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‘Super spreader’ infects 51 QC pool party sends 31 more in isolation; Ilocos Norte town locks down By Rio N. Araja and Willie Casas

T least 51 people tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a “super spreader” pool party and drinking session in Novaliches, Quezon City, prompting Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte to order local officials to sanction residents who host large social gatherings that violate existing health protocols. VOL. XXXV • NO. 98 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A report by the City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit said 610 residents of Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon were swabbed after the pool party, with 18 more still awaiting results. At least 31 people have already been admitted to several of the city's isolation facilities. “We will issue a ordinance violation receipt to anyone who [is] found violating our guidelines and our ordinances for getting together, drinking together or having a karaoke session,” she said. “We still need to be extra careful since there is still the threat of COVID-19.” Belmonte tasked the City Legal Department to investigate if there were any possible lapses on the part of barangay officials. The legal department issued a showcause order to the village chief. "We will investigate the local officials for possible administrative neglect or misconduct," legal officer Orlando Paolo Casimiro said. The community has been placed under lockdown since May 14. Belmonte also urged the public to document violations of public health standards by taking photos and videos whenever possible and to report these incidents to the city's Hotline 122. The Philippines logged 3,083 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the

ANOTHER SUPER SPREADER? Cyclists gather at a portion of Roxas Boulevard in Manila on Sunday, May 23, 2021. While biking is a good form of exercise, authorities warn that mass gathering bicycle enthusiastns should be avoided or it could lead to a COVID 'super spreader' event, jeopardizing the rollout of vaccines. Norman Cruz

‘Naval FOBs can prevent China forays

FREEZING COLD. Baguio City, the country's summer capital, has expressed readiness for the arrival of vaccines like Pfizer doses that require ultra-cold conditions for their storage. City Mayor Benjamin Magalong says that the City Health Services Office has subjected the freezers to minus 70-degrees Celsius storage capability to another test run Tuesday to ensure that they work properly. The city expects to receive 35,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine. Dave Leprozo

ANAKALUSUGAN party-list Rep. Michael Defensor on Sunday welcomed the availability of ivermectin tablets in the retail outlets of Watsons Personal Care Store (Philippines) Inc. Defensor said Mercury Drug Corp., in a separate advisory, said ivermectin as a prescription drug “will soon be available at all stores nationwide.” “We applaud Watsons for improving public access to ivermectin, which has a fervent following not only in the Philippines but also across the globe,” he said. The Food and Drug Administration earlier issued a certificate of product

• Task force crows about rollout gains • Vaccines to be used up before expiry

By Rio N. Araja and Rey E. Requejo

By Rio N. Araja and Willie Casas

THE chairman of the House committee on strategic intelligence on Sunday called for the establishment of naval forward operating bases in the Philippine Sea, as former Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio warned of China's “creeping expansion” in the region. “We want the Philippine Navy positioned to prevent China from asserting administrative control over any reefs, rocks or lagoons within our 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone,''

THE Philippines has administered more than 4 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, and is averaging 162,513 jabs daily, the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 said Sunday. In a statement, the NTF said this ranks the Philippines second among the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, 13th out of 47 countries in Asia, and 37th out of 196 countries worldwide. Of the total number, 3,147,486 were first doses while 969,939 were second doses of the vaccines against COVID-19. DOH: Jabs to be used before expiry date

Ivermectin now on retail—solon By Rio N. Araja

LOCAL ROUNDUP

registration to Lloyd Laboratories for the manufacture and sale ofivermectin, thus paving the way for its legal human consumption. But FDA director-general Eric Domingo said the CPR was on the use of “locally manufactured ivermectin as an antinematode (parasitic worm) drug.” Defensor said Watsons, in an advisory in its social media pages over the weekend, said ivermectin tablets may now be purchased at select stores with a doctor’s prescription.

COVID-19 PH

AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MAY 23)

1,179,812 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

3,083 50,635 NEW

ACTIVE

19,951

1,109,226

6,756

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

Black fungus: Things to know SEVERAL thousand coronavirus patients in India have contracted a deadly and aggressive fungal infection, compounding the country's woes as it reels from the pandemic. What is the fungus? Mucormycosis, dubbed "black fungus," is caused by a mold found in soil and in decaying organic matter like rotting leaves, according to the US Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People get mucormycosis, of which there are several types, by breathing in the fungal spores. They can be spread in hospitals and homes by air humidifiers or oxygen tanks containing dirty water. How dangerous is it? The infection needs to be caught early as it is aggressive and dead Next page

Pinoy designer gives Nova team a dressing-down By Nickie Wang DUBAI-BASED Filipino designer Michael Cinco trended on Twitter over the weekend for serving some “hot tea” to douse the insinuation of the team of Canadian beauty queen Nova Stevens that he was partly responsible for her loss in Next page

Canadian beauty Nova Stevens in a Michael Cinco gown

BUSWAY CONCOURSES . Transportation Secretary Art Tugade (right) and SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim lead the virtual groundbreaking ceremony of the EDSA Busway Concourses located at SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, and SM Mall of Asia. Commuters can look forward to a more comfortable, safe, and convenient travel experience with state-ofthe-art facilities, including a concierge, ticketing booths, and turnstiles for the Automatic Fare Collection System. The concourses, as shown in the background, will complement the DOTr’s innovative EDSA Busway project to provide safe and convenient access for commuters to the EDSA Busway Stations and for pedestrians crossing EDSA.

News

MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Super... From A1

total number of infections .to 1,179,812, as three laboratories were not able to submit their data on time, the Department of Health (DOH) reported. The DOH reported 38 new fatalities, bringing the COVID-19 death toll to 19,951. The DOH also reported 6,756 patients who recently recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 1,109226. There were 50,635 active cases, of which 93.1 percent were mild, 2.1 percent were asymptomatic, 1.5 percent were critical, 2 percent were severe, and 1.35 percent were moderate. Iloilo City has been placed under a stricter modified enhanced com-

‘Naval... From A1

said Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, chairman of the House committee on strategic intelligence. “We should avoid a repeat of the 2012 incident where China was able to occupy Bajo de Masinloc,” he said, referring to the Scarborough Shoal. In military parlance, a forward operating base is a secure outpost that can serve as a springboard for sustained remote operations. “The Navy should put up new FOBs in Palawan – one in the municipality of Balabac and one in the municipality of Busuanga – as part of its strategic basing plan, plus a third FOB in Subic Bay, which is only 123 nautical miles west of Bajo de Masinloc,” Pimentel said. “We expect the Navy’s two lead warships to be posted in the FOBs and to routinely operate in the West Philippine Sea,” he said, referring to the multi-role guided missile frigates BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna. He said he is counting on the Philippine Coast Guard to constantly deploy its lead ship – the French-made, 84-meter offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang – in the waters threatened by unwanted Chinese forays. “Both the Coast Guard and the Navy should marshal their best defensive fighting assets in the waters where we are most vulnerable,” he said. In the 2012 standoff, Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels blocked access to Bajo de Masinloc, and thwarted the BRP Gregorio del Pilar from accosting Chinese boats caught illegally fishing in the area. As part of a deal brokered by the United States government, bothChina and the Philippines were supposed to withdraw their ships from Bajo de Masinloc. After the Philippines pulled out, however, China reneged and kept occupying the chain of coral reefs and rocks that formed part of Masinloc in Zambales, Pimentel said.

munity quarantine (MECQ) until the end of the month following a 290 percent rise in its average daily COVID-19 cases from April to May. The Iloilo City Hall will be temporarily closed and operations suspended effective Monday to give way to a thorough disinfection of its offices and mass swabbing of employees for COVID-19. Meanwhile, Apayao, Benguet, and Cagayan will retain their MECQ classification until May 31. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) raised the quarantine status in Iloilo City after appeals from its city government. Iloilo City was previously under a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). On May 13, Duterte lowered the

quarantine classification in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus and other areas to a more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) “with heightened restrictions” until the end of the month. GCQ with heightened restrictions means that only “essential travel into and out of the NCR Plus” will be allowed. NCR Plus, composed of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, was previously under MECQ. In other developments: • Lockdowns and containment in at least 12 villages in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte due to COVID-19 infections prompted Mayor Fritzie Gapasin to place the whole town under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) starting Monday until further notice. While waiting for

the final guidelines from the Office of the Governor, Gapasin on Saturday appealed to her constituents to cooperate with front-liners who are working to prevent the spread of the virus. “Please be kind and considerate to our front-liners who don their PPE (personal protective equipment) and go out under the scorching heat of the sun just to reach out to those who are presumed to have been infected with COVID-19. They are not only at risk for the virus but also to heat stroke,” Gapasin said in a statement after she received reports of residents who were rude and untruthful when interviewed. * Baguio City Health Officer Dr. Rowena Galpo reported that the current COVID-19 variant afflicting patients in the city appeared to be far more infectious and fast-moving. “Before, we would record one per-

son in one family or household getting infected and isolation would prevent its spread. Not so this time. By the time we realize that one has it, the whole family is also infected,” Galpo said. •The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) has identified 1,272 barangays nationwide as having the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country, averaging 137 cases over an eightmonth period from September 2020 to April 15, 2021. Such numbers compare to an average of 19 cases over the same period in 20,889 barangays. POPCOM however noted that 15,252 communities remained “COVID-free” then. The agency found that 63.4 percent of barangays nationwide reported COVID-19 infections, with 11.5 percent reporting deaths in the same period.

Over the weekend, Carpio warned of China's grand plan to take over the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea through what he described as “creeping expansion” in the South China Sea, which aims to make Beijing's so-called ninedash line its national boundary. Carpio, who has been urging the government to assert its sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, said there is no need for the government to be preoccupied with determining who should be blamed and who ordered the withdrawal of Philippine Navy ships in 2012 as part of the United Statesbrokered agreement. Carpio said that Beijing’s ultimate goal is to take control of the entire South China Sea through its creeping expansionism in the disputed waters that actually started when it seized control of half of the Paracel Island in 1946. “China has a grand plan to make the nine dash line its national boundary. Control everything within the nine-dash line. This means they will get Scarborough Shoal, they will get the Spratlys. It’s very clear that’s their plan,” Carpio said, in an interview with GMA News. “This is what we must stop. We must look at it from this point of view. It’s very clear. We must be on the same page. China will control the South China Sea because that is their plan,” Carpio said. China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea based on the Ushaped nine-dash line etched on a map in the 1940s by a Chinese geographer. This dotted line was adopted from Chinese maps in the 1940s, and represents Beijing’s claim over the sea and all the land features that are contained within the line. But on July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, adjudicating the Philippines’ case against China in the South China Sea, ruled overwhelmingly in favor of Manila, determining that major elements of Beijing’s

claim—including its nine-dash line, recent land reclamation activities, and other activities in Philippine waters— were unlawful. The arbitral award also upheld the Philippines’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. China rejected the arbitral ruling, maintaining that it was “null and void.” “I don’t care about the squabble on who ordered the withdrawal (of the Philippine Navy ships). We have to look at the bigger picture. This is the plan of China to control the South China Sea to control and seize from us the West Philippine Sea -- from the Spratlys to Scarborough shoal-- to enforce the nine-dash line,” Carpio said. Carpio recalled China’s seizure of half of Paracels in 1946 and subsequently the other half of the Paracel Island from South Vietnamese in 1974. “They took over Fiery Cross Reef in 1987. They seized Subi Reef and Mckinley Reef in 1988, they seized Mischief Reef in 1995, they seized Scarborough Shoal in 2012 and they seized Lacuna Shoal in 2013, and the last island that they seized from us was Sandy Cay in 2017,” he said. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, on the other hand, said the government must be “smart in taking care of our territory.” “And maybe one lesson we could get here, even though our funds are limited, and we have various problems like pandemics, we still need to have an Armed Forces that is ready and capable to protect our territory and our sovereign zones,” he said in a separate interview with GMA News. “The President takes the modernization of the Armed Forces seriously because he knows that even if we make friends, we should learn from history. Of course, diplomacy and friendship do not guarantee that you will not be exploited if you do not have capability to defend your territory,” Roque added. Also on Sunday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said that

China’s Coast Guard law is not applicable in the Philippines’ maritime zones because it is only valid within Chinese borders. “I refuse to have it studied as if it applied to our territorial waters. It doesn’t. So we in boats go about our waters like the CCG law does not exist; we run up against its enforcement we fight back… or submit. CHN (China) like PH can write any law but [it is] valid only within their borders,” Locsin posted on his Twitter. Locsin made the statement in reaction to the statement made by Carpio, who said that the CCG law is a threat to the security not just of the Philippines but also to other claimant countries in the South China Sea. Carpio earlier said the legality of the Chinese Coast Guard law can be challenged before the international tribunal. Under the Chinese law, which was adopted by China’s Communist Party plenary on Jan. 22, 2021, China's coast guard is authorized to fire on foreign vessels, a move that may result in escalation of tension in the disputed South China Sea. The Chinese law also empowers the Chinese Coast Guard to “take all necessary measures, including the use of weapons when national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction are being illegally infringed upon by foreign organizations or individuals at sea.” Since the 2016 arbitral award only applies to the Philippines, Carpio said other claimant countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam can also question China’s excessive claims under the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday backed multilateral talks rather than bilateral talks with Beijing, which would put the Philippines at a disadvantage because of China's size and power. “I think, we can only equalize our footing if we have allies with the same concerns,” Robredo said.

Pinoy...

Ivermectin... Ivermectin 12mg and 15mg tablets are each being sold at P24.50 and P26.50, respectively. Defensor has been pushing for the use of ivermectin as a potential low-cost treatment for COVID-19. Meanwhile, Buhay party-list Rep. Joselito Atienza criticized former health secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral for questioning the government’s readiness to fund a clinical trial on ivermectin as a possible treatment for COVID-19. “Government itself is sponsoring the clinical trial on ivermectin because we are in the middle of a once-in-a-century pandemic. Filipinos are desperate for affordable prevention and treatment, and yet nobody else wants to fund a study,” he said. “To put it bluntly, nobody in the private sector wants to fund any research on ivermectin because it is an inexpensive and low-margin generic drug,” he added. Cabral earlier challenged the government’s decision to earmark P22 million for the ivermectin trial, adding that those who wish to promote and market the drug should be the ones to fund the research. Upon President Rodrigo Duterte’s orders, the Department of Science and Technology is set to conduct the clinical trial to ascertain effectiveness of ivermectin against COVID-19. The DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development is recruiting COVID-19 patients in Metro Manila to participate in the trial that is expected to begin in the first week of June and last for eight months.

Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said they are confident that the 2 million AstraZeneca vaccines will be used before they expire in June and July. In an interview on Dobol B TV, she said that of the 2 million doses, 500,000 have already been administered and that 1 million will have been used by the end of May. “We are confident we can use this up,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino. “We have already distributed it to different parts of the country and some local government units are even asking for more.” 24/7 vaccination site eyed A spokesman for the National Task Force Against COVID-19 said the vaccination site the government will build inside the Nayong Pilipino property may operate 24/7, to increase the number of daily inoculations. NTF spokesman Restituto Padilla said the vaccination site was suited to 24/7 operations because it has its own

vaccine storage facility. While the vaccination site has been met with opposition, Padilla said the government hopes to get construction started within a month. Not all frontliners vaccinated BHW party-list Rep. Angelica Natasha Co on Sunday said several health care frontliners in hospitals have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19. “Give the limited supplies of Pfizer vaccine doses to them first,” she said in a statement. “If the geographical factor is included, prioritize the hospital with the highest numbers of COVID cases and located in COVID hotspots,” she added. The DOH earlier reminded local government units to ensure that health workers, senior citizens and persons with comorbidities are prioritized for vaccination for AstraZeneca and Pfizer jabs as not doing so may jeopardize future supplies from the COVAX Facility. “The AstraZeneca and Pfizer doses were provided by COVAX under specific conditions,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Why are coronavirus patients at risk? With coronavirus and other conditions, a dangerous phenomenon called a "cytokine storm" can occur where the immune system goes into overdrive, damaging organs. So doctors have been prescribing steroids to reduce the immune response. But both this weakens the body's defences and increases sugar levels, which funguses thrive off. What other factors are there? Diabetics – who also have excessive sugar in their bloodstream – are also at higher risk. India has high rates of diabetes. Some hospitals and doctors have been over-prescribing steroids, and some people have been taking them at home without medical advice. "People have started using

(steroids) liberally, excessively and inappropriately," Professor K. Srinath Reddy, from the Public Health Foundation of India, told AFP. How many infections are there? There are at least 7,250 cases in India, according to the Hindustan Times, which cited a government court submission. Maharashtra state has now reported more than 2,000 cases. Gujarat, home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has about 1,200, officials said. At least nine Indian states have now declared the infection an epidemic. Several cities have opened special hospital wards. Authorities have not said how many people have died nationally from black fungus. According to the Hindustan Times, at least 219 people – likely an

underestimate – have died. What about treatment drugs? There are severe shortages of the main antifungal drug to treat the infection, amphotericin B. The government and drug companies in the country once dubbed the "pharmacy of the world" are scrambling to ramp up production. Amulya Nidhi, a health activist, said the government had earlier failed to prepare an adequate supply of coronavirus medicines such as remdesivir and plasma. With black fungus, it has repeated the same mistake. "The government should have acted when it found out about the very first (fungus) case... People are not supposed to be begging for life-saving medicines." AFP

Local...

From A1

Black... From A1

tissue has to be scraped away. Surgeons sometimes have to remove patients' nose, eyes or even their jaw to stop it getting to the brain. The average fatality rate is 54 percent, according to the CDC. Once infected, people can die within days. However it is not contagious, according to the CDC. India normally deals with a few dozen cases a year. Generally the body's defences repel the fungus and only those with severely weakened immune systems – for example organ transplant or cancer patients – are affected.

From A1

the recently- concluded Miss Universe pageant for sending an ill-fitting gown. Cinco called out Stevens and her team from MGMode Communications for being “ungrateful, vile and professional users,” adding that they have scammed him for the past three years. “I dressed up most A-List Hollywood Celebrities, Royalties and wealthiest clients all over the world and they only have one rule in fashion...if the dress don’t fit, don’t wear it,” he said in a Facebook post. “You and your team have been using me and taking advantage of my kindness for the past three consecutive years to dress up your candidates without paying me any cents. You don’t even pay the courier or any other charges. A simple thank you note from Nova, you and your team would have sufficed. But you don’t have the grace and decency to do that,” he added. Cinco reacted to a social media comment by MGMode Communications which read: “The truth need (sic) to be told! The gown was sent late by Michael’s team, and when it arrived none of them fitted! We were able to fix one for the finals but the one for prelims, we didn’t have time.” Cinco advised MGMode not to ask him or any Filipino designer to dress up their candidates in the future. “Ask your Canadian designers to showcase their works on the world stage. Stop taking advantage of my kindness and stop scamming Filipino designers,” he said. A few hours after Cinco’s social media outburst, Stevens, who represented Canada in the 69th edition of Miss Universe in Hollywood, Florida, took to Instagram and went live to address the issue. “This really hurts me because I have nothing but love for both parties. They have both helped me in ways that I can’t even count. So every day I do count my blessings because of these two people, or I guess three cause MGMode are two people and Michael Cinco,” the 26-year-old model said. “You have created the most beautiful gowns I could think of. I’ve never once imagined that I would work with you because you’re Michel Cinco. So the fact that I was able to work with you is honestly a highlight of my career as Miss Universe Canada. So I just want you to know that – that gratitude would never be diminished no matter what. And I’ll express that gratitude publicly and privately,” Stevens added. Meanwhile, another Filipino designer broke his silence on his “horrible experience” working with the team behind Miss Universe Canada. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Rian Fernandez shared his ordeal going to Thailand at his own expense to deliver five custom gowns he made for Miss Universe Canada 2018 Marta Magdalena Stepien. “Unfortunately, I did not have the courage to speak before because I am just a small brand. I was scared that it would boomerang on me. Now that I know that I was not the only one treated badly by Denis (Davila of MGMode), but other Filipino designers as well… I cannot be silent anymore,” Fernandez said. “We were promised by Denis that Marta will wear me to the preliminary and final competition because we have a group chat of continuous updates on how the five gowns are going,” he added. Fernandez said that he tried getting back the gowns so other candidates could use them instead but he was promised the gowns will still be used. The then Miss Canada ended up wearing a Michael Cinco gown during the pageant night. “Denis didn’t return the gowns. I was devastated and cried in my hotel room. I questioned my talent and skill as a designer,” Fernandez said.

News Widespread fraud in May polls feared By Rey E. Requejo A VETERAN advocate for clean elections on Sunday warned that the May 2022 polls was expected to be marred by another widespread fraud like previous accusations due to the implementation of supposed “grand plan to cheat” the national and local elections as the Smartmatic Corporation sealed its fifth contract from the Commission on Elections. The Comelec’s record showed that the poll body had awarded the Smartmatic the contracts for the refurbished vote counting machines (VCMs), secure digital (SD) main cards, SD write onceread many (WORM) cards, cleaning sheets, software deal for election management system, VCMs (separate from the refurbished VCMs) and consolidation-canvassing system. Lawyer Glenn Chong, a vocal opponent of elections fraud, said “all the contracts for the 2022 elections are monopolized by the Smartmatic with the active connivance of the COMELEC”. “Despite of the public advice of President Rodrigo Duterte to replace Smartmatic due to the issue of cheating, theComelec forced its way to let the Venezuelan IT company control its machinery” Chong said. Based on the information released to the media, the Comelec awarded to the Smartmatic last December 2020 the contracts for the “refurbishment” of 97,345 VCMs, supply of 109,745 SD main cards, supply of same number of SD WORM Cards and 250,000 cleaning sheets, despite the fact that the price it offered was much higher at P637,443,308.45. The lone competitor of Smartmatic in the bidding was the Pivot International Inc. and Power Service (PSI) Inc. Joint Venture that offered the lowest calculated bid at around P490 million. If the law on bidding was strictly followed, Comelec should have awarded the contracts to the PSI Joint Venture since it offered the “lowest calculated bid” (LCB) of P490 million compared to Smartmatic’s much expensive offer of P637.4 million. However, records showed that the poll body’s special bids andn awards committee (SBAC) disqualified the PSI Joint Venture during the December bidding due to a mere clerical issue of “zero” or “dash” and the specific bid prices of the SD cards and the cleaning sheets.

‘Job-creating bill to give OFWs new livelihood’ AMID reports that many overseas Filipino workers remain jobless, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte on Sunday cited the urgency for the Congress to pass the proposed “Balik Probinsya, Balik Pagasa” law to create jobs outside Metro Manila. Villafuerte is the author of House Bill. 6970, a measure to help convince displaced OFWs to stay and work in their home provinces, instead of getting stuck in their homes waiting for future job opportunities abroad. The measure fast-tracking President Rodrigo Duterte’s BP2 initiative would not only lead to urban decongestion but, more importantly, also stimulate the economy in the regions outside Metro Manila, he said. Boosting consumer spending is crucial to the country’s recovery as household consumption accounts for 70 percent of the Philippine econom, the Bicol lawmaker said. To immediately boost household income and stimulate consumer spending, the independent majority bloc BTS sa Kongreso, headed by former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, called for the House leadership to incorporate in the proposed law on Bayanihan 3 a cash grant of P10,000 per family, to be given right away and in one release. He said Congress must ensure that Fildipino families would get P10,000 each in one installment under the proposed third Bayanihan law.” To revive the economy by passing stimulus measures, such as the BP2 bill, must be the primary focus of the Congress,” Villafuerte said. He said BP2 would provide a menu of tax breaks and other incentives to encourage corporations to relocate to, or expand their businesses in, areas outside Metro Manila. He cited reports quoting the International Organization for Migration (IOM) that claimed that 83 percent of repatriated OFWs are still struggling to ﬁnd new jobs. Rio Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DENR closes 335 illegal dumps By Rio N. Araja

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Sunday said it has already shut down all illegal dumps nationwide.

Secretary Roy Cimatu said they were able to complete the closure of the 335 open dumps after the strict enforcement of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. “This is a victory for the environment and the DENR,” he said. “Despite the limitations brought

about by the pandemic, our people never wavered in their sworn duty as public servants to get the job done,” he added. Section 37 of the Act prohibits the use of open dumps for solid waste. Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns Benny Antiporda said

the closure of the 335 open dumps completes the closure of all open dumps in the country. “This shows that the DENR walks the talk and strictly adheres to what Secretary Cimatu taught us to do,” he said. Antiporda is also the alternate chair of the National Solid Waste Management Commission. “We have shown the public that they cannot escape the long arm of the law. It will eventually catch up with them for violating any and all laws,” he said. With the closure of all open dumpsites, local government units

have the option to bring their solid waste to existing sanitary landfills or to a residual containment area. “It is important that all LGUs follow the law on solid waste management such as waste avoidance, waste segregation, recycling and composting of biodegradable wastes,” Antiporda said. Meanwhile, Antiporda has announced the filing of cases against the mayor of Urdaneta, Pangasinan for violation in the environmental clearance certificate of the town’s sanitary landfill, and the mayor of Sta Ana, Pampanga for the operation of an open dump.

SHOWER TIME. Children

play and enjoy the sudden downpour wetting the parched pavement along Walter Road in Quezon City, coming as a refreshing break from the hot weather. The rain could mean the rainy season is about to set in, according to Pag-ASA weathermen.

CHR obtains list of ‘rights abuses’ by communists Sports Center THE Commission on Human Rights has been asked to investigate the 1,506 atrocities and International Humanitarian Law violations committed by the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), collectively known as communist terrorist group (CTG), from 2010-2020. Brig. Gen. Jose Alejandro S. Nacnac, Director of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Center for the Law on Armed Conﬂic, submitted to CHR Commissioner Karen Dumpit last Thursday a list of hundreds

of willful killings perpetrated by the CTG for the same ten-year period. “Commissioner Dumpit said they will forward the cases to their regional ofﬁces for their investigation. They now have a total of 1,506 cases to investigate. The gathering of other cases are ongoing,” Nacnac said, stressing that the recorded CTG atrocities grow by the day. Last week, the CHR has condemned the killing of four civilians by the NPA last May 14 in Sitio Agit, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. The victims were identiﬁed as Ronelo

GENTLEMEN-RIDERS. Motorcycle riders wearing tailored suits participate in the 10th Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride along Macapagal Ave. in Paranaque City on Sunday May 23, 2021, joining around 60,000 riders across the world in a bid to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. Norman Cruz

Quirante, 56; Roger Fat, 46; and Rodrigo Lubay, 46, and his wife Sherryl, 44. Nacnac first made public the list of atrocities during the regular press conference of the NTF-ELCAC dubbed as TAGGED: Debunking lies by telling the truth last Monday. According to NTF-ELCAC spokesperson on human rights, peace process and international engagements Undersecretary Severo Catura, the CTG may be compelled to indemnify victims of their human rights abuses and atrocities in the amount of billions of dollars. Catura, Executive Director of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat , explained that under existing local and international laws, particularly the IHL, parties that are found guilty of such abuses and atrocities committed in a situation of internal armed conflict may be compelled by the courts to indemnify their victims. Under Section 14 of Republic Act No. 9851, or the “Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity” signed into law on 11 December 2009, Catura said the courts follow the principles relating to reparations, including restitution, compensation and rehabilitation, and determine the amount of the same based on the scope and extent of damages inflicted. “However, regardless of the amount that shall be determined and demanded by the courts, it cannot equal the pain and suffering brought about by past and present human rights abuses and atrocities perpetrated by the CTGs,” Catura explained.

worth P3.5b soon to rise in Bataan town

By Jess Malabanan CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Some P3.5 billion coming from the local and national government will be spent for the construction of the Philippine Sports Training Center in a 250,000 square-meters lot in Bagac, Bataan. The provincial government has turned over the Deed of Donation to the Philippine Sports Commission during simple rites held there recently, thus paving the way for the construction of the project. “Bataan will become a sports city and it will inspire the out-of-bschool-youth as it will provide a new home to national athletes asbnthey give pride and honor to the country,” PSC Chairperson William Ramirez said. In his message, Bataan 2nd District Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III said PSTC aims to help in the sports development of the country to have better chances of winning medals in the Olympics and other international competitions. “We are glad that PSC chose Bataan to be the home of PSTC and we will do our best to be a good host to our athletes,” the legislator added. For his part, Governor Albert Garcia said the construction of PSTC not only helps future athletes but it will also promote healthy lifestyle leading to longer life expectancy. Construction of the state-of-the-art sports training center will commence soon and will be completed by December 2025. President Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11214 which gave birth to PSTC.

‘Replace AFP’s pension fund ‘ By Macon Ramos Araneta SENATOR Imee Marcos on Sunday cited the urgency of replacing a deactivated pension fund for military and uniformed personnel even as she called for a Senate probe to clarify the ﬁnancial status of the Retirement and Separation Beneﬁts System (RSBS) and its ability to reimburse members’ contributions. Marcos noted that the MUPs’ salary contributions used to earn at a higher interest rate than most banks can offer. “No pension fund has yet replaced the RSBS which stopped collecting member contributions since it shut down in 2016 due to gross mismanagement,” said Marcos, chairperson of the Senate committee on economic affairs. Marcos said the RSBS interest payments also keep growing, in effect depleting the retained resources of GOCCs (governmentoperated and -controlled corporations). Although RSBS has said it remains debt-

free and far from bankrupt, Marcos cited findings by the Commission on Audit that the pension fund had overstated its total assets by P2.54 billion and Ph63 billion in the two years prior to its deactivation. The COA also found discrepancies in RSBS statements on membership contributions in 2017 and 2018, with unreconciled balances of P10.24 billion and Php9.26 billion, respectively. For the past five years, Marcos said old and newly recruited MUPs could have made more contributions and earned more interest if a new pension fund was promptly set up. “The longer we wait to replace RSBS, the more we deprive our MUPs and their families of earnings they could have already accumulated,” Marcos said. To establish a new pension fund, Marcos urged caretakers of the RSBS to liquidate all its assets as soon as possible, citing that it already missed its goal to do so in April, based on the five-year timeline set after its deactivation.

AYUDA BILL. Former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano hands a P10,000 —cash assistance to one of the 200 beneficiaries from all over the Philippines as part of their campaign for the immediate passage of the proposed 10k Ayuda Bill. He was joined by his wife Rep. Lani Cayetano of Taguig City and Rep. Dan Fernandez of Laguna, both of the “Balik sa Tamang Serbisyo”(BTS) sa Kongreso movement during the event held at Gomez Street, Brgy. Kanluran, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna. Norman Cruz

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MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021

Romualdez lauds Go for push to pass hospital expansion bills Hemodialysis site for COVID patients opens By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Health–Calabarzon has opened a Hemodialysis Center for COVID-19 patients at the Cabuyao City Hospital Building in Barangay San Isidro, Cabuyao City, Laguna. Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said the hemodialysis center will cater solely for patients with kidney problems who are tested positive for the coronavirus. “COVID patients needing dialysis will be accommodate here and will not be rejected like what other hospitals are doing over fears that their facilities might get infected with the virus,” noted Janairo. The hemodialysis center in Laguna is the first project established by DOH-Calabarzon through a tripartite agreement between the City Government of Cabuyao and NephroMed Asia Medical Group. The center has a total of 20 dialysis stations that can accommodate around 150 patients a day from across Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon. According to Janairo, the regional office initiated and advocated for the establishment of the center. Under the tripartite agreement, the City Government of Cabuyao will provide for the facility to be used and through outsourcing, NephroMed Asia Medical Group will provide dialysis services and treatment. “We facilitated the accreditation and License to Operate (LTO) of NephroMed for this project who in turn commits to deliver the highest quality dialysis treatment,” he said. Janairo assured that dialysis patients will have nothing to worry about spending money for their treatment. “PhilHealth will answer all the expenses. If lacking, this will be paid by the regional office through the Medical Assistance for Indigents Program. So, there is no reason for a patient needing dialysis treatment to not undergo the procedure,” he said. DOH-Calabarzon will be assisting in logistics augmentation when needed, including personal protective equipment.

By Rio N. Araja

OUSE Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Sunday commended Senator Christopher “Bong” Go for showing “malasakit” (compassion) in pushing for the swift passage of several hospital expansion bills to help fight the coronavirus pandemic during plenary deliberations last week. “Thank you Senator Bong Go for championing the country’s health-care system as you foster empathy, compassion, unwavering commitment, and sensitivity in pushing for the approval of several measures seeking to expand the bed capacities of our hospitals nationwide,” Romualdez said. “Your pro-people legislation to make the lives of Filipinos comfortable has been inspiring us to work harder, smarter

and more efficiently,” he added of Go. Romualdez is also a lawyer who graduated from the University of the Philippines, is president of the Philippine Constitution Association, and president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats. He and his wife, Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, are principal authors of the twin bills pending in the Senate plenary seeking to

increase the bed capacities of the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City and the Schistosomiasis Hospital in Palo, Leyte. “These bills are seeking to upgrade the services, facilities, professional healthcare, and increase the number of medical personnel of two hospitals to serve the people,” the Leyte lawmaker said. He called on Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and the other senators to speed up the approval of these measures critical to improve the basic health-care services in the countryside. “We earnestly urge our counterparts in the Senate to expedite the passage of these measures. The increase in bed capacity is aimed at bridging the current gap between hospital beds in the region and improve the quality of healthcare system,” he said.

TAAL VIEW. Tourists enjoy the view of the Taal Volcano from the Tagaytay Picnic Grove, taking advantage of the cool cloudy weather in the city in Cavite on Sunday. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Sunday Taal has not had any volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours, but the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the crater lake have generated plumes of smoke. Danny Pata

Party-list solon pleads for Benguet hospital measure ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Yap on Sunday called on the Senate to support the passage of the Benguet General Hospital Renationalization Bill. “It is very disappointing and heartbreaking. I went to Benguet General Hospital this morning for a test and our health-care workers were asking me: ‘Cong, paano na? May pag-asa pa ba? Hindi ba nila tayo nakikita?’ Halos madurog ang puso ko sa narinig ko,” Yap said. “One of the issues being raised is that

the health service delivery is a devolved function and that the approval of HBN (House Bill Number) 6849 would add financial burden to the national government instead of the local government carrying the load,” he added Senator Christopher Go backed the bill, along with other local health measures, but Senator Franklin Drilon raised some issues that caused the bill’s disapproval. “When we say it is devolved, are we saying that it is cast in stone? That we

cannot undo it? That is exactly why we are subjecting it to the legislative process, and it is well within our powers to amend laws, to make things right,” Yap s aid. “This bill will not only benefit Benguet, but also our neighbors in the Cordillera. We have been deprived far too long, we do not have local income like other provinces and big cities. We may not see another chance like this again to fix the system,” he noted. Rio N. Araja

Christians, Muslims in Cotabato mourn consecutive deaths of 3 Catholic priests By Nash B. Maulana

DOLOMITE TRASH. Street sweepers of the Metropolitan Manila Development

Authority (MMDA) hold up bags of trash they collected from the shores of the so-called Dolomite Beach at Manila Bay on Sunday. Norman Cruz

COTABATO CITY—Christian and Muslim residents mourn the death of three Catholic priests who had spent most of their missionary life in Central Mindanao. Fr. Eliseo “Jun” Mercado, Jr. of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) died Sunday afternoon, days after he told his followers on social media that he would take a two-week respite from their online dialogue. It was not immediately known whether Mercado was infected with the coronavirus disease, but two other Catholic missionaries reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 before they died within hours of each other on Friday and early Saturday.

Reports from the Catholic-run dxMS of the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corp. said the ashes of the two diocesan priests who tested positive for SARSCoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are now at the archdiocesan mausoleum inside the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral Parish Compound here. The administration of OMI Novitiate Retreat House in Maguindanao, where Mercado had lived, informed City Mayor Cynthia Guiani Sayadi of his death. The lady mayor said: “It pains me upon learning that Father Eliseo Mercado is now in the hands of the Lord... He was like a father to me. We treated him like a member of the family. He was one fearless person who would tell his opinions no matter what it takes.”

SM Sangandaan newest Caloocan jab center By Jun David STARTING this Monday, the SM Center Sangandaan will be an additional COVID-19 vaccination site in Caloocan City. The people of the barangays in South Caloocan can come to the mall to get vaccinated, the city government said in a statement. So far, A1, A2 and A3 are still the priority list groups that are already included in the vaccinated. The SM Center Sangandaan Cinemas will be turned into a vaccination site where city health workers will lead the vaccination. It will accept 400 slots every day, from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 4pm. To persons who will get vaccinated who have cellphones, it is necessary to download the StaySafe App for contact tracing of the establishment. Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan thanked the leadership of SM Center Sangandaan for their help and support to the city’s mass vaccination program. “Many thanks to SM Center Sangandaan for not hesitating to join us in this program. Thank you for joining us in the goal of ending the COVID-19 pandemic,” Malapitan said.

FLAG DAY NEARS. A vendor sells miniature Philippine flags along the streets in Dasmarinas, Cavite on Sunday ahead of the commemoration of the National Flag Day on May 28, which was first declared a holiday on March 6, 1965 through Presidential Proclamation No. 374. JR Josue

PNP nabs 3 men for brutal slay of transgender man in QC PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday announced the arrest of three suspects behind the brutal killing of transgender man Ebeng Mayor in Quezon City. In a press conference at Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Hinirang Social Hall, Camp Tomas B. Karingal in Sikatuna Village, Eleazar identified the suspects as Zander Gal Dela Cruz, Joel Loyola, and Richard Elvin Araza. The suspects were charged with rape with homicide and robbery before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Saturday. An additional complaint of violation of Republic Act 10591 (or Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition) was filed against suspect Loyola. “I am happy to announce that we have arrested and formally charged in the Prosecutor’s Office three suspects in the brutal killing of 21-yearold trans man Mayor. The PNP has kept its promise to Ebeng’s family and solved this atrocious crime,” Eleazar said. He also commended Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra, District Director of QCPD and investigators from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) for excellent police work and skillful sleuthing that resulted in the solution of Mayor’s killing in just 48 hours. Mayor’s body was found at Sitio Bakal, Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City, three days after he went missing. Authorities are still awaiting results of medical tests and autopsy conducted by the PNP Crime Laboratory on the body to confirm allegations that Mayor was sexually abused. There were initial indications, however, that Mayor was brutally killed and that the crime was committed by at least two suspects. Two hours after Mayor’s body was discovered, the QCPD-CIDU already had a lead in the uneasiness and discomfort displayed by one of the victim’s childhood friends, who later confessed to the crime and named his cohorts. The QCPD then made quick work of rounding up all three suspects. “To the family of Ebeng, I know that we cannot bring her back but with the PNP’s kept promise of bringing their killers to justice, we hope that this somehow lessens the pain of your loss,” Eleazar said. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte strongly denounced the senseless and barbaric act against Mayor on account of his sexual orientation and gender identity. “This type of violence has no space in a civilized society where everyone is treated equally and with the utmost respect. I hope that those behind this will be punished to the full extent of the law and rot in jail,” Belmonte said in a news release on Sunday. Rio N. Araja

Magnitude 5 quake hits Zambales, 5.6 temblor in DavOcc A MAGNITUDE 5 earthquake hit Zambales on Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. The tectonic quake struck 92 kilometers southwest of the municipality of San Antonio at 12:41 p.m. It had a depth of 19 km. Tectonic quakes are caused by fault movements. Intensity II was felt in San Antonio, San Narciso, and San Felipe towns, while Intensity I was reported in Quezon City. Instrumental intensity I was recorded in Marikina City and Olongapo City. Meanwhile, a magnitude 5.6 tectonic earthquake also struck 258 km southeast of Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental at 10:02 a.m. It had a depth of 128 km. Intensity II was felt in General Santos City, while Phivolcs recorded instrumental intensity I in Kiamba, Sarangani. Reported intensity is the traditional way of knowing the intensity based on reports by people who felt the earthquake, while instrumental intensity is measured using intensity meter that measures ground acceleration. For both earthquakes, Phivolcs said aftershocks are possible, while it is not expecting any damage. Damage starts at intensity VI based on Phivolcs’ scale.

Opinion Food news is good news or increase profits for the greedy remains to be seen. *** But why do Filipinos eat so much rice? The culprit, as I see it, is in the high price of other foods, particularly vegetables and fish, poultry and other sources of protein. “Lamang tiyan” rather than good nutrition rules RECENTLY, the president signed EO 135, our daily diet. Basta’t may bigas, mabubusog. Never which seeks to address what is expected to be a 10-percent shortfall between consumer de- mind if the meal is just carbo-loading laced mand for rice versus the country’s production with bagoong, or daing, or in really desperate instances, even plain salt. of the staple. This has always been the challenge of our The executive order reduced the most favored nation tariff rates on rice imports from agriculture department, and the traditional ap40 percent to 35 percent and 50 percent for proach has been merely to ensure that there out quota sources. It shall be effective for one is enough “affordable” rice, with importation being the cheaper and easier recourse. year. Policies are skewed towards cheap rice, The presidential spox explained that the government just wants to be sure about our often at the expense of forgetting the need to rice security. In the same breath he claimed produce more vegetables, harvest more fish that there would be a bumper harvest of rice from our waters, or produce more chickens this year, but we have to ensure that the coun- and hogs. And yet, our palay farmers groan try has enough for our rice consumption re- at their “magtanim ay ‘di biro, maghapong nakayuko” plight, while the key to real food quirements. security is giving the farmers profitable inThe Philippines is a comes, so they will country of rice eaters, continue to plant more where the per capita rice rather than teach their The Philippines consumption is some children to forswear 126 kilograms per year. is a country of rice farming and line up at This compares to other eaters. OFW recruitment agencountries nearby, where cies instead for better individual rice consumpjobs abroad. tion averages 50 to 55 *** kilograms per person per Which is why we were so happy to troop annum (Japan and Taiwan). And although the Vietnamese eat just about as much rice as we, to Central Luzon last Thursday in spite of they produce a surplus which is one of their oven-hot temperatures, to inspect along with our counterpart from Taiwan, Representative main food exports. On a good production year, we import Michael Pei-yung Hsu and his staff, a pro8 percent to 10 percent of our consumption posed site for a Taiwan International Cooperrequirements. On a bad year where harvests ation and Development funded project which may have been felled by strong typhoon would be a training center for our local farmwinds or flooded out by torrents of water ers on how to adopt new and better agriculstreaming down the Sierra Madre, we go as tural technologies to increase productivity and high as importing 15 percent of our staple farm incomes. It may be a small step, long overdue, but food need. There were some aberrant years where we exceeded 15 percent, but that’s thanks to the encouraging support of the Demore a story of corruption than consumption. partment of Agriculture, now under Sec. WilPalay farmers of course reacted negatively, ly Dar, it could be the beginning of a program saying that the lower tariffs would further re- to encourage more young people to go into duce the buying price for their produce, which farming by learning and applying modern for the past two years since the Rice Tariffi- technologies. Hand in hand with this is the Young Farmcation Law took effect, has lowered their iners Internship Program where young Filipinos comes considerably. Clearly, Malacanang is not taking any would have hands-on and on-site training in chances. 2022 is an election year, and it can- modern farms in Taiwan, the knowledge they not afford a rice price spike just when peo- learn hopefully to be applied in our country, ple already hungry due to the joblessness and would eventually make farming a “sexy” imposed by a series of on-again, off-again enough enterprise once again. There are a thousand and one things that we lockdowns would troop to the polls to decide need to put together to achieve our aspiration between continuity and change. The problem is that our government has of food security and the sustainability of our castrated the National Food Authority, which farming and fishing industries. We can only hope and pray that the next adPresident Ferdinand Marcos created by decree to stabilize food prices by market inter- ministration that people would vote into office vention. So now, the lower tariffs will be ben- come May 2022 will take agriculture seriouseficial to rice importers, but whether or not ly and have proactive solutions to ensure food the natural workings of the law of supply and security, which is in truth, the most fundamendemand and competition will stabilize prices tal aspect of national security.

Lessons from the pandemic life as we know it was changed. The certainty of profit and power had been shattered by an invisible, and seemingly invincible, disease. What provided many of us comfort? Prayer. What helped many of us bear the challenges? Faith. In a self-referential world that appears to be more fixated on ourselves, we have been MORE than a year of this pandemic has led to reach out to our Creator. In a society, passed and so much has changed in the way where there seemed to be a scientific and logwe live. We have shifted to a new normal ical explanation to every query, now seems to of doing things—in our homes, schools and hold on to one thing – faith in God. Second, family comes first. With many of workplaces. This has not been easy, and it did us confined to our homes, we were, in a way, come with a lot of challenges. The comfort of the familiar is something “forced” to spend more time with our famithat many of us have been denied in the past lies. No more of those made-up excuses of 13 months. We had to steer through uncertain going out with friends on weekends or worktimes and make unsure decisions. In fact, ing overtime for hours – we all stayed at home many have closed down their businesses or and spent time together. Families who were lost their jobs, and making both ends meet separated for work or school were once more reunited. has become hard, if It is often said that not harder than it alFaith, family, familiarity breeds conready was. We were tempt. It is so easy to all snatched from our friendship, heart and take for granted someusual routines and future thing that you see all confined to our homes, too often. So is family. and by the time we Not that family is any were allowed to slow slowly go out into the community, we realized so less important to us. Too often, we assume that our family will always be there, consequently, much has changed. But this crisis did come with its own les- we take them for granted. More quality time sons, which I would like to share with all is spent more in the workplace or in school, of you. Faith matters. Family comes first. and by the time we are home, we are simply Friendship enriches. Find your heart. Future too tired to notice one another. This pandemic reversed that. We started to value each other means now. First, faith matters. It is quite an irony that at and learn from one another’s experience. It a time when churches were closed, it is when has taught us how to be family once more. Third, friendship enriches. Many of us many of us have spent more time for prayer in our homes. Indeed, during this crisis, we have not seen our friends for months, at least were confronted with the fact that amidst the physically. So, we turned to social media, to fragility of the realities that we thought would try to keep each other sane for the quarantine endure – our business and politics, education and update each other of what was happenand healthcare. But almost instantaneously, ing in each other’s life. Then we learned what

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MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021

EDITORIAL

Displacement

A paper by the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies said while they were provided with basic necessities like food, clothing and sanitary products, the quality was poor and even caused them to be ill. There was also favoritism and corruption in the distribution of relief, with some favored families receiving more aid and more frequently.

OUR years ago, we were taken aback when terrorists took over Marawi City and when the ensuing fighting flattened structures in the oncebustling city. Extreme measures were taken, including the declaration of martial law. Eventually the terrorists were defeated, their leaders killed, and the city was liberated after five months of violence between terrorists and government forces. For residents of the city whose lives were changed drastically by the siege, nothing was ever the same. While these displaced residents survived the fighting, they found themselves having to eke out an existence one day at a time. In the evacuation centers that housed them, they had to make do with cramped facilities and very few resources. There was aid, of course, especially in the beginning, from both the government and non-government sectors. The relief they obtained, however, was far from ideal. Long after Marawi was liberated, internally displaced persons experienced the consequences of ineptitude and even irregularities in the relief effort.

The problems did not end with the liberation of Marawi. The lack of space in evacuation centers also made continuing education difficult even as some organizations provided opportunities to learn; many parents had also lost their jobs or businesses, causing them to seek the help of their children in earning a living or tending to younger siblings. Disease was rampant, and returning to their communities, damaged if not destroyed by the fighting, was next to impossible. Many suffered post-traumatic stress disorder on top of these immediate problems. Reconstruction of the city, much less rebuilding homes, became difficult

even with external help, especially since other issues and disasters continued to strike in different places across the country in the next few years. The problems did not end with the liberation of Marawi. We marked on Sunday the fourth anniversary of the start of the siege. It’s a good opportunity to ask ourselves several questions. How safe are we from terrorists -- the real kind who wield death and destruction on anybody, not those who criticize the government or suggest reforms? Have we been able to get the displaced people of Marawi truly get back on track, in all aspects of their lives? Finally, in the numerous instances where entire communities can again be displaced -- by disasters natural and man-made alike -how soon can we respond in an efficient, organized way and help them get back on their feet? How are we able to account for the money -- donations, loans and government funds -- spent supposedly for reconstruction and recovery? Again, we are reminded that it’s civilians at the heart of conflict zones and disaster areas, not the decision makers and armed leaders who call the shots, who suffer the most and the longest. We must address their needs, first and foremost.

Digital piracy must be stopped

serious consequences if users are victimized by cybercriminals. The Philippines has become an important market for both international and local content and consequently becomes a flourishing hunting ground for digital piracy. The September 2020 survey of YouGov revealed that 49 percent of Philippine respondents admitted to accessing pirated content from streaming websites. This is assuming all these respondents were being honest, which is unlikely. Of these piracy patrons, half said that they cancelled their legitimate content subscriptions. Another survey by Media Partners Asia estimated the loss of the OTT (Over-the-top, means a media service offered directly to viewers via the Internet) video industry at $120 million. However, the situation in other Southeast Asian countries is not as alarming. For the last few years, Malaysia and Indonesia have successfully implemented site-blocking strategies that have greatly reduced online piracy and

resulted in consumers’ return to legal content consumption. The closure of our movie theaters since the lockdowns has forced our local film industry to shift to Video-on-Demand streaming. What the industry hoped would make up for the losses from the lockdowns instead became a disaster when last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) was marketed online. According to reports, total receipts were less than 2 percent compared to 2019, a very painful blow to our movie industry because of rampant piracy. The producers of MMFF 2020 Best Picture “Fan Girl” reported monitoring 10 to 20 pirated links every hour that were streaming their movie online. In response, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines is engaging the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) and the major internet service providers Globe Telecom, PLDT, Smart Communications, Converge, Sky Cable Corp, and DITO Telecommunity Corp. to effectively block-off websites with pirated content. IPOPHL described this anti-online piracy campaign as a “holistic approach in fostering a society that respects IP rights.” AVIA CEO Louis Boswell said, “Site blocking is a responsible means of not allowing access to pirated sites… We have experience now in multiple markets all around the region that site blocking, where it is done properly, can be incredibly effective at reducing the levels of piracy in a market.” AVIA will support IPOPHIL by organizing training sessions, supplying valuable information on piracy matters, and providing recommendations on how IPOPHL can successfully develop mechanisms on online piracy monitoring and site blocking. AVIA has committed to assist the IPOPHL in defeating this piracy scourge. As consumers, we must be responsible and sensitive to the millions of families being victimized by these cyber-criminals. If you have ever been robbed of anything in your life, try to remember how you felt and you will know why this blatant act of theft must be stopped.

More than our age counted in years, of far greater significance is when we count our age in terms of experience – and that experience is made richer with finding your purpose, that is, finding your heart. During this pandemic, we have been restricted from living our usual lives that we have discovered some untapped skill or unlocked a new passion. In this we see that no matter how difficult things may turn out to be, it is always important to continue to be firm and resolute about living for your “whys” in life. Yes, your family, profession or business can be your “why” – or something as mundane as cooking, baking or yoga. When times are dull and uncertain, never forget to always fire up your passion. Always find your heart. Finally, the future means now. It is often said that the young are the future. But we are far from being just the future. Our generation, too, is the present of this time. What we hope our future will be, we must shape today. In the

same way, we must always be aware that the decisions we make today, the beliefs we espouse and the lifestyles that we follow will all impact the kind of world that we will live in tomorrow. We used to think of connectedness as global, where we transcend countries and culture to ensure that whatever we do in one part of the planet, will not harm but instead improve the quality of life in another part of the world. That is true, but there is an even far more important aspect of connectedness, that is, one that goes beyond time and generations. We must understand the consequences of our actions in the present, so that we can create a better future for generations to come. If there is anything that we have learned from this pandemic, it is learning these simple but meaningful life lessons: Faith matters. Family comes first. Friendship enriches. Find your heart. Future means now.

become too big a risk for content owners to invest which means there will be lower budgets for quality production and new content. For consumers, we will see fewer and fewer new shows and the level of quality will degrade. Cancellation of ongoing TV series have occurred in the US that producers blamed on rampant piracy of their show. For consumers, it’s not just lower quality shows and fewer titles to watch. Cybersecurity experts have warned that one out of three piracy websites embed malware that will compromise personal data and lead to more

SINCE the computer chip was invented, the pace of digital innovation has continued to accelerate. As access to fast broadband has become indispensable, the main source of information and entertainment has shifted from traditional media to the internet, from reading publications, listening to the radio and watching free television broadcasts, to subscription-based cloud services and virtually unlimited digitalized content. As expected, these wonderful digital technologies, which are now essential to everyday life, have become the same medium of content piracy now wreaking global havoc to legitimate creative industries. In particular, the television and film industry which now struggles to fight piracy websites illegally distributing pirated content. Digital piracy is defined by the content industry as the unauthorized reproduction and distribution of copyrighted material such as software, music, e-books, movies, and all the content we see in legitimate streaming websites such as Netflix, and cable. Digital piracy negatively affects not just the content industry, content producers, and intellectual property right owners. It affects the individual creative artist and even us consumers. These pirates are stealing from every person working in the whole creative ecosystem: the actors, the directors, the writers, and the production crew. According to the Global Innovation Policy Center, in 2020 online piracy’s estimated damage to the US economy was as high as $71 billion each year -- and this was before the pandemic. According to reports, just a few weeks after global lockdowns started, visits to illegal streaming websites surged in all countries ranging from 17 percent to 66 percent. This huge loss of revenue will eventually friendship truly is – connectedness. Being friends is not simply spending time together, or having the same preferences for fun, food or say, fashion. Friendship is about multiplying the good and building a bond where we learn to care for others beyond familial and familiar ties. More importantly, the friendships we made are reminders that leadership is first and foremost a relationship, that the true exercise of leadership is in engaging people and enabling them to become better so that in turn, they will be able to empower others to action. Furthermore, friendship can enrich not only our personal experience but more importantly our individual growth, teaching us how to care for people in an affirming and caring matter, in a way that puts value on their gifts and contributions to the community. Fourth, find your heart. This pandemic has given many an opportunity to find your heart.

If you have ever been robbed of anything in your life, try to remember how you felt.

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Former aide says Johnson lied over UK virus response AHEAD of a much-anticipated hearing into Britain’s coronavirus response, former chief adviser Dominic Cummings has accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of lying about pursuing a strategy of herd immunity when the pandemic first hit. Cummings is due to give evidence to the House of Commons select committees on health and science on Wednesday, and has already suggested he has a crucial document that will expose the government’s handling of the pandemic when it first arrived in Britain early in 2020. The influential adviser was sacked at the end of last year, and has recently been involved in a war of words with Downing Street, which accused him of leaking internal conversations and documents to the media. Cummings tweeted that the government initially intended to treat the virus like the flu and pursue a strategy of herd immunity by building up natural defenses, but Johnson has denied that was ever the official plan.

“No.10 decided to lie... V foolish, & appalling ethics, to lie about it,” Cummings tweeted late Saturday. Herd immunity by September 2020 “was literally the official plan,” he said. “The right line wd have been what PM knows is true: our original plan was wrong & we changed when we realised,” he added. Manila strategy The initial herd immunity was abandoned less Standard than two weeks TODAY before the first lockdown in March 2020 and “is a fundamental issue in the whole disaster,” he also said. “If we’d had the right preparations + competent people in charge, we wd probably have avoided lockdown1, *definitely* no need for lockdowns 2&3,” he wrote. Chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance suggested in March 2021 that herd immunity was one of the goals, but Health Secretary Matt Hancock two days later said it was “not a goal or strategy.” AFP

This general view taken on May 22, 2021 from Tchegera Island outside Goma on the lake Kivu in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo shows flame spewing from the Nyiragongo volcano. The famous volcano suddenly became active on Saturday evening, an AFP correspondent noted. Strong emanations of glowing light coming out of the crater were visible from Goma, while a smell of sulfur was perceptible in the city, located on the southern flank of the volcano, on the shores of Lake Kivu. AFP

Congo volcano erupts, thousands flee Manila

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RESOLUTION

Subject :

No.: 2021-009 Date: May 12, 2021 Delegation to the Directors of the Claims and Adjudication Offices (CAO) – Commission Proper Adjudication and Secretariat Support Services Sector (CPASSSS) the adjudication of money claims involving amounts not exceeding P100,000.00

WHEREAS, under Section 6, Common Provisions, Article IX-A of the 1987 Constitution, the Commission on Audit (COA) en banc “may promulgate its own rules concerning pleadings and practice before it or before any of its offices;”

TODAY Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MARTIN IMPERIAL TINIO, JR. was selfadjudicated by her sole heir as per Doc. 311 Page No. 64 Book No. II Series of 2020 under Notary Public Atty. Geepee A. Gonzales MAY 10, 17 & 24, 2021)

NOTICE

WHEREAS, this Commission promulgated the 2009 Revised Rules of Procedure of the COA (RRPC) which took effect on October 28, 2009; WHEREAS, Section 1, Rule VIII of the 2009 RRPC provides that the Commission Proper (CP) shall have original jurisdiction over money claims against the government, regardless of the amount involved; WHEREAS, there are money claims filed before the CP involving small amounts which have unnecessarily added to the heavy caseload of the CP; WHEREAS, the CP takes cognizance of the necessity to delegate to lower adjudicating bodies of this Commission, the adjudication of money claims involving amounts not exceeding P100,000.00; NOW, THEREFORE, this commission RESOLVES, as it does hereby RESOLVE, to delegate to the Directors of CAO – CPASSSS the adjudication of small money claims involving amounts not exceeding P100,000.00. The CP retains appellate jurisdiction over actions of the Directors on these claims. RESOLVED FURTHER, that appeals from the decision of the Directors shall be pursuant to Section 1, Rule VII of the 2009 RRPC.

NOTICE is hereby given that an Amendment to the Supplement to the Extrajudicial Settlement of the Estate of Rosa Go Jua Ngu, was executed by her heirs and notarized on May 14, 2021 per Doc. No. 412; Page No. 84; Book No. XI; Series of 2021 of Notary Public Tomas Baga, Jr. of Quezon City, Metro Manila (MS-MAY 17/24/31, 2021)

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HOUSANDS have fled a volcanic eruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but the flaming lava from Mount Nyiragongo appeared to have come to a halt on the outskirts of Goma city early Sunday. According to an AFP correspondent at the scene, the molten rock, which the eruption had sent close to Goma airport on the shores of Lake Kivu, still appeared unstable, but had come to a standstill in the suburbs of the eastern city. And around a dozen earth tremors were felt in the early hours. “People are beginning to return to their homes. The situation seems to have calmed down for the moment,” one resident said. “But people are still scared. The authorities still haven’t made any of-

ficial announcement so far this morning,” he added. Thousands had fled during the night and many families slept on pavements surrounded by their belongings under a night sky turned red by fire and fumes. “There is a smell of sulphur. In the distance you can see giant flames coming out of the mountain,” one resident, Carine Mbala, told AFP. Officials said the lava had reached Goma city airport although residents said it had stopped at the edge of the facility. Goma appeared relatively calm as dawn broke, but people said they are still wary. “People are wondering whether the volcano has stopped, or whether it will continue, whether the lava will reappear,” one resident said. A few cars were on seen on the streets, but no police or military presence was visible. “We’re not convinced that the eruption is over in just a day. We’re

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This Resolution amends Sections 1, Rule VIII of the 2009 RRPC and other pertinent provisions therein. All issuances inconsistent herewith are deemed modified or repealed accordingly. This Resolution shall take effect after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

RESOLUTION

No.: 2021-008 Date: May 12, 2021

Quezon City, Philippines. May 12, 2021.

Subject : Proposed Amendment to Section 1, Rule VIII of the 2009 Revised Rules of Procedure of the Commission on Audit WHEREAS, Section 2(1), Article IX-D of the 1987 Constitution provides that the Commission on Audit (COA) has the power, authority, and duty to examine, audit, and settle all accounts pertaining to the revenue and receipts of, and expenditures, or uses of funds and property, owned or held in trust by, or pertaining to, the Government, or any of its subdivision, agencies, or instrumentalities;

MICHAEL G. AGUINALDO Chairperson

ROLAND C. PONDOC Commissioner

WHEREAS, Section 26 of Presidential Decree No. 1445 provides that the authority and power of the COA shall extend to and comprehend all matter relating to the examination, audit, and settlement of all debts and claims of any sort due from or owing to the Government or any of its subdivision, agencies, and instrumentalities;

(MS-MAY 24, 2021)

NOTICE

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 6, Article IX-A of the 1987 Constitution, the COA en banc is vested with the power to promulgate its own rules concerning pleadings and practice before it or before any of its offices, which, however, shall not diminish, increase, or modify substantive rights;

No. DUBA/Cons/434/MR/2021-(113) DATED: 18/05/2021 MR. SANJEEV BALAKRISHNAN S/o BALAKRISHNAN VELAYUDHAN RESIDENT OF 8 400 (12/383) KAITHACHIRA KAIRADY POST PALAKKAD DT KERALA 678 510 PRESENT ADDRESS ISMAEL BLDG, AL SHUWAHEIN, SHARJAH, UAE AND MISS. HEISENWYNE LAGAN MAMUAD DAUGHTER OF MAMERTO MAMUAD RESIDENT OF BRGY 40 BUYON BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE, PHILIPPINES PRESENT ADDDRESS 13/1 BLDG, AL NABA’A, SHARJAH, UAE

WHEREAS, the COA promulgated its 2009 Revised Rules of Procedure of the COA (RRPC) which became effective on October 28, 2009. Section 1, Rule VIII thereof provides that the Commission Proper (CP) shall have original jurisdiction over money claims against the Government; WHEREAS, there are petitions for money claim for the payment of just compensation filed before the CP which are based on final and executory judicial decisions; WHEREAS, the determination of just compensation in eminent domain cases is a judicial prerogative and that no statute, decree, or executive order can mandate that its own determination shall prevail over the court’s findings and much less preclude the courts from looking into the “just-ness” of the decreed compensation1; WHEREAS, this Commission is bound to respect the final character of the determination by the court on the reasonableness of just compensation and to be consistent with the concept that just compensation must be paid in full without delay2; WHEREAS, it is imperative that the 2009 RRPC shall be consistent with the doctrines laid down by the Supreme Court on the claim for just compensation in eminent domain cases; NOW, THEREFORE, this Commission RESOLVES, as it does hereby RESOLVE, to modify Section 1, Rule VIII of the 2009 RRPC, to read as follows:

SANJEEV BALAKRISHNAN INDIAN NATIONAL AND HEISENWYNE LAGAN MAMUAD PHILIPPINE NATIONAL PRESENTLY RESIDING IN UAE HAVE GIVEN NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE BETWEEN THEM UNDER THE FOREIGN MARRIAGES ACT, 1969. IF ANYONE HAS ANY OBJECTION TO THE PROSPOSED MARRIAGE HE/SHE SHOULD FILE THE SAME WITH THE UNDERSIGNED ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURE LAID DOWN UNDER THE ACT/RULES WITHIN THIRTY DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. (Jitender Singh Negi) Marriage officer Consulate General of India P.O.BOX:737, DUBAI (UAE) FAX NO. 009714-3970453 Email: cons1.dubai@mea.gov.in, cons3.dubai@ mea.gov.in Homepage: www.cgidubai.gov.in (MS-MAY 24, 2021)

“Section 1. Original Jurisdiction – The Commission Proper shall have original jurisdiction over: a) money claim against the Government, except payment of just compensation based on a court judgment in expropriation proceedings; b) request for concurrence in the hiring of legal retainers by government agency; c) write off of unliquidated cash advances and dormant accounts receivable in amounts exceeding one million pesos (P1,000,000.00); d) request for relief from accountability for losses due to acts of man, i.e., theft, robbery, arson, etc., in amounts in excess of five million pesos (P5,000,000.00).” BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that disbursement of funds on the payment of just compensation shall be subject to post-audit. This Resolution shall take effect after 15 days following its publication in two newspapers of general circulation. Approved this 12th day of May,2021 in Quezon City, Philippines.

MICHAEL G. AGUINALDO Chairperson

ROLAND C. PONDOC Commissioner 1

The Heirs of Mateo Pidacan and Romana Bigo, namely: Pacita Pidacan vda. De Zubiri and Adela Pidacan vda. De Robles vs. Air Transportation Office, G.R. No. 186192, August 25, 2010. Apo Fruits Corporation and Hijo Plantation, Inc. vs. Land Bank of the Philippines, G.R. No. 164195, April 5, 2011. (MS-MAY 24, 2021)

waiting,” said one man. On Saturday, Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya had said that the government had activated an evacuation plan and was “discussing the urgent measures to take at present.” Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi had said he would “interrupt his stay in Europe to return home this Sunday to supervise the coordination of aid.” By early Sunday, between 5,000 and 7,000 people had arrived in neighbouring Rwanda, according to the country’s national broadcaster. The Rwanda Broadcast Agency tweeted photos of those arriving in Rubavu district, but said early Sunday that the evacuees had already begun heading home. “At the moment, the Congolese who had evacuated into Rwanda because of the Nyiragongo volcanic eruption are returning to their homeland. It appears that the eruption has stopped,” it tweeted. AFP

Journalist critical of gov’t virus response granted bail A LEADING Bangladesh journalist critical of the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was granted bail on Sunday, after her detention sparked days of nationwide protests. Rozina Islam, 42, an investigative reporter for the country’s largest Bengali daily Prothom Alo, was arrested by police Monday under the Official Secrets Act. She was later charged with stealing health ministry documents. Islam was granted bail after being ordered to surrender her passport and pay a bail bond of 5,000 taka ($60) by the chief metropolitan magistrate of the

capital Dhaka, her lawyer told reporters. “We did not oppose her ad interim bail provided she submits her passport,” Dhaka’s chief prosecutor Abdullah Abu told AFP. The passport submission was to prevent her from leaving the country, he said, adding that Islam was expected to be released from detention later Sunday. Journalist unions and advocacy groups said Islam was detained for her stories, which included allegations that urgently needed medical equipment was left at Dhaka airport for months, and that bribes had been offered to recruit doctors. AFP

Ex-BBC chief resigns as National Gallery head over Diana probe A FORMER BBC chief who was criticized for his “woefully ineffective” probe into Martin Bashir’s deception in securing a bombshell interview with Princess Diana on Saturday resigned as chair of Britain’s National Gallery. Journalist Bashir tricked Diana into giving a 1995 BBC television interview in which she lifted the lid on her troubled marriage to Prince Charles, an independent investigation concluded on Thursday. Tony Hall, who had led an earlier investigation into the interview and was later named head of the BBC, said he had “today resigned as Chair of the National Gallery.” “As I said two days ago, I am very sorry for the events of 25 years ago and I believe leadership means taking responsibility,” he said in a statement released by the world-renowned London gallery. “I have always had a strong sense of public service and it is clear my continuing in the role would be a distraction to an institution I care deeply about.” AFP

Iran explosives plant blast injures 9 AT LEAST nine people were injured in a blast on Sunday at a plant producing explosive materials in Iran’s central province of Isfahan, ISNA news agency reported. The blast occurred at Sepahan Nargostar Chemical Industries at 4:00 a.m. local time (2330 GMT) due to “unclear reasons still being investigated,” said Mansour Shisheforoush, head of the province’s crisis management organization.

Nine factory workers were injured and transferred to hospital, he added. He said several investigative teams are currently at the scene to determine the cause of the blast. The plant is located about 45 kilometers northwest of Isfahan city. The company manufactures “industrial-commercial explosive materials” and was established in 1941, according to its website. AFP

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G7 agrees to end state financing of coal plants

Market tests 6,000 support level T By Jenniffer B. Austria

LONDON—The Group of Seven wealthy nations on Friday agreed to end state financing of coal-fired power plants by the end of this year, and to “mostly decarbonize” electricity supplies in the 2030s. Ahead of a leaders meeting in Britain next month, G7 countries’ climate and environment ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to limit keep temperature rises below 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050, following a two-day virtual meeting. Scientists say any increases beyond that will trigger uncontrollable climate change. “Recognizing that continued global investment in unabated coal power generation is incompatible with keeping 1.5C within reach, we stress that international investments in unabated coal must stop now,” the ministers said. UK lawmaker Alok Sharma, who is president-designate of the COP26 UN climate summit to be held in Glasgow in November, said the consensus was “a clear signal to the world that coal is on the way out.” The move follows a recommendation from the International Energy Agency earlier this week that all future fossil fuel projects must be scrapped if the world is to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and limit warming to 1.5C. German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze called the agreement “an important step forward” that gave credibility to industrialized nations to urge others to follow suit. Her French counterpart, Barbara Pompili, said it “sets the stage for a radical transition towards clean energy,” hailing Japan, which had resisted, for getting on board. The G7 countries—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and Britain—are home to major carmakers, and further agreed to “significantly accelerate” the shift away from petrol in the transport industry within the decade. Fossil fuels should also be mostly phased out from G7 countries’ electricity supplies by the 2030s. The grouping reiterated that it aimed to eliminate “inefficient fossil fuel subsidies” by 2025 and encouraged all countries to follow suit. AFP

MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

HE stock market is expected to continue with its sluggish trading this week as investor sentiment remains weak on health and growing inflation concerns.

Analysts said the 6,000-point support level could be tested over the near-term period, with foreign funds still lukewarm on the local equities market. The pandemic is restricting mobility, which in turn is preventing the further opening up of the domestic economy. “The week’s close at 6,199.25 signals the market’s continued march towards the 6,000 levels is unfolding,” BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said. “Should this decline accelerate in the coming days, it could put the 6,000 levels to the test and if it breaks, could put the 5,700 levels within striking distance,” he added. Analysts said the market’s slide to the 6,000-point

level could provide an opportunity for bargain hunters and Puregold Price Club Inc., which climbed 11.5 perto accumulate on stocks that are expected to post sig- cent to P35.30. Weekly top price losers were Megawide Construcnificant rebound by the second half of the year. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week tion Corp., which shed 8.3 percent to P6.05; SM Inslipped 1.1 percent to 6,199.25, while the broader All vestments Corp., which dropped 5.5 percent to P910; Shares Index dipped 0.2 percent to 3,842.72. and Universal Robina Corp., which fell 4.4 percent to Four of the sectoral indices, however, posted week- P130. With AFP on-week gains, led by mining and oil Manila (+2.65 percent), property (+1.78 percent), services (+1.34 percent and indus- Standard TODAY trial (+0.23 percent). 593 Antonio Drive, Bagumbayan, Taguig City 1630 Holding firms fell 3.2 percent while the financials index declined 1.9 percent. NOTICE OF 2021 ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING Foreign investors were net sellers for the week by P2.6 billion, while the average daily value traded dropped to P5.3 The Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of billion from the previous week’s averJACKSTONES, INC. will be held on 14 June 2021 at age of P6.6 billion. 9:00 A.M. through remote communication to discuss the Weekly top price gainers were Ginefollowing agenda: bra San Miguel Inc., which jumped 19 percent to P71; PXP Energy Corp., 1. Call to Order; which advanced 11.6 percent to P7.70; 2. Determination of Existence of Quorum; 3. Approval of Minutes of the Calendar Year (“CY”) 2020 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting; 4. Report of the President; 5. Approval of Audited Financial Statements for CY 2020; 6. Ratification of All Acts and Resolutions of the Board of Directors and Management Adopted from 7 August 2020 to 14 June 2021; 7. Election of Directors (including the Independent Directors); 8. Appointment of External Auditor; 9. Amendment of the By-Laws of the Corporation; 10. Consideration of Such Other Business as May Properly Come Before the Meeting; and 11. Adjournment;

ON DECK. Onlookers wave from the shore as the ‘AIDAsol’ cruise ship of AIDA Cruises leaves the harbor of Kiel, northern Germany, under heavy rain on May 22, 2021. The ‘AIDAsol’ is the first cruise ship with passengers that departs from the German harbor of Kiel for the first time in 2021, after cruises were not able take place for months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP

IMF proposes $50-b plan to end the pandemic WASHINGTON—The IMF on Friday proposed a $50-billion plan to end the COVID-19 pandemic, with a target of vaccinating at least 40 percent of the world’s population by the end of 2021. The modest financial commitment pales in comparison to the massive stimulus rolled out by rich nations, including the latest $1.9-trillion US package approved in March. “One of the key messages of this proposal is that the amount that’s needed is not very big,” IMF chief economist Gita

Gopinath told reporters. The plan is dwarfed by the economic benefits the International Monetary Fund calculates would be gained by an early end to the pandemic, amounting to $9 trillion from the faster economic recovery. IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva presented the plan to world leaders at the G20 Global Health Summit in Rome, that aims to have at least 60 percent of the world’s population vaccinated by the end of 2022.

But in addition to the global goal, the IMF seeks to address the gap between rich countries and poor in accessing the vaccines, she said. “Our proposal sets targets, estimates financing requirements, and lays out pragmatic action,” Georgieva said. “For some time we have been warning of dangerous divergence of economic fortunes. It will only worsen as the gap widens between wealthy countries that have access to vaccines and poor countries that do not.” AFP

Women: ‘A League of Their Own’ DO YOU recall a comedy-drama film in 1999–2011, when Sheri McCoy succeeded 1992 which featured a professional allher and served from 2012–2017; and (3) Sufemale baseball league? It starred Tom san Cameron was CEO (for the second time) MA. SHIELAH Hanks (Jimmy Dugan), Geena Davis (Dotof Reynolds American from 2014 until JanuASONG tie Hinson), Madonna (Mae Mordabito), ary 1, 2017, when Debra Crew succeeded Rosie O’Donnell (Doris Murphy) and Lori her, serving only one year until December 31, Petty (Kit Keller). A League of Their Own 2017. is one of the very few that defined women’s Why are women confronted with such obcharacter–strong, independent, fierce, loyal and yet befitting into stacles? Despite women’s ascent to leadership roles, they are faced different roles of being a mother, sister, friend, companion, team with the invisible barrier of the “glass ceiling” that prevents them player and leader. from gaining access to such positions. Women who shatter the As the movie industry evolved, iconic female leads became sig- glass ceiling often find themselves in precarious leadership posinificant. We saw strong women heroines such as Hermione Grang- tions, known as the “glass cliff” phenomenon. These are the moer, The Harry Potter Series (2001–2011); Miranda Priestly, The ments when women in leadership roles are more likely to be proDevil Wears Prada (2006); Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games moted than men during periods of crisis or downturn or when the Series (2012–2015); Katherine Johnson, Hidden Figures (2016); risk of failure is high. On the other hand, women could have also Diana, Wonder Woman (2016-2020); and Carol Denvers, Captain experienced the “glass escalator” phenomenon by which means Marvel (2019). These women turned out to be the heroines who men are accelerated through the organizational ranks, especially in saved the day, conquered the world and championed their causes. female-dominated professions. When COVID-19 broke out in early 2020, women-led counParamount to gender equality intervention is the emphasis on an tries such as New Zealand, Finland, Germany, and Taiwan were equal opportunity of talent and potential. This can only occur with notably recognized for successfully fighting the coronavirus pan- the existence of gender-equal leadership that enables men to learn demic. Research revealed that women were rated as more effec- different leadership approaches from women as much as women tive leaders before and during the crisis. Their scores were even have always been told to learn leadership approaches from men. higher during the first wave of the pandemic. Meanwhile, women Following the discussion on women’s leadership, I contemplate outperformed men on most leadership competencies. Based on an my journey. After I graduated from college, I began my career in analysis of 360-degree reviews during the pandemic, women were one of the top banking institutions. I was designated to a marketing rated higher on most key parameters. division led by a woman. For the very first time, I witnessed how What made women leadership thrive during the pandemic? an entire department progressed under a woman’s leadership. She Women lead with “truth, decisiveness, tech and, most importantly, was bold, assertive and confident. She was an achiever. love…This moment, unlike any we’ve ever known, opens new opWhen I shifted my career, I had the opportunity to work with the tions for the future.” An interesting note to ponder is an article top global market research agency. Similarly, I was appointed to a that presented seven leadership lessons men can learn from wom- division led by a woman. I saw the familiar spark of passion and en. These are: (1) Don’t lean in when you’ve got nothing to lean dedication in her leadership that ignited enthusiasm and steered in about; (2) know your own limitations’ (3) motivate through a towards tremendous accomplishments through the years. Now, I transformation; (4) put your people ahead of yourself; (5) don’t am engaged in a company for women, and our CEO leads with command; empathize; (6) focus on elevating others; and (7) don’t integrity and transparency. Because the organization and her share say you’re “humbled.” Be humble. the same values and beliefs, we share a purpose-driven journey. However, when turning the conversion about leadership in the I came across numerous scholarly articles and videos/webinars corporate world, women continue to be challenged. They remain on women leadership, and every time I do, I feel proud, inspired underrepresented in leadership roles. Women held 30 (6 percent) and motivated. Women have gone a long way and accomplished of CEO positions in S&P 500 companies as of December 2019. so much. While they strike a balance between family and career, In early 2020, there was a lift to 6.7 percent and ending with 7.8 they also recognize that they need to uphold their significant role percent by yearend, with UPS, Clorox, Citigroup, CVS, and Dick’s in society. Indeed, women are a league of their own! Sporting Goods naming women to lead their companies. Women CEOs account for 8.2 percent in February 2021 and Ma. Shielah S. Asong is a DBA student at De La Salle Univerare expected to increase to 15 percent of Fortune 500 and S&P sity. She teaches Marketing and is a market researcher by proroles by 2025, including 10 percent being women of color. Mean- fession. She can be reached at ma_shielah_asong@dlsu.edu.ph. while, there were only three occasions when women succeeded other women as CEO: (1) Anne Mulcahy served as CEO of XeThe views expressed above are the author’s and do not necesrox from 2001–2009, then Ursula Burns succeeded her and served sarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its adfrom 2009–2017; (2) Andrea Jung as CEO of Avon Products from ministrators.

Green LiGht

A brief explanation of each agenda item, the detailed Definitive Information Statement for CY2020, the procedures for the registration for the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting and the voting in absentia, and the procedure for attendance by proxy can be accessed in Jackstones, Inc.’s website at https://jackstonesinc.com/index.php/ notice-of-annual-and-special-stockholders-meetings/, or in the Philippine Stock Exchange Electronic Disclosure Generation Technology at https://edge.pse.com.ph/ companyDisclosures/form.do?cmpy_id=134 The Organizational Meeting of the Board of Directors will follow soon after the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting. By order of the Board of Directors, (sgd) JUAN MIGUEL VICTOR C. DE LA FUENTE Corporate Secretary (MS-MAY 22 & 24, 2021)

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NOTICE OF THE 2021 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation (AT or the Corporation) will conduct its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders for 2021 (“AGM” or the “Meeting”) virtually on 14 June 2021 at 10:00 a.m., with the proceedings livestreamed and voting conducted in absentia through the Corporation’s secure online voting facility, for the purpose of considering and acting on the following matters on the Agenda: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

AGENDA Call to Order Certification of Service of Notice of Meeting & Quorum Approval of Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) held on 24 August 2020 Approval of the Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for 2020 Amendment to AT’s By-laws: Articles I, II, III, V, VI & XV Election of Directors (including Independent Directors) for 2021-2022 Ratification of acts and proceedings of the Board of Directors, Board Committees and Management Appointment of External Auditor Other Matters Open Forum Adjournment

Enclosed is a copy of the Rationale/Explanation for the above Agenda items for reference. Only Shareholders of record as of 20 April 2021 are entitled to receive notice of, participate and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. The Shareholders’ list will be available for inspection at the Corporation’s principal office located at 5F FiveE-com Center, Palm Coast Avenue corner Pacific Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City 1300 (the “Office”). The Stock and Transfer Book of the Corporation will be closed on 20 April 2021. Shareholders intending to participate in the Meeting via remote communication and to exercise their vote in absentia should register through the Company’s online registration system at asmregister.atlasmining.com.ph until 4 June 2021. Successfully registered Shareholders may cast their votes in absentia through the Company’s secure online voting facilty, asmvoting.atlasmining.com.ph, and shall be provided access to the live streaming of the Meeting. The “Guidelines for Participating via Remote Communication and Voting in Absentia” is enclosed to the Information Statement (IS) and posted on the PSE EDGE and the Company’s website, https://www.atlasmining. com.ph/investor-relations/annual-stock-holders-meeting. Any Shareholder who wish to appoint a proxy may accomplish the proxy form (which need not be notarized) and submit the same at the Office not later than 4 June 2021. Validation of proxies and ballots is set on 5 June 2021. We are not soliciting your proxy. Shareholders are encouraged to submit relevant comments and questions on the Agenda items by email bearing the subject “AGM 2021 Open Forum” to Agm@atlasmining.com.ph on or before 12 June 2021 to be considered during the open forum. The Information Statement in SEC Form 20-IS, Proxy Form, Annual Report for fiscal year 2020 in SEC Form 17-A and the Quarterly Report for the first quarter of 2021 in SEC Form 17-Q are posted on the PSE EDGE and on the Company’s website at https://www.atlasmining.com.ph/investor-relations/annual-stock-holders-meeting where you may also find the complete information on the AGM. Pasay City, Metro Manila, 10 May 2021. Thank you. Maria Eleonor A. Santiago Assistant Corporate Secretary RATIONALE/EXPLANATION OF AGENDA ITEMS Certification of Service of Notice & Agenda of Meeting and Quorum The Notice and Agenda of the AGM and the Information Statement (IS) are posted on the PSE EDGE and on the Corporation’s website,https://www.atlasmining.com.ph/investor-relations/annual-stock-holders-meeting. The Notice, Agenda & Rationale shall be published in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in both print and online formats. The Corporate Secretary shall certify that due notice of the AGM was made and the existence of a quorum. Shareholders present and/or who voted by proxy or in absentia, representing a majority of the outstanding capital stock shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Approval of the Minutes of the AGM on 24 August 2020 The Minutes of the AGM held on 24 August 2020 are appended to the IS and are posted on the Corporation’s website, https://www.atlasmining.com.ph/investor-relations/annual-stock-holders-meeting. A resolution approving the minutes will be presented to the Shareholders for approval which shall constitute approval of the accuracy & faithfulness of the minutes to what transpired during the said meeting. . Approval of the 2020 Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements: The Corporation’s financial and operating results for the year 2020 and the Audited Financial Statements (AFS) as of 31 December 2020 are provided in the Annual Report. The AFS audited by Sycip Gorres Velayo & Company (SGV) have been reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee (AuditCom) and the Board of Directors (BOD). The Management’s Report and AFS for 2020 are also contained in the IS available on the Corporation’s website, https://www.atlasmining.com.ph/investor-relations/annual-stock-holders-meeting. After the presentation of the Annual Report, a resolution noting and approving the Annual Report and AFS will be presented to the Shareholders for approval which shall constitute a ratification of the Company’s performance in 2020. Approval of the Amendment to AT’s By-laws: To conform the By-Laws of AT to the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines (RCCP), various SEC memos, Code of Corporate Governance (CCG) and AT’s current operations and structure as well as to authorize certain standards, procedures and rules the Corporation shall follow for efficient operation, the resolution amending Articles I, II, III, V, VI, and XV of AT’s By-laws will be presented to the Shareholders for their approval. Details of the amendments are provided in the IS. . Election of Directors (including Independent Directors): The nominated directors were determined to be qualified and competent for election as directors for 2021 2022 by the Corporate Governance Committee (CGC) after their qualifications were duly reviewed. The list of nominees and their profiles are provided in the IS and posted in the Corporation website, https://www.atlasmining.com.ph/ investor-relations/annual-stock-holders-meeting. Their proven competencies, expertise and qualifications based on current standards, will be invaluable for the Company’s performance. The CGC recommends their election. Ratification of acts and proceedings of the Board of Directors (BOD) and Management for 2020 All acts, resolutions and proceedings of the BOD, the BOD Committees and the Management of AT from the date of the last AGM to the date of this Meeting, including all significant related party transactions if any, will be presented to the Shareholders for ratification. A resolution noting, approving and ratifying all acts, resolutions and proceedings of Management, BOD Committees and the BOD will be presented to the Shareholders for approval. Appointment of SGV as External Auditor The BOD, upon recommendation of the Audit Committee (AudiCom), endorses the appointment of SGV as the Corporation’s external auditor for 2021. The profile of the external auditor is provided in the IS. The Shareholders are also requested to delegate to the BOD the authority to approve the appropriate audit fee for 2021. A resolution for the appointment of external auditor will be presented to the Shareholders for adoption. Other Matters Other business as may properly come before the meeting may be raised. The Chairman will decide whether such business may be properly taken up in the meeting or in another Shareholders’ meeting or other proper forum. Open Forum Only relevant comments and questions on the Agenda items which are submitted by email to Agm@atlasmining com.ph with subject “ASM 2021 Open Forum” on or before 10 June 2021 will be considered during the open forum as time will allow. Questions and comments received but not read during the Open Forum due to time constraints will be addressed separately. (MS-MAY 22 & 24, 2021)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021

First Gen plans to run 1,200-MW LNG plant by ‘24 FIRST Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group said over the weekend it plans to complete the 1,200-megawatt Santa Maria natural gas power plant in Batangas by late 2024 or early 2025. “Santa Maria is a 1,200-MW natural gas-fired power plant that is part of FGen’s pipeline of projects. Previously, we have pre-invested in certain common infrastructure and currently we are carrying out pre-development works and securing permits for the project,” First Gen president Francis Giles Puno said. Puno said the development of the FGEN liquefied natural gas terminal would pave the way for the Santa Maria project, which, if needed, could be online by late 2024 or early 2025. He said the LNG project would play a critical role to ensure the energy security of the Luzon Grid and the Philippines as the Malampaya gas resource was depleting and was becoming less reliable in providing fuel supply for First Gen’s own gas-fired power plants, “and even less so in our expansion plans to build new gas-fired power plants to address the growing energy demand of the country.” Puno said the plan was to modify First Gen’s existing jetty facilities in Batangas to enable LNG to be shipped to the country from anywhere in the world and regasify the LNG molecules via a floating storage and regasification unit. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business Uy’s Malampaya takeover needs nod of gov’t—Cusi T By Alena Mae S. Flores

HE acquisition of another 45-percent interest in the Malampaya gas-to-power project in northwest Palawan by dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp. will need government approval, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said over the weekend. Malampaya Energy XP Pte. Ltd., a unit of Udenna, disclosed last week it was buying the 45-percent stake of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. in the $4.5-billion Malampaya project for up to $460 million. “Yes, it needs approval. We have to determine its technical, financial and operational compliance to standards re-

quired to assure energy security of the country,” Cusi said when asked for comment on the transaction between Udenna and Spex. Spex is the operator of Malampaya project covered by Service Contract No. 38. He said the DOE would review the technical and financial capability of Malampaya Energy, which would be-

come the operator with 90-percent stake in SC 38. Energy Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III said DOE could reject the transfer of operatorship if Malampaya Energy would be found to have insufficient financial or technical capability to fund the work commitments of SC 38. Pulido said the signing of agreement between Malampaya Energy and Spex was “purely private business transaction,” and the DOE had no part in the agreement nor in the selection process. He said the sales agreement needed the approval of the SC 38 Consortium members prior to submission to the DOE for the processing of approval of transfer of participating interest and operatorship.

LandBank approves P20-b loans to businesses hit by pandemic By Julito G. Rada STATE-RUN Land Bank of the Philippines said over the weekend it approved loans totaling P20.07 billion as of April 30 to borrowers adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bank said in a statement the beneficiaries of the loans consisted mostly of micro-, small- and medium-enterprises and cooperatives. It said through the I-RESCUE (Interim Rehabilitation Support to Cushion Un-

favorably affected Enterprises by COVID-19) Lending Program, the bank provided support to 434 borrowers including 292 MSMEs, 81 cooperatives, 56 large corporations and five microfinance institutions. LandBank said of the total P20.07 billion approved loans, P18.21 billion was already released. The bank said that in April―or exactly a year after the program was launched―the program fund of the IRESCUE Lending Program was dou-

bled to P20 billion from P10 billion to accommodate the increasing number of loan applicants The loan facility aims to provide credit and loan restructuring assistance to pandemic-hit businesses under more flexible terms and conditions and would be available until Dec. 31, 2022. Under the I-RESCUE Lending Program, MSMEs, cooperatives, MFIs and large corporations may borrow up to 85 percent of their emergency or permanent working capital requirement.

IN BRIEF LBC Express’ Q1 profit hit P140m

LOGISTICS provider LBC Express Holdings Inc. said over the weekend net income declined 21.2 percent in the first quarter to P140 million from P177.8 million in the same period last year despite higher revenues. LBC Express said in a financial statement filed with the stock exchange revenues rose 15 percent in the first three months to P4.36 billion from P3.8 billion a year ago. Domestic revenues increased 13 percent as its logistics business grew by 17 percent, driven by 75 new branches that became operational since the same period last year and the improvement in sales performance of existing branches. Overseas revenues also rose 27 percent on higher volume across all countries. The company said the cost of services also increased by 16 percent to P3.2 billion as cost of delivery and remittance were also higher. Operating income meanwhile reached P477.87 million, up 55 percent from P308.3 million last year. “LBC is on track toward recovery from the previous year, and poised to continue its expansion, with facilities under construction and additional branches in the pipeline for the year,” the company said. Jenniffer B. Austria

GMA-7 to sell more mobile TV receivers

GMA Network Inc. said it expects to sell half a million mobile digital terrestrial TV devices this year as the government eases quarantine restrictions. “Our sales of GMA Now has been so slow, but we are hoping that with the easing of [restrictions] and people can move around outside of their home now we are hoping to reach the 500,000,” GMA Network chairman and chief executive Felipe Gozon said. “The idea of GMA Now is that you can watch your favorite programs outside of your home,” he said. GMA Now is a mobile digital TV receiver that allows Android smartphone users to watch the live broadcast of Kapuso channels for free. It is available in portions of Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Baguio City, Pangasinan, Batangas, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao and Cagayan de Oro. Gozon said his company already sold 1.25 million GMA Affordabox, a digital TV receiver since it was launched in June last year. He said GMA was expected to grow earnings by 15 percent this year from P5.98 billon last year. Darwin G. Amojelar

RCBC named 2021 best retail bank

RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp. was named the Best Retail Bank of 2021 at the Global Banking and Finance Award for trailblazing initiatives that made banking more accessible and that safely transitioned clients to a better normal amid the pandemic. It recognized RCBC’s retail arm, the Retail Banking Group, for rolling out customer-centric solutions that empowered clients to bank safely at the height of the lockdown. These include the RCBC Touch, the bank’s fully digital end-to-end onboarding platform, the launch of OneAccount, an industry-first flexible all-in-one deposit account and enabling more banking services in its online banking platform. A Bank-From-Home feature was also launched to accommodate those who wish to transact with a bank representative through phone and web conferencing, allowing clients to transact safely and conveniently in their homes. The bank also introduced an enhanced rewards program under the Hexagon Club. The universal bank continues to embark on a massive digital transformation and heavily invest on building its digital capabilities that support customercentric solutions.

Sports

Ormoc City to vaccinate PH fencers THE City of Ormoc will take care of the vaccination of members of the national men’s and women’s fencing teams when they come back to train for the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam. Philippine Fencing Association president and Ormoc City mayor Richard Gomez said this is what their local government is preparing to do, now that the biennial meet is drawing closer. “Kami na ang magba-vaccinate ng mga athletes namin. Meron naman kaming allocation,” said Gomez during the weekly program ”The Chasedown.” Gomez talked about the role that Ormoc City will play, a few days after the government approved the proposal to prioritize the COVID-19 vaccination of Filipino athletes and officials in relation to their participation in the Tokyo Olympics and the SEA Games. The Philippines now has nine athletes competing in the Tokyo Games, scheduled on July 23 to August 8, namely weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo, boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Carlo Paalam, and Nesthy Petecio, rower Cris Nievarez and taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa. So far, only Diaz and Marcial have been vaccinated and in their places of training in Malaysia and the United States, respectively. The Philippine Olympic Committee has initially confirmed 626 athletes to the Hanoi SEA Games, which is imposing a “no vaccination, no participation” policy in the biennial sports meet scheduled to run from Nov. 21 to Dec. 2. Fencer Samantha Catantan, who finished with a bronze medal in the women’s foil in the recent AsiaOceania Olympic qualifiers in fencing in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is training in the United States. Two-time Southeast Asian Games bronze medallist Nathaniel Perez will be among those expected to be Ormoc City for training, along with Noelito Jose Jr., a dual bronze winner in the 2019 SEA Games men’s sabre event. Jyln Nicanor, who settled for sixth place after bowing to Lin Hin Wai of Hong Kong, 12-15, in the women’s sabre quarterfinals of the Olympic qualifiers, is also in the list of the PFA’s vaccination priorities. Peter Atencio

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021

Kurt Barbosa drops to his knees after winning his final game against Jordan’s Zaid Al-Hawani in the 2021 Asian Taekwondo Olympic Qualification Tournament at the Kempinski Hotel, Amman, Jordan, in a victory that earned him an Olympic seat. (From Jordan Taekwondo Federation)

Barbosa on his Olympic feat: This is for my country By Peter Atencio

“N

AISIP ko ‘yung buong Pilipinas, kaya dapat manalo ako sa game na ito, kasi para sa bayan to.” For Kurt Bryan Barbosa, losing his last ﬁght was not an option.

That’s why the world 154th-ranked Barbosa stayed focused until the last moment of his remaining bout as he landed three successive 45-degree kicks to the body of his foe in the remaining 12 seconds. The result was a come-from-behind 50-49 triumph over hometown bet Zaid Al-Hawani in the 2021 Asian Taekwondo Olympic Qualification Tournament at the Kempinski Hotel, Amman, Jordan on Saturday. The win was good enough for the National University standout to clinch a

berth to the Tokyo Olympic Games this July, becoming the only taekwondo jin to do so and the ninth Filipino qualifier in the quadrennial meet. “Basta, noong nasa waiting area lang ako before semis, naka-focused talaga ako, wala ako iniisip na iba kung hindi paano siya talunin,” said the 22-year-old Barbosa in a message to the Manila Standard. “Wala sa isip ko ‘yung talo,” added Barbosa, who found his timing in the closing seconds of his two-minute encounter in the third round of the men’s

-58kg class semifinals. Barbosa normally fights in the 54kg category and he had to plan out his fight because Al-Hawani was bigger and heavier than him. “May mga game-plan talaga kami na gumana sa first round. Pero, na-checkmate kami, kaya nag-switch agad kami ng game-plan para kontrahin ang ginagawa ng kalaban,” added Barbosa, who became the first Filipino male jin to snare an Olympic berth in 13 years. With his qualification, Barbosa followed in the footsteps of Tshomlee Go, who made it in the same weight class in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. A bigger Al-Hawani had the advantage, 48-43, with 24 seconds to when a penalty given to the Jordanian allowed Barbosa to make his move. “Hindi po ako sumuko,” said Barbosa, who qualified with Thailand’s Ramnarong Sawekwiharee, a three-time gold

James escapes sanction over COVID-19 rule protocols, and, as we have in other comparable instances around the league, it has been addressed with the team,” an NBA spokesman told ESPN. James will not face suspension however because the breach was not regarded as serious enough to risk spreading the virus. According to NBA regulations, players found to have breached health and safety protocols can receive warnings, fines or suspensions depending on the seriousness of the breach. James’ Lakers team-mate Dennis Schroder was recently required to miss 10 days because of COVID-19 protocols.

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James broke NBA r ules regarding Covid-19 but will not face sanction over the protocol breach, US media reported Saturday. James, who will spearhead the Lakers in their opening playoff game against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, violated health and safety regulations after attending a promotional event for a brand of tequila he has invested in, ESPN reported. Hollywood actor Michael B. Jordan and singer Drake both attended the event with James, which took place before the Lakers win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. Although invitees were required to show proof of a negative test or vaccination to get access to the event, James was deemed to be in breach of the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols. “It’s a violation of the agreed upon

LeBron James will not face suspension because the breach was not regarded as serious enough to risk spreading the virus.

DS Romero lauds Bataan’s land donation for PSTC DEPUTY Speaker Mikee Romero has expressed delight over the donation of a land where the proposed state-of-the-art Philippine Sports Training Center will be constructed to become the official home of Filipino athletes—aspiring and elite. “Being one of the authors of the law that creates the establishment of a modern sports complex, I am honored that our athletes will soon have a place where they can further polish their talents,” said Romero. “It will be their future home away from home.” The 1Pacman Partylist representative also lauded the provincial government of Bataan for donating six lots with a land area of more or less 250,000 square meters in the municipality of Bagac—around three hours from the capital city of Manila.

Apart from its historical feats, Bagac is rich in agricultural and aquatic resources which are essential in providing nutrients during the training of the national team pool members. “Because of its natural wonders, Bagac is a perfect training ground and it’s away from the madding crowd in the metropolis,” he added. No less than Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez formally received the deed of donation from Bataan Gov. Albert Raymond “Abet” Garcia last week. Romero, who owns the NorthPort team in the PBA apart from being one of the founding directors of the Philippine National Federation of Polo Players, said the creation of the PSTC is regarded as the landmark sports project under the administration of President Duterte.

“It’s a dream come for our national athletes because in three to four years, they will have a state-of-the-art facility that is at par with some of the best in the world,” said Romero. “Also it can also play host to future international events. More than that, it can provide livelihood to local residents.” The P3.5 billion sports complex will cater to athletes of archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, taekwondo, karate, judo, wrestling, cycling (velodrome), dance sport, football, gymnastics, handball, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, shooting, softball, squash, swimming, table tennis, volleyball, wall climbing water polo and weightlifting. Romero said giving PSC sufficient funding is also high on their sports agenda in Congress. “PSC should not only have suf-

Mikee Romero

ficient funding but also powers to advance the welfare of national athletes through compensations and rewards,” he added. It will also have amenities for administrative, sports science, medical, and dormitories for athletes and coaches.

medallist at the Southeast Asian Games in the 58kg class. Barbosa fought in the 54kg during the SEA Games, where he is the gold medallist. Sawekwiharee earned qualification after he disposed of Haron Khan of Pakistan, 32-26. Both Barbosa and Sawekwiharee, however, will no longer meet in a finals’ encounter, since the two slots given away in each of the eight categories, were filled up by them. Other Filipino jins Kirsten Alora, Arven Alcantara and Pauline Lopez did not qualify. Alora missed what could have been her second stint to the Olympics in the -68kg after bowing to Svetlana Osipova of Uzbekistan, 5-27. Later, Alora finished off Mokhru Khalimova of Tajikistan, 9-7, in the battle for third place.

Esports firm Tier One lands major deal with GroupM TIER One Entertainment announced a partnership with the world’s leading media investment company, GroupM. Southeast Asia’s leading esports company Tier One Entertainment has inked a major deal with the world’s leading media investment company, GroupM. With this landmark partnership, Tier One Entertainment hopes to accelerate the growth of the company and the gaming entertainment industry as a whole. “It’s been a long term goal of Tier One Entertainment to partner with GroupM. We are glad to have reached a point wherein our backend team can experience working with the best and brightest in the advertising industry. We look forward to a productive and meaningful working relationship as we bring esports and gaming to the forefront of mainstream advertising,” said Joanne Llavore, CCO of Tier One Entertainment Upon its launch, Tier One Entertainment stated that ‘bridging the gap between gaming and mainstream’ is one of its core goals. To them, the GroupM partnership will enable Tier One to pursue that goal more actively than ever, leveraging the fact that GroupM owns three of the five top media agencies and has access to some of the biggest brands on the planet. Through this partnership, the touchpoint between brands and gaming talents becomes more streamlined which then allows more mainstream brands to understand and leverage the commercial power of esports and gaming. Despite its rise as a phenomenon, esports and gaming largely remains an endemic sponsor-dominated industry, especially in Southeast Asia. Tier One hopes that with GroupM’s considerable network and resources, they can work to change this, bringing more eyes to the industry and their talents.

Sports

MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021

21 runners dead as bad weather hits ultramarathon

Ong talks about sports, business in NSS 2021 THE Philippine Sports Commission spotlights sports and business in the 15th session of the online National Sports Summit 2021 this May 26 with self-made businesswoman, former national women’s basketball head coach, and University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses and Ender un Lady Titans head coach Haydee Ong. As a co-owner of the sporting goods company Sol, the veteran basketball coach will talk about how experience and values learned from the sport served as a foundation in her venture to founding her sporting goods business and overcoming the challenges that came with it. Ong was a former national women’s basketball team head coach and national athlete. She headed the Philippine team’s first-ever gold in the 2010 Southeast Asian Basketball Association championship. It was also under her watch when the country won bronze medals during the 22nd Hanoi and 21st Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games and copped a silver medal during its 2011 installment. The sports summit’s fourth batch has Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation president Alberto Agra and University of the Philippines Prof. Gerard Lico as its f irst two resource speakers on sports legislation and sports infrastr ucture, respectively. NSS 2021 is slated for 25 topics from local sports administration up to international linkages. The series started in January this year.

Phil Mickelson of the United States reacts with a thumbs up after playing his shot on to the 18th green during the third round of the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Resort’s Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. AFP

Phil may get Ryder Cup spot with PGA triumph K

IAWAH ISLAND, United States—Phil Mickelson could wind up playing his way into the Ryder Cup as well as golf history with a victory on Sunday at the PGA Championship on blustery Kiawah Island.

The 50-year-old US left-hander fired a two-under par 70 on Saturday to grab a one-stroke lead over Brooks Koepka heading into the final round at the formidable Ocean Course. And while Mickelson’s 2021 form has not been strong, US Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker says the similarities between Whistling Straits, where the US-Europe showdown will be played in September, and Kiawah could boost a winner’s cause for a captain’s pick. “You could put a pretty good amount of weight on this week because this is really similar to Whistling Straits,” Stricker said. “We’ve got wind, we’ve got links style but not really links style golf, which is similar to Whistling Straits. “We’ll look at who played well here this week for sure because this is a telltale for Whistling Straits.”

Mickelson has played on every US Ryder Cup team since making his debut in 1995, winning three times. “It’s impressive when you’ve got a 50-year-old leading,” Stricker said. “But he’s a special player. He’s one of the greatest players in the history of the game, he has kept his health and his flexibility, and he still hits it long enough to compete. “He still has a tremendous amount of desire to compete at this level and that’s why he’s playing well.” Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth says he never watches golf on television but would to see Phil. “It’s Phil. It’s theatre. I don’t watch golf but I promise you I’m going to turn it on to watch him,” Spieth said. “It’s pretty incredible. “The guy has got four good rounds on any golf course in him, and no one would bet against that.”

Irishman Shane Lowry, the 2019 British Open champion, marvels at Mickelson’s success this week. “Wow, it’s an unbelievable story so far,” Lowry said. “Who knows if he’ll hold on or not or he’ll go on and win, but it’s fairly incredible what he’s doing. So fair play to him.” American Joel Dahmen says he’d be surprised to see Mickelson pull it off. “I’m rooting for him. It would be an incredible story,” he said. “It’s going to be tough. I’m rooting for him, but I’d be impressed if it did.” Age only a number To American Charley Hoffman, Mickelson turning back the clock proves an old adage. “Age is just a number,” he said. “Phil works harder than anybody. He plays more holes than anybody. He practices harder than anybody. “Phil is one of the best players to ever play the game. It doesn’t surprise me.” American Gary Woodland, the 2019 US Open champion, said he gives hope of a long career to every rival he faces. AFP

Middleton lifts Bucks over Heat; Nets prevail LOS ANGELES—Khris Middleton nailed a clutch two-pointer with less than one second remaining as the Milwaukee Bucks snatched a thrilling 109107 overtime victory against the Miami Heat in their NBA Eastern Conference playoff opener on Saturday. Middleton kept his composure superbly to drain the decisive jump shot from 18 feet with just 0.5 seconds on the clock, handing the Bucks a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven first round series. In other series openers, the Brooklyn Nets rallied from a 12-point secondquarter deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 104-93. In the West, the fifth seeded Dallas Mavericks rallied late in the fourth quarter to down the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers 113-103 at the Staples Center. Middleton’s dramatic winner marked the final act of a pulsating battle between the two Eastern Conference rivals, who also met in last year’s playoffs with the Heat winning that series 4-1. Heat talisman Jimmy Butler had

But Middleton’s late winner settled the game in overtime and gives the Bucks the chance to take a grip on the series with game two at home on Monday. Middleton led the Bucks scorers with 27 points, six rebounds and six assists, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who appeared to be struggling with a sore left arm, adding 26 points with 18 rebounds and five assists. The Bucks were almost left to rue another shaky performance from the free throw line from reigning NBA MVP Antetokounmpo, who made only six of 13 free throw attempts for a 46.2% completion percentage. Jr ue Holiday added 20 points for Milwaukee while Brook Lopez f inished with 18 points as the Bucks scraped home. “It’s a good start,” Middleton said. Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks makes a basket in overtime against Duncan “A lot of mistakes, a lot of missed free Robinson of the Miami Heat during Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round throws, a lot of threes from them, and playoff series at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. AFP we missed threes. But it’s a great start taken the game to overtime at the end basket to make it 99-99 as time ran out to what we want to do and where we of the fourth quarter, driving to the at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum. want to be.”

BEIJING, China—Twenty-one people were killed after hail, freezing rain and high winds hit runners taking part in a 100-kilometre cross-country mountain race in China, state media said Sunday. The extreme weather hit a highaltitude section of the race held in the Yellow River Stone Forest near Baiyin city in northwestern Gansu province Saturday afternoon. Among the dead were elite Chinese long-distance runners, local media reported. State broadcaster CCTV on Sunday reported the final missing competitor had been found having “already lost their vital signs”, citing the local rescue command headquarters. “This suggests that this incident caused 21 deaths in total,” CCTV said. City officials had earlier confirmed 20 deaths and one person missing at a briefing earlier on Sunday. Baiyin city mayor Zhang Xuchen said that at around midday a section of the ultramarathon course—between kilometres 20 and 31—was “suddenly affected by disastrous weather”. “In a short period of time, hailstones and ice rain suddenly fell in the local area, and there were strong winds. The temperature sharply dropped,” Zhang said. Shortly after receiving messages seeking help from some participants, marathon organisers dispatched a rescue team that managed to save 18 of the 172 participants. At around 2pm, weather conditions worsened and the race was immediately called off as local authorities sent more rescuers to help, Zhang said, adding that provincial authorities will further investigate its cause. The victims included top domestic marathon runners Liang Jing and Huang Guanjun, local media reported, citing a friend of Huang’s and Wei Pulong, Liang’s coach. Liang had won multiple Chinese ultramarathons in recent years. Huang, who was deaf-mute, won the men’s hearing-impaired marathon at the 2019 National Paralympic Games held in Tianjin. Marathon organisers confirmed his death to a friend, who was cited in local media. AFP Middleton meanwhile praised Antetokounmpo for battling through an uneven personal performance. “I don’t think he had his night the way he wanted to,” Middleton said. “But he battled, and defended well and that’s what he’s supposed to do—when it’s not your night, do other things.” Goran Dragic led the Miami scorers with 25 points, while shooting guard Duncan Robinson finished with 24 points. Butler, the star of Miami’s run to the NBA Finals last season, finished with 17 points. In Brooklyn, Kevin Durant scored a game-high 32 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead the Nets, who had 29 points from Kyrie Irving and 21 from James Harden. It was just the ninth time all season that the Nets’ “Big Three” played together, and Durant acknowledged it took them awhile to settle in before a crowd of 14,391 at the Barclays Center. “Most of it was settling down,” he said of the Nets’ struggles in the first half, in which they made just one of 13 from three-point range. “I think we rushed a lot of shots early. Our fans were in the stands for the first time at this capacity, I think there was a lot of adrenalin out there. AFP

8 best teams of #MPLPH Season 7 compete for championship THE Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League—Philippines Season 7, in partnership with its presenting sponsor Smart Communications and official Sponsors Oppo, Head & Shoulders, and J&T Express Philippines is about to become more LEGENDARY as it enters the Playoffs. After weeks of grueling group stage matches, the final eight teams have secured their Playoff slots and are now ready to compete for the well-coveted championship title. Epic fights taking place in the Upper Brackets Blacklist International quickly established themselves as an MLBB powerhouse, claiming the top spot—just falling short of a flawless win thanks to their match with Bren Esports. As the consistent #1 team in the rankings, Blacklist International’s might will be tested in the playoffs. The defending champion, Bren Esports is also back in the Playoffs for MPL PH Season 7, a chance that was almost threatened by their slump early in the group stage. The Season 6 titleholders managed to quickly bounce back and return to form. However, winning crucial matches and earning more than enough points to secure an upper bracket slot. Last season’s finalists, Omega Esports, also make their playoffs appearance in MPL PH Season 7. Like Bren Es-

ports, Omega Esports’ journey to the Playoffs was not easy. They have suffered from defeats early on but managed to push themselves up on the group rankings. Joining the upper brackets is Aura PH, who are looking to grab the championship title. With a lineup composed of former two-time MPL PH champions, Aura PH nearly breezed through the rest of Group A, ending their run with a 9-4 WL record. The intensity flares up in the Lower Brackets Despite their impressive early group stage run, Work Auster Force has been stumbling in the last few weeks and is now ranked #3 in their group. The super rookies have demonstrated that they are a viable threat, and the team is expected to show the same level, if not more, of skill and bravado now that they are in the playoffs. Nexplay Esports also make a return to the playoffs in the lower bracket after surviving the group stage. Led by famed MLBB Personality and MPL PH Season 1 champion, AkoSiDogie, Nexplay Esports have faced their fair share of ups and downs during their group stage run both inside and outside the league. Another team that also took the hard path to the playoffs, team Execration’s spot for this season was almost threatened during the final half of the group stage, but they have managed to persevere and move forward.

MPL PH Season 7 Playoffs Bracket

Completing the eight-team line-up for the playoffs and the lower bracket is team Onic PH. An established brand but with still a relatively young squad, expectations are high for team Onic PH. Just like team Execration, Onic PH is also has been consistently qualifying

for with their playoffs appearances in MPL PH playoffs, with the team always making it to the playoffs ever since their debut in Season 4. Playoffs Schedule The Playoffs will kick off on May 26 to 30, 2021 with the matches commencing at 4 p.m. All matches for the Playoffs will be in the Best of 5 format with the Grand Finals as Best of 7. The match schedule for the playoffs are as follows (rolling schedules): May 26: · Work Auster Force vs Nexplay Esports 4 p.m. · Aura PH vs Omega Esports 6 p.m. May 27: · Onic PH vs Execration 4 p.m. · Bren Esports vs Blacklist International 6.p.m. May 28 · Lower Bracket Quarterfinals 1 4 p.m. · Lower Bracket Quarterfinals 2 6 p.m. May 29 · Upper Bracket Finals 4 p.m. · Lower Bracket Semifinals 6 p.m. May 30 · Lower Bracket Finals 2 p.m. · Grand Finals 6:30 p.m.

Entertainment

nickie.standard@gmail.com MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021

BTS debuts ‘Butter’ in 2021 Billboard Music Awards LEADING mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. is giving Filipino music fans and Kpop stans a big treat as it brings the 2021 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) to subscribers in an exclusive livestream on the gigafest. smart portal this morning at 8:00. Headlining the prestigious awards show at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles are global sensation and Smart Prepaid ambassadors BTS, who are set to perform the television debut of their brand-new English-language single “Butter.” Joining BTS in taking the

stage are The Weeknd, DJ Khaled, H.E.R., Migos, twenty one pilots, and Duran Duran. International megastar Drake will be receiving the Artist of the Decade Award, while legendary artist P!NK will be performing and receiving the distinguished ICON Award. For Smart Prepaid subscribers, simply turn on your mobile data and visit gigafest.smart on your browser to watch the show. Smart Postpaid subscribers can also stream the show seamlessly on the portal. Music fans and K-pop stans can get the best streaming experience with Smart, the

country’s fastest mobile data network as reported by thirdparty mobile internet analytics firms such as Ookla® and Opensignal. Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis, named Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network in the second half of 2020 after it achieved a Speed Score™ of 24.99, with average speeds of 20.08 Mbps for download, and 7.42 Mbps for upload, based on 3,915,679 userinitiated tests taken with Speedtest®. Ookla has also cited Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network for three years in a row now.

K-pop superstar and Smart ambassador BTS

Smart also enables subscribers to enjoy their favorite content seamlessly with Smart 5G, the fastest 5G network in the Philippines by Ookla. Based on consumer-initiated tests taken using Speedtest® by Ookla, Smart has consistently posted the fastest 5G speeds for Q1 2021, with median download speeds of 190 Mbps – more than double the competition’s speeds for the same period.

h c a b z t r u W a i a P z e M a e r d n A iverse

gives Miss Un some unique advice INCE winning the most coveted crown on the pageant stage in 2015, actress and beauty queen Pia Wurtzbach has always been asked about the new batch of Miss Universe hopefuls and the eventual winners.

In a virtual event held last week, where the 31-yearold beauty was launched as the face of natural hand soap brand Dr. Coco, she was asked to give Miss Philippines Rabiya Mateo and Miss Universe 2020 winner Andrea Meza some piece of advice -- Rabiya on what she can do once she returns to the country and for Andrea while enjoying her reign as the newly-crowed queen. “I messaged Rabiya a few times after the pageant. And she replied. She’s fine. I told her to take her time. Masakit naman talaga and I know how much she worked hard for it

The Gold Squad series warns Gen Z of risks of social media misuse THE Gold Squad members Francine Diaz, Kyle Echarri, Seth Fedelin, and Andrea Brillantes’ new digital anthology series Click, Like, Share, which highlights the need for social media responsibility, will premiere on June 5 on KTX.ph, iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV. Viewers can get access to all four episodes plus bonus features when they buy a season pass on KTX.ph (P299), iWantTFC (P299 in the Philippines or US$5.99 outside the Philippines), or TFC IPTV (US$5.99). Ticket buyers on KTX.ph will also get a chance to join the fan meet for each episode. Click, Like, Share presents four stories of teenagers who depend on social media to connect with others and express themselves, but later on invite danger into their lives when they start using it recklessly. In the first episode “Reroute,” Brennan’s (Kyle) growing obsession with an app turns dangerous when it suddenly falls in love with him. Meanwhile, in “Cancelledt,” Karen (Francine) faces the harsh consequences of The Gold Squad top her clout-chasing bills an anthology schemes after she series that highlights becomes a social the need for social media star over- media responsibility. night. In the third episode called “Trending,” Cocoy (Seth) fabricates a viral story that will turn his life upside down. In “Poser,” Beth (Andrea) deceives a potential date by using a face-morphing app, which produces a clone and hijacks her life. The first episode of Click, Like, Share premieres on June 5 at 6 p.m., with each succeeding episode dropping on June 12, June 19, and June 26 at 6:00 p.m. on KTX.ph, iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV. It will also be available soon on Upstream. The anthology series also features The Squad Plus members Danica Ontengco and Renshi de Guzman, as well as Jimuel Pacquiao and Nio Tria, who will be making their acting debut with the series. The series is directed by Emmanuel Q. Palo and produced by iWantTFC and ABS-CBN Entertainment in association with Dreamscape Entertainment and Kreativ Den.

so I told her that we’re here to support her and that she’s not going to go through this alone. I also told her that I’m sure that she already has a career waiting for her here in the Philippines,” Pia shared. “I’m sure she will be successful after Miss Universe. People love her and they can relate to her. She’s also funny,” the Filipino-German beauty added. Soon after the pageant held its finals, Pia congratulated Miss Mexico for winning in this year’s edition of the prestigious pageant. She said that she’s excited to meet Andrea in person. “My advice is always the same. Many will tell her to enjoy your reign, but my real advice is for her to back up your files ’cause I lost a lot of pictures during my reign. I’ll never get those memories back. Invest in a nice camera and back up your files, girl! And the memories will stay forever,” Pia said smiling. Meanwhile, Pia expressed great excitement over the product that she is endorsing. “I had to use it for a few months and shared it with my friends before this launch,” Pia told Manila Standard Entertainment. “Before I endorse a product, I make sure that it is something that I have tried or something that I have been using. I want to endorse a product that I can honestly talk about. In my heart, I always knew that we Filipinos are capable of producing excellent products but to actually experience one makes me beam with pride. Dr. Coco goes the extra mile. It provides extra cleansing, extra protection, extra care, and is extra natural. I am proud to represent a proudly Filipino-made product of this quality. Magaling talaga tayong mga Pinoy.” Dr. Coco is the first and only hand soap in the market made with CocoMCT ® (medium chain triglycerides) the most essential component of coconut oil. Not only does CocoMCT® act as a natural moisturizer, it also has proven anti-bacterial and antiviral properties. CocoMCT® is compatible with the natural lipids found in the hands, allowing it to easily go beneath the skin’s surface, and continuously pamper the skin even with repeated use. “We believe that there could not be a better fit than Pia and Dr. Coco. She has always shown love and support for the very best

of Filipino endeavors and we at CCPI are excited that she shares our passion for elevating everyday products for Filipinos starting with hand soaps,” said Star Estacio, General Manager for Food and Personal Care BU, Consumer Care Products Inc., the team behind Dr. Coco. Dr. Coco is available to order online from both Shopee and Lazada. For more information about the product, check their official website: drcoco.com.ph. One can also follow DR.COCO’s official social media accounts: DrCoco.ph on Facebook, and @DrCOCO on Instagram. It is also now available in your favorite retail stores like Mercury Drug, Watsons, Landmark, South Supermarket, and Unimart. Pia Wurtzbach scores another product endorsement this time it’s with a company that boasts of an all-natural hand-soap effective as your defense against virus and bacteria.

Rabiya Mateo

Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza

‘Innamorata’ returns to Afternoon Prime ‘Innamorata’ lead stars Max Collins and Adrian Alandy

BEGINNING today, reminisce the dramatic and mystifying tale that explores the boundaries of beauty and tests the limits of love as GMA Network brings back its well-loved 2014 series Innamorata on the afternoon block. The original series is headlined by Max Collins as Esperanza with Adrian Alandy as Edwin Manansala, Dion Ignacio as Dencio Manansala, Jackie Rice as Gina Manriquez, and Gwen Zamora as Alejandra MirandaPadilla. Also starring are Pinky Amador as Delia Cunanan, Michael de Mesa as Lloyd Manansala, and Rita Avila as Claire Cunanan. Innamorata, an Italian word that means “my love,” delves into the story of Esperanza (Max), a young lady who suffers from a hereditary skin disease porphyria. Despite being taunted by neigh neighbors and mistreated by her adop adoptive mother Delia (Pinky), Esperanza remains to be optimistic and secretly desires to be beautiful. Capturing her heart is Edwin (Adrian), the blind son of Lloyd (Michael) who owns the shoe factory where she works. Learning about his son and Esperanza’s budding relationship, Lloyd moves her out of the factory and tells Edwin to just focus on the aspiring actress Gina (Jackie). After being evicted by Delia, Esperanza finds herself in the mansion of a rich and mysterious man who also has porphyria. Accompanying Esperanza is her childhood friend Dencio (Dion) who will also fall in love with her. One night, Esperanza dreams of a beautiful lady named Alejandra (Gwenn) who instructs her to find a ruby necklace that when worn will make her beautiful. Directed by Don Michael Perez and from the original concept of RJ Nuevas, catch the return of Innamorata this afternoon at 3:25 on GMA Afternoon Prime.

Lady Gaga opens up about rape, pregnancy at age 19 US SINGER Lady Gaga said in a documentary out Friday that she was raped by a music producer and became pregnant at age 19, an ordeal that eventually caused her to have a “total psychotic break.” The New York artist had previously revealed that she was raped by an industry producer when she was starting out in the business. She said this caused post-traumatic stress disorder that she still deals with, even if she says it is now under control. “I was 19 years old and I was working in the business and a producer said to me: ‘Take your clothes off,’” she said in the documentary The Me You Can’t See, which was co-created by Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry for the Apple TV+ platform.

“I said no. And I left,” Gaga recounts. “And they told me they were going to burn all my music and they didn’t stop asking me and then I just froze and I just... I don’t even remember,” she said in tears. The 35-year-old, who has never revealed the identity of her rapist, said she would continue to keep his name from the public because she does “not ever want to face that person again.” Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, said that the producer “dropped me off pregnant on a corner by my parents’ house,” and that she had been “locked away in a studio for months.” She revealed that it was only years later, when an anxiety attack led her to the hospi-

tal, that she realized she had post-traumatic stress disorder. “I had a total psychotic break and for a couple years I was not the same girl,” Gaga said. “It’s like your brain goes offline and you don’t know why no one else is panicking but you’re in an ultra state of paranoia,” Gaga said. “It’s really a very real thing to feel like there’s a black cloud that is following you wherever you go telling you that you’re worthless and should die.” She estimated that it took two and a half years of therapy to get the urge to harm herself under control. “I learned all the ways to pull myself out of it,” she said. AFP

Gaga revealed that it was only years after being kidnapped, when an anxiety attack led her to the hospital, that she realized she had posttraumatic stress disorder.

Life

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

R E C I P E

Dishes that impress THESE classic dishes are not only impressive in photos, but also in real life. Learn how to make these IG-worthy recipes, courtesy of appliance brand La Germania, which only take no more than six steps to cook.

FOOD

MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021

F I L E S

What does spring taste like?

Banana Pancakes Ingredients: 2 pcs. 1 cup 1 tbsp. 2 tsp. ¼ tsp. 1 pc. 1 cup 2 tbsp.

ripe bananas, mashed all-purpose flour white sugar baking powder salt egg, beaten milk vegetable oil

Procedure: Combine flour, white sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together egg, milk, vegetable oil, and bananas. Stir flour mixture into banana mixture; batter will be slightly lumpy. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Cook until pancakes are golden brown on both sides. Serve them hot.

SPRING FLING. Bleeding Heart Rum Company, the owner of Don Papa Rum, launches ‘Sweet Sugarlandia Spring’ campaign as part of its ongoing Seasons of Sugarlandia series which presents Don Papa Rum cocktails inspired by spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

By Bernadette Lunas

OTS of fruits, a bit of florals, a generous amount of hopeful feeling from a Filipino-made premium rum. Those are the building blocks of Don Papa Rum’s cocktails made for the spring season.

Bleeding Heart Rum Company, we’re in a pandemic. The idea of owner of Don Papa Rum, launched spring is the idea of rebirth and its “Sweet Sugarlandia Spring” looking forward to things ahead,” campaign right in time for the blazing shared Llamas-Garcia. months here in the Philippines. The campaign is part of the “Spring is not a familiar Filipino company’s “Seasons of Sugarlandia” concept,” admitted Monica Llamasseries that started in December 2020 Garcia, director of (for the winter season). Campaigns communications at for summer and autumn are soon to Bleeding Heart Rum follow this year. Co. But the global Bleeding Heart Rum Co. tapped campaign, launched its Los Angeles-based US brand as well in a tropical ambassador, Tomas Delos Reyes, to country that only has develop four cocktails that capture the wet and dry seasons, feeling and flavors of spring. was also meant to The cocktails are light and evoke the same feeling refreshing, with fruits and flowers a particular season boosting the rum’s flavor: Descanso brings. For Bloom (Don Papa, unfiltered sake, spring, it’s lime juice, simple syrup, honeydew), rebirth. Avalon Awakens (Don Papa, “We pineapple juice, lime juice, Velvet wanted to Falernum, ube syrup), Botanica take the Obscura (Don Papa, lemon juice, symbolism of hibiscus syrup, mole bitters), and spring, and Jungle Nectar we still feel (Don Papa, it relevant guava nectar, Descanso especially pandan Bloom now syrup, lime juice, jalapeño disc,

Burnt Basque Cheesecake Ingredients: 226g 1 cup 100g 2 pcs. 15g ½ tsp.

Jungle Nectar

Peychaud’s Bitters). Living in New York and then LA, two sides of the States where spring does not look and feel the same, Delos Reyes developed cocktails that are dynamic, best enjoyed in warmer months but with an “interesting contrast” suitable in places where spring can still be tad cold. “I thought of what’s gonna be delicious and dynamic. [I used] honeydew and guava, but I also used chillies to get that interesting contrast, a little sweet and a little spicy,” he said. The four spring cocktails are presented in a romantic campaign photos shot by Steve Tirona in Dawnridge House, the Beverly Hills home seen on Netflix’s hit show “Ratched”. Don Papa Rum is available online at boozy.ph.

BOTTLED smoothie brand OZ (ounce) by Berryporium makes drinking healthy beverage enjoyable with its nutrient-rich refreshing variants. According to Berryporium co-founder Cath

OZ by Berryporium’s six fruit blends

Diverson, all six blends are made with real superfoods high in fiber and antioxidants, have no sugar-added, vegan-friendly, and preservativefree. The smoothies are made in small batches and delivered with insulation to ensure freshness. OZ blends include Berryphoria (blueberry, strawberry, peach, lime, chia seeds, flax seeds), Popeye Punch (spinach, peach, mango, passion fruit, chia seeds, flax seeds), Stay Peachy (peach, mango, passion fruit, chia seeds, flax seeds), Strawnana-berry (strawberry, banana, oat milk, chia seeds, flax seeds), Blueberry Burst (blueberry, banana, oat milk, chia seeds, flax seeds), and The Nutty B (triple nut butter, banana, oat milk, chia seeds, flax seeds). Go to @berryporium on Instagram and Facebook to order.

Immune-boosting cooler FOOD and beverage expert Gio Racelis shares his summer cooler concoction made with local ingredients rich in nutrients. Dubbed Newness, it showcases the complementing flavors of basil and ginger, combined with the tropical blend of calamansi, pineapple, and guyabano (soursop) puree. To make this refreshing drink, muddle 5g of ginger in a cocktail shaker; add 45ml guyabano puree, 90ml pineapple juice, 30ml calamansi juice, 30ml simple syrup, and 45ml white rum (optional); mix and double strain before pouring into a glass; garnish with basil leaves; and serve.

Procedure: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius). Line a 6-inch cake pan with 2.5-inch sides with parchment paper. Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend together until the mixture is smooth. Pour the mixture into the prepared cake pan and make sure to coax any remaining bubbles out of the batter. Bake the cheesecake for 22 minutes or until the top is just shy of turning black. Let the cheesecake cool on a cooling rack and then place it in a sealable bag and refrigerate overnight.

Ribeye Steak Ingredients: 1-2 pcs. 24 oz. boneless ribeye 1 tbsp. vegetable oil 75g unsalted butter 6 sprigs fresh thyme (or 3 sprigs rosemary) 5 pcs. garlic cloves salt and pepper

SIP Ounces of health and freshness

cream cheese (cold) heavy cream (cold) granulated sugar large eggs cake flour vanilla extract

Newness cocktail

Procedure: Bring the steak to room temperature by taking it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking. Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel. Season each steak generously with salt and pepper, then place on the pre-heated skillet over high heat. Sear one side according to the doneness you prefer. It takes about 3 minutes per side to cook steak medium-rare. Toss in the garlic, butter, and thyme, and baste the steak for about a minute. Let the steak rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serve with truffle pasta or mashed potatoes and boiled vegetables.