Broker bares to Senate details of ‘Davao Group’ in drug shipment

August 23, 2017 | 12:12 am

TESTIFYING anew before the Senate blue-ribbon committee on Tuesday, Aug. 22, broker Mark Ruben G. Taguba II elaborated on his earlier claim, in the previous Tuesday’s hearing by the committee, that he gave bribe money to a so-called “Davao Group” to facilitate the entry of containers from China in the Philippines.

Mr. Taguba is the broker involved in the shipment to the Philippines of P6.4-billion worth of shabu from China, which found its way via the Bureau of Customs (BoC)’s express lane.

He said he allegedly gave P5 million to Councilor Nilo “Small” Abellera, Jr. in Davao City as “enrolment fee” early this year, in exchange for the easy processing of the shipments in question at the BoC.

In addition to the P5 million, Mr. Taguba said he was advised to pay P10,000 per container for an average of 100 containers per week amounting to P1 million.

He also said he mostly interacted with a certain “Jack” who is supposedly “the handler of Paolo.” This is according to a text message to Mr. Taguba that he read before the committee. Paolo is allegedly Paolo Z. Duterte, the vice-mayor of Davao and son of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

When asked by Senator Antonio Trillanes on how sure he was about the involvement of Vice-Mayor Duterte, Mr. Taguba simply said: “Yun po ang sabi nila.”

Mr. Taguba met Mr. Abellera through another alleged facilitator, a certain “Tita Nanie,” referred to, in turn, by Jojo Bacud of the Special Studies and Project Development Committee of the BoC.

However, the deal with Mr. Abellera fell through after three months when one of Mr. Taguba’s shipments was flagged down. This then led him to a new group involving “Big Brother” “General Capuyan” and a certain Noel.

Mr. Trillanes identified General Capuyan as “Allen Capuyan of Philippine Military Class of 1983.” Mr. Taguba said he was asked to give the new group up to P1 million a week.

But lawyer Mandy Anderson, chief of staff of now-resigned Customs chief Nicanor E. Faeldon, said there is “no Jojo Bacud working at the Bureau of Customs.”

According to Senator Richard J. Gordon, committee chairman, he is ready to submit his preliminary report but is still waiting for what Senator Panfilo M. Lacson has to say about Mr. Faeldon.

Mr. Gordon said he may ask Mr. Faeldon back so he can defend himself. The inquiry is scheduled to resume on Aug. 30 and 31 and on Sept. 4. — Mario M. Banzon

Why BenCab is more expensive than Manansala

August 23, 2017 | 12:12 am

DOES ART appreciate over time? Certainly. But the price of one piece of art and another, however, also vary for various economic reasons: the law of supply and demand, competition in the market, and an artist’s marketing strategy.

It is the market that will drive the prices of the most coveted pieces at the “The Well Appointed Life” sale by Salcedo Auctions and co-presented by the Peninsula Manila and Santos Knight Frank.

“We don’t just throw figures out there, the prices are real. We’ve been running auctions for eight years and there is a consistency in terms of result,” Richie Lerma, director at Salcedo Auctions, told BusinessWorld at the launch of the event on Aug. 15 at The Peninsula Manila.

The auction is set on Sept. 23 and 24 at the hotel’s Rigodon Ballroom.

“We are conservative in our pricing so that we know that whatever the price lands in auction is where the market is at the moment and all the data at play, we can verify that these are real sales,” Ms. Lerma added, saying that most of its Philippine art auctions are 90% sold.

Because pricing is market driven, the bidding price of a work by National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera is a lot pricier than one by fellow National Artist Vicente Manansala.

“There is a great demand for BenCab right now,” said Mr. Lerma. “It also has a lot to do with how the artist presented himself… in how he has ingrained himself in the Filipino psyche, particularly the contemporary artists. It is quite very, very desirable to have a BenCab [nowadays].”

Yet another National Artist, Fernando Amorsolo, is also in demand because of what he has come to represent.

“Fernando Amorsolo will always be Amorsolo and will always have that value. Why is Amorsolo so valuable? I tell them, every time you think about rural landscape and the idyllic beauty of the Philippines, you think of Amorsolo, that’s how ingrained he is in our psyche,” said Mr. Lerma.

The “Well Appointed Life” will have more than 500 pieces on auction, divided into four categories: Important Philippine Art, Connoisseur Collection, Fine Jewelry and Timepieces, and Rare Automobiles.

The Connoisseur Collection includes furniture, rare books, and maps, while Rolex, IWC, and A. Lange and Sohne watches are available in the Fine Jewelry and Timepieces collection. There are also dresses in the auction including an Alexander McQueen Eiffel Tower-inspired dress (estimated at P16,000 to P18,000). One of the highlights in the auction a 1934 Ford model A Coupe, which comes with original photographs from the time of its production.

Among the Filipino art on sale are paintings by Jose John Santos III (Untitled, 2005, estimate: P3 million to P3.8 million), Jose Joya (Cascade, 1976, estimate: P8 million to P8.5 million), Fernando Amorsolo (Woman Cooking, 1955, estimate: P3.8 million to P4 million); BenCab (Long Haired Woman, 1998, estimate: P8.5 million to P9.5 million), and a Ramon Orlina glass sculpture (A Mother’s Love, 2005, estimate: P800,000 to P850,000).

When asked how the items were curated, Mr. Lerma said many factors come at play: “Curation has always been second nature to me. It is something that I’ve been doing for over 20 years in terms of curating important Philippine art. Of course people ask why it is important. An artwork is important historically, in terms of the career of the artist, and also, the auction, being a venue for sale and acquisition of the art, is also important to the market.”

As for the jewelry and timepieces, he said his wife, who is a certified diamond grader and has studied gemology, curated the items.

“History and tradition are at the heart of what we do at the Salcedo Auctions… It’s not all about the acquisition of objects, but rather about our country’s values and its history, how we protect our culture, and how we see ourselves as a people. Of course, being surrounded by objects of beauty gives us great satisfaction and delight, but so does the knowledge and satisfaction that comes with recognizing the historical importance of the pieces,” said Mr. Lerma.

When items go unsold, there will be a post-auction sale for few weeks, or they will be turned over to other auction houses (now with lower prices), or they will be returned to their owners.

“For the art pieces, [the auction] is almost always 90% sold out. That is what is exciting about it. It is very rare that artworks go unsold at Salcedo – it only means our pricing is correct,” said Mr. Lerma. – Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman

MPTC launches e-payment options for Luzon, Subic-Clark, Cavite toll roads

August 23, 2017 | 12:11 am

METRO PACIFIC Tollways Corp. (MPTC), setting its sights on someday having cashless payments in its expressways, launched on Tuesday a program that is aimed at making customers aware of various electronic options for paying toll fees.

“Our goal in these payment options is to allow our motorists and our customers to experience even more convenience whenever they travel Metro Pacific expressways,” said MPTC President and Chief Executive Officer Rodrigo E. Franco in a press conference at Seda Vertis North hotel in Quezon City.

The options — which include Easy Trip RFID (radio frequency identification), Mastercard contactless cards and beep cards — are now available to motorists using the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx) and Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

The “Digital tollways” program of MPTC, the tollways arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), is also supported by MPTC partners PayMaya Philippines, Easy Trip Services Corp. and AF Payments, Inc.

Mr. Franco said the enabling of electronic transactions in the tollways is a “key contributor” in growing electronic money usage as thousands of motorists use the group’s expressways everyday.

“With this initiative, we are offering Filipinos more options that can suit their lifestyle and personal preferences,” he said.

Although cash payments will not be totally removed, motorists traveling NLEx can now pay tollway fees using Easy Trip RFID, beep cards, Mastercard contactless debit, prepaid and credit cards, including their Smart Mastercard powered by PayMaya.

Mastercard acceptance for CAVITEx and SCTEx will start soon, Mr. Franco said.

Motorists can also pay expressways with their Visa contactless debit, prepaid and credit cards soon.

“With these payment options, motorists will experience an even more seamless, convenient and hassle-free travel at the NLEx, SCTEx and CAVITEx,” he said.

Orlando S. Vea, PayMaya Philippines president and chief executive officer, said the impact of digital transformation in the toll roads space “will not only bring a whole new level of convenience to consumers but also place the country at the forefront of the region’s digital global economy.”

MPTC Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan described the use of digital payments as helping usher a new era of tollways operations “where consumers can enjoy faster, more secure and more convenient electronic transactions.”

He said the initiative is aligned with the National Retail Payment System program of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas that aims to transform 20% of the country’s payment transactions to electronic by 2020.

MPIC is one of three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Victor V. Saulon

Resilience, teamwork have triathlon producing gold

August 23, 2017 | 12:10 am

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter

MONDAY proved to be a better day for Team Philippines in the 29^th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games with triathlon producing impressive 1-2 finishes in both the men’s and women’s events.

Resilience, teamwork have triathlon producing gold — Filipino Kim Mangrobang celebrates after winning the women’s triathlon competition of the 29^th Southeast Asian Games on Monday at the Water Sports Complex in Putrajaya City. — *PSC-POC MEDIA GROUP*

It was a result, the athletes said, of their hard work and dedication to training and resilience as well as their willingness to work together as a team for the greater good of bringing pride and honor to the country.

The men’s side was first to break through for the Philippine triathlon team with Nikko Huelgas and teammate John Chicano finishing first and second.

Mr. Huelgas, the gold medalist in the previous SEA Games in Singapore, clocked one hour, 59 minutes and 21 seconds to retain his crown while Mr. Chicano timed 2:01:26 to formally complete a gold-silver medal performance in men’s triathlon, that saw competitors going through a 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-km. bike ride and 10-km. run course.

Gold-winning Huelgas found himself trailing early in the opening swim but mustered the strength and will to fight his way through to overtake early leader Clement Chow of Singapore and hold the rest of the way along with teammate Chicano.

“Deliver when it matters most. When the country needed you most. For the love. For the Lord,” Mr. Huelgas wrote on his Twitter account after his win.

He went on to say in later interviews that he is very happy that their preparation paid off and they were able to win their event.

TEAMWORK
Moments later, it was the Filipina triathletes who turned over their 1-2 finish with Kim Mangrobang and Ma. Claire Adorna winning gold and silver, respectively.

The Filipinas showed the same amount of team work in the distaff side that allowed them to get the better of hometown bet Irene Wong.

Ms. Mangrobang took the gold with a time of two hours, 11 minutes and 14 seconds.

“It’s okay that I lost the gold,” said Ms. Adorna, who ran alongside Ms. Mangrobang up to transition two before suffering cramps that prompted her to give her teammate the go signal to zoom to victory.

“It doesn’t matter who would win. The important thing is that we keep the gold and silver medals and this victory is for the country. We had a very good strategy and we played perfectly as a team,” she added.

The gold medals of the Filipino triathletes padded our haul to three at that time, in addition to the one won by marathoner Mary Joy Tabal last Saturday.

Chinese ships around Sandy Cay just ‘patrolling’

August 23, 2017 | 12:10 am

By Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral
Reporter

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte on Monday dismissed the reported presence of Chinese vessels in Sandy Cay near Pag-asa Island in the disputed South China Sea, saying Beijing promised him that it will stop new occupations of sea features.

“Why should I defend a sandbar and kill the Filipinos because of a sandbar?” Mr. Duterte told reporters in an interview in Malacañang, adding that the Chinese ships there were just “patrolling” the area.

“China assured me that they will not build anything there,” he said.

China claims most parts of South China Sea, where trillion dollars’ worth of ship-borne goods pass through annually. But the Asian power’s maritime ambitions were challenged by the Philippines, another claimant nation, in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague that ruled in Manila’s favor last year.

Last week, Rep. Gary C. Alejano of Magdalo Party-list released images of Chinese vessels, including fishing, coast guard, and navy ships that he said had been operating near the Philippine-controlled Pag-asa Island.

Mr. Alejano further claimed that the fishing ships included members of China’s maritime militia that blocked Philippine-flagged vessels. A helicopter dispatched from one of the Chinese naval vessels was also seen hovering over unoccupied sandbars, he said.

The lawmaker’s report was later confirmed by US-based think tank Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) through satellite images. AMTI said China possibly wanted to “dissuade” Manila from its planned upgrades on Pag-asa.

‘SPECULATING’
Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio, who was among those who argued in closed court hearings in The Hague, earlier explained that the arbitral award “extensively discussed” Sandy Cay, which is located between Pag-asa Island and Zamora Reef.

According to Mr. Carpio, Sandy Cay is a disappearing high-tide sandbar and appears only for a few months. But due to China’s “dredging” in Subi Reef, pulverized corals gathered by waves at Sandy Cay made it “permanently above water at high-tide”.

“As a high-tide elevation, Sandy Cay is now land or territory capable of sovereign ownership with its own territorial sea and territorial airspace,” he said in a statement.

“If China acquires sovereignty over Sandy Cay, it can now claim Subi Reef as part of the territorial sea of Sandy Cay, legitimizing China’s claim over Subi Reef and removing Subi Reef from the continental shelf of the Philippines,” he added.

“The very least that they could do now is to vigorously protest this invasion of Philippine territory by China.”

Mr. Duterte brushed aside the comments of the member of the country’s Supreme Court, saying Mr. Carpio was only “speculating” and that the Philippines must avoid confrontations with China.

“That is not true. China would not do that… he (Mr. Carpio) should go out there and find for himself,” the President said.

“I believe in the word of [China], if they break out, so hindi na ako mag-bilib sa kanila (I won’t have faith in them anymore).”

Taking office shortly before Manila’s legal victory against China, Mr. Duterte set aside PCA’s verdict, pursuing instead friendly ties with Beijing and seeking billions of dollars in aid and investment while berating traditional ally, the US.

While Washington is not a claimant nation and maintains it takes no sides in the territorial conflict, it has condemned what it qualified as China’s “militarization” of the sea and has repeatedly deployed warships in waters close to reefs occupied by Beijing.

In the same news conference on Monday, Mr. Duterte said he would no longer seek help from the US because the country, whose officials had questioned his bloody war on drugs, has “lost” his trust.

Philippines’ fourth gold won by gymnast Reyland Capellan

August 23, 2017 | 12:09 am

THE Philippines won its fourth gold medal in the 29^th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games yesterday morning when Filipino gymnast Reyland Capellan successfully defended his title in the men’s floor exercise at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Philippines’ fourth gold won by gymnast Reyland Capellan — Reyland Capellan competes in the men’s floor exercise event of the gymnastics competition of the 29^th Southeast Asian Games Tuesday at the MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Capellan scored 13.950 points to win the gold medal. — *PSC-POC MEDIA GROUP*

Defending the title he won in Singapore two years ago, that effectively ended a medal drought in the floor exercise for the country, Mr. Capellan, 23, completed back-to-back SEA Games gold with a score of 13.950 points, beating out Zul Bahrin Mat Asri of Malaysia and Tikumporn Surintornta of Thailand, who registered 13.750 and 13.6700 points to settle for the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

“I’m so happy that I am able to contribute to the gold-medal production of the Philippines,” said Mr. Capellan, a product of the Centro Escolar University, following his gold-winning showing in the artistic portion of the gymnastics event in the ongoing biennial regional sporting meet.

His gold was the fourth for the country following those of marathoner Mary Joy Tabal and triathletes Nikko Huelgas and Kim Mangrobang. — MASM

President backs Año as next DILG head

August 23, 2017 | 12:09 am

By Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral
Reporter

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday, Aug. 21, said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Eduardo M. Año remains his top pick for the next Local Government secretary despite a law barring the appointment of newly-retired military or police officials to the post.

Mr. Duterte announced last May that Mr. Año would be appointed secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) when the AFP chief reaches his mandatory retirement age of 56, replacing sacked Ismael D. Sueno.

But under Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6975, or the DILG Act of 1990, no retired or resigned military officer or police official may be appointed as DILG secretary within one year from the date of his retirement or resignation.

In a press conference in Malacañang, Mr. Duterte, noting the “prohibition” in placing Mr. Año to the post, said the military chief will be under him until the ban on appointing retired military officials lapses.

Mr. Año must also finish his “mission” of ending the Marawi siege before he can take the helm at DILG, Mr. Duterte said.

“I would make him a senior aide of the Office of the President or whatever. Or undersecretary if that is legally feasible. Ilagay ko lang siya undersecretary but he performs as officer-in-charge,” the President said of Mr. Año.

Malacañang earlier said the chief executive had an “alternative solution” regarding Mr. Año’s appointment.

Last April, Mr. Duterte fired Mr. Sueno after the Office of the President received a confidential letter enumerating graft allegations against the dismissed official. But Mr. Sueno denied the corruption complaints.

Shortly after Mr. Sueno’s dismissal, Undersecretary Catalino S. Cuy was appointed DILG officer-in-charge in a holdover capacity.

Agencies under the DILG include the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

‘SHE WAS REALLY BRIGHT’
Still on the topic of presidential appointees, Mr. Duterte also lamented the Commission on Appointments’ (CA) decision to reject the ad-interim appointment of Judy M. Taguiwalo as Social Welfare secretary after more than a year in office.

“They (CA) voted secretly. I do not know who voted for and who was against Taguiwalo. And that is the job of Congress as part of the checks and balances in this government,” Mr. Duterte said.

“Checks and balance ‘yan eh. So wala tayong magawa kung i-reject (So there’s nothing we can do if she’s rejected). I do not want to attribute or impute something, motive. It’s a discretion and they voted secret,” he added.

Ms. Taguiwalo’s appointment had been bypassed five times.

It was not immediately clear why the Left-leaning Cabinet official was rejected, but there were speculations that the collapse of peace talks between the state and communist rebels created an air of uncertainty over her position.

Asked if he already has a replacement for the “bright” Ms. Taguiwalo, Mr. Duterte, apparently in jest, said he offered the position to ABS-CBN reporter Doris Bigornia but she rejected it.

“All that I ask of her is just to work and avoid corruption, period. And enjoy the duty of serving your countrymen,” he said of Ms. Bigornia.

Ms. Taguiwalo is the third appointee of Mr. Duterte rejected by the legislative body.

Mr. Duterte has insisted he does not try to influence the commission, despite having the backing of a legislative super majority.

Last week, Social Welfare Undersecretary Emmanuel A. Leyco was designated as the department’s officer-in-charge.

Philippines pads SEAG medal tally with five more gold medals

August 23, 2017 | 12:08 am

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter

THE Philippines had its best day to date in the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday, winning five more gold medals to pad its medal tally early in the biennial regional meet.

Philippines pads SEAG medal tally with five more gold medals — Sprinter Eric Cray of the Philippines capped a five-gold medal day for the country yesterday by winning the 400-meter hurdles event of the 29th Southeast Asian Games. Mr. Cray clocked 50.03 seconds to win the gold medal. — *PSC-POC MEDIA GROUP*

Gymnasts Reyland Capellan and Kaitlin de Guzman, wushu artist Agatha Won, fencer Brennan Wayne Louie and sprinter Eric Cray added to the Philippines’ gold medal haul with impressive showings in their respective events to banner a fruitful day for the country that saw it improve to eight gold, 10 silver and nine bronze medals as of 10 p.m. last night.

Mr. Capellan started the gold notching for the Filipinos by ruling the men’s floor exercise event, which he also won in the previous SEA Games in Singapore.

The 23-year old Capellan bucked a faulty start to finish with 13.950 points to win the floor exercise event.

He bested Zul Bahrin Bin Mat Asri of Malaysia and Tikumporn Surintornta of Thailand, who registered 13.750 and 13.6700 points to settle for the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

“I’m so happy that I am able to contribute to the gold-medal production of the Philippines. I was a little nervous at the start that’s why I lost my balance and had a bad landing. But it’s okay; at least I made up for that missed opportunity in the latter part of my routine,” said Mr. Capellan, a product of the Centro Escolar University, after his win.

Next came Ms. De Guzman, a second-generation gymnast who topped the uneven bars category and in the process ended the country’s 20-year gold medal drought in the women’s artistic gymnastics event.

Ms. De Guzman, daughter of former SEA Games gold medal-winning gymnast Cintamoni Dela Cruz, got 12.875 points to win top honors in her event, edging Tracie Ang of Malaysia (12.550 points) and Rifda Irfanaluthfi of Indonesia (12.075 points).

“I am so happy now that I won a gold medal representing the Philippines,” said Ms. De Guzman, a senior at Epic Charter Home School in Dallas, Texas.

WUSHU AND FENCING
After a successful outing by the Filipino gymnasts, wushu artist Wong seconded their efforts by bagging the gold in the women’s taijiquan event after she scored 9.66 points.

Ms. Wong, who won a silver medal the previous day, defeated Basma Lachkar of Brunei (9.54 points) and Ho Lin Ying of Singapore (with 9.44 points), who got silver and bronze, respectively.

Filipino-American fencer Louie, meanwhile, beat compatriot Nathaniel Perez in the gold-medal match of men’s foil event in fencing competition.

Mr. Perez, a University of the East standout, settled for the silver together with Hanniel Abella, who lost to Nguyen Thi Hoa of Vietnam in the women’s individual epee competition.

Capping the solid day for the Philippines was Mr. Cray in athletics.

He first topped the 400m men’s hurdles by a narrow margin, clocking 50.03 seconds, just .02 seconds ahead of Vietnam’s Quach Cong Lich who came in at 50.05 seconds.

It was a successful title defense for Mr. Cray, who won the same event in Singapore in 2015.

Mr. Cray tried to make it a golden double in the 2017 SEA Games later in the night but his bid in the men’s 100m final fell short, finishing second with a time of 10:43 seconds to hometown bet Khairul Hafiz B J (10:38).

Senate committee approves OVP budget

August 23, 2017 | 12:08 am

By Mario M. Banzon

THE proposed P443.9-million budget for the Office of the Vice-President (OVP) sailed through the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.

Presented by Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo to committee chair Loren B. Legarda, the proposed budget focuses on anti-poverty projects and health-care programs.

Ms. Robredo presented three goals: Improved health and nutrition of mothers and children under 5 years of age, improved income for families living below the poverty threshold and improved access inclusive and equitable education.

Ms. Robredo also specified in her presentation that she is supporting the administration’s anti-poverty efforts by “pushing advocacies that are focused on six thematic areas.” Included are livelihood and jobs; education; women empowerment; housing and resettlement; universal healthcare; and food security and nutrition.

P83,577,000 is allocated to personnel services, P349,029,000 to maintenance and other operating expenses, and P11,340,000 to capital outlay. The budget slightly increased from P428,618,000 in 2017 to P443,946,000 in 2018.

The budget for the OVP is the third to be approved by the committee after the Department of Foreign Affairs and Office of the President. Currently, only the proposed 2018 budget for the Department of Justice awaits further deliberation.

League-leading Meralco Sparks play JPV Marikina in ‘away’ match

August 23, 2017 | 12:07 am

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter

LEAGUE-leading FC Meralco Manila treks back to the pitch today as it plays JPV Marikina FC in an “away” Philippines Football League match at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

League-leading Meralco Sparks play JPV Marikina in ‘away’ match — FC Meralco Manila makes a short turnaround and plays JPV Marikina FC today in midweek action at the Philippines Football League. — *FC MERALCO MANILA FACEBOOK ACCOUNT*

Set for 4 p.m., the Sparks (12-3-2 and 39 points), the designated visiting side despite calling the stadium its home as JPV’s home pitch is under rehabilitation, look to extend their current winning streak of four and build further separation between them and the chasing pack.

JPV, for its part, is out to stabilize its ship after hitting a rough patch that somehow negated its strong start to the first season of the newly formed national football league.

Meralco is coming off a 1-0 victory over Ilocos United FC just last Sunday.

While they played sans key players for varying reasons, the Sparks made sure to stay on top of things, getting steady contributions from other players to swing to their fourth straight win.

Curt Dizon scored the only goal of the match in stoppage time of the opening half while the rest of the team banded together to keep the Ilocos challenge at bay throughout the contest.

Despite the win, Meralco coach Aris Caslib still thought they could have played better, especially on the defensive end, and underscored the need for them to continue improving.

“Our defensive line stepped up but I was surprised by our [wasted] chances [against Ilocos]. We need to go back to the training pitch to work on our finishing,” he said.

JPV (7-2-6), for its part, enters the contest off a 2-2 draw last week with Kaya FC-Makati.

Takumi Uesato had JPV starting well but the team just could not take advantage of it to settle for the draw and the one point that went it.

The 2-2 draw for JPV halted for it the big momentum it built in the 5-2 victory it had over Global Cebu FC previously.

Executing dichotomy

August 23, 2017 | 12:07 am

Text and photos by Kap Maceda Aguila

LEXUS is known for high technology, luxurious execution and premium accoutrements. And, like parent company Toyota, it earns high marks and praise in pioneering and purveying alternative (read: more eco-friendly) engines.

Executing dichotomy

But every so often, the Nagoya-based car maker likes to throw a curve ball.

The LC 500, launched recently at the Lexis Manila showroom in Bonifacio Global City, is a perfect example. “Many were uncertain if a concept vehicle as arresting and dynamic as the LF-LC [previewed in September last year] could be transformed into a production vehicle… [Here] before you today is the incarnation of Lexus’s commitment to brave design and imaginative technology — the all-new LC 500,” declared Toyota Motor Philippines president Satoru Suzuki, in a speech.

A grand tourer that surely takes inspiration from the LFA supercar and bestows it with a practicality for the daily drive — while making the price a relatively more affordable P8.888 million — the LC 500 is certainly conceived and built as an attention grabber.

Concurred Lexus Manila president Raymond T. Rodriguez in an exclusive interview, “I would describe it in one word, ‘amazing.’ You could see the big change from our previous models to this one. This is much more aggressive; a high-performance coupe. And it has a new platform; it’s completely made from scratch.” Even materials chosen for the LC 500 are impressive. Doors are made of aluminum, and reinforced by carbon fiber. “The body is stiffer than even the LFA’s, but the car is definitely more comfortable, and easier to drive.”

Executing dichotomy — Toyota Motor Philippines executives led by president Satoru Suzuki (third from right), SVP Jose Ariel T. Arias (second from left), and Lexus Manila president Raymond T. Rodriguez (third from left) celebrate the launch of the Lexus LC 500. Mr. Rodriguez said the new car has significantly changed from the previous model, having turned “much more aggressive.”

The spindle grille, a Lexus innovation that was derived from the LFA, finds full expression with a new 3-D mesh design in the LC 500. Framing it are aggressive-looking triple-LED head lamp units that feature “one of the industry’s thinnest projectors.” L-shaped daytime running lamps are located below them. Lexus makes mention of the LC 500’s “fast, sloped roofline, its wind-cutting silhouette, and its long 2,870-millimeter wheelbase.”

The curve ball to this beautiful vehicle comes as an old-school-paradigm, high-revving, naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine. According to Lexus, the power plant “was selected for its smooth, linear throttle response and emotional engine sound.” The 32-valve V8 blurts out 477hp and 527Nm, enabled by a dual intake inlet that helps improve breathing while allowing a healthy roar. Promised Mr. Rodriguez, “The sound is just so amazing. You really can’t get that from turbocharged engines. Lexus tuned the exhaust system, and you can really hear the growl of the engine.”

A first-in-class 10-speed automatic transmission features heat-treated, lightweight aluminum gears, and boasts “the most compact torque converter ever used on a Lexus model in an effort to help improve transmission efficiency.” The system allows drivers to harness the V8’s performance.

Inside, the LC 500 boasts a 10.3-inch display bundled with its Lexus Multimedia package, and a 174-millimeter by 48-millimeter, full-color TFT backlit heads-up display easily visible even during the day. An incredible complement of 13 audio speakers gives expression to a high-end, Mark Levinson system “capable of producing rich, lower octaves and higher frequencies.”

Averred TMP SVP Jose Ariel T. Arias in his presentation, “Lexus is the epitome of humble excellence… But what does it mean to be luxurious today? The world we live in is characterized by constant change and elevated expectations. Hence, luxury as we’ve known it is different from luxury as it is now. Because of this, Lexus has redefined luxury. We realized that apart from great products, what makes a brand great is the experience it delivers.”

Indeed, the LC 500, with its full complement of luxury features and what promises to be a brutal engine, is just begging to be experienced by those who can cough up the dough. The vehicle takes its place as the new “halo model” of Lexus that communicates “brave design, takumi [artisan] craftsmanship, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance.”

Invited Mr. Rodriguez, “We’re looking for customers who want to be different. This is the first time we’ve designed such an amazing product. If you want to be different or unique from the rest, then this is the right car to get.”

Storm Isang intensified on its way out of PHL area

August 23, 2017 | 12:07 am

TROPICAL STORM Hato, locally named Isang, was forecasted to be out of the Philippine area by today, Aug. 23, but not before dumping heavy rains in the central to northern parts of Luzon on Tuesday. Isang also intensified the southwest monsoon, bringing light to heavy rains over the Visayas and the rest of Luzon, particularly over the western section and the Cordillera Administrative Region. The country’s weather bureau, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), raised typhoon signal #1 yesterday in Ilocos Norte, the Batanes and Babuyan islands. In Metro Manila, the Marikina River was placed under alert level 2 on Tuesday morning as the water reached 16 meters above sea level (MASL). An alert level 2 sends out a signal to residents to prepare for possible evacuation. Forced evacuation is implemented at alert level 3 when the water reached 18 MASL. Classes were suspended in the capital, surrounding areas, and other provinces in the northern part of Luzon. — with a report from philstar.com