were gaming stocks, Premium Leisure, which jumped 17.2 percent to P1.50; Melco Crown (Philippines) resorts Corp., which gained 17.1 percent to P5.90; and Bloomberry resorts Corp., which advanced 10.5 percent to P9.50. heavy losers were MJC Investments Corp., which declined 17.1 percent to P3.15; Philippine realty and holdings Corp., which dropped 13 percent to P0.400; and Makati finance Corp., which went down by 11.5 percent to P6.

2 / F P N B Fi n a n c i a l C e nte r Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City Te l. N o s . 8 91- 6 0 4 0 l o c a l s 4 3 2 7/ 4 3 21 D i r e c t l i n e: 8 3 4 - 0787 Fa x 52 6 - 3 6 4 3 / 4 0 We b s i te : w w w. p n b g e n.c o m

SY N O PS I S O F A N N UA L STAT E M E NT A s o f D e c e m b e r 31, 2 013 ADMIT TED ASSETS Bonds Stocks Mor tgage Loans Other Loans S e c u r i t y Fu n d Cash on Hand and in Banks P r e m i u m s R e c e i va b l e P r e m i u m s D u e Fr o m C e d i n g C o m p a n i e s R e i n s u r a n c e R e c ove r a b l e o n L o s s e s O t h e r R e i n s u r a n c e A c c o u n t s R e c e i va b l e A c c r u e d I nve s t m e n t I n c o m e E D P Eq u i p m e n t T O TA L A D M I T T E D A S S E T S

3 51,113 , 5 8 3 . 4 4 13 5 , 6 8 4 ,187. 0 0 3 , 617, 616 . 5 8 711, 4 8 6 . 0 2 2 2 ,14 0 . 0 0 1, 2 78 , 5 6 9 , 3 2 2 . 9 6 15 2 , 8 9 5 , 47 3 . 2 3 3 9 , 8 97, 9 31. 0 6 4 , 816 , 8 8 3 , 6 51. 0 6 526,9 60.23 3 , 4 9 6 , 6 74 . 3 8 3 , 2 2 5 , 5 8 5 .17

P 6 ,7 8 6 , 6 4 4 , 611.12

LIABILITIES L o s s e s & C l a i m s Pay a b l e L o s s A d j u s t m e n t E x p e n s e Pay a b l e R e s e r ve f o r U n e a r n e d P r e m i u m s C a t a s t r o p h e L o s s R e s e r ve Premiums Due to Reinsurers P r e m i u m s R e s e r ve W i t h h e l d Fo r R e i n s u r e r s O t h e r R e i n s u r a n c e A c c o u n t s Pay a b l e C o m m i s s i o n s Pay a b l e Accrued Expenses Ta xe s Pay a b l e A c c o u n t s / N o t e s Pay a b l e Other Liabilities T O TA L L I A B I L I T I E S

P 5 , 5 3 9 , 5 0 3 ,16 3 . 3 9 8 5 , 0 8 2 , 075 .13 24 9 , 6 42 , 615 . 3 2 6 5 , 4 4 3 , 242 . 8 2 518 , 8 3 9 , 4 6 5 .7 7 6 0 , 9 4 0 , 07 9 . 4 4 3 2 , 618 ,12 3 . 6 7 10 6 , 8 4 9 , 5 01.78 8 2 , 5 2 7, 4 5 2 . 37 15 9 , 6 0 6 , 8 3 6 .11 5 6 , 8 81, 2 6 0 . 5 2 9 6 ,7 2 2 ,742 .70 P 7, 0 5 4 , 6 5 6 , 5 5 9 . 0 2

S TO C K H O L D E R S ’ E Q U I T Y C a p i t a l S t o c k Pa i d - U p Contributed Surplus Retained Earnings TOTA L S TO C K H O L D E R S ’ EQ U I T Y TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

312 , 6 0 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 9 0 6,000.00 (5 81, 517, 9 47. 9 0) P (2 6 8 , 011, 9 47. 9 0) * 6 ,78 6 , 6 4 4 , 611.12

This synopsis prepared from the 2013 Annual Statement, approved by the Insurance Commissioner is pub l is hed pur suant to S ec ti o n 231 of the I nsur anc e C o de (R A 10 6 07 ) * N et wo r th i m pai r ment subs equently c over ed u p i n fu l l. ( T S - J U L . 2 0, 2 015)

Developers changing Balintawak’s skyline After Ayala Land Inc. launched its mixed-use development in Balintawak called Cloverleaf, it is now the Gotianuns’ turn to unveil a three-tower residential development along A. Bonifacio Avenue also in Balintawak that will target the filipino-Chinese market. Called The Signature, the project offers 348 units across three 15-story buildings. As the project targets the Chinese market, filinvest Land senior vice president Steve Chien said it would offer two and threebedroom units with typical cuts of 87 square meters to 125 square meters priced at P110 per square meter. Unit buyers are also given an option to combine two 2-bedroom units, which would give them spacious 174 square meters of floor area. to allow the positive energy of chi to flow generously inside the residential development, filinvest Land devoted 60 percent of the land area to green and open spaces. The development, inspired by Beijing’s Summer Palace, will have a resort-type pool with Olympicsized lap and a tai-Chi garden. Chien expects filipino-Chinese residents from Caloocan and nearby areas like Valenzuela and Quezon City Chinatown to consider buying units in The Signature, which offers community development with country-club amenities. for this project, filinvest Land plans to generate P5 billion in sales and will spend P3 billion for construction. Jenniffer B. Austria

Robinsons launches community malls

the Gokongweis of robinsons retail holdings Inc. plan to join the “community mall” bandwagon, by building two projects under the brand robinsons townsville this year. rrhI president robina Gokongwei-Pe said the concept for robinsons townville project is to bring the company’s retail brands closer to the consumers, as about 70 percent of the leasable space would be reserved to affili-

ates like robinsons Supermarket, Mini-Stop, Southstar Drug Store, handyman and true Value. An average size of a robinsons townville would range from 5,000 square meters to one hectare. The community malls would be built in populated areas in the outskirts of Metro Manila. The first location is Imus, Cavite while a second mall will open in fairview Quezon City before the end of the year, according to the company. The company set a conservative expansion plan for the community mall projects, with a target of building two community malls a year. robinsons said constructions could increase to three or four community malls a year, depending on demand. This is considered conservative, compared to DoubleDragon Properties Inc.’s goal of building 25 community malls a year. Jenniffer B. Austria

Salceda justifies South Rail project

ALBAy Gov. Joey Salceda, one of the proponents of South rail project, cited figures to justify the construction of the project, saying the P171- billion rail line would yield 24-percent economic returns. Salceda said the 653-kilometer South rail would be the biggest single investment in the countryside. It will offer massive growth opportunities for Bicol, particularly Albay, the regional center and hub, he said. The transportation Department has recently started the bidding process for the rail line that will connect Manila and Albay’s capital, Legazpi City. formerly known as the Bicol express, the link is the oldest rail system in Southeast Asia. A well-respected economist, Salceda said based on market soundings, Ayala, Metro Pacific and San Miguel Infrastructure have expressed strong intents to participate in the bidding. The project is also dubbed as the government’s most monumental PPP project yet. Roderick T. dela Cruz

MONDAY: JULY 20, 2015

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

Not enough land for housing By Othel V. Campos

PROPERTY developers expressed concern over the lack of available land to address the massive housing requirement of a growing Philippine population.

Accenture-PBSP partnership. Accenture in the Philippines signed an agreement with the Philippine Business for Social Progress to improve the information technology competence of underserved high school students across the country. Shown signing the agreement (seated from left) are Nescel Asuncion, Accenture corporate citizenship leader; Lito Tayag, Accenture country managing director; Jay Jaboneta, manager for corporate affairs, PBSP; and Susan Francisco, corporate affairs representative, PBSP.

SEC okays maiden offering of SBC Philippines By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission en banc approved the P1.15-billion initial public offering of SBC Philippines Corp., a leading wholesale chemical supplier in the country. SEC director of market regulation department Felizmenio Graciano confirmed in an interview the regulator approved the registration statement filed by SBS Philippines during a meeting on Thursday afternoon. SBS Philippines plans to offer up to 420 million in primary shares for a maximum price of P2.75 apiece. The shares, to be listed with the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange, accounts for 35 percent of the issued and outstanding stock of the company. At an offering price of P2.75 per share, SBS Philippines will have a market capi-

talization of P3.3 billion upon listing with the PSE. BDO Capital & Investments Corp. is the sole issue manager and lead underwriter of the offering. SBS Philippines said it planned to use the net proceeds from the offering to expand its product lines, promote operational efficiencies, retire a certain term loan and and finance working capital. It will allot approximately P660 million of the proceeds to fund the introduction of additional new products to enhance offerings, which may include innovative products and newly-developed material in the food ingredients and industrial markets. SBS Philippines is a major chemical supplier of leading manufacturing businesses in the country, including D&L Industries Uni-President (Philippines) Corp., RDL Pharmaceuticals Inc., Universal Robina Corp. and San Miguel

Corp. It sells and distributes a wide range of chemicals to a diverse group of significant customers engaged in food ingredients, industrial, feeds and veterinary care, pharmaceutical and personal care and cosmetics. As much as 90 percent of its 2014 sales came from commodity chemicals and 10 percent from non-commodity chemicals. SBS Philippines was the third company to obtain SEC approval to conduct an IPO since the start of the year. The first two were Crown Asia Chemical Corp. and restaurant operator Gweilo Corp. IPO applications of smaller companies are pending with the SEC, namely the P242-million maiden offering of green building developer Italpinas and the P186-million bid of brokerage company Philstocks Financial Inc.

The Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines Inc. said just about 2.52 percent of the total land in the country had been mapped out as suitable for housing development in 2012 from 1.27 percent in 2003. “Unless a socially acceptable definition and policy is adopted, the proposed measure must be held in abeyance,” the group said in a position paper in response to the proposed National Land Use Act. The total land area in the country, according to government data, is estimated at 30 million hectares, including 14.2 million hectares or 47.32 percent considered alienable and disposable area and 15.8 million hectares or 52.68 percent classified as forestland. The total built-up area, considered to be part of forestland, is 2.52 percent or 755,009 hectares. Built-up areas are those with structures like roads and other infrastructures. The group cited a need to revisit the proposed policy of protecting prime agricultural lands in the NLUA due to the growing housing needs and other competing interests. It noted that despite increasing land allocation for agricultural use, the sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product was still smaller compared with Southeast Asian neighbors like Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Industry projections show Philippine housing needs up to 2016 would reach 5.53 million units and require about 43,726 to 73,043 hectares, depending on the use of land resources, whether vertical or horizontal. The estimate includes socialized housing. Socialized housing covers residential subdivision and medium-rise condominium units below P1.2 million, while economic housing covers subdivisions and medium-rise buildings sold above P1.25 million but not more than P3.2 million. The group is serious in resolving the 5.5 million housing backlog and build as much as 500,000 units each year for the next 20 years. The property builders said the government should support the creation of as much as 10 million housing units by 2025 because the problem was taking its toll on the people’s economic and social growth.

PH solar power companies reject govt proposal to cap output By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Philippine Solar Power Alliance has rejected the proposal of the National Renewable Energy Board to limit renewable energy projects, saying more private sector participation is needed in the sector. NREB chairman Pedro Maniego Jr. earlier proposed the capping of wind farms at 100 megawatts and solar at 50 MW per project. He said the agency was coordinating the proposal with the Energy Department. “I have never seen any installation target in the whole world that caps a per project size. We will have to find the commercial

basis for such because sometimes your environment does not allow you to recover your cost at 50 MW because you have to understand that solar is resource-based,” PSPA founder Tetchie Capellan said. Capellan said the NREB recommendation was not the way to generate investor interest. “The way to spread is to increase the target and we believe that solar has created an environment that attracts investors. Going beyond the cap is a good thing because it means that foreign investors and local investors are staking in their money to help government build the infrastructure that we need to address the peak power load,” she said.

“It is very difficult to attract investors but in the case of solar, it is attracting them and building and risking. That to us is very positive. Now putting a cap I think doesn’t have a basis because it kills the investment climate. So I think what you really need to promote is a climate conducive to investment,” she added Capellan said the a conducive rate for solar projects was the solution. “The role of the government is to make sure that the investment gets the return but at the same time, the consumers are protected. That is the only policy consideration in this this... The role of government is to regulate that. Not by installation size

but by tariff and that’s why the feed-intariff has to be reviewed,” Capellan said. She said PSPA favored a two-gigawatt installation target for solar. Energy approved an increase in the solar installation target from 50 MW to 500 MW and the wind installation goal to 400 MW from 200 MW. The Energy Regulatory Commission approved a feed-in tariff rate of P8.69 per kilowatt-hour for the additional 450-MW installation target on solar projects. The ERC, meanwhile, is still scheduled to hear the NREB’s proposed feed-in tariff rate of P7.93 per kWh for the additional 200-MW wind power projects.

Surigao del Norte officials led by Governor Sol Matugas (last row, 6th from left) and SIU SDN Volunteers led by Ms. Melody del Rosario, MPIC vice president for PR and Corp. Comm. (last row, 5th from left), gathered for a group photo before they began the simultaneous coastal and underwater cleanup. PHOTO BY SHORE IT UP

MPIC’S SHORE IT UP CONCLUDES 7TH SUCCESSFUL RUN

GATHERS BIGGEST CONTINGENT OF DIVERS IN MINDANAO FOR UNDERWATER CLEANUP SURIGAO DE NORTE—Shore It Up, the flagship environmental sustainability program of the Metro Pacific Investment Corporation (MPIC) and members of the MVP Group of Companies, recently concluded its seventh and most successful run in Surigao del Norte. “When Shore It Up started in 2008, our vision was simply to raise awareness on the importance of biological diversity for areas around coastal communities. The project has come a long way since then—from mere coastal and underwater cleanup activities— we have started to cover the education and infrastructure ends of marine environmental rescue, restoration and revival,” says Melody del Rosario, VicePresident for Corporate Communications of MPIC. This year, the program gathered close to a hundred divers from the MVP group as well as various private and government organizations from the host city. It is by far the biggest underwater cleanup activity in Mindanao, focusing on the Hinatuan Passage, a channel that covers seven municipalities and one city in mainland Surigao. The underwater cleanup yielded 526.5 kilograms of garbage from the dive site 30 meters away from the sea wall. To add to this, around 1,363.3 kilograms of trash were also gathered by over three hundred non-diver volunteers from the local government, residents and MVP Group of Volunteers, who cleaned up the seaside boulevard and nearby coastal areas. A total of 1.89 metric tons of trash

Dr. AA Yaptinchay of Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines shares more insights on the Philippines’ shores and marine wildlife. PHOTO BY SHORE IT UP

Despite the low visibility and strong currents, the underwater divers continued on their mission to cleanup the waters of Surigao del Norte. PHOTO

BY BO MANCAO

The warm colors of the Surigao del Norte sunset await the volunteers after a long day of environmental activities. PHOTO BY PENN DE LOS SANTOS

were collected during the cleanup weekend. “The MVP group’s intervention to improve the lives of communities can help motivate environmentallysustainable practices in the whole province,” adds del Rosario. Covering education and infrastructure ends Shore It Up worked closely with a non-profit, non-stock conservation organization called Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines led by Dr. AA Yaptinchay. It operates to create a better understanding of the marine environment, its ecological processes and how it affects people. Dr. Yaptinchay led the MPIC volunteer briefing and explained the merits of Surigao biodiversity while highlighting some of its challenges: the constant reliance coastal

resources for development, illegal fishing, mangrove conversion and the increasing pollution and siltation that adversely contributed to the decreasing habitats. “We had Dr. Yaptinchay on board to make sure that our program design is fact-based and our executional points, sustainable. Across the Philippines, there is a constant trade off, for example, with tourism dollars and keeping marine habitats undisturbed. While most MPIC volunteers have the heart to save the environment, we also need to educate them further,” added del Rosario. On the same day of the cleanup, Shore It Up had its biggest contingent of school children who became Junior Environmental Scouts (JES). Over 1,000 primary education students gathered at the Surigao Provincial Gym to get a quick, easyto-digest primer on environmental protection. “Ang Kwento ni JES” was launched and the Surigao del Norte JES inductees were the first to receive the activity and learning book. Sustainability is everyone’s business Apart from its yearly run, Shore It Up also does a number of supplemental activities, such as mangrove planting, tree-planting, giant clam seeding and moving, artificial reef installation, and a few more, which are aligned to its organizational goal. In fact, months before this year’s run at Surigao del Norte, MPIC embarked on an infrastructure project

Piles and piles of rubber tires were found in the dive cleanup site and proved to be the The coastal cleanup volunteers from the MVP group pose for a heaviest of the trash hauled photo. In summary, 1,890.30 kg were gathered from the collective by the underwater divers. The effort of the volunteers from the MVP group and Surigao del Norte. Surigao residents and local PHOTO BY MAROU SARNE government are working mented del Rosario. in the Siargao Islands (also part of together to stop this pervading Surigao del Norte governor Sol F. Surigao) to form the Mangrove Proproblem. PHOTO BY BO MANCAO Matugas also says, “Mangroves are tection and Information Center. It is a center for the protection and propagation of mangroves in the island’s estuaries, including the famous municipality of Del Carmen, which houses a 4,000-hectare forest. “Mangroves serve as an important protection against the rapid climate change we are now experiencing. They help protect coastlines against flooding, provide protection for tsunami prone areas and are known as vital habitats for the Philippines’ rich marine life,” com-

the major vegetation in the coastal areas of the province. The salt-water loving trees form interminable marine forests covering 175 square kilometres (68 sq mi) along the coasts of the mainland and the islands of Siargao and Bucas Grande.” Now nationwide Due to be launched in August 2015 is the Alaminos Mangrove Propagation and Information Center. The Mangrove Center in Bohol, seen to be launched soon after, completes the na-

tionwide presence of the project. Shore It Up is the biggest, corporate-backed environmental program in the Philippines. Among the companies that participated this year are Manila Electric Company, Maynilad Water Services, Smart Communications, PLDT, The Philippine Star, TV 5, Philex Mining Corporation, and Silangan Mining. For more information, visit www. ShoreItUp.org or like its Facebook page.

Volunteers and 1,000 students from across the province of Surigao del Norte gathered for the biggest Junior Environmental Scouts. The activity book ‘Ang Kwento ni Jes’ was launched and the signature pawikan backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed as the students were inducted into the program.PHOTO BY SHORE IT UP

MONDAY: JULY 20, 2015

BUSINESS business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com

BSP expects Fed rate hike soon Presidential inaugural speech (Part 2) AFTER over a hundred years, how is DLSU a BR. RAYMUNDO leading learner-centered B. SUPLIDO FSC, PHD. research university? What metrics are we usREEN IGHT ing to gauge how effective and innovative we are as a student-centered educational institution? To what extent do our methods and curricula promote the intellectual, emotional, spiritual and moral development of our learners? Mike Alba alerts us to the fact that students now are “more entrepreneurial about how their educational investments are able to enhance the start-up project that is their professional career.” In DLSU, do students become skilled not only in terms of business, science and technology, but also in interpersonal, communitybuilding and service-oriented knowledge and skills? What more can we do to prepare them to respond to Philippine and global realities? Perhaps, we should conduct or increase our institutional research focused on evaluating our effectiveness in the different aspects of learner-centered education. Our learners are limited to a large extent to the students in our campuses? What more can we do so that our resources and pedagogical methods will reach other learners beyond our walls? How can we increase our off-shore programs or consortia with other educational institutions and communities? How can we further maximize technology to deliver our educational programs and share the talents and expertise of our faculty with other centers of learning? The implementation of K-12 foresees graduates of senior high schools who will be better prepared for college. Are we taking advantage of this opportunity to come up with a renovated curriculum that will better equip future graduates with greater competence and values? How ready are we for Asean integration? On the other hand, we foresee a projected drop in college enrollment due to K-12 implementation. We must also be faculty-centered and staff-centered to mitigate the negative effects of low enrollment levels on the ranks of our faculty and personnel. Integration of faith and scholarship As a research University, our students and faculty have access to the fruits of past scholarship. They expand the boundaries of knowledge through diligent research. Fellow educators and accreditors recognize our excellence in teaching, scholarship and community service. Would they also affirm that our programs lead our learners and mentors to what Archbishop Soc Villegas referred to as “a renewed, personal encounter with Jesus Christ, ‘the heart of the Church from which the Catholic University emerges.’”? As a community of believers and non-believers engaged in a shared mission are we not in need of New Evangelization, e.g. through moments of recollection, shared prayer, rituals, retreats, more ministers, or with other means we discern as effective for us? After all, only by this encounter with Christ will we find “the inspiration in love and moral exigency to engage in the crucial activities to which God calls (us) today.” Pope Francis’ latest encyclical “Laudato Si’” calls our attention to the critical state of the earth, “our common home”, and the deterioration of our natural and human environment. He makes the urgent appeal that “a broad, responsible scientific and social debate needs to take place, one capable of considering all the available information and of calling things by their name.” And the Holy Father offers us a very clear model of integrating scientific scholarship and faith values to present a more compelling picture of reality. How do we, as a Catholic University, involve ourselves in this debate? How do we integrate our scholarship and our faith principles in order to help counteract the critical, deathdealing trends that Pope Francis describes in nature, economics, politics and society? In considering research proposals, could priority and incentives be given to research that addresses the critical problems of: pollution and climate change, loss of biodiversity, water, decline of quality of human life, breakdown of society…? “If we are truly concerned to develop an ecology capable of remedying the damage we have done…”, Pope Francis tells us, “[then] no branch of the services and no form of wisdom can be left out…” Should we not therefore prioritize researches that are inter-disciplinary? Let us revisit our research agenda. Is it possible to give weight or priority to research and applications of new knowledge that will raise employment, promote inclusive productivity and development that really benefits the underserved and working class, or safeguards ecological integrity? And should some discoveries result in patents, could we share some of the benefits to assist those in the peripheries of our society? To be continued

Br. Raymundo B. Suplido FSC is President of De La Salle University. He can be reached at opc@dlsu.edu.ph.

By Julito G. Rada

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said it expects the US Federal Reserve to begin raising interest rates this year, amid the sustained recovery of the world’s largest economy. Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said the interest rates hike in the US was almost inevitable, after Fed chairman Janet Yellen confirmed the continued recovery of the US. Guinigundo was referring to the recent hawkish statement of Yellen during her testimony before the US Congress last week. “The probability of a US monetary tightening during the second half of the year has gone up,” Guinigundo said over the weekend. “She affirmed the continued recovery of the US economy, more favorable labor market and improving financial markets,” Guinigundo said. Yellen said in her testimony that a long-awaited interest rate

rise would come “at some point this year” if “the economy evolves as we expect.” Most observers predict a rate hike either in September or December. Guinigundo said because of this, it seemed “ripe for US interest rates to move up and the dollar to appreciate.” Yellen’s statement strengthened the dollar against most currencies. The peso declined to a 17-month low versus the greenback on Thursday, closing at 45.25 from 45.215 a day before. It was the local currency’s weakest level since closing at 45.25 on Jan. 21, 2014. Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said investors’ focus now shifted to the ex-

pected lift-off in the US after a bailout agreement in Greece was sealed last week that prevented the cash-strapped European nation from exiting the eurozone. Tetangco said the agreement temporarily calmed financial markets but volatilities would remain due to the imminent interest rates hike in the US. He said the US dollar would strengthen against most currencies and there could be some capital outflows from the domestic markets. Tetangco, however, said the Philippines would ride out these uncertainties because of the economy’s fundamental strength. Guinigundo said the exchange rate was expected to average between 43 and 46 a dollar this year. “The Philippines remains a resilient economy with strong growth prospects, lower inflation forecasts and robust external payments position. Thus, the P43 to P46 exchange rate assumption continues to be realistic,” Guinigundo said .

Alcala’s legacy. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala (right) believes that farmers and ﬁshers have

regained their trust in the government, with a few more months left before President Aquino steps down in ofﬁce. Alcala, during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum at the Luneta Hotel, said the policies and programs implemented by the Agriculture Department are products of integrating real consultations at the grassroots level. By going around the country consulting with stakeholders, management of agriculture and ﬁsheries sector becomes holistic and participative, he said.

Pagbilao on track to ﬁnish coal plant By Alena Mae S. Flores PAGBILAO Energy Corp. said it is on track to complete the 420-megawatt Pagbilao 3 coalfired power project in Quezon province in time for full commercial operations by 2018. “We are pretty much on time and budget and so far construction is ongoing. Construction is progressing well,” Aboitiz Power Corp. president and chief operating officer Antonio Moraza said. Pagbilao Energy is the joint venture of TPEC Holdings Corp. and Therma Power Inc., wholly-owned subsidiaries of TeaM Energy Corp. and Aboitiz Power, respectively. TeaM Energy, the joint venture of Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Marubeni Corp., currently operates the existing 735-MW Pagbilao coal plant. Pagbilao Energy said the joint

venture partners were investing nearly $1 billion to put up the coal project that would help secure power supply in Luzon by 2017 to 2018. The new generating unit will be built at $976 million. The project has been approved by the Quezon provincial government, the local government of Pagbilao and by the barangay government unit of Ibabang Polo through three separate endorsements. The project, which started last year, is expected to take about 42 months to complete. Aboitiz Power chief executive Erramon Aboitiz earlier said the new plant would be built as a merchant plant, or one without contracts as the company was confident in the “regime of open access.” He said the Pagbilao expansion was “a manifestation that the private sector is willing to take risks if they anticipate an environment of

consistent policies, open competition and level playing field for all.” Pagbilao Energy issued in May last year a commencement notice to the engineering, procurement and construction contractors Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Ltd. and Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd., which will work jointly. Pagbilao Energy also signed an omnibus agreement to finance the construction of the project. A total of P33.3 billion debt financing was secured by the company through joint arrangers composed of BDO Capital and Investment Corp., BPI Capital Corp. and First Metro Investment Corp. SB Capital investment Corp. serves as co-lead arranger for the project. PNB Capital and Investment Corp. and China Banking Corp. are the co-arrangers. PNB Savings Bank will also participate as lender to the project.

M o n D aY : J u LY 2 0 , 2 0 1 5

WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Nazi salute leaves UK royals red-faced LONDON—Britain’s royal family suffered a high-profile embarrassment Saturday after a newspaper published images showing Queen Elizabeth II giving a Nazi salute as a young child in the 1930s. Buckingham Palace voiced disappointment after the front page of The Sun carried a black-and-white image of the queen, then aged around six, raising her right hand in the air as her mother, the late Queen Mother, does the same. The headline on the story read: “Their Royal Heilnesses”—a reference to the “Heil Hitler” greeting used in Nazi Germany. An investigation into how The Sun got the footage has been launched and the palace could take legal action against the newspaper depending on its findings, a royal

Anti-Islam, anti-racism rallies flare in Australia SYDNEY—Rival anti-Islam and anti-racism rallies saw hundreds protest across Australia at the weekend with violent clashes in Melbourne, as police officers mounted a strong presence in cities Sunday to keep the two sides apart. About 100 anti-Islam protesters from the Reclaim Australia and United Patriots Front groups waved the national flag and yelled chants at a rally in Sydney Sunday, with signs declaring “Say no to Sharia” and “Immigration is the elephant in the room.” They were met by around 250 counter-demonstrators who carried banners including “No racism, no Islamophobia”. Police—including riot squad officers and mounted units— packed Martin Place in the heart of Sydney’s central business district to separate the rival groups. Five people were arrested at the Sydney demonstrations, a New South Wales state police spokesman told AFP, with two expected to be charged. There were some brief scuffles but no sign of the violence seen in sister city Melbourne on Saturday, where police had to use capsicum spray to subdue protesters. “While there were a small number of people who chose to do the wrong thing, the majority of participants cooperated with police, which allowed for a peaceful demonstration,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Clarke said in a statement. Reclaim Australia organizers said they were not racist but that the rallies were “a public response to the shock of recent atrocities of ‘Islam’s radicals’ both inside and outside of Australia.” Government MP George Christensen told a Reclaim Australia demonstration in Mackay in northern Queensland state it would be naive to think his country was not at war with extreme Islam. He added he was “sad” to see neo-Nazis at the Sydney and Melbourne rallies, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. AFP

source speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP. “It is disappointing that film shot eight decades ago and apparently from HM’s (her majesty’s) personal family archive has been obtained and exploited in this manner,” a Buckingham Palace spokesman said in a statement. While the queen would not have known the significance of the gesture at such a young age, the story will have made uncomfortable reading for the monarch, who is now 89. Ten years ago, The Sun, a tabloid and Britain’s top-selling paper, published a photograph of Prince Harry wearing a swastika armband to a friend’s fancy dress party. The fifth in line to the throne later apologized.

The images showing the Nazi salute come from a 20-second home movie which The Sun reported was shot at the royal family’s rural Balmoral estate in Scotland in 1933 or 1934 and has never been made public before. The video shows the young future queen briefly raising her right hand in the air three times, as well as dancing around excitedly and playing with a corgi. The group, which also included the queen’s sister Princess Margaret, were apparently being encouraged by the queen’s uncle, the future king Edward VIII. The precise nature of Edward’s links to the Nazis are still debated in Britain but some historians accuse him of being sympathetic to Adolf Hitler’s regime. AFP

Hot in Europe. A woman walks in the shade of a small street in central Rome on July 18 as a major heatwave spreads throughout Europe, with the temperatures hitting nearly 40 degrees. AFP

Former Chad despot to be tried in Senegal DAKAR, Senegal—Chad’s former dictator Hissene Habre will make history on Monday when he is tried in Senegal over his regime’s brutality—the first time a despot from one African country has been called to account by another.

Present at the party. Chantel Jeffries attends the CFDA Incubator show and cocktail party at W South Beach For SWIMMIAMI 2016 on July 18 in Miami Beach, Florida. AFP

Once dubbed “Africa’s Pinochet,” the 72-year-old has been in custody in Senegal since his arrest in June 2013 at the home he shared with his wife and children. Rights groups say 40,000 people were killed during his eight years in power under a regime marked by fierce repression of his opponents and the targeting of rival ethnic groups. Habre, who held power between 1982 and 1990, is charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture. He will be tried by the Extraordinary African Chambers, a special court established by the African Union under an agreement with Senegal. The court is led by a judge from Burkina Faso. Delayed for years by Senegal, where Habre has lived since being ousted in 1990, the hearings will set a historic precedent as until now African leaders accused of atrocities have been tried in international courts. They come at a time when relations between AU members and the International Criminal Court (ICC) are at an all-time low, a month after Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir’s escape from an international arrest warrant in South Africa. The AU has accused the ICC of targeting only African leaders, highlighting that major powers such as Russia, China and the United States have refused to place themselves under The Hague-based court’s jurisdiction. “It’s one thing for African presidents or African leaders to complain about abusive African leaders being sent to The Hague. It’s another to show they can be tried in Africa,” American lawyer Reed Brody, lead investigator for Human Rights Watch in the case, told AFP. “This is a test case, in a way, for African justice.” Habre refuses to recognize the legitimacy of the court and has decided not to cooperate with the hearings, one of his lawyers, Ibrahima Diawara, told AFP on Thursday. “Appearing in a trial is a right, not an obligation,” Diawara said, adding that his client’s health had been improving after a heart attack in June, but that he would not appear and had instructed his lawyers not to take part. Chadian lawyer Jacqueline Moudeina told a news conference in Dakar in June the trial would be “a turning point for justice in Africa and will sound an alarm for all the dictators whose crimes will one day catch up with them”. AFP

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

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

The pose that refreshes.

A model attends the Maxim Magazine Worldwide Swimwear Collection launching at the SLS South Beach on July 18 in Miami, Florida. AFP

‘Russia won, lost in Iran deal’ Support for Abe govt falls over defense bills TOKYO—Support for the government of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has plunged to an all-time low after it pushed unpopular defense bills through parliament despite public anger, according to a new poll. Public approval for the cabinet slumped to 35 percent—its lowest point since Abe came to power at the end of 2012 and down seven points from two weeks ago— according to a poll published Sunday in the Mainichi Shimbun. Meanwhile, the government’s disapproval rating surged eight points to 51 percent, added the newspaper, which has been critical of the nationalist premier. Japan’s lower house of parliament on Thursday passed controversial security bills that would

expand the role of the military and could see Japanese troops fighting abroad for the first time since World War II. The change marks a historic turning point for Japan, which has used its well-funded military frequently for disaster relief missions but has kept out of combat zones because of a clause in its US-imposed constitution. The bills have been sent to the upper house for review, but the lower house can override any conflicting verdict. The approval was seen as a victory for nationalist Prime Minister Abe and other right-wingers, but the issue has galvanized public opinion and opponents say the bills are unconstitutional and undermine 70 years of national pacifism. AFP

MOSCOW—The landmark deal on Iran’s nuclear program that Russia helped steer through marathon talks is a diplomatic fillip for Moscow, which will boost trade with Tehran but could also hit much-needed energy revenues, analysts said. Iran and the P5+1 group— Russia, the United States, China, Britain, France and Germany— struck an agreement on Tuesday that would progressively lift the economic sanctions against Tehran in exchange for limitations on its nuclear program. As an Iranian ally, Moscow appears to have been central in securing the deal and experts say it could help burnish Russia’s international image that has taken a beating over the crisis in Ukraine.

US President Barack Obama pointedly praised his counterpart Vladimir Putin for his help, a rare hint of goodwill between the two men locked in a standoff over Russia’s meddling in its ex-Soviet neighbor. “Russia’s biggest victory in the deal is one of prestige,” said Sergei Seregichev, a Middle East scholar at the Russian State Humanitarian University. “Who made Iran agree with the United States? It was Russia. Without Russia, there would have been no deal.” And once Iran’s sanctions are lifted, Russia—which has seen its own economy suffer due in part to Western sanctions over Ukraine— could likely be first in line to win lucrative contracts in key sectors such as energy and transport. “Iran will have to develop the sectors that struggled under the sanctions,” said Andrei Baklitsky, director of the nuclear non-proliferation program at Russia’s Center for Policy Studies. “It will need foreign companies to come and invest. Russian companies,

such as Russian Railways and Lukoil, are looking to take part in this.” The head of oil giant Lukoil, Vagit Alekperov, said in April the company was eager to return to Iran as soon as sanctions are lifted. A number of Western oil companies have also expressed a similar interest. Russia will take on a leading role in developing Iran’s civilian nuclear energy sector, experts said. The Kremlin has said the new deal would help “large-scale plans of peaceful nuclear cooperation” between the two countries. State atomic energy corporation Rosatom has helped build Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant and is planning to build more reactors in the country. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the negotiations had called for the immediate lifting of an arms embargo against Iran. Although the deal states that the current embargo will remain for another five years, Lavrov said that deliveries could still be possible with the UN Security Council’s approval. AFP

Cosby offered payments to women NEW YORK—US comedian Bill Cosby said he offered pills and payments to women he had sexual encounters with, and tried to hide it from his wife, according to court documents cited in the New York Times Saturday. The newspaper obtained a transcript from a deposition Cosby gave 10 years ago as part of a lawsuit from former Temple University employee Andrea Constand, who accused him of drugging and molesting her. Cosby said he acted as a mentor to Constand, and wooed her by “inviting her to my house, talking

to her about personal situations dealing with her life, growth, education,” according to the deposition quoted in the Times. The pair remained in contact for several years, and one night at his house in Pennsylvania he said he gave her one and a half tablets of Benadryl to relieve stress. They reportedly kissed and had sexual contact afterward, according to the newspaper. But Constand’s lawyer said she believed he gave her a much stronger drug. Constand maintains she was not seeking money from Cosby, but

the actor said his wife would have likely thought the support he provided her was for her education. “My wife would not know it was because Andrea and I had had sex and that Andrea was now very, very upset and that she decided that she would like to go to school,” he is quoted as saying in the deposition. Cosby channeled funds to another woman through her agent so his wife would not find out, according to the newspaper. Cosby, now 78, maintains any sexual relations he had with Constand were consensual, and accuses her of lying. AFP

Hot in Tokyo. Children play in a water fountain in Tokyo on July 19. Tokyo’s temperature soared over 35 degrees Celsius as the rainy season ended in the Tokyo metropolitan area, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced. AFP

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

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

King Crab

US Beef Adobo

Tacos

Fish En Papillote

CUCINA SERVES DIFFERENT CUISINES 7 DAYS A WEEK Marco Polo Ortigas’ all-day dining restaurant launches '7 Days, Seven Reasons' to dine in August BY BERNADETTE LUNAS

n days when we are tired of eating the same food over and over again and are looking for variety in our meals, going to a buffet easily comes to mind. Why not? With a wide array of choices, one trip to the station will render diners an assortment in a single plateful. But, in most cases (especially now that Metro Manila is teeming with all-you-can-eat restaurants), no matter how big the quantity is, the same buffet spread served everyday could get quickly uninteresting. In a bid to offer something new to buffet diners every single day, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s all-day dining restaurant Cucina offers for the second time since its opening its 7 Days, Seven Reasons promotion next month. The hotel’s in-house restaurant highlights one signature cuisine every day of the week. With new executive chef Lluis Cantons at the helm of the kitchen, Cucina presents a well-curated showcase (suitable for the

Pad Thai

restaurant’s modest size) of the best of Spanish, Mexican, Thai, Filipino, and a mix of other cuisines along with its regular spread of Asian and Continental dishes for the whole month of August. Make it a little less difficult getting up on a Monday as you start the week with a fiesta a la España. Indulge in the much raved about Paella Valenciana, Arroz Negro and Paella Mixta, and pair them with fresh homemade Sangria. End your meal on a sweet Spanish note with Crema Catalana and Chocolate con Churros.

Paella Mixta

Tuesdays are meant for fresh shell delicacies, so return the next day for a serving or two of King Crab, Spider Crab, Blue Crab, New Zealand Mussels and Oysters. Enjoy more of the ocean’s wonders every Wednesday as Cucina serves its finest fish dishes cooked in different ways. Diners may opt to have their fish En Papillote, with a crisp salted crust, or spiced and served Indian-style. Thursdays are all about the best of homemade Filipino goodness. Partake of the all-time favorite Lechon de Leche served

with refreshing coconut juice mocktails and fine local beer selection. Thank God, it’s Friday – and at Cucina the end of the workweek calls for a Thai celebration. The restaurant’s Thai station and live open kitchen will serve freshly-cooked Pad Thai prepared according to the diner’s taste preference, along with Green Curry with Pork, Red Curry with Roasted Duck, and Tom Yum Goong Soup. Tex-Mex cravings will be satisfied every Saturday with delicious American and Mexican fusion dishes. Fill your plate with appetizing servings of Enchiladas, Burritos, Tacos, and Quesadillas served with Guacamole, Sour Cream and Tomato Salsa condiments and sides for that complete Tex-Mex experience. Enjoy these dishes with artisan Mexican beers and tequila. Charcuterie and imported cheeses are the star every Sunday as Cucina offers sumptuous slices of Jamón Ibérico, Mortadella, Salchichón, Chorizo, Catalan Fuet, Emmental, Bel Paese, and Reblochon, among other cold cuts and cheeses. Cucina is open daily for lunch from 12:00 nn to 2:30 pm and dinner from 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm. Buffet price starts at P1,500++ per person, children aged six and below get to dine for free while children aged seven to 12 years old are charged half the price. For more information and reservation, call 720-7720, or book online via www. marcopolohotels.com, or email manila@ marcopolohotels.com

M ONDAY : J ULY 20 : 2015

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Azalea Boracay: The experience THE GIST

BY ED BIADO

f there’s one thing that Azalea Hotels & Residences Boracay can be proud of, it’s excellent customer service. Every hospitality establishment claims to have exceptional guest relations, but Azalea is one of the few that actually delivers. Throughout my three-day stay at the property two weeks ago, the staff have been nothing but friendly, attentive and always ready for any question, concern or request that I had. Of course, that’s not the only thing I love about the place. Azalea is Station 2’s newest resort. In fact, construction of the property isn’t finished yet. As of this writing, only a small part of the resort is operational. But what it currently (and temporarily) lacks in amenities and facilities, it makes up for in other perks and nice touches. Aside from five-star customer service, here are the other thumbs-up-worthy tidbits I noticed about Azalea: Welcome basket – Upon arrival, guests are treated to a complimentary fruit basket, refreshing cold drinks and souvenir shell necklace. This certainly makes one feel very welcome. The personalized welcome note further gives that VIP-treatment vibe. RFID key wristband – Worrying about keycards – or heaven forbid, actual keys – is a thing of the past because Azalea provides guests with waterproof wearable RFID keys. I really love this feature

Azalea Boracay's personalized welcome note

The spacious Deluxe Room

because it’s so convenient and gives an additional layer of security. Full kitchen – When I first heard that all suites and rooms have a full-kitchen facility, I was thinking tableware and some basic cookware. I wasn’t expecting it to actually be a full kitchen. But it was, complete with pots and pans of different sizes, and cooking utensils. You can literally whip up a home-cooked meal. Proximity to the beach and other establishments – The resort may be situated on the highway but the walk to the beach doesn’t seem that far because it sits right on the corner of the road and the paved path (Tirol Rd.) to the beach –

the one that leads to the McDonald’s on the beachfront. There’s also a coffee shop and a Bonchon in front of the resort and it’s only a few minutes walk to D’Mall. Space, space and more space – The room I stayed at, the 30-sqm Deluxe Room, is the smallest in the resort but easily accommodates three adults (you can even squeeze in up to five) with its two double beds and convertible sofa bed. With off-peak rates of P7,500 a night and best-available rates as low as P4,500, it’s quite a steal! Know more here: www.azaleaboracay.com. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @EdBiado

A refreshing hot and cold shower

A NEW WAVE OF COOKING WITH MIDEA

Microwave 20L Mechanical

very homeowner will appreciate having kitchen appliances that will make food preparation not only easy and enjoyable but will not also burn a hole in the pocket. World-class brand Midea’s line of microwave ovens, induction cookers, digital multi-cookers and electric kettles will make even non-cooks enjoy puttering in the kitchen. Newly married couples will also find the appliances – whose features include energy efficiency, solid performance and compact design – very welcome additions to their new household.

ENERGY EFFICIENT MICROWAVE OVENS

Studies show that the use of microwave ovens in the Philippines is very low, due to the common misconception that they use up a lot of electricity. However, a Midea Microwave Oven uses power efficiently that there is very minimal electricity cost per three-minute cooking time. And it’s not true either that

Multicooker and pressure cooker

microwave ovens zap food nutrition – Midea promises better retention of nutrients because of the short cooking time.

DIGITAL MULTI-COOKERS

Rice cookers have evolved through the years into versatile multi-cookers that can cook a number of dishes, like Midea’s Digital Multi-Cookers that come equipped with Thermal Circulation Technology and a honeycomb texture for the pot to ensure even heating for perfectly cooked rice. And even if one adds too much water, its smart fuzzy logic control automatically adjusts the temperature and cooking time. A number of presets also take the guesswork out of cooking. Just press a button for perfectly cooked dishes in a matter of minutes. Use the cookers to whip up congees and stews; steam seafood, rice cakes and vegetables; make soup, and boil eggs. Midea’s Multi-Cookers come in two models; one can double as a pressure cooker to tenderize

Kettle

the toughest cuts of meat in a short time. Midea’s Multi-Cooker/Pressure Cooker has a 10-Dimensional Protection System and selflocking lid with auto/manual release function that ensures safety during cooking.

INDUCTION COOKER

The Induction Cooker, with its slim design and sturdy construction, is a space-saving alternative to a gas range. It is more economical as it cooks 40 percent quicker and uses 37 percent less power than an electric stove due to its dual-coil technology that makes it heat up faster. It is also safe to use around children because of its flameless heating and an auto shut-off feature.

ELECTRIC KETTLE

Midea’s Electric Kettle is one of the safest in the market with several built-in safety features. In just three minutes, it can boil water, resulting in lower power consumption compared to others.

Blue induction cooker

It also comes with double wall technology that prevents its exterior from heating, and keeps water warm for a longer time. With its patented UK Strix control that ensures against dry boiling and protection from overheating, the family is safe from electric shocks, injuries or fire. When not in use, the cord can be easily wound under the kettle. True to its commitment of enriching the different lifestyles of people, Midea’s innovative products offer excellent quality products at reasonable prices. With Midea, live different, choose different. Midea is one of the world’s largest producers of consumer appliances. Established in 1968, Midea has consistently strived to make the lives of its consumers easier with their line of innovative products. In 2014, Midea Global partnered with Concepcion Industrial Corporation to bring the brand closer to Filipinos. For more information on Midea, please call +632-850-9888 or visit www.midea.com.ph

M ONDAY : J ULY 20 : 2015

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

BALI WHY? (Part 1)

TIPPLE TALES BY ICY MARIÑAS

very year, I make sure to take my daughter, Tabby (now an incoming freshman at De La Salle University), to a new country or new city for a bit of culture and some mother-daughter bonding just like my mother used to do with my sisters and me. This was a tradition that I definitely wanted to pass on. This year, we went to Bali, Indonesia. On our first day, we had our surfing lessons. After two hours, and just before I was about to drown (as I found my arms were no longer cooperating with my brain; a case of the-mind-is-willing-but-the-bodyis-weak syndrome), we stopped for a well-deserved break. I decided to try out a newly opened restaurant and beach bar right beside Surf School Bali for some bevies. I invited our surf instructor Adi (meaning brother) to come with us. We got a table by the beach and asked him what he wanted to drink. At 11 a.m., without hesitation, he said “Bintang” (sounds like an accusation, right? But it’s an Indonesian pilsener). I was prepared to order lemonade and water, but Bintang sounded like an even better idea, so I got one for myself. I’m on vacation anyway. Not that I ever needed an excuse to order a beer. My daughter gave me a look and ordered an iced tea. Now, you might think I’m such a lush, but I can go for days without drinking alcohol. I guess in a way, I’m like a

Bintang Beer

The author with her daughter Tabby at Double-Six, Seminyak.

camel. I can go without (alcoholic) sustenance for a prolonged period of time (I suppose I must have some reserves in me). But damn, as soon as the Bintang was served, I took that bottle and drank it like I was a thirsty camel (which, according to National Geographic, can drink as many as 30 gallons in about 13 minutes). I gulped that ice-cold beer and felt all sorts of good sensations: relief, comfort, pleasure, and peace. It slid down my throat, this smooth, silky, frosty elixir, and revived me from the brink of surfing-induced exhaustion. Tabby was watching me as I was having my beer moment and I asked her if she wanted to try it. What she said next stunned me. With her face scrunched up with a mixture of confusion and mild disbelief, she asked, “I really don’t understand why you guys like to drink alcohol (referring to me, my mom, my sisters, and friends).“ I looked at her and blinked a few

times. Did this person really come from me? When I was her age, I was already drinking Boone’s, Gilbey’s Gin + that AWFUL lime mixer in a green bottle (yuck!), José Cuervo, Zombies, Kamikazes and Super Dry! I know these drinks might be giving my age away. Not really proud of my beverage choices then. Makes me cringe looking back. Okay, I’m thankful she’s more sensible than I was at her age. (Whew. Thank God for that!) Her question made me think, though. Why DO we like to drink? Considering that I am in the food and beverage industry, I needed to make my child understand the nuances, objectives, and motivations behind this basic component of human celebration. Instead of explaining to her with a power point presentation, I decided to show her the way. Don’t worry, guys, I didn’t get her liquored up or anything (only non-alcoholic beverages for her). I took her to

some of Bali’s best places to drink, dine, and chill to illustrate some of my points. One of the contributing factors to the enjoyment of alcohol is the setting. Where you drink is almost as important as what you drink. The atmosphere plays a part in setting the mood of your drinking session. I was able to get this aspect of the drinking experience across to my daughter when we went to Motel Mexicola. Amidst the narrow, bustling streets of Seminyak, behind what seemed to me like a sari-sari store (fronted by neon lights), is the quirky, energyfilled (maybe that has something to do with the amount of margaritas they serve) restaurant and bar called Motel Mexicola. As we passed by the altar near the entrance and entered the courtyard full of happy, noisy people singing to the ‘80s guilty pleasure songs, she exclaimed, “Wow, Mom! I want to own a Mexican restaurant like

this!” I was so proud! My daughter takes after me after all. The vibe in Motel Mexicola is very casual and friendly. I ordered a classic margarita for her, a spicy margarita for me, and ceviche and tacos to complement our drinks. Food and alcohol go together, of course. This is another reason why I find drinking enjoyable. Eating something that completes a particular beverage (and vice versa) is one of the basic pleasures of life. The margaritas were typical: saltrimmed, fresh lime juice, ice, lots of tequila. Tasty, but nothing to write home about. They used José Cuervo, so it was cheap and cheerful. This is a place were the ambiance lends itself most to the drinking experience, a place conducive to drinking with friends (which is another reason why drinking is fun) and having a laid-back good time. To be continued next Monday… Follow me on Instagram @sanvicentegirl

Good as Gold: Dine, shop and travel with Citi

n exciting array of lifestyle rewards in accommodations, dining privileges, shopping and travel credits, free flights, travel essentials and the latest gadgets await those who will start a relationship with Citigold. Asia’s leading wealth management service recently launched a new campaign that will open up a world of privileges for new clients who will sign up from now until August 19. “We have been the acknowledged leader in wealth management for decades because we bring our global presence and expertise to bear, to help each of our clients grow and preserve their wealth. With this latest campaign, we wanted to showcase just how rewarding a Citi banking relationship can be,” said Bea Tan, Managing Director and Head of Consumer Banking for Citi in the Philippines. To qualify, the client must be new to Citi, and open a Citigold relationship with at least P4 million or its foreign currency equivalent. The same client must also be a successful first-time applicant of

an investment brokerage account with Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines, Inc. (CFSI) in order to be eligible. Welcome gifts for Citigold clients include either one of the following: one roundtrip voucher from Manila to Palawan, Boracay or Cebu via Philippine Airlines; a 55-cm Samsonite Foamlite luggage; a dinner buffet for two at HEAT, Edsa Shangri-la Manila; or a dinner for two at Marco Polo Cebu plus cocktails at the Blu Bar. Apart from these dining and travel privileges, the rewards become more exciting as the client grows his opening balance. Initial deposits between P10 million to P25 million will entitle clients to a choice of any one of roundtrip voucher from Manila to Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong via PAL, an overnight stay for two at the Edsa Shangri-La’s Tower Wing Deluxe room with buffet breakfast at HEAT, an overnight stay at a Marco Polo Cebu junior suite with free buffet breakfast in Café Marco and set dinner for two at

El Viento, or a 66-cm Samsonite Sigma Hard Case luggage. Open with a primary balance of Php 25 million or higher and indulge in wanderlust with either one roundtrip voucher from Manila to Australia, Dubai or Japan or a 77-cm Limbo multi-wheel luggage from Rimowa. Alternately, the coolest From now until August 19, new Citigold clients can take home a host of gadgets in town are rewards in accommodations, dining privileges, shopping and travel credits, up for the picking, free flights, travel essentials and the latest gadgets. including an iPhone 6 16GB, an iPad Air 2 64GB with Wi-fi, or a Spectrum in Fairmont Hotel Makati, and 128GB iPad Mini 3 with Wi-fi. American Tourister bag or luggage. Open a Citi Priority account and still earn rewards with primary balances between For more information on how to redeem P500,000 to P3.99 million. Gift choices prizes for the Citigold’s New-to-Bank range from Samsonite travel accessories, program, visit the Citi branch nearest you Citi Rewards Points, dining vouchers at or call 995-9888 for more details.

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

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

A STAR-SPANGLED WEEKEND (NOTE: Since this column will now focus on Travel and its related events, I decided to change its name to something more appropriate. Mercury, the god of travel, he with the winged heels, is leveling up [Mercury Rising], in synch with the continuously increasing travel-related activities in the Metro, resulting in elevated temperatures [Mercury Rising] registering in the social horizon.)

PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK

MERCURY RISING BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

hat is the next best thing to travelling across the Pacific just to enjoy American goodies? Attend the local celebration of US Independence Day, that is, which was how I spent a recent weekend. Presented by the American Association of the Philippines and the American Recreation Club, the day-long festivities took place at the grounds of the International School in Taguig. Colorful balloons of all shapes and sizes, hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, soda and ice cream – typical American weekend fare –were all over the place. They even had a marching band! There were games and a raffle of valuable prizes conducted by US Marines in uniform; “Uncle Sam” himself, or a good representation of him, was there greeting guests and giving them the opportunity for a treasured photo-op. Later in the afternoon, I saw US Ambassador Philip Goldberg doing the rounds, pleased to see American families enjoying the commemoration of their country’s Independence Day. The American Association of the Philippines is a non-commercial, non-political organization looking after the social welfare of US citizens residing here in the country. This very dynamic group assures anybody of American lineage access to adequate food, medicine, shelter and educational or legal assistance, if needed. Other beneficiaries include American travelers in genuine need, those seeking

American families enjoying the caboose ride

repatriation and Americans held in Philippine prisons. AAP also covers burial expenses for indigent Americans. This was the reason why tickets priced at P300 each were sold at the gate. The organization had to raise the amount needed to fund all these services. Of course, I’m pretty sure that one call from the US Ambassador to any big American enterprise operating in the Philippines could easily solve their funding problems. What I found interesting was AAP’s focus on its search for donors of Rh-negative blood type in response to the extreme rarity of this blood type. In fact, that afternoon, guests were asked and requested to donate, if they had this blood type. Only 15 percent of the world’s population is Rh-negative and it is believed that if you belong to this “select group,” you are special – you have higher-than-average IQ; more sensitive vision and heightened other senses; high psychic and intuitive abilities; either

Uncle Sam, in his familiar “I Want You” pose

blue, green, or hazel eyes; and have an extra vertebra. It would be nice to be Rh-negative then, as long as we never get injured and have the need for a blood transfusion! The American Recreation Club is the exclusive sports and recreation club of the US Embassy, located at the Seafront Compound near the Midas Hotel, for American Mission employees and their families. They have also opened up their membership privileges to American expatriates, third country diplomats and carefully selected guest members. The Independence Day celebration ended with a bang, literally! Colorful fireworks lit up the evening sky amidst ooohhs and aaahhs from the crowd and shouts of joy from the many children at the venue. It certainly was a great way to pay tribute to the Star-Spangled Banner of “the land of the free and the home of the brave!” For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

I’ve never eaten Moringa Oleifera, commonly called malunggay, in my whole life. I just never found it appetizing and my parents never pushed me to eat it, either. But Bing Vantooren, president of the Moringaling Foundation Inc., taught me some valuable lessons over lunch the other day. Malunggay is the most nutritious plant in the planet. It has seven times the Vitamin C of oranges, four times the Vitamin A of carrots, and 17 times the Calcium of milk. These are the reasons why, sometimes, it is referred to as the “Miracle Tree” or the “Angel Plant.” In fact, the Moringaling Foundation, in its efforts to promote global health and wellness, is working for House Bill 2072 to be passed, as it elevates this lowly, often taken-for-granted plant to the lofty status of being the “National Vegetable.” I don’t know when this will happen so, meantime, I have now added this vegetable to my weekly diet.

Bing Vantooren, President, Moringaling Philippines Foundation

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE:

Some of the US Marines who conducted games for the children

Lawrence Daley of the American Association of the Philippines and Margarita Tupaz of the American Recreation Club

My photo-op with US Ambassador Philip Goldberg

Comforting artisanal chocolates from Villa del Conte

A little boy asked his father, “How were people born?” So his father said, “Adam and Eve made babies, then their babies became adults and made babies, and so on.” The boy then went to his mother, asked her the same question and she told him, “We were monkeys then we evolved to become like we are now.” The boy ran back to his father and said, “You lied to me!” His father replied, “No, your Mom was talking about her side of the family.”

n the heart of the oldest city in Northern Italy called Padova lies the small idyllic town of Villa del Conte, known as the home of world-class artisanal chocolates. Made of only handpicked cacao beans shaped to perfection, Villa del Conte chocolates are treats that are enjoyed best when shared with people close to one’s heart. The delightful goodness of Villa del Conte’s 500g bar premium artisanal chocolates spread warm, fuzzy feelings while cuddling up or just reading the latest from a favorite author. Choose between the cioccolato al latte finissimo, a perfect combination

of fine milk chocolate and hazelnut chips, and the cioccolato extra fodente made from 50 percent dark chocolate – a certified comfort food – combined with the exquisite flavors of crunchy toffee and sea salt. Get that real chocolate goodness at Villa Del Conte in Greenbelt 5, Century City Mall, Shangri-la Mall, Resorts World, Alabang Town Center, and Robinson’s Magnolia. For bulk orders, please contact 893-2575 or 621-6101. Go to www. villadelcontecioccolato. com to know more about Villa del Conte, or follow them on Facebook at VillaDelContePh, and @ villadelconte on Instagram and Twitter.

M ONDAY : J ULY 20 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Ricky Lee and the author in a one-on-one interview at the screenwriter's residence in Quezon City.

Seasoned screenwriter Ricky Lee is this year's UP Gawad Plaridel awardee.

PHOTOS BY MANNY PALMERO

Lee talks about why University of the Philippines is very close to his heart.

what new generation writers can Learn from ricky Lee By nickie wang

To be a successful playwright, screenwriter, or writer for any medium, for that matter, patience is what you need besides writing skills. And that, according to multi-awarded screenwriter Ricardo “Ricky” Lee is more important than mastering your own craft. Seeing writers working double time just to get recognized and become a movie or television director in a short span of time is commonplace. Not that it is bad, but true-blue writers know that building a portfolio of writing credits, an enduring process of starting small and slowly working to the top, is a much better way. “Unlike during my days, we didn’t have a sense of time. Today, well not all them, but majority of aspiring writers, they want to be up there really fast,” says Lee who himself can boast a four-decade successful writing career. One fine afternoon, Ricky Lee welcomed this writer to his humble abode in Quezon City. I decided to come earlier than the agreed time for our interview because his assistant informed me that Mr. Lee has another interview for that day. Upon entering his house, together with a photographer, Mr. Lee’s assistant guided us to a separate room at the backyard. It’s a library with pillows on the floor, and instead of carpet, a huge banig is spread across the room. Movie posters of his most revered films are hanging on the wall. On my right, just after entering the door, is a big white board. Lee later explained that the library also serves as the venue for the workshops he conducts for budding writers. The award-winning writer has

been instrumental in mentoring and honing skills of the next generation of playwrights through his scriptwriting workshops and books, contributing significantly to Philippine literature and popular culture. From the early 80s, Lee has been conducting scriptwriting workshops at his home for free. Every time that a schedule is announced, hundreds of aspiring writers sign up just to be personally mentored by the seasoned screenwriter. “I enjoy doing workshops more than the participants do. As you know, I don’t have a family of my own. That’s why the people I mentored have become my family. I devote time for them because they make me learn relevant things. One time, after launching my book, someone asked me how, amid my age, am I able to write stories as if I belong to this generation. I said, as much as possible I try to keep an open mind. In my workshops, it’s not just all about me imparting what I know, it’s a two way communication where I also learn,” Lee starts. Lee grew up with his relatives in Daet, Camarines Norte. His mother died when he was 5 years old and only saw his father on few occasions. He studied primary and secondary school in the same town. Driven by his passion to pursue his dreams, he ran away from home and took a bus to Manila. He roamed the streets, taking on menial tasks. And as they say, the rest is history. “People already know my story and my body of works including my struggles as a writer. And I always told my students that struggles are part of the process,” he enthuses.

After completing Himala in 1970, the screenwriter had a conversation with the late Lino Brocka. They wanted to come up with something different. Hence, the story of Cain and Abel came about. “Action films were in that time so we wanted to create something new but the final product turned out to be a drama, still,” he chuckles. But that’s part of the learning process, he reiterates asserting that a person can’t stay in a one box forever. He recognizes the beauty of experimenting and learning from trial and error. He talks about reinvention and defying complacency. Lee understands that in today’s generation, a lot of people are complaining about formula films being the dominant force in the local cinema. He said that in the scheme of things, it’s imperative

At one point, Lee doubted his talent. Amid writing hundreds of stories (more than 170 screenplays to date) he had an episode when he thought he was not a good writer

that we recognize this box. “I want new writers to learn that the box will always be there. No matter how you try to ignore it, the box will always be there,” he says. He explains that even indie films are subject to formula, no matter how dark the movie is, regardless if it talks about subjects mainstream films don’t dare discussing, the box will always remain. “The best you can do is to acknowledge the box and then fight it, from there draw out your creative juices and make something different. We also have to consider the audience and the producer. If the movie is too dark, people will not see the movie,” Lee explains. He furthers that striving to go against the current once in a while makes creative writing delicious because “You cannot totally put the material in the box. That makes the work very exhilarating. If you have already perfected your craft, there’s no more room for improvement. You’ll get bored and you will no longer have the drive to do better next time. You wouldn’t even know what to do next time.” In doing so, Lee wants to remind young writers to invest time in doing research. He believes, apart being creative, research is crucial because it makes the writer credible as well as it convinces audience that the writer is talking about a real world, or a plausible world, at least. “Say, what’s the truth about Jose Rizal or Elsa’s life? You have to do research. Research is important in writing stories. Don’t get tired of doing research because that is your attempt to back your story with truth. Even fantasy has to have a truth,” Lee explains

Low points and sweet success At one point, Lee doubted his talent. Amid writing hundreds of stories (more than 170 screenplays to date) he had an episode when he thought he was not a good writer. “Artistically, I thought I didn’t know how to write. Maybe nakaloko lang ako ng mga tao. I had so many insecurities back then. Well, right now, I know I can right well but my struggle continues. It’s part of the whole process,” he says. Lee wants young writers to remain humble. He wants them to embrace the idea that they cannot be too sure of themselves. As the adage goes “no one is indispensable.” “Hindi ka dapat maging segurista na magiging matagumpay ka, that you’ll succeed professionally and win awards. That shouldn’t be your goal. A writer’s goal is to seek for the truth and be sincere to your story. In the process you’ll realize that there will be defect in your story but as long as you attempted to be sincere and seek for the truth, the audience will appreciate your work,” he states. Lee’s practice as a writer surely paid off. Staying true to his ideals has made him won more than 50 trophies and accolades to date. Next month, Lee will have another feather on his cap. He is this year’s UP Gawad Plaridel awardee. The recognition comes with a trophy, especially designed by National Artist Napoleon V. Abueva, which will be awarded to Lee by UP President Alfredo Pascual and UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan in ceremonies to be held on Aug. 26, at the UP Film Center. ➜ continued on c6

M ONDAY : J ULY 20 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

PiOLO GLaD FiLm With SaRah SCREEnED in hOnG KOnG JOSEPh PEtER GOnZaLES Piolo Pascual is beaming with pride with the successful screening of his latest potboiler The Breakup Playlist opposite Sarah Geronimo in Hong Kong which he attended just recently. “More or less, the viewers there have the same type of reaction as our local audience. They laughed and cried with the scenes. I just noticed though that their applauses were more thunderous. It’s simply an awesome and overwhelming experience,” he avers. Many ask why his leading lady was not present during the said affair. “Oh, it’s because Sarah is busy with The Voice Kids. She’s committed with the show. Her hectic and strict schedule won’t permit her to grace our screening in HK.” He himself is also busy as a bee. Apart from the international screenings of The Breakup Play-

list, he will be doing an indie project and a huge soap opera. “Yes! The indie film is under the helm of critically-acclaimed director Lav Diaz. What doubles my excitement here is that it’s my maiden silver screen project with John Lloyd Cruz. It has an interesting story line which has something to do with history, literary figures and mystical characters. Supporting us are seasoned actors like Angel Aquino and Ronnie Lazaro so it’s really something to look forward to…a fresh concept. “When it comes to the soap, from what I’ve heard, I’ll be with Sam Milby, Jolina Magdangal and Toni Gonzaga. It’s a new combination that I hope viewers will support.” All four of them are renowned recording artists. Is the show a musical? “Oh no! Ha-ha-ha! I cannot blame the people though since the fact is, all of us are singers. But this soap doesn’t contain that element. It’s a dramatic vehicle full of thrilling twists. This early, I can’t wait to start taping,” says Piolo. HHHHH

After his failed relationship with Maja Salvador, Gerald Anderson reveals he is okay in being loveless at present. “That’s true,” he states. “I just enjoy this phase in my life. I don’t even look or search for another love of late. To be honest, I’m happy with what happened. At least now, I have peace of mind.” Definitely, the experience taught him valuable lessons in love and life. “Yes! I gained so many insights which added to my maturity. Of course I got hurt but I had to move on. Despite the pain, I’m still thankful because I realized my mistakes, acknowledge my failures and learn from them. That makes me a better and tougher individual in the process.” For his next girlfriend, would he still choose someone from the ‘biz? “Honestly, I don’t know. I can’t say. It doesn’t matter I guess if she’s from the same industry or not. What’s important is I know I still have many things to discover about myself,” points Gerald. HHHHH

Akihiro Blanco

Mark Neumann

Gerald Anderson

Piolo Pascual

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 45 47 48 50 52 56 58 59 64 65 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Tough fabric 6 Betrayed a secret 10 Lap dog, slangily 14 Crawled out of bed 15 “— Ben Adhem” 16 Matador cheers 17 Greedy king of myth 18 Oasis’ rival 19 Simple Simon’s treats 20 Tot’s game

22 24 25 26 30 32 33 35 40 42 44

Firefly, for one Kind of companion Judge Dr. Zhivago Polite bloke Hearty green Like cheetahs AOL message Stocking warmer? (2 wds.) Fix flowers Assuage

Domed recess Pushes off TV adjuncts Criminal evidence Whiskey measure Time long past Hold closely Swamp sound Rorschach image Worker’s safety org. Birchbark boat Most desirable Cafe au — Alpine region Bohemian Livy’s “Lo!” Doesn’t hide

DOWN 1 Not quite soggy 2 Huron neighbor 3 Bump or knot 4 Ms. Dinesen 5 Iron-rich range 6 Off-limits 7 Rectangles 8 Grammy winner — Rawls 9 South African port 10 Vatican figures 11 In-crowd 12 Dirigible bottoms

MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

13 21 23 26 27 28 29 31 34 36 37 38 39 41 43 46 49 51 52 53 54 55 57 60 61 62 63 66

Mountain curves Acclaimed on Broad way Organic compound The — the limit! Burglar’s take “— en el Rancho Grande” Awful smell Depot info Culture dish goo Balthazar et al. Familiar auth. “— — Around” More, to some Pry bar Dupe Clairvoyant Bayou dweller Gives feedback “Star Wars” gangster Clock watcher Seance invitee J. Paul — Give an address Actor Danny — As to (2 wds.) Dinette spot Mousse alternatives Cul-de- —

It seems that Artista Academy alumni Mark Neumann and Akihiro Blanco are becoming screen rivals these days whether they like it or not. The former breathes life to the title role in TV 5’s sleeper hit Baker King while the latter plays support. In the initial phase, many say that Aki is a better actor than Mark and outshines him most of the time in their scenes together. As Michael in the Filipino adaptation of the popular Koreanovela, some quarters opine that his acting is adequate as compared to Mark’s. But lately, it’s noticeable that Mark has improved so much, acting-wise. For one, he looks more confident now. It’s clear that he took the criticisms positively and worked on his weakness. He sees to it that he delivers well in every scene, capitalizing on all the hardships and low ebbs in life that he’s gone through in the past. Well, it appears to be an exciting match. On whose side are you, folks?

Ricky Lee

What neW generation of Writers¼ . From C5

The UP Gawad Plaridel recognizes Filipino media practitioners who have excelled in any of the media (print, radio, film and television) and have performed with the highest level of professional integrity in the interest of public service. “My biggest contribution in this industry is my being a mentor to new generation writers. I just wanted to be remembered as a mentor, I don’t want to be remembered any other way. That’s what I do, I mentor people. I share with them what I have learned, my struggles and what we can do to achieve truth in our stories. I have reached the bottom many times over, that’s why awards for me are sweet victories.” “The UP Plaridel is also nothing but a sweet success. This award is very close to my heart because UP is my home. This is where I grew artistically. It served as my home when I needed a shelter, literally. And I’m paying it forward” he ends.

M ONDAY : J ULY 20 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

chef Jonas ng is The ‘chef nexT door’ from c8

Restaurateur Jonas Ng joins Lifestyle this month as he debuts in his first cooking show, Chef Next Door . The show, say its producers, is oozing with wit, science, humor, and sexiness. It premieres at 10 p.m. today. The show will feature Jonas’ expertise after ten years in the restaurant industry. He will share the lessons he learned inside the high-pressure, solution-oriented professional kitchen to his audience. Each week, chef Jonas shows viewers realistic cooking obstacles and how restaurant chefs win with a healthy dose of science and the right thought processes. Chef Next Door will also feature recipes that will prove that restaurant-quality food can be prepared at home. Chef Jonas is the head chef and owner of Huat Pot Hotpot Restaurant and Le Jardin in Bonifacio Global City. Prior to this, he was the former executive chef of Mango Tree. Recently named as one of Spot’s top 10 hottest chefs in Manila, chef Jonas’ Chef Next Door on Lifestyle is the newest TV show that will be a guilty pressure for those who are looking for an entertaining cooking show that is packed with the right amount of sexiness, science, and generous garnish of humor. Chef Next Door airs every

Chef Jonas Ng hosts the cooking show on Lifetime channel, The Chef Next Door

Monday at 10 p.m.; Tuesdays at 5:30 a.m.; Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Fridays at 12 a.m and 9:30 p.m. on Lifestyle. The show is a joint venture by The Group Entertainment, Outpost Visual Frontier, and iSnap Creatives. HHHHH Performances of komikeros online It’s Showtime’s comedy search “Funny One” will once again trim down its komikeros this week. Two of them deemed least funny got the the boot last Saturday in “Funny One More Chance.”

This week, No Direction, composed of Steven, Sadam, and Bangkay and crowd favorite Gibis Alejandrino were declared safe from elimination. On the other hand, TJ Valderama joined “Funny One More Chance” for the first time on Saturday and clashed with father-andson Crazy Duo and the komikero defeated on Friday’s face-off. Will the madlang hurado favor the energetic bits of Iskobi Duo, or the laidback humor of Ryan Rems Sarita? Ryan Rems, on the other hand, has become popular on social media for his punch line “rock and roll to the world,” which elicits cheers during his performances. Meanwhile, viewers who missed their favorite komikeros’ performance can watch them online via the segment’s showpage, funnyone.abs-cbn.com. Aside from performances, the showpage also features videos taken by the komikeros themselves where they crack random jokes and lets fans peek into their experiences in the competition. Don’t miss the fun in “Funny One,” the biggest comedy search of It’s Showtime, which airs at 12:15 p.m. Monday to Friday and 12 noon on Saturdays on ABS-CBN. For updates, visit funnyone.abscbn.com, follow @funnyoneph on Twitter and Instagram, or like www. facebook.com/FunnyOnePH.

Poster of PSL Beach volleball

BeACh VOlleyBAll ChAllenge CuP On tV5

he summer season may have come and gone, but expect the temperatures rise to record levels as some of the hottest, most athletic and most popular volleyball players take center stage anew, this time in an even more festive and competitive atmosphere via the inaugural PLDT HOME ULTERA PSL Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup 2015, Powered by Smart, Live More! Volleyball fans and aficionados expected high-caliber action in the maiden voyage of the PSL Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup every week, where 13 women’s pairs compete in the outdoor sand courts of Sands by the Bay in Mall of Asia, Pasay City, beginning July 18. The first-ever staging of this volleyball tournament organized by the Philippine Super Liga will be bannered by marquee volleyball stars, with the likes of TV personality and hard court

head turner Gretchen Ho, PSL Ambassador Charlene Cruz, former Ateneo stalwarts Charo Soriano and Fille Cayetano, De La Salle University ace spiker Wensh Tiu, and Filipino-American Alexa Micek all set to take the sand courts by storm. And with the sport of volleyball unprecedentedly growing in popularity in the country, Philippine Super Liga has once again partnered with TV5, the Philippines’ official Olympic broadcaster, who will be on deck to exclusively air at 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. select matches live. The live and exclusive television coverage of the PLDT Home Ultera PSL Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup 2015, Powered by Smart, Live More! kicked-off last Saturday. It will be on every Saturday thereafter for the next three weeks (July 25, Aug. 1 and 8) at 2:30 p.m. with free live streaming on www.Sports5.ph.

RemainingFunny One komikeros---No Direction, Gibis, Ryan Rems, TJ, Iskobi Duo, Crazy Duo

Online AuditiOns fOr 2015 PinOy K-POP stAr The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines is inviting singers and cover dance groups passion-

ate on Korean music to join the preliminary online auditions for 2015 Pinoy K-Pop Star. Interested applicants need to upload their audition videos in YouTube and send it to Korean Cultural Center on or before July 31. Participants for the cover dance competition should register at 2015 KPOP Festival’s official website to link their audition videos. Applicants will be judged by professional judges in Korea, and according to

the number of views and likes of their uploaded cover dance video. Announcement of grand finalists will be made on Aug. 5. The 2015 Pinoy K-Pop Star grand finals will be held on Aug. 15, Saturday at SM Mall of Asia Center Stage. The complete set of guidelines and the application form may be downloaded from the Center’s official website (www.koreanculture.ph), and submitted via email at kccphevents@gmail.com.

The winner in the cover dance category will represent the Philippines in the 2015 K-Pop Festival in Korea. The grand prize winner in the singing competition will represent the Philippines in the online Regional Finals for the 2015 K-POP World Festival. Last year, Jean Kylie Manguera, performing arts major from the Centro Escolar University, won the Philippine leg with her rendition of

“Ice Flower,’ originally sung by Ailee. A cover dance crew of popular K-pop idol group BTS, Se-Eon, danced their way to success with their BTS remix. Se-Eon then represented the Philippines in the global stage for the promotional event of 2014 Incheon Asian Games. For more details, contact the Korean Cultural Center at 5551711, or email events@koreanculture.ph. You may also log on to koreanculture.ph.

M ONDAY : J ULY 20 : 2015

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

UnExpEctEDly EntERtAInIng fIlm Ant-Man rides an ant to save the world

ISAH V. RED I have had not much time left to watch movies in theaters lately. And if I had, I’d choose a film that would entertain me after a day’s work editing poorly written PR materials sent to my desk and closing the pages of my section. Last Thursday, PLDT Home Telpad held a block screening of Ant-Man. I have seen the trailer of the movie that stars one of my favorite young comedians, Paul Rudd, and from the looks of it, the movie looked promising, so I told myself I’d watch this one. And luckily, Millet Liberato of DDB Philippines (the ad agency of PLDT Home Telpad) called to tell me she had extra tickets to the screening. So, with my writer Nickie Wang, I braved the traffic on the roads in Makati, from Perea St. in Legaspi Village to Power Plant. (Imagine it took us almost an hour to get to the mall adjacent to Bel-Air Village. That short distance without heavy traffic would only take a quarter of an hour drive.) Ant-Man is a superhero movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ant-Man, the hero in the movie discovers accidentally the power to shrink and after being mentored by Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and his daughter Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lily) can also talk to ants. I am not a fan of Marvel or DC Comics movies, but Ant-Man is an entertaining movie upon which it is based becomes immaterial. Googling the movie, I learned that Ant-Man was originally in The Avengers, yet the producers excluded the character when they did a movie version of the graphic novel. With the apparent success

of Ant-Man in the tills when it opened in the US last Friday, the character will finally have its own space in the firmament of superheroes from comic books to big screen. Already Paul Rudd will reprise the role of Scott Lang or Ant-Man in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. The emergence of Ant-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is stirring a lot of discussions among comic-book fans, asking rhetorical questions as how the Ant-Man is going to save the world in the light of the other superheroes in The Avengers circle. Ant-Man’s signature power is to be able to shrink, and the movie shows us an aspect of the world through his eyes. Ant-Man is not a master of the world only his size (ant size) would know. But, unlike other full-sized heroes, and his true power is in his efficient navigation of the environment and finding ways to defeat his foes. And this makes AntMan a joy to watch among other Marvel movies. Casting Paul Rudd as Ant-Man is I think one of the great decisions ever made by Marvel. The actor is not just playing the role, he also cowrote the screenplay and adds clever comic timing to a heroic role. Rudd performances previously in romantic comedy films have become his edge to play the role because, I think, the producers didn’t like to make a dark, brooding Ant-Man to the screens, Rudds’s humor is a refreshing touch to the film and to the role that feels natural and organic. In the nearly two hours of miniature stunts of Paul Rudd and Corey Stroll who plays the evil Darren Cross who goes into the Yellow Jacket that can also shrink, I forgot about the hypertension-inducing traffic that’s crawling from Ayala Avenue to Cubao in Quezon City. ➜ Continued on C7

Paul Rudd as Scott Lang eyes the suit that will transform him into the Ant-Man

Scott Lang inside the Ant-man suit

Evangeline Lily is Hope van Dyne

Darren Cross (Dorsey Stroll) gets into the yellow jacket to fight Ant-Man

Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas who plays Dr. Hank Pym, the scientist who invented the suit that shrinks a man to ant size