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Forest and trees

By Tony Samson
THE bias for action is critical when dealing with consultants, especially those coming from academe or who have had many clients in one category. While these gurus can mesmerize a seminar crowd, or a board committee with their road map to the future (evolve or die), they seldom bother with how to move their clients from Point A to Point F. They may dismiss such humdrum exertions as operational issues.
Success goes beyond strategy. And the devil is in the details. The play is just a script until there is a cast and a working sound system, with the hundred details in between, including the catering for rehearsals.
People who describe themselves as “big picture” guys, who see the forest instead of the trees, tend to underestimate the importance of trees. Are they just details or are they what the forest is all about?
A fancy but seldom patronized restaurant in a low-traffic location may essay a business goal expressed in grandiose terms: to be the lifestyle culinary experience of choice for the trend-setting, high-disposable income set of influencers among millennials.
This kind of sweeping mission statement calls for all sorts of details like where this demographic niche now presently dines or whether they even constitute a defined target market worth chasing. Do they have disposable income? Do they eat in a group? What kind of menu will they find attractive? What price points are acceptable? Who are the competitors in this category and how well are they doing? What kind of chef is needed in the kitchen and how much will she cost?
Operational details are like that. They tend to be tedious and almost irritating to the forest guy who feels he is being attacked by a swarm of hornets — let the operational folks figure that out. What we need is a road map…but how do you get to the destination and what form of transport is appropriate? Also, who will drive? How much gas is needed?
The most elusive form of goal-setting is chasing ranking, like aiming to be number 1 in a category. This objective holds a few assumptions. It presumes one has defined the industry he belongs to and who his competitors are. In our restaurant example, does being first include only restaurants in that block. If so, how many blocks are involved? Does it involve restaurants in the category of choice, say only French bistro types?
The other problem of ranking as a goal involves defining the category to compete in, whether gross revenues, market share, or profitability. But the most pernicious implication of this type of goal setting is an almost automatic me-too strategy which becomes the default option. What the present number 1 goes into is slavishly copied and attempted to be exceeded by the challenger with sub-goals like cost is not an impediment in the objective. Poaching talent from Number 1 becomes compelling. Usually, the wannabe ends up with discards and overpay for them.
Game changers like Apple offered products like tablets and smartphones that consumers didn’t even think they wanted, or needed. Leadership in any industry sometimes means changing the rules and redefining the industry category. Can a phone be a computer or a camera? Does Apple belong to the computer industry or the phone sector? It doesn’t seem to matter anymore when categories converge.
The category that one’s business belongs to is not always obvious. Does a gym belong to the fitness business or health care? Defining one’s competition determines the core skills needed to excel. Anyway, in all these exercises, implementation rules. A piece of legislation, say on cyber crime, can be tied up in knots on what it means out there in the real world. It’s the implementing guidelines that make the law workable. Although sometimes ambiguity is an opportunity for side deals.
Even those who accept that the devil is in the details understand that it is still necessary to set goals. While “forest” visionaries tend to have bad accounting habits (it’s not a cost, but an investment) they are the ones who change the game, but not always how they intended to. The detailed “trees” people have to get involved. Sometimes, both types just get lost in the woods.
 
Tony Samson is chairman and CEO, TOUCH xda.
ar.samson@yahoo.com

Sara Duterte’s party, PRP to join forces

THE PEOPLE’S REFORM Party (PRP) of the late senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago is set to forge an alliance with presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio’s regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) on Monday, Dec. 3.
“There will be another Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) alliance agreement signing with the People’s Reform Party (PRP) on December 3, 2018,” former presidential spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in an e-mail on Nov. 30.
Mr. Roque filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) last October to pursue his senatorial bid under the PRP.
“This will be conducted at Casa Roces, San Miguel, Manila, at 1:30 p.m. It will just be a simple ceremony with only the officials of PRP, HNP and few invited guests,” his office added.
Hugpong had formed an alliance last August with three other national parties, Senator Cynthia A. Villar’s Nacionalista Party (NP), the National People’s Coalition (NPC), and National Unity Party (NUP).
That same month, Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos’s Ilocano Timpuyog also joined HNP.
Other parties that joined HNP include Serbisyo sa Bayan Party (SBP) of National Capital Region, Alyansa Bol-anon Alang sa Kausaban (ABAKA) of Bohol, Aggrupation of Party for Progress (APP) of Zamboanga del Norte, Kambilan of Pampanga, PaDayon Pilipino of Misamis Oriental, Tingog Sinirangan of Eastern Visayas, Partido Balikatan of Bataan, and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas–CMD) of Leyte (1st District) Rep. Ferdinand Martin “FM” G. Romualdez.
Ms. Santiago founded the PRP in 1991 when she ran for president in the 1992 presidential elections.
Also on Monday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte will confer on the late senator the Quezon Service Cross, the highest award the government can bestow on outstanding civil servants.
In its statement, the Senate said only five people have been awarded the Quezon Service Cross: the departed interior secretary Jesse M. Robredo in 2012 and Senator Benigno Simeon “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. in 2004, president Ramon D.F. Magsaysay, Sr. in 1957 president Emilio Aguinaldo in 1956, and foreign affairs secretary Carlos P. Romulo in 1951. — Arjay L. Balinbin

2 upcoming Davao convention centers to boost MICE sector

DAVAO CITY — The opening of two new convention centers within the next three years will establish the city as a major meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) destination, government and business officials said.
“We need new convention centers to help us lure this huge [MICE] market,” said Arturo M. Milan, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.
Mr. Milan said these facilities will also help sustain flights to and from the city, particularly international flights.
City Tourism Officer Regina Rosa B. Tecson told BusinessWorld these new convention centers “will serve as magnets for organizers to bring their events to this part of the country.”
Two companies, homegrown LTS Pinnacle Holdings Inc. and listed firm Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI), recently announced their respective plans to put up convention centers in their mixed-use projects.
LTS Pinnacle, owner of the New City Commercial Center (NCCC) chain of local shopping malls and supermarkets, is developing an eight-hectare complex in its Panacan property where its warehouse is currently located.
Althea D. Lucas, LTS Malls Inc. associate vice president, said they see the need for another convention center in the city to cater to bigger events.
“We want to cater to that need as Davao is growing (in terms of businesses in tourism),” Ms. Lucas told BusinessWorld.
On the other hand, CLI, in partnership with local firm YHEST Realty and Development Corp. of the Huang and Villa Abrille clan, is building a convention center in its Paragon Davao complex.
“This convention center, which is expected to have a seating capacity of about 1,000, will become the go-to-place both of locals and visitors alike,” Jose R. Soberano III, CLI chair and chief executive officer, told BusinessWorld during the recent project launch.
At present, the SMX Convention Center is the biggest in the city. The Ayala-Alcantara joint venture has also set up the Tent, a 1,500-capacity space at the Azuela Cove. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

4 convicted for 23 counts of estafa

A QUEZON City court has convicted four people out of 20 involved in an investment scam in 2002. In a 47-page decision released by the Department of Justice, Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 220 convicted Emilia S. Sison, Ireneo C. Sison, Jr., Mirasol H. Aguilar, and Marilou G. Cabalo for 23 counts of estafa and are sentenced to four years and two months to 16 years in prison. The RTC also found Ms. Sison guilty of violating Republic Act No. 8799, the Securities Regulation Code, and is sentenced separately with 10 years imprisonment and a P2 million fine. The accused were initially charged of syndicated estafa, which is punishable by life imprisonment to death. However, with the death of ICS Exports, Inc. incorporator Mimosa Zamudio during the trial, it was downgraded to a simple estafa case. The group lured investors with an offer of interest rate ranging from 8% to 15%. “Evidence shows that the strategy employed by herein accused to induce the public in investing their money to ICS, Inc. is by making a promise of huge monthly interest. In fact, for a few months, ICS Inc., had kept up with said promise by paying interest to satisfied investors and, as expected, enticed more people to invest,” the decision read. “Accused had even made their supposed investors believe that ICS, Inc. is a legitimate company involved in a legitimate business,” it added. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Dengue cases up in Cebu cities, Bohol

REGIONAL health authorities have issued an alert to community anti-dengue brigades to step up measures in combating mosquito population as dengue cases have been on the rise. The Department of Health-Central Visayas (DoH-7) has noted an increasing trend, mainly in the cities of cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue as well as in Bohol province, where a recommendation for a dengue outbreak declaration has been submitted. From Jan. to Nov. 24 this year, dengue cases in the region grew by 20% to 15,171 from 12,671 in the same period last year this year, according to DOH-7 data. Dr. Shelbay G. Blanco, cluster head of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of DOH-7, said the anti-dengue units from the regional level down to the barangays are not lowering their guards, especially on the prevention and monitoring of the disease. “We are not taking things lightly, it’s the very reason we have stepped up our surveillance systems. We are closely coordinating with every local government unit (LGU) and if ever we see increasing dengue cases, we immediately inform and alert these LGUs,” he told The Freeman via text message. Cebu City alone has recorded about 2,660 dengue cases, including 14 deaths, this year. Mr. Blanco also noted that the increasing dengue cases may also be attributed to the improved surveillance system, which is why more patients are recorded and that is why more and more cases are captured in the regular monitoring and reporting. — The Freeman

Military intensifies operations vs NPA in ComVal after attack on banana trucks

THE MILITARY has intensified its operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) in Compostela Valley (ComVal) province following last week’s attack on two trucks of Sumifru (Philippines) Corp. First Lieutenant Daren C. Gapay, 66th Infantry Battalion civil-military operations officer, reported that NPA members flagged down the trucks loaded with Cavendish bananas along the Ngan Road in Barangay Tamia in the town of Compostela, and when the vehicles did not stop, they were fired upon. The military report said a mother and her five-year old son were wounded in the incident. The non-government group Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) has earlier reported on alleged labor rights violations by Sumifru. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

Nationwide round-up

Crimes on the rise as holiday season comes to town

AFTER A 17.39% drop in reported crimes in the first half of the year, the Philippine National Police (PNP) attributed the slight increase of common crime victims in the third quarter to the approaching holiday season.
“The slight increase in the number of Filipinos who fell victims to crime over the past three months can be attributed to the holiday season and a greater confidence of citizens to report crime to the police,” PNP Director General Oscar D. Albayalde said in a statement on Sunday, Dec. 2.
The latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey indicated that 1.4 million families agreed that a household member was victimized by pick pocketing or robbery of personal property, break-ins, car theft or physical violence in the third quarter of 2018.
“There are certain crime types that are ‘seasonal’ in terms of frequency which become more prevalent when the element of opportunity is present such as during the holiday season when the objects of crime abound,” said Mr. Albayalde.
However, the SWS survey also showed an improvement in the feeling of safety and security of citizens against property crimes like burglary from 55% in June 2018 to 52% in September 2018.
“Overall, we take this empirical measure of public perception of experience with crime as an indication of greater feeling of safety from crime and subsequently lesser fear of crime,” the police chief said.
Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption President and Spokesperson Arsenio G. Evangelista agreed criminals are taking advantage of the holiday season to commit crimes.
“Those common crimes, like crime against property, shoot up because of the advent of the long holiday… criminals also celebrate Christmas. Lately, riding in tandem snatchers are visible,” Mr. Evangelista, speaking in mixed English and Filipino, said in a phone interview with BusinessWorld.
“How can the police address this? Mahirap (It is difficult),” Mr. Evangelista acknowledged.
He suggested that the police partner with the military to increase security visibility this season in shopping malls, transport terminals, and other identified crime-prone areas.
“Meaning buddy system… inside the mall, outside the mall, in identified crime-prone areas,” said Mr. Evangelista.
He added that local government units “should also do some interventions in their areas,” such as dispatching force multipliers who can assist the police.
Meanwhile, the PNP will step up police operations to halt the increase in the victimization rate.
“To break the cycle, we are reinforcing focused police operations against street crime and other forms of criminal activity that are prevalent during the holiday season,” said Mr. Albayalde.
“These include non-contact crime committed through cyberspace and telecommunication platforms which is fast becoming a notorious form of crime against property.” — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

No stopping order for Espenido return to Ozamiz City

MALACAÑANG said over the weekend that there is no compelling reason to revoke President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s order to reassign Police Superintendent Jovie R. Espenido back to Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) indicted Mr. Espenido last September for six counts of homicide in connection with a police operation in Ozamiz City in July 2017.
Mr. Espenido, who has been ordered to serve in Virac, Catanduanes, was the police chief of Albuera, Leyte in 2016 when then mayor Rolando R. Espinosa, Sr. was slain by cops. He was also the police chief of Ozamiz City in 2017 when then mayor Reynaldo O. Parojinog, Sr. and 14 others were killed in a police raid.
“The Palace finds no compelling reason to revoke the reassignment order of PNP Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, which took effect last November 29, on account of the opposing call by this certain group called the Concerned Ozamiz Professionals (COP), whose existence is questionable, and if it does exist is obviously supporters of the drug syndicate,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a statement on Dec. 1.
He added: “With its extensive database, the Philippine National Police is in the best position to decide on which strategies are best to undertake in stopping criminality for each locality.”
Mr. Panelo also said Mr. Espenido’s recall “is necessitated by the successful prosecution of the drug cases filed in court against the Parojinogs as he led the police operations against the illegal drugs in Ozamiz.”
“Even assuming that the incidence of crimes in Ozamiz has decreased, this can be attributable to the relentless drive of Espenido against criminal elements, and the more reason should he be taken back as police chief so he could continue his determined drive to rid Ozamiz City of the illegal drug operators,” he said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

No letting up for Eagles after Game One victory

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
DRAWING first blood in their blockbuster best-of-three University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 81 finals series, the Ateneo Blue Eagles are not keen on letting up and looking forward to closing out the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in Game Two later this week.
Took Game One, 88-79, on Saturday in front of a huge crowd of 21,608 at the Mall of Asia Arena, the Eagles moved a win away from repeating as UAAP champions and solidifying their standing as the gold standard in the league right now.
It is something Ateneo said it is happy to be in but admitted that it did come easy as UP came out fighting and determined not only to compete but to win.
“UP showed it deserves to be in the finals. We knew that whoever came out from the UP-Adamson series in the Final Four will present a challenge for us so we really came in prepared,” said Ateneo deputy coach Sandy Arespacochaga following their Game One win.
“We just made sure we were up there defensively. We made sure that Paul Desiderio and Juan Gomez De Liano did not get a high percentage. These guys are good, really good and that was one of our targets, one of our goals defensively. We’re not happy that Jun Manzo got 19 points on a high percentage and allowed them 13 three-pointers on 47% shooting. It something we will look at for us to come up with a good game plan for Wednesday. We will look at the tapes,” he added.
In Game One, UP captain Desiderio struggled for five points on 33% shooting. Gomez De Liano had 17 points but only shot 36% from the field.
On the part of Thirdy Ravena, who had a near triple-double of 21 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in Game One, the go-getting and hardworking mindset that has been doing it for them continues as they head into what potentially could be the closeout match on Dec. 5.
“As Coach Tab [Baldwin] said, people think we do things differently for situations like this. Actually it’s the same preparation for us, working hard in practice and watching tapes. That is what got us here so we won’t change that,” said Ravena, who got the Eagles going to start the game and teamed up with guard Matt Nieto to help the Eagles finish strong to get the win.
Nieto had a game-high 27 points, going four-of-five from beyond the arc.
Game Two of the UAAP Season 81 finals is on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

PHL Gilas seeks to salvage win in qualifier home stand

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
HAD its FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier bid dealt a big blow last time around, the Philippine men’s national basketball team looks to bounce back in its fifth-window home stand today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City against Iran.
Fell to Kazakhstan, 92-88, on Nov. 30 in the first of two games at home, Gilas Pilipinas dropped to joint third in the standings in the merged Group F and was pushed into a position where it has to sweep its remaining games in the qualifier to advance to the World Cup in China next year complication-free, beginning in today’s game against visiting Iran set for 7:30 p.m.
Unable to contain the mobile big men of Kazakhstan, notably veteran Alexandr Zhigulin, Yeng Guiao-coached Gilas was left frustrated all game long as it could not get its game soaring as much as it wanted to.
Mr. Zhigulin outplayed his counterpart from the Philippines, torching Gilas with 30 points, going 10-of-16 from the field and six-of-12 from beyond the arc, to go along with seven rebounds.
Backstopping him was center Anton Bykov who had a near double-double of 20 points and nine boards.
Designated Filipino naturalized player Stanley Pringle tried his best to lead Gilas to the victory, finishing with 29 points, 14 coming in an impressive third-quarter performance, but it proved not enough in the end.
June Mar Fajardo had 14 points and 13 rebounds while Marcio Lassiter had 13 in the loss.
The defeat dropped the Philippines to joint third place with streaking Japan at 5-4, behind group leaders Australia (8-1) and Iran (6-3).
Tournament format calls for the top three teams from the two merged groupings advancing to the FIBA World Cup 2019.
Mr. Guiao said that it was lamentable that they were not able to get the job done against Kazakhstan but remains optimistic that they would be able to bounce back and fortify anew their spot to advance to the main draw of the World Cup.
“We’re disappointed with the loss but we still have one game left on Monday and we cannot feel too negative about this loss. I think we can still salvage the situation if we are able to put up a good game against Iran and learn from this game,” said Mr. Guiao during the postgame press conference on Friday.
“We are still a long way from being the team we really wanted to be and exploit our full potential. But I take full responsibility for this and we’re looking to play better in our next game,” he added.
As of this writing, Gilas has yet to release the names of the players who will make up the team against Iran.
But Christian Standhardinger is set to replace Mr. Pringle as the team’s naturalized player with Gilas veterans Jayson Castro and Troy Rosario as well as Arwind Santos reportedly joining the team.
Iran, for its part, is coming into the game off a 76-47 shellacking at the hands of Australia in Melbourne also on Nov. 30.
Gilas Pilipinas versus Iran will be shown live over TV5 and live stream over espn5.com.

Azkals bow to Vietnam, 2-1, in first leg of their Suzuki Cup semis

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Philippine men’s national football team has to go through the eye of the needle to reach the final of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup after it fell to Vietnam, 2-1, in the first leg of their semifinals at the Panaad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City on Sunday.
Failing to defend homecourt, the Philippine Azkals now have to win by at least 2-nil when they go to Hanoi and play The Golden Dragons in four days’ time if they are to barge into the championship of the biennial regional tournament.
Vietnam did not waste much time to get on the scoreboard with Nguyen Anh Duc giving the visiting side the early 1-0 lead in the 12th minute.
It tried to add on to it but the Philippine defense would hold its own for the rest of the opening half.
The Azkals made a last-ditch effort to level the count before the halftime break and was rewarded accordingly with Patrick Reichelt converting a goal off a pass from captain Phil Younghusband inside the three minutes added time in the first half of the contest.
Just like in the opening half, Vietnam would strike early as Phan Van Duc scored just three minutes into the restart.
The Azkals tried to get back the goal they gave but The Golden Dragons would continue to frustrate them even as Vietnam had its chances to end up with a bigger lead but could not complete them.
Four minutes were added after regulation but no Philippine comeback was to come as it slumped to the defeat.
“I think we played well. It’s just that we gave up two goals quite easily. But there is still the away game, so let’s see,” said Azkals coach Sven-Goran Eriksson after the game.
The second leg of the semifinals of Vietnan and the Philippines is on Thursday, Dec. 6, at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi.

Mark Barriga falls short in title quest with split decision loss to Licona

FILIPINO boxer Mark Barriga fell in his quest to become the next world champion from the Philippines after being edged out by Mexican Carlos Licona by split decision in their International Boxing Federation minimum weight world title clash at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday (Manila time).
Mr. Barriga, a former Olympian, fought tooth and nail against Mr. Licona for the whole 12 rounds but just could not swing the judges’ numbers in his favor.
When the battle smoke cleared, Mr. Licona had two judges going for him, 115-113 and 115-113, while one went for Barriga, 115-113.
Represented the Philippines in the 2012 London Olympics, Mr. Barriga (9-1) was undefeated in his nine previous fights heading into yesterday’s title bout and was hoping to become the first Filipino Olympian to win a world title.
A professional for just two years, 25-year-old Barriga, a Davao native, has steadily climbed the ranks to position himself in the mix in his division, earning a shot at the previously vacant IBF minimumweight title.
With the win, Mr. Licona (14-0), meanwhile, continued to remain undefeated.
Meanwhile, in the main event of yesterday’s boxing offering, heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (40-0-1) retained his World Boxing Council title with a split draw with Tyson Fury (27-0-1).
One judge scored it 115-111 for Wilder and another 114-110 for Fury with the last judge having it 113-113 for the split draw.
It was an action-filled contest right from the beginning with both fighters going all out.
Along the way Mr. Fury took the canvas twice but made up for it by staying aggressive.
Following the split draw, both fighters said they were looking at doing it again in a possible rematch. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Philippine Go For Gold wrestling team begins yearlong preparation for 2019 SEA Games

BEFORE the year ends, the Philippine Go For Gold wrestling team will go to a much-needed international trip in an effort to win more gold medals in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Two-time SEAG gold medalist Margarito Angana Jr. and veterans Jhonny Morte and Alvin Lobreguito are ready to measure themselves against some of the fiercest wrestlers in the continent during the Jagsport Wrestling Championship in Singapore on Dec. 6-9.
Angana will see action in the 61-kilogram men’s freestyle senior event while Lobreguito and Morte have been entered in the 57kg and 65kg of the same event where grapplers from Uzbekistan, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore are set to compete.
Also vying for gold medals in the three-day tourney are Royce Tiu (86kg), Ronil Tubog (61kg), Jonathan Maquilan (65kg) and cadet division entry Cadel Evance Hualda (80kg).
“I believe that our wrestlers will do well and continue to prove that we are one of the best in Asia,” said Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go.
Besides wrestling, Go For Gold has been supporting the training and exposure of national and junior athletes from cycling, triathlon, sepak takraw, skateboarding, and dragonboat.
“We need to expose our wrestlers to this kind of tournament if we want to achieve something in the SEA Games,” said Go For Gold project director Ednalyn Hualda, a former national grappler herself.
Joining the team in Singapore are coaches and former national wrestlers Michael Baletin and Efrelyn Crosby.
“This is part of our year-long preparation for the SEA Games. The more tournaments that we participate in, the better for our wrestlers,” said Crosby.
There are tentatively 15 gold medals at stake in wrestling during the 30th SEA Games scheduled a year from now with five weight categories each for men’s Greco Roman, freestyle and women’s freestyle.

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