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Phivolcs warns of 7.2-temblor By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology is monitoring the movement in the Malungon Fault Line, which was responsible for the three quakes that rocked Mindanao since Oct. 16.

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 260 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

“One fault may be triggering the other faults that essentially produce this major event,” said PHIVOLCS earthquake monitoring OIC Ismael Narag said in a TV interview Thursday. He said the fault could generate a magnitude 7.2 quake. Department of Science and Next page

3 quake kills five in Mindanao rd

Triggers frantic search for damaged buildings including Davao City condo By Francisco Tuyay, Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

POWERFUL earthquake struck Mindanao again on Thursday, killing at least five people and sparking searches of damaged buildings that had already been rattled by two previous deadly tremors in recent weeks. The 6.5-magnitude quake hit the island of Mindanao, the US Geological Survey said, causing locals to run to safety in the same area where a strong tremor killed eight people on Tuesday. The powerful shaking caused serious damage to a condominium building in Davao City, which was about 45 kilometers from the epicenter. At least nine people were hurt in the

building, and rescuers had launched a search to determine if residents might be trapped inside, police said. Four people were killed in nearby Cotabato province by the quake, including a local official who was crushed to death, a police official said. Cesar Bangot, a village official of Barangay Batasan, Makilala town, and four still unidentified victims were crushed by falling debris. Next page

QUAKE WRATH. A medium-rise building (topmost) stands as a frightening rubble of the fury of a 6.5-magnitude earthquake in Kidapawan in Mindanao which sent Thursday people fleeing their homes, schools and malls AFP. Elsewhere in the country’s second largest island (from left) the Balutakan bridge, which connects Davao and Cotabato, is temporarily impassable PNA; the canopy of a function hall in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur in a state of collapse Photo courtesy Cardio Ped Don; a commercial establishment in Digos City after falling to pieces; and the walls and window sills of a condominium complex in Davao City have become an eyesore. Video Grab fromABS-CBN

Du30 ASEAN-bound; Ex-DFA chief pushes sea code ‘Undas’: A holiday like no other for a nation of 106-m people

By MJ Blancaﬂor and Rey E. Requejo

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will depart for Thailand on Friday to attend the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and related meetings and will return on Nov. 4. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea has been designated officer-incharge while the President is abroad.

The ASEAN leaders are expected to discuss progress in the region’s community-building, cooperation with external partners, as well as regional and international issues, the Palace said Thursday. There are about 40 anticipated outcome documents at the end of the 35th Asean Summit. During the summit, the President will be accompanied by some Cabinet members and his common-law wife Cielito

Avanceña. The Asean Summit Plenary will begin on Nov. 2, Saturday. On Nov. 3, the opening ceremonies of the Asean Summit will be held, followed by the Asean-China Summit, Asean-India Summit, and Asean-United Nations Summit. The next day, Nov. 4, the Asean Plus Three Summit will be held among the 10 Next page

Strife-torn Chile cancels Apec gab By MJ Blancaﬂor

WASHINGTON MAKES HISTORY IN WORLD SERIES SPORTS A8

IMPEACH-TRUMP PROBE TO BE FORMALIZED WORLD B3

PRICE OF ANTI-TB DRUG SLASHED NEWS A3

AMID the continuing protests, Chile has backed out of hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit that President Rodrigo Duterte was supposed to attend in mid-November. Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said he had taken the “painful” decision to cancel the summit, as well as the COP25 international gathering on climate change in December, to focus on restoring law and order in his country. “As president to all Chileans, I must Next page

PH-made paper wins US design award THE Philippine-made “pinyapel,” a specialty paper made from discarded pineapple leaves, bagged a Wood Pencil at the Design and Art Direction Future Impact Awards 2019 in recognition of its potential to create a huge impact on environment Turn to A3

By Honor Blanco Cabie ALL Saints’ Day in this predominantly Christian Southeast Asian country is, much like many of the other holidays in this nation of 106 million people, a celebratory affair. It is a day of remembrance and honor for saints— and the names of these saints in the Gregorian calendar crowd each of the 365, if common, or 366, if leap year, boxes for days. The Catholic and Protestant churches, including the Aglipayan sect— which has its roots in Ilocos Norte, where the first Aglipayan Mass was celebrated in the hill town of Pinili in the early part of the 20th century—celebrate the day on Nov. 1. But All Souls’ Day is also marked by the Filipino Catholics and the Aglipayans.

The Eastern Orthodox Church observes All Saints’ Day on the first Sunday after Pentecost. Both All Saints’ Day and All Hallows Eve, celebrated the day before, have roots in ancient Celtic beliefs and practices. On Nov. 1, Filipinos, whatever their religious affiliations, do not just remember and honor the saints they have asked previously to intercede for them in seeking God’s blessings. They also go to the graveyards—the manicured greens of private memorial parks in the metropolis or the now urbanized Next page

REMEMBERING THE FALLEN. A boy scout volunteer, soon after a drizzle under a cloudy Metro Manila sky, places a small national flag over the grave of a fallen soldier at the heroes cemetery in the capital on eve of All Saints’ Day, the day people across this predominantly Catholic country of 106 million people head to cemeteries for the annual remembrance of loved ones. AFP

News

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019

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Carpio: No to politics, yes to WPS By Rey E. Requejo

ETIRED Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Thursday declared he will not seek public office but instead will focus on protecting the country’s interests in the West Philippine Sea.

“If I believe that it’s necessary for the enforcement of the ruling, for the protection of the West Philippine Sea, I will support a candidate who will be in sync with what I’m doing,” he said. Carpio, who retired from the Supreme Court after 18 years of service on Oct. 26, had said earlier he would concentrate most of his post-retirement time advocating the enforcement of the 2016 Arbitral Award rendered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in favor of the Philippines, and which rejected China’s massive claims over the South China Sea and approved Manila’s exclusive economic zone, includ-

ing the West Philippines Sea. Carpio played a crucial role in the Philippines’ filing of the arbitration case against China before the PCA. He has also been giving lectures around the world on the issue, which he said he would continue to do. “In the Philippines, 93 percent of the Filipino people want the arbitral ruling asserted,” Carpio told reporters on Tuesday. “I still have to work on President [Rodrigo] Duterte and the remaining 7 percent of the Filipino people. At age 70, I plan to spend most of my remaining waking hours defending our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.”

Many parts of the area are being claimed by China through its ninedash-line demarcation over the South China Sea, where $5.4 trillion worth of goods transit. “I really don’t have an inclination. First of all, you have to spend billions of pesos and that’s not my cup of coffee,” Carpio

told the ABS-CBN news channel. “It’s a no, because my mission is to implement, to enforce the arbitral ruling [of the United Nations], and with that I’ll be happy,” Carpio said he would support a 2022 presidential candidate who will share his stance on the maritime issue.

Phivolcs...

PAMPI asks Agriculture to trace ASF outbreak

From A1

Technology Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change and Phivolcs Officer-inCharge Renato Solidum Jr. reminded the public of the do’s and don’ts in times of earthquake. “The public should review their earthquake preparedness response during and after shaking,” he said. A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck at 9:11 a.m. on Thursday, with its epicenter in Tulunan, Cotabato. A magnitude 6.6 tremor hit the same area on Tuesday, leaving several persons dead and hundreds injured. Solidum said the series of earthquakes in Mindanao would not cause a tsunami in the coastal areas since the quake is “far inland.” When indoors and within a structurally sound building, Phivolcs suggests to 1) Duck under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it, or protect your head with your arms; 2) Stay away from glass windows, shelves, cabinets, and other heavy objects; 3) Beware of falling objects. Be alert and keep your eyes open; and 4) If possible, quickly open the door for exit. “Houses and buildings, especially those with damage, should be inspected if these are still resistant to a strong shaking. The local government units and engineering organizations should have these inspected,” Solidum said. For those who are outdoors during a quake, the agency suggests to move to an open area and 1) Stay away from trees, power lines, posts, and concrete structures; 2) Move away from steep slopes that may be affected by landslides; 3) If near the shore and feeling an earthquake, especially a strong one, quickly move to higher ground in anticipation of possible tsunamis. Those inside a moving vehicle are advised to stop, get out, and not attempt to cross bridges, overpasses, or flyovers that may have been damaged. Slopes with tension cracks should be avoided or vacated as strong shaking or prolonged rainfall may cause them to slide. With PNA

Du30... From A1

member states with China, Japan, and Korea. The Asean-US Summit will also be held on that day, along with a special lunch on sustainable development. The 14th East Asia Summit, AseanJapan Summit and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit or RCEP are also scheduled. The closing ceremony will be held in the evening, followed by a press conference. Malacañang previously said that President Duterte will visit his parents’ tomb in Davao City before his departure for Bangkok. On Thursday, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the 2016 Arbitral Ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated China’s excessive claims in the resource-rich South China Sea, should be made an integral part of the Code of Conduct being formulated by ASEAN and China. Del Rosario, who initiated the arbitration proceedings in 2013, also called for vigilance against any effort by China to use the proposed COC in the South China Sea to undermine the country’s victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration against Beijing. “Our region cannot promote the rule of law while ignoring the law as it stands,” Del Rosario said, in a forum held on Monday in Makati City. Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio shared the view of Del Rosario, saying the Code of Conduct should not legitimize China’s building of artificial structures in the disputed waters.

GCTA review done in two weeks—DOJ THE Justice department said Thursday it expects to complete in two weeks its review of the Uniform Manual governing the computation of good conduct time allowance for convicts. Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco expressed hope they would finish the review and revision of the Uniform Manual on Time Allowances and Service of Sentence for the people deprived of liberty, prisoners and those convicted of crimes, by the middle of November. The oversight committee has been given 60 days to come up with a revised version of the Uniform Manual to make sure only qualified people deprived of liberty will benefit from the GCTA. “We are now around 50-percent complete. Our deadline to finish the Uniform Manual is in two-weeks’ time, Marco said. He said the oversight panel was making sure the contents of the Uniform Manual would conform to the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 10592, or the Expanded GCTA Law, and the Supreme Court decision ordering the retroactive application of the law. Marco said the Uniform Manual was a more difficult undertaking than the crafting of the GCTA’s Revised IRR because they had to make a detailed study and make revisions on the computation of the PDLs GCTA. “There are no hitches [in the review]. It should be in accordance with the [Revised] IRR,” Marco said. “This [Uniform Manual] is a more difficult undertaking because we have to be more specific in the details [on the GCTA], unlike in the IRR where we can be general [with the details, and that is why our deliberations are taking that long.” Rey E. Requejo

MEAT processors yesterday urged the Department of Agriculture to disclose how the African swine fever virus spread from a piggery in Montalban, Rizal to stop local government units from making unnecessary decisions such as an arbitrary ban on all pork products. The Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. made the statement after Laguna became the 65th province to impose a ban on processed pork products. The spread of the ASF virus, which does not pose a threat to humans, could decimate the swine population. It is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs of all ages, characterized by high fever, loss of appetite, and hemorrhage in the skin and internal organs, often resulting in death which follows from two days of infection. There is no vaccine or treatment against ASF. PAMPI said that in imposing arbitrary ban on processed pork products, LGUs ignored scientific evidence that processed products which are cooked at high temperatures are incapable of spreading the ASF virus. Meat processors informed the Department of Agriculture that their products

are cooked or steamed at temperatures over and above the cooking standard of 70 degree Celsius for 30 minutes set by the World Organization for Animal Health to destroy the ASF virus. PAMPI president Felix Tiukinhoy said because of the arbitrary ban, its members “stopped purchases of pork materials since the finished products can no longer be sold.” “We do not want to expose ourselves to further risks by using locally sourced pork that could be laden with ASF. There could be unscrupulous suppliers who could pass off meat from ASF-infected pigs,” he said. Tiukinhoy said the ASF virus could easily spread because of the nature of the local hog industry. “Even in the Visayas and Mindanao, it is not safe to buy pork materials even without ASF because of the presence of so many backyard raisers. Even some big hog companies there buy from backyard raisers when they cannot meet the demand. We believe they should voluntarily have their pigs tested for ASF too to assure the public,” he said. The arbitrary ban or restrictions on the sale and distribution of processed pork products is forcing some meat processing companies to downsize opera-

tions and lay off workers. Tiukinhoy said PAMPI membercompanies are being forced to draw contingency measures to stay in business, including downsizing operations and sending workers on a furlough or permanent layoff. Processed meats are being blamed for the outbreak of ASF in Luzon although experts from the Bureau of Animal Industry suspected that swill feeding of pigs may have caused the outbreak. BAI experts said ASF can be transmitted by direct contact, ingestion of garbage/swill feeds containing unprocessed infected pig meat or pig meat products, ticks and biting flies or contaminated premises, vehicles, equipment and clothing. About 65 percent of hog raisers in the Philippines are backyard growers who do not regularly subject their animals to veterinary inspection and who mainly rely on swill for feeds. The ASF virus can be easily carried by flies that swarm pork cuts in wet markets to backyard piggeries. The ASF scare is killing the Philippine swine industry which had a population of 12.78-million heads as of July 2018. The Philippines is the world’s eighth largest pork producer.

3 quake...

his hometown of Davao when the shaking began, but his spokesman said he was unharmed. Some 12,000 people were already in shelters on Mindanao island before Thursday’s quake hit, the government said, either because their homes have been destroyed or they were too afraid to return to their residences. In the 6.6-magnitude quake on Tuesday, a teenage boy was crushed by a falling wall as he tried to escape his school in Magsaysay, the town spokesman said. Rock and landslides unleashed by the violent shaking killed four others, while a collapsed wall crushed a man, authorities said. Nearly 400 people were hurt, including some seven pupils and teachers hurt escaping their collapsed elementary school. The area was still suffering the effects of a 6.4-magnitude quake that hit less than two weeks ago, killing at least five people and damaging dozens of buildings. Residents fled homes across the Mindanao region and a mall caught fire in the city of General Santos shortly after the quake struck on Oct. 16. Hundreds of people were still displaced two weeks after that quake when the second one struck earlier this week, forcing thousands more from their homes. One of the deadliest quakes to hit the Philippines recently was in April, when 16 people were killed as a building near Manila collapsed and the secondary Clark airport was shut down after damage to the passenger terminal. High-rise structures in the capital swayed after the April quake, leaving some with large cracks in their walls. All military units in Eastern Mindanao were directed to assist victims of earthquakes in Southern Mindanao. PNP Officer-in-Charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa said they are giving utmost priority to mobilizing their respective units, personnel and available resources to respond to calls for help

from quake victims. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the spate of quakes that occurred on July 9, and Oct. 16, 29 and 31 could have been triggered by one fault—the Malungon fault line. The movement of the fault could generate a magnitude 7.2 earthquake. President Duterte was in his hometown when the quake struck, leaving cracks on the walls and ceiling of his house, the Palace said. Presidential Security Group Commander Jose Eriel Niembra said engineers would inspect the house to assure the safety of the President and his family. Meanwhile, the President ordered government agencies to extend “immediate relief” to residents of areas affected by the earthquake. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has also dispatched labor officials and quick response teams to areas in Mindanao hardly hit by the 6.5-magnitude earthquake to assess the extent of destruction in workplaces and possible displacement of workers in the affected areas. According to reports, Cotabato, Kidapawan City, and neighboring areas were severely damaged by the 6.5-magnitude earthquake. Bello said they have yet to receive reports on job displacements of the workers in the affected areas adding, this will be one of the priority tasks of the response teams while profiling of the workers will follow. The Department of Energy on Thursday activated a task force after reporting that geothermal plants in Kidapawan City near the foot of Mt. Apo, with a combined output of 94 megawatts, tripped due to high equipment vibration. “The power transmission backbone in Mindanao remains intact,” the agency said in its advisory. However, it said National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ Kidapawan substation suffered damage due to the earthquake. Alena Mae Flores

population centers or the often heavily crowded public town cemeteries often outside the populated municipal blocks. One graveyard arc north of the capital has an eerie message: “Dakami ita, dakayonto no bigat.” (It’s us today, your turn tomorrow.) Another makes a humorist smile, as the legend, at the bayside Santa town cemetery in Ilocos Sur, suggests in bold letters, in English yet: This way to heaven. Days before the celebration of All Saints’ Day, kin of the departed troop to the graveyards and clean up the tombs or uproot wayward grasses including the “cadena de amor,” the Antigonon leptopus Hook & Arn. coral vine which is abundant in Philippine cemeteries. On the day itself, relatives—at least in some parts of northern Philippines—go to the graveyards to remember their departed kin 12 years and below, with those 13 years old and above to be remembered, with candles, food and masses the day after, or the better known All Souls’ Day. In the now highly congested metropolis, where Manila lies by the placid bay, the celebration—often complete with ferris wheels and bunches of imported and locally grown different petals—approximates the hilarity of town fiestas marked by marching bands. In some towns in the Central Luzon Plains, the well- heeled surviving kin gather beside tombs or mausoleums of their departed and, among themselves, play cards, scrabble or mah jong, listen to CD music while killing time overnight until sunrise on All Souls’ Day when they pack for home. Remembering their dead, to them, had been done on All Saints’ Day. Elsewhere farther north, particularly in Ilocos Norte, surviving relatives go to the graveyards twice—the first on All Saints’ Day and the second on All Souls’ Day, particularly for the occasion, a regular holiday in the Philippines.

old trade war that has affected the global economy. Malacañang has yet to issue a statement on Chile’s decision to suspend the hosting of the APEC Summit and the COP25 climate summit on Dec. 2 and Dec. 13. The APEC Summit is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific area. The 21 members of this group constitute half of the global trade and 60 percent of the world’s GDP. Pinera’s move plunged the meeting into limbo, with no alternative venue in sight. However, the APEC Secretariat expressed support to Chile’s decision to

suspend the hosting of the summit. “The safety and welfare of Chile and our member economies are APEC’s utmost priority. As such, the APEC Secretariat supports Chile’s decision to suspend the hosting of APEC LeadersWeek,Executive Director Rebecca Fatima Sta. Maria said in a press statement. “All APEC members will continue to advance this critical agenda of making sure that all communities across the Asia-Pacific reap the benefits of economic growth and integration.” The pullout is seen as a blow to Chile’s tourism industry, and the Santiago stock exchange dropped 2.8 points

while the peso fell to its lowest rate against the dollar since 2003. “This has been a very difficult decision, a decision that has been deeply painful because we know exactly how important APEC and COP are for Chile and the world,” said Pinera. “When a father has problems, he must always prioritize his family over other options. The same goes for a president. He must always put his own compatriots first, ahead of any other considerations.” Chile is grappling with its worst social crisis in decades, one that shows little sign of abating despite Pinera announcing a raft of measures aimed at placating protesters. With AFP

‘Undas’:... From A1

From A1

The quake caused the Eva Hotel in Kidapawan City to collapse, but its occupants had already evacuated the building. Hundreds of occupants of the Ecoland 4000 condominium were slightly injured when hit by debris from the damaged building. North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Talino Mendoza reported new landslides in the upland village of Sitio Kabayan in Kidapawan City, where an undetermined number of residents were trapped. Several houses and buildings that had been damaged by the earlier quakes collapsed; others were dislodged by landslides. “We’ve been busy deploying…we have many volunteers from the Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire and the Philippine National Police because of the quake that just hit awhile ago….there seems to be no end to this,” Mendoza said. She said several portions of the national highway connecting Davao region and Cotabato province has broken apart in large chunks. Trucks and other heavy equipmentcarrying vehicles plying the damaged road were prevented from entering Kidapawan. Makilala town Mayor Amando Quibod declared all structures damaged and unfit for occupancy as he appealed for food, potable water and tents, and blankets for quake victims. Locals have been left terrified by a string of powerful quakes, and hundreds of aftershocks since the first powerful tremor struck on Oct. 16. “I panicked and I rushed outside. I was afraid the building might collapse,” said Beth Lancian, a restaurant cashier in Davao. “There’s been an earthquake almost every week.” President Rodrigo Duterte was in

Strife-torn... From A1

always put the problems and interests of Chileans, their needs, their desires and their hopes, first,” he said in a statement. His decision came amid violent street riots that gripped the South American nation and that left about 20 people dead. Duterte was among the world leaders who were scheduled to meet on Nov. 16 to 17. During the summit, US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping were also expected to sign an interim agreement to end the 15-month-

News IN BRIEF Cebu City chief of police relieved over ambush THE chief of police of Cebu City, Col. Gemma Vinluan, has been relieved from her post pending the probe on the killing of Clarin, Misamis Occidental Mayor David Navarro. “I issued [the] administrative [relief] of Police Colonel Gemma Vinluan, city director of Cebu City police office, to make her available [in] the investigation being conducted,” Central Visayas police chief Brig. Gen. Valeriano De Leon said. On Friday, Navarro was killed while inside a police van on his way to the Cebu city prosecutor's office for inquest proceedings over an assault complaint. Gunmen blocked the police convoy, ordered Navarro to get out of the vehicle, then shot the mayor dead, authorities said. President Rodrigo Duterte already ordered the Philippine National Police to halt all its investigations on Navarro's ambush as he floated suspicions that the police themselves were involved in the killing. President Duterte said the PNP should let the National Bureau of Investigation take over to ensure fairness. “I’d like the NBI to have it. So it will be fair. I’d like to order PNP to terminate and hand it to the NBI whatever proof they had,” Duterte said. “What did the PNP do? Maybe they were the ones who killed him. They’re the ones who were near him,” he added.

FRIDAY, NOVERMBER 1, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Sanofi slashes price of anti-TB drug

RENCH pharmaceutical giant Sanofi slashed the price of a key anti-tuberculosis drug on Thursday, boosting the battle against the world’s deadliest disease alongside the US launch of tests for a new treatment. The initiatives came as the United Nations seeks to galvanize the campaign against TB, which killed 1.5-million people last year and saw 10 million more infected. Scientists, who hailed Sanofi’s decision to cut the price of its rifapentine drug by two thirds, said the medical

tween the firm and the Global Fund. “This agreement will help transform political commitment to tangible action,” he added. Sanofi, the world’s third biggest pharmaceutical maker by turnover, has cut the price of a three-month course of rifapentine from $45 to $15 for 100 poor nations struggling with the disease. The cheaper price means aid agencies and governments will be able to use the medicine more widely in their treatments. Rifapentine, combined with the drug isoniazid, helps shield a person

shield offered by such treatments would be crucial to the UN aim of eradicating the disease by 2030. “This lifesaving drug has, until now, been completely unaffordable in developing countries,” said Lelio Marmora, head of Unitaid, a global health initiative that helped broker the landmark deal be-

who has TB infection from developing the disease but also from passing it on to others. The announcement was made at a global lung health conference in Hyderabad, India, involving some 3,500 researchers, TB survivors and activists from more than 80 nations. India accounts for a quarter of world’s TB cases. The price cut follows an announcement earlier this week by Britain’s GlaxoSmithKline that a new vaccine tested in three African nations had shown particular promise. AFP

No to DOH plan to tax ‘tuyo,’ ‘daing’—senators By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATORS outrightly rejected the plan of the Department of Health (DOH) to propose imposing taxes on food with high salt content including ‘tuyo’ and ‘daing.’ Senator Imee Marcos said the DOH should tax the big companies instead of picking on the food of the poor people. “Pagkain ng mahirap ang tuyo at daing! ‘Wag naman! “ she said. “Why don’t they just tax big companies like telco, mining, which are not following the law, the big time oil importers and others,” she said. She noted that the government can generate huge funds from these companies. Senators Panfilo Lacson and Francis Tolentino said they will not support such proposal and will even oppose it. “Patawarin sana nila mga pagkain ng mahihirap,” said Lacson. If the issue is health, Lacson said the DOH should focus their research on unhealthy foods of the rich and affluent. “I’m sure there are many,” Lacson said. Tolentino said he would also not support the proposal because salt is needed to maintain proper fluid balance and relax muscle fibers. “Although too much of everything is bad—salt is not bad per se. Kung pati daing ita-tax, kawawa lalo na ang mahihirap na mangingisda!” he said. Minority Leader Franklin Drilon gave a “no” answer when asked if he would support the DOH plan. DOH spokesperson and Undersecretary Eric Domingo earlier said there’s nothing concrete yet but they are studying the possibility of taxing food with too much salt. He cited the experience of several countries showed that taxing on unhealthy food led to reduced consumption and pushed companies to reformulate their products.

Oil firms to hike prices starting Nov. 1 PETRON Corp. will implement a P0.30 per kilo increase in liquefied petroleum gas prices equivalent to P3.30 per 11-kilo tank effective 12:01 a.m., Nov. 1. Petron, the country’s biggest oil company will also increase its auto LPG prices by P0.20 per liter. “These reflect the international contract price of LPG for the month of November,” Petron said. Other oil players are expected to also adjust price on Friday. As this developed, the Department of Energy warned the public against companies wrongfully claiming to be legitimate players of the downstream oil industry. DOE said endorsements to the Securities and Exchange Commission issued by the agency, through its Oil Industry Management Bureau merely serves to inform the commission that the department interposes no objection to the registration of companies wishing to engage in the downstream oil business. Alena Mae S. Flores

New Marcos bridge passable By Vito Barcelo THE newly rehabilitated Marcos Bridge in Marikina City is now fullyaccessible to vehicles, which is expected to ease traffic congestion along Marcos Highway, the Department of Public Works and Highways said. DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said that both the eastbound and westbound side of the newly strengthened 40-year-old Marcos Bridge will benefit motorists and commuters from the eastern Metropolitan areas as they can now traverse the bridge without having to worry about its structural integrity. “As an integral access to Quezon City from the east of Rizal province, rehabilitation works on the bridge after its 40 years of service are necessary to ensure the safety and convenience of the public,” Secretary Villar said. Due to the massive traffic congestion the construction caused, major repairs of the bridge were hastened. “In August, the project have made the westbound lanes closed to traffic while the first phase, likewise, have made the eastbound lanes, closed to traffic last May 25,” he said. “The rehabilitation was initially targeted to finish on April 2020 but considering the volume of motorists and commuters affected, the DPWH National Capital Region went 24/7 to finish the project as early as possible,” Villar said. The secretary also added that the completion of the project is timely in the observance of the All Souls’ and Saints’ day where people are expected to flock cemeteries such as Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City. The P213.46-million project included redecking of 315-l.m. slab, strengthening of girders, and replacement of expansion joints, concrete sidewalks, railing and drain pipes.

NLEX WOES. Vehicles pass through the NLEX Balintawak Toll Plaza in Oct. 30. The NLEX Management is expecting the influx of

vehicles in the coming days as people go to their provinces to join their relatives in observing the All Saints' Day. Manny Palmero

De Lima must be hallucinating—Palace By MJ Blancaflor DETAINED Senator Leila de Lima must be “hallucinating,” Malacañang said Thursday, after the lawmaker urged President Rodrigo Duterte to discharge his powers as Chief Executive and let Vice President Leni Robredo take his place. “De Lima must be hallucinating. Could be the result of her incarceration. I pity her. I’m praying for her health,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a text message to reporters. This came after De Lima said that President Duterte should let Robredo take over the presidency for him to stay

true to his challenge for the vice president to lead his drug war. “Duterte has resorted anew to attacking Robredo since he “cannot admit that he miserably failed” in fulfilling his promise to eradicate illegal drugs in six months,” De Lima said. “Duterte must first relinquish his post entirely to VP Robredo, who will then be acting president throughout the over-acting phase of Duterte’s spoiled brat persona, and not only take over law enforcement functions,” De Lima said. The issue stemmed from Duterte’s offer to Robredo to be at the helm of his administration’s anti-narcotics

campaign. The opposition leader previously said the government should reassess the bloody campaign that has taken the lives of thousands of drug suspects. The President even offered to put Robredo in charge of law enforcement for six months to prove that she can do better than him. He said he will ask Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to transmit a formal letter to Robredo, informing her of his decision to let her take over law enforcement. Robredo, however, refused to accept the offer, saying that she was not even sure if it was serious or a mere insult.

Mangudadatu lauds court decision to junk Ampatuan plea By Maricel V. Cruz A LAWMAKER from Mindanao has expressed relief with the recent junking of Maguindanao massacre prime suspect Datu Andal ‘Unsay’ Ampatuan Junior’s motion to reopen the trial of what is said to be the world’s single-deadliest attack on journalists in history. In a recent order, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 denied

for lack of merit—Datu Unsay’s motion to reopen the trial along with its motion to suspend set promulgation of judgment of the case. Maguindanao’s Second District Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu said: “I am relieved with the junking of the motion. We have been patiently waiting for the verdict. It has been 10 long, debilitating years but we remain optimistic that justice will be ours. “It was never easy for us to lose our loved ones. At some point, some

of us have lost faith that we will ever see justice. But God has been good in making us realize that the wait will be all worth it,” Mangudadatu said. Last August, the Department of Justice announced that a verdict will be rendered before the 10th anniversary of the infamous massacre after the prosecution panel has presented more than sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction, at least against the principal accused in the case.

However, just this month, Datu Unsay, through his lawyer Paul Laguata, filed a motion claiming that the prosecution’s primary witness, former Vice Mayor Sakurno Badal, has supposedly sent fillers to Datu Unsay’s camp allegedly expressing his willingness to recant his testimony. To answer the allegation, the prosecution presented Badal last Oct.17 to court where he denied the recant claims of the Ampatuan camp.

PH-made paper... From A1

HALLOWEEN SHOW. Dive into the dark depths at the Manila Ocean Park ‘Spooktacular Halloween Celebration’ that will send chills down your spine as you tread through its chilling Ocenarium where unique underwater Halloween exhibits were installed. You can also go off on an adventure to find the scaled and tailed creatures lurking around the park— all for a memorable and fantastic underwater Halloween experience. Lino Santos

and sustainability as a food packaging alternative to single-plastic. The award will be presented in New York City on Nov. 6. With the recognition, the team behind “pinyapel” secured a place on the D&AD Future Impact Accelerator program as well an to make a pitch at the D&AD Festival 2020 to gain support from venture capitalists. “Pinyapel’s recognition in the international scene is a big leap in our move to promote Philippine design and innovation excellence. It highlights the Filipino brand of design point of view that is anchored in ‘malasakit’ which brings an authentic Filipino design perspective on developing impact-driven solutions that address the problems of today and of tomorrow, while protecting the future generations and ensuring

a better future for them,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez. Pinyapel was the result of a research and development initiative led by the Design Center of the Philippines on pineapple leaves. After its breakthrough research on developing the material, it collaborated with Nature’s Fresh Pineapples for the supply of raw materials; CDO Handmade Paper for paper sheet processing; and Ideatechs Packaging, Inc., for paper sheet conversion to food packaging applications. Pinyapel is a specialty paper that is reinforced and print-viable for secondary packaging applications. It may also be used for gift bags, paper cup sleeves, and corrugated paper. Production involves harvesting the discarded leaves from pineapple plantation, drying the leaves under direct sunlight, pulping and rinsing the cut leaves, and pounding the rinsed pulp.

Opinion

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019

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Taking over water utilities

EDITORIAL

Atienza also wants the water concessionaires to account for the money they have been collecting from consumers and funds borrowed from foreign institutions under a Philippine government sovereign guarantee. He pointed out that the water concessionaires are easily able to secure these loans under the universal clean environment and climate change principles. Water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water so far have not responded to Atienza’s call for accountability. What he noticed is that leftist militants are now also picking up his advocacy. He said that given the Left’s communist ideology, the demand for better water service might assume a tainted public perception. Are the water utilities letting the Left speak up on the issue given their questionable credibility? Why don’t they respond instead to relevant issues raised by Atienza who said that “in my case I don’t have any ideology except to serve the people.” Indeed, Atienza, according to many supporters, should aspire for higher office. But the Buhay Party-List congressman does not want to see any agenda attributed to his advocacy. He said such aspiration for higher office will be up to the people to decide at the right time. Meanwhile, the Manny Pangilinan-owned Maynilad Water Services reiterated its support for the government Kaliwa Dam project, saying it is a viable long term solution to augmenting Metro Manila’s water supply shortage. There have been calls to stop the project by indigenous tribes in Quezon and Rizal. They claim that the project in their ancestral domain would destroy their livelihood. The P18.7-billion project is funded by China as a result of Duterte’s official visits to Beijing. But will the Kaliwa Dam serve the poor and Metro Manila residents or will it simply fill the pockets of businessmen operating the two water utilities?

WITH the relentless efforts of Buhay Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza, Congress just might grant President Rodrigo Duterte power to take over public water utilities. This development came in the wake of more water service interruption by concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad. Atienza, who is unrelenting in his campaign against the water utilities’ neglect since he was Environment secretary in 1997, was able to get President Duterte to act on the people’s complaint of poor water distribution. The lawmaker has been very vocal

The water companies should be made accountable for their inadequate service. about making the water utilities accountable for their inadequate service despite huge amounts of funds being collected from resident consumers and business establishments for a water treatment facility. “If these public utilities were implementing a wastewater treatment facility, we could have been already availing of alternate sources in Manila and Laguna de Bay,” said Atienza, pointing out that the water level supply of the precious liquid continues to go lower in La Mesa Dam. He thanked President Duterte for acting on his longtime advocacy of an efficient water distribution system.

Adelle Chua, Editor

Takeover of water companies a bad idea

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte's warning to declare a state of emergency and take over the operations of the two water concessionaires in Metro Manila amid a supply shortage will not solve the situation in hand. The shortage in Metro Manila and outlying areas stems from the swindling supply of the Angat and Ipo dams and the failure of the government itself to timely develop a new source of water despite offers from the private sector. Rising population and economic expansion have caught up with the limited water supply in the capital region. Authorities, including the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, already knew of a supply deficit of 57 million liters a day as early as 2016. The supply gap, according to a University of the Philippines National Engineering Center study, could balloon to 624 MLD in 2021 unless the present administra-

tion vigorously pursues water security infrastructure projects. President Duterte is empowered by the 1987 Constitution to declare a national emergency and order the state to temporarily take over the operation of privately-owned public utility or business affected with public interest. The option, however, will merely bring the situation back to square one. The same water shortage will persist because the government cannot draw much further on Angat Dam's resource. The state, as proven in the past, is also a bad business manager. The MWSS ceded its control over water distribution in the capital region because of funding problems and budgetary constraints.

The agency grappled with non-revenue water, or water pilferage, and failed to efficiently run the distribution business. The government, thus, had to privatize water distribution in the capital region. MWSS, for one, cannot handle the huge investment outlays required in upgrading water pipes and putting a stop to water pilferage. But Duterte can use his powers to push for the speedy construction of the long-delayed 600 MLD Kaliwa Dam and other similar water infrastructure projects to address the over dependence of concessionaires on the Angat Dam that supplies 97 percent of the needs of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The Kaliwa Dam and other infrastructure projects that address the basic needs of consumers should receive national priority and be treated as “projects of national significance.”

Turn to A5

Dead in the water THE late Senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. was the most ardent advocate of a shift to a federal-parliamentary system of government to replace the unitary-presidential one that we have at present. He even sat as co-chair of the Consultative Committee that President Rodrigo Duterte convened to draft a new Constitution that would set into motion the shift to federalism. But with his recent passing, is the federalist project still viable? Federalism's fervid advocates still insist that the shift to federalism would bring the country to a state of political, economic and social nirvana—or reasonably close to it—with the various regions, especially the poor ones, such as the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and rechristened as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, Caraga and Bicol, enjoying sustained economic growth and well on the way to emancipation from poverty. But will it really? First of all, there's the gargantuan economic cost of the shift, with no less than the National Economic and Development Authority saying last year that it would cost a whopping P253.5 billion, and this will be on top of the total cost of running the government. Under two scenarios using the draft federal charter, NEDA said the incremental cost of federalism would be a minimum of P156.6 billion and a maximum of P253.5 billion on average. In the first year of implementation, an additional P10 billion would be spent on building new offices for each of the 18 federated regions. The incremental costs running to billions of pesos will cover personnel services, maintenance and other operating expenses, as well as the equalization fund equivalent to not less than 3 percent of the annual national budget. The agency likewise warned that the proposed federal charter would lead to “inevitable disruptions to the economy’s growth momentum and progress in infrastructure improvement efforts,” and would bring about “fiscal

pressures” and pressure on the budget deficit cap. NEDA's conclusion: The proposed shift would lead to “unquantifiable economic costs” and it would be “difficult to ascertain whether or not a federal structure will work in the Philippines.” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia, who is also NEDA Director General, had also earlier warned that the regions in the country are not ready for federalism, that the momentum of infrastructure improvement in the regions is going to be disrupted, and that the shift to federalism would entail immense expenditures, which may increase the fiscal deficit to gross domestic product ratio.

With Pimentel’s recent passing, is the federalist project still viable? Other economic managers also take a dim view of a shift to a federal system at this point. Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III has gone on record as saying that he is not totally opposing federalism as it is, but could not endorse the federal road map in its present form, based on the draft shown to him, citing its “adverse impact on fiscal space.” Dominguez told senators last year that the country’s positive credit rating may be put at risk if its proponents fail to address the fiscal issues related to the proposed shift to federalism. Rushing the transition to a federal system without addressing fiscal issues, he said, may result in a large deficit and imperil country’s credit rating. Then Budget secretary and now Central Bank Governor Benjamin Diokno has opined that although he wanted the economy opened up, the draft Charter prepared by the Constitutional Committee “does not do that.” He said it would be key to a useful debate on federalism if there was a study “looking at various scenarios. We can’t just adopt a system of government without knowing the implications.” Turn to A5

Russian-led disinformation campaign targets Africa: Facebook By Rob Lever FACEBOOK said Wednesday it had taken down accounts linked to a Russian ally of President Vladimir Putin seeking to spread disinformation on the social network in eight African countries. The influence operations hiding behind fake identities were traced back to Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has been indicted in the United States in connection with a campaign targeting the 2016 US elections. "Each of these operations created networks of accounts to mislead others about who they were and what they were doing," Facebook cybersecurity chief Nathaniel Gleicher said in a statement. "We have shared information about our findings with law enforcement, policymakers and industry partners." The accounts originated in Russia and targeted Madagascar, Central African Republic, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Sudan and Libya, according to Facebook. The update suggests an expanding effort by Russia and is the latest move by

the social media giant to halt foreign influence efforts in the United States and other parts of the world. "We're constantly working to detect and stop this type of activity because we don't want our services to be used to manipulate people," Gleicher said. "In each of these cases, the people behind this activity coordinated with one another and used fake accounts to misrepresent themselves, and that was the basis for our action." Links to mercenary group Stanford University researchers who worked in parallel with Facebook on the investigation said at least some of the purged accounts came from Russia's Wagner Group, a shadowy private army which is believed to have been active in conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, and sent mercenaries to the Central African Republic and Sudan. Considered a secretive Russian oligarch, Prigozhin is believed to be behind the Internet Research Agency, which has been linked to US election interference, as well as the Wagner Group. Prigozhin, who has denied any ties to the Wagner Group, gained prominence

for operating high-end restaurants in Russia in the 1990s, earning him the moniker "Putin's chef." A statement from Stanford's Cyber Policy Center said the operations appear to be "at least in part at the behest of a state actor" but also relied on subcontractors who are native speakers or people within the region, making it harder to detect. "In addition to well-known social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, the actors leveraged public WhatsApp and Telegram groups," the Stanford team said. "The operation used social media engagement tactics designed to develop a close relationship with the audience, including Facebook Live videos, Google Forms for feedback, and a contest." The Stanford group said the African operations followed the playbook of the Internet Research Agency. "The operatives created several associated news sites [in one case staffed by reporters who appear to have spent time in Russia] as well as Facebook Pages that produced social-first content [memes, live videos]," according to the researchers. Turn to A5

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Opinion For EU interpreters, Brexit means challenge By Marine Laouchez ENGLISH as a common language has in recent years scaled the heights of the European Union's 24-floor Tower of Babel, but will Brexit loosen its grip? London's political influence in Brussels may be slipping, but the language of Shakespeare is still in constant use. It was not always so. Thirty years ago, when Alison Graves, head of the European Parliament's translators, arrived in the European capital she knew to say a cautious "bonjour" when getting into the lift. "French was the default language," she told AFP, a Paris-based global news agency that covers daily EU news in four languages and publishes it in six. Over time, other languages— principally English in its globalised form—took hold, and now staff greet each other in a torrent of different vernaculars. The promise of the European Parliament is that it is a house for all the peoples of Europe, whatever their mother tongue, and the situation is evolving.

552 tongue-twisting combos Historically, French has been the language of diplomacy, and it remains the main one in use in Brussels, host of the EU institutions and capital of bilingual Belgium. But as eastern and central European countries joined the bloc, they brought with them minority languages and a hunger to learn English, the language of globalism. In EU parliament sessions, a few of the better known and older members still alternate comfortably between the EU's official working languages: French, English and German. But others either stick to their native languages—relying on Graves' huge translation service to be heard—or slip into English, to improve the reach of the rhetoric. The team that makes debate possible bills itself as the biggest in the world, translating 24 official EU languages into the three working languages—552 possible combinations. Printed out, the 2.7-million pages of the translation services annual output would represent a Tower of Babel as tall as the Eiffel Tower. But amid all this diversity, one language remains dominant. The mother tongue in the United Kingdom, English is also widely used in member states Ireland, Malta and Cyprus and is the most common second-language on the continent.

Russian-led... From A4

Facebook described three separate operations targeting both its core social network and Instagram. One operation included 35 accounts and 53 pages that focused on Central African Republic, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast and Cameroon. Russian strategy The effort attracted some 475,000 followers and spent $77,000 for ads posting on global and local political news including Russian policies in Africa and criticism of French and US policies. A separate operation targeting Sudan included 20 different accounts and 18 pages, some posing as news organizations.

Dead... From A4

For his part, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has also cautioned against rushing Cha-Cha and the shift to federalism, saying the government needs to conduct a comprehensive public information drive to let the people know how federalism works. But it's not only top public officials who look askance at federalism. Last year, surveys indicated that three in four Filipinos do not approve of Charter change that would bring about the shift to a federal system of government

According to a study compiled in France in 2017, 82 percent of documents compiled by the European Commission and 90 percent by the European Council begin life in English. French politicians deplored the "the quasi-disappearance" of French as a drafting language since the mid-1990s when, the report said, 40 percent of reports were in the language first. Nevertheless, the EU Commission insists that 80 percent of its bureaucrats speak French as a "first, second or third" working langauge.

Euro-English or Desperanto? Among EU institutions, only the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice resisted the Anglo-Saxon invaders, still retaining French for daily official use. French commentators are aghast, but they insist they are not being parochial. The English spoken in Brussels, they argue, is not the rich tongue of the upper echelons of the British civil service, but a basic lowest common denominator. In the European Parliament, while 70 percent of texts are first penned in English, in most cases the drafter is not a native speaker, Graves told AFP. A smaller number of experts then refine the first version before it is translated more widely. So will the departure of Britain and British officials from the EU institutions diminish the usefulness—or the quality—of the de facto common language? At the Court of Justice, spokesman Thierry Lefevre admits there are concerns about hiring quality translators, and others predict a boom time for Irish translators. "It has led to a sort of realization that, in using a certain language, we are in reality importing a value system, a culture, a way of seeing the world," he said. "Why reinforce this vision at a moment when America is turning its back on us and the United Kingdom is leaving us?" he pondered. Graves, herself British, doesn't see the future in the same way. "I've a sneaky suspicion that English could be used even more," she said. "What might happen paradoxically is that more people here might start speaking English, as a neutral language. "We'll see how that language develops," she said, joking that the resulting creole or pidgin might end up being called "Euro-English" or "Desperanto." AFP The third network, focused on Libya, involved 15 accounts and 12 pages posting about local news and geopolitical issues. The Stanford researchers said the operation appears to be part of "Russia's global strategy for reasserting itself as a geopolitical superpower" and follows the deployment of paramilitary groups in Libya and the Central African Republic. Putin last year surprised the West with a string of high-profile moves that strengthened Russia's influence in the CAR, an extremely poor but strategically important country that has traditionally had close ties to France, the former colonial power. Russia sent military trainers to the CAR's beleaguered armed forces, a senior aide to advise the president and mercenaries to provide his security, and offered to mediate between the government and the country's many rebel groups. AFP

as they are more concerned with coping with high prices, and getting or keeping a job so they can feed their families three square meals a day. Filipinos also tend to look with suspicion at any attempt to revise the fundamental law as they fear that behind this are ulterior motives, including extending the term of elective officials. Initiatives by the Ramos and Arroyo administrations to change the 1987 Constitution, for instance, failed to take off as these were perceived to be nothing more than ill-disguised moves to extend their terms beyond their mandated six years without reelection.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019

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It used to be I REMEMBER the time when there was no ‘Halloween’ custom to speak of, but commercialization and the Filipino penchant for eagerly adopting and adapting anything to do with festivities has made it ubiquitous and near-inescapable. It used to be that when the ‘ber’ months came around, Christmas trees and garlands went up in the malls and carols pealed over the speakers. Nowadays, October is orange and black all over as establishments put up grinning jack-o-lanterns, fake spiderwebs, and witch and spider cutouts on their glass doors. Halloween first before Christmas! It used to be that Halloween was practically unknown except as something read about in books and observed only by the expat community and international schools. Nowadays even offices have trick-or-treat events for the children of employees. Parents spend a pretty penny on costumes for their children, while teenagers and grownups dress up as their favorite anime or other fictional characters to attend midnight parties. It used to be that the end of October saw folks packing up for trips back to their hometowns to observe Undas. The important dates during this season were All Souls’ and All Saints’ Days. Graveyards were packed with people spending vigil at the tombs of their departed relatives, many picnicking with food and some with liquor. Children ran around collecting melted wax from burning candles to mold them into fantastic shapes. And as the night grew deeper, it was the storytellers in the family who took center stage to tell tales about the dear departed, or about ghosts. It used to be that those who turned a profit at this time were the florists and candle sellers. There were years when even simple esperma candles were sold out and flowers were going for more than they cost on Valentine’s Day. Today the ones who make money are the merchants who use savvy

POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE marketing to sell costumes and facepaint and plastic pumpkin buckets and candy for trick-or-treat—things unknown before and considered unnecessary until the Halloween craze caught on. It used to be that this season was a solemn occasion for elders who

The gradual adoption of Halloween in its Westernized form over time shows that how we think about festivals and traditions is not static. felt their mortality keenest around this time, but was also a joyous one for the informal reunions that took place around the graves of ancestors. Quarrels were patched up and hands shaken across the lapida of long-gone parents. Aunts marveled at how big their nephews and nieces had grown in a year. Family gossip was shared and promises were made to see each other in less macabre surroundings. It used to be that the season wore a religious cast. All Saints’ and All Souls’ are, after all, church festivals that commemorate the lives of the saints and those who are now in Heaven. Back then the Church militant took this to heart, and had Masses said for their dead, while beside tombs rosary beads clacked and prayers were murmured sotto voce. Today, perhaps only the nearest and dearest of the departed will take a moment to say a prayer. It used to be that Christmas held undisputed sway over the ‘ber’ months,

but it hasn’t been that way for quite some time. We say that when the calendar turns over to Sept. 1, Jose Mari Chan’s songs play right on cue, but do they, really, now that Halloween has taken October over? My daughters, who are in their 20s, don’t remember a time without Halloween. “Wasn’t I Pink Ranger in second grade?” says the elder. “I was grade three when you had a jockey costume made for me!” chimes the younger. Has it been that long since Halloween took over October? Has it been a couple of decades now since this Western tradition has infiltrated our customs and traditions? When it comes to opportunities for parties and dressing up, Filipinos say ‘the more the merrier’ and embrace whatever it is as long as it can be an excuse for food, drink, and conviviality. So although the adoption of Halloween as an annual festival started off slow, once it was underway it picked up steam and today it is almost a juggernaut running over the turf Christmas used to stroll over. Don’t get me wrong—I enjoy the fun of Halloween. I love me a fat pumpkin bucket filled with candy to share while wearing a goofy headband of bat ears. But the gradual adoption of Halloween in its Westernized form over time shows that how we think about festivals and traditions is not static; it evolves as ideas from elsewhere are shared. As society changes its tastes of what are and are not fashionable, it is up to each family to create their own holiday traditions that reflect their values and provide moments to cherish in memory. To all, a Happy Halloween and All Saints’ and All Souls’—whatever you observe, may it be in peace and joy in the warmth of family and friends. Blessed be. Filipino saying: ‘Huwag kang matakot sa patay, mas matakot ka sa buhay!’ /FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

Debate heats up over homework curfew for Chinese kids By Helen Roxburgh and Qian Ye A NEW rule being mulled in China to allow schoolchildren to go to bed by 10p.m., even if they haven't finished their homework, has prompted heated debate about the country's education system. Eastern Zhejiang province has published a draft guideline proposing students go to bed at a decent hour—with parents' approval— even if they still have unfinished schoolwork to do. The time mooted is 9 p.m. for primary school students and 10 p.m. for middle school students. Chinese schoolchildren have a notoriously large amount of homework, topped by a slew of extracurricular activities pushed by their parents, which can often keep them up late into the night. The 33-point action plan, published Monday on the website of Zhejiang's education department, also advises parents to "refrain from competing with others," suggests boosting counselling support for students, and forbids extra tutoring over weekends and school vacations. The proposal has touched a nerve in China, with some parents concerned that reducing the homework burden will put children at a disadvantage when preparing for the highly-competitive college entrance exam. There's also the very real fear that the shift to federalism, unless accompanied by a clear prohibition on political dynasties, would only strengthen their hold on political and economic power. As we know, new and old political families already dominate Congress. Once it transforms into a constituent assembly, would these political families willingly give up their positions of power? I seriously doubt it. Given all this, I wouldn't be surprised at all that federalism has been effectively defenestrated and now practically dead in the water. ernhil@yahoo.com

The country's education system revolves around the notorious "gaokao", which is the only route to Chinese universities. "It's better not to take exams," wrote one on the Twitter-like social media platform Weibo. "Cancel all the entrance examinations. Protect the children. Never let the children get a little tired." "I oppose this, it will result in the children lacking a sense of responsibility from early age," wrote another. "This is nonsense—is there any future for the country?" asked another. The Communist Party mouthpiece, People's Daily, weighed in, saying that it was "unquestionable that very few parents want their children to bear excessive homework" but that "excellent academic performance is necessary for China's Gaokao, as well as the fiercely competitive workplace." Other provinces are also considering similar rules to help reduce the burden on students, who often face long school days, high pressure, and a raft of after-school classes and training. Homework machine But many supported the proposal, which called for schools, after-school training institutions, parents and education authorities to help reduce the workload placed on children. "Let children be children and be happy," wrote one on Weibo. "People all over China know that

Taking... From A4

Atienza has his doubts about big business giving priority to its consumers which is why he is strongly for government to take over the water utilities. With many of the House members realizing Atienza’s advocacy, Congress might just grant the President the power to cancel the concessionaires contract and take over their operations. Atienza does not consider this as his victory but a win for the people who have suffered long from the poor and costly water services of the water utilities.

children have a heavy burden, and they don't want their children to be so tired," said another. Shanghai-based Li Shan says her seven-year-old daughter is often still awake at 9 p.m. doing homework. "I see her getting tired, rubbing her eyes, and I feel really sorry for her," she told AFP. "I would rather my daughter spent her time playing with other children, doing sports, or sketching if she wants to. I don't want her to be a machine just doing homework." A satirical article on social media platform WeChat went viral as the debate raged, with the writer accusing competitive parents of going overboard in pressuring their children to work hard and get top jobs. "As the largest province in China's college entrance examination, if you look at the earth from space, you can't see the Pyramids and the Great Wall, but you can see the outline of the Jiangsu students' desks," it said. A commentary in the state-run China Daily Thursday said that the real question was how to reform the college entrance exams so it is not the "be-all and end-all for children's future." "Instead of addressing a symptom, comprehensive education reform is needed to treat the illness and ensure children have well-rounded childhoods, rather than just study," it said. AFP “The government has been pushing for the project but we have been working with them in the process of developing the raw water sources because we understand the urgency of meeting Metro Manila’s water needs,” said a Maynilad statement. The statement added that as a water distributor, the company can only distribute water volume from the raw water source. Maynilad stated that it had been doing its part in implementing the necessary infrastructure to meet the requirements of a growing population in the Metro area. Maynilad said it is maximizing the limited supply so it can mitigate the impact of the current low level of the Angat Dam water.

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US envoy visits CG training hub By Rey E. Requejo

S AMBASSADOR Sung Kim on Thursday visited the Philippine Coast Guard’s Training Center in Balagtas, Bulacan which was constructed to enhance the training capacity of PCG personnel and help maintain the operational readiness of its expanding ﬂeet for maritime law enforcement operations.

Kim observed the first technical course conducted at the Balagtas Training Center, which was constructed with the support of the US government. Commodore Joseph Badajos, commander of PCG’s Surface Support Force, hosted the visit to the future home of PCG’s technical workforce development. The US is assisting PCG for developing the Balagtas Training Center in several phases. The first phase—Outboard Motor Center of Excellence —included a classroom, engine maintenance laboratory, and barracks. The US Embassy in Manila said the American Coast Guard teams were conducting training events that would prepare PCG instructor candidates to lead future maintenance courses. Kim and Badajos also discussed the next phase of the project, which will include a much larger, 16-classroom US-funded structure that will enable PCG to simultaneously train up to 200 personnel on a variety of technical specialties related to maritime engineering and seamanship. “Scheduled for completion in early 2021, this enhanced training capacity will help maintain the operational readiness of PCG’s expanding fleet to conduct maritime law enforcement operations,” the US Embassy statement said.

Jehovah’s Witnesses sets three-day int’l convention WARWICK, NY—One of the largest global conventions in 2019, spanning six continents and over 200 countries and presented in over 400 languages, will be held in Pasay City, Metro Manila on Nov.1-3. In a statement, the group said beginning in May 2019, Jehovah’s Witnesses began hosting a global series of three-day conventions featuring the theme “Love Never Fails.” The anticipated attendance of 30,000 at Mall of Asia Arena and SMX Convention Center will include 5,500 international delegates coming from 67 countries. This international delegation will participate in several preplanned activities in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, culminating in the three-day convention. “This event will illustrate the positive inﬂuence that love can have to bring people together from diverse backgrounds,” explains Paul Gillies, International Spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “It will also showcase the positive characteristics of each of the 22 cities that were selected to host

the many international delegates who will be attending.” In addition to enjoying the three-day public program, which will include Bible-based talks, demonstrations, and educational audio and video presentations, the international delegates will spend one week visiting many of the local attractions and sampling the unique offerings of Metro Manila, Tagaytay, Laguna, and Batangas. “It is a win-win situation,” states Dean Jacek, Philippines Spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Local Jehovah’s Witnesses get an opportunity to meet and enjoy association with their fellow Witnesses from around the world, and the community here in Metro Manila is happy to accommodate the inﬂux of international visitors at the many local cafés, restaurants, hotels, and popular tourist destinations.” In addition to hosting special international conventions in select cities during 2019, Jehovah’s Witnesses invited the public to attend the same program at over 168 regional locations throughout the Philippines.

NCRPO promotes 2,903 cops By Joel E. Zurbano GENERAL GUIDELINES: 1.

Disposal of GSIS Investment Properties – Retail Units (IP-RUs) is through a competitive public bidding process. Acceptance of Purchase Offers shall start on the scheduled bidding date and time.

Dropping of bid envelopes will be on the date of bidding from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM only. Opening of Bids will immediately follow. Late bid envelopes will not be accepted.

Disposal of GSIS IP-RUs is on an “As-Is, Where-is” basis. Interested bidders are enjoined to personally inspect the GSIS IP-RUs for sale. “As-Is, Where-Is” is defined as the present physical condition of the retail unit that GSIS is selling and the buyer is buying, “with all attendant faults, if any,” whether or not immediately apparent and without any express or implied warranty. The buyer takes this condition at his or her own risk, without recourse against the GSIS as to their condition. This includes knowledge by the buyer of the presence of occupants in the retail-unit being purchased.

Strictly, “One bidder, One specific property” only, which means that a bidder cannot submit two (2) or more bids for one property. A bidder may submit one bid each to as many properties as he/she wants to buy, as long as, he/she posts the required 10% bid deposit of the total bid price for each property. The bidder must present valid government IDs upon registration on the date of public bidding.

Purchase offers are only accepted through CASH basis payable within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS), without privilege of extension.

A downloadable bid form shall be properly accomplished with the following data:

A. B.

12. If the occupant will exercise his/her Right to Match the offer of the declared highest bidder, he/she shall adjust his/her initial deposit based on the bid amount of the declared highest bidder. He/she must also pay the adjusted deposit on the day of bidding. 13. The declared highest/winning bidder shall submit within fourteen (14) calendar days of the actual bidding, the following documents: A.

A. B. C. D. E. F. G.

Date of Bidding Name of the bidder Exact address of property you are interested to bid Transfer Certificate of Title No. Mode of Payment Amount of bid (in numbers and in words) Signature of the bidder/representative

Bid proposal shall be written in words and in figures and must not be lower than the Minimum Acceptable Offer of the property. Should there be a difference in the amount in words and in figures, the amount in words shall prevail.

Bidders’ deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer shall be in the form of a MANAGER’S CHECK payable to the Government Service Insurance System.

The following shall be inserted in a sealed bid envelope: A.

ALL participating bidders must insert: a. properly accomplished BID FORM b. MANAGER’S CHECK payable to Government Service Insurance System representing deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer

If the bidder is being represented by an authorized representative, a corresponding Special Power of Attorney (SPA) must also be included

If the bidder is the occupant of the subject property, two (2) proofs of occupancy must also be inserted. These are: a. Barangay certificate that the bidder is occupying or residing in the subject property; and b. Valid Government Issued ID with an address showing that the bidder is currently residing in the subject property, or the Latest Billing Statement under the Bidder’s Name that shows he/she is currently residing in the subject property.

He/she participated in actual bidding and Inserted the two (2) proofs of occupancy inside his/her bid envelope as indicated in Number 9 of these guidelines

If the winning bidder is an individual, a. duly accomplished Personal Profile (with attached recent two (2) pieces of 2x2 ID pictures of the winning bidder) b. photocopies of two (2) valid IDs (at least one should be a government-issued ID) If the winning bidder is a corporate entity or partnership, a. duly accomplished Company/Corporate Profile b. Registration Certificate from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) c. Articles of Incorporation (if corporation), Articles of Partnership (if partnership), General Information Sheet, and By-Laws duly certified by the SEC d. Current Mayor’s Permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located If the winning bidder is a cooperative, a. duly accomplished Company/Corporate Profile b. Cooperative Development Authority Registration or any proof of such registration c. Current Mayor’s Permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located

14. A Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS) shall be issued to the highest/winning bidder on the day of bidding. The Bidder’s deposit of the other non-winning bidder/s shall be returned immediately. 15. The deposit equivalent to at least ten percent (10%) of the Bid Offer shall be paid on the day of bidding. The 90% balance of the bid amount shall be paid either in cash or in manager’s check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of NOAS, without privilege of extension. 16. Non-compliance with the terms and conditions stated in the NOAS will result in the forfeiture of the bidder’s total deposit. 17. In case the highest/winning bidder fails to comply with the requirements within the specified time, the said NOAS shall be deemed automatically revoked and the highest/winning bidder shall be informed in writing. The second highest bidder, if any, shall be informed in writing if he/she is still interested to acquire the property. If still interested, he/she must remit the required non-refundable 10% deposit within three (3) working days after receipt of notice from GSIS. 18. GSIS reserves the right to waive any formality or to reject any or all bids received. The list of properties available for sale may be updated without prior notice. 19. For bidding inquiries, you may call the Real Property Accounts Management Department (RPAMD) at trunk line numbers (02) 8479-3600, and (02) 7976-4900 local numbers 3228, 3374, and 3396.

10. The following information shall be clearly written outside the sealed bid envelope (mailing envelope).

11. The existing tenant or occupant or his duly authorized representative through a valid Special Power of Attorney (SPA) has the right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, provided: (MS-NOV. 1, 2 & 3, 2019)

THE National Capital Region Police Office has promoted more than 2,900 police officers in an oath-taking ceremony and pinning of ranks in Taguig City. NCRPO director Debold Sinas administered Wednesday the promotion of the total 2,903 Police NonCommissioned Ofﬁcers who have passed the qualiﬁcation standards for appointment to the higher PNP ranks, based on the resolution issued by the National Police Commission. At least 50 non-uniformed personnel were also appointed and 36 NUPs were promoted to the next higher rank. Sinas said the promotion was a result of the merit system to give recognition to the PNP uniformed personnel and uplift the morale of the police force. The NCRPO chief expressed high regard and his expectations over the promoted and newly appointed public

servants saying, “Great power comes great responsibility as higher rank means higher salary.” He congratulated the promotees and their families and conveyed his expectations from them to be of help to the NCRPO in achieving more success and accomplishments particularly in internal cleansing program and campaign against criminality and illegal drugs. Sinas also challenged the promotees to win the hearts and minds of the people and be part of the workforce of providing quality service to the people of Metro Manila. He also asked family members of the promotees to support their respective family members who are in the service, to continue to guide them and further encourage them to give their best in giving quality police service to the people. Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Ofﬁcer Rogelio Casurao attended the event as the guest of honor and speaker.

Training to beat stress TO PREVENT or treat mental disorder and protect and promote psychosocial well-being of individuals, the Department of Health-CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) on Monday conducted the 2nd batch of “Training on Mental Health & Psychosocial Support” for guidance counsellor, nurses of the Department of Education personnel, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology personnel. “MHPSS is a signiﬁcant tool used in situation of violence, crisis, emergency and during armed conﬂicts to prevent psychological distress,” said Regional Director Eduardo Janairo. He noted that the incidence of psychological problems is growing in situations where there are calamities like earthquake and typhoon and where there are violence not only on the road, but also in school. He said the incidence of “bullying” in schools had a big effect on studentsvictims due to their daily exposure in this kind of violence. “They have fears and they lost the desire to go to school. Sometimes, there were incidence of committing suicide,” he said. Janairo emphasized that exposure to violence, loss of or separation from a loved one, friend or relative, and poverty can affect the well-being of a person, his/her family and the community which he/she resides. Macon Ramos-Araneta

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Embiid, Towns ejected; Sixers win L

OS ANGELES—Joel Embiid scored 19 points before being ejected because of a third quarter fight as the Philadelphia 76ers won their fourth straight game to start the season by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-95. Embiid was sent to the showers along with Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns after the two got into a tussle that also included players and some coaches from both teams on Wednesday. “I was built for this city and they were built for me,” said Embiid. “You gotta be a Broad Street Bully,” he added in a reference to Philadelphia’s

ants. At one point Sixers Ben Simmons put a choke hold on Towns, who ended up at the bottom of the pile. Embiid and Towns were ejected. Embiid walked over to the sidelines and jokingly shadowboxed in front of the Sixers bench before being escorted to the locker room. Towns declined to talk about the dustup after the game. “It was a competitive game. That’s all it was,” Towns said. The victory leaves the 76ers as one of two unbeaten NBA teams along with the 3-0 San Antonio Spurs. The Timberwolves suffered their first loss falling to 3-1. Tobias Harris scored 18 points, Furkan Korkmaz came off the bench to tally 17

rough and tumble championship NHL team from the 1970s. No one was injured in the melee that ignited under the basket with the Sixers leading 75-55 halfway through the third. After they exchanged words, the two big men wrestled each other to the ground as teammates and coaches charged into the fray to try and separate the combat-

and Simmons finished with 16 for Philadelphia. Al Horford grabbed 16 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins scored 19 points and Towns finished with 13 points for the Timberwolves. Elsewhere, Kemba Walker delivered his second straight 32 point performance as the new-look Boston Celtics came from behind to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 116-105. New addition Walker had a breakout 32-point performance with the Celtics in a 118-95 victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday. He matched that Wednesday and added six assists and six rebounds as the Celtics improved to 3-1 on the young season. AFP

Federation National Team Shootout finals on Thursday Dave Cordero is expected to provide the additional firepower for the AFP Cavaliers

AFP Cavs, Kamao stake clean slates Games Sunday

(Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. – PhilHealth vs SSS 3:30 p.m. – AFP vs Ombudsman 5 p.m. – Malacañang-PSC vs DENR

THE DEFENDING champion Armed Forces of the Philippines Cavaliers and Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission Kamaow stake their unbeaten runs when they go up against their respective rivals on Sunday in the 8th UNTV Cup at the Pasig City Sports center. AFP and Malacañang lead their respective group elims with similar 4-0 records but the latter will be put to a serious test when it faces newcomer but dangerous Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the lone Group B elims match set at 5 p.m. The DENR Warriors are also undefeated in three games in the annual tournament for public servants—their latest win was an 86-65 thumping of the twotime champions Judiciary Magis. Bidding to become the first back-toback champions in the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon, the AFP Cavaliers tackle the Ombudsman Graftbusters at 3:30 p.m. in Group A. Other Group A match pits the SSS Kabalikat against the PhilHealth Plus with the former out to nail their first win in four games. The Kabalikat tote a 1-3 mark in the event, where the chosen charity of the champion team will be getting a taxfree P4 million prize, while the runnerup’s foundation will receive P2 million. Out to carry the load for Cavaliers are former Letran star Boyet Bautista, Dave Cordero and Eugene Tan while the Kamao will be bannered by Erick dela Cuesta, Joseph Roque and Jeffrey Punsalan. The DENR Warriors will once again rely on the quartet of Ralph Lansang, Desiderio Ayson, Ed Rivera and Arturo Atablanco, who all scored in double figures the last time.

Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers gets in a fight with Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter of their teams’ game at the Wells Fargo Center. The two were ejected. AFP

Quest for Breeders’ Cup horse safety on ARCADIA, United States—As Santa Anita Park continues to grapple with the fallout from 36 horse deaths so far this season, Breeders’ Cup chief executive Craig Fravel said Wednesday that officials have “done everything humanly possible” to forestall disaster at this weekend’s $28 million racing festival. “I don’t have any specific concerns about anything because literally no stone has gone unturned,” Fravel said as officials from the Breeders’ Cup and Santa Anita discussed the safety measures put in place at the scenic California circuit, which is hosting the Breeders’ Cup for a 10th time. “You can never say never,” Fravel said. “I think we’ve done everything humanly possible to prevent anything from happening.” Santa Anita came under sharp scrutiny

earlier this year when the first three months of its winter-spring meet saw more than 20 horse fatalities—leading to a temporary shut-down in March during which the track owners the Stronach Group conducted tests of the surface and subsurface of the dirt track—which revealed no apparent cause for the increase in breakdowns. Stronach Group also announced a new iniative aimed at eliminating race-day medication for horses, including a reduction in the allowed amount of the diuretic Lasix which is used to prevent pulmonary bleeding. By June there had been 30 horse deaths at the track, a number that rose to 36 last weekend. While the rate of fatalities due to catastrophic injury has declined sharply in the second half of the year, plenty of outrage has remained.

READY FOR SEAG. The Standard

Insurance men’s and women’s duathlon team showed its readiness for the 30th SEA Games by sweeping the recent Singapore 60 Duathlon International. Standout duathlete Joey de los Reyes placed first, while Jarvin Banatao took second in the mean’s elite division. Elite athlete and Asian duathlon queen Monica Torres and veteran campaigner Jeslie Sabado finished 1-2 in the women’s elite. Emmanuel Commendador wound up fourth. With them was Triathlon of the Philippines and national team coach Bernie Llentada (right). The local squad will be competing against national teams of Singapore and Malaysia in biennial meet to be held at the Subic Bay Freeport this December.

Lhuillier confident of PH netters’ chances in SEAG JEAN Henri Lhuillier, president of Unified Tennis Philippines, is very optimistic of the Philippine tennis team’s chances in the coming Southeast Asian Games. A long-time patron of Philippine tennis, Lhuillier knows very well the core of the team with him personally supporting the international campaign of three of the members of the men’s team. “I expect the team to do well in the SEAG. I have been supporting Treat Huey, Ruben Gonzales and Nino Alcantara for quite sometime now because I believe in their talent and their potential to be at par with the world’s best,” said Lhuillier, president of UTP and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. Huey, Gonzales, Alcantara, all Cebuana Lhuillier Sports ambassadors, spearhead the SEAG-bound men’s tennis team that includes Jeson Patrombon and AJ Lim. Under the guidance and support of

Some animal rights activists have demanded an end to racing in California. An investigation by California law enforcement authorities is ongoing. With the results of the California Horse Racing Board’s own investigation still pending, Breeders’ Cup officials were out in force on Wednesday to explain measures put in place to ensure horse safety this week. Unprecedented scrutiny “No horses racing anywhere have been more examined or more observed than these horses,” said veterinarian Debbie Lamparter, who leads a team of on-site vets that will number 30 on Breeders’ Cup race days. Lamparter said every Breeders’ Cup entrant had already been examined on site, and would be seen by vets at least three times before racing. AFP

Lhuillier, Huey, Gonzales and Alcantara achieved their highest world ranking in doubles in the recent years with Huey reaching a peak ranking of world no. 17 that includes semifinals and multiple quarterfinals finishes in Grand Slam tournaments. Gonzales and Alcanatara, meanwhile, have been racking up titles in recent years in ITF Futures and ATP Challengers. Aside from gold medals in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games, Lhuillier is eyeing Huey and Gonzales or Alcantara to qualify for the Olympics doubles in 2020 Tokyo Olympics. “If Treat could regain his form back from his injuries and get back in the top 30 in the world and Ruben or Nino makes a surge to the top 100, it could be possible for them to make it to Tokyo 2020. I will be continue to support them in their quest to achieve higher rankings,” said Lhuillier.

Jean Henri Lhuillier (right), president of Unified Tennis Philippines, is shown with the country’s top netters.

Washington... From A8

the Astros in order in the ninth to complete the victory. When the final moment came, the Nationals celebrated on the field, racing out of the dugout for an embrace after a historic triumph. The Nationals, who were written off by many in May after a 19-31 start, joined the 1914 Boston Braves as the only World Series

champions who were 12 games below .500 during the regular season. In Washington, hundreds of supporters shared the excitement, celebrating at a huge outdoor viewing party near the Nationals ballpark. Nats fans made their trademark “Baby Shark” clap motion ahead of the final out, which set off screaming, yelling, tearful hugs and joyful dancing. “How do you think I feel right now? We just won the World Series,” said James Forrest, 32, waving a Nats flag. AFP

Arroyo leads Sun Life Aquathlon champions THE Sun Life Aquathlon Championship Series 2019 concluded in high spirits as the top aquathletes were crowned as champions during the awarding ceremony at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus City, Cavite. The top aquathletes were determined per age group and were ranked based on points accumulated throughout the year-long series. The champions per category are Erika Nicole Burgos and Richard Anson Navo (for 15 to 17 age group); Naomi Daphne Sibayan and Rene Angelito Arroyo (18 to 24 age group); Kath Lagunsad and Gianmarco Sibayan (25 to 29 age group); Heather Europa and Raymund Velasco (30 to 34 age group); Mira Batilo and John Mark Yamoyam (35 to 39 age group); Ardy Theloesen and Noy Basa (40 to 44 age group); Leilani Tan and Rodrigo Abrilla (45 to 49 age group); Mariel Powell (for female above 50 age group); Ronald Allan Ginez (male 50 to 54 age group); Isidro Manuel (male 55 to 59 age group); and Adelio Torres (male above 60 age group). “I’m very happy I was declared the champion in my category. I had to discipline myself and plan my schedule carefully in order to join the events of this series,” Arroyo said. “It’s a good day for Sun Life Aquathlon and the wellness community. This event embodies the values and mission of GoWell, which is to help people live a healthier, brighter life,” Sun Life Health and Wellness Analyst Natalie Cruz said, who was present in the awarding ceremony. The event marked the conclusion of the Sun Life Aquathlon Championship Series 2019, which included the Vermosa Sports Hub Aquathlon 1, Vermosa Sports Hub Aquathlon 2, and the Aquaman Aquathlon. The Sun Life Aquathlon was hosted by Sun Life Philippines and organized by BikeKing Philippines. The event was also supported by Smart, SPEEDO, Apollo Petroleum Jelly, Vermosa Sports Hub, official timekeeper Garmin, and hydration partners Pocari Sweat and Sip Purified Water. For the complete list of winners of the Sun Life Aquathlon Championship Series 2019, visit www.BikeKingPhilippines.com For more about Sun Life’s health and wellness initiatives, follow @ SunLifePH and @GoWellPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Ardina boosts LPGA card bid with 69 DOTTIE Ardina closed out with flourish at the front, shooting three straight late birdies to card a 69 and move from joint 43rd to a share of 29th at the start of the final stretch of the eight-day LPGA Q-Series at Pinehurst No. 9 in North Carolina Wednesday. Staying in her previous spot with a two-birdie, two-bogey round and a two-over overall card after 14 holes, Ardina birdied Nos. 6 and 7 then added another on the par-5 eighth before holing out with a par on the closing par-3 hole to complete a 34-35 and a five-day total of 355. It was 15 strokes off Chinese Muni He, who firmed up her bid for low medalist honors with a 65 and a 340 but Ardina’s latest round bolstered the Filipina shotmaker’s bid to keep her LPGA card for next season following a series of missed cut stints this year. The top 80 players from the 98 bidders after six rounds will advance to the final 36 holes of the third phase of the grueling elims with the top 45 at the conclusion of the Q-Series will receive Category 14 membership on the LPGA Tour Priority List for 2020. Those who won’t make it will settle for Symetra Tour spots. Those outside the top 20 and ties will earn Category C status on the Symetra Tour. Clariss Guce also rallied at the front with four birdies, including three straight from No. 1, as she bucked a two-over start at the back to save a 70 and improve to 34th at 356. Stage I low medalist Bianca Pagdanganan, however, failed to mount her charge, gunning down two birdies but fumbling with the same number of bogeys for a 72 and a 362 for a share of 63rd, still within the cutoff score.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@manilastandard.net sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019

Steel, Kuyas too tough for Capitals, Shoemasters THE Basilan Steel and Bulacan Kuyas sustained their rise in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season by beating lower rated opponents late Wednesday at Bulacan Capitol Gym in Malolos. Powered by Jhaps Bautista, Jay Collado and Gabriel Dagangon, the Steel trounced the Quezon City Capitals, 8678, while Lester Alvarez drilled two free throws in the last six seconds to ensure the Kuyas’ victory over the Marikina Shoemasters, 81-79. Both the Steel, toting a 12-8 record in the South division, and the Kuyas, carrying a 12-7 slate in the North division, are on a three-game roll in the 31-team league founded by Senator Manny Pacquiao with Kennth Duremdes as commissioner. The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards prolonged the Bacolod Master’s Sardines’ woes, 82-76, to revive their waning playoffs drive in the North division. Crack guards Jai Reyes and James Martinez scored 21 and 19, respectively, as Nueva Ecija posted its third win in its last four games and climbed to 5-13 overall, still behind Bacolod’s 6-12. Bautista fired 17 points, Jay Collado 13 and Gab Dagangon 13 plus 9 rebounds for the Jumbo Plastics-supported Steel, who gained a share of fifth place with Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines. Alvarez’s charities put Bulacan on safe ground, 81-77, after the Shoemasters threatened at 77-79 despite a sevenpoint flurry by the Kuyas. The MPBL takes a five-day break and will resume on Nov. 5 at Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

Timor-Leste delegates earliest to arrive THE 48-member delegation from TimorLeste is arriving in the country very early for the 30th Southeast Asian Games. The delegates will be in the country some two weeks before the start of the Games, according to Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee executive director Tom Carrasco. Following talks with Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez, the government sports agency has agreed to provide assistance to Timor-Leste’s needs for accommodation and use training facilities that are available. “We are happy to support our brothers from Timor-Leste to enhance their chance of winning medals in the SEA Games,” said Carrasco following a meeting with Ramirez. Timor-Leste athletes are entered in 10 events. And they are joining in taekwondo, shooting, karatedo, pencak silat, boxing, weightlifting, cycling, swimming and beach volleyball. In the 2017 SEA Games, Timor-Leste finished 11th with three bronze medals. And they excelled through podium finishes their accomplished in women’s taekwondo. The 30th Southeast Asian Games will be held in the Philippines from November 30 until December 11, 2019. This edition will be marked by the first major decentralization in the history of the Games, with competition venues spread in 23 cities across the country, divided into four clusters, all located on the island of Luzon. Peter Atencio

The Washington Nationals celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Nationals defeated the Houston Astros with a score of 6 to 2. AFP

Washington wins first MLB crown since 1924

OUSTON, United States—The Washington Nationals completed one of the most shocking championship runs in Major League Baseball history Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time) by defeating Houston 6-2 to capture the US capital’s ﬁrst World Series title since 1924. Howie Kendrick and Anthony Rendon blasted home runs and the Nationals rallied from two runs down after six innings in the winner-take-all showdown to claim the best-of-seven final 4-3. It was the first seven-game playoff series in North American sports where road teams won every contest. The Nationals won the first crown in the club’s half-century history, which began as the Montreal Expos and saw a move to Washington for the 2005 season. The only other World Series win by a Washington team came 95 years ago when the Senators won a seventh-game thriller. The US capital has seen two clubs move away and went 33 years without a team. The Astros won an MLB-best 107 games and were heavy favorites over a Nationals team that had only made the playoffs in the last days of the season and had never won a playoff series. Instead, the World Series turned into a classic with an electric atmosphere and plenty of drama and the Nats went 5-0 in playoff elimination games to deny Houston a second title in three seasons.

“I’ve got a group of heartbroken men in there who did everything they could to bring a championship to this city and fell one win shy,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. Washington had trailed in all five elimination games before rallying to win and the clincher proved sweetest of all. Astros starting pitcher Zack Greinke mystified the Nationals for 6 1/3 innings, allowing only one hit while Yuli Gurriel hit a solo homer and scored on a Carlos Correa single to give Houston a 2-0 lead. Houston native Rendon, however, smashed a solo homer over the left-field wall off a Greinke changeup in the seventh, sending him to the showers after walking Juan Soto. Kendrick followed by smacking a fastball from Astros reliever Will Harris off the right-field foul pole for a two-run homer that put the Nats ahead to stay. Washington added an insurance run in the eighth when Adam Eaton walked, stole second and scored on a Soto single. In the ninth, Eaton singled with the bases loaded to drive in two more runs and all-but seal Houston’s fate.

Patrick Corbin threw three shutout innings and allowed only two hits in relief of Max Scherzer and Daniel Hudson down Turn to A7

Houston Astros pitcher Zack Greinke (21) delivers another pitch against the Washington Nationals during Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park. AFP

Thai weightlifting team banned from SEA Games By Peter Atencio THAILAND, which is still reeling from a doping scandal, has been disallowed from sending athletes to compete in the weightlifting competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. The International Olympic Committee has made its decision known last week to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). Because of this, the IWF president Tamas Ajan has informed the Philippine organizers and the Thailand Amateur Weightlting Association not to let Thai lifters take part in the scheduled weightlifting events of the Games. “Please be informed that TAWA signed a voluntarily and irrevocable undertak-

ing and for this reason no athletes shall participate at any IWF events, including qualification events and the 2020 Olympic Games. Consequently, no Thai athlete shall participate at the SEA Games,” said Ajan in a letter. In March this year, the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association (TAWA) suspended itself from international competitions after nine members of its team tested positive for banned substances following the recent 2018 IWF World Championships. So far, Thailand has already entered several weightlifters in its delegation list to the SEA Games. Since the weightlifting competition of the Games are being considered as qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, officials of the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas

has already informed the IWF through their president Monico Puentevella that the Thai lifters entered for the coming Games will not be allowed to join. According to Ajan in his letter, “the explicit withdrawal of the Thai federation from the World Championships and the Olympic qualifying process was one of the important considerations of the IOC executive board in its March 2019 decision to lift the provisional status of inclusion of weightlifting in the program of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Among the nine World Championship lifters who tested positive in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, two are reigning Olympic champions, Sukanya Srisurat and Sopita Tanasan, who won golds in the women’s 48-kgs and 58-kgs categories.

Blue Eagles get 17-day rest before title series THERE will be 17 days of rest before the Ateneo Blue Eagles plunge into action in Game 1 of the title series of the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament. During that period, the team will focus finding out new game plans to deal with their opponents in the finals that’s set on Nov. 16. “Well, we don’t have a break. Basically, for us it’s business as usual. We will just prepare our opponent specifically once we know who that is but in the meantime, we will work to build our basketball team. We will put some new stuff in that teams won’t be able to go back and review our films and say that we’re gonna see the same team,” said Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin. During the next two weeks, fourth seed Far Eastern University meets no. 3 seed University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday at the start of the stepladder semis. The winner will next take on the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, who have a twice-to-beat incentive as the no. 2 seeded team. “It’s not gonna be very difficult for us to get our focus on the playoffs and watch the stepladder take place and see who comes out of it. It’s gonna be tough for those teams. They’re all very strong and deserving teams, they all fought hard particularly in the second half of the season,” said Baldwin. The Blue Eagles have achieved history after they completed an historic 14-game sweep of the eliminations. And they did this after Angeli Kouame unloaded a season-high 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Blue Eagles in their 86-64 smothering of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. After that game, Thirdy Ravena emerged as one the team’s top performers with his averages of 12.93 points and 6.71 rebounds. Kouame follows with his norms of 12.5 points and 11.79 boards. “FEU had a great run, UP had a great, and UST has been fairly consistent all year long. I suspect that UP has the twice-to-beat advantage but we don’t really know who’s gonna pop out. But what I would like to say about our basketball team is there’s been a lot of talk about the UP team, a team that has a great heart. And I agree with that,” said Baldwin. Peter Atencio

Dubs’ nightmare worsens as Curry breaks hand Golden State Warriors star player Stephen Curry (30) leaves the game after he was injured in the second half of their game against the Phoenix Suns at Chase Center on Oct. 30, 2019 in San Francisco, California. AFP

SAN FRANCISCO, United States—The Golden State Warriors crumbling dynasty was dealt another jackhammer blow on Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time) when superstar Stephen Curry suffered a broken hand against the Phoenix Suns. The two-time MVP Curry sustained the injury with 8:31 left in the third quarter as he drove to the rim and collided with Suns Aron Baynes in a one-sided 121-110 loss to Phoenix. “It’s just a random basketball play, so stuff happens,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. The team confirmed Curry “had x-rays taken on his wrist and hand confirming the break”. The injury took place while the Warriors were already losing badly

and off to a disappointing 1-2 start to the NBA season. The Warriors did not immediately say whether Curry would need surgery or how long he would be out of the lineup. Curry is expected to be further examined by team doctors and will undergo a CT scan to determine the full extent of the damage. Baynes ended up landing awkwardly on top of Curry, who stayed on the ground for a few moments holding his wrist and then got up and tried to shake off the pain. He attempted to stay in the game before the Warriors called a timeout and Curry walked over to the bench and left for the locker room with the Suns dominating on the scoreboard. “I just feel bad for him,” Suns coach Monty Williams said.

“When these guys who are the faces of the league go down it’s not good for the league, but especially someone like Steph, who’s done so much to raise the level of excitement here in the Bay Area and throughout the league.” A mix of superstars, coaching, supporting cast and championship experience had made the Warriors the strong pre-season favorites for the past several seasons. The loss of Curry, 31, for a possible extended period now leaves the Warriors as a shadow of their recent championship teams. Even before Curry got hurt, Golden State was already without departed Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, who is injured and likely out for the entire season. AFP

IN BRIEF Angkas avoids surge pricing

MOTORCYCLE service provider Angkas said it expects no surge pricing during the holiday season despite the anticipated increase in demand. “We have dynamic pricing, so it is not as big as the current TNC [transport network company] players,” Angkas chief transport advocate George Royeca said. “We just maintain the existing parameters that we have. We hope to service a portion of the demand as it grows, especially going in to the Christmas season. We are already seeing some increases in traffic congestion and also the demand,” he said. Royeca assured the public that its service levels are at par with adequate standards and services of the commuters. He is also optimistic that the government will permanently legalize the operations of motorcycle taxis in the country this year. “I am very hopeful that the law will be passed within the timeframe,” Royeca said. Angkas was granted by DOTr a sixmonth trial run that allowed the service to operate in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu in June this year. There are 27,000 riders enlisted in the Angkas network. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business

Senator asks Meralco to welcome all bidders

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian asked Manila Electric Co. to consider allowing brownfield and new greenfield power plants to participate in the 1,200-megawatt competitive selection process. “All possible power plants, regardless of whether it is brownfield or greenfield, should be allowed to participate and compete in the CSP. This is the only way to ensure that a competitive price of electricity will be passed on to consumers,” Gatchalian said. Meralco officials earlier said they were more inclined to pursue the CSP for greenfield power plants, rejecting the suggestion of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi to include brownfield power plants to compete. “The competitive selection process is meant to ensure consumers that electricity being procured by utilities undergo a fair and transparent bidding process that will yield to the lowest electricity price. In the end, electricity being procured by all utilities will eventually be 100-percent passed on to the consumers. Hence, an open, transparent and fair CSP by Meralco is for the best interest of the consumers,” Gatchalian said. Alena Mae S. Flores

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019

By Julito G. Rada

METROBANK FORUM. Executives of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. hold an investors’ forum in Clark Freeport, Pampanga to discuss how investors can navigate and best optimize their portfolio amid the current economic volatility. Leading the forum are (from left) Metrobank research head Marc Bautista, Metrobank investment distribution division countryside head Chorie Chan, Metrobank investment distribution-Luzon OIC department head Chilly Ortiz and Metrobank institutional investors coverage division head Ruben Zamora.

Makati acquires P7.22-b shares in subway builder By Jenniffer B. Austria

HE city government of Makati agreed to subscribe to P7.22 billion worth of convertible preferred shares in Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc., the proponent of the Makati City Subway System. Philippine Infradev, a listed company led by businessman Antonio Tiu, said it would issue P7.23 billion worth of convertible preferred shares to the local government unit in exchange for the land that it would contribute to the subway system. The company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed a subscription agreement with the Makati City government pursuant to the joint venture agreement for the construction, operation and management of the Makati City Subway System. Under the agreement, Makati agreed to subscribe to 722,320,940 million preferred shares of the company with a total par value of P7.22 billion in ex-

change for real estate properties owned and to be contributed by the LGU to the subway project. Philippine Infradev said to maintain its 100-percent ownership in Makati City Subway Inc., it would be the one, instead of Shanghai Mintu Investments Ltd., to subscribe to the 15 million common shares of MCSI for a total issue price of $30 million. MCSI is the corporate vehicle that would undertake the construction, operation and management of the Makati City Subway System. Philippine Infradev earlier said two Chinese firms would contribute $332 million to mobilize the development of the $3.7-billion Makati intra-city rail

Advocacy group seeking law banning minors from vaping QUIT for Good, a newly formed antitobacco advocacy group, asked the government to enact a law prohibiting minors from using electronic cigarettes, also called electronic nicotine delivery systems or vapes. Dr. Lorenzo Mata, president of Quit for Good movement, cited the 2015 Global Youth Tobacco Survey showing that about 11 percent of young children from ages of 13 to 15 had experimented with e-cigarettes. “E-cigarettes have been specifically designed for adult smokers that are looking for viable alternatives to combustible cigarettes, not for experimenting or impressionable minors,” Mata said. Mata cited a recent study conducted by public health researchers from the Universities of Buffalo and Michigan. Dr. Lynn Kozlowski, the study’s lead researcher, said there was a lack of substantial evidence to show a link between e-cigarette use and subsequent tobacco use. She said many studies used erroneous measures to determine actual smoking rate. E-cigarette flavorings were also reported to be an important consideration, especially as young people favor vape juices with only flavorings, not nicotine. Kozlowski and co-author Kenneth Warner cited a national survey by the University of Michigan entitled “Monitoring the Future” that sought to understand the behaviors, attitudes and values of American students and young adults. The research indicated that 20 percent of the students surveyed used e-cigarettes juices that had nicotine content.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Inflation rate in October likely settled at a low of 0.5%

Duty Free signs deal on shopping discount

DUTY Free Philippines signed a partnership agreement with about 50 travel agencies to offer “value for money” shopping deals to Filipino international travelers. DFP chief operating officer Vicente Pelagio Angala said the marketing campaign would give a 5-percent discount to outbound tour groups who would shop at DFP’S flagship store―the Fiestamall in Parañaque City within 48 hours upon arrival. Discount vouchers will be provided by partner travel agencies to FITs prior to their arrival in the Philippines. “We target to increase brand awareness and to encourage FITs to shop their ‘pasalubong’ at DFP instead of buying them abroad by highlighting our price advantage and striking a chord with customers’ sense of nationalism―that for every item bought at Duty Free, they help in the development of the Philippines tourism industry―as we are an attached agency of the Department of Tourism,” Angala said. Othel V. Campos

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

transport system. Under the subscription agreement, Hui Gao Investments Development Ltd. will subscribe to shares representing 34-percent stake in MCSI’s adjusted shares capital for $102 million. It will also provide a $200-million credit facility to MCSI and committed to finance 51-percent of the total funding needed for the completion of the project. Shanghai Mintu also agreed to subscribe to 15 million common shares of MCSI for $30 million. The Makati subway project is an 11-kilometer intra-city mass transport system with up to 10 stations that will connect key points in Makati’s two districts with no cash out from the city government. Once completed, it is expected to accommodate up to 700,000 passengers per day aboard six car trains Philippine Infradev tapped China Civil Engineering Construction Corp. for the construction of the project. CCECC is a 100 percent owned subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd.

ENACTUS WORLD CUP. Enactus Philippines

chairman Jose Leviste Jr. and country leader Atty. Leo Dominguez announce the results of the 2019 Enactus World Cup held in San Jose, California from Sept. 16 to 18. The 2019 Enactus World Cup champion is Enactus Egypt represented by Cairo University which empowered women with their Rosie project. Joas Gersava of Sultan Kudarat State University-Isulan is the winner of the Enactus Global Alumni Award-Action Accelerator. The national student team from Holy Trinity College of General Santos City presented their Go Organic, Live Dynamic project which has helped over 60 socially challenged individuals become more resilient and environmentally conscious.

Black market of Chinese-branded cigarettes emerging in PH FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III is seeking the help and cooperation of China and member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to prevent the entry of illicit tobacco products into the country. Dominguez said the Finance Department increased its vigilance against illicit cigarettes from other countries following the seizure of undeclared loose Chinese-branded tobacco products in Manila last week. Dominguez said he would direct the Bureau of Customs to alert its counterparts in China and other Southeast Asian nations about the entry of these illegal products. “We are increasing vigilance against non-tax paid cigarettes from all sources. I will order BOC to alert their counterparts in China and all the Asean coun-

tries to the practice of exporting untaxed cigarettes to the Philippines,” Dominguez said in an interview. The Bureau of Internal Revenue raided a warehouse owned by Jayson DHK Trading in Binondo, Manila and seized around 145 mastercases or 1.45 million sticks of various illicit Chinese-branded cigarettes on Oct. 25. BIR revenue officer Remedio Advincula Jr., who led the bureau’s strike team, said the emergence of a flourishing black-market industry of Chinesebranded cigarettes in the country was becoming alarming. Advincula said unscrupulous traders saw an opportunity to illegally import cigarettes from China amid the growing Chinese market in the Philippines. The confiscated cigarette packs, which were not affixed with Philippine

tax stamps and carried no graphic health warnings, had markings of Chinese brands like Double Happiness, Changbaishan, Ligun, Goldenleaf, Septwolves and YunYan. “Filipinos don’t patronize these brands, that’s why I suspect they only cater to Chinese smokers who are here,” Advincula said. Department of Tourism data showed that 1.21 million Chinese tourists visited the Philippines from January to August 2019, while the Labor Department issued alien working permits to 61,878 Chinese nationals as of June this year. The BOC and the General Administration of Customs of China signed an intergovernmental agreement in August to strengthen the cooperation and mutual assistance on customs matters between the two countries. Julito G. Rada

INFLATION rate in October likely settled at a low of 0.5 percent from 0.9 percent in September because of softer oil and rice prices, according to the initial forecasts by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The BSP Department of Economic Research said in a statement the October inflation rate would likely settle within a range of 0.5 percent to 1.3 percent. The Philippine Statistics Authority will release the official figures next week. “The increases in electricity and water rates as well as higher prices of LPG and selected food items are seen as the primary sources of upward price pressures for the month,” it said. “Meanwhile, inflation could be tempered by lower domestic oil and rice prices,” the BSP said. It said it would remain watchful of evolving inflationary conditions to ensure that the monetary policy stance remained consistent with its price stability mandate. The Finance Department said earlier it was expecting a stronger economic growth in the fourth quarter on the back of continued easing of inflation rate and the ramping up of fiscal spending of the government, particularly on infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program. Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said in an economic bulletin the continuing drop in inflation gave monetary authorities policy room to loosen liquidity, enabling a cut in the policy rate by another 25 basis points to 4 percent on Sept. 26. Inflation in September decelerated to a 40-month low of 0.9 percent from 1.7 percent in August, pulled down by the decline in the index of heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages. This was the first time that inflation settled below 1 percent since May 2016. The September 2019 inflation was also significantly slower than the peak of 6.7 percent in September 2018.

Money supply, bank loans up in September DOMESTIC liquidity or the money supply circulating in the financial system grew 7.7 percent year-on-year to P12 trillion in September, faster than the revised 6.3-percent expansion in August, as demand for credit remained strong, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday. Data showed that on a month-onmonth seasonally-adjusted basis, M3 increased by 1.5 percent. “Demand for credit remained the principal driver of money supply growth. Domestic claims grew by 7.5 percent in September from 7.1 percent [revised] in the previous month due mainly to the sustained growth in credit to the private sector,” the BSP said. “Loans for production activities continued to be driven by lending to key sectors such as real estate activities; financial and insurance activities; construction; electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning supply; and wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles,” it said. Loans for household consumption increased due to the growth in motor vehicle loans, credit card loans, and salary-based general purpose consumption loans during the month. Data showed that outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks, net of reverse repurchase placements with the BSP, grew at a steady rate of 10.5 percent in September, similar to the rate recorded in August. Loans for production activities― which comprised 87.4 percent of banks’ aggregate loan portfolio, net of RRPs―expanded at a steady rate of 9 percent in September, unchanged from the reported growth in August. “The sustained increase in production loans was driven primarily by lending to the following sectors: real estate activities [18.3 percent]; financial and insurance activities [17.6 percent]; construction [36.2 percent]; electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply [9.2 percent]; and wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycle [4.8 percent],” the BSP said.

Julito G. Rada

Business

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks down; ICTSI, BPI decline T HE stock market fell Thursday after investors cashed in on early window-dressing gains in the previous day.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 42.94 points, or 0.5 percent, to 7,977.12 on a value turnover of P7.8 billion. Losers beat gainers, 100 to 78, with 61 issues unchanged. Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-biggest lender in terms of assets, declined 2.9 percent to P97, while sister unit Ayala Land Inc. lost 2 percent to P48.55. International Container Terminal Services Inc., the largest port operator, dropped 2.8 percent to P118.70, but Aboitiz Power Corp. rose 3 percent to P39.95.

Most Asian markets, meanwhile, were mixed Thursday after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again and data showed the US economy remained “resilient,” though gains were tempered by the bank’s indication it is unlikely to make any more reductions. Asian investors struggled to ride the coat-tails of their US counterparts. Hong Kong rallied 0.7 percent but traders there were nervously awaiting the release of economic growth data that is expected to show the city fell into recession as a result of months of sometimes violent protests that have hammered the retail and tourist sectors. Tokyo finished 0.4 percent higher with little reaction to the Bank of Japan keeping monetary policy unchanged but hinting at possible future rate cuts in the future. Singapore was up 0.7 percent, while Mumbai and Bangkok were also on the

rise. Seoul added 0.2 percent, but market heavyweight Samsung was flat after is reported third-quarter net profit had more than halved. Shanghai ended down 0.4 percent after figures pointed to another contraction of China’s crucial manufacturing industry owing to the US trade war. There were also losses in Sydney, Wellington and Jakarta. The dollar struggled to recover from the widely expected move, with the broadly upbeat mood providing support to higher-yielding, riskier currencies, while the pound was also helped by receding Brexit worries. After announcing the third cut this year, Fed chief Jerome Powell said that while the US-China trade row and Brexit uncertainty had hit investment, the economy had been “resilient to the winds that have been blowing this year.”

His comments came after data showed growth dipped marginally in the third quarter to 1.9 percent but was much better than the 1.6 percent forecast. A reading on private-sector jobs also showed a better-than-expected rise. Powell said: “We took this step to help keep the US economy strong in the face of global developments and to provide some insurance against ongoing risks.” The bank’s statement indicated policy board members would not unveil another cut next month, and Powell added that it would only do so “if developments emerge that cause a material reassessment of our outlook.” Investors cheered the news, with the S&P 500 on Wall Street rallying to its second record close in three days, while the Dow and Nasdaq also rose as investors are also buoyed by progress in the China-US trade talks and strong earnings. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review thurSday, octoBer 31, 2019

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

54.6 99.8 1.91 155 1.11 25.35 18.3 12.48 4.62 7.73 0.41 67.5 0.89 13.1 43.85 175.6 117.4 57.8 25.8 204.8 60.5

55 99.9 1.91 155.2 1.11 25.5 18.3 12.58 4.62 7.77 0.41 67.75 0.89 13.1 44.9 175.6 117.4 60 25.8 204.8 61.25

54.35 96.7 1.84 154.1 1.11 25.2 18 12.3 4.47 7.73 0.41 67.45 0.88 12.7 43.85 175 117.4 57.5 25.7 199.2 60.15

FINANCIALS 55 1,950 97 5,597,790 1.84 6,000 154.9 2,202,520 1.11 5,000 25.2 148,300 18 168,900 12.58 991,500 4.5 120,000 7.77 31,200 0.41 10,000 67.6 4,382,160 0.89 1,103,000 12.7 73,700 44.9 269,600 175 810 117.4 20 57.6 6,500 25.7 27,200 199.2 451,210 60.15 32,030

106,852 547,200,125 11,380 341,130,894 5,550 3,742,750 3,065,240 12,359,758 540,490 241,948 4,100 296,003,929 970,930 959,878 11,965,860 142,106 2,348 381,664 701,160 90,467,617 1,943,488

-19,222 -23,926,641 77,999,666 -2,516,720 4,727,992 125,056,664.50 480,985 35,000 -42,449,802 -1,061,915.50

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

38.3 2.8 13.46 0.67 1.28 3.84 0.249 105.5 2.55 14.86 113.1 8 18.12 31.95 66 72 5.8 5.6 8.59 15.3 10.3 7 25.25 79.4 48.5 2.25 14.4 7.91 1.51 232 5.2 3.51 9.34 19.84 13.2 17.78 347 0.183 1.71 4.38 5.03 9.36 10.9 34 5.4 5.36 1.91 2.15 0.98 11.2 92.2 7.35 1.12 152 1.32 1.12

39.95 2.84 13.46 0.68 1.29 3.94 0.249 105.5 2.56 15.1 113.1 8.7 18.12 31.95 66 72 5.8 5.6 8.59 15.56 10.5 7 25.4 79.4 48.5 2.32 14.6 7.92 1.51 233 5.2 3.51 9.38 20 13.34 17.78 348.6 0.183 1.73 4.38 5.05 9.49 11 34 5.47 5.38 1.96 2.15 0.98 11.48 92.7 7.37 1.12 152.7 1.35 1.14

38.3 2.79 13 0.67 1.28 3.84 0.249 104 2.51 14.86 113.1 8 17.24 30.5 65.4 72 5.75 5.32 8.51 15.28 10.04 6.99 24.05 78.9 48.4 2.19 14.34 7.89 1.46 230.2 5.11 3.5 9.24 19.7 13.2 17.5 338.4 0.183 1.7 4.14 5 9.11 10.9 33.9 5.36 5.35 1.88 2.08 0.98 11.2 91.05 7.35 1.07 150.7 1.31 1.06

INDUSTRIAL 39.95 3,457,100 2.79 4,883,000 13.38 361,100 0.68 114,000 1.29 542,000 3.89 4,205,000 0.249 20,000 105.5 310 2.51 1,067,000 15 372,000 113.1 120 8.7 1,085,400 18.12 700 30.5 30,800 65.4 440 72 100 5.75 200 5.32 73,900 8.53 2,581,300 15.5 548,100 10.26 927,900 7 175,100 24.8 5,379,200 78.9 78,270 48.5 20,100 2.26 9,019,000 14.58 261,100 7.91 168,000 1.48 216,000 232 480,610 5.11 110,000 3.5 13,000 9.24 37,900 19.84 1,066,200 13.24 26,300 17.7 1,948,900 338.4 144,710 0.183 10,000 1.7 955,000 4.35 4,000 5.01 545,000 9.49 3,500 11 24,500 34 76,500 5.4 319,600 5.38 76,900 1.94 825,000 2.08 260,000 0.98 85,000 11.48 21,200 92 266,040 7.37 37,100 1.11 67,000 151 3,124,530 1.35 7,584,000 1.13 1,778,000

136,452,785 13,745,060 4,798,260 77,140 699,010 16,369,240 4,980 32,555 2,711,290 5,578,958 13,572 9,136,935 12,244 950,710 28,932 7,200 1,155 401,827 22,032,421 8,501,396 9,473,808 1,224,647 133,408,630 6,176,905 974,465 20,190,210 3,788,094 1,327,774 317,560 111,585,790 571,100 45,530 351,179 21,136,612 348,394 34,432,918 49,476,304 1,830 1,626,730 17,010 2,734,576 32,917 268,792 2,599,210 1,725,531 412,590 1,580,740 547,890 83,300 241,416 24,428,015 272,781 73,680 472,717,527 10,145,450 1,965,010

63,365,730 198,800 481,896 4,767,730 -421,600 -35,770 -548,082 -800,750 -23,770 10,727,537 5,652,494 -3,763,974 -799,379 -75,606,465 -4,401,302 911,490 4,075,680.00 -479,618 471,740 0 36,815,910 9,280.00 -11,618,216.00 68,598 -31,005,976 -21,874,748 419,310 -379,493 839,900 -164,797 -42,410 -78,886 -44,417,388 -150,630 -4,360

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

0.82 55 11.52 0.73 6.88 13.14 1.13 865 3.63 6.88 8.29 13.12 0.224 892 5.62 76.2 5.11 0.51 4.32 13.28 0.6 4.8 0.038 1.46 174 1,028 0.85 1.27 395 216 0.218 0.23

0.84 55.95 11.6 0.75 6.89 13.14 1.14 870 3.63 6.91 8.37 13.3 0.224 896 5.63 76.25 5.11 0.51 4.32 13.42 0.6 4.87 0.038 1.46 174 1,030 0.89 1.27 395 230 0.218 0.235

0.81 54.6 11.34 0.73 6.88 12.72 1.12 856 3.57 6.87 8.04 13.12 0.224 875 5.61 73.2 5.04 0.49 4.3 13.22 0.56 4.73 0.038 1.43 167 1,021 0.85 1.27 395 215.4 0.218 0.22

HOLDING FIRMS 0.82 18,655,000 55.95 1,399,040 13,160,000 11.48 0.75 32,000 6.89 22,100 13.02 21,500 1.12 175,000 860 408,140 3.6 569,000 6.9 2,060,700 8.21 12,139,100 13.22 13,300 0.224 10,000 894 84,230 5.61 3,500 76.25 2,156,530 5.04 192,700 0.51 165,000 4.31 945,000 13.34 1,964,200 0.59 243,000 4.8 28,484,000 0.038 3,000,000 1.46 95,000 167 169,650 1,030 1,379,265 0.86 752,000 1.27 4,000 395 20 230 2,880 0.218 10,000 0.22 430,000

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

14.64 0.82 9.36 0.86 49.5 2 4.5 6.1 0.6 0.87 0.203 0.47 10.2 20.4 0.485 1.61 1.25 4.83 0.295 0.41 1.54 0.375 2.03 25.3

15 0.82 9.36 0.88 49.5 2 4.58 6.1 0.61 0.87 0.205 0.495 10.22 20.5 0.495 1.62 1.27 4.85 0.295 0.41 1.6 0.38 2.03 25.8

14.62 0.8 9.35 0.86 48.55 1.99 4.5 6.1 0.59 0.87 0.203 0.47 10.18 20.25 0.485 1.6 1.24 4.82 0.285 0.405 1.54 0.37 2.02 25.2

PROPERTY 15 133,000 0.81 200,000 9.35 3,000 0.88 585,000 48.55 5,560,800 1.99 4,112,000 4.5 132,000 6.1 9,300 0.6 36,708,000 0.87 12,000 0.205 190,000 0.49 4,950,000 10.22 282,500 20.25 103,500 0.49 1,430,000 1.6 9,375,000 1.27 272,000 4.83 9,571,000 0.29 3,750,000 0.41 3,260,000 1.56 4,414,000 0.38 180,000 2.03 264,000 1,525,400 25.45

NAME

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

2.3 3.28 39 2.62 7.73 5.64

2.32 3.3 39.15 2.63 7.75 5.64

2.2 3.28 38.9 2.55 7.67 5.5

2.32 3.29 39 2.63 7.69 5.58

464,000 24,000 13,661,100 1,848,000 3,929,700 12,200

1,030,640 78,980 532,828,230 4,744,120 30,221,018 67,544

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

10.94 18.9 1.69 11.5 0.53 0.042 19.8 2.38 10.14 92.3 6.67 5.3 2.04 9.03 925 1,844 5.27 425.4 1.6 122.1 8 0.106 4.78 2.4 14.78 3.09 0.91 19.1 0.405 3.4 2.45 1.06 3.53 2.7 8.27 2.92 5.19 8.6 143.5 3 1,093 0.68 0.5 40.05 76 9.35 2.62 0.68 0.32 0.66 16.56

11.18 18.9 1.69 11.5 0.56 0.042 19.8 2.4 10.32 92.7 6.77 5.3 2.05 9.03 925 1,850 5.27 431 1.63 122.5 8 0.11 4.8 2.46 14.78 3.09 0.93 20.6 0.405 3.5 2.45 1.06 3.62 2.7 8.27 2.92 5.19 9.14 149 3.03 1,108 0.69 0.5 40.85 76.45 9.35 2.62 0.68 0.33 0.67 16.64

10.5 18.6 1.63 11.48 0.52 0.041 18.8 2.38 9.82 92.2 6.63 5.3 2.04 9.02 925 1,820 5.25 425.4 1.59 118.5 8 0.106 4.6 2.35 14 3.05 0.91 19.1 0.4 3.4 2.41 1.05 3.44 2.68 8 2.92 5.19 8.6 143.5 2.98 1,093 0.66 0.485 40 75.65 9.2 2.57 0.66 0.32 0.66 16.5

SERVICES 11.18 18.6 1.63 11.48 0.53 0.041 19.6 2.4 9.99 92.35 6.68 5.3 2.05 9.02 925 1,824 5.26 431 1.62 118.7 8 0.11 4.73 2.46 14 3.06 0.91 20.6 0.4 3.45 2.43 1.05 3.53 2.68 8.25 2.92 5.19 9.14 149 3.02 1,100 0.67 0.485 40.85 75.85 9.2 2.58 0.68 0.325 0.67 16.5

132,000 41,800 11,000 12,035,300 21,970,000 8,000,000 73,600 30,000 12,699,700 10,510 224,800 11,000 140,000 10,200 10 28,230 24,500 60 736,000 1,779,790 120,000 70,000 4,218,000 18,000 800 174,000 116,000 3,043,900 350,000 98,000 50,000 21,000 8,783,000 42,000 1,400 1,000 5,000 300 670,470 198,000 64,910 4,514,000 6,380,000 370,800 962,090 28,000 709,000 25,007,000 2,200,000 111,000 579,900

1,414,706 780,508 18,050 138,170,220 11,885,320 335,000 1,416,074 71,700 126,728,203 971,081.50 1,498,345 58,300 286,840 92,071 9,250 51,557,315 128,815 25,580 1,186,780 214,304,662 960,000 7,540 19,800,640 42,970 11,486 534,840 105,960 61,673,420 140,650 337,450 121,740 22,130 31,087,340 113,180 11,327 2,920 25,950 2,664 96,558,030 594,230 71,441,990 3,008,300 3,131,850 14,882,745 72,983,654.50 257,900 1,838,500 16,950,380 713,900 74,310 9,594,080

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

0.0018 1.14 2.58 12.46 1.1 1.12 2.59 0.28 7.85 1.89 0.214 0.0091 1.18 4.08 1.04 0.89 0.011 0.011 0.011 10.78 3.52 12.6 23.3 0.0062

0.0018 1.15 2.58 12.48 1.1 1.12 2.6 0.295 7.85 1.94 0.214 0.0091 1.18 4.1 1.08 0.9 0.012 0.012 0.011 10.78 3.53 12.96 23.35 0.0062

0.0018 1.13 2.54 12.46 1.1 1.12 2.57 0.28 7.5 1.8 0.207 0.0091 1.17 4 1.03 0.86 0.011 0.011 0.01 10.08 3.5 12.6 23.15 0.0062

MINING & OIL 0.0018 1,000,000 1.13 765,000 2.54 77,000 12.46 300 1.1 150,000 1.12 6,000 2.6 237,000 0.295 460,000 7.69 14,200 1.88 34,144,000 0.211 380,000 0.0091 2,000,000 1.18 70,000 4.01 5,695,000 1.07 182,000 0.89 167,000 0.012 10,000,000 0.012 600,200,000 0.011 41,900,000 10.38 483,700 3.53 193,000 12.8 1,302,700 23.35 895,200 0.0062 1,000,000

1,800 866,310 197,580 3,740 165,000 6,720 614,770 132,900 107,213 64,472,260 79,840 18,200 82,590 22,996,550 188,010 146,410 113,000 7,202,300 443,200 5,008,958 676,280 16,725,558 20,887,260 6,200

1,800 -413,590.00 -113,520 14,354,420 -499,810 -46,894 171,470 -277,062 6,957,275 6,200

ABS HLDG PDR ALCO PREF B ALCO PREF C DD PREF FGEN PREF G FPH PREF C GMA HLDG PDR HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

17.76 103.3 101.4 101 109.5 500 5.05 98.15 1.01 101 1,050 1,068 101.9 108 78.3 75.15 75.1 76.2 75.5 75.7

17.76 103.3 101.4 101 109.5 500 5.14 98.15 1.01 101 1,051 1,080 101.9 108 78.3 75.15 75.1 76.2 75.5 75.7

17.7 103.3 100 100.4 109.5 500 5.05 98.15 1.01 100.9 1,050 1,068 101.8 108 78.2 75.15 75.1 76.1 75.5 75.7

PREFERRED 17.7 63,900 103.3 290 100.1 18,000 100.4 704,800 109.5 1,900 500 10 5.14 2,100 98.15 200 1.01 503,000 101 790 1,051 11,500 1,080 3,500 101.8 150 108 1,530 78.2 6,410 75.15 18,100 75.1 5,000 76.1 5,000 75.5 1,960 75.7 2,430

1,132,900 29,957 1,806,323 71,181,501 208,050 5,000 10,614 19,630 508,030 79,746 12,076,000 3,777,580 15,275 165,240 501,858 1,360,215 375,500 380,510 147,980 183,951

-746,168 -208,050 -

LR WARRANT

1.53

1.52

WARRANTS 1.53 83,000

126,710

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

6.67 11.58 0.96

6.67 11.62 0.96

6.48 11.1 0.93

6.49 11.3 0.93

FIRST METRO ETF

119.9

119.4

MS 15,287,670 77,689,673.50 151,409,988 23,580 152,262 275,110 196,480 351,283,965 2,047,350 14,211,486 99,144,876 175,556 2,240 75,224,910 19,671 163,557,938 971,348 81,010 4,076,500 26,139,436 138,400 136,322,190 114,000 136,070 28,640,895 1,413,381,625 655,570 5,080 7,900 637,282 2,180 95,000

-873,250 12,206,036 -42,831,910 -93,343,255 158,690 1,296,455 -12,436,640 -26,412 14,461,610 74,887,561 -4,024,780 -2,755,820 -20,385,230 -4,803,229 511,553,970 4,320 -

1,955,996 161,570 28,070 506,450 271,563,105 8,185,540 594,610 56,730 22,070,460 10,440 38,750 2,406,750 2,877,600 2,100,960 698,900 15,041,330 339,240 46,236,340 1,089,400 1,336,550 6,942,310 68,200 533,460 38,833,120

-317,760 9,350 -59,307,935 -1,747,320 -171,010 -217,930 126,400 2,747,018 127,150 1,769,540 -20,400,080 -650,450 -19,906,165

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

Trading Summary

FINANCIAL

19,515,853

INDUSTRIAL

55,507,174

HOLDING FIRMS

88,881,100

PROPERTY

110,068,503

SERVICES

117,549,840

MINING & OIL

702,043,363

GRAND TOTAL

1,095,976,804

SME

174,700 261,100 1,966,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119.4 8,310

36,240 107,808,390 245,240 -18,519,126 844,200 -2,294,970 417,180 716,540 -111,332,115 -86,541.50 344,927 -23,395,200 32,200 -68,248,416 -926,400 798,020 -27,150,166 1,738,600 2,920 394,170 -119,970 2,155,005 204,210.00 123,395 -10,468,015.00 -49,331,081.50 593,800 -16,605,240 -1,504,988

1,136,130 2,954,612 1,852,110

23,649 22,700 -

993,359

1,199

VALUE 1,918.40 (DOWN) 22.55 1,702,177,435.17 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,470.94 (DOWN) 2.79 1,154,241,136.036 HOLDING FIRMS 7,830.30 (UP) 1.32 2,640,130,193.389 PROPERTY 4,172.29 (DOWN) 34.93 1,513.05 (DOWN) 2.92 1,156,645,732.42 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,216.52 (DOWN) 26.82 959,840,726.41 PSEI 7,977.12 (DOWN) 42.94 141,171,046.8907 All Shares Index 4,787.45 (DOWN) 13.66 7,761,143,553.42 Gainers: 78; Losers: 100; Unchanged: 61; Total: 239

CEB seeks approval of HK-Manila cargo route By Darwin G. Amojelar CEBGO Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cebu Pacific, is seeking a permit from the Civil Aeronautics Board to operate cargo operations between Manila and Hong Kong. The airline filed a petition before the CAB for designation as official Philippine carrier to operate all-cargo services and allocation of entitlements to Hong Kong under the Philippines and Hong Kong airs services agreement. The CAB set the hearing on November 4. “Parties/airlines opposed to the granting of this application must file their written opposition on or before the said date,” CAB said. “Failure on the part of any interested party to file their opposition on time shall be construed as a waiver of their rights to be heard and the CAB shall proceed to hear and decide the application on its merits,” it added. Cebu Pacific earlier took delivery of its first ATR 72-500 aircraft converted from passenger to cargo use. The ATR aircraft is equipped with a Large Cargo Door, allowing a load of up to seven Ld3 air cargo containers, or five PBJ pallets. The freighter has capacity to carry as much as eight tons of cargo. The conversion was performed at the Sabena Technics DNR S.A.S. facility in Dinard, France. The freighter, the first of two passenger aircraft that Cebu Pacific is converting for full cargo use, will be operated by the airline’s subsidiary Cebgo. The second ATR 72-500 freighter is expected to be delivered in late-2019. The aircraft is suited to landing and taking-off in airports with runways less than 1.2 kilometers long—which is too short for jet aircraft. Only about onethird of the 90 airports in the Philippines can land jets. Cebu Pacific has about 50 percent market share on domestic air cargo, currently utilizing the belly space of its passenger aircraft fleet. Revenues from Cebu Pacific’s cargo operations reached P2.8 billion in the first half of 2019, up 7 percent year-onyear, after flying over 101 million kilograms of goods.

Vivant unit bags power supply deal in Bantayan Island By Alena Mae S. Flores BANTAYAN Electric Cooperative awarded a 15-megawatt power supply contract to Vivant Integrated Diesel Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vivant Energy Corp. Listed and holding company Vivant Corp. disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange it received the notice of the award from wholly-owned subsidiary, Vivant Energy. “BANELCO concluded a successful competitive selection process by awarding a 15-year contract to supply 15MW of the island’s energy requirements to the joint-venture of VIDC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vivant Energy, and Gigawatt Power Inc.,” Vivant said. It said the project would add to the capacity of Vivant Energy as it continued to focus growth in the off-grid small power utilities group sector. VIDC and BANELCO are set to sign a 15-year 15-MW power supply agreement before the years ends. The PSA will be subject to the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission. Bantayan Island’s popularity has grown given its pristine white sand beaches, drawing an influx of tourists in the far-flung island located in the province of Cebu. The tourism boom fueled the increase in establishments and spurred economic development in the island that led to a rise in power demand. BANELCO’s peak demand in mainland Bantayan in 2018 was recorded at 6 megawatts, up from the 4.892 MW currently supplied by Bantayan Island Power Corp. The supply deal is set to expire in 2021. BANELCO anticipates further increase in demand by 2027 to 13 MW, prompting the cooperative to launch competitive selection process for the procurement of 15 MW of power supply in July of this year. VIDC was declared the winning bidder after a stringent CSP.

World

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Boeing says up to 50 planes grounded globally over cracks

THE PROTEST CONTINUES. Iraqi protesters wave their country’s national flags outside the local government headquarters

in the southern city of Basra during the ongoing anti-government protests on October 30, 2019. Rallies in Baghdad and across the south demanding the government quit have swelled in recent days, defying curfews, threats of arrest and violence that has left more than 240 people dead and more than 8,000 wounded. AFP

IN BRIEF

Islamist’s death sentence upheld

DHAKA―Bangladesh’s highest court on Thursday upheld a death sentence against a top Islamist leader for war crimes in a move that lawyers said meant he would almost certainly be executed in the coming months. A.T.M. Azharul Islam, a stalwart of fundamentalist opposition party Jamaate-Islami, was sentenced to death in 2014 for rape, murder and genocide during the country’s 1971 independence war. He would become the sixth Islamist leader to be hanged for their role in the war, which saw Bangladesh break away from Pakistan after a nine-month conflict. The Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain rejected an appeal by the 67-year-old in a majority verdict, defence lawyer Khandker Mahbub Hossain told reporters. “We will file a review petition against the verdict,” he said, adding Islam was an 18-year-old student during the war and did not have a leading role helping the Pakistani military. But it is rare in Bangladeshi judicial history for a verdict to be overturned on review. All previous death sentences arising out of the 1971 war cases have been upheld. A prosecutor told AFP that Islam could be hanged within months if the review backs the verdict. AFP

SYDNEY―Boeing announced Thursday up to 50 of its popular 737NG planes had been grounded after cracks in them were detected, in another blow to the US aircraft maker following two deadly crashes. Australian national carrier Qantas became the latest airline to take one of the planes out of the air, as it said it would urgently inspect 32 others but insisted passengers had nothing to fear. The announcement by Qantas came after authorities in Seoul said nine of the planes were grounded in South Korea in early October, including five operated by Korean Air. Boeing had previously reported a problem with the model’s “pickle fork” -- a part which helps bind the wing to the fuselage. This prompted US regulators to early this month order immediate inspections of aircraft that had seen heavy use. Following the Qantas announcement, a Boeing spokesperson on Thursday told AFP in Sydney that less than five percent of 1,000 planes had cracks de-

Impeach probe to be formalized W ASHINGTON―Democrats laid out a formal road map for President Donald Trump’s impeachment Thursday as they accumulated more evidence to support charges that he improperly pushed Ukraine to boost his own 2020 electoral prospects.

One day after a decorated army officer told Congressional investigators he witnessed Trump and a senior diplomat pressure Ukraine, three other State Department officials on Wednesday offered more evidence in testimony that supported the allegations against the US leader. And the inquiry testimony set dates for three more witnesses, including Trump’s estranged former National Security Advisor John Bolton, who would have had first-hand knowledge of the president’s alleged effort to leverage military aid to Ukraine in exchange for President Volodymyr Zelensky investigating his Democratic rival Joe Biden. Even before those interviews take place, Democrats

proposed rules to formalize the investigation and set its next phase—which would have open evidentiary hearings that Trump or his lawyers could take part in —ahead of drawing up articles of impeachment. On Wednesday, the House Rules Committee agreed by a party line vote to put the resolution up for approval before the full House of Representatives on Thursday. “I didn’t run [for office] to impeach the president,” House Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern said after the vote. “These are very, very serious matters, and we need a process in place so people know how we’re going to proceed. I think this is a good transparent process.” Earlier in the day, McGovern said, “There is serious evidence that the president may have violated the constitution.” Trump blasted the investigation as a “witch hunt” and again claimed there was no “quid pro quo” in his dealings with Zelensky. But Democrats said the evidence was only getting stronger that he did push Ukraine to open investigations into Biden, whose son had ties to a powerful Ukraine energy company.

The impeachment rules will formalize a process Republicans have alleged has no official grounds, but the Democrats comfortable majority in the House is likely to ensure its passage. “The evidence we have already collected paints the picture of a President who abused his power by using multiple levers of government to press a foreign country to interfere in the 2020 election,” the leaders of the impeachment inquiry said late Tuesday. “Following in the footsteps of previous impeachment inquiries, the next phase will move from closed depositions to open hearings where the American people will learn firsthand about the President’s misconduct.” On Wednesday, State Department diplomat Christopher Anderson, a former aide to the US special representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker, told the inquiry Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani injected himself into Ukrainian policy discussions to demand Kiev open investigations that could aid Trump. Another former Volker aide, Catherine Croft, said in prepared testimony that Trump’s chief of staff Mick Mulvaney ordered military aid to Ukraine frozen days before a July 25 phone call in which Trump pressured Zelensky to investigate Biden. AFP

Fire engulfs World Heritage castle in Japan

Themed mask protest planned

HONG KONG―Hong Kong democracy protesters are planning to hit the streets on Thursday night decked in Halloween masks lampooning the city’s pro-Beijing leaders, their latest act of defiance against a recent emergency law banning face coverings. Online forums used to organize the largely leaderless movement are encouraging supporters to descend on one of the city’s most popular party streets while police have said they will ramp up spot checks and searches. The international finance hub has been upended by nearly five months of huge, often violent, pro-democracy protests in which participants routinely use masks to hide their identities. Earlier this month city leader Carrie Lam invoked colonial-era legislation for the first time in more than fifty years to outlaw face coverings at rallies. The move was seen as a watershed legal moment for the city since its 1997 return by Britain to China -- but the ban has done little to stop the protests or dissuade people from wearing masks. Protesters have been circulating downloadable face masks for Thursday evening. One shows Chief Executive Carrie Lam as Batman’s nemesis The Joker, another has Secretary for Justice Theresa Cheng looking like Guy Fawkes. AFP

New York bans foie gras

NEW YORK―New York can stake a claim to being the culinary capital of the world, but one famous dish is about to be taken off the menu: foie gras. The city council voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to ban the sale of the French delicacy from 2022. Lawmakers ruled that it is cruel to force-feed ducks and geese to fatten their livers for human consumption. The law is set to go into effect in October 2022 and prohibits any establishment from selling, serving or even possessing foie gras. Offenders will be fined anywhere between $500 and $2,000 for each offense. Animal rights activists hailed the passing of the motion, which was voted through by 42 votes to six. “It is a historic day for animal rights in New York City,” Matthew Dominguez of the campaign group Voters for Animal Rights told AFP. But foie gras farmers cried foul and threatened legal action. “We’re going to kick their ass in court,” said Izzy Yanay, co-founder and general manager of Hudson Valley Foie Gras, one of New York state’s major foie gras producers. Yanay added that the ban would badly hit her company. “I have 400 people who’ve been working for me for 30 years. Those people will face a tragedy,” she told AFP. AFP

tected and were grounded for repair. The spokesperson did not give an exact figure, though five percent equates to 50 planes of 1,000 inspected. Boeing and Qantas stressed travelers should not be concerned. “We would never operate an aircraft unless it was completely safe to do so,” Qantas head of engineering Chris Snook said. But the discovery has heightened fears that the scale of the 737NGs’ problem may have been underestimated. The US Federal Aviation Administration had initially ordered immediate checks of Boeing 737NG planes that had flown more than 30,000 times. But Qantas said it had found the fault in a more lightly used aircraft than those singled out for early checks; one that had recorded fewer than 27,000 flights. “This aircraft has been removed from service for repair,” Qantas said in a statement, adding it had hastened its inspections of 32 other 737NG planes to be completed by Friday. AFP

TRAGEDY. In this handout picture taken and released by Punjab Emergency Service Rescue 1122 on October 31, 2019, rescue workers move an injured victim at the site after a passenger train caught fire near Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab province. At least 65 people were killed and dozens wounded after the train erupted in flames in central Pakistan, a provincial minister said. AFP

At least 65 killed in passenger train fire in Pakistan ISLAMABAD―At least 65 people were killed and dozens wounded after a passenger train erupted in flames in central Pakistan on Thursday, a provincial minister said. Television footage showed flames pouring out of the carriages as people could be heard crying in the incident near Rahim Yar Khan district in Punjab province. “According to information reaching us from site of the accident, more than 65 people were killed and over 40 injured,” provincial health minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid told AFP. The wounded were being rushed to hospitals in the nearby city of Bahawalpur and elsewhere in Rahim Yar Khan district, she said, adding that only 18 of the bodies were identifiable. “Terrible... train tragedy with gas cylinder carried by passenger exploding,” tweeted human rights minister Shireen

Mazari. Local media reported that some of the passengers had been cooking breakfast when the cylinder exploded. Mazari said the train was the Tezgam, one of Pakistan’s oldest and most popular train services, which runs between the garrison city of Rawalpindi, adjacent to Islamabad, and the southern port city of Karachi. Dozens of people could be seen crowded onto the tracks staring at the three burning carriages, which had been disconnected from the rest of the train, television images showed. Train accidents are common in Pakistan, where the railways have seen decades of decline due to corruption, mismanagement and lack of investment. In July, at least 23 people were killed in the same district when a passenger train coming from the eastern city of Lahore rammed into a goods train that

had stopped at a crossing. Accidents often happen at unmanned crossings, which frequently lack barriers and sometimes signals. Prime Minister Imran Khan was elected last year on promises to build an Islamic welfare state but an ongoing economic slowdown and austerity measures have hampered efforts to invest in infrastructure and social programs. Rural Punjab has witnessed several gruesome accidents over the years, including an oil tanker explosion in 2017 when more than 200 people were killed after the truck crashed on a main highway in central Punjab province while carrying some 50,000 liters of fuel from Karachi to Lahore. It exploded minutes later, sending a fireball through crowds from a nearby village who had gathered to scavenge for the spilled fuel, despite warnings by the driver and police to stay away. AFP

TOKYO―A major fire devastated a historic Japanese castle on the southern island of Okinawa on Thursday morning, destroying large parts of the World Heritage site’s complex, local authorities said. The Shuri castle is a key part of a complex dating back to the Ryukyu Kingdom, and is believed to have been in use from around the 1400s. Most of the current structures are reconstructions based on original plans and photos of the old castle. The fire was brought under control by early afternoon, a local fire department spokesman told AFP, adding that the blaze had consumed more than 51,667 square feet of the castle complex. “All the [three] main buildings have burnt down, with nothing left behind,” Daisuke Furugen, another official with the Naha fire department, told AFP. On the scene, a local fire spokesman said the blaze had proved extremely difficult to control. “The radiant heat was very strong. Firefighters had serious difficulty approaching it,” he said in comments shown on national broadcaster NHK. It was not yet clear what caused the blaze, which was reported to authorities around 2:40 am. There were no reports of injuries. The fire started in the elaborate main building of the complex, a grand red structure with traditional tiling on the roof, and spread quickly to nearby buildings. Television footage showed large orange flames engulfing the castle before sunrise, with daylight revealing the extensive damage done to the site. In some cases little more than charred and smoking wood was left behind. “I am extremely saddened by this. I am utterly in shock,” Naha Mayor Mikiko Shiroma told reporters. “We have lost our symbol.” “Naha city will make our greatest possible efforts to do everything in our power” to deal with the fire and its aftermath, she pledged earlier, during an emergency meeting on the fire. AFP

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

DOST Courseware uses gadgets to stimulate learning By Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II IT IS believed that many among today’s generation are either dependent or addicted to technology and gadgets. It has been observed that the greater percentage of learners have an expressed preference to utilize the wonders of technology every time they are assigned to engage in research. It is a situation that has become a common flashpoint of arguments among parents and their children, particularly those who have wound up losing sleep while engaging in the joys and escapes gadgets and technology offer. To adapt to the technological appetite of the so-called millennials, the Science Education Institute of the Department of Science of Technology (DOST-SEI) developed the DOST Courseware. It is a software application that enables learners to turn their “fix” of technology into productive use, while engaging in activities that will help them better understand—and even enjoy—their learning of science and mathematics subjects. Josephine Feliciano, Science Research Specialist II of SEI, said the courseware is one of the educational technologies featured in the 21st Century Learning Environment Model (21st CLEM), which the SEI has spearheaded since 2007. Feliciano, the current technical person in charge of the project, had the DOST Courseware digitized and reviewed in partnership with Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI-DOST), Department of Education, Philippine Normal University, and the University of the Philippines National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (UP-NISMED). The DepEd recently shared the information during the Regional Science and Technology Week event in PAMAMARISAN (Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina and San Juan) in Pasig earlier this month.

FOSSILIZED BLOOMS. A young lady from Gamis, Saguday, Quirino is framed by an array of fossilized blooms, as she demonstrates how to make the artificial flowers using a glue gun. The local government of Saguday encourages massive production of such merchandise sold domestically and for export. Ben Moses Ebreo

Pampanga jail lockdown after 2 prisoners escape By Romeo Dizon

AN FERNANDO—The Pampanga Provincial Jail has tightened its security measures and has temporarily canceled all programs, activities, and visitation rights after two prisoners escaped over the weekend.

Retired Police Col. Edwin Mangiliman, provincial jail warden, identified the escapees as Jayson Jacinto and Ryan Astrella, both facing criminal charges for illegal possession of illegal drugs punishable under Republic Act 9165. Earlier, Mangiliman suspended four prison guards for the escape of Park Wang Yeol, a Korean who escaped after attending a rescheduled trial in Tarlac City last Oct. 16. Yeol remains at large as of this writing, while the four of his guards are now

facing criminal charges for infidelity in the custody of prisoner. The PPJ has a total of 2,300 prisoners, mostly facing illegal drug charges, with a total of 69 guards including those suspended, Mangiliman said. The ratio per guard is 1 for 36 prisoners. According to Mangiliman, Jacinto and Astrella bolted jail by climbing the rooftop of the male detention dorm from the common kitchen located at the back portion of the jail going towards

the front building and fled on foot under the cover of darkness. Their escape was discovered when the two failed to show up during Monday headcount from Cell No. 1, Mangiliman added. Acting Gov. Lilia Pineda offered P200,000 for the immediate arrest of the suspects, as the escape was also reported to three cities and 18 police stations in the province. The tightening of security measures and suspension of privileges was contained in a memorandum issued by Atty. Charlie Chua, Provincial Administrator, to Mangiliman due to the series of prisoner escapes for October alone. He also ordered Mangiliman to determine if other prisoners assisted the two in their daring escape on Saturday.

CALAX 10-km stretch from Mamplasan to Santa Rosa partially opened By Roy Tomandao

Present at the partial opening of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), from the Mamplasan Toll Barrier to the Santa RosaTagaytay Interchange, are (from left) TRB Executive Director Abraham Sales, BCDA president Vince Dizon, Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, MPTC president Rod E. Franco (wearing striped shirt), and MPTC VP for Tollways Development and Engineering Art H. Monge. Roy Tomandao

BINAN, Laguna—Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar recently graced the opening of the first 10-kilometer segment of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) from the Mamplasan Toll Barrier in Muntinlupa to the Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Interchange. The 45-kilometer CALAX is designed to be a fourlane tolled expressway that will connect CAVITEX in Kawit to South Luzon Expressway at its Mamplasan Interchange in Binan. CALAX will have interchanges in eight locations: Cavitex Connection to Open Canal Road, Governor’s Drive, Silang, Silang East, Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay, Laguna Blvd., Technopark to Greenfield before SLEX. “We all know that UNDAS is a time we all pay respects to family and friends who have passed on, and with November 1 falling on a Friday, I’m sure many of our kababayans will take advantage of the time to do some family bonding and go on a road trip,” Villar said. “I only see benefits in opening CALAX even on a single lane basis to decongest Laguna Boulevard and Aguinaldo Highway. We are at 90 percent completion, the remaining 10% of the works are being fast tracked while in operations, we hope to fully open before December steps in, and there’s no toll fee for the meantime,” he added.

Tiangco leads preparations for ‘Undas’ By Jun David MAYOR Toby Tiangco recently led the inspection of the NavoHimlayan public cemetery to ensure safe and smooth observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day or “Undas.” “More than 10,000 visit the NavoHimlayan, and its adjacent private cemeteries, during Undas. We want to make sure that everything will go smoothly, there are no untoward incidents, and visitors stay safe,” Tiangco said. Around 700 police, fire officers, city and barangay personnel, health and emergency staff, sweepers and volunteers will be deployed on November 1 to man the city cemetery, the mayor said. The city government has also tapped the Philippine Army, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and Philippine Red Cross for additional manpower. “We expect 15,000 visitors this year, that’s why we want to be prepared for any eventuality,” Tiangco said. The city government advised residents to finish cleaning tombs and niches on Oct. 30, 5 p.m. Cleaning or painting materials left inside the cemetery will be confiscated after this date. The city also announced closure of Gov. Pascual St.—from A. Ignacio St., Brgy. Daanghari to Los Martirez St., Brgy. San Jose—from Oct. 31, 1 p.m. to Nov. 2, 12:01 a.m. It reminded residents and visitors to refrain from bringing weapons or any sharp objects, firearms, liquor or alcoholic drinks, gambling paraphernalia, and loudspeakers inside the cemetery. Parents or guardians were also encouraged to ensure that their children wear IDs bearing their name, contact details, and address in case they get separated. “We also appeal to all residents and visitors to practice zero waste in the cemetery. Please refrain from irresponsible disposal of trash. Let’s respect the final resting place of our departed loved ones and let’s keep it clean always,” Tiangco said.

Solano mayor vows to sustain Koronadal, Globe Business launch Korona-911 line livelihood programs for women SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya—Mayor Eufemia Dacayo has said she will continue to provide livelihood opportunities and improve the lives of the women in this town. Speaking before the participants of the Department of Trade and Industry’s recent Consumer Welfare Month culmination program, Dacayo said the Solano Women’s Club is now involved in various livelihood projects. “These livelihood projects serve as source of income for the SWC members’ families to improve their lives,” she said. Dacayo also acknowledged the efforts and support of the SWC in advocating the town’s ordinance prohibiting the use of non-biodegradable bags. With the completion of the plastic ban ordinance, the local government unit personnel can now proceed with the massive information campaign in

the 22 barangays of Solano, she said. “I wish to bring in the old days and practices of using leaves as our wrappers of the items that we buy so that we can reduce the use of too much plastic bags and items in our municipality. I am expecting everyone’s support,” Dacayo added. According to the local chief executive, the Anti-Plastic Use Ordinance is one of the major local laws being pushed by the LGU to lessen plastic consumption among the town’s consumers. The town is in the process of establishing the Solano Integrated AgroTourism Center (SIATC) to promote organic products in the agriculture sector, the mayor added. “This will also encourage and inspire our youth to pursue and take-up agri-related courses to sustain our main source of income as agricultural town and to boost our tourism potentials,” she said.

GLOBE Telecom, through its enterprise arm Globe Business, and the City Government of Koronadal recently launched the Korona-911 emergency hotline, an all-in-one emergency communication for information dissemination and response coordination during crisis situations. This was put to immediate use during the Intensity 6.0 earthquake that hit the city on Oct. 29 and was felt throughout Mindanao. Now ready to accept calls and serve the town’s 189,533 population, the emergency hotline, under the management of Koronadal’s City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, serves as a control center in the implementation of its communication strategy. In includes early warnings, community awareness, and coordination or dispatch of emergency response, such as police, fire control, ambulance, and counter terrorism among others. Globe prepaid and postpaid customers in Koronadal have the advantage of being able to call the emergency hotline for free through their mobile phone, even without load. “The operation of Korona-911 is very timely as the city is considered as the center of SOCCKSARGEN, a center of gravity of Region XII and it also happens to be a com- Globe Business Industry Sales head Elaine Carr talks about the ponent capital of the first-class province, South Cotabato,” company’s commitment to provide outstanding service to the people of Koronadal City. said Koronadal Mayor Eliordo Ogena.

Life

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

YOUNG LIFE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019

Do we need to pray for those in Purgatory? MAY THEY REST IN PEACE. Theology experts say sin has many ugly consequences that even after the sinners have been absolved by the priest of their sins, the wounds and weaknesses may still stay with them.

By Honor Blanco Cabie

UT first, we should know if Purgatory is a place or a state our loved ones experience after physical death, a state in which those destined for Heaven, according to Catholic Church doctrine, “undergo purification” before they can properly enjoy Heaven. The doctrine says only those who die in the state of grace but have not in life reached a sufficient level of holiness can be in Purgatory, and therefore no one in Purgatory will remain forever in that state or go to hell. Theology experts say this notion has ancient roots and have many authorities in early Christian literature although they point out that the poetic conception of Purgatory as one with geographical boundaries has been largely the creation of conception of medieval Christian piety and imagination. Whether it is a place or a state, there have since been questions on how long do souls stay in Purgatory. The theologian, Father Paul O’Sullivan, O.P. says the length depends on: 1. The number of their faults when their bodies were still on earth; 2. The malice and deliberation with which these have been committed; 3. The penance done, or not done, the satisfaction made, or not made for sins during life; and 4. Much also depends on the suffrages offered for them after death. Father O’Sullivan argues that there is need for atonement or reparation before the souls can go to heaven and be with the Father Almighty, including the angels and saints, since the malice of sin is very great. Some have argued that man is weak, which the eminent theologian does not deny, but himself argues that God offers abundant graces to strengthen man’s weaknesses and He gives man “light to see the gravity of his faults and the necessary force to conquer temptation.” Father O’Sullivan says it is difficult to calculate the immense number of venial sins that any Catholic commits. At the same time, many Christians commit, rather unfortunately, mortal sins during their lives, and while they confess them, in the argument of Father O’Sullivan,

they make no due satisfaction for them. He cites the English monk the venerable Bede, well known as an author and scholar—his most famous work, Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (The Ecclesiastical History of the English People) gained him the title “The Father of English History”—who, according to him, appears to be of the opinion that who pass a great part of their lives in the commission of grave sins and confess them on their death bed may be detained in Purgatory until even the last day. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “All who die in God’s grace, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” The Scripture is very clear here: “But nothing unclean shall enter [Heaven]” (Rev. 21:27). Hab. 1:13 says, “You [God]... are of purer eyes than to behold evil and cannot look on wrong...” Archbishop Fulton Sheen, in his “Life is Worth Living” masterpiece, says about Purgatory, among other things, that it is “where the love of Man tempers the injustice of Man.” Purgatory is that state in which people who have died in God’s grace, but without letting go of some of the imperfections and attachments of sin, undergo a purification before entering Heaven, which nothing unclean can enter (Rev. 21:27). Now, back to the question: do we need to pray for souls in Purgatory? Theology experts say sin has many ugly consequences, such that even after the sinners have been absolved by the priest of their sins, the wounds and weaknesses may still

stay with them and still feel attached to the forgiven sin. On earth, the sinners can actively purify themselves, with God’s grace, through prayer, penance, and acts of charity. But in Purgatory, the Holy Souls, as they are called, are passive as they are purified. They are receptive to God’s actions as a patient might be with a surgeon, or a precious metal that is purified by flame. Theologians say one of the beautiful things about Purgatory is that God has allowed those still on earth to help, through their prayers, in the purification of the Holy Souls. Just as they can pray for their loved ones who are living, and in a mysterious way their prayers can be channels of grace for them, the same is true for their departed loved ones in Purgatory. Their prayers can help them more speedily reach Heaven and enjoy the company of God. Archbishop Sheen says man, while still on earth, can do very powerful things for the Holy Souls, continue acts of love for the departed loved ones, and offer them in place of those the kin did not do when they were still on earth. And whether we pray for parents or grandparents or friends, or perhaps souls we never knew in this life, when those souls stand before God in Heaven, we can be confident that they will remember us in their prayers, he says. One of the most beautiful things about the Church is that it is the Body of Christ. Whether it’s the Church on Earth, or in Heaven, or in Purgatory, it is all one Body, and it is all connected. Archbishop Sheen says praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory “is one of the beautiful ways of experiencing that reality. We stay connected in a very real and powerful way to those who have gone before us; we help them with our prayers, Mass offerings and sacrifices; and we prepare to enjoy Heaven with them for all eternity.” Pope Saint John XXIII himself said: “The devotion to the memory of the dead is one of the most beautiful expressions of the Catholic spirit.” The Prayer of St. Gertrude, a 13th century Benedictine nun and mystic, has been suggested by theologians, as one of the most fa-

According to theologians, God allows those still on earth to help in the purification of the souls in Purgatory.

mous of the prayers for souls in Purgatory. According to tradition, the Lord promised her that 1,000 souls would be released from purgatory each time the prayer is said devoutly. “Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.” Many of the Fathers of the Church, such as St. Augustine and St. John Chrysostom, considered prayers for souls in Purgatory to be essential. The Church has endorsed the doctrine of Purgatory from the Councils of Florence and Trent in the 15th and 16th centuries right up through Vatican II in the 1960s. The most famous scriptural reference, among others, concerning these prayers comes from the Old Testament where it

is called “a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins” (2 Macabees 12:46). Two other good prayers for souls in Purgatory: “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.” Or: “O Lord, who art ever merciful and bounteous with Thy gifts, look down upon the suffering souls in Purgatory. Remember not their offenses and negligence, but be mindful of Thy loving mercy, which is from all eternity. “Cleanse them of their sins and fulfill their ardent desires that they may be made worthy to behold Thee face to face in Thy glory. May they soon be united with Thee and hear those blessed words which will call them to their heavenly home: ‘Come, blessed of My Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’”

There is help online

Twitter launches #ThereIsHelp notification service for suicide and self-harm prevention in the Philippines

THE world online can be cruel. Usually, emotions can’t be described in a few characters that it could be difficult to know if someone is hurting or harming themselves. According to the World Health Organization, almost 800,000 people die due to suicide every year—or one person every 40 seconds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds globally. As part of Twitter’s work around World Mental Health Day, the social networking site recently launched the #ThereIsHelp notification service for suicide and self-harm prevention in Thailand and the Philippines, in partnership with Mental Health PH (@mentalhealthph). #ThereIsHelp is a notification service on Twitter which provides valuable mental health resources to vulnerable people, and encourages them to reach out and get help when they need it. When people search on Twitter for

terms associated with suicide or selfharm in Thailand or the Philippines, the top search result will now include a notification in Thai or Tagalog encouraging them to reach out for help. The notification also provides the contact details of @mentalhealthph in the Philippines, as well as the National Center for Mental Health in the Philippines. “We’ve significantly expanded the reach of #ThereIsHelp for self-harm and suicide since it was launched less than two years ago. This notification service is now available in 17 countries including Australia, Brazil, Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Ireland, Italy, the Philippines, Spain, Sweden, Singapore, Thailand, the UK, and the US, with plans for further expansion,” Twitter said in a statement. “Suicide prevention remains a complex challenge but we believe it’s important that people who are struggling are seen and heard so that they can get the help they need.”

Entertainment

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 nickie.standard@gmail.com

GMA leads PH’s nominations at Asian TV Awards

SNAPSHOT

The Pub Forties INDEPENDENT rock alternative band The Pub Forties with members (from left) James Casas, Aries Espinosa, Yugel Losorata, and Vince Borromeo performed their original “Busog Sulit Ang Treat” jingle for Cabalen during the restaurant chain’s 33rd anniversary event at Cabalen Plus in Robinson’s Galleria last Sept. 27. Also a music columnist for Manila Standard, Yugel wrote the piece now being played in Cabalen outlets nationwide.

How Moira dela Torre found her own voice

T'S true that when most singers start out, they are either the bad or better impersonation of the singers they admire. But eventually, they evolve into their own voice. Like most young music artists, it took awhile for Moira dela Torre to figure out who she was as a singer. She used to imitate artists whom she grew up listening to. "At one point, growing up I sounded like Brooke Fraser, Kari Jobe, and even Taylor Swift because they were who I was listening to all the time. Now with young singers that we have, I really hope that just because they sounded like me, you no longer give them a chance. I hope they are given the opportunity because one day they'll also find their own voice just like myself,” Moira told Manila Standard reacting to young and amateur singers trying to copy her style. "I always tell people that while it's flattering, I also feel for them because I know how it feels to be compared or not being given the chance because you sound like somebody," she added. Moira believes writing her own material allowed her to evolve and find her own sound. Thus, she encourages young music artist to do the same. "I found my own voice when I started writing my own songs. That's the reason why I encourage young artist to write their own material because it hones their creativity as artists," she relates. Meanwhile, Moira just keeps rounding up one recognition after another as she recently notched a nomination in the Best Southeast Asian Act category of the prestigious MTV EMA 2019 happening in Seville, Spain. “I was stunned and overwhelmed because of the blessings. I thought at one point that my streak of success is coming to an end because of lost opportunities, but soon the blessings started pouring in again. This is the cherry on top—because now even Kapamilyas abroad can show their support,” she said. Moira is nominated alongside Indonesia’s Rich Brian, Malaysia’s Yuna, Singapore’s Jasmine Sokko, Thailand’s Jannina Weigel, and Vietnam’s Suboi. She maintains though that while being recognized by an international awardgiving body is indeed a feat, there’s more to her career than raking in accolades. She stressed, “All of this is just a huge bonus, but I really, really will stand by this that my greatest award is being able

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

Moira dela Torre is nominated in the Best Southeast Asian Act category of the prestigious MTV EMA 2019.

to reach out to people through my music.” The multi-awarded singer-songwriter recently took home the major honors at Awit Awards 2019 such as album of the year for “Malaya,” music video and song of the year for “Tagpuan,” and best collaboration for the song “Knots” with Nieman. Moira’s song collaboration with Daniel Padilla—Dan Tanedo’s “Mabagal”— was also hailed as big winner in the freshly concluded Himig Handog. The Kapamilya singer also recently released an exciting collab with Ben&Ben entitled “Paalam,” and she is set to do another collaboration, this time with Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, for the theme song of the upcoming ﬁlm “Unbreakable.”

The “Ikaw At Ako” hitmaker is also set to release a new album under ABS-CBN Music International during the ﬁrst quarter of 2020. The thrilling project includes collaborations with foreign artists and producers like Us The Duo, HARV, and DJ Flict and will feature a more popinfused sound mixed with folk elements. She is part of the rich roster of Kapamilya artists who are gradually breaking into the international music scene as ABS-CBN continues to champion Filipino talent on the global stage. Vote as many times as you can for Moira as the Best Southeast Asian Act at the MTV EMA 2019 at www.mtvema. com/en-asia/vote/. Voting ends on November 2, 6:59pm PH time.

GMA Network continues to earn nods from international award-giving bodies with eight nominations at this year’s Asian Television Awards (ATA). The Clash host Julie Anne San Jose was nominated as Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role as Vicky in Synergy88 Entertainment Media's Barangay 143, which aired on GMA 7. Barangay 143, the first Filipino anime series, also received nominations under the following categories: Best 2D Animated Program me, Best Direction (Fiction), and Best Theme Song for the songs “Alanganin,” “Para Sa Isa’t Isa,” “Dito Sa Barangay 143,” and “Liga ng Buhay.” Martin del Rosario, on the other hand, is among the finalists for Best Leading Male Performance in the Digital category. The actor was recognized for his portrayal in the film Born Beautiful. Martin breathed life to the well-loved character of Barbs, a transgender who sets out on her own adventures following the death of her best friend. Currently, Martin is part of the GMA primetime series The Gift. Launched in 1996, Asian Television

Julie Anne San Jose is nominated as ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’ for her role as Vicky in Synergy88 Entertainment Media's ‘Barangay 143’

Awards is the Asian TV industry’s most signiﬁcant and celebrated event, recognizing excellence in programming, production and performance. The Awards comprise over 40 categories and represent the industry’s foremost recognition to independent production houses in Asia.

Revealing truth about age AGE-BASED demographic segmentation and targeting is a method that has always been used. However, a new global study released by McCann Worldgroup ﬁnds that age-based assumptions about people’s attitudes and behavior are becoming increasingly unreliable. In fact, these traditional suppositions themselves are aging out in their relevance throughout all regions of the world. Age has become just a number indeed as it is increasingly a less reliable predictor of style and health. Even the subject of “aging” itself, traditionally viewed as a conversational topic primarily relevant to the 65+ audience, is one where age-based assumptions don’t hold. As uncovered and detailed in McCann Worldgroup’s new “Truth About Age” study, people across the age spectrum are not adhering to the expectations traditionally associated with their life stage. In fact, twothirds of people in their 70s believe “you’re never too old to casually date” while it’s young people in their 20s who fear death the most. In the Philippines, 63 percent of the 20-somethings respondent fear death than the global average of 57 percent. The 20 plus years old respondents said that for them, death feels like the end of everything good in life when they’re just getting started. These ﬁndings—which emphasize the importance in brand marketing of understanding people fully as human individuals rather than as predictable members of a demographic category— were among many in a new worldwide study conducted by McCann Truth Central, McCann Worldgroup’s global intelligence unit. The large-scale “Truth About Age” study surveyed nearly 24,000 people, aged 20 through 70, across 28 markets, supplemented by qualitative research in 36 markets around the globe. “We’re at a pivotal moment in human history, where traditional age norms are being challenged across every age group and marketers must respond to this new reality,” said Suzanne Powers, Global Chief

Earl Javier, Strategy Director of McCann Worldgroup Philippines.

Strategy Ofﬁcer, McCann Worldgroup. “It’s time to rethink the playbook with regards to the way brands approach age across the spectrum—not just when it comes to marketing to ‘seniors’—so they can play a more meaningful role in people’s lives at every life stage,” Powers added. "This piece of research revealed that brands in any category can play a role in helping people age well. While there is some truth behind age stereotypes, this study shows that bigger opportunities await brands that choose to see people beyond the number," shared Earl Javier, Strategy Director of McCann Worldgroup Philippines. To help guide marketers as they rethink age-led demographics, McCann is introducing a new Age Marketing Playbook based on the following four principles: 1) Start young: Surprisingly, the study found that people who most feared death were in their 20s, and people who worried least about aging were in their 70s. Smart brands will ﬁnd ways of reframing the age conversation much earlier. 2) Celebrate the gains: In the second half of life, much of the aging narrative is oriented around loss, yet our data suggests there is much to gain and celebrate. Brands have the opportunity to rewrite the narrative by developing new language and imagery to connect not just with the aging population but, with people of all age groups. 3) Go beyond the number: Age is becoming a less useful predictor of behaviors and attitudes so the traditional approach to targeting and segmentation must be reimagined. Brands need to interrogate their own consumer segmentations in new ways to ensure that they are consistently going beyond the ‘number’. 4) Promote intergenerational connections: Overall, there is one consistent theme that transcends markets when it comes to aging well; spending time with people of different ages. The data shows that the old consistently misunderstand the young and vice versa. There is a rich opportunity for brands to drive a dialogue between the generations and co-create an age-positive future. This study is one of our largest studies to date: 28 quantitative markets with nearly 24,000 respondents globally (Canada, US, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Sweden, Norway, UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Finland, Denmark, Hungary, Germany, Turkey, Lebanon, South Africa, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, China, Japan, Philippines, Australia) and 36 qualitative markets (Canada, US, Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Sweden, Denmark, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Cyprus, Latvia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Nigeria, South Africa, Russia, South Korea, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Australia).

Janine starrer 'Babae at Baril' wins multiple awards at QCinema

Janine Gutierrez is Best Actress in QCinema International Film Festival.

BABAE at Baril, a co-production between Cignal Entertainment and EpicMedia, was one of the biggest winners at the recently concluded QCinema International Film Festival awards night held at Novotel Araneta City in Quezon City. The film took home top honors including Best Director for Rae Red, Best Actress for Janine Gutierrez as well as the Gender Sensitivity Award. This year’s QCinema International Film Festival was the biggest, showcasing over 70 films, including new films making their world premieres and titles that have gathered international acclaim. Babae at Baril was one of the three Filipino films featured in the festival’s main competition

“Asian Next Wave”. The movie tells the story of the nameless “Babae,” a lowly saleslady in a local department store who meekly endures the various daily indignities of being a minimum wage earner—from the lengthy queues and difﬁcult commute, the humiliation of her overbearing manager, the intrusive body searchers by the company security guard and the abuse by her customers. Her plight off work is no different, as she gets catcalled by drunks every time she walks by her neighborhood, and is threatened by her sleazy landlord trying to evict her for missing rent. When she ﬁnally gets home, there's no one there but her roommate who couldn't care less about her.

Things come to a head when she finds a loaded gun in the trash. Suddenly, she has the power to fight back, do anything she wants, talk back to whomever she wants, and even hurt anyone she wants. In its movie review, Rappler.com described the movie as “brimming with relevant and radical insight. It doesn’t just take exquisite skill to make a film like Babae at Baril. It takes courage.” “Our recent win at the QCinema International Film Festival has inspired us to produce more content that will not only reflect the realities of Filipino life and our culture but also strive to create works of lasting social significance,” said Cignal TV President and CEO Jane Basas.

Motoring

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019

Hino modern jeepneys A certified compliant

N ACTIVE participant in the government’s Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program, Hino Motors Philippines was granted by the Department of Transportation the Certificate of Compliance for its Hino Eco Class PUV units for Class 2 and Class 3 variants.

The Philippine National Standards evaluated PUV units of manufacturers who complied to its body dimension measurement requirement required by the local government for the modernized jeepneys which are upgraded in terms of innovation, comfort and security. “Hino has been part of the PUV Modernization Program since its planning stages and we will continue to actively support the initiative until it is fully realized. As we are one with the government’s aim of creating a safer, more comfortable public transport system for Filipinos, Hino will not only be supplying PUV units to its partners and stakeholders but will also be assisting them through the entire transition from individual operators to organizational cooperative systems, even helping them with bank loan applications and aftersales training and fleet maintenance support,” HMP Chairman Vicente T. Mills Jr. said. Drawing from years of experience being the exclusive distributor of Hino trucks and buses in the country and the only local one-stop shop offering trucks and buses and services from engine to body to spare parts nationwide, HMP is confident the Class II and III Hino modern jeepneys will elevate the driving and commuting experience of every Filipino driver and passenger. Hino has turned over close to 400 modern PUV units to various transport cooperatives in Manila,

Toyota Young Marketeers Challenge: UP team dominates UNIVERSITY of the Philippines Diliman students William Alonzo, Samantha Ching, Hanna Laurel and Nathan Oranga are not new to joining marketing competitions for students. So when Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) announced that it is opening its inaugural Toyota Young Marketeers Challenge (TYMC), the quartet from the state university’s College of Business Administration gave it a shot - even though automotive is not their forte. For the competition, they were given the challenge of coming up with an integrated marketing campaign for TMP’s locally assembled model, the Toyota Vios. After weeks of developing the campaign and a whole day of pitching ideas on how to better market the Vios that’s already the Philippines’ best-selling vehicle - team UP Diliman was declared the grand champion, besting nine other colleges and universities that entered the finals round. For a team that admits to be a newbie when it comes to automotive marketing and promotions, how did the group end up delivering the best Toyota Vios campaign that impressed a panel of judges composed of marketing industry veterans from various fields? “We prepared for TYMC by doing a lot of research on the current automobile landscape and even holding Focus Group Discussions on perceptions of different cars,” said team member Samantha Ching. “We focused on following the consumer journey and drilling down a unique insight. Additionally, we scrapped a lot of our ideas when we‘d feel that we were only settling. Eventually, we arrived at a campaign that we were proud to show Toyota!” Aside from the judges, top Toyota executives including TMP President Satoru Suzuki were present during the grand pitch day held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Through the TYMC, TMP aimed to give the students a real-world marketing career experience by allowing the students to go through each process. The result was a highly charged battle of the most creative ideas from UP Diliman, second placer De La Salle University Manila, third placer De La Salle College of St. Benilde Antipolo and finalists (in alphabetical order) Centro Escolar University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle College of St. Benilde Manila, Far Eastern University, Miriam College, University of Maka-

ti, and University of Santo Tomas. What made the UP pitch stand out? According to team member Hanna Laurel, their constant willingness to learn was a huge factor. “Amidst the marketing lessons we had in class and the exposure we get from other case competitions we join, we still treat each and every opportunity as a new learning experience,” said Laurel “Entering the competition, we were humble enough that the automotive industry is not our forte, moreso, relatively new to us. Given this, we really spent 4/5 the time given just to talk to people, and look for research and data that are relevant; and I think this intensive study helped us crack our strategy, all the way down to our executions and conclusion,” she added. Nathan Oranga meanwhile believes that the team’s biggest learning from TYMC is that in marketing, the consumer’s insight is always key. “If the consumer insight is not crafted well, then all of these would not turn out to be as effective as intended. A brand may produce the grandest events, or the most eye-catching advertisements, but if the message does not resonate with the consumer, then it would never lead to an action,” said Oranga. But in the end, the product plays a big role in the success of any marketing campaign. In the case of the TYMC finalists, it helped that they were exposed to the car that is one of, if not the most ubiquitous vehicle in the Philippines. “The Vios is a tried and tested reliable car that can match anyone’s drive. As the number one selling car in the country, it naturally just markets and sells itself. One can never go wrong with a Vios as it is a smart, practical, and exciting purchase. For millennials who want to make smart decisions, the Vios is a no-brainer,” said William Alonzo. With the success of the first TYMC, college students can expect a follow-up youth program from TMP in the coming years. “We are honored to bring you a program such as the Toyota Young Marketeers Challenge,” said TMP President Suzuki. “More than a competition, this is a platform for us to share with young people, the experience and learnings beyond the classroom. We believe in learning by doing – so I hope that by participating in this challenge, the students have acquired some insights that will help them become ready for the career track they would like to pursue.”

Quezon City, Quezon province, etc. These Hino modern jeepneys are Euro 4-compliant and air-conditioned. With side-facing seats similar to the layout of traditional jeepneys, these modern units can accommodate a total of 26 passengers with 19 seated and 7 standing. These modernized jeepneys are compliant with all the technical requirements set by the Bureau of Philippine Standards and feature a speed limiter, GPS, in-vehicle CCTV, electronic Beep card system and a dashboard-mounted camera to guarantee a safer and more convenient ride. “Hino’s international reputation of creating vehicles of high quality and great value is the same foundation on which our modern PUV models are built on. We are positive that with our vehicles and our commitment to deliver Total Support, we will be able to contribute to creating a modern, safer and more sustainable transportation system in the Philippines,” HMP President Mitsuharu Tabata says. HMP is continuously forging partnerships with more transport cooperatives in line with its promise of providing a 360-degree support package to every driver, fleet owner, cooperative member and passenger. Anticipating rising demand for modern PUVs to increase in light of the modernization program, the company is boosting its manufacturing capability for modern jeepneys.

FASTLANE

Nissan PH opens largest service center in Cebu CEBU CITY— Nissan in Philippines inaugurated its Nissan Service Center in Cebu as part of their commitment to delivering excellent and reliable after sales services for customers across the country. Managed by the Gateway Group, the Nissan Service Center is the largest of its kind for the automotive brand in the Philippines, housing 33 work bays with a floor space of 5,300 sq.m. Located along V. Rama Ave., cor. P. Abella St., Cebu City, the service center offers various services including Nissan Express Service, which guarantees premium whileyou-wait service experience and on-time delivery of serviced units. The first Nissan Service Center in Visayas also features a Digitized Electronic Job Control Board which provides real-time status of serviced vehicles while inside the workshop. Nissan Customer Assistance Center (NCAC) is also found at the location, providing 24/7 roadside assistance for Nissan vehicle owners. Other services such as periodic maintenance service, light and general repairs, as well as body and paint repairs are also available. According to Nissan in Philippines President and Managing Director Atsushi Najima, Nissan Service

Safe journey, safe kids FEDEX Expres and Safe Kids Worldwide Philippines recently celebrated 2019 International Walk to School Week with the theme ”Safe Journey – Safe Kids”. Students and teachers of Commonwealth Elementary School joined FedEx Express team members in an advocacy walk, mural painting, and crosswalk painting activities. The Commonwealth Elementary School is situated along Commonwealth Avenue, one of the most

From left: Noelito Marcos, Bank of the Philippine Islands Vice President for Large Corporations Division; Estrella Goho, Gateway Group Director; Markane Goho, Gateway Group President; Atsushi Najima, Nissan Philippines Inc. President and Managing Director; Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama; Jovi Abad, EastWest Bank Consumer Lending Cluster Sales Head and Vice President for Visayas-Mindanao Provincial Business.

Centers allow the brand to provide its customers excellent sustained experience, with its innovative and exciting products. “Customer satisfaction does not only happen when the customer buys the vehicle. It should continue throughout the entire duration of the customer’s ownership of a Nissan,” Najima said. The Nissan Service Center in Cebu also offers amenities such as a customer lounge that offers all-day breakfast, merchandise area, and children’s lounge. dangerous highways in Metro Manila based on the number of road-related injuries. To reduce these incidents, Commonwealth Elementary School has been actively participating in road safety initiatives since 2007. John Peterson, FedEx Express Philippines Managing Director, led 15 FedEx volunteers and 150 students in interactive activities highlighting the fundamentals of road safety. The repainted crosswalks will benefit over 14,500 students from two schools in the area. FedEx and Safe Kids launched International Walk to School in the Philippines in 2004. Since then, the program has reached over 1.7 million students in over 100 schools in Pasay, Manila, Quezon City, and Angeles, Pampanga. FedEx sponsors the program in 10 markets around the world including five markets in Asia Pacific and is aligned with FedEx commitment to positively impact 50 million people by the company’s 50th global anniversary in 2023 through five strategic pillars: delivering good, sustainable transportation, employment pathways, global entrepreneurship, and road safety.

Ranger Raptor reigns

For presenting the most creative, innovative and promising integrated marketing campaign for the Toyota Vios, College of Business Administration students from the University of the Philippines in Diliman bagged the grand prize at the inaugural Toyota Young Marketeers Challenge (TYMC). The team received a cash grant for their school, a technology package, and an all-expense paid trip to Japan for an immersion in the Toyota Way. The winning team from UP Diliman, composed of (L-R) team mentor Luis Diego Lee and BS Business Administration students John William Alonzo, Samantha Ching, Mariya Hanna Laurel and Nathan Joseph Oranga

FORD Philippines recently dominated the pickup category of the 2019-2020 Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards with the Ranger Raptor winning three out of the four awards in its category. The Ranger Raptor was awarded Best Design, Best Engine Performance, and Best in Safety Features in the pickup category. The fourth award is Best Value for Money. “The Ranger Raptor is definitely one of the most innovative vehicles that Ford has ever produced. We thank the organizers and judges from the Philippine motoring media for this recognition for the Ranger Raptor which continues to make our Ford showrooms busy. We look forward to seeing more Filipino customers drive their very own Ranger Raptor and experience its Built Ford Tough capabilities,” said PK Umashankar, managing director, Ford Philippines.

The 2019-2020 Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards” (AFMCA) is an equally important component of Sunshine TV’s Automobile Industry Merit Program. The AFMCA aims to recognize the automobile industry’s continuing efforts to provide car owners and motorists with the best on-board features, styling, performance and overall value. A select group of recognized motoring media professionals and practitioners comprised the AFMCA Voters’ Panel. Ford has been a consistent award recipient in the Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards and Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards. Last year, the Ford Mustang was named Sports Car of the Year in the People’s Choice category. The Ford Ranger was awarded Best Design – Pick-up of the Year while the Ford Expedition received the Best in Safety Features— Large SUV of the Year award.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019

Motoring

TALES FROM TOKYO

Lexus

electrified for the future

OKYO—In its continued efforts to deliver innovative and amazing experiences, Lexus unveiled its “Lexus Electrified” vision for an upcoming generation of electrified vehicles. Headlining this moment was the debut of the Lexus LF-30 Electrified Concept, which made its world premiere at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show 2019.

Since the brand’s creation in 1989, Lexus has endeavored to deliver to its customers innovative and amazing product and brand experiences that stimulate the five senses. Since the launch of the RX 400h in 2005, Lexus has led the world as a pioneer in electrification technologies such as the twostage reduction gear and the multi-stage hybrid system which leverage technology to offer excellent performance and the direct driving sensation characteristic of Lexus Hybrid vehicles. The “Lexus Electrified” vision targets a fundamental leap in vehicle performance, handling, control and driver enjoyment -- even as mobility within our society continues to change with autonomous driving and vehicle electrification. Evoking the original fun of driving, Lexus is developing new advanced posture control and other electrification technologies to further evolve driving pleasure, and to fundamentally transform the essence of luxury vehicles of the future. Lexus is drawing on the lessons learned developing the core technologies found in Lexus’ popular

range of gasoline-electric hybrids, including battery management, power control modules, and electric motors. In particular, the technology of Lexus Electrified enables integrated control of powertrain, steering, suspension, and brakes, realizing the ultimate potential of the motor control technology cultivated in HV. With this technology, we can control the driving force to provide ideal vehicle posture according to each driving situation. Lexus endeavors to continue providing enjoyable and safer driving vehicles. To advance this goal, Lexus plans to unveil its first BEV in November 2019― broadening our response to the needs of various regions around the world, including the development of HEVs, PHEVs, BEVs, and FCEVs. Moving forward after that, Lexus plans to expand its electrified vehicle lineup― we will launch our first Lexus PHEV and a new dedicated BEV platform early in the coming decade. By 2025, Lexus will have available electrified versions of all Lexus vehicle models, and we are aiming for the sales of electrified vehicle models to outpace those of conventional

the navigation and audio system and driving-mode selection, without having to shift one’s vision or operate manual switches. As an indication of the future image of a Tazuna cockpit, the LF-30 Electrified employs next-generation interfaces, such as gesture control and enhanced presentation of vehicle information through AR (augmented reality). The resulting interior is one that provides comfort and convenience for both driver and passengers. A glass roof above the rear seats features voice control and a gesture controlled “SkyGate” display window that uses AR to display various types of information, such as a realistic star-filled sky, user-favorite videos, and even navigation. With in-wheel electric motors, steering by wire, and Lexus Advanced Posture Control, the LF30 can offer a dynamic experience unlike any currently available To achieve a fundamental leap in vehicle performance, handling, control and driver enjoyment, the LF30 employs numerous state-of-the-art technologies even beyond advanced posture control. In-wheel electric motors for each of the vehicle’s four wheels and low positioning of the battery enable better handling of inertia and high-level driving performance. Autonomous driving technologies and drone support vehicle technologies look ahead to the year 2030 and the widely expanded value that vehicles can offer. As a next-generation BEV, LF-30 uses wireless charging technology to simplify daily charging, and AI-based

New, improved Vitara

Suzuki ends Q3 on positive note CONSISTENT with its strong performance for the first two quarters of the year, pioneer compact car distributor Suzuki Philippines (SPH)finished the third quarter with positive growth yet again, enabling the company to post19 percent sales growth for the first nine months of the year over the same period in 2018. The continued sales increase is the result of the brand’s strategic marketing efforts, which emphasize numerous promotions and interactive events and are aimed at boosting product visibility. SPH hopes to ride on this strong market and brand momentum to further strengthen its position in the market through the remaining months of 2019. “Suzuki’s current standing in the Philippine automotive industry is a significant milestone for the brand. After securing the 4th spot in the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) ranking – the highest rank in the brand’s history – and climbing to the 5th spot in the local automotive industry roster last quarter, we at Suzuki Philippines can definitely say that 2019 has been a monumental year for the brand,” said SPH Director and General Manager for Automobile Division Keiichi Suzuki. “These back-to-back achievements further fuel our drive to deliver on the brand’s promise of quality driving experience with every Suzuki vehicle,” he added. Top sales drivers: Ertiga, Swift, Celerio The Ertiga, Swift and Celerio continue to excite and stimulate the market as Suzuki’s best-selling vehicles. The three award-winning models combined accounted for 56 percent of total sales from January to September this year. The well-loved family vehicle Ertiga still dominates the Suzuki auto sales chart with a 34 percent share. This7seater vehicle fortified its position as the top-favorite Suzuki vehicle with the release of the Ertiga Black interior version, which drove sales up even further. Aside from its fuel efficiency and spacious interior that complement the body’s elegance and modern style, the Ertiga demonstrates good engine performance that is powerful and cost-efficient, mak-

ing it an ideal vehicle for practical Filipino families. Swift kept its position as the second top-selling Suzuki model with an 11.4 percent share of total sales. This hatchback remains the millennials’ top choice among Suzuki vehicles. With its sleek and stylish design that is very recognizable on the road, millennials can definitely identify with this fun and compact Suzuki hatchback. Accounting for 11 percent share of sales, the Celerio ranks third among Suzuki’s top-selling vehicles. This hatchback, known for its space and roomy dimension, can accommodate up to 254-liters worth of cargo with an uncompromised 5-seater capacity. Alongside its remarkable fuel efficiency that ups the ante for its category. SPH debuts New Vitara to Philippine driving arena Another vehicle from Suzuki Philippines that stunned the market this year and won the 2019-2020 Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards’ Compact SUV of the Year: Best Value for Money award is the Suzuki Vitara. Committed to continue its legacy and stand firm to its promise to provide value-packed and affordable products to more Filipinos, Suzuki proudly debuts the improved and upgraded New Vitara. This CBU Unit from Magyar Suzuki Corporation (MSC HUNGARY) is available in GL+, 6 speed Automatic Transmission and GLX, 6 speed Automatic Transmission variants. Suzuki has made several improvements and upgrades in both the exterior and interior of the New Vitara. It is now equipped with newly designed grills, lower bumpers and new rear combination lamps, all of which create an expressive exterior. The new stylish suede front and rear seats, cluster meter and premiumfeel cabin create a comfortable yet stylish interior vibe. “The New Vitara will surely appeal to car enthusiasts looking for an improved version of the classic Suzuki vehicle. It is our pleasure to bring another modified Suzuki vehicle to the Philippines. The New Vitara will certainly deliver an exceptional driving experience to Filipinos – the Suzuki way,” shared Keiichi Suzuki.

Caltex roadside assistance to motorists Lexus LF-30 Electrified Concept

internal combustion engine vehicle models. The LF-30 Electrified concept vehicle embodies the “Lexus Electrified” vision. For its exterior styling the advanced image expected of a BEV has been channeled into artistic qualities that result in a futuristic form, and an interior that assertively weaves in autonomous driving and other new technologies aims to manifest Lexus’ distinctive worldview. Performance is rooted in Lexus Electrified components, adding Lexus’ latest technology to our leadership in development of HEV systems. Precise electric motor control enables instantaneous adjustments to posture not possible with conventional vehicles. Furthermore, the LF-30 Electrified employs numerous advanced technologies with a look ahead to the year 2030such as a new-concept cockpit based on a human-centered design philosophy and a steer-by-wire system. In taking up the challenge of ex-

pressing a new design that could only be achieved with a BEV powered by in-wheel electric motors, Lexus visually articulated the LF-30 Electrified’s unique energy flow. The vehicle form is meant to visually express the energy created by the wheels set at the corners of the vehicle body streaming toward the vehicle cabin and past the driver to directly flow onto the road surface. Innovative, interior that leverages autonomous driving technologies, a newly designed cockpit, and more To manifest in a higher dimension Lexus’ fundamental human-centered philosophy, the cockpit was designed based on the new Lexus concept of “Tazuna”. Inspired by how a single rein can be used to achieve mutual understanding between horse and rider, the steering controller-mounted switches and headup display have been coordinated to a high degree, creating a space that enables the driver to focus on driving while controlling various functions, such as

energy management to enable optimal distribution of electric power to both the vehicle and the home, and charging control coordinated with the user’s daily schedule. Onboard AI distinguishes the voices of vehicle occupants, and uses personalized information stored on the driver’s control key to serve as a partner. It facilitates the adjustment of elements of the interior environment, such as air temperature and audio, and the setting of navigation routes and destinations, while also making proposals for activities after arrival. It also understands driver’s preferences and helps them control the suspension and powertrain settings in real-time according to the driving scene. The LF-30 Electrified also carries the ‘Lexus Airporter’ drone-technology support vehicle. Using autonomous control, the Lexus Airporter is capable of such tasks as independently transporting baggage from a household doorstep to the vehicle’s luggage area.

IN OBSERVANCE of Undas, Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc is back with its annual Ka-Roadtrip Motorists Assistance Program to ensure that Filipino motorists traveling to pay their respects to their deceased loved ones will have a safe and enjoyable journey to their destinations. Toyota vehicle owners can avail free vehicle check-ups and emergency road assistance offered by Toyota Motorists Assistance program at Caltex stations along SLEX. Caltex also has amazing treats in store for everyone this Undas break. Motorists can fuel their luck with the Liter Lottery

promo on October 31, November 1 and 3, 2019. Those who will fuel up at Caltex stations in SLEX Malampasan, SLEX San Pedro, and NLEX San Fernando can have a chance to get a free full tank of any Caltex fuel when the last digit of the plate number matches the last digit of the liter meter upon purchasing a full tank’s worth of fuel. GMA Bantay Biyahe is also set to have its booth in participating Caltex sites along SLEX to ensure the well-being of drivers and passengers travelling along the way.