The Standard - 2016 June 18 - Saturday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXX  NO. 126  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  SATURDAY : JUNE 18, 2016  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

NEW GOVT ENVOYS PUSH DEAL WITH REDS

COMELEC BLASTED Political parties accuse poll body of pro-LP bias

By Maricel V. Cruz

INCOMING Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez said Friday that the Commission on Elections decision to extend the deadline for filing the statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) for both winning and losing candidates during the May 9 polls was illegal.

Alvarez said it was “too bad” that the poll body appeared to be adjusting its own rules for the Liberal Party and its standard bearer, Manuel Roxas II, who failed to meet the June 8 deadline for filing his campaign expenditure report. “Comelec is simply bending their own rules for accommodation,” Alvarez, a lawyer, said. Alvarez said the Comelec should have stuck to the deadline as a matter of following the law.

The Comelec en banc on Thursday voted 4-3 to extend the deadline for filing of SOCEs until June 30 upon the request of the LP and other political parties who failed to meet the earlier deadline. The extension came despite a recommendation by the poll body’s Campaign Finance Office to deny the LP’s request because it would be unfair to other candidates and political groups that met the deadline. Alvarez, Duterte’s top choice for

House Speaker in the upcoming 17th Congress, said election law clearly states that all candidates should submit their respective SOCEs within 30 days after elections. Outgoing Abakada Party-list Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz, chief campaign adviser of vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said the Comelec en banc’s decision is a “clear lambasting not only of the existing law but the electoral system itself.” Next page

Not impossible. File photos show Maguindanao farmers taking advantage of good weather to begin planting rice as the incominng Duterte administration vowing to provide free irrigation to farmers. AMIEL MARK CAGAYAN

‘FREE IRRIGATION NON-NEGOTIABLE’ said. “I will place a big garbage can in front of my office on July 1. You DAVAO CITY—Incoming Agri- can throw in your resignation letculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol ters in that trash can and leave.” Piñol said he was irked by a stateon Friday slammed National Irrigation Authority officials for ques- ment supposedly from the NIA tioning President-elect Rodrigo that the goal of the incoming adDuterte’s commitment to provid- ministration was “impossible” and told NIA Administrator Wencie ing free irrigation to farmers. “Anybody in government who Padernal to come up with a stratdoes not share President Duterte’s egy to fulfill the promise. “Free irrigation for the Filipino vision for the Filipino farmer is free to leave and find another job,” Piñol farmers is a presidential commit-

By John Paolo Bencito

ment and it is non-negotiable. To hear a statement from the NIA questioning that commitment is not only irritating but also a manifestation of the malady afflicting people in government—that is the failure to think outside the box to help people,” Piñol said. “There are people in government who think that they are bigger and higher than the people they are supposed to serve,” Piñol said. Next page

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ENVOY PUSHES ACCORD WITH REDS AFTER TALKS By John Paolo Bencito

DAVAO CITY —The incoming presidential adviser on the peace process Jesus Dureza on Friday urged Filipinos to stay the course set by preliminary talks between the government and the communist rebels in Oslo, Norway, which resulted in a joint resolution for the resumption of peace talks. “After our two-day Oslo parley, there is now evident optimism and trust. There is mutual enthusiasm and hope, not only amongst us negotiators across the table, but most significantly, among us all Filipinos, in whose behalf all these efforts are being done in the first place,” Dureza posted on his Facebook page. Dureza also described their encounter as “a reunion of sorts of old friends on both sides of the negotiating table but whose efforts in various times and climes in the past proved futile.” The five-point agenda includes an affirmation of previously signed agreements; an accelerated negotiation process, reconstitution of the previously

signed Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig); an amnesty proclamation with the concurrence of Congress; and the mode for an interim ceasefire. Among the key agreements the government and the National Democratic Front have signed in the course of the often-stalled peace talks are the Hague Joint Declaration, which lays down the framework and agenda for the negotiations, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, and the Jasig. The exploratory talks held on June 14 and 15 resulted in the signing of a joint statement in which both panels agreed

to resume formal talks next month. Dureza said he believes the peace process will be given a chance under the incoming administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, but acknowledged that the road to peace “will not be easy.” “There will expectedly be humps and bumps along the way. But there is a destination that we must all inevitably reach,” he said. “Our new President is taking the decisive lead and has shown us the way. Let us all stay the course,” Dureza said. Formal peace talks between the Aquino administration and the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNDF-New People’s Army bogged down in February

2011 because the communists insisted on the reactivation of the Jasig, a move rejected by the government after the original list, stored in an old floppy disk, got corrupted and could no longer be retrieved. Sison had earlier asserted that the goal of the peace talks was to form a “coalition government” of the CPP and Duterte administration. This coalition would need to carry out “democratic reforms that would lead to national industrialization and genuine land reform.” Rights group Karapatan welcomed the joint statement. “We hope that all political prisoners—all victims of illegal arrest, torture and detention, most are persecuted because of their activism and political beliefs—will be immediately released… We fully support the efforts to substantially address the roots of the armed conflict through the resumption of the peace talks in July 2016,” Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary-general, said in a statement. With PNA

Pushing peace. Members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan march toward a church in Quezon City to push for the forging of a peace agreement to end the decades-old communist insurgency. MANNY PALMERO

Free...

From A1 Piñol said that he also received a complaint from Regional Director Jun Alviar after the NIA in Region 2 declined to release irrigation water despite repeated requests from the farmers. “There is something wrong with the way NIA is being managed right now. Many of its top officials may have forgotten that the reason why there is a NIA is because government would like to produce food for the Filipino people by providing irrigation,” Piñol said. Piñol had earlier proposed that the NIA be brought back under the supervision of the Agriculture Department, after President Benigno Aquino placed the agency along with three others under the supervision of

the Presidential Adviser on Food Security, then headed by Senator-elect Francis Pangilinan. “I hope people in government now, especially those who will work with me in the Agriculture Department and its attached agencies, will understand this—we are here not to lord it over the people but to serve them,” he said. Also on Friday, the peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and the claimants’ movement Coco Levy Fund Ibalik sa Amin (CLAIM) welcomed Duterte’s directive to his Cabinet and legal team “to initiate moves to ensure the release of the coco levy fund to farmers” and urged the incoming president to “consider the direct cash distribution of the coco levy money to small coconut farmers and the creation of a genuine small coconut

farmers’ fund.” “The direct return of the multibillion coconut levy fund to small coconut farmers is long overdue. Duterte’s pronouncement is a welcome development for small coconut farmers who continue to struggle for more than four decades now to recover the multibillion coco levy fund plundered by the Marcos dictatorship,” says KMP secretary-general Antonio Flores. “We have not forgotten incoming President Duterte’s promise to return the coco levy fund to small coconut farmers within the first 100 days of his administration. We are pleased that Duterte is working to put action into his words,” Flores said. Duterte, who met with the secretaries-designate Wednesday evening, ordered his designated chief presidential legal adviser Salvador

Comelec... From A1 “What is the reason (for giving an extension). We can see the true motive. If they can violate strict election laws, how about other laws?” he said. De la Cruz said the Comelec owes the Filipino people an explanation as to why they allowed the extension. De la Cruz said late filing of SOCE could actually jeopardize the situation of Vice President-elect Leni Robredo, who ran under LP and defeated Marcos by a slim margin. “This is too much. The decision is a clear accommodation and special treatment for the LP,” De la Cruz said. Outgoing Kabataan Party-list Representative Terry Ridon described the Comelec decision as giving “VIP treatment” to both Roxas and his party. “The Comelec is clearly bending backwards for both LP and Mar Roxas,” Ridon, a lawyer, said. Re-elected Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III echoed Ridon’s view. “The decision of Comelec en banc only shows their ignorance of the law,” he said. “They don’t even know their own rules.” In a TV interview, Comelec chairman Andres Bautista said the poll body was ready to defend its decision, but acknowledged that it was the prerogative of those who disagreed with it to bring the question to the Supreme Court. “You know, we’re used to court cases and we’re used to defending our decisions before the court. We see no problem in that. This is a very good point of law that should be discussed. We welcome the challenge,” he told GMA-7. Bautista also said it was within the Comelec’s authority to “relax laws” if their implementation “would be an absurd result.” Bautista was one of the three members of the en banc who opposed the extension, along with Commissioner Luie Tito Guia and senior Commissioner Christian Robert Lim, who wrote the CFO recommendation. The poll chief proposed accepting the late filing with the imposition of penalties. The four commissioners who voted in favor of the extension were Arthur Lim, Al Parreño, Rowena Guanzon, and Sheriff Abas. Bautista said the commissioners “wanted to extend because they were saying this was done before in 2010 and 2013.” They also considered the number of winning candidates who may be barred from assuming office, due to either personal non-submission or their parties’ failure to file, as in the case of LP, Aksyon Demokratiko, and the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino. The commissioners opposed imposing a penalty because “someone might question it,” he added, though he noted that such was done for late filers for the 2013 polls. The LP, on the other hand, said it broke no laws with their late filing, saying their huge machinery prevented them from filing the SOCE on time. “The Liberal Party is a national party, with chapters all over the country. As part of due diligence, we had to await receipts, invoices, and information from all these chapters before we could file our SOCE. The deadline is one month after elections—very tight considering none of the other candidates has an organization as wide as ours, and we had to account for millions’ worth of expenses,” LP National Secretary-General Josephine Sato, said in a statement. With John Paolo Bencito, Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano

Panelo to get things moving after Piñol requested the president-elect make a policy statement on the coconut levy funds. “This is an emotional issue for the coconut farmers, including my late mother. The coconut levy funds should be given to the farmers,” Duterte told the members of his incoming Cabinet. “I am directing Attorney Panelo to look into this matter and make sure that the coconut levy funds are released to the farmers,” he said. In his campaign speeches, Duterte vowed to order the distribution of the levy within a month of his taking office. Duterte said political will was needed to enforce the Supreme Court decision to return the money to farmers after it ruled that the levy was a public fund meant to develop

the country’s coconut industry. Last year, President Aquino issued Executive Order No. 179, which governs the disposition and privatization of the coco levy assets, and EO No. 180, which provides the guidelines for the use of the P74.3 billion recovered from San Miguel Corp. Its enforcement was stopped after coconut farmers obtained a restraining order from the Supreme Court. Piñol said the release of coco levy funds can help grow the coconut industry. The peasant group also suggested that Duterte’s legal team should consider the long-standing demand and national clamor for the “direct cash distribution of the fund to small coconut farmers and utilization of the fund for the genuine development of the local coconut industry.” With Sandy Araneta

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Grade 11 enrollees top 1m DAVAO CITY—The Education Department said Friday the 1-million mark for Grade 11 Senior High School students had been breached as it lowered the expected number of estimated dropouts from 50 percent or 0.4 million students to just 10 percent. “At exactly 11:17 a.m. today, the total Grade 11 enrollment [has] reached 1-million students,” Assistant Secretary for Curriculum and Instruction Elvin Ivan Uy said. “More than 1,500 public and private schools are still in the process of submitting their enrollment data while the other 9,300+ public and private schools may still add more enrollees.” As of 4 p.m. Friday, Education Secretary Armin Luistro announced, 1,039,047 Grade 11 learners had been enrolled in Senior High Schools nationwide. The department expects the numbers to rise further since as of June 17, its records showed that over 1,600 schools were yet to submit and report their SHS enrollment data. More than 690,602 students are now enrolled in public SHS while 337,511 students are enrolled in private schools and HEIs. Another 10,934 students are enrolled in state colleges and universities. “Napatunayan ng Pilipino na handa tayo sa pagbabago. Nakatawid na tayo sa liwanag. Kaya naman pala ng Pinoy kung ating pagtutulungan,” Luistro said. “Doomsday scenarios are based on those who don’t believe in K-to-12 in the first place.” The department’s real time Learner Information System revealed that some 610,000 students chose to take the Academic track, over 394,000 are in the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood track, 2,728 are in the Arts and Design track, and 1,537 are in the Sports track. Luistro, who estimated that only 10 percent of the 1.5 million Grade 10 completers would drop out, said that his “educated guess is that more than 90 percent of the 1.4 million [students] will enroll.” “The people who are saying that there will be many students who will drop out, they’re basing on wrong information. We base our numbers on the actual census,” Luistro said. “Either you’re sowing fear or you don’t want K-to-12.” John Paolo Bencito

In school. Fifteen-year-old Crystal Jhoy Banzil uses the Braille system at the Ramon Magsaysay High School in Manila on Friday, June 17. Banzil, now in the 8th grade, joins the regular students of the school to avoid being left out by her peers. DANNY PATA

Lawmaker vows to refile bill on nurses A LAWMAKER on Friday vowed to refile in the 17th Congress next month a bill proposing a wage increase for nurses that President Benigno Aquino III had vetoed. Rep. Carlos Zarate said Aquino’s action followed his rejection of a proposal to increase the pension of Social Security System’s pensioners by P2,000 a month, and it confirmed his administration’s “consistently anti-worker” stance. “If there is a legacy the exiting Aquino presidency could claim, it is its consistent and unrelenting callousness against our working people and the poor,” Zarate said. “Even in his last acts as President, he is cruel as he is uncaring on the urgent demands and

needs of our people.” Zarate made his statement even as a migration specialist said more Filipino nurses would now be forced to work abroad following Aquino’s veto of the bill proposing an increase in their salaries. “President Aquino’s veto of House Bill 6411 and Senate Bill 2720 providing a minimum base pay for nurses of P26,000 per month will drive Filipino nurses to work abroad, which offer a minimum of P35,000 a month,” Emmanuel Geslani said. In response to Aquino’s veto, Zarate said, Bayan Muna will refile its House Bill 5540 that will upgrade the nurses’ monthly mini-

mum salary to P25,000. “When we filed the bill in the last Congress, Bayan Muna recognized the unjust salary and working conditions our government nurses have,” Zarate said. He said nurses were supposed to be given at least P25,000, the equivalent salary allotted for salary grade 15 as provided for by the Nursing Act of 2002. “The crisis of our health system is worsened by our poor treatment of our nurses and health workers,” Zarate said. Rep. Leah Pacquiz said she would be pushing for the passage of the bill increasing the nurses’ pay. Maricel V. Cruz and Vito Barcelo

Appellate court reinstates 19 sacked police officials

Thanksgiving lunch. President Benigno Aquino III fields questions during his thanksgiving lunch at the Presidents Restaurant in Binondo on Friday. He thanked the reporters for being with him for six years. Malacañang Photo Bureau

THE Court of Appeals has ordered the reinstatement of 19 police officials after clearing them of administrative liability in 2009 in connection with the purchase of rubber boats for P4.54 million for search and rescue missions. The court’s Eleventh Division reversed the resolution that the Office of the Ombudsman issued on June 2, 2015, that found them guilty of graft and ordered their dismissal. The court ordered the officials reinstated and their salaries and benefits restored after the Ombudsman failed to present evidence to prove that the officialsbenefitedfromthedeal. In its ruling last year, the Ombudsman held that the boats were procured without public bidding and despite noticeable defects. The Ombudsman also charged

two officials of Four Petals Trading, the supplier of the rubber boats, with graft but the appellate court also cleared them. The court held that the purchase of the rubber boats through a negotiated procurement was justified in light of the emergency caused by the onslaught of Typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” in 2009. “In this regard, petitioners, who have been in the police service for at least 30 years, most of whom are decorated members of the police force, in their bid to provide swift, adequate and reliable services to the people during a state of calamity and thereafter, could not be said to have committed grave misconduct imputed against them,” the CA said. Rey E. Requejo

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WB: Pinoys have ‘bad jobs’ By Gabrielle Binaday ALTHOUGH the outgoing Aquino administration boasts that it has increased employment in the country during its watch, the World Bank said on Friday that most of the jobs in the country are “bad jobs” that cannot lift Filipinos out of poverty.

Touchdown. Agence France Press handout photo shows a Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft landing on the USS John Stennis aircraft carrier at sea in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. US fighter planes have arrived in the Philippines for a training mission and operations to ensure access to the disputed South China Sea, the US Navy said. AFP

Facebook Live eyed for inaugural By John Paolo Bencito DAVAO CITY—Only six months after the computer application was rolled out in January, supporters of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte may witness the inauguration of the tough-talking Davao City mayor as the 16th president of the Philippines on Facebook Live. Incoming Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said he is meeting with Facebook officials for the possible live streaming of Duterte’s entire inauguration at the noon of June 30. “I’m meeting with the guys from Facebook. They’re flying over and they’re offering, they’re proposing to stream the entire event, the entire inaugural,” Andanar said, noting that Duterte’s presidential

campaign was largely fueled by supporters on social media. And the inaugural will only be the first of similar engagements on social media, Andanar said. “I will propose to the President that after the inaugural, thereafter, all of the briefings, all of the presidential briefings and announcements should be streamed on Facebook,” he said. Operations on social media, Andanar said, is part of the “National Communications Strategy” to help inform the public Philippine government activities and programs. At the same time, the Presidential Communications Office which he heads will continue to pursue plans to privatize the state-owned Intercontinental

Broadcasting Corp. but at a much higher price tag. “I already recommended it to [incoming] Executive Secretary [Salvador Medialdea],” Andanar said in a television interview. “[IBC-13 is] the last [very high frequency] channel available, and imagine when we go digital, you’ll multiply it by five and you will have five channels already,” Andanar said. “We have to sell IBC-13. The money goes back to the treasury.” IBC-13 started out in 1960 as a private company owned by businessman Roberto S. Benedicto, a close associate of former President Ferdinand Marcos. However, the television network was sequestered by the Presidential Commission on Good Government in 1986.

“Economic growth in the last 10 years has created enough jobs to absorb the growing labor force,” said Mara Warwick, World Bank Country director for the Philippines. “For many Filipinos, however, the main challenge is having jobs that can lift them out of poverty,” Warwick said, defining “good jobs” as those that are “formal, permanent, well-paid, and offering social protection while “bad jobs” temporary, casual, informal, precarious and low-paid, often with very little or no social protection. “In Europe the situation is very much different, said Jan Rutkowski, lead economist at the World Bank’s Social Protection and Labor Global Practice. “People who have jobs are seldom poor. It is the unemployed, disabled, pensioners who are poor. “Here [in the Philippines] the situation is very much different. The majority of the poor are the people who have jobs,” Rutkowski said. The report said this prevalence of poverty among workers reflects the scarcity of “good jobs” and low-earning capacity of poor workers. “Low-earning capacity of the poor reflects their low education and skills, limited access to formal jobs, and low bargaining power of informal workers,” said Rutkowski. “The scarcity of ‘good jobs’ reflects the structure of the Philippine economy where low-value-added activities predominate. This is partly due to constraints in the investment climate and the high cost of doing business in the formal sector,” he added. The report noted that around threequarters of all jobs and two-thirds of urban jobs are informal. Among wage workers, 6 out of 10 are hired informally. Informal wage workers lack employment contracts and social insurance, and are not protected against unfair dismissal. Many of the existing jobs require few skills, with laborers being the largest occupational group (apart from farmers). Even outside agriculture and in urban areas, unskilled workers account for nearly onefourth of total employment.

BSP warns vs identity theft THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has warned the public to be more aware and protect themselves against identity theft. “Identity theft or stealing of personal information to commit fraud is a crime that may seriously undermine a person’s finances, credit history and reputation,” the BSP said. Aside from changing their passwords, people who suspect that their personal information were compromised need to immediately contact their creditors, initially those where the deceitful transaction transpired. “The victim should likewise file a complaint before the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or the NBI Cybercrime Division and keep a copy of the police report. Said report may be needed for the investigation of identity theft,” the BSP said. The central bank also urges the public to cooperate with their banks when the latter ask for additional information

to further improve security of their accounts and “to actively safeguard personal information to protect themselves from identity theft.” “Increasing public awareness on frauds such as identity theft is an essential component of the BSP’s financial consumer protection agenda. A well-informed citizenry is essential to maintaining financial stability, which is a key policy objective of the BSP,” it added. Identity theft issues arose after the hacking of the Commission on Elections website last March, which placed some 55 million voters in jeopardy. The police has arrested two suspects for the crime, identified as 23-year-old Paul Zulueta and 23-year-old information technology graduate Jonel de Asis. After the incident, banks said they have strengthened their information technology security to ensure the safety of their client’s personal information.

Memories are forever. A young man takes a picture of his girlfriend at a row of sunflowers along University Avenue at the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City. LINO SANTOS

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CoA: DBM granted BuB funds to unqualified LGUs

Tandem.

A man and his best friend are seen riding a motorbike on Edsa on Friday. SONNY ESPIRITU

By Rio N. Araja

‘Errant cops may suffer fate of slain drug pushers’ By Francisco Tuyay IncomIng Philippine national Police chief Ronald dela Rosa yesterday warned policemen believed to be involved in the judicial killings of drug pushers to conceal their complicity in the sale of illegal chemicals, that they may face the same consequences. Dela Rosa issued the warning following reports that the killings of suspected drug pushers were apparently part of a drama staged by unscrupulous lawmen to conceal their association with the drug distributors. “They [concerned policemen] may be killed, too. No matter how they manage to conceal their involvement now it will be revealed if they get killed,” Dela Rosa said.

So far, 68 suspected drug pushers and couriers fell into the hands of lawmen after the PNP launched an all-out drug war from January to June in seven regions believed to be havens

of drug personalities, in response to the anti-drug and criminality policy of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte. Police Statistics show that Central Luzon recorded the most suspects killed with 25; Calabarzon, 14; Davao, 10; Region 11, 10; Region-12, 8; Region 7, 5; Region 9 and NCR with two each and one in Region 18. At least 13,920 drug suspects were also arrested with Metro Manila incurring the most numbers of arrests with 2,877 and Davao province with 846 during the same period. In May and June alone, there were 3,760 arrests, the largest interdiction since Duterte and incoming PNP chief cracked down on illegal drugs and all forms of criminality in the country. Dela Rosa said they learned that some policemen were try-

ing to cover their tracks by killing their links to the illegal drug trade. He, however, said that these bad eggs make up just a small fraction in the organization. “To be fair, the great majority of policemen are loyal and hardworking,” Dela Rosa said. He urged lawmen involved in drugs to surrender and name their drug source. “If they want to change, they are very much welcome to reform, to surrender to the institution or they may want to turn themselves in to the media,” the PNP director said. He added that aside from going after illegal drugs, the PNP would also address petty street crimes such robbery and snatching, that victimize poor students and office workers.

THE Commission on Audit is asking the Department of Budget and Management to explain why some 133 unqualified local government units were given more than P1.278 billion worth of projects under the government’s bottom-up budgeting (BuB) program in 2015. In a recent report, the Commission revealed the grant of the multimillion peso projects to different cities and towns nationwide that were not recipients of the Department of Interior and Local Government’s Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping. The report said that in doing that the budget department defeated the BuB program’s purpose of setting up standards for good local governance. A total of P1,278,156,698 was granted to various localities for 800 projects in 2015 despite the recipients’ failure to qualify for such grants. The BuB program was designed to address the development needs of poor cities and towns as identified in their respective poverty reduction action plans geared towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal of reducing poverty. The CoA report said Section 67 of the General Provisions of the 2015 General Appropriations Act provided guidelines for the appropriation of amounts for the BuB projects of LGUs. “Releases shall be subject to compliance with the requirements of Good Financial Housekeeping under the 2014 Seal of Good Local Governance and LGU Public Financial Management Improvement Program pursuant to DBMf-DSWD-NAPC JMC No. 4 dated November 26, 2013 and such other criteria as may be required in other guidelines,” the report read. DILG grants the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping to “an LGU that exhibits compliance with accounting and auditing standards, rules and regulations.”

CA upholds Ombudsman’s action vs. erring prosecutor By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has sustained the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman holding former Special State Prosecutor Wendell Barreras-Sulit administratively liable for her failure to conclude the reinvestigation of a criminal case filed before her within a reasonable time. In a decision, the CA’s Special 10th Division Associate Justice Florito Macalino denied Sulit’s petition as it affirmed the Ombudsman decision dated Oct. 8, 2014. The appellate court held that the Ombudsman rendered the right decision against Sulit. “The Office of the Ombudsman did not act with grave abuse of discretion

amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in rendering the assailed decision finding petitioner guilty of simple neglect of duty,” the CA declared. “Having said that, we do not find necessity to still discuss the other issues raised in this petition,” the court stressed. Associate Justices Priscilla BaltazarPadilla and Nina Antonino-Valenzuela concurred with the ruling. The controversy arose from the dismissal of the graft charges against former Manila mayor Gemiliano “Mel” Lopez, Jr. before the Sandiganbayan. The Fact-Finding and Investigation Bureau created a panel of investigators to look into the circumstances surrounding the matter.

New board. Photo shows the new members of the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation board: Atty. Gilberto Teodoro (first from left) and Ambassador Albert F. del Rosario (third from left). Other members of the board are Amb. Jesus P. Tambunting, Amb. Roberto R. Romulo, Atty. Ricardo Romulo, Octavio Espiritu and Mrs. Beth Day Romulo (not in the picture). In a recent meeting, it was announced that the Makati Business Club and the Foundation will host a Business Forum on June 23 in partnership with the Philippine-US Business Council and the US Philippines Society. A presentation was also made by Dr. William Dar of Inang Lupa Movement which advocates inclusive, science-based, resilient and market-oriented Philippine agriculture.

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Be ready for La Niña—MMDA By Joel E. Zurbano Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman emerson Carlos has urged local executives in the National Capital region to be prepared for the La Niña phenomenon which is expected to bring heavy rains in october. “The full effects of La Niña would be felt in October. We expect there will be above normal rainfall. We will have 20 days of rain in a month. Thus, they should be prepared,” the MMDA chief said. Carlos, who also heads the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, assured that rehabilitated facilities; including the 12 water-pumping stations and flood-warning systems, are expected to boost their flood-control program.

Cloudburst. A man walks past a speeding motorcycle along United Nations Avenue in Manila during a sudden downpour on Friday. DANNY PATA

“As for the preparations, we have the Estero Blitz, upgrading of pumping stations and the Effective Flood Control Operating System [EFCOS],” he said. However, the effects of La Niña could worsen flooding, Carlos said. He foresaw that those facilities, significant in monitoring and alleviating flooding in the metropolis, would be put to the test. The rehabilitated pumping stations are the Libertad, Quiapo, Tripa de

Galina, Pandacan, Valencia, Binondo, Aviles, Paco, Makati, Sta. Clara, Balete and the Arroceros stations. Since their upgrade last year, Carlos said, this will be the first year the MMDA will use the newly installed pump engines in the rainy season. He noted that they will test a newly improved and restored flood-control system in Pasig City. Carlos said EFCOS will greatly contribute to flood control and early warning against floods. He added that the project will be beneficial not only to eastern Metro Manila residents but to those in the province of Rizal, such as the municipalities of San Mateo and Rodriguez—all of which saw massive flooding in the wake of Typhoon “Ondoy.”

MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office chief Baltazar Melgar assured that the agency’s 54 pumping stations are fully functional and each engine had the capability to pump 350 drums of floodwater per second. “These pumping stations are vital for flood mitigation because Manila’s elevation is only a little higher than the main sea level,” Melgar said. He also said there was a design capacity within the flood control structures, enabling the excess waters to overflow and cause floods when they reach their limit. “Our flood control structures have a design capacity that can only accommodate a certain rainfall intensity,” Melgar said.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION 15 JUNE 2016 FDA CIRCULAR No. 2016-007

: ALL FOOD MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS, DISTRIBUTORS, EXPORTERS, TRADERS and OTHERS CONCERNED

SUBJECT

: Notification of Sources for Raw Materials, Low Risk, Medium Risk and High Risk Prepackaged Processed Food Products

BACKGROUND In the interest of improving business processes in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), requirements stated in Administrative Order No. 2014-0029 in line with the filing of an amendment for additional sources on License to Operate (LTO) of Food Establishments is hereby repealed upon the implementation of Administrative Order No. 2016-0003 or the “Guidelines on the Unified Licensing Requirements and Procedures of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)” which took effect on 07 March 2016. In this regard, the Center for Food Regulation and Research (CFRR) acknowledges the importance of the disclosure and declaration of sources of food products as mandated under Republic Act No. 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013 for Food Business Operators and Food Safety Regulatory Agencies. Thus, food establishments are hereby instructed to notify their sources of raw materials to be used in the manufacture of prepackaged processed food products and the sources of prepackaged processed food products, themselves, concurrent with the filing of Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) applications following the requirements and procedures stipulated herein until such time that the FDA e-Registration System covering all food products is in full effect through succeeding issuances.

II.

REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING OF NOTIFICATION 1.

For Locally Manufactured Products Notification Letter containing the list of new sources and their complete address, name and the complete address of the manufacturer (in cases when the source is not directly the manufacturer), and distributorship agreement or contract agreement, whichever is applicable, signed by the duly authorized representative of the establishment as reflected in the records CFRR.

Notification Letter containing the list of new sources and their complete address, name and the complete address of the manufacturer (in cases when the source is not directly the manufacturer), and distributorship agreement or contract agreement, whichever is applicable, and signed by the duly authorized representative of the establishment as reflected in the records of CFRR.

Certified true copy or certified photocopy of ANY of the following original documents issued to the source by the regulatory or health authority from the country of origin per source: Valid manufacturer’s certificate of registration with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance, or its equivalent; ii. Valid Phytosanitary Certificate/Health Certificate iii. Valid ISO 22000 Certification; iv. Valid Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Certificate, or v. Certificate of Free Sale

III. SPECIFIC PROCEDURE IN FILING OF NOTIFICATIONS Food Establishments engaged in the manufacturing, trading, importation and distribution of the following food product classifications are instructed to observe the following in filing of notifications: For Raw Materials and Low Risk Prepackaged Processed Food Products The requirement for notification is satisfied by attaching the scanned copies of the abovementioned documents, whichever is applicable, through the Electronic Registration (E-registration) System during filing of product applications following the procedures as stipulated in FDA Circular No. 2014029. 2.

testing at Camp Crame in Quezon City as part of the Philippine National Police’s effort to clean up its ranks. LINO SANTOS

For Imported Products

Clean cops. Policemen from all over the country undergo random drug

For Medium and High Risk Prepackaged Processed Food Products The requirement for notification is satisfied by submitting scanned copies of the abovementioned documents, whichever is applicable, through the Public Assistance, Information and Receiving (PAIR) Unit during filing of product applications following the procedures as stipulated in FDA Circular No. 2014-003.

IV. EFFECTIVITY This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation and submission to the University of the Philippines Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR). MARIA LOURDES C. SANTIAGO, MSc, MM OIC, Director General Standard – June 18, 2016

Ombudsman OKs filing of charges vs ex-solon By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman upheld on Friday the filing of charges against a former lawmaker from Albay—Reno Lim—for the alleged anomalous utilization of his Priority Development Assistance Fund of P27million in 2007. Five Technology Resource Center officials, Kaagapay Magpakailanman Foundation Inc. representatives and Carmelita Barredo of C.C. Barredo Publishing House also face charges of four counts of graft and four counts of malversation. Those charged were TRC executives Antonio Ortiz, Dennis Cunanan, Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, Marivic Jover and Consuelo Lilian Espirit-

ua, as well as KMFI representatives Carlos Soriano and France Mercado. In a related administrative case, the Ombudsman also affirmed the administrative liability of Jover and Espiritu for grave misconduct and ordered their dismissal from the service. In August and November 2007, Lim requested the release of his P30million pork barrel fund and identified TRC as implementing agency with KMFI as its partner. The budget was intended for the procurement of 8,000 sets of livelihood instructional materials and technology kits. In 2008, a memorandum of agreement was signed by Lim, TRC and KMFI representatives. Lim “personally handpicked KMFI twice as

project implementor without the benefit of public bidding.” The Commission on Audit uncovered blatant anomalies in the fund use, citing the lack of public bidding; KMFI’s lack of a track record, as it was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission only in 2006; the non-government organization had no legitimate business address as its address is the same as C.C. Barredo; no accreditation process was undertaken to determine the capacity of KMFI; the payment of P27 million was made prior to signing the agreement, and the project was considered a“fictitious or ghost project” as no deliveries of livelihood kits were made.

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

56 of 72 towns in Region 9 see drop in poverty rate By A. Perez Rimando DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte—Fifty-six of 72 municipalities in Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9), or close to 77 percent, recorded a significant improvement in their poverty incidence list, a government agency said. A Philippine Statistics Authority report received here recently said that poverty incidence of the region’s 56 towns declined between 2009 and 2012, thereby taking them out from “the poorest 30 in the country’s poverty incidence tally.” The report noted that Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte registered the biggest improvement during the fouryear survey with a 20.2-percent reduction from a poverty incidence of 61.7 percent in 2009 to 42.5 percent in 2012. According to PSA, 10 other Region 9 municipalities which were included in 2009’s 30 poorest municipalities also revealed a reduction in poverty incidences in the 2012 survey. These 10 improved LGUs, PSA said, were Siayan, Baliguian, Godod, Gutalac, Manukan, Sibuco, Jose Dalman, President Manuel Roxas and Bacungan in Zamboanga del Norte. The towns of Mabuhay and Talusan in Zamboanga del Sur also made it to the list. The report said PSA, in gathering the 2012 LGU level poverty statistics, utilized the modified Elbers, Lanjouw and Lanjouw (ELL) methodology developed by the World Bank which combined the latest data available, including the merged 2012 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, Labor Force Survey and 2010 Census of Population.

Painting the town. Residents of Barangay Estobosa, Stone Hill, La Trindad lend color to their houses. DAVID CHAN

Another suspected drug pusher shot dead in Ecija By Ferdie G. Domingo

CABANATUAN CITY—Five days after a suspected drug pusher and her brother-in-law were killed by gunmen in front of her three children in Talavera, Nueva Ecija, another suspected drug pusher was shot dead while his live-in partner was wounded in Cabiao town in the same province Tuesday afternoon. Senior Supt. Manuel Cornel, provincial police director, identified the

slain man as Efren Damian, 60, of Barangay Sta. Rita, Cabiao.

Damian died from two gunshot wounds in the head. His live-in partner, Angeline Dar, 20, of General Luna, Cabanatuan City, sustained a wound in her right arm. PO3 John Ignacio, investigator of the Cabiao police, said Damian had been involved in illegal drug operations in Cabiao. Cornel said the attack took place at around 9 p.m. Tuesday at Purok 2 in Sta. Rita. Damian and Dar

were inside his store when two unidentified gunmen barged inside and shot him twice in the head and Dar once. The suspects fled aboard two motorcycles with other companions. The two were rushed to a nearby hospital where Damian was pronounced dead on arrival. Damian’s remains were brought to a funeral parlor for autopsy but his relatives

refused and instead signed a waiver. A team from the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) led by Chief Inspector Marissa Arreola recovered empty shells from caliber 45 revolvers. Damian’s killing came five days after Sheryl Paraiso-Santos and Pedro Santos, 45, tricycle driver were killed in Talavera. Paraiso-Santos is in the drug watchlist of the Talavera police.

Arts and culture flourish in Albay

Over a spring. Tourists cross a bridge over a hot spring in Bontoc, Mt. Province. DAVID CHAN

LEGAZPI CITY—Albay’s arts and culture scene has flourished and has played an invaluable role in the province’s robust tourism. The visual arts improved in the past nine years as artists participated in local government-sponsored exhibits and year-round festivals and cultural activities. The provincial government has sponsored over nearly 70 exhibits at the Albay Atrium Gallery for local and visiting painters, sculptors, photographers, installation and graphic artists, ceramics and handicraft designers, according to Apo Gonzales, the provincial curator. Speaking at the opening of the 24K Exhibit at the Atrium Gallery last week—the last visual arts

display he attended as provincial chief executive—three-term Governor Joey Salceda praised local artists for their role in the development of Albay’s culture. “You are the true agents that make our culture and our arts lasting. With you around and always active in your creative ways, I am confident our local arts will be handed down to our next generations,” added Salceda. Visual arts has also been an integral part of Albay’s robust tourism surge. In 2013, the Daragang Magayon legend was staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2013. This set a new record in Philippine Art History as the first full-length ballet rendition of a provincial epic.

S AT u R D AY : J u N E 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

opinion

ADELLE chuA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

PNoy’s martial law scare tactics

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Not oN the first day FILIPINoS remember much about inaugurations in recent history. “Walang kaibigan, walang kumpare, walang kamag-anak o anak na maaring magsamantala [There will be no friends, no relatives or children who could take advantage from now on].” Such were the words of Joseph Estrada on June 30, 1998, when he promised he would deal with those who broke the law with an even hand. Estrada’s vice president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was sworn into office at the Edsa shrine in January 2001 after he was ousted in the so-called Edsa Dos. She said then that she accepted the position in all humility, with trepidation and a sense of awe. “People power has dramatized the Filipino’s capacity for greatness,” she said. And then there was the 2010 inauguration of outgoing President Benigno Aquino III. He talked about doing away with “wang wang” —literally, the traffic lawbreaking device attached to vehicles that announce their passengers were VIPs, but also figuratively the sense of entitlement displayed by officials who believe they are too good for rules and regulations that govern the lives of regular citizens. It was also on that day that Mr. Aquino told the Filipino people: “kayo ang boss ko [you are my boss].” These words occasioned a feeling of hope; finally, public officials acknowledged that they were servants accountable to the public that they serve. Twelve days from now, another president will be sworn into office. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte says he wants to keep his inauguration low key. There will be no bloated guest list at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall in Malacañang, and those present will be served banana fritters and buko juice, among others. The transition team has said the ceremony would be “frugal.” This is, we presume, in keeping with the image that Mr. Duterte wants to project: that he would be a man-on-the-street kind of president, accessible to the people and indifferent to the trappings of power. It will be good, however, to remember: Less than three years into his term, Estrada was impeached and then ousted—ater deemed constructively resigned. He was charged with plunder, convicted and was detained until pardoned. Arroyo served out the remainder of Estrada’s term, ran again despite an earlier pronouncement that she would not, and won the 2004 polls made controversial by allegations of abuse of power to ensure her election. Her administration was marred by charges of corruption. And six years on, Mr. Aquino has revealed himself to be vengeful, selective, obstinate, lazy and arrogant. He says the people are his boss, but we think we know who the real bosses are. All these tell us that while the first-day ceremony—and everything that goes with it—is an event of symbolic, even dramatic, importance, and while it is accompanied by words written to inspire the people, what truly bear watching are the days that lie ahead.

PaPa POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO PEoPLE who know me know that I do not talk much. Even in the rare social gatherings I go to, I usually just sit quietly in one corner, or stay in one place with a small group of people I know. Listening to and observing people—not telling stories —are things I like doing. While I normally go public about my advocacies, deal with politicians, media, and commu-

nity people, I have always kept my personal life private. I rarely think that my story is of interest to anyone. The few times I talked about me and my family have always been in connection with my advocacies, always, to make a point. Thus, this attempt to write about my father is quite difficult. Father’s Day is coming up and perhaps it is time for me to make my peace with him, even as he has been gone for many years. I have paid my tribute to Mama, she who had a very short stint in this world, but who has

remained the rock of my life. My father was mentioned in my pieces about her but always in the context of how my mother’s life evolved. This one’s about, and for, him. But how do you talk about someone you barely knew? Papa was mostly quiet. I do not remember him telling us stories about himself, or his family. Perhaps I took after him. What I know of him came in trickles and from living with him from birth until Mama passed on when I was in sixth grade. Soon after, I went back to San Juan from olongapo, and lived

My father was not a bad father. He was just distant.

with my grandmother and aunt. From high school until college, I only saw Papa during weekends and school breaks. Even during these times, I rarely had much interaction with him as well because he was mostly out or with other people in the house. My father’s family was originally from Pampanga but they transferred to Bicol before moving to San Juan. Like Mama’s family, Papa’s was also of working-class origins. My earliest memory of him was as a worker in an enamel factory in San Juan. I remember that he brought me with him to a Christmas party in this factory and we went home with lots of gifts.

We used to live in an urban poor community near the boundary of San Juan and Sta. Mesa, very near a river. I have this vivid image of our house being submerged in floodwater when the river overflowed due to a strong typhoon. My father, together with other neighbors, hoisted me and other kids up to another house in a higher area and which had a second floor. I do not remember being scared during that time, perhaps because my Papa was there, taking charge.

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-

He was not the imposing figure in our family. Mama was, but we knew that he was the boss. We did not fear him, he never bossed us around. He never raised his voice at us but we knew that we were not supposed to displease him. I really cannot say why and how but we knew. Perhaps it was his silence. Papa was not a doting father, nor was he one to express feelings. I can only remember only one time when he took me out to buy me a toy. It was a cooking set that I kept for many years. At times

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it felt like I knew I had a father but did not feel like I actually had one. Maybe this is a reason why I was never close to him. Despite our poverty, my father loved the good life. He was quite friendly and would always go out with his friends or have drinking sessions with them in the house. He liked nice clothes, too and will never be caught wearing imperfectly ironed clothes. He always looked like he was going to important events. Continued on A11

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

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Finance Officer

Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Maan Ilustre Advertising and Marketing Head Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

ALL throughout its six-year controversial life, the administration of outgoing President Benigno Aquino III marked every anniversary associated with the birth or death of his parents, ex-Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and exPresident Corazon “Cory” CojuangcoAquino; the birth and death of the late President Ferdinand Marcos; the proclamation of martial law in 1972; and the so-called 1986 Edsa Revolution, with press releases about the perceived evil that is martial law. Contemporary Philippine television media share the same anti-martial law propensity. During those anniversaries, conventional and cable television networks always feature programs praising Ninoy and Cory Aquino, and denouncing Marcos and his martial law regime. The propensity of the local television media to go on a Marcos-bashing spree during those anniversaries began as early as March 1986—days after Cory Aquino seized power, abolished the 1973 Constitution, and ran the government without any legislature to check her and her relatives. Almost all the networks broadcast anti-Marcos video segments between and within programs, especially during the prime time hours (when audiences are biggest for a particular broadcast day). Documentaries highlighting abuses committed during the martial law period were also aired. These programs conveyed the same message over and over, year after year—that martial law is evil. This anti-martial law sentiment became a convenient propaganda tool of President Aquino III during the recent election campaign. When vice presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos was leading, first in the surveys and later in the early postelection count (or prior to Smartmatic’s unauthorized adventure in the cyber canvass), President Aquino III and his propagandists in the now-moribund Liberal Party used the martial law bogeyman to scare voters from casting their ballots in favor of Bongbong. To elect Bongbong, the LP propaganda line went, is to return the Philippines to a regime of martial law. In fact, during the homestretch of the political campaign, the LP heralded its vice presidential bet, Leni Robredo, as the only obstacle to martial law under a Bongbong Marcos vice presidency! However, the mystery of how a vice president can actually exercise the president’s exclusive power to resort to martial law was unexplained by the LP propagandists. President Aquino III also used the martial law scare tactic against 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 : J u N E 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

opinion

ADELLE chuA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

PNoy’s martial law scare tactics

[ EDI TORI A L ]

My father was not a bad father. He was just distant.

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

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

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Finance Officer

Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Maan Ilustre Advertising and Marketing Head Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

A10

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

Why empires inevitably collapse BACK BENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN WhIle some say it is easy to conquer states, they could not, on the other hand, answer why it is difficult to keep them. Making good one’s victory would require the continued allocation of precious manpower and resources for the pursuit of dominance. Conquest is often brief, but subduing the vanquished state is a continuing process of subjugation, oppression and exploitation. States, like human beings, have the instinct to dominate and often see it as necessary in a system that equally compete either for dominance or survival. Subjugation has its purpose, which is to get hold of the territory for its strategic importance, to capture and exploit its precious natural resources, or to reduce that country to a satellite state all driven by the belief that conquest could make the state even stronger. In our time, we called this “imperialism.” As a continuing process, political economists concede that once the threshold for conquest is reached, it automatically becomes a self-defeating proposition. Chauvinism produces its own negative dividend like expenses to carry on the war efforts and the deployment of troops to make effective their subjugation. War then is transformed to oppression, and this is the turning point why empires ultimately fall only to be remembered by history. There is much doubt about the theory that subjugating people and conquering their territory is a factor that strengthens the ideology of the chauvinistic state. But history tells us that all empires ended up in downfall. Conquering states gradually lose their stamina and appetite to maintain their territories as they cost them more, contrary to what their jingoistic political leaders are saying. even in the absence of war, it remains costly because the conquering state is stacked to maintaining a strong army to

keep its grip on the people of the occupied territory. It is psychologically demoralizing because they see their own men unnecessarily sacrificed for a doctrine that reduced their standard of living instead. Anti-war movements bloom not because they are fertilized by the draft-dodgers, but of the fact that they are the first to feel the effects of being deprived of their basic needs for the glory of keeping the empire. Protesters are treated as pacifists, or worse, seen as latent traitors for siding with the cause of the subjugated people, while those supporting the imperialist advocacy of aggression hailed as heroes fighting falsely for freedom and democracy.

As the war to dominate rages, it becomes a war against its own people.

As the war to dominate rages, it becomes a war against its own people. They begin to oppose it because they see their own wealth and resources intended to provide them more welfare benefits diverted, and their infrastructures neglected just to sustain the bigotry of patriotism. Disenchantment accelerates because many see their loved ones returning in a flag-draped coffin, or physically disabled, although consoled as heroes for serving a war they never truly understood. The morale of the soldiers is dissipated and this is evident in the breakdown of discipline as what happened to US soldiers who fought in Vietnam. Understanding the cause of the rise and fall of empires is to understand why war is indivisible from it. War then becomes an instrument of national policy. Without the empire realizing it, the

EAGLE EYES TONY LA VIÑA In Chapter 2 of Amoris Laetitia, pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on the family, the pope discusses the diverse problems and challenges facing presentday families, recognizing that the welfare of the family is decisive for the future of the world and that of the Church. there is thus the need to focus on concrete realities, since “the call and the demands of the Spirit resound in the events of history,” and through these “the Church can also be guided to a more profound understanding of the inexhaustible mystery of marriage and the family.” In discussing the myriad family issues, he takes up some of the pastoral insights by the Synodal Fathers, along with concerns he derived from his own experience. the pope also tackles “the tensions created by an overly individualistic culture, caught up with possessions and pleasures, lead[ing] to intolerance and hostility in families,” including today’s fast pace of life, stress and the organization of society and labor, since all these are cultural factors which militate against permanent decisions. this freedom of choice external war it started now becomes a war to sustain it with the subjugated people determined to free themselves from the yoke of oppression. The conquering state now finds itself saddled with resistance from its enemy and from its own people. War loses its credibility because the conquering state is now fighting to fend off the possibility it might reach the apocalyptic point were its own people would join in fighting against their own government with the latter fiercely on the defensive to restore public law and order. The US lost the war in Vietnam because it has evolved to become a war against itself. The imperialist war of aggression devastated Indochina, but it bankrupted the US economy. It had to abandon the gold standard in favor of floating exchange rate to save its own. The new system of floating exchange rate only gave Asian countries the opportunity to economically advance, for as the value of the US dollar continues

the family in the 21st century makes it possible to plan our lives and to make the most of ourselves. Yet, the pope warns, if this freedom lacks noble goals or personal discipline, it degenerates into an inability to give oneself generously to others. the pope cites, by way of example, many countries where the number of marriages is decreasing with more and more people are choosing to live alone or simply to spend time together without cohabiting. this happens because of the confusion of genuine freedom with the idea that each individual can act arbitrarily, as if there were no truths, values and principles to provide guidance, and everything were possible and permissible. the ideal of marriage, marked by a commitment to exclusivity and stability, is swept aside whenever it proves inconvenient or tiresome. the fear of loneliness and the desire for stability and fidelity exist side by side with a growing fear of entrapment in a relationship that could hamper the achievement of one’s personal goals. But as Christians, the pope reasons, we cannot stop advocating marriage simply to avoid counterto decline, their own currencies continue to chalk up as if to prove the Pareto principle that as one’s economy grows, the other must naturally shrink. As the war progressed, the US was sinking deeper in debt. Its military might could not save its economy. Its stature as the leading economic power was causing hemorrhagic loss in resources and manpower until the war ended in humiliating defeat wading their way out to the contested waters of the South China Sea. Many thought the rise of Japan and Germany as post-war economic giants would pave the way for the reformulation of a new US policy. Most Americans expected the new players to give the US the opportunity to redirect its huge military industrial complex to civilian use that ruined their economy because of the arms race. For assuming the role of international policeman, it has to enforce what it calls American “exceptionalism” and “unilateralism” which further drained its

ing contemporary sensibilities, or out of a desire to be fashionable or a sense of helplessness in the face of human and moral failings, though it may seem futile. he counsels that what is needed is a more responsible and generous effort to present the reasons and motivations for choosing marriage and the family, and in this way to help men and women better respond to the grace that God offers them. Besides, he further advises, Christians also need to be humble and realistic, acknowledging that at times the way we present our Christian beliefs and treat other people have helped contribute to today’s problematic situation. thus, we Christians need a healthy dose of self-criticism. For the holy Father, the bottom line is that Christians have been called to form consciences, not to replace them. he, however, warns that this is hardly to suggest that Christians cease warning against a cultural decline that fails to promote love or selfgiving. What is needed, according to him, is to find the right language, arguments and forms of witness that can help us

reach the hearts of young people, appealing to their capacity for generosity, commitment, love and even heroism, and in this way inviting them to take up the challenge of marriage with enthusiasm and courage. the pope tackles some concrete problems facing families and marriage today, including a mentality against having children promoted by the world politics of reproductive health. added to this are other factors that also discourage having children such as “industrialization, the sexual revolution, the fear of overpopulation and economic problem and consumerism which may also deter people from having children, simply so couples can maintain a certain freedom and life-style.” another factor is the weakening of faith and religious practice in some societies has an effect on families, leaving them more isolated amid their difficulties. One other factor that hard presses on family life and marriage are economic constraints and poverty, he adds. the pope also mentions migration which has negative effects on families. Continued on A11

wealth and resources with many counties catching up in science and technology. The US continues to wage war by seeking out new enemies. It remained firm to the belief that power alone could keep the empire, negating the truth that it is in the strength of the nation’s economy that gives energy to power, and when it is no longer there, the empire would inevitably collapse or just wither to oblivion. After the collapse of the socialist bloc, many countries discarded their socialist ideology in favor of a straight forward policy of expanding the horizons for peaceful trade. If trade and economic intercourse is another dimension of war, then war now becomes a constructive strategy, for then it results not in the victory of one and defeat for the other. All can be winners, something of a truism to the Chinese philosophy of win–win approach. It is therefore of no accident why China has emerged as an economic giant that in the near future could sur-

pass the US economy. It has laid down the foundation that countries could become an economic power without building an empire or resorting to war in order to expand or maintain it. China believes it is the economy that will attract nations to harmoniously seek out each under the natural arrangement of what one can give (ying) and in what the other could provide (yang). Thus, for almost four decades after Russia and China reformatted their economy and concomitantly abandoned the arms, the new economic model gave them the opportunity to fully prosper. For one, China’s growing economic power is the one ushering for it the economic and moral ascendancy. Both learned that power can be exercised without building an empire, and goodwill through economic intercourse can win more friends without engaging in wars, and China is leading the way to prove that it is possible. rpkapunan@gmail.com

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

A11

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

The messy mind of omar maTeen By Pankaj mishra The massacre of 49 people at an Orlando nightclub by an American citizen named Omar Mateen brought a predictable response from Donald Trump. he denounced Muslims for not informing on the terrorists in their midst and insinuated that President Barack Obama, who doesn’t publicly use the phrase “radical Islam,” was actually sympathetic to such extremists. emerging facts about soon muddied this picture. A security guard, Mateen was mentally unstable, according to his divorced first wife. his Afghan-born father spoke of his son’s hatred of gays. Obama confirmed that the Islamic State had not directed the attack even though Mateen invoked the terrorist group in a call to a police operator. And then it emerged that Mateen had apparently used gay dating apps and frequented the gay club where he staged his mass murder. To Trump and his followers, evil perpetrated by Muslim in-

dividuals justifies restricting immigration, if not launching more wars in the Middle east and Africa. But the available facts about Mateen’s own life—homophobic and violent tendencies, failed marriage, weak religiosity, potential suppressed homosexuality—show that people exceed in practice the single religious, racial or sexual identity that is ascribed to them. Locating any single motivation in their conflicted selves is an impossible task. Moreover, the volatile psychology of self-hatred, shame and murderous rage manifested by Mateen is hardly unique to the present. All through the 19th century, educated young europeans were tormented by the malaise borne of a loss of traditional faith and the growth of aspirations “beyond the fitting medium of desire,” as Byron wrote. Many of them rushed to fight for Greece’s independence (and often died just as swiftly and futilely as Byron himself). Thousands of european young men

Papa... From A9 “Pustoryoso” was an adjective that I heard people always use on him. On hindsight, I think that my penchant for nice clothes is also from him as he would always say that people’s first impression of us would always be based on how we looked. Oh, he had a very good singing voice. One way to know if he was home was through music. When music was on, we knew that he was around. Karaoke and videoke were not yet invented then but singing was always part of his time with friends. how I wish I got even just some of his singing skills but unfortunately, he was the only one who could sing in the family. I only know of one instance when he raised his voice. It was during a big fight with Mama because she discovered that he had a mistress. My father’s womanizing and the effects I saw in Mama made me distance myself from him even more. When Mama passed on, Papa, in less than a year, already took another wife. Since I lived with my grandmother, I became even more distant. I trained myself to be self-sufficient thinking that I should not rely on him or anyone else. I went to

The family... From A10 For Pope Francis, the continuing challenge is to acknowledge the great variety of family situations that can offer a certain stability, categorically stating however that de facto or same-sex unions, for example, may not simply be equated with marriage. No union that is temporary or closed to the transmission of life can ensure the future of society. he also acknowledges the decisive role played by men in family life, particularly with regard to the protection and support of their wives and children. Another challenge he mentions is posed by the various forms of an ideology of gender that “denies the difference and reciprocity in

went off to South America to fight for soul-stirring but poorly understood causes. Many participated in the first phase of global terrorism in the late 19th century, assassinating several heads of state and attacking crowded public places for no clear reason. Ideology or doctrine barely mattered to what Byron famously called the “wandering outlaw of his own dark mind.” These young men, feeling diminished by social, economic, and sexual insecurities, desperately wanted, like Rudin in Turgenev’s eponymous novel, to surrender themselves “eagerly, completely” to “some nonsense or other.” For many young men in our age, especially those who have neither a religious background nor any secure footing in the modern world, “some nonsense or other” about Islam or the Middle east has also become an escape from feelings of confusion and inferiority. The quest for a moral victory over a weak and unmanly self has led many to affiliate them-

high school and college on my own. he was already busy with his other family so he rarely visited me and I did the same. It reached a point when we did not see each other for years. I charted my own life. When I started with my own family, we would visit him maybe once in two or three years. This went on until the time that my siblings said that he was very sick. I went to help and did what could be done. I saw him a few more times before he passed on. On his grave I said, “If you see Mama, I want you to be both happy this time around.” I did not grieve. I thought that if there is an afterlife, perhaps it was time for him and Mama to be friends again. Sometimes I wonder why I never had a real relationship with my father when he was there as I was growing up as a child. Sometimes I wonder what could have happened if I did not become distant. My father was not a bad father. he was just distant. And now, I see things more clearly. I am accepting that he was just that. And despite all these things, I can still say that yes, I love him. To all of you, tell your father that you love him. happy Father’s Day! bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter nature of a man and a woman and envisages a society without sexual differences, thereby eliminating the anthropological basis of the family. In the light of these realities, he exhorts Christians not to be trapped into wasting our energy in doleful laments, but rather seek new forms of missionary creativity, he says as the challenge to the Church, because in every situation that presents itself, “the Church is conscious of the need to offer a word of truth and hope…The great values of marriage and the Christian family correspond to a yearning that is part and parcel of human existence.” Facebook: tonylavs5 or Dean Tony La Viña Twitter: tonylavs

selves with whatever organization comes to hand: Casting around for one, Mateen himself could not tell the difference between the bitterly opposed extremist groups Islamic State, alQaeda and hezbollah. Another typical outlaw of his own dark mind was Anwar alAwlaki. A respected American imam entrusted with defusing radical Islam after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Awlaki mutated unexpectedly into a preacher of jihad. his rants on blogs, social media and YouTube spawned a whole generation of “Facebook terrorists” in the West. But when he charged in his popular lecture series that “a global culture” had seduced “Muslims and especially Muslims living in the West,” and that Muslims “are suffering from a serious identity crisis,” he was actually speaking of his intimate and painfully divided self. Monitored by the FBI, Awlaki seems to have left the US out of fear that he, a fire-breathing scourge of fornication by the day, might be exposed as a frequenter of

Pnoy’s... From A9 then-presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte when the latter took the lead in the surveys early this year. After Duterte won the presidential race and announced his hardline, or even unorthodox, policies against crime and corruption, Aquino III hastily began associating Duterte with martial law. Duterte simply ignored the outgoing president’s tirade against him. Ironically, President Aquino III recently admitted to the news media that he once considered placing western Mindanao under martial law so as to maintain peace and order in the area. That admission practically diluted Aquino’s past insinuations against martial law. It also indicates that all along, either Aquino III took the Filipino people for a ride, or he does not understand the concept of martial law to begin with. It cannot be denied that abuses were committed during the martial law administration. Upon the proclamation of martial law in 1972, military personnel who used to be confined in countryside camps and barracks, non-commissioned officers and low-ranking commissioned officers in particular, suddenly found themselves vested with power beyond their wildest expectations. Many of them got drunk with that power and committed abuses, and even atrocities for that matter. Perhaps that was to be expected because abuses inevitably take place when there is a radical change in the political environment of a country, and martial law was one such radical change. This statement, of course, is not an endorsement of those abuses. The historical context, however, must be asserted to set the record straight. Be that as it may, the 1987 Constitution was drafted by the 1986 Constitutional Commission, which is composed of less than 50 Aquino appointees. With the exception of about four of those commissioners, everyone in that constituent assembly was a staunch ally of the president. The alleged evil that is

prostitutes by night. Mateen, too, like many domestic terrorists and mass shooters, seems to have struggled with a severe identity crisis before dissolving it in mass murder last weekend. Any counter-terrorism program is helpless before individual pathologies that widely available assault weapons can easily ignite. But we can try to be smart, as Trump put it, and recognize that Islamic State and Islamophobes feed off each other. Islamophobia represents an unfocused fury among people who find all social, political and economic forces determining their lives to be intolerably opaque. It serves the same purpose for many people as the menacing vision of the Muslim umma under attack: an escape from deep uncertainty and confusion, accomplished by inventing and persecuting a single enemy. It is as much a gift to demagogues as anti-Semitism once was: a desperate and dangerous attempt to deny that our selves as well as our societies are irrevocably plural. Bloomberg

martial law notwithstanding, the 1987 Constitution retained the power of the president to place the Philippines, or any part thereof, under martial law. Being so, the question to ask President Aquino III is this—what is wrong with martial law when the 1987 Constitution sponsored by his own mother allows it in the first place? Resort to martial law is an emergency measure, and as long as emergency situations may arise in the future, a sweeping condemnation of martial law is unwarranted and unfair. Regardless of the reasons that motivated the Constitutional Commission to retain the power of the president to resort to martial law in the 1987 Constitution, the fact that the executive power to proclaim martial law is countenanced in the current charter is a clear indication that martial law is not as objectionable as President Aquino III and his LP minions have tagged it to be. Truth to tell, martial law under the 1987 Constitution is far different from that proclaimed in September 1972 under the 1935 Constitution. Under the current charter, the proclamation of martial law can be overturned by Congress, and is subject to judicial review by the Supreme Court. In addition, martial law under the current charter is for a limited duration only. Clearly, the military abuses Aquino III always publicly (and conveniently) associates with martial law under President Marcos, cannot happen under the 1987 Constitution. In fine, when President Aquino III associated President-elect Duterte and Bongbong Marcos with martial law, Aquino was not telling the Filipino people the whole truth about what martial law under the 1987 Constitution was all about. evidently, Aquino’s statements about martial law are speculative and unsubstantiated views made by an individual living in his own make-believe world. Perhaps, he will return to his senses when plunder raps are finally lodged against him by his enemies.

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Laoag, Iriga try to stay alive Games today (Blue Eagle Gym) 1 p.m. – Sta. Elena vs Bounty Fresh (S Turf) 4 p.m. – Pocari vs Iriga (VLeague) 6:30 p.m. – Laoag vs Baguio (V-League)

Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo (center) takes part in a training session at the team’s base camp in Marcoussis, south of Paris during the Euro 2016 football tournament. AFP

US cager faces ban for forgery SEOUL—A South Korean basketball club said Friday it planned to sue a star American player accused of using forged birth documents to play as an overseas Korean in the women’s domestic league. The player, Chelsey Lee, also faces a possible permanent ban by the Women’s Korean Basketball League (WKBL). South Korean prosecutors said this week that Lee and her two agents had fabricated her and her father’s birth certificates to suggest she had a South Korean paternal grandmother. Teams in the WKBL are only allowed two foreign players, but foreigners who qualify for overseas Korean status—by having a Korean parent or grandparent —are not included in the quota. “We plan to file a lawsuit for damages against Lee and her two agents,” a senior official of Lee’s club KEB Hana Bank told AFP. AFP

TWO provincial teams seek crucial victories against separate rivals as they try to stay in what looms to be a wild chase for the last semifinal berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference at the Blue Eagle Gym in QC today. But between Team Laoag and Iriga, the former appears to have the lighter assignment in winless Baguio with the latter having to hurdle the unbeaten leader Pocari Sweat to keep its flickering semis hopes alive. But the Lady Oragons may

face a depleted Pocari side as the power-hitting pair of Michelle Gumabao and Myla Pablo remains doubtful starters for their 4 p.m. encounter to be shown live on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23. Gumabao, who averaged 18 hits in the Lady Warriors’ first three victories, is suffering from an abdominal pain, while Pablo, who normed 14 points, has back spasms with the duo’s stint a game-time decision, according to Pocari team manager Eric Ty. “They’re both injured. Both wanted to play but I said no because I want them to play in full strength,” said Ty. “We have adequate bench to cover their absence. But we’ll see, it will be a game-time decision if they will play or not.”

Ronaldo seeks Euro ‘16 redemption vs Austria PARIS—Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to make amends for a poor performance and some unwise words when his side take on Austria at Euro 2016 on Saturday. Ronaldo was eclipsed in his opening Group F game, and after the 1-1 draw against Iceland he lambasted the North Atlantic minnows for their “small mentality” because of their defensive tactics. Iceland’s defence froze out Ronaldo who is looking for a goal that will make him the first to score in four European Championship tournaments. The Real Madrid ace has been lambasted across the continent for his petulant outburst with Iceland’s Karni Arnason labelling him “not a gracious human being”. For Ronaldo’s sake, Austria

will also need to attack after a side led by Bayern Munich’s David Alaba -- increasingly rated after their stunning qualifying campaign -- were shocked 2-0 by neighbours Hungary in their opening game. Despite a forgiving format allowing 16 of the 24 teams to progress to the knockout stages, defeat for either side will leave them facing an embarrassing early exit. “The group is relaxed, and despite the draw we still feel good,” said Portuguese teenager Renato Sanches, who will team up with Alaba at Bayern next season after sealing a 35 million euro ($39.6m, £27.4m) move from Benfica.

- Hero Halldorsson “This only gives us motivation and desire because we know that every game will be more difficult now. So I think the group is quietly determined.” Portugal dominated against Iceland, the smallest country ever to take part in a Euros with a population of just 330,000. Ronaldo had 10 of Portugal’s 24 shots on goal, but they were denied by an outstanding display from Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson. “I think it was a good match in terms of what we did, we had several chances to score and a lot of possession. Obviously it wasn’t the result we wanted, but I think we played well,” added Sanches. And the 18-year-old expects another physical encounter against the desperate Austrians. “We are expecting to come up against a very aggressive team that wants to win, because if they lose

this match they’ll be in a very difficult position. So we’re expecting to face a team playing with great intensity.” To add to the Austrians woes they will be without suspended defender Aleksandar Dragovic, whilst midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic’s tournament looks to be over after he suffered ankle ligament damage against the Hungarians. Austria coach Marcel Koller believes his side froze under the favourites tag on their first major finals for eight years. “Maybe some players were nervous because it was the beginning. We can’t just push a button and say ‘now I’m going to play at my best level’. “The situation now is we’ll have to try and win against Portugal.” Alaba was Austria’s one shining light in Bordeaux as he struck the post in the opening 30 seconds and looked a threat throughout. AFP

Molina, Lagrisola rule Cebuana tilt NEW FACES dominated the recently concluded Cainta leg of the Cebuana Lhuillier Age-Group Tennis Championship Series as visiting players Kirt Molina from Bacoor, Cavite and Blanch Lagrisola from Sta. Rosa, Laguna emerged double winners, beating their respective finals opponents in both the 16-under and 18-under categories. Molina swept aside 14-under champion Laurenz Quitara, 6-4, 6-2, in the 16-under finals, while in the 18-under championship match, he fashioned out another two-set win, 6-2, 6-4 at the expense of Angono, Rizal bet Alexander Bulilan. Lagrisola was only pushed by Quezon City bet Justine Maneja in the second set before prevailing, 6-3, 7-5, to take the 16-under

girls’ crown and had an easy time winning, 6-2, 6-1, over Irene Cancino for the 18-under girls’ title of the tournament backed by Dunlop Sports as official ball. Quitara, who hails from Bacoor, Cavite, won the 14-under boys’ crown, disposing of townmate Rainier Selmar, 6-2, 6-4, in the finals, ending the double-title hopes of Selmar, who earlier beat Mateo Rivas from Pasig City, 6-2, 6-1, in their 12-under finals’ matchup. Rivas was hoping for a double kill as he blanked Jose Panganiban, 4-0, 4-0, in the 10-under boys. In the youngest category, local bets Novak Brazal and Kirsten Lucy Ong fought it out in the finals, with Brazal winning, 4-1, 4-0, for the 8-under unisex title. “What we do in the Cebuana

Lhuillier Age Group Tennis Championship Series is to discover new faces in new places and the winners in this Cainta leg may be unfamiliar names now but will not be for long,”said Cebuana Lhuillier President/CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier who initiated this nationwide tennis grassroots program 10 years ago. Lhuillier is also the current Philippine Tennis Association Chairman. In the distaff side, other winners were Pasig City bet Rajana Felione Ong who won over Nicole Mercado from Quezon City, 6-4, 6-4, in the 14-under finals, while Josefa Panganiban, representing Quezon City, beat Angono, Rizal’s Rebecca Padilla in a three setter, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, to take the 12-under crown.

In search of 9th Halle title. Roger Federer from Switzerland returns the ball during the Tennis match against Malek Jaziri from Tunisia in the ATP Tournament in Halle, western Germany. The world number three, who dropped out of last month’s French Open, had little trouble swatting aside Jaziri, 6-3, 7-5, and next faces Belgium’s David Goffin. Federer, who is in the twilight of a sparkling career and turns 35 in August, is chasing a ninth title in Halle, Germany. AFP

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Superliga unwraps Games Today: (FilOil Flying V Center) 1 p.m. – Opening Ceremony 2 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Cignal 4 p.m. – Foton vs Petron

EXPLOSIVE women’s volleyball action gets underway today as the 2016 Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference unwraps at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan. New-look Petron will kick off its titleretention bid when it battles rival Foton at 4 p.m., while F2 Logistics and Cignal clash in the 2 p.m. opening salvo of this star-studded inter-club tournament bankrolled by Asics, Grand Sports, Mikasa, Mueller and Senoh with TV5 as official broadcast partner. A simple, yet colorful, opening ceremony is also set at 1 p.m. featuring a dance number among players, acrobatic cheerdance performance from Perpetual pep squad and the introduction of the league’s official mascot. Admission is free and tickets will be

Andrew Landry of the United States hits his approach shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the US Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. AFP

Thunderstorms disrupt US Open; Landry leads OAKMONT—Oakmont showed a softer side but that was little consolation as thunderstorms brought a chaotic first round of the US Open Golf Championship to a premature close on Thursday. Little-known Andrew Landry was clinging to a one-shot lead with one hole to go when play was suspended for the day, with only nine of the 156-strong field completing their rounds. Although Thursday’s rain—in the wake of overnight showers— took the edge off the formidable par-70 layout northeast of Pittsburgh, not everyone could take advantage. Defending champion Jordan Spieth and world number three Rory McIlroy will be hoping to turn things around when they return to finish their first rounds on Friday. World number one Jason Day and five-time major-winner Phil Mickelson didn’t make it to the first tee as three separate delays halted play for more than four

and a half hours. If Landry was an unlikely name atop the leaderboard at three-under par through 17 holes, 19-yearold American amateur Scottie Scheffler was an equally surprising clubhouse leader after a oneunder 69. “It was tough,” Landry said of the delays, although he appreciated the more receptive greens. “They’re a good speed and they’re so perfect out there,” said Landry, ranked 624th in the world. “You can make so many putts.” - Different course The softer course was in stark contrast to the firm conditions of the practice rounds. “Completely different golf course,” said Spieth. “I mean night and day.”

That difference didn’t help Spieth much as he launched his bid to become the first player since Curtis Strange in 1989 to successfully defend a US Open title. He had two bogeys and a birdie to stand one-over through 11— and a burst of temper at the parfour 17th when a lovely wedge shot spun away into a greenside bunker. “Are you kidding me!” the world number two fumed. “How is that in the bunker?” Things were even more of a slog for 2011 US Open winner McIlroy. He was in trouble early with backto-back bogeys at the second and third. He pulled a shot back with a clever birdie at the par-five fourth, where he reached the green in two but opted to chip

toward the hole and gave himself a three-footer. That was the high point of a day that included three more bogeys before play was halted with the Northern Ireland star four-over through 13, level with playing partner and Masters champion Danny Willett. Landry, playing in the second group to tee off at the 10th, made steady progress, moving to five-under through 13 holes. He strung together three birdies in a row at the second, third and fourth with a pair of five-footers and a seven-footer. Up by three, he came back to the pack with bogeys at the seventh and eighth -- and will have all night to contemplate a 10-foot birdie putt at his final hole. “I was trying to get it in,” said Landry, who had a wait at the hole for players in front of him. “We were trying really hard ... you’ve got to stay patient with it.” AFP

distributed at the gates starting 10 a.m. After emerging with a semifinal finish in the pre-season PSL Invitational Conference, F2 Logistics made a recruiting coup when it acquired the services of Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo, Majoy Baron, Kim Dy and the entire La Salle squad, which won the UAAP crown recently. The Cargo Movers also drafted Ara Galang as top pick in the PSL Annual Rookie Draft, giving her a chance to be re-united with former La Salle stars Cha Cruz, Paneng Mercado and Aby Marano. “We still have to work hard to convert our success in the UAAP into a PSL title,” said F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus, who also steered Generika and Shopinas to bridesmaid finishes in the past. “We are facing a very tough field. We have to be at our best game in and game out because this is already the club level. All of these players have already proven something.”

Moment of truth for Russian bets VIENNA—Scandal-hit Russia will likely discover Friday that it has not done enough to get back into world track and field’s governing body, the IAAF, in time for its athletes to compete at the Rio Olympics. The 27-member IAAF Council meets in Vienna to decide whether to readmit Russia under the presidency of Sebastian Coe, himself the target of allegations that he enlisted the help of the fugitive son of disgraced predecessor Lamine Diack to secure his election last year. The IAAF provisionally suspended the All-Russian Athletic Federation (ARAF) in November over a bombshell report by a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) independent commission that said there was state-sponsored doping and mass corruption in Russian athletics. Coe has previously stressed that the ban will only be lifted if there is clear evidence of a “verifiable change both in anti-doping practice and culture”. The ban has already been extended once, in March, and following the latest damning WADA report released on Wednesday, the likelihood of Russia’s immediate reinclusion looks remote. AFP

Avena posts runaway 12-shot win LIPA City, Batangas—Abe Avena closed out with his worst score in three days – a three-over 75 – but still posted a runaway 12-stroke romp over Alan Alegre while Gerald Katigbak edged Richard Salcedo by two in the 2016 Philippine Senior and Mid-Amateur Open Championship at Summit Point Golf and Country Club here yesterday. Avena made just one birdie against two late bogeys and a double bogey but his 37-38 card proved enough to cap the Mt. Malarayat shotmaker’s wireto-wire triumph in the 54-hole championship with a 217 total that included an opening 70 and a 72. Alegre, who assumed the challenger’s role with a 72 in the second round, failed to sustain

a par-birdie start and stumbled with three bogeys in the next seven holes before finishing with a 41 and a 79. He ended up with a 229 for second in the event which also served as a qualifier for the 2016 Asian Pacific Golf Confederation national seniors squad, according to the organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines. Rolly Viray made a 78 for a 231 and nipped Benjie Sumulong, who skied to a 79, in the countback for third while Rudy Amata turned in a 76 for a 238 and edged Jose Mari Hechanova, who shot a 79, in the countback for fifth in the tournament sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation and held as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Tour

and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission. Katigbak bucked an opening 40 and a last-hole bogey as he salvaged a 78 for a 232 and nipped Salcedo, who fought back with a 77 for a 234, by two for the MidAmateur plum. Japanese Takuya Kawamura placed third with a 241 after an 84. Rupert Zaragosa matched Avena’s romp, shooting a oneunder 71 and winning the invitational Elite Amateur Open crown with a 215 for an 11-stroke victory over Jolo Magcalayo, who fumbled with a 79 for a 226. Kristoffer Arevalo placed third with a 227 after a 74 while Jan Philip De Claro and Luigi Guerrero took the next two places at 228 and 229 after a 73 and 77, respectively.

Abe Avena (center) holds his trophy as he poses with Summit Point general manager Dan Salvador (left) and NGAP sec-gen Pepot Iñigo after bagging the Seniors Open crown in wire-to-wire fashion.

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Talk ‘N Text taps Syrian import again By Jeric Lopez

WITH most of its stars still busy playing for Smart Gilas Pilipinas, Talk ‘N Text decided to acquire a familiar face as its Asian import to shore-up its roster for the coming Governors’ Cup in the Philippine Basketball Association. The Tropang Texters’ tapped Syrian standout Michael Madanly, who played

last season as Talk ‘N Text’s sister team NLEX’s Asian import, to boost their play

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC This is to inform the public that the following employees are no longer connected with Cirrus Global, Inc. 1. Estela B. Guerrero – June 16, 2016 2. Julie Ann H. Javillo – June 18, 2016 All transactions entered into by abovementioned person for and on behalf of the Company after the said date shall no longer be honored by the Company.

( T S - J U N E 18 , 2 016)

at the wing. Madanly is set to team up with the high-profile regular import of Talk ‘N Text in National Basketball Association veteran Jason Maxiell, a longtime Detroit Piston, as the duo can provide an inside-out threat that can make the Tropang Texters even more dangerous. When he played for NLEX last season, Madanly

showed what he’s capable of doing as he provided the Road Warriors with solid play in the wing position with his slashing and shooting abilities. An arm injury that Madanly suffered early in the Governors’ Cup of last season hindered him from providing more help for NLEX but clearly, he was able to show his worth as it’s

Talk ‘N Text’s turn now to call on him. Still, he averaged 19.4 points and three rebounds for the Road Warriors last season in his first stint in the PBA. Despite a powerhouse lineup along with the addition of the top two picks from last year’s draft in Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario, the Tropang Texters have yet to find success this season

even if they were considered a favorite to win a title in preseason predictions. In the two concluded conferences this season, Tropang TNT failed to even get past the quarterfinals. With Maxiell and Madanly now in tow, Talk ‘N Text is hoping that it can turn the tides in its favor in the season-ending conference that starts July 15.

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In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE Invitation to Bid No. Goods-040-2016 In response to the first advertisement for the Supply & Delivery of Food Supplies of Inmates of Bataan District Jail for the Month of July to August 2016, nobody purchased and submitted bidding documents which is scheduled to be opened last June 13, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.; Under Section 35, of RA 9184, the BAC shall declare failure of bidding when no bids are received. The BAC members resolved to declare 0Failure of Bidding and recommended to Re-bid the above-mentioned procurement subject to the approval of the Provincial Governor. In view of the failure of the first bidding, the Provincial Government of Bataan advertised again the Invitation to Bid for the Supply & Delivery of Food Supplies of Inmates of Bataan District Jail for the Month of July to August 2016in the Provincial Government of Bataan Website, in the Philgeps and in a conspicuous place at the premises within the Provincial Government of Bataan continuously for seven (7) days; The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the General Fund40intends to apply the below listed procurement w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected a bid opening. Name of Project

Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC)

1. Supply & Delivery of Food Supplies of Inmates of Bataan District Jail for the Month of July to August 2016

=P=4,649,136.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan now invites bids for the above listedProcurement. Delivery of goods is requiredon or before the maturity date stipulated on contract. Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. 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 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committeeand inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office. Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 04-2012 listed below. Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million More than 50 Million up to 500 Million More than 500 Million

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 75,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on June 23, 2016 at 10:00 A.M atProvincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan, which shall beopen only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered on or before July 6, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 and Bid Securing Declaration in standard form. The winning bidder has the option to deliver the items requested by the end-user with higher technical specification & better technology provided it will be beneficial to the government & will not incur additional expenses on the part of the procuring entity. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted. In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days. Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan Activities Schedule 1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid June 16 - 22, 2016 2. Eligibility Check Refer to date of Opening of Bids 3. Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents June 16 – July 06, 2016 4. Request for Clarification June 23, 2016 5. Opening of Bids July 06, 2016 The Provincial Government of Bataanreserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: Engr. Josephine R. Valenzuela Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, BalangaCity, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph (TS-JUNE 18, 2016)

(SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC CHAIRMAN

International Figure Skating champ Michael Martinez teaches young enthusiasts at the Michael Martinez Skate Camp, a three-day mentoring session at the SM Mall of Asia Arena Skating Rink in Pasay Ctiy. EY ACASIO

Martinez perfecting his craft for Olympics By Maxine Lagman AFTER his triumphant 19th overall ranking in the 2014 Winter Olympics, 19-year-old Filipino figure skater Michael Martinez is determined to make history again as he prepares for the 2018 Olympics. Martinez, who was the first to qualify and represent the Philippines for the winter games, has been training 10 hours a day in the United States in preparation for his competitions this season. Besides the Asian Trophy in August, he has been perfecting his quad for the Olympic qualifying round in March, and finally the Winter Olympics in 2018. “I train five to six hours a day on ice. I practice two hours on

my own. One hour dance on ice, one hour jumping and one hour choreography. And then two hours on the gym and one hour dance off ice. Also, an hour [of] therapy,” he said. Martinez, known for his “matrix” exhibition, was advised by his doctor and coaches to stop doing it as it causes him pain. However, despite undergoing therapy from his last year’s spinal injury, he is confident enough to bring more gold medals in this season. “My goal and dream is to be an Olympic champion and that itself holds the inspiration for me to keep going. Whatever happens, I always push through to reach that goal,” he said. Despite his busy schedule, he came back to the Philippines

and held a skating camp from Wednesday to Friday at the Skating Rink, SM Mall of Asia. Martinez, together with several coaches, taught the kids to never be scared of doing a new trick. He has already accumulated a lot of medals from different competitions, but he still believes that the greatest lesson aspiring figure skaters should learn from him and from sport is that it is not about the medals or levels, but about experiencing new things. Martinez will also perform two separate ice shows on Saturday at the Skating Rink of SM Megamall with fellow 2015 Philippine National Champions, followed by a meet-andgreet with fans.

PH archers fail to clinch Rio berths KAREEL Meer Hongitan tried to get past the fourth round in the Olympic qualification competitions of the 2016 Archery World Cup competition Friday in Antalya, Turkey. But the 12th seed Filipino fell to 5th seed British bet Naomi Folkard, 4-6, in their clash for a quarterfinal seat. Folkard struck thrice with scores of 9s in their final shootout to stay in contention for a slot to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics in the women’s recurve action. The 19-year-old Hongitan emerged as the lone Filipina survivor after she got past Reena Parnat of Estonia, 7-3, in Round 3. After drawing a bye in the first round of the individual competition, Hongitan came off with 6-0 rout

of Marina Naidenova of Bulgaria. Youth Olympic Games mixed doubles’ champion Gab Moreno prevailed over Serbian Luka Popovic, 6-5, in the first round. And so did Florante Matan, who hurdled Jeff Henschel of Luxombourg, 7-3. In the second round, Matan won over Thai archer Nathapoom Phusanot, 6-2, before bowing to Anton Prilepov, 5-6, in round 3. Moreno was eased out in the second round by Gasper Strajhar of Slovenia, 2-6. So far, France, Indonesia and Malaysia earned the three team slot in the men’s division, while Italy, Ukraine and Chinese Taipei have earned places in the women’s team event. Peter Atencio

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Marcial is last boxer standing for PH WELTERWEIGHT Eumir Felix Marcial is the last man standing in the Philippines’ twoman squad to the AIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan after flyweight Ian Clark Bautista lost in his bid for a berth in the Rio Olympics following a close 29-28 points’ decision to former two-time Spanish Olympian Jose Kevin Linares Friday evening.

Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines executive director Ed Picson said Marcial, who was seeded No.1 and drew a bye in the first round, is the country’s last hope for an Olympic berth when he faces Germany’s hard-hitting Abbas Baraou, who dominated New Zealand’s Josh Nyika to win by a second-round stoppage. Marcial will battle the tough

German on Saturday. The ABAP executive director told The Standard that Bautista “fought a good fight” against the 29-year-old Spanish Olympian, but the judges only gave the Filipino boxer the third round. However, Picson said he and the coaching staff of Nonito “Boy” Velasco and Romeo Brin “thought he won rounds two and three, but it was really close.”

Marcial’s opponent Baraou won the gold medal at the German Under 21 National Championships in October of 2014 with a 3-0 win over Olcay Simsek. In an Olympicstyle competition against Canada, Baraou defeated Sasan HaghighaJoo and was among six of the eight Germans, who beat their Canadian opponents in the 23rd Annual Ken Goff Boxing Classic. Ronnie Nathanielsz

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

Juarez plans to overwhelm Pagara By Ronnie Nathanielsz

MEXICO’S rugged Cesar Juarez, who engaged five-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire in a brutal war in the second half of their fight for the vacant World Boxing Organization super bantamweight title, but lost by a 12-round unanimous decision after being dropped twice in the fourth round, plans to overwhelm unbeaten Prince Albert Pagara when they clash at the San Mateo Events Center in California this July. Juarez, at the same time, expressed the hope that Pagara “stands to exchange punches like Donaire and the fight turns out to be a war.” The aggressive Mexican fighter, in answer to a series of questions posed by ALA Promotions by email, said it has been “a very strong and intense training. It’s been great camping in Mexico City.” Juarez conceded that while Prince Albert Pagara “is a great prospect, he hasn’t fought anyone known yet.” After watching videos of Pagara’s fights, the Mexican slugger remarked that Prince Albert “is a quality fighter with a good style and never

misses a punch, but when he gets attacked, he doesn’t know what to do and my style is to attack and attack and to overwhelm my rivals by throwing a lot of punches.” He claims his advantage over Pagara is his “belligerence and his Mexican warrior spirit.” In his written answers to a series of questions coursed through ALA Promotions, which is promoting the fight card in cooperation with ABS-CBN, Juarez said he is “very motivated and his plan is to win, go out and give everything I have and the fight will end with me as the winner either by a knockout or decision. But I will win.” Juarez was ranked No.1

when he battled No. 2 Donaire in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Donaire built up an early lead with his two knockdowns in Round 4. But Juarez stayed in the contest largely on guts and his intense aggression in the middle rounds busted up Donaire, who however came back with some big shots in the championship rounds to regain control en route to a win by scores of 116-110 on the cards of judges Jose Roberto Torres and Nelson Vazquez and by a 117-109 margin on the scorecard of Gerardo Martinez. Juarez conceded he lost the fight but complained it wasn’t by such a big margin. Juarez dropped a close split decision over 10 rounds in his last fight against countryman Giovanni Delgado on March 5, 2016 in the Mexico City Arena. A report from ringside said Delgado gave a good showing in their featherweight clash with “Sprinkles” Delgado being the more accurate in his attacks, with Juarez getting hit on the face often. Juarez had a big eighth round when he connected with a powerful straight right and an overhand left to the face of his foe.

Chan a racing fan. Chinese actor Jackie Chan poses with a signed racing suit on June 17, 2016 in Le Mans, western France, on the eve of the 84th edition of Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race. AFP

The measure of a man INSIDE SPORTS RONNIE NATHANIELSZ

THE outpouring of grief over the death of Muhammad Ali, the greatest heavyweight champion of all-time and one who is considered perhaps the greatest boxer of all-time continues as the world begins to grapple with the reality that this giant of a man is no longer with us. Ali called actor/comedian Billy Crystal his “little brother” and we who were privileged to serve as his liaison officer during the glorious “Thrilla in Manila” can take pride in the fact that Ali referred to us as “brother” which was an implicit recognition of our closeness and respect for each other. I recall that one afternoon while getting a massage in his room after a strenuous workout at the Folk Arts Theater in preparation for

the Oct.1, 1975 showdown against Joe Frazier, one of the most renowned American boxing writers and columnists, bothered by Ali’s closeness to us and that we were in fact getting all the scoops which they merely had to pick up from the daily publication by the Department of Public Information, expressed his feelings about being effectively left out on the fringes. Ali responded as only he could. He told the columnist and the others gathered around him: “He is my brother. I can go to his home, embrace his daughter and have dinner with his family. But I can’t do that in your home.” It was a telling message that struck deep down in the hearts of the majority of the western media, many of whom gave us the impression they wanted him to fall. But Ali was bigger than any failure in the ring that could diminish his glowing stature and his legendary ways. He was then—and will

remain in our memories forever, as not just an incredible champion but a charismatic, beautiful human being. Every time we watched a replay of the emotional tributes paid to Ali at his memorial service by a variety of distinguished human beings, he seems to grow in stature even as they struggle continuously to hold back the tears as they speak and as we remember. We spent 10 days with Ali and trainer Angelo Dundee in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia until before and one day after his successful title defense against British heavyweight Joe Bugner. We were directed to then fly to Honolulu to accompany Ali to Manila several weeks before the Frazier title fight which was a highlight of their memorable trio of contests. We had an opportunity to live in the Hilton Hotel, which was the name it carried at that time and had an unbelievable chance to get to know Ali so much better and study

him up close and personal. The experience was enthralling and enlightening. During the hours we spent with Ali, we learned first hand about his kindness, his caring for the poor and disadvantaged and his resolute Islamic faith which lifted his spirits and touched those around him even if their faith was different. To Ali, we all were loved and cared for by one God, no matter if you were a Muslim, Catholic, Protestant or Jew. He used to emphasize in touching reality that in the end we all worshiped one God, no matter by what name we individually called Him. That was the measure of the man and that enhanced his greatness of spirit and the solidarity of his faith. We will remember Muhammad Ali, a friend and a brother of epic proportions not just forever but forever and a day. Peace be with you my beloved brother.

Kobe returns to PH for Mentality Tour NIKE athlete Kobe Bryant will be in Manila for the Mamba Mentality Tour on 25 and 26 June, where the basketball legend will inspire the upcoming generation of young basketballers to embrace Mamba Mentality. Mamba Mentality is a philosophy derived from Kobe’s approach to the game, and his aspirations of chasing perfection through hard work, resilience and passion in every aspect of life on and off the court. This is the Mamba’s first visit to the Philippines after his retirement from the NBA. The Mamba Mentality Tour aims to challenge and inspire the mindset of Pinoy ballers to be relentless, resilient and fearless in the sport of basketball and life. This will be achieved through Kobe Academy on 26 June where selected ballers,

who have shown that they have the skills and Mamba Mentality mindset, will train with the Black Mamba himself. To qualify for the Kobe Academy, ballers are invited to join the Kobe Academy Pre-Camp on June 22 to 24 June to bring their game and be challenged at 4 a.m. basketball sessions. Known for his legendary work ethic, Kobe would wake up and start his training sessions in the early morning before team practice, sometimes as early as 4am. Filipino fans can also look forward to Mamba Mentality Night to witness the legacy of his 20-year career at Smart Araneta Coliseum. To be a part of the Mamba Mentality Tour, sign up as a Nike+ member and go to http://go.nike. com/0kfpcr. #mambamentality

S AT U R DAY : J U N E 1 8 , 2 0 16

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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

‘LeBron being LeBron’ LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after making a shot during his team’s game against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. AFP

CLEVELAND—Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James delivered one of the greatest must-win performances in NBA Finals history late Thursday, leading his Cleveland Cavaliers in a victorious late charge against the Golden State Warriors. James scored 41 points to power the Cavaliers over Golden State 115-101 and force a one-game showdown for the NBA title. “Special, very special,” Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving said of James. “You try not to sit back and

watch because you’re trying to make sure that you create space for him and able to give him outlets when he needs it,” Irving said. But “when a guy’s got it going like that ... it’s just unbelievable.” James scored 18 consecutive

Cavaliers points from late in the third quarter to midway into the fourth, part of a run where he scored or assisted on 35 of 36 Cleveland points. “That fourth quarter was unbelievable when he’s playing that mid-range, and outside, and driving to the rim and creating opportunities for all of us,” Irving said. James finished with 41 points for the second game in a row—the first time a player had 40 in back-toback finals games since Shaquille

O’Neal in 2000—and the Cavaliers leveled the best-of-seven series at 3-3, setting up a winner-take-all game seven showdown Sunday in California. “It’s LeBron being LeBron. He’s one of the greatest of all times,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said. “Our back was against the wall and he took it upon himself to really put this team on his back and really get us to where we’re trying to get.” In a virtuoso performance, James played 42 minutes, hit 16-of-27 shots

from the floor, passed out 11 assists, grabbed eight rebounds, blocked three shots and made four steals. “He played unbelievable on both ends of the floor,” Cleveland’s J.R. Smith said. “He was aggressive all night.” The Cavaliers could become the first team in NBA history to rally from a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Finals. They became the first team in 50 years, and only the third ever, to recover from such a hole to force a seventh game. AFP

Frustrated Curry loses his cool CLEVELAND—Stephen Curry’s frustrations over foul calls boiled over in a stinging NBA Finals loss to Cleveland that saw the Golden State star guard ejected for the first time in his career. And in the wake of the defending champion Warriors’ 115-101 loss to the host Cavaliers on Thursday, they face a winner-take-all title showdown Sunday on their home court to decide a best-of-seven series deadlocked at 3-3. “Everybody has got to stay confident, stay in the moment,” Curry said. “I like our chances in game seven to have everything click at the right time and win this thing.” Curry, the NBA Most Valuable Player and scoring leader, scored 30 points but fouled out for the first time since 2013. He was upset at being called for the last two fouls that he hurled his mouthpiece into the stands in anger, earning banishment to the locker room. “I usually aim at the scorer’s table. I was off,” Curry said. “I definitely didn’t mean to throw it at a fan, but it happened. I went over and apologized to him because that’s obviously not where I was trying to take my frustration out. “But the last two fouls I had, I didn’t think I fouled either Kyrie or LeBron. That’s just kind of my perception of the plays and I had a reaction to it. “It was obviously frustrating fouling out in the fourth quarter of a clinching game and not being out there with my teammates. So it got the best of me, but I’ll be all right for next game.” AFP

SATURDAY: JUNE 18, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Travellers delays casino project By Jenniffer B. Austria

TRAVELLERS International Hotel Group Inc. said Friday it may move the opening of its second integrated resort and gaming facility in the Philippines amid rising competition. Travellers president Kingson said the opening of the $1.1-billion West Side City Resorts World in Pagcor Entertainment City complex in Parañaque might be moved to 2020 or 2021, instead of the original schedule of 2018. Two casinos are already operating within Entertainment City, including Solaire Resorts & Ca-

sino of Bloomberry Resorts Corp. and City of Dreams Manila of Melco Crown group. A third gaming and resort complex owned by Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada is expected to open in Entertainment City before the end of the year, which would likely tighten competition in the area.

Macau, the first gaming jurisdiction in Asia, faces tough competition from other countries which decided to open their own gaming destinations, including Singapore, the Philippines and South Korea. Macau, a Chinese special autonomous region, saw gaming revenues fall 34 percent to $28.9 billion in 2015 from a year ago, after China launched an anti-corruption campaign. Travellers International, a joint venture of Alliance Global Group Inc. and Genting of Malaysia, already operates Resorts World Manila in Pasay City and is one of the four holders of gaming licenses in

Entertainment City. Sian said last week the company was reviewing plans for West Side City to make it unique compared to the competition and its own Resorts World Manila. “We’re carefully studying the master plan. We want to tweak it so that we offer something that is quite unique, so we don’t repeat the same offering,” said Sian. Travellers is supposed to be the fourth and last company to build integrated gaming and entrainment facility in Entertainment City. It is also spending P10 billion this year to expand Resorts World Manila. It would add three more

hotels under phase three of the project, including Hilton Hotel Manila, the Sheraton Manila Hotel and Maxims Hotel’s new wing. The company earlier budgeted $400 million to $450 million for phase 3. Sian said the company also planned to start the development of phase 4 in 2017. Phase 4 would involve the construction at least 1,000 hotel rooms and 20,000 square meters of retail space. Sian said once all phases were completed, Resorts World would have over 5,000 hotel rooms and 40,000 square meters of retail space.

PSe comPoSite index Closing June 17, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,622.07 57.60

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing June 17, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P46.445

44.00

43.00

HIGH P46.350 LOW P46.470 AVERAGE P46.418 VOLUME 529.000M

P427.00-P620.00 LPG/11-kg tank P36.35-P43.45 Unleaded Gasoline

Mitsubishi’s new facility. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. breaks ground on a stamping facility at Greenﬁeld Auto Park in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The stamping facility or press shop will produce big body panels and parts such as bumpers, consoles and dashboards. Shown during the groundbreaking ceremony are MMPC president and chief executive Yoshiaki Kato (Left) and Trade undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo. TEDDY PELAEZ

Mitsubishi breaks ground on Laguna stamping plant By Othel V. Campos STA. ROSA, Laguna--Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. said Friday it will introduce a new multi-purpose vehicle to replace Adventure and L-300 models that the company will retire by end2017. “We will be displaying the concept car by September [2016] during the Philippine auto show. It will be a totally new model, not similar, neither a full-model change version of the current L-300,” MMPC first vice president for marketing Froilan Dytianquin said during the groundbreak-

ing ceremony for the company’s stamping facility in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Mitsubishi will terminate the production of L-300 and Adventure models to give way to a new model that can comply with Euro-4 standards, he said. The Japanese vehicle maker is awaiting further instructions from the government, as it prepares to phase out Adventure and L-300 models. “We see that right timing for the transition program in the last three months of 2017. We need to determine how much remaining volume we will be selling until

December 2017. We also cannot neglect that dealers will be doing the retail and will be carrying the inventory. That will be one of the issues,” Dyntiangquin said. He said the company would continue after-sales services for owners of Adventure and L-300 vans, including maintenance and parts support. Mitsubishi on Friday led the groundbreaking for its first stamping facility at its 21-hectare property inside Greenfield Auto Park in Sta. Rosa. The stamping facility or press shop will mass-produce big body parts such as body panels and

plastic parts such as bumpers, consoles and dashboards beginning January 2018. It said pending the installation of the press shop by mid-2017, it would bring in big parts from Thailand, where Mirage is currently produced. The company targets to localize parts of the Mirage–its entry model to the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy program of the government. MMPC recently received the certificate of participation for Cars program from the Trade Department and the Board of Investments.

oPriceS il P today

P24.75-P29.60 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, June 17, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

46.3510

Japan

Yen

0.009593

0.4446

Pound

1.420400

65.8370

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128889

5.9741

Switzerland

Franc

1.036699

48.0520

Canada

Dollar

0.771248

35.7481

Singapore

Dollar

0.741730

34.3799

Australia

Dollar

0.735900

34.1097

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651957

122.9209

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266738

12.3636

Brunei

Dollar

0.738989

34.2529

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.028361

1.3146

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.6208

Euro

1.122900

52.0475

Korea

Won

0.000853

0.0395

China

Yuan

0.151706

7.0317

India

Rupee

0.014858

0.6887

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.243962

11.3079

New Zealand

Dollar

0.704200

32.6404

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030912

1.4328 Source: PDS Bridge

SATURDAY: JUNE 18, 2016

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Friday, June 17, 2016

52 Weeks

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 75 91.5 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 58 62 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 89 148 20.6 125 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 3.95 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 26 2.17

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 40.3 32 15.32 62.5 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 20.2 71.5 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 2.3 1.63 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.37 3.87 8.45 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 10.02 1.2

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 3.68 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 6.66 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 0.0670 1.61 2.99 84.9 3.5 974 1.66 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.23 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.6 1.15 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3.52 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 0.030 0.550 2.26 59.3 1.5 751 1.13 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

10.5 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69

6.74 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415

STOCKS

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.98 3.76 46 45.5 108.90 106.50 97.50 96.95 37.65 37.4 3.28 3.18 1.40 1.40 14.2 14 18 17.8 1.78 1.77 598.50 595.00 0.570 0.570 87.3 86.25 0.92 0.92 15.04 15.00 23.00 23.00 53.85 52.90 265 260 32.2 31.95 203 199.9 1379.00 1374.00 65.45 65.20 1.55 1.55 INDUSTRIAL Aboitiz Power Corp. 45.5 46.7 46.05 Agrinurture Inc. 4.01 4 3.85 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.83 0.83 0.81 Alsons Cons. 1.96 2.04 1.95 Asiabest Group 12.5 12.86 12.54 Bogo Medelin 58.5 58.5 58.5 C. Azuc De Tarlac 189.00 189.00 189.00 Century Food 21.4 22 21.4 Chemphil 142 140 140 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 188 189.9 185 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 17.16 17.16 16.8 Concepcion 47.5 47.65 46 Crown Asia 1.99 2.05 1.99 Da Vinci Capital 5.24 5.4 5.1 Del Monte 11.46 11.46 11.02 DNL Industries Inc. 9.750 10.100 9.750 Emperador 7.12 7.20 7.12 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.35 5.35 5.25 EEI 7.61 7.75 7.61 Euro-Med Lab 1.74 1.73 1.73 First Gen Corp. 22.15 22.85 22.1 First Holdings ‘A’ 65 65.25 64.1 Holcim Philippines Inc. 14.66 15.00 14.90 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.59 5.7 5.6 Ionics Inc 2.300 2.350 2.300 Jollibee Foods Corp. 234.00 239.40 235.00 LMG Chemicals 1.85 1.9 1.86 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.28 3.31 3.31 Manila Water Co. Inc. 27.05 27.9 27.05 Maxs Group 26.85 28.1 27.2 Megawide 6.6 6.64 6.6 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 325.00 325.00 320.00 MG Holdings 0.285 0.270 0.270 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 4.45 4.43 4.43 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.38 3.49 3.41 Petron Corporation 11.12 11.70 11.08 Phinma Corporation 11.64 11.64 11.64 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 5.99 6.01 5.96 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.72 1.74 1.67 Pryce Corp. À’ 2.8 2.8 2.76 RFM Corporation 4.24 4.24 4.23 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods À’ 216.4 216.4 210 Splash Corporation 2.51 2.53 2.5 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.148 0.149 0.147 TKC Steel Corp. 1.66 1.71 1.65 Trans-Asia Oil 2.51 2.53 2.49 Universal Robina 200.4 208 201 Victorias Milling 4.64 4.64 4.64 Vitarich Corp. 0.89 0.9 0.88 Vivant Corp. 30.50 30.50 30.50 Vulcan Ind’l. 1.23 1.28 1.22 HOLDING FIRMS Abacus Cons. À’ 0.385 0.385 0.375 Aboitiz Equity 73.00 73.70 73.40 Alliance Global Inc. 15.90 16.04 15.90 Anglo Holdings A 1.16 1.16 1.15 Anscor À’ 6.10 6.27 6.25 ATN Holdings A 0.355 0.375 0.340 ATN Holdings B 0.350 0.365 0.345 Ayala Corp À’ 831 845 835.5 Cosco Capital 7.93 7.98 7.9 DMCI Holdings 12.78 13.00 12.86 F&J Prince ‘A’ 5 5 5 F&J Prince ‘B’ 5 5 5 Filinvest Dev. Corp. 6.50 6.50 6.41 Forum Pacific 0.226 0.230 0.210 GT Capital 1439 1445 1420 House of Inv. 6.40 6.31 6.31 JG Summit Holdings 83.80 85.25 83.00 Keppel Holdings `B’ 5.9 6.84 6.14 Lopez Holdings Corp. 7.56 7.7 7.4 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.69 0.7 0.69 LT Group 15 15.5 14.92 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 6.5 6.54 6.45 Pacifica À’ 0.0320 0.0320 0.0320 Prime Orion 1.800 1.820 1.800 Republic Glass ‘A’ 2.6 2.62 2.62 San Miguel Corp À’ 79.00 79.40 78.70 Seafront À’ 2.13 2.20 2.15 SM Investments Inc. 965.00 989.50 961.50 Solid Group Inc. 1.17 1.18 1.15 Top Frontier 186.500 187.000 185.600 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3100 0.3150 0.3050 Wellex Industries 0.1970 0.2010 0.1970 Zeus Holdings 0.325 0.335 0.320 PROPERTY 8990 HLDG 7.650 7.800 7.610 A. Brown Co., Inc. 1.25 1.32 1.24 Araneta Prop À’ 2.210 2.240 2.170 Arthaland Corp. 0.270 0.280 0.280 Ayala Land `B’ 37.850 38.600 37.550 Belle Corp. À’ 3.26 3.38 3.28 Cebu Holdings 5.19 5.19 5.13 Century Property 0.510 0.51 0.500 City & Land Dev. 1.00 1.00 1.00 Cityland Dev. À’ 1.050 1.060 1.030 Crown Equities Inc. 0.131 0.135 0.130 Cyber Bay Corp. 0.580 0.620 0.590 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. Manulife Fin. Corp. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp. PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank PSE Inc. RCBC À’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

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

SHARES 8,017,869 72,938,248 96,946,819 182,387,853 292,144,130 1,905,672,967 2,581,718,231

3.79 45.8 106.10 97.00 37.65 3.18 1.40 14 17.66 1.77 595.00 0.550 86.15 0.92 15.00 23.00 52.80 262 32 202 1374.00 65.30 1.54

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.95 46 108.70 97.20 37.65 3.28 1.40 14 18 1.77 598.50 0.570 87.05 0.92 15.00 23.00 53.50 265 32.05 201 1374.00 65.20 1.55

4.22 0.44 2.45 0.21 0.00 3.14 0.00 0.00 1.93 0.00 0.59 3.64 1.04 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.33 1.15 0.16 -0.50 0.00 -0.15 0.65

240,000 11,700 2,074,760 984,150 11,100 29,000 66,000 81,900 190,300 14,000 90 4,000 2,926,750 32,000 42,200 1,200 114,200 1,180 223,900 749,760 130 218,040 1,000

46.4 3.9 0.83 2 12.58 58.5 189.00 21.5 140 186 16.8 47.2 2 5.12 11.3 9.800 7.18 5.25 7.73 1.73 22.15 64.1 15.00 5.61 2.320 239.00 1.86 3.31 27.2 27.75 6.6 325.00 0.270 4.43 3.41 11.66 11.64 6.00 1.74 2.77 4.24 216.2 2.5 0.147 1.67 2.49 207 4.64 0.88 30.50 1.27

1.98 -2.74 0.00 2.04 0.64 0.00 0.00 0.47 -1.41 -1.06 -2.10 -0.63 0.50 -2.29 -1.40 0.51 0.84 -1.87 1.58 -0.57 0.00 -1.38 2.32 0.36 0.87 2.14 0.54 0.91 0.55 3.35 0.00 0.00 -5.26 -0.45 0.89 4.86 0.00 0.17 1.16 -1.07 0.00 -0.09 -0.40 -0.68 0.60 -0.80 3.29 0.00 -1.12 0.00 3.25

2,812,800 352,000 475,000 5,813,000 6,700 10 30 730,000 10 450 144,200 6,000 2,885,000 953,700 12,600 6,146,300 1,117,300 23,575,900 444,000 10,000 2,353,900 327,460 214,200 62,200 643,000 646,860 19,000 1,000 1,847,600 1,130,100 122,200 155,400 110,000 2,000 314,000 5,327,400 100 639,400 165,000 44,000 37,000 460 446,000 1,000,000 508,000 3,993,000 2,105,430 2,000 2,993,000 400 38,600

0.385 73.70 15.90 1.16 6.27 0.360 0.350 839 7.93 12.92 5 5 6.50 0.220 1431 6.31 83.40 6.83 7.55 0.69 15.5 6.5 0.0320 1.820 2.62 78.70 2.2 961.50 1.18 187.000 0.3150 0.2000 0.320

0.00 0.96 0.00 0.00 2.79 1.41 0.00 0.96 0.00 1.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 -2.65 -0.56 -1.41 -0.48 15.76 -0.13 0.00 3.33 0.00 0.00 1.11 0.77 -0.38 3.29 -0.36 0.85 0.27 1.61 1.52 -1.54

450,000 2,255,190 5,523,600 32,000 2,300 15,750,000 160,000 281,850 1,558,600 5,094,100 47,200 13,500 146,800 260,000 227,915 2,100 18,893,950 266,900 2,483,300 104,000 2,941,100 27,997,100 6,100,000 1,161,000 20,000 109,260 11,000 215,770 21,000 15,050 950,000 60,000 3,470,000

7.660 1.29 2.190 0.280 38.350 3.36 5.19 0.500 1.00 1.030 0.134 0.600

0.13 3.20 -0.90 3.70 1.32 3.07 0.00 -1.96 0.00 -1.90 2.29 3.45

199,800 3,820,000 534,000 500,000 23,707,000 2,856,000 9,800 834,000 7,000 59,000 7,170,000 19,293,000

509,700.00 151,248,918 19,401,312.00 37,500.00

894,300.00

43,988,441.50

-228,629.50 4,193,235 30,674,277.00 -1,125,933.00 70,843,680.00 503,160.00

-4,320,920.00

-81,805

33,052,529.00 929,875.00 -13,618,475.00 276,010.00 22,438,110.00 -10,564,762.50 1,244,038.00 5,600.00 -212,280.00 91,248,738.00 5,706,735.00 11,911,485.00 9,900.00 37,608,340.00 -10,800.00 368,670.00 38,950,870.00 3,400.00 -42,350.00

12,500.00 284,579,344.00 12,200.00

8,450,198.50 -27,216,744.00

47,967,985.00 3,603,618.00 10,742,486.00 765,413.00 -32,454,775.00 78,166,555.00 -7,644,834.00 7,469,998.00 37,373,457.00 80,000.00 -1,071,480.00 89,997,800.00 -548,110.00 9,750.00 422,947.00 63,900.00 32,850.00

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

High

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

Double Dragon 59 Empire East Land 0.790 Global-Estate 0.97 Filinvest Land,Inc. 2.05 Megaworld 4.36 MRC Allied Ind. 0.088 Phil. Estates Corp. 0.2550 Phil. Realty `A’ 0.460 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 40.20 Primex Corp. 9.5 Robinson’s Land `B’ 29.50 Rockwell 1.61 Shang Properties Inc. 3.11 SM Prime Holdings 25.40 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.89 Starmalls 6.55 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 1.000 Vista Land & Lifescapes 5.230

-0.76 1.27 0.00 -0.49 1.15 -1.14 0.00 -1.09 1.99 0.21 0.51 1.86 -0.64 0.20 2.25 0.00 1.00 0.96

1,985,970 28,000 2,233,000 12,618,000 3,344,000 3,630,000 100,000 420,000 1,600 17,100 2,693,800 13,000 122,000 52,302,000 984,000 1,000 1,218,000 8,119,200

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 2.6 7.67 4 2720 8.41 70.5 1.97 119.5 7 12.5 0.017

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 4.8 2.58 1600 5.95 17.02 1.23 102.6 3.01 8.72 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

12.28 3.32 95.5 1 15.2

6.5 1.91 3.1 0.650 6

1.040 22.8 18 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 8.8 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 5 0.315 1.14

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

1.11 2.28 0.00 4.92 0.53 3.96 3.69 -1.69 1.08 0.96 0.30 0.53 -0.76 0.00 -0.26 0.47 0.00 -0.86 1.42 0.46 0.00 -9.09 0.10 -1.52 0.00 -4.08 -0.17 2.12 0.00 5.26 -3.39 14.23 1.78 0.00 2.59 3.33 0.00 0.82 0.40 0.00 8.49 4.96 -0.44 1.26 9.09 0.00 0.29 7.58 4.60

58,900 59,000 10,000 1,993,000 200 19,400 18,102,500 10,610,000 545,000 941,930 200 48,000 67,200 1,000 256,355 154,400 83,700 33,000 2,169,700 23,000 2,500 33,700,000 710,000 7,950,000 2,676,000 52,000 12,700 8,000 462,000 3,700 62,000 68,906,000 10,115,000 3,530,000 4,700 3,624,500 600 113,200 344,555 7,180,000 69,484,000 2,173,300 1,717,680 1,990,800 31,065,000 6,604,000 4,031,000 20,000 10,600

0.0098 5.45 17.24 25 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 3.06 0.020 0.021 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 6.47 9.43 6.5 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 1.54 0.012 0.013 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

-2.33 -4.28 -1.51 -0.17 -3.07 0.27 -1.59 1.02 -0.22 3.30 0.00 -3.64 -3.39 0.00 -5.88 -1.58 0.81 1.89 -0.78 10.00 0.00 -1.18 -5.71 0.00 0.39 -0.99 0.00

1,670,000,000 1,260,000.00 1,956,000 12,250.00 81,000 -13,780.00 700 23,200 13,200 -73,200.00 286,000 770,000 400 63,262,000 3,029,730.00 220,000 66,380,000 2,140,000 8,400,000 15,400,000 559,000 6,047,000 -3,905,350.00 1,734,000 103,000 28,750.00 9,000,000 2,100,000 4,020,500 5,969,593.00 7,213,000 -5,953,870.00 36,600,000 468,220 23,254,009.00 392,000 8,200,000

70 553 525 118 515 8.21 111 1060

33 490 500 101 480 5.88 101 997

1047 78.95 84.8

1011 74.5 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen F GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I Swift Pref

2.72 0.09 0.75 0.34 0.93 -1.54 0.00 0.29 2.21 0.00 0.00 -1.23 0.00 -1.22 -1.95 -0.06 -2.17

77,600 3,730 8,600 200 110 8,800 190 28,980 160 10,850 10,000 200 84,270 3,000 188,000 12,000 34,000

0.97

305,000

0.00 -0.29 9.34 1.72

1,242,000 39,080.00 8,000 21,425,000 11,920,370.00 916,000 -5,399,862.00

0.96

15,150

1.34

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

-24,890.00

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,735.52 (UP) 14.36 INDUSTRIAL 11,841.79 (UP) 179.05 HOLDING FIRMS 7,477.27 (UP) 13.70 PROPERTY 3,315.54 (UP) 23.20 SERVICES 1,602.21 (UP) 18.69 MINING & OIL 11,853.37 (DOWN) 63.46 PSEI 7,622.07 (UP) 57.60 All Shares Index 4,549.27 (UP) 32.01 Gainers: 114; Losers: 68; Unchanged: 54; Total: 236

2.4 0.83 1.15 1.42 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 23 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp. Italpinas Xurpas

61 57.3 58.55 0.800 0.790 0.800 0.97 0.96 0.97 2.05 2.01 2.04 4.46 4.39 4.41 0.089 0.085 0.087 0.2600 0.2550 0.2550 0.460 0.450 0.455 41.90 40.20 41.00 9.59 9.49 9.52 30.00 29.00 29.65 1.64 1.62 1.64 3.1 3.09 3.09 26.00 25.20 25.45 0.91 0.88 0.91 6.55 6.55 6.55 1.010 1.000 1.010 5.400 5.220 5.280 SERVICES 7.18 7.4 7.2 7.26 48.3 49.8 48.95 49.4 1.25 1.35 1.25 1.25 0.610 0.640 0.610 0.640 11.3 11.36 11.36 11.36 30.3 32.95 30 31.5 5.69 5.90 5.75 5.90 0.0590 0.0590 0.0570 0.0580 2.79 2.83 2.78 2.82 98.55 100 98.55 99.5 9.85 9.88 9.88 9.88 1.9 2.03 1.91 1.91 6.60 6.64 6.40 6.55 3.42 3.42 3.42 3.42 2290 2304 2272 2284 6.32 6.35 6.30 6.35 21.55 21.55 21.55 21.55 1.16 1.18 1.14 1.15 59.95 61 60.25 60.8 13.00 13.80 13.02 13.06 11.5 11.5 11.3 11.5 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 9.61 9.62 9.60 9.62 0.330 0.330 0.325 0.325 1.6000 1.6100 1.5600 1.6000 2.45 2.35 2.35 2.35 12 12 11.8 11.98 7.56 7.76 7.72 7.72 3.30 3.40 3.25 3.30 19.00 20.00 20.00 20.00 0.590 0.590 0.560 0.570 2.6 2.98 2.63 2.97 3.94 4.05 3.96 4.01 2.820 2.850 2.790 2.820 12.36 12.72 12.68 12.68 8.7 8.99 8.1 8.99 120.00 120.00 120.00 120.00 24.35 24.55 24.35 24.55 2022.00 2058.00 2016.00 2030.00 0.440 0.445 0.425 0.440 1.060 1.160 1.040 1.150 41.35 43.40 41.35 43.40 80.10 80.20 79.60 79.75 6.33 6.63 6.39 6.41 2.75 3.00 2.80 3.00 0.570 0.580 0.560 0.570 3.39 3.55 3.4 3.4 0.330 0.355 0.330 0.355 6.300 6.650 6.300 6.590 MINING & OIL 0.0043 0.0043 0.0041 0.0042 2.57 2.56 2.40 2.46 4.65 4.77 4.55 4.58 11.82 11.80 11.78 11.80 7.5000 7.85 7.02 7.2700 7.3000 7.3200 7.3200 7.3200 0.63 0.63 0.62 0.62 0.490 0.495 0.480 0.495 8.90 8.95 8.70 8.88 0.910 0.980 0.900 0.940 0.295 0.300 0.295 0.295 0.275 0.270 0.260 0.265 0.295 0.290 0.280 0.285 0.0150 0.0150 0.0140 0.0150 0.0170 0.0160 0.0150 0.0160 1.9 1.9 1.86 1.87 4.95 5.04 4.82 4.99 2.65 2.8 2.63 2.7 1.2800 1.2700 1.2500 1.2700 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 9.32 9.21 8.91 9.21 4.90 4.99 4.62 4.62 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 128.50 129.30 128.00 129.00 4.05 4.06 4 4.01 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 PREFERRED 47.8 49.95 49 49.1 539.5 540 539.5 540 536 540 540 540 116.1 116.5 116.2 116.5 535 540 536 540 6.5 6.4 6.4 6.4 111.8 111.8 111.8 111.8 1034 1080 1037 1037 1086 1110 1110 1110 1038 1038 1038 1038 79.5 79.5 79.5 79.5 81 80 79 80 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 77.95 77 77 77 77 76 75.5 75.5 77 76.95 76.95 76.95 2.3 2.3 2.25 2.25 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.100 3.170 3.000 3.130 SME 3.91 3.94 3.85 3.91 3.5 3.49 3.22 3.49 4.39 5.6 4.01 4.8 16.32 16.8 16.3 16.6 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 124.4 125.6 124.4 125.6

T op g ainerS VALUE 762,034,972.20 1,477,277,718.67 2,985,051,519.27 2,782,156,179.04 2,384,780,638.39 260,815,288.899 10,780,066,176.97

Low

10.96 0.97 2.22 2.1 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

165,868,430.00 7,115,610.00

-365,000.00

17,593,110.50 1,877,060.00 38,723,710.00 4,300.00

959.00 15,888,200.00 318,780.00 135,508,105.00

-10,692,918.00 -216,348.00

22,720.00 19,016,773.00 40,574,435.00

-79,758,960.00

-19,132,874.50

1,923,000.00 13,000.00 7,950.00

130,800.00 21,027,120.00 7,728,330.00 495,250.00 -29,390,960.00 56,400.00 834,750.00 -7,434,230.00 24,720,845.00 -47,122,606.50 -3,370.00 -335,730.00 -402,100.00 -6,388,220.00

2,401,870.00

-67,470.00 229,500.00

100,400.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Keppel Holdings `B'

6.83

15.76

IP E-Game Ventures Inc.

0.0100

-9.09

Melco Crown

2.97

14.23

Manila Mining `B'

0.0160

-5.88

Oriental Pet. `A'

0.0110

10.00

PhilexPetroleum

4.62

-5.71

Italpinas

4.8

9.34

MG Holdings

0.270

-5.26

SSI Group

3.00

9.09

Apex `A'

2.46

-4.28

Premium Leisure

1.150

8.49

Jackstones

2.35

-4.08

Waterfront Phils.

0.355

7.58

Lepanto `A'

0.265

-3.64

Manila Broadcasting

20.00

5.26

Manila Bulletin

0.570

-3.39

Puregold

43.40

4.96

Lepanto `B'

0.285

-3.39

APC Group, Inc.

0.640

4.92

Benguet Corp `A'

7.2700

-3.07

SATURDAY: JUNE 18, 2016

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

Stock index returns to 7,600 STOCKS rose for a third day, sending the benchmark index above the 7,600-point level, following overnight gains on Wall Street and the suspension of campaigning for Britain’s EU vote. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company bellwether, gained 57 points, or 0.8 percent, to close at 7,622.07 Friday. It was also up 9.6 percent since the start of the year. The heavier index, representing all shares, also advanced 32 points, or 0.7 percent, to settle at 4,549.27, on value turnover of P10.8 billion. Advancers outnumbered losers, 114 to 68, while 54 issues were unchanged. Thirteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corp. which jumped 14.2 percent to P2.97. Universal Robina Corp. climbed 3.3 percent to P207, while BDO Unibank Inc. went up by 2.5 percent to P108.70. Meanwhile, Asian stocks rose with European equity index futures and the pound strengthened after the murder of a UK lawmaker prompted speculation Britons will be less inclined to vote to leave the European Union. Sovereign bonds fell as demand for haven assets cooled. Markets plunged Thursday as investors grow increasingly concerned that one of the European Union’s big three economies will break away after next week’s poll, which many warn could precipitate a global rout. Japan’s refusal to ramp up its stimulus in the face of torpid growth at home also dragged on sentiment. But after five straight days of losses, New York’s three main indexes saw modest gains, which provided some incentive for Asian investors. Tokyo was up 1.1 percent, having plunged more than three percent Thursday, while Hong Kong was 0.4 percent higher in the afternoon and Shanghai ended 0.4 percent up. Sydney added 0.3 percent, Seoul put on 0.1 percent and Taipei and Manila also piled healthy gains. With AFP, Bloomberg

Smart expands distribution. Smart Communications and supermarket chain operator Super 8 Retail Systems Inc. sign a partnership

agreement to make available Smart products in all Super8 grocery branches nationwide. Shown during the signing of the agreement are (from left) Smart first vice president and head of wireless consumer operations Kat Luna-Abelarde, PLDT Inc. and Smart chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan, Super8 chief executive Alvin Lim and Super8 business group director Armando Mendoza.

Megaworld bares P180-b investments By Jenniffer B. Austria

MEGAWORLD Corp., the property arm of tycoon Andrew Tan, said it will spend P180 billion to develop 12 provincial townships over the next 10 years. Megaworld executive director Kingson Sian said the company was aggressively expanding its developments in key provinces as it expected bigger opportunities outside Metro Manila. “We have remained to be a strong real estate developer in Metro Manila during the past 27 years. Now, we are further spreading our nation-building efforts, particularly in developing idle lands into bustling business and lifestyle districts, to the key cit-

ies and towns across the country where economic opportunities abound,” Sian said. The company’s move to expand to areas outside Metro Manila bodes well with the incoming government’s thrust to boost development across the region, he said. Sian said the 10-point economic agenda of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte would also be good for the property sector. Sian said these properties were acquired by the company over the

past two decades. Megaworld has 4,000 hectares of land in strategic areas. “So far, we have utilized a little over 3,000 hectares of our land bank for our township developments. This means, we still have around 1,000 hectares of land to develop and we are excited to do that in the years to come,” Sian said. The 12 provincial township projects of Megaworld are Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City; The Mactan Newtown, in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; Davao Park District in Lanang, Davao City; Northill Gateway in Talisay City, Negros Occidental; The Upper East in Bacolod City; The Capital in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga; Twin Lakes in Alfonso, Batangas near Tagaytay; Southwoods City in the boundar-

ies of Cavite and Laguna; Suntrust Ecotown in Tanza, Cavite; Sta. Barbara Heights in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo; Boracay Newcoast in Boracay Island; and Maple Grove in General Trias, Cavite. It said of the 12 projects, seven were already partially operational while the remaining four, including Northill Gateway, The Upper East, The Capital and Maple Grove were lined up for development within the next three years. “Those partially operational are the townships that have opened some of its components while some of the residential, office, commercial, institutional and leisure components are still under construction. Maturity of townships usually take 10 to 15 years, depending on the size and components,” Sian said.

Globe asks Duterte to invest in internet infrastructure in rural areas By Darwin G. Amojelar Globe Telecom Inc. on Friday asked the administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to invest in internet infrastructure in rural and remote areas, which can be leased out to telecom operators. Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu said broadband development was also relevant in communities where even basic infrastructure services such as

roads and bridges were lacking. “Studies and experience have shown that broadband access creates significant impact on the development of marginal areas as this allows the community to conduct business with people all over the world, get information on education, health and government services,” Cu said. Telecommunication operators such as Globe, however, are unable to deploy infrastructure in rural areas due to “business vi-

ability issues.” “There are a lot of localities in the country that cannot be reached economically. What we propose is for the government to build the infrastructure, such as submarine cables, and then rent these facilities out to telco operators,” he said. Cu cited the case of Sulu and Basilan provinces in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao, where Globe was asked to address connectivity issues in the

area. Globe needs to build a submarine cable system, amounting to $30 million to $35 million to provide adequate connectivity for the area, a great expense considering the area’s low revenue base. Cu said establishing internet infrastructure should be treated similarly to building roads. He said that unlike private corporations, which needed to recover their capital spending within a short period, the government

could afford a much longer time to recover its investments. He said the entire country would not be able to optimize the benefits of broadband connectivity unless the government was willing to invest in developing internet infrastructure in “missionary routes”. Globe launched early this year a nationwide infrastructure program to enhance the country’s internet experience within homes and across businesses.

SATURDAY: JUNE 18, 2016

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

IN BRIEF Telecom deal under review THE Philippine Competition Commission said

Friday the telecommunications deal of PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom with San Miguel Corp. remained unapproved, pending the result of the assessment by the agency. PCC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it had ofﬁcially informed the parties involved that it would pursue a comprehensive review of their acquisition of SMC’s telco businesses. “We shall approve or disapprove the subject transaction after the conduct of such full review,” it said. “We assessed the new submissions of the parties, and based on the totality of information available to us, including public statements made by the parties, we believe there is a basis to conduct this review by virtue of the powers granted to the PCC by the Philippine Competition Act,” it said in a statement. A comprehensive review includes a determination of the relevant market, whether there will be substantial changes to the market structure, and the potential impact of the transaction on public welfare, it said. Othel V. Campos

Bulacan solar plant endorsed

Uber launches carpooling. Uber, the world’s leading ridesharing application, soft-launched the uberPoll service in Metro

Manila during the 29th anniversary of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. Shown during the launching are (from left) Uber Philippines operations manager lead Benson Fuentes, LTFRB legal division head Robert Peig, technical division chief Joel Bolano, board member Rolando Corpuz, chairman Winston Ginez, Uber Philippines general manger Laurence Cua, Uber Southeast Asia regional general manager Chan Park, Uber Asia public policy lead Priscilla Baek and Uber regional operations manager lead Ricky Baylin.

Court suspends open access rules By Alena Mae S. Flores

A PASIG City regional trial court issued a 20-day temporary restraining order in favor of Manila Electric Co., as it suspended the implementation of the Energy Department’s and Energy Regulatory Commission’s rules on retail competition and open access. Pasig RTC branch 157 said that based on the documents presented, Meralco established compliance to the requisite requirements in support of the grant of the TRO. “Thus, the petitioner’s prayer for

temporary restraining order is hereby granted and the same is hereby issued enjoining the DOE from implementing and enforcing the DOE circular DC 201506-0010 and the ERC from implementing and enforcing its ERC Resolution No. 10 Series of 2016 and ERC Resolution No. 11 Series of 2016,” the court said in a decision. The Energy Department’s and ERC’s issuances prohibited distribution utilities such as Meralco from engaging in the supply business, imposed market and other restrictions and required mandatory contestability. The court set the hearing of the case on June 23 and if necessary on June 28 wherein the parties are asked “to show cause why a writ of preliminary injunction should or should not be issued with respect to the petitioner’s prayer for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction.” The court said it had jurisdiction over

the petition for declaratory relief filed by Meralco and granted the TRO, pending the trial on the merits and resolution of their respective claims. Meralco claimed that the issuances impaired the company’s and other distribution firms’ rights under Section 29 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2009 which provides that distribution firms “have the right to engage in the business of suppling electricity to the contestable market.” Meralco said Epira’s implementing rules also stated that the supply of electricity to end users in the contestable market required a license from the ERC “except for the supply of electricity by the distribution utilities within their franchise areas.” Meralco said permitting the implementation of the said issuances would violate the rights of the company and the other distribution firms and cause them to suffer “irreparable injury.”

Bangko Sentral revises BoP, reserves targets By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas on Friday revised downward the balance of payments target this year to a $2-billion surplus from an earlier assumption of $2.2-billion surplus, amid the volatility in the global financial markets. BoP summarizes the country’s economic transactions with the rest of the world. Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said in a news briefing while the global financial environment was expected to remain volatile, the bullish business confidence would support continued entry of foreign direct investments. “In revising the BoP assessment, we considered global developments, such as the new uncertainties coming from the exit of Britain from the eurozone [Brexit]... “ he said. Guinigundo said the Chinese economy and the European Union started to normal-

ize, while the domestic economy remained strong. Monetary authorities considered the Philippines’ solid macroeconomic fundamentals in the revision of the BoP, he said. Bangko Sentral revised upward the current account surplus forecast, but adjusted the projection for the financial account to an outflow from an initially projected inflow. Gross international reserves are anticipated to end the year at $82.7 billion, an improvement from the actual $80.7 billion posted in 2015. At this level, the GIR could cover nine months worth of imports of goods and payments of services and income. The current account surplus this year is expected to be higher at $5.8 billion, equivalent to 1.9 percent of gross domestic product, compared to the $5.7-billion estimate made in December 2015.

“This is due to the expected higher receipts from the services and primary income accounts. This is notwithstanding the expected widening of the trade deﬁcit with the larger downward revision in the level of exports than that of exports,” Guinigundo said. The full-year growth for goods exports this year is seen to moderate to 3 percent from the expected growth rate of 5 percent seen earlier. Goods imports this year are expected to grow 7 percent, lower than the earlier projection of 10 percent. “The sustained surplus in the current account is expected to be supported by overseas Filipino remittances and robust receipts from the business process outsourcing and tourism,” Guinigundo said. Bangko Sentral maintained the earlier projection of 4 percent growth for remittances in 2016.

THE Energy Department has granted CleanTech Global Renewables Inc. a certiﬁcate of endorsement for a 15-megawatt solar power plant in San Idelfonso, Bulacan that will cost $31 million. CleanTech Global president Salvador Antonio Castro Jr. told reporters the company received the endorsement last week, making the project eligible for availment of the P8.69-per-kilowatt-hour under the second round of feed-in tariff rate for solar. The company completed the 15-MW solar farm on March 12, three days ahead of the March 15 deadline set by the government. “We are committed to the transformation of energy production and supply in the country by making use of clean energy technology and ensuring preservation of the environment,” Castro said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Otto faces drilling moratorium THE Energy Department imposed a two-year moratorium on service contract 55 off southwest Palawan, as requested by operator Otto Energy Ltd. of Australia, which decided to abandon the site. Otto Energy said in a report to the Australia Securities Exchange the two-year moratorium on the required work activity under SC 55 would end on Dec. 23, 2017. SC 55 involves the exploration, development and exploitation of petroleum resources in the offshore area of southwestern Palawan covering about 9,880 square kilometers. The SC 55 joint venture will undertake a specialized geophysical study in the interim period to determine if further drilling activity is warranted in SC 55. Otto Energy undertook the drilling of the Hawkeye-1 exploration well in 2015, delivering the well on time and under budget. The volume of gas discovered in the Hawkeye-1 well was below a level that would be economic to develop which eventually made the company decide to plug and abandon the exploration well. Otto Energy told the remaining joint venture partners it would not continue with further activity in SC 55 and would assign its working interest to the remaining joint venture partners. Alena Mae S. Flores

Ayala Land top developer AYALA Land Inc. was named one of the top developers in the Philippines for the third consecutive year by the BCI Media Group in its recent BCI Asia Awards 2016 for Top 10 Developers. BCIAA honors the most commercially significant developers in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The BCI Asia Awards cited ALI as a developer with one of the greatest aggregate values of projects under construction during the last full calendar year, weighted by the extent of sustainability practices and conﬁrmed green building ratings. The evaluation of awardees ensures that ﬁrms with a greater portfolio of sustainable projects will have higher odds of making it to the top 10. “We are thankful to the BCI Media Group for recognizing the effort we put into our sustainability initiatives,” said Joel Luna, ALI’s head of innovation and design group. “Our triple bottom line approach that balances environment, economy and community is integrated in everything we do and forms part of the blueprint for all our projects,” he said.

Use of social media promoted CENVISNET, a network of non-government organizations in Central Visayas, encouraged the greater use of social media among their fellow organizations during the Technology for Good Forum. “Having presence in social media will enable you to communicate to a large group of people, which could be your potential supporters and funders. Social media optimizes visibility,” Jed Adao of TechSoup Asia said in the same conference. “Since a lot of Filipinos have access to social media in one way or another, it’s a viable tool to reach out to them,” said Senator-elect Risa Hontiveros, a social activist who’s a tireless advocate of women’s rights and poverty alleviation. “Social media also allows advocacy campaigns to target directly speciﬁc demographics, so youthrelated campaigns can reach the youth, gender campaigns can reach women and LGBT, and so on,” she said. Speakers said NGOs should broaden, engage and motivate their followers in social media, especially the incoming generation of millennials who were born in the early 1980s to the mid-90s and grew up with the growth of the Internet. “Unlike previous generations, millennials are drawn to instant gratiﬁcation so content needs to be short and interesting,” said Rica Oquias, head of social media and digital operations at M2.0 Communications, a digital marketing agency based in Quezon City. “They love videos. And most of all, they want their voice to be heard so it’s crucial to engage them in meaningful dialogues.”

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD US envoys for bombing Assad WASHINGTON—Dozens of US diplomats think America should launch military strikes against the Syrian government, according to a State Department document, breaking ranks with President Barack Obama’s policy on the bloody civil war.

Brexit paused after MP murder BIRSTALL, United Kingdom— Campaigning for Britain’s EU referendum next week was suspended on Friday for a second day as the nation reeled from the murder of a popular proEurope MP at the height of a bitterly divisive debate. Jo Cox, a 41-year-old former aid worker and pro-EU campaigner known for her advocacy for Syrian refugees, was killed on Thursday outside a library where she regularly met constituents in her home village of Birstall in northern England. Witnesses told local media the petite mother of two had been repeatedly shot and stabbed. A 52-year-old man, named by media as local Thomas Mair, was arrested. Described by neighbors as a loner, there were indications that he had extreme right leanings. With just six days left before the historic vote, rival groups campaigning for Britain to leave or remain in the European Union ceased campaigning and politicians joined as one to condemn the killing. But some commentators questioned whether the murder could be linked to a campaign that has stoked high tension by touching on issues of national identity and immigration. The Times newspaper reported Friday that Cox, who became the first British MP to be murdered since 1990, had “had been harassed in a stream of messages over three months”. AFP

Auction. Actress Bella Thorne attends the Babes for Boobs Bachelor Auction benefitting the Los Angeles County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen on June 16, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

The so-called “dissent channel” cable urges attacks against Bashir al-Assad’s regime for its persistent violations of a shaky ceasefire aimed at bringing an end to the five-year conflict. It emerged as Russian forces bombed USbacked militia in Syria, highlighting the tangle of alliances in a war where Moscow is working to prop up its chief regional partner. The cable, signed by working-level diplomats, demands “a judicious use of stand-off and air weapons”, according to the New York Times, and lays bare the divisions in Washington policy circles. With only seven months left in office and a clear aversion to getting bogged down in Middle East conflicts, Obama has shown little appetite for such action. But the administration’s alternative policy to work with Russia to secure a ceasefire in Syria’s five-year civil war and talks on a political transition has made little headway. That policy received a further blow when Assad’s Russian allies launched raids in southern Syria, according to the Pentagon. “Today, Russian aircraft conducted a series of airs trikes near

al-Tanf against Syrian Counter-ISIL forces that included individuals who have received US support,” said a senior US defense official who requested anonymity. ISIL is an alternative name for the Islamic State Group. “Russia’s latest actions raise serious concern about Russian intentions. We will seek an explanation from Russia on why it took this action and assurances this will not happen again.” Washington and Moscow have publicly vowed to work together to persuade Assad to negotiate a settlement with his opponents, but the US has frequently expressed exasperation about what it sees as Russia’s less-than-fulsome commitment. US policy on Syria has been criticized for ineffectiveness, after five years of brutal internecine fighting that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and sent many more fleeing. American forces are engaged in Syria but are assisting local militias to fight the Islamic State jihadist group, not confronting Assad’s Russian and Iranianbacked forces. AFP

Uruguayans defend national drink MONTEVIDEO—It was potentially devastating news for Uruguayans: a warning that their national drink, mate, could cause cancer if consumed hot. But the plucky South American country, already grumpy after being knocked out of the Copa America football tournament, found a silver lining as they faced an affront to their cultural identity. News came from the World Health Organization on Wednesday that drinking very hot liquids poses a cancer risk. That was hard to swallow for a

country where in every park and square folk sit slurping mate, an herbal infusion brewed with hot water. “Everything is better with mate,” said student Valentina Nuñez, 24, sitting with her gourd and a flask of hot water on a university campus in Montevideo. “It’s like a companion,” said her friend, Jessica Aliz. But the WHO report also brought salvation for the lovers of the ground green leaves, whose champions include Argentine-born Pope Francis and Uruguayan football icon Luis Suarez.

Along with the hot-drink warning, the WHO removed mate from a blacklist of drinks whose contents were thought to cause cancer. The WHO in 1991 said coffee and mate pronounced something like “mattay” were thought to have carcinogenic qualities. Now it says it is the heat, not the contents, that poses the tumor risk. In the case of mate, “its components actually lessen the damage from the temperature,” stopping cells from mutating into tumors, said Nelson Bracesco, a biologist researching mate at Uruguay’s state medicine faculty. AFP

Opening ceremony. US actress Julianne Moore poses as she arrives on

May 11, 2016, for the opening ceremony of the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. AFP

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WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

HK bookseller breaks silence HONG KONG—Protesters gathered in Hong Kong Friday after a city bookseller broke his silence to reveal how he was blindfolded, interrogated and detained in China for eight months for trading titles critical of Beijing. In a surprise interview sure to infuriate Beijing, Lam Wing-kee late Thursday vowed to break bail, refusing to return to the mainland, and further defied Chinese authorities by blowing the lid on how he was detained on a visit to China and interrogated for months with no access to a lawyer or his family. Lam Wing-kee is one of five booksellers who published salacious titles about leading Chinese politicians and disappeared at the end of last year in a case that drew international condemnation and heightened the fears Beijing was tightening its grip on Hong Kong. All of the men resurfaced in mainland China where four of them, including Lam, are under investigation for importing banned books into China. Lam returned to Hong Kong

Tuesday on bail and was due to go back Thursday but instead decided to remain and tell his story. A succession of political groups protested outside China’s liaison office in Hong Kong Friday. Members of the pro-democracy party Demosisto shouted “Defend the freedoms of Hong Kongers!” and plastered posters supporting Lam over the outside wall. Demosisto is calling for selfdetermination for semi-autonomous Hong Kong, as young campaigners seek more distance from Beijing amid fears of disappearing freedoms. Teenage activist Joshua Wong, one of the founders of the party, called Lam a hero. “Lam is the role model for the Hong Kong people who are facing the suppression of the communist regime,” Wong said. Rights group Amnesty Inter-

national slammed China’s treatment of the booksellers, saying Lam had confirmed what many had suspected. “It seems clear he, and most likely the others, were arbitrarily detained, ill-treated and forced to confess,” said Mabel Au, Director of Amnesty International Hong Kong. Lam told how his confession, televised by Chinese state media in February, was scripted and directed and that he recited it out of fear of what would happen to him. In harrowing detail he explained how the toothbrush he was given in detention was tied by a thread which was held by a guard to prevent him from committing suicide by swallowing it. Fellow booksellers Lui Por and Cheung Chi-ping returned to Hong Kong in March on bail, but both were reported to have quickly gone back to the mainland at that time. Their colleague Lee Bo, who says he went to China of his own free will and is helping mainland authorities with their inquiries, has also been back and forth to Hong Kong. AFP

Protest. Policemen try to remove people protesting against the presence of US bases in front of the gate of the US Marine Corps’ Camp Schwab in Nago, on the southern island of Okinawa prefecture, on June 17. AFP

Rights experts criticize arrests

Memorial ceremony. Police officers carry the coffins of the police couple who were killed by an extremist pledging allegiance

to the Islamic State group during a memorial ceremony in Versailles, near Paris, on June 17, 2016. On the June 13 assault, 25-yearold Larossi Abballa, who was previously convicted for jihadism, killed police officer Jean-Baptiste Salvaing and his partner Jessica Schneider before streaming his claim for the murders live on Facebook. AFP

DHAKA—Human rights experts on Friday slammed a wave of mass arrests by Bangladeshi police carrying out a crackdown on Islamist militants, with one saying the country “seems to have turned into a jail”. Police have arrested more than 11,000 people in the past week, including 194 alleged militants, in a bid to quash a spate of brutal murders of secular writers, gay rights activists and religious minorities. However, several leading rights experts said that many of the arrests were arbitrary or being used as a way to silence political opponents of the government. “The government is harassing general people and in some cases, opposition party men, in the name of an anti-militant crackdown,” a Bangladeshi university professor and human rights expert told AFP on condition of anonymity. “The entire country seems to have turned into a jail.” Human Rights Watch said that while authorities should investigate the crimes and prosecute the perpetrators, the week-long crackdown had seen many people arrested without evidence. “After a slow and complacent response to these horrific attacks, Bangladesh’s security forces are falling back on old habits and rounding up the ‘usual suspects’ instead of doing the hard work of carrying out proper investigations,” said Brad Adams, Asia director of HRW, in a statement. AFP

Hundreds jailed as looting erupts in Venezuela CARACAS—Venezuelan police have arrested hundreds of people as the country’s food crisis erupted into deadly looting this week, heightening hardship and political uncertainty in the impoverished oil-producing nation. Dozens of bakeries, supermarkets and hardware shops were looted on Tuesday in the eastern city of Cumana, the latest flash point in a crisis that has killed at least four people so far. “It ended in total ruin because the businesses had not only their stock pillaged but also their furniture. It was total destruction,” said Ruben Saud, president of the

Cumana Chamber of Commerce. The chaos started when gangs of looters on motorcycles raided trucks transporting food, witnesses said. The governor of Sucre state, where Cumana is located, told state television channel VTV that “more than 400 people” were arrested, including three suspected gang leaders involved in the looting. Arrests have also been reported in other towns. The opposition blames President Nicolas Maduro for an economic crisis in which Venezuelans are suffering shortages of basic foods and goods.

Maduro in turn blames the crisis on an “economic war” allegedly waged against his leftist government by the business elite. He accuses the opposition of fomenting unrest to spark a foreign intervention to unseat him. Maduro is resisting efforts from his center-right opponents to remove him from office through a referendum, and warned he will not tolerate violence. Late Thursday he announced his latest challenge to the opposition-controlled National Assembly. He called on the Supreme Court to launch proceedings against the legislature

for abusing its powers. Maduro’s ally in Sucre, Acuna, on Thursday accused the opposition of “sowing paramilitary values, such as hate and crime, in some citizens.” The army was sent in to keep order in Cumana after Tuesday’s outbreak of looting, which erupted during a protest against food shortages. Acuna said Cumana “has been returning to normal” since. Elsewhere, a 17-year-old boy died after being wounded at a similar protest Wednesday in the western town of Lagunilla, authorities said. AFP

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PROPERTY PROPERTY maannaa@ @ggm maaiill..ccoom m jjddllaaccssaam

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA JOEL D. L ACSAMANA

EDITOR EDITOR

Turning ‘idle’ assets into new business.

Property and business owners who want to improve the earning potential of their ‘idle’ properties can be part a highly successful convenience store chain system, either through leasing or property conversion. Seven-Eleven’s property conversion program (PSC) is a franchise model that offers business starters the opportunity to maximize their business, or store’s strategic location. This scheme is aimed at business owners who already have their own properties, but are interested in ‘repurposing’, leasing out or upgrading to a 7-Eleven business franchise. “If you’re a grocery owner, for instance, and looking for a fresh start that can help your business stand out from the crowd, a 7-Eleven franchise is a sensible option,” said Francis Medina, business development division manager of PSC, 7-Eleven’s PSC program. Considered prime locations stores are business and call center districts, transit stations, factories, residential and schools areas.

Top developer. DMCI Homes, was hailed as one of the best developers in the country in the recently concluded BCI Asia Awards 2016. City. DMCI Homes was given one of the Top 10 developers awards, which honors the most commercially significant developers in the country. This is the fifth time DMCI received he award. The BCI Awards recognizes the top architectural firms and developers that had the greatest impact on the built environment in Southeast Asia. Since 2011, This year, the real estate developer submitted as entries its recent projects located in key cities in the country namely Bristle Ridge in Baguio City, Verdon Parc in Davao City and Fairway Terraces in Metro Manila. Receiving the award for DMCI Homes was senior vice president for construction and post construction Elmer G. Civil (3rd from left). With him were (from left) Samsung executives Mark Lester Salvador and Victor Filart, Jr., together with BCI Asia chief operating officer Robert Krups.

Check out the strip.

Parkmall in the Mandaue reclamation area in Cebu is building an expansion area called the West Strip to attract more shoppers. The façade of West Strip will feature sun baffles, as well as a wave roof structure consistent with the mall’s alfresco roof design. The sun baffles ensure lower energy consumption and reduced CO2 emissions, part of Parkmall’s efforts to be an eco-friendly mall. Slated for completion in the last quarter of 2016, West Strip is the first phase of Parkmall’s three-year

IT-BPM boom fuels demand for mixed-use spaces. The rapid growth of the Philippine economy, and the boom of the local Information Technology and Business Process

Management (IT-BPM) sector, is boosting the demand for mixed-use spaces, property consultancy firm Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) said recently. LPC pointed out to the emergence of a ‘live-work-play’ lifestyle among Filipinos as a reason why the demand for mixed-use spaces has continued to rise. “As more Filipinos wield purchasing power, real estate buyers settle for a ‘live-work- play’ lifestyle,” said LPC chief executive officer David Leechiu. One such development is Suntech iPark (see photo), a campus-type information technology park developed by Property Company of Friends, Inc. Suntech iPark is the first in a series of buildings located within Lancaster New City, a master-planned 25-hectare commercial, business, and lifestyle district in Imus, Cavite.

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JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR jdlacsamana@gmail.com

PROPERTY

PLEASANT DEPARTURE

LOW-RISE DESIGN FOR NEW AVIDA RESIDENCE IN MAKATI

Eton commercial strip. Lucio-Tan led Eton Properties Philip-

pines, Inc. (EPPI) recently broke ground for its 5th office building at Eton Centris. The company will also expand Centris Walk, its open air commercial strip in the development. Located at the Triangle Park Central Business District along EDSA, Quezon City, Eton Centris houses four buildings, providing 24/7 office solutions to BPO and IT companies, a lifestyle and commercial strip, a two-level transit-oriented mall, and an events venue. At the ceremonies were Quezon City vice mayor Joy Belmonte and Eton Properties board director Antonino L. Alindogan, Jr. Also there were (from left): Carlos B. Carlos, Eton Properties VP for technical services; Arch. Samuel C. Santos, ARKNET president; Arch. Adrian T. Chua, Adrian T. Chua & Associates Co. principal architect; Josefino C. Lucas, Eton Properties deputy chief operating officer; Karlu T. Say, Eton Properties group head for administration and human resources; Wilfredo Z. Pineda, Eton Properties chief finance officer; Harrison Pow, H.S. Pow president and chief executive officer; and Arc. Robby James T. Cortes, AIDEA Philippines, Inc.’s project architect.

There goes the neighborhood. One Antonio veers away from Avida’s usual tall condo concept, and settles for a low-rise, low-density structure that ﬁts nicely in the quiet conﬁnes of a Makati suburb.

AVIDA Land launched last week One Antonio, a 6-storey condominium in San Antonio Village, Makati. Avida, a subsidiary of Ayala Land, traditionally builds multi-tower condo developments in the country’s business and commercial capital. In a pleasant departure, One Antonio, veers from towering residences to create a development that snugly fits in a residential neighbourhood. The property is located within a 2-km radius of the city’s landmarks including Makati Medical Center, Makati Central Post Office, Makati Sports Club, Ayala Triangle Gardens, and Ayala Center. One Antonio is the first building of its kind in Avida’s 25-year history. It is their first low-rise, low-density structure with 60% of the property allocated for open spaces and greenery. It is their first building with a T-shaped design with single loaded corridors and a landscaped atrium at the center thus allowing natural light and ventilation to flow better.

Creature comforts. One Antonio offers 2-bedroom units ranging from 52-sqm and 60- sqm., and 3-bedroom units in 62-sqm and 66-sqm. (Shown in photo) sizes . Units start at P8 million. The development only has 198 residential units. All come with 5-sqm. balconies, as well as 100% parking provision. “The property was conceptualized as a distinct condo-village development,” said Jojo Fabricante, head of Avida’s innovation and design group. “Given that San Antonio is a low density village, One Antonio was designed to complement its surrounding

neighborhood, so we are providing a very attractive option for both end-users and investors.” With its refreshing open spaces and close proximity to the Makati CBD, homeowners can maximize the benefits of living in a condominium without having to sacrifice the perks of living in a village. Turnover of the units will be in 2019.

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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

Japanese clothing label Uniqlo offers a wide range of stylish and functional choices for different kinds of fathers suitable for different seasons and occasions PHOTO COURTESY OF WWW.UNIQLO.COM

Keep Dad stylish on Father’s Day with UNIQLO

Give the gift of style to the most important man in your life

niqlo has prepared a special gift guide for the different types of super dads. All Uniqlo LifeWear pieces are highly functional, durable and innovative.

Dads who seal the deal

The most ideal polo for dads who are always busy working for their families is Uniqlo Men Easy Care Oxford Long Sleeve Shirt. Each piece is wrinkle-resistant, making the wearer look fresh even after a long and tiring day. It is also made with fine-weave Oxford fabric that makes it soft, smooth and dressy. To achieve that laidback but professional look, pair this with

Men’s Vintage Regular Fit Chino Pants and Italian leather belt.

Dads who love to go out

Perfect for dads who go out on family trips every weekend is Uniqlo Dry Pique Polo Shirt. Pique Polo Shirt features a distinctive DRY technology that dries sweat quickly and suppresses odor. Best to be worn during weekend beach trips is Uniqlo’s Linen Cotton T-shirts that are made with 55 percent linen and 45 percent cotton.

Dads who love to have fun

Best for adventurous and sporty dads is Uniqlo Dry Ex Short Sleeve T-Shirt.

Dry Ex’s unique arch structures quickly absorb and dry sweat, keeping the wearer comfortable all throughout the day. Each piece is designed for easy movement which is great for warmweather sports.

Dads who bring comfort

Give Uniqlo’s most comfortable innerwear, AIRism, to dads who keep the family warm. AIRism is made up of ultra-fine fibers which incorporate an anti-odor function to keep the wearer fresh and comfortable all day long. It is also light-as-air and breathable, perfect for warm places. To achieve that relaxing

vibe at home, pair it with Men’s AIRism Boxer Briefs.

Dads who are always on-the-go

To dads who love going to places and doing leisure activities with the entire family, give Uniqlo’s Big T-shirt. Pair it with Cargo Chambray Shorts that are made with durable materials. These cargo shorts feature an elastic waist that makes it easy for men to wear. For more updates, consumers may visit UNIQLO Philippines’ website at www.uniqlo.com/ph and Uniqlo PH on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

View of the cove

@LIFEatStandard

Beach boy is now mountain boy

BEAch BoY goES Up ThE moUNTAIN

y entire lower body is aching and my limbs are itchy from grass blade cuts as I’m writing this. Last weekend, I conquered the Cinco Picos-Silanguin Cove traverse. Rated 4/9 in terms of difficulty by PinoyMountaineer.com, reaching the summit is but an 881-meter uphill climb but the whole hike covers around 12 km in horizontal distance. It was my first real climb and, as someone who spends most of the day on a laptop and has no concept of leg day, my body was definitely not ready for the almost 11hour trek. I know, I could’ve chosen an easier mountain to climb but hear me out. One, I’m a beach boy at heart – I’d choose the beach over the mountain in a heartbeat – and having the beach waiting for me at the end of the hike is my version of a payoff. Two, I really wanted the full climbing experience and this particular one has virtual cake walks, river treks, steep assaults, a sprinkling of “buwis-buhay” slippery descents, and overnight camping. (It also was my first camping experience since high school so yay?) And three, it was chosen for me by the guy who organized the trip and he is someone I completely trust my life with so it can’t be that bad, right? Right?

Almost there

But really, I did it because I wanted to find out why people do it. A few of my friends do and, again, being a beach person, I was wondering what kind of satisfaction they get out of subjecting their bodies to torture for a few pictures at the summit. Don’t turn on me yet with that statement because I now know that it’s a shitty assessment. After everything, my perception of it is not as simplistic anymore. Back to my experience: The mountain is not that high and I’ve been told there would just be a lot of walking. So initially, I thought there would be wide trails and we’d all be walking side by side, laughing our way to the top. But reality would have it so that we’d be in a single line, walking a damp and slippery one-foot wide path most of the time, fenced by relentlessly sharp blades of grass. Looking at the hill from afar, I had this mental image of us running around the

side of it while singing “The Sound of Music.” I told you: I had no freaking idea. But two hours into the hike and we still hadn’t reached the foot of the mountain yet, I began to question myself, and see how sorely mistaken and extremely naive I was. Mountaineering is becoming an increasingly popular activity among Filipinos. Recently, it has been associated with finding oneself in the midst of an existential quarter-life crisis or a tough breakup. Since then, some peaks have become mainstream destinations and some climbers have decided to make a hobby out of it and have started taking on more challenging summits. I find that each person has a different personal experience of climbing. There were five of us and we all reacted to the trek differently. I felt like I was in a video game, with my strength and energy levels fluctuating, my momentum building and

falling, and how I have to step on certain things but not other certain things to make it through each round. More than a couple of times, I felt my person wanting to give up from exhaustion and fatigue. At which points, we would either stop for mini breaks to recharge or I just had to power through it. In video game terms, it’s that moment when you use your hero’s rare one-use-per-game 150 percent boost of life. And I wasn’t the only one. My companions had similar “I can’t do this anymore” moments but we all knew that there was no turning back. Giving up was not an option even if our knees were threatening to stop functioning. And that’s when I realized that it’s pride. There’s a sense of pride and accomplishment when you do something that you think you cannot do; when you continue even when your mind, body and soul are spent; when you soldier on when you feel like there’s no hope. Because one way or another, you will finish that traverse. You will make it because that’s your only option. The alternative would be what? To live at the side of the mountain for the rest of your days? For me, it’s not even about the view. You take pictures to document what you have achieved. It’s something you can be proud of because your whole being, with a lot of motivation from your friends and the people you encounter on the journey, took you there. For a singular moment in time, you are on top of the world. And that is worth it. Would I do it again? Ask me again when the pain in my legs subsides. But I have a creeping suspicion that my answer will be yes. I’m @EdBiado on Twitter and Instagram

Sm employees clean up 57 public elementary schools More than 1,000 employees from the different companies of SM Prime Holdings Inc. across the country cleaned up a total of 57 public elementary schools last June 4 as part of the company’s annual Employee Volunteerism Program project “AdoptA-School.” Spearheaded by the Human Resource Department, the project aims to provide its employees a platform to give back and help the community, specially those who are in need. In partnership with SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime, the employee volunteers including some of the company’s executives took part in repairing, cleaning and beautifying the school grounds to make them more conducive for learning prior to the opening of the school year. To highlight the importance of greening open spaces, the volunteers also helped plant trees in selected schools. Volunteers shouldered the expenses for the cleanup and repairs, while other SM employees also raised funds to donate school supplies, books and equipment.

SM employees volunteered to prepare public schools in time for school opening

According to Julie Miteria, vice president of HR for SM Supermalls, more than 65,000 teachers and students from the selected public elementary schools nationwide will benefit

from the project. “This project does not only highlight the value of education but also the spirit of volunteerism which helps uplift the lives of those who have less,” shared Miteria.

The 'Adopt-A-School' project highlights the value of education and volunteerism

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Bags with security features come in handy for students who carry valuables and endure long commutes

@LIFEatStandard

Functional and fashionable are the two important things hip students look for in a bag

Urbanize: The revolutionary backpacks for Millennials

inding the right school bag is a challenge that requires a lot of attention. The kind of bag one brings to school is crucial – since it has to be one that is sturdy enough to carry tons of books and notebooks to school for months on end, but should also be smartly-constructed to hold gadgets while maintaining that cool vibe to reflect the owner’s fun personality. Nowadays, hip students want a bag that is not only functional but also fashionable – requirements that top bag shop Urbanize can supply. When it comes to choosing the right kind of bag, Urbanize has a few recommendations.

Security

Remind kids to be always on the alert and be vigilant with their belongings at all times. Urbanize carries Pacsafe, the most trusted brand when it comes to security, because of its anti-theft features. The Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 anti-theft backpack has six anti-theft features combined with three zippered organizational compartments, padded shoulder straps, and padded sleeve to ensure optimum protection from would-be thieves.

Protection

Gadgets are no longer regarded as luxury items but an integral part of the curriculum with phones, tablets and laptops becoming tools for school. Keep these gadgets safe by choosing the right bag to keep them in. STM has some nifty options that just might do the trick. Don’t be deceived though by its silhouette as the brand’s Trestle 13” laptop backpack is lightweight, compact and can organize digital gear – making school day worry-free!

Expandable

If you have a son or daughter who’s already in college, staying in a dorm but still goes home during the weekend, then an Aevor

bag is perfect for him or her. Designed with extra space, Aevor has a line of expandable bags that work well as a school or weekend bag. The Aevor Daypack is expandable from 18 to 28 liters, has coated metal hooks and made from 50 percent recycled fabrics. This bag is for the active millennial who needs an equally sturdy bag for the daily journey through school.

Weather-proof

The start of the school year also means the start of rainy weather. And since we don’t want the kids – and their books and other school things to get wet – they need a bag that can provide protection from inclement weather. PKG has reliable weather-resistant bags, and the brand’s Dri Collection bags are made with a waterproof 3-ply laminate exterior fabric, which keeps digital devices dry and looking good all day long. Perfect for commutes through the rain, its 3-ply laminate fabric serves as a weatherproof cocoon for the gear inside. It’s easy to clean, too!

Earth-friendly

Kids should learn the value of taking care of the environment, and a good step is by

getting them a bag that’s earth-friendly! Pinqponq is 100 percent recycled from PET bottles from Germany. Aside from this, the cube-type bag has enough compartments for the busiest student of the year.

day Ruckpack is a sturdy, practical yet fun bag to bring along during meet-ups with friends and classmates. Mojo Globe Trotter on the other hand combines fashion and functionality in one bag.

For those who travel far and wide to obtain an education, Urbanize also has bags for them. Cabin Zero is a line of big bags perfect for those who live in dorms. Sets also come with carry on, and even the largest designs are very lightweight. The Classic 28L ultra-light cabin features a large 28-liter capacity, side compression straps, top and side handles, oversized padded straps with air mesh, a front zipped pocket with inside zipper and mesh pockets. Bags from Cabin Zero are not only suitable for daily trips to class but also for weekend adventures with friends.

The store carries also its own brand of bags that likewise embody the highest standards. Urbanize bags come in three distinct styles for every individual – Street for students who value fashion and function; Smart for the serious student with a cool vibe; and Office for those who want to exude success. Shopping for bags? Drop by Urbanize and pick out the perfect one for school – and beyond! Urbanize stores are located at Gateway Mall, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, UP Town Ayala Mall, Glorietta 3, Uptown BGC, Venice Grand Canal, Alabang Town Center, The District in Imus, Serin in Tagaytay, Solenad 3 in Nuvali, Kiss and Fly NAIA T3 Departure level. For more info, follow urbanizePH on Facebook and @urbanizePH on Twitter.

Long-distance studying

Stylish

For sleek and stylish bags, there is Hellolulu and Mojo that offer trendy, edgy, quirky and stylish designs for every kind of student. Hellolulu’s Sutton All-

Urbanize

More flavors of Japan arrive in the Philippines Straight from the depths of the ocean, the distinct flavor of nori has taken the world by storm one dried strip at a time. Previously used only for sushi, this paperlike dark green wrapping has crawled its way to soups, rice bowls and—much to the snacking public’s delight—potato chips. Today, more can enjoy the savory goodness of this Japanese seaweed as Jack ‘n Jill Calbee introduces Ripples, a brand of wavy-cut potato chips that comes in Nori flavor and in classic Sour Cream and Onion flavor. Both are available in family packs, so there’s no reason not to share its tasty goodness. Jack ‘n Jill Calbee also brings to the country the Spicy Pizza Potato—a mouthwatering

potato chips in pizza flavor topped with real melted cheese and hot sauce, for that right blend of tangy and cheesy. Another Japanese icon, wasabi makes its way to Jack ‘n Jill Calbee’s Potato Chips. The Potato Chips Wasabi flavor is offered alongside Cheddar and Sour Cream, and Classic Salted varieties. With these new additions to the Calbee family, suffice it to say that Jack ‘n Jill Calbee continues to provide Filipinos with unique snacking experiences by satisfying their cravings with innovative treats and authentic Japanese flavors. Follow Jack ‘n Jill Calbee on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more updates on the brand.

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Sledgers leatherware for the upwardly mobile dad

his Father’s Day, what gift would fit the head of your family? It must be something that could earn the trust of motivational speaker Francis Kong, actors and models Daniel Matsunaga and TJ Trinidad, Alliance Francaise Cebu director Louis Thevenin, and Consul of France Michel Lhuillier. Certainly Sledgers leather products, which boast of French style and comfort perfect for the successful, discriminating and cosmopolitan male, fit the bill. The world-renowned company, founded by John Sledgers with Noel Enterprises in 1921 in Vitre, France, makes cowleather shoes using imported raw materials for distinctive flexand-move, resulting in ultralight footwear. To ensure elegance and wearability, Sledgers shoes are wider than ordinary ones and have special and extra cushions on the insole. The latter is also removable to prevent humidity that breeds germs and unpleasant odors. Like the universality of fatherhood, Sledgers has factories in Asia and France and its leather goods—including wallets, belts, passport holders and money clips—are available in 12 countries around the globe. In the Philippines, Sledgers products are available in SM Malls, Ayala Center Cebu and Trinoma. They are suited to top managers, retirees, and young professional men. To enhance each dad’s individuality, Sledgers leather footwear comes in Classic (classic silhouette, round/square toed), priced from P4,990-P5,990; Elite (narrow-ended, wood/rubber outsole, soft-step), priced at P6,990; Casual (boat shoes, driving moccasins, slip-ons, mules, half-shoes) priced from P3,990-P5,990; and its Premium French Line, priced from P11,990-P14,990 and available only in Sledgers FSS and Rustan’s department stores. Even shopping at Sledgers makes every day Father’s Day! To pamper its overworked clientele, Sledgers stores have a coffee lounge setup and offers free coffee, free cookies, free belt cutting and shoe cleaning, plus gifts with purchases: a shoehorn, an eco-friendly cup and socks. No doubt about it, Sledgers is for the man who is moving up!

@LIFEatStandard

SAT URDAY : J UNE 18, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Follow the leader. The Kapamilya actor leads the participants in one of the event activities

Gerald Anderson giving participants to “Anderson Boot Camp” a hand

Gerald Anderson celebrates 10th year military-style

Actor Gerald Anderson celebrates his 10th year in the business by taking his fans and supporters to a military inspired boot camp

n keeping with his love for physical activities and the great outdoors, Gerald Anderson brought his avid supporters to a surprise trip to Ocean Adventure on June 12. The Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition season 1 alumnus channeled his soldier dreams into reality for a whole day celebration of his 10th year anniversary in the business, which he called the Anderson Boot Camp. To further get the military feel, the fan groups who are present at the event were given the apt team names. There was the Team Army composed of the AshRald and Sagefied members, Team Coast Guard composed of the Super Friends and Gerald’s Angels, Team Air Force composed of the Geraldnaticx, Team Navy composed of the Solid Kimeralds, and Team Marines composed of Kimerald 4ever members. He personally welcomed his supporters to the venue and ushered in the event with a welcome speech. Along with Gerald’s fans, also present in the event were some of his friends like Joe Vargas, who spearheaded the warm up session before the games officially began. To get the ball rolling, the supporters battled it out first in a cheering competition. AshRald and Sagefied (Team Army) won the first prize.

According to Gerald, he has long wanted to attend a real boot camp hence the theme of his anniversary event. “This is my way of giving back to them for the past 10 years of support,” Gerald said in spending the special moment with his fans. The boot camp’s obstacles were especially designed and named after Gerald’s previous projects. They were Meso Soup, Mayan Pizza, Inside Track, Challenge Pitch, Budoy Factor, Bone to Pick, Kayak, and Catch Me I’m Rollin’. After the nail-biting competition, Gerald Angels and Super Friends (Team Coast Guard) finished first place and eventually bagged the trophy. Gerald shared that the boot camp, which took almost six months to mount, was also his way of allowing his fans into his active lifestyle. “Yan yung no.1 factor kasi as a person nasa isang position ako to inspire other people and ‘yun ‘yung mga gusto kong i-inspire eh. ‘Yung maging physically active and healthy,” he said. After the main event, Gerald had some time to bond and chat with his supporters. The boot camp ended with a sumptuous meal in boodle fight style. Gerald’s 10th year anniversary event would not be possible without the help of his sponsors Ocean Adventure, Cosmo Cee, Hearts & Bells, H&M, UniSilver, Kopiko LA Coffee and Secosana Urban Bags.

Jollibee ignites #PinoyAndProud spirit The nation’s no.1 fastfood chain, Jollibee, threw the biggest, star-studded Independence Day celebration on June 11at Metrotent in Pasig City. The mega-event brought together world-class Filipino talents for a grand salubong of the 118th anniversary of national independence. The Jollibee #PinoyAndProud: 2016 Independence Day Celebration and Countdown was a resounding success, thanks to the incredible performances of the brightest OPM stars, including Sarah Geronimo, Darren Espanto, KZ Tandingan, Lyca Gairanod, Darlene Vibares, JK Labajo, Itchyworms, and Spongecola. Celebrity endorsers Jodi Sta. Maria and son Thirdy, Zoren and Carmina Legaspi with their twins Mavy and Cassy also joined the Jollibee family in counting down to the first moments of this year’s Independence Day. There’s still plenty of ways to celebrate sarap at saya throughout June. Embrace and show off your #PinoyAndProud spirit with these Jollibee freedom month exclusives.

Wear your Pinoy pride

Wear Pinoy pride literally on your sleeves. The new Jollibee x Uniqlo T-shirts are available at Uniqlo stores nationwide starting June 20. Featuring five new de-

ily bonding over and sharing their favorite crispylicious, juicylicious Chickenjoy. This month, Chickenjoy will be served in a limited-edition #PinoyAndProud Independence Day bucket. Share delicious, sarap-saya moments with the entire family, barkada, or even the whole barangay. The Legaspi family introduced the new bucket design, now available nationwide, featuring the Jolly Friends in their adorable Filipiniana outfits.

#PinoyAndProud Jolly Friends

Jollibee executives and mascots grace the official “Pinoy and Proud” launch

signs, this capsule T-shirt collection is Jollibee’s second collaboration with the global fashion retail giant. The Jollibee x Uniqlo shirts debuted at the countdown event featuring three new

different styling collections – athlesiure, summer, and denim.

Sarap-saya Chickenjoy bonding

There’s nothing more Pinoy than a fam-

One of the highlights of Jollibee’s Independence Day bash is the grand parade featuring the Jolly Friends—Jollibee, Hetty, Yum, Popo, and Twirlie— donning their new Filipiniana finery for the first time ever. Share the #PinoyAndProud fever with your family and friends with the Jollibee Viber sticker pack 2, available for FREE download this June. “Celebrating the reasons why we should always be #PinoyAndProud doesn’t stop after one day, or even one month,” said Francis E. Flores, Jollibee Chief Global Marketing Officer and Jollibee Philippines Head of Marketing. “Every day is an opportunity to discover why ang sarap at saya maging Pilipino!”

SAT URDAY : J UNE 18, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Joey Albert, Richard Gomez with Filipinos in Canada

wo thousand fans watched a concert to celebrate the 118th Philippine Independence Day on June 12 at the Waterfront Park, North Vancouver, with Filipino artists Joey Albert and Richard Gomez. Raffy Swap One did the guitars for Joey and Richard. “I always enjoy performing for our kaba bayans. Happy Independence Day to all Filipinos, around the world!” said Gomez, now Mayor of Ormoc City. He came with wife, Representa-

tive Lucy Torres-Gomez and daughter Juliana. Joey has been residing in Canada with her family for two decades but comes back home every now and them to perform. “I love Filipino fans anywhere in the world. They are so dear to me,” said Albert. Hosted by ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC) and organized by Alvin Koh Relleve, the concert also featured the Day Trippers known as the Beatles of Canada and Arrival,

the Abba of Canada. Local performers Pork and Bean : Jerry Legaspi aka PapaBear and Jojo Alpuerto also performed. It was hosted by local singer Naomi Chan, Joy Ruiz, Star Bernardo and Papa Bear. “We prepared for 8 months in partnership with TFC. We wanted everything to be in order, and thank God the fans enjoyed and it was a successful concert,” said Relleve, organizer of the show. – Robbie Pangilinan, Photo: Christian Cunanan

Joey Albert (left) and Richard Gomez (right) perform before the crowd during the Independence Day celebration in Vancouver

5 reasons Sofia Andres

‘Mighty Magiswords’ allows loves Sonix Anahaw case fans to watch, play and collect A cute case can easily brighten up your mood and elevate your style. Take it from actress and social media star Sofia Andres who just adores her collection of “functionable” (read: functional + fashionable) iPhone cases from Los Angeles-based brand Sonix. If you’re following her Instagram feed, you’ll see that among Sofia’s favorites is the limited edition Anahaw case, a design collaboration between Sonix and Power Mac Center. Here are reasons why you’ll love it, too.

Designeed with a national symbol in mind

The Anahaw is a tropical palm widely regarded as the Philippine national leaf. Often planted for ornamental purposes, it is also made into fans, hats, and umbrellas, exemplifying the resourcefulness and creativity of Filipinos. Its symbol is used in awards and medals to signify high achievement, strength, and loyalty. Independence Day feels, that is.

Functional and stylish

The Sonix Anahaw case features a transparent back, perfect for showing off your iPhone’s sleek design. It has an impact-resistant bumper and raised rubber edges that protect against dings and scratches, yet remains slim and lightweight. It also allows access to all ports with easy press button coverage.

Sofia Andres

Unique

In a sea of floral and loud patterns, it’s refreshing to see minimalist designs that do stand out from the crowd. The Sonix Anahaw case complements any #OOTD while giving your phone personality.

From a global brand trusted by ‘It’ girls

Ask celebs spotted with their Sonix cases, Check out Gigi Hadid and Kylie Jenner rocking their favorite style.

Limited edition

Power Mac Center holds the exclusive rights for the sale and distribution of the Sonix Anahaw case. It’s available for the iPhone 6/6s and iPhone 6 plus/6s plus and retails at P1,800 at Power Mac Center stores nationwide.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE

ACROSS 1 Four-door model 6 Wyo. neighbor 10 FBI agent (hyph.) 14 Mick and — of “You’re So Vain” 15 Fat cat’s victim 16 Prom rental 17 Slack-jawed 18 Only 19 Scepter go-withs 20 Capp’s hyena

21 23 25 26 27 29 32 33 36 37 38

Shore thing Carry on Unnaturally silent Is, to Fritz Like caramel Sock hoppers Poolside turban Sci-fi Doctor Jason’s ship They may be tall Adams of a 007 flick

39 Shake a finger 40 Cushiony seats 41 Marked a ballot 42 Melts snow 43 Tavern 44 Double-check 47 They may whistle 51 Trees stop here 54 Legis. 55 Kind of hunter 56 Honda rival 57 Prance 58 Neutral shade 59 Jog 60 Booster rockets 61 Solar plexus 62 Snakelike swimmers 63 Every which way DOWN 1 Sell hot tickets 2 More than willing 3 Pipe cleaner 4 “The Godfather” actor (2 wds.) 5 “Science Guy” Bill — 6 Land rover 7 Churchill successor 8 Fledgling 9 Keeps bouncing back 10 Like patent leather

Cartoon Network, recently named one of the most innovative media companies by Fast Company, continues to redefine content and the fan experience with the evolution of its latest franchise, Mighty Magiswords. Debuting in 2015 on the Cartoon Network Anything micro-network as a 15-second interactive series, this comedy adventure about a brother and sister team of warriors will now be a full-length linear series launching as part of a connected content ecosystem, giving fans deeper engagement across platforms with the characters and their quest for swords. Concurrent with the upcoming TV series production, almost 400 pieces of platform-specific original content have been custom developed, including shorts, vlogs, web and mobile games, and interactive narrative content – and all will be enhanced with proprietary technology allowing fans to participate in the world and collect their favorite swords. “Mighty Magiswords has been an incredible journey, starting as a simple interactive digital product and organically developing into a true multi-story world,” said Chief Content Officer, Rob Sorcher. “Expect Magiswords to continue expansion in tech and content, with new ways for the audience to participate, contribute, play, watch and collect.” Cartoon Network will begin to introduce the expanded concept to fans this summer through a series of character-driven shorts, a web game and on-air spots. Created by Kyle A. Carrozza and produced at Cartoon Network Studios in Los Angeles, Mighty Magiswords will join Cartoon Network’s already powerful slate of hit programming including Adventure Time, The Powerpuff Girls, Teen Titans

SATURDAY, JUNE 18 , 2016

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Gaiety Walk slowly Nudged Arm the alarm “The Valley of Horses” author Slalom run Plays a round Feels obligated Kid’s marble Geologic division Quiche base Like a bow string Angkor — Color or clamor Peculiar Stand for Ginnie Mae concern Trim back Winery feature Overpower Pollen spreader Early anesthetic Sister’s girl Brainy Heals, as bone Swings along — up the score Digress Enticement Archaeologist’s find Trippet

Cartoon Networks top rating kiddie animation, “Mighty Magiswords”

Go!, We Bare Bears, Clarence, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball and Steven Universe. Get a taste of the new franchise by watching a Mighty Magiswords short here: https://youtu.be/ rv70ZfBgOyo and to discover interactive versions, download Cartoon Network Anything on the App Store or Google Play Store.

SAT URDAY : J UNE 18, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Zanjoe raises kids in a cave

anjoe Marudo takes on the challenging role of a single father raising two boys after being left by his wife for another man in an inspirational Father’s Day special in MMK tonight. Due to poverty, Juan (Zanjoe Marudo) did not get an education but promised himself that when the time comes, he would do everything to give his own children a proper one. But raising a family proved to be difficult for him and wife Melissa (Dawn Chang). Despite Juan working two jobs, making ends meet was impossible for the couple, forcing Melissa to look for work and ended up working far away from their kids. After some time, Juan stops hearing from Melissa. He later finds out that she is seeing someone else. Making matters worse, a storm devastates Juan’s home, leaving him with the difficult decision to live in a cave. His kids are forced to walk four kilometers a day to

Zanjoe Marudo in tonight’s “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode

go to school and have to endure insults from their classmates for their living environment. What will Juan’s shame of his family’s situation lead him to do? Will Juan ever fulfill his promise to give his kids a bright future? Joining this MMK episode are Xyriel Manabat, Louise Abuel, Alfonso Yñigo Delen, Karla Pambid, Tess Antonio, Justin Cuyugan, and Lemuel Pelayo. The episode is directed by Nuel

C. Naval and written by Jiimuel Dela Cruz and Arah Jell Badayos. Business unit head Malou Santos leads MMK. The show celebrates its 25th anniversary. Visit mmk.abs-cbn. com. Don’t miss the longestrunning drama anthology in Asia every Saturday on ABS-CBN or ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167). Catch its latest episodes on iwantv.com.ph or skyondemand.com. ph for Sky subscribers.

Salute to fathers in ‘GRR TNT’

Darren Espanto

becomes ‘Trivia Prince’ Singer Darren “D Total Experience” Espanto drops by Matanglawin” tomorrow as guest host in the program’s Father’s Day special. Catch Darren live the life of a “Trivia King” like Kuya Kim Atienza, as he explores the different exhibits in the Science Exploreum. Here he’ll learn how Kuya Kim makes weather reporting look cool, see how our muscles and bones look when we move, and will be asked to take the “running man” challenge. Meanwhile, Kuya Kim will answer the question, “when is science magic, and when is magic science” as he presents amazing

tricks that are actually explained by science. Kuya Kim will also be showing the unique talent of his slow but sure friend, the alligator snapping turtle to We Love OPM celebriteams Hot Spot, O Diva, Oh My Girls and Voice Next Door. Who will earn the title of Tic Tac Toe Kings or Queens? Matanglawin, the 24th KBP Golden Dove Awards’ Best Science and Technology Program, is now on its 8th year in educating kids and adults alike through exploring the wonders of nature, technology, and general science with multi-awarded program host Kuya Kim Atienza.

QCinema announces shorts finalists Quezon City International Film Festival (QCinema) has released the list of winners that made it to the final cut for its new short film competition, “QCX Shorts”. With a grant of P100,000, QCinema is the only festival in the country awarding financial grants to winning filmmakers for its actual production as well as owning the rights to the finished short films. Directors from the different parts of the country make a splash in this year’s short film competition. Three directors have used the different faces of drama. Victor Nierva from Naga City harnesses the power of melodrama for his piece, Sayaw sa Butal. Aedrian Araojo from Zamboanga City captures the sad story of a mother and son relationship in Hondo. Meanwhile, Gabrielle Tayag of Pampanga gives a new spin to the airport experience in his film, Pagdating. Dark concepts are rediscovered in two short film features.

Janus Victoria melds the concepts of art and goth in Viva Viva Escolta while Dodo Dayao uses the found footage style for his horror entry, If You Leave. In art, age is just a number. Sixteen-year old Joshua Jared Joven proves that. The jury selected his LGBT-themed short, Kung Saan may Naiwan. Two short movies suited for children round up the rest of the competition line-up. Mihk Vergara incorporates the concept of superhero in Nang Lumipad ang Batang Agila while Inshallah Montero’s Papa’s Shadow uses elements of shadow plays. QCinema, a film festival created by the Quezon City Film Development Commission (QCFDC) organized by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, previously appropriated seed funding of P1 million for its “Circle Competition” for eight indie filmmakers. The event is scheduled on Oct 13-22. Visit www.qcinema.ph for more information.

Scenes from MMK’s Father’s Day episode featuring actor Zanjoe Marudo and Kapamilya child stars

Young singer Darren Espanto

Tune in to Matanglawin 10:30 a.m. tomorrow on ABS-CBN or ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167). Catch up via iwantv.com.ph or skyondemand.com.ph for Sky subscribers. Follow their Facebook page at http://facebook. com/MatanglawinTV and official Twitter account (@MatanglawinTV) for more updates.

Daddy. Papa. Tatay. However we call them, these are the persons who have helped our Moms bring us forth in this world, provided for us, and raised us well. Therefore, it is just right that they, too, should be acknowledged and honored for their contribution to the development of their families. To show them how much they are loved and revered, Gandang Ricky Reyes Todo na Toh (GRR TNT) treats two deserving fathers to a day of pampering. Considered as the oldest Malabon fish port worker is 74-year old Tatay Eugenio who earns his keep by carrying

fish, which he also eats daily. Host Ricky Reyes will give him a makeover and witness his 360-degree transformation. Meanwhile, siblings Allison, Allan, Ally and Justine bond with dad Rogelio for a full day of relaxation and pampering with a sumptuous meal with the whole family. Jeffrey Rogador gives pride to the country with his colorful original designs. This fashion trendsetter sets a standard worthy of emulation. Tune in today, 9 a.m. on GMA7 News TV. Gandang Ricky Reyes Todo na Toh (GRR TNT) is produced by Scripto Vision.

Engelbert Humperdinck returns to Manila Classic pop and ballad enthusiasts are in for a treat as English singer Engelbert Humperdinck revisits Manila on July 10 for a one-night-only concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Humperdinck has generated sales in excess of 140 million records, including 64 gold albums and 35 platinum, four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe, and stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Las Vegas Walk of Fame, and Leicester Walk of Fame. His voice has been immortalized in timeless tunes loved by many Filipinos and fans worldwide like “(Please) Release Me,” “The Last Waltz,” “Am I That Easy To Forget,” “There Goes My Everything,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” the unforgettable “Quando, Quando, Quando,” and many more. “My mother’s side of the family had the signing voice so I must have inherited that from her. My father was a man’s man – strong, athletic, charismatic. And I like to do all kind of men things. I love

English pop singer Engelbert Humperdinck

sports, golf, tennis martial arts, soccer, skiing, but at the same time, yes I do appreciate women.” Humperdinck has performed for the Queen four times, several presidents and many heads of state. He has recorded everything from the most romantic ballads to movie theme songs, disco, rock, and even gospel. He has endeared himself to fans with his sense of humor and self- deprecating jokes, and has managed to strike a new chord with a younger generation after appearing on MTV several times.

Engelbert exploded on to the music scene with The Beatles and the Rolling Stones and soon became a world icon. He became great friends with Elvis Presley and the two legends often performed each other’s songs. His first single in the charts was “Release Me,” which went into the Guinness Book of Records for achieving 56 consecutive weeks on the charts. It was No. 1 in 11 countries. The following decades saw Engelbert touring the world to sell-out crowds. Engelbert’s music has transcended time and his voice still continues to reach out to people now – serving to transport and inspire, to embrace and to provoke feelings and emotions. For fans, his Manila concert will surely become a memorable night with a legend. Engelbert Humperdinck Live in Manila tickets are priced at P5830, P4770, P3710, P3180, P2650, and P1590. Tickets are already available on TicketNet; log on to www.ticketnet.com.ph or call 911-5555.

SAT URDAY : J UNE 18, 2016

ISAH V. RED EDITOR NICKIE WANG WRITER

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

Cast members of the most awaited “Encantadia” are in full royal and battle costumes adding glitter and excitement to Toycon 2016

‘ENCANTADIA’ STARS SHARE EXPERIENCES IN TOYCON 2016 ISAH V. RED

he most anticipated return of Encantadia happened last weekend at the Toycon 2016 + Poplife Fanxperience held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Beginning with the unveiling of its official trailer that captivated the crowd and made the fans more excited about the “requel,” the ground-breaking debut of GMA Network’s most awaited telefantasya was spearheaded by its lead stars Kylie Padilla, Gabbi Garcia, Sanya Lopez and Glaiza de Castro, wearing their royal costumes as Amihan, Alena, Danaya and Pirena respectively for a meet-and-greet opportunity with the Encantadia fans. Kylie shared that attending ToyCon has always been in her and her sibling’s bucket list that’s why participating in the event did not tire her at all. “Actually hindi ako napagod. Sobrang matagal ko nang pangarap na maka-attend ng ganitong event so, I feel at home. Kanina lang inikot ko itong buo. Ako nga lang mag-isa, napagod na ang paa ko. Pangarap namin itong magkakapatid, sayang wala sila dito. Pero yun nga, in-enjoy ko nalang din ito for them,” she said. Gabbi was overwhelmed with how the loyal fans of the series have still given them the same amount of support and trust. “First ToyCon ito ng Encantadia na we got to face them in our costumes. Nakakatuwa kasi yung pag-embrace ng mga Encantadiks sa bagong cast ng Encantadia, hindi mo makukwenstiyon yung support and loyalty nila. Ang sarap ng feeling na we got to feel it talaga first hand kasi magkakaharap kami with the fans,” the young actress explained. Sanya, on the other hand, said she is very grateful for the support the fans gave them before, during and after the launch that helped her to overcome the pressure she has been feeling. She shares, “Siguro hindi ko talaga maalis na hindi ma-pressure kasi iba yung pagmamahal na binigay ng tao sa

Sang’gres: (from left) Sanya Lopez, Glaiza de Castro, Gabbi Garcia and Kylie Padilla Carlo Gonzalez

Encantadia, kaya, pinipilit kong tanggalin yung pressure na yun para hindi makaapekto sa trabaho na dapat kong gampanan. Thank God tinulungan ako ng mga fans na ma-overcome yun kasi for them, we are Encantadia—we are someone they love.” As a first time attendee, Glaiza expressed her admiration joining one of the biggest toy conventions in the country. “Masaya, yung first time na experience dito kasi fan din ako. So alam mo yung feeling na nakikita mo yung idol mo, yung hinahangaan mo, or yung isang bagay na may significance sayo, sobrang precious nun,” shared Glaiza Together with Kylie, Gabbi, Sanya and Glaiza, the powerhouse cast of Encantadia came in full force as Rocco Nacino, Ruru Madrid, Rochelle Pangilinan, Vaness del Moral, Pancho Magno, Buboy Villar, Carlo Gonzalez, Kate Valdez, Mikee Quintos, James Teng, Klea Pineda, Migo Adecer and Solenn Heussaff wowed the crowd with their impressive costumes. Encantadia’s director Mark Reyes and lead visual designer Noel Flores were also present during the launch.

Sanya Lopez

Solenn Heussaff

Rochelle Pangilinan

Ruru Madrid