Manila Standard - 2021 December 12 - Sunday by Manila Standard

DOH spots different strain Not Omicron, but distinct variant detected in traveler from S. Africa

n By JOEL ZURBANO

HE Department of Health on Saturday said it has detected a different COVID-19 variant – the B.1.1.203 – in a traveler who arrived from South Africa last month as the Philippine Genome Center urged DOH-accredited laboratories to hasten their submission of samples with the country bracing for the entry of the more transmissible Omicron strain. CONTINUED ON 3A

Vol. 35

No.300 No. 300

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December 12, 2021 8 PAGES

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IN MET R MANILAO

EO allows President to take over ‘ailing’ power cooperatives

Locsin: PH ‘dropped ball’ on 50m syringes FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin jr. said the country “dropped the ball” on a donation of 50 million syringes from the United States “We dropped the ball again; this time offer of 50 million syringes,” he said in a post on Twitter. “Discussed the need in Washington DC and got a response prepared to go into details with PH agencies but they refused to discuss the ball let alone catch it. First Pfizer, then Moderna. Ok, I see the pattern,” Locsin added. In December last year, Locsin disclosed that somebody “made a mistake” that caused the country to miss out on 10 million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. The scarcity of Pfizer syringes led the government to reduce its jab target from 15 million doses to 9 million doses for the three-day “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” CONTINUED ON 3A

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has issued an executive Order transferring the power to take over ailing electric cooperatives from the National Electrification Administration to the Office of the President. Under EO No. 156, the President may assume control of what could be considered as an “ailing” electric cooperative based on implementing rules and regulations under Republic Act No. 10531 or the NEA Reform Act of 2013. “While electrification of the entire country is one of the primary concerns of the government, certain distribution utilities, as well as ailing cooperatives, continue to underperform, and thus hamper government efforts for the country’s total electrification,” Duterte said in the EO. CONTINUED ON 3A

World Bank OKs $600m ‘reform’ loan The World Bank has approved a $600 million loan to finance the country’s reform program designed for a competitive and resilient economic recovery. The Philippines Promoting Competitiveness and Enhancing Resilience to Natural Disasters SubProgram 3 Development Policy Loan supports government's reforms, including amendments to the Retail Liberalization Act to promote private investment, reduction in the cost of doing business, and expansion of broadband services to CONTINUED ON 3A

The country’s Miss Universe bet, Beatrice Gomez, channels Filipino mythology with her bakunawa (a dragon believed to swallow the moon during lunar eclipses) piece for the National Costume Competition of the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Israel Saturday. (Inset) Miriam Damoah, the Filipino runner-up of the Miss Interglobal pageant, has been crowned as the 2021 titlist after the original winner, Thailand’s Nachita Jantana, resigned less than a week after winning.

Oil prices to increase by P1.50/L AFTER five consecutive weeks of oil price rollbacks, pump prices are expected to increase by as much as P1.50 per liter on Tuesday. In its oil forecast for the Dec. 14 to 20 trading week, Unioil said the price per liter of diesel may go up by P1.30 to P1.40. Gasoline prices, on the other hand, may increase by P1.40 to P1.50 per liter. Year-to-date adjustments stood at a total net increase CONTINUED ON 3A

COVID-19 PH AT

GLANCE

Ressa accepts Nobel, hits tech firms

2,836,360 356

11,373

50,096

135

2,774,891

878

New

Active

Death

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Maria Ressa and Dimitri Muratov

Solon cites errors in new P1k bill

NEWS / 2A

Business ................................................................. Sports.......................................................................... Entertainment ......................................... Pets...................................................................................

1B 4A 3B 4B

China: US democracy ‘mass destruction weapon’ WORLD | 3A

Bongbong, Sara visit vote-rich Calabarzon NEWS | 2A

Fans can now watch PBA games in-person NEWS | 2A

INBRIEFS DECEMBER 12, 2021

MMDA allows motorcades, rallies for May 2022 polls

n By JOEL E. ZURBANO

HE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Saturday said it will allow motorcades and other street rallies related to the upcoming May 2022 elections even before the start of the official campaign period for national candidates in February.

MMDA general manager Don Artes said he finds no premature campaigning in the series of caravans and other political activities being made by presidential candidates even such events can cause traffic on major thoroughfares. “Even the Comelec sees no problem with that. Based on their regulation, there is no premature

campaigning there. The candidates didn’t ask the people to vote for them during those rallies. What they are doing in those rallies is part of (our) freedom of expression,” said Artes. “On the part of MMDA, what we are doing is to regulate them on how not to obstruct traffic and affect our motorists,” he added.

Artes made the statement as the MMDA was preparing for this (Sunday) morning scheduled motorcade of presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte that will affect streets and major roads in cities of Pasay, Makati, and Quezon City. The MMDA expects the event will be attended by at least 300,000 individuals. Artes said they will penalize event organizers if they are caught violating guidelines set by the MMDA for motorcades and other street campaign rallies. “We will issue citation tickets for road obstruction for the organizers and also jaywalking for the crowd that will cause traffic,” said Artes. The MMDA stated that organizers must secure a permit from the agency and local government units before they conduct rallies.

BBM’s ‘Uniteam’ successful in poll sorties across Calabarzon

SEA OF RED AND GREEN. Presidential aspirant former Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr delivers his message of unity, peace and progress to thousands of supporters wearing red and green shirts representing his political color and that of his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, during a multi-sectoral gathering at the Ynarez Center in Antipolo City. Ver Noveno

Supporters fete Lacson-Sotto in Dumaguete City No caravan was needed as supporters patiently waited for Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III outside the Dumaguete City Airport on Saturday morning. Lacson and Sotto arrived one after the other, welcomed by some local officials of the “City of Gentle People” and by Emmanuel Gaisano, who was five years old when the Partido Reporma chairman and his police team saved

him from kidnappers in Cebu over 30 years ago. The longtime public servants had a tete-a-tete with Gaisano and his family along with Dumaguete City officials before they proceeded to the Royal Suites Inn to talk to local business leaders and grace a press conference. Also with Lacson and Sotto were Partido Reporma senatorial candidates Dr. Minguita Padilla and retired national police chief General Guillermo Eleazar. The veteran senators shared their

reform program that aims to stamp out “kotong” (bribe-seeking) and other forms of corruption, gives more opportunities to the business sector, and improves Filipinos’ health amid the coronavirus pandemic. Dumaguete is the second stop of the Lacson-Sotto “Online Kumustahan” tour of Central Visayas following a successful sortie in Cebu City and Naga City (Cebu) on Friday. The tandem will proceed to Northern Samar on Sunday before returning to Manila.

Sectoral reps hail Leni’s jobs program

DECOMMISSIONING. Members of the Philippine Navy march and behind them are the BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Magat Salamat which are set for decommissioning at the Philippine Fleet Naval Base in Sangley Point, Cavite. JR. Josue

RAMON Magsaysay 2021 awardee and fisherfolk leader, Robert “Ka Dodoy” Ballon, led sectoral representatives who are looking forward to the fulfillment of Vice President Leni Robredo’s “Hanapbuhay Para Sa Lahat” (Jobs for All) plan once she wins next year’s presidential elections and becomes the country’s Chief Executive. Ballon and other sectoral representatives were at the Office of the Vice President to listen to Robredo announce and discuss her “Hanapabuhay Para Sa Lahat” plan last Friday, December 10. Ballon said that Robredo was very much aware of the agriculture sector’s problem with the “value chain”. “Alam nya kung ano ang problema sa baba, ano ang problema sa market at ano yung problema talaga ng ating mga sector ng mangingisda at magsasaka

Isko: Manila’s COVID-19 succes due to ‘discipline’ n By REY E. REQUEJO PRESIDENTIAL candidate and Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has attributed the success of the city government’s anti-COVID-19 response measures to public cooperation and discipline. “Because of you people, applaud yourselves, it looks like we can easily get COVID out. Yes, it’s true we don’t sleep, 24/7, the government doesn’t stop. But if people don’t help, people don’t participate, people don’t behave, we probably won’t succeed,” Moreno

said, during his visit to fire victims in San Andres district, in Manila. From an average of nearly 2,700 daily cases from Sept. 9 to Sept.15 this year, the city now only averaged 60 daily cases from Dec. 2 to Dec. 8, 2021. The Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer said he is very proud of his constituents because this was achieved despite Manila being one of the densest cities in the world, with nearly two million people packed into just over 16 square miles. “Even if we are crowded, even if we are poor, even if it is hot inside the

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ACCEPTING her Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, Philippine journalist Maria Ressa launched a vitriolic attack against US tech giants, accusing them of fueling a flood of “toxic sludge” on social media. Ressa, the co-founder of news website Rappler, accepted this year’s prize at a ceremony at Oslo’s City Hall together with her co-laureate Dmitry Muratov, the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, one of the rare independent newspapers in a Russian media landscape largely under state control. Speaking to a scaled-down crowd due to the pandemic, 58-year-old Ressa attacked “American internet companies” such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube without mentioning them by name. “With its god-like power”, their technology “has allowed a virus of lies to infect each of us, pitting us against each other, bringing out our fears, anger and hate, and setting the stage for the rise of authoritarians and dictators around the world,” she said. “Our greatest need today is to transform that hate and violence, the toxic sludge that’s coursing through our information ecosystem, prioritised by American internet companies that make more money by spreading that hate and triggering the worst in us,” she said. AFP

Solon cites errors in new P1,000 bill

n By MARICEL V. CRUZ STALWARTS of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) on Saturday welcomed Uniteam presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in a sortie in Antipolo City. The sortie was conducted in two separate multisectoral gatherings and reportedly drew thousands. The Rizal leg today (Saturday) effectively wrapped up the CALABARZON leg of the BBM-Sara Uniteam Caravan’s pre-campaign sorties in the region, which has the biggest number of registered voters — numbering 8.72 million — among the 17 regions for the May 2019 elections. “This is equivalent to 14 percent of all registered voters in the country,” noted House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, president of Lakas-CMD which carries Duterte as standard-bearer and candidate for Vice President. “Our internal surveys show that the BBM-Sara team is right on track in scoring a landslide win in CALABARZON, securing at least 59 percent of the voters this early,” Romualdez said. At the Ynares Sports Center Saturday morning, Duterte thanked the Ynares family led by former Rizal Gov. Casimiro “Junjun” Ynares, III and his wife, Antipolo City Mayor Andrea Bautista-Ynares, both stalwarts of NPC, for helping them organize a UniTeam event here.

Ressa accepts Nobel, slams US tech firms

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house, even if there is confusion, you will not let go. That’s my point, that’s what I’m bragging about. That the people of Manila are listening to the government,” Moreno stressed. Public cooperation and discipline were in full display at the gathering as the fire victims did not forget to wear face masks despite being homeless due to the fire that hit their community last Dec. 7 that affected 197 families. They also remained seated and made all efforts to patiently wait for the P10,000 financial assistance to be distributed by the city government.

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

para paano sila umasenso at makisabay sa programang pangkabuhayan umangat talaga sa kahirapan (Leni knows the problems of the different sectors, such as fisherfolks and farmers. She knows what livelihood programs these sectors need) ,” said Ballon, who is part of the Pambansang Kilusan ng Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA). PAKISAMA president, Herminio Absalon, added that Robredo’s plan to develop modern practices in farming and invest in green infrastructures would vastly improve the farming industry. Absalon trusts it will materialize when Robredo wins in next year’s elections. Absalon said Robredo has already been helping farmers with their problems especially on the issue of farmlands even before she became a politician.

Fans can now watch PBA games in Araneta PHILIPPINE Basketball Association (PBA) games can now be held at the Araneta Coliseum. The PBA said it has secured the clearance to hold the games in Quezon City after QC Mayor Joy Belmonte gave her go signal to the PBA, according to PBA commissioner Willie Marcial. The PBA said fully vaccinated basketball fans can now watch their favorite basketball games “live.” Marcial on Friday said that with the clearance from the QC government, the PBA has been allowed to stage the ongoing 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum. The PBA chief said games starting from December 15 to December 20 are scheduled to take place in Araneta Coliseum. He added that the sixth and final leg of PBA 3x3 first conference on December 21 and 22 will also be held there. Marcial advised fans to wear their masks inside the coliseum. Unfortunately, fans cannot yet eat inside the venue, as recommended by the Quezon City local government. Fans also need to bring their vaccination cards and valid IDs to enter the coliseum. Physical distancing will also be strictly followed.

WARM WELCOME FOR MANNY.

Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is eyeing the presidency in 2022, is warmly welcomed by his supporters at Brgy. Payatas, Quezon City during a sortie. Manny Palmero

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

HOUSE Deputy Minority leader and Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate on Saturday said there were “glaring errors” in the new P1000 bank notes, recently unveiled by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Zarate also said the BSP should correct these errors in the new design. One error, Zarate said, is the scientific name of the Philippine eagle, which is “Pithecophaga jefferyi.” The term was spelled “Pithecophaga jefforyi” in the new bill, the lawmaker said. He also said the scientific name should be italicized because it is written in Latin The BSP released a new design of the P1,000 banknote over the weekend. The BSP said the new design of the P1,000 banknote features the Philippine eagle in front, replacing heroes Vicente Lim, Josefa Llanes Escoda, and Jose Abad Santos. The BSP said it has tapped the Reserve Bank of Australia for the production of the polymer banknotes.

Rolando G. Estabillo Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor Emil P. Jurado

Publisher Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

WORLD

INBRIEFS DECEMBER 12, 2021

MANGER SQUARE. Palestinian

Christians, also accompanied by Muslims, light up a Christmas tree in the courtyard of the YMCA Gaza in Gaza City on December 10, 2021. AFP

China brands US democracy ‘weapon of mass destruction’

CHINA branded US democracy a “weapon of mass destruction” on Saturday, following the US-organized Summit for Democracy which aimed to shore up like-minded allies in the face of autocratic regimes.

China was left out of the two-day virtual summit – along with countries

including Russia and Hungary – and responded by angrily accusing US President Joe Biden of stoking Cold War-era ideological divides. “’Democracy’ has long become a ‘weapon of mass destruction’ used by the US to interfere in other countries,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said in an online statement, which also accused the US of having “instigated ‘color revolutions’” overseas. The ministry also claimed the summit was organized by the US to “draw lines of ideological prejudice, instrumentalise and weaponise democracy... (and) incite division and confrontation.” Instead, Beijing vowed to “resolutely resist and oppose all

kinds of pseudo-democracies.” Ahead of the summit, China ramped up a propaganda blitz criticizing US democracy as corrupt and a failure. Instead, it touted its own version of “whole-process people’s democracy” in a white paper released last week that aimed to shore up legitimacy for the ruling Communist Party, which has become increasingly authoritarian under President Xi Jinping. While the US has repeatedly denied there will be another Cold War with China, tensions between the world’s two largest economies have spiraled in recent years over issues including trade and technological competition, human rights, Xinjiang and

Taiwan. The US Treasury on Friday sanctioned two high-level Chinese officials for human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region and placed Chinese AI surveillance firm SenseTime on a blacklist for its facial recognition technology targeting the Uyghur minority. Taiwan, a democratic self-ruling island that is claimed by China, was invited to the US summit in a clear snub to its larger neighbor. But Beijing got a boost in the middle of Biden’s summit when Nicaragua dropped its previous diplomatic alliance with Taiwan, saying it only recognised China. AFP

UK: West will counter ‘aggressors’ as G7 ministers, allies meet UK FOREIGN Secretary Liz Truss on Saturday vowed the West and its allies will “take a stand against aggressors who seek to undermine liberty” as she hosts a G7 ministerial summit. The two-day gathering in Liverpool, northwest England, of foreign and development ministers from the group of wealthy countries – the last in-person meeting of Britain’s year-long G7 presidency – comes amid rising global tensions. Russia’s build-up of troops on Ukraine’s border will top the agenda, alongside discussions on confronting China, limiting Iran’s nuclear ambitions and addressing the crisis in military-ruled Myan-

SILHOUETTE. A Nihang

Sikh warrior handles his horse as farmers prepare to leave the protesting site at the Delhi-Haryana state border in Singhu on December 11, 2021, as Indian farmers formally ended year-long mass protests after Prime Minister Narendra Modi abandoned his push for agricultural reforms. AFP

mar, according to officials. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken jetted in on Friday, holding talks on the sidelines of the summit with Truss and Germany’s new foreign minister Annalena Baerbock. Blinken will fly out to southeast Asia next week on a visit designed to highlight the region’s importance in Washington’s strategy of standing up to China. Ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will join the summit for the first time ever on Sunday, in a session earmarked for wide-ranging talks including on COVID vaccines, finance and gender equality. AFP

FromtheFRONTPAGE DOH... “From the start, we said we cannot definitely say that it won’t be able to enter. The question here is when it will enter. There’s a big chance it will get here and we are preparing,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said. No case of Omicron had been detected in the Philippines yet based on the result of the whole genome sequencing released December 9. “We already included those who arrived from South Africa. The results included one variant – the B.1.1.203. It’s not Omicron nor one of the variants that we are monitoring. It is also not a variant of concern or interest,” Vergeire said. Only two of the 253 travelers who arrived from South Africa from Nov. 15 to 29 have yet to be located. The two unlocated passengers, who arrived on Nov. 22, had addresses in Mimaropa and Mindanao. They have tested negative for COVID-19, but the local governments are still looking for them. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said he is looking at the possibility of publishing the names of travelers who will not provide correct personal details in their health declaration forms upon arrival in the Philippines. “We will push for that. I will see to what extent I can do that because I strongly feel that this is a weakness in the system and sometimes unintended consequences of laws that weaken the ability to do more effective contact trac-

ing or back-tracing,” Duque said. For her part, PGC Executive Director Dr. Cynthia Saloma said if DOH-accredited laboratories are able to submit their samples faster, the center can screen immediately as they have the capacity to sequence 750 samples weekly. “Our laboratories should work double time in submitting samples because sometimes the 750 slots are not filled. This is a very important effort of genomic biosurveillance,” she said. On Saturday, the country logged 356 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total tally to 2,836,360 and marking the 18th straight day that less than 1,000 cases were reported. Active infections stood at 11,373, of which 902 are asymptomatic, 4,328 are mild, 3,747 are moderate, 1,991 are severe, and 405 are in critical condition. Despite the Omicron threat, the government said Filipinos are heading for a happy Christmas this year as COVID-19 cases remain low and vaccination rates improve. “Now we see the fruits of our labor. Now we see we will be having a happy Christmas,” said Assistant Secretary Wilben Mayor, National Task Force against COVID-19 head of strategic communications. Amid the low COVID-19 numbers, the DOH said caroling and street parties are allowed this Christmas so long as organizers follow the guidelines, including a maximum of 70 percent of the venue capacity for outdoor events. DOH director Dr. Beverly Ho said, however, that if organizers or local officials do not have the capacity to enforce the guidelines, then they should forgo these parties.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. pointed to major milestones marked under the national vaccination program as a reason for optimism. The government is optimistic it can inoculate more than seven million Filipinos during the second round of National Vaccination Days event scheduled from December 15 to 17. The massive vaccination drive is part of the national government’s efforts to inoculate as many Filipinos as possible against COVID-19, especially those residing in areas outside the National Capital Region. The government is keen on repeating the success achieved during the first round where the government was able to administer 10.2 million vaccine doses nationwide from November 29 to December 3.

WORLD...promote investments

in information and communications technology. Ndiamé Diop, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, said the reforms are critical to ensure a more inclusive growth. "Reforms that promote competition in broadband and mobile telecommunications will benefit a large portion of underserved populations by increasing coverage and quality of service, increasing their access to markets, as well as access to remote education and health services," Diop said. "Similarly, reforms that lower the costs of trade and improve the business environment are expected to benefit all firms but especially small and medium enterprises, which will have access to a larger market for their products and

Myanmar citizen pleads guilty in plot to attack UN envoy A CITIZEN of Myanmar on Friday pleaded guilty in a plot to attack or kill the country’s pro-democracy UN ambassador, who has refused junta orders to quit, US officials said. In August, Ye Hein Zaw, a resident of New York in his early twenties, conspired with two others to force Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun to resign or, if he refused, to kill him, according to prosecutors. Zaw agreed to pay $5,000 for the attack, which was foiled by US investigators. Zaw admitted in court that he “participated in a plot to injure or kill Myanmar’s ambassador to the United Nations in a planned attack that was to take place on American soil,” US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. “I commend the tireless efforts of our law enforcement partners at all levels of government to ensure the safety of foreign diplomats and officials in the United States and bring the perpetrators of this plot to justice,” Williams added. Zaw is due to be sentenced in May. He faces up to five years in prison. It remained unclear what, if any, connection the suspect had with the military junta, which on February 1 overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in the country earlier known as Burma. Ambassador Tun, chosen by the now jailed Suu Kyi, has remained in office since the coup, asking that the UN let him keep his post. AFP

Benin opposition leader sentenced to 20 years in jail BENIN opposition leader and former justice minister Reckya Madougou was sentenced on Saturday to 20 years in prison for terrorism before a special court in the capital Porto-Novo. After more than 20 hours of hearings, Madougou, 47, was found guilty of “complicity in terrorist acts” by the Economic Crime and Terrorism Court, or Criet, which on Tuesday sentenced another key opposition figure to 10 years. Critics say the court, set up in 2016, has been used by President Patrice Talon’s regime to crack down on the opposition and pushed Benin into authoritarianism. “This court has deliberately decided to penalize an innocent person,” Madougou said shortly before her prison sentence was announced. “I have never been and I will never be a terrorist.” “It’s a sad day for our justice system, I maintain that there is no proof,” one of her lawyers, Robert Dossou, told AFP. AFP

Four convicted for Brazil disco fire that killed 242 A BRAZILIAN court convicted four people for their role in a nightclub fire that left 242 people dead nearly a decade ago, handing down sentences of up to 22 years. The 2013 fire at the nightclub in the southern town of Santa Maria started when members of a musical band playing that night lit flares that set fire to the ceiling. Two owners of the Kiss night club and two members of the Gurizada Fandangueira band were found guilty of murder and attempted murder of the victims, mostly young university students. Judge Orlando Faccini delivered the verdict on the tenth day of an emotional trial held in Porto Alegre, the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. “The defendants’ culpability is high... this much life was not taken away by chance,” he said. Club co-owners Elissandro Callegaro Spohr, 38, and Mauro Londero Hoffmann, 56, received 22.5 and 19.5 years respectively. Band members Luciano Bonilha Leao, 44, and Marcelo de Jesus dos Santos, 41, received 18 years of prison time. The four spent several months in detention before being freed while awaiting trial. AFP

services," Diop added. The World Bank said the Philippines “lags behind its peers in the East Asia and the Pacific Region in terms of inflows in direct foreign investment, including in its retail sector.” Reforms in the retail trade sectors, however, would provide a level playing field for both local and foreign investors and subsequently create more jobs and increase the inflow of new technologies. "The government has introduced the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys as a digital identification platform to foster the digital economy and increase access to public services," said Rong Qian, World Bank senior economist. "This is expected to increase access to and improve delivery of public services by providing Filipinos with a unique, verifiable digital identity," Qian added.

LOCSIN... national COVID-19 vaccination drive that was eventually extended to five days from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3. An official from the Department of Health, however, assured the country there was a sufficient supply of syringes until the end of the year as the products secured by the government through the United Nations Children’s Fund have begun to arrive. Health Undersecretary and National Vaccination Operations Center chairperson Myrna Cabotaje said there was a slight delay in the delivery of the ordered syringes due to the global shortage. At least 44 million syringes were ordered three months ago from UNICEF. In the first tranche of four million, only two million syringes arrived. The remaining two million syringes are expected to arrive next week.

EO... “The power to exercise stepin rights and take over the operations of ailing electric cooperatives…to improve the financial condition of such electric cooperatives, is hereby transferred to the Office of the President.” Within 30 days from the issuance of the order, NEA, through the Department of Energy, should report to the President the status of ailing cooperatives. The DOE was, meanwhile, ordered to identify unviable, unserved, underserved and poorly served areas within the franchise areas of distribution utilities. He also mandated distribution utilities to submit a Comprehensive Electrification Master Plan (CEMP) that would lead to the “total electrification” of their covered franchise areas. The DOE has the power to reject or modify the CEMP if “it is not in accordance with the objective of total electrification or if it will not provide the highest quality and least cost of service for providing electricity.” The Energy Regulatory Commission was also directed to impose fines and penalties against non-compliant distribution utilities and recommend to Congress the revocation of their franchises, as may be warranted. OIL... of P18.10 per liter for gasoline,

P15.70 per liter for diesel, and P13.19/liter for kerosene. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices were also slashed by as much as P4.75 per kilo on Dec. 1 or equivalent to a price rollback of P52.25 per 11-kilo tank. LPG prices ranged from P884 to P1,017 per 11-kilo tank based on the latest monitoring of the Department of Energy.

DECEMBER 12, 2021

Pickleball can be played on any flat surface or any existing basketball court

VENUS AGUSTIN

A success story hinged on martial arts

Tong-Il Modo combines the skills in striking and grappling

n By SHINSHIN GAVARAN

ONG before the term Mixed Martial Arts became popular among combat sports fanatics, there were countries that practice the same unified system of fight sports.

If Russia has sambo and Vietnam has vovinam, South Korea has Tong-Il Modo or TIMD. TIMD, which practices both the art of striking and grappling skills, was founded by Grandmaster Joon Ho Seuk in 1979 in South Korea. He called it “the way of the unified martial arts.” When GM Joon Ho conceived TIMD, he wanted it to be more than just a martial art. It’s a way of life. It follows the principles and fundamentals that are not limited only to every kick and punch but to spiritual values such as character development, service to society, and filial piety. Its main value is to overcome the desire of the body by strengthening the mind. Everyone without exception has their own greatest enemy, the self. Our physical desires limit our capacity to love the family, society, nation, and the world. TIMD practitioners were trained to overcome themselves with an indomitable spirit. Humble Beginning There was a once timid schoolboy from Mindanao who traveled to Manila to find his luck. He found TIMD instead took to heart all its valuable teachings, changing his

life for the better and eventually becoming a successful leader. That young man is now the Executive Vice President of World TIMD and now called by his title Dr. Venus Agustin. Through the support of his aunt, he studied college at a University in Ilocos Norte. Before going there, he was invited and became a member of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU, formerly known as Unification Church) in Cubao. For the first two years, martial arts didn’t pass by his thoughts until one day he came back to Manila and saw well-trained martial artists. In October 1984, the founder of Tong-Il Moo do (formerly known as Won Hwa Do) sent an instructor to the Philippines, Master Gerry Servito, a Filipino-American missionary from America. He began his missionary work and was able to inspire young people to join the martial arts. One of those he inspired was Agustin, who was then 21 years old. Initially, Agustin was not interested in martial arts training until he discovered the philosophy and deeper contents of the teaching. Grandmaster Venus’ training started in Laoag City. However, his training didn’t go like the training we knew of today, following a personal instructor. He started his training by just following the instructions from a book given to him, which contains the Fundamentals and Principles of TIMD He stopped studying after two years in college to focus on TIMD. For the next two years, he started training by himself alone, and in the long run, taking in the teachings, he saw improvements in himself. Once, a timid person who can’t talk in front of a crowd found his confidence and humility. “It was tough that I had to do

it alone but I overcame and faced the challenges during these hard times.” Victories and Achievements “Before you desire to have dominion over the universe, you must first gain dominion over yourself”, a quote by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the inspiration behind Tong il Moo Do. From Laoag City, Agustin was sent to Baguio City and continued his training there to become a blue belt. Even if the training is tough and he’s not even at the top of his class, he never gave up. Until he was promoted to join the second generation of black belts. He pointed out that the training in Baguio became his ‘stepping stone’ until he was assigned as President of National TIMD and National TIMD instructor in 1987. From this time on, he started achieving greater things. He didn’t even have money to support himself when he started a family. However, through the teachings in TIMD, he realized that ‘money is not the issue as long as you take responsibility. Through TIMD, Agustin traveled to 70 countries around the world. After 10 years of acquiring discipline, determination, and passion in TIMD he continued his study and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Central Colleges of the Philippines. He also studied for a Ph.D. Major in Commerce at the University of Sto. Tomas in 2003. Currently, he is taking up a Ph.D. in Peace and Security at Bicol University. His lists of accomplishments didn’t end there; he is currently the Vice-Chairman of Universal Peace Federation - Asia Pacific (UPF), the President of Professors World Peace Academy (PWPA), the Executive Vice President and Secretary-General at World Tong-Il Moo Do Federation, and

Dr. Venus Agustin: A martial artist and educator

the President of International Peace Leadership College in Tanay Rizal. Message to the youth Agustin said that the youth should ‘go beyond the limit of the body. Once you take TIMD seriously you will take the advantage.` He embodied the motto that was always iterated in every TIMD training-- “No pain No Gain”. The World Tong-Il Moo Do Federation (WTMF) had the vision to witness and transform young people to be better people. Through this motivation, they initiated the 1-year TIMD Martial Arts Training and Peace Studies program called the “Zero to Hero Project ‘’ in

July 2017. Some of the targets of the programs were former drug dependents, orphans, and out-of-school youth from families with the aim of improving their lives and producing a better version of themselves. Agustin may not belong to that kind of lost soul, but as a young man, he had dreamed bigger things. “I don’t have money but I am not poor. Always blessing comes. Wealth is how much you impacted people’s life” It is true that “all big things come from small beginnings”. Everything we do every day sums up the result of our end goal.

Iloilo defeats Negros in Chooks-to-Go MPBL opener Chito Jaime of Iloilo goes for an unmolested layup in this piece of action

ILOILO opened the 2021 Chooks-toGo Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational powered by TM with an 83-77 victory over newcomers and regional rivals Negros, on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Chito Jaime topscored for Iloilo, which took the early lead in Pool A with a 1-0 standing, with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field to go along with two rebounds. Despite leading by as much as 13 points, the United Royals had to fend off a tough stand coming from the Muscovados in the final frame. Jafet Claridad, who was fouled by Donald Gumaru, drained a huge trey but missed the freebie to cut Iloilo’s 10-point advantage to seven, 73-80, with 1:14 left on the clock. Gelo Vito then answered right back with a dagger three-pointer in the 52-second mark to turn back Negros. Ritcer Santillan and Ralph Dinola

pulled Negros to within five but it was not enough as Iloilo ran away with the win. “Masaya at nabigyan ulit tayo ng opportunity. Napakasaya siyempre, napakasaya,” said United Royals head coach Eric Gonzales. Homegrown star Aaron Jeruta tallied 12 points, six assists, and four boards for the United Royals while Gumaru also had 12 markers and four rebounds. Vito chipped in 11 points off the bench while JP Maguliano had a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds in his first game for Iloilo. Despite bagging their first win, Gonzales is still far from satisfied with what he saw from his wards. “Talagang work in progress. Ang basa ko kasi 50 percent pa lang sila. We’re trying to fast track everything pero sa totoo lang, kita mo naman sandali lang hindi mo mababad yung mga player na gusto mo mababad,”

added Gonzales. “Kailangan mong mag rotate ng mabilis, talagang malayong malayo pa sa gusto kong mapuntahan.” Negros (0-1) was led by Claridad who dropped five three-pointers and finished with 19 points. Santillan contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds in the loss while team captain Jaycee Adjei finished with 12 points and 12 boards. Iloilo will take on Pasig next on Monday at 2:30 PM while Negros looks to bounce back against Bacolod tomorrow, Sunday at 6:30 PM. The Scores: Iloilo (83) - Jaime 18, Jeruta 12, Gumaru 12, Vito 11, Maguliano 10, Hernandez 8, Iñigo 5, Mahari 3, Taywan 2, Javelosa 2, Santiago 0, Bederi 0 Negros (77) - Claridad 19, Santillan 13, Adjei 12, Dinolan 8, Maestre 6, Gadon 3, Adorio 2, Jaca 2, Yulo 2, Geolingo 0, Macion 0 Quarterscores: 25-19, 48-39, 6160, 83-77

DECEMBER 12, 2021

Technology giant keeps offices, schools connected

ENOVO, one of the world’s leading innovators that purchased IBM’s personal computer business in 2005, registered income and revenue growth amid the pandemic as it focused on enabling other companies and institutions to adopt a hybrid work setup to remain operational despite various forms of quarantine restrictions across the globe.

“So far, we have been doing well because of the demand for our products and services. In 2020, Lenovo led the Asia Pacific overall PC market according to a report by the International Data Corp.,” says Michael Ngan, president and general manager of Lenovo Philippines. Ngan says that based on IDC data, Lenovo achieved a 19.5-percent yearon-year growth in the consumer market, while small and medium businesses as well as education sectors fueled the increase in commercial notebook sales last year. Lenovo Group’s net income grew 65 percent year-on-year to $512 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2021-2022. “Our solutions and services group’s revenue grew 30 percent year-on-year, with operating margin of almost 21 percent,” says Ngan. “Going forward, we will continue to focus on high-margin businesses and segments. We aim to double our R&D investments over three years and develop more core technology along our new IT

structure. We will also further drive our internal digital and intelligent transformation to improve efficiency, and consistently improve our profitability,” he says in an e-mail interview. Ngan, who has been at the helm of Lenovo Philippines for eight years now, says what makes him excited about the latest innovations in general is how much good Lenovo can do with the right tools at its disposal. “As Lenovo’s mission statement goes, Smart Technology for All, we’re hoping to make the world more inclusive and connected by designing the right devices and solutions to help us get there,” he says. Since leading Lenovo Philippines in 2013, Ngan and his team were able to spur growth in all segments by increasing the sales of personal computers, laptops/notebooks, tablets and mobile phones. Armed with strong marketing experience, he also stirred his group into strengthening the company’s retail experience by opening more exclusive stores nationwide, including the Legion, Yoga and ThinkPad brand stores. In the Philippines, Lenovo provides a number of products, services and solutions for both commercial and consumer clients. It is known for innovative and creative devices like its ThinkPad line such as the X1 Fold, the world’s first foldable laptop and the X1 Nano, the world’s lightest ThinkPad. Ngan says both these models were created out of users’ changing lifestyle, which is now more flexible than ever. “To build customer centricity, we design with purpose to meet customers’ needs and solve their challenges,” he says. “Beyond providing our consumers with reliable devices, we also offer support services that ensure users are able maximize the potential of Lenovo Philippines president and general manager Michael Ngan

FOTON PH launches new Tornado Light-Duty Trucks as it marks 15 years in the Philippines

By Narciso Co Badeo III CELEBRATING 15 years of world-class trucks and commercial vehicles in the country, FOTON Motor Philippines Inc. (FMPI) takes the trucking and logistics business by storm. Revamping the industry-leading Tornado M series with its latest light-duty trucks, the Tornado M2E E4, and M6.1C. With a wide and strong array of commercial vehicles, FOTON PH upgrades the Tornado line-up with exceptional competency and power at a remarkable value. “FOTON is the first Chinese automotive brand to enter the Top 10 in the Philippine automotive market rankings. This recent achievement is a reflection of the Filipinos’ trust in our brand. Today, as we celebrate more years in service, we are laddering the game to higher routes. We are conquering market reach with upgraded truck technology and power. Aiming for an economical commercial vehicle, we developed our new truck line-up for more fuel-efficient mobility, enabling every drop of fuel to move you and your business further,” says FMPI President Erroll E. Dueñas TORNADO M2E E4 Standing proud with its 12-foot long physique, the FOTON Tornado M2E E4 is the perfect entry-level truck that meets the mobility requirements of local entrepreneurial establishments. In its core, a 2.8L turbocharged diesel engine ignites a maximum power output of 110hp at 3,200rpm and maximum torque of 280Nm from as low as 1,700 to 2 000 rpm.

The Tornado M2E E4 can shoulder as heavy as 2.1 tons of cargo with its reinforced high-strength chassis. Amenable for a wide array of usages, the Tornado M2E E4 is available in three customizable bodies: F-Van, MPV, and Dropside. TORNADO M6.1C Boasting sophisticated innovations led by European technology, the Tornado M6.1C is the segment’s top-of-the-line truck with a 20-foot long body and 6.1 tons payload capacity. It’s powered by the global strength of Cummins Diesel engine, mated with a 6-speed manual transmission. It boasts a 3.8L displacement with a maximum power output of 168hp at 2,600 rpm and strong maximum torque of 600Nm at 1,300 to 1,700 rpm. Equipped with the industry’s pioneering Wabco air brakes and an advanced anti-lock braking system, the Tornado M6.1C ensures safety across long distances and even on steep uphill drives fully loaded with cargo. The Tornado M6.1C is available in three body options: Dropside, F-Van, and Crane truck. The FOTON Tornado M series is trusted by noted logistics companies led by J&T Express, GoGo Express, Asian Ventures General Services, Arrowgo Logistics, and more. Truly a European Standard with remarkable Logistics Expert branding to note. For inquiries, call your nearest FOTON dealer or sales hotline at 0999-999-9998. You may also explore and reach FOTON PH on various digital platforms via https://linktr.ee/FOTONPhilippines.

their devices and get the assistance they need.” HYBRID WORK Ngan says as the Philippine economy slowly reopens, “we still see the need for people to have access to devices that will fit with their current hybrid lifestyle and work from anywhere. We have created products and solutions that address the increased demand for portable, secure devices and solutions.” The company recently launched the ThinkSmart Core kit that streamlines digital collaboration with the help of Microsoft Teams Rooms. For the consumer side, it launched the Legion Phone Duel 2, the second-gen Lenovo 5G gaming smartphone. Ngan says that amid the pandemic, Lenovo Philippines implemented a remote working set-up to ensure that everyone will be able to continue their work without fear of contracting the virus. “Our employees are our most valuable strategic resource and the safety of our employees remains a top priority for Lenovo,” he says. “There was an adjustment period, as with all sudden changes, when we shifted to remote working but our culture of collaboration allowed us to keep our operations running with minimal disruption. To better aid our people adjust to the new work setup, we conducted virtual wellness talks and other virtual events that helped keep us connected despite the physical distance,” he says. In the same way, Lenovo helps clients implement a hybrid work setup. Ngan says workplace transformation is pushing more and more users to mobile and flexible solutions. “As 83 percent of global IT decision-makers and management teams surveyed expect post-pandemic work to be remote at least half the time, Lenovo’s latest mobile workstations, paired with the new modular collaboration solution, offer the ideal setup for meeting the ongoing needs of a hybrid working environment,” he says. He says the next-generation of ThinkPad P1, ThinkPad P15 and ThinkPad P17 mobile workstations equip companies with a smarter way forward. Online classes Ngan says Lenovo, as a leader in educational technology, also offers intelligent hybrid learning solution that makes learning more interactive, effective and enjoyable. Lenovo Smart Classroom was developed with the aim of empowering primary and secondary schools to better organize instructional workflows, he says. Roderick T. dela Cruz

OFWs benefit from the expertise and experience of special guest speaker Marissa del Mar.

OFWs asked to invest in real estate

ONE of the more seriously affected sectors amid the pandemic are the overseas Filipino workers, long acknowledged as the economic heroes of the country. OFWs, estimated at 2.566 million, are responsible for $20.38 billion worth of remittances in the first nine months of 2021, an important lifeline in a developing country such as the Philippines. While global travel restrictions impede long-planned homecoming events, OFWs are being encouraged to direct their energies towards a positive goal: achieving and sustaining financial health. Many are now learning that they can provide for their families—and contribute to the Philippine economy— even as they go from being spenders to being savers and investors. OFWs are now looking at real estate investments as the best way to achieve financial stability. Property developer Bria Homes is right there with them as the company sponsors important free webinars that aim to help them attain financial literacy and secure their families’ future. These highly-informative lessons in financial planning include teaching OFWs to be more responsible and use discipline to keep track of their medium- and long-term financial goals. On Nov. 20, Bria Homes hosted the first of these webinars. The first episode titled Kabayan, Why Should You Invest in Real Estate allowed OFWs to listen to the expertise and experience of special guest speaker Marissa del Mar, chair-emerita and chairwoman of the board of advisers for National Real Estate Association and president of the One Filipino Worldwide Partylist, which lobbies for OFW rights. Del Mar enlightened participants on what makes real estate a financially-rewarding investment option, and how to maximize such investments for the future.

Life Editor: Nickie WaNg

DECEMBER 12, 2021

nickie.standard@gmail.com

The Boy Who Dreamt, The Man Who Became The story of a Filipino who has stunned the world with his artistry

HRLICH “Firechill” Ocampo is set to become one of our country’s national treasures as he continues to inspire and innovate with his unique levi wand circus act. After receiving a standing ovation from all judges in America’s Got Talent last July, Firechill has continued his mission to provide awe-inspiring artistry to his audiences. The former Cirque de Soleil performer combines the softness of dance with the marvel of magic in levi wand performances, where a wand seemingly floats in midair as Firechill dances around and moves. It is a stunning exhibition of grace and modernity – one that appeals to all audiences regardless of nationality. In fact, the judges at America’s Got Talent confirmed this, calling Firechill’s act “flawless” and “unique”. Howie Mandel was even heard saying, “That is an art form that I don’t think we’ve seen. I’ve been here for a long time. That was beautiful. I loved it.”

His road to stardom

Despite the recent recognition, however, Firechill has been honing his art for years. His journey is an aweinspiring and heart-warming example of how passion and determination can manifest in success. Against the wishes of his family who encouraged a more standard career route, Firechill knew that he wanted more from his life: to reveal a magical world one dance step at a time. Firechill used to practice on the streets and parks, dreaming of the day

Mido Café is a popular café established in 1950.

WHEN we get homesick, we find ourselves missing the little things that we never thought to cherish when it was right in front of us—like the way jeepney signages have their own unique font, or how street food and home-cooked meals have a distinct flavor unlike that of other cuisines. Small reminders of home that never fail to bring a sense of comfort and security. For TV personality and host Richard Juan who grew up in Hong Kong, there is a certain charm to Hong Kong that makes him yearn to return to his second home. Because of the ongoing pandemic, Richard has been unable to visit his family in Hong Kong for two years, and with the holidays just around the corner, he’s missing Hong Kong more than ever. In an effort to help Richard feel less homesick, founder of Humid with a Chance of Fishball Tours (HCFT) Virginia Chan brought him on a virtual tour around West Kowloon in “The Juan in West Kowloon”. To get Richard to feel like he’s in Hong Kong himself, Virginia treated him to various delights that made him eat, feel, and look like Hong Kong. Here are some local stops and goods Virginia shared with Richard in “The Juan in West Kowloon” for you to check out on your next trip to West Kowloon.

Mido Café

For Richard to get a taste of Hong Kong, Virginia brought him to Mido Café, a popular café established in 1950 that’s been featured in multiple films like Days of Being Wild by Wong Kar-wai. Richard is treated to authentic ‘pantyhose’ milk tea, and some classic Beef Hor Fun (stir-fried beef and wide rice noodles).

he could afford proper circus training. Because of his family’s lack of funds and opportunities, the little boy used to practice gymnastics on a pile of rice husks, often training late at night to avoid cars on the streets. Being so different from what the “normal” Filipino would want, there was little to no available facilities or government support at the time for him to hone his craft. Even after all his hard work to become a skilled performer, his journey was still filled with several challenges. When he received a job opportunity for the Cirque de Soleil, he needed three weeks of seafarer training, several dozens of documents and certificates, and was even denied a visa once. Still, he persevered and did whatever he needed to pursue his dream of being a circus performer.

Encouraging local creatives to pursue their paths

He trained with the best circus performers all around the world and developed his unique act where he dances around a levitating wand. It’s a gorgeous artistic display and the culmination of Firechill’s work, and he is grateful for the chance to show the glob-

al audience what Filipinos can do. As he told the judges in America’s Got Talent,, “I am here fighting for myself, my family, my friends, my community, my country.” The proudly Filipino artist says that kababayans should have more Ehrlich “Firechill” Ocampo is a opportunities to develop their skills, as former Cirque de Soleil performer many of our countrymen have the talent, but not the opportunities or resources to expand them. He calls all local creatives to stay true to their truths, and find a way to showcase their passion. He explains that Filipinos are naturally creative people, but their artistry may be left unnoticed or undervalued because of a lack of support or opportunities. He believes that Filipino talent is at par with the world’s best and calls for more government and private support for local creatives. An artist expressing his voice Firechill is also the author of “The Boy Who Dreamt Of Flying”, a heart-touching fable of a boy who weaved a dreamcatcher to catch his dreams of flying. Inspired by his own life, the book is filled with wonderful imagery, imaginative characters, and timeless truths. Through this story, Firechill hopes to foster a community of inclusion, where everyone accepts each other, misfits, freaks, and weirdos alike. Further expressing himself in various mediums, Firechill is also a renowned visual artist. His original works evoke an almost perceptible sadness mixed with hope, as his subjects are often depicted reach- Ocampo combines the softness of dance with the magic of wand performances. ing out for their dreams despite adverspread his message of artistry and na- rlich “Firechill” Ocampo, contact Asity. List & Partners Consulting Group Inc. Firechill says that he has no plans tionality through his various works. For more information about Eh- at communications@a-listconsulting.com. of slowing down and will continue to

Temple street is a popular shopping spot with hundreds of stalls brimming with a plethora of merchandise.

The view from a table at Lung Hin, Marco Polo.

Virginia Chan going through old film posters at the Broadway Cinematheque.

TV personality Richard Juan

The Juan

in West Kowloon everywhere you turn. Visitors can bargain for the best prices and shop for clothes, watches, jewelry, and even home decor like what Virginia purchased for Richard. Popular for the many stalls and restaurants selling delicious food, you’ll also get to taste the signature flavors of Hong Kong cuisine while you shop around. If you’re looking for a similar experience locally, head on over to one of the world’s oldest Chinatown found in Binondo, Manila. If you’re looking for Temple Street cheap and bargain finds like those found A popular shopping spot for locals along Temple Street, Ongpin Street in and tourists alike, you’ll find hundreds Chinatown is definitely worth visiting on of stalls brimming with merchandise your Christmas shopping spree. “Pantyhose” milk tea is named after the process of how it’s made. Want to have a sip of some pantyhose milk tea but can’t wait to go to Hong Kong? Tim Ho Wan, with branches in SM Megamall and Mall of Asia, is a good alternative to get your fix for the time being. The popular Michelin-starred restaurant finds its roots in Hong Kong, founded by chefs from Hong Kong’s Four Seasons Hotel, and is also Richard’s immediate go-to for his dim sum cravings.

Sky100

Sky100 is a 360-degree indoor observation deck located on the 100th floor of the International Commerce Centre, the tallest building in Hong Kong. On the deck, you’ll get a view of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, an iconic landmark you wouldn’t want to miss seeing in person. Although a bit far from the 100-floor view from the Sky 100 Observation Deck in Hong Kong, the Lung Hin restaurant located on the 44th floor of Marco Polo Ortigas is not too far off in terms of its captivating view. While a visit to Café 100 sounds like a dream, this local alternative proves to be just as worth the experience.

Broadway Cinematheque In “The Juan in West Kowloon,” Virginia takes Richard to the Broadway Cinematheque—a cinema, gallery, DVD store, café, and library all rolled into one massive complex. The cinema opened in 1996, and until today, it screens independent and art films alongside the more mainstream movies popular in other cinemas. Their film library also houses a grand collection of original film posters you can purchase. Here, Virginia browses through some posters in search of one Richard can hang up in his room. While waiting for travel restrictions to ease up, browse through local alternative Avant-Garde (@ avantegarde_ph), a local Instagram shop that sells original premier film posters of your favorite local and international films. Their store offers a wide selection of movies, and is even open to accommodate special requests! The shop features various collections of genres every few days so keep your eyes peeled for your favorites! With a few of these posters up on your walls, your room will soon start to look just like Hong Kong’s Broadway Cinematheque. These stops are only a few out of the many fun and exciting places you can visit on your next trip to West Kowloon. Instead of staring at that sad fridge magnet or Hong Kong Disneyland souvenir, why not treat yourself to a Hong Kong experience minus the two-hour flight. Catch “The Juan in West Kowloon” on Discover Hong Kong and Richard Juan’s Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about West Kowloon and plan your future visit at discoverhongkong.com.

DECEMBER 12, 2021

Belle Mariano glistens as new OPM darling TEEN sensation Belle Mariano introduces her glowing sound and bright artistry in daylight, her debut album released under ABS-CBN’s Star Pop label that is out now on various digital music platforms.

Picking up from the success of her well-received debut single “Sigurado,” which now has almost 12 million Spotify streams and over six million music video views—“daylight” further establishes Belle as a pop-alternative sweetheart whose enchanting and silky voice shines with every song she sings. Apart from “Sigurado,” the album consists of six other original songs radiating lustrous colors and offers an easy listening experience for music lovers. All produced by Star Pop head Rox Santos, some of the songs featured in daylight are also compositions of Belle’s fellow young artists from ABS-CBN. These are “Rainy Days” (written by Belle’s debut album titled ‘daylight’

SAB), “For Your Eyes Only” (written by Trisha Denise), and “Rise” (written by Jayda). Other songs included in the album are “With You,” “Tanging Dahilan,” and “Nights of December.” Since her breakthrough lead role in the coming-of-age romantic comedy series He’s Into Her this 2021, Belle has enjoyed steady success in her career. This December, she is set to star in a new Star Cinema film with her onscreen partner Donny Pangilinan in Love Is Color Blind. The Kapamilya star will also headline her first major virtual concert to be produced by ABS-CBN Events and Star Pop happening on January 29, 2022. Tickets to “DAYLIGHT: The Concert” are now up for grabs via KTX. Embark on a dreamy musical adventure with Belle by streaming her daylight album on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon Music, Deezer, and other digital music services.

Belle Mariano

STANDARD’S CHOICE

Miss Universe 2021 Top 16 Hot Picks

Miss Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez

By Eton Concepcion

4. Miss Spain

Sarah Loinaz, 23, is a 5-foot-10 model and a Business Management student. She speaks four languages and currently works as an ambassador of the Solidarity Needle Association.

N THIS year’s edition of the pageant, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) will pick that Top 16 that will become the face of their brand.

5. Miss India

Harnaaz Sandhu, 21, is a professional actress from Chandigarh. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administration.

MUO president Paula Shugart said to the members of the Miss Universe 2021 selection committee, which includes Philippine actress Marian Rivera, ‘that she is looking for someone that is comfortable in her own skin. compelWhen a Miss Universe walks into the room, she has that intangible, compel ling aura. And when she speaks to you, she holds your attention. She is a woman that has opinions and is articulate.’ With that in mind, Manila Standard picks its Top 16 from the 80 competing beauties from across the globe who have what it takes to become the new Miss Universe:

1. Miss Paraguay

Nadia Ferreira Ferreira, 22, is an international model and works as CEO in her own family business. A stunning beauty, she is arguably the best of the Latinas this year, and could easily be the face of this year’s pageant.

2. Miss Puerto Rico

3. Miss Philippines

Beatrice Luigi Gomez Gomez, 26, is a model, a Mass Communication graduate, and a Navy Reserve Unit with the rank represenof Sergeant. The first openly bisexual Philippine represen tative, she’s a perfect candidate to continue her country’s 11-year streak in Miss Universe.

Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu

Miss Puerto Rico Michelle Marie Colon

Netflix drops ‘The Silent Sea’ trailer THE main trailer was released for Netflix series The Silent Sea, a story set in the near future of an elite team on a special mission to an abandoned research base on the moon, as resource depletion has devastated the Earth. The trailer begins with an image of a desolate Earth. All life on Earth is threatened due to resource depletion. Korea’s Space and Aeronautics Administration finds the answer to the survival of mankind and plans another moon exploration mission led by an elite team comprised of astrobiologist Song Jian (Bae Doona), team leader Han Yunjae (Gong Yoo), head engineer Ryu Taesuk (Lee Joon), team doctor Doc Hong (Kim Sun-young), head of security Gong Soohyuk (Lee Mu-saeng), and spacecraft pilot Kim Heesun (Lee Sung-wook). Their destination is Balhae Lunar Research Station, closed down five years ago due to an accident. They take off with the important mission to “retrieve an important sample in the station and return to earth,” but are faced with an immense challenge as their spaceship makes a crash landing on the moon. They barely reach Balhae Lunar Research Station, which is veiled in mystery. Dead bodies with unknown causes of death and an unidentified signal of life lurk the team into chaos, while Song Jian starts to doubt the veracity of the government’s statement that the station was permanently closed down due to an accident. She has suspicions about the secrets hidden throughout Balhae Lunar Research Station. Tense life-and-death situations confront the elite team at the place they look for means of survival. They intuitively feel that unusual events will happen at the station, as one member chokes up blood-like water. Their attempts at escaping the station and communication with the outside fails, and they are stranded on the station that resembles a secret trap room. The headline “A Deadly mission will uncover the darkest secrets of the Moon” piques viewers’ curiosity on what secrets the unknown and silent sea holds, and whether the members tasked with the mission can safely return home. The main trailer calls attention to not only the secrets of Balhae Lunar Research Station, but also the realistic visualization of space and the moon. As the first Korean science fiction mystery thriller series, The Silent Sea perfectly recreates the vastness and stillness of the moon. Crash landing on the moon, the abandoned Balhae Lunar Research Station, the dust winds on the lunar surface, and other refreshing scenes are sure to captivate viewers. The Silent Sea will be released on Dec. 24, only on Netflix.

Michelle Marie Colon Colon, 21, is one of the tallest candidates this year. Standing at 6 feet, she is a Biology-pre-medBiology-pre-med ical student and works as a model. Colon was crowned Miss Teen Americas 2018 and the first Afro-Caribbean to win Miss Puerto-Universe. She is the founder of the C.A.R.E. Empowering Program.

Other top contenders are Miss Brazil Teresa Santos, Miss Colombia Valeria Ayos, Miss Venezuela Luiseth Materan, Miss Albania Ina Dajci, Miss USA Ellen Elizabeth “Elle” Smith, Miss Vietnam Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyen, Miss Chile Antonia Figueroa, Miss Singapore Nandita Banna, Miss Israel Noa Cochva, Miss Argentina Julieta García, and Miss Belgium Kedist Deltour.

Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira

Miss Spain Sarah Loinaz

Gong Yoo (center) and the cast of the upcoming Netflix thriller ‘The Silent Sea.’

DECEMBER 12, 2021

Rovinj Espiritu Lowe and husband Vincent with their fur kids.

Most Memorable Christmas with Fur Kids By Rowena David

MERICAN novelist Edna Ferber once said, “Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling,” and I think most of us will agree. There is something about Christmas that brings out the best in us. People are generally kinder, happier, and more giving during the Yuletide season. Christmas is more meaningful when we spend it with our family and friends. The memories that we create with our loved ones are memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. And speaking of family and friends, let us not forget that our pets are part of the family, too. Any fur parent will tell you that holidays are not complete without their fur kids by their side to celebrate them with. How do fur parents celebrate holidays? Read on as fur parents share how they spend Christmas with their furry ones. For Rovinj Espiritu Lowe, a retired floral designer who lives in Utah with her husband Vincent, a retiree from the United States Air Force, pets are a significant part of the family. “Vincent and I have had pets as part of our family ever since we were married. However, our pets took on a greater significance in our home when our daughters moved out about 22 years ago to start their own families. The emptiness that we felt was lessened because our pets added their own unique personalities to our home in the absence of our daughters. Our pets can never take the place of our daughters, but they have established a sense of warmth in our home that is very refreshing. We miss our daughters the most during the Christmas Holiday Season, our most favorite holiday. So, it is very important for us to have our pets here in our home. We always buy a little special gift for them and enjoy this special day with them around our Christmas tree. We always cherish these memorable times with them,”

Lucy Foja with her pets KC, Coco, and Ella. Their first Christmas photo on Christmas Day at their garden.

Electra Abella Boller and Brandy.

Rocky, the dog of Professor Jomariss Plan.

Rovinj shares. She also has one piece of advice for anyone who may be lonely: “Adopt a pet and experience the same joy that we pet lovers do every day, especially during Christmas.” Christmas is a great time to have fun with the whole family and that includes pets, says Electra Abella Boller, a restaurant operations manager. “No matter what our plans are for the festive season, it’s important that we also involve our pets in the Christmas celebrations to ensure they have a memorable holiday as well. We often ask a friend to be our photographer and take a family portrait with all our furry friends. We dress them up in holiday outfits and put cute accessories to get them into the Christmas mood. I cook some pet-friendly treats that my pets are thrilled to eat and enjoy.” Electra says that aside from the treats, she also buys gifts for her fur kids that she puts under the Christmas tree. “They’re special gifts

that we know they will just love like toys, treats or snacks or even a new outfit. Whether our dogs have been naughty or nice this year, Santa’s coming to town.” Lucy Foja, an office manager who lives with her husband Richard in Australia, says that every day with her fur kids feels like Christmas. “My first Christmas with three of my furry children, KC, Coco, and Ella, was one of the best Christmas I've had. They were all rescued but I feel like they rescued me instead. Life has never been lonely since they arrived. They bring so much joy and fill my heart with love. I learn so much from them about how to live a good life.” For Jomariss Plan, a university professor, her dog Rocky has been her happy pill since the day she adopted him. “Rocky has been with me for five years now. He has been my companion since the day I adopted him. He is not just a pet, he is

my family. My most memorable Christmas with Rocky was in Christmas of 2016 because it was his first Christmas with my family. I had bought a Christmas costume, dog treats, and a stuff toy for him that year. It was amusing to watch him drool with happiness and excitement, tail wagging, as I unwrapped his gifts for him. Rocky is a playful dog, and he gives so much joy to my family. He is truly our happy pill.” Pets enjoy receiving Christmas treats, too, so including them in the Christmas celebrations makes them feel they're valued members of the family. About the author: Rowena David is faculty member at College of Computer Science in the University of Makati, is a freelance writer (Tagalog short novels), admin of Philippine Pet Lovers Society Facebook page, an animal rescuer and animal welfare advocate.

Cats: The Gifted Who Bring Gifts Yumi, the author's daughter, loves cats. With her in the photo is Pebbles who always gift her with something from the farm where they live.

Do not be deceived by their looks. These sleeping cats named Suki (right) and Socks bring home mice, frogs and skink (bubuli) as “gifts” to their human mom Mariana and human sister Yumi. They also kill snakes.

Suki, a sweet catto, loves hugs and giving lizards to hooman mom Mariana.

By Mariana Burgos IT IS Christmas time! Every time this season comes, the spirit of gift-giving is so much in the air. Oh, but if you have a cat for a pet, you will surely get gifts anytime of the year. Sometimes, even every day! I am a cat person. I love cats because they are not as dependent as dogs on their human owners. Since I was a kid, I have always chosen a cat for a personal pet. But, of course, I love all kinds of animals, too. Cats are just my favorite. When I was in my elementary years, I remember dreaming of having a lion or a tiger for a pet. I love the thought of having a big, awesome-looking cat in my house just chilling there. It is pretty funny and cute when I picture him playing with a ball or a ball of thread on my lawn. It must be so nice to feel his soft, warm fur and hearing his purr as he lays beside me for a nap. The idea is just so calming for me. Cats are such gifted creatures and very smart. They are excellent hunters and are very careful and accurate with their movements in crowded areas or narrow spaces. Rarely have I seen a cat who is sloppy with his actions. Things only get broken around them when they intentionally want to drop them from the table. Have you seen cats do that? I do. You would think, “Now, what’s with the dropping and breaking stuff?” I don’t know how it is with other cat owners but in my case, I have noticed that there are times when they are pissed off with a few of my house rules, you would see them pushing things from the table to drop and break them. As if they were trying to prove a point or something. Or, just a display of tantrum, perhaps? I remember our Siamese cat, Princess, when I was young. Our visitors always mistook her for a stuffed cat when they see her on top of one of our bookshelves. She would sit there straight up and very still for a long time. She looked so majestic whenever she does that. Nothing on our shelves gets toppled down even if she goes up there considering my family is one who likes to have so many “abubot” (trinkets). She was very good in catching mice and roaches. She doesn’t eat them, though. But every time she is able to catch one, she plays with it for a while or until it dies. And then, when she is done playing with it, she would bring it to one of us

humans. It is as if she telling us, “Here, you try. It is quite fun, you’ll see.” (LOL!) I could not forget my pet cat, Flippy, back when I was only around 8 to 10 years old. Since he was a kitten, I would carry him like how one would carry a baby resting on one’s shoulder. I would rock him back and forth to make him sleep and sing him a lullaby hum. He would fall asleep drooling all over my shoulder after a few minutes or so. He was also so good at getting things for us especially food from our neighbors (LOL!). There was one time, I remember so clearly, my grandma was wondering, talking out loud, what she could cook for our lunch. All of a sudden, Flippy comes home with a very large fried tilapia (St. Peter’s fish) in his mouth, still whole and it was still very hot. Meaning, it was newly fried! He dropped it in front of us. It is as if he was telling my grandma, “I got it covered, Granny, don’t you worry.” (LOL!) I saw a video in Youtube one time. It was about a cat who brings in lots of money for his owner ( This cat brought his owner a lot of MONEY every day. The man installed a camera and was SHOCKED. ). Well, he was not really his owner but since he rescued him, he sees him as his owner. I guess, the cat was simply very, very grateful to him for adopting him that he decides to be useful for them by doing a job for them----displaying his cuteness for a fee! I wish I had a cat who is that smart. This is how pet cats are---they love bringing gifts to their owners. And they can be very dramatic sometimes. That is just how they show their love for their humans. If you really think of it, they are quite romantic. For creatures as independent and as skillful as cats are, you would think that they would be very proud to not even show the slightest care for you. Some people do think of cats that way. But cats do the opposite. They display a tremendous form of affection and generosity. And with that attitude, it is clear that they are not a proud breed but rather, a very humble one. For me, I see them as the most loving, generous and smartest pets one could have. They are truly gifted creatures of God. About the Author: Mariana Burgos is a freelance artist. She is a solo parent for 14 years now because she is wife to a desaparacido. She and her daughter are animal lovers and are active in advocating not only human rights but the rights of animals as well.