The Standard - 2015 November 02 - Monday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXIX NO. 263 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 MONday : NOVEMBER 2, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Team GP has most number of stars

PoliTical PlaNTs

Noy backers: ‘Tanim-bala’ hatched to make Mar lose By Joyce pangco pañares

SUPPORTERS of the Aquino administration accused the political opposition of planting bullets in the luggage of travelers at the airport to embarrass the government and to discredit the Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II.

Singer and Black and White Movement co-convenor Leah Navarro described the scam which has victimized tourists and overseas Filipino workers as a “project” to shame the Aquino administration. “Whoever is behind this ‘tanim-bala’ project: remember, you don’t just shame the admin, you shame all Filipinos, including yourselves,” Navarro said in her Facebook account. “And then there are those WW2 memorabilia collectors [smugglers?]. Could they

be adding to a growing hysteria over laglagbala?” she added. Another administration supporter and actress Cynthia Patag said the growing scandal over an extortion syndicate at the airport was nothing but a “cheap trick” aimed at bringing down the ratings of President Benigno Aquino III and Roxas. “Can’t you tell? Dagdag-bala is a demolition job by THE MALEVOLENT MINIONS ordered by their demonyo leaders to

discredit the Aquino administration, ultimately the LP’s presidential candidate Mar Roxas. C’mon,” Patag wrote in her Facebook account. But lawyer Jong de Guzman, whose sister fell victim to the scam, posted a rejoiner to Patag and Navarro. “I do not know you, Ms. Cynthia Patag, but apparently we have mutual friends mostly from the LP [Liberal Party], including the President himself. I take exception Next page

Remembering the dead. A relative of a victim of Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ visits the graveyard in Tacloban City on Nov. 1, almost two years after the howler killed more than 7,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. Mel Caspe

Go back to official data, Noy flack told

‘Dinky lying about Yolanda rehab progress’ By Rio N. araja A GROUP of Typhoon “Yolanda” survivors on Sunday slammed Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman for lying about the progress of rehabilitation work in Eastern Visayas. “Dinky is a liar,” People Surge secretary-general Marissa Cabaljao said,

referring to Soliman by her nickname. People Surge, an alliance of the typhoon survivors in Eastern Visayas, said Soliman deliberately deceived the public when she said there would no longer be any bunkhouses in Tacloban City by the end of October. “This is far from reality,” Cabaljao said in a statement. “On the last day of

October, People Surge visited the IPI [International Pharmaceutical Inc.] bunkhouse at Caibaan, one of the bunkhouses in Tacloban. What we witnessed were more or less 400 families still living in bunkhouses. Dinky Soliman broke another promise to the hundreds of families who have long been waiting for Next page permanent shelter.”

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National shame. The Aquino administration continues to gain negative publicity for the long-running bullet-planting controversy at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Militants blast PNoy spokesman on prices By Christine F. Herrera and Macon Ramos-Araneta

A MILITANT youth group on Sunday lambasted Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda and dared him to take a closer look at government statistics before mouthing off about how the government was compassionate about the people. Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap said official government statistics show that the prices of basic commodities such as rice—as well as for water and rent—have shot up nationwide but income taxes have remained at a high of 32 percent, while the daily minimum wage has been stuck at P456, belying Lacierda’s assertion that the government looked out for Filipinos, particularly the poor. Citing figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Hicap said prices of rice increased about 17 to 29 percent from 2010 to 2014. The consumer price index based on 2006 prices showed rentals in January 2012 were up 113.7 percent for the whole country, 112.8 percent for the National Capital Region and 114.1 percent outside Metro Manila. In September 2015, he said, rental rates further shot up to 125.5 percent nationwide, 122.1 percent for NCR, and 127.3 percent outside NCR. The cost of water and other related services rose 146.5 percent and 185.8 percent respectively in 2012, and 158.4 percent and 199.7 percent respectively in September 2015. “You tell Lacierda and President Aquino, where is the compassion there?” Hicap said. Lacierda on Saturday lashed out at senatorial bet and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and his cousin, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for saying that the Aquino administration lacks compassion for Filipinos, who are among the most heavily taxed people in Southeast Asia, yet who suffer substandard public services. “They should never, ever say that the government has no heart, that the government has no malasakit [compassion],” 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 were only making political appeals for votes in next year’s elections. 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. Lacierda hit Marcos and 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. Hicap on Sunday hit Lacierda and said the “inclusive growth” and ratings upgrade that the government had been boasting about were empty slogans, because grassroots Filipinos have yet to feel the benefits of economic growth. “I dare Lacierda to look at government’s own statistics and prove his claims that the government has since been doing its job to deliver social services and show malasakit. Where is malasakit in this government? Why do the people not feel it? The government’s own statistics prove Lacierda’s claims were false,” Hicap said. On Sunday, Senator Francis Escudero said the government should make tax payment easier for small entrepreneurs and self-employed Filipinos, who comprise the second largest class of workers in the country. “I believe all income-earning Filipinos would want to pay taxes because it makes them feel they are part of nation-building, but the high tax rates and the tedious payment system are discouraging compliance,” said Escudero, who is running for vice president next year. “How can your regular taxi drivers or tiangge stall owners afford to pay accountants just to comply with Bureau of Internal Revenue regulations?” he said. Escudero, who has been pushing the 16th Congress to legislate tax reforms, said the tax issue is not just about lowering tax rates but simplifying tax payment procedures to encourage compliance among micro, small and medium enterprises and self-employed professionals, who make up 99 percent of all businesses in the country. Self-employed Filipinos—meaning, employers, ownaccount workers and members of cooperatives—account for 26.2 percent of all workers in the country, the second biggest labor category after wage and salaried employees, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Escudero noted that many self-employed workers do not register with the BIR because the process is so tedious. Registration alone requires mayor’s business permit, occupational permit, Occupational Tax Receipt (OTR) or Professional Tax Receipt, contract of lease, proof of registration of business name, barangay certificate and at least four other documentary requirements that may apply, depending on the nature of business. BIR registration would compel self-employed workers to file tax returns monthly, quarterly and annually. “We want to encourage Filipinos to become entrepreneurs. But the truth is, it is hard to start and sustain your own company here, especially if you operate only on a small-scale, which is what 99 percent of business owners do,” Escudero said. “A small start-up or a struggling company would not hire people or put up an accounting division just to comply with BIR rules. We have to simplify our rules,” he said.

to this statement implying that my sister, a victim of this so-called ‘laglag bala’ scheme [to me it’s plain robbery-extortion], is a mere pawn to discredit this administration. Big accusation. Where’s your evidence?” “You do not know what she went through during and after that incident— to be threatened with imprisonment or to lose everything she worked for just to get the green card. How dare you! You do not know her. I do. So who’s the minion now?” Patag drew flak from other Facebook users, who reposted a screen grab of her and De Guzman’s Facebook walls. De Guzman also challenged Navarro’s statement. “What project? All I know is that there are crimes going on at the airport and not much has been done to curb [them]. There need not be a political angle to it. You’re giving too much credit to your opponents. Stop finger-pointing,” he said. But artist Rock Drilon, a cousin of Senate President Franklin Drilon, said politics is behind the “tanimbala” scandal. “Laglag-bala is a dirty op and politically motivated to embarrass the government and the ruling party/candidates,” Drilon wrote in his

Dinky...

From A1

The Aquino administration vowed to build and complete permanent shelters for the victims since January 2014 in just a span of six months, she noted. “Six months passed and another six months came to pass. Two years since Yolanda, what they got were only empty promises and false hopes,” Cabaljao said. People Surge said Soliman was deliberately covering up the sorry state of the typhoon survivors. On Nov. 8, 2013, Yolanda flattened Eastern Visayas and killed more than 6,000 people. Citing data from the National Housing Authority, Cabaljao said only 534 permanent houses out of the targeted 13,801 houses had been built as of September 2015. “Soliman is insensitive to the plight of bunkhouse residents, especially to Gina Supang, mother of eightmonth-old Baby Grajane May ‘Iday’ Supang who died because of too much heat in the bunkhouse. False hopes, slow and inefficient rehabilitation murdered a child,” she added. “We call for justice for Baby ‘Iday’. We call for justice for the Yolanda survivors who, up until now, suffer in

Facebook wall. President Aquino has already ordered an investigation into the scam, which has been picked up by international news agencies such as the BBC and Time magazine. Pictures of passengers with their bags wrapped in plastic—one even had a handwritten note which read: Mahal ko aking pamilya, Di ako tanga, Bagahe ko walang bala (I love my family, I am not stupid, my luggage has no bullet)—have gone viral on various social media platforms. Over the weekend, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. played down the scam, saying the incidents were not that many. “Let us put this in the right context. Several passengers use our airports, and there were only a few who were apprehended for carrying bullets. We are investigating all these incidents while giving due respect to the human and legal rights of all involved,” Coloma said. On Sunday, a 65-year-old grandmother was apprehended at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 for allegedly carrying a live .9mm bullet inside her shoulder bag. Incensed, Nimfa Fontamillas of Cavite shouted at members of the aviation security: “You people don’t just plant. You’re magicians, too!” bunkhouses and temporary shelters. We hold Dinky Soliman accountable for her false hopes, chronic lies and negligence. Ultimately, we hold President Benigno Aquino III accountable for his gross incompetence and criminal negligence,” she said. Last week, Soliman said there would no longer be any families living in bunkhouses by Oct. 30. “By... Oct. 30, there will be 1,000 families who will be removed. There won’t be any bunkhouse in Tacloban and all of those in transitional shelters will be transferred to permanent shelters,” Soliman told The Standard. “We are assuring [the public] that by the end of October, there will be no more bunkhouses in Tacloban. These aren’t safe so we’ll remove them,” Soliman added. At a recent Senate hearing, however, NHA general manager Sinfroso Pagunsan confirmed that the government had built fewer than one-tenth or 16,000 of the 205,128 homes that were supposed to be built for Yolanda survivors. Pagunsan said 73,000 housing units were under construction, and that of these, 45,000 units would be completed by December 2015, while the remaining units would be finished by July 2016.

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Team GP is most star-studded By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Partido Galing at Puso is the most star-studded political team in the May 2016 elections, having a presidential candidate who is the daughter of two actors and a vice presidential candidate who is the husband of another actress, Heart Evangelista.

Light traffic. Traffic is light at the usually congested Nagtahan Bridge in Manila on Sunday, All Saints’ Day, as thousands of people have flocked to the cemeteries to visit their dead. Ey ACAsio

‘Indigent seniors not getting pensions’ THE camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Sunday said 55,496 indigent senior citizens in Metro Manila, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen and Caraga did not receive their pensions totaling P335.738 million in 2014. “The failure of the Department of Social Welfare and Development to distribute the funds to our senior citizens defeated the purpose of the program called Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, which was supposed to help make life better for our elders who are very close to the Vice President’s heart,” Binay spokesman Joey Salgado said. He said that in the Commission on Audit’s 2014 report on the department, 48 percent of the beneficiaries did not get the government assistance. Of the 116,637 SPISC beneficiaries,

55,496 failed to claim their pension amounting to P335.738 million, the commission reported. Salgado said Binay was urging the department to improve the system to ensure the immediate release of cash grants to senior citizens for their medical and other needs. “The delayed delivery of cash grants to the intended senior citizens resulted in the accumulation of unliquidated funds from the multiple cash accounts of the Divisions Office for Social Pension as of Dec. 31, 2014,” Salgado quoted the commission as saying. The agency said that of the 116,637 senior citizens, 55,496 or 48 percent failed to claim their pensions totaling P335.738 million as of Dec. 31, 2015, due to the delays in the sending reports of validation of the list of beneficiaries by the central office to the regional office.

In the National Capital Region, 17,180 of 40,102 beneficiaries failed to claim their cash grants amounting to P14.404 million. “The significant amount of unclaimed benefits was mainly due to the confusion of concerned officials in the inclusion of non-National Household Targeting System beneficiaries in the payroll based on the list submitted by the LGU counterparts in compliance with the newly issued Administrative Order No.4, but most of the qualified beneficiaries were not informed on the schedule of the payout,” the commission said. “Some already have gone home to their respective provinces or were admitted in institutions for temporary shelter.” In Bicol, no beneficiary received the cash grant despite a P64.892-million fund allotment.

Presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe, a foundling abandoned in Iloilo, is an adopted daughter of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. and actress Susan Roces. Her running mate, Senator Francis Escudero, married Evangelista last February. More than half of the GP candidates for senator are in show business or once were in it. These candidates include reelectionist Vicente Sotto who is married to retired actress Helen Gamboa and is father to Ciarra Sotto. Poe, the frontrunner among the candidates for President, says it was Sotto who helped her when she became the first woman head of the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs committee. Another member of the movie industry is actor and TV host Edu Manzano. Despite being estranged from his wife, actress-turnedpolitician Vilma Santos-Recto, Manzano has vowed to strengthen Filipino families. They have a son, Lucky Manzano, who is also in showbiz. Poe says she first met Manzano when he was president of the Kapisanan ng mga Artista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. He also served as chairman of the Optical Media Board. Santos-Recto, who won as governor of Batangas for three terms, is seeking a congressional seat in the province. She is married to Senator Ralph Recto with whom she has a son, Ryan Christian, who represented him in the GP senatorial slate launch at Club Filipino in Greenhills,

San Juan. Recto is running under the Liberal Party led by standard bearer Manuel Roxas II and vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo. In choosing Recto as Guest Candidate in their senatorial lineup, Poe acknowledged his being one of the “brightest” in the Senate and an economist. Santos-Recto and FPJ appeared in the hit “Batya’t Palu-Palu” in 1974, which earned for them the “Box Office King and Queen” award. The other hit films they did were “Ikaw ang Mahal Ko” at “Bato sa Buhangin.” Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, Francisco Domagoso in real life, was a member of the defunct youth-oriented variety show “That’s Entertainment” of German Moreno. Poe says Moreno is a “shinning example” of how poverty is not a hindrance to success. Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, who wanted to be known as “Fighter ng Bayan sa Senado,” is an uncle of actress Angel Locsin. Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, who comes from a family of public servants, being the grandson of Carlos P. Romulo and son of former Senator Alberto Romulo, is the husband of former Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad. Soledad was a former cohost of Willie Revillame in the popular daily noontime show Wow-Wowee. She was also a former girlfriend of President Noynoy Aquino. Returning Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was a former boyfriend of singer-actress Vina Morales.

Duterte ally: Mayor will still run, despite denials AN OPPOSITION lawmaker and close friend of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday he believes Duterte will run for President next year despite his assertions he is not interested in running. 1-BAP party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello III predicted Duterte will substitute for Martin Diño, national chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption who recently withdrew his presidential bid under Demoktratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan. “I’ve known him [Duterte] for a very long time. He will always tell us that he already made a decision, but later he overturns himself. His style is like that,” Bello said.

“As a long time friend of Duterte, I have this strong feeling and belief that he will run for President, so let’s wait and see.” Bello said the political landscape would change once Duterte joined the race. “I would say that at least three presidential candidates [Manuel Roxas II, Grace Poe and Jejomar Binay] will be affected by his [Duterte’s] entry in the presidential race because their allies in Mindanao will shift their support to the Davao City mayor,” Bello said. Diño filed his candidacy for President but later withdrew his bid after PDP-Laban passed a resolution naming Duterte as his substitute. Rio N. Araja

Candidates in Tokyo. Miss International contestants Miss United Kingdom Sophie Loudon, Miss Sri Lanka Angela Jayalissa, and Miss Philippines Janicel Lubina pose on the observation deck of the Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo on Nov. 1. The Miss International pageant will be held on Nov. 5. AFP

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Lumad hit Noy’s ‘foreign bias’ By Christine F. Herrera

SOME 1,000 lumad who are in Manila for the month-long Manilakbayan protest caravan on Sunday said they were not amused by President Benigno Aquino III’s “foreign fine-dining options” while they continue to denounce the killing of their fellow tribesmen. Datu Jomorito Goaynon, Manilakbayan 2015 spokesperson, said the President showed his insensitivity to the lumads when he boasted that as “salesman-in-chief,” he had brought in foreign fine-dining restaurants, imported designer clothes retailers and other foreign investments. Goaynon accused irresponsible multinational companies that were allowed by the Aquino administration to invest in mining and vast

plantations, particularly in Mindanao, have intruded in their ancestral domains. He blamed the President for the massive militarization in the countryside perpetrated by the armed forces and paramilitary groups. Goaynon, a Higaonon, was joined by the militant Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura in denouncing the President’s statement to the 17 th Asia Pacific Retailers Convention

and Exhibition. “The lumad, Moro people and other marginalized groups from Mindanao have traveled far to seek justice, but President Aquino and his Cabinet have the gall to jest about their opulent lifestyle, imported designer clothes and high-end restaurants. The President gloats that the arrival of wellknown foreign brands is among his administration’s achievements on the economic front,” said UMA secretary general Ranmil Echanis. “The entry and expansion of new foreign brands may have made President Aquino and his Cabinet secretaries very happy with their current dining options, but the lumad and agricultural workers are clearly not amused with his tasteless banter,” Echanis said.

He said children were dying in evacuation centers and the lumad and peasants who are victims of corporate land-grabbing and hazardous working conditions in plantations are succumbing to hunger and disease. Militarization and plunder were the most pressing issues put forward by the protest caravan Manilakbayan ng Mindanao, he said. UMA, and other peasant workers’ groups and church organizations established the network Resisting Expansion of Agricultural Plantations in Mindanao or the REAP Mindanao Network to address various issues linked to the unbridled entry and expansion of plantations controlled by giant multinational agri-corporations especially in peasant, lumad and Moro areas.

Man overboard. A boatman jumps from his motorized boat after it tilted due to waves while unloading newly made wooden fishing boats at the coastal village of San Jose in Tacloban City on Sunday, a week before the second anniversary of the arrival of Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ on Nov. 8. The Philippines has not done enough to rebuild after Yolanda, as thousands remain in shanties without power or water for nearly two years, a United Nations representative said in August. AFP

Cops hunt killers of volunteer radio man THE Quezon City Police District said Sunday that the motive and identities of two suspects in the fatal shooting Saturday evening of a volunteer of radio station dwIZ remain unclear. QCPD director Chief Supt. Edgardo Tinio said he ordered investigating officers under his command to coordinate with the Alab ng Mamahayag media group to gather evidence that would lead to the killers. The victim, Jose Bernardo, was standing in front of a fast-food restaurant in North Olympus, Barangay Kaligayahan in Novaliches district around 7 p.m. when two men riding a motorcycle stopped in front of him. The suspect riding behind the one driving the motorcycle suddenly opened fire on the victim. Tinio said it was too early to tell if Bernardo’s killing was related to his being a volunteer journalist. Bernardo was rushed to the Bernardino Hospital but attending physicians declared him dead on arrival. He sustained bullet wounds in the head and other parts of his body. Police said Marlon Donio, an employee of the fast-food restaurant, was also hit by a stray bullet and is now recuperating. Tinio said investigators were examining the footage from a closed-circuit television camera and will be issuing an official announcement later. Meanwhile, senatorial candidate and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez called on the Aquino administration to put an end to media killings.

Kidnapped South Korean dies in captivity A SOUTH Korean kidnapped by Muslim bandits in Sulu last January has been found dead, police and military officials said Sunday. The hostage, Hong Nwi-Seong, 70, was discovered in Patikul town on Saturday, more than nine months after he was seized by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, said Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of a special anti-terror task force. Arrojado said the victim was not killed but that the Abu Sayyaf had brought his body to the area “after the subject’s death due to severe illness.” The type of illness was not disclosed but local military spokesman Capt. Antonio Bulao said the South Korean had been reported to be sick for the past few weeks and had died three to five days ago. The victim was seized from his home in Barangay Poblacion, RT Lim town, Zamboanga Sibugay last Jan. 24 by armed men and was later reported to be in the hands of Abu Sayyaf commanders, the military said.

Details of his confinement and efforts to free him were kept quiet to avoid endangering the hostage. His body had been transferred to Zamboanga City and would be flown to Manila, the authorities said. A South Korean foreign ministry official, who declined to be identified, had earlier confirmed the death, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported. It identified the victim as a “74-year-old... surnamed Hong,” adding that “if the body turns out to be our national, we will investigate with the Philippines authorities on how he died and in what circumstances.” South Korean Embassy spokesmen in Manila could not be contacted for comment. Founded in the early 1990s with seed money from Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden, the Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for the Philippine’s deadliest terror attacks including the kidnapping for ransom of foreigners, some of whom they killed. AFP, PNA

Sniffers. Valenzuela City policemen use bomb-sniffing dogs to inspect vehicles inside the Karuhatan Cemetery to ensure the safety of visitors on Sunday. ANDREW RABULAN

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Grim reminder: Tacloban City residents convert a ‘Yolanda’ shipwreck into a memorial park to serve as a reminder of nature’s fury. MEL CASPE

Romualdez warns of half-baked BBL By Christine F. Herrera

LEYTE Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Sunday cautioned his colleagues against hastily passing an infirmed Bangsamoro Basic Law as Congress listed the pet bill of President Benigno Aquino III as a priority measure. As Congress resumes its sessions on Tuesday, the House leadership will continue with its plenary debate on BBL, intending to pass it on second reading by December alongside the ratification of the P3.002-trillion national budget for 2016. “We support peace, but any agreement should be in consonance with the Constitution and existing laws. This will help prevent a half-baked peace measure and not give false hopes,” Romualdez pointed out. Romualdez said the House should not allow to get pressured by Malacañang to hasten the passage of the BBL this December without making lawmakers review, study and scrutinize the peace measure. “Our colleagues need more time to study the BBL because we want to guarantee that what we would be passing will be legal and constitutional,” said Romualdez,

a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association, the oldest and respectable association of legal luminaries in the country. The Romualdez-led Philconsa filed before the Supreme Court a 26-page petition seeking to declare as unconstitutional the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro that the government has entered into with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. House Deputy Majority Leader and Quezon City Rep. Bolet Banal, a stalwart of the ruling Liberal Party, said the House will resume the plenary debates on the peace measure and ratification of next year’s P3.002-trillion General Appropriations Bill upon resumption of sessions. “We will prioritize the ratification of the national budget next year and to continue

the interpellation and debate for the BBL and other important matters,” Banal said. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., LP chairman, vowed to pass the BBL by the end of December despite the expected pestering problem of a lack of quorum. Belmonte said the quorum problem is “alarming” considering that the campaign season was about to start. “I am still confident that the BBL can still be passed by the House. I am appealing to my colleagues to attend the sessions,” said Belmonte, campaign manager of LP’s Coalition of Daang Matuwid, whose standard bearer is Manuel Roxas II. You Against Corruption and Poverty Rep. Carol Jane Lopez, a stalwart of the House Minority Bloc supporting the presidential bid of Roxas, echoed Romualdez’s position for the House to fully scrutinize the BBL. “My position stays that this is constitutionally flawed. And so many provisions had either been inserted or left out, without undergoing thorough scrutiny and study. What we don’t want is a measure that will be shot down by the Senate and the Supreme Court. With Congress busy in budget deliberations and also with the campaign season, the chances for a BBL passage looks slim,” Lopez pointed out.

Palace bats for witness protection bill as UN weighs in By Sandy Araneta MALACAÑANG is pushing for the passage of the “Whistleblower Protection Act” amid a statement from the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights criticizing the way the Aquino administration has been handling witnesses under state protection.

Presidential Spokesperson government, which prides Edwin Lacierda said the sta- itself in its protection of intus of the pending bill before formation sources and whisthe Senate will have to be tleblowers, did not make any verified. “Let me apologize submission on the matter to in advance because I’m not the UN Special Rapporteur aware of this. We will ask the David Kaye, who issued a reDoJ,” Lacierda said. “Well, we port on Oct. 20. will ask DoJ Secretary Ben Kaye stressed that sources Caguioa.” of information and whistleLacierda was reacting to blowers deserve the strona report that the Philippine gest protection in law and in

practice. In February 2014, the House justice committee approved bills strengthening the witness protection program and installing a whistleblowers’ protection act. The House justice panel, chaired by Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., moved to approve the proposed measures for plenary debate.

Solons hit delay in climate fund AS THE country marks the second year since being hit by one of the most devastating typhoons in its history, a party-list representative on Sunday decried the government’s “lack of urgency” in its response to the the threats posed by climate change, adding that “it appears that our current leadership has not truly learned from the lessons of Yolanda.” Two Bicolano lawmakers, Senator Francis Escudero and party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe expressed desire for immediate release of the funds intended to carry out the provisions of the law that will address climate change. Batocabe, House of Representatives Special Committee on Climate Change made the statement in light of the admission of Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte that the absence of guidelines to enforce Republic Act No. 10174 caused the delay in the release of the People’s Survival Fund. The law, meant to mitigate the impact of climate change, was signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III in August 2012. “The threats of climate change are real, and it is ironic that while our officials are actively participating in international discussions on climate change abroad, back home they appear to be taking their sweet time in making concrete steps to address these threats,” said Batocabe of Ako Bicol party-list. “The gravity of the problem requires a response commensurate to the dangers posed by it. You would think that after Yolanda our government would take this problem more seriously.” According to the Bicolano native, as Chairman of the Special Committee on Climate Change he had repeatedly called the attention of the Climate Change Commission to immediately formulate and publish the implementing rules and regulations of RA 10174 and guidelines for accessing the PSF. “However, the responses to my pleas have been ambiguous. I have even been accused of being overly interested in the PSF, which I do not deny because Bicol is one of the regions greatly affected by climate change. If there are people who can benefit from this fund, it is Bicolanos.” Batocabe added that the administration took notice of the issue when Escudero questioned the withholding of the release of the PSF amounting to P1 billion.

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CA clears way for UCCP damage suit By Rey E. Requejo The Court of Appeals has paved the way for the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to hear the P5.4-million damage suit filed by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines against former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in connection with the alleged extrajudicial killings of five of its members and the abduction of another priest from 2003 to 2006. In a 16-page decision, the cA’s seventh division through Associate Justice Victor Isabel paredes denied the petition filed by Mrs. Arroyo seeking the reversal of the decision issued by the Qc Rtc in January 2012 denying her motion to dismiss the civil case. the appellate court stressed that based on its perusal of the complaint, its shows that it sufficiently states a cause of action: (1) victims of extrajudicial killings, who are members of the Uccp and family members of its leaders, have a right against forcible abduction, illegal arrests, detention and torture; (2) it is the duty of the petitioner to respect such right; (3) petitioner violated such right when she ordered the implementation of OBL, which led to the extrajudicial killings, disappearances and other illegal acts. “since it is apparent that evidence has yet to be presented before the Rtc and any question of fact resolved through stipulations, the Rtc’s denial of the motion to dismisss on the ground of lack of cause of action was proper,” the cA ruled. According to the appellate court, Mrs. Arroyo’s defenses can be passed upon and threshed out in a full-blown trial on the merits and not in a motion to dismiss. “clearly, the Rtc’s denial of petitioner’s motion to dismiss and motion for reconsideration, were nei-

ther whimsical nor capricious. petitioner, in praying for the issuance of the writ of certiorari, has failed to discharge the burden of proving grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Rtc in accord with the definition and standards set by law and jurisprudence,” the cA ruled. Associate Justices Magdangal de Leon and elihu ybañez concurred with the ruling. the Uccp earlier claimed that Mrs. Arroyo was liable for damages as she failed “either by commission or ommission, either by manifest negligence or by culpable acts” to fulfill her duties as president and commander-In-chief. the Uccp represented by Bishop Reuel Norman Marigza who joined six Uccp families as plaintiffs claimed that during her term, Oplan Bantay Laya, an operation and counter-insurgency plan was conceived. Under OBL, the Uccp were among the society and church organizations identified as front organizations of the communist party of the philippines, and thus, targets for neutralization by the military. In the course of the implementation of OBL, the protestant church said several pastors, leaders and members were either liquidated, harassed, unlawfully detained, or tortured by alleged military agents who were under her control and command responsibility.

Natural gas better than coal—solon carbon dioxide per million British thermal units A pARty-LIst lawmaker of energy produced, while on sunday expressed sup- natural gas releases only port for a new energy devel- 117.0 pounds of cO2 per opment strategy to increase million BtU. “coal is even dirtier than the share of natural gas in the country’s fuel mix for diesel fuel, which churns out only 161.3 pounds of power generation. Rep. Arnel ty of the Lique- cO2 per million BtU, and fied petroleum Gas Market- gasoline, which yields 157.2 ers’ Association called on pounds of cO2 per million power producers to rely more BtU,” he added. “We are all for the agon electricity from cleaner natural gas in the years ahead gressive development of the country’s natural gas than on dirtier coal. “the faster we reduce resources for power genour dependence on coal for eration. In fact, we want the department of energy to power, the better, “ he said. citing Us energy In- allow private contractors to formation Administration resume their search for new figures, ty said coal is gas deposits in Northwest emitting 228.6 pounds of palawan.”

By Rio N. Araja

Enterprising. Melted candles are precious commodities for these children who sell them for P10 per kilo in Tugatog Cemetery, Malabon City. ANDREW RABULAN

Cases against Iglesia weak, says criminal defense expert Respected criminal defense lawyer sigfrid Fortun on sunday raised doubts on whether the cases filed against leaders of the Iglesia ni cristo would prosper, saying both the Justice department’s complaint and the supreme court writs of amparo and habeas corpus petitions suffer from glaring legal infirmities that weaken the cases. INc officials are facing serious illegal detention charges at the department of Justice after former minister Isaias samson Jr. alleged that he and his family were harassed and detained upon their orders. the INc leadership will also face the court of Appeals on tuesday after the sc ordered the cA to hear the petitions for habeas corpus and amparo originally filed with the sc on behalf of dismissed minister Lowell Menorca II. “As regards the doJ complaint, any lawyer worth his salt knows that you file a serious illegal de-

tention charge because it is nonbailable, and thus can be misused to embarrass and oppress no matter how flimsy the accusation may be,” said the renowned litigator. “the gulpe de gulat factor is strong when you file a serious illegal detention complaint, but the challenge is to be able to factually prove in court whether all elements of the offense exist; that is, if you first hurdle the doJ or prosecutor’s level where you establish probable cause a crime had indeed been committed,” Fortun explained. “the key elements of serious illegal detention, the ones that make it serious, are simulation of public authority, inflicting serious physical injuries or issuing threats to kill the complainant. clearly they will be hard pressed to establish these elements in these complaints,” added Fortun. According to Fortun, while the matter has attracted media coverage, “at day’s end, it will be a very

difficult charge to prove beyond reasonable doubt.” As for the habeas corpus and amparo petitions, Fortun opined that Menorca’s televised interviews may have helped him score publicity points, but it may have cost him the case that will now be heard by the court of Appeals. “the only question is whether Menorca is entitled to the reliefs he seek, that the bodies be produced, so to speak, for habeas corpus; and that they be protected as far as amparo is concerned.” Fortun further explained that the writ of amparo must be judiciously issued as “it’s an extraordinary remedy available only in extreme cases such as extrajudicial killings or enforced disappearances. Obviously, Menorca is alive and well, and his loved ones know where he is, and they are even all together now. these could effectively render the petitions moot and dismissible.”

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NEWS

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Authorities nab man over kilo of shabu CEBU CITY—Police intelligence branch operatives on Saturday arrested a man who has served time for conviction in robbery and seized from him a pack of one kilo of shabu worth P11.8 million on Tres de Abril St., Barangay Labangon, Cebu City. The Dangerous Drugs Board set the value of shabu at P11,800 per gram. Superintendent Romeo Santander, chief of the City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office, said Genes Joven Ermitanio, 20, tried to run away from a midnight transaction with an undercover policeman, but police officers managed to trap him on the other side of the road. Santander said Ermitanio had been elusive for the last two months, changing his meeting place with a client in every transaction. “We never thought the drug would become bigger in this transaction. It’s too much,” Santander said. Ermitanio, who turned 20 on Sunday, said he was trying to raise money for his birthday but spent his time in a jail cell instead. Ermitanio was convicted for robbery in 2013 after an antirobbery police team had arrested him after he was found to be a member of a motorbikeriding robbery group operating in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City. It was the second largest amount of shabu confiscated in Cebu this year, following the seizure of P24 million worth of the drug from a woman in San Remigio in northern Cebu last May. Santander said charges for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act are being against Ermitanio for filing in court on Monday. PNA

Remembering.

Tacloban City residents visit the cross-marked graves of their loved ones who died nearly two years ago due to Typhoon ‘Yolanda.’ AFP

Yolanda victims’ relatives honor dead in mass grave By AFP, PNA and John Paolo Bencito Millions of people in the Philippines made their annual pilgrimages to family gravesites on sunday in a tradition that combines fervent Catholic faith with the country’s penchant for festivity. But while many people in Manila’s sprawling cemeteries treated the event like a giant picnic, in the central city of Tacloban, which is still suffering the devastation of Super Typhoon Haiyan, the mood was mournful and somber. Many of the mourners had to visit a mass grave where more than 2,400 bodies were interred after Haiyan, the strongest typhoon ever recorded to hit land, ravaged the city in November 2013. The city government has covered the mass grave with scores of small white crosses and families have taken to labeling the crosses with the names of their deceased loved ones. Rebecca Gonzales Daa, 56, was one of the many who brought flowers and candles to the mass gravesite for her late husband, Raul, one of more than 7,350 people left dead or missing by the storm’s tsunami-like waves. “We had evacuated, my mother and other siblings fled to my uncle’s apartment but my husband went home. He was worried about

our pigs and our belongings,” she recalled tearfully. “We found his body with a large wound on his head later. He must have been hit by a piece of floating debris,” she told AFP. In the aftermath of the disaster, with piles of bodies lining the streets and funeral parlors destroyed, Tacloban authorities resorted to burying the dead together. “We used to visit the graves of my father, my brother on All Saints’ Day. I would bring snacks. It wasn’t so sad because I would see my family. It was like a reunion,” Daa recalled. “Now, it is a sad occasion. I tell [my husband], we are left alone with no one to watch over us,” she said. Ricka Joy Quisay, 17, lit candles in front of the Tacloban cemetery because she isn’t even sure her mother is in the mass grave. Quisay fled to an evacuation center before the storm struck but her mother, Rebecca, 59, did not believe Haiyan would be that strong. “The next day, we saw her body just placed

alongside the road. It lay there for two weeks till it got bloated and was finally carried away by a truck,” she said. “Before, All Saints’ Day wasn’t sad. My mother would light candles in front of our house. But now, my mother is the one we are lighting candles for,” she said. But while most came to honor their dead, enterprising individuals like pedicab driver Jomar Aure, 26, took the opportunity to earn. Aure and two of his friends offered labeling services using black paint. “This is an easier way to earn money. At an average, I earn P250 daily from driving pedicab, but today, we got P1,000 from labeling,” Aure said. Meanwhile, a high-ranking Cardinal called on Catholics that the appropriate day to remember the dead is on Nov. 2, or All Souls Day. “What is happening is that, we many Filipinos and dioceses have emphasized All Saints’ Day as the time of blessing the dead and blessing the grave. I think that’s a wrong one,” Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo said in an interview over Radio Veritas. Quevedo added that Catholics should not use the opportune time as “picnics” or “family gatherings.” “We go to cemeteries to remember them and their good deeds, not for picnics and not for reunions,” Quevedo said.

Manhunt on for killers of city employee, wife

Closing in. Elite Special Forces of the Army and local police secure a coastal village in Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao where five people, including a four-year-old boy, were killed last week. MARK NAVALES

COTABATO CITY—Police have launched a manhunt for unidentified gunmen who ambushed and killed a Cotabato City government employee and her husband Saturday evening in Barangay Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. According to Chief Insp. Lendsy Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat town police chief, the victims were on board a Toyota Avanza on their way home when the gunmen carried out the ambush in Barangay Sema at 6:15 p.m. Killed on the spot were George Busque, retired city government Human Resource and Manage-

ment Office chief, and his wife, Marilou, current head of the Cotabato City government Public Employment Services Office. Police said the ambush occurred near a gasoline station in front of the Southern Philippines Development Authority housing project, where the victims reside. Police remained clueless as to the motive and identities of the attackers. It was the second ambush incident in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in a week. Last Monday, Oct. 26, an ambush in Barangay Dulangan of the same town left five persons dead. PNA

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

opinion

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opinion

pluMBlIne pastoR apollo quIBoloY

from The same roTTen insTiTuTion

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Bullet to the head DeSPITe the feeble attempt by the Palace to play it down, the bullet-planting scandal at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is spinning out of control, embarrassing us as a nation, putting our tourism industry at risk, and exposing as a lie this administration’s claim to following the straight path. Amid mounting evidence of a syndicate planting bullets in luggage at the airport to extort local and foreign travelers, a spokesman for President benigno Aquino III urged the public to put the reported incidents “in the right context.” “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,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said. “And authorities recognize the human rights as well as legal rights of those [found] carrying [bullets].” but much as the President may wish it, this problem will not go away with a simple dismissal. “This is becoming an international embarrassment,” Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, a member of the House committee on tourism, told the bbC last week. Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said the scandal could hurt tourism, a major jobgenerating industry, by sowing fear among foreigners using Philippine airports and eroding public trust in law enforcers. The media have so far reported six cases in which bullets were “found” in the luggage of travelers, who were then told to pay up or face jail time for the illegal possession of ammunition. The latest victim of the bullet-planting scam was a Filipina, Revelina Combis, 68, who was arrested before she could take off for her dream vacation in boracay on Oct. 29 for having a single .45 caliber bullet in her luggage. Four days earlier, airport security also detained Gloria Ortinez, 56, a domestic worker bound for Hong Kong; and a Japanese tourist, Kazunobu Sakamoto, 33. Only Sakamoto was able to post bail for P80,000. earlier, airport personnel also tried to shake down an American missionary who spent six days in jail until he was able to post bail of P40,000, and a wheelchair-bound American woman who said she had to give a member of the Office of Transportation Security P500 so she could fly back to California. Now the Palace would have us believe that these are isolated cases and do not add up to a serious pattern of abuse. logic indicates otherwise. Clearly, there is no plausible explanation why any of these travelers would have tried to smuggle one or two bullets through their luggage. That a wheelchair-bound woman, an American missionary, a Japanese tourist, or a domestic helper flying back to Hong Kong would even think of packing a bullet or two in their luggage defies all logic. That bullets were “found” in their luggage casts suspicion, not on the travelers, but on the airport workers. but the suspicion goes beyond the airport and extends to the police and the courts that process these cases because their participation makes the threat of jail time credible. Amid the growing public outrage over the bullet-planting scam, both the Senate and the House have called for congressional investigations. Given the grave abuse of authority and the damage that this scandal can do to the nation, this is the minimum we demand. That Mr. Aquino has not already sacked the airport general manager and his feckless Transportation secretary is a bullet to the head of his administration’s credibility—and is indisputable proof that the straight path exists, not in this government, but only in the President’s mind.

The amphibology of presence pensées fR. RanhIlIo callanGan aquIno Et Eos in lumen vultus tui admitte... and admit them into the light of your countenance. Thus are the departed remembered at mass. The Church prays as it believes... lex orandi, lex credenda and therefore if our believing community begs God to admit our departed into his presence,

they must be present. They who are no longer in our midst, they whom our quotidian activities confine to “remembering”, consign to “memory” are present. Of zombies and ghosts we shall not bother. Of that kind of presence, all of us would prefer to have none. There is first of all the presence that will be found in the death-defying protests of all who love. To love sincerely is, Gabriel Marcel writes, to insist

to one who is loved: “You shall not die,” and though such a bold proclamation cannot postpone the hour of bereavement, it is heroic insistence that love will not be parodied as a time-bound liaison, ultimately destined for oblivion. Whether in the form of repeated references to the departed in stories, or fond reminiscences, or regular visits to the cemetery or even a reserved place at table, there is the refusal to “let go.” Of this kind

to love sincerely is, Gabriel Marcel writes, to insist to one who is loved: ‘You shall not die.’

of a clinging, there is no pathology. To suggest to one suffering from bereavement that he “let go,” that she “move on” is to provoke a response, very likely visceral, to what can only be taken as thoughtless and vulgar!

There is also the presence of that which consists in the fact that past occasions, past actualities inevitably go in the constitution of the present. We bear the physical features of our parents; we think in many ways like they did, no

matter that we try to deny this, and the optic from which we view life is largely theirs. They are present in us, as are others, like teachers and friends, who figure prominently in the narratives by which we identify ourselves. It has been many years now that he left us, but whenever I sit at the piano, I remember my grandfather sitting not too far away, the everpresent “audience,” even if it was

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial), 832-5546, (Advertising), 832-

only to hear me running through the scales and arpeggios. He memorized the pieces lined up for my premier recital, and could whistle their melodic lines. I still remember the sound of that whistle. That is how vivid our memories of those we love can be. If God is he who is unsurpassable in love and in the capaciousness of his memory, then more vivid yet, more alive is the way he remembers us all. The

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limits to our memory are explained by the finiteness of our memory and our own personal lives, but if these limits are not to be found in God, then the “memories” that God has of our loved ones must not be mere shadowy recollections of persons passed in ages gone by, but truly admitting into the light of his countenance those we no longer behold!

Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager

Continued on A11

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

A bulleT is planted, and a fusillade of criticisms is reaped. A bad few may have done the planting, but it is the good many who are now at the receiving of the broadsides from a nation gone ballistic. That’s the situation at the airport front. Instead of guilty individuals being singled out, whole institutions are being bombarded, razing the reputation of the innocents. They are now lumped together as “taga-airport,” a sort of scarlet letter which invites scorn even if their job is not to X-ray luggage nor heave bags into carousels. Never mind if one works in a tower, landing a tight procession of planes at a pay a fraction of what ex-colleagues who had migrated to other countries get. Never mind if one is a blue guard who works rain or shine to untangle the endless gridlock of cars. Never mind if one is a Customs man, the honest breed who automatically waves through overseas Filipino workers with their stacks of balikbayan boxes, and even greets them “Magandang gabi po” with a smile. Never mind if one is a minimum wager who scrubs the dirt off decades-old tiles of toilets built a generation ago. For a public whose anger can never be nuanced and whose condemnation can sometimes be wholesale, they all belong to the same rotten institution. Rage can sometimes blind. but if one only sees red, reality is the first one that gets blurred. Yes, our anger must reach boiling point over the hurt done to the Oppressed Filipino Worker who didn’t know that she had a munitions factory in her bag, but not to the point that it melts reason that every porter we now see is a mulcter, every baggage inspector a planting enthusiast, every guard in cahoots with a taxi with the fastest meter in town. I can imagine how hard it is for frontline airport workers who are in their stations at the break of dawn only to be met by suspicious glances and conspiratorial whispers simply because they have been profiled as “taga-airport.” We may not know it but to be suspected of being part of a syndicate by people you honestly serve is one emotional injury at the workplace that is hard to repair.

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Director of Operations Finance Officer Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

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

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

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

opinion

ADELLE chuA edItoR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

pluMBlIne pastoR apollo quIBoloY

from The same roTTen insTiTuTion

[ EDI TORI A L ]

to love sincerely is, Gabriel Marcel writes, to insist to one who is loved: ‘You shall not die.’

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

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Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager

Continued on A11

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

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Director of Operations Finance Officer Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

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

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

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

A10

OPINION

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HOLIDAYS TOO bad All Saints’ Day fell on a Sunday, and All Souls’ Day has not been LITO declared a holiday. BANAYO Nonetheless, expect so many absences on the first working day of November, just as there must have been plenty who skipped work last Friday to be able to travel to their hometowns and enjoy a threeday communion with the living who commemorate their dead through reunions with kith and kin. It is a very Filipino tradition, imported from Mexico (through which we were governed by Spain for more than three centuries), where Dia de los Difuntos is a major religious and cultural event capped with a street procession where figures similar to the “higantes” of Angono are paraded. But while we do not have such a colorful procession during the Dia de Todos los Santos, better known as “Undas” in Tagalog patois, what we have are family reunions, more like a fiesta, where people congregate in cemeteries, eat there, discuss politics and AlDub, even play a game of cards underneath makeshift tents. Trust the Filipino extended family to make a celebration of life anywhere, even in the kingdoms of the dead. If I had my ‘druthers, as American politicians say, I would propose that we troop to the cemeteries and columbaria, not on Nov. 1 and 2, but on the birthdays or death anniversaries of our beloved departed. That way, there won’t be traffic (foot and motor) congregating towards singular directions and making a mess of everything. There I propose these won’t be the usual ‘crazy’ ideas. spike of prices for flowers and candles, which up until now is a major news item reported by our television anchors. Instead, we would have very private moments of prayer and memories with our loved ones. No hustle and bustle. No port or airport jams, no bus terminal hustling for rides. No inane radio music from the visitors of the “neighbors.” And flowers would need no peak season or low season. Practical? Of course it is. But how do you fight tradition? *** I have always been fascinated about the sense, if any, of too many holidays interspersed throughout a 365-day year. In some countries, the US of A in particular, they move the celebration of holidays to the nearest Friday or Monday, excepting the fourth of July, Thanksgiving (which, being a Thursday, is declared a four-day break), and Christmas as well as New Year’s Day. The whole idea of movable holidays makes eminent sense. From a labor productivity point of view, it adheres to the law of inertia. Break the workweek through a holiday in the middle, say Tuesday or Wednesday, and expect productivity to decline. Have a Thursday holiday, and expect people to be absent come Friday. Or for those who cannot afford to be absent (and millions upon millions cannot afford to lose a single day’s pay), productivity suffers, whether in the factory or the office. *** Again, if I had my ‘druthers, I would propose a “crazy” idea. What if government were to bunch the celebration of all national holidays from Jan. 2 up to June 10 each year into the entirety of Holy Week? Thus, instead of Feb. 25 and April 9 and May 1, and whatever else, charge all these holidays to the period from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, or even Monday after Easter? Thus, everyone will have 9 days of glorious no-work holidays. That

SO I SEE

‘MUDDLING THROUGH’ A HOTEL ballroom full of businessmen, congregating for their regular monthly assembly. Guests talking about the attributes of the ideal Filipino leader. There is agreement, and enthusiastic applause, but also dissension and unending questions. In the end, everybody leaves the room with some foreboding, aware of just how big and how complex this nation’s problems really are. There are hints of solutions here and there, but it’s obvious nobody’s really got it all figured out. Even these men and women who run their own corporations—profitable, global and at the forefront of their respective industries—are at a loss as to why we’re still here, still only here, given the richness of our resources and the potential of our people. Such was the scene during the General Membership Meeting of the Management Association of the Philippines held Tuesday 27 October at The Peninsula Manila. The topic of the forum, “Bayan o Sarili,” was lifted from a line out of the film “Heneral Luna.” In the movie, the general angrily asked his colleagues in government whether they would choose their own interest over the country’s. They had been “cooperating” with the Americans to preserve their own businesses. And since the country is in the process of choosing its next leader, would it not be good if he or she could champion “bayan” (nation) over “sarili” (self), so that we could finally get rid of our problems and then take off. Professor Clarita Carlos of the Center for Policy Research and Development of the University of the Philippines does not think, however, that one must choose between the self and the nation. “They are not choices,” she said. “The individual is nothing without the state.” She said we had long been confined to the idea of the nation state and it is time to break out of that. So is the idea of pitting personalities versus issues as the basis for choosing whom to vote for. There will always be a consideration for the kind of people candidates are; this cannot be divorced from the kind of

CHASING HAPPY ADELLE CHUA leader they would eventually be. One personality trait, for instance, is being morally upright. To be not corrupt is necessary, she said, but not enough. Furthermore, what is sorely lacking from all the candidates, is a national strategy and vision. Rex Drilon II, chairman of the Management Association of the Philippines’ National Issues Committee, agreed. “The first thing any elected president should do is to design a road map for the country.” It sounds commonsensical—too, when you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, you have to know exactly where you are going so you can figure out the best way to get there. Drilon talked about two kinds of surveys that established the ideal attributes of a would-be President. According to a MAP research, the five attributes are navigator/ strategist, mobilizer, servant leader, captivator and guardian of the national wealth and patrimony. Meanwhile, according to the Movement for Good Governance, the three adjectives that would describe a good leader are effective, empowering and ethical. If we put these ideal qualities in a matrix and assign values for each of the candidates (and even the current chief executive), then we would be able to have empirical basis for our choices—still not foolproof, perhaps, but infinitely better than going by how we like the candidates’ faces, or the sound of their voice, or the prominence of their last name. Drilon said that although these two matrices are two distinct tools altogether, they would likely validate each other’s results. Malyn Molina of the EON Stakeholders Group said that according to her team’s survey of 1,500 respondents, government still enjoys a relatively low trust rating among the people with only 12 percent of respondents. Trust drivers for government leaders

should be great for domestic tourism, or even just going back to the hometown for the Filipino reunion. We hardly do serious work during the entire Holy Week anyway. Then another extended holiday season from Dec. 24 all the way to Jan. 1, or make it 10 days even, to begin Dec. 23 each year. To that long vacation break, charge Cry of Balintawak and National Heroes Day/Bonifacio Day, All Saints’ Day and Rizal Day, or whatever else falls within the period. The Muslim Eid al Adha and Eid al Fit’r need not be national holidays, a special dispensation given to them for their work absence on such annual commemorations. The Christian Good Friday and Christmas Day are already covered by the two annual long breaks. People can save for these annual breaks; managers

are their ability to listen to people, their strong political will and genuine concern for the plight of the common citizen. For all that we have seen and experienced, Dr. Carlos said, do we now want somebody who does not muddle through the job? At first blush we would, but she reminded the audience that the presidency is a position of constant decision making, and decision making is always a process of muddling through. The difference is that good Presidents muddle through intelligently. They must have the strength of character and go beyond cute platforms. And be an able decision maker in crisis situations. Enabling business to lead economic development is the government’s role, but it must create favorable conditions for it. Bureaucratic reform is key. Without this, genuine, long-term development will not come. *** As we count the days before we cast our votes next year, we should free ourselves from the thinking that we have to choose between extremes: The nation or the self, personalities or issues, pure integrity versus pure competence. The truth is, it’s always a continuum. There is no such thing as black or white, and pure good and pure evil. People— government leaders included— are complex, strong in some areas while weak in some, sincere in some aspects but also have connections and relationships that have the potential of coloring their judgments. How, then, to find the perfect leader? He or she does not exist. Finding good leaders we can live with would be enough. This is why we continue to read up, to react, to question, to hope. This is why we still muddle through, and try to do so intelligently. We owe it to ourselves. Otherwise, we would be suffering from poverty of the spirit—an act of resignation, and giving up altogether. This is what will doom us, as individuals and as a nation. adellechua@gmail.com

will find schedules predictable and productivity targets will be enhanced. We hardly put in serious work during these periods anyway. As early as the second week of December, we have parties instead of work in our offices. And on Holy Week? Provincial resorts will sprout, modest perhaps, because they will be at peak earnings only seasonally, but enough to give small scale entrepreneurs enough bonanza to sustain their operations. Domestic tourism will flourish. *** But I would take exception with Freedom Day. Commemorated June 12, I would be willing to make it a three-day break so we could come up with a meaningful commemoration. As a young student, I recall how we all trooped to Continued on A11

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

THE aMpHibOlOgy... From A9 EvERyMan

Crimes against journalists denounced,” said an ifJ spokesperson. “The month of november is the time ThE international federation of when journalists and media workers Journalists is to launch a global have an opportunity to speak out and campaign today, nov. 2—the Un day actively support the End impunity of action—to end impunity for crimes campaign.” in the past decade, 700 journalists targeting journalists. The campaign and have been killed for reporting the related events will continue around the news and bringing information to the world until Monday, nov. 23. The Un day marks the anniversary public: on average one death every of the killing of two radio france week. in nine out of 10 cases, the internationale reporters, ghislaine killers go unpunished. impunity leads to more killings dupont and claude verlon, murdered in Mali in 2013. nov. 23 and is often a symptom of worsening commemorates the date in 2009 when conflict and the breakdown of law and at least 32 journalists lost their lives justice systems. Unesco warns that in the Maguindanao massacre in the impunity damages whole societies by covering up serious human rights Philippines. “all attacks targeting journalists abuses, corruption, and crime. governments, civil society, the that remain unpunished must be

By robert Harland

fROM THE... From A9 it is for the likes of them, and i believe that they are the rule than the exception, that authorities should get to the bottom of things, where, by the way, low-lifers reside, and name and charge tanim-bala practitioners. By ridding our airport of them, we also cleanse whatever stain which has bled into the lily-white reputation of the far greater many. But removing the bad requires uprooting the conditions which tempted them to prey on the hapless in the first place. Scratch the surface of a government racket and there’s always an incredulous law beneath it.

Extortion industries breathe through legal loopholes in the case of the tanimbala, Sen. ralph recto said the gap could be a provision of ra 10591, or the comprehensive firearms and ammunition regulation act. Possession of one bullet or a truckload of bullets carry the same punishment: six to 12 years in jail. as recto explained, a jeepney driver who was found to have displayed a live bullet as an ornamental hood and a jeepney driver who transported thousands of rounds face the same penalty. “So how can this be refined to accommodate gradations in the gravity of the offense to include a policy of reprimand kung isang bala

HOlidays... From A10 the luneta for a grand parade with the president delivering a stirring message to the nation and his people. There was a parade of military hardware (we had good hardware at the time), the Blue diamonds

#failocracy

media, and everyone concerned to uphold the rule of law are being asked to join in the global efforts to end impunity. The Un urges member states to do their utmost to prevent violence against journalists and media workers, to ensure accountability, bring to justice perpetrators of crimes against journalists and media workers, and ensure that victims have access to appropriate remedies. it further calls upon states to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference.

rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

OuT Of THE bOx RiTa linda v. jiMEnO

Robert Harland is a British expatriate living in Bacolod City.

lang?” recto said. in his view, decriminalizing the possession of one small calibre bullet removes the source of temptation. i think rep. roilo golez has a very commonsensical answer. While recto prescribes the lengthy route of amending the law, golez says airport screeners can just be ordered to adopt a “seize-and-go” rule. if it’s one bullet found in a luggage then throw it into the trash bin and let the passenger pass, according to the golez solution. But what about a solitary live bullet displayed as souvenir in a sari-sari store shelf? can the owner get a getout-of-jail pass, too? if there’s one good thing

jet squadron would fly overhead, instilling a sense of pride and nationhood among all of us. now June 12 is just a no-work day. nobody even gets any sense of national pride when the flag is hoisted by the President or other officials in any of the commemorative locations.

There is a charming character in antoine de St. Exupery’s “The little Prince”—the fox. he warns the little prince that it will take time and patience to tame him, The fox also teaches the Prince the valuable lesson that “you are forever responsible for one you have tamed.” god tamed the chaos of primordial nature to bring us forth. he will forever be responsible for us!

atty. Jimeno’s column will resume next week.

about the tanim-bala controversy, it is that it has planted into our collective consciousness the need to improve our airports. The bullets-in-bags issue has opened Pandora’s box. Social media are crowdsourcing the cures. There are calls to festoon airports with ccTvs. others have pointed to other festering ills like the lack of taxis or the abundance of ones with f1-fast meters. What about the luggage being opened or when opened lack missing items? That’s one recurring thread. another area of concern is the traffic to the airport, meaning cars, not to mention the traffic on the airspace above. is a new airport on the horizon? Where? So we can shift the national

The President and commander-inchief issues a tawdry, cut-and-paste statement which hardly resonates in the hearts and minds of the people. and there are no longer any grand parades capped by magnificent fireworks at the luneta. Sad. Shouldn’t at the very least, all

conversation from bullets in bags to bullet trains to wherever it will be built. in the meantime, let us focus on the doables, like the spare-no-one investigation ordered by the President, the suggestion to a put up a presidential complaints desk at naia, the protocols to be observed when opening a suspicious luggage. and not to forget the stern warning to policemen that planting bullets is rewarded with a lifetime vacation to the Bilibid country club. government should do these fast so that when the throng of balikbayan arrive for the holidays, they would not bring bags tightly wrapped like christmas gifts.

government employees and officials be at the commemoration of freedom day? When and how can we instill national pride, develop a sense of national purpose, and march together in disciplined manner towards national greatness? Maybe not in this lifetime.

chong ardivilla

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Royals near World Series title NEW YORK—With a trademark late-game comeback, the Kansas City Royals reached the brink of their first World Series crown in 30 years by defeating the New York Mets 5-3 Saturday. Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas capped a three-run rally in the eighth inning with singles to plate the winning runners as the Royals seized a 3-1 lead in Major League Baseball’s best-of-seven final. The Royals could capture the crown for the first time since 1985 with a victory in game five Sunday while the Mets, who have not won the World Series since 1986, must win to send the series back to Kansas City. “It feels great,” Moustakas said.

“We’ve got to come back to work and find a way to beat these guys again, but it’s nice being up 3-1.” No team has rallied from 3-1 down to win the World Series since the 1985 Royals. “We’re in a tough situation but we’re not dead yet,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. Kansas City, which lost last year’s World Series in seven games to San Francisco, also came from behind to win the first two games of this year’s World Series and in all have fought

back after trailing in seven of 10 playoff triumphs this year. “It’s a group of guys that have the utmost confidence in themselves,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “They are going to go out and they’re going to find a way to win. “We feel like if we can keep the game close, we’re going to find a way to win it. If we find a little crack, they’re going to make something happen. It’s amazing how they do that. It’s just a phenomenal group.” The Royals’ six playoff rallies to win from two or more runs down this October ties a major league record set by the 1996 New York Yankees. “It’s experience. It’s character. It’s a group of really talented players. But a lot of it I think is a mindset,” Yost said.

“They never panic because they’ve been through it before and they know that they’re capable of doing it again.” The Mets were leading 3-2 in the eighth inning when relief pitcher Tyler Clippard walked Ben Zobrist and Lorenzo Cain, prompting Collins to insert closing 26-year-old Dominican right-handed relief ace Jeurys Familia. But Kansas City’s Eric Hosmer chopped an infield ground ball that went under the glove of Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy for an error that scored Zobrist to make it 3-3. Moustakas followed with a single that plated Cain and Perez then smacked a single to right, his third hit of the game, to score Hosmer with the final run. AFP

Lorenzo Cain of the Kansas City Royals hits an RBI single in the sixth inning against Steven Matz of the New York Mets during Game Four of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. AFP

Gatorade beefs up roster with White Lightning Dela Cruz ready for the pro league AFTER a historic stroll down memory lane in celebration By Peter Atencio FOR San Beda veteran Art de la Cruz, it’s time to move on. The 6’4” De la Cruz, one of the key players in the Red Lions’ title- retention bid in Season 91 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association cagefest, feels that their loss to Letran is hard to accept. But he has decided to move on as he looks forward to other things in life. San Beda’s versatile forward said it is time for him to think about his career now that the season is over. “It’s hard to move on lalo na’t last year mo na. Pero kailangan mag-move on na to the next chapter of your life,” he said. De la Cruz is Blackwater’s top pick in this year’s PBA draft. He did not have a disappointing performance when he finished with a team-high 15 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 13 rebounds in Game 3. He could have been the MVP after coming up with big numbers in the elimination round.

of its golden anniversary, Gatorade is all set to pave the way for greatness. The world’s favorite sports drink beefed up its roster with the official launch of its newest variant—the orange-andgrapefruit-flavor based White Lightning. With the new variant comes a powerhouse line-up of ambassadors who are among the top local athletes of this generation—UAAP volleyball superstars Alyssa Valdez from the Ateneo Lady Eagles and Mika Reyes from the De La Salle Lady Spikers together with basketball hotshots Chris Banchero of the Alaska Aces and Jeron Teng of the De La Salle Green Archers. “Coming from our 50th anniversary wherein we celebrated Gatorade’s legacy of fueling local and international sports’ greatest moments, we now want to focus on empowering a new breed of athletes and game changers,” Pepsico Philippines Marketing Manager for Hydration Tony Atayde said. “Alyssa, Mika, Chris and Jeron are top athletes who know the value of working hard to stay in peak form and understand that games aren’t won on the court but in the gym and practice venues. We’re excited to see them inspire more people to pursue active lifestyles and understand the value of proper hydration.” Gatorade believes that greatness begins with hard work— the kind with no shortcuts, the kind that’s relentless and that will make you ache and sweat. Whether the goal is to finish a 21K half marathon, climb a mountain peak, or just feel physically stronger overall, preparing yourself in the gym

NCR bets dominate junior golf meet MANILA-based teams dominated action as expected with Navy and Orchard cornering the Division 1 and 2 team titles, respectively, in the ICTSI Mindanao Junior Open golf championships co-hosted by the Apo Golf Club and the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club in Davao recently. Josh Jorge, Sean Ramos, Joaquin Gomez and Sean Granada joined hands to give Navy a 20-point win over Apo in Division 1 of the tourney conducted by The Junior Golfers League that drew 85 players from eight golf clubs. Navy totaled 415 for three days (Round 1 at Apo and Rounds 2 and 3 at Rancho Palos Verdes) against the 395 of Apo. Navy 2 finished third at 369 while Apo and Pueblo de Oro tied for fourth at 364. Behind the steady play of Eagle Ace Superal, Orchard roared to an uncontested win in the Division 2 battle of the event sponsored mainly by the ICTSI Foundation and also sponsored by Maxe Bed & Breakfast, Golf Depot, PacSports and Inquirer Golf. Superal teamed up with Joaquin Hernandez, Zachary Castro and Santino Magtalas for 432 points and left Apo (327) and Eastridge (316) eating their dust. The Mindanao bets matched the five wins of the NCR players in the individual competition. AFP

Hingis, pal win doubles

Gatorade White Lightning ambassadors (from left) Mika Reyes, Chris Banchero and Alyssa Valdez with Pepsico Philippines Marketing Manager for Hydration Tony Atayde (second from right) during the launch of Gatorade’s new orange-grapefruit variant.

and constantly working to improve your game is key to winning on game day. And with this kind of hard work, proper hydration is crucial to be able to push forward and grow stronger. With a refreshing, light orange-grapefruit flavor, White Lightning is formulated with non-carbonated water that does not cause stomach discomfort; 6% carbohydrates which research has shown to be the optimal level in promoting absorption and providing energy to working muscles; electrolytes for rapid rehydration and minerals to help prevent cramps.

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE—Swiss veteran Martina Hingis and India’s Sania Mirza won the WTA Finals doubles title on Sunday with a lopsided 6-0, 6-3 win over Spain’s Garbine Muguruza and Carla Suarez Navarro. Hingis and Mirza, who formed their partnership only in March, have now won nine titles including Wimbledon and the US Open, and swept all their matches at the season finale in Singapore. The top seeds took just 66 minutes to beat the Spaniards, who were seeded eighth.

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Juico to spearhead AAA’s youth body THE 83rd Asian Athletics Association Council Meeting concluded recently with definite resolutions aimed at advancing athletics in the continent. The high profile continental assembly, held at Solaire Resort and Casino, was attended by 20 athletics heads representing 20 countries and territories across Asia. The hosting highlighted the re-ascendance of the Philippines in the Asian athletics stage since Governor Jose Sering blazed the trail by spearheading the formation of the then 4A’s in 1973 and staged the first Asian Athletics Championships at the Rodriguez Sports Center in Marikina. “All AAA officials in attendance led by president Dahlan Al-Hamad of Qatar has expressed admiration on how the meeting was organized. This is a huge honor for the country because once again the Philippines was given the distinction as a prime mover in athletics in Asia,” according to Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Philip Ella Juico. This was the fourth time the Philippines has hosted the council meeting. The second and third Philippine hosting

Members of the Asian Athletic Commission are shown after their 83rd Coucil Meeting recently. They are (Back Row, Standing, from right) Dr. Talib Al-Saffar (IRQ), Loh Lin Kok (SIN), Alexey Kondrat (KAZ), Maurice Nicholas (SIN), Maj. Gen. Muhammad Akram Sahi (PAK), Nasser Sultan As Al-Maamari (UAE), Ching Cheng Wang (TPE), Ahmed Al-Kamali (UAE), Mohammad Jumah (KUW), Hiroshi Yokokawa (JPN), Maj. Gen Palitha Fernando (SRI), Karim Ibrahim (MAS), Gavin Yang (CHN), (Seated) Ruqaya Manssor Ebraham Al-Ghasara (BRN), Dr. Lalit Bhanot (IND), Engr. Suhail Al Zawawi (KSA), Gen Dhalan Al Hamad (QAT), Dr. Philip Ella Juico (PHI) and Mala Sakonhninhom (LAO).

took place during the term of Go Teng Kok in 1993 and 2003, respectively. The meeting saw the formal designation by the AAA President of Juico as Chairman of the School and Youth Commission and the confirmation by the Council of Juico’s appointment. Event partners were PCSO, Toyota, Asia Brewery, RC Cola, Footzone Foot Reflexol-

ogy, PNB, Foton Motors, and BMW. The commission, with Juico at the helm, shall provide the AAA with general advice regarding all aspects of school and youth participation in Athletics worldwide and develop up-to-date policies for appropriate Athletics programmes for school and youth athletes across Asia. The Philippine athletics chief also got the official nod of

PH Le Tour 2016 heads to Bicol, Southern Tagalog THE Le Tour de Filipinas goes down south of Luzon for its seventh edition in 2016 with the race kicking off from Antipolo City and finishing with the majestic Mayon Volcano as backdrop in Legaspi City. The four-stage race starts on Feb. 18 from the hills of Antipolo and will traverse the so-called backdoor to the south through Laguna and Quezon and will finish in bustling Lucena City. According to Donna Lina of the organizing Ube Media Inc., Stage Two of the annual race on the Asia Tour of the International Cycling Union (UCI) will bring the continental team-laden entourage to Daet, Camarines Norte, on LiNa Feb. 19. Stage Three on Feb. 20 will be a long ride from Daet to Legaspi City where the riders get their first look at enchanting Mayon before finishing in the Albay capital of Legaspi. The final stage on Feb. 21 will circle Mayon

Volcano passing by the geothermal power plants in Tiwi on an out-and-back course also in Legaspi City. Fifteen teams, including at least 12 continental teams from five continents, will be racing for the 2016 edition of the only UCI race in the country. The race will cover an approximate distance of 600 kilometers. “It’s about time that we bring the LTdF down south, this time in the Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions to spur awareness on cycling not only as a competitive sport, but more importantly as a form of physical fitness,” Lina said. The first six editions of the LTdF were raced up north with the Cordilleras posing as the biggest challenge to the cyclists. Two Filipinos—Baler Ravina (2012) and Mark Galedo (2014)—won the LtDF. Ireland’s David McCann topped the 2010 inaugurals, followed by Iran’s Rahem Emami in 2011. Former Asia No. 1 Ghader Mizbani prevailed in 2013 while Frenchman Thomas Lebas, riding for Japan-based Bridgestone Anchor Cycling Team, ruled the 2015 edition.

the council to head the working group that is to review the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan of the AAA. The election of a new International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Sebastian Coe is expected to trigger adjustments in the existing plan. Karim Ibrahim of Malaysia was approved by the council as the Asian Area Representative to the IAAF Council.

Arcilla clips Joven, bags Pintaflores tennis title JOHNNY Arcilla took control early and never gave Ronard Joven room for a comeback, scoring an emphatic 6-4, 6-2 victory to nail the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Pintaflores Festival Open Tennis Championship crown at the San Carlos City Tennis Club in Negros Occidental over the weekend. Arcilla broke Joven right in their opening game, taking the next three points after a 15-all count. Arcilla, who is a many-time PCA Open winner, eased out Fritz Verdad in the semis of the event held in conjunction with the host city’s Pintaflores Festival celebrations. He went on to trade serving turns with his doubles partner Joven, including a romp in the 10th game. Joven, who survived Leander Lazaro in three to gain a crack at the crown, held serve in his first two turns in the second game but Arcilla wore him down and broke again in the fifth and seventh games. Arcilla hit back-toback aces to start the eighth game en route to victory in the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and hosted by Mayor Gerardo Valmayor Jr. with Criston Car-

mona as organizer. Arcilla, also a Davis Cup veteran, took the top P40,000 purse while Joven settled for P20,000 in the weeklong tournament backed by Vice Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson and Rep. Julio Ledesma. “Arcilla continues to be an inspiration to our young players with his talent and discipline, staying in shape through all these years,” said Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro. Meanwhile, action in the PPSPEPP age-group tennis tournaments shifts to Capiz on Nov. 5-8 at the Dumalag Tennis Club also held as part of the Dumalag Festival. Registration is ongoing. For details, call Bobby Mangunay, PPS-PEPP organizer and sports program development director at 0915-4046464. Arcilla tallied twin victories. He and Joven ruled the doubles event with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Vicente Anasta and Arvin Ruel. The Arcilla-Joven pair held off Roel Capangpangan and Kim Saraza in the semis, 6-1, 7-5, while Anasta and Ruel toppled the Leander LazaroVerdad tandem, 6-4, 6-2.

Canillas stuns PH champ Labao By Ronnie Nathanielsz ARJAN “Spartan” Canillas scored a stunning, lopsided 10-round decision over Philippine lightweight champion Rey Labao at a fight card held in the Davao Civic Center, yesterday. Canillas was dropped in the 2nd round, but got off the canvas to hammer the veteran Labao with all three judges scoring the bout for the 22-year-old Canillas who is ranked No. 3 by the Games and Amusements Board. Arnie Najera had Canillas ahead, 97-92, Teddy Alivio saw it 96-93 and Edwin Barrientos had 98-91. With the win, Canillas improved to 12-0-2 with

nine knockouts while Labao dropped to 27-8 with 18 knockouts. Canillas was coming off two noteworthy stoppage wins this year. He forced Balweg Bangoyan to retire in the 4th round of a scheduled tenround bout on June 6 and earlier scored a 4th round knockout of Indonesia’s Stevie Ferdinandus in a scheduled eight-round bout last Feb. 7. Labao, on the other hand, dropped a unanimous twelve-round decision in an IBO Intercontinental welterweight title bout against Rico Mueller last June 12 in Germany after registering a 2nd round TKO over Japan’s Masao Nakamura in Osaka Dec. 12, 2014.

Johnny Arcilla (center) holds his twin trophies after topping the PPS-PEPP Pintaflores Festival Open Tennis Championship in San Carlos City. With him are, from left: organizer Criston Carmona, PPS-PEPP manager Daisy Agnes, San Carlos Tennis Association president Martin Raymund Carmona and Pintaflores Foundation president Mario Ledesma.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Lady Troopers gain semifinals ARMY put away Navy in three with its power game, superb blocking and awesome serving, fashioning out a 25-14, 2517, 25-14 victory to clinch the first semifinal berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City late Saturday.

UP’s Isabel Molde (10) hammers in a kill against PLDT’s Gretchel Soltones and Sue Roces during their Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Reinforced Conference showdown at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Filipino pugs topbill WBC convention LOCKEr rOOM rANdY CALuAG IT’S going to be a busy week for the World Boxing Council as it gathers the biggest names in boxing in Kunming, China, the capital of Yunan Province for the 53th annual convention of the world’s oldest boxing organization. Chinese top promoter, Liu Gang, is largely credited for bringing the convention in his hometown. Liu is the man to be thankful for why China is making headway in professional boxing. He was responsible for giving China its first-ever world champion in Xiong Zhao Zhong, who became the WBC minimumweight champ in 2012. He eventually lost the title to Mexican Oswaldo Novoa after two successful title defenses, including against Filipino Denver Cuello. The WBC successfully penetrated the rich Chinese market through Liu Gang’s promotion. And now other boxing organizations like the International Boxing Federation and the World Boxing Organization are coming in as well. What’s more interesting though is Liu’s deep ties with the Filipino boxing community. His closeness to Filipino promoter Brico

Santig enabled his Zowi Boxing International Promotion to prosper in terms of talent development. Liu’s promotion employs Filipino trainers who are responsible for enhancing the skills of the Chinese boxers. In acknowledging the constant support from Brico, Liu always includes Filipino boxers in his promotion in China and Australia. “That’s the beauty of exchanges in international boxing. We foster the transfer of technology and in return, our Filipino fighters get to fight abroad,” Brico told this corner. **** This friendship between the two makes the WBC Convention very relevant to Philippine boxing as three Filipino pugs will headline the boxing promotion that will serve as the highlight of the weeklong event that will last until Nov. 7. The WBC Convention will not only put together the bigwigs in boxing but will also gather the best technical brains to talk about the latest in medical advances, host judging and refereeing course and the discussion about the status of the world rankings. Most of the guests and delegates are expected to arrive tomorrow for the formal start of the convention that will be highlighted by a pair of championship fights featuring Chinese prospect Wei Qian Xian (8-4-1) and Rex Wao (11-1-0) of the Phil-

ippines for the WBC Asian Boxing Council featherweight title. The other title match pits Filipino Michael Dasmarinas (21-2-0) against Wisanlek Sithsaithong of Thailand for the WBC Youth World superflyweight belt. Another Filipino, Dennis Padual, sees action in the welterweight fight against Bai Shan Bo. The rest of the fightcards are allChinese tiffs. **** Leading the impressive list of VIPs is WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman. In attendance in the ranking meeting are the President of the Australian Committee Frank Quill, Luis Medina, WBC Rankings Secretary, Bob Yalen from the US, Victor Cota from Mexico, Belgium’s Daniel Van De Wiele, Bismark Morales, from Nicaragua; Dean Lohans, Nicolas Hidalgo, from Venezuela and Germany’s Malte Mueller-Michaelis. Of course, the Philippines’ Games and Amusement Board chairman Juan Ramon Guanzon and the Boxing Division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz will carry the torch for the Philippines as officials of the Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation, which is a regional organization under the umbrella of the WBC. Let’s see what sort of good news we can derive from the two top boxing officials when they get back home.

The Lady Troopers didn’t play any tricks on the Lady Sailors on All Saints’ Day eve but simply showcased their terrific all-around game to dominate their rivals and complete a 66-minute romp that secured their place in the Final Four of the season-ending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s. Honey Royse Tubino and Jovelyn Gonzaga combined for 33 hits, including 23 kills, as the Lady Troopers produced 38 attack points, 14 more than the Lady Sailors. Gonzaga also foiled three of Navy’s attacks as the fancied team came through with eight blocks against their rivals’ one. Army, runner-up to absentee Cagayan Valley here last year, also pummeled Navy’s token reception and came away with eight aces while holding their foes without an ace with their solid defense on the other end. The lopsided win was third straight for Army, lining itself for a possible sweep with victories over struggling Coast Guard on Nov. 8 and against contender University of the Philippines on Nov. 11. The loss dropped Navy to solo fourth at 2-2, allowing Coast Guard (13) and even winless Kia Forte (0-3) to stay in the semis race in the tournament presented by PLDT Home Ultera and backed by Mikasa and Accel. Pau Soriano struggled for nine hits while Lilet Mab-

Game Nov. 7 12:45 p.m. – PLDT vs Navy Standings Army UP PLDT Navy Coast Guard KIA Forte

30 21 21 2 2 13 03

bayad groped for five points for Navy, which rebounded from an opening game loss to UP with back-to-back victories over Coast Guard and Kia Forte before bowing to the powerhouse Army side. Earlier, Coast Guard fought back from a 1-2 deficit with a sweep of the last two sets, including the decider as it eked out a thrilling 12-25, 2522, 14-25, 25-23, 17-15 victory over newcomer Kia Forte to snap out of a three-game skid. The Lady Dolphins lost in all scoring skills, 49-59 (spikes), 2-6 (blocks) and 4-7 (serve) but leaned on their experience in the last two frames to pound out the twohour, nine-minute win. PLDT Home Ultera also stopped UP’s twogame run with a 2512,22-25, 25-15, 25-17 victory to tie its victim at second at 2-1 heading to another week-long break in the league where it all started and organized by Sports Vision. Action resumes Nov. 7 with PLDT, which expects top hitter Alyssa Valdez back, taking on Navy in a lone match before Army and Coast Guard clash and UP and Kia Forte tangle on Nov. 8.

Filipino MMA star Kelly takes on Vietnamese bet By Peter Atencio FILIPINO Mixed Martial Arts fighter Edward Kelly is ready to fight again. The 31-year-old product of Team Lakay, who has trained with worldclass talents in the high altitudes of Baguio City, will clash with Martin Nguyen in one of five exciting new bouts which have been added to ONE: PRIDE OF LIONS. Kelly, who is skilled in both striking and grappling as part of his wide range of abilities, takes on Nguyen on Nov. 13 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. He is going for his second straight win after defeating Jimmy Yabo by submission in his last fight last April. The 5’9” Kelly holds a 6-2 record and is looking forward to replicating his success against Nguyen, who is known as a solid fighter. Their showdown is an undercard to

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

the highly-anticipated two main bouts which are both rematches. The main event will be a showdown between ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben Askren and challenger Luis Santos. On the other hand, Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke will defend his ONE Strawweight World Championship against Yago Bryan of Brazil in the evening’s co-main event. CEO of ONE Championship, Victor Cui said that 2015 has been a monumental year thus far and it wouldn’t be complete without a phenomenal fight card at home in Singapore. “We have added five exciting new bouts to round out an already spectacular evening of world-class mixed martial arts. Fans should get ready for another unforgettable night as our ONE Championship superstars take the stage,” said Cui.

Wilson backs AJ Lim. After his record-setting victory in the 34th Philippine Columbian Association Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event, fast-rising tennis star Alberto “AJ” Lim paid a courtesy visit to Wilson and Sports Resources Inc. to personally thank them for their unwavering support. The 16-year-old Lim defeated Francis Casey Alcantara in the quarterfinals, ace veteran Johnny Arcilla in the semis and title defender Patrick John Tierro to become the youngest men’s singles champion in PCA history. Lim now ranks 25th combined in the International Tennis Federation junior players’ standing. In photo with Lim (center) are SRI President/CEO Rodolfo Claudio (2nd from right), SRI Brand Management and Product Development Manager Liza Enciso-Labrador (left), Wilson Brand Manager Errol Cajefe Elicanal (right) and Coach Martin Misa (2nd from left). As a leading international brand with a proud tradition of bringing out the best in emerging and professional athletic talents, Wilson has been actively supporting promising Filipino players in various sporting endeavors for many years. Equipping athletes and enthusiasts alike with a full-range of topnotch sport essentials for elevated training, competition performance as well as recreational fun, Wilson products, exclusively distributed by SRI in the Philippines, are available in all Toby’s Sports and other sporting goods stores nationwide.

Vemosa Speedfest on Sunday

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SPORTS

GEAR up for a thrilling sports adventure as Vermosa launches Vermosa Speedfest, a Motocross Challenge on Sunday. Open to professional riders, Vermosa Speedfest is expected to draw more than 200 motorcycle enthusiasts, who will be vying for 18 categories. Participants of this exciting race will be one of the first to experience the newly launched Vermosa Motocross Tracks. Designed by 15time Philippine MX champion and 2003 Asian Motocross Series champion Glenn Aguilar, Vermosa MX Tracks features a variety of challenging terrain to work with that that both beginners and expeLOS ANGELES—American Pharoah, who electrified US racing with rienced riders can appreciate. his run to the first Triple Crown sweep in 37 years, capped his career Aside from the exciting motocross Jessie Francisco (center), shown with teammate Peter Gabriel Magnaye (right), makes a forehand return to Philip Joper Escueta and Keshya race, families and racers can look forward with an emphatic victory inNational the Breeders’ CupTournament Classic in Kentucky onCity. LINO SANTOS Hanadia during the 2015 Bingo Bonanza Open Badminton in Glorietta, Makati to leisure and insight from other activities Saturday. lined up like learn to ride tutorials and refresher courses, motorcycle safety lectures, onsite motorcycle sales including Before a frenzied crowd at After piloting American PharBut trainer John Gosden worparts and mechanics, motorcycle wash, Keeneland, in Lexington, Ken- oah to one last win, jockey Victor ried the loose, sand-based turf and remote control races, copters, crawltucky, American Pharoah set the Espinoza said he was happy to see course at Keeneland wouldn’t suit pair, pace in thethird-ranked $5 million classic and horse heading and into retirement. him and he washowever, right. will face cala of Allied-NVBA trounced Alvin ers, and off road RCTs. JOINT PetertheMagnaye Jessie islao-Vita champion Vermosa, a sprawling 700-hectare estate pulled away in the final straight “He’s run so many times this defending Although Golden Paul HornVivas was Morada, 21-12, 21-11, also late ThursFrancisco an opening Inlayo for apace-setcrack at day to set up a semis duel with No. 4 that is master-planned to offer fundamento beat Effinexfought by 6 1/2 back lengths.strong yearfrom and I think it’s time forset him and the Eleanor first to get past early setback and turned Escueta It was the ninth win in 11back ca- Joper to step out and haveand a niceInlife,” the terchampionship. Shining Copper in the 1 1/2- R-Jay Ormilla, who bundled out fifth tal mixed-use components, is envisioned Vivasrace, and Inlayo up for seed Jason Obaob, 21-14, 21-19, in to be a modern suburban community that reer starts for the three-year-old Espinoza said. mile jockey primed Ryan Moore donesian Keshya Hanadia, 13-21, 21-19, 21-18, to their defense the crown by sub- the Open men’s singles of the event integrates healthy and active lifestyle with colt -- a record that included The two-day, 13-race thor- had Found of perfectly positioned barge the nal round of the Open mixed thefiother third the firstinto sweep of semifi the Kentucky oughbred extravaganza provided duing and the lly came outseeded on toppair in a organized by EventKing Corp. and everyday living. of Christian Bernardo and Joella sanctioned by the Philippine BadAmong its many components is the VerDerby, Preakness Belmont no fairytale ending for European stretch duel. doubles of theandBingo Bonanza National Open dedramatic Vera, 21-11, 21-11. minton Association headed by Vice mosa Sports & Lifestyle Complex, a preStakes since Affi rmed achieved superstar Golden Horn. With the win Found turned Badminton Tournament atFound, Glorietta 5 Atrium The Estanislao-Vita pair aft and the treble in 1978. the filly trained by the tables on Golden Horn er President Jejomar Binay and sec-gen miere destination for athletes and wellness Ginebra’s Greg Slaughter takes on two Barako Bull defenders. Vivas-Inlayo tandem dispute the Rep. Albee Benitez. in “What Makati City yesterday. enthusiasts that aims to cater the Filipinos’ can I say? What a Ireland’s Aidan O’Brien denied finishing runner up to him at the first finals berth today (Saturday) Also on tap are the Open womdemand for an increasingly active lifestyle. horse!” said owner Ahmed Zayat. Golden Horn in the $3 million Irish Champion Stakes and at AsMagnaye and Francisco Alyssa Geverjuan to complete a 21- starting at 11 a.m., also at Glori- en’s singles semis pitting the surgThe Vermosa Motocross Tracks is “He is asteadier once-in-a-lifetime horse. 12, Breeders’ Cup in Turf the etta, cot on Champions Day. proved in a back-and21-14 victory justto 25 spoil minutes while the Magnaye-Francising Mariya Sevilla against No. 4 one of the many sports amenities that Th is race was only about AmeriPrix de l’ A rc de Triomphe win“She really deserved this, ” said forth second set duel then weath- in the event sponsored by Bingo co team slugs it out with Morada Airah Albo and defending chamthe public can experience in VSLC. This can Pharoah and we wanted him ner’s swansong. Moore. ered Escueta and Hanadia’s rally Bonanza and backed by official and Leonardo for the other champion Gelita Castilo battling it out world-class sports facility will also ingodecider out a winner. Golden Victor Horn was the star Gosden intothe with clutch smash- equipment PCOME andof pionship slot.was relieved that the with second seed Sarah Barredo. “It was emotional. I didn’t a strong European contingent, race produced a European onees and dropsoshots to pound out official sports drink Gatorade. Victor-PCOME’s Danica Bolos Alcala, on the other hand, clude an Olympic size pool, oval track, even see the fi nal eighth (of a coming off victories at the Epsom two, aft er stunning disappointthe 45-minute victory for a Final Ronel Estanislao and Indone- and Jennifer Cayetano of Air Force tries to re-assert his mastery over the country’s first purpose-built bike mile)clash because I had eyes sian Derby and Eclipse as well also ment for the Four with No. 2 andmy fellow partner MarissaStakes Vita posted pulled offtrans-Atlantic a 12-21, 21-16,raiders 21-18 Ormilla, whom he beat to cop the skills trail, and the most advanced and he said. By Jeric Lopez Sports Science Laboratory in closed the whole time.bets ” Alvin the AFP Calim- crown as the Arc. biggest reversal late reversal in the $2over million PBA-Smash Pilipinas event’s No. Mile. 4 Descka last year, in their 1:20 p.m. complete One particular playernextthat to be completed year.is Morada and Alyssa Leonardo. Thursday when they stunned lim and Fatima Cruz of Meralco showdown while top seed Kevin the Philippines strutting his stuff early for Barako Games Interested participants for Vermosa Morada and Leonardo com- top seed Paul Pantig and Thea to book the first semis berth in the Cudiamat and No.Wednesday 8 Frell GabueBull isMotocross national team member (Mallthe of Asia bined well from start to finish and Pomar, 21-12, 21-14, to clinch the Open women’s doubles. la dispute otherArena, finalsPasay berthCity): in Speedfest: Challenge mayJC - Blackwater Intal. dominated Carlos Cayanan and first semifinal berth. The EstanMeanwhile, second seed Mark Al- the 4:15 Openp.m. men’s singles. vs. Meralcoregister on-site starting today. 7 p.m. - San Miguel vs. Rain or Shine According to Banal, the improvement on Intal’s overall game spirit that bristled with a deep con- who beat the odds and some notable is evident. It is one reason Barako INSIDE viction that they could overcome the opponents en route to redeeming BARAKO Bull has something to Bull is feeling confident it has a SPORTS odds and eventually triumph as they our country’s stature in the world prove. chance to do well this tournament. eventually ofhis boxing and Saninspiring generaand there coulddid. be no better example of General er aand matchmakerAt Sampson to share in theThe Energy’s Marvin’s go-to constant least that’schance what Energy coach RONNIE guy postled his It was a combination of grim de- tion of young fighters from among example than eight-division tos colleague Pacquiao or Lewkowicz and his Filipino spotlight. ponement of his departure NATHANIELSZ Koy Banal and his players have in squad with a team-high 22 points termination and a sense of playing the ranks of the poor to look at their worldfor one champion Manny even Nietes. partner Gello-ani But Marvin threw it against all forthe Las Vegas and his habit mind as they embark on another Gin Kings. another that was a philosopoverty not as a burden but as Sammy a whose The part is that have given Marvin all the away2015 and failed in a very un-‘’JC’s of always advancTHE sadly wayward ways of Pacquiao journey in this Philippine phy taken from therelentstoried pages of sad challenge. (Intal)asking stintforwith Gilas WE have always been fascinated for a fight has Sonsona isThan unbelievchances in the world to mend Association Filipino fashion to discard es ona his fight purse haveand former World Boxing Or- less training Gilas Pilipinas. e Letran Knights were not even Basketball Philippine gave him lot of confidence by the lessons reflected in the bibliamazedLaban! Hall of Fame trainably fighter, who his ways, bendingCup backwards the virtue gratitude all really finallyhelps turnedhis offgame. LewkowPuso! had been the con-talented expected to make the Final Four, let ganization superand flyweight to try and proveofthat they for that He is cal story of David Goliath and stant cry of our Gilas national team alone enter the finals and win the er Freddie Roach. is a southpaw, tall, young, to accommodate his every that his promoters had done icz and Gello-ani, as wellknow. as champion Marvin Sonsona belong among the league’s best helping us really well right the ramifications inherent in our life against almost insurmountable championship in an unbelievable The other sterling examquick-footed and with wish, with Lewkowicz linfor him, far beyond what they the powerful Al Haymon, has ruined what was clearly teams. both as a community and as a nation odds. And this mantra, if you will, His game has improved in all overtime But then, soothple of a disciplined fighter hand-speed and classic. punching ingtheup some worthyAftopponeeded to do. who has also invested in a very career where the promising eternal struggle between er Barako Bull came back aspects.’’ was embraced the Letran sayers apparently what fight purses that is reigning WBObylight fly- Knights power—all the had elements in- forgotten nents and A prime example was Marvin’s career. They have andterribly an opportunity for poor our and the disadvantaged from 21 points down to turn back as though it was their very own. his team needs David did to the giant Goliath. weight champion Donnie herent in little a great fighter. were more than most fighters when Lewkowicz, in orderAnalyzing warned what of serious legal imthe rich in our a daily testacountry to midst have isanother powerhouse Barangay Ginebra, to do in order to keep in step with For sure, San Beda was beaten but We were pleased to be part of forment the inequalities of life that “Ahas” Nietes, the as longestUnfortunately, lackSenator would earn considering their to free Sonsona of any dis- plications should any proworldtochampion. hardly disgraced the Lions clawed mer Letranhis Knight Freddie 82-79, last Saturday Banal while the rest of thefall squads, gave an areBut oftthe en curse perceived failures or reigning worlddo. But of this discipline, theSaturday tendency standing. tractionsnight. or concerns moter prey toBanal Sonsona’s of theas“barkaback as Filipino only lions could Webb’s afternoon show, admits that his wards are playing emphasis on one aspect of the game wrongdoing by those in power. to follow “Fastbreak” a wild and with woolly Both onSampson and training in Las Vegas, spent efforts to promote his fights. da” phenomenon has eroded champion. was no jungle. It was a basketball Boyet Sison, with ainherlot of fire as they try to show they need Even in the wonderful world of Donnie to focus on. is small even path, which reminds us of Sammy realized the more than half-a-million At one time, Marvin court, where the ultimate finesse of dzMM Teleradyo, prior to the finals Sonsona’s values and has sports, where the media and fans ofthat they can go toe-to-toe against need towas continue doing a for athelight flyweight another talent and pesos for Marvin’s mother’s‘’WeSonsona “Marvelous” Knights prevailedand in an epic se- great and champion were struckwho by theent confi dence in Sonsona enticed him drink, move ten refer to theto seemingly weaker in- ries that was dutifully capped by the the teams who are considered as good job onthat the defensive end. shown by Cruzand and while Racal it who the older he gets, the squandered his career is a given that if urgent kidney operation at but monicker hasWe around with women and dividuals or teams as the underdogs, heroics of the little guard with an title contenders. glowed with the spirit that Knights were last in that department harder he trains which is indeed his life – former world his career progressed like the National KIdney Instibeen painfully erased bylast abandon a sportofthat could that there are stories triumphs impish smileof Mark Cruz and the fire lightweight somehow champion exude. ‘’Everyone is extra pumped up season. We need to keep reminding the hallmark his sucjunior it could have —and should tute in Manila and didn’t his attitude, utter lack of have given him so much. fortify the hopes and lifts the spirits and ice that mirrored the qualities of They were nice kidshave—they who were everywould time we play We the boys in the ring. Rolando Navarette. too evenstrong thinkteams. of deducting discipline and worststarts of all on that everything of the so-called underdogs. Fighters need to realize cess Kevin Racal. wish would succeed. so eager something, ’’ the defensive Marvin SonThe pitytheoftype it allyou’d is that in- enjoy their fairareshare of to theprove amount from Sonsona’s his ingratitude. Onediscipline such glowing end,’’ said Banal. ‘’Our that is a example corner- was Regrettably, They were the ultimate archi- That they did was a tribute to their the NCAAin championship said Banal. has failed to follow the ternationally known promotfinancial benefits and a purse from his last fight. What a crying shame! defense eventually starts our good stonerecent to success the ring sonatects of the heroism of the Knights resolve. victory of the Letran Knights over molded into a unit by rookie coach Now holding an even 1-1 slate offense.’’ We were quite honestly happy the San Beda Red Lions, reinforced Aldin Ayo, whose ties with his alma after that morale-boosting win for them because we have always Armed with this early confidence, by an awesome import in Ola Ad- mater when he was a member of two been against the use of imports in against the Gin Kings, Banal said his Barako Bull is looking to start a eogun in a sudden-death overtime championship teams gave him an the collegiate leagues that somehow players are excited to get their game winning run to position itself well thriller in the best-of-three finals. added impetus to achieve what on give the richer institutions a decided going to avoid a sluggish start in the as the tournament heads deeper Knights have always been sym- the surface and in the minds of the advantage. It didn’t work this time tournament. bols of courage and tenacity and are pundits was a near impossible task. into its schedule. which, in a sense, further glorisurrounded by an aura of glory. In‘’Medyo excited kami now that ‘’We just want to have a winning The fact that eight-division world fies the achievement of the Letran deed in the championship series, the boxing champion Manny Pacquiao we found our bearings. Credit run and get as many wins as we Knights. Letran Knights displayed incredible identified with the Knights was goes to our players. They really can early to have good position As my longtime friend Senator courage, the coolest of tempera- most appropriate because he too Freddie Webb shouted out – Arriba prepared themselves emotionally and a good chance of making the ments under extreme pressure and a was the knight in shining armor, Letran! and psychologically for this season,’’ playoffs,’’ said Banal. sports@thestandard.com.ph

Triple Crown hero Pharaoh bows out

Magnaye, Francisco advance

Banal: Barako 5 has something to prove

Symbols of courage Marvelous no more

Tigers, Eagles, Altas advance in Fr. Martin Cup By Peter Atencio THE University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, the Ateneo De Manila Blue Eagles, the University of Perpetual Help Altas and the Infant Jesus Academy Blue Wolves turned back separate rivals to claim the remaining quarterfinal and semifinal berths in the 13th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament. Miguel Hizon hit 12 points for the

Growling Tigers as they beat Diliman College, 70-68, to finish the elimination round with their fourth win in seven games in Group B, Sunday at the Far Eastern University gymnasium in Morayta. This put the Growling Tigers in the quarterfinals, and they are set to meet the Blue Eagles on Nov. 7 at 12:30 p.m. at the Arellano University gym in Legarda Manila. The Blue Eagles earlier waylaid the San Sebastian Stags, 67-57, with CJ Perez lead-

ing with 16 points, and they have a 6-1 slate at no. 2 position in Group A. They were joined in the quarterfinals by the San Beda-B Red Lions, with their 4-2 card, top entry Arellano University (51) and fourth placer AMA Computer University (3-4). Commissioner Robert de la Rosa said the semifinals of the senior division is on Nov. 14 while the championship matches will take place the following day on Nov. 15.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

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m o n day : n o v e m b e r 2 , 2 0 1 5 rIera U. maLL arI EDITOR

reUeL vIdaL A S S I S TA N T E D I T O R

sports@thestandard.com.ph

sports

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against Luke Babbitt #8 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on October 31, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. AFp

Curry’s 53 points fuel Dubs NEW ORLEANS (AFP)--Stephen Curry continued his explosive start to the season, scoring 53 points to lead the undefeated Golden State Warriors to a 134-120 win over New Orleans Saturday. The Pelicans had no answer for Curry’s swagger as the reigning league MVP picked up right where he left off last season. His 118 points through the first three games is the most since Michael Jordan bagged 118 in 1989. It was the third straight NBA win for the Warriors and the third consecutive double-digit loss for the Pelicans, who were playing their home opener at

Smoothie King Center. “When nights like tonight happen, you find shots and they keep going in,” Curry said. “I was just trying to be aggressive, was able to get in the paint a good amount, knock down some threes and keep them honest, and kind of open the game up. So it was really fun.” Two of the Warriors wins have come against New Orleans, in-

cluding a 111-95 season opening victory on Tuesday in which Curry scored 40 points, including 24 in the first quarter. Curry scored 28 points in the third quarter Saturday, helping the Warriors convert a 65-64 halftime deficit into a 105-91 lead. Curry was 10 of 13 from the field in the quarter. He even added a rare four-point play that gave Golden State a 105-89 lead. Draymond Green scored 21 points, Klay Thompson 19 and Harrison Barnes 11 for the Warriors. Anthony Davis rebounded

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from a sluggish start to lead the Pelicans with 26 points and 15 rebounds. Jrue Holiday scored 22 points, Ryan Anderson 19 and Toney Douglas 17 for New Orleans. New Orlean’s led 65-64 at the half, their first lead after any quarter this season. The Pelicans outscored the Warriors 11-1 in second chance points and had an 11-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Curry and Thompson combined for 31 first-half points, with Thompson scoring 16 points and Curry 15. Holiday had 13 points in the

first half, including 11 in the first quarter, for the Pelicans. The Pelicans were playing without forward Quincy Pondexter and guards Norris Cole and Tyreke Evans who were out with injuries. Elsewhere, Derrick Favors scored 18 points to lead six Utah players in double figures, and the Jazz outscored the Indiana Pacers 55-27 during the second half en route to a 97-76 win. In Washington, Carmelo Anthony carried New York with 37 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter as the Knicks defeated the host Wizards 117-110.

BArAko Bull hAs something to prove turn to A15

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK MONDAY: NOVEMBER 2, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

WB: Rules stifle investments By Gabrielle H. Binaday

THE World Bank said the Philippines will attract an additional P5 billion to P10 billion worth of investments annually, if business regulations are simpler. “We are seeing anywhere from at least P5 billion to P10 billion in new investments that can come in, if we have simpler regulations,” World Bank country economist for the Philippines Karl Kendrick Chua said over the weekend. “These indicative estimates suggest that the high cost of doing business is clearly a toll on the country’s inclusive growth agenda. When taking all other doing business indicators into account, for

instance, securing construction permit, getting electricity and trading externally, the overall cost of doing business, both direct cost and opportunity cost, could be several times higher,” Chua said. The World Bank said in the recent Philippine Economic Update the country was losing P40 billion worth of potential investments, as people who could have started a business decided not to do so, because the cost of starting a busi-

PAL workers say strike bid illegal A GROUP of active Philippine Airlines employees formally sought the dismissal of a ‘notice of strike’ filed by former workers, saying they are misrepresenting themselves as union officers of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association. PAL employees Renato Ebio, Danilo Hermoso, Mercedes Ines, Teodoro Jordan and Arnel Mangalindan said the purported PALEA officers led by former president Gerardo Rivera “have no legal power and authority to file a notice of strike as they could not constitute a quorum to validly exercise the association’s powers, functions and authority.” The petitioners told the National Conciliation and Mediation Board that except for one Eugene Soriano, all the other individuals occupying the positions of president, vice president, secretary and auditor of PALEA had ceased to be employees of PAL, having been “outsourced” since 2011. As non-employees, they consequently lost their bona fide PALEA membership based on the union’s own by-laws, the group said. The group added a notice of strike, a strike vote and a actual work stoppage, were major decisions of a union and required approval through a resolution of the association’s board of directors.

Nickel Asia buys geothermal firm By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Board of Investments approved a change in the ownership of Biliran Geothermal Inc., giving Emerging Power Inc. of Nickel Asia Corp. a 60-percent interest in the geothermal company. Orka Energy of Iceland will retain a 40 percent ownership in Biliran, which is developing a 50- to 100-MW geothermal power project in Biliran. The BoI’s legal department in a recent allowed Biliran Geothermal to proceed with the transaction. Prior to the transaction, Filipino company Filtech Energy Corp. owned 60 percent of the shares of Biliran Geothermal while Orka Energy held 40 percent. Orka Energy is owned by Chandler Corp. that has investments in energy, financial services, consumer and healthcare globally. Orka Energy has developed 1,500-MW geothermal capacity in the last 30 years. Emerging Power, meanwhile, is majority owned by Nickel Asia, which earlier announced that it would guarantee up to P3 billion of the loan of Emerging Power over a three-year period to finance its renewable energy projects.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

ness was “not reasonable.” “Probably, we’ll see a much bigger change [in the economy if people are not discouraged to start businesses]. We don’t have exact numbers, these are indicative estimates, but simplifying business regulations can unleash the potential of the private sector,” Chua said. The World Bank estimated that small businesses were paying fees equivalent to 17 percent to 36 percent of per capita income, or around P21,000 to P45,000, when starting a business. Chua also said this could account for foregone employment of around 60,000, or equivalent to about 5 percent of new labor force entrants every year. “In particular, small and micro businesses are important contrib-

utors and beneficiaries of inclusive growth. Business regulations tend to be cumbersome, they limit the growth of innovative entrepreneurship and investments, contribute to large scale informality, which cover 75 percent of employment, and hence prevent the country from creating more and better jobs that can reduce poverty at a faster rate,” he said. Chua said that aside from the fees small businesses needed to pay in starting a business, they also spent considerable amount of time moving from one agency to another, and waiting in line to process documents. “[This is] often resulting in significant loss of productive time and income,” Chua said. Another P100 billion was lost

annually in the form of foregone income, taxes and spending, according to the World Bank. “There are close to one million corporations and sole proprietors who have to go through the system every year, through the renewal process, paying taxes almost every month, compared to only around 50,000 entrants every year, of which around 5,000 to 10,000 are corporates. So in terms of the first number, the P100 billion, the impact is very small, around less than P5 billion, because the bulk are already in the system, going through the process every year,” Chua said. “Reforms to reduce these costs would free up substantial resources to make growth more inclusive,” he said.

MONDAY: NOVEMBER 2, 2015

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

The STandard BuSineSS Weekly STockS revieW STOCKS

OCTOBER 26-30, 2015 Close Volume

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. Inc. Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl Reinsurance Corp. PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank

2.96 48.35 101.70 84.60 40 2.49 1.96 15.7 19.82 7.58 0.65 1.83 745.00 0.570 85.05 0.98 18.78 24.00 53.00 104 306 31.05 142.1 1555.00 57.00

Aboitiz Power Corp. Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons. Asiabest Group C. Azuc De Tarlac Century Food Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab. Federal Res. Inv. Group First Gen Corp. First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp. LBC Express Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Corp. Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas Holdings San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ SPC Power Corp. Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp. Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp. Vivant Corp. Vulcan Ind’l.

42 1.84 0.9 1.58 10.6 95.00 17.3 24 46.5 2.54 1.64 11 9.750 8.30 6.64 7.53 1.66 11.78 25.3 70.65 11.70 14.20 5.94 2.270 206.00 12.9 35.55 1.98 3.5 40.00 23.8 24.3 7.3 325.00 3.86 4.2 8.10 4.81 11.60 3.70 2.04 2.46 4.11 5 138 4.09 2.1 0.157 1.27 2.20 200.6 4.73 0.67 22.80 1.18

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

0.390 56.0000 18.24 1.12 6.50 0.247 0.250 780 7.45 12.40 3.8 4 3.90 0.250 1314 5.84 71.40 3.9 4.76 6.78 0.81 12.5 0.52 5.22 9.44 2.8 0.0300 1.930 2.82 48.00 2.69 875.00 1.19 0.78 170.00 105.400 0.3250 0.2350 0.320

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

6.500 8.18 0.75 1.170 0.201 35.850 3.46 5.08 0.61 0.99 1.03 0.125 0.485 20.85 0.900

Value

FINANCIAL 4,824,020.00 60,414,850.00 1,620,037,226 871,148,931.00 10,407,405.00 256,350.00 48,351,300.00 1,104,744.00 4,467,326.00 64,720 598,000 150,730.00 386,550.00 3,326,070.00 1,121,424,043.00 588,450.00 33,991,644.00 1,928,025.00 14,875,736.50 731,897.00 31,507,958.00 35,022,935 315,998,488.00 1,902,550.00 30,028,959.00 INDUSTRIAL 8,832,900 373,876,390.00 468,000 824,060.00 1,298,000 1,167,890.00 1,799,000 2,882,070.00 8,600 95,700.00 730 69,653.50 4,762,400 82,539,458 2,136,300 49,708,385.00 769,500 34,470,135 4,531,000 11,425,310.00 5,176,000 8,842,150.00 1,112,900 11,230,788.00 81,667,700 842,147,947.00 19,953,600 161,296,718.00 53,083,700 363,190,680.00 2,495,600 19,152,696.00 62,000 103,590.00 36,400 431,004.00 8,244,000 214,056,840.00 1,649,300 120,240,391.50 24,500 291,410.00 109,700 1,526,116.00 340,600 2,028,869.00 18,868,000 45,262,930.00 2,147,230 581,657,676.00 25,000 324,678.00 4,700 172,715.00 118,000 236,640.00 149,000 543,990.00 23,300 941,150.00 10,471,100 252,905,170.00 766,100 18,699,385.00 1,044,100 7,043,678.00 3,821,340 1,231,755,318.00 48,000 184,880.00 8,840,000 36,862,950.00 22,737,400 178,963,192.00 132,000 626,700.00 162,300 1,852,274.00 1,245,000 4,550,900.00 2,203,000 4,417,350.00 22,110,000 65,516,570.00 14,400,000 59,169,550.00 51,000 254,930.00 48,230 6,764,668.00 160,000 619,150.00 503,000 1,070,730.00 34,420,000 5,669,200.00 391,000 477,330.00 10,620,000 23,425,540.00 10,986,250 2,244,306,427.00 26,000 119,300.00 2,989,000 2,002,080.00 1,200 27,360.00 1,237,000 1,491,060.00 HOLDING FIRMS 2,220,000 882,650.00 6,753,360 384,787,330.00 30,271,400 560,594,834.00 5,000 5,600.00 74,200 477,056.00 4,270,000 1,061,050.00 290,000 73,200.00 2,178,430 1,705,347,505.00 6,505,800 49,274,816.00 27,109,400 343,884,622.00 315,000 1,271,980.00 61,000 251,940.00 26,000 101,130.00 2,970,000 757,450.00 538,210 724,760,025.00 104,000 603,630.00 12,312,600 906,363,902.00 55,000 215,840.00 4,600 21,688.00 19,376,200 134,604,240.00 31,893,000 25,676,350.00 22,343,700 279,805,040.00 2,041,000 1,081,940.00 179,103,000 952,908,036.00 11,278,100 102,973,021.00 3,000 8,400.00 393,300,000 12,375,400.00 4,137,000 7,944,040.00 225,000 621,850.00 2,175,940 107,633,982.00 43,000 117,600.00 1,590,880 1,405,346,640.00 502,000 600,940.00 1,940,000 1,530,340.00 1,860 327,770.00 2,078,100 220,249,074.00 20,220,000 6,833,250.00 1,510,000 345,440.00 5,420,000 1,741,600.00 PROPERTY 8,243,800 53,383,101.00 3,100 25,178.00 23,321,000 17,314,630.00 81,000 91,910.00 630,000 130,460.00 57,721,200 2,098,579,315.00 8,306,000 29,071,000.00 154,900 794,743.00 17,940,000 10,772,090.00 17,000 16,340.00 18,000 18,600.00 19,310,000 2,450,770.00 98,626,000 52,079,145.00 4,632,200 98,656,345.00 4,625,000 4,176,300.00 1,589,000 1,261,800 15,658,420 10,214,440 258,500 105,000 24,879,000 70,900 224,300 8,500 920,000 85,000 510 5,658,000 12,987,890 610,000 1,793,100 80,200 276,290 7,160 105,250 1,114,100 2,216,980 1,230 526,900

OCTOBER 19-23, 2015 Close Volume Value 2.7 70.1 107.50 84.30 40.4 2.50 1.26 15.74 19.82 7.70

265,000 145,260 12,608,070 7,530,860 627,200 85,000 162,000 188,500 136,400 600

720,010.00 10,129,767.00 1,313,593,738 627,347,325.00 25,143,750.00 212,110.00 207,580.00 2,925,178.00 2,683,678.00 4,620

1.73 750.00 0.600 83.25 0.98 18.42 23.50 54.00 103.9 299.6 30.55 142.9 1560.00 57.00

391,000 3,620 11,901,000 8,018,480 2,877,000 792,100 72,000 436,970 6,120 3,930 663,000 2,067,050 2,630 144,940

709,180.00 2,693,000.00 7,278,210.00 663,511,867.50 2,741,190.00 14,589,914.00 1,679,760.00 23,306,378.00 648,486.00 1,167,876.00 19,963,905 295,880,554.00 4,029,585.00 8,255,689.00

42.6 1.65 0.9 1.61 11 95.00 16.98 24.9 43 2.58 1.76 9.98 10.200 7.70 6.97 7.61 1.69 12.46 26.7 72.2 11.76 13.02 5.96 2.610 207.60

20,640,500 87,000 966,000 1,703,000 19,300 290 3,743,600 3,736,000 897,500 16,009,000 11,705,000 261,100 104,405,600 13,454,600 82,997,800 1,635,900 17,000 90,300 13,356,800 3,111,830 6,600 929,700 425,700 27,859,000 4,622,530

852,296,330.00 132,690.00 867,480.00 2,715,530.00 229,090.00 27,967.00 63,522,680 93,965,885.00 37,422,955 41,802,930.00 20,498,770.00 2,607,277.00 1,020,555,709.00 101,698,277.00 569,403,796.00 12,619,649.00 28,800.00 1,073,712.00 344,341,455.00 220,667,947.50 76,632.00 12,086,810.00 2,533,879.00 74,857,030.00 954,959,364.00

34.00 2.13 3.99 41.50 24.3 25 6 320.00 3.93 4.4 7.25 4.5 11.50 3.57 2.00 2.6 4.09 4.93 141.5

200 147,000 56,000 39,000 11,657,000 1,295,200 8,372,400 2,590,750 57,000 2,366,000 5,026,800 397,000 16,500 951,000 1,714,000 4,176,000 11,603,000 125,500 52,100

6,800.00 320,490.00 227,160.00 1,644,075.00 282,345,560.00 32,085,310.00 50,209,188.00 816,607,766.00 223,630.00 10,302,120.00 36,951,243.00 1,854,720.00 189,090.00 3,306,040.00 3,401,210.00 10,339,590.00 47,177,920.00 629,195.00 7,400,379.00

2.24 0.171 1.22 2.23 204 4.55 0.68 23.00 1.15

3,102,000 320,400,000 1,354,000 16,310,000 7,960,550 47,000 2,554,000 1,000 970,000

6,551,370.00 58,837,080.00 1,686,610.00 35,578,940.00 1,592,926,258.00 214,140.00 1,786,500.00 23,000.00 1,091,630.00

0.410 57.7500 18.00 1.12 6.48 0.255 0.255 774 7.45 12.60 4.06 3.65 3.80 0.260 1322 5.81 73.00 4.02

2,110,000 5,034,290 28,444,400 24,000 33,700 37,090,000 5,260,000 863,960 10,677,900 23,650,200 293,000 22,000 351,000 6,090,000 541,610 515,800 4,969,220 196,800

842,100.00 290,575,997.50 515,315,592.00 26,630.00 218,144.00 10,068,010.00 1,449,950.00 659,108,360.00 78,606,458.00 296,494,228.00 1,146,070.00 78,530.00 1,360,590.00 1,587,650.00 715,140,020.00 2,992,264.00 357,789,211.00 955,110.00

6.89 0.86 12.34 0.53 5.23 8.8 3.79 0.0340 1.920 2.84 48.50 2.93 885.00 1.20 0.81 179.00 107.800 0.3300 0.2330 0.330

13,860,400 6,802,000 66,110,200 9,164,000 115,463,400 7,476,900 4,000 765,300,000 47,097,000 99,000 2,878,400 41,000 1,547,960 819,000 11,570,000 40 572,910 23,010,000 2,510,000 19,370,000

91,070,799.00 6,026,330.00 769,831,396.00 5,095,020.00 599,311,079.00 64,459,725.00 14,180.00 26,807,700.00 95,400,830.00 277,360.00 138,904,990.00 112,900.00 1,356,064,265.00 984,240.00 10,966,660.00 7,160.00 61,350,361.00 7,847,050.00 582,140.00 6,389,400.00

6.520 7.60 0.70 1.170 0.225 35.300 3.49 5.05 0.59 0.99 1.02 0.130 0.550 21.5 0.890

1,837,800 4,200 11,047,000 533,000 120,000 58,298,400 10,828,000 319,200 35,248,000 1,653,000 319,000 101,320,000 407,100,000 10,984,500 2,968,000

11,890,602.00 31,920.00 8,170,290.00 580,340.00 27,000.00 2,055,030,615.00 36,299,100.00 1,616,366.00 20,808,500.00 1,524,280.00 322,620.00 13,353,450.00 235,163,890.00 228,540,201.00 2,661,330.00

STOCKS

OCTOBER 26-30, 2015 Close Volume

Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Keppel Properties Megaworld Prop. MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp. Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp. Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

0.180 1.12 1.74 1.30 4.50 4.69 0.091 0.2900 0.4500 8.42 30.60 1.52 3.24 21.60 0.75 8.18 0.990 5.570

2GO Group ABS-CBN APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. DFNN Inc. Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp. Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons Retail SBS Phil. Corp. SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils. Yehey

8.2 65.6 0.570 11.26 27 6.15 0.0560 3.62 89.2 9.99 6.04 3.53 955 2280 7.40 1.25 82.5 4.70 11.4 0.012 0.183 1.4000 2.19 8.85 3.90 1.15 32.00 0.610 1.99 3.68 0.280 0.860 8.92 100.20 20.15 2200.00 0.570 1.140 36.00 76.90 6.40 5.31 0.47 1.51 4.6 0.370 4.090

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

0.0048 2.21 5.65 11.78 0.225 6 5.8600 0.74 0.67 9.08 0.9 0.315 0.193 0.206 0.0100 0.012 2.8 7.95 3.07 0.5900 1.5100 0.0110 0.0110 3.88 5.40 1.50 0.0140 133.90 2.41 0.0090

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure & Resort Pref. MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F Swift Pref

67.6 513.5 525 116.5 528 7.15 1.13 109.5 1090 1030 79 82 79.2 78.5 80.1 2.8

Leisure & Resort Warr.

2.980

Makati Fin. Corp. Ripple E-Business Intl Xurpas

2.8 56.7 16

First Metro ETF

117

OCTOBER 19-23, 2015 Close Volume Value

Value

780,000 129,360.00 20,554,000 23,930,260.00 141,140,000 245,097,610.00 611,000 787,630.00 10,000 45,560.00 155,823,000 513,822,680.00 6,040,000 539,940.00 760,000 221,500.00 560,000 253,700.00 536,500 4,525,713.00 49,714,800 1,549,180,665.00 1,202,000 1,842,870.00 71,000 227,600.00 75,751,300 1,680,900,100.00 25,643,000 20,097,570.00 99,800 817,664.00 21,437,000 22,542,020.00 37,452,600 213,105,214.00 SERVICES 369,600 3,069,590.00 249,020 16,206,482.50 2,671,000 1,511,280.00 59,300 670,494.00 11,400 303,300 35,593,600 233,251,815.00 242,820,000 13,852,200.00 2,517,000 9,370,540.00 3,086,740 269,979,942.00 11,000 104,990.00 5,346,800 31,700,629.00 222,000 770,580.00 3,880 3,731,000.00 294,725 683,499,760 3,114,500 22,337,914.00 95,000 117,170.00 6,261,040 534,957,151.50 1,000 4,700 24,000 273,950.00 29,500,000 326,500.00 10,340,000 1,876,930.00 4,574,000 6,390,430.00 45,000 100,830.00 2,588,200 22,953,866.00 11,576,000 45,454,660.00 47,000 56,490.00 132 3,500.00 299,000 178,220.00 53,000 105,850.00 72,448,000 289,191,980.00 10,860,000 3,116,200.00 121,245,000 109,604,700.00 100 892.00 715,280 71,529,298.00 629,000 12,589,957.00 767,690 1,781,817,660.00 5,472,000 3,084,210.00 28,844,000 33,709,440.00 11,459,800 413,935,090.00 5,438,870 421,708,512.00 25,504,000 162,242,928.00 52,329,300 293,315,072.00 58,700,000 27,965,050.00 57,000 86,160.00 65,122,200 298,172,496.00 1,020,000 353,400.00 3,834,000 15,465,580.00 MINING & OIL 933,000,000 4,557,300.00 1,199,000 2,764,070.00 1,121,700 6,776,359.00 100 1,178.00 1,430,000 318,960.00 2,800 16,800.00 700 4,083.00 4,939,000 3,807,350.00 14,770,000 14,496,424.00 1,424,100 13,185,890.00 266,964,000 254,927,420.00 19,150,000 6,452,650.00 31,390,000 6,126,750.00 6,260,000 1,288,390.00 1,359,400,000 14,585,500.00 151,300,000 1,768,400.00 18,839,000 53,038,570.00 31,562,400 266,542,829.00 3,253,000 10,323,560.00 807,000 488,120.00 2,344,000 3,629,670.00 67,900,000 713,200.00 6,000,000 61,000.00 109,000 433,770.00 5,948,500 32,830,252.00 45,768,000 77,765,780.00 345,100,000 4,511,900.00 1,436,190 191,992,085.00 9,326,000 25,051,380.00 94,000,000 819,200.00 PREFERRED 1,822,740 120,562,387.00 2,210 1,135,900.00 320 168,000 70 8,155.00 90 46,720.00 387,600 2,728,643.00 185,000 209,050 61,800 6,768,532.00 1,010 1,097,100.00 200,825 206,849,750.00 1,500 118,500.00 191,000 15,753,152.00 1,007,870 79,722,461.00 1,550,490 121,724,294.00 1,593,270 127,472,842.00 23,000 55,980.00 WARRANTS & BONDS 477,000 1,423,670.00 SME 477,000 1,333,160.00 15,240 887,257.50 15,066,000 240,620,788.00 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 82,100 9,673,146.00

0.162 1.13 1.73 1.31

5,010,000 15,708,000 77,892,000 1,825,000

920,540.00 17,887,980.00 134,432,640.00 2,348,300.00

4.73 0.090 0.2950 0.4550 8.66 30.05 1.53 3.1 22.65 0.72 8.47 1.080 5.470

129,872,000 89,780,000 1,020,000 310,000 902,800 20,824,500 11,503,000 21,000 70,615,600 5,555,000 27,700 25,085,000 23,804,000

587,405,630.00 8,993,280.00 305,650.00 135,250.00 7,647,151.00 619,207,710.00 18,391,700.00 64,440.00 1,559,872,405.00 4,027,210.00 227,079.00 27,063,010.00 129,867,546.00

8.21 64.65 0.590 11.34 28 6.69 0.0540 3.75 86.75 9.51 5.93

418,700 223,770 5,269,000 6,400 4,100 19,812,800 133,470,000 8,149,000 1,427,160 2,000 3,524,100

3,365,289.00 14,417,897.00 3,094,260.00 72,234.00 114,890 131,412,128.00 7,374,040.00 31,823,190.00 121,497,009.00 19,028.00 20,540,823.00

955 2328 6.86 1.20 81.3

2,340 231,440 1,292,200 482,000 7,617,900

2,229,550.00 534,701,810 8,745,697.00 581,500.00 598,690,549.50

11.4 0.011 0.184 1.4200 2.16 8.78 3.48 1.25 31.50 0.610 2 4.01 0.295 0.970 9.5 99.90 20.35 2364.00 0.570 1.200 35.95 76.00 6.52 5.40 0.46 1.51 4.34 0.350 4.150

75,300 26,400,000 10,070,000 1,921,000 24,000 1,845,100 4,719,000 37,000 4,800 406,000 130,000 77,888,000 26,110,000 207,397,000 408,900 1,180 805,400 358,220 3,385,000 104,260,000 16,317,700 1,628,870 14,126,700 56,758,300 51,600,000 53,000 20,791,000 710,000 6,421,000

896,636.00 281,500.00 1,849,800.00 2,712,870.00 53,330.00 15,828,269.00 16,302,650.00 47,220.00 142,810.00 255,640.00 259,900.00 309,868,740.00 8,090,900.00 205,155,620.00 3,842,870.00 113,964.00 16,331,012.00 820,926,760.00 1,942,700.00 125,430,750.00 568,685,605.00 121,114,316.00 92,555,552.00 301,672,049.00 23,454,950.00 80,380.00 85,256,050.00 252,900.00 27,121,970.00

0.0051 2.33 5.90 11.78 0.205 5.8 5.8000 0.81 0.64 8.63 1.03 0.320 0.193 0.208 0.0100 0.011 2.28 8.77 3.25 0.6400 1.4100 0.0100 0.0100 4.00 5.37 1.38 0.0130 133.50 2.37 0.0083

938,000,000 10,363,000 626,600 400 300,000 12,700 1,006 22,931,000 5,280,000 168,400 158,000,000 6,490,000 11,750,000 2,740,000 129,100,000 22,900,000 2,933,000 48,153,100 25,290,000 542,000 579,000 149,400,000 6,000,000 20,000 2,254,000 1,399,000 242,400,000 5,413,640 891,000 5,000,000

4,611,200.00 22,810,610.00 3,713,600.00 4,356.00 61,500.00 73,660.00 6,000.00 18,045,620.00 3,469,640.00 1,478,582.00 160,039,870.00 2,030,200.00 2,259,960.00 561,780.00 1,360,200.00 252,000.00 6,739,840.00 390,567,817.00 77,137,730.00 346,450.00 811,180.00 1,494,100.00 60,000.00 78,150.00 11,857,889.00 1,906,570.00 3,201,400.00 705,716,313.00 2,077,930.00 40,600.00

66 515 525 115.6 518 6.75 1.12 109 1050 1035 78.2 82.75 79.2 79 79.95 2.9

313,550 5,470 8,000 11,950 15,130 162,100 473,000 393,420 1,920 2,535 26,970 1,037,870 109,070 319,900 1,544,830 524,000

20,810,053.50 2,828,220.00 4,200,000 1,382,840.00 7,854,360.00 1,062,279.00 529,180 42,882,994.00 2,016,000.00 2,599,725.00 2,103,864.00 85,573,833.50 8,619,040.50 25,263,230.00 123,566,588.00 1,600,300.00

3.000

561,000

1,641,590.00

2.97 61.35 15.7

394,000 21,110 13,237,800

1,123,320.00 1,305,887.50 199,084,776.00

118.2

87,870

10,309,265.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Manila Mining À’ Abra Mining Pacifica À’ Philodrill Corp. À’ Ferronickel Boulevard Holdings Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. Megaworld Prop. Manila Mining `B’ Filinvest Land,Inc.

VOLUME 1,359,400,000 933,000,000 393,300,000 345,100,000 266,964,000 242,820,000 179,103,000 155,823,000 151,300,000 141,140,000

STOCKS Universal Robina Ayala Land `B’ PLDT Common Ayala Corp `A’ SM Prime Holdings Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Robinson’s Land `B’ SM Investments Inc. Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Metrobank

VALUE 2,244,306,427.00 2,098,579,315.00 1,781,817,660.00 1,705,347,505.00 1,680,900,100.00 1,620,037,226 1,549,180,665.00 1,405,346,640.00 1,231,755,318.00 1,121,424,043.00

MONDAY: NOVEMBER 2, 2015

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

Korean firm poised to repair Czech trains A KOREAN company and its four Filipino partners have emerged as the only group that qualified for a three-year contract to rehabilitate and maintain the Czech-made trains running at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 along Edsa. This became apparent after the Transportation Department’s negotiation team disqualified the groups of DMCI and CommBuilders and Transport Corp. and their European partners in the negotiation under the emergency procurement mode. Busan Transport Corp. of South Korea and its four Filipino joint venture partners— Edison Construction & Development Corp., Tramat Mercantile, TMI Corp. and Castan Corp.—were on their way to clinching the P4.25-billion contract to overhaul 43 light rail vehicles and maintain the MRT 3 facilities for three years, after the negotiation team junked the documents of two other groups. A losing group, however, is not giving up without an appeal. The German-Filipino joint venture of Schunk Bahn und-Industrietechnik and Comm Builders & Technology Philippines filed a motion for reconsideration, after it was disqualified allegedly on the grounds of failure to meat the deadline. SBI-CBT claimed there was no specific time set on the deadline for the submission of compliance documents on Oct. 28, 2015, during the negotiation meeting on Oct. 21. “The negotiating team as well as the offerors have not fixed nor discussed the time for the submission of the compliance documents on Oct. 28, 2015,” SBICBT representative Roehl Bacar said, in a letter to Transportation Undersecretary Rene Limcaoco. Limcaoco leads the emergency negotiated procurement to select a contractor that will undertake the P4.25-billion major, three-year MRT systems rehabilitation project. Roderick T. dela Cruz

Uniqlo aims to be No. 1 clothing brand

Popular Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo has set a target of becoming the number one apparel brand in the Philippines by 2020, with a total of 120 stores nationwide. This will not be an easy task for Uniqlo Philippines chief operating officer Katsumi Kubota, given the influx of foreign brands in the country as well as the aggressive expansion of local brands such as Bench and Penshoppe, amid the increasing consumer spending of Filipinos. Kubota said Uniqlo was not only targeting to have the most number of stores in the Philippines or having the most number of sales among local clothing brands. He said it was also aiming to be the number one, in terms of affinity to the Filipino people. In order to do this, Kubota said the company is setting its sights on the growing middle-class Filipinos. “I really have to touch the middle class. I cannot only focus on the upper class. I want to cater from A, B, C and all the way up to the middle-class people. That’s what we want to do here, because this is the mass of this market,” Kuboto said. Since opening its first store in the Philippines in 2012, Uniqlo has grown its network to 25 stores, including the recently opened first store in Cebu. Jenniffer B. Austria

PLDT, Globe see faster broadband speed

Broadband speed in the Philippines will likely improve next year, as the two major telecom providers are “hopeful” to finally end the dispute over the so-called Internet protocol (IP) peering. “In fairness to them, they’re also desirous to close a peering arrangement with us so that we can together, as leading telcos in the country, elevate Internet customer experience,” Eric Alberto, executive vice president of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. said, referring to rival Globe Telecom Inc. When asked if this is in preparation for the entry of Telstra in the Philippines, which promises to offer high-speed broadband services, Aberto said: “It has nothing to do with that.” “It’s actually the clamor. It’s everyone’s desire to try to improve and help uplift the quality of the Internet experience in the country,” he said. Alberto said PLDT was open to free peering, if both carriers would have equal traffic. “At a certain point, if somebody pulls more traffic from the other, there are internationally acceptable peering models that are widely practiced and accepted now that we should look at,” he said. Gil Genio, Globe’s chief operating officer of Globe, earlier said the proposal of PLDT would not go far enough, even to meet the definition of peering. “We are hoping any bilateral arrangement with PLDT would effectively reduce latency of local intent and improve Internet speed. As is, PLDT’s proposed peering agreement won’t be effective in improving the country’s Internet speed as it doesn’t allow Globe customers to directly access content and applications hosted by the PLDT group without exception,” he said. About 20 percent of Internet traffic is local. This means that domestic traffic originates in the Philippines and terminates in the Philippines. However, given the current peering limitations, up to 70 percent of this local traffic needs to be routed outside the country, such as in Asia, the US and Europe, before returning to the Philippines. Darwin G. Amojelar

Smart partner.

Wireless leader Smart Communications is the exclusive partner of Ultra Mega during its yearly expo, gathering all its members nationwide at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. Ultra Mega, which has 20 branches nationwide selling Smart load and SIMs, has been a key distributor account of Smart since 2013. Shown are (from left) Brezhnev Tero and Dhing Pascual of Remitbox; Julie Lim, Ultra Mega owner and vice president for operations; Joy David, head of key accounts for Smart; Buddy Sta. Ana, key account sales manager/modern trade channel for Smart; James Javier, Smart key account manager handling Ultra Mega; Karla Roxas of Smart trade marketing; and Jojit Uy, Smart trade marketing manager.

Jollibee expanding to UK, Italy, Oman By Jenniffer B. Austria

FASTFOOD chain operator Jollibee Foods Corp. is expanding its global footprint by bringing its flagship store Jollibee to five new markets next year, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Malaysia and Oman. It also plans to open Jollibee stores in Australia and Japan in 2017, a company executive said over the weekend. Jollibee vice president for international operations Dennis Flores said in an interview at the recent 41st Asia Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibitions the company’s move to venture into new markets was in line with its thrust to make Jollibee a global brand. “At present, Jollibee is present in two continents but in the next two years, we will see Jollibee in four continents,” Flores said. The company said its first two stores in Europe would be located in London and Milan while the company’s first store in Canada would be in Toronto. Flores said with the company’s

venture in Oman, Jollibee would be present in all areas in the Middle East. Jollibee’s aggressive expansion over the past years propelled the company to be ranked first in Asia and 10th in the world in terms of market capitalization among publicly listed quick-service restaurants. Flores said Jollibee also continued to expand in existing markets such as Vietnam and Brunei. Jollibee currently has 69 stores in Vietnam and plans to add 20 new stores while there are 12 Jollibee stores in Brunei, with 12 more slated for opening over the next six months. Jollibee last week also completed the acquisition of a 40-percent interest in US-based burger chain

Smashburger for $99.47 million. The acquisition will make Jollibee’s presence in the US more significant and will make US one of Jollibee’s growth drivers of long-term growth, along with the Philippines, China and Filipino markets abroad. The fast-food giant also has an option purchase up to an additional 35 percent of Smashburger between 2018 and 2021 and the balance of 25 percent between 2019 at the earliest and 2026 at the latest. Jollibee has a network of 3,013 stores globally, including 2,384 in the Philippines and 629 outlets overseas. It also has a 50-percent interest in joint ventures Highlands Coffee (Vietnam, Philippines), Pho24 (Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and Korea) and 12 Sabu (China). International unit Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. and its partner Jasmine Asset Holding Ltd. also formed Golden Cup Pte. Ltd. to be the main franchisee of the Dunkin’ Donuts brand in China. Jollibee earned P2.7 billion in profit in the first half, out of P47.9-billion revenues.

Q3 earnings to dictate market movement SHARE prices are expected to consolidate within the 7,000 to 7,200 level this week, as investors look for the release of third-quarter earnings for market direction. “The market has recently reversed its course from last week’s strong performance. Some companies have started releasing third-quarter earnings, with most companies coming in line with our forecasts. Earnings results to be released in the coming weeks will likely dictate the market’s direction,” RCBC Securities analyst Angelie Wee said. Among the listed companies scheduled to release their thirdquarter results this week are market heavyweights SM Prime Holdings Inc., SM Investments Corp., Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.,

International Container Terminal Services Inc., GMA Network Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc. F. Yap Securities investment analyst Jason Escartin said investors would also watch the developments in China, after its surprise move to reduce the benchmark borrowing and lending rates by 25 basis points on Oct. 23. “The near-term downside risk so far is on the renminbi’s weakness vis-à-vis the greenback, which is being shielded by talks of the currency’s inclusion in IMF’s Special Drawing Rights basket. Also, China’s manufacturing data will be released early this week, as the nation struggles to meet its 7-percent GDP growth target,” Escartin said. The PSEi, the 30-company

benchmark index of the Philippine Stock Exchange, last week closed lower by 1.4 percent to 7,134.26, while the broader allshare index went down by 1 percent to 4,119.28, on renewed fears of a US interest rate hike this year. The market hit as high as 7,377.48 at the start of the week, on renewed positive outlook, until concerns over US interest rate hike pervaded again. BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said profit-taking took place, following tepid corporate earnings and renewed fears of a US rate adjustment, after the Federasl Reserve issued a hawkish statement during the October FOMC meeting. Jenniffer B. Austria

GMA-Viber deal. Viber, the leading messaging app in the country, signs up as a partner of GMA 7’s extensive election coverage of GMA Eleksyon 2016 news. GMA Network Inc.

chairman and chief executive Felipe Gozon and Commission on elections chairman Andres Bautista witnessed the signing of partnership agreement at GMA Network’s headquarters in Quezon City. Joining the election coverage deal ar representatives of PLDT-Smart Communications, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Inquirer.net; Catholic Media Network, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections.

Air Asia set to fly to Japan next year By Darwin G Amojelar PHILIPPINES Air Asia plans to expand its operation to Japan by late next year, its top executive said over the weekend. “We are able to get new entitlements to Japan. Maybe by late next year we will fly to Japan because in the first half I will be focused on the China routes,” Philippines AirAsia chief executive Joy Cañeba said. Philippines Air Asia operates a fleet of 12 aircraft serving domestic destinations such as Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Tagbilaran (Bohol), Cebu, Davao and Tacloban. They also fly to China and Korea. Cañeba added stockholders approved an increase in the authorized capital stock to up to P5 billion from P2 billion. “We already have discussion, so I think first quarter of next year we will have it in place. It will be in tranches, I don’t see all the additional increase will come in one tranche but it will be sufficient to cover the growth expansion next year,” Cañeba said. She said the existing shareholders were willing to infuse fresh capital into the company. Malaysia’s Air Asia, through AA International, owns 40 percent of Philippines’ Air Asia Inc., while Filipinos Marriane Hontiveros, Michael Romero, Antonio Cojuangco and Alfredo Yao hold the balance of 60 percent. Cañeba said the company planned to lease five A320 aircraft from Malaysia’s AirAsia Berhad, which will be deployed in China and South Korea. “If you look at the yield, they [Chinese and Koreans] have the purchasing power to actually pay for a travel going to the Philippines. Our China and Korea markets are doing very well,” said Cañeba. She added the company’s planned initial public offering would be moved to the first quarter of 2018 from the original target of 2017.

Meralco readies 3 new power plants By Alena Mae S. Flores

MERALCO PowerGen Corp., a unit of Manila Electric Co., is set to start next year the construction of three coal-fired power plants with a combined capacity of up to 2,255 megawatts, company officials said over the weekend. The projects include the 455MW plant of San Buenaventura Power Ltd. in Quezon province, 600 MW by Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. in Subic and 1,200by MW Atimonan One Energy also in Quezon. “Participation in power generation is highly strategic for Meralco. Without any generating capacity, Meralco would effectively be only a price-taker and a supply-taker. We look forward to building a portfolio of highly fuel efficient, highly reliable power generating facilities of up to 3,000 MW in joint venture with strategic partners,” Meralco

president Oscar Reyes said. The San Buenaventura coal project is a joint venture between Meralco PowerGen and New Growth B.V., a unit of The Electricity Generating Public Co. Ltd. of Thailand. San Buenaventura, in which MGen has a significant interest, has started work on plant site preparation before proceeding to a financial closing and the actual construction job. The supercritical coal-fired power plant in Mauban, Quezon, is expected to begin commercial operations by the first half of 2019, with construction slated in

the first half of next year. “We are doing site preparation [in San Buenventura] and by the first half we will turn over to the EPC [engineering, procurement and construction] contractor,” Meralco senior vice president Angelito Lantin said. Meralco PowerGen also has a majority stake in RP Energy, the developer-owner of the 600-MW circulating fluidized bed coalfired power plant in Subic, Zambales. Lantin said RP Energy was in talks with National Grid Corp. of the Philippines for the transmission line requirements of the power plant. RP Energy has not made a final decision whether to construct the entire 600-MW capacity of reduce it to 300 MW due to the transmission line constraints. RP Energy is also pursuing the completion of preliminary works before starting with the construction of the power plant. It expects to finalize the terms of the project financing agree-

ment by the first quarter of 2016 with construction to follow. Projection completion is expected in 2019. RP Energy is a joint venture among Meralco PowerGen, Therma Luzon, Inc., a subsidiary of the Aboitiz Power Corp., and Taiwan Cogeneration International Corp.–Philippine Branch Office. Lantin said the government last month issued the environmental compliance certificate of the 1,200-MW coal fired power plant of Atimonan One, also majority controlled by Meralco PowerGen. He said the EPC tender processes started with responses expected by end of 2015. Meralco PowerGen will select the preferred EPC contractor for the Atimonan project by mid 2016. “Early works target to start early 2016 such as site access road and resettlement site construction. Target completion of unit 1 is late 2020,” he said.

Albay receives CEO challenge destination award LEGAZPI CITY—Albay has bagged the Pacific Asia Travel Association first-ever, $1-million 2015 CEO Challenge’s Top Destination Award confirming once again its global standard tourism program. Albay Gov. Joey Salceda is set to formally receive the award during PATA’s Aligned Advocacy Dinner in London on November 2. The province won the award in Region’s/State/Province category, along with Thekkady, Kerala, India, which bagged the Second and Third Tier Cities category. UN World Tourism Organization Secretary General Taleb Rifai will be guest of honor at the ceremony.

As part of the prize, Albay will work with leading international travel Web site and PATA’s Top Destination awards partner TripAdvisor to develop and create digital marketing campaigns, valued at $500,000, that will showcase its destinations to a global audience “It was difficult to choose only two winners, as we received some excellent submissions from destinations both near and far. All the submissions had unique stories that every traveler should get to know and experience,” said PATA chief executive Mario Hardy in announcing the winners. Hardy said the winners “had

the most authentic, culturally diverse, and innovative offerings” and needed the most assistance in helping promote their assets. Albay hosts PATA’s New Tourism Frontiers Forum 2015 on November 25 to 27 here. Salceda said Albay was finally reaping the fruits of years of its hard work in promoting its tourism wealth. Salceda is preparing to personally receive the award at the London rites. Salceda said “the issue is not about being the best but about what can be done together,” and that all the awards and accolades their province reaped “are the products of Albayanos’ unity of

purpose and vision.” Salceda has been the driving force behind Albay’s strong tourism program for the past eight years, introducing many innovations which transformed the province’s sedate travel environment into a world-class and bustling tourist destination. The Tourism Department has declared Albay as the Philippines’ fastest growing tourist destination, posting a sustained tourism growth of 47 percent in 2012, 66 percent in 2013 and 52 percent in the second quarter of 2014 and a dramatic increase in foreign tourist arrivals from 8,700 in 2006 to 339,000 in 2014.

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

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

Telstra offers to fix PH woes By Darwin G Amojelar

TELSTRA Corp., the biggest telecommunication company in Australia, said San Miguel Corp. is a “very strong” partner in the Philippines to fix the “lousy” telecommunication and broadband services in the country. “We’re doing a lot of work there and supporting San Miguel to date in terms of the design and the network rollout if that were to go ahead,” Telstra chief executive Andy Penn said during the company’s Investor Day, which uploaded in the Australian Securities Exchange Friday. Penn said the Philippine mobile market was “interesting” because there are only two incumbent players and “the EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization] margins in the Philippines, have been relatively strong.” The two biggest telecommunication companies in the Philippines are Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Globe Telecom Inc. with a combined rev-

enue of P264 billion in 2014. PLDT and Globe earlier said they were unfazed with the possible entry of Telstra in the Philippines. “The partner is a very strong partner both from the perspective of its business interest in the market and also its spectrum holdings as well,” Penn said, referring to San Miguel. San Miguel has four telecommunications companies under its portfolio, namely Express Telecommunications Inc., Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Inc., Bell Telecommunications Philippines Inc. and Liberty Telecoms Holdings Inc. “... and frankly, let’s face it, go to the Philippines, experience for yourself the sort of lousy service you get from the incumbent operators and you will see that the opportunity there for a new operator to provide a much better quality service over an LTE network over the better spectrum...,” Penn said. The planned joint venture between San Miguel and Telstra would see the local conglomerate holding a majority stake, in compliance with the 1987 Constitution, which limits the foreign ownership of utilities to a maximum of 40 percent. “We would be restricted to a 40 percent shareholdings for regulatory reasons,” Penn said.

Islands of good governance

Philippine Heart Center executive director Dr. Manuel Chua-Chiaco Jr.; ISA chairman Dr. Francisco Duque III; ISA president Francisco Eizmendi Jr.; AFP Deputy Chief LtGen Edgar Fallorina; Navy Rear Admiral Leopoldo Alano; DTI Undersecretary Nora Terrado; ISA chairman emeritus Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao; Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes; Army MGen Demosthenes Santillan; BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr.; Claremont University professor Dr. Robert Klitgaard; NEA Administrator Edita Bueno; Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr.; Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario; Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy; Balanga City Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III; and Talisay City Mayor Eric Saratan

IT isn’t just “more fun” in the Philippines, it is more responsible, too, particularly where governance is concerned. Thus, in this country, you can find islands of good tourism and adventure, as well as islands of good governance. Last October 20 and 21, the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), a public governance reform advocacy group founded by Dr. Jesus “Jess” Estanislao, held a Public Governance Forum together with the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and the National Competitiveness Council Philippines at the Philippine International Convention Center. During this Forum, 12 public sector institutions were named the very first Philippine “Islands of Good Governance” to acknowledge the reforms that they have undertaken through transformative and sustainable good governance programs. The awardees from the national government agencies were the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Army (PA), the Philippine Navy (PN), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Electrification Administration (NEA), the Philippine Heart Center (PHC), and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). For the local governments,

the awardees were the city governments of Balanga, Bataan; Butuan, Agusan Del Norte; Dipolog, Zamboanga Del Norte; and Talisay, Negros Occidental. Truly these awardees, through their progress reporting in this bi-annual forum, have shown the real initiative needed towards genuine reform where governance is concerned. Dr. Estanislao, who also heads the ICD, had served under the administration of the late President Corazon C. Aquino as Finance Secretary, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary and Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority. His current thrust towards building not just good public governance but also corporate governance is nothing less than heroic, to say the least. Dr. Jess also sits as the Chairman of the National Police Commission Advisory Council on Transformation where I am also a board member.

Vista Land Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc. chairman Manuel Villar Jr. leads the launching of Vista Suarez Cebu, a 32-story, twintower development, the most ambitious vertical project yet of Vista Residences in the Visayas.

32-story Vista Suarez Cebu rising VISTA Residences Inc., the vertical development arm of Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., is taking Cebu to new heights literally with a 32-storey, twin-tower development right in the heart of Metro Cebu. Vista Suarez Cebu, the most ambitious vertical project yet of VRI in the Visayas, will rise on Gorordo Avenue, right in the middle of the metro’s key hubs—Fuente Osmeña Circle, the Cebu provincial capitol and the Cebu Business Park—making its location extremely accessible. Vista Residences in 12 short years has become one of the top five in the industry. The group carries with it Vista Land’s four

decades of experience in developing properties and creating master planned communities—integrating into every project an unparalleled expertise in space planning, and flair for finding accessible and attractive locations. Designed for both work and sanctuary, Vista Suarez Cebu stresses space. It offers a minimal 27 units per floor in Tower 1, and only 14 units per floor in Tower 2. This will allow more privacy, much less crowding in the public areas and more breathing space—a huge premium in condominium living. Its unique L-shape was created to make sure every single unit share in the incredible views of the city and the

mountains that fringe the Visayan metropolis. At the street level, the building will house retail and commercial shops and restaurants for the residents’ and guests’ convenience and enjoyment. The next two levels will be allotted for offices and business centers. A fascinating concept in maximizing a condominium’s capability, Vista Suarez will both be a hotel and a residential development. The sixth to the 14th floor will be run as a hotel. The rooms—offering both studio and one-bedroom selections—will be outfitted and run with the same professionalism, expertise, and customer care as are the world’s top hotels.

ISA chairman Dr. Francisco Duque III ISA chairman Dr. Francisco Duque III; DTI Undersecretary Nora Terrado; DTI director Mary Jean Pacheco; Claremont University’s Dr. Robert Klitgaard; DFA Undersecretary Laura del Rosario

This columnist acted as master of ceremonies

Col. Adriano Perez Jr., Brigadier General Benjamin Madrigal, Major General Demosthenes Santillan and Dr. Robert Klitgaard

BSP director Helen Montalbo, BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr., ICD chairman Francis Estrada, BSP Governor Navy Captain Armil Angeles and Amando Tetangco Jr.; Claremont University’s Dr. Robert Navy Rear Admiral Leopoldo Alano Klitgaard and DFA Undersecretary Laura del Rosario

MONDAY: NOVEMBER 2, 2015

BUSINESS business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com

Robinsons Land investing P17b There is business in death

BURIAL is a part of the Filipino customs and traditions when DARLY F. QUINCO someone dies. This is an event that, although sorrowful, is an opportunity for reconciliation, reunion and a gathering of friends, acquaintances and strangers alike in one place. I am thirty-eight years old but I have not experienced participating directly in the burial traditions and preparations that come with the event of death until October of last year, when my mother died at the age of sixty five. The whole family was devastated with her passing. Amid the sadness and total loss we felt—because a pillar of our home was permanently taken from us—we also felt anxious about the activities that we had to attend to make sure that we gave our beloved mother the best burial we could afford. Entrepreneurial opportunity In all the activities that we had to undertake to attain our wish for her, we had to talk to business providers of goods and services to achieve our plans. This made me realize that death as an event in life is a source of entrepreneurial opportunity. First, Wi-Fi connection and gadgets like Ipads and smart phones are technological changes that create an opportunity for funeral homes to have value-added services. Together with these technological changes are the social and demographic changes in the preferences of the people to pass the time. Thus, during vigils, it is more appreciated when the funeral home offers Wi-Fi access to mourners to help keep them awake and connected the entire night. Moreover, there is a need for prepared foods to be served during the vigils and the entire duration of the wake. As it is more convenient to have the wake in a funeral home, it is inevitable that home food preparation and cooking is highly out of the question. It is tradition and good gesture to continually feed the people who would offer prayers and company to the bereaved family during this sad time. Caterers and food suppliers can look into this customary practice as a market prospect where they can introduce innovation. Affordability is key On the other hand, the coffin and the funeral home would look bare without flowers. Friends and relatives show sympathy with the family by giving wreaths of flowers with sashes and condolence notes and prayers. These flowers normally cost a lot. The flower shops could cater to this need in many other ways of flower arrangements, using indigenous materials to make it more affordable. Tradition and practice do not allow for a dead body to be buried anywhere. Thus, sacred spaces like graveyards and crematoriums are established. Public cemeteries charge rents for burial lots while private cemeteries sell the said lots. Prices of burial lots vary according to the size of the lot, number of corpses and the kind of structure that will be built on the property. On the other hand, crematoriums offer cremation services for the bereaved family but at an expensive price. Preparing for death Death, like other events that we Filipinos spend on, requires a lot of funds. But unlike other occasions, death is an event that we do not prepare and save for. If one is to celebrate a happy occasion like birthday, wedding, anniversary or fiesta, one saves money in order to spend for it. Our superstitious belief is that, if we financially prepare ahead for death, it is like a curse that will hasten the coming of death. But this belief has changed over time. Because of the costs involved when one dies, people are now open to the idea of paying a premium for death, preparations like having insurance and memorial plans. This is the reason why life insurance and memorial plans are selling in the market. Financial cooperatives are also being patronized by people because they offer mutual death benefit for their saving members. This is something that the financial market can look into in terms of how to disrupt the current selling system of life insurance coverage in order to create disequilibrium that will open new markets for opportunities. I grew up believing that death is both a certain and an uncertain event. It is bound to happen but no one knows when it will be. But when my mother died, it made me realize that aside from death being certain to occur, business in death is also a certain thing.

GREEN LIGHT

Daryl F. Quinco is an Assistant Professor in the College of Accountancy of La Salle University Ozamiz City. The views expressed above are her own and does not necessarily reflect the official position of De La Salle University, its administration and faculty.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ROBINSONS Land Corp., the property development arm of the Gokongwei group, will maintain its capital spending at P17 billion for fiscal year 2016 to finance the construction of new shopping malls, residential towers and office buildings, a top executive said. Robinsons Land president Frederick Go said in a recent interview the 2016 spending program would be on top of the budget for the purchase and development of an 8.5-hectare property in Chengdu, China. “Our capital expenditures for the Philippines is estimated around P16 billion to P17 billion, excluding China,” Go said. Robinsons Land said last week it acquired an 8.5-hectare lot in Chengdu for $200 million. The property is intended to be used for the development of residential projects with a minor commercial component, the company said. Go said the company expected higher contribution from residential development for fiscal year 2016, as it started selling Westin

Residences in Ortigas business district. Go said the 500-room, highend residential development would have an estimated sales value of P6 billion. “We will have significant contribution from residential business for 2016 because of new residential launches, including Westin Residences. Last year, we did not launch any new projects,” Go said. Go said the company remained cautious about the residential business, amid stiff competition from other property developers. This why Robinsons Land is focused on building its recurring income businesses, particularly its shopping malls, hotels and office developments, he said. About 50 to 80 percent of net

income comes from recurring income, he said. Go said for 2016, Robinsons Land planned to open five new shopping malls and would expand two existing commercial centers. The five new malls are located in Tagum (Davao), Jaro (iloilo), Iligan City, Cebu and General Trias (Cavite). It would also expand malls in Ilocos Norte and Tacloban City. These new shopping centers are expected to increase the company’s gross leasable space by as much as 11 percent. Robinsons Land, currently the second largest shopping mall operator and developer, has one million square meters of total leasable space. It is also one of the largest BPO landlords with 10 office buildings with gross leasable space of 275,000 square meters. For its office development, the company aims to have 450,000 square meters of leasable space by 2018 and plans to increase the number of hotel rooms to 2,887 by 2017 from 1,896 as of end 2014. Robinsons Land is targeting to double its net income to P9.4 billion by 2019 from P4.7 billion in 2014.

Constellation contract.

Constellation Energy Corp, a US-based energy company, and Vestas, an international wind energy corporation and specialist, conclude the contract for a 49.5-megawatt Pamplona wind power plant in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. Shown during the ceremonial signing at the recent Powertrends International Exhibition and Conference are (from left) Vestas executive Jacob Rasmussen, Vestas senior director and head of business development Naveen Raghavan Balachandran, Constellation Energy president and chief executive Jose Leviste III and Constellation Energy chairman Jose Leviste Jr.

Isuzu plans to enroll in Cars program By Othel V. Campos ISUZU Philippines Inc. plans to enroll its truck line into the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Program or Executive Order No. 182, which provides incentives for vehicle manufacturers. Isuzu Philippines senior vice president Arthur Balmadrid said the company would wait for the Cars implementing group to review the measure. “There is a provision in the EO that states it will subject the measure to a review six months after its implementation. This is to allow others a chance to also join Cars. We are hoping that the re-

view period will be the cue for us to submit our proposal,” he said. Balmadrid said the proposal on trucks was one of the several options the company was looking at to join the program. He said as the third slot under the program was still open, Isuzu might persuade the government to create a different set of criteria for trucks to qualify for the program. “Since there are only two participants eligible for the program, the government may allocate the third slot for medium players like us. That’s how eager we are to join Cars,” said Balmadrid. Among Isuzu’s truck line, the four-ton N series is the most salable.

Balmadrid said the company was interested in the incentives program, as the incentives would go a long way to improving company sales and advance corporate research and development. Under the program, qualified companies should produce at least 600,000 units in six years, with each of the three companies churning out 200,000 units during the life of the program. Cars program offers P27 billion worth of time-bound and performance-based fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to support new investments in fixed capital expenditures in new parts making capability and to encourage large-scale production in vehicle assembly.

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

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

North Korea urged: Avoid provocations DEMILITARIZED ZONE, South Korea— US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Sunday visited the Demilitarized Zone dividing the Korean peninsula and renewed calls for North Korea to avoid provocations and step away from its nuclear program. On a brief trip to the heavily mined area that for 60 years has been a buffer between the Koreas, Carter and South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-Koo stood atop a hill known as Observation Post Ouellette—the closest post to the demarcation line between the two nations. Carter later said the United States remained committed to the six-party talks process that seeks the denuclearization of the peninsula. “That remains our policy,” he told reporters. “We remain committed to achieving that negotiated outcome with North Korea, and believe that they should be on the path of doing less—and ultimately zero—in the nuclear field, not to be doing more.” North Korea has carried out three nuclear tests and has explicitly indicated its intention to carry out a fourth. It abandoned the sixparty talks, which also grouped South Korea, China, Russia, the US and Japan, in April 2009. “We continue to call on North Korea to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula, avoid provocations, avoid adding to tensions on the peninsula and to take the steps that are called for in the six-party talks to denuclearize the peninsula,” the Pentagon chief said. Carter, wearing a casual black jacket and hiking shoes, spent about 10 minutes peering at the fence and wooded area that leads into North Korea. He then went to the nearby Joint Security Area, where soldiers from either side of the border stand facing each other only yards apart. At one point, a pair of North Korean soldiers marched to within a short distance of their side of the border and made a show of photographing visitors across the way.

“Being here shows you up close just how dangerous this part of the world is,” Carter said. “That’s why our alliance with South Korea is iron-clad and strong.” About 28,500 US troops are stationed in South Korea and the two forces have very close military ties. AFP

Republic of the Philippines PROVINCE OF CAVITE

Republic of the Philippines OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION Section I. Invitation to Bid The Commission on Higher Education, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites Bidders to apply for eligibility and, if found eligible, to bid for the following contract:

Contract Name

Refurbishment of Modular Partitions and Purchase of Furniture for the Administrative, Financial and Management Service (AFMS) Office

Location

G/F HEDC Building, C.P. Garcia Ave., UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City

Approved Budget for the Contract

Two Million One Hundred Seventeen Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy Five Pesos & 15/100 [Php 2,117,875.15]

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE GOODS AND SERVICES (BAC-A)

InvItatIon to BId for Delivery of Rice (8,685 [50kg.] sacks of Sinandomeng Variety) to be distributed to different cities/municipalities in the Province of Cavite 1. The Provincial Government of Cavite, through its General Fund for calendar year 2015 intends to apply the sum of Nineteen Million Nine Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Five Hundred Pesos [p19,975,500.00] being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Delivery of Rice (8,685 [50kg.] sacks of Sinandomeng Variety) to be distributed to different cities/ municipalities in the Province of Cavite . Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 2. The Provincial Government of Cavite now invites bids for Delivery of Rice (8,685 [50kg.] sacks of Sinandomeng Variety) to be distributed to different cities/municipalities in the Province of Cavite. Delivery of the Goods is required in Thirty (30) Calendar Days. Bidders should have completed, at least Two (2) Years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project, of at least 50% of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. 3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from BAC Secretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below (Item No. 11) during Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; 5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders, direct owners or duly authorized representatives, to the BAC Secretariat at the address below and upon and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for each Bidding Documents in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (p25,000.00) 6. The Provincial Government of Cavite will hold the Pre-Bid Conference on November 05, 2015, at 10:00am at the Office of the Bids and Awards Committee, 2nd Floor, Capitol Building, Trece Martires City, which shall be open to all interested parties, who have paid the Bid documents and Supplier Registry Fees; 7. Bids must be delivered on or before November17, 2015 at 10:00am, at 2nd Floor Capitol Building, Office of the BAC Secretariat. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Late Bids will not be accepted. 8. Bid opening shall be on November 17, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at the Office of the Bids and Awards Committee, 2nd Floor, Capitol Building, Trece Martires City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ duly authorized representative/s who choose to attend at the address below; 9. In any case of the above dates is declared a special non-working holiday, it will automatically be reset on the next working day. 10. The Provincial Government of Cavite reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. 11. For further information, please refer to: Engr. Glenn Miller B. Leyva, Secretariat Office Bids and Awards Committee, 2/F Capitol Bldg., Trece Martires City, Tel. No. (046) 419-1181 and 419-1919 loc 110. (SGD) ALVIN S. MOJICA, MAED, MPA BAC Chairman

(TS-NOV. 2, 2015)

Republic of the Philippines APAYAO STATE COLLEGE Official website: www.asc.edu.ph Email add: asc_op@yahoo.com

InvItatIon to BId for THE CONTINUATION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUILDING PHASE IV (LUNA CAMPUS) Activities Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid/Request for Expression of Interest

Issuance and Availability of Bidding Documents

Date

Time and Venue

November 02-23, 2015

November 09-23, 2015

Office of the BAC Secretariat, Accreditation Room, North Apayao Campus November 02-23, 2015 from 8:00 A.M to 5P.M from Monday to Friday.

November 09, 2015

1:30 PM @ ICT Room, (near the DSS office, North Apayao Campus)

Submission and Receipt of Bids

November 23, 2015

1:00 P.M @ the Office of the BAC Secretariat, Accreditation Room, ASC North Apayao Campus

Bid Evaluation/Opening of Bids

November 23, 2015

2:00 P.M @ ICT Room, (near DSS office) ASC North Apayao Campus

Post Qualification Approval of Resolution/Issuance of Notice of Award Contract Preparation and Signing Approval of Contract by Higher Authority Issuance of Notice to Proceed

November 24-25, 2015

Pre-bid Conference

November 26, 2015 November 27, 2015 November 29, 2015 December 01, 2015

Bid document shall be available only to a prospective bidders or their duly authorized representative with Special Power of Attorney (SPA) including valid I.D upon payment of a non-refundable amount of Php 25,000.00 at the Cashier’s Office, ASC North Apayao Campus. The Apayao State College assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnity bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bid.

Delivery Period: • Purchase of furniture • Installation of the refurbished modular partitions

• Delivery on the purchase of furniture is on the 45th day after receipt of the Notice to Proceed (NTP) • Installation will commence on the 15th day after receipt of the Notice to Proceed (NTP)

The BAC will conduct this public bidding in accordance with R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. To be eligible to bid for this contract, Bidders must meet the following major criteria: (a) Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138; (b) should have completed, within 3 yearsfrom the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project; (c) Net Financial Contracting Capacity (NFCC) equal to the ABC, or credit line commitment/cash deposit certificate at least equal to 10% of ABC. The BAC will use a nondiscretionary pass/fail criteria in the Eligibility Check, Preliminary Examination of Bids, Evaluation of Bids, Post –Qualification, and Award. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. The times and deadlines set for the major procurement activities are shown below: Period: 1. Issuance of Bidding Documents from November 2 to 22, 2015 8:00am-5:00pm (Monday(s) to Friday(s) Time: 10:00 am 2. Pre-Bid Conference Date: November 11, 2015 Deadline: 3.Receipt of Bids: Time: 9:00 am Date: November 23, 2015 4.Opening of Bids a. First Envelope Eligibility/ Time: 10:00 am Technical Component Date: November 23, 2015 b. Second Envelope Financial Component Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Commission on Higher Education, BAC Secretariatand inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours between 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on November 2- 22, 2015 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Php 5,000.00: Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 9:00 AM of November 23, 2015. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The Commission on Higher Education reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: MS. VIOLETA GALO BAC Secretariat Head Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat, Commission on Higher Education Ground Floor, CHED – Higher Education Development Center C.P. Garcia Avenue, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City Telephone/Facsimile Number: +63 2 441 1171/408 7253 Website Address: www.ched.gov.ph

Approved:

(TS-NOV. 2, 2015)

(SGD) REYNALDO P. GAYO, JR. Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee (Luna Campus)

ATTY. JULITO D. VITRIOLO Bids and Awards Committee Chairman (TS-NOV. 2, 2015)

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

cEsAR BARRiOquiNtO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

Promotional event. Miss International contestants Miss El Salvador Eugenia Avalos, Miss Dominican Republic Irina Peguero, Miss Ecuador Daniela Armijos, and Miss Costa Rica Melania Gonzalez pose as they take part in a promotional event for Japanese rice wine at a shopping complex on the foot of the world’s tallest free-standing broadcasting tower, the Tokyo Skytree, in Tokyo on November 1, 2015. The Miss International beauty pageant 2015, with representatives from 70 countries and regions, will be held in Tokyo on November 5. AFP

Turks vote in crucial elections Hollande flies to China ahead of climate talks PARIS—French President Francois Hollande heads to China on Monday to try and persuade Beijing, a key country in the fight against global warming, to give a decisive push to negotiations ahead of a key climate conference in Paris. China alone produces about 25 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the biggest polluter on the planet and a major player in the fate of the coming UN climate change conference that begins in the French capital on November 30. The main aim of Hollande’s trip is to secure a strong joint statement from his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, ahead of the crunch talks in Paris to secure a global climate pact. The conference, which will be attended by at least 80 world lead-

ers including Xi and US President Barack Obama, seeks to unite all the world’s nations in a single agreement on tackling climate change, with the goal of capping warming at two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over preIndustrial Revolution levels. Ahead of Hollande’s visit, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who will chair the Paris summit, and China’s climate change envoy Xie Zhenhua have engaged in lengthy discussions over the draft of the joint declaration. Talks have largely stalled over the mechanism for following up on commitments by the 195 countries attending the conference: France is calling for a “legally binding” mechanism with a review every five years, while China has ruled out any kind of punitive system. AFP

ANKARA—Turkey voted Sunday in one of its most crucial elections in years, with the country deeply divided in the face of surging Kurdish and Islamic violence and concerns about democracy and the economy. The poll is the second in just five months, called after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party or AKP was stripped of its parliamentary majority in June for the first time in 13 years and then failed to forge a coalition government. Opinion polls are predicting a replay Sunday, leaving the strategic Muslim-majority nation of 78 million at risk of further instability just as it faces what some warn are existential threats. Around 385,000 police and gendarmes have been mobilized nationwide, with security particularly high in the restive Kurdish majority southeast, where armored vehicles and police were seen outside polling stations. The political landscape has changed dramatically in Turkey

since June and the country is even more polarized on ethnic and sectarian lines. Turks are fearful of a return to all-out war with outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party or PKK rebels after fresh violence shattered a 2013 truce in July, just a month after a pro-Kurdish party won seats in parliament for the first time, denying the AKP a majority. The threat of further jihadist violence is also overshadowing the poll after a string of attacks blamed on the Islamic State group, including twin suicide bombings on an Ankara peace rally last month that killed 102 people—the worst in Turkey’s modern history. “All I want is peace and brotherhood, we have suffered too much lately,” 43-year-old Kiziltoprak Mahmut told AFP in the main

Kurdish city of Diyarbakir. Turnout is expected to be high among the 54 million registered voters and there were early queues at polling stations. Erdogan’s conservative, Islamicleaning AKP is tipped to take between 40 and 43 percent, paving the way either for a shaky coalition with one of the three other partiles likely to win seats, or yet another election. “We are calling on our people to demonstrate their will and turn this day into a democracy feast... no matter what the outcome,” said Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, whose own job could be at risk if the AKP fails to secure an outright victory. The vote could also determine the future of Erdogan, the divisive figure who has dominated Turkey’s political scene for more than a decade. The June result wrecked—at least temporarily—his ambition to expand his role into a powerful US-style executive presidency that opponents fear would mean fewer checks and balances on a man seen as increasingly autocratic. AFP

Murder conviction eyed on Pistorius JOHA N N E SBU RG — Os c ar Pistorius has hunkered down under house arrest, but South African state prosecutors will on Tuesday appeal in court for a murder conviction that would send him back to jail for years. The disgraced Paralympic sprinter was found guilty last year of culpable homicide—a charge equivalent to manslaughter—after shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. At the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein, state prosecutors will try to convince the judges that Pistorius should be found guilty of murder and sentenced to a mini-

mum of 15 years in prison. At his trial, the 28-year-old was sentenced to five years, and he was released two weeks ago after just a year behind bars to spend the remainder of his term at his uncle’s mansion in Pretoria. Pistorius said he thought there was an intruder in his house when he blasted four bullets through the toilet door of his bedroom, killing Steenkamp. According to court documents, prosecutor Gerrie Nel will argue that Pistorius intentionally meant to shoot whoever was behind the door early on Valentine’s Day in 2013.

The state lawyers have described the sentence as “shockingly light, inappropriate” and said “not enough emphasis was placed on the horrendous manner” in which Steenkamp died. A panel of five judges will hear the arguments from the state and defense, with the proceedings scheduled to last one day. The judges are expected to announce a future date to deliver their ruling. Pistorius, who has not been seen in public since his release on October 19, will not attend the hearing, family spokeswoman Anneliese Burgess told AFP. AFP

Inspection. This undated picture released from North Korea’s official

Korean Central News Agency on November 1, 2015, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un inspecting a catfish farm in Pyongyang. AFP

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

TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

E AT, DRINK , T R AV EL

LIFE

Sisterfields Burger

Crispy Kare-Kare

Batangas Bulalo

SUSTAINABLY YOURS: SISTERFIELDS PH AND THE PROMISE OF SUSTAINABLE CUISINE This new restaurant in Summit Ridge Tagaytay guarantees farm-fresh offerings BY KAI MAGSANOC

first came across the concept of mindful eating in 2012, at a yoga retreat in Bahay Kalipay, Puerto Princesa, Palawan. I understood mindfulness in eating as being completely present in the process of eating, knowing where the food came from, understanding and appreciating the process through which the food was prepared, and absorbing the loving energy with which it was handled. I was in that retreat with Audi Guerrero, son of Annie Guerrero, matriarch and founder (together with daughter Badjie Trinidad) of The Cravings Group (TCG). It is the brand behind the dining concepts Cravings, C2 Classic Cuisine, Lombardi’s, Casa Roces, Lucia (at Hotel Celeste), Epicurious, The Coffee Beanery, and Wicked. They also operate the Center for Culinary Arts, Manila in Katipunan, Quezon City. Fast-forward three years: I was sent on assignment by LIFE at The Standard to Summit Ridge Tagaytay, for the introduction of their newest restaurant concept based on Annie Guerrero’s philosophy on sustainability: “a kitchen and a lifestyle in harmony with nature.” T h is newest rest au ra nt concept is called Sisterfields, and it is all about ethical, fair trade, and sustainable dining: farm-to-fork, pasture-to-plate, and crop-to-cup.

Longganisa and Quesong Puti

FAMILY FAVORITES

“There are a lot of produce in Tagaytay and around the Taal area, and it’s undeniably very family friendly,” says Trinidad, TCG’s chief executive officer. “We have the perfect farm-to-table family restaurant for the atmosphere of this vacation hotspot.” Guests of Summit Ridge and day travelers to Tagaytay can enjoy Sisterfields’ breakfast offerings: deli hams, sausages, bacon; fresh croissants, morning sweet breads, whole grain breads, and pastries; cereals and muesli; Tagaytay pineapple, banana, papaya, and watermelon; and omelets, pancakes, and waffles. Breakfast favorites like congee, champorado, and fried tawilis are also available, as well as organic juices and the artisan coffee blend Pahimis, a Cavite popular brew. “Apart from freshness, diners can expect a lot of familiar flavors but done entirely in surprising renditions,” says Trinidad. At the helm of Sisterfields’ menu is Chef Noel dela Rama, an acclaimed New York-based personal chef currently a visiting chef-instructor at CCA, Manila. “I want Sisterfields to be known for simple, well-cooked, straightforward dining,” he says. Among the entrees in the Sisterfields menu are: Tinapa Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Sauce; Crispy Tawilis with Kaffir Lime Aioli; Chopped Salad with Green Goddess Dressing; Mango,

Potato Corn and Bacon Chowder

Sisig Express

Penne With Longganisa

Kamias, Pako, and Jicama Salad with Bagoong Balayan Vinaigrette Potato, Corn, and Bacon Chowder; Corn and Tomato Chowder with Crispy Longganisa Hubad; Longganisa and Quesong Puti with Pico de Gallo; Roasted Vegetables with Tagaytay Goat Cheese; Garden Tomatoes with Fresh Mozzarella and Prosciutto; Sticky Barbeque Baby Back Ribs with Coleslaw. Ice cream fans will rejoice in Sisterfields’ homemade offerings: Ube Macapuno, Pineapple Taragon, and Kapeng Barako.

A PERFECT PARTNERSHIP

Summit Ridge is under the Robinsons Hotels and Resorts group. It is situated in the highest point of Tagaytay, along Km. 58, Gen. Aguinaldo Highway. Their sister hotels include Summit Circle in Cebu and Summit Hotel in Magnolia. Summit Ridge celebrated its 6th anniversary this 2015. It is a moderately sized, 4-star hotel with 108 rooms. This includes 18 twobedroom suites and nine different function rooms.

Grilled Chicken Quesadillas

Sticky Baby Back Ribs

The Cravings Group is Summit Ridge’s partner for food and beverage. They have been at it for five years. “They are creating a new concept in dining which provides an experience of freshness, using indigenous ingredients readily available in the area,” says Pops del Rosario, Summit Ridge hotel manager. “It’s something tried and tested, anchored on the belief of their founder, Miss Annie Guerrero, that everything should not be complicated but simple and straightforward.” Sisterfields stays true to TCG’s EMS (Environment Management System) policies and ISO 14001 certification. It is an environmentally responsible restaurant, operating according to Annie Guerrero’s “green lifestyle” advocacy – sourcing local ingredients through ethical farming, and teaching the values of eco-sustainable practices. “Making dish items based on locally-sourced produce has significant benefits for farming communities in Tagaytay,” says

Pork Chop

CEO Trinidad. “We are, in a way, empowering farmers by giving them sustainable sources of livelihood, helping promote the use of locally-grown ingredients in the professional or commercial kitchen.” Summit Ridge, for its part, is also committed to walking the sustainability talk. “We are currently improving our facilities. We are reprocessing wastewater. We make sure everything is properly segregated,” says del Rosario.

PESTICIDE-FREE

Chef Dino Florendo, TCG executive chef, attests to the effectiveness of Annie Guerrero’s ethical farming practice, done mainly through the Bokashi method of composting. Colleen Vanderlinden, organic gardening expert, defines “Bokashi” as “Japanese for fermented organic matter.” It is done with layering kitchen scraps with an inoculant combined with effective microorganisms. The layered pile is left to sit for up to 10 days during which it ferments. After fermentation, it can be added to the garden or compost pile. Continued on C3

M ONDAY : NOVEM B ER 2, 2015

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

FILIPINA BARTENDER BESTS MALES TO WIN TGIFRIDAYS’ ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP IN TAIWAN

GIFridays Philippines’ Rizza Umlas competed against other bartenders in six other countries that included Guam, Australia, Dubai, Korea, Japan and Taiwan, and won TGIFridays Asia-Pacific Championship held in Taipei, Tawain. Every year, TGIFridays Philippines has long been a training ground for many bartender greats who have won in regional and world bartending events like Eric “El Terrible” Martinez who was named 2006 grand champion at the TGIFridays World Bartender Championship. This year was extra special because Umlas is the first Filipina and female bartender who won in the male-dominated competition. “This is such a huge and significant victory not only for TGIFridays Philippines but for the whole country as well because we made history in the

Rizza Umlas performed with flair and precision

The TGIFridays Philippines team with their champion. (From left) April Sy, TGIFridays Phils. director for operations Stelton, Rizza Umlas, TGIFridays Phils. director for operations Sarah Masigla and TGI Fridays International director for operations Donald McQueen

Umlas showing off her bartending skills

world of bartending,” shares Jean Paul Manuud, The Bistro Group COO. “It was one tough competition but we had an exceptionally talented representative in Umlas who showcased once again that Filipino bartenders – whether male or female – are some of the best in the region.” Umlas won the compulsory round, a skill test that involved technicalities and speed and accuracy of pouring drinks. She also topped the freestyle category with flipping, tossing, juggling, and catching bottles and

“Umlas’ success inspires us as we pursue our journey into another decade in the restaurant industry, bringing to the public world-class dining experience and the best bartenders,” Manuud said.

shakers with flair and precision. She bagged the coveted trophy, cash prize, and a roundtrip ticket to New York for TGIFridays’ 50th year celebration last October. TGIFridays Philippines is excited for their bartender as next year she will represent Asia-Pacific in the World Bartender Championship in March 2016 in Dallas, Texas. This global event will feature the toughest and the fiercest bartenders in the world who will all compete for the much-desired title (and bragging right) of King (or Queen) of the Bar.

To know more about TGIFridays, check out its social media sites: TGI Fridays Philippines on Facebook and follow @tgifridaysph on Intsgram and Twitter. Visit their website on www.fridays.com.ph.

THE HENRY MANILA RECEIVES TOP AWARDS FROM LUXURY TRAVEL GUIDE

The Henry Hotel Manila exudes a rustic charm that makes it a haven in the Metro

t’s hard to believe that an oasis-like enclave could exist right in the heart of a highly urbanized Metro Manila with its frenetic pace – until one gets to experience the haven that is The Henry Hotel Manila. Well-known for its repurposed Liberation style residential structures, the boutique hotel fuses elegance and graciousness of 20th century living with modern amenities that take into consideration the comfort of its guests during their stay, such as wi-fi and flat screen television. No wonder then that the hotel recently won the Luxury Boutique Hotel Category for the Philippines in the international Luxury Travel Guide Awards. Every year, the awards program recognizes and celebrates excellence across all sectors of the affluent travel and tourism industry. A team of experts travels extensively to different regions to check on the range of products and

services being provided, and identify the winners to coincide with the release of each respective Luxury Travel Guide. The Henry Hotel Manila is noted for its implementation of “adaptive reuse,” and the 32-room boutique hotel has gained recognition for its architectural design, as well as the excellent services and unique experience it offers as a hotel like no other. Among its features include a charming garden designed by the late National Artist for Landscape Architecture Ildefonso Santos, adding to the rustic and old-world appeal of the property. Experience The Henry Manila at 2680 FB Harrison St. Pasay City. For reservations, please contact +632-8078888; email reservations.manila@ thehenryhotel.com or log on to www. thehenryhotel.com. Follow The Henry at www.facebook.com/TheHenryHotel and @thehenryhotel on Instagram.

M ONDAY : NOVEM B ER 2, 2015

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

SUSTAINABLY YOURS From C1

Pot du Creme

Tres Leches Cake

“You could see the difference in terms of the quality and plumpness of the vegetables,” says Florendo. “Ma’am Annie always believed in growing vegetables the right way, without the use of pesticide. You could taste the difference.” Florendo admits he used to be a skeptic until he started working with the ingredients produced through Bokashi technology, something he shares with students of CCA, Manila, whose graduates are found in the Sisterfields kitchen. “Knowing the source of these ingredients makes you respect these ingredients a lot,” he says. “We not only purchase ingredients; we grow them (and) we produce them. If (the CCA, Manila) students understand the way these ingredients are produced, they could come up with better ways of cooking it, too.” Sustainability in the Sisterfields kitchen is practiced not only through Bokashi but also through avoiding food wastage. “We only prepare what we need and maximize the use of all ingredients,” says Florendo. “Waste is converted to Bokashi. Juice from it is used to fertilize our vegetables. It comes full circle.” Sisterfields is all about mindfulness – from producing ingredients to working with local grassroots industries to preparing dishes for guests to enjoy. For them, sustainability is not only a concept but a way of doing business and a way of life. This translates to food that is truly comforting, the only star in a dining destination that is easily within reach. For more information on Sisterfields, call 240-6888 or visit facebook.com/Sisterfields and www.summithotels.com. Check them on Instagram: @SisterfieldsPH.

OKTOBERFEST I was looking back to my sordid past when I wrote the last column (Halloween). TIPPLE TALES I realized t h at the BY ICY MARIÑAS month was over and I didn’t even get to write about the month-long beer celebration of Oktoberfest. Bad alcohol columnist, bad (imagine me slapping my wrist as you read that). So I thought that I’d give a bit of a wrap-up of what’s been going on.

HOW DID IT START?

First, a bit of a background of how this booze festival started. The first Oktoberfest can be tracked back to the wedding of King Ludwig I (then prince) of Bavaria, to Princess Therese of Saxony- Hildburghausen (try saying that really fast five times) on October 12, 1810. The King invited thousands of guests to celebrate the happy nuptials. What began as basically a really big wedding reception eventually became an annual festivity in the entire country of Bavaria. The copious

amounts of food and beer have been a staple ever since and is one of the highlights of the modern festival. I’ve actually been lucky enough to go to the celebration in Munich. The aroma of pretzels, sausages and beer – everyone was just ready to drink and party. Everyone just had this unspoken goal, drink as much beer as you can in a single day! Or if you’re lucky you can drink and celebrate for 16 days on binge drinking. I had so much to drink then, I only have 50 percent of my memory intact, lol.

HOW HAS IT BEEN CELEBRATED IN THE PHILIPPINES?

Being a nation that loves its food and alcohol, and will take up any excuse to indulge in one or the other (but in most cases, it’s both), it’s hardly surprising that we have also come to celebrate this German tradition in our sandy shores. Apparently, Oktoberfest in the Philippines has been around for some 75 years and has become associated with the monthlong beer festival usually sponsored by the two biggest beer corporations in the country: San Miguel Corporation and Asia Brewery. The Oktoberfest in the Philippines usually consists of concerts and rave parties with

abundant beer held in bars and other venues around major cities like Manila, Cebu and Davao.

WHERE ARE WE HEADED?

With the bar and cocktail culture getting more sophisticated, beer culture is also following suit. Last October 17 saw the growing annual (it has definitely grown!) Brew Fest. Held at the Circuit Makati, this was a venue for the several local breweries we have, as well as stores and bars that specialize in bringing in craft beer from all over the world. I was in awe at how big and organized the Brew Fest was, proud of how far the Philippines has grown. Music, brews and a community of people who love their craft is just awesome. Finally, we have an Oktoberfest we can be proud of! A very long line up of Filipino craft beers, supported by imported brands. We now have something to look forward to every year and potentially an international event we can share with the world. This is the future.

WINE TRAINING BY THE BAY

ou probably had a glass of wine or two (or more, we’re not judging) during the Halloween weekend. Most of us just know red or white and some basic knowledge of how New World and Old World wine taste like. But to really know what you put in your glass and to appreciate it, one might benefit by learning a thing or two about the aging process of wine and what makes it special. On November 7, New World Manila Bay Hotel will hold Wine Training by the Bay at The Fireplace. Be your own sommelier and get introduced to various wine varieties and the art behind its taste with the help of wine connoisseurs and trainers from Titania (the largest global importer of fine wines in the Philippines since 1982). Learn sophisticated wine training and knowledge application at the multi-awarded grill house that showcases premium steaks to be paired with their collection of fine wines. The event will feature

lectures on the five different types of wines and grape varieties, and tackle the importance of New World and Old World appellations for the quality and commanding price power of wines. The session will also brush on the kinds of wines from France, Spain, Italy, US, Argentina, Chile and Australia. Most importantly, they will teach how to pair the best wine with the food. Indulge with crab duo, wood-fire grilled CAB Ribeye steak and green tea tiramisu following the wine training. The class will have a special rate of P5,000 instead of the regular P6,000. The wine class will entitle the guest to a wine training booklet, training certificate, a complimentary bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, a complimentary Titania membership card, and the skill to enhance your next dining experience with friends and family. For inquiries and reservations, please call +63 2 252 6888 extension 7291.

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

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

TOURISM JOBS AND THE YOUTH MERCURY RISING BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

Not too long ago, I was asked by my good friend, former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor, to speak at the Global Youth Forum which she organized through her International School of Sustainable Tourism, together with the Department of Tourism (DoT), Philippine Tourism Promotions Board, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, the threeday event had the theme Youth On The Move, which was in support of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s theme: One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities. The event was designed mainly to create awareness among today’s youth of the many opportunities in the Tourism Industry. The topic assigned to me was “Getting Our Graduates Ready for Tourism Jobs.” Here are the highlights of what I presented to the audience which was composed of approximately 700 students and faculty members from around 55 schools all over the country, and some industry practitioners. A research done more than a decade ago revealed the top three common concerns of tourism establishments all over the country when they hire fresh graduates for

various positions: the graduates don’t have enough of the required competencies; they have difficulty expressing themselves in English; and they have poor work attitude. The various Tourism and Hospitality Management (THM) schools in the country are aware of these problems and have adopted measures to produce graduates that match up to the requirements of the Industry. I’d like to share what one school has done along this line, which has earned for itself the distinction of being a Center of Excellence for Hotel and Restaurant Management Education, a Center of Development for Tourism Education, and the first and only full accreditation as International Center of Excellence for Tourism and Hospitality Education. The Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU)-Manila Campus prides itself with having the aforementioned tags of excellence, which could explain why it is now the biggest THM school in Asia. Aware of the concerns aired by various establishments in the industry, the university crafted its curriculum after consultations with the DoT, the Technical Education and Skills Development Association (TESDA), Council of Hotels and Restaurant Educations of the Philippines (COHREP) and the Tourism Industry Board Foundation Inc. (TIBFI). It also took into consideration the requirements of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the ASEAN integration, the accrediting agencies, and the industry. In fact, the university has gone the extra mile – even if CHED requires

Part of the 700-strong audience from 55 THM universities all over the country

students to render only 600 hours of on-the-job training (OJT), LPU demands 1,000 hours of its students. To further close the gap between industry requirements and the graduates’ competencies, the university created an Advisory Board composed of representatives from the different sectors of the industry – hotel, airline, travel agency, tour operator, cruise line, culinary, etc. These representatives meet with university officers every year to continuously update the latter with new trends and new requirements of the industry towards making the university’s curriculum always relevant and current. LPU also partnered with Dusit Thani College, the most prestigious THM school in Thailand, to further “internationalize” its curriculum, especially with the onset of ASEAN integration where our country’s graduates will now be competing with those of other ASEAN countries. As for the concern on English communication, LPU students are required to pass the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), and are also given the opportunity to enroll online in some courses of the American Hospitality Academy. Another important tool which the university has is its Center for Career Services and Industry Relations. Aside from networking with and placing students in leading establishments in the Industry, the

My co-speakers and I (from left): Homestay Philippines president Rose Libongco, Tourism Congress of the Philippines president Rosanna Fores, and Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Alan Canizalt

unit’s Best Practice is the Gold Slip interview. This is conducted oneon-one with each student looking for OJT placement. The interview determines three qualities the student must have: English communication skills, emotional maturity (which dictates work attitude) and basic competencies required by the establishments. Successful interviewees are issued a Gold Slip which entitles them to the university’s official Recommendation Letter, a pre-requisite of establishments accepting students on OJT. Those who fall short on any of the three “must-have” qualities fail the interview, and may try again, and again, until such time that they measure up to all three standards. All these procedures are in line with the university’s focus on outcomes based education which embodies

the idea that once the end goal or outcome is determined, the strategies, processes, and other means are put into place to achieve such desired goal, in this case, competent graduates who will excel in the tourism and hospitality industry. With such techniques the university has put in place, it’s not surprising that when I visit a tourism or hospitality establishment here in Metro Manila, I often meet some of its graduates, happily making their mark in the Industry. They should count themselves lucky because the many new hotels set to open soon will increase their chances of going up the job ladder quicker. Even luckier are the upcoming graduates, as they will now have many employment opportunities to avail of. For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE: David is finally engaged and is excited to show off his new bride. “Ma,” he said to his mother, “I’m going to bring home three girls and I want you to guess which one my fiancé is.” Twenty minutes later, David walks in the door with three girls following him. “It’s that one,” immediately said his mother without blinking an eye. “Holy cow,” exclaimed David, “how in the world did you know it was her?” “I just don’t like her,” she replied. The video backdrop of the event

Sharing what I know about tourism jobs for the youth

AWESOME SUNDAY BRUNCH IN SPECTRUM

fter a successful first run, Awesome Sunday Brunch is back in Spectrum at Fairmont Makati. This time, it’s made more fun with the incorporation of LEGO-made Philippine landmarks that kids and the young at heart can revel at when they go inside the restaurant. From 12 noon to 3 p.m., families can spend Sundays indulging on international cuisine from live culinary theaters which include Spanish, Middle

Eastern, Mediterranean, Italian, Japanese and Filipino dishes. The dessert buffet is not to miss, as it is laid with a whimsical spread of desserts tailor-made for the event by Spectrum’s team of pastry master chefs. Enjoy Awesome Sunday Brunch 2 at P2,777 net per person. Children from six to 12 years old get 50 percent off on the buffet price; those aged four to 14 can enjoy the separate play area where LEGO bricks, play tables, and movies await them. Revel

at the impressive, seven-foot tall Rizal Monument and other striking scenic spots and cultural festivals found in the Philippines all made with LEGO blocks. For inquiries and more information, please call Raffles and Fairmont Makati’s Restaurant Reservations at 7951840 or email dining.makati@ raffles.com. Visit fairmont.com for more information or follow them on Facebook at Fairmont Hotels.

M ONDAY : NOV EMBER 2, 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

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JAmes And nAdine leAd lAunch of new website

record breaking estimate of 10,000 cheering OTWOListas packed Market! Market! on Oct. 25 as they witnessed James Reid and Nadine Lustre together with the cast of the hit teleserye spreading and showing the love in On the Wings of Love Spread The Love Tour. Spread The Love Tour is the hit teleserye’s way of saying thank you to the legions of fans religiously watching the series, making it a consistent top-rating nationwide since it aired. In the mall show, the entire cast showcased stunning magpasikat performances to raise funds for “Show The Love, Kapamilya,” a relief drive for the benefit of typhoon Lando victims. Wild shrieks erupted inside the venue as James and Nadine performed their rendition of “On the Wings of Love” and “Say You’ll Never Go,” while they interacted with the crowd. The shrieks even doubled when the lead stars shared two sweet kisses on the cheek due to public demand. OTWOListas also witnessed a heart-piercing live spoken word poetry performance from Juan Miguel Severo (Rico), an artist and playwright who has successfully penetrated the mainstream audience for his beautifully written pieces that turn viral because of “On the Wings of Love.” The crowd went wild as well in a special dance showdown of cousins turned rivals Clark (James) and Jigs (Albie Casino) and during the thrilling ‘kilig’ song number from Tiffany (Bianca Manalo) and Tolayts (Nico Antonio). Even child star Nhikzy Calma (Gabby) wowed OTWOListas with his superb Michael Jackson dance number. Cherry Pie Picache (Tita Jack), Nanette Inventor (Lola Pachang), Jason Francisco (Cullen), Andrei Garcia (Jordan), Laiza Comia (Jenny), Joel Saracho (Mama Lulu), Kapitana (Geraldine Villamil), Benj Manalo (Axl), and Rafael Sudayan (Paeng) also took part in spreading the love to OTWOListas as they participated in a game with select fans from the crowd. Directors Jojo Saguin and Antoinette Jadaone were also placed in the hot seat as they answered questions from OTWOListas about how the story will develop in the upcoming months. Nadine also celebrated her 22nd birthday at the Spread The Love Tour, wherein she took time to appreciate fans who patiently waited in line even before the mall’s opening. Meanwhile, James and Nadine also led the launch of otwolista.com, the official website for OTWOListas where they can see first-hand never-before-seen photos and videos, special facegram entries of Clark and Leah, and exclusive treats and activities. According to The ABS-CBN Store, sales of the “On the Wings of Love” merchandise and official scrapbook also doubled and exceeded their expectations due to the overwhelming response from thousands of OTWOListas.

James Reid and Nadine Lustre at the OTWOL Spread The Love Tour

Nadine interacts with OTWOListas

A sweet kiss from Nadine and James

A group photo of the cast and directors of OTWOL

James Reid

James and Nadine led the Show The Love Kapamilya, a relief drive for the benefit of typhoon Lando victims

James gives a kiss on the cheek to Nadine due to public demand

A packed Market Market during the OTWOL Spread The Love Tour

M ONDAY : NOV EMBER 2, 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

JaNiNE SaNS ELmO JOSEPh PEtER GONZaLES

Headlining the new GMA show titled Dangwa sans reel and real life partner Elmo Magalona, Janine Gutierrez sees this development as a challenge. “Yes, this is really something new specially that I’m used to working with Elmo. My biggest primetime offerings were with him namely, Villa Quintana and More than Words. This time though, I’m paired with Mark Herras and Aljur Abrenica. I know that it’s experimental but certainly, it’s for my growth as an actress,” she says. At first, the pretty Kapuso actress reveals she also felt scared. “That’s true…and a bit sad as well. I guess it’s just a normal reaction. But as I’ve mentioned earlier, this is an opportunity for me to widen my horizon, and Elmo’s as well. JanElmo fans for sure will not like this idea since they will see less of us together on screen but seeing the positive

side, it’s good for our craft. At least, we get the chance to work with other stars. “ Despite their separate career path at present, Janine stresses that her relationship with Elmo remains intact. “Of course,” she avers. “Even if we do separate stuff at present, we still support each other. We have different endeavors to attend to now but what’s important is that we boost each other’s confidence and morale. I’m happy that the support Elmo and I give each other doesn’t end in our being a love team.” Apart from Aljur and Mark, the beauteous young actress gets to collaborate with other Kapuso stars in Dangwa. “That’s why I consider this project a blessing. The storyline is interesting: it’s about some mystical flowers which change the lives of the people who buy them from the popular flower market, leading to a chance at love in the most unexpected place and time. It’s a fresh concept and I’m hats-off to our writing team for coming up with the story. “Two of the stars who play important parts in the show include Barbie Forteza and Ruru

Madrid. Others who will appear in the upcoming episodes are: Geoff Eigenmann, Rhian Ramos, Miguel Tanfelix, Bianca Umali, Pauleen Luna, Gerald Napoles, Rafael Rosell and Carla Abellana. I’m simply glad and proud because it’s not every day that you get to share the screen with these illustrious screen luminaries.” It makes Janine real proud that for the lead role, she was handpicked by the GMA management. “It’s just unbelievable…a real humbling experience. I’m touched of their faith in my capacity. They believe that I can deliver. That’s why I’m doubly inspired to give it my best shot so as not to disappoint them,” she ends. HHHHH Aljur Abrenica points to lack of funding as the foremost reason why his supposedly entry to the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival was recently pulled out. “Yes! The title of the movie is Hermano Puli and is under the helm of Direk Gil Portes. It’s really sad that it won’t be exhibited during the annual film fest. Direk and I actually talked. Both of us did our best to look

Janine Gutierrez

for a financier or a producer. “I talked to some potential people myself. It’s just sad that nothing materialized out of said talks. We weren’t able to close any concrete deal. Yes, it’s kind of frustrating but definitely, it was a fun and enriching experience,” he avers. What setback he has in the film department is compensated by his television career as he is part of the latest GMA offering titled Dangwa. “This project is special because it signals my comeback in the boob tube scene. It’s been more than a year since I had a regular soap. I’m excited and thrilled because it’s my first collaboration with Janine Gutierrez. I really admire her when it comes to her dedication to her craft. She’s determined and focused. No wonder the management has strong faith in her.” The handsome hunk is happy to be visible in the showbiz scene once again. “I feel blessed and thankful to the journey I took. Finally, I’m here again. Actually, I was never really out. In spite of what happened, GMA remained supportive of me,” Aljur states.

Aljur Abrenica

Novak DjokoviC iN CNN’S ‘Talk aSia’

N Andrew Stevens hits the court with Djokovic

Novak Djokovic

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 42 44 46 47 48 49 53 57 58 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Koh-i- — diamond 5 Ciao, adios, etc. 9 Murky 12 Humerus neighbor 13 Diameter halves 15 Guru’s practice 16 Hull bottom 17 In — — (briefly) 18 River near Stonehenge 19 Core 21 Places for bulbs

ovak Djokovic is on top of the tennis world. After bursting on to the scene almost a decade ago, he now has 10 Grand Slam titles under his belt – three of which he won this year alone placing him at the top of the tennis rankings above heavyweights Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. And he’s showing no signs of slowing down, driven by a burning passion and his de-

23 24 25 28 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 41

Froze over Weeks per annum? Tropical fruits (var.) Vitamin B1 Far East nannies Desert st. Where Mongolia is Sleep phenom Movie part — Lingus 10-4 buddy Urban map

— — against time Settles an argument (3 wds.) Cut thin Luau welcome Clever remark Electrifies Gumshoes, often “— — Old Cowhand” Blake of jazz Almond-shaped The simian King Ocean trenches Solar plexus Is, to Fritz Lemon peel Gunslinger’s dare

DOWN 1 Microwave 2 Cheers for toreros 3 Teller’s stack 4 Elizabethan knight 5 Props up 6 Wobbled, as a rocket 7 Ancient Tokyo 8 Gentlemen 9 Swooped down 10 — — way too much to do! 11 Watches the phone 14 Hero-worship

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2015

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City near Mount Rainier Two-stripers FBI counterpart Spring month Invisible swimmer (var.) Appoints Pick up the tab Drop a clue Mr. Asimov Sister’s girl Bunnylike Rights org. Went bad Ticking off Et — (and others) Parachute part (2 wds.) Util. bill Most certain Sticks in a cabinet Heyerdahl’s “Kon- —” Med. plans Diatribe Lesseps’ canal Constantly Pro — (in proportion) Did in the dragon Pollen spreader

termination to stay on top. This month in Talk Asia, CNN’s Andrew Stevens hits the court with Djokovic at the Shanghai Masters to discuss his best season yet, his childhood in Serbia and his revitalized take on life. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play the sport that I love. And I keep going and Grand Slams are the ones that motivate me the most - no question about it but that doesn’t

mean that I’m not giving my 100% on the other tournaments that are there on the tour. So I’m fully committed but I try to take, as you said, one match at a time…but I do visualize myself and I do dream of and kind of set my goals to winning grand slams,” says tennis’ no. 1 player. CNN Talk Asia with Novak Djokovic airs Nov. 5 in Manila at 5:30 p.m. with replays until Nov. 15.

M ONDAY : NOV EMBER 2, 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

MAtteo Guidicelli Goes solo

onths after his first concert stint with Daniel Matsunaga and JC de Vera in the Dreamboys concert, Matteo Guidicelli goes solo in his first solo concert entitled MG1 on Nov. 28, 8 p.m. at the Music Museum with special guests Morisette of The Voice First Season and the Comedy Concert King

Matteo-Guidicelli

From c8

Martin Nievera. Strike while the iron is hot is what heartthrob Matteo believes as he decides to pursue his passion in singing apart from his usual extreme life as a triathlete and actor. Actor, model and racer Matteo considers singing something he loves to do outside his comfort zone. “It’s like participating in an

extreme sport, exciting and nerve-wracking yet fulfilling”, Matteo adds. Apart from his indie film Tupang Ligaw and Cinema One’s Single Single Season 2, he is also launching his self-titled album under Star Records. Matteo admits that he is nervous and excited with MG1 concert but he would definitely be giving his

best to his audience. He will perform ballad songs and medleys plus surprise production numbers with his special guests. Produced by Hills&Dreams Events Concepts Co, MG1 is under the musical direction of Marvin Querido and directed by Frank Lloyd Mamaril. Tickets are available in Ticketworld outlets or may call at 891.9999.

Coco Martin

HHHHH coco MArtin’s reAl identity ABS-CBN’s top-rating primetime teleserye Ang Probinsyano gets even more thrilling and action-packed as the true identity of Cardo (Coco Martin) was revealed last Friday. Ever since Cardo came home as Ador, Carmen (Bella Padilla) and Lola Flora (Susan Roces) have been observing drastic changes in his actions. Even his colleagues have noticed that he has been acting differently. Ang Probinsyano airs weeknights after TV Patrol. For more information, log-on to www.abs-cbn.com or follow ABS-CBN on Facebook and Twitter (@abscbndotcom).

HHHHH new in it’s showtiMe ABS-CBN’s noontime show It’s Showtime recently launched its newest segment “Hulanino” where the hosts play charades with a twist as they act out titles of popular movie titles using only their shadows. The game gets more exciting as the studio audience have the chance to steal and win instant cash when the hosts fail to guess the movie titles they picked. Aside from “Hulanino,” viewers can continue to watch and support their favorite tomboy in the ongoing semi-finals of “That’s My Tomboy.” Last Saturday, seven contestants were selected and proceeded to the grand finals.

Macmac collecting donations for Show The Love, Kapamilya (L-R) Nyoy Volante, Maris Racal, Ria Atayde, Ketchup Eusebio, John Steven de Guzman, and Jana Agoncillo for Ningning's Show The Love, Kapamilya

HHHHH ninGninG shows the love For tyPhoon lAndo victiMs Kapamilya child actress Ningning (Jana Agoncillo) together with Macmac (John Steven de Guzman), tatay Dondon (Ketchup Eusebio), kuya Johnny (Nyoy Volante), teacher Hope (Ria Atayde), and Maris Racal the Kapamilya star who will be joining the series, toured schools and raised funds for “Show The Love, Kapamilya,” the relief drive of ABS-CBN for the benefit of typhoon Lando victims. The Ningning cast visited Sta.

Ana Elementary School and Blessed Sacrament Catholic School to showcase their ‘magpasikat’ song and dance performances. In return, the cast encouraged teachers and students to extend donation they can give for the affected families of typhoon Lando. They also collected other relief goods offered by the schools they visited. Ningning aims to promote goodness and good values in everyday life among its viewers. For more information, visit the official Facebook account of Ningning (Facebook.com/Ningning).

HHHHH PokeMon: Xy, Airs on GMA this noveMber Join Ash and Pikachu as they move on to a new journey in Pokemon the Series: XY. In this new adventure, he will meet new friends Serena, Fennekin, Pancham, Clemont, and Bonnie as well as new rivals and brand new Pokemons that can help him achieve his goals of becoming part of the Kalos League. With his dream to be part of this prestigious elite, Ash must complete the eight Gym badges, which he can acquire by winning different Pokemon battles. Pokemon the Series: XY airs 7:35 a.m. on GMA Astig Authority.

Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza

PhiliPPines high with AlDub fever

Eat Bulaga Sa Tamang Panahon

lmost 60,000 AlDub (Alden Richards-Yaya Dub or Maine Mendoza) fans trooped to Marilao, Bulacan to catch the nation’s phenomenal love team at the Philippine Arena. Eat Bulaga’s “Tamang Panahon” event proved to be the perfect time for admirers to finally witness Al-

the last minute. The suspense was finally over as Alden and Maine swept the Filipinos off their feet on Oct. 24 in this astonishing event. The AlDub fever has been called a “global phenomenon” by Twitter Asia Pacific and Middle East Vice President Rishi Jaitly after the hashtag #AlDubEBfor-

by robbie PAnGilinAn

den Richards and Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza together. Since the kalye serye started in July, Alden and Yaya Dub were kept apart by Lola Nidora, Yaya Dub’s boss always says everything happens at the right time. Many times they kept the fans hanging as they “almost” got together, only to be “caught” at

Love gathered 39 million tweets. The Philippines is now known as the AlDub Nation. At the middle of the lovebirds is equally famous Lola Nidora (Donya Nidora Esperanza Zobeyala vda. De Explorer) played by Wally Bayola, whose comeback from an ugly controversy has completely turned

around his career. Wally thanks the management and viewers of Eat Bulaga for accepting and forgiving him. He has played quack doctor Dra. Dora de Explorer in the segment Juan for All, All for Juan before portraying Lola Nidora, who is so much like the late comedian Babalu.

M ONDAY : NOV EMBER 2, 2015

C8 Cinema One channel head Ronald Arguelles (Rightmost) with the Cinema One Originals 2015 festival filmmakers

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

Cinema One Originals COunts 10 years dy about suicide and celebrity The Comeback features Kaye Abad as a fading star whose life takes an unexpected turn. Sari Dalena’s Dahling ISAH V. RED Nick, an experimental docu-fiction hybrid that celebrates the life and Ten years is a good round number to work of Nick Joaquin with Raywrap up an era. For its first ten years, mond Bagatsing in the title role. Cinema One Originals has produced Bor Ocampo’s Dayung Asu, featursome of the most unique, diverse, ing Ricky Davao and Junjun Quinadventurous independent films in tana as a father and son enmeshed Philippine cinema. On its eleventh in a life of crime, is homage to Pinoy year, it is ready to level up. action set in a unique milieu. Welcome to Cinema One OrigRalston Jover’s Hamog blends inals Mark 2.0. As exemplified by neo-realism and magic realism with its new tagline “Kakaiba Ka Ba?” Zaijan Jaranilla and Teri Malvar as Cinema One Originals continues to street children. uphold diversity and uniqueness in Carl Joseph Papa’s fully animated Philippine Cinema, an exhortation Manang Biring is the touching stoand an affirmation for both filmmak- ry of a terminal patient and her esers and film-goers. This year marks tranged daughter with Erlinda Vilthe first of another ten years and be- lalobos in the title role. Raymond Red’s Mga Rebeldeng yond and promises more of the same Walang Kaso is a look back at the only bigger, better, bolder. Starting everything off are our early days of the first wave of Philnine Originals 2015. Joel Ferrer’s ippine independent cinema with Fecross-generational screwball rom- lix Roco, Epi Quizon, Earl Ignacio, com Baka Siguro Yata, which stars and Nicco Manala. Valerie “Bangs” Garcia, Dino PasAnd lastly, Ara Chawdhury’s Miss trana, Ricky Davao, and Cherie Gil. Bulalacao introduces performance Sheron Dayoc’s religious horror artist Russ Ligtas in his first film gothic Bukod Kang Pinagpala fea- role, a comedy about a young drag turing real-life mother and daughter queen whose life is changed by a Bing Pimentel and Maxie Eigen- strange encounter. mann as a mother and daughter in Aside from the nine Originals the grip of sinister forces. 2015, there will a Special PresentaIvan Andrew Payawal’s come- tion of Cinema One’s production of

Sherad Sanchez’s found footage horror film Salvage, with Jessie Mendiola as a reporter lost in a haunted jungle. There will also be an impressive program of films showcasing the best of world cinema, including Miguel Gomez’s Arabian Nights, Hou Hsiao Hsien’s The Assassin, Hong Sang Soo’s Right Now Wrong Then, Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster, and Roy Andresson’s A Pigeon Sat On A Branch. This year’s Filipino Classics will be highlighted by a restoration of Ishmael Bernal’s Ikaw Ay Akin with no less than Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, as well as restorations of Lino Brocka’s Insiang and Marilou Diaz Abaya’s Karnal. In the spirit of commemorating revolutionary cinema, Cinema One Originals 2015 will pay tribute the first wave of Pinoy indies, the short filmmakers from the 80s led by Raymond Red, Nick De Ocampo, Rox Lee and Joey Agbayani, the pioneers of alternative cinema. As an auxiliary program, there will be also a showcase of 10 short films from the Philippines, New Zealand and Iran. Here is the form’s glorious past and it’s glittering future. From Nov. 9 to17, cinemas at Trinoma, Glorietta, Resorts World and SM Megamall will be haven for discerning cinephiles as Cinema One Originals once again celebrates cinema with a difference. “Kakaiba ka ba?” ➜ Continued on C7

Raymond Bagatsing is part of Sari Dalena's Dahling Nick in the Cinema One Originals 2015 festival

Mon Confiado is part of Ara Chawdhury's Miss Bulalacao

Ms. Tessie Tomas is also part of Ara Chawdhury's Miss Bulalacao

Bangs Garcia is part of Joel Ferrer's Baka Siguro Yata