Manila Standard - 2019 January 6 - Sunday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXXII • NO. 325 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BATOCABE SLAY: 2 MORE SUSPECTS SURRENDER

1.2K MMDA MEN FAN OUT FOR FEAST OF NAZARENE By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metro Manila Development Authority has announced it will begin today the deployment of at least 1,200 personnel in preparation for the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila on Jan. 9. The MMDA men, according to Chairman Danilo Lim, are all set to provide traffic and emergency assistance during the annual procession of the Black Nazarene which is expected to draw 13 to 15 million devotees. Of the 1,200 men, 350 will be deployed today for the procession of Black Nazarene replicas scheduled Monday, and the traditional “Pahalik” or kissing of the image at the Quirino Grandstand on Tuesday. Turn to A2

CATHEDRAL AT NIGHT.

In the runup to Epiphany today, the Neo-Romanesque-Byzantine Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Manila Cathedral, in the capital’s Intramuros district, literally gleams with scintillating lights from dusk to shortly before sunrise. It was 1521 when Catholicism arrived in the Philippines. Contributed Photo

BUDGET CHIEF FACES HOUSE 'HOT SEAT'

By Maricel V. Cruz

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019

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PUBLIC TEACHERS HIT DELAY IN SALARY INCREASE

3RD MOST WANTED BIFF MEMBER ARRESTED DAVAO CITY—Police arrested a “most wanted” member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter at a checkpoint in the Compostela Valley town of Pantukan Friday afternoon. Chief Insp. Jason Baria, spokesman of the Police Regional Office 11, said Cristobal Dimpo Jikiri, also known as Ustadz Gulam Jikiri, is listed as the third most wanted BIFF member in the region. Baria said Jikiri, 71, is a Davao Oriental-based member of the BIFF, a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Jikiri, who is wanted for murder, was heading back to Davao Oriental when he was arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay Tambongon, Pantukan. Before the arrest, police said Jikiri was sighted several times at his brother’s residence in Tambongon. Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, PRO-11 director, said the arrest of Jikiri was part of the government’s continuous campaign against terrorist elements. Morales noted that police units in the region have been carrying out arrest warrants against wanted persons, even during the holiday season. Two hours before New Year’s Eve, police arrested murder suspects Robert Calipsan, Jobert Dinglasa Calipsan, and Jeccris Calipsan Dinglasa in Digos City. On Thursday, Davao City policemen also arrested 18 persons wanted for various crimes. PNA

BOMBING SUSPECTS. The images of the two Cotabato bombing suspects extracted from closedcircuit television footage were released by the police on Saturday. The duo were seen placing the second bomb inside the South Seas Mall before the initial blast that ripped through the mall’s facade along Don Rufino Alonzo St. on Dec. 31. Photo courtesy of Cotabato City Police Office

IMAGES OF 2 BLAST SUSPECTS RELEASED

OTABATO CITY—Police on Friday night released the images of two suspects captured on closed-circuit television as they placed the second improvised bomb inside the South Seas Mall minutes before an initial bomb exploded on Dec. 31 as the city government offered half a million pesos in bounty for the arrest of the suspects.

The bombing left two people dead and injured 34 others. At a news conference, Sr. Supt. Oliver Enmodias, head of the Special Investigation Task Group South Seas, presented to the media the two images of suspects—one about 25 to

30 years old and the other, about 50 to 60 years old. Retired police Supt. Rolen Balquin, city civil security chief, said the local government of Cotabato has offered a P500,000 cash reward for anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of the suspects. “They were captured on CCTV placing a bag beside a Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office lotto outlet adjacent to the baggage counter at the second floor of South Seas Mall,” Enmodias said. Bomb experts discovered the improvised bomb at the second floor while conducting clearing operations after the first blast that ripped through the main entrance of the mall along Don Rufino Alonzo St. “They were clearly captured by CCTV and we have strong evidence they were behind the bombing,” Enmodias said. PNA

MINDANAO LEADERS OPPOSE INCLUSION IN BANGSAMORO By Ayunan Grande Gunting TWO Mindanao political leaders are advocating the “no” vote to the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the forthcoming plebiscites. Lanao del Norte Rep. Khalid Dimaporo said his province is not part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which he said failed to govern itself professionally and deliver its promises of improving the quality of life of its constituents. The proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao might just be a continuation of the old ARMM system, Dimaporo said. Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani likewise said leaders from various sectors oppose the creation of the new region. The first plebiscite day is scheduled on Jan. 19 in ARMM, Cotabato and Isabela cities. The second voting day will be held on Feb. 6 in Lanao del Norte (except for Iligan City) and North Cotabato. Dimaporo said he is not in favor of an independent government which lacks transparency and accountability, shows biases for ethnic groups and implements Islamic-based laws that are practiced in

Kiyoshi Kimura (right), president of sushi restaurant chain SushiZanmai, displays a 278-kg bluefin tuna at his main restaurant in Tokyo on Jan. 5. Kimura paid a record $3.1 million for the giant tuna as Tokyo’s new fish market, which replaced the world-famous Tsukiji late last year, held its first pre-dawn New Year’s auction. AFP

HOUSE Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. on Saturday said his committee would invite to its next hearing Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and incorporators of Aremar Construction Corp. to shed light on the alleged irregularities in the national budget. Now that Diokno and the people behind Aremar Construction have begun talking to the media to address the issues raised during the House public hearing in Naga City, Andaya said it was his duty to Turn to A2

other Muslim countries which are too harsh for the local culture. “We don’t want to take a chance,” he said. “Bangsamoro might be a repeat of ARMM.” The solon cited Marawi, Lanao del Sur as an example of long years of neglect that resulted in the penetration of the Maute and ISIS terrorist groups “The MILF wanted to create the Bangsamoro. They didn’t address the national power. Everything will be controlled by the local government units. It merely adds another layer of bureaucracy,” he said. “Bangsamoro will be having a system of kanya-kanyang mundo (to each to his own). The LGUs can have their Internal Revenue Allotment, the congressman can get funds from the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the regional government will get the block grant. Money will be spent the way they please. Projects will overlap. How do you account for them? That was the problem with ARMM which ended up with ghost projects.” “We don’t want to be a part of that system. We’d rather deal with Malacañang than deal with another layer of bureaucracy,” Dimaporo said.

SHOW OF FAITH. Teen devotee Juliana Umali rubs face towels of churchgoers on her family’s replica of the Black Nazarene after a Mass at the Basilica Minor de Nazareno at Manila’s Quiapo district days before the ‘Traslacion 2019’. Ey Acasio

THE Alliance of Concerned Teachers slammed the delay of the 4th tranche of the salary adjustment for public school teachers, which should have taken effect on Jan. 1. ACT national chairperson Joselyn Mar tinez said as per Budget chief Benjamin Diokno, the delay in the salary increase, while it can be implemented retroactively, was due to the failure of the Congress to pass the 2019 proposed budget. “This is another concrete manifestation of how ordinary Filipinos, such as public school teachers like us, are made to bear the brunt of the rift among Duterte’s cohorts in the bureaucracy. The miniscule increase in our salaries from the Salary Standardization Law has n ow b e e n h e l d h o s t a g e pending the resolution of billions-wor th of budget issues,” Martinez said. “These delays could not have come at a worse time, what with the fuel tax hike a n d t h e i n c re a s e i n t h e prices of utilities because of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. It is time Diokno and the rest of the Duterte administration admit the failure and criminality of TRAIN, which is now being exposed as just another source of funding for corruption within the bureaucracy.” She also called on Diokno to “drop the pretense” in being responsive to the needs of public school teachers. “Sec. Joke-No has earned himself a reputation of being anti-teacher and antipeople. Do not use us and our interests to further your ‘Build, Build, Build’ agenda,” Martinez said. ACT has renewed its call for the immediate implementation of a substantial salary increase, saying the additional P500/month from SSL barely covers the losses in the real value of teachers’ salary due to inflation. The group is calling for a P30,000 salary for Teacher I, P31,000 for Instructor I, and P16,000 for salary grade 1 employees. ACT also urged President Rodrigo Duterte to order a P3,000 increase in the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance for public school teachers.

TUNA FETCHES RECORD $3.1M TOKYO—A Japanese sushi entrepreneur paid a record $3.1 million for a giant tuna Saturday as Tokyo’s new fish market, which replaced the world-famous Tsukiji late last year, held its first pre-dawn New Year’s auction. Bidding stopped at a whopping 333.6 million yen for the enormous 278-kilogram fish— an endangered species—that was caught off Japan’s northern coast. Self-styled “Tuna King” Kiyoshi Kimura paid the top price, which doubled the previous record of 155 million yen also paid by him in 2013. “It’s the best tuna. I was able to buy a delicious, super fresh tuna,” the sushi restaurant chain owner proudly told reporters.

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“The price was higher than originally thought, but I hope our customers will eat this excellent tuna,” Kimura said after the auction. Tsukiji—the world’s biggest fish market and a popular tourist attraction in an area packed with restaurants and shops—moved in October to Toyosu, a former gas plant a bit further east. Opened in 1935, Tsukiji was best known for its pre-dawn daily auctions of tuna, caught from all corners of the world, for use by everyone from top Michelin-star sushi chefs to ordinary grocery stores. Especially at the first auction of the new year, wholesalers and sushi tycoons have been known to pay eye-watering prices for the

biggest and best fish. Despite the relocation, the auction ritual remained intact: before dawn, buyers in rubber boots were inspecting the quality of the giant fresh and frozen tunas by examining the neatly cut tail end with flashlights and rubbing slices between their fingers. At 5:10 am, handbells rang to signal the auction was under way and the air filled with the sound of auctioneers yelling prices at buyers, who raised fingers to indicate interest. In a roar of wholesalers surrounding the day’s best tuna, an auctioneer hammered the top price as the Kimura side outbid his rival wholesaler in a thrilling head-to-head battle. AFP

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By Francisco Tuyay and Maricel V. Cruz

HE two remaining suspects in the twin murder of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and security escort SP01 Orlando Diaz on Dec. 22 surrendered separately to police in Masbate and Bicol Saturday, hours after self-confessed gunman Henry Yuson linked Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo into the killings following his surrender. This brings the number of six prime suspects now in police custody. Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said suspects Rolando Arimado, alias RR, yielded in Masbate at 7 a.m. Saturday while Danilo Muella, alias Manoy Dan, surrendered past midnight on the same day. “This latest development is expected to complete the puzzle in uncovering the truth behind this double murder and multiple frustrated murder case,” the PNP chief said in a statement. Arimado, a rebel-returnee, was tagged as look-out and back-up gunman in the assassination. Muella, another trusted security aide of Baldo, surrendered to the Regional Intelligence Office 5 at 1 a.m. Saturday.

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He was identified as the suspect who purchased two cal.45 pistols used in the murder. Aside from Arimado and Muella, four other suspects are in police custody— Christopher Naval alias Tuping, Emmanuel Rosello alias Boboy, Henry Yuson alias Romel, and Jaywin Babor alias Gie. A key witness, Emmanuel Bonita Judavar, has also provided investigators with what investigators described as relevant information regarding the case from planning to execution stages. Albayalde noted that only one among the seven indicted suspects had yet to surrender, Baldo, tagged as the mastermind who allegedly contracted the services of the gunmen in September 2018 to assassinate Batocabe. Turn to A2

ARREST OKADA, COURT ORDERS NBI, POLICE By Rey Requejo JAPANESE gaming mogul and pachinko king Kazuo Okada has been ordered arrested by a Parañaque City Regional Trial Court to face charges of embezzlement involving more than $3 million in funds of the posh Okada Manila casino resort. In a warrant issued on Friday by Judge Rolando How of Paranaque City RTC Branch 257, the National Bureau of Investigation Turn to A2 Kazuo Okada

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LABOR ALLOTS P10M TO BICOL STORM VICTIMS

CALAMITY-HIT AREAS GET PRIORITY—RODY

By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Labor and Employment has set aside P10 million for emergency employment for around 3,000 affected workers displaced by Typhoon ''Usman'' in Bicol Region. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the initial amount was intended to provide displaced workers and their families with immediate short-term income support under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD). “Most of the affected families of Typhoon Usman were farmers and farm workers, and we aim to provide immediate assistance to these affected workers by giving them temporary incomesupport while still coping up with the devastation brought by the typhoon,” Bello said. Under the TUPAD Program, beneficiaries will be provided with emergency employment in the form of 10-day community work with a minimum salary of P305.00 a day. The Labor secretary also said the DoLE’s rapid profiling of displaced workers in priority areas including Sangay, Camarines Sur and in Tiwi, Albay, is still ongoing to further reach more workers affected by the calamity. Bello joined President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday in visiting devastated areas in Bicol to determine the needed assistance of affected communities. Various assistance programs are also available to the displaced workers including skills training, livelihood assistance, as well as the provision of grants and loans to help them recover.

By Vito Barcelo

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte urged his economic planners to prioritize other regions in terms of infrastructure projects and give less importance to Davao, his home province, so that people would not say something against his administration. “I told the planners, Dominguez and Pernia to prioritize [other regions]... Never mind us. Make this place the last, if there is...” Duterte said during birthday celebration of Atty. Francis Tolentino last Thursday. He said Mindanao did not suffer

any serious calamities and had not been usually hit by typhoons, which he described as the number one enemy of agriculture. “...if we can have peace in this generation, maybe the next, our children would not suffer so much hardship.

I think we have to really find a way,” he said. “You’d notice that we from Davao [still have] everything in the blueprint. But that is really scheduled on the last may be years of my term, and you will just learn if we still have funds for the projects,” Duterte said. “I just want to assure you that we are governing for all Filipinos. I am no longer a politician. I cannot run anymore. And after this, I do not even know what I should or will be doing,” the President told the guests. Also during the event, Duterte called on the people of Mindanao to support the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the upcoming plebiscite, which he said was an important

ARREST...

From A1

BUDGET...

From A1

give Diokno and others implicated in the alleged anomalies in the preparation of the national budget to give them the proper forum. “I have instructed the House rules committee to send formal invitation to Secretary Diokno and the incorporators of Aremar Construction Corp. so they can appear as resource persons in our next hearing,” Andaya said on Saturday. The incorporators to be invited include Mayor Edwin Hamor of Casiguran, Sorsogon, the biggest stockholder; company president Maria Minez Hamor; Martin Aber Sicat; Maria Charisma Sicat; Romeo “Jojo” Sicat Jr.; and Edmon Bautista. Andaya, chairman of the House committee on rules, said his committee, would also invite Romeo Sicat’s wife, Charlotte Justin, who is a daughter of Diokno. The panel, Andaya said, also expected the presence of Mayor Hamor’s wife, Ester, who is vice governor of Sorsogon province. “I can assure those invited as resource persons that the House rules committee will allow them to speak freely so they can clarify the issues linking them to the flood control scam,” Andaya said. At the same time, the Hamors assailed Andaya for “employing scare tactics” in threatening to file a plunder case against the officers of the construction company owned by Mayor Hamor’s daughter. In a statement sent to news desks, Hamor’s lawyer Ryan Filgueras scored Andaya for “maliciously dragging the name of the mayor’s wife, Sorsogon Vice Governor Ester Hamor, who is the mother-in-law of the daughter of Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.” “Aremar Construction is not owned by Esther Hamor, the in-law of Diokno. She does not own even a single share of stock,” Filgueras said. Hamor’s daughter Maria, who is his child out of wedlock before he married Esther, owns Aremar. “It seems that the good congressman is trying to employ scare tactics on my client who has not committed anything wrong except that he has an accidental relation by affinity to his real target—Secretary Ben Diokno,” he added. Andaya claimed to be in possession of bank transaction receipts showing that Aremar received more than P50 million as share in flood control projects for Casiguran. The lawmaker claimed that front contractors or dummies were used by Aremar. Filgueras, however, rejected Andaya’s claim that a crime had been committed. “The use of ‘dummies,’ assuming it's true, is not a predicate crime of plunder because there is no malversation of funds, no acceptance of a bribe by a government official, no misappropriation of government assets, no establishment of a monopoly and no taking advantage of official position,” he said.

component of the government’s push for lasting peace in the south. “I hope and I pray that something good will come out of the BOL. Though the plebiscite is forthcoming, we have every reason to believe that it would pass the people’s will and I hope we could have peace because if not it will be hard for us,” Duterte said. The President said that if the BOL did not make it, he would just dedicate the remainder of his term in addressing violence in Mindanao. Once ratified, the BOL will pave the way for the replacement of the ARMM with an MILF-led Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

AT THE READY. NCRPO Chief Guillermo Eleazar leads the inspection of the Quirino Grandstand at bayside Luneta in Manila where the annual procession honoring the Black Nazarene would start. Police have set up security measures for expected millions of devotees, who will participate in the nearly 6-kilometer procession that will end up in Quiapo. Norman Cruz

BATOCABE... From A1 A witness in the investigation of the slay claimed Baldo was anxious he might not win the mayoral elections in May against the congressman. According to Mariz Umali’s report on “State of the Nation with Jessica Soho” which was beamed nationwide, Emmanuel Judavar, reportedly part of the planning of the slay, was now considered a witness in the case. In a related development: • A lawmaker from the Visayas on Saturday lauded the PNP under Albayalde for the prompt investigation and resolution of the murder. But Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento noted that this case should stand legal scrutiny when cases had been finally filed against the alleged mastermind and his accomplices. “We want justice for Congressman Batocabe. We appreciate the swift action of the PNP in solving this case but the next thing to do now is make sure that the mastermind and his cohorts

1.2K MMDA... From A1 “On the main event, 850 personnel will be positioned at the vicinity of the Grandstand, Quiapo Church, and along the route of ‘Andas’ for the safety of the millions of devotees,” said Lim. In a related development: • Environmentalist group Ecowaste Coalition on Saturday appealed to the so-called “Epaliticos” or candidates for the upcoming polls not to take advantage of the Feast this week to score political gains. Epaliticos is a merger of the words “epal” and politicians. Epal is street slang for the Filipino term mapapel or one who craves attention, takes credit for other people’s work, or needlessly meddle in their affairs. Ecowaste appealed to candidates and politicians to honor the sanctity of the Traslacion and avoid using it as a

should be arrested and convicted. We’ve seen so many cases that were eventually dismissed because the evidence presented by the police was not good enough,” Sarmiento said. Sarmiento said Baldo had denied any involvement in the killing and would definitely challenge the PNP’s allegations once the case was filed in court. This, as the PNP should ensure that it has all the necessary evidence for the swift and proper prosecution of all alleged suspects, Sarmiento said, adding the suspects should be immediately arrested and brought to court. “Anything short is not justice. The PNP must make sure that the perpetrator of this dastardly act is immediately arrested and convicted. It must not make any room that would allow the mastermind and his minions to post bail because the case is weak,” Sarmiento said. Albayalde said Arimado was shuttled to the Bicol mainland after he turned himself in to the police in Masbate. He was then taken into custody

platform for premature campaigning for the May 2019 polls. “We urge our politicians to show respect to the time-honored commemoration of the Traslacion by not putting up tarpaulins and distributing leaflets and other promotional materials, which will only turn into ugly litter,” said Ecowaste zero campaigner Daniel Alejandre. “Epalitikos, please restrain yourselves. Traslacion is not the time to draw attention to yourselves,” he added. The MMDA contingent will come from different units identified to help the city government of Manila in maintaining peace and order during the feast. The agency’s Western Traffic Enforcement Division shall be in-charge of managing traffic in the designated route of the procession and alternative route for motorists while the Road Safety Unit is tasked to install traffic cones and barriers at Luneta and processional route. Sidewalk Clearing Group personnel, on the other hand, will provide crowd control personnel during the “Pahalik”

and the Philippine National Police were directed to present Okada and co-accused Takahiro Usui to court. Both accused were earlier indicted by prosecutors of the Department of Justice on three counts of estafa, punishable under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code. Judge How has set the bail at P348,000 for each of the accused for their temporary liberty. In three separate criminal information filed by DoJ prosecutors on Dec. 28, Okada and Usui were accused of “conspiring, confederating and mutually helping one another” in the unauthorized disbursements of Okada Manila funds between November 2016 and May 2017. In a resolution in early December, Assistant State Prosecutor Ajejandro Daguiso found Okada liable to face trial for estafa arising from a complaint filed by Tiger Resort Leisure & Entertainment Inc., owner of the hotel resort in Parañaque. Okada was TRLEI’s chief executive officer until mid-2017. TRLEI accused Okada of illegal disbursement of company funds amounting to $3.145 million (around P167 million) purportedly as his consultancy fees and salaries during his tenure as CEO through his accomplice Usui, then TRLEI president. Said disbursements were not authorized by the TRLEI board. In his December resolution, Daguiso dismissed Okada’s defenses as unconvincing. “(Okada’s) defenses are now appropriately matters of evidence to be proven in a full-blown trial,” he said in the resolution. Daguiso also indicted Usui for conspiracy in the commission of the offense.

under heavy guard by operatives of Albay and Masbate Police Provincial Office after negotiation through his wife and son. Muella, on the other hand, surrendered to the Regional Intelligence Office-5 at about 1 a.m. Saturday. Albayalde provided no specific details on the testimonies of Arimado and Muella to investigators surrounding the circumstances behind the murder. Instead, Albayalde said, “This latest development is expected to complete the puzzle in uncovering the truth behind this double murder and multiple frustrated murder case.” In his expose, Judavar told investigators he was part of the group that planned the initial stages in the killing of Batocabe in August 2018, but he backed out when execution time came. Christopher Naval, alias Tuping, a trusted security aide of Baldo followed through, claiming the mayor offered P5 million for the job to kill Batocabe in September 2018 and paid an initial P250,000 intended for the purchase of guns and motorcycles. A day thereafter, Emmanuel Ro-

sello, alias Boboy, Jaywin Babor and lately Henry Juson surfaced and made vital disclosure on the circumstances behind the kill plot. Yuson unleashed an earthshaking disclosure when he accused Baldo as the one who ordered him to kill Batocabe. While the PNP has named Baldo as the mastermind, Sarmiento said police had yet to arrest the suspect. He said the PNP should act quickly in filing a case against Baldo and ensure that their case could stand any legal scrutiny. Sarmiento said any delay in Baldo’s indictment while the media were feasting on this issue could muddle the integrity of the case. “Real police work requires solid police investigation and evidence gathering because in the end, the court will decide on the basis of the evidence presented to them,” Sarmiento said. Sarmiento added that the case of Batocabe would hopefully prompt the PNP to revisit other unsolved murder cases involving other political personalities.

while the Metro Parkway Clearing unit is tasked to manage road clearing of any form of obstruction particularly garbage at the Luneta Parade Ground and roads along the 5.9 -ilometer procession route. “Street sweepers will immediately clear roads of all types of clutter,” said Lim. The Emergency and Medical assistance shall be rendered by the MMDA Road Emergency Group and Public Safety Division while monitoring and communication will be handled by the Metrobase. “Emergency teams will be deployed at the Grandstand and along the route of the procession to assist those who would be injured,” said Lim. Ferry boats of the Pasig River Ferry Service will also be placed on standby at Jones Bridge in Manila City. Traffic mobile patrols, ambulances, road emergency vehicles, mobile surveillance and communication units and other necessary equipment and vehicles will also be dispatched.

Lim urged motorists and the commuting public to take note of the roads to be temporarily closed for the grand procession which will start at the Quirino Grandstand and end up at the Quiapo Church. The route of the Grand Procession of the Black Nazarene will be from the Quirino Grandstand to Katigbak Drive thru P. Burgos, left to Taft Ave. thru Jones Bridge, right to Dasmarinas St., right to Plaza Sta. Cruz St; left to Carlos Palanca st. under Quezon Bridge, left to Quezon Blvd., right to Arlegui st., right to Fraternal st., right to Vergara st., left to Duque de Alba st., left to Castillejos st., left to Farnecio st., right to Arlegui st., left to Nepomuceno st. (counterflow), left to Aguila st., right to Carcer st., right to Hidalgo thru Plaza del Carmen, left to Bilibid Viejo thru Puyat, left to Guzman st., right to Hidalgo st., left to Baustista (Barbosa) st., right to Globo de Oro thru under Quezon Bridge, right to Palanca st., right to Villalobos thru Plaza Miranda to Quiapo Church.

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DU30 WANTS TO CONSTRUCT DURABLE EVACUATION CENTERS

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered government officials to speed up the construction of durable evacuation centers and housing units to ensure that there will be no disruption of classes in the aftermath of calamities. In a situational briefing after his aerial inspection in the aftermath of Tropical Depression “Usman” in Camarines Sur on Friday, Duterte said he wants the planned evacuation centers to be made up of concrete in order to ensure its durability in times of calamity. “It has to be a concrete... I would not be satisfied with ‘yung mga kahoy-kahoy lang (if it’s only made up of wood). They will be the first to go if the winds come. This is quite a novelty of

recent times because walang hangin, puro tubig (there are no winds, just purely rainfall). So nakita ko kanina (I saw it), it has become a huge lake,” he said. The President said he wants these buildings to be used solely as evacuation centers and avoid using schools in the conduct of relief operations by government agencies during disaster times. “Every typhoon, calamity that would need the evacuation of people, the public schools really suffer. And also it disturbs the system. It causes an aberration rather in the schooling of children... These [planned evacuation centers] can only be used for evacuation purposes and to keep the people safe and not to disturb the resumption of the governmental functions that we have, the ministrant schooling and everything na hindi makakaistorbo in this area (so areas affected will not be disturbed),” he said. In the same briefing, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año

said the construction of local and regional evacuation centers in landslide- and typhoonprone areas is their priority. “Our priorities would be the construction of local evacuation centers, aside from the regional evacuation centers to be constructed by the DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways], particularly in the eastern seaboard of our country where about 15 to 20 typhoons visit every year,” Año said. Late in December, “Usman” lashed parts of Bicol, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon Province), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), and Eastern Visayas. Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed that the calamity damaged the Bicol region immensely, particularly Albay and Camarines Sur, where heavy rains resulted in flash floods and landslides affecting more than 23,000 families, with at least 122 deaths, and 28 reported as missing. PNA

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FIL-AM SAVANT, TEAM INVENT METHOD TO DETECT MALARIA EARLY VERY soon, the diagnosis of malaria would be made easier and more effective, thanks to a team of researchers led by a Filipino-American scientist. Rhoel Dinglasan, an infectious diseases researcher from University of Florida and his team, have invented a “saliva-based” contraption that “detects malaria before symptoms appear.” The “non-invasive spit test” simply requires individuals to provide saliva samples, instead of going to a clinic to have their blood drawn by a medical professional, according to Dinglasan. “The diagnostic test detects female parasites circulating in an infected human who is asymptomatic but is carrying the parasite and likely to come down with malaria within a week,” he said in news release on the UF website. “In some areas of the world, the parasites have acquired a mutation and are therefore no longer detected by the blood-based tests,” Dinglasan added. The Fil-American scientist said the test detects “an essential protein the parasite needs for survival, which should avoid the problem of mutation and keep the test effective long-term.” Dinglasan’s team began working on the invention in 2014 after receiving funding from Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Dinglasan worked with 24 researchers to develop the study and test its efficacy with over 300 children in Cameroon, Zambia and Sierra Leone.

BOC SEIZES FOUR LUXURY CARS AT CEBU PORT By Vito Barcelo

SITUATION BRIEFING. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte conducts a situation briefing with members of his Cabinet and local government officials to discuss disaster response measures in the aftermath of Tropical Depression ‘Usman’ at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur on Jan. 4, 2019. Presidential Photo

LOCSIN, US NAT’L SECURITY EXEC BOLTON TACKLE PH-US TIES FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. met with United States National Security Advisor John Bolton to “deepen” Philippines-US ties. According to the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC, the two officials recognized the role of the two nations’ alliance in maintaining regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

This is the first time Locsin met with Ambassador Bolton since he became the Philippines’ top diplomat. Locsin said the meeting was “vastly enlightening, frank, wideranging yet sharply focused on the key issues.” The meeting comes a week after the Department of National Defense called for the

review of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines. Last week, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana called for the MDT’s review to see if it is still relevant to the Philippines’ “national interest.” Former Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lauro Baja agreed that

the 1951 MDT must undergo reassessment to determine whether or not the pact is still attuned to current regional and global dynamics. “For the Philippines, the review will provide the opportunity to re-examine and clarify the degree and depth of US commitment to defend us, including the area of coverage of the Treaty.” PNA

PARTY-LIST SOLON URGES DBM TO RELEASE P3.9-B INP RETIREES PENSION DIFFERENTIAL

By Maricel V. Cruz

A LEGISLATOR on Saturday asked the Department of Budget and Management to immediately release the P3.9 billion needed to equalize the pensions of retired Philippine National Police and the defunct Integrated National Police. In a statement, Party-list Rep. Francisco Datol of Senior Citizen, said allowing the case “to drag on any further would only convey the image of a DBM that is heartless and relentless against old, weak and dying former policemen cast aside after they have served the country. Do not wait for another retiree to die without receiving their due benefits.” The Court of Appeals earlier upheld the ruling of Branch 32 of the Regional Trial Court in Manila that the government should immediately pay the pension differential of the INP retirees.

The CA Special 14th Division ruled: “The appropriation law is clear that the release of funds shall be based on the list of eligible INP retirees with the corresponding computation of their respective retirement benefits and pension, duly authenticated by the PNP, which shall be submitted to the DBM for validation of the computed benefits... Likewise, the PNP and DBM need not await the verification from GSIS before releasing the funds.” “Considering the INP retirees’ advance years, they can hardly afford another protracted proceeding and the courts should frown upon any attempt to deprive them of the fruits of the final and executory verdict.” The DBM and the PNP questioned the RTC order which applied the list of INP retirees and their respective pension amounts submitted by PNP for implementation of the pension payment.

TOWED. An illegally-parked vehicle is towed away from the Basilica Minor de Nazareno, at Manila’s Quiapo district days before the annual feast procession dubbed as ‘Traslacion 2019.’ Ey Acasio

THE Bureau of Customs seized four high-end luxury cars, including a sports car worth millions of pesos declared as car body at the Port of Cebu. Cebu Port district collector Elvira Cruz said the discovered four units of luxury motor vehicles arrived from Japan and was contained in container vans. The luxury cars were found after the BOC conducted 100 percent physical examination following information that the shipment was misdeclared. The slightly-used vehicles was imported by Kylemelan General Merchandise with office address at Malabon City but arrived at the Port of Cebu last December and declared as a one-piece car body for decoration. “After undergoing X-ray inspection, the scanning image of the shipment, however, exhibited that the same actually contained four completely-build up motor vehicles,” she said. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service requested for the issuance of alert order against the shipment for suspected act of misdeclaration under Section 1400 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. The smuggled cars include a Range Rover Evoque, a Porsche 911, a Mercedes-Benz, and one Alfa Romeo. The BOC will file charges against the importers while the shipment will be confiscated.

SMUGGLED ‘MEDS’ INTERCEPTED AT NAIA 2 By Joel E. Zurbano GOVERNMENT agents on Friday foiled an attempt of two Chinese nationals to smuggle assorted medicines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The foreigners, identified as Zhang Xin and Huang Wen Cong, concealed the assorted Chinese pharmaceutical products weighing eight kilograms in plastic bags and brought the items without the necessary permits from the Food and Drug Administration. Customs personnel assigned at the NAIA Terminal 2 International Arrival area noticed the images of medicines when they placed the foreigners’ luggages on X-ray scanning machine. NAIA Customs collector Carmelita Talusan warned air travelers that importation and exportation of pharmaceutical products without FDA clearance is a violation of Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 in relation to provisions of RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. “Port of NAIA with our vigilant frontliners and X-ray machines in place will continue to protect the borders against entry and exit of prohibited goods and regulated goods without necessary permits,” she said. Meanwhile, Talusan vowed that there would be no pork or other meat products brought by passengers that would not be detected by Customs personnel.

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News PUBLIC TEACHERS HIT DELAY IN SALARY INCREASE

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Opinion

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

SOUNDS OF SCIENCE

SYMBOLIC UNITY IN EPIPHANY

URIED under heaps of a continuing gift-giving tradition of Christmas for uncountable scores is the stamp on the symbol of Three Kings Day which falls today, 12 days after the celebrated birth of Jesus Christ.

The celebration falls on January 6 this year, the Sunday after New Year’s Day. In previous decades, Filipinos celebrated this religious holiday on January 6, whatever day it was, until the Vatican Council reset the date to the Sunday after New Year’s Day. Thus, Yuletide in this predominantly Christian

nation of 106 million people, which began with the first Advent Sunday in November, ends today on the Feast of Epiphany. The Epiphany season, also known as Epiphanytide, is in some churches recognized as a liturgical period following Christmastide, and begins on the day of the Epiphany and ends on various dates as defined by those churches. This is where at times the confusion lies. Some count 12 days from December 25, while others begin the count on December 26, with the 12th Night—when the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem—as falling on January 6. These three kings, also referred to as the three wise men, had, according to tradition, a mission to go to Bethlehem and they followed the star that showed them the way to see the

PECIER DECIERDO

THE SCIENCE OF BUILDING HABITS

newly born Jesus. On arrival, the three offered three gifts: gold, incense and myrrh. Epiphany or Theophany, celebrated since the end of the second century, is the Christian tradition that marks the revelation of the “Son of God” in the form of a human and remembers as well his baptism. The three—Melchior, from Europe; Balthasar, from Africa; and Caspar, from the Middle East— followed the star of Bethlehem to meet the baby Jesus. What is obviously forgotten in the celebration of this mysterious visit is the symbolic unity of the event, which is penetratingly absorbing, regardless of religious undercurrents, done at a time when war left in ruins much of civilization.

IT IS once again the season for making resolutions. For those of us who make New Year’s resolutions, we know how hard it is to stick to them and achieve our goals. According to studies done by researchers from the University of Scranton, only 8 percent of people achieve their New Year’s goals. Meanwhile, the data collected by the social media Strava on users’ commitments to exercising shows that most people quit their New Year’s resolutions by January 12. What science-based tricks can we use to increase the chances that we stick to our New Year’s resolutions and make this the year we will finally make the change for good? In my previous essay, I argued that if you want to stick to your New Year’s resolution, you should no rely on self-control. Instead, you should change what you can in your environment, build new habits, and unlearn old ones. Before we dive into the science of building habits, the point about self-control is worth summarizing here. Scientists have long use a standardized test to try to measure self-control. This test involves asking participants to rate their self-control. People’s score in this self-assessment is highly correlated with other measures of success in life. However, a growing number of studies are beginning to reveal that people who rated themselves as having a lot of selfcontrol rarely use self-control at all. Instead, the people who supposedly have strong willpower actually rarely experience temptations in the first place. On the other hand, people who get tempted often report feeling drained. It seems that using willpower to reject temptation takes a lot of mental energy, which might be the reason why people who are surrounded by a lot of temptations are more likely to fail on their goals. This is why most psychologists think that in order to stay true to our New Year’s resolutions, or to any commitments we are trying to make to ourselves, it is best to rely on the power of our environment and habit. There is only so much we can do about our environment. For instance, we cannot replace our family and relatives, and they have a large influence over what temptations we are subjected to. Our friends, who can subject us to a lot of temptations, are not easy to replace either. The same can be said of our workplace environment, our neighborhood, and so on. Furthermore, we are constantly bombarded by temptations over which we have little control, for example the ads we see on TV, on billboards, and online. This is where the power of habit comes in. After all, according to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, around 45 percent of our daily activities are habitual. In his book The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg writes that habits have a threepart structure. First is the cue, an event in your internal or external environment that triggers an action. Second is the action, which is activity you want to build (or, in the case of bad habits, drop). Third is the reward, which is when your brain receives a reward for taking the desired activity. What this means is that for a habit to stick, it must be paired with a regular event in your life. Furthermore, it must be coupled with some sort of reward. For example, if taking a bath is paired with brushing and flossing your teeth, the latter activities become automatically linked with the former. Another trick scientists suggest is called “temptation bundling.” A leading proponent of this method is Katherine Milkman, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. Temptation bundling is the technique of pairing a healthy activity, such as preparing healthy foods, with an indulgent activity such as watching your favorite TV series on Netflix. In a paper published in Articles in Advance, Milkman and her co-authors Julia Minson of Harvard University and Kevin Volpp of the University of Pennsylvania write about the result of their “field experiment measuring the impact of bundling instantly gratifying but guilt-inducing ‘want’ experiences (enjoying page-turner audiobooks) with valuable ‘should’ behaviors providing delayed rewards (exercising).” What they have found is that temptation bundling makes it more likely for participants to build the new healthy habit. Once habits are built, they become automatic and can be hard to unlearn. This is because they change the brain’s circuitry, as was shown in a study done by scientists from the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences. While powerful, habits are a doubleedged sword, because bad ones can be hard to break. In extreme cases, the same pathways in the brain the create habits can lead to addictions and obsessive compulsions. This topic deserves its own article. In summary, changing for the better requires the power of habits, whether it be building new ones or getting rid of old ones.

MODERN WITCH-HUNTS TERRORIZE NEW GUINEA HIGHLANDS By Andrew Beatty A SPATE of brutal witch-hunts has plunged parts of Papua New Guinea’s highlands into a state of terror, as fearful tribes blame dark forces for their rapidly changing world. In one particularly horrifying incident, an elderly woman writhes and pleads hysterically as she is mercilessly beaten, raped and tortured on a hut floor, before her naked body—bloodied and nearly lifeless—is dragged outside, where a village mob beats and burns her until movement ceases. Almost everyone joins in. No one bothers to obscure their face. No one tries to stop it. The crowd believe what they are doing is right: the only way to stop a non-human sorcerer who has killed their clansman and devoured his heart. The graphic scene was captured by cell phone video that was obtained by AFP. Dozens of similar videos have been gathered as evidence by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary showing the brutal reality of modern-day witch-hunts. There have been at least 20 murders linked to sorcery accusations in this part of the highlands in the past few years, and dozens more violent attacks. In places like the remote Tsak Valley, attacks have spread “like bushfire,” said Senior Inspector Epenes Nili, even resulting in an attack on the country’s then chief justice. Belief in sorcery and witchcraft has long been common across Enga province and Papua New Guinea, but these lynchings are not some ancient rite or custom. “This is a new phenomenon,” insisted

Anton Lutz, a Lutheran missionary who has spent his life in Enga Province and has rescued accused sorcerers, some as young as six. Other researchers say widespread lynchings are new in Enga, and the extreme brutality and sexual nature of the attacks is unheard of. “We did have ancient beliefs about ghosts and ancient beliefs about stones that could talk and all kinds of interesting things,” Lutz said. “But this practice of accusing a woman of causing a death and torturing her sadistically and sexually for hours until she dies, that is a new thing.” “It began about five years ago,” he said. “We had a serious rise last year. It just seemed like there was an attack happening every week, every fortnight.” According to Lutz, each spasm of violence seemed to begin with a death that locals found difficult to explain. Heart attacks, diabetes and HIV/AIDS are becoming more common, but are still not well understood. The death of an otherwise healthy person was more easily blamed on sorcery than cholesterol. Even a recent drunk driving crash that killed eight people prompted a violent witchhunt, as people tried to explain why some passengers survived and others did not. The sheer number of people involved in the mob attacks ensures that news spreads quickly, as does fear, due to the widespread belief that witches don’t act alone. The emergence of “Glasman”— opportunist “diviners” who travel the countryside detecting witches for money —also exponentially increased the rate

of killings. So too did tribally ordained retribution. ‘Silent prayer’ Like the old woman in the video, 55-year-old mother-of-two Rachel, was accused of “sanguma”—sorcery. Her story shows how quickly suspicion can turn into violence. Her life changed suddenly in April 2017, when she went with her family to pay her respects at a funeral service for a member of a neighboring tribe. She was getting ready to leave, looking for her children, when she was grabbed by the dead man’s son. Unbeknown to Rachel, another woman had been accused of involvement in his death and under torture named Rachel as part of a coven. Rachel pleaded innocence. But she was stripped and, like the murdered woman in the video, violated and burned with hot machetes, spades and rods for a full day by people she knew who were trying to make her “return the heart” of her “victim”. “The pain was beyond endurance,” she recalled, speaking to AFP as a crowd of locals—some curious, others appearing suspicious—gathered near her hut. “I thought I would die.” With her mouth gagged, and the pain too much to bear, she managed only a silent prayer: “’You gave me the job of caring for my children, but if I die, who will care for them?’” Only a dispute among the mob, estimated at around a thousand people, saved her life. Patterns of culture Across Papua New Guinea the specifics

of witch-hunts are bafflingly different. In Enga, the victims of violence are almost exclusively women. But on Bougainville island they are almost always men. In Port Moresby, where violence linked to sorcery accusations has also increased, men and women are targeted. Researcher Miranda Forsyth at the Australian National University, who has studied hundreds of such cases, sees grim patterns emerging. She describes a “script” of violent responses to suspected sorcerers that is spreading across Enga. Part of the phenomenon is people trying to deal with “high levels of uncertainty due to dramatic economic, social and cultural changes”, Forsyth said. Authorities know the toxic brew will be difficult to remedy. In the meantime, fear has “turned the whole place into a paranoid mess,” said Lutz. Almost two years after Rachel’s attack, she can walk again and has returned to her village, although even among her own people, she still lives in fear. “The situation is still tense,” she said in a near whisper. The burns she sustained in the attack had only partially been treated when a mob came to the clinic where she was recuperating, forcing her to flee. She still complains of skin being tight and painful around her torso. “Even though I still need surgery, I am afraid my attackers might kill me if I go. So I live with the pain.” “I hope that things will calm down so that I can go to the hospital, but for now, the way is closed.” AFP

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TOURISTS SPARED AS RARE STORM LASHES THAILAND NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Thailand— Floods and blackouts caused by Tropical Storm Pabuk left nearly 30,000 people in evacuation shelters across southern Thailand Saturday, as relieved tourists stranded on islands further north were spared the worst and began to plot routes home. Pabuk, a once-in-three-decade weather system, packed winds of up to 75 kilometers (45 miles) an hour and brought heavy rains and storm surges as it lashed the entire south of the kingdom on Friday, downing power cables and causing widespread flooding. A fisherman died in southern Pattani province early Friday after high waves smashed into his boat and another crew member was reported missing, while a 35-year-old man in Nakhon Si Thammarat died when a tree toppled onto his house. But the storm tacked away from the key tourist islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao where large numbers of travelers hunkered down for 24 hours in heavy rains, unable to leave as airports closed and ferry services were cancelled. AFP

FRENCH CARDINAL FACES CHILD ABUSE TRIAL WITH 5 OTHERS LYON, France—The highest-profile Catholic cleric to be caught up in a pedophile scandal in France is to go on trial on Monday charged with failing to report a priest who abused boy scouts in the 1980s and 90s. Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, the archbishop of Lyon, is to stand trial along with five others from his diocese over allegations that they helped cover up abuse in one of the parishes in the area. The 68-year-old, an arch-conservative, is one of the most prominent Catholic figures in France who faces up to three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros ($54,000) if convicted of failing to report the abuse. He denies the allegations. France’s Catholic church has been roiled in recent years by allegations against predator priests which have come to light in the wake of a global move by victims to come forward with evidence. Clerics have been denounced in countries as far afield as Australia, Brazil, Chile, Ireland, and the United States, leading Pope Francis to promise to rid the church of the scourge that has done enormous damage to its standing. The scandal in Lyon first came to public attention in 2015 when a former scout went public with allegations that a local priest, Bernard Preynat, had abused him as a child 25 years ago. AFP

NOKOR DIPLOMAT URGED TO SEEK ASYLUM IN SEOUL SEOUL—A former North Korean diplomat who defected to the South urged an ex-colleague missing in Italy to come and settle in Seoul Saturday, as the rare asylum bid makes global headlines. Jo Song Gil, the North’s acting ambassador to Rome, went into hiding with his wife in November and is seeking asylum, according to Seoul’s intelligence authorities. It would be the first high-profile defection of a North Korean diplomat since 2016 when the then deputy ambassador to London, Thae Yong Ho, switched sides to settle in Seoul. Jo has not contacted Seoul’s spy agency since he went into hiding, suggesting he was seeking asylum in a third country in the West, possibly the US, according to several media reports. But Thae, who said he once worked with Jo at Pyongyang’s foreign ministry, wrote an open letter urging his ex-colleague to come to the South instead and work together to help the two Koreas reunify. “I thought that I knew a lot about the South...through the Internet while serving overseas. But the South I actually experienced was far more democratic and economically prosperous than I imagined,” Thae said in the letter posted on his blog. “Sure, the South is not exactly a paradise. But it is a place where you and I could achieve the dream we all have,” he said. “Wouldn’t it be our lifelong mission as diplomats to help the two Koreas reunify...and to pass the unified peninsula to our children?” Since coming to Seoul, Thae has become a public speaker giving speeches about the reality of his impoverished but nuclear-armed former homeland and about ways to narrow down differences between the two neighbors that technically remain at war. AFP

VOTER ANGER. Protesters waiting to cast their ballot demonstrate outside the College St Raphael polling station, in Kinshasa on Dec. 30 while DRC’s electoral commission president arrives for the DR Congo’s general elections. Voters in the Democratic Republic of Congo went to the polls in elections that will shape the future of their vast, troubled country, amid fears that violence could overshadow the ballot. AFP

TRUMP VOWS SHUTDOWN SANS FUNDS FOR WALL

ASHINGTON—A defiant President Donald Trump said Friday he was prepared to keep the US government shut down for as long as it takes — months or even years—to force Congress to provide billions of dollars for a border wall with Mexico. “This is national security we’re talking about. We’re not playing games,” Trump said following another round of talks at the White House with Democratic leaders on ending the two-week impasse which has shut about 25 percent of the government. “The southern border is a dangerous, horrible disaster,” he said, decrying illegal immigration,

drug smuggling and human trafficking. “We have to get a structure built,” Trump said, calling on Congress to approve his $5.6 billion request for a “major powerful barrier” made of concrete or steel. Trump also claimed that some previous US presidents had told him they should have built a wall. None of Trump’s predecessors has ever publicly advocated such a thing. Describing the situation as a “national emergency,” Trump said he was looking into ways to get a wall built without congressional approval. “I may do it,” he said. “I am allowed to do that.” Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, said Democrats had urged Trump during what he called a “sometimes contentious” meeting to reopen the federal government, which has been partially shut down since December 22 leaving 800,000 employees furloughed or working without pay. A handful of those employees held a roadside protest in Maryland on Friday, saying they want to get back to work, WTOP radio reported.

“We told the president we needed the government open,” Schumer said. “He resisted. In fact, he said he’d keep the government closed for a very long period of time. Months or even years.” Asked by reporters whether this was true, Trump said it was although he added that he hoped the shutdown “doesn’t go on even beyond a few more days.” “I will do whatever we have to do,”Trump said. “If we have to stay out for a very long period of time we will do that.” Trump said a bipartisan group including Vice President Mike Pence would meet over the weekend to try to reach an agreement. “Our aim will be to find a solution, not just simply to end the government shutdown, to provide funding to end the crisis at our southern border, to achieve real border security and to build a wall on our southern border,” Pence said. A quick end to the stalemate does not appear to be in sight, however, as Democrats, who now control the House of Representatives, seem in no mood to make concessions. AFP

TAIWAN LEADER SLAMS BEIJING PROVOCATION

TAIPEI—China’s refusal to talk to Taiwan’s government is part of a “deliberate campaign” to undermine the island’s democracy, President Tsai Ing-wen warned Saturday, capping a week of escalating rhetoric between the two sides. Tensions between Taiwan and China have risen since Tsai came to power in 2016, as she has refused to acknowledge that the self-ruled island is part of “one China.” Beijing has unilaterally cut off communication with her government and stepped up military drills around the island as well as poached several of its dwindling number of

official allies. In a landmark speech on Wednesday, President Xi Jinping described Taiwan’s unification with the mainland as “inevitable,” adding Beijing is willing to discuss political as well as “peaceful unification” issues with political parties and groups in Taiwan that recognise the “one China” principle. He also reiterated China’s willingness to use force if necessary, especially if Taiwan ever declares full independence. On Saturday Tsai criticized Beijing’s plan to engage in political negotiations with opposition parties rather

than her government as “a continuation of its deliberate campaign to undermine and subvert our democratic process and create division in our society.” “At a time when we are exhausting efforts to avoid provocation and miscommunication, China’s actions are unhelpful and in contrary to democratic practises,” she said in a briefing with foreign media. She stressed that it would be impossible for her government or any responsible Taiwanese politician to accept Xi’s recent remarks “without betraying the trust and will of the people of Taiwan.”

She was also referring to Xi’s calls for unification under a “one country, two systems” approach, which was implemented in Hong Kong after Britain handed the city back to China in 1997. China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since they split in 1949 after a civil war. Taiwanese frustration has also been intensified by suspicions that Beijing is not doing enough to inform its neighbour about an outbreak of African swine fever on the mainland. AFP

50 WOMEN TRAIN IN HISTORIC FIRST FOR US MARINES WASHINGTON—About 50 young women joining the US Marine Corps will for the first time go through grueling boot camp training alongside male recruits. The Marine Corps had previously conducted separate training for men and women with gender-specific instructors. Now, the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion “will start their training cycle with one female platoon and five male platoons,” at the Parris Island recruit depot, the Marines said in a statement. “The decision was made by Marine Corps leadership in support of training efficiency and is a first in the his-

tory of Marine Corps recruit training,” it said. In this 12-week cycle, which is presented as an experiment, about 50 women will go through the same training as their male counterparts, but will still be trained by females. “This training cycle of about 300 recruits will provide Recruit Depot staff a unique opportunity to assess outcomes, achievements and challenges in training, logistics and resource impacts of this company training model,” the Marines said. Women represent just eight percent of the Marine Corps but more than 16 percent of the US military overall. AFP

PRECARIOUS. An Indian window cleaner work a window of a hotel in Amritsar on Jan. 2. AFP

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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK CHARTING A MURDER. Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde points to a diagram showing how the seven suspects in the murder of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe are linked in a press conference Thursday at Camp Crame in Quezon City. Looking on is the lawmaker’s son, lawyer Justin Batocabe. Manny Palmero

IN MEMORIAM. Policemen stand beside the casket of slain Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe despite the rain as an estimated 10,000 mourners and onlookers line the streets of Daraga, Albay to pay their respects to the departed lawmaker, who was laid to rest on Dec. 31. Contributed photo

GETTING READY. Workers of the City of Manila’s Department of Public Safety patch up potholes around Quiapo Church on Thursday ahead of the annual Black Nazarene procession on Jan. 9. Norman Cruz

POST-CHRISTMAS FLOOD. Men walk a herd of cows through a flooded street in Baao, Camarines Sur, after monsoon rains drenched the town on New Year’s Eve. The heavy rains brought about by Tropical Depression ‘Usman’ inundated the Bicol region and caused landslides that caused hundreds of deaths, civil defense officials said. AFP

DOWN THE DUMP. Officials of the Quezon

NEW YEAR CHARMS. A girl and her store-owner father show off some of their merchandise, including a golden pig figurine, ahead of the New Year celebrations on Dec. 31. The year 2019 is the Year of the Pig in the Chinese astrological calendar, and the figurines and charms are believed to bring good fortune to their owners. Norman Cruz

RUBBISH HEAP. A man walks past a pile of garbage in Manila’s Baseco compound on Thursday. Research showed that the Philippines is part of five Asian countries—including China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand—that produce roughly 60 percent of the world’s plastic rubbish that eventually pollute the world’s oceans. Norman Cruz

City Police District take turns dumping fireworks confiscated from illegal vendors into a pit at the grandstand grounds of Camp Karingal in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

SPARKLING SKY. Fireworks erupt over the

night sky at Sta. Lucia Mall’s Il Centro Drive, where people from around Cainta, Rizal gathered for the New Year celebration on Dec. 31. The mall’s annual grand fireworks display lasted for 20 minutes despite the steady nighttime rains. Sonny Espiritu

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019

Riera U. Mallari, Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sports

ERIKSSON: WE CAN’T JUST BE HAPPY THAT WE’RE HERE Lois Kaye Go hits her approach shot off the rough on No. 9.

GO MOVES UP BY 1 WITH GUTSY 70 Phil Younghusband is one of the Azkals’ most experienced players in the tournament, with 105 international appearances, scoring a total of 52 goals. Photos By Dennis B. Mallari

By Peter Atencio

HE Philippines Azkals, the lowestranked team in their bracket, begin their first ever campaign on Monday in 2019 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup. It will be a challenging showdown when they clash with South Korea at 3 p.m. (7:30 p.m. Manila time) at the AlMaktoum Stadium in Dubai. The Azkals, ranked at 116th in the world and 21st in Asia, will be up against the region’s fourth-ranked squad, which last made it to the finals in 2015. Known as the Taeguk Warriors, the Koreans will play without captain Son Heung-min, who will sit out the first two games due to his commitments with his mother club, the Tottenham Hotspur. Son was the Best Footballer in Asia 2018, the fourth time he won the award. But the the South Koreans are still dangerous in the knockout stage, with

Gamba Osaka striker Hwang Ui-jo and Ki Sung-yueng, a Newcastle United midfield, expected to create trouble for the Philippine side. The South Koreans will bring with them the experience that they have earned from a total of 13 Asian Cup appearances. The Azkals are playing in their firstever Asian Cup stint under new coach Sven Goran-Eriksson. Eriksson understands the toughness of the field, considering that powerhouse China is also in Group C with them, along with Kyrgyzstan. And surviving their bracket is something that Eriksson is looking forward to. “We have to have that target if we go to the tournament. We can’t just go and be happy that we are there. Yes, we’re happy but that’s not enough. We have to try to go through,” said Eriksson. Help is on the way as two players have joined the team, midfielder Patrick Strauss and left back Daisuke Sato. Strauss is on his second stint with the Azkals and plays in the second division in Germany. He last saw action in the AFF Suzuki Cup, but missed the semis due to his stint with his club, Erzgebirge Aue.

Sato came in from Romania and was not for the Philippines in the 3-2 win over around in a friendly match against Vietnam. DPR Korea last March 2016, along with The Azkals come into match follow- Javier Patiño, who missed the recent Suzuki Cup with an injury. ing a 2-4 setback to Vietnam. Phil Younghusband is For Eriksson, the Azone of the Azkal’s most kals needs to hang on experienced players in in their games with the the tournament. toughest teams in Asia. He has 105 inter“The Philippines have national appearances, to go in with one target: scoring a total of 52 to go through, to go furgoals. ther. That’s not easy but Younghusband is if you can do that, that’s considered as the eighth good. Then everything most-capped player in depends on what’s hapaction, aside from Inpening,” he said. dia captain Sunil ChheMajority of the team tri (103), China legend was part of the Suzuki Zheng Zhi (102) and Iran Cup squad. veteran Ehsan Hajsafi Kevin Hansen, who (101). plays goalkeeper for Danish Last March, the Azkals side AC Horsens, is the newmade history by beatest addition to the team. ing Tajikistan, 2-1, in the Goalkeeper Neil Etherqualifiers to book the idge will miss the tournacountry’s first-ever slot in ment and Michael Falkesthe quadrennial meet. gaard is taking his place. The Azkals finished Midfielder Miguel Group F with three wins Tanton is back to the and three draws. squad having suited up Sven Goran-Eriksson

BULLPUPS EYE TOP SPOT IN JUNIORS FOOTBALL NATIONAL University eyes the solo lead as it tangles with De La Salle-Zobel to open second round action Sunday in the UAAP Season 81 juniors football tournament at the FEU-Diliman pitch. The Bullpups and the Junior Archers clash at 3 p.m. Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas collide at 1 p.m. to open the hostilities after the Christmas break.

NU sits in second spot with eight points on two wins and two draws, two off Far Eastern UniversityDiliman which took the top of the first round table with 10 points on three wins and a draw. De La Salle-Zobel, last season’s runner-up, hopes to snatch the elusive full points after a winless first round. The Blue Eaglets, who slipped in the bottom last

year, were impressive in the first round, winning the first two matches and battling to a scoreless draw with the Bullpups. A loss to the Baby Tamaraws in their final first-round assignment, however, dropped them to third place with seven points. With three points in fourth spot, the Tiger Cubs need a strong showing in the second round to get a shot of making it to the championship match.

DIDAL STARTS OLYMPIC JOURNEY IN RIO QUALIFYING TILT GO For Gold will be backing the qualifying bid of Margielyn Arda Didal to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Cebuana skateboarding heroine

is set to begin her quest to earn a spot in the global quadrennial Games during the Street League Skateboarding PRO Championships in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on Jan.

Margielyn Arda Didal

8 to 11, the first Olympic ranking competition in the sport. Didal, who catapulted to instant fame when the 19-year-old captured a gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games, will be in the company of the world’s best in the discipline, including Brazilian Monica Torres, Australian Haley Wilson, Candy Jacobs of the Netherlands and 16-year-old Japanese world champion Aori Nishimura. “I believe she is one of the leading contenders for our country to get another Olympic medal,’’ said Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go. Didal would love to follow the footsteps of 2016 Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz or even surpass the feat of the Filipino weightlifting star by aiming for the country’s first Olympic gold in the 2020 Tokyo Games. “It’s a dream that I hope to fulfill. But for now, my focus is how to earn a spot in the Olympics through a series

of ranking competitions where I have to perform at my best,’’ said Didal, one of the several national athletes in the six sports that Go For Gold has been supporting. Also seeing action in the Rio qualifier, considered as the 2019 world championship of skateboarding, is Christiana Means, an Oregon-based Pinay skater. “We wish her (Didal) good luck in her tournament and will continue to support her and our other Pinoy skateboarders,’’ said Go. Aside from skateboarding, Go For Gold is also behind the success of several national athletes from cycling, triathlon, sepak takraw, dragonboat and wrestling. The top 14 women of Street League Skateboarding will see action in Rio beginning Tuesday, which will also feature world-renowned skaters Pamela Rosa, Alexis Sablone, Kate Shengeliya, Jenn Sotto, Lacey Baker, Samarria Brevard, Julia Brueckler, Leticia Bufoni and Mariah Duran.

SILANG, Cavite—Lois Kaye Go blew past Atthaya Thitikul with a solid backside charge, finishing with a one-under 70 and emerging the new leader in as many days after three rounds of the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championships at Riviera’s Langer course here yesterday. Go, 19, recovered from a bogeybogey mishap from No. 7 with three birdies at the back of the demanding par-71 layout, moving from two down after nine holes to one-up over the Thai ace with a 54-hole aggregate of 215 heading to the final 18 holes of the country’s premier championship. Thai Vanchai Luangnitikul, meanwhile, grabbed the lead in the men’s side despite a 75 for a 226 as two-day leader Jang Sung Hun of Korea was disqualified for violation of Rules 1.2. That also threw the battle for the men’s crown wide open as Singapore’s Lucius Toh and Gen Nagai assembled identical 227s after a 73 and 74, respectively, and Weiwei Gao stood just three strokes behind at 229 despite a 78. Aidric Chan also moved within four at 230 after a second 78 while Ivan Monsalve skied to an 82 for a 281 and Paolo Wong and Japanese Atsushi Ueda carded identical 81s for 232s, six shots off the pace in the event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines. “I have a pretty solid game at the back. Unlike in the first round where I missed a lot of putts, my putting worked well this time,” said Go, who birdied the first two holes at the back to draw level with Thitikul then went 2-up on another two-shot swing on No. 16. Thitikul, who surged past the Pinay duo despite a 75 Friday, hiked her lead to two with a 36 start but failed to match Go’s blistering finish in windy conditions, needing to birdie the last hole to salvage a 72 and keep the new leader within sight at 216. Pagdanganan, who took charge in the opener with a 67 but faltered with a 78 in the second round, slipped farther back with a 38 but hit two birdies against a bogey in the last nine holes to save a 73 and stay in the hunt at 218. Back in women’s play, the rest stood too far behind with Malaysian Natasha Oon pooling a 225 after a 73 for joint fourth with Junia Gabasa, who fumbled with a 76, while Korean Kim Heeji limped with an 80 for a 227 followed by Kim Seo Yun (80-232) and Nicole Abelar and Japanese Tae Saito, who tied for eighth at 233 after an 80 and 82, respectively. That should reduce the title chase to the three leading players with Go vowing to play more smarter in anticipation of Thitikul and Pagdanganan’s fightbacks in the final round of the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and backed by Cignal, Metro Pacific and official hotel Summit Ridge. “I don’t want to have any expectations. I’ll just play my game and play more smarter,” said Go, who also credited her putting in her third round surge in the event serving as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Tour.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@manilastandard.net

HOW GRAB BECAME A MAJOR TRANSPORT PROVIDER IN PH A

MALAYSIAN technology company which came to the Philippines in 2013 turned into the largest transport service provider in the country in a span of five years.

Grab, which was established by young Malaysian businessman Anthony Tan as “My Teksi” app, jolted the transport sector across Southeast Asia, generated thousands of jobs and forced traditional taxi cabs to become more efficient. From the transport sector, Grab is now expanding its reach to include food delivery, logistics and payment solutions. Brian Cu, one of the top Filipino technology entrepreneurs who helped establish successful unicorns such as PT Go-Jek Indonesia and Zalora Philippines, is the brains behind the dominant ridehailing mobile app Grab in the Philippines. As a co-founder of Go-Jek, Indonesia’s first unicorn, in 2010, Cu could have become multi-millionaire in Jakarta, but decided to return to Manila in 2012 to start other ventures. He briefly served as the managing director of Zalora Philippines, before becoming the country head of Grab. Cu, who studied Management Engineering at Ateneo de Manila University and Finance at the National University of Singapore, helped grow Grab into Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing platform which absorbed rival Uber last year. Across Southeast Asia, Grab aims to provide critical transport solutions to 620 million people. At Grab, Cu oversees operations for the major urban areas in the Philippines. Aside from Metro Manila, Grab is present in Baguio City, Pampanga province, Bataan province, Subic Bay, Naga City, Cebu City, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Tacloban City, Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City. Beyond transportation, it has recently expanded to food delivery through GrabFood and logistics through GrabExpress. Cindy Stephanie Toh, country marketing head at Grab Philippines, said GrabPay would be relaunched in February 2019. Grab is no longer just a ride-hailing or ride-sharing service provider, she said. “We have rolled out a lot of services. We finally put out that message that we are ready to become the everyday app. We launched GrabFood [in 2018] and GrabExpress will roll out new features,” Toh said. GrabFood now has more than 5,000 restaurant-partners, providing the largest online food delivery menu in Metro Manila. Toh said the plan is to expand the network of restaurant-partners in 2019. In his year-end message, Cu described 2018 as a year of great change and growth for Grab Philippines. “We have travelled over 920 million kilometers..and are incredibly humbled to have helped millions of passengers reach their destinations across cities and provinces in the Philippines. This result proves to us that we can make transportation safer and more convenient for the Filipino people through innovation and empowerment,” he said. Cu said millions of passengers now benefit from the ridesharing economy. Grab enabled its users to check the total time and budget they spent together on the road last year. “Grab serves all types of users. We continue to introduce new services and improve existing ones on the platform to meet the needs of different users. Our passengers can select from a range of transport offerings - from budget options such as GrabTrike, GrabTaxi and GrabShare to more premium services such as GrabCar, GrabCar 6-seater and GrabCar Premium - to get to their desired destinations,” he said. Cu said that in the Philippines, an average Grab user spent about P7,000 in 2018. The most loyal passengers, representing the top 5 percent of users, spent an average of P45,000 and took eight times more trips than the average user. Some Grab passengers, in fact, discovered that they spent more than P100,000 aboard Grab vehicles last year. Cu said ridesharing is still a cheaper alternative to owning a car, which includes monthly loan payments, fuel costs, toll and parking fees, maintenance, registration fees and insurance. A car owner, he said, spends P20,000 monthly or P240,000 a year. Some 60,000 driver-entrepreneurs are now serving nearly a million passengers daily, and most of them are accredited with Grab. Cu said with the additional 30,000 slots approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in late 2018, the ride-hailing sector’s reliability is expected to improve in 2019. “This will further reduce the need to own a car and will lead to more affordable rides as supply and demand reaches a more balanced state. We continue to improve the quality of our services

Grab Philippines country head Brian Cu

and further enhance app features and protocols as part of our 100day plan, #SaferEveryday roadmap and #BetterEveryday campaign,” he said. Cu, himself, offers free rides to Grab users from time to time to learn the situation on the ground. He said Grab helped its driver-partners through various benefits such as fuel discounts at the height of the pump prices, life insurance and most recently HMO plans. “We will continue to improve our technology and work with our driver-partners to uplift our overall service standards to bring you a better Grab experience,” he said. “In 2019, Grab will continue to double down on safety by reinforcing features, protocols and existing government partnerships to ensure safer trips everyday. Expect to see more as we move into becoming your everyday app,” said Cu. “Expect to see more surprises in 2019 as we continuously expand and modernize our transport solutions in more cities in the Philippines and grow our other suite of services to be the everyday app. Our focus is clear - to use technology and innovation to improve the lives of millions of Filipinos. For 2019, we continue our commitment to bring seamless, better and safer Grab experience everyday,” said Cu. Roderick T. dela Cruz

Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. president and COO Manuel Luis Alberto

METRO RETAIL NAMES ALBERTO AS NEW COO AND PRESIDENT CEBU-BASED retailer Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. named Manuel Luis Alberto as the new president and chief operating officer. Alberto replaces Arthur Emmanuel who has retired after his six-years of being at the helm of MRSGI. As MRSGI’s new president and COO, Alberto is bent on pushing for the company’s further development and success. “I am honored to lead MRSGI in such exciting times,” he said. “As the retail landscape and our customers continue to evolve, MRSGI will keep pace with them and stay committed to delivering a delightful shopping experience.” Prior to his appointment, Alberto served as the company’s chief merchandising and marketing officer. A seasoned retail executive, Alberto’s career spans more than two decades, most of which he spent handling key leadership positions in top companies that included Philippine Familymart Inc., Rustan’sSupercenter Inc., Avon Cosmetics Inc. and Jollibee Foods Corp. Over the years, Alberto has built expertise in retail strategy, store operations, franchise development and relations, merchandising, food safety, supply chain, organizational andsystems development and loss prevention. He is recognized as a strategic and results oriented leader with a consistent track record of achieving sales and profit targets, cost savings, business development, and implementation of brand strategies for start-up, turn-around, and market-leading companies. Al b e r to i s a l s o a d e p t i n s i te selection as well as store design and development. In his former role in MRSGI, Alberto played a key role in ensuring that Metro Retail Stores offer a wide assortment of quality products at the best prices – a value proposition that the company has always been proud of. He also led merchandising improvements and operational efficiencies. Operating for 36 years now, MRSGI has 51 stores in Central, Western and Eastern Visayas as well as in Central Luzon, Metro Manila and South Luzon. It has three store formats - a department store, a supermarket and a hypermarket. MRSGI is on track to attaining the goal of doubling its 2015 gross floor area by 2020. Owned and operated by the Metro Retail Stores Group Inc., Metro’s vision is to become a worldclass retail store with the mission to provide quality service, and to be responsive to customer’s needs anchored on its philosophy of customer contentedness.

FILIPINO STARTUPS PRESENT BUSINESS MODELS AND PROSPECTS FOR GROWTH BUSINESS leaders have found key learnings from the local startup industry on how to pivot as technologies and demands evolve continuously. At the INQBation Startup Showcase arranged by QBO Innovation Hub and hosted by J.P. Morgan at its BGC Taguig office, six high performing local startups presented their business models and plans on how to scale up their operations to corporate partners J.P. Morgan, Smart, PLDT, investors and other startup stakeholders. The first three startups that presented were representatives of fellow startup

enablers, namely Magpie, Innovantage and Taxumo, while the last three startups are currently under QBO and J.P. Morgan’s Incubation Program. Under t he program, th e most promising, innovative and scalable ventures are given the opportunity to develop impactful programs while experiencing dedicated mentorship from some of the country’s top executives. The incubatees who participated in the showcase presented their business models and growth plans. These startups are AdMov, an advertising platform that uses location data with facial recognition

to generate and deliver personalized content and advertising; Cropital, a crowdfunding platform connecting anyone to help finance our farmers; and Pushkart.ph, an online grocery delivery service. The INQBation Startup Showcase also featured an exhibit and business matching area where other startup incubatees and ecosystem stakeholders were able to display their businesses. These include fellow startup enabler, Launchgarage and other QBO incubatees, namely Exora, an online bidding platform Turn to C2

The QBO team, J.P. Morgan representatives and corporate investors (standing) share their positive outlook for the presenting startups (seated) and hope that they are ready for the challenges that comes with scaling up.

Business

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019 business@manilastandard.net

EPSON LAUNCHES SHORT FILM CONTEST FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS EPSON, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau and GREENducation Philippines, announced the launch of the 1st EcoVision Short Film Competition for students. The inter-school video-making contest aims to tap the artistry and creativity of Filipino students in raising public understanding of the environment and its conservation through the power of public service announcement videos. The competition aims to strengthen Epson’s commitment to the environment, as manifested not just through the innovation of reliable, recyclable, and energy-efficient products but also, its active participation in helping to inspire people to become more aware of pressing ecological issues. “As a tech company, Epson believes that the youth, as the future leaders of society, has the power to influence others in advocating for the conservation of the environment,” said Donna Ferro, brand and communications head of Epson Philippines. “Through this initiative, we aim to empower them by providing a venue where they can showcase their own take in solving the most pressing environmental issues,” Ferro said. For its first edition, the short film competition is looking for the best public service announcement videos that will serve as an informative tool for GREENducation Philippines, a youth-led group organized by DENR-EMB, in its mission to educate Filipinos about various eco-friendly solutions that Filipinos can follow and apply in their daily lives. With the theme “Green Solutions for Everyday Life at Home, School, or Office,” the PSA video entries will showcase the importance of green solutions, which refer to the positive action of individuals and companies to ecological issues, caused by uncontrolled human activities. “We are glad to partner with Epson Philippines for the first-ever EcoVision Short Film competition and showcase the work of talented Filipino students in our campaign for environmental protection. This initiative will help us inspire people to change their actions and take the necessary steps, no matter how big or small, to make a difference for the environment,” said Vermon Timbas, environmental specialist of DENR-EMB.

FILIPINO... From C1 that lets businesses connect with retail electricity suppliers; Senti, a social media monitoring platform that analyzes content including local dialects and colloquial language; MAD Travel, a tourism platform that provides alternative and meaningful experiences to marginalized communities; and OneWatt, a non-invasive predictive motor health monitoring system. QBO president Butch Meily said it is important that the private and public sectors support startups. “The economic multiplier effect of startups is indisputable. The largest companies in the world today like Google and Facebook are companies we never heard of a few years ago. With just a relatively small investment, we have created a whole new sector of the economy—one that will foster thousands of jobs. We have created this platform to not only to help promising startups grow but to also aide them as the industries they operate in begin to shift. We will teach them how to survive.” Companies like J.P. Morgan also acknowledge the potential and impact of tech startups and are invested in helping them scale up. “ Th e s t a r t u p i n d u s t r y i n t h e Philippines, while young, shows potential to shape industries of the future. We remain committed to supporting local entrepreneurs as they become engines of job growth and economic vitality across the communities they serve,” said J.P. Morgan managing director and senior country officer Roberto Panlilio.

The InterVenn BioSciences team headed by co-founder and chief executive Aldo Carrascoso (third from left). Source: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intervenn/

FILIPINOS IN SILICON VALLEY DISRUPT CANCER RESEARCH

HE 2015 Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates published by the Philippine Cancer Society identified the ovary as among the top ten leading new cancer sites. While the survival rate is more than 90 percent when detected in the early stages (stage 1), most ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in the late stages (stage 4) where survival rate is less than 20 percent. Currently, there is no minimally invasive test that can accurately detect ovarian cancer at its early stages when it is most curable. But InterVenn BioSciences is working hard to change that. Headquartered in Redwood City California, with offices in Kuala Lumpur and Manila, InterVenn BioSciences is a life science company with a mission to understand and control complex diseases like cancer for populations globally. The company uses augmented intelligence or AI to integrate cancer biology, data science and advanced instrumentation, all in the context of robust epidemiology study design. The company has developed an AI-driven mass spectrometry-based platform for the discovery and validation of biomarkers for cancer including ovarian, breast and prostate, pioneering the glycoproteomic approach for the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Glycoproteomics, an emerging field combining proteomics and glycomics, can help with better biomarker and target discovery but produces an

enormous amount of data that takes too long to fully analyze and is often difficult to reproduce. By leveraging mass spectrometry, hi-res characterization of post-translational modifications, and artificial intelligence, InterVenn streamlines and expedites this process and ensures that any variability in the workflow—from the sample collection, processing and all the way to instrument ingestion—is drastically minimized and the results become supremely reproducible. The company’s first product is a blood-based ovarian cancer diagnostic that is currently undergoing analytical and clinical validation. This is an accurate minimally invasive blood test to detect ovarian cancer in the early stages. “We’ve established a talented team of experts in AI, computational biology, mass spectrometry, software engineering, glycoproteomics and product development who are dedicated to equipping physicians with a reliable, highperforming and cost-effective tool to change the narrative around ovarian cancer,” said InterVenn BioSciences chief executive Aldo Carrascoso. “Our company promises to contribute passionately in addressing the problem of cancer with an interdisciplinary approach—microbiology, glycoproteomics, augmented intelligence, social sciences, economics and patients care. We believe the best way to fix the problem is through a holistic approach,” Carrascoso said. Carrascoso is one of three Filipino co-founders of InterVenn BioSciences. Working with him are Lieza Danan, Ph.D who has 20 years of mass spectrometry, analytical chemistry and instrumentation experience answering complex scientific questions no other analytical tools can

address, plus over 10 years extensive experience (with Stemcentrx, Genentech, Sutro Biopharma, among many others) as a technical leader in fastpaced Biopharmaceutical, cGMP Analytical CRO and Instrumentation Facilities. Completing the trio is Carlito Lebrilla, Ph.D, fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Distinguished Professor at University of California Davis. Lebrilla is considered a pioneer in translational glycoproteomics and mass spectrometry and its application to complex disease understanding biological interrogation. Filipinos are also at the helm of the software development and cloud infrastructure efforts. InterVenn has a dedicated team based in Ortigas Center, Pasig. “The technology is able to automate tedious work, in effect, supercharging the scientists, making their work faster and easier,” said Carrascoso. Once the validation and regulatory processes are completed, the company will begin offering a laboratory diagnostic test. They have recently received institutional investment of $9.4 million led by seasoned biotech investor Genoa Ventures, with participation from True Ventures, Amplify Partners, Boost VC and Prado SV. Clinical trials are underway at the Philippine General Hospital, National Kidney and Transplant Institute and The Medical City. They urge the public to contribute to developing and validating this vital blood test for early ovarian cancer detection by providing biological samples and medical information—both from ovarian cancer patients and donors who do not have cancer will be useful.

MICROFINANCING: THE MICRO-STEP TO FINANCIAL INCLUSION Financial inclusion is a goal that both the national government and financial institutions continually strive for. According to the World Bank, financial inclusion is the key enabler towards reducing extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity. It is also an enabler for seven of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, which is “a global call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that people enjoy peace and prosperity.” In developing nations such as India and the Philippines, financial inclusion lends a particular focus on providing appropriate and affordable financial products and services to vulnerable groups, such as low-income families and micro-entrepreneurs that have no access to formal banking. This distinction, in turn, explains the sustained popularity of micro-

finance institutions in developing countries. In the Philippines alone, there are more than 170 microfinance institutions that cater to more than 1.47 million borrowers, according to 2015 data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. “In the Philippines, there is still a huge gap in terms of access to financing. Unless this gap gets addressed by banks and other financial institutions, it remains to be the greatest barrier to achieving financial inclusion in the country,” said Jerome Minglana, president of BPI Direct BanKo Inc. In a bid to provide a more formal lending platform to self-employed micro-entrepreneurs, a sector that rarely has access to formal banking, the Bank of the Philippine Islands merged two of its subsidiaries to form BPI Direct BanKo. “In its 167 years, BPI has provided

well-developed and relevant financial products and services to Filipinos. BPI Direct BanKo is BPI’s vehicle to address financial inclusion by providing microentrepreneurs access to appropriate and affordable loan products to grow their businesses, and extending expert advice to enhance their financial knowledge,” said Minglana. Through its 200 branches nationwide, BPI Direct BanKo aims to elevate the lives of everyday micro-entrepreneurs, such as market vendors and the proprietors of neighborhood bakeries, mini-grocery stores and eateries. “By providing a more formal lending platform, we not only elevate the lives of small business owners, but also create an enabling business environment that benefits the country’s economic development in the long run. They are the backbone of the

country,” said Minglana. To get past the usual hurdles of borrowing from banks, BPI Direct BanKo has simplified its documentary requirements and streamlined its procedures to speed up the loan application process. “Loan applicants tend to get intimidated by a long list of documentary requirements, which are often hard to acquire or secure. At BPI Direct BanKo, we only require simple documents that most micro-entrepreneurs can easily provide, such as a barangay permit, to get over this barrier,” said Minglana. To make the loan application process more convenient, and in turn strengthen the relationship between the bank and its clients, BPI Direct BanKo also deployed friendly and reliable loan officers known as the BankoMares and BankoPares.

DOST-BACKED LIVELIHOOD PROJECT SPARKS RAY OF HOPE PEOPLE who reside along the train station tracks are constantly at risk – their houses, their livelihood, and their lives. Everyday they make their way to their temporary jobs as sewers, carpenters, welders, or whatever opportunity comes along to make both ends meet. Some are housewives, students, construction workers, or yayas coming from different provinces. Despite their individual struggles, life went on for the residents along Philippine National Railways’ Muntinlupa track. Until the day that they had to move out and resettle to give way to development plans and for their own safety. Eleven years ago, in 2007, these residents were relocated to the National Housing Authority’s resettlement area in Southville 3, Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City. Each family was given a unit, which in most cases was far better than what they used to have. After their resettlement, some residents started small businesses, such as tricycle driving and selling goods. However, the residents missed their old

lives – their friends and their livelihood. Their new community at that time just did not feel like home. Further, income opportunities and access to transportation to get to their place of work were still limited. These circumstances led some resettled families to decide on whether to sell or rent out their units for additional income and go back to where they used to live. To address this problem and to augment the financial needs of the residents, the NHA livelihood program head approached the Department of Science and Technology – National Capital Region in 2012 to seek assistance to enhance their livelihood programs for the relocatees. Under the Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology program of the DOST-NCR, a series of trainings on technology, livelihood and entrepreneurship were conducted. Those who completed the training series were organized to form a homeowner’s association to facilitate the implementation and formalization of

Members of Southville Home-Based Producer Association Inc. present their products.

the livelihood activities. This group eventually became the Southville Home-Based Producer Association Inc., a producers’ group duly registered with the SEC in 2013. Forty-five members of the SHBPAI initially produced personal and home care products such as shampoo, lotion, detergent, candles, and dishwashing liquid, as well as food products like polvoron, peanut butter, and calamansi juice. Fabric and water lily-based products were also part of their product lines. The 2012 survey of DOST-NCR and NHA showed that most of the residents were capable of doing carpentry, welding and sewing as most of the women worked in a garments company before moving to Southville. Upon learning this, the two agencies teamed up with the LGU of Muntinlupa to acquire additional sewing machines for the common service facilities which expanded membership of the SHBPAI to include the sewer’s subgroup.

Tech & Gadgets

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

MORE FILIPINO LEARNERS BENEFIT FROM SMART DIGITAL PROGRAMS T HERE is a saying that goes: “Talent is universal, but opportunity is not.”

This is true for over a million Filipino students who have no access to digital content that can help bridge the divide between those in urban and rural communities. Smart Communications addressed this gap throughout 2018 with different initiatives under #LearnSmart, the wireless services provider’s education program which encourages the use of technology to enhance learning. Smart’s flagship project is School-in-a-Bag, a digital learning package that comes bundled with a teacher laptop and student tablets preloaded with educational mobile applications. Carried in a weather-proof backpack, other contents include a Smart pocket WiFi unit, a projector or LED TV, DVD player, solar panel and charging station. Beneficiaries also received teacher training on the Dynamic Learning Program—an innovative teaching methodology developed by Ramon Magsaysay Awardees Dr. Christopher Bernido and Dr. Ma. Victoria Carpio-Bernido— and program evaluation from Smart. Donations were made possible through partnerships with generous individuals and organizations. Over a hundred School-in-a-Bag units deployed as of end-2018 The year 2018 was a milestone year for School-in-a-Bag as Smart delivered its 100th unit right before Christmas. The latest beneficiaries were students from Sitio Lipata in Lahuy Island, a small town with no electricity that is accessible via a 1.5-hour boat ride from mainland Caramoan, Camarines Sur. It is home to youth who have to walk up to six hours a day to attend the nearest school. Five School-in-a-Bag packages were jointly donated by Smart and the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation. The kits will serve as educational materials for Yellow Boat’s Bangkarunungan Program for the Alternative Learning System (ALS). Each of the five (5) boats will transport both the mobile teachers and the bag to the coastal communities so that both youth and adult learners can have access to education. “Maraming mga bata dito ang hindi na nakapagtatapos ng pagaaral kasi napaka-inaccessible (a lot of children here do not get to finish their studies due to inaccessibility),” explained Vice President Leni Robredo, who was present during the turnover ceremonies in Lahuy Island. Emphasizing on the many partnerships of Yel-

EPSON, DENR LAUNCH ECOVISION FILM CONTEST

Vice President Leni Robredo (second from right) attended the turnover of five School-in-a-Bag units to Sitio Lipata on Lahuy Island, a small town in Camarines Sur, where students walk up to six hours to go to school. The educational kits were donated by Smart and the Yellow Boat Foundation of Hope.

low Boat, such as the one with Smart, the Camarines Sur native admitted that a lot has to be done in Sitio Lipata and other far-flung areas nationwide. However, Robredo is optimistic that, “basta pinagtutulungan, walang imposible (as long as we help each other, nothing is impossible).” Improved learning and retention through Mother Tongue educational apps More than merely donating gadgets, Smart developed several interactive tools to support learning strategies, as well as help preserve and promote local culture and heritage. In 2018, the team partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) and academic institutions nationwide to develop mother-tongue based mobile applications. Among those who benefited from these apps was Analou Torifel, an elementary school teacher from the small island of Lipayran, southwest of Bantayan Island in Northern Cebu. After receiving their School-in-a-Bag kit

from Smart and the Rotary Club of Cebu last September, the Grade 3 instructor emphasized that the curriculum-based learning applications that are pre-loaded in the students’ tablets will make them more excited to learn something new and educational every day. “Sure gyud ko ma’am kay ang bata need baya sila og maka catch sa ilang attention nga dugay nila makalimtan (I am very sure that these apps will help, because the kids need something to catch their attention and help them retain the lessons),” Torifel said. She specified that she will augment her daily lessons with the help of Kaalam (Cebuano term for ‘knowledge’), Learn Smart’s Cebuano app that features folklore stories all retold by residents of Argao town in Cebu province. O ther mother-tongue based apps that were launched by Smart in 2018 were the Bahay Kubo Filipino app, Taallam and Tahderiyyah Arabic apps, and Matisalug app for the Matisalug Tribe of Davao and Bukidnon.

SMART SEWING WITH BROTHER INNOV-ÍS A150 SMART sewing is now made simple with the new Brother Innov-ís A150 Computerized Sewing Machine. Like all the mid-range models under the Brother Innov-ís A Series, the A150 machine has reliable stitch quality and sturdy built and equipped with extra powerful needle penetration for thicker fabrics like denim. It has a maximum sewing speed of 850, a mono LCD display measuring 74 x 44mm, 150 built-in stitches, and built-in lettering font styles of gothic, italic, bold, and one Japanese font style. To make sure that no accidents happen, Brother Innov-ís A150 is equipped with a built-in safety detection sensor that prevents accidental use of the needle when changing the bobbin. It even has a keypad button to lock the machine when it’s time to change the needle or presser foot, or clean the machine. Having trouble operating the A150? The

Brother SupportCentre App contains how-to videos, an operation manual, stitch pattern chart, and needle and thread suggestion for different fabric types. To top all those features off, the Innov-ís Series machines are backed by a 1-year warranty (6 months standard, and 6 months extended Brother warranty). So you can sew in peace knowing that your A150 will be providing you reliable sewing service for a long, long time. The Brother A150 sewing machine is now available at all Brother authorized dealers nationwide at a suggested retail price of P29,995. For more information about the product, customers may call the Brother Helpdesk at (02) 581-9898 or visit www.brother.com.ph. Customers from Cebu may call (032) 410-7707, and customers from Davao may call (082) 3210645 or 222-0346.

ACER, G-SHOCK PARTNERSHIP EXTENDED UNTIL JAN. 31 DURING the holidays, we show our generosity by shopping for our loved ones. Throughout the years, we have become wiser when it comes to shopping. We always want a bang for their buck. These days, that is how it works. Everyone wants a shopping experience that offers more value for money than just an outright purchase. People learned how to weigh pros and cons on the spot. There is no better time to spend for your loved ones than the Holidays. As everyone would say, it is the season of giving. Perfect for any lifestyle, laptops can be your go-to gift. For the holidays, Acer is teaming up with G-Shock for a very special treat. For every purchase of any qualifying Acer or Predator laptop, you’ll get a FREE watch from G-Shock’s famous Camouflage Series! With this promo, you can now get more value than what you actually paid for. The striking GA-100CF-1A9

is an analog-digital unisex watch with black band and gold accented dial. The new collection of models feature a tiger camouflage pattern face. Basic black or gray coloring is contrasted by the metallic camouflage pattern of the face, which is further accented by the silver or gold coloring of the hands and hour markers. It would make a great gift for anyone as

Acer Aspire 3

Philippines Facebook Page it is both stylish and functional. You can also get a FREE at www.facebook.com/AcerPH or go to www.acer. Samsonite Luggage or Travel Basic Luggage upon com.ph, follow @AcerPH on purchase of any qualifyInstagram and @acerphils on Twitter. ing product. Another great feature *** G-Shock, Qualified of Acer and Predator laptops is its 2-year warranty products : Nitro 5 Rythat you can regiszen 7 with SSD, Nitro 5 ter at warranty.acer. Optane i5 8th Gen, Nitro com.ph winthin two 5 Optane i7 8th Gen, Heweeks of purchase. This lios 300 i7 1050ti, Helios 300 will also serve as your way i7 1060, Helios 300 Optane, Helios 300 Tactical i5 8th Gen, to claim your free G-Shock watch, Samsonite Luggage Aspire 3 Ryzen 7 with GPU, Aspire 5 i5 WHL, Aspire 5 i7 WHL, or Travel Basic Luggage. This exciting holiday proHelios 500, Triton 700, Nitro 5 i5 G-Shock mo is extended until Janu- GA-100CF-1A9 8th Gen, Nitro 5 Tactical R5, Nitro ary 31, 2019. Redemption of 5 Tactical R7 Samsonite Luggage, Qualified free item is until 60 days from end of promo period. The colors of the products : Swift 3 with Graphics, Swift free items may vary depend- 5, Swift 7/Spin 7, Marvel ing on availability. Travel Basic Luggage, Qualified For more information products : Aspire 3 Ryzen 5 with GPU, E on the Promo, visit the Acer series i5/i7 8th Gen, Aspire 5 i3 8145U

EPSON, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau and GREENducation Philippines, announced the launch of its 1st EcoVision Short Film Competition for students. The inter-school video-making contest aims to tap the artistry and creativity of Filipino students in raising public understanding of the environment and its conservation through the power of Public Service Announcement videos. The competition aims to strengthen Epson’s commitment to the environment, as manifested not just through the innovation of reliable, recyclable, and energy-efficient products but also, its active participation in helping to inspire people to become more aware of pressing ecological issues. “As a tech company, Epson believes that the youth, as the future leaders of society, has the power to influence others in advocating for the conservation of the environment,” said Donna Ferro, brand and communications head of Epson Philippines. “Through this initiative, we aim to empower them by providing a venue where they can showcase their own take in solving the most pressing environmental issues.” For its first edition, the short film competition is looking for the best PSA videos that will serve as an informative tool for GREENducation Philippines, a youth-led group organized by DENR-EMB, in its mission to educate Filipinos about various ecofriendly solutions that Filipinos can follow and apply in their daily lives. With the theme “Green Solutions for Everyday Life at Home, School, or Office,” the PSA video entries will showcase the importance of green solutions, which refer to the positive action of individuals and companies to ecological issues, caused by uncontrolled human activities. “We are glad to partner with Epson Philippines for the first-ever EcoVision Short Film Competition and showcase the work of talented Filipino students in our campaign for environmental protection. This initiative will help us inspire people to change their actions and take the necessary steps, no matter how big or small, to make a difference for the environment,” said Vermon Timbas, Environmental Specialist of DENR-EMB. The 1st EcoVision Film Competition is open to all students (including the production members) at any year level and degree or course from colleges and universities in NCR, Region III, and Region IV-A. To join, entrants must download, fill out, and submit the accomplished submission form along with attachments to ecovision@ epc.epson.com.ph. The qualified entrants may submit PSA video materials with a minimum running time of 2 minutes to a maximum of 5 minutes, showcasing simple yet viable green solutions for environmental issues faced in the home, school or office. Entrants may also submit multiple videos for the three categories—Home, School, or Office—from Jan. 1 to Feb. 5, 2019, until 11:59 p.m. only. Entries will be judged based from the PSA video’s adherence to the theme, overall excellence in storytelling, cinematic attributes, technical execution and social media engagements. The top three PSA videos will win cash prizes of up to P100,000 as well as Epson products for the winners’ respective schools. To learn more about the 1st EcoVision Short Film Competition and to download thesubmission form and complete contest mechanics, visit www.epson.com.ph/ecovision.

TECH & Gadgets SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

BUZZ GROWS ON FLYING CARS AHEAD OF TECH EXPO

OUNTAIN VIEW—Will flying cars take off at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show?

Well, sort of. The prototypes won’t be soaring over the Las Vegas Strip during the technology extravaganza which runs from January 8-11. But a number of flying car designs will be on display, portending what many see as an inevitable airborne future for short-range transport with vertical takeoff and landing, or VTOL. NFT Inc. co-founders Maki and Guy Kaplinsky, a couple developing a flying vehicle in Israel and California, will have their vision on display at show, with a media session on Sunday. “We believe we have a winning design that will enable us to make the Model T of flying cars—a low-cost production model,” Guy Kaplinsky told AFP in a Silicon Valley office park where a prototype model was being assembled. A doorway to the rear of the NFT office in Mountain View opened onto large blue tarps hung from the ceiling to hide the workshop. A team of veteran aviation engineers is focused on research at the startup’s facility in Israel, and the founders plan to expand the staff of 15 people. The startup is designing hardware and software, while enlisting original equipment manufacturers to crank out products at scale. “We learned from Tesla that Elon Musk spent too much time on the production side,” Guy Kaplinsky said. “We are spending our time on the technology side and will partner with companies on assembly.” The NFT vehicle with a projected price tag of $50,000 will function as a car, but be able to take off or land vertically and fly on auto-pilot. Regular Joes ? Several companies, including Uber and start-ups backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, are working on people-carrying drones or similar flying vehicles. In Japan, volunteers in a “Cartivator” group are out to build a “Skydrive” flying car and

REMOTELY CONTROL YOUR HP INK TANK WITH HP SMART APP

A number of flying car designs will be on display, portending what many see as an inevitable airborne future for short-range transport with vertical takeoff and landing, or VTOL. AFP

have set their sights on using one to light the flame at the opening of the Olympic games in Tokyo in 2020. The crowdfunded effort has gotten backing from Japanese auto giant Toyota, where some Cartivator members work. A scaled-down replica of “Toyota’s flying car” is to be shown at CES. “Our team consists of people with diverse professional backgrounds and is working hard every weekend towards developing the flying car,” the group said at a cartivator.com website. “We aim to build a prototype, establish theory of flight control, as well as form alliances with major corporations to make mass production of the flying car a reality.” Door-to-door solution NFT is working to marry a plane with a car, meaning no airports or heliports would be needed. “We believe door-to-door is the solution,”Kaplinsky said. “Our approach is more for the mom and three kids; you load everyone in the car one time and get where you need to go.” A smartphone mapping application could be

paired to a navigation center hosted in the internet cloud, routing drivers to takeoff points and providing instructions to auto-pilots in cars. The electric powered NFT vehicle is targeting ranges of 310 miles flying (500 km) and 60 miles driving (100 km). Kaplinsky said the startup seeing US Federal Aviation Administration approval as early as 2024. He expected to have a drive-fly vehicle ready to demonstrate late next year. Kaplinsky felt it likely that, in the long run, flying cars would be part of ride-sharing fleets to make better use than those owned by individuals. Gartner automotive analyst Mike Ramsey says autonomous flying vehicles are coming, but won’t disrupt the way people travel. Ramsey said cost, regulation, and battery life are just a few of the hurdles for flying vehicles. “There still has to be a limit to the number of these things that can be in the air at once,” he said. While one person with a flying car may be amazing, 500 people in a city darting about in flying cars could bode airborne mayhem.

OWTO PROVIDES COMMUTERS SAFE TRANSPORT OWTO, a leading transport network company, provided hundreds of commuters around the busy streets of Ayala, Makati a quick, comfortable and safe means of transportation recently. More than a hundred active drivers went to their newly installed booth in SM Makati to pick up passengers and safely brought them to their respective destinations. “We are so glad to accommodate a lot of passengers in just a span of two hours after our opening here in SM Makati. And by the end of the year, we are expecting the public to choose OWTO as

their favorite means of transportation,” said Joanne Reyes Gayod, OWTO Board member. OWTO is expecting more than 10,000 active professional drivers to answer the needs of the daily commuters and as part of their commitment to provide superior service not only in Makati City but around Metro Manila. “As what we have been saying to our passengers, OWTO is fair, safe and Filipino. I’m proud to say OWTO is the first Filipino owned TNS and ride-haling app,” added Gayod, noting that the OWTO app will be available early next year in IOS.

With the newest ride-haling app in the country, these everyday problems will now become a thing of the past. OWTO Chief Executive Officer and founder Joey Gayod said: “We are here to serve the riding public and to give a better transport option. We are also here to do our best to provide for our drivers’ needs.” OWTO will also launch a new improved and redesigned version of the App called OWTO 2.0. early this year. For more info, visit their website at www.owtoph.com and OWTO app can be downloaded in Android Playstore.

OWTO will also launch a new improved and redesigned version of the App called OWTO 2.0. early this year.

LENOVO INTRODUCES 2-IN-1 IDEAPAD D330 LEADING PC and smart devices maker Lenovo has recently launched the IdeaPad D330 hybrid laptop. This new product features enhanced power and portability for professionals in today’s modern workplace, as well as young adults that value productivity and mobility. A 2-in-1 device, the IdeaPad D330 is both a full-fledged laptop and feature-rich tablet. It can switch seamlessly between the two by detaching the laptop’s keyboard, allowing it to turn into a powerful tablet that boasts a convenient trackpad, Dolby® Premium Audio, and a 10” screen with HD display. The new IdeaPad has four usage modes—the Notebook, Stand, Tablet, and Tent. Each mode is designed to enhance the user experience in various situations such as writing, sketching, viewing photos or videos, or creating presentations. The IdeaPad D330 offers real computing power and performance to keep up with everyday demands, be it for work or play, at anytime and anywhere. The machine is powered with an Intel Pentium Silver N5000

processor, 4GB of RAM, and equipped with Intel Integrated Graphics, 128 GB eMMC storage and the latest USB 3.1 Type-C support with power display, making charging quicker than average. Weighing just 1.13 kg (2.5 lbs.), the IdeaPad 330 is one of Lenovo’s lightest products. The tablet weighs 600g, while the keyboard is at 525g. It also boasts of having up to 12 hours of battery life, making it ideal for those who want to continue to work or stream movies on the go. Moreover, the device runs on the Windows 10 Home operating system. It also has a 2MP front camera and a 5MP rear camera. For the modern workers The launch of the IdeaPad D330 further strengthens Lenovo’s position as a global leader in providing innovative products. This new device targets the growing market of young business professionals and students who are on the lookout

for a powerful yet affordable device that can keep up with their onthe-go lifestyles. “Customer satisfaction is at the core of our business and it has always been our mission to provide game-changing devices that suit the needs of our customers. The new D330 was born because of that very reason—it is an easy-to-use and powerful device that can perform several tasks on the go, whether for entertainment or business purposes. We believe this is exactly

what our users need,” said Lenovo Philippines Country General Manager Michael Ngan. In the last quarter, the company posted a doubledigit growth and improved profitability as its revenue reached $11.91 billion, a 19-percent year-on-year growth. According to Gartner[1], Lenovo secured the number one spot in PC shipments. Ngan believes that further growth is expected as Lenovo continues to expand its convertible and hybrid line-up, starting with the IdeaPad D330. “As the market becomes younger and more mobile, we at Lenovo will continue to focus on providing innovative, portable devices that provide new and unique experiences for every user. This is something that we have been working on since day one, which is a key factor in solidifying our position as a global leader,” said Ngan. Starting price for the IdeaPad D330 is P24,995. It is available at leading electronics stores.

THROUGH ever-evolving digital technology and the internet, people are discovering faster and more convenient ways of connecting with their loved ones from anywhere and sharing their adventures and experiences to millions of people around the world. This same boundless technology is what enables HP users to harness the capability of HP printers and put its power in the palm of their hands, wherever they may be. With the HP ePrint app and HP Smart app installed in their mobile devices, users can print almost anything, from anywhere, at any time, using their HP Photosmart network-capable printers with integrated wireless or Ethernet and selected HP Officejet printers. HP ePrint With the HP ePrint solution, users can easily print documents, presentations and photos by attaching .doc, .txt or PDF files, PowerPoint files, or JPEG, TIFF, BMP, PNG and GIF image files to an email message and sending this to the printer’s email address. The simple process does not require any printing software and enables HP printers to be shared among multiple de vices with internet connection, including smartphones, tablets, desktop PCs, laptops, or notebook computers, in the office or at home. The printer’s HP ePrint email address is provided when the service is enabled during initial product setup and registration. HP assigns a random email address for the printer and does not publicize it to prevent unauthorized email. HP ePrint also provides industry-standard spam filtering and transforms emails and attachments to a printonly format to reduce the threat of a virus or harmful content. HP Smart App With the HP Smart app, users can print from their mobile devices to virtually anywhere with HP selected printers, including the HP Ink Tank Wireless 415 AiO printer. The app enables printing photos and documents directly from smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices; Facebook, Instagram or other social media platforms; cloud storage like Dropbox, Google Drive and camera-roll gallery. The app even customizes photos for print optimization. With the HP Smart app, scanning and sharing files on the go has never been faster and easier. With the app, just take a picture of the document using a smartphone camera, and share them to the cloud, email or social media. The app’s automatic border detection makes scans align perfectly for professional looking images. The app also enables sending and sharing digital files to the printer for remote printing. Running out of ink or toner will not be a problem as users can easily monitor and order supplies using the HP Smart app. The HP ePrint and HP Smart App free mobile apps for Android and iOS devices are available for download at Google Play and the App Store while the HP Smart App is also available at www.hp.com/ go/mobileprinting. For more details, please visit authorized HP resellers nationwide.

Destinations SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

SIGHTSEEING IN SAPPORO

The Snow Festival held every February

HokkaidoUniversity(663highland)

@MStandardLIFE

FREQUENT FLYER JAL offers year-end ticket sale

apan’s fifth largest city Sapporo takes pride in three things: snow, beer, and festivals. And the best thing is, those three things can be enjoyed separately or simultaneously—a day of guzzling a pint while reveling in the snow festival sounds like a great plan. Unlike other Japanese cities, Sapporo is not a top-of-mind destination for Filipinos...yet. Discover why it’s considered Japan’s hidden gem when it comes to beer, skiing, and celebrating winter months.

Sapporo Beer Museum (Photo by K. Takeda)

A celebration of snow Imagine experiencing winter in a city that loves the season so much, it created a festival around it. According to Japan Meteorological Agency, Sapporo is one of the few metropolises in the world with such heavy snowfall, with an average snowfall of 5.96 meters, thus enabling it to hold festivals with snow statues. From six high school students who built ice carvings in 1950, the festival has grown to bewitch locals and tourists alike through the years. Tourists can bask in chilly amazement at over 400 ice sculptures (some even life-size) and thrilling ice slides, navigate their way through ice mazes, catch top musical acts on-stage, and cheer for their favorites at the Queen of Ice beauty pageant.

Skiing in Sapporo

Cultural events for every season It’s not all snow-covered roads for this city, though. Sapporo has enough yearround excitement to keep everyone entertained. In the spring (which comes a few months after the rest of the country) visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms in full bloom, without the rest of the tourist crowds. Come summer, the city brims with lavender fields, music festivals, and beach events—best enjoyed with decadent ice cream crafted with world-renowned Hokkaido milk. And for autumn, when nature turns into a beautiful palette of orange and yellow hues, people can indulge in a grand gastronomic feast at the Sapporo Autumn Festival. Treats for the palate Sapporo beer fans should drop by Japan’s only Beer Museum to know more about the city’s world famous eponymous beer brand, as well as other historical beer facts. Love chocolate? Make sure to stop by Royce’s Chocolate World and witness chocolate artisans work their magic. Slurp down a bowl of Hokkaido’s specialty dish, miso butter corn ramen.

Sapporo Beer Garden

Mountainside cityscapes Sapporo is a majestic mix of nature and urban living, a timeless display of Japan just a bit different from what the rest of the world is used to. Its lush flower farms filled with vibrant hues, quaint canals, and charming architecture barely over a century old. It’s no wonder many have carefully stepped into this place only find themselves falling deeply in love with the city. Philippine Airlines now brings passengers coming from the Philippines to Sapporo three times weekly aboard the new Airbus A321 Neo. Tourists can begin and end their storybook vacation with comfortable seats, inflight meals, and the signature heartfelt service courtesy of PAL. Go to www.philippineairlines.com for more information.

JAL offers discounted tickets to Tokyo.

TOKYO-BOUND Filipino travelers are in for a treat as Japan Airlines’ offers discounted round-trip flights to the Land of the Rising Sun’s capital. Tickets are currently on sale today until Jan. 10, with travel period applicable today until July 31. Economy Class seats are priced at USD 320, Premium Economy (applicable only to flight JL742/Narita) at USD 699, and Business Class at USD 1099. In addition to its Narita route the Japanese flag carrier also launched its newest route from Manila to Tokyo via Haneda which is the only flight that allows passengers leaving from Manila to arrive in Japan early in the morning. Japan Airlines Philippines general manager Chikara Mochihara expressed his excitement over seeing more Filipino travelers heading over to Japan. “With the Japanese government’s effort to boost repeat visitors in the country, we’ve seen more Filipinos acting on their desire to visit Japan as we welcomed the more than 400,000 tourists from the Philippines in 2017. As the flag carrier, we are very proud to be part of the Filipino tourist’s journey as we extend the Japanese experience from the moment you step on board to the moment you arrive in Japan,” said Mochihara. Go to www.jal.com for more information.

AXA offers insurance for travelers Leading global insurer Axa offers frequent travelers peace of mind as they explore the world with a travel insurance packed with medical and emergency benefits. In partnership with HSBC, Axa offers TravelWise, which offers up to P5 million in worldwide coverage. It includes a wide range of benefits such as personal accident coverage and 24-hour medical and emergency assistance. It also offers refunds for travel inconveniences such as flight cancellation, postponement, alteration, and delay; and covers the loss or damage of personal belongings and travel documents. Turn to D2

MERCURY RISING

Davao's culinary specialties showcased at 'Kaon Ta Food and Travel Festival' launch in Davao City.

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

MERCURY RISING BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

CULINARY TOURISM

EATING has always been my favorite preoccupation, so it was a most pleasant surprise when an invitation landed on my desk, to join the launch of the Department of Tourism’s "Kaon Ta Food and Travel Festival" in Davao. And because I haven’t been to that city for quite some time, I grabbed the opportunity and found myself on my way there in no time. As our Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat correctly puts it, the most common greeting we, Filipinos, give our

visitors is the invitation “let’s eat” (kaon ta, for Cebuanos like me, or kain tayo, in Tagalog). It is but fitting for a festival that promotes our culinary tourism to be labelled this way, further bolstering the country’s reputation as one of the world’s gastronomy hubs. With the support of Ayala Malls, the festival was launched at Davao’s Abreeza Mall, the first Ayala Mall in Mindanao, with over 300 stores which include a Turn to D2

Destinations

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

THE BEST DESTINATION TO SAY

FREQUENT...

From D1

‘I DO’ A

PREMIER resort on the island of Palawan has received the prestigious Luxury Wedding Destination award from the 2018 World Luxury Hotel Awards.

TravelWise offers peace of mind to travelers.

For added security, it also includes coverage in case of hijacking, kidnapping, or hostage-taking overseas, as well as in case of legal liabilities that arise while abroad. Go to www.hsbc.com.ph/insurance/ for more information.

City of Dreams partners with PAL DREAM Rewards Club card members now have the option to convert their Dream Rewards points to Mabuhay Miles as City of Dreams Manila partners with the country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines. CoD Manila’s senior vice president and chief operating officer Kevin Benning and PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista inked the agreement, along with CoD and PAL officials. “With this partnership, Dream Rewards members will enjoy the added value of having the option to convert their earned Dream Rewards points to Mabuhay Miles and travel to destinations of their choice through Philip-

Club Paradise Palawan received the much-coveted award in recognition of its sustained commitment to excellence in hoteliering and its outstanding achievements in the international luxury hotel industry. Voted by over 300,000 international travelers and industry players across 99 categories, the WLHA provides international recognition for the luxury hotel industry. By showcasing each hotel’s unique selling points, world-class facilities, and excellent service, the awards provide winners the opportunity to inspire the confidence of guests and retain a loyal clientele in this highly competitive market. Club Paradise Palawan was awarded for offering one-of-a-kind wedding experiences. The resort is a pristine tropical island getaway, nestled in an exclusive, 19-hectare island resort

City of Dreams Manila chief operating officer Kevin Benning and Philippine Airlines president and chief operating officer Jaime J. Bautista (center) seal the partnership for Mabuhay Miles privileges for Rewards Club members.

pine Airlines,” said Benning. Every 600 Dream Rewards points can be converted into 500 Mabuhay Miles for Sapphire and Gold members; while Ruby, Jade, and Dragon members can convert their 500 Dream Rewards points to 500 Mabuhay Miles. To convert Dream Rewards points to Mabuhay Miles, patrons must be Mabuhay Miles members. Dream Rewards Club members can earn points when staying, dining, playing, and shopping at City of Dreams Manila. Go to www.cityofdreamsmanila.com for more information.

CULINARY... From D1

A towering art installation centerpiece made of indigenous materials.

wide array of retail choices with popular local and foreign brands. The mall’s activity area was transformed into a big buffet section, offering delicious local culinary specialties, highlighted by a beautiful, towering art installation centerpiece made of indigenous materials. The Tourism secretary launched “Kaon Ta” to promote the Philippine culinary culture and tradition, capitalizing on the richly diverse authentic cuisine in the different regions of the country which can easily become attractive culinary destinations. Through this festival, the Department of Tourism not only conveys an invitation for local and foreign visitors to sample local dishes but also showcases our Filipino brand of friendliness and hospitality. Food will always be a top-of-mind consideration in the different places tourists visit, as proven by statistics showing that food comprises a third of total tourist expenditures while in the country. The Tourism chief explained that this event launched in Davao is actually part of a series, all in partnership with Ayala Malls, which aims to promote distinct regional Filipino cuisine as tourism destinations. Two simultaneous events were launched in Legazpi City and Cebu City in October, while the launch in Cagayan

amidst a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its expansive beachfront, with the sun dramatically setting behind the picturesque mountains of Coron, as well as the breathtaking sight of bats in flight, make for a picture-perfect wedding. Attention to details also makes Club Paradise a great wedding destination. Wedding packages, from intimate affairs to grand celebrations, also give couples the option to hold the most memorable day of their lives in paradise, exactly the way they want it. Events Specialists are on hand to help make every dream wedding a reality—making it a truly bespoke experience.

LOVE IN PARADISE. Romantic destination, picture-perfect setting, luxurious accommodations, incomparable service, and meticulous attention to details have made Club Paradise Palawan an award-winning, bespoke wedding destination like no other. The hotel resort in Coron has received the prestigious Luxury Wedding Destination award from the 2018 World Luxury Hotel Awards.

Go to www.clubparadisepalawan. com to know more.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (seated, center), Tourism Secretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat (to his right), and Ayala Corporation chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel (to his left) led the group of Tourism officers who attended the festival's Davao launch.

for being a staunch ally in her advocacy to promote our food products and help our farmers. Each of these events allows exhibitors, which include hotels and restaurants, farm resorts, agro industry groups, eco-farm adventure parks, transport operators, and the academe, to showcase whatever products they may want to put the spotlight on. The Tourism offices in each of the regions also present specialty food products, coffee, vegetables, juices, handicrafts, and culinary tour packages for visitors to avail of. Secretary Romulo-Puyat encourages everyone to gather family and friends alike for a trip around the country, to rediscover its beauty and diversity through a gastronomic journey. After all, food trip, as we Filipinos love to say, is definitely “more fun in the Philippines!” Entry to this nationwide food and travel festival is always free of charge to the visitor, who is the lucky beneficiary of this Department of Tourism initiative, because every region tries to show off their best culinary delights. So, let’s start the New Year right by savoring the precious delicacies our country has to offer. Tara na, kaon ta?

de Oro was done in November. talent, and creativity of our local chefs, The Davao event was done simultane- many of them world-renowned; and ously with Pampaninspires budding ga and Laguna, after culinary artisans to which the roadshow strengthen our poYOUR WEEKEND will be brought to sition as a gastronCHUCKLE Bacolod. Other reomy hub. gions will also have During the Davao A Mexican magician tells his their turn. launch, the Tourism audience he will disappear on the Secretary Romulosecretary thanked count of three! He says, “Uno... Puyat said this sePresident Rodrigo Dos...*Poof*” He disappeared ries of events also Duterte, who also For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@ without a Tres. showcases the skill, graced the event, gmail.com.

Entertainment

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019

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

CATRIONA GRAY APPEALS FOR HELP FOR BICOL TYPHOON VICTIMS Marco with his co-stars in the afternoon drama, "Los Bastardos"

By Eton Concepcion With Nadine Lustre in an upcoming film, "Ulan"

The young actor in a scene from Viva's MMFF 2018 entry, "Aurora"

MARCO

MAKES HIS MARK By Nickie Wang

OUNG actor Marco Gumabao is making a name for himself in local Tinseltown. Starting out as a teen star seven years ago, the 24-year-old Marco, also known as one of the poster boys of a local fashion brand known for its endorsers who flaunt their enviable physique in underwear, now discovers his great passion for acting, especially in drama. He hopes to do more projects that will showcase his acting skills like in Los Bastardos where he plays one of the main characters. “I think I am at my best doing it. I hope they’d give me more projects that will allow me to explore my dramatic side,” Marco shared in an interview. In September 2017, he left Star Magic, where he was a talent for six years, and signed up with Viva Artist Agency. It was a decision some people thought would not be beneficial to this career that was taking flight then. But time tells us it’s otherwise. With Viva, people started noticing Marco again. He’s no longer the hot guy playing support roles. In 2018 alone, he’s starred in three notable movies namely the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Aurora opposite Anne Curtis, Para Sa Broken Hearted and Abay Babes. And this year, he’s part of two films including the Nadine Lustre starrer, Ulan. “I think it was a good career decision. I owe a lot to Star Magic because I was with them for six years. Something happened to my career but it was not the pace I really wanted. So, when I told them that I wanted to do more, they let me go,” he expressed. He further said that he wanted to explore and get a harder push on his acting career. And he made a conscious decision to transfer management where there is less competition. “I couldn’t blame Star Magic if they were not able to give me more projects because there are so many talents who are also waiting for assignments,” the actor said. Although he was certain on what he wanted to do with his showbiz career, he still had a few doubts and initial fears, which he said was normal when you’re already part of an established talent management linked to a big network. “I was hesitant to leave at first. But I have to try new things, and moving to a diiferenr management was a logical decision,” he added and assured that there was no any bad blood between him and his former management. At the moment, Marco is content with his progress as he takes things in small chunks. “I am where I really wanted to be. I don’t want to have that sudden rise, yung overnight kang sisikat. I believe in the step-by-step process. Kasi mahirap if from one step, mag-jump ka nang sobrang laki, baka mabigla ka, baka hindi ka ready sa ibibigay sa ‘yo. Now, I’m happy sa pace na tinatakbo ng career ko. And I pray na sana magtuluy-tuloy,” he ended.

BEYONCE

HELPS PARIS LOUVRE ATTRACT RECORD VISITOR NUMBERS International pop superstar Beyonce

THE world’s most popular museum, the Paris Louvre, received over 10 million visitors in 2018, a record which it partly attributed Thursday to a Beyonce video shot against the backdrop of the Mona Lisa and other famous works. Some 10.2 million people visited the museum last year, a 25 percent increase over 2017, which its president Jean-Luc Martinez also linked to a stunning tourism recovery in Paris after a slump caused by a spate of terror attacks. But Martinez also gave some of the credit to pop power couple Beyonce and Jay Z, who shot the video for their hit “Apeshit” in the galleries of the former royal palace. The wildly popular clip, which has been viewed 147 million times on YouTube, went on to form the basis of a tour designed by the Louvre that takes in the 17 paintings and sculptures featured in the video. “The Beyonce clip and the opening

of the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi had people around the world talking about the Louvre. And one of the consequences is this spectacular rebound in the visitor numbers in 2018,” Martinez told France Info radio. A 60-million-euro revamp of its reception areas and ticketing system also helped the venerable museum, one of Paris’s best-known landmarks which was founded after the French Revolution, manage the influx. The overhaul was chiefly funded by an agreement between France and the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, where the Louvre opened an outpost in Abu Dhabi to great fanfare in November 2017. In 2017, the Louvre just edged the National Museum of China to remain the most-visited museum in the world with 8.1 million visitors compared to 8 million for the Beijing gallery and 7.3 million for the Metropolitan museum in New York. While the French remain the biggest

USING her clout as newly crowned Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray appealed for help for her countrymen affected by the devastating landslides and floods in the Bicol region, the hardest hit by tropical depression “Usman.” Calling for prayers and aids for the people of Albay, Sorsogon and Camarines Sur on her Instagram, Gray, posted “there have been 57 reported deaths (so far) from landslides and floods caused by typhoon Usman that affected the region December 30.” “Team Albay Youth Organization (TAYO), Inc., in Gogon, Legazpi City, will be repacking relief goods starting on January 2 and is accepting water, readyto-eat food, old clothes, blankets and other relief items,” Gray, whose Mother is from Oas, Albay, said. “The Camarines Sur Chapter of the Red Cross is also accepting donations in cash and in kind. You may bring or send donation to the PRC-Camarines beside ABS-CBN Panginban Drive, Naga City,” she added. Meanwhile, after a week of not updating her fans on social media on her whereabouts, the 24-year-old Gray finally greeted her online fans and supporters before she left for New York, where she will start performing her duties as new Miss Universe. “Refreshed from a quiet holiday season with my loved ones, I’ve packed up my home in Manila and now I’m ready to move to my new home in New York City!! I still can’t believe it! I have to say I’m most nervous about experiencing the chill of NYC in winter but would love to know, what are your recommendations to see, do and eat?! Let me know!!,” Gray said on her social media post.

Catriona Gray is now in New York to officially start with her duties as Miss Universe

patrons of the Louvre, which also home to the Venus de Milo, foreigners accounted for three-quarters of the intake. Nearly a million Chinese swept through the Louvre’s doors in 2018, making them the second biggest foreign visitor group after Americans, who numbered nearly 1.5 million. “It’s a huge leap,” Martinez told AFP, noting that five years ago the Chinese were not in the top five of foreign visitors. The record numbers cap a dramatic turnaround for the Louvre, which like other Paris landmarks had suffered the fallout of several major terror attacks that severely dented visitor numbers. The Louvre itself was targeted in one attack in February 2017, when an Egyptian man armed with machetes lunged at soldiers on patrol outside the facility. No visitors were hurt in the incident, which saw police shoot the attacker, seriously injuring him. AFP

sunday, january 6, 2019

Desiree Carlos, Editor

Pets

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

My Furry Bestie

A ToAD can kill

THIS corner features pets of animal lovers every week. We hope new owners and those thinking of getting a pet will be encouraged to be responsible “furparents” through these features. We also hope more people will be moved to be kind to animals when they read about the great relationship that can be created between humans and animals.

your dog

For contributions, please email to daycarlos28@yahoo.com and put My Furry Bestie as subject.

any owners take toads for granted. But the bad news is, toads release toxins that can either blind your dog or kill your dog.

PETS ROaM Toad poisonpet tales OR WHERE ing in dogs is By desiree carlos yOU SUSPECT common, says TOaDS LIVE. PetMD in the article "Venom Toxicosis in Dogs." Symptoms and Types My uncle’s mini dachshund died It takes only a few seconds for the last Wednesday when she appar- symptoms of any toad encounter to ently bit a big toad. come out. These may include the We washed the mouths of the following: other three mini dachshund with 1. The dog will crt, vocalize pain or water and cotton as we didn’t have discomfort. anything to flush the mouth with. 2. The dog will try to scratch or They just moved into the new house. paw at the mouth and/or eyes. Clean the gums, the teeth, the 3. There is profuse drooling (saliva). tongue thoroughly with cotton 4. The membranes of the mouth dipped in water, but it is best to flush might change in color, will become the mouth with water to remove all pale or inflamed. toxins for at 10-15 minutes. We were bent on removing any residue of any venom. This, while waiting for the driver to bring all dogs to the vet. In cases of suspected poisoning due to toad venom, the minutes count. So please rush your dog to the vet immediately and wash the mouth, gums, teeth and tongue while on the way to the clinic. PetMD says: “Toad venom toxicity is relatively common in dogs. Being natural predators, it is common for dogs to catch toads in their mouths, thereby coming into contact with the toad's toxin, which the toad releases when it feels threatened. This highly toxic defense chemical is most often absorbed through the oral cavity membrane, but it may also enter the eyes, causing vision problems. Its effects are lethal if not treated immediately. “ PetMD says the two most common toads known for their toxic effects are the Colorado River Toad and the Marine Toad. “Most cases of poisoning are reported during the warmest weather months, when the toads are more active and humidity is high,” PetMD says. So watch out for toads during hot months. Pets usually come into contact with the Bufo toads during the very early morning hours which happened to my uncle’s dog which was six in the morning, or after evening has set. “These toads are omnivorous, eating both living creatures, such as 5. There is difficulty in breathing. insects and small rodents, and non6. Movements of the dog are living food, such as pet food that has unsteady. been left outdoors. Because of the 7. The dog will go into a seizure. latter, pets will often come into con8. Take the temperature. If very tact with these amphibians as they high, rush your dog to the vet. are eating from the animal's food 9. The dog will collapse. dish, “ PetMD says. Thus, PLEaSE DO nOT LEaVE Causes any PET FOOD OUTSIDE yOUR • Dogs who live near areas where HOUSE, SPECIaLLy WHERE yOUR toads live and dogs who spend a lot

Rescued dogs, specially pups, are monitored by a caretaker of animal welfare group Save aLL during roaming time in the garden.

of time out of the house are at higher risk of contact.

Diagnosis

PetMD says, “Toad venom toxicity is a heath emergency requiring immediate treatment, as it can quickly lead to death. you will need to give the on call veterinarian a thorough history of your dog's health, a description of the onset of symptoms, and the likelihood that this is occurring as the result of contact with a Bufo toad.” The vet will 1. Conduct a complete physical examination. 2. Take blood and urine samples.

Save aLL caretakers check out gardens or the outdoors for toads before letting the rescued dogs out just like when Rafa, a parvo survivor, had a photo shoot.

heart rhythm in conjunction with toad venom poisoning. “ PetMD says.

Treatment

you must bring your dog to the vet immediately as this is an emergency that may lead to the death of your dog, PetMD says. “Time remains a crucial factor in the survival of the affected animal, " PetMD says. PetMD adds: 1. “The first step of treatment is to flush the mouth with water for 5-10 minutes to prevent further absorption of the venom through the mouth membranes. 2. The doctor will also need to keep the dog's body temperature stable, which may require keeping it in a cool bath. 3. Heart abnormalities are a common symptom, so your veterinarian will want to monitor the heart's ability to function and respond to the treatment. an ECG will be set up and continuously monitored to evaluate your dog's cardiac activity. 4. Drugs can be used to control the abnormal heart rhythm, and also to reduce the amount of saliva your dog is producing in response to the toxin. 5. If your dog is in an obvious amount of pain, your doctor may also decide to anesthetize it in order to reduce the severity of the symptoms.”

DUMBO, a golden retriever, was brought home by Jen Valencia and husband Ron last January 2017. “He was 3 months back then. He lives in Bulacan and is being cared for by Grandpa Bob, “ Jen says. Jen adds: “Dumbo is naughty, playful and cheerful. He is also sweet and clingy to everyone.” “He knows some tricks and likes to use these tricks so he can get dog treats because he loves eating. He likes playing better than sleeping. Indeed, dogs like him are active and enthusiastic! “ Jen shares.

Living and Management

The dog will be monitored continuously until he or she has fully recovered. The vet will also continue to record the heart's rhythms using ECG to evaluate the response to the treatment. a pet who was treated immediately—“before enough of the toxin has had a chance to reach the system, within about 30 minutes”-- has a better chance of recovery, PetMD says . “However, the overall prognosis is not good for most animals, and death is very common in dogs that have been exposed to toad venom, “ PetMD warns .

Prevention

3. Order a complete blood count, biochemistry profile and urinalysis. “The results of these tests are often found to be normal in these animals, except for abnormally high levels of potassium (hyperkalemia). The dog may also exhibit an abnormal heartbeat, and if your veterinarian has time to conduct an electrocardiogram(ECG), the results will typically confirm an abnormal

To prevent toad venom poisoning, please 1. Check out your garden or plant pots for toads. 2. Clean vacant lots near you or ask the homeowners’ association to cut the grass and remove possible areas where toads will live like a pile of cut grass or any objects or junk. 3. Monitor your roaming pets as often as you can while outside your house. 4. Do not leave pet food outside the house.

BETHIna is “my 10 year old chihuahua who loves to be called in the most smallest voice possible, says owner Jaja De Dios. “She loves cuddling with her hoomans and she loves to play all day with her hoomans. She likes being carried anywhere. Bethina is a new mom who's very protective of her litter, “ says Jaja. Editor's note: These stories were compiled by admin Miks Lim of Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL), a SEC-registered animal welfare group that helps animals in need, and encourages and promotes responsible pet ownership, adoption of rescued dogs and cats from fosters, shelters and pounds, and spaying and neutering of pets to control animal population in the country, among others.

siMple But healthy treats Make cats happy a LOT of indoor cats are becoming obese or too fat. Elizabeth Xum noted in “6 Healthy Treat Ideas for Cats” noted that most owners would give extra treats to their cats because they missed them so much after a hard day’s work. But she warned that cat experts have said too many treats can be harmful to cats. She quoted Dr. Rachel Barrack, DVM, who said, “Obesity is a huge problem in both dogs and cats. It has been shown that obesity is linked to major medical problems in both dogs and cats including cancer, degenerative Rescued cat Dos of animal welfare group Save joint disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and decreased life exaLL will eat anything—kibble, canned wet food, meat. But the food given to the cats are pectancy and quality of life. The most now limited to avoid medical problems after commonly seen cause of obesity in one cat was put on a diet due to an increase in pets is overfeeding—particularly overglucose level and sugar count. feeding treats.”

Xu said you can still give treats to your pets “but you should think about when you treat and how much you give each time. Giving healthy treats to a cat might seem like the obvious answer, but it’s a little harder to treat cats than dogs, says Dr. amy Farcas, DVM, a veterinary nutritionist with Veterinary nutrition Care in California.” Farcas stressed that cats will likely not eat fruits or vegetable although owners may think these are good for animals. Xu listed six healthy treats for cats: 1. Small pieces of lean meat Xu stressed cats need amino acids from protein. Cats appreciate meat too. Some cats love meat but some also look for… 2. Their kibble This may not seem like such a treat but “your cat already enjoys their kib-

ble and this is one way to give them fewer calories, “ Xu said. “Try setting aside some of your dog or cat’s food to allocate as a ‘treat’ throughout the day. This will eliminate excess calories. Make sure that all members of the household are on board with the amount to avoid overfeeding,” Barrack said. 3. Dried liver Cats can be given dried liver but in moderation. 4. Wet cat food Cats love kibble, and a number of cats love canned or wet cat food. 5. Commercial treats “If you enjoy preparing treats for your cat, it can be a part of the bonding experience,” Farcas said. Farcas added: “But if you don’t, there’s no need to worry that commercial treats

are necessarily unhealthy. a cat’s needs are individual, so check with your veterinarian to see what they recommend.” 6. affection The best treat will always be affection. Cats crave a pat on the head as a late night snack. They also love playing and being walked. “Luckily, cats are a little different— they don’t always need a treat to know you love them or that they’ve done something good, Xu said.

Limiting treats

Limit the treats you give them. “Even if you’re feeding an item that’s considered to be healthy, it’s still considered an unbalanced food item because it doesn’t provide that whole package that a complete diet does,” Farcas said. DC