The Standard - 2016 February 29- Monday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXX NO. 19 9 Sections 80 Pages P18 MONday : FEBRUaRy 29, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

‘Yolanda housing still not enough’

‘no bbl, no peAce’ MILF, Deles say ‘disgruntled’ rebels joining clashes By sandy Araneta, Francisco Tuyay and Florante s. solmerin

THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Palace’s chief peace negotiator warned Sunday that disgruntled Moros are joining attacks against government troops over the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. MILF vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar admitted that the group could not control its members, and said those fighting with

government troops in Butig, Lanao del Sur, were not bandits or terrorists, as the military has reported.

“Those are Moros, and they attacked because they are angry at the way the Philippine government is handling the peace negotiations— always promising [but not delivering],” Jaafar said in Filipino. Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles, head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, said the failure of Congress to pass the BBL caused the clashes between government forces and armed men in Mindanao. “Certainly, the huge disappointment over the non-passage of the

BBL provides more enticing, fertile ground for recruitment to radical, extremist thought and action,” Deles said in a statement. Jaafar made his statements during a visit by Davao City Mayor and presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte to the MILF camp in Maguindanao. “Butig is very near the MILF satellite office. The attacks there and other attacks similar to what happened in Lanao del Sur were not launched by terrorists. They are not terrorists or extremists. These peo-

ple are not radicals,” Jaafar said. Earlier, Maj. Filemon Tan, spokesman of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said the group of attackers was led by brothers Abdullah and Omar Maute, who supposedly have links with the Southeast Asian regional terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah. There were also reports that the Maute group was being assisted by supporters of the Islamic State. Lt. Col. Billy dela Rosa, commander of the Army’s 51st Infantry Next page

Fire Prevention Week. Vice presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Firefighters of the Philippines Inc. president Wilbert Loa wave to Tondo residents as they lead the group’s launching of Fire Prevention Week in March on Sunday. Ey AcAsio

SM wins grand slam at Anvil

Palace: Filipinos won’t allow FM burial

By sandy Araneta THE Palace warned Sunday that if the next elected president will allow the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos to be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, he or she will have to answer to the people. “President Aquino’s decision [to disallow Marcos’ burial] is based

on his firm belief and conviction on the primacy of justice. The late President Marcos never apologized for the violence and oppression that characterized martial law and the dictatorship,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a text message. “If the next president does not believe in the guiding principles upon

which President Aquino decided not to allow the transfer of former president’s remains to Libingan ng mga Bayani, then he or she will have to justify that decision to the people,” Coloma said. During a campaign sortie in Tacloban City on Friday, presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe said she is open to allowing Marcos’ burial in Next page the Heroes’ Cemetery.

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‘Yolanda housing still incomplete’ Palace: ... From A1

“President Marcos should be given a proper burial already, wherever that may be,” she said. She said the Marcos family should make the move to ask that Marcos be buried at the cemetery, and that the courts would have to decide the issue if some groups oppose the move. “There might be some technical [question] about whether that is allowed or not. But he should be buried properly,” said Poe, who spoke in Filipino. It was the second time in a week that Poe has expressed an opinion favorable to the Marcoses. Campaigning in Baguio City on Tuesday, Poe said Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is running for vice president, cannot be compelled to acknowledge or apologize for the abuses of his father’s dictatorial regime. In 1993, President Fidel Ramos allowed the body of Marcos to be brought home but did not grant the former President’s wish to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The Marcos family decided to keep his body preserved in a crypt in his hometown of Batac, waiting for a friendlier administration that would allow the fulfillment of his wish. Due to strong opposition, the succeeding administrations of Presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo did not allow Marcos to be buried in the Heroes’ Cemetery.

In 2011, the late Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero, the father of Poe’s vice presidential running mate Senator Francis Escudero, led 193 congressmen in signing a resolution to allow the burial of Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani. This was turned down by President Benigno Aquino III, who directed Vice President Jejomar Binay to study the issue and submit a recommendation. Binay, who is running for President in the May elections, recommended that Marcos be buried with military honors in Batac. The Marcoses refused, insisting on fulfilling the late President Marcos’ wish. The other presidential candidates, Rodrigo Duterte and Mar Roxas, have not expressed any opinion on the issue. But presidential candidate Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who has Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as her vice presidential running mate, said last October that she would not oppose a proposal to bury Marcos at the Libingan, if that should be the consensus. “Why should we allow something de facto to disrupt the unity of the Filipino people? I myself have no objection. My own father is buried [at] Libingan ng mga Bayani. He was a guerrilla captain. I will not, as an ordinary citizen, hold it against the community if the consensus by that time is to bury one of our former presidents [there]. Why should we let a dead man control the actuations of the living

and its new millennial generation? We should let go of the past,” Santiago said. Also on Sunday, the Palace said it did not trust Senator Marcos when he declared that he would not want a repeat of martial law. “Trustworthiness of a person is based on honesty and accountability. Mr. Marcos’ record as a vice presidential candidate shows that he is seriously lacking in both aspects,” said Coloma. “He continues to paint a rosy picture of what actually happened during martial law and glosses over the oppressive character of the dictatorship,” said Coloma. “Should our people trust a candidate who refuses to acknowledge what actually happened and attempts to divert attention from reality? Our bosses know better and we trust they will decide wisely on Election Day,” Coloma also said. President Aquino on Thursday campaigned against the younger Marcos during the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution, asking the Filipino people not to allow the return of the Marcoses, especially the senator, who would be just a stone’s throw away from the presidency if he wins the vice presidential race. Marcos declined to comment on Aquino’s statement. “We do not have to answer this. Let’s leave it up to the people,” he said. “I’m flattered by the attention. The President loves me so much... I feel loved,” he added.

Memorial. President Benigno Aquino III delivers his message during the memorial for former US Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Bosworth at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Makati on Sunday. Malacañang Photo Bureau

‘No... From A1

Battalion, said that they have overrun the stronghold of the Maute group at the heart of Butig town. But Jaafar said MILF leaders would not be able to prevent its members based in nearby Camp Bushra and Camp Palestine from reinforcing Maute’s group because many of them are related. “If a member’s uncle is in the battle, he won’t listen to us because blood is thicker than water. That’s what’s happening now,” Jaafar said. Jaafar said the only way to stop the clashes in Lanao del Sur is for

the government to implement the Bangsamoro government— which is what the BBL was supposed to do. Before the fighting began in Lanao del Sur, the Palace said the quest for peace in Mindanao would continue even without the BBL. On Sunday, Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Resituto Padilla said 24 bandits were killed in the fighting, lowering the government estimate from the 42 earlier reported. Tan earlier said the bandits suffered 42 casualties while the government had lost three soldiers. But Padilla said the Western Mindanao Command had been told to be careful in releasing

casualty figures, and said only confirmed deaths should be reported. Padilla also said the number of residents fleeing the fighting was 2,500, not 8,000 as earlier reported. On Feb. 20, armed men led by brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute tried but failed to overrun a military detachment in Butig town, prompting the Army brigade there to send more troops that employed tanks and artillery against the enemy. Padilla said intermittent firefights continued to break out as the government forces pursued the bandits. “Our troops have to fully clear the area not only of members of

the Maute group but also from booby traps. We have to normalize the situation so the residents can go back to their houses,” Padilla said. Massive clearing operations were being conducted in Brgy Bayabao and 14 nearby villages to free the communities of explosive materials laid by the Muslim rebels, he said. On Sunday, sporadic firing could be heard from the outskirts of Butig town. The surrounding villages of Bayabao saw week-long ground fighting and aerial bombardment directed against some 400-strong rebel band that launched a series of attacks on military posts.

TACLOBAN CITY—The National Housing Authority reported that 5,767 houses have been completed here as of mid-February, but admitted that it would not be able to hit its target of 13,928 housing units by the end of 2016. “We address problems as they come. The most common issue is the process of securing development permits. Problems like logistics and shortage of construction materials is still there, but not as bad as early last year,” said NHA regional manager Rizalde Mediavillo. The NHA is currently building 8,161 houses in 19 sites located at the city’s northern villages, he said. Despite the completion of thousands of units, only about 200 houses are occupied by families from high risk zones primarily due to the absence of a permanent water supply and electricity. “Another concern of families is the distance of new houses from schools where their children are currently enrolled. By the end of school year, we will transfer 800 to 1,000 families,” Mediavillo said. Department of Education regional director Luisa Bautista-Yu said they have to assess the need to build more classrooms, taking into account school children’s population and existing learning facilities in the areas. “We have yet to come up with proposed budget for the construction of more school buildings,” she said. Presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe, who visited Sunday, said survivors of ‘‘Yolanda’’ have endured the slow pace of rehabilitation and recontruction because of politicking and bureaucracy. The province is a bailiwick of the Marcos and Romualdez families whom President Benigno Aquino III holds responsible for the assassination of his father, the Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. Poe noted that two years after super typhoon struck the Eastern Visayas, most of the city’s survivors were still living in tents and bunkhouses. The Tacloban local government reported that as of Sept. 18, 2015, only 839 of the targeted 14,631 permanent shelter units have been completed, and most of them were funded by non-government organizations. “Many of you are still waiting for their concern and assistance. It’s about time for ‘Gobyernong may Puso’ which can feel what you are going through,” said Poe, who vowed that her government would give priority to helping Filipinos who have long been left behind. Poe, who topped the 2013 senatorial race with 344,016 votes from Leyte, said politics should never play a role in preventing and addressing the impact of a calamity. “We must have learned that politics should not prevail especially in times of calamities and accidents,” Poe said. Super Typhoon Yolanda, which made landfall in the Philippines on Nov. 8, 2013, killed 6,300 people and displaced more than 1.4 million families, many of them in Eastern Visayas. As of Dec. 31, 2015, the government has only managed to complete 30 percent of the rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in Yolanda-hit communities nationwide, the National Economic and Development Authority reported. Another 33 percent will be finished this year, as per government target. Macon ramos-araneta, Pna

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Escudero criticizes attempts to liken Arnado case to Poe TACLOBAN CITY—Vice Presidential candidate Francis Escudero on Sunday condemned what he called an attempt to sow confusion by floating the Arnado vs. Comelec case in which the Supreme Court disqualified a town mayor for using his US passport after renouncing his American citizenship. Some people have been calling attention to that case following the case of presidential candidate Grace Poe before the Supreme Court, where she faces disqualification over the same case. Escudero said the Arnado case may not be applied to Senator Poe, his running mate. Escudero said Rommel Arnado, the mayor of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, used a US passport after his repatriation. “He was repatriated from being a Filipino. He renounced his American citizenship but after doing this, he used his US passport,” Escudero told reporters at the Hotel Antonio Penthouse. Arnado was disqualified from the 2013 elections for using his American passport after renouncing his US citizenship. Escudero said that, since a disqualification case was filed against Poe, many had been saying that Poe used her passport after she renounced her US citizenship. He said they had presented

to the Comelec and the Supreme Court Poe’s passport, and that it had been proven that she did not use her US passport after renouncing her US citizenship. Poe said if that was really the case, she would have been removed from the MTRCB. Her counsel George Garcia said lest the public be misled, the recent Supreme Court decision in “Arnado vs. Comelec” was inapplicable to Poe’s case. Garcia said Poe used her American passport before she renounced her American citizenship. “Records would show that there was no use of the US passport after her renunciation of her US citizenship in October of 2010,” Garcia said. He said the last time Poe used her US passport was in March of 2010 or several months before said renunciation. He said this was confirmed by the entries on the US passport itself and the travel records from the Bureau of Immigration. “The attempt to muddle the facts and circumvent the truth at this point has no other intention but to sow confusion among the Filipinos,” Garcia said. “Let us all wait for the [high court’s] decision. It’s forthcoming anyway. Whatever it may be, we should bow to its wisdom. This, after all, is what we call the rule of law.” Macon Ramos-Araneta

Women’s groups back Duterte’s candidacy DAVAO CITY—Women from various fields and interests have declared their support for the presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, his camp said Sunday. Around 300 women leaders gathered in Davao City Saturday to launch ForwarRD Women or Forum of Women for Action with Rody Duterte, a loose movement of women with members who are lawyers, educators, activists, children and women’s rights advocates, and non-government organization workers. Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said the Mindanao-wide assembly was aimed at discussing and drafting a women’s agenda and then to present them to Duterte. “But first, we must be able to collectively discuss our situation and issues for us to develop an agenda, and we shall challenge our candidate [presidential] to act on this,” Ilagan said. Ilagan, the Gabriela Partylist Representative, also emphasized the vital role that women will play in the upcoming national elections. “Women are half of the population and could effectively swing the votes,” she said. Duterte, who attended the gathering, received the women’s agenda and said: “This is easy. I just need money to do these.” The issues presented were the women’s limited access to

education, unemployment, lack of health services at the village level and the review of the government’s Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program or dole to the poor, a poverty alleviation strategy that women’s groups say has proved to be lopsided and restrictive, pushing Filipino women further to the brink. “I assure you that if given the chance to sit in Malacañang, I will stop corruption, get all the resources needed so that the needs of our women will be addressed,” Duterte said. Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is running for mayor in Davao, was also in attendance. She expressed confidence that her father would give priority to women’s issues once elected. Some of the participants traveled all the way from Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, and the Caraga Region to attend the launching at the Garden Oasis in Davao. “My top priority will always be education, agriculture and health, Duterte said. “I will decrease the budget for infrastructure and other items.” A resource speaker, professor Mildred Megabio-Estanda, said the Ateneo de Davao University-sponsored survey in October 2015 showed that Davaoeños preferred a president who was gender-sensitive.

Binay will pursue PH claim to Sabah LUCBAN, Quezon—Presidential bet Vice President Jejomar Binay and his running mate Gregorio Honasan on Sunday vowed not to give up the Philippine claim to Sabah and chided the Aquino administration for its failure to pursue the claim to Sabah in the past five years. The candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance cautioned President

Benigno Aquino III against using Sabah as a “bargaining chip” by surrendering Sabah to Malaysia so the latter could be made a Philippine ally against China over the disputed Spratly Islands.

UNA senatorial bet Princess Jacel Kiram said Sabah earns $72 billion a year, which could help improve the lives of the Filipinos who are mired in poverty. “Sabah is ours. We cannot give it up just like that as a compromise to West Philippine Sea. WPS is ours too,” Honasan said. He was reacting to reports that the Department of Foreign Affairs allegedly sent a note verbale to Malaysia that the Philippines will drop its claims to Sabah provided Malaysia supports the Philippines’ case against China over the West Philippine Sea before the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas. “Our sovereignty is non-negotiable. We will pursue all means possible to stake our claims both on Sabah and the West Philippine Sea,” Binay said. Honasan said while Foreign Affairs

neither confirmed nor denied the note verbale to Malaysia, the mere thought of giving up Sabah left a bad taste in the mouth. “The Philippines for the past years has not revived and pursued our claims on Sabah. Giving it up for WPS is out of the question. We have to pursue our national interest first,” Honasan said. Honasan said Sabah and the West Philippine Sea were both rich in precious minerals and oil. “We have to find out what is under the West Philippine Sea, then we can share the underwater abundance and wealth with our neighboring countries,” Honasan said. He said should he and Binay win the race, their administration would enter into multilateral talks with the other claimant-countries, including Malaysia, to discuss the wealth-sharing in the West Philippine Sea. Christine F. Herrera

No. 2016 - 010

UPDATED LIST OF BANCNET MEMBERBANKS ACCEPTING PHILHEALTH PREMIUM CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH eGOV FACILITY Effective immediately, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (MBTC) will start using the eGov facility as it becomes one of the accredited employer-member banks of BancNet, Inc. Aside from MBTC, the following BancNet member-banks are also accepting PhilHealth premium contributions from Formal Economy members nationwide: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Asia United Bank China Banking Corporation CTBC Bank (Philippines) Corporation Development Bank of the Philippines East West Bank Corporation Philippine National Bank RCBC Savings Bank Philippine Veterans Bank

For a complete list of our Accredited Collecting Agents (ACAs), please visit www.philhealth.gov.ph.

ALEXANDER A. PADILLA President and CEO

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Breakneck pace of VP campaign tires media By Christine F. Herrera

Full house. A crowd estimated at 3,000 welcomes United Nationalist Alliance presidential hopeful Vice President Jejomar Binay, his running mate Senator Gregorio Honasan and UNA senatorial candidates in Guiguinto, Bulacan.

DBM starts releasing higher salaries today By Sandy Araneta

THE Department of Budget and Management will release to government agencies today a total of P24 billion to pay for the salary increases for state workers and additional allowances for military and other uniformed personnel. “We want to ensure the immediate implementation of the new salary rates and release the differentials since the compensation adjustments apply retroactively to the start of the year,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said. “We also want to emphasize that the first tranche of salary adjustments includes a mid-year bonus equivalent to one month’s salary and a Productivity Enhancement Incentive of P5,000. Given that benefits not exceed-

ing P82,000 are exempt from tax, public servants with salary grades 1 to 11 will receive both bonuses tax-free, while salary grades 12 to 16 will receive the entirety of their mid-year bonus,” Abad also said. Abad also said that workers in government-owned or -controlled corporations are included in the increases, provided that they are not covered by Republic Act 10149 which establishes a separate compen-

sation and classification system for GOCC personnel. For covered GOCCs, the funds needed for the adjustments shall be charged against their own funds, the budget secretary said. Earlier, President Benigno Aquino III issued an order increasing the pay of government employees months after Congress failed to ratify a new Salary Standardization Law. President Aquino’s executive order would effectively implement the “first of the four tranches provided for in the proposed SSL 2015 law or SSL 4 that has not been enacted by Congress,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said. The President approved and signed the order upon his arrival from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-US

summit in Los Angeles, California, Coloma added. Senate President Franklin Drilon praised the signing, saying it was “long-awaited” by government workers. “However, given that the president’s EO will only cover the salary hike for this year alone, the challenge to implement the full four-year salary hike as envisioned remains with lawmakers,” Drilon said. Drilon, one of the authors of SSL 4, said he would push for the proposed measure next Congress. “The economy is on the right course and we take advantage of the favorable condition to raise the pay scheme in the government and align it with the compensation received by employees in the private sector,” he said.

TWO journalists covering opposition United Nationalist Alliance presidential candidate Vice President Jejomar Binay and his running mate Senator Gregorio Honasan have been forced to rest after suffering fatigue and exhaustion due to the hectic pace of campaigning last week. Starting in Cagayan de Oro on Saturday for Sunday’s first round of the presidential debate, the UNA team proceeded to Iligan and Lanao del Norte for sorties in Mindanao, Batangas and Quezon in Southern Tagalog and Manila. From Saturday last week up to Sunday, the reporters could hardly keep up with the pace set by Binay and Honasan. Amita Legaspi of GMA-7 had to be rushed to a hospital in Lucena City after her blood pressure shot up and her arms and legs went numb. Mara Cepeda of Rappler developed fever and tonsilitis because of the unpredictable weather from one province to another. Doctors said both reporters suffered from stress and fatigue. Reporters wondered how Binay, who was dared by rival Mar Roxas of the ruling Liberal Party to make public his medical records and who was rumored to be ill, found the energy to sustain the campaign. Binay appears energized and in high spirits every time he sees UNA supporters, who braved the scorching heat of the sun in Mindanao and rain in Luzon to give him a warm welcome. Binay’s daughter, Senator Nancy Binay, has asked communications director Joey Salgado to ask the editors of the media networks to assign physically-fit reporters to Binay. The spokesman of Binay, 73, former Mayor Ramon Ilagan, said the vice president “always takes everything in moderation.” “He meditates, he exercises everyday and he prays a lot,” Ilagan said.

Govt: Ban flag-disrespecting Madonna THE Philippines said Sunday it was looking to ban Madonna from performing in the country after the US pop diva “disrespected” the country’s flag during her concert in Manila last week. Photos from the concert published in local media showed the 57-year-old “Like a Virgin” star draped in the Philippine flag. While press reports said the audience roared its approval at the icon, who was in the country as part of her global “Rebel Heart” tour, Filipino officials were less amused. “Malacañang is keen on banning Grammy award winner and Queen of Pop Madonna from performing in the Philippines for disrespecting the Philippine flag in her concert,” presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma told AFP.

A 1998 law prescribes a one-year jail term, as well as a token fine, for wearing the Philippine flag “in whole or in part as a costume or uniform.” The flag flap was the second controversy provoked by Madonna’s visit to the devoutly Catholic Asian nation. A Catholic bishop last week called on the faithful to stay away from Madonna’s sexually charged concert, which often encompass religious themes, calling them the devil’s work. “Pinoys and all God-loving people should avoid sin and occasions of sin,” Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said in a statement posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ official website.

Tacloban sortie. Presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe waves upon her arrival at Eastern Visayas State University in Tacloban City, Leyte. JAY MORALES

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PWDs hit non-relay of bill By Christine F. Herrera

VARIOUS organizations of persons with disabilities on Sunday protested the House leadership’s decision to withhold the transmittal of the PWD bill to the Palace for signing of the President into law. Principally authored by senatorial bet Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, the PWD bill seeks to exempt the sector from the payment of 12-percent value added tax on certain goods and services. Manuel Agcaoili, president and chief operating officer of Tahanang Walang hagdanan Inc., and emer Rojas, Cancer Alleviation Network on Care education and Rehabilitation party-list nominee, said house Speaker Feliciano Belmonte has no reason to archive Romualdez’s house Bill 1039 in the Bills and Index Service after Congress ratified the measure last year. The Bills and Index Service of the house of Representatives is headed by Director Alfredo Recella, who is reportedly evading media and PWD stakeholders’ inquiries on the status of the PWD bill. According to Agcaoili, Director Dante Roberto “Bobby” Maling of the house Secretary General’s office allegedly sent word two weeks ago to withhold the transmittal of the PWD measure to Malacañang. No reason was given for the stopping of the transmittal, Agcaoili said. Agcaoili, also president of the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled Inc., said Romualdez’s PWD bill was ratified by the house and Senate two and a half months ago, before Congress adjourned for a Christmas break. Agcaoili expressed worries that the Romualdez bill would suffer the same fate as that of the measure granting a P2,000 increase in the Social Security System pension for senior citizens. The SSS pension hike bill was vetoed by the President due to lack of funds.

Adopted. Senatorial candidate and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (right) and other adopted members of the PNPA class of 1989 and other batches take their oath of office during the 36th PNPA Grand Alumni Homecoming at Camp General Mariano Castañeda in Silang Cavite on Saturday. VER NOVENO

Poll machines bound for 30 PH posts up for testing By Rey E. Requejo The Commission on elections is set to conduct final testing and sealing of the vote counting machines to be dispatched to 30 Philippine posts overseas where registered overseas Filipinos could cast their votes. In an en banc Resolution No. 10051, the Comelec is mandated to hold final testing and sealing of the VCMs three weeks before the start of the voting period for overseas Filipinos on April 9. There will be actual casting of votes using 10 FTS-specific ballots, which will then be fed to the VCMs, during the final testing

and sealing. The VCMs are expected to generate eight copies of the results using thermal papers after votes are cast. A special Board of election Inspectors shall also count and verify the accomplished ballots. Candidates, political parties, and partylist groups will be notified of the details of the FTS, at least three days before it is conducted. After the final testing and sealing, the VCMs will remain sealed until the start of the overseas absentee voting. The election paraphernalia to be used by

OFWs should be placed inside ballot boxes. The Comelec set the voting period for the overseas absentee voters from 8 a.m. (host country time) of April 9 up to 7 p.m. (Philippine time) of May 9. In accordance with Comelec Minute Resolution No. 15-0798, the VCMs will be shipped to Agana, Chicago, honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, Ottawa, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Washington, London, Madrid, Milan, Rome, hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Manama, Al Khobar, Riyadh, and Tel Aviv.

‘Debates abroad impractical’ By Ronald O. Reyes

Homeless. A family takes shelter under the Edsa flyover in Quezon City. The government seeks to bring down poverty incidence in the country from 25 percent to at least 18 percent. The strategy is to create employment opportunities, especially for the poor, in cities and municipalities with the potential to grow. MANNY PALMERO CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

“NOT only impractical but also a waste of government funds.” So said John Leonard Monterona, a prominent overseas Filipino worker leader based in Riyadh in reaction to the proposal of senatorial candidate Susan Ople to the Commission on elections to consider holding presidential debates abroad. “As an idea, holding a presidential debate abroad is good, will raise awareness, and timely as the overseas absentee voting will begin on April 9, 2016, just a little more than a month from now. We recognized the need for the 1.2 million overseas absentee voters to be educated on their right of suffrage and to vote wisely based on platform of governance, integrity, and capability of the candidates, among other criteria,” said Monterona, however, adding that said event will be a waste of public money.

“Funds of the Comelec in holding presidential debate abroad and the expenses to be incurred by presidential candidates with their respective campaign teams will be better spent for the repatriation of the hundreds of stranded and undocumented OFWs in Saudi Arabia. We are putting forward this as a challenge to presidential bets,” he added. Monterona also noted on the political restrictions imposed by the host government like in Saudi Arabia saying holding a presidential debate abroad faces lots of obstacles. “In Saudi Arabia, for instance, the venue of the debate will be a major concern. holding political exercise such as a presidential debate needs prior approval by the host government. I supposed the same requirement is needed from the hong Kong government,” Monterona said.

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500 tribals forge pact vs invaders By Macon Ramos-Araneta At leAst 500 Bagani and Alamara tribal leaders have signed an agreement to defend themselves from armed group that will harass them or make any attempt to take over their ancestral lands in Mindanao. Top Alamara leader Datu Alim Bandara said his people will fight any armed group that wants to take away from them their ancestral domain lands using their traditional arm to drive away their invaders. “We don’t want them [armed groups] in our place especially that the ‘lumads’ are now living peacefully and harmoniously,” said the tribal leader. He disclosed that tribal leaders from North Cotabato, Bukidnon and Davao del Norte gathered in Barangay Kibia in Matalam, Cotabato will renew their vows as members of the Alamara and Bagani tribal group. Apart from armed groups, Bandara said wealthy businessmen have been trying to illegally claim their lands. Come fly with me. A girl is guided by a Navy soldier as she tries her hand at the helicopter’s steering wheel during a fly-and-sail experience in He said that a total of 102 ances- an aircraft with PWDs dubbed as ‘Fly with Rare’ at the Naval Air Group Hangar, Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point in Cavite City. tral domains all over Mindanao DANNY PATA have been penetrated by armed groups, including the New People’s Army. He added that villages in the towns of Matalam, President Roxas, Arakan and Magpet in about environmental conserva- nowhere to be found here,” he flying fox or the largest fox in North Cotabato province, where By Rio N. Araja tion and protection. told The Standard. the world, long-tailed macaque, the indigenous peoples’ own an- YOUNG explorer and moun“i have not heard a solid plateven the shrew mouse, isabela warty pig, brown deer and civets cestral lands, are also being threattaineer Kiko Rustia has called form about environmental poli- Oriole and Philippine cockatoo, are now extinct, he said. ened by the presence of the NPA. He blamed illegal logging, cies,” he told reporters. which used to be widespread “The Alamara and Bagani lead- on presidential bets to also “i encourage the voters to de- throughout Luzon’s 36,900 pet hunting and government’s ers decided to sign a pact following speak about the preservation the killings of some tribal leaders of natural resources and to be mand impromptu answers about square miles, are now virtually inadequacy on conservation extinct, he said. efforts. in Davao del Norte and Caraga re- stewards of the environment for environmental issues.” He also challenged candidates “it is the responsibility and According to Rustia, a former future generations. gion,” said Bandara. At a news conference in Que- to address the vanishing flora duty of every one who longs to be “Born to be Wild” host, he will He said that tribal leaders present during the covenant signi- zon City, Rustia expressed his and fauna of Luzon, citing the president to preserve our coun- explore the remaining virgin fied their intentions to fight armed frustration over those running studies done by the World Wild- try’s natural resources as a her- forests of Luzon for at least 90 as president and vice president life Fund that the Luzon rain- itage to the next generation,” he days to “show to the world the groups in their respective areas. urgency of preserving these reHowever, Bandara clarified that have been discussing mostly eco- forest ecoregion is already in its raised. Also, parrots or the green rac- maining species of animals and they will not use firearms in their nomic and political issues, and critical and endangered state. fight against armed groups. “Now, the Philippine eagle is quet-tail Prioniturus luconensis, plants.” have not even raised a single topic

Bets dared to address issues on ecology

5 female solons push for House bill on 100-day maternity leave

Fantastic. A vendor peddles colored fans made of buri and other native materials in Quiapo. DiANA B. NoChe

Five female lawmakers have called on their colleagues to press for the approval of House Bill 6399 granting a maternity leave of 100 days with pay. Representatives emmi de Jesus and Luzviminda ilagan of Gabriela, and Lani Mercado of Cavite, along with former President Gloria Arroyo of Pampanga, are seeking the refinements in Republic Act 8282 through the House measure. The measure was endorsed for plenary approval by the House committee on women and gender equality chaired by Rep. Linabelle Ruth villarica of Bulacan. De Jesus, one of the bill’s authors, said the beneficiaries would get full pay based on their average weekly or regular wages, whether child delivery is through normal or caesarian.

“in addition, a maternity leave of 30 days without pay can be availed of,” she said. Under the measure, an employee in the private sector who would avail herself of the maternity leave period and benefits must receive not less than two-thirds of her regular monthly salary. On the other hand, the employer must be responsible for the salary differential between the actual cash benefits received from the Social Security System and her average or regular wages, for the entire duration of the ordinary maternity leave. “The bill seeks to ensure maternity protection is not only a pay back to women but also enhances gender equality as mandated in the Constitution and the Magna Carta of Women,” said ilagan, a co-author. Rio Araja

M O N D AY : f e b r u A r Y 2 9, 2 0 1 6

NEWS

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Educated PH workforce remains top reason for US investments

Formations. Geologist and UP

professor Chris Newhall inspects the rock formation, believed to be millions of years old, at the beach of Mirisbiris Garden and Nature Center at Barangay Salvacion, Sto. Domingo, Albay. DANNY PATA

By Dexter A. See BAGUIO CITY—The educated workforce of the Philippines is the number one reason why American companies choose to invest in the Philippines, according to US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg. Goldberg, who presented a certificate to Texas Instruments Philippines as a finalist for the 2015 Secretary of Estate’s Award for Corporate Excellence, recognized the great contribution of the Filipino workers in all American companies operating in the country like the Texas Instruments and Moog. The strong educational system in universities here like in Baguio provides opportunities for graduates to work into these US tech companies. “These American companies tell me all over and over again that what attracts them most is the workforce.” Goldberg said he expected more American investors to put up their manufacturing and export-based businesses here. TI is a finalist in the environmental sustainability category for setting the standard for sustainable architecture in the Philippines by obtaining the country’s first Leadership Energy Environmental Design certification. The company also spent $1.2 million on water and energy conservation projects, including recycling of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, and worked with the Philippine government to develop and support the government’s Green Building code. Lilia de Lima, Philippine Economic Zone Authority director general who attended the occasion, likewise gave credits to the accomplishment of TI in the business sector and to the community.

Pangasinan fishery industry faces serious ‘El Niño’ threat LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—The fishery industry in this capital town of Pangasinan is under serious threat from El Niño. Edgar Sison, president of the Lingayen Federation of Fisherfolk Organizations Inc., said about 60 percent of the rivers in the town already dried up due to the effect of El Niño, resulting in low production of fish. He aired this concern during the LIFFO First General Assembly held at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center Saturday. He said, “Our agenda include

discussions on how to address El Niño and how to seek assistance from concerned agencies.” “Compared to other sectors, only a small share of assistance reaches our industry,” he added. Sison disclosed that at present, El Niño poses the biggest threat to their industry. They have requested the provincial government and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to provide them water

pumps to ensure water in their fishponds. Meanwhile, BFAR provincial fishery officer Glicerio Legaspi said consultative meetings were being conducted to plan for the dredging of rivers to address El Niño. Legaspi added that the BFAR provincial office was also monitoring illegal fishing in Pangasinan. “We have patrol boats going around the provincial waters— West Philippine Sea and Lingayen Gulf—guarding against illegal fishing,” he said. Still, Legaspi said the province

remained the top fishery-producer in the country. During the assembly, Legaspi disclosed the agency’s priority programs to aid the fisherfolk. These projects include the National Shellfish Program, provision of fishery gears and paraphernalia, techno-demo projects, GAD (Gender and Development)-livelihood program, and Mangrove Enhancement Program. The provincial government, through the Provincial Agriculturist Office, has vowed to provide help to the fishery industry. PNA

Zambo to build 50 shelters for Sept. 2013 siege victims

Flower float. Jebelyn Valdez, former Ms. La Trinidad, waves to the crowd during the parade of floral floats at the Panagbenga Festival. DAVID CHAN

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The city government has allocated P3 million to construct 50 singledetached temporary shelters for families displaced in the 21-day September 2013 siege. City Social Welfare and Development officer Ma. Socorro Rojas told the Philippine News Agency that the temporary shelters will be constructed in Sitio Lupa-Lupa, Barangay Rio Hondo. To be given priority are victims from the vulnerable sector such as senior citizens, persons with disability, and

pregnant women. The construction, which will begin in March, will be undertaken by the 2nd Army Engineering Brigade. She said the construction would start once a Memorandum of Agreement is signed by the city government and the engineering brigade. The city government still maintains 12 transitory sites as construction of permanent shelters continue through the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction project. PNA

M O N D AY : F E B R u A R Y 2 9, 2 0 1 6

opinion

ADELLE chuA Editor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

a marcosaquino reDux

[ EDI TORI A L ]

BAcK chAnnEl AlEJAndro dEl rosArio

Aquino’s dirty wAr IT was ironic to listen to President Benigno aquino III last week loudly denounce human rights abuses during Martial Law more than 30 years ago, while he quietly supports the ongoing suppression of indigenous people or lumad in Mindanao. One day before the 30th anniversary of the Edsa Revolution, while workers were presumably putting the final touches on an “experiential museum” documenting the horrors of Martial Law, unidentified men entered a church compound in Davao City, poured gasoline on the tents in the evacuation center for lumad refugees, and set them ablaze. The torching of the Haran Mission House run by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines left three people injured, including two children. The camp and dormitories had been a temporary home for more than a year to about 700 lumad who had fled their homes to escape a campaign of terror by anti-communist paramilitary groups with links to the military. In a speech the next day, the President launched a tirade against the human rights abuses during Martial Law, but was silent on similar crimes being committed under his watch, with his tacit approval. The military was so emboldened by this that a few days later, they had the temerity to suggest that the lumad themselves had set the fire. “Perhaps they orchestrated it just to gain more attention and sympathy so their donors would give more because Haran was burned,” Col. Cristobal Zaragoza, commander of the military Task Force Davao, said. “Those inside Haran are like prisoners,” he continued, repeating the ridiculous notion peddled by right-wing politicians that the Protestant Church was holding the refugees captive. To anyone who has followed the tragic fate of the lumad, the suggestion is as incredible as it is laughable. The seven area bishops of the UCCP knew exactly what was going on and held President aquino accountable for failing to act to stop the abuses against the indigenous people, who are caught in the middle of the government’s war with communist rebels. In July 2015, police tried to dismantle the refugee camp and forcibly return the lumad to their hinterland communities, which they had fled because of militarization. a number of lumad were hurt when police broke down the gates of the church and beat the resisting refugees with truncheons. The pastor of the church dismissed the suggestion of North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco that the UCCP was holding the lumad captive, and that they needed to be rescued, asking pointedly: “If it is true that the lumad are here against their will, they would have immediately gone with the police. so, why are they resisting this attempt to send them back?” The attempt to dislodge the refugees in July failed after the Davao City vice mayor intervened, but the incident clearly identified which parties want to see the evacuation center shut down. an official from Katribu, a national alliance of indigenous people, disputed the military claim that the lumad had set the fire to get more support from donors. “we all know that no one would believe them. But just the same, this statement is dangerous. It really goes to show how they would never hold themselves to account for this crime,” said Piya Malayao, Katribu secretary-general. The National Council of Churches in the Philippines says the lumad have never demanded cash, especially from supporters overseas, and said the “irresponsible” statement by the military proves who the real perpetrators are. Katribu reports that under President aquino, there have been 51 cases in which tribal communities were forced to leave their ancestral lands. some 69 indigenous people have been killed, including 10 children and four women. This January alone, three lumad were killed in the Davao region. Nothing has been done to improve the situation after the President met with lumad representatives in November. If all this sounds vaguely familiar, perhaps that is because the Martial Law regime used the same excuse—fighting communism—for a wide array of human rights abuses. How is Mr. aquino’s dirty war against the lumad any better?

Declarations of marriage nullity pEnséEs fr. rAnhilio cAllAngAn Aquino If mercy is to be more than a cheap, passing sentiment, it has to find its way into institutions. This is what Pope francis did through “Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus” (The Lord Jesus, the compassionate Judge), an apostolic letter,

that revamped canonical procedure in marriage nullity cases before ecclesiastical tribunals. The overriding concern of the Pope—who has not allowed the purple-clad conservatives in the Vatican stop him in his tracks—is simplifying the process, going so far as to leave it to bishops, “in obvious cases” to adjudge nullity themselves. Not all canonists are happy, however, just as lawyers chafe when the

this is where matters get disturbingly interesting.

supreme court simplifies or abbreviates procedures. for the filipino catholic, matters can be very complicated. Priests who A church marriage therefore solemnize marriage must has a canonical as well as be authorized by the state a civil effect. It enters the to do so, besides, of course, books of the parish (Liber enjoying the faculty (= Matrimoniorum); it enters power) to do so in the church, the civil register. Thus far, something normally given all is well. However, when all priests in good standing. one, or both of the parties married in the sight of God, seek a declaration of nullity, married in the sight of man. this is where matters get

disturbingly interesting. The judgment of the family court has no currency in the church. A couple therefore that is declared free to remarry on the ground that the marriage first contracted was void ab initio would still be committing a grave wrong by the church’s moral teaching

and canonical discipline because they would still be bound by the bonds of matrimony. In like manner, the judgment of an ecclesiastical tribunal (of which every diocese theoretically has one—although in fact, many dioceses do not) does not mean anything to the state, the result being that the hapless couple that has obtained a canonical decree of nullity would be unable to obtain a marriage license to remarry or would

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-

be liable to prosecution for bigamy! In Italy, this rigmarole was avoided by virtue of a concordat between the Holy see and the republic that gave civil effects to ecclesiastical decrees of nullity. In the United states, it is common practice for ecclesiastical tribunals to take cognizance of a petition for nullity declaration only after a court has rendered judgment favorably either on an action for nullity or for divorce.

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some years ago, I proposed to the supreme court the inclusion within the rules of court of a rule on the recognition of canonical decrees of nullity in the case of catholics married in church. If marriages so solemnized are recognized by the state, why should the very church that solemnized the marriage be prevented from ruling that there was some attendant infirmity 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

It’s Not “I am what I’m because of martial law,” as President Benigno Aquino III claimed at the 30th anniversary of the edsa People Power uprising in 1986. Aquino is what he is because of some flaw in his DNA or his character make-up. He has a propensity to blame other people for his own shortcomings. take the case of Aquino constantly blaming former President Gloria macapagal Arroyo for all the ills plaguing his administration. from crime, corruption and the daily breakdown of the public railway transport system, Aquino is quick to play the blame game on his predecessor. Granting that he did inherit some of the problems, why did he not fix them in the six years he had control of the government? Arroyo left Aquino a sound economy founded on good fundamentals, something that laid the base for the country’s continued growth. But the vengeful Aquino never acknowledged this. He had Arroyo arrested on allegations of anomalous use of Philippine charity sweepstakes office funds. yet, some of the principals accused in the Pcso case are out on bail or have left the country. the government’s whole case against Arroyo is based on a marginal note she wrote on a Pcso memo approving the transfer of funds. If the state’s case is more solid, surely it would have proceeded without further delay. It’s beyond our ken to judge Arroyo’s guilt or innocence. That’s for the court, the sandiganbayan in this case, to determine. But by all means, let Arroyo’s trial proceed without delay. she has been under hospital detention since her arrest in late 2010 when Aquino took over. The poor woman is languishing and wasting away from a spinal column disorder. Her condition cannot be handled by even the most competent doctors here. It will be recalled that marcos who’s being demonized by Aquino was compassionate in allowing the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr. to have a heart bypass in the United states. Noynoy Aquino has made the marcos return to power a campaign issue. That is the main reason for the big to-do of this year’s People Power celebration at edsa which includes the inauguration Continued on A10 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

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M O N D AY : F E B R u A R Y 2 9, 2 0 1 6

opinion

ADELLE chuA Editor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

a marcosaquino reDux

[ EDI TORI A L ]

BAcK chAnnEl AlEJAndro dEl rosArio

this is where matters get disturbingly interesting.

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

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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

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A10 fighting bigotRy

M O N D AY : F E B R U A R Y 2 9, 2 0 1 6

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

Republicans’ high school cafeteRia debate

on was Donald trump. And when should eliminate the state lines, By Megan McArdle A HoAx, of dubithe tables were turned on him so that New York and New Jersey plumbline ous Philippine provA lot of people have come up by people who adopted the same blend as seamlessly into each other enance, recently with metaphors for the drubbing level of verbal aggressiveness, with as the colors of the rainbow. Rubio pastor trended briefly durDonald trump took at last night’s a higher level of intelligence, he started pummeling him on it, at apollo ing the wild and quiboloy debate: Frazier v. Ali, for example, or didn’t know how to respond. which point it became clear that: woolly Republican a Rubiobot set to “kill” rather than The worst moment, as many have 1. Donald trump could not presidential primaries. “stun.” Here’s one that kept occurring noted, was the back-and-forth remember the correct phrase. It all began when Donald trump regaled his to me as I watched Marco Rubio and on health care. This was bad not 2. He also couldn’t remember South Carolina audience with the historical chismis ted Cruz take turns reducing Donald because Donald trump’s health- what the phrase stood for, so he that US general John “Black Jack” Pershing used trump to a petulant, stammering care policy is woefully incomplete; could not explain it in other words. bullets dipped in pig’s blood to “pacify” intrepid mess: the eighth-grade loudmouth policy doesn’t matter that much at He just stood there helplessly Filipino Moros when he commanded a fortress in who graduates to high school and this stage of the election. (More repeating “get rid of the lines Zamboanga in the early 1900s. gets ripped to shreds by a couple of on this later.) It was bad because, around states,” which must have Here’s The Donald: juniors. just as loudmouth eighth-graders seemed rather Delphic and strange “[Pershing] took 50 bullets and dipped them in The remarkable thing about often do, trump was basically even to voters who don’t pay a lot of pig’s blood. And he had his men load his rifles, and Donald trump’s stunts has talking about something he didn’t attention to health care policy. he lined up the 50 people, and they shot 49 of those always been just how juvenile they understand: the idea that we That was when Rubio made people, and the 50th person—he said, ‘You go back were. His taunts were, basically, should allow health insurance to a mild joke at his own expense, to your people and you tell them what happened.’ unimaginative variants on such be sold across state lines. This is saying of trump, “He’s repeating And for 25 years, there wasn’t a problem.” middle school classics as: a perfectly fine idea that wouldn’t himself.” And when trump shot This, of course, never happened but it did not “I know you are but what am I?” make much difference to health- back, “I watched him repeat prevent this rajah of hyperbole from retelling it as “You’re a loser!” care costs, but again, that’s not himself five times four weeks ago,” gospel. “[Insert wildly incorrect “fact” why it hurt trump. It hurt trump when Chris Christie went after This anecdote about Pershing is clearly fictitious, made up on the spot]” because, just like those eighth him, Rubio brought the house in the realm of myths. No scholarly research backs “lalalalalalala I can’t hear you” graders often do, he screwed it up. down by saying “I just watched it up. trump succeeded with these “What we need—look, the you repeat yourself five times five E v e n tactics not so much because they insurance companies take care seconds ago.” And he smirked, the American were devastating, but because no of the politicians. The insurance way juniors do, when they put the historians one else on stage could believe that companies get what they want. freshman loudmouth in his place. w e r e of all weapons against an adult was acting this way—and We should have gotten rid of the Pundits cheered, particularly u na nimous when they finally did believe it, no lines around each state so we can conservative ones. Having made bigotry, none remains in dismissing one else wanted to join trump in have real competition.” no secret of my dislike for trump, more effective than trump’s tale his second puberty. This formulation was very I will probably not surprise you as a legend. The only person who seems not strange. I presume that trump by saying that I was among them. education. one called it to have realized what was going is not, in fact, suggesting that we Continued on A11 “a fabrication which has long been of a unifying leader of all lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos. a marcos... From A9 discredited.” people, setting the tone for Bongbong has also earned the Thankfully, in this country where folkloric tales of a museum showcasing human reconciliation and bringing support of the Mindanaoans are dinner and drinking table conversation topics, it rights violations committed closure to a dark chapter in the for his handling of the flawed has remained unforgotten. during Marcos’ martial law rule. nation’s history, Noynoy chose Bangsamoro Basic law drafted It is so because for Filipinos, it borders on hate The truth of the matter is that to make it all about himself and by Aquino’s government peace speech. Even as a joke it is grossly politically Aquino abhors the prospects the Marcoses. So be it: a Marcos- panel. incorrect And retelling it, even in impolite company, of another Marcos ascending Aquino rivalry redux. This is another reason constitutes bad manners. to power. He has taken it upon From all indications, Bongbong why Aquino is afraid to have We have long purged such unkind stereotyping himself to ensure that Senator Marcos could overtake Escudero an “unfriendly” tenant in of our Muslim brothers from our speech, culture Bongbong Marcos does not defeat at the homestretch of the Malacañang. He could be held and literature—so much so that no Filipino politico two vice presidential candidates— campaign. The Bicol bloc votes accountable for betrayal of would ever dare tell that joke even in private unless Rep. leni Robredo, Mar Roxas’ are divided among Bicolanos: public trust and violation of the he wants history to make his name synonymous official VP running mate, and his Escudero (Sorsogon), Robredo Constitution for allowing a state with “crass” or “gutter.” closet candidate Chiz Escudero. (Camarines Sur), Senator Gringo within a state in his proposed BBl, And if I recall it right, it’s been ages since a Filipino Aquino must be losing more hair Honasan (also from Sorsogon) not to mention his culpable role in personality has made a tactless remark about Filipino now that Bongbong Marcos is and Senator Antonio trillanes IV abandoning 44 members of the Muslims. The reason is obvious: A careless quote crowding Escudero in the latest (Albay). Philippine National Police-Special would make juramentados out of all Filipinos. Social Weather Stations and Pulse Senator Marcos, on the other Action Force to be massacred this is not to say that Filipino Muslims can’t Asia poll surveys. hand, can count on the Solid by the Moro Islamic liberation take or even dish a joke or two. I have a Muslim Aquino is in panic mode. North Ilocano votes and the Front and the Bangsamoro friend from high school who, for four decades Because he is what he is—a Visayan votes from the bailiwick Islamic Freedom Fighters in now, has the same answer when I ask him what vengeful president instead of his mother, the former First Mamasapano, Maguindanao. food I should prepare the next time he visits: “Crispy lechon” he would say, always with a hearty laugh. solved peacefully. The peace, no matter how fragile, one is the outright rejection of violence as the Despite this conviviality, I am always aware of the will hold. There will be no caudillo barking “at my solution to the strife. Second is to foment religious lines which must never be crossed. signal, unleash hell” order. tolerance and be open to ecumenical partnerships on a larger view, I am glad that election polemics one candidate has even walked his talk, that will advance the peace agenda. about the unsettled peac in Muslim Mindanao has bivouacking to what papers would call the lion’s den, We can also nurture inclusive communities where consistently taken a positive and optimistic tone. or right into the HQ of a still belligerent rebel force different faiths erect no walls, in one village with no No shrill saber-rattling has been heard out there More than words, this is the gesture we would like religious borders and blockades exist. in the campaign trail. If any, it has all been sensible to see from all those applying to be the next president In our school in Davao, the Jose Maria College, solutions on how peace must dawn on strife-torn lands. of our country. to engage rebels face-to-face, and not we offer scholarships to many Muslim children, and take note too that during the Cagayan de oro merely read platitudes on peace from teleprompters. encourage them to devoutly practice their faith. debates, not one prescribed war as the fix to the But we need not be in power to advance the cause Because of all weapons against bigotry, none centuries-old imbroglio. of peace. There are many simple things each one of us remains more effective than education. Sometimes This proves one thing: whoever take the reins of can do which, taken collectively, enlarges the peace peace can be won, not by armies laying down their power next June, the Mindanao problem will be constituency. arms en masse, but one child at a time.

M O N D AY : F E B R U A R Y 2 9, 2 0 1 6

A11

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

republicans’... From A10 Rubio, and also Ted Cruz, who attacked him very successfully on electability, showed Donald Trump some things I’m not sure he realized: that bullies can be bullied; that being the frontrunner means everyone’s going to come at you; and that there is a reason that those boring, low-energy experienced politicians take care not to say things that they will have to answer for in the media, or which can be used against them in attack ads. (Highlights from Trump’s lengthy remarks include praising Muammar Qaddafi, who accepted Libya’s responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing that killed almost 200 Americans; explaining his reluctance to release his tax returns on the grounds that he gets audited all the time; and saying that he hired foreign workers for his Palm Beach club because Americans won’t do those jobs. If these are not soon running in a continuous loop on every television screen in a primary state, then the Republican Party is fielding presidential candidates too stupid to govern.) And yet as bracing as it was to see Trump knocked back on his heels, at the end of the day, I can’t be too happy about it. We saw the eighth-grade bully put down, yes—but by reducing the entire debate stage to the level of a high

school put-down contest. Policy was basically nowhere, except for the early round on immigration. The rest of the debate was a festival of interpersonal verbal aggression, in which what mattered was not how you would govern, or even what you believed, but who could most effectively interrupt, harass and sneer. I cheered, so that I would not weep for my country. And yet, this is just a reflection of something I already knew: Policy just doesn’t matter that much in presidential debates, or for that matter, in presidential elections. Elections that feature an incumbent may be some sort of broad referendum, thumbs up or thumbs down, on how the incumbent has done. Yet even this is just as likely to focus on something they can’t really control (the state of the economy) as it is on decisions they made (like, I dunno, getting us into a massively destabilizing war in the Middle East). Even things that are ostensibly about policy often really aren’t. When Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton debate Wall Street regulation, neither of them puts forth the kind of detailed framework that you’d actually need to know who was going to be better on the issue. There’s good reason for this: developing such a plan would take a lot of time and expensive expertise. Then no

declarations... From A9 that rendered it null, with effects likewise binding on the State? There are sections on the effects of foreign judgments. I reasoned that there could be a similar section, only for marriage nullity cases of Catholics married in church. Because of Presidential Decree 1083, Shari’ah has become part of Philippine law, and nullity as well as divorce, according to the Qur’an have effects

#failocracy

one would read it, including the candidates themselves. And the candidates wouldn’t be able to explain it even if they did read it. What they’re really arguing about is not how these folks will regulate Wall Street, but who hates banks more, who is angrier at them, who will be meaner to them when the time comes to build that sort of framework. Such policies as they suggest are crafted less with an eye toward effectiveness than toward “sounding mean.” For politicians, policy plans are the semaphore flag by which they send signals; they are rarely the message themselves. This is the part where I am supposed to lament how terrible this is, how our widening deficit in Gross National Seriousness threatens to ruin the country. Part of me does think this. But then the other part—the part that is semi-firmly tethered to the real world—says “How could it be otherwise?” For starters, you cannot say much of anything worth saying about policy in 90 seconds, or even five minutes. Policy is complicated. Explaining what problem it is supposed to fix, why this solution is preferable to other ideas, and what the major effects are expected to be—that takes time. This does not work on a debate stage, or in an ad, or in a campaign speech. There is no place for serious policy in a modern campaign.

for the State as well. The corpus of canonical jurisprudence on nullity is both venerable and considerable —in many cases, far more extensive than Philippine jurisprudence (on the subject, for example of lack of consent!). The rule, however, may not favor the Catholic Church alone without running afoul of the nonestablishment clause. And so I had proposed the qualifier “of any church, group or sect with demonstrably established courts, procedure and

Sure, you can put white papers up on your website, but most voters won’t read them. And if they are good, serious white papers that grapple with some difficult problem, most voters wouldn’t be able to understand them even if they did. They wouldn’t have the background to assess whether your reading of the problem was fair, whether your solution was likely to work, or what kinds of objections might be made that your pet analyst has thoughtfully omitted from the discussion. Sure, an ordinary voter might be up on one or two of the issues. But no one is going to have enough expertise to assess a candidate’s whole platform—unless we’re talking about a single-issue candidate who probably shouldn’t get anyone’s vote, anyway. I include myself in this. There are areas, like foreign policy, that I mostly stay away from because I don’t know enough to form an opinion. The modern world is probably not really more complicated than the world was two centuries ago. But modern government certainly is. It has taken on too many tasks for anyone—even the candidate —to form a good opinion across the whole range. Even when the candidate does have strong views, and you’re qualified to assess them, there’s a good chance that something will happen to change their mind. Remember when candidate George W.

long-standing jurisprudence”! This would be one way of guarding against the “city-hall phenomenon”: ministers of “impromptu” sects and denominations offering their services to solemnize marriages at the city hall, and thereafter also offering their services for declarations of nullity! I hope to reintroduce this proposal soon and hope that it will be received with more enthusiasm this time around!

Bush was criticizing President Bill Clinton for his military interventions abroad? So instead elections focus on things that average voters are qualified to assess. What is this candidate’s character? What are their ideological commitments? Who are their political allies? What groups are they likely to listen to when in office? What are their instincts about responding to threats? I might think that in an ideal world, everyone would be like me, spending their days marinating in policy panels and white papers and government reports. But then I remember that I’d be sitting in an unheated, unlit house, gnawing on one of the four cucumbers I managed to grow in my front yard last year, with no clothes, electronic devices, or … well, you get the idea. Modern policy is necessarily the obsession of a few. And this is necessarily upsetting to the many, who simultaneously resent the intrusions of selfappointed experts, and decline to put in the hours necessary to become expert themselves. I still mourn the tone of last night’s debate, and hope that my country will soon, once again, be capable of adult discourse. But that discourse is still not going to be aimed at me. It’s going to be aimed at the millions of voters who spend their days doing the stuff that’s necessary to keep the wonks fed, clothed and housed. Bloomberg

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

out of the box rita linda v. jimeno Atty. Jimeno’s column will resume soon.

chong ardivilla

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Regatta race draws 18 teams

Road Warriors at Panagbenga. NLEX Road Warriors (from left) Simon Enciso, Garvo Lanete, Asi Taulava and Jonas Villanueva are shown during the 2016 Panagbenga Festival Parade in Baguio City. NLEX and its Philippine Basketball Association team are regular fixtures in the annual flower festival. ROMAN PROSPERO

Magnaye, Morada barge into Prima finals PHILIPPINE team players Peter Gabriel Magnaye and Alvin Morada and fellow nationals Antonie Carlos Cayanan and Philip Joper Escueta bashed their respective semifinal foes and arranged a showdown in the men’s doubles open championship round of 9th Prima Pasta Badminton Championship Sunday at the Powersmash courts in Makati City. Magnaye and Morada, representing the PBA-Smash Pilipinas national team, rallied past fellow national players Ronel Estanislao and Paul Jefferson Vivas, 10-21, 21-11, 27-25, to barge into the final round of the men’s open doubles’ category.

Cayanan and Escueta, meanwhile, outclassed Paul Gerald Gonzales and Prince Joshua Monterubio, 21-16, 21-13, in the other semifinal pairing to arrange a title-showdown against Magnaye and Morada in the annual tournament participated by more than 2, 000 players nationwide. In the women’s doubles open semifinals, Jessie Francisco and Eleanor Inlayo defeated Joella Geva De Vera and Alyssa Geverjuan, 18-21, 2118, 22, 20, to make it to the finals and meet fellow national players Alyssa Leonardo and Thea Marie Pomar. Leonardo and Pomar beat Malvinne Poca Alcala and Gelita Castilo, 25-15, 21-16, in the semifinals.

The six-day tournament is supported by Smart, Boysen Paints, Mabz Builders, Monocrete Construction, Morning Star Milling, ILO Construction, Pioneer Insurance, Promax, Babolat, Vitwater, Regent Foods Corp., and Del Monte Fit N Right The competition is also backed by Jones Lang LaSalle Leechiu, Jose Siao Ling and Associates, Goldilocks, Mega Subic Terminal Services Inc., Sincere Construction, U2 Electrical, United Colourtech, Wl-An Aluminum, Window One, Waterlite Engineering, Unitech Industrial Sales, Ultracote, Amstar, NCS Builders, Unipak Plastics & Containers, GCI Industries, Belarmino and Associates, and Sidel Industrial.

Yakult 10 Miler registration ends Thursday REGISTRATION for the coming Yakult 10 Miler slated on March 6 at the Cultural Center Complex Grounds in Pasay City ends on Thursday. This was announced by organizers as registration surpassed 2,500 entries. There will be no extension of registration, no on-site registration and no pickup of race packets for online entries on race day.

The 27th staging of the Yakult 10 Miler is organized by Yakult Phils., Inc. powered by Mizuno, and also supported by GoodHA!!! and Salonpas. All those who have registered online with Goorahna online service who have not picked up their race packets are advised to pick up their race packets now from any of the Mizuno registration stores at the Trinoma Mall, SM MegaMall, Boni-

facio High Street and at the SM Mall of Asia to avoid missing their singlet sizes as supplies are running low. During last Friday’s coordinating conference, local traffic enforcers together with the PNP TEG have agreed to the use of the southbound side of Roxas Blvd. for the runners from Padre Faura in Manila up to the MIA Rd. in Paranaque. Starting at the Vicente Sotto St.,

runners will run towards Roxas Blvd., turn left at Roxas Blvd. until Padre Faura, where they will make their first turn around and run towards MIA Rd. in Paranaque. Runners will make the second turn around 300 meters from MIA Rd. and head back to the finish line after their third turn around in front of the Aristocrat restaurant in Manila.

Arcilla banners Iloilo net cast MULTI-AWARDED champ Johnny Arcilla braces for a spirited battle for top honors against the country’s leading and rising players as he headlines the star-studded field in the first Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Iloilo City Open Tennis Championship unfolding tomorrow (Tuesday, March 1) in La Paz. Arcilla pulled off a grand slam of sorts in last year’s staging of the PPS-PEPP Open, winning the singles and doubles crowns in the Tuna Festival in Gen. Santos City, the Pintaflores Festival in San Carlos City, Negros and the Dagitab Festival in Naga City, Cebu. But the veteran campaign, also a manytime PCA Open champion, faces a formidable challenge in the upcoming tournament at the Iloilo City Tennis Center with the top 16 players in the Philta ranking seeing action, guaranteeing an action-packed battle for the coveted singles crown in the week-long tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and backed by Slazenger.

They include Arcilla’s fellow Davis Cup veteran PJ Tierro, Alberto Vicente Anasta, Fritz Verdad, Roel Capangpangan, Leander Lazaro, Jimmy Tangalin, Deo Talatayod, Noel Damian, Kristian Tesorio, Kim Saraza, Joseph Arcilla, Kype Parpan, LA Canizares, John Altiche, Arcie Mano, Arn Procianos and Janjie Soquino. “We take pride in putting up this top-level field and we thank Iloilo City for taking the initiative to host this big event which we hope will also help promote and develop the sport in the region,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. The event is actually in line with Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s mandate to host national and international sports competitions as part of the city’s sports tourism program with Vice Mayor Joe III Espinosa, also the chairman of the Iloilo City Sports Council, guaranteeing a successful staging of the event, this being the first time that the city is hosting a tournament of this magnitude in almost three decades. Johnny Arcilla seeks to sustain his run.

AKLAN provincial officials welcomed yesterday participants and foreign guests of the 7th Standard Insurance Subic Bay to Boracay Regatta Race, the only internationally acclaimed series of racing events in the country. Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores and Vice Gov. Gabrielle Quimpo saluted the 18 participating regatta teams, led by last year’s winner Centennial III, that left Subic Bay last Saturday morning. The tournament continues for the Boracay Cup on Tuesday, with a combination of passage and windward/leeward over the next four days. Miraflores thanked the Philippine Sailing Association and the Subic Sailing Club for institutionalizing the twin races and making the province an important destination of the prestigious Asian Yatching Grand Prix. Aklan, home of Boracay Island, contributes 30 percent of the tourist arrivals to the country and part of this unprecedented arrivals are the sailing enthusiasts, their families and crew to the island, according to Quimpo. The 7th edition of the regatta race is well participated this with boats representing the Singapore, China, Germany, Malaysia, China, Australia and the Philippines once again vying for the top place, said Ricky Sandoval, chairman of the organizing committee. Syd Fisher’s Dubois 90 Ragamuffin, skippered by David Witt that holds the fastest time, will compete for the first time in the local race. By taking only 14 hrs, two minutes and 17 seconds on the 220-nautical mile race, Ragamuffin shaved the previous record set by Hong Kong magnate Frank Pong’s Custom Dibley 75 Jelik back in 2013. Ragamuffin with its crew of 14, led the fleet out of Subic Bay, where they dropped the spinnakers, turned left and enjoyed fast reaching conditions down through the Verde Island Passage. All the regular competitors have recorded their fastest race times to Boracay, said Sandoval. Overall winners in each three class of the combined Subic Bay to Boracay Race and the Boracay Cup Regatta series will bring home the impressive hand-crafted solid brass trophy replicas by Fernando Cacnio, a multiawarded Filipino visual artist. The twin regatta races are backed by Speery Topsider, Lighthouse Marina Resort, Cebu Pacific, PLDT-SMT Nation, Tanduay Rum, Watercraft Ventures Corp., Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce and Seawind Boracay.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Marikina football clinic set today A 15-day football skills clinic involving Ceres/Azkals players as guest coaches unfolds at the Marikina Sports Center at 4:30 p.m. today. Coach Frank Muescan of the Football Masters Academy MUESCAN said that the clinic is meant to enhance the skills of high school football players and enthusiasts residing or studying in Metro Manila in preparation for the numerous summer leagues they are expected to attend after this school year ends. Muescan is currently the head coach of Ceres-La Salle Football Club in the ongoing Asian Football Confederation Champions League in home-and-away games held in different Asian countries. As former head coach of Global FC in UFL, he won three championships from 2010-2011. With University of the Philippines, he won three UAAP championships. Muescan is one of only 26 A-license coaches in the Philippines recognized by AFC and FIFA; with only two of them active in coaching in the professional league – United Football League. He is also one of 14 accredited instructors of AFC in the Philippines. Expected to help out Coach Frank are Juani Guirado, Arnie Pasinabo Jr., Victorino Son, and Kim Sang Min after their recent 2-2 tie against Selangor FA of Malaysia at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod. Football Masters Academy is supported by GOLDTOE Philippines, “The best socks on two feet.” GOLDTOE® socks have been the category leader and the standard of quality for over eight decades. Manila Bay Hosiery Mills, Inc. (MBHMI) is the pioneer in the Philippine hosiery industry since 1955. MBHMI is also the only licensed manufacturer of the famous US brand – GOLDTOE® since 1968. Those interested to register may text or call Roel Abatayo at 0922-8991612 for more details.

bers after winning the 30th PAL Interclub Seniors’ championship division title on Sunday held at the Mimosa Golf and Country Club in Clark Field, Angeles, Pampanga. The 9th Seniors’ Interclub trophy of Canlubang was brought home by (from left) Tommy Manotoc, Mari Hechanova, Zaldy Villa, Boyet Zaragosa, Darly Patalot, pro Juvic Pagunsan, Dave Hernandez, Abe Avena, playing captain Tony Olives, Rolly Viray, Rene Unson and manager Luigi Yulo.

2 Mindanao Ronda PH riders living their dreams CAGAYAN DE ORO--Mindanao pride John Paolo Ferfas and Ranlean Maglantay came into the Mindanao Leg of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2016 with a dream. They came back home living it. Ferfas and Maglantay were given brand new competition gears--uniforms, gloves, riding shoes, socks--and loaned with bikes worth around P400,000 courtesy of LBC Express, MVP Sports Foun-

dation and LBC Foundation for representing Mindanao well in the just concluded fivestage race. Jan Paul Morales and NavyStandard Insurance actually dominated the race, raking in most of the awards and prizes but it was the pair who captured

the hearts of many with their inspiring stories. Riding on cheaper, heavier bikes, wearing rubber shoes and living with a few pesos in their pockets, Ferfas and Maglantay persevered and accounted themselves well in a race where they have none or little chance to win. It was their big hearts, as huge as the fancied riders, that won them all. “Pangarap po talaga namin kumarera sa Ronda (It’s really our dream to race in Ronda),”

said Ferfas, a 22-year-old Marbel, South Cotabato native, who uses his biking to hustle for a few money in races back home and nearby provinces to help his family put food on the table. Maglantay, for his part, has a different story. The pocket-sized, 18-year-old rider, a neighbor of Ferfas, almost didn’t make it to the race as he was disqualified due to technical issues, but was chased by LBC Ronda project director Moe Chulani when he heard the boy’s story.

18th HEAD junior tennis starts March 28

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-0

P16M

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

Canlubang wins 9th Interclub trophy. Canlubang manager Luigi Yulo gets the traditional ride from his jubilant team mem-

THE18th HEAD Junior Tennis Satellite Circuit is inviting young tennis players from all over the country to join the annual tennis competition to be held in 10 major cities nationwide. Organized yearly, the tournament’s first leg will be held in Cagayan De Oro City on March 28 before traveling to other major places in Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon.

HEAD and its official local distributor Dynamic Sports have made this grassroots program an advocacy to discover potential talents or tennis protégés. Liza Tang-Yuquico, the Managing Director of HEAD Philippines, is expecting more boys and girls from different age-group categories and various cities to join the tournament, which has already produced Filipino tennis stars in

the likes of Jeson Patrombon and Francis Casey Alcantara. “On our 18th year, we will continue to discover more young talented tennis players around the country and help them achieve their dreams,” said Tang- Yuquico. “We are very proud to become part of tennis development in the country.” For more inquiries, contact Dynamic Sports at (02) 925-2391.

Up close and personal with Wonder Boy LOCKER ROOM RANDY CALUAG NICKNAMED the “Wonder Boy,” Stephen Thompson became an instant sensation following a masterful first-round knockout win over former UFC champion Johnny Hendricks at the UFC Fight Night 82. For that stirring victory over a marquee opponent, Thompson jumped from no. 9 to no. 3 in the UFC welterweight ranking and is just a snap away from a shot at the title belt currently held by Robbie Lawler.

Looking at the blue-chip credentials of Thompson, his complete domination of Hendricks should not come as a surprise. He is a former four-time world kickboxing champion with an immaculate record of 37 wins in amateur and 20 victories in the professional Chuck Norris World Combat League, before joining the UFC in 2012. He has a professional MMA record of 12 wins, seven coming by KO, against only a loss inflicted by Matt Brown in 2012. Now it can be told that Thompson is truly a star on the rise. *** Sports 5 and Cignal hosted Thomp-

son’s “On the Rise” Manila Tour and this corner was among the chosen few to meet the father-son tandem. The first time he showed up to a Filipino audience, he looked cool and confident. The amiable American fighter does not need to display unnecessary braggadocio to display an aura of confidence. Thompson owes it to his early training in karate. The younger Thomson has faced older, more experienced opponent during his younger days, when he felt more inferior and he had no right to show off. Moving on, he has learned the perfect karate movement “which is not to get hit and frustrate an opponent.”

“I love picking my opponent apart. The moment you get hit, I got you.” And through all his fighting years, he has his father, Ray, by his side. Thompson lives in a family where everybody practices martial arts. “My older sister used to beat me up.” That’s the main reason why “I don’t play any other sport than karate when I was young. But I love movies. It’s my way of getting relaxed after a tiring day in training.” As for his relationship with his father, he said he respects his father Ray as a trainer, who has handled a lot of world champions in kickboxing. “We have a good relationship and we are able to separate his being a trainer and a

father in and out of the gym.” “I thank my son for allowing me to do my job effectively. It has been working wonders for us,” said the older Thompson. Ray has definitely molded a welldisciplined fighter in Stephen and he credits this to the old-fashioned way of traditional martial arts. “In karate, the students are trained to respect their opponents, their masters and their characters are developed. They are taught about self confidence and humility at the same time.” For the Philippines to develop more MMA fighters, Ray said aspiring fighters should start with Kali, also known as arnis.

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

ALA bets win, but fail to dominate ALA Boxing Gym’s “Stars of the Future” won handily, but regrettably failed to shine before a jam-packed crowd at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu on Saturday night. It wasn’t the fault of unbeaten Prince Albert Pagara or Mark N O TI C E Notice of extrajudicial settlement with waiver executed by the heirs of the late Pastor L. Cruz over a portion of property covered by tax declaration no. D-022-04304 situated at 51 Laura Street, Plainview Subd., Mandaluyong City acknowledge before notary public Atty. John Domingo A. Ponce, Jr. as per doc. no. 296; page no. 60; book no. 09; Series of 2016. ( T S - F E B . 2 9 , M A R . 7 & 14 , 2 016)

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All unredeemed pledges during the month of OCTOBER 2015 will be sold to public auction on MARCH 11, 2016 at the ff. branches: BUSTILLOS -2:00 PM at # L2522-28 Road 216, Earnshaw Bustillos, Manila MARCH 23, 2016 CALOOCAN – 1:00 PM # 434 J. RODRIGUEZ ST., at JUAN LANUZA & SONS- AUCTIONEER ( T S - F E B . 2 9 , 2 0 16 )

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“Magnifico” Magsayo as much as it was the tactics of their opponents,

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All unredeemed pledges during the month of OCTOBER 2015 will be sold to public auction on MARCH 18, 2016 at the ff. branches: PRITIL 8:00 AM at 1833 N. Zamora St., Pritil, Tondo, Manila BLUMENTRITT – 10:30 AM #1687 M. Hizon St., Blumentritt, Manila VARONA – 8:30 AM 1872 F. VARONA ST., BRGY 95, ZONE 8, TONDO, MANILA MARCH 24, 2016 ALTURA – 9:00 AM # 418 Altura St. Sta. Mesa, Manila at JUAN LANUZA & SONS- AUCTIONEER ( T S - F E B . 2 9 , 2 0 16)

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All unredeemed pledges during the month of OCTOBER 2015 will be sold to public auction on MARCH 7, 2016 at the ff. branches: COUNTRYSIDE - 12:30 PM at 49 Countryside Ave., Sta. Lucia, Pasig City JUNCTION – 2:30 PM # Star Valley Plaza Mall, Junction at JUAN LANUZA & SONSAUCTIONEER

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All unredeemed pledges during the month of OCTOBER 2015 will be sold to public auction on MARCH 04, 2016 at BF Homes – 10:00 AM # 43 President’s Ave., BF Homes, Parañaque City SPL - 3:00 PM at Casa Hacienda San Pedro, Laguna on MARCH 07, 2016 at the ff. branches: ROMULO - 10:00 AM at 135 13TH Ave., Cor. P. Tuazon, Cubao, QC SANTOLAN – 4:00 PM 526 ADR Bldg., Dela Paz, Santolan, Pasig City on MARCH 11, 2016 JP RIZAL – 11:00 AM # 529 Olympia St., JP Rizal, Makati City ALPHALAND – 5:00 PM G11 South Gate Towers, P. Tamo Ext., Makati City MANUELA – 3:00 PM G/F Starmall, Wack2, Mandaluyong City MARCH 18, 2016 LALOMA – 11:30 AM # 67 Calavite St., Brgy., P. Bundok, QC RETIRO - 12:30 PM # 270 N.S. amoranto Street, Retiro QC. ROTONDA – 2:00 PM # 1 Sto. Tomas St., Rotonda QC at JUAN LANUZA & SONSAUCTIONEER

( T S - F E B . 2 9 , 2 0 16)

Eventually, Pagara nailed Talavera with a solid right to the solar plexus that took the stuffing out of the Nicaraguan, who was dropped at 1:38 of the seventh round. And although Prince Albert tried to put him away with a flurry Talavera’s footwork kept him out of further trouble. At the end of a disappointingly dull fight, all three judges had Pagara winning handily with Salven Lagumbay and Greg Ortega turning in identical shutout scorecards of 120-107, while Edward Ligas had Pagara the winner 119-108. With the win, Pagara grabbed the vacant WBO Intercontinental junior featherweight belt to stretch his unbeaten record to 25 wins with 18 knockouts. Talavera, who moved up in weight to face Pagara, lost for the third time moving out of the com-

fort of the bantamweight division and fell to 15-4-1with 4 knockouts. Magsayof failed to live up to his “magnifico” moniker as he appeared tense in seeking a knockout instead of waiting for the knockout to come to him, often missing with wild punches. However, Magsayo connected with a flurry of six consecutive body shots to send his Mexican opponent Eduardo Montoya to the canvas at the 1:15 mark of the 7th round, but failed to finish off Montoya. He is the younger brother of Rosbel Montoya, who scored a big upset when he beat Prince Albert ‘s elder brother Jason Pagara by a unanimous decision on Sept. 10, 2011 after which Pagara avenged that loss with a crushing sixthround TKO in a rematch on Aug. 18, 2012. Ronnie Nathanielsz

Republic of the Philippines Department of Education Regional Office of Region IVA Gate 2 Karangalan Drive Cainta, Rizal

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AUCTION SALE All unredeemed pledges during the month of OCTOBER 2015 will be sold to public auction on MARCH 11, 2016 at the ff. branches: HERRAN - 8:00 AM at # 1101 P. Gil St., Paco, Manila STA. ANA – 10:00 AM # 390 AP Reyes Cor. JP Rizal St., Makati City at JUAN LANUZA & SONS- AUCTIONEER

Nicaragua’s bantamweight champion Yesner Talavera and Mexico’s Eduardo Montoya. Talavera ran all night long to avoid the power punches of Pagara and looked more like a marathon man than the fighter who vowed to demonstrate his bravery in front of Filipino boxing fans. He launched a few meaningless flurries where most of his punches were caught on the gloves of Prince Albert, who laughed in the face of the Nicaraguan’s pitter-patter punches. According to Dong Secuya of philboxing.com, even his trainer and former two-division world champion Rosendo Alvarez was seen shaking his head and laughing at the antics of his boxer, who taunted Pagara to come after him, but quickly ran when he sensed trouble.

(website: www.depedcalabarzon.ph)

ATHLETIC UNIFORM CY 2016 PALARONG PAMBANSA INVITATION TO BID The Department of Education Regional Office of Region IVA intends to apply the sum of One Million Eight Hundred Ninety Eight Thousand Fifty Pesos (PhP1,898,050.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to cover eligible payments under the contract for the Supply & Delivery of Athletic Uniform for the CY 2016 Palarong Pambansa, as follows: Q UA N T I T Y

UNIT COST

T O TA L C O S T

850 pcs.

J a c ke t , r e d & w h i t e c o m b i n a t i o n

DESCRIPTION

480.00

PhP 408,000.00

850 pcs.

Jogging Pants, red & white combination

240.0 0

204,000.00

885 pcs.

Caps, cotton twill

10 0 . 0 0

88,500.00

325 pcs.

T- S h i r t w i t h c o l l a r, r e d & w h i t e combination

260.00

8 4,500.00

96 pcs

K n i c ke r s (s o f t b a l l , b a s e b a l l ) r e d & white conbination

390.00

3 7, 4 4 0 . 0 0

74 8 p c s

Playing Shir ts, red & white combination

210 . 0 0

15 7, 0 8 0 . 0 0

19 0 p c s

Sleeveless Playing Shir t

200.00

38,000.00

8 42 pc s

Shorts

235.00

19 7, 8 7 0 . 0 0

5 81 p c s

Utility Bag

330.00

191,7 3 0 . 0 0

5 81 p a i r

Parade Shoes, white

400.00

232,400.00

5 81 p a i r

Socks, white

795 pcs

Umbrella, red, long with print

8 pair 5 81 p a i r

Sensor Socks White Gloves, cot ton

50.00

29,050.00

200.00

15 9 , 0 0 0 . 0 0

3,000.00

24,0 0 0.0 0

80.00

46,480.00

T O TA L

Php1 ,898,050.00

Bids received in excess of the ABC per Cluster shall be automatically rejected at Bid Opening. Delivery of the Goods is required within Ten (10) calendar days upon receipt of the Notice to roceed. Bidders should have completed within (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The decription of an eligible bdder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly in Section II. Instruction to bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is open to all Cooperatives only subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the IRR of RA 9184. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested bidders on February 29, 2016 at DepED Region IV-A BAC Secretariat (Supply Office) located at Gate 2 Karangalan Drive, Cainta, Rizal, upon accomplishing a Bidder’s Information Sheet and payment in cash of a non-refundable fee by the interested bidders to the DepED IV-A Cashier. The cost of Bidding Documents is Three Thousand Pesos (Php3,000.00) only. Only bidder’s that purchased the Bidding Documents will be allowed to submit Bids. The DepED IV-A procurement activities for the above bidding requirements shall be as follows: Issuance of Bidding Documents

February 29,2016 to March 15, 2016 5:00pm

Pre-bid Conference

March 2,2016 at 10:00 am RDs Conference Room

Submission & Opening of Bids

March 15, 2016 at 10:00 am

Prospective bidders are strongly encauraged to order from the PhilGEPS website: www. philgeps.net for them to be included in the Document Request List of the Project. Bids must be delivered to the address stated herein on or before March 8, 2016 at 10:00am. All Bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representative/s who choose to attend the opening of bids at the address, date and time stated herein. Late bids shall not be accepted . The DepED Region IV-A reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, not award the contract or annul the bidding process without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

( T S - F E B . 2 9 , 2 016)

(SGD) ANN GERALYN T. PELIAS BAC Chairman

Melindo’s fight with Mendoza in the works THE International Boxing Federation has written to ALA Promotions’ president Michael Aldeguer to start negotiations for Milan Melindo to fight champion Javier Mendoza in a rematch. Aldeguer told The Standard: “We are talking to Zanfer Promotions (headed by Fernando Beltran) and hopefully, we can bring the title fight to Bacolod City on the undercard of the WBO light flyweight defense of Donnie Nietes, most probably against Raul “Rayito” Garcia onMay 28.” This is eventhough Zanfer wants to hold the Melindo-Mendoza rematch in Mexico. However, Michael said: “I told Fernando (Beltran) the last time we went to Mexico. Now, we are hoping for Mendoza to come to the Philippines and hopefully it will happen on May28 on a big card in Bacolod.” Aldeguer also plans to have King Arthur Villanueva make a return to the ring after his controversial loss to McJoe Arroyo in El Paso,Texas in another controversial 10thround technical decision on July 18, 2015. “Milan now has a chance to avenge his defeat to Mendoza,” Aldeguer said. Melindo blamed American referee Gerard White for his poor decisions that eventually deprived him of victory in his IBF light flyweight title bout against champion Mendoza of Mexico. Ronnie Nathanielsz

monday : february 29, 2016

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

A15

Obiena breaks own record ERNEST John Obiena set a new national record and shared the limelight with John Lloyd Osorio following record-shattering feats in the recent 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippine athletics’ meet at the Philsports Oval in Pasig City The 20-year-old Obiena broke his own three-year-old mark of 4.5 meters in the men’s pole vault after clearing 5.46 meters. He was a centimeter ahead of a fivemonth-old Philippine record of 5.45 meters, which he set in the PATAFA Weekly Relays last September. Obiena’s good showing helped tow University of Santo Tomas to second place in the men’s division with 287 points in the fiveday meet, where seven marks were broken. Far Eastern University, led by Clinton Kingsley Bautista with two golds in 100-meter run and the 110-meter hurdles, took home the men’s crown for a sixth straight year. Osorio led University of the East to the junior boys’ honors by rewriting existing course marks in the 800-meter and the 1500-meter runs. He erased the twoyear best time of La Salle’s Javier Luis Marfori (2:05.24) with a two minute and 6/10ths of a second clocking, while taking the 1500-meter in 4:27.77, more than three seconds off Kyle Narido’s time in 2013. UST got 465 points to earn back-to-back honors with the women’s side. Karen Janario’s three golds in the 100-meter hurdles, 100-meter and 200-meter sprints contributed to a sixth straight women’s championship as UST relegated FEU to second with 371.5 points. UE took the boys’ and girls’ crowns with 440 and 203 points, respectively. Krisha Sardenia topped the women’s 3000meter and 5000-meter runs to give UST additional points. Peter Atencio

THE PLANT IS INCLUDED IN THE DOE LIST OF PRIVATE SECTOR INITIATED POWER PROJECTS FOR LUZON 17. The Plant is included as one of the indicative projects in the DOE List of Private SectorInitiated Power Projects for Luzon as of 15 November 15 2015.6

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP, OWN, AND OPERATE DEDICATED POINT-TO-POINT LIMITED FACILITIES TO CONNECT TO THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF CLARK ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION (CEDC), WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

THE INTERCONNECTION FACILITY IS TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE 18. The Distribution Impact Study (DIS) conducted by CEDC concludes that the interconnection is technically feasible.

ERC CASE NO. 2016-003 MC ENFINITY PHILIPPINES RENEWABLE RESOURCES INC. (EPRRI) Applicant. x-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -x NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 26, January 2016, the Enfinity Philippines Renewable Resources Inc. (“EPRRI”) filed an Application for authority to develop, own, and operate dedicated point-to-point limited facilities to connect to the distribution system of Clark Electric Distribution Corporation (CEDC), with prayer for provisional authority. In the said Application, EPRRI alleged, among others, the following: 1. EPRRI is a power generation company duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), and other applicable laws. It has its principal office address at Room 6A Philexcel Business Center I, Philexcel Business Park, M. Roxas Highway, Clark Freeport Zone. Copies of EPRRI’s Certificate of Incorporation, Amended Articles of Incorporation, and By-Laws were attached to the Application as Annexes “B”, “B-1”, and “B-2”, respectively. 2.

It may be served with the orders and other legal processes through its counsel.

3. EPRRI is registered with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and has been issued a Permit to Operate as a Clark Freeport Enterprise. It is also registered with the Department of Energy (DOE) as a renewable energy developer with a service contract for the exploration, development, and utilization of solar energy resource in Clark Freeport Zone, among others. Copies of its CDC Certificate of Registration and DOE Certificate of Registration as a renewable energy developer were attached to the Application as Annexes “D” and “C”, respectively. 4. The DOE recognized the growing demand for power in the Philippines in its 2013 SupplyDemand Outlook. For the Luzon Grid, the energy demand is projected by the DOE to increase by 4.13 percent average annual growth rate (AAGR) from 7,969 MW in 2012 to 10,693 MW in 2020 and by 16,477 MW in 2030. Based on the foregoing, the grid still needs 8,100 MW of additional capacities of 6,000 MW base-load plant and 2,100 MW peaking plants to meet the electricity demand and required reserve margin of the grid. The DOE 2013 Supply-Demand Outlook was attached to the Application as Annex “E”. 5. To help address the need for additional capacity in the Luzon Grid, EPRRl will design, engineer, procure, construct, supply, start-up, test, commission, own, operate, and maintain a Solar Plant with a capacity of approximately 24.55 MW (Plant), to be located in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. The Plant is intended to be completed and energized by February 2016 6. The DOE confirmed the commercial viability of the Plant and issued an Amended Certificate of Confirmation of Commerciality in favor of EPRRI. A copy of the said certificate was attached to the Application as Annex “F”. 7. To test, commission, and dispatch its generating facility soon after completion, EPRRI proposes to connect the Plant to the 69kV distribution system of CEDC through a dedicated point-to-point limited interconnection facility (Interconnection Facility), to be constructed by JS Engineering and Marketing Services.1 The description and scope of the Plant was attached to the Application as Annex “G” and made an integral part thereof. 8. EPRRI has secured the relevant permits for the Plant and the Interconnection Facility. Copies of the Environmental Compliance Certificate for the Plant and Certificate of Non-Coverage for the Interconnection Facility, both issued by the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-EMB), were attached to the Application as Annexes “H” and “I”, respectively. The copy of the Certificate of Non-Overlap for the Plant issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples was also attached as Annex “J”.

18.1

There will be no violation of the thermal loading and N-1 criteria used by the commissioning of the interconnection.

18.2

The interconnection will lead to improvements in bus voltages in the CDC-Kalaw and CDC-Ignasco 69 kV Line. No voltage violations are expected during peak and offpeak conditions.

18.3

CEDC’s technical losses are expected to decrease slightly.

18.4

Fault duty ratings of the power circuit breaker would not be exceeded and thus, would not have adverse effect to the system.

19. EPRRI proposed the Interconnection Facility due to its proximity to the Plant. 20. EPRRI is in the final stages of negotiation with the CEDC for its Connection Agreement and Distribution Wheeling Service Agreement. 21. EPRRI has likewise ensured that the design and technical specifications for the Interconnection Facility are consistent with the standards of the DSOAR. EPRRI HAS THE TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL CAPABILITY TO DEVELOP,CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN THE INTERCONNECTION FACILITY 22. EPRRI has the technical capability to develop the Interconnection Facility. It will be constructed by JS Engineering and Marketing Services. 23. EPRRI likewise has the financial capability to undertake the development and construction of the Interconnection Facility. The development and construction of the Plant and the Transmission Facility will be funded by EPRRI through equity from shareholders and debt financing.7 24. Since the development and construction of the Interconnection Facility will be solely funded by EPRRI and its shareholders, and the Interconnection Facility will be exclusively used by EPRRI for the operations of the Plant and will not serve any end-user, the Interconnection Facility will not have an impact on the distribution rates currently being charged to the public. 25. Once completed, EPRRI will undertake the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the Interconnection Facility through the qualified third party O&M provider and EPRRI will subsequently fund the operations of the Interconnection Facility from its generation sales.8 26. EPRRI also undertakes to file an Application for a Certificate of Compliance with the Commission. 27. The Applicant alleges that the proposed Interconnection Facility complies with Section 9 of the EPIRA and the relevant regulations of the Commission. Motion for Provisional Authority and Allegations in Support of Prayer for Provisional Authority 28. Rule 14 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure authorizes the issuance of a provisional authority or an interim relief prior to a final decision, provided that the facts and circumstances warrant the issuance of the same. 29. EPRRI prays that the Commission provisionally authorize the development, ownership, and operation of the Interconnection Facility. Considering the facts and circumstances, any further delay in the interconnection of the Plant would entail a magnitude of opportunity costs, thus, warranting the issuance of a Provisional Authority.

9. EPRRI intends to connect the Interconnection Facility to CEDC’s 69 kV distribution system through the CDC-Kalaw 69 kV line. The Interconnection Facility will consist of a switch bay and a 69kV line using concrete pole structures of 1-795 MCM ACSR conductor of around 1.975 kilometers. The conceptual engineering design was attached as Annex “K” to the Application. 10. The proposed connection for the Plant and the Interconnection Facility route is as follows:

29.1

EPRRI hopes to be able to complete the development and construction of the facilities at the soonest possible time in order to dispatch electric power supply to the grid.

29.2

The Plant is one of the energy projects under Republic Act No. 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which aims to accelerate the development and utilization of the country’s renewable energy sources. Thus, it is in the interest of the government to help renewable energy developers, such as EPRRI, to achieve commerciality and commence operations immediately.

29.3

The construction of the Interconnection Facility is a prerequisite for the testing and commissioning, and ultimately, the commercial operations of EPRRI. The Plant is projected to be completed and energized in February 2016. Consistent with this timeline, EPRRI intends to complete the development and construction of the Interconnection Facility by February 2016.

29.4

The use of solar energy reduces the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. This does not only minimizes harmful carbon greenhouse emissions in the environment, but also reduces the country’s exposure to price fluctuations in the international market.

29.5

Given the immediate need for additional capacity by 2015, the completion of the Plant and the timeline within the timeframe is critical to ensure that additional capacity will be available to the Luzon Grid in a timely manner.

29.6

The issuance of a provisional authority is also critical in light of the DOE’s first-come, first-served policy on the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) allocation. It is, thus, necessary for EPRRI to secure a provisional authority to immediately commence with the construction of the Interconnection Facility to avail the initial FIT, which is essential to the economic viability of EPRRI.

30. In view of the foregoing, EPRRI prays for the issuance of a provisional authority for the development and construction of the proposed Interconnection Facility. 31. It prays for the Commission to:

11. Consistent with the projected date of energization of the Plant, the Interconnection Facility is targeted to be completed and commissioned by February 2016.2 The estimated cost for the Interconnection Facility is Fifty Million Ninety-Four Thousand One Hundred Sixty-Five Pesos (Php50,094,165.00), based on the cost estimate made by JS Engineering and Marketing Services.3 12. Among the interconnection schemes considered, recommended, and evaluated by EPRRI, the proposed connection of the Plant is the most viable option that will enable EPRRI to dispatch the Plant’s capacity when the need arises. The discussion on the options considered and various studies undertaken were attached to the Application.4 13. EPRRI is in the process of finalizing the Connection Agreement and Distribution Wheeling Service Agreement with CEDC. 14. In accordance with the requirement of Section 2.9.2 of the Distribution Services and Open Access Rules (DSOAR)5, EPRRI seeks the Commission’s authorization to develop, own, and operate the Interconnection Facility - a dedicated point-to-point limited interconnection facility to connect the Plant to the CEDC distribution system. 15. The proposed Interconnection Facility meets the requirements provided in Section 2.9.2 of DSOAR as follows: 15.1

The Interconnection Facility is a dedicated point-to-point limited interconnection facility, the sole purpose of which is to connect the Plant to the CEDC distribution system;

15.2

The Interconnection Facility will be exclusively used by the EPRRI for the operations of the Plant and will not serve any end-user;

15.3

The Interconnection Facility is technically feasible; and

15.4

EPRRI has the technical and financial ability to develop, construct, operate, and maintain the Interconnection Facility.

THE INTERCONNECTION FACILITY IS A DEDICATED POINT-TO-POINT LIMITED FACILITY AND WILL BE USED EXCLUSIVELY BY EPRRI 16. The Interconnection Facility is designed for the sole purpose of connecting the Plant to the CEDC distribution system. The single-line diagram of the proposed interconnection below shows that the Interconnection Facility will be exclusively used by EPRRI and is not designed and configured to serve end-users.

Issue an order provisionally authorizing EPRRI to implement the development, ownership and operation of the Interconnection Facility; and

Approve the Application for authority to develop, own and operate the Interconnection Facility.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 10 March 2016 (Thursday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired. All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the Application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the applicant concludes the presentation of its evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon. All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from the applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. The applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman, JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 24th day of February 2016 in Pasig City

ATTY. TTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staf Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO

1 2 3 4

6 7 8

A copy of the Company Profile of JS Engineering and Marketing Services with a list of projects undertaken was attached as Annex “R” to the Application and made an integral part thereof. A copy of the Project Schedule Gant chart was attached to the Application as Annex “I”. Copies of the Clark Telecom-Microwave Offer cost estimates, Clark Switch Bay Offer cost estimates, Clark RTU-SCADA Offer cost estimates, and Clark Transmission Offer cost estimates were attached to the Application as Annex “M”, “M-1”, “M-2”, and “M-3”, respectively The discussion on the options/alternatives considered for the Interconnection Facility was attached as Annex “N”; copy of the System Impact Study was attached as Annex “0”; copy of the Review of Third Party System Impact Study was attached as Annex “0-1”; copies of the Facilities Study and the NGCP Letter dated 18 September 2015 were attached as Annexes “0-2” and “0-3”, respectively: copy of the Distribution Impact Study was attached as Annex “P”; and copy of the Distribution Asset Study was attached as Annex “P-1”. Section 2.9.2 of the Distribution Services and Open Access Rules (DSOAR) provides: A generation company may develop and own or operate dedicated point-topoint limited facilities, provided, that such facilities are required only for the purpose of connecting to the distribution system, and are used solely by the generating facility, subject to prior authorization by the ERC. A copy of the DOE List of Private Sector-Initiated Power Projects (Luzon), as of 15 November 2015, was attached as Annex “Q” and made an integral part thereof. Copies of EPRRI’s 2014 Audited Financial Statements and Confirmation of Financial Support were attached in the Application as Annexes “S” and “S-1”, respectively. A copy of EPRRI’s Financial Feasibility Study and Projected Financial and Economic Cost Analysis was attached to the Application as Annexes “T”. (TS-FEB. 29, 2016)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK m o n day : f e b rua ry 2 9 , 2 0 1 6

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

GlobalPort’sTerrence Romeo barrels his way against the defense of Meralco’s Arinze Onuaku in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game won by the Bolts, 96-88.

Meralco stays unbeaten By Jeric Lopez

THE hot start continues. League-leading Meralco overcame a stiff challenge before outdueling GlobalPort, 96-88, for its fifth straight win in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday. It was a total team effort for the Bolts as 12 of them scored and four tallied in double-figures to lead the charge for the league’s only unbeaten team. Jared Dillinger came off the bench to top-score for Meralco with 17 points to go with five rebounds, while the steady Arinze Onuaku was his usual effective

Games Wednesday

(Ynares Sports Center, Antipolo City):

4:15 p.m. - Blackwater vs. San Miguel 7 p.m. - Mahindra vs. Barangay Ginebra

self with a double-double of 13 points and 14 boards, plus five more assists. The Bolts are now at 5-0 and

moved closer to clinching a berth in the next phase, while the Batang Pier lost their second straight game, twice in the last three days and fell to 2-3. “It’s a good feeling to keep the train going,” said Meralco coach Norman Black. “Moving up 5-0 is going to help us down the line. We were solid in both halves.” The two squads went toe-totoe in the second half before the Bolts manufactured the most significant run of the game in the closing minutes. From an 80-all standoff, Meralco came up with an 8-1 run down the stretch to grab an 88-81 advantage and kept the lead to the finish. Chris Newsome added 15 points

for Meralco and Reynel Hugnatan had 12 along with six boards, while Cliff Hodge grabbed a teamhigh 15 rebounds. Continuing its rousing start this conference, Meralco willed its way to gain early advantage, taking a 25-17 lead right after one following an 11-2 run to end the first canto. It continued its assault in the early part of the second as it opened up several 11-point leads midway in the period. But GlobalPort, which played minus injured Stanley Pringle, fought back and started to make a game out of it, narrowing the gap to just a two points, 40-38. That paved way to a neck-toneck battle in the second half.

Curry ties record for threes in a game with 12

LOS ANGELES—Stephen Curry keeps finding new ways to come up with game-winning daggers, nailing a three pointer in the dying seconds to lift Golden State to a 121-118 overtime win over Oklahoma City. Curry not only hit a 32-foot three pointer with six tenths of a second left on Saturday night but also tied an NBA single game record shared by Donyell Marshall and Kobe Bryant with 12 three pointers. “I got a good rhythm dribbling up and found a good spot to take off from,” Curry said. “I had confidence all night. Thankfully that last one went in when we had a chance to win the game.”

The records just keep coming as Curry’s 12th three pushed his total to 288, breaking his own single-season record of 286 with 24 games to play. “It was incredible what Steph did. What is the expression? From the ridiculous to the sublime. That is where we are at this point,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Curry finished 12-of-16 from three-point range as the Warriors secured a playoff spot for the fourth straight season. Curry, who tweaked an ankle in the third quarter, tallied 46 points and guard Klay Thompson added 32 for the Warriors who

improved to 53-5. Curry went to the dressing room, got his ankle re-taped and returned. “It is hard to put into words what Steph did,” said teammate Thompson. “He not only tied his own record but broke an NBA record. That is the most amazing thing I have probably ever seen.” Forward Kevin Durant had 37 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Thunder. Guard Russell Westbrook tallied 30 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds. The Thunder scored five quick points to start overtime, but four straight points from Curry got the Warriors to within one. AFP

PATTS, San Lorenzo tossers make semis SPIKERS from Colegio de San Lorenzo and PATTS College of Aeronautics turned back their foes Friday to reach the women’s semifinal round of the 8th Universities and Colleges of Luzon Athletic Association volleyball tournament at the Marikina Sports Complex. The CDSL Lady Griffins stopped Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, 25-11, 25-18, 25-16, while PATTS held off St. Francis of Assisi College, 25-22, 25-17, 32-30. The third-ranked Lady Griffins arranged a showdown with National College of Business and Arts in Monday’s semis. PATTS will take on the topseeded Technological Institute of the Philippines, which swept its five-game assignment during the elimination phase. The TIP Lady Engineers pulled off a 17-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 win to stay unbeaten.

MONDAY: FEBRUARY 29, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Meralco: Power use up sharply PSe comPoSite index Closing February 26, 2016

8000 8340 7880 7420 6960 6500

6,771.30 2.04

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing February 26, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P47.515

44.00

43.00

HIGH P47.515 LOW P47.600 AVERAGE P47.560

By Alena Mae S. Flores

MANILA Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, is monitoring the sharp rise in power consumption in the past two months and its impact on supply during the dry months to ensure its readiness to serve the increased demand. Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said the January and February demand resulted in a 12-percent sales volume growth. The company recorded volume growth of close to six percent in 2015. “If the trend continues, we need to closely monitor the supply situation,” Pangilinan said. Power demand historically goes up during the dry months due to the hot temperatures and supply constraint from hydro power plants. “We need to refresh the ILP

[interruptible load program] that was initiated last year,” Pangilinan said. Participants to the ILP program did not draw power from the Luzon grid when there was shortage of supply and, instead, used their own generating sets. Meralco signed up up to 820 MW of capacity under the ILP last year. “A lot of verticals and horizontals [are] being built. A lot of construction works have been completed that’s why we saw a growth in the second half of last year.

There’s a big casino that should be completed,” Pangilinan said. He said the increase in demand reflected the growing economy. The Philippine economy expanded by a robust 5.8 percent in 2015. “The good news is that the economy is growing. We have to make sure that we have the supply. It hinges on the capex as well,” Pangilinan said. Meralco officials said the increase in demand must be met by a stronger distribution system. Meralco applied for a capital expenditure budget of P17.5 billion to P18 billion for 2016, but has not received approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission. ERC, however, allowed Meralco put up the needed infrastructure and other facilities under an emergency capex pro-

gram amounting to P9 billion to P10 billion. “If the emergency capex is up to P10 billion and we spent P11 billion last year, it’s going to be tight but we can still do it,” Pangilinan said. Meralco spent P11.3 billion in 2015 to ensure the distribution network was responsive to the needs of its 5.8 million customers. These projects include the development of the Pagcor-1 GasInsulated Switchgear substation to serve the Pagcor Entertainment City complex and the expansion of the Fort Bonifacio Global City4 GIS substation and the Tutuban substation and the replacement of the 83 MVA power transformer at the Mandaluyong substation. Meralco president Oscar Reyes said the company must prioritize projects needed to meet the growth in demand.

VOLUME 355.300M

P417.00-P627.00 LPG/11-kg tank P33.30-P40.75 Unleaded Gasoline

oPriceS il P today

P20.40-P23.80 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, February 26, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.6770

Japan

Yen

0.008860

0.4224

Pound

1.396500

66.5809

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128712

6.1366

Switzerland

Franc

1.010305

48.1683

Canada

Dollar

0.738552

35.2119

Singapore

Dollar

0.713929

34.0380

Australia

Dollar

0.720513

34.3519

Bahrain

Dinar

2.656748

126.6658

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266731

12.7169

Brunei

Dollar

0.711389

33.9169

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028027

1.3362

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.9818

Euro

1.103300

52.6020

Korea

Won

0.000808

0.0385

China

Yuan

0.153036

7.2963

India

Rupee

0.014530

0.6927

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.237192

11.3086

New Zealand

Dollar

0.669299

31.9102

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030128

1.4364 Source: PDS Bridge

Businessmen seminar. The Trade Department’s Iloilo provincial ofﬁce orients members of the New Lucena Iloilo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. on the opportunities offered by the agency to help develop their potentials. Shown is Trade Department’s Iloilo provincial director Diosdado Cadena Jr. (second from left) signing the memorandum of agreement with the municipality of New Lucena, Iloilo on the distribution and use of the Timbangan ng Bayan or weighing scales. With him are (from left) New Lucena administrator John Suelo, New Lucena municipal council member Rudy Sumaray and New Lucena Iloilo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. president Buen Mondejar.

Companies plan to hire more workers in second quarter By Julito G. Rada MORE companies plan to hire new employees in the second quarter, reflecting the positive outlook of businesses on the economy, results of a survey conducted by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed. The first-quarter business expectations survey showed that the employment outlook index rose to 27.2 percent in the second quarter from 19.5 percent in the first quarter.

“This indicates expectations of an overall increase in the number of new employees to be hired for the second quarter of the year,” Bangko Sentral said. “Likewise, in line with the bullish outlook on business activity for the next quarter of the construction and services sectors, their employment indices reached record-highs of 48.2 percent since the third quarter of 2014, and 39 percent since the fourth quarter of 2014, respectively,” it said.

The percentage of businesses with expansion plans in the industry sector remained broadly steady at 31.3 percent in the second quarter. Among subsectors, agriculture, fishery and forestry and mining and quarrying recorded stronger expansion plans while those of manufacturing were steady from a quarter ago. The economy is expected to remain robust this year, with the government expecting a 6.8-percent to 7.8-percent GDP growth

for the full year, anchored mainly on the government’s accelerating fiscal spending and strong domestic demand. The gross domestic product grew 5.8 percent in 2015, lower than 6.1 percent in 2014, and below the government’s target of 7 percent to 8 percent. The same survey showed that businesses were expecting tight financial conditions this year but easy access to credit. The financial conditions index increased slightly, but remained in the nega-

tive territory at -0.1 percent in the first quarter, from -0.7 percent in the previous quarter. “This means that firms continued to be pessimistic regarding their financial conditions for the current quarter, although the number of pessimists declined,” Bangko Sentral said. It said companies believed that their financing requirements could be met through available credit as respondents who reported easy access to credit exceeded those who said otherwise.

MONDAY: FEBRUARY 29, 2016

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

The STandard BuSineSS Weekly STockS revieW FEBRUARY 22-26, 2016 Close Volume AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. Inc. Bright Kindle Resources Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl Reinsurance Corp. PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

2.95 44.8 99.00 84.20 36.1 3.15 1.39 9.5 14.12 15.92 1.78 660.00 0.520 75.3 0.92 15.00 23.00 52.10 98 273 33 140.7 1331.00 55.30 1.54

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

43.05 5.73 0.69 1.54 10.52 48.7 185.00 17.6 97 65 18.9 40 2.18 2.74 11.46 8.450 7.30 5.60 7.10 1.84 20.2 59.9 12.00 13.80 5.48 2.480 222.00 8.49 29.50 1.95 3.04 38.70 26.6 16 5.9 330.20 4.01 3.15 8.70 2.91 11.50 3.70 1.75 2.88 3.86 2.22 142 3.9 2.5 0.165 1.25 2.23 195.9 4.79 0.64 22.50 1.17

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

0.315 57.8000 14.50 1.13 6.00 0.233 687 7.2 12.30 4.55 4.36 4.80 0.226 1288 5.85 9.80 68.50 5.26 0.7 16.1 0.5 5.86 0.0320 2.010 2.62 72.00 2.45 845.00 1.05 0.77 152.00 158.000 0.3100 0.1980 0.285

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

6.900 7.05 0.86 1.400 0.230 32.050 3.15 5.29 5.99 0.560 0.97 0.970 0.132 0.425 24.3 0.830 0.155 0.91 1.52 1.28

Value

FINANCIAL 1,178,640.00 3,199,570.00 564,387,748 813,299,832.00 16,114,960.00 1,989,940.00 773,450.00 2,850.00 1,516,080.00 7,547,614.00 1,810,320.00 147,000.00 2,073,370.00 825,428,534.00 24,880.00 1,241,060.00 2,300.00 4,717,951.50 260,086.00 666,240.00 3,133,105 214,724,258.00 42,345.00 830,035.00 129,420.00 INDUSTRIAL 5,950,600 256,212,615.00 10,347,000 56,964,667.00 1,122,000 744,820.00 3,972,000 5,845,660.00 11,900 123,684.00 200 9,740.00 570 109,247.00 1,840,000 32,243,256 40 4,072.00 7,530 518,664.50 977,100 17,982,612.00 5,200 209,670 6,808,000 15,203,060.00 27,237,000 68,400,950.00 145,100 1,660,612.00 19,398,900 161,705,730.00 5,060,500 36,901,325.00 36,926,300 211,399,124.00 3,581,600 25,168,509.00 72,000 135,760.00 11,504,700 272,964,240.00 921,000 55,136,581.00 28,600 350,724.00 1,472,200 20,303,966.00 280,000 1,540,832.00 12,978,000 31,276,000.00 5,020,800 1,105,826,294.00 94,800 783,181.00 13,000 361,095.00 45,000 84,750.00 56,000 175,510.00 2,900 107,120.00 6,897,100 187,243,595.00 2,509,800 40,126,422.00 380,000 2,217,424.00 1,153,580 374,878,020.00 58,000 233,630.00 3,694,000 12,120,960.00 62,328,800 572,852,213.00 2,000 5,610.00 66,800 764,568.00 691,000 2,531,800.00 7,400,000 13,346,300.00 1,282,000 3,562,000.00 9,763,000 37,385,320.00 3,000 6,660.00 5,780 824,042.00 45,000 176,250.00 1,008,000 2,450,890.00 27,330,000 4,326,100.00 3,644,000 4,734,180.00 15,568,000 34,129,150.00 7,477,240 1,452,532,471.00 218,000 1,022,970.00 2,069,000 1,297,200.00 1,200 27,000.00 3,539,000 4,052,970.00 HOLDING FIRMS 1,560,000 507,300.00 3,438,410 198,433,017.00 26,756,700 388,169,726.00 32,000 35,180.00 771,600 4,630,061.00 460,000 108,180.00 1,041,300 721,946,610.00 3,217,400 23,326,624.00 14,865,400 211,211,326.00 18,000 82,610.00 1,300 5,668.00 358,000 1,693,750.00 1,810,000 413,860.00 367,010 469,926,745.00 99,600 582,125.00 10,731,800 104,506,647.00 5,687,010 388,540,651.50 28,982,500 108,421,018.00 8,099,000 5,565,540.00 4,862,500 78,901,410.00 120,000 59,100.00 157,942,600 913,308,197.00 306,900,000 9,723,100.00 21,130,000 45,119,610.00 11,000 28,810.00 2,272,540 158,669,101.50 5,000 11,470.00 783,950 3,040,839,565.00 6,932,000 7,346,350.00 210,000 159,650.00 10 1,520.00 2,601,830 388,909,562.00 15,300,000 4,670,950.00 5,190,000 1,034,850.00 1,160,000 336,600.00 PROPERTY 5,597,100 38,617,463.00 1,100 7,755.00 4,435,000 3,787,450.00 1,464,000 2,007,040.00 200,000 43,870.00 39,223,400 1,265,257,680.00 8,287,000 25,645,980.00 4,207,100 21,170,727.00 300 1,797.00 12,752,000 25,448,410.00 60,360,000 55,341,210.00 68,000 65,600.00 74,390,000 9,491,990.00 1,790,000 751,000.00 3,235,200 78,497,625.00 1,923,000 1,602,420.00 640,000 99,890.00 6,388,000 5,821,750.00 49,809,000 75,754,770.00 1,033,000 1,291,670.00 406,000 71,400 5,697,590 9,526,950 448,600 684,000 581,000 300 107,900 468,100 1,004,000 250 4,019,000 10,900,330 27,000 82,700 100 90,180 2,660 2,460 92,900 1,516,400 30 14,900 84,000

FEBRUARY 15-19, 2016 Close Volume Value 2.93 44.85 101.00 90.40 36 2.60 1.40

1,133,000 105,000 12,020,120 8,276,140 163,400 411,000 1,117,000

3,273,860.00 4,696,595.00 1,198,504,021 745,873,771.00 5,854,085.00 1,033,770.00 1,683,190.00

14.2 16.5 1.78 566.00 0.480 79.05 0.95 15.00 24.70 52.40 96.9 274.6 34.1 141.7 1315.00 55.60 1.49

59,500 277,700 111,000 760 3,340,000 13,189,520 83,000 254,500 100 280,950 19,100 8,160 432,100 3,009,410 615 247,360 491,000

842,578.00 4,604,042.00 191,560.00 430,630.00 1,592,550.00 1,008,521,946.50 75,020.00 3,832,420.00 2,470.00 14,347,738.00 1,851,315.50 2,215,242.00 14,599,055 426,291,717.00 812,220.00 13,718,832.50 716,620.00

42.95 5 0.69 1.46 10.1

13,263,400 8,929,000 913,000 3,909,000 9,900

561,798,395.00 42,686,460.00 621,570.00 5,604,530.00 102,981.00

200.00 17.52

310 4,168,300

59,198.00 71,060,848

45 18.22 39.3 2.06 2.19 11.4 8.500 7.30 5.82 6.75

1,100 2,809,600 170,200 2,016,000 14,112,000 363,900 34,790,300 18,479,500 145,151,600 8,162,200

47,540.00 52,058,300.00 6,404,410 4,157,430.00 31,546,790.00 4,156,402.00 299,686,052.00 134,417,027.00 816,488,306.00 52,449,499.00

21.1 59.9 12.00 13.98 5.53 2.300 217.80 8.8 27.15 1.9 3.37 38.75 26.8 15.5 5.8 320.20 3.95 3.25 9.20 3.19 11.38 3.75 1.56 2.7 3.75 2.79 143 4 2.4 0.151 1.01 2.11 188.2 4.7 0.63 22.50 1.04

53,059,600 1,185,080 16,500 377,300 1,311,600 12,965,000 7,515,510 118,500 1,800 84,000 21,000 25,500 9,985,500 16,190,200 624,200 760,930 69,000 4,091,000 96,168,000 78,000 10,700 8,924,000 3,191,000 7,331,000 573,000 47,000 110,760 7,000 2,892,000 17,770,000 218,000 10,146,000 13,478,440 1,345,000 11,976,000 3,000 961,000

1,036,073,719.00 69,272,219.00 194,988.00 5,132,642.00 7,255,245.00 30,626,840.00 1,619,299,558.00 962,314.00 48,870.00 154,370.00 63,770.00 988,125.00 263,327,865.00 247,395,376.00 3,625,484.00 244,785,780.00 275,180.00 13,044,260.00 838,477,837.00 238,010.00 120,758.00 33,122,770.00 4,768,550.00 19,923,110.00 2,167,170.00 115,630.00 15,826,189.00 28,000.00 7,000,450.00 2,712,650.00 221,600.00 21,125,390.00 2,562,936,591.00 6,463,990.00 7,740,710.00 67,500.00 968,300.00

0.325 57.3000 14.60 1.07 6.01 0.231 693.5 7.23 12.30 4.85

1,330,000 7,306,130 28,780,800 22,000 4,289,400 3,830,000 1,475,710 10,358,400 28,605,700 53,200

443,700.00 390,541,505.00 417,334,894.00 22,460.00 25,737,439.00 885,010.00 1,025,541,255.00 75,837,091.00 344,579,964.00 250,045.00

4.75 0.232 1260 5.61 9.79 69.00 5.57 0.66 16.3 0.48 5.9 0.0300 2.220

170,000 6,880,000 906,840 119,600 9,855,000 9,030,650 77,437,200 3,773,000 17,268,500 1,455,000 250,407,900 164,660,700 30,563,000

791,640.00 1,574,130.00 1,118,308,835.00 687,621.00 96,018,145.00 616,595,071.50 387,316,919.00 2,455,640.00 280,830,426.00 711,465.00 1,450,645,637.00 4,968,400.00 66,145,230.00

71.35 2.44 827.00 1.06 0.78

3,563,050 59,000 928,190 343,000 279,000

259,547,659.50 134,830.00 769,361,830.00 356,820.00 221,480.00

144.900 0.2900 0.2020 0.310

702,690 40,180,000 3,540,000 2,480,000

100,012,566.00 11,821,850.00 756,760.00 753,400.00

6.980

475,100

3,307,107.00

0.86 1.400 0.217 31.350 3.01 4.7

22,460,000 6,317,000 360,000 37,474,700 34,886,000 676,000

0.570 0.94 1.040 0.116 0.420 23.85 0.830 0.153 0.91 1.55 1.24

26,632,000 112,000 50,793,000 17,770,000 11,070,000 3,631,800 8,902,000 200,000 11,303,000 98,889,000 1,142,000

STOCKS

FEBRUARY 22-26, 2016 Close Volume

Megaworld Prop. MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp. Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp. Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

3.49 0.085 0.2280 0.450 8.5 24.95 1.49 3.07 20.50 0.79 5.85 0.960 4.400

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

6.95 54.1 0.500 10.1 4.15 0.0540 3.11 81.8 10 1.48 5.73 3.19 960 1811 6.58 1.17 62 11.2 0.0095 0.237 1.1900 2.2 7.57 4.04 1.04 2.45 24.00 0.580 1.9 2.05 3.49 0.270 0.730 18 4.50 8.95 101.00 22.00 2228.00 0.410 0.890 33.75 59.80 4.95 3.62 0.495 1.51 3.74 0.325 4.610

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

0.0043 2.09 4.36 12.78 0.239 5.0000 0.58 0.435 7.26 0.690 0.285 0.300 0.305

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure & Resort Pref. MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F

54 540 540 114 535 6.77 1.08 115 1080 1090 1040 103.5 107.5 79 82 78 77 78

0.0120 0.013 1.87 5.03 2.46 0.5500 1.2400 0.0095 0.0092 3.56 5.80 1.77 0.0110 122.80 2.36 0.0076

Leisure & Resort Warr.

2.310

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp. Italpinas Xurpas

3.7 2.95 2.53 13.5

18,734,710.00 8,888,030.00 78,180.00 1,182,672,640.00 100,350,940.00 3,041,020.00

First Metro ETF

109.5

14,685,400.00 108,570.00 45,752,680.00 2,091,260.00 4,660,400.00 85,962,800.00 7,541,800.00 29,830.00 10,484,140.00 151,596,190.00 1,400,280.00

Abra Mining Island Info Boulevard Holdings Pacifica À’ Lepanto À’ Manila Mining À’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. Premium Leisure Manila Mining `B’ Melco Crown

FEBRUARY 15-19, 2016 Close Volume Value

Value

85,879,000 3,190,000 1,140,000 2,510,000 47,500 5,975,000 10,794,000 238,000 44,265,200 5,962,000 80,500 2,368,000 15,732,000

301,882,010.00 278,040.00 263,450.00 1,070,900.00 402,481.00 151,785,485.00 16,249,640.00 718,980.00 911,806,615.00 4,631,450.00 468,074.00 2,257,090.00 69,218,890.00 SERVICES 1,016,200 7,068,324.00 144,230 7,818,500.00 4,292,000 2,167,400.00 7,900 80,788.00 11,966,000 51,455,180.00 313,030,000 17,140,240.00 325,000 1,033,300.00 641,550 52,311,611.00 16,400 164,000.00 17,000 25,320 111,100 646,577.00 46,000 128,060.00 400 384,000.00 361,690 656,751,580 263,200 1,758,416.00 490,000 590,450.00 6,988,680 427,194,637.50 61,900 695,718.00 8,000,000 75,800.00 360,730,000 74,059,470.00 5,512,000 6,445,440.00 10,000 21,260.00 617,300 4,685,666.00 834,000 3,315,070.00 39,000 43,010.00 146,000 356,940.00 1,100 26,400.00 11,000 6,270.00 10,000 19,000.00 90,544,000 180,768,430.00 5,076,000 17,904,880.00 600,000 162,550.00 11,469,000 6,753,410.00 700 12,600.00 53,000 238,500 1,000 8,950.00 600 60,310.00 466,500 11,500,270.00 358,370 796,945,980.00 23,380,000 9,360,450.00 106,882,000 64,516,410.00 7,616,100 259,315,475.00 2,659,970 163,672,583.00 2,039,200 10,074,977.00 56,112,000 208,393,390.00 17,720,000 8,570,400.00 3,000 4,530.00 3,035,900 13,390,760.00 1,460,000 468,400.00 222,000 1,039,910.00 MINING & OIL 379,000,000 1,635,500.00 526,000 1,089,500.00 464,000 2,030,240.00 800 9,136.00 14,590,000 3,692,280.00 4,000 19,680.00 695,000 410,420.00 4,420,000 1,916,650.00 1,285,500 9,274,491.00 60,261,000 43,640,310.00 6,320,000 1,833,050.00 245,750,000 73,924,000.00 46,580,000 12,049,900.00 2,259,150 183,300,000 2,201,200.00 91,000,000 1,183,000.00 1,385,000 2,555,050.00 13,685,000 68,864,560.00 744,000 1,829,690.00 163,000 90,550.00 472,000 576,690.00 3,000,000 28,500.00 1,000,000 9,200.00 71,000 244,970.00 5,975,800 34,032,854.00 10,635,000 19,610,540.00 78,600,000 898,500.00 1,972,780 242,066,175.00 1,443,000 3,512,430.00 6,000,000 45,600.00 PREFERRED 648,830 35,019,163.00 17,600 9,413,995.00 50,880 27,176,885 158,300 18,482,730.00 34,840 18,508,250.00 600 4,067.00 207,000 223,560 166,800 18,704,665.00 21,070 22,752,920.00 2,565 2,805,850.00 28,640 29,677,935.00 13,400 1,389,910.00 2,500 268,850.00 10,000 790,000.00 37,610 3,091,553.00 130,840 10,237,320.00 100,160 7,709,590.00 321,520 25,124,488.00 WARRANTS & BONDS 1,158,000 2,726,930.00 SME 93,000 346,590.00 23,000 65,510.00 716,000 1,809,140.00 762,000 10,300,500.00 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 65,700 7,211,309.00

3.46 0.090 0.2300 0.395 8.39 26.00 1.49 3.05 21.10 0.76 5.9 0.940 4.450

230,888,000 23,790,000 2,400,000 4,930,000 73,500 7,923,900 1,802,000 116,000 59,064,000 103,641,000 1,687,500 11,215,000 39,770,000

796,571,890.00 2,125,810.00 553,540.00 1,914,550.00 617,395.00 203,417,805.00 2,668,810.00 344,240.00 1,261,006,025.00 77,766,280.00 9,730,919.00 10,805,870.00 172,967,150.00

6.5 54.3 0.495 10.5 4.27 0.0510 3.18 82.55 10 1.48 5.90 2.70 958 1840 6.68 1.19 59.35 11.74 0.0097 0.165 1.2000 2.1 7.60 4.02 1.04 2.50 25.90 0.560 1.96 1.94 3.52 0.265 0.730 18.08 4.60 9 100.00 27.00 2246.00 0.390 0.820 34.10 63.00 4.95 3.50 0.475 1.51 3.81 0.335 4.900

197,700 223,570 18,410,000 322,700 86,581,000 600,120,000 859,000 1,222,010 100 92,000 3,432,100 49,000 7,040 407,055 585,200 352,000 9,071,250 100 16,000,000 50,330,000 15,490,000 133,000 1,194,300 2,263,000 32,000 333,000 12,600 254,000 76,000 242,215,000 5,727,000 980,000 21,920,000 9,400 134,000 900 108,100 1,616,700 1,138,645 4,560,000 232,362,000 12,625,000 4,949,230 5,737,400 65,485,000 39,080,000 7,000 11,729,000 860,000 1,673,000

1,264,898.00 12,198,155.00 8,743,350.00 3,257,322.00 392,306,250.00 30,191,980.00 2,713,210.00 99,915,747.00 1,000.00 137,310 20,129,932.00 120,850.00 6,862,030.00 763,547,860 3,967,134.00 405,970.00 533,006,808.00 1,174.00 148,400.00 8,209,140.00 18,274,920.00 284,600.00 8,897,192.00 9,080,950.00 33,360.00 759,870.00 324,180.00 133,750.00 137,710.00 523,363,400.00 19,808,420.00 261,600.00 15,966,150.00 163,842.00 601,850 8,100.00 10,796,930.00 43,944,575.00 2,584,151,320.00 1,818,800.00 197,575,670.00 431,877,460.00 306,339,685.50 29,547,372.00 225,731,600.00 17,838,100.00 10,570.00 45,341,040.00 277,000.00 7,906,890.00

0.0043 2.07 4.45 11.30 0.222 5.5000 0.61 0.430 7.25 0.710 0.295 0.315 0.320

2,910,000,000 988,000 1,684,000 4,400 1,930,000 29,500 2,613,000 4,060,000 626,900 140,661,000 6,740,000 1,093,710,000 202,890,000

12,638,900.00 2,049,560.00 7,522,480.00 53,190.00 417,250.00 162,250.00 1,565,250.00 1,778,550.00 4,494,746.00 100,579,350.00 1,952,650.00 345,390,800.00 66,236,650.00

0.0130 0.014 1.81 4.97 2.45 0.5400 1.2500 0.0097 0.0094 3.51 5.82 1.81 0.0120 123.00 2.35

508,200,000 558,900,000 5,311,000 71,059,300 4,541,000 76,000 1,958,000 22,000,000 22,000,000 114,000 29,544,300 57,025,000 397,300,000 1,795,960 5,639,000

6,422,900.00 7,340,600.00 10,036,700.00 351,520,506.00 11,018,370.00 41,550.00 2,538,220.00 203,300.00 207,800.00 397,750.00 169,499,386.00 107,220,420.00 4,556,500.00 220,591,964.00 13,607,320.00

54 525.5 530 118 520 6.52 1.1 112.4 1035 1090 1028 105 110.9 80.5 82.3 78 77 78.4

924,950 15,860 9,960 108,590 10,200 288,400 409,000 83,440 6,475 2,460 43,495 29,800 10 3,000 168,640 91,200 631,730 376,280

49,108,247.10 8,334,430.00 5,286,000 12,803,129.00 5,293,600.00 1,895,067.00 442,750 9,354,138.00 5,631,400.00 2,677,820.00 44,650,790.00 3,129,270.00 1,109.00 241,500.00 13,914,946.00 7,119,400.00 48,838,061.00 29,602,189.50

2.400

2,934,000

7,287,670.00

3.74 2.75 2.45 13.58

138,000 17,000 1,004,000 3,055,300

497,750.00 48,730.00 2,461,010.00 40,617,480.00

110.6

238,140

26,241,188.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS

VOLUME 379,000,000 360,730,000 313,030,000 306,900,000 245,750,000 183,300,000 157,942,600 106,882,000 91,000,000 90,544,000

STOCKS SM Investments Inc. Universal Robina Ayala Land `B’ Jollibee Foods Corp. Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. SM Prime Holdings Metrobank Bank of PI PLDT Common Ayala Corp `A’

VALUE 3,040,839,565.00 1,452,532,471.00 1,265,257,680.00 1,105,826,294.00 913,308,197.00 911,806,615.00 825,428,534.00 813,299,832.00 796,945,980.00 721,946,610.00

MONDAY: FEBRUARY 29, 2016

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

Robinsons plans China project By Jenniffer B. Austria

Aboitiz classrooms. The

ROBINSONS Land Corp., the real estate unit of Gokongwei group, is preparing the master plan for its first residential venture in China in line with the target to launch the project by 2018, sources said over the weekend.

Aboitiz Foundation, the social development arm of the Aboitiz Group, and AP Renewables Inc.-Makban turn over AGAPP ‘Silid Pangarap’ classrooms benefiting the preschool students of San Felix Elementary School in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Shown during the ribbon-cutting ceremony are (from left) APRI controller Ginger Tanchi, school principal Analiza Montero, Division of Batangas senior education program specialist Rodrigo Castillo, APRI vice president for corporate services Noemi Sebastian, APRI assistant vice president for Makban geothermal facility Warren Maralit, Aboitiz Foundation executive vice president and chief operating officer Augusto Carpio III and APRI president and chief operating officer Felino Bernardo.

Analysts see market moving sideways this week THE Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, is expected to consolidate between 6,700 and 6,800 points this week, as investors continue to look overseas for guidance, amid uncertainty in the global market. F. Yap Securities Jason Escartin said investors remained concerned over the economic slowdown in China, which could trigger the world economy to slip into recession. “The ‘R’-word has been making its rounds in financial markets, with various indicators dusted off their shelves to show an increased likeli-

hood for the world economy’s slipping into recession. Meanwhile, G20 finance ministers and central bankers’ in Shanghai summit failed to come up with bold concerted action, as leaders zeroed in on crisis and uncertainty, arguing the latter is the case at the moment,” Escartin said. Investors are also expected to closely monitor the move of US Federal Reserve, after the US gross domestic product growth was revised upward to 1 percent on strengthening economy. RCBC Securities said while the local market continued to track movements overseas,

market activity was seen to pick up as corporate earnings results poured in. The bellwether PSEi fell 0.3 percent to close at 6,771.30 on Friday, while the broader allshare index lost 0.3 percent to 3,905.76. Major sub-indices were mixed as industrial and holding firms closed higher by 1.2 percent and 0.48 percent, respectively. Registering week-on-week declines were financials, (-3.52 percent), mining and oil (-1.34 percent) and property (-0.69 percent). Foreign investors were net

sellers last week by P1.15 billion, as total foreign selling reached P12.23 billion, while foreign buying amounted to P11.07 billion. Among the top gainers last week were International Container Terminal Services Inc., which jumped 4.5 percent to P62; and Universal Robina Corp., which advanced 4.1 percent to P195.90. Heavy losers included Bank of the Philippine Islands which fell 6.9 percent to 84.20. Petron Corp. and Robinsons Retail Holdings Corp. also dropped 5.4 percent and 4 percent, respectively. Jenniffer B. Austria

Sources said Robinsons Land was now finalizing the master plan for the project, which would be submitted to the Chinese government for approval. It is also in the process of securing necessary permits to implement the project. Under the plan, Robinsons Land will launch and start pre-selling the residential development within the 8.5-hectare property in Chengdu by 2018. Most cities in China require condominium builders to top off the residential building before developers are allowed to pre-sell the units. In the Philippines, real estate developers could start pre-selling condominium units even before construction. The Chengdu property is primarily a residential development, with least 90 percent of the property allotted for condominiums and the remaining 10 percentf or commercial development. Robinsons Land spent $222 million to acquire the property in China. Sources said the company had not yet allocated a significant amount of capital expenditures for China this year, as the company was still completing the masterplan. Robinsons Land president Frederick Go earlier said company’s venture in China was also a good strategy to “expand the company’s base.” Robinsons Land will target upper-middle market which Go said was a “very deep market” in China.

The Big Blue IN one of the class sessions, there were discussions on how our companies (employers) stand on certain ethical issues about equal opportunities, work flexibility, compensation and benefits. I have been employed in IBM for more than five years. IBM (also known as The Big Blue) is a multinational company that deals with IT, software, technology, services and business analytics. Employee engagement drives business performance. With this in mind, IBM has continuously developed its engagement program to suit the present needs of its employees. Improving the quarterly performance system This year, our performance rating was changed from an annual performance grade rating system into a more accurate and transparent quarterly performance assessment. Previously, the rating was made annually where IBMers are rated based on their business results. This year, IBMers will be rated quarterly to see if the goals set for the quarter are achieved. The quarterly rating ensures timely coaching of lapses and areas for improvement thus correction on those mistakes can be made on the next quarter. This also allows IBMers to be more collaborative on their developments professionally as progress is easier to track on a quarterly basis. The biggest change on the ratings performance scheme is the scrapping of the bell curve, where top performers (1 and 2+ rating) will only be a small portion of the IBMer’s population about 20 percent, the solid contributors (2 rating) about 50 percent, and then the low performers (3 and

4 rating) 30 percent. This move allowed IBMers to receive ratings based on their performance and not be limited on the bell curve. Ensuring ethical transactions With regards to Ethics in conducting business, our company conducts a yearly mandatory BCG (Business Conduct Guidelines) training on how to determine if transactions are ethical or not. IBM strongly adheres to fair competition even for its competitors and is very vigilant on the ethical conducts of its employees, as this will greatly affect the company’s reputation. The Annual Mandatory training comes with an assessment that you need to pass to be credited on the course. Unethical practices have always been a taboo in the company. Working in international taxes, IBM’s stand on paying taxes promptly to each country and ensuring its employees adheres to the tax regulation and requirements that countries set, is a true testament to the gravity that IBM holds in following the rules and statutory regulations of the different countries. Enjoying other perks IBMers enjoy other perks like GDP bonuses (profit sharing), 14th month bonus, VL and SL cash conversion and comprehensive healthcare benefit. One benefit that is rarely seen in other companies that IBM offers to its employees is the Academic Scholarships for Postgraduate studies. IBM pays 75 percent of my tuition and fees, including books and other resources. IBM has prided itself as one of the companies that provides equal opportunities regardless of gender, religious affiliation, political beliefs, race and cultural background. People

with disabilities are not discriminated and are given equal opportunities in the company. Just this year IBM offered extended benefits, and medical and health coverage to the partners of the employees from the opposite or same gender. This new benefit is truly a testament to the company’s no discrimination and equal opportunity statement. Aside from the tuition fee reimbursement, IBM offers various trainings within the company that aim to promote the personal and career development of the each IBMer. In fact, we also have a mandatory 40 hours training every year to make sure IBMers maximize the opportunity to learn and grow. Six Sigma training is being offered to IBMers as well as trainings on Rosetta Stone, an online language learning tool. Promoting work-life harmony Work flex schedule is also offered in IBM, subject to managers approval and discretion. Through work flex, I am allowed to continue my studies with my MBA program with more flexibility, thus harmonizing work, school, and the rest of my life is easier. There are two options in work flex, first is work from home(3 days WFH, 2 days work at the office) and 4/11 (4 days work, 11 hours a day). There are also several clubs within the company that promotes different interests. There are sports club (basketball, volleyball, badminton), leisure clubs (photography, writing) and civic groups (AKAP, that regularly conducts outreach programs to different places). Yearly IBM conducts its sports fest called Bluelympics, and a project together with DepEd SchoolBluecool where IBMers go to public schools to teach

REY NEIL CATAGUE

GREEN LIGHT

awareness on finance, technology or different academic programs. Proud to be an IBMer There are no perfect organizations. Just like any other company, there are controversies with regards to the company’s decisions on job cuts and compress work –loads. The laid off employees received severance packages in accordance to labor laws. I have always take pride in working with a company whose value is to create innovations that matter to the company and to the world. Several breakthroughs not only in business and IT but also in health, medicine, agriculture, education, social network, security and safety, and just recently weather and lifestyle and fitness has been achieved because of IBM. And I am proud to be part of that, knowing my work contributes to the advancement of society and the world. The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business. This essay is part of a journal he keeps in fulfillment of the requirements of the course, Lasallian Business Leadership with Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics. Visit his blog at https://imtsarley05. wordpress.com/ The views expressed here are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

B4 Silay energy company upbeat By Alena Mae S. Flores PHILCARBON Inc. is bullish on its portfolio of over 140 megawatts of renewable energy after recently completing the 25MW Silay solar project in Negros Occidental province. PhilCarbon, led by president Ruth Yu-Owen, executive vice president Gao Pronove and chairman Rufino Bomasang, developed the Silay solar project, along with Citicore Power. “Never in my 40-year involvement in promoting indigenous energy development did I ever dream that in 2016, Philcabon would be a partner in a company that would be inaugurating a 25MW solar power plant in Silay,” said Bomasang, a former energy secretary, in a statement over the weekend. He said “the Energy Department [during the 1970s and 1980s] was only talking about solar home systems generating several watts and kilowatts. … and even after the turn of the century, the largest Philippine solar power plant was a onemegawatt plant in Cagayan De Oro.” “The inauguration of the 25MW solar plant is therefore a milestone event not only for Silay but for the entire Philippines in terms of enhancing national energy security. Just as importantly, it is a milestone event for the entire world in its march towards a carbon-free environment,” Bomasang said. Owen said PhilCarbon was optimistic the 25-MW solar project would be able to avail of the feed-in tariff, saying the project was completed ahead of the March 15, 2016 deadline set by the department. She said PhilCarbon was now focusing its efforts on other projects being developed with Citicore Power, such as the 87-MW La Carlota solar farm in Negros Occidental and the 12-MW Himamaylan biomass in Himamaylan in the same province.

Top Ford dealers. Ford Philippines recognizes its top performing dealers at the 2016 Annual Ford Dealer Convention held at the Filinvest Tent, Alabang. The convention brings together Ford’s dealer principals and their employees to celebrate and recognize individuals, teams and dealerships who delivered exceptional results in the areas of sales, service and customer satisfaction throughout 2015. Ford Manila Bay, under the leadership of Anthony Cheng and Mike Tan, with branch manager Andrew Dinglasan, is hailed ‘Dealer of the Year’ for Metro Manila for the second consecutive year.

Beltran: PH banking system in good shape By Gabrielle H. Binaday

THE Finance Department said over the weekend the country’s banking sector is in good shape, after preliminary central bank data showed the better non-performing loan ratio of universal and commercial banks in 2015 despite the increase in lending. Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said the improvement in the bank’s ratio of non-performing loans, or bad loans, was backed by precautionary measures taken by lenders to ensure good quality lending. Preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed that the ratio of the gross non-performing loans of universal and commercial banks against their total portfolio stood at 2.15 percent as of end 2015.

The U/KBs’ NPL ratio improved from 2.40 percent at the end of 2014 amid the 11.96 percent expansion in total loan portfolio. Lending by universal and commercial banks in 2015 increased to P6.529 trillion from the P5.83 trillion in 2014. The banks’ gross NPLs, meanwhile, slightly increased to P136.79 billion in end December 2015 from P134.83 billion recorded at the end of 2014. “The increase in deposits, total assets, and interest income,

reflect that the country’s banking sector is in good shape,” Beltran said. Total assets of the Philippine banks at the end of 2015 sustained its upward trend to P12.08 trillion, up 8.2 percent from 2014. Deposits rose 8.3 percent to P9.23 trillion. “The banking system is growing faster than the economy, exceeding the nominal GDP [gross domestic product] growth of 5.0 percent,” Beltran said. Central bank data also showed that the deposit ratio stood at 70.74 percent, a 2.31-percentage point increase from 2014, but lower than the peak 2012 level of 73.49 percent. “This reflects better utilization of funds and more economically viable activities while maintaining sufficient buffer,” Beltran said. Meanwhile, the real and other properties acquired component

stood at P103 billion after an annual 6 percent decrease. Yearend net interest income was at P531 billion, up 9.5 percent from a year ago. Return on assets stood at 1.17 percent, while return on equity was at 9.48 percent. Both ratios follow a downward trend. The RoE net of the GDP price deflator was 10.03 percent in 2015, higher than 9.58 percent in 2014, which implied stronger financial position despite lower lending spread, Beltran said. “In addition, the risk-based CAR [capital adequacy ratio] for the past 3 years has been significantly greater than the 10 percent minimum imposed by the BSP over universal and commercial banks. The presence of adequate capital to cover for both credit and market risk will aid in withstanding volatilities caused by the financial market,” Beltran said.

PLDT Capital, partners investing $20m more in AppCard By Darwin G Amojelar A UNIT of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. has raised its investment in a cloud-based customer loyalty platform in Israel. AppCard, an innovative marketing and loyalty platform for small and medium sized retailers, said it raised $20 million in Series B funding. Alexander Rittweger, founder of Loyalty Partner, and PLDT Capital, led the funders. The existing investors also participated in the fund-raising activity, namely Peter Thiel of Founders

Fund, Eric Schmidt of Innovation Endeavors and and Jerry Yang. The new funding aims to further develop the technology. “The AppCard platform caught our attention because of its advanced technology and creative business model,” PLDT Capital co-managing director Winston Damarillo said. “The leadership is a dream team, consisting of successful tech and loyalty entrepreneurs. We’re excited to bring the benefits of AppCard to the PLDT Group, as well as to consumers and merchants in the Philip-

pines and the Southeast Asian region,” he added. PLDT Capital in October 9 signed a convertible preferred stock purchase agreement with AppCard for $5 million. Rittweger said AppCard’s advanced technology would help the company build a performance-marketing platform unrivaled in the small and mediumsized business marketplace. “I’m excited to marry my global loyalty experience with this team’s exceptional digital experience,” he said. Rittweger founded Payback, the world’s largest coalition

loyalty platform with over 70 million active members in Germany, Italy, India, Mexico and Poland, and sold it to American Express. “We’re fortunate to be able to add strategic investors with deep loyalty and marketing experience,” AppCard co-founder and chief executive Yair Goldfinger said. “AppCard continues to deliver on its vision to empower retailers to make data driven marketing decisions based on shoppers’ buying behaviors,” he said. Goldfinger was the co-found-

er of ICQ, an instant messaging pioneer acquired by AOL, and Dotomi, a personalized onlineadvertising platform acquired by ValueClick. AppCard empowers thousands of retailers to market directly to their shoppers in a personalized way. The technology combines smart data capture with artificial intelligence to automate marketing. After developing and optimizing the product to cater to specific retail verticals, AppCard released its latest version in the second half of last year and generated explosive growth.

M O N D AY : F E B R U A R Y 2 9, 2 0 1 6

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

7 more solar projects endorsed By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Department endorsed seven solar power projects with a combined capacity of 153.93 megawatts to the Energy Regulatory Commission. The department sought a certificate of compliance from the regulator that will make the projects eligible to avail of the feed-in tariff rate under the second wave of solar installation target. The department, through the Renewable Energy Management Bureau, said in a statement over the weekend, it was ready

to validate the projects of renewable energy developers rushing to meet the March 15 deadline. The ERC earlier approved a P8.69 per kilowatt-hour rate for 450 MW of solar projects under the second wave of installation target. The procedure for the certificate of endorsement, or COE, for FIT eligibility is outlined in a department circular. The circular tasked the department to validate “successful commissioning” and affirm the date of start of commercial operations within 15 working days, and issue the COE-FIT eligibility on a first-comefirst-served basis. The department said renewable energy developers could request for validation at 80 percent electro-mechanical completion

of the project. It said only RE developers with complete documentary requirements for solar energy projects, including a valid renewable energy service contract and confirmed declaration of commerciality, should be considered and be required to send a formal letter addressed to the energy secretary for final validation. The validation activities will be based on the approved DoC, particularly on the designed development scheme, and any deviation is subject to prior approval of the department. Only projects which are 100 percent commissioned and in commercial operation upon final validation will be eligible for COE-FIT. The department said it would issue the feed-in tariff eligibility until the full sub-

scription of the installation target. The certificate of eligibility indicates the installed capacity that will be qualified for the feedin tariff rate, while the actual date of commercial operations serves as the basis for the start of FIT charge. “We are committed to a transparent award of the COE-FIT Eligibility and remind all RE developers to observe the procedures under the existing guidelines,” Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada said. The department increased the installation target for solar to 500 MW from 50 MW to ensure availability of power supply during the dry periods of 2015 and 2016. The projects included in the first wave of the 50-MW solar installation target enjoy a higher electricity rate of P9.68 per kWh.

Election spending to boost market PRESIDENTIAL elections are a boon for Philippine stocks. The nation’s benchmark equity index has climbed an average 20 percent in each of the years when the past four polls have been held, compared with an annual average of 14 percent since 1992, the date of the first elections since the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The battle for the presidency will salvage stocks this year as spending by politicians and officials spurs profit growth at media and consumer companies, according to Luz Lorenzo, the nation’s top-ranked analyst. Filipinos go to polls on May 9 to choose a president and vice president, just two of the more than 18,000 posts that will be filled nationwide. This year’s election spending could reach as much P47 billion, based on the government’s official list of candidates for president, vice president, senate and party-list groups and spending limit per voter set by law. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index is down 2.6 percent this year, after falling in 2015 for the first time since the global financial crisis. “There is a bias for stocks to go up during elections because there is a lot of spending going on that companies benefit from and this shows later in the bottom line,” said Lorenzo, head of Philippine research at Maybank ATR Kim Eng. “Obvious beneficiaries of this spending are media and consumer companies.” Lorenzo, named best strategist and best research analyst in 2015 by Fund Managers Association of the Philippines, recommends investors buy shares of media and consumer companies, including ABS-CBN Corp., the nation’s top broadcaster, and Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest local fast-food company. She predicts the index will rise to 7,000 by the end of the year, or about 3.4 percent above Friday’s closing level. Bloomberg

After the harrowing experience from Typhoon Yolanda, the children of Concepcion, Iloilo can now go home in their new disaster-resilient houses after a fun day by the wide paved streets, thanks to SM Cares.

SM Supermalls wins Anvil Awards grand slam THE public expects companies, especially profitable or high profile ones, to give something back to the community where these operate. People may or may not understand how a corporate social responsibility program works in this context, but they do own that sense of entitlement: profit should be shared with people who are helping companies succeed. However, wealth in the CSR sense does not always mean monetary. People have to understand that it makes better business sense to apply the proverbial concept of teaching people how to fish instead of merely giving food for the table. This is why the “S” in CSR has to work harder. The “social” in CSR is represented by the customers, the business partners, the employees, and the general public. All these come together for a mutual benefit out of CSR programs. Some experts explain that the consumer market responds well to companies that are visible and active in their communities through social or civic projects. These

companies earn the public’s trust, leading to higher demand for their products and services. As a result, the companies are able to acquire more resources to further improve their output, open more job opportunities, establish stronger relationships with suppliers, and seek better opportunities. While this easily translates into healthier financial value for the companies in the long run, it also bodes well for the surrounding communities and to a certain extent, the entire nation. Take, for example, the recent recognition that mall giant SM Supermalls received for its efforts in making its malls accessible to any and all customers in all 56 branches nationwide. The Public Relations Society of the Philippines’ 51st Anvil Awards gave the company a grand slam for all of its three entries: the Special Movie Screening for the Blind and Deaf; Casual Employment Program for Senior Citizens; and the Housing Project for the Survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. All three programs were implemented under the com-

pany’s CSR arm, SM Cares. A first of its kind in the Philippines, the Special Movie Screening for the Blind and Deaf was created in collaboration with the Deaf Blind Support Philippines and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. SM Cinemas features films that are retrofitted with audio-description and closed captioning to enable the visually impaired and hard at hearing to fully enjoy the movie. Because of the tremendous response from the blind and deaf sector of society, the MTRCB is now looking at making this program a model for other cinemas in the country to follow suit. The senior citizens in communities where an SM mall operates get a chance to regain their selfworth by giving them the chance to become productive members of society as mall employees. A program coordinated with the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs, the part-time work assignments are tailored after the elderly’s skills and abilities. They work as mall

greeters, cinema ticket ushers, or food court assistants. They work in four-hour shifts during weekends for a period of six months. The Housing Project for the Survivors of Typhoon Yolanda is not like other housing programs. A brainchild of SM Prime President Hans Sy, SM malls around the country pooled together donations from customers, partners, tenants, and other groups and individuals to build 1,000 disasterresilient houses in the Visayas region where Yolanda made the most devastating damage. These three projects involved not just the company, but also all stakeholders who have stakes in how life should be lived: with dignity, honor, and productivity. To ensure that all CSR programs work seamlessly, SM stayed true to its philosophy of being “the mall for all.” By empowering all stakeholders in society through its community-related projects, the mall company has truly found a way to make sure the “S” in its CSR programs actually works for everyone.

B6 MONDAY: FEBRUARY 29, 2016

US firms urged to invest in car plan By Othel V. Campos US car manufacturers should take advantage of the Philippine government’s program providing incentives to automotive manufacturers, according to the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. AmCham Philippines senior adviser John Forbes said the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy program would certainly arouse the interest of car companies outside Asia. “But Cars [program] must be promoted by the Trade Department. American car parts manufacturers should look at Cars,” he said. Forbes said American car manufacturers used to have assembly operations in the Philippines. One example was Ford Motor Philippines which used to have an assembly plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The plant now belongs to Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp., the second biggest car company in the Philippines, in terms of market share. Forbes said Philippine trade attaches assigned to different American states should help the Trade Department raise awareness about the program and the massive benefits it offers to the industry. The Cars program is the biggest and most ambitious automotive incentives program that the government has offered to investors. It provides P27 billion worth of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives that will be given to three participating car companies, within the next six years. In exchange, accredited car companies should manufacture at least 200,000 units of four-wheeled passenger cars each, or a total of 600,000 units. Incentives would kick in once companies reached their 101,000th unit. Mitsubishi was the first car company to announce its plan to enroll Mitsubishi Mirage in the incentives program. Companies are given until March 15, 2016 to submit their application to the Trade Department.

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

covering the diesel generating units currently installed in the site are attached to the Application as Annexes “M” and “N”. 19.3. Applicant intends to comply with Renewable Portfolio Standards and source a certain percentage of its power supply from renewable energy technology. Applicant shall conduct resource assessment and determine the optimal integration of renewable energy in the distribution system. 19.4. Availment of UC-ME Subsidy. The QSSC provides the terms and conditions governing Applicant’s availment of the DC-ME Subsidy. For the provision of electricity service, Applicant shall charge and collect from its end users the SARR. Should the FCRR be higher than the SARR, Applicant shall be entitled to recover the difference from the DC-ME Subsidy through the mechanism provided in the QSSC.

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY SERVICE IN BARANGAY LIMINANGCONG, TAYTAY, PALAWAN, AS QUALIFIED THIRD PARTY (QTP) AND FOR ISSUANCE OF THE CORRESPONDING AUTHORITY . TO OPERATE (ATO) AND FOR APPROVAL OF THE QTP SERVICE AND SUBSIDY CONTRACT (QSSC) WITH NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION (NPC), WITH PRAYER FOR ISSUANCE OF A PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY,

20. Financial Plans/Sources of Funds. Applicant intends to enter into a long-term lease agreement with a credible generator set(genset)-leasing company in order to minimize generation cost. A long-term lease reduces the up-front capital required and ensures optimal genset operation. In the long-term lease agreement, the genset-leasing company guarantees the necessary genset performance metrics including fuel efficiency, plant availability, and the fixed and variable costs, thereby creating an additional layer of power supply stability. Fuel supply shall be arranged through a purchase contract with the current fuel provider of NPC. The fuel supply contract shall be established mutually to ensure continuous plant operations. A detailed discussion of the funding/financial aspects of the project is attached as Annex “0” of the Application.

ERC CASE NO. 2015-208 RC POWERSOURCE (PSPI),

PHILIPPINES,

INC.

20.1. Project Cost. The total capital cost is Twenty Million Seven Hundred Sixty-Eight Thousand Five Hundred Sixty-Five Pesos (Php20,768,565.00), consisting of the costs of the plant equipment, buildings, capitalized expenses and working capital for initial stocks of fuels and lubes and mobilization during plant trials and personnel training. A summary of the project cost components is contained in Annex “P” of the Application.

Applicant. x-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -x NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

20.2. Debt/Equity Ratio. The debt-equity ratio for the capital cost of the Generation Facilities shall be 67:33.

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

20.3. Computation of Return on Investment/Weighted Average Cost of Capital. The Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) for the project is 10.5 % p.a. This was obtained based on an interest of 9.5 % p.a. on debt capital.

On 10 December 2015, applicant PowerSource Philippines, Inc. (PSPI) filed an Application for authorization to provide electricity service as a Qualified Third Party (QTP), with request for the issuance of the corresponding Authority to Operate (ATO), and for approval of the QTP Service and Subsidy Contract (QSSC) with the National Power Corporation (NPC), with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

20.4. The minimum desired return for equity capital for the project and the cost of debt capital are placed at 12.59% p.a. and 9.5% p.a., respectively, to reflect the significantly higher risks associated with providing electricity service in a remote and unelectrified rural community without an offtake guaranteed by a contractual counter-party. A computation of the above WACC is contained in Annex “Q” of the Application.

In support of said Application, PSPI alleged, among others, the following: 1.

This is an Application for authorization to provide electricity service with request for the issuance of the corresponding Authority to Operate (ATO) as a Qualified Third Party (QTP) in Barangay Liminangcong, Taytay, Palawan, filed pursuant to and by virtue of the Rules for the Regulation of the Qualified Third Parties Performing Missionary Electrification in Areas Declared Unviable by the Department of Energy (ERC QTP Guidelines), as approved in ERC Resolution No. 22, Series of 2006.

The instant Application likewise seeks the approval of the QTP Service and Subsidy Contract (QSSC)1 dated 9 October 2015, executed by and between PSPI and the NPC, including the Full Cost Recovery Rate (FCRR) provided therein. A copy of the QSSC is attached to the Application as Annex “A”.

PSPI is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with its principal office at the 10th Floor, The Athenaeum Building, 160 Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City, Metro Manila. Copies of Applicant’s relevant corporate documentation such as the Certificate of Registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Articles of Incorporation, latest Audited Financial Statements and latest General Information Sheet are attached to the Application as Annexes “B”, “C”, “D”, and “E” respectively.

Applicant has the full legal, financial and technical capacity to operate. At present, the Department of Energy (DOE) still has to issue the Certificate of Endorsement stating that Applicant was prequalified in accordance with DOE Circular No. 2004- 06-006 and DOE Circular 2005-12-011. A copy of the Certificate of Endorsement will be attached to the Application as Annex “F” once it is released by the DOE.

Applicant may be served with orders or other legal processes through the undersigned counsel.

21. Purchased Power Rate. The Full Cost Recovery Rate (FCRR) consists of a levelized base rate of 37.09/kWh, which shall be automatically adjusted for each billing period based on Philippine and US consumer price indices as well as actual fuel costs, in accordance with the adjustment mechanisms in the QSSC. Pursuant to the ERC QTP Guidelines, Applicant shall charge and collect from the end-users SARR. Should the FCRR be higher than the SARR, Applicant shall be entitled to recover the difference from the UC-ME Subsidy. A detailed discussion on the FCRR, including its breakdown and the rationale supporting the indexation, is attached as Annex “R” of the Application. 21.1

22. Cash Flow. 22.1

The FCRR is determined based on an assumed annual increase in actual energy consumed at four percent (4%). A detailed discussion on the projected demand is contained in Annex “V” of the Application. From January 2013 until present, the average load growth in Liminangcong is 5.91%. Moderately, 4% annual increase is assumed in the Financial Model. The historical load and Customer connection profile are shown in Annex “W” of the Application.

In compliance with Rule 6 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, approved by the Commission on 22 June 2006 as Resolution No. 38, Series of 2005, Applicant has furnished the Sangguniang Bayan of the Municipality of Taytay with copies of the Application with all its annexes. Copies of the certifications from the Sangguniang Bayan of the Municipality of Taytay attesting to the fact of such service are attached as Annex “G” of the Application.

24. Procurement of Fuel. Applicant is sourcing and will source its future diesel fuel supply from potential suppliers willing to deliver fuel to the site. Applicant will procure fuel from the least expensive supplier should additional suppliers become available. Applicant will source its biomass fuel from local farmers and it will also develop its own plantation that may generate the needed biomass fuel.

Furthermore, Applicant has caused the publication of the present Application in its entirety in a newspaper of general circulation within the Municipality of Taytay. Copies of the corresponding Affidavit of Publication and the newspaper are attached to the Application as Annexes “H” and “H-1”, respectively.

RATE IMPLICATIONS OF THE QTP SERVICE AND SUBSIDY AGREEMENT

STATEMENT OF FACTS 8.

Under Section 59 of Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) and Rule 14 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the provision of electric service in remote and unviable areas that a distribution utility is unable to service shall be opened to QTP.

As stable and reliable supply of power is essential to economic growth and sustain ability, the electricity service provided by a QTP is envisaged to spur development in an economically unviable area and, in the long term, elevate such area to a level of viability. However, the provision of electricity service in unviable areas is expectedly costly and not economically feasible. It would not be reasonable to charge consumers in rural and remote areas high cost of providing such service.

Initial Costs, Operating and Maintenance Expenses. The initial capital costs for the project consist of the diesel plant cost at Php20,768,565.00. The capital costs for the first five (5) years, as well as the breakdown of the operating and maintenance expenses for the fifteen (15)-year term of the QSSC, are shown in Annex “T” of the Application.

23. Projected Demand. The hourly average load curve is presented in Annex “U”. Considering the nature of the project, there is no minimum energy off-take, as the sale of power is based on actual energy consumed by each end-user consumer.

COMPLIANCE WITH PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS 6.

Breakdown of the FCRR. The FCRR reflects fifteen (15) years of operations and the use of the WACC of 10.5% as discounting factor for all costs and generated electricity. A sample computation of the FCRR and the ME Subsidy requirement is attached to the Application as Annex “S”.

25. The grant of an Authority to Operate and the approval of the QSSC, along with the corresponding subsidy support, will enable the Applicant to operate viably and, at the same time, charge a lower tariff on its customers in the QTP Service Area. In the absence of an ERC-approved SARR, the tariff to be charged by the Applicant shall be equivalent to the ERC approved retail rate of DASURECO, in accordance with Section II, Article IV of the ERC QTP Guidelines. The following table shows the impact of the QSSC on the electricity rates:

10. In accordance with Section 70 of the EPIRA, the entry of QTPs to stimulate economic growth in unviable areas is made feasible by a subsidy sourced from the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UC-ME). This enables a QTP to operate viably while charging its consumers rates that are reasonably acceptable in the area, as may be determined by the Commission.

Before ERC approval

After ERC Provisional Authority or Final Approval

True cost of electricity service (FCRR)

Php33.15/kWh*2

Php37.09/kWh*

Rate paid by consumers

Php33.15/kWh**

Php8.5/kWh

none provided

Php28.59/kWh

Subsidy requirement

11. Pursuant to Sections 59 and 70 of the EPIRA and its IRR, the DOE issued Department Circular No. 2004-06-006, which prescribes the qualification criteria for QTPs, and Department Circular 2005-12011, which prescribes the guidelines for the participation of QTPs for provision of electric service in remote and unviable areas.

26. The subsidy component necessary for the continued supply of electricity that will sustain the economic growth of the QTP Service Area results in an impact on the Universal Charge in the amount of Php28.59/ kWh.

12. At the time when the regulatory and administrative framework for QTP projects, including mechanisms for the availment of DC-ME subsidy by QTPs, were still being developed, Applicant already commenced its operations as a QTP in Barangay Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan (Rio Tuba) and in Malapascua Island, Barangay Logon, Daan Bantayan, Cebu and was about to begin its operations in Balut Island, Saranggani, Davao Occidental and in Barangays Candawaga and Culasian, Rizal, Palawan.

27. Applicant respectfully submits that the aforementioned amount is more than reasonable considering the 24-hour, enterprise level service provided under the QSSC that directly results in the significant economic upliftment and improvement in the quality of life in the QTP Service Area which is beyond anything possible in the traditional 6 to 12 hour rural electrification systems. ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF REQUEST FOR INTERIM RELIEF & PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY (PA) TO OPERATE IN THE QTP AREA

13. Applicant is a pioneer QTP having been issued the very first Authority to Operate as a QTP in the entire country for its Rio Tuba electrification project. This exemplifies the successful economic upliftment of a remote and unviable area through the entry of a QTP.

28. Rule 14 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure authorizes the issuance of a PA and/or an interim relief prior to a final decision, provided that the facts and circumstances warrant the issuance thereof.

14. The QTP Service Area. Liminangcong is a coastal barangay in the Municipality of Taytay, Palawan (the QTP Service Area). It is a remote and unviable area within the franchise area of Palawan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PALECO). A location map and description of the QTP Service Area is attached to the Application as Annex “I”.

29. Furthermore, the PA will be submitted by the Applicant to its prospective lenders as a requirement for the grant of loans, necessary to finance the project.

14.1. The QTP Service Area is located about 30 kilometers South from El Nido, Palawan and connected to the National Highway via gravel road. There is a total of 709 households covering 9 puroks.

30. Moreover, be it emphasized that the Applicant has already secured offers from third parties for the lease of the rights to the generation and distribution facilities for the project. Applicant is, therefore, constrained to request for the issuance of the PA before the expiration of the aforesaid offers.

14.2. In Liminangcong, there is a Barangay Power Association (BAPA) which operates a lX100 kW and lX40 kW diesel gensets 10 hours daily from 2PM to 12MN. The existing 13.2 kV distribution system needs some rehabilitation due to damaged electrical poles. It also requires line extension to several sitios and line upgrade for better quality of electric services.

31. In the matter of interim relief, Applicant is seeking to collect a lower rate through the Subsidized Approved Retail Rate (SARR) instead of the Full Cost Recovery Rate (FCRR) as ordered by the ERC in consideration of the limited paying capacity of its consumers. To stress, the electrification of the QTP Service Area will not be possible if consumers were charged at true cost.

15. Selection of Applicant as Service Provider. In an Agreement entered into in 2009, the Provincial Government of Palawan (PGP), after a competitive selection process, granted to PSPI the right to perform the electricity service in any of the waived areas in Palawan. A photocopy of the Agreement, forming an integral part of the Application, is attached thereto as Annex ”J”.

32. Finally, the success of this project with the regulatory imprimatur of this Commission will pave way for further investment by the Applicant in more projects designed to spur economic growth in remote and unviable areas through the provision of a 24-hour reliable electricity service. Applicant’s interest in other project sites will be dependent on the success of the present Application, particularly on the availment of the necessary subsidy support under the QTP program. With such support, Applicant looks forward to replicating the success of this project in other areas.

15.1. The original agreement in 2009 was reiterated and reinforced in a Revised Master Agreement duly executed by PGP and PowerSource in 14 February 2013 at Barangay Liminangcong, Taytay, Palawan.

PRAYER

15.2. In the Revised Master Agreement, PGP in effect assigned to PowerSource all of PGP’s rights and interests under the MOA entered into with PALECO.

33. PSPI prays that, at the soonest possible time, the Commission grants it provisional and interim relief as follows:

16. Declaration of QTP Service Area as a Remote & Unviable Area and PALECO’s Waiver of Service. In Resolution No. 001, Series of 2005, dated 10 January 2005, PALECO formally waived its franchise privilege in several barangays, including Liminangcong, in favor of a QTP.

33.1. Applicant be granted Authority to Operate as a Qualified Third Party under the ERC QTP Guidelines; 33.2. A Provisional Authority to Operate in the QTP Area be immediately issued in favor of the Applicant pending ERC Resolution.

16.1. As a result of said declaration and by virtue of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) dated 15 March 1995 and Subsidiary MOA dated 21 August 2000, PALECO agreed to implement a joint energy prerogative with PGP, granting the latter the right to operate, maintain, and provide electricity in the waived areas. The said Subsidiary MOA stated that the operation, management, and maintenance of the project shall be governed through a separate MOA. A Copy of the separate MOA dated 2001 is attached to the Application as Annex “K”.

33.3. The QTP Service Contract, including the Full Cost Recovery Rate therein, be approved; 33.4. Applicant be authorized to charge its customers a tariff equivalent to the ERC-approved retail rate of PALECO, in accordance with Section II, Article IV of the ERC QTP Guidelines; and

16.2. After the competitive selection process, PowerSource was granted, by virtue of the previous and Revised Master Agreement, all of PGP’s rights and interests under the MOA and Subsidiary MOA with PALECO. By virtue thereof, a Waiver Agreement was entered into with PALECO on 17 July 2013. A copy of the Waiver Agreement is attached as Annex “L” of the Application.

33.5. Applicant be permitted to recover from the UC-ME Subsidy the difference between the FCRR and rate charged by Applicant to its consumers; and to this end, NPC be directed to release to Applicant such subsidy in accordance with the terms of the QTP Service Contract.

17. QTP Operations. Before Applicant begun its operation in Barangay Liminangcong, there was minimal electrification service operated and managed by the BAPA System.

The Commission has set the Application for initial hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on 17 March 2016 (Thursday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at the barangay covered court of Liminangcong, Taytay, Palawan.

17.1. Due to constant pressure from the local government units and residents, Applicant conceded to their request and began construction and eventual operations. Applicant is currently operating from 2PM to 12MN. Applicant intends to provide 24/7 electricity service. The community population of 709 households will initially yield significant sales of 252,939 kWh on the first year. 17.2. QTP operations shall be for a period of fifteen (15) years in accordance with the Waiver Agreement with PALECO and the QTP Service and Subsidy Agreement with NPC. 17.3. Applicant’s project has been a realization of the goal of the QTP program which is to stimulate economic progress in remote and unviable areas through electrification. The beneficial impact of stable and reliable electricity service to the economy of the local community in the QTP Service Area as well as the daily lives of the consumers cannot be overstated. 18. Formation of Project Company for Liminangcong Similar to its plans in the Rio Tuba Project and Malapascua Project, Applicant intends to incorporate a project company that will invest in the electricity service and perform the functions of a QTP in the QTP Service Area. Correspondingly, Applicant will assign its ATO as a QTP and transfer its rights and interests in the QTP project to the said project company upon the approval of this Application. SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT AND THE QTP SERVICE AND SUBSIDY AGREEMENT

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired. All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the Application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the Applicant concludes the presentation of its evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon. All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from the Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. The Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman, JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 26th day of January 2016 at Pasig City.

19. Under the QSSA, Applicant shall provide 24-hour electricity service in the QTP Service Area for a term of fifteen (15) years. In order to ensure that Applicant will be able to viably serve the QTP Service Area, it may be allowed to avail of the UC-ME Subsidy. 19.1. The Generation Facilities. Due to small loads in off-peak hours, Applicant will install a modular, flexible and highly redundant diesel generating plant based on three (3) units of small high speed gensets, 3x36 kW, on the first year of operation. This ensures modest capital cost and maximum flexibility in the early years of operations. 19.2. Copies of the Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Certificate of Compliance (COC) issued by the Commission

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO

The QTP Service and Subsidy Contract (QSSC) is the resulting legal document after combining the provisions of the QTP Service Contract (QSC) and Subsidy Disbursement Agreement (SDA). (TS-FEB. 23/29, 2016)

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

M O N D AY : F E B R U A R Y 2 9, 2 0 1 6

WORLD

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

Dolby shifts to image quality SAN FRANCISCO—At the entrance of Dolby headquarters in San Francisco, a ribbon of television screens plays synchronized videos that change in time to sound effects. The display mirrors Dolby’s recent efforts to move beyond sound enhancement to improve what people see when they watch films. Several of the movies up for Oscars on Sunday in Los Angeles were made with Dolby Vision, which has become an industry standard for image quality in movies. Best picture nominees “The Martian” and “The Revenant,” as well as Pixar’s animated film “Inside Out” used the technology. “We’re predominately known and associated with audio, but we spent the last decade working on imaging,” Dolby director of content and creative relations Stuart Bowling told AFP. Since the company launched its Dolby Vision in 2014, an array of television makers and major Hollywood studios have adopted the technology, which produces wider ranges of color and contrast. Even though the number of pixels that can be captured in films has exploded, “we found something was missing everywhere: contrast,” Bowling said. “Adding more contrast makes a significant impact on the image; it looks sharper, more vibrant, more color-saturated and then almost 3D,” he added. The difference becomes clear watching two high-definition televisions side-by-side. With Dolby Vision, details jump out in a “Lego” movie scene showing car headlights, or during an explosion in “Man of Steel,” while they are crushed or blurred in the standard version of the films. Dolby Laboratories was founded half a century ago by its namesake, Ray Dolby who set out to develop technology for fuller, cleaner, crisper sound. One of the company’s early creations was noise reduction technology that made its cinema debut in the 1971 film “A Clockwork Orange.” AFP

percentage of its’ power supply from a renewable energy technology. It shall conduct resource assessment and determine the optional integration of renewable energy in the distribution system;

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY SERVICE IN BARANGAYS CANDAWAGA AND CULASIAN, RIZAL, PALAWAN AS QUALIFIED THIRD PARTY (QTP) AND FOR ISSUANCE OF THE CORRESPONDING AUTHORITY TO OPERATE (ATO) AND FOR APPROVAL OF THE QTP SERVICE AND SUBSIDY CONTRACT (QSSC) WITH NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION (NPC), WITH PRAYER FOR ISSUANCE OF A PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY,

PHILIPPINES,

INC.

Applicant. x-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -x NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that on 12 November 2015, PowerSource Philippines, Inc. (PSPI) filed an Application for authorization to provide electricity service in Barangays Candawaga and Culasian, Rizal, Palawan as a Qualified Third Party (QTP), with request for the issuance of the corresponding Authority to Operate (ATO) , and for approval of the QTP Service and Subsidy Contract (QSSC) with the National Power Corporation (NPC), with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority. In support of said Application, PSPI alleged, among others, the following: This is an Application for authorization to provide electricity service with request for the issuance of the corresponding Authority to Operate (ATO) as a Qualified Third Party (QTP) in Barangays Candawaga and Culasian, Rizal, Palawan, filed pursuant to and by virtue of the Rules for the Regulation of the Qualified Third Parties Performing Missionary Electrification in Areas Declared Unviable by the Department of Energy (ERC QTP Guidelines), as approved in ERC Resolution No. 22, Series of 2006;

The instant Application likewise seeks the approval of the QTP Service and Subsidy Contract (QSSC)1 dated 09 October 2015, executed by and between PSPI and the NPC, including the Full Cost Recovery Rate (FCRR) provided therein. A copy of the QSSC is attached to the Application as Annex “A”;

PSPI may be served with orders or other legal processes through the undersigned counsel;

In compliance with Rule 6 of the ERC’ Rules of Practice and Procedure, approved by the Commission on 22 June 2006 as Resolution No. 38, Series of 2005, PSPI has furnished the Sangguniang Bayan of the Municipality of Rizal and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Palawan copies of the Application with all its annexes. Copies of the certifications from the Sangguniang Bayan of the Municipality of Rizal and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Palawan, or their duly authorized representatives, attesting to the fact of such service, are attached as Annex “G” of the Application;

As stable and reliable supply of power is essential to economic growth and sustainability, the electricity service provided by a QTP is envisaged to spur development in an economically unviable area and, in the long term, elevate such area to a level of viability. However, the provision of electricity service in unviable areas is expectedly costly and not economically feasible. It would not be reasonable to charge consumers In rural and remote areas high cost of providing such service;

Availment of UC-ME Subsidy. The QSSA provides the terms and conditions governing PSPI’s availment of the UC-ME Subsidy. For the provision of electricity service, it shall charge and collect from its end users the SARR. Should the FCRR be higher than the SARR, PSPI shall be entitled to recover the difference from the UC-ME Subsidy through the mechanism provided in.the QSSC;

20.1.

Project Cost. The total capital cost for the Generation Facilities amounts to Twenty-Three Million One Hundred Ninety-One Thousand Three Hundred Ninety-Two Pesos (PhP23,191,392.00) consisting of the costs of the plant equipment, buildings, capitalized expenses and working capital for initial stocks of fuels and lubes and mobilization during plant trials and personnel training. A summary of the project cost components is contained in Annex “N” of the Application;

20.2.

Debt/Equity Ratio. The debt-equity ratio for the capital cost of the Generation Facilities shall be 67:33;

20.3.

Computation of Return on Investment/Weighted Average Cost of Capital. The Weighted Average Cost of Capital (“WACC”) for the project is 11% p.a. This was obtained considering a minimum desired return of 14% p.a. on equity capital and an interest of 9.5% p.a. on debt capital;

20.4.

The minimum desired return for equity capital for the project and the cost of debt capital are placed at 14% p.a. and 9.5% p.a., respectively, to reflect the significantly higher risks associated with providing electricity service in a remote and unelectrified rural community without an offtake” ,guaranteed by a contractual counter-party. A computation of the above WACC is contained in Annex “0”;

22.1

24. Procurement of Fuel. PSPI is sourcing and will source its future diesel fuel supply from potential. suppliers willing to deliver fuel to the site. It will procure fuel from the least expensive supplier should additional suppliers become available. It will source its biomass fuel from local farmers and it will also develop its own plantation to produce such fuel; RATE IMPLICATIONS OF THE QTP SERVICE AND SUBSIDY CONTRACT 25· The grant of an Authority to Operate and the approval of the QSSC, along with the corresponding subsidy support, will enable PSPI to operate viably and, at the same time, charge a lower tariff on its customers in the QTP Service Area. In the absence of an ERC-approved SARR, the tariff to be charged by it shall be equivalent to the ERC-approved retail rate of PALECO, in accordance with Section II, Article IV of the ERC QTP Guidelines. The following table shows the impact of the QSSC on the eIectricity rates: Before ERC approval True cost of electricity (FCRR)

10. In accordance with Section 70 of the EPIRA, the entry of QTPs to stimulate economic growth in unviable areas is made feasible by a subsidy sourced from the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UC-ME). This enables a QTP to operate viably while charging its consumers at rates, that are reasonably acceptable in the area, as may be determined by the Commission;

Rate paid by consumers Subsidy requirements

11. Pursuant to Sections 59 and 70 of the EPIRA and its IRR, the DOE issued Department Circular No. 2004-06-006, which prescribes the qualification criteria for QTPs, and Department Circular 2005-12-011, which prescribes the guidelines for the participation of QTPs for provision of electric service in remote and unviable areas;

* **

30. Furthermore, the PA will be submitted by PSPI to its prospective lenders as a requirement for the grant of loans, necessary to finance the project; 31. Moreover, it must be emphasized that PSPI has already secured offers from third parties for the lease of the rights to the generation and distribution facilities for the project. Applicant is, therefore, constrained to request for the issuance of the PA before the expiration of the aforesaid offers; 32. In the matter of interim relief, PSPI is seeking to collect a lower rate through the Subsidized Approved Retail Rate (SARR) instead of the Full Cost Recovery Rate (FCRR) as ordered by the ERC in consideration of the limited paying capacity of its consumers. The electrification of the QTP Service Area will not be possible if consumers were charged at true cost;

15. Selection of Applicant as Service Provider. In a letter dated 23 January, 2015, DOE has determined that PSPI has satisfied the qualification criteria under the DOE QTP Qualification Circular;

Pursuant to the Waiver Agreen1ent,’ PSPI shall take over from PALECO the missionary electrification function of supplying the electricity requirements of Barangay Candawaga and Culasian, Rizal, Palawan;

33. Finally, the success of this project with the regulatory imprimatur of this Commission will pave way for further investment by PSPI in more projects designed to spur economic growth in remote and unviable areas through the provision of a 24-hour reliable electricity service. Applicant’s interest in other project sites will be dependent on the success of the present Application, particularly on the availnment of the necessary subsidy support under the QTP program. With such support, PSPI looks forward to replicating the success of this project in other areas; PRAYER 34. PSPI prays that, at the soonest possible time, the Commission grants it provisional and interim relief as follows:

16. PALECO’s Waiver of Service and Declaration of QTP Service Area as a Remote & Unviable Area. On 10 January 2005, PALECO issued Board Resolution No. 001, Series of 2005, formally waiving its franchise to operate in several barangays including Barangay Candawaga and, thereafter, Culasian, Rizal, Palawan. A copy of the said Board Resolution is · attached to the application’ as hereto as Annex “K”, 16.1.

Following the issuance of the PALECO Board Resolution, PALECO and PSPI executed on 01 October 2014, a Waiver Agreement, whereby P ALECO waived in its favor the right to provide electricity service in the QTP Service Area. A copy of the Waiver Agreement is attached to the application as hereto as Annex “L”;

17. QTP Operations. Prior to PSPI’s entry in the QTP Service Area, based on actual survey conducted by its staff, the average monthly electricity expense of residents in Barangay Candawaga is approximately PhP 378.20 while the average monthly electricity expense of residents In Barangay Culasian is approximately PhP1,084.24;

Subject to periodic adjustments based on consumer price indices, foreign exchange rate, and actual costs, In the absence of an E1-ZC-approved SARR, the retail rate of PALECO shall be applied, Once the ERC approves an SARR, the SARR shall apply.

29. In the case of PSPI, it must be noted that the PA is necessary for the execution of its agreement with NPC which will embody the seamless phase-in of its operation, and the eventual phase-out of NPC’s generating function, in the QTP area;

There is a Barangay Power Association (BAPA) located in Sitio Sicud, Candawaga and is operating a 1X100 kVA diesel genset 5-hours daily from 6pm-11 pm. While in Culasian, it was once a KEPCO recipient in the O’law Program of the government. The power plant is no longer operating since 2009 due to financial reasons (high fuel costs and low collection efficiency);

15.2.

P25.58/kWh

The QTP Service Area is located approximately 230 kilometers southwest from Puerto Princesa City, about 5-6 hours land trip. From Rizal’s town center, Barangays Candawaga and Culasian are accessible via a gravel road with an approximate distance of 22 kms. A location map and description of the QTP Service Area is attached hereto as Annex “I”,

Pursuant to a MOA and a Revised MOA (attached as Annex “J”) in February 14, 2013 at Liminangcong, Taytay, Palawan, PSPI and PALECO, a cooperative duly registered under the laws of the Philippines with office address at PALECO main office, North National Road, Barangay Tiniguiban, Puerto Prinsesa City,: Palawan, Philippines executed a Waiver Agreement on 11 October 2014 whereby PALECO waived in favor of PSPI all of the Provincial Government of Palawan/PALECO’s right and interests to provide electricity service in the QTP Service Area;

P8.5/kWh**

none provided

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF REQUEST FOR INTERIM RELIEF & PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY (PA) TO OPERATE IN THE QTP AREA

14. The QTP Service Area. Barangays Caridawaga and Culasian, both located in the Municipality of Rizal in the Province of Palawan (QTP Service Area) is a remote and unviable area within the franchise area of Palawan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PALECO);

15.1.

P34.08/kWh*

P[X]/kWh

27. PSPI respectfully submits that the aforementioned amount is more than reasonable considering the 24hour, enterprise level service provided under the QSSC that directly results in the significant economic uplifment and improvement in the quality of life in the QTP Service Area which is beyond anything possible in the traditional 6 to 12 hour rural electrification systems;

13. PSPI is a pioneer QTP having been issued the very first Authority to Operate as a QTP in the entire country for its Rio Tuba electrification project. This exemplifies the successful economic upliftment of a remote and unviable area through the entry of a QTP;

14.2.

P34.08/kWh*

After ERC Provisional Authority or Final Approval

12. At the time when the regulatory and administrative framework for QTP projects, including mechanisms for the availment of UC-ME subsidy by QTPs, were still being developed, Applicant already commenced its operations as a QTP in Barangay Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan (Rio Tuba) and in Malapascua Island, Barangay Logon, Daan Bantayan, Cebu and was about to begin its operations in Balut Island, Saranggani, Davao Occidental and in Barangays Candawaga and Culasian, Rizal, Palawan;

14.1.

Initial Costs, Operating and Maintenance Expenses. The initial capital cost for the project consists of diesel plant costs amounting to Twenty-Three Million One Hundred Ninety-One Thousand Three Hundred Ninety-Two Pesos (PhP23,191,392.00). The capital costs for the first five (5) years, as well as the breakdown of the operating and maintenance expenses for the fifteen (15) year term of the QSSC are shown in Annex “R”;

23. Projected Demand. Considering the nature of the project, there is no minimum energy off-take, as the sale of power is based on actual energy consumed by each end-user consumer. The FCRR is, determined based on an assumed annual increase in energy demand of four percent (4%). A detailed discussion on the projected demand is contained in Annex “S”. A survey study was commissioned by PSPI on the QTP Service Area. The results of the survey were considered and used as the assumption for the load demand and load growth in the Financial Model. The survey summary report is attached as Annex “T”;

STATEMENT OF FACTS Under Section 59 of Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) and Rule 14 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) , the provision of electric service in remote and unviable areas that a distribution utility is unable to service shall be opened to QTP;

19.6.

22. Cash Flow.

Furthermore, PSPI has caused the publication of the present Application in its entirety in a newspaper of general circulation within the Municipality of Rizal. Copies of the corresponding Affidavit of Publication and the newspaper are attached to the Application as Annexes “H” and “H-1”, respectively;

The operations and maintenance, of the distribution system, as well as billing and collection, will be performed by PSPI. This fee is incorporated as a flat rate in the Full Cost Recovery Rate;

21. Purchased Power Rate. The Full Cost Recovery Rate (FCRR) consists of a levelized base rate of PhP34.08/kWh, which shall be automatically adjusted for each billing period based on Philippine and US consumer price indices as well as actual fuel costs, in accordance with the adjustment mechanisms in the QSSA. In accordance with the ERC QTP Guidelines, PSPI shall charge and collect from the endusers SARR. Should the FCRR be higher than the SARR, PSPI shall be entitled to ‘recover the difference from the UC-ME Subsidy. A detailed discussion on the FCRR, including its breakdown and the rationale supporting the indexation, is attached to the Application as Annex “P”;

COMPLIANCE WITH PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS

19.5.

Fuel supply shall be arranged through a purchase contract considering the current fuel provider of NPC. The fuel supply contract shall be established mutually to ensure continuous plant operations. A detailed discussion of the funding/financial aspects of the project is attached to the Application as Annex “M”;

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

Distribution System and related operations. PSPI will rehabilitate and upgrade the existing distribution network in Rizal. It will also plan for an expansion of the existing grid based on the high load growth potential. For the term of the Project, PSPI will strive to maintain on the average 11% system loss;

20. Financial Plans. PSPI intends to enter into a long-term lease agreement with a credible generator set leasing company to minimize generation cost of the electricity provided. A long-term lease reduces the up-front capital required and ensures optional genset operation. In the long-term lease agreement, the genset leasing company guarantees the necessary genset performance metrics including fuel efficiency, plant availability and fixed and variable costs thereby creating an additional layer of power supply stability. .

ERC CASE NO. 2015-200 RC POWERSOURCE (PSPI),

19.4.

34.1.

Authority to Operate as a Qualified Third Party under the ERC QTP Guidelines;

34.2.

A Provisional Authority to Operate in the QTP Area be immediately issued in its favor pending ERC Resolution

34.3.

The QTP Service Contract, including the Full Cost Recovery Rate therein, be approved;

34-4.

Authority to charge its customers a tariff equivalent to the ERC-approved retail rate of P ALECO, in accordance with Section II, Article IV of the ERC QTP Guidelines; and

34.5.

Permission to recover from the UC-ME Subsidy the difference between the FCRR and rate charged by it to its consumers; and to this end, NPC be directed to release to PSPI such subsidy in accordance with the terms of the QTP Service Contract.

The Commission has set the Application for jurisdictional hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on 15 March 2016 (Tuesday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at the Barangay Gymnasium in Candawaga, Rizal, Palawan. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition’, with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired.

17.1.

Based on an extensive house-to-house customer load surveys, and projected small loads of electricity on off-peak hours which will likely be experienced in the early years of Project Development, PSPI will install a very modular, flexible ‘and highly redundant diesel generating plant based on 2 units of small high speed gensets, 1 x 48 kW and 1 x 80 kW on the first year of operation. This ensures modest capital cost and maximum operating flexibility in the early years of operation;

17.2.

PSPI’s project is aimed to be a realization of the goal of the QTP program to stimulate economic progress in remote and unviable areas through electrification. The beneficial impact of stable and reliable electricity service to the economy of the local community in the QTP Service Area as well as the daily lives of the consumers cannot be overstated;

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the Application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the Applicant concludes the presentation of its evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon.

18. Formation of Project Company for Candawaga and Culasian Project. Similar to its plans in the Rio Tuba Project and Malapascua Project, PSPI intends to incorporate a project company with local investment for the purpose of providing electricity service and performing the functions of a QTP in the QTP Service Area to which it will assign its ATO as a QTP and transfer its rights and interests in the QTP project as well upon the approval of the present Application;.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from the Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. The Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS OF THE, PROJECT AND THE QTP SERVICE AND SUBSIDY CONTRACT 19. Under the QSSC, PSPI shall provide 24-hour electricity service in the QTP Service Area for a term of fifteen (15) years. In order to ensure that PSPI will be able to viably serve the QTP Service Area, it may be allowed to avail of the UC-ME Subsidy; 19.1.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman, JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 9th day of February 2016 at Pasig City.

The Generation Facilities. In Barangays Candawaga and Culasian, PSPI will install a 1x48 kW and 1x80 kW in the first. Additional 1x140 kW in the Second Year. Nonetheless, should there be a massive increase in load growth as foreseen by it, the latter reserves the right to request for the adjustment of the FCRR to include a new generator set and its relevant , components in the computation;

19.2.

The relevant Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Certificate of Compliance (COC) issued by the Commission covering the diesel generating units will be obtained prior to Commercial Operations Date;

19.3.

In line with legislative and regulatory policies on the promotion of renewable sources of energy, PSPI intends to comply with the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), sourcing a certain

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO

M O N D AY : F E B R U A R Y 2 9, 2 0 1 6

cEsAR BARRiOqUiNtO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

Festival. Founder Lee Schrager and host Rachael Ray attend Nutrish’s Yappie Hour hosted By Rachael Ray during the 2016 Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival Presented By FOOD & WINE at The Standard Spa on February 27, 2016, in Miami Beach, Florida. AFP

Passion for guns is intact in US Bread getting scarce in crisis-hit Venezuela CARACAS—At a popular east Caracas bakery, customers can buy Spanish olive oil, Italian tomato sauce and even American chocolates. But bread? Forget it. Cardboard signs on the door warning of “No bread” have become increasingly common at Venezuelan bakeries. Venezuela gets 96 percent of its foreign currency from oil exports, and as crude prices have plunged, so have the country’s imports— among them wheat. The leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro has tightly controlled access to hard currency, and this has affected imports ranging from medicine to toilet paper. Now it is seriously affecting imports of wheat, which Venezuela does not grow. Add to this the soaring inflation rate—181 percent in 2015,

the world’s highest—and you see why customers are mainly interested in buying basic food items such as bread. The few bakeries that can still get a hold of a 50-kilogram (110-pound) sack of flour to make bread limit their sales to just two “canillas”—thin half-baguettes—per person three times a day. Customers line up for bread in the morning, at noon and in the evening. “Our ovens are off,” baker Freddy Vilet told AFP. His store has crackers, sausages and ham for sale, but no bread. He doesn’t even have hamburger or hot dog bread. Rosa Perez, who manages a bakery in the tony Chacao district, said that her store is working at about 30 percent capacity. AFP

WASHINGTON—A rifle as new state symbol. A bill that lets young children use handguns under supervision. As mass shootings shatter lives, the fascination with firearms among many Americans shows little sign of fading. Over the past week, two gunmen killed at least nine people in unrelated rampages in Michigan and Kansas. Add to that the death in Indiana of a father who was accidentally shot by his six-year-old son who found a loaded revolver lying around and pulled the trigger. President Barack Obama—who offers his condolences to families of loved ones lost after each mass shooting—has decried the “routine” nature of reporting about and responding to such tragedies. But faced with a Republicancontrolled Congress unwilling to move forward on the matter, Obama—who made fighting gun violence his chief resolution for 2016—is left with his wheels spinning.

In January, he shed tears as he announced limited measures to tackle the rampant violence that kills around 30,000 Americans each year and called on citizens to punish lawmakers who oppose more meaningful reforms. In the speech, Obama formally unveiled a handful of executive measures that will make it harder to buy and sell weapons, but which he admitted would not stop the scourge of mass shootings. And in a country where there are more guns than people, and with Republicans vying to take back the White House in November, it remains to be seen, what—if anything—will change. Senators in Tennessee—in a near unanimous vote—designated a rifle that is said to be capable of

destroying commercial aircraft as an official state symbol. The .50-caliber Barrett, manufactured in the southern state, joins a range of other Tennessee state symbols. These include the mockingbird as “official state bird” and the raccoon as “official wild animal.” “These ‘anti-materiel’ sniping rifles can strike accurately from a distance of more than a mile” (1.6 kilometers), the Violence Policy Center, a non-profit organization that advocates for gun control said. “They can penetrate light armor, down helicopters, destroy commercial aircraft, and blast through rail cars and bulk storage tanks filled with explosive or toxic chemicals, all with potentially catastrophic effect.” Still, the semi-automatic weapon is available for sale to civilians. For the vast majority of Europeans, South Americans and Asians, there is little doubt that a firearm is best kept as far as possible from places where people live, let alone from children. AFP

China’s new land of milk and honey SYDNEY—Asian consumers determined to improve their lifestyle are boosting the fortunes of Australian producers of premium baby milk formula, vitamins and honey, as the region’s burgeoning middle class jumps on the health food bandwagon. With their expanding wallets, middle class consumers are fueling a sharp increase in the sales of high-quality products from Down Under, sending the profits and share prices of health foods companies—particularly the producers of infant milk formula—into un-

precedented territory. They are led by Chinese consumers fearful of lax food safety standards at home, where cost-cutting by producers have resulted in deaths and health scares. “You’ve had almost three decades of incredible GDP growth [in China] and that has brought a huge amount of spending power to the Chinese consumer,” IG Markets’ analyst Angus Nicholson told AFP. “And given the fact that there has been some questions around— particularly food, health and medical products—in China, there has

been an increase in demand for foreign, top quality brands.” The growth is being described as a shift from “mining to dining” as Australia transitions away from supplying China with key metals such as iron ore and coal towards feeding Asia’s consumption boom. While much of the focus has been on soft commodities like beef and dairy, smaller Australian-listed firms that produce infant milk powder, vitamin supplements and honey are also benefiting from the increased appetite. AFP

Performer. Puerto Rican singer Don Omar performs during the 57th song festival in Vina del Mar, Chile, on February 27, 2016. AFP

m onday : feb ruary 29, 2016

TaTum anCHeTa EDITOR

bInG PareL

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

bernadeTTe LunaS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIfeatStandard

e aT, drInK , T r aV eL

LIFE

Sage bar aims to master the “art of bar”—that is, to add excitement and a touch of class to the manila bar scene by filling 2016 with events to upgrade the drinking experience in the metro

inally, a legit jazz bar is now in Manila – Sage Bar in Makati Shangri-La that takes you to the scene that used to belong only to New Orleans, with talents like international jazz songstress Coco Rouzier from Washington. Its goal is to give Makati an authentic jazz experience like nothing you have ever seen or heard before, and boy, it did not disappoint. Rouizer’s soulful sound and charismatic presence is definitely a welcome nightcap to an otherwise stressful day in the business district of Makati. It is no secret that Asians are a hard crowd to please, more so engage, but Rouizer seems to ease the normally reserved locals into dancing and singing with her through her captivating music and warm presence. With Sage Bar, Shangri-La hits the high note with its authentic jazz experience and fine selection of whisky. Makati Shangri-La promises an impressive lineup of performers all year round, and yes, the jazz experience is open every night. With its re-launch, Sage Bar aims to master the “Art of Bar” – which means it is bringing class back to the drinking scene by filling 2016 with events to upgrade the bar experience in the metro. The bar promises a deeper appreciation for fine whisky with its full range of flights (samplers) served by a team of experts

SAgE AnD JAzz

By WEIzEl gulfAn who will impress you not only with their mixologies but also their knowledge of whisky and other wines and spirits. More than fine sound and sips – Sage further indulges the senses with interiors of smoky wood that create that husky sensual ambiance as beautiful and attentive servers delight even the most particular of guests. Certainly, Sage elevates the bar scene by offering an experience that has the heart of soul. For inquiries and reservations, call Restaurant Reservations at (63 2) 814 2580 or email rric.slm@shangri-la.com. For more updates, follow Makati Shangri-La, Manila on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MakatiShangriLa.

Guests are guarranteed to be served with an array of drinks to stimulate their senses

Partake of fine bottle selections for their whisky flights

Sage bar is set on taking the manila drinking experience to new heights

Coco rouzier in makati Shangri-La's Sage bar

m onday : FEb ruary 29, 2016

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Island Cove Hotel and leIsure Park: an exCItIng summer getaway

hose looking for a terrific way to spend summer but don’t like the idea of traveling on a plane need not look far, because just 15 to 20 minutes away from the Mall of Asia in Pasay City lies Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park, a 36-hectare hotel and entertainment complex in historic Kawit in Cavite. Originally called Pulo ni Buronggoy, the resort officially opened in 1976 as Covelandia Island Resort, which went into downtime for 12 years following the economic downturn in the ’80s. Then in 1997, the island reopened, this time with new developments including an animal sanctuary that serves as home to different species of reptiles, mammals and birds. Today, the ISO-certified Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park is accredited as a “Triple A” resort by the Department of Tourism, known for providing quality getaway and relaxation options. Just recently, Island Cove finished major upgrades and renovations of its facilities with rooms now outfitted with charging ports, Wi-Fi, flat screen televisions and modern bathrooms while retaining its Mediterranean feel. “We are particularly proud of our premier deluxe and family deluxe rooms, as well as the junior suites and villas,” says managing director Gilbert Remulla, adding that the junior suites and villas are very spacious, with Jacuzzi and pool in the hotel

complex exclusive to checked in guests, as well as some sports and recreation facilities that are also available for free. Children will especially enjoy playing at the new playground called the King Crawler designed by Carve, a Dutch company that patterned the design after the original King Crawler in the Netherlands. This vertical urban play structure combines several functions and provides different types of play and climbing opportunities, with the colored ribbon-like platforms that look as if they are floating between the muted posts and wire mesh walls. Kids will also enjoy the Wildlife Sanctuary where they can feed crocodiles and monkeys, take photos of ostriches, Bengal tigers, Philippine deer, and a 15foot python. Those craving for more action can opt to visit the Adventure Zone which boasts of having one of the largest paintball arenas in the country and an airsoft game site, or they can try their wits with the Island Cove Maze Challenge. Of course, a resort will not be complete without swimming facilities, and the Oceania Swim and Splash Park provides some water fun with the splashers and sprayers imported from Australia. The main pools have four giant slides and inflatables, with the whole water complex spanning over 3,000 square meters – making it the biggest in Mega Manila. With safety being a paramount concern, colorful, water-safe

Chef Vill Purificacion cooks up Pinoy favorites as well as dishes that are unique to Cavite

There's a variety of dining options available in the sprawling complex as well as fun activities for the whole family

rubber flooring have been installed to minimize the possibility of slipping incidents, and all lifeguards are certified in standard first aid and basic life support by the Philippine National Red Cross. Foodies will also be delighted at the variety of dining options available in the sprawling complex. The Fishing Village for instance has a quaint appeal with its Filipino themed restaurant that offer Pinoy favorites as well as dishes that are unique to Cavite, which is well known for its mussels and oysters. If you’re the type who enjoys fishing, then you can work for your dinner and have your catch cooked. Continued on C3

new executive chef at Crowne Plaza manila Galleria and Holiday Inn manila Galleria Something delicious is cooking at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria with new executive chef Ingo Oldenburg, a German national who brings with him over 20 years of experience in various deluxe restaurants and luxury hotels in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia.

New executive Chef Ingo Oldenburg

A German Culinary Masters Degree holder who obtained training in internationally acclaimed institutions in culinary management and started his career in various restaurants in Germany before moving to the United Kingdom where he became part of Fredericks Hotel in Maidenhead and Mayfair Intercontinental Hotel London, Chef Ingo will helm the teams in the respective kitchens of the two hospitality landmarks at the Ortigas Center. Chef Ingo specializes in large-scale culinary operations of hotels and resorts, and has successfully collaborated with Michelin Star Chefs Jarad Gallagher, Pere Massana and Shiqin Chen to name a few. Chef Ingo is incorporating new flavors and introducing new dishes in the menus to provide more options for guests and patrons. At an intimate five-course wine dinner prepared by the chef, guests were delighted to have a taste of his culinary masterpieces that went very well with the featured wines, the Ramon Bilbao Crianza 2009 and the Monte Blanco de Ramon Bilbao 2012. The starter, Foie Gras Duo made of grilled foie gras topped with fresh pomelo which went very well with the apple puree and balsamic reduction set the tone for the dinner, with the foie gras mocha served panna cotta style completing the delightful duo. What followed was a culinary adventure with Beef Carpaccio (with arugula salad and drizzled with truffle oil, Manchego cheese shavings and sunny side quail egg), followed by the Pan Fried Black Cod that looked so attractive, nestled atop a creamy mushroom risotto with

Strawberry Meringue Mille Feuille and Gelato

asparagus tips, the saffron garlic foam adding to the flavorful dish. Next was US Roasted Tenderloin cooked medium well with buttered mashed potato, a bouquet of baby carrots and fava beans. The meat was so tender, the flavor enhanced by the Port wine sauce. When dessert was served, some of the guests expressed hesitation because the Strawberry Meringue Mille Feuille and Gelato simply looked too nice to eat! The light strawberry cream layered between crisp and delicate meringue, with strawberry slices surrounding the chef ’s beautiful creation, did not disappoint, with the chocolate Ferrero gelato serving as a perfect complement. According to the amiable chef, who admits his love and fascination for Filipino food (adobo cooked with ketchup, anyone?) as he is married to a Filipina, plans are underway to

launch various campaigns in all outlets to tap new markets such as Wine Pairing Dinners, Baking Classes, and hybrid food. “I would like Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria to be known for unique items while still meeting the popular taste,” he shares. “I would like to offer what I love to eat and match it with the taste of the people,” he adds. Handling both kitchens of the two hospitality landmarks in Ortigas Center, Chef Ingo is incorporating new flavors and introducing new dishes in the menus to provide more options for guests and patrons. Be one of the first to try Chef Ingo’s specialty dishes when you visit Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria. For inquiries and reservations, you may call 633-7222 or email fandb.reservations@ihg.com

m onday : FEb ruary 29, 2016

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Wandering around Manila With Booze Traveler tipple tales

By icy MariÑas

his tale of the early stages of my career in television hosting (today the broadsheets, tomorrow the small screen!) begins innocently enough when a friend asked me if I knew who Jack Maxwell was. “Of course I know him!” I exclaimed like a fan girl. “Booze Traveler!” In case it’s not obvious, I am a big fan of the show. After all, it’s about a lucky guy getting to drink his way around the world. Two of the things I love, travel and booze, in one show? What’s not to love? I was really excited to find out that the show was coming here and maybe even get to meet Jack, so imagine my elation when my friend recommended me to be his co-host for the Manila leg. They were interviewing other people for the slot (some already had a few bars under their belts and one is a famous personality) and that I would audition via video chat. I wondered what they would ask me. Did I need to show them how much I could drink, or have a drinking contest with the other potential hosts? Images of a western standoff flashed in my mind. But they just asked me about my knowledge of alcohol

and the local drinking culture, and my connection to it. I guess I won them over with my babbling and charm, because I got the gig, baby! Now on its second season, Booze Traveler is a show on the Travel Channel that features Jack Maxwell traveling the world to sample alcoholic beverages and get a sense of a place through the people’s alcohol-based customs. What Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern have done for travel food shows, Jack is doing for alcohol. There are so many specific intricacies of culture shared through drinking traditions. It’s about damn time someone shed light on them. For his trip to the Philippines, he was set to tackle rice wine (tapuy) in Ifugao, coconut wine (lambanog) in Quezon, and sugarcane wine (basi) in Vigan, interspersed with snippets of Manila drinking culture. They needed an expert to show him around Manila and I was more than happy to give him the tour you won’t find in any pub crawl. We watched (well, I watched and he joined) a neighborhood basketball game in Tondo (the roughest neighborhood in the Philippines) and proceeded to drink some Ginebra Gin (the biggest supplier of gin in the world) in a sari-sari store (Pinoy version of a convenience store). I took him to Quiapo market via jeep to sample some interesting food fare, made him the quintessential gin-pom cocktail, invited him to my bar to sample a couple of cocktails and popped his boodle fight (communal food spread out over banana leaves to be consumed using your hands) cherry.

Enjoying a drinking session at Hooch cocktail bar in Salcedo village, Makati City with Jack

island Cove Hotel From c2

This columnist with Rodney Brondial (right) and some tambays in Tondo teaching Jack Maxwell the rituals of Ginebra gin and tagay, passing around shots in one glass distributed by a pacer

I don’t want to spoil the whole show so I’ll just share some behind-the-scenes tidbits. I must admit I was a little anxious before I first met Jack since I did not know what to expect. Interestingly enough, when we did finally meet (at the crack of dawn), we didn’t bond over our love of cocktails, but that other kind of liquid elixir: coffee. He seemed pretty game to try out what we had in store for him. There was no script, just a general outline (shoot in Quiapo; talk about Ginebra Gin), so I didn’t really know what to prepare for. I hoped I could have Google on standby but of course I couldn’t. Once we started rolling, I just had to rely on the alcohol information Rolodex (remember those? Gosh, I’m old…) in my head and run with his questions. I had to think on my feet and answer them as quickly and cleverly as I could. It wasn’t as difficult as I thought because I was talking about something I love and I was drinking while doing it (booze loosens the tongue). The part where I mixed up a pitcher of gin and powdered pomelo juice stands out. It was really hot and the gin-pom was really refreshing, we almost finished the whole pitcher. Let me just say, I love gin; low quality gin, not so much. But I can’t complain. It costs less than a dollar, so I have money left for aspirin. It was a great experience. I got to share my appreciation and knowledge about booze and I held my own with THE Booze Traveler himself. I do wish I had more time with him so I can try to drink him under the table and put another feather in my cap, but maybe next time.

This columnist with Ginebra San Miguel rookie player Jack Baronial and Booze Traveler host Jack Maxwell during our tour of Tondo in Manila

Filipinos really have a unique drinking culture, built on sharing and camaraderie. We drink when we’re happy, sad, angry, bored, (insert whatever emotion here) and we like to drink with others. We are a very thirsty nation. We are known to be the one of the friendliest people on earth and our drinking culture just exemplifies that. A stranger is invited to take shots and instantly becomes our best friend. If there is one thing great about booze, it truly does bring people together! Our customs and celebrations are formed around that. Catch the Booze Traveler episode featuring the Philippines titled “Inuman Nature” (so punny) and watch me give Jack Maxwell a taste of Manila’s drinking culture. Cheers! Follow me on Instagram @sanvicentegirl

vigorous exercise, check out the full service gym, but if you prefer to exercise your vocal chords, head to the Bayside KTV which has nine private rooms that can seat groups of up to 30 and sing your heart out all night long while enjoying pica-pica food. And to relieve your stress, the Island Spa is ready with its soothing Western and Oriental massage treatments. Another option would be the authentic Filipino massage therapy packages that combine healing and relaxation techniques such as hilot and dagdagay. And since Island Cove is pet-friendly, you don’t have to leave your furry friends – just bring them along to also enjoy the island’s facilities and have a guilt-free summer adventure.

A new addition to the menu is the Lechon sa Pugon, a less sinful variation of the traditional roast pig as it is slow-cooked in a brick oven for up to three hours to make most of the fat and oil drip out while keeping the meat moist and tender and retaining the crunchiness of the skin. “With all the secret ingredients of our chef, our Lechon sa Pugon is noticeably more flavorful than those cooked the traditional way,” Remulla says. The iCafe on the other hand offers coffee, shakes, quick meals, and sweet treats, and a recent addition to the snack selections are the sisig and adobo buns. Those who prefer Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park is located at Western cuisine may opt to go to Sangley Point which Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite. For reservations and inquiries, provides a view of the pool and splash park. Among call (046) 434 0210 or email to inquiry@islandcovephil. the must-try items are the baked baby back ribs, the com. You may also contact its Makati Sales Office at Suite homemade bacon barbecue, and the new Wagyu burger. 1416 Cityland 10 Tower 1, De La Costa St., Makati City, Those who prefer to stay indoors can try their hand with telephone number (02) 8107878. You may also log at billiards, table tennis, or go virtual at the game room on to www.islandcovephil.com or check its social media with Wii, Playstation 3 and Xbox consoles. For more accounts on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Island Cove's newly renovated rooms

m onday : FEb ruary 29, 2016

B Hotel’s imposing façade

merCury rising BY BOB zOzOBRADO

s an active “disciple” of our country’s Tourism industry, I am always happy to see new hotels coming up anywhere in the metro or in the provinces because it is an affirmation that our industry continues to blossom. Investors know that the continuously increasing tourist arrivals guarantee the speedy return of their investment and, along the way, it gives employment to many of our countrymen. In fact, these hotels are the reason why enrolment in Tourism and Hospitality Management programs in our school, and in many other schools all over the country, continues to increase every semester. Students know that this current spate of hotel

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@LIFEatStandard

fOR BOB?

development ensures a bright and rewarding future for them. It was one of those days when the mail included several invitations to various events in the city. But, there was one that intrigued me… an invitation to the soft opening of B Hotel in Quezon City. I was trying to figure out, unless the owner’s name starts with that letter, why would anyone announce to the world that he rates his hotel a “B?” It would be just like saying, the hotel will never be an “A.” My curiosity pushed me to attend the inaugural party at the designated date to learn more about the hotel and the real story behind its name. B Hotel, located along Scout Rallos in Quezon City, is a mid-scale businessman’s hotel and is currently the only one of its kind in that area. It only has 111 rooms and is ideal for travelling executives who are always in search of value-formoney accommodations. Its industrial-chic interiors and well thought-out amenities would also please weekenders who look for a change of environment every now and then.

The brightly lit Lobby Café

A Superior Room

It is owned and operated by the Bellevue Hotels & Resorts, which also owns and manages The Bellevue Manila in Alabang and The Bellevue Resort in Doljo Beach, Bohol. And, I just found out during the party that they already have another B Hotel, opened many years

B Hotel’s managing director Ryan Chan

ago in Alabang (I was unaware of this one when I received the invitation). I probed deeper on the reason for the name. Nothing much to it, after all. They told me that, compared to its deluxe “sister,” The Bellevue Manila, this newly opened hotel is one level lower in size, in its facilities and in its rates but, for branding recall, they retained its deluxe sister’s “B” logo. As I went around the hotel, I was impressed by its facilities. The bright and cheerful atmosphere of its Lobby Café is pleasing to the eye. The courtly chairs in the Mezzanine Bar remind me of those in a study room of an Englishman’s Members Only Club. The outdoor swimming pool on the 3rd floor is so inviting, I was almost tempted to take a dip right away, to freshen up after a long day at the office. Of course, propriety told me otherwise. I was really pleased with what I saw. In fact, as far as I am concerned, there is nothing “B”

about the hotel at all because everything in it is rated an “A” by my standards. And I guess this was the common consensus among all the guests that evening, which was probably the reason why the hotel’s managing director, Ryan Chan, was smiling from ear-to-ear. Of course, on hand to give him full support were the other family members – his father Johnny Chan, chairman of Bellevue Hotels & Resorts, siblings Patrick Chan who is the managing director of The Bellevue Manila and Dustin Chan, managing director of The Bellevue Resort. So, if I should decide to spend a weekend in the eastern part of the metro, I know I will find myself at home at the B Hotel, because it’s really an “A.” What’s more, it bears my initial so I can always pretend it’s mine (wink)! For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE: doCTor: How’s your headache? maLE PaTIEnT: She’s out of town. The hotel’s outdoor pool

m onDAy : F EbRuA Ry 2 9, 2016

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

Drag racer Ryan Agoncillo hosts AXn’s Cash Cab philippines

Up clOsE anD pERsOnal wITh Ryan agOncIllO

etro Manila’s traffic has been a bane to many a Filipino’s existence. More often than not, Filipino commuters arrive at work tired and battered from what-should-have-been-a-thirtyminute trip. With reasons for enjoying the Manila commute few and far between, more and more Filipino employees have opted to settle closer to the capital, braving the cramped quarters and high rents many associate with living in the Filipino heartland. Enter Cash Cab Philippines, a show aiming to change people’s perception of Manila traffic – one cab, numerous questions, and plenty of prizes await in AXN’s local take on the international game show. We sat down with Cash Cab’s host Ryan Agoncillo for a brief interview about his experiences and stand-out moments with the innovative game show on TV today. TS (The Standard): Hi, Ryan! So, Cash Cab started production last November. How has the experience been for you? RA (Ryan Agoncillo): Hi! Well, at first medyo mahirap. The learning curve of doing Cash Cab is pretty steep, meaning you have to get used to [using] the gadgets inside, because you’re not just driving the car, you’re operating the

lights, you’re working a RA: It’s different, defimobile phone, then you nitely… Especially the have a tablet as well, Filipinos mismo – we and you have the montend to play a very difey to mind. ferent game. But nothJaO gavInO And [there’s] the ing is different from the gameplay, which is me mechanics of Cash Cab asking the questions, Asia, Cash Cab New as well as listening to a York, and other Cash director, who’s in a van Cab versions across all following the car, talk to me via the the other territories. earpiece. It was kind of difficult for TS: Speaking of mechanics, the first few hours, pero, after the in your own words, can you defirst night was over, I got the hang scribe Cash Cab Philippines’ of it, and it became pretty simple. mechanics to us? TS: With the way you’re sayRA: It’s pretty simple - I pick you ing it, it’s sort of like a one-man up, you give me your destination, production, just you, the contes- and from the time I pick you up to tants, and the cab! when we get to your destination, I RA: On cam, it looks like a one- ask you questions. If you give me man operation, but there’s a whole the correct answer, I give you some team behind it. AXN’s got a fantastic cash. If you give the incorrect anteam, so it didn’t feel like a one-man swer, you get a strike. Three strikes operation. We have an Australian – you are out! director, a Singaporean producer, TS: So, apart from the apparand a Malaysian cameraman. Ev- ent difficulties you mentioned eryone’s doing multiple jobs; it’s all - such as the multitasking of international, world-class. managing the cab, talking to the TS: It seems you’re part of a customers, etc. Were there any multinational team that’s talent- unexpected problems, this being ed all-around, with all the mul- Manila, with the terrible traffic titasking and such. Speaking and all? of other nations, Cash Cab has RA: Well, being the “Manong had multiple versions across dif- Driver” of Cash Cab, you have ferent countries all around the to be hyper aware of things - may world – is there anything differ- mga rumaragasang sasakyan, ent with Cash Cab Philippines? may mga biglang tumatawid -

Q&a

Ryan Agoncillo joined by wife Judy Ann Santos and their kids in one of the episodes of Cash Cab philippines

you really have to pay attention to what’s going on. And of course, sa Cash Cab, the safety of passengers [comes] first and foremost. TS: Yeah, and with the unpredictability of Manila traffic, safety really should come first. Do you have any standout moments courtesy of your contestants? RA: There are a lot of interesting happenings sa Cash Cab, but my favorite story would have to be these two guys who came in, madaling araw na, medyo nakainom sila. At first, seryosong seryoso sila. Pero, when they started winning, ayun, naglalighten up na ‘yung mood. Tapos eventually, noong patapos na ‘yung ride, etong dalawang lalaki na may tattoo pa, na n’ong una e seryosong seryoso, biglang humingi ng selfie. (laughs) Kasi kailangan daw nila sabihin sa mga misis nila

kung bakit sila late umuwi nung gabi na ‘yon. (laughs) TS: Talk about awkward. (laughs) Finally, do you have any closing remarks, perhaps any people you’d like to say thanks to? RA: Well, I do hope to see a lot of people on the road watching out for the Cash Cab, because it is the best way to make money while in traffic. Think about it – na-traffic ka nga, may pera ka naman ‘di ba? Pero really, I do hope to see more people watching out for us. TS: Thanks for the interview, Ryan! We look forward to more of you, and Cash Cab, in the future! RA: No problem, thanks din, and see you guys on the road! Cash Cab Philippines airs on AXN, with new episodes airing every Thursday at 9:15 p.m., and on Feb. 27 and 28, at 6:30 p.m. and 8:50 a.m., respectively.

SummER SHowS At CASIno FIlIpIno Casino Filipino celebrates March with Summer Breeze, Makes Me Fine at Casino Filipino, a month-long festival of color and music that highlights the start of the Philippine summer. Enjoy the fresh breeze, beach escapades, and road trips with the barkada as Casino Filipino branches bring together the best elements of the season into all its venues. Guests of the casino will be able to enjoy great entertainment with performances from Sam Concepcion in the following Casino Filipino venues

- Angeles (March 1), Davao giving them exciting Celeb(March 3), Cebu (March 5), rity shows and other EnterTagaytay (March 12), Pavilion tainment events.” (March 15), Malabon (March Other shows lined-up for 19), and Malate (March 31). March include those of KlaSam says, “Thanks for having risse De Guzman (Pavilion, me in your (summer) series, I March 2), Jennifer Lee (Bilook forward to having a great nondo, March 3), Christian time in all our shows together, Bautista (Mactan, March 3), see you all and let’s party.” Randy Santiago (Mimosa, The sentiment was shared March 4), Ivy Violan (Crown by PAGCOR Entertainment Regency, March 4), Chokoleit Department’s AVP Bong (Ronquillo, March 5), MoriQuintana, “Summer is about sette Amon (Angeles, March having fun and at Casino 9), Pokwang (Pavilion, March Filipino we would like our 9), Jimmy Bondoc (Bacolod, guests to have some of the March 10), Jessa Zaragoza best times of their lives by (Malate, March 10), Meg Im-

perial with Troy Montero (Parkmall, March 10), Coritha (Ilo-ilo, March 10), Nanette Inventor (Talisay,March 11), Katya Santos (Tagum, March 11), and K Brosas and Pooh (Cebu, March 12). All shows starts at 9 p.m. except for those at Angeles, Crown Regency and Cebu, which will start at 8 p.m. For more details, call the PAGCOR Entertainment Department at (02) 7082046, (02) 526-0337 loc. 2401 to 2403 or visit our FB page: www.facebook. com/pagcor.artists

M ONDAY : F EBRUA RY 2 9, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

OFFICIALLY, JAMES AND NADINE NOW A COUPLE

uch to the delight of their followers, James Reid and Nadine Lustre are officially a couple. This was confirmed during their recent JaDine in Love concert in which James publicly told Nadine that he loves her. And before being accused of just riding on the success of their maiden soap opera On the Wings of Love, James explains, “It’s something I did not just for the fans. I did it because I wanted to. It’s my own decision.” The good-looking star is certain that his admission made their supporters real happy. “I know! Actually, I expected that already. It’s good that they’re happy about such development. I’m happy that everyone’s happy!” Many ask how he courted Nadine. “As in the style, you mean? It’s the normal Filipino way. In spite of the fact that I grew up in Australia, I chose to keep the Filipino tradition in wooing Nadine. I tell you, back in Sydney, we court girls differently. Of course, in Nadine’s case, it’s different.

she asked if at pres“I had to ask perent, I really feel that mission from her way. That’s the perfect dad first. Yes, I did timing I was waiting that! That’s to show for. I answered yes. my respect and asJOSEPH So her reaction after sure him that my PETER the concert, she was intentions for his GONZALES simply speechless. She daughter is clean just literally sat there as well as show my sincerity and seriousness. I’m while smiling!” ends James. happy and grateful that he re******** spected me!” Asked if he’s courting Maine In Philippine setting, the guy goes to the house of the girl Mendoza after their accidental meeting in Subic, Zambales when he courts. “Yes, and I did that to Na- recently, Derrick Monasterio dine!” James reveals. “I’m aware states, “Nope! There’s nothing that it is customary here so I had like that. Actually, I was surprised that there are issues like no qualms doing it!” For the record, when did they that. We haven’t talked yet after officially become a real-life couple? our chance meeting in Subic, “It was on Feb. 11. We were out whether you believe it or not!” How did they meet in Zamhaving dinner. My original plan was to surprise her on the day of bales, in which they even had a our JaDine in Love concert on Feb. picture together? “It was on Valentine’s Day. 20. But I felt different during our private dinner. I decided to propose My friends and I decided to have a road trip out of nothing to her in that very moment. “I was like, ‘I bet you didn’t to do. We reached the place kind know I could be like this!’ and of late already. Then, when I was she was like, ‘Yeah, I didn’t expect walking, I met some people this from you!’ I told her that it’s from Eat Bulaga whom I knew. different when I’m in love and They told me Maine was there.

SHTICKS

“They’re aware that Maine and I knew each other because she made a guesting stint in Vampire ang Daddy Ko of late in which I’m a mainstay. So, they escorted me to where she was. We gave each other the customary greeting kiss. That was it. “We didn’t have the chance to talk because there were lots of people in the place. What happened was that people who saw the picture put some sort of malice. But actually, there was nothing to it.” What’s his impression of Maine? “I can see that she’s so easy to deal with. Very light. When you’re with her, you will always laugh. On top of it all, she’s not plastic. She’s a beautiful person inside and out,” ends Derrick.

FEBRUARY 29, 2016 Nadine Lustre and James Reid otherwise known as JaDine during their concert at the Big Dome

CELEBRITY PARENTS OYO AND KRISTINE EMBRACE THE DIGITAL AGE

The Sottos paint the picture of a happy and connected family with loving parents raising three growing kids. With celebrity power couple Oyo Boy Sotto and Kristine Hermosa driving the foundation of young Kiel (7), Ondrea ( 4) and Kaleb (1), it is important for them to find ways to maintain strong connections with their kids. “Our days are full of errands that usually revolve around our kids’ schedules, especially now that Kiel and Ondrea are in school,” Tin shared. “We all wake up early and have breakfast together, and then Oyo and I separate to take them to their schools if there’s no driver. While the kids are in school, we do our errands and work out. Then after school, we make sure that they get their homework done before we have our family bonding time.”

Just like any other family, their best days are spent watching movies and eating. Other than the annual trips abroad and sporadic trips to the cinema, the Sottos love to stay at home, where they say find everything they need. “Aside from streaming movies from iflix and Fox, we also watch a lot of cartoons as preferred by the kids,” Oyo said. “We’re so happy to have easy access to our favorite movies and shows whenever we want, on top of strong Internet and the PLDT TVolution Stick that lets us enjoy them in the big screen.” Backed by the discipline and moderation imposed by the parents, the Internet plays a huge role in the Sottos’ lives. Aside from entertainment and connectivity, the Internet lets Oyo and Tin look up recipes and read the news. “Ondrea loves it when we read stories

to her, while Kiel, being more visual, prefers to watch TV to be educated,” Tin added. “It’s really all in the Internet.” The Internet now strengthens family connections even beyond the home. Thanks to the country’s first data sharing feature by the newest PLDT HOME DSL broadband plan, the Sottos stay in touch even outside the house. It is now easyshare the connection of their HOME DSL to their mobile phones -- whether it’s to get updates on Kiel’s most recent commercial shoot, plan their next travel getaway or simply share different experiences to make those experiences more meaningful. The PLDT HOME DSL Speedster Fam Plan 1299 offers speeds of up to 10 Mbps and a monthly data allocation of 50 GB. Families who upgrade their Speedster Plan with a Smart Mobile

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

41 Painter’s ground 42 Round objects 44 Uninhibited 45 Moo companions 46 Kyoto honorific 47 Almanac contents 49 Locomotive sound 54 Sultry Sommer 55 Next in line 57 Fly fisherman or stork 58 Mo. expense 59 Face spots 60 Invisible swimmer (var.) 61 Lattice piece 62 Three- — sloth 63 Pine for DOWN 1 A grand 2 Some are glad 3 Gael republic 4 Just scraped by 5 Broom companion 6 Question 7 Referee’s guideline 8 40-cup brewer 9 Youth org. 10 Containing NaCl 11 Bad-mouth sausage? 12 He wrote “Picnic” 13 Owner’s paper

21 Feedbag morsel 22 Kind of ranch 24 Like river bottoms 25 Swiss painter Paul — 26 Unfriendly 27 They turn litmus red 28 Kind of dictionary (hyph.) 29 Wolf, say 30 Butte cousins 31 Flop’s opposite 33 Stable parents 35 Tactic 37 Kind of chop 38 Above, to poets 40 Marshy areas 41 Ship’s entry 43 Like laser surgery (hyph.) 44 — de cologne 46 Tear in pieces 47 Know somehow 48 It was — — mistake! 49 Film 50 Willing to try 51 Glimmering 52 Wyo. neighbor 53 The “G” in GTO 55 Head topper 56 Kind of system

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE

ACROSS 1 Brought to bay 6 Trounce 10 Warehouse pallet 14 Japanese poem 15 Yours and mine 16 “Green Gables” redhead 17 Horrible bosses 18 Wrist bone 19 Opera box 20 Ain’t no more (3 wds.)

22 23 24 26 30 32 33 34 36 37 38 39 40

Minced Butter square Striped animal Word of warning Troublesome fungi Continental divider Brawl Ballpark figure Roster Fake diamonds Kind of tradition Banned pesticide Viking incursion

Plan 399 or Plan 600 can share 6 GB of the 50 GB monthly data allocation to their smart phones. They may get up to four Smart mobile phone lines bundled with their Speedster Fam Plan, all conveniently billed under one subscription. “As we always say, Internet today is not just about high-speed connectivity” PLDT VP and Marketing Director Gary Dujali said. “It is about the Internet helping build strong connections among family members within and beyond the home. We are more than happy to hear that families like the Sottos make the most out of technology in nurturing their bonds to each other wherever they may be. ” Powered by the PLDT Group’s robust and resilient fixed and wireless networks, the Speedster Fam Plan will also allow families to access and enjoy

Happy family: Kristine Hermosa and Oyo Boy Sotto with their daughter Ondrea

exclusive offers from PLDT HOME and Smart’s other digital lifestyle partners such as Zalora, foodpanda and Airbnb, whether at home or on mobile. For more information, log on to pldthome.com.

M ONDAY : F EBRUA RY 2 9, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

GMA NETWORK MAKES HISTORY

MA Network made another mark in Philippine broadcast history when it mounted the initial leg of PiliPinas Debates 2016 - the first presidential debate attended by all candidates in 24 years - which ruled both television ratings and online presence last Sunday. Nielsen Phils. TAM, the industry’s most trusted ratings service provider, reported that GMA’s live coverage of the first presidential debate at the Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City on Feb. 21, from 5 to 7pm, posted an overnight household rating of 24.8 percent nationwide in NUTAM (National Urban Television Audience Measurement), winning by a landslide over all counterpart programs of its rival network. The debate, which was organized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and produced by GMA Network and its print media partner Philippine Daily Inquirer, rated highest in Urban Mindanao, where the event was held, posting a 30.5 percent overnight household rating.

Aside from ruling the TV ratings, the debate - attended by all presidential aspirants, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Grace Poe, and former DILG Sec. Mar Roxas also dominated online. Based on data from Effective Measure, the leading provider of digital audience, brand, and advertising effectiveness measurement, GMA News Online got 3,567,404 page views last Sunday. The site’s main debates page gmanews.tv/eleksyon2016/ debates <http://gmanews.tv/ eleksyon2016/debates>, which housed the debate’s live stream, got 1,028,341 public views. The hashtag #PiliPinasDebates2016 became the top trending topic on Twitter in the Philippines and worldwide at the time the debate was being shown. Data from Twitter shows that organic impressions of tweets sent by @ gmanews generated 13.4 million organic impressions. Impressions are real views of @gmanews’

2016 presidential candidates (from left) Jejomar Binay, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Rodrigo Duterte, Grace Poe and Mar Roxas

tweets. There were 54,200 clicks on links mentioned in tweets sent by @gmanews and 513,900 clicks on native videos it tweeted. On GMA News’ Facebook page, posts with the #PiliPinasDebates2016 generated 156,215 engagements. Meanwhile, the on-demand replay of Pilipinas Debates 2016

continues to be watched. The video posted on YouTube now has 1,049,334 views. GMA Network also mounted the first-ever 360-degree live stream coverage of a live event in the Philippines during the debate, and one of the first worldwide. Moderated by Mike Enriquez and Jessica Soho, the debate became a venue for the

ABS-CBN head of Digital Operations Elaine Uy wins Young Market Master award ABS-CBN Integrated Corporate Communications head Kane Errol Choa named UK Education Ambassador for 2016

ABS-CBN EXECS AS UK EDUCATION AMBASSADORDS, YOUNG MARKET MASTERS Two ABS-CBN executives proved that excellence is the main order of business for the Kapamilya network with honors from revered institutions this month. ABS-CBN Integrated Corporate Communications head Kane Errol Choa was named one of the seven United Kingdom (UK) Education Ambassador in the Philippines on Feb.11, while ABS-CBN head of Digital Operations - Digital Media

Division Elaine Uy was recognized as a Young Market Master awardee by Mansmith and Fielders, Inc. during its 11th Young Market Master Awards held on the same day at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City. Choa, who earned his MSc in Media Communications with merit from the London School of Economics and Political Science as a Chevening scholar, led the awardees chosen by the British Embassy in Manila for

their vision and dedication to their field of expertise. He and the six other new ambassadors will bring inspiration to other Filipinos to pursue a UK education and explore the world-class educational opportunities in the UK to Filipinos, including the Chevening Scholarship Program, which began its search for applicants once again. Ambassador Asif Ahmad confirmed the appointments at a reception at the British Ambassador’s

residence, saying that “the role of education in nation building cannot be underestimated, in sharing knowledge and creating prosperity. Education is an important investment by the UK in the Philippines, even more so now with more scientific and research exchanges through the Newton Agham Fund, more scholars taking part in the Chevening Programme and more Filipinos hosted by the UK to further their studies.” The Chevening Scholarships are offered in 118 countries, providing opportunities to emerging leaders through funding by the UK Government and partner organizations. Awards are typically for a oneyear Master’s degree, in any subject and at any of the UK’s leading universities. In the current academic year, a record number of 27 Filipinos joined the Chevening Scholarship Programme. Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Corpora-

presidential bets to discuss their platforms on some of the mostpressing issues faced by the country. Inquirer.net Editor in Chief John Nery served as co-host. COMELEC will be organizing two more presidential debates, one in Luzon and one in Visayas, and a vice-presidential debate in Manila. tion’s head for Digital Operations Elaine Uy was recognized as one of the Young Market Master awardees by Mansmith and Fielders, Inc.. Uy was one of the 11 marketers recognized by the prestigious training and consultancy company that offers marketing and sales strategies. The Mansmith YMMAs seeks to honor and recognize excellent Filipino marketers who are 35 years old and below. Working with Donald Lim, ABSCBN’s chief digital officer, who himself was a YMMA awardee in the early part of his career, Uy has helped the country’s leading media network successfully adapt and prosper to the evolution of online communications by streamlining digital efforts and laying down the digital foundations of the company. Uy played an integral role in making the Kapamilya network become the number one website and social media publisher in the Philippines by overseeing the transition to digital of over 20 lines of businesses of ABS-CBN. Uy used more than a decade of experience in digital production, strategy, and advertising in steering ABS-CBN’s digital media division to attaining a solid digital presence for the multimedia conglomerate by launching various business opportunities using the online platform: Stellar, the first-ever celebrity social media agency, Push Awards, the first celebrity awards event of the network, a multi-channel network dubbed Chicken Pork Adobo, and WeStory, an in-house digital agency for branded storytelling.

MISS TOURISM PHILIPPINES 2016 SEARCH IS ON

The nationwide search is on for Miss Tourism Philippines 2016, according to Miss Tourism Phil-

ippines (MTP) president Amelia Sunio-Abarquez, a businesswoman and philanthropist based

MISS TOURISM PHILIPPINES signs a contract with ABS-CBN for the airing of the 5th Miss Tourism Phils. (MTP) on June 5, 2016. Ms. Amelia SunioAbarquez (extreme right) signed in behalf of MTP, and ABS-CBN’s Sales Head Ronnie Marino (2nd from left) for the network. Also in photo are, from left, Pam Estrella; MTP Founding Chairman Francisco Gareth Z. Blanco, and Ralph Monica. Standing are Director Ferdie Nadera and Dr. Jake Navea of MTP Marketing. The coronation of Miss Tourism Philippines 2016 will held in March at the Resorts World Manila. For details, visit www. misstourismphilippines.com.

in California. Just recently, MTP signed a contract with ABS-CBN Head

of Sales Ronnie Merino for the airing of MTP Coronation Rites on June 5. The winner of Miss Tourism Philippines 2016 and the special awardees (Miss Tourism World and Miss Tourism Universe) will be crowned in March at Resorts World Manila, with MTP founding chairman Francisco Gareth Z. Blanco as director. The annual MTP

search is in partnership with Local Government Units (LGU) fielding their own candidates. “Our target is to have no less than 50 candidates,” Abarquez said. “Our aim is to promote Philippine tourism locally and internationally, this is our advocacy.” Last year, Abarquez co-produced MTP but this year she has registered the tourism search as Miss Tourism Philippines, Inc. The winner as Miss Tourism Philippines 2016 will be awarded a cash prize worth P200,000.

m onDAy : F EbRuA Ry 2 9, 2016

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

Former Pbb big winner bea Saw

Actor Carlo Aquino

Regine Angeles

‘WE WIll SuRvIvE’ TOnIghT

onight is the night when Comediennes Pokwang and Melai Cantiveros grace TV screens for the team up to make evening TV audience laugh. For the first time to, the two laugh-out-loud stars will show viewers the beauty of life and friendship in ABS-CBN’s newest primetime series, We Will Survive, debuting tonight. Pokwang and Melai will portray two childhood friends who grew up in some town in the Bicol region (this should give the region a tourism boost) who, despite having different personalities, are brought together by life’s unfair certainties and painful experiences. The team behind feel-good dramas Be Careful With My Heart, Dream Dad, and Ningning – all helmed by veteran director Jeffrey Jeturian – also produced the series. “That’s how life is, right? No matter what we go through, whatever tragedy we face, we Filipinos

ISAH V. RED

will survive,” says Pokwang. “Viewers need to watch this because it’s a unique offering on primetime. They will get inspiration and good vibes from the program,” Melai adds. Get to know Wilma (Pokwang), a reserved beauty salon worker and the breadwinner of her family. She faces one of the biggest challenges in her life when her boyfriend leaves her because she is not yet ready to commit to marriage because of her family. Meanwhile, Maricel (Melai) is a bubbly and charming manager at a hotel who lost her parents at an early age and was raised by her grandmother. She experiences her first heartbreak when she finds out that her first boyfriend is gay. But together, they will support

each other and recover from their personal disasters. What other challenges will test Wilma and Maricel’s friendship? Amidst all of these, will they still be able to firmly tell each other “we will survive”? Also joining Pokwang and Melai in We Will Survive are Josh De Guzman, Carlo Aquino, Jeric Raval, Bea Saw, Regine Angeles, Viveika Ravanes, Bing Davao, Alcris Galura, Maris Racal, Joshua Zamora, McCoy De Leon, and Vangie Labalan. We Will Survive proves that however ugly the world may be, there is beauty in life as long as we are together. Recently signed Kapamilya Jona (formerly known as Jonalyn Viray at GMA Network) sings the series’s theme song. It airs weeknight before TV Patrol on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida. For updates, like www.facebook.com/WeWillSur viveT V or follow @wewillsurviveTV on Twitter and Instagram.

“We Will Survive” main stars melai Cantiveros and Pokwang

Returning actor Jerick Raval

Child star Josh de Guzman

Miss Earth beauty, DLS-CSB to collaborate on green campaign

Alcris Galura and Viveika Ravanes

Teen stars mcCoy de Leon and maris Racal

Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong paid a courtesy call on De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) President Brother Dennis Magbanua, FSC, to discuss a possible collaboration between the pageant and DLS-CSB. Ong, who is a Benildean, hopes to achieve her green advocacies by partnering with the college. “I think the students of Benilde can learn from us, as well as having a real life experience… The whole core of this meeting is not just helping each other, but to expand the advocacy and awareness of students on how we can make a greener future.”

Angelia ong with DLS-CSb School of Design and Arts Associate Dean for new media Studies Abigail mapua-Cabanilla and DLS-CSb President magbanua

SECTION D FEBRUARY 29, 2016

DRIVING THE CHANGE incisive credible transformation issues

viewpoint

TH 29 opinion journalism reportingviewpoints

ANNIVERSARY visionary SPECIAL

editor

vision hard-hitting defining

Visionary story editorial

stories principle

balanced Philippines opinions credibility scoop

M O N D AY : F E B R U A R Y 2 9, 2 0 1 6

29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

&K D LU PD Q · V 0 H V V D J H

E are on the brink of a major change: One that will affect our nation for the next six years at least. Whether the change will be positive or negative will depend on what we all decide to do today what we focus on, what we support, what we embrace, what we reject. Will we, as a people, be swayed by personalities or focus on issues and policies? How will we vote? Or more precisely, who will we vote for if we vote at all? No doubt the information we get greatly influences what we decide to do. And that is where The Standard comes in. For the last 29 years, The Standard has been at the forefront of change. It has served as witness, documenting the transformations and trends as they occur. It has heralded change, taking the information at its fingers and projecting what will or could be. And in many instances, The Standard has driven this change, causing people to sit up, take notice and act on many issues that affect our existence. Last year, we came out with several breaking and exclusive stories that stirred a hornet’s nest like the Mamasapano tragedy that made people feel sorrow, shock, anger. Mamasapano was a disaster that caused people to sit up and take notice of an issue that previously was quietly slipping by: the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL. Our reportage also led people to take a closer look at

other important issues: the state of our leadership, the state of our military and uniformed services, and more. The changes we have made primarily embracing digital technology became a driver for other changes, in the way people receive news and opinions that influence their beliefs and dictate their behavior. Late last year, our Visionary Awards brought attention to people around us who, through the power of a vision, are quietly doing the things that still need to be done, away from the limelight, mostly unnoticed by the popular media. We told stories of these visionaries and how they are changing the lives of those around them, and we will continue to tell their stories. The core of The Standard has not changed. We will always be about news, opinions and information. We will always be about offering insightful views and informed perspectives that will help guide and drive the kind of change that will be of value to the people. To all our friends, supporters and readers, we thank you for being with us all these years, in celebrating yet another milestone in our journey. Together, let us continue to be the change that this country and our people need.

PHILIP G. ROMUALDEZ Chairman

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E are adding another year under our belt. At 29, we can say we have gone through a lot. The year before, in particular, was an interesting time. Through it all, we have stayed the course and never once lost sight of our vision to produce a good newspaper for our loyal readers and supporters. The highs and lows that chronicle our past have in fact made us more conscious of our reason for being and, for good measure, helped us be still positive about the future fraught with uncertainties and challenges. The newspaper business is undergoing transformation at breathtaking pace. In just over a decade, the internet has changed, and dramatically, the news and information landscape. Not only has it cut down barriers; it has also given unbridled freedom to netizens on how and when to source and use data. This brought about the profusion of new technology devices to piggyback on the exponential growth of the web market and the introduction of innovative ways to monetize the many facets of digital media. The situation has weighed heavily on legacy newspapers already saddled by high cost of printing and declining readership and revenue. Their traditional pull is no match to the aggressive digital magnet. Yet ironically, it is the shrinking part of newspaper—print—that continues to foot the bill to this day, while its much-vaunted growth side—digital—contributes a puny portion to the total revenue pie. This paradox has not been lost on many in the industry, causing them to take a pause to figure out how to proceed at this stage of digital transition. It is against this backdrop that The Standard marks its 29th anniversary. It stands at a crucial crossroad where hard choices must be made: mainly, on what form the paper should best evolve to be relevant in this wired world. Whatever it is, it will be an entirely different specie from the traditional newspaper business ñ information portals, social media. But what is clear to us this early is that the evolving model will have to incorporate the values of professional journalism in the newsroom, all the more reason amid the frenzy of citizen journalism online. As one study aptly puts it, “although daily journalism may be losing its economic foundation, it has not lost its justification.” And so at 29, The Standard continues to find ways to innovate and to set itself apart in the local industry setting dominated by mediocrity and banality. Last year we made the bold move to shift from a broadsheet to its current tallboy format and plunged into digital domain with an eye for integrated operations in online and offline. As in any life-changing event, not everything is achieved overnight. Admittedly, our goals are still a work in progress. Then again, our ability to bring them to fruition is only limited by our own resolve to succeed in the Digital Age.

ROLANDO G. ESTABILLO Publisher

N 2015, The Standard embarked on a journey that many said was quite ambitious, as we set about to carve a path that would steer us towards the direction we wanted to take. We made changes that we believed were necessary, and at the forefront of it was technology that would drive the dynamism that was coursing through the paper. Technology, after all, is the great equalizer the tool that has been leveling the playing field in the last several years, giving smaller outfits the leverage to create innovative, groundbreaking content that could be distributed to a wider market and reach a bigger audience that is not limited to the local market but the rest of the world. Thanks to technology, it has become easier for smaller players with limited resources to compete with the big guns on the same space and give them a run for their money, so to speak. We at The Standard knew that we have to embrace technology for us not to be left behind and run over by a rapidly changing world, with audiences becoming more aware, more sophisticated, more empowered and more opinionated. And we would like to think that we have stepped up to these changes, boosting our online content not just on our website but on social media. Rather than passively waiting for readers to come to us we reached out and went to where they are. More importantly, too, we allowed the discussion to become interactive and make it a two-way process, where readers are allowed to express their viewpoints and exchange ideas even challenge the content. In that sense, we engaged in a conversation with our readers, and we heard what they have to say. We also started The Standard Talks, a round table discussion about pressing issues with key opinion leaders and experts acting as resource persons, engaging audiences in real time through live streaming. These changes have enabled us to go far and beyond our base delivery not only of current news and opinions, but other areas of interest as well. As a result, we have now a bigger percentage of a younger audience, which is just as well since a high percentage of our population is made up of the youth. And we have seen the results. Last year, the Rotary Club of Manila the oldest and most prestigious Rotary Club in Asia conferred on us, The Standard, the 2015 Newspaper of The Year Award. This was in recognition of The Standard’s exclusive, groundbreaking stories, hard-hitting editorials and forthright, thought-provoking opinion columns. We dared to be different, as seen in our new innovative format as the country’s only tallboy-sized daily with an interactive digital platform. The saying goes that in this world, only change is constant, but at The Standard, we know there is another constant the fact that as the changes come, we, The Standard, will be there, not just as passive participants documenting and reporting on the things happening all around us, but driving these changes that we know will come.

ARNOLD C. LIONG

President & Chief Executive Officer

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29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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FOR 29 years, The Standard has thrived in a highly competitive industry by tackling important issues with intelligence and truth. This newspaper has gone through many changes over the past three decades. It’s changed hands and changed its name. Itís confronted the new challenges presented by niche papers, broadcast television, and 24-hour news channels. But the most exciting changes are happening right now. In the digital age, the Internet

and mobile technology are constantly transforming the way readers seek and consume news. Alerts and notifications deliver breaking news to smartphones in real time. Blogs, social media feeds and messenger apps allow people to share what they think about the news that’s most important to them. Algorithms push the most discussed and most viewed stories to the top of a user’s feed. Aggregators customize the news

experience by gathering content from a mix of online sources around the world. With so much information at our fingertips, it’s easy to get caught up in the most controversial or buzzed about stories and lose sight of what’s relevant. Our minds crave novelty and distraction, and the ease of accumulating and sharing information through mobile devices is changing behavior in ways that previous generations

PHILIPPIN

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The world, as it is, is not perfect. But there are people who are changing it every day.

“If you want to build a ship, don’t herd people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

These are the visionaries. The people who imagine the world as it should be, and are doing everything they can to ensure this world changes – little by little – into something better. One field at a time. One area at a time. One person at a time.

We are a country powered by vision. It is what created a small group of islands into an independent sovereign state. Vision is what turned small businesses into the conglomerates we know today. It is what turns talent into performances that bring the world up on its feet.

M through O N D AYthe : Fclarity EBRU R Y vision, 2 9, 2fueled 0 1 6 by passion, are able Visionaries. People who, ofAtheir to create change that makes life better for those around them.

29th Anniversary These are the people we are honoring with The Standard Visionary Awards. They include students. Chefs. Housewives. A retired harbormaster. OFWs. And more.

original content that’s accessible, in-depth, and presented in a relevant and compelling way. With the print edition’s compact tallboy format, we have changed the paradigm with the way we deliver the news. The visually rich stories and sharp, concise writing empower readers to form their own opinions and take a stand. With augmented reality, videos, and live streaming, technology adds an interactive layer to the life of the paper online. Our website thestandard.com.ph is visited daily by hundreds of thousands of unique users from all over the world, many driven from referral links on social media feeds and mobile messenger apps. We hope to inspire the ideas that drive change with active participation in both online and offline communities.

VISIONARIES DRIVING THE CHANGE WE NEED A country on the brink of change needs individuals whose actions motivate us to look beyond ourselves to envision a better world. On December 4, 2015, we launched The Standard Visionary Awards, an annual celebration of creative, innovative, dedicated, and compassionate visionaries who are taking a stand and changing the world to help the people around them. Among the 21 agents of change The Standard recognized were Charie Villa, a citizen journalist whose social platform Tao Po! gives citizens a space to demand better service from companies and government leaders; Aisa and Raphael Mijeno, siblings who invented a lamp that runs on salt water and metal; QuintinPastrana, a literacy advocate whose Library Renewal Partnership has built over 100 libraries; Kevin Lee, a social entrepreneur whose A Single Safe Drop of Water program works to deliver safe water to poor communities; and Jaafar Kimpa, who travels to far-flung regions of Mindanao to register undocumented Muslims and give them the rights and benefits they deserve as Filipino citizens. By sharing their stories we hope to bring attention to their causes and help them continue to drive the change they envision—and inspire others to be visionaries in their own ways.

And into the future, it is still vision that will turn the Philippines into what it could be: a country of peace, progress and prosperity. We have heard of big names in government, industry, education, science and technology, business and more who have helped this country achieve milestones and are driving it forward.

editorial@thestandard.com.ph They are people who are driving the change we need to see in our country. Showing us a clear picture of how things could be, and should be.

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29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

The Standard was named Rotary Club of Manilaís Newspaper of the Year for its hardhitting, crucial, and fair reporting, as well as innovations in format as the countryís first tallboy-sized daily and its interactive digital platform

RECOGNITION Our fresh perspective and willingness to take a stand received recognition at the Rotary Club of Manila 2015 Journalism Awards. The Standard was named Rotary Club of Manila’s Newspaper of the Year for its hard-hitting, crucial, and fair reporting, particularly for the scoops and exposés on the participation of resigned Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima in the Mamasapano incident and alleged payola to guarantee the swift passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). The Standard was also recognized for innovations in format as the country’s first tallboy-sized daily and its interactive digital platform. Powered by our strong editorial team and supported by the integration of our online and offline platforms, we have transformed the way our readers experience and consume information in a way that is more powerful, more intuitive, and ultimately more important to them. By delivering concise, visually rich, engaging stories with a clean design and strategic, relevant online presence, The Standard finds its audience where they are and connects with people who share its vision for change. Our quest for innovation doesn’t end with the printed word. We will stay true to our mission of fair and fearless journalism by using our strengths to effect change beyond new formats and channels. The spirit of the revolution lives on within the pages of The Standard, a newspaper that delivers the news without sensationalism and allows the voices clamoring for change to be heard through fearless editorial writing. The Standard will continue to define the news by empowering readers with in-depth reporting that shapes informed opinions. It will cut through the clutter to deliver everything our readers need to take a stand on important issues and move forward together in the direction of meaningful transformation.

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29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

THE STANDARD LOYALTY AWARDEES OF 2016 Defining loyalty through unwavering service

FOR the last 29 years, The Standard has remained steadfast in providing incisive news and insightful perspective to the Filipino people. As we celebrate our anniversary this year, The Standard would like to recognize to the men and women who have been with the company for many years. Here are The Standard’s unsung heroes who have helped us to be where we are today. 10 Years of Service JOAN VELASCO Advertising/Marketing Administrative and Marketing Services Supervisor Hire Date: Feb 20, 2006 Joan has been with the Marketing and Advertising Department since 2006. She was hired by the Kamahalan Publishing Corp (KPC) as a Probationary Marketing Assistant and was regularized on August 20, 2006. In October 2008, she was promoted to Admin Services Supervisor for Advertising and was promoted as Administrative and Marketing Services Supervisor in April 2011. 10 Years of Service ADELLE LIEZL CHUA Editorial - Central Desk Sr. Deskman Hire Date: Oct 1, 2006 Adelle has been with the editorial department since October 1, 2006. She was hired by KPC as Deskman and was regularized on April 1, 2007. She was promoted as Senior Deskman on April 16, 2015. 10 Years of Service LINDA APALISOK Editorial - Art/ Layout Section Layout Artist Hire Date: Sept 11, 2006 Linda has been with the editorial department since July 10, 2006, as a contractual employee. She was appointed to probationary status on September 11, 2006 and regularized on March 11, 2007.

10 Years of Service ALFONSO MARIA CONSTANTINO Kagitingan Printing Press Inc. (KPPI) General Manager Hire Date: March 13, 2006 Fondly called “Sir Chito” he has been with KPC as HR Manager for almost 9 years. He was hired by KPC on March 13, 2006 and was regularized on June 16, 2006. Early in 2015, he was transferred and promoted as General Manager of KPPI. 15 Years of Service BENITO BERON Kagitingan Printing Press Inc. (KPPI) Production Helper Hire Date: March 1, 2001 Benito was hired as a production helper in March 2001, and has maintained the same position in the company for the past 15 years.

20 Years of Service FERNANDO BAUTISTA Editorial - Central Desk Editorial Assistant Hire Date: Sept 2, 1996 Fernando has been with the editorial department since September 2, 1996. Hired as a copy monitor, he was recommended for the Editorial Assistant Position in 1999.

given the role of Provincial Sales Supervisor. PAQUITO TORRIJOS Finance - Credit and Collection Asst. C&C Manager Hire Date: Jan 31, 1991 Paquito started with the accounting department as an accounting clerk in 1991, and was promoted as Junior Accountant in 1992. He became a staff assistant in 1994, but was transferred to the Credit and Collection Department. He was promoted as the Internal Credit and Collection Supervisor in 1998, and became Credit and Collection Manager in 2005. 25 Years of Service ROBERTO ESGUERRA JR. Finance - Cash Department Cash Custodian Hire Date: June 25, 1991 Roberto started in the Circulation Department as Field Representative. In December 1991, he was re-assigned to the Credit and Collection Department as a Collector. He was promoted as Cash Custodian in 1994.

25 Years of Service CESARIO MASANA Circulation —Provincial Sales Supervisor Hire Date: June 27, 1991 Cesario started as a field representative in 1991 under KPC. He eventually became a Sales Representative in 1992, a Collector in 1993 and was promoted as Senior Collector in 1995. In 2012, he was

25 Years of Service RODRIGO SAPITULA Kagitingan Printing Press Inc. (KPPI) Press Leadman Hire Date: April 15, 1991 Rodrigo started in the company as a press helper. In July 1995, he was promoted as Senior Press Helper, and eventually became a Press Leadman in July 2004.

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20 Years of Service JOSELITO DELOS REYES Kagitingan Printing Press Inc. (KPPI) Press Leadman Hire Date: March 12, 1996 Joselito started in KPPI as press operator in 1996. He was promoted to Senior Operator in 2000, and was promoted as Press Leadman in June 2004.

20 Years of Service FERIEL AGUSTINES Online/ Digital IT & Network Systems Administrator Hire Date: March 20, 1996 Feriel was hired as a Junior IT/CIS staff in March 1996. He became the IT/MIS head in 1999. His title and position was changed to Network and Computer Systems Administrator in 2012, and in early 2015, his job title was updated to IT and Network Systems Administrator

25 Years of Service JUANITO BUENTIPO Kagitingan Printing Press Inc. Purchasing and General Services Manager Hire Date: July 17, 1991 Juanito was a Field Representative in the Circulation Department from July 1991 to 1992. He was then transferred to the Credit and Collection Department as Collector from December 1993 to January 1995. He was promoted to Senior Collector in October 1995, and was again promoted in July 1998 as External Credit and Collection Supervisor. After being re-assigned to the Circulation Department as a Purchasing Specialist in 2005, he was promoted as Purchasing and General Services Manager in May 2008.

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SECTION E FEBRUARY 29, 2016

ON THE BRINK OF CHANGE: WHOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DRIVING? 2016 is an election year. As with every election year, changes are to be expected. Among the changes we are hoping for are solutions to the various problems we are facing: poverty, unemployment, hunger, food security, education, transportation, peace and order, crime, climate change, the energy crisis, lack of infrastructure, disaster management and traffic, traffic, traffic. And with every election, people are reminded that their choice of leaders will dictate if, and how these problems

will be solved. Every election, people look at their leaders to solve these crises, hoping for solutions that would eradicate them, once and for all. But realists will concur that these problems have been with us for a long time, and cannot be solved by just a few leaders all by themselves. While politicians have been known to refer to themselves as drivers, it is apparent that there are many other factors and entities driving the changes we need to see. Technology is a driver. So is advocacy. Then there is

business. And most importantly, the many people guided by vision, great and small, to change things they think need to be changed. Whatever the outcome of the elections, whether our individual choices win or not, we all know some changes must happen. Our government is expected to lead, definitely. But the changes we hope for will come faster with everyone, with all of us, helping and more importantly, forging ahead.

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29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

IMPROVING EDUCATION: IT TAKES MORE THAN JUST TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY has been said to be one of the easiest ways to solve the problems of educating children in the Philippines. For problems like crowded classrooms or worse, nonexistent classrooms, e-learning and digital technology has been one of the means to ensure that quality education reaches children even in the farthest regions of the country. The timing is definitely perfect. Today’s students are what can be called “digital natives,” people who have never seen a time when digital technology hasn’t existed, and have been interacting with it, one way or another since early childhood. In our country alone, cellphones are no longer considered a luxury; they have, in fact, become a necessity. Handheld internet has also now become accessible to almost everyone, even people from farflung regions of the country. Given this situation, making the learning experience enriching and long-lasting for digital natives is for “digital immigrants,” the generation born before the advent of digital technology. For one, digital natives now have different styles of learning. At a summit last year, Eileen Lento, director for global education, marketing, and advocacy for Intel, said that “There have been significant research on brain activity that say that because of media exposure, children’s brains are literally wired differently than ours are. Children are still getting the same cognitive advancement that we are, but they’re processing the information in another way. It’s not better or worse; just changed. And it’s not just schooling; it’s their whole lives. It’s the experience they’re immersed in.” Fortunately, narrowing the gap between digital natives and digital immigrants

Putting the student at the center is integral to effectively designing hardware, software and systems to improve education.

proof and fall-proof notebooks, laptops with handles and rounded corners for better grips, 180-degree screen views, rotating cameras, and long battery lives. On the soft ware front, we have, for instance, soft ware suites that allow schools easier control such as a classroom management application that helps the teacher still have control of the flow of lesson despite every student having his or her own device. And of course, the many applications for science, math, and art that make learning more engaging and encourage retention. ACCESS IN REMOTE AREAS Powerful mobile devices have been proven as the solution to an ongoing problem—the existence of remote regions

is an issue that many individuals and companies are addressing, making the prospects for the future of education more promising in many ways, Teachers training in the use of technology as a teaching aid. Teacher preparedness is one of the biggest factors in making sure that technology serves education. Luckily, more and more companies – both techbased companies and non-tech-based companies are including teacher training as part of their advocacy, ensuring that the tools they have access to now are used properly. One example is Intel, partnering with educators such as schools, , institutions, and NGOs in order to ensure there are sufficient training programs for the educators. Schools deciding to adopt a digital learning system now are assured that proper training is supplied for their

Mathizen is Math review site that has steadily been gaining notice and accolades, The Tacloban City-based startuo was one of the 23 shortlisted in the IdeaSpace Foundation Inc.’s competition for technology innovation.

use. In most cases, teachers are first given the devices for a specific time period and are trained in its use and facilitation, before distribution students. As of this writing, Intel alone has trained over 14 million teachers worldwide. In the Philippines, where both public and private schools are adopting digital learning systems in the implementation of the curriculum, most of which began with training their teachers in the use of the technology. As a result, technology in the form of soft ware programs, applications, and more help students improve math, language, and science skills, as well as increase creativity. Even more importantly, it is not only students who improve , collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, but the teachers as well. Hardware and soft ware designed for education Designers for tech hardware and soft ware, now aware of the impact they have on education are increasingly conscious, and thus are constantly researching the requirements of educators, parents, and administrators for the classroom. As a result of this feedback, we now have hardware that includes spill-

with no access to steady electricity and modern educational technology. One successful Intel case study is that of Marilog Central Elementary School in Davao, which had no access to electricity. Through the initiative of its principal, the school received Intel support for the professional development of its teachershrough powerful mobile computing devices and training. To solve the electricity problem, the first phase of the project required installation of solar panels to power the devices, and afterwards, a server with cached information such as databases and learning applications. EDUCATION AS AN ADVOCACY At the center of all these exciting developments, are, of course, the many corporations and individuals that make educating our children among their core advocacies. Companies like Microsoft, Intel, Apple, Dell, Acer, Samsung and Asus, among others are the most visible, given that these are the labels on the devices. But there are many more from the back-end like our telecommunications corporations, energy suppliers and of course, the small firms that focus on ensuring continuous growth in technology for education’s sake. With the many systems, tools and programs being developed, the future of education has changed from bleak to bright. And driving the change are the ever-growing number of corporations and Halina’tBumasa is another e-learning IdeaSpace incubator which, along with Frontlearners, made it to the top ten, winning funding and a grant. It builds educational apps that promote early literacy and love for Filipino culture. Frontlearners, on the other hand, an e-learning content developer and provider that enables blended learning classes

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29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

THE LANGUAGE OF THE WEB, AND HOW IT’S CHANGED OUR LIVES

“Science and technology multiply around us. To an increasing extent they dictate the languages in which we speak and think. Either we use those languages, or we remain mute.” —J. G. Ballard

IT’S a given that language evolves. Every year, new words make their way into the English dictionary, and old words acquire new meanings. The 1970s saw terms like “video,” “environmentalism,” “junk food,” and “glitz” being added to our vocabulary. In the 80s, “microwavable,” “three-peat,” and “compact disc” made their way into everyday conversation, while the word “impacted” came to mean something other than the state of a tooth. But of all the periods in human history, the internet age is probably the one that has spawned the most new words and new definitions to existing words. Remember when the word “link” simply meant a segment in a chain? Or when the word “program” meant either a show or the souvenir booklet that came with a stage production? Or how about the time when a window was nothing more than the part of the house where you put blinds or curtains, a desktop was just that, the top of your desk, and the only thing you could surf was the waves? Then there are the words that didn’t exist before the internet era. Check a dictionary published in the 1990s and you won’t find unfriend, netizen, netiquette, hashtag, photobomb, selfie, or ussie. All of these were added to the Oxford Dictionary over the last ten years (some as recently as last year), and all can be attributed to the net or net-related activities. Not surprisingly, internet providers have also introduced their own new words, mostly value added services like unli-surf and unli-facebook, names that have become generic to the net surfer. Trademark names haven’t been spared. Remember how Colgate came to be the generic term for toothpaste, and Tide meant any type of detergent? The same thing has happened in cyberspace. “Google” has come to be equated with “search,” even though there are other search engine sites. A photo that has been digitally retouched is now described as “Photoshopped,” even though there are other photo-editing applications. Microsoft Powerpoint isn’t the only presentation soft ware these is, but all presentation fi les are generically referred to as Powerpoint decks. Another change brought about by the internet is the way words are used. Not too long ago, you either liked something

or you didn’t. You couldn’t be asked to like something, not even by your best friend. Today, social media has changed that. Requests and invitations that go, “Like our page” or “Like this comment if you agree” are not uncommon in Facebook. Then there’s the use of the word “unlike.” Originally only an adjective, this word is now used as a verb as well. When you unlike something, you withdraw a previous approval of a page or post that you originally “liked” (by clicking the “Like” button). Of course, the past tense

form “unliked” has entered the dictionary as an entirely new word. Drop-down menu. Doubleclick. Right-click. Floating window. Hover. Copy-paste. Browser. Flag. Command. Escape. Tab. The list goes on and on, and there are presently enough internet-related terms to fill up a book or an entire website (both of which have in fact been done). So what does this all mean to us? For the non-netizen, hearing these terms in casual conversation can be confusing, if not downright confounding. An 85-year-old being

told by his teenage granddaughter that she’s just spent an hour chatting with her overseas cousin might react by saying, “Wow, that’s really going to jack up your phone bill.” A city dweller visiting a far-flung town with no internet is likely to draw stares when he asks the locals to pose with him for an ussie. But by and large, people know well enough to keep net language separate from real-world language. You don’t hear people asking their friends to like their new shoes or their new hairstyle. You don’t hear kids

saying they’ve unfriended someone when what they mean is they’ve had a falling out with someone they used to be friends with. And you don’t hear music fans saying they’ve unliked their favorite band because they’ve sold out. Sure, there will always be some confusion and misunderstandings brought about by the use of netrelated terms. But when you really come down to it, these would be no different from the confusion and misunderstandings of the previous generations. It’s all part of the evolution of language.

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29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

A PARENTS’ GUIDE TO TXTSPK

“Btw, ma, atm idk wat tym il be home.” “Afaik, r rehersl wil end at 7 but tbh im nt sure.” If you struggle on a regular basis deciphering your kids’ text messages, you have two choices. You either require them to steer clear of abbreviations at least when they text you, or you learn the language of texting, also known as textspeak. Or more appropriately, txtspk. If you plan on going with the first option, we must warn you that it won’t be easy for your kids. It’s not that today’s youth are a rebellious bunch who frown on established norms of proper spelling. It’s just that typing in txtspk has become so habitual, so deeply ingrained in their systems that punching in completely spelled out words on their mobile phones would actually be a major adjustment for them, another burden in their already problem-filled young lives. “I have to deal with pimples, a boyfriend who keeps looking at all the pretty girls, a math teacher who terrorizes us, and now you’re asking me to text in complete words??” Fortunately, you still have the second option. And the good news is, it’s not that hard once you get the hang of it. But first, some background information. The origins. Txtspk made its first appearance in the late 1990s, when cellphones became affordable and exploded into the mainstream market. The early models featured the cumbersome press-2-once-to-type-”a”-twice-to-type”b”-and-thrice-to-type-”c” texting process. This, coupled with the character limit imposed by telcos, made txtspk a necessity. “Ur” took the place of “your” and “you’re,” “dis” meant “this,” and “il” meant “I’ll.” Some txpsk entries even combined letters and numerals to form words, for example, “gr8” for “great” and “b4” for “before.” As the cellular revolution went into full swing in the early 2000s, phone manufacturers introduced the predictive texting feature, which now allowed users to type in complete words in fewer keystrokes. About the same time, telcos like Globe expanded the maximum allowable number of characters per text message, and even introduced the extra-length message feature, which allowed subscribers to type single texts equivalent to two or three texts in length (billed as two or three texts, of course). Later, phones equipped with Qwerty keypads made it even easier to type complete words. Still, the use of txtspk continued. Many users, mostly youngsters, chose to disable their phones’ predictive feature, and

kept within the per-text character limit. Cost-consciousness? Probably not. It was more likely force of habit. The thinking seemed to be, “I’ve been doing it this way and my friends and I understand each other just fine, so why change things?” And more abbreviations. As do most languages, txtspk soon evolved. Just when the purists were getting used to the ubiquitous “b4,” “ur” and “il,” along came abbreviations of entire phrases. Some of the earlier entries to this category of txtspk include NP for “no problem,” IDK for “I don’t know” and IMHO for “in my honest (or humble) opinion.” Over the years, the list of phrase abbreviations got longer and longer, much to the consternation of the purists. ATM no longer meant just automated teller machine. It came to mean “at the moment.” And you think WB stands for Warner Bros? In txtspk it means “welcome back.” Learning the language. The thought of using txtspk abbreviations may be about as appealing to you as a root canal procedure, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at least learn what they mean. Below is a list of some of the more commonly used items. We suggest you cut this out and use it as a handy reference for the next time you see these in your kids’ messages. [NOTE: Some of these abbreviations actually date back to the pre-cellphone days, but not surprisingly found their way into txtspk.] ABBREVIATION MEANING ADN Any day now AFAIK As far as I know ATM At the moment B4 Before BF/ GF Boyfriend / Girlfriend BFN Bye for now BRB Be right back BTW By the way DWBH Don’t worry, be happy F2F or FTF Face to face FB Facebook FWIK From what I know FWIW For what it’s worth FYI For your information GLHF Good luck, have fun GR8 Great HAK Hugs and kisses HAND Have a nice day

HTH IDC IDK IIRC IKR IMHO IRL

IU2U IYKWIM JK J4F JIC JSYK K or KK LMAO LMK LOL NAGI NM NMU NP NRN NTS OH OMG PPL PTB RL ROFL RUOK SMH SRSLY SSDD SWYP TBH TIA TTYL TY WB WTH WYCM YW

Hope this helps / Happy to help I don’t care I don’t know If I remember correctly I know, right? In my honest opinion / In my humble opinion In real life (as opposed to in cyberspace) It’s up to you If you know what I mean Just kidding Just for fun Just in case Just so you know Okay Laughing my ass off Let me know Laughing out loud Not a good idea Never mind Not much, you? No problem No reply necessary Note to self Overheard Oh my God People Please text back Real life Rolling on the floor laughing Are you okay? Shaking my head Seriously Same stuff, different day So what’s your problem? To be honest Thanks in advance Talk to you later Thank you Welcome back What the heck? Will you call me? You’re welcome

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E5 THE TAXI, THE TNC AND THE TNVS: CHANGING TRANSPORT IN THE METRO 29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

PUBLIC transport woes still plague the country, but for the taxi-riding public, technology has created a solution. Whereas before, people needing to ride a cab needed to physically hail a taxi or call a taxi operator to have one sent – a problem, particularly during rush hour, or if one is at a location where traffic rarely passes. With the introduction of GrabTaxi and EasyTaxi, anyone with a smartphone can just click open an app, indicate the pickup point and destination and wait for the driver to arrive for just a minimal fee on top of the fare. Still, it did not solve the existing problem of supply versus demand. There were still more passengers than vehicles. Enter UBER and GrabCar, services that allowed what was called ride-sharing with private vehicles, effectively increasing the number of vehicles. For the riding public, UBER and GrabCaroffered another advantage– the option to not look like part of the taxi-riding public– a plus for the image-conscious citizens of the metro. Both services use unmarked, private vehicles, and in the case of UBER Black and GrabCar Premium, luxury vehicles such as Hummers and different brands of SUVs are also an option. Application-based systems such as UBER and Grab have made drastic changes to an old system that hasn’t changed for decades– except perhaps for the rising problems that have worsened in the last few years. Cases of price-gouging drivers, unavailability of vehicles often during rush hour, safety issues (both for the riding public and drivers) have steadily been increasing despite attempts to control them by the agencies tasked to regulate transportation. RESISTANCE AND ACCEPTANCE While GrabTaxi and its earliest competitor, EasyTaxi, encountered little to no resistance as they used existing units already registered by the LTFRB and was just an app that connected drivers and their vehicles with passengers, the private-car using services (UBER and GrabCar) did. These services (and the vehicles they used) had problems with accreditation, said to be prompted by the taxi operators putting pressure on Congress and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). But as the saying goes, there is no stopping change. In May last year, the LTFRB made the first step in recognizing the fact that Uber and GrabCar were here to stay. This began with drafting regulations, legally identifying an app-based transportservice as a Transport Network Company (TNC). The regulations also allowed and required a vehicle used by a TNC was to apply legally for a franchise as a Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS). Still, resistance has not stopped. In December 2015, an association of taxi drivers and operators known as AngatTsuperSamahanngmgaTsuper at Operator ngPilipinas Genuine Organization Transport Coalition, represented by PascualMagno managed to get the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the operation of the private transport services for 20 days. The

TNCs such as Grab and UBER are recognized by the LTFRB but are still the target of many petitions by transport groups

TRO cancelled the earlier memoranda issued by the LTFRB covering the accreditation of transportation network companies and issuance of franchises to TNVS. According to the resolution, the Court found that “claim by the petitioner that they suffer less or low incomes and earnings due to the sudden and TURN TO E6

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29th Anniversary

THE TAXI... FROM E5 uncontrolled increase in the number of TNCs (Transport Network Vehicle Services) utility vehicles running in the streets of Metro Manila” was persuasive. It also said the petitioner showed that the rights of franchisees of public utility vehicles have been affected by the operations of Uber and GrabCar, and that “here is a material and substantial invasion of the rights of the officers and members of the Association as holders of Certificates of Public Convenience necessary for the operation of their utility vehicles.” In another development, however, the LTFRB dismissed all motions filed by a transport group against the operations of vehicles under the ridesharing apps Uber and Grab in a consolidated order on February 23, 2016, denying for lack of merit the petitions filed by 1-United Transport Koalisyon (1-Utak) against the operations of the Transport Network Companies (TNCs) and issuance of franchise to their partner Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS). According to LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez, “PUV operators and transport groups should welcome the challenge and competition for better public transport service, which would serve the best interest of the public

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

safety and convenience.” Still, the resistance continues. Another transport group, Stop and Go, has a pending petition in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court against the DO for TNCs and TNVS.

A CASE FOR TNCS For the customers, it is hard to believe that an obvious solution to a big problem would meet such resistance. After all the TNCs and the TNVs allow convenience, safety and security, for a fee. Cars and Drivers. How it works is simple–once a driver is assigned, a passenger is able to track the drivers’ position and route, and communicate with the driver if necessary. A driver learns the passenger’s destination prior to bidding taking care of the problem of being refused access to a taxi when traveling to undesirable parts of town. Unprofessional drivers are weeded out because passengers get to rate the driver’s performance, and a consistently low rating will force a driver out of the TNC. TNCs regulate their vehicles that register with them, which means that most cars are clean and wellmaintained, late- model cars that are chauffeured by drivers who are, for the most part, celan, well-dressed and courteous. Review and feedback systems employed by the TNCs allow passengers to complain and receive immediate resolutions in case of the occasional ‘black sheep.” Fares, Pricing and Payment. While normal taxis are cheaper offhand compared to TNCs that have fees on top of metered fares as well as surge/rush hour rates. However, in Metro Manila, there is no assurance that a taxi will cost less. The inevitable add-on a taxi driver will ask during rush hour and/ or suburban destination, bad meters, per minute charges in traffic and the With UBER Black and GrabCar Premium, high-end vehicles are also for hire as easy as clicking on like can drive up the fare an app. considerably. Add to that

UBER and Grabcar offer unmarked private cars instead of regular taxis

the frustration and stress encountering such taxis can bring. In the case of Uber and recently, Grab, credit card payments also ensure safety for both the passengers and the drivers. Email receipts are also sent, allowing those with expense accounts an easier time of tracking. Safety. Perhaps the biggest benefit for both passengers and drivers, is the safety promised by the system .Geotracking employed by the app allows for added security. Passengers even have the option to post their trips on social media, allowing their friends and family to know where they are. For Uber and Grab, the credit card option keeps the transaction is cash-less, so drivers needs not worry about unpaid fares carrying any cash that might entice robbers. IS THERE A DOWNSIDE? There are few, if any, any downsides for customers. “Surge pricing” for UBER, or “rush hour rates” – a method of pricing based on supply and demand– can be a source of annoyance, however. For the industry, however, the competition can be a problem for traditional operators and drivers. Another issue raised by the transport groups also bears thinking about: the introduction of more vehicles on roads that are already unable to handle the current volume of vehicles. With many private car owners enticed to go into business with UBER or Grab by buying new vehicles and registering them with the TNCs, the supply and demand issues are solved, but the traffic problem worsens. Many would argue, however, that traffic is an issue of bigger and more roads, and better mass transport systems.

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E7 BANKING AND BEYOND: WHY THERE’S MORE TO COME IN 2016 29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

By: Carla Bianca V. Ravanes FOR the first time in a long time, the Philippine economy is booming in a way that citizens haven’t seen before. And while not everyone can understand the depth of the terms, even the most ordinary of citizens can understand the fact that they can actually spend more on food, travel, and different forms of leisure. A report made by the Asian Development Bank released late last year says, “Consumption and private investment remained robust, supported by higher employment, low inflation, and rising remittance inflows.” In August, inflation ebbed at a 0.6%, which reflected in a global slide of oil prices and soft food costs. This led to additional growth in private investment and household consumption, which can be credited to employment, consistent remittances and low oil process. The service industry also provided in the growth of the finance sector of the country getting its main source from popular BPOs, tourism, and retailing services. Because of the energetic cash flow witnessed by the country late last year, citizens are more comfortable when it comes to spending which proves to have an overall good effect on the country and the banking section. And while most Filipinos are excited over what the last year brought, it is expected that the banking sector is to grow even more in 2016. THE JUMP FROM 2015 TO 2016 The beginning of 2015 saw a minor pullback in growth for the Philippine economy. However, it is expected to bounce back this year due to a pick up in government spending and exports. It is projected by the Asian Development Bank for the Philippines’ GDP to grow to a robust 6.3%. The growth in fiscal spending which is greatly affected by the upcoming elections will definitely boost the domestic economy. Enacted reforms by the government will also help improve competitiveness and investment that will solidify the growth of the country. Taking in all the growth is the expanding banking system of the Philippines. POSITIVE FITCH RATING AND ITS EFFECT ON THE BANKING SYSTEM Granted a positive Fitch Rating in December of last year, the Philippine banking system is expected to have a positive and healthy amount of growth in 2016. The positive rating was given despite the projections of it being a tough year ahead for financial systems in the Asia and the Pacific (APAC) due to China’s slowing economy and expected higher borrowing costs in the United States. However, the Philippines was given this positive rating due to the generally healthy profile of local lenders, sound operating environment and the Philippines’ strong economic fundamentals. In fact, in the entire scope of APAC, the Philippines is the only banking market that has been given a positive rating outlook for this year further cementing the stability of the Philippine banking sector. The Fitch brief therefore explains its effect stating that the effects of the positive effect may not be in effect immediately but the trends that the banking industry is engaged in will definitely bring about positive results in the next two years. The positive outlook reflects the direction that the banking industry is headed and for the debt watcher, the growth is inevitably positive.

The qualities that strengthened the position of the banking industry include the “Philippine banks’ high capitalization, healthy funding and liquidity, and satisfactory loan-loss reserves help to balance the risks from relatively high credit growth in the past few years”. THE BANKING INDUSTRY IN 2016 For an outsider, the banking industry looks one and the same. However, for experts, the banking industry in the country is experiencing growth in a way that it hasn’t in a long time. Growing consistently since the beginning of 2015 increasing profits by at least 10.7 percent in the first quarter alone, the sector’s performance is definitely impressive. The growth has been seen since 2014, where the banking sector took off by growing 12 percent due to an increase in loans and portfolio investments. It also helps that people are wiser when it comes to investments and are more willing to invest which has increased the need for loans and portfolio investment. Because of the steady growth experienced in the last two years alone, the banking sector is looked upon with optimism. In fact, at the beginning of last year, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) boasted a presence of about 648 different banks, 9,700 branches, 15,695 ATM machines, 517 offices of microfinances institutions and 251 banks with e-Banking facilities which include online services and mobile banking. Another credit-ratings agency, Moody, once credited the success of the banking sector to the following factors:

consistent robust economic growth despite the slowing global demand, moderate inflation, and an improved standard of the banking sector’s asset quality which led to the prevention of the overheating of domestic asset markets. The structural transformation that the

industry underwent beginning in 2014, which removed the restrictions on the degree of foreign bank ownership, has also bolstered the growth of the industry. Once the caps have been lifted, foreign TURN TO E8

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BANKING...

FROM E7

banks have entered the country consistently. President Aquino’s desire to attract more foreign investments has fueled the sector even more bringing in even more interest from foreign banks especially since the full Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) banking integration is expected in the very near future. It is this foreign interest that fuels the industrial structure and competitiveness of the Philippines’ banking industry. ASEAN INTEGRATION The industry is also set for brighter things to come because of its inclusion in the “ASEAN 5” joining the ranks of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. The ASEAN Banking Integration Framework (ABIF) agreement, which was signed in March of 2015, is expected to change the banking landscape of all member nations by 2020. As part of the “ASEAN 5”, the Philippines is expected to play a bigger role in this integration. The ASEAN integration is rather simplistic. With this integration, 10 separate economies will be merged into a single market that provides an enormous base within which consumers and providers can operate. The single base is significant and that is which that can outpace the race of the world. With an integrated market, ASEAN will eventually be the 4th largest economy by 2050. And while the road to this is not without challenges, it is expected to bring forth the changes that the country needs to propel even further. In fact, even the BSP believe that the local banking industry is ready for the full financial integration. Late last year BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. was quoted saying said

that while the local banking industry needs more preparation, it is actually more than ready. The banking industry’s position of strength as an industry and individually with the local banks upping their game by providing e-banking opportunities to consumers is contributing to the positive changes. MOVERS AND SHAKERS IN THE INDUSTRY The local banking industry grew by 11.6 % between 2010 and June 2015 and this can mainly be attributed to the country’s four biggest banks: Bank of the Philippine Islands, BDO Unibank, Metrobank, and Land Bank of the Philippines, which ref lect 45% of total assets. In the past year alone, the country’s four megabanks have changed the landscape of the country by providing different banking solutions with focus on e-banking communities. These four banks have become more flexible by providing services not possible before.

Financial technology has positively transformed the industry and is the future of the local banking industry. Today, consumers are more aware of e-banking technology, making transactions easier as compared to the old school over the counter transactions. The banking industry is also keener to provide financial literacy education to their consumers. Today, banks are more than just a place where consumers can store money but actually invest their money in. Banks become a symbol of financial literacy and people’s trust in financial institutions is growing. Banks are also entering “micro deposit accounts” which focus on giving out accounts that have low or minimum deposits with no service charges. This flexibility gives more people the chance to be involved with banks than any time in history. Electronic money or “emoney” is also gaining traction and has grown steadily over the years. The many banking options have boosted the financial market into the stability that it is experiencing presently. LOOKING AHEAD IN 2016 In a speech given earlier by Governor Tetangco Jr., he noted that the Philippine banking sector was a “source of strength and stability for the economy in 2015.” Banks continued to be the major source of funding for productive sectors that eventually helped in generating jobs that supported inclusive growth across the country. The sustained growth and stability of the banking sector in 2015 despite global financial turmoil spoke volumes about the strength of our banking sector. Banks were tested with resilience but this has made them stronger and more stable. Today, the banking sector begins 2016 from a position of strength because the best is yet to come.

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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

SECTION F FEBRUARY 29, 2016

THE DIGITAL GENERATION WITH 54% of the Philippine population falling in the 0-24 age bracket, it is very clear that youth is the majority. This means that digital natives now compose more than half of the population. With a fertility rate above the replacement rate at 3.0 births per female in the Philippines, it is safe to say that this is a situation that will not be changing for a very long time.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

For the younger consumer population of digital natives, their facility in the use of technology and connectedness ensures that the internet is definitely the biggest point of contact. Unlike the previous generations of digital immigrants who still maintain some degree of distrust, the younger groups are more comfortable with doing everything online: connecting with their peers, learning, finding things, falling in love,

doing business, buying, selling and more. Connectedness also allows this generation more access to information. They are quickly made aware of issues affecting them and their country, which makes them the best vectors for advocacies and issues awareness. Connectedness, plus the passion of youth is why advocacies that have hardly gained headway in previous decades are now rapidly gaining ground now.

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29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

E-CommErCE, m-CommErCE and thE ConnECtEd GEnEration It Is a fact. E-commerce and m-commerce are still on the rise. While many would say that the past decade (and its experience with the bursting of the dotcom bubble in its earlier years) may mean that the digital space is too crowded, the fact remains that for a fast-growing market like southeast Asia, the cycle has not yet gone past its growth phase. Internet and smartphone penetration’s rapid increase in 2014 and 2015 ensure massive opportunities for commerce on the web, particularly on mobile. The Philippines with its 41% Internet penetration – higher than that of the region’s 32%– represents a promising market of around 44 million users, with steady growth expected, particularly in the area of mobile. In fact, according to Euromonitor International, mcommerce is expected to reach US$9 million in both Philippine and Thai markets by 2018. Smartphones and mcommerce In 2014, the Philippines grew by 60% in terms of retail volume, with recorded sales of

smartphones hitting 10.8 million units for the year. This number may even be higher considering the gray market and the underground economy. This growth was largely fuelled by the entry of low-cost phones – not just from the local and secondary brands, but from the top brands – as part of the efforts to push subscribers into using more data. The low costs are key: whereas in previous years, smartphones cost upwards of Php30,000, the number of sub- Php 10,000 and subPhP5,000 units and models have grown exponentially in the past several years, making them more affordable particularly

to younger consumers with less disposable income. Opportunities for mcommerce The increased smartphone penetration through low-cost phones aimed at younger customers equals increasing opportunities in mobile commerce. Internet retail appeals more to younger consumers as they are generally more t e c h n o l o g y- s a v v y, digita lly-connected and highly exposed to e-commerce. Younger consumers are also more open to its novelty, as well as have more propensity for impulse buying, making them more receptive to internet shopping. New developments, like iOS and Android

apps make it easier for consumers to get updates on new products. Lazada, Zalora and other retailers have developed applications for mobile, with other industries are jumping into the app craze . Banks are now creating mobile apps for their customers, as are different businessesfood companies, individual clothing brands and more.

Message of

Some analysts attribute the growth of m-commerce in the Philippines to the booming business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. International working hours and night shifts make the 24/7 nature of m-commerce much more viable than regular shopping. Peer influence via social media applications, as well as a greater willingness to accept information through mobile applications, have also contributed to the growth of the mobile phenomenon.

While older Filipinos are still uncertain about online payments, and prefer Cash on Delivery arrangements, younger users are more comfortable, particularly with known secure online payment systems such as Paypal, G-Cash, Smartmoney, Dragonpay, Pesopay and the like. Physical payment centers such as banks, convenience stores and pawnshops now also accept payments for online transactions, addressing half the discomfort of making online payments.

Still has more potential Many experts say that mobile commerce in the Philippines still has not yet reached its peak. Compared with internet usage statistics, particularly on social media, current mobile commerce statistics prove that there is still much room to grow. But with more players, more education, more tools –most likely coming from a population of digital natives, we can be quite certain that we will see rapid acceleration in the growth of mcommerce in the Philippines.

Senator Maria Lourdes 'Nancy' S. Binay

y WARMEST GREETINGS and congratulations to The Standard on its 29th anniversary.

Over the years, we have all witnessed the transformations that The Standard has gone through. It underwent a media merger, endured several management turnovers, and most recently, settled to the "tallboy" print format. Despite these various changes, The Standard continues to strive on, innovating and adapting to these fast-changing times. This brings to mind the words of Italian political thinker Niccolo Machiavelli, "Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times." This rings true for The Standard as it continues to improve to this day, ever vigilant in its mission to "define the news." With this year's theme - "Driving the Change: The Standard 29th Anniversary Special," I pray that The Standard remains faithful to its readers by delivering its own kind of reportage - timely, concise and unvarnished. On its 29th anniversary, I wish that The Standard's resilience and tenacity may be imbued by its next generation of employees, empowering them to face new hurdles and challenges that the future may bring. Mabuhay ang The Standard at ang malayang pamamahayag!

Senator Maria Lourdes 'Nancy' S. Binay

Fast FaCts about mobilE rEtail • Mobile traffic constitutes more than 50% of daily traffic of Lazada.com.ph; • Since its launch in early 2014, the Lazada Mobile App downloads have grown 18% month-on-month on iOS and Android; • Each Mobile App and Mobile Browser user spends an average of 5 minutes shopping online; • Mobile App users shop more regularly and make more purchases per year;

• 60% of those who shop via mobile are female customers between the ages of 24-35; • Most mobile users shop during their lunch breaks (in the hours of 11:00 AM-1:00 PM) and before they go to bed (in the hours of 9:00 PM -10:00 PM); • Fashion, Health and Beauty, Electronics, as well as Home and Living items are currently the most search and bought items via mobile (From Lazada.com.ph)

YOUR WORLD MADE BETTER San Miguel Corporation is one of the Philippines’ largest and most diversified conglomerates, with sales accounting for 6.2% of the country’s gross domestic product in 2014. We are a beverage and food company, but we are also an oil refiner and marketer, a power generation company, and a builder and operator of vital infrastructure projects. As a leading Philippine company, we are giving our nation all the support it needs to expand and grow. With the completion of our 88.85-kilometer Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, we will help push progress and accelerate trade and tourism throughout the Philippines’ Northern region. It’s one of the many things we do to help build a better world for the next generation.

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29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Globe backs Mobile DesiGn awarD in aDobo DesiGn awarDs asia Supports new category to encourage use of digital technologies in addressing social challenges

As the purveyor of the Filipino digital lifestyle and thought leader in digital design, Globetelecom is partnering with adobo Design Awards Asia in recognizing the best and the brightest talents in design for digital and interactive media.

Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto

Specifically, Globe is supporting the Mobile App Design for Social Good, which will recognize entries in the mobile application format that present creative solutions to social issues. In addition,Globe is also supporting sub-categories under Digital/Interactive category, which will recognize entries that are interactive interface, or motion designs used for digital problems. “With a growing number of our population now going digital, we should be able to tap on fresh talent with this new category. We are happy to collaborate with adobo magazine and the D&AD in coming out with the Mobile App Design for

Social Good category to bring out the innovative spirit among many Filipinos,” Globe Senior Vice President for corporate communications Yoly crisanto said. “By supporting this award, we continue our course of being the purveyor of the Filipino digital lifestyle,” crisanto emphasized. More entries from the Southeast Asia region are expected this year, which is expected to further enhance creative excellence in the Philippines and in the region. Deadline for submission of entries will be on February 27, 2016 while awards night will be held on April 8, 2016 and celebrated along with adobo magazine’s 10th anniversary. this year’s adobo Design Awards Asia will also be undertaken in partnering with D&AD, a British educational charity that promotes excellence in design and advertising. Originally launched in 2007, the competition covers over 20 categories and is open to all creative enthusiasts, professionals, freelancers and students. the competition has since grown to include international entries, raising the bar even higher to parallel global standards of creative excellence. Students and freelancers will get a chance to showcase their fresh ideas and be critiqued by established names from both advertising and design. “We would like to thank Globe telecoms for presenting this year’s Mobile App Design for Social Good award. We at the adobo Design Awards Asia are very excited to have a company that is held in such high esteem as Globe to be part of this year’s awards. It is very heartening for us to see you support a mobile application that aims to present creative solutions to social issues or problems,” said Angel Guerrero, founder and editor-in-chief of adobo magazine.

Mobile start-up raises private capital PItAcA Digital Services (PDS) has successfully raised funding from private institutional and individual investors for iRegalo, its highly innovative online service. iRegalo allows Filipinos anywhere the convenience of sending gifts or electronic gift certificates (EGcs) to their loved ones directly from their phones or computers. Serving the large and growing remittance market, iRegalo uses state-of-the-art EGc technology to make sending gifts simple and easy. PDS was advised by carillion Partners, a provider of strategic, business, investment, and financial advice and services to investors and investees in the private equity, venture capital, and private debt space. ContinueD on F7

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WE LIVE in the age of wanderlust. Today, traveling from one place to another is no longer an indulgence but has turned into an excursion that Filipinos can do on a weekly basis. There used to be a time when traveling was exclusive for the elite but as seen in the trend last year, it is now considered to be the Filipino’s favorite pastime. Whether scurrying to travel the best sights of the world or simply traveling on road trip to a nearby destination, Filipinos are now hungrier than ever to see the world.

QUENCHING WANDERLUST IN 2016: THE STORY OF TRAVEL IN THE PHILIPPINES Because of this, there is a shift in the priorities of Filipinos, instead of simply investing all of their money in the tangibles of life, Filipinos are more aware of the joy brought about by experiences. Today’s generation firmly believes in securing the future but they are also very much aware of the here and now. Because of this, they are able to place greater emphasis in experiencing life and simply going for it. Travel is no longer planned out months before but can be done spontaneously. And this affects the nation positively because today, the country is filled with citizens who are curious. No longer confined by the four walls of the country, more and more Filipinos are encouraged to look beyond what they have grown up in in order to develop a stronger sense of self. This is reflected in the way they view the country and how it can improve. This kind of mindset has shifted an entire generation making them more aware of what’s happening in the country in an effort to match what is being done elsewhere. Even the Department of Tourism (DOT) has seen the steady spike in what they believe is a national craze. DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez is quick to say that the number of Filipinos that has traveled within the country alone has grown steadily in the past year. What’s even more exciting is the fact that Filipinos are taking greater interest in exploring the different parts of the country. Included in their bucket list is not just the many different sights of the world but also to the many previously unchartered destinations in the country. The interest is not only growing the Filipinos as individuals but also fueling the country as a whole. The Essence of Travel Without a doubt, social media has fueled the fire for Filipinos to travel. Through social media, Filipinos are given more information about traveling that was previously not available to them. Numerous information can now be found with a click of a mouse and the easy access to this entire catalogue of information has inspired Filipinos to stop thinking about trips and just go for it. Articles shared on Facebook, how-tos posted on different news agencies, and picturesque photos found on Instagram have inspired a generation to just get up and leave. Traveling is more than just booking

a flight and a hotel; it has been associated with experience. The link to social media and how quickly one can share information is also associated with the excitement. Filipinos also want to get out of the city. Their day jobs consume their weekdays which is why long weekends are savored by packing their bags and going to the. Filipinos no longer plan ahead; they simply pick a destination and go for it without thinking twice. Gone were the days of prestigious travel, today, travelers are more concerned with what they expe-

rience and gain from traveling rather than the luxurious side of it. The increase in spending power due to a stable economy also adds to the heightened desire to “see the world” that would eventually enhance who they are and their sense of it. Why Filipinos Travel In the past year alone over 47 million Filipinos traveled across the country. This is a 2 million jump from the 45 million who traveled in 2013. For quite some time now, Filipinos have always associated the

word travel with seeing different parts of the world without realizing the beauty found in their own country. The interest of foreign news outlets, celebrities, and bloggers in the country and visiting the best beaches has propelled the Filipino people to do the same. Our strikingly beautiful beaches, which has been reviewed in different foreign news outlets has also been a source of inspiration for Filipinos to see what other nationalities are seeing in our country. According to DOT’s Jimenez, traveling is no longer reserved for a very few but has become a growing industry that is easily becoming a pillar for the booming economy. Added data provided by the United Nation World Tourism Organization or the UNWTO specified Filipino as part of the world’s top travel spenders. And this is because traveling has become a way of life for most Filipinos. More than it being a luxury, once-a-year expenditure, it has already become something to do on a monthly, sometimes even a weekly basis. For Filipinos, traveling is exciting and new. What used to be out of reach is now easily accessible and what used to be seen as a luxury is now easily attainable. The widespread of packages and cheaper airfare is also one of the main reasons why Filipinos travel. Fueling the Local Economy A large part of the bolstering local economy can be attributed to the growth in the Filipino’s interest to travel locally. More and more Filipinos are traveling to the best parts of the country while In late 2014 alone, the tourism industry contributed over P1.4 trillion to the local economy as studied by the World Travel and Tourism Council or the WTTC. Their 2015 report stated that the total contribution of the sector is expected to increase even more in the next twenty years. A large part of this number can be reflected in the fueling of many local economies. Since more and more people are traveling in the different parts of the country, more jobs are made and better opportunities are given. The latest trend in traveling among the young ones is finding spots that aren’t infiltrated by tourists yet. And this helps the country as a whole because now spending is no CONTINUED ON F7

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29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

MOBILE START-UP... From F4 At the signing of the agreement, iRegalo Chairman Manolo Aquino said, “We are glad to successfully conclude this funding exercise. We believe that iRegalo will be a key driver of innovation serving the remittance market.” iRegalo President Martin Nery added, “We are partnering with a host of merchants who will enable us to extend our reach across the country. We believe iRegalo will provide compelling convenience and tremendous value to our kababayans supporting their families here.” “We are delighted to have helped make possible the launch of iRegalo, which promises to be a game changer in the Philippines’ e-commerce landscape and to profoundly improve the way working Filipinos send their love to distant families for whom they sacrifice so much,” remarked Carillion Managing Director Mari Gomez. “Post-investment, we feel privileged that we shall play a continuing role in iRegalo’s story, by contributing strategic inputs aimed at growing and strengthening PDS’s enterprise value.” About PDS and iRegalo: Pitaca Digital Services is a start-up led by telecom and consumer products experts. Its launch platform, iRegalo, offers control and convenience to the online Filipino remittance market. iRegalo gives Filipinos working away from home a worry-free means of providing for their families’ needs. With just a few clicks, Filipinos can send flowers and gadgets to family and friends anywhere in the Philippines. Soon, iReg- Seated (L-R): Martin Nery, iRegalo President; Manolo Aquino, iRegalo Chairman; Mari Gomez, Carillion Managing Director. alo users will be able to send EGCs honored at participating Standing (L-R): Andrew Fernandez, iRegalo Head of Marketing; Gilbert Paras, iRegalo Director and CFO; Norvin Villa, Carilhospitals, clinics, drugstores, supermarkets, and other mer- lion Investment Analyst; and Gerald Baldivia, Carillion Managing Director. chant types all over the country.

does so to experience life and not simply be in a hotel room. This is the reason why more and more people are opting for these “experience” packages in order to fully make the most of their trips. These packages define what the generation is looking for: fun and adventure. Instead of just shopping and being in a hotel, they crave experiences that are unique and one that they can share with friends. The more unique the places and experiences, the more attractive it can be. Aside from this, seat sales, piso fares, and even travel expos (which are always filled to the rafters) are also extremely popular in the country. Just in the first week of February 2016 alone, Manila opened its doors to the first travel expo and people from all over the country flocked to the three-day event. This is a clear sign of the common Filipino’s priority: to relax and see much of the world as they can. Affordable airfares as offered above is also one of the reasons why it has become easier to simply pack your bags and go. This is good news for the country because as spending power increases, more of it is given back to the country through travel and excursions. Truly, traveling is now embedded in the Filipino lifestyle. Traveling is a lifestyle and will continue to be so in the years to come.

QUENCHING... From F6 longer concentrated in Metro Manila but rather distributed almost evenly among the different places in the country. Gaining traction in recent years aside from the favorites Boracay, Palawan, Cebu, and Baguio is Zambales, Batanes, Bukidnon, and Batanes. In fact, it is through the advent of social media that these places were discovered and fully enjoyed. The investment of travel in the country has also fueled foreign investments. These investments can be seen in property growth in the travel industry bringing in more resorts, hotels, and similar endeavors. Also more and more foreigners are also bringing in more business for the country by choosing to travel to the Philippines. Upon the discovery of the many beautiful sights in the country, foreigners make the Philippines their top destination. The Convenience of Traveling In today’s day and age of social media and technology, just about everyone can access websites that provide cheaper packages in the most convenient ways. Instagram accounts such as Access Travel PH and Destination Getaways are easily accessed by millennials and packages that include airfare, accommodations, and even fun tours that are very different from what one has been accustomed to. More than fancy hotels, these small travel agencies bank on experiences. More than booking you a first class ticket, they rely on the differences in your experiences. The typical traveler

W ELCOM E TO YO UR MO DE RN S UBURBAN COMMU NIT Y

X) e xpr te E Cavi Manila-

Regarded as the future city of the South, the sprawling 700-hectare estate is masterplanned to offer fundamental mixed-use components – from a wide range of horizontal residential options, sports themed retail with healthy dining selections, a central business district, hotel, educational institutions, and entertainment that are seamlessly integrated with generous open spaces that allow opportunities for social convergence and encourage efficient movement in everyday life.

Location: Daang Hari, Cavite Developer: Ayala Land Inc.

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Bacoor City

Da ang Ha ri

Imus City

Daang Hari Road ad Molino Ro

Vermosa. A new way to live. A new way to achieve. A new way to engage.

Las Piñas

CALAX

Redefining suburban living, this future city will showcase the Vermosa Sports and Lifestyle Complex that will house world class sports facilities including an Olympic size pool, oval track, motocross track, bike skills trail, and the country’s first Sports Science Laboratory.

s sw

South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)

AV I

From Ayala Land, developer of the Makati Central Business District, Bonifacio Global City, Nuvali, and Ayala Alabang, comes another signature development, Vermosa.

Aguinaldo Highw ay

Fuel your passion for a healthy and active lifestyle.

Artist’s Perspective of Vermosa Sports & Lifestyle Complex

Alabang Exit Filinvest Exit Muntinlupa

Muntinlupa Cavite Expressway

Susana Heights Exit

Only 13kms south of Ayala Alabang and accessible via the new Muntinlupa Cavite Expressway (MCX) and Daanghari Road

SECTION G FEBRUARY 29, 2016

TECHNOLOGY: STILL DRIVING THE GROWTH

OR the last few years, we have seen how can help a developing nation such as the Philippines economically, With the benefit of globalization, technology-driven improvements in communication and accessibility to information, even infrastructure, we are able to adopt innovations from developed markets, and build on them to address problems in various sectors such as unemployment and income inequality, agriculture, health, security while leveling the playing field for small–even micro–businesses.

Through technology, we are able to raise education levels and accelerate growth. This can be seen in the consistent inclusion of the Philippines in lists of emerging and growth markets. The rapid development of digital technology and resultant low cost offers the opportunity to level the playing field–jumping over the hindrance of resource constraints such as the high cost of physical infrastructure. With the advent of smartphones and mobile devices, online shopping, mobile banking and e-

learning, the need to put up oftentimes unprofitable retail outlets and brick -and-mortar branches in lowtraffic areas are reduced. E-learning programs and facilities also improve the reach and accessibility of the training and education needed. By improving education, encouraging business and providing basic infrastructure for the new technologies, we can make the most of the opportunities offered by technology. And perhaps, catch up with the rest of the world.

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INFUSING AGRICULTURE WITH YOUNGER BLOOD

THE Philippines is an agricultural country, with many Filipinos in rural communities engaged in agriculture-related work or businesses. About 30 per cent of the total land area of the country is cultivated by almost 5 million farmers. The biggest problem threatening the sector, and as a result, our food supply is the rapid decline in the number of our farmers and fishermen. The population is rapidly ageing and what few there are, are poorly educated. According to a a country paper for the FFTC-MARDI International Seminar on Cultivating the Young Generation of Farmers with Farmland Policy Implications, May 25-29, MARDI, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia by Dr. Marilyn M. Elauria, the average age of farmers is 57 years and average level of education is primary. In the same article, it states that “farming as a profession has become less attractive to the young and educated people. Most Filipinos do not like to go into agriculture because of the level of difficulty and the supposedly low income being associated with it. Knowledge in agriculture through education can make farming appealing and encourage the young generation to go into farming.” In fact, according to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), there is a steady decline in the enrolment in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries courses in colleges and universities in the country for the past 10 years.

From 94,900 enrollees in 2001, it is now down to 49,823 in 2011 or an almost 50% decrease. In general, the solution to this problem seems fairly simple. Knowledge in agriculture through education can make farming appealing and encourage the young generation to go into farming. Higher farm productivity, hence, better income will stop people from associating farm-life with poverty. The Philippine government has long been using technology to battle resource constraints in the area of education and training.

E-LEARNING AND AGRICULTURE The e-Learning for Agriculture and Fisheries is a major component of the Philippine’s Department of Agriculture’s e-Extension Program, with the Agricultural Training Institute as the lead implementing agency, in collaboration with other government agencies, state universities and colleges and nongovernment organization. What it does is provide training and education to farmers in the country. Right now, the easiest way to reach the many farmers and fishermen scattered all over the country is through the use of simple technology that even the low-income sectors have: the mobile phone.

USING MOBILE’S REACH As early as 2007, mobile phones have provided government a more efficient alternative to a traditional extension system for agriculture, fisheries and natural resources sector, making the electronic delivery of services and materials easier. By maximizing the use of information andcommunication technology through a readily available device, the requirements of modernizing agriculture and the fisheries sector can be more easily provided. It is not only one way: it creates a central bridge where farmers, fishers and other stakeholders meet and transact to enhance productivity, profitability and global competitiveness. Using the principles of distance learning, the e-learning system distributes various courses developed and specifically designed by developers from partner agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and Technology for agricultural extension workers, farmers and fishermen. Digital resources are also made available for supplemental learning, including web-based courses, and video tutorials in YouTube. Among the many courses available are modules on the latest TURN TO G4

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ICT AND HEALTHCARE: CONTINUING INNOVATION

INFORMATION and communications technology is definitely a driver in revolutionizing healthcare in many developing countries. In the Philippines, a country with one of the highest mobile phone usage rates in the world, mobile use has significantly increased in rural areas. Information and communications technology in general has already made dissemination of information and advisories to the public and facilitated consultation on health issues even in an archipelago made up of thousands of islands. Recent developments in mobile communications now allow patients to avoid long and expensive journeys to seek help by receiving remote consultation, diagnosis, and treatment from specialists in far off hospitals. On the developmental front, it also facilitates better collaboration and sharing of learning and training among health workers. Even more important, it has had a hand in ensuring that public health threats, such as dengue recently, are kept in control through monitoring and collaboration between the local government units, the private and public health sectors as well as the public. In 2013, the Department of Helath drew up the Philippines eHealth Strategic Framework and Plan, with the objective of enabling widespread access to health care services, health information, and securely share and exchange patients’ information in support to a safer, quality health care, more equitable and responsive health system for all the Filipino people by transforming the way information is used to plan, manage, deliver and monitor health services by the year 2020.

2015-2016: TRANSFORMATION According to plan, foundations should already have been put in place, and basic connections for the sharing of information already working by this time. In this phase the target is to continue the innovations to develop and implement defined national eHealth solutions. In 2015, the Department of Health established the national eHealth Data Information System,

allowing data aggregation from various data sources or different health facilities’ information system. It also deployed an innovation known as the RxBox, a device with built-in medical sensors capable of storing data in an electronic medical record, transmitting health information via the Internet upon the consent of the patient, and facilitating tele-consultations.

COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION The deployment of the devices aims to help promote inclusive health or equitable access to quality healthcare by all Filipinos regardless of socio-economic status and improve access to healthcare services and real-time health information for better decision-making. As of last year, there were 115 RxBox devices are deployed in health centers all over the country. By the end of 2016, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through its Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) in partnership with DOH and other institutions, hopes to deploy at least 100 more RxBox devices. Another innovation expected to be fully implemented by the end of the 2016 is the Philippine Health Information Exchange or PHIE. Through the PHIE, data records from hospitals are harmonized in order to ensure the availability of accurate and timely health information to both health practitioners at point of service and decision makers for more effective and efficient provision of health services. This helps make consultation and treatment more efficient and less costly for patients by helping them avoid duplication of treatments and avoid redundant and unnecessary tests when being treated by different hospitals. At least 85 hospitals are already putting data into the PHIE registries.

The PCHRD and Ateneo de Manila University have also started rolling out eHATID LGUs or eHealth Tablet for Informed Decision Making of Local Government Units. These involve the distribution of tablets containing an android application that offers real-time access to health information among LGUs and medical doctors for better decision-making. The application’s main feature is an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system where patients of Rural Health Units

(RHU) record will be installed. It will also feature communication and graphs and reports, which can be filtered by date or disease. Data from the e-Hatid device are synced to a central database via the government cloud facilities of the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) of the DOST. For health workers deployed in remote and rural areas, the eHatid has a feature that allows them to input patient records offline, and then later sync the

encoded information to a government cloud facility in case internet service is unavailable. The way information is collected, processed, and accessed dictates how well health providers and workers can plan, manage, deliver and monitor health services more efficiently. As long as science, technology and the health sectors work together to bring these innovations, we can expect continued improvements in the provision of health services to all, especially the underserved sectors of society.

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INFUSING...

FROM G2

technologies and information on various crops, livestock and poultry, fisheries, sustainable agriculture, social technology including trade and management and more.

MOBILE IS TWO-WAY The Farmer’s Contact Center is another service created as a support center for the clients of the Department of Agriculture. Its task is to deliver farm and business advisory services through the use of ICT, using voice (call) and short messaging system (text) modes thru a pre-defined toll-free number specified across the country, as well as online communication like chat, online fora and email. Social networking sites such as FB, Twitter and YouTube have also made two-way communication between the Department of Agriculture’s various services and the people they service. Digital, video, social and mobile are the youthful tools for a connected generation. Can they truly be used in order to give agriculture the much-needed transfusion of young blood? We’re not sure yet, but we shall see.

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CLIMATE CHANGE(D) By Yna Pe-Apeño

SOME time between the start of the climate change debate in the late 19th century (yes, that long ago) to the time tree-hugging hippies began talking about peace, love, rock and roll, and global warming in the 1960s and 70s up until the present day, it happened. The world’s climate changed. Skeptics may hoot and holler till the methane-producing cows come home, but there is no denying that climate change is now very much a part of everyday reality. What was once referred to as a looming disaster is right here, right now, and the extreme weather events that come along with it—which now occur with greater frequency in the Philippines and around the world—are a testament to this fact. The Philippines is a climate hotspot, prompting the United Nations to declare us a “nation at risk” and ranking us the third most vulnerable country in the world. Our weather patterns have been altered drastically by climate change, so much so that even areas in our tropical archipelago that do not normally experience extreme weather conditions are now seemingly at the mercy of the elements. Strong typhoons and heavy precipitation have not only increased in frequency but also in severity. To this very day, communities are still reeling from the devastation wrought by past typhoons that have gone on to become household names.

For indeed, the likes of Ondoy, Pepeng, Sendong, Pablo, Lando, and of course Yolanda have as much name recall as Aldub or Kathniel. However, while devastating floods and storms have been known to dominate the headlines, climate change is more than just about the over-abundance of water. Water scarcity in the form of prolonged and frequent droughts, while less noticeable and newsworthy, are no less destructive to life, livelihoods, and even our food supply. This kind of climate change, compounded by this year’s El Niño, is exactly the situation we are facing today and in the months ahead.

CLIMATE CRISIS Climate change is a worldwide crisis that brings with it a host of complications that endanger our planet’s fragile ecosystems, from our oceans to our forests to our deserts to the freezing tundras. According to WWF, “Sea levels are rising and oceans are becoming warmer. Longer, more intense droughts threaten crops, wildlife and freshwater supplies. From polar bears in the Arctic to marine turtles off the coast of

Africa, our planet’s diversity of life is at risk from the changing climate.” Yet beyond its impacts on the environment, climate change is also a humanitarian crisis. The toll exacted by increasingly frequent extreme weather events are often summed up in terms of human lives, property damage, and hard currency. The pitiful conditions they leave behind are the perfect breeding ground for displacement, lawlessness and human rights abuses. In his impassioned plea during the 2013 UN Climate Summit in Warsaw following the onslaught of Yolanda, Naderev “Yeb” Saño, former Climate Change Commissioner for the Philippines and now Executive Director for Greenpeace Southeast Asia said, “I speak for the countless people who will no longer be able to speak for themselves after perishing from the storm. I also speak for those who have been orphaned by this tragedy. I also speak for the people now racing against time to save survivors and alleviate the suffering of the people affected by the disaster…What my country is going through as a result of this extreme climate event is madness. The climate crisis is madness… We can stop this madness.”

STOPPING THE MADNESS Many environmentalists around the world agree that the key to stopping climate change from escalating is by embracing renewable sources of energy and reducing the world’s carbon emissions.

Easier said than done—especially considering that the major economies of the world are largely dominated by powerful, centuries-old oil and coal interests—but it makes perfect sense. As former Greenpeace International Executive Direc-

tor Kumi Naidoo once said, “For those who believe that God exists, (do you think God said), ‘Oh, these people are going to need energy, so let me take the coal, put it deep in the ground, take the oil, put it deep in the ocean, and so on, so people will

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kill themselves trying to get to it and destroy things that actually humanity needs for its existence?’…Folks, you all have been looking primarily in the wrong direction. Rather than looking down for oil, coal and gas, you should look up and see that God gave you wind and sun to actually meet your needs.” Fortunately, the Philippines is not just a climate hotspot, it is also a hotspot for harnessing renewable energy. As a tropical archipelago situated in the socalled Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is blessed with plenty of sunshine, water, air, and

even heat from the very Earth to generate sustainable sources for solar, hydro, wind, and geothermal power.

DRIVING THE CHANGE In their report Green is Gold, Greenpeace Southeast Asia asserts that renewable energy has the technological potential to contribute more than 50% of the country’s energy by 2020 from Geothermal (28.90%), Hydro (22.97%), Wind and Solar (2.90%), and Biomass (.73%) Despite their modest uptake

in the model cited above, wind and solar power are two of the most well-received sources of renewable energy. Wind power is gaining more acceptance, especially with the completion of Southeast Asia’s largest individual wind project in 2014 and the second largest in the world. Meanwhile, with swift advancements in solar technology and the continuous drop in prices of panels and related implements, solar power is becoming more and more accessible to the average home owner. The Green is Gold report, subtitled How Renewable

Energy Can Save Us Money and Generate Jobs, also outlines how growing the renewable energy sector makes perfect business sense. The report states that “(investing) in renewable energy can 1) generate tens of thousands of jobs, 2) save the government money in terms of tax revenue and foreign exchange savings, 3) boost economic growth especially in vulnerable areas suffering from energy poverty, 4) lower the cost of renewable energy for the long run by impacting the spot market, and 5) save customers’ money. Sounds like a win-win,

G7 doesn’t it? Yet this solution is only possible if there is sufficient government support and political will to steer the country in the right direction and there is enough people power to drive the change. That climate change can be reversed is still up for debate. Yet experts agree that weaning the world from its dependence on fossil fuels can prevent it from worsening. This means that a future free from the destructive effects of further climate change is possible, but only if the dream of an energysecure planet is realized first.

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ALTERNATIVE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES IN THE PHILIPPINES AND WHERE THEY ARE

ITH an abundance of alternative, renewable energy sources such as wind and the sun, there really is no reason that the Philippines cannot be at the forefront of a renewable energy movement. We have sufficient resources that can be harnessed to produce stable power needed to electrify homes and fuel businesses. While we still have a long way to go, we are encouraged by the fact that the renewable energy sector has seen tremendous growth in the last four years. The Burgos Wind Farm, for instance, a 150-megawatt new power plant that commenced operations in November 2014. Touted as one of the biggest wind farms in Southeast Asia, it is projected to not just provide 370 gigawatt-hours of electricity, which would power approximately two million households but could also displace an estimated 200,000 tons of carbon emissions annually. The San Carlos Energy Inc. (SaCaSol) successfully connected the first 22 MW of its solar plant in Negros in the southern Philippines in May last year and another 30 MW are under construction. According to the company, the SaCaSol plant is expected to provide approximately 31,610,473 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity annually to the Visayas Grid, which is currently suffering from brownouts and low voltage problems. Then there are the solar panels being installed on the roof of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest malls. The Philippines may have been slow in adopting renewable energy, but it has been catching up. In fact, there is a goal to make renewable energy account for 50% of the total energy mix by the year 2030, when demand for energy is forecast to exceed 30,000MW. The question is, is it catching up fast enough? With the Philippine Department of Energy approving a total of 616 renewable energy projects last year, we can look forward to a cleaner energy infrastructure. Whether these will be enough to fulfill the 50% by 2030 objective is not certain, but at the very least, we know that progress is being made.

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MOVEMENT

cisive credible

CHANGE does happen overnight. Most importantly, it does not happen out of the blue. There needs to be motion, activity, and most of all, momentum. We are seeing changes in different areas, improving lives, industries and the nation.

viewpoints

opinion urnalism vision

visionary

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alanced Philippines opinions credibility scoop

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

defining

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Into overdrIve:

the rIse of the MotorIng Industry

In 2015 alone, there were 2,000,000 cars officially listed in the country. This means that 2,000,000 cars more or less are on the road on a daily basis, with the majority concentrated in major cities like Cebu, Quezon City, and Bulacan. Aside from this, the number of motorcycles are also on the rise. Given a not so reliable public transportation system, most citizens opt to purchase their very own vehicles in order to avoid spending hours in line for the MRT system or running

after other forms of public transportation without much success. Spending power is higher than ever, and now, more and more Filipinos are investing in their own vehicles to travail the streets of the country.

Motorization and the econoMy Increase in car sales is a trend in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines. Today, owning a vehicle is already accessible even to the most common man. What used to be a luxury is now a commodity in the country owing to the many affordable packages and units that one can choose from. And the increase in the number of cars is a direct indication of how well the country is faring. In fact, an increase in the Gross Domestic Product of the country greatly affects the demand for motor vehicles. The term for this is called motorization. Which means that the higher the GDP, the greater the chances of citizens being able to afford and buy cars. A trend that started in 2013, the Philippines is expected to be a part of the third wave of motorization in ASEAn. In the first quarter of last year alone, sales have increased an impressive 19.3% with the industry selling a total of 18,662 units in the first month of last year, a huge jump from the pre-

vious year. To better understand motorization, it is also best to understand the trend between GDP Per Capita and the level of car ownership and how it relies heavily on a countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic development. A country with low GDP per capita has proven to have a similarly lower level of car ownership because only a few people can afford cars. Countries with a large population ideally improve public transportation and infrastructure so the need for cars is lessened. In emerging markets like the Philippines, the development may not be as fast as expected

so the only way for people to be able to move around is to be purchase vehicles on their own. The IMF recently projected the growth of GDP in emerging markets like ours will be higher than in developed countries within the next five years. This means that vehicle ownership will accelerate because we are about to reach the maximum GDP and this growth will greatly affect the motoring industry.

Bigger Purchasing Power It is clear that the economy is booming. The growth of the middle class family has bolstered the Philippines automobile industry showing a stellar performance in the past years. In fact, in 2014 alone, The Asean Automotive Federation cites the Philippines as the fastest growing automobile market in the region ahead of bigger giants like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, something that can be attributed to stronger consumer purchasing power, rising investments, and even easier financing. Easy auto financing deals are contributing greatly to the surging sales of motor vehicles, specifically private

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cars. Gone were the days when it would take forever to be able to get a car loan. Today, the increasing availability of loans, especially to the middle class, are proving to be the main source of enormous growth in the automobile industry. Motorization has truly begun in the country. And a huge potential growth still remains with more and more people owning more than one vehicle to avoid the vehicle number coding scheme of the country. More and more middle class citizens are also purchasing more vehicles in order to join car services like Grab and Uber in the hopes of a better income. This has proven to positively affect the sales of cars in the country.

The effecT of MoTorizaTion Motorization in the country is exciting without a doubt. The good news is that there will be a boost in the automobile industry that will lead to more jobs in industry related to the automobile industry. It will greatly affect the assembly industry while at the same time encourage growth in basic industries such as petrochemicals, textiles, chemical, rubber, iron, steel. Component manufacturers will be affected as well and other supporting industries. This is the good part about motorization. It will greatly affect all the other industries. However, in a country such as ours, and in the current state of traffic, one can’t help but ask how the country’s roads will be able to sustain and accommodate all the cards on the road. And while this is currently a chal-

lenge, it also places a sense of urgency because with the increasing number of cards on the road, it’s important for the government to move fast and quick in taking care of the public transportation system.

Movers in 2015 New models and new brands came into the country in 2015. Many events launching new vehicles and brands occurred last year, further boosting the

excitement for an already energetic automotive scene. Pick-ups still took the centerstage on the scene with the launch of the Nissan Navara and Toyota Hilux. The updates of the Mitsubishi Strada, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max 3.0 and Chevrolet Colorado Tracker Pro boosted car sales in the country. Another area that gained traction is the PPV segment, which is the pick up based passenger vehicles battling over the SUV. Ford was the first one

to release the new Everest while Isuzu released the MuX. Mitsubishi also released Montero Sport. Toyota is expected to come in with a new model for the Fortuner this year as well. The industry also welcomed new brands such as Mahindra which made waves when it bagged the PNP patrol vehicle contract with its Enforcer rugged SUV. Lotus soon arrived a few months

Turn To h5

R i t e M e d , t h e l ea ding b r and e d g en e r ic lin e of m e dicin e s in t h e c ount r y, r e c ent ly ho st e d an a p p r e ci at ion dinn e r fo r M s. Su sa n Ro c e s, to c el e b r at e t h e l at t e r ’s ren ewal of c ont r ac t a s i t s b r and a m b a s sad o r. Th e Q u e en of Philip p in e M ovi e s e m e rg e d a s t h e most t r u st e d end o r se r of p ha r m ac eu t ic al p ro d uc t s in t h e sur vey c ond uc t e d by AG B Ni el sen in 2 015 . Fo r t h e l a st f ive yea r s, M s. Ro c e s ha s l aunch e d f ive c a mp ai gn s t hat have ef f e c t ively r ai se d t h e awa ren e s s of Filip inos a b ou t t h e avail a b ili t y of hi gh q u ali t y a nd mo re af fo rd a b l e lin e of m e dicin e s in t h e ma r ket . Leading t h e R i t e M e d t ea m in t h e event a r e (f ro m f ro m l ef t): V inc ent G u e r re ro, g en e r al manag e r of R i t e M e d , and Jose M a r i a A . O chave, senio r vic e p re si d ent of Uni t e d L a b o r a to r i e s, I nc .

An artist’s rendition of the Residences at Commonwealth, a community that revives the focus of communities on the all-around well-being of its residents.

Century Properties’ RFO units: Move right into a beachside community, a residential Eden, or a nurturing environment

ust immediately after Bicutan exit from the South Luzon expressway is a condominium community that continues to surprise guests. It is the Azure Urban Resort Residences, which attracted a lot of attention when Paris Hilton inaugurated its central amenity called the Paris Beach Club. Not common among urban developments, it has become a huge part of the community’s appeal. If in the past, themes often meant “design,” these days, a themed development offers an entirely experiential level. Century Properties, Azure’s developer is pushing the envelope by bringing more than just the sheen of exterior aesthetics into our lives—that is, through dynamic lifestyles that come with beautifully designed homes. If you’re ready to move, consider the following choices: beachside living, a residential Eden, and a nurturing environment. At the Azure Urban Resort Residences, home is beachside living. The first residents of the 9-building development now enjoy what may be the rarest amenity feature among condominium communities in the city. Sunbathing on the sand, beach volleyball, and of course, swimming, are as much a daily option as they wish. That’s like coming home to a resort every single day of the year for all of your life.

A The Lounge at the roofdeck of Osmeña West, the first tower to rise at The Residences at Commonwealth, offers a glimpse of the community’s priority of its residents’ comfort and convenience even in providing leisure spaces.

Complementing the beach set up is a beach bar that offers the pleasures of sundown cocktails. The community’s own clubhouse—the Paris Beach Club –is also by the water and offers an entire set of lifestyle options such as dining, exercising, spa treatments, film viewing, and gaming. Going much deeper into the city, one finds the Acqua Private Residences, where two of its towers are now livable communities—the Niagara and Sutherland. Like all of Acqua’s towers, both overlook a simulation of a tropical rainforest, or trails of greens that open to a vibrant waterfront. In the middle of this is the now-rising amenity called The Pebble, a country club by the water facing an ever dynamic urban center. Located right smack in the center of the development, it’s the perfect retreat for someone entrenched daily in the hustle of an ever mobile city. It is fronted by a Riverwalk Promenade which will house several commercial establishments. In the near future, residents shall have more lifestyle choices courtesy of Acqua Livingstone which is being interior designed by MissoniHome and Acqua Iguazu, whose interiors are by yoo inspired by Starck. Both seamlessly fuse their nature-inspired de-

A great way to cap your busy day is a spa treatment at the Azure’s very own spa center.

signs with the hugely verdant themes pervading the entire development. Each tower has its own roofdeck amenity. Where Acqua Livingstone has The Canopy, the Acqua Iguazu has The Cielo. The Canopy spans two levels where varied pursuits find their home: function rooms, business centers, gyms, library, and other amenities that promote health, wellbeing, and cultural curiosity on the lower level; an amphitheater, a DJ booth and dance floor, pool, and BBQ facilities, its social and entertainment space on the upper level Tying these two levels together is an organic wire-mesh tree that winds its way up and connects to the mezzanine floor which may be used as an open-air dining area or an observation deck. The Cielo, meanwhile promotes interaction between residents. It has a common dining area, a library, a bar. And looming above this is a Cielo feature, an orb that assumes the sun’s character by day, and the moon, by night. The Residences Commonwealth by Century in Quezon City, meanwhile, is a venue to pursue one’s passion. It takes a multifaceted approach to amenity development. This community bears a nurturing spirit, what with indoor and outdoor spaces that provide holistic, active, and healthy lifestyle experiences. There will be areas that promote

The Niagara is the first of two towers now livable at the Acqua Private Residences.

activity and wellness such as multipurpose courts, athletic bootcamp, gym and fitness center, gardens, a yoga deck, and its own version of a children’s playground, The Orchard, a peeled apple-inspired treehouse with slides and ladder. Forget having idle moments as venues for learning on your own or with groups will abound: a study and library, an arts & crafts studio, a dance studio, a cooking studio, and advanced learning center. And like most of Century Properties recent developments, it also has a screening room that can be booked for private movie viewings. Toddlers also get their own space via the crèche (a nursery) and kindergarten. Surrounding the central amenity area is a nature park that’s highlighted by water features such as a reflecting pond, a rapid pool, and its very own water falls. At a Century Properties home, living is an elevated experience, and arrivals are an anticipated daily routine—much more than the usual. For information, call +639175555274; email ask@century-properties.com; or visit www.century-properties.com.

The beach is just a few steps away from your unit at the Azure, no matter where your tower is.

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into overdrive... From h3 after offering British engineering in the form of the Elise, Exige, and Evora sports cars. Aston Martin also arrived in the country, fueling the surge for expensive cars even further.

Looking AheAd The Philippines is expected to be a major automotive market in Southeast Asia by 2020 as domestic sales are expected to grow even more in the next four years. This will also work hand in hand with the government’s Comprehensive Resurgence Strategy program. Local industry players expect to see the Philippine automotive market bringing in more sales, accounting for about ten percent of the total vehicle sales in the region by 2020. Sales of the automotive market are expected to reach at least 5-6 million units by the year 2020 following other leaders in the region such as Thailand and Indonesia.

AcceLerAtion The steady growth the industry has experienced in the past five years alone show just how strong the market is. It may be recalled that in 2010, only 168,000 units were sold. In comparison sales in the first quarter of last year alone was pegged at 269,000. This year, they are expected to reach at least 350,000 units. Despite the big numbers, low car ownership ratio, favorable demographics, and rising incomes indicate high potential that has not been tapped and can still lead to further growth. One area where the Philippines is still poised to soar is that of locally produced vehicles. In the last year, locally produced units were only at 83,874. This is small in comparison to Thailand’s 1.6 million units and Indonesia’s 1.1 million units. However, industry players believe that the improvement of the CARS program will encourage the local assembly of automotive vehicles. The Board of Investments also issued the implementing rules and regulations for the CARS Program. This program will allow two prospective local car assemblers to apply for fiscal support not exceeding P27 billion by locally assembling three vehicle models or P9 billion per model with a commitment to produce 200,000 units for each model during its six-year model life. The CARS program is expected to be the lifeline of the struggling local auto parts making industry. It’s the surge the local industry has been waiting for awhile. This will increase the local auto assembly and production of an average of 100,000 units per year which doubles last year’s production. This will also greatly affect the local auto parts makers. This surge will definitely update the industry and greatly affect the local industry. A surge in the local industry is expected to also surge the local economy bringing in even greater expectations for the industry. Looking at the numbers, truly the best is yet to come for the industry.

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29th Anniversary H6 tHe neW MOVeMents: cHaritY, kinDness, HOPe anD LOVe editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Pag-iBig–Big Hearts Make a Big Difference

By Myra Butac Love The word evokes different responses from all sorts of people. however, on February the thirteenth, 9:00pm at the Music hall in Metrowalk, love was given the special treatment by the local band Climax and friends with their first concert. entitled Pag-iBIG, this was a benefit concert for children with cancer.

THe FACeS oF Love The show did not just feature Climax’s cover songs and guest numbers, it had a story to tell about the different aspects and experiences of love. There were medleys featuring OPM hits, pop, Broadway, and original compositions that gave heartfelt insights on romantic love that were both tragic and uplifting. each scene, from unconditional love to heartbreak and past loves, was highlighted by a brief introduction from an ever-present narrator perched high above the stage. Theater and voice actor Lexter Victorio dished poetry and hugot lines after several video clips from famous romantic movies projected on the wall. The audience did not shy away, enjoying catharsis from someone speaking on their behalf and were quite receptive to all the emotions evoked by the narration.

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Guests Gio Levy, Snare Mata, Diana D, and Q expanded on the theme with sincerity and passionate performances. Snare’s performance brought back a little bit of the oldies, making Forever in My heart and Get here feel so good with a warm, confident voice. Gio Levy, while introduced by Max Guerrero, the vocalist of Climax, as “his personal Jericho Rosales,” sounded more like a local John Mayer who could actually be understood, putting a lyrical spin on a medley of songs both foreign and local. Diana D came in with an original song and showed the crowd she was both passionate with her music as well as sweet to the crowd. Q York duo Flava Matikz and Knowa Lazarus made a good show of quick wit and a mastery of their craft by getting phrases from the audience (“I love you” and “ikaw na nga”) and incorporating it into their freestyle rap, with Stanley of Climax on drums. Their portion was capped off with a performance of their new single, The Philippine Dream, with Diana D.

MUSIKARAMAY The Pag-iBIG concert’s proceeds will go to Musikaramay’s support of the Cancer Ward kids of the National Children’s hospital. According to Stanley, their drummer and spokesperson, they have been directly supporting these children for the past two years under the organization Musikaramay. They would serenade the children, their families, and staff in tandem with donations of food, clothing and small gifts. Musikaramay was founded by the three original members of the Climax band, Max Guerrero, Stanley Seludo and Oman Peradilla, along with DJ Laila Chikadora of TV5 fame, born Jessica R. Asis. It started when the band Climax decided on October 2013 to convince the blind singers/performers begging at the Boni MRT station to take their place. The band sang for roughly two hours then gave all the proceeds to the blind musicians. And Musikaramay: Street Music with A Cause, was born. Other artists such as Paulo Santos, Luke Mijares, Top Suzara, Freestyle, Mike Chan, Rouge, Thyro and Yumi, Q-York, Diana D, Gio

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The New FilipiNo KomiKs movemeNT

PAG-IBIG...FROM H6 Levy, Thor, Crib Band, Gail Blanco Viduya, Njel De Mesa and Zion Aquino have also been part of Musikaramay’s street performances and benefit concerts and they continue to join Climax in busking whenever they are available. The donations they’ve gathered were used to aid Bohol earthquake survivors, Tacloban victims of typhoon Haiyan and other sufferers of local natural disasters. Eventually, the members of Musikaramay realized that they need not wait fo r calamities to serve and help others. Presently, they are putting 10 special children to school in Blessed Ville Special School, Carmona, Cavite. They also intend to have more scholars in the future and help out more groups such as the Aeta Community in Olongapo, the SAF 44 families and the kids with cancer of the National Children’s Hospital, who is also their first concert’s beneficiary.

IF you’ve been to a bookstore recently, you can observe that the diminishing shelf size of the Filipiniana section is getting smaller and smaller, while office supplies and furnitures are getting bigger and bigger. And within those shelves, in between the local literary greats and wattpad novelas, you can find a few local comic books like Kiko Machine, Zsazsa Zaturnnah,and Trese. These are the most popular comic books created by Filipinos today. If you aren’t familiar with these yet, don’t worry, you’re just in time. Now is the right time to start reading. And here’s why. Every year, hundreds of Filipino comic book creators work on their own komikbooks. From the whimsical, to the fantastic to the real. Matching these hundreds of stories is a visual artistry of every mood, shade and tone.As a country of many influences amidst globalization, the local comic book community is a mix of eastern and western influences, but the stories are indeed 100% Filipino. Readers just don’t know where to find them. Other than the comic books published by mainstream and indie publishers, the rest of the komiks community can be found only in local and regional comics events. It’s not that local comic book creators want to be hidden, it’s because there are very few opportunities to share their works and earn enough to make more and sustain their art. In Manila alone, several local comic events to visit: the Komikon (April 16 and November 19-20 at Bayanihan Center, Pasig); and INDIEKET in August. If you’re lucky, you might meet authors like Manix Abrera, Rob Cham, Tepai Pascual, JM Valenzuela, Fhate Comics and more. If you don’t know what comic book to buy from the hundreds of komiks to choose from, the best way to gage the right comic book for you is the genre and the art style. Comic book prices range from P20 to P500, depending on the size and number of pages. But what you’re paying for isn’t just for the artwork and the storytelling. What every reader is buying is a part of the komiks creator’s life. It takes two to six months, some maybe even longer for the creators to think, write, draw, ink, edit and publish their work and finally to make it to the comics events. The Filipino comic books are stories of this generation, a search for cultural identity, a gift of laughter and amusement, an escape to widen the imagination and to go beyond the limitations of the present day realities. Because despite the many struggles of an underappreciated art form, all the komiks cre-

ators truly desire are more readers to tell their stories to. So it’s time. Time to pick up a Filipino comic book in a bookstore, or attend a comics event and meet the creators. Support a Filipino comic book today.

MESSAGE OF SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR ‘JV’ EJERCITO For The Standard 29th Anniversary

THE VISIT Capping off the concert was the actual visit to the National Children’s Hospital, which was held on Valentine’s day, Feb.14, 2016. The band Climax, the founders of Climaxians (Climax’s official fan club), members of PhilOzAm, and some Musikaramay friends spent their Sunday morning handing out food, toys, companionship, caricatures, and (of course) good music to the whole cancer ward of the National Children’s Hospital. The parents watched with both amazement and gratitude as their sick children received coloring books, crayons, food and drink, and a personal serenade by Max and his band. It was a particularly emotional experience for many. Fans and friends of Climax realized that these children needed so much help, love, effort and time. Some of these kids had obvious physical deformities, some were bleeding and others were seemingly unmoving and permanently attached to their beds. However, these small tokens of love and compassion left the patients and their guardians with smiles on their faces and a little more hope in their hearts. All in all, it was a wonderful hearts day for everyone, including the givers: the band of real-life superheroes who are willing to make a difference in their own special ways.

Congratulations to the hardworking men and women of The Standard on your 29th Anniversary! I commend The Standard for making the public vigilant against crime and corruption, in helping the government achieve its quest for transparency and good governance, and for consistently relaying good news and truth to the people. Mayyoucontinuetoupholdprofessionalism and excellence in exercising your craft. I wish you success in all your endeavors!

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AyAlA lAnd invests P70 B for vermosA estAte in CAvite MANILA, Philippines—Property giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has recently announced that it is investing P70 billion for Vermosa, a 700-hectare mixed-use community located in Cavite. The multi-billion peso project will be the company’s fourth largest estate after Makati central business district, Alviera in Porac, Pampanga and Nuvali in Laguna. “Building large scale mixed-use developments that are strategically located in the country’s emerging growth centers will continue to be our focus. Our residential brands continue to introduce new offerings within our estates,” said Bernard Vincent O. Dy, ALI President and CEO. Of the 700 hectares, a central business district will take up 124 hectares of the development, which will hold various business and commercial establishments, residential developments and schools. Furthermore, 165 hectares of land will be devoted to open spaces and interconnected parks and gardens.

Artist’s perspective of Vermosa’s green strip

The pedestrian-focused environment will feature a 14- kilometer greenway, a landscaped promenade stretching north to south of the project that will allow residents to ride a bike to work or walk to nearby establishments, further reducing reliance on public vehicles. Focusing on Filipinos’ increasingly active and healthy lifestyle, the estate will also have the Vermosa Sports & Lifestyle Complex (VSLC), which will feature an Olympic-size pool, 400-meter track and field and the most advanced and complete sports science laboratory in the country. VSLC will also have a motocross track and the first purposebuilt mountain bike skills track in the Philippines. The property is accessible via the newly opened Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX), the government’s first public-private partnership project bagged by the Ayala conglomerate. The MCX tollway connects the Daang Hari Road to the South Luzon Expressway and shortens the travel time to Cavite by 30%, making Vermosa 55 minutes from Makati during peak hours. The entire project is slated to be completed in the next 12 to 15 years.

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GROWTH THE ultimate purpose of change is growth. In life, business and society, all change must result in growth if it is to have meaning. As The Standard looks forward to more years in the service of the people, we know that our goal is to grow, and in so doing, help build the nation into a bigger, more formidable version of itself.

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This generation is witness to the fastest changes and developments in communication that the world has seen. Not only have these changes made the various aspects of life much easier and much more convenient, they have made world a smaller place for everyone creating the true global village.

CommuniCations: DRiVinG GRoWtH Alexander Graham Bell was the inventor of the one tool many new innovations have sprung from: the telephone. From its clunky rotary dial, its coiled cables and wires that would more often than not find itself all twisted and tangled as if it had a life of its own, this technological breakthrough has been connecting people in more ways than anyone could have ever imagined at the time. It has since gone through numerous iterations, slowly but surely becoming more compact, easier to use, and more versatile. Fast forward to what we have today, and good old Bellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handset and dock have virtually been rendered obsolete, even archaic, as we now have telephones that we can bring with us everyday, everywhere, using it in a plethora of ways that was well beyond anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dreams, at that time. More than just the units (or devices as they are called now) it is the telecommunications networks and companies that are perhaps responsible for effecting the biggest changes we are seeing in all aspects of our lives. Many of the biggest developments we see and applaud these days spring from the early work of those who have laid the foundations of a working communications network. In fact, the many revolutions we have witnessed would not all be possible without their work. Decades ago, movements sprang from a telephone call. Years after, pager messages, then afterwards SMS and now social media are sparking movements that change the world around us. The Philippines, for the most part, is fortunate to have kept up with the growth of CoNTiNued oN i4

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AnnA Meloto

And the Growth of A SociAl enterpriSe Seven years ago, Dylan Wilk and Anne Meloto-Wilk, daughter of Gawad Kalinga’s Tony Meloto, went to the US to set up a network of volunteers for Gawad Kalinga. During this time, Anna noticed the popularity of organic products penetrating the local supermarkets and thought of replicating this in the Philippines. Anna, together with her sister Camille started brainstorming on how to provide affordable, locally-made natural beauty products for the Filipinos. After much research and a few collaborations, they started a social enterprise called Gandang Kalikasan, Inc, a company that would become the biggest producer of natural personal care products under the brand name Human Nature. Beginnings of a Social Entrepreneur Anna’s love for the country started at a very young age. Her parents would bring

her and two younger sisters to different places in the country to let them appreciate the beauty of the Philippines. Her father would also expose her to the slums to show what life is on the other end of the spectrum. She narrated the time when her father brought her to Bagong Silang at age sixteen to interact with the juvenile delinquents of the area. “Needless to say, it was a life-changing moment for ConTinUeD on i4

I4 COMMUNICATIONS... From I2 telecommunications around the world. It has piggybacked on these developments, creating the many innovations that a developing country needs to grow. The growth of tech-based businesses in the country, the booming Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, and even the more traditional industries all owe their existence to the growth of communications. Developments in telecommunications are solving the persistent problems that the nation has been facing. We know very well that change is the only constant, the only thing in the universe with permanence and persistence, and we have to understand that all these mean that what we have at our beck, call, and convenience, will inevitably be reborn into something far better than it always was. And the

ANNA MELOTO... From I3 me. I realized that we are all the same, each person is our equal and we need to treat everybody with dignity and respect.” Anna had visions of climbing the corporate ladder after graduating from Ateneo de Manila University in 2000. She tried her luck in media and advertising but something inside her wanted more. She knew that she wanted to be an agent of change and make an impact in the lives of people. She knew that many people can do her job in advertising but few are given the chance to do something that can make an impact to the nation. Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor, and Pro-Environment According to Anna, the desire of Human Nature is to help improve the lives of the Filipinos. Its vision is to be a leading force in restoring the dignity of people and eradicate poverty in the country. Being pro-poor, Anna believes in hiring from the poor and investing in their training and human de-

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telecommunications industry is the sector that has constantly taken this to heart. The same companies who brought this technology to us are keeping up with the changes, constantly innovating to drive growth and effecting change– from the trivial requirements of a student online studying for a degree that will dictate his future career, to the heavy demands of companies who control entire economies and nations. From unlimited bandwidths, to faster data transmission speeds, to reliable connections, and futureproof hardware and more, all made easily accessible to everyone, everywhere, it would be safe to say that we are headed towards the right direction. All these implements, infrastructures, and technologies are steadily bringing healthy and sustainable change to our lives, opening new avenues of opportunity and bridging the gaps we need to cross to be heard in the entire world. velopment. A third of the employees come from poor communities of Gawad Kalinga and they are given wages that are double the minimum wage required by the government. “Minimum wage is not enough for them to live quality lives.” Anna added that more than the money, people should be taught financial stewardship to make the most of their earnings. In a commencement speech she delivered in 2012, she stressed the importance of supporting Filipino social enterprises and buying Filipino products. “Make business decisions that will benefit our country. Love of country is good for the economy and great for business.” Anna had a dream, “to become the first multinational social enterprise” and “to use business to build a better Filipino society, especially the poor.” The dream is now becoming a reality as Human Nature is on its way to becoming the leader in distributing natural and organic cosmetics and personal products to the Philippines and to many parts of the world.

GROWING UP... From I7 exclusive stories. The call for us is to rise to the occasion even as we embrace technological advances. The digitization of media is an opportunity to come back to our core mission and values: empowering citizens by providing them with the news and information necessary to make informed decisions in society. This is what we aim to do every day at The Standard. This is what makes battling the awful EDSA traffic to get to our Makati office worth it. This is why I remain a journalist.

GLOBE TELECOM LONE PH TELCO RECOGNIZED AT GSMA MOBILE CONNECT RECEPTION IN BARCELONA, SPAIN Globe Telecom was the only Philippine telco to have been recognized by the GSMA during the Mobile Connect Reception Founders Accolade and Networking held at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain as part of the GSMA-led Mobile Connect initiative. Globe was awarded as one of the founding Mobile Network Operator (MNO) partners for GSMA’s Mobile Connect: Project 1 Billion initiative. GSMA announced that the GSMA Mobile Connect mobilebased authentication solution is now available to 2 billion consumers globally. Since the solution was introduced at Mobile World Congress 2014, 34 mobile network operators (MNOs), including Globe, have launched the service in 21 countries. As part of its commitment to enable the shift to a digital nation and empower Filipinos around the world to fully embrace their digital lifestyle, Globe joined the global initiative to protect its customers from the growing number of fraudulent activities and scams in the digital space. Working with the GSMA closely, Globe launched Mobile Connect in the Philippines in light of the rapid growth of data and internet penetration in the country, exposing more users to online fraud and scams. GSMA’s Mobile Connect aims to securely authenticate, authorize and identify a subscriber accessing content using the inherent security of the mobile device owned and carried by the end user. “With Mobile Connect, Globe is adopting a globally-accepted standard to protect our customers from the various cases of cybercrimes via a safe and secure platform. In today’s digital world, this initiative will definitely bring about sustainable and long-lasting impact to the global economy, and we at Globe are very happy to bring this innovation to Filipinos to ease them away from the worries of online fraud,” says Glenn Estrella, Vice President for

Receiving the award at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain is Globe Vice President for Product Management Vince Yamat.

Digital Media at Globe. Mobile Connect enables customers to create and manage a digital universal identity via a single log-in solution. The service securely authenticates users, enabling them to digitally confirm their identity and their credentials and grant safe on-line access to mobile and digital services such as e-commerce,

banking, health and digital entertainment, and e-government, via their mobile phones. It works by employing the user’s unique mobile number, combined with a unique PIN for more secure use cases, to verify and grant online access anywhere they see the Mobile Connect logo. It also provides secure and convenient access to digital services that can be unlocked with the use of a secret PIN. It functions like Google’s TwoFactor authentication where the subscriber is asked to enter the code they get via SMS or USSD, to verify that they have the device with them when accessing a site or an app. While initially focused on secure and convenient log-in to digital services, Mobile Connect is evolving to deliver secure authorisation of digital transactions and to add context and attributes about the user and the transaction to increase convenience, trust and security for the users and the online service providers, while respecting the users’ privacy. Operators offering services based on Mobile Connect include América Móvil, Axiata Group (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka), China Mobile, China Mobile Pakistan (Zong), China Telecom, China Unicom, DNA, Elisa, Indosat Ooredoo, Mobilink, Mobitel, Orange (Egypt, France, Morocco, Spain), Sunrise, Swisscom (Switzerland), Telefónica Group (Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Spain), Telenor Group (Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand), TeliaSonera (Finland), Telkomsel, Telstra, TIM and Turkcell (Turkey). The Mobile Connect Reception Founders

Accolade and Networking celebrated some of the biggest milestones achieved by the initiative as well as recognized key contributors and partners. It also allowed partner MNOs to network and meet with the Mobile Connect ecosystem.

M O N D AY : F E B R U A R Y 2 9, 2 0 1 6

29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

GROWING UP IN THE STANDARD MARCH 28 • JUNE 8 • SEPT. 21 • DEC. 14

By Joyce Pangco Pañares

I WAS 19 years old when I joined Manila Standard (which later became Manila Standard Today, and is now The Standard) in 2003. I received a call from then editor-in-chief Jullie Yap-Daza sometime in July that year, asking me—a fresh graduate covering the education beat for another newspaper—if I’d like to join her team. A month later, I was covering the Department of Foreign Affairs for the Standard, trying to keep up with diplomatic jargon and the need for formal wear, though I never got to wearing heels.

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MARCH 28 • JUNE 8 • SEPT. 21 • DEC. 14

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Being a journalist, as a colleague once described it, is the ultimate Peter Pan job – the stories that we write every day (no holidays, mind you, except during Holy Week, and only on days that Jesus Christ is believed to be dead) keep us young. This job has also kept us humble, knowing that our bylines are there only so our readers would know who to hold accountaNEXT PAGE

M O N D AY : F E B R U A R Y 2 9, 2 0 1 6

29th Anniversary editorial@thestandard.com.ph

GROWING UP... From I6 inaccuracy or grammatical error, or worse, who to slap with a libel case. In 2005, while I was finishing my post-graduate degree, I was transferred to the Malacañang beat. My decade-long coverage of the Palace allowed me to write memorable stories – the coup attempts against former President Gloria Arroyo; some of the strongest typhoons to hit the country (Milenyo, Reming, Ondoy, Sendong, and Yolanda); the Maguindanao massacre that left 58 civilians dead, including 32 media workers; and the Luneta hostage crisis during the first year of the Aquino administration, among many others. The job, for sure, has its perks – it gave me a chance to cover various events in countries as far as Russia and parts of Europe, and in most of Asia, thanks to the annual meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. A story I wrote on sweatshops in Myanmar and Cambodia afforded me a slot as finalist in the 2013 Asian Development Bank-Developing Asia Journalism Awards in Tokyo. There were, of course, bad days

just as there were good ones. I remember that after typhoon Sendong hit Mindanao, President Benigno Aquino III decided to make a quick visit to Iligan City from Cagayan de Oro. We took off – eight choppers at least – and in the middle of the flight, smoke filled our helicopter (the old Huey that media have, tongue in cheek as we ride them too, branded as flying coffins). And because my weird brain told me I should not die with an oily face, I took out my pressed powder and did a quick re-touch. Thankfully we were able to land safely, and the copilot announced, confidently, that it was just an electrical problem. In the first quarter of 2015, the heavens (or to be more accurate, the gods-that-be in our new office in Makati) decided it was time to pay my dues by joining the desk. From the fast-paced coverage that marked my stint as a journalist, it was now time to be at the other side of the fence. As city editor, I would call my reporters to plan the coverage for the day, what stories to follow up, which angle to pursue. The desk is an entirely different battlefield. Or as a senior editor once said: Edit ruthlessly. Every word must pay for

its passage. For more than 12 years now, The Standard has been a second home to me, one that I have come to love. If my work has taught me anything, it is that the print media, in particular, and traditional media, in general, remain relevant today, if not more relevant, in the age of digital platforms and clickbait. When super typhoon Yolanda hit the country, power lines were down and there was no Internet connection. When disaster strikes, people still turn to traditional media. Transistor radios were the only source of news of Yolanda victims during the first few days after the super typhoon struck. These are exciting times for print journalists who must ensure that the edge of the medium remains. This means providing context, making sense of cold facts, and sharpening our analytical tools. Since our medium does not allow real time correction that is enjoyed by our online counterparts (if we make a mistake, we issue a late erratum the next day), print journalists are required, more than ever, to get our facts straight. There is more demand to produce CONTINUED ON I4