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UBS looks to acquire controlling stake in China joint venture

UBS GROUP AG submitted an application to acquire a majority stake in its Chinese securities venture, becoming the first global bank to take advantage of Beijing’s latest commitment to open its financial markets to foreign firms.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission received the application from the Zurich-based bank on Tuesday, according to a statement on the CSRC website.
UBS said in a separate statement it aims to raise the stake in its China venture to 51%, up from the current 24.99%.
China renewed a pledge last month to open its financial markets and set a June deadline for allowing foreign firms to own as much as 51% of their securities JVs, up from the current 49% ceiling.
On April 28, the CSRC followed up by issuing detailed guidelines, setting out the qualifications required from foreign shareholders and the scope of the businesses they can establish.
The moves present great opportunities for UBS’s investment banking, wealth and asset management operations in China, the Swiss bank’s said in its statement.
Global investment banks have spent years operating with limitations in China as they waited for an opportunity to become majority owners, a shift that could motivate them to step up expansion there.
With the impasse finally at an end, at least three foreign firms are planning to increase their stakes. Securities firms in China raked in a combined $50 billion of revenue last year, official data show.
UBS Chief Executive Officer Sergio Ermotti said in January the firm is in discussions with its local partners on taking a 51% stake in the venture. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. have also signaled a desire to take majority stakes in their Chinese ventures.
Separately, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission approved plans by ICBC-AXA Life Insurance to set up an asset management unit, making it the first such venture to be approved after President Xi Jinping vowed to accelerate opening of the nation’s insurance industry last month. — Bloomberg

Poetry, music, performances at literary fair Wordello

Literary Fair
Wordello
May 5, 5 p.m. onwards
Casa Real, Acacia Ave.,
Acacia Estates, Taguig City
IN A GRAND ancestral home this Saturday, some of the country’s finest writers and poets will gather for Wordello, a gothic-themed literary fair and fund-raiser inspired by the Poetry Brothel in New York.
Hosted by the Likhaan Creative Writing Foundation, which has been supporting creative writing scholars for 20 years, Wordello will be an intimate evening of haunting poetry, an immersive live poetry experience with readings by Gemino Abad, Krip Yuson, Butch Dalisay, RayVi Sunico, Marne Kilates, Charlson Ong, Sylvia Mayuga, Cesare and Maxine Syjuco, Joel Pablo Salud, Nerisa Guevara, Cesar Aljama, Gil Yuzon, Asha Macam, Monique Obligacion, Jenny Ortuoste, Mark Dimaisip, Siege Malvar, Johanna Carissa Fernandez, Voltes VIM, and Louise Meets and Henri Igna of Words Anonymous.
The evening will also feature the music of Lourd de Veyra, a short film by Khavn dela Cruz, and special performances by the Daloy Dance Group and LIRA. In corners of the house, Karen Kunawicz will hold oracle card readings while Leo Castro will engrave bamboo strips and ink skin with pre-colonial baybayin script.
Guests may also linger on the balconies of Casa Real, the century-old Tuason mansion transplanted from Sta. Mesa to Taguig in 2013, where they can browse through the stash of mystery and crime novels, as well as homegrown magazines, books, and comics by local writers and artists from indie bookstores Black Cat and Kwago.
Tickets to Wordello, which include free shuttle rides and complimentary bar chow from Spanish restaurant Ilustrado, are priced at P1,000 and P500 (for students with valid school IDs). All proceeds from the fund-raiser will benefit Likhaan Creative Writing Foundation’s scholarship program and upcoming projects on literature and literacy, including teacher training in both English and Pilipino.
For tickets and inquiries, call 0917-897-1535, 0917-533-7309, or 0918-907-9808 or visit facebook.com/wordelloph.

Prince Harry and Meghan choose their royal wedding carriage

LONDON — Britain’s Prince Harry and his bride-to-be Meghan Markle said on Wednesday they were looking forward to the procession through Windsor following their wedding this month, after choosing an open-top royal carriage for the journey.
Harry and his US fiancee will ride in an Ascot Landau carriage when they take a tour through the town after the wedding ceremony at Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth’s home to the west of London, on May 19.
“Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are very much looking forward to this short journey which they hope will allow them to express their gratitude for everyone who has gathered together in Windsor to enjoy the atmosphere of this special day,” Harry’s office, Kensington Palace, said in a statement.
The carriage procession will see the couple ride from the castle through Windsor before returning up the Long Walk, a famous, tree-flanked straight promenade that leads to the castle gates.
There are more than 100 carriages in the Royal Mews collection with five Ascot Landaus. Harry traveled in one of them to the wedding of his elder brother William to Kate Middleton in 2011 when he acted as best man.
Kensington Palace said the carriage would be pulled by Windsor Grey horses, which have drawn the carriages of monarchs and members of the royal family Queen Victoria in the 19th Century, and would be escorted by members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. — Reuters

Crown Asia to supply pipes for CALAX project

CROWN Asia Chemicals Corp. is set to supply pipes for the big-ticket road infrastructure project linking the provinces Cavite and Laguna.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Thursday, the manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Crown pipes said the company is one of the selected material suppliers for the P35.68-billion build-operate-transfer project.
The company will be supplying its line of Crown pipes that will initially be used in the Laguna side of the project.
“Crown Pipes was subjected to consistent and stringent testing from MPCALA and DMCI (Consunji, Inc.) and will continue to be a preferred brand of high-impact infrastructure projects,” the company said.
MPCALA Holdings, which is part of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), is the private concessionaire for the CALAX project. Last year, MPCALA signed the contract with DM Consunji, Inc. for the construction of the Laguna segment.
The P35.68-billion CALAX project covers a 44.6-kilometer four-lane toll road between the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx)-Mamplasan interchange and the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx). The project aims to reduce travel time from CAVITEx to SLEx by 45 minutes.
CALAX is expected to be completed in year 2020.
Crown Asia was earlier tapped as a supplier for the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, a 14.8-kilometer expressway connecting Buendia Avenue, Makati City to Balintawak, Quezon City.
Other than the manufacture of PVC compounds and Crown Pipes, Crown Asia is also engaged in the production of plastic compounds, PVC pellets, plastic pipes, and other related products for the construction and telecommunication industries.
Shares in Crown Asia slipped two centavos or 1.04% to end at P1.90 apiece. — Krista Angela M. Montealegre

ABS-CBN, GMA claim TV ratings lead in April

ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network, Inc. both claimed lead nationwide ratings for April.
In a statement, Lopez-led ABS-CBN cited data provided by Kantar Media showing it had an average audience share of 45% in April, while GMA had 33% share.
GMA, in a separate statement, said it recorded a 39.7% audience share in April against ABS-CBN’s 38.6%, citing data from Nielsen.
ABS-CBN said that audience measurement provider Kantar Media uses a nationwide sample size of 2,610 urban and rural homes, while GMA said Nielsen surveyed “approximately 900 more homes” than Kantar.
ABS-CBN claimed it led in TV ratings in all areas, including Metro Manila where it scored 42% against GMA’s 25%. It noted that it recorded a 36% audience share versus GMA’s 34% in Mega Manila; 41% against GMA’s 35% in total Luzon; 54% versus GMA’s 26% in total Visayas; and 51% against GMA’s 29% in total Mindanao.
“Half of Philippine households watching TV also remained glued to ABS-CBN’s primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 midnight), which recorded an average audience share of 50%, or 18 points higher than GMA’s 32%,” ABS-CBN said, citing FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano as the most-watched TV program in April.
Meanwhile, GMA said it had a total day audience share of 44.2% in urban Luzon in April (with April 22 to 30 based on overnight data), versus ABS-CBN’s 33.2%. In Mega Manila, GMA said it led with 45.8% total day audience share versus ABS-CBN’s 30.5%. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

A work in progress


By Alexander O. Cuaycong
and Anthony L. Cuaycong
THE NAMES Nihon Falcom and NIS America carry a lot of weight in the gaming industry. Both companies have time and time again proven their capacity to produce outstanding titles — among others, Legend of Heroes and Dragon Slayer for the former, and Disgaea and Phantom Brave for the latter. It came as no surprise, then, that when these two companies teamed up to create Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, the fruit of their work was nothing short of spectacular. Originally released in 2016 on the PS Vita, Ys VIII was praised as the best yet from the franchise. Featuring stellar combat mechanics, memorable music, and a compelling story to boot, it was a perfect candidate to be ported over to other platforms. The PlayStation 4 received its own version last year, and late last month, it made its debut on the personal computer.
In Ys VIII, longtime series protagonist Adol Christin again takes center stage, shipwrecked and stranded on the cursed island of Seiren, from which no one comes home. The game has him teaming up with other castaways, building and securing a base to house them all, and ultimately uncovering the mystery that surrounds the island. And for players, it helps that their sense of discovery is heightened in no small measure by the game’s compelling tone. The soundtrack sets scenes superbly; from the soothing orchestral pieces to the more intense combat music, the auditory experience evokes wonderment. Meanwhile, the visuals, while not spectacular, are vibrant and eye-catching; they’re not as detailed as some of the companies’ other titles, but they set the stage competently all the same.
Which is well and good, because no matter the setting (from lush jungle villages to dark and forgotten dungeons), there’s always something new for players to find. And, needless to say, exploration is integral to progression, much in the same way as in the series’ other titles. Players will run through dungeons, scavenge for supplies, rescue fellow survivors, and slowly develop their quaint little village. Keeping it safe is a top priority, thus requiring them to continually defend the village. Thankfully, the game’s combat system is on point; employing a rock-paper-scissors approach to fighting, it evolves from its seeming simplicity, underscoring the importance of developing multiple skills and special attacks. These, along with a fluid grasp of the controls, are integral to beating some of the tougher monsters and later bosses.
Story-wise, Ys VIII boasts of one of the better ones to come out of the series. Set up nicely by the underlying narrative of the island’s curse, the need to survive is given due prominence. In this regard, it’s a shame that the game’s intrinsic value is discounted by its underwhelming port. On the day of its PC release, players frequently experienced glitches and crashes. And while patches have constantly been made available in the intervening period, bugs remain and require additional programming improvements.
Overall, Ys VIII is arguably the best game in the series to date. Unfortunately, its PC incarnation remains a work in progress, and up until issues are completely addressed, it cannot but be a cautionary buy at best. Those who have a PS4 would do well to pick the console’s version up. Certainly, the newest port will improve in and over time, and when it does, it will deserve its standing as one of the better role-playing games released on the platform in recent memory.

Your Weekend Guide (May 4, 2018)

Comedy Manila at WMRC

THE KINGS of Manila’s stand-up scene will perform at the Winford Manila Resort and Casino (WMRC) on May 5, 8 p.m. at the Hippodrome Bar and Lounge. It features acts from leading local stand-up club Comedy Manila, namely James Caraan, Anthony Andres, Red Ollero, Ryan Rems, GB Labrador, and Alex Calleja. Admission is free for all WMRC members and guests 21-years-old and above. VIP tickets are available for members and guests who prefer premium seating for the show for P1,250 net per person. Each ticket includes a VIP seat near the Hippodrome stage and is consumable on food and drinks at the venue. For more information, visit www.winfordmanila.com or call the Winford Manila Resort and Casino reservations at 528-3600 for inquiries and bookings.

Get fit

BILLING ITSELF as the biggest fitness festival in the country is the 7th annual Manila Throwdown Individual Edition on May 5 and 6 in Circuit Makati. Be inspired by the strongest athletes as the event gathers more than 200 qualified athletes and about 800 spectators from the Philippines and neighboring countries. For more information, visit www.circuitmakati.com.

Summer Fashion show

SHANGRI-LA Plaza presents the Sun Up to Showdown Summer Fashion Show on May 5 and 6, 6 p.m., at the mall’s Grand Atrium. Fashion lovers can expect a unique Instagrammable fashion experience, plus see the summer’s hottest trends and must-have pieces from brands like Calvin Klein Jeans, Armani Exchange, Plains & Prints, Bayo, Just G, Gingersnaps, Payless, and The Park.

Shopping Galore

THE CIRCUIT Summer Night Market offers retail therapy on weekends at Circuit Makati. Organized by the Common Good Market, the night market offers apparel, bags, accessories, gadgets, toys, and cosmetics. It also has food concessionaires such as Pinoy Pao, The Lemonade Bar, Gino’s Pasta Hub, Let’s Kakanin, and Gridiron. For added fun, visitors can play with life-sized board games for free when they make a purchase from any of the merchants. The night market runs from May 5 to 6 at the open parking lot.

Comedy nights

COMEDY MANILA presents Funny Fridays: Endless Laughter at 8:30 p.m. on May 4 at the Teatrino at Promenade, Greenhills, San Juan. For tickets (P500) and schedules, visit TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph) or call 891-9999.

Sa Wakas the musical

THE re-run of Sa Wakas: A New Pinoy Rock Musical, featuring the songs of Sugarfree, is being held at the PowerMac Center Spotlight at Circuit Makati until May 26. Co-written by Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan and Mariane Abuan, with musical arrangement by Ejay Yatco, the musical brings together the world of pop rock and theater. For tickets and schedules, visit TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph) or call 891-9999.

The Lion King

THE LION KING runs at the Theater in Solaire through May 27. — JOAN MARCUS © DISNEY.JPG

THE international touring production of The Lion King has performances at the Theater in Solaire until May 27. Winner of over 70 major international theater awards, it features lyrics and music by Elton John and Tim Rice including the songs “Circle of Life” and the Oscar-winning “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” For details, visit thelionking.ph. For tickets and schedules, visit TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph) or call 891-9999.

Linking economies for inclusive development

The Philippines is currently hosting the 51st Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors from May 3 to 6 at various venues in Metro Manila, mostly in the cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig.
This is the largest international event hosted by the country this year, with some 4,000 delegates in attendance. Central bank governors and finance ministers from the ADB’s 67 member-countries are in town for the multilateral meeting with the theme of “Linking People and Economies for Inclusive Development.”
While the 2017 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and its related summits were held in key cities nationwide, with activities in the National Capital Region clustered in Makati City and the Manila Bay area, this time around the events are concentrated in the Ortigas central business district.
Aside from tomorrow’s closed-door Board of Governors meeting at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, the highlight of this four-day conference is the Philippine-hosted forum on the “Past, Present, and Future of the World Economy” at the ADB Gymnasium today.
Distinguished experts in digital finance, international economics, and history will lead the sessions and share their insights on how tectonic shifts in the global economy and new technologies will shape the Earth’s future.
These speakers are: fintech leader Eric Jing, CEO of Ant Financial Services, Alibaba Group; economist Dr. Paola Subacchi, former director of international economics at Chatham House; and historian Dr. Peter Frankopan, professor of global history at Oxford University.
Philippine Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, who is concurrent chair of the ADB Board of Governors, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Nestor Espenilla, Jr. will be on board during this host-country forum, along with ADB President Takehiko Nakao.
ADB Institute Dean Dr. Naoyuki Yoshino, BSP Monetary Board member Dr. Felipe Medalla, Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank CFO Thierry de Longuemar, International Monetary Fund Assistant Director Vikram Haksar, and ADB Finance Sector Group chief Lotte Schou-Zibell will serve as panelists in the three sessions.
Significantly, this is the first carbon-neutral ADB annual meeting ever held in Manila, where the development banking institution was founded in 1966. This is in line with ADB’s firm commitment to make all its annual meetings sustainable.
MASSKARA SA GRANADA
Actor-businessman Joel Torre’s chicken inasal restaurant, JT’s Manukan Grille, is holding its 15th anniversary party on May 6 at the pioneer outlet along Ortigas Avenue and Granada Street in Gilmore, Quezon City.
The celebration will have a Masskara theme patterned after the world-famous Masskara Festival of Bacolod City, home of the original inasal or roasted chicken dish. An evening of musical entertainment will be provided by DJ Elmer Dado, his band Gruppo Tribale, a drum and percussion duo known as the Hernandez Brothers, and other special guests.
From its humble beginnings in Granada near the boundary of Quezon City and San Juan City, JT’s Manukan has grown to 16 branches nationwide, the latest of which recently opened in Siargao Island off northeastern Mindanao. Kudos to Joel and his wife Christy on their successful food venture!
J. Albert Gamboa is CFO of the Asian Center for Legal Excellence and Chairman of the FINEX Media Affairs Committee’s Golden Jubilee Book Project.

What to see this week

6 films to see on the week of May 4-11, 2018
Blockers

WHEN THREE parents find out about their daughters’ plans to lose their virginity on prom night, they get together with a plan of their own. Directed by Kay Cannon, the film stars Leslie Mann, Ike Barenholtz, John Cena, Kathryn Newton, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Gideon Aldon. CNN.com’s Brian Lowry writes, “Blockers gives girls their turn, similar to what Bridesmaids did for the bachelor-party motif, while embracing a similar level of naughtiness, from crude talk to projectile vomiting to a whole new method of chugging beer.” Review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a high score of 83%.
MTRCB Rating: R-18
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum

PEOPLE are invited by an Internet broadcaster for an “experience the horror” show at an abandoned mental hospital in Gwangju, South Korea, and are tasked to explore the hospital and live stream their experience. However, tortured souls may be lurking around the place and things get out of control. Directed by Beom-sik Jeong, the film stars Seung-Wook Lee, Ye-Won Mun, Ji-Hyun Park. The South China Morning Post’s James Marsh writes: “Gonjiam is almost completely devoid of violence or gore, earning its chills from impressively creepy locations and convincing performances of a largely unknown cast.”
MTRCB Rating: PG
I Feel Pretty

A WOMAN with low self-esteem and insecurities wakes up after a bad fall believing that she is a supermodel. Going through her life with confidence, things may change once she realizes that her appearance has not changed. Directed Abby Kohn and Josh Silverstein, the film stars Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, Rory Shovel, Aidy Bryant, and Busy Phillips. The Atlantic’s Christopher Orr comments, “This movie, premised on the idea that self-esteem trumps physical beauty, doesn’t even believe in the product it’s selling.” Review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a score of just 34%.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Midnight Sun

TEENAGER Katie Price has a rare genetic condition which leaves her sensitive to sunlight, which means that she lives her life at night. When her long-time crush Charlie asks her out, she has to face the challenge of living a normal life while constrained by her life-threatening condition. Directed by Scott Speer, the stars Bella Thorne, Patrick Schwarzeneger, Rob Riggle, Quinn Shepard, Ken Tremblet, and Suleka Mathew. The Hollywood Reporter’s Frank Scheck writes, “Midnight Sun does an effective job of tugging at vulnerable teenage hearts, while managing to provide a few laughs along the way. None of the film rings remotely true, especially the cornball conclusion, but the two young leads are so darn attractive and appealing that one can’t help being caught up in their characters’ poignant romance.” The film comes to theaters with a low 17% score from review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Future World

PRINCE, the son of a dying queen in a desert oasis, travels to look for medicine to save his mother’s life, encountering a warlord and his enforcer, a robot sex companion-assassin, and a druglord in the process. Directed by James Franco and Bruce Thierry Cheung, the film stars Lucy Liu, Jeffrey Wahlberg, Mila Jovovich, Suki Waterhouse, James Franco, and Snoop Dogg.
MTRCB Rating: R-16
Single/Single: Love is Not Enough

AFTER the success of the original television series, Single/Single hits the big screen. It follows the show’s original protagonists, roommates Joee and Joey, as they struggle with supporting a child and keeping their relationship alive. Directed by Ronnie Velasco and Pablo Biglang-awa, it stars Shaina Magdayao, Matteo Guidicelli, Cherie Gil, Ricky Davao, Anna Luna, Brian Sy, Wil Devaughn, and JC Santos.
MTRCB Rating: PG

Ready to beat malaria

AFTER AN unprecedented period of success in malaria control, progress has stalled in the global response to one of humanity’s oldest diseases. This was the key finding of the 2017 “World Malaria Report” of the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO is calling for urgent action to safeguard the gains in the fight against malaria in line with the observance of World Malaria Day 2018 on April 25 with theme “Ready to Beat Malaria.”
Malaria is a disease caused by parasites that are usually transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Although preventable and curable, malaria can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. About 90% of malaria cases and deaths occur in Africa. Initial symptoms, which may be mild and difficult to diagnose as malaria, include fever, headache, and chills. Children with severe malaria frequently develop severe anemia, respiratory distress (fluid build-up in the lungs), or cerebral malaria (a severe condition caused by malarial parasites in the brain’s blood vessels). In adults, malarial parasites often invade vital organs such as the brain and liver.
“The current pace is insufficient to achieve the 2020 milestones of the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030 — specifically, targets calling for a 40% reduction in malaria case incidence and death rates,” stated the 2017 “World Malaria Report.” According to the report, countries with ongoing transmission are increasingly falling into one of two categories: those moving towards elimination and those with a high burden of the disease that have reported significant increases in malaria cases.
Malaria is the 9th leading cause of sickness in the Philippines. According to the available data from the Department of Health (DoH), malaria is endemic (prevalent) in 58 provinces, with 14 million Filipinos at risk. The DoH is working with other government institutions such as the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) and University of the Philippines-College of Public Health, international NGOs such as the WHO, and local government units (LGUs) in implementing the country’s Malaria Control Program. The program has three key interventions: early diagnosis and prompt treatment, vector control, and LGU capacity building.
Vector control is the main way to prevent and reduce malaria transmission. This includes the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying with insecticides, and elimination of stagnant water in flower pots, old tires, empty bottles, and plastic containers, etc.
In a report by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) in 2017, at least 13 research-based pharmaceutical companies are working on 53 potential medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and vector control projects that are in discovery to advanced stages of clinical trials.
After observing World Malaria Day last week, let us all do our part in beating this ancient disease that continues to cause sickness, suffering and death across the globe. We fully support the WHO’s appeal for greater investment and expanded coverage of proven tools that prevent, diagnose and treat malaria.
Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP). Medicine Cabinet is a weekly PHAP column that aims to promote awareness on public health and health care-related issues. PHAP and its member companies represent the research-based pharmaceutical and health care industry.
medicinecabinet@phap.org.ph.

Jackass prankster Johnny Knoxville on his latest eye-popping role

JOHNNY KNOXVILLE attends CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, on April 25, in Las Vegas, Nevada. — AFP

LOS ANGELES — Slapstick superstar Johnny Knoxville was relaxing in his hotel after his latest on-set mishap when some dried blood in his nostril caused him to blow hard and his eyeball popped out.
Luckily, he hadn’t been eating hot and sour soup or taking a bubble bath, and he was able to reach under, scoop it up and push it back into the socket.
It was the latest in a litany of injuries that would make the blood drain from the toughest stunt professional’s face — but it was far from the most stomach-churning.
“I have, like, 15 doctors for different parts of my body and they all have a special talk with me. I don’t know what to tell ‘em,” Knoxville shrugs in an interview with AFP.
The star — who rose to fame mesmerizing fans with his shocking stunts in MTV’s 2000-2002 reality prank series Jackass — was at Las Vegas CinemaCon to promote his new movie Action Point.
He recalls a day’s shooting for the comedy about a disastrous theme park when he landed flat on his face after flying 20 feet (six meters) through the air off a slide.
Knoxville, whose 31 movies include Men in Black II, The Dukes of Hazzard and four releases in the Jackass canon, was rushed to the emergency room with a bad case of concussion and a fractured eye socket.
“I go back to the hotel room and I blow my nose because I had blood there. My left eyeball just pops out of my head. It’s like a cartoon. I was like, ‘Oh no!’ I pushed it back in and I called the producer,” he said.
“I was like, ‘You’ve got to come get me. My left eyeball just popped out of my head.’ He’s like, ‘Ah ha ha ha ha!’ I’m like ‘I’m serious.’ He goes, ‘I’ll be right there.’”
‘COMPLETE ANARCHY’
The actor, born Philip John Clapp, Jr., came up with the idea for Jackass 20 years ago, and it quickly became a hit among the skating crowd, making stars of Knoxville, Ehren “Danger Ehren” McGhehey and Stephen “Steve-O” Glover.
Cast members struggled with alcoholism, drug addiction and depression, however. And the series was rocked by the 2011 death of Ryan Dunn in a drunk driving accident.
Knoxville, devastated by the loss of his friend, threw himself back into work, writing and appearing in Movie 43, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
In Action Point, due out on June 1 in the US, Knoxville plays a daredevil who designs and operates his own theme park with his friends.
The comedy is inspired by Action Park, which opened in 1978 in Vernon, New Jersey, and built up a reputation for poorly designed, unsafe rides and intoxicated and underage staff.
Six people are known to have died at the center — dubbed “Accident Park” by nearby hospitals — and eventually it was buried under an avalanche of personal injury lawsuits.
“Gene Mulvihill ran it and he didn’t have any rules for the kids. He let them design their own rides. I mean, it was just complete anarchy,” said Knoxville.
The movie contains some of the daredevil’s most hair-raising stunts yet, but he insists he doesn’t actually enjoy pain. He’s not even that addicted to the adrenaline rush, he says.
‘NINE LIVES’
“It’s the footage. I’m just trying to get footage. The producer side overrides the performer’s nervousness,” he explains.
Over the years, his injuries have included a torn urethra in a 2007 bike stunt that forced him to perform urinary catheterization on himself twice a day for almost four years.
“I broke my penis!” he declares proudly, expression softening into a wide grin.
The fact that he managed to father two of his three children after that incident is all the more remarkable when you consider his gruesome medical record.
Knoxville has been treated for four concussions, a broken hand, a torn meniscus and whiplash — all on Action Point alone.
As a child, he was hospitalized for severe asthma and over his career he has fractured bones, torn tendons and been knocked out numerous times.
“I’ve used up most of my nine lives. I’ve been very, very lucky,” he tells AFP.
“I don’t know if I’m ready to stop right now. But I know it’s getting to a point where I don’t have a lot of chances left.” — AFP

Five strategies to use against a backstabbing boss

A close friend from another department told me about my boss who is in the habit of belittling my work with other people, including with top management. He also uses me as a scapegoat for his failures. How do I retaliate for this unjust treatment? — Sacrificial Lamb
You don’t retaliate. You don’t have to go down to his gutter level of thinking. You only have to understand the whole situation with the following story.
A long time ago, a smart, but an out-of-school youth walked leisurely into the blacksmith shop minutes after the blacksmith had thrown a horseshoe on the ground to cool. Seeing it there, the young fellow reached down, picked it up, but instantly cast it aside as it burned his fingers. The blacksmith said:
“Kind of hot, isn’t it son?” The brash kid said: “No, not too hot. It just doesn’t take me long to look at that horseshoe.”
Indeed, faking an answer would bring you to a different level, but not necessarily to address the real issue and much less convince people around you. Just the same, we can’t deny that you’re unfortunate to experience such harsh treatment from your own boss, who is supposed to defend you from all troubles.
So, what can you do now? Would you like to fight city hall? What can you learn out of it? What can be done to avoid its future repetition? The key to all of these is seductively simple. Be proactively aware of the whole situation and assume that everyone, including your boss, has a sense of fair play.
Here are some specific ideas on how to deal with your situation:
Know the specific letter and spirit of your job — in writing. That means understanding your job responsibilities, resources, and the timeline. All of these must be mutually agreed between you and your boss. If there are changes, ensure that everything is properly documented by e-mail or text message, if not in a memo. Usually, backstabbers will feign ignorance in the absence of any documentation or reference.
Know your boss’s work priorities and management quirks. Everyone has his unique character and pet projects. Learn all of these from the perspectives of the boss. Avoid doing anything that your boss dislikes, and jump in front of the game when you’re working on his favorite topics. Without appearing like a bootlicker, do everything needed so your boss notices your time and effort.
Be honest and trustworthy, even if your boss is not. Don’t breach the confidence of your boss. If he says it’s confidential, then treat it as such. No ifs, no buts. Since you’re a person of lesser authority, you can easily get into trouble when the time comes. Whatever happens, keep everything entrusted to you confidential and don’t be tempted to broadcast anything.
Review the boss’s expectations every now and then. There’s no harm in trying. You may be silently influenced by such negative talk about a backstabbing boss, but you can’t go wrong if you ask your boss the key questions: How can I improve my work performance? It’s difficult to do knowing that you have a backstabbing boss. But it’s only the logical alternative to confronting your boss.
Create situations where your boss will feel indebted to you. It’s not about money matters, but proving your worth beyond his expectations. This requires knowing every personal detail about the boss, including his birthday, hobbies and other extra-curricular activities. Then use them as an opportunity to warm up to your boss. This may include giving him a copy of the latest book about his favorite hobby, for instance.
It’s easy to lose if you have a boss who treats you badly. However, blaming the boss or anyone for your situation is an exercise in futility. If you want to escape being the only person being blamed, you need to remain positive to improve your chances for success.
If you’re optimistic enough to believe that hard work, rather than getting even with the boss, will do the trick, you will have plenty of time enjoying yourself at work rather than perpetually complaining about your situation.
ELBONOMICS: Your best friends are those who say many good things behind your back.

* * *

Rey Elbo is organizing a public seminar on “How to Detect and Investigate Employee Fraud” on June 20, 2018 at Dusit Thani Hotel. For the price, details and registration, contact Ricky Mendoza at (02) 846-8951, mobile 0915-406-3039 or e-mail inquiry@kairos.com.ph
elbonomics@gmail.com

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