Filipinos in HK told to guard against coronavirus

January 26, 2020 | 11:29 pm

THE PHILIPPINE Consulate General in Hong Kong has advised Filipinos there to take precautions after the Hong Kong government reported its first confirmed case of a new strain of coronavirus.

The consulate asked Filipino workers to use face masks, wash hands thoroughly and maintain good personal hygiene.

Filipinos were also advised to avoid large crowds and gatherings as well as interactions with persons showing symptoms of a pneumonia-like infection.

“We urge all Filipinos in Hong Kong to cooperate with said initiative, especially by following guidelines issued by Hong Kong health authorities,” it said in its advisory on Sunday.

“Community organizations are also advised to postpone public events to help reduce the risk of infection,” it said.

The Centre for Health Protection of Hong Kong’s Department of Health has raised its response level to the highest. This means the health risk is “high and imminent.”

The Hong Kong government also asked the public to avoid contact with animals, eating game meat, and visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms when traveling outside Hong Kong.

As of Jan. 25, Hong Kong has reported that five patients have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Reuters reported on Sunday that the deadly coronavirus has killed 56 people and infected more than 2,000. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Free WiFi to be launched in more Dagupan public spaces

January 26, 2020 | 11:28 pm

FREE WiFi access will soon be available in more public areas in Dagupan City following Friday’s signing of an agreement between the local government and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The accord was signed by Mayor Brian C. Lim and DICT Secretary Gregorio B. Honasan II. Government data from the freepublicwifi.gov.ph site shows there are 12 places in Dagupan with live access as of Dec. 2019. These include eight public schools, the public library, health center, Region 1 Medical Center, and the DICT Dagupan City PoP.

Proposed integrated development in Baguio’s neighboring towns gets Speaker’s support

January 26, 2020 | 11:27 pm

A PROPOSAL to integrate the development of Baguio City, a popular tourist destination, and its neighboring towns under Benguet province has received support from House Speaker Alan Peter S. Cayetano. “With greater connectivity, there can be greater opportunities of inclusive and equitable development. This can also ease traffic in the City of Pines,” the House Speaker said in a press statement on Sunday. Baguio Rep. Mark O. Go has submitted House Bill 1337, which seeks to create the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA) to centralize and oversee development efforts in the area. Mr. Cayetano also cited the need to explore the construction of a railway connecting Baguio City to La Trinidad as well as the expansion of Baguio City’s Loakan Airport to accommodate more flights. “Sana naman matuloy din ‘yung train na gagawin from here (I hope the train will push through) to La Trinidad, not only for tourists na gustong makita ‘yung (who want to visit the) strawberry field… but it will also provide cheaper housing sa mga nagtatrabaho sa (for those working in) Baguio… We hope that the Department of Transportation can look into the rehabilitation of the Loakan Airport in the city because it will ease the traffic and facilitate mobility of goods and people,” Mr. Cayetano said. He also suggested that congressional representatives from the northern Luzon area hold a consultative conference to better discuss the details of the different proposals for Benguet and adjacent provinces. — Genshen L. Espedido

Small strides for autism groups in Davao

January 26, 2020 | 11:27 pm

TWO PERSONS with autism in Davao City have been employed by SM Retail, Inc., one each at an SM Savemore and SM Supermarket branch, and advocates are hopeful that this small number will soon grow. Imelda E. Rendon, executive director of the Rainbow Intervention Center for Autism Foundation Inc. (RICAFI), said they are already discussing opportunities with a clothing retail company and a fastfood chain. “We already have talks with them pero hindi pa lang nag (but it still has not) pushed through, hopefully this year,” Ms. Rendon told media in a forum last week, the National Autism Consciousness Week. “They are good in arranging the stocks and entertaining the customers who are looking for an item because these children are good at memorizing,” she said. Febe A. Matthews of the Autism Society of the Philippines-Davao Chapter said they are also campaigning for government agencies to hire adults with autism as they are capable of running errands and other tasks. “This is as long as the people surrounding them can also understand them,” Ms. Matthews said. ASP-Davao has a program called Autism Works career placement wherein they partnered with establishments.

SPECIALISTS
The two groups are also pushing the government and the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), the biggest public hospital in Mindanao, to set up a program that will train more developmental pediatricians. “In Davao City, there are only three developmental pediatricians and we parents have difficulty getting an appointment with them. It takes us one year to get that appointment and if we get the appointment, the charge is very expensive,” Ms. Matthews said, noting that children with autism ideally need an assessment twice a year. Developmental pediatricians, particularly those with a subspecialty in the field, diagnose and identify a whole range of developmental and behavioral differences, such as the difference between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and high functioning autism. “We are appealing to the government and SPMC to train developmental doctors or pediatricians where parents can go, particularly for those parents who can’t afford (the high fees). It’s only the developmental doctors that can diagnose,” she said. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how a person acts and interacts with others, communicates, and learns. — Maya M. Padillo

DoT calls on food SMEs, start-ups to expand; GrabFood launches service in Iloilo

January 26, 2020 | 11:26 pm

LAST WEEK’s launching of GrabFood delivery services in Iloilo City and the neighboring towns of Pavia and Oton is an opportunity for start-ups and small- and medium-scale enterprises in the food sector to expand as well as help boost culinary tourism, according to the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) Western Visayas head. “The region is composed of eight million residents and 5.8 million (annual) tourists… This is a challenge for start-ups, SMES, and established hotels, to prepare and produce more food not only for the locals but also for the tourists,” DoT Regional Director Helen J. Catalbas said during the launching ceremony. Among the initial GrabFood local partners are Jo’s Chicken Inato, Lechon House, Loco Local Coffee, Netong’s Original Lapaz Batchoy, Lar’s Buko Batchoy Eatery, Kucho, Harry’s Seafood Bistro, Floyd Famous BBQ, JD Burger Project, and MYO Cafe.

DIGITAL CITY
Jo-ann Y. Yoshida, Grab Philippines’ regional head for Western Visayas, said they will continue to assess the market for opportunities in other parts of Iloilo province and the region. “There are so many things that Iloilo City is being positioned right now. From being a premiere MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) destination to becoming a digital city and a center of culinary tourism,” Ms. Yoshida said. GrabFood Philippines Head EJ Dela Vega said they aim not just to promote the city’s culinary tourism, but also bring more livelihood opportunities for Ilongggos through technology. “As tourism continues to boom in Iloilo, we want to be there to support it. As we expand GrabFood’s operations in the country, we recognize that our job doesn’t end from delivering a meal to our consumers. We are inspired by our deeper goal of delivering positive impact into the lives of our partners and the people who take pride in the development of their city,” he said. GrabFood also participated during last weekend’s Dinagyang Festival through the Kaon, Ta Iloilo food fair. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Over 38,000 likely human trafficking victims barred from leaving in 2019

January 26, 2020 | 11:25 pm

MORE THAN 38,000 potential human trafficking victims were stopped from leaving the country last year, the Bureau of Immigration reported on Sunday. Commissioner Jaime H. Morente, in a statement, said the 38,522 people who were barred from departing the country in 2019 was 16% higher than the almost 33,000 the previous year, an indication of the agency’s stricter monitoring and vigilance. “We are duty-bound to remove them from harm’s way,” he said. Ports Operations Division Chief Grifton SP. Medina said those who were not allowed failed to meet the requirements as listed in the guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT). Mr. Medina said the guidelines are intended to combat human trafficking and illegal migration at the country’s ports of exit. Ma. Timotea Barizo, chief of the travel control and enforcement unit, said about 85% of those barred in 2018 were intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) while the rest were stopped at the airports of Mactan, Clark, Iloilo, Kalibo, and Davao, mostly for misrepresentation or submission of fraudulent documents. More than 400 where handed to the IACAT for investigation and filing of charges against their handlers and recruiters, Ms. Barizo added. The US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report has maintained the Tier 1 rating given to the country, which means the Philippines “fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and has continually demonstrated serious and sustained efforts to combat the crime.” — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Muller, JYH hope Ceres sustains form at AFC CL

January 26, 2020 | 11:20 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

FACING what arguably its biggest test to date in football club competition, Ceres-Negros FC veterans Roland Muller and James Younghusband hope their team gets to sustain their competitive form in the AFC Champions League 2020 preliminary stages to achieve what no other Philippine club has done before — advance to the main draw of the prestigious Asian tournament.

The “Busmen” are set to face Japanese team FC Tokyo in an away AFC Champions League Qualification Playoffs match on Jan. 28, where a victory pushes them to the group stage of the tournament for the first time.

It is an opportunity whose significance is not lost to the Bacolod-based club, especially being in the same situation back in 2018.

While they have been showing some lapses here in there in two earlier matches in the preliminary stage, both Messrs. Muller and Younghusband said they like what they are seeing, by and large, and are hoping they get to sustain, if not build on, their performance as a team as they collide with FC Tokyo.

“We have had two different teams [to date]. The first game we dominated, especially in the first half but the second half it was made difficult for us but we showed the will to win. In the second game, we knew Port was a tough team and we respect them but we saw our chances and went for them. In general it was a big team performance for us,” said veteran goalkeeper Muller, who has been instrumental in their 3-2 and 1-2 victories over Shan United of Myanmar and Port FC of Thailand in the first and second round, respectively.

He is seconded by Mr. Younghusband, who underscored how the team has be united throughout the process and working hard in training and in the games themselves, finding ways to win.

“… The great thing about this club is that it is united, everyone is supporting one another on and off the field and is excited to make history. Everyone has been fantastic, working their socks off to achieve success,” said Mr. Younghusband, who is playing in his first AFC Champions League tournament.

Both players said they are looking forward to playing Tokyo FC tomorrow albeit recognize that they will have their hands full.

“We’re happy to go through the first two games. The third round is going to be difficult. Tokyo is an organized team. Tactically they are a good team and I’m looking forward to playing this game and expect a big game against a big opponent,” said the Ceres keeper.

“To play Tokyo is an honor. They have competing at a high level against tough competition and these are the teams you want to compete against to see where you are,” Mr. Younghusband, for his part, said.

The Ceres-FC Tokyo match is set for 6 p.m. (Manila time) at the Tokyo Stadium.

Kvitova beats Sakkari, makes it to quarterfinals

January 26, 2020 | 11:19 pm

MELBOURNE — Petra Kvitova came from a set down and took full advantage as her Greek opponent Maria Sakkari’s self-belief drained away to advance to the Australian Open quarterfinals with a 6-7(4) 6-3 6-2 victory on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.

Seventh seed Kvitova looked second best early on against Sakkari, who was backed by loud support from local Greek fans, but seized the advantage in a second set where both players struggled to hold serve.

The two-times Wimbledon champion broke Sakkari four times in the second set and then took a 3-0 lead in the decider to give her the advantage she needed to put away the stubborn 22^nd-seed in two hours, 12 minutes.

“It’s pretty tough to play Maria. I lost the last time I played her so I knew it would be difficult,” Kvitova said.

“I had to fight pretty hard … but suddenly I got used to her game and was playing more rallies and starting to play my own game.”

Sakkari, 24, had never been in the fourth round of a Grand Slam before but had won the last two of her three previous matches against Kvitova, all of which were played last year.

Sakkari broke early but blew her first chance to seal the opening set when she lost serve leading 5-4. She broke again in the next game to give herself another opportunity at 6-5 but let that slip away too as Kvitova broke back to set up a tiebreak.

The Czech wasted an opportunity to go 3-0 up when her forehand return to a second serve flew long and Sakkari snatched the momentum back, going on to seal the tiebreak to win the set in 52 minutes.

Both players lost their serving rhythm in the second set with Kvitova dropping serve twice but also breaking Sakkari on four occasions, the last of which when the Greek double-faulted on set point.

Sakkari’s shoulders appeared to drop during the set and she frequently argued with her support team sitting courtside.

Kvitova jumped out to a 3-0 advantage in the decider then let her emotions show for the first time in the fifth game, a bellow of celebration coming after a forehand winner put her 4-1 ahead.

The Czech completed the win when a Sakkari return smacked into the net, setting up a meeting with either top seed Ash Barty or Alison Riske, who play later on Sunday, in the last eight. — Reuters

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang offers new arcade mode Magic Chess

January 26, 2020 | 11:18 pm

A THRILLING, real-time auto-chess strategy game, with a magical twist, Magic Chess: Bang Bang, has finally arrived in the Philippines.

It opens a new world for players of the already-successful Mobile Legends: Bang Bang game and fans of auto-chess games.

Magic Chess is more casual and relaxed compared to the high-intensity of ranked games but despite the more leisurely play style, players need to be sharp and use their wits in order to win.

Beloved heroes from MLBB are transformed into chess pieces and placed on a battlefield where they are matched up against the chosen heroes of another player. Eight players in the match purchase heroes from a random hero pool for each round and form a unique lineup of heroes.

Players can combine those heroes to make stronger versions of the same units. Certain types of units get synergy bonuses for being on the field at the same time. Gamers deploy these units, and they fight each other automatically, with no player input involved whatsoever. Units’ stats and special abilities and the way those abilities counter opponents’ units determine who wins and who loses with the winning army dealing damage to the loser’s central health pool. If a player loses all their health, they’re out.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang continues to reign supreme when it comes to offering new and exciting game modes that keep fans coming back for more.

With Magic Chess, players don’t need to go through stressful ranked games, tedious hero training or paying for stats to win; all they need is a good strategy and a little bit of luck to claim final victory and rise in the ranks.

The game has proven to already be popular during its early release with top local streamers. With this, Moonton, the game’s developer, has prepared a special ISR event for Chess TD where fans and viewers alike can get in-game rewards by just tuning into their stream.

For more info on the Mobile Legend: Bang Bang’s Magic Chess, follow its official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MobileLegendsOnlinePH/ and keep up with the most anticipated arcade game within MLBB.

Rahm leads after 54 holes at Torrey Pines; Woods five back

January 26, 2020 | 11:18 pm

SAN DIEGO — World number three Jon Rahm made an eagle from 110 yards en route to the third-round lead at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego on Saturday as Tiger Woods faded after a strong start.

Rahm shot the day’s best score, a seven-under-par 65, to surge to a one-shot advantage over American halfway leader Ryan Palmer (71) at Torrey Pines, where morning fog delayed the start of play by two hours.

Rory McIlroy, who with a win on Sunday would supplant Brooks Koepka as world number one, boosted his chances with a 67 that left him among a group equal third, three behind.

Woods, seeking a record 83^rd PGA Tour victory, sent a proverbial bolt of electricity through the large gallery as he charged within striking distance of the lead with four front nine birdies.

But he struggled on the more difficult inward half and carded three-under-par 69 to end the day equal 14^th, five strokes behind Rahm.

“Three-putted (hole) 11 and just never really got anything going coming home,” said Woods, who had to grind to avoid dropping a shot at the par-five 18^th, where he sank a 15-foot putt to salvage par.

Woods has won eight times at Torrey Pines and acknowledged he would need a special Sunday to make it number nine.

“Got to go out there and post a low one tomorrow, still got to make a bunch of birdies,” he said.

Leader Rahm, feeling good vibes on the course where he posted his first PGA Tour win three years ago, used his unique, powerful swing to run up five birdies and post a 12-under 204 total.

But it was the eagle at the par-four second that had the gallery most buzzing.

“Landed about four feet short, skipped up and landed in the hole,” said the Spaniard, who had chipped in for birdie at the first.

“Three-under through two holes, no putts, yeah, a pretty good start,” said Rahm.

“The MVP (most valuable player) of today would be my lob wedge. Especially those bunker shots, they weren’t easy and I made it look pretty easy.”

Second-placed Palmer partnered Rahm to win the New Orleans Classic team event last year, but on Sunday they will temporarily put their friendship aside.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Palmer said.

“Of course you’re rooting for him (in New Orleans) and trying to say, ‘hit it here’ and ‘hit it there’, so maybe tomorrow I’ll say, ‘hit over there’ instead.” — Reuters

Undefeated Mighty Sports seeks to continue rolling versus Es Rades of Tunisia

January 26, 2020 | 11:17 pm

MIGHTY Sports Philippines is off to a good start in the 31^st Dubai International Basketball Tournament, winning its first two assignments in Group B to stay undefeated.

It is something it hopes to continue when it returns to action on Jan. 28 versus Es Rades of Tunisia in a match set at the Shabab al Ahli Sports Club.

Mighty Sports, composed of a solid mix of imports, veterans, collegiate and up-and-coming players, downed the United Arab Emirates national team, 88-82, in its opener on Jan. 23 before defeating Al Ittihad of Syria, 77-72, on Jan. 24.

Against Al Ittihad, Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche led the way, finishing with 28 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and a block.

Renaldo Balkman churned in 15 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in the Mighty Sports win, with McKenzie Moore adding nine points.

Mighty Sports is hoping to finally notch a championship breakthrough since first joining the tournament in 2017.

Last year, it finished at third place, defeating Homentmen of Lebanon in the bronze medal game.

Other members of this year’s team are Jelan Kendrick, Jamie Malonzo, Thirdy Ravena, Beau Belga, Joseph Yeo, Juan and Javi Gomez De Liano, Dave Ildefonso, Isaac Go, Gab Banal, Joaqui Manuel and Jarrell Lim.

The Mighty Sports-Es Rades game will broadcast over One Sports on Cignal TV at 1 a.m.

The 31^st Dubai International Basketball Tournament happens until Feb. 1. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Simmons dominates as Philadelphia 76ers top Los Angeles Lakers, 108-91

January 26, 2020 | 11:17 pm

LOS ANGELES — Ben Simmons had 28 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and four steals to lift the host Philadelphia 76ers past the Los Angeles Lakers 108-91 on Saturday.

Simmons shot 12 of 15 in a 41-minute performance.

Tobias Harris scored 29 points and Al Horford had 16 for the Sixers, who improved to 21-2 at home. Matisse Thybulle also contributed five steals.

The Sixers played without Joel Embiid (finger) for the 16^th time this season and were also missing Josh Richardson with a strained hamstring.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 31 points while LeBron James had 29 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. James entered the game with 33,626 points and passed Kobe Bryant for third place on the league’s all-time scoring list.

Alex Caruso had six steals for the Lakers, who lost for just the fifth time on the road this season.

Despite being down two starters, the Sixers jumped out to a 59-50 lead at halftime thanks in large part to Harris’ 16 points. The Sixers shot 51% from the field, going 21 of 41.

Davis (16) and James (14) scored 30 of the Lakers’ 50 points. The Lakers committed 12 first half turnovers, including an uncharacteristic five by James.

Philadelphia extended its lead to 68-52 when Simmons found Harris for a wide-open 3-pointer with 9:32 remaining in the third quarter. The Sixers then scored six more and the lead swelled to 22.

James then drove to the basket and scored with 7:23 left in the third, and in the process passed Bryant.

The Lakers made a late push at the end of the third yet still trailed 85-73.

Shake Milton, who made his first career start, scored in the paint with 9:18 to go, giving the Sixers an 89-75 advantage.

Los Angeles closed within 10, 91-81, when James dribbled in from midcourt and threw down a one-handed dunk with 6:57 remaining.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope soon hit a trey and a jumper to cap an 11-2 run as the Lakers cut the lead to 93-88.

Horford knocked down a jumper from the wing and followed with a 3-pointer to extend the Sixers’ lead back to 10. — Reuters