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DUTERTE ORDERS RETAIL PRICE CAP ON MORE DRUGS, MEDICINES

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‘Yantok’ back in cops’ hands in Simbang Gabi

Forced vaccination not okay–UN exec

WATCH out for rattan sticks in churches. The chief of the National Capital Region Police Office said Wednesday police officers would once again use rattan sticks (yantok) to ensure

COUNTRIES considering introducing vaccine mandates in the fight against COVID-19 must ensure they respect human rights, the UN rights chief said Wednesday, stressing that forced vaccination was never acceptable.

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VOL. XXXV • NO. 297 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Omicron no worse variant’

WHO, US scientists think strain ‘milder’ but await final severity studies

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HE Omicron variant appears to be no worse than other coronavirus strains, top scientists from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States said, while cautioning that more research is needed to judge its severity. The hopeful assessments came as global concern grew over the heavily mutated variant, which has forced dozens of nations to re-impose border restrictions and raised the possibility of a return of eco-

nomically punishing lockdowns. While it is likely more transmissible than previous variants, Omicron is also “highly unlikely” to completely evade vaccine protections, the WHO’s second-

in-command said Tuesday. “The preliminary data doesn’t indicate that this is more severe. In fact, if anything, the direction is towards less severity,” WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan said in an interview, insisting though that more research was needed. Ryan also said there was no sign that Omicron could fully sidestep

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7 still missing travelers from S. Africa may face raps

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By Willie Casas

(As of 4 PM, December 6)

due to missing or incorrect information they provided upon arriving in the PhilTHE government may take legal action ippines amid a COVID-19 scare. against Filipino travelers from South Earlier, the Department of Health Africa who have not yet been located (DOH) said it was having difficulty

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tracing seven of the eight travelers who arrived in the country from Nov. 15 to 29 due to the lack of information or wrong information. Next page

Metro average daily cases dip by 17% at 105 By Willie Casas METRO Manila averaged 105 new COVID-19 cases a day from Dec. 1 to 7, 17 percent lower than the 126 cases a day it averaged from Nov. 24 to 30, the independent OCTA Research Group said Wednesday, as all Next page

BBM-SARA MOTORCADE FILLS MAJOR ROADS IN QUEZON CITY NEWS / A4

US reassures Asean of aid Duterte signs EO regulating retail price of more drugs, medicines in COVID fight

Presidential candidate and former Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., his running mate and Lakas-CMD chairperson Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, and and Quezon City mayoralty candidate Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor are warmly welcomed by their supporters during their Grand Caravan along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. Ver Noveno

By Vito Barcelo

THE United States has reiterated its support for the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, official sources in the Philippines said Wednesday. The sources said US Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met up with the 10 ambassadors from ASEAN in the United States. Sherman stressed Washington continued to be ASEAN’s partner in addressing regional challenges, including Next page

Manila Standard corres shot dead JESUS “Jess” Malabanan, a correspondent for the Manila Standard, Bandera and Reuters, was shot dead inside their store in Calbayog, Western Samar at around 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Malabanan, 58, died instantly from a head shot, his wife Mila said. “We were watching television when a Next page

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered regulating the prices of more drugs and medicines which are used to address the leading causes of morbidity in the country, Malacañang said. The President signed Executive Or-

der 155 on Tuesday which sets the maximum retail price and/or maximum wholesale price on 34 drug molecules or 71 drug formulae used in agents affecting bone metabolism, analgesics, anesthetics, anti-angina, antiarrhythmics, anti-asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medicines, antibi-

otics, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, antidiabetic drugs, antidiuretics, and antiemetics. EO 155 also covers drug formulas that are utilized in anti-glaucoma, anti-hypercholesterolemia medicines, antihypertensive medicines, anti-neoplastic/anti-cancer medicines, anti-

Parkinson’s drugs, drugs for overactive bladders, growth hormone inhibitors, immunosuppressant drugs, iron chelating agents, and psoriasis, seborrhea and ichthyosis medicines. The EO mandates all manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, Next page

IP doc breaking vax hesitancy of his tribe By Bong Sarmiento / Philippine Press Institute MALUNGON, Sarangani—When the vaccination drive against COVID-19 was rolled out in March this year in this first-class municipality with a predominantly Lumad (Indigenous peoples or IPs) population, Dr. Jec Pane, a member of the Tagakolu IPs, immediately volunteered for screening. He passed and was among the first residents to get inoculated against the highly-contagious disease. As a doctor, Pane was on top of the priority list of the Philippine government’s COVID-19 vaccination drive. Next page Young Lumads wait for their turn to perform during the 14th Slang Festival on November 18, 2021 in Malungon, Sarangani. According to Dr. Jec Pane, a member of the Tagakolu indigenous peoples group, vaccine hesitancy is high among IP members. Bong Sarmiento

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protections provided by existing COVID vaccines. “We have highly effective vaccines that have proved effective against all the variants so far, in terms of severe disease and hospitalization... There’s no reason to expect that it wouldn’t be so” for Omicron, he added, pointing to initial data from South Africa, where the strain was first reported. However, Ryan acknowledged that it was possible that existing vaccines might prove less effective against Omicron, which counts more than 30 mutations on the spike protein that dots the surface of the coronavirus and allows it to invade cells. Top US scientist Anthony Fauci echoed the WHO’s view, saying Omicron did not appear worse than prior strains based on early indications -- and was possibly milder. The new variant is “clearly highly transmissible,” very likely more so than Delta, the current dominant global strain, Fauci said. “It almost certainly is not more severe than Delta,” he added. “There is some suggestion that it might even be less severe.” But he noted it was important to not over-interpret this data because the populations being followed skewed young and were less likely to become hospi-

talized. Severe disease can also take weeks to develop. “Then as we get more infections throughout the rest of the world, it might take longer to see what’s the level of severity.” The detection of the first Omicron cases last month coincided with surges in infection numbers across the world, and the variant added fuel to concerns about a global Covid resurgence. As European Union health ministers met Tuesday to find ways to coordinate their response, Norway announced it will tighten restrictions to combat its surge. It followed a suspected outbreak of Omicron last week among dozens of partygoers who had all been vaccinated led to new restrictions in and around the capital Oslo. Neighboring Sweden also said Tuesday it would launch a series of antiCOVID measures. Elsewhere in Europe, Poland said from Dec. 15, it will restrict the number of people allowed in churches, restaurants and theaters, and make vaccination compulsory for health care workers, teachers and the military from March 1. While the positive initial assessments of Omicron helped lift the mood, especially among global markets as fears of another economic downturn subsided, the variant’s emergence has highlighted that the fight against the pandemic is far from over.

COVID-19 has killed more than 5.2 million people around the world since the coronavirus was first declared in late 2019, with scientists and health experts saying vaccinations and continued social distancing are keys to defeating the disease. But vaccine requirements have led to resistance in many countries, either because of misinformation and conspiracy theories or the economic and logistical impact of such mandates. About 4,000 people protested in Brussels on Tuesday against a plan by the Belgian government to make vaccines compulsory for health workers from early next year. “We are in favor of vaccination, but why only health workers?” said nurse Perrine. “Because everyone must be vaccinated, it is everyone or no one.” Also on Tuesday, CNN reported that researchers in South Africa said the Omicron variant partly escapes the protection offered by the Pfizer vaccine, but people who have been previously infected and then vaccinated are likely to be well protected. Boosters are also likely to protect people, Alex Sigal of the Africa Health Research Institute in Durban, who led the study team, told CNN. The Omicron variant has now been detected in at least 38 countries. Though it has not yet been linked to any deaths, scientists are particularly concerned by the unique “constellation” of more than 30 mutations on the spike

protein that dots the surface of the coronavirus and allows it to invade cells. Fauci said the science remains unclear on how the variant originated, but there are two main theories. Either it evolved inside the body of an immunocompromised patient, such as a person with HIV who failed to rapidly fight off the virus. Or, the virus could have crossed from humans to animals, then returned to people in a more mutated form, in an example of “reverse zoonosis.” On Tuesday, the United States hit its latest vaccination milestone, with 60 percent of the population fully vaccinated -- but Fauci said there remained a long way to go. The 80-year-old physician and scientist stressed that misinformation continued to hamper the country’s pandemic response, with the problem particularly acute in Republican-led states. “Misinformation is still a really, really important detriment to an adequate response,” he said. “We have in this country 60 million people who are eligible to be vaccinated and have not gotten vaccinated, and much of that is along ideological and party lines, which is very unfortunate.” So-called “red states” led by Republicans continue to be less vaccinated than “blue” states run by Democrats. “There’s no reason for that, that should not be, we should have a uniform public health attitude,” he concluded. AFP

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traders, and retailers to “display the retail price which shall not exceed the MRP,” Malacañang said Wednesday. “After conducting a price review using the methods of international reference pricing among ASEAN countries, mark-up regulation, and stakeholders’ consultation, the TWG [Technical Working Group] recommended, and the DOH [Department of Health] endorsed the imposition of MPR and MWP on the remaining drug formulas of selected drugs and medicines,” the EO read. “Consistent with the overall strategy under RA 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act to improve the access to affordable and quality medicines and reduce health-related outof-pocket expenses of Filipinos, there is a need to further impose MRP and MWP on other drugs and medicines commonly used for the leading causes of morbidity in the country,” it added. The EO said: “Every manufacturer, importer, distributor, wholesaler, trader or retailer of a drug/medicine intended for sale shall display the retail price which shall not exceed the MRP.” The MRP, preceded by the words ‘Retail price not to exceed’ and ‘Under drug price regulation’ on a red strip, shall be clearly printed on the label of the immediate container of the drug and medicine and the minimum pack thereof offered for retail. “The labeling shall also be applied to drug formulas or medicines under MRP through EO 104.”

its 16 cities and one municipality were classified as either very low risk or low risk for infection. Malabon, Navotas, Caloocan, Pateros, Valenzuela, Marikina, Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Las Piñas, and Mandaluyong were classified as “very low risk” for COVID-19, while Muntinlupa, Makati, Quezon City, Pasig, Taguig, and San Juan were classified as “low risk.” The Philippines was recently classified as a minimal risk for COVID-19. The National Capital Region (NCR) reported a reproduction number of 0.34, slightly lower than the 0.3 reproduction number recorded from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5. The reproduction number refers to the number of people who can be infected by one case. A reproduction number that is below 1 indicates that the transmission of the virus is slowing down. The average daily attack rate in the region stood at 0.74 per 100,000, OCTA said. OCTA said NCR also recorded a positivity rate of 1.1 percent, meeting the benchmark of both the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. OCTA said its report does not necessarily reflect the position of the Department of Health, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) or local government units. A fellow with the group, Guido David, said an area should have at least 80 percent of its population vaccinated and a reproduction number below 1 to

be considered as having achieved herd immunity from COVID-19. In an interview on GMA News Online, David said there is only one formula in assessing herd immunity, which is based on the vaccination rate and reproduction number. Vaccine efficacy will also affect herd immunity, he said. David said that the formula assumes that the vaccines have 100 percent efficacy. He pointed out that assessing herd immunity will be hard for a population that uses a mix of brands as they have different levels of efficacy. Areas with herd immunity have a high level of protection from a surge of COVID-19 cases. However, he reminded the public that there is still a low chance for a surge. Children will also be more protected around vaccinated adults in areas with herd immunity. Asked about workers from areas with a low vaccinated population traveling to places with herd immunity, David said that it is unlikely for a worker to carry the disease due to the high vaccine coverage. David said the worker is more vulnerable in areas with low vaccine coverage. On Tuesday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it has recorded 23 highly urbanized cities, mostly in Metro Manila, that have reached herd immunity against COVID-19. These communities were 70 percent vaccinated, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said in his report to President Rodrigo Duterte. David said he is not aware if government agencies use the same formula for herd immunity.

A former adviser to the government on the pandemic said the Philippines could reach its target of vaccinating 70 percent to 90 percent of the population by the first quarter of 2022, casting doubts on its plan to reach herd immunity by the end of the year because of logistical challenges. “In terms of national [coverage], we’re still far off, because of logistics problems in (the Visayas and Mindanao) area, and of course because of their higher vaccine hesitancy,” said Dr. Tony Leachon. Leachon said the government must still work on meeting its goal of vaccinating 90 percent of the population as soon as possible, as the threat of the COVID-19 Omicron variant looms around the globe. But the Palace said it is confident that the country will surpass its target of fully vaccinating 54 million Filipinos by the end of the year if its next vaccine drive from Dec. 15 to 17 will be as successful as the first. Acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said the second round of “Bayanihan, Bakunahan,” which will run from December 15 to 17, is the last big “push” being done towards exceeding the country’s goal. The first Bayanihan, Bakunahan event, held from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, administered about 10.2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses across the country. “I think by Dec. 31 of 2021 we are all confident that we will surpass the 54 million fully vaccinated, especially if we get the same support or even much more support for the second round of the Bayanihan, Bakunahan,” he said in an interview over CNN Philippines.

‘Yantok’... From A1

plinary tool for aggressive behavior. It is the last option,” Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao said in Filipino in a radio interview. This as the Catholic faithful are expected to flock to churches for the “Simbang Gabi” -- the pre-dawn Masses held for nine days leading to Christmas Day. The one-meter rattan sticks were first used last year, to enforce physical distancing and prevent mass gatherings in public places when Metro Manila was still under general community quarantine.

Danao said all NCRPO personnel will be allowed to report to duty in areas near their residences, as part of the “work near home” policy to give them the opportunity to spend more time with their families during the holiday season. “They have to report still to the precincts. We have a contingency plan or security plan so there will be policemen everywhere, and not just on churches and malls, but tourist spots as well, to

ensure the safety and security of our kababayans now that Simbang Gabi is set to start next week,” Danao said. Meanwhile, Danao said community fireworks displays would be allowed during the New Year celebration in designated areas. “We authorized this last year and there is a designated area based on the AOR (area of responsibility) and the approval of the LGU (local government unit),” he said.

freedom of navigation in the South and East China Seas and restoring Myanmar’s “path toward democracy.” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez represented the Philippines in the meeting. Washington has so far donated 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines. It also more than P1.9 billion worth of assistance for the Philippines’ COVID-19 response. Aside from vaccines, the US also gave medical equipment, personal protective equipment, and other forms of support during the pandemic. The largest single contributor to Gavi’s COVAX Advance Market Commitment, the United States has donated $4 billion to COVAX.

ing of one of its members Jesus ‘Jess’ Malabanan, correspondent of Manila Standard,” it said. “Jess to many among us, a long-time reporter and stringer for many media outfits for many years, had proven himself to be a man dedicated to his duties as a journalist,” the press club added. Per initial reports, Jess was shot in the vicinity of their residence in Samar by unidentified gunmen on the early evening of December 8, it said.

“We call on the Philippine National Police and other authorities to help in the prompt investigation that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of this cowardly act in the interest of justice,” they said. Malabanan was a defense reporter until the 1990s, when he moved to Angeles, Pampanga. He and his wife had recently recovered from COVID-19, and Jess regularly made trips back to Samar. Ronald O. Reyes

“In no circumstances should people be forcibly administered a vaccine.” The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the aims sought by countries mulling mandates to protect lives as Europe and other regions battle fierce surges in the pandemic, were “of course of the highest order of legitimacy and importance.” But she insisted that “vaccine mandates should be employed only when necessary for achieving compelling public health ends.” “And they should only be considered

when less intrusive measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing have demonstrably failed to meet such health needs.” She also emphasized that for any mandate to be acceptable, countries needed to ensure that vaccines are truly available and affordable. “Unless all people have genuine, practical access to vaccines, vaccine requirements will not be consistent with fundamental human rights principles of equality and non-discrimination,” she said. AFP

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that safe physical distancing was observed in churches during the traditional “Simbang Gabi” which starts on December 16. “We will be using the sticks for social distancing and if needed for aggressive individuals. It is a reminder on social distancing and can also be used as a disci-

IP... From A1 But while getting jabbed was important to this medical frontliner, he also wanted to send a clear message to his fellow Lumads to get vaccinated, too. “The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and scientifically proven effective in fighting the disease,” he said. Pane, chief of clinics of the Sarangani Provincial Hospital in Malungon, is among at least 200 medical frontliners in the municipality who are fully vaccinated. He said he experienced no side effects after the first and second doses of the AstraZeneca-manufactured vaccine With a population of a little over 100,000, Malungon, a landlocked municipality with vast rolling lands suitable for plantation crops such as mango, banana and oil palm, is dominated by Blaans and Tagakolus. Hesitancy by IP members to get inoculated was very high even before the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive could reach their town, having

been bombarded with wrong information from social media, said Pane, who described the vaccination drive in their area as “very challenging.” The Lumads’ exposure to incorrect information from social media beat the government’s information drive to convince them to get the COVID-19 vaccines, he added. The Lumads have easy access to social media sites as internet connection is accessible even in the mountains and this accessibility has been cited as a factor for their hesitance to be vaccinated. But the preaching of their religious leaders, mostly from Protestant churches, made the situation even more challenging. Several pastors have been campaigning against getting the COVID-19 vaccines, feeding into the fears that the Lumads initially obtained from the Internet, mostly from Facebook, Pane stressed. He said the Lumads also believed that “they would die if they get vaccinated,” based on reports produced by dubious news media portals that they believed without questioning.

Manila... From A1 shot rang at close range. I didn’t see the gunman because it was dark,” Mila said. The Pampanga Press Club condemned the killing and urged the Philippine National Police to get Malabanan’s killers and put them behind bars. “The Pampanga Press Club condemns in the strongest terms the kill-

Forced... From A1 Speaking to a Human Rights Council seminar via video message, Michelle Bachelet warned there were significant rights considerations that needed to be taken into account before making vaccination compulsory. Any “vaccine mandates must comply with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination”, she said, according to a transcript.

“If they are caught, they will be reprimanded and charged because they should not provide incorrect information,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who also chairs the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). “We want to conduct back tracing and we are having difficulties because we don’t know where to search for them. So we are still investigating this,” Duque said in Filipino in an interview over radio dzBB. Only seven travelers remain unaccounted for as of Wednesday. The located traveler is currently undergoing home quarantine and has tested negative for COVID-19. All are returning overseas Filipinos. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said three provided their agency number, one provided an incorrect number, one an incomplete number, and two cannot be contacted. Duque said there is a law mandating that all information provided must be true, especially in the middle of a public health emergency. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles noted that a law penalizes people who give false information during a public health emergency. These penalties may include a fine of P20,000 to P50,000, and imprisonment of one to six months. The quarantine bureau is coordinating with the police and interior department to locate the missing travelers. “The Bureau of Quarantine cleared them. We just need to contact them to make sure that they had no symptoms while they were on home quarantine,” the bureau’s deputy director Dr. Roberto Salvador Jr. said in a televised public briefing. He noted some migrant workers have no local cell phone numbers when they return to the Philippines, and instead use the contact details of their manning agencies. The Philippines has yet to detect any case of Omicron which the World Health Organization classified as a “variant of concern.” The government is monitoring all health and isolation facilities, Nograles said. “We are preparing them for the worst case scenario,” he said. Nograles added that authorities are monitoring countries with spikes in COVID-19 cases for possible inclusion in the Philippine travel ban. “European countries, for instance, are the countries that we’re really taking a closer look at,” said the official.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

No new COVID cases logged in Makati Med, Osmak—Binay NO COVID-19 cases have been recorded at the Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) and Makati Medical Center (MMC), Mayor Abigail Binay said on Wednesday. The city-run OsMak, according to Binay, has not recorded any new COVID-19 case since Nov. 24. “Earlier this month, we had 54 patients with COVID-like symptoms at OsMak. Fortunately, they all tested negative after undergoing RT-PCR tests. Therefore, we have zero COVID cases at OsMak,” she stated. The city chief executive said a 75-year-old man was the last person so far to be admitted at OsMak last Nov 24 due to a critical COVID-19 infection. He died last December 3. MMC medical director Dr. Saturnino Javier earlier issued a statement to the media confirming the hospital’s zeroCOVID patient census for the first time in 20 months since March 2020. At present, Makati is under low-risk classification with 31 active cases, zero death, and one recovery, according to the latest report of the Makati Health Department. Binay said the MHD attributed the low number of active cases to the city’s high vaccination rate, availability of rapid antigen tests and RT-PCR tests, surveillance and early isolation or quarantine of suspected COVID-19 patients, and strict implementation of minimum public health standards. She, however, reminded the public not to be complacent. She cited the looming threat of the Omicron variant, which has been detected in some neighboring countries, including Hong Kong. “Even if we are now under the lowrisk classification, we should remain vigilant. It may only be a matter of time before the Omicron variant makes its way to our country. We must continue to strictly observe public health standards like wearing face masks and keeping a one-meter distance from another person,” she said. Joel E. Zurbano

Biz group’s call on Malampaya downplayed THE Makati Business Club (MBC) does not speak for the entire business sector in the country, House Assistant Majority Leader Eduardo Gullas said Wednesday, as he rebuffed the group’s call for the government – through the state-owned Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) – to take control of the operations of the aging offshore Malampaya gas field. “There are far more representative chambers of commerce and industry in the country that want the government to stay out of any business and avoid competing with private enterprises,” Gullas, who represents Cebu province’s first district in Congress, said. “In fact, we would not be surprised if business groups in the provinces, such as those in Cebu and Davao, tend to perceive the MBC as an elitist club from ‘imperial’ Manila,” Gullas said, adding that “the whole point of the government’s petroleum service contracting scheme is precisely to let private corporations assume the risk of spending capital to discover and develop our indigenous gas and oil resources.” “If they drill an offshore well that won’t flow gas or oil in commercial quantities, then the government does not have to worry about reimbursing them,” Gullas said. Manuel Pangilinan’s PXP Energy Corp., Enrique Razon Jr.’s Monte Oro Resources & Energy Inc., and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala’s ACE Enexor Inc., among others, are already engaged in petroleum service contracting, according to Gullas.

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IN BRIEF ‘Lack of face-to-face classes took toll on kids’

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. Catholic devotees attend mass at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros on Dec. 8, a special non-working holiday in commemoration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Norman Cruz

Agents seize P8.5-m worth of party drugs in Las Piñas By Joel E. Zurbano

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UREAU of Customs authorities seized a shipment of the party drug “ecstasy” worth P8.5 million and arrested a suspect during a controlled delivery operation Tuesday afternoon in Las Piñas City. Arrested was Ana Fe Morilla, alias “Jonah Lleve,” a resident of Guava Street, CAA Phase 2, Las Piñas City. A composite team from the Bureau of Customs - Port of Clark, Southern Police District, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Southern Police District, and Las Pinas City police arrested the suspect after claiming the shipment containing 4,970 tablets of ecstasy at Manila Doctor Village in Barangay Almanza

Uno around 4:25 p.m. “The suspect presented an ID with fictitious name and signed the delivery receipt and afterwards received the box of package from a PDEA Agent who posed as package delivery personnel of a courier service which resulted in her arrest,” said SPD director Jimili Macaraeg. Aside from the prohibited substance, authorities also confiscated the mobile

phone and two identification cards of the suspect. Based on import documents, the shipment was smuggled from Belgium and was misdeclared as ‘lamp.” “Because of timely specialized and coordinated intervention of the competent units and agencies, this package will no longer reach the market and will not create a serious consequence for people’s lives especially the youth,” said Macaraeg. The suspect and all recovered pieces of evidence were brought to PDEA office for proper disposition and documentation. The suspect is now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Dangerous Drugs Act).

DOLOMITE BEACH CLEAN UP.

Employees from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) join the clean-up of the Manila Dolomite Beach during their celebration of the 88th founding anniversary of the DOLE on Wednesday. Norman Cruz

SENATOR Win Gatchalian on Monday said the lack of face-to-face classes for more than a year took a toll on the social skills of children. Gatchalian, who recently visited participating schools in Valenzuela for the limited face-to-face classes, shared the observation of teachers and school officials in the city. He said the learning recovery should not only focus on academics but should give equal emphasis on the social and emotional development of children. “We saw the face-to-face classes is important not only because of academics because they can also learn from here their social skills,” Gatchalian added. Earlier this year, Gatchalian filed Senate Bill No. 2355 or the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act to institute a nationwide learning recovery program. The proposed ARAL program aims to benefit struggling learners and focus on the most essential learning competencies on Language, Mathematics, and Science. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Lawmakers back higher NTF-ELCAC budget LAWMAKERS are backing the proposal for a higher budget for National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in 2022. Legislators tackled the agency’s budget at the 2022 Congressional Bicameral Conference Committee. Before the 2022 bicam, Senator Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, was already convinced that the NTF-ELCAC budget, especially its flagship program, the Barangay Development Program (BDP) will be given a higher budget. Angara said that with the recent submission of the NTF-ELCAC’s accomplishment report on the BDP, most of the senators have now a bigger picture of how very important the projects are for barangays in the far-flung areas. According to Angara, if they will push through with the additional budget at the bicam, most of the senators would want the funding to be put into the infrastructure component of BDP.

Manila Zoo to forge pact with Cebu Safari THE city government of Manila will forge a partnership with the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park for future exchanges of wildlife and animal medicines. Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso made the disclosure after his three-day Listening Tour in Cebu where he was accompanied by Deputy Speaker and Cebu 3rd District Congressman Pablo John Garcia in visiting the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park last Sunday as part of his itinerary during his third visit to Cebu province in a span of six weeks. Moreno was warmly welcomed by the Cebu Safari vice president and chief operating officer Eduard Loop. The Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet also had a warm reception from some 300 employees, some of whom came with their families. With the Manila Zoo expected to finish with its redevelopment and general renovation, Moreno said there is a need for the zoo to acquire additional wildlife before its scheduled re-opening sometime in February 2022. Rey E. Requejo

Govt urged to partner with private sector for ‘digitalization’ GOVERNMENT should strengthen its partnership with the private sector to achieve digital transformation and readiness, as a strong majority of Filipinos believe that the benefits of technology can create jobs and business, and that the private sector can help accelerate economic growth. This is one of the main takeaways of the first session of Pilipinas Conference 2021: Sustaining Economic Recovery Post-Pandemic Towards 2022 and beyond, organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute (ADRi). “It’s stakeholder capitalism at work,” said Stratbase ADRi president professor Dindo Manhit in his opening remarks.

Manhit disclosed the results of a Stratbase-commissioned Social Weather Stations survey that said almost nine in ten Filipinos (89 percent) agreed that “the benefits of digital technology such as strong cell phone signals, fast e-banking and social media can greatly help create jobs and businesses.” Respondents from the National Capital Region agree more overwhelmingly, at 94 percent, to the statement. Ninety-two percent of respondents nationwide say the government should build, upgrade and extensively expand the country’s digital infrastructure to improve speed, reliability and access to the

internet nationwide. Some 82 percent of respondents say the growth of the economy will be accelerated if the government collaborates with the private sector. Asked to identify issues that the private sector can address to boost the economy, 65 percent of respondents cited creating jobs, 57 percent expanding livelihood, 46 percent helping uplift the lives of Filipinos out of poverty, 30 percent i proving healthcare systems, 22 percent i proving the quality of education, and 11 percent improving the quality and access of digital services. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala

(JAZA), chairman of Ayala Corporation, said the pandemic had worsened the fissures of inequality that were already present in our society even before the pandemic. “In this sphere, unprecedented collaboration is demanded of us – the private sector, government, and civil society, both locally and globally -- all of us have to work together.” Thus far, he said, “the private sector has established itself as a reliable partner of the government in addressing the people’s most urgent paint points.” These pain points include poverty, hunger, health emergency and unemployment.

Salceda urges BIR to allow online filing of TINs

FIRE AFTERMATH. Residents look for salvageable materials in the aftermath of a fire at Onyx Street in San Andres, Manila, on 8 December 2021. A fire razed residential homes at San Andres in Manila late afternoon yesterday. No one was reported injured. Norman Cruz

ALBAY Rep. Joey Salceda on Wednesday called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to allow Filipinos abroad, particularly the migrant workers, to apply for their tax information numbers online. He said requiring overseas Filipino workers to personally go to BIR offices to secure TINs is inconvenient for the workers. In a letter to BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay, Salceda requested the BIR to “to supply the Committee with the tax administration rules and regulations, if any, that prevent us from fully digitalizing the process.” “May I also request that the Bureau consider agency issuances that

would allow for full TIN registration,” Salceda said. “I reviewed the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and Section 236 (I) of the Code, which requires the TIN for every taxpayer, does not appear to require personal appearance. A fully-digital process for registering corporations has in fact already been adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),” Salceda said. “Registration of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is the most basic step to ensuring that a taxpayer is able to pay taxes on his taxable activities. TINs are particularly crucial for small investors who seek to invest their money

in the stock market. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) may be particularly interested in investing in Philippine stocks as a means for preparing for their return to the country and to secure the future of their family,” Salceda wrote Citing the problem, Salceda explained that “ due to the requirement that taxpayer information be verified by personal appearance in the Revenue District Offices (RDOs), OFWs who are still abroad are unable to open stock brokerage accounts without their TINs—and because getting a TIN requires personal appearance, they are practically locked out of the market.”

IN BRIEF Villafuerte presses frontliners’ benefits A LEGISLATOR on Wednesday pressed the administration for the immediate release of certain benefits due several health workers, particularly those from the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) who have complained about this issue. CamSur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said health workers would have no reason to complain if health authorities had been efficient and quick in undertaking his tasks as health chief. To ensure that there is always enough funding for health workers’ benefits, Villafuerte said the Congress should swiftly approve the consolidated bill earlier passed by the House committee on health that aims to provide insurance coverage, special risk allowance and other benefits to health workers Villafuerte said the benefits under the consolidated bill, which includes HB 7490 that he authored, cover both public and private health workers, and would be granted to them during the period of the state of national calamity resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. “Health authorities should work doubly hard as what the medical frontliners have been doing in attending to the sick and dying amid the pandemic,” said Villafuerte, “instead of scrimping on the release of extra benefits long due them in light of the invaluable sacrifice they have been doing as the country’s frontliners in the global war against COVID-19.” Maricel V. Cruz

Bong Go pushes for digital gov’t SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday emphasized the need to digitize government processes and transactions as the country adapts to the new normal towards pandemic recovery. He cited a survey revealing that the vast majority of Filipinos believe that digital technology can improve business and employment creation. “We need e-governance to provide our people with the services they need from the comfort of their homes or workplaces. Not only shall it enable our bureaucracy to better transition into the ‘new normal’ but it will also cut or minimize red tape and corruption,” Go explained. The survey conducted by Social Weather Stations for the Stratbase ADR Institute for Strategic and International Studies in October this year, showed that about 89% of Filipinos recognized the advantage of digital technology in the creation of jobs and businesses. The respondents agree “more overwhelmingly,” with 94% agreeing that digitalization has a lot of advantages, according to the research group. Meanwhile, 92% of the respondents said that the government should create, upgrade, and expand the country’s digital infrastructure to increase speed, dependability, and access across the country. Some 82%, on the other hand, said that the government and private sector collaboration can boost the growth of the economy. In July 2020, Go filed Senate Bill No. 1738, or the E-Governance Act of 2020. This mandates the government to establish an integrated, interconnected, and interoperable information and resource-sharing and communications network spanning the entirety of the national and local government, an internal records management information system, an information database, and digital portals for the delivery of public services. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Marawi building permits hastened HOUSING czar Eduardo del Rosario and Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra have agreed to expedite the release of building permits to about 1,500 applicants, mostly families of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and allow them to rebuild or repair their homes in the city in 2022. “Basically, the documentation has already been completed. We are just waiting for the go signal from the office of the building official,” Del Rosario said. He cited the meticulous process the local government unit is observing to ensure safety and establish legal ownership of properties to avoid future dispute. “Hopefully by the third week of December, this can be cleared already. And we expect that by January, we can expect that hundreds or even a thousand can already start the construction or repair of their houses,” he said. Del Rosario is the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development secretary and Task Force Bangon Marawi chairperson. Out of the more than 2,200 who applied for building permits, 300 plus are now repairing their houses, while 1,500 are awaiting go signal from the local government, he said. Rio N. Araja

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 E-mail: mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News Pacquiao stays pat on ‘ayuda’, dares others to do same By Macon Ramos-Araneta

STOP, SANTA. A traffic enforcer, dressed as the beloved Santa Claus, directs traffic along Macapagal Blvd. in Pasay City on Wednesday, 17 days before Christmas Day. Norman Cruz

AS DEFENSOR SEES 750K VOTES FOR TANDEM IN CITY

BBM-Sara motorcade fills major roads in QC By Maricel V. Cruz

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EARING red and green shirts, tens of thousands of UniTeam supporters of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Wednesday filled the stretch of Commonwealth and other major streets during the leading duo’s first grand unity caravan in the National Capital Region (NCR). Presidential aspirant Marcos and vice presidential bet Duterte barnstormed Quezon City to solidify their chances of winning the country’s two top posts in the May 2022 presidential elections. “The people came out of their houses and occupied the Commonwealth and Quezon Avenues to express their support for the BBM-Sara tandem. They represent the silent supermajority. This is unprecedented,” said Malayang Quezon City mayoralty aspirant Mike

Defensor. A party-list lawmaker representing Anakalusugan, Defensor spearheaded the grand caravan with his running mate, Councilor Winnie Castelo, House Majority Leader Martin G. Romualdez, Quezon City Reps. Precious Castelo and Onyx Crisologo, former Quezon City Rep. Bingbong Crisologo, and others. This developed as Defensor vowed to deliver more than 750,000 votes for

Duterte and Marcos in next year’s polls after what he described as “supermajority” came out of their houses to support the grand caravan. “Based on voters during the last election, there are 1.3 million registered voters, assuming we have a turnout of almost 80 percent or let’s assume one million, we are guessing the votes for Bongbong Marcos will be at 750,000 or more in Quezon City, or a supermajority,” Defensor said. The motorcade was a show of force and signified the strength of the tandem in Metro Manila, as well as reinforcing survey results showing they were leading the race in the capital region and elsewhere. The BBM-Sara caravan practically occupied all eight lanes of the northbound (Brgy. Commonwealth) and southbound (Brgy. Commonwealth to Philcoa) roads of Commonwealth Avenue as the convoy passed through.

OFW PICKET. More

than 30 Overseas Filipino Workers displaced during the 2016 Saudi crisis picket in front of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Pasay City to seek a dialogue after Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello’s promise to pay them billions of pesos worth of back wages and end of service benefits. They presented balloons and birthday cake for DOLE’s 88th Anniversary with a written amount of unpaid wages and benefits. Danny Pata

Lacson: Coast Guard needs a boost to defend WPS, Pag-asa Island TO EMPOWER the Philippine Coast Guard to protect the country’s waters from intrusion and harassment including in the West Philippine Sea, as well as fulfill its other duties as the nation’s primary maritime agency, the PCG needs to be strengthened and its gaps addressed, said Sen. Panfilo Lacson. “While we all point to the Philippine Coast Guard as the primary maritime agency of the government to strengthen our country’s sensitive frontiers in the West

NEW ZOO. A zookeeper takes

care of snakes at the Clark Safari and Adventure Park, a new tourist destination in Clark that opened to the public on Wednesday. The 40-hectare zoo features 70 species with a total of 1,500 animals such as brown bears, jaguars, baboons, hyenas, serval cats, caracal lynx, patas monkeys, and a white bull. Danny Pata

Philippine Sea, we can no longer keep the predicaments of the agency at bay,” Lacson, presidential bet of Partido Reporma, said on Wednesday. He added there is a need to discuss the apparent distortion in salaries, allowances, benefits, and retirement of the PCG personnel brought about by its separation from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the subsequent enactment of Republic Act 9993, the Philippine Coast Guard Law of

2009, as well as the system of ranks and pay rate relevant to the PCG. Meanwhile, Lacson underscored Partido Reporma’s “strictly no mudslinging” policy as he noted that economic problems are the real enemies of the nation, not political rivals. Speaking before 1,000 fellow Caviteños in General Trias Sports Park, the party chairman and standard-bearer underscored that poverty, corruption, economic inequality, among others, are their real enemies.

His running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, as well as Partido Reporma senatorial bets Dr. Minguita Padilla, retired General Guillermo Eleazar, and guest candidate Raffy Tulfo accompanied Lacson during that event. The Lacson-Sotto duo wants to elevate the level of political discourse and educate Filipino voters with respect to the deeper and more serious social issues at play ahead of the 2022 national elections.

Ka Leody not backing out of presidential run LABOR leader and presidential aspirant Leody De Guzman declared Wednesday he will not back out of the 2022 presidential race, following reports of his withdrawal. “We will not withdraw. This is clear to me, to my party and to the Filipino people who believe in our theme, ‘It’s the workers’ turn in 2022,’” De Guzman said in Filipino in a statement. “I would like to underscore that my candidacy is due to the Filipino masses’ hope for meaningful change in our country’s political and economic life. This is concretized in a platform centered on a ‘Labor First’ policy and rising from a crisis caused by the pandemic and climate change,” he added. De Guzman also said he is open to supporting the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo if she will make a stand on various people’s issues. Among the issues he wanted to get a clear-cut stand from the Vice President are

contractualization, low salary of workers, increasing prices of basic goods, and automatic debt appropriation. He said this effort is also a way to have unified candidates to defeat the tandem of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. De Guzman said if there are unity talks with other candidates, it would be based on their principles. “We are open to talk to all candidates who are serious in their purpose to resolve the crisis we are dealing with, including stopping the Marcos-Duterte tandem,” the labor leader said. The unionist and labor rights activist was the former president and currently the chairperson of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, a socialist federation of militant trade unions. De Guzman was also an aspirant in the 2019 senatorial elections and is running for president under the Partido Lakas ng Masa.

BILLIONAIRE Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday posed his “ayuda challenge” to all politicians, saying this is the best opportunity for them to help the people still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of accusing him of vote-buying for giving relief and cash aid during his campaign sorties, Pacquiao told them to just do the same, especially now that it is Christmas season. The senator, who is running for president under PROMDI, has reportedly been giving P500 to P1,000 bills to people who have trooped to his campaign sorties. Meanwhile, the world boxing champion turned politician said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi was the reason for the infighting in the ruling PDP-Laban party, an allegation the latter had already rejected. In a TeleRadyo interview, the presidential aspirant accused Cusi, who leads a faction of the ruling party, of having “vested interests” but he did not elaborate. “The reason [for the infighting] is Cusi. We saw he has a lot of vested interest in the party. Eventually, they left the party. No one ran for president under the PDP,” said Pacquiao in Filipino. Meanwhile, in talking to the media after going around San Pedro and Biñan in Laguna province last Tuesday, Pacquiao reiterated his “ayuda” challenge, urging other candidates to follow suit. He insisted he has been giving relief and cash to the people since 2002 and would continue doing so until it is already prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code. Waving the Philippine flag just like he did during his fights, Pacquiao went around the cities of San Pedro, Biñan, and Sta. Rosa on a float, as people poured into the streets to show their support. Pacquiao said he can never abandon his commitment to share his blessings as much as he can because he can never bring any of his earthly treasures when he goes to the afterlife. “Now if they are envious, do the same. Lalung-lalo na yung mga nagnanakaw sa gobyerno, ibigay nila yung pera sa taumbayan, “ he added. [That goes for those who stole from the government, let them give back the people’s money.]

Isko: Manila nears 3m vaccine doses jabbed vs. COVID THE number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered by the city government of Manila is nearing the three-million mark, said Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso. He also said that for the second straight day, new COVID-19 cases in the city dropped below 100. Citing a report from Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, who is on top of the city’s mass vaccination program along with Manila Health Department chief Dr. Poks Pangan, the mayor said active COVID cases in the city was at 96 on December 7. A day prior, the number of active cases was only 91, with no deaths recorded on both dates. Lacuna also reported the total COVID-19 vaccine doses given has already reached 2,919,399 to date. The total administered doses for minors is at 164,743 and of the number, 57,884 are now fully vaccinated. In the case of booster shots, 56,552 have so far been jabbed with their preferred vaccine brands. Earlier, Domagoso, who is the standard bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko, and Lacuna reiterated calls for those who remain unvaccinated to get their shots already. They stressed that it is for their own safety and that of their loved ones. The city of Manila has already exceeded 100 percent in terms of the total number of its eligible population based on records of the Commission on Elections and the Department of Health. Meanwhile, Domagoso on Wednesday implied that the capital city is ready to re-activate its 24/7 COVID-19 vaccination hubs for Manilans and non-Manilans once they receive new booster shot vaccines for adult Filipinos. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Opinion Securing food is securing the future Omicron variant, I am hopeful that, somehow, the agricultural sector shall manage to regain momentum. However, such small progress must be sustained in order to fully recover and, finally, achieve food security. THE agricultural sector is often regarded as a resilient sector among others. However, when agriculture is negatively hit, the impact definitely reverberates across all sectors. This is why when the COVID-19 pandemic aggravated the country’s existing problems on food security, we struggled to keep everything afloat. We all know how COVID-19 paralyzed our agricultural sector. While farming activities were allowed due to the safe physical distancing innate in those activities, the limited mobility and crossborder restrictions severely disrupted the supply chain. Farmers were forced to sell their produce at significantly lower prices, while some were constrained to dispose of their excess harvest since there was no way for them to make it to markets. The procurement of agricultural outputs by the national and local government units early in the pandemic helped in mitigating the losses brought by supply chain blocks. Meanwhile, the financial and credit assistance extended to farmers, fishermen, livestock and poultry farmers, and agri-entrepreneurs cushioned the effects of the restricted farming and trade activities caused by lockdowns, community quarantine, and limited mobility across regions. However, despite the support received by our farmers, we still have setbacks to deal with. Hence, food security should take precedence among the priorities in the coming years. As we move towards lenient alert levels in the absence of the

We need to think long-term. For this reason, we need to think longterm for the coming 2022 elections. Candidates all promise good futures, but where do we really need to start? Focusing on agriculture—a resilient and vital economic sector—will facilitate progress. Securing the food supply chain will trigger a domino effect on the livelihood of many Filipinos. When farmers have continuous production, there will be steady food supply, operational businesses, and food on every Filipino family’s table. While we are hopeful to gradually have more COVID-free days and weeks, we cannot expect that this pandemic will totally be over in a year or less. Hence, it is important to highlight the value of food security. We need inclusive policies that will help address the current problems of our local farmers. We need social protection for farmers and support from local governments. Lastly, we need improved systems for a sustainable and more efficient food supply, rain or shine. With this, we need leaders who are equipped with the right mindset and right plan for agriculture and the country’s overall recovery. I urge the Filipinos to personally assess and actively scrutinize the priorities of our candidates. I encourage everyone to be diligent enough to pick your own choices, and not decide merely on your local leaders’ say-so.

THE idea of spending millions on nonexistent land may sound ludicrous — but feverish predictions of a virtual reality future are pushing investors to bet big on digital real estate. This week, New York-based company Republic Realm announced it had spent a record-breaking $4.3 million on digital land through The Sandbox, one of several “virtual world” websites where people can socialize, play games and even attend concerts. That came hot on the heels of a $2.4-million land purchase in late November on a rival platform, Decentraland, by Canadian crypto company Tokens.com. And days before that, Barbados announced plans to open a “metaverse embassy” in Decentraland. Such websites bill themselves as a prototype of the metaverse, a future internet where online experiences like chatting to a friend would eventually feel face-to-face thanks to virtual reality (VR) headsets. “Metaverse” has been a Silicon Valley buzzword for months, but interest soared in October after Facebook’s parent company renamed itself “Meta” as it shifts its focus towards VR. The Facebook rebrand “introduced the term ‘metaverse’ to millions of people a lot faster than I would have ever imagined,” said Cathy Hackl, a tech consultant who advises companies on entering the metaverse. According to crypto data site Dapp, land worth more than $100 million has sold in the past week across the four largest metaverse sites, The Sandbox, Decentraland, CryptoVoxels, and Somnium Space. For Hackl, it’s unsurprising that the market is booming, spawning an entire ecosystem around virtual real estate, from rents to land developers. “We’re trying to translate the way we understand physical goods into the virtual world,” she told AFP. And while it may be some time before these sites operate as true metaverses, transporting us elsewhere

with VR goggles, digital land is already functioning as an asset just like real land, said Hackl. “They can build on it, they can rent it out, they can sell it,” she said.

Feverish predictions of a virtual reality future are pushing investors to bet big on digital real estate. ‘Fifth Avenue of the metaverse’ Tokens.com has bought a prime patch in Decentraland’s Fashion Street district, which the platform hopes to develop as a home for luxury brands’ virtual stores. “If I hadn’t done the research and understood that this is valuable property, it would seem absolutely crazy,” admitted Tokens.com CEO Andrew Kiguel. Kiguel spent 20 years as an investment banker focused on real estate. He insists the Decentraland plot makes exactly the same kind of business sense as it would in the real world: it’s in a trendy area with high footfall. “That is advertising and event space where people are going to congregate,” he explained, pointing to a recent virtual musical festival in Decentraland which attracted 50,000 visitors. Luxury brands are already venturing into the metaverse — a Gucci handbag sold on the Roblox platform in May for more than the real version — and Kiguel hopes Fashion Street will become a shopping destination akin to New York’s Fifth Avenue. As for how the land could be used to make money, “it can be as simple as having a billboard, or it can be as complex as having a storefront with an actual employee,” he said. “You could walk in with your avatar and have 3D digital representations of a shoe that you can hold, and ask questions.” Second Life, rebooted As far back as 2006, a real estate developer made headlines after making

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EDITORIAL

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Democracy under siege

HE Palace has announced that President Rodrigo Duterte will accept an invitation from US President Joe Biden to attend an online summit of leaders from more than 100 countries to discuss the decline of global democracy and to announce commitments for renewing democracy domestically and internationally.

The summit, which runs from Dec. 9 to 10, is hosted by the United States, whose own democratic institutions— including free elections—are being assaulted by right-wing elements associated with Biden’s disgraced predecessor. In the US, 19 states have passed laws that will make it more difficult for Americans to vote, especially minority groups or the poor. Other efforts abound to subvert election results through partisan election administration. The Philippines itself is no model of democracy, having passed a repressive anti-terrorism act that can be broadly interpreted and misused to stifle dissent. The government also launched a bloody war on drugs in 2016 that killed thousands of drug suspects—and which is now the subject of an investigation by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity. The Philippines also remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, and the President’s hostile rhetoric toward members of the media exacerbates an already perilous situation.

‘Metaverse’ hype fuels booming digital property market By Katy Lee

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

The government shouldn’t be congratulating itself prematurely. Elsewhere in the world, democracy as we know it is also under siege by forces drawn to populist and authoritarian figures. Freedom House, an organization that tracks democracy, political rights and civil liberties around the world, speaks of a shifting international balance in its 2021 Freedom in the World report. “Over the past year, oppressive and often violent authoritarian forces tipped the international order in their favor time and again, exploiting both the advantages of nondemocratic systems and the weaknesses in ailing democracies. In a variety of environments, flickers of hope were extinguished, contributing to a new global status quo in which acts of repression went unpunished and democracy’s advocates were increasingly isolated,”

Freedom House said. The organization, which ranks countries a “free,” “partly free,” and “not free” depending on their score on political rights and civil liberties, notes a distressing decline in the number of free countries in the world, from 89 in 2005, to 82 in 2020. In the same period, the number of not-free states rose from 45 to 54. The Philippines is only one of four states to be invited to the summit—the other three being Indonesia, Malaysia and Timor-Leste—but the government shouldn’t be congratulating itself prematurely. Its global freedom score in the 2021 edition of the Freedom in the World report was 56 out of 100, landing it squarely in the group of countries that are deemed partly free, scoring poorly in political rights (25 out of 40) and civil liberties (31 out of 60). This, in fact, was a decline from the country’s score of 59 in 2020. “President Duterte welcomes the opportunity to share the Philippine democratic experience and commitment to democratic values and nation-building at the Summit for Democracy,” the Office of the President said in a statement. That sharing, we hope, will focus on how to better resist the authoritarian tendencies that Mr. Duterte has exhibited instead of finding inventive ways to subvert our already tenuous democracy.

More on the Obiena-PATAFA tussle has been receiving while competing to PATAFA and PCS. This could easily be construed as conduct prejudicial by PATAFA. There seems to be a lot more to this feud than meets the eye and the public is being kept from it. INSTEAD of the feud being settled by now, it is in fact worsening. It is to the interest of the country, and all parties involved, that the issue is settled quickly. Other countries are watching us with utter bewilderment and disbelief as to why we insist on continuing with this spectacle. It is totally unnecessary. By the looks of it, it is doubtful whether pole vaulter EJ Obiena and PATAFA will be able to bury the hatchet even if both parties eventually come into some sort of an agreement. This is because “may lamat na” – as they say in the dialect. Obiena has retained a lawyer to pursue his complaint and PATAFA is hell bent on investigating the athlete. The latest is that PATAFA is investigating Obiena in what was described as a code of conduct violation. First, it was embezzlement, then this was changed to falsification. The code of conduct violation is the third. We do not know what code was violated because PATAFA did not specify. A code of conduct violation is similar to Article of War 97 if one is in the military. It covers a wide range of actions and includes anything that might bring discredit to the service. I don’t know what particular code Obiena violated or if there is even such a written code of conduct for athletes, but if this is the charge being thrown at him, he will almost certainly be found guilty. In the latest press release, Obiena was accused of not reporting the fees that he

What exactly does PATAFA want? To show who is the boss? Why is PATAFA so anxious to prove something against its own star athlete? One of the things insinuated by PATAFA was that Obiena must have spent his initial cash advance of 85,000 euros intended as salary for Petrov because the money Petrov was eventually paid came from other sources. There was in fact, a little overpayment. With regard to the improper liquidation of the cash advance, Obiena should not get all the blame. Assigning the task to him was totally ill advised and he had to do it from half a world away without any assistance while training and competing at the same time. PATAFA president Philip Juico in one of his TV interviews said that a lot of people are commenting without knowing or understanding what the problem is all about. This may be partly true but the issue is not exactly rocket science that the public cannot understand. When Obiena’s coach Vitaly Petrov said that he was tricked by PATAFA into issuing statements against Obiena, Philip Juico issued a cryptic rebuttal that “Petrov knows the whole truth.” But what is this truth? Perhaps he should just come out and say it. After all,

the feud is all over social media already. Otherwise, this will just be contributing to more speculations and conspiracy theories. PATAFA should just summon Obiena home to settle the issue quietly once and for all instead of this social media war which is damaging Philippine sports. I assume that Obiena is still under PATAFA’s jurisdiction unless he is not anymore, due to the stoppage of his monthly stipend since August. We must realize that the Paris Olympics is just about 18 months away. By spring, prospective Olympians will begin training for the games. All parties must therefore attempt to settle this problem. But if the bridges have already been burned, we have to find other ways to support Obiena’s team. Maybe business tycoon Ricky Razon can add Obiena and his team to the stable of Filipino athletes that he is already supporting in order that the country not miss the chance of medaling in the field of athletics in the next Olympics. It is no guarantee of course, but Obiena being the sixth in the world, has a very realistic chance to be the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to do it. If PATAFA does not allow this due to pride or any other reason, Obiena can still compete in the Olympics as an individual athlete as done by the Russian athletes in the Tokyo Olympics. They competed as individuals without representing their country. I am sure however, that no sane person in this country would want that to happen. But it could if both sides will harden their positions instead of softening up. Let’s hope that the people involved can simmer down a bit for the sake of the country. We should all think of our country first.

$1 million from land sold on the virtual world site Second Life. While Second Life remains active, proponents of its next-generation rivals point out a key difference. In Decentraland, everything from land to virtual artwork comes in the form of a non-fungible token, or NFT. Some people have spent tens of thousands of dollars on these digital items, and the concept has generated skepticism as well as excitement.

But Kiguel predicts this form of digital ownership will become widespread in the coming years, because the blockchain technology behind it creates trust and transparency when making transactions. “I can see the ownership history, what’s been paid for it and how it’s been transferred around,” he said. But the investment is not without its risks — particularly given the volatility of the cryptocurrencies used to buy NFTs. And while virtual concerts on sites

like Roblox and Fortnite have drawn tens of millions of viewers, the sparse data available suggests traffic on metaverses like Decentraland lags far behind that of established social media sites like Facebook and Instagram. Ultimately the value of the land investments depends on whether people start flocking to these sites. “I know it all sounds quite ludicrous,” said Kiguel. “But there’s a vision behind it.” AFP

We should all think of our country first.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

UN chief Guterres isolating after exposure to COVID-19 UN SECRETARY-GENERAL Bazoum, whose country Antonio Guterres was excurrently holds the counposed to the coronavirus cil presidency, arrived in Tuesday by a UN official New York on Tuesday who already had COVand is expected to stay ID-19 and is isolating until the end of the for the next few days, week, when he heads to diplomatic sources Washington. said. The spokesman for Guterres, 72, has canthe secretary-general, celed his upcoming in-perStephane Dujarric, deson engagements, sources clined to comment immeditold AFP. ately on Guterres’s conUN Secretary-General The UN chief was due dition. Antonio Guterres to be the guest of honor Dujarric indicated a of the UN Press Association at its annu- few days ago that Guterres had recently al gala in Manhattan on Wednesday. On received his third dose of the anti-coroThursday, he was to participate in a UN navirus vaccine, after having hesitated Security Council meeting on the chal- for a long time about the advisability of lenges of terrorism and climate change, receiving booster shots while millions led by Niger’s President Mohamed Ba- of people throughout the world have yet to receive their first jab. AFP zoum.

UNDERWATER SANTA. A diver dressed as Santa Claus interacts with sharks and rays at the Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World aquarium in Bangkok on December 8, 2021. AFP

‘NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT’:

Malaysian ex-PM loses graft appeal

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ORMER Malaysian leader Najib Razak lost his appeal against a corruption conviction and 12-year jail term Wednesday, with the judge branding his actions a “national embarrassment” but allowing him to remain free. The 68-year-old was found guilty on all counts last year in the first of several trials he is facing related to the looting of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) sovereign wealth fund.

Supreme Court jails Thai tycoon over poaching A THAI tycoon accused of poaching wildlife in a national park lost his final appeal Wednesday, in a long-running saga that drew public outrage over the elite’s perceived impunity. Construction magnate Premchai Karnasuta was arrested in February 2018 when park officials found guns, animal carcasses—including of a kalij pheasant and a red muntjac— and the pelt of a black leopard at his campsite. Premchai was found not guilty of possessing a leopard carcass, but he was convicted of three other poachingrelated charges and sentenced to 16 months jail. It was raised to three years and two months by the Appeals Court. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court upheld the guilty verdict and sentence of three years and two months, a court official confirmed. He and two other defendants were ordered to pay $60,000 in compensation. Premchai, who arrived in a Range Rover sporting an eye patch, will not receive a suspended sentence, according to the attorney general’s office. He has been sent to Thong Pha Phum district prison, a court official confirmed. The decision brings to a close a long-running case that sparked public anger in a kingdom fed up with perceived impunity for powerful figures. Premchai’s firm, Italian-Thai Development Company, is behind major infrastructure projects such as Bangkok’s sky train and Suvarnabhumi airport. AFP

Najib and his cronies were accused of stealing billions of dollars from the investment vehicle, with the allegations contributing to his long-ruling coalition’s ejection from power in 2018.

The former prime minister’s first trial was related to the transfer of $9.9 million from a former 1MDB unit to his bank accounts. Najib—who has remained free on bail— denies wrongdoing, but the Court of Appeal upheld his conviction on charges including money-laundering and abuse of power. Judge Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil rejected the defense’s argument that some of Najib’s actions were in the national interest. “There is no national interest here,

only national embarrassment,” he told the court in the administrative capital Putrajaya. Najib had “dishonestly misappropriated” the money, he added. Judge Karim also rejected Najib’s defense that he believed the cash was a donation from Saudi royalty, saying there was “no evidence” for the claim. But he agreed to a request for Najib to stay out of prison on bail while he lodges a final appeal with Malaysia’s top court. AFP

HAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE. Pope Francis places a basket of flowers in front of the Column of the Virgin Mary during the annual feast of the Immaculate Conception at Piazza di Spagna in central Rome on December 8, 2021. AFP

Tokyo moves to recognize same-sex partnership TOKYO will move to recognize samesex partnerships, its governor said, becoming the largest city in Japan to do so, as activists push for national recognition. Japan is the only nation of the Group of Seven countries that does not recognise same-sex unions, and its constitution stipulates that “marriage shall be only with the mutual consent of both sexes.” But in recent years, local authorities across the country have made moves to recognise same-sex partnerships, and activists have filed lawsuits hoping to push the national government to reverse course. “In response to the wishes of Tokyo residents and those concerned by this issue, we will draft a basic principle to

recognize same-sex partnerships this fiscal year,” Governor Yuriko Koike announced late Tuesday. She added that the city planned to introduce the policy by the close of the following financial year, ending March 2023. Activist group Marriage for All Japan welcomed the news in a tweet but noted “partnership doesn’t have the same legal effects as marriage.” “National government, hurry up on (recognizing same-sex) marriage!” they added. But the move looks unlikely to spur immediate action by the national government, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida saying Wednesday that “extremely careful discussion” would be needed on the issue.

“There shouldn’t be unjust discrimination or prejudice but the introduction of same-sex marriage is an issue that deals with the very foundation of what constitutes a family in our country,” Kishida told parliament. “So extremely careful discussions are needed.” Opinion polls have generally found a majority in Japan back recognition of same-sex marriage, but the conservative ruling Liberal Democratic Party has been reluctant to push ahead with reforms. Kishida has been cautious on social hot-button issues and said during his party’s leadership race this year that he had “not reached the point of accepting same-sex marriage.” AFP

Russian rocket blasts off carrying Japanese billionaire to the ISS

Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa waves as he boards the Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft prior to the launch at the Baikonur cosmodrome on December 8, 2021. Maezawa and his assistant Yozo Hirano, led by Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, will blast off to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Russia-leased cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 0738 GMT. AFP

A RUSSIAN rocket lifted off on Wednesday carrying a Japanese billionaire to the International Space Station, marking the country’s return to space tourism after a decade-long pause that saw the rise of competition from privately held US companies. Online fashion tycoon Yusaku Maezawa and his production assistant Yozo Hirano blasted off from the Russia-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 0738 GMT, an AFP correspondent at the scene said. Their journey aboard the three-person Soyuz spacecraft piloted by cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin will take just over six hours, capping a banner year that many have seen as a turning point for private space travel. On launch day, Maezawa and his crew left their hotel in Baikonur to a Soviet-era song played for all cosmonauts ahead of their flights. The song, about cosmonauts missing home, was sung partially in Japanese. Maezawa’s family and friends—some holding Japanese flags—waved him off as

he was driven to get his spacesuit fitted. “Dream come true,” the tycoon tweeted on Wednesday morning. Fellow billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson all made breakthrough commercial tourism flights this year, bursting into a market Russia is keen to defend. After docking at the Poisk module of the Russian segment of the ISS, the trio will spend 12 days on the station. The Japanese tourists plan to document their daily life aboard the ISS to share on Maezawa’s popular YouTube channel. The 46-year-old billionaire has set out 100 tasks to complete while on board, including hosting a badminton tournament in orbit. The ISS is home to an international crew of seven people including two Russian cosmonauts and a Japanese astronaut. Maezawa, who is a space enthusiast, also plans to take eight people with him on a 2023 mission around the moon operated by Musk’s SpaceX. AFP

20 Bangladesh students meted death sentence

BANGLADESH sentenced 20 university students to death on Wednesday for the brutal 2019 murder of a young man who criticized the government on social media. The battered body of Abrar Fahad, 21, was found in his university dormitory hours after he wrote a Facebook post slamming Prime Minister Sheik Hasina for signing a water-sharing deal with India. He was beaten with a cricket bat and other blunt objects for six hours by 25 fellow students who were members of the ruling Awami League’s student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). “I am happy with the verdict,” Fahad’s father Barkat Ullah told reporters outside court after the verdict. “I hope the punishments will be served soon.” Prosecutor Abdullah Abu told AFP that the remaining five perpetrators were sentenced to life imprisonment. All those handed death sentences were between 20 and 22 years old and attended the elite Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology alongside Fahad. Three of the defendants are still at large while the rest were in the courtroom. A lawyer for the defendants said the sentence would be appealed. Fahad had put up a post on Facebook that went viral hours before his death. In it, he criticized the government for signing an accord that allowed India to take water from a river that lies on the boundary the two countries share. AFP

Google disrupts cybercrime web infecting 1m devices GOOGLE said it has moved to shut down a network of about one million hijacked electronic devices used worldwide to commit online crimes, while also suing Russia-based hackers the tech giant claimed were responsible. The so-called botnet of infected devices, which was also used to surreptitiously mine bitcoin, was cut off at least for now from the people wielding it on the internet. “The operators of Glupteba are likely to attempt to regain control of the botnet using a backup command and control mechanism,” wrote Shane Huntley and Luca Nagy from Google’s threat analysis group. Large technology companies like Google and Microsoft are increasingly pulled into the battle against cybercrime, which is conducted via their products thus giving them unique understanding of and access to the threats. Google said the network includes about one million Windows-using devices worldwide for crimes that include stealing users’ credentials, and has targeted victims from the United States, India, Brazil and southeast Asia. The company also filed a lawsuit in a New York federal court against Dmitry Starovikov and Alexander Filippov seeking an injunction to block them from wrongdoing on its platforms. AFP

Business

Manila

Standard

TODAY Republic

B3

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

of the Philippines GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1308

Asian stocks rise but fears over Chinese property linger

H

ONG KONG, China—Asian stocks were broadly up Wednesday after a strong lead from Wall Street, but fears lingered over China’s debt-hobbled property sector.

The main indexes in New York had rallied as worries about the impact of the Omicron coronavirus variant faded. In Hong Kong, Chinese real estate company Kaisa suspended trading just before the opening bell, “pending the release by the Company of an announcement containing inside information,” according to a filing with the exchange. Kaisa, China’s 27th-largest property firm but one of its most indebted, became the latest company to spook investors when it announced Friday that it had failed in a bid for a debt swap that would buy it crucial time. China’s real estate sector—a key growth driver in the world’s second-largest economy—has cooled in recent months after Beijing tightened home-buying rules and launched a regulatory assault on speculation. The moves have created headaches for several major developers, notably China Evergrande, the country’s second-largest by volume, which is billions of dollars in debt.

On Tuesday, Evergrande missed a deadline to repay some of its overseas creditors, raising the prospect of a default as it prepares for a governmentbacked mega-restructure. At the close in Hong Kong Wednesday, the Hang Seng Index was up 0.06 percent at 23,996.87. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 closed 1.42 percent higher at 28,860.62. Shanghai and Shenzhen both finished up by more than one percent. “The Nikkei index was up following gains of US shares. A wide variety of high tech shares were bought as fears over the Omicron variant receded,” Okasan Online Securities said in a note. Sydney was up more than one percent, with Wellington gaining two percent. Seoul, Jakarta and Taipei were marginally higher, while Singapore was slightly down. Wall Street stocks were up for a second straight session Tuesday, with the tech-rich Nasdaq enjoying a three percent jump. With AFP

GENERAL GUIDELINES: 1.

18. The declared highest/winning bidder shall submit within fourteen (14) calendar days from the bid date the following documents:

Sale of GSIS Investment Properties – Retail Units (IP-RUs) shall be through competitive public bidding.

a. If the winning bidder is an individual,

2. Acceptance of Purchase Offers shall start on the scheduled bidding date and time. 3.

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

4.

The sale IP-RUs is on an “as-is, where-is” basis. Interested bidders are enjoined to personally inspect the GSIS IP-RUs for sale.

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

5.

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

1. duly accomplished Personal Profile (with attached recent two (2) pieces of 2x2 ID pictures of the winning bidder) 2. a photocopy of two (2) valid IDs (at least one should be a government-issued ID) b. If the winning bidder is a corporate entity or partnership,

6.

A man walks past a housing complex by Chinese property developer Evergrande in Beijing on December 8, 2021. AFP

more polarized,” Lucas Chancel, co-director of the World Inequality Lab at the Paris School of Economics, told AFP. “While the wealth of billionaires rose by more than 3.6 trillion euros ($4 trillion), 100 million more people joined the ranks of extreme poverty,” said Chancel, noting that extreme poverty had been previously falling for 25 years. A real-time ranking by Forbes magazine shows that the top 10 richest people each have a net worth exceeding $100 billion, with Tesla boss Elon Musk on top with around $265 billion. Only one of the men is not American—LVMH luxury group chief Bernard Arnault— and all but two are tech industry leaders whose fortunes have been turbocharged by soaring company share prices. AFP

Kaisa suspends share trading in HK HONG KONG, China—Chinese property firm Kaisa suspended share trading in Hong Kong on Wednesday as questions swirl over its ability to make repayments and contagion spreads within the country’s debt-ridden real estate sector. The Chinese government sparked a crisis within the property industry when it launched a drive last year to curb excessive debt among real estate firms as well as rampant consumer speculation. Companies that had accrued huge debt to expand suddenly found the taps turned off and began struggling to complete projects, pay contractors and meet both domestic and foreign repayments. Kaisa, China’s 27th-largest real estate firm in terms of sales but one of its most indebted, became the latest company to spook investors when it announced on Friday that it had failed in a bid for a debt swap that would buy it crucial time. AFP

1. duly accomplished Company/Corporate Profile 2. Cooperative Development Authority Registration or any proof of such registration 3. Current Mayor’s Permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located.

All participating bidders shall insert the following documents in a bid envelope:

19. Failure of the declared winning bidder to comply with the terms and conditions of sale stated in the NOAS shall automatically forfeit the declared winning bidder’s 10% deposit. 20. In case the highest/winning bidder fails to comply with the requirements within the specified time, the said NOAS shall be deemed automatically revoked and the highest/winning bidder shall be informed in writing. The second highest bidder, if any, shall be informed in writing if he/she is still interested to acquire the property. If still interested, he/she must remit the required non-refundable 10% deposit within three (3) working days after receipt of notice from GSIS.

1. Properly accomplished bid form;

Billionaires’ share of global wealth leapfrogs during pandemic—report PARIS, France—The share of global wealth of the world’s richest people soared at a record pace during the COVID pandemic, a report on inequality showed Tuesday. Since 1995, the slice held by billionaires has risen from one percent to three percent, according to the World Inequality Report. “This increase was exacerbated during the COVID pandemic. In fact, 2020 marked the steepest increase in global billionaires’ share of wealth on record,” the document said. The club of the richest one percent has taken more than a third of all additional wealth accumulated since 1995, while the bottom 50 percent captured just two percent. “After more than 18 months of COVID-19, the world is even

c. If the winning bidder is a cooperative.

A downloadable bid form shall be properly accomplished with the following data: A. Date of Bidding B. Name of the bidder C. The exact address of the property you are interested to bid D. Transfer Certificate of Title No. E. Mode of Payment F. Amount of bid (in numbers and words) G. Signature of the bidder/representative

7.

1. duly accomplished Company/Corporate Profile 2. Registration Certificate from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 3. Articles of Incorporation (if a corporation), Articles of Partnership (if partnership), General Information Sheet, and By-Laws duly certified by the SEC 4. Current Mayor’s Permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located

2. Manager’s Check is payable to Government Service Insurance System representing the deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid-Offer plus 12% VAT, if applicable.

21. GSIS reserves the right to waive any formality or to reject any or all bids received. The list of properties available for sale may be updated without prior notice.

3. Special Power of Attorney (SPA), if the bidder is being represented by another person.

22. For bidding inquiries, you may call the Real Property Accounts Management Department (RPAMD) at trunk line numbers (02) 8479-3600, and (02) 7976-4900 local numbers 3228, 3374, and 3396 or send an email at gsiscstrpamd@gsis.gov. ph.

4. Two (2) proofs of occupancy, if the bidder is the occupant of the subject property:

HEALTH PROTOCOLS UNDER NEW NORMAL

a. Barangay certificate that the bidder is occupying or residing in the subject property; and

1.

Only the participating bidder shall enter the bidding room.

2.

The bidder must properly wear a facemask and face shield at any time.

3.

Social distancing must be strictly observed.

4.

Bringing of ballpen is encouraged.

5.

Please follow the health and safety protocols on and off the GSIS premises.

6.

Additional health and safety measures shall be published on the GSIS website page once the IATF issues additional or new guidelines.

b. Valid Government Issued ID indicating the address of the subject property, or c. Latest Billing Statement under the Bidder’s Name indicating the address of the subject property. 8.

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

GUIDE FOR BIDDERS

9. The bid offer must Offer. It shall be offer must not be lower than the Minimum Acceptable Offer written in words and figures. Should there be a difference in the amount in words and figures, the amount in words shall prevail.

1.

Please register at the Registration Area between 8:30 AM and 9:30 A.M.

2.

Present the sealed Bid Envelope upon registration. • Ensure that you have read and follow the General Guidelines; • Ensure that the Bid form is properly accomplished and it must not have erasures; and • Ensure that the Bid envelope contains complete documents as mentioned above;

10. Pursuant to Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10963 otherwise known as the Tax Reform Act for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, the selling price of the GSIS properties above PhP2 million shall be subject to 12% Value-Added Tax (VAT). 11. Bidders’ deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid-Offer plus the 12% VAT, if applicable, shall be in the form of a Manager’s Check payable to Government Service Insurance System, and shall be paid not later than 3:00 P.M. on the day of the bidding.

3.

Review the contents of the bid envelope before sealing and dropping it in the Bid Box.

4.

Only participating bidder is allowed to drop the sealed bid envelope in the Bid Box.

12. The 90% balance of the bid amount plus 12% VAT shall be paid either in cash or in Manager’s Check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of NOAS, without the privilege of extension.

5.

Any change in or retrieval of the bid envelop shall not be allowed once the sealed envelope has been dropped in the Bid Box.

6.

Opening of Bids will commence at 10:00 A.M.

Sample Computation: Bid Amount is PhP2,610,000.00 Deposit - (10% of PhP2,610,000.00) + 12% = PhP 261,000.00 + 31,320.00 = PhP292,320.00 Balance - (90% of PhP2,610,000.00) + 12% = PhP2,349,000.00 + 281,880.00 = PhP2,630,880.00

13. Full settlement of the winning bid price either in CASH or MANAGER’S CHECK shall be payable within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of Notice of Approval of Sale, without the privilege of extension. 14. The current tenant or occupant or his duly authorized representative through a valid Special Power of Attorney (SPA) has the right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, provided that: a. he/she participated in actual bidding, and b. inserted the two (2) proofs of occupancy in his/her bid envelope as indicated in number 11.4 above. 15. If the occupant will exercise his/her Right to Match the offer of the declared highest bidder, he/she shall adjust his/her initial deposit equivalent to the 10% of the bid amount of the declared highest bidder, and pay the adjusted deposit on the day of bidding in cash. 16. A Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS) shall be issued in favor of the declared winning bidder after the bidding. 17. The bid envelope of the non-winning bidder/s shall be immediately returned once the public bidding has been adjourned. (MS-DEC. 9/10/11, 2021)

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

B4

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

Ayala, Blackstone investing P50b in 1,200-MW facility By Alena Mae S. Flores BATANGAS Clean Energy Inc., the 50:50 joint venture of ACE Enexor Inc. of the Ayala Group and Gen X Energy LLC of US-based Blackstone Inc., is developing a 1,200-megawatt combined-cycle gas turbine power plant in Batangas province at a cost of P50 billion. “BCE’s CCGT Power Plant is one of a handful of projects in the Philippines that is in advanced stages of development,” Batangas Clean Energy said in a report to the Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesEnvironmental Management Bureau. BCE said it is developing the project to meet the Philippines’ growing demand for power by providing a reliable, affordable and sustainable source of firm base-load generation. It said the Department of Energy highlighted the need for new firm capacity to come online by as early as 2025 with the imminent depletion of the Malampaya gas field, which fuels about 30 percent of Luzon grid’s generation, an aging fleet of power plants and the moratorium on new base-load coal plants. The project will also reduce the country’s carbon footprint by diversifying the Philippine’s generation mix away from coal and oil and accelerate the integration of intermittent renewable energy projects by providing flexible CCGT generation to the grid. It will also underwrite the introduction of LNG and the development of the downstream natural gas industry in the country by serving as an anchor customer for an LNG import facility. The project will also explore the potential of hydrogen as a new energy source for the Philippines while contributing to the economic and social development of Batangas and the country. BCE said it would source natural gas from a nearby liquefied natural gas import facility as fuel for the power plant.

NorthStar Meat eyes P4-b IPO to expand capacity By Jenniffer B. Austria NORTH Star Meat Merchants Inc., a leading end-to-end frozen and fresh meat supplier in the Philippines, plans to raise up to P4 billion from an initial public offering early next year, a top executive said Wednesday. NorthStar president Anthony Ng said in a virtual press briefing the company would conduct a maiden share offering to expand its cold storage capacity to 6 million kilograms a month by next year. “We need a bigger war chest to grow parallel with our clients. As an end-toend logistics firm, we need infrastructure, like cold storage facility, delivery and equipment which are very costly,” Ng said. He said the group was also looking at mergers and acquisitions to expand product lines to be more efficient and add value to the business. NorthStar is the leading provider of frozen and fresh meat to around 383 SM supermarket branches, being the major supplier to SM Bonus, United Steaks and Waltermart. It said 90 percent of its business are with SM supermarkets and affiliate stores, including Alfamart and Savemore. Ng said he has been in partnership with the SM group for more than 20 years and his contracts are renewed on a yearly basis. NorthStar reported net income of P237 million and revenues of P6 billion in 2020. This year, the company expects sales to reach P9.1 billion, with close to 400 stores. The company said that in the last five years, it registered compounded annual growth rate in revenues of 24.5 percent. NorthStar is in talks with BDO Capital and Investments Corp. to be underwriter for the IPO that will have a public float of 20 percent. NorthStar started out in 1999 as Ng’s undergraduate Entrepreneurial Management thesis in college which entailed opening a meat shop in partnership with SM Iloilo.

Business

PH economy intact, weathers COVID-19 crisis—Dominguez By Julito G. Rada

F

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Wednesday the Philippines hurdled the obstacles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its strengths remained intact throughout the existence of the global health crisis. Dominguez, speaking during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, cited the country’s credit ratings that never experienced a downgrade since the start of the pandemic. “I believe that we are over the hump on this COVID-19 contagion. I said it earlier that this is not a short battle. This is not a sprint. This is a marathon,” Dominguez said. He said judging from past contagions, the COVID-19 pandemic would not come and go quickly. He said throughout the difficult time, the government tried to preserve the financial strength of the Philippines and “use the financial strength that President Duterte has built up since 2016, which I must admit was building on the successes of the administration of Noynoy Aquino.” Dominguez said the current adminis-

tration built on it and tried to improve it a little bit which “put us in a very good position.” “We have been able to last this contagion without a downgrade. Of course Fitch [Ratings] put our outlook to negative earlier this year but that is not a downgrade,” Dominguez said. The economy contracted by a record 9.6 percent in 2020, the worst GDP performance since World War 2. But economic managers expect the GDP to rebound by 4 percent to 5 percent this year, driven by faster vaccination rollout that could boost consumer and business confidence. Data showed that in the first three quarters, the economy grew by 4.9 percent, near the upper end of the target range. The World Bank on Tuesday raised its 2021 growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.3 percent from its previous estimate

of 4.3 percent, taking into account the 7.1-percent third-quarter expansion that exceeded market expectations despite the prolonged impact of the pandemic. World Bank senior economist Kevin Chua said the economic rebound gained momentum in the third quarter despite another COVID-19 wave. Chua said GDP growth was expected to rise to 5.9 percent by 2020 and 5.7 percent by 2023, for a two-year average of 5.8 percent. “The Philippines has, so far, faced its worst infection wave in September when the seven-day daily average reached about 21,000 cases due to the Delta variant. In response, the authorities re-imposed stringent mobility restrictions in Metro Manila and other key metropolitan areas,” Chua said. “Nonetheless, compared with previous waves, domestic activity has been less sensitive to infections. Public containment measures constrained overall mobility less, while households and firms have learned to cope with infections and diminished mobility,” he said. “As a result, the growth momentum was not severely hampered, and the third quarter growth surprised on the upside, exceeding market expectations,” Chua said.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Tuesday, December 7, 2021 16.56 PTS. 7,147.30

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

1,979,042,592 113,225 7,860,242,470.45 63 137 36

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.3700

Japan

Yen

0.008814

0.4440

UK

Pound

1.326700

66.8259

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128205

6.4577

Switzerland

Franc

1.080380

54.4187

Canada

Dollar

0.784068

39.4935

Singapore

Dollar

0.730620

36.8013

Australia

Dollar

0.704900

35.5058

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652731

133.6181

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266574

13.4273

Brunei

Dollar

0.727961

36.6674

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.029516

1.4867

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

13.7147

Euro

Euro

1.128800

56.8577

Korea

Won

0.000847

0.0427

China

Yuan

0.156833

7.8997

India

Rupee

0.013264

0.6681

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.236407

11.9078

New Zealand

Dollar

0.675000

33.9998

Taiwan

Dollar

0.036084

1.8176 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF Cebu Pacific expands Manila-Bacolod flights

CEBU Pacific on Wednesday said it is adding flight frequency between Manila and Bacolod to meet rising demand for travel. The airline owned by the Gokongwei Group will add daily flights from Manila to Bacolod starting December 16, bringing its total to 16x weekly. The airline will be operating Manila-Bacolod flights twice daily, on top of its twice weekly flights exclusively for fully-vaccinated passengers until January 15, 2022. Cebu Pacific also operates a once-weekly flight between Cebu and Bacolod every Tuesday. “We remain committed to rebuilding the public’s trust and confidence in air travel, and we will continue to collaborate with the government to achieve this goal,” Michael Ivan Shau, chief corporate affairs officer at Cebu Pacific said. The airline attained 100 percent vaccination rate for its active flying crew through its own employee vaccination program, JG Summit COVID Protect, and various partnerships with local government units in the country. Darwin G. Amojelar

PH pushing copper as major dollar earner

MEDILINES LISTING. Medilines Distributors Inc. marks its stock market debut in the Philippine Stock Exchange with a bell ringing ceremony on Dec. 7. The company says it will use the P1.20 billion raised from the sale of primary shares to purchase products, build up medical consumables inventory and pay debt. Attending the ceremony are (from left, by row) MEDIC president and chief executive Ma. Patricia Dolor Yambing, PSE chief operating officer Roel Refran, MEDIC director Ma. Theresa Villar, MEDIC chairman Virgilio Villar, PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon, PSE issuer regulation division head Marigel Garcia, Philippine National Bank president Jose Arnulfo Veloso, MEDIC general manager Daniel Zulueta, MEDIC treasurer and chief finance officer Margarita Villarico and Securities Clearing Corporation of the Philippines chief operating officer Renee Rubio.

ICTSI announces upgrades for Manila flagship container terminal By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. said Wednesday it is implementing upgrades at the flagship Manila International Container Terminal to further ease transactions and ensure safety and security for all port stakeholders. The port operator said it was speeding up the second phase development of MICT’s Berths 7 and 8, which would add full back-up areas for the future Berths 9 and 10. ICTSI said it would also refurbish Berths 1 to 5 and their back-up areas, including the installation of an additional 450 reefer plugs for 40 footers and upgrade the yards of Berths 1 to 5. The company said leading the charge towards an eco-friendlier port operation is the planned acquisition of eight new hybrid rubber tired gantries to add to the 32 hybrid RTG fleet acquired starting 2018.

Expected to further improve service levels at the terminal, the new RTGs will further reduce emissions by 50 percent compared to previous RTGs. ICTSI will also decommission MICT’s first quay crane this year, which will be replaced over the next three years by three new quay cranes—all capable of servicing larger vessels of over 12,500-TEU capacity. “With our strong focus on environmental stewardship, we understand how technological innovation goes hand in hand with our thrust to improve our ports’ air quality, energy consumption and waste and water management,” said ICTSI executive vice president Christian Gonzalez. “In line with this, we continually invest in port infrastructure and facilities that enhance our operational efficiency while simultaneously helping minimize our environmental impact,” he said. A substantial part of the ICTSI Group’s 2022 budget was earmarked for

the MICT upgrades that would further strengthen MICT’s capacity to effectively serve the world’s larger box ships and the increasing volume that comes with a recovering economy. Despite the knock-on effects of global supply chain disruptions affecting major hubs, yard utilization at ICTSI’s flagship continues to be manageable, according to data from the Philippine Ports Authority. Based on PPA’s September 2021 performance report, MICT’s average yard utilization was at 63.02 percent. ICTSI said it continued to fast-track the movement of overstaying import containers out of the Port of Manila to improve its utilization rate as more imports loom. To further improve the mobility of trucks inside the terminal, the company in April added a truck ingress, equipped with optical character recognition and with automation to further improve gate service.

THE Philippines is positioning copper as one of the value commodities and a sustainable source of export revenues to help the government earn higher foreign exchange receipts to lift the economy. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez noted that the Philippines has at least 1.1 billion metric tons (MT) of copper reserves, reputed to be among the highest in the world. Exports are estimated to hit $2 billion annually. “But more than just raw material exporting, we want to establish a downstream copper industry in the Philippines. We envision a fully integrated Philippine copper industry. We do copper concentrates and cathodes, but we don’t have a copper wire rod casting facility, and so we must have such a facility here so that it can also link to a number of wiring harness companies already in the downstream value chain present in the country,” he said at conclusion of Arangkada Forum 2021. With the huge reserves, the government expects to more than double the number of workers employed by the industry. About 14,000 Filipinos are working in the industry. Othel V. Campos

Meralco deploys 69 more electric vehicles

MANILA Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, is deploying 69 electric vehicles (EVs) as it moves to adopt sustainable modes of transportation under its Green Mobility Program. The new batch of EVs composed of cars, vans, pick-up trucks and motorcycles will cater to the transportation needs of its business centers and sector offices, adding to the nearly 60 EVs currently used by Meralco field personnel. With the new EVs, Meralco is on track to electrify 100 percent of its vehicle fleet, with its Metro Manila service vehicles now all electric. “Through this program, we express our full support to the Philippines’ transition to electric transportation. As we look forward to the government’s enactment of the EV Bill—which will provide incentives to both EV suppliers and users—we welcome a greener, cleaner, and safer environment in our streets and thoroughfares,” Meralco president Ray Espinosa said during an unveiling ceremony. Through its Green Mobility Program, the company aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and promote the country’s transition to electrified transport. Alena Mae S. Flores

Gov’t to wind down liquidity support from BSP

CONVERGE BUSINESS CENTER. Converge ICT Solutions Inc. opens a business center in Sorsogon province as part of its efforts to serve more Filipinos nationwide. The company says residential subscribers as of end-September reached nearly 1.6 million, almost double the figure in the same period last year. Converge’s pure end-to-end fiber connection is also enjoyed by over 440 municipalities and cities across the country.

THE national government will repay the full amount of its outstanding P540-billion provisional advances to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas this week, ahead of the Jan. 12, 2022 maturity date, and reduced its request for liquidity support to P300 billion next year amid the improved economic outlook, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Wednesday. Dominguez said in a letter to Monetary Board chairman Benjamin Diokno the government would request a lower amount of P300 billion as provisional advance in the second week of January 2022, signaling to the market “that we are on track with the unwinding of liquidity support on firmer evidence of return to economic strength.” Dominguez revealed the plan as he lauded the “strong monetary and fiscal coordination [between the BSP and the Department of Finance] in ensuring that the Philippines remain resilient in this crisis.” The extension of provisional advances is a temporary arrangement between the

BSP and the national government to provide the government access to ample cash resources, while revenue generation was weakened and fulfillment of the borrowing program was challenged by the scale of the borrowing need and the unpredictability of financial markets amid the pandemic. Under Section 89 of The New Central Bank Act (Republic Act No. 7653), the BSP may make direct provisional advances with or without interest to the national government to finance expenditures authorized in its annual appropriation, on condition that said advances will be repaid before the end of three months, extendible by another three months as the Monetary Board may allow following the date the national government received such provisional advances. Initially, the advances were in the form of a zero-interest repurchase agreement transaction in the amount of P300 billion granted in March 2020 and fully repaid in September 2020. Julito G. Rada

Sports

PH lifter debuts at 8th place in world meet FIRST-TIME Fernando Agad debuted at eighth place at the start of the International Weightlifting Federation World Championships Wednesday evening at the Uzbekistan Sports Center in Tashkent. Tallying a total of 239 kgs, the 19-year-old Agad ended up in the middle of the pack of the 17-man field that saw action in the men’s -55 kilogram division. The Cebu-based Agad, who has never joined international meets before, landed second in Group B, behind Colombia’s Miguel Suarez’ 242. Agad easily heaved 104 kgs in his opening lift before he concluded his attempts at 108. He then settled for a 131-kg lift in the clean and jerk after failing his bid at the 136-kg mark. Kazakhstan’s Arli Chortey, who grabbed the silver at 142, claimed the overall gold with his total of 260. It was Saudi Arabia’s Mansour AlSaleem, who bagged the snatch gold with his 118-kg performance. Thailand’s Thada Somboon-uan claimed the silver at 256 kgs, while Bulgaria’s Angel Ruzlev earned the bronze with a 254 feat. Peter Atencio

Zambo Sibugay routs MFT Iligan to grab 2nd spot in Super Cup Games on Thursday

4 pm - Roxas Vanguards vs Basilan BRT Peace Riders 6:30 pm - Pagadian Explorers vs BYB Kapatagan Buffalos

PAGADIAN—Zamboanga Sibugay flexed its might against MFT Iligan to pull off an 82-71 win and take solo second spot in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Challenge at the Pagadian City Gymnasium here, Wednesday. The Anak Mindanao Warriors went on a blazing 28-9 first quarter, but the Archangels kept coming back. Iligan got to within eight after a strong start to the third quarter, 4149, but Zamboanga Sibugay retaliated right away with nine straight points to restore order, 58-41. In the fourth quarter, Iligan slowly came back to within nine after a triple by Elmer Aparice with 2:05 remaining, 69-78. But it was too little, too late as Shaq Imperial and Monbert Arong provided the daggers for Zamboanga Sibugay. “Ni-remind ko lang sila before the game na huwag maging overconfident. Kaya noong nakakahabol ‘yung Iligan, sinabihan ko sila na huwag mag-relax,” said Warriors’ head coach Arnold Oliveros, who celebrated his birthday with the huge victory. Zamboanga Sibugay improved to solo second seed at 7-4, with Basilan BRT as their last assignment on Friday, 4 pm. Arong registered a game-high 23 points on 50 percent shooting from the field to go with four rebounds and two steals. Imperial added 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and three steals, while Jaybie Mantilla had 11 points. Lugie Cuyos led Iligan with 18 points and five rebounds, while Rendell Dela Rea and Eugene Torres combined for 21 points.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

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Alaska’s Jeron Teng is forced to pass the ball after finding the inside lane clogged by NorthPort’s Jamie Malonzo at the start of the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Pasig. The Aces won, 87-85.

Alaska weathers Santos’ fiery NorthPort show in PBA opener By Argie Paul Candare

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HE Alaska Aces outlasted the NorthPort Batang Pier, 87-85, after surviving an Arwind Santospowered, fourth-quarter storm at the start of the PBA Governors’ Cup wars at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig on Wednesday. Aces’ import Olu Ashaolu led the team in scoring with 20 points to go with 14 rebounds, but it was Jeron Teng’s heroics that earned him “Player of the Game” honors as he finished with 19 markers, four boards and three assists. Alaska pulled away in the fourth,

76-65, with 7:54 left, before NorthPort newcomer, the veteran Santos and Greg Slaughter energized the Batang Pier to within 84-85. But the Aces’ doused cold water to the fiery Batang Pier run as a Robbie Herndon’s turn-around jumper and Teng’s split concluded the battle in

Alaska’s favor. Robert Bolick had a chance to win the game for the Aces, but his two straight three-point attempts missed. The debuting forward Santos scored 23 points and had seven rebounds and four blocks, while both Cameron Forte, Batang Pier’s reinforcement, and Slaughter keyed-in 18 points. Meanwhile, Rafi Reavis and Justin Melton have been identified as unvaccinated players after the release of each teams’ rosters. The former teammates are set to be absent in the season-ending tournament, that will feature reinforcements after a two-year absence.

Both players were part of their respective team’s rosters, with the 6’8” Reavis for Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots and the 34-year-old Melton with Terrafirma Dyip. The league, in following the protocols set by the government, imposts a strict requirement of vaccination for foreigners in preparation for their stints. As the PBA attempts to transition back from pre-pandemic operations, it has decided to bar unvaccinated players to participate, even in practices. Melton was snatched by the Dyip in a trade that sent 6’10” rookie James Laput to the SMC-owned franchise.

Sangiao believes son Jhanlo can make name for himself in ONE LEGENDARY coach Mark Sangiao never expected his son Jhanlo Mark to follow in his footsteps and take up the sport of mixed martial arts. But such might really be what fate intended for someone like Jhanlo Mark, who wasn’t just born but also raised with Igorot champions as he was exposed from a young age to top-caliber talents inside the Team Lakay Central Gym in Benguet. And as the 19-year-old makes his debut at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS II on 17 December in Singapore, coach Mark couldn’t help but feel emotional as he juggles his role of being a caring father and a stern coach to his son. “This will be the first time that I’m going to coach my son,” he said in Team Lakay’s recent media availability. The elder Sangiao acknowledges the big differences heading into Jhanlo Mark’s promotional debut, where he will face Indonesian striker Paul “The Great King” Lumihi in a bantamweight showdown. Although he has fulfilled the role of a fatherly figure to his fighters, especially to the younger ones led by reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, flyweight contender Danny “The King” Kingad, as well as rising stars Stephen “The Sniper” Loman, Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang, and Jenelyn Olsim, his situation with Jhanlo is really a unique one of its own. “Although I consider our athletes as like our own children, it’s really different when it’s your

own blood,” he said. But like the professionals that they are, coach Mark insists that he won’t treat Jhanlo Mark with kid gloves all the more as he expects nothing less from his own flesh. “If it’s just up to me, I will treat him the same as our other athletes. But we don’t know what will happen and like I said, that will be the first time that I will experience that. So I think we could only wait for fight night before we can see how different I could really be when I’m just barking orders for him as a coach on the side,” he stated. What’s working for the Sangiaos, though, is Jhanlo Mark adapting quickly to the situation, all the more with the pressures of having his first match in ONE Championship. “He has to understand how to handle pressure despite this being his first time fighting here. But as far as I can see, he’s really ready to fight,” said coach Mark of his son. And it’s no wonder why the decorated coach wasted little time handing down his own moniker of “The Machine” to Jhanlo Mark as he begins to make a name for himself in ONE Championship. “Now that he’s old enough, he could already have the name of ‘The Machine’,” coach Mark proudly said. “That name was given to me when I was still an athlete because when I was starting, I didn’t stop until there was a clear winner. So to me, the fans can only expect that the fruit is better than the tree.”

Jhanlo Mark Sangiao (right) in deep training

Djokovic on entry list for Australian Open; no Serena

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacting after a point against Spain’s Rafael Nadal during the men’s singles final of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. Djokovic was among the entries for the Australian Open, but women’s great Serena Williams was missing. AFP

MELBOURNE—Men’s world number one Novak Djokovic was named among the entries for the Australian Open on Wednesday, following intense speculation about his vaccination status, but women’s great Serena Williams was missing. The Serbian had cast doubt on whether he would defend his Melbourne title next month, refusing to reveal whether he was inoculated against coronavirus, a requirement to play. But after being named on Tuesday as part of the Serbia team for January’s ATP Cup in Sydney that will precede the opening major of the year, he was also listed for the Grand Slam. Williams, who is marooned on 23 Grand Slam titles—one short of the all-time record held by Margaret Court—had been expected to play, but she is not fully fit. The American superstar turned 40 in Septem-

ber and may have played her last Australian Open. The seven-time Melbourne champion said she had withdrawn following advice from her medical team. “While this is never an easy decision to make, I am not where I need to be physically to compete,” she said. “Melbourne is one of my favourite cities to visit and I look forward to playing at the AO every year. I will miss seeing the fans, but am excited to return and compete at my highest level.” Despite Williams being stuck on 23 Slams, her French coach Patrick Mouratoglou told AFP in September her legacy was secure. “I don’t mean to disrespect Margaret Court, but it’s another era. Yes, it would be better if Serena broke her record, but if she doesn’t, she will still be the greatest player of all time,” he said. Otherwise, all of the women’s top 20 were

confirmed as playing, headlined by world number one Ashleigh Barty and Japanese star Naomi Osaka. In the men’s draw, Spain’s Rafael Nadal will challenge Djokovic to be the first man in history to win 21 Grand Slam titles. Swiss legend Roger Federer, who also has 20 Slam crowns, had already announced he would miss the event as he recovers from injury. Ahead of the main draw being announced, Australian Open organisers had reiterated that all players must be vaccinated, amid reports they could seek a medical exemption for Djokovic with the backing of Tennis Australia. Those reports were quickly shut down. “All players, patrons and staff at the Australian Open have to be vaccinated,” Tennis Australia said in a statement. “Any suggestion that Tennis Australia is seeking ‘loopholes’ within this process is simply untrue.” AFP

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Sports

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

Sebastian, Nouri rule PH national jr chessfest

Protesters hold up placards and banners as they attend a demonstration in Sydney to call on the Australian government to boycott the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics over China’s human rights record. The United States announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, a rebuke of China’s human rights record that stops short of preventing US athletes from competing. AFP

Australia joins US diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics

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YDNEY—Australia will not send officials to February’s Winter Olympics in Beijing, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday, joining a US diplomatic boycott of the Games. Canberra’s decision comes as discord with China over a slew of issues that has plunged relations into the most serious crisis since the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989. Morrison also cited human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Beijing’s freeze on ministerial contact with Australia. “Australia will not step back from the strong position we’ve had standing up for Australia’s interests and obviously it is of no surprise that we wouldn’t be sending Australian officials to those Games,” Morrison said. The decision, which stopped short of preventing athletes from attending the 2022 Olympics, comes a day after the United States announced its diplomatic boycott.

The US decision was taken over what Washington termed China’s genocide of the Uyghur minority in the Xinjiang region and other human rights abuses, prompting Beijing to warn the US would “pay the price”. China on Wednesday accused Canberra of “political posturing and selfish games” and “blindly following” the United States. Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Beijing had never intended to invite Australian officials to the Games, adding that “whether they come or not, nobody cares.” A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Canberra earlier said the boycott “runs counter to its (Canberra’s) publicly pronounced expectation to improve China-Australia relations”.

But rights groups welcomed the move, with Human Rights Watch China director Sophie Richardson calling it a “crucial step toward challenging the Chinese government’s crimes against humanity targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic communities”. Campaigners say that at least one million Uyghurs and other Turkic-speaking, mostly Muslim minorities have been incarcerated in camps in Xinjiang, where China is also accused of forcibly sterilising women and imposing forced labour. Beijing has defended the camps as vocational training centres aimed at reducing the appeal of Islamic extremism. - ‘Great sporting nation’ Australia’s ties with China have been in freefall in recent years, with Beijing introducing a raft of punitive sanctions on Australian goods. China has been angered at Australia’s willingness to legislate against overseas influence operations, to bar Huawei from 5G contracts and call for an independent investigation into the origins of

the coronavirus pandemic. Australia’s recent move to equip its navy with nuclear-powered submarines under a new defence pact with Britain and the United States -- widely seen as an attempt to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific region -- further infuriated Beijing. At least two Australians are currently being detained in China, with journalist Cheng Lei held for more than a year and academic Yang Jun on trial for espionage. Morrison said Canberra had “always been open” to talks with Beijing, but those attempts had been rebuffed. “There’s been no obstacle to that occurring on our side, but the Chinese government has consistently not accepted those opportunities for us to meet about these issues,” he said. “Australia’s a great sporting nation and I very much separate the issues of sport and these other political issues. They’re issues between two governments, and I would like to see those issues resolved.” AFP

Ecclestone: Hamilton not playing fair with Verstappen PARIS—Title challenger Max Verstappen has been “It is psychological game playing.” bullied by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton and Ecclestone, 91, says if it comes down to mind his Mercedes team this season, former Formula One games Hamilton is in the stronger position. supremo Bernie Ecclestone has told AFP. “Max has had a few years of racing but has not had Verstappen and Hamilton are tied on points years in the streets like Lewis,” said Ecclestone. heading into the final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi “It has built character and knowing he would win on Sunday and Ecclestone believes the pressure of the race with Mercedes being the dominant force Mercedes’ “psychological game playing” has had a over the past few years has made him a much significant bearing on the title race. stronger character than Max. Ecclestone—who over several decades trans“For Max, this season is the first one he has had formed the sport into a global multi-billion-dollar a car capable of winning regularly whereas before it commercial giant—said Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff was nothing like competitive.” and Hamilton were “not playing fair.” ‘On his own’ It certainly appears to have had an impact on the Ecclestone hopes Sunday will produce a better race 24-year-old Dutch driver. Back in July Verstappen than the ‘club race’ he watched last weekend—and he had built up a 32-point lead but the momentum is believes the winner will be whoever is “luckiest”. now back at Mercedes with Hamilton driving like “It is good for the sport,” he said. “I think peoa man with an unprecedented eighth world chample have known full well in previous years who Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives in the parc pionship in his sights. was going to win. ferme after winning the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix The Briton’s against-all-odds win in Brazil, his at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah. AFP “But this has been an incredible year. This cruise in Qatar and last Sunday’s victory in Saudi year it has been good to have something a little “They have been pushing down all the time on Max Arabia means that for the first time since Emerson bit different. Fittipaldi and Clay Regazzoni in 1974 the title protago- and then the race directors have been looking in because “There is nothing wrong with Lewis, he has done the Toto goes to the race director. nists go into the closing race neck and neck. best he can but he has had a lot of help.” “Max has more than a race to confront as he has them “Max is a kid compared to Lewis and the worst thing is Even if Hamilton does win a record eighth title it will Lewis has a massive publicity campaign working for him,” too on his back because they are bullying him and not not change Ecclestone’s view of who he believes is the playing fair. Ecclestone told AFP by phone from his home in Ibiza. best driver of all time. AFP

Can archery make a comeback? THE BOTTOM LINE LITO CINCO SUBJECT for today is the sport of archery in the country, a sport in which the Philippines was very competitive before, but sadly no more. The big question then is can archery still make a comeback? Thanks to the more relaxed health protocols, I was able to attend the recent small, in-person 32nd wedding anniversary of my old friends Nino and Luisa Sinco at Guevarra’s in San Juan and got some answers to the question.

Nino, a ‘financial relative’ of mine because of our surnames, is no stranger to sports as he was a member of the 1977 SEA Games archery team that was and still is the most bemadelled PH Archery Team, both men and women, to this day. He bagged a silver medal in those games, together with Olympic veteran and former Asian champion Carlos Santos, Jr., Rafael Recto, Jr. and Daniel Naranjilla, son of former national champion and Olympian Francisco Naranjilla, Jr. The women’s team was SEA Games Gold Medallists as well. After being a competitive archer, Nino worked with Michael Keon at ‘Project: Gintong Alay’ as Liaison Officer and Supervising Coach of the Philippine National Archery Team that won

gold and silver at the 1981 SEA Games in Manila. After archery, Nino shifted to marathon, triathlon and sports organizing, while with Gatorade and was the Athletic Trainer of Purefoods with Ramon Fernandez and then of the Ginebra team of Sonny Jaworski in the late 1980s to early 90s. His wife was a member of the first Ateneo women’s team to make the UAAP Finals, while son Louie played with the Ateneo Blue Eaglets in the UAAP, the College of St. Benilde in the NCAA and teams in the PBA D-League. And to top it all, Nino finished his Masters Degree in Sports Science Studies at the United States Sports Academy. Earlier this year, he decided to pick up his long unused bow and arrow just to shoot for fun, found out he still enjoys it and started shooting more regularly, initially at the Belarmino Sports Complex in Cubao, and presently at the

new archery range in Marikina, where he, together with fellow archers like Frankie Naranjilla, founded the Olympus Archery Club, now with close to 250 members. When the question was thrown to him on how archery can recover lost glory that we owe to the likes of Frank Naranjilla, who qualified in the 1972 Summer Olympics, Fermin Barrenechea, Joann and Jennifer Chann, and Aya Paz-Cojuangco, Nino had a quick reply in the affirmative. But only if the current NSA of the sport embarks on a long-term program starting with kids 10 to 13 years old to feed a national training program for the more serious archers, citing that Filipinos can excel in both the recurve and compound events. There should be a 3- to 4-year training programs for each archer to guarantee a longer stay with the sport at a competitive level, according to him, citing

MHAGE Gerriahlou Sebastian completed an improbable comeback to steal the crown from Ruelle Canino in the Philippine National Juniors Chess Championship at the PACE in Quezon City Tuesday. A point behind the 13-year-old Canino entering the ninth and last round, Sebastian, 15, trampled on Rinoa Mariel Sadey and then witnessed the former falter against 2019 champion Vic Glysen Derotas to claim the title. When the smoke of battle dissipated, Sebastian, a Far Eastern University stalwart, ended up on top with 7.5 points as he shoved Canino down to second with seven points. In contrast, FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri displayed tremendous poise as he drew with Israelito Rilloraza in the last round to emerge the new juniors’ champion of this event backed by PSC chairman William Ramirez, POC president Abraham Tolentino, NCFP president Prospero Pichay, Jr. and Chess Movement, Inc. chairman Ariel Potot. Nouri, 15, tallied seven points, half a point ahead of Adrian Othniel Yulo, who bested Jeremiah Luis Cruz to settle for No. 2. Sebastian and Nouri gained the right to become two of the country’s representatives to the Asian and World Championships next year, according to NCFP chief executive officer Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales.

PHI pair yields to Aussies in Phuket tilt

THE Philippines’ Jayrack de la Noche and Alexander Iraya failed to recover from a narrow first-set defeat to drop a 20-22, 9-21 decision at the hands of Australia’s Jack Pearse and Lucas Josefsen on Wednesday in the FIVB Beach Volleyball U19 World Championships in Phuket, Thailand. Josefen, a quarterfinalist in the Third Asian U19 Championships in Nakhon Pathom last July with a different partner, and Pearse found their bearing in the second set to post their second straight win in Pool H. Australia also struggled in the first set before beating Estonia’s Karmo Saviauk and Kaur Erik Kais, 23-21, 21-10, in Tuesday’s first match. De la Noche and Iraya pushed Pearse and Josefen to the limit in the extended opening set only to fall short. De la Noche and Iraya, who also bowed to Thailand’s Narakorn Chumaphai and Veerayut Sopati, 15-21, 1921, on opening day, will face Saviauk and Kais in a must-win match at 10:40 a.m. on Thursday to clinch a spot in the round of 24. The Estonians beat the Thais, 2119, 16-21, 15-13, to tie their victims in second place at 1-1 won-lost, giving the Aussies the solo lead in their bracket. De la Noche and Iraya’s participation in the event is supported by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Rebisco, Asics and Taguig City Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano. the case of young archer Gab Moreno, who won a gold in 2014 with his Chinese teammate at the World Youth Games. Sad to say, Moreno has long stopped shooting arrows. The fact is, Nino and Frankie have initiated a developmental program in Marikina and more and more young archers are getting interested in the sport. Referring to the past, he related that in the SEA Games, it was a duel between us and Indonesia for the gold medals. Now, it is between Indonesia and other countries, with the Philippines finding it difficult now to win a gold. But as he said, archery, a sport where height and might are not factors, can still make a comeback, but a lot of hard work looms ahead for the ruling NSA, and with lesser politics, too. With a successful program, corporate sponsorship can also come in, and I believe my friend Nino is telling the truth.

Entertainment Maja Salvador as a tough police officer in revenge thriller ‘Arisaka’

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CREEN star Maja Salvador plays a tough police officer in Mikhail Red’s revenge thriller Arisaka, streaming today on Netflix. Speaking to Manila Standard Entertainment during the film’s press premiere on Monday, Salvador described her character as “empowered” and the film as “a project I would definitely regret not doing.” “It’s hard for me to give a definite answer when people ask about my dream role or dream project because every role, every movie, is different. In Ang Probinsyano, I was a police officer. Here in Arisaka, I’m also a police officer. But these two characters are very different from each other. And that’s the beauty of doing unconventional films. You get to play unconventional roles,” she said. “As you see in the movie, my character was beaten, stabbed, and shot several times, but she stood up. With all the strength left in her, she continued carrying out her mission. That’s the message that my character wanted to share with the audience…

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

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Deglamorizing

Maja Salvador in Netflix film ‘Arisaka’

to never give up, to continue with your mission despite the challenges,” she carried on.

Maja Salvador with co-stars Mon Confiado (leftmost), Shella Mae Romulado (second from right), and director Mikhael Red (second from left).

Salvador admitted that playing the role was also a big challenge, not to mention it’s being different from the usual roles she plays

Maja’s role in ‘Arisaka’ is different from the usual roles she plays on television.

on television. “Our director wanted me to have cuts on my arms, he wanted me to have toned arms. But it was shot during the height of the pandemic, I was overeating. Yan lang talaga ang kinaya ko,” she said in jest alluding to her physical appearance in the film. “The biggest challenge here is that I have fewer lines but I have to deliver the message and the emotional requirement of the character,” she added. In Arisaka, Salvador plays a policewoman who is part of an escort convoy transporting a vice mayor (Archi Adamos) down what must be

the Philippines’ most desolate road to testify against a cabal of corrupt officials. They are ambushed by a quartet of rotten cops intending to silence the witness, but Mariano survives by playing dead beneath the bodies of her comrades. The wounded Mariano is chased by gangster boss Sonny (Mon Confiado) when she heads into the jungle that witnessed the brutal Bataan Death March in 1942. While playing cat and mouse with Sonny, Mariano meets an indigenous Aeta girl Nawi (Shella Mae Romulado) who comes to her rescue. After Nawi’s family gets involved and is later on killed by Sonny and his crew, she leads Mariano to a cave where they find a rifle left behind during the war. The rifle is called Arisaka, and it’s the same gun Mariano uses to exact revenge. “Arisaka is really a release of so many fed-up emotions, anxieties, and frustrations during the pandemic. I hope it also serves as a catharsis for our shared outrage to all the injustice and cycles of oppression and violence in our country,” Red told the crowd at the Philippine premiere of his film. “I’d like to thank Netflix for giving us a platform to showcase our film, reach a wide audience, and the audience that matters,” he ended. Produced by Ten17P and written by Anton Santamaria, Arisaka had its global premiered last month at the 2021 Tokyo International Film Festival where Red was nominated for Tokyo Grand Prix.

DonBelle starrer ‘Love is Color Blind’ is GigaPlay app’s first pay-per-view film

Dream pop Kacee Cortes’s 14-minute EP ‘Solace’

A DUBAI-BASED publication, Victor Magazine, recently included a Filipina act for its recommended Top 10 Asian albums and EPs released this year. The EP Solace by Kacee Cortes made the shortlist for its “degree of modification” on dream pop according to writer Felix Martua in his feature last October. The latter went as far as saying that “The Philippines is starting to make the case for being the coolest dream pop scene in the modern era.” The 14-minute EP released last July contains four songs including “Stay,” which is Kacee’s most-streamed song so far. The song does capture that dreamy atmosphere, with the singer’s seemingly disembodied, beautiful voice echoing from a distance. Façade is an equally interesting track, with its demo released a month earlier quickly gaining ground in spite of its pre-master version labeling. My good friend May Manuel, whom I first met at a live gig of my band The Pub Forties, expressed pride in Kacee’s ascent considering that her Adlib Music, described as a music house to especially guide and help younger generation musicians, is behind the EP’s production. The two other tracks in the Solace EP are “It’s Better This Way” and “Broken.” Other Asian artists in the carefully picked list are India’s Abdon Mech, Japan rock band Tokyo, and pop ensemble I Don’t Like

Mondays, Malaysian group Iqbal M., Indonesian singer-actress Lyodora, Korean boy band Monsta X, and poprock act The Volunteers, Thailand’s Pyra, and Singaporean songstress Tanya Chua. Last year, Kacee came out with “Songs From My Bedroom” just half a month after the pandemic changed the ballgame for all of us. She did a ukulele-backed snippet of Beach Boys’ “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and her take of Sugarfree’s “Prom.” Months later she followed up that with a Vol. 2, featuring a song called “Forrest Gump.” She sang in a separate single a melodic run that says “it’s okay to be sad even just for a while.” Adlib’s objective fits in with the kind of artist Kacee Cortes is. May expounded, “Adlib is really to guide aspiring musicians about music, na huwag silang masyadong maging technical and be limited sa genre. Our group is here to help underrated musicians and bands, give a platform for their songs to be heard. It’s really to be of guidance sa mga passionate ones.” Starting off as a summer music school, Adlib first gave free guitar lessons to young artists who can’t afford to be enrolled in music schools. It expanded from there and it led to Kacee. The writer from Victor magazine found Kacee’s rhyming skills exceptionally cool which secures her a promising future. Recently, I spoke with a foreign music producer and the gist of our discussion embraced the apparently overkill nature of going gaga over highly achieving artists of Filipino descent but who actually grew up elsewhere, and can’t even speak Ta g a l o g . It’s high time we focus on giving more emphasis on pure Pinoys with special talents that can excel in the international field.

Kacee Cortes

IN LINE with its thrust to bring Filipinos closers to their passions through cuttingedge technology, leading mobile services provider is boosting its content play on its GigaPlay App this Christmas season as it offers its first-ever pay-per-view film Love Is Color Blind, featuring newgen phenomenal love team of Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano. Streaming on Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. on the GigaPlay App, Love is Color Blind promises to bring kilig to fans who have been anticipating the first full-length feature of the on-screen couple popularly known as ‘DonBelle.’ Donny and Belle play Ino and Cara in the film, two friends who navigate the simple joys and complexities of young love. Donny and Belle previously starred in the digital teen romantic comedy series He’s Into Her. Fans immediately noticed the pair’s chemistry and the on-screen couple became a hit in no time, scoring record-breaking number of views for the series. Donny and Belle have also trended a couple of times on social media leading to a second season for He’s Into Her and now a full-length film in Love is Color Blind. From Dec. 10 to Jan. 10, Smart subscribers may rent Love is Color Blind on GigaPlay App for only P199 to watch and rewatch for 48 hours. To watch, just download the GigaPlay App

on your smartphone and connect to your Smart mobile data. The latest love team movie of Star Cinema is a breakthrough collaboration among ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc., Cignal TV, and Smart Communications Inc. “We’re happy to have this new content on the GigaPlay App. Love is Color Blind marks our first movie and first pay-perview content that complements live sports, K-videos, music, international events, and concerts that we already have on GigaPlay. The app also allows us to support Filipino movies via digital release and we hope our subscribers get to enjoy this one and look forward to more content in the days to come,” says Jane J. Basas,, SVP and head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart. Since its launch a couple of months ago, the Smart GigaPlay App has made it simple for Smart subscribers to access exclusive sports and entertainment content. Subscribers only need to connect to their mobile data then select Love is Color Blind or other content to watch. Love is Color Blind is just one of the many offers in the app that caters to the demands of the mobile entertainment-

consuming public. On the GigaPlay App, Smart customers may also explore other content including live sports, exclusive shows, and previously aired concerts. Moreover, aside from the aforementioned movie, Smart has more exclusive content lined up for release this December.

The perfect Christmas gift for avid TV viewers

Kapuso actress Bea Alonzo

WITH a special Christmas price discount promo, GMA Network makes its digital TV receiver the perfect gift for a brighter and more vibrant digital TV viewing all year round. GMA Affordabox is available at P799 only

until Dec. 31. Making this Christmas promo even brighter is new Kapuso star Bea Alonzo who now joins GMA Affordabox endorsers Dingdong Dantes and Heart Evangelista. With GMA Affordabox, viewers can enjoy clearer and more colorful viewing of GMA’s channels – GMA, GTV, I Heart Movies, Heart of Asia, Hallypop, and DepEd TV — as well as other freeto-air channels in digital broadcast available in the area. For an elevated entertainment experience, GMA Affordabox offers great features that suit every user’s viewing habits with its free features such as the Personal Video Recorder, which lets users record GMA programs so that they can watch and re-watch highlights of their favorite Kapuso shows. With the Multimedia Player feature, users

can watch videos, listen to music, and view photos. GMA Affordabox also has a functional auto-on alert feature and a nationwide Emergency Warning Broadcast System (EWBS) that receives alerts from the NDRRMC about calamity warnings. GMA Affordabox is available in select locations in Metro Manila, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Bacolod (and adjacent areas), Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Misamis Oriental (including Cagayan de Oro City), Camiguin, Iloilo, Guimaras, with Naga and General Santos the latest additional areas. GMA Affordabox may be purchased in appliance stores and malls, or online via the official GMA Store and on Shopee and Lazada. For more details on GMA Affordabox, visit www.GMAaffordabox.com and its official social media accounts.

Life

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

BEAUTY AND WELLNESS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

Keeping it healthy these holidays

Many enjoy the Christmas and New Year feasts but also gain extra pounds because of it.

Watch what you eat while following an exercise routine.

Stretching before engaging in strenuous physical activity is important to avoid pains and injuries.

I

do to achieve your ideal weight if ’VE always been a believer that’s your main reason for exercisof doing and taking ing. everything in moderation, I always tell my friends who are including in the areas of diet not into running but would like to and exercise. As a former do so, to first consult with a doctor athlete from grade school until I especially if they have pre-existing health conditions. And of course, graduated college, I have formed we follow the government-mansome sort of discipline that has JOB WELL DONE dated minimum health and safety helped me stay on the healthy BY JOBA BOTANA protocols against COVID-19 when course in many aspects of life, outdoors. As for me, I run for menalthough at times and as many of us do, I tal clarity and to feel good after, when endorphins are tend to over-indulge in food during holidays. released as I hit my strides.

ally perks me up. At times, when I’m in the mood, and my body is in great condition, I do an hour or two-hour slow jog in a nearby park. When I do this, I always incorporate some stretching and light body movements first. I cannot stress enough the importance of proper body stretching and preparation before doing something your body is not used to, such as long-distance running. I say this maybe because as we age, it takes longer for our body to recuperate from pains and injuries. Last year, I made a mistake of not listening to my body. I was running almost every day for months without really doing much leg and knee strengthening exercises. I injured my left knee and the MRI results which I had my doctor interpret showed a torn meniscus and minor patellar tendonitis. My doctor advised a few months rest – meaning, no running for me as I do my therapy, and for me to take it slow when I’ve recovered. Although I have long accepted that I could no longer run as fast as I could when I was in my teens and 20s, being a former sprinter, it was still upsetting for me to know that I had to be more mindful now than before. Then again, such is life. We can still enjoy our favorite food and doing things we love, so long as we do it in moderation. It is still a job well done.

I know come Christmas and New Year celebrations, It is not easy, to say the least. I was never the ‘hard- I will enjoy the feasts, probably like many of you. core’ type when it comes to exercising. Then come post-holidays, I’ll think of healthy ways to I’ve always adhered to what is shed off some unwanted pounds. both realistic and enjoyenjoy What I normally do, which proved to be effective able to me, and to my body type as well as lifestyle, is to cut down on thus, I stick to carbs but still eat substantial amounts of protein paired running with a with fruit and vegetable or natural juice drinks. If I bit of strength haven’t been exercising in a while, I don’t shock my training. I will body by doing strenuous movements. Instead, I slowly leave it to ease into what’s comfortable to me and gradually inthe exex crease intensity, while still watching what I eat. perts I take into consideration the amount and type of t o food. If you overeat, it will seem like your efforts are in vain, and will feel like your exercises aren’t working. Eat less and you’ll tire easily and may even get guide you sick. on what Since I find walking therapeutic, that’s what I do, you should especially when it’s been a long day for me, and I am a Joba Botana is a former lifestyle reporter of Manila One way to shed some extra pounds during the holidays is bit tired, and my body feels heavy. A 30 to 40-minute to cut down on carbs. walk, even inside the mall or better yet in a park usu- Standard. She’s a writer and public relations practi-

Don’t shock your body with intense exercise. Instead, slowly ease into what’s comfortable and gradually increase intensity.

tioner with more than a decade of experience in corporate communications. She’s a former athlete who competed in national and international sporting events. When she’s not writing, drinking coffee, or executing a corporate campaign, you can find her at the beach or trekking a mountain out of town. You may email the author at joba.botana@gmail.com.

Local COPD guideline ensures equitable treatment starting at primary care level ‘Philippine COPD THE Philippine ColManagement Allege of Chest Physicians (PCCP), along gorithm Guideline’ which is a summary of with its partner-insticonsensus recommentutions, has completed the local guideline for dations between PCCP and partner stakethe management and holders including the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary primary care practitioners, the Philippine Disease (COPD) that College of Physicians already takes into consideration COVID-19 The logo of the Philippine College (PCP) and the Philippine Academy of Famand ways to minimize of Chest Physicians (PCCP) ily Physicians (PAFP) out-of-pocket expenses on the care and management of COPD of patients. On Nov. 16, members of the Phil- designed for the Philippine setting. Specifically, Dr. Fernandez stressed ippine College of Chest Physicians Council on COPD and Pulmonary Re- that: “The main objective is to provide habilitation represented by Dr. Leno- a simple guide to all healthcare workers ra Fernandez, Dr. Tim Trinidad, who manage possible COPD patients Dr. Bernice Ong-Dela Cruz, and Dr. within the Universal healthcare frameSteffani Paraguas, presented the local work of our country and the presence adaptation of the COPD guideline with of COVID-19 infection” giving utmost emphasis on protocols at the primary consideration to the vulnerable populacare level to make it consistent with tion who faces the highest risk. universal health care. Key Points According to Dr. Fernandez, one of In the guideline, primary care physithe proponents of the consensus guideline, the main reason is to implement cians are guided on how to identify the signs and symptoms and use the inforequity in treating COPD. “There’s a discrepancy in the cost of mation to arrive at a diagnosis of probevidence-based medicines for COPD able COPD or identify those who are in versus what the average Filipino can exacerbation. Parameters to monitor the condition afford. This is why we saw the need to translate this in the local scenario of the patient with COPD are also set because of our out-of-pocket medical for continuity of care. It defines when system,” Dr. Fernandez, who heads the the patient will be returned to his or her Pulmonary Medicine Division of the family with the family and community Philippine General Hospital, noted in a medicine specialist continuing the care of the patients. separate interview. The experts emphasize the imporOn the part of the public, the experts tance for the public to be aware of encourage patients with high symptom COPD and to be open in seeking medi- burden of COPD to avail of pulmonary cal intervention in case they have the rehabilitation programs to prevent procondition. They want the public to be gression. Dr. Paraguas said currently, there aware of the ill effects of COPD for early detection and primary care as are 11 hospitals and centers across the it could cause irreversible damage to country that offer pulmonary rehaone’s health. bilitation programs. Read full story on Thus, the group came up with the manilastandard.net

Despite going inactive on social media, Lush promises to build better communication with their customers elsewhere.

Lush takes fresh approach to social media, inactivates digital portals GLOBAL Lush brand has turned its back on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat. In a statement, it said it is deactivating some social media accounts the aforementioned platforms “take action to provide a safer environment” for users. The policy was rolled out across all 48 countries Lush operates in. “In the same way that evidence against climate change was ignored and belittled for decades, concerns about the serious effects of social media are barely being acknowledged,” the statement said. “Like so many teenagers have experienced before us, Lush has tried to come off social media, but our FOMO is vast, and our compulsion to use the various platforms means we find ourselves back on there, despite our best intentions. So here we are again, trying to go cold (plant-based) turkey,” the statement continued. Having previously attempted this in 2019, the cosmetics brand’s resolve has been strengthened by all the latest information from courageous whistleblowers, which clearly lays out the known harms that young people are exposed to because of the current algo-

rithms and loose regulation of this new area of our lives. “As an inventor of bath bombs, I pour all my efforts into creating products that help people switch off, relax and pay attention to their wellbeing. Social media platforms have become the antithesis of this aim, with algorithms designed to keep people scrolling and stop them from switching off and relaxing,” Jack Constantine, Jack Constantine, chief digital officer and product inventor at Lush, said in an interview. “I’ve spent all my life avoiding putting harmful ingredients in my products. There is now overwhelming evidence we are being put at risk when using social media. I’m not willing to expose my customers to this harm, so it’s time to take it out of the mix,” Mark Constantine OBE, Co-Founder, CEO and product inventor, added. Lush promises not to be completely anti-social. It will find new ways to connect, to build better channels of communication elsewhere, as well as using the older tried and tested routes. For now, Lush is still active on Twitter and YouTube. In the Philippines, Lush is exclusively

distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Alabang Town Center, Bonifacio High Street, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, Robinsons Magnolia, Shangri-La Plaza, SM Mall of Asia, and TriNoma. Available also in Zalora and Trunc.com. Stay updated with the latest from Lush by joining its mailing list and official Lush Viber channel. You may also follow them on Twitter @LushPhilippines or message them on the live chat feature available on lush.com.ph. Visit www.ssilife.com.ph for more information. Lush is a cosmetics brand famous for creating products like soaps, bath bombs, and creams.