Manila Standard - 2018 September 15 - Saturday

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 212 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

‘Ompong’ blasts North By Rio N. Araja

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Y NOON today, Typhoon “Ompong” had cut through the Caraballo mountains following a quick whip of heavily populated Northern Luzon en route to exiting by mid-afternoon the landmass westnorthwest of Laoag City, based on projections by the state weather bureau.

LAWIN

Despite this, Typhoon Signal No. 4 remains over a dozen provinces—Cagayan Province and Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya and Qurino—where Signal No. 3 had been in effect since last night. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said “Ompong,” moving northwest at 30 kph, was to hit land between 1 am and 3 am Saturday, ramming into Cagayan and Isabela first. Next page

OMPONG

Facts and figures: Powerful storms Contrast of three surround eye of super typhoons Ompong—NASA HOW does “Ompong” compare to previous Super Typhoons “Lawin” (which occurred in 2016) and “Yolanda” (in 2013)? According to data from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center:

YOLANDA

OMPONG

Maximum Sustained Winds: 255 kph Gustiness: 310 kph Diameter: 1,010 km Storm Surge Height: 6 meters Category: 5

LAWIN

Maximum Sustained Winds: 225 kph Gustiness: 315 kph Diameter: 800 km Storm Surge Height: 5 meters Category: 5

YOLANDA

Maximum Sustained Winds: 295 kph Gustiness: 360 kph Diameter: 600 km Storm Surge Height: 6 meters Category: 5

SATELLITES of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration trailing Typhoon “Ompong” (international name Mangkhut), the 15th to lash the Philippines, have found powerful storms surrounding its eye before its landfall over northern Luzon on Saturday. On Sept. 13 (Friday in Manila), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument on the Aqua satellite looked at Ompong in infrared as it was approaching the Philippines, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Rob Gutro said in a blog post. MODIS is a payload imaging

s e n sor built by Santa Barbara Remote Sensing that was launched into Earth orbit by NASA in 1999 on board the Terra Satellite, and in 2002 on board the Aqua satellite. According to the blog, the satellite’s instrument “found coldest cloud Next page

SAFEGUARDING THE GRAINS.

Farmers from the fourth class town of Mallig (population 30,000 plus) in Isabela collect and transport their harvested crops, already in sacks, by carabao-pulled sleds more than a dozen hours before the projected landfall of powerful Typhoon ‘Ompong,’ the 15th to breathe down on the country which averages 21 typhoons in a year. Richard de Guzman

Perfect storms: Hurricanes and typhoons AS HURRICANE Florence looms off the eastern United States and Typhoon “Mangkhut” threatens the Philippines, here are some facts about monster storms and what to expect as climate

change supercharges our weather. A cyclone by any other name Hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons are different names for the same type of

giant tropical storms that form in oceans near the Americas and Asia. Bringing torrential rains, high winds, storm surges, and giant waves, the storms Next page

Florence batters US coast in ‘once in a lifetime event’ WILMINGTON, North Carolina— Hurricane Florence battered the Carolinas Friday with howling winds, lifethreatening storm surges and torrential rains as it came to close making landfall in what officials warned is a once in a lifetime event. Forecasters warned of catastrophic flooding and other mayhem from the Next page

ILL-BODING RAINS. Rains start to fall as the outer bands of Hurricane Florence make landfall in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Friday, with forecasters warning it’s packing a high-risk punch with 175 kph winds and torrential rains. AFP

Seized rice, other food items set for disaster relief By Julito G. Rada THE Bureau of Customs has been ordered to immediately turn over smuggled rice and other seized food items to the Department of Social Welfare and Development to augment preparations for the

onslaught of Typhoon “Ompong” this weekend. “Please release all seized rice and foodstuff in your possession to the DSWD for possible disaster relief,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III told Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña.

Dominguez’s directive was in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to all government agencies to ensure the highest level of readiness for the powerful typhoon. Dominguez said government-togovernment transfers in emergency Next page

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PMAers side with Du30 vs Trillanes By Nat Mariano

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HE call of the Mindanaobased Eagle Fraternal Chapter of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. or PMAAAI to “immediately remove” Senator Antonio Trillanes IV from the association of PMA graduates reflects the military’s “overall sentiment,” Malacañang said Friday. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the association’s plea demonstrated an expression of support toward President Rodrigo Duterte. “That reflects the overall sentiment from the military,” Roque said. He said the Palace remained confident

GMA, House add 3 new committees By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives has created three new committees, including the revived oversight panel as part of the ongoing reorganization initiated by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The revived House Committee on Oversight aside, House Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. said the Committee on Disaster Management and the Special Committee on Senior Citizens were also created. The creation of the House committees on oversight and on disaster management brings to 62 the existing standing committees and to 16 the special committees. House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, the chairman of the House committee on oversight during the 14th Congress, said he hoped the leadership would give the chairmanship of the panel to the minority bloc since it had the mandate to monitor and evaluate the performance of government agencies. “The principle of checks and balances is embedded in our Constitution to ensure that there will be no abuse of power and to correct the mistakes or excesses committed by the other branches of the government,” Suarez said. He reminded the House leadership of “the importance of the functions of the oversight committee in monitoring and evaluating the performance of government agencies and instrumentalities and ensuring that agencies were relevantly and fully using their resources in accordance with their mandate. “This shall coincide with the thrust of this administration against corruption, the improvement of the absorptive capacity of all government agencies, the provision of basic services and economic, social and infrastructure development in the country,” Suarez said. The chamber in plenary session elected Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman as head of the House Committee on Disaster Management whose mandate is to help address the calamities, including risk reduction, disaster preparedness and recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, Andaya said. Andaya said the House Special Committee on Senior Citizens was headed by Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos to touch on the policies of the elderly and improve their active participation in the country while the House committee on oversight remained vacant.He said the House committee on oversight was tasked to handle “all matters relating to the coordination of executive development planning and congressional action, specifically the review of the effectiveness of the laws pursued through the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

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situations can be legally facilitated under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. Dominguez was present during a command conference led by the President Thursday afternoon at Camp Aguinaldo to discuss ongoing preparations for Ompong’s arrival. Ompong was expected to slam into the northern province of Cagayan Saturday morning, bringing heavy rains within its 900-kilometer radius. Earlier, Dominguez instructed the BOC to coordinate with the DSWD on the distribution of confiscated rice stocks to flood victims and the poorest municipalities in the country, in response to a proposal of Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua. Lapeña reported that the BoC seized in July some 100 containers with 50,000 sacks of rice worth P125 million at the Manila International Container Port. The shipment from Thailand was consigned to the Sta. Rosa Farm Products Corp. without the necessary import permits, Lapeña said. Cua had earlier proposed that smuggled rice be donated to families affected by the recent typhoons.

that the military would not conspire to overthrow the President. In other developments: • Duterte said Thursday nobody was interested in arresting Trillanes following the senator’s claim his life would be in danger once he leaves the Senate premises. “Nobody is interested to arrest [him]. The military does not have the interest. I do not have the interest. He can stay there [Senate] as a boarder,” Duterte told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Duterte, who attended a briefing with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council about Typhoon “Ompong” on Thursday night, said he had ordered the police forces not to arrest Trillanes without an arrest warrant issued by a court. • Every day that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is not in jail because of the proclamation which revoked his amnesty is a victory for him and a victory for the rule of law, Senator Francis Pangilinan said

Friday. “This is not just about Senator Trillanes, this is about the rule of law,” said Pangilinan who is also president of the Liberal Party. “The decisions of the Supreme Court and the Makati courts on the case of Trillanes show that our courts are functioning. “The courts have said he is entitled to due process. Due process is a fundamental right in our constitutional democracy. It is a part of our bill of rights and therefore due process is also being upheld here and therefore this is a victory for the citizens, this is a victory for all of us.” *Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Friday there was no arrest or “tracking “ order on Trillanes. He made the statement in response to Trillanes’ claim on Thursday that plainclothesmen had been tailing his car. “No order to arrest him nor to follow him,” Lorenzana said in a text message to GMA News Online.

Published as a newspaper advertisement on Friday morning, the association recommended Trillanes’ immediate expulsion from the group for acts unbecoming of an Academy alumnus. “We are recommending his immediate ouster from the PMAAAI roll of members for acts unbecoming of a ‘PEEMAYER,’ through actions and behavior contrary to the Academy’s motto of courage, integrity and loyalty, thereby seriously damaging the honor and prestige of the revered institution,” the group’s statement says. The association said Trillanes, a fierce critic of the President, incited sedition, committed the crime of coup d’etat and was involved in graft and corruption, The group also said Trillanes was disrespectful and arrogant toward the association’s senior officers and to the President. The group also said the senator perpetrated treasonous acts and engaged in propaganda activities and propagated lies.

‘Ompong’... From A1

Signal No. 3 is likely to be raised over five more provinces—La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Zambales—while Pampanga, Bulacan and Bataan would be under Signal No. 2. Metro Manila would still be under Signal No. 1, along with Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna and Quezon. The weather bureau had placed Polillo Island, the northern part of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island, the northern part of Oriental Mindoro, Masbate, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Burias and Ticao islands, and Northern Samar under Signal No. 1 on Friday. Ompong was packing maximum winds of 205 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 255 kph on Friday night. Although not yet a super typhoon, Ompong remains powerful, with a huge diameter of 900 kms. “Ompong” will enhance the southwest monsoon to bring gusty winds with occasional moderate to heavy rains over the Visayas. Scattered light to moderate to at times heavy rains will prevail over Palawan, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Caraga Region. Storm surge-prone areas of Cagayan and Isabela and the Ilocos provinces may expect up to six meters (above mean sea level) of surge on Saturday morning. Preparations were in high gear on Friday with Ompong set to make a direct hit in less than 24 hours, packing winds up to 255 kilometers per hour and drenching rains. Thousands fled their homes on the Philippines’ northern coastal tip ahead of the

early Saturday landfall of what is expected to be the disaster-prone nation’s fiercest storm yet this year. Businesses and residents on Luzon island, which is home to millions, were boarding up windows and tying down roofs that could be sheared off by winds forecast to gust as high as 255 kilometers per hour. “The rains will be strong and the winds are no joke... We may have a storm surge that could reach four storeys high,” Michael Conag, a spokesman for local civil defense authorities, said. “This could destroy houses, especially the makeshift houses. Those are the ones most common in coastal areas.” Heavy rains and high winds were just starting to pound the far northeastern tip of Luzon on Friday, but there have been no reports of major damage or flooding. Farmers in the region, which produces a significant portion of the corn and rice, were rushing to bring in crops that could be destroyed by flooding. At least four million people are directly in Ompong’s path, which is predicted to move on to China’s heavily populated southern coast—including Hong Kong— this weekend. “We are really frightened. They say it [typhoon] is so strong,” said Delaila Pasion, who had fled her home in the northern Philippines. “We were too scared to remain.” “During the previous monsoon rains, half of our house was destroyed so I wanted to take my grandchildren to safety,” she told said Thursday. Flooding and landslides in the hilly region were top concerns as authorities prepared equipment for rescue and relief operations. An average of 20 typhoons and storms

lash the Philippines each year, killing hundreds of people and leaving millions in near-perpetual poverty. The country’s deadliest on record is Super Typhoon “Yolanda,” which left more than 7,350 people dead or missing across the central Philippines in November 2013. The state weather service said Ompong will be the strongest typhoon so far this year, with sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour. Poor communities reliant on fishing are some of the most vulnerable to fierce typhoon winds and the storm surges that pound the coast. “It will bring destruction. They are the ones greatly affected. Even moderate winds can topple their houses,” regional civil defense official Dante Balao said Thursday. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council warned of storm surges as high as 14 meters in coastal areas. Edgar Posadas of the NDRRMC said an estimated 5.2-million people would be affected by the typhoon. Of these, 983,100 were considered poor. An independent weather monitor, Weather Philippines Foundation, said Ompong would bring rains over areas within its 1,010-kilometer diameter. Hong Kong is also in the typhoon’s sights and preparations there were already underway Friday, though the storm was not expected to hit until Sunday. The Hong Kong Observatory warned that the massive storm will bring “significantly deteriorating weather” to the city on Sunday and warned residents to take precautions. Taiwan’s central weather bureau predicted that the typhoon would be nearest to the island on Saturday, bringing heavy rains to its southern and eastern parts although it was unlikely to make a direct hit. With AFP

Powerful... From A1

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In contrast, Florence weakened on Thursday to a Category 2 event, although that is not to say it is not still extremely dangerous. Florence is forecast to dump up to 100 centimeters (40 inches) of rain in some areas after making landfall in North and South Carolina Thursday night or Friday. “We’re expecting 500-1,000 millimeters in Jacksonville, where the average monthly rainfall is 180-200 mm,” Emmanuel Bocrie, forecaster at the Meteo France weather service, told AFP. “So a lower category storm can still be dangerous and do a lot of damage.” A summer of violence Last year saw a string of catastrophic storms batter the west Atlantic—including Irma, Maria and Hurricane Harvey—causing a record-equalling $125 billion (107 billion euros) in damages when it flooded the Houston metropolitan area. Bocrie said 2017 was exceptional for Atlantic superstorms as surface water temperatures were on average two-to-three degrees Celsius warmer than normal. For this hurricane season, the NOAA forecasting service and Britain’s Met Office predict between five and nine storms of Category 3 or stronger. “That’s a relatively normal season,” according to Bocrie. “But be careful. That’s not to say we can rule out a disaster, it only takes one.” Worse to come? Scientists have long predicted that global warming will make cyclones more destructive, and some say the evidence for this may already be visible. Warmer oceans add to the raw fuel on which cyclones feed, and higher sea levels boost storm surges that may overcome coastal defenses. Cyclones “are going to be far stronger, more violent and destructive, and we expect more rain as well,” said Bocrie. AFP

top temperatures around the eye, as cold as or colder than minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (F)/minus 112 degrees Celsius (C). “Surrounding the eye were thick rings of powerful storms with cloud tops as cold as or colder than minus 70F (minus 56.6C),” he added. Gutro referred to NASA’s research, which suggested that cloud top temperatures as cold as or colder than the 70F/56.6C threshold had the capability to induce heavy rainfall, which would forewarn of torrential rains that Ompong might bring to Luzon, the country’s main island from a total 7,000 plus. Another satellite, the NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP, passed directly over Ompong from space two days earlier and gazed down its eye. This is the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership or Suomi NPP, previously known as the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project and NPP-Bridge, a weather satellite operated by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Visible imagery on Sept. 12 at 11:44 p.m. EDT (Sept. 12 at 0354 UTC from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASANOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite showed that Mangkhut had a clear eye that enabled the satellite to see through it all the way to the surface of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean,” Gutro said. Gutro mentioned a report by the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center showing that strong, compact feeder bands of thunderstorms were spiraling tightly into the typhoon’s eye. The lawmaker said during the hearing that rather than auction off the stocks, which could possibly end up in the hands of smugglers who use dummies to buy these back, it would be better for the BoC to just donate them to flood victims. Dominguez had also directed the BOC to keep a closer watch on the entry of “hot” stocks of rice and sugar. Starting Friday, the Metro Manila Development Authority was put on blue alert, with all first responder units at their congregation point and ready for immediate deployment. Under blue alert status, MMDA personnel are on standby for possible deployment. “The raising of blue alert aims to ensure the continuous monitoring of the possible effects of the current weather system and ensure prompt coordination with concerned agencies and offices,” said MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim. As signal number 1 is up over Metro Manila, Lim also advised the 17 local government units in Metro Manila to implement disaster preparedness measures in their respective localities for the safety of the public. In Central Luzon, the country’s rice granary, disaster officials said preparations were in place for Ompong’s arrival. With Joel E. Zurbano, Romeo Dizon and Abe Almirol

can be deadly and wreak havoc once they make land. At their most fearsome, these low-pressure weather fronts pack more power than the energy released by the atomic bomb that levelled Hiroshima. In the Atlantic and northeast Pacific, they are known as hurricanes, while typhoon is the term used in Pacific Asia. The same weather phenomenon in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean is a cyclone. Humble beginnings Cyclones start life as simple thunderstorms. But at certain times of the year, when sea temperatures are high enough to create evaporation, the storm fronts begin to suck up vast quantities of water. In the northern hemisphere they are pulled into an anti-clockwise spiral as they make their way across the ocean by the rotation of the Earth. Cyclones in the southern hemisphere rotate clockwise. The water they hold is then deposited as rainfall, bringing catastrophic flooding, property damage and loss of life. The storms themselves—with a calm “eye” at their center—can measure up to 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) across. But they weaken rapidly when they travel over land or colder ocean waters. Size doesn’t (always) matter Scientists rank cyclones from Category 1-5. Category 5 storms have sustained winds of at least 252 kilometres (157 miles) per hour or higher. Recent Category 5s include Hurricane Irma, which battered the Caribbean and the southern United States in September 2017. Hurricane Katrina, which killed over 1,800 people across the US Gulf Coast in 2005, was also a Category 5.

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monster storm, which is only Category 1 but physically sprawling and dangerous. Reports said coastal streets in North Carolina were flooded and winds bent trees to the ground as the storm, which has been downgraded several times in recent days, weakened and is slower moving than before, prepared to make landfall Friday. Nearly 300,000 customers in North Carolina were reported to be without power as the outer band of the storm approached. Footage from US TV outlets showed raging waters hitting piers and jettys and rushing across coastal roads in seaside communities. The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported “life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds” along the North Carolina coast. In its 0900 GMT advisory, the center said Florence was over the Atlantic Ocean about 25 miles (35 kilometers) east of Wilmington, North Carolina and moving northwest at six miles per hour (10 kilometers per hour). It added that the maximum sustained

winds were 90 miles per hour. Florence is now at the weakest of five categories on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The storm is about to make landfall in North Carolina, the center said. In a display of the early effects of the storm, one flood gauge on the Neuse River in New Bern, North Carolina, showed 10 feet (three meters) of flooding, the NHC said. With winds picking up along the coastline earlier Thursday, federal and state officials had issued final appeals to residents to get out of the path of the “once in a lifetime” weather system. “This storm will bring destruction,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said. “Catastrophic effects will be felt.” In Wilmington, a steady rain began to fall as gusts of winds intensified, causing trees to sway and stoplights to flicker. Avair Vereen, 39, took her seven children to a shelter in Conway High School near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. “We live in a mobile home so we were just like ‘No way,’” she said. “If we lose the house, oh well, we can get housing. “But we can’t replace us so we decided to come here.” AFP

P500k bounty placed on Peter Lim‘s head by DOJ By Rey E. Requejo THE government will be giving out a P500,000 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of businessman Peter Lim, who went hiding after the Justice department indicted him for conspiracy to trade in illegal drugs before a Makati City court, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Friday. He also warned that criminal cases would be filed against anyone who caught coddling the fugitive businessman from Cebu. “The government is ready to give a reward of P500,000 to anyone who can give information on the exact whereabouts of accused Peter Go Lim, provided that such information will lead to the actual arrest of the said fugitive,” Guevarra said in a text message to reporters. He said those helping Lim to hide from the authorities would face prosecution for obstruction of justice. “The DoJ warns the persons coddling Lim, who has been indicted for conspiracy to trade in illegal drugs, that they will be prosecuted for obstruction of justice and punished accordingly,” Guevarra said. Arresting teams of the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation have been hunting Lim down for more than a month since the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 65 ordered his arrest on Aug. 14. The court has also issued a hold-departure order against the businessman to prevent him from leaving the country. Earlier, Guevarra said Lim could still be in the country because, based on the records of the Bureau of Immigration, no Peter Go Lim had left the country. “Mr. Lim has not left the country since his last trip in March,” Guevarra said. He said should Lim sneak out via the back door, the government could seek the help of the Interpol to find him. On Aug. 10, the Justice department indicted Lim after finding probable cause in a complaint filed by the PNP-CIDG, which was earlier dismissed by a previous panel of prosecutors. Also charged in court were detained drug trader Kerwin Espinosa, state witness Marcelo Adorco and Ruel Malindangan.

PAL zaps flights in anticipation over ‘Ompong‘ IN THE interest of safety, Philippine Airlines said late Friday it was canceling the following flights in anticipation of Typhoon “Ompong” (international name ‘Mangkhut’): September 14 (Friday)—International Flights Canceled PR312 Manila-Hong Kong PR346 Manila-Shanghai (Pudong) PR347 Shanghai (Pudong)-Manila PR2482 Tagbilaran-Seoul (Incheon) September 15 (Saturday)-International Flights Cancelled PR313 Hong Kong-Manila PR2483 Seoul (Incheon)-Tagbilaran PR352/ 353 Manila-Macau-Manila PR5408/407 Manila-Osaka (Kansai)-Manila PR334/335 Manila-Xiamen-Manila PR318/319 Manila-Hong Kong-Manila PR310/311 Manila-Hong Kong-Manila PR312 Manila-Hong Kong PR390 Cebu-Beijing PR423 Tokyo (Haneda)-Manila PR300/301 Manila-Hong Kong-Manila PR306/307 Manila-Hong Kong-Manila September 16 (Sunday)—International Flights Canceled PR313 Hong Kong-Manila PR391 Beijing-Cebu September 14 (Friday)—Domestic Flights Canceled PR2935 Clark-Virac PR2936 Virac-Clark PR2688 Clark-Basco PR2689 Basco-Clark PR2614 Clark-Tuguegarao PR2615 Tuguegarao -Clark PR832 Davao – Clark PR2198/ 2199 Manila-Laoag-Manila PR2692 Busuanga-Clark PR 2686 Busuanga-Clark September 15 (Saturday)—Domestic Flights Canceled PR2196 Manila-Laoag PR2197 Laoag-Manila PR2198 Manila-Laoag PR2199 Laoag-Manila PR2688 Clark-Basco PR2689 Basco -Clark PR2614 Clark-Tuguegarao PR2615 Tuguegarao-Clark PR833 Clark-Cagayan PR834 Cagayan-Clark PR831 Clark – Davao PR2671/2672 Clark-Calbayog-Clark PR2875/2876 Clark-Siargao-Clark PR2684/2685 Clark-Busuanga-Clark PR2678/2679 Clark-Busuanga-Clark PR2153/ 2154 Manila-Bacolod-Manila PR 2789/ 2790 Manila-Puerto Princesa-Manila September 15 (Saturday)—International Flights Delayed The following flights from the Middle East will be re-timed to arrive in the afternoon of Sept. 15 to stay clear of the typhoon (instead of their original morning arrival times): PR685 Doha-Manila PR655 Riyadh-Manila PR659 Dubai-Manila PR683 Dammam – Manila

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NDFP lauds Congress for resolution on peace talks

Piñol urged to freeze prices in typhoon-hit communities

By Nat Mariano

MILITANT lawmaker on Friday said Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol’s warning that the prices of basic goods might further increase due to Typhoon ‘‘Ompong’’ (international name Mangkhut) proved his non-sensitivity to the plight not only of typhoon-affected communities as well as consumers.

THE National Democratic Front of the Philippines lauded Congress Friday for its “positive move” as lawmakers adopted a resolution pushing for the resumption of President Rodrigo Duterte’s peace negotiations with the communist rebels. NDFP peace panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili said the communist group welcomed the passing of House Resolution 1803 by the House Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity. “The resolution is a positive move by the committee members and contributes to calls of various other sectors and groups to continue the peace negotiations,” Agcaoili said in a statement. He hoped the resolution would encourage the President to “go back to the negotiating table and work towards a just and lasting peace.” Agcaoili said there were already “significant advancements in the negotiations” when Duterte decided to unilaterally scrap the talks in November 2017. According to the NDFP official, the talks already produced tentative agreements on the specific sections on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms.

By Maricel V. Cruz

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“Instead of simply warning of possible further price increases, the DA, in coordination with the Trade department, should order the freezing of prices in typhoon-hit areas in anticipation of the effect of Typhoon ‘‘Ompong.’’ “This is to prevent unscrupulous traders from exploiting the situation,” Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao, a member of the Makabayan Bloc, said. “With the coming effects of Typhoon Ompong to properties and livelihoods, it is only just to call for price freeze,” Casilao added. He said controlling the prices of basic goods especially in times of calamity was as important as

preparing the people for the upcoming natural calamity. “The Duterte administration should order the DA, DTI and other concerned agencies to also prioritize controlling the prices of basic goods,” Casilao said. This developed as Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, an oppositionist, said the devastation wrought on the country’s economy and its institutions by the Duterte administration could be worse than the combined disasters caused by Ondoy, Yolanda, Ompong and other typhoons and calamities. “When Duterte took over the presidency in July 2016, inflation was only 1.3 percent, now it is a crippling

6.4 percent due to no small measure to culpable government neglect and errant policies,” he said. Lagman said the traffic gridlock when Duterte became president cost the country P3 billion daily in lost opportunities, now with the worsening traffic mess, the daily loss is equivalent to P3.5 billion or P1.3 trillion per year which is 34 percent of the P3.757trillion proposed budget in 2019. Lagman added the present rice crisis of spiraling prices and shortage, whether actual or contrived, besetting the Duterte administration was absent when he assumed the presidency. Lagman said even self-rated poverty increased to 48 percent this year from 44 percent in 2016 or an increase to 11.1 million Filipino families translating to 66.6 million individuals at six members per family. “Before the Duterte presidency, the Philippines was the acknowledged leader in the Asian Region in human rights protection and promotion, but the country has lost that premier status when Duterte campaigned for the restoration of the death penalty and violated human rights with impunity,” Lagman added.

CoA calls NHA heed over P10b questionable house program By Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Audit has called the attention of the National Housing Authority over a questionable P10.6billion housing program for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police. In a 2017 audit report, CoA found irregularities in 28 housing projects worth some P10.62 billion for the two institutions, saying the NHA failed to conduct a proper evaluation of contractors, and even awarded contracts to companies with limited capacity to handle big projects in Bulacan’s Bocaue and Pandi. “Verification of the documents… showed that the developers are not technically and financially capable to undertake the housing projects. These are manifested by the deficiencies in the documents submitted and noncompliance to some requirements by the developers on the evaluation of financial capacity,” it read. CoA, however, did not identify the involved contractor. “Developer A” did not disclose the cost of the contract and the owners of ongoing projects, while the documents for five AFP and PNP housing projects given to “Developer B” had not been evaluated.

ALL GEARED UP FOR 'OMPONG’ CLEARING THE DECKS.

Nerve-wracking scenes Friday in different parts of Luzon as the country’s main island is irritatingly disturbed by winds and rains from the projected powerful Typhoon ‘Ompong.’ Lino Santos

In Parañaque City, a fisherman goes Friday on the double with forethought as he undeviatingly moves his boat to safety hours before ‘Ompong’ is expected to hit the metropolis, the anxiety shared by another fisherman in Vitas, Tondo district in Manila. Lino Santos

Using a megaphone, a barangay official in Bagong Lupa, Baseco compound in coastal Tondo district of Manila warns Friday residents of his village to start evacuating to the nearest evacuation center. Norman Cruz

Also in the shanty settlements of Manila, residents race against time Friday to reinforce the roofs of their houses by putting atop heavy tires. Preparations have been in high gear in the Philippines, lashed by an average of 21 storms every year with ‘Ompong’ set to make a direct hit in less than 24 hours, packing winds up to 255 kms per hour and drenching rains. Thousands have fled their homes on the northern coastal tip ahead of the early Saturday landfall of what is expected to be the disasterprone nation’s fiercest storm yet this year. AFP

In Makati City, Mayor Abigail Binay (rightmost) and Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo (2nd from right) listen intently during a briefing by the Meteorological Assessment Prediction briefing at the Makati C3 Headquarters on Thursday, headed by Richard Raymund Rodriguez (3rd from right). The briefing is intended to provide city officials the latest update on the path of ‘Ompong’ and how it may affect the City of Makati, where classes in all levels have been suspended until today. Following the briefing, Binay ordered the suspension of classes in all levels for both public and private schools in Makati on Friday, Sept. 14, until Saturday, Sept. 15. Norman Cruz

The amphibious vehicles and rescue equipment of Valenzuela City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Metro Manila are prepositioned in flood-prone areas, particularly in Tullahan River, as weathermen keep their watch on approaching ‘Ompong.’ Andrew Rabulan

Up in Isabela in Luzon’s northeast, Filipino farmers collect Friday recently harvested rice grains in the town of Mallig, in anticipation of Ompong’s landfall in the Valley, which includes the provinces of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya and Cagayan, through which the eponymnous Cagayan River flows—still in their memories the destruction inflicted on them by ‘Haima’ in 2016. Richard de Guzman/Greenpeace

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Opinion

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The vindication of Leila against her are not even qualified to testify as most of them are convicted criminals. Not contented with the incredulous charges and violations of her rights, the vindictiveness and violations of THIS is the last part of a four-part the rule of law continue even in her deseries on the book entitled “Freedom tention since many visitors including Fighters and Other Writings” authored foreigners were not allowed to see her. by Senator Leila de Lima. Worse, all the materials that go to her Part III, subtitled “Standing by My are subject to unreasonable censorship. Innocence,” is a collection of articles by As a final thought, Monsod asked: selected columnists and opinion mak- what has she done to deserve this? If it ers who expressed their steadfast belief can be done to her then it can be done in the innocence of the beleaguered to any of us. senator. Included in this selection are John Nery in his column “Justice articles that appeared in various publi- for Leila is Justice for All” published cations by respected economist Solita by the Philippine Daily Inquirer reCollas-Monsod, columnists John Nery called how the President recounted in and Vergel Santos, Law Professor Mel one of his chit chats that as a prosecuSta. Maria, blogtor disclosed they ger Candy Cruz planted evidence. Datu, and yours Now as president, truly. Nery opined, he In her opinion has leveled up, the Those who unjustly piece “Beyond entire prosecuHyperbole,” Soli- persecuted her will be tion service and ta Monsod wrote held accountable. the Office of the that the best exSolicitor General ample of Presican now engineer dent Duterte’s patently illegal penchant for “exmaneuver to enaggerated statements,” which his sub- sure the indefinite detention of a poordinates dismiss not as a lie but mere- litical adversary. It is in fact a matter ly as hyperbole, are actually beyond of public record that De Lima was achyperbole in the case of Leila de Lima. cused of trading in and profiting from That Duterte made avowals to high illegal drugs; the entire rigmarole at heavens during the campaign that he the House of Representatives was deis not vindictive and will always obey signed to make this case in the court the rule of law is again “beyond” hy- of public opinion. The Department of perbole because, according to Monsod, Justice subsequently charged her with the real reason is really to vindicate the this violation, he narrated. But not a “affront” made by the senator who had single gram of the illegal drugs she was the effrontery to investigate him when supposed to have traded in or profited as mayor of Davao he was being impli- from could be produced, Nery assertcated in incidents of extrajudicial kill- ed. Finally, he sympathizes with De ings in his bailiwick. Lima; stands with Chief Justice Maria Impelled by no other reason than Lourdes Sereno; will defend Ombudshis vindictiveness, he excoriated the man Conchita Carpio-Morales’ unsenator early on in his presidency, doubted integrity. They and others like pronounced her guilt of complicity in them make the rule of law possible; the trade of illegal drugs. His vindic- Calida and Aguirre, and Mr. Duterte, tiveness is such that it rubbed off to make the rule of law necessary. his justice secretary. She was accused To Vergel Santos, the case against of the wrong crime and arrested by Senator Leila de Lima is an abnormal a court without jurisdiction, Mon- one—abnormal in the way it was put sod added. Moreover, the witnesses Turn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Backyard bullies

T

HESE days it appears fashionable to display a toughguy —“siga” in Tagalog—mentality, as if it were a measure of real authority and credibility. We view with a mix of amusement and exasperation the video of a Bacolod City local official attacking his colleague during a session of the council. At the Sangguniang Panglungsod Wednesday, councilor Jesus Claudio

Puentevella punched fellow councilor Dindo Ramos over a disagreement about a sanitary landfill in the city. Their colleagues at the council tried to break up the fight and the vice mayor called for a break so cooler heads could prevail. To be sure, this is not the first time public officials engaged in disorderly behavior, or boorish conduct, or faux bravado. The President himself is not beyond the vice of purveying this “macho” culture. He zeroes in on individuals who challenge him, and does everything within his

means to make their lives difficult. He regards them as their enemies and talks ill of them at every turn. It could be human nature, or tradition, or some perverted ideas on how it is to be male. Whatever it is, these officials must realize that their toughguy stance merely shows otherwise—a failure at temperance, and an inability to process information rationally and objectively. Every nation—or province or city, for that matter—needs strong leaders. Strength, however, is not best shown in obvious, crude ways.

Tete-a-tete Calling it such gave the event a semblance of informality as conveyed by the term’s meaning. However, it could not have been informal, or private, because it was the President who would do the talking. Presidential proTETE-A-TETE, according to the nouncements are policy pronouncedictionary, is a private conversation ments. As the confusion was dragging on, between two people. Its synonyms include: dialogue, chat, chitchat, I received a few private messages asking if there was truth to the circulating heart-to-heart, and, one-on-one. President Rodrigo Duterte had a rumors that Duterte was going to de“tete-a-tete” with his legal adviser clare a State of National Emergency. Sal Panelo which turned out to be the Remember that there were also news biggest disappointment this week for about military tanks visible on Edsa many Filipinos. First it was said that that day which raised questions from the President would address the nation people. The conversation finally started at at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 11. When something like this is an- around 4:00 pm, or one hour late, and nounced, people are alerted because lasted for nearly two hours. Some say it is not often that a sitting president two hours that were wasted, others “addresses the nation.” Outside of the called it “two hours of agony.” Yes, it was a conversation between yearly State of the Nation Address, the two, with such announcePanelo very rements only hapspectfully “interpen when the viewing” his boss President wants in front of the to speak to the The gimmick failed. more than 100 nation on urgent, million Filipinos. pressing issues. It was painful This was what to watch. Filipinos expectIt was obvious that President Dued and most of us made time to hear terte was consumed by his hatred towhat Duterte had to say. I did not hear anything about a press wards Senator Antonio Trillanes. He conference but apparently, the media did not get what he wanted—to put the prepared for one as evidenced by the senator behind bars. The order to both set-up that was shown by many practi- the Philippine National Police and tioners. It is impossible that the media Armed Forces of the Philippinesto got it wrong because if it was the case, arrest Trillanes was not carried out. such set-up would not be allowed in Instead, the AFP issued a strong statement that its loyalty is to the ConstituMalacañang. Barely an hour before the presiden- tion, meaning, not to any one person, tial address was scheduled to begin, not to Duterte. The Department of Justice’s “uran announcement was made that the press conference was canceled. No gent request” to a Makati Regional reason was provided. Then this was Trial Court for the issuance of a warfollowed by Bong Go’s announce- rant of arrest was flatly rejected. The ment that the presscon was canceled RTC said that it needed to retrieve the but Duterte’s address was still push- records of this dead case. Eventually, ing through with only PTV4 allowed the RTC opted to follow the normal to cover. Then yet another announce- procedures and ordered Sen. Trilment was made saying that the address lanes to respond to the case within 10 would now become a “tete-a-tete” days. with the presidential lawyer Panelo. Turn to A5

POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO

War, famine and fear: Yemeni cinema fights back By Nabil Hasan ON OPENING night, Yemeni director Amr Gamal held his breath to see if anyone would turn up for his film, screened in a makeshift theater in the war-torn country. More than a week later, the reception hall-turned-cinema is still packed nightly as residents of the southern city of Aden bring their children, friends and neighbors to see Gamal’s “10 Days Before the Wedding.” The movie, which tells the story of a couple struggling to wed amid war and its aftermath, is Gamal’s debut feature film—and one of only a handful of Yemeni productions to come out over the past two decades. “Our biggest fear was first and foremost that no one would come to see the film,” he said after a screening earlier this month. “We thought there was no way we’d have a big turnout because everyone is

so afraid,” Gamal told AFP. “But the unexpected happened.” Parallel war “10 Days Before the Wedding” centers on the lives of Rasha and Maamoun, two young Yemenis whose wedding day was put on hold in 2015, when Saudi Arabia and its military allies joined the war between Yemen’s government and rebels in an attempt to bolster the army. The couple’s second attempt to wed, after the conflict calmed in the government bastion of Aden, is complicated by the aftermath of war, including poverty, assassinations and sporadic battles. “There’s always a parallel war after it’s officially over... after the violence has technically ended,” Gamal said of his film. “And unfortunately so many ambitions, dreams, are destroyed in the face of war across the Arab world.” The story has struck a chord with

Yemenis in Aden, who have packed the makeshift cinema for each of the film’s eight scheduled screenings. With children and babies in tow, they grab popcorn from a sidewalk concession stand before heading inside for the show, breaking into applause as it comes to an end. “The film was amazing. It was true to reality, it literally paralleled our lives here in Aden—a city that’s really suffering. That’s something that truly deserves to be heard and seen,” said one audience member after a screening. Another moviegoer, carrying his infant daughter, hailed the film as “indescribable.” While the movie has proved a local hit, Gamal struggled to secure what he described as “modest” funding for his film, which was cast and shot entirely in wartime Yemen. The film went ahead with a reported Turn to A5

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Prominent Chinese pastor defiant after church closure

Trade war and the US dollar

public,” he said. “So we said no to the installation.” It marked the start a sustained campaign, with church members threatened at home and at their workplaces, and some evicted by their landlords or asked to leave their jobs because of their links to Zion, Jin said. He added that the authorities have branded his church a “cult.” The building’s owners were also pressured to prematurely end their partnership, refusing to renew the church’s lease after it expired in August and plastering eviction notices outside. Churchgoers were also handed similar notices whenever they left the building. Since then, Jin estimates the church has lost up to 400 followers. Jin said he is harassed daily by officers and was briefly detained after he tried to retrieve personal items from the shuttered church on Tuesday. Dozens of officers guarded the compound housing the former church this week, preventing AFP journalists from entering the building. “The way they are trying to control religion, they are using tactics from the former Soviet Union... where the church is a political tool,” he said. ‘Burnt bibles’ China’s top leaders have recently called for the “Sinicization” of religious practice—bringing it in line with “traditional” Chinese values and culture— sparking concern among rights groups. This week, draft regulations suggested Beijing is looking to restrict religious content online, such as images of people praying or chanting. Christians in the country are split between unofficial “house” or “underground” churches like Zion, and state-sanctioned churches where

Communist Party songs also feature in the order of service. Churches in central Henan province have seen their crosses torn down, followers harassed and buildings shuttered, according to Bob Fu, founder of ChinaAid, a Christian human rights NGO. The closures of churches represent “a significant escalation on President Xi’s crackdown against religious freedom in China,” Fu told AFP. “Now that the Chinese Communist Party has started to burn Bibles and coerce millions of believers in the Christian faith and other religious minorities to even sign a written pledge to renounce their basic religious beliefs, the international community should be alarmed and outraged.” ‘Social upheaval’ The state-linked China Christian Council estimates the country has around 20 million Christians—excluding Catholics—in official churches supervised by the authorities. But the true number of worshippers could be higher, up to 70 million, according to some estimates. China’s roughly 12 million Catholics are also divided between a governmentrun association, whose clergy are chosen by the atheist Communist Party, and an unofficial underground church loyal to the Vatican. Jin believes there will be “social upheaval” should the government try to erase religion, adding that he will continue to lead worship sessions outside the former church building. “This is a new generation, which is why the church has to be alert, and be ready to accept this challenge,” he said. “We must continue to fight for the truth, and stand by our faith to respond to this challenge as it is our responsibility.” AFP

terte’s revelation that he is accountable for eight more deaths. Instead, the investigation caused De Lima’s chairmanship of the justice committee. Worse, her petition to quash the cases against her was denied by the Supreme Court which also authored the release of Enrile from detention, acquitted Arroyo and approving a heroes burial to Marcos—all have made the brand of justice in the Duterte presidency abnormal. For his part, Mel Sta. Maria pondered: Why is the case of Senator Leila de Lima such an extraordinary case? It is because, he explained, in a little over one year from the assumption of the Duterte administration, no less than the three great branches of government have converged to pin her down and, to some observers, bully or persecute her. This is unprecedented. We saw how the Executive department gathered the felons and the convicted drug lords to testify against her. Then we witnessed many in Congress totally besmirch her dignity using these convicted felons/drug lords. Blogger Candy Cruz Datu, daughter of Dean Isagani A. Cruz, narrated

how she first met the senator during her formative years, then a law student of the esteemed Dean Cruz in San Beda College of Law. Datu never believed on the guilt of the senator, saying: “I observed her formative years as a lawyer under my Dad’s tutelage. I assure you, Justice Cruz did not suffer hypocrites, nor the mediocre, nor the morally infirm. Her passion for justice matched his, and I suspect that his partiality for libertarian principles tutored her own commitment to human rights. Her career is prima facie evidence of this.” To say otherwise is to be ridiculous, Datu concluded. Finally, the book also features an opinion piece I wrote in the Manila Standard on Oct. 17, 2017 where I presented and expressed agreement to the main arguments of Justice Leonen in his strong dissent to the majority opinion on the case of Senator Leila de Lima. I will say this and write it in stone: Leila de Lima will be vindicated. Those who unjustly persecuted her will be held accountable.

making his film possible. Upon seeing the cameras and actors in the streets, they brought them water, cheered them on, and in some cases offered up their stores and homes for filming free of charge. “It was insane to produce a film in Yemen now, under the current conditions,” said Gamal. “But... it was a way of speaking back, of challenging (reality), and I think that resonated with the audience. They felt like it represented them,” he added. Yemeni directors have fought for decades to represent their country, and its people, on the silver screen. Following the unification of the once-independent north and south in 1990, Yemen gradually lost its cinemas to religious fatwas, negligence, poverty and war. But the country’s filmmakers have refused to give up, with a handful of Arabic-language movies released in recent years.

Oscar-nominated “Karama Has No Walls”, a documentary short by Sara Ishaq, tells the tale of unarmed protesters who hit the streets of Sanaa only to be met with sniper fire. “Karama”—Arabic for dignity— was the theme of the March 18, 2011 protest in the Yemeni capital that became one of the bloodiest days in the country’s history, outside of the war. Yemeni documentarian Khadija alSalami also made headlines with her 2014 film “I am Nojoom, Age 10 and Divorced.” The film tells the real story of Nojood Ali, the 10-year-old child bride who rebelled against her father’s decision to marry her off—a practise still legal in Yemen. The young girl walked herself to court, demanded a lawyer and became the first Yemeni child to be granted divorce. The film garnered international recognition for Salami, herself a former child bride. AFP

which the US has extensive trade relations. While it was intentionally done to allow the US buy more goods for a few dollars, the same goods and services must seek its own level when brought to its jurisdiction. A simple illustration is the imporPart I tation of goods made from abroad. AFTER US President Nixon decou- They are cheap insofar as they their pled the dollar from the gold stand- value remains in China. But once ard fixed at $36 to an ounce of gold these goods enter the US market, agreed upon in the Bretton Woods their price will have to be adjusted in Agreement, the dollar has steadily accordance to the value of the dollar. increased alongside with the price These products will have to pay the of gold to $1,200 per ounce. Despite regular customs duties to protect its that, the US refuses to back up its industries and workers from the unfair trade practice of dumping. currency with gold. The US has no choice but to conTo avert financial pandemonium in the international monetary sys- tinue its importation to sustain the tem, the IMF allowed the issuance of needs of its people. Even if they can SDR or special drawing rights. This be produced locally, it would still be refers to a type of monetary reserve much costlier for them. But neither by currency created in 1969 to supple- imposing tariff on selected countries ment the existing money reserves of where it suffers trade deficit bring member-countries, principally the US about solution because price differendollar. This was created in response tial has nothing to do with it, but on to concerns about the limitations of the excessive valuation of the dollar gold and dollars as the sole means of which is no longer anchored on the settling international accounts, and gold standard. To impose excessive tariff as a form to augment international liquidity by supplementing the standard reserve of protection would only drive importers to choose countries that imcurrencies. Equivocally, the US Federal Re- pose no or lower tariff. Besides, it is serve Board had to abolish the inter- difficult for the WTO now to agree to est rate on all commercial transac- the US policy of reviving protectiontions, which means that usury was ism by imposing tariff barriers as it now legal. Most countries followed, would be inconsistent with globalizaotherwise they would find themselves tion when its main objective is for the economically isolated. This, they complete reduction, if not elimination of tariff. Moreohave to do to atver, membertract investment countries strictly to an already adhere to the uniwobbly economy. versal principle Calibrated inflaThis gives no room in free trade of tion was the trick “most favored nato keep alive the for compromise. tion clause”- that business, though a status or level only the traders/ of treatment acexporters benecorded by one fited from it, and state to another not the consumers. Without the central banks inject- in international trade should apply to ing more money, it would be difficult other countries in terms of tariff and quotas. to increase interest rates. One must bear in mind that exArguably, the value of the US currency is based on the fictitious porters are sellers, and such enjoy strength of its GDP. From the 70s, US the upper hand. Given this situation, production of manufactured goods other countries can easily fill the was at 55 percent of the world’s total. vacuum that will be left by US imToday, it represents only 1/6 of the porters. Even if the US decides to lift total production output. Besides, US the tariff, the imbalance will persist decision to abandon the gold standard because US importers will continue was prompted by the spiraling budget to take advantage of the high value deficit caused by its involvement in of the dollar instead of seeking to rethe Vietnam War. Today, the US has vive local production and manufacan accumulated debt of $21.48 tril- turing. In other words, tariff cannot relion, which many believe could result solve the trade deficit. Either the US in default payment. The runaway appreciation/revalua- has to produce their own products tion of the dollar initially brought a at a cheaper price based on the old smile to many American traders and Adam Smith economic principle of consumers because they were able to “comparative advantage” or to take import more for a much less dollar. the drastic approach of devaluating The optimists saw the China export its currency to allow other countries as heaven-sent. They could not be- to import more US goods to reduce lieve China could produce that vast the huge trade deficit. Imposing proquantity of goods at much cheaper tective tariff will only exacerbate the prices they could not imagine. The situation. On the third premise that allegpessimists however were alarmed, saying that the entry of these prod- edly China violated US intellectual ucts could eventually kill the Ameri- property rights, frankly speaking, is has nothing to do with the huge trade can manufacturing industry. Nonetheless, the US trade war deficit the US has with China. If the against China is based on three prem- US believes its intellectual propises: First, on Trump’s “America erty rights are being violated, either First” policy. Second, on the huge US through piracy or illegal copying of trade deficit against China. Third, its trade secrets, the solution is to that China allegedly violated US in- bring a case against China, and allow tellectual property rights. The first the international arbitration court to is rather absurd. Strictly speaking decide; that if found guilty, penalty “America First” policy is out of place can be imposed to recover the losses in today’s conduct of economic rela- it may have suffered. Besides, if the US is truly insecure tions, more so under our era of glothat its patented products will be vibalization. This gives no room for compro- olated, the better solution is to stop mise. States practicing a jingoistic consigning production in China. Chieconomic policy only accept that na cannot be kept on guessing which which is most favorable to it, while of the US patented intellectual propforcing other countries to subsume erty right or trade secret was violated. Rather, US companies persist in their interest to what the dominant state wants. It is for this why Trump’s taking the risk because the return of “America First” policy is look upon investment is something they could as ludicrous because there is no way not shy away. Besides, no other counhe can enforce that unless his purpose try could supply them of the essential materials and parts for their technolois to provoke war. The second issue is unique because gy-based products, and skills of manit is not really based on trade deficit power needed for such specialized but on the overvaluation of the dol- production activities. lar against other currencies. This has rpkapunan@gmail.com become most apparent in countries

By Elizabeth Law A CHINESE Protestant pastor is vowing to keep preaching to his flock despite the closure of his prominent underground church in Beijing, defying the government’s intensifying pressure on religious groups. Pastor Jin Mingri had given sermons at the Zion Church, one of the biggest unofficial congregations in the country, for the past decade until local officials shut it down on Sunday. Its nine other satellite venues have also been closed, but Jin remains adamant that he will continue running the church. “A church is more than just about a space,” he told AFP in an interview. “It’s about gathering together to worship, it’s about belief.” Housed on the third story of a nondescript commercial building in a northern Beijing suburb, Zion had up to 1,600 people attending its services each weekend. But on September 9, some 70 officers stormed into Zion’s premises and ordered everyone out, tearing down signs and the church’s logo, Jin said. The local civil affairs bureau said an investigation found that the church “was not registered and carried out activities in the name of social organizations without authorization.” The church’s troubles started in February this year as tighter regulations on religious groups kicked in. Authorities asked that the church install CCTV cameras in the sanctuary. Jin refused. “In the 70 year history of the people’s republic, [Christians] have had a lot of harm and ill done to us, so churchgoers wouldn’t feel too comfortable about their personal information being made

The vindication... From A4

together, abnormal in the way it’s been proceeding: It was initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte, it was cooked in his Congress, and it’s now being prosecuted by his solicitor general in an ordinary court, not by the tenured, thus presumed more independent, Ombudsman in the court precisely designated to try state officials—the Sandiganbayan. He expressed his strong belief that President Duterte strongarmed De Lima into jail. She went in, without the benefit of bail, on a charge of conspiracy to sell illegal drugs on the 8th month of his presidency. The supposedly solid evidence presented against her consisted mostly of testimonies of life-term convicts herded by Duterte’s justice secretary, himself the penitentiary’s chief bastonero; there was no money, no drugs, nothing concrete, let alone solid. Santos said that a sycophantic Congress brushed aside the damning testimonies of Edgar Matobato and Arthur Lascañas, confessed killers, and Du-

War,... From A4

production budget of around $30,000 (25,650 euros)—and without a theater in which to premier it, as local cinemas have shut down due to budget cuts or damage. Gamal and his team instead converted a local wedding venue into an improvised theater, arranging red velvet dining chairs into rows and installing a pull-down projector screen. Insane The production team also had to face the daily struggles of life in a country wracked by conflict—from hours-long power outages to cellular network failures. “We actually had to drive to the actors’ houses to inform them of a change in schedule or location because there was no signal half the time,” Gamal said. He credits the people of Yemen for

Tete-a-tete From A4

Moreover, the Department of National Defense said that it was Solicitor General Jose Calida who requested for the amnesty papers of Trillanes, and that those papers were given to the SolGen. A few days before this, the AFP also said that SolGen Calida was the one who requested confirmation that the Trillanes’ amnesty application was missing. In short, Calida had the papers BUT asked for confirmation that the same were nowhere to be found,

then used it to justify the revocation of Trillanes’ amnesty. Wow. Note that Trillanes’ Senate committee is investigating Calida family’s corporation that landed government contracts worth hundreds of millions in pesos. Trillanes remains free and President Duterte hates not getting what he wants. So in the tete-a-tete, he ranted against the senator repeatedly. In fact, he turned the two-hour conversation into a bash Trillanes session. The thing is, he might have made Trillanes more popular because of what he did.

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The other target of presidential tirade was the AFP. The recent statements of AFP and DND seem to project a certain level of rejection of Duterte’s statements and orders. At some point in the conversation Duterte mentioned the existence of coup threats. He also repeatedly challenged the military to stage a coup d’ etat against him if they no longer want him as president. I have never heard a president speak like this. To me, he appeared threatened by the military and he was being defensive. The biggest disappointment to many was the fact that the two-hour chat

BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

between Duterte and Panelo did not reveal concrete measures to address pressing problems. To be fair to Panelo, his script included questions on inflation and rising prices of goods, rice shortage, traffic, China, and the and war on drugs. It was a perfect opportunity for the President to show the people that he is in control, that his administration is doing things to address people’s pressing concerns, and that the government is stable. Instead, Duterte kept rambling on about Trillanes and the threats against him. When he was asked about his

health, he answered that his opponents, the communists, Magdalo, and Liberal Party is conniving to oust him. Panelo could not do anything. After all, he was talking with his boss. The tete-a-tete exposed a threatened Duterte. Despite the macho talk, he seemed weak and out of touch. He offered nothing to solve the country’s problems. Doing the conversation did not do anything good to his image as the president. The gimmick failed. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Bill provides stiffer penalties vs child abuse By Maricel V. Cruz A PANEL in the House of Representatives has recommended for plenary approval a substitute bill which proposes to deter the exploitation of minors and impose stiffer penalties for child abuse. This came after the House Committee on Welfare of Children, chaired by Rep. Divina Yu of Zamboanga del Sur, approved the bill which substituted House Bills 5662 and 6295 authored by Representatives Geraldine Roman of Bataan and Michael Odylon Romero of 1-PACMAN Party-list, respectively. The measure amends several sections of Republic Act (RA) 7610, as amended by Republic Act No. 9231, also known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination.” Roman said the present law needs updating as the penalties imposed therein do not seem attuned to the 21st century. She said the government enacted RA 7610 on June 17, 1992 to allow the State to play a vital role in the safe and wholesome rearing of children for them to be protected and become good citizens of the country. “1992 was a quarter of a century ago and now there are still numerous instances where minors are exploited by both foreign and domestic abusers,” Roman said. The bill amends Section 9 of RA 7610 which provides the penalty of reclusion temporal in its medium period to any person who shall hire, employ, use, persuade, induce or coerce a child to perform in obscene exhibitions and indecent shows, whether live or in video, pose or model in obscene publications or pornographic materials or to sell or distribute the said materials. If the child is used as a performer, subject or seller/distributor is below 12 years of age, the penalty shall be reclusion perpetua. Meanwhile, the penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period shall be imposed upon “any ascendant, guardian, or person entrusted in any capacity with the care of the child who shall cause and/ or allow such child to be employed or to participate in an obscene play, scene, act, movie or show or in any other acts covered by this section.” The measure also seeks to amend Section 10 of RA 7610 so that the penalty of reclusion temporal in its minimum period shall be meted on any person who commits any other acts of child abuse, cruelty, or exploitation or be responsible for the conditions prejudicial to the child’s development including those covered by Article 59 of Presidential Decree No. 603, as amended, but not covered by the Revised Penal Code, as amended.

PNP warns vs ‘Oplan Tokhang’ online scam

WATER LEVEL. Workers from the Manila Water in La Mesa dam in Quezon City monitor the water elevation due to the continues rain brought by Typhoon ‘Ompong.’ Photo shows Jomel Muñoz from Manila Water adjusting the water level to 79.44 normal level. Manny Palmero

Du30 keeps mum on details of meeting with US envoy By Nat Mariano

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte kept mum on the details of his “confidential” meeting with US Ambassador Sung Kim even as the US diplomat talked about defense priorities and economic partnership. “I cannot discuss until I get his [Kim] permission. It's a diplomatic tête-à-tête. [There was] nothing earthshaking, but more of confidentiality,” Duterte told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. The president, who attended a briefing with the National Risk Reduction Management Council to discuss the impending Typhoon “Ompong,” said he does not want to share information yet as he “hates to break the rules.” The Palace also echoed Duterte's statement, saying the meeting with Kim was classified as private. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque was also reticent to provide details. He even insisted he has yet to ask the President's permission to divulge the issues discussed during the meeting. “No details were released. And as you

know this is a diplomatic meeting, so it was classified as a private meeting... I’ll have to get clearance from the President himself on what he’s willing to release on the meeting,” said Roque in a Palace press briefing on Thursday. “We’ve always had good relations with the United States. And I’m sure that every meeting between the President and the US Ambassador will result in closer relations,” Roque said. On Wednesday, Kim took to Twitter to describe his dialogue with the president, which he said was “excellent meeting,” emphasizing that the two countries vowed to maintain its “strong and ironclad” relations. “Excellent meeting with President Duterte to discuss shared goals, including defense priorities and economic partnership. Our alliance remains strong and

Ex-Comelec chief Abalos’ plea junked

By Francisco Tuyay THE Philippine National Police warned the public against syndicates using a supposed Oplan “Tokhang” watchlist to coerce and exact money from netizens on the pretext that they are involved in the selling and use of illegal drugs. Chief Supt Marni Marcos Jr. director of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, said they had monitored criminals using the modus “telecom fraud,” using “Tokhang” to exact money from their would-be victims who are supposed to be involved in illegal drugs as a form of blackmail. “A new kind of modus operandi identified as “telecom fraud” is being monitored by the PNP ACG as it is reportedly preying on citizens by informing them of their alleged involvement in the PNP’s “narcolist” through texts or calls,” Marcos said. He said the scheme has fueled concerns among netizens as the suspects use the mobile technology to modify phone numbers to make it appear that the victims called IDs came from the PNP or government agencies’ hotline. Marcos said that under the pretext of representing themselves as local police officers or other law enforcement agencies, the suspects causes alarm to unsuspecting persons on the other line by informing them that they are included in the PNP’s drug watchlist and are being subjected to Tokhang. Marcos said the suspects will implicate their victims in illegal drugs and would then asked them to cough up money or divulge their personal or financial information. Oplan “Tokhang,” which literally means “knock and plead” was designed by the PNP to encourage individuals who are listed in respective barangay’s drug watchlist to surrender and mend their ways or undergo rehabilitation. Marcos reminded the public that “Oplan Tokhang” was never in in any way being conducted through phone calls, text messages or any other means of digital communication.

ironclad,” the US Ambassador to the Philippines said. The President’s meeting with the US’ top envoy came on the heels of talks about the country's procurement of fighter jets and attack helicopters from the US, the anticipated return of the historic Balangiga bells to the country, and the US President Donald Trump blaming the inflation on US-China trade war. In a separate talks with provincial journalists, Kim said he shared the commitment of his country to “continue efforts for Mindanao” as he reemphasized the “robust relationship” between the two countries. Kim stressed the importance of strengthening the Ph-US military relationship for nearly 70 years now. “We talked about military relations and the economic relations (of US and PH),” he added. “What happened in Marawi was an important reminder of the importance of military partnership between our two countries,” the envoy said, as he cited the support that the US forces were able to provide that became “subsequently important to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ ability to end the siege.

DEPARTED LOVED ONES. Relatives of alleged Dengvaxia victims hold photos of their departed loved ones at the entrance of the Department of Justice on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018 before the filling of reckless impudence complaint against former Department of Health officials and Sanofi Pasteur executives. Norman Cruz

SC dismisses PGMC’s complaint vs PCSO; Makati court chided THE Supreme Court has junked a complaint by the Philippine Gaming Management Corp. that stalled a multi-billion online lottery project of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office even as it also chastised a Makati court for “grave abuse of discretion” in favor of the systems provider. “Finally, the high tribunal allowed PCSO to proceed with the public bidding for the Nationwide Online Lottery System in Luzon,” PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan said. Balutan was referring to the P10.9-billion project that was hit by an injunction last year while PCSO was in the middle of a bidding process. “Premises considered, the petition is granted. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes may proceed with the bidding process for NOLS for Luzon,” read the 20-page decision penned by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

The SC 3rd Division granted the government corporation’s petition to set aside the Aug. 3, 2017 writ of preliminary injunction issued by Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 143 Judge Maximo de Leon. “This court finds that the Regional Trial Court committed grave abuse of discretion in granting respondent Philippine Gaming Management Corporation [PGMC] application for injunctive relief. A Writ of Preliminary Injunction is issued to ‘prevent threatened or continuous irremediable injury to some of the parties before their claims can be thoroughly studied and adjucated,” the decision read. SC ruled that the PGMC, the current private contractor, can not claim that it has alleged exclusive rights to be protected. The lease agreement was extended only until August 21, 2018 and PGMC failed to provide proof that the Amendments to Equipment Lease Agreement was extended beyond that date.

THE Sandiganbayan has denied the plea of former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. for the summary dismissal of the graft case against him in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of service vehicles of the poll body in 2003. However, the anti-graft court's Sixth Division, in a resolution dated Sept.11, said Abalos can still file a motion for demurrer of evidence or waiver of his right to present counter evidence. “[In the event Abalos submits a motion for demurrer], he shall waive his right to present evidence and is submitting this case for judgment on the basis of the evidence adduced by the prosecution,” the Sandiganbayan said. Prosecutors accused Abalos of giving undue advantage or preference to Toyota Pasong Tamo Inc. in the procurement of two Toyota Revo VX 200 worth P1,711,418.19 without the required public bidding. They said that Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act does not allow shopping or canvassing as a mode of purchase when it comes to motor vehicles. Two Comelec officials, the former director of the Comelec Finance Services Department, Eduardo Mejos and Administrative Officer Aileen Maqueda were the principal witnesses against the former poll body chairman. Abalos has denied the allegations levelled against him and filed a motion to dismiss. However, the Sandiganbayan denied Abalos's motion to dismiss and ordered a trial of the case. “After a careful study of the documentary and testimonial evidence submitted by the prosecution, the Court finds that, if unrebutted, the same is sufficient to consider this case submitted for decision,” the Sandiganbayan said. Maricel V. Cruz

IN BRIEF Du30 appoints 17 new judges for metro cities MALACAÑANG has appointed 17 new judges to be assigned to various courts in cities in Metro Manila. In a transmittal letter dated Sept. 11, President Rodrigo Duterte through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea informed the Supreme Court that he has appointed the judges for courts in the cities of Makati, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Pasay and Manila. These include Judge Karla FuntilaAbugan of Manila City Metropolitan Trial Court, Branch 17, and Judge Catherine Manzano who was appointed MeTC Judge of Makati City Branch 126. Abugan and Manzano served as chiefs of staff of SC Justices Lucas Bersamin and SC Justice Marvic Leonen, respectively, prior to their appointment as judges. Appointed as judges in Makati City were Judges Melinda Cielo Mendoza under MeTC Branch 125; Clemente M. Clemente of Branch 127; Maureen RubioMarquez of Branch 128; Alexius Tang of Branch of Branch 129; Lorelei BalansayTapia of Branch 130. In Mandaluyong City, designated were Judges Karyn Lee-Tribaco of MeTC Branch 100 and Earl Warren Castillo of Branch 101. For Manila City MeTC, the new judges are Jose Cordero Jr. under Branch 11; Richelle Lou Boling Sanchez of Branch 29; and Grace Maria Theresa Bambi delos Reyes-Jurado of Branch 30. Rey E. Requejo

CHR lauds Senate for budget approval THE Commission on Human Rights on Friday lauded the Senate for the approval of its 2019 budget of P689,706 million. “This budget shall help us bring the institution to this direction further in the interest of fighting for the dignity of all,” spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said. She said the committee on finance composed of Senators Panfilo Lacson and Gregorio Honasan passed the CHR's budget appropriation. She, however, said the schedule for the Senate plenary hearing has yet to be determined. The agency proposed budget amounted to P689,706 million, which is -0.48 percent lower than the previous year due to the decrease in allocation for capital outlay. "Nonetheless, key thrusts focusing on the Commission’s protection, promotion, and policy mandate are intended to be improved with the current budget proposal," De Guia said.

POEA warns OFWs vs London job scam THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration warned prospective Filipino overseas job seekers from an online job offer in London, after the agency found out that the job offer was a scam because of many grammatical errors posted on its website. In a statement, the POEA said that Jersey Oil and Gas Co. is not hiring any workers and not accredited with the POEA’s list of foreign companies to hire Filipino workers. The Philippine Overseas Labor Office in London reported that several OFWs have received an “Official Employment Letter” from Jersey Oil informing them of approval of their application for employment. Labor Attaché Reydeluz Conferido said the company never sought verification and authentication of its identity and qualifications to POLO-London needed for its accreditation and registration by the POEA. The POEA at present, has no record of accreditation or job orders in the name of Jersey Oil, adding “any effort by this company to recruit Filipino workers at present is deemed illegal by our government.” Vito Barcelo

Sports

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

U-Town heads to Adamson

Golovkin’s bout with Canelo reaches boiling point LAS VEGAS—Twelve months of steadily simmering acrimony reaches boiling point here Saturday when world middleweight king Gennady Golovkin faces off against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in their longawaited Las Vegas rematch. Golovkin, the unbeaten WBA, WBC and IBO champion, will be chasing a place in boxing history as he attempts to make a recordbreaking 21st consecutive defense of his middleweight crowns against Mexican idol Alvarez at a sold-out TMobile Arena. But the Kazakh champion’s tilt at the record books has become a footnote in a build-up dominated by the furor that erupted when Alvarez failed two drug tests in February, scuppering a planned May 5 rematch. Alvarez, who was later suspended for six months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, insists the banned substance—Clenbuterol— entered his system via contaminated meat in his native Mexico. Golovkin, who most observers believe should have been awarded victory in last September’s drawn first fight, has rubbished Alvarez’s explanation for the failed drug tests. The 2004 Olympic silver medallist, (38-0-1, 34 knockouts), has repeatedly accused his Mexican opponent of doping, raising the temperature in Las Vegas this week by voicing his suspicions again. “These stories about contaminated meat are nonsense,” Golovkin said, claiming to have seen injection marks on Alvarez’s body in photos of his opponent. “You couldn’t deny there was some injection marks on his hands and his arms. Injection marks were evidently there,” Golovkin said. “Everywhere, biceps, stomach, pretty much all over his body you could see injection marks.” For the most part, the animosity between the two men has had a ring of authenticity about it. Alvarez, whose only defeat in a 52-fight career was a 2013 loss to Floyd Mayweather, admits the accusations have riled him. “Those are the kicks and screams of someone who is drowning,” Alvarez said of Golovkin’s doping claims. “Those are the excuses that they are making because of what is coming on Saturday, which is a loss for them. AFP

A Nike Ad featuring American football quarterback Colin Kaepernick is on diplay September 8, 2018 in New York City. Nike’s new ad campaign featuring Kaepernick, the American football player turned activist against police violence, takes a strong stance on a divisive issue which could score points with millennials but risks alienating conservative customers. The ads prompted immediate calls for Nike boycotts over Kaepernick, who has been castigated by US President Donald Trump and other conservatives over his kneeling protests during the playing of the US national anthem. AFP

‘Nike took risk with Kaepernick campaign’ P

ARIS—The president of Nike’s Jordan Brand insists that the sportswear giant were “absolutely” right to use Colin Kaepernick as the face of their new “Just Do It” campaign.

“One of the great things is that Colin Kaepernick is a great inspirational athlete and he used his position to help further a cause that he believed in,” Larry Miller told AFP in Paris on Thursday. “I think that for Nike to support that is absolutely what Nike should do and so we are going to continue to look for ways to support our athletes.” Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kaepernick has turned into an activist against police violence and was effectively blacklisted by the NFL after kneeling during the US national anthem

in 2016 in solidarity with the “Black Lives Matter” movement. Nike’s new advertising campaign featuring Kaepernick—who has been castigated by US President Donald Trump and other American conservatives over his kneeling protests— prompted immediate calls to boycott the sporting brand. “It was a risk, but that is what makes me proud to be a part of Nike because Nike was willing to take that risk to support an athlete

who was making a statement he believed in, and we wanted to make sure he had an opportunity to voice that opinion,” added Miller. He was speaking at an event to mark the announcement by French footballing giants Paris Saint-Germain of a new three-year deal with Jordan Brand, which was founded by the NBA icon Michael Jordan and had a turnover of some $2.75 billion in 2016. Nike have been PSG’s kit manufacturer for more than 30 years, but the deal means Jordan Brand’s “Jumpman” logo will appear on the club’s home and away kits in the Champions League. It is the first time that the brand has moved into football. AFP

Eurosport inks partnership with United World Wrestling

IN the lead-up to Tokyo 2020, Eurosport has added to its existing portfolio of Olympic sports to be screened on its platforms having agreed on a three-year partnership with United World Wrestling. The agreement, which runs until 2020, will see Eurosport showcase the very best events on the wrestling calendar—the World Championships and European Championships—across Europe in 54 countries and territories and 16 countries in the Asia-Pacific region on linear, online and Eurosport Player. This includes Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia and Cambodia, across Southeast Asia. Eurosport’s coverage begins with highlights shows from the World Wrestling Championships in Budapest this October. Next year, Eurosport is set to add to its coverage of the sport by screening highlights shows from the World Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, as well as the best of the action from the European Wrestling Championships taking place in Bucharest, Romania. In 2020, Eurosport will once again show more world-class action as the best wrestlers in the world prepare for the Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo.

Following today’s partnership announcement with UWW, Eurosport—Home of the Olympics in Europe—has now committed to screening 26 of the 33 sports set to feature in Tokyo 2020 on its various platforms—linear, online and Eurosport Player—across its network. “We want to emphasize that sports such as wrestling are more than a series of events that only takes place at the Olympics. This partnership strengthens Eurosport’s ambition to tell year-round stories of current and future Olympians,” Laurent Prud’homme, Eurosport SVP Rights Acquisitions and Syndication, said. “Securing an agreement with the UWW will allow fans across Europe and the Asia-Pacific to follow their heroes in the lead-up to Tokyo. Equally, this also gives us the opportunity to educate sports fans who perhaps don’t know too much about wrestling.” Nenad Lalovic, President of United World Wrestling, added: “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Eurosport and improving the level of exposure across Europe. We believe this partnership took a significant step forward last year during the successful World Championships in Paris and look to build on that for our major Champion- TV and digital campaign to support Eurosport’s coverage of wrestling in lead up to Tokyo 2020 Eurosport has partnered with the UWW for three years. ships and in the lead up to Tokyo 2020.”

PPS circuit kicks off 3-leg Lanao swing A new mix of future stars take center stage in the next three weeks in the Lanao del Norte, each aiming for honors and ranking points in thePalawan Pawnshop Palawan Express Pera Padala age group tennis circuit which got under way yesterday in Tubod. Rovie Baulete and Steven Sonsona lead the chase in the premier girls’ and boys’ 18-and-under divisions, respectively, with Faye Lim and Lex Estillore bannering the 16-U cast and Kristine Bandolis and Nash Agustines gaining the top seeding in their respective sides in the 14-U play of the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop. Close to 200 entries are vying for titles in nine age-group divisions in singles play while five more are up for grabs

in the doubles category of the week-long event hosted by Stanley Noval at the Tubod-Laneco-Baroy tennis courts. Ma. Judy Anne Padilla, meanwhile, looms as the player to beat in the girls’ 12-U side with Aslan Carbonilla facing a tough set of rivals in the full-packed 32-player draw while Garlandson Ardiente, Janus Rosales, Wyn Sanchez and Pete Bandala are tipped to dispute the 10-unisex crown in the tournament serving as the first of three legs making up the Lanao del Norte swing of the circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro. Kapatagan will host the next stop on Sept. 19-24 with the third leg set in Maranding from Sept. 28-Oct. 1. Listup

is ongoing. For details, call PPS-PEPP Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464. The year-round, nationwide circuit, sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg, is coming off a successful three-leg tour in Zamboanga del Norte where Salug native Sydney Ezra Enriquez racked up six singles titles in the 16- and 18-U divisions in Liloy, Salug and Sindangan legs. Meanwhile, others tipped to crowd Baulete in the 18-U division are Carmabelle Gervacio, Janmarie Anghag and Faith Virgo with Jose Maria Pague, Nilo Ledama and Estillore out to foil Sonsona in the boys’ section.

A PHENOM descends from the skies to become the new “classmate” of Robi Domingo and Gretchen Ho in ABS-CBN Sports’ UAAP special “University Town” (U-Town), which is now on its third season, starting this Saturday on ABS-CBN S+A and S+A HD at 1 p.m. The Creamline Cool Smashers’ team captain and national team mainstay, will join Gretchen and Robi as they tour the different schools in the UAAP and get to know more about the culture, students, and achievements of each campus. Their first stop will be Adamson University, where they will explore the five must-haves in Adamson in the “Campus Guide” segment, as well as the best eats, must-knows, and must-dos as an Adamsonian. Apart from that, they’ll also meet the “Campus Lodi,” Katami Dimapunong, the Adamson student who led the university-wide efforts to help the Marawi Siege survivors. Alyssa will also get to know more about UAAP Season 80 Cheerdance champion, the Adamson Pep Squad in the show’s “#Champions” segment as she checks out their rigorous training. Lastly, the “U-Town” squad gets to meet Adamson legend Kenneth Duremdes, who made a splash in the Philippines’ professional basketball scene in the 1990s. Don’t miss the chance to get to know more about each UAAP school as Robi Domingo, Gretchen Ho, and Alyssa Valdez take viewers on a tour inside the campuses starting with the Adamson University in “University Town” on S+A and S+A HD this Saturday at 1 p.m. and oniWant TV after its airing. For more information and stories, visit ABS-CBN’s sports hub sports. abs-cbn.com and follow @ABSCBNSports on Facebook and Twitter. For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visitwww.abscbnpr.com.

UAAP cancels today’s games AFTER due consultation and considering what appears to be a severe weather disturbance, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines deems it best for everyone’s interests to cancel the basketball games today (Saturday). Defending champion Ateneo was supposed to play Far Eastern University, while Adamson University was set to take on De La Salle in the men’s division at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Also called off was the women’s morning matches between University of Santo Tomas and La Salle and titleholder National University and Adamson, also at the Big Dome. The league on Thursday announced the postponement of the opening of the chess tournament today (Saturday) at the UST’s Quadricentennial Pavilion. The opening round will now be played on Wednesday.

Muntinlupa... From A8

In the nightcap, Imus streaked to its fourth straight win after outplaying Pampanga, 88-76, to improve its winloss record to 5-3 and forge a tie for second spot in the Southern Division of this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner. The GLC Truck and Equipmentsupported Bandera, however, needed to survive a 36-point explosion from Juneric Baloria before extending its winning streak. Baloria’s 36 markers is the new alltime record for most points in a game.

Fil-Chinese 60s team makes finals HAT YAI, Thailand – Former Grace Christian High School star Danny Ching sparked a third quarter uprising as Filipino-Chinese Veterans Basketball Association beat host team, 72-63, and advanced to the final round of the 60-and-above team division of the 27th ASEAN Basketball Veterans Tournament Thursday at the Prince Songkla University gym here. The 5-foot-10 Ching led all FCVBA scorers with 15 points spiked by a buzzerbeating three at the half that proved to be the game-changer. With Ching conspiring with Elmer Reyes, Aries Franco and Elmer Latonio, the 65s outscored the hosts in the next frame, 25-11, to take a 60-47 advantage going into the final 10 minutes. Franco then took charge in the fourth to finish with 13 points while Reyes and

Latonio added 11 points each as they extended their winning streak to four games since the elims. Ex-La Salle star Kenneth Yap scored only eight points this time but bowed to go all-out in their winner-take-all match with Pontianac of Indonesia on Friday. Their win somehow eased the pain suffered by the 65s who lost to Sarawak of Malaysia, 40-38, early in the day. “It was a tough loss but I’m still happy our 60s made it to the final,” said Ironcon Builders’ Jimi Lim who bankrolled the delegation’s participation together with Rain or Shine co-team owner Terry Que and Freego’s Eduard Tio. The 65s blew their own chance to score a three-peat after misfiring in the last four minutes that saw the Malaysians outscore them 8-2.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph; sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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Sports

The Philippine men’s basketball team’s Christian Standardhinger fights for possession of the ball with an Iranian player. Team Philippines bowed to Iran, 73-81, last Thursday in the second round of their 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Tehran. Fiba.basketball

Guiao: PH teamwork not good By Peter Atencio

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EAM Pilipinas had a bad shooting percentage when they took on Iran and the Team Iran Melli squad book an 81-73 triumph Thursday evening in their first game in the second round of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers in Tehran. But coach Yeng Guiao said he still has faith on team’s performance. “I’m pretty satisfied. We only put this team together almost two weeks ago. We’re still a little unfamiliar with each other, so teamwork is not that good yet. But we’ll be better next time,” said Guiao in a statement after the game. A triple from Mohammad Jam-

shidijafarabadi provided the spark that lifted Team Melli squad to their sixth win eight games. The Philippines, which has a crucial closed-door tiff with Qatar on Monday in Manila, now totes a 4-3 slate. And they are on their way home, with their flight delayed because Supertyphoon “Ompong.”

Throughout the game, Iran shot better with their 49.23 percent field goal clip, while the Philippines struggled at 38.46 percent. Jamshidijafarabadi’s trey came with 8:14 left in the last period, allowing the Iranians to take control of the game until the end. A second three-pointer from Rouzbeh Arghavan came almost two minutes later but it enabled the Iranians to widen their edge, 71-64. Christian Standardhinger, who tallied 30 points for the Philippines, tried to keep the Philippines within range. But, he shot only one of two charities in the final 5:02, putting Gilas within five points. Mohammadsamad Nik Khahbah-

rami made his presence felt with his putback in the remaining 4:17, widening Iran’s edge by nine, 75-66. Khahbahrami’s two charities in the final 2:48 then saw Iran enjoying an 11-point spread, 77-66. He went on to tally a game-high 21 points for Iran, while Sajjad Mashayekhi gave in 19 points. On the other hand, Cabagnot made nine points for Gilas. Iran’s Hamed Haddadi sat out most of the game as he nursed an injury. But he was still fielded in with less than a minute to go, with Iran already sure of its sixth win in eight games. This gave Iran a big chance of advancing in the qualifiers for the 2019 Fiba World Cup in China.

PH paddlers bag 2 golds in ICF world dragonboat GAINESVILLE, Georgia—The Philippines quickly snatched two gold medals in record-setting fashion during the opener of the prestigious 2018 ICF World Dragon Boat Championships at the Lake Lanier Olympic Park here. The national paddlers from the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation ruled the 10-seater senior mixed 500-meter event on Thursday (Friday Manila time), defeating race favorites Hungary and host United States by a significant margin. With drummer Patricia Bustamante and steerer Maribeth Caranto leading the way, the Filipinos clocked two minutes, 7.5 seconds to improve on their bronzemedal finish in the same event during the 2016 world championships in Moscow, Russia. Arriving second were the Hungar-

ians, who timed 2:11.36 in a narrow finish to nip the Americans (2:11.86) for the silver medal in the biennial meet featuring the best 16 countries in the world of dragonboat racing. ``They really wanted to prove something and they never lost focus despite the strong opposition,’’ said PCKDF president Jonne Go. The Filipinos struck a second gold medal just a few hours apart after dominating the 20-seater senior mixed 500m race again at the expense of Hungary and the Czech Republic. They timed 1:52.58, impressively beating their previous race-winning clocking by three seconds two years ago in Moscow. The Hungarians clocked 1:55.09 and the Czech Republic placed third (1:55.14). ``We never doubted the team’s abil-

Known to its numerous followers as the Olympics of Sabong, the World Slasher Cup is a smackdown of only the best breeds and bloodlines of winged warriors meticulously cared for in fowl farms here and abroad. The upcoming derby is also a chance for hundreds of hopefuls to outlast and outshine last year’s WSC 2 solo champ, Greengold Uno, owned by sabong

WSC 2019 will showcase the best breeds and bloodlines in the 9-cock invitational derby

ALMOST 450 persons are housed at the Philsports Complex and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. On Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Butch Ramirez’s instructions, delegates seeking shelter with the agency’s dormitories are provided with accommodations, food and transportation while everyone awaits Typhoon Ompong’s exit. In a joint statement issued today, the sports agency and the local government of Baguio City assure all participants of the Batang Pinoy Finals that all measures to ensure the safety of everyone are being undertaken. Baguio City’s Mayor Atty Mauricio Domogan has alerted police in their area to escort all delegations going up to the City of Pines. The highway patrol will be ready to escort vehicles transporting Batang Pinoy delegates once they reach Rosario junction in La Union. Genesis Bus Line, a partner of the PSC for this Batang Pinoy event, is supportive of the PSC and Baguio City in their efforts to keep everyone safe and comfortable by providing transportation to delegations and personnel. Registration is on-going but shall be closed for the entire day of Saturday in view of the weather disturbance. In addition, to lessen the transaction time, coaches may now process the registration of their team on behalf of the athletes. Ramirez stressed that the agency and Baguio City “are making every effort to make it easy, safe and comfortable for participants.” An updated general competition schedule has already been released to guide team officials and parents on planning their team’s logistics and travel. A mass is scheduled on Sunday morning, before all personnel, media guests and delegations travel to Baguio, a day before the official start of competitions. “We keep the public updated through our social media pages as well as our website,” said Ramirez who earlier stated that this event will maximize use of technology in disseminating information to the public. A hotline to answer questions regarding Batang Pinoy was also put in place in light of concerns due to the anticipated violence of the storm.

Muntinlupa, Imus stretch MPBL streaks Members of the 10-seater senior mixed team are shown during the awarding ceremony.

ity to win. Once again, they showed the world that we Filipinos are world-class in this sport,’’ said Go For Gold’s Jeremy Go, who helped bankroll the participation of the PCKDF with the Philippine Sports Commission. It was a rejuvenating feeling for the Pinoy paddlers after they went home without a medal in the recent Asian Games in

Indonesia, where the organizers veered away from international standards by using shorter but heavier boats. Head coach Len Escollante said the Philippines is on track to capture a third gold medal on Saturday when the national paddlers, led by Hermie Macaranas and Ojay Fuentes, compete in the 10-seater men’s 200 finals.

World Slasher Cup returns to Big Dome in January THE most-awaited international cockfight competition, the World Slasher Cup, returns on Jan. 21 to 30, 2019 to the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum. Participants here and abroad have been eagerly awaiting the WSC date reveal as they are earnestly preparing their fowl fighters to face their toughest competitors in this gruelling nine-cock invitational derby.

Batang Pinoy teams seek shelter in PSC complexes

enthusiast and newspaper executive Rey Briones and his farm manager Rod Advincula, whose father also has a long history with WSC. Briones touted his longshot win at WSC 2 in May last year as his “sweetest victory,” given that his entry was deemed an underdog. Proof that this gentleman’s sports is as much about well-trained fowls as it is about luck, Briones used his signature Spartan Black during eliminations and his Sweater Roundheads mixed with Brownred bloodline in the semis and finals, but still felt his birds went up against truly tough competitors. If he competes, Briones isn’t the only one to beat in WSC 2019. The prestigious derby attracts the best gamefowl enthusiasts and a lot of multiple champs are known to come back to take a shot at the Cup, among them are “sabong idol” Patrick Antonio, who was the solo champ at 2018’s WSC 1. Antonio, who has been a loyal WSC participant, believes the fair fights at the Big Dome give sabong enthusiasts a better chance at the championship. Antonio wasn’t the only sabong favorite that keeps returning to WSC. Frank Berin also tried his luck anew in WSC 2

2018 after being hailed the solo champ in WSC 1 2017; and won the title again with co-champs Anthony Lim, and the Escolin brothers in WSC 2 2017. Other notable finishes in WSC 2 2018 were Blue Angels 2 (owned by Dr. Bel Almojera of Florida, USA), Peshmerga Angry Birds Aklan (Jun Tejada/Lawrence Lu), MJ 3 (Marvin Rillo/Migs Lavinia), PE Farms (Pol Estellado), Alqueen Ahluck Camsur (Ricky Magtuto/Rey Tambong), Mulawin (Berin), June 17 Pangasinan (Julia Nicole), and Sulong Maynila (Jojo Alcovendaz). The foreign contingent composed of cockfighting enthusiasts and top breeders from Utah, California, Tennessee, Washington, Georgia, and Alabama, as well as some counterparts from Asia, are also expected to turn up and keep the competition stiff. Participants for WSC 2019 may register their entry online at www.worldslashercup.ph. They may also reach the Derby Office at 588-8227 or 911-2928 for more info and registration. For more info an updates, WSC enthusiasts may follow us on Facebook (@WorldSlasherCupOfficial); visit the website; or email worldslashercupofficial@gmailcom.

IMUS—The streak keeps on going for Muntinlupa and Imus and on Thursday night the two teams pulled off contrasting wins over their respective rivals in the MPBL Datu Cup at the Imus Sports Complex here. The Angelis Resort-backed Cagers survived a near meltdown before holding on to a 77-76 win over the Parañaque Patriots-F2 Logistics. Muntinlupa had to hold its breath before waiting to notch its seventh straight win as it squandered a 31-point lead in the third period and watched Parañaque chop the lead slowly but surely. The Cagers were still comfortably ahead, 73-50, inside the final sevenminute mark when the Patriots let their defense do the work, holding their rivals to just a lone field goal. Ryusei Koga came through with a triple then completed a steal, setting up Ivan Valenzuela for two free throws for a 77-74 count with only five seconds left in the game. Koga gave up a duty foul to stop the clock, but put more pressure on Chito Jaime to make at least one of his two free throws. The ex-pro forward missed the first, then made the second before Harold Arboleda let loose a triple that went in as time expired, making Jaime’s split charities earlier more significant. Arboleda led all scorers with 21 points, but he also contributed 10 rebounds for his 10th double-double performance in the league, the most by any player in the young two-season history of the fastest growing regional amateur basketball league in the country. Muntinlupa coach Aldrin Morante admitted that his wards relaxed too much when it built a big lead, but blamed himself as well for experimenting on using different combinations, particularly in giving more playing time to Turn to A7 the second stringers.

IN BRIEF Peso gains to close at 53.97 per dollar

THE peso gained P0.10 against the US dollar Friday to close below the 54-per-dollar mark. The peso closed at 53.97, or ten centavos stronger compared to 54.07 on Sept. 13. Total volume turnover reached $660 million, slightly up from $658 million Thursday. Prakash Sakpal, ING Bank Asia economist, said in a report the July overseas workers’ remittances and the August balance of payments position were expected to be positive for the local currency. “Remittances were unusually weak in June this year despite seasonal inflows for school fee payments but we expect some improvement in July helped by the stabilization of the peso,” Sakpal said. He said a bounce in foreign exchange reserves in August also heralded some improvement in the overall balance of payments in the last month. “Still, with remittances insufficient to cover the trade deficit on a sustainable basis and the current account in deficit, this isn’t a long-term positive for the Philippine peso,” Sakpal said. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said that current account, one of the main components of the balance of payments, posted a higher deficit of $3.1 billion in the first half, compared to the $133-million shortfall a year ago. Julito G. Rada

Business

Mindanao to get solar home systems

THE LGU Guarantee Corp. is inviting bids for the supply and installation of solar home systems for six electric cooperatives in Mindanao after receiving funds from the European Union. The LGUGC said it received financing from the European Union administered by the World Bank toward the cost of the Access to Sustainable Energy Project Philippines. It said it would use part of the proceeds for the SHS. “These SHS are to be installed in accordance with the program milestones,” LGUGC said. The six electric cooperatives are Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative Inc. (2,500 SHS), Cotabato Electric Cooperative Inc. (5,000), Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (7,500), First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative Inc. (2,100), South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative Inc. (7,500) and Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative Inc. (5,900). The pre-bid conference will be held on Sept. 28, while the submission of bids will be on Oct. 26. The SHS project is the is the first component of the ASEP grant agreement supported by $12.8 million from the European Union and $3 million from the Global Partnership on Output-Based Aid. Alena Mae S. Flores

Lloyds still keen on bidding for LNG hub in PH By Alena Mae S. Flores GLOBAL firm Lloyds Energy has expressed interest in participating in the liquefied natural gas project in the Philippines, according to the Energy Department. “They [Lloyds] underwent preapplication conference, but no application yet,” Energy Undersecretary Leonido Pulido III said. Lloyd officials met with DoE officials recently to discuss a proposal for the development of an integrated LNG hub. The LNG facility will include a terminal and power plant with a capacity of 200 to 800 megawatts. “The development of the LNG hub in the Philippines is a major achievement that would ensure the country’s gas supply and address the demand for increased energy given the high growth economy,” Lloyds Energy chief operating officer David Howe said. Lloyds Energy teamed up with China Kaicheng Energy Ltd. for its LNG plan under the DOE’s Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulation. Other Lloyds Energy officials who visited the Philippines were chairman Chalid Arrab and executive director Brett Wight. Lloyds Energy previously submitted an unsolicited proposal to staterun Philippine National Oil Co. for the PNOC Batangas Bay Energy Hub Project. All unsolicited proposals, including that of Lloyds, did not pass criteria set by the government. Lloyds Energy is a Dubai-based company established in 2013 with the strategic aim of delivering LNG to the global market.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018

B1

Foreign debt eases to $72.2b By Julito G. Rada

Black Arrow moves to larger warehouse

BLACK Arrow Express said it is moving to a bigger warehouse at West Service Road in Parañaque City to cater to the increasing shipment volume from electronic commerce. The space, referred to as the Black Arrow Express West Service Road Corporate HQ, is a three-story building with a total enclosed area of 18,200 square meters and an open area of 7,500 square meters for parking. It is five times the size of the company’s existing facility and was designed and built specifically for express and e-commerce. The first floor houses sorting and dispatching, while the second floor is for warehousing. The third floor is for executive offices and employee wellness. The new facility aims to address the growing volume of deliveries, while improving operational efficiencies which include faster sorting and deliveries for products housed within the warehouse. “This move is just the first step towards bigger things planned for Black Arrow Express,” said Black Arrow Express president Allan Brizuela. Darwin G. Amojelar

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

PSALM LEASES PROPERTY. The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. leased a portion of its Port Area property to the Philippine Coast Guard to optimize the use of its remaining assets. Shown during the signing of the lease contract on an “as-is-where-is” basis are PSALM president and chief executive Irene Joy Besido-Garcia (left) and PCG commandant admiral Elson Hermogino.

SteelAsia investing P100b in 5 years to boost capacity By Othel V. Campos

S

TEEL Asia Manufacturing Corp. committed to invest more than P100 billion over the next five years to boost its production capacity and revitalize the local steel industry.

SteelAsia vice president and head of business development Rafael Hidalgo, speaking before the Senate committee on trade, commerce and entrepreneurship, said a revitalized steel industry would be crucial for the country’s industrialization. He said to help achieve this, SteelAsia aimed to quadruple its capacity by 2023 with the establishment of about 30 new mills in existing plants and five new

sites which would be dispersed across the country. “That will help us reach 70 percent self-sufficiency in steel by 2023 which is way ahead of the 2030 target indicated in the Iron and Steel Industry Roadmap study presented by the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute,” Hidalgo said during the hearing. He said the investment would cover more upstream facilities with the establishment of new integrated steelmaking plants using recycling technologies and expansion of midstream and downstream products to include H beams, sheet piles, wire rods, steel plates and reinforcing steel mesh. The company also intends to substitute steel imports which reportedly reached $4 billion in 2017 and create linkages to support infrastructure development and downstream industries. Hidalgo said SteelAsia was regionalizing to create logistic savings

and bring down the cost of steel while spurring regional economic activities and job creation. Philippine Iron and Steel Institute president Roberto Cola said that while the country lagged behind its neighbors in terms of steel industry development, the Philippines was now on the verge of takeoff and due for rapid rise alongside the country’s economic growth. He cited the importance of the creation of a single government authority focused on the development of the steel industry. Cola, however, said some prevailing issues were weighing on the full development of the domestic steel industry. These issues included misdeclaration and undervaluation of steel imports and product standards violations and numerous government permits and clearances required for the expansion and establishment of new steel plants.

Current account deficit widened to $3.1b in first half THE Philippines posted a current account deficit of $3.1 billion in the first six months, a significant increase from a shortfall of $133 million a year ago amid the widening trade deficit, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show. The first-half current account deficit was equivalent to 1.9 percent of gross domestic product. It also matched the target of $3.1-billion deficit earlier set by the Bangko Sentral for this year. “This outcome was due to mainly to the widening trade deficit in the tradein-goods account and lower net receipts in the primary income account, which more than offset the higher net receipts in the trade-in-services and secondary income accounts,” the Bangko Sentral said. The trade-in-goods deficit for the first

half went up by 27.9 percent to $23.3 billion as imports of goods expanded 10.7 percent while exports dropped 1.6 percent. Exports of goods declined to $25.3 billion in the first six months of 2018 from $25.7 billion in the same period last year. Contributing largely to the decrease in exports were lower shipments of coconut products (22.9 percent) and fruits and vegetables (16.4 percent). Imports of goods rose to $48.7 billion in the first six months from $44 billion in the same period in 2017. The 10.7-percent growth was attributed to higher imports of raw materials and intermediate goods, reflecting the robust expansion in domestic economic activity. The 22.2-percent growth in imports

of raw materials and intermediate goods, which totaled $18.5 billion in the first half, was due largely to the higher purchases of materials and accessories for the manufacture of non-consigned electronic products (133.8 percent) along with imports of manufactured goods (20.2 percent). The balance of payments position in the first half yielded a deficit of $3.3 billion, or more than four times higher than the $706-million deficit recorded in the same period last year. BoP summarizes the country’s economic transactions with the rest of the world. The Bangko Sentral expects the BoP to post a deficit of $1.5 billion this year, higher than the actual deficit of $900 million in 2017. Julito G. Rada

THE country’s foreign debt declined by almost $1 billion in the second quarter to $72.2 billion from the first quarter mainly because of foreign exchange adjustments, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday. Bangko Sentral Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said foreign debt dropped 1.4 percent or $997 million from $73.2 billion registered in the first quarter. Foreign exchange revaluation adjustments hit $720 million as the US dollar strengthened against third currencies, particularly the Japanese yen ($454 million). “The decline in non-resident investments [$309 million] in Philippine debt papers and net principal repayments [$246 million] further contributed to the decline in the external debt stock,” he said. Data showed that on an annualized basis, the debt stock also went down $294 million or 0.4 percent from $72.5 billion in June 2017. This was brought about by net principal repayments ($2.4 billion), primarily on private sector’s short-term bank liabilities; prior periods’ adjustments ($1.8 billion) due to late reporting; and transfer of Philippine debt papers from residents to non-residents ($419 million). “The country’s level of external debt has continued to decline in recent years [from $77.7 billion as of end-2014 to $72.2 billion in endJune 2018] which may be attributed to prudent debt management and Philippine corporate borrowers’ deleveraging from foreign borrowings in order to minimize FX risk,” Espenilla said. External debt refers to all types of borrowings by Philippine residents from non-residents, following the residency criterion for international statistics. About 83.2 percent of foreign debt remained medium- to longterm (or those with maturities longer than one year). Short-term loans (or those with maturities of up to one year) accounted for 16.8 percent of the balance and consisted of bank liabilities, trade credits and others. Public sector external debt decreased to $38 billion (or by $1.2 billion) in the second quarter from $39.2 billion in the first quarter. It accounted for 52.6 percent of total external debt. Private sector external debt increased slightly to $34.2 billion in end-June from $34 billion in March. Loans from official sources such as multilateral and bilateral creditors amounting to $23.9 billion and had the largest share of 33.1 percent of total outstanding debt. This was followed by foreign holders of bonds and notes (30.7 percent) and obligations to foreign banks and other financial institutions (29.3 percent). The rest (7 percent) were owed to other creditor types such as suppliers/exporters.

E-cigarette makers protest stringent rules

SSS-UNIONBANK PARTNERSHIP. The Social Security System and Union Bank of the Philippines sign an agreement for the SSS Pension Loan Program at SSS Building, East Avenue, Quezon City. Shown are SSS president and chief executive Emmanuel Dooc (left) and UBP president and chief executive Edwin Bautista during the signing of the agreement that will allow loan proceeds of the PLP be directly credited to the pensioner’s UBP Quick Card. PLP is a financial assistance program for qualified SSS retiree-pensioners, which offers loans of up to P32,000 at low interest.

THE Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association said it stands to lose its market share to big pharmaceutical companies and cigarette manufacturers because of stringent regulation. It said the government’s stringent rules requiring e-liquid manufacturers to put up a plant comparable to that of a pharmaceutical company was a deterrent to continue its members’ operations. “We suspect now that this is a ban―a de facto ban meaning they issue something that at a glance will seem easy for us to comply with but in fact impossible for us to adhere to,” said PECIA president Joey Dulay at the sidelines of a forum on alternative tobacco conducted by advocacy group Ideas. PECIA is the country’s biggest vaping industry group composed of vape shops owners, e-liquid manufacturers, hardware manufacturers, importers and exporters. Dulay said an initial investment of P200 million would be needed to put

up a facility that follows pharmaceutical inspection cooperation scheme which is a standard for sterile products like drugs and medicines. About 5 percent of the smoking population in the Philippines are vapers, said Dulay. Data presented by the National Tobacco Administration showed that cigarette and cigar production declined from 90.38 billion sticks in 2013 to 60.58 billion sticks in 2017. E-cigarettes imports also declined from 7,245.21 kilograms in 2016 to 1,499.18 kg as of Aug. 31, 2018. Dulay said the future of e-cigarette as an industry still looked promising, if not only for the “black propaganda on health claims” and other challenges the industry was facing. About 98 percent of alternative tobacco products are locally-made. Majority of imports are vaping and e-cigarette devices from China. Othel V. Campos

B2

Business

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market slumps as storm nears

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TOCKS fell Friday, bringing the benchmark index to a sixweek low, as investors stayed on the sidelines while a strong typhoon closed in on the northeastern part of Luzon.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, dropped 104 points, or 1.4 percent, to close at 7,413.15 Friday. The heavier index, representing all shares, also retreated 47 points, or 1 percent, to settle at 4,555.30, on a value turnover of P6 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 115 to 67, while 46 issues were unchanged. Only two of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, including Metro Pacific Investment Corp. which rose 1

percent to P5.28 and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. which gained 0.6 percent to P53.20. Meanwhile, Asian markets extended their gains Friday on hopes for ChinaUS trade talks, while Turkey’s lira held up after a shock hike in the country’s interest rate and a dip in US inflation. After a tumultuous start to the month, investors finally had something to smile about Thursday after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin invited Chinese officials for fresh talks to avert an all-out trade war. The news provided some much-needed support, which was improved on later in the day with data showing US consumer price inflation slid in August, easing pressure on the Federal Reserve to tighten borrowing costs. While the central bank is expected to lift rates next month, the figures lower the chances of another such move before January and provided a boost to equities

on Wall Street. It also gave some breathing space to emerging markets, which have been battered in recent weeks by fears of contagion from crises in Turkey, Argentina and South Africa as a stronger dollar makes it harder for them to repay debts. “Hope springs eternal for emerging markets anytime the US dollar weakens and (Thursday) was no exception,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at Oanda. “As indeed the stars aligned for emerging markets assets after an astonishing interest rate hike from the Central Bank of Turkey... and an exceedingly soft US [inflation] data,” he said. The CBT ramped up interest rates to 24 percent from 17.5 percent Thursday as it struggles to fight off inflation and boost the lira, which is down around 40 percent this year. The surprise move—an indication the CBT wanted to show its independence

from strongman President Recep Tayyip Erdogan—sent the lira surging to 6.01 to the dollar from 6.4 and the currency managed to hold its gains in Asian trade. Other high-yielding currencies also rallied with India’s rupee well off recent record lows and the Indonesian rupiah up after touching a 20-year trough. Mexico’s peso and the South African rand were more than one percent higher, while the South Korean won added 0.5 percent and Australian dollar gained 0.3 percent. The positive sentiment from Thursday continued into the weekend on equity markets, with Tokyo ending 1.2 percent higher and Sydney 0.6 percent up. Hong Kong rose 1.1 percent in the afternoon, adding to the previous day’s 2.5 percent rise, while Seoul surged 1.4 percent and Singapore gained 0.9 percent. Wellington, Taipei, Bangkok and Jakarta also enjoyed healthy advances. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.8 5,240 86 4,721,310 117 2,160,010 1.53 201,000 30.35 458,000 16.1 15,000 12.66 1,901,500 4.19 313,000 8.59 2,100 0.61 57,000 1.6 71,000 0.56 280,000 68.6 3,348,020 1.02 620,000 11.6 3,700 44.8 96,100 190 30 109.9 150 83.25 10 27.65 4,100 182 419,810 70.05 1,520 1.18 15,000

313,029.50 407,166,926.50 252,587,127 308,130 13,904,560 241,500 24,339,332 1,341,490 17,999 35,220 112,880 153,270 230,726,472.50 611,930 42,924 4,319,140 5,700 15,796 832.5 113,120 77,713,801 107,384.50 17,700

299,000 -35,349,463 -16,987,484 -1,480 -1,695,380 -6,751,006 258,000 -26,578,699 990 2,045,515 -82,435 10,787,533 -720 -

36.35 16.8 1.1 1.16 0.219 3.01 13.24 32.55 17.22 40 5.01 7.36 10.08 15.6 8.88 7.22 7.06 16.5 64.65 28.2 7.1 12 2 267.4 4.85 3.25 12 23.75 11.8 16.26 368 0.177 6.5 1.83 3.95 8.9 5.2 8.18 1 10.56 53 4.82 2.4 1.61 12.2 95.75 5.62 1.01 140 2.01 2.17

INDUSTRIAL 36.75 1,507,300 17.3 927,700 1.12 12,919,000 1.18 2,049,000 0.223 250,000 3.04 504,000 13.26 1,039,400 33 1,893,300 17.7 6,200 42 700 5.01 13,600 7.36 3,700 10.14 7,372,900 15.7 108,000 9 508,100 7.25 75,700 7.07 2,001,000 16.66 2,958,600 65 334,710 28.7 50,300 7.11 72,800 12.24 205,500 2.01 189,000 269 560,990 4.85 20,000 3.25 3,000 13.38 4,200 23.75 861,200 11.8 46,300 16.4 933,200 368 297,700 0.189 40,000 6.5 13,400 1.9 178,000 4 8,000 8.92 769,700 5.2 141,600 8.3 72,600 1 997,000 11.38 53,900 53.2 2,009,070 4.83 3,000 2.4 111,000 1.62 304,000 12.4 101,500 95.95 272,980 5.66 62,900 1.05 200,000 141.3 1,485,790 2.03 5,064,000 2.17 37,474,000

55,400,795 15,853,080 14,628,730 2,400,900 54,940 1,528,890 13,822,698 62,689,215 109,186 28,600 68,136 27,362 75,329,384 1,693,498 4,565,341 549,051 14,142,074 49,277,712 21,728,538 1,439,400 516,898 2,482,542 381,590 151,355,826 97,000 9,750 50,676 20,567,085 551,178 15,384,258 111,581,616 7,390 87,103 337,690 31,950 6,865,109 738,157 596,060 1,002,610 596,946 107,260,382.50 14,480 266,980 492,990 1,257,032 26,207,173.50 358,124 202,880 209,856,187 10,289,740 84,577,850

-619,405 -301,050 -2,380 -52,800 -4,400 142,550 -251,912 66,250 5,182,890 326,320 638,795 -134,778 1,567,451 -8,619,212 -4,716,718.50 807,738 -71,621,740 -4,850 -16,387,340 -103,728 -8,353,378 -4,258,566 1,800 -162,300 -5,697,585 -643,330 -44,204 -1,276,484.50 -102,160 980,600 3,139,002 -86,846 29,127,718 -1,935,570.00 1,470,260

0.405 48 12.7 0.93 6 1.33 1.33 892 1,400 5.69 12.2 7.01 814 5.7 52 0.58 4.9 15.94 0.62 5.16 0.037 1.17 2.6 169.2 925 1.4 368 281 0.305 0.201

HOLDING FIRMS 0.41 13,250,000 48.3 2,354,800 12.7 4,913,400 0.93 2,000 6 1,700 1.33 5,386,000 1.34 465,000 898 511,520 1,400 5 5.7 2,103,100 12.38 3,190,400 7.15 1,600 815 269,420 5.8 700 52 1,625,780 0.6 1,363,000 4.94 1,342,000 15.94 5,773,200 0.64 1,287,000 5.28 20,290,000 0.037 4,900,000 1.17 299,000 2.62 764,000 169.8 348,720 935 229,590 1.4 907,000 368 420 294 2,160 0.32 6,390,000 0.201 10,000

5,534,350 113,816,585 62,868,584 1,860 10,200 7,246,560 623,700 460,224,775 7,000 11,990,687 39,299,180 11,329 222,446,525 4,000 85,568,800.50 811,020 6,632,730 92,324,870 818,430 105,920,927 181,700 352,570 1,997,060 59,242,831 215,815,205 1,270,980 155,860 633,380 2,004,750 2,010

80,400 -24,830,340 -11,252,360 -82,758,195 -2,723,053 6,245,230 -65,622,500 -19,528,969 -3,415,910 12,898,468 -17,540,861 -221,430 -25,188,940 -3,940,765 -3,300 2,010

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND FIRST ABACUS IREMIT MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK VANTAGE

58.05 86.3 118.4 1.48 30.45 16.1 13.18 4.31 8.57 0.62 1.59 0.55 68.65 1 11.62 45.25 190 104.6 83.25 27.65 190.5 72 1.18

59.8 88 118.6 1.68 30.45 16.1 13.18 4.4 8.59 0.62 1.6 0.56 69.75 1.02 11.62 45.25 190 109.9 83.25 27.9 190.5 72 1.18

58.05 85.5 116 1.48 30.3 16.1 12.56 4.19 8.57 0.61 1.58 0.54 68.6 0.98 11.6 44.75 190 104.6 83.25 26.9 182 70.05 1.18

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VULCAN INDL

37 17 1.11 1.18 0.225 3.02 13.3 33.1 17.22 40 5.01 7.38 10.24 15.6 8.9 7.23 7.06 16.5 64.65 28.2 7.1 12 2 273 4.85 3.25 12 24 12.14 16.66 383.8 0.177 6.51 1.9 3.95 9 5.22 8.18 1.01 11.1 53 4.82 2.4 1.63 12.4 96 5.7 1.02 145 2.05 2.19

37 17.3 1.16 1.21 0.225 3.05 13.3 34 19.24 42 5.01 7.5 10.24 15.7 9.05 7.27 7.08 16.68 65 29 7.11 12.28 2.06 274 4.85 3.25 13.38 24 12.14 16.7 383.8 0.193 6.51 1.93 4 9.01 5.39 8.3 1.03 11.38 53.85 4.83 2.48 1.63 12.4 96.85 5.75 1.05 145 2.07 2.35

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP BHI HLDG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.44 48.3 12.76 0.93 6 1.37 1.35 907 1,400 5.72 12.3 7.13 854 5.7 54.25 0.62 4.96 16.2 0.64 5.23 0.038 1.2 2.65 170.6 950 1.43 378 285 0.31 0.201

0.44 49.3 12.98 0.93 6 1.37 1.36 907 1,400 5.72 12.38 7.18 860 5.8 54.5 0.62 4.96 16.2 0.65 5.3 0.038 1.23 2.68 171.5 950 1.43 378 294 0.32 0.201

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP

7.39 0.95 12.58 2.1 0.7 42 2.93 4.48 5.4 0.455 0.93 0.22 0.41 8.7 23.05 0.58 1.45 1.17 2.64 4.26 0.7 0.45 0.465 4.09

7.53 0.96 12.58 2.1 0.71 42 2.95 4.56 5.41 0.46 0.93 0.22 0.41 8.82 23.3 0.59 1.48 1.19 2.8 4.38 0.72 0.45 0.47 4.12

7.38 0.94 12.58 2.1 0.7 41 2.91 4.4 5.4 0.445 0.91 0.217 0.41 8.7 22.6 0.57 1.45 1.17 2.36 4.26 0.67 0.44 0.46 4.02

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

20.95 1.99 3.19 36.75 1.14 7.09 0.78 6.3

20.95 1.99 3.2 37.1 1.17 7.1 0.78 6.3

20.3 1.92 3.18 36.3 1.12 7.05 0.78 6.22

20.9 1.98 3.2 36.4 1.17 7.08 0.78 6.3

1,133,300 54,000 63,000 7,693,400 1,731,000 466,800 20,000 1,202,000

23,579,390 104,510 200,780 281,794,130 1,965,820 3,302,430 15,600 7,542,442

-310,460 30,880 31,900 -101,811,455 -61,502 -3,334,722

2GO GROUP ABS CBN APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAXYS PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

12.52 21.5 0.495 0.044 13.5 2.34 9.06 0.062 71.6 5.94 8.6 2.25 20.7 2,208 5.49 314.8 2.7 2.07 90.15 7.81 0.115 2.87 3.46 15 3.89 0.93 17.5 5.7 6.95 2.65 1.56 7.61 10.96 3.31 102.9 4.83 1,430 0.87 0.4 45 80 8 2.32 0.73 0.58 5.12 0.76 10.7

12.56 21.5 0.495 0.044 13.5 2.37 9.12 0.063 71.6 5.94 8.6 2.26 20.85 2,208 5.49 314.8 2.84 2.07 94.2 7.81 0.119 2.94 3.66 15 3.89 0.95 17.72 6.2 6.98 2.68 1.79 7.96 10.98 3.49 103.5 4.9 1,430 0.89 0.42 45 80 8 2.4 0.75 0.59 5.2 0.77 10.8

12.48 21 0.48 0.044 13.5 1.99 8.89 0.061 70.8 5.8 8.5 2.25 20 2,182 5.4 302.2 2.63 2.07 90.15 7.81 0.115 2.81 3.46 14.98 3.72 0.92 17 5.7 6.95 2.6 1.55 7.5 10.96 3.31 102 4.77 1,414 0.87 0.4 44.2 78 8 2.27 0.69 0.56 5.12 0.74 10.62

SERVICES 12.48 21 0.49 0.044 13.5 2.02 8.92 0.061 71.05 5.86 8.5 2.25 20.3 2,192 5.42 314.8 2.65 2.07 94.2 7.81 0.117 2.9 3.64 14.98 3.77 0.93 17.04 5.98 6.96 2.61 1.71 7.53 10.96 3.49 102 4.78 1,415 0.88 0.41 45 78.8 8 2.27 0.69 0.58 5.2 0.74 10.66

11,500 103,200 3,030,000 5,700,000 1,150,200 17,022,000 12,091,100 27,320,000 161,020 746,500 6,400 20,000 96,400 66,495 88,500 6,560 3,524,000 5,000 601,780 12,700 1,560,000 2,921,000 32,000 2,600 328,000 164,000 806,100 1,398,900 9,175,100 264,000 683,000 1,704,100 12,500 11,000 34,180 289,000 115,620 1,242,000 8,310,000 98,500 897,610 25,000 12,843,000 13,163,000 11,921,000 2,371,100 1,211,000 1,698,900

144,072 2,182,550 1,468,750 250,800 15,527,700 35,544,190 108,166,508 1,679,320 11,435,058.50 4,372,175 54,900 45,100 1,954,115 145,724,340 478,623 2,041,694 9,473,750 10,350 55,574,604 99,187 182,440 8,412,260 112,090 38,998 1,232,030 152,240 13,848,814 8,383,450 63,854,844 694,640 1,150,760 13,001,170 137,064 38,110 3,516,519 1,393,650 164,066,230 1,087,780 3,442,150 4,396,780 70,410,086 200,000 29,881,660 9,407,890 6,776,450 12,316,708 908,480 18,107,940

-298,350 -4,109,460.00 -21,454,465 -24,400 -9,916,885.50 727,047 84,250,140 -610,072 191,370 -415,427 16,380 -170,020 -235,450 -6,012,558 -3,018,592 -36,764,058 29,830 -2,475 34,800 94,024 -235,860.00 -68,564,850 -16,730 8,200 -814,655 -8,072,139.50 -3,198,570 -418,250 -597,360.00 -7,369,712 -4,723,052

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET B CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B NICKEL ASIA NIHAO OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PHINMA PETRO PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON

0.0024 1.6 3.2 20.6 1.28 1.96 0.3 7.41 1.94 0.243 0.12 0.128 0.0079 0.0081 4.7 1.16 0.63 1.31 0.013 0.013 0.011 4.1 4.03 16.2 29.4 0.0074

0.0026 1.63 3.2 20.6 1.28 1.96 0.3 7.41 1.94 0.243 0.123 0.128 0.0079 0.0081 4.72 1.16 0.65 1.36 0.013 0.014 0.012 4.15 4.03 16.4 29.4 0.0074

0.0024 1.55 3.17 20.6 1.28 1.94 0.3 7.27 1.92 0.208 0.12 0.128 0.0078 0.0079 4.61 1.07 0.62 1.3 0.013 0.013 0.011 4.03 3.97 15.9 28.95 0.0074

MINING & OIL 0.0026 6,000,000 1.58 3,794,000 3.17 95,000 20.6 5,000 1.28 22,000 1.94 338,000 0.3 210,000 7.35 2,800 1.92 1,946,000 0.221 4,670,000 0.121 1,310,000 0.128 10,000 0.0078 16,000,000 0.0079 3,000,000 4.66 442,000 1.15 50,000 0.65 838,000 1.32 3,631,000 0.013 7,300,000 0.014 5,700,000 0.011 23,300,000 4.05 284,000 4 124,000 16.32 4,015,500 29 1,154,700 0.0074 50,000,000

14,600 5,969,050 303,850 103,000 28,160 656,460 63,000 20,407 3,754,950 1,015,110 158,470 1,280 124,900 24,000 2,069,740 55,910 525,050 4,846,840 94,900 79,100 267,500 1,152,490 494,000 65,220,076 33,502,730 370,000

31,000 -294,250 -28,160 97,000 1,170,320 360 -450,270 2,816,488 -4,695,740 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B LR PREF PCOR PREF 2A PNX PREF 3A SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H

20.25 501 100.7 100.7 101.1 5.22 970 1.02 1,011 103.5 77 75.95 75.5

20.25 501 100.7 100.7 101.1 5.22 970 1.02 1,011 103.5 77.4 76.5 75.6

20 501 98 100.7 101.1 5.2 970 1.01 1,010 103.5 77 75.95 75.5

PREFERRED 20.2 282,000 501 2,000 99 6,410 100.7 50,900 101.1 50,000 5.22 142,800 970 1,320 1.01 465,000 1,010 1,070 103.5 500 77.4 940 76.5 50,500 75.5 53,370

5,695,305 1,002,000 637,927 5,125,630 5,055,000 744,360 1,280,400 471,070 1,081,700 51,750 72,424 3,851,500 4,030,435

2,649,335 -438,138 -763,000 22,650

LR WARRANT

2.39

2.48

2.38

WARRANTS 2.47 340,000

829,770

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

7.35 2.26

7.44 2.45

7.05 2.26

7.14 2.41

60,789,173 4,512,720

-35,437,058 -331,350

FIRST METRO ETF

112.1

112.5

111.3

3,024,824

194,775

USD TECH B2

1.01

1.01

1.01

30,300

-

MS

PROPERTY 7.47 0.95 12.58 2.1 0.7 41 2.91 4.5 5.4 0.445 0.91 0.218 0.41 8.7 22.75 0.58 1.47 1.17 2.44 4.38 0.68 0.44 0.47 4.12

58,800 850,000 5,000 1,000 697,000 7,868,000 391,000 789,000 136,600 7,390,000 413,000 1,680,000 370,000 193,200 476,000 340,000 411,000 698,000 84,289,000 13,660,000 106,514,000 1,340,000 260,000 1,369,000

437,791 803,340 62,900 2,100 488,440 325,387,175 1,142,800 3,535,240 737,643 3,328,600 376,460 365,690 151,700 1,689,410 10,848,325 199,140 601,560 817,390 217,398,490 59,006,770 74,059,250 591,200 120,800 5,566,330 (

-7,000 -58,839,940 -955,360 -450,000 10,010 -2,200 -774,055 -2,479,755 -4,640.00 -129,370 -52,030,870 6,603,180 -33,690 -44,000 206,369.9997)

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

15,194,161

INDUSTRIAL

87,278,019

HOLDING FIRMS

78,271,825

PROPERTY

242,674,662

SERVICES

146,404,051

MINING & OIL

135,607,156

GRAND TOTAL

715,862,398

SME

8,479,400 1,923,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 111.3 27,120 1.01

DDS

30,000

VALUE 1,667.29 (down) 9.61 1,072,621,488.11 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,948.94 (down0 174.36 1,134,683,439.688 HOLDING FIRMS 7,251.91 (down) 103.35 1,656,089,662.42 PROPERTY 3,694.40 (down) 73.11 1,517.51 (down) 9.65 1,032,051,727.06 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,717.24 (down) 56.38 915,557,470.12 PSEI 7,413.15 (down) 104.22 120,940,585.1685 All Shares Index 4,555.30 (down0 47.01 6,000,279,270.17 Gainers: 67; Losers: 115; Unchanged: 46; Total: 228

PT&T backs inclusion of roll-out plan in telco bid By Darwin G. Amojelar PHILIPPINE Telegraph and Telephone Co. is supporting a proposal to require potential bidders to submit roll-out plans to ensure that the new major telco player has the expertise and capability to challenge the duopoly PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. “A preliminary roll-out plan is normally required in any bidding. In fact, I raised this matter in the DICT [ Department of Information Communications and Technology] public consultation meeting months back,” Renato Garcia, executive vice president and board director of PT&T said, when sought for a comment on the statement made by potential bidder Now Telecom Co. Inc. Now Telecom asked the government to require bidders to submit roll-out plans as part of the selection process. Based on the DICT’s new version of the terms of reference, bidders are not required to include the roll-out plan in the list of selection documents and it is only required to be submitted by the winning bidder within 90 days after its selection or such other period agreed upon with the National Telecommunications Commission. “From my understanding this proposal is consistent with the recommendations of the ITU experts to support of the validation and evaluation to be done based on the coverage [Form A], speed and investment [Form B] ratings,” he said. Garcia, who has been in the IT and telecommunications industry for the past 45 years, said the submission of roll-out plans would further strengthen the position of the President and DICT that the selected new major player should have the technical expertise and capability to implement the program. PT&T, a potential third player, holds a 25-year franchise, which allows the company to establish, maintain and operate both wired and wireless telecommunications systems for domestic and international communication in the Philippines. Its existing, scalable network and infrastructure, spanning over 1,000 kilometers of pure fiber optic cables allow it to easily meet the network demands of customers in the Greater Manila area, northern and southern Luzon and Cebu.

SEC issues advisory against investing in Philcrowd.com By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission issued an advisory against investing in Philcrowd.com, an online company that is engaged in crowd funding. The corporate regulator said in an advisory posted on its website Philcrowd. com was not registered with the SEC and was also not authorized to solicit investments from the public. It said that based on complaints it received, Philcrowd.com was luring investors to invest P2,500 as membership fee and become eligible to fund any business they like – from agribusinesses, food franchises, energy, real estate and more with target returns of 5 percent to 50 percent. “The public is hereby informed that based on the records of the commission, Philcrowd.com is not registered with the commission as a corporation and/ or partnership and is not authorized to solicit investments from the public as it has not secured the necessary license or permit from the SEC as required under Section 8 of the Securities Regulation Code,” the SEC said. “The public is hereby warned that such investment schemes whether with the use of money or virtual currencies such as bitcoin, etherium, ripple, dash, litecoin, monero, SIBcoin, mooncoin and many others are considered as securities subject to the regulatory authority of this commission,” it said. Philcrowd.com said in its Facebook page it filed incorporation papers with the SEC early this year. “While we appreciate the fact that we are not cited as scam, it is definitely a concern to us given the fact that we have filed our papers early this year, and we have been coordinating with your office to formalize crowdfunding rules in the Philippines,” Philcrowd.com said. Crowdfunding refers to small- or limited-scale fundraising activity usually for startups, micro, small and medium enterprises using electronic platforms.

World

B3

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Trump’s attacks called dangerous WASHINGTON―Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and owner of the Washington Post newspaper, warned Thursday that President Donald Trump’s attacks on media are dangerous for the country. Bezos, during a question-answer session at a dinner hosted by the Economic Club of Washington, said Trump’s attacks risked eroding protections and social norms important for democracy. “It’s dangerous to demonize the media,” Bezos said. “It’s dangerous to call the media lowlifes. It’s dangerous to say they are the enemy of the people.” He added that “we live in a society where it’s not just the laws of the land that protect us... it’s also the social norms that protect us. It works because we believe the words on that piece of paper.” Bezos said Trump and other public figures should expect public and media scrutiny, which he called “healthy.” The comments appeared to be the first direct, public rebuke of Trump by Bezos, a frequent target of attacks by the president. “I do defend the Post,” he said. “I don’t feel the need to defend Amazon.” But he paraphrased Washington Post editor Martin Baron as saying that “the administration may be at war with us, but we are not at war with the administration.” AFP

Russian bombers’ intrusion protested WASHINGTON―The Pentagon has protested after US fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers west of Alaska, in the latest incident of its kind. F-22 Raptor fighters from NORAD intercepted and visually identified the long-range Tupolev Tu-95 “Bear” bombers overnight Tuesday, said the joint US-Canadian command, charged with aerospace warning and control for North America. The four-engine Cold War-era turboprop bombers, which can carry nuclear weapons, were escorted by two Russian Su-35 fighters, NORAD said in a statement Thursday, adding that the Russian planes stayed in international airspace and never penetrated the US or Canadian zones. NORAD jets followed the Russians until they left the air defense identification zone, a perimeter in which the military surveys air traffic, and which extends for about 320 kilometers off Alaska. The incident took place during Russia’s largest-ever military drills, Vostok-2018 with nearly 300,000 troops and all types of military equipment in eastern Siberia. NORAD commander General Terrence O’Shaughnessy said he did not see the air incident as “directly part of Vostok although it is very much related to it.”AFP

US approves missile, plane sales to S. Korea WASHINGTON―The United States on Thursday approved a new arms sale to South Korea worth $2.6 billion, with thye denuclearization talks stalled between Washington and the North. Six Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft worth $2.1 billion form the bulk of the sale, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement. A second contract covers 64 Patriot missiles and support worth $501 million, the agency said. Congress has 15 days to oppose the sale but that would be unlikely given the close relationship between Seoul and Washington, which stations tens of thousands of its troops on South Korean soil to defend against the threat from nucleararmed North Korea. The P-8A Poseidon, made by Boeing, can be used for intelligence and reconnaissance as well as for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. “The proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing Korea’s naval capabilities to provide national defense and significantly contribute to coalition operations,” the agency said. The Patriots, to be made by Texasbased Lockheed-Martin, are designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and other airborne threats. South Korea will use the system “to improve its missile defense capability, defend its territorial integrity and deter threats to regional stability,” the statement said. AFP

EROSION VICTIM. A house collapsed by land erosion stands on the banks of the Padma River at Shariatpur some 40 kilometers south of Dhaka on September 13, 2018. AFP

Koreas open joint liaison office

K

AESONG― North and South Korea opened a joint liaison office in the Northern city of Kaesong on Friday as they knit closer ties ahead of President Moon Jae-in’s visit to Pyongyang next week.

“A new chapter in history is open here today,” South Korean unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon told a ceremony, calling the office “another symbol of peace jointly created by the South and the North”. The nuclear-armed North’s chief delegate Ri Son Gwon responded in kind,

calling it a “substantial fruit nourished by the people of the north and south”. The two Koreas have sought to pursue joint projects in multiple fields since the April summit between Moon and the North’s leader Kim Jong Un in the Demilitarized Zone that divides the peninsula, even as US efforts to secure concrete progress towards Pyongyang’s denuclearization have stalled. Moon is due in the North’s capital on Tuesday for a three-day visit, his third summit with Kim this year after he orchestrated a rapid diplomatic thaw on the peninsula and brokered June’s Singapore summit between the North Korean leader and US President Donald Trump. There Kim backed denuclearization of the “Korean peninsula”, but no details were agreed and Washington and

Pyongyang have sparred since over what that means and how it will be achieved. The North was “willing to denuclearize”, Moon said Thursday, while the US was willing to “end hostile relations” and provide security guarantees, “but there is a blockage as both sides are demanding each other to act first”. Last month, Trump abruptly canceled a planned visit by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Pyongyang, after the North condemned “gangster-like” demands for what it called its unilateral disarmament. But Kim has since sent Trump a letter seeking a second summit and held a military parade for his country’s 70th birthday without showing off any intercontinental ballistic missiles, prompting warm tweets from the US president and

Tunisia struggles to host migrants saved at sea

Fires erupt in multiple US towns

NEW YORK―Mass evacuations from US towns north of Boston were underway Thursday after dozens of fires and suspected gas explosions erupted, police said, leaving at least 10 residents injured, one critically. Massachusetts State Police said they had responded to 70 reports of fires, explosions and the smell of gas in a widespread zone encompassing the east coast towns of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover. “Gas lines are currently being depressurized,” police tweeted, adding that “it will take some time.” “Numerous evacuations of neighborhoods where there are gas odors are underway,” police said. “Far too early to speculate on cause. Joint investigation will be conducted when situation is stabilized.” Authorities were to cut power to thousands of meters, police said, and residents in all three towns with utilities service from Columbia Gas had been asked to evacuate immediately. In a release dated Thursday the company had said it would “be upgrading natural gas lines in neighborhoods across the state.” The mayor of Lawrence requested that all those living in the southern zone of his town leave their homes ahead of the planned power shutdown. Lawrence General Hospital said it was treating 10 patients injured in the gas explosions, one in critical condition and another in serious condition. AFP

MEETING. French Foreign Affairs minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (L) meets Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at The Great Hall of The People in Beijing on September 14, 2018. AFP

Controversial cartoon of Serena fuels debate about ‘racist’ Australia SYDNEY―Australia is by most measures one of the world’s most successful multicultural societies, but a controversial cartoon of Serena Williams has rekindled accusations it is also inveterately racist. Australia should be a poster-child for diversity: One-in-two Australians has a parent born abroad. The economy has been growing for 27 straight years. Crime is barely a worry. Melbourne and Sydney dominate rankings of the best places in the world to live. Visit any medium-size human habitation on the mind-bendingly large continent and it’s obvious that Australia is the proverbial melting pot―Kiwis, Chinese, Irish, Filipinos, Brits, Vietnamese, Italians, Indians, Greeks and Lebanese at every turn. But this racial, ethnic and linguistic diversity contrasts sharply with a lingering image of Australia as an angry white

country stuck in the past. It was an impression underscored by foreign outrage about an Australian cartoonist’s depiction of a fat-lipped and masculine Serena Williams, and the collective shrug it prompted Down Under. After the drawing was published, a CNN opinion piece described Australia as “the nicest racist country you will ever see” and the New York Times thundered that “Australia has never fully confronted its own history of racism.” Many Australians admit there is a problem. The legacy of European settlers terrorizing Aboriginal communities looms large, and inequality between the two groups remains staggering. Racial epithets are still tossed around in a way that makes visitors’ jaws drop. A “White Australia” immigration policy, only fully dismantled in the 1970s, and

raising hopes of progress. The liaison office stands in a city that was initially part of the South after Moscow and Washington divided Korea between them in the closing days of World War II, but found itself in the North after the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty. The four-story building includes separate Northern and Southern offices and a joint conference room, and Seoul’s unification ministry said it would become a “round-the-clock consultation and communication channel” for advancing inter-Korean relations, improving ties between the US and the North, and easing military tensions. It will be manned by some 20 officials each from both sides, headed by a vice minister-level appointment. AFP

more recently off-shore migrant detention centres have also done much to frame the modern image of Australia abroad. But many Australians also believe the problem can be overstated. “There is an element in Australian society that is racist,” said John Blaxland, a professor of International Security at the Australian National University. “But every country has them. Name a country that doesn’t.” He insists the reality of modern Australia is a “vibrant, booming, multicultural society” that integrates almost 200,000 migrants a year―the equivalent of the United States taking three million people. “Australia is a success story!” he insisted. “We’re really hopeless at selling that message. People are dying to get here, literally and metaphorically. It is such a coveted place to be, why is that

so? It’s not because of racism.” As real as the problems in race relations are, popular stereotypes have also played their part framing Australia as a racist nation. Ask any foreigner to name a famous Australian and they are likely to cite the endearing yet uncultured “Mick ‘Crocodile’ Dundee” -- well before indigenous rights activist Eddie Mabo or pioneering social reformer Edith Cowan. Today experts point to a coarsening of Australia’s politics and a powerful right-leaning media that has turbocharged the impression of a country that is socially tone-deaf. Duncan McDonnell, a professor at Griffith University’s school of governance, sees immediate roots of that politics in the Liberal Party’s decision to co-opt right wing messages in the 1990s, giving the politics of prejudice a mainstream platform. AFP

MEDENINE, Tunisia―Surrounded by other people’s belongings piled high on beds, Georgie Ndab wants to leave Tunisia’s only migrant center and take her baby to Europe. “I spent eight months in prison in Libya. I want to go to Europe to guarantee my son a good education,” said Ndab, a 21-year-old from Cameroon. Sitting in a small room in suffocating heat, she pours talcum powder on baby Moses in an effort to relieve the eight-month-old’s irritated skin. “I thank Tunisia, but the situation here isn’t good, and my direction is Europe, France,” added Ndab, who traveled through Nigeria and Niger to reach North Africa. She is one of 247 people, including 15 children, living at the Red Crescent center in the southern town of Medenine. The facility is the only one in Tunisia to host migrants who reached the country illegally, either being picked up by authorities near Libya or in waters off the country’s coast. The three-story building is overcrowded, with just half the number of beds needed and three kitchens and bathrooms for everyone. Francis Lele, a fellow Cameroonian, said each person receives a kilo of rice, three tins of sardines and a bottle of milk per week. “Tunisia does not properly take care of migrants,” said the 32-year-old, who told AFP he was enslaved in Libya and forced to work in construction before boarding a boat for Europe. The Red Crescent center opened in 2013 and after losing some of its funding earlier this year is struggling to raise the 320,000 dinars ($114,000, 100,000 euros) needed to cover its annual costs. But despite the cuts, center head Mogni Slim said the food allowance is sufficient. “It’s not a great luxury but we offer food in accordance with the normal calorie intake,” he said. While Tunisia is striving to manage its migrant population, the European Union has suggested the country could play host to a “disembarkation platform” to process those rescued at sea. The proposal made to North African countries by the EU in June was swiftly rejected by Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt. At the end of July, Tunisia said it would take in 40 migrants rescued by a commercial vessel but―wary of setting a precedent—said it was only for humanitarian reasons. AFP

B4

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

HUB CITY. Alviera is

being positioned as the future economic, lifestyle and leisure hub of Central Luzon.

How green is ALI’s valley

A

Alviera fleshes out its bold vision in Central Luzon

YALA Land Inc. (ALI) recently announced that its marquee project Alviera— an ambitious mixed-use estate in Porac, Pampanga— is experiencing a 97% take-up for the first phase of its 1,800 hectares development, while land value has appreciated by 25%.

In a press briefing this week, Alviera General Manager John Estacio pronounced satisfaction with the sprawling project’s progress, and predicted that 250 hectares of the estate’s masterplan will be activated by the end of 2018. The former general manager of Nuvali, another ALI mixed-use development south of Philippines’ capital city, pointed to the strong reception of the markets in Metro Manila and in Central Luzon for the brisk take up of residential offerings in the estate. He said Avida’s second development has been introduced, while Alveo Land and Ayala Land Premier’s is set to launch new residential offerings by the fourth quarter of 2018. Expansion Alviera, in partnership with Leonio Holdings Inc., added 700-hectares to the development late last year, and expanded to 1,800 hectares with its investment raised from P90 billion to P100 billion. The 64-hectare Eco-Industrial Park at full development is expected to create 3,000 jobs. 41 industrial lots are sold and locators are expected to start operations by end of the year. Commercial lot sales have also started to bring in new investors with 25% sales take up. “We decided to expand because we are planning to contribute in the development of tourism in the country,” Estacio said. “ALI made this investment to attract the top foreign leisure players from Europe, Asia and North America to boost tourism in the Philippines,” he explained. In anticipation of the potential boom of Central Luzon, ALI is developing Alviera as catalyst that will boost the economic activities in the region by putting residential, business, tourism and leisure pursuits in one estate.

Estacio said Central Luzon is a logical choice as it has the third-largest GDP among the country’s regions and the second-largest population of higher-education graduates. Meanwhile, the region’s tourism industry has a huge potential with over 3.6 million arrivals in 2015. The government is embarking on several huge infrastructure projects, such as the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway Connector Road, modernization and the expansion of the Clark Airport and the development of ClarkManila high speed railway. Four districts Positioned as a master-planned, integrated community, Alviera is comprised of several features now to be delineated by four districts—reflecting Alviera’s position of urban living in nature. The Alviera East will be the hub of thriving industrial and commercial centers. Avida and Alveo will complement the development of residential component, while Holy Angel University will handle the educational needs and employment through the Industrial Park and the Alviera East Commercial. Local entrepreneurs, according to Estacio, gave a warm response with a rapid 95-percent sales take-up of the first phase of the Alviera Industrial Park with 16 industrial lots. He added the estate is expected to launch a second phase of the industrial park covering 32-has. It has signed locators in food manufacturing, motorcycle assembly, packaging and logistics and warehousing. The non-PEZA industrial park was designed for light to medium, nonpolluting industries. Alviera will likewise offer entrepreneurs new opportunities for investment and business through the Alviera East Commercial, a 7-hectare commercial hub situated next to an institution, the industrial park and the 180-hectare residential communities. The Alviera city center, the focal point of the estate, will be accessible to visitors from Subic-Tarlac Expressway (ScTex) and major thoroughfares according to Estacio. It will host the commercial and business district, a regional mall, convergence areas, as well as residential dwellings at the heart of the estate. Alviera West Estacio said, Alviera West will highlight leisure living including lush greenery, rolling terrain and high elevation which will allow a bird’s eye view of the whole estate. Aside from being a venue

for outdoor activities, Alviera West will have themed hotels, wellness centers and leisure developments to enable international locators to work well in the area. Strong residential take up Estacio pointed out that residential sales had been promising for both Avida Settings Alviera and Montala by Alveo, whose blended take up was estimated to be around 74 percent. On top of that, land values for these two projects have appreciated by at least 20 percent since 2015. Early this year, Avida launched its second subdivision in Alviera called the Avida Northdale Settings, while Alveo introduced a second subdivision along with Ayala Land Premier with its first residential project in the estate. The Avida Northdale is expected to be twice the size of the brand’s first subdivision in Alviera. This project is set to cater to the mid affordable market segment, with project focus on the convenience of being in the center of everything. On offer would be 116 house and lots, and 1,043 lots. Prospective buyers and investors will get to enjoy world class facilities and amenities at the Avida Northdale, which is targeted for completion by August 2022. Spreading economic activity Another attraction that is expected to drive leisure and economic activity in the area is a six-hectare country club. Geared to open by the third quarter of 2019, the Alviera country club will have a variety of lifestyle, business and wellness facilities for social and corporate functions. Estacio revealed that plans have been firmed up recently for a 50-room boutique hotel adjacent to the country club, though he declined for now to mention the specific investor. He acknowledged, however, the possibility of a ground breaking early next year. To spread economic activity to the nearby communities, Estacio said 86 percent of the estate’s employees will locally hired. Communities will also be encouraged to be involved in livelihood programs like construction materials production and food services, designed to address the needs of the estate, he said. “Alviera is also committed to provide support to the education of the youth in its neighboring communities,” Estacio added. “The estate recently turned over a new high school to Barangay Sapang Uwak, and is planning to build a new elementary school in the coming months.”

UPTOWN PLAYER.

Megaworld, one of the Philippines’ largest developer and lessor of office spaces, is building the new Philippine Global Service Center of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a banking and financial services provider. The 25-storey, build-tosuit office building is located along 38th Street corner 9th Avenue in Uptown Bonifacio. Designed by UKbased award-winning architectural firm Broadway Malyan, the tower recently secured its application for LEED Gold certification and will offer some 70,000 square meters of gross leasable area, the country’s biggest single office lease transaction in terms of total space leased to a single company and transaction value. “We’re proud to build the new home of JPMorgan Chase in Fort Bonifacio as it consolidates its existing Metro Manila operations under one roof—all in a state-of-theart, prime, and green office tower right at the heart of the booming Uptown Bonifacio,” said Jericho P. Go, senior vice president, Megaworld.

PUSHING FOR A BUILDING BOOM. In cement we stand. In a nutshell, this was the key message of top officials of building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. when it recently met with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez. Holcim Philippines chairman Tomas Alcantara, President and CEO John Stull and senior vice president for sales William Sumalinog, personally expressed the company’s willingness to further build up its production capacities in light of the increased cement demand driven by the government’s massive infrastructure investments. They also assured the DTI compliance to product standards to ensure highest quality and performance. “I am happy to hear Holcim’s commitment to implement cement capacity expansion to ensure that our infrastructure and construction requirements will be well supported and generate additional employment,” Lopez said. Holcim Philippines is currently implementing projects that will raise its cement capacity nationwide to 12 million metric tons by 2019 from the current 10 million metric tons. The company is studying further investments on additional clinker lines with the construction sector expected to sustain its strong growth amid the healthy economy. Shown here are (from left) Sumalinog, Alcantara, Lopez and Stull.

LET THE ‘GREAT EATS’ BEGIN.

Ever Group of Companies subsidiary Everscapes recently opened Calle Bistro, a new lifestyle strip along Commonwealth Avenue. Built to complement the group’s Ever Commonwealth, Calle Bistro hosts distinct food spaces that range from Chinese to Filipino restaurants, cafes and wine bars. “We aim to create not just a space for food, but a community through Calle Bistro where people gather for great eats and great meets, without driving too far away from their homes,” said Chie Arao-Santos, corporate marketing manager of the Ever group. Shown here are some of the country’s leading broadcast journalists enjoying a night out at ELM’s kapihan and bar, one of newly-opened establishments at Calle Bistro. Others include Starbucks, Gerry’s Grill, Hap Chan and Macao Imperial Tea. Calle Bistro is located at Ever Commonwealth Parking Grounds, Quezon City.

CITY LIVING GATEWAY.

Shang Residences at Wack Wack recently held a VIP night for its clients. The event, which celebrated the development’s opening, was attended by (From left) Shang Properties Inc. COO and CFO Atty. Marco P. Estavillo; The Rise Makati sales director Robert Cruz; Shang Residences at Wack Wack director Pamela Perez; marketing director Milen Treichler; and managing director Miguel Feuermann. Located in Barangay Wack Wack in Mandaluyong City, the project finds its place in a heritage-rich neighborhood in the center of Metro Manila’s key cities, and affords expansive views of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, an exclusive leisure complex with two 18-hole championship golf courses, private villas, and a colorful history.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife

YOUNG LIFE

@MStandardLIFE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018

GET HIRED! M

ARY Anne Flores is one of the thousands who graduated from college a year ago. Much like her peers, she’s excited to start her first job out of school. But that was after a number of rejections and several applications that didn’t get a response.

Pinoy teen’s

artwork featured in NASA calendar Kiko Dumaup’s prize-winning submission, depicting an astronaut floating above the Solar System, is the featured artwork in NASA calendar’s September 2018 spread.

ALTHOUGH no Filipino has ever set foot on the International Space Station or ISS, the Philippines is currently enjoying 30 days of fame thanks to a talented 13-year-old Pinoy. Kiko Dumaup’s artwork is currently being eyeballed by the astronauts on the ISS as he was one of the 12 winners of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s 2018 calendar artwork contest. His prize-winning submission is the featured artwork in the calendar’s September 2018 spread, whose theme is “Exploring the Solar System.” The calendar was transmitted in December 2017 to the ISS, which is currently in low orbit, approximately 330 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. Whenever a member of the ISS’ six-man crew glances at the calendar this month, he or she will be seeing Dumaup’s vibrant artwork depicting an astronaut floating “above” the Solar System. Dumaup’s artwork is one of the 12 chosen out of more than 3,000 entries submitted by children from all over the world. In January this year, he received the calendar as well as an autographed photo of astronaut Robert L. Behnken and a couple of NASA sticker patches. Dumaup is currently a Grade 8 student at the Ateneo de Manila Junior High School, he was in Grade 7 when he joined and won the calendar contest. Not surprisingly, his current favorite subject in school is Art. When drawing, he favors realism over surrealism and prefers black-andwhite to color. – Paul Y. Daza

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Fresh graduates’ guide to finding their dream job

She’s long been ready to work but working life is not as keen to welcome her. To help fresh grads like Flores, and those 54 percent of young Filipino professionals who feel unsure about what to do next in their careers, the world’s largest professional social network, LinkedIn, urges them to take advantage of its community of professionals in finding their dream job. Make a good first impression online According to the latest report of advertising agency WeAreSocial, there are 67 million Internet and social media users in the Philippines, thus it is ideal for job applicants to take advantage of the online world. LinkedIn says there is a good chance companies looking for future hires will come across an individual’s social media profiles and posts, hence it is important to be deliberate about one’s public digital presence. Creating and completing a LinkedIn profile is one of the most powerful ways to showcase an individual’s potential. In the Philippines, buzzwords like “experienced,” “skilled,” and “specialized” are often used, but the key is to find ways to illustrate these qualities and stand out from the crowd. Companies are keen to understand your career aspirations, according to LinkedIn. If past job experiences are not yet available, the platform suggests putting skills and achievements you have acquired from school, at extra-curricular activities, during summer jobs, or even while doing volunteer work. Share your unique story with your profile and learn how you can keep your profile fresh and interesting to prospective employers. Build meaningful connections with people you admire Acquiring more friends and followers on social media is fun, but in the real world, LinkedIn says, growing a professional network is not a numbers game. Quality over quantity. LinkedIn helps individuals connect with not just family, friends, and acquaintances, but also with professionals who have done work or have accomplished careers. “Don’t be shy about reaching out to them even if you don’t personally know them yet. A polite message can go a long way. Take time to mention if you have something in common with the person—

HAPPILY EMPLOYED. Leading professional social networking site LinkedIn urges fresh graduates to take advantage of its community of professionals in finding a job.

like where you went to college, a mutual connection, or an experience that you share,” LinkedIn says in a statement. Learn and grow Keeping updated and informed about what’s happening in one’s respective industry will not only help them ace job interviews, but also help them spot trends that can lead to a career opportunity, according to the social network. “We all have to start somewhere—be encouraged that we now have many ways to connect to opportunities. Establish yourself as a professional, cultivate a network or community of people, and commit to continuous learning.”

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Life

Toy Kingdom celebrates

Hot Wheels’

50 years

Dmitriy Shakhmatovdesigned Hot Wheels, namely (clockwise) Zoom In, X Wing Fighter Carship, ‘96 Nissan 180SX Type X, Porsche 917 LH, and Aristo Rat.

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EADING toy store Toy Kingdom recently staged the Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary celebration at SM Aura Premier with a special meet and greet with Hot Wheels design manager Dmitriy Shakhmatov.

must-watch YA shows and movies on Netflix

Ah, to be young! From making friends to finding the perfect prom dress and waiting for your crush to walk down the hall, there’s nothing quite like your young adult years.

Relive those years, if you’re past that period, or revel in the joys of being a young adult by watching on Netflix these new and diverse YA television shows and movies that show different sides to coming-of-age stories. Some tackle serious, realistic issues like bullying, selfdiscovery, and struggling to fit in, while others will make you reminisce about high school, first love, and all the craziness.

Hot Wheels design manager Dmitriy Shakhmatov (fourth from left) with Richprime founder Myrna Yao and Sabino Yao-Bate, Toy Kingdom SAVP for marketing Bernie Mamonluk-Chua, and AVP for marketing Pearl Datiles.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

When her secret love letters somehow get mailed to each of her five crushes, Lara Jean finds her quiet high school existence turned upside down.

Insatiable

A bullied teenager turns to beauty pageants as a way to exact her revenge, with the help of a disgraced coach who soon realizes he’s in over his head.

The Kissing Booth

When Elle’s first kiss leads to a forbidden romance with the hottest boy in high school, she risks her relationship with her childhood best friend.

Sierra Burgess Is a Loser

A case of mistaken identity leads to an unexpected romance when an unpopular teen joins forces with the school’s queen bee in order to win the heart of her crush.

The Package

When five teens go on a spring break camping trip, an unfortunate accident sets off a race against time to save their friend’s most prized possession.

Filipino millennials invest in experiences

Atypical

This coming of age story follows Sam, an 18-year-old on the autistic spectrum, as he searches for love and independence. While Sam is on his funny yet emotional journey of self-discovery, the rest of his family must grapple with change in their own lives as they all struggle with the central theme: What does it really mean to be normal?

The Innocents

Runaway teen lovers June and Harry find themselves swept up in a dangerous and confusing world when June begins to display mysterious, shape-shifting abilities.

Shakhmatov, who is also a furniture designer, has been with Hot Wheels since 2014. He said he feels honored to be a part of this prestigious brand, as “Hot Wheels is like a culture on its own that has a 50-year history.” According to Shakhmatov, designing Hot Wheels cars is always an exciting endeavor because it’s a brand that entertains and excites both kids and collectors of all ages. “We do it for the kids, we do it for the collectors so it’s all about fun,” he says. “I don’t call it a toy company; I call it entertainment because we are really here literally to entertain.” In celebration of Hot Wheels’ 50 years in the business, Shakhmatov showcased the Hot Wheels cars that he designed such as ‘96 Nissan 180SX Type X, Aristo Rat DVB16, Porsche 917 LH, X Wing Fighter Carship, and Zoom In.

Riverdale

While navigating the troubled waters of sex, romance, school, and family, Archie and the Riverdale gang become entangled in a dark mystery that threatens their small town.

Studies reveal Filipino millennials are very careful about their financial future.

HOLIDAYS, gadgets, and numerous cups of coffee—to many, these are just some of the things on which millennials splurge. Sure, they may seem to unrestrainedly spend money on these things, but studies show that millennials are actually very careful about their financial future. A study conducted by Nielsen Holdings, Inc. reported that millennials have learned to be more frugal than the generations before them, despite being exposed to more consumer-driven lifestyles. Despite their lavishlooking Instagram accounts, they are more likely to plan their spending than their parents and grandparents, the study says. In addition to being always connected and digitally driven, millennials see themselves as young consumers focused on “buying” personal experiences rather than mere physical objects. As a generation that wants to be in control of what they experience, millennials are always planning, motivated by finding that singular adventure that fits their moods, interests, and personalities. The search for singular experiences with family and friends is pronounced among Filipino millennials. They don’t mind shelling out cash for that next out-of-town trip. In fact, according to a local study conducted by Google Trends in 2017, Filipino millennials are responsible for 52 percent of travel searches, 19 percent of which are attributed to searches on accommodations and attractions. Filipino millennials also seem to take better care of themselves than any previous generation—high up on their list of necessities are purchases that have to do with self-care and their passions. Dining options, arts and entertainment, and hobbies and leisure also showed a 25 percent search growth driven by Filipino millennials, says the same Google Trends study. Filipino millennials know that the flipside of going after unique experiences is financial capability and security. “I want to be able to enjoy myself and still be smart with my money,” said Lester Pile, a long-time BPI Preferred Banking Client. “Banking with BPI has made me realize that I can do both without putting my life on hold.” “Not a lot of banks understand the young people’s need to have the best of both worlds, but now that millennials are known to be more conscious about financial planning, we’ve made it a point for BPI to create personal relationships with them through Preferred Banking,” said Joey Gotuaco, executive vice president of BPI’s Retail Client Segment Group. BPI Preferred Banking gives millennials the opportunity to enjoy themselves, and it empowers them to do the things they want most. Every client with BPI Preferred Banking gets a personalized experience—they are given their own relationship manager, numerous perks at different partner merchants and establishments, and a choice of their own scheme of luxury experiences. Of the perks offered by BPI Preferred Banking client, Pile says what he values the most is the Preferred Lane scheme, where clients may line up for a more convenient banking experience. “I spend less time in the bank, so I get more time to actually live.” “At the end of the day, Filipino millennials spend their money as they see fit,” says Gotuaco. “They want to be able to secure their futures while making the most of their time today.”

Entertainment

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Is Olympian MICHAEL MARTINEZ skating through showbiz?

Gorgeous men in MR. WORLD PH 2018

Mr. World Philippines 2018 candidates in their active wear

By Eton Concepcion

S

IXTEEN official candidates of Mr. World Philippines 2018 pageant were presented to the press at the Vestibule Bar, Resorts World Manila, on Tuesday, presided by Miss World Philippines general manager Bessie Besana and national director Arnold Vegafria.

Mr. World Philippines 2018 serves as a prelude to the ‘search for the world’s most desirable man,’ the Mr. World pageant, which is expecting a record more than a hundred candidates for its 10th edition to be held for the first time in Manila on Jan. 27 next year. The Mr. World Philippines 2018 pageant will also crown two major titlists, Mr. Supranational 2018 and Mr. Eco International 2018. Two other titles will be given out at the finals after franchising agreements are completed.

“This is the right time to harness the collective strength of a united brotherhood of men, a time to take pride in our cultural diversity, to build bridges of cooperation and mutual understanding regardless of race, creed or political persuasion,” Vegafria said at the press event. “This year, as we attempt to mount another pageant spectacle, we shall never lose sight of our main objective, the spirit of charity and compassion, which is the legacy that the Mr. World pageant seeks to perpetuate, as we call on a new breed

of young men to look beyond their vanity and pride and channel their energies to more meaningful and purposeful action,” Vegafria added. The 16 aspirants for the title of Mr World Philippines 2018 are: Joy Jerome Evangelista, Jody Baines Saliba, Karl Louie Aragon, Abdullah Sharif Cheng, Denver Hernandez, Wilfred Placencia Jr., Reymart Regis, Marco Poli, Robin Hanrath, Mark Jero Bagaporo, Miguel De Castro, EmirDon Abbo, Ricardo De Jesus, Joshua Reginald Banatin, Mark Comiso, Ameen Sardouk The Mr. World is the only male world title that has not been won by the Philippines. In its last two editions, the country was represented by Fil-Am John Spainhour and Fil-Iranian Sam Ajdani, in 2016 and 2014, respectively. The finals night will be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila tonight.

KathNiel rules over ABS-CBN TVplus’ new channel WEEKENDS on Jeepney TV are now packed with more excitement as ABS-CBN’s on-going grand audition show Star Hunt and the hit fantaserye La Luna Sangre air on ABS-CBN TVplus’ new channel starting this month. Fresh from the success of The Hows Of Us, box office stars Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla reopens the world of vampires and werewolves in La Luna Sangre, alongside Richard Gutierrez, every Saturday. Malia (Kathryn), a daughter of two legends, is prophesized to be the savior of the two kinds from the evil Sandrino (Richard). But when she fails to show powers as a savior, she flees and faces the world of mortals. Here, she meets Tristan (Daniel) a young man hunting for the vampire who killed his father. Will Malia be the key to the justice Tristan yearns for? Will she return to the world she left behind and re-embrace her destiny according to the prophecy? The third instalment of the hit Imortal trilogy, La Luna Sangre was one of the most watched programs in the country on weeknights and one of the most talked about on social media. It even

Simply... From C4

Phoenix supports athletes to Tokyo 2020 Olympics In culmination of its “Buhayin Ang Laban Para Sa Ginto” donation drive, Phoenix Petroleum has turned over a cash donation amounting to P50 million to Siklab Atleta Pilipinas Sports Foundation on Sept. 7. On Independence Day, Phoenix Petroleum launched the campaign in support of the country’s dream of winning its first ever Olympic gold medal at the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The company pledged to match every

extended viewers experience online by creating a spin off web series on iWant TV titled Youtopia, the Moonchasers.ph website, and the La Luna Sangre filter and game apps. Meanwhile, catch up on real stories of dreams and victories with hosts Alex Gonzaga, Kim Chiu, Melai Cantiveros, and Robi Domingo in Star Hunt, now airing on Jeepney TV every Sunday. Since it began airing in August, Star Hunt has featured interesting and heart-warming perspectives of people who fall in line during auditions, patiently waiting for their turn to show director Lauren Dyogi and the whole country what they’ve got. KathNiel’s journey to love and victory in La Luna Sangre airs every Saturday at 5:00 p.m. beginning Sept. 22, and follow dreams-turned-to-reality in Star Hunt, every Sunday at 8:00 p.m. PM. Jeepney TV is available on ABS-CBN TVplus channel 11, SKYcable channel 9, Destiny Cable Analog 41 and Digital 9.

liter of Phoenix PULSE Technologyblended fuel purchased at Phoenix stations from June 12 to Aug. 12 with a 25-centavo donation to Siklab Atleta. The two-month-long campaign gathered a total of P 25 million from customers who fueled up at Phoenix. Overwhelmed by the support of fellow Filipino motorists, Phoenix Petroleum doubled the amount— making the total amount to be donated P50 million. Siklab Atleta Pilipinas Sports Foundation, Inc. is a private non-profit organization launched in 2017, which aims to bring to life every Filipino athlete’s dream of winning a gold medal in the Olympics. Phoenix Petroleum is one of the top companies in the country who

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, September 15, 2018

ACROSS 1 Flexible 6 Comfy shoe 9 Beach scavengers 14 Take advantage of 15 NW state 16 Sky hunter 17 Copper “rust” 19 Mead subject 20 Nile reptile 21 Sediment 22 Primitive weapon 23 Thigh muscle, in the gym 25 Essences 26 Laughable 29 Fearless Fosdick creator 31 Sand units 32 Tlingit 36 James — Jones 37 Banned pesticide 38 The rain in Spain? 40 Watered down 43 Bully, actually 45 Big steel town 46 Froggy 47 Series opener? 50 Kid in “Aliens” 51 Diameter halves 52 Symphony or tome

54 Large cask 57 Eat away at 58 Whoop it up (2 wds.) 61 Freighter hazards 62 Yea, to a matador 63 Dodge 64 Cash, for instance 65 Well-worn 66 Kayak user DOWN 1 Pumice source 2 “Blue Tail Fly” singer 3 Ground cover 4 Out of sight 5 Yale student 6 Bogged down 7 Garfield’s canine pal 8 One of the Mamas 9 Spreads dirt 10 Europe-Asia divider 11 Quota 12 Raucous divers 13 Pantyhose woe 18 Spiky flowers 23 Porcupine spine 24 40-cup brewer 25 College stat 26 Span in years 27 Wire nail

28 Exotic wrap 29 Tea container 30 Hgt. 33 Gold standard 34 Thickening agent 35 Cell habitants 37 “The,” in Bonn 39 Dined 41 Least fair 42 Just a little 43 More than this? 44 Zippy’s word 47 Merchandise 48 Nose stimuli 49 Long, narrow

hilltop 50 Tossed in the microwave 51 “Fancy” singer 52 Melville title 53 Get boring 54 Consistent with reality 55 Karachi language 56 Moscow turndown 59 Give — — break! 60 Pipe fitting

'La Luna Sangre' lead stars Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo

has pledged to support the projects and initiatives of Siklab Atleta. Through Siklab Atleta, top Filipino athletes will be provided with improved and upgraded training equipment and facilities, coaching services, exposure to international competitions, and scientific training methods to further hone their talents and develop their skills. With 545 retail stations nationwide, Phoenix Petroleum is the leading independent and top three oil company in the country. Earlier this year, it launched Phoenix PULSE Technology, a fuel additive with advanced cleaning and protection properties for enhanced power and acceleration. Phoenix PULSE Technology is available in all fuel grades,

FOR now, Filipino Olympian figure skater Michael Martinez’s skating boots hang by their lonesome. He takes a much needed respite from the grueling, punishing and yes, rewarding world of figure skating. After the Pyeonchang Winter Olympics in South Korea, this young man of twentyone summers targets other possibilities and opportunities. His added poundage looks great on him, my first impression upon seeing the super model tall, Michael. He seems more relaxed, can easily pass as a leading man for an Asian drama because of his interracial looks that is very Japanese Filipino. His congenial vibe becomes more palpable because of his winsome smile and hearty chuckles. He can charm his way, even to the most jaded or snobbish. He does not deny that he was crushed with his 28th overall finish in the Winter Games, “It was a difficult situation,” Michael begins. “You worked so hard for the Olympics, tapos the reality that you did not make the cut, I was really crushed. I had no choice but to pick up myself. You cannot control things. I did a lot of assessment. I realized what I should and must be doing. I became more positive, aim at higher goals and set my life in a different path.” He adds, “I never expected to compete in it since I did not qualify. For five months I did not skate or trained, lived a regular life. I had a job, I was an assistant in a law firm. Suddenly the federation and the Philippine Olympic Committee contacted me and told me that I will be competing in the Olympics after all. With practically no idea how I would do it, I packed my bags and got my skates and quit my job, went back to the ice and trained for two weeks for the Olympics.” Considering the circumstances and the turn out, Martinez believes that is was all for the best and yes, he gave his heart, soul and all during the Pyeongchang games. As of the moment, he is on “break,” studies carefully his options, rest his body from the competition and focuses on exploring what will come his way, be it modeling, media influencing, and guess what, even show business. People always picture Michael as a boy in costume, twirling on ice thus, when he first shared his half naked photo, most of his followers went ballistic. Standing

at 5’11” and with a lean and mean body, modeling for an underwear brand is an ALWIN opportunity that the IGNACIO young man welcomes. “When I first posed my shirtless photo, nagulat ako how people reacted,” Martinez comes clean. “I am happy about it, I will not deny that I am thankful for all the likes.” He maintains his frame by, “I hit the gym for one to two hours every day. I have a program that I follow for my specific body parts, especially the ones that need improvement. Also, I lessen my carbs intake.” He loves to model, “Honestly, I always loved modeling. When I was young, I attended workshops, for ramp modeling, fashion editorial posing. I really don’t mind posing in an underwear, if it is possible.” “I considered it, if the opportunity opens up, I will no mind to try and do something else,” his reply when asked if wants to enter show business. He says he has many showbiz crushes. On top of his crush list is Maris Racal. “I hope her fans won’t mind my having a crush on Maris. I know she is with Iñigo Pascual, if I were to believe the things I read. I am also very much taken. I have an El Salvadorian girlfriend.” A singing career, he also considers since during his wonder years, he attended formal voice lessons. He shares, “I sound good in the shower,” laughing, he adds, “My favorite shower song now is “Dancing On My Own” by Callum Scott, it is dramatic and soulful.” Michael says that retiring from figure skating is the farthest from his mind. He even encourages more people to give it a try, “Figure skating is something that most Filipinos can excel in. We are very artistic as a people and this sport is one great arena to can express that artistry.” He concludes, “Whatever you want to do, be it figure skating, basketball or other fields, don’t go in it halfhearted. Don’t do something because people are doing it. If you want to do this, or something else, you have to give your all.” Michael Martinez’s journey to other worlds has just begun. Let us all embrace and support his new endeavors. He will be in Manila until Oct. 17.

adding value to every peso fueled up at Phoenix Petroleum. Two series on HBO renewed HBO has renewed the comedy series Ballers for a fifth season and Insecure for a fourth season, it was announced by Amy Gravitt, executive vice president, HBO Programming. Exploring the glamorous and often cutthroat world of pro football through a group of past and present players striving to stay in the game, Ballers stars Dwayne Johnson as ex-superstar Spencer Strasmore, who has reinvented himself as a financial manager for today’s players. Created by Stephen Levinson (HBO’s Boardwalk Empire), new episodes of the latest season is currently airing same time

as the U.S. every Monday at 10 a.m. with a same day encore at 11 p.m. exclusively on HBO GO and HBO. Catch up on all past seasons on HBO GO. Insecure follows the friendship of two African American women as they deal with their own real-life flaws while attempting to navigate different worlds and cope with an endless series of uncomfortable everyday experiences. Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Lisa Joyce, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales and Y’lan Noel star in the hit comedy series. New episodes of the latest season is currently airing same time as the U.S. every Monday at 10:30 a.m. with a same day encore at 11:30 p.m. exclusively on HBO GO and HBO.

ARIAS

Filipino Olympian figure skater Michael Martinez

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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Entertainment

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018

Zandra Lim marks 15 years with benefit show DESIGNER Zandra Lim is proof that your journey in life will always take you where you want to be, despite one or two detours. Lim is a BS Pharmacy graduate from the University of Santo Tomas and while she loved being a pharmacist, her love for fashion and design could not be denied. Her atelier Zandra Lim Designs was established in 2003 and since then, Lim has been considered one of the country’s top designers for bridal gowns. Lim studied at the Istituto di Moda Burgo in Milan, Italy, where she took Istilista di Abiti di Sposa (Fashion Design, specializing in Wedding Dress) and also took a course in Textile Effects at the University of the Arts, London-Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design. But beyond these credentials, Lim has extensive experience on working with brides and listening to what they want to wear and how they want their weddings to be. “Every bride wants to wear something special on her wedding day, be it simple, grand, or in between. That is where I come in, to create that special dress

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HE VERY brainWANG child NICKIE of SocioWANG Entrepreneur Dr. Milagros O. How, President and CEO of Universal Harvester, Inc., ToFarm Film Festival is the only advocacy-driven film festival in the country today, with entries showcasing the lives, journeys, trials and triumphs of the Filipino farmer. Now on its third year, the grand kick-off ceremony was held at Novotel Manila in Quezon City on Monday. Dr. How reintroduced the festival’s lineup and announced that the awards night will be held this evening at the Rizal Ballroom, Makati Shangri-la and awards for the Feature Films and the Best Short Films (also collectively to be known as the Derek Maryo Awards), will be given out. The official film entries are currently screening at the SM Megamall, SM Manila, Robinson’s Galleria, Trinoma, Greenbelt 1, and Gateway. There are also provincial screenings in Gaisano Davao, Robinson’s Legazpi and Robinson’s Naga (which only screens 1957, the one film shot in its entirety in Iriga). ToFarm, presented under the co-sponsorship of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, runs until Tuesday, Sept. 18. Here are the official entries: 1957 Written and directed by Hubert Tibi A historical drama, 1957 tackles the struggle, hard work, and hope – even when the very reason for hope is all of a sudden gone. A group of farmers in Bicol are at the mercy of Don Jose, a strict and abusive landlord. 20-year-old Lucio, son of Carding, a former member of the Hukbalahap, their follow corn-growers and respective families, anticipate the arrival of President Ramon Magsaysay in their area, for genuine land reform to take place. But we all know what happened in 1957.

Alimuom Written and directed by Keith Sicat In the future, farming is banned on Earth due to the toxic environment. All agriculture is now done offworld, manned by Outerspace Filipino Workers. The children living under the Mega-Manila Bio Dome no

Constance Wu and Henry Golding in one of the final scenes of 'Crazy Rich Asian' where the Mandarin version of 'Yellow' is played.

and make it a beautiful masterpiece,” said Lim. Elegance is a trademark of any gown that comes from Zandra Lim designs, whether they are haute couture or from the Ready to Wed line. For haute couture, the design of each gown is unique to the bride, her personality and what she wants. Whether the bride wants beading all over her gown or just embroidery, she will get what she wants. The bride will walk down the aisle in a gown that she has envisioned and wished for. Lim’s use of luxurious fabrics is perfect for her unapologetically feminine aesthetic. Intricate detailing and sparkling embellishment make each gown a frame for the wearer’s beauty and elegance. To mark her 15th anniversary as a bridal gown designer, Zandra Lim is giving back with Crystal Bridal Fair at Discovery Primea in Makati City today and tomorrow. Proceeds from the event will go to charity. Crystal aims to generate sales and donations in support of patients who are battling cancer. Admission to Crystal Bridal Fair is free. Door open at 6:00 p.m. today and at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. Crystal Bridal Fair is in partnership with Niceprint,

Designer Zandra Lim (2nd from right) with models wearing her "unique yet wearable" wedding collection

Amantefleurs, Rhed Sarmiento Events, and Discovery Primea and is sponsored by Metrotech Projectors, LST Lights & Sounds, and Pikulyar Photo. For more information, follow https://www.facebook.com/crystalcharityevent/ For more information about Zandra Lim, go to http://zandralimdesigns.com/

Bolder ToFarm Film Fest reels off

longer know what the vegetables in the song “Bahay Kubo” look like… but some scientists and farmers resist; the seeds of rebellion are sown in the barren wastelands of the Philippines.

Mga Anak Ng Kamote Written by John Carlo Pacala and directed by Carlo Catu In fictional Philippines 2048, the humble sweet potato is “regularized” as a part of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. Those unable to control their appetite for the tuber hide off to the boondocks to plant and eat it out of sight of authorities. After being isolated in the mountain for years, a woman travels to the city to look for her husband who is held by the police for selling illegal kamote. The journey leads her to a discovery about the past that may or may not have happened.

Kauyagan Written and directed by Julienne llagan Piyo refuses to accept the responsibilities of being the only son of a Datu from the Talaandig Tribe. He defies his destiny and runs away from home to pursue his dreams of freedom only to find himself behind bars when he is mistaken as a rebel. He finds contentment in anonymity in prison, no matter that the calls of his ancestors echo in his dreams. Back with his people, he discovers certain realities. Will he still be able to deny the destiny of his bloodline?

Tanabata’s Wife Written by Charlson Ong, based on the short story of the same title by Sinai Hamada, directed by Ong and Lito Casaje Early in the 20th century, La Trinidad Valley is home to Japanese immigrant farmers, among them is TanabataSan. He falls in love with his young Bontok farmhand, Fasang. They marry and have a son, Kato. But Fasang falls for a distant cousin, Okdo. They elope and take Kato along. Tanabata loses his will to live, wishing only to see his wife and son one last time. Okdo loses his job and abandons Fasang. She goes to the work camp to dig roads. Tanabata’s aide Tiago sees her and implores her to come home. Will true love find its way? Sol Searching Written and directed by Roman Perez, Jr. This is a story of Sol, a farmer-teacher in a public school near Nueva Ecija. Teacher Sol is dead and cannot be buried because there are no funds. How will the community come forward to put her to rest, this strict and no-nonsense teacher of grade school students and farmers who need to be taught scientific farming methods?

Mandarin cover of Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’ breaks charts on Spotify IT’S been less than a month since Crazy Rich Asians was released in the Philippines (Aug. 22), and the Chinese cover of Coldplay’s 2000 song “Yellow”, which plays over the final scenes of the movie, has reached number one on the Spotify Viral 50 Global and Philippines charts. The single is also number one in the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore Viral 50 charts. Currently, “Yellow” is the No. 2 spot on the local Viral 50 chart. Recorded by Katherine Ho, a

19-year-old Chinese American who competed on the tenth season of The Voice (US), the iconic song almost didn’t make the final cut till the band approved the request within 24 hours of a heartfelt email from Director Jon M. Chu on what the song meant to the Asian community. The song, inspired by Li Wenqi who performed the song on The Voice of China, is also featured on the official Crazy Rich Asians (Original Motion Picture soundtrack) page on Spotify.

Korina Sanchez

Korina’s secret revealed ISAH V. RED

THE youthful glow and amazing physique of veteran broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez-Roxas is the buzz of the entire nation. A svelte and ultra-fit photo of Korina in Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho’s wedding in Paris became an instant worldwide trending topic on social media; people were amazed at her very first mainstream billboard along EDSA with Belo Medical and her consistently well-curated photos uploaded on her official social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram have become an inspiration especially to women her age. Looking young and slim at any age is really possible. Many are wondering what Korina’s secret is in looking and feeling young and fit. Today, one of Korina’s best kept secrets is finally revealed. Essensa Naturale Inc. welcomes Korina to its growing family as the official brand ambassador and formulator of one of its current flagship brands, K BerrySlim Herbal Juice Mix. With a combined local and international membership of over 186,000, Essensa Naturale is a direct selling and multi-level marketing company that manufactures and distributes organic, non-toxic, and all-natural health, beauty, personal, household, and agricultural products. The Dutch proverb “prevention is better than cure” inspired the company’s mission and vision in offering consumers quality products that will aid them in having better lives. Jam-packed with all-natural ingredients such as Mangosteen, Acai Berry, Garcinia Cambogia, and L-Carnatine, K BerrySlim is a delicious and refreshing dietary supplement that is perfect for weight loss programs. It boosts energy and converts fat into energy, making it the perfect beverage for health conscious and dieting individuals like Korina. “I take K BerrySlim on an empty stomach 30 minutes to an hour before breakfast,” says Korina. “It is the perfect partner to my daily workout routines because, aside from the fact that this drink is very filling, it also helps my body burn the fats I consume. I actively participated in designing the formulation. It has to have ingredients that helps burn fat, won’t add too much calories, and keeps you young and energetic and is delicious at the same time.” Korina also reveals that K BerrySlim is one of the major reasons why she looks so youthful, fresh, and vibrant. “I’ve been drinking K BerrySlim for quite a while now as a test of the brand and I immediately saw very noticeable results not only in my figure but on how I feel after taking it for 90 days straight. I feel energized and revitalized despite my very hectic and busy schedule,” says Korina. With regular exercise, the right diet, and K BerrySlim Korina explains that having an amazing figure and a healthy body is an attainable reality for every person regardless of age, class, and gender. “Health is wealth. We should all take care of our bodies and live healthy lives. K BerrySlim is affordable and effective. Drinking it every day is probably one of best investments I ever did for my body,” says Korina. For more information on K BerrySlim visit www.esensanaturale.org and like Essensa Naturale Inc. on Facebook. Continued on C3