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Nation at a Glance — (11/21/18)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

La Salle and FEU dispute last UAAP Final 4 berth

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE final cast member of the Final Four of University Athletic Association of the Philippine Season 81 will be determined today when the De La Salle Green Archers and Far Eastern University Tamaraws engage in a one-game playoff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ended in a three-way logjam for third place at the end of the elimination round with an 8-6 record along with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, the Archers and Tamaraws found themselves needing to slug it out for the last spot for having the lower quotient among the three.
La Salle had a grand chance to enter the semifinals complication-free but back-to-back losses to the Ateneo Blue Eagles and UP to end the classification phase prevented them from doing so.
FEU, meanwhile, gave its playoff push a boost with three straight victories in the wind-up, the last one a rout of the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 82-56, on Nov. 18 that assured the Tamaraws of at least a playoff for the last Final Four spot.
Despite missing out on good opportunities to advance previously, the Archers are still not losing hope of eventually catching the playoff bus.
“We’re still not out of it, We just have to care of our business,” said La Salle guard Aljun Melecio following their loss to UP.
For the Tamaraws, having earned another chance to book a place in the semifinals, they said they are bent on making full use of it.
“We’re getting the breaks here in the second round. This is a huge win for us and we have one game to play to make it to the Final Four and we will take full advantage of it,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela following their victory over Adamson.
“Of course, we lament the situation we are in. Had we took care of business early on we would not be here fighting for our playoff lives and maybe in a far better position. But we are now getting the breaks and players are getting back from injuries. We still have an opportunity though and we’re not giving up,” he added.
Mr. Racela went on to say that they expecting a tough match with La Salle and that they have to come in “prepared and ready.”
The do-or-die match between La Salle and FEU is set for 3:30 p.m.
The winner of the contest sets up a semifinal meeting with top-seed Ateneo where it will have a twice-to-win handicap.
GOMEZ DE LIANO IS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Meanwhile, UP’s Juan Gomez De Liano was named player of the week after helping the Maroons end a 21-year Final Four drought.
In their last six games, Gomez De Liano has been steady for 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists off the bench, a key part in their push to the semifinals.
The weekly plum, given by media which covers the league, coincided with his selection for the mythical team in UAAP Season 81 along with teammate Bright Akhuetie, who is set to be named most valuable player.
In winning player of the week, Gomez De Liano beat Akhuetie, Ateneo’s Angelo Kouame and Will Navarro, and National University’s Troy Rike.

Azkals, Thailand in Bacolod for key AFF Suzuki Cup match

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
A KEY Group B match in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup is to take place today in Bacolod City as the Philippine national men’s football team takes on Thailand in a battle of unbeaten teams in the grouping.
Set for 7:30 p.m. at the Panaad Park and Football Stadium, both the Philippine Azkals and Thailand are hoping to sustain their unblemished start to the tournament and provide further wind to their assault to advance to the next round of the regional football joust.
As of this writing though there is still no word if the organizers would suspend the match amid anticipation of inclement weather in Bacolod brought about by Typhoon Samuel which is currently affecting parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.
Thailand and the Philippines, sporting identical 2-0 records, are coming off contrasting wins in their previous matches on Nov. 17 with the former dominating Indonesia, 4-2, and the latter given a scare by Timor-Leste, 3-2.
The Thais fell behind a goal early in the opening half but racked up fourth straight goals after to turn the tables on Indonesia en route to the victory.
The Philippines, meanwhile, had it strong to start the match against Timor-Leste
Philippine captain Phil Younghusband got the scoring going for the Azkals in the 27th minute.
It was the 52nd international goal for Mr. Younghusband in his 101st cap for the team.
Martin Steuble followed it up with another goal six minutes later as he blasted a shot to make it 2-nil for the Philippines heading into the halftime break.
In the second half, Carli de Murga made it 3-0 for the Azkals in the 68th minute as he was left unmarked following a Kevin Ingreso free kick.
Just when everybody thought the Philippines was on its way to an easy win, Timor-Leste sprung up a surprise.
In a span of two minutes, from the 73rd to 75th minute, it would score back-to-back goals to make a game out of it.
But that was the closest Timor-Leste would come as the Azkals reestablished their footing to hold on and preserve the victory.
Needing to dig deep to hack out a win against Timor-Leste, the Azkals said they have to do better as such effort would not make the cut against defending champion Thailand today.
“Of course we need to look back in this game and get some things straightened. It was not good enough, the players know it. It doesn’t feel like a victory right now because the way we played,” Azkals goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard was quoted as saying by the AFF Suzuki Cup Web site after their last game.
“Up with three goals, it should be a secured win easily and it wasn’t and now we have to focus on Thailand. We are going to meet an opponent that has the quality to make it hard for us and we need to prepare for that and be better in situations like this,” he added.
In the Suzuki Cup, the top two teams from each group at the end of the classification round advance to the crossover semifinals.

Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation gets seal of recognition from world karate body

THE World Karate Federation (WKF) has installed a new national federation for the sport in the Philippines.
No less than WKF president Antonio Espinos informed Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc. president Richard Lim of the world body’s recognition of the KPSF during the WKF Congress on Nov. 5 in Madrid, Spain.
Espinos personally handed Lim the letter of approval, saying that the WKF Executive Committee gave its blessings on the affiliation of the KPSFI as the “new WKF national federation” in the Philippines.
“We are looking ahead to a very fruitful cooperation in the future with your national federation representing the WKF and its interests in the Philippines, according to our WKF Statutes and Regulations,” Espinos told Lim, a two-time kata Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and bronze medalist during the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games.
“I’m giving this letter to you and present it to your national Olympic committee, so the case of the WKF in the Philippines will be finished,” added Espinos.
With the WKF’s seal of approval, the KPSFI is now the legitimate body mandated to run the affairs of karatedo in the country, replacing the Philippine Karatedo Federation-NSA.
Given a fresh mandate, Lim said he would religiously follow the statutes and regulations of the WKF and vowed to participate in the tournaments sanctioned by the world body including the annual world championships where Filipino karatekas have not seen action for a long time.
“Our federation will also work on increasing the number of licensed referees, judges and coaches, something that has not been done for the past 17 years,” said Lim, a black-belter and the only licensed WKF international referee in the Philippines.
According to Lim, the KPSFI is now applying for recognition with the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Trailblazing PRUride PH set for bigger staging in 2019

SIGNIFICANTLY growing since its first staging in 2016, Pru Life UK is girding for a bigger edition of PRUride PH next year.
Widely considered as the biggest cycling event in the Philippines, PRUride PH has also become an inspiration for other offices of Pru Life UK in the region as Thailand and Hong Kong are set to hold their own versions of the ride, officials said.
Having set the stage for the event, which also aims to encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle and push for bicycles as a sustainable mode of transportation, officials of Pru Life UK here are brimming with pride over how its initiative has evolved and grown in dimension.
“The sense of pride is within the Prudential world, let’s be clear about it. As we all know Prudential is a global company. And it’s amazing to see the Philippines spearheading something like this for this group here in Asia,” said Allan Tumbaga, Pru Life UK SVP and Chief Marketing Officer, in an interview with BusinessWorld during the media launch of PRUride PH 2019 on Monday.
“We started it here in 2016. And they saw how good the Philippines did it so much so the group sent a representative from London to observe it and they were quite impressed. And we are proud of it,” he added.
In previous stagings of PRUride, organizers have made it a point to make them a worthwhile experience for every participant.
And it was not only confined to professional cyclists but riders of various expertise and sizes as well.
From these, Pru Life UK is setting the stage for another engaging run of the ride in 2019.
PRUride PH 2019 is to be held in two legs and areas — Filinvest City in Alabang in April and Subic, Zambales, in May — and is expected to gather more than 2,500 cyclists.
Kicking off things is the PRUride Criterium happening on April 7, 2019 in Alabang.
Under it are high-octane race categories that local talents can compete in, including fixed gear, road bikes, mountain bikes and folding bikes, among others.
The second leg of the festivities is from May 24 to 26, 2019 in Subic.
Highlights of the weekend will be the PRUride UCI 2.2 Stage Race, a three-day stage race that will see 20 top teams from the country and across Asia compete for individual, team and stage honors.
The 2.2 accreditation of world cycling body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is something new for PRUride PH and means the event is included in the UCI World Calendar and will allow professionals to chalk up UCI points required for entry into the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Amateur cyclists, meanwhile, will also have a chance to join in the fun with the new masters single stage race as well as the non-competitive Gran Fondo in 30, 60, or 100 kilometers.
Seeing how the event has evolved and been received, Mr. Tumbaga said they are only more inspired by it.
“We are very happy and satisfied how it has panned out. We have seen how people became interested in cycling. It has been acknowledged not only by cyclists but also various groups for the impact it has had,” the Pru Life UK official said.
Registration for PRUride PH 2019 will soon open online at www.pruride.ph.
Those interested are encouraged to avail of the early-bird discount rate and limited-edition freebies by registering until Dec. 31.
All participants in the 2019 ride will receive jerseys and all finishers will take home a finisher medal. More than P2 million worth of cash prizes are up for grabs. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

With arrival of legends in ONE Championship, rest of the field must shape up — Team Lakay

PART of ONE Championship since its inception early this decade, Team Lakay has seen the organization grow by leaps and bounds across the board. And now that Asia’s largest sports media property has further upped its stock with the arrival of high-profile athletes from other groups, the champion Baguio-based gym, too, welcomes the development and is very happy and excited about it.
In what many consider as a coup for the group, ONE Championship recently got hold of former world champions Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez and Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, previously of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Mr. Alvarez signed with ONE after being left unsigned by the UFC while Mr. Johnson came by way of a “trade” with the UFC in exchange for undefeated world welterweight champion Ben “Funky” Askren.
Later, former UFC women’s champion Miesha Tate also came on board as ONE’s vice-president with reports still rife of more high-profile signings moving forward.
Speaking to BusinessWorld at the recent Global Martial Arts Awards in Singapore, Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao shared that like those in ONE and fans in this part of the world, they are happy and excited as well with the arrival of these mixed martial arts legends in Asia.
“We’re positive and happy with the arrival of these legends in ONE Championship. We view it as a sign that globally ONE is being competitive and attractive now. We can only improve with them here,” said Mr. Sangiao, who incidentally was named coach of the year in the martial arts awards while his Team Lakay was hailed as gym of the year.
The coach though pointed out that along with the coming of these legends, they and the rest of the field must shape up to keep in step.
“But, of course, we have to make adjustments with them here now. Our athletes must push themselves in honing their skills and show what they can do to the rest of the world,” Mr. Sangiao said.
Fighting in the lightweight and flyweight divisions, Messrs. Alvarez and Johnson are in line to collide with Team Lakay stalwarts like Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, Honorio “The Rock” Banario, Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio and Danny “The King” Kingad.
Mr. Sangiao said it something they have looked into and recognize as presenting a tough challenge. But he said his team will be ready for them when fight time comes.
Team Lakay will be part of ONE’s Manila event “Conquest of Champions” on Nov. 23 with Mr. Folayang looking to regain the lightweight title against Singaporean Amir Khan.
Mr. Banario is also set to see action against Korean Dae Sung Park.
Headlining Conquest of Champions at the Mall of Asia Arena is the world heavyweight championship clash between reigning champ Brandon “The Truth” Vera of the Philippines and Italian challenger Mauro Cerelli. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

MPBL: Batangas Athletics and Makati Super Crunch sustain winning streaks

BATANGAS and Makati cities continued to roll in the MPBL Datu Cup after coming up with similar victories over their respective rivals at the Marist School Gymnasium Monday night.
The inaugural staging champion Athletics of Batangas City ran roughshod over host team Marikina Shoemasters, 62-52, to extend their winning streak to five. The Tanduay-backed quintet improved its record to a 9-6 win-loss record for solo third spot in the southern division of the fastest growing regional amateur basketball league in the country put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.
Moncrief Rogado, a former reserve player of the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA, played one of his finest games for the Athletics as he finished with 19 points. He hit five-of-seven treys to make up for the subpar games of some of the team’s top guns.
Jhaymo Eguilos had a double-double performance of 11 points and 10 rebounds while battling foul troubles.
Batangas also dealt the Shoemasters their sixth straight loss. They are just one of the few teams that has yet to win a game in their home court. Following the latest loss, Marikina dropped into a tie for 11th to 12th places with the Basilan Steel as they are now both carrying 4-9 win-loss records.
The Athletics are now slowly but surely flexing their muscles and getting back into championship form, but head coach Mac Tan refused to get carried away.
“It’s still a long way to go. I don’t know how far this streak can go, but the important thing right now is the learning process we digest every game,” added Tan.
Earlier, Makati survived erstwhile leader but now struggling Muntinlupa, 52-50, as the Super Crunch also extended their winning streak to four games.
Makati’s latest win improved its record to 10-4 in the tough northern division. It also gave Davao Occidental a free ride to the top following its victory over Muntinlupa, now in second spot in the southern division with a 9-3 record.
Once the hottest team in the tournament, Muntinlupa has now lost three of its last five games under head coach Aldin Ayo, who took over the coaching chores of the Angelis Resort-backed Cagers from Aldrin Morante.
Morante was the head coach of Muntinlupa when the team made a sizzling 8-0 run. He was also responsible in steering the squad to a finals stint in the inaugural season. — Rey Joble

Finally back in the Final Four

The long wait for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons to get back in the Final Four of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines came to an end last week after it finally broke through with a gallant and impressive victory over the De La Salle Green Archers in an all-important match.
It was a proud moment for the UP community, with some even shedding a tear or two, which had to endure 21 years of primarily rough sailing for its beloved Maroons, including some winless seasons along the way.
The futile pursuit for the Final Four halted when the Diliman-based squad got the better of La Salle, 97-81, on Nov. 14 in a game that had the Maroons rising up to the challenge collectively to much success.
The match, on hindsight, turned out to be very huge because a loss could have eliminated UP anew especially after Far Eastern University, which it shared a 7-6 record entering their final games of the elimination round, won its last game.
Was able to cover the UP-La Salle match and I just had goose bumps.
I could not help but go back to the days when UP, while not short in fight, was just outplayed by its opponents en route to piling up all those losses.
In the La Salle game, the Maroons were punched in the mouth early on but instead of backing down, they responded in a big way, hitting shots after shots and making it tough for the Archers to make any comeback.
Interestingly, the game could be said of how Season 81 has gone for UP.
The Maroons finished the opening round of the eliminations with a 3-4 card, leaving many, including this writer, to wonder if this season is once again promise unfulfilled for the team.
But in the second round UP picked things up, making the needed adjustments in their game plan and rotation while transferee Bright Akhuetie found the consistency in his game to eventually fortify his claim to the UAAP most valuable player award.
The result was glaring with the team going 5-2 to will itself to its first Final Four appearance in 21 years, or as I see it, since I left college.
In the semifinals, starting this weekend, the third-seeds Maroons are to face the second-seeded Adamson Soaring Falcons, who have had the number of UP so far in Season 81, winning both their two games in the elimination round.
However, where the Maroons are currently right now I believe they are capable of fashioning out an upset in the Final Four.
This is beside the fact that the losses of UP to Adamson were close ones, including a buzzer-beater by Sean Manganti in the first round.
I think the Maroons are now sharp enough to mix it up with the Falcons.
The twice-to-win handicap is somewhat daunting at the onset but it is not something insurmountable.
The Maroons returning to the UAAP Final Four is already a cause for celebration, and a nod to the steadily improving UP basketball program.
But as coach Bo Perasol said, “We are in this to win this.” And I am all for it. Go UP!
 
Michael Angelo S. Murillo has been a columnist since 2003. He is a BusinessWorld reporter covering the Sports beat.
msmurillo@bworldonline.com

Reliable James

Unless you lived under a rock in recent memory, you couldn’t have missed LeBron James’ outstanding showing in two of the Los Angeles Lakers’ three most recent matches. Last week, he put up an eye-popping 44 (on 13-of-19 shooting) and finished an assist shy of a triple-double in an emphatic victory against the conference-leading Trailblazers. The other day, he crossed the half-century mark en route to his first triumph against the Heat since he left them in 2014. Both were fine examples of his transcendent play, and, certainly, proof that, even at 34, he remains capable of posting significant numbers.
Indeed, James continues to have an eye towards history. His barrage of points versus the Blazers enabled him to move past fellow all-time great Wilt Chamberlain for fifth on the National Basketball Association’s career scoring list. Meanwhile, he schooled the host Heat at the American Airlines Arena with an array of shots that likewise highlighted the extent of his offensive prowess. In both, he underscored his capacity to make short work of the opposition. Rim-rattling dunks? Of course. Turnaround fadeaways from the block? Check. Long — make that extra-long — three pointers? Yup. Seemingly nonchalant jumpers were mixed in with purposeful drives, with his court vision serving to keep defenses honest, and, therefore, bending to his favor.
Needless to say, the Lakers have benefited from James’ otherworldly exertions. The season is still young, but it has already given fans a glimpse of the purple and gold on the rise. They’re currently seventh in the highly competitive West, just two games out of the top, and, despite an injury to veteran point guard Rajon Rondo, brimming with a measure of confidence that belies their relative youth. And why shouldn’t they be? They have the league’s best player on their side. His unparalleled combination of power, finesse, and instinct intrinsically lift their games.
For all the capacity of James to generate oohs and aahs with his otherworldly production, however, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra — for whom he played in claiming two championships — could not have been more right in noting that consistency is his biggest asset. Regardless of circumstance, he can be counted on to contribute along his norms. Needless to say, the reliability stems as much from innate talent as from work ethic. Away from the klieg lights, he puts in the hours to hone his craft and keep his body in shape.
How long James can stay sharp is anybody’s guess. Time always wins, even against the most ardent practitioners of the sport. If nothing else, though, he has put himself in prime position to last longer than imagined. He’s signed on for four years, which means he believes he can contribute meaningful minutes for the Lakers until he’s close to the big four oh. And, given the way he’s playing, who’s to say he isn’t right?
 
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

Lullabies in Prison

Until I saw the women’s dormitory of the Iloilo City Jail, I thought that anyone living in a cramped and confined space for years would be like a caged animal – vicious and violent. I was wrong.
In the past months, I have been filming in the jail and getting to know the inmates. Imagine more than 220 women packed like sardines in just 133 square meters of space. That’s about half a square meter of floor space for each one.
Nearly all the women in the jail have been accused of drug-related crimes. Except for two who have been convicted, they are all awaiting trial in the city’s slow-moving and understaffed court system. According to a jail official, women stay there an average of five years because court dockets are packed and there are not enough prosecutors. Some had been detained ten years before being sentenced.
Many of the inmates are mothers who long for their children. What struck me was how they kept their dignity and humanity.  They were gracious and generous. They were also neat and well-groomed. Some did regular manicures and pedicures. They were wearing makeup when I filmed them.
Leda, a 41-year-old mother of three children, has been in jail for six years. “When I first arrived in jail, I thought that it was just a dream,” she told me. “I had difficulty sleeping at night since it’s so crowded. In my cell, there are 50 inmates and at night, most of the inmates sleep on the floor. Those who can’t sleep at night usually sleep at noontime. All of us share only one comfort room which has a single toilet and large water drum for bathing. My family rarely visits me since they were busy, but we still communicate by phone. There is not a minute when I don’t miss my kids. I pray that my case will be resolved soon so I can be reunited with them.”
“I have to wake up at 3:30 am to take a bath since that’s the only time I can use the bathroom without disturbance,” said Lila, aged 33, who has been in jail for two years. “I’ll dry my hair and then I’ll go back to sleep. I would wake up at 7 am for a religious activity and at 8 am there would be a headcount, then we would go back to our cell. The daily visitation hours is from 1 pm to 5 pm, but it does not apply to me since I don’t have any visitors since my family is based in Manila. It’s not worth it for them to come and visit me. Life in prison is not easy, all that stress and being far away from my family is taking a toll on me, but I’m trying my best to cope.”
The Iloilo women’s jail is right in the heart of the city, tucked away in the compound of the police headquarters on busy Gen. Luna Street, right across the bustling University of San Agustin. The jail was built for 28 inmates, but since 2002, when Congress passed a new law raising the penalties for drug crimes, the number of those jailed for drug crimes has risen, resulting in overcrowded jails throughout the country. When the Duterte administration cracked down on drug crimes and detained tens of thousands more, jails all around the country have become so crowded that in many of them, inmates take turns sleeping or sleep sitting down.
This video tells the stories of the women of Iloilo jail. Their ages range from 18 to 69, although most of them are mothers with young children. Their identities are concealed to protect their families whom they love and miss.
I focused on the Hilway Art Project, which provides 150 women inmates opportunities for livelihood and art therapy.  The women make what they call “Inday dolls” out of fabric. Each doll comes with a favorite quote chosen by the maker and they are sold in trade fairs, pop-up shops and online through Facebook.
Leda says the project has become part of the women’s lives. “It helped us a lot in our financial needs since most of us are mothers and we are still supporting our children’s needs. We have learned a lot in this project and it has helped us with our talent and skills. The Hilway project has helped us become better persons.”

Ethel Mae Reyes is a filmmaker and educator. She currently teaches at the Fine Arts Department of the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City. She produced this video with a grant from the PCIJ Story Project.

How to get through the holidays with your wallet intact

With the festive spirit of the holidays rolling in, comes the seasonal anxiety of balancing Christmas lists and bank accounts.
As soon as that 13th month pay comes in, it’s easy to throw caution to the wind and ditch that meticulous budget plan you spent all year setting for yourself. Before you know it, harmless window shopping can snowball into an avalanche of debt.
Luckily, as with many problems in the modern world, there’s an app (or ten) for that. Here are four tips from the fintech experts at Cashalo on how to get through the holidays with your wallets intact.

Pay yourself first

This is the easiest and most rewarding financial habit you need to adopt. Instead of spending money immediately, set aside a portion of your income the moment you receive it. Put it aside. Forget about it. To make the process simpler, you can easily transfer funds electronically from your payroll straight to your separate savings account through your banks’ mobile-app.

Ready your list and set a budget

With a little planning and cash management, you can stretch your hard-earned peso and still meet your savings and expense goals. It helps to prepare a list of the people you plan to give presents to and have a set budget for each of them. Various apps such as “Mint” and “Wally” help you easily track your finances on the go.

Find the best online deals and rewards

Avoid the holiday traffic rush and take advantage of coupon codes, eVouchers, and live discounts up for grabs online.  E-commerce stores also offer great sales during the holiday season.

Borrow responsibly, if you must

Only ever spend within your means. But if you absolutely need a little extra cash to help you through a month when your expenses are slightly higher than expected, mobile-apps such as Cashalo are a convenient and affordable solution – offering purpose-based financing with the lowest non-bank interest rates. Cashalo’s newest solution, Cashacart also makes it easy for you to buy the items you want by providing access to a digital credit line at 0% installment rates from a network of over 250 partner retail stores.
Smartphones can be really helpful tools for developing responsible spending habits, and powerful apps such as Cashalo empower you with more options to be financially prudent. Not only does it encourage you to use your money wisely, it also improves your financial well being by helping build a robust financial identity and positive credit score.  Being a responsible consumer and making timely payments, unlocks even more financing options providing greater flexibility.

Setting the bar high in powering Filipino communities

It has only been over a year since former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson took up the role of being Meralco PowerGen Corporation’s (MGen) president and chief executive officer. But in that time, he has brought the full weight of his experience and the principles he held as a public servant towards making the company a model of higher project and operational standards.

MGen, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Meralco in the power generation business, seeks to supply the Philippines with about 3,000 megawatts of total combined capacity through a diversified power generation portfolio. This is aimed to be accomplished over a period of five years, with at least 500 to 600 MW generated from renewable sources.

For Meralco, entering the power generation business is a strategic move that transforms the company from being a pure price-taker to a source of competitively priced electricity for its over six million customers. MGen is also a way of returning to its roots when the company started as a power generator and an electric service distributor.

In an industry where many of the country’s active coal power plants still utilize less-refined and decades-old technology and with active calls to address climate change, Mr. Singson promises that MGen would ensure that its projects would not only utilize the most advanced technologies but also would not adversely affect its host communities.

“Personally, I don’t want to be involved in any sort of environmental degradation. The company recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship amid concerns on global warming and it aims to set an example that will demonstrate that the Philippines does not have to choose between affordable and reliable electricity or a cleaner environment,” he said in an interview with BusinessWorld.

The company Mr. Singson envisions will provide large-scale reliable sources of power using the most-advanced and most-efficient technologies at competitive prices.

Renewable energy would play a part towards realizing such a vision. The official said MGen is currently in talks with several developers and is going full force towards making renewable energy projects a significant part of its portfolio in the long term.

Rogelio L. Singson, president and chief executive officer of Meralco PowerGen Corporation — Photo by Joey Viduya

“We want to be a major player in renewables,” Mr. Singson said. “But the system is not ready for a big portion of supply coming from intermittent power. You still need a base load that can cover the demand. It’s not that easy.”

But given that Meralco remains the sole distributor of electric power in the entirety of Metro Manila, serving millions of Filipinos 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the intermittent energy drawn from renewable sources simply is not enough at this point to meet the demand.

That’s why MGen is investing in cleaner, more efficient power plants that could meet the power requirements until the course towards renewable energy becomes more stable.

The company is pioneering the utilization of high efficiency, low emission (HELE) technology in its projects, which will be the most advanced coal plants in the country once they start commercial operations.

According to the World Coal Association, a “pathway to zero emissions from coal begins with deployment of HELE power generation…” which emit up to 35% less carbon dioxide and reduce, if not eliminate, pollutants compared to older technologies.

Currently, MGen has the San Buenaventura Power Limited Co., a 455-MW supercritical coal power plant in Mauban, Quezon that is scheduled to be operational in 2019. It is 51% owned by MGen, and 49% by Thailand’s Electricity Generating Public Co. Ltd.

MGen will also build a 1,200-MW ultra supercritical coal-fired power plant in Atimonan, Quezon, through Atimonan One Energy, Inc.

The latter is the company’s most significant investment yet, costing around USD3 billion. The plant has also been certified by the Department of Energy as an Energy Project of National Significance, and has secured a pioneer status from the Department of Trade and Industry.

“Atimonan to me is the most significant power project in the country,” Mr. Singson said, noting that it has the scale to provide a significant reliable, cost-competitive and baseload supply in the country.

Until then, Mr. Singson aims to make the best of the projects that MGen is currently developing. Harking back to his days as a public servant, he realizes the extent of the impact the Atimonan power plant will bring to the host community.

As part of his bigger dream for Atimonan, Mr. Singson wants to transform the now sleepy town into a model community with the help of different partners from both the private and the public sectors.

“I’ve been a very strong advocate of social awareness,” he said, adding: “I am committed to the development of power projects and the transformation of our host communities into progressive, sustainable and smart communities.”

In the meantime, the company pursues corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in its host community. One key pillar of its CSR is ensuring that the knowledge, capabilities and skills of the residents are well-developed.

MGen is bringing skills training and technical vocational scholarships to Atimonan so the residents could take advantage of the employment the power plant can give them. The company is also spearheading programs that focus on livelihood development, health and sanitation, disaster resiliency, and environmental stewardship of the community.

“Whatever we do, we do in partnership with other NGOs, with the local government unit, with the barangay officials so they have a say and a stake in whatever development plans we have,” MGen Vice-President and Head of External Affairs Litz M. Manuel-Santana said.

“We also consult with the department of environment and natural resources, and we submit to them on an annual basis our social development program. It’s a holistic approach,” she added.

As MGen lays the groundwork for renewable energy in the near future, Mr. Singson emphasized the same need for forward thinking in developing Atimonan as a community.

Mr. Singson said the company brought in experts to help the local government of Atimonan to build a Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).

“You have to anticipate the whole system when you make investments. Our communities are very important part of our development,” he said.

“We need to help them. We need to prepare them. I want to make sure that the community evolves and it grows with the investment. Those who will benefit must be those who live in Atimonan, plus those in the surrounding communities. We want to ensure that as we grow, our communities grow and develop with us.”

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