The Standard - 2015 November 01 - Sunday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXIX  NO. 262  3 Sections 24 Pages P18  SUNDAY : NOVEMBER 1, 2015  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

ZAMBO FIRE KILLS 6 KIDS, 9 MORE

PALACE SMARTING FROM SOLONS’ RAP By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

A PALACE official lashed out at opposition leaders on Saturday for saying that the Aquino administration lacks compassion for Filipinos who are the highest taxed people in Southeast Asia, but suffer sub-standard public services.

“They should never ever say that the government has no heart, that the government has no malasakit [compassion],” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in an interview on government-run Radyo ng Bayan. “In the six years of our government, everything will be done to help those who are at the fringes of society,” he said, adding that opposition leaders are only making political appeals for votes in next year’s elections. Lacierda hit Senator Ferdinand Marcos

and his cousin Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for claiming that the Aquino administration does not want to push a tax cut bill in Congress because they don’t care about the sufferings of Filipinos. Marcos, the son of former President Ferdinand Marcos, is running for vice president while Romualdez, the son of former Ambassador Benjamin Romualdez, is seeking his first term in the Senate. “Everybody is saying ‘I’m in favor of lowering this, I’m in favor of lowering that’ be-

cause it’s campaign season. Elections are already near,” Lacierda said. “But we are government. We have to be responsible. We recognize there’s a concern. We recognize that some people would like to lower the tax rates and we’re saying, ‘we’re all together in this,” he said. But the public should not expect a “Christmas gift” like a new tax rate cut law, as suggested by Marcos, because the government wants to review the tax law “comprehensively.” Next page

WE WILL REMEMBER. Relatives of victims of Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in Tacloban City honored their beloved departed with votive candles on Oct. 31, almost two years after the disaster that killed around 7,000 people around the country, mostly from the Eastern Visayas region. AFP PHOTO

A GLIMPSE AT THE LIFE OF A ‘BUENA FAMILIA’

LUMAD PROBERS TAGGED ‘LEFTIST COHORTS’ THE military accused a Catholic Church-backed International FactFinding Mission on the killing of indigenous people, called lumad, in Mindanao of being “leftist cohorts” who are out to muddle the lumad issue with propaganda against the government. “Our Philippine Senate has already conducted an inquiry in Sep-

tember on the issue which was fully supported by all stakeholders,” said Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao. “After the hearing, our lawmakers were clarified on the lumad issue that were all distorted by the leftist organizations in the public,” he added. Hao said the Army has “valid

reasons to believe that these tourists are cohorts of the leftist organizations who just simply wanted to muddle the lumad issue with propaganda against the government.” Hao said they expected results of the IFFM’s unauthorized investigation will simply serve their leftist Next page cohorts.

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6 kids among dead in zamboanga fire By florante S. Solmerin

FIFTEEN people, including six children, died before dawn Saturday after they were trapped in fire that engulfed a part of the Zamboanga City Public Market, police said. Initial report released by the city government said 13 other people suffered severe burns when the fire occurred at 3:17 a.m. at the market on Magay Street near the city hall. Zamboanga City fire marshal Superintendent Dominador Zabala Jr. said the fire razed 350 stalls, mostly used-clothing shops, and partially destroyed a three-story commercial building. Estimated worth of property damaged was placed at P8 million. Investigation showed the fire started when an electricity wire at a nearby electric post sparked and

the spark fell onto a stall of used clothing. “Apparently it was a spark in the [electrical] wiring,” Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said as to the origin of the fire. Salazar said the other stalls that were razed were selling marine products and vegetables, admitting that some of the stalls were constructed illegally by the occupants. She said the victims who were killed and injured were among the people staying in their stalls while some had just stayed overnight as they were scheduled to travel to Jolo, Sulu. The names of the fatalities released by the local police and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) are the following: Kayulan Hasiddin, 48; Musal Hasiddin, 45; Radzhata Hasiddin, 28; Bunay Hasiddin, 1; Crissamae Hasiddin, 3; Noynoy Hasiddin, 5; Nurais Hasiddin, 9; Radzmer Hasiddin, 10; Ruhilyn Hamis, 26; Jasper Hamis, 1; Abei Salahuddin, 40; Nuru-

in Salahuddin, 39; Algabid Salahuddin, 20; Marilyn Salahuddin, 32; and, Binnas Salahuddin, 20. Those who suffered burns and taken to the hospitals are as follows: Alvin Bete, 14; Annang Erilis, 45; Nurmina Jamiri, 18; Yasser Jamiri, 29; Almudzra Hamis, 31; Midzfar Hamis, 7; Farhana Hamis, 9; Bennaser Hamis, 32; Abdurahman Hamis, 36; Nasriya Hamis, 5; Nasmiya Hamis, 9; Albini Jaani, 32 and, Alfredo Mana, 16. Salazar said the injured victims would be transferred to the Mindanao Central Sanitarium in Barangay Pasobolong, this city, “so that they will be given better medical assistance.” Salazar said she has instructed City Social Welfare and Development Officer Socorro Rojas to provide the necessary assistance to the victims. Zabala said the fire was placed under control around 5:20 a.m. and was declared fire out at 7:50 a.m..

Manila fire. Firemen extinguish a fire that engulfed a factory in Manila on Oct. 28. There were no casualties in this fire, unlike the 15 fatalities and 13 casualties of the market fire in Zamboanga City on Saturday. afP PHOTO

LUMAD... From A1...

“The PA respects them as tourists, but upon the arrival of the members of the IFFM in Mindanao on Oct. 26, a general orientation and a focused group discussion about the lumad issue were conducted at the Capitol Social Hall, Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur,” Hao said. He added the IFFM has no mandate nor the authority from the government or from any international organizations to investigate the country’s internal affairs.

These IFFM members are: Gill Boehringer from Australia, Hans Schaap from The Netherlands, Philip Calles and Henry Langston from London, and Jonas Straetmans and Dalkiran Metin from Belgium. Hao said the army has already informed and expressed its formal complaint regarding these tourists to the different concerned government agencies, especially the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Immigration. Hao said the Philippine National Police has already identified the perpetrators of the lumad killings in Surigao and filed charges

against them. In fact, a joint AFP-PNP was organized to apprehend the perpetrators to face justice and shed light on the matter. Previous propaganda by the leftist organizations alleged that the AFP has a hit list, but up to now, they can’t figure out how to make real the figment of their imagination. “What can be proven clearly was the recent killing of a lumad mayor and his son from Agusan Del Sur. There are also other lumad killings and recruitment of lumad minors that the NPAs proudly acknowledged,” Hao added.

PALACE... From A1...

“Again, we are all in favor of greater take home pay but we need to review the tax laws comprehensively,” he said. Lacierda also lashed at Romualdez for saying that the Aquino administration has no compassion for people who continue to endure sub-standard public services while economic growth has slowed down because of government underspending. Lacierda said the Aquino administration has invested P75 billion for its Conditional Cash Transfer Program which financially assists 4.4-million families, or over 20 million Filipinos. The coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has also been expanded under the Aquino administration, Lacierda said. “Sabihin mo kay Martin Romualdez, hindi ba iyan malasakit? [You tell Martin Romualdez, is that not compassion?],” Lacierda asked. “You tell me if that is not malasakit. Don’t go out there saying that this government does not care for its people. We have invested so much government revenues,” he added. Lacierda slammed Romualdez a day after presidential aspirant Sen. Grace Poe admitted she was disappointed Romualdez could not be included in her senatorial slate because the congressman has been fighting for many of the things she too wanted, especially help for his constituents in Eastern Visayas who were devastated by Super Typhoon “Yolanda.” Poe, the presidential frontrunner in the most recent opinion surveys, also asked the public to support someone like Romualdez because his platform of government is anchored on good governance, accountability and transparency. But Romualdez’s House allies came to his defense and said it was a congressman’s duty to fight for his constituents and Romualdez’s advocacy for reasonable income tax rates proves he is worthy of the Senate. “[That is the] height of insensitivity,” 1-BAP Rep. Silvestre Bello told The Standard in response to Palace’s admonition against Romualdez. “This administration has the propensity to cater to the convenience of big business rather than addressing the needs of our marginalized countrymen,” Bello said. “Sino ba talaga ang boss nila? Ayala o ang masa? [Who are really their bosses? The Ayalas or the masses?]” Bello said his party-list, the Unang Barangay Ating Paunlarin with 60,000 members, will support the Romualdez senatorial bid because he can help improve the justice system and address the education and health needs of barangays. Abakada Rep. Jonathan de la Cruz, for his part, said the issue on lowering the income tax rates was a valid election issue in any election in any country and should not be brought down to the personal level. De la Cruz said Romualdez was merely echoing the sentiments of millions of Filipino workers as well as other policy makers who want to provide a relief to an overtaxed public that suffers some of the worst public services in the world. Nonetheless, Lacierda insisted that lower income taxes should not be turned into an election issue and lashed at Ibon Foundation executive director Jose Enrique Africa who criticized Lilberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II for downplaying the tax issue. “The government, the executive, has the political levers to actually push it if they want to. If they’re not pushing it, that’s a matter of choice,” he said. “The biggest reason that the government is not willing to reform the income tax system is that they’re taxing the rich, and they are also taxing the poor,” he added. Lacierda hit Africa’s remarks and said there is no need to debate on the need to reform the tax laws. “There is no debate we need to reform the tax laws, but we remind the IBON Foundation, we were able to generate so much revenue without even raising, without introducing new taxes, except for rationalizing the sin tax,” Lacierda noted. He cited the increase of revenue is due to the improved tax collections and making sure that leakages have been plugged.

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junjun: raps baseless, illegal By Joel Zurbano

MAKATI Mayor Jejomar Binay reiterated on Saturday that he was dismissed on baseless charges because he was being held accountable for acts that were committed in 2007 when he was not yet the mayor.

Last-minute registrants. Filipino voters flocked to the local offices of the Commission on Elections, like this one in Quezon City, to submit themselves to biometric recording on the last day of registratio for the 2016 elections. Jansen rOmerO

SOLONS: AIRPORT SCAM NOT ISOLATED By maricel V. Cruz and Joel e. Zurbano MORE lawmakers joined calls for a congressional inquiry into incidents of bullets suddenly being found in the luggage of innocent passengers a day after Malacañang belittled growing public criticism of corruption at the airport. Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao on Saturday said he will provide good lawyers to defend overseas Filipino workers and other victims of the “laglag bala [planted bullets]” gang. Pacquiao, vice chairman of the House committee on overseas Filipino workers’ welfare, also called on Malacañang to take swift and concrete steps to address the scandal because it is already a cause of embarrassment for the country in the international community. Pacquiao also urged those who have been victimized by the alleged “laglag bala gang” operating at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to get in touch with his office, adding that he has assigned a team of lawyers to render free legal assistance. Pacquiao said victims who want to avail of free legal services may contact lawyer Jojo Bondoc at cellular number (0920)921-1162.

“We denounce such kind of extortion activities at the Naia that have victimized travellers, particularly OFWs,” Pacquaio said in a statement. “The laglag bala scandal is something that this government has taken for granted,” Pacquiao said. “The government has to provide solution to the problem and not just dismiss the issue as an isolated incident.” Senator Nancy Binay echoed the call of Pacquiao and said that the authorities have failed to stop the syndicate that is believed have been operating the scam since 2005. “These incidents have been reported to our authorities before but why are these abuses still happening?” said Binay, adding that there have been reports since 2005 that these kind of modus are rampant in three major terminals of NAIA. Binay was the latest lawmaker to file a resolution calling for a Senate probe to look into the alleged presence of a syndicate engaged in planting bullets in the luggage of unsuspecting airline passengers entering or leaving the country. Three other senators—Miriam Defensor Santiago, Ralph Recto and Alan Peter Cayetano—earlier called for an investigation on the scheme. Santiago has filed Senate Resolution No. 1635. She said “the reports highlight

how corruption defeats the purpose of law enforcement. Second, they raise a legitimate question on the implementation of the law on the illegal possession of ammunition. Finally, they underline inaction on the part of government.” Some of the victims, after being caught, claimed that airport security personnel apparently extorted money with a minimum of P30,000 before they can be cleared to travel. “Once tagged as world’s worst airport, and now because of this bullet planting incidents I’m sure, NAIA would maintained its bad reputation as international airport,” said Binay. Malacañang earlier downplayed the existence of the syndicate, saying “thousands [of passengers] are using the airport terminals [each day] and only a few were found in possession of bullets. All of these incidents are being investigated based on law.” “Authorities recognize the human rights as well as legal rights of those [found] carrying [bullets],” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. But over the past few weeks, number of cases escalated while victims appeared on the media denied all claims of their infractions and insisting that they did not own the planted bullets.

Binay’s spokesman Joey Salgado said the mayor’s lawyers are confident that the Court of Appeals would see the Ombudsman’s irregular and illegal order so the Ombudsman dismissed Binay on Oct. 12 in order to undermine Binay’s petition and pre-empt the appellate court’s decision. “The mayor’s lawyers had anticipated the decision of the Court of Appeals, as this would be the consequence of the Ombudsman’s irregular and illegal order dismissing Mayor Binay,” Salgado said. He said Binay had already filed a motion for reconsideration before the Ombudsman, asking the agency to reverse its decision and instead order the dismissal of the complaint and recall all the penalties imposed. “The Office of the Ombudsman ignored the mayor’s constitutional right to due process. He was not informed of the nature of the allegations, and he is even being held liable for acts committed before he was elected mayor. The agency also did not act on earlier motions filed as early as May and instead issued its decision,” Salgado said. He added there is no factual basis or evidence of conspiracy in the alleged rigging of the bid and the award of the contracts for architectural and engineering design of the Makati City Hall Building II. “The Ombudsman also erred in applying rulings of the Supreme Court,” he added. In his 26-page motion for reconsideration filed Oct. 19, Binay said the Ombudsman’s Special Panel of Investigators charged him even if he did not participate in the bidding process. “No stretch of imagination could yield a conclusion that I conspired in the commission of offenses that happened

during the bidding when I am not a member of the Bids and Awards Committee and I could not have been the author of the falsifications allegedly committed,” the mayor said. Binay said the special panels held him accountable for acts committed in 2007 when he was not yet the mayor. “I submit that my constitutional right to due process was violated when, contrary to the rules of court and the Ombudsman’s rules of procedure, I was made to answer to the complaint even when on its face, there is no valid allegation against me,” he said. Binay said the Ombudsman’s inaction on several motions he had filed “is most telling of its disregard of the rights of the undersigned respondent.” These acts denied him “the opportunity to be heard and to submit any evidence he may have in support of his claim or defense,” he said. “Undersigned respondent have long ago expressed his doubt as to the neutrality of the Special Panel and the recent issuance of the Joint Decision and the separate Resolution and Joint Resolution in the criminal aspect of the instant cases have all the more confirmed our serious doubts as to the neutrality of the Special Panel and the Office of the Ombudsman,” Binay said. “The inaction, failure, or refusal of the Special Panel to resolve the pending incidents, especially the motion to suspend proceedings despite our earlier manifestations of doubt as to its impartiality constitutes denial of due process,” he added. The mayor emphasized that he did not participate in the procurement of the contract for the architectural and engineering design of the bulding.

PH ENVOYS ASSIGNED MORE WORK THE Palace announced the designation of some ambassadors to cover additional jurisdictions aside from the area they currently handle. Among those being given new jurisdictions were Ambassador to Hungary Maria Fe Pangilinan, who will now oversee Romania, Republic of Bulgaria, and Republic of Moldova, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan on Saturday. Ambassador to South

Africa Joseph Gerard B. Angeles was given the additional jurisdiction of Madagascar and Mauritius. Ambassador Philippe Jones Lhuillier, the country’s ambassador to Portugal, will now also cover the Republic of Cabo Verde, Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, and the Republic of Angola. Ambassador Carlos Sorreta, who handles the Russian Federation, will also oversee Re-

public of Kazakhstan. Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Jose Burgos has been given jurisdiction over Bolivia and Venezuela. Philippine Ambassador to the US, Jose Cuisia, is given authority to cover several jurisdictions such as Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Barbados, Commonwealth of Dominica, Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia. pna

OperatiOn: Barrio Schools. Amb. Carlos Chan (inset) of Liwayway Marketing Corp.,

manufacturer of Oishi snack products is donating 200 units of two-classroom school buildings to Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ affected schools in Tacloban City under a program of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. Chan is a senior executive adviser of FFCCCII. Photo shows the turn over ceremony at Marasbaras National High School. FFCCCII board member and welfare committee chairman Enrique Chua (7th from left) and Heinrich Cochien (9th from left) representative of Amb. Carlos Chan, turned over the school building to Tacloban City Vice Mayor Jerry Sambo Yaokasin (8th from left), barangay chairman Iris Ting (10th from left) and MNHS Principal Basilisa Negru (3rd from left). Also present were FFCCCII regional director Moises ‘Bobby’ Lim (2nd from left), Tacloban Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Jack Uy (5th from left), TFCCC officers, and MNHS students.

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OPINION

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OPINION

TRUMP GOES TO WAR OVER REPUBLICAN DEBATES

[ EDI TORI A L ]

A RELATIVE CONFIDENCE

By Jonathan Bernstein

THE headlines say the Philippines has won round one. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has asserted its jurisdiction over the issue of the Philippines’ complaint against China’s nine-dash line claim over the West Philippine Sea. Months ago, a so-called powerhouse team of Filipino lawyers, politicians and support staff trooped to The Netherlands to argue why the United Nations court is the rightful body to settle the dispute. China, of course, has been deathly silent. Its position has always been that the Filipinos and the Chinese should hold bilateral talks without invoking any third party or the international community. Our position has been a mix of the two. We talk to China, but we tell on it, too. How it has made a mockery out of a convention of the laws of the sea. How it has built structures on islands in disputed waters. How it has prevented our own fishermen from conducting their livelihood in waters that are supposed to be ours in the first place. With the Oct. 29 decision of the PCA, the Philippine team is now preparing to argue its case on its merits. “The decision represents a significant step forward in the Philippines’ quest for a peaceful, impartial resolution of the disputes between the parties and the clarification of their rights under UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas],” Solicitor General Florin Hilbay said in a statement. The next round of oral arguments are scheduled for the last week of November. We welcome this decision and agree that international laws should apply—as they should anywhere. The Aquino administration’s regard for the opinion of the United Nations, however, varies depending on how well it fits the narrative it wants to tell. It is dismissive, for instance, of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention under the Office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights which ruled that the detention of Mrs. Arroyo was violative of international human rights laws. Mr. Aquino’s predecessor is detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center on plunder charges. The working group’s decision did not merit the same enthusiasm as it did the recent verdict that the UN had jurisdiction of the territorial dispute. For a Palace spokesman, the decision was merely “an opinion.” The administration has to make up its mind on whether it would welcome or dismiss the opinion of international bodies on national issues. It is hypocritical and inconsistent, not to mention ridiculous, for the government to cheer one verdict and ignore another. Then again, what can we expect of an administration that has unevenly applied the force of the law on its allies and friends on one hand, and its enemies on the other?

A LUMAD STORY AMONG MANY

TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Merila Lukina is seated among boxes and plastic bags inside her makeshift tent at the camping grounds of the College of Human Kinetics, UP Diliman. She is one of the hundreds of lumad from various points of Mindanao who trooped to Manila for Manilakbayan—with the aim of airing their grievances to the people here.

The Alabel, Sarangani native left her two young children in the care of her husband. It’s a big sacrifice that she feels she must make, if only to tell her individual story and the lumad’s collective story of oppression and silence. It’s the story of their lives, but we here in the capital don’t know about it, nor care to listen to it, just because it seems so far removed from us. We have probably heard of the killings and the resulting fear and evacuation among the lumad people of Surigao del Sur. A few of us are aware that the same thing is happening in many other places in Mindanao, in different degrees, and most of these instances are

The same thing is happening in many other places in Mindanao. not even reported. For example, Merila’s community in Alabel—a two-day walk from the center—was bombed eight times in March this year. She says the military has been accusing them, mem-

bers of the B’laan tribe, of being members of the New People’s Army. Out of fear for their lives, Merila, her family and many B’laan gathered their belongings and stayed at the premises of the United Church of Christ in General Santos City. “There were 441 individuals inside the church,” Merila narrates, in halting Tagalog and in her soft voice. She is apologetic that she could not communicate better. Her children fell ill during their evacuation and after more than a month, she was thankful when other members of their tribe advised them that it was safe to return home.

Home was a humble farming community, where they planted bananas, camote, corn and coffee. The people built their own school to educate their own young, because they were hardly within reach of formal education channels. Merila’s sister, Judet, was a volunteer teacher. Her own fouryear-old daughter was in preschool. Even then, the military pursued them. When they harvested their produce, they were accused of giving it to the rebels. Charges of kidnapping, murder and other crimes are made on their menfolk indiscriminately. Her own brother is one of the many facing

pursuit—in his fear, he is hiding. There is a case against her 26-year-old husband, too. “But he is a brave man,” she says. “he is not hiding. He is at home taking care of our children.” Her only wish, Merila says, is for her and other lumad to stop living like this. They want a quiet life—maybe not one in luxury, but one without fear. One would think she would want a more lucrative future for her children. A college degree, perhaps, or a high-paying job in the city when all this is over. But no, Merila’s dreams are as simple as they

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are noble. “I wish they would be in a position to serve the needy. They should help the people when they grow up.” Wrapping up the interview, I asked if I could take her picture. She obliged and smiled shyly, and I was careful to take a shot that was not against the light—the sun was fierce that late morning, scorching everything outside the roof of the tent. “May I have a copy of the picture?” she asked. For a moment I wondered how I could tell Merila that I had no intention of pro-

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ducing a hard copy of her photo, taken using my cell phone. But why not? I relented. I could have it printed on photo paper and send it to her community via courier or even snail mail. I asked her to write her address on my notebook, at which point she froze, and shoved the pen and paper back to my hands. I scanned her eyes and thought I saw something like fear or doubt or worry. “I changed my mind,” she said.

THE Republican presidential candidates are apparently ready to revolt against the presidential debates. Several of their campaigns are meeting in Washington on Sunday to plan changes. In what’s likely an effort to regain control, the Republican National Committee—which is excluded from Sunday’s meeting—today suspended the February debate on NBC because of complaints about CNBC’s handling of the one earlier this week. All of this is unlikely to end well. The Washington meeting is being organized by the Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Lindsey Graham and Bobby Jindal campaigns—in other words, the two polling leaders and two candidates who have been relegated to the “kiddie table” debates. It’s easy to see why their interests coincide, and why that’s likely to cause problems. Trump and Carson—far ahead in the national polls going into Wednesday’s debate—have a joint interest in keeping other candidates from emerging from the pack to challenge them. They should want formats that diminish Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz, who currently lead the rest of the pack and are presumably the likeliest threats. Graham and Jindal, meanwhile, want to have equal status with the 10 candidates in the main debate. If they win that, it will take a bit of attention away from each of the prime-time candidates. So what’s good for Graham and Jindal is good for Carson and Trump, because it gives each of the others less of a chance to break out. All the candidates have been invited to the meeting. Rubio, Bush and Cruz should want to reduce the number of people taking part (as the Washington Examiner’s Philip Klein suggests), allowing them to share a smaller prime-time stage with Trump and Carson and setting themselves apart from polling stragglers such as Mike Huckabee and Chris Christie. On the other hand, Huckabee and Christie will want to maintain a system that treats them (but not Graham and Jindal) as major contenders. There are other issues. Besides the length of the debate, there is dissension over the time allotted to each candidate and over the composition of the panels asking questions. Also, should there be opening and closing statements? Those who believe they do best in free-flowing discussion will oppose those who feel they benefit from formal statements. The ones who consider themselves well-versed in policy might prefer “neutral” journalists, while others might be more comfortable with Republican-aligned media asking the questions. Trump and perhaps to some extent Carson might be able to use their popularity to get the others to agree to changes. After all, if those two decided to skip the official events, the audience would probably plummet, and a rogue debate organized by the polling leaders might overshadow the “real” thing. Would Rubio, Bush and Cruz risk that? For its part, the Republican National Committee can’t do much about any of this. It has tried to impose its conditions by saying that any candidate who apContinued on A6

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OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

TRUMP GOES TO WAR OVER REPUBLICAN DEBATES

[ EDI TORI A L ]

A RELATIVE CONFIDENCE

By Jonathan Bernstein

A LUMAD STORY AMONG MANY

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Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

S U N D AY, N O V E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

A6 By Daphne Lemelin TAMAZULA, Mexico—The sun has been beating down on our Jeep for hours. With our windows down, we listen for any sound that doesn’t match the seemingly peaceful landscape of the Golden Triangle, the northwest Mexico mountain region where many drug lords were born and narcotics are grown. For more than three hours, we have navigated through mud, steep slopes and huge potholes. We came to this remote and bleak region in the state of Durango because locals had told us that military helicopters had fired on homes and cars on Oct. 6 in their hunt for Mexico’s most wanted fugitive, the powerful drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who embarrassed President Enrique Pena Nieto’s administration when he escaped from a maximum security prison through a tunnel under his cell shower on July 11. The authorities confirmed the raid against Guzman, but they denied attacking the civilian population. By the time we arrive in the area, more than 10 days had gone by since the operation. Some 600 people fled their homes and took refuge in Cosala, the nearest city in neighboring state of Sinaloa. It was there that we saw a dozen families receiving aid from the local authorities. They shared a similar story—that they fled a “rain of bullets” from marine helicopters. The terrified villagers tell us that they don’t want to go back home for now, but that they worry for their cattle, their ranches and all that they left behind. The next day, we look for someone in Cosala who wants to venture with us up the mountain in order to guide us and help us verify what happened to the abandoned ranches. After a few hours, Felipe offers his services. He wants to see his cousin’s ranch and he knows the mountain, where he was born. We paint “PRENSA TV” (TV PRESS) on our Jeep’s windows, buy drinking water and place our bulletproof vests within hand’s reach. We are set for the rough ride up ahead. Cellphone service is patchy, so any time we get a signal, we send our GPS position to our Mexico City bureau. The more we climb, the less accurate our map gets. Inside the car, tension mounts. We don’t see anybody during our rocky climb except for one pick-up truck parked on the side of the road. We are alone in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain, without a mobile network, in a region where the authorities have been intensely hunting for the head of the Sinaloa

EVERYMAN By Isabel M. Peralta MY NAME is Isabel M. Peralta. I am an 11-year-old, Grade 6 student at De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ) and a proud Filipino. A few weeks ago, we were given projects by our teachers in completion of our endterm tasks, aiming to promote social awareness on the present territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea. With the help of our Social Studies teachers, Ms. Julie Agudo and Ms. Rebecca Dela Rosa, we have integrated our projects from different subject areas to produce an infomercial using our media learning devices. Through the social media platform Facebook, we disseminated the information to allow a larger audience to view—https://www. facebook.com/ishi.peralta.1/ videos/10207579127214080/. To date, our infomercials have garnered thousands of views, but we need more people to see and hear what we have to say. While many other videos with no social relevance have

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

ON EL CHAPO’S TRAIL

drug cartel. After a three-hour drive, we reach the wood and barbed wire fence of a ranch that allegedly came under fire from government forces. There’s a small house, a pick-up truck, a cattle yard and some storage spaces. The vehicle’s windshield has multiple cracks from bullets. Glass is strewn on the ground, next to a card bearing the image of Santa Muerte, the skeleton Saint of Death rejected by the Catholic Church but venerated by a grow-

(four-inch) wide holes. We don’t stick around as we only have a few hours of daylight left to reach El Limon and return to Cosala before nightfall. We puncture one of our tires, but the tires are solid, the hole is slight and we should be able to drive back without having to stop in such a dangerous area to change it. On our way to El Limon, the road is blocked by three tree trunks and tire shredders. Some 100 meters up the road, nervous troops shout at us:

can either calm him or be interpreted as a provocation. We hold our hands up for several minutes. This could be a scene out of an action movie: On one side of the road spikes, three journalists and their fixer with their hands up, on the other, three marines holding assault rifles. The negotiations begin. “One moves forward with ID in hand,” a marine says. They check our papers and search the vehicle. A masked officer arrives carrying a

Members of a Mexican family displaced by violence and military operations against ‘El Chapo’ in Sinaloa State. ing number of people in Mexico, notably criminals. Light pierces through several holes in the roof of the house, shining into the bedroom that the owners had to flee the week before. We continue our vertiginous trip up to the El Limon ranch, which witnesses say was the worst hit during the marines’ raid. On our way there, we briefly stop at the Comedero Colorado ranch. We had interviewed its owners the day before. Ines and Gonzalo had told us how they scurried to the forest while under fire. They walked for four days without food or water with their toddler before reaching Cosala. They told us their pick-up was reduced to burned metal. We find the torched vehicle at the entrance of their residence. We can still smell the smoke. Small bullet holes struck the vehicle, which also had 10-centimeter

“Who are you? Come out of the car!” Our photographer, Ronaldo Schemidt, gets out with his ID raised in his hand, shouting “Prensa! Prensa!” (“Press ! Press!”) . “We are two men, two women from the press! We’re coming out of the vehicle!” The rest of us get out. We see that one of the marines has pointed his weapon at us. We can understand the reaction of troops, who are looking for the most powerful—and well-armed—drug traffickers in the world in an isolated mountain region. We are nevertheless a little worried. For two days, we have heard witnesses tell us how the marines had shot at the population, and we have seen dozens of bullet holes in homes and cars in the area. We’re not really in mortal danger, but in this type of situation, when a soldier has his finger on the trigger, any word or gesture

small video camera. “We can’t share any information,” he says. “This location is under the authority of the Mexican navy.” I have my own camera on my shoulder, but it’s turned off. Ronaldo answers: “If you’re going to film us, we will film you, too.” Officer Alegria turns off his camera. He has nothing to say, even off camera. He does claim that we are not at El Limon, but another location named El Durazno. “Your guide can confirm that. This is a different ranch.” Felipe says nothing (he tells us later that we were indeed on the road to El Limon, but he didn’t dare contradict the officer). While the officer leaves to consult his superiors, we take out our satellite Internet modem to send an email to our office and give our colleagues in Mexico City our position. Since there’s no cellphone

FIGHTING FOR WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS trended worldwide, what I do not understand is why isn’t ours being viewed as much, when we are spreading information that could help our country’s future become more economically stable; when we are standing up for our rights as Filipinos; when we, even at a young age, are pushing to fight for what is rightfully ours. Have we, as Filipinos, just accepted that we are helpless in this situation? Have we given up hope on taking back what belongs to us? Do we just don’t care at all? Or don’t we have enough information to know how significant this issue is to the future of our country? With all these questions in mind, I did my own research. I asked my family what they knew about the territories and was told by my uncles that they used to freely fish around one of the islands that China is claiming as theirs now. That island now referred to as Panatag Shoal, used to be called Bajo de Masinloc. My uncles still refer to it as such. They knew first-hand that in the past, China has never claimed

My uncles knew first-hand that in the past, China has never claimed Panatag Shoal as theirs. it as theirs because there were no Chinese vessels manning the shoal and it was mostly Filipinos and some Taiwanese who were fishing in those areas. The more I learned about the issue, the more questions I had—why has it only been in the past couple of years that China has begun claiming ownership of the territories? If it was really theirs from the beginning as they have claimed it to be, why are they protecting it just now? What have they discovered recently, that fired up their claim to those territories?

I once again did more research and discovered that there are so much resources, including oil, in the West Philippine Sea territories. What started as a school project pushed me to take a bigger stand in this issue. I am blessed to have teachers who not only provided us with this much awareness, but are encouraging us to be part of the solution. As students, as Filipino youth, and as the future of our nation, we are now pleading to the government to hear what we have to say in asking them to give more importance to the issue of reclaiming the West Philippine Sea. Our school President, Brother Bernie Oca once told me—you have the opportunity now to be able to take a stand! Hold your head up high and fight for what is right and true. And those words, Brother Bernie, I take by heart. I love my country and I love being a Filipino. We should all be part of the solution by learning more about the issue and spreading awareness about it.

network connection in the area, the move is also intended to show the marines that we are not totally alone out there. After speaking with their commanders, the marines come back and officer Alegria has his camera in his hand. “I have to film myself telling you that access is denied,” he explains. With my camera on my shoulder, I tell him my job is to get an official statement. “If you have to film us, I will also have to film you. This way, everybody is satisfied. You get proof that you did your job, and I get an official statement from the authorities.” Once again, Alegria lowers his camera. “Let’s leave it at that. It’s better this way.” We have no choice but to turn around. Our blown tire increasingly shows signs of fatigue, but there’s no way we’re stopping. Every minute of daylight counts. Three hours later, we make it to Cosala before sunset. Back at our hotel in this pretty city, with our bodies hurting from the bumpy ride, we send our stories and pictures, relieved that we returned to our local base without a hitch. We don’t think at all that we got a scoop. We may be the only international news outlet on the ground at the moment, but the military raid had taken place a week earlier—an eternity for a news agency. Local journalists probably got here well before us. We couldn’t imagine the impact that our story would have the next day in Mexican and international media. It’s only the next day that we learn that we were the only journalists to have reached that remote part of the mountain, with the only visual proof of the suspected marine shootings of civilian ranches. We were the only ones, or at least the first, to come face-to-face with the marines and get close to El Limon, though we were unable to break the mystery around this ranch blocked by troops. El Chapo remains on the lam. The mountains remain under military surveillance. And the local residents have yet to return home. We returned to Mexico City with a scoop but with more questions than answers. What’s going on in El Limon? Where’s Guzman hiding? What’s this secret that the navy is guarding so jealously deep in the Durango mountains? We hope to get the answers, but they’ll have to wait for another time. AFP

TRUMP... From A5 pears in an unsanctioned debate would be prohibited from appearing in future debates. But if half the field does it—including the polling leaders—is the RNC really going to enforce that rule? There is simply no good and fair debate format for a 15-candidate field, especially one that has stubbornly refused to organize itself into a widely accepted structure. Originally, I urged the RNC to take a more active role instead of leaving format decisions up to the networks, but that wouldn’t have helped much. Maybe this will sort itself out as candidates drop out. But even if we lose one or two more contenders in the next few weeks, most of the field is likely to stay put through the Iowa caucuses. The best news for Republicans? None of this will have any effect on the general election, and a faulty debate format isn’t likely to lead the party into nominating the wrong candidate. Still, we can learn about where the candidates believe they stand and what they think their strengths—and weaknesses!—are by seeing what the want. Bloomberg

S U N D AY : N O V E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

PRISON TERM FOR ILLEGAL PASSPORT SEIZURE By Maricel V. Cruz TWO lawmakers have sought to criminalize the act of confiscating or withholding a person’s passport without any legal authority, with proposed penalties ranging from six to 12 years imprisonment and fine amounting to P1 million to P2 million. The proposal is embodied in House Bill 6201, or the proposed “Illegal Withholding of Passport Act of 2015,” principally authored by Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) and his younger brother Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr. (Party-list, Abante Mindanao) seeks to protect the rights and promote the welfare of every person, especially the overseas Filipino worker. The elder Rodriguez said many OFWs suffer from the unfair act of their passports being illegally withheld or retained either by the workers’ recruitment agencies here in the country or their employers overseas for various reasons. “The unauthorized withholding of passports of our OFWs is a form of coercion that needs to be criminalized in order to afford full protection to our OFWs, who we consider to be our modernday heroes,” Rodriguez, a lawyer, said. In recognition of the unique situation faced by OFWs, Rodriguez, a former immigration commissioner, said the bill provides for its extraterritorial application and mechanism for any person, who has personal knowledge of the commission of any offense under the proposed Act, to file the appropriate complaint. “With these two mechanisms in place, our OFWs and their respective families would not be left without a remedy to enforce their rights under the law,” said Rodriguez.

ROADBLOCK. Road re-blocking work snarls traffic along Edsa-Kamuning area in Quezon City as passengers embark on the annual exodus to the provinces to visit the graves of their dead relatives on All Saints’ Day. JANSEN ROMERO

JOLO TERROR PLOT FOILED; ASG BLAMED By Francisco Tuyay

SECURITY forces foiled what could have been a deadly terrorist attack following the discovery of an improvised explosive device inside a public cemetery in Jolo, Sulu on Saturday. The Joint Task Group Sulu under Brig, Gen Alan Arrojado said the IED concealed in a plastic container was found abandoned inside the cemetery. Arrojado said members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team of the 2nd

Marine Brigade were conducting security check at the Mount Carmel Cemetery when they noticed the IED. The bomb components include electrical cable wires, a cellphone, as detonator and several kilograms

of ammonium nitrate, Arrojado disclosed. The foiled attack came after unidentified armed men toppled two towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in Marawi City Friday evening, leaving several villages without electricity following the disruption of power supply generated by the Agus 1 and 2 hydro plants for the Mindanao grid. Arrojado said they have yet to determine who were responsible for the bomb

plot but added that the Abu Sayyaf Group might have planted the IED, apparently to distract an ongoing military operation against the terrorist. Group. The detection of the IED prompted the military in Sulu and other parts of Mindanao to mobilize more ground troops and mobile patrols in strategic areas particularly at the perimeter of cemeteries where thousands of people are expected to visit their dead relatives.

The military leadership has ordered the deployment of at least 4,000 uniformed personnel in surrounding cemeteries nationwide to ensure the peaceful celebration of All Saints’ Day. Parallel to the military’s peace effort, the Philippine National Police deployed several thousands of policemen inside cemeteries and places of convergence to protect people from criminal syndicates who would take advantage of the All Saints’ Day celebration nationwide.

FOUNDATION EQUIPS MILITARY FACILITIES THE medical and health advocacy of SM Foundation is not confined to the conduct of medical and dental missions to needy barangays nor to the renovation of health centers and public hospitals alone. It has extended its advocacy to benefit the police and armed forces of the country, the foundation said in a press statement. For several years now, SM Foundation has been renovating and refurbishing military facilities to make these more conducive to the recuperation of the country’s uniformed men and women who compromise their lives for the defense and security of the nation and actively participate in disaster relief and rescue operations. Among the renovated and refurbished military facilities are the Heroes Ward & the Orthopaedic Ward of the AFP General Hospital formerly the V. Luna Hospital. The Air Force General Hospital in Pasay

City; NAVSOG Sick Bay in Sangley Cavite; Air Force City Hospital in Clark, Pampanga; Camp General Aguinaldo Station Hospital in Quezon City; Fernando Air Base Hospital in Lipa City; Police National Training Institute in Canlubang Laguna; Camp Nakar Station Hospital in Lucena, Quezon; Fort Magsaysay Station Hospital in Cabanatuan; and the Pediatric Ward of the AFP General Hospital in Pasay City along with the out-patient ward of the Villamor Hospital in Pasay. The most recent renovation done by SM Foundation is the Philippine Military Academy’s Fort Del Pilar Station Hospital in Baguio City. It is the 13th military facility to be renovated and refurbished by SM Foundation. It also hosts the 105th Felicidad T. Sy Wellness Center. Renovated was the Operating and Delivery Room complex and the offi-

cers and cadets’ ward of the hospital. Aside from renovating its infrastructure, brand new medical equipment was also donated to support the hospital’s needs. This includes an anesthesia machine, OR LED lights, multi parameters monitors, ECG units, portable ultrasound machine, infusion pumps, heavy duty suction machine as well as other furnishings for the officers and cadets’ wards. The second phase of renovation will also continue the refurbishment of the cadets’ ward as well as the reconstruction of the second floor pediatric room and reception area which will become a Felicidad T. Sy Wellness Center for Children. The 50-bed capacity hospital which dispenses medical services to cadets, military personnel and their dependents aside from authorized civilians, was downgraded last year because of its decrepit facilities. With the renovation and

Decompression chamber at NAVSOG new equipment, the hospital’s level is expected to revert to its level 2 DOH-accreditation. SM Foundation’s Executive Director for Health Connie Angeles said, “We at SM Foundation are deeply honored to be able to contribute to those who serve the country, specifically with the Philippine Military

Academy, by way of donations and improvements of the Fort Del Pilar Station Hospital.” “To our gallant men in uniform, we at SM Foundation will continue to support you,” said Angeles. “All for you dear soldiers, who risk their lives and limbs that we may enjoy the power of freedom.”

SUNDAY: NOVEMBER 1, 2015

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

‘EPALITICOS’ BEWARE— ECOWASTE By Joel E. Zurbano THE Ecowaste Coalition on Saturday appealed to the so-called “epal” politicians to refrain from handing out leaflets that will end up dumped on the streets and tombs inside or near cemeteries during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. The group also asked local politicians, who it described as “epaliticos”, not to hang or nail tarpauline on lampposts and trees in cemeteries and adjacent communities, saying that “epal” acts will leave a bad taste in the mouth. Epal is a street slang for the Filipino term “ma-papel” or one who craves attention, takes credit for other people’s work, or needlessly meddles in their affairs. The Commission on Elections earlier asked the public to inform the presence of “epal” campaign materials in cemeteries. Ecowaste urged the public not to litter in cemeteries during the solemn day celebrated annually on Nov. 1. “Our message is simple, the cemetery is a place of prayers and not a dump. The massive littering year in, year out is a gross disrespect for the dead and Mother Earth. We need to kick this filthy habit and remember our departed loved ones in an earthfriendly and respectful manner,” said Ecowaste campaigner Tin Vergara. To prevent waste and pollution in cemeteries and their environs, the group urged the people to consider the following suggestions: • Shun littering, dumping or burning of trash. Do not discard cigarette filters, food wrappers and leftovers, water bottles, etc. on cemetery grounds, and bring them home for recycling, composting and disposal. • Avoid bringing single-use plastic disposables to the cemetery such as carry bags and food and beverage containers and opt for reusable bags and containers instead. • Never waste food and water. Bring just enough food and water in reusable containers to prevent waste. • Offer local fresh flowers, not plastic ones and avoid wrapping them in plastic, which will only end up as trash. • Choose clean burning candles that do not have lead core wicks, and do not let candle holders or receptacles to burn. • Refrain from smoking in the cemetery. The group recently organized a “BasuRUN” (run against garbage) with 100 participants led by running priest Fr. Robert Reyes at the Manila North Cemetery to remind the public that cemeteries are places of prayer, not dumps.

REMINDERS.

Posters and tarpaulins abound at the entrance to St. John Cemetery in Valenzuela City on the eve of All Saints’ Day. ANDREW RABULAN

OFW VOTES A GAME CHANGER, SAYS GROUP By Ronald O. Reyes

THE 1.3-million overseas votes and the three million estimated votes of overseas Filipino workers families in the country would be a game changer if presidential bets for next year’s national elections will also hold campaign sorties abroad, said John Leonard Monterona, OFW leader of Migrante based in the Middle East. “We are asking the Commission on Elections to require presidential candidates to conduct campaign sorties abroad and issue guidelines on this. This is inline with our aim to help educate overseas voters—to let them become informed and wise voters,” said Monterona. According to Monterona, his group and affiliated OFW orga-

nizations in the Middle East had launched its “Migrant Agenda” through a public forum as a challenge to presidential candidates. “The forum aims to ventilate and popularize the various OFWs issues and concerns, and put these into specific program of action. We vow to conduct more in other areas in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council states

where there are large concentration of OFWs,” said Monterona, who is basing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. GCC states include Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar. “This will be part of our Voters’ Education campaign,” he added. Monterona then reported that as last mid-September, “there are 540,000 registered overseas voters in the Middle East and Africas, the highest among the five continents.” In Its first public forum dubbed “Presidentiables, kakasa ka ba?”, Migrante challenged all presidential candidates and their senatorial line-ups to discuss OFW-related issues, to include the “scrapping of all state exactions and exorbitant fees, directing services and assistance to migrants and their families, working for the protection of OFWs especially women

migrants and minors, working for the protection of seafarers, stopping all forms of illegal recruitment and human trafficking, and repealing all anti-migrant laws and policies, among others.” “We would like to see the Migrant agenda in the platform of government of presidential candidates and even those running for senators,” said Monterona, adding that in a four-way presidential race, every vote counts. “We may have a minority president after the May 2016 elections,” he said. Meanwhile, Monterona expressed his commendation to the Comelec Office of Overseas Voting chaired by Commissioner Arthur D. Lim who required all presidential candidates to issue their specific platform concerning specific issues of OFWs which will be posted on their websites.

RED CROSS MOBILIZES FOR HALLOWEEN 2015

ON THEIR TOES. Medical team members of the Philippine Red Cross and Manila Fire District deploy inside Manila’s North Cemetery on Saturday. PNA

PHILIPPINE Red Cross has again mobilized first aid stations in cemeteries and memorial parks and in major highways, bus terminals, airports and seaports for the observance of All Saints’ Day. Meanwhile, travelers and cemetery goers in urgent need of assistance can contact PRC Hotline 143 or 790-2300 to connect with first aid units closest to them. PRC Chairman Richard Gordon urged the public to report traffic accidents and other incidents via cellphone 09178068513 or e-mail opcen@redcross. org.ph so the PRC Operations Center can refer these to the nearest units. PRC’s annual Oplan Kaluluwa will be present in 277 cemeteries in the country, 11 seaports and airports, and 12 bus terminals. There

will be a total of 310 first aid stations, 72 ambulances on stand-by, and 1,810 first aiders. “Let’s work together to help keep our cemeteries and transport routes safe this weekend,” said Gordon. The Red Cross will be present in 11 gasoline stations in major highways in partnership with Chevron, Petron and Shell. There will be first aid stations in the North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, PNN Malvar and SLEX highway Sucat. PRC will also have five standby rescue teams with 30 personnel, 66 welfare stations, three beach patrol stations in La Union, six rescue vehicles, five Humvees and one 6x6 truck on standby in case of mass casualty incidents, the reelectionist senator said.

SUNDAY: NOVEMBER 1, 2015

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

BUSINESS

MARRIAGE OF HOTELS, CONDOS

TRANSFORMS PH REAL ESTATE

SALES growth of mid-scale residential condominiums in the Philippines has begun to soften, with some buyers stopping their monthly installments, according to an expert in Asian real estate and hospitality industries.

“We are concerned over the mid-scale real estate. We are seeing that growth has been getting softer in the past 12 to 18 months....Potential buyers are not completing sales on a broad basis,” says Bill Barnett, an American national who oversaw the development of several hotels and other properties in the Philippines in the past. “There is a slowdown in the broad market, where it is [easy to become] speculative. People were buying second or third homes. That happened in China, where people were buying multiple units because of the availability of [cheap] credit. People buying second or third units and flipping them out could be gone,” Barnett says in an interview at Peninsula Hotel Manila in Makati City. Barnett, the founder and managing director of Phuket-based asset management and hospitality consulting company C9 Hotelworks Company Limited, monitors the real estate and hospitality sectors across 12 Asian countries, including the Philippines. He clarifies that while the midscale residential sector has been slowing down, the higher end of the industry and the hotelbranded residences remain in the upswing. “In good locations, and in upper end of the market, that [softening] is not happening,” he says. “Over the next five years, we see growth of 10 to 20 percent per annum, which is extremely high. We think that because there will be a lot more luxury properties coming to Metro Manila and resort areas, which are broadly untapped. We think we will see a lot of resort-grade projects,” Barnett says. Most residential projects tap high-income Filipinos and expatriates, according to global property website Lamudi. Ordinary office workers, however, do not have the capability to buy homes in commercial business districts where they work, it says. “A salaried Filipino with more than 20 years of work experience may need 128 years’ worth of his

A view of high-end condominium buildings along Ayala Ave. in Makati City. Shown right is C9 Hotelworks Company Limited founder and managing director Bill Barnett.

salary in order to afford a house in Makati, the Philippines’ most expensive housing market,” Lamudi Philippines says. Barnett, however, says the sustained growth of the Philippine economy will support continuous demand for branded condo projects. He says branded residences, or condominium projects under hotel brands such as Raffles Residences, Grand Hyatt Residences or Shangri-La Residences will do better than the rest of the real estate industry, as buyers want more premium in terms of branding. Other brands include CDC Millennium Ortigas, Hotel 101 and Lancaster the Atrium. He says Century Properties, one of the most active developers in introducing branded projects, teamed up with hotel chain Accor for Novotel Suites affiliation. “People feel there is a greater value to it. The reason why developers want hotel brand is there is a premium in pricing. In our

research, there is a 26-percent premium for resort properties in terms of pricing per square meter and for urban locations, 14 percent,” he says. “When we see the market in sales pace, there is faster absorption of hotel brands versus independent projects,” he says. Barnett describes hotel residences as a marriage between real estate and hospitality. “We call them hotel residences. People sometimes call them hotel branded residences. Sometimes, they call them condominium hotels. There is a hospitality element to it. It does not mean it operates necessarily as a hotel,” he says. Barnett says name recognition is also the reason why property developers team up with celebrities such as Donal Trump, Paris Hilton, Philippe Starck and Giorgio Armani as well as established hotel chains for affiliations. C9 Hotelworks advises developers on best use planning and pro-

vides market research on hotels and residential projects. “We work across 12 markets,” says Barnett, who has been in Asia for 30 years, including a year in Manila in 1995 and two years in Cebu. He started Thailand-based C9 Hotelworks in 2004. Barnett says more than 28,000 hotel branded units in 120 projects across seven Southeast Asian countries are currently for sale across the region. Thailand is the biggest market, followed by Indo-

nesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. “We looked at 28,000 units to evaluate. We work actively in these markets. We work with the hotel chains, so it is probably easy for us to triangulate information,” he says. He estimates that the hotel residences market in Southeast Asia topped the P749-billion level this year. The market is worth P158 billion in the Philippines, which has over 11,000 residential units. Metro Manila and Boracay are the top two locations of hotel or resort residences in the country, while other potential sites are Cebu, Davao and Palawan. Barnett says the average price per square meter for urban properties in the Philippines is P196,547, while the price in resort destinations is about P189,276. He says despite the price, the Philippine residential market remains relatively affordable and has room for more luxury projects. “We don’t see the urban properties pushing as high as they could. Grand Hyatt is a luxury, but it is not multimillion-dollar units. That is reflective of the tax regime on luxury properties here. Even though, you have Raffles and Fairmont, they have relatively smaller units. We don’t see the ultra luxury properties. We think there is a market for that. There is a market for that in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. But we don’t see that market here. There is room to grow,” he says. “The Philippines has a lot of blue skies in terms of real estate growth. It offers one of the biggest potential for upside, because you have a unique market. You have overseas buyers. You have areas like BGC [Bonifacio Global City] that are offering good opportunity. The biggest negative here is infrastructure,” says Barnett. He says growth will come, along with the rise in international visitor arrivals. “The DoT [Tourism Department] wants to double tourism. That seems impossible without addressing China. You can do that in five years, but not in one year [10 million arrivals]. You have to stimulate demand. And the airport is a problem. And you have to be willing to address China,” he says. Barnett says tourism in the Philippines can comfortably grow 8 to 10 percent a year. “Pushing beyond that, you need some magic,” he says, adding that infrastructure such as airports should support the industry. “With 30 million people in Metro Manila, you cannot survive with a single airport,” he says. Roderick T. dela Cruz

SUNDAY: NOVEMBER 1, 2015

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

FILIPINOS broke a world record for social networking service Twitter, sending 41 million tweets on Oct. 24 for a television program’s hashtag. This proves that Filipinos are the most active people in social media, a fact that can define the country’s future, according to a Microsoft executive.

“The population of the Philippines is more than 100 million. Of that, 60 million are potential workforce who are cloud-first, mobile first. If we look at economic conditions here, that 60 million, that is the future. That is the next generation of workers,” says Cian O’Neill, chief operations officer of Microsoft Philippines Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of US software giant Microsoft Corp. O’Neill, an Irish national who studied in Dublin, has been living in the Philippines for a year now. He manages the growth strategy, marketing and operations of Microsoft in the Philippines. He joined Microsoft in 2004, and prior to that, worked for Accenture and Fidelity Investments. He has been assigned to different countries, but O’Neill sees something special with the Philippines. “Filipinos have the hunger for technology. They are technologysavvy and they are active in social media. You don’t get that in other parts of the world. We are the Facebook capital of the world, the Twitter capital of the world. There is something special with the Philippines,” O’Neill says in an interview, during the media launch of Office 2016 in Makati City. He says the large workforce of Filipinos who are exposed to the Internet and mobile technologies gives the country a competitive advantage, which if enhanced and supported, can make a big difference for the future of the Philippines. O’Neill, citing the results of Asia Pacific-wide New World of Work study, conducted by global consultancy firm Organization Solutions, says Filipino workers are hungry to harness modern tools to be more productive and competitive. “We see that the appetite, the aspirations are there. The Philippines ranks No. 3 across Asia in the New World of

Microsoft Philippines Inc. chief operations officer Cian O’Neill

FILIPINOS ARE A SPECIAL PEOPLE—MICROSOFT COO

Work Index,” he says. The index is derived from respondents who rated themselves highly in the three key pillars of people, place and technology. The score shows the number of employees who feel their employers are enabling them to be productive, collaborative and innovative while ensuring personal well-being. It involved 400 respondents in the Philippines and thousands more in 11 other countries in Asia-Pacific. The study shows that employees have the capability to work flexibly and productively in the digital modern work place; they can work flexibly, anywhere at any time; and they are empowered with technology to enable them to succeed in this environment, allowing collaborative work wherever they may go. The Philippines received a score of 59 out of possible 100, higher than the Asia-Pacific mean score of 44. It ranked third among 12 coun-

tries, just behind India with 65 and Indonesia with 59. O’Neill says Microsoft commissioned the study to understand how work and life have changed for employees in Asia Pacific and determine how much they are supported by their employers to succeed. He says while technology plays a key role to enable ‘work from anywhere’ scenarios and higher productivity, other aspects such as organizational culture, policies, infrastructure, enabling collaboration or the ability to break down barriers to innovation are becoming increasingly important for an organization undergoing digital transformation. About 69.5 percent of Filipino respondents said they are required to respond to internal stakeholders within four hours; and 72.5 percent said that they are required to respond to external customers within four hours.

The study found that employees in the Philippines are using more personal devices (51 percent) to get work done while 75 percent are also using online tools that go beyond just email – document and file sharing, storage, virtual meetings and social. About 75 percent of respondents in the Philippines use at least four to five online services to enable their work needs, higher than the Asia-Pacific level of 71 percent. When ranked, the top five online services used by Filipino employees for work are email (89 percent), social tools (79 percent), document collaboration tools (74 percent), virtual meeting tools (70 percent) and file sharing services (70 percent). O’Neill says when companies adopt the New World of Work principles, they are able to gain new business insights, realize greater operational efficiency, communi-

cate and collaborate real time. He says the New World of Work presents four clear benefits including a more productive workforce, a more collaborative workforce, a more innovative workforce and a happier workplace. O’Neill says Microsoft solutions for business enable organizations to work collaboratively anywhere, with the same familiar experience across personal computers, tablets and mobile devices. He says Microsoft is reinventing productivity to empower people and organizations to achieve more. O’Neill says globally, 110 million devices are now running on Windows 10, the latest operating system of Microsoft, while millions of devices also use Office 365. He says the new Office 2016 is designed for teamwork and mobility, allowing basic co-authoring and sharing of documents. Roderick T. dela Cruz

SMS-BASED PERSONAL ASSISTANT ORDERS PIZZA, GIVES DATING TIPS

METRO Manila phone users can now have their own personal assistant, who can give directions, order a pizza or provide dating tips. Users of HeyKuya, the latest company built by Machine Ventures, can avail of the hassle-free services, ranging from deliveries, reservations, bookings and many more without any hidden costs, simply through text. “We started HeyKuya to help save people time in the fast-paced city life of Metro Manila,” says HeyKuya co-founder Shahab Shabibi. “In the end, we want to socially contribute to the society and we feel responsible for that. If we are able to save someone a few minutes a day, I would say that we have accomplished our goal to

help the Philippines to be an even more productive nation,” he says. There are currently no membership fees and Kuya only charges for what you order. “Every day we help people across our city to book tables at the hottest restaurants, reserve movie tickets for the latest show, or even provide directions if they are lost and don’t have access to the Internet, all for free,” says Nathania Chua, marketing manager for HeyKuya. Despite the wide use of mobile devices in the Philippines, many are still not Internet-savvy, or have to look for an area that offers a Wi-Fi connection. This is where HeyKuya takes over by connecting through text messages, an affordable and reliable form of communication. Early users who have used the

service are ecstatic about the possibilities. “We have had so many requests since we launched, ranging from the simple like ordering

a pizza to the unusual like asking Kuya for flirting tips,” says Nico Dagus, operations manager of HeyKuya. “Kuya knows it all!”

“Users love Kuya so much that we even had one female user ask Kuya out on a date!” says Joshua Gantuangco, customer experience manager for HeyKuya HeyKuya is currently offering everyone in Metro Manila a chance to try the service and have their very own virtual Kuya. “HeyKuya!: Text One, Then Done!” HeyKuya is the latest innovation from Machine Ventures, an end-to-end company builder that transforms ideas into companies. Machine is backed by several of the region’s most prominent entrepreneurs who have launched successful startups across the globe, such as Subir Lohani managing director of Carmudi Philippines.

SUNDAY: NOVEMBER 1, 2015

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

INTERNET MALWARES THREATEN PH INDUSTRIES By Othel V. Campos Trend Micro Philippines director for marketing communications Myla Pilao

ALL over the world, the threat of a digital infrastructure crashing is as valid as an earthquake decimating a 50-story building or a series of typhoons striking without any preamble, ruining everything on their path. For anybody who is connected to the Internet, the threat is real and the Philippines is not exempted from it, says Trend Micro Philippines director for marketing communications Myla Pilao. “Security is almost a buzz word. Five years ago, the issue on security doesn’t land in any of the news. The old mindset of security is that if there is no malware or infection, there is nothing to worry about. Today, I don’t think it’s true anymore. We are so much living a digital lifestyle in a digital world that being connected is native to us already,” she says. “Anything connected to Internet, we have to assume it is or it can be compromised. If it is connected to the Internet, then it is a target. The freedom of data coming in or out is presenting trouble when it comes to hard data,” she says. Trend Micro is a global leader in IT security, cloud security and small business content security. It develops innovative security solutions that make the world safe for businesses and consumers to exchange digital information. Pilao, who also heads Trend Micro’s TrendLabs technical marketing team, monitors the development of global materials and supporting communication plans that aim to broaden the public’s understanding on threats and security. “What threats do we see in the Philippines? We are seeing theft in the retail industry when do e-commerce. There are a lot of malwares online that are being introduced. Second is online banking. The Philippines ranks fourth in the Asia Pacific in terms of increased security threats via online banking,” says Pilao. “Because Philippine facility is readily available so access to online banking is simple. Third is the sending habits of Filipinos of going online, with the huge volume of merchandise that will enter the Philippines this holiday season. This is a very encouraging season for cyber criminals to strike against payments,” she says. The Philippines used to figure at the top ten list of countries that are highly susceptible to ransomware, a program used to extract and ransom data. But in 2014, the Philippines improved its ranking as it moved down the list to top 20. “Ransomeware infects corporate and company systems since 2004. There has been an increase of its activity not just in the Philippines but around world. It goes through our emails , compromises our systems and the malware open gates that compromise websites,” she says. “There were instances when crypto-ransomware breaks into the enterprise using legitimate source of transaction and then ask you to pay. It kidnaps data bank screen and data breach happens mostly to financial institutions, government systems and telecommunications companies. Even now on healthcare and hospital and insurance processes,” says Pilao. In the Philippines, the insurance sector is the single institution that most malwares and

malicious software target. “With just 1 percent infection by a ransomware, we are still under attack. The biggest misconception is that consumers are not connected to Internet but majority of attacks must have emanated from the operations of small and medium enterprises,” says Pilao. A related recent study by Trend Micro discovered that 25 percent of data breaches are caused by hacking or malware and the most affected industry is the healthcare sector, accounting for more than a fourth of all breaches at 26.9 percent this past decade Second was the education sector at 16.8 percent followed by government agencies at 15.9 percent, then the retail industry with 12.5 percent. The stake is higher for bigger multinational

companies as cybercriminals increase the cost of their attack based on the capabilities of the organization. Security comes with harsher legal implications not just for the violators but for the users to reinforce a proactive approach. As the Internet of Things advances, smart devices or innovations that are used for public-facing technologies can be exploited, potentially causing virtual and physical destruction. Public transportation such as car and planes, and public utilities such as gas stations can become targets. The study, conducted in the US, revealed that smart systems in cars can be accessed remotely to interfere with its functionality including life-critical ones like the brake. It was reported that Jeep Cherokee, through

the car’s public IP address, can be hacked and controlled by another person miles away. BBC reported that even data sent by digital audio radio signals can intervene with a car’s functionalities. In a Trend Micro’s research that involved SmartGate System which allows drivers to access their car’s data such as speed and fuel using their smartphone that was first introduced by Škoda Auto in its Fabia III cars, it was determined that any attacker can read more than 20 parameters and even lock out the owner of the car from the SmartGate system. All the attacker needs to do is to stay within the SmartGate’s in-car Wi-Fi range (which is wide by default), identify the car’s Wi-Fi network, and then break the password. The WiFi range could be even wider if the attacker is using a superior antenna. Strategic partnerships prove to be vital in formulating immediate and long-term resolutions to combat cybercrimes. Trend Micro aided law enforcement agencies in taking down two notorious botnets that were heavily involved in full-scale cybercriminal operations—SIMDA. Trend Micro worked closely with Interpol and provided information such as the IP addresses of the affiliated servers and statistical information about the malware used, which led to the disruption of the botnet activities. Moving forward, organizations can stay protected on their own terms. Aside from being proactive, extra-cautious, and running information and education campaigns inside their organization, businesses can leverage on modern-day security solutions. Trend Micro Deep Discovery, a threat protection platform, can help organizations respond to today’s targeted attacks in real time, says Pilao. It provides advanced threat protection where it matters most. Deep Discovery is made up of four key solutions that will help detect, analyze, adapt, and respond to attacks. “Even mobile applications are vulnerable to attacks. There are reports of highly malicious applications that prey on mobile users. The magnitude of attacks globally is pretty much alarming. We are seeing that most of the attacks in the last six months are pretty much more real to us because they are affecting public utility, public infrastructures, public services that you and I are obviously consumers. The snippets of attack on critical infrastructures like power grid, are not massive but nonetheless alarming. We need to be protected and on guard always,” Pilao says.

CDO HOLDING RUN FOR A CAUSE FOODSPHERE Inc., one of the largest meat processing companies in the Philippines behind popular brands CDO, San Marino and Highlands, is holding a fun run on Nov. 8 as the culmination of its 40th anniversary celebration. The event called “CDO @ 40: Run for Odyssey” will take place at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. The run aims to support the many social programs of the Odyssey Foundation Inc., whose core advocacy is child nutrition. Odyssey Foundation was created in 2004 as the corporate social responsibility arm of CDO-Foodsphere. The foundation focuses on food and nutrition, by organizing feeding and livelihood programs for the less fortunate. Apart from the hundreds of CDO employees and industry partners joining the run, the general public are also enjoined to participate in the run for a cause.

The run will have 5k, 10k and 21k groups for both male and female categories. Running enthusiasts, families, friends and all who want to support a worthy cause are encouraged to join. “When you run for Odyssey, you not only get up to the challenge of proving yourself in your chosen run category but you also help nourish the lives of thousands of undernourished children in the country,” said Jules Burton, senior manager for human resources department of CDO-Foodsphere. Registrations are currently being held at Chris Sports outlets at Glorietta, SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, SM MOA, SM BF Homes and Market Market until Nov. 4, 2015. Proceeds of the sports event will go to the supplemental feeding programs of the OFI. OFI has served over 1.2 million meals to over 18,000 thousand malnourished chil-

dren through supplemental feedings in areas from Sta. Ana, Cagayan in the north to Jaro, Leyte in the south. “We recently marked our 40th founding anniversary last June 25, 2015. We have been celebrating this milestone achievement with year-round events. We wish to cap off this year’s celebration with a meaningful activity that captures our thrust of continuously nourishing the lives of Filipinos,” said CDO-Foodsphere president Jerome Ong. “As this serves as our culminating act of celebration, we have chosen a bigger and more exciting venue for our participating runners. Bonifacio Global City in Taguig has, in recent years, been the top choice for running events. I invite everyone - young and old, families, running enthusiasts, and businesses—to join us in celebrating our 40th anniversary while also supporting a worthy advocacy,” Ong said.

B4 Palestine uRges PRoBe into isRael ‘waR cRimes’ TOP Palestinian officials Friday urged the world’s only permanent war crimes court to speed up a probe into allegations of Israeli abuses amid an upsurge of fresh violence between the two sides. Meanwhile International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda urged for calm, warning that an escalation of violence could lead to “a largescale commission of crimes” that may fall within the Hague-based court’s jurisdiction. “It is extremely important to expedite the process... because if Israel feels impunity, what will deter Israel from multiplying the victims?” Palestinian foreign minister Riad al-Malki said. He was speaking after handing over a new dossier to Bensouda, “making reference to the extrajudicial killings, home demolition and collective punishments.” It also cited examples “in the last 40 days of Israeli aggression.” Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas met Bensouda on Friday for the first time since the Palestinian Authority sparked controversy by joining the tribunal in January. In recent weeks, Israel and the Palestinians have been gripped by a fresh wave of violence in which more than 60 Palestinians and nine Israelis have died. The almost daily clashes and knife attacks have triggered fears they may herald the start of a third Palestinian uprising, or intifada. Malki said he had handed the new “well-prepared document” to Bensouda earlier in the day. Bensouda in return stressed the need for calm and restraint from all sides and an end to the violence. The prosecutor “cautioned that the situation may further degenerate into a large-scale commission of crimes that may fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC,” her office said in a statement. The Gambian-born Bensouda said her office will “also examine whether any of the newly reported incidents of violence constitute crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the ICC.” AFP

world

(from left) Russian foreign minister sergei lavrov, un special envoy for syria staffan de mistura and us secretary of state John kerry hold a press conference at the grand hotel in Vienna, austria. kerry and Russian foreign minister sergei lavrov said that they had agreed that syria must emerge from civil war as a unified secular state. AFP

OBAMA OKAYS SendInG SPeCIAL FORCeS TO SYRIA

President Barack Obama has authorized the first sustained deployment of special forces to syria, the White House said Friday, reversing a long-standing refusal to put Us boots on the ground. Obama okayed a deployment of “fewer than 50” special operations personnel in the north of the warravaged nation, in a bid to strengthen forces fighting the Islamic State group, spokesman Josh Earnest said. While US fighters are believed to have previously carried out covert missions in Syria—they had not been deployed there on a continuous basis. For over a year, the US has led a 65-member coalition that has conducted air strikes against more than 13,000 Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria. But that has had only a limited impact in stopping the jihadi advance.

Efforts in Syria have been plagued by the complexities of a civil war that has killed more than 240,000 people since March 2011 and prompted the most serious refugee crisis since World War II. Obama has been reluctant to involve the United States in another ground war in the Middle East, backing opposition groups that are an uneasy mix of Kurds, Turkomen, Shiite and Sunni Arabs. Many have proven keener to fight Syrian President Bashar al-Assad than the Islamic State. Obama was recently forced to scrap a half billion dollar mission

to train Syrian opposition fighters, who had come under sustained attack from Assad’s forces, IS fighters, Iranian-backed Hezbollah, groups linked to Al-Qaeda, and, more recently, Russian air strikes. “The point is to get some guys on the ground, get eyes on, work with units that are there fighting (Islamic State) and see what more is possible,” said one official. The source also said that weapons would not go to the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, known as the YPG, who have recently been accused of war crimes by Amnesty International. Mission creep? The White House denied the move was a reversal of Obama’s pledge not to put combat troops in Syria, saying Americans would not be “leading the charge up the hill.”

“Our strategy in Syria hasn’t changed,” said Earnest, rejecting accusations of “mission creep.” But a senior US defense official seemed to leave open the possibility of an increased US ground presence. “As we develop new opportunities to support capable and local forces, we will consider those, we will make recommendations to the President,” the official said on condition of anonymity. “He’s given every indication of his willingness to consider recommendations provided they are consistent with the strategy of achieving a victory that sticks.” Obama came to office vowing to end two wars in Muslim nations that had cost thousands of US lives, sapped the coffers and done little to advance US interests in the region. AFP

Romania in mouRning afteR BuchaRest cluB Blaze kills 27

emergency services gather near a club in Bucharest october 31, 2015, after an explosion. More than 20 people died and dozens were injured in an explosion followed by a fire, which took place friday evening at a club during a music concert, where at that time there were hundreds people. Romanian interior minister, gabriel oprea announced that there are at least 26 dead. AFP

Romania was plunged into mourning on Saturday after 27 people were killed and nearly 200 injured when a fire ripped through an underground nightclub in Bucharest. Survivors spoke of the horror that unfolded when fireworks—set off during a preHalloween gig by a heavy metal band—unleashed a blaze, followed by a stampede as terrified clubbers sought the exit. The government declared three days of national mourning and organised an emergency cabinet meeting, due to start at 1030 GMT. The blaze broke out at around 11 p.m. (2100 GMT) Friday at the Colectiv night

club, where according to witnesses between 200 and 400 youngsters had gathered for a performance by rock group Goodbye to Gravity. Twenty-six people died in the club and one died in hospital, the secretary of state for the interior, Raed Arafat, said after a meeting of a national emergency committee. Of the nearly 200 injured, 146 people were hospitalised for burns, smoke inhalation and other injuries, he said. Hospital sources said nine were in a critical condition. The band’s singer and bassist were said to be in a serious condition, according to local reports. “This is the worst tragedy of

its kind” to have ever happened in Bucharest, Arafat said. President Klaus Iohannis said he was “shocked” and in “deep pain.” “It is a very sad moment for our nation,” he said in a post on his Facebook page, expressing his “solidarity and compassion” for the families of the victims. Witnesses described nightmarish scenes when fireworks, let off as part of a show to promote the band’s new album, set fire to a pillar and part of the ceiling. The crowd panicked as thick smoke engulfed the room, leaving people scrambling to escape from the club, located in a communist-era basement. AFP

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WORLD editorial@thestandard.com.ph

17 migrant children die at sea Germany agreed with austria Friday to new rules for a more “orderly” passage of migrants, as the death of 17 children at sea highlighted the treacherous journey of those trying to reach europe. After a week in which tensions flared between the neighbour states, Germany’s interior ministry said that the influx massing at its border with Austria would now be funnelled through five entry points. “We would like to have a more orderly procedure,” a spokeswoman for the interior ministry told AFP following a bilateral agreement which took immediate effect. There was more grim news on Friday evening as the Spanish coastguard called off the search for 35 people lost at sea when their boat went down between Spain and Morocco. Four bodies had already been pulled from the water. Germany imposed controls at its 800-kilometrelong (500-mile-long) frontier with Austria in midSeptember in a bid to slow the arrival of thousands of asylum seekers per day. But tempers erupted again this week when Germany’s Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere on Wednesday accused Austria of sending asylum seekers to its bor-

der without any warning, prompting the urgent talks between the two sides. Vienna announced plans this week to build a “barrier” at its Slovenian border to stem the tide, drawing criticism from French President Francois Hollande, who said Friday after talks with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann that such walls had no place within the European Union. As Europe struggles to find a response its worst migrant crisis since World War II, nine adults lost their lives along with the 17 children when the boats went down in frigid waters en route to Greece from Turkey. Although rescue officials in Greece and Turkey managed to pull another 157 people from the water, such drownings have become an almost daily occurrence as thousands of people brave high seas to make the crossing on flimsy, overloaded vessels. Deaths almost daily Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras expressed “shame” over Europe’s failure to prevent yet another “humanitarian tragedy”,

Migrants wait to cross the austrian-german border near the austrian village of Kollerschlag, austria, on october 30, 2015. Germany said that asylum seekers would only be able to enter the country at five points along its border with Austria to better control a mass influx. AFP

and said it was crucial to prevent the Aegean Sea from becoming a graveyard for people fleeing war and misery. Most of the deaths occurred off the Greek islands of Kalymnos and Rhodes, where 22 people drowned, among them 13 children, when two boats went down overnight, port officials said. In total, 138 people were

rescued from the two boats, with the coastguard continuing its search for survivors. To the north, an AFP correspondent witnessed another boat foundering off the island of Lesbos, with a group of desperate people perched on the roof screaming for help. Another four young children, all of them Syrian, drowned when their

flimsy boat heading for Lesbos capsized in bad weather, the Dogan news agency reported. The latest deaths came after 17 people drowned off Lesbos and Samos on Wednesday, 11 of them children. Despite worsening weather at the onset of winter that has made the already hazardous sea voyage even more

dangerous, a record 48,000 refugees and migrants arrived last week in Greece, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said. Tsipras also urged Turkey to “respect its commitments” to halting the flow of people leaving its territory by boat and stressing Athens’ willingness to be “a link between the EU and Turkey” on the matter. AFP

IS beheadS four Iraq Kurd fIghterS after joInt uS raId THE Islamic State group beheaded four Iraqi Kurdish fighters following a joint raid with American special forces against the jihadists, according to a video posted online. The US-Kurdish operation last week, which freed some 70 people from an IS prison, deepened American involvement in the war against the jihadists and led to the first US combat fatality in Iraq since its 2011 withdrawal from the country. The video sought to por-

tray the operation as a failure, with speakers saying the attacking forces were unable to overcome numerically inferior jihadists and displaying used first aid supplies that were left behind. It included images of areas said to have been hit by air strikes in the course of the operation, and ended with the execution of four men, said to be members of the Kurdish peshmerga security forces. Four black-clad masked militants used knives to behead the men, who were

dressed in orange jumpsuits and had their hands bound behind their backs. It was not clear when the beheadings took place. IS has seized control of large parts of Iraq and Syria, declaring a cross-border “caliphate”, imposing its brutal interpretation of Islam and committing widespread atrocities. A US-led coalition launched air strikes against the jihadists in August 2014, supporting Iraqi forces, including Kurdish fighters, in attempts to retake lost ground.

Former hostages, who were freed by Elite Kurdish forces supported by US Delta Force fighters in an operation near the Iraqi city of Hawijah, listen to Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani in Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq. AFP

ruSSIan paSSenger plane craSheS In SInaI: egypt offIcIalS A RUSSIAn passenger plane carrying 224 people crashed on Saturday in Egypt’s restive Sinai Peninsula, Egyptian officials said. A “Russian civilian plane... crashed in the central Sinai,” the office of Prime Minister Sharif Ismail said in a statement. A senior aviation official said the plane was a charter flight operated by a Russian company carrying 217 passengers and seven crew members. Communication with the aircraft was lost, he added. Sergei Lzvolsky, an official with the Russian aviation agency Rosaviatsia told Interfax news agency that the plane had departed Egypt’s Red Sea resort town of

Sharm el-Sheikh at 5:51 am local time (03:51 GMT). He said the aircraft did not make contact as expected with air traffic controllers in Cyprus, and “since then the plane has not made contact and has not appeared on radars”. “Prime Minister (Ismail) is expected to meet the concerned ministries and competent authorities to follow up on the accident of the Russian civilian plane that fell in central Sinai,” Egyptian premier’s office said. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the emergency ministry to dispatch rescue teams to Egypt to look into the crash.

“The head of state has given orders to send emergency ministry (teams) to Egypt immediately to work at the plane crash site,” a Kremlin statement said. Putin also ordered the government to launch a special commission “due to the catastrophe of Kogalymavia company plane in Egypt,” the statement said. An emergency ministry meeting shown on Russian television announced that teams of rescue workers along with the emergency minister, Vladimir Puchkov, will fly out to Egypt at 1300 GMT. Russia’s transport minister Maksim Sokolov and the head of Russia’s air trans-

port agency Alexander neradko are also leaving for the site, Russian agencies quoted the ministry’s representative as saying. Russia’s Investigative Committee said it had launched a criminal probe into any possible violation of air safety rules, a standard procedure when air crashes involving Russian planes occur. It is also sending investigators to the scene. Russia’s air transport agency Rosaviatsia said that the plane, an Airbus 321, was carrying 217 passengers and seven crew when it disappeared from the radar after taking off for Saint Petersburg from the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. AFP

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SPORTS

REUEL VIDAL EDITOR

sports@thestandard.com.ph

Members of the UP ladies badminton team come together on center court for a group picture that looks more like a group hug. The girls are close friends on and off the court and that camaraderie has translated to victories on the playing court. TOSI ALCASID

BAD GIRLS of UP rule UAAP By Raymond Vidal

Who’s bad? The University of the Philippine ladies badminton that’s who. Led by team captain and UAAP Season 78 Most Valuable Player Bea Bernardo the UP women’s badminton team swept Ateneo De Manila University to win their second consecutive UAAP title. The UP ladies team has been dominating the league the past two years and posted their 18th consecutive victory in UAAP competition dating back to Season 77. The other members of the team include UAAP Season 78 Rookie of the Year Lea Inlayo, UAAP Season 77 Most Valuable Player Jessie Francisco, UAAP Season 77 Rookie of the Year Ann Marañon, Malvinne Ann Venice Alcala, Marina Caculitan, Ann Jeline Masongsong, co-captain Maria Elisha Gabrielle Ongcuangco, Micah Rhea Quion and Selina Concepcion San Diego The state university has traditionally dominated ladies bad-

Jessie Francisco (left) and Lea Inlayo give each other a high ﬁve after scoring a point. TOSI ALCASID

Team captain Bea Bernardo lunges forward to retrieve a drop shot. TOSI ALCASID

minton in the UAAP. UP won six successive UAAP Women’s Badminton championships from Seasons 58-63. The closest approximation of this winning tradition is the UP cheer dance squad which has been passionately supported by the UP community. Bernardo said after the shock loss to National University in the past cheer dance competition her squad exacted revenge on their NU counterparts on the badminton courts. Right along with hard work, discipline and sacrifice the foundation of the team is friendship and camaraderie. Last year Bernardo recruited her friend Marañon to join the squad. Marañon vindicated her trust by helping the squad win the championship in her first year and also by winning the Season 77 Rookie of the Year award.

This year Season 77 MVP Francisco recruited her friend and fellow national team member Inlayo to the squad. Inlayo played an instrumental role in winning this year’s title and she also won Season 78 Rookie of the Year award. Bernardo said that team members really bonded with one another. There was love, respect and trust developed through mutual sacrifice during their arduous training sessions. Inlayo, a highly recruited member of the national team put her trust in friend and doubles partner Francisco and joined the UP squad this season. Her choice of UP as well as all her hard work were rewarded with a UAAP title. She also points to the squad’s camaraderie as key to their success. Members of the team are loyal to one another and are willing to make any sacrifice for one another. Co-captain Ongcuangco says that unity and the spirit of cooperation pervaded all their activities on and off the court. The team members helped each other even during classes and in their academic activities. It was simply the most natural thing to have each other’s backs that everything carried over during their championship run. Ongcuangco revealed that members of the badminton team were not just friends but more like sisters belonging to a family. This spirit of camaraderie pervaded the team as well as their support group, including the pep squad, classmates, teachers, coaches, and friends who regularly came to their games and practices. Is it any wonder that this team, this family of bad girls, would eventually go on to win the UAAP badminton title?

Ann Marañon eyes the shuttlecock before making a backhand return. TOSI ALCASID

RACAL TAKES CARE OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS By Peter Atencio KEVIN Racal fulfilled a childhood dream of joining the Philippine Basketball Association when he signed up with the Alaska Aces two days ago. But before that he first took care of unfinished business when he helped the Letran Knights win the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 91 men’s basketball tournament. The 24-year-old forward scored 23 points,

along with two crucial three-pointers in the fourth period, to power Letran to an 85-82 overtime victory over the San Beda Red Lions. It was sweet victory for Racal who could now go on to the next step in his basketball career by finally playing in the PBA. Racal was among four holdovers of the Letran Knights which faced and lost to the San Beda Red Lions in the season 89 finals of the NCAA. Their victory this season

more than makes up for that painful loss. “Nawala na ang pagkasakit ng pagkatalo na iyon,” said Racal, who said he is now ready to happily move on and join the Alaska Aces in their practices. Racal remembered the day when the Beda Red Lions turned to the free throw line at endgame and this allowed them took the men’s crown for a fourth straight year back in 2013. That year, Racal was a member of the Knights

along with Mark Cruz, McJour Luib and Rey Nambatac. At that time, John Ludovice split charities in the last 29.8 seconds, while Olaide Adeogun sank both his attempts with 1.7 ticks left, to lift the Red Lions to a 60-56 victory over the Knights. The Red Lions claimed their 18th overall crown in the men’s division as they surpassed the Knights as the winningest collegiate squad in the league. That was two years ago.

Racal and his teammates were thinking of these memories going into Game 3 Thursday. “Inisip namin na ayaw na naming maulit yun sa Game 3, na dalawang beses kaming natalo sa finals nung Season 89 sa San Beda. Pag natalo pa kami, wala na talaga,” said Racal. It took an extra five minutes in overtime but the four veterans, led by Racal, made sure that another defeat to the Red Lions would not happen again.

Letran forward Kevin Racal (16) glides to the hoop against a San Beda Red Lions defender.

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SPORTS

ARMAN ARMERO EDITOR

sports@thestandard.com.ph

BITOON TAKES OPEN TITLE, FRONDA

IS WOMEN’S CHAMP By Arman Armero

IT TOOK him 17 long years, but Grandmaster Richard Bitoon, finally won his second national title, four years after earning a GM title in the Battle of Grandmasters-National Championship held at the Philippine Sports Commission Athletes Dining Hall, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila. Final Standings (Open Division)—Bitoon, Antonio 14, Pascua 11, Torre, Laylo, Gomez. Turqueza 10, Docena 9, Bersamina, Abelgas 8, Frayna 6. Final Standings (Women’s Division)—Fronda 11.5, PerenaSecopito, San Diego 11, Suede, Enriquez 10, Bernales 8.5, Lozano, Membrere, Mendoza 8, Pineda 4.

GM Richard Bitoon ponders his next move during an earlier round. He finished with 14 points to emerge as the 2015 Battle of the Grandmasters Open Divisioin champion.

The 39-year old from Medellin, Cebu opted to draw his last two assignments in the 11-round tournament and emerged tied with fellow GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio with14 points each, but clinched the title via a superior tiebreak. Antonio had utlasted 17-year old NM Jerad Docena in the 11th and final round, but the victory was not enough to prevent Bitoon from taking the title, his first since topping the Far East Bank National Chess Open Championship as a 22-year old back in 1988. “Hindi ko na pinilit manalo ng last two rounds. Mahirap din yung magtake ka ng risks,” said Bitoon on his last drawn matches. Antonio, who took a leave from active competition due to health issues, settled for second place. International Master Haridas Pascua, who was tied with Antonio after eight rounds with 10 points, also drew his last two matches to gain solo third with 11 points. Defending champion Eugene

Torre downed IM Paulo Bersamina in the 10th but only managed a draw with Fide Master Joseph Mari Turqueza in the final round to finish with ten points, along with GMs Darwin Laylo and John Paul Gomez and Turqueza. Docena finished with nine points, while Bersamina and NM Roel Abelgas had eight points apiece. WIM Janelle Mae Frayna, who drew her Round 10 match with Gomez and drew a bye in the final round, finished with six points overall. In the women’s divison of the tournametn organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and supported by the PSC, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda also drew her last two matches, but still emerged as champion after defending women’s champion WIM Catherine-Perena Secopito lost to untitled Brena Mae Membrere in the 9th round. Fronda finished with 11. 5 points using the Torre-Pichay scoring system, while Perena Secopito and WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego, who are tied with 11 points, took second and third places, respectively. WIM Mikee Charlene Suede, WNM Karen Jean Enriquez had ten ponts each, while Christy Lamiel Bernales finished with 8.5 points, followed by Arvie Lozano, Membrere and WFM Shania Mae Mendoza with eight, and Judith Pineda with four.

OLYMPIAN CONDUCTS BIG MEN’S CAMP By Eddie G. Alinea THE lack of tall, big men that has been the bane of national teams in past international campaigns will hopefully end soon. Olympian Arturo Valenzona, through a foundation named after him and with the help of his former playes and friends in basketball, is set to start a year-round search for big men beginning on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Paraiso Ng Batang Maynila covered court opposite the Manila Zoo along Adriatico St. in Ermita. More than 200 kids, mostly from the Big City aged 8-18, are expected to attend the clinic called the “Big Men’s Camp” for free, to be held initially every Saturday and Sunday during school days

and daily on summer break. “Actually, the project is a basketball clinic for grassroots level for kids, pero magkakaroon ng special concentration in search of tall boys who we hope to develop to play for college, then to the pro ranks para maging career nila eventually,” said Valenzona, a former player and one of only two Filipino coaches to handle teams in the collegiate, commercial and pro-levels. “And, ang pinaka-importante ay makakita tayo ng talents na made-develop para sa national teams para hindi na tayo mag-import pa ng players hindi naman natin mapakinabangan ng husto,” the former San Sebastian College coach who won five collegiat basketball titles in the NCAA added. “Kailangan lang ay hanapin

natin ang mga ito at isa sa paraan para natin sila makita ay through grassroot talent-search, “ Valenzona, who is also credited to steering Tanduay to three PBA title victories from 1986 to 1987, noted. “This is the reason why we are offering he camp for free para mas maraming bata and maka-avail ng serbisyo. Marami nga tayong existing clinics ngayon, pero mahal ang bayad na hindi ma-afford ng mas maraming mahihirap na bata,” Valenzona said. Valenzona, who was a member of the Philippine team to the 1964 Olympic Games said those interested can call telephone numbers 0916-4436100, 0929-2148234, 0922-4616503 or landline 53 7418 to register. Applicants can also get in touch with their Barangay chairmen in their respective areas.

BASEBALL DONOR. Former Pasay City District 1 Councilor Bing Petallo (2nd from left standing) led the distribution of more than a hundred baseball/softball gloves donated by Japanese baseball superstar Takashi Toritani of Hanshin Tigers-MLB represented by Naoki Shimoji (kneeling 5th from left) to young ballplayers from the city during rites held recently at the function room of the City Hall. Petallo, a softball player during her college days and a shooting enthusiast is pursuing her advocacy to discover future sports heroes among the young Pasayenos.DANNY SIMON

S U N D AY : N O V E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

RiERA U. MAllARi EDITOR sports@thestandard.com.ph

sports

AsiAn MMA growing by leAps And bounds By Randy Caluag

FILIPINOS and Malaysians are taking important roles as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has grown by leaps and bounds in the Asian sporting scene in recent years. There is no stopping Filipino-Canadian Victor Cui in making MMA one of the most popular sports in the continent. For his gargantuan job as chief executive officer of the ONE Championship, Asia’s biggest MMA promotion, he was recognized as one of the most influential men in Asian sport. In an article furnished by ONE, Cui was put in the pinnacle alongside “a handful of pioneering executives who are helping to establish the region on the sporting map… the movers and shakers who sit at the helm of the Asian sports boom.” “A clear trend in recent years, there has been a regional shift that has seen more world-class sporting events head to Asia and more world-class sporting franchises and brands headquartered in Asia,” the ONE article added. Cui was cited in the article for successfully guiding the ONE Championship to become “the biggest martial arts promotion in Asia and one of the most valuable sports properties in the region. Mixed martial arts has been the fastest growing sport in the world over the last 10 years, and the sport has grown at its fastest pace in the region due to Asia’s rich history in the martial arts. “ “ONE Championship is broadcast to over 1 billion homes throughout the region and has held sold-out shows in major stadiums across Asia. From the outset, the promotion also signed an unprecedented 10-year broadcast partnership with Fox Sports Asia. The American-based UFC has been valued at $1.65 billion and Cui’s promotion has emerged as its most genuine global competitor. Also recently making waves in the Asian

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Igorot pride Eric Kelly hits Hiroshige Tanaka with a hard kick. (Inset) Eric Kelly raises his hand in victory.

MMA scene was Igorot feather fighter Eric “The Natural” Kelly, who celebrated his return to the ONE cage with a unanimous-decision win over Japanese Hiroshige Tanaka of japan in the featherweight clash of the ONE: Tigers of Asia event in Kuala Lumpur. Kelly, known for his technical submission game, showcased ferocious striking skills, battering Tanaka from end to end. Tanaka used his world-class wrestling to control Kelly, but the Filipino did more damage which earned the judges’ nod. The win moved Kelly closer to a championship match, saving the day for Filipino pride as compatriots Honorio Banaro of Team Lakay and Eugene Toqueo bowed to their opponents. Local Malaysian hero Ev Ting dashed the hopes of Banario with a submission win via Guillotine Choke, while Japanese Riku Shibuya of Japan dominated Toquero from start to finish to win by unanimous decision. “I hope that this victory would give me a chance to regain my belt,” said Kelly. “I have always been training even without guarantee of having to fight. I really want to take the belt again.” The Malaysian MMA scene is so robust that just one day after the ONE Tigers of Asia event, it hosted the Malaysian Invasion 3 Grand Finals, where six new Malaysian champions emerged, including the first female champ. Show original message The Malaysian invasion attracted a huge audience as well as foreign fighters, who clashed in the Foreign Pride Division. It was also the first time in Southeast Asia that an MMA event was shown live by a major TV network. The Malaysian MMA is probably the only MMA event in Southeast Asia that enjoys recognition and full support of the government as the Ministry of Youth and Sports, led by YB Khairy Jamaluddin, threw its backing to the men behind the promotion. “There is really no way but up for our MMA in Malaysia. We’re catching up fast with our neighbors like Philippines and Thailand, which have a rich martial-arts tradition,” added Chan.

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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 WRITER

life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

S U NDAY L IF E

LIFE

Villa Escudero officially opens Casa Consuelo house museum in Tiaong, Quezon. Casa Consuelo is the old Gomez house in Angeles, Pampanga which was brought—piece by piece—and reconstructed by Don Conrado Escudero’s expert artisans.

A GLIMPSE AT THE LIFE OF A ‘BUENA FAMILIA’ BY BERNADETTE LUNAS PHOTOS BY SONNY ESPIRITU

on Conrado ‘Ado’ Escudero is known for his commitment to protect, preserve and share our country’s rich culture and history, and he proves this once again when he opened to the public the Casa Consuelo museum in Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort on October 24. Casa Consuelo is the old Gomez house owned by Don Esteban Gomez and Doña Josefa Pamintuan de Gomez of Pampanga. In the late 1800s, the Gomez house was a picture of class and opulence on Plaridel Street, Angeles City (formerly Culiat), Pampanga. It served as the residence of Don Esteban, Doña Josefa and their 11 offsprings. Following the death of its original owners, the house was passed on from one heir to another. “When Lola Sepa passed away in 1941, it was inherited by the youngest of the 11 children, Federico ‘Perico’ Gomez. Perico then sold it to another brother, Vicente, who was married to Pilar Mendez, for P40,000 in 1945. The couple converted the ground floor into a restaurant and cocktail lounge, popular among G.I.s, called Spic & Span. When Vicente and Pilar died, their children closed the restaurant and sold the house to Atty. Jose Feliciano on December 2, 1983,” narrates Capt. Ben Hur Gomez,

Displayed at the foyer are the dolls donated by Patis Pamintuan Tesoro

The Gomez clan, led by Capt. Ben Hur Gomez (third from left, back) and Juliette Gomez Romualdez (sixth from left, front), attends the house museum blessing of Casa Consuelo.

one of the great grandsons of Don Esteban and Doña Josefa, and a direct descendant of the first owners. Atty. Feliciano then offered the house to Don Ado who was at that time restoring the Pamintuan mansion, also in Angeles. “I looked at it, I fell in love and eventually convinced my older sister (Doña Consuelo or Elsie), who didn’t know what she was getting into, to purchase it in the late 1980s,” shares Don Ado. Over a hundred years and several occupants and owners later, the Gomez house finds its way – piece by piece – to Villa

Escudero in Tiaong, Quezon. Now called Casa Consuelo, the century-old structure remains elegant as ever. From being a home to the Gomez family, it is now a repository of memories and artifacts that showcase the life of a Filipino “buena familia” during the first quarter of the 20th century.

FOND MEMORIES

Capt. Gomez, who worked as a pilot for 39 years, remembers spending the weekdays in his Lola Sepa’s house with his three brothers (Carlos Jr., Romeo and Carmelo) when they were studying at the Holy Family Academy

in Angeles. “We lived in Mabalacat so every Monday morning we would go to Angeles and stay in the house until Friday afternoon,” he recalls. “I lived in that house for four years.” Juliette Gomez Romualdez, meanwhile, fondly recalls the fun games they played at the house where she and her brothers would race up and down the two grand staircases. “I was a very young girl when we used to go to that house, especially at Christmastime to celebrate with our Lola Sepa. I remember how we would enjoy the games and the lining up for the aguinaldo that we were given,” recounts Mrs. Romualdez. Continued on C4

SUNDAY : NOVEM B ER 1, 2015

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Apolinario Mabini Awardee Annette Lee-Esparaz

@LIFEatStandard

Josephine Abanato 13 years old, Grade 4, one of the students in Mandaue City Central Integrated SPED who now has access to TouchBooks

The many visually impaired students who are now able to touch tactile images through TouchBooks

‘I HOPE YOU WON’T NEED IT’ CAROTID ARTERY BY TATUM ANCHETA As an adult, waking up and seeing the light in the morning makes me want to close the blinds and snooze some more in the darkness. Light comes with waking up to responsibilities, to traffic, to endless drama and issues I’m faced with everyday. But after meeting Apolinario Mabini Awardee Annette Lee-Esparaz, seeing light every morning just makes me feel grateful and blessed. “I hope you won’t need it,” were the words that had her started with her plight and advocacy in helping the visually impaired. “I saw an article with Director Weisser of Resources for the Blind Inc., transcribing books of DepEd in braille for the blind students,” shares Annette. “It got me interested since I am also into printing so I went to see him and he showed me the braille alphabet. I was so happy in learning something new. Then Director Weisser turned to me and said: ‘I hope you won’t need it.’ Those words struck a chord and it changed my life.” That was a decade ago. To date, Annette has helped fund computers and desktop braille printers to pilot schools in the Philippines, provided equipment for young students with severe low vision, created the

program Touch the Artist’s Vision (in partnership with Metropolitan Museum of Manila and the Rotary club) that turned art works into tactile material and added audio technology for visually impaired citizens to appreciate art, and coauthored and published the book TouchBooks: The Tactile Textbook Project, a publication project with educational images. It seemed like serendipity has its ways and her advocacy started to spread its wings and everything fell into place. She has helped 420 schools and more than 2,000 students from grades one to four, and the people that touched her heart continue to fire her passion for her advocacy. In the Philippines, it is estimated that half a million people are blind and we rank as 4th highest in the world with visually impaired citizens. “It is natural (that) if we do not meet a blind person, we would not know their needs. However, if we explain to our friends the needs and how intelligent and curious the blind are about our world, people’s eyes are opened,” says Annette. And so, after the afternoon chat with her, my eyes were indeed opened. She told how kids learned about perspective through TouchBook, and it got me thinking, “How exactly do you teach the concept of perspective to someone who has not seen anything his entire life?” When the children touched the tactile visuals on the book, they wonder why things towards the back tend to be smaller than the objects appearing in front. “The teachers would then explain to them via the use of sounds. As

The first batch of visually impaired visitors who were able to experience Touch the Artist’s Vision and see the artworks in Metropolitan Museum of Manila

President Benigno Aquino handed the 2015 Apolinario Mabini Award to Annette Esparaz

things go further the sound creates depth,” she explains. There’s also this girl in Batino Elementary School in Cubao who, as the teacher was talking about the photo of Rizal in Luneta, she cited that they can see two flags in the photo. The little girl then raised her hand and said, “No teacher, there are three!” Which just shows that even the blind see more details than a regular eye. “That is why we insist to have the tactile images in the Met Museum exhibit hall; it is for the sighted to know that it is possible for the blind to enjoy painting in a fine arts museum,” shares Annette. So far they’ve converted some artworks in the Galicano, Amorsolo, Manansala and Abueva exhibits, among others. Recently, they also had five tactile artworks in the BenCab exhibition. She told me that in the Philippines, we usually won’t care or do anything to help unless someone close to us

Initial testing of tactile swell material with students, teachers and professionals

Rachel Estrella, 7 year old, blind since birth, continues to ask questions about the pictures she “sees” through her fingers

is handicapped – a friend, mother, daughter, brother. In fact, her husband would ask her the same thing: “Why are you doing this?” and she replied, “’If it was our own daughter who was blind, will I not do the same?’ “After that, he never asked me or question my work again.” Annette shares her amazement at how the blind love to “see” exactly how we see things. “Tell them the colors, and they will tell me their imagination is better than mine.” Recently, President Benigno Aquino handed awards to outstanding persons with disabilities (PWDs) and advocates for their welfare during the 2015 Apolinario Mabini Awards held in Malacañang, and Annette was given a special award for being a co-author and publisher of TouchBooks and for producing and donating books for visually-impaired students. The Philippines still needs to do a lot of work in aiding the blind become fully functional in our environment, but Annette notes that so far, we are the only country wherein all the Public SPED school have at least one set of tactile books given to them for free. In other countries, one set of books costs about $450, and because it is expensive, it is not widely available in schools. Our teachers have come a long way from manually preparing test papers for their visually impaired students by

The Cebu Braille Center pre-school class with Annette Esparaz

patiently punching braille dots on paper. The public infrastructure still needs improvement and this is what Annette is busy with at the moment. “We are now embarking on accessibility in the built environment. Project ‘Beyond Way Finding’ hopes to install in public facilities a tactile map and audio system to assist the blind in independent mobility,” says Annette. “NAIA 3 being a major gateway, we envision this airport to have the first-of-itskind accessibility technology for the visually impaired in the Philippines,” she adds. It is amazing how people like Annette can passionately dedicate themselves to something greater than what the eyes can see. Let me end with a famous quote by Helen Keller, an American author and the first deaf-blind person to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree: “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”

SUNDAY : NOVEM B ER 1, 2015

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@LIFEatStandard

Lesley Mobo’s 40-piece haute couture collection ‘sparkled’ in sheer contrast with the predominantly dark milieu

Tootsie Angara and Sen. Sonny Angara

Noel and Duday Tuason enjoyed the cocktail reception

Fashion designer Albert Andrada Philippine Red Cross’ with his muse, Miss Universe Marivic Rufino with Philippines 2015 Pia Wurtzbach Miguel Realmonte

Arthur Manuntag, Marian Ong and Edwin Medalla during the cocktail reception

David Chua and Fe Rodriguez

A moment with Chroma Lovely couple Nikki Hospitality’s Carmela Bocanegra Tang and Nelson YuVilla and James Montenegro in full support of charity

A RED MOVEMENT Sheila Romero, Tina Jacinto Jackie Ejercito-Lopez and Chris Badiola

#INTHEMOMENT BY FRANCIS DE LEON

Small Laude

Therese Santos, Ching Cruz, and Kim Camacho in full support of the Red Charity Gala 2015

Honorary Consul Evie Costa of Togo and Consul Agnes Huibonhoa of Carol Mercado Gambia

Criselda Lontok was stunning that evening

Christine Gabriel with daughter Stacey in full support of Red Charity Aziza Mondoñedo Gala 2015

Supporting the Red Charity Claudine Cobankiat Agile Zamora in Gala 2015 was with Charlene Tiu her red ensemble Aida Cobankiat

I believe we all share the same sentiments about the traffic in EDSA. It’s hopeless! Likewise, I think it’s safe to presume that my dear readers will all agree with this columnist on an appeal for help especially when we find ourselves caught in heavy (perhaps, an understatement?) traffic on a Friday night and we are already late for an important occasion. Literally, a river of red lights meanders down the long stretch of road. It’s a pathetic reality we all face (and often accept and tolerate) as motorists and commuters. However, this Sunday’s column is not about the slow movement of traffic in EDSA that hinders our progress. I was simply giving reference to my recent experience as I battled the horrendous stream of traffic just to make it to an important commitment – this year’s Red Charity Gala held at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La. It’s ironic but I learned that the color red stimulates movement. Apparently, it’s the color that awakens our physical life force. It excites the emotions and motivates people to take action. Aptly, the positive impact of the color red (and how it inspires) are attributes that are (in my opinion) admirable traits of the organizers, philanthropist Kaye Tinga and society icon Tessa Prieto-Valdes. They are the Red Charity Gala’s movers and shakers!

For love and philanthropy – power couple Freddie and Kaye Tinga

Red Charity Gala’s Tessa PrietoValdes, Tonyboy Cojuangco and Gretchen Barreto enjoying their moment

Joana Lhuillier and Mia Padilla

According to the ladies, the gathering has raised more that 12 million pesos in funds for the past several years for the Philippine Red Cross and Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation. And that evening, if my mental calculations are accurate, I believe they have achieved even greater heights with the huge turnout of supporters and donors. During the auction alone, Tessa together with Tim Yap, raised around five million pesos! “It is amazing how this vision that came to fruition several years ago is still burning with flames. We are very happy to partner with creative and world-class talents, feature their works, and give back to the community all at the same time,” expressed Tessa. The red spotlight this year focused on the works of highly acclaimed London-based designer Lesley Mobo. He showcased a 40-piece collection for Red Charity Gala 2015 and his latest undergarment designs headlined by Bench.

Dr. Z and Aivee Teo, Alleli Andanar, Mayor Nene Aguilar and Inno Sotto (mentor of the featured designer Lesley Mobo)

Jacques Christophe Branellec, Mia Arcenas, Rima Ostwani, Richard Tiu, and Mike Chua

Lesley, who spent his early years in Aklan before moving to Great Britain, is recognized for his mastery of designing and tailoring soft, feminine dresses with edgy, structural touch. If his intent was to dazzle, then dazzled the audience he did with his collection of clothes that shouts (and sparkles) with all that glitter! His haute couture creations stood out in stark contrast with the predominantly dark setting. It was a (surreal) sight to behold. It was vividly lucid and it captivated the audience composed of Manila’s Top 500. The Red Charity Gala has brought together business leaders, philanthropists, the fashionable set in café society, creative and passionate minds in Philippine fashion and corporate sponsors who all gave their time, effort and support through donations or by sponsoring tables (mind you, it takes somebody with a truly generous heart to host a table for 10 or more with the rich

five-course menu that comes with the whole extravaganza). Amidst all the pomp and pageantry (not to mention the high glamour!) expected from Gala events, what makes the Red Gala truly momentous was that the people behind it managed to pull off an event that is (by far) the grandest gesture of solidarity between various sectors. It has brought a whole community (in total unity) together in the name of charity. Moments to benefit a good cause should constantly motivate us to move. Now, that is a positive impact that will never dampen my spirit no matter the odds (of EDSA on a Friday night)! Such events, like the Red Charity Gala, give me profound optimism on our country’s progress. Cheers! (Special thanks to Lorna Llanes for capturing some of the images for this column.) Follow me on Twitter or Instagram @francis_deleon8.

S U N D AY : N O V E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

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A GLIMPSE AT THE LIFE OF A ‘BUENA FAMILIA’ From C1

HERITAGE REVIVAL

It was only a few years ago when the reconstruction of the Gomez house started. With the help of Heritage Consultant Arch. Jojo Mata, Don Ado’s late nephew Don Escudero painstakingly documented the tedious transfer of the numerous parts and pieces from Pampanga – from the intricate lattice woodwork, roof tiles to etched glass windows – and reassembled them to what is now Casa Consuelo. Bent on maintaining the original look, Villa Escudero’s team of expert artisans, led by Don, had some of the materials reproduced. “Don searched for artisans, who used available materials to have a product similar to what was used before. With the roof tiles, he searched to find a manufacturer in Spain who still produced the same product and arranged for the necessary supply to be delivered,” notes Don Ado. He adds, “On my part, I basically furnished Casa Consuelo by meticulously selecting pieces from the collection of antique furniture, which our late mother left us.”

Dr. Jaime Laya, Don Conrado Escudero and Juliette Gomez Romualdez

Capt. Ben Hur Gomez and Mrs. Juliette Romualdez

Doña Consuelo ‘Elsie’ Escudero, Juliette Gomez Romualdez and National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Maria Serena Diokno led the ribbon cutting at the opening and blessing of Casa Consuelo Museum.

HOUSE MUSEUM BLESSING

On October 24, Don Ado invited the Gomez clan, historians and proponents of culture and heritage preservation at the blessing and ribbon cutting ceremony of Casa Consuelo. Capt. Gomez, Mrs. Romualdez and some of the members of the illustrious Gomez family graced the well-attended affair, which also served as some sort of homecoming for the family. “I would really like to thank Don Ado for doing this, it’s not just for our family but for the Filipino people especially to the people of Pampanga and Central Luzon,” enthused Mrs. Romualdez. The Latin Mass of the Tridentine Rite was held at the Iglesia de San Francisco led by Reverend Father Philip Ma. Gorecho, OATH. It was followed by the ribbon cutting, unveiling of the markers, and blessing. Don Ado and Mrs. Romualdez, together with National Historical Commission chairperson Maria Serena Diokno, Philtrust Bank chairman and president Jaime Laya, historian Martin Imperial Tinio, Jr., Zonta Club Manila director Minerva Tanseco, “Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion” Patis Pamintuan Tesoro, and Emmanuel Ticzon talked about the opulent Gomez house, the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines and the life and times in a venerable home during the first quarter of the 20th century. Diokno expressed delight that Casa Consuelo stands today to tell us “about the practices before and how things change, because it’s important for the younger generation to see this so that they appreciate how their ancestors lived.” Tinio and Tanseco, meanwhile, talked about the opulence of the Gomez house. “I was struck when I first saw the balcón of the Gomez house in 1979 because it was the most beautiful balcón I had ever seen in the whole country, and I have seen every old house from Aparri to Jolo,” shared Tinio. Tanseco provided the guests with the details of the house and invited everyone to “come back and look at it in detail.” While the house was owned by wealthy Filipinos, Dr. Laya said that Casa Consuelo not only reflected the lifestyle of the well-to-do but also of the workers who toiled in the kitchen and cleaned the toilet. For Tesoro, the day wasn’t only a house museum blessing but a day of discovery. “I always knew the Gomezes and Pamintuans were related, but I never knew how and why,” she expressed. “Today I discovered that the lady of the house, Doña Sepa, and my grandfather Don Florentino are brother and sister and I never knew that,” she said. The guests then savored a sumptuous merienda cena composed of plantation salad, fish salad, kinilaw na tanigue, chicken galantina, jardinera, Estofado ala Villa Escudero, pastel de lengua, pancit buko, bringhe, baked ham, crema de ube, leche flan and gulaman hulmado.

From left: Historian Martin Imperial Tinio, Jr., National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Maria Serena Diokno, Philtrust Bank chairman and president Dr. Jaime Laya, Zonta Club of Manila director Minerva Tanseco, Bb. Casa Consuelo Jacqueline Dulay, ‘Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion’ Patis Pamintuan Tesoro, Juliette Gomez Romualdez, Don Conrado Escudero and Emmanuel Ticzon

Don Ado furnished the bedroom with pieces from the Escudero collection

The living room on the second floor

Two of the six Gomez siblings, Juliette Gomez Romualdez and Capt. Ben Hur Gomez unveil the heritage marker that summarizes the history of the Gomez Mansion up until it was acquired by Doña Consuelo Escudero.

The lattice woodwork on the ceiling was brought from the old house

Study

The vitrina that separates the living room from the dining room came from a sultan in Mindanao

Villa Escudero artisans dismantled and reassembled the original tiles of the Gomez house

Dinner set collection of Don Ado

From left: Don Ado Escudero, Jaime Laya, Tiaong Mayor Ramon Preza and Juliette Gomez Romualdez

Thai ambassador to the Philippines Juliette Gomez Romualdez Thanatip Upatising with Madame and Ingrid Santamaria Monthip ‘Bee’ Upatising

Ping Valencia

Minerva Tanseco

SUNDAY : NOV EMBER 1, 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

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oPrah Winfrey’S ‘Belief’

n December, Discovery Networks International will air OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network’s epic series Belief in more than 220 countries and territories around the globe on its factual and lifestyle networks. Narrated by Winfrey, Belief is a groundbreaking original documentary series that invites viewers to witness and be moved by some of the world’s most fascinating spiritual journeys through the eyes of the believers. Belief will premiere on Discovery Channel in Southeast Asia 10 p.m. on Dec. 13. Belief depicts how people with a wide range of beliefs search for deeper meaning and connection with the world around them. Through vivid, emotional storytelling and cinematic visual imagery, the documentary series illuminates the best of faith and spiritual practices from around the world – the rituals, stories and relationships that bind us all together as human beings. “For the past three years, my team and I have been working to find the most compelling and thoughtful stories of faith, love and devotion from around the world,” said Winfrey. “This has been my heart’s work, to be able to share stories like these that reflect our world and explore humankind’s ongoing search to connect with something greater than ourselves. My intention was that the series would speak to people around the world, and I am thrilled the series can now be seen by millions of viewers worldwide.” “Belief is a moving, powerful and lyrical series with themes that are iconic, universal and important, and I’m excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the Oprah

Winfrey Network to air the program worldwide,” said Marjorie Kaplan, president of Global Content, Discovery Networks International. “This is a unique opportunity to showcase Oprah-curated content on an international scale and for viewers globally to come together and create vibrant dialogues in their communities.” Traveling to the far reaches of world, and to places cameras have rarely been, Belief searches the origins of diverse faiths and the heart of what really matters. From the epic to the intimate, webbed throughout each hour are stories of people on spiritual journeys, taking them to sacred spaces, including: the largest peaceful gathering in the history of the world as a group of believers seek redemption along the banks of a holy river; a free climber on the side of a mountain who believes there is no greater power than just being present as he climbs without rope; inside the ceremonies of the past as a 21st century woman seeks to find a miracle cure using ancient ceremonial treatments; the quiet of the night as a culture seeks to hang on to its 50,000 year-old history by searching the stars for insight to share with future generations; and, a courtroom and prison where a grieving mother must grapple with forgiveness as she comes face-to-face with her son’s killer. These stories and others will all lead us to ask: “What do you believe?” Belief is co-produced by the award-winning production companies Harpo Studios and part2 pictures. Executive producers are Oprah Winfrey, Sheri Salata, Jon Sinclair, David Shadrack Smith, Greg Henry and Kim Woodard.

Burning Man

Cha Cha Baptism

Wilder Wildlife on AnimAl PlAnet

ee wildlife like never before in these exciting new series from Animal Planet.

PenguinS on a Plane: great animal moveS Every day, thousands of different animals are being moved around the globe on our roads, ferries, and

Penguins on a Plane

planes. But flying a flock of Gentoo penguins all the way from New Zealand to Birmingham’s National Sea Life Centre requires a hightech, custom-built transport crate costing £40,000. With refrigeration, air filtering and even seatbelts, the ‘penguin hotel’ must keep the birds in peak physical condition during their 12,500 mile journey.

Watch Penguins On A Plane: Great Animal Moves. The show premiered on Oct. 26 and will air 9 p.m. Mondays. Follow the expert handlers entrusted with transporting some of the world’s most precious and challenging cargo safely to their destinations. the lion QueenS of india India’s Gir National Park is the last refuge of the endangered Asiatic lions, but is also the home of a unique breed of lionesses. Meet the gutsy and resolute female foresters zealously guarding these lions in The Lion Queens of India. Watch some of the most courageous, skillful and remarkably-dedicated girls do everything they can for the welfare of these forests - rescuing a lion stuck in an open well, healing a badly-injured lioness with three little cubs in the middle of the night, retrieving a wayward leopard from a farmer’s house, and catching and

Treetop Cat Rescue

releasing a deadly Russell’s viper. It’s all in a day’s work! Witness the new series bring alive some of the most daring wildlife action sequences on television 9 p.m. Tuesdays. treetoP Cat reSCue Meet Shaun and Tom, brothers-in-law and tree arborists

who make up Canopy Cat Rescue, a highly skilled two-man operation trained to climb dangerously tall trees to save desperate, stranded cats. Over the past two years, they have rescued nearly 500 kitties from treetops as high as 165 feet! The new series airs 10 p.m. Wednesdays.

SUNDAY : NOV EMBER 1, 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

SinGER, StUDEnt, StaR By ROBBiE PanGiLinan

“G

Let The Love Begin. She starred in the movies Bahay Kubo, Last Supper No. 3, Asti, Mga Batang Kalye, Dagim, and The Strangers, with Asintado and Kamkam as her latest films. On stage, the 20-year-old Kapuso star is a versatile performer – playing princess roles Ariel in Under The Sea,” Mulan in Mulan, and Snow White in Snow White at ang Pitong Dwarfs, Mary Magdalene in Martyr sa Golgota, and Gregoria de Jesus in Katipunan: Mga Anak Ng Bayan. She likewise appeared as a guest in the Asian Tour concert of Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider and the Macho Gwapita concert of Rico J. Puno and Aiai delas Alas. Rita, a former member of Sugarpop and host of Party Pilipinas, has had her songs recorded as

ood things come to those who wait,” is what Rita Daniela learned from showbiz. The first grand champion of QTV’s Popstar Kids in 2005, Rita waited 10 years for her solo album – self-titled Rita Daniela for GMA Records with six all-original songs. Rita has portrayed many roles on film, television, and the theater. Since 2007, she has been cast in different TV shows including Asian Treasures, SOP, Ganda Ng Lola Ko, Kaputol Ng Isang Awit, Planet Q, The Last Prince, Pahiram ng Isang Ina, Party Pilipinas, Magpakailanman, Paroa, One True Love, Alice Bungisngis and her Wonder Walis, Villa Quintana, Sunday All Stars, Mundo Mo’y Akin, and Maynila. She is Luchie in the reent teleserye

part of soundtracks of TV shows like The Greatest Love and First Time, and the film My Lady Boss. Rita is a scholar and an outstanding Digital Film Making student at the College of St. Benilde where she is also a member of the Romancon dance group. Rita supports deaf students and children from the Saint Rita Orphanage and the Kapuso Foundation. She is an active junior ambassadress of Haribon Foundation. Despite her many commitments, Rita finds time to relax by playing with her pet shih tzu, and pampering herself at the only skin clinic she trusts – The Skin Specialist. Founder and chief dermatologist Dr. Jean Marquez personally attends to Rita as she goes for her regular Silkpeel, painless super hair removal, Body 360 program.

Rita Daniela

Sam ConCepCion in a pre-Halloween ConCert

amuel Lawrence Concepcion is indeed one of the country’s “triple-threat” artists simply because he can sing, dance, and act. Seeing his Your Face Sounds Familiar performances week after week definitely captures the Pinoy audience. This young man really has his own way of melting one’s heart. The amount of talent that he possesses has been cultivated over the years and has truly blossomed from the time this

Sam Concepcion

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 80 81 82 86 87 88 89

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Sandy expanse 6 Mystic of India 11 Injured at Pamplona 16 Where Lhasa is 21 Pond scum 22 Coeur d’—, Idaho 23 River in France 24 Early king of India (var.) 25 Rain forest 26 “A Fish Called —” 27 Cuzco resident 28 Founder of the Russian monarchy 29 U2 producer 30 Tarzan’s transport 32 Image, in combos 34 Ditka of football 36 SSW opposite 37 Like the Wild West 39 Controlled-access 40 Edible seaweed 41 Toga-party supply 42 Electrical unit 43 Used a skillet 44 Aims (2 wds.)

46 49 50 51 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 76 77

Tenet Golden-haired Rushes off Evening gala — and hearty Billowing garment Look after Wired, so to speak Off — — tangent Just washed Twinge — colada Put a — on it! Not knowing about Untold centuries Ding-a- — (airhead) Kon- — “Indecent Proposal” star Wipe the woodwork Go in reverse Caterpillar hairs Aberdeen pair Bullring VIPs Actress — Scala Thought about

90 91 92 93 94 95 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 106 107 108 111 112 113 117 118 119 120 121 122 124 126 128 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137

Tex-Mex snack Skywalker’s sister Clustered together Business letter abbr. Coconut juice Tablet Persian cat, for one Width of a cir. Put cargo on board Mental fog Peel, as paint Roman gods Land Contemptible Substantial What Eve raised? Edge Lap dog Fixes leftovers Author Chaim — Igneous rock Huge blossom — Paese cheese Passable License plates Sign after Pisces Gallivant That guy, objectively Ice floe Musical about Peron Bedouin Well-chosen Gladiator’s place Fingerprint feature Tiber locale Winfrey of TV In judge’s garb Movie award Salamanders Likewise Dodge, as taxes Fretful — horned owl Oui and si

“little big star” burst on to the scene all those years ago. Being a multi-talented artist, he never fails to wow the crowd. The former MYX VJ starred in a pre-Halloween concert Samuel Lawrence And The Defenders Of Dance. Teasers for this were already a hit and trended on Twitter twice in a span of a week. He currently has 1.4 million followers on Twitter, over 250,00 followers on Instagram, and despite not having his own official Facebook page, his

fans have collective reached over a million; a number that is spread out into multiple accounts and pages. As the saying goes, numbers don’t lie. Sam is a sleeper in the digital realm and on social media. Sam Concepcion performed last Friday with five of the best dance crews the country can brag about – onstage and on-the-floor. It’s also a birthday concert that will surely bring a one-of-a-kind music experience that is action-packed and uber chill. No doubt that “superhe-

ro” Samuel Lawrence is pulling out all the stops on this one. Samuel Lawrence and the Defenders of Dance was held at the SM SkyDome North Edsa on Oct. 30. “Samster” fans especially from cities down south and from neighboring Asian countries gathered and celebrated 10 years of their love and support for the young actor. Paolo Valenciano directed the show, while music style and arrangement is by music producer Chris Lopez.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2015

DOWN 1 Swiss city 2 Ms. Verdugo 3 Softly lit 4 Mav’s foe 5 Bum’s rush (hyph.) 6 Spotted animals 7 Wings, in botany 8 Mammoth Cave loc. 9 Pen fluid (2 wds.) 10 Showed surprise 11 The daily rat race 12 It can’t be! (2 wds.) 13 FOX sitcom 14 Bewitches 15 “Goodfellas” lead (2 wds.) 16 Scale button 17 Ames inst. 18 Carried 19 Making do 20 Box-office totals 31 Suffix for hero 33 U.K. lexicon 35 Smooching 38 Ore deposit 39 Ghostly noise 40 Can’t be without 41 Clingy fabric 43 Rest on water 44 Insult wittily 45 Modicum 46 Cantata performers 47 Kitchen appliance 48 Veld grazer 49 Mix together 50 Cacklers 52 Set ablaze again 53 Slezak of soaps 54 Vocalist — Gorme 56 Nurse — Barton 57 Entice 58 Quick turn 60 Three, to a couple 61 Raise, as a question

62 65 66 67 68 70 71 72 74 75 76 77 78 79

Snapshots Frequently Franc’s successor Tomb Raider Croft Impart knowledge Pier Simmer Burn slightly Story Edit out Sticky Respectful title City on the Mohawk Beatle Ringo —

80 82 83 84 85 87 88 89 91 92 93 96 97

Driftwood bringer Tea clippers Fought with (2 wds.) MacDonald’s refrain Thirst quencher Tycoon Not rosy Pack animal Den Flood preventer Easy houseplants Like souffles Poodle pros

98 99 101 102 103 105 106 107 108 109 110 112

Rogue tiger (hyph.) E. — bacteria Greedy Standing in line Media award Cramped Dernier — Bikini half Chicago’s airport Bolshoi rival One-celled swimmer (var.) Murphy Brown’s kid

113 Secret rendezvous 114 Audition rewards 115 Heavy downpour 116 Culture mores 118 Invited 119 Richard of “Love Me Tender” 120 Utah ski resort 123 Jarrett of NASCAR 125 601, to Caesar 127 Dazzle 129 Diner staple

SUNDAY : NOV EMBER 1, 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Hands-on daddy From c8

Dennis Trillo

Despite his busy schedule, Dennis Trillo continues to be a hands-on dad to his only son Calix. According to the My Faithful Husband star, he attends PTA meetings when he has the time so that he is aware of his son’s performance in school. And on weekends, he makes it a point to have a bonding session with him. Well, they do it through sports, especially swimming.

Calix

HHHHH Jennylyn MeRcado, loyal kapuso There have been rumors of Jennylyn Mercado ‘s plan to hop over to a neighboring broadcast company. The actress immediately dismissed it as mere innuendo. “No, I’m not (moving)!” she exJennylyn Mercado

claimed, adding, “There’s no reason for me to even consider that. GMA Network has been taking care of my career and I always have something to look forward to.” HHHHH benJaMIn alves sHows oFF HIs body He has become even more daring in Beautiful Strangers. Benjamin Alves doubles that in Gayuma, the film he starred in and was an entry to the QCinema – Quezon City International Film Festival. He played an art student, Mike, who is seduced by a mysterious woman, Stella. His curiosity leads to obsession. They engage in passionate sex and in the execution of the scenes, Alves even went for full nudity. When asked if he’d appear palying similar roles in the future, he said, “I thing I’m done doing daring roles.”

Benjamin Alves

Rocco Nacino

HHHHH Rocco nacIno lIkes Japan After representing the Philippines at the Asian Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship, Rocco Nacino traveled to Japan again, this time to represent Balut Country at the 28th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF). What is next for Rocco to make him fly back to Japan?

HHHHH ‘spooktobeR’ at staR cIty The country’s leading amusement park had a fun-filled Halloween celebration with a slew of weekend activities designed for the entire family to enjoy. Newly refurbished park attraction Gabi ng Lagim reopened with all-new hair-raising thrills based on local folklore. Haunted houses, zombies, disembodied spirits, witches, goblins, exorcisms, levitations, and other terrifying sights will greet Pinoy fans who have a fetish for macabre horror chills. Yesterday, Star City gave 50 percent off on ride-all-you-can tickets to children aged 12 years old and below who visited the park in Halloween Costume. At 8 o’clock in the evening, there was a party with top rock band 6 Cyclemind rounding up the day’s musical offering.

ExpEriEnCE MagiCal iCE FEstival at thE Big DoME

t’s that time of the year again. As Christmas fast approaches, a palpable sense of excitement fills the air with the return of an all time Filipino favorite – the annual staging of Disney On Ice at the Big Dome. There is much to look forward to in this year’s show. Aside from world-class skaters who make up its talented ensemble, Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival will feature Disney’s Academy Award® winning and number one animated feature film of all time Frozen, along with three Disney royal adventures. “This year’s Disney On Ice is truly magical with Disney properties that are packed with heart and personality. We have princesses that are exuberant and strong-willed, but we’ve also expanded the roles of spirited sup-

porting characters, so that they’re more prominent in the show,” says producer Nicole Feld. For the first time on ice, watch your favorite Disney stars Anna and Elsa, together with hilarious snowman Olaf, rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven in a magical winter adventure. “The most exciting part of bringing characters like Anna and Elsa to the ice for the first time is knowing that they have a powerful and inspiring message the resonates with audiences as the sisters discover the true meaning of love,” says Feld. Audiences will also enjoy comical segments with captivating stories of princesses Ariel, Rapunzel and Belle in a new twist of fairytale fun featuring Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Tangled, and Beauty and the Beast.

“By pulling together moments from classic Disney stories to the newest feature film sensation Frozen and combining them with elements of comedy and music, we developed a truly unique way to re-tell each fairytale,” says Feld. Dazzling costume designs, spectacular set elements, and jaw-dropping stunts are also what make this year’s show even more exhilarating. In Beauty and the Beast’s “Be Our Guest,” the theatrical elements of the glitzy napkins and silverware costumes will astound audiences. “The costumes are designed to emphasize the overwhelming amount of table décor that appears in the movie. The napkins unfold to increase their size and the forks tower over the heads of the performers. This is a big moment for Belle; the costumes need to reflect

Disney on Ice

that,” says costume designer Cynthia Nordstrom. Moreover, lighting plays a crucial role in giving the overall production a truly magical feel. “The colors really pull you into the different worlds of the princesses, but it’s how the lights are arranged that command your attention when the characters are performing their acts. For exam-

ple, when the Daughters of Triton are introduced, the lighting individually highlights each of them. Your eyes follow the spotlights,” says lighting designer Sam Doty. Experience Magical Ice Festival at the Big Dome and don’t miss the chance to see your favorite Disney stars LIVE! Buy your tickets via TicketNet online or call 911-5555 for more details.

SUNDAY : NOV EMBER 1, 2015

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

Andre Paras

Yassi Pressman

Andre PArAs is A hAndsome ‘AswAng’ in new movie Alonzo Muhlach

ISAH V. RED

Benjie Paras

If you meet a good-looking guy, perhaps as tall and handsome as Andre Paras, and you didn’t know he’s not the normal kind of guy, but rather the kind that stalks humans in the dark of night for a meal, would you fall for him? In the upcoming horror-comedy flick by Wenn V. Deramas, the tall and handsome Andre Paras is cast as Duke Wang, a member of a family called Wang Fam. Well, that’s also the title of the movie, and Paras plays an aswang that eventually falls for a human Elenita (played in the film by Yassi Pressman). Now, if you’re a die-hard fan of this to die-for young hunk, you wouldn’t mind being bitten, right? Whatever image you have of Halloween, let Viva Films’ Wang Fam be your ultimate Halloween flick this year. All-time box office director Deramas takes his first shot at the horror-comedy genre, and with his blockbuster record, expect thrills and laughs all the way, fortified by the stellar cast of versatile comedienne Pokwang, Benjie Pa-

ras, Andre Paras, Yassi Pressman, and child star Alonzo Muhlach. Like what she does in every role, Pokwang brings her A-game once again as Malou, the last virgin of the aswang clan destined to be sacrificed for their race’s survival. But the ritual, supposed to be undertaken by Malou’s brother Jok-Jok (Wendell Ramos), gets nipped in the bud when she meets botanist Bu Wang (Benjie Paras). Malou and Bu instantly fall in love and decide to build a family away from the aswang clan. The marriage produces three kids: Duke Wang (Andre Paras), Cala Wang (Abby Bautista) and Vey Wang (Alonzo Muhlach).

Whatever image you have of Halloween, let Viva Films’ Wang Fam be your ultimate Halloween flick this year

Together, the Wang Family moves into a new town where they meet Kay Sera (Candy Pangilinan), the nosy landlady who is highly suspicious of them. Kay Sera has an only daughter, Elenita (Yassi Pressman), who catches Duke’s fancy. As the Wang Family try their hardest to fit in and lead normal lives, Jok-Jok is able to track them down and tricks Elenita and Duke into eloping so as to carry out his plan of sacrificing a virgin. Can the Wang Family save themselves from the clutches of Jok-Jok before it’s too late?, This is also the first film together of father and son, Benjie and Andre Paras. Fans of YaNdre (Yassi and Andre) can feast their eyes on various kilig moments between the two. The gorgeous pair first heated up the screen in the smashing romcom of 2014, Diary Ng Panget. Adding zest to this film are Pangilinan, Ramos, Joey Paras, Bautista, Atak Arana, and Dyosa Pockoh, whose online videos earned him the title “Viral Diva” Showing in theatres nationwide on Nov. 18, Wang Fam lets you indulge in the Halloween spirit a little while longer. ➜ Continued on C7