The Standard - 2016 March 5 - Saturday

VOL. XXX  NO. 24  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  SATURDAY : MARCH 5, 2016  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Duterte: I will stop terrorists

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POE, BINAY SHARE LEAD IN NEW PULSE SURVEY

By Christine F. Herrera, Sandy Araneta and Macon Araneta

TWO months before the presidential elections, Senator Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay now share the lead at 26 percent and 25 percent, respectively, according to the Pulse Asia survey for February.

Under scrutiny. The North Korean cargo vessel Jin Teng lies docked at the Subic Freeport after it was boarded by Philippine authorities hours after the United Nations ordered tougher new sanctions against Pyongyang’s nuclear program. AFP

Close behind the leading candidates are Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and administration standard bearer Manuel A. Roxas II, with 21 percent. Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago received 3 percent, while 4 percent said they still did not know how they would vote.

The survey, conducted from Feb. 15 to 20, used face-to-face interviews with 1,800 registered voters nationwide, with a ± 2 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level.

The margin of error was a higher ± 6 percent in Metro Manila results, ± 3 percent for the rest of Luzon and ± 5 percent for Visayas and Mindanao.

Binay posted a strong showing in Metro Manila, taking the lead at 33 percent, followed by Poe and Duterte at 23 percent.

In the rest of Luzon, Poe garnered 33 percent to Binay’s 29 percent.

Roxas led in the Visayas (35 percent), while Duterte held a commanding 45 percent in Mindanao.

In the vice presidential race, Senators Francis Escudero and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were statistically tied for first place, at 29 percent and 26 percent, respectively.

Administration candidate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo was in second place with 19 percent, while Senator Alan Peter Cayetano came in third with 12 percent. Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Gregorio Honasan II had 6 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

Poe, Roxas and Duterte did well among the more well-off Class ABC Next page

Machines Coast Guard team inspects Nokor ship to display how votes were cast

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PORT authorities said Friday they had inspected a North Korean vessel within hours of the United Nations ordering cargo checks as part of tough new sanctions over Pyongyang’s nuclear program.

An inspection team with bombsniffing dogs boarded the cargo ship Jin Teng at Subic port on Thursday after it was placed on a “watch list” by their headquarters,

local Coast Guard commander Raul Belesario said.

The inspection of the 6,830-ton vessel came after a UN Security Council resolution was passed on Thursday morning requiring all countries to inspect cargo going to and from North Korea.

It also banned or restricted exports of coal, iron, iron ore and other minerals from North

Korea, and prohibited the supply of aviation fuel, including for rockets.

Belesario said inspectors did not detect anything illegal on the boat, which was carrying palm oil kernels, but that it would be inspected again before it left the port, about 80 kilometers north of Manila.

He said he did not know when it would depart.

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On-screen voting verification ok’d

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

THE Commission on Elections on Friday approved on-screen verification on vote counting machines to be used in the May elections, but stood firm against issuing printed receipts, saying if the Supreme Court forced its hand, poll preparations would be set back.

In a press conference, Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said the on-screen verification could prolong the voting period on May 9, but said the commissioners decided to be more transparent so that the public would be less doubtful about the accuracy of the election results.

“There is a bit of a gamble on this. We [hope we] can show the people that there is no hocus-PCOS here,” Bautista said, using the tag used by critics of the old precinct count optical scan machines used in the 2010 and 2013 elections.

The on-screen verification will flash a verification of how a voter voted for 15 seconds.

“After weighing the risks and benefits

in the use of the on-screen verification functionality, the Commission on Elections has decided to err on the side of transparency, notwithstanding these attendant risks,” the Comelec said in a resolution dated March 3.

Bautista said they were still studying if on-screen verification would necessitate longer voting hours.

Earlier the Comelec announced that voting hours would be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., which was two hours shorter than they were in 2013.

At the same time, Bautista said the timeline for the automated election system was very tight, with only two months before

Election Day on May 9.

Earlier, senatorial candidate and former senator Richard Gordon petitioned the Supreme Court to compel the Comelec to activate a security feature that would have the voting machines issue printed receipts.

If the ruling goes against them, this could set back the poll body’s preparations, Bautista said.

“In truth, it is very tight already. But we will cross that bridge if we get there,” he said.

The Comelec had decided not to use printed receipts because it said vote buyers could use it to verify how a voter voted. It also said printing the receipts would add to the voting time.

But Gordon, the author of the Automated Election Law, asked the Supreme Court to stop the Comelec, saying a printed receipt was a minimum security requirement under the law.

The Supreme Court has yet to release its decision.

Warm welcome. Presidential candidate Vice President Jejomar Binay is greeted enthusiastically by voters in Bulacan hours after Pulse Asia released its latest survey showing he is tied with Senator Grace Poe as the two most preferred candidates in the May 9 elections.

Coast...

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Belesario refused to say why the ship was on the watch list. The national Coast Guard spokesman in Manila and the foreign affairs ministry spokesman declined to give details.

But Belesario said the watch list directive triggered the action.

“According to our guidelines, ships that

are placed on a watch list require comprehensive inspection,” Belesario said.

Asked to comment on the Philippine action, Kim Song-Jin, first secretary for the North Korean Embassy in Thailand said: “We are closely watching the situation.”

The Embassy also represents North Korea’s interests in the Philippines.

The Jin Teng is owned and managed by a Hong Kong-based company called Golden Soar Development, according to

shipping monitor websites.

The UN resolution was passed on Wednesday night in New York, which was Thursday morning in the Philippines, after North Korea made its fourth nuclear test and rocket launch.

In response, Pyongyang fired sixshort-range missiles into the sea on Thursday, while North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un ordered its nuclear arsenal put on standby for pre-empty use at anytime. AFP

Poe...

From A1 voters, with 25 percent, 25 percent and 24 percent, respectively. Only 14 percent from these voters went for Binay.

Among the poorer Class D voters, Binay and Poe were ahead with 25 percent, followed by Duterte, 22 percent; and Roxas, 21 percent.

Among the poorest Class E voters, 31 percent said they would vote for Binay and 28 percent said they would go for Poe. The levels of support for the presidential candidate remained constant from the January survey, said Ronald Holmes, Pulse Asia Research Inc. president.

The only significant movement was he decline in the level of support enjoyed by Poe in the most numerous Class D (-7 percentage points), he said.

In the vice presidential race, Escudero and Marcos shared the lead in Metro Manila (35 percent and 34 percent, respectively), the rest of Luzon (31 percent and 32 percent, repectively) and among Class D voters (30 percent and 26 percent, respectively).

Among Visayans, the top vice presidential bets were Escudero (29 percent) and Robredo (28 percent).

Mindanaoans were most inclined to support Escudero (22 percent), Cayetano (22 percent), Marcos (19 percent) and Robredo (16 percent).

Marcos drew support from Class ABC voters with a 44 percent lead, while Escudero led among the poorest Class E voters, with 32 percent.

Pulse Asia said there were no significant changes in the voter preferences of these vice presidential candidates between January and February 2016.

Compared to Pulse Asia’s January survey, Poe lost 4 percentage points while Binay gained 2 points. Duterte and Roxas both had a one-point gain.

Santiago lost one point.

Escudero lost four points from January, while Marcos gained 3 points.

Roxas’ running mate, Robredo, gained 1 percentage point, while Duterte’s vice presidential candidate, Cayetano, lost 2 points.

In the senatorial race, a big plurality of Filipinos or 44 percent already have a complete senatorial slate.

Of the 56 senatorial candidates, 14 have a statistical chance of winning a seat in the Senate, Pulse Asia said.

Of these probable winners, only former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has not had any previous legislative experience.

From January to February, senatorial candidate, boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao suffered the biggest decline of 12.1 percentage points, easing him out of the top 10 to rank 11th to 14th. It was during this period that Pacquiao drew criticism for saying homosexuals were “worse than animals.”

With two months to go, Holmes said Filipinos are naming a mean of nine and a median of 10 of their preferred senatorial candidates for the May 2016 elections out of a maximum of 12.

Sharing the top spot in the senatorial race are Senator Vicente Sotto III (63.6 percent) and former Senator Panfilo Lacson (60.2 percent), both of whom are ranked first to second places.

Occupying third to fifth spots are former Senator Francis Pangilinan (54.1 percent) and Ralph Recto (53.4 percent).

Senate President Franklin Drilon was in third to sixth place (52.4 percent) while former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was ranked fifth to seventh at 48.5 percent. With Rey E.

Requejo and Rio N. Araja

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Mar dares rivals to file charges MANDAUE CITY—Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II on Friday criticized all his opponents during his consultation with a group of furniture makers here.

“We have trust in each other, but that trust must be given to someone who is deserving and not to someone who has cases due to stealing,” Roxas said in a short speech.

He was was apparently referring to Vice President Jejomar Binay, the standard bearer of the United Nationalist Alliance who is facing graft and charges in connection with the allegedly overpriced Makati parking building.

Roxas also dared his political opponents to file charges against the businessman who owns the aircraft that he and the LP has been using for his campaign sorties.

He said that in Binay’s case, there was documented evidence that proved the vice president had committed wrongdoing, but his opponents had nothing against him.

He said the presidency is not be awarded to hot-headed people or to neophytes, apparently referring to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Grace Poe. “This is given to one who has experience, has accomplishments, a track record, who knows things,” Roxas said.

He said the economy would improve further if he won the presidential elections this year.

He stressed the importance of strengthening the labor sector. He said the Philippines would suffer under a Binay presidency. He said Binay should explain the string of corruption allegations against him as well as the supposed overpricing of medical equipment purchased by the city government of Makati during the term of his wife. Sandy araneta

Caravan. Vice presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets his supporters in Biñan, Laguna, during his Unity Caravan in the province Thursday.

Duterte vows to end terrorism PRESIDENTIAL bet Rodrigo Duterte on Friday vowed to end the conflict in Mindanao and slammed the Aquino administration over its alleged failure to stop terrorism.

Controversial chopper. This is the helicopter supposedly owned by a businessman that presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II is using in his campaign sorties. Sandy araneta

Binay describes Roxas as a ‘dishonorable person’ VICE President Jejomar Binay on Friday described Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II a “dishonorable” and “ill-mannered” person who resorts to dirty campaigning instead of disclosing his platform to the people.

Roxas had called Binay a thief during his campaign sortie in Mandaue city in Cebu, claiming the country would be worse off if he won the presidency because he

would steal from the coffers like what he did when he was mayor of Makati.

Binay, who was in Bulacan, denied Roxas’ allegations, saying Roxas does not seem to get tired of attacking him when he does not do the same.

“Mr. Roxas can’t seem to stop hurling allegations against me. I will repeat, Mr. Roxas, these allegations have no basis,” Binay said.

He said he finds it wrong to throw allegations to destroy a

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person’s reputation.

He said he criticizes Roxas because of his incompetence as a government official but not to the extent of maligning his reputation and his family.

“Why accuse a person when there is no evidence to prove it?

Binay said.

“What if I also told you that you signed a questionable document during your stint as DoTC chief, and accused you of stealing? But I never did

because it is wrong to accuse someone just so you can destroy that person’s reputation.”

Binay’s spokesman Joey Salgado likewise criticized the Liberal Party for claiming Binay would cheat in the coming elections, saying how could Binay cheat when the Liberal Party controlled the Comelec?.

“Wow! First time for the administration to cry cheating by the opposition,” Salgado said. Vito Barcelo

“People long for real change but the government continues to neglect their woes.

That’s why there’s so much disorder,” Duterte said.

He reacted to the assassination attempt Tuesday night on a prominent Saudi cleric who was on the hit list of the Islamic State and on another Saudi diplomat at the Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga.

Duterte and his running mate Alan Peter Cayetano criticized the government for failing to secure the cleric despite his inclusion in the hit list.

The Davao City mayor also expressed dismay over what he called the lack of peace and order in the entire country, which he said had resulted from the government’s failure to provide bold solutions to the people’s daily woes.

He vowed to boost the capability of the security forces by adding over 3,000 regular men in the Armed Forces to be trained as scout rangers or special forces to combat lawless elements once he was elected president.

“Criminals are that bold, so we also have to offer bold solutions. We cannot go easy,” Duterte said.

He pledged to push for federalism to boost regional development and restore order in the people’s lives.

“If there’s enough opportunity provided by government for our people in the regions, there is no need to take up arms or be seduced by terrorism,” Duterte said.

“We need leaders with political will who can effect bold and swift solutions.

This is what we are bringing in this election.” rio n. araja

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UN official hits HR violations

By John Paolo Bencito A TOP official of the United Nations Office of the High Commission on Human Rights has criticized the continued attacks made by state actors against human rights defenders in the Philippines, including the murders of three tribal leaders by militiamen in Surigao del Sur and various recorded attempts at suppressing human rights defenders in the country.

30 years later. Former Manila Standard editor-in-chief and press secretary Rod Reyes greets Mrs. Lily Cendana, widow of the late former information minister Gregorio Cendana, during the first grand reunion of former employees of the National Media Production Center 30 years after the 1986 Edsa Revolution. More than 200 former NMPC colleagues joined the reunion at the Officers’ Club of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Still no raps vs SAF 44 attackers

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice was not able to meet its own deadline to resolve the criminal charges against 90 commanders and members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and private armed groups tagged in the Mamasapano massacre of January 2015.

But Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas vowed to release the resolution of the case next week, without offering the reason for the delay.

Caparas had earlier said the resolution on the complex crime of direct assault with murder complaint that the National Bureau of Investigation filed against 90 MILFs, BIFFs and PAGs over the killing of 35 police

commandos during the encounter would be released in February.

But this did not materialize as no resolution was released Friday although the preliminary investigation of the case by a panel led by Assistant State Prosecutor Alexander Suarez was concluded last Jan. 14 with only four of 90 respondents able to answer the charges.

Of the 90 respondents, only four submitted counter-affidavits and denied the charges: alleged MILF field commander Pendatun Utek Makakua, who denied the charges and claimed to be a farmer; Mustapha Tatak, a barangay chairman in Sapakan, Mamasapano; and civilians Lakiman Dawaling and Khalim Keda, who were accused of being field commanders of MILF involved in the killing of the 35 SAF men in

Barangay Tukanalipao.

Facing the DoJ probe are 13 commanders of MILF and six commanders of BIFF, but the names of the respondents were not made public so as to prevent them from evading possible prosecution.

They were accused of acting “in conspiracy with one another to attack, employ force, seriously intimidate or resist the 35 SAF commandos, who were uniformed police officers and, thus persons in authority.”

The fact-finding team of prosecutors and National Bureau of Investigation agents based the report on accounts of eyewitnesses—including one identified only as “Marathon”—who identified the liable MILF and BIFF commanders and have been placed under witness protection program.

Michel Forst, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, made the criticism in his report UN Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva, Switzerland on March 3 and hit government inaction on the violations of the rights of indigenous peoples.

“The Special Rapporteur considers the killings of Messrs. Emerito Samarca, Dionel Campos, and Bello Sinzo to be systematic of the aggressions suffered by human rights defenders in rural areas and indigenous communities in response to violations committed in the course of environmentally dubious mining operations, wide-spread development of monoculture plantations, land grabs and territorial disputes,” Forst said in his report.

But months after the incident, Forst noted that “since the sending of the communication on this matter, information has been received of further killings of indigenous rights defenders in Mindanao.”

“Military occupation of civilian institutions and killing of civilians, particularly in places such as schools which should remain safe havens for children from this type of violence, are unacceptable, deplorable and contrary to international human rights and international humanitarian standards,” he said.

Forst also urged the Philippine Government to “take every possible measure to ensure that these extrajudicial killings do not remain in impunity, for fear of the potential encouragement a lack of justice would provide for any potential perpetrators of such acts in the future.”

Forst’s report on cases of human rights attacks in the Philippines also made mention the alleged “surveillance and intimidation” against members of rights group Karapatan “as a result of their legitimate human rights activities and exercise of rights to freedom of expression and association” and the attempted disbarment petition on human rights lawyer Harry Roque, initiated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Yank gets life for trafficking

By Dexter See BAGUIO CITY—An American was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined P2 million after he was found guilty of qualified human trafficking by a local court.

However, Judge Mona Liza Teongson Tabora of the Regional Trial Court Branch 7 dismissed another count of qualified trafficking in persons and a separate charge of sexual abuse which were simultaneously filed against the foreigner.

In a 20-page decision, Judge Tabora ordered David Wayne Stonecypher to pay the accessory fine of P2 million as well as pay his 15-year -old victim the amount of P500,000 as moral damages

and another P100,000 as exemplary damages and for him to pay the cost of litigation among others.

The case stemmed from the complaint of two minors, a 17-year-old male and a 15-year-old male, both from Bislig City in Surigao del Sur, who were promised shelter, clothing and education and subsequently transported from their place to the city but ended up being allegedly abused by the foreigner.

At the outset, the American national raised the defense of denial which the Supreme Court has time and again ruled to be the weakest of all defences.

“The Supreme Court held that denial is a negative, selfserving evidence that can-

not prevail over a positive and categorical assertion of a credible witness that the accused perpetrated the crime,” the decision stated.

The court cited that the victim testified five times just to complete his direct examination at the bail hearings and even after a rigorous cross examination, he maintained his version of the events and never wavered in his testimony when he was recalled to the witness stand twice.

The court stipulated that the suspect should also be adjudged liable for moral and exemplary damages of P500,000 and P100,000, respectively in line with the ruling in several jurisprudence.

Senior Inspector Ferdinand Paredes of the Quezon City police special operations unit questions suspected gun runner Hosler Mariano who was arrested in a sting operation at Barangay Botocan in Quezon City. MANNY PALMERO

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A5 Miriam questions pork raps’ slow pace

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

Morning shower. University students shield themselves from a morning drizzle Friday as the tail-end of a cold front caused isolated rain and thunderstorms in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon. EY ACASIO

2 suspects in Saudi slay attempt charged

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Zamboanga City police have filed frustrated and attempted murder charges against the two men who are believed to have been accomplices in the shooting of an influential Saudi preacher and a diplomat last Tuesday.

The charges were filed against Mujer Amilahassan and Junaide Cadir, who were tagged as accomplices of gunman Misuari Kiliste Rugasanand, who shot at preacher Sheikh Aaidh al-Qarni and religious attaché Sheikh Turki Assaegh at the Western Mindanao State University Tuesday evening.

The two Saudis were shot at close range by Rugasanand as they were leaving the gymna-

sium of the university, but the police were killed by the victims’ police escorts and the two victims have been declared out of danger.

The two Saudis spoke at the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines in the university and their lectures appeared to be the motive behind the shooting.

Absalom Cerveza, spokesman of the Moro National Liberation Front, said Al-Qarni

made strong statements regarding the Sunni and Shiite sectarian conflict in the Middle East and the shooter was apparently a Shiite, a branch of Islam that accounts for five percent or about 350,000 Moros.

Qarni suffered gunshot wounds in the shoulder, left arm and abdomen while Assaegh had bullet wounds in the thigh and leg when a gunman, identified as Misuari Kiliste Rugasanand, 21, an engineering student at MSU, opened fire on them. Lawmen shot and killed the gunman.

Cerveza said Qarni was on a hit list of a still unknown group and said Tuesday’s attack was premeditated.

Reports of Tuesday’s attack spread throughout Zamboanga

City and other parts of Mindanao and was the focus of discussion among the Muslim population.

The Ulamas expressed dismay that the country was being dragged into to Middle East sectarian conflict.

Reports said two people from Basilan who were with the gunman were arrested after the shooting.

Meanwhile, senatorial candidate Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Friday denounced the attempted killing.

“The seeming religion-inspired assassination attempt is condemnable in the strongest possible terms. Brutal attacks have no place in a democratic country like ours,” Romualdez stressed.

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Miriam Defensor Santiago on Friday questioned the slow resolution of cases of legislators allegedly involved in the P10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund scam.

In her speech before some 3,000 youth voters at the Our Lady of Fatima University in Valenzuela City, Santiago noted that once elected, she will expedite the investigation and prosecution of cases against those involved in the PDAF scam.

“These corrupt politicians remain at large. They will return to power and again steal public funds,” Santiago said, raising concern over that the Ombudsman has so far charged only three senators and 11 former congressmen since the scandal was exposed in 2013.

The Department of Justice has recommended charges against 24 legislators in the racket allegedly led by Janet Lim Napoles, while a Commission on Audit report has named some 118 legislators who supposedly had questionable deals involving their PDAF. Her statement comes as the Ombudsman ordered cases filed against six former legislators who allegedly funneled funds to bogus nongovernment organizations.

The list, which is the second batch of individuals charged over the PDAF mess, included former representatives Zenaida Ducut of Pampanga, Ruffy Biazon of Muntinlupa, Rodolfo Valencia of Oriental Mindoro, Marc Cagas of Davao del Sur, Arrel Olaño of Davao del Norte, and Arthur Pingoy, Jr. of South Cotabato.

Santiago is one of the most vocal critics of the pork barrel system, which she said continues to this day in the form of lump sums in the national budget.

Her platform includes the abolition of all forms of pork barrel, including the PDAF and the Disbursement Acceleration Program, which is also called the “presidential pork barrel.” Both have been struck down by the Supreme Court.

“I will support the recent Supreme Court decisions on PDAF and the DAP. They espouse the appropriate roles of the President and Congress in the use of public funds. The decisions ought to be supported not resisted,” Santiago said.

Boracay land row heats up ONE of Boracay Island’s first settler-families warned the public, particularly local and foreign investors, against any ownership claim on the popular Friday’s Boracay Island Resort because the matter is still being determined by the court.

Landowner Mila Yap-Sumndad challenged the claim of Boulevard Holdings Inc., owned by the Panlilio family of Silahis International Hotel fame, that it owns the land on which Friday’s Resort Boracay stands.

“The claim by Boulevard Holdings Inc. that it owns the land on which Friday’s Resort Boracay is wrong and erroneous,” she said, adding that the case is still being heard by the court.

“I inherited the parcel of land from my father and mother and when the lease ended in Feb. 14, 2014, we just took back what was rightfully ours,” Sumndad said, adding that BHI and Friday’s Holdings Inc. are suppos-

edly trying to grab a part of the 1,447-squaremeter beachfront property.

The claim of BHI and Friday’s Holdings Inc. is based on a Makati RTC decision early in 2014 that the Court of Appeals stopped in December of the same year.

“The truth is the Court of Appeals ordered the Makati RTC to conduct a retrial because of the evidence discarded by the lower court,” Sumndad said, complaining that she is being made to appear like a landgrabber when she is just a landowner trying to protect her property.

In fact, Sumndad said BHI even filed another case before the Aklan courts and did not report that there was a Court of Appeals ruling on the matter.

The Court of Appeals called on all agents of government to defer from implementing the writ of execution decision of Makati RTC 132 on which the claims of ownership of BHI and Friday’s Holdings Inc. rests.

Japanese aid. Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa and Director Ariel Barayuga show the grant contract for the donation of seven ambulances, seven pumper trucks, two trucks with portable pump and one rescue vehicle plus P10.10 million under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.

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Group wants cadmium regulation

By Joel E. Zurbano

ENVIRONMENTAL group Ecowaste Coalition on Friday called for regulations to reduce and prevent cadmium pollution. Cadmium is found in abundance in plastic tarpaulin used as campaign materials.

March rain. A pedicab driver holds an umbrella while driving as he tours his passengers around Intramuros, Manila. EY ACASIO

The group earlier warned that thousands of people working for politicians are in danger of being exposed to toxic levels of cancercausing cadmium.

In a letter sent to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the coalition requested Secretary Ramon Paje through the Environmental Management Bureau to initiate the crafting of a Chemical Control Order for Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds, which belong to the Philippine Priority Chemicals List.

“We make this proposition in response to the dangerously high concentrations of cadmium detected in some items through the chemicals screening it conducted using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence [XRF] device,” said Ecowaste president Sonia Mendoza.

The group cited the results of its chemicals screening on plastic tarpaulins, fashion accessories and jewelry, coffee mugs and toys to justify its proposal.

For example, all of the 300

pieces of 2016 election campaign tarpaulins seized by the Metro Manila Development Authority and donated to Ecowaste for recycling purposes were found to be laden with cadmium ranging from 697 to 1,921 parts per million.

Another example: eight types of bracelets obtained by the group in 2015 from fashion jewelry vendors in Divisoria and Quiapo were found positive for cadmium in the range of 15 percent (or 150,000 ppm) to 32 percent (or 320,000 ppm). In 2013, the group found cadmium up to 165,300 ppm in 26 out of 50 samples of cheap fashion accessories and jewelry.

Ecowaste noted that the levels of cadmium found in the jewelry and tarpaulin samples cited above were way above the European Commission Regulation No. 494/2011 cadmium limit of 0.01 percent (or 100 ppm) for jewelry, plastics and brazing sticks.

“Cadmium exerts toxic effects on the kidney, the skeletal and the respiratory systems, and is classified as a human

carcinogen,” according to the World Health Organization, which has listed cadmium among the “10 chemicals of major public health concern.”

“As a chemical safety and zero waste advocacy group, we are deeply concerned with the environmental pollution from cadmium, particularly in relation to the unregulated disposal of cadmiumcontaining waste materials in disposal sites,” Mendoza said.

According to United Nations Environment Programme Final Review of Scientific Information on Cadmium, products containing cadmium are not typically collected separately from the general waste stream in developing countries.

“Therefore cadmium discards will end up in municipal waste and disposed of in landfills, incineration, open burning or indiscriminate dumping. Some of the cadmium in these products will be released to the environment, the extent of which depends on disposal method, control technologies applied and other factors.”

SSS request for performance bonus immoral—lawmaker

By Maricel V. Cruz

LEYTE Rep. Martin Romualdez on Friday denounced as immoral the request of Social Security System officials for a P1-million performance bonus following a P35-billion investment income, stressing they should first support the proposal for a P2,000 across-theboard increase in pensions.

Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association, called on the Aquino administration through the Governance Commission for Government Owned and Controlled Corporations to deny the insensitive request of SSS officials who prioritize their

personal interests over SSS pensioners.

“The timing is very questionable. The request is very selfish and leaves bad taste. No SSS officials deserve a bonus.

They are there to serve and protect the pensioners and not to reward themselves with heavy perks,” Romualdez said.

“Requesting a performance bonus is insensitive to the plight of the pensioners who are at the twilight of their lives,” Romualdez pointed out.

“I hope these officials change their style because their insensitivity is becoming a major stumbling block for them to make good decisions,” Romualdez added.

The lawmaker from Leyte

insisted on the need to implement the P2,000-increase in the monthly pension of statefund pensioners after SSS president and chief executive officer Emilio de Quiros Jr. claimed in a report that the agency has recorded good performance indicators in terms of collection efficiency and investments.

“Their admission of an increased income that triggered their request for performance bonuses is the best reason to push the proposal to hike SSS pensioners,” Romualdez said.

De Quiros had earlier said the SSS officials deserved to get their performance bonuses due to “high collection efficiency” of the state pension agency.

Anti-drug summit. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and barangay officials express their alarm over illegal drugs in the city. DANNY PATA

Group slams UP ‘commercialization’ A MEMBER of the Makabayan bloc on Friday denounced the “crass subscription to commercialization” of the University of the Philippines after the inauguration of the UP’s new building named after a Chinese-Filipino tycoon.

UP’s Henry Sy Sr. Hall is built in the business district of Bonifacio Global City.

“The naming of UP after Henry Sy does not sit well with Bayan Muna and other progressives because naming a building of the country’s premier state university after a working-class

nemesis embodies the government’s determination to abandon education and commercialize our education system,” Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate said.

“It appears profoundly symbolic that UP—that has brewed the minds of many a progressive, militant, and revolutionary—would have an edifice named after a taipan that propagated the bane of workers, contractualization,” Zarate added.

Zarate challenged the state-run university to reveal all its deals with Sy for the new UP building aside

from its name.

“Throughout the past decade we have witnessed how commercialization is taking over UP. From the UPAyalaland Technohub deal in 2006, GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center in 2009, to the Virata School of Business and UP Town Center in 2013, we are seeing dispossession of UP property to private enterprises. This is a clear move of the Aquino administration to remove state subsidy on education,” Zarate pointed out.

He said the commercialization of UP would give a whole to UP univer-

sity hymn, “UP Naming Mahal.”

“Making education a profit-making scheme does not augur well for our country. Aside from making tuition sky-high and exclusive to those who can afford it, the type of education and culture that UP fosters may be further damaged by the deals made by the UP administration to these businesses. We hope that UP will not replace its motto of “serve the people” with the hollow SM mantra, “Happy to Serve,” the militant lawmaker said.

Zarate enjoined the UP commu-

nity to resist the intrusion of capitalist interests in the university.

“UP has a rich history in resisting intrusion of business interests and tyranny exemplified during the First Quarter Storm and the Diliman Commune. Bayan Muna enjoins Its faculty, students, and staff to defy the tentacles of neo-liberal dictates of privatization and commercialization. Already, the UP administration is bearing down on its faculty and employees by contractualization,” Zarate pointed out.

Maricel V. Cruz

S AT U R D AY : M A R C H 5 , 2 0 1 6

A7

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Zamboanga to engage in bio-fuel production

By A. Perez Rimando ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga Sibugay—Zamboanga City aims to become a bio-fuel supplier to Asia with the construction of a $500-million plant by three companies, according to Rep. Celso Lobregat.

Lobregat said the investment plan was formalized this week with the signing of venture contracts by top executives of the three firms— Metro Stonerich Corp., a multi-million construction company; Van Kessel Olie, and Mackay Green Energy— jointly headed by Pablito Yap and engineer Ibrahim Nuno, Joan Van Kessel, and John Mackay, respectively.

Nuno said the design of the bio fuel plant, expected to rise sometime in early July at the city’s east coast, is now being completed by hired experts.

He said the bio fuel will be produced out of bana grass provided by the Mackay Green Energy firm. This project kicked off last Saturday with the initial planting of bana grass on a 30-hectare land at barangay Panubigan, to be expanded to a 1,500-hectare area in surrounding villages.

Nuno said investors from South Korea and other Asian countries have pledged to procure all the feeds.

Mackay said he brought in company personnel to supervise the planting of bana grass whose seeds came from Negros Occidental. His enterprise maintains a regularsized bana grass plantation in the province.

Joan Van Kessel added: “We would like to contribute to the socio-economic growth and development of the city which boasts of a lot of potential.”

On display. Leyte’s local delicacies, sweet treats and native crafts are now on display at the newly launched showroom at the SMED Center, Tacloban City. MEL CASPE

Court says new firm must pay P178m to Pangasinan

By Dexter A. See

LINGAYEN—Team Sual Corporation, which owns the Sual Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant, must pay the amount of P178 million to the provincial government of Pangasinan for local transfer tax.

This developed after the Regional Trial Court in Lingayen dismissed Civil Case No. 19095 filed by the TSC against the province for the annulment of assessment for local transfer tax and resolved that the transfer tax be paid to the provincial government of Pangasinan.

Team Sual sought “to annul and set aside the (Provincial) treasurer’s assessment

dated Nov. 3, 2010 which demanded payment of transfer tax on the alleged transfer to plaintiff of machineries and buildings of the Sual Power Plant in the amount of P178,457,040 plus interest and surcharges.”

The decision, signed on Feb. 10, 2016 by RTC Br. 37 Acting Judge Jaime L. Dojillo, Jr., was received by the Provincial Legal Office on

Feb. 26, 2016.

During the court battle, the TSC argued that Mirant Sual and Team Sual refer to “one and the same corporation” and that the sale of Mirant (US) of its shares in Mirant Acia Pacific Limited based in Bermuda to Crimson Power, which is a joint venture of Tokyo and Marubeni, was only a sale of shares of stocks which did not affect the corporate identity of the corporation.

On the other hand, the provincial government which was represented in court by Marilou E. Utanes in her capacity as the provincial treasurer, argued that the present TSC is a “new corporation after the consortium of To-

kyo Electric Company International B.V. and Marubeni Corporation completed the purchase of all the business of Mirant Corporation in the Philippines including the Sual Coal Fired Thermal Power plant based in Sual town.”

With the premise, the court decided that all properties including machineries, buildings, improvements and all collective possessions of Mirant Sual were transferred under a new set of owners, which is now the TSC. As noted in the decision, “transfer tax is due the Province under Section 135 of the Local Government Code. With all its directors completely changed without

any of the original incorporators nor directors from the old Pangasinan Electric Corporation (PEC), Team Sual is no longer the same Mirant Corporation. This is bolstered by the fact that even its principal office is in Pasay City, Metro Manila and not Sual, Pangasinan.”

The Sual Coal-Fired Power Plant began operating in 1999.

According to the general information sheet filed with the SEC, Team Sual Corporation (formerly Mirant Sual Corporation) is composed of Team Energy Corporation as majority stockholder with 84,999,941 shares and eight other stockholders with 10 shares each.

Exhibit marks rebirth of ‘Yolanda’ artist

By Ronald O. Reyes

Usbong. ‘ Yolanda’ survivor Dante Enage showcases his oil-on-canvas work. RONALD REYES

TACLOBAN CITY—More than two years after super typhoon “Yolanda,” mixed media artist Dante Enage launched his third solo art exhibit entitled “Usbong: Vision of Hope” at Robinsons Place Tacloban.

“The new series of my artwork depicts the experience of my homeland during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda— on acceptance, letting go, and moving forward,” said Enage in a statement.

“I inject clues about the context and interpretation of the painting using baybayin, the pre-Hispanic text of the Filipino. The pieces I create are meant to educate and raise awareness, and serve as a

thought-provoking work of art,” he added.

The exhibit, comprised of 39 paintings which Enage made after Yolanda, opened on March 3.

Karen Tiopes, tourism regional director, lauded Enage for his “visual interpretation of rays of hope and resilience” of the Yolanda survivors through his art works.

“Dante tells our story, our strength, and our determination to rise above ourselves,” said Tiopes, calling him “hope bearer.”

According to Enage, he was pushing for tuba (coconut wine) medium in most of his works to continue the legacy left by the famed Leyte tuba artist Leo Villaflor.

“To aspiring artists,

just keep on practicing.

If they lack budget to buy materials, they can use ballpen or pencil in the meantime. What is important is they keep on enhancing their skills,” Enage said when asked for his message to budding artists.

Aside from being the current president of the Kasi-kasi Art Association Inc., Enage is also a tattoo artist and a band member of Kultura, Arte at Himig.

Enage’s artworks have been recognized in the country and showcased overseas. In 2013, he won first place in the Philippine Visual Arts Festival sponsored by National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

“At present, one of my artworks is being screened for the National Museum of Fine Arts in Taiwan,” he said.

“This event is a major exposure for our artists who are Yolanda survivors themselves, this will show how their works are progressive. Since we lack venues, we can solve that by creating an outlet where we bring art to the people,” said Aaron Almadro, editor in chief and creative director of Eastern Visayas’ only travel magazine, 8 Magazine.

Almadro, who organized the event along with other sponsors, said that more local artists will be featured in a similar exhibit in the city soon.

S AT U R D AY : M A R C H 5 , 2 0 1 6

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

GRACE POE BREACHED HER 2013 COVENANT WITH THE PEOPLE

[ EDI TORI A L ]

THEIR FELLOW REPUBLICANS

MITT Romney, the nominee of the United States Republican Party to the 2012 presidential elections, has strong words against the frontrunner in this year’s nomination race, Donald Trump.

“The prospects for the safety and prosperity of this country will be greatly diminished (under a Trump presidency),” he warned his fellow Republicans in a speech in Utah right after Super Tuesday, where Trump won seven states, solidifying his lead over his rivals.

Trump has put forward controversial proposals like building a wall separating US and Mexico to address immigration, banning Muslims from the US and tearing up trade deals.

He has refused to denounce the leader of the white supremacist group who had endorsed him. His statements on national security have been described as uninformed and dangerous.

Romney said Trump was a phony and a fraud, with questionable temperament and judgment. The bullying, the greed, the misogyny and the absurd third-grade theatrics are not personal qualities one would want to see in a leader.

“His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University,” Romney added, referring to the numerous failed ventures of the billionaire. Romney pleaded with his fellow Republicans to not allow Trump to secure the nomination; they should instead choose any of the three other candidates to go against the Democrats’ nominee, likely Hillary Clinton, at the end of the year.

In response, Trump reminded Romney how he had begged for his endorsement four years back. “I could have told him to drop on his knees and he would have done that,” Trump said.

Entertainment value notwithstanding, what’s happening among the Republicans these days gives us a good taste of what party politics should be like. While many things can be said about the individual nominees, the process of selecting whom the party would field against the Democrats’ bet is established and transparent. This is why other Republicans like Romney are panicking. No single person among them can stop Trump’s run, however, desperate they are.

Here at home, we know too well how political parties work—or don’t, more accurately.

“Parties” select not necessarily the most qualified members but those most likely to win.

Those who have been planning to run for the top post for years may be asked to give way to a more popular colleague. Sometimes the parties don’t even pick homegrown members; they adopt the winnable candidates after looking at survey results and calculating the pros and cons of throwing their support. Party bigwigs woo those who appear strong among the people, and then assail them and say they are no good, even challenge their qualifications when they refuse.

Worse, there is talk of secret candidates, endorsing one but putting tangible support behind another in an attempt to protect the incumbent’s interests after his term.

As the US parties move towards deciding who would represent them in the polls, Filipinos largely ignore the parties—and the consequent defined policy positions on crucial issues— as they focus on individual strengths and quirks of the candidates.

We will continue to watch the US elections for their instructive value, but perhaps it is also good time to deliberate, not only on whom to vote for, but on how we eventually get to that decision in May.

BECAUSE LOVE IS LOVE POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO “BECAUSE love is love and we should celebrate it and encourage it always. The world is harsh enough” said Lara Ryan of Sydney, Australia in her viral Facebook post after her wife Elise, died last Feb. 9. Elise was walking their four year-old daughter home from day care when a car hit her in what seemed to be an accident. This tragedy happened just weeks after Elise gave

birth to their second girl.

The couple had been content in their life together as a family for 10 years. They had been detached from political aspect of marriage equality because they had no problems with being a lesbian couple—well, until Elise’s untimely death. Lara, in her own words, now has to deal with a lot of difficulties emanating from the fact that theirs was not a heterosexual relationship and their marriage is not deemed legal. Lara has since spoken out in favor of same-sex marriage.

Here at home, I know of a gay

couple who had been together in a loving, happy relationship for more than 20 years. They had built a nest together and had been content with life. Even their families had been supportive, they could not ask for more.

The couple were already in their 50s when one of them suffered a heart attack and passed away.

This started the hell that the one who was left behind had to endure.

Family members of the one who died turned mean. The home that the couple built together was contested with the family asserting their rights

A9

It should not cause discrimination and inequality.

to it. My friend wanted to stay because not only did he invest his money on the house, it was there that their happiest years were spent. Unfortunately, he did not have the means to buy the family out of their “share.”

His partner’s kin decided to move in and make life extremely hard for him. It came to a head and my friend decided to leave his house after sometime.

He lost the love of his life and the right to the home they built together.

These sad life stories are not uncommon in the LGBT community. Discrimination of many forms happen day in and day out. And why?

Solely because people learn to love and decide to have

relationships with those of the same sex. They are punished because in the eyes of some, they fell in love with the “wrong” persons.

Like Lara, it is easy for many to keep quiet on issues and problems that do not directly affect them. We only realize how difficult things are when we suffer because of the very same problems that we think we are immune from. Then we act.

Marriage equality is one of these problems. How unfortunate that many societies impose what is largely a reli-

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-

gious dogma on all citizens. How unfair that we are dictated even in terms of whom we can love and have a relationship with. It is a matter of right that each person is able to freely decide on matters of love, relationships, families without intrusion and/or coercion, certainly without being discriminated against by society in terms of selective application of laws.

How easy for those like senatorial candidate Manny Pacquiao to pass judgment and call members of the LGBT community names because he

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

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

is not affected but wants to impose his religious beliefs on everyone.

How sad that people of the Catholic Church like retired Bishop Oscar Cruz can easily say that the church cannot accept same-sex marriage but does not have a problem with marriage between a gay man and a lesbian because the possibility of procreation remains.

I cannot understand why these men who are not allowed to have sexual relationships have the power to impose on others their beliefs on sex and Continued on A11 relationships.

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

NOW that the numerous disqualification cases filed against Senator Grace Poe, an independent candidate for president in the May 2016 elections, have been submitted for resolution by the Supreme Court, other issues relating to whether or not she should be elected president in the first place are ripe for discussion.

In all her campaign advertisements, Poe has been projecting a pro-people image which she enhances with populist promises and motherhood statements.

Many of her campaign pledges even sound like English-language versions of the campaign promises of two of her four rivals—Manuel “Mar” Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Last year, an organization called ALL4GP Movement published a series of halfpage newspaper advertisements featuring Poe in casual attire. Behind Poe’s photograph is a faint image of her late father, box office king Fernando Poe Jr. It was obviously a subliminal appeal to the elder Poe’s fans, considering that FPJ is not even mentioned, much less identified in the advertisement.

Again, in her campaign advertisements, and in many of her public appearances, Poe makes it a point to be in casual attire, apparently to give the impression that she is no different from the ordinary Filipino. This charade is hollow because, unlike Poe, the ordinary Filipino does not have an American spouse, and does not have children who proudly announce in cyberspace their latest acquisition of expensive footwear, and of the type many Filipino youngsters cannot afford to buy.

At the televised presidential debate held at Cagayan de Oro City last month, Poe virtually admitted that compared to her rivals in the presidential race, she has the least experience in public office. After doing so, Poe came out with a novel theory that competence in high public office is not determined by the length on one’s stay in public office.

Poe’s theory has no foundation in reality. Competence in high public office is acquired mainly through experience in lower public office. In fact, the higher the public office gets, the more experience is required from the candidate. As a journalist in another newspaper observed, a second lieutenant cannot become Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff overnight. He must learn the ropes, so to speak, slowly but surely, before he can reach star rank. Moreover, an inexperienced public official is less likely to succeed, compared to an experienced one.

This principle holds true for both public office and private enterprise.

At the same debate, Poe also equated the presidency to running a household, and insisted that to be a competent president, it is enough that one has the perspective of a mother who attends to the needs and concerns of her family.

Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

S AT U R D AY : M A R C H 5 , 2 0 1 6

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

GRACE POE BREACHED HER 2013 COVENANT WITH THE PEOPLE

[ EDI TORI A L ]

THEIR FELLOW REPUBLICANS

MITT Romney, the nominee of the United States Republican Party to the 2012 presidential elections, has strong words against the frontrunner in this year’s nomination race, Donald Trump.

“The prospects for the safety and prosperity of this country will be greatly diminished (under a Trump presidency),” he warned his fellow Republicans in a speech in Utah right after Super Tuesday, where Trump won seven states, solidifying his lead over his rivals.

Trump has put forward controversial proposals like building a wall separating US and Mexico to address immigration, banning Muslims from the US and tearing up trade deals.

He has refused to denounce the leader of the white supremacist group who had endorsed him. His statements on national security have been described as uninformed and dangerous.

Romney said Trump was a phony and a fraud, with questionable temperament and judgment. The bullying, the greed, the misogyny and the absurd third-grade theatrics are not personal qualities one would want to see in a leader.

“His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University,” Romney added, referring to the numerous failed ventures of the billionaire. Romney pleaded with his fellow Republicans to not allow Trump to secure the nomination; they should instead choose any of the three other candidates to go against the Democrats’ nominee, likely Hillary Clinton, at the end of the year.

In response, Trump reminded Romney how he had begged for his endorsement four years back. “I could have told him to drop on his knees and he would have done that,” Trump said.

Entertainment value notwithstanding, what’s happening among the Republicans these days gives us a good taste of what party politics should be like. While many things can be said about the individual nominees, the process of selecting whom the party would field against the Democrats’ bet is established and transparent. This is why other Republicans like Romney are panicking. No single person among them can stop Trump’s run, however, desperate they are.

Here at home, we know too well how political parties work—or don’t, more accurately.

“Parties” select not necessarily the most qualified members but those most likely to win.

Those who have been planning to run for the top post for years may be asked to give way to a more popular colleague. Sometimes the parties don’t even pick homegrown members; they adopt the winnable candidates after looking at survey results and calculating the pros and cons of throwing their support. Party bigwigs woo those who appear strong among the people, and then assail them and say they are no good, even challenge their qualifications when they refuse.

Worse, there is talk of secret candidates, endorsing one but putting tangible support behind another in an attempt to protect the incumbent’s interests after his term.

As the US parties move towards deciding who would represent them in the polls, Filipinos largely ignore the parties—and the consequent defined policy positions on crucial issues— as they focus on individual strengths and quirks of the candidates.

We will continue to watch the US elections for their instructive value, but perhaps it is also good time to deliberate, not only on whom to vote for, but on how we eventually get to that decision in May.

BECAUSE LOVE IS LOVE POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO “BECAUSE love is love and we should celebrate it and encourage it always. The world is harsh enough” said Lara Ryan of Sydney, Australia in her viral Facebook post after her wife Elise, died last Feb. 9. Elise was walking their four year-old daughter home from day care when a car hit her in what seemed to be an accident. This tragedy happened just weeks after Elise gave

birth to their second girl.

The couple had been content in their life together as a family for 10 years. They had been detached from political aspect of marriage equality because they had no problems with being a lesbian couple—well, until Elise’s untimely death. Lara, in her own words, now has to deal with a lot of difficulties emanating from the fact that theirs was not a heterosexual relationship and their marriage is not deemed legal. Lara has since spoken out in favor of same-sex marriage.

Here at home, I know of a gay

couple who had been together in a loving, happy relationship for more than 20 years. They had built a nest together and had been content with life. Even their families had been supportive, they could not ask for more.

The couple were already in their 50s when one of them suffered a heart attack and passed away.

This started the hell that the one who was left behind had to endure.

Family members of the one who died turned mean. The home that the couple built together was contested with the family asserting their rights

A9

It should not cause discrimination and inequality.

to it. My friend wanted to stay because not only did he invest his money on the house, it was there that their happiest years were spent. Unfortunately, he did not have the means to buy the family out of their “share.”

His partner’s kin decided to move in and make life extremely hard for him. It came to a head and my friend decided to leave his house after sometime.

He lost the love of his life and the right to the home they built together.

These sad life stories are not uncommon in the LGBT community. Discrimination of many forms happen day in and day out. And why?

Solely because people learn to love and decide to have

relationships with those of the same sex. They are punished because in the eyes of some, they fell in love with the “wrong” persons.

Like Lara, it is easy for many to keep quiet on issues and problems that do not directly affect them. We only realize how difficult things are when we suffer because of the very same problems that we think we are immune from. Then we act.

Marriage equality is one of these problems. How unfortunate that many societies impose what is largely a reli-

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-

gious dogma on all citizens. How unfair that we are dictated even in terms of whom we can love and have a relationship with. It is a matter of right that each person is able to freely decide on matters of love, relationships, families without intrusion and/or coercion, certainly without being discriminated against by society in terms of selective application of laws.

How easy for those like senatorial candidate Manny Pacquiao to pass judgment and call members of the LGBT community names because he

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

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

is not affected but wants to impose his religious beliefs on everyone.

How sad that people of the Catholic Church like retired Bishop Oscar Cruz can easily say that the church cannot accept same-sex marriage but does not have a problem with marriage between a gay man and a lesbian because the possibility of procreation remains.

I cannot understand why these men who are not allowed to have sexual relationships have the power to impose on others their beliefs on sex and Continued on A11 relationships.

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

NOW that the numerous disqualification cases filed against Senator Grace Poe, an independent candidate for president in the May 2016 elections, have been submitted for resolution by the Supreme Court, other issues relating to whether or not she should be elected president in the first place are ripe for discussion.

In all her campaign advertisements, Poe has been projecting a pro-people image which she enhances with populist promises and motherhood statements.

Many of her campaign pledges even sound like English-language versions of the campaign promises of two of her four rivals—Manuel “Mar” Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Last year, an organization called ALL4GP Movement published a series of halfpage newspaper advertisements featuring Poe in casual attire. Behind Poe’s photograph is a faint image of her late father, box office king Fernando Poe Jr. It was obviously a subliminal appeal to the elder Poe’s fans, considering that FPJ is not even mentioned, much less identified in the advertisement.

Again, in her campaign advertisements, and in many of her public appearances, Poe makes it a point to be in casual attire, apparently to give the impression that she is no different from the ordinary Filipino. This charade is hollow because, unlike Poe, the ordinary Filipino does not have an American spouse, and does not have children who proudly announce in cyberspace their latest acquisition of expensive footwear, and of the type many Filipino youngsters cannot afford to buy.

At the televised presidential debate held at Cagayan de Oro City last month, Poe virtually admitted that compared to her rivals in the presidential race, she has the least experience in public office. After doing so, Poe came out with a novel theory that competence in high public office is not determined by the length on one’s stay in public office.

Poe’s theory has no foundation in reality. Competence in high public office is acquired mainly through experience in lower public office. In fact, the higher the public office gets, the more experience is required from the candidate. As a journalist in another newspaper observed, a second lieutenant cannot become Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff overnight. He must learn the ropes, so to speak, slowly but surely, before he can reach star rank. Moreover, an inexperienced public official is less likely to succeed, compared to an experienced one.

This principle holds true for both public office and private enterprise.

At the same debate, Poe also equated the presidency to running a household, and insisted that to be a competent president, it is enough that one has the perspective of a mother who attends to the needs and concerns of her family.

Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

A10

S AT U R D AY : M A R C H 5 , 2 0 1 6

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

PERCEIVING HISTORY BACK­ BENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN PRESIDENTIAL Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office undersecretary Manuel Quezon III should know that the issue is not about the denial or an attempt to distort Martial Law, but on how we should perceive and assess that historical sequel in our history.

Quezon is right that history cannot tell lies, but when one perceives and interprets history to suit his interest, he distorts and tells a lie about it.

When carried out consciously and systematically, that version now becomes propaganda.

History can never be judged by a handful of self-righteous hypocrites blindly following the barbaric dictum that history is always written by the victors.

Even the implementor of Martial Law who became the anointed candidate of the woman who claimed to have liberated this downtrodden country from the clutches of the so-called “dictatorship,” would not deny that it was imposed, and that Fidel Ramos even sought to enforce and implement it as head of the Philippine Constabulary. For whatever Quezon would say, the imposition was upheld as legal and constitutional by the Supreme Court.

Martial Law can never be judged by one individual, more so by a group seeking to pursue their own interests, or by an administration seeking to keep itself in power. This will be done by the people collectively judging the past. It is their recollection of the past, whether good or bad, that allows them to compare their

present condition today to objectively assess Martial Law, vis-à-vis what it has accomplished to our people. There is no other way to distort the so-called “Marcos regime” but to do even better. It is the ability of a leader to bring about peace and security, and to elevate his country to a higher level of development. This in turn will be used as benchmark to say that the country experienced higher glory and prosperity.

It is on what it has accomplished where it will be positively judged by history, and by that, we are referring to the collective perception of the people.

This government cannot keep on blaming the past, as its easy way to avoid the verdict of history. It would only expose itself as engaged in a vile propaganda and worse, in a systematic attempt to evade the truth that now holds the record of being the most incompetent and corrupt government this country ever had. This, as it proclaims itself as being guided by “tuwid na daan!”

History can never be judged by a handful of self-righteous hypocrites blindly following the barbaric dictum that history is always written by the victors. This distortion or maybe perception of history explains why there has been a proliferation of books and articles claiming to narrate the “untold” or “unwritten” life or history of leaders. They always assume that he who can capture the widest audience is telling the truth.

But it is not for those who would attempt to present their version of history that determines whether that chapter in our history is good or bad.

It is, rather, the people whose lives were touched and affected, for only then would they be able to compare the past with the present. There is always a national psyche or anima that is attributed to that sequel in our nationhood.

That national psyche is independent from our motivation and interest, but common and integral on how we could narrate how far we have advanced as a nation.

Even the interpretation of progress can be subjected to perception. For instance, it is not on the increase in GNP or investment poured in by the

EAGLE EYES DEAN TONY LA VIÑA LAST Thursday, I attended the Shell Powering Progress Together (PPT) conference held at Manila Hotel. Since 2012, through the PPT, Shell has brought together some of the world’s leading thinkers from business, government and civil society to engage in a dialogue on future energy challenges.

The goal also is to trigger concrete on-the-ground action and cooperation to implement solutions to these challenges. This year’s Asia PPT had for its theme: “Collaboration for a sustainable future.”

During the PPT last Thursday, I joined a panel on “Energy Transitions and the Climate Challenge” with David Hone, Chief Climate Change Adviser, Shell International Ltd; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group 1 Co-chair, Dr. Edvin Aldrian from Indonesia; and Philippine Department of Energy Secretary, Hon. Zenaida Y. Monsada.

In our panel, I shared my thoughts about the Paris Agreement and what it meant for the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region. I started by acknowledging how we are all feeling the heat with the world getting warmer every year; in fact even monthly temperatures, like that in February, has been breaking records.

Just a few weeks ago, monopoly capitalists into the casino economy, or in the number of business establishments that sprouted and their huge profits, but on how the leader was able to generate employment for our people, on how the gap between the rich and the poor was narrowed down, on how the purchasing power of the wage earners was increased, and on how their welfare was improved.

Admittedly, our present day GNP, investment, number of business establishments and profit have increased more than four times from the time of the Marcos administration. Yet, our people still consider his administration the best because he was successful in making sure they would be able to participate in that achievement to share its fruits. Their having to participate in our nation building was not by way of intangible or bogus freedom like giving them their right to vote, their right to go to church, or to

COLLABORATING TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE Fiji recorded the strongest storm in history, displacing Haiyan/Yolanda which previously held the record.

In the new normal, it will not be long before Fiji would have to yield that record to another unfortunate country. But never mind the storms; the impact of climate change can be more insidious when subtler. Examples are the drought that is causing havoc to our agriculture sector right now, the coral bleaching destroying precious marine resources all over the world, and the public health crisis that is exacerbated by climate change. What makes climate change so unjust is that, even as it spares no one, its biggest impact is on poor countries and poor communities who have contributed the least to the problem.

Vulnerable countries, like the Philippines, have committed to contribute significantly to mitigate the problem even if our emissions are low. Taken together, of course, these emissions would still add up and increase the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

We also cannot be on high moral ground and ask other countries to reduce their emissions while we refuse to take action. We must not contribute to our own destruction if we expect other countries to help us when we are faced with cata-

strophic climate events.

I emphasized that Paris was not just a culmination of six years of hard work to find a good way to move forward, globally, on climate change. In fact, Paris stands out because it is the first climate change agreement where every country bound itself to contribute to solve the problem. That’s why last Dec. 12, 2015 when French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced that the agreement had been adopted, there was pandemonium, even jubilation. Those of us from the Philippines who were in that hall when the announcement was made—Secretary Manny de Guzman, Secretary Neric Acosta, diplomat Angela Ponce, and myself—were up on our feet, cheering, embracing each other.

One hundred ninety-six countries agreeing on a legally binding road map to mitigating and adapting to climate change is huge.

That’s all countries of the world, minus the Vatican which usually does not become a party to a convention like this. The Church was, however, very active though in Paris, spreading the message of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si, urging the world’s leaders to have moral courage in addressing climate change.

President Aquino, in his statements and the

positions he ordered the Philippine delegation to take in Paris, definitely showed moral courage and leadership. That delegation led by Secretary De Guzman, vice chair of the Climate Change Commission, composed of both veterans and nextgeneration climate workers, were one of the most effective in Paris. We were everywhere, in almost all the issues, shaping the agreement, always advocating the interests of our people and of vulnerable countries. Civil society recognized the delegation three times in two weeks in Paris with “Ray of the Day” awards for being a strong voice for strong climate action.

It must of course be said that the Paris Agreement is not a perfect, certainly not ambitious enough to avoid catastrophic climate change. There is also not enough support—especially climate finance—made available in the agreement.

But there are two reasons why Paris is an important step forward: First, to get 196 countries to agree to the maximum possible agreement and not to the least common denominator is beyond expectation. Second, the Paris Agreement has two important mechanisms for the future—first, a selfimprovement mechanism which allows us to increase Continued on A11

badmouth their political enemies, but to savor what it means to have a better standard of living, enjoy the benefits of a welfare government concerned on what it could do in return for their sacrifices.

Despite the claim by this unabashedly hypocritical government that it was, the so-called freedom and democracy restored

by Corazon Aquino in 1986, and calling it as her legacy, with the son PNoy vilely equating that as an achievement to fill up the hollow record of not having accomplished anything, is fraud of the highest order. The oligarchy, the US imperialists and supported by their mongrels from the Left have openly declared that they would not allow the return of any of the Marcoses. Did they not reconsider that such declaration is a grave contradiction to their proclamation of being the guardians of our freedom and democracy?

Their campaign to stop the candidacy of Ferdi-

nand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is symptomatic of their intolerance to anybody who might oppose their idea, unless they now would concede that what they bequeathed to us is freedom that revolves solely within circle of the ruling wealthy class.

Their attempt to stop the candidacy of Bongbong Marcos betrays the truth that this yellow and servile government of the US imperialist is as intolerant as the ISIS, and would do everything to depict the Marcos administration as a dark chapter in our history in defiance of the collective judgment of our people that continues to recall and honor him of what he accomplished. Martial Law may have its own lapses, but those lapses pertained to those who initiated violence to impose their will upon the people. It can never be said that Martial Law was imposed by President Marcos without any reason, or that the declaration by the Supreme Court had no factual basis or

constitutional basis.

From the presidential down to the vice presidential candidates, all are talking about the candidacy of Bongbong, and whether for or against him, is telling why they are hitting him hard. We need not ask why, but the reason is obvious. Aside from the black propaganda, they keep on digging into the past which he logically answered: that the past is not the issue, but the present, and it is only by looking forward that this nation can move on. They persist in demanding from him the return of the so-called illgotten wealth when they have already gotten everything without obtaining a single conviction against any of those they accused of having amassed the socalled ill-gotten wealth, and continue to demand an apology for the alleged sins of his father, which if true cannot be inherited by the son, a postulate rooted both on logic and legality. rpkapunan@gmail.com

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OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

WEIRD SCIENCE FIGHTS CANCER

By Faye Flam WHAT kinds of research should be included in the $1- billion “moonshot” proposal to cure cancer? Since President Obama announced the idea in his last State of the Union address, Vice President Joe Biden, who is heading the effort, has talked of getting more patients enrolled in clinical trials and finding more efficient ways of sharing data. But what about less obvious steps, such as a recent experiment on zebra fish with green glowing skin tumors?

When it comes to cancer research, weird is good. Tackling cancer requires unconventional ideas because cancer is an unconventional enemy.

Cancer is less a disease than a class of diseases. It’s a broad description of the mysterious forces that make our own cells turn unpredictably against us.

Unlike the quest to eradicate smallpox or to send astronauts to the moon, the effort to cure cancer doesn’t have a clear path forward. There is no universal

cure or prevention strategy.

The researchers working with the genetically modified zebra fish set out to learn something basic about why some cells become malignant and others don’t. The dark stripes on these fish contain same pigment-producing cells, called melanocytes, that malfunction in melanoma—a potentially fatal form of skin cancer. The experiment ended up giving the scientists the first view of cancers as they were born, said Leonard Zon, a Harvard biologist who lead the study. The results were published in January in the journal Science.

Cancer cells are riddled with mutations. These spelling errors in the DNA send faulty instructions, so that cancer cells lose the ability to cooperate with the specialized cells of an intestine, or lungs, or skin, and instead replicate themselves in an uncontrolled way.

But many of the mutations found in cancer cells also appear in non-cancerous cells. Melanoma cells carry a mutation in a gene called BRAF, but so do ordinary moles, and most moles

don’t become melanomas. Many kinds of cancer cells also have spelling errors in a gene called p53, but so do some cells that don’t become malignant.

Zebra fish have many genes in common with humans, including BRAF and p53, said Zon, so he was able to genetically engineer fish with cancer-associated mutations in these genes. Despite having melanoma time bombs in every cell, the fish on average got just one to three tumors, he said. Most of their melanocytes remained normal. Some other factor was at play.

He suspected a gene called crestin, which signals cells to divide, and is active in the fish when they’re embryos. The gene is supposed to stay shut down in adult fish. He suspected that something had caused the gene to become activated when it was supposed to be off. Molecules surrounding the DNA switch the genes on and off—changes referred to as epigenetic. And like the rest of the body’s complex machinery, this system, too, can

service is too minimal for someone eyeing the highest office in the land.

Good grief ! Poe has no basis for equating Somebody should remind Poe that when she the presidency with a common household. In- ran for senator back in 2013, she was seeking an deed, households are often difficult to manage, office that had a fixed, six-year term. During her and many homemakers deserve to be com- senatorial campaign, Poe never told the voters mended for their efforts which, unfortunately, anything about any plan on her part to run for are often taken for granted. Unlike the presi- president three years hence, or halfway through dency of the country, however, a household her six-year term as senator. Thus, when the manager does not have to address complicated voters installed Poe to the Senate in 2013, it was national problems like communist insurgency, on the understanding that she will serve a full separatist movements, military adventurism, six-year term as senator. Since Poe’s election to corruption, and bureaucratic incompetence. the Senate is a covenant with the people, then Ironically, Poe’s sweeping statement equating her stay in the Senate for a period short of the the presidency with a common household only contracted six years service is a breach on her underscores her woeful lack of sufficient un- part of that sacred covenant. derstanding about the complex responsibiliIt will be argued by Poe’s camp that since the ties of the President of the Philippines. same voters who installed Poe to the Senate now By the end of this month, Poe shall have been want her to run for president, there will be no in public service for less than six years. Three breach of her 2013 covenant with the people. were spent as the chief government censor of That is, of course, pure speculation. A voter cinema and television, and two and three quar- who, in 2013, wanted Poe to serve in the Senate ters were spent as a senator. is not necessarily a voter who, in 2016, will want As erstwhile national censor, Poe did noth- Poe to serve as president. Her having topped the ing outstanding to distinguish her tenure from 2013 senatorial polls is beside the point. One those of her predecessors. The same may be seat out of the 24 in the Senate, and the presidensaid of Poe’s half-term in the Senate, where she cy of the country, are two distinct, incompatible was supposed to focus on the proposed Free- offices. Clearly, public confidence in a candidate dom of Information law, but where nothing for a seat in the Senate will not always translate concrete was realized. Thus, even if Poe cor- to public confidence in the same candidate for a rectly theorized that longevity in public service higher office. is not a correct barometer of competence in Poe’s current run for the presidency is not public office, Poe’s very brief stint in govern- only a breach of her 2013 covenant with the ment service leaves much to be desired. Inevi- people; it also suggests that if she is presitably, therefore, Poe must come to terms with dent, she will have no second thoughts about the reality that, despite her emotional protesta- disavowing any of her promises made in the tions to the contrary, her track record in public course of her ongoing presidential campaign.

Grace... From A9

Collaborating... From A10 ambition every five years; second, a loss-and-damage mechanism that allows countries in the region to get compensation and support for loss and damage arising from climate change.

The Philippines and other vulnerable countries worked hard for a global target of limiting global temperature increase to a maximum of 1.5 Celsius degrees.

We got that, even if it is only aspirational. Now, we must aim to make that number the mandatory target as early as possible.

Against all odds, we succeeded

in getting strong language on human rights and ecosystems integrity into the Paris agreement.

Responding to climate change should not be just about carbon but people and nature must be at the center of it.

Citizens must make their governments accountable to legal commitments they made in Paris.

For the Philippines, we committed to a 70-percent reduction of business-as-usual emissions by 2030, the achievement of which we made conditional on the support of partners.

To the best that I can estimate, taking into account our forests

which makes us a net sink today, this Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is a 10-percent reduction from current levels.

That’s still ambitious because we are expected to grow our emissions in the next few years, with new coal power plants in the pipeline. But it is doable and it is equivalent to most of our neighbors’ commitments.

New laws are needed to mandate a more diverse energy mix, among others capping coal, and to ensure that externalities are incorporated into energy decisions. Putting a price on carbon, whether through a carbon tax or

malfunction.

To test this hunch, Zon added another genetic modification—a “tag” that would produce a green fluorescent protein as soon as the crestin gene was turned on. Then, he saw little pinpoints of glowing green cells emerge on some of the fish. These turned out to be the first seeds of cancer. The cancer cells, Zon said, resemble embryonic life. The next step is understanding what might trigger the epigenetic change—whether it results from something specific, like inflammation or UV exposure, or whether it’s up to chance.

Projects like this one can complement efforts to gather more human data, especially genetic information on patients and on the DNA errors in their tumors. New research is showing that genetic mutations may be more common than thought in children who get cancer.

But the genes don’t directly cause cancer. Some people with predisposing genes stay healthy, and some cells with cancer-related mutations don’t become

Because... From A9 Why cannot people of the church understand that a law on marriage equality should not be a problem for them because it pertains to civil law and does not have anything to do with their Church? After all, the Constitutional provisions on separation of church and State is quite clear: there cannot be a State religion.

Why does the Catholic Church think and act as if it is a State religion?

Love is love. It is a universal feeling that excites, makes people happiest to the point of having relationships and in most cases founding families. Why should it matter whom one learns to love?

Why should people have different rights under the law depending on who they love and have relationships with? This is a clear case of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

Marriage equality is also fast becoming a class issue. Change in marriage laws in other countries has given Filipinos in same sex relationships with the means, the opportunity to marry elsewhere.

Naturally, this is something that cannot be done by those who are not rich. Take the cases of Aiza other economic instrument, is a good option to consider moving forward.

Protecting and enhancing our forests and transforming our transportation system are key areas to prioritize if we are to meet our target.

The private sector must accelerate investment in renewables and, through the collaboration of academe, foster innovation so we can adapt better and mitigate more efficiently. Citizen and activist organizations must hold government and private sector accountable for their actions and commitments. And finally, com-

tumors. Zon is hoping that figuring out why could lead to better treatments—perhaps ones more likely to stamp out those cells capable of seeding a relapse.

Scientists warn that if there’s risk involved in the cancer moonshot, it’s the prospect of siphoning money from other research aimed at, say, developing treatments for ALS or Alzheimer’s disease, or vaccines against emerging viruses.

The other risk is that of unrealistic promises. A previous “war on cancer” started in 1971 by the Richard Nixon administration promised to end “suffering and death from cancer” by 2015.

That looks like a failure now, but Zon says his work in fish and in human patients wouldn’t be possible without the knowledge and technological advances gained from that war.

A billion dollars won’t stamp out an affliction that’s been around since the age of dinosaurs. But sprinkled with imagination, it’s enough to make some progress.

Bloomberg Seguerra, Charice Pempengco, Monique Wilson, Jon Santos, and John Silva to name a few. I have friends who have done the same. They are lucky when in the first place, the capacity to marry should not be determined by one’s economic status.

That is why the Quezon City Council’s almost passage of a pro-LGBT ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on Sogie is a very welcome development.

Dubbed as the “gender-fair” city ordinance, it protects LGBT rights in the workplace, schools, even in accessing basic services.

While this is not yet about marriage equality, this definitely is a huge step in the right direction.

Quezon City has done what Congress failed to do in terms of enacting an anti-discrimination law.

This local law, if successfully implemented, will remove Sogiebased barriers and discriminatory practices. Congress should follow suit. Eventually, a marriage equality law should be enacted.

Because love is love and should not cause discrimination and inequality. bethangsioco@gmail.com. @bethangsioco on Twitter.

Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook munities, families and individuals must look at the way they live and transition to a less carbon intensive lifestyle.

In conclusion, climate change challenges the government, the private sector, civil society, peoples, communities, families, and individuals to change (pun intended). Only in transforming the way we live, which includes collaborating better for sustainable solutions, will we be able to overcome this great, some say greatest, challenge of today and the future.

Facebook: tonylavs5 or Dean Tony La Viña Twitter: tonylavs

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Warriors post 44 straight home win th

Stephen Curry tallied a game high 33 points as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-106 on Thursday to tie the nBA record for consecutive home wins.

Phelps kicks off Orlando meet with 100m fly win Olympic superstar michael phelps kicked off the Orlando pro Swim meet Thursday with a victory in the 100m butterfly in 52.28sec. phelps, hoping to add to his stunning tally of 18 Olympic gold medals at the Rio Games in August, swam the first 50m in 24.62sec and held off fellow American Tom Shields for the victory.

Shields clocked 52.35, with Brazilian Henrique martins third in 52.59.

Germany’s Aliena Schmidtke won the women’s 100m fly in 59.94. yuliya Efimova of Russia produced a season’s best of 1:05.70 in winning the women’s 100m breaststroke. in the men’s 100m breaststroke, Brazil’s Joao Gomes edged American Josh prenot at the wall, winning in 1:00.64 to prenot’s 1:00.66. Brazil’s Felipe lima was third in 1:00.73.

Katie ledecky won the 200m freestyle in a time of 1:55.73—second-fastest in the world this year behind the 1:54.43 she posted in Austin in January. “it felt pretty good,” ledecky said. “i guess it was about where i thought i would be time-wise. i worked this morning and this afternoon on some of the details i’ve been working on around my turns. i was pleased with how i put it all together.” missy Franklin, winner of four gold medals at the 2012 london Olympics, was second in 1:57.67 and Allison Schmitt was third in 1:58.18.

The women’s 400m individual medley went to world championships silver medallist maya DiRado, whose time of 4:36.82 made her the fourth-fastest this season.

AFP

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 3, 2016 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. AFP

Fraser, Piercy share lead at Doral JORDAn Spieth won the battle of the “Big Three” but it was Scott piercy and marcus Fraser atop the leaderboard after the first round of the cadillac championship at Doral here on Thursday.

The focus as the elite World Golf championships event teed off was firmly on the marquee group of Spieth, Jason Day and Rory mcilroy -- the top three players in the world rankings who are grouped together for the first two rounds.

World number one Spieth had five birdies in his three-under-par 69 that left him three shots off the lead.

Third-ranked mcilroy signed for a 71 that ended on a sour note with a double-bogey five at the par-three ninth -- where he was in the water off the tee.

World number two Day settled for an even-par 72 that included four birdies and four bogeys.

He was upstaged by fellow Aussie Fraser, winner of the maybank championship in malaysia a fortnight ago.

Fraser had seven birdies and was in sole possession of the lead before his only bogey of the day at his penultimate hole, the par-five eighth, dropped him into a tie for the lead with early pacesetter piercy, who had rolled in eight birdies en route to a six-under 66.

The leading duo were one shot in front of five-time major champion phil mickelson.

“We all know we’re trying to beat those guys week-in, week-out,” piercy said of the marquee names chasing him and Fraser. “They have proved it. “i haven’t proven it week-in, weekout,” added piercy, owner of three pGA Tour titles, “but when my game’s there i’m pretty decent.”

mickelson, who has found the going difficult at Doral in recent years, had seven birdies and two bogeys in his five-under effort.

Each of his bogeys was followed by a birdie at the next hole. “it was a good day,” said mickelson, who claimed the most recent of his 42 career wins in 2013. “i hit a lot of good shots, made some good putts and just drove it well.”

Former world number one Adam Scott of Australia, who won his first title in nearly two years at the Honda classic in palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, headlined a group sharing fourth on 68 that also included England’s Danny Willett, Jason Dufner and charley Hoffman.

Spieth was joined on 69 by Bubba Watson and Jimmy Walker.

Despite the benign conditions, Spieth said the tour of Doral’s Blue monster was the usual grind. AFP

The Warriors’ second win over the Thunder in six days was their 44th straight at Oracle Arena as they equalled the record set by the chicago Bulls from march 1995 to April 1996.

“This is special. We have been dominant here at home,” said curry.

The win also capped a three-game, season-series sweep for the Warriors over the Thunder. That streak includes a 121-118 Warriors’ overtime victory at Oklahoma city on Saturday. in similar fashion, the Thunder held another fourth-quarter lead before Golden State, who have recorded the best record in nBA history through 59 games, came from behind. curry drained five of 15 shots from beyond the arc as almost half of his points came from three pointers. “i was a little rusty,” he said. “i didn’t shoot particularly well but my teammates told me on the bench to keep shooting.”

The Warriors have now won seven in a row. They trailed by as many as nine in the third quarter and were down 83-82 entering the final period. They took the lead for good on backup guard Shaun livingston’s two free throws in the first minute of the final quarter.

“Our second unit got us off to a fourth quarter lead and they turned the momentum in our favour,” curry said.

Forward Kawhi leonard scored a game-high 30 points and forward lamarcus Aldridge added 26 while orchestrating a 16-2 closing run as the San Antonio Spurs rallied to beat the new Orleans pelicans, 94-86. AFP

Aussies nip Britain in world pursuit epic

Britain’s Bradley Wiggins, Edward Clancy, Jonathan Dibben and Owain Doull cycle to silver in the Men’s Team Pursuit final during the 2016 Track Cycling World Championships at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London AFP

THE long-standing rivalry between Australia and Britain continued in thrilling fashion in the track world championships team pursuit final on Thursday as the Australians recorded the second fastest time ever to win gold.

A British team led by former Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins, and roared on by a capacity 8,000-plus crowd at the Olympic velodrome, had to settle for silver against a winning team of Sam Welshford, michael Hepburn, callum and miles Scotson.

The Australians built a

consistent early lead of between 0.6 and 0.7 seconds but a sterling effort by Ed clancy, riding his first race since undergoing careerthreatening back surgery 12 weeks ago, cut the advantage and Wiggins drove the hosts into the lead briefly before clancy tailed off over the last lap.

The winning time of 3 minutes 52.727 seconds was 1.1 seconds ahead of Britain and establishes Australia as favourites to win gold in the event in the Rio Olympics.

“For sure, we will have to ride three seconds faster than that to win gold in

Rio,” said Hepburn. “it’s no secret, you’ve just got to find four guys who can do that. But both teams have proved they’re on their way. “if you look back over the last few Olympic cycles, whoever won at the Worlds won the Olympics. i don’t necessarily believe that and there’s still a lot of work we’ve got to do.

“But they’ve got guys who have shown they’re in a good position, they’ve got guys who can ride three quick rounds so it’s going to be great at the Olympics —as it always is between GB and Australia.” AFP

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Lim, Perez lead net cast

Members of the National University Bullpups celebrate at midcourt after the title win in Game 3 of yesterday’s finals. Peter Atencio

NCBA downs PATTS The National College of Business and Arts Wildcats survived a tough fourth set to turn back the PATTS College of Aeronautics Sea horses, 25-22, 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, last Friday in Game 1 of the 8th University and Colleges of Luzon Athletic Association (UCLAA) men’s volleyball tournament at the Marikina Sports Complex.

Middle hitter Joshua Vicente played a different role, and still delivered crucial points as an open spiker, and the Wildcats went on to move a win closer to the crown.

In the women’s action, the Technological Institute of the Philippines Lady engineers continued their winning ways, smashing the NCBA Lady Wildcats, 25-9, 25-10, 26-24, in Game 1.

The top seeded Lady engineers landed in the finals with Lady Wildcats after they prevailed over the Lady Sea horses, 25-10, 25-20, 25-13.

They remained the favorites to win the women’s crown after they emerged unbeaten after eight games.

The Lady Wildcats emerged as their challengers for the crown after they stopped the Lady Griffins, 21-25, 25-23, 2516, 25-20.

On the other hand, NCBA Wildcats became the top contenders for the men’s title, with their record unblemished after five games in the elims last Feb. 26.

They breezed past PATTS, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21, in the classification stage.

AIMS kept up with the Wildcats following a tight 1725,22-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-11 win over the CDSL Griffins.

The Cebuana Lhuillier Age-Group Tennis Championship Series leg in Quezon City gets underway Saturday at the Phil-Am Village tennis courts, with several promising young tennis players, led by girls’ division top seeds Ibiza Mae Perez and Patricia Lim, expected to shine anew.

Perez and Lim are regular campaigners in tennis age-group competitions with Perez tipped to dominate the 16-under and 18-under categories, while Lim is top seed in the 14-under, with the possibility that the two will end up in the finals of the 16-under age group of the tournament supported by Dunlop Sports as the official ball.

Lim will have to contend with second-seeded hastine Red Ballado in the 14- under, while Perez is expected to face a stiff challenge from Nicole Amistad in the girs’ 18-under.

In the girls’ 12-under, Kryshana Brazal and Justine Maneja are the top seeds.

NU wins juniors crown

By Peter Atencio The National University Bullpups crashed the boards with impunity while also scoring heavily from the inside and out to stamp their class against the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers en route to securing the title with a 96-75 victory in Game 3 of the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines juniors basketball championship before a huge crowd yesterday at the San Juan Arena.

Justine Baltazar, all of 6-7. had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and John Lloyd Clemente tallied 15 points and 15 rebounds to both finish with double-doubles to help the Bulldogs pocket their second juniors title in four years.

The 19-year old Baltazar, who was later named the Finals MVP, said he drew inspiration from his idol, Golden State Warriors

guard Stephen Curry and even wore his idol’s signature Under Armour rubber shoes, which Curry signed during an exhibition match held in the country last year.

The Bullpups wasted no time in taking charge from the get-go, as they raced to a 22-9 spread in the first period, with Winderlich Coyoca, who led the Bullpups

with 20 points, scoring six in the first 10 minutes.

Baltazar, who had just recovered from an injured right foot, then racked up nine points in the second half, including a layup with 6:41 to go which pushed the Bullpups ahead by eight, 30-22.

They were in front by 11 at halftime on Coyoca’s awkwardly released buzzer-beating triple off an inbound play, 48-37 lead, which was ruled as counted after a few minutes of deliberation by the referees.

Season MVP Aljun Melecio led the Junior Archers with 22 points, but was held scoreless in the third quarter as Baltazar and Clemente effectively defended the Bullpups’ territory.

With Melecio struggling, the Bullpups had little trouble taking a 79-52 edge at the end of the period.

Bulldogs coach Coach Jeff Napa,

who hinted that this could be his final season for the NU, said the team was able to send a strong message that they deserve the crown.

“The team deserves to win.

They deserve the championship.

Throughout the season, they have been patient. Back to square one kami sa finals, balik kami kung saan kami malakas at kung sino kami,” stated Napa.

The Bullpups, who held a twiceto-beat advantage over the Junior Archers, took Game 1, 78-58 before La Salle Zobel bounced back in Game 2, 71-58.

Napa said he will savor the championship before he resumes talks with school officials of Letran College, who had offered him the head coaching job of the Letran Knights.

Karl Penano added 16 points for the Bullpups, including seven points in the third period.

2016 Alaska IronKids launches year of fun and excitement SUBIC BAY—The 2016 Alaska IronKids Philippines, the country’s biggest and most exciting triathlon race for young boys and girls, starts a year of fun and excitement with a triathlon here today, March 5.

The triathlon commences with the swim at the Olympic size, 50-meter WOW Pool behind Remy Field, and continues with the bike ride and run along the well-paved roads of the former US Naval base here.

The Alaska IronKids Triathlon will have three categories: Race Category (with Podium Medals) four age groups; Play Category (finisher’s medal but no age categories) short and long distances to promote outdoor play and increase participation for non-competitive participants; and the Relay Category (with Podium Medals) with two mixed age groups.

More than just a race, it is a venue for families to bond in a shared activity, giving the parents a chance to show their children that being physically fit and healthy is more fun. It also fosters the importance of starting the day right with a combination of exercise and proper nutrition. The Alaska IronKids Triathlon provides boys and girls, six to 14 years old, another year-long calendar of fun and exciting races.

Alaska IronKids will hold an Aquathlon at the Village Sports Club in Paranaque on May 1, Sunday; a second Aquathlon at Subic Bay with a swim at the WOW Pool behind Remy Field on June 4, Saturday; and finally, the biggest triathlon event in the country for young boys and girls at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa on Aug. 6, Saturday.

Game changer. Jose Emmanuel Sajulga ponders his next shot in this bit of action in the 69th PAL Men’s Interclub at the Acacia Lakeview course of Mimosa Golf & Country Club. Sajulga chipped in 37 points to give Manila Southwoods a one point lead over Canlubang (411-410) in the penultimate round of the tournament. Lino SAntoS

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES PROVINCE OF BATANGAS MUNICIPALITY OF BAUAN Bids and Awards Committee

Centennial III stamps class in Boracay Regatta Cup

Municipal Government of Bauan Bauan, Batangas Standard Form Number: SF-GOOD-05 Revised on: July 29, 2004

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID

SOCIAL HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION

The Municipal Government of Bauan, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites suppliers to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder contracts:

PROJECT TITLE/ LOCATION Purchase of additional furniture`s and fxtures for use of the new municipal building of Bauan, Batangas Purchase of three (3) units Diesel-fed 2.5L Displacement Ambulance with accessories to be used in the disaster medical response of MDRRMO at Bauan, Batangas

PROJECT REF. NO.

DESCRIPTION

Supply & Delivery

BG-2016-06

Supply & Delivery

BG-2016-07

APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE CONTRACT

SOURCE OF FUND

3,000,000.00

Trust Fund

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE BIDDING OF PROJECT NO: 2016-10

MODE OF PURCHASE

PROCUREMENT OF CONSULTING SERVICES FOR NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

General Fund

4,890,000.00

Bidding

1.

The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), through its Corporate Budget for 2016, intends to apply the sum of Three Million Pesos Only (Php3,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) payment under the contract for the Procurement of Consulting Services for Network Infrastructure Analysis and Design.

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of the financial proposals.

2.

SHFC now calls for the submission of eligibility documents for:

Bidding

Prospective bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last two (2) years, with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed items for bidding. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the preliminary examination of bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post – qualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted.

Project

Procurement of Consulting Services for Network Infrastructure Analysis and Design

Location

BDO Plaza, 8737 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City

Objective

Assist, guide and provide Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) the latest state of the art ICT solutions, designs, functionalities, features and technologies based on the current and future ICT requirements and directions of SHFC and aligned with global standards and best practice sharing methodologies. The solutions and designs shall be in alignment with the Information Systems Conceptual Framework of the SHFC Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP).

Outputs/Deliverables

1. Inception Report (30%) which includes the ff: 1) Affirmation of the Consultant’s team’s understanding of the engagement; 2.) Affirmation of the approach and methodology.

2. Compliance of Part III - Scope of Consultancy Services (30%).

3. Finalized Consultancy Report Deliverables as enumerated in Part IV (30%).

4. Upon acquisition of hardware necessary for the network design as enumerated in Part IV and completion of other Consultancy services as enumerated in Part III (10%).

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Evaluation of Bids, Post-qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

The complete schedule of BAC activities is listed, as follows:

ACTIVITIES Issuance of Bid Documents Pre-Bid Conference Opening of Bids Bid Evaluation Post-Qualification Notice of Award

1.

2.

2.

3.

4.

5.

SCHEDULE March 10 - 21, 2015 March 09, 2015 March 21, 2015 March 22, 2015 March 23, 2015 March 30, 2015

4.

The Firm must have the following minimum qualifications:

The BAC will issue bidding documents only to bidders declared by the BAC to be eligible for the bidding upon payment of non-refundable amount to the Municipal Government Cashier.

A.

The firm must have a Project Leader with at least Bachelor’s degree related to Network Design;

The Municipal Government of Bauan assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid.

B.

The firm must have a Project Leader with at least three (3) years of experience in projects related to Network Design;

C.

The firm must have handled at least three (3) projects of this nature within the past five (5) years and at least one (1) contract whose value must be at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC to be bid; and

D.

The firm must have a Project Leader who attended a training/seminar in Structured Cabling Technical, Wired Data Networks Technical, E.5) Wireless Technical, IP Telephony Technical, IP Surveillance / CCTV Technical, Server/Storage Technical, Network Security Technical and Network Health Assessment Technical.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of Bauan reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to declare the bidding a failure, not to award the contract, to annul the bidding process, to waive any defects or informalities therein, without incurring any liabilities to the affected bidder(s) and to accept the proposal considered most advantageous to the Government.

Approved by: (SGD) Dr. NOEL C. BAUTISTA BAC Chairman

(TS-MAR. 5 & 8, 2016)

Republic of the Philippines

5.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE Roxas Boulevard Corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. Street Manila 1004 INVITATION TO BID FOR THE DOF 6TH FLOOR (OSEC-PHASE 2) AND 4TH FLOOR OFFICES RENOVATION - SUPPLY, DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION OF FURNITURE/WORK STATIONS 1.

The DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF), through the Government of the Philippines under the General Appropriations Act for FY 2016, intends to apply the sum of FIVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED SIXTY FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (PhP 5,565,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments for the Supply, Delivery and Installation of Systems Furniture and Work Station (the “Project”). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The DOF, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), now invites Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) registered suppliers to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder projects. Bidders should have completed, within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project which is equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the ABC for the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Lot

Name of Project

Approved Budget for the Contract

Amount of Bid Documents

1

DOF 6th Floor Office Renovation (OSEC-Phase 2) - Supply, Delivery and Installation of Furniture and Work Stations

PhP4,223,000.00

PhP5,000.00

2

DOF 4TH Floor Office Renovation - Supply, Delivery and Installation of Furniture and Work Stations

PhP1,342,000.00

PhP5,000.00

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. However, only those who have purchased the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre-bid conference and raise or submit written queries or clarifications.

4.

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

5.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours.

The required documents and criteria are provided in Section 24. Eligibility Requirements and Short Listing for Consulting Services of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” 6.

6.

The DOF will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on March 14, 2016, 10:00 a.m. at the DFG Conference Room, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

7.

Bidders are not required to bid for all the lots (Lots 1 and 2). Bidders may prefer to bid for one (1) or two (2) Lots. Each Lot shall be awarded to the bidder who submits the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid for a lot. Therefore, each lot may be awarded to different bidders.

8.

In the event that the bidder chooses to bid for more than one (1) lot, the BID SECURITY shall be in the amount equal to the percentage of the ABC (BDS Clause 18.1) of the total number of lots preferred.

9.

Bids must be delivered to the BAC Secretariat, General Services Division 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex P. Ocampo Sr., Street corner Roxas Boulevard, Manila on or before March 28, 2016, 8:45 A.M. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

10.

Bid opening shall be on the date indicated above at the DFG Conference Room, 4th Floor DOF Building. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend.

11.

The schedule of bidding activities is as follows:

ACTIVITIES

Issuance and Availability of Bid Documents

starting March 7, 2016

Pre-Bid Conference

March 14, 2016, 11:00 am

Request for Clarification

March 18, 2016

Issuance of Supplemental Bid Bulletin

March 21, 2016

Deadline for Submission of Bids

March 28, 2016, 8:45 am

Opening of Bids

March 28, 2016, 10:00 am

12.

The DOF reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

13.

For further information, please refer to:

8.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

9.

The Procuring Entity shall evaluate bids using the Quality-Cost Based Evaluation/ Selection (QCBE/QCBS) procedure. Only bids whose Technical proposals pass the minimum technical evaluation score of Eighty percent (80%) shall have their Financial Proposals opened and evaluated. The Technical Proposal shall carry Eighty percent (80%) weight in the evaluation. The bidders shall be ranked in descending order based on the combined numerical ratings of their technical and financial proposals and identify the Highest Rated Bid. The criteria and rating system for the evaluation of bids shall be provided in the Instruction to Bidders (ITB).

10.

Contract duration is One (1) to two (2) months although actual project duration is dependent on the analysis and design of the selected Consultant.

11.

Short Listed Bidders may purchase a complete set of Bidding Documents from 15 March 2016 until 29 March2016 at the address below, for a non-refundable fee of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) Only. The fee for the Bidding Documents must be paid to the SHFC Cashier only. The cost of bidding documents corresponds to the ABC.

12.

SHFC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 17 March 2016 at 10:00 am, at the SHFC Board Room, 5th Floor, BDO Plaza 8737 Paseo De Roxas, Makati City, which shall be open only to all short listed bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

13.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 29 March 2016 at 10:00 am.

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

14.

Bid opening shall be on 29 March 2016, 10 am, at the SHFC Board Room, 5th Floor, BDO Plaza 8737 Paseo De Roxas, Makati City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend. Late bids shall not be accepted.

15.

SHFC assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify Bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid. SHFC reserves the right to waive any or all formal requirements, and it shall likewise not be held liable for any defects or typographical errors in all documents received by the Bidder, which shall be presumed to have been read and understood by the bidders to be mere defects in form only.

16.

SHFC reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject a bid at any time prior to the contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

17.

For further information, please communicate with: Joselito A. Cada Head, BAC Secretariat Social Housing Finance Corporation 6th Floor BDO Plaza, 8737 Paseo De Roxas Makati City Trunkline: 750-6337/46 loc. 732 Direct Line: 817-3168 procurement@shfcph.com

Lilia R. Tan, Head- BAC Secretariat Department of Finance BAC Secretariat, General Services Division 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex P. Ocampo Sr., Street corner Roxas Boulevard, Manila Telephone N.: 526-8475 Telefax No.: 525-4227 Email Address: ltan@dof.gov.ph./rramirez@dof.gov.ph (TS-MAR. 5, 2016)

40 % 40% 20 %_ 100 %

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the IRR of RA 9184.

Schedule March 5, 2016

= = =_ =

7.

“LATE BIDS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED”

Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid

The BAC shall draw up the short list of consultants from those who have submitted Eligibility Documents and Curriculum Vitae of the Experts to be employed andhave been determined as eligible in accordance with the provisions of RA 9184 and its IRR. The short list shall consist of three (3) prospective bidders who will be allowed to purchase the Bidding Documents and are entitled to submit bids. The criteria and rating system for short listing are: Applicable experience Qualification of project leader& technical staff Current workload relative to capacity Total

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders starting March 7, 2016 until March 28, 2016, 2015, 8:45 am at the General Services Division, 7th Floor, EDPC Building, BSP Complex, Pablo Ocampo Sr. St., Roxas Blvd., Manila, upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount provided above.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the DOF website, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

Interested firm must submit their Project Leader and its technical staffs’ Curriculum Vitae and Eligibility Documents on or before 11 March 2016 at 10:00 am (also the date of opening of eligibility documents) at 5th Floor Board Room, Banco De Oro Plaza, 8737 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. Applications for eligibility will be evaluated based on a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion.

(SGD) GIL S. BELTRAN Undersecretary and DOF-BAC Chairman

(SGD) ANNICIA D. VILLAFUERTE (TS-MAR. 5, 2016)

Chairman, BAC

BORACAY—Defending champion Centennial III, skippered by sail master Judes Echauz, immediately recovered by winning two consecutive races in the IRC 1 during the 7th Standard Insurance Boracay Cup Regatta 2016 in this island paradise.

Centennial III, a TP 52 Davidson, which only came second in the Subic Bay to Boracay Race to Hong Kong’s elite yachtsman Frank Pong’s Jelik, a Reichel/Pugh 75, grabbed the upper hand in Races 2 and 3 morning.

Centennial won in ace 2 with a corrected time of 1: 18: 40, and coming second is Freefire, helmed

by Hong Kong’s Sam Chan and Russ Parker (1:20:04). Third was Karakoa, skippered by veteran Filipino sailor Ray Ordoveza, in 1:21.19.

Pong’s 75-foot Jelik did not finish the race after the running back of their boat was broken, dimming their chances of becoming champion this year, according to American race officer Jerry Rollin.

Echauz and Centennial III’s 15-crew also grabbed the IRC’s Race 3, 1:19: 11 beating Ordoveza’s Karoako (1:19:37), while Great Britain’s Antipode’s skipped

by Geoff Hill is third (1:20:09) Jelik also did not participate in Race 3 and is not expected to race for the remainder of the four-day regatta organized by Philippine Sailing Association, Subic Yatch Club and backed by Cebu Pacific, Tanduay Rum, Seawind Hotel, The Lighthouse Marina Resort, PLDT SME, and Philippine Coast Guard.

The four-day regatta, a combination of point-to-point and wi ndwa rd / le ewa rd courses, is part of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix season.

Captain Marty Rijkuris is the main judge.

The Boracay Regatta Cup also offers precious points for the coveted Asian Yachting Skipper and Yacht of the Year awards.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

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

2 guest teams add spice to NTBC opener

Nonito Donaire is showin in this AFP file photo during his fight against Simpiwe Vetyeka of South Africa in Macau two years ago. Donaire is set to spar against Fredrick Bowen next week, according to his father Dodong Donaire.

In-shape Donaire starts sparring next week

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire is planning to start sparring hopefully next week according to his trainer/father “Dodong” Donaire.

“Dodong” told The Standard that “Nonito is doing good but hasn’t started sparring as yet. He is working the mitts, running, sprinting because he wants to be really in shape before he starts sparring.”

The trainer said they have picked Fredrick Bowen who was one of Nonito’s sparring partners when he trained for

the Cesar Juarez clash for the vacant title, once again.

“I’m very happy because Nonito trains hard,” the elder Donaire added.

He said Nonite does his conditioning on Tuesdays and Thursdays and works on the punch-mitts and the other routines in the gym on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Donaire won the 122 pound title the second time around with a lopsided unanimous decision over Mexico’s Cesar Juarez who was ranked No.1 by the WBO while Nonito was No. 2 after he dropped Juarez twice in the 4th round but had to battle back in a brutal second half of the fight when Juarez suddenly showed amazing recuperative qualities and came on strong.

Donaire’s opponent in his title defense scheduled for April 23 at the Cebi City Sports Center is No. 4 ranked Zolst Bedak of Hungary, a former member of the Hungarian Olympic team, to the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Questionable decision INSIDE SPORTS RONNIE NATHANIELSZ

WE cannot understand why Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia denied the request of the Amateur Boxing Alliance of the Philippines or ABAP for P3 million for the training stint of 11 male and 3 female boxers plus four coaches in the United States in preparation for the Asia/Oceania Olympic qualifying tournament from March 23 to April 3 in Quianan, China.

This becomes even more questionable in the light of an expose by columnist Jarius Bondoc in which he alleged

that disgraced former PNP chief Gen. Alan Purisima was the recipient of almost P1 billion from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation that should have, under the law, rightfully gone to the Philippine Sports Commission from January 2012 to June 2015.

Specific amounts and dates with Purisima listed as the recipient and all the acknowledgement receipts having the “conforme” signature of a certain Alfredo B. Benitez formed part of the expose.

We learned that the youthful businessman Benitez, is the president of several companies involved in the gaming industry including the First Cagayan Leisure and Resorts Corporation which channeled the funds on a monthly basis to Gen. Purisima.

The expose further claims

that Pagcor failed to mention its gross earnings from 14 private licensees including First Cagayan.

This scandalously corrupt operation denied PSC of its just dues and in turn deprived our athletes of funds for training for international competitions such as the Olympic Games in Rio some four months from now and even the low level Southeast Asian Games where we have fared disastrously in recent editions; grassroots development programs, the purchase of training equipment as well as proper nutrition for our young men and women.

In the face of this scandal which is to be investigated by the Senate along with another expose of large-scale money laundering involving casinos we find it almost impossible to understand the decision to

At the Games, Bedak scored an impressive victory over Abner Mares who later became a world champion in the pro ranks.

Bedak reportedly fights very much like the original choice Evgeny Gradovich who declined to fight Donaire because the former featherweight champion was having a hard time to make the 122 pound limit and instead will fight a ten round bout against unbeaten Oscar Valdez who has a record of 18-0 with 16 knockouts on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley clash on April 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

deny a comparatively paltry sum for the training of our boxers who have always been in the forefront of the country’s medal quest in various international competitions including the Olympics, the Asian Games and the SEA Games among others.

The boxers are now in training at the Golden Gate University in the Bay Area in San Francisco and are to have sparring sessions in Los Angeles Gyms as well as in Las Vegas.

Where is the so-called autonomy of the National Sports Associations and why should the POC and PSC impose their questionable judgment on ABAP? For Cojuangco and Garcia to be reportedly peeved over the decision of the MVP Sports Foundation to underwrite the cost of the training stint which was on the invitation of Joaquin Gonzalez III, chair of the Department of Public Administration of the University, is unreasonable.

TWO guest teams from the North American and Southeast Asian region will spice competition in the 5th SM-National Basketball Training Center, which kicks off with two events from March 13 to 17 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Durham Crossover Basketball Team from Canada and Trail International School of Thailand will join 22 of the country’s best high school teams in the national high school championships.

Their players will see action with 24 of the best high school players in the All Star Games as well.

“This year, we thought of including guest teams from other regions in the world since we wanted to widen our talent identification process. I think, this is one of the main objectives of the program,” said program director Eric Altamirano, who presented the program with coaches Alex Compton and Edmundo Badolato on Thursday at the MOA Arena.

Durham is coached by Mike Cruz while Troy Umali handles Trail, which will bring in kids who are mostly of Filipino heritage.

Seeing action are Lyceum of the Philippines University, Sacred Heart SchoolAteneo de Cebu, Bacolod Tay Tung High School, St. Robert’s International School, Assumption Montessori School and Southern City Colleges, Assumption College of Davao, San Beda College, Chiang Kai Shek College, Bato Rural Development High School, Palawan National High School, De La Salle Lipa, Rex Dei Academy and Our Lady of the Pillar College Cauayan.

Also in the line-up are Castillejos National High School, Angeles University Foundation, St. Louis College High School, Linao National High School, Paref Springdale School, Dr. Aurelio Mendoza Memorial College and Agusan National High School. Peter Atencio

The joint position of the POC and PSC as articulated by chairman Garcia whose passion is golf not boxing, was that the US trip was too close to the Olympic qualifying tournament from March 23 to April 3 in Quainan, China where ABAP plans to field 5 male and 1 female boxer.

Garcia’s contention is that it would be too taxing to return home from the US on March 18 and then fly to China within a few days.

In fairness to Garcia and Cojuangco a longer turnaround time would have been beneficial to the boxers but ABAP president Ricky Vargas approved the trip and later told us that he “believes in our coaches and the sports science team that drew up a strategic plan.”

We could probably have given credence to the position of the POC and the PSC if their record in international tournaments were recognizable but alas the POC has been

a dismal failure even in such low-caliber competitions as the SEA Games.

The decision of Vargas to instruct executive director Ed Picson who knows the nuances of the sport, to proceed with the trip to the US should be respected if the autonomy of National Sports Associations is to be honored.

Ed, a valued friend and colleague of many years in a studied move, indicated they would not debate the issue with anybody and conceded that some people have their own opinions but in the end we are accountable.

Fair enough.

In the ultimate analysis the boxers performance in the qualifying tournament will demonstrate whether the decision to train in the US was correct or whether the position of the PSC and POC to deny ABAP the P3 million they requested had any real justification.

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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

JR Quinahan of Rain Or Shine watches closely as NLEX center makes his move to the basket in their PBA game yesterday. The Elasto Painters won, 121-94.

RoS ends skid, rips NLEX

By Jeric Lopez

THE drought is over. ‘Rain’ is back.

Rain or Shine stopped a three-game losing skid with a much-needed victory after humiliating NLEX, 121-94, to keep its hopes of making the next round alive in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Antoine Wright finally showed up as hepaced the Elasto Painters with a near triple-double of 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while getting tons of support from his teammates.

Six more Painters scored in twindigits with Jewel Ponferrada dropping

15 markers, Raymund Almazan 14, Jeff Chan, Jericho Cruz and JR Quinahan each with 12 and Maverick Ahanmisi adding 10 more.

It’s a huge win for the Painters as this enabled them to figure in a five-way logjam with NLEX, who slipped to the

lower echelon with this second straight early points from surprise starter Jeric loss, Talk ‘N Text, GlobalPort and Teng, planted a booming 16-0 bomb to Blackwater for spots 6-10 in the stand- open up a huge upperhand, a 15-point lead, 23-8, with just over four minutes ings with similar 2-3 records.

It’s also a huge sigh of relief for Rain to go in the first.

The Bolts showed a bit of resistance or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

“We finally got our rhythm back. I early in the second, bringing down the gap to just singlehope it’s not too late and digits on several occaI hope we can be consistGame Today (Legazpi City) ent with it,” he said. “We 5 p.m. - San Miguel vs. Meralco sions, but the determined Painters quickly restored got out running game back as well as our rebounding and their double-digit lead and ended up with a very comfortable 58-43 leverthat really helped us.”

Having the urge to gain a much- age at halftime after a buzzer-beating needed win, Rain or Shine showed up triple from Wright.

From that point, it was all Rain or with a lot of desperation, launching a massive attack in the opening period to Shine, which was never in danger the rest of the way as the game was already dictate the game and grasp command.

The Elasto Painters, through seven broken wide open.

Daquis skippers PSL stars in Thai joust A CHARMING, skilled and seasoned spiker will be at the helm when the Philippine Superliga (PSL) All-Star competes in the Thailand Super League women’s invitational volleyball tournament from March 23 to 28 at the MCC Hall of The Mall Bangkapi in Bangkok.

Rachel Anne Daquis, a lovely outside hitter from RC Cola-Army, was chosen to skipper the PSL stars in this prestigious tourney where the region’s best club teams from Thailand and Hong Kong will be clashing for pride and glory.

The 27-year old former Far Eastern University star has been a regular fixture in major international tournaments.

After steering Petron to a clean sweep of the PSL All-Filipino Conference and winning the PSL Most Valuable Player award last year, Daquis suited up for the National Team in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore and the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship in Vietnam where she proudly displayed the athleticism, power and beauty of a true Filipina athlete.

“I am truly honored to be chosen as team captain,” said Daquis, arguably one of Asia’s most popular female athletes due to her skills, good looks and wholesome character.

SATURDAY: MARCH 5, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

B1

Inflation rate declines to 0.9%

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

THE inflation rate eased to a four-month low of 0.9 percent in February from 1.3 percent in January and 2.5 percent year-on-year following the slump in global oil and lower food prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Friday.

PSA data showed the February figure was the lowest since the 0.4 percent inflation rate recorded in October last year.

The figure also matched the lower end of the central bank’s inflation forecast of 0.9 percent to 1.7 percent for the period, and lower than the median forecast of 1.4 percent.

The National Economic and De-

velopment Authority attributed the low inflation rate to the downward price movements in transport, and electricity, gas and other fuels, and slower increases in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, clothing and footwear, among others.

“The persistent global oversupply and record stockpile levels of crude oil contributed to this softer inflation, as prices of Dubai oil,

Brent and West Texas Intermediate continued to weaken in January 2016,” said Economic Planning Secretary Emmanuel Esguerra.

Standard Chartered Bank economist Jeff Ng said the low figure indicated weak inflationary pressures.

“We previously thought that the uptick in inflation is temporary caused by [the] storm impact on fish and vegetable prices. However, stable rice inflation implied that the previous uptrend will not be sustained,” Ng said in an e-mail.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., meanwhile, said monetary authorities would keep a close watch on the possible second-round effects to inflation coming from global oil prices, although the February inflation decelerated.

He said oil prices and changes in the global growth prospects could affect the country’s economic growth trajectory and inflation outlook.

“Inflation for February at 0.9 percent is at the low end of our forecast range of 0.9 percent to 1.7 percent. Declines in housing, utilities, gas and transport were seen as causing slower inflation in the month,” Tetangco said in a text message.

“We will continue to monitor price movements, including emerging second-round effects from global oil prices and any shifts in global growth prospects, as these impact domestic growth and inflation dynamics and see if there is need to make any adjustments in policy levers,” Tetangco said.

Domestic petroleum prices remained soft, with gasoline declining 10.4 percent; liquefied petroleum gas, -11.7 percent; diesel, -26.4 percent; and kerosene, -22.6 percent).

Bank of the Philippine Island market research and strategy research officer Nicholas Mapa said the subdued oil price environment led to lower rates in the electricity, gas, water, utilities and transport sectors.

“As long as oil prices remain subdued, we can expect these subsectors to see depressed inflation as well. Base effects are also coming into play as first quarter 2015 was the high point for inflation in the Philippines,” Mapa said in an e-mail.

“I do expect inflation to trend higher going forward as base effects reverse With Julito G. Rada

PSe comPoSite index Closing March 4, 2016

8000 8340 7880 7420 6960 6500

6,899.07 64.37

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing March 4, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P46.945

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P46.920 LOW P47.000 AVERAGE P46.956 VOLUME 649.755M

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

oPriceS il P today

Meralco-UP forum. Manila Electric Co. and University of the Philippines hold a gathering of business and academic leaders to discuss

partnership in science and technology initiatives. Meralco, UP and the Meralco Power Academy recently hosted a CEO Forum attended by over 80 industry leaders, presidents and chief executives. Shown (from left) are Meralco president and CEO Oscar Reyes, UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation president Tito Aliga, Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan, Dean of UP College of Engineering Aura Matias, Tallwood Venture Capital CEO Dado Banatao, UP president Alfredo Pascual, Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology president Filemon Berba, Associate Dean for Institutional Linkages of UP College of Engineering Rhodora Gonzales, Phinma vice chairman Mag Albarracin and Meralco SVP and head of human resources and corporate services Ramon Segismundo.

P20.40-P23.80 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, March 4, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.1150

Japan

Yen

0.008797

0.4145

UK

Pound

1.418100

66.8138

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128742

6.0657

Switzerland

Franc

1.007861

47.4854

Canada

Dollar

0.746324

35.1631

Singapore

Dollar

0.720254

33.9348

Australia

Dollar

0.734900

34.6248

Bahrain

Dinar

2.656748

125.1727

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266738

12.5674

Brunei

Dollar

0.717669

33.8130

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028177

1.3276

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.8288

Euro

Euro

1.095900

51.6333

Korea

Won

0.000826

0.0389

China

Yuan

0.153020

7.2095

India

Rupee

0.014900

0.7020

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.242131

11.4080

New Zealand

Dollar

0.671600

31.6424

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030436

1.4340 Source: PDS Bridge

BSP eases regulations on foreign loan documents

By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas further relaxed the rules on documentation of foreign loans and other obligations to ease foreign exchange transactions in the country.

Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., who is also the Monetary Board chairman, said in a statement Friday the policy-making body lifted the prohibition on notarization of documents covering foreign loans, deferred payment and other foreign or foreign currencydenominated obligations of the

private sector.

“Previously, such documents of both the public and private sectors were prohibited from being notarized. The move is part of continuing efforts to have an appropriate regulatory framework for foreign exchange transactions,” Tetangco said.

He said the change in policy would cover purely private sector accounts, or those without guarantee or foreign exchange exposure on the part of the government financial institutions or government-owned or -controlled companies that are submitted to Bangko Sentral for approval and

registration.

“It will, thus, provide the private sector greater flexibility with respect to documentation of their financing agreements to meet specific requirements of creditors and/or foreign laws that may govern such transactions,” he said.

Tetangco also said the corresponding provision in the Manual of Regulations on Foreign Exchange Transactions would accordingly be revised.

He said the review and finetuning of Bangko Sentral regulations was consistent with its commitment to maintain a safe and sound financial system, a stable

foreign exchange market, and an appropriate monetary policy supportive of sustained and inclusive economic growth.

The Monetary Board last month also announced some amendments on the rules governing foreign exchange transactions in the Philippines.

It said prior Bangko Sentral approval was no longer required for the borrowings from offshore sources/FCDUs of banks of purely private sector loans, or those without guarantee from the public sector or banks, that are intended to finance energy-/powerrelated projects.

SATURDAY: MARCH 5, 2016

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Friday, March 4, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 2.6 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 1.02 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank I-Remit Inc. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 125 85 36 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 31.8 109 15.3 9.4 0.98 241

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 32 15.32 62.5 20.2 10.08 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 20.2 71.5 13.24 5.34 0.395 173

79 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 238 5.5 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

34.1 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 3.87 8.45 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 161 4.1 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group C. Azuc De Tarlac Century Food Chemphil Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

LBC Express Liberty Flour Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation 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.

Vulcan Ind’l.

0.59 59.2 30.05 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5

0.44 48.1 20.85 6.62 0.23 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.6 2.26 0.152 837 5.3

76 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

49.55 4.84 0.59 12 0.580 4.2 0.030 1.23 0.550 59.3 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. IPM Holdings JG Summit Holdings Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion San Miguel Corp `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

10.5 1.99 1.75 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44

6.74 0.65 1.2 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Century Property

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

SHARES 12,550,390 119,908,794 129,000,579 183,455,894 310,553,758 696,641,083 1,458,394,888

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 2.99 2.8 45.05 44 99.65 98.55 84.20 83.65 36315 36 3.12 3.06 1.44 1.36 14.2 13.92 15.2 14.8 1.75 1.67 0.590 0.550 77.75 76.95 0.92 0.92 15.00 15.00 52.30 51.70 98.3 98.3 275 270 33.5 32.55 143.8 142.2 1300.00 1300.00 56.50 56.50 1.54 1.54 INDUSTRIAL 43.85 44 43.55 5.46 5.58 5.3 0.68 0.7 0.69 1.5 1.53 1.49 10.6 10.8 10.52 188.00 180.00 170.00 17.6 17.68 17.5 97 97 97 52 52 46.5 18.9 19.3 18.74 2.32 2.49 2.27 4.15 5.9 3.96 12 12.3 12.1 9.040 9.080 8.780 7.37 7.80 7.46 5.98 6.04 5.93 7.00 7.10 7.00 20 20.5 19.94 61.5 61.95 61.4 14.00 13.90 13.80 5.5 5.57 5.5 2.740 2.850 2.680 228.00 228.60 223.80 9.5 9.79 9.06 26.00 32.50 29.00 2.9 2.99 2.99 37.75 37.95 35.00 26.8 27.2 26.6 17.18 17.14 16.82 5.89 5.95 5.8 328.80 329.00 326.00 3.26 3.3 3.12 9.90 10.00 9.80 11.50 11.54 11.50 3.85 3.95 3.85 1.76 1.80 1.73 3 3.06 3.01 4.06 4.20 4.10 140 145 140 3.9 4.05 4.05 2.48 2.5 2.48 0.154 0.161 0.151 1.18 1.19 1.10 2.33 2.30 2.25 203 203 199.5 4.65 4.6 4.6 0.73 0.77 0.74 1.12 1.18 1.12 HOLDING FIRMS 0.330 0.335 0.320 60.20 61.20 59.90 15.30 15.50 15.20 6.00 6.17 6.00 0.244 0.255 0.244 0.250 0.255 0.255 735 739 730 7.62 7.67 7.55 13.20 13.40 12.94 5 5.2 4.7 4.80 4.80 4.60 0.217 0.217 0.213 1354 1356 1344 6.00 6.00 6.00 9.78 9.78 9.76 72.90 73.50 72.60 5.48 5.5 5.4 0.7 0.71 0.68 15.94 16.04 15.92 0.495 0.500 0.485 5.82 5.88 5.7 0.0310 0.0310 0.0300 1.450 1.460 1.400 2.000 2.020 1.970 75.00 74.80 74.35 938.00 946.00 910.00 1.00 1.14 1.03 0.79 0.79 0.77 170.000 171.000 167.500 0.3200 0.3150 0.3050 0.2130 0.2110 0.1950 0.290 0.300 0.295 PROPERTY 7.130 7.400 7.100 0.89 0.89 0.87 1.370 1.460 1.400 34.000 34.150 33.700 3.24 3.24 3.18 5.3 5.33 5.1 0.550 0.56 0.540 2.81 45.05 98.50 84.00 37 3.10 1.38 14 14.8 1.74 0.560 77 0.9 15.10 52.20 98.3 275 33.35 142.3 1300.00 55.40 1.54

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.95 45.05 99.00 83.70 36.15 3.12 1.40 14 14.92 1.75 0.560 77.05 0.92 15.00 52.00 98.3 274 33.5 143.2 1300.00 56.50 1.54

4.98 0.00 0.51 -0.36 -2.30 0.65 1.45 0.00 0.81 0.57 0.00 0.06 2.22 -0.66 -0.38 0.00 -0.36 0.45 0.63 0.00 1.99 0.00

180,000 26,800 2,809,640 1,189,570 182,300 70,000 66,000 17,700 73,300 41,000 936,000 5,563,770 23,000 15,800 44,890 1,050 100 30,200 458,940 5 3,070 330,000

43.55 5.5 0.69 1.49 10.58 180.00 17.6 97 51.9 19 2.43 5.36 12.2 9.000 7.70 6.03 7.05 19.96 61.6 13.80 5.51 2.750 225.00 9.1 32.50 2.99 37.45 26.85 17 5.88 327.00 3.24 9.90 11.50 3.91 1.74 3.02 4.14 143 4.05 2.48 0.158 1.11 2.25 201 4.6 0.74 1.14

-0.68 0.73 1.47 -0.67 -0.19 -4.26 0.00 0.00 -0.19 0.53 4.74 29.16 1.67 -0.44 4.48 0.84 0.71 -0.20 0.16 -1.43 0.18 0.36 -1.32 -4.21 25.00 3.10 -0.79 0.19 -1.05 -0.17 -0.55 -0.61 0.00 0.00 1.56 -1.14 0.67 1.97 2.14 3.85 0.00 2.60 -5.93 -3.43 -0.99 -1.08 1.37 1.79

971,400 589,400 494,000 310,000 600 70 1,034,500 10 1,030 52,700 3,279,000 24,001,000 29,200 3,417,900 5,596,400 20,310,900 589,400 1,709,600 191,860 51,000 30,700 19,008,000 1,100,840 54,700 8,300 1,000 4,700 1,000,100 331,900 237,100 92,190 187,000 8,172,200 28,000 235,000 417,000 418,000 175,000 166,180 3,000 111,000 10,240,000 143,000 1,626,000 1,508,650 25,000 11,028,000 250,000

0.320 59.95 15.30 6.17 0.250 0.255 734.5 7.64 12.96 5 4.80 0.213 1349 6.00 9.78 72.90 5.46 0.7 16 0.495 5.7 0.0300 1.410 2.010 74.80 910.00 1.07 0.77 167.500 0.3150 0.2080 0.295

-3.03 -0.42 0.00 2.83 2.46 2.00 -0.07 0.26 -1.82 0.00 0.00 -1.84 -0.37 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.36 0.00 0.38 0.00 -2.06 -3.23 -2.76 0.50 -0.27 -2.99 7.00 -2.53 -1.47 -1.56 -2.35 1.72

230,000 594,640 6,029,500 16,100 3,710,000 200,000 267,260 504,300 3,594,300 2,900 4,000 400,000 133,595 51,900 2,700,000 1,970,850 1,696,600 5,000 1,452,100 180,000 54,395,900 32,800,000 4,000 1,026,000 296,900 292,880 3,630,000 313,000 104,340 4,450,000 350,000 1,070,000

7.270 0.88 1.450 34.000 3.22 5.26 0.560

1.96 -1.12 5.84 0.00 -0.62 -0.75 1.82

576,900 802,000 249,000 12,165,400 1,575,000 213,000 3,999,000

1,154,625.00 -58,469,711 -40,215,214.00

7,000.00 -480,004.00 1,750.00 -20.00 -45,989,752.50 -881,148.00 -103,215.00 313,400 12,140,695.00 -173,455.00 10,049,420.00 -165,800.00 34,500.00 6,000.00 13,053,556.00

-103,290.00 27,500,540.00 -94,530.00 19,069,423.00 -6,736,534.00 29,925,632.00 3,545,319.00 -7,739,375.00 222,701.50 -700,950.00 -10,163,490.00 6,174,342.00

-2,647,425.00 2,188,290.00 -2,160,426.00 139,320.00 32,109,610.00 -17,800.00 -311,080.00 -23,445,090.00 -45,300.00 1,756,280.00 -48,566,618.00 115,000.00 105,000.00

19,364,388.50 29,044,982.00 51,000.00 -54,808,625.00 1,628,694.00 6,480,270.00

47,565,080.00 49,966,587.00 -1,879,247.00 2,581,752.00 -194,721,055.00

-4,252,973.00 -28,514,770.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 2.22 2.1 1.8 8.4 5.94 0.180 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 1.15 1.42 1.27 3.1 4.13 0.090 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Double Dragon Empire East Land Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Keppel Properties Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. 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

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 7.67 4 1700 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 2.53 3.2 2.46 15.2

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 4.8 2.58 830 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 1.01 1.95 1.8 6

0.62 1.040 22.8 6.41 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.335 0.37 14.54 3 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 2.95 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 1.71 5 0.315 1.14

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp.

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

DFNN Inc. Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail MG Holdings NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

0.0098 5.45 17.24 25 0.330 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9

0.0043 1.72 6.47 9.43 0.236 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Basic Energy Corp.

Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp.

TA Petroleum

70 553 515 8.21

33 490 480 5.88

84.8

75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. PCOR-Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F

-47,258.00 30,500.00 6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

15

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

1,546,450.00 14,007,658.00 188,900.00 305,200.00

Close

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

High

VALUE 935,648,273.893 1,372,250,325.387 1,468,305,746.54 1,130,098,241.00 1,635,838,223.686 313,856,742.05 6,940,496,818.561

FINANCIAL 1,506.40 (up) 0.07 INDUSTRIAL 11,385.63 (down) 40.87 HOLDING FIRMS 6,767.79 (down) 74.99 PROPERTY 2,821.63 (down) 25.40 SERVICES 1,406.16 (down) 19.57 MINING & OIL 11,082.83 (up) 228.58 PSEI 6,899.07 (down) 64.37 All Shares Index 3,986.66 (down) 21.61 Gainers: 90; Losers: 83; Unchanged: 42; Total: 215

Close

0.950 0.119 0.430 28.95 0.830 0.92 1.54 1.28 4.49 3.88 0.090 8.39 27.50 1.46 3.03 21.40 0.8 5.54 1.030 4.570

0.960 0.950 0.960 0.119 0.119 0.119 0.430 0.425 0.425 29.95 28.5 29.5 0.850 0.830 0.830 0.98 0.92 0.96 1.55 1.52 1.53 1.27 1.26 1.27 4.46 4.46 4.46 3.92 3.79 3.82 0.091 0.080 0.090 8.46 8.39 8.46 27.75 27.25 27.50 1.48 1.43 1.43 3.09 3.09 3.09 21.50 20.80 20.90 0.86 0.79 0.85 5.74 5.54 5.59 1.040 0.990 1.000 4.590 4.430 4.500 SERVICES 6.75 6.78 6.7 6.73 55 56.2 55 55.7 1.14 1.15 1.15 1.15 0.485 0.485 0.485 0.485 11.18 11.22 11.16 11.16 4.75 4.96 4.77 4.87 0.0510 0.0510 0.0500 0.0510 3.18 3.2 3.07 3.13 84.2 85.95 84.2 85.95 10 10 10 10 6.29 6.28 6.15 6.15 3.19 3.00 3.00 3.00 957 961 960 960 1770 1769 1717 1745 6.60 6.62 6.58 6.59 1.20 1.20 1.19 1.19 64.4 64.75 61 61.05 0.218 0.231 0.210 0.214 1.2000 1.2100 1.1800 1.2000 2.1 2.15 2.1 2.1 7.70 7.71 7.50 7.71 4.42 4.28 4.60 4.21 1.10 1.12 1.12 1.12 2.57 2.58 2.35 2.58 1.95 1.91 1.91 1.91 2.22 2.41 2.12 2.39 3.60 3.87 3.60 3.84 0.275 0.275 0.265 0.265 0.710 0.720 0.700 0.720 17.1 17.08 17 17 4.64 4.55 4.55 4.55 99.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 22.00 22.10 21.50 22.10 1835.00 1835.00 1792.00 1797.00 0.440 0.440 0.435 0.440 0.950 0.950 0.890 0.930 33.30 34.00 33.40 33.80 62.30 63.00 62.50 62.50 6.18 6.29 5.85 6.10 3.36 3.39 3.30 3.30 0.500 0.520 0.500 0.510 1.51 1.72 1.5 1.7 3.74 3.8 3.7 3.74 0.335 0.320 0.320 0.335 4.920 4.920 4.600 4.920 MINING & OIL 0.0046 0.0046 0.0044 0.0045 2.25 2.36 2.16 2.16 4.20 4.41 4.27 4.28 12.00 12.80 10.00 12.80 0.245 0.248 0.233 0.248 0.59 0.63 0.6 0.61 0.435 0.435 0.435 0.435 7.47 7.70 7.40 7.50 0.700 0.740 0.710 0.710 0.280 0.285 0.280 0.285 0.295 0.325 0.305 0.310 0.300 0.355 0.310 0.330 0.0130 0.0130 0.0120 0.0130 0.013 0.014 0.013 0.014 2.01 2.16 2.06 2.13 5.75 6.05 5.68 5.68 2.69 2.76 2.67 2.75 0.5500 0.5800 0.5300 0.5400 1.2600 1.2800 1.2400 1.2400 0.0093 0.0096 0.0093 0.0096 3.35 3.40 3.35 3.35 5.75 6.22 5.92 6.01 1.69 1.69 1.65 1.68 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 125.10 126.60 125.20 126.00 2.37 2.4 2.3 2.34 PREFERRED 55.5 55.5 54.05 54.95 544 538 526 538 527 527 527 527 6.52 6.52 6.52 6.52 1061 1061 1061 1061 80.15 82 80.15 82 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.05 76.5 76.5 76.5 77.1 77.5 77 77 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.520 2.780 2.450 2.710 SME 3.77 3.69 2.4 3.56 3 3.1 3 3 2.55 2.55 2.5 2.55 14.12 15.4 14.16 15.4 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 113 113.5 112.7 112.7

T op g ainerS STOCKS

Low

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

1.05 0.00 -1.16 1.90 0.00 4.35 -0.65 -0.78 -0.67 -1.55 0.00 0.83 0.00 -2.05 1.98 -2.34 6.25 0.90 -2.91 -1.53

39,763,000 1,160,000 2,370,000 2,340,900 236,000 14,682,000 27,968,000 64,000 4,000 23,729,000 640,000 21,600 2,353,800 303,000 1,000 9,044,300 16,853,000 11,700 1,679,000 9,942,000

-37,767,250.00

-0.30 1.27 0.88 0.00 -0.18 2.53 0.00 -1.57 2.08 0.00 -2.23 -5.96 0.31 -1.41 -0.15 -0.83 -5.20 -1.83 0.00 0.00 0.13 3.27 1.82 0.39 -2.05 7.66 6.67 -3.64 1.41 -0.58 -1.94 1.01 0.45 -2.07 0.00 -2.11 1.50 0.32 -1.29 -1.79 2.00 12.58 0.00 4.69 0.00

73,400 55,820 50,000 170,000 1,500 7,421,000 44,600,000 113,000 757,850 1,400 74,900 2,000 3,270 57,130 104,200 110,000 1,911,970 88,740,000 843,000 15,000 12,000 2,146,000 9,000 135,000 5,000 70,534,000 5,320,000 210,000 1,996,000 4,500 2,000 80 3,370,200 158,205 1,090,000 54,317,000 5,365,400 4,374,070 2,439,300 4,218,000 2,155,000 40,000 3,434,000 20,000 21,000

-2.17 -4.00 1.90 6.67 1.22 3.39 0.00 0.40 1.43 1.79 5.08 10.00 0.00 7.69 5.97 -1.22 2.23 -1.82 -1.59 3.23 0.00 4.52 -0.59 0.00 0.72 -1.27

90,000,000 185,000 1,318,000 -1,973,520.00 21,800 420,000 1,497,000 -11,200.00 250,000 -13,050.00 41,000 24,214,000 1,846,600.00 120,000 311,860,000 77,060,000 13,030,050.00 43,200,000 97,200,000 1,432,000 -87,010.00 8,206,100 4,042,328.00 193,000 335,000 2,625,000 -3,810.00 17,000,000 55,000 9,478,500 -14,063,120.00 1,059,000 23,240.00 8,200,000 382,390 -9,828,740.00 69,000

-0.99 -1.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.31 0.00 0.59 -0.13

77,370 15,200 160 100 1,030 6,090 300 300 134,450

7.54

1,665,000

-5.57 0.00 0.00 9.07

661,000 6,000 177,000 5,435,300

-0.27

5,070,573,308

-12,750.00 17,237,895.00 -503,780.00 -12,724,860.00 6,350.00 5,639,800.00 32,076,175.00 157,430.00 -67,080,990.00 64,200.00 15,000.00 1,531,790.00

19,740,590.00 -10,947,190.50

-3,043,200.00 -18,655,455.00 60,000.00 -40,597,104.50 -34,450.00 120,000.00 23,020.00 152,800.00 -77,100.00 -6,640,870.00 2,661,860.00

-8,000.00 11,330,245.00 -88,899,465.00 -21,954,520.00 -39,005,215.00 -30,828,741.00 -218,415.00 564,910.00 -4,923,840.00 87,400.00

-1,949,305.00

847,000.00

526,130.00 46,667,592.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Da Vinci Capital

5.36

29.16

Easy Call "Common"

3.00

-5.96

Liberty Flour

32.50

25.00

TKC Steel Corp.

1.11

-5.93

Transpacific Broadcast

1.7

12.58

Alterra Capital

3.56

-5.57

Lepanto `B'

0.330

10.00

I.C.T.S.I.

61.05

-5.20

Xurpas

15.4

9.07

C. Azuc De Tarlac

180.00

-4.26

Manila Mining `B'

0.014

7.69

LBC Express

9.1

-4.21

Melco Crown

2.39

7.66

Apex `A'

2.16

-4.00

LR Warrant

2.710

7.54

MG Holdings

0.265

-3.64

Solid Group Inc.

1.07

7.00

Trans-Asia Oil

2.25

-3.43

Atok-Big Wedge `A'

12.80

6.67

Pacifica `A'

0.0300

-3.23

SATURDAY: MARCH 5, 2016

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

B3

Stock market corrects; peso up THE stock market fell Friday on profit-taking to snap a three-day rally, after the index nearly touched the 7,000-point mark the day before.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 64.37 points, or 0.9 percent, to 6,899.07 on a value turnover of P6.9 billion. Gainers, however, edged losers, 90 to 83, with 42 issues unchanged.

The peso on Friday posted a two-month high against the US dollar, gaining P0.14 to close at 46.945 from 47.08 Thursday.

It was the peso’s strongest level since 46.89 on Jan. 5, 2016.

Total volume traded reached $649.75 million, lower than $962.5 million a day ago.

Nicholas Antonio Mapa, research officer of the Ayala-controlled Bank of the Philippine Islands, said earlier the peso was tracking the movement of regional currencies, with the Chinese yuan leading the way.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which has investments in toll roads, water and electricity distribution and hospitals, declined 2.1 percent to P5.70, while Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., the biggest telecommunications firm, lost 2.1 percent to P1,797.

SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy, fell 3 percent to P910, while International Container Terminal Services Inc., the largest port operator, tumbled 5.2 percent to P61.05.

Dealers, meanwhile, edged up in Asia on Friday, ending an upbeat week across global trading floors on a high, with focus turning to a key US jobs report and the start of China’s annual policy gathering.

After the miserable start to the year for investors, March has so far been a ray of sunshine thanks to some positive US data and Beijing’s decision to ease monetary policy.

A pick-up in oil prices— which in January were near 13-year lows below $30 a barrel—has also provided some stability, with energy firms breathing a sigh of relief.

“US data continues to shine, oil continues to firm and risk appetite is coming back into all aspects of the markets,” Angus Nicholson, market analyst at IG in Melbourne, wrote in an email to clients.

Tokyo’s Nikkei ended 0.3 percent higher, while Hong Kong added 1.1 percent in the afternoon.

Shanghai closed 0.5 percent higher and Sydney 0.2 percent. Singapore and Wellington enjoyed big gains but Seoul dipped 0.1 percent.

With AFP, Julito G. Rada

ICTSI award. International Container Terminal Services Inc. wins a Silver Anvil from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines for its

publication, MICT Terminal Safety Guide. The guide is given to visitors, contractors and truck operators transacting at ICTSI’s flagship, the Manila International Container Terminal. Receiving the trophy in ceremonies at the Shangri La Makati hotel are (from left) Henry Dy, safety inspector; Marie Annalie Marfil, assistant public relations manager; John Paolo Siat, public relations officer; Anthony Villanueva, creative consultant; Jocelyn Badoy, publications consultant; Joyce Racoma, PRO; Serge Hingzon, safety superintendent; and Dexter Landicho, PRO.

Fitch Ratings says big PH banks solid

By Julito G. Rada

GLOBAL debt watcher Fitch Ratings said Friday big banks in the Philippines will be able to comply with the liquidity coverage ratio, a new Basel 3 rule recently adopted

by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, because of their strong financial status.

“Major universal and commercial banks in the Philippines should be well-positioned to meet new Basel 3 liquidity rule...

Ample domestic system liquidity, and banks’ balance sheets being mostly funded by deposits, are positive structural factors that will help banks comply with upcoming Liquidity Coverage Ratio requirements,” it said.

“Nonetheless, those with relatively large pools of corporate deposits will have a greater reason to pursue retail deposits more aggressively, and long-term debt issuance may rise,” it said.

Bangko Sentral announced on March 1 new rules requiring universal and commercial banks to meet an LCR of 90 percent by Jan. 1, 2018, rising to 100 percent by Jan. 1, 2019.

However, Fitch said aside from meeting the overall requirement, banks would likely need to monitor their LCRs for certain currencies where they have significant activity as well. It said the US dollar could be one such currency for many banks, other than the peso.

The new rule aims to strengthen the ability of individual banks to withstand short-term liquidity shocks. It seeks to ensure that banks hold sufficient cash and other high-quality liquid assets to meet their liquidity needs—including potential deposit withdrawals—under a 30-day stress scenario.

“System liquidity is healthy in the Philippines, as evident in the reported banking system loan-to-deposit ratio of 70.7 percent and liquid assets-to-deposits of 53.5 percent at end-2015. Banks’ surplus funds are often invested in peso or US dollar-denominated Philippine government bonds, which would typically qualify as high-quality liquid assets under the LCR framework—for US dollar bonds as long as they back US dollar liabilities,” Fitch said.

And although more detailed guidelines have yet to be published, Fitch’s internal estimates for its rated banks indicate broadly that most of the top 10 domestic banks should comfortably meet the LCR rules, based on the last available annual reports.

“That said, loan growth has exceeded deposit and M3 liquidity growth over the last five years, and system liquidity would tighten gradually if this dynamic were to continue. Against this backdrop, the LCR regime will enforce an added layer of balance-sheet discipline on the Philippine universal and commercial banks, in addition to existing conservative regulatory hurdles on capital,” it said.

SATURDAY: MARCH 5, 2016

B4

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

IN BRIEF Masinloc expansion MASINLOC Power Partners Co. Ltd.

held a groundbreaking ceremony to signal the start of construction of a 335-megawatt coal-fired power plant, an expansion of the existing 630-MW coal station in Zambales province.

Masinloc Power is jointly owned by AES Philippines, a unit of AES Corp. of the US (51 percent), Electricity Generating Public Co. Ltd. of Thailand (40.95 percent), and International Finance Corp. (8.05 percent).

“The expansion unit will be one of the first facilities in the Philippines, along with Egco’s San Buenaventura plant, to utilize the supercritical boiler technology leading to higher efficiency and significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions in comparison to traditional sub-critical boiler technology,” Egco president Chanin Chaonirattsai disclosed to the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Friday.

Egco also owns a 49-percent stake in San Buenaventura Power Ltd.Co., the project company of the 500-MW coal power plant in Mauban, Quezon, which is currently under construction.

Alena Mae S. Flores

2 PAL airlines eye China Express and Air Asia Philippines

plan to expand their respective operations to Beijing under an air transport agreement between Asean and China.

The Civil Aeronautics Board said PAL Express and Air Asia Philippines filed separate applications for designation as official Philippine carrier under the air transport agreement.

The agreement aims to increase tourist traffic and trade between member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian nations and China.

“Parties opposed to the granting of this application must file their written opposition... Failure on the part of any party to register its opposition shall be construed as a waiver of its right to be heard,” CAB said.

Data from the Tourism Department showed Chinese visitors to the Philippines climbed 24.3 percent in 2015 to 490,841 from 394,951 in 2014.

Visitors from Asean countries rose 4.4 percent to 481,567 last year from 461,486 visitors in 2014.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Southeast Asia’s biggest. Helios Solar Energy Corp. inaugurates Friday its 132.5-megawatt solar generation facility in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, the largest in Southeast Asia. Helios developed the project through a partnership with Gregorio Araneta Inc. and Soleq, the market leader in the solar PV industry in the Philippines and one of Southeast Asia’s largest solar independent power producers. The project also followed the partnership’s first solar project—a 30-MW solar generation facility in Ormoc, Leyte, which was commissioned in April 2015.

SC decision alarms oil exploration firms

Govt debt hits P5.9t By Alena Mae S. Flores THE national government’s outstanding debt as of the end-January rose 2.6 percent to P5.90 trillion from P5.75 trillion year-on-year on increased foreign borrowings, the Treasury said Friday.

Data showed that local debt fell 0.1 percent year-on-year in January to P3.824 trillion from P3.828 trillion. The domestic debt accounted for the bulk of the national government’s borrowings, or 64.8 percent.

“For January, the decrease in domestic obligations was due to the net redemption of government securities amounting to P60.57 billion, offsetting the P300-billion upward adjustment in the peso value of foreign currency domestic liabilities due to peso depreciation,” the Treasury said.

External debt, meanwhile, jumped 7.9 percent to P2.076 trillion in January from P1.923 trillion on year. The endJanuary figure was 0.3 percent or P5.91 billion higher than the end-2015 level of P2.070 trillion.

“The increment in external obligations was due to the impact of peso weakness on dollar-denominated debt that raised the peso value by P23.49 billion,” the Treasury said. Gabrielle H. Binaday

Bad loans low—BSP THE gross non-performing loans or

“soured loans” of local banks remain low despite the increase in their total loan portfolio, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

The gross non-performing loans ratio of universal and commercial banks stood at 1.75 percent of their total loan portfolio as of end-November 2015, lower than 1.77 percent a month ago.

“The U/KBs’ NPL ratio improved slightly from the 1.77 percent recorded at end-October last year as the banks’ TLP rose at a slightly faster pace than their gross NPLs month-on-month. The industry’s NPL ratio has been below 2 percent since November 2014,” Bangko Sentral said in a statement.

Lending by U/KBs in November expanded by 1.6 percent month-onmonth to P5.44 trillion. The U/KBs’ gross NPLs, meanwhile, rose by 0.9 percent to P95.37 billion during the period.

While the U/KB industry maintained a low NPL ratio, U/KBs continued to set aside adequate reserves for potential credit losses. At end-November last year, the industry provisioned for 139.98 percent of its gross NPLs. The NPL coverage ratio stood at 140.97 percent a month earlier. Julito G. Rada

OIL exploration companies in the Philippines expressed concern over a ruling of the Supreme Court nullifying a contract signed between the government and a Japanese company.

The Philippine Petroleum Association of the Upstream Industry (Oil and Gas) Inc. aired its position against the court decision that effectively stopped the exploration, development and exploitation of petroleum resources within Tañon Strait between the islands of Negros and Cebu.

The PAP sent a letter to Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada last month after the court favorably acted on the petition of the Resi-

dent Marine Mammals of the Protected Seascape Tañon Strait.

PAP chairman Rufino Bomasang and PAP president Sebastian Quiniones Jr. warned the government on the implications of the ruling on oil and gas exploration in the Philippines.

“The PAP is gravely concerned of the potential implications of the Resident Marine case. It signifies that all service contracts entered into by the government

of the Republic of the Philippines with foreign-owned corporations involving either technical or financial assistance for large –scale exploration, development and utilization of petroleum, but signed only by the Secretary of the Department of Energy, not by the President, are null and void for being unconstitutional,” the group said.

PAP, composed of foreign and local oil and gas players, said the execution of a service contract with foreign-owned corporations was a contractual undertaking by the state and “is not one of those exceptional circumstances that requires the personal action of the President.”

It said the ruling would unduly burden the President to engage

in the nuances of the specialized field, which should be left to a specialized body like the department.

PAP said the contractor who relied on good faith on the representation of the government that the signature of the Energy Secretary was sufficient “should not be prejudiced.”

The group said the service contracts signed by the energy secretary were rendering services and spent millions on their respective projects and the government also benefited from.

“Therefore, such service contracts, which are executed in good faith with foreign corporations and are already being implemented, should not be nullified without being given the chance to be rectified,” PAP said.

Grab’s request to offer motorcycle services rejected

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Transportation Department rejected the request of Grab Philippines to offer motorcycle and bike services as alternative public transportation modes.

The department in a letter reply to Grab Philippines on Feb. 26 February reiterated that motorcycles and bikes were not considered public transport for safety reasons. The government said the services were not also in line with the policy of shifting to higher capacity public transport system, especially in dense urban areas.

The department said while Grab Philippines presented the

safety and security features of motorcycles as an emerging type of public transportation service, bike riders were still the most vulnerable road users on national streets.

A 2014 study showed about 28 percent of motor vehicle accidents involved motorcycles.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System database showed motorcycles had the highest fatality accident rate in Metro Manila from January to November 2015. Out of the 696 road fatalities recorded in that period, 236 were due to motorcycle accidents.

“Our main objective is to pro-

vide the commuters safe, reliable and convenient transport system; recognizing motorcycles as ‘for hire service’ or a form of public transport doesn’t fit into the policy framework of the department,” LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said.

The department has been introducing various ways to solve congestion by reducing vehicles on the road. One solution LTFRB has been doing is the launching of premier point-to-point bus services that can be availed by all commuters.

“The board remains firm in exercising our authority to regulate land-based public transportation, we will not tolerate trans-

port operators to provide transport service using motorcycles or bikes until we have set the proper guidelines and regulations,” Ginez added.

To date, there is no department order of policy that covers the operation of a motorcycle or bike services through the use of an Internet-based technology platform to facilitate a pre-arranged transportation for passengers.

GrabBike driver Mon Carlo Gaya on Wednesday was apprehended by the board when he accepted a booking reserved by Ginez, confirming that despite a cease-and -desist Order, GrabBike continues to provide the bike service.

S at u r D aY : M a r c h 5 , 2 0 1 6

B5

ceSar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world ‘Trump scaring the market’ NEW YORK—At first glance, Donald Trump is everything Wall Street likes a billionaire whose real estate empire has provided huge business for banks, and whose luxury towers house the rich and famous.

N. Korea orders arsenal readied SEOUL—Leader Kim JongUn has ordered North Korea’s nuclear arsenal to be readied for preemptive use at any time, in an expected escalation of military rhetoric following the UN Security Council’s adoption of tough new sanctions on Pyongyang.

The North’s nuclear warheads must be deployed “on standby so as to be fired at any moment,” Kim was quoted as saying by the North’s official KCNA news agency on Friday.

He also warned that the situation on the divided Korean peninsula had become so dangerous that the North needed to shift its military strategy to one of “preemptive attack”.

Such bel licose rhetoric is a l most rout i ne for Nor t h Korea at t i mes of elevated tensions.

While the North is known to have a small stockpile of nuclear warheads, experts are divided about its ability to mount them on a working missile delivery system.

Washington downplayed Kim’s threat as posturing.

“We have not seen North Korea test or demonstrate the ability to miniaturize a nuclear weapon and put it on an ICBM [intercontinental ballistic missile],” a US defense official told AFP. Still, the official added, “our forces are ready to counter-eliminate strikes if necessary”. AFP

Premiere. Actress Nichole Bloom attends the premiere of Columbia Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures’ ‘The Brothers Grimsby’ at the Regency Village Theater on March 3, 2016, in Westwood, California. AFP

But his surprise success in the fight to win the Republican nomination for the US presidency has sent a chill over the heart of American capitalism.

The list of fears runs long: As president Trump could launch a trade war with China; he could increase the taxes on the rich; he could interfere with the Federal Reserve over monetary policy; the White House’s relations with Congress could break down completely.

“He scares the markets. He is a big uncertainty,” said Greg Valliere, chief strategist for Horizon Investments. “The market does not like uncertainty.”

Businesses are disconcerted by the off-thecuff comments Trump renders about crucial business and economic issues almost daily since hitting the campaign trail last year.

On one side, he has denounced the huge salaries for chief executives, the greed of bankers and the tax advantages that benefit wealthy Wall Street fund managers.

He has menaced the huge population of undocumented immigrants that effectively keeps up the supply of low-wage workers for US businesses.

He attacks China and Japan for manipulating their currencies for trade advantage and threatens to start a trade war with China. At the same time, he has declared his opposition to two huge free-trade accords spanning the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

He has even leveled attacks at the titans of US businesses such as Ford and Apple because they manufacture outside the country as well as inside.

But on the other hand, Trump courts US industry leaders with promises of business tax cuts. He also praises the skills of fellow billionaire Carl Icahn, one of Wall Street’s most successful activist investors, who stands out as one of Trump’s few vocal backers on Wall Street.

“He doesn’t fit into any particular economic mold, he’s not a traditional conservative like Ronald Reagan,” said Mark Perry of the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank.

“His platform is really kind of a mixed bag of populist and isolationist types of policies that, he knows, will appeal to a lot of uninformed people.” AFP

25 dead in South Sudan UN camp attack NAIROBI—At least 25 people were massacred and 120 wounded when gunmen in army uniforms attacked then torched a UN camp that was sheltering civilians in South Sudan last month, the UN said Friday.

The updated toll comes two weeks after the two-day gun battle inside the camp in the northeastern town of Malakal, with a report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs detailing the failure of peace keepers to protect the civilians sheltering at the base.

Over 47,000 people lived in the camp after fleeing for safety

from a civil war that broke out in December 2013. The UN has said the attack was a possible war crime.

Reports of troops in government army uniforms storming the camp and “firing on civilians” were “credible”, OCHA said, contradicting initial UN claims that the fighting was between tribal “youths”.

“About 3,700 families’ shelters were destroyed or damaged during the fighting and fires, along with multiple humanitarian facilities, including clinics, water tankers, nutrition centres and schools,” OCHA reported.

Residents say 46 people were killed in the February 17-18 attack,

while the UN has now updated to 25 an earlier toll of 18.

Those killed include three aid workers, two of them South Sudanese health workers for medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF). One was murdered as he administered care, MSF said.

“Other people who tried to put out fires or help the wounded were deliberately targeted and shot,” said MSF, which treated 46 people for bullet wounds.

Residents say some were burned to death in the deliberate fires that razed sections of the camp, where civilians lived in segregated ethnic plots to dampen tribal tensions. AFP

Disappearing lake. Indian shepherds walk with their sheep in the dried up Osman Sagar Lake, commonly known as Gandipet, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. AFP

B6

s at u r D aY : M a r c h 5 , 2 0 1 6

WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

Peace keepers accused of rape UNITED NATIONS— The United Nations is reporting a “deeply concerning” increase in allegations of sex abuse by its peace keepers, with 69 claims last year against troops from 21 countries.

A much-awaited report by UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon obtained by AFP on Thursday provides, for the first time, the nationalities of the troops facing the allegations.

First on the “name and shame” list was the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose troops faced seven allegations, followed by Morocco and South Africa, each hit with four accusations.

Most of the allegations involved troops from African countries: Cameroon, Congo, Tanzania, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Gabon, Niger, Nigeria and Togo.

Police from Rwanda, Ghana, Madagascar and Senegal also faced claims.

Peacekeeping police from Canada and Germany as well as soldiers from Moldova and Slovakia were also accused of sexual abuse or exploitation while serving as UN peace keepers.

Two UN missions accounted for the majority of claims: the MINUSCA force in the Central African Republic and MINUSCO in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but there were also cases in Ivory Coast and Mali.

“This increase in the number of allegations is deeply concerning,” said the report, to be formally released on Friday.

The 69 allegations represent a “marked increase” from 52 in 2014 and 66 the previous year.

At least 22 children were sexually abused by peace keepers, according to the report, but that figure may be higher as the age of the victims was not always determined.

None of last year’s cases have yet resulted in criminal prosecution, though a Canadian police officer who served in Haiti was given a nine-day suspension. AFP

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION (PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG) Region 8, Tacloban City Office Address:

NIA Road, Marasbaras Tacloban City, Philippines www.nia.gov.ph

Website:

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION (PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG) Region 3

Tel. No. (632) 323-7596 TIN 000-916-415

INVITATION TO BID No. 09-2016 The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Region 8, Marasbaras, Tacloban City through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), hereby invites Domestic Contractors, registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), to bid for the hereunder contracts. Bids received in excess of ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Item/Description

Approved Budget for Contract (Php)

Duration

1. MPBRIS Contract #12-2016 Rehabilitation of Mainit Diversion Dam, Mainit RIS, Alangalang, Leyte

7,765,315.41

280 cd

2. MPBRIS Contract #13-2016– Construction of Canal Lining and Structures, Mainit RIS, Alangalang, Leyte

7,278,754.63

280 cd

3. MPBRIS Contract #14-2016– Construction of Canal Lining and Structures, Mainit RIS, Alangalang, Leyte

19,028,831.19

300 cd

4. MPBRIS Contract #15-2016– Construction of Canal Lining and Structures, Mainit RIS, Alangalang, Leyte

7,001,640.72

280 cd

The Prospective Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project whose value must be at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of republic Act 9184 (R.A. 9184), otherwise known as the “Government procurement Reform Act”.

Prospective Bidders are not allowed to participate if they have negative slippage in their on-going contracts. Individuals with Special Power of Attorney (SPA) are not allowed to transact and participate in the procurement utilizing another construction firm. The pre-bid conference shall be open only for those who have purchased the Bid documents.

The schedule of BAC activities are as follows: BAC Activities

Schedule

Time

Starting February 19, 2016

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Pre-bid Conference

February 25, 2016

10:00a.m.

Receipt and Opening of Bids

March 8, 2016

2:00 p.m.

1.

Issuance of Bid Documents

2.

3.

The BAC will issue a complete set of Bidding Documents to eligible bidders from the address above and upon payment of non-refundable amount of P25,000.00 for package #3, P10,000.00 for package #1, 2 & 4 to the Cashier.

The NIA reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

(SGD) GLORIA A. SEVILLA BAC Chairman

Noted: (SGD) ROMEO G. QUIZA Regional Manager

(TS-MAR. 5, 2016)

Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office Office Address: Telephone Nos. Email Address:

Website:

NIA Road, Marasbaras Tacloban City, Philippines www.nia.gov.ph

March 3, 2016

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office (BANE IMO) Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, through its Bids and Award Committee (BAC), invites Contractors to bid for: ITB No.R3-BANE-RRECIS-2016-NE-52 SAN FERNANDO CIS Laur, Nueva Ecija. The Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P9,319,180.90 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P 9,000.00 ITB No.R3-BANE-RRENIS-2016-BU-53 ANGAT RIS (AMRIS) Improvement of Various Irrigation Facilities located at Baliwag, Bustos and Bocaue, Bulacan. The Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 14,225,551.88 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P 14,000.00 Only those, Letter of Intent together with the company profile, submitted by the owner or its authorized liaison officer will be accepted.

Interested bidders must have experience in undertaking similar project within the last three (3) years with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed project for bidding.

Any bid above the ABC as stated above each ITB shall be rejected outright.

Issuance of Bid Documents; (upon payment of non-refundable amount as stated above each ITB)

March 5, 2016 @ 10:00 AM NIA BANE, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan

Schedule of Activities; NIA, BANE IMO

Pre-Bidding

ITB No. R3-BANE-RRENIS-2016-BU-52 ITB No. R3-BANE-RRENIS-2016-BU-53

SGD.ROBERTO J. DELA CRUZ Chairman – BAC (TS-MAR.5, 2016)

Office Address: Website:

NIA Road, Marasbaras Tacloban City, Philippines www.nia.gov.ph

Tel. No. (632) 323-7596 TIN 000-916-415

INVITATION TO BID No. 10-2016

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Region 8, Marasbaras, Tacloban City through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), hereby invites Domestic Contractors, registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), to bid for the hereunder contracts. Bids received in excess of ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Approved Budget for Contract (Php)

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Region 8, Marasbaras, Tacloban City through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), hereby invites Domestic Contractors, registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), to bid for the hereunder contracts. Bids received in excess of ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Item/Description

Approved Budget for Contract (Php)

Duration

1. MPBRIS Contract #17-2016– Construction of Canal Lining, Mainit RIS, Alangalang, Leyte

8,853,198.97

280 cd

2. MPBRIS Contract #18-2016– Construction of Canal Lining along Lat. & Protection Dike of Tubog Check Struc., Alangalang, Leyte

24,973,021.13

300 cd

3. MPBRIS Contract #19-2016– Construction of Canal Lining and Structures, Mainit RIS, Alangalang, Leyte

5,624,159.30

280 cd

3. MPBRIS Contract #35-2016– Construction of Canal Lining, Mainit RIS, Alangalang, Leyte

4,526,284.17

260 cd

4. BHHDRIS Contract #27-2016– Repair of Embankment/ Protection Dike, HindangHilongos RIS, Hindang, Leyte

7,260,576.84

280 cd

Duration

1. Borongan CIPContract #01-2016– Construction of Diversion, Works (Completion of Main Structures), Borongan, Eastern Samar

47,710,444.83

300 cd

2. Borongan CIP Contract #02-2016– Construction of Protection Works, Borongan, Eastern Samar

9,295,099.15

180 cd

3. Sulat CIP Contract #01-2016– Construction of Diversion Works and Concrete Canal Lining, Sulat, Eastern Samar

22,679,952.55

300 cd

4. BHHDRIS Contract #33-2016– Improvement of Check Structures, Bito RIS, Abuyog, Leyte

1,639,410.87

180 cd

5. BIGRIS Contract #11-2016– Repair of Diversion Works, Canal Lining and Canal Structures of Gibuga RIS, Macarthur, Leyte

1,725,609.07

180 cd

The Prospective Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project whose value must be at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of republic Act 9184 (R.A. 9184), otherwise known as the “Government procurement Reform Act”.

Prospective Bidders are not allowed to participate if they have negative slippage in their on-going contracts. Individuals with Special Power of Attorney (SPA) are not allowed to transact and participate in the procurement utilizing another construction firm. The pre-bid conference shall be open only for those who have purchased the Bid documents.

The Prospective Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project whose value must be at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of republic Act 9184 (R.A. 9184), otherwise known as the “Government procurement Reform Act”.

Prospective Bidders are not allowed to participate if they have negative slippage in their on-going contracts. Individuals with Special Power of Attorney (SPA) are not allowed to transact and participate in the procurement utilizing another construction firm. The pre-bid conference shall be open only for those who have purchased the Bid documents.

The schedule of BAC activities are as follows: BAC Activities 1. Issuance of Bid Documents

Schedule Starting February 19, 2016

Time 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 Pm.

2. Pre-bid Conference

February 26, 2016

10:00a.m.

3. Receipt and Opening of Bids

March 10, 2016

2:00 p.m.

The BAC will issue a complete set of Bidding Documents to eligible bidders from the address above and upon payment of non-refundable amount of P25,000.00 for package #02, P10,000.00 for package #01 & #03, P5,000.00 for package #04 & #05 to the Cashier.

The NIA reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

(SGD) ROMEO G. QUIZA Regional Manager

March 10, 2016 March 22, 2016 1:00 PM 10:30 AM 2:00 PM 11:30 AM

The NIA-BANE assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of bids. Also, NIA reserves the right to reject any or all bids at any time prior to award, waive any defects therein and to declare the bidding a failure for whatever reasons it may deem appropriate.

INVITATION TO BID No. 011-2016

Noted:

Submission Opening of Bids

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION (PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG) Region 8, Tacloban City

Tel. No. (632) 323-7596 TIN 000-916-415

Item/Description

Telefax No. (044) 766-3888 TIN 000-578-009-000

INVITATION TO BID

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION (PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG) Region 8, Tacloban City Office Address:

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-3888/766-4142/766-0157/766-3524 niabaneimoafs@yahoo.com/niabaneimo_om@yahoo.com niabaneimo_es@yahoo.com

(SGD) GLORIA A. SEVILLA BAC Chairman

(TS-MAR. 5, 2016)

1.

2.

3.

The schedule of BAC activities are as follows: BAC Activities Schedule Time Issuance of Bid Documents Starting February 19, 2016 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Pre-bid Conference February 25, 2016 10:00a.m.

Receipt and Opening of Bids March 9, 2016 2:00 p.m.

The BAC will issue a complete set of Bidding Documents to eligible bidders from the address above and upon payment of non-refundable amount of P25,000.00 for package #2, P10,000.00 for package #1, 3, 4 & 5 to the Cashier.

The NIA reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

(SGD) GLORIA A. SEVILLA BAC Chairman

Noted: (SGD)ROMEO G. QUIZA Regional Manager

(TS-MAR. 5, 2016)

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PROPERTY

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR

jdlacsamana@gmail.com

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RULES FOR HLURB-LISTED

PROJECT UP

C

Bridging real estate worlds. Philippine Realty TV (PRTV), recently launched its own brokerage arm, “Realty Emporium”, to respond to the changing needs of property developers and buyers. With mushrooming property developments, the need for a platform that connects both developers and their targeted buyers, or tenants, has become more pronounced than ever. “Realty Emporium offers a platform where real estate companies can connect better with a larger, more diverse audience, and thus sell their properties to a market that fits their requirements,” said PRTV CEO and Executive Producer John Aguilar (shown in photo). Using Realty Emporium, property developers can offer their brands to the market and for sellers of secondary high-end properties, and have their properties rise above the clutter. Realty Emporium deals is the first made-for-TV and mobile flash deals for the real estate industry.

Realty Emporium’s exclusive listings features a collection of high-end properties being offered in partnership with broker partners.

AT OSHDP FORUM

ompliance issues with revised rules requiring the completion of one year of all projects registered with the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), will be tackled on March 11 at the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP) forum in Baguio City.

To be held at the Azalea Hotel and Residences, the event is open to interested stakeholders involved not only in residential projects, but also in commercial, farm lot, and industrial subdivision projects. All are required to be registered with HLURB. Atty. Antonio M. Bernardo, HLURB commissioner and chief executive officer, has been invited as the resource speaker, said John Bryan Vital, OSHDP director and in-charge of business meetings.

George Richard F. Siton, OSHDP president, cited that the revised rules, contained in HLURB Board Res. 926, and implemented by Memorandum Circular No. 03, issued last February 14, will allow on-going projects to apply within ninety (90) days to develop and complete such projects, as a transitory provision.

Unlike the previous policy of allowing developers to apply for extension of time to complete the projects every year, the amended rules will fix the time of completion based on the developer’s approved program of development, Siton said.

Christopher Ryan T. Tan, OSHDP chairman, added that the forum coincides with the OSHDP’s chapter formation in Northern Luzon, and is part of the OSHDP’s service to its members and other real estate industry stakeholders.

The OSHDP Secretariat can be reached at (02) 721-0039; (02) 9948092; (02) 997-5705 (telefax) or via e-mail: oshdp11@gmail.com

Within the rules. Projects that will be tackled at the OSHDP forum to nail down compliance issues, include residential subdivisions and condominium projects. Shown in photo from the last OSHDP meeting in Davao City, are (from left to right): Maryline Lim; Marcelino Mendoza,;Atty.

Christopher Ryan Tan; Carlito Dublan; Atty. Antonio M. Bernardo; Engr.

George Richard Siton; and John Bryan Vital.

Sterling job. P. A. Properties recently recognized the firm’s top sales performers during its Brokers’ Awards Night held at the Villa Leonila 2 in Binan City, Laguna. Granwood sales division managing director Victor Bayais Jr. (fourth from left) romped off with the top award, receiving his accolade from P.A. Builders president Peter Jude Alvarez himself. Also at the event were (from left): P.A. Properties president Jonathan Lu; chairman of the board Romarico Alvarez,; sales and marketing consultant Ma. Luisa Alvarez; and senior vice president for sales and marketing Florlita Tabuzo. The company’s 2016 sales kickoff was also held at the same event.

Hitting the sweet spot. Up-and-coming developer Ovialand, Inc.

Mid-market player. NorthPine Land, Inc. is fast becoming one of the industry’s major players for the

mid-market level. It is building several projects in Cavite, Laguna, Antipolo City and Pasig City. These include Greenwoods, Wind Crest, Kahaya Place and Kohana Grove in Cavite (Shown in photo); South Hampton in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Forest Ridge in San Isidro, Antipolo Cty; and Lexington in San Joaquin, Pasig City. With these projects and more to come soon, NorthPine Land is definitely making ripples in the bustling local property scene.

is pulling all the stops to ensure that its maiden project, Terrazza de Sto. Tomas, a sprawling 5.8 hectare property in Batangas province, is a success when it hits the ground running. The project offers three model units, Amore, single-detached, 99 sqm; Dolce (Shown in photo) duplex, 75 sqm; and Bacci Quad, 65-86 sqm. Each unit has its own mini garden and laid out in such a way that its residents feel an ambience of exclusivity.The gated community also shares a clubhouse, recreational court, and landscaped pocket gardens. Ovialand is currently offering competitive packages and professional financing assistance to ensure a seamless sale.

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JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR jdlacsamana@gmail.com

PROPERTY

Lithium batteries best for hotter climates? Jocelyn Sta. Ana, EISSI president, says their technology sets the bar for mass housing solar power systems.

LITHIUM BATTERIES POWER SOLAR SYSTEMS FOR HOUSES

By Joel D. Lacsamana Tired of high electricity bills?

Enfinity Imperial Solar Solutions, Inc. (EISSI) launched this week the eSaver 3000, a 24/7 residential package that includes a 1.5 kilowatt-peak (kWp) solar solution with a 2.9 kilowatthour (kWh) lithium battery.

In a launch-demonstration for the media held at the Hillsborough Homes Village in Paranaque, the system claimed a longer life span and bigger capacity than traditional lead acid batteries, which means a mor reliable and affordable opition for powering solar rooftops. eSaver 3000 is actually part of an overall eSaver System which includes 24/7 residential packages for households of various sizes.

“We hope that this would pave the way for ending homeowners’ dependence on grid power,” said Jocelyn Sta. Ana, EISSI president.

Enfinity Imperial Solar Solutions, Inc. (EISSI) is a joint venture between Imperial Homes Corp. and the Belgian company Enfinity.

The company recently launched the country’s first 24-hour solarpowered mass housing projects in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, and Rosmont Heights in Legazpi City, Albay.

Saves money Sta. Ana said eSaver 3000 can

produce between 180 kilowatthour (kwh) up to 278kwh per month. The energy generated by the system may offset the homeowner’s electric bill by as much as Php1,800 up to Php3,300 monthly, based on Php10-12 per kwh rate.

“Investors may calculate an investment yield of between 7 to 13 percent, assuming conservatively that the electricity rate is constant. It is an effective and excellent money saver,” explained Sta. Ana. She added that eSaver also helps protect the environment. “Every 1.5kWp installation equates to 1900kg carbon emission avoided yearly. This is equivalent to planting 308 square-meters of forest,” she said.

New battery Nickel and lead acid batteries are the most common energy storage for solar solutions available for offgrid renewable systems. But these are being gradually phased out due to high production costs, and its effect on the environment.

Sta. Ana acknowledged that lithium batteries may be expensive at first, but have superior qualities and capabilities compared to a typical lead acid battery.

A typical lead acid battery lasts up to 500-1000 charge and

MOVIE-WATCHING IN STYLE IN METRO SOUTH

discharge cycles, while a lithium battery would last up to at least 3,000 cycles. Lead acid battery usually lasts from 2-3 years only.

A lithium battery can last for at least five years. With good battery management, its lifespan could be extended from 10 to 15 years, Sta. Ana said.

“There is currently no perfect solution for anything, but lithium batteries present better cost of ownership in a number of applications, specifically in hotter climates like Philippines,” she explained.

Financing options Sta. Ana said several financial institutions have are financing renewable solutions for consumers. Among them are BPI, BPI Family Bank, BDO, Landbank, Pag-Ibig, and Producer’s Bank, which provide different funding mechanisms on how the solar solution may be purchased.

The Batangas and Bicol housing projects launched by EISSI, called Via Verde, are a mix of row and two-bedroom townhouses Homebuyers may avail of the house and lot packages and the solar solution that can produce up to 4 kwh per day.

EISSI is targeting about 5,000 solar-powered homes in the next three years.

Feeling every jolt, poke, tilt. 4D cinema technology, MX4D seats and Dolby Atmos audio on tap.

Interested how Leonardo di Caprio snagged an Oscar at “The Revenant”? Or whether “Spotlight” is truly the best journalism flick in decades? Mall-goers living south of the metropolis can now find out without travelling too far.

Vista Cinemas recently opened its second location, after Taguig, four new movie theaters equipped with MX4D Motion EFX technology in the country at Evia Lifestyle Center in Vista City, Daang Hari.

Three of the cinemas are fitted with the latest in audio technology— Dolby Atmos—which allows movie-goers to feel like they’re part of every scene. Sound produced by the Atmos System is projected from every direction in the cinema, creating a one-of-a-kind movie experience.

All the theatres feature the latest evolution in 4D cinema technology, with MX4D theater seats that move in-sync with the action on-screen, while special EFX generators make viewers feel every jolt, poke, tilt, plus timed wind and mist atomizers.

The theatres are equipped with seating from the Figueras and Luxos brands. Figueras specializes in crafting high-end seating for public spaces. Their seats can be found in places such as the White House and the Philharmonie de Paris.

Luxos, developed by the Japanese furniture brand Okamura, is a new concept of a lounge chair with a lower, reclining seating posture.

The two theatres are only the first phase of growth for Vista Cinemas.

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TATUm ANchETA EDITOR

BING PAREL

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS WRITER

life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

P oP cU LT U RE

LIFE Plan W Philippines 2015 scholars performing with Sing Philippines artistic director Mark Anthony Carpio conducting

PlAn W PhIlIPPInES COnTInuES TO EmPOWER FIlIPInAS ThROugh SIngIng

L

ast year, Diageo’s Plan W Philippines launched the first-of-its-kind platform that uses “singing” as a means to empower women in their communities. Globally, the program aims to enable women to have the skills and resources to build better futures for themselves. The focus is on women because the company believes that “if women are empowered, they have more access to opportunities, thus their incomes increase, their families become healthier, and their children have greater access to education.”

“I’m very proud to say that here in the Philippines, 35 percent of our leadership positions are currently occupied by women.

So we just don’t talk about it, we actually ‘walk it.’ Since we are Johnnie Walker, this is very important,” says Jon Good, general manager of Diageo Philippines. He continues, “Women talk about celebrating life everyday everywhere, (and) it’s also about enriching communities everywhere.”

“Plan W is a global platform, and it’s all about empowering women,” Good explains.

“The goal is to empower over two million women across Asia Pacific by the year 2017.

Apparently, we’ve empowered 600,000 people already and we’ve got two more years ahead.”

Johnnie Walker is currently in 180 countries, and that makes them involved in 180 communities. Diageo’s community investment program has been actively creating programs that nurture and develop the skills of women around the world.

“In the Philippines, the reaction has been very positive. What they ask is to find something uniquely cultural,” explains Good. “We generally looked at communities, and we looked at the challenges like business challenges, or the way that the economy works, (like) maybe the husbands need to go offshore. Obviously in the Philippines, we could look at that as well, but instead we looked at a passion point, and I think looking at a passion point, in the Philippines has really unlocked wonderful things about what we’re trying to do,” he adds.

In every country that Plan W is involved in, they have different challenges that are operating in a particular country specifically about empowering women.

But out of all the programs globally, the Philippines is the only one that focuses on singing, in particular, choir singing.

“We do things quite differently,” shares Good. “The singing element is something that caught the curiosity globally out

of everything that Plan W is doing.” So far, through its partnership with Sing Philippines, 34 women vocal teachers and choir conductors nationwide have been provided with a platform to hone their talents and skills and eventually give back to their communities using their talents and the knowledge they’ve learned from the program. The participants were immersed in a seven-day intensive training course at the University of the Philippines-Diliman last October and culminated in a concert at the Philippine International Convention Center.

“It’s in progress; we’ve got two parts, the training and second is the application,” explains Good. “We’re very pleased with how it’s going. Working with Sing Philippines has helped the impact that we’ve made on the communities. So far, we’ve gone into competitions and they’ve done very well. More importantly, it goes back into the community; more people have benefitted from it, (and) we’re starting to see the snowball effect of the 34 we’ve trained so far. This is the beginning of something so we’re committed.”

Good reiterated their satisfaction at the partnership with Sing Philippines, saying what they have seen this year has been very encouraging. “We want to continue this journey, but it doesn’t mean that what we are doing this year is what we’re going to do next. But together, we see a big opportunity to empower women,” he adds.

In celebration of Plan W and in preparation for women’s month, Diageo had a private celebration in their main office and concocted Plan W cocktails in honor of the 34 empowered women. Diageo Reserve brand ambassador Rian Asiddao created The W, Plan W Blue, and The Golden Voice mixes. The W, a spinoff of a white Russian, Smirnoff vodka as base, with Baileys and a coffee liqueur, “signifies sweetness – cool and modest – but deep inside it’s like the Plan W strong women,” Asiddao explains.

Plan W Blue has Ciroc Vodka, blue curacao, grapefruit, sugar and pandan. “It is color blue, very soft and fruity, very gentle in the palate, just like the softness of the heart of Plan W ladies,” he describes. Lastly, The Golden Voice, which is a spinoff of a gold rush cocktail, with Johnnie Walker gold label reserve as base, mixed with honey, lemon and cinnamon. “It’s all about music and voice. Inspired by the dedication and hard work of Plan W, with which their talents continue to emerge like gold.”

A Plan W scholar conducting the Plan W Philippines 2015 recital

Diageo Philippines general manager Jon Good handing out a completion certificate to a Plan W scholar

Sing Philippines Artistic Director Mark Anthony Carpio handing out completion certificate to a Plan W scholar

The Plan W Philippines scholars with Jon Good and Mark Anthony Carpio doing the Plan W hand gesture The Plan W Philippines 2015 scholars and the Philippine Mardrigal Singers with Diageo corporate relations head Atty. Lope Manuel, Chiqui Veneracion, Jon Good, Sarah Good and Diageo Skills and Empowerment manager Georgie Passalaris

The W, Plan W Blue, and The Golden Voice cocktails created by Diageo Reserve brand ambassador Rian Asiddao

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

DON PAPA ART cOmPETITION WINNERS REVEALED DURINg ART FAIR Ph

leeding Heart Rum Company, makers of Don Papa Rum, finally disclosed the winners of the first ever Don Papa Art Competition, aimed at engaging members of the artistic community and harnessing their creativity by way of conducting a visual arts competition.

Galleries were called in to get their representative artists to reimagine the Don Papa secondary packaging design based on the artists’ own notions about the island of Negros, Papa Isio, and the liquid that is Don Papa Rum. “When we first sent out the call, we were nervous, because what if no one submitted? We talked to the galleries because we felt that it was the easiest and the fastest way to get to the artist,” says Monica Llamas, Don Papa Rum’s communications and brand manager. “There were a lot who joined and there was even a gallery that sent out 20 names for its artist but eventually we had to pare it down,” she explains.

During the Art Fair Philippines last February 17-21, 10 finalist were chosen and their artworks featured during the five day exhibit at The Link Carpark. During the fair, the public was also asked to engage and give their vote for the People’s Choice entry.

The winning entry was announced on February 20 with Riel Hilario of The Drawing Room Gallery emerging as winner.

His work entitled “The Spiritual Landscape of Papa Isio” was interpreted from his dream of Papa Isio. Hilario’s inspiration for his artwork came from Alfonso Ossorio’s “The Angry Christ” and a playful reference about “talking to the spirits” by using the visual composition of the Ouija board,

the spiritual talking board.

“We looked both at the artistic impression and the canister impression. You know the painting as it looks really great, but we had to consider how it would look on the shelf because it is the final display,” explains Llamas.

Winning the first ever Don Papa Rum Art Competition entitles Hilario to a month of artistic residency sojourn in Paris, France – a getaway any discerning artist who wants to learn more would want stamped on his passport. The trip is complete with art museum passes, airfare and accommodation, pocket money, and a year’s supply of Don Papa Rum. The gallery the artist represents will also be part of the trip and will also receive Don Papa Rum sponsorship to major events for 2016.

“There’s no pressure for them to create something for Don Papa. It’s really for them to enjoy and create during their trip,” explains Llamas.

“We just hope to promote the artists and their creativity,” she adds.

The winning canister with Hilario’s artwork will be released as Don Papa Rum’s official limited edition secondary packaging in October 2016 in the Philippines and in all other Don Papa markets.

And upon the recommendation of Stranger and Stranger, Don Papa Rum’s design agency, the company has decided to release the artworks made by first runner-up Barry Cervantes, second runner-up Anjo Bolarda, and The People’s Choice Award that was given to Renz Bautista of Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery for his artwork entitled “Florence of Endeavor,” with a modern interpretation of Don Papa Rum using acrylic on canvas.

Riel Hilario’s winning artwork–The Spiritual Landscape of Papa Isio

Anjo Bolarda’s artwork

Don Papa and the Babaylan by Barry Cervantes Florence of Endeavor

by The People’s Choice awardee Renz Bautista

The winning canisters

by Riel Hilario, Barry Cervantes, Anjo Bolarda and Renz Bautista

LEVEL UP WITh mILO NUTRI UP NESTLé PhILIPPINES LAUNchES NEW DRINk WITh AN UPgRADE IN ENERgY AND NUTRITION FOR gROWN-UPS

Siblings Erwan and Solenn Heussaff live an active and healthy lifestyle boosted further by Milo Nutri Up

Milo, that delicious chocolate and malt powder drink that continues to be popular with kids, recently launched an exciting new drink that grown-ups will surely love. Called the Milo Nutri Up, the newest 3-in1 chocolate malt drink is a delicious and nutritious choice of beverage that has a more balanced chocolate and milk taste plus upgraded nutritional benefits.

Milo Nutri Up raises the ante with 50 percent more protein and 33 percent more calcium than the regular Milo drink, helping give grown-ups what they need to up their game and reach their daily energy and nutrition needs. What’s more, Milo Nutri Up contains Protomalt, vitamins B2, B3, B6, B12, and C that help in energy releasing; and vitamin D that plays an important role in maintaining healthy bones to support an adult’s active lifestyle.

Unlike kids, grown-ups are usually put through the wringer, experiencing physical and/or mental stress almost everyday because of life’s toxic pace today.

Adults require more from their mind and body to cope with the challenges at work and even at home. As they say, mens sana in corpore sano – a healthy mind in a healthy body – and Milo Nutri Up is the perfect drink since it has vitamins and minerals necessary to boost one’s physical strength necessary for the mind to cope with mental challenges.

“For over 50 years, Milo has continued to help build champions by being a source of winning energy and inspiration. However, as we get older, the game of life gets bigger. The development of Milo Nutri Up is

our commitment to continue nourishing champions.

Milo Nutri Up is formulated to provide the energy that grown-ups need to help them up their game,” said Nikki Librada-Del Gallego, consumer marketing executive of Nestlé Philippines.

Solenn and Erwan Heussaff, two of the most admired young personalities today, have partnered with Milo Nutri Up in supporting their active and healthy lifestyles while pursuing their chosen careers and passions.

“I’ve always loved Milo and have been drinking it since I was younger. Now that I’ve grown up, I’m happy that there’s the new Milo Nutri Up to help keep me energized everyday so I’m always game for anything – whether I’m working on my passions or working out to better myself!” said Solenn.

Erwan on the other hand says that he is “a true believer that living a healthy lifestyle helps you achieve more of what you want to do in life. With the new Milo Nutri Up, I can now pair a delicious chocolate malt drink with my favorite meals without any guilt because I know it’s good for me, too!”

“We are very excited and proud of our partnership with Erwan and Solenn. Together, we encourage all grown-ups to up their game with the nutritious energy found in the new Milo Nutri Up,” averred Librada-Del Gallego.

Milo Nutri Up is currently available in your favorite supermarkets.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

How to pour tHe perfect pint of beer

T

o enjoy ice cold beer only requires popping the cap off and swigging the glorious alcoholic beverage straight from the bottle. But that was before many realized that to truly enjoy beer, it must be drank from a pint.

Pouring beer into a glass allows drinkers to savor its aroma, which significantly changes the way it tastes. Belgian beers are traditionally served in unique glasses designed to draw out the flavor and accentuate the profile of the particular brew. For Belgium-born beer brand Stella Artois, that glass is the chalice.

With over 600 years of brewing expertise, Stella Artois has also perfected its own nine-step pouring ritual that uses the chalice’s curves, stem and signature gold rim to create the perfect drinking experience Stella Artois drinkers deserve.

The first step begins with The Purification, during which the chalice is cleaned and rinsed with cold water which allows the glass to reach the same temperature as the beer. Before placing the chalice under the tap, the latter is opened in a single swift motion to let the first drop flow to ensure that the beer poured into the glass has the freshest taste. This step is aptly called The Sacrifice.

After sacrificing the first drop, the chalice is placed under the tap and held by the stem at a 45-degree angle to create the perfect combination of foam and liquid. tThis step is called The Liquid Alchemy.

Next is The Crown, which involves the graceful straightening of the chalice to form a perfect head and seal in the freshness.

The smooth and fluid exit is called The Removal, which is quickly followed by The Beheading, where the beer is allowed to overflow slightly and a head cutter is used to remove loose bubbles at 45 degrees.

The Judgement ensures that there is a perfect amount of foam in the chalice, no more than three centimeters; the beer has to be in correct proportion with the foam. Before the chalice is presented to the drinker, it goes through The Cleansing, which is a final dip in cold water for a clean and stunning presentation.

Anheuser-Busch InBev area manager Philip Tan

Belgian beer Stella Artois is best enjoyed from the chalice

The final step is the moment of giving the perfectly poured Stella Artois, which is called The Bestowal.

This process highlights the skill and craftsmanship of the Draught Master. In fact, since 1997, Stella Artois has been annually looking for the Stella Artois World Draught Master from different parts of the world.

And for the first time this year, the Philippines is sending its top three contenders to the regional finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in May. Jordan Pernate, Edward Mayani and Rainiel Dee bested the five other Filipino bartenders who joined the Philippine edition of the Stella Artois Draught Master tilt held on February 25.

“This is our way of searching and honoring the perfect craftsmanship among

Philip Tan (left) and Booze Online Inc. president and chief executive Raj Sadwhani (right) flank the Stella Artois Draught Master Philippines winners Raniel Dy, Eduardo Mayani II and Jordan Bernarde

men and women who are very talented in giving a perfect twist to the traditional way of serving our beers and we are honored to have the opportunity to introduce

the importance of this pouring ritual here,” shares Philip Tan, area manager, Anheuser-Busch In Bev, the maker of Stella Artois.-Charmaine Loveria

Early risers will get a chance to start their day with a free McMuffin on March 14

WAkE Up EARLY FoR ThE ‘bEST monDAY EvER’

mcDonALD’S TREATS cUSTomERS To FREE mcmUFFInS on 4Th nATIonAL bREAkFAST DAY There are only a few things worse than waking up early on a Monday. But in the past three years, fast food chain McDonald’s has been making at least one Monday easier to bear, thanks to its National Breakfast Day. On March 14, McDonald’s invites early risers once again for a “best Monday ever” experience with the 4th National Breakfast Day. More than 400 participating McDonald’s breakfast restaurants nationwide will be giving away free

McMuffins to customers from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.

“With the 4th National Breakfast Day, we want to remind Filipinos that at McDonald’s, they can have a great start to their day,” enthuses McDonald’s Philippines president and chief executive Kenneth S. Yang.

Each customer will be able to get his or her free McMuffin on a first-come-first-served basis via dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru.

“It is our commitment at McDonald’s to provide customers with a beautiful morning experience through our delicious and quality breakfast offers,” shares Yang.

A favorite breakfast treat, each McMuffin is made of a freshly cracked Grade A egg, lean Canadian bacon, melty American cheese in between perfectly toasted English Muffins.

The Egg McMuffin is an iconic McDonald’s breakfast item loved all over the world. Not

to be outdone, the Sausage McMuffin, made of a juicy and savory all-beef sausage with melty American cheese in between warm, perfectly toasted English Muffins, has also become a breakfast favorite.

Share your excitement on McDonald’s official Facebook page facebook.com/McDo.ph, or tag @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #NationalBreakfastDay.

S AT U R D AY : m A R c h 5 , 2 0 1 6

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Leonardo DiCaprio's win at the 88th Academy Awards as Best Actor for his performance in The Revenant is a victory also felt by the citizens of social media

LEO’s OscAr Is Our OscAr THE GIST

By ED BIADO

F

inally. About time. Congratulations Internet, we won today. This is the moment. Good job, Leo + Internet!

OMG. OMGGGGGG. These are just some of the statements on Twitter immediately following Leonardo DiCaprio’s highly anticipated win at the 88th Oscars as Best Actor for his performance in the critically acclaimed The Revenant. His Wikipedia page was updated to reflect this milestone just seconds after his name was called at the ceremony Sunday night (Monday afternoon local time).

While the biggest controversy leading up to the ceremony is the lack of racial diversity among the nominees, it was DiCaprio’s victory that broke the Internet – a moment made more significant by camera cuts to the actor’s Titanic (1997) co-star Kate Winslet, who appeared genuinely proud of and happy for her former onscreen leading man. (The Internet already lost its mind when the pair was photographed together on the red carpet, signifying that our hearts truly do go on.)

Everybody spazzed out and collectively offered congratulatory messages on their social media accounts. Sure, that’s a sweeping and perhaps absolutely incorrect observation, but that’s how it felt like. Leo’s first-ever Oscar win is a pop culture event unlike any other in recent memory. Why? Because as the first paragraph of this article stresses, it’s about effing time.

DiCaprio, 41, has received previous acting nominations. His first was in 1993 for his supporting role in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. He got lead actor noms for the Aviator (2005), Blood Diamond (2007) and The Wolf of Wall Street (2014). He lost every single time.

“To date, DiCaprio has won over 40 awards and has been nominated six times for an Oscar [one of which as a producer].

This is his first win. The curse is broken,” declares The Verge. Or as Yahoo Movies claims, “America – and Kate Winslet’s – long nightmare is over.”

We are all so invested in Leo’s Oscar because it really seems like a cosmic joke

DiCaprio's previous lack of Oscar gave birth to various memes

Kate Winslet looks on as DiCaprio accepts his award

that the actor – who has such an incredible body of work – has, prior to this year, never been recognized by the most prestigious award-giving body for achievements in film. Receiving the award finally elevates him to the level of Daniel Day-Lewis, Sean Penn, Seymour Hoffman, Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, Tom Hanks and Jack Nicholson.

As one of the biggest movie stars on the planet who consistently delivers terrific performances, it’s easy to assume that he is of that level. So it’s surprising that before The Revenant, he was not. Which is why the whole Internet has been on a massive

campaign to get him that recognition. He’s our guy. And like all our other guys, we make fun of him just as much as we love him.

Right after the Oscars in 2014, this headline came out on Buzzfeed: “The Internet Has A Lot Of Emotions About Leonardo DiCaprio Not Winning An Oscar.” According to the story, “Poor Leo” trended on Twitter, along with countless of memes such as “Bad Luck Leo” and “If I Had One” that serve as humorous commentary on the enigma.

These memes have apparently existed since 2011 when it was first noticed that the actor was perennially getting snubbed

by the Academy. “In January 2012, the meme resurfaced on Tumblr after a clip from the 2012 Golden Globes showed DiCaprio looking forlorn, leading many to add captions imagining he was thinking about his lack of Oscar. GIFs of his movies are also often captioned so his character’s anger or sadness is due to his lack of Oscars,” knowyourmeme.com says.

So you can imagine the excitement that surrounded this momentous, if not historic, event. Leonardo DiCaprio finally won us our Oscar. Faith in humanity restored.

I’m @EdBiado on Twitter and Instagram

SAt uRDAy : m A RcH 5, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

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‘ThE REvEnAnT’ Is bAck

A scene from the multi-awarded and critically acclaimed film “The Revenant “

Director Alejandro Inarritu on the set

Director Alejandro Inarritu and Leonardo DiCaprio while filming on location

Leonardo DiCaprio and director Alejandro Inarritu

DiCaprio as American fur trapper Hugh Glass

A

fter winning the Best Actor, Director , and Cinematography at the recent Academy Awards, The Revenant is back in cinemas.

The Revenant bagged this year’s plum awards at the Oscars - Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Best Director (Alejandro Iñarritu) and Best Cinematography (Emmanuel Lubezki).

DiCaprio’s performance, which the domestic and global audience have been rooting for, has finally been recognized at the recently concluded Academy Awards. Iñarritu has won the directing plum two years in a row now, last year for Birdman and Lubezki for the third time since his win in 2014 for Gravity and last year’s Birdman.

The Revenant, meaning someone who came back presumably from the dead, tells of the highly-inspiring true story of Hugh Glass (played by DiCaprio), a fur trapper on his impossible survival during the 1800s. It is an epic story of survival and transformation on the American frontier. While on an expedition into the uncharted wilderness, legendary explorer Glass is brutally mauled by a bear, then abandoned for dead by

members of his own hunting team. Alone and near death, Glass refuses to succumb. Driven by sheer will and his love for his Native American wife and son, he undertakes a 200-mile odyssey through the vast and untamed West on the trail of the man who betrayed him: John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy).

What begins as a relentless quest for revenge becomes a heroic saga against all odds towards home and redemption.

The film’s wilderness-based production mirrored the harsh conditions Glass and company actually lived through in the 1800s. Iñárritu and his whole cast and crew were up for all that was thrown at them, welcoming the challenges of shooting in Canada and Argentina, regions known for unpredictable weather and untouched wilds, in order to fully understand the experience of fur trappers in the early 19th century.

The Revenant’s return engagement are at Powerplant, Robinson’s Galleria, Eastwood, Festival Mall, Gateway, Gaisano Davao and SM Megamall.

The Revenant is a 20th Century Fox presentation distributed by Warner Bros.

Robin, Alden, MAine go foR the win At ‘tnt’s supeR pAnAlo dAy’ TNT ka-tropas from all over the Philippines converged at the Mall of Asia Arena on Feb. 26 to witness Robin Padilla, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza and basketball players from Tropang TNT unleash the biggest concert event exclusive to subscribers via TNT Super Panalo Day. The packed venue made more memorable with non-stop laughter and roaring cheers from TNT super fans also saw performances from today’s hottest stars, which include Morisette Amon, Zeus Collins, Ella Cruz, and Jason Dy. Now 28-million strong, TNT subscribers can use their favorite apps like Facebook, Twitter and Viber with TNT’s mobile internet offer AM15 as announced at the event by Smart Wireless Consumer Operations Head Kat Luna-Abelarde. “Itong Super Panalo Day ay nagsisilibing malaking pasasalamat sa inyong mga loyal ka-tropa.

Ito ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nandirito.

Pwede na rin kayong mag-Internet sa TNT,” she said.

Robin Padilla—who revealed his singing prowess when he performed with a live band Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight,”

(From left) Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, Robin Padilla, DJ Nicole Hiyala, Jason Dy, Zeus Collins and DJ Chris Tsuper

Orient Pearl’s “Pagsubok,” and The Dawn’s “Salamat”—emphasized how grateful he is for TNT. “Para talaga sa TNT iyon. Sa matagal na panahon, sila ‘yung tumulong sa akin. Alam mo na, ex-convict, walang nagtitiwala. Noong time na iyon baon na baon ako, three and a half years ako sa kulungan eh,” said the actor.

He added, “Dumating ‘yung offer. Siyempre nakabayad ako sa utang ko. Nag-renew ng nag-renew ang partnership namin hanggang nagbukas ito ng pinto para makuha ako ng ibang produkto para endorser. Kaya hindi ko sila makalimutan. Pamilya sa akin ang TNT lalo na ngayong may Internet na

Maine Mendoza goofs around the stage, in the background are Alden Richards and Robin Padilla

rin para sa mga ka-tropa.”

Meanwhile, TNT super fans’ anticipation was bursting at the seams as the mere mention of their idols’ names induced loud screams of cheers. TNT brand ambassa-

dors didn’t disappoint. Members of the PBA team Tropang TNT Ranidel de Ocampo, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Troy Rosario, Mo Tautuaa, and Ryan Reyes gamely danced with their fans while Alden and Maine induced loud cheers from fans with their respective song and dance numbers.

Alden said, “First time naming ni Maine na magkasama sa isang stage outside ‘Kalyeserye’ and ‘Eat Bulaga’ at ganito pala kasaya ang maging kapiling ang mga ka-tropa!

Salamat sa TNT talaga at nabibigyan kami ng ganitong pagkakataon na makasama ang mas marami pa nating mga supporters.”

Beyond the Super Panalo Day concert, TNT is bringing back the Panalo Wheel, where subscribers can win prizes as katropas. During the event, TNT gave away amazing prizes to selected loyal subscribers who played the Panalo Wheel. Tacloban-native Gilmart Redubla won a brand new motorcycle while seven-year TNT ka-tropa Gemmavhel Evangelista took home a brand new TV set. But the biggest haul went to Cherry Ann Madera who won P100 thousand pesos from the TNT’s Panalo Wheel.

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SAt uRDAy : m A RcH 5, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

SnEakPEEk ambaSSaDORS TEam uP wITh Puma fOR ThE 6Th unLOCkED InSTaLLmEnT SneakPeek Ambassadors Carl Guevarra, Travis Monsod, DJ Marc Marasigan, and Japoy Lizardo joined forces with Puma as it unlocks a new collection of new styles of sports shoes.

SneakPeek yet again carries on transforming its mission to be your haven for spanking new pairs of limited edition kicks with a wide and well-thought out collection of hardto-find sneakers by major footwear brands from all over the sphere all ready to be added to your holy sneaker grail.

Other than providing its patrons with high-demand sneaker styles and collections, SneakPeek persistently aims to prop up the growing

local sneaker culture and community with fresh out-of-the-box ideas and events.

SneakPeek starts its year with a banging exclusive release of not one, not two, but nine styles from footwear brand Puma. The sixth installment of SneakPeek’s ‘Unlocked’ collaboration series happened on Feb. 13 at Eastwood City Central Plaza. Among the latest drops are two colorways of Puma Disc Blaze ‘3D Fast Fwd 2 Pack’, two colorways of Puma Disc Blaze ‘Updated Core Spec Pack’, two colorways of Puma R698 ‘Blocked Pack’ and thress colorways of Puma Trinomic XT2.

Released in the early 90’s, the Puma Disc Blaze is considered as one of its

One of the newest shoe styles on display at the unveiling of Puma’s latest collection

‘heritage’ models. It was a pioneer for the no lace system and offers a unique formfitting feature. SneakPeek is releasing its 3D Fast Fwd 2 Pack that uses the Disc Blaze signature features – the adaptive Disc Fit System and swish Trinomic cushioning.

SneakPeek will also be releasing the Updated Core Spec Pack of the Puma Disc Blaze. With an even more advance fit system, the Puma Disc Blaze Updated Core Spec pack lets you adjust the upper’s internal wires for more support and comfort. The ‘updated’ model presents a lighter profile and uses materials that strike a balance between retro and futuristic.

Another addition to the lineup of 90’s babies is the Puma Trinomic

XT2 – a carbon copy of its 90’s original minus the neutral shtick. The trinomic technology is adapted to give an enhanced cushioning for an excellent level of stability and comfort.

Originally introduced in the 90’s, this classic runner is now one of the most advance running shoes and is back with a stylish modern look.

Lastly, another retro-inspired design from Puma is the R698 which was very popular in the early 90’s for its chunky silhouette and molded eyelets. The R698 is now back with the Blocked Pack that features combined suede and mesh for great protection and breathability. The Blocked Pack also uses Puma’s Trinomic cushioning system and lace tab.

SneakPeek relentlessly offers a steady supply of the latest models and a curated selection of premium sneakers from sought-after brands like PUMA that bears undeniable statement and continuously reinvents itself through inspired designs – making it the place to be for the most extensive line of exclusive and limited edition releases.

SneakPeek is owned and operated by the Primer Group of Companies – Asia’s next retail giant, and is located at Shangri-la Plaza East Wing, Bluebay Walk, Eastwood Citywalk, Ayala Center Cebu, Ronac Art Center, Marquee Mall and Solenad 3, Nuvali.

MARCH 5, 2016

Puma ambassador and athlete Japoy Lizardo

DJ Tom Taus shows off Puma’s latest collection

Actor Carl Guevarra

DJ Travis Monsod at the launch of Puma’s latest sports shoes

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 38 Newspaper edition 39 Dernier — 40 Mao — -tung 41 Caesar’s worst day 42 Piece of celery 44 Clunked 47 Loud and rude 48 Monsieur’s airport 49 Old-time homerhitter Mel — 50 Applied paint 53 Stuck on 58 To the — (fully) 59 Raise spirits 61 Disney CEO Bob — 62 Salinger girl 63 Tributary 64 Alaskan seaport 65 Beowulf’s drink 66 Shuts with a bang ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE 67 Tar’s toddy DOWN ACROSS 20 Tecumseh’s 1 Band bookings 1 Back talk tribe 2 Bryce Canyon site 5 Dory 22 Pursues 3 Type of market 10 Mournful wail doggedly 4 Marring 14 “— do you 24 Gold Medal org. 5 A Finger Lake good!”

25 Yemen 6 — -jerk reaction 15 China’s Zhou — neighbor 7 Lands in “la mer” 16 Play charades 26 Fossey’s milieu 8 Craze 17 Greek Earth 29 Southpaws 9 Fertilizer or fodder Goddess 33 Yard enclosure (2 wds.)

18 More than 34 Big celebration 10 Quantity wants 36 Siesta 11 Sketch 19 Not mention 37 Yale grad 12 In the thick of

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2016

13 Hardens, as cement 21 Twig juncture 23 Boor 25 Clay pots 26 Butler of fiction 27 — corgi 28 Good-bye 30 Pizarro foes 31 Scruggs and Hines 32 Like a punk hairdo 34 Dizzy 35 “Wheel of Fortune” buy (2 wds.)

38 Fly catchers 42 Tijuana Ms. 43 Old-fashioned needlework 45 Speckled 46 Rapper Dr. — 47 Heavyweight champs 50 Sci. class 51 Seine feeder 52 — mater 53 Falafel bean 54 Tabloid tidbit 55 Frankenstein’s gofer 56 Verne’s skipper 57 LeMond or Louganis 60 “Diamond —”

Puma sport shoes use trinomic technology, adapted to give an enhanced cushioning

Puma bears undeniable statement and continuously reinvents itself through inspired designs

SAt uRDAy : m A RcH 5, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

C7

Curtains Close on ‘Buena Familia’

Buena Familia cast Kylie Padilla, Bobby Andrews, Angelu de Leon, Julian Trono, Julie Anne San Jose and Mona Louise Rey

For the past seven months, Kapuso viewers have been hooked to their TV screens as they follow the Kapuso Afternoon Prime series Buena Familia.

As the program concluded its run yesterday, some of lead stars share their thoughts and unforgettable experiences while working on the series, which brought laughter and tears to the viewers and managed to pull off a victory in the ratings game.

Bobby Andrews said his character Arthur is very close to his heart because they share the same views in life. “Parang Bobby Andrews nga si Arthur Buena. Kasi, for me, family comes first. First and foremost, family talaga.” He also shared that, among his co-stars, he would definitely miss working with Angelu de Leon. “Sobrang comfort zone ko si Angelu pag katrabaho ko. I’m really comfortable working with her.

Kasi I started with her, It was like coming back home.”

Angelu, who played Bettina Buena, she would miss working with her teen co-stars in the show, “Yung mga bata ang ma-mi-miss ko kasi naging close talaga kami sa isa’t isa na meron kaming personal jokes, private jokes, yung mga ganon na parang nagkakatinginan lang kami, nagkakaintindihan na kami. So parang excited na ako sa mga mangyayari sa buhay nila, how their lives would turn out after Buena Familia, at ano yung mga gagawin nila.”

Kylie Padilla, meanwhile, reveals that Buena Familia was one of her favorite projects on GMA. “Kasi sobrang nag-invest ako ng feelings sa show na ito. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam na alam mong ang ganda ng eksena, ang ganda ng pagkakasulat, tapos naramdaman mo rin na di ka lang uma-acting. Dun ko naaalala yung show, na nagshare ako ng something na importante din sakin at sa viewers.”

Julie Anne San Jose, even if they wouldn’t be seeing each other on a regular basis, the connection between them will always remain intact.

“Sobrang tight ng bond namin together and yung closeness naming lahat, not just as co-workers, ang turing namin sa isa’t isa ay pamilya.”

Meanwhile, Martin del Rosario, who played Harry, shared the important lesson he learned while doing the series. “Iba parin talaga pag yung support group mo is yung family mo. Kasi pag andyan ang pamilya mo, mas guided ka sa mga magiging desisyon mo sa buhay.”

SuSan ROcES: GRacE’S bIOlOGIcal paREnTS aRE GOOD pEOplE Susan Roces doesn’t know who the real parents of her adopted daughter are, but she is certain that they are good people.

This is what she has been telling Sen. Grace Poe while she was growing up.

“They must be good people because they chose to keep you alive and they chose to leave you in the care of good people in the church,” Susan said while campaigning for her daughter and her Vice-Presidential candidate, Senator Chiz Escudero in Jaro, Iloilo recently.

Grace was found in the Jaro church on Sept. 3, 1968 and later adopted by the Poe couple – Fernando Poe, Jr. and Susan Roces.

“Sasamantalahin ko ang pagkakataon na ito na pasalamatan kung sino man ang tunay niyang magulang dahil pinili nilang buhayin at hindi basta itinapon kung saan lang. Yan ang inilagay ko sa isip ng anak ko habang s’ya ay lumalaki,” FPJ’s widow said.

Prior to that, Susan clarified to the media and the crowd that Grace is not the daughter of her sister Rosemarie Sonora, a rumor that she got impregnated by the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

Rocco Nacino and Janine Gutierrez in a scene from “Wagas,” a special feature presentation of GMA Network

‘WAgAS’ fEAtuRES WHAng OD’S lOVE StORy As part of its third anniversary celebration, Wagas features the love story of Kalinga tattoo artist Whang Od today. Janine Gutierrez plays a young Whang and Rocco Nacino the handsome warrior Ang-Batang.

Amid the deliberation on declaring her as a National Artist, 95-year-old world renowned tattoo artist Whang Od shares her “One Great Love” for the very first time on Philippine television.

Dubbed as the “Last Mambabatok of Kalinga”, Whang Od’s body is covered by tattoos, all except her right arm that she reserved for the only man she ever loved. A batok or tattoo symbolizes Whang Od’s beautiful race. Her intricate tattoos attracted many men—including the handsome warrior Ang-Batang (Rocco). Whang Od and Ang-Batang would fall in love with each other but they had to conceal their relationship since Whang Od did not come from a family of pure blood like Ang-Batang. Only Whang Od’s best friend, Hogkajon (Stephanie Sol), knew about their romance.

But fate would play a cruel trick on them.

Ang-Batang was ordered to marry Hogkajon, shattering Whang Od’s life into pieces. As if this weren’t enough, Ang-Batang—the only man Whang Od loved in her life—was greatly wounded in one of the battles he went to.

Wagas went all the way to Mountain Province to

Rocco Nacino and Janine Gutierrez

make this special presentation.

The two-part episode “Pag-ibig ni Whang Od” in Wagas airs today and March 12, 7 p.m. on GMA NewsTV.

unForgettaBle summer at golden sunset resort

Ricky Reyes at teh entrance of his paradise in Calatagan, Batangas

Today, the GMA News TV’s multi-awarded lifestyle show Gandang Ricky Reyes Todo Na Toh (GRR TNT) features the paradise of beauty guru Ricky Reyes that he built for her late mother Doña Amada Zabarte.

The Golden Sunset Resort is located at Barangay Uno, Calatagan, Batangas.

The resort has eight Olym-

pic-sized swimming pools, kiddie pools, other mesmerizing attractions, apart from the A-1 amenities, like the clean, cozy and comfortable native huts where tourists and vacationists can have a glorious time.

GRR TNT presents a fiesta like no other and a romantic wedding (Kasalan Sa Balsa) on a big bamboo raft where sexy

Golden Sunset dancers delight the bride and groom and their guests with island dances – Hawaiian, Tahitian and Hula – at noontime.

At night the Divadings provide awe and laughter as they outdo each other with an amazing dance showdown.

Ricky will take us on a round of the restaurants that serve au-

thentic Filipino dishes cooked in the Batangueno way.

There’s more. It is the picture perfect sunset guests should not miss, also the spa, hydromassage and beauty salons for overworked, stressed and tired mothers and fathers.

Gandang Ricky Reyes --airs 9 a.m. every Saturday. It is produced by ScriptoVision.

SAT URDAY : m A RcH 5, 2016

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

‘AnD I LOvE YOu SO’ gETS mORE ThRILLIng In LAST TwO wEEkS

M

ichelle (Dimples Romana) and Joanna (Miles ISAH V. RED Ocampo) will not let Katrina (Angel Aquino) and Trixie (Julia Barretto) win their fight as they continue to search for the truth and battle for their right as the real Valdezes in the last two weeks of the afternoon series And I Love You So. Now that Joey (Benjie Paras) and Michelle know about the relationship Katrina and Dexter have been hiding for years, their lives will be put in danger as the couple burn down their house to stop them from ruining their plans.

But Katrina and Dexter (Jay Manalo) will soon lose the upper hand because Trixie will discover the truth about them and catch them kissing, adding more reasons for Trixie to hate her mother.

Now that she knows her mother’s best-kept secrets, will Trixie also discover that Dexter is her real father? What will Michelle do once she finds out that Katrina burned their house down? Can Michelle and Joanna still prove that they are the real Valdezes?

Since the show aired on television, viewers have been hooked on Katrina and Michelle’s story of friendship that led to rivalry when they loved the same man Alfonso (Tonton Gutierrez).

Coincidentally, he also became the father of their daughters, Trixie and Joanna. But history repeated itself as Joanna and Trixie became bitter rivals in school and in love.

Both fall for Justin (Inigo Pascual), an Internet sensation.

But the real competition ensued when they discovered they both shared the same father, making matters worse between the half-sisters.

However, Katrina knew how to play her cards well as she was the only one who knew that Alfonso is not Trixie’s real father but Dexter, the bartender she had a relationship with for years.

Playing the lead role for the first time, Miles proved her prowess in acting and kept up with the seasoned actors and actresses in the soap.

While most people hated Julia’s character in the series, she proved that she is not just a pretty face but also a talented actress that can portray kontrabida roles effectively.

Aside from the two teen stars, seasoned actresses Dimples Romana and Angel Aquino lived up to the viewers’ expectations and delivered stellar performances in the afternoon series.

Under the direction of Onat Diaz and Jon Villarin, the hit afternoon series is produced by Dreamscape, the makers of phenomenal teleseryes FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, On the Wings of Love, and Doble Kara.

Don’t miss the last two weeks of And I Love You So on ABS-CBN. For more information about the program, visit the official social networking site of Dreamscape Entertainment Television at Facebook.com/DreamscapePH, Twitter.com/ DreamscapePH, and Instagram.com/DreamscapePH.

Kapamilya Network’s newest loveteam Kenzo Gutierrez and Julia Barretto

The lead cast of “And I Love You So” (from left) Julia Barretto, Miles Ocampo, kenzo Gutierrez and Inigo Pascual

Miles Ocampo and Inigo Pascual