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Global brand Herbalife Nutrition pushing for further sports nutrition understanding

WHILE the concept of sports nutrition has been gaining much awareness globally, proponents of it still believe more can still be done in spreading knowledge about it so as to inspire a bigger number of people to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.

One such advocate of knowing sports nutrition and its benefits is Herbalife Nutrition, a company that not only produces scientifically backed and well-researched nutritional supplements, among other wellness products, but also has been active in promoting the value of being well informed and guided by proper knowledge on sports nutrition.

As part of its “2018 Spectacular” event last weekend, Herbalife Nutrition Philippines brought over Dr. Dana Ryan, Herbalife senior manager for sports performance and education, to share her experience on sports nutrition, touching on what it is all about, how far it has come and what can still be done to further cultivate knowledge on it.

“Sports nutrition has its foundation in general nutrition. It basically involves making sure you get the right quality of protein, fat and carbohydrates, among others. Sports nutrition is taking those and giving them at the right time. It also involves understanding the stress that your body is going through during exercise,” said Ms. Ryan in a roundtable discussion with local media last Friday at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Ms. Ryan, who has worked with members of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Barcelona FC and Liga in Ecuador, football players training for the National Football League Combine and others in support of their nutrition programs, also underscored and moved to debunk the myth that sports nutrition is just for elite athletes and Olympians, saying it is practically for everybody who is generally active.

“The idea behind sports nutrition is balance between physical activity and good nutrition. You don’t have to be an elite athlete or an Olympian to know sports nutrition. The benefits of it are not only in appearance but also on productivity whatever it is you are doing,” the Herbalife official said.

PICKING UP
Ms. Ryan also shared that they at Herbalife are upbeat at the direction reception to sport nutrition is heading, with more and more people opening up to it and recognizing how game-changing it can be for those who pick it up as part of their lifestyle and training regimen.

“Five years ago what we are doing right now would not have been possible. Just the word sports nutrition being out there, the industry itself growing globally and it going main stream is really awesome. Before we had products that only athletes pick up but now we see some of the products in grocery stores with young kids starting early. A lot more people are embracing it,” said Ms. Ryan.

With that in mind, she said Herbalife is really making an effort to get the word out more on sports nutrition, tying up with the top teams and athletes in the world and helping them with their nutritional programs to get the best results and serve as further proof of the concept’s value.

“Right now we have over 150 sponsored athletes. Over 80 athletes competed in the last Olympics in Rio. Our goal is to create better understanding because there is a lot of confusion on nutrition,” she said.

Here in the Philippines, Ms. Ryan said she was pleased to see that the concept of sports nutrition is gaining a foothold, having spent some time with Filipino athletes while she was here.

“We talked about how they could structure supplements in their training and what their bodies need to achieve the needed results. They have some baseline knowledge on sport nutrition but I think more can still to be done as far as education on a bigger level much like in other parts of the world,” Ms. Ryan said. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Agriculture, manufacturing agreement signed with Turkey

THE PHILIPPINES and Turkey have signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) on investment in agriculture, manufacturing and services during the first Joint Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation meeting in Ankara. 

In a statement released by the Board of Investments, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez outlined the agreed areas of cooperation in the first MoU: services and infrastructure, agro-processing, manufacturing and the further development of mico, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“Engaging with Turkey is in line with the thrust of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s administration to engage with nontraditional trading partners to reinvigorate ties and increase trade between both countries,” Mr. Lopez said. 

In the area of agriculture exports, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is looking at expanding mango, coconuts and banana shipments to Turkey. Manufactured goods include textiles, clothing and pharmaceuticals.

The Philippines currently exports desiccated coconut, personal care goods, electronics and tires to Turkey.

“During our discussions, we noticed that there are opportunities for our Philippine exporters — whether for manufactured goods or services — to further tap the Turkish market,” Mr. Lopez said.

In services, the areas for cooperation were listed as customs, energy, science and technology, education, film and creative industries, defense, contracting and consultancy. 

The Turkish side hopes to expand the Philippine market for its textiles, tourism, pharmaceutical, and infrastructure development industries.

Turkey is the Philippines’ 45th-largest trading partner. In the first 11 months of 2017, bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to $163 million.

Turkey’s per capita income is twice as large as that of the Philippines and grew its economy 11.1% in the third quarter last year.

Turkey has also expressed special interest in the Marawi rebuilding effort via Islamic financing channels.

“The Philippines is committed to pursue several growth opportunities by strengthening partnerships with emerging economic partners like Turkey,” Mr. Lopez said.

DTI’s Turkish counterpart is set to hold an investments and trade mission to the Philippines next month.

Another MoU, which was signed by the Philippine ambassador to Turkey, centers on cooperation in agriculture, rural development, irrigation and promotion of joint ventures between private sectors. — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

Sacrificed at the altar of law and politics

Almost every day, I pass by the unfinished structure of what should have been the second building of Ospital ng Makati. This Malugay Street hospital building, had it been completed, would have served the citizens of the city’s 1st district. The first hospital is located in the 2nd district, on Sampaguita Street, just beyond Bonifacio Global City.

Sayang is the word that always comes to mind when I drive by. What a waste. And in this day and age of expensive medical care, and high medical insurance costs, having a second public hospital — and right in the city center — would have truly benefitted Makati City residents like me, as well as millions of day and night workers who go to jobs or businesses in the city daily.

But, I guess, it was just not meant to be. And, I dare say, because politics got in the way. This is not to brush aside the corruption allegations surrounding the entire deal — the reason it was stopped. But, the fact remains, had it not been for politics and political ambition, that second hospital may have been up by now and perhaps operating by end of this year.

All the other buildings that were going up alongside it are now mostly finished. New residences and commercial spaces that will soon be teeming with people. That hospital, had it been built, would have benefitted them. And, it would have been the only public hospital in the vicinity of the Makati Central Business District, which is the country’s premier financial district.

Questions for those directly and indirectly responsible for halting the construction: What happens now? What do we now do with the unfinished structure? What happens to the public money — from city residents — that has been spent so far on building the new hospital? And, more important, will the city still build a second hospital particularly within the city’s 1st district?

Not very many people can afford private hospitals and health care. If not for private medical insurance — which is not cheap — and PhilHealth, prolonged hospitalization can leave you devastated, financially. For many city residents, the public health system is the only recourse. And yet, they have been denied yet again this most basic public service. That’s politics.

To my thinking, if anybody is guilty of corrupting the deal and benefitting from it, then charge them and prosecute them immediately. And, if a verdict is rendered in favor of the government, collect from the guilty what they stole. But, this shouldn’t mean we should stop altogether what would have been a good project — like a hospital — that will truly benefit people.

Can we not resume the project, perhaps with a new budget and maybe a new contractor if the previous one is found complicit in the corruption charge? After all, if there was an original budget for the project, and not all of it has been released since the original project was not completed, then there should still be some money left to restart the project?

Cost estimates may have to be revised, and any overpricing adjusted back. Additional budget may have to come from the city government to complete construction. And any prohibitions in law against the continuation of the construction should be reviewed, with the aim of maximizing the use of government resources and promoting the interest of the public. I believe that hospital project should be allowed to continue. It is the moral thing to do.

Recall how imported license plates were seized by Customs because duties and taxes were not paid? Customs, instead of destroying them, opted to donate them to the Land Transportation Office so that motorists could make use of them. It is just that two lawmakers insisted on asking the Supreme Court to stop the donation. After 19 months, the Court ruled the donation was legal and could be done. After a long wait, the plates will go to motorists who paid for them.

In short, the government upholds the law not simply for the sake of upholding it, but upholding it primarily to ensure that the law protects and promotes the common good, public interest, and welfare. There should be ways around restrictions, legally, if they tend to impinge on public good. In the case of the Malugay hospital, why shouldn’t we find ways to continue to build it?

In January, the government ordered the destruction of over 1,000 vehicles illegally imported into the Cagayan freeport. And two days ago, a batch of 20 cars in Manila were likewise wrecked. The smuggled cars were considered “fruits of the poisonous tree,” and were destroyed because of the “principle in law that no benefit could be derived from anything obtained through unlawful means.”

In a speech, the President was quoted as explaining why the vehicles were not auctioned instead. “Don’t sell it, because the situation will remain the same,” he said. “They’ll [smugglers] still be the only ones who will benefit from it, and they’ll be the ones who will wait for the next auction. It’s legal and cheap, because it’s auctioned.”

This was the same argument used by my good friend when we talked about the issue, as he noted that the present “system” could not be trusted to ensure that the smugglers were prosecuted, and the cars would not be auctioned back to them or their representatives.

To my mind, however, there are no guarantees that the smugglers will actually be prosecuted. Even the destruction of the vehicles will not guarantee prosecution. Moreover, through an auction, some money can still go the government, which can be used to pay for public services. By destroying the vehicles, no money goes to the government at all.

As for the principle in law that no benefit could be derived from anything obtained through unlawful means, perhaps this should be seen in a more pragmatic way. Better yet, perhaps the law can be revised. Anybody can understand if we are talking about illegal drugs, then they should be destroyed. But a smuggled vehicle? A half-built public hospital? Should this be destroyed, too? And such destruction is for the public good?

 

Marvin A. Tort is a former managing editor of BusinessWorld, and a former chairman of the Philippines Press Council.

matort@yahoo.com

Detachable tablet market rebounds

Tablet Makers

THE worldwide detachable tablet market grew to 6.5 million units in the fourth quarter of 2017 (4Q17), an increase of 10.3% from the previous holiday season, according to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker.

Growth for the entire year remained positive although it showed signs of slowing as detachable tablets grew 1.6% year over year in 2017, down from the 24% growth in 2016.

Apple maintained a solid lead in the holiday quarter driving growth both through its lower-priced 9.7-inch iPad as well as its newly refreshed iPad Pro products.

Amazon.com was able to steal the second position from rival Samsung as the online giant offered steep discounts during the holiday season.

Samsung dropped to the third position behind Amazon. Shipments of its detachable portfolio continue to rise, however, these gains are outweighed by the declines seen among its slate models.

Huawei’s half-hearted approach to the growing detachable segment does not offer a promising outlook for the company. However, the company’s strong brand, aggressive channel strategy, and inclusion of cellular connectivity in its slate tablets has helped cement its rank in the top 5.

Lenovo’s ability to leverage its strength from the traditional PC business is starting to pay off as the company’s detachable tablet business has grown in the past year. However, the bulk of Lenovo’s tablets are still comprised of slates that offer great value at low prices.

Property firm hopes to capitalize on Bay Area boom

By Krista A. M. Montealegre,
National Correspondent

A NEW PROPERTY company hopes to ride the wave of growth in the Bay Area, with the development of the first office-for-sale project in the booming central business district.

Golden Bay Properties, Inc. is set to invest P1.3 billion to develop  Aspire Corporate Plaza, a 10-storey office building along Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City, Jardin Brian B. Wong, the company’s chief operating officer, said in a briefing in Pasay City on Wednesday.

The investment will rise by another P1 billion if the value of the 3,500 square meter property will be considered, Mr. Wong said, but declined to provide the actual cost of the land when purchased last year from a private individual.

Aspire Corporate Plaza will rise behind the Golden Bay Fresh Seafood Restaurant, which is being run by the same group behind Golden Bay Properties. The project will be completed in two years.

“The Bay Area is now the new central business district as office spaces are fast running out in the Makati, Ortigas and Bonifacio Global City areas. The location is modern and teeming with energy. It is perfect especially for businesses in the Binondo area that are looking into moving to a prime location,” Mr. Wong said.

Golden Bay Properties’ foray into the real estate sector comes at a time when a record amount of supply is flooding the office market that may push vacancy rates to double-digit levels for the first time since 2010.

To set itself apart, Mr. Wong said Aspire Corporate Plaza will be the first office-for-sale project in the Bay Area. Golden Bay Properties pegged the price of the office units at an average of about P230,000 to P240,000 per square meter.

The company has sold about 40% of the 73 available office units since pre-selling started two to three months ago to companies engaged in shipping, logistics, tourism and steel manufacturing, Mr. Wong said. The company hopes to sell out the remaining inventory within the year.

Aspire Corporate Plaza is offering entrepreneurs and businesses based in Manila the opportunity to upgrade and have their own space. Half of the eight locators that have bought units in Aspire are located in Binondo and Malate.

Golden Bay Properties has assembled an architectural, engineering and construction team that includes Asya Design Partner, Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corp., D.A. Abcede & Associates, Meinhardt Philippines, Inc. and Megawide Construction Corp.

“We’re offering premium products. We understand we are new that’s why we didn’t take a beat in bringing in the leading names in the construction industry. It’s a matter of differentiating ourselves,” Mr. Wong said.

MPBL: Quezon City joins Navotas and Batangas City in share of lead

QUEZON CITY Capitals and Muntinlupa Cagers asserted their might over their respective rivals to notch their second win in the MPBL Anta-Rajah Cup late Tuesday night at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.

The Capitals, backed by Royal Manila, blasted visiting Imus Bandera, 84-75, as the home squad was able to outplay its counterpart on both ends of the court.

Jessie Collado finished with 17 points and eight rebounds while ex-La Salle stalwart PJ Barua contributed 15 markers, including the first three-point shot of the game that triggered the Capitals’ early hot start. Quezon City raced to an early 29-17 lead and led by as many as 24 points, 75-51, off Jeymark Mallari’s split charities halfway the fourth period.

The Capitals grabbed a total of 60 rebounds, 14 more than the GLC Truck and Equipment-backed Bandera team. Quezon City’s bench production was also more superior, producing 58 compared to Imus’ 38.

Jomar Santos and Joco Tayongtong added 10 apiece for Quezon City, which joined Novaliches and Batangas City in a share of the lead with 2-0 win-loss records.

“It’s still a long way to go,” said Quezon City coach Vis Valencia. “Seven games, a lot of things can happen. We’ll just do it one at a time. I saw Navotas and Batangas City, they’re good to go. On our part, we’re still trying to develop chemistry.”

Just like the Capitals, the Muntinlupa Cagers, supported by Angelis Resort, ran roughshod over the Caloocan Supremos-Longrich, 89-76, in the other game.

Former PBA player Chito Jaime knocked in 23 points. He already had 14 in the early part of the second period, allowing Muntinlupa to take a 31-24 lead.

A three-point play by Gino Ylagan in the 3:20 mark of the third period gave Muntinlupa a 68-42 lead and the team never looked back. It was the second straight victory by the Cagers, both of them coming away from home.

“It’s painful to lose our home game, but we’re fortunate to win our next two games. Hopefully, we could bounce back in our next home game,” added Muntinlupa coach Aldrin Morante. — Rey Joble

Quo vadis Hou Yifan?

80th Tata Steel Masters
Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands
Jan. 12-28, 2018

Final Standings

1-2. Magnus Carlsen NOR 2834, Anish Giri NED 2752, 9.0/13

3-4. Vladimir Kramnik RUS 2787, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov AZE 2804, 8.5/13

5-6. Viswanathan Anand IND 2767, Wesley So USA 2792, 8.0/13

7. Sergey Karjakin RUS 2753, 7.5/13

8. Peter Svidler RUS 2768, 6.0/13

9. Wei Yi CHN 2743, 5.5/13

10-12. Gawain Jones ENG 2640, Fabiano Caruana USA 2811, Maxim Matlakov RUS 2718, 5.0/13

13. Baskaran Adhiban IND 2655, 3.5/13

14. Hou Yifan CHN 2680, 2.5/13

Ave. Rating 2750 Category 20

Time Control: 100 minutes for the first 40 moves followed by 50 minutes for the next 20 moves then 15 minutes play-to-finish with 30 seconds added to your clock after every move starting move 1.

Hou Yifan was born on Feb. 27, 1994 in Xinghua (this is the city where the Chinese communists fought the Kuomintang Nationalists immediately after World War II and resulted in a communist victory), in the province of Jiangsu (to the North of Shanghai), China. At the age of 16 she won the 2010 Women’s World Championship in Hatay, Turkey and, with the exception of two short breaks in 2012 and 2015 (Ukraine’s Anna Ushenina and Mariya Muzychuk, respectively, won the KO world championship but were later defeated in a match) reigned up to 2017 when, after a falling out with the world chess ruling body, she declined to defend her title.

Her trials did not end there. Having decided henceforth not to compete in women-only tournaments she participated in the 2017 Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival, a 10-round Swiss System event. This event is very popular because the organizers try to attract as many world class chessers as possible and offer many attractive prizes and all sorts of special awards for women. For the 2017 edition a total of 255 chessers showed up at the starting bell, including 43 females. This was not the first time that Hou Yifan competed. In 2012 she took part and faced two women in 10 rounds. In 2015 she was not matched against a single woman. In 2017 however she had to face seven women in the first 9 rounds. Listening to some very bad advice, Hou then threw her last round game in a sign of protest.

Hou, Yifan (2651) — Lalith, Babu MR (2587) [A00]
Gibraltar Masters 15th Caleta (10), 02.02.2017

1.g4 d5 2.f3 e5 3.d3 Qh4+ 4.Kd2 h5 5.h3 hxg4 0–1

Nothing can justify throwing a game. It is an insult to your opponent, the organizers and yourself. As the organizers pointed out the pairings every round were generated by a computer chess program (SwissManager) which is used in a great majority of tournaments all around the world, and the pairings can be replicated for her to see.

I thought Hou’s protest was more a factor of her painful loss to her close rival Ju Wenjun (the no. 2 highest-rated woman player in the world behind Hou) in round 8.

Hou, Yifan (2651) — Ju, Wenjun (2583) [C11]
Gibraltar Masters 15th Caleta (8), 31.01.2017

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 Be7 8.Qd2 0–0 9.dxc5 Nxc5 10.0–0–0 a6 11.Qf2 b6 12.Nd4 Qc7 13.g3 Bb7 14.Bg2 Na5 15.f5 Qxe5 16.Bf4 Qf6 17.h4 e5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Bg5 Qd6 20.Bxe7 Qxe7 21.Bxd5 exd4 22.Bxa8 Rxa8 23.Rhe1 Qc7 24.b4

Not 24.Qxd4?? N(either)b3+

24…Nc6 25.bxc5 bxc5 26.Qf4 Qb6 27.Qd6 h5 28.Re5 c4 29.Rde1 c3 30.Re8+ Rxe8 31.Rxe8+ Kh7 32.Qd5?

The game has been well-fought. Now, 32.f6! threatening a mating attack starting with Rh8+ would have forced Black to take perpetual check.

32…d3! 33.Qxd3 Nb4!

Black still has to be careful. 33…Qg1+? 34.Qd1 and it is white who wins.

34.Qe4 Qg1+ 35.Qe1 Qg2!

With the idea of mate on c2.

36.Qe4

Hou realizes that her planned 36.Qe2 is met by 36…Qh1+ 37.Qe1 Qb7! when the threatened Nxa2+ forces resignation. So she blocks the h1–a8 diagonal.

36…Qd2+ Followed by mate on d1. 0–1

Hou Yifan was devastated by this loss and these bad feelings I think were what triggered the last-round protest.

Hou Yifan’s next stop was the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea where she played in the Chess.com Open Masters 2017. There were 160 participants in the event including around 20 women. For some weird reason her opponents in the first four rounds were Alexandra Kosteniuk, Elisabeth Paehtz, Nino Batsiashvili and Yuliya Shvayger, all women! Anyway, Hou took a half-point bye in the 5th round and this seemed to break the jinx — her 4 remaining opponents were all men.

For the rest of the year Hou Yifan continued to play in tournaments with solid but not spectacular results. Then towards the end of the year came the announcement that she was the recipient of the very prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford. This has nothing to do with her being a former world chess champion or being a grandmaster — Hou had completed her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in international studies at Beijing University where she has twice placed first in a comprehensive department raking. Over 12,000 students worldwide applied to be 2017 Rhodes Scholars and Hou Yifan was one among four Chinese candidates granted.

In Oxford, she will be pursuing a Master of Science in Education. The Rhodes Scholarship will cover her total expenses equal to £30,000 (roughly P2 million) in every school year.

This is a chance in a lifetime but will entail full-time attention and might force her to stop competing for a few years.

It is against that backdrop that she competed in this year’s Tata Steel Masters. This might be her last super GM tournament for a while so there was this extra little bit of pressure to do well. Unfortunately, as the tournament table above shows, Hou Yifan finished last. She was winless with five draws and eight losses.

In the last round, in her last attempt to get on the win column, her opponent was Wesley So, one of the nicest guys around but merciless on the chessboard. And he brutally took her down.

So, Wesley (2792) — Hou, Yifan (2680) [E01]
80th Tata Steel Masters Wijk aan Zee NED (13.7), 28.01.2018

1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.d4 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Bd6

The usual move here is 5…Be7. Perhaps Hou put her bishop on d6 to provoke Wesley into playing 6.c5 after which Black will have some sort of target and she can follow-up with ideas based on …b7–b6xc5.

6.Nc3 0–0?!

Hou took 3 minutes over her 4th move and another three minutes over this one. I don’t think this is a prepared line.

7.cxd5!

If you studied Wesley So games and his comments/annotations you will notice that he has no dogmas — no move is made automatically “on principle” — everything has to be analyzed, checked and re-checked. This is a perfect example — Doesn’t white win a pawn by cxd5 exd5 Nxd5 Nxd5 Bxd5? But then Black can discover an attack on the d5 piece with …Bxg3. But then White would be able to open a file against the Black king. Hmmm… calculate, analyze, assess the resulting position… ok, let’s play it!

7…exd5 8.Nxd5 Nxd5 9.Bxd5 Bxg3 10.Qb3 Bd6 11.Nf3 <D>

POSITION AFTER 11.NF3

This is the position Wesley had to consider carefully — His king will castle queenside and both rooks can participate in the attack. No reason for him not to go for it.

11…c6 12.Bc4 Bf5 13.Ng5 Qe7

[13…Bg6 14.h4 b5 15.Bd3 looks scary]

14.Qf3 Bg6

[14…Be6 doesn’t work because of 15.Qh5! Bf5 (15…h6 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Bxh6 is winning) 16.Nxf7 Rxf7 17.Qxf5 Nd7 18.Qxf7+ Qxf7 19.Bxf7+ Kxf7 20.e4 White has a decisive advantage]

15.h4 Bb4

Desperately trying to exchange some pieces. 15…h5 16.Bd3 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 g6 18.0–0–0 followed by e2–e4 is hard to defend against.

16.0–0–0 Bxd2+ 17.Rxd2 h5 18.Rg1 Nd7 19.Qg3 Nb6 20.Bb3 Qf6 21.e4 Rae8 22.e5 Qf5 23.Bc2 Qg4 24.Bxg6 Qxg3 25.Bh7+ Kh8 26.Rxg3 f6 27.Bg6 fxg5 28.Bxe8 gxh4 29.Rg5 Rxe8 30.Rxh5+ 1–0

What is going to happen to Hou Yifan now? The strongest woman player in the history of the game is Judit Polgar — her peak rating was 2735, she was ranked no. 8 in the list of the world’s top players and she is the only woman ever to have qualified for a world championship tournament (in 2005).

Hou Yifan is not so bad herself. She has a peak rating of 2680 and the next highest-rated woman, Ju Wenjun, has a peak rating of 2572 — more than 100 points behind.

Is Hou Yifan about to exit the chess tournament circuit? Let us hope not.

 

Bobby Ang is a founding member of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and its first Executive Director. A Certified Public Accountant, he taught accounting in the University of Santo Tomas for 25 years and is currently Chief Audit Executive of the Equicom Group of Companies.

bobby@cpamd.net

A solid law

Almost 18 years have gone by now since Congress passed Republic Act No. 9003, known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. The law aims to manage the worsening garbage problem in the country by involving various stakeholders from the grassroots households and communities to local and national government offices and agencies.

Among other things, the Act provides for: 1) the protection of public health and environment; 2) the use of environmentally sound methods to fully use valuable resources and encourage its conservation and recovery; 3) the setting of guidelines and targets for solid waste avoidance and volume reduction; 4) the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment, and disposal of solid waste; 5) the encouragement of greater private sector participation in waste management; and 6) the retention of primary enforcement and responsibility of solid waste management with local government units.

Sadly, as with many enacted laws in the country, we have collectively failed to implement this law at all levels — individual, household, local, and national government, and the private sector. Whenever I ask my class how many of them live in communities that properly segregate and collect garbage, I would be lucky if two or three students in a class of 20 would raise their hands. It certainly is not happening in the community I live in.

Metro Manila alone generates an estimated 3,000 tons of garbage every day. And the local government has been greatly challenged in looking for dump sites for this much garbage, of which 10% is recovered for recycling — if we are lucky.

Every rainy season, Metro Manila and a lot of urbanized centers nationwide are flooded because natural waterways are used as dumping grounds for garbage. Just look at Manila Bay, Laguna de Bay, and the Pasig River, three of the more famous bodies of water in the metropolis, and you will see them teeming not with marine life but with all kinds of garbage. Diseases such as hepatitis B and C, dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, and other illnesses will continue to spread if we do not do anything about our chronic garbage problem.

Instead of cursing our situation and pointing our fingers at everyone else to solve this mess, we can start by doing what we can. The first is committing to help in managing the garbage issue. Let us be mindful of the garbage we accumulate. We should give to garbage collectors only what we cannot recycle, reuse, or sell for salvage value.

We should have the mind-set of reusing materials, such as printing on scratch paper. We can gather paper-based materials and other non-usable and broken gadgets and appliances and sell or give these to itinerant bote-dyaryo collectors in our communities. We can also give left-over food to individuals who need kanin-baboy. Truly, one man’s waste is another man’s treasure. You will be inspired to know that we were ahead of the curve; even before it became fashionable to use the term “reduce, reuse, and recycle,” the bote-dyaryo and kanin-baboy micro-entrepreneurs were already contributing to this effort.

We can segregate our household waste even if garbage collectors do not do the same when they collect. We can petition our barangays to start this effort. After all, if Marikina can implement waste segregation policies on a continuing basis, all other cities and towns in the metropolis and in the whole country should be able to do the same.

There is a saying that it takes a whole village to raise a child. I want to paraphrase that and say that it will take the whole village to manage our garbage problem.

 

Dennis L. Berino is an Associate Professorial Lecturer of the Decision Sciences and Innovation Department of the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University.

dennis.berino@dlsu.edu.ph

The taste of love

THOSE interested in celebrating Valentine’s Day will find deals, promos, and specials all over the metro. Here are some of them.

ORTIGAS AND QUEZON CITY
Decadent Valentine’s cake, chocolate hearts, pralines, and strawberry tarts are available for sweet gestures at Marco Polo Ortigas’ Café Pronto. Enjoy the buffet at Cucina of Feb. 13 and 14 for P2,888 per person with special Valentine cocktails sold separately. At Cantonese restaurant Lung Hin, there is a special set menu which includes sliced Peking duck, sautéed fresh tiger prawn ball in supreme stock, and pan-fried crab claw with foie gras, to name a few. On Valentine’s Day upstairs at Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge awaits a savory tapas buffet to be enjoyed while being serenaded by HIWAY 54 Band and indulging in a glass of the wine of the month, Eclat de Rose (which is available for the whole month at the Sky Bar). For details, visit www.marcopolohotels.com.

For the first time ever, Discovery Suites will be opening the doors to its helipad for a special Valentine’s Dinner Date on Feb. 14 and 15, featuring a four-course meal, and a 360-degree view of the Ortigas Skyline (P15,000 net for two, inclusive of the meal and a bottle of wine and cheese platter). Meanwhile, 22 Prime cooks up the perfect meal for a date, featuring a his or her three-course set menus for couples enjoy, available for lunch and dinner from Feb. 12 to 28 for P5,500, inclusive of a bouquet of flowers, two glasses of Hoegaarden wine, and a box of pralines (the three-course meal alone is offered at P1,850 net per person). At the hotel’s 36th floor garden its “Drink Play Love” for P950 net per person. Russian Roulette Chocolate is available at the lobby pop-up shop, Little Sweet Discoveries. For details, call 719-888 or visit www.discoverysuites.com. Discovery Suites is at 25 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

It is an “Italian Love Affair” as Richmonde Hotel Ortigas’ Richmonde Café serves up a buffet of antipasto, insalata, zuppa and dolce to complement your choice of main dish for P1,420 net per person. The Valentine’s Dinner comes with a glass of red or white wine. At Eastwood Richmonde Hotel’s newly renovated Eastwood Café+Bar, a six-course “Taste of Love” Valentine’s dinner costs P1,850 net per person, inclusive of wine pairings per course, a photo souvenir, live romantic music, and a chance to win Valentine tokens. These Valentine’s Day specials are available on Feb. 14 at dinner time. For inquiries and table reservations, call 638-7777 for Richmonde Hotel Ortigas’ Richmonde Cafe, and 570-7777 for Eastwood Richmonde Hotel’s Eastwood Cafe+Bar. For more information, visit www.richmondehotels.com.ph.

The Luxent Hotel will have a Valentine’s buffet dinner on the evenings of Feb. 14 and 15 for P1,388 per head for adults, and P695 for kids aged 12 and below if a couple wants to have the kids tag along. Lovers can also enjoy a dinner date at the Sky Lounge on the evenings of Feb. 14 and 15. For P6,088, lovebirds get a bottle of red, white, or sparkling wine, along with a six-course dinner while being serenaded with a violin performance. They can also opt for a six-course sit-down dinner served with a glass of wine at the Lush Bar and Lounge for P4,088 for two on Feb. 14 and 15. For those unlucky in love, The Lush Bar and Lounge also features a “Whine and Dine” promo for all singles, serving unlimited wine and cocktails with a choice of bar chow on all days of February, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., for P1,500 per person. For inquiries and reservations, call 863-7777. Luxent Hotel is located at 51 Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City.

MAKATI AND BGC
Celebrating Valentine’s Day at The Peninsula Manila means choosing between saying “I love you” over a seafood dinner buffet at Escolta, slow roasted Angus beef tenderloin at The Lobby, or an intimate five-course dinner at Old Manila. Old Manila’s Valentine’s four-course set dinner will be available from Feb. 13 to 17, 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. (P3,990). The Escolta Seafood Dinner Buffet will be available on Feb. 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. (P3,600 per person with a glass of Champagne; P2,700 for adults, and P1,350 for children under 12), and The Lobby will serve a Valentine’s Day three-course set dinner from 6:30 p.m. to 10 pm. (P2,550). For details, call 887-2888.

On Feb. 14, the Dusit Thani Manila’s specialty restaurants — The Pantry, Benjarong, and Umu — will all offer Valentine specials. Benjarong will have a romantic set menu dinner featuring authentic Thai cuisine for P4,000 net per couple. For a more intimate and indulgent atmosphere, UMU will have a Japanese dinner set menu for at P4,500 net per couple. The Pantry will have a delectable spread for P2,500 net per person. For reservations, call 238-8888 loc. 8430 or 8838.

A decadent dinner buffet awaits at Alfred in the Makati Diamond Residences on Valentine’s Day. The dinner buffet — which includes cheese fondue, salmon gravlax, roast beef, strawberry shortcake and rosewater macarons — is available on Feb. 14, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., for P2,000 net per person. To book a table, call 0917-636-4875 or e-mail dine@makatidiamond.com. Makati Diamond Residences is located at 118 Legazpi St., Legazpi Village, Makati City.

At L’entrecote Corner Bar and Bistro on Valentine’s Day, start the a romantic date with sparkling wine and move on a three course dinner whose highlight is US Certified Angus prime roast beef with horseradish aioli and bacon mashed potato. Enjoy the meal with two glasses of red or white wine. This set menu for two is available for lunch and dinner on Feb. 14 at P3,860++. For reservations call, 856-4858, e-mail info@lentrecotemanila.com or log on to www.lentrecotemanila.com. L’entrecote is at Bellagio II, Burgos Circle, Forbes Town Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Seda BGC’s Misto with A Dinner to Remember, featuring a buffet which comes with a glass of sparkling wine on Feb. 14, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. (P1,200++). At the Straight Up roof deck bar, a Valentine’s Day buffet can be enjoyed amid jazz/lounge music from a guest singer. Tickets to Rhythms and Eats on Feb. 14, are available at the front desk at P1,200++ per person. Buffet will be open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., while a la carte dishes will be available up to 1 a.m. Meanwhile, Sweets and Treats to give as presents are available the whole month of February at Misto starting at P350++ per box. For inquiries or reservations, call 945-8888 or e-mail bgc@sedahotels.com. Seda BGC is located at 30th Street cor. 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Feb. 14, beckon your beloved with a cup of Mon Amour Tea at TWG Tea accompanied by the Bain de Roses Tea Scented Candle. Dine on the Valentine’s Day menu, whose highlight is a pan-roasted halibut risotto infused with Love Me Tea or a seared ox tongue served with pan gravy and mushroom puree infused with Timeless Tea. The Mon Amour Tea in Caviar Tin Tea Collection retails at P1,600, and the Bain de Roses Tea Scented Candle retails at P2,500. The TWG Tea Valentine’s Day full set menu is priced at P1,750 and is available exclusively from Feb. 5 to 18 at all TWG Tea Salons & Boutiques (Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Central Square, and S Maison Conrad Manila).

MANILA
On Feb. 13 and 14, Illustrado will offer a four-course Valentine set menu (P2,200++ per person) whose highlight is a choice of fillet of beef, fillet of salmon and halibut, or lamb ribs. A glass of red or white wine per patron rounds off the evening. The Valentine food choices can be ordered as a set menu or à la carte, for lunch and dinner from Feb. 10 to 17. Only the set menu is available for dinner on Feb. 13 and 14. For inquiries and reservations, call 527-3674, 527-2345, or e-mail caterings@ilustradorestaurant.com.ph or visit www.facebook.com/ilustradorestaurant/. Ilustrado is at 744 General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila.

Take your special someone to a passionate dining experience at the Diamond Hotel’s Corniche Restaurant where from Feb. 10 to 14, one can enjoy a romantic meal for P3,180 net per person which includes a glass of rosé wine, and, at lunchtime, entertainment by a pianist. At dinner time on Feb. 13 and 14, the occasion is made extra special with music by a quartet. For a unique celebration, the Yurakuen Restaurant offers an intimate Japanese feast from Feb. 10 to 14 with its Ai Ni Kotaeru White Day (Answer Love on White Day), a dinner set menu priced at P2,880 net per person. A musical trio will provide entertainment on Feb. 13 and 14. One can also experience romance by the pool with an al fresco dinner date on Feb. 13 and 14 with a five-course dinner set menu for P2,800 net per person. At the Lobby Lounge, dinner comes with a glass of Cava on the side at P1,600 net per person, all to the tune of saxophone renditions of favorite love songs. Bar 27 has its Just the Two of Us platter of tapas paired with a cocktail for P2,400 nett per person. On Feb. 14, all ladies who dine at the hotel will receive a Valentine memento. For restaurant reservations call 529-3000 ext. 1121. The Diamond Hotel Philippines is at Roxas Blvd. cor. Dr. J. Quintos St., Manila.

Good food is a sure way to anyone’s heart and at Hotel Jen Manila’s all-day dining restaurant Latitude, a dinner buffet on Feb. 14 includes live musical entertainment and a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine per person (P1,600 net per person). Enjoy a when you dine on February 14, 2018. At Windows by the Bay, the chill-out lounge at the 19th floor, enjoy two glasses of wine and the chef’s sampler platter (P1,200 net for two persons). For inquiries and reservations, call 795-8888 or e-mail hjm@hoteljen.com. Hotel Jen Manila is along Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila.

PASAY CITY AND MUNTINLUPA
Kick up the kink with Marriott Manila’s 50 Shades of Grey-themed Valentine’s promos, beginning with a P3,500++, five-course dinner with a cityscape view as your backdrop. If a rooftop dinner is not your style, then an intimate dinner at Cru Steakhouse may be up your alley, or a buffet spread at the Marriott Café where one can also find tempting desserts in the “Red Room” — a delectable take on Grey’s playroom. It is filled with chocolates, cakes, cookies, eclairs, and macarons. Buffet prices are P2,100 net at lunch and P2,800 at dinner. For reservations and inquiries, call 9889999 or visit manilamarriott.com.

The Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila presents a gastronomic twist to modern day romance with “Fusion Love” on Feb. 14. Chefs from different kitchens will be preparing unique dishes as well as Spiral’s signature favorites for the occasion. Indulge in more fusion presentations at the Patisserie including mango avocado biscotti crumble, raspberry jelly and coconut macaroons, and moist cupcakes with His & Her animal frostings at La Patisserie. Celebrating couples at Spiral have a chance to win gifts from Guerlain, Elizabeth Arden, and Tefal on Valentine’s Day (P3,000 net per person for lunch and P4,500 net per person for dinner). For inquiries and reservations, call 832-6988 or e-mail H6308-FB12@sofitel.com.

The multiple outlets at The City of Dreams make sure there is something to suit your fancy. The Tasting Room at NÜWA (the rebranded Crown Towers) has a five-course Valentine’s Tasting Menu featuring its haute French cuisine infused with Asian influences (main course is tenderloin beef pot au feu with crosnes or Chinese artichoke, leeks, and truffle vinaigrette) for P5,000++ per person, and to heighten the romance, there is wine pairing at P2,500++ per person. As an added Cupid’s treat, a live chocolate station will be available for diners and lady guests will be provided with a bouquet of red roses. Awaiting lovers at Nobu Manila is a seven-course Valentine’s Day Omakase dinner menu on Feb. 13 and 14 for P4,299++ per person. Crystal Dragon offers a five-course dinner set menu on Feb. 13 to 15, all paired with aromatic Jasmine tea, for P4,980++ per person. Meanwhile, from Feb. 5-14, Red Ginger offers a chocolate fondue platter during lunch and dinner with a choice of white chocolate, strawberry and black pepper; salted caramel and Don Papa Rum; or dark chocolate and mint. The fondue is at P388++ per serving, and comes with assorted tropical fruits, coconut-flavored marshmallows, cashew nut brownies, and pandan cake. A selection of well-curated Valentine’s presents are offered at Café Society from Feb. 9 to 15 including a Chocolate Love Bear, Chocolate Pot of Lollies, and a Latte Chocolate Cake. Prices P250 net. Valentine-themed hampers are also offered from P1,500 net and up, depending on the selection of chocolate items, and each containing a teddy bear. For restaurant reservations and gift item inquiries, call 800-8080, e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com, or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.

The Crimson Hotel marks Feb. 14 with an al fresco rendezvous at 7 p.m., featuring a five-course dinner at The Deck with complimentary glasses of wine and pralines (P5,200++ for two persons). Every afternoon (3 p.m.-5 p.m.) of the month, The Lobby Lounge will serve Blush Afternoon Tea (P685++ for two) while on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. its You’re the Tapas to My Wine throughout the month (P850++). For inquiries and reservations, call 863-2222 or e-mail info.alabang@crimsonhotel.com. Crimson Hotel is at 2609 Civic Drive, Entrata Urban Complex, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa.

AND…
Can’t do dinner? Pop into a FamilyMart and say “I Love You” with heart-shaped doughnuts at P35 a piece. Choose from creamy Bavarian and fruity Strawberry flavors or buy an assortment.

Or visit a mall to get a bar of Toblerone dressed up in one of their Limited Edition Sleeves. Toblerone pop-up Valentine stations will be set up in leading malls including Robinson’s Galleria, SM North EDSA, and SM Megamall from Feb. 1 to 14 where artists and calligraphers will be on hand to held personalize your very own Toblerone Valentine blank packs. Or visit www.tobleroneph.com to digitally design your own Toblerone sleeves which can be printed out at any Toblerone pop-up Valentine stations for a minimum purchase.

Meanwhile, Cadbury Love Out Loud will be held on Feb. 14, 3 p.m. onwards at Lane O, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City where one can write a Valentines message on a heart tag and have your declaration of love projected on the Love Wall.

Facial recognition for cows is latest Cargill-backed technological idea

CARGILL, Inc. is backing an Irish start-up that uses facial recognition software to help increase the productivity of dairy cows, the latest move by the largest closely held US company to bolster its agricultural technology efforts.

Cargill has taken a minority stake in Cainthus, which harnesses machine learning and imaging techniques to identify cows and glean information on everything from their behavior to appetite, David Hunt, president and co-founder of Cainthus, said in a telephone interview Wednesday. Details of the investment weren’t disclosed.

Mr. Hunt said Dublin-based Cainthus chose Cargill over venture capital firms because of the US company’s footprint in agriculture. Cargill is still owned by the same family that founded it 153 years ago and it’s one of the world’s largest crop traders and meat producers.

In the last few years, Minneapolis-based Cargill has reorganized parts of its business and built up a stronger presence in farm technology. It announced last month it’s partnering with other companies to form a start-up accelerator that will identify new food technologies. Cargill is seeking breakthroughs from other industries that can be applied to meet the big challenges in agriculture, such as population growth, labor shortages in rural areas, and consumers’ concern over how their food is sourced and treated.

It’s a question of “how do you do some of the same activities” but “in a more efficient manner,” SriRaj Kantamneni, managing director of its digital insights business, said in an interview. — Bloomberg

New acquisitions boost IMI’s 2017 profit

EARNINGS of Integrated Micro-Electronics, Inc. (IMI) rose by more than a fifth last year after raking in record revenues buoyed by new acquisitions and the expansion of its automotive and industrial business.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Wednesday, the Ayala-led manufacturer pocketed $34.44 million last year, an increase of 21% from $28.02 million in 2016.

Revenues climbed 29% year on year to an all-time high of $1.09 billion from $842.97 million.

Europe delivered revenues of $276.50 million, up 14% year on year, on the strength of the automotive segment, while Mexico increased its revenue contribution by 29% to $84.20 million as projects for customers in North America reached new phases throughout the year.

China operations grew 4% to $271.10 million on the back of a broadened product mix that provided demand growth and differentiation despite the delay in new technology rollout in the telecommunications infrastructure business.

New industrial applications and automotive camera business pushed the revenues from Philippine operations by 4% to $263.7 million, compensating for the soft demand in the security and medical device business.

Revenues from acquired businesses — German optical bonding and display solutions provider VIA Optronics Gmbh and British electronics manufacturer STI Enterprise Ltd. — amounted to $193.9 million last year.

“The flexibility of our operations and seasoned expertise is a manifestation of our readiness to face the challenges in a competitive environment,” IMI President and Chief Operating Officer Gilles Bernard was quoted in a statement as saying.

“As we undergo major disruptive changes, our industrial excellence will help tailor our offerings more precisely while also preserving our margins.” Mr. Bernard added.

IMI is set to undertake a P5-billion stock rights offer to finance the company’s capital expenditures and to refinance its debts.

Incorporated in 1980, IMI is the electronics manufacturing arm of Ayala Corp. Its main products and services include design and engineering solutions, supply chain solutions, manufacturing solutions, business model capabilities and solutions, power semiconductor assembly and testing, and global materials and supply chain management.

Shares in IMI added 82 centavos or 4.10% to settle at P20.80 apiece. — Krista Angela M. Montealegre

Rogue robot upstages Turkey minister

ISTANBUL — Being interrupted by impatient audience members is a headache — but part of the job — for most politicians.

But for Turkey’s Transport and Communications Minister Ahmet Arslan, the heckling on Tuesday came from an unusual source — a stubborn robot called “Sanbot.”

The white toddler-sized robot was a guest on stage as Arslan gave an address in Ankara to mark Safer Internet Day.

But as the minister — whose government has been accused of restricting freedom online, which it denies — held forth on the importance of a secure Web, interventions came from an unexpected source.

“Speak slowly! I don’t understand what you are saying! What are you talking about?” the robot asked Arslan.

The minister smiled as the audience burst into laughter when they realized the source of the interruption.

Keeping his good humor but with an air of baffled irritation, Arslan finally told Sanbot’s handlers to deal with the misfiring robot so he could carry on.

“Dear friends, it seems clear that the robot needs to be put under control, please can whoever is in charge do what is necessary!” he said.

The robot was later muted and the minister pressed on with his speech.

Turkish media reported that Sanbot was correctly formatted after Arslan finished his speech.

It was not immediately clear when Sanbot’s next public appearance is scheduled. — AFP

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