The Standard - 2015 November 21 - Saturday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXIX  NO. 282  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  SATURDAY : NOVEMBER 21, 2015  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Leni admits government failures in land reform

GOVERNOR HITS AFP FOR LUMAD PSY-WAR

By John Paolo Bencito and Florante S. Solmerin

SURIGAO del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel on Friday denounced the military for projecting themselves as “pro-lumad” despite their inept response to the killing of lumad leaders and the displacement of indigenous people in the province.

“It’s possible that they’re adapting this [stance] as [a form of] psychological warfare for them to divert attention but that doesn’t solve the problem we’re facing right now,” Pimentel told The Standard in an interview. The governor’s statement followed the announcement that Maj. Gen. Rey Guerrero, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division based in Western Visayas, would replace Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, who reaches retirement age next week.

The Panay People’s Organization, a lumad group organized by the military and led by Renato Casinao, lauded Guerrero “for consistently upholding the rights of the indigenous peoples (IPs) as an advocacy to continuously empower them” and even “adopted” him as a lumad. Pimentel said if Guerrero truly were part of the lumad, he should side with them. “He should see what the lumad need. At this point, it’s the Army that can solve

the killings and the problems of the lumad here in our province,” Pimentel said. Pimentel also slammed the military for presenting Manobo leader Jumar Bucales as a resource speaker before the House committee on indigenous people, where he said other lumad leaders such as Emerito Samarca, the slain executive director of the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development Inc., were “poisoning the minds” of the Next page Manobos.

Last patrol. Security forces conclude their ﬁnal patrol along Manila Bay as the delegates to the Asia-Paciﬁc Economic Cooperation meetings like United States President Barack Obama (inset) all left Manila and proceeded to Kuala Lumpur for the 27th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. AFP

Aquino to raise sea row at Asean Summit By Sandy Araneta PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III is expected to raise the country’s territorial dispute with China during the 27th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. “After the successful hosting of Apec 2015, we will travel to Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia this afternoon, to participate in the 27th Asean Summit,” said Aquino in a speech, delivered in Filipino, minutes before flying to Malaysia. “This gathering to be held this November is very significant because we will launch the Asean Community,” Aquino added, referring to a move to more tightly integrate the regional group by the end of the year.

The summit will be Aquino’s last as president as he leaves office in June 2016. In a meeting with Vietnam’s President Truong Tan Sang earlier this week, he called for a “full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea” and cited the urgent need Next page

Japan OKs P93-b loan for railway to Bulacan

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Leni admits failures in govt land reform By John Paolo Bencito

THE ruling Liberal Party candidate for vice president, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, admitted Friday that the Aquino administration has failed to distribute land to farmers under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. The admission comes weeks after a federation of agricultural workers accused President Benigno Aquino III’s family of using a bogus sale of assets to retain ownership and control of the 6,453-hectare Hacienda Luisita and to frustrate the distribution of land to farm workers there. Robredo, a member of the House committee on agrarian reform, said that many tracts of land intended for distribution were not transferred to the control of farmer-beneficiaries. “During many of our committee hearings, there were many allegations of corruption insofar as the awarding of lots is concerned,” she said. Robredo co-authored a bill that seeks to create an Agrarian Reform Commission to investigate “circumvention and violations” of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law. Robredo said some 1.2 million to 2.7 million hectares of land that were supposed to be

distributed might not have actually been transferred to farmers. “The creation of an independent commission would benefit agrarian reform beneficiaries, since some of them at present were not receiving the lots that were rightly theirs,” she said. Robredo added that she was in favor of extending the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law “so that the land could be distributed once and for all.” Robredo also said the government must do more than merely distribute land, it must help the farmers. “If we don’t capacitate them, it’s like we’re just wasting time distributing land. This is why in my opinion, the program should be more comprehensive,” Robredo said. “In Mindoro, the creation of farmers’ cooperatives has been very successful. When you

turn them into cooperatives, this becomes a vehicle so that the lands become more contiguous and the cost of development decreases,” she said. Earlier this month, the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura disclosed that Aquino’s family sold the Central Azucarera de Tarlac to a businessman, Martin Lorenzo, but the company remains under the control of the family, through the President’s first cousin, Fernando Cojuangco, who is a first cousin of the President. UMA acting chairman John Milton Lozande said the sale was made to avoid paying back farmer-beneficiaries some P1.33 billion in proceeds from the sale of lands in Hacienda Luisita and to abort the distribution of land to farmers and farmworkers. After the sale last year, Lorenzo named Cojuangco the president and chief operating officer of CAT. Using CAT, which is within the Hacienda Luisita estate, Cojuangco immediately acquired shares of other Aquino-Cojuangco firms such as the Luisita Realty Corp. and Luisita Industrial Park Co. through the CAT Resource and Asset Holdings Inc. This effectively made the AquinoCojuangco family the real owners of Hacienda Luisita, Lozande said.

Solon thanks security forces for ‘good job’ SENATORIAL candidate and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez commended the 32,000 security forces, led by Philippine National Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez, for showing “malasakit” [empathy] in the performance of their duties during the just-concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting. Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association, said he is hoping that the great accomplishment in APEC “would provide continued motivation in making future tasks a success also,” recalling that the PNP duplicated in APEC its successful security arrangement in guaranteeing the safety of Pope Francis during his visit in the

Philippines last January. He thanked the organizers, especially Marquez, for providing security to the world’s most powerful leaders amidst global threats of terrorism following the recent Paris bloodbath. “I thank the PNP and all the women and men who showed malasakit in giving their hard work. They did a great job in keeping the peace and order amidst most challenging and trying APEC Leaders’ Summit,” Romualdez, head of the House Independent Bloc, stressed in acknowledging and thanking everyone’s extra effort to ensure the success of APEC. “They showed excellence in dealing with so many concerns because the country plays a great risk with the presence of world leaders here just after

Governor... From A1

Pimentel said Bucales was actually Marcos Bocales, the leader of the militia responsible for the murders of Samarca, Dionel Campos and Juvello Sinzo. “The Jumar Bucales presented by the military is, in fact, Marcos Bocales. He’s being used as a resource person of the Army in House inquiries and that clearly establishes the link between the Army and the Baghani forces. He’s a rebel leader but they’re claiming that he’s a rebel returnee, making him talk to press conferences and say the lumad are linked to the New People’s Army. [Bocales] is why we have internally displaced lumad here in my province,” Pimentel added. “Why is it that Jumar Bucales is their resource person… when in fact, he’s the one who ha-

the worse terrorist attacks in Paris,” Romualdez, the chairman of the House committee on ethics during the 15th Congress, explained. “Many of our government security men were overworked and sleepless and not even billeted in hotels. They showed malasakit to the call of their duty to ensure that everything would be in order,” said Romualdez. Romuldez said the hard work and dedication of all people behind the successful security for APEC delegates “showcases that the PNP is a role model despite meager budget for their modernization.” He expressed strong belief that “PNP’s commitment to excellence would inspire and impress the international

rassed the lumad here in my province? He’s the leader of the Baghani forces. I want him caught but I think it can’t be possible because the military’s protecting him,” Pimentel said. “I’m the governor here that’s why I know the problem. They should not say these things, otherwise it seems that we’re fooling each other when we are talking,” he added. “They should be protecting the people, but they’re doing it the other way around. That’s why it’s useless talking to them.” Pimentel said he has also sought the help of the national government for the lumad who are still encamped at the provincial sports stadium in Tandag because they fear returning to their homes. “The help coming from the DSWD has waned already. There are still 2,500 people in the evacuation centers in Tandag with 98 families. It’s good that some have already left, but the rest were those communities really affected by the killings,” Pimentel said.

community.” “Their brilliance behind the outstanding work is truly superb, above and beyond. The PNP has set a high bar with this one,” Romualdez pointed out in showing his appreciation, gratitude, and commendation to them. The heads of state held series of activities at the Philippine International Convention Center complex in Pasay City last Nov. 18 and 19. The leaders skipped discussing the continued aggressive invasion of China in the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea. The heads of state of the 21-member economies condemned all acts of terrorism and called for closer global cooperation in the fight against extremist violence.

“They want to return to their homes but what’s important is for the perpetrators to get arrested. But I think that’s not possible for now as the Baghani Magahat forces are supported by the Army.” Also on Friday, the head of the human rights group Karapatan, Cristina Palabay, slammed the military’s “divide-and-rule” tactic and its use of media psy-ops to cover up its role in atrocities perpetrated against the lumad. Local and international human rights institution have condemned the terrorism perpetrated by the military and its militia groups and also the communist New People’s Army against the lumad tribes. Until now, the military and police have failed to arrest those behind the Sept. 1 execution of Samarca, Campos and Sinzo. Suspected soldiers and militiamen from Magahat, Baghani, Alamara, and other groups continue to terrorize lumad tribes with the re-

Aquino... From A1 for parties to conclude negotiations on the Code of Conduct, in view of the rising tension over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. “This is a shared aspiration that we will continue to advance, as I take part in my final Asean summit as President of the Philippines,” Aquino said. During his visit here for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, US President Barack Obama underscored his country’s commitment to defend the Philippines and vowed with Aquino to stop China’s reclamation of land in disputed territories in the South China Sea. He also pledged increased military assistance to the Philippines worth $79 million, including a decommissioned US Coast Guard cutter that will be turned into a new warship. On Friday, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Obama’s demand that China stop building artificial islands in the South China Sea bolstered the Philippine stand against China’s aggressive expansion in the disputed waters. “We welcome President Obama’s demand as another strong stance against China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea,” said Marcos, referring to the areas of the South China Sea that the Philippines claims. Marcos also said Manila and Beijing should not let the territorial dispute between the two countries’ define the long history of friendship, mutual respect and cooperation. Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the arbitration case the Philippines filed against China in The Hague is a “knot that has impeded the improvement and development of SinoPhilippines relations” and that it is up to Manila “to loosen or open the knot.” The Arbitration Court has ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the case, but China rejected the tribunal’s authority. Also on the sidelines of the Apec this week, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called for a peaceful resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea and urged all parties to abide by international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. “Russia is not a party of concern with regards to the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea issue but we call on all the parties involved in the territorial issue to exercise self-restraint and resolve the matter through peaceful bilateral talks,” Medvedev said. He said that Russia supports of peaceful settlement in accordance with international law, adding that countries involved in the dispute can still work together to strengthen regional peace and stability. With Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta, AFP

cent burning of a teacher’s cottage owned by Alcadev. Palabay said the perpetrators also destroyed books, school supplies, instructional and learning materials, stocks of rice, power generator set, audio-video equipment, sewing machine, kitchen utensils and farm tools. “The 5,000 banana and abaca seedlings in the school nursery, as well as hardwood and fruit trees were also destroyed. Since September, the 24 schoolchildren and 10 teachers of Alcadev have been staying at the Tandag City Sports Complex, where nearly 2,000 residents from Lianga and San Miguel towns of Surigao del Sur are staying,” she said. She also took note of the military’s sweeping statement against TV personality Maine Mendoza, popularly known as Yaya Dub, singer-composer Aiza Seguerra and other artists as “misled” into supporting the calls of the lumad.

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News

MMDA admits failure in links By Joel E. Zurbano THE head of the Metro Manila Development Authority admitted on Friday that the government’s lack of effective communication tools caused public confusion and disruption during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Manila. “We need cooperation and we must have effective communication tools. Too many advisories caused an overload of information. We have to simplify the issuance of advisories, in layman’s term, one page is enough. It’s all there and there is no need to change the webpage,” said MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos. “Public dissemination and information campaign is important because how many months that we did make announcements, about the impact of the advisory... but still it did not sink-in to the public. They realize it only last Monday, the first day,” he added. Carlos also offered an apology for the unannounced vehicular traffic adjustment and closure of other main roads in the metropolis, saying the government made the decision because of the sudden changes in schedule and itinerary of some heads of economies. “Last minute, Cavitex and Skyway were closed. It was not (included in the original) plan. We made the sudden closure also because of decisions and as a reaction to sudden schedules of the heads of states,” he explained. Carlos said the preparation for the weeklong Apec summit in Manila was more difficult than what they did during the Papal Visit last January. “This is more difficult because we have 21 heads of states. During the Papal Visit, the Pope wants to see the people, which is not the case this time around. (The event) went smoothly. The people contributed, made sacrifices, but still we made it.”

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Poe detractor urged: Move on THE lawyer of Senator Grace Poe on Friday told losing senatorial candidate Rizalito David to move on since the Senate Electoral Tribunal’s decision had clearly established that she, an independent presidential candidate, is a natural-born Filipino citizen.

Back in the streets. Street children were back on Roxas Boulevard in Manila on Friday after several days of being hidden by the government following the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting. Danny Pata

Stop band-aid solutions—Binay VICE President Jejomar Binay on Friday urged the government not to resort to “band-aid” solutions but to draw up concrete measures to prevent at least one million rural workers from losing their jobs within the next six months to El Niño. He said the budget set aside for emergency employment programs would only benefit 70,000 rural workers. He asked if the Aquino administration had any plans to ease the damage expected to be brought by El Niño particularly to the agriculture and industrial sectors. Binay said the loss in the agriculture sector had been pegged at P2.19 billion

in the first half of the year. Yet the administration apparently had a wrong sense of priorities as it allocated P13 billion for irrigation in Metro Manila. “Metro Manila can hardly be considered an agricultural area, yet the administration allocated P13 billion for Metro Manila irrigation projects that could have been diverted to other provinces,” Binay said. He said agriculture would be one of the priorities of his administration if he was elected President as that sector would generate jobs for the majority of Filipinos who lived in the rural areas.

He vowed to improve the infrastructure and give additional incentives to farmers to increase productivity in the farm sector. “Under the Binay administration, agricultural funds will be restored to produce good and abundant agricultural harvest which is a key industry,” Binay said. “We will build new farm-to-market roads that will hasten the transport of products to the market.” Binay also vowed to build post-harvest facilities and to cut production costs to raise farmers’ income and lower the prices of agricultural products. Vito Barcelo

Voting 5-4, the nine-man tribunal junked Poe’s disqualification case over the issue on her citizenship filed by David. David had insisted that Poe should be removed from the Senate as she failed to meet the requirement that she be natural-born Filipino citizen when she ran for senator in 2013. Poe’s lawyer George Garcia said David now bore the burden proving the tribunal was wrong. “Mr. David has been ill-advised for disparaging the SET decision. It was not a political decision but a clear-cut judgment based on prevailing jurisprudence,” Garcia said. David said he will appeal the SET ruling to the Supreme Court as he expressed hope that it would be overturned. But Garcia maintains that Poe is a natural-born citizen under the 1935 and 1986 Constitutions, and that the senator is presumed a natural-born Filipino because she did not have to do anything to acquire her status. In the latest Pulse Asia survey on preferred presidential candidates for the May 2016 elections, Poe was way ahead of the other candidates and even led her closest rival, Vice President Jejomar Binay, by 15 percentage points. Her running mate, Senator Francis Escudero, enjoyed a more comfortable of 43 percent. Meanwhile, Escudero said he was disappointed with the Supreme Court justices who voted against Poe. He noted that the position taken by Associate Justices Antonio Carpio, Teresita Leonardo de Castro and Arturo Brion was a clear form of discrimination against foundlings whom they regarded as not naturalborn Filipino citizens and thus barred from running for national posts. “They could have forgotten the basic principle of the law that says that ‘those who have less in life should always have more in law’,” Escudero said. Macon Ramos-araneta

Hearing set on mall voting THE Commission on Elections will hold a public hearing in Intramuros, Manila, next week on the proposed satellite voting in the malls during next year’s elections. The commission says it has set the hearing on the ground floor of the Palacio del Gobernador Building at 10 a.m. on Nov. 27. “All interested parties are invited to attend the public hearing on the transfer of polling precincts to identified public malls,” the Comelec said in its Notice to the Public. The general public and the members of all political parties are welcome to attend the public hearing,

the commission says. “We want to hear the public’s take on this,” Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said in a previous interview. The Omnibus Election Code says the designated polling places cannot be changed without prior notice and without a hearing being conducted by the commission. Bautista has said the Comelec is looking to implement mall voting. He says about 159 privately owned malls nationwide have already expressed interest in hosting the Comelec on Election Day. Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

Recovered loot. Authorities show off recovered pieces of property stolen by a gang

of porch climbers in Teachers’ Village during a press conference in Quezon City on Friday. JanSen RoMeRo

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Govt can recover Apec cost —Palace By Sandy Araneta and Rio N. Araja THE P10 billion the government spent for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting can easily be recouped, the Palace said Friday in response to criticism that the money could have fed every hungry Filipino family for 20 days. “Looking at [the] big picture, losses incurred this week will be recovered eventually in terms of continuing and sustained growth and development of the Philippine economy as a favored investment and tourism destination,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. The government spent around P10 billion for its year-long hosting of the economic meetings, held in several areas like Metro Manila, Cebu, Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, Iloilo, Tagaytay, and Boracay Island. Amidst the criticism, the government stressed that economic gains from hosting of the Apec Meetings more than compensate disadvantages experienced by some people. Coloma quoted Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima as saying Apec provided its member-economies a venue to further enhance economic and trade relationships and that has resulted in doubling the combined gross domestic product of Apec members from $15 trillion in 1989. Trade figures rose seven times to $21 trillion against the $3 trillion before Apec. For the Philippines alone, the country’s exports rose more than 15 times because of stronger tieup with Apec member-countries. Coloma made the remark in response to criticisms that the money spent for Apec could have been better spent. “If used to feed the 3.46-million hungry Filipinos, the P10-billion Apec fund could eradicate poverty in the country for at least 20 days,” said Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national chairperson.

Closer ties. President Benigno S. Aquino III and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hold expanded bilateral talks at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel on Thursday. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

Manila, Tokyo agree on P93-B Bulacan rail By Sandy Araneta AMID public complaints on transportation and its related infrastructure, the Philippines and Japan agreed to build the P93.457-billion railway from the Tutuban Station in Divisoria, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan. That was among the highlights of the bilateral talks the two nations held Thursday after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa exchanged notes on a yen loan that will finance the “North-South Commuter Railway Project” amounting to 241.991 billion yen (about P93.457 billion). The railway project aims to strengthen the transport network and ease serious traffic congestion in Metro Manila by constructing a commuter

railway between Malolos and Tutuban and contribute to a more secure and sustainable economic development through promotion of investments. Another key agreement focused on coordinating the pension payments of people who live or work in the Philippines and Japan and are covered by their respective social security systems or even another country, Malacañang said. “The cooperation between Japan and the Philippines has become ever closer,” said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who witnessed the signing of the

agreement along with President Benigno Aquino III. While Aquino had already offered his kind support of the legislation for peace and security, Abe said he took the opportunity to reiterate the position of Japan to make further contributions to the peace and stability of the region and other global communities through “proactive” contributions to peace. “We welcome the agreement in principle on the transfer of defense equipment and agreed to work together for the early signing of agreement and realization of cooperation in defense equipment,” Abe said. There was a request from President Aquino regarding the provision of large patrol vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard and Japan would like to consider the specifics of the matter, Abe said. “I reported to the President Japan’s decision to provide approximately 15-billion yen

to support the agribusiness promotion project in Mindanao upon request from the Philippine government,” Abe said. “The President and I also had a candid exchange of views on regional peace and stability. We shared deep concerns over unilateral actions to change the status quo such as the large-scale land reclamation and building of outposts in the South China Sea,” Abe said. “At the same time, we confirmed the importance of partnership in the global community based on the rule of law to protect open, free and peaceful seas,” Abe also said. “The visit to the Philippines by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress early next year will be an auspicious event to mark the opening of a series of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between our two nations,” the prime minister said.

Poe: GMA to get justice, too By Macon Ramos-Araneta IF SHE wins the presidency, Senator Grace Poe vowed to work for the speedy resolution of cases that have been clogging the dockets of the judiciary, including that of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. “What we all want is a swift prosecution of cases because when the process is prolonged, like in the case of GMA and many others who are still in jail with no certainty, that would be unjust,” Poe said in Angeles City following a consultation meeting with residents. Poe made the remark in response to a quation about Arroyo who has remained under “hospital arrest” at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City with a incurable disease although all her corespondents have been released on bail. Arroyo is charged of plunder before the

Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged misuse of P366 million in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office intelligence funds for personal gain from 2008 to 2010. Poe said there can be no justice if one is held in detention for a long time because his or her case is being unjustifiably dragged. “My prayer for all and for the country is to have an efficient justice system. Those who have committed a crime should be made to pay,” said Poe. The front runner in all presidential surveys also believes that if the guilt of a person has not yet been proven, he has the right to be free. “What is just being said is for the speedy disposition of cases, whatever the decision of the court,” she said. “I don’t believe in kicking a person especially when he or she is already down, especially if that is the situation. Why would I be hostile especially in a situation like that?” she asked.

P65-m art work. A woman studies the P65-million painting of the late Nena Saguil now on exhibit at the Galeria de las Islas in Intramuros, Manila. Saguil was one of the female Filipino painters who pioneered abstract painting in the Philippines. DANNY PATA

A6 Advocates denounce free trade in fisheries

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Another woman gives birth amid metro traffic

By Rio N. Araja

By Joel E. Zurbano

A DAY before the commemoration of World Fisheries Day, climate advocates stormed the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources office in Quezon City to denounce the policy of liberalization and free trade that could worsen the state of small local food producers. Gerry Arances, national coordinator of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, spearheaded the rally Friday in front of BFAR to dramatize their opposition against policies removing subsidies for small local fisherfolk and promoting stricter, anti-poor policies on fishing. “Among the most affected in the crisis of climate change are fishing communities whose sources of income are depleted due to storms and extreme heat brought about by the warming of the planet and the oceans,” he said. “And yet, policies on the management of water resources, promoting biodiversity, adaptation and resiliency keep this sector—one of the poorest sectors in the country— away from the coastal areas which are their only source of livelihood.” Arances cited the issuance of nobuild zones in Typhoon “Yolanda” stricken areas in Eastern Visayas in November 2013 to displace fisherfolk and replace their settlements with commercial establishments. “Removing artisanal fisherfolk from places where they fish is tantamount to condemning them to poverty and hunger. With 41 percent of fishing communities experiencing extreme hunger, it is unthinkable that the Aquino government’s policy of ‘building back better’ does not involve strengthening the livelihood of sectors relying on fishing for survival,” he lamented. Val Vibal of Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura, head of PMCJ’s adaptation working group, said the government’s free trade policies are incompatible with the “inclusive growth” for fishing and farming sectors as well as policies on protecting the environment and natural resources in the context of climate change.

STREETS of Metro Manila are fast becoming the instant delivery room for pregnant women who stuck in traffic as a result of road closure.

Look up, baby boy. A child is fascinated with lanterns on display at Central Market in Sta. Cruz, Manila. LINO SANTOS

Another woman gave birth Friday morning along the Coastal Road in Parañaque City after the public utility bus she and her husband riding encountered heavy traffic on their way to Manila from Tanza in Cavite. Aileen Butacain, 31, named her baby girl “Coastaline,” after the name of Coastal Mall where she gave birth around 8 a.m. with the help of a mall vendor who used to work as a midwife. Butacain and her husband Enrique were on their way to Ospital ng Maynila, where she was supposed to deliver her baby, when the bus they were riding encountered the traffic gridlock because of the road closure enforced by the government in connection with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Manila. “She was already complaining when we reached Coastal Road and because of the heavy traffic, she gave birth here at the mall,” said Enrique. Later, personnel of the Metro Manila Development Authority manning the area rushed the couple and the newly born child to the hospital. Last Monday, Lorna Justo gave birth on the sidewalk of President Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, also in Parañaque City, because of heavy traffic. It was on Monday when authorities first enforced the road closure and tight security for Apec event. Angel Ramos-Canoy uploaded to her Facebook account a photo showing the woman giving birth to a baby boy while walking near the City of Dreams Hotel and Casino. Commuters in the area were forced to walk because of the security measures for Apec. The woman was seen being assisted by policewomen from Quezon City Police District. But Canoy said patrolling policemen refused to let the woman to give birth inside their police mobile. Canoy said she and other stranded commuters used umbrellas to give the woman some privacy as she gave birth. “All we can do is to give shade through our umbrellas,” she wrote. Witnesses claimed the policewoman who helped the woman deliver her child was also a midwife while the other man was a trained nurse. Traffic was heavy in southern part of Metro Manila on Monday, particularly in the areas of World Trade Center, SM Mall of Asia, and the Philippine International Convention Center, all in Pasay City, the official venues of Apec meetings.

Public Works dept earmarks P1.7b for Manila flood control By Vito Barcelo

From Leyte to Tarlac. Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez conveys his appreciation to Tarlac Gov. Victor Yap for the latter’s help to ‘Yolanda’ victims in Tacloban. VER NOVENO

THE Department of Public Works and Highways has allotted P1.7 billion worth of flood control projects in Manila for the decades-old problem of flooding that affects the country’s capital city. Former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said close coordination by his office with the DPWH Under Secretary Rogelio Singson resulted in Manila getting a windfall of infrastructure projects worth P1,742,775,286.46. Of this amount, P1,086,057,000 went to “flood control and drainage system” projects. “Since the start of my administration in 2013, I have seen to it that our public works really redound to the benefit of the people and directly address their needs. That is why the bulk of our infrastructure projects focus on flooding, damaged, outdated or worn-out roads, clogged waterways, lack of classrooms, and other pressing concerns,” Estrada said, lamenting that such problems were not attended to by the past administrations.

Manila City engineer Roberto Bernardo said that the DPWH will work closely with the Manila government in the execution of these projects to avoid any irregularities. “I believe that our performance in the area of infrastructure is the reason why the DPWH has infused so much infrastructure projects in Manila under this term of Mayor Estrada,” Bernardo said. He added that the honest and competent implementation of infrastructure projects was among the reasons why Manila was conferred the ‘Most Competitive City award’ in the 2015 National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines—Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index awards. Manila was also adjudged No. 1 in infrastructure in the said annual NCC awards co-sponsored by the USAID. This year’s awards program—was headed by Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo and Co-Chairman Guillermo Luz. “Before the administration of Mayor Estrada, Manila was a bottom dweller—Number 36—in this competitiveness awards,” Bernardo said.

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New day. The sun rises at the shore where the Tacloban Astrodome stands. SONNY ESPIRITU

Authorities arrest Abu leader in Zamboanga By Florante S. Solmerin

A NOTORIOUS leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group who was arrested by government forces before noon Friday in Barangau Tubungan, Zamboanga City, Navy Captain Roy Trinidad, spokesman of the Joint Task Force “Zambasulta” (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi), said. The arrested bandit leader was identified as Mhadie Umangkat Sahirin alias Madie. “Our troops from the 64 Infantry Battalion and policemen collared him while he was walking

ISO-certified.

Star Tollway Corp., operator of the 42-kilometer Star Tollway in Batangas province, has been awarded the Integrated Management System certificates for triple ISO standards. STC president and CEO Manuel Bonoan receives the certificate from TUVRheinland Philippines COO Tristan Loveres. STC chief finance officer Melvin Nazareno looks on.

at 11:40 a.m. He did not resist arrest when he saw our soldiers and policemen who surrounded him. There is no chance of escape,” Trinidad said. Intelligence operatives tracked

Sahirin for years. “Madie has long been wanted by authorities for murder and frustrated murder. The arrest warrant was issued by Judge Danilo Bucoy, 9th Judicial Court of Basilan, Branch 2 on February 14, 2013 for murder of civilians and frustrated murder of soldiers at Barangay Upper Cabengbeng, Sumisip, Basilan," Trinidad said. Based on military and police recirda, Sahirin is a leader of lawless elements based in Sapah Bulak, Sumisip, Basilan with the strength of more or less 20 followers.

“Sahirin was a former member of ASG under Furuji Indama alias Abu Dujana. At present, he is affiliated with the ASG under Indama and lawless element under Abas Alam. He has also participated in the ambush of government forces along the Basilan Circumferential Road using Improvised Explosive Devices. Furthermore, Madie is responsible for a series of carnapping, bombings and burning of government construction equipment in the province,” Trinidad said. He said authorities are investigating his presence in the city.

Giant cross to stand on Limasawa Island By: Mel Caspe A 15-METER high cross, with an estimated cost of P10 million, will soon stand on Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte and will serve as a historical marker to commemorate the spot where the first Christian Mass in the Philippines and in Asia was held. The island was declared a tourism zone on Nov. 18, 1994 by virtue of R.A. 7822, which also declared that the island shall be “accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism.” The Regional Development Council said the project is consistent with

the local government unit’s National Tourism Development Plan. “Since it will be constructed on government property, it is eligible for funding assistance by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.” Once completed, the historical monument is expected to draw more tourists to the region. An improved rollon, roll-off port and other facilities are up for construction. On March 16, 1521, Magellan discovered Philippines, by anchoring first on Homonhon island of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Bishops condemn killing of Malaysian By Sara D. Fabunan CATHOLIC bishops have joined the voices of other leaders in condemning the killing of a Malaysian businessman by Abu Sayyaf terror group in Mindanao. Bishops Martin Jumoad of Isabela in Basilan and Dinualdo Gutierrez of Marbel in South Cotabato said acts of terrorism must be deplored in the strongest terms and all available measures be taken to stamp them out. “This is sad news when life is curtailed because of the failure to pay ransom,” Jumoad said in a statement posted at the CBCP website. Gutierrez said the beheading of Bernard Then, held captive since May by the Al Qaeda-linked group, is “immoral and inhuman act”. “When all diplomatic means are exhausted, the government must use the final option,” Jumoad said. Then was reportedly killed in Indanan town of Sulu island Wednesday afternoon. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said he was “shocked and sickened” at the killing and called on Philippine authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. “We will also extend our full cooperation to relevant agencies and authorities in charge on the investigation of this incident,” Razak said on his Facebook page.

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

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

GRACE POE SHOULD GET A NEW SPOKESMAN

[ EDI TORI A L ]

BURNED

THE presidential sister’s back got burned in the “just-before-noon heat” as she accompanied the spouses of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders on a historical tour at Fort Santiago Thursday. She was so affected by this development that she asked her son to take a picture of her back while inside the bathroom and then posted it on Instagram, with a caption that betrays not only her logorrhea but her ruling-class mentality— something she shares with her brother. One has got to sympathize with Ms. Aquino, who believes karma has caught up with her for her vanity. The vanity is wearing a laced designer Filipiniana dress that precisely exposed her upper back. Sunburn was her comeuppance. The event was so tragic that Ms. Aquino had the gall to say: “Quits na tayo sa lahat ng nahirapan mag commute these past few days, patas ang mundo, patche patche naman ang balat ko. (To all those who had difficulty commuting these past few days, we’re on the same footing. The world is fair. My skin is uneven.)” Poor, poor woman. We are not surprised to hear about her tragedy and her view that her pain entitles her to some kindredness with the masses. Recall how her brother said the same thing to the widows and orphans of the 44 members of the Special Action Force slain in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January. President Aquino, in talking to the grieving family members, said they were the same. Their loved ones died. His father was also killed. They’re even. Of course, the death of a loved one is always difficult. In the case of the SAF troopers, however, their own government practically sent them on an errand to meet their end. They died in the line of duty, pursuing terrorists, but were not given reinforcements at the crucial hour. That the pain of loss and betrayal was fresh at that time Mr. Aquino talked about his own loss as he seemed to make light of theirs made the whole exchange ignominious. That the Aquino siblings appear to believe that their own tragedies enable them to understand the pain of many Filipinos is our tragedy. Born and bred as landowners, dealing with hired help to get by, the Aquinos, like many members of the upper crust, believe that they are a notch above everybody else, conveniently dismissing the truth that all this happened through sheer accident of birth. This essential disconnect renders them incapable of putting themselves in others’ shoes beyond posturing. We wonder what the sister might say on social media if she were to visit the poor communities of Payatas, as the wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe did. Then again, we don’t think we want to go in there. It suffices that we know we’ve been burned by the promise of this family which keeps telling the people they are the boss while being imperious and condescending.

FAIR, NOT FREE, TRADE POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO BY NOW, the biggies, led by US President Barack Obama and #APEChotties Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto have left the country. And we are back to our pre-Apec summit concerns. Some quarters claim big success because our government was able to secure bilateral agreements that could be beneficial to us in the future. They say that the

P10 billion spent was well worth it because of such gains. But let us go back to the basics: did Juan and Juana have a chance to really understand what the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is, and what it stands for? Did people know why they had to walk for several hours, why their wages are cut because of work suspension and restrictions brought about by hosting this grand meeting in Manila? It came and it went, but what did we learn besides the fact that most heads of Apec members were in the country for a few days? I doubt if many of us now have a better understanding of what just happened.

Apec, as the name implies is an association not of countries, but of economies. Governments are quick to say that this aggrupation does not tackle political issues and solely deals with economic and trade concerns. As if the two are mutually exclusive. This is the reason why, according to them, the West Philippine Sea problem could not be an official Apec concern. But I am getting ahead of my story. Apec is composed of 21 member economies: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United States of America, People’s Republic

We need to put people, not markets at the center of our economic and development paradigm. Markets should serve people and not the other way around.

of China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russian Federation, Vietnam, and Taiwan (although China claims this as its province). Such a coming together of these economies could have been a good idea if not for a very fundamental concern—the neoliberal development paradigm Apec (and the world at large) pursues. Neoliberalism, often referred to as globalization is the advanced form of capitalism aided by the rapid technological advances in the fields of communication and transportation. This neoliberal economic model sees the entire world as a barrier-free marketplace of goods and services. “Free trade” reigns supreme here. Neoliberalism promised progress and economic advancement by ad-

vocating for producers to stick to their “comparative advantage”, or producing only goods and services that they are already good at. This is the way to compete, so says neoliberalism. Free trade sneers at protectionism. Thus, countries can be flooded by goods from other countries produced and marketed at much cheaper price than one’s own. This is what happened to us. The neoliberal economic model works better for developed countries the products and services of which are dictated by the sellers—themselves. Examples of this may be machinery, computers and

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-

mobile phones which have become indispensable in our lives. Some parts of these products are made in our country but assembled elsewhere and we import these at prices determined by the sellers. Buyers can hardly negotiate. On the other hand, on the losing side of the bargain are developing countries that are without the capital and/or technology to produce high end products. Take the case of the Philippines. Our products and/or services are marketed at the buyers’ price. Our comparative advantage significantly lies in the produce of our land and water, and our peo-

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ple—our workers. Because our harvest easily spoil, and because the labor we send out are mostly unskilled or semiskilled, we export them at the buyer’s price. We are not able to negotiate from a position of strength. Our comparative advantage does not enable us to compete in this globalized market. Neoliberalism, particularly the removal of protection for our industries killed many of our former flagship industries like textile and leather. Why manufacture when our products will 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 Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager

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

AS POINTED out in the previous column, outgoing Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, who is running for the Senate under the ticket of independent presidential candidate Grace Poe, should refrain from making untenable statements in defending Poe from the onslaught of disqualification cases filed against the senator before the Commission on Elections (Comelec). If Moreno wants Senator Poe to win in the presidential elections, he ought to shut up on this issue. Poe’s spokesman, Rex Gatchalian, is no different from Moreno in defending his principal from the series of disqualification cases filed in the Comelec. In an attempt to defend Poe’s long stay in the United States as an American citizen, Gatchalian likens the senator to the many overseas Filipino workers and other migrant workers who have decided to settle in foreign lands. Gatchalian concludes that like OFWs and migrant workers, it cannot be said that Poe turned her back on the Philippines when she willingly renounced her Philippine citizenship to become an American citizen years ago. Gatchalian’s analogy has no basis. The best rebuttal to his analogy comes from pro-administration vice presidential bet Leni Robredo, who said, “Filipinos working abroad are not running for president.” Another baseless analogy peddled by Gatchalian concerns Filipino veterans who fought Japanese invaders during World War II, and who later obtained American citizenship. Once more, Gatchalian compares Poe to these veterans and concludes that Poe should not be faulted for turning her back earlier on the Philippines. Again, Robredo’s reply rebuts this analogy—unlike Poe, the war veterans are not running for president. Gatchalian also cites Poe’s decision to give birth to her children in the Philippines, and implies that this act proves that Poe always considered the Philippines as her country. Of course, Gatchalian assumes that Filipinos are gullible enough to fall for his story. The act of giving birth in the Philippines is hardly a sufficient indication of one’s nationalism. Moreover, under the Constitution, a child born in the Philippines of alien parents is an alien. Obviously, the analogy cited by Gatchalian has no basis. What should be the focus of Gatchalian’s explanations is the fact that Poe’s husband Neil Llamanzares is and remains an American citizen. According to Poe, her husband is willing to become a Filipino citizen once she is elected president. At first impression, Poe’s statement sounds nice. A careful evaluation of it, however, reveals that Mr. Llamanzares is not about to relinquish his American citizenship within the next several months Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

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

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

GRACE POE SHOULD GET A NEW SPOKESMAN

[ EDI TORI A L ]

BURNED

We need to put people, not markets at the center of our economic and development paradigm. Markets should serve people and not the other way around.

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

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

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

A10 GIVING AWAY OUR SOVEREIGNTY

would now be entrapped once they ratify the membership with TPP. While the emaciated WTO still acknowledges state sovereignty on matters of economic policy, their soverLEST we fail to understand eignty has been abrogated what the US-initiated through the years by the Trans-Pacific Partnership various international trade Agreement is all about, agreements. The creation one thing is clear: that it is of the TPP would finalize neither a trade agreement the withering of the states nor an agreement to re- not to give way to Marx’s duce the remaining tariff. prophecy about the uniRather, it is a series of re- versality of communism, strictions and prohibitions but the completion of infor member-states to com- ternational monopoly. ply under the proposed The most favored nation trade partnership. There clause (MFNC) became is no incentive that awaits the main mechanism that them in exchange for sur- made most international rendering their sovereign- trade agreements, includty. Member-countries like ing the WTO, successAustralia, Brunei, Canada, ful. Under that principle, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, member-states commit to Mexico, New Zealand, extend the same tariff rates Peru, Philippines, Singa- granted to other countries. pore, and But under the the United TPP, it would States could focus in enno longer forcing a far exact more for stricter like what MFNC deFree trade has been acsigned to complished has only completely under the erase the Asean Free developed the r e m a i n i n g Trade Agree- specialization traces of sovment, and ereignty on the Asia–Pa- of their exports how states cific Ecoof specific should run nomic Coeconoproducts for the their operation. my. While The pro- poor countries. the US inposed restricsists of being tions and impartial, prohibition its negotiawere all contors, in fact, ceived by US conceived negotiators, and are now the idea and doggedly submitted for the ratifica- worked hard to incorpotion of the member-states. rate that new mechanism Even if no provision would in the TPP. That now specifically place the US would work in favor of the at an advantaged position, US. There would no trade political pundits, nonethe- package the TPP could ofless, see this move as mea- fer in exchange for memsures to arrest the continu- bership, similar to that ing decline in US economic of the Chinese-initiated dominance in Asia that is Asian International Infradangerously pushing its de- structure Bank. fense capability on the precRather, the TPP could ipice. The specter of being impose a universal regueconomically overtaken by latory system of controls China, Russia and now In- and standards favorable dia, with its host of multina- and beneficial to the US tional corporations placed and to its multinational on the hinge, could eventu- corporations. Among ally displace the US as the the target of the TPP unleading economic power in der the guise of universalthe region. Right now, the izing controls and stantechnological superiority dards is the demand to of the US is slowly being speed up the abolition of eroded by the advancing state-owned enterprises technological knowhow of which many countries Japan, China, Russia, India, used as their launch pad South Korea, Taiwan and to achieve full industrial even Singapore. and technological develWith such interlocking opment; tightening furtrade agreements entered ther intellectual property into under Asean, plus rights; adjusting labor China, Japan, and the US; standards to make prowith Apec and even as far duction cost expensive as Nafta and EU, it now and prohibitive, viz. rebecomes clear that what store US competitiveness; many countries grudg- impose new rules that ingly acceded under the would completely liberalmore democratic arrange- ize trade and investment. ment of the World Trade All these proposals of Organization (WTO) the TPP may appear to

BACK BENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

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

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

CHINA IS TRYING TO WARN TAIWAN VOTERS

paired against DPP leader Tsai Ing-wen. In mid-OcTHE US and Europe have tober, with its candidate spent the last week focused polling under 16 percent to on Islamic State, but the Ing-wen’s nearly 47 percent, possibility of conflict be- the KMT switched horses, tween China and Taiwan choosing Eric Chu as its is far more dangerous to new candidate. But a poll the world’s security. An im- later in the month showed portant development took Chu’s numbers pretty close place Nov. 7, when Chinese to those of his predecessor. President Xi Jinping met for And November’s polling a historic summit with Tai- has him improving by only wanese leader Ma Ying-jeou. a few points. The presidenThe meeting has been tial election is Jan. 16. A big part of KMT’s variously interpreted. But the best read is that it was struggles is the appeal of a warning from China to Tsai. Taiwan’s answer to Taiwanese voters not to Elizabeth Warren, Tsai is move toward indepen- a sophisticated, progresdence. That’s particularly sive former law professor worrisome, because Ma’s with graduate degrees from nationalist Kuomintang Cornell University and the Party is widely expected London School of Ecoto lose upcoming elec- nomics. In the 2012 elections to the independence- tion, she won 45.6 percent minded Democratic Pro- of the vote to Ma’s 51.6 percent—impressive for her gressive Party. Although China and Tai- first national campaign. In wan have deep trade ties, local elections a year ago, this was the first public she led the party to unprecencounter between the edented success. If elected, leaders of the two coun- she will be the first female tries since Mao Zedong president of Taiwan. When it comes to naand Chiang Kai-shek met for talks in 1945. It was tional identity, the DPP’s therefore calculated on approach has historically both sides to have maxi- differed from that of the mum public effect. And it KMT. The DPP has prematters, in symbolic politi- viously called for Taiwan cal terms at least, that Xi is to declare independence, the heir to Mao’s leadership which is perceived as a redof the Communist Party line by mainland China. while Ma is head of Chi- Tsai has also been skeptical of deepening trade ties ang’s KMT. It’s also crucial to under- with China. Should Taiwan declare stand that while Xi has already consolidated power or even move toward indemore than any Chinese pendence, it could trigger leader in 30 years, Ma’s star preparations for a Chinese is on the wane—and the invasion. The US would fortunes of the KMT are support Taiwan, and the idea of two great naval fleets declining in tandem. Ma isn’t running for a confronting in the Taiwan third term, and KMT can- Strait should be frightening didates have been strug- far outside the region. This brings us to the Xigling in opinion polls when

By Noah Feldman

have universal application and benefit, but in reality, many of the dos and don’ts would be favorable to the US, to its partners in the European Union and to its multinational corporations. The case of intellectual property rights is one contentious issue. Once ratified, the TPP could instantly make many products—such as medicines and electronics, which have contributed much to advance progress in the last 50 years—prohibitive and costly. It will mean a new mode of imperialism, for many companies in the US and Europe would rake in enormous profits on royalty alone that it might even exceed direct but costly investment. That could make the US perpetually rich and powerful with those countries paying their royalties, like vassal states paying tribute to suzerain state for the fact that many of those intellectual properties that have been patented are of American origin, not

to say that some of them were originally pirated. Once ratified, the TPP would then seek to impose prohibition to membercountries from joining other international trade and finance organizations again in the guise that joining outside the framework of the US-controlled institutions would be detrimental to the existence and interests of the TPP. While it may not directly prohibit countries from joining the Chinese-initiated AIIB, and the newly created BRIC Developmental Bank, it could impose sanctions to tighten the financial screw against those states that would attempt to seek “the best of both worlds”; that joining the AIIB or the BRIC Developmental Bank would be in conflict with their membership in the World Bank and ADB. In fact, many suspect that the Philippine decision to back out of joining the AIIB was due to pressure from the US and Japan, fearing that many of the projects fund-

Ma meeting, and its political meaning. There’s no doubt that Xi would like to see the more cautious, pro-China KMT win the presidential election. Ma has sought such a meeting in the past, and if it were to give the KMT greater stature in the run-up to the elections, that could only be seen as a bonus from Xi’s perspective. But Xi and the Chinese leadership are sophisticated enough to realize that the meeting alone is unlikely to turn the election to the KMT, and could even backfire if ordinary Taiwanese think that it didn’t produce any practical results. There was therefore more to China’s decision than a simple desire to prop up a friendly government in its hour of need. Xi was also signaling to Taiwanese voters that he would be prepared to meet respectfully with a government that preserves the status quo with regard to independence. Xi referred to China and Taiwan as “one family,” and called the countries “brothers who are still connected by our flesh even if our bones are broken.” The ideal of unity resonates strongly for Xi’s domestic audience. And it’s also a message that Taiwan shouldn’t separate itself by moving toward a symbolic declaration of independence. The message for Tsai and the DPP is clear: Don’t rock the boat. As China expands its regional military influence, its interest in keeping Taiwan close is greater than ever. Xi’s increasingly populist, nationalist rhetoric requires him to keep a close eye on Taiwan. Thus, by appearing with

Taiwan’s leader two months before Taiwan’s elections, Xi was sending a message of serious attention to Taiwanese affairs. In his mind, China and Taiwan are brothers, and there’s no doubt who’s the older, dominant member of the family. Will Tsai listen? The DPP has already moderated its stance on independence as part of its presidential campaign. The party’s second-in-command, Joseph Wu, has said it wants to “maintain the status quo” of the “current democratic way of life.” In the delicate signaling game of ChineseTaiwanese relations, this is a way of saying the DPP wants no movement closer to China, and might be prepared to drop its historic focus on stating its independence. That’s probably a wise move. After all, Taiwan’s de facto independence from China depends on implicit US support. But there’s no assurance that, if independence were declared and a military crisis followed, the US would be there to protect Taiwan. Many Americans, particularly those outside the military establishment, would be loath to go to war against China to protect Taiwan. The good news is that Xi doesn’t want military confrontation either. But behind the meeting with the KMT’s Ma is a message that the DPP shouldn’t be too aggressive. If Tsai wins the presidency, expects tensions between the countries to rise—with serious implications for the US defense presence in Asia and the future of the cool war.

ed by the World Bank and ADB could be imperiled or stalled. Some political analysts believe that the economic integration based on the holistic principle that all will benefit, and nobody will be left out has been unmasked as more of a theory than realty. Despite the years of continued economic integration and free trade, it did not result in the memberstates’ economic development. Free trade has only developed the specialization of their exports of specific products for the poor countries. It did not result in tangible progress, but instead exacerbated poverty because trade deficit continues to pile up, not to mention that it has resulted in the drastic reduction of customs revenues. Free trade was more of a mirage because whatever increase is realized in the volume and in the price of our exports was readily offset by the steeper depreciation in the value of our

currency compounded by the continuing low value in our exports. For that, the Philippines has to continually supplement its annual budget caused by borrowing from the Western-controlled financial institutions, otherwise, the country could become a failed state. The neo-liberals failed to consider that the mechanism will only work if the trading goods and services are of equal value and for which the other could not produce. Likewise, free trade should not merely rely on the concept of assured market and an assured supplier. The US then would merely be developing a global marketing network coyly disguised as free trade. The quest for development could then be sidelined, which is far more important and lasting to which President Xi Jinping said in gist, that “free trade should compliment development, and not otherwise.”

Bloomberg

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A11

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

CONSOLIDATING REFORM AT THE DBM EAGLE EYES DEAN TONY LA VIÑA THE Department of Budget and Management has been in the spotlight in the last two years, no thanks to the Priority Development Assistance Fund and the Disbursement Acceleration Program controversies. In most administrations, the DBM usually prefers to work under the radar even as it plays a critical and allimportant role of rationalizing government spending and ensuring accountability of public officers and employees over government resources. Indeed, the DBM guarantees efficient and sound utilization of government funds and revenues to achieve the country’s development goals. Thus, to be effective and to deliver on its mandate, the country’s budget agency must continually reinvent itself. Reforms in its processes are needed to achieve a budget which Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad promised to the House of Representatives: “We have produced a budget that moved away from the practice of incremental and leakage-prone allocation of scarce resources; lump-sum appropriations; and moved towards performancebased outcome budgeting.” As part of its commitment to deliver efficient public service, the DBM recently attained its department- wide ISO

9001:2008 Certification. Such certification is a big thing. This means that the organization has earned the seal of approval of the international standardization group measuring the quality of service in terms of quality management, environmental management, social responsibility, energy management and risk management. So far, the DBM is the only Philippine government agency that has achieved this feat. In other words, its management system standards measure up to internationally set and recognized standards. DBM also has made a significant stride in the field of transparency. This result is to a large measure ascribable to the Bottom-Up Budgeting Program adopted by the government. This program was cited by no less than American ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power at the Open Government Partnership global summit in Mexico City. The program requires grassroots participation in the planning and budgeting of poverty-reduction programs in every one of the country’s 1,634 municipal and provincial governments. This results in the increase of citizen participation in the formulation and implementation of government programs allowing for custombuilt programs more responsive to local needs. These improvements are reflected in the 2015 Open Budget Survey, the world’s only independent comparable measure of

withstanding that they acted within their rights as registered prior to the May 2016 elec- voters when they filed those tions, and that Mr. Llaman- cases. While Moreno claims zares will only think about that a person who stands to this option if and only if he benefit from the disqualificabecomes the first gentleman tion of Poe is behind the cases, of the Philippines. This is op- he refuses to identify the indiportunism in its baldest form. vidual concerned. Poe’s vice It also dilutes any claim to na- presidential candidate, Senator tionalism Poe may have, even Chiz Escudero, stands to benfrom the perspective of her efit from Poe’s disqualification devoted spokesman. if he is elected with Poe and Robredo correctly points the latter is subsequently disout that Poe must face the qualified. Could Escudero be moral issue of her having pre- the individual Moreno has in viously renounced her Phil- mind? ippine citizenship to become In addition, Moreno adaan American citizen. Poe’s mantly insists that the disrenunciation of her Philip- qualification issue against Poe pine citizenship undoubtedly should be settled by the voters reveals that at one point in themselves, on the premise her life, Poe turned her back that sovereignty resides in the on the Philippines. Being so, people. Moreno’s suggestion how can Poe be entrusted with sounds really populist alright, the highest office in the land and that should be expected if she once quit on the Philip- from a traditional politician pines and the Filipino people? like him. Still, Moreno’s sugWhen the going gets tough, gestion is a culpable violaand it is bound to, will Presi- tion of the Constitution. As dent Poe leave us once again? discussed in the previous Gatchalian and Moreno are column, the Constitution two of the closest political as- mandates that the President sociates of Poe to defend the of the Philippines has to be senator, through legally un- a natural-born citizen of the tenable arguments, in the four country, and under a regime disqualification cases current- of popular sovereignty, conly pending against her before stitutionalism, and the rule the Comelec. of law, the Constitution must Moreno has gone to the ex- be obeyed by both the govtent of attacking the motives of ernment and by the sovereign the four petitioners who filed Filipino people. What is the the disqualification cases, not- use of having a constitution if

Grace... From A9

budget transparency, participation, and oversight. For 2015, the OBS examined the three pillars of budget accountability, namely: transparency, public participation and budget oversight of 102 countries. The Philippines was one of the few that garnered high marks in three of four pillars of budget accountability. This, notwithstanding the survey findings indicating that most countries currently provide few opportunities for the public to participate in budget processes. In the survey, the Philippines scored 64 (out of 100) in transparency which means that the government provides the public with substantial budget information. Sixty seven (out of 100) in public participation means that the public is provided adequate opportunities to engage in the budget process. In this area, the Philippines outshone most countries as it ranked 4th out of 102 countries surveyed. Our country achieved a whopping 92 adequacy rating in oversight by the supreme audit due primarily to the Commission on Audit’s constitutional independence. The weak spot, however, can be found in the oversight by the legislature with very limited participation in the processes of the legislature and the supreme audit institution (SAI; for us, this is the Commission on Audit or CoA), garnering low scores of 47 and 59, respectively. After languishing in the cellar like most countries with lim-

its provisions are ignored? Moreno has revealed himself as a senatorial candidate who cannot tolerate registered voters who exercise their rights, and one who finds nothing wrong with violating the Constitution. This revelation should be enough reason why Moreno has no place in the Senate. The same observations may be said of Gatchalian. Although his boss is not yet in power, Gatchalian already dishes out absurd and misleading statements in a clumsy attempt to change what cannot be changed, to undo what cannot be undone, and to use cosmetic arguments to conceal the truth from the Filipino people. In the unlikely event that Poe wins the presidential race, and in the further unlikelihood that Poe is not disqualified from office notwithstanding the fact that she is not a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, Gatchalian will probably be the spokesman of the Poe administration. If that nightmare does happen, the people should expect a daily dose of doubletalk and equivocal statements from the presidential spokesman. If Poe knows what’s good for her campaign, she should replace her spokesman immediately. His replacement will also be a welcome relief for the public.

ited budget transparency, the Philippine now belongs to the elite group of 24 countries with substantial or extensive budget transparency. Overtaking 26 other countries, the Philippines now ranks 21st in the world, fourth in Asia, and 1st in Southeast Asia when it comes to transparency. The improvement in the country’s Open Budget Index performance may also be attributed to its being able to publish eight essential budget documents when historically we could only manage to publish three to four of the eight budget documents, particularly the Pre-Budget Statement, the Mid-Year Review, the Year-End Report, and the Citizen’s Budget. This year, we are one of only 16 of the 102 countries which published all eight budget documents. In contrast, of the 816 documents that should have been published globally (i.e. eight documents times 102 countries), 267 or about one third are not publicly available. Despite marked escalation in the overall ratings, the strength of the Philippines budget performance remains mixed. Legislative oversight remaining weak, while Supreme Audit Institution continued to be adequate. As we have seen, the weakness of the legislative oversight manifested itself when allegations of misuse by several members of Congress of their PDAF (popularly called pork barrel) erupted. But in hindsight, the fact that it came out at all during this adminis-

Fair... From A9 not be able to compete against cheap imported goods, for instance, from China, that floods our markets? The absence of protection and government support are likewise the reasons why apples, oranges, and grapes are cheaper than our own fruits, and why the best of our harvest is reserved for foreign markets. Neoliberal policies also resulted in significant changes in employment and livelihood activities. Outside of our unofficial labor export policy (that has affected at least 10 million workers and perhaps the same number of families), flexibility in employment was also “invented”. This flexibility in employment involves less number of days or hours of work resulting of course in less wages; as well as contractualization. All forms of flexibilization of employment are detrimental to workers and their rights. The death of our manufacturing industry has resulted in massive loss of jobs. Amid the absence of other employment opportunities, these unemployed joined the burgeoning informal economy. At present, estimates of workers in the informal economy (WIE) run to 25 million workers, a lot more than those formally employed. Yet, these workers, mostly poor, are outside of the ambit of the law’s protection.

tration may be an undeniable proof of the improving climate of transparency in the country’s budget processes. By way of conclusion, the OBS Report for 2015 made a number of important recommendations that may serve as an important guidepost with which this and the next government can take their bearings as they seek to achieve optimal fiscal and budgetary policy and management. The recommendations include the publication of more information to boost public awareness on budgetary processes; institutionalization of gains in transparency; and providing more opportunities for public participation. The report further suggested the empowerment of oversight institutions by improving legislative capacity to engage with the budget in a meaningful way through better access to research and analytical capacity. And finally, the promotion of the development of integrated and accountable budget ecosystems to ensure appropriate checks and balances. Now that the Apec summit is out of the way, government must now turn to pressing matters. Among the most important of this is the approval of the national budget. I am happy that we have a reformed DBM that is up to this task. Secretary Abad and his DBM colleagues should be credited for bringing the DBM where it is today. Facebook: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs From the first Apec Summit in the Philippines almost 20 years ago, poverty has remained significant. Neoliberal policies have not worked for our people. Looking at the bigger picture, the reverse is true, neoliberalism failed us. The official declaration of Apec 2015 reasserted its adherence to free trade. As we have experienced, this is not what we need. Thus, despite the bilateral agreements reached outside of the formal Apec summit, the event itself, because of its continuous pursuit of neoliberalism, will continue to fail us. We need trade to be fair. We need to put people, not markets at the center of our economic and development paradigm. Markets should serve people and not the other way around. We need production for selfsufficiency, whether it be in terms of food or goods and services we use. We need our workers, formal and informal, protected and their rights upheld. We need our industries to be reinvigorated and supported. We need government to invest in improving our people’s education and skills. We need gainful employment and livelihood activities. These will not be had via free trade. FAIR, not free trade is what we need. bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on FaceBook

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Djokovic sets up clash with Nadal LOND ON—Novak Djokovic set up an ATP Tour Finals showdown against Rafael Nadal as the defending champion booked his semi-final berth with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Tomas Berdych, while Roger Federer defeated Kei Nishikori to eliminate the Japanese star on Thursday.

Baguio, CAR teams among Best winners TEAMS from Baguio and the Cordillera Administrative Region shared the limelight with the winning squads from the National Capital Region after the final basket was made last weekend in the first Best Center-FIBA 3x3 basketball tournament at the Ateneo Courts. More than 500 players, who comprised 128 teams in two divisions joined the tournament organized by the Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training Center, the pioneering Philippine group, which specializes in teaching kids the basic and advanced rudiments of the sport, in partnership with Milo Ready to Drink and with the support of Freego and Rain or Shine. The Giants of St. Louis High School in Baguio City surprised the big field by emerging as the first 15-and-Under champions of the new league formed in response to the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) call to push what was known as ‘street basketball’ into becoming an Olympic sport very soon. The Giants are composed of Luis Emmanuel Lising, Antonio Abriol, Magnus Gabriel Ines and Angelo Cashio. The Meteors of De la Salle-Zobel placed runnersup to the Giants. They are Prince Arthur Gaiser II, Philip Charles Gatmaytan, Ronald Rey Santos and Jude Emmanuel Codinera, the son of former Philippine Basketball Association star Jerry Codinera. Third were The Force of San Francisco High School students Sebastian Lesley Dominique Dait, Marvin Perin, Isaiah John Banato and Maoi She Vidad, who represented Lamut, Ifugao of CAR.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych during their men’s singles group stage match on day five of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament in London. AFP

A win over Canelo enough for Cotto LOS ANGELES—Puerto Rican middleweight great Miguel Cotto says he doesn’t need a world title to lend importance to his Saturday showdown with Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. “I don’t need a belt to fight Canelo,” said Cotto, who was stripped of his World Boxing Council crown on Tuesday over failure to pay the $300,000 sanctioning fee they demanded for a world title bout. Alvarez and his camp stumped up their $300,000, and the former WBC and World Boxing Association super welterweight world champion can claim the vacant WBC title with a victory. Cotto said Wednesday he had offered the WBC $125,000, but the sanctioning body rejected it. He was unrepentant over failing to pay the $300,000—or a further $800,000 step-aside fee to mandatory challenger Gennady Golovkin. The 34-year-old Puerto Rican, winner of world titles in four weight divisions, takes a record of 40-4 with

33 knockouts into the bout. Trainer Freddie Roach said Cotto is in as good a shape as he has ever seen him. “We are going to box a lot in this fight,” Roach said. “We’re not just going out there looking for a knockout. I want him using his foot speed and his angles. He’s a more complete fighter now than ever.” But Roach admits he’d love to see Cotto knock out Alvarez—then call out Floyd Mayweather to put his 49-0 record on the line. “Miguel always tells me that if he had me in his corner when he fought Mayweather he would have knocked him out,” Roach said. “I think Miguel could pull off the strategy I have to beat Mayweather. I think that would be a good fight for him.” But first there’s the 25-year-old Alvarez, 45-1-1 with 32 knockouts. The bout is being fought at a 155-pound catchweight, and the Mexican’s power—amply demonstrated in a spectacular knockout of James Kirkland in May—–could

trouble Cotto. “At this particular point, I feel very solid,” Alvarez said. “I’m ready and I’m going to show it on Saturday.” On the undercard at Mandalay Bay, Japan’s WBC super featherweight champion Takashi Miura defends his title against unbeaten Francisco Vargas. “I am motivated because of the streak that Miura has built against other Mexican fighters,” said Vargas, who brings a record of 22-0-1 with 16 knockouts to his first world title bout. Miura dethroned Gamaliel Diaz on April 8, 2013 and has since defeated Mexico’s Sergio Thompson, Dante Jardon and Edgar Puerta. He stopped Australia’s Billy Dib in three rounds in Tokyo on May 1 to take his record to 29-2-2 with 22 knockouts. Former unified junior featherweight world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux, stripped of his belts because of inactivity, will return to the ring on the undercard against Drian Francisco. AFP

After Federer’s 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 win earlier in the day, world number one Djokovic knew he would advance to the last four if he could secure one set against Berdych in his concluding group match at London’s O2 Arena. The Serb, a winner of three Grand Slam titles this year, wasted little time achieving that goal as he took the first set to ensure he would finish second in the group behind Federer and eventually eased to victory in 89 minutes. Djokovic’s bid to win the Tour Finals for a record fourth successive year is likely to face a sterner test on Saturday from his old rival Nadal, who looked in fine form while romping to victories over Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray to secure top spot in the other group. “We have played so many times and even a couple of times on this very court,” said Djokovic, who has won seven of his last eight matches with Nadal. “He has played great in his first couple of matches and hopefully I will be able to play my best. That is what is needed to beat him.” Federer, who has won the Tour Finals a record six times, will face either Murray or Wawrinka, who clash on Friday, in the semifinals. AFP

Terrorism top concern at Rio Olympics, says security chief RIO DE JANEIRO—The risk of a terrorist attack is the main security fear at the Rio Olympics, a top official said Thursday, with the Paris attacks highlighting the potential for Brazil to be sucked into conflict for the first time with Islamic extremists. “Terrorism is the number one worry,” Jose Mariano Beltrame, the security chief for the state of Rio de Janeiro, told a news conference. “Brazil does not have a history of terrorism, but always works with this priority.” With a low profile in international conflicts and no connection to US and European entanglements in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, Brazil has never been targeted by Islamist groups.

However, the simple fact of world leaders being present at the Rio Olympics next August, coupled with the massive media coverage, risks pulling Latin America’s biggest country into the crosshairs. Beltrame said “we receive bulletins on possible threats..., but we have the means to boost our forces where necessary.” “We are ready. Every institution knows what to do. We want a gold medal in security.” A huge number of security personnel will be deployed for the games: between 60-65,000 police officers and soldiers, and another 15,000 in reserve. This doubles the number of security used at the 2012 London Games. - More training needed -

French police -- with the horror of last week’s massacres by Islamist bombers and gunmen in Paris fresh in their minds -- began training elite Brazilian counterparts in crowd control Thursday. Dozens of Brazilian officers in Rio with state-of-the-art anti-riot gear, including fire-proof balaclavas, gas masks, stun grenades and tear gas, showed off their techniques for subduing violent mobs. In normal times, a riot would be the worst thing expected to happen at a major sporting event like the Olympics, which open on August 5. But in the wake of the Paris attacks, including at a France-Germany football game, the focus of the long-scheduled session abrupt-

ly switched to a much darker scenario. “There is a real possibility of a terrorist attack due to the high visibility,” said Colonel Andrei Silva, with the Brazilian police force’s Shock Battalion, at their Rio headquarters. “We have to prepare more,” he told AFP. “We definitely don’t want this to happen in Brazil.” Brazil’s police have much experience in fighting well-armed drug traffickers in city favelas, but are often accused of human riots violations, including extrajudicial executions. The French had come to teach them “democratic management of crowds,” Antonio Marcalo, with the CRS, said. “We try to help them

with tactics that are a little more democratic.” The demonstration exercise involving an assault by about 20 hulking riot police with batons and stun grenades against a lone colleague posing as the supposedly disorderly crowd seemed rather to favor more robust Brazilian methods. After being gassed, stunned and eventually surrounded, the solitary protester was carried away in a horizontal position. - Change in agenda France’s Lieutenant Anne-Christine Poinchon pointed out that the CRS does not have specific anti-terrorism expertise and had arrived in Rio on what had been planned as a routine training session. AFP

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Caida secures twice-to-beat cage incentive

Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors goes to the basket under pressure from Jamaal Crawford of the Los Angeles Clippers during their NBA game in Los Angeles, California, where the Warriors defeated the Clippers 124-117. AFP

40th day rites set for sportswriter’s late father A 40TH day memorial service for Dr. Rafael M. Atencio, the late father of sportswriter Peter Atencio of The Standard, will be held on Saturday. A mass and eulogical rites for Atencio will be held from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the grotto of the Chapel of the Ascencion inside the Immaculate Concepcion Parish Cathedral located in Lantana St., Cubao, Quezon City. Atencio passed away last Oct. 17. Also known by his nickname, “Ralph,” or “Paeng,” Atencio was cremated on Nov. 8 at the Manila North Cemetery crematorium. He was born on July 31,1931 in Manila, survived by his wife Cynthia and five children, Joel, Peter and his wife Angie, Michael and his wife Jules, Rosanne and her husband David, and Leo.

CAIDA Tiles walloped Sta. Lucia, 90-79, on Thursday night to secure a twice-to-beat advantage heading to the quarterfinal round of the PCBL Founders Cup at the JCSGO Gym. Foton, on the other hand, notched its first back-to-back victories in the tournament, outlasting Kama Motors in a tightly fought match, 87-84, making the race for the top four more exciting. The Tile Masters used a telling 15-2 run in the fourth quarter to turn the tables on the Realtors and transform a 64-60 deficit into a 75-66 advantage off a fastbreak basket by Gio Jalalon with still 4:26 left in the fourth period. But Caida held on down the stretch to pick up its seventh win in nine games with still a game left on its schedule before heading into the quarterfinal playoff phase. Still holding the solo lead, the Tile Masters are already assured of a twice-to-beat edge and head coach Mike Buendia is happy to reach their goal in this tournament supported by Ambucore, Accel, Spalding and Aquabest.

Warriors rally from 23 th pts to grab 13 victory LOS ANGELES—The Golden State Warriors erased a 23-point first-half deficit to stretch their NBA season-opening win streak to 13 games on Thursday with a 124-117 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The reigning NBA champions became just the fifth team in NBA history to open a season 13-0 and continued to close in on the record for the best start to a season of 15-0—achieved by Washington in 1948-49 and the Houston Rockets in 199394. But it was a close-run win, as the pumped-up Clippers raced to a big lead over their Pacific Division rivals, led by point guard Chris Paul. Paul, back in action after two games sidelined by a groin strain, made his first seven shots, in-

cluding three from three-point range. He finished the game with 35 points and eight assists in 32 minutes on the floor. But Golden State, who trailed 55-32 early in the second quarter, battled back, with reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry scoring 13 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter. “No matter how bad we’re playing, we always feel like we have a shot,” said Curry, who also pulled down 11 rebounds. “It was a hard-fought, gut-wrenching game that everybody stepped up

and played well.” Guard Klay Thompson scored 25 points for the Warriors. Harrison Barnes added 21 and forward Draymond Green contributed 19 points and nine assists. Trailing 91-85 going into the fourth quarter, the Warriors shot 73.3 percent from the field in the final period. A three-pointer by Thompson gave the Warriors their first lead since the beginning of the first quarter -- 113-112 with 2:43 to play. The Clippers responded with a three-pointer by Jamal Crawford before Curry drained a three-pointer with 1:47 remaining that gave the Warriors a 116-115 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. The Warriors out-scored the Clippers 22-5 in the final stretch, but Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said his team’s problems began long before that. “I don’t think it started in the

fourth quarter, I really don’t,” Rivers said. “I thought right at the end of the second quarter was when we stopped playing with the same force that we played with the first quarter and a half.” It was the Warriors’ second win of the season over the Clippers, after a 112-108 triumph on November 4. “Like I said before the game, we know we’re close, but close isn’t good enough,” Rivers said. “You’ve got to finish the games.” - Cavaliers down Bucks The Cleveland Cavaliers, the team Golden State beat in last season’s NBA Finals, ended their twogame skid with a 115-100 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. LeBron James scored 27 points with nine rebounds and six assists as the Cavaliers gained sole possession of the Eastern Conference lead with their ninth victory of the season. AFP

Pantico barges into net semis WILD card Arthur Craig Pantino pulled through in a tight duel with compatriot John Otico, carving out a 6-4, 6-4 decision to crash into the boys’ semifinal round of the PSC-Phinma International Juniors Tennis Championships Week 1 at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City yesterday. Pantino foiled the higher-ranked Otico with a

solid all-around game as he sustained his charge in the Grade 4 ITF tournament sponsored by Phinma Group of Companies and the Philippine Sports Commission after scoring a pair of three-setters early in the tournament. The slow-starting Pantino upended No. 7 C. Wang, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, in the opener then repulsed Viet-

nam’s Nguyen Phuong Van, 2-6, 6-1, 6-0, before subduing Otico to gain a crack at one of the championship berths against second seed Yeongseok Jeong of Korea, who survived James Trotter of Japan, 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-1, in the event backed by Mariposa Foundation, Palm Rock Residencs and Dunlop Sport, also the tournament’s distributor of official balls.

PH Kiao Ching team bound for China

THE Philippine Kiao Ching basketball team is leaving for Fuzhou, China on Monday to compete in the 50-years’ division of the 31st World Chinese Basketball Championship.

The Fil-Chinese delegation will be headed by Eduard Tio, Leoncio Chua, Johnny Chua, Jonathan Go, Daniel Ong and Vicente Ip. Comprising the team handled by Benito Gan with

Danilo Chua as assistant coach are Rudy Yu, Andrew Ongteco, Ben Ong, Danilo Ching, Robert Sy, Nelson Yao, Ng Yuk Chi, Aris Franco, Wilford Chua, Peter Yu, Eugene Tsai, and Joel Yap.

Boosting the Jaguars. Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders perform during the first half of the game against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. AFP

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Torres wins inaugural Powerman Pilipinas

Fighting cholitas. “Rosita” (left) fights with “Comando” during a “cholitas” (Aymara women in skirts) all-in wrestling fight in El Alto, 12 kms from la Paz. The fighting “cholitas” are one of the main attractions in popular neighbourhoods of Bolivia. AFP

STANDARD Insurance duathlon athlete Monica Torres proved to be the fastest in her class after winning the inaugural Powerman Pilipinas, participated in by duathletes and professional athletes from all over the world held in Balanga, Bataan over the weekend. Torres (3:19:46) nosed out Japan’s Airi Sawada in 3:24:55, with third place taken by another Filipina duathlete in Miscelle Gilbuena in 3:34:14. Torres, who was with the Standard Insurance top-notch athletes two years ago, celebrated her return to duathlon by ruling the race, finally besting Sawada for the first time after several tries. She said the bike part was very technical, characterized by uphill climbs, descents and turns. But she

banked on her familiarity in the terrain to full advantage. Belgium’s multiple world champion Rob Woestenborghs crossed the finish first, to become the first-ever champion of Powerman men’s elite division with a time of 2:41:42. This was the first time the international Powerman series has been hosted in the Philippines and the first in Asia since Malaysia in 2013, attracting 327 athletes for the Classic Duathlon (10km / 60km / 10km), 36 Relay entries and 245 for the Sprint Duathlon (5km / 30km / 5km). Powerman Pilipinas, the world’s most prestigious duathlon series, will serve as a qualifier for the 2016 Powerman Zofingen. The country will serve as host again for the Powerman series for the succeeding two years.

Savchenko stays ahead of pack GRANDMASTER Boris Savchenko of Russia scored a win and a draw in the previous two rounds to retain his grip on the solo lead with three rounds remaining in the 2015 Philippine Sports Commission/Puregold International Chess Challenge at the Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel, SBMA, Subic,l Olangapo City. Standings after seven rounds (Open Division)—Savchenko (RUS) 6,5, Lu (CHN), 5.5 Laylo (PHI), Deepan (IND) 5.0, Demchenko (RUS), Sivuk (UKR), Smirnov (RUS), Kotanjian (ARM), Shomoev (RUS), Zubov (UKR) 4.5, Torre (PHI), Rohan (IND), Puranik (IND), Nguyen (VIE), Sunilduth Lyna (IND), Lin (CHN), Belous (RUS), Severino (PHI) 4.0, Dimakiling (PHI), Pimentel (PHI), Mozharov (RUS), Garcia (PHI), Aravindh (IND),

Gupta (IND), Nolte (PHI), Liu (SIN), Antonio (PHI) 3.5, Senador (PHI), Sean (INA) Bersamina (PHI) 3.0, Abelgas (PHI), Bitoon (PHI), Pascua (PHI), Segarra (PHI), Frayna (PHI), San Diego (PHI), Dela Cruz (PHI), Turqueza (PHI), Suede (PHI), Galas (PHI) 2.5. The 29-year-old Savchenko defeated fellow Russian GM Mikhail Mozharov in Round 6 late Thursday, but saw his win-

ning streak snapped by GM Chakkravarthy Deepan of India, who forced a draw after 30 moves of an English Opening in the seventh round. Despite the draw, the no. 8 seed Savchenko kept his grip on the lead with 6.5 points, a full point ahead of his closest pursuer, GM Shanglei Lu of China, who racked up two straight victories. Lin, seeded fourth here, topped the newly minted Philippine International Chess Championship titlist Vitaly Sivuk of Ukraine in the 6th round and followed it up with a 37-move win over Filipino GM Eugene Torre in the seventh in their Ruy Lopez Berlin Defense match. Liu will challenge Savchenko in the pivotal eighth round, which was still being played

Airmen, HD Spikers begin Spiker’s Turf title showdown AIR Force and Cignal HD kick off their duel for the Spikers’ Turf Season 1 Reinforced Conference crown today with odds just about even between the league’s top spiking teams at The Arena in San Juan. Though both went through some anxious moments, the twice-tobeat Airmen and the HD Spikers got the job done in the semis just the same, subduing the Navy Sailors, 25-15, 20-25, 2927, 24-26, 15-12, and the Home Ultera Ultra Fast Hitters, 25-22, 21-25, 2523, 11-25, 15-8, last week

to seal what promises to the fifth set as they foiled the Sailors’ upset bid and be a classic title clash. stayed in the hunt for Gametime is at 3 p.m. Given both teams’ depth the crown in the seasonand talent, a tight, fierce ending conference of the pion e e r i n g finish is seen men’s league in the bestGames today of-three play- 1 p.m. – PLDT Home Ultera vs presented by for 3rd) PLDT Home off with Air Navy (best-of-three Awards rites Force to bank 3 p.m. – Air Force vs Cignal Ultera. (best-of-three for crown) Air Force on Rodolfo rallied to beat L a br a d o r, Ruben Inaudito, Reyson Cignal HD, 25-22, 25-18, Fuentes, Jeffry Malabanan, 20-25, 25-21, in their elims Abdilla Alnakran, Mike clash last Oct. 17 but coach Abria, Edwin Tolentinod, Rhovyl Verayo has opted Nino Jeruz and playmaker to downplay their chances, insisting its an evenlyJessie Lopez. Labrador and Fuentes matched title series. “We don’t consider combined for Air Force’s strong finishing kick in ourselves the favorites be-

cause I think it’s going to be a pretty even match,” said Verayo. “We beat Cignal but anything can happen in the finals.” Like their rivals, the HD Spikers are equally in fierce form heading to the playoff with the league’s leading hitter Lorenzo Capate Jr. out to flaunt his awesome spiking skills along with Edmar Bonono, Edward Ybanez, Rocky Honrade, Herschel Ramos, the league’s best server Alexis Faytaren, Sandy Montero and setter Ralph Diezmo, also the league leader with a norm of 8.90 success per set.

late Friday. GM Darwin Laylo, meanwhile, remained as the highest Filipino placer after seven rounds, following a draw and a win in the last two rounds. Laylo, a two-time Chess Olympian, who is seeded 18th in this tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and supported by PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, Asia United Bank, Puregold, Burlington Socks and Marc Ventures Mining and Development Corp., split the point with Anton Demchenko of Russia in the 6th round, but bounced back with a win over GM Duc Hoa Nguyen of Vietnam after 67 pushes of the King’s Indian Attack. He is now tied with Deepan for 3rd and 4th

places at 5.0 points, and will try to get the upperhand in their 8th round clash Friday. Demchen ko,mea nwhi le, dropped into a big group with 4.5 points each, whcich include Sivuk, fellow Russian GMs Pavel Smirnov and Anton Shomoev, GM Tigran Kotanjian of Armenia, and no. 2 seed Alexander Zubov of Ukraine. In the Challenger Division, top seed Franz Robert Grafil and 20th seed Erickson Marimla agreed to a draw after 44 moves of the Symmetrical English to stay tied for the lead with 5.5 points each, or only a half point ahead of Sherwin Tiu, Rolly Parondo, NM Efren Bagamasbad, Istraelito Rilloraza and Jerich Cajeras, who are tied with 5.5 points each.

Tour de France veteran to spice up BGC CycleAsia By Peter Atencio RETIRED Olympics and Tour de France veteran Robbie McEwen is enjoying his time off cycling, but still finds time to coach and offer his advice to young cyclists across the globe. In fact, McEwen is here in the country as a special guest of the third edition of the BGC-CycleAsia, which officially started yesterday and will be held over the next three days. The event, which is organized by Fred Uytengsu’s Sunrise Events, is being held in partnership with Cycle Asia and BGC. Present during the launch were CycleAsia CEO Chris Robb, BGC executive Marc Buencamino and Ascott Group’s Norman Lim at the Ascott Hotel. Over 2,000 riders are joining the BGC CycleAsia bikefest, which offers events such as the Tricycle Ride,

the Kids’ Ride the 20-km Community ride and the 40-km Challenge. As guest rider, McEwen will lead the much-awaited “Ride with Robbie,” a 40-kilometer event which will allow Filipino riders a chance to ride with the former yellow jersey wearer, and three-time Tour de France Green Jersey Sprinters classification winner. The 43-year-old McEwen said that after retiring from professional racing three years, he has been traveling across the globe, offering advice to riders and clubs who need help in improving their skills. “It was good. My transition from professional athlete to being a coach was pretty easy. Because when I retired, I knew what I was going to do after. I stayed and continued working from the other side, working with riders, and giving them technical advise,” said McEwen.

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3-way logjam at top of RW Manila Masters

CARMONA, Cavite—South African Jbe Kruger came charging back with two birdies in late windy afternoon to shoot a seven-under 65 and force a three-way tie for the lead with Taiwanese Hung Chien-yao and Lee Chieh-po in a crowded leaderboard halfway through the $1 million Resorts World Manila Masters at the Manila Southwoods here. Kruger came out unruffled by the wind that blew from all over, all day yesterday, gunning down five birdies in one of the late flights then hit three more at the back, including the last two to negate a lone bogey mishap on No. 16 and post the tournamentbest score in another day of torrid scoring. He pooled a 10-under 134, the same output put in by early starters Hung, who logged a bogey-free 67, and Lee, who fired an eagle-spiked 66 as the men of the tour sustained their as-

sault on the Masters layout with 52 breaking par, 12 more than in the first round. Filipino Rufino Bayron also rallied with three birdies at the back and shot a 66, taking the cudgels for the hosts at 135 in a tie with opening day leader Nicholas Fung of Malaysia, who carded a 69, even as Miguel Tabuena made his move with two eagles for a 68 and a 138, four strokes off the pace. Japan’s Akinori Tan, Thai Tirawat Kaewsiribandit and Paul Peterson of the US all turned in

67s for joint sixth at 136 while Indian Rahil Gangjee and Thai Arnond Vongvanij fired identical 66s, Masahiro Kawamura and Korean Jeunghun Wang shot similar 69s and England’s Steve Lewton and local ace Jhonnel Ababa both logged 68s to join Tabuena at 10th place heading to the weekend play of the country’s richest championship hosed by the Manila Southwoods. “I wasn’t thinking about leading actually. Maybe that’s why I could play with no pressure out there. I just thought it’s still the second round and there is still a lot more to do,” said Hung, who spiked his flawless round with five scrambling pars. Lee, 21,, gunned down an eagle on the par-5 No. 4 and birdies on Nos. 5, 7, 10, 11 and 18 against a lone bogey on No. 12. “I didn’t know I was leading until the last hole actually but I kind

LOTTO RESULTS

of knew I am going to be up there because I played really good,” said Lee, an Asian Tour rookie. Late in the day, Kruger sizzled with eight birdies, including five in the first seven holes, and a tapin feat on the 18th. Tabuena, who wavered at the finish and settled for a 70 Thursday, put on a sizzling windup this time, birdying all par-5s and closing out with four birdies in the last six holes at the front for a 31-37. But it was his two eagles that keyed his fightback from a threeover card start at the back, putting from 20 feet off the fringe on the par-5 15th off a 3-wood second shot from 255 yards out. He dropped a shot on the next but birdied the second par-5 on the 18th before his wedge shot from 87 yards on the par-4 No. 1 landed two feet past the cup and spun back.

6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

Philips Gold, Cignal clash for 3rd place IMUS CITY—Crushed Games Today by their respective set- (Imus Sports Center) backs in the semifinals, 1 p.m. -- Philips Gold Philips Gold and Cig- 3 p.m.vs--Cignal RC Cola-Air nal gather themselves Force vs Meralco up and will clash for the consolation third-place trophy in the classification match of the 2015 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix women’s volleyball tournament today at the Imus Sports Center in this booming city. Opening serve is set at 1 p.m., while tailenders RC Cola-Air Force and Meralco collide at 3 p.m. to settle, who will emerge as fifth-placer in this prestigious inter-club tournament presented by Asics and backed by Milo with Senoh, Mueller and Mikasa as technical partners and TV5 as official broadcaster. No less than Cong. Alex Advincula, Imus City mayor Emmanuel Maliksi, vice mayor Armando Ilano and board member Ony Cantimbuhan will roll out the red carpet for the members of the four competing teams as well as the entire PSL delegation, led by president Ramon “Tats” Suzara and chairman Philip Ella Juico, who confirmed the use of video challenge system in this pair of highly crucial matches. ERRATUM Foton player Alyja “Jaja” Daphne Santiago was mistaken for Petron spiker Aleona Denise “Dindin” Santiago-Manabat during The Standard story on Thursday’s semifinal encounter between Foton and Philips in the ongoing Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix 2015 women’s volleyball tournament. Jaja and and Dindin are twin sisters, who used to play together for National University in the UAAP. They are playing on different teams this time around. After finishing the double-round eliminations on top of the team standings, Philips Gold found itself stacked against a hungry and well-prepared Foton side in the do-or-die semifinals.

Lee Chieh-po hits his drive on No. 9

Eagles regain men’s judo title ATENEO regained the throne in the men’s division, while University of Santo Tomas retained the women’s championship Thursday night in the UAAP Season 78 judo tournament at the La Salle-Greenhills gym. The Blue Eagles amassed 61 points to unseat last year’s titlist Growling Tigers, who settled for the runner-up honors with 45 points in the event backed by Imperium Technology. Brothers Alfred Benjie (-81 kg) and Jose Ariel Querubin (-100 kg), along with Monch Santiago (-90

kg) delivered the golds in the final day as Ateneo recaptured the title (its seventh overall) it won two years ago. Santiago was named the season MVP, while Nico Clemente, the other Blue Eagles’ gold medalist after winning the -66 kg in last Wednesday’s opener, went home with the Rookie of the Year honors. De La Salle banked on Keith Reyes’ victory in the +100 kg category to place third with 19 points, nipping University of the Philippines, which has 18. UST somehow rebound-

ed from the setback suffered by the men’s team by dominating the distaff side with 86 points, holding a huge 62-point margin over runner-up University of the East. Tracy Honorio (-57 kg), Eunice Lucero (-70 kg) and Aislinn Yap (-78 kg) bagged golds for the Tigresses, who won the title—their eighth overall —for the second straight year under coach Gege Arce. UST’s other gold-medal winners, Khrizzie Pabulayan (-48 kg) and Miam Salvador (-44 kg) took the tournament MVP and

Rookie of the Year honors, respectively. The Lady Maroons achieved a podium finish at they wound up third with 20 points. The Tiger Cubs, behind MVP Jefferson Salcedo and Rookie of the Year winner Shaine Arnel Haber, dethroned the Blue Eaglets in the boys’ division with 53 points. Ateneo had 31 points in second, while De La Salle-Zobel went third with 25 points. UST also topped the girls’ division, which is played for the first time as a demonstration event.

Eagles... From A16

defending champions and 4th seed National University Bulldogs in their own semis duel, also set at 3:30 p.m. at the Big Dome. Ateneo,which finished the elimination round with a 9-5card, is taking on an FEU squad fresh from a 71-68 dumping of the De La Salle Green Archers to formally clinch the no. 2 seeding. FEU had beaten Ateneo twice, first with an 88-64 victory in the first round, and a 66-61 decision in the second. If the Tamaraws win for the third time today, they will go to the finals for the second straight season and into their 10th finals stint since 1994. But if the Blue Eagles win two in a row, they will make it

to the finals for the 10th time since 1999. Ateneo is now on its 16th Final Four appearance while FEU is on its 17th. Kiefer Ravena, meanwhile, was named Most Valuable Player for the second straight season and was joined in the Mythical Five by Kevin Ferrer and Ed Daquioag of University of Santo Tomas, Alfred Aroga of National University and Jeron Teng of De La Salle. All five were on the top five of the MVP statistical race. Ravena took his second straight MVP plum after compiling 69.5 total statistical points, Ferrer was second with 67.3571, while was Aroga finished third with 63.2857 total points, followed by Teng, with 60.7857. Daquioag is the second UST player to make it to the Mythical Five as he amassed 60.5714 total Sps.

S AT U R DAY : N O V E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

A16

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

Eagles need to win twice Game Today (Final Four, Araneta Coliseum) 3:30 p.m. FEU vs Ateneo

WHEN the Ateneo Blue Eagles troop to the hard-court today against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws at the start of the Final Four of the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, they will bring with them hard lessons from their losses, especially the one against the University of the East Warriors only a week ago. The Eagles dropped a 6974 decision to the Warriors, but the loss thankfully did not make a dent on their chances for the Final Four. Still, Ateneo coach Bo Perasol said the loss served as a wake-up call for the Eagles and reminded them not to take any game lightly, especially now that they are at a disadvantage as the no. 3 seed. The Blue Eagles take on the no. 2 seed Far Eastern University Tamaraws at 3:30 p.m. and will need to play a more focused game to force a deciding game, and hopefully make it all the way to the finals. “Nakadagdag iyung pagkatalo namin kasi para hindi kami maging kampante. On our toes na kami. Tall order for any team beating a team twice,” said Perasol. On Sunday, top seed University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers battle the Continued on A15

Alaska’s Calvin Abueva (left) whacks a shooting GlobalPort’s Joseph Yeo in a PBA Philippine Cup game won by the Aces, 123-104.

Aces rout Batang Pier, grab share of PBA lead By Jeric Lopez

AN almost two-week break did Alaska wonders. The Aces were back to their winning ways and regained a share of first place as they turned an anticipated close game into a one-sided affair, coasting to an easy 123-104 rout of GlobalPort in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night. Eight Aces scored in doublefigures, led by Cyrus Baguio, who had a team-high 17 points, while Vic Manuel had 16 markers. Chris Banchero, Sonny Thoss and RJ Jazul each had 14 points off the bench. Alaska, after having its 3-0 win streak was snapped by Ginebra, vaulted back into the top in a tie with San Miguel

Warriors notch lucky win no. 13 TURN TO A13

Beer at 4-1, while GlobalPort saw its three-game winning streak snapped and fell to 3-2. Aces coach Alex Compton credited his team’s defense as the main key for the victory. “I thought we were solid defensively,’’ said Compton, whose squad withstood Terrence Romeo’s 33-point outburst for GlobalPort. ‘’The guys did it all. Maganda ang ginawa ng mga players. They moved the ball well and played as a team. I like how we shared the ball and how we defended.’’ The other Aces in twindigits were Eric Menk with 12, Calvin Abueva with 11 and Jvee Casio with 10. Right from the get-go, the Aces looked fresh and sharp

as they raced to points in the first 24 Games Today a huge 16-point minutes, Alaska’s (Cuneta Astrodome) lead, 20-14, after a 3 p.m. - Rain or Shine vs. well-balanced atBlackwater blistering start in tack still stood tall 5:15 p.m. - Meralco vs. Star the first 10 minas it regained conutes of play. trol right away. The juggernaut continued Not helping GlobalPort’s for Alaska as it held on to its cause was the foul trouble that double-digit lead at the half, hounded star Stanley Pringle. but GlobalPort was still in it Although he still finished though as the distance stood at with 16 points, Pringle was a manageable 10 points, 60-50. saddled with four fouls in However, the focused Aces the first half and that clearly tightened its grip of the con- affected the Batang Pier’s aptest in the third period by proach in its attack. winning it handily, 34-26, to “Getting Stanley (Pringle) carry a more comfortably 94- in foul trouble I think worked 76 spread into the final canto. for us,’’ said Compton. From there, it was just Abueva fell down hard about holding on for Alaska on his lower back at the 5:28 as it maintained its huge lead mark of the opening period in the fourth to seal the win. after converting on a lay-up The Aces even led by 22 while getting fouled. points, 118-96, twice in the The do-it-all forward was closing minutes. down for a minute or two beAlthough Romeo was fir- fore eventually getting up and ing from all cylinders in the taking his bonus free throw. first half, scoring 20 of his total He, however, had to leave the

3-way logjam for RW golf lead TURN TO A15

court for some medication but managed to return in second period. Meanwhile, a rare doubleheader is slated today as Rain or Shine (3-1) wants to get back on track and also earn a piece of tournament lead when it takes on Blackwater (1-3) at 3 p.m., while inconsistent Star (2-3) clashes with Meralco (0-5) at 5:15 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. The scores: Alaska 123—Baguio 17, Manuel 16, Banchero 14, Thoss 14, JAzul 14, Menk 12, Abueva 11, Casio 10, Baclao 4, Dela Rosa 4, Hontiveros 4, Dela Cruz 3, Exciminiano 0, Racal 0. Globalport 104—Romeo 33, Pringle 16, Mamaril 13, Kramer 11, Maierhofer 10, Uyloan 6, Washington 6, Yeo 5, Jensen 2, Sumang 2, Paniamogan 0, Taha 0. Quarters: 34-25; 60-50; 9478; 123-104.

SATURDAY: NOVEMBER 21, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

B1 Domingo cites gains after Apec conference By Othel V. Campos

A woman hangs laundry among slum housing as containers sit stacked in the Port of Manila in the Tondo district of Manila on Nov. 19, 2015. The gross domestic product growth is expected to accelerate in the second half of the fiscal year and the macro-economic situation will remain sound moving forward, said Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco on Nov. 18. Moody’s Analytics, a division of Moody’s Corp., meanwhile, said in a report Friday the Philippine economy likely grew 5.8 percent in the third quarter, faster than the 5.6-percent expansion in the second quarter, as government spending picked up. BLOOMBERG

Moodys expects 5.8% growth in 3rd quarter By Julito G. Radda

THE Philippine economy likely grew 5.8 percent in the third quarter, faster than the 5.6-percent expansion in the second quarter, as government spending picked up, Moody’s Analytics, a division of Moody’s Corp., said in a report Friday.

“The Philippines likely grew 5.8 percent year-on-year in the September quarter, up from 5.6 percent in the June quarter. Higher government spending was likely the main driver and provided a further boost to investment over the quarter,” Moody’s said. “The government stepped up stimulus after weakness earlier in the year threatened the Philippines record of impressive GDP [gross domestic product] growth in recent years,” it said. The government will release the official GDP growth figures on Nov. 26. The first-quarter growth of 5 percent was dragged down by the government’s anemic fiscal expenditures, which actually began in the third quarter of 2014. The government became cautious to spend after the Supreme Court earlier ruled the administration’s Disbursement Acceleration Program as unconstitutional. The high tribunal, however, reversed the ruling later. The government vowed to accelerate fiscal spending at the start of the second quarter. Second-quarter GDP grew 5.6 percent, a rebound from the sluggish 5 percent a quarter ago, but was still slower than the 6.4-percent expansion in the same quarter of 2014. This brought the first-half growth to 5.3 percent, below the government’s target range of 7 percent to 8 percent for the year. Moody’s said despite the rosy outlook in

the third quarter, exports remained a “weak point” due to sluggish global demand, especially from China. The world’s second-largest economy is an important trading partner of the Philippines. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that exports fell 24.7 percent in Sep-

tember, as soft global demand and depressed prices weakened the shipments of all key commodities. The PSA said total revenue from Philippine exports fell to $4.4 billion in September 2015 from $5.8 billion recorded in the same period last year.

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TRADE Secretary Gregory Domingo said the Philippine made significant contributions in furthering the objectives of the just-concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Manila. “Our work has gathered support for member economies to collectively work towards an Asia Pacific region that addresses gaps in economic development, sustains long-term and inclusive growth, and benefits our micro, small and medium enterprises,” Domingo said. He said the Philippines had been successful in placing the MSMEs at the “front and center” of the Apec agenda technical and consultative meetings. The Boracay Action Agenda to Globalize Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises, broadly supported by trade ministers last May, and its implementation plan, endorsed by Apec senior officials during the conclusion of the meeting on November 15, 2015, highlighted the first day of discussions. The MSME agenda calls for a host of specific, concrete and practical interventions that Apec economies can implement to provide MSMEs wider opportunities to participate in the global market. The Trade Department said the year-long Apec meetings held in various cities of the country resulted in identifying specific actions, practical initiatives and programs that will enhance the MSME agenda and its implementation plan.

SATURDAY: NOVEMBER 21, 2015

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Friday, November 20, 2015

52 Weeks

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 4.2 17 30.45 10.4 0.92 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 91.5 361.2 57 180 1700 124 47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 3.95 33.9 90 13.26 293 5 5.25 12.98 6.75 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 7.34 238 5.5 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 1.3 2.17 0.59 59.2 30.05 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 6.55 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 3.5 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510 10.5 1.99 1.75

STOCKS

High

Low

FINANCIAL 2.55 2.51 49.2 48.1 101.00 99.25 86.75 85.00 39.6 39.4 1.60 1.56 15.7 15.5 18.94 18.88 7.70 7.70 0.65 0.65 1.62 1.60 750.00 750.00 0.495 0.490 81.9 80.5 0.97 0.94 18.00 17.70 51.90 51.50 299.6 295 33 32 136.5 133 1535.00 1535.00 56.15 56.95 INDUSTRIAL 35.9 Aboitiz Power Corp. 41.6 42.2 41.15 1.11 Agrinurture Inc. 3.2 3.41 2.85 1.01 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.84 0.84 0.84 1.86 Alsons Cons. 1.55 1.57 1.54 7.92 Asiabest Group 10.98 10.98 10.3 32 C. Azuc De Tarlac 98.95 98.95 98.95 15.32 Century Food 17.66 17.7 17.6 10.08 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 21 20.95 20.45 29.15 Concepcion 41 41.1 41 1.5 Crown Asia 2.36 2.4 2.36 1.5 Da Vinci Capital 1.51 1.56 1.47 10.72 Del Monte 9.9 10.08 9.9 9.55 DNL Industries Inc. 9.270 9.500 9.28 9.04 Emperador 9.13 9.12 9.03 6.02 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.82 6.20 5.82 8.86 EEI 5.53 5.59 5.48 1.06 Euro-Med Lab 1.71 1.71 1.71 20.2 First Gen Corp. 21.8 22.45 21.9 71.5 First Holdings ‘A’ 68.75 69.8 68.75 13.86 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 11.80 11.90 11.88 13.24 Holcim Philippines Inc. 14.50 14.62 14.50 5.81 5.34 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.99 5.99 0.395 Ionics Inc 2.360 2.440 2.350 173 Jollibee Foods Corp. 195.50 203.80 194.50 LBC Express 12.5 12.7 12.14 34.1 Liberty Flour 34.00 42.00 42.00 2.3 LMG Chemicals 1.95 2.03 2.03 23.35 Manila Water Co. Inc. 24 24.2 24 17.3 Maxs Group 22.4 23.5 22.4 5.88 Megawide 6.34 6.34 6.3 250.2 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 296.20 300.00 295.60 3.37 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 4.00 4.00 4.00 3.87 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 4.05 4.06 3.96 8.45 Petron Corporation 7.80 7.87 7.70 3 Phil H2O 3.15 3.18 3.17 10.04 Phinma Corporation 11.80 11.80 11.40 3.03 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 3.70 3.70 3.69 1.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.87 1.87 1.81 1 Pryce Corp. À’ 2.36 2.4 2.32 4.02 RFM Corporation 4.18 4.30 4.18 1.65 Roxas and Co. 2.95 2.8 2.8 5.9 Roxas Holdings 5 6.55 6 161 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 134 134 132.5 SPC Power Corp. 3.5 3.5 3.5 4.1 1.55 Splash Corporation 2.26 2.38 2.3 0.138 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.149 0.148 0.147 1.02 TKC Steel Corp. 1.12 1.20 1.15 2.09 Trans-Asia Oil 2.05 2.10 2.03 152 Universal Robina 199.7 200 196 0.640 Vitarich Corp. 0.64 0.66 0.63 1.2 Vulcan Ind’l. 1.21 1.22 1.16 HOLDING FIRMS 0.44 Abacus Cons. À’ 0.400 0.405 0.405 48.1 Aboitiz Equity 55.7000 57.8500 55.7000 20.85 Alliance Global Inc. 17.76 17.96 17.02 6.62 Anscor À’ 6.39 6.33 6.33 0.23 ATN Holdings A 0.238 0.260 0.245 0.23 ATN Holdings B 0.250 0.246 0.246 634.5 Ayala Corp À’ 755 756 750 7.390 Cosco Capital 7.55 7.62 7.55 12.8 DMCI Holdings 12.88 13.10 12.88 2.6 F&J Prince ‘A’ 4.81 5.88 5 2.26 Filinvest Dev. Corp. 3.90 4.55 3.98 0.152 Forum Pacific 0.260 0.265 0.250 837 GT Capital 1285 1300 1285 5.3 House of Inv. 5.43 6.00 6.00 49.55 JG Summit Holdings 67.80 69.90 67.80 4.84 Lopez Holdings Corp. 7.6 7.74 7.56 0.59 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.73 0.74 0.72 12 LT Group 13.9 14.2 13.92 0.580 Mabuhay Holdings À’ 0.51 0.53 0.53 4.2 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 5.26 5.37 5.27 4.5 Minerales Industrias Corp. 9.68 9.72 9.67 0.030 Pacifica À’ 0.0310 0.0330 0.0310 1.23 Prime Media Hldg 1.270 1.490 1.290 0.550 Prime Orion 1.760 1.830 1.790 59.3 San Miguel Corp À’ 48.00 48.45 47.65 1.5 Seafront À’ 2.68 2.70 2.70 751 SM Investments Inc. 840.00 863.00 846.00 1.13 Solid Group Inc. 1.12 1.22 1.22 0.93 South China Res. Inc. 0.72 0.75 0.75 80 Top Frontier 76.300 76.550 76.400 0.211 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3200 0.3200 0.3100 0.179 Wellex Industries 0.2270 0.2270 0.2180 0.310 Zeus Holdings 0.260 0.310 0.300 PROPERTY 6.74 8990 HLDG 7.150 7.440 7.170 0.65 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.85 0.88 0.83 1.2 Araneta Prop À’ 1.190 1.160 1.160 2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.68 12.02 19.6 6.12 0.74 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 62 276 41 118.2 1200 59

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank 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. National Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank

Trading Summary FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS PROPERTY SERVICES MINING & OIL GRAND TOTAL

SHARES 7,805,026 55,250,565 119,873,415 82,300,094 85,640,412 201,537,786 555,069,678

2.6 49.2 99.50 85.00 39.5 1.60 15.7 18.88 7.69 0.65 1.60 770.00 0.480 81.05 0.95 18.00 50.50 299.6 32.3 133 1515.00 57.00

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.55 49.2 99.25 86.75 39.4 1.57 15.6 18.92 7.70 0.65 1.60 750.00 0.490 81.1 0.97 18.00 51.90 296 33 136 1535.00 56.90

-1.92 0.00 -0.25 2.06 -0.25 -1.88 -0.64 0.21 0.13 0.00 0.00 -2.60 2.08 0.06 2.11 0.00 2.77 -1.20 2.17 2.26 1.32 -0.18

17,000 16,400 2,395,600 1,520,710 43,300 30,000 1,800 23,200 500 20,000 4,000 110 250,000 1,889,970 162,000 60,700 18,910 420 54,700 310,580 150 50,890

42 3.41 0.84 1.54 10.98 98.95 17.6 20.75 41 2.4 1.47 9.94 9.500 9.10 5.85 5.53 1.71 22.2 68.8 11.88 14.62 5.88 2.370 200.00 12.66 42.00 2.03 24 22.8 6.3 297.80 4.00 3.96 7.77 3.17 11.80 3.69 1.83 2.35 4.28 2.8 6 134 3.5 2.3 0.148 1.17 2.10 198 0.66 1.16

0.96 6.56 0.00 -0.65 0.00 0.00 -0.34 -1.19 0.00 1.69 -2.65 0.40 2.48 -0.33 0.52 0.00 0.00 1.83 0.07 0.68 0.83 -1.84 0.42 2.30 1.28 23.53 4.10 0.00 1.79 -0.63 0.54 0.00 -2.22 -0.38 0.63 0.00 -0.27 -2.14 -0.42 2.39 -5.08 20.00 0.00 0.00 1.77 -0.67 4.46 2.44 -0.85 3.13 -4.13

5,102,300 2,490,000 26,000 380,000 2,100 1,000 275,700 363,200 296,000 342,000 453,000 5,800 6,025,100 10,357,400 11,928,400 606,400 1,000 1,528,700 554,070 200 95,600 93,500 1,647,000 516,020 10,800 1,500 40,000 3,440,900 136,900 85,000 549,810 5,000 1,443,000 320,300 21,000 1,600 38,000 871,000 289,000 351,000 2,000 6,600 65,090 35,000 602,000 630,000 32,000 290,000 2,554,070 279,000 51,000

0.405 57.8500 17.90 6.33 0.245 0.246 756 7.59 13.00 5.6 4.26 0.260 1286 6.00 69.90 7.74 0.73 13.98 0.53 5.3 9.72 0.0310 1.460 1.790 48.00 2.70 862.00 1.22 0.75 76.400 0.3200 0.2180 0.300

1.25 3.86 0.79 -0.94 2.94 -1.60 0.13 0.53 0.93 16.42 9.23 0.00 0.08 10.50 3.10 1.84 0.00 0.58 3.92 0.76 0.41 0.00 14.96 1.70 0.00 0.75 2.62 8.73 4.17 0.13 0.00 -3.96 15.38

20,000 2,516,560 3,491,100 5,000 840,000 10,000 462,050 1,192,700 22,965,200 195,000 699,000 160,000 230,590 1,500 1,714,310 5,753,200 4,000 3,477,900 10,000 26,381,700 608,500 44,400,000 259,000 204,000 135,300 2,000 228,330 15,000 105,000 1,700 760,000 260,000 820,000

7.330 0.84 1.160

2.52 -1.18 -2.52

1,162,000 1,876,000 1,000

777,000.00 9,929,193 18,526,218.50 -316,000.00 -226,846.00

45,000.00 -24,750.00 -46,562,197.00 -478,448.50 -123,235 12,809,102.00 76,750.00 83,461,705.00 -134,710.00

-971,104.00 -1,070,775.00 -5,215,850

14,627,661.00 -64,131,007.00 5,389,729.00 -908,052.00 -8,789,215.00 -7,244.50 1,128,524.00 -48,052.00 1,608,780.00 6,006,231.00

-5,967,570.00 1,173,950.00 -7,608.00 -33,284,194.00 -1,926,860.00 684,106.00

-387,530.00 320,450.00 -6,006,439.00 -122,500.00 -122,500.00

93,287,340.00

34,194,585.00 -30,206,242.00

-21,170,075.00 3,898,515.00 -3,639,182.00 2,113,310.00 -65,559,175.00 19,132,358.50 -1,822,738.00 33,189,370.00 39,199,899.00 -14,500.00 -1,985,880.00 -5,009,170.00

52 Weeks

High Low 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 2.69 22.15 1.6 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

10.5 66 1.09 14.88 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 7.67 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 12.5 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 3.2 1 2.46 15.2 0.62 1.040 6.41 18 185 22.9 3486 2.28 46.05 90.1

1.97 35.2 0.63 10.5 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 4.8 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 8.72 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 1.95 0.650 1.8 6 0.335 0.37 3 8.8 79 4.39 2748 1.2 31.45 60.55

STOCKS

Arthaland Corp. Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. À’ Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. À’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport À’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp. Phil. Realty À’ Primex Corp. Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

11.6 0.85 2.95 10 0.490 1.9

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IPeople Inc. `A’ Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Macroasia Corp. Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. 7.59 SSI Group 0.63 STI Holdings 1.71 Transpacific Broadcast 5 Travellers 0.315 Waterfront Phils. 1.14 Yehey

0.0098 5.45 17.24 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 3.06 0.020 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9

0.0043 1.72 6.47 0.236 6.5 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 1.54 0.012 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67

Abra Mining Apex À’ Atlas Cons. 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 Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. À’ Philex À’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. À’ Semirara Corp. TA Petroleum

70 553 120 111 1060 1047 84.8

33 490 101.5 101 997 1011 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ First Gen G MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F

-46,668.00

2,806,406.00

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

Alterra Capital Xurpas

High

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.209 0.209 0.209 35.200 34.200 35.200 3.25 3.14 3.2 5.08 5.08 5.08 0.58 0.56 0.58 0.92 0.92 0.92 1.05 1.05 1.05 0.142 0.133 0.138 0.470 0.460 0.465 23.6 22.65 23 0.850 0.850 0.850 0.165 0.163 0.165 1.09 1.08 1.09 1.80 1.75 1.77 1.22 1.21 1.22 4.53 4.39 4.49 0.085 0.800 0.082 0.2700 0.2550 0.2700 0.4050 0.4050 0.4050 8.45 8.4 8.45 30.90 30.00 30.60 1.46 1.47 1.47 20.95 20.60 20.90 0.74 0.74 0.74 7.98 7.2 7.89 0.900 0.870 0.900 5.490 5.360 5.390 SERVICES 7.2 7.33 7.16 7.29 62.9 64 63 64 0.570 0.560 0.550 0.550 11.8 11.8 11.8 11.8 5.05 5.20 5.08 5.11 0.0500 0.0500 0.0470 0.0490 3.52 3.6 3.55 3.55 84.1 84.5 84.1 84.4 5.80 5.96 5.65 5.90 2020 2010 1943 2000 7.43 7.46 7.38 7.39 1.25 1.27 1.21 1.26 67.2 71 67.2 71 11.4 11.4 11.4 11.4 0.174 0.174 0.174 0.174 1.3700 1.4100 1.3500 1.4100 2.07 2.1 2 2 8.65 9.00 8.68 8.98 4.31 4.42 4.30 4.32 2.34 2.40 2.20 2.40 0.610 0.590 0.590 0.590 2 2 2 2 3.45 3.8 3.61 3.65 0.270 0.265 0.250 0.260 0.700 0.720 0.680 0.680 4.52 4.52 4.52 4.52 9.47 9.47 9.47 9.47 100.30 100.00 100.00 100.00 20.00 20.15 19.96 20.00 1965.00 2024.00 1970.00 2000.00 0.970 1.030 1.000 1.000 31.75 33.00 32.05 32.55 71.50 71.50 68.15 69.95 5.65 5.70 5.50 5.54 3.62 3.89 3.70 3.76 0.425 0.43 0.420 0.430 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 3.95 4 4 4 0.350 0.325 0.325 0.325 4.200 4.290 4.120 4.130 MINING & OIL 0.0050 0.0050 0.0048 0.0050 2.20 2.20 2.15 2.20 4.82 4.82 4.75 4.78 0.210 0.210 0.210 0.210 5.7000 5.7 5.7 5.7000 5.7100 5.73 5.73 5.7300 0.67 0.68 0.64 0.65 0.63 0.64 0.62 0.64 8.05 8.06 7.89 8.04 0.8 0.8 0.77 0.79 0.295 0.300 0.295 0.295 0.188 0.190 0.187 0.188 0.201 0.204 0.201 0.204 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 2.43 2.39 2.33 2.36 7 7 6.6 6.73 3 3.09 2.95 3 1.4400 1.4400 1.3800 1.4400 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 5.05 5.120 4.980 5.00 1.44 1.450 1.420 1.44 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 135.80 135.60 132.00 134.80 2.27 2.33 2.27 2.33 PREFERRED 62 64.5 63.25 64 519.5 520 515 515 116.2 117 117 117 109 109 109 109 1060 1050 1050 1050 1018 1020 1020 1020 81.7 83.5 81.7 83.5 79.05 79.05 79.05 79.05 79.3 79.9 79.8 79.9 80.35 80.5 80.35 80.5 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.640 2.660 2.650 2.650 SME 4 3.65 3.27 3.61 16.4 16.74 16.5 16.5 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 111.5 113.2 112.1 113.2

0.48 3.68 2.24 -0.39 3.57 0.00 5.00 2.22 0.00 0.44 -1.16 0.61 0.93 -1.12 -1.61 2.98 1.23 0.00 0.00 0.60 0.66 0.00 2.20 -1.33 35.33 1.12 2.08

200,000 5,101,100 1,200,000 11,000 1,447,000 6,000 2,000 5,740,000 970,000 2,297,300 141,000 1,560,000 2,126,000 11,316,000 66,000 22,214,000 1,020,000 80,000 50,000 96,600 10,874,000 41,000 8,149,300 55,000 16,000 45,000 2,488,800

1.25 1.75 -3.51 0.00 1.19 -2.00 0.85 0.36 1.72 -0.99 -0.54 0.80 5.65 0.00 0.00 2.92 -3.38 3.82 0.23 2.56 -3.28 0.00 5.80 -3.70 -2.86 0.00 0.00 -0.30 0.00 1.78 3.09 2.52 -2.17 -1.95 3.87 1.18 0.00 1.27 -7.14 -1.67

228,500 4,040 254,000 100 3,675,000 19,590,000 114,000 70,840 38,600 145,580 114,100 181,000 1,256,840 20,000 80,000 738,000 81,000 665,900 1,052,000 24,000 86,000 2 11,245,000 250,000 2,199,000 33,000 1,000 51,660 14,600 155,200 14,419,000 1,373,600 14,950 2,941,900 20,744,000 2,220,000 20,000 130,000 110,000 89,000

0.00 0.00 -0.83 0.00 0.00 0.35 -2.99 1.59 -0.12 -1.25 0.00 0.00 1.49 -9.09 0.00 -2.88 -3.86 0.00 0.00 10.00 -0.99 0.00 0.00 -0.74 2.64

64,000,000 8,000 127,000 -458,460.00 100,000 200 100 170,000 273,000 32,400 4,083,000 -119,500.00 30,000 2,110,000 210,000 1,200,000 6,300,000 353,000 -165,170.00 2,466,500 -2,109,947.00 62,000 6,000 700,000 538,800 -86,740.00 95,000 -28,800.00 118,300,000 299,980 -2,289,065.00 63,000

3.23 -0.87 0.69 0.00 -0.94 0.20 2.20 0.00 0.76 0.19

95,820 2,200 60 60 130 1,000 28,400 31,000 55,900 34,200

0.38

13,000

-9.75 0.61

53,000 2,555,000

1.52

53,330

-6,213,415.00 -481,010.00 -50,800.00 11,400.00 -13,700.00 120,900.00 1,255,365.00 -217,000.00 12,881,450.00 -30,553,910.00

210,000.00 -84,309,510.00 -6,072,755.00 -3,164.00 26,329.00

-1,761,065.00 73,500.00 735,684.50 -107,825,280.00 70,110.00 24,453,821.50

83,519.00 327,560.00 66,000.00 -18,506,620.00 88,400.00 17,000.00 30,211.00 25,920,390.00 754,660.00 13,614,970.00 -2,151,227.00 -4,247,766.00 -12,891,490.00 -240,800.00 -500,000.00

3,900,774.00

-32,680.00 176,880.00

-3,217,104.00

T op L oSerS

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,545.60 (UP) 11.94 INDUSTRIAL 11,028.15 (UP) 43.74 HOLDING FIRMS 6,559.75 (UP) 115.49 PROPERTY 2,956.67 (UP) 76.57 SERVICES 1,555.81 (UP) 25.71 MINING & OIL 10,863.58 (DOWN) 126.79 PSEI 6,932.81 (UP) 107.43 All Shares Index 4,001.22 (UP) 53.78 Gainers: 108; Losers: 60; Unchanged: 47; Total: 215

0.208 33.950 3.13 5.1 0.56 0.92 1.00 0.135 0.465 22.9 0.860 0.164 1.08 1.79 1.24 4.36 0.081 0.2700 0.4050 8.4 30.40 1.47 20.45 0.75 5.83 0.890 5.280

T op g ainerS VALUE 651,626,798.879 1,433,959,348.01 1,768,292,997.10 951,721,593.38 1,054,012,746.07 67,571,086.83 5,975,786,106.269

Low

Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Starmalls

7.89

35.33

Alterra Capital

3.61

-9.75

Liberty Flour

42.00

23.53

Manila Mining `A'

0.0100

-9.09

Roxas Holdings

20.00

Waterfront Phils.

0.325

-7.14

F&J Prince 'A'

5.6

16.42

Roxas and Co.

2.8

-5.08

Zeus Holdings

0.300

15.38

Vulcan Ind'l.

1.16

-4.13

Prime Media Hldg

1.460

14.96

Wellex Industries

0.2180

-3.96

House of Inv.

6.00

10.50

Nickelasia

6.73

-3.86

Oriental Pet. `A'

0.0110

10.00

MG Holdings

0.260

-3.70

Filinvest Dev. Corp.

4.26

9.23

APC Group, Inc.

0.550

-3.51

Solid Group Inc.

1.22

8.73

Jackstones

-3.38

SATURDAY: NOVEMBER 21, 2015

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

Datem postpones P4.6-b public offer By Alena Mae S. Flores

CONSTRUCTION company Datem Inc. said Friday it postponed the P4.65-billion initial public offering it originally planned on Dec. 8 to a later date. “Datem Inc., together with BPI Capital Corp. and First Metro Investment Corp., as joint issue coordinators and joint lead underwriters and book runners, is deferring the company’s upcoming initial public offering to a later date,” the company said in a letter to the Philippine Stock Exchange. Datem said it would advise

the PSE and the Securities and Exchange Commission of the revised timetable as soon as possible. “In this connection, the company reserves the right to adjust the terms of the offer,” it said, without disclosing the reason for the delay. Datem earlier said it planned

to start the offering period for the IPO on Nov. 24, with the end of offer period on Dec. 1. Datem planned to sell up to 329 million shares, including 257.5 million primary shares, 28.61 million secondary shares and 42.91 million in case of over allotment, at an offer price of up to P14.15 apiece. The company, in its preliminary prospectus, said that based on the offer price of P14.15 per share, it would raise P3.643 billion from the sale of primary shares and P1.012 billion from secondary shares. Proceeds from the IPO will be used to fund construction, real

estate and water ventures, it said. Datem, incorporated in 1984, is primarily engaged in the construction business. The company recently ventured into real estate, particularly affordable housing projects, and supply and treatment of bulk water. Datem has housing projects in Angono and Cainta in Rizal province and Davao City and plans several projects in Bulacan, Iloilo, Laguna and other parts of Rizal. Datem Water has a 15-year bulk water contract with Metro Kalibo Water District. The company said it was also on the lookout for more contracts in major cities.

CEO summit. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman and chief executive of Ayala Corp., speaks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. The Philippines successfully hosted the Apec Summit with the theme ‘Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.’ BLOOMBERG

Philex Petroleum’s subsidiary quits Peru exploration By Alena Mae S. Flores PHILEX Petroleum Corp. said unit Pitkin Petroleum Plc. decided to surrender its ownership in an onshore exploration block in Peru. Philex Petroleum said in a disclosure to the stock exchange that Pitkin, its 53-percent owned subsidiary, did not join sub phase two in Peru Block 27, located onshore of Peru, “and has surrendered said block to the Peruvian government.” Company officials did not respond to queries regarding the decision to surrender the service

contract. Philex Petroleum, the oil and gas arm of Philex Mining Corp., has been suffering from losses due to inability to drill service contract 72, located offshore northwest Palawan, due to an ongoing territorial dispute with China. Pitkin Petroleum earlier announced it decided not to pursue its plan to take a 70-percent interest in service contract 6 A (Octon Block) in northwest Palawan. Pitkin reassigned its participating interest back to the farm-out partners after completion of the phase one work program on Dec. 31, 2014.

Pitkin signed a farm in agreement with the Octon Block partners in 2011 to earn a 70-percent participating interest in exchange for funding a three-phase work program, with the option to exit at the end of each phase. The department approved the transfer of block operatorship to Pitkin in December 2011. Pitkin proposed to acquire new 3D seismic data and started preliminary seismic evaluation of the northern section of the block using existing available data as the operator of SC 6 A. The other consortium holders of the SC 6 A block were The

Philodrill, Alcorn Gold Resources Corp., Anglo-Philippine Holding Corp., Forum Energy Philippines Corp., PetroEnergy Resources Corp., Philex Petroleum and Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp. The Octon Block has been previously estimated to contain up to three million barrels of oil reserves and 34 billion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, of which three billion barrels are recoverable. The Octon field was discovered in January 1991 and successfully appraised in April 1992. The field has a potential for a low-cost development.

Market advances; Aboitiz, JG climb STOCKS rose Friday, as optimism the Federal Reserve will take a gradual approach to raising interest rates sent Asian markets toward their biggest weekly gain in more than a month and buoyed the region’s currencies. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, jumped 107 points, or 1.6 percent, to close at 6,932.81. The gauge, however, was still down 4.1 percent since the start of the year. The heavier index, representing all shares, also advanced 53 points, or 1.4 percent, to settle at 4,001.22, on value turnover of P6 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 108 to 60, while 47 issues were unchanged. Seventeen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., which climbed 3.9 percent to P57.85. Property developer Ayala Land Inc. rose 3.7 percent to P35.20, while JG Summit Holdings Inc. of tycoon John Gokongwei added 3.1 percent to close at P69.90. Property developer Megaworld Corp. gained 3 percent to P4.49, while SM Investments Corp. of tycoon Henry Sy rose 2.6 percent to P862. Restaurant operator Jollibee Foods Corp. picked up 2.3 percent to settle at P200. Meanwhile, the MSCI Asia Pacific index rose 0.2 percent, extending Thursday’s 1.9-percent advance, as shares in New Zealand and Australia climbed with those in emerging markets. Gold added 0.1 percent and zinc jumped 2.1 percent. Crude in New York traded at $40.43 a barrel. Malaysia’s ringgit strengthened 1.5 percent, leading Asian currencies higher. Investors showed few signs of unease after the US central bank signaled this week it’s likely to raise interest rates next month. “The Fed has made it clear that its base case is for a lift-off in December and if they were to break that, it would be a huge, marketmoving event,” said Evan Lucas, Melbourne-based strategist at IG Ltd. “It’s been very positive for markets this week, with equities responding favorably to this macro picture.” The dollar sank against emerging market currencies and the yen in Asia after seeing sharp losses on Wall Street while stocks picked up in later trade to extend the previous day’s rally. The upbeat performance was a far cry from the start of the week, which was overshadowed by the deadly Paris attacks last Friday, which raised fears about security in Europe and its effect on the economy. Minutes Wednesday showing Federal Reserve policymakers are confident the US economy is strong enough to withstand a December interest rate hike fuelled buying across global markets and sent the dollar up against its major rivals. With Bloomberg, AFP

SATURDAY: NOVEMBER 21, 2015

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

IN BRIEF

Globe data sales up GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Friday mobile browsing and other data revenues jumped 48 percent to P15.1 billion in the first nine months of the year from P10.2 billion year-on-year. Globe Telecom, a unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp., said mobile data users grew surged 126 percent, while mobile data traffic increased 89 perfect from previous year’s level. “Our mobile data revenues have once again exceeded our expectations, maintaining its robust double-digit growth in revenues and traffic, as well as tripledigit growth in user base,” Globe Telecom senior advisor for consumer business Dan Horan said. “We are confident that we can sustain this growth momentum towards the end of the year as the demand for data connectivity during the holidays is expected to soar. This shift to the digital lifestyle is part of our commitment to drive the country’s position as the world’s next social media capital,” he said. Globe has teamed up with Internet and device providers to give customers a different experience. Darwin G. Amojelar

Melco invests more

Marco Polo partner. Five-star hotel Marco Polo Ortigas Manila keeps its cash management requirements intact with BDO Unibank, which provides the hotel a comprehensive payment solutions. Signing the partnership agreement are (from left) Marco Polo Ortigas Manila ﬁnance head Renan Cortez, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila general manager Frank Reichenbach, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila president Lily Te-Pedrosa, BDO transaction banking group head Edwin Reyes and BDO TBG account management head Edgardo Marcelo Jr.

MCE (Philippines) Investments Ltd., the majority shareholder of Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corp., is subscribing to an additional 693.5 million shares in the City of Dreams Manila operator at P3.90 per share, or a total of P2.704 billion. Melco Crown disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange Friday it signed a a subscription agreement to sell 693.5 million common shares to MCE (Philippines). The subscription price was based on the weighted average of Melco’s closing prices over a period of 30 trading days prior to the subscription. It said the company would apply for the listing of the subscription shares after obtaining the shareholder’s approval. Melco Crown said MCE (Philippines), as major shareholder, “shows its continuous support to the company and its subsidiaries through the subscription.” MCE (Philippines) owns 3,306,677,096 shares in the company prior to the transaction representing 64.78 percent. Its shareholding will increase to 69.11 percent with its 3,900,177,096 shares after the transaction. Melco rose 5.8 percent Friday to P3.65. Alena Mae S. Flores

Aussie BPO company expanding Clark unit

NGCP eyes new link

Beepo chief executive officer Aimee Engelmann said the company would hire 1,000 personnel every year to help fill the sector’s growing demand for talents. Investing close to Australian $400,000 or approximately P13.2 million in its operations in Clark, Beepo increased its personnel to 200 as of October this year from just 15 when the company started operations in April 2014. “We have a long-term vision to grow and remain in the area [Clark],” said Engelmann. “I could see an opportunity to combine the fantastic talents here in the Philippines

NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines is seeking provisional authority from the Energy Regulatory Commission to conduct a study on the Visayas-Mindanao Western Route (Cebu-NegrosZamboanga del Norte) interconnection project. National Grid said in an application the feasibility study would determine the best and safest route for the cable and landing of the interconnection that would allow the transfer of excess capacity from Mindanao to the Visayas grid. The company said in a feasibility study it earlier commissioned the proposed Visayas-Mindanao interconnection from Leyte to Surigao would encounter several signiﬁcant environmental risks and perils. It discovered seismic hazards in the Surigao Strait, which may limit the viability of the routes. National Grid is considering an alternate route by exploring the western side for the connection of the Visayas and Mindanao grids. Alena Mae S. Flores

Atlas bares losses ATLAS Consolidated Mining and De-

velopment Corp. reported a consolidated net loss of P1.3 billion in the ﬁrst nine months of 2015, a reversal from a proﬁt of P841 million year-on-year. Atlas attributed the loss in a statement to an accounting charge for unrealized foreign exchange losses and low metal prices. Atlas’s revenues dropped 33 percent to P8.4 billion from last year’s P12.6 billion, while EBITDa reached P1.9 billion from P4.6 billion on year. Wholly-owned unit Carmen Copper Corp. produced 73.3 million pounds of copper from 81.4 million pounds last year. Total volume of copper concentrate shipments fell 9 percent from 132,400 dry metric tons to 121,100 dry metric tons this year. Atlas said copper prices remained low in the third quarter, with the yearto-date average realized copper price at $2.57 per pound, down 19 percent fronm $3.16 per pound in 2014. The average realized gold price also decreased 9 percent to $1,171 per ounce from $1,290 per ounce in the previous year.

By Othel V.Campos

AUSTRALIAN business process outsourcing company Beepo Inc. announced a plan to expand its Philippines operations from 200 to 5,000 workers in the next five years. and paired it up with Australian businesses,” Engelmann added. She said her company and the state-run Clark Development Corp. were working closely to invite other Australian firms to invest in the Clark free port. “We’ve been working together to find those clients who want to invest long-term in the Philippines,” Engelmann said. “A few of our clients have also decided to create their own companies in the Philippines as well,” she said. Engelmann said Clark was the perfect site for a growing

outsourcing company like Beepo. “I did a lot of research on locations in the Philippines and I believed that Clark has such a bright future because of its facilities and infrastructure,” she said. She said unlike other outsourcing companies, Beepo did not put a cap on age. Engelmann said since Beepo also promoted work live balance, “there is absolutely no age limit as far as hiring is concerned.” “Majority of the shifts at Beepo starts 7 [in the morning]. [They] finish at 4 p.m. and then they can go home with their family,” she said. Beepo recently issued an advisory to fill up administration posts, including an HR manager, operations and systems support, team leader, and customer service representatives. Two other companies op-

erating in Clark Freeport are hiring more workers as part of their expansion plans. Catering services provider La Rose Noire Philippines Inc. needs bakers, pastry chef, production manager, supervisor warehouse/procurement manager, finance manager, engineering assistant manager, engineering supervisor, engineering line staff, language translator (Filipino, English and Mandarin) and quality control staff. Midori Hotel and Casino, the first five-star hotel in Central Luzon, is looking for bar and banquet captain, revenue supervisor, floor captain, assistant engineer manager, electronic engineer steward shift head, concierge supervisor, front officer supervisor and laundry supervisor and general foreman. The hotel is expected to have a soft opening before the end of the year.

SLEx operator increased 9-month income to P2.06b By Darwin G. Amojelar THE operator of South Luzon Expressway said Friday net income rose 12 percent to P2.06 billion in the January-toSeptember period from P1.84 billion year-on-year, driven by higher vehicle traffic. South Luzon Tollways Corp., a unit of San Miguel Corp., said revenues from toll operations amounted to P3.55 billion in the nine-month period from P3.24 billion on year, after traffic volume improved and a relatively good weather.

“Majority of the vehicles that utilize SLEx come from the Class 1 category which account for about 80 percent of the total traffic volume, indicating high consumer socio-economic activity in the south,” South Luzon said. South Luzon’s parent San Miguel earlier earmarked P13.1 billion to extend the SLEx from Sto. Tomas Batangas to Lucena in Quezon province. The project is divided into five sections. Section 1 covers Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Macban, Laguna (10.58 kms);

Macban, Laguna to San Pablo, Laguna (12.2 kms); San Pablo, Laguna to Tiaong, Quezon (8.1 kms); Tiaong to Candelaria, Quezon (14.4 kms); and Candelaria to Lucena City, Quezon (12.31 kms). South Luzon said it planned to complete the first section from Santo Tomas to Macban by mid-2017 and the entire project by 2019. The four-lane, expressway project is seen to make travel to and from Southern Tagalog provinces such as Batangas, Laguna, Quezon and the Bicol

region faster and safer. The project is expected to cut travel time between Sto. Tomas and Lucena to just one hour from the usual four hours. The SLEx-Toll Road 4 is the latest project in San Miguel’s infrastructure portfolio, which already includes the TarlacPangasinan-La Union Expressway, the at-grade and elevated Skyway system and Skyway Stage 3, the Naia Expressway, the existing SLEx and the recently upgraded and expanded Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, or STAR Tollway.

s at u r d ay : N O V E M B E r 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

cEsar BarriOquiNtO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

The exodus continues. A migrant girl cries as she crosses the Macedonian-Greek border near Gevgelia on November 20, 2015. Countries along the migrant route through the Balkans have begun tightening restrictions by accepting only those fleeing war, causing a backlog of hundreds of people on November 19 on the Greek-Macedonian border. AFP

EU asked to counter terrorism Russians urge tougher action against terrorists MOSCOW—Russian lawmakers on Friday called for tighter security measures and tougher punishments for terror attacks after the downing of a Russian passenger jet over Egypt and the carnage in Paris. Legislators from Russia’s two chambers held an extraordinary meeting on the issue after Moscow said for the first time this week that the Airbus plane that crashed in Sinai killing 224 people last month was brought down by a bomb. The gathering in Moscow, which included religious leaders, was designed as a show of support for President Vladimir Putin by the Kremlin-loyal deputies after he ratcheted up air strikes in Syria in the wake of the confirmation of the bombing. Valentina Matvienko, the

chairwoman of the upper chamber Federation Council, said lawmakers were “proposing to expand the powers” of Russia’s security and law enforcement agencies and “increase criminal responsibility not only for terrorist activity, but for its moral, financial, informational and other support”. Matvienko also called on Russia and its “partners” to create an international tribunal to “severely punish terrorists and their accomplices”, while saying the West’s “gross interference” had bred chaos in the Middle East. Moscow has not explicitly blamed any one group for the attack on its passenger jet but Putin has pledged to find and “punish” the attackers, while the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility. AFP

BRUSSELS—French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve on Friday urged the EU to take urgent counter-terrorism decisions after having “wasted too much time”, as he entered emergency talks following the Paris attacks. “We hope that Europe, which has wasted too much time on a number of urgent issues, today takes the decisions that we must take,” Cazeneuve told reporters as he arrived for a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels. France proposed the emergency meeting after last week’s suicide and gun attacks in Paris that left 129 people dead, the worst such massacre on French soil. Interior ministers from the 28-nation bloc are set to tighten checks on all travelers, including its own citizens, at the external borders of the passport-free Schengen zone, EU officials said. Schengen has come under scrutiny following the revelations that some of the Paris attackers came from Belgium, and that alleged

ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud may have come back from fighting with IS in Syria to take part. Most EU citizens enjoy passport-free travel throughout the Schengen zone of 22 EU countries, plus non-EU Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. “There is a clear link between security of the external borders, the EU’s external borders, and security within the EU,” British interior minister Theresa May told reporters. “That’s why it’s important that the measures we have already agreed [like the setting up of migrant registration ‘hots pots’] are implemented,” she said. The EU is deploying teams to Greece and Italy where hundreds of thousands of people have arrived by sea this year to help de-

termine whether new arrivals are refugees fleeing war or persecution, or economic migrants simply seeking a better life. However, EU sources also concede extremists could enter any the EU’s external borders. One of the draft conclusions for Friday’s meeting calls on Frontex, the EU border agency, to “work closely with Europol and Eurojust, in particular in the context of the hot spots, and exchange data with Europol” on the exchange of personal data. France is also pushing for the EU to agree on a US-style Passenger Name Record (PNR) system, which involves collecting EU passenger data, by the end of the year. The plan is controversial in Europe due to concerns over how to protect personal information while fighting terrorism and serious crime. The meeting will also focus on the question of firearms security and the reinforcement of controls at external borders. AFP

19 jihadists killed in attacks in Yemen ADEN—Al-Qaeda launched attacks on two army positions in southeast Yemen early Friday that left 15 soldiers and 19 jihadists dead as well as several civilians wounded, army and medical sources said. An officer said the attacks targeted army positions near the town of Shibam in Hadramawt province, a stronghold of AlQaeda whose militants control its capital Mukalla. Twelve soldiers and 19 jihadists were killed, according to the officer, but a medical source later said the army lost 15 men and several civil-

ians were wounded in the attacks. The main attack was staged at the western entrance to Shibam, which is known as the “Manhattan of the Desert” and listed as a UNESCO world heritage site for its high-rise mud-brick buildings. Local officials said fierce clashes broke out after Al-Qaeda militants exploded a roadside bomb targeting an army patrol, while a suicide bomber blew up a car at an army post near a residential area. “The blast damaged many homes, wounding several civilians,” the medical source said in the nearby town of Seiyun, where the ca-

sualties and the bodies of the dead soldiers were transported. Army units posted in Hadramawt are loyal to the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi in the face of an armed revolt by Shiite Huthi rebels. Taking advantage of Huthi advances in northern and southern Yemen and the collapse of central authority, Al-Qaeda seized control in April of the port city of Mukalla. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, has imposed a strict version of sharia Islamic law in areas of Yemen under its control. AFP

Emergency meeting. French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve,

center, and French Justice Minister Christiane Taubira arrive to attend an extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting , following the attacks in Paris, at the European Council in Brussels on November 20, 2015. AFP

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WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Koreas set to hold rare talks SEOUL—North and South Korea agreed Friday to hold rare talks next week aimed at setting up a high-level dialogue that might provide the foundation for a sustainable improvement in cross-border ties.

In attendance. Guests attend the POLO Ralph Lauren + Athlete Ally Event at POLO Ralph Lauren in Fashion Valley in San Diego, California. AFP

Republic of the Philippines Province of Kalinga City of Tabuk

The talks, to be held on November 26 in the border truce village of Panmunjom, will be the first inter-governmental interaction since officials met there in August to defuse a crisis that had pushed both sides to the brink of an armed conflict. That meeting ended with a joint agreement that included a commitment to resume a highlevel dialogue, although no precise time line was given. Seoul’s Unification Ministry said the talks proposals sent to Pyongyang in September and October had failed to garner a response. Then on Thursday, the North’s official KCNA news agency said the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea, which handles relations with the South, had sent Seoul a notice proposing the November 26 meeting. “We have accepted,” a Unification Ministry official said. Under the terms of the August agreement, Seoul switched off loudspeakers blasting propaganda Standard Form Number: SF-INFR-05 Revised on: July 29. 2004

Republic of the Philippines Local Government Unit BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Gregorio del Pilar, lIocos Sur

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Date Posted: November 18, 2015

INVITATION TO BID ITB No. GOODS-2015-21 The Local Government Unit of Tabuk through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) invites Manufacturers/Distributors/Suppliers to bid for the hereunder equipment: Lot 1

Name of Project

Location

ABC

Cost of Bid Documents

Procurement of Granulator for Bio Waste & Non Bio Waste Materials:-capacity:4,5 CMH; prime mover:4D30 diesel engine; Blades: 1/2”x10cmx1m-12 pcs; gear box reducer: 7hp; gear box drive: 7hp; component parts: conveyor plate-stainless steel; main gear box reducer: 12hp; cylindrical tumbler w/ metal trapping magnets- 1m dia x 2.4 m long; length 14m, height2.5m; fuel consumption-4lit/ hr,; segregation conveyor-4ply x 60cm x 6m anti abrasion, oil, heat & water resistant

CENRO

6,500,000.00

10,000.00

INVITATION TO BID The Municipality of Gregorio del Pilar , through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites contractors registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to apply for eligibility and if found eligible, to bid for the hereunder contract: Name of Contract Location Brief Description

: Improvement of Poblacion Loop - Tangaoan Local Core Road : Gregorio del Pilar, IIocos Sur : Removal of Structure & Obstruction, Sub-Grade Preparation, Aggregate Sub-Base Coarse, PCCP

Approved Budget for the Contract ( ABC) : Php 5,485,246.32 Source of Fund : Trust Fund-GPB Fund Contract Duration : Eighty (80) C.D.

Prospective bidders should posses a valid PCAB License applicable to the contract, have completed a similar contract with a value of at least 50% of the ABC, and have key personnel and equipment (listed in the Eligibility Formats) available for the prosecution of the contract. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fall criteria in the eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids. The BAC will conduct post-qualification of the lowest calculated bid. All particulars relative to Eligibility/Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference, Evaluation of Bids, PostQualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its implementing Rules and Requisition (IRR). The Schedule of BAC activities is as follows: BAC Activities

P r o s p e c t i ve b i d d e r s s h o u l d h ave c o m p l e t e d a S i m i l a r c o n t r a c t w i t h a v a l u e o f a t l e a s t 5 0 % o f t h e A B C . T h e B AC w i l l u s e n o n d i s c r e t i o n a r y p a s s / f a i l c r i t e r i a i n t h e e l i g i b i l i t y c h e c k /s c r e e n i n g a s w e l l a s t h e p r e l i m i n a r y ex a m i n a t i o n o f b i d s . T h e B AC w i l l c o n d u c t p o s t qualif ication of the lowest calculated bid. P r e - B i d c o n f e r e n c e w i l l b e o n N ove m b e r 2 5 , 2 015 , 9 : 0 0 A M a t t h e B AC M e e t i n g R o o m , C i t y E n g i n e e r i n g O f f i c e , Ta b u k C i t y H a l l , D a g u p a n C e n t r o, Ta b u k C i t y B i d D o c u m e n t s a r e av a i l a b l e d u r i n g o f f i c e h o u r s s t a r t i n g N ove m b e r 2 4 , 2 015 a t t h e B AC - S e c r e t a r i a t , C i t y E n g i n e e r i n g O f f i c e a n d u p o n p ay m e n t o f a n o n - r e f u n d a b l e a m o u n t o f b i d d o c u m e n t s a s s t a t e d a b ove t o t h e LG U C a s h i e r, O f f i c e o f t h e Tr e a s u r e r. A l l b i d p r o p o s a l s s h o u l d b e r e c e i ve d by t h e B AC C h a i r m a n / S e c r e t a r i a t o n o r b e f o r e D e c e m b e r 9 , 2 015 , We d n e s d ay, 9 : 0 0 A M a t t h e B AC M e e t i n g R o o m , C i t y E n g i n e e r i n g O f f i c e , Ta b u k C i t y H a l l , D a g u p a n C e n t r o, Ta b u k C i t y. T h e B i d s a n d A w a r d s C o m m i t t e e ( B AC) r e s e r ve s t h e r i g h t t o r e j e c t a ny a n d /o r a l l b i d s o r p a r t t h e r e o f, o r t o w a i ve f o r m a l i t y t h e r e i n a n d / o r t o a c c e p t t h e b i d s a s m ay b e c o n s i d e r e d m o s t a d v a n t a g e o u s t o t h e L o c a l G ove r n m e n t U n i t o f Ta b u k . Ve r y t r u l y y o u r s ,

Schedule

1.Issuance of Eligibility Forms & Bid Documents

November 9 - November 25, 2015

2.Pre - Bid Conference

November 13,2015 @ 10:00 A.M. Municipal Hall,G. del Pilar, IIocos Sur

3.Receipt and Opening of Bids

November 25,2015 @ 10:00 A.M. Municipal Hall,G. del Pilar, IIocos Sur

4.Bid Evaluation

December 1, 2015

5.Post Qualification

December 4, 2015

6.Notice of Award

December 9, 2015

7.Notice to Proceed

December 14,2015

Bid Documents shall be available at the BAC Office, Municipal Hall, Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur upon payment of the prescribed non-refundable fee. The Municipality of Gregorio del Pilar assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids. The Municipality of Gregorio del Pilar reserves the right to reject any or all bids, waive any defects contained therein and accept such as maybe considered most advantageous to the municipal government. CONTACT PERSON: (Sgd.) LANI M. TUMBAGA BAC Secretariat Municipality of Gregorio del Pilar

(S G D.) C O N S TA N T E C . D O C T O R B AC C h a i r m a n ( T S - N O V, 21, 2 015 )

messages across the border after the North expressed regret over recent mine blasts that maimed two South Korean soldiers. The South interpreted the regret as an “apology” but the North’s powerful National Defense Commission has since stressed that it was meant only as an expression of sympathy. Next week’s talks come amid diplomatic shifts in the Northeast Asia region that have left North Korea looking more isolated than ever, with Seoul moving closer to Pyongyang’s main diplomatic and economic ally China, and improving strained relations with Tokyo. Earlier this month, the leaders of South Korea, China and Japan held their first summit for more than three years in Seoul. Although the focus was on trade and other economic issues, the three declared their “firm opposition” to the development of nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula. North Korea is already under a raft of UN sanctions imposed af-

ter its three nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013. It has also come under increasing pressure on the human rights front, following a report published last year by a UN commission that concluded North Korea was committing human rights violations “without parallel in the contemporary world”. A UN General Assembly committee on Thursday condemned those “gross” violations in North Korea, in a resolution adopted by a record majority. The resolution, which will go to the full General Assembly for a vote next month, encourages the Security Council to consider referring Pyongyang to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Such a move would likely be blocked by China, which has veto power in the council. Last week, South Korean President Park Geun-Hye had reiterated her willingness to hold face-to-face talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un but only if Pyongyang showed some commitment to abandoning its nuclear weapons program. “There is no reason not to hold an inter-Korean summit if a breakthrough comes in solving the North Korean nuclear issue,” Park said. AFP

(TS-NOV. 21,2015)

Approved by: (Sgd.) Eng’r. JAIME A. CONSOLACION BAC Chairman

Factories hit by mass faintings PHNOM PENH— Hundreds of workers have fainted at Cambodian factories after farmers sprayed insecticide on nearby rice fields, authorities said Friday, in the latest mass fainting episode to hit the country. About 250 workers vomited and fainted on Friday morning at six garment factories at an economic zone one hour outside the capital Phnom Penh, according to a report circulated by Cheav Bunrith, a spokesman for the National Social Security Fund, a government agency. The report said the incident was caused by “poison from insecticide farmers sprayed at a rice paddy nearby” the factories. The victims were taken to health centers to recover. Another 119 workers fainted at a toy factory in the economic zone on Thursday after they inhaled the insecticide, according to the NSSF. Mass faintings at Cambodian garment factories are relatively common.

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PROPERTY jdlacsamana@gmail.com

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR

Christmas tree light uP

Tutuban’s skyline took on a splendid hue recently with the holding of a Christmas tree lighting ceremony of Manila’s tallest yuletide tree. Tutuban Center is the city’s Christmas shopping capital. The giant tree it lit up is 50 feet tall, with materials coming from different provinces around Manila, and designed by Tutuban Properties, Inc. (TPI) personnel. This year’s celebration, held at the Tutuban Center Shopping Plaza, had the theme “Paskong Sulit sa Tutuban Center.” Inset (from left) Kyle Vergara, GMA-7 talent; Atty. Daisy Parker, corporate secretary;, Prime Orion Philippines, Inc.; Councilor Obet Asilo, first district of Manila; Flordeliza Villaseñor, chief tourism operations officer, Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau; David Go, president, Tutuban Properties, Inc.; Sylvia Tecson, vice president for marketing and leasing, Tutuban Properties, Inc.; and Devon Seron, former PBB teens contestant.

Condo living. Real estate developer New San Jose Builders recently held a topping off ceremony for its condominium building at Victoria Towers, called Tower D along Mother Ignacia Avenue in Quezon City. The development sits on a threelevel commercial center featuring restaurants, coffee shops, various retail shops and a supermarket. The property will be ready for occupancy by mid-2016. With the success of Victoria Towers ABC, Tower D offers the same convenience and ease of condo living to future residents. Victoria Tower D is one of the high-rise residential properties of New San Jose Builders, a contractor known for the development of The Philippine Arena and the country’s first and only heritage resort by the sea, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.

Pinoy fiesta. NorthPine Land Inc. (NLI) recently held a Filipino fiesta-inspired open house at its new development, Kahaya Place in Dasmariñas City, Cavite. “A Celebration in October” showcased the lively Filipino spirit, with hundreds of guests, sellers and staff of NLI playing traditional games including palo sebo, pukpok palayok, and pabitin. NLI Executive Vice President Ferdinand Macabanti proudly presented to the guests the residential property. “Kahaya Place is an undertaking we should all be very proud of,” he said. NLI’s projects aside from Kahaya Place, include Greenwoods Village, Wind Crest, Kohana Grove (Cavite), South Hampton (Laguna), Forest Ridge (Antipolo City), and Lexington (Pasig City). Among its shareholders are HongKong Land, BDO, Metrobank, and San Miguel Properties, Inc.

Boom town. Picar Development’s township in General Trias, Cavite, Ara Vista, is attracting a lot of attention these days. Located in a booming economic town with several major industrial estates, among them Gateway Business Park and New Cavite Industrial City, it is a development well suited to be a home base. The master plan for General Trias is to achieve an agro-industrial and residential balance: Ara Vista is in the midst of that expansion. And with homes that offer an array of designs and prices within seven neighborhood phases, Ara Vista is a suburban enclave worth checking out.

Cutting edge. What does it take to become the best office development in the country? With urbanization and climate change, there is a growing need for structures to adapt, or risk falling behind. One company that believes in raising the bar when it comes to incorporating facets of design and function is Daiichi Properties, which recently bagged the Five-Star Best Office Development plum at the Asia Pacific Property Awards. The prize recognizes the finest in property, architecture, and interior design. Daiichi won it for the 27-storey World Plaza, located at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC). The Gensler-designed World Plaza is Daiichi’s second office development that won an international property development award. In 2013, One World Place was recognized for the same accolade by the Asia Pacific Property Awards. Daiichi is responsible for projects such as The Finance Centre Tower, One Global Place, and The Regent Parkway.

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JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR jdlacsamana@gmail.com

PROPERTY 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

Buy

50.2%

57.3%

70.8%

72.6%

71.1%

65.5%

Rent

49.8%

42.7%

29.2%

27.4%

28.9%

34.5%

Share of people looking for for-rent and for-sale properties by age group

are filiPinos buying or renting? trend to buy growing among filipino online property hunters As people get older, they tend to start seriously checking out for-sale properies online. Global property website Lamudi Philippines (www.lamudi.com.ph) recently released data which shows that among 25- to 34-year-old users, 57.3 percent are checking out for-sale properties in the website, compared to 42.7 percent of users who look for for-rent properties. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, Lamudi said there is an equal proportion of property hunters looking for for-rent and for-sale properties (50.2 versus 49.8 percent). The preference to buy is even higher in the 35–44, 45–54, and 55–64 age groups; Lamudi data noted that 70.8, 72.6, and 71.1 percent of the website’s users, respectively, are checking out for-sale properties, while only 29.2, 27.4, and 28.9 percent are looking for for-rent properties, respectively.

CITY

PERCENTAGE

Quezon City

27%

Makati

Parañaque

Tagaytay

Las Piñas

Cebu

Davao

Pasig

Baguio

Taguig

Cities potential buyers are looking at. Jacqueline van den Ende, Lamudi Philippines managing director said these findings are consistent with observations made in Europe and the United States,

where people have the tendency to buy as they get older. “This seems to be the case among Filipinos,” said van den Ende. “Younger people—those aged 18–

Tips To prepare your home againsT rain Heavy rains and extreme heat are natural enemies of homes in the Philippines. During the monsoon and typhoon seasons, homes that are not weatherproofed, will not be able to continue protecting homeowners from the elements. Prep your house—especially the exteriors—to withstand the challenges of the rainy season. One of the best ways to do this is to ensure the quality of the materials used inside and outside the structure. James Hardie, an innovator in the building materials industry—believes in designing and manufacturing building products of excellent quality. The company’s

24—probably prefer mobility and flexibility, which explains a higher search volume for for-rent properties in the Lamudi website. But this does not mean that they are not planning to buy eventually, she said. “Almost half of searches in this age group are dedicated to forsale properties, then this tendency significantly increases in the 25–34 and 35–44 age groups: a stage when young people start to have stable jobs, consider getting married, and start families,” she said. Most PoPular Cities In terms of areas, Quezon City remains the Philippines’ most popular place to search a property, whether to rent or to buy, according to Lamudi. Twenty-seven percent of property hunters looking for for-sale properties are checking Quezon City, followed by Makati (7 percent), Parañaque (5 percent), Tagaytay (5 percent), and Las Piñas (5 percent). Among those looking for forrent properties, Quezon City is

unstable structures should also be cleared in the case of strong winds. Damaged eaves can also cause water to seep into the walls. If the eaves show yellow or brown spots, or are showing signs of sagging, replace them.

Care, and More Care. Even the sturdiest structure will suffer from cracks, water leakage, mildew, mold, and rotting when not looked after.

products, including the HardieFlex® brand of fiber cement boards, are one of the Filipino homeowner’s best allies to ensure the protection of the house and family. Here are a few steps to protect your home. insPeCt and PrePare the roof Roofs should be inspected at least twice a year. Repair, or re-

place cracked shingles and roof ridges, and look for rust and holes. If no one in the household can perform this bi-annual inspection, contact a professional. Clean gutters regularly to ensure that rainwater would drain properly. Trim tree branches that hang over the roof to avoid leaves filling the gutters, and to prevent big branches falling on and severely damaging the house. Other

invest in the exterior walls The house’s exterior walls are constantly exposed to the elements. Resist damage caused by moisture, fire, and termites by using HardiePlank® Siding. It features a wood grain and smooth profile. These fiber cement siding boards require less maintenance compared to wood siding when installed and maintained properly. weatherProof the interiors Do a simple inspection of the ceilings, walls, and floors. Discolored walls and ceilings, paint bubbles, and dark spots mean that water is already entering the house. Moisture not only ruins

the most popular as well, representing 28 percent of all searches for rental properties. However, Makati comes in a close second at 20 percent, followed by Mandaluyong, Davao, and Pasig (8, 7, and 6 percent, respectively). According to van den Ende, this is not surprising as Makati, Mandaluyong, and Pasig have high concentrations of condos available. These cities are also homes to Metro Manila’s major central business districts (Makati CBD and Ortigas Center, respectively), which make them popular among employees looking for places to rent where they will be close to their workplaces. On the other hand, Parañaque and Las Piñas have many subdivisions or gated communities, and are quite popular as residential suburbs, especially among starting families. Tagaytay, in contrast, is a touristy area teeming with vacations homes, making it popular among affluent buyers.

the appearance of the house’s interiors but can also affect appliances, furniture, other household items, and even the health of the residents. Where possible, seal exterior areas where the leak begins. For parts that need replacement, asbestos-free HardieFlex® products can be used as flooring, ceiling and walls. These products are resistant to moisture damage. take PreCautions against floods Living in a flood-prone area? Help keep floodwaters at bay by piling sandbags around the house. Move appliances, furniture, computers, documents, and other such items to a higher or drier part of the house. Worry less about the changing seasons by keeping your house prepared to weather the heavy rains or the very hot days. Using HardieFlex® products in various parts of the home is a great way to prevent costly repairs, replacements, and damages in the future.

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS WRITER

life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

P OP CU LT U RE

LIFE

AlDub in GMA 7 Christmas station ID

PHENOMENAL! (Part 1 of 2)

THE GIST BY ED BIADO Breaking Twitter records and posting some of the highest TV ratings for Eat Bulaga, the soap opera parody Kalyeserye is a pop culture phenomenon like no other. Anchored on the popularity of the fictional supercouple AlDub, the noontime show segment employs complicated backstories, plot twists, plot devices, subplots, characterization, exposition, tropes and a lot of different narrative elements that keep the story moving forward. At its core, Kalyeserye is a classic tale of boy-meets-girl-and-weall-just-want-to-see-them-livehappily-ever-after. Some say it’s shallow and undeserving of all the attention it’s getting. Some say it says a lot about us as a society, as a culture, as a people. The latter is true, and that’s not meant to be taken negatively. The beauty of it all lies in the fact that it’s a parody. It pokes fun at and makes light of soap opera cliches. And if you’re gonna tell me that soap operas are already cheap and

cheapening them with a parody does not have any artistic value, I’d have to respectfully ask you to get off your high-and-mighty horse and refer to the glossy critically acclaimed American primetime soap Revenge, which – if you really think about it – runs on the same twists and turns, and storytelling patterns as Kalyeserye, without the requisite laughs. Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza are sensational, and the characters they portray are a winning formula. He’s the accidental prince charming who personifies all that’s good in a Filipino bachelor. She’s the nanny whom we relate to, the representation of the masses. He’s got that tisoy look that has been all the rage since colonial times and the most adorable dimples to match his dreamy features. She’s the damsel, though not necessarily in distress, in every fairy tale we’re ever known. We felt all sorts of emotions watching their love story unfold – a love story peppered with obstacles, oppositions, push-andpulls, conflicts and the satisfyingly frustrating split-screen separation. And let’s not forget the DubSmashdriven soundtrack played in snippets, acting as cues to the kilig moments that we know are about to happen. The anticipation keeps us thirsty for more. While it all happens live

Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza

and seems minimally scripted, the producers of the show certainly know what they’re doing. They’re always walking the line, always staying within the spectrum of accessibility, always teasing and not going too far that we’ll think that it’s a hopeless case. In video game terms, it’s challenging but to the point of a rage quit. Timing, after all, is everything. And this has been foreshadowed with one of the most popular quotable quotes from the series, “Sa tamang panahon (At the right time).” There is something to be learned here, whether you’re a soap writer or a stand-up comedian or a video game designer or a marketer – and that is giving your audience what you need to give them when they’ve worked just hard enough to get it. Not one single moment before. Give them what they need, but not what they want. When the couple finally met in person one fateful Saturday at the

backstage of the Eat Bulaga studios, it really felt like that was it. Was it the right time? Apparently not as a wall suddenly dropped from above, separating our protagonists once again. Film majors, don’t you agree that it was one of the most perfect executions of diabolus ex machina ever? It reminds us of the struggle, that this tale is far from reaching its supposed happy ending, that it’s not as easy as it seems, that things are not what they appear to be. Another important aspect of this scene, which may have been overshadowed by the tears and heartbreaking frustration, is an important lesson in morals. If you remember, Wally Bayola’s Lola Nidora made Alden promise not to attempt to see Yaya Dub. But his impatience got the best of him – and that, my friends, led to dire consequences, seemingly taking him back to square one and losing all the pogi points he accumulated over

time. It was at that moment that Lola gave a lecture on trust, honor and being a man of your word. It was especially poignant and marked by gravitas at that time because of the emotional setting, which was a drastic deviation from the usual lighthearted nature of the show. It was unexpected. It was hard to figure out what was coming next. It all felt real. To be continued... Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @EdBiado

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

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Wrangler says thanks with P995 pants

ave you written “jeans” or “pants” on your Christmas wish list or gift list? Here's your chance to tick that one item off, as American jeans label Wrangler celebrates its 40th

anniversary here in the Philippines with a special Thanksgiving promo. On November 21, all regular-priced Wrangler bottoms will be available for only P995. This includes all fits, sizes and washes of denim or non-denim pants for men and women. Each customer is entitled to purchase one pair of bottoms at any of the brand's stores or boutiques during mall hours. Wrangler stores are located at TriNoma, Ayala Fairview Terraces, Market! Market!, Glorietta 2, Robinsons Ermita, Robinsons Palawan, Robinsons Santiago, Harbor Point Subic, Ayala Center Cebu, Limketkai Cagayan de Oro, Centrio Cagayan De Oro, Felcris Centrale Davao, Abreeza Davao, Gaisano Mall Davao, Gaisano Mall Tagum, Mindpro Citimall Zamboanga and at other leading department stores nationwide.

The one-day Thanksgiving promo includes Wrangler jeans in all fits, styles and washes

This first ever one-day shopping promotion is Wrangler's way of kicking off the holiday season. “This is our way of thanking our loyal customers who patronized us for the last 40 years,” says Magnifico Jeans, Inc. president Daisy Go. MJI is the official licensee of Wrangler in the Philippines. According to Go, Wrangler has grown from a favorite jeans brand of adult males during its early days in the country to one of the go-to apparel outlets that offers a wide range of choices for both male and female.

“We cater to a diverse market, from young to adult customers.” As the brand continues to come out with the latest in jeans technology and design, Go says that they're also exploring the potential of e-commerce to offer more jeans to online consumers. Wrangler products are available online through Lazada and Zalora. For more information on this shopping promo and on Wrangler products, visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WranglerPH or follow WranglerPH on Instagram and Twitter.

Wrangler celebrates its 40th year in the Philippines

SEXY AND STREET SMART WITH FREEGO

ive your sexy jeans that street smart look with an awesome accessory – a stylish urban bag that comes with every purchase of Freego’s perfectly fitting jeans. Every single-receipt purchase of the brand’s regular items worth P3,500 entitles customers to one FREEGO Urban Bag. Sleek, stylish, and spacious, this great accessory in blue with black strap and zipper details is available until December 31. Customers can claim their

items by presenting their receipts to the salesperson where the purchase was made. Head over to any FREEGO store nationwide to get your hands on this premium giveaway. Promo runs until December 31. FREEGO is available at leading department stores nationwide. Check out its official Facebook page, online shop freegojeans.com/stores or Twitter @freego_jeans.

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

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

LIFE LESSONS FROM A THIRTY-SOMETHING

Life’s up and downs don’t stop when we become adults, and we should be glad. religion we are born to or raised in, what works for others – yes, even our own family – may not work for us, and it’s okay. Soul search and find out what works. The result may be even deeper and steadfast.

#COFFEEWITHKAI BY KAI MAGSANOC Last November 12, I turned 36 years old. I thought, “How can I be 36 and still feel like I’m 18?!” Yep, there’s a part of us that refuses to grow up, and perhaps we need that part there. It’s what reminds us to be joyful with simple things, to uncomplicate the obstacles we face, and to remember that no matter how hard life gets, it will go on. But there’s also that part of us that bears the battle scars of everything we have ever gone through, from a broken heart to a failed marriage to the loss of a parent. This is the part that remains calm when everyone else is panicking, because it knows it can handle and survive anything. I looked back at my life and thought about the lessons I have learned from the different chapters that comprise it, and thought I’d celebrate my being a mid-30-something in the time of millennials by sharing lessons I have learned.

1. IT’S OKAY TO FORGIVE AND NOT FORGET

Forgiving is necessary because it liberates us from the person and situation that hurt us, but it is a fact that there are people whose main goal is to hurt and harm us. When our instinct tells us to pull back, we listen to it. One can be kind without being a pushover. Draw the line.

2. WE HAVE CONTROL OVER OUR FAITH

Our relationship with God is our own business and nobody else’s. No matter what

3. THERE IS A LOVE WORTH GIVING OUR ALL TO

Remember the all-consuming wonder of your first love, when thoughts of him would keep you awake all night? As we grew older, we learned about self-preservation. This keeps us from getting hurt but also keeps us from feeling really alive. I say don’t hold back. Embrace both joy and pain. Laugh and cry your heart out. It’s worth it.

4. BEST FRIENDS COME AND SOME CHOOSE TO GO...

... and we should let them. I’ve had people I called my “BFF” whom I welcomed not only into my deepest thoughts but also into my family, who suddenly disappeared from my life. So I looked to the ones who’ve stayed through the years, through thick and thin. They’re the real thing.

5. NOT ALL GREAT PEOPLE ARE GOOD PEOPLE

Credentials are impressive, but it’s how a person is when nobody else is around that matters. Does she practice what she preaches? Is she sincere? Remember: a lot of oppressors in history were brilliant, but they were selfish and greedy. I’d rather know a simple person with a heart for others.

6. THERE IS A KIND OF SELF-LOVE THAT IS NOT BAD

Self-love is necessary for us to lead a good and happy life without needing to be loved by someone else. It’s what makes us treat ourselves better. It’s what reminds us to send kindness our way. When we love and respect ourselves, we feel and look good, and we demand love and respect from others, too.

7. SELF-TALK IS HEALTHY AND HELPFUL

When I am confused and hurting, I become my own best friend. I allow a part of myself to pull away from my Self, and try to see the situation I am in from a detached and objective perspective. Easier said than done, but it works. I write my internal dialogue in a journal, and by the end of every entry, I always feel better and at peace.

8. IT’S OKAY TO ADMIT TO OURSELVES THAT WE CAN’T DO EVERYTHING

It is natural for us to want to accomplish everything we need to do, not just for ourselves but especially for others. But the mind and body get tired, and when they do,

they need to rest and recover. Don’t feel guilty about this. It is when we are in our best shape that we are also able to do our best work. At my mid-thirties, I find that there are days when it’s harder for me to “adult.” When this happens, instead of hating myself and going into negative self-talk, I give my self space and allow myself to rest, like I would a friend. Life’s a never-ending journey of falls and lessons learned. What matters is we get back up each time – even in mid-life. Can you relate with the lessons I just shared? Let me know your thoughts by emailing coffeewithkai@gmail.com. Connect with me on Twitter and Instagram @kaimagsanoc and let’s have a conversation.

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

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Uniqlo’s men’s fleece line includes an expanded range of windproof fleece, with a special film between the inner and outer material to keep out drafts and cold-weather blues

@LIFEatStandard

Uniqlo’s latest fleece line for women features four new types of coats in fun colors and patterns perfect for any setting or lifestyle

ALL NEW FLEECE CONCEPTS FROM UNIQLO

apanese global brand Uniqlo combines fashion and functionality by expanding its lineup of fleece outerwear that’s perfect for cooler days ahead, making highly fashionable coats and functional windproof jackets the outfits du jour. For the men’s line, Uniqlo offers an expanded range of windproof fleece, with a special film between the inner and outer material to keep out draft. This wind-resistant functionality is incorporated in the soft and comfortable pile lined fleece jacket, the Sherpa fleece jacket in trendy khaki or camouflage colors, and the faux mouton fleece jacket, with the last designed as a Mouton Jacket, rather than a fleece. The windproof film has been improved from last year, making it appropriate as outerwear, and also offering reduced stiffness. Uniqlo also introduced kids’ windproof fleece jackets this year. Four new types of coats are featured in the women’s line, each with a unique silhouette: a trendy teddy fleece coat, fluffy fleece coat, pile lined fleece coat, and windproof fleece coat suitable for any setting, from fashionable to casual to sporty. Uniqlo has also grown the extra warm fleece offering to provide 1.5°C greater inner warmth (specific increase in internal warmth varies by wearer), available in parkas and print fleece, as well as women’s fluffy fleece jackets and kids’ print fleece jackets. The line also includes an expanded range of check and bi-color designs, as well as those from UNIQLO’s MAGIC FOR ALL collaboration with Disney, which launched for Fall Winter 2015. For more on Uniqlo, you may visit UNIQLO Philippines’ social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You may also log on to www.uniqlo.com/ph.

Fluffy yarn fleece coat for women combines furry fleece and micro fleece for soft, warm comfort

Look extra warm and polished in this fleece coat with oversized pocket details

Uniqlo’s latest fleece line for women features four new types of coats in fun colors and patterns perfect for any setting or lifestyle

Full-zip fleece jacket with pockets

This women’s fluffy yarn fleece long sleeved coat is especially warm and comfortable. The fluffy fleece adds extra softness and warmth; while a cocoon silhouette gives it a stylish, feminine look in a classic checkered pattern

Printed, hooded and full-zipped fleece jackets

This women’s fleece coat features a bonded windproof material to keep you warm and comfortable in the colder months. The premium fleece lining adds even more soft comfort

This innovative fleece jacket incorporates special threads that store thermal energy from the sun for advanced warmth and comfort. Soft, light, and fluffy, it’s a can't miss option for cold-weather casual outfits. A slender cut gives it a slim and stylish look

Windproof Sherpa fleece jacket made with soft, puffy fleece

Heat insulating full-zip Uniqlo fleece jacket

The season’s “it” accessory, the Fleece Blanket, a style must have for the cold weather

This printed hooded fleece jackets is part of Uniqlo’s collaboration with Disney

SAT URDAY : NOV EMBER 2 1, 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Top Filipino celebriTies join Team iFlix

Flix, Southeast Asia’s leading Internet TV service offering subscribers unlimited access to tens of thousands of hours of entertainment for a low monthly price, welcomed Iza Calzado, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Ruffa Gutierrez, Raymond Gutierrez, Richard Gutierrez, JM Rodriguez, and Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon as shareholders of the company and partners in the business. This announcement follows a succession of landmark collaborations with industry leaders such as the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Smart Communications and Samsung Philippines. From starring roles in the country’s most iconic films to thriving music and acting careers, Iza, Jasmine, Ruffa, Raymond, Richard, JM and Karylle are prominent icons of the Philippine entertainment industry. Mark Britt, iflix Group co-founder and CEO, says, “It is a tremendous honor to have exceptional celebrities of such caliber join us as shareholders. Now, along with our advisory board of Hollywood’s most elite executives, we have unquestionably one of the most formidable profiles and strongest networks in the entertainment industry both in the Philippines and internationally.” “At iFlix, we are committed to working with the best partners in all areas from technology and content to marketing and distribution. These partnerships with the Philippines’ leading entertainment icons are a testament of this pledge. We look forward to benefiting from their tremendous experiences and wealth of knowledge about the entertainment industry in their role as our advisors,” Britt added. Sherwin dela Cruz, iFlix Philippines country manager, added, “We created iFlix to be a new paradigm in entertainment, to change the way people watch TV shows and films. With Iza, Jasmine, Ruffa, Raymond, Richard, JM and Karylle, we believe we are able to take strong, forward

steps down that path together.” As partners in the business, Calzado, Curtis-Smith, Rodriguez and Tatlonghari-Yuzon, and the Gutierrez siblings will also play key roles in jointly developing projects for iFlix original productions, as the company moves forward with its plans for original content with committed budgets and negotiations with independent local producers and studios. “I am so proud to be a part of the iFlix family. They are doing an incredible job changing the way people are entertained throughout the Philippines, Asia, and soon - the world,” said award-winning singer and actress Karylle. Jasmine Curtis-Smith, who stars in a number of films and TV series featured on the service (such as the thriller Jasmine), said, “ iFlix is an extraordinary opportunity to be part of a revolutionary change in the way the people of Southeast Asia are entertained. I am proud to be a part of iFlix and I cannot wait to share my excitement with everyone.” Now available in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines iFlix will continue to roll out its world-class service to additional key Southeast Asian markets in coming months. With over 750,000 subscribers five months since launching, iFlix offers consumers the largest library of top Asian regional, and local TV shows and movies available in the region. Each subscription allows users to access the service on up to five devices, including mobiles, tablets, computers, and television sets, for viewing whenever, wherever. The service is affordably priced at only P129 per month in the Philippines for unlimited access. For new subscribers, iFlix offers a complimentary 30-day trial with full access to iFlix’s world-class service, features and content, with no credit card or payment details required. Go to www.iflix.com to register.

Iza Calzado, Jasmine CurtisSmith, Ruffa Gutierrez, Raymond Gutierrez, Richard Gutierrez, JM Rodriguez, and Karylle TatlonghariYuzon join iflix as shareholders and partners

1 (L-R) iflix Celebrity Investors JM Rodriguez, Raymond Gutierrez, Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon, Ruffa Gutierrez, Iza Calzado, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and Patrick Grove Catcha Group CEO 2 (L-R) Sherline Parohinog, Vanessa Balao, Andrea Reyes, Veronica Feleo, Jenell San Antonio, Far Burgos, Monika Cagalingan, Zaya Pono, Sherwin dela Cruz, Roxci de Leon, Monique Suzara, and Joseph Mendoza 3 Patrick Grove and Iza Calzado 4 Annabelle Rama 5 Hayden Kho 6 Iza Calzado 7 Dr. Vicki Belo 8 JM Rodriguez 9 Ruffa Gutierrez 10 Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon 11 Jasmine Curtis-Smith 12 Sherwin dela Cruz, iflix Philippines Country Manager and Jasmine Curtis-Smith 13 Raymond Gutierrez and JM Rodriguez 14 Issa Litton

SAT URDAY : NOV EMBER 21, 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

CNN International’s spotlight on The Philippines

NN International continues its commitment to the Philippines, announcing a special week of live reports and feature programming. This week, CNN International will have comprehensive coverage of the APEC summit in Manila with CNN’s Quest Means Business host Richard Quest and Asia-Pacific Editor Andrew Stevens broadcasting from APEC. In addition, Andrew Stevens will present Philippines Now, a special five-part series that showcases the people and industries that personify the Philippines. Highlights include: Jeepneys: Driving the Philippines Nothing embodies Filipino culture quite like the iconic, ubiquitous Jeepney – former G.I. jeeps that served one purpose in the Second World War before being transformed into a means of mass transport and then further elevated to mobile canvasses for local artists. CNN takes you on a ride through Manila to see how Jeepneys are made and designed and how they’ve adapted with the times.

Coconuts The world is having a love affair with all things coconut. Coconut water, oil, flour, flakes and spread are just the tip of the iceberg. The Philippines is the world’s second biggest producer of coconuts but an aging tree population and damage done by natural disasters are creating some challenges. CNN looks at how the coconut industry is evolving and continuing to capitalize on the strong demand for its products. Coral reefs The Philippines is at the apex of the so-called “Coral Triangle”, a region celebrated as the most diverse marine ecosystem on the planet – not to mention a big draw for tourists. Climate change and destructive fishing practices are threatening the country’s coral reefs, with consequences both environmental and economical. CNN follows a group that is trying to protect the reefs and spread awareness. Women Flying High Traditionally, women in the Philippines sought work overseas, in many cases making them the breadwinners of their families but

keeping them away from their loved ones. Now there are growing opportunities at home specifically aimed at women. A pilot training academy is at the forefront of getting women into the cockpit, allowing them to reach for the sky. Center Stage The Philippines is the spiritual home of karaoke. It’s the country’s national pastime: karaoke machines can be found in almost every household and at every occasion and the patent is held by a Filipino. With more casinos being developed, so too are the Vegas-esque performance venues within them, elevating this national pastime from home to the stage. As well as in-depth APEC coverage and special Philippines Now programming, Richard Quest will also shoot an episode of Business Traveller. Quest will uncover some of the Philippines’ most exclusive beaches and resorts exploring the issues, trends and lifestyle of the travelling executive. The half-hour Philippines Now airs today, 11a.m. and 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday, 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and Monday at 12 noon.

CNN’s Andrew Stevens filming the five-part series Philippines Now

From school projects to millions worth of corporate events

ear 2006, a group of innovative mass communication students fearlessly joined the events organizing industry. From creating music video as their college final project, they moved on to doing a full service out- of- thebox events management and multimedia production; hence the birth of Outbox Media Production Agency. Year after year, Rossel Velasco- Taberna, the frontrunner and managing director of OBM,

doesn’t stop at pwede na. She handpicked a team of hip, young and talented people who always exude the company’s motto: Passion, Dedication and Diversity; treating every event as if it’s their own. OBM assures every client a team made of perfect combination of creative souls with different passions, interests and backgrounds; people who have proven themselves to be high- flyers in each of the fields they belong to. With Outbox Media Production Agency, make your event

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 39 40 41 43 44 45 46 49 52 53 55 57 58 59 60 61 62 ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Rugged cliff 5 San Diego pro 10 Tailless cat 14 Morose 15 Due for payment 16 Malaria symptom 17 Hindu attire 18 Dogie stopper 19 Come down hard 20 Devil-may-care 22 Major artery

23 24 26 28 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

Lake dwellers — Lincoln, first Tarzan Whinny Peered hard Student’s armload Meandered Shoguns’ capital Nope (hyph.) Gem measure — in the neck Teeth-chattering sound

Exit ramp sight Memory joggers Includes Tempos Russian emperor Give the pink slip Sunspot activity Holiday quaff Seine feeder Looks at the headlines Mutant superheroes (hyph.) — Minor Birdbath slime Gutter site Rangy Uses an atomizer Grumpy mood

DOWN 1 DJ’s supply 2 Ocean sound 3 Unseen emanation 4 Melanie of “Working Girl” 5 Spit and — 6 Flooded 7 Roof-top fixture 8 ER staffers 9 “I” trouble 10 Strand 11 Seaweed extract 12 Wee hours in Cannes

remarkable and extraordinary; may it be personal or corporate. Evident to this, some renowned companies have been continually getting OBM’s services for their yearlong events. Companies such Royale Business Club, Toshiba, Foton Motors, Wyeth, Amaia Land Corp., Avida have experienced their events the OBM way. The team’s all-encompassing creative work comprise not only a lot of client- commissioned works but also a lot of compa-

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Lawless role Hollow fruits Among The same Fontanne’s husband Kind of jacket Bedroom community Chafed places Flirt with Prevents errata Oxford tutors Popcorn buys Tend the ferns Comet’s luminous cloud Forty-niners’ gear Reflect on Varnish resins Lightning flash Free tickets Anwar of Egypt Umpire’s call Rome money, formerly Org. Jokesters “— — Old Cowhand” Strauss of blue jeans Chevy rival Yalie After taxes

ny- produced projects such as concerts of well known OPM singers. But their ingenuity doesn’t end there. In return of the blessings OBM has been receiving, they always give back to different charities. These charitable works has been established in their almost a decade of existence in the industry. After years of exceptional passion and teamwork, Outbox Media Production Company has expanded and launched their new signature in the industry as Outbox Me-

dia Powerhouse Corporation. With the ever changing trends in society, Outbox Media Powerhouse Corporation assures clients the utmost satisfaction for a worry- free event with the perfect mixture of teamwork, creativity and fun. Need a quote for an event? Just call (02) 703-4239/(02) 455-2492 and swing by at their newest spot at the 2nd floor of Ka Tunying’s Cafe at 88 Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. Website Address: www. outboxmediaprod.com

SAT URDAY : NOV EMBER 2 1, 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

saM Milby now in ‘doble kara’ From C8

Sam Milby returns to television as he joined the powerhouse cast of the top-rating “Kapamilya Gold” teleserye Doble Kara. Sam plays the role of Sebastian, a seminarian who has doubts of being a priest. As he searches for his calling, he will meet Kara (Julia Montes) who is currently at her lowest point due to the unresolved issues of her family. From there, a new kind of friendship will grow between the two. Now that Sebastian is in the picture, how will the plot of the story be affected? Will his friendship with Kara influence his decision of becoming a priest? Can Sebastian help mend the relationship between Kara and her twin sister Sara? As he learned that he would be joining the cast, Sam was excited and grateful for the opportunity given to him to pair up with Julia for the first time. “I am flattered and ‘excited because this will be my first time to work with Julia. My role is also not something that I’m used to so it will be challenging for me,” said Sam. The hit teleserye Doble Kara is topbilled by the Royal Princess of Drama Julia Montes with Carmina Villaroel, Ariel Rivera, Mylene Dizon, Gloria Sevilla, John Lapus, Allen Dizon, and Alora Sasam. Also introduced in the series are Julia’s new leading men Edgar Allan Guzman and Anjo Damiles. It is under the direction of Emmanuel Palo and Jon Villarin. Doble Kara, airs Monday to Friday, after It’s Showtime on ABSCBN Kapamilya Gold. For more information about the program, visit the official social networking site of Dreamscape Entertainment Television at Facebook. com/DreamscapePH, Twitter.

Sam Milby

James Reid

Nadine Lustre

com/DreamscapePH, and Instaaram.com/DreamscapePH. HHHHH ‘Hoverboard’ in PePiTo ManaloTo GMA’s well-loved family sitcom Pepito Manaloto, Ang Tunay na Kuwento has always been consistent in bringing fun and laughter in each episode. And with its impressive ratings, it is undeniably the viewers’ preferred program every Saturday night. Tonight, viewers are set for another entertaining episode entitled “Hoverboard.” Pepito (Michael V.) and Elsa’s (Manilyn Reynes) youngest child Clarissa (Angel Satsumi) wants a “hoverboard.” But Elsa doesn’t want

to buy her one because it might end up not being used just like the bicycle they bought. Aside from that, Elsa thinks the toy is dangerous. However, looks like everyone else has the high-tech toy, even Chito (Jake Vargas) and Pepito. Meanwhile, Patrick (John Feir), Baby (Mosang) and Maria (Janna Dominguez) also joined the hoverboard craze. And this makes Clarissa more jealous. So Elsa makes a deal with her daughter: Clarissa must learn to ride the bike first before getting a hoverboard. Will Clarissa be able to get what she wants? Find out in Pepito Manaloto, Ang Tunay na Kuwento tonight after 24 Oras Weekend on GMA7.

HHHHH JaMes surPrises nadine wiTH a wedding ProPosal James Reid (Clark) asks Nadine Lustre’s (Leah) hand in marriage during a weekend family getaway in the top-rating Kapamilya primetime teleserye On the Wings of Love. As Clark and Leah finally go on their dream beach vacation with their families, Clark will recreate the memory they had at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco and proposes to Leah for the young sweethearts to start over again and have that one special happy memory they will cherish forever. But is Leah really ready to take their relationship to the next level? Is she willing to become Mrs. Clark Medina for real this time around? On the Wings of Love airs weeknights after Pangako Sa’Yo on ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida.

HHHHH ToMMy and MiHo bring kilig To iT’s sHowTiMe Bad weather did not stop Tommy Esguerra, PBB 737’s Adult second big placer, in serenading and showing his love for Miho Nishida, the Adult Big Winner. Tommy sang the OPM hit “Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok” that brought smiles both from Miho and from their avid fans who rushed to the “PBB” house despite the heavy rains. Aside from the tandem of “ToMiho,” the teen stars and also past housemates of PBB 737 Bailey May and Ylona Garcia joined the kilig fest in their musical skit with Vice Ganda and Jay-R. The celebration continued as three families battled it out in the Christmas caroling showdown, “Karoling Galing,” where Garcia family from Laguna was hailed as winner and won P50,000.00. Talented gays also showed what they got in the weekly finals of “Todo BiGAY.” The groups EMU Cheerdancers, who wowed the madlang people with their death-defying stunts, and Alab Poi Dancers, who impressed the studio audience with their use of laser lights in their performance, were declared winners and won P50,000.00 each. Meanwhile, the hosts offered a prayer for the victims of Paris terrorist attacks and for Japan’s safety after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit the nation. At least 150 bodies were confirmed dead in the tragedy in Paris while no major damage happened in Japan after being hit by the earthquake, according to reports from www.abs-cbnnews.com.

Josh hutCherson’s Closing moments

he final chapter of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 brings the film’s expansive cast together one last time, with a team headed by Jennifer Lawrence and including Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Willow Shields, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Mahershala Ali and Natalie Dormer. The lineup for Mockingjay – Part 2 also includes Wes Chatham (Castor), Elden Henson (Pollux), Patina Miller (Commander Baylor), Evan Ross (Messalla), Gwendoline Christie (Commander Lyme), and Stef Dawson (Annie Cresta). Peeta Mellark – the former victor who was to marry Katniss in a Capitol spectacle – is still in a haunting, dangerous fugue state after being brainwashed by President Snow during his captivity. Though his body has been freed, his mind struggles against nightmarish, instilled thoughts to kill

Katniss, the very same person he once most trusted in the world. Hutcherson sums up, “Peeta’s going through a kind of rehabilitation process, trying to get back to his old self. He’s being held in District 13, but he’s still violently psychotic and his recovery is clearly going to be a very long, hard road. He has moments of clarity but he kind of goes in and out. With all these memories that were implanted in his mind by the Capitol, he has to constantly try to decipher what is real and what has been fed to him – and he has to rely on his peers to help him find that truth.” For Hutcherson, the film required a 180-degree turn from how he normally approaches the character. “Peeta’s always been known as being the down-toearth, grounded, honest guy. But now he’s out of his mind, I had to turn that inside out,” he says. “It shows a lot about the real feelings that Katniss has for Peeta that she still fights for him and believes in him even in this state.” When Peeta is sent by President Coin to join Squad 451 –

consisting of Katniss, Gale, Finnick, Boggs, Cressida, Messalla, Castor and Pollux – it endangers everyone, but helps Katniss break through to him. “Really, he should not be in this environment,” Hutcherson admits. “It has tons of triggers that could cause him to explode and, and lose control again, which actually happens multiple times.” Throughout, Peeta’s true feelings for Katniss keep surfacing in ways that keep him bonded to her at an unspoken level. For Hutcherson finding those breakthrough moments with Jennifer Lawrence after the three previous films came organically. “Jennifer has this quiet strength about her,” he says. “A lot of people might have tried to play up the rebellious side of Katniss, but Jennifer saw from the start that’s not who Katniss is. Jen has played Katniss’ reluctance and groundedness so well, it always feels very real to me. It’s one of the reasons why I think Peeta connects with her and why so many people have connected with The Hunger Games.”

Josh Hutcherson

As for how Peeta has evolved since he first left to represent District 12 in The Hunger Games, Hutcherson concludes, “Peeta always had a very realistic view of what was happening around him. He’s more haunted now from having experienced The Hunger Games first-hand, and from witnessing the destruction that Snow’s dictatorship can cause. But deep within, his mentality has always been you have to not let yourself be a piece in the game; you have to try to be yourself even as you fight to survive. That’s still what he would say to this day.”

Like Jennifer Lawrence, Hutcherson says he will miss his character, but he will take a lot from the long and rich experience of playing Peeta. “I definitely will take away great friendships and memories from The Hunger Games,” he says. “I also hope I take away some of Peeta’s values. When you do a project like this, people can get certain ideas about who you should be – and Peeta is a reminder that it’s best to kind of break those expectations and simply be true to yourself.” The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part -2 in cinemas now from Pioneer Films.

SAT URDAY : NOV EMBER 2 1, 2015

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ Janella salvador in ‘haunted Mansion’ on ChristMas day ISAH V. RED

Janella Salvador is Regal Entertainment's front liner at the Metro Manila Film Festival in December playing the lead female character in the gothic-inspired Haunted Mansion

The mother-and-daughter tandem of Lily and Roselle Monteverde strongly believe that today’s Darling Teen Princess and latest OPM Pop Sweetheart Janella Salvador is rife for stardom. And so, they tapped her to headline Regal Entertainment, Inc.’s 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival-entry Haunted Mansion with no less than award-winning director, locally and internationally, Jun Lana handling her launching movie. Among the current generation of young stars, many consider Janella to be a cut above the rest as she is bursting with talent in acting, singing, dancing and hosting. Janella started as a darling of TV commercials at a tender age. Before dipping her hands in showbiz, she was part of the musical play Paul! Paul! at the Meralco Theater in 2009 for a local food chain. By 2010, she was picked to be part of the ABS-CBN Star Magic Glee Club. Because of her impressive talent, she landed the role of Nikki in the morning drama Be Careful With My Heart from 2012 to 2014. Until she got her biggest break on TV as the lead actress in the inspirational series Oh My G! Aside from these, she has also appeared in other Kapamilya Network shows like Maalaala Mo Kaya?,Wansapanataym and others. Various award-giving bodies also took notice of the young gem 17th Gawad Pasado Awards, which named Janella Pinakapasadong Dangal ng Kabataan this year; Most Promising Love team with Jerome Ponce and Most Promising Female Star (2014 Guillermo Awards); Candy Reader’s Choice Female Rising Star; German Moreno Youth Achievement Award , 27th PMPC Best Female Personality and Pop Breakthrough Star of ASAP in 2013. Of late, Janella has earned herself a new tag, that of OPM Pop Sweetheart, due to her best-selling self-titled album from Star Music. As a singer, her rendition of “Mahal Kita Pero” placed third

in the 2014 Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs and was adjudged Best Music Video on MYX. Incidentally, Janella is a scholar of the Ryan Cayabyab Musmusikwela. At 17, Janella has indeed accomplished and achieved a lot of her dreams such that the Monteverdes are confident they have a winner in her launching pic, Haunted Mansion. “She’s very fresh. Modern at siguradong papatok sa kabataan ngayon. At this age of social media, isa si Janelle sa mga binigyan namin ng break sa Regal dahil malakas ang charm niya’t she’s very talented. Malawak na ang fan base niya and I believe that she will be a big name in the industry,” said Mother Lily. Two of the country’s fast-rising young male idols - Mario Mortel and Jerome Ponce - join Janella in Haunted Mansion. So, watch out for this fresh combination as Regal’s Haunted Mansion hits local screens nationwide on Christmas Day Dec. 25. HHHHH Miss silka finals tonight The grand finals of Miss Silka Philippines 2015 happens this afternoon, 4 p.m. at the Activity Center of Market! Market! at The Fort, in Taguig. The event will select the next brand ambassador of Silka, coinciding with the brand’s 30th anniversary. The finals has gathered candidates from all over the Philippines who all won at the pageants local and regional eliminations. PBB Unlimited Big Winner Slater Young and Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago are the pageant’s hosts with Erik Santos as special guest. The winners will face a panel of judges from the fields of fashion, beauty and the arts. Miss Silka Philippines 2014 Kathreen Grace Ahorro, 21, from Puerto Princesa in Palawan, will bequeath her title to the next winner who will also receive P120 thousand, and a Silka gift pack and another P100 thousand that she can donate to her chosen charity courtesy of Cosmetique Asia Corporation, organizer of the pageant along with Cornerstone Events. The celebrity endorsers of Silka are Iya Villania and Erich Gonzales. ➜ Continued on C7