Manila Standard - 2019 August 4 - Sunday by Manila Standard

THUMBING THEIR NOSES AT WAVES.

Children residents of Baseco Compound in Manila’s waterfront district of Tondo courageously confront the whirling waves during the heavy downpour brought by the southwest monsoon Saturday. Weathermen have said two weather systems—a low pressure area and the southwest monsoon—will being heavy rains to Metro manila and other parts of the country. (Story on A2) Norman Cruz

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 171 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

HEALTH EXEC WARNS VS. DENGVAXIA USE By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

BI CURBS INFLUX OF CHINESE

EALTH Undersecretary Eric Domingo has noted that Dengvaxia cannot be used in the Philippines because it is not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as among the drugs allowed to be sold in the country.

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration will no longer issue visa extensions to foreigners who will visit the Philippines under the Visa Upon Arrival, due to the influx of Chinese tourists who were taking advantage of the entry permit to illegally work here. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente issued an administrative order revising the procedures and guidelines in the issuance of accreditation to travel agencies and operators to process VUA applications of PROC nationals via VUA facility. Under the VUA, a foreign visitor is allowed to stay for at least 30 days in the country and can apply for an extension for another 30 days. However, Morente signed a new order that would no longer extend the stay of foreigners issued with VUA. The new guidelines will also require travel/tour operators seeking to avail of the VUA facility through the BI to post P500,000 cash bond. Every travel/tour operator must submit his/her company’s year of existence as travel and tour agency; SEC,, GIS, and Turn to A2

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2 SUBWAYS TO LESSEN POLLUTION By Maricel V. Cruz

“More important, we are actually counting on The 10-kilometer and 10-station Makati underthe convenience of subway rides to reduce over ground rapid transit system, also known as Line 5,

ETRO Manila is bound to time the number of people using their own cars is expected to start operations in 2025. to go to work,” Campos said. This is around the same time that the 36-kiloenjoy considerably cleaner Less use of private cars will not only mean meter and 15-station Metro Manila Subway Project and healthier air in the years less exhaust emissions, but also less road from Quezon City to Taguig City, or Line 9, would ahead once its first two subway trains also be up and running. become operational, a lawmaker said on congestion. Campos earlier filed House Bill No. 1432 which The two subway lines will be linked. Saturday. seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by proThe Makati subway is projected to move up to “Besides providing everybody a better way to commute, the two subways will surely improve in a big way Metro Manila’s air quality—with lower toxic carbon dioxide concentrations,” said Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. Unlike buses and other public utility vehicles that run on diesel or gasoline, the electric-driven subways will not discharge harmful exhaust fumes into the air, he said.

viding incentives for the manufacture, assembly, conversion and importation of electric, hybrid and other motor vehicles that run on cleaner alternative fuel. Philippine InfraDev Holdings Inc. and the Makati City government on Tuesday signed the joint venture agreement for the $3.5-billion Makati Intra-city Subway Public-Private Partnership Project.

700,000 commuters daily. It will also be linked to the existing MRT (Line 3) and the proposed new Pasig River Ferry System. It is anticipated to initially convey some 365,000 commuters daily starting 2025, and up to 973,000 daily by 2035. “Overall, we envisage subway rides to be easier, faster, cheaper and safer for everybody,” Campos said.

GSIS MUST COVER BRGY. OFFICIALS — LAWMAKER A LAWMAKER has filed a bill seeking to expand the coverage of the Government Service Insurance System to include local officials in the country’s 42,000 barangays. Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy V made the proposal through House Bill No. 2298. “Our barangay captains, kagawads, and secretaries are the frontliners in the delivery of public service,” Dy, who once served as President of the Liga ng Barangay, said. “The government depends on them to help keep peace and order in communities and to aid in the implementation of key government programs,” he added. Under the bill, GSIS coverage will be extended to local officials such as barangay captains, barangay councilors, and barangay secretaries. The bill provides that local government units shall pay for the GSIS premiums of barangay officials. The national government, however, will shoulder 50 percent of the premiums in the cases of fourth, fifth, and sixth class municipalities. Barangay officials who already enjoy GSIS benefits such as insurance, retirement pay, disability benefits, and health coverage will not be covered by the measure. “If there are problems in a community, an emergency like a fire, or a natural calamity like floods, barangay officials are the first responders on the ground,” Dy said. “Barangay officials work for our government and our people, just like other government employees. Unfortunately, unlike other government employees, they do not have basic benefits like GSIS coverage,” he added. Maricel V. Cruz

ALL SMILES. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (2nd left) and his wife, Tingog Party-list ist Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez (left) greet former President and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on her 51st wedding anniversary during a celebration at the La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City. Ver Noveno

PROTECT INFORMAL SECTOR—ANGARA By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Sonny Angara has called on local chief executives of Metro Manila to look after the welfare of their constituents who will be affected by the ongoing clearing of roads in their respective areas of jurisdiction. While he fully supports the clearing operations to help ease traffic in Metro Manila, he said the displacement of sidewalk vendors and removal of structures such as barangay halls are consequences of the process that should not be ignored. “We understand that all obstructions on the roads and sidewalks should be cleared,” said Angara. “However, many of those who will be affected are from the informal sector, meaning they have no social protection to fall back on at all. Illegal or not, their needs are

just as important as anyone else’s,” he added. All of the efforts to address traffic congestion in major urban areas such as Metro Manila, he said, will not succeed unless the primary, arterial and secondary roads are cleared of obstructions. For the displaced vendors, Angara suggested LGUs provide permanent facilities for them to legally sell their wares. In the case of the barangay halls, police precincts and other public structures that are being removed for encroaching on sidewalks and roads, Angara said it is the responsibility of LGUs to find suitable areas for them to relocate. “Hindi naman kasi dapat na may mga opisina na nakatayo sa mga sidewalk at kalsada. Trabaho nila ang magbigay ng seguridad at iba pang

serbisyo sa mga tao pero kung sila din mismo ang nagiging sagabal na sa nakararami, then there’s something wrong with this picture,” Angara said. President Rodrigo Duterte, in his fourth State of the Nation Address, ordered LGUs and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to “reclaim all public roads that are being used for private ends” in order to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in Metro Manila. Responding to the directive of the President, the Department of Interior and Local Government gave Metro Manila mayors up to the end of September this year to clear public roads of all obstructions. The local chief executives were also ordered to revoke all permits issued to private entities for the occupation of public roads, alleys and other thoroughfares.

DOLE ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR WODP FUNDS HANDS-ON.

Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso leads a tree planting ceremony at the Laudato Si Garden at the College of Holy Spirit on Aug. 3. Norman Cruz

KENNEDY ‘CURSE’ CONTINUES NEW YORK—The death of Robert Kennedy’s granddaughter at age 22 is the latest in a long list of tragedies stretching back to the 1940s to have struck America’s most famous political dynasty. Saoirse Kennedy Hill was found unresponsive at the Democratic family’s sprawling compound at Hyannis Port on the Cape Cod peninsula in Massachusetts on Thursday, according to multiple US media reports. Her cause of death wasn’t immediately confirmed but The New York Times said she had died from an apparent drug overdose. Kennedy Hill had written about her struggles with depression. “Our hearts are shattered by the loss of our beloved Saoirse,” the Kennedy family said in a statement to AFP. “She lit up our lives with her love, her peals of laughter and her generous spirit.” “The world is a little less beautiful today,” said 91-year-old Ethel Kennedy, Saoirse’s grandmother and widow of Robert Kennedy who was assassinated in 1968 while on the campaign trail. Saoirse was the daughter of Courtney Kennedy Hill, one of 11 children that Ethel and Robert, younger brother of former president John F. Kennedy, had together. One of the first police responders answering an emergency call at the Kennedy property radioed that the victim was in cardiac arrest when he arrived, according to the local daily Hyannis News. An autopsy revealed no trauma inconsistent with lifesaving measures, the paper added. The Kennedys, often considered the closest thing the United States has to a royal family, have been plagued by tragic and untimely deaths for decades. AFP

By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Labor and Employment has issued new guidelines for accessing the funds of its Workers Organization Development Program (WODP) to strengthen the mechanism toward empowering trade unions and other workers’ organizations. “WODP is a government program that gives workers’ organization and its members and their dependents an opportunity for systemic learning and growth through the provision of accessible information facilities, training programs, and educational and technical assistance,”said Labor chief Silvestre Bello III in signing Department Order No. 203.

Under the new guidelines, components of the program shall only be in the form of a grant, which includes the provision of training in areas such as organizational development and management and labor and employment-related subject areas as well as scholarship assistance. The program will cover all legitimate workers’ organizations undertaking programs or projects funded from WODP. Other provisions in the guidelines include specific requirements in the accreditation of WODP beneficiaries, modified general conditions in availing of grants, and provisions particular to offered assistance. The guidelines shall take effect 15 days after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.

GONE IN 1.88 SECONDS PARIS—Blink and you miss it. In the last few weeks, the cutting-edg of Formula One technology, coupled with old-fashioned muscle an hand-eye co-ordination, has witnessed record-breaking pit stops. At the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in mid-July, Red Bull manage to change the four wheels of Pierre Gasly’s car in a mind-bogglin 1.91 seconds. However, last weekend at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim, tha lightning fast maneuver was made to look almost pedestrian when th Red Bull team got race winner Max Verstappen rebooted in a new worl record time of a staggering 1.88 seconds. “It’s so fast that you do not even have time to see the guys change the wheels,” said Gasly. “You are focused on the light (which tells the driver that he ca start off again) you are already pressing on the accelerator. It is an incredible job on the part of the mechanics.” Until this season, the previous record was 1.92 seconds, jointly held by Red Bull at the 2013 US Grand Prix on the car of Australian driver Mark Webber and Williams at the European Grand Prix in 2016 in Azerbaijan with Brazil’s Felipe Massa at the wheel. AFP

NON-COMPLIANT. A medical worker displays used vials of Dengvaxia in Manila on Dec. 5, 2017 in this file photo. Health Undercretary Eric Domingo said there was a permanent revocation of the Certificate of Product Registration of Dengvaxia by the FDA due to non-compliance with regulatory requirements. AFP

“There was a permanent revocation of the Certificate of Product Registration of Dengvaxia by the FDA due to non-compliance with regulatory requirements,” Domingo said Saturday, adding “an appeal was sent to the office of the secretary (of health) and it is still for evaluation.” Domingo said this why the vaccine could not be administered amid the Department of Health’s recent declaration of a “national dengue alert”although they were“cool”to the proposal of the Doctors for Truth and Public Welfare (DTPW)

to lift its ban. In a related development: • A pro-life party-list congressman on Satuday warned the government, specifically the DoH, against implementing high impact solutions to make it appear that it was doing something to contain the ourbreak of dengue that has killed hundreds so far this year. “The government should not be stampeded into re-implementing the use of Dengvaxia vaccine amid the continuing increase in the number of dengue cases nationwide,” Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza said. The Benigno Aquino III administration injected the vaccine on close to one million school children just before it stepped down in 2016. Reports said almost 100 children injected with the vaccine died when they got afflicted by the disease. Continuing testing on the victim by its manufacturer, Sanofi-Pasteur of France, revealed that the vaccine exacerbated the symptoms of dengue in patients who were vaccinated although they have not been afflicted by the disease. Dr. Minguita Padilla, DTPW co-convenor, has called on the DoH to lift the ban on the vaccine Turn to A2

CARP EXEMPTION FOR LUISITA QUIZZED

MILITARY TOLD: TIT-FOR-TAT VS REBELS By MJ Blancaflor

By Vito Barcelo and MJ Blancaflor

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said he would implement a “severe measure” amid the spate of killings in Negros Oriental and ordered the military to give the communist rebels “what they deserve.” “I will give you tit for tat, that’s what I told the military. Give them what they deserve,” Duterte said. Duterte blamed the New People’s Army for the killings in the provinces, the latest of which is the torture and murder of four policemen in Negros. “You are killing everybody there. Everyone that is anti-communist or does not want communism, you kill,” he said during the Mindanao-wide awarding of land certificates in Davao City. “I served the notice the other day I will not take it sitting down. I’ve been telling you, I will implement a more severe measure. What is it? Just wait,” he said. Duterte did not elaborate on the “severe measure” he was referring to, but in his speech Thursday night during the 28th anniversary of the Bureau of Turn to A2

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte questioned the late president Corazon Aquino’s controversial land reform program, asking why she exempted the Hacienda Luisita from the coverage of land distribution during her term from 1986 to 1992. The President made the statement in a speech before land reform beneficiaries in Davao City on Friday, just a day after her death anniversary, saying the late president had deprived many farmers of their land by allowing her family’s own sugar plantation in Tarlac to be exempt from land reform. Duterte criticized the 1988 agrarian reform law that Aquino signed, saying the program, which aimed to distribute about 7.8 million hectares of land, did not include the sprawling sugar plantation in Tarlac province once owned by her family. The Chief Executive said Aquino, the country’s first woman chief executive, was popular 30 years ago when she declared land reform for the entire Philippines but exempted Hacienda Luisita, her own land. “She is popular. Why? For losing the husband in the hands of the late President Ferdinand Marcos,” Duterte said. Turn to A2

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LAND BENEFICIARY. An unidentified woman Agrarian Reform Beneficiary receives from President Rodrigo Duterte a Certificate of Land Ownership Award during the Mindanao-wide turnover and distribution of CLOAs to beneficiaries at the Davao City Recreation Center on Friday. Malacañang Photo

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BI CURBS... From A1 DTI registration certificates; Mayor’s Permit; accreditation from BI and Department of Tourism; NBI clearance, ITR and affidavit of undertaking. The validity period of the VUA accreditation is only six months and renewable for another six months. Failure to submit the requirements would mean revocation of any tour operator’s accreditation to operate, Morente said. Meanwhile, Malacañang favors the proposal to stop the issuance of tourist visas to foreigners upon their arrival in the country. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. tweeted that the Philippines should only issue visas to foreigners after they were vetted by consular offices. According to Panelo, the government should really be concerned because undocumented foreigners were able to set foot in the country. “They are undocumented, then we should really raise concern about them. How are they able to enter the country?” he asked.

CARP...

From A1

“Aquino declared land reform for the entire Philippines but exempted Hacienda Luisita, her own land,” Duterte said. “She said, ‘I would like to declare land reform in all of the Philippines. She exempted her land. So you call her what? The one who freed, emancipated… It’s incongruity, they call it,” Duterte said. The Supreme Court, in a decision promulgated on Nov. 22, 2011, unanimously ruled that the 4,915.75 hectares of Hacienda Luisita should be distributed to 6,296 beneficiaries of the land reform program initiated by Aquino. However, the President acknowledged that many Filipinos might feel gratitude towards Aquino for bringing back democracy after the 20-year rule of president Ferdinand Marcos, more than eight years of which under martial law from |September 21, 1972 to January 17, 1981. “But what is the fundamental reason why some 30 years from now we may try to balance history? Because Aquino declared land reform for the entire Philippines but exempted [Hacienda] Luisita, her own land,” Duterte said. Aquino has made the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program the centerpiece of her administration’s legislative agenda. The program, which was enacted into a law, sought to redistribute private and public agricultural lands to help the beneficiaries survive as small independent farmers. Under her administration, a total of 898,420 landless tenants and farmers became recipients of land titles and support services, but the program only accomplished 22.5 percent of land distribution in her term. Duterte said Cory Aquino’s legacy was an “incongruity.” “She exempted her own [land]. So you call her what – the one who freed, emancipated? It’s incongruity, they call it,”he said. It was during Cory Aquino’s term when Duterte was appointed Davao City vice mayor officer-in-charge that started of his political career.

MMDA KEEN ON 'DRY RUN' DESPITE COURT INJUNCTION By Joel E. Zurbano

HE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is hoping the agency could still conduct its dry run activity for the provincial bus ban set on August 7 despite the preliminary injunction issued by a Quezon City court against the proposed traffic scheme last Friday. “In the light of the recent issuance of QC RTC Branch 223 relative to the provincial buses being directed to use the Interim Valenzuela and Santa Rosa intergrated terminals, the MMDA fully respects the Order,” said MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. in a text message to Manila Standard. “However, the MMDA hopes to undertake the intended dry run so as to give all parties the opportunity to fully observe and assess the said policy. We remain open and receptive to all possible inputs that the dry run may result with (sic). Thank you,” he added. In a 25-page decision, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 223 Judge Caridad Walse-Lutero approved the writ of preliminary injunction filed by

18 bus groups, saying there was “just cause” to stop the implementation of the bus ban. “The matter on hand greatly impacts on the welfare of the public,”the court order stated. The court also gave the MMDA and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the lead agencies that would enforce the controversial policy, the chance to file their comments until Aug. 14. The MMDA and LTFRB have a lot of explaining to do why the point-topoint buses were spared from the ban, the court order noted. In a related development: • The TFRB will seek the aid of the top government lawyer’s office to appeal the decision of the Quezon

City court to halt the implementation of the ban. “LTFRB will comply with the injunction order however, will ask the state counsel, OSG [Official of the Solicitor General], to seek the Court to reconsider its order,”the LTFRB told reporters in a Viber group message late Friday. The court’s order also suspended the prohibition of the issuance of business permits to all public utility vehicles and operators along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, citing the livelihood of the bus operators, drivers and other employees would be affected by the scheme. It said it was not clear to the court why Point-to-Point (P2P) buses “are given a special privilege of plying EDSA,” adding that such distinction was “unreasonable.” The court also noted that profits and wages of bus operators and employees alike would be affected by the ban. Garcia earlier said provincial bus operators already agreed to participate in the dry run activity that was supposed to begin at 4 am this coming Wednesday. He said during the dry run, provincial buses would be banned from

traversing along the stretch of EDSA from 4 am to 10 pm but no penalties would be imposed against violators. According to Garcia, they were predicting a faster turn-around of provincial buses once the regulation was enforced during the morning and evening rush hours. “We expect that the regulation would speed up travel of private motorists and passenger buses using the yellow lane along EDSA during peak hours,” said Garcia. Under the proposed policy, those coming from South Luzon Expressway, especially those from Batangas and Laguna, are to pass through the terminal in Sta. Rosa City in Laguna, while those coming from the North Luzon Expressway are told to use the terminal in Valenzuela City, instead of entering EDSA. Metro Manila-bound passengers can transfer to city operating buses that will take them to their destination in Metro Manila. There are 12,000 passenger buses in the National Capital Region, of which 8,000 are provincial buses while 4,000 are city buses. The MMDA is also targeting the closure of 46 bus terminals along EDSA.

GORDON READY TO LOSE BLUE RIBBON POST LPA WHIPPING By Macon Ramos-Araneta AFTER receiving tongue-lashing from President Rodrigo Duterte for criticizing his penchant in appointing retired military officials to Cabinet positions, Senator Richard Gordon on Saturday admitted he was ready to be ousted as Blue Ribbon Committee chairman. The BRC or the Committee on Public Accountability of Public Officers is the most powerful committee in the Senate which investigates alleged wrongdoings of the government, its officials, and its attached agencies, including government owned and controlled corporations. “If the majority (in the Senate) will be used to remove me, I will go where I can make a difference,” said Gordon when informed that he might be replaced in the BRC. Gordon said one should not worry to avoid being scared. He warned there would be “blind obedience”- acceding even to a wrong order if one became afraid. If that will be the case, Gordon said he would just backtrack and do a different role. “I cannot do what I was asked to do. If you do not like what I’m doing, it’s their right to fire me,” said Gordon in an interview over dwIZ on Saturday, heard nationwide. Gordon said he was never involved in any wrongdoing unlike the others, but everything was just temporary, including being a senator. He recalled having been removed from Subic Bay Authority when he still wanted to do a lot of things.

Gordon got a dose of the President’s expletives-peppered tirades when he rebuked Duterte’s appointment of retired Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, former chief of the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command, as Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) board member last July 29. He considered “dangerous” the president’s militarization of the Cabinet, stressing that civilian authority must remain supreme over the military. He pointed out that military officials should be retired for three years before getting appointed to a government post “to remove the ties that bind.” Gordon added: “The only problem with the President, his bench is shallow. He comes from the province, he doesn’t know people, so he relies on the military.” Duterte on Thursday night lashed out at Gordon for commenting on his choice of former military officials, even

calling him a “smart ass and stupid.” The President also poked fun on his looks, sayIng that his belly looked like a tadpole and his walks like a penguin. He also told Gordon to drop his ambition to become vice president because he would make sure he would not become one. Worse, the President told the senator who might be seeking a second term in the 2022 elections or running for higher office that he was just “a fart away from disaster.” In a statement issued after the President’s cursing him during the 28th founding anniversary of the Bureau of Fire Protction in Pasay City, Gordon said he took no offense as everyone was entitled to an opinion, and “we cannot be onion-skinned about such things.” He also said that he was happy that the chief executive was concerned about his weight and that“he need not worry about that” as his wife “has seen to it that I have reduced it significantly of late.”

11 DIE AS 3 MOTOR BOATS SINK AT LEAST 11 people were killed after three motor boats capsized in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait on Saturday. According to the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, strong monsoon winds caused the M/B Che-che, with 43 passengers and four crew members, to sink while on its way

to Guimaras. In the first incident, 11 were killed while 32 were rescued. The second motor banca, M/B Keshia 2, had four crew members. The third vessel, M/B Jenny Vince, sank hours after local authorities barred boats from travelling to and from Guimaras and Iloilo City.

UP A STORM, SAYS PAGASA

THE low-pressure area affecting the Visayas and Bicol is seen to develop into a tropical depression in the next 24 to 36 hours, state weather forecasters said Saturday. In its 11:00 a.m. weather bulletin, state weather bureau PAGASA said the LPA was spotted at 875 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes. “This LPA is expected to develop into a Tropical Depression with the local name ‘HANNA’ within 24 to 36 hours,” PAGASA said. Meanwhile, monsoon rains will be experienced over Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Guimaras, and the northern portion of Negros Occidental in the next 24 hours. “Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of Luzon and of the Visayas,” it added. The public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take precautionary measures and monitor for updates to be incorporated in the Public Weather Forecast at 4:00 PM today and 4:00 AM tomorrow,” it said.

MILITARY...

From A1

Fire Protection, he also said he would do “something drastic” in the days to come. The Philippine National Police said the communist rebels were behind the murder of four policemen in Ayungon town in Negros, who were shot in the head and hogtied. Duterte has previously offered P5 million for the capture of the perpetrators, dead or alive. “I’d like to say to the communists, you have crossed the red line. The countryside is infested with parasites like you,” he said. “You’ve done enough. And in some areas, you are too many and I short of policement and soldiers. But you cannot do it unrestrained, unbridled, uncontrolled as if you are the killing machine of the Filipino,” he added. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo earlier said the President might declare martial law in Negros Oriental over the killings in the province. The President acknowledged that some areas in the country remained unprotected from the atrocities of the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Most remote communities, he said, still lacked the presence of government forces. Despite this, the President said the NPA still had no reason to kill “unrestrained, unbridled, uncontrolled, as if you are the killing machine of the Filipino.” When he was mayor in Davao City for 23 years, the President said there was never a time when the military allowed torture or hurt NPA surrenderers, even those who were captured. With PNA

HEALTH... From A1 amid the current rise in dengue cases, saying “[Dengvaxia] remains banned in the Philippines.'' DTPW is a group of physicians, scientists, esteemed members of the academe, former secretaries of health, and past and present heads of various professional medical associations and NGOs. DTPW believes the national dengue alert shows the Philippines falls under the “high-risk populations” that the WHO recommends the anti-dengue vaccine. There have been over 130,000 dengue cases and more than 500 deaths in the first six months of this year alone, causing concern from various sectors all around the nation. Former Philhealth Director, health advocate Dr. Anthony Leachon, admitted they had no qualms or issues about reintroducing the controversial vaccine, but he insisted there were certain basic requirements to fulfill. He cited the need for the FDA’s postmarketing surveillance (PMS), which he said “is an important part of the science of pharmacovigilance and is a mandatory requirement” of the agency. “The FDA permanently revoked the dengue vaccine from the market because of safety issues and the lack of compliance of the pharmaceutical company to post-marketing safety requirements,” said Leachon. Citing Sanofi’s study leading to the label change in November 2017 and NEJM

(The New England Journal of Medicine) study of June 2018, he said Dengvaxia was risky in seronegative patients. “The vaccine is fine as long as it is given to sero positive children,” said Leachon. “That’s what we’ve been saying all along. Instead, for commercial reasons, it was given to everyone,” he added. Then, for political reasons, he said, the anti-dengue vaccine was given to no one. “Science always loses to commerce and politics. The ultimate victim is a patient. That’s sad,” also said Leachon. Furthermore, Leachon said Sanofi should seek FDA approval through proper channels not through media blitz or political links before distribution in the local market. Leachon and former DoH Undersecretary Ted Herbosa believe that still the eradication of mosquito breeding grounds is so far, the most effective” way to prevent dengue. “Eradication of the breeding places of mosquitoes and massive clean-up of schools, workplaces, and community are the most effective measures than vaccination with a potentially dangerous vaccine,” said Leachon. Herbosa, on the otherhand, asked: Can a vaccine that is useful only if you had been infected with dengue before be of any help during a dengue outbreak? “Can someone explain that to these dumb people who are suggesting the lifting of the ban on Dengvaxia?”stressed Herbosa. He pointed out that the Case Fatality Rate of dengue fever in the Philippines is

0.44 percent based on the DoH. Or if one was afflicted with dengue, he emphasized that 99.56 percent would get better and recover. Since there is no full protection against dengue, Health Sec. Francisco Duque III has encouraged everyone to implement the 4S Kontra Dengue strategy. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said questions on the efficacy of Dengvaxia— manufactured and tested in the Philippines—had remain unresolved. “If it was not effective before, how can it be effective now?” he asked. “It’s not that I’m not amenable, we all want protection from or cure for dengue, but there is uncertainty in the product,” stressed Sotto. Before making any decision, he said the government must await the recommendations on the use of Dengvaxia. Senator Richard Gordon described as a “catastrophic step in the wrong direction” releasing the anti-dengue vaccine to the market. Gordon, chairman of the Blue Ribbon committee that investigated the Dengvaxia controversy in the previous Congress, said that when his committee probed the P3.5-billion procurement of the vaccines in 2016, the senators found “a lot of ethical things happening,”including meetings between then president Benigno Aquino III and former health secretary Janet Garin with Sanofi-Pasteur executives. Gordon disclosed he wrote a letter to Duque two weeks ago requesting him to check on whether those inoculated with the vaccine got sick again with dengue. Dengue is a disease that forms part of

the daily lives of Filipinos because of the existence of the Aedes aegyptimosquitoes that carry the dengue virus. “However, there are measures that we can do as individuals and communities to prevent dengue infections,” said Duque. Every year, there are about 200,00 dengue cases registered in DoH. Although the case fatality rate remains below 1 percent, Duque said “we acknowledge the fear brought by this disease. Let us work together as one nation to ensure the health and safety of our children against dengue and other illnesses, whether vaccinated with Dengvaxia or not.” As a result of the Dengvaxia snafu, Aquino, Garin and several other Aquino administration officials are still facing charges before the courts and prosecution offices. Garin is now a congressman representating Iloilo City. Atienza said: “Let us not allow ourselves to be stampeded into embarking on another round of Dengvaxia vaccinations due to the rising number of dengue cases all over the country, estimated at over 100,000. In fact, now is the best time to find out whether the forced vaccinations done in the past is the cause of this upsurge, or if it is safe and effective, as claimed by those who implemented the program. Today, the Food and Drug Administration has banned its use, while Sanofi says the vaccine was misused. Now we have a national problem.” According to Atienza, the government should first determine if many of those infected with dengue now had been vaccinated with Dengvaxia in the past.

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NAIA GETS TOUGH ON ERRING CABBIE

PH SURGES IN GLOBAL INNOVATION —SALCEDA ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda sees a higher surge ahead of the country’s ranking in the global innovation index, boosted by initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology on new legislations supporting science and technology. The lawmaker hailed the DOST over the Philippines’ recent GII ranking that leaped to 54th place from last year’s 73rd, among 129 countries. The GII results, co-published by the Cornell University graduate business school INSEAD and the World Property Organization, show the Philippines jumped 19 notched, with an overall score of 36.18 this year from 31.56 in 2018. Quoting the report, Salceda noted that as for the output sub-index that captures actual evidence of innovation results, the country’s score increased to 30.68 from 23.98 and its ranking climbed to 42nd from 68th previously or +26 places! “Among 32 low middle income economies, we are ranked 9th with Vietnam leading at No. 1. The Philippines should use Vietnam as benchmark and aim for top five among LM nations,” he said. President Duterte last year signed RA 11035 or the Balik Scientists Act, which Salceda had authored, to address the lack of scientists in the country working for research and development, and catch up with its Asian neighbors. It aims to address the lack of scientists in the country, with only about 189 per million population, towards the ideal ratio of 380 scientists per million. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), prescribes that for a developing country, there should be 380 researchers, scientists and engineers (RSEs) per million population and the percentage of the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) expenditure on research and development or GERD, should be 1% at least.

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FLASH FLOOD. Vehicles wade through a flooded area along Zapote Road

in Las Pinas on Aug.3, following heavy rains induced by a low pressure area. Other parts of Metro Manila also suffered flash floods. Norman Cruz

CONSUMER SEATS IN PUBLIC UTILITIES SOUGHT By Macon Ramos Araneta

ENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto is seeking the mandatory membership of consumers in the boards of state agencies that regulate power, water, transportation, and other public utilities. In vouching for consumer seats in regulatory agencies, Recto cited the constitutional guarantee of public participation at all levels of government decision-making. Recto’s Senate Bill 590 covers the Toll Regulatory Board, Energy Regulatory Commission, Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System, Local Water Utilities Administration, and the National Telecommunications Commission. Also included are those that oversee land-sea-water transportation: Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board, Civil Aeronautics Board, and the Maritime Industry Administration. “This nation of commuters needs to install one of their own in agencies that police the companies they patronize

every day. There are multiple safety, fare, frequency issues which require the inputs of riders,” Recto added. The coverage of Recto’s proposal can later be expanded, he said, to include the governing boards of chartered airports such as NAIA, as well as the Philippine Ports Authority, “so that the comfort and congestion complaints of those who use these terminals can be attended to.” Recto said the consumer representatives in these boards will serve “as independent directors who will represent the biggest stakeholders – the public.” To be appointed by the President, consumer representatives, in addition to other qualifications, shall have at least five years of known advocacy in the sector they will represent. Unfortunately, many charters of government regulatory bodies—which set the fees the public utilities can charge their customers—do not provide for public representation in their decision-making bodies, Recto said. “As a result, numerous policy decisions have been approved without wide consultation from stakeholders or without full public disclosure of the details, in violation of the ideals of transparency and participative policymaking,” Recto said.

OVERHAUL PWDS COUNCIL–SOLON By Joel E. Zurbano

FUEL MARKING.

SEAOIL Philippines through its Batangas terminal became the first fuel provider to comply with a new government program to stop oil smuggling, hosting the first site for the Fuel Marking program. At the fuelmarking event are (from left) BIR Revenue Operations Group’s Emee Macabales, Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, SEAOIL Philippines CEO Glenn Yu and lawyer Beverly Milo of the Large Tax Service-Excise Department of the BIR.

SENATE Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri has made a proposal to reorganize the National Council on Disability Affairs to better address the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities. Senate Bill No. 108, or the proposed National Commission on Disability Affairs Act, seeks to reorganize the Council into a Commission and institutionalize the agency’s mandate of addressing the needs and concerns of our PWDs. “This bill is envisioned to better equip the Commission in data collection, needs identification and policy formulation for the benefit of PWDs from all over the country,” said Zubiri. “With the proper support and assistance, we believe that they can be integrated and empowered to be productive citizens of this nation. As one of the happiest people in the world we should strive to help our PWDs to

lead meaningful and happy lives to the fullest extent possible,” he added. Results of the National Disability Prevalence Survey showed that in 2016, around 12 percent of Filipinos aged 15 and older experienced severe disability. Almost one in every two (47%) experienced moderate disability while 23 percent experienced mild disability. Almost one-fifth (19%) experienced no disability. In this survey, the disability prevalence rate corresponds to the percentage of persons with severe disability. Under the proposed measure, the commission shall be the national government agency to formulate policies and coordinate activities of all agencies, whether public or private, concerning disability issues and concerns. It shall also be the lead agency tasked to steer the course of program development for persons with disabilities and the delivery of services to the sector.

LEGACY OF TRANSFORMATION LIVES ON CIGARETTE TYCOON Wong Chu King, founder of La Campana Fabrica de Tabacos, passed away in 1987 but his legacy very much lives on. Wong Chu King, a migrant from Amoy, China, put up the country’s first post-war cigarette company, La Campana which later grew to become Mighty Corp. He built a cigarette empire from scratch through perseverance and hard work. But it was not all business. He believed in the role of businesses in transforming society. To continue Wong Chu King’s legacy of transformation through charity -- a life principle espoused by Wong Chu King himself being a humble immigrant -- the Wong Chu King Foundation Inc. (WCKFI) was established. It has been involved in educational and apostolic charities, primarily in areas in the Philippines where tobacco farming is prevalent. Its latest project is togging up the beloved Lady of Piat (Pagbibihis kay Our Lady of Piat) , one of the most venerated Marian icons in the Philippines. For this year, the Foundation glorified Her Marian image with fine garment predominantly blue with accent of golden yellow that exudes charm rightfully befitting Her passionate heart. The image of the Blessed Lady is enthroned at the Sanctuario de Nuestra de Piat, Cagayan where local faithful and pilgrims celebrate Her feast with blissful activities every year.

Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady Of Piat are (fifth from left) Wong Chu King’s son Alexander Wongchuking, executive director of WCKFI and wife, Belen Wongchuking, Judge Oscar Barrientos (Ret.), Rev. Fr. Fredel Agatep Rector and Parish Priest of Basilica Minor of our Lady of Piat, P/MGen. Melito M. Mabilin (Ret.), P/BGen. Francisco R. Cristobal, Jr. (Ret.),and Nestor De Guzman, among other supporters and devotees.

AIRPORT authorities arrested another taxi driver at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for overcharging a Chinese national and her companions. Manila International Airport Authority chief information officer and spokesperson Connie Bungag identified the suspect as Eugenio del Rosario, driver of a white taxi with registration plate TXV-149. Members of the Airport Police Department arrested Del Rosario following a complaint filed by Wang Wei who claimed the suspect demanded P6,000 fare from NAIA Terminal 3 to Terminal 1. The foreigner stated that she and her friends arrived from Dumaguete at around 2 pm Friday and boarded the taxi driven by Del Rosario who charged them P6,000. “Not knowing what to do and for fear of missing their flight back to China, they just paid the P6,000. Later, she sought help from the Terminal police station to complain,” said Bungag. The driver was arrested three hours later while he was lining up at the taxi lane of NAIA Terminal 3. Initial investigation revealed that Del Rosario was already arrested last July 8, 2019 for illegal parking. His driver’s license was confiscated. The suspect was driving with only an Official Violation Receipt (OVR) when he was arrested, police said. Two months ago, a NAIA-accredited Yellow cab driver was also accused of overcharging two foreigners. Shawn Gurcharran and Dil Mohammad, both tourists from the Republic of Guyana, claimed Arielano Gripo, 60, asked them to pay US$50 taxi fare from NAIA Terminal 1 to Ortigas, Pasig City. Gripo surrendered later and asked the foreigners for forgiveness. Gurcharran and Mohammed opted not file charges against Gripo as he promised to return their taxi fare. Airport authorities this year banned white taxis from picking up passengers at the airpot due to abusive drivers. Among other infractions committed by the non-accredited taxi drivers were reckless driving, refusal to convey passengers, contracting, arrogance, no proper queuing and death threat to their clients. Once the drivers committed grave abuse against the passengers, the MIAA will report the case with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to go against the driver and the operator of taxi. Joel Zurbano

MORE NURSES SEEK WORK IN AMERICA By Vito Barcelo AT LEAST 6,000 Filipino nurses took the U.S. licensure examination from January to June this year in the hope to practice their profession in American, according to an overseas Filipino workers coalition group. Chairman Aniceto Bertiz III of the ACTS-OFW Coalition of Organizations said that the number was up 33 percent from the 4,533 Philippine-educated nurses who took America’s eligibility test or NCLEX for the same period last year. “Many Filipino nurses looking for greener pastures abroad still prefer to work and live in America, mainly due to the superior hourly pay, plus our fondness for the Western culture,” Bertiz said. Registered nurses in America received a median pay of $71,730 per annum, or $34.48 per hour in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. California and Texas are among the U.S. states with the highest concentration of Filipino nurses working in hospitals, Bertiz said. The U.S. BLS sees the employment of nurses in America to grow by 15 percent over the next 10 years, mainly due to the aging “Baby Boom” generation requiring extra healthcare. There are now some 76 million Americans aged between 55 to 75. Bertiz said U.S. nursing schools are not producing new graduates fast enough to meet growing demand, mainly because they lack teaching staff. He also said that 669 Indians, 585 Puerto Ricans, 461 South Koreans and 381 Nigerians also took the NCLEX for the first time from January to June. The NCLEX for registered nurse (RN) or for practical nurse (PN) is the licensure test administered by the U.S. National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc.

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2 SUBWAYS TO LESSEN POLLUTION By Maricel V. Cruz

ETRO Manila is bound to enjoy considerably cleaner and healthier air in the years ahead once its first two subway trains become operational, a lawmaker said on Saturday. “Besides providing everybody a better way to commute, the two subways will surely improve in a big way Metro Manila’s air quality—with lower toxic carbon dioxide concentrations,” said Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. Unlike buses and other public utility vehicles that run on diesel or gasoline, the electric-driven subways will not discharge harmful exhaust fumes into the air, he said.

“More important, we are actually counting on the convenience of subway rides to reduce over time the number of people using their own cars to go to work,” Campos said. Less use of private cars will not only mean less exhaust emissions, but also less road congestion. Campos earlier filed House Bill No. 1432 which seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by providing incentives for the manufacture, assembly, conversion and importation of electric, hybrid and other motor vehicles that run on cleaner alternative fuel. Philippine InfraDev Holdings Inc. and the Makati City government on Tuesday signed the joint venture agreement for the $3.5-billion Makati Intra-city Subway Public-Private Partnership Project.

The 10-kilometer and 10-station Makati underground rapid transit system, also known as Line 5, is expected to start operations in 2025. This is around the same time that the 36-kilometer and 15-station Metro Manila Subway Project from Quezon City to Taguig City, or Line 9, would also be up and running. The two subway lines will be linked. The Makati subway is projected to move up to 700,000 commuters daily. It will also be linked to the existing MRT (Line 3) and the proposed new Pasig River Ferry System. It is anticipated to initially convey some 365,000 commuters daily starting 2025, and up to 973,000 daily by 2035. “Overall, we envisage subway rides to be easier, faster, cheaper and safer for everybody,” Campos said.

Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso leads a tree planting ceremony at the Laudato Si Garden at the College of Holy Spirit on Aug. 3. Norman Cruz

NEW YORK—The death of Robert Kennedy’s granddaughter at age 22 is the latest in a long list of tragedies stretching back to the 1940s to have struck America’s most famous political dynasty. Saoirse Kennedy Hill was found unresponsive at the Democratic family’s sprawling compound at Hyannis Port on the Cape Cod peninsula in Massachusetts on Thursday, according to multiple US media reports. Her cause of death wasn’t immediately confirmed but The New York Times said she had died from an apparent drug overdose. Kennedy Hill had written about her struggles with depression. “Our hearts are shattered by the loss of our beloved Saoirse,” the Kennedy family said in a statement to AFP. “She lit up our lives with her love, her peals of laughter and her generous spirit.” “The world is a little less beautiful today,” said 91-year-old Ethel Kennedy, Saoirse’s grandmother and widow of Robert Kennedy who was assassinated in 1968 while on the campaign trail. Saoirse was the daughter of Courtney Kennedy Hill, one of 11 children that Ethel and Robert, younger brother of former president John F. Kennedy, had together. One of the first police responders answering an emergency call at the Kennedy property radioed that the victim was in cardiac arrest when he arrived, according to the local daily Hyannis News. An autopsy revealed no trauma inconsistent with lifesaving measures, the paper added. The Kennedys, often considered the closest thing the United States has to a royal family, have been plagued by tragic and untimely deaths for decades. AFP

DOLE ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR WODP FUNDS HANDS-ON.

KENNEDY ‘CURSE’ CONTINUES

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019

Opinion

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

THE HOUR OF HER BIRTH

DISTRESS AND DEATH

ALLS are ringing out louder and louder across nations, the Philippines included, in the populated continents the environment for today’s generations and for tomorrow’s must be protected.

As the ear-splitting echoes get to deafening decibels, the British-based watchdog Global Witness has released a report scores who have stood up against the ruinous effects of mining, logging and agribusiness have continued, aggravating people’s distress that often result in death. By out-and-out count, the Philippines has been found to be the deadliest country for environmental defenders in 2018, with 30 environmentalists killed, eclipsing Colombia

(24), India (23), Brazil (20), Guatemala (16) and Mexico (14). In 2016, Brazil and Colombia topped the bulletin board on the killings of land and environmental defenders with 49 and 37 murdered, followed by the Philippines, India, Honduras and Nicaragua with 28, 16, 14, and 11. While the total of 164 last year constitutes a plunge from the 2017 peak of 201, the watchdog has noted that non-lethal means of disallowing dissent are as well pandemic. Global Witness has said “countless more people were threatened, arrested or thrown in jail for daring to oppose the governments or companies seeking to profit from their land,” adding it is common for businesses and authorities to “use courts and legal systems to silence those who threaten their interests.” We share the far-reaching apprehension, the continuing international call to the butchery of

environmental activists—at home and in other shores—by governments led by populist leaders, with the overall climate for these activists not looking any better in the near term. The watchdog has said signs are nerveracking the situation for environmental and land defenders will worsen. While there are laws in each country that must be followed by the citizens, it is diabolical, if dastardly, to tag such defenders as terrorists who may face life sentences. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Mountain Provinceborn UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, put it competently: “This is a phenomenon seen around the world: land and environmental defenders are declared terrorists, locked up or hit with paralyzing legal attacks, for defending their rights, or simply for living on lands that are coveted by others.” We concur with her observation.

RAINY WEEKEND MUSINGS WITH heavy habagat rains falling in Metro Manila and surrounding areas in the early morning hours of August 1, many woke up to flooded streets on August 2, Friday —however, classes were not suspended until much later in the day. We know from birth that for half of the year the Philippines is as hot as a scorched desert and the rest of the year it’s Waterworld. I wonder why we still can’t get the timings of class and work suspensions right a lot of the time. Sometime last month, there was a day that Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso suspended classes in the wee hours. The that day proved to be rain-free though overcast. That was a waste of a good day, but weather forecasting is an inexact science, so no harm, no foul—it’s better to be safe than sorry. But last Friday, though the rains kept falling steadily throughout the day, Domagoso did not suspend classes in the city until midmorning. Also slow on the draw was Makati’s Mayor Abby Binay, who suspended classes for elementary and high school classes only at 12 noon. Quezon City also announced the same mid-morning. By then, as everyone well knows, students were already at their schools. What an inconvenience for them, the teachers, and everyone who had to turn around and trudge back home again in the floodwaters. Neither did government suspend work, even if clearly many employees had a difficult time coming to and leaving work

given the traffic. Many students and teachers, though, are griping instead of rejoicing over the free day, because they know they have to make up the missed classes later on in the year. How can we be more productive given the problem of the metropolis’ drainage and sewage system? It extremely difficult to fix given the complexity of the infrastructure in question. So if we can’t prevent floods, how can we make sure that work still gets done? The answer lies in technology. Classes and work can be conducted virtually. The former is being done by many welloff universities and schools already, but for some to a limited extent. The University of Santo Tomas, for instance, uses Blackboard Learn Ultra for blended learning. Blackboard is a cloud-based learning management system that allows students and teachers to interact in pretty much the same way people do on Facebook. BB enables communication (announcement posting, emails, chat) and content (class lessons, readings, assignments, school calendar, grades). There are other similar LMS applications, one of which, Moodle, is free-to-use and open-source. When such an LMS is fully implemented by a school, classes can be conducted online no matter how long or strong the rains pound down. No need for makeup classes, and everyone’s comfortable. Similarly, in relation to government

work, perhaps this administration can be the one to implement ‘work from home’ for government employees who perform back-office or administration work. In December last year, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Telecommuting Act into law. Under Republic Act 11165, private sector employers may offer a work-from-home option to their employees. This law protects the rights of such workers. However, there is no law nor order that allows government workers to telecommute. It must be noted, however, that these solutions presuppose that individuals have access to a computer and fast bandwidth – something that is out of reach for many. It’s something to think about and work toward for the future. Here’s another point I noticed. Apart from the ill-timed suspensions, why are many Filipinos still unprepared for bad weather? One would suppose that the sale of rainboots and raincoats would be through the roof. Yet I don’t see many people wearing them except for some policemen, traffic enforcers, and people who are often out in inclement weather the whole day. How about students and workers, though? Yesterday I saw a video of policemen helping students cross a flooded area of UST. They had three or so plastic monobloc chairs that they moved, one by one, in front of the students to step on until they had crossed.

By Joel H. Vega ON AUGUST 4, 1937, a baby girl was born to a frail and ailing young mother in Baybay, a sleepy backwater town in the western coast of Leyte where less than five years later American and Japanese forces would wage a bloody, annihilating war. In July of the same year the famed female pilot Amelia Earhart disappeared mid-flight over the Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate in San Francisco opened in May with fanfare, and closer to home in the same month of August the Japanese forces landed in China in a build-up to the Sino-Japanese war. The baby girl, delivered by her paternal grandmother- Baybay’s favorite kamadrona or midwife- would later be named Flora. Why and who first thought of my mother’s name, I do not know, but as a child, I thought it was a special name as it recalls lush greenery, the comfort of gardens and the allure of tropical forests. Flora is foliage in my mind, a covering, a mysterious camouflage. My mother’s birth year was also a milestone in Philippine history as it was in that year that the women’s suffrage movement succeeded in a plebiscite to turn their right into law. At least 90 percent or more than 440,000 out of 500,000 Filipino women voted for it, while 52,275 voted against in the plebiscite held on April 30. The year of my mother’s birth was a watershed, not only reflecting the stature of women at that time, but also informing their voice and political sensibility. It was a signpost that earned credit for the Philippines as being one of the first countries in the region that worked for female advancement. When World War 2 broke out in 1941, and the fierce fighting climaxed in the Visayas in 1942 to 1944, my mother was five or six years old, perhaps already orphaned after her mother succumbed to an unknown illness. For a child of five or six years to live in desperate times, seeing bombs flattening your village, or subsisting in root crops, and later to survive, that child must have nerves of steel or at least the resourcefulness and spunk to prevail. My mother had vague memories of the war, but she remembered the urgency, the bombings, and the distress that can only be understood by those who lived through it. In some mysterious ways, our body’s cells must have encoded those death-defying and defining experiences. My mother’s soft-spoken ways hid her true nature of quiet determination. I often saw it in her eyes, how they shifted, focused, or glance away betraying her steely resoluteness, decisions already made in her mind even when my father was still fumbling with his careful assessments. In their arguments on which options to take, my father would present and look at both sides, but it was my mother, nimble and razor-sharp in her calculations, who would win hands down, the card of aces falling out of her sleeve, catching my father unaware. If my father was devoted and creative, my mother was a level extra. She was decisive, in-depth in her psychology probes, and often spot-on with her forecasts. Sometimes I thought she would have made a fantastic judge or a mathematician with an eye for applied science. At any rate, both of them I’m sure would have condemned the misogyny and fakery that are now the norm and trigger for easy applause in our current society. As I think of my mother’s hour of birth, I also think of her hour of death. On January 4 this year she breathed her last, succumbing to late-diagnosed lung cancer. I watched her die for 45 days, kept watch at her bedside for 44 nights, missing just one night when I yielded to exhaustion, and not only of the physical kind. On December 25 last year, half-delirious and in constant pain, her body wracked with gutwrenching coughs, she whispered that I sing. We shared the same pillow or at least the same part of the raised bed as I sang the most obvious, her head cradled in my right shoulder. The crickets of Baybay intermittently interrupted my version of “Silent Night, Holy Night.” My version was not only off-key but also a lullaby. She fell asleep, something that I dearly wished for that night since her coughs was the most tormented type, preventing her from getting a decent sleep even for a few hours. Ten days later, in January was the second death of a loved one that I experienced up close in nearly five years. Nothing can prepare us for the death of a loved one. I rehearsed the most likely details of this goodbye in my mind, probably an attempt to dull the shock, but at the very moment of death, all preparations in my mind fell away like ash. What was left after the burning was that core of goodbye, interminable and deeply etched. Death sneaks its head, and we can only nod, our mind turned acquiescent and tongue-tied. At the hour of her birth, my mother arrived at a world that could have already shaped her fortunes, defined her character, and limited her opportunities. Her birth year was at the cusp of rapid changes, including unfortunate global events that would sweep the world into the deadly disaster of war, into the void of human deceit and utter folly. From the hour of her birth to her hour of death was eight decades. In that seemingly long sweep, compass or measurement of our moral lives, those 80-plus years can only mean a split-second, a flutter, hardly making a mark in our evolution. Our goals and motives are often in cross-hairs, with human judgment fallible. We now see a repeat of failed history, the talons of tyranny. Such is our destiny, our predicament. Joel Vega works as an editor in Arhem in the Netherlands. His first book of poems “Drift” was published by the UST Publishing House last December.

POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE The first thing I thought was, how inefficient, because it was a laborious process. Second, how unfair, because the two students in the video were more or less dry, but beside them other people were sloshing in the shin-deep water. Why did only some get the special treatment? Sana all. Also, why weren’t these folks wearing rainboots? If they were, there would have been no need for the policemen and the plastic chairs. For that matter, why isn’t everyone wearing rainboots? Is is a style issue? Fashion be damned! Leptospirosis is a clear and present danger during the rainy season. Logically one would expect everyone who does a fair to good amount of city walking to have a pair. I do—because it’s common sense. Folks, get your kids and yourself rainboots! As I write this, the rain still pours down. Our street in a poor section of Makati is flooded ankle-deep. At least there is no school today nor work for many. It’s Sunday; time to rest and leave weighty ponderings for another day. Walang tigil ang ulan/ At nasaan ka, araw? ~ Apo Hiking Society /FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

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NEW SINGAPORE OPPOSITION PARTY LAUNCHED SINGAPORE—A new opposition party backed by the estranged brother of Singapore’s prime minister was launched Saturday in a fresh challenge to the government as speculation mounts elections could be called soon. The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) – aiming to contest an election due by 2021 but widely expected earlier – is led by Tan Cheng Bock, a medical doctor and former government stalwart who once ran for president and nearly defeated the establishment candidate. The group has received the support of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s brother, the latest sign of a bitter falling-out within the city-state’s first family over their father’s legacy. The rare row within Singapore’s elite erupted following the 2015 death of the men’s father, founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, who led the country for three decades and is widely revered in the city. Under decades of rule by his People’s Action Party (PAP), Singapore transformed from a gritty port into one of Asia’s most advanced economies – although authorities also faced criticism for curtailing civil liberties and free speech. Party officials said that Tan’s PSP was formally launched in the morning at an event attended by hundreds of supporters. He was due to address hundreds more supporters and the media in the afternoon. AFP

Tan Cheng Bock, Secretary General of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), waves at the party’s launch in Singapore on Aug. 3. AFP

FUKUSHIMA EYES ‘GOLDEN CHANCE’ WITH OLYMPICS HOSTING THE J-Village sports complex in Japan’s Fukushima was once a staging ground for battling the 2011 nuclear disaster, but next year it will host Olympic teams and the torch relay, sending a message of recovery. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay will begin at the center, and Olympic softball and baseball matches will be played elsewhere in Fukushima, as part of efforts that officials and residents hope will help repair the reputation of a region now synonymous with the nuclear meltdown. “The torch relay is a golden opportunity to send a message about our reconstruction to the world,” said Yusuke Takana, a 32-year-old official at the J-Village, from where the Olympic torch will set off on March 26, 2020. “The J-Village overcame the disaster and has been revived in its original form as a sports training center,” Takana said. Built in 1997 as a fully fledged sport training complex, the J-Village was radically transformed by the nuclear meltdown. Thousands of workers wearing radiation protection suits, gas masks and dosimeters were dispatched every day to the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant from the sports center, located just on the edge of the initial 20-kilometer no-go zone. The complex clean-up at the nuclear plant continues, but the J-Village’s role as a staging center diminished over time and it reopened fully as a sports center in April. AFP

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor / Jimbo Gulle, Issue Editor

PROTESTERS DEFY CHINA WITH WEEKEND RALLIES

Members of the territory’s medical sector attend a protest in Edinburgh Place in Hong Kong on August 2 in the latest opposition to a planned extradition law that was quickly evolved into a wider movement for democratic reforms. Hong Kong civil servants also kicked off a weekend of anti-government protests and unsanctioned rallies, in defiance of warnings from China and after a prominent independence campaigner was arrested. AFP

ONG KONG—Antigovernment protesters in Hong Kong plan to hold a mass rally later Saturday as they face down increasingly stern warnings from China over weeks-long unrest that has plunged the city into crisis. The semi-autonomous southern Chinese financial hub has seen two months of protests and clashes triggered by opposition to a planned extradition law that quickly evolved into a wider movement for democratic reforms. Authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing this week signaled a hardening stance, including with the arrests of dozens of protesters, and the Chinese military saying it was ready to quell the “intolerable” unrest if requested. But protesters have remained unyielding, vowing to hold multiple rallies and marches throughout the weekend and into next week, sending tensions soaring once more. The first rally is expected to take place in the densely populated suburb of Mongkok, which has previously seen clashes between police and demonstrators. Police initially denied activists permission to march through the neighborhood but later allowed it after an appeal. Two marches are also planned for Sunday – one on Hong Kong island and the other in the Tseung Kwan O district – as well as a city-wide strike on Monday and

rallies in seven locations. Hong Kong has witnessed eight consecutive weekends of huge rallies – often followed by violent clashes between police and small groups of hardcore protesters. Under the terms of the 1997 handover deal, the city has rights and liberties unseen on the mainland, including an independent judiciary and freedom of speech. But many say those rights are being curtailed, citing the disappearance into mainland custody of dissident booksellers, the disqualification of prominent politicians and the jailing of pro-democracy protest leaders. Public anger has been compounded by rising inequality and the perception that the city’s distinct language and culture are being threatened by ever-closer integration with the Chinese mainland. The past two weekends have seen a surge in violence used by both protesters and police, who have repeatedly fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse projectile-throwing crowds. A mob of pro-government thugs also attacked protesters, putting 45 people in hospital. AFP Hong Kong’s police have increasingly adopted tougher tactics, including this week charging 44 protesters with rioting – an offense that carries up to 10 years in jail. Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam has made few concessions beyond agreeing to suspend the extradition bill and has made few public appearances. Protesters are demanding her resignation, an independent inquiry into police tactics, an amnesty for those arrested, a permanent withdrawal of the bill and the right to elect their leaders. AFP

US SLAPS NEW SANCTIONS VS. RUSSIA OVER SKRIPAL AFFAIR SYDNEY—A new round of sanctions were imposed on Moscow Saturday by the United States over the 2018 poisoning of former double-agent Sergei Skripal in the United Kingdom. Russian spies have been blamed for the poisoning of Skripal and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury in March last year using the Soviet-developed nerve agent Novichok. The two survived the attack but a British woman later died after her partner picked up a discarded perfume bottle investigators believe was used to carry the Novichok. Washington said Saturday it will oppose “the extension of any loan or financial or technical assistance to Russia” by international financial institutions and put limits on US banks from purchasing Russian sovereign debt, US State Department

spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. The US will also limit the export of goods and technology to Russia that could be used in the country’s chemical and biological arms programs, Ortagus said. She added that the measures could prevent Russia from accessing “billions of dollars of bilateral commercial activity with the United States.” The sanctions will come into effect following a 15 day congressional notification period—around August 19—and will remain in place for a minimum 12 months, according to the US State Department. The Salisbury attack, the first offensive use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II, caused an international outcry and prompted a mass expulsion of Russian diplomats by Western nations including the US.

London says the attempted assassination was “almost certainly” approved by Moscow and that Russians Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun were behind the killing. However the pair have never been tried and Lugovoi has since become a lawmaker in Russia. Moscow denies involvement in the poisoning and has offered numerous and varied alternative explanations and counter-accusations. In January the European Union imposed chemical weapons sanctions on nine Russian and Syrian officials, including the chief of the powerful GRU military intelligence agency. Skripal, a former officer with the GRU, was found guilty in 2006 of “high treason” before being traded in a spy exchange between Moscow, London and Washington. AFP

ONE DEAD, SEVERAL INJURED IN POWERFUL INDONESIA QUAKE JAKARTA—At least one person died and several were injured after a powerful undersea earthquake rocked Indonesia’s heavily populated Java island, triggering a brief tsunami warning, officials said Saturday. The 6.9 magnitude quake on Friday evening sent residents fleeing to higher ground, while many in the capital Jakarta ran into the streets. Officials from Indonesia’s national disaster agency warned the quake could generate a tsunami as high as three meters (10 feet), but it was lifted several hours later. On Saturday, authorities said a panicked 48-year-old woman had died of a heart attack as the strong quake rocked the region. Four more people were injured and over 1,000 evacuated to temporary shelters, said officials, including residents of neighboring Sumatra island. More than 100 buildings were damaged, with some 34 houses destroyed, the agency added. “There was thundering noise – it sounded like a plane overhead – and I was just so scared that I ran,” said 69-year-old Isah, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, at an evacuation shelter in Pandeglang at the southwest end of Java. In December, the area was hit by a volcano-sparked tsunami that killed over 400 people. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where tectonic plates collide. Last year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 people, with another thousand declared missing. AFP

FENTANYL: AMERICA’S DEADLIEST DRUG

REMEMBRANCE. People light flares as they observe a minute of silence to mark the 75th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising against the Nazi German occupiers during World War II on August 1 in the Polish capital Warsaw. AFP

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump has repeatedly hit out at China for failing to curb the export of illegal fentanyl to the United States. The powerful painkiller is the primary synthetic opioid available in the US, a class of drug that was responsible for almost 32,000 overdose deaths last year. But why is fentanyl’s threat growing, and can Beijing help America cure its addiction to its deadliest drug? What is fentanyl? Fentanyl was first developed in 1959 and introduced to the US market in the 1960s as an intravenous anesthetic. A hundred times more potent than morphine, it is used to manage severe pain, for example among cancer patients or those receiving end-of-life care. But it is also produced illegally and trafficked into the US – primarily from China and Mexico – in the form of

powder or tablets, and sometimes gets mixed with heroin and cocaine. Why is it spreading? A report published in December by researchers at University of California San Francisco found that fentanyl use has surged in recent years because of heroin and prescription pill shortages, and because it was cheaper for drug wholesalers to produce than heroin. Users are often unaware the products they are consuming contain the drug, and a key market is people who turn to counterfeit medicines for cost reasons. In 2016, counterfeit prescription painkiller Norco, which actually contained fentanyl, was responsible for at least 14 deaths in California. How deadly is it? Fentanyl can be lethal in a dose of as little as two milligrams, equivalent to a few grains of sand.

But it is not just deadly to users and can threaten anyone who intercepts it such as postal workers, law enforcement officers, first responders and even sniffer dogs, according to the DEA. Where does it come from? Powdered fentanyl can be bought on the dark web or even business trading sites like Weiku.com, according to Roger Bate, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute who published a report on the drug this week. A kilo sourced from China can be purchased in the US for as little as $1700, which is then used to create up to a million pills that when sold for $10 to $20 each generate millions in revenue, according to the DEA. Mexican gangs also play a large role in producing and distributing the drug, with precursor chemicals first smuggled into Mexico via the southwest US. AFP

Images

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

S O T PHOF THE O EEK W More than 400 hot air-balloons take off from the Chambley-Bussieres airbase, eastern France, during a missed attempt to break the simultaneous air-balloon take off world record on July 29 in Hagéville, as part of an international air-balloon meeting. AFP

This screen grab image taken from North Korean broadcaster KCTV on Aug. 1 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un watching the launch of a ballistic missile at an unknown location in North Korea early on July 31. Kim “guided a test-fire of newly developed large-caliber multiple launch guided rocket system on July 31,” state-run KCNA said. AFP

A commuter rides on an inflatable boat through a flooded street, caused by a heavy downpour brought about by the southwest monsoon, in Manila on August 2. AFP

National Museum researcher Leo Batoon points to a Baybayin character etched on a glass window at the National Museum in Manila. From tattoos, shirts, and artworks to a computer font and mobile apps, Baybayin found a rebirth among millennials and professionals learning its 17 characters beyond the marginal mention in history class. AFP

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019

Riera U. Mallari, Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sports

SOOTHE YOUR BODY WITH MASSAGE GUN

Kitch La Victoria (center) is with Gabe Norwood (left). At right, the Massage Gun, a Canadian brand percussive therapy device made for sports enthusiasts and serious athletes.

By Randy Caluag

HERE’S a more convenient way to sooth the athletes after a day’s strenuous training.

Introducing the Massage Gun, a Canadian brand percussive therapy device made for sports enthusiasts and serious athletes. The brand is an affordable home therapy tool for athletes of all ages and sports. It is made for professional and personal use, a sure investment towards your body, to be enforced in your daily recovery routine. Bringing Massage Gun to the Philippines is entrepreneur and athlete Kitch La Victoria, a six-time full marathon finisher and IRON-

MAN finisher. Due to his father’s major stroke episode in 2013, he devoted to live a healthier lifestyle and spread the fitness bug by providing world-class recovery tools to help athletes. Through Message Gun, he is now supporting various professional athletes like basketball players Thirdy Ravena and Gabe Norwood, triathlete Nikko Huelgas, Azkal Stephan Shrock and volleyball player Denden Lazaro. The Massage Gun is a professional grade percussive therapy device ideal to aid in the recovery of athletes, therapists and anyone else who suffers from injuries or muscle aches. We pride ourselves as the first and only percussive device therapy here in the Philippines. The v1 features six speeds ranging from 900 -2700 strokes per minute. With up to 45 percus-

sions per second and 80 lbs of pressure, Massage Guns boast of the fastest and strongest percussion rate in the market,” said La Victoria. It comes in two variants for the Philippine market. Massage Gun v1 is retailed at P16, 999 with three attachments - softball, large ball, and cone. It comes with EVA molded carry case, 2 x Lithium-Ion batteries and lithium-Ion battery charger. Massage Gun v2 is retailed at P21, 999 with eight attachments - flat head, scraper, wishbone, cushion, small ball, cone, double ball, and large ball. It comes with EVA molded carry case, Samsung 4 cell, 26v Integrated Battery and DC charger. Massage Guns can be purchased through website, www.massagegunsphilippines.com

TIKTOK: SHOW YOUR LOVE, WIN OFFICIAL BARCA JERSEYS FC Barcelona has teamed up with TikTok, the world’s leading short video platform, to launch the #BarcelonaChallenge in the Philippines. Providing a platform for football fans to engage with their favorite FC Barcelona players, TikTok users globally can showcase their love for the team by participating in the challenge. Starting from now until Aug. 10, TikTok users in the Philippines are invited to participate in the #BarcelonaChallenge by uploading videos of themselves sporting the blaugrana (red and blue) colors or wearing a Barça jersey. Five of the most creative videos will stand a chance

to win official FC Barcelona jerseys. To kick-off of the #BarcelonaChallenge, FC Barcelona have uploaded videos of their players wearing their Barça jersey.

TikTok is now available in over 150 markets, and in 75 languages, with a robust localization strategy to encourage users to create and interact with content relevant to local

cultures and trends. TikTok is the world’s leading destination for short-form mobile videos. Our mission is to capture and present the world’s creativity, knowledge, and moments that matter, directly from the mobile phone. TikTok enables everyone to be a creator and encourages users to share their passion and creative expression through their videos. TikTok is based in Los Angeles, with global offices in London, Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, Jakarta, Mumbai, and Moscow. In early 2018, TikTok was one of the most downloaded apps in the world. TikTok is available worldwide for iOS and Android. Visit tiktok.com.

PATROMBON RIPS ANASTA, RETAINS PPS SUAREZ TITLE JESON Patrombon whipped doubles partner Vicente Anasta with a superb all-around game and posted an easy 6-0, 6-1 victory to rule the PPS-PEPP Fr. Fernando Suarez Open Championships for the second straight year at the Brent Tennis Center in Biñan, Laguna last weekend. Patrombon kept his run of good form from the first round to the semis, where he dispatched Fritz Verdad, 6-0, 6-1, and hinted at a one-sided title duel when he held serve and broke Anasta in all his turns to complete the first set rout. Anasta finally held serve in the fourth game of the second frame but after Patrombon took the next, the latter broke the former again then held serve for last time via four straight points after going 0-15 down to extend his reign in the event held in honor of healing priest Fr. Suarez. Patrombon, who beat absentee and fellow Davis Cup veteran Johnny Arcilla via the same fashion last year, pocketed the top P30,000 purse with Anasta, who repulsed Leander Lazaro, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5, in the Final Four, receiving P15,000 along with the two losing semifinalists. Patrombon and Anasta later teamed up to thwart Lazaro and Verdad, 6-1, 6-7(5), 10-5, to clinch the doubles plum worth P20,000. Meanwhile, Joseph Victorino and Roy Tan trounced Joey Koh and Keff Gamana, 8-4, to capture the pro-am crown, one of the side events of the tournament put up by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala that also featured the Legends division. Jonathan Bernardo and Jonathan Miranda nipped Expedito Lim Jr. and Noel Lontok, 8-7(7), in the semis then blasted Eddie Gomez and Roy Tan, 8-5, to bag the Legends 40-and-above diadem while Aldrin Geluz and Nasser Mortiga posted a pair of 8-3 romps over the Ernie Dinio-Remo Librodo and Henry EscalanteJackie Tomacruz in the semis and finals, respectively, to nail the Legends 50-and-above crown. Meanwhile, action in the PPSPEPP circuit presented by Dunlop resumes on Aug. 1-4 for the Mayor Nikko Mercado Open and MCF Global Juniors in Maasin City, Leyte to be followed by the President’s Cup on Aug. 8-11 in Baybay City, also in Leyte. Listup is ongoing. For details, call PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464. Also on tap are the Mayor Rolando Aquino Cup on Aug. 15-18 in Calbayog City, Samar, the two-weekend Kadayawan Festival Open on Aug. 10-11 and Aug. 17-18 in Davao City and the Cotabato Tennis Society age-group on Aug. 22-25 in Cotabato City.

NGUYEN KEEPS ONE TITLE; KINGAD LONE FILIPINO WINNER THE largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), returned to a packed Mall of Asia Arena in Manila for the biggest martial arts event in Philippine history with ONE: DAWN OF HEROES, with Martin Nguyen retaining his ONE Featherweight World Championship with a technical knockout victory over Koyomi Matsushima in the main event. In the co-main event, Rodtang Jitmuangnon captured the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship with a unanimous decision victory over Jonathan Haggerty. Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Australia and Vietnam continued his reign over the featherweight division with a secondround technical knockout victory over Japanese challenger Koyomi “Moushigo” Matsushima to retain the ONE Featherweight World Championship. Matsushima put the pressure on Nguyen early in the opening round with his solid ground game. The champion was able to make the necessary adjustments in the second round, however, as he picked apart a tired Matsushima with a barrage of strikes to get the stop-

page win and successfully defend his title for a third time. In the co-main event, Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon of Thailand dethroned English striking sensation Jonathan “The General” Haggerty via unanimous decision to become the new ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion. Haggerty utilized his length in the early going, using front kicks to keep the challenger at bay. Rodtang picked up steam in the succeeding rounds and managed to drop Haggerty twice. After five rounds of explosive action, it was Rodtang who walked away with the victory and the prestigious ONE World Title. In the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix Semi-finals, Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez of the United States recorded his first victory under the ONE banner with a rear naked choke of former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang of the Philippines. Folayang attacked Alvarez with a blitz of strikes to open the contest and a low kick brought “The Underground King” to the mat. Alvarez, however, was able to sweep Folayang to wind up in mount. From there, Alvarez

Danny Kingad attacks Australian Reece “Lightning” McLaren.

took Folayang’s back, fished for the submission, and forced the tap. In the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Semi-finals, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson of the United States outlasted Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada of Japan

to take home a three-round unanimous decision. Filipino flyweight star Danny “The King” Kingad secured his spot in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Finals with a split decision win over Australian Reece “Lightning” McLaren. Kingad survived a

number of precarious situations in the first two rounds to rally back in the final round. In the last two minutes of the bout, Kingad dominated a fading McLaren as he was able to land a couple of takedowns and unload some ground-and-pound to swing the decision in his favor. Kingad is now one win away from becoming the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion. Muay Thai star Rodlek PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym of Thailand opened the main card in spectacular fashion with a third round knockout victory over Andrew “Maddog Fairtex” Miller of Scotland. Japanese flyweight Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu captured his first win under the ONE banner in highlight-reel fashion with a first round knockout of former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio of the Philippines. In a lightweight contest, South Korea’s “Crazy Dog” Dae Sung Park overwhelmed former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario of the Philippines over three rounds. Park came out firing powerful combinations and actively pursuing the takedown in the first round.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019

Business

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

LAGUNA DE BAY NOW A SOURCE OF POTABLE WATER

EAVY rainfall flooded Metro Manila streets on Aug. 2 but helped assuage the water supply shortage caused by the large demand of the growing population and a prolonged dry spell this year.

Data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration show that the water level at Angat Dam, which supplies 96 percent of water requirements in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, exceeded 167 meters in the morning of Aug. 3, above the 160-meter critical level but still below the “normal high” water level of 210 meters. Ferdinand dela Cruz, the 52-year-old president and chief executive of east zone concessionaire Manila Water Company, says the company’s customers are now enjoying “24x7 water availability at the ground floor”. Manila Water achieved this by tapping another source of potable water—Laguna de Bay. Angat Dam in Bulacan province which supplies 4,000 million liters per day to Metro Manila, Rizal and Cavite was constructed in 1967. This means that over the past 42 years, households and establishments were fully dependent on Angat Dam for their water needs. As the El Niño dry spell pulled down the water level at Angat Dam this year, the two concessionaires of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System—Manila Water on the east side and Maynilad Water Services Inc. on the west side—were forced to implement water rationing at certain hours during the dry months. Under the 1997 concession agreements, the east zone of Manila Water led by the Ayala Group receives an allocation of 1,600 MLD or 40 percent of the total while Maynilad Water now controlled by Metro Pacific gets 2,400 MLD or the balance of 60 percent. The administration of former President Fidel Ramos ordered the privatization of the water distribution business of MWSS to pay off the agency’s $800-million debt, replace the old pipe network, improve the piped water service coverage and reduce the excessive leakage or nonrevenue water level which represented more than half of the total water supply in the 1990s. As water supply ran thin during this year’s dry months, Manila Water experienced an average supply deficit of 150 MLD as total demand of its 6 million customers reached 1,750 MLD, exceeding its allocation of only 1,600 MLD. In response, Manila Water invested in new water sources and opened the Cardona Water Treatment Plant on March 14, 2019. The facility draws water from the central portion of Laguna de Bay and now delivers more than 60 MLD of water to Rizal towns. The treatment plant will operate at its full capacity of 100 MLD later this month. It is supported by 45 kilometers of transmission lines and 61 kilometers of distribution lines. At full capacity, it can deliver potable water to about 800,000 people in the east zone. Unlike other treatment facilities that draw water from Angat Dam, the Cardona WTP employs a more rigorous and complex treatment process and equipment to treat the diverse quality of water from Laguna Lake. The process includes treatment for suspended solids, organic matter, algae and dissolved solids. “Our Cardona Water Treatment Plant can now produce up to 63 MLD and will reach 100 MLD capacity this August,” says dela Cruz, who graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also took the Advance Management Program at Harvard Business School. Manila Water also operates more than 100 deep wells to augment its supply. “Our deep well capacity is now at around 60 MLD,” says dela Cruz. He says the reduction in system losses or non-revenue water to 7.5 percent in July from 12 percent in March translated into another 70 to 74 MLD of recovered supply. The NRW level before the privatization of water distribution was 63 percent. “We have also installed 65 line boosters in our distribution network to reach our customers located at high elevation or at the end of our network,” says dela Cruz, who joined Manila Water in July 2011. Prior to heading Manila Water, Dela Cruz worked for major companies Cardona Water Treatment Plant

BPI lead economist Emilio Neri Jr.

BPI ECONOMIST ACKNOWLEDGED AMONG THE BEST

Manila Water Company president and CEO Ferdinand dela Cruz

By Alena Mae S. Flores

such as Globe Telecom, Kraft Foods (Philippines) Inc., Ayala Land Inc., San Miguel Brewing Philippines, Inbisco Philippines and Unilever Philippines. Dela Cruz says putting water distribution in the hands of the private sector has significantly improved the level of services. “Privatization has significantly improved the services over the past 22 years. From 3 million customers, we now serve 6.8 million people. System losses have been reduced from 63 percent to 7.5 percent. Waterborne diseases have been reduced significantly,” he says. He says that given the growing population and rapidly expanding economy, there is a need to tap new large water sources such as Kaliwa Dam in Quezon province. “The key issue remains the need for large new water sources to be developed by MWSS to support the growing demand and [minimize] the over-dependence on Angat Dam,” he says. “We need to harness the Laguna Lake more to augment the supply needs of Metro Manila.” Among the planned water sources projects are the 600-MLD Kaliwa Dam; the 500 MLD Wawa Dam in Rizal province proposed by billionaire Enrique Razon Jr. and Oscar Violago in partnership with Manila Water; the 350-MLD Laguna Bay projects by Maynilad and Manila Water; and the 1,850-MLD “ABC Projects”. ABC Projects involve maximizing the untapped water and water wastage from Angat Dam; the Bayabas Dam Project in Doña Remedios Trinidad also in Bulacan; and the Candaba Multi-Purpose Impounding Dam in Pampanga. Dela Cruz says at the consumer level, households and businesses should do their part by observing water conservation especially in the face of global warming. “We need to implement demand management initiatives to reduce per capita consumption. Responsible use of water should be promoted heavily,” he says. Dela Cruz says climate change and water security are serious issues that Filipinos need to address collectively. “We should all be prepared to shoulder the additional costs of achieving water security to sustain the progress of Metro Manila and Rizal. All stakeholders need to work together to update and execute a comprehensive and implementable masterplan,” he says. Roderick T. dela Cruz

THE Asset magazine, a leading finance magazine in Asia, has named Emilio Neri Jr., the lead economist of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, as among the “best local currency bond individuals in research 2019”. The recognition was given during the annual Asian Local Currency Bond Benchmark Review, which forms part of the prestigious Asset Awards and is a first for a Philippine bank. Neri claimed the top spot in the research segment for the Philippines, besting 600 other nominees for the sell-side individuals who are active in Asian local currency bond markets in 2019. Sell-side refers to the creation, promotion and sale of stocks, bonds, foreign exchange and other financial instruments. “For the past few years, we have been gaining considerable outcomes and ranking high, but this is the first time that we actually emerged as the number one in the top sell-side individual in research category as a Philippine bank,” said Neri. “This achievement would not have been possible without the efforts of the entire research team and the initiatives of the other teams within the Bank. We are again humbled, honored and grateful with the trust and the satisfaction of our clients,” he said. The Asset conducted a survey among more than 300 investors in the region to nominate the top sell-side individuals in research (analysts and economists/credit strategists), sales and trading. All verified nominations of sell-side individuals were weighted and ranked accordingly. “We are committed to maintain this good standing, and that leaves us to work more responsibly to achieve the most favorable result and eventually the nod of our clients, investors and the entire nation,” Neri said. BPI and Neri were also recognized last year as the second-best in the same category during the currency bond benchmark review. BPI is the banking arm of the Ayala Group. The Asian Local Currency Bond Benchmark Review of The Asset, as stated in its website, “provides a wealth of data on the product needs of investors and the market penetration of the banks that are active in local currency bonds. It provides a detailed analysis on the investors’ buying behavior when selecting their counter-parties, giving unique access into the minds of these investors.”

LILIW EMERGES AS HOME OF EXPORT-QUALITY SHOES UPON reaching the quaint town of Liliw, Laguna, one can see rows of footwear makers and distributors along the cobbled street of Gat Tayaw. There, they offer different shoe designs in export quality that became one of the main reasons tourists are attracted to Liliw. Determined to make it big in the shoe industry, two local shoemakers heeded the call of the Department of Trade and Industry to join trade exhibits not only to widen their market but to hone their entrepreneurial skills. Ai-She Footwear Just a year in the business, Ai-She

Footwear already made its foray in Manila FAME. Owner Corazon Coligado’s marketing approach was to actively join DTI’s regional and national trade fairs. This paved the way for opportunities she never imagined could happen on her first year and first try in Manila FAME. “Because of Manila FAME, we are now a long way from retaining two employees and having a small nipa hut as a makeshift factory. Our first exhibit in the Manila FAME marked our very first export to Panama,” Coligado said. After the success of her first participation in Manila FAME, it has become a yearly ritual for the Coligado

family. Her husband no longer needs to work as an overseas Filipino worker and can stay with the family to help manage a growing company with workers that grew from two to 60. Ai-She’s mere nipa hut turned into a full-blown factory located in a vast land where the Coligado family now lives and where their employees have a place to raise their families. “In Manila FAME, we meet new foreign clients every year. We were also able to join international exhibitions like the China-Asean Expo,” Coligado said. Turn to C2

Ai-She Footwear owner Corazon Coligado

Business

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019 business@manilastandard.net

ABRA APP PROMOTES FINANCIAL INCLUSION GLOBAL financial and technology company Abra is promoting financial inclusion in the Philippines by making it easier for Filipinos to invest in US stocks and exchange-traded funds. “Abra has been at the forefront of financial sustainability. Our goal is to help people to send and receive money from each other. We also want to give people the opportunity to invest in companies they have only dreamt of or are unreachable. Our product continues to adapt with the new technologies that come out in the financial sector,” said Bill Barhydt, founder and CEO of Abra, a financial technology applications developer based in the United States. “We would like to educate and introduce the Filipinos to the world of financial inclusion. We want to enable Filipinos to invest in US stocks,” said Barhydt. The Abra app enables users to send funds to one another and convert them into whatever currency they want. The app also introduces Filipinos to the United States stock market and allows them to invest as little as P300 for a fractional stock of more than 50 stocks and ETF products, including popular stocks like Tesla, Uber, Apple, Amazon, Google, Netflix and Berkshire Hathaway. Barhydt said mobile applications like Abra open up a new breed of investors in the financial market. “These are individuals who want something new and who are looking for non-traditional ways of investment,” he said. Barhydt believes that digital technology is on the rise in the Philippines—not only technology coming from other countries but also from the talented startup community of the country. Abra is a non-custodial platform, unlike crypto exchanges or wallets that operate like traditional banks. This means the funds are stored on the blockchain, making the transactions more secure and private than centralized databases used by most crypto exchanges and wallets. Abra is backed up by American Express Ventures, First Round Capital, Foxconn Technology Group, Arbor Ventures, Lerer Hippeau, RRE Ventures, Silver 8 Capital and others.

LILIW...

From C1

Ai-she’s main raw material is abaca, a leaf fiber abundant in the Philippines. They use it for their most famous product—the espadrilles. “To keep the interest of our local and international clients, we keep on developing new designs. We also source from areas such as Zamboanga and Ilocos as they deliver high-grade raw materials perfect to maintain the quality of our products,” Coligado said. “Our shoes are specially handcrafted and fully Filipino. I think that is our edge in the global marketplace. But, having a platform like Manila FAME to showcase our products is really the secret to our success that is why I am urging other aspiring SME’s to join Manila FAME,” she said. Jhaz Footwear “Shoe-making is already in my blood, that is why at the first test of fate, I came back to this industry that I love most,” said Nephtali Moneda, owner of Jhaz Footwear. Jhaz also has an interesting story to tell. As teenage love blossomed for couple Nephtali and Elvira, they felt the heavy burden of supporting a family. Opportunely, the livelihood that saved them also led them to great success. The business started from just borrowing shoe stocks from friends and reselling them to different provinces around the country. The income generated was used to support the growing family, but they made sure to save, enabling them to open their own shoe stall at a former bakery stand. In a place where throngs of creative shoe -makers were ever y where, Nephtali needed a venue to market his shoe designs and elevate his game. He found an opportunity when he was introduced to the Center for

By Othel V. Campos

ORE than 1,700 exhibitors, including Filipino food firms, joined the 2019 Food Taipei 5-in-1 Mega Expo in Taiwan.

Philippine trade attache to Taiwan Michael Alfred Ignacio said 11 Filipino food and beverage companies joined this year’s exhibition. The Philippine lineup was composed of established companies like Century Pacific Food Inc., Destileria Limtuaco & Co. Inc., Team Asia Corp., Tropicana Food Products Inc. and Grand Asia Integrated Natural Coco Products Corp. High-innovation companies such as JND Manufacturing Industries Inc., Leonie Agri Corp., Mira’s Turmeric Products, Pasciolco Agri Ventures, Yearluck Food and Industrial Corp. and Yanyan International Philippines Inc. also participated in the Mega Expo which consists of five events—Food Taipei, Foodtech & Bio/Pharmatech Taipei, Taipei Pack, Taiwan Horeca and Halal Taiwan. The Taiwan External Trade Development Council organized the Mega Expo. Companies from 38 countries occupied 5,056 booths spread over the 91,000 square-meter exhibition floor. Taiwanese companies have been dealing with Filipino companies for packaging and processing solutions. Mill Powder Tech Co. Ltd., for one, has been doing customized machines for big Filipino companies for 20 years. It has supplied the technical requirements of Jollibee Food Corp., Universal Robina Corp. and other companies. “Manila was our first overseas market.We started a distributorship agreement 15 years ago and that agreement is still very much in place. With the Philippines, it’s like a long-term relationship,” said Mill Powder Tech assistant general

Mill Powder Tech assistant general manager Tony Ling

TAIWAN COMPANIES BOOST TIES WITH FILIPINO FOOD FIRMS manager Tony Ling. Mill Powder Tech is a family business started out by Ling’s parents. It specializes in pulverizers, mixers, blenders for food, pharmaceutical and biotech machinery and waste materials recycling machines. Meanwhile, one of the most popular food trends today is the boba drink craze. Boba which means bubble in Taiwan altered the way people take their cold drinks. During the food expo, boba drinks dominated the cold and fun beverage space with many variants of milk tea and bubble tea drinks. One of the biggest one-stop shops for milk tea and bubble tea entrepreneurs is the famous Taiwan SunnySyrup Food Co. Ltd. “Taiwan is the origin of milk tea. Whatever innovations we make

out of our milk tea here from pearl shakes to bubble tea, all these have become global trends. That’s why we keep pushing our R&D [research and development] team to come up with more variations and new twists to this trendy beverage,” said SunnySyrup R&D manager Cindy Hong. SunnySyrup has presence in the US, Korea and Japan. It is exporting products ranging from machines to utensils and milk and bubble tea ingredients to more than 100 countries. The company also exports machines such as snow ice shavers, snow ice makers, sealing machines, ice makers, fructose dispenser, shaking machines, tea and coffee machines, blenders and crepe and waffle machines. State-owned TTL, meanwhile, has been exporting beer overseas. Its classic

Gold Medal beer is one of its major export products to the Philippines. TTL also plans to export fruity beer—a lowalcohol beer to the Philippines. TTL representative Stephy Hsiao said the competition in the sector has intensified over the years. “We’re still the dominant entity although our share has eroded over time. Competition is growing at a fast rate and we have to keep up with the new products in the market to protect our position as Taiwan’s premier liquor and cigarette company,” she said. Transitioning from a monopoly to a state-owned company, TTL has also diversified into manufacturing various products. It is one of the first companies to introduce wine-infused instant noodles.

BISTRO GROUP OPENS SUB-FRANCHISING CAMPAIGN THE Bistro Group of Restaurants, the company behind 20 successful international and local restaurant brands with over 93 restaurants nationwide, pursues its sub-franchising campaign as a part of its growth strategy. The latest franchised store that will open on Aug. 5 is Denny’s new branch located at Ayala North Exchange Mall. The 68-seat restaurant serves classic American comfort food 24/7 amid a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Ever since this popular American diner opened its flagship store and first branch at the Bonifacio Global City, it has strengthened its stature as the world’s largest full-service family dining chain. Being one of The Bistro Group’s most patronized

International Trade Expositions and Missions by the Department of Trade and Industry. Nephtali Moneda, owner of Jhaz Footwear. Nephtali’s first Manila FAME was way back in 2011. This edition introduced Jhaz to a Japanese buyer who has been their client ever since. “Manila FAME made a big impact on our little shoe business. My mind was opened to export possibilities and opportunities and we were obligated to further develop our factory and our products,” Moneda said. The success they reaped from hard work and smart ventures rippled in their community. Aside from employing 20 people in their factory, they also support households composed of 90 to 100 individuals who handle their abaca braiding, embroidery and other side jobs they can offer. “We met clients in Manila FAME that really appreciate and patronize Filipino products. That is really different from just waiting for clients to visit your store. It really pays to have a channel to present your products,” Moneda said. The Manila FAME is slated on Oct. 17 to 19 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. It is positioned as the country’s best platform to discover Filipino design and lifestyle products. Manila FAME is one of the longestrunning trade shows in Asia-Pacific and the first trade event in the country approved by the Union des Foires Internationales, the global association of the world’s leading tradeshow organizers and fairground owners, exhibition associations, and selected partners of the exhibition industry.

brands, Denny’s believes there is room for new locations in Metro Manila and key provinces. The unique opportunity to franchise Denny’s comes with a solid and growing market share as well as the Bistro Group’s formula or recipe for success. “We provide our franchisees with what they need to jumpstart their business. We advise them and guide them through the different areas of restaurant operations—from site and design, marketing and menu, culinary and beverage, operations, accounting, supply chain, systems, procedures and best practices,” says Amy Palisoc, the Bistro Group’s vice president for business development. The other concepts that are open for sub-

franchsing are TGIFridays (one of the world’s most recognizable brands in American casual dining); Bulgogi Brothers (a South Korean chain that offers traditional and classic Korean cuisine like barbecued meats and steaks); Fish & Co. (another Singapore-based concept that is home to the best fish and chips in town); Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant (the leading food & beverage brand in Japan with over 700 branches in the Asia Pacific region); and Modern Shanghai (for authentic, home-cooked Shanghainese cuisine). The other brands under The Bistro Group’s portfolio are Hard Rock Café Manila, Italianni’s, Texas Roadhouse, Village Tavern, Red Lobster and Buffalo Wild Wings.

DEAL SIGNED TO LINK INVENTORS AND INVESTORS

Trade undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo (second from left) and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines director-general Josephine Santiago (second from right) sign an agreement to promote the use of intellectual properties.

THE Board of Investments and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines signed a memorandum o f a g re e m e n t t o p ro m o t e t h e commercialization and utilization of IPOPHL-registered intellectual properties by creating linkages to investors. The agreement is in line with the thrust of BoI to attract more innovationdriven investments in the country. Under the agreement, the BoI will be a part of the Mind2Market Network of IPOPHL which will tap on the existing programs of BoI such as the One Window Network and the Trade and

Industry Development Talks to create stronger linkages between creators/ inventors and investors. Both parties also agreed to establish channels of communication to facilitate technical consultations on matters related to innovation, including on new and emerging technologies that are registrable with the BoI. This will also facilitate the resolution of any issues that may be faced by industry stakeholders on the registration, recognition and enforcement of IP rights. “For two consecutive years, the BoI has continued to set its highest

recorded investment approvals in more than 50 years. While we continue to outperform ourselves in promoting investments, we still need to attract new investments that are considered ‘innovation drivers’ under the 2017-2019 Investments Priorities Plan (IPP),” said Trade undersecretary and BoI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo. Possible investment areas include research and development activities; the conduct of clinical trials; the establishment of centers of excellence, innovation centers, business incubation h u b s, f a b r i c at i o n l a b o rato r i e s and co-working spaces; and t h e co m m e rc i a l i z at i o n o f n e w and emerging technologies and products of the Science Department or government-funded R&D. The Patent Landscape Reports being prepared by IPOPHL will help BOI in identifying technology gaps that require foreign investments to bring in these technologies into the country. “The MOU is something that should excite all creators and innovators. This period is the sunrise of our intellectual property, especially now that we have partnered with formidable agencies such as the BoI. I hope that with the national innovation law that was recently passed and the creation of the national innovation council, we hope to put and enhance value to the innovation agenda of the President,” IPOPHL director-general Josephine Santiago said. Othel V. Campos

Tech & Gadgets

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

MYNT’S BERJA REDEFINES ROLE OF MODERN CFO

FTEN pigeonholed as the company bean counters, Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) have been traditionally seen as a walking bundle of numbers who care about nothing but the bottom line. And yet a CFO from—of all places—a fintech company running the Philippines’ leading mobile wallet has set out to disprove this prevailing stereotype, emphasizing instead the need for a CFO to genuinely understand a business and inspire people to excel and work together. Ray Berja, CFO at Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations Inc.) who was named Best Fintech CFO of the Year at the Global CFO Excellence Awards 2019, said gone were the days of a traditional CFO. “The CFO today is a business partner, an enabler, a strategist and a provider of value in the organization,” Berja said. “A CFO has to be inspiring and must be able to motivate the organization, especially the finance team. He or she has to be more than a bean counter.” Berja, who had set out to be a soldier when he was young, found he enjoyed the strategy game more in the corporate world—something that has worked in his favor the past fifteen years. “You have to be a strategist and translate the financial targets to a commercial strategic direction. A CFO has to be able to work well with his commercial counterpart, to enable the commercial and business groups to deliver their targets,” the finance executive said. Though only 39 years old, Berja’s resume includes stints in the biggest names in Philippine business: working with external audit firms, multinational companies, media empire ABS-CBN, fastfood giant Jollibee, and telecoms pioneer PLDT Global. Growing up in Piat, Cagayan Valley, the young Berja—like many young men in the province–– wanted to be a soldier, a general even. After graduating from the science high school of the University of St. Louis of Tuguegarao, he was accepted to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City but decided that military life was not for him. He believed that serving the country was not limited to wearing a uniform—there are many ways to take part in nation-building. With the meager amount he saved as a PMA cadet, plus the help of friends, classmates and PMAers, Berja went to Manila, unsure about his future but confident that armed with his faith and work ethic, he would succeed. “I always believed that no matter how hard you work, without God’s blessing, your work will be wasted. I still believe that all things work together for good for those who love God, and by God’s grace in Christ Jesus, one’s future will always be brighter and better than anyone’s expectations—even your own,” says Berja, who, upon arriving in

A few of Hopewell Integrated School’s alumnus who will be manning the Washabilities Laundry Shop.

HOPE SPRINGS WITH LG’S WASHABILITIES LAUNDRY SHOP Ray Berja, CFO at Mynt

Manila, worked in various capacities for the Philippine National Police (PNP). Recognizing his potential, the PNP gave him a regular position allowing him to study accountancy at nights and on Saturdays at the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA) in Quezon City, where he got an academic scholarship sponsored by the college dean. Despite being a working student, Berja regularly topped PSBA’s accountancy exams and was considered one of the school’s best bets to top the board exam for Certified Public Accountants. He graduated from PSBA as a consistent dean’s lister and was chosen as one of the Most Outstanding Accounting Students of the Philippines, a recognition given by the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry. “I was so confident that I would be a board topnotcher,” Berja said. “But imagine, when the scores came out... I barely passed.” Rather than get discouraged, Berja used this disappointment to motivate himself to work as a topnotch CPA: “My mindset has always been to be the best in my profession and to bring value in the finance profession.” After becoming a Certified Public Accountant, he turned down an offer to continue working in the PNP and decided to join the private sector. Berja

Berja distinguished himself in the companies he joined, crediting his early years working in his mother’s food stall at the public market and later, his time in the PMA, for integrity at work and for his ability to adjust in any environment and address the different challenges in the workplace. “It’s more of the discipline. Part of my personality is to adapt very quickly. I’m very agile. You put me in a new place, I put my heart into it to excel; I can quickly blend in and adjust,” he said. Along the way, Berja continued learning. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Ateneo de Manila University Graduate School of Business and Regis University in the United States, as well as a Diploma in Financial Technology from Said Business School-University of Oxford. He also became a Certified Management Accountant and a Certified Financial Consultant with the Institute of Certified Management Accountant of Australia and the Institute of Certified Financial Consultants of Canada. Berja believes his academic training complemented by 15 years of real-world experience in finance is what allowed a seasoned CFO such as himself to be effective, whether in a mature company PLDT Global, or a startup like Mynt. “One thing is common down the line. CFOs should understand the entire business from end to end and inspire and empower people around them. They should embed themselves in the business in order to maximize shareholder value,” Berja said. This is what Berja will bring to Air Asia Philippines as the airline’s new CFO aiming, as he always does, to understand, to excel, to enable and to inspire others to soar to new heights.

GET A CHANCE TO WIN CAR IN SHOPEE PROMO SHOPEE, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, is giving consumers a chance to take home a brand-new Toyota Fortuner 2018 in its P1 Game for Shopee Free Shipping Festival. On August 8, there will be free shipping with P0 minimum spend on selected brands and categories, P88 deals, and tons of 100% cashback vouchers to enjoy. Consumers can join Shopee’s exciting P1 Game to take home amazing prizes including an Apple iPhone XS Max, A&S 40” HD TV, and Samsung Galaxy A20 by paying P1 upon check out. On the big sale day, users should stay tuned as Shopee will be raffling off a brand-new Toyota Fortuner for only P1. “We are excited to have launched another campaign that provides consumers greater deals on their favorite categories and brands. We are giving

Filipinos bigger and better surprises through Shopee’s P1 Game which is becoming popular among online shoppers as it gives them more chances to score premium items for the low price of P1. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating Shopee Free Shipping Festival,” said Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines. On August 8, Shopee users can enjoy big discounts on their favorite items. These are what consumers should watch for during Shopee Free Shipping Festival: Free Shipping with P0 Minimum Spend on selected shops. Discounts up to 90% off and exclusive promotions across all categories. Premium gadgets up for grabs including an Apple iPhone XS Max, A&S 40” HD TV, Samsung Galaxy A20, and more for only P1 in Shopee’s P1 Game.

LG, in close collaboration with Hopewell Integrated School and Bigwash, endeavors to empower individuals with special needs through a sustainable livelihood program. Dubbed as HopeWash, the program positions students and graduates of HIS, a non-stock non-profit organization based in Cavite dedicated to individuals with special needs, to be employable and lead functional lives. To jumpstart the project, LG and Bigwash worked together to get the shop up and running by taking care of the construction and the training of the staff, which consists of HIS alumnus. LG donated 5 sets of commercial washers and dryers, 1 commercial refrigerator, and 1 43” TV set. Unilever also lent a hand by donating laundry detergents specially formulated for the commercial washers. Expounding on the company’s role in the program, LG Managing Director Inkwun Heo states, “We are firm believers in HIS’s goal of providing these children a future to look forward to. We want to empower them as much as we are able to. Our intuitive design provides accessibility through straightforward simplicity.” Washabilities Laundry Shop is now open and ready to serve all of your laundry needs at 135 Remulla Compound Paliparan Road, Molino 4, Bacoor, Cavite.

LENOVO...

From C4

in the first quarter of 2019 is to focus efforts into excellent customer service by giving them everything they need before they even know it. From the latest laptops to professional advice and support from our expert staff, our concept stores have all of these and that makes shopping for a new device a completely hassle-free experience,” said Ngan. This strategy has helped position Lenovo as a global technology leader. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 18/19, the company’s net income soared to $118 million while at the same time posting revenue of $11.7 billion and gross margin of 16.2%, both surpassing projections. These figures earned Lenovo the number one spot in PC shipments by Gartner for the first quarter of 2019. There are currently 19 Lenovo Concept Stores serving clients in key cities across the nation. The Lenovo Exclusive Store-SM Megamall is open daily during mall hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

MSU-MARAWI CROWNED ENACTUS PH BUSINESS IDEA CHALLENGE CHAMPION MINDANAO State University-Marawi Campus won the first Enactus Philippines Business Innovation Idea Challenge besting four other finalists including De La Salle University - Manila (1st runner-up), Ateneo De Zamboanga University (2nd runner-up), University of the Philippines Mindanao and Technological Institute of the Philippines. Eleven teams initially submitted project proposals, which were trimmed down to five. The five finalists presented their projects or innovation ideas before a panel of esteemed judges at the recently concluded Enactus National Finals on July 27 at the SMX Convention Center-Manila. The MSU team’s winning project is “Lily Compost: A Fertilizer from Water Hyacinth”, which addresses the issue in Lake Lanao about the abundance of water hyacinths invading big parts of its coastal areas and

clogging the waterways of the NAPOCOR’s hydroelectric plant. The project aims to turn water hyacinths into an organic compost that local farmers can use as fertilizer. This is also an advocacy project to help the Marawi Seige survivors find ways to organize themselves back to society by utilizing resources that are abundant in the area. “This competition marks the transition of the Enactus organization to not only focus on business and entrepreneurship as a powerful tool to improve the lives of the communities and people, but to incorporate science, technology, and innovation as an integral part of how we do things,” said Enactus Chairman Jose P. Leviste. Enactus Philippines Country Leader Atty. Leo Dominguez said that this competition was introduced to align with Enactus International’s objective of highlighting projects that use tech-

nology or innovation. This first Idea and Innovation Challenge aims to provide an avenue for new or existing teams to pitch their viable business innovation ideas that demonstrate entrepreneurial leadership and provide innovative solutions to pressing economic, social, and environmental problems. The Enactus National Finals is made possible by EEI Corporation (Red Diamond Sponsor), Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (Blue Diamond Sponsor), OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. and AG&P (Diamond Sponsors), Unilever and Philippine Airlines (Platinum Sponsors), Sindicatum Renewable Energy Holdings Philippines (Silver Sponsor). KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co., Quisumbing Torres (Member Firm of Baker & McKenzie International) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) are institutional partners.

Enactus Philippines’ 2019 Business Innovation Idea Challenge Champion is Mindanao State University-Marawi Campus. Awarding them their Plaque are Members of the EP Board and Sponsors. Leftmost onstage is KPMG R.G Manabat & Co.’s Audit Partner Mr. Ador C. Mejia and on the right is Quisumbing Torres’ Partner for Corporate and Commercial Atty Dennis A. Quintero. In the front row are from left to right: Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc.’s Executive Director Mr. Sebastian C. Quiñones, Jr, Enactus Philippines’ Chairman Dr. Jose P. Leviste,Jr., EP Country Leader Atty. Leo G. Dominguez, Guest Speaker Bambuhay’s Founder & Chief Executive Farmer Mark D. Gersava and EEI Corporation’s Assistant Vice President for Corporate Affairs Mr. Rodrigo V. Mantaring.

TECH & Gadgets SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

GALAXY TAB S6 ENHANCES CREATIVITY, PRODUCTIVITY

AMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd. recently announced Galaxy Tab S6—a new tablet that allows people to create and connect, enjoy immersive entertainment, and accomplish their goals wherever they go. Built for those who need to satisfy their curiosity and express their creative flair, the Galaxy Tab S6 lets users do more than they could on any tablet before. “Today’s inspiration comes at a moment’s notice and creatives and professionals need a device able to keep up with insatiable imaginations while complementing their busy, on-the-go lifestyles,” said DJ Koh, President and CEO of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy Tab S6 enables consumers to unlock their creativity, while delivering the top-quality productivity features and advanced technology they have come to expect from Samsung tablets.” Redesigned S Pen Boosts Creativity and Productivity Samsung’s signature S Pen began as an instrument for writing and drawing, but it has evolved to become the ultimate creativity and productivity tool. Now with remote control functionality and wireless charging capabilities, S Pen on Galaxy Tab S6 puts even more power and control in users’ hands. With built-in BLE remote control features[1] including a gesture function called S Pen Air actions, S Pen lets you intuitively take selfies and videos, or control the multimedia content you create even when the tablet is not in your hands. Plus, S Pen features wireless charging that delivers up to 10 hours of battery life after just ten minutes’ charge time. Galaxy Tab S6 makes taking notes with S Pen a breeze. Handwritten Samsung Notes can be converted to digital text and exported to formats like Microsoft Word with just one click. You can also jot down quick notes or sketches while watching a video on the same screen by adjusting the Samsung Notes’ window transparency—perfect for effortless multitasking. A new-and-improved version of Samsung DeX is also packed into the Galaxy Tab S6, enabling you to seamlessly transition to a PC-like experience, so you can easily multitask and

Catch IT girls Bea Soriano, Jess Wilson, and Martine Cajucom on the cover of SM Shopmag’s Cyber Month issue this August available at National Bookstore branches, prestige lounge, and information booths in SM malls nationwide! (Photo courtesy of SM Shopmag)

Galaxy Tab S6 enriches the mobile experience by enabling people to express their ideas and get more done.

optimize your viewing experience. With a DeX function key added to the Galaxy Tab S6’s new dedicated Book Cover Keyboard, you can launch and close DeX with the tap of a key. The keyboard has been fine-tuned for better functionality, including an S Pen holder, free angle stand, touch pad and new function keys. Advanced Technology for Everyday Convenience Galaxy Tab S6 packs new enhancements to its camera, including Samsung’s first dual camera with Ultra Wide lens on a tablet, within a compact 5.7mm slim body that is both lighter and more portable. The Ultra Wide camera allows users to capture scenery and landscapes just as they see them with a 123-degree field of view, as wide as the human eye. Meanwhile, the Neural Processing Unit lets you take professional photos through enhanced effects to your subjects, so your photos look like they were taken by a pro. Samsung is also bringing the onscreen Fingerprint Scanner to its

tablet for the first time with Galaxy Tab S6, so that accessing your tablet is more convenient than ever. This ease and convenience is further protected by Samsung Knox, Samsung’s defense-grade security platform. Additionally, you can easily wake your Galaxy Tab S6 by tapping on the screen twice, allowing you to log in and start your day quickly. As a part of Samsung’s Galaxy Ecosystem, the Galaxy Tab S6 becomes a hub of your connected experience to manage your appliances with SmartThings. Together with Bixby, you can easily control your devices via voice commands. Uncompromised Entertainment Whether you are enjoying a new game or binge-watching your favorite TV show, Galaxy Tab S6 delivers an amazing viewing experience. Its 10.5” Super AMOLED display, paired with quad speakers sound by AKG and Dolby Atmos®, keeps you immersed in the action. Galaxy Tab S6 enables high-quality, captivating gaming through a

combination of graphics, sounds, and intelligent hardware and software, bolstered by partnerships with leading game platforms like Unity and Unreal Engine. A powerful processor and Game Booster with AI capabilities enhance the gaming experience on Galaxy Tab S6 through optimized FPS, screen lag, loading time and more. Thanks to Samsung’s partnership with Discord, you can access new live chat features through Game Launcher so you can strategize with your teammates throughout the game. With Galaxy Tab S6, you can enjoy more of your favorite content. You can easily browse Netflix content on the device’s Finder or seamless play your favorite music on Spotify. Galaxy Tab S6 comes in Mountain Gray and Rose Blush colors. It will be available in stores and online beginning late August in select markets. For more information about the Galaxy Tab S6, visit news.samsung.com/galaxy, www.samsungmobilepress.com or www. samsung.com/galaxy.

LENOVO SM MEGAMALL CONCEPT STORE GETS FACELIFT A MORE premium and sophisticated experience awaits customers at Lenovo’s Exclusive Concept Store SM Megamall, which recently underwent a redesign in its efforts to deliver outstanding customer service. Located at the 4th floor in Cyberzone, the refurbished store now gives more room for visitors who want a firsthand experience of Lenovo’s latest devices, accessories, and peripherals. The exclusive concept store showcases Lenovo’s growing portfolio of products across its YOGA, IdeaPad, Legion, IdeaCentre, ThinkPad, and ThinkStation lineups. For Lenovo Philippines Country General Manager Michael Ngan, the renovation of the concept store will provide an overall better experience for their customers. “One of the key strategies for growth that has helped Lenovo become the world’s #1 PC Company Lenovo SM Megamall concept store gets a sleek modern revamp

Turn to C3

ITS bid to provide customers a premium experience, Lenovo, the number one PC and smart devices developer, redesigned its exclusive concept store in SM Megamall. Sporting a more sophisticated and modern look, the store showcases Lenovo’s latest devices and accessories, all of which are available for visitors to personally experience. In photo from left to right: Michael Ngan, Country General Manager, Lenovo Philippines; Derrick Yu, President, AccentHub; Mike Taino, Vice-President Sales and Marketing, AccentHub; and Sally Yu, Consumer Lead, Lenovo Philippines.

GAMING, GREAT TECH DEALS AT SM’S CYBERMONTH HEADS up, tech geeks! This August, SM Supermalls celebrates tech and innovation with Cyber Month—a month-long celebration of the latest gadget trends, exclusive tech deals, and gaming events happening in 72 SM malls nationwide! “We invite all gamers and shoppers as we transform our malls into a larger-than-life e-sports arena featuring multi game tournaments and gadget deals,” said Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls senior vice president for marketing. Here are 5 ways to experience an action-packed Cyber Month at SM: 1. Great Gadget Deals. There is no place like Cyberzone when it comes to gadget deals. Avail of great gadget deals, and special offerings & bundles on select items with up to 50% off in participating stores this August! 2. Battle Arena. It is no secret that gamers all over the world go crazy over multiplayer e-games. Tag your squad and put your skills to the test at the Battle Arena happening for the whole month of August! 3. Cosplay Craze. Show off your talent, creativity, and costumes at the Cosplay Craze wherein participants can join a series of competitions and enjoy parades featuring their favorite characters this August! 4. Gizmo Con. Score the latest entertainment gadgets, smart home devices, audio-visual tech gizmos, and other great deals from participating Cyberzone stores, SM Appliance, The SM Store Gadgets, and Ace Hardware! 5. #GadgetGameAtSM. Head over to the #GadgetGameAtSM booth and shoot as many digital phones as you can into the virtual shopping bags within 60 seconds for a chance to win prizes! No matter what your tech interest is—whether it be e-sports, gaming, virtual reality, music, or photography—there will be something for you at Cyberzone! For more information, visit www.smsupermalls.com.

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF PH CHOSEN 6TH HUAWEI SCHOOL PARTNER HUAWEI Philippines recently made Polytechnic University of the Philippines its sixth school partner for its ICT Academy, in a signing witnessed by Counsellor Xie Yonghui of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China Wednesday afternoon at the PUP campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. PUP President Dr. Emanuel C. De Guzman welcomed the pact with Huawei, adding that this is a great opportunity for the state university to sign an pact with a world-class technology provider. Dr. De Guzman said the partnership would provide PUP students the opportunity to acquire information and communications technology skills through Huawei’s certification program. Huawei Philippines had earlier sign agreements with five other educational institutions, namely University of Southeastern Philippines, Mindanao State University—IIT, Bulacan State University, De La Salle University and Mapua Institute of Technology.

Huawei Technologies Philippines, Inc.’s Public Affairs and Communications Department head Karenina Buenafe said PUP students will have the chance to unearth and hone their ICT talents as the Chinese technology giant sponsors skills competitions yearly. Meanwhile, Counsellor Xie said Huawei will continue to foster friendly ties with the Philippines, adding relations between the two countries have grown under Presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Xi Jinping. “Relations between the two countriesm which date back to centuries ago, have always benefitted Chinese and Filipino nationals,” said Xie, explaining that business between the Philippines and the world’s second largest economy will continue to grow. Speaking to PUP students, Counsellor Xie said PUP students into Engineering and ICT have the opportunity to find well-paying jobs at Huawei as Chinese companies in the Philippines now employ some16,000 Filipinos.

Shown here (from left) are Prof. Alberto Guillo, ECP-PUP; Dr. Emanuel C. De Guzman, PUP President; Li Guodong, HUAWEI EBG Service Director; and Xie Yong Hi, Consul China Embassy.

Destinations D1

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019

MERCURY RISING

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

UR fast-rising tourism industry, just like those of other countries, is always finding ways to get a bigger chunk of the worldwide MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions) simply because it is a high-yield component of the industry.

Participants to these events are, more often than not, on company business, which means they can afford to stay at more expensive hotels, eat in fancy restaurants, drink more expensive wines, and book the more expensive domestic tours. Several decades ago, when the Philippine International Convention Center opened, our country was Asia’s leader in hosting

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

BUSINESS EVENTS, MORE FUN HERE

Our country's MICE event venues plus amazing natural attractions make an attractive combination that help regain PH's MICE industry lead in the region. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

these MICE events. Unfortunately, our neighbors built their own, plus many more alternative venues, making them overtake us in this aspect. Now, we rank only

The SMX Convention Center remains a favorite of medium and large business events. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

12th in the Asian region. How can we go back on top? That is what we, leaders of the different tourism organizations in the country, recently put our heads to-

gether for. I belong to the Marketing Sub-Working Group assigned to craft the MICE Road Map that will put us back on top again. The Tourism Promotions Board

The 55,000-seat Philippine Arena will be the site of the Opening Ceremonies of this year's Southeast Asian Games.

is the lead agency tasked to ensure that our MICE industry zooms all the way up. According to its promotional materials, it offers its expertise to event organizers and meeting planners by providing them with valuable contacts both in the government and private sectors. It also arranges for site inspection trips and technical visits to help with planning and decision-making. TPB also offers pre- and postevent tours with imaginative and unique incentive experience and itineraries geared towards the client’s goals. Of course, it can facilitate the arrival of foreign groups and VIPs, in coordination with agencies at the airport. Turn to D2

A united purpose. One MVP Group.

MVP Superhero Run O

VER 2,800 heroes raised funds for local charity and development programs at the MVP Superhero Run, the run-for-a-cause birthday celebration of business mogul Manny V. Pangilinan.

Together with their family and friends, employees from PLDT Group, Smart Communications (Smart), Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), Maynilad, Metro Pacific Tollways, Roxas Holdings, TV5, Cignal TV, Philex Mining, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Delos Santos Medical Center, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, and Dr. Jesus C. Delgado Memorial Hospital of Metro Pacific Hospital Group gathered on the morning of July 20, 2019 at the Meralco Compound in Ortigas Center, Pasig City for the event. The fundraising activity intended to support projects of Tulong Kapatid, the corporate social responsibility consortium of the MVP Group of Companies. Coach Ryan Gregorio of MVP Sports Foundation opened the run with a pep talk encouraging the participants to be superheroes in their own way. “With the theme ‘Be Super, Be a Hero’, the MVP Superhero Run aims to raise funds for Foundations under the MVP Group that work hand-in-hand for different CSR efforts,” said Melody M. Del Rosario, VP for Public Relations and Corporate Communications at MPIC. “While PLDT-Smart Foundation, PLDT-Smart Public Affairs, One Meralco Foundation, Alagang Kapatid Foundation, and MVP Sports Foundation implement their unique programs, we also collaborate on Tulong Kapatid projects that aim to improve the lives of Filipino communities, specifically in the areas of disaster response and recovery, education, livelihood, youth and sports

MVP Sports Foundation Executive Director Coach Ryan Gregorio delivered the opening remarks

Celebrity runner Coach Rio de la Cruz gave the race participants a pep talk (L-R) PLDT-Smart Public Affairs Head Ramon R. Isberto, TV5 and Cignal TV President and CEO Jane Jimenez-Basas, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. VP for Public Relations and Corporate Communications Melody M. Del Rosario, Meralco Strategy and Business Development Office Head Raymond B. Ravelo, Meralco Chief CSR Officer and One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey O. Tarayao, Maynilad Water Services President and CEO Mon S. Fernandez, PLDT-Smart Foundation President Ma. Esther O. Santos, Malabon City Mayor Lenlen A. Oreta III, Meralco President and CEO Ray C. Espinosa, MVP Group of Companies Head Manny V. Pangilinan, and Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno

Birthday celebrant Manny V. Pangilinan with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno development,” explained Ramon R. Isberto, Head of Public Affairs at PLDT-Smart. What made the event more special was the presence of runners sponsored by the MVP Group. “This year, we chose to have a fun run that celebrates the superheroes not just among MVP Group employees,

Malabon City Mayor Lenlen A. Oreta III (2nd from left), who ran at the 2.5 kilometer category and finished 3rd, with (L-R) PLDT-Smart Foundation President Ma. Esther O. Santos, Meralco Chief CSR Officer and One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey O. Tarayao, and Meralco Strategy and Business Development Office Head Raymond B. Ravelo but also among the public sector,” shared Ma. Esther O. Santos, President of PLDTSmart Foundation. These real-life heroes were sponsored runners from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Marine Corps, Philippine Coast Guard, traffic enforcers from the Makati Public

Safety Department (MAPSA), janitorial and messengerial personnel from PLDT-Smart corporate offices, and other groups. The uniformed personnel superheroes were later treated to a boodle feast courtesy of PLDTSmart Foundation and Alagang Kapatid Foundation.

The sponsored runners were entitled to raffle items from partners of the MVP Group of Companies. Awards were also given to top race finishers in the 5 kilometer and 2.5 kilometer categories. There was also a 1 kilometer fun run and special prizes for runners who dressed in superhero costumes. “It has always been MVP’s tradition to spend his birthday month and celebrate his life by giving to others,” Santos added. Public servants from the local government of Manila, Malabon, and Pasig, represented by Mayors Isko Moreno, Lenlen Oreta, and Vico Sotto, respectively, also graced the event. Celebrity runner Coach Rio de la Cruz and MVP Group execs were also present. Jeffrey Tarayao, Chief CSR Officer at Meralco and President of One Meralco Foundation, emphasized the true spirit of the fundraising activity. “The MVP Superhero Run reflected what being a superhero is to MVP: ang pakikipagkapwa tao,” he said. “Kaya nagsama-sama ang magkakapatid from the MVP Group of Companies: To signify our commitment as a united team that is eager to create meaningful initiatives in the community-something that we have all learned from MVP and will carry wherever we go,” Tarayao detailed.

Destinations

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

WHERE TO

ONG weekends mean a chance to recharge and rediscover destinations in the country. This August, gather the gang and go on a fun getaway outside the metro, or stay in the metro and enjoy its comforts and conveniences.

BEACH GETAWAY, CITY STAYCATION, HOTEL HOPPING

RWM's Grand Staycation includes overnight stays in six hotels.

The beach beckons

Leave the stress of the city behind and make unforgettable island memories with family or friends. With travel goals with friends in mind, Discovery Shores Boracay offers the Beach Squad Package for a group of four, with rates starting at P25,300++ per night on lean season and at P32,000++ per night during peak season. Likewise, Club Paradise Palawan has the Palawan Pals package, also for a group of four, with rates starting at P23,000++ per night on lean season and P27,000++ during peak season. Guests availing of the package get exclusive perks such as roundtrip airport transfers, daily breakfast, drinks and pizza, plus a hearty boodle fight feast. Go to www.discoveryshoresboracay.com or www. clubparadisepalawan.com for inquiries and reservations.

'Me time' in Manila

Those looking to take some time off or those families yearning for a weekend of bonding, Diamond Hotel in Manila offers the Me Time Room Only Special staycation package. This local residents’ offer comes with special inclusions, such as complimentary use of health and leisure facilities, and 30 percent off in all restaurants. On days when indoors are more enticing, the Comfy and Cozy package rate starts at P5,500 nett. The overnight stay in a Deluxe Room comes with a buffet breakfast for two, dining discounts, and access to the Health Club and Spa. It's available for local guests until Sept. 30. Those booking online can get their room rates at half the price this August. Register for a Diamond Online Membership at www. diamondhotel.com/member. Call (02) 528-3000 or go to www.diamondhotel.com for inquiries and reservations.

Grand staycation

Staying in a premier hotel is luxurious, staying in six world-class brands is luxurious times 10.

Premier hotels in the country offer special staycation and getaway packages. Diamond Hotel Manila has a special Me Time Room Only Package among other promotions, while Discovery Shores Boracay and Club Paradise Palawan both offer special room promo for groups of four. This is the very thing Resorts World Manila wants guests to experience as its offers the Grand Staycation Package as part of its 10th anniversary celebration. For only P28,000 nett, guests can enjoy overnight stays at six RWM accommodation brands, including three global five-star hotels

Marriott Manila Hotel, Sheraton Manila Hotel, and the Hilton Manila. Guests also get overnight stay vouchers at RWM’s practical luxury accommodations Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City (HIEx Manila), Belmont Hotel Manila, and Savoy Hotel Manila. In addition to a unique hotel hopping

experience, where they can savor the amenities and signature service of each hotel, guests can also embark on a journey across vast array of buffet stations and hearty feasts throughout RWM’s hotels and signature restaurants when they avail of the Grand Food Trip for P10,000. Go to www.rwmanila.com for more information.

University of Baguio hosts CGSP program THE University of Baguio recently hosted the first international certification program for hospitality and tourism in the province. Industry practitioners, faculty members, and students from various parts of Luzon participated in the workshop. Asia World Hospitality collaborated with UB to conduct the Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP). The certification program discusses the golden elements in customer service and building relationships with customers, understanding ratings and popularity rankings, and preventing fraud, among other topics. The three-day workshop was facilitated by June Lucero-Antonio, a hospitality and tourism professional. Asia World Hospitality is the exclusive international associate of the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute in the Philippines. Participants to the first AHLEI Certified Guest Service Professional training in Baguio include hospitality and tourism industry practitioners, faculty members, and students.

BUSINESS... From D1 So, what are the top MICE destinations in our country? We have six that we can truly be proud of, not only because they showcase our world-class venues which are fully equipped with modern technology, but also because they banner how nature has blessed our country. Here are our top bets to regain our MICE industry lead in the region, with descriptions courtesy of TPB. Metro Manila is an exciting, colorful, and complex metropolis composed of 16 cities and one municipality. It is the political, economic, social, cultural, and recreational hub of our country. Manila is a popular business event destination, thanks to its world-class facilities, a globally connected business population, and the friendliest dedicated teams of support professionals. Cebu beckons business events participants as it tempts them with its pristine beaches, crystalline waters, and affordable luxury resorts. A unique blend of natural beauty, historic sites, and urban living, Cebu is the seat of Christianity, where Ferdinand Magellan first planted his world-famous cross, and is a bustling metropolis with a glittering nightlife.

The tiny island of Boracay is practically a mainstay in Conde Nast’s list of the world’s favorite beach destinations. Its white sand beach, lined with lush palm trees, makes it ideal for those seaside massage under the shade of the coconut trees. From dusk to dawn, island life turns into

YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE The most effective way to remember your wife’s birthday is to forget it once! one big party scene, with everyone welcome to join in. Palawan, with its 1,700 islands and islets, is the World’s Best Island, as voted by Travel and Leisure magazine. Its bewitching landscape includes lagoons and bays that hide ancient shipwrecks. It is a wildlife haven where giraffes, zebras, and gazelles coexist with exotic fauna such as mouse deer, civet, and scaly anteater. Our President’s home province, Davao, has the most expansive landscape in the country and is covered with exotic fruit plantations and orchid farms. The majestic Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak, lords over migrant settlers from all over the archipelago,

co-existing with ethnic tribes who continue to live according to how they did centuries ago. Nature has blessed Bohol with a lush landscape of verdant hills, waterfalls, serene rivers, mangrove forests, undisturbed wildlife, and powdery white sand beaches. One can marvel at nature’s glory through the famous Chocolate Hills, the cute little tarsiers, or sail on the stress-relieving Loboc River Cruise. With all these beautiful natural attractions offered hand-in-hand with world-class facilities, our country is definitely ready to host all kinds of business events—from a mega-event that fits into the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena, like the Opening Ceremonies of the Southeast Asian Games later this year, to small business meetings in any of our beach resorts. Talking about small business meetings, remember my comment three columns ago about the Department of Tourism and Subic Bay Metropolitan Agency officers who left our Subic Bay meeting immediately after their respective presentations? Ms. Mary Jamelle Camba, tourism manager of SBMA informed me after reading my column that when she received the invitation, she immediately notified the organizer that she would have to leave immediately after her talk

Call (02) 729-6865 or email info@asiaworldhospitality for inquiries and more information.

Boracay is one of the top MICE destinations in the country. (Photo from Shangri-La Boracay)

due to another commitment she had already confirmed for. The DoT officer gave the same reason when I asked her onsite about her early departure. When we, the tourism leaders from Manila, got invited, we thought there would be a “meeting of the minds,” with DoT and SBMA listening to our views on how we could help the area’s tourism industry. We prepared our respective Power Point Presentations, hurdled the 2.5hour, 167-kilometer drive to Subic, and forfeited our valuable weekend. This is

why we were disappointed when we felt left out in the cold. But we live in an imperfect world. Not everything turns out exactly the way we want it to be. However, based on how driven TPB is in putting our MICE industry back on top again, and with God’s wonderful, awesome blessings on our natural environment, I know we will get there in no time… because business events are more fun in the Philippines! For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@ gmail.com.

Entertainment be part of the whole show. I’m also very excited for the challenges coming my way,” said Geoff. Geoff considers this partnership with Maja a long time coming but is happy it happened at this time. “We are very comfortable with each other since we are already friends for a long time. However, this will be the first time that will be (onscreen) partners, and I think this is the perfect time for us.” Apart from Geoff and Maja, also starring The Killer Bride are Janella Salvador as Emma, the

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019

woman who claims she is possessed by Camila, and Joshua Garcia as Elias, Vito’s right hand who will protect the Dela Cuestas at all costs, including from Emma. The cast also includes Dominic Ochoa, Loren Burgos, Alexa Ilacad, Eric Nicolas, Keanna Reeves, Eddie Gutierrez, Aurora Sevilla, Cris Villanueva, James Blanco, Lara Quigaman, Ariella Arida, and Sam Concepcion. The series is directed by Dado Lumibao. The Killer Bride will air soon on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167).

GEOFF

Geoff smiles for the cameras during ‘The Killer Bride’ blogcon held at ABS-CBN.

EIGENMANN MARKS MAJOR TV COMEBACK

By Nickie Wang

FTER his short yet significant stint in the afternoon sexy drama, Los Bastardos, Geoff Eigenmann takes on his biggest role since his return to ABSCBN as he teams up for the first time with prime actress Maja Salvador. In the upcoming series The Killer Bride, the 34-year-old actor plays Vito Dela Cuesta, a musician who falls in love with Camila Dela Torre (Maja Salvador). Their love story will take an unexpected turn as he sees his soon-to-be wife drenched in blood while holding a knife beside his brother’s dead body. “The character is very interesting. He’s got a lot of flaws and his being torn between choosing what he loves and what his family tells him to do makes him a relatable character,” Geoff told Manila Standard in an interview. “I guess at one point in our lives, we would face that kind of dilemma. I personally experienced that, but of course I’d like to keep it to myself. It’s too personal to share that with the public,” he added. Geoff is thankful for the opportunity to be part of the series’ grand ensemble of actors and looks forward to gain more experience as an actor. “I’m happy to be back and to

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

Geoff Eigenmann takes on his biggest role since his return to ABS-CBN as he plays an important role in the upcoming drama series, ‘The Killer Bride.’

SHARK WEEK RETURNS WITH A SUSTAINABLE CAUSE IT’S that time of the year when the ocean calls on all shark enthusiasts as Discovery Channel brings Shark Week back with mind-blowing stories and innovative research technology to reveal compelling insights on some of the most unique shark species in the world. Along with Shark Week, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP) is rolling out #WorldIsOurs campaign, which champions conservation and preservation by celebrating the beauty of life in all forms. By partnering with changemakers, conservationists and social entrepreneurs, Discovery hopes to drive the message of sustainable living across Asia, and how everyone can make a difference in their own way. In the spirit of Shark Week and sustainability, Anna Oposa, co-founder of Save Philippine Sees has this to share, “One way to help sharks from land is to reduce our use of plastics and disposables. In the Philippines, we recently had a case of a dead whale shark with 40kg of plastics and sacks found in its stomach. The world is ours, and every positive act can make waves of change.” Join Shark Week as it celebrates 31 years of all things sharks—Great Whites feasting on seals, secret hunting grounds, tiger sharks gatherings, the creation of a shark-suit, the story of the Megalodon—with bigger and more adrenaline-pumping shark adventures. It’s definitely going to be a FINtastic and JAWsome week until today as Shark Week premieres on Discovery Channel.

‘Shark Week’ has been a TV fixture for more than 30 years. The annual programming block on the Discovery Channel features more than 20 hours of original programming, including an all-new movie about a terrifying real-life shark encounter.

CANNES AWARD-WINNING FILM ‘PARASITE’ HITS PH THEATERS

Behind-the-scenes still from the internationally acclaimed film, ‘Parasite.’

SM Cinema exclusively brings Parasite— winner of the 2019 Palme d’Or, the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival— to Philippine cinemas nationwide. Easily one of the most recognizable modern-day directors, Bong Joon-ho is known for genre-bending films such as The Host, Mother and Snowpiercer. His latest film Parasite is a black comedy/drama in the mold of a home invasion thriller that offers the audience a darkly funny yet ultimately unsettling glimpse into the lives of two families divided by class. Parasite follows the Kim family who lives in a sub-basement apartment in a low-income area of Seoul. Ki-Woo, the Kims’ eldest son,

with the help of his sister Ki-Jung, forges a fake diploma and gets the opportunity to work at the hilltop mansion of the very wealthy Park family. However, greed threatens the security of his job, as well as the safety of his own family and the people around him. Parasite stars Song Kang-Ho as Ki taek, Jang Hye-Jin as Choong-Sook, Choi Woo-Sik as Ki-Woo and Park So-Dam as KiJung. Catch Parasite starting Aug. 14, only at SM Cinema branches nationwide. Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Pets

VEGETABLES FOR A

HEALTHIER CATTO PET TALES

mix up some steamed peas in the kitty’s food. You can also puree the peas prior to serving to cats.

ARROTS and broccoli for cats? Yes!

Beans are good for cats, specially for overweight cats. “They are 100% safe for the feline organism and are rich in dietary fiber, as well as in protein, “ Parker said. “Cooked green beans can serve as a healthy substitute to traditional cat treats. They are rich on thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamins A, B6, C, and K. As long as the cooked beans are unseasoned and don’t have any dressings, they will be perfectly safe for your kitty. Similarly to peas, you can serve them whole or pureed, but only in moderate amounts,” Parker added.

BY DESIREE CARLOS

Beans

While cats get their primary nutrition from a carnivorous diet which includes fish, chicken, turkey and other meat, cats can benefit from some vegetables. Cats still need vitamins which they can get from some vegetables, said Emily Parker in “Best Vegetables For Cats: Can They Eat Them? Benefits And Side Effects” in Catological website. Parker noted that a balanced diet must consist of vegetables and fruits that are good for. Parker stressed however that vegetables and fruits can not replace meat. They can only be added to a cat’s diet. “Vegetables are rich in a plethora of healthy ingredients like potassium, riboflavin, antioxidants, dietary fiber and vitamins. All of these things are essential for cats of all breeds, regardless of their age,” said Parker. But refrain from giving vegetables and fruits that are toxic to cats. Some of these bad vegetables are onion, garlic and mushrooms. For a full list of bad vegetables and fruits, please see previous columns or articles in Sunday Pets page. Here are the vegetables which are good for your cats, according to Parker:

Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the best superfood for cats. Broccoli florets are rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber. “Constipated felines or cats with digestive system disorders can benefit from additional fiber intake. And on top of that, the abundance of antioxidants will also be beneficial to every single furball out there,” Parker said.

Angel, a pusang Pinoy or puspin who brings home kittens, love to lounge at the terrace after eating. He prefers wet food, with some boiled, chopped malunggay leaves mixed in it.

Carrots

Kitten Berry will eat anything you give him. But he is given boiled fish or chicken as a source of protein only as a treat or break from dry cat food and wet canned food (diluted with a little water for hydration) mixed with vegetables that are allowed for cats.

You can mix the streamed broccoli florets in your cat’s canned or dry food. Include the water. But Parker warns too much broccoli can cause diarrhea due to the fiber content.

Carrots are also a superfood for cats due to the many health benefits. “Carrots are low of fat, which makes them a great snack for overweight furballs. What’s more, they offer potassium, calcium, dietary fiber, vitamins A, C and B6. On top of that, this vegetable is an excellent source of betacarotene,” said Parker. “You probably don’t know this, but many cat food manufacturers use carrots in their recipes. Since the feline organism can’t process this veggie like the human organism can, you should feed only moderate amounts of carrots to your furry companion. The best way to do so is to offer grated or finely chopped carrots and only when they’re cooked. This will make them easier for digestion and it will also prevent the cat from choking with larger chunks,” she added.

Peas

Green peas are very healthy for humans and cats. Peas are found in dry or canned cat food. Magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, potassium, copper and phosphorus are the vitamins found in green peas. They also contain good amounts of vitamins A, K, B1, B2, B6, and C. Parker suggested that a cat owner

FREE NEUTERING NEUTERING helps control animal population. By helping control animal population, an owner who has his/ her pet neutered helps reduce the number of dogs and cats who will be abandoned, neglected, hurt or put to sleep in pounds. This owner will actually save thousands of pups or kittens from being born and from living a life of misery. Below is an announcement (poster) from the UP Vet Teaching Hospital on their free neutering schedule.

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

Zucchini

Zucchinis are also good as weight loss food for obese cats, Parker said. Diabetic or overweight pets can also benefit from eating zucchinis as they are low on calories, Parker added. They are also healthy as they contain high amounts of vitamins C, A, B6, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium and dietary fiber. Finely chop steamed zucchinis and hide it inside wet canned cat food, Parker suggested. “If your own feline pal is too finicky, you can mash the zucchini into a puree before mixing it with the food, “she added. Parker reminded cat owners that cats are carnivore. Vegetables are just additional health food or can serve as treats “Regardless of the type of vegetables you’re feeding your cat with, keep in mind that the kitty is a carnivore. A well-balanced feline diet features meat as a primary food item, whereas vegetables must be serving only as an additional bonus. They can’t substitute the essential ingredients in real meat products. And if your cat is thriving on a vegetable-based diet, it will suffer from malnourishment, which will lead to a number of health problems,” she stressed.

PACK LIGHT BUT PACK RIGHT CATS can be infected with the potentially fatal heartworm disease. The disease is not exclusive to dogs. Heartworms, according to Ernest Ward as updated by Catherine Ward in VCA website, are a “blood-borne parasite called Dirofilaria immitis that reside in the heart or adjacent large blood vessels of infected animals.” Heartworm disease, Ward said, is more common in dogs than in cats. The disease may be present when the pet has heart and respiratory diseases. “Cats are relatively resistant to heartworm infection when compared to dogs, with the infection rate in cats reported to be 5-20% of the rate in dogs in the same geographic location, however infection can still occur. Typically, cats have fewer adult worms than dogs, usually less than six. Many pet owners are surprised to learn that approximately 1/3 of infected cats live indoors only, “ Ward said. A cat is infected through a mosquito bite.

MY FURRY BESTIE

Tachycardia Weight Loss Sudden Death Please bring your cat to the vet immediately.

CHUOKOY, rescued from Bulacan, is a male senior mix of Japanese fitz and shih tzu. Owner Martha Ycelle Faith recalls that Chuokoy “roamed around the barrio side of Bulacan looking for food. My son told me to rescue him from hunger so from my place, I didn't hesitate to get him.” Martha adds: “He had a skin problem at the back that caused baldness. He was skinny too. I spent most of my money for the transportation just to get to him.” Martha treated Chuokoy’s skin problem by giving him a bath three times a week using the lukewarm water from boiled guava leaves. After two weeks, the skin problem was gone. “He is so smart sweet and clingy. He would raise his front paws to stand whenever he asks for a cuddle,” Martha says. .”Now he's my little baby bunso roaming in my place and making me happy, Martha adds.

2) Blood Tests There are two kinds of blood test to check if you cat has heartworm. a. antibody test b. antigen test “The heartworm antibody test determines if the cat's immune system has been exposed to heartworms. A positive test may indicate that an active infection To avoid heartworm, there is a heartworm prevention medicine that is given to cats. But you have is present. However, cats who have had to deworm your kitten or cat before giving this preventive medicine. Depending on the vaccination heartworms but whose heartworms have schedule and the health condition of your pet, the veterinarian is the only one who should say when it is safe to give the heartworm prevention medicine and how often. In photo is Tigra, a cat rescued by died will also have antibodies for an unanimal welfare group Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL Inc.), and her kittens. All rescued cats known time. Currently, it is believed that of Save ALL Inc. are dewormed every six months and given heartworm prevention on a regular basis the antibodies persist for two to four months after the heartworms have died, as per doctor's advice. “ Ward said. He added: “Cats with late stage larvae There are several ways to diagnose cent reliable though. Thus, a combination that are not yet adults, and cats with heartworm in cats. These are not 100 per of methods is strongly recommended. adult heartworms in places other than the heart, may also test positive with 1) Clinical signs There are no specific clinical signs. But the antibody test. This test is very sensithe most common, Ward said, is when tive, so it is used first. If it is positive, the your cat suddenly develops coughing next test is performed.” On the other hand, the heartworm antiand rapid breathing which are also sympgen test “detects the presence of adult fetoms of other diseases. The other signs are weight loss and male heartworms. It is very specific, but not as sensitive as the antibody test. A positive vomiting. Sometimes, a cat that looks healthy or test indicates that heartworms are presnormal may be found dead, or suddenly ent, but a negative test does not mean that they are absent. Because the cat must have has a respiratory failure. “Sudden death is thought to be due to at least two adult female worms present to a reaction within the lungs to the young make this test positive, a negative test may heartworms, or to a reaction to dead or mean that the cat may only have a small live heartworms entering the pulmo- number of worms or that all the worms nary arteries and obstructing the flow of present are male. The low worm burdens often seen in infected cats results in a high blood to the lungs,” Ward said. number of cats testing false-negative on antigen tests,” Ward said. The signs, Ward said, are: When both tests are positive, the diagCollapse nosis of feline heartworm infection is conCoughing firmed, Ward said. Dyspnea “In summary, a diagnosis of feline heartVomiting worm infection is confirmed when both Convulsions the antibody and antigen tests are posiDiarrhea tive, but not all infected cats will test posiVomiting tive on both tests, “ Ward said. DC Lethargy Blindness (To be continued next week) Anorexia

HIMMO is the newly adopted threemonth-old puppy of Leleng S. Jose. Himmo is an asong pinoy or aspin who acts as if he is a big dog already. “He shakes hand, bows his head, stands when u you hold himup, and sits when you say “upo,’” says Leleng. “Yes, puppies learn tricks easily, “ she adds. “We are a family who loves dogs to the fullest. We never leave or abandon dogs. Dogs are truly loyal and give us unconditional love. We do the same to them, “says Leleng. Himmo’s name came from the word hymn, Leleng adds. 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.