The Standard - 2015 September 13 - Sunday

VOL. XXIX  NO. 213  3 Sections 24 Pages P18  SUNDAY : SEPTEMBER 13, 2015  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

TRADE CHIEF QUITS

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TRUCK BAN RETURNS STARTING SEPT. 15, NO DELIVERIES FROM 6-10 A.M.

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan, Joel Zurbano and Francisco Tuyay

A PALACE official on Saturday said that the Metro Manila Development Authority has released a new traffic scheme including a truck ban that would help ease the traffic woes in the metropolis.

Presidential deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte

said that starting Sept.15, provincial buses will no

longer be allowed to enter the Edsa underpass and instead should stay in the yellow lane that the MMDA has designated.

Aside from the provincial buses, container trucks will not also be allowed to make their deliveries to different provinces during rush hours, specifically from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. everyday except Sundays and holidays.

“This will take effect immediately,” Valte said in a radio interview over

state-owned Radyo ng Bayan.

The MMDA, however, would still allow northbound container trucks to make their deliveries 24 hours a day subject to “several prohibited dates.”

“We are helping out MMDA in disseminating this information so it would be easier for them to implement [this new traffic scheme immediately]” she added.

Last week, President Benigno Aquino III has designated Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras to head an interagency task force that would coordi-

nate government actions to solve the traffic problem in Metro Manila.

Last year, the MMDA has reimplemented the truck ban along major thoroughfares of Roxas Boulevard, which the business sector said resulted in a 30-percent loss in the movement of goods.

The business sector also claimed that it dramatically lowered the efficiency of trade to and from the port, prompting the MMDA to lift the truck ban.

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TOUGH NUT TO CRACK. Despite criticism from the business community, the government said it will reimpose a truck ban in Metro Manila because of the worsening traffic situation.

File photo shows the congestion last February, a day after Manila lifted the truck ban it had earlier imposed.

LOURD OF CREATIONS

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CBCP, MILITANTS WEIGH IN ON LUMAD

By Maricel V. Cruz, Francisco Tuyay and Florante Solmerin CONTRARY to President Benigno Aquino III’s claim that there is no policy to kill or harass tribesmen, the leftist Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said such a policy against tribesmen, called

lumad, is part of the administration’s “Whole of Nation Initiative” and the military’s Oplan Bayanihan.

Even Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas lamented that the militarybacked Magahat-Bagani murdered tribesmen and caused a flood of refu-

gees in Tandag City in Surigao del Sur. But the military said on Saturday that it would welcome any investigation on the killings of tribesmen in Mindanao even as it continued to deny any policy against indigenous people.

However, Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. said his group obtained a Next page

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PowerPoint presentation, apparently prepared by the Department of Science and Technology, outlining an “IPcentric” inter-agency program aimed at lumad communities in four Mindanao regions.

According to the presentation that Reyes e-mailed to journalists, the Whole of Nation Initiative was being pursued, particularly in Eastern Mindanao, because 74 percent of the communist New People’s Army are indigenous peoples who have no access to government service.

“Ninety percent of guerilla bases are located in [ancestral domain] areas of IP communities,” read one of the slides in the presentation.

“Forty-four percent, 51 percent, 44 percent and 49.8 percent of the population of Regions 10, 11, 12 and 13 are IPs,” it said.

Reyes noted that it is precisely in these regions where Lumad communities are complaining of harassment and even killings by security forces and militiamen under their supervision and control.

In Surigao del Sur, about 3,000 Manobo fled their homes because of harassment by military-backed militias.

On Sept. 1, Emerito Samarca, executive director of the award-winning Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, and lumad leaders Dionel Campos and Bello Sinzo, were murdered in Lianga, Surigao del Sur. In Bukidnon, five Manobo tribesmen, including a blind 72-year-old and two minors, were killed in Panngantucan town in what the military claimed was a “legitimate encounter” with communist rebels.

In the town of Kitao-tao, 14 lumad, including women and a minor, were arrested and flown out by helicopter during an operation involving around 200 Army soldiers.

In Davao del Norte, about 700 Manobo tribesmen fled their homes in Talaingod town because of a military operation by soldiers and militiamen.

But the CBCP president said it was disturbing that national leaders would so quickly dismiss charges of wrongdoing even without an official investigation.

“We are disturbed profoundly by reports that national leaders have been quick to exonerate the militia group of wrongdoing. This alarming eagerness to deny culpability does not augur well for truth and for justice,” Villegas said in a statement.

“Such declarations inspire credence only after a reliable and trustworthy investigation by impartial and competent persons shall have taken place. If made before any such investigation, they disturbingly suggest a refusal to hold accountable those to whom the Administration so eagerly extends its mantle of protection,” the prelate added “The CBCP asks the government for an honest, thorough, impartial and speedy investigation so that the guilty may be held to account for their wrong-doing,” Villegas added.

“Indigenous peoples and cultural communities are already disadvantaged in a number of ways. They are, in our day and age, the ‘anawim Yahweh, the poor of the Lord who have no avenger and none to stand for their rights,’ he said.

“That their leaders and members should suffer yet the tragedy that has recently been visited upon them only underscores their plight as marginalized and underserved, apparently outside the pall of protection even of the law. This cannot be just. This cannot be the will of God,” Villegas said.

“That a militia group has been named is likewise troubling. Militia groups, by their very nature, do not fall under a clear, established and accessible chain of command. Government makes use of such groups for counterinsurgency, counter-rebellion maneuvers,” he said.

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TRADE CHIEF DOMINGO RESIGNS FROM CABINET

By Sara Susanne D. fabunan

Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory domingo has resigned from the Cabinet of President Benigno aquino III for a still undetermined reason and the President is considering the resignation, executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. confirmed on Saturday.

In a note to reporters, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Ochoa told him that Domingo in deed submitted his resignation, but he did not specify the grounds for the resignation.

“According to Executive Secre-

tary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Secretary Gregory Domingo has submitted his resignation to President Aquino and that this is under consideration,” Coloma said, denying speculations that Domingo resigned because he felt “burnt out.”

Hours before the confirmation, even Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte was not aware of the resignation.

“I saw Secretary Domingo a few weeks ago and he did not [mention any plans to resign because he feels burned out]. He didn’t mention anything like that,” Valte said in a radio interview over state-owned Radio Veritas.

Valte agreed that the Trade Department has a big role in all substantive meetings on the ongoing Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation but she has yet to confirm on the matter.

“I have not been informed of any resignation of any of our Cabinet members,” she said.

President Benigno Aquino III appointed Domingo as DTI secretary on June 30, 2010.

Domingo had served as managing director and treasurer of Chase Manhattan Bank in Manila, and executive director of SM Investments Corp. before he assumed the DTI post.

Earlier, Aquino said that the APEC Leaders’ Summit in Manila in November will focus on economic issues, inclusive growth, among others.

Speaking for the voiceleSS. A motorcyclist passes by a mural at the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City on Saturday amid a controversy on the killing of tribesmen, called Lumad, in Mindanao. JanSen roMero

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Valte noted that the new truck ban is just a “reimplementation” to decongest the roads of vehicles traveling through major roads in the metropolis.

There are some 6,000 trucks that deliver goods and pass through major thoroughfares in the metropolis everyday.

As this developed, the chief of the PNP-Highway Patrol Group said that aside from strict enforcement of traffic laws, discipline and road courtesy remain as major factors in resolving the traffic woes in the metropolis.

The PNP-HPG has officially assumed the traffic management in Metro Manila, specifically in Edsa, starting last week.

PNP-HPG chief Arnold Gunnacao also noted that while there are unruly bus drivers who may be blamed for the traffic congestion, there are also undisciplined private vehicle owners.

Gunnacao said some private car drivers wanted to go ahead of other drivers, a factor which has contributed to traffic congestion.

“That’s one of the reasons why traffic congestion occurs because they want to be ahead of others causing bottleneck because of their habitual style of driving,” he said.

HPG personnel posted in six choke points along Edsa, had observed that some car drivers drive recklessly, which resulted in the ar-

rest of 271 traffic violators, most of which involved private vehicles.

Based on its initial traffic assessment, the PNP-HPG said that private vehicles often swerve in and out of lanes which contributes to road congestion and accidents.

HPG manning key areas along Edsa also reported that private vehicles consistently violate existing traffic schemes particularly the no-access to yellow lanes that has been exclusively assigned to public utility vehicles.

“Drivers of private cars continue to pass the yellow lanes assigned only to buses,” an HPG enforcer posted at the approach of Ortigas Avenue said, who did not want to be identified.

Gunnacao vowed to enforce strict traffic laws starting on Monday, not only in Edsa but also on other “feeder roads.”

But he claimed that the traffic along Edsa has dramatically improved since the deployment of HPG personnel and the mplementation of the new traffic schemes.

Gunnacao said more HPG personnel will be deployed along Edsa and its periphery to ensure smooth traffic flow, and added that they will continue to instill discipline and arrest those who will violate the traffic laws.

Meanwhile, officials and members of the Automobile Association Philippines expressed their support to the proposed carpooling scheme to ease traffic along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, but suggested that the government should first lift ts number coding scheme.

The carpooling proposal came

from Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson during a recent cabinet meeting.

Singson said the government is seriously considering banning cars with fewer than three passengers during peak hours, from 7 to 10 in the morning, and 5 to 8 in the evening along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.

“Only those who carpool with at least three passengers will be allowed to use Edsa,” he said.

The AAP supported the plan but suggested the government must removed the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, or the number coding scheme.

Under the number coding scheme, vehicles are banned from major roads in Metro Manila from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., depending on the last digit of their license plates.

“While we agree with the DPWH’s plan to ban vehicles carrying less than three passengers in order to encourage carpooling, the government should lift the number-coding scheme so as to give consideration to those motorists who follow this system,” said AAP president and former Elections commissioner Augusto Lagman in a statement to Topgear.

He said ride-sharing has benefits because it would not only result in less traffic along Edsa but would also cut pollution and promote carpooling.

The group said the government must also remove and clear all arterial roads of obstructions such as side-

walk vendors and parked vehicles so that alternate routes may be open to motorists who do not have enough passengers riding with them.

“The proposed rule by itself would not solve the present traffic crisis, but we commend the DPWH leadership for considering other solutions such as flexible or different working hours for private and government offices,” said Lagman.

The MMDA recently launched a mobile application allowing carpooling among friends in the social media or people living within the same area and going to a common destination.

The mobile app “Friend Trip” is a free gadget application which will allow Facebook users and those living within the same street, village, subdivision or compound to travel as a group. The project aimed to help ease traffic congestion and curb pollution in Metro Manila.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the volume of cars and other private vehicles in major roads will surely be reduced if motorists and commuters will make use of the mobile app.

He said the Friend Trip application only recognizes one’s Facebook friends so that he/she never has to ride with strangers. He added the application gives an option to users to have the MMDA record all their trips.

The MMDA is also considering giving incentives such as exemption from number coding scheme or extending window hours to drivers who would frequently use the new mobile application.

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PALACE: NO TIME FOR BINAY

By Sara d. fabunan and Vito Barcelo

A PAlAce official said on Saturday that it has no time to answer Vice President Jejomar Binay’s criticism that liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II failed as a leader and a manager in delivering basic human needs and empathy to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

In an interview, Presidential deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the Aquino camp will not waste its energy to answer his criticisms especially now that presidential elections is seven months away from now.

“We don’t want to stoop down to take that kind of bait because it’s almost election time. So we don’t want to give them time of day that way,” Valte said in Filipino on a radio interview over stateowned Radyo ng Bayan.

“I think it would be better if voters would just listen to where they are taking this country, and why they should be rightful elected, rather than insulting or trying to bring down their opponent,” Valte said.

She said that Roxas has long answered public criticism about his actions during and after the disastrous typhoon struck in November 2013 and his camp is no longer inclined to reiterate his answers.

“Never mind, Yolanda is an old issue and it has been repeatedly answered. Now, they are again trying to revive it and we already know that that is because of the election,” she said.

Valte made the remark after Binay said on Friday that Roxas proved himself to be an irrelevant leader during and after Super Typhoon Yolanda because of his failure to deliver the basic needs of the people it affected.

Yolanda killed around 7,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands when it hit Eastern Visayas on Nov. 8, 2013. It was the strongest storm to hit land in history.

“The performance of Roxas during Super Typhoon Yolanda and the days immediately after has exposed his failure as a manager and a leader,” Binay spokesman Rico Quicho said in a statement.

“Yolanda has shown to the people the extent, or rather the limits, of Secretary Roxas’ executive capability,” he said.

But Binay himself had already moved to other matters on Saturday and expressed concern at the rising number of dengue cases in the country.

Binay said a report from the Department of Health showed that over 55,000 dengue cases have been recorded as of Aug. 8 this year, 9.15 percent higher than the cases recorded during the same period in 2014.

“Let us all unite in the fight against dengue. Let us do our part by keeping our surroundings clean and dry always, especially this rainy season,” Binay said.

“We call on residents to join hands with their neighbors, community leaders and local officials in cleaning up the surroundings to get rid of breeding grounds for dengue-carrying mosquitoes,” he added.

The Vice President claimed that even his eldest grandchild and son of Senator Nancy Binay, Boogie, has also fallen ill with dengue fever and is undergoing treatment.

“No one is safe; anyone is at risk, regardless of age or economic status. Dengue is a serious disease that has already claimed a number of lives, many of whom are children,” Binay said.

Bouncy youth. National Youth Commissioner-at-Large Jose Sixto ‘Dingdong’ Dantes joined about 20,000 runners in a fun run organized by the Civil Service Commission on the occasion of its 115th anniversary. PnA Photo

HOUSE WON’T PASS INCOME TAX CUTS

By Maricel V. cruz SPEAKER Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the measure seeking to lower income tax rates in the country would not likely get passed before Congress adjourns session in October because of the lack of time to present an alternative to recoup the projected P30billion loss in revenue.

Although he supports the bill, Belmonte said he does not want to give false hopes to the public at this point and “we don’t like to toss the ball to the President since from the start he has said [we must] find a substitute source of revenue.”

Belmonte said the House is tied up with deliberations on the proposed P3.002-trillion national budget, Bangsamoro Basic Law and other important measures that have

to be approved before Congress adjourns its sessions beginning Oct. 10.

But Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, said it is incumbent upon Congress to come up with a version of the measure that is “acceptable to all.”

“Along with the Senate leadership, we have decided to hammer out the fine details with the Executive before we finalize it,” Quimbo said, denying that the Palace has rejected the proposal.

“In fact, the President has asked that the discussions be fast-tracked so we can have this major legislation before he leaves office,” he added.

House Bill 4829, authored by Quimbo, is also among the 13 pending bills, which seek to re-

structure the income taxes imposed on individuals.

The bill proposes the revision of income taxes for compensation income earners, self-employed and professionals, and corporations through simplification of tiers and rates, and indexation to inflation.

Sources said the finance department is blocking the passage of the measure in the light of the passage of the new law raising to P82,000 from P30,000 the tax cap for bonuses.

The finance department had earlier warned that raising the tax exemption cap on bonuses would result in revenue loss to the government of an estimated P30 billion per year. Other tax experts on the contrary pegged the expected revenue losses at only P3 billion.

EVEN IMF LIKES LOWER TAXES

MediA foruM. Defeated Senate candidate Rizalito David (left) and his lawyer Manny Luna explain to journalists the grounds of their complaint against Senator Grace Poe during a media forum in Quezon City on Saturday. JAnSen roMero

EVEN the International Monetary Fund has proposed that the country get more people to pay taxes while it lowers its income tax rate, according to the Fund’s resident representative.

“A comprehensive approach would seem the best way to go and we would support very much a comprehensive reform.

But the question is in the details because we want it to be at least revenue-enhancing,” IMF Resident Representative Shanaka Jayanath Peiris said at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Cebu City.

“There are lots of exemptions and the rates are quite high so we could have much more broadening of the tax base while lowering the rates because otherwise you are taking a big risk with the revenue,” he warned.

He said the Philippines must make the tax system more efficient by improving tax collections.

“The tax-to-GDP [tax collections] in the Philippines is relatively low so [the government should look at] how to have a tax reform raising the revenues but also making the system more efficient because rates are quite high but collections are quite low,” Peiris said.

According to Department of Finance data, as of June 2015, the Philippines’ tax effort when measured against Gross Domestic Product increased from 13.69 percent during the same period last year to 14.09 percent this year.

The revenue to GDP ratio, on the other hand, also improved from 15.51 percent in June 2014 to 17.13 percent this year.

In tax collection, the Philippine government was able to collect P1.264 trillion in revenues from January to July, 15 percent higher than the P1.1trillion tax collection during the same period last year.

Nevertheless, collections were 2 percent short of the government’s P1.293-trillion goal for this year.

Peiris said the issue on revenue reform can be linked to the ongoing APEC meetings for the Cebu Action Plan.

This 20-year roadmap focuses on four pillars: financial integrations; fiscal transparency and policy reform; financial resiliency; and infrastructure development and financing.

One of the main topics during the financial meeting, he said, is how to raise public investment.

Peiris said that “very low” tax collections means limited public investment.

Under the Cebu Action Plan to raise infrastructure spending, the financial ministers have seen the importance of revenues and environment tax rates in public investment and infrastructure. PnA

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OPINION [ EDI TORI A L ]

A LOOMING CRISIS

WE have been told by scientists that a severe El Niño weather phenomenon will hit the country latter part of the year to the first half of next year.

To be sure, the Philippines is no stranger to extreme weather events. We’ve seen the worst of both the dry and wet seasons.

We’ve picked ourselves up every time, being known for our resilience.

But that we’re used to things does not mean we should sit back and watch them happen to us.

El Niño has a toll: in lives, in damaged crops and infrastructure, in foregone opportunities and unrealized potential. Already, water service in some parts of Metro Manila is being interrupted because of low water levels at the Angat Dam. Blackouts in many parts of the country, especially in Mindanao, will occur more often and for longer periods.

Farmers will have to deal with less harvest, which would affect their income.

We may not be able to do anything about its actual onset— some things are beyond our control. But we can anticipate its effects and minimize the damage it would6:45 cost.

AW_RV1_Everest_PressAd_W25.4xH20cm.pdf 1 9/11/2558 BE PM Alas, the onset of the El Niño would coincide with the filing

of the certificates of candidacy at the national level. In fact, at this time, our officials are already expending much—if not all—of their time and energy ensuring that voters know who they are and that they stand a chance at victory.

Worse, we have an administration with a sterling track record for reacting to problems only when these have reached crisis proportions and when public opinion has turned strongly against it.

The traffic and the train issues are just two examples. Have these not become sore points among the traveling public especially since President Aquino has had the gall to attempt positive spins to these problems? What economic growth?

What greater purchasing power?

The supposedly straight path-treading administration only has a few months to show the people it can actually deal with a problem as vast and far-reaching as El Niño.

This time around, it would be difficult to put a positive spin to its occurrence, just as it is impossible to control its coming and going.

There’s a looming crisis, and it won’t be looming for long.

We need concrete action in mitigating El Niño’s effects—no lofty promises and tough talk will cut it anymore.

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TRAFFIC THEORIES

THE theory that happens to be the current favorite of the apologists of the Aquino administration is the volume of vehicles theory. According to this theory, the monumental traffic that beleaguers Filipinos today is caused mainly by the fact that there are just too many vehicles on the road. The proposed solution, therefore, is vehicle reduction—something that was naturally met by a lot of caterwauling. There’s already a vehicle reduction scheme in place that grounds vehicles on certain days based on their plate numbers so yet another scheme would be a cruel imposition.

There are many things wrong with the volume of vehicle theory, foremost of which is that it renders analytical thinking irrelevant. It’s like saying that the science and technology at our disposal and the combined intelligence of all the people in government are of no use—we might as well just replace everything and

everyone with people whose only job is to count vehicles.

But my main problem with the people who lean on this theory is that they don’t acknowledge the logical implication of the theory, which is that it is tantamount to admission of incompetence and ineptitude.

Projecting the increase of the volume of vehicles is the easiest thing in the world; sales of automobiles are monitored for taxation and for other economic reasons. This data is readily available and simple trend analysis could do the rest of the work. So the question is, what has been done in preparation for the projected increase in vehicles on the road in the last five years?

Linked to the volume of vehicle theory is the complexity theory that is now being peddled alongside a sub-theory on long-term solutions. According to proponents of this theory, the traffic problem is a complex phenomenon that requires multiple and longterm solutions. To the people who have been mouthing this excuse, I say: Nice try, but no

cigar. Of course the darn thing is complex and requires longterm solutions, which is why there are government agencies and hundreds of people supposed to be working on fixing it. But my beef with this theory is that there is not a single person in this country who wants a miracle in Edsa— we

There is mayhem on our roads because there is breakdown of values during crunch situations— everyone becomes blind and deaf to everyone and everything else. It’s every man to his own.

all just want traffic to move at a reasonable pace. Our expectations are actually quite low. By all means, go ahead and think of long-term solutions, but don’t use that as an excuse not to pursue immediate solutions to alleviate the gridlock on the road.

The traffic-as-sign-of-progress theory could have been amusing, if it weren’t for the fact that some people actually seemed to believe it. I am sure that there is some empirical basis for the theory, but when we consider the monumental economic costs that traffic brings to business and to individual citizens (and we’re not talking about the medical, social, psychological, and other toll traffic brings), it would be like adding insult to injury to even hint that traffic has its beneficial effects.

There are the methods and technology theories that have been championed to various degrees by certain government officials. These theories build on the assumption that if we upgrade the systems, methods, and technologies around traf-

fic management, traffic congestion will be reduced. I don’t necessarily disagree with these theories—except that even the most advanced methods, systems, and technologies will not work unless the people component is addressed.

And this is where and when I reiterate what I feel has been most overlooked in the whole discussion: the traffic problem is first and foremost a people management issue. We have monstrous traffic jams because there is breakdown in discipline and courtesy on our roads. The traffic congestion is caused not by vehicles per se, but by drivers who lack the necessary competencies that should be required of anyone before being given the license to drive. There is mayhem on our roads because there is breakdown of values during crunch situations—everyone becomes blind and deaf to everyone and everything else. It’s every man to his own. The solution is enforcement, communication, education, and most important of all, collaboration. The key that binds all these together is leadership.

5 REASONS CLINTON’S CAMPAIGN IS IN THE DOLDRUMS

By Francis Wilkinson BERNIE Sanders is surging.

Maybe it’s time for Joe Biden.

Would John Kerry run again?

What about Al Gore? Concluding a summer of discontent, Democrats are glumly heading into the fall before the Iowa caucuses. They put all their chips on Hillary Clinton, and now fear her sinking poll numbers. Clinton’s campaign is neither comforting nor exciting to Democrats. Here are five reasons why: 1. Democrats Are Not Desperate for the Presidency.

Democrats have held the White House for almost two full terms: they are not ravenous for power the way they were, for example, after the grueling fiasco of the George W. Bush administration or the long exile of three consecutive Republican terms that preceded Bill Clinton’s 1992 election. To the extent party activists have any great sense of urgency, it derives from a conviction that the Republican

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Party is a bedlam populated by the clinically insane. No one, including top Republican leaders, knows what Republican control of the White House and Congress would produce. (Republicans don’t even know if they will keep the government open next month.) But the threat of Republican control is still sufficiently distant that Democratic nightmares remain in their formative stage, lacking the Technicolor brilliance and Jurassic-Park savagery that they’ll acquire a year from now.

2. Clinton’s Staff Isn’t Desperate for the Presidency.

Much of Clinton’s high command has already experienced the singular thrill and lucrative career boost that is a victorious presidential campaign. In fact, the campaign’s upper echelon is thick with veterans of the campaigns and administrations of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. There is no magic comparable to steering, for the first time, a massive presidential campaign into

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port at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Political science and economic data aside, successful campaigns require an element of basic human execution. The staffer who works a 17-hour day then goes home and thinks of a solution to a knotty problem while lying in bed is probably not on her third campaign for the White House. Those veterans bring savvy and experience. But they’re also more likely to fall asleep when their heads hit the pillow.

3. Some Democrats Never Cottoned to the Clintons.

Not every Democrat is a Bill and Hill person. Some never much liked the power couple.

Many Democratic political operatives who lived through the 1990s resented the Clinton White House’s personal dramas and grew tired of defending the duo from attacks. Had Republicans been more honest (Newt Gingrich in high dudgeon is never a good option) and less vicious in pursuing the Clintons in those years,

they might have tapped hidden reserves of Democratic antipathy toward the couple.

The e-mail imbroglio is an infuriating reminder of such low points. Unlike Benghazi and other cheesy partisan attacks, Clinton’s use of a private e-mail account is the kind of behavior that many Democrats would prefer not to defend. If the problem proves more serious than facts currently suggest, Democratic partisans will be chafing at demands that they once again absorb and absolve a Clintonian sin. (Nothing short of disaster, however, would create a genuine opening for Vice President Joe Biden. If he enters the fray, some Democrats muttering about Clinton today will promptly switch to condemning Biden for undermining a stronger, more viable candidate.)

4. Democrats Are Ambivalent About Their Front-runners.

Democrats generally don’t

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affirm front-runners until they’ve made the pols sweat a bit. Al Gore was pestered

by Bill Bradley—and party doubt-mongers. John Kerry had to get past Howard Dean —and party doubt-mongers.

Clinton’s path to the nomination appeared too darned easy from the start. So true to form, Democrats will make her life more complicated by flirting with Bernie Sanders and wishing she were more like Bill or Barack or Elizabeth or a player to be named later.

5. Hillary’s Kinda Dull.

She’s a dutiful daughter of the party, thoughtful and wellprepared on policy and reliable on politics. And a lot of professional women still love her.

But Hillary Clinton has never had a store of special sauce.

Bill Clinton was Evel Knievel.

Obama was the Second Coming. Hillary is neither daredevil nor deity. She’s likable enough. Barring catastrophe, that should get her the nomination. Bloomberg

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customs acts to avert repeat of missing vans

By Vito Barcelo

The Bureau of Customs has tightened the rules on transshipment of imported cargoes by requiring the importers to file all entry documents and pay duties and taxes at the port of first discharge.

Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina issued customs memorandum order 28-2015, requiring all shipments entering Philippine seaports to be covered by import entry documents at the assessment office before

being brought to their final destination.

Transshipment, which is allowed by the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, refers to the movement under customs guard of imported cargoes from

their original port of discharge to their final port of destination.

Lina said the move formed part of the bureau’s measure to prevent the repeat of the 2,000 “missing” container vans of imported goods worth P2 billion at the Manila International Container Port which happened in 2011.

The container vans were supposed to be transshipped from Manila to the Port of Batangas in August 2011, but the bureau, under then

Customs commissioner Angelito Alvarez, could not explain where the missing vans went. Until now, some of the missing vans were never recovered and only 600 have been accounted for.

According to Deputy commissioner Agato Uvero, the practice of allowing the filing of entry documents and payment of duties at the port of final destination will now be covered by import entry documents and the payment of duties and taxes at

the port of first discharge. he said transshipments will no longer be allowed and the filing of the entry at the final destination shall be strictly prohibited to prevent containers from missing during transshipment.

The order does not cover shipments imported by accredited locators at the Philippine economic Zone Authority and other free ports, and goods intended for immediate exportation and Customs bonded warehouses.

VaniShing VanS. the bureau of customs has revised the rules on imported cargoes in a move to prevent a repeat of the case of 2,000 vans gone

missing. FilE photo

GarbaGe worsens traffic— ecowaste

By Joel E. Zurbano The ecowaste Coalition on Saturday appealed to the government to strictly enforce two major environmental laws to prevent chronic flashfloods that contribute to the worsening traffic in Metro Manila.

“We call on all local government units to ensure that republic Act 9003 and republic Act 9275 are faithfully enforced in their areas of jurisdiction to minimize floods aggravated by clogged canals and creeks,” said ecowaste coordinator Aileen Lucero. r.A. 9003 (the ecological Solid Waste Management Act) prohibits littering, open dumping and other acts that pose harm to health and sanitation, while r.A. 9275 (the Clean Water Act) prohibits the discharging of materials that could cause water pollution or impede the natural flow in the water body.

“We likewise appeal to all households and business establishments to stop indiscriminate garbage disposal knowing that what we carelessly dispose of will come back to haunt our families and communities. As the saying goes: ‘basurang tinapon mo, babalik sa iyo’,” Lucero said. “recklessly thrown discards from the tiny but toxic cigarette filters to the ubiquitous plastic bags and styrofoam containers can block water channels and cause flashfloods, Lucero said. ecowaste suggested that local authorities should deploy environmental police to arrest and charge offenders.

The group made the appeal four days following the heavy rains Tuesday night that resulted in the horrendous traffic jam in various parts of Metro Manila for several hours.

The government blamed the massive flooding brought by local thunderstorm as the reason for the heavy traffic.

saudi mishap: no casualty amonG filipino muslims

By Sara D. Fabunan There were no Filipino casualties in the crane accident Friday at the Mecca Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia ahead of the annual hajj, Malacañang said Saturday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs’ Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah said the Filipino Muslims in Saudi were all safe, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said over the state-run radyo ng Bayan.

Valte, nevertheless, said the consulate general would keep an eye out for Filipinos who might be caught up in the mishap eventually to provide them necessary assistance.

Malacañang also extended its condolences to the families of the 107 who perished while 238 sustained injuries.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia blamed tempestuous winds and heavy rains for the crane’s collapse, which tore the mosque’s ceiling, crushing hundreds of worshippers in the process.

As this developed, the Department of Foreign Affairs renewed its call to all remaining Filipinos in Yemen to leave the war-torn country, after only 21 of the more than 200 Filipinos joined the evacuation to safety.

The DFA has issued a call for a mandatory repatriation last February, but only a few out of the more than

700 living there have been repatriated.

The security situation in the country continued to worsen as fierce fighting between Yemeni forces and rebels continued.

An Alert Level 4, or Mandatory repatriation, remains in effect with embassy officials in Yemen appealing to Filipino citizens to pack their things and go back to the country.

Philippine honorary Consul in Yemen Mohammad Saleh Al Jamal confirmed that only 21 have joined the evacuation efforts.

Two of them were wives of Yemeni nationals and the rest are overseas Filipino workers, he said. With Vito Barcelo

againSt apEc. students burn a mock us flag during a rally outside the us embassy in manila on sept. 11, 2015, to protest against the ongoing apec finance ministers meeting being held in cebu. aFp

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SUNDAY: SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

CHIZ GIVES LGUS EXTRA BOOST

By Macon Araneta

SENATOR Francis “Chiz” Escudero is urging the administration to support the proposed amendment to the situs rule on local business tax to raise revenues for local government units and boost their financial capability to execute programs in their respective areas.

FOUNDATION’S BENEFICIARY. The Tan Yan Kee Foundation, in partnership with the Philippine National Bank Trust and Investments Division, completes the trust fund program given to its student beneficiary—Mariane Nuñez Bañez, a graduate of the Technological University of the Philippines. PNB Trust Banking Group chief administrative officer Fe Chen-Urdaneta hands over the check to Bañez who graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education. Tan Yan Kee Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of the LT Group. Shown in photo are (from left) Tan Yan Kee Foundation Administration head Philip Singh, Eton Properties Deputy COO Josefino Lucas, Mariane Nuñez Bañez, PNB Trust Banking Group chief administrative officer Fe Chen-Urdaneta, PNB Trust Banking Group Vice President Helen Ang, and PNB Trust Banking Group president Robert Vergara.

COPS STILL CLUELESS ON BALER JUDGE’S SLAY

By Ferdie G. Domingo CAMP RAVINA, Aurora—A team of police investigators looking into the Sept. 1 murder of Baler Regional Trial Court Branch 91 Judge Jude Erwin Alaba is reviewing 240 cases handled by the slain magistrate for clues on the killing.

Senior Supt. Danilo Florentino, provincial police director, said the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG), composed of 17 investigators, is now evaluating the 240 cases ranging from drugs, land dispute, murder and other crimes being heard in his sala.

Florentino said of the 240 cases, they have gone over 140 cases.

On Thursday, PNP Chief Director-General Ricardo Marquez phoned Florentino seeking a speedy solution of the case. “The Chief PNP wants us to solve Alaba’s killing as soon as possible,” he said.

Eleven days into the killing, police have yet to unmask the identity of the lone gunman.

Alaba was gunned down right in the compound of the RTC in Barangay Suklayin.

He died from a single bullet wound in the chest. His wife Margarita sustained a gunshot wound

in her left arm.

Florentino said an operation by his men in Nueva Ecija to look for a man whose features fit the sketch of the suspect has not yielded results. “We need to validate the information we have with regards to the supposed suspect in Nueva Ecija as related to us by our asset,” he said.

The gunman was earlier described to be around 5’6” tall, of medium build, fair-complexioned and between 32 to 38 years old.

Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said an initial review of the cases showed that Alaba was handling sensitive drug cases and

some land disputes.

Florentino said they have coordinated with owners of three CCTV cameras to extract information on where Alaba’s vehicle passed by on his way to the court compound where he was attacked.

Police are tapping security guard Nestor Natividad and another witness who had an “eyeballto-eyeball” encounter with the suspect.

It was Natividad who motioned the judge to park his vehicle in the compound when the gunman suddenly appeared and peppered the vehicle with bullets from a caliber 45 revolver.

HOUSE SETS ONE-TERM RULE FOR JBC MEMBERS

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives has approved on second reading a measure banning the reappointment of a regular member of the Judicial and Bar Council who has already served the full term.

Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., chair of the House committee on justice, said House Bill 6040 disqualifies a regular member of the JBC from being reappointed to the same position in any capacity once that member has served the full term of office.

Tupas said he is hopeful that the Senate will give due consideration to the measure which shall be passed soon on third and final reading at the Lower House.

Tupas explained the disqualification shall also apply to any person who has been appointed and has served the unexpired portion of at least two years of the term of office of a regular member who has ceased to become one by reason of

death, incapacity or resignation.

The measure, authored by Cavite Rep. Francis Gerald Abaya, seeks to ban the re-appointments to the JBC to avoid the possibility of instances where its members, in their desire to be reappointed to the Council, succumb to pressure from the executive to nominate individuals based on political considerations instead of their actual merits and qualifications, seriously undermining the quality of judicial appointments and the independence of the judiciary as a whole.

“The measure shall enhance the independence of the Judiciary by insulating it from political pressure,” Abaya said.

One of the key provisions of the bill enumerates the regular members of the JBC as provided under Art. VIII, Section 8 (2) of the 1987 Constitution, who shall be appointed by the President for a term of four (4) years with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.

RUSTIC SCENE. Rain water cascades down a mountainside along Halsema Highway in Atok, Benguet. DAVE LEPROZO

He stressed the need to amend Section 150 of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code, a provision which he said has deprived LGUs of much-deserved revenues for a long time.

Escudero said there is a pending bill which seeks to amend the situs of taxation provision in the Local Government Code.

“Essentially, we want businesses to pay their local taxes in municipalities where the businesses operate, instead of where their main offices are located. LGUs in effect should have a bigger share in the revenue from these firms,” explained Escudero, former chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.

The senator has been pushing for the amendment since 2012, when he filed Senate Bill No. 105 which seeks to give a 100-percent tax share to LGUs so long as such sales or transactions occur in the LGU concerned.

The senator also said most business owners prefer to pay their taxes where their businesses are located to “foster a relationship with the LGU where they operate.”

Escudero’s bill expunges the present 30-percent share of the LGU where the principal place of business is located.

“We have to make our LGUs autonomous and self-sustaining government bodies as mandated by the Constitution. More income for our LGUs will also help the administration’s drive for inclusive growth as it will spur economic development in the countryside,” he said.

Section 150 of the Local Government Code of 1991 on situs rule or the taxing jurisdiction rule on local business tax provides that “all sales made in a locality where there is a branch or sales office or warehouse should be recorded in said branch or sales office or warehouse and the local business tax due should be paid to the city or municipality where the same is located.”

The rule has become a contentious issue because of the multiple jurisdictions spanned by most business operations with their branches, sales outlets, factories, project offices and plantations or plants.

Escudero’s proposed bill also seeks to apply the following sales allocation for manufacturers, assemblers, contractors, producers and exporters with factories, project offices, plants and plantations in the pursuit of their business: 30 percent of all sales recorded in the principal office shall be taxable by the city or municipality where the principal office is located; and 70 percent of all sales shall be taxable by the city or municipality where the factory, project office, plant or plantation is located.

SUNDAY: SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

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

A VISAYAS-BASED trading and shipping company has transformed into a landbased conglomerate with nearly 30,000 employees, by taking advantage of the growth of other economic sectors over the past decade.

From a trading and general merchandise business in Ormoc, Leyte in the late 1800s and a Cebu-based shipping company until the 1990s, Aboitiz Group emerged as a decisive conglomerate with presence all over the Philippines and recently, Vietnam.

“We now have about 25,000 to 30,000 employees across the whole group,” says Xavier Jose Aboitiz or Txabi during a chat with journalists at Intercontinental Hotel in Makati City.

Txabi, the senior vice president and chief human resources officer of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., was among the members of the Aboitiz clan who participated in the 12th annual lechon party hosted by the group for members of the media on Sept. 10.

As a group, AEV posted a net income of P18.4 billion in 2014, with power accounting for 71 percent of the figure. The group is also investing P52 billion in 2015 to support its expansion.

The group is led by chairman Jon Ramon Aboitiz and president and chief executive Erramon Aboitiz.

“We are basically in five major industries which are power, land, food, banking and infrastructure which is what we are trying to get into. Those are the main businesses,” says Txabi.

AEV, the listed holding company, is now a significant player in food production, power generation and distribution, banking and shipbuilding while planning to expand its footprint in real estate, construction, cement, remittance business and water distribution. It is now headquartered in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Ranked by Forbes magazine as the seventh richest Filipino family with a net worth of $3.6 billion, the Aboitiz clan has at least 15 members involved in day-today operations of the group, according to Txabi.

Five generations of the Aboitiz clan have run the business since the late 1800s. “We are 15 family members now [working for the group]. Some have just started, some are in the middle and some are in top [management],” says Txabi.

Aboitiz and Company Inc., the

BUSINESS

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Xavier Jose Aboitiz Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan

ABOITIZ GROWTH

CREATES 30,000 JOBS private holding company established by Aboitiz patriarch Don Ramon, now has stakes in flour and food business (Pilmico), energy (Aboitiz Power), banking (Union Bank), real estate (Aboitiz Land), construction (Metaphil), shipbuilding (Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Cebu), biofuel (Aseagas Corp.), water (Apo Agua), cement (LafargeRepublic) and remittance business (PetNet Inc.).

The companies are recognized among the best managed in the Philippines. “What we are trying to see is how we can expand in all the businesses,” says Txabi.

Txabi says AboitizLand is also expanding to Metro Manila to take advantage of the thriving real estate sector. “We want to grow real estate in Metro Manila. We are also focusing on in-

frastructure. We are trying to go after some PPPs [public-private partnership projects],” he says.

He says the group ventured into agribusiness in Vietnam.

“We did our first joint venture in Vietnam and we are constantly looking [for more opportunities]. I think the Philippines has good growth potential...We still have a lot to be excited about,” he says.

Txabi says in terms of building new businesses, the Aboitiz Group recently teamed up with CRH Plc. of the United Kingdom to acquire cement company Lafarge-Republic as a part of “an infrastructure play”.

He says with the acquisition of Lafarge and remittance firm PetNet, the group is expected to absorb hundreds of more people to its employee base. PetNet is

Western Union’s largest partner in the Philippines, with a network of over 2,500 outlets.

Erramon Aboitiz, the president and chief executive of the group, says the past year has been exciting for the business, with a number of significant developments.

“Our business development team has been growing our infrastructure business. Our first infra business is Apo Agua,” Erramon says, referring to Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc., a joint venture with JV Angeles Corp. that won the P10-billion bulk water supply contract in Davao City.

“We are also excited with our partnership with CRH to acquire Lafarge Philippines. For us, this presents an excellent opportunity to be involved in

nation-building in a significant way,” he says.

Erramon says the cement venture is a strategy to “ride on the growth of infrastructure spending and double-digit growth in private sector spending on housing and commercial projects.”

He says the acquisition of PetNet, the remittance company, will provide the group with opportunities to distribute complementary banking and financial products.

Erramon says “in our continuing effort to support the nation’s long-term needs, we are constantly on the lookout for other investment opportunities.”

He says Aboitiz Power aims to increase its power generation capacity to 4,000 megawatts by 2019, with a balanced mix of reCONTINUED ON B2

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

Convergys Shaw leaders join the ‘Give a bag of hope’ campaign closing celebrations. With them are members of the Convergys executive committee, including vice president for talent management Sean Dineen (front row, left), senior director for business development Rain Tan (front row, second from left) and senior vice president and country manager Ivic Mueco (front row, right).

60,000 FILIPINOS WORK FOR CONVERGYS ONE company in the Philippines employs 60,000 people and is recruiting more to support its global expansion.

Backed by its huge workforce, the company recently completed a donation program that distributed bags with school supplies to more than 17,000 schoolchildren.

“We are delighted by the support of our employees as evidenced by their outstanding donations and volunteerism given to this campaign. It is one of the ways they demonstrated our company value of serving the community,” says Convergys Philippines country manager Ivic Mueco.

“We are proud to have such committed individuals make a difference and share their time and treasures in the company’s nation-building contributions,” Mueco says.

Convergys Philippines, the largest company in the country in terms of human resources, has recently concluded the nationwide employee-driven program that donated bags with school supplies to 26 public schools and communities.

With a workforce that is bigger than the population of Monaco (a country near France), Convergys Philippines, the local arm of Ohio-based Convergys Corp., has easily raised funds to buy 17,123 ‘bags of hope’ filled with notebooks, pad papers, pencils, sharpeners and crayons and donated them to Grades 1 to 3 students in 26 public schools and communities.

The program is a way to help address one of the main causes of school dropouts, which is the lack of school

supplies, according to Convergys.

Convergys is a company based in Cincinnati, Ohio that sells customer management and information management products primarily to large corporations.

Its unit in the Philippines is considered the largest private employer, exceeding the workforce of two other mega BPO companies. Teleperformance has 42,000 employees in the Philippines and Accenture has more than 35,000 Filipinos on its regular payroll.

Convergys, a global leader in customer management, has 34 facilities across the Philippines. It has eight centers in Cebu province alone, on top of its hubs in Metro Manila, Laguna, Baguio, Clark and Davao.

As the country’s largest private employer, Convergys received the 2014 Hall of Fame award for Best Employer in the ICT BPO Awards. It was also a nine-time most admired company awardee of Fortune magazine. In 2010, it was recognized as the BPO company of the year.

It became the largest BPO and call center company in the Philippines when it acquired Stream in March 2014.

The merger brought their total employees to 125,000 with 150 centers in 31 countries supporting 47 languages.

Convergys now has annual revenues of $3 billion. Aside from the Philippines, it has multiple centers in the US, Canada, India, Latin America and Europe.

Its number of employees in the Philippines is expected to rise further, as it recruits more people for its centers in Baguio and Clark.

Convergys launched the ‘Give a bag of hope’ program in

May 2015 to help address one of the main causes of school dropouts, which is the lack of school supplies. Convergys said its 60,000-strong workforce raised P8.21 million through donations, direct school supply contributions, employee referrals and volunteer work. Employees also spent 8,450 volunteer hours in visiting partner schools in Baguio, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Laguna, Cebu, Bacolod, and Davao to hand out the ‘bags of hope’ to schoolchildren.

Convergys said “Give a bag of hope” sprang from its belief in education as a great equalizer for people to realize their dreams and for the government to make inclusive growth a reality.

It said with the ultimate goal to minimize school dropouts in public schools in the Philippines, it tapped partner schools neighboring its sites for the landmark project.

“Dire poverty is a problem for most kids: having no money for transportation, food, and even school supplies— but this problem is already being alleviated because of projects like ‘Give a bag of hope’. The hurdles are being replaced by positivity. Our kids can now better participate in school because they already have what they need. All these support mechanisms inspire and strengthen them to continue studying in spite of daily challenges,” said Antonio Rocha, principal of Alabang Elementary School, one of the partner schools.

Convergys said “Give a bag of hope” is aligned with one of its focus areas for philanthropy – which is to remove barriers to stability and improve quality of life.

ABOITIZ GROWTH CREATES 30,000 JOBS newable and non-renewable sources.

Aboitiz Power and California-based SunEdison Inc. awarded in July this year the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the 59-megawatt solar power project in Negros Occidental to Nani Group Corp. of China. “It is set for commercial operations for the first quarter of 2016. Our aim is to continue to build a

portfolio of solar facilities,” says Erramon.

He says for UnionBank, the group remains focused on its 2020 goal, which is to double market share to 9 percent by growing deposits, loans and revenues and make it a “great retail bank”.

“For Pilmico, our growth strategy is also in the region, actively looking for opportunities to diversify,” he says. “We

are expanding the existing capacity of our flour mills and feed mills to meet our revenue growth.”

Erramon says AboitizLand is on its way to becoming a national player while continuing to strengthen its position in Cebu. “We are pursuing an aggressive plan in landbanking activities in strategic areas of the country to meet the growing

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demand for residential, commercial and industrial units.”

“With all of the above developments, we have our hands full in anticipation of what is ahead. We are taking steps towards realizing our vision to be a truly sustainable enterprise which we can entrust to the next generation,” says Erramon. Roderick T. dela Cruz

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

FOREVER RICH FOUNDER EXPLAINS NETWORK MARKETING

By Other V. Campos

A SUCCESSFUL real estate executive, now a networking guru, is encouraging Filipinos to improve their livelihood and health through a legitimate multi-level marketing business.

Susan Barlin was already based in the US when she discovered the

Forever Rich Philippines founder Susan Barlin

healing effects of a food supplement called Laminine. She formed Forever Rich Philippines to share the health benefits of the product.

Barlin came back to the Philippines to promote the product locally. “This could be my final advocacy to help Filipinos get out from poverty. This company cannot promise you instant riches but if you believe in our products, that will be your way out from the hardship of life. This will also give OFWs an option for livelihood once they decided to come back to their families,” she says.

“We have a long-term goal. That is why I want to call this my retirement venture. We have a vision, that’s why we can certainly guarantee that this is a winning project for all those who believe and will believe in our products,” she says.

Forever Rich has brought the benefits of the Laminine, an organic food supplement that works on a cellular level, to the Philippines. Laminine, the company’s flagship product has the complete 22 amino acids and fibroblast growth factor 2, she says.

“Our second flagship product is the highly potent, Omega+++. It has the complete Omega 3, 6 and 9 combined with Vitamin K2 and CoQ10. If you have been using Omega supplements, try our Omega +++ to feel the difference,” Barlin says.

The company is also introducing immune supplements that help boost immune system and digestive supplements to help the body absorb all the nutrients it is ingesting.

She says for those interested to join Forever Rich, a person needs only to buy one product and be a member.

Despite the golden opportunity Forever Rich gives to people, networking has yet to recover from its bad reputation while many groups still use multi-level marketing to cheat people

for easy money, she says.

“I know the stigma that goes with networking companies nowadays. I just want to drive home the fact, that unlike other MLM businesses that thrived on duping people into investing and then scooting away with their money, Forever Rich is a legitimate company with legitimate products that help promote riches and health,” Barlin says.

“We want to emphasize that Forever Rich Philippines is one of the very few legitimate networking companies in the Philippines today,” she says.

Barlin listed at least eight telltale signs to determine if a network marketing business is legitimate.

First, network marketing is not a “get-rich-quick scheme”, she says.

This means that network marketing may be very lucrative, but it is also a tough business. Right from the start, genuine businesses will show that the results happen only if you put in the time and effort.

“Any company that promises you an easy way to riches should be regarded with caution,” says Barlin.

Second, direct selling companies deliver quality products or services.

“Legitimate businesses sell highquality products, such as the Bernard H. Mayer luxury watch collection while pyramid schemes have no legitimate products or services. Good direct selling companies dedicate substantial resources to research and development to create quality products that are of actual use to people,” Barlin says.

Third, direct selling companies have restrictions in their compensation plan. While reputable direct selling companies limit the number of people who can earn a commission through sales to level the playing field for its members, in a pyramid scheme the “uplines” or the ones at the top make all the money, while the “downlines” or the ones at the bottom, lag

VOYAGER SHINES IN GLOBAL PAYMENTS SUMMIT

VOYAGER Innovations, the digital innovations unit of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Smart Communications, figured prominently in the recently concluded Global Payments Summit held in Singapore.

As one of the few Filipinos who took center stage at the event, Lito Villanueva, vice president and head of fintech, digital inclusion and alliances at Voyager discussed how mobile payments are changing the digital ecosystem and how to address cybercrime in the payments arena.

“Creating value for all stakeholders in the economic chain is important in making any digital payment solution work,” said Villanueva. He said this could only be attained through a collaborative approach, demand-driven proposition, and customer-centric model.

“The value chain needs to create, develop, promote and sustain the sources of funds while meeting the needs of the customers through a variety of usage occasions.”

Among the highlights of his pre-

Lito Villanueva, vice president and head for fintech, digital inclusion and alliances at Voyager Innovations at the Global Payments Summit. sentation was the successful deployment of the LandBank Mobile LoanSaver, the country’s first paperless and electronic salary loan program with auto-savings and insurance features, developed through a collaboration of Landbank of the

Philippines and Voyager Innovations.

In less than a year, the digital loans platform was able to process over P3 billion in loans origination with more than 22,000 borrowers from national and local government units including government-owned and controlledcorporations. This does not include yet teachers, police and military personnel.

This loan volume represented 4.8 percent market share of the P62 billion in total salary loan portfolio held by banks nationwide as reported by Bangko Sentral in 2014, reflecting LandBank Mobile Loan Saver’s impact in the government’s efforts in promoting electronic transactions for transparency, cost-efficiency, security, affordability, accessibility and convenience.

Villanueva also spoke about fighting cybercrime in the digital payments space.

“Security is a top concern for consumers, businesses and financial institutions alike. Every digital payments solution should put this as priority in the equation,” said Villanueva.

Villanueva showcased LockByMobile as a more pervasive anti-fraud and card control solution which could meet these security challenges head-on.

LockByMobile provides additional layer of security for ATM, credit, debit and prepaid cards issued by any bank or financial institution. It was developed from the lock/unlock security feature of Smart Money, winner of the Best Mobile Security Feature for Online Purchase at the GSMA Global Mobile Awards in Barcelona in 2009.

It has multi-channel lock setting capabilities via mobile, app, web portal or SMS. Any cardholder could now be empowered to lock or unlock any of his card accounts for mobile, online, in-store POS purchases or ATM transactions - anytime, anywhere.

The annual Global Payment Summit in Singapore is a leading forum where key thought leaders, experts and practitioners in the payment and transaction arena meet and discuss the innovation agenda.

behind due to late participation, she says.

Fourth, network marketers do not earn commission solely through recruitment. Recruiting new members is not a requirement for real network marketers to earn a commission, she says.

“The reason why is that legitimate companies are structured to reward people for promoting their products.

If there is a commission for recruitment, it is also for sales of the company’s products. In a pyramid scheme, there is no financial return unless others are successfully enrolled,” she says.

Fifth, direct selling companies give their network marketers a return guarantee. Overstocking is not allowed, she says.

When dealing with inventory, representatives of legitimate direct selling companies are required to abide by rules and regulations. Product loading, or the excessive stocking of the company’s products, is not allowed. This allows representatives to focus on networking, as they need not worry about clearing excessive stock, she says.

Sixth, network marketing opportunities have a solid training system.

“Direct selling companies place great emphasis on training their network marketers. Organizations like QNet have qualified trainers equipped with the expertise and experience to help their members better understand the business and products they sell,” Barlin says.

They serve as mentors and motivators to grow the business.

Seventh, network marketing opportunities come with the support of business tools like training brochures that help network marketers better understand the products and how to sell them.

Barlin says a legitimate company helps its members keep track of purchases, commission earnings and the status of product deliveries, as well as full customer support. Other forms of support include regular product information releases, marketing materials and promotional offers.

Eighth, direct selling companies have proper policies and procedures, as well as ethical marketing codes.

“Carefully review the company’s policies and procedures before making a decision. Genuine direct selling companies aim to achieve sustainable growth by fostering a culture of ethical marketing. Remember not to get carried away by promises of financial freedom and the fulfillment of lifelong dreams. All network marketing does is provide you with a business model; it is still up to you to do the hard work,” Barlin says.

At present, Forever Rich in cooperation with Lifepharm Global Network has established networks in Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Cambodia. It has also opened networks in some African countries, including South Africa, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Kenya and Nairobi.

Established in the Philippines on March 2, 2012 Forever Rich now has 16 local branches nationwide.

Barlin says as a master distributor of various globally branded natural and functional breakthrough health products in the Philippines and other countries, Forever Rich has already over 100,000 members.

Forever Rich also created the “Be Alive” television show to broadcast testimonials of people whose lives got better, either financially or healthwise, because of its products.

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US, CUban offiCialS Set agenda for fUtUre talkS CUba and the United States agreed for the first time Friday on an agenda of thorny topics to tackle that will lead to full diplomatic ties, a top Cuban diplomat said.

The two countries re-established diplomatic relations in July but issues like human rights and compensations on decades-old claims still need to be handled.

Josefina Vidal, head of the US section of the Cuban foreign ministry and of the local negotiating team, told reporters that US and Cuban delegates agreed on a list of issues to work on.

This is “the first time that we do this between Cuba and the United States, set out a serious agenda” for normalizing relations, she said.

The agenda that the negotiators hammered out covers issues such as human rights, “compensation for economic and human damages caused to the Cuban people” by the five decades old US trade embargo “and US properties nationalized in Cuba” by Fidel Castro in 1960, the Cuban delegation said in a statement.

The statement also said that lifting the US trade embargo on the island, in place since the 1960s, was “essential to normalizing bilateral relations.”

Cuba is also intent on recovering Guantanamo bay, on the southeastern tip of the island, the site of a US naval base and under US control since 1903. The base is currently home to the controversial war on terror detention camp.

The US State Department said that Friday’s talks “were full and frank and extensive and conducted in a courteous and respectful manner.” AFP

Migrants and refugees are directed by police as they make their way to the platform to board trains at the keleti Station, in the Hungarian capital budapest. Some 2,000 refugees are waiting at the station for their trains to continue their trip ahead austria and germany. AFP

hungarian pm asks eu to support migrants

Tens of thousands were due to rally in european capitals saturday in support of migrants as Hungary’s populist prime minister called for a giant aid package for countries around war-ravaged syria to stem mass migration to europe.

The Europe-wide “day of action” includes dozens of events across several nations with the biggest demonstration expected in London.

There are also rival anti-migrant events due to take place, notably in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.

The biggest mass migration since World War II has di-

vided Europe with Germany pushing for compulsory quotas within the Europe Union but eastern European nations snubbing the proposal.

Pressing his Czech, Hungarian, Polish and Slovakian counterparts at a meeting in Prague, Germany’s foreign minister on Friday warned the influx of hundreds of

thousands of migrants could be “the biggest challenge for the EU in its history”.

“If we are united in describing the situation as such, we should be united that such a challenge is not manageable for a single country,” FrankWalter Steinmeier said, calling for “European solidarity”.

The International Organization for Migration said over 430,000 migrants and refugees had crossed the Mediterranean to Europe so far in 2015, with 2,748 dying or going missing en route.

Germany has taken the lion’s share, admitting 450,000 refugees so far this year, most

of them fleeing violence in the Middle East—particularly Syria—and asia. but Steinmeier’s appeal for EU members to accept proposals to share around 160,000 migrants fell on deaf ears among eastern nations.

Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak said he wanted a solution “that is not imposed” but “made jointly”.

“Migrants don’t want to stay in Slovakia,” he added bluntly.

Denmark’s right-wing government also said it would not take part in the quota scheme.

‘Not fleeing danger’ With criticism growing of Hungary’s treatment of

thousands of people passing through on their way to northern Europe, premier Viktor Orban said he wanted 3.0 billion euros ($3.4 billion) handed to Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, the first ports of call for Syrians trying to escape conflict.

“If it takes more money, we will increase aid until the refugee flows are drying up,” Orban told Germany’s bild newspaper.

“These migrants do not come from war zones but from camps (in these border countries), where they were safe. AFP

Crane CraSHeS into grand MoSQUe; 107 die, 238 HUrt

Saudi governor of Mecca region khaled al-faisal (center) inspects the site of a crane that crashed onto the grand Mosque of Saudi arabia's holy Muslim city of Mecca on September 11, 2015. a massive construction crane crashed into Mecca's grand Mosque in stormy weather on, killing at least 107 people and injuring 238, Saudi authorities said, days before the annual hajj pilgrimage. AFP

aT LEaST 107 people died when a massive construction crane crashed into Mecca’s Grand Mosque, with scores more injured, Saudi authorities said, days before the annual hajj pilgrimage.

The civil defence agency said on Twitter that emergency teams were sent to the scene after a “crane fell at the Grand Mosque,” one of Islam’s most revered sites.

That came about an hour after it tweeted that Mecca was “witnessing medium to heavy

rains,” and pictures on social media showed lightning. ahmed bin Mohammad al-Mansoori, spokesman for the two holy mosques, was quoted by the official Saudi Press agency as saying part of a crane collapsed at 5:10 pm (1410 GMT) “as a result of strong winds and heavy rains.” abdel aziz Naqoor, who said he works at the mosque, told aFP he saw the crane fall after being hit by the storm.

“If it weren’t for al-Tawaf bridge the injuries and deaths

would have been worse,” he said, referring to a covered walkway that surrounds the holy Kaaba, which broke the crane’s fall.

The Kaaba is a massive cubeshaped structure at the centre of the mosque towards which Muslims worldwide pray and which has a major role in the hajj.

Pictures of the incident on Twitter showed bloodied bodies strewn across a courtyard where the top part of the crane, which appeared to have bent or snapped, had crashed into the building. AFP

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WORLD editorial@thestandard.com.ph

ROCKET FIRE KILLS ELEVEN IN SYRIA ELEvEN people were killed in rebel rocket fire on the Syrian capital Damascus, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Saturday.

The Britain-based monitor said the deaths were in the Duwaylaa neighbourhood on the southeastern outskirts of Damascus, adding that most of those killed appeared to be civilians.

At least 20 people were also injured in the Friday shelling, the monitor said.

State news agency SANA, citing a police source, said Saturday that shelling on the area had killed four people and injured 25.

Rebels in strongholds on the outskirts of the capital regularly fire rockets into Damascus, often killing scores of people, many of them civilians.

The regime also regularly carries out air strikes on rebel-held areas around Damascus, particularly the Eastern Ghouta region, where aerial assaults in August alone killed 377 people, according to Doctors Without Borders.

Rights groups have criticised both rebels and the regime for indiscriminate fire that largely affects civilians.

The shelling on Damascus came as an Islamist rebel group that often fires on the capital began an assault on Syria’s largest prison.

Jaish al-Islam began the attack on Adra prison near Damascus on Friday, seizing two buildings, according to the Observatory.

More than 240,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011. AFP

People take photos of US national flags flying at half mast at the Washington Monument in Washington, DC on September 11, As commemorations across the eastern United States replicated the timeline and solemn geography of September 11, 2001, there was also a reminder that the threat posed

by Islamist terror groups remains both clear and present. Nearly 3,000 people died on September 11, 2001 at Ground Zero in New York, at the Pentagon and aboard a hijacked airliner that went down in rural Pennsylvania. AFP

Obama leads Us IN remembraNce OF 9/11 President Barack Obama led the United States Friday in remembrance of 9/11, urging Americans to remain vigilant of “terrorist” threats on the 14th anniversary of the attacks.

Although US forces “have made enormous strides in degrading the core Al-Qaeda,” the terror group responsible for the deadly strikes on US soil, “we are well aware of the fact that those threats still exist out there,” Obama said in a speech broadcast live to US service members worldwide.

“Both in Iraq and in Syria, in Afghanistan, in North Africa, what we’re very clear about is we have significant threats coming from

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How do you want your news served today? www.thestandard.com.ph

terrorist organizations and the terrorist ideology,” Obama warned from Fort Meade, Maryland.

Earlier in the day, at 8:46 am (1246 GMT), a bell chimed three times on the South Lawn of the White House to mark the moment when Flight 11, piloted by Al-Qaeda operatives, careened into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York.

Blue skies and the hum of jet planes landing and taking off at

nearby National Airport evoked that day of tragedy.

Obama and his wife Michelle stood solemnly beneath a US flag at half-staff, bowed their heads and marked a moment of silence.

The first couple were flanked

by White House chefs, gardeners and housekeepers, as well as national security staff.

Evidence of 9/11’s impact was everywhere—from Obama’s stars and stripes lapel pin, now ubiquitous among US politicians, to the presence of Lisa Monaco, his Homeland Security Advisor—a post that did not exist before the attacks.

Nearly 3,000 people died on September 11, 2001 at Ground Zero

in New York, at the Pentagon and aboard a hijacked airliner that went down in rural Pennsylvania.

“We honor those we lost. We salute all who serve to keep us safe.

We stand as strong as ever,” Obama later said in a post to social media.

Almost a decade and a half later, Osama bin Laden is dead and the US presence in Afghanistan and Iraq has ebbed, but Americans’ sense of loss and shock has receded little.

In New York, police and relatives of those killed in the World Trade Center read the names of the victims at Ground Zero, now the site of the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum. AFP

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SPORTS

REUEL VIDAL EDITOR

sports@thestandard.com.ph

RACAL, CRUZ

By Peter Atencio

PRO-BOUND Kevin Racal and Mark Cruz of the league-leading Letran Knights are simply not thinking about their coming stint in the Philippine Basketball Association.

It will be a dream come true for Racal when he joins the Alaska Aces who selected him in the first round.

Ditto with Cruz and the Star Hotshots.

But with the Knights leading the standings in season 91 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament, signing up for the teams that took them in the rookie draft is not their priority at the moment.

Cruz and Racal want to make their final year in college memorable.

It will be if they are able to help give Letran a championship.

“Priority ko ang NCAA. Ito ang liga na kasali ako ngayon,” said Cruz, who was drafted

by Star Hotshots.

Cruz talked about his priorities right after he scored 20 points and Racal chipped in 18 as Letran prevailed College of St. Benilde, 7969, on Thursday.

This enabled the

Knights to stretch its win streak to three in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

“NCAA muna. Hindi ko muna masyadong iniisip ang PBA,” said Racal, who was picked by the Alaska Aces as the 11th overall selection.

Racal will certainly crack the Aces’ lineup this season. He was selected in the first round and plays the wing position where the Aces need all the help they could get.

With the win Knights took the lead with an 11-2 win-loss record after San Beda (10-3) bowed to Perpetual Help later in the day.

The other teams include the Arellano University Chiefs (10-4), the University of Perpetual Help System Altas (9-4), the Mapua Cardinals (8-5), the Jose Rizal Univer-

SAY THE PBA CAN WAIT

Letran Knights forward Kevin Racal (16) seems to be walking along a tightrope as he tries to avoid the sideline while chasing down the basketball against a pair of Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals. Racal is focused on giving the Knights another NCAA title. PETER ATENCIO

PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

Republic of the Philippines COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS Manila

INVITATION TO BID

EN BANC

For the SUPPLYON QUALIFYING AND NEURO-PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR DEOBC CLASS 16-08 Bid Ref. No. 2015-08 Funding Source: Government Appropriation Act 2015 1.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), thru its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) with office address at NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City invites registered PhilGEPSsuppliers to bid for the following item; ITEM

Quantity

Item/Description

1

40 SETS

SUPPLY ON QUALIFYING AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR DEOBC 16-08

Approved Budget for the Contract

Price of Bidding Documents (NonRefundable)

Delivery Period

P 2,250,000.00

P 5,000.00

60 calendar days

2.

A prospective bidderof the project should have completed within 2010-2014 from the date of submission and receipt of bids, at least one (1) single contract of similar nature amounting to at least 50% of the ABC for the said project.

3.

The Schedule of Bid Activities shall be as follows: Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid Issuance and Availability of Bid Documents Pre-Bid Conference Issuance of Bid Bulletin Deadline Submission and Opening of Bids

4.

September 9-16, 2015 September 9, 2015 September 17, 2015 10:00 AM September 22, 2015 September 29, 2015, 10:00 AM

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

5.

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

6.

Complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders from the PDEA-BAC Secretariat (see Address Below) and upon payment of non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents, in amount pursuant to the schedule, The Bidding Documents shall be received personally by the prospective Bidder or his duly authorized representative upon presentation of proper identification of document.

IN RE: MANIFESTATION OF INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATION IN THE MAY 9, 2016 ELECTIONS. SPP Case No. 15-048 (PLM) ALYANSA NG MGA GRUPONG HALIGI NG AGHAM AT TEKNOLOHIYA PARA SA MAMAMAYAN, INC, Represented by its President, Angelo B. Palmones, Petitioner.

x------------------------------------------------x ORDER Acting on the Manifestation of Intent to Participate1 filed on May 08, 2015, the Commission en banc hereby directs ALYANSA NG MGA GRUPONG HALIGI NG AGHAM AT TEKNOLOHIYA PARA SA MAMAMAYAN, INC. (AGHAM) to publish at its own expense in two (2) newspapers of general circulation the said manifestation together with the instant Order of the Commission within three days from receipt hereof.

Any interested party may file with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission a verified petition seeking to deny due course to the manifestation of intent to participate within five (5) days from the date of publication pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 93662, Rule 3, Sec. 7, par. 13.

SO ORDERED. Given this 26th day of August, 2015, in the City of Manila, Philippines FOR THE COMMISSION (Sgd.) ANDRES D. BAUTISTA Chairman 1 2

3

Records, Office of the Clerk of the Commission Case Folder, pages 1 to 2.

Rules and Regulations Governing the: 1) Filing of Petitions for Registration; 2) Filing of Manifestation of Intent to Participate; 3) Submission of Names of Nominees; and 4) Filing of Disqualification Cases Against Nominees or Party-list Groups or Organizations Participating under the Party-list System of Representation in Connection with the May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections, and Subsequent Elections Thereafter.

“SEC 7. Petition to deny due course to a manifestation of intent to participate. - A verified petition seeking to deny due course to a manifestation of intent to participate.”

The Invitation to Bid and Checklist of Requirements may be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and PDEA Website at www. pdea.gov.ph.

7.

For purpose of having a legal personality to raise or submit written queries or clarification in the PreBidding Conference relative to the bid project, Bidder must first pay the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents on or before the date of Pre-Bidding Conference.

8.

PDEA-BAC will hold a Pre-Bidding Conference on September 17, 2015, Thursday at 10:00 AM which shall be open to all interested parties.

9.

All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be conducted at the PDEA Conference Room, PDEA Building, Nia Northside Road, BrgyPinyahan, Quezon City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidder’s Representatives who choose to attend the opening. Late Bids shall not be accepted.

10. Bidders shall drop their duly accomplished eligibility requirements, technical and financial proposals in two separate sealed envelopes in the designated bid box located at the conference room.

11.

PDEA reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all Bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders.

12. Bidders may obtain further information from thePDEA-BAC Secretariatc/o MsAroceli E Sonidoand MrArvin E Sadullo at theLogistics Management Service-Procurement Division, PDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PMonly, Mondays to Fridays starting September 9, 2015 at Tel No. (632)920-8082/ (632)927-9702 Loc. 127.

However, any queries relative to the contents of the bid documents and the project requirements can only be made by bidders who purchased the bid documents not later than Ten (10) days prior to the Submission and Opening of Bids.

(TS-SEPT. 13, 2015)

Enforcers (formerly Kia Carnival) in the PBA. Cruz said it is his dream to be part of the Knights team which have a chance to bag this year’s crown.

“Gusto ko muna maexperience mag-champion dito sa NCAA,” said Cruz, who made the finals in 2013 with a Knights team that lost to eventual champion San Beda.

On the other hand Racal wants to complete his job with the Knights.

When that is finished that’s the time he’ll focus on a reunion with his former coach Louie Alas, who is the associate head coach of Alaska.

“Hindi lang siya ang makakasama. Iyung mga rivals ko, sina Calvin Abueva at si Rome de la Rosa,” said Racal, who plays forward for the Knights.

In a previous game,

(Sgd) ASEC. RENE M. ORBE Deputy Director General for Administration Chairman ,PDEA- Bids & Awards Committee TS (SEPT. 13, 2015)

Letran Knights point guard Mark Cruz (9) protects the basketball against an Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals defender. Cruz is focused on leading the Knights to the NCAA throne. PETER ATENCIO

sity Heavy Bombers (7-6), the College of Saint Benilde Blazers (3-10), the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags (3-10), the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates (3-11) and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (2-11).

The Knights fought back after falling behind early, 13-22, moving to within 38-40 at the half.

CSB was ahead 6256 early in the fourth when the Knights came up with a 7-0 run to take control.

“Ang hirap na manalo ngayon. We started flat defensively in the first three quarters good thing in the fourth quarter naka-recover ang mga bata sa depensa,” said Knights coach Aldin Ayo who serves as one of the assistant coaches of the Mahindra

Cruz had a season-high 30 points in a heartbreaking 88-87 loss to San Sebastian.

Then he returned to score 29 markers along with four rebounds and two steals in the Knights’ 86-76 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College.

“Masarap ang feeling na nakikita mo ang maturity ng team sa endgame,” said Cruz.

The Letran point guard will definitely have a harder time of cracking the lineup of the team which drafted him to the PBA. After all the Star Hotshots already have Mark Barroca, Justin Melton and Alex Mallari manning the point guard spot.

Cruz can only hope to crack the Star Hotshots lineup by dislodging any of the three veterans. But that’s a worry for another day.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

ARMAN ARMERO EDITOR

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. (left) looks on as Andre Berto cestures during the weigh-in on September 11, 2015 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Mayweather will defend his WBC/WBA welterweight titles against Andre Berto on September, 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. AFP

MAYWEATHER

FAREWELL FIZZLES AT BOX OFFICE

H

undreds of tickets were still available Friday less than 24 hours before Floyd Mayweather’s welterweight world title defense, an embarrassing blow to the champion for what he says will be his last fight.

It is in stark contrast to the feverish anticipation for May’s showdown with Manny Pacquiao, when all seats at the MGM Grand were snapped up in mere minutes.

Mayweather has attempted to drum up interest in Saturday’s bout at the same venue in Las Vegas by declaring challenger Andre Berto—

rated by many pundits as a massive underdog—a genuine threat.

Berto’s respected trainer, Virgil Hunter, has talked up “personal issues” between the two fighters.

But it would appear that the paying public are not buying it.

The lukewarm interest from fight fans will be particularly galling for

Mayweather, 38, because victory over Berto would put him equal with heavy legend Rocky Marciano with a perfect 49-0 record.

Ticketmaster was still offering several hundred tickets for between $150 and $1,500 late Friday and its website showed whole rows lying empty. AFP

PHILIPPINE LADIES TENNIS LEAGUE KICKS OFF PLTL will again hold its much awaited annual culminating event in the same exclusive club in McKinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati City— this year from Sept. 14 to Oct. 16.

More teams from Manila and nearby provinces join several tennis events leading up to this biggest and most prestigious tournament where they test their mettle.

A total of 176 recreational and competitive Ladies or 22 Doubles Teams will showcase their form and vie for the 2015 Class A and Class B Championship titles.

PLTL 2015 collaborated with Panasonic Beauty as Title Sponsor and, once again, David’s Salon as Presenting Partner.

The event is in special partnership with CBRE Philippines, Fila (Official Shoes and Apparel), Tecnifibre (Official Ball and Racket), HMR Trading Haus-Harringtons Auctions, The Henry Hotel (Official Hotel) and supported by Madison Galleries, Forty

Winks, Accel, and Ms. Susan Torres.

In cooperation with Regenesis, Alabang Diamond, Rinadesign, Relish at Ponte, and Kath’s, PLTL 2015 is also made possible by Thousand Oaks Packaging Corp., Elmar Printing Press, Piknik, and Carlo Rossi.

The Philippine Ladies Tennis League supports club-level tennis for business owners, professionals, and moms, among others, who want to stay fit and competitive while enjoying the 5F’s and 5C’s inherent to the league: Fun, Fitness, Fair Play, Fellowship, Fulfillment and Camaraderie, Challenge, Competitiveness, Community, and Character.

The PLTL 2015 Organizing Committee and other volunteers will welcome the teams, their family and friends, spectators, as well as the sport’s staunch supporters, patrons, and corporate partners at the event’s annual Official Venue on September 14 with fun and engaging activities.

PLTL 2014’s Organizing Committee with Panasonic Philippines’ Execs at the Manila Polo (left to right) Mr. Nobuo Yasuhira - Panasonic Philippines’ President, Ms. Yuko Sugiyama, Ms. Vicky Barbaro, Ms. Ester Murrihy, Ms. Liza Nava, Ms. Juliet Raval, and Mr. Masaru Toyota - Panasonic Philippines’ Vice President)

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S U N D aY : S e P T e M B e R 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

RieRa U. MallaRi EDITOR sports@thestandard.com.ph

SportS

Estefano Rivera (Vios Car no. 23) paces his teammates Andres Calma (97) and Bobby Domingo (15). RAMON D. BOADO

A breeding ground

for Motorsports stArs FROM karting to slalom, and now one-make car racing, youthful Estefano Rivera always leaves his indelible mark as a racing champion.

The multi-titled Rivera swept the two races of the premier Sporting Class in the recent third leg of the 2015 Toyota Vios Cup at the Manila Bay Circuit in the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City to cement his status as one of the country’s best young drivers.

After starting from the pole position in both races, Rivera showed wonderful composure and dictated the pace all throughout the weekend races. He finished Race 1 ahead of teammates Andres Calma and Bobby Domingo, capping off a historic team 1-2-3 finish for the Toyota Alabang Team for the first time in the local series’ running.

Race 2 saw Rivera winning comfortably, with Daniel Miranda of Toyota Balintawak finishing behind and Domingo making another podium at third spot.

Rivera also posted the fastest time of the weekend with a clocking of 1:00.185.

Toyota Alabang Motorsports Team Principal Mike Lee praised his team, especially Rivera, for

their dominant effort.

“More than the caliber of our drivers, we were very impressed with our team’s overall chemistry; from our head coach and tuner Edgen Dy-Liacco, to our team of very talented technicians and engineers. This victory was truly a team effort,” said Lee, who added that their continuous practice and training sessions leading up to the Manila leg were able to improve not only the preparedness of the drivers, but of further developing their cars’ performance and reliability.

With the performance of the team, it has virtually secured the team championship in the series after winning 5 out of 8 races. The seventh and eighth legs will be held in November, in Subic.

In the division 2 “Promotional Class,” their teammate Miguel Diaz, ruled both races of the same event, making the team’s achievements even sweeter.

Toyota Alabang President Cesar T. Lee, father of Mike, also glorified the team’s recent success.

“Our team’s success could have

Estefano Rivera (center) displays a giant replica of his winner’s check at the podium is a joined by teammates Andres Calma (left) and Bobby Domingo. RAMON D. BOADO

not happened in a better time”, said Lee in anticipation of Toyota Alabang’s 26th Anniversary celebration on Sept. 15.

With the continuous support and management of Toyota Motor Philippines, under its president,

Michinobu Sugata, in cooperation with Tuason Racing School, the Vios Cup has continued to live up to its word as the country’s leading 4-wheel motorsports series. It attracts a large number of crowd attendance and has already

developed a fan base in a national level. And on its second season, the series is further making innovations to sustain its status as a local sports attraction and a breeding ground for our country’s next motorsports stars.

S U N D AY : S E P T E M B E R 1 3 : 2 0 1 5

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

S U NDAY L IF E

LIFE

White top and coat by Kaye Morales

LOURD OF CREATIONS

BY BING PAREL PHOTOS BY SONNY ESPIRITU

I

first came to know Lourd Ramos more than a decade ago in a previous life, when I was with a glossy magazine and he was with Emphasis Salon under the mentorship of celebrity hair stylist Teng Roma. Back then, Lourd was already a favorite with our editorial team because he had this likeable personality that made working with him very pleasant during photo shoots. His easy, confident manner went a long way in reassuring the subject that she looked picture perfect – and then of course, the unmistakable skill and talent that was already apparent.

Now the owner of a string of Creations

by Lourd Ramos salons, his name has become a byword in the beauty profession, especially when he became the Davines Italia Philippines Grand Winner in 2007 and emerged at the Top 5 in the Davines World Style Contest held in Barcelona, Spain, not to mention his stint with Asia’s Next Top Model and as the hair care expert of Unilever Philippines’ TreSemme.

But save for the stud earring on his left ear, and the tat on the side of his neck, it was still the same Lourd Ramos I used to know – exuding warmth and geniality as he called out, running to give me a hug when he saw me come in during the shoot (at his salon at the ground floor of Cedar Building along Arnaiz Avenue in Makati).

“We only opened this last July,” he shares, disclosing that the place has 16 seats and three private rooms. It was, in a manner of speaking, Lourd’s baby since he designed the look, chose the colors and even made sure that the functional wooden stools would fit under the built-in shelves. While he used to favor playful reds, the earth tones exude coziness and warmth – just like the owner himself.

Top by Fab Limited Clothing

As Davines Italia ambassador, the thirtysomething beauty expert has to attend global hair conventions in some of the world’s beauty capitals, and it was during his recent trip to New York and London where he saw some bigger salons are transforming and redesigning to evoke organic nuances in their look.

It is perhaps his ability to attune himself to the latest trends that makes Lourd one of the preeminent names in the industry. As the youngest elected president of the Philippine International Cosmetologists Association (spearheaded by hair and makeup guru Fanny Serrano), it goes without saying that Lourd has earned the respect of his older peers, no doubt including his former mentor Teng Roma. “I want to make him proud of me,” he remarks.

Admittedly, the best thing he likes about his job is meeting people from across the social spectrum (“Ms. Lea Salonga is the most fun and professional” and “the one and

only Paloma Zobel is impressive because she doesn’t make you feel any less”), but the downside, is that “I have lost my personal life. My phone is on 24 hours for my staff and clientele, and social media is now my life with people waiting for what I will post (next),” he laughs.

Pressure naturally goes with the territory – what with six Creations branches and 78 personnel that he is responsible for. That he has a keen business sense is evident, knowing for instance that every piece of material – even tissue – should not be wasted. “Since I’m running the salon now and I have to be responsible for the other salons and the franchise, I am really committed to the job. And though I would love to study again and again since trends change every quarter, the 31 days of the month are spent making sure that the business thrives because I am responsible for my staff,” says Lourd, who used to work in a bank before finding his path in the beauty business.

Time management and discipline have become his mantra, writing down schedules and events on a big calendar and spending the first seven days of the month visiting the other branches (Somerset Olympia, Greenfields Shaw, Eton Ortigas, One Archers Place at Taft, BF Homes in Parañaque and Stopover at Fort Bonifacio Global City, with plans to expand to north and south of Metro Manila and perhaps go provincial). Running the business, he says, has made him develop “six eyes at the back of my head and 10 ears” to know what was going on. The salons may look daunting, but it’s a pleasant surprise to know that the rates are not prohibitive. Lourd has popularized the concept of “masstige” – a play on “mass” and “prestige” where he makes salon services reachable for ordinary individuals, even collaborating with online sites for coupons offering discounted services.

In an industry where drama and “emotes” make for colorful tales, Lourd Ramos has managed to climb up the ladder without necessarily stepping on delicate toes. One can only surmise it is because he doesn’t engage in piracy – disliking the thought of poaching talent from other salons. We’d rather grow our own, he says, giving opportunities for his people and their relatives as well to have a head start, providing training for the staff to become well-rounded in the business and to imbibe the standard that he has set for himself.

The receptionist for instance knows how to do nail art, while nail artists are encouraged to learn how to do makeup and hair and in the process earn more for themselves.

No wonder then that the staff at Creations look up to their creative director and mentor, perhaps nurturing the same hope that someday, they too could aproximate the success that Lourd Ramos of Creations has achieved.

SUNDAY : SEPTEM B ER 13 : 2015

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

THE POWER OF BOOBS CAROTID ARTERY

BY TATUM ANCHETA

Y

es, let’s talk about the B word. No, not cup B, probably around the C size section. Breasts, boobs, boobies, bosoms, bumpers, baby feeders, bazookas, B1 and B2 – are just a few of the terms to call the human mammary glands.

Go to www.urbandictionary.com and you’ll end up with 99 word searches, most of which extremely derogatory, and some I can’t even begin to pronounce!

Why the topic? Well, why not?

That, and the fact that it’s almost breast cancer month. Plus, if you’ve met me, you’ll probably know why, lol! Every day of my life since I gave birth to these babies in high school, I’ve been objectified, groped, mo cke d, r i d i c u l e d, judged, and discriminated against. Every time I ask the manong guards for directions in the mall, they always talk to me like my eyes are on my chest. I always have to direct their eyes with my hand and say, “Manong! Up here!” There was a time when I was using a payphone to call home, and I saw a dad holding his kid by the fountain and he almost fell on the ground while trying to catch a glimpse of, well you know what. I hoped his wife was there to see what happened. Just a few weeks ago, while I was being introduced to a hotel’s GM, I saw him staring at my chest while shaking my hand. Ugh! I wanted to poke his eyes, super gross! Given that they are men, it is somewhat understandable.

“Breasts are an elemental force to men, the strength of which women may recognize but not fully comprehend,” says Men’s Health magazine in one of its articles, “What Women Want You To Know About Their Breasts.”

But even my friends would react about them; while having lunch they’d always scream at me to cover my chest because it is disturbing them. “Dude! I’m eating here!” and I’d be “WTF! I’m not doing anything!” Breasts, I guess they attract and repel.

Women who are flat chested would always comment how they wish they have bigger ones.

I would always reply “I wish I had yours!” If you only knew the perils big breasted women have to go through each day. Aside from being groped in public places, there are everyday things we wish would have been different. It is

so hard to find a decent pair of brassieres, and for some reason almost all brands have foams in them. Thank God for minimizers! I cried when I could no longer fit a cup B. Women who have heavy chests usually develop back problems and bad posture. I can’t count the times people asked me to straighten my back. Ever try carrying a back pack on your front? That’s how it feels like. Oh, the gym? I once went to do circuit training and my coach could barely look at me while I did the reps. No amount of sports bra can hide their prominence. Every t-shirt makes you look like you swallowed two baby heads. And anything we wear makes us look indecent. And don’t even get me started on menstrual cycles.

Even with all the negativity related to big breasts, no one can deny their “power.” Breasts have sold magazines in billions, movie and TV screens make money off of them, underwear and swimsuit companies have made a living from them. Cosmetic surgeons are now celebrities because of breasts. And for some women, they acquire vast amounts of wealth by just knowing

how to harness their power and use them on men.

And of course, breasts do break hearts and marriages.

In the book Sex At Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality written by Christopher Ryan, PhD and Cacilda Jethá, MD, it explains that breasts, in their prehistoric function, act as a swelling signal device that announce youth and fertility in women. They’re like billboard advertising to men that women are ready for ovulation and more than capable of rearing a child. Size does matter, because the fuller they are the more “power” they hold.

The other day, I heard from a friend that nowadays, in order for you to have the staying power in Philippine show business, you have to have “boobs” or if you don’t, you better get yourself a pair. Apparently, almost all the women who stayed long in Philippine cinema or the ones who became popular in showbiz are the ones who have got a nice pair of racks. Of course I was already gearing up to argue but then again, as I count the popular showbiz personalities today, I can’t name one who is actually flat chested.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ Plastic Surgery Statistics 2014 Report, breast augmentation continues to be the top

cosmetic surgical procedure and has been since 2006. Just goes to show women know what “breasts” can do and they are all willing to harness them. Some motivations range from simply fighting off gravity, postpregnancy constructive surgery, or some just want to look better. Men who are transitioning as women even get a pair for themselves.

They say “with great racks come great responsibilities.” If you know what your boobs can do, you should also know your responsibility towards them. Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among Filipino women because of late detection. In Southeast Asia, our country has the highest incidence of breast cancer.

Education and early detection play a big role if anyone wants to survive it. And believe me, treatment for it is not cheap; I have a friend who is currently looking for ways to help fund her mom’s treatment.

The other day, Issa Litton was showing me a concept hand gesture she wanted to use for a breast cancer campaign for ICanServe Foundation (ICanServe is founded by four breast cancer survivors led by journalist Kara MagsanocAlikpala, Crisann Celdran, Becky Fuentes and Bet Lazatin. The foundation provides guidance and help to women with breast cancer by promoting early breast cancer

detection and community-based screening programs), and she said, “Tatum, do this.” She asked me to put my two hands under my chest, like cupping my boobs but at the same time about to rock a baby.

Then she asked me to put up my two hands and make them meet in the middle. They then formed what looked like a breast cancer ribbon.

It’s a hand gesture that symbolizes support for breast cancer awareness in the country. Just like HIV and AIDS, it is good to know your status. Get educated, get examined, and get people aware. I like how ICanServe Foundation named one of its programs – Ating Dibdibin.

Remember to “Take Your Breast Care To Heart.”

On October 6, ICanServe Foundation and Marie France collaborate for #FashionCanServe to debut the holiday collections of Lulu Tan Gan, Kristel Yulo, Maureen DisiniTeichert, Eric delos Santos, Rhett Eala and Rajo Laurel for the benefit of women at risk of or diagnosed with breast cancer. For tickets, call Charette at +63977 186 3463.

For comments, suggestions and violent reactions, you may email me at tatum@thestandard.com.ph.

For my crazy life’s adventures, follow me at @tatumancheta in Instagram and Twitter.

SUNDAY : SEPTEM B ER 13 : 2015

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

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COMMITMENTS

MAU AND AU:

A perfect combination

BY BERNADETTE LUNAS

F

inding your soulmate, they say, is like winning the lottery of love. Not everyone though is lucky enough to find theirs, but when you do, you should never let them go.

For Maurice and Paula Mauricio, or Mau and Au, it only took them eight months from the day they first met to realize that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

Mau and Au met on July 28, 2001 in Los Angeles, California. After graduating in college, Mau landed an accounting job at Atlantic Records and moved on to other corporate firms in the US. Living in New York, he and his brother eventually decided to move closer to their relatives in the West Coast. Au, on the other hand, migrated to LA after her college graduation and worked in business development and sales and marketing.

“Two days after I arrived [in Los Angeles] from the Philippines, my sister asked me to go with her and meet up with a friend from New York,” relates Au. And that friend, who they were picking up to attend a party, was Mau. Au had just arrived and was jetlagged, so understandably at that time, she says she “wasn’t paying attention” and “wasn’t interested” in him. However, it was a different story with Mau. “She had me at ‘Hi’ and her silence in the car intrigued me. I did tell myself that I would marry this girl one day,” he reveals.

Despite the attraction not being mutual on their first meeting, the following days proved that the connection between them was real and strong. “I really believe we are soulmates and we are extremely connected,” says Au. “We would find ourselves wearing the same color of outfits, or googling the same things at the same time without talking about it, or we would think about or say the exact same things.”

After three months of being friends and getting to know each other, Mau and Au decided to officially become a couple. Five months into their relationship, they eloped and got hitched at the Orange County courthouse. When their parents found out about it three months later, they then got married in a church in Long Beach, California.

While some may think that they had a rather short period of going through the boyfriend-and-girlfriend phase, Mau and Au believed then, and still do today, that if two people love each other, it didn’t matter how long (or short) they knew each other.

“What mattered was the quality of time we

Mammoth California

Hong Kong

With Hachiko in Shibuya, Tokyo

Helmet diving in Boracay

spent with each other and our commitment to love each other,” affirms Au. “Getting married early allowed us to grow together and experience life together,” says Mau. They’ve been married for 13 years and “just like most relationships and marriages, have

Cherry blossoms in Temecula Wine Valley

experienced both laughter and tears.” But they go through everything by maintaining a loving, joyful and God-centered relationship. “We are GG’s (God’s Gift) for life!” declares Mau. They both admit, after more than a decade, that they still feel the same way with each other. “Mau still opens the door for me, still gives me cards and flowers, and makes an effort to always surprise me,” shares Au. Like all couples, they’re also different in some aspects. While Mau likes outdoor activities and does a lot of sports, Au prefers sleeping in on weekends and reading books.

“Maybe he wishes we can exercise or do the marathon together but I think I would die,” admits Au. But like her, her husband reveals, “Au would do roller coasters and probably will skydive with no hesitation. And if she asks me to do them with her, I’ll chain myself to the ground and throw the key in the river!”

But overall, Mau and Au love to do about 90 percent of everything together. “We love to pray, sleep, eat, travel, shop, enjoy the beach, snowboard, play Tsum Tsum, and watch movies and YouTube clips of dogs and emotional Thai commercials, among others,” the couple shares.

And on top of everything, they are both passionate on their creative pursuits. They are in fact one of today’s powerhouse couples who is responsible for a number of stunning editorial features and advertising campaigns.

Mau and Au left their corporate lives in the US and went back to the Philippines in 2012 to focus on their creative side. “We wanted to have a better quality of life while doing what we are passionate about, which is photography and makeup artistry,” shares Au. “We’ve never worked in Manila so we figured, why not give it a shot.”

In 2012, they founded a photo and makeup studio in Quezon City, and in November 2013, Au co-founded At East Jed Root, the Southeast Asian arm of world renowned creative talent agency Jed Root.

Mau, on the other hand, has worked in several editorial and advertising campaigns and was recently a guest photographer for Asia’s Next Top Model Season 2.

Suffice it to say, they are a perfect combination.

They bring out the best in each other and so they also bring out the best in their models and subjects.

S U N D AY : S E P T E M B E R 1 3 : 2 0 1 5

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Art connoisseurs and power couple Mikee and Sheila Romero.

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Peter Coyiuto

These eye candies of prized collector pieces are up for auction to the highest bidder.

Rustan’s Dina Arroyo-Tantoco SM Prime Holdings President Hans T. Sy with Salcedo Auctions President Karen Kua-Lerma.

Lot 184, Luis Lorenzana’s El Romantico under the Important Philippine Art collection.

Lot of fine jewelries under the Fine Jewelry and Timepieces collection.

Lot 127 – Eduardo Castrillo’s Crucifixion.

GOING, GOING, GONE! Appreciating “The Well-Appointed Life” with Hera Geriene and Stephanie Kienle-González.

Italian connection – Maricelle ReyesGallo and Antonio Gallo of the Embassy of Italy.

A “Well-Appointed Life” with Lauro Baja and Grace Barbers Baja.

Supporter of the arts and fine jewelry Tina Cuevas with Paulo Martel of Salcedo Auctions.

Lexus Philippines’ Danny Isla and Gab Sobrepeña spotted at the Timepieces section.

Bea Lombart with Atom Henares

If the title of this column made you check twice to verify the #INTHEMOMENT contents

BY FRANCIS DE LEON of this Sunday’s story, that only means you are as inquisitive as I am about the world (and art) of auctioning objects of great value.

So when a good friend (in this case, a connoisseur) invited this columnist to an exclusive preview organized by Salcedo Auctions, my curiosity turned into a crash course (of some sort) into this exciting world of fine art, jewelry and collectable accessories.

Just very recently, Salcedo Auctions together with Credit Suisse organized a night of cocktails and exclusive first viewing of timepieces, rare automobile, quality artworks and fine jewelries at the Kirov Lounge, Proscenium at Rockwell.

Salcedo Auctions represents leading local and international artists and artisans using auction as a method to effectively move objects of exceptional value. They do this (with great passion and substance, I observed) by way of merging personalized transactions with the so-called theatrics and high drama of public bidding. This provides buyers (most likely, enthusiasts) with opportunities to acquire rare and sought-after pieces from a professionally operated auction house with a team of subject matter experts.

Salcedo Auctions transformed the Kirov Lounge into a well-curated preview gallery of all the lots to be auctioned from the four sale categories, namely: Important Philippine Art; Connoisseur Collection; Fine Jewelry & Timepieces; and Rare Automobiles,

The awe-inspiring Juan Luna y Novicio – Luna, the Ilustrado male, coming to terms with modern femininity. An oil on canvas painting (Lot 149) with a starting bid of P9 million.

all of which will be going under the hammer on September 19 and 20 through an auction weekend at the Rockwell Tent.

“A well-appointed life is a way of living that is attuned to aesthetics, design, and style. It is about the joy of living well, indulging one’s passion for art and other valuable collectables, sharing these interests with family and friends, and allowing the stories of these pieces to be passed on from one generation to the next,” expressed Karen Kua-Lerma, president of Salcedo Auctions.

Judging from the guests’ (composed of the A-list crowd in the business and social scenes) enthusiastic reactions from the lots showcased, I would like to believe that they all share the same ideals for a well-appointed (extremely charmed) life. The atmosphere was reminiscent of a high-end candy store with scions ready to spend their bullion (from their fat golden piggy banks, of course) for the exquisite items (exclusively curated for private viewing) of their hearts’ desire.

I wonder, who will bid for the awe-inspiring oil on canvas painting (Lot 149) of Juan Luna y Novicio?

With a starting bid of P9 million, I guess he (or she) will keep it under strict discretion.

Nonetheless, I can’t help but remind you that as with all “objects of desire,” they will one day be gone (if not purchased) forever. The only question is, how long before these objects (considered “priceless”) will just exist on the pages of a history book or on the walls (possibly, inside silver vaults) of private collectors?

If you’re an aficionado, go now before it’s too late.

Catch the auction weekend entitled “The Well-Appointed Life” at the Rockwell Tent before Salcedo Auctions trades your dream possession to the highest bidder.

(Visit their website at www.salcedoauctions. com or call 659 4094 for the complete schedule about their auction weekend.)

Follow me on Twitter or Instagram @francis_deleon8.

SUNDAY : S EPT EMBER 13 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

GMA News kicks off #iMsociAl series

G

MA News kicked off its latest project dubbed #IMSocial: The Think Before You Click and Youscoop Sessions at the University of Santo Tomas on Aug. 26. #IMSocial aims to promote the responsible use of social media among the youth today and encourage them to become more involved as citizen journalists.

The #IMSocial UST leg was widely attended by students from different programs in the university. UST alumnus and iJuander’s Cesar Apolinario and UST journalism student Samantha Belmonte hosted the event.

The session’s speakers included Justin Decastro, a Political Science student from the University of Santo Tomas; Jay Jaboneta, founder of Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, an organization helping less privileged school children; Carl Lozano, founder of IGersManila Philippines, an organization of mobile photography enthusiasts; executive editor and Officer in Charge of GMA News Online, Jaemark Tordecilla; and multi-awarded journalist and Vice President for Professional Development of GMA News and Public Affairs, Howie Severino.

During the session, the speakers highlighted the transformative power of a single post - how it can give hope, spread love and happiness, right a wrong, and encourage optimism. It can also be a catalyst for change, the speakers emphasized.

“The best camera is the one that’s with you,” Lozana said as he discussed Instagram as a platform for netizens to form communities both online and offline.

Decastro, on the other hand,

talked about what social media means to him after a photo of him selling books on the street in order to pay for his tuition became viral on the internet. “Ang pinaka-important word sa social media is not media. It’s social,” he said.

Jaboneta, meanwhile, related how social media has helped them further the cause of their organization. “A single social media post, a single Facebook post, can trigger change,” he emphasized.

In his speech, Tordecilla discussed how journalism is evolving due the internet and social media.

He said GMA News Online “is able to tell multimedia journalism stories that give you the big picture and the small picture.”

Finally, Severino focused on Think Before You Click, GMA News’ award-winning advocacy for the responsible use of social media. “Don’t do or say anything in social media that you would not do in public,” he reminded those at the session and those who were following the series online.

Students who attended the session actively posted the goings-on and shared their thoughts on their social media accounts with the hashtag #IMSocialxUST, which became a trending topic in the Philippines.

The #IMSocial Sessions will go to different universities in the following months, including the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, and De La Salle University.

For more information on the #IMSocial: The Think Before You Click and Youscoop Sessions, visit http://www.gmanews.tv/imsocial and f ollow @GMANews on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Viber, and FireChat.

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GMA News’ Cesar Apolinario, multi-awarded journalist and Vice President for Professional Development Howie Severino and UST journalism student Samantha Belmonte discuss the responsible use of social media with the advocacy Think Before You Click.

Carl Lozano of IGersManila and UST political science student Justin Decastro at a Q&A moderated by Cesar Apolinario and Samantha Belmonte.

Jay Jaboneta of the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation talks about how he used social media to help others in need.

GMA News Online Exeutive Editor and OIC Jaemark Tordecilla talks to UST students about modern day journalism.

SUNDAY : S EPT EMBER 13 : 2015

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ReCent Films FRom Colombia at instituto CeRvantes

I

Nicole Kidman and Chiwetel Ejiofor in The Secret in their Eyes

Julia Roberts, Kidman and Ejiofor

JULIA RObERtS, NICOLE KIDmAN IN ‘SECREt IN thEIR EyES’

A

ward winning and Hollywood’s leading actresses Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman team up in a movie for the first time ever in the highly anticipated thrilling movie of the year Secret in Their Eyes along with Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave).

In the hair-raising dramatic thriller directed and written by Academy Award nominee Billy Ray, the film sees former FBI agent Ray (Ejiofor) haunted by the murder of the daughter of his good friend and former partner Cobb (Roberts) - a case left unsolved for the past 12 years.

At the time, Ray and Cobb apprehended a suspect, Marzin, who was an informant during a counter–terrorism investigation while the nation was gripped by fear. Due to his importance in that plot and the fact that his confession was extracted under questionable means, Marzin was eventually released and Ray lost sight of him…until now. Ray re-

turns to Boston and must confront his past, including Claire (Kidman), with whom he had a working relationship and unrequited love. As Ray inches closer to solving the crime, he uncovers a shocking truth that will shed a terrifying new light on past events.

Based on the Academy-Award winning Argentinian film by Juan Jose Campanella, acclaimed filmmaker Billy Ray is set to deliver a sophisticated crime thriller that explores what people pushed to their limits can hide in the dark corners of the human heart.

As revealed in the trailer that was recently launched this year, Secret in Their Eyes gives the audience a glimpse of a heartbreaking and disturbing scene where a mother’s worst fear had been unveiled who discovered that her daughter had been murdered and was left in the dump.

“It was just one of those scenes.

You knew it was part of the reason Julia was doing the movie

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 89 90 93 95 97 98 100 101

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Rainbows, e.g.

5 Dealt with it 10 Rock bands?

16 “— -A-Lula” (hyph.)

21 Red giant in Cetus 22 Clear the slate 23 Club, say 24 Hacienda brick 25 Fiery gem 26 Poker pair 27 Shortens, maybe 28 Kemo Sabe’s pal 29 Argued against 31 Eur. airline 33 Rubbernecks 35 It comes up in spring 36 Hunt goddess 37 River in France 40 Female lobster 41 Bucket’s handle 42 PC screen 45 However 46 College stat 48 Politico — Landon 50 Lie down

52 54 55 57 58 59 60 62 66 67 69 71 72 74 76 78 79 80 83 85 88

Magazine subscriber Unhearing Miniblind part Perfume label word Aleut language Devers of track To be, to Balzac Update, as a factory Faxed, maybe Van Gogh painting Dreaded phone status (2 wds.)

Reasonable Office kitty (2 wds.)

Sense organ Last box to check Left in a hurry Debt memos Dental filling Freezing (hyph.)

Sighed with delight Cornered (2 wds.)

106 108 110 112 113 115 116 117 118 120 122 123 124 128 129 130 131 132 133 135 137 139 140 142 144 148 150 153 155 156 157 158

Highlanders “Star Trek” stunners Feeler Depot info Claiborne of fashion Soothes Grass skirt go-with Fidel’s favorite pick-me-up?

(2 wds.)

Luau strings Puck stopper Natural fabric Even Roomy vehicle Dappled Mighty — — oak LaBelle or LuPone Rank below brig. gen.

Bulrush or cattail Forget it! (hyph.)

Voice a conviction Space saver (2 wds.)

Floating leaf Have a late meal FBI counterpart Plea at sea Iowa college town June bug Flower holder Kind of lily CD preceders Three-legged stand Biol. or astron.

Rooted through Loose-limbed Wahine welcomes Some take a gander Peeve Acrylic fabric In large supply Nash of humorous poems

and yet it was something she was really dreading,” explains writer-director Ray, who earned an Oscar nomination for the Captain Phillips screenplay. “She was going to have to go to a place that was going to be very painful.”

Says Ray in recent interviews, it’s also the first movie that has co-starred Oscar winners Roberts and Kidman. “You always want big stars as long as they’re great actors. In the case of Julia and Nicole, you get both. And it was a sight to witness the two powerhouse actresses play off of each other. There was enormous respect, great camaraderie, and, in my opinion — I don’t know if either of them would ever admit to it — there was a very healthy, kind of athletic level of competitiveness, they both had such regard for each other and they both wanted to do their best because the other was in the movie.”

Secret in Their Eyes opens very soon from Axinite Digicinema.

Trailer link: https://youtu.be/ i8PvFasn1Ck

nstituto Cervantes and the Embassy of Colombia present the film cycle entitled “Cine Colombiano”, a series of recent Colombian films. The movies will be screened every Saturday of September at the Instituto Cervantes, the cultural arm of the Embassy of Spain, in Kalaw Street, Ermita.

The cycle kicked-off on Sept.5, with Del amor y otros demonios (Of Love and Other Demons), and the documentary Gabo: la magia de lo real (Gabo: The Creation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez), at 4pm.

Del amor y otros demonios, a film version of Gabriel García Márquez’s novel, is the unsettling story of 13-year-old girl called Sierva María and the dog bite that changes her life forever.

Gabo: la magia de lo real (Gabo: The Creation of Gabriel García Márquez), directed

by Justin Webster in 2015, is a gripping documentary about the 1982 Nobel Prize winner for Literature Gabriel García Márquez.

Yesterday, the film cycle screened Sofía y el terco (Sofia and the Stubborn Man), directed

by Andrés Burgos in 2012.

The film cycle continues on Sept. 19 with Cazando luciérnagas (Chasing Fireflies), by Roberto Flores Prieto. It is about how affection can improve reality. Manrique is the man in charge of watching an abandoned salt mine located in a recondite place of the Colombian Caribbean. In his work he has

found the perfect excuse to isolate himself from a world that doesn’t appeal to him anymore. Nevertheless, the appearance of a dog that likes to chase fireflies in the dark, and the unexpected arrival of Valeria, a thirteen-year old daughter whose existence he ignored, will create for this solitary man an opportunity to recover the joy of being alive.

Cazando luciérnagas bagged several nominations and awards –such as the Best Cinematography Award at the Huelva Latin American Film Festival.

Directed by Óscar Ruiz Navia in 2013, the critically acclaimed Los hongos concludes the film cycle “Cine colombiano” on Sept. 26 at 2pm. The movie tells the story of two young men from Cali who want to become graffiti artists. Los hongos has enjoyed quite a success in film festivals worldwide, receiving the Special Jury Prize in the Locarno International Film Festival, or the Dioraphte Award in the Rotterdam International Film Festival.

All films will be shown in their original version in Spanish with English subtitles. The screenings will take place at the Salón de Actos of Instituto Cervantes, 855 T.M. Kalaw, Ermita, Manila.

Entrance is free admission on a first-come, first-served basis.

For further information please log on to: Instituto Cervantes’ website www.manila.cervantes.es or www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila, or call 526-1482.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

159 160 161 162 163

Emmy’s relative Smaller than small Demands Perch First-quarter tide

DOWN 1 Omnia vincit — 2 Plump and juicy 3 Grouchy person 4 Cancun toast 5 Half-man, half-horse 6 Familiarize 7 Bamboo eater 8 Vane dir.

9 Kind of job 10 Hindu sage 11 Util. bill 12 Dock denizen 13 Take down — — 14 Rabbi’s scroll 15 Solution 16 Winged mammals 17 Shoguns’ capital 18 Miniature maple, e.g.

19 Get 20 Folks 30 Nepal neighbor 32 It has two heels 34 Patella site 38 Stockholm carrier 39 DeGeneres sitcom 41 Music genre 42 Invigorating 43 Ms. Zellweger 44 Jeer at 46 Teahouse hostess 47 Bleached-out 49 Comprehend 51 Train component 53 Simple tunes 54 Podium 56 Easy gait 59 Mardi — 61 Post-kindergarten 63 Danish islands 64 As a whole (2 wds.)

65 67 68 69 70 73 75 77 81 82 84 85 86 87 91

Minds the garden “ER” setting Space Needle site Carbon-based Holiday mo.

Matterhorn echo “Tiny Alice” penner Queenlike Fellow Author — Rand Bungalows High mark (hyph.)

Take — —!

— over (got foggy) Home furnishing

92 93 94 95 96 99 102 103 104 105 107 109 111 114

Swill Zonked out Is bratty (2 wds.)

Poet’s black Darken in the sun Wildlife refuge Bryce Canyon locale Chomps down Kind of rocket Prevents errata Brown bags Think-tank output Maui neighbor San Francisco hill

117 119 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 130 134 136 137 138

Choir selection Helen’s mother Banned pesticide “Semper fi” grp.

Malady Candidate list Strike caller Cuddle up Prescribed amount Reasons Chill out Slalom runs Ism Baseball’s Hank —

140 Counting-rhyme start 141 Kinks’ hit 143 1939 Lugosi role 145 Derisive remark 146 Charles Lamb 147 Heartfelt 149 Sweetie-pie 151 Ad — committee 152 Museum contents 154 Freud topic

SUNDAY : S EPT EMBER 13 : 2015

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

AwArd-winning filmmAkers behind YouTube generATion’s movie

J Carlos Agassi and Max Collins

Sef Cadayona and Marissa Sanchez

Juan tamad goes Bankrupt From c8

The bill collectors are after Juan Tamad (played by comedian Sef Cadayona) and his Nanay Siony (Marissa Sanchez) now deeply indebted after becoming victims of a networking scam.

They don’t just owe the electricity, water, and internet companies… even the neighborhood vegetable, taho and balut vendors, the Indian moneylender and Tatang Albularyo Betong Sumaya) are banging their doors.

Juan takes all this in stride. Despite the leaks on the roof above their heads, he still manages to make his mother laugh.

True crisis begins when Juan realizes the love of his life Marie (Max Collins) is falling in love with her boss, the impossibly buff, successful and good-looking Senator Iggy Imperial (Carlos Agassi).

Can Juan – short, lazy and now very poor – still manage to win Marie’s heart?

Juan Tamad airs Sundays, 4:30 p.m., on GMA7.

HHHHH Fandom culture on mtrcB uncut They say celebrities are nothing without their adoring fans. Today in MTRCB Uncut, hosts Bobby Andrews and Jackie Aquino talk about the consumer of movie and TV shows—the fans!

Take a closer look at the so-called “fandom culture” in the country through an engaging “Prangkahan” with showbiz reporter Ogie Diaz, certified KathNiel fan Airiz Trinidad, solid Vilmanian Ricky Abad, and MTRCB Vice Chairperson Emmanuel Borlaza.

Join Gladys Reyes reminiscing with the 90s Klik love team Bobby Andrews and Angelu de Leon. The former T.G.I.S. stars share their kilig moments and their fondest moments with their fans.

Meanwhile, MTRCB Chairperson Toto Villareal continues to answer questions sent to the agency. How does MTRCB classify children’s programs with violent themes? Know his take on this and other queries via “I-Share Mo Kay Chair” segment.

Catch all these in MTRCB Uncut 7 p.m. tonight on Net 25.

HHHHH marimar cast in Batangas This afternoon, the Batangueño fans of Megan Young, Tom Rodriguez and Dion Ignacio will have a chance to see them up close and personal at 5 p.m. at

Gladys Reyes and Angelu De Leon join host Bobby Andrews in this week’s episode of MTRCB Uncut Poster of Marimar in Batangas

Xentro Mall in Lemery, Batangas.

The members of the cast of the no. 1 prime time TV drama these days are visiting every place they can to thank the fans who are supporting them in their TV show.

Last week, Sergio (Rodriguez) asked Marimar (Young) to marry him but the latter refused because she didn’t want to marry Sergio only for the money that he was offering to help her and her grandparents. Her lolo would need surgery to survive.

But, will Marimar eventually capitulate to Sergio’s wish when she learns that her lolo might day if his leg is not cut?

Watch Marimar everyday at 7:45 p.m. on GMA 7.

HHHHH sen. chiz escudero Birthday giFt to Quino Quino, Sen. Chiz Escudero’s son was ecstatic when he met Stephen Curry, his idol. Curry was in town last week.

The father made good his promise to his son who wished to meet the NBA chanpion’s Golden State Warriors shooting guard.

With a little help from Escudero’s friends, Quino was able to shake Curry’s hands and had a photo taken with him. Quino and his father waited at a hotel in Makati just to see Curry.

Meanwhile, the Senator dat-

ohn Swetnam, who wrote the billion-dollar box-office hit movie Step Up: All In and multiple Grammy Award winner John Legend team up as director and producer of Breaking Through, a dance movie filmed for the YouTube generation about a young woman thrust into the world of fame after being discovered online.

Starring Sophia Aguilar as Casey, Breaking Through follows her story as a young dancer who is discovered on YouTube by an up-and-coming talent scout. When Casey gets thrust into the modern world of internet celebrity and culture, she must find a way to balance her true identity with her online persona, or risk losing herself and everything she cares about.

Art imitates life, Sophia Aguiar (Casey), a dancer, choreographer and actress was discovered via YouTube after performing with Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, Usher, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, and Britney Spears. She has also been part of the movie sequel Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked.

Swetnam marks his directorial debut and has rounded up a fully talented cast along with Aguilar that includes

Jordan Rodrigues, Robert Roldan, Taeko McCarroll, Marissa Heart, Jay Ellis, Brina Marquezine, Les Twins, Anitta and the allmale Poreotics dance crew.

“I weirdly got in to dance movies, but I’m not – I mean I like to dance when I’m having a good time – but I’m not a dancer by any means,” recalls Swetnam. Coming from the hugely popular dance movie franchise Step Up: All In, Swetnam further relates that Breaking Through is difficult to film, “Since Step Up had such incredible production value and was done on a grand scale. I actually loved Saturday Night Fever and Flashdance, the first Step Up. So I kind of wanted to do my own version of a dance movie.

“If you go on YouTube, you have all these people who have hundreds of thousands of followers and they make and post these amazing dance videos, and there’s kids from all over the world with huge followings.

So I wanted to tell that story, so I could merge the Internet with dance.”

Opening on Sept. 23 in theaters nationwide from Axinite Digicinema, Breaking Through also features original music by John Legend who is also the executive producer of the film.

finAllY, A Cure for hiv

F Stephen Curry shakes Quino's hands

ed Quino’s twin sister, Chesi at a restaurant in Quezon City. Escudero posted photos of themselves while in the restaurant.

Not to be outdone, Mrs. Escudero or Heart Evangelista to her fans greeted the twins that she calls “my bulilits” in her post on Instagram on their birthday on Sept. 7.

Heart also posted a photo of them – Chiz, the twins, and herself – on the beach. They were holding each other’s hands and the caption was, “Happy birthday to my 2 bulilits.”

Chiz thanked everyone who greeted and remembered his children’s birthday.

or those suffering from Hair Is Vanishing (HIV), here is finally something that really works.

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While treatments such as hot oil, power dose, and coloring always bring about good results, hair strengthening is more important.

The main ingredient of this miracle shampoo is Argan oil, commonly used in many hair products for a good reason. Argan oil deeply nourishes hair and scalp and makes hair more lustrous and manageable.

Argan oil is the beauty industry’s most recent wonder. Traditionally, the oil was used extensively in Morocco to treat various ailments, such as dry skin, acne, wrinkles and joint pain. It is also a common ingredient in cooking, with health benefits ranging from lowering cholesterol to easing arthritis.

Its many benefits include calming frizzy ends and adding moisture and shine to dry hair; revitalizing dry scalp; moisturizing skin to make it smooth, clear and radiant; moisturizing the body; and strengthening cuticles and nails if they are prone to cracking and peeling.

Get your bottle of Anagen today at Mercury Drug Stores nationwide.

SUNDAY : S EPT EMBER 13 : 2015

C8 The Samonte brothers -Juan, Oscar, and Franco'

Jake Cuenca is Juan

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

‘Pasion de amor’ introduces new chapter and new characters ISAH V. RED

Joseph Marco

Ejay Falcon is Oscar

ABS-CBN’s local adaptation of worldwide telenovela sensation Pasion De Amor continues to conquer its timeslot in national TV ratings and remains to be the hottest series on Philippine primetime television today.

Topbilled by today’s sexiest tandems Jake Cuenca and Arci Munoz, Ejay Falcon and Ellen Adarna, and Joseph Marco and Coleen Garcia, Pasion De Amor consistently makes it to the top five most watched weekday programs in the country, according to Kantar Media, and is also one of the five most viewed programs online via video-on-demand service iWant TV. The teleserye also remained unbeaten despite the premiere of a new rival program last Monday when it scored a national TV rating of 23 percent versus the rival’s 10.3 percent.

The story heats up further in the coming weeks as the show opens a new chapter in the lives of the Samonte brothers. Watch Juan, Oscar, and Franco’s worlds turn upside down as they enjoy the view from the top with their newfound fortune and power.

New people will also step into their lives and will play crucial parts in their journey. What roles will Eduvina (Pilar Pilapil), Maryo (Pen Medina), and Elle

(Kazel Kinouchi) play?

The explosive revelations and twists don’t end there, because the woman who planted the seeds of anger and revenge in the brothers’ hearts, Gabriela (Teresa Loyzaga), finally returns. How did she escape death after falling off a cliff? What evil schemes will she plot against the Samontes? How will Norma, Sari, and Jamie react once they find out that she is still alive?

Don’t miss the intense story of primetime series Pasion De Amor, weeknights, before TV Patrol on ABS-CBN. For updates, like www. facebook.com/pasiondeamor.tv on Facebook, follow @pasiondeamor TV on Twitter or follow @pasiondeamor.abscbn on Instagram.

Jake Cuenca

Joseph Marco is Franco

➜ continued on c7

The teleserye also remained unbeaten despite the premiere of a new rival program last Monday when it scored a national TV rating of 23 percent versus the rival’s 10.3 percent.

Ejay Falcon