MAYNILAD Water Services, Inc. is contributing P375 million or about half of the total investments required to rehabilitate the Angat-Umiray transbasin tunnel, one of the most important water supply systems for Metro Manila.
“Through sustained investments in water infrastructure enhancements, we can continue to meet the drinking water needs of an ever-growing population,” Ramoncito S. Fernandez, president and chief executive officer of Maynilad, said in a statement.
The transbasin tunnel in General Nakar, Quezon province is one of the common purpose facilities of state agency Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
“We fully support the MWSS in this endeavor,” Mr. Fernandez said.
Maynilad, the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base, is an agent and contractor of the MWSS for the west zone of the greater Manila concession area.
The P749-million rehabilitation project will cover the 13.4 transbasin tunnel that is used to convey raw water from the Umiray River to Angat River.
Maynilad said the tunnel is crucial to the water supply system of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, serving 90% of the population or about 16 million people.
“Among the rehabilitation works and upgrades that will be implemented is the retrofitting of intake/diversionary structures to withstand the effects of inclement weather such as severe flooding,” Maynilad said.
The MWSS project would add new features to the transbasin tunnel “for better resiliency, such as additional slope protection, revetment walls, and steel sheet piles along the weir,” the company said.
The tunnel’s rehabilitation is scheduled to be finished by the fourth quarter of 2018. It will help to secure the water supply of Metro Manila residents “in the face of supply uncertainties brought on by climate change,” Maynilad said.
Maynilad serves certain portions of the cities of Manila, Quezon and Makati. It also covers Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon in Metro Manila.
Outside the Philippine capital, it serves the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite province.
Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which has a majority stake in Maynilad, is one of three 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 interests in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Victor V. Saulon
FINTQ, the financial technology arm of Voyager Innovations, Inc., has launched programs and services in its bid to bring financial inclusion to the grassroots level.
KasamaKA, a grassroots-based program, was launched in September which aims to offer access to formal financial services by providing a digital platform, making transactions fast, easy and safe.
With the intention to drive Filipinos away from informal financial services such as “5-6,” KasamaKA offers services such as lending, insurance, investments and savings, among others.
“FINTQ and Voyager Innovations are committed to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in intensively promoting the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, and as our goal, we aim to include 30 million Filipinos into the mainstream financial system by 2020 through the KasamaKA program,” Angelito M. Villanueva, FINTQ managing director, was quoted as saying in a statement.
KasamaKA also launched a caravan in partnership with Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank), BSP and Department of Social Welfare and Development, to promote financial inclusivity and literacy at the community level.
The caravan presents modules which introduces formal financial systems, as well as business and livelihood opportunities, to the participants. It made stops in rural areas of Ifugao, Tarlac, Iloilo, Cebu, Davao del Norte and Misamis Oriental.
“This national caravan aims to improve financial literacy, especially in rural communities that usually have to access to this kind of training. With the help of our partners such as KasamaKA, we can reach more unbanked and underserved Filipinos all over the country,” Landbank President and Chief Executive Officer Alex V. Buenaventura said.
FINTQ has also collaborated with Liga ng mga Barangay to bring KasamaKA to the association’s livelihood and entrepreneurship initiatives for the unbanked in over 42,000 barangays.
At present, 86% of households are considered unbanked due to their lack of savings account. BSP surveys have proven that most of the people do not have access to formal financial services due to the inadequacy of easy-to-reach programs.
Voyager Innovations is PLDT, Inc.’s digital innovations unit. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — KANV
ANOTHER YEAR is coming to a close and a new year is looming — and with it a renewal of hopes and dreams, and wishes for better times.
It is this new beginning, this chance for a fresh start, that everyone celebrates at the moment the clock strikes midnight on the first day of the new year.
One can welcome the year quietly, reflectively, cocooned at home, sheltered from the neighbors’ explosive racket; or surrounded by family and friends, making that noise yourself to drive away bad luck.
Or one can seek the company of other like-minded well-wishers in a public space, amidst music and champagne, watching fireworks explode in the sky as you count down to the New Year.
If the latter manner sounds the most attractive, here is a listing of some of the metro’s many New Year’s Eve dinners and parties.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
The sky in the Ortigas Center will be twinkling with fireworks to greet the new year and guests at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila will get a front seat at Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge. It will be offering two meal packages — the Shimmer which is good for three to four persons with its signature dish, Beef Salpicao, as the highlight of the meal; and the Dazzle, good for five to six persons, which includes sizzling pork sisig and chicken satay. The Spellbound Band takes the center stage at 9:30 p.m. For details visit www.marcopolohotels.com.
The New Year’s Eve buffet at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel
At the nearby Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, the newly opened Eastwood Café+Bar offers a New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet, at P1,650 net per person. The hotel’s New Year’s Eve Countdown Party at the will be held at the lobby and the Eastwood Café+Bar starting at 10 p.m. and going on to 1:30 a.m. For P1,150 net, enjoy overflowing drinks and a cocktail buffet with a glass of sparkling wine. The following day, a hearty New Year’s Day Sparkling Brunch Buffet will be served at the Grand Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for P1,150 net. All buffet offers are free-of-charge for children five years and below while children six to 12 years old get 50% discount on the full price. For inquiries and reservations, call 570-7777.
There’s no better way to express the word “feast” than with an epic Holiday Buffet at the Luxent Hotel. On Dec. 30 and 31, the banquet is open and filled with the season’s favorites including turkey and Roast Beef Pine Ham. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and ends midnight on Dec. 31. The Holiday Buffet is available for P2,500 net. The Lush Bar and Lounge has Holiday Party Bundles for the season which are available until Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to midnight every day. Luxent Hotel caps the year off with a party with a polka dot theme, filled with thrills, good food, and a sparkling wine toast at midnight. Guests can feast on an unlimited barbecue selections, pasta, salads, appetizers, desserts and drinks at the Seasons ballroom. A live band and DJ will liven up the night as they draw prizes for the all-night raffle, and a host of other surprises. Kids can enjoy the wait too as they have an indoor film showing. All of this for P1,888 for adults and P888 for kids five to 12 years of age, with kids up to three years old free of charge. Ticket rates are discounted for those availing the Holiday Buffet at the Garden Café. For inquiries or reservations, call 863-7777.
It will be a Cuban-themed New Year’s celebration at The Peninsula Manila
Get together with family and friends at The Richmonde Hotel Ortigas’ Richmonde Café for a lavish New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner priced at P1,560 net. Eat, drink and be merry with an assortment of flavorful dishes, a choice of bottomless iced tea or a glass of red or white wine, party favors, and entertainment. The buffet dinner is served from 6 to 9 p.m. The hotel’s New Year’s Eve Countdown Party will be held at the hotel lobby. From 9 p.m. onwards, groove to the live band and fill out the New Year’s resolution list, while dining at a cocktail buffet which comes with your choice of three drinks. The countdown party ticket, priced at P795 net, is also inclusive of a glass of sparkling wine to toast when the clock strikes midnight. Avail of the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner and Countdown Party Bundle for P1,880 net. The following morning, greet the first day of the year with the New Year’s Day Breakfast Buffet of breakfast favorites for P880 net. Children six to 12 years old get a 50% discount and while those aged five and below are free-of-charge for all buffet offers. For inquiries and reservations, call 638-7777 or visit www.richmondehotelortigas.com.ph.
Welcoming the New Year at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel.
For a music-filled star-studded celebration, head to the Eastwood City New Year Countdown from sunup to sundown. The revelry begins at 6 p.m. at the Eastwood Mall Open Park, and ends just before dawn at the Fuente Circle at the Eastwood Citywalk. Headlining the party are some of the biggest names in the music industry including X Factor PH 2012 Grand Champion KZ Tandingan, rap icon Gloc-9, and The Voice PH 2013 finalist Morissette Amon who will top-bill the year-ender countdown at the stroke of midnight. Top band Spongecola is also set to perform together with Sam Concepcion and Kiana Valenciano. Joining the stellar roster of performers are X Factor UK finalist Alisah Bonaobra, and online R&B sensation Karencitta. Eastwood City’s annual tradition, the Dazzling Star Drop — inspired by the Ball Drop in Times Square in New York City — will be held at midnight followed by a fireworks display. The party continues until the early hours of 2018. Guests can head over to Eastwood Fuente Circle and Citywalk 2 and be part of a raucous After Party, which will run from midnight until the early hours of Jan. 1. For more information, call the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Concierge at 709-9888, 709-0888, 0917-838-0111 or visit www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com.
CITY CENTRAL
Considered by many to be the New Year’s Eve party, this year The Manila Peninsula gala ball and dinner at The Lobby will have a Cuban theme. By midnight, The Lobby will become a sea of balloons and shiny confetti while guests party over food and champagne. Prices are at P9,850 (with a Champagne cocktail) and P6,650 for children under 12 years. The party begins at 9 p.m. The celebration is not complete without a feast: Old Manila offers a five-course set dinner menu by Marco Pierre White-trained Chef de Cuisine Allan Briones; Escolta offers a dinner buffet of salads, Italian antipasti, ripe cheeses, sushi, pasta, holiday hot and cold main course specialties; and Spices offers an Asian-inspired a la carte dinner menu. Dinner offers start at 6:30 p.m. For inquiries, call 887-2888, extensions 6694 (Restaurant Reservations), 7410 (Festive Desk), e-mail diningpmn@peninsula.com, or visit peninsula.com.
Next door, the New Year’s Eve Dinner at Discovery Primea’s Flame restaurant is highlighted by chef Luis Chikiamco’s grilled Colorado rack of lamb, black truffle tortilla de patatas, and river prawn. Guests may opt for either an early five-course dinner at 5:30 p.m. or a seven-course at 10 p.m. For reservations, call 955-8888 or e-mail primearestaurnats@discovery.com.ph.
At New World Makati, Café 1228’s New Year’s Eve dinner comes with one round of sparkling wine and standard drinks for P2,999 per person. The New Year’s day lunch is priced at P2,599 per person. At the award-winning Chinese restaurant, Jasmine, there are several the 10-course set menus with signature dishes and traditional favorites available on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The set menu prices start at P9,888 for a group of six guests. Or dine on the Festive Yum Cha Lunch Buffet brimming with steamed, baked and fried dumplings, rolls, noodles and buns at P1,388 per person.
Celebrate the year that was and welcome the New Year with a bang at the Dusit Thani Manila’s Mayuree Ballroom. Ring in the new year to the live music of The Verve Band and dance to the beats of DJ Ornussa Cadness while enjoying unlimited standard vodka, rum, gin tequila, beer, red and white wine, softdrinks, chilled juices and iced tea at P1,800 net per person from 8 p.m. to midnight. Free access applies to guests availing of the New Year’s Eve Set Menu at Benjarong and New Year’s Eve Crossover Dinner. For tickets, call 238-8888 extensions 8430, 8838.
BAYSIDE
Over at the City of Dreams, start the celebration with a seven-course Omakase menu with the whole family at Nobu Manila, then for the New Year’s Eve countdown, the CenterPlay bar features a performance by True Faith while Chaos nightclub highlights a Brazilian Carnival-themed party with bands Brad & Nina and Jason & Anna, together with resident DJs Khai Lim and David Ardiente. The program starts at 6 p.m. The door charge is P1,000 inclusive of two drinks. For inquiries and reservations, call 800-8080, e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com, or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.
Meanwhile, the Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino welcomes the new year with Sparkle On!, a night of dance, songs, drinks, and food. The hotel’s New Year’s Eve buffet and countdown party cost P1,200 per person. For inquiries and reservations, visit www.waterfronthotels.com.ph or call 526-1212. Welcome the new year while dancing to the mixes of DJs Travis, Mars Miranda, Ace Ramos and enjoy the crooning of Martin Nievera in New Year’s Eve Splash Solaire Resort and Casino’s poolside on Dec. 31. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets and schedules are available at TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).
On the last night of 2017, guests may ring in the New Year at Conrad Manila’s C Lounge with front row seats for an uninterrupted view of the dazzling fireworks display at Manila Bay. The countdown is accompanied with a performance by Red Picasso. Entrance is priced at P1,000 net per person, inclusive of one beverage. Limited al fresco seating is also available at P30,000 net for a maximum of six persons. For reservations and inquiries, e-mail conradmanila@conradhotels.com or call 833-9999.
Dance the night away with live music by guest DJs and enjoy the magnificent view of the fireworks display by the bay at the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party at the roof deck of the AG New World Manila Bay Hotel. In-house and walk-in guests can enjoy three rounds from a selection of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. Rates are at P1,800 for walk-in guests and P1,500 for in-house guests and restaurant diners. For more information and reservations, call 252-6888, e-mail reservations.manilabay@newworldhotels.com or visit newworldhotels.com.
Party in style at the Diamond Hotel’s Corniche, Lobby Lounge or Bar 27. Kick off the celebration with an elegant feast at the Corniche Buffet (P3,580 net per person) from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and celebrate new beginnings with a glass of Cava, party favors, and access to the New Year Countdown Party with live entertainment by the Infinite Band and Yellow Lane Band. Plus, guests will get a chance to win roundtrip airline tickets for two to Davao. Yurakuen features a savory Japanese Dinner Set Menu which includes Cava and acoustic duo for entertainment at P2,980 net per person from 6 to 10 p.m. At the Lobby Lounge there will be a Jamon and Wine Pairing Dinner at P1,180 net per person from 6 to 9 p.m., and a midnight buffet spread with access to the New Year’s Countdown party. There will also be a midnight buffet spread at the Mezzanine Area for P880 net per person from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Enjoy cocktails and barbecue with a festive al fresco vibe at the Poolside Bar for P750 net per person from 6 to 11 p.m. Pop the champagne as you countdown to midnight at Bar 27 with cocktail in hand and a spectacular view of the Manila Bay fireworks. Have your fill of antipasti and tapas with a standard drink priced at P2,800 net per person from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., with live entertainment by Maria’s Project. Tickets to the Bar 27 New Year’s Eve party are available at onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com at 50% off until Dec. 29. The New Year’s Eve Countdown offers are also available for purchase at onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com. For queries and reservations, call 528-3000 ext. 1121.
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE
Resorts World Manila and Marriott Manila present The Grand Countdown to 2018: Experience the Fantasy starting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31. Hosted by Giselle Sanchez, the show features Arnel Pineda and Lani Misalucha, with special guests Sam Mangubat, Darren Espanto, and Jon Santos. The Holy Mass begins at 6 p.m. to be followed by the dinner and show at 7 p.m. Tickets and schedules are available at TicketWorld www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999.
Acacia Hotel Manila will welcome the new year with the All That Glitters New Year Countdown Party. Enjoy live music and comedy of Arpie and The Multivitamins, then, just before midnight, head to the topmost floor of the hotel for the grand balloon drop and a view of the panoramic fireworks display over the metro’s south side. The New Year’s Eve party will be held from 8:30 p.m. onwards at the Grand Acacia Ballroom. Tickets at P2,700 net per person are available at the front desk. For reservations call 720-2000 or e-mail enquiry@acaciahotelsmanila.com.
FAR AWAY
For a white beach celebration, there is Coast Boracay, a boutique resort with a beach-front view and walking distance to and from the most happening restaurants, bars, shops and party venues. The resort’s Cha-Cha’s Beach Café will jumpstart its New Year’s celebrations a few days early with performances by a live nine-piece Latin band, Punto Cubano, on Dec. 29, 30 and 31, complemented with live club sessions by DJ Supreme Fist and live percussions by Marcus Maguigad and RWG. On New Year’s Eve, all featured artists will perform at the Latino–inspired countdown party. Guests can party all night while partaking of Cha Cha’s block-party style buffet inclusive of unlimited drinks at the Tropical Cocktail Bar. Cha Cha’s New Year’s Eve Party is priced at P2,500 ++ per person. For details, e-mail reservations@coastboracay.com or call Manila office at 576-4555.
Celebrate the start of 2018 at the City of Love’s Richmonde Hotel Iloilo. At The Granary, there will be a New Year’s Eve dinner buffet for P1,300 net per person. For inquiries call (+63) 33 328-7888 or book online at www.richmondehoteliloilo.com.ph.
THE SENATE is set to tackle at least five priority bills when sessions resume in January 2018, according to Senate President Aquilino L. Pimentel III.
“Come January 2018, we will work on the Anti-Terrorism Law, a law creating the National ID system, a law providing Universal Health Care, the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), and a measure that would convene Congress as a Constitutional Assembly and pave the way for the shift to Federalism,” Mr. Pimentel said in a statement on Thursday, Dec. 28.
The BBL and Federalism are two of the most contentious measures being pushed by the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
In a press briefing last week, presidential spokesperson Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr. said the president believes that if the BBL “doesn’t pass the test of constitutionality, then we can resort to further autonomy.”
“And of course, there is still federalism. Because obviously, if it is declared unconstitutional then the remedy is to amend the Constitution,” Mr. Roque said. “So it’s something that stakeholders must consider also, whether or not they will insist on the BBL first or wait until the Constitution has been amended. But the President is being true to his promise to everyone that he will pursue BBL.”
Both President Duterte and Senator Pimentel belong to Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), which advocates participatory and consultative democracy and federalism.
Sought for comment, Maki T. Datu-Ramos II, a former public lawyer who has worked as a legal consultant of one of the commissioners of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, said among the “contentious issues in BBL will be the territorial expansion” of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through a plebiscite.
“That would be constitutionally problematic because mother territories from respective LGUs (local government units) where constituents or officials of barangays, municipalities or cities subject for plebiscite might raise a constitutional issue before the Supreme Court,” said Mr. Ramos, a Maranao from Lanao del Sur, one of the ARMM provinces.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pimentel also expressed his gratitude to the Filipino people “for their continued trust in his leadership of the Senate” as the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey showed that he achieved a “good” net satisfaction rating at +49, up three points from the +46 he received in the Third Quarter 2017 Survey.
“I am grateful for the continued confidence shown in me by the Filipino people. My wish is that my colleagues in the Senate and I can keep their trust in 2018 as we work harder to improve the quality of life for all,” Mr. Pimentel said.
GENEVA — A Muslim indigenous community on the Philippine island of Mindanao has suffered widespread human rights abuses that could intensify with President Rodrigo Duterte’s extension of martial law there, United Nations (UN)-appointed experts said.
Mr. Duterte has called the island a “flashpoint for trouble” and for atrocities by Islamist and communist rebels.
Lawmakers this month overwhelmingly backed his plan to extend martial law there through 2018, which would be the country’s longest period of such emergency rule since the 1970s era of strongman Ferdinand Marcos.
The militarization has displaced thousands of the Lumad people and some have been killed, said Victoria Tauli-Corpuz and Cecilia Jimenez-Damary, the UN Human Rights Council’s special rapporteurs on the rights of indigenous peoples and internally displaced people.
“They are suffering massive abuses of their human rights, some of which are potentially irreversible,” the pair said in a statement late on Wednesday. “We fear the situation could deteriorate further if the extension of martial law until the end of 2018 results in even greater militarization.”
The Philippines was obliged by international law to protect indigenous peoples and ensure human rights abuses were halted and prosecuted. “This includes killings and attacks allegedly carried out by members of the armed forces,” they said.
The government fears that mountainous, jungle-clad Mindanao, a region the size of South Korea that is home to the Lumad, could attract foreign militants.
The UN experts said they had information suggesting that 2,500 Lumads had been displaced since October, and that Lumad farmers had been killed by military forces on Dec. 3 in Barangay Ned in the province of South Cotabao.
“We fear that some of these attacks are based on unfounded suspicions that Lumads are involved with militant groups or in view of their resistance to mining activities on their ancestral lands,” the pair said, without giving further details.
A spokesman for Mr. Duterte said the martial law extension was needed “to quell the remaining terrorists who brought destruction to Marawi and its neighboring communities.”
Its legal and factual basis had been “clearly established based on the security assessment by our ground commanders,” Spokesperson Harry Roque added in a statement.
Since Duterte took power in June last year, the Philippines has also drawn international criticism for the killing of about 3,900 people in police anti-drugs operations. Police deny allegations by human rights advocates that many of the killings were executions. — Reuters
THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) presents its final offering for the year 2017 today with a double-header to be headlined by the clash between the TNT KaTropa and Alaska Aces at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Dropped their opener in the season-opening Philippine Cup, both the KaTropa and Aces gun for the bounce-back win in their 7 p.m. encounter that would allow them to book their first victory and have something to build on entering the brand-new year.
Opening the festivities for the final playdate of the PBA this year is the battle between the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Blackwater Elite at 4:15 p.m.
TNT bowed to Rain or Shine, 82-79, in its debut on Dec. 22 that saw it struggling to get their offense going.
The KaTropa just hit 30% of their shots on the floor, going 31-of-102, and shooting just eight-of-38 for 21% from beyond the arc.
Despite that, the KaTropa still managed to stay in the contest for much of the game, led by Jayson Castro, until they lost some ground in the fourth period from which they could not recover from.
Mr. Castro finished with a near-triple double of 18 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in the loss.
Sophomore Roger Pogoy had 16 points while Anthony Semerad and Kelly Williams added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
“We simply missed a lot of shots tonight but still we managed to keep our energy and stay in the game. We have to perform and execute our game plan better next time,” said TNT coach Nash Racela after the game.
ACES
The Aces, meanwhile, look to rebound from their 108-95 loss at the hands of the Magnolia Hotshots on Dec. 20.
While they started the game strong, even claiming the opening quarter, 26-21, the Aces could not sustain it moving forward, particularly in the second canto where they were outscored, 36-21, which proved to be telling in the end.
Calvin Abueva tried his best to lead his team to the victory with solid numbers of 20 points, 15 rebounds and five assists but the Hotshots just had too many answers to what Alaska throw at them.
Vic Manuel also had 20 points while rookie Jeron Teng wound up with 16 of his own for the Aces.
“Defensively we were not really up there. We had a lot of lapses especially in the second period where they made their run. We need to be sharper in our coming games to give ourselves better chances at winning,” Alaska coach Alex Compton said.
In the first game, Rain or Shine (1-0) goes for its second win in as many games while Blackwater (0-1) looks to win its first after losing in its debut.
After today’s matches, the PBA takes a break and returns on Jan. 7 with a double-header at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meanwhile, rookie Kiefer Ravena was the first recipient of the PBA’s player of the week honors after leading the NLEX Road Warriors to a 2-0 record in the Philippine Cup’s opening week.
The second pick in this year’s rookie draft, Mr. Ravena averaged 19 points, 8.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and two steals in their victories over Kia Picanto and GlobalPort Batang Pier in that order.
The rookie sensation beat out teammate JR Quiñahan, San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo, Barangay Ginebra’s Greg Slaughter, Meralco’s Niño Canaleta, and Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga and Raymond Almazan for the award.
LOY ARCENAS’ Ang Larawan, the musical film based on the play by National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin was named this year’s Best Picture at the 43rd Metro Manila Film Festival’s (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal held on Dec. 27 at the Kia Theater in Quezon City.
Aside from bagging the night’s and festival’s top prize, the film starring theater actress Joanna Ampil and singer/actress Rachel Alejandro, also went home with a Best Actress award for Ms. Ampil, Best Production Design for Gino Gonzales, Best Musical Score for Ryan Cayabyab, the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Award, and a posthumous Special Jury Prize for Nick Joaquin.
“We don’t feel worthy to receive this award in place of Nick Joaquin. We don’t have the right. But we want to share with you a memory we have of him — every time we showed Ang Larawan (the play version) he would be there commenting and laughing… I’m sure up there in the sky he will be saying to all of us: ‘Good job everybody! Contra Mundum!’” said Celeste Legazpi-Gallardo, one of the producers of the film, while accepting the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas award for Mr. Joaquin.
Another big winner was Paul Soriano’s Siargao which went home with not just four technical awards — Best Sound for Paul Soriano and Mark Locsin, Best Original Theme Song for “Alon” by Hale, Best Editor for Mark Victor, and Best Cinematography for Odyssey Flores — but the Best Director award for Mr. Soriano and the Best Supporting Actress nod for Jasmine Curtis-Smith. Siargao was also named the Second Best Picture in the festival.
“THANK YOU MMFF2017!!! We didn’t expect that our small film would garner this much recognition. Congratulations Team Siargao!!!” said a post on the film’s official Facebook page.
The Fernando Poe, Jr. Memorial Award went to the reboot of Ang Panday and a Special Jury Prize for Directing went to Rodel Nacianceno — better known by his screen name Coco Martin. Ang Panday was Mr. Nacianceno’s directorial debut.
“Thank you MMFF for this prestigious award. I’m so proud that my son witnessed this unforgettable experience. Dan Villegas thank you for guiding me and helping me bring life to Gab,” said Derek Ramsay in an Instagram post on Dec. 27, having won the Best Actor Award for his work in All of You. “[Thank you] Jennylyn Mercado for being such a great leading lady.”
Joyce E. Bernal’s Gandarrapiddo: The Revengers Squad bagged the People’s Choice Award.
BREAKING RECORDS
While not bereft of controversy — there was much grumbling about how the festival entries were chosen — the MMFF executive committee (Execom) still considers this year’s festival as a success, reporting that the 2017 MMFF “broke box-office records as it surpassed the 2015 [MMFF] first and second day gross sales,” according to a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Dec. 27.
“The big achievement is bringing back our kababayans to the theaters. It took quite some time before we saw this kind of enthusiasm once again from the Filipino viewers,” MMFF Execom Chair Tim Orbos was quoted as saying by the statement.
The statement also added that this year’s festivals “tripled the foot traffic to the theaters from last year.”
The 2016 festival was somewhat of an anomaly as it was composed mostly of quality independent films which earned a smaller box-office take and drew fewer people to the theaters. Last year’s festival posted P413 million in gross receipts compared to 2015’s P1.2 billion. The 2016 festival crowned Baby Ruth Villarama’s Sunday Beauty Queen as Best Picture, the first documentary to win in the festival.
But those waiting for the committee to release the numbers for the first or second day gross and which films which topped the box office, this information will not be made available. The Execom, “along with the producers of the festival entries plus the theater representatives, have agreed not to release any actual figures and rankings so as not to create a bandwagon effect on the viewers,” said MMFF spokesperson Noel Ferrer in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Dec. 26.
“We encourage everyone to support ALL the eight entries because we are as strong as our weakest film,” he added.
The MMFF runs until Jan. 7, 2018.
Below is the full list of winners at this year’s MMFF:
• Best Picture — Ang Larawan
• 2nd Best Picture — Siargao
• 3rd Best Picture — All Of You
• Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award — Ang Larawan
• Fernando Poe, Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence — Ang Panday
• Best Picture (Short Film) — Anong Nangyari kay Nicanor Dante
• People’s Choice Award (Short Film) — Noel
• Best Director — Paul Soriano (Siargao)
• Special Jury Prize for Directing — Coco Martin (Ang Panday)
• Special Jury Prize (Posthumous) — National Artist Nick Joaquin for Ang Larawan
• Best Actress — Joanna Ampil (Ang Larawan)
• Best Actor — Derek Ramsay (All of You)
• Best Supporting Actress — Jasmine Curtis-Smith for (Siargao)
• Best Supporting Actor — Edgar Allan Guzman (Deadma Walking)
• Best Child Performer — Sebastian Benedict Arumpac, aka Baeby Baste (Meant To Beh)
• Best Screenplay — All of You
• Best Cinematography — Odyssey Flores (Siargao)
• Best Editing — Mark Victor (Siargao)
• Best Production Design — Gino Gonzales (Ang Larawan)
• Best in Visual Effects — Ang Panday
• Best Original Theme Song — “Alon” by Hale (Siargao)
• Best Musical Score — Ryan Cayabyab (Ang Larawan)
• Best Sound — Paul Soriano and Mark Locsin (Siargao)
• Children’s Choice Award — Ang Panday
• People’s Choice Award — Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad
THE last live event of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for 2017 happens this weekend with “UFC 219” in Las Vegas, headlined by the fight between top female mixed martial artists (MMA) Cris Cyborg of Brazil and Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm.
Cyborg will defend for the first time her UFC women’s featherweight title against former bantamweight champ Holm, who is seeking to make history as the first female UFC fighter to be a two-division champion, in their title clash at the T-Mobile Arena on Sunday (Manila time).
The Brazilian champion has been dominance personified in MMA, undefeated in the last 12 years en route to racking up an impressive record of 18 wins, one loss and one no contest.
She finally became a UFC champion early this year when she won the vacant featherweight title over Tonya Evinger by way of a third-round technical knockout victory (punches).
Ms. Holm (11-3), meanwhile, got back on the winning track in her last fight after losing three straight prior wherein she lost the bantamweight belt along the way.
The number two-ranked featherweight fighter defeated Bethe Correia in June by knockout in the third round to thrust herself to a title shot which she hopes to fully make use of all the way.
For local combat sports writer and observer Mike Miguel, to have Cyborg versus Holm close out 2017 will be a treat for UFC and MMA fans for they will see two fighters who are truly the best in what they do.
“Seeing today’s most dominant female inside the Octagon defending her belt against Holly Holm is a treat for the fight fans as the UFC closes out 2017,” said Mr. Miguel of RealFight.ph in an online correspondence with BusinessWorld.
“Cyborg has steamrolled her competition in the past 12 years before finally becoming a UFC champion last July. Her run alone is an unprecedented feat in the MMA world, thanks to her merciless striking and aggression that left all but two of her past opponents bloodied and battered,” he added.
But Mr. Miguel is not about to count out former UFC champ Ms. Holm, who he believes has what it takes to compete with the highly favored to win Cyborg, if not dethrone the latter altogether.
“Cyborg will face a former 135-pound champ and decorated striker in Holm, who perhaps has the best chance of pulling the rug from under her. We have to remember Holm ended the reign of erstwhile invincible Ronda Rousey two years ago and could well do the same to the equally dominant Brazilian champ,” he said.
Adding, “‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ not only possesses the physical tools but also she is fighting under great coaches in Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn at Jackson-Wink MMA. Their guidance in coming up with a very patient strategy to counter Cyborg’s aggressive approach on offense should give Holm a good shot at pulling out an upset.”
Other fights on tap for UFC 219 are lightweight Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov (#2) against Edson “Junior” Barboza (#4), women’s strawweight Cynthia Calvillo (#6) versus Carla “Cookie Monster” Esparza (#9), and welterweight Carlos “The Natural Born Killer” Condit (#8) against Neil Magny (#12).
UFC 219: Cyborg vs. Holm will be shown live on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. over Hyper Ch. 91 in SD or 261 in HD on Cignal TV. Encore telecast is at 7 p.m. on the same day.
In the Philippines, Cignal TV, the country’s foremost direct-to-home (DTH) company, is the home of the UFC after the two groups agreed to an extensive deal that will see the UFC beamed on various platforms.
AGRICULTURAL DAMAGES and losses incurred by regions affected by tropical storms Urduja and Vinta amounted to P1.24 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Thursday.
Estimated volume of production lost from both storms reached 28,737 metric tons (MT) and affected 58,876 hectares (ha) in the regions IV-A, V, VII, IX, XI, XII, and XIII as of Thursday morning, a report released by the DA said.
Of the affected commodities, rice took the biggest hit, next to high value crops, corn, cassava, and livestock.
A total of 6,048 MT of rice, worth P609.29 million was lost during the typhoon, affecting 31,749 farmers and covering 50,793 hectares. High value crops posting
P443.92 billion or 18,322 MT in losses, affecting 2,141 hectares of 5,915 farmers.
Corn took the third-largest hit, costing 1,895 farmers a total of P103.74 million or 4,261 MT in losses. Total affected area for corn reached 5,734 hectares.
Cassava took the least hit, losing 106 MT and costing 571 farmers a total of P5.44 million.
The value of damages for agri-infrastructure facilities also went up to P73.95 million, cranked up by the damaged diversion dams, the research and experiment stations, and fishery facilities in Region VIII.
LOSSES FROM URDUJA
As of Thursday morning, DA reported that the damage caused by Urduja reached P1 billion, affecting 39,636 ha with an estimated production volume loss of 23,934 MT.
“The decrease in the values are attributed to the validation done on the ground by Region VIII, specifically on rice and cassava areas,” it read.
No changes were reported for rice losses, which reached 5,393 MT worth P471.93 million due to Urduja. Likewise, corn, which account for P13.12 million of the damages, also remained the same.
There was an increase, however on the value of losses from high-value products, due to the new reports on bananas in region VIII, bringing the total number of losses to P437 million.
Livestock and poultry contributed an estimate of P6.65 million incurred from 3,158 animal heads, most coming from the poultry sector.
VISTA DAMAGE
On the other hand, the damage from Vinta amounted to P234.91 million worth of agricultural products which covered 19,240 hectares and had an estimated volume of 4,803 MT.
DA attributed this to the heavy losses of rice in regions IX and XIII as well as the damages in high value crops and livestock in Region XIII.
“[Rice] now accounts to the largest share of losses at 58.47% or P137.37 million. Area affected is at 15,847 hectares,” the report read. “However, the volume loss still remains at 655 metric tons since the additional affected rice in Region XIII are mostly on their new planted to seedling stages.”
Corn, which contributed the second largest share in damages from Vinta at P90.62 million, did not have any changes as well from the previous report.
For high-value crops, a total of P6.91 million worth of bananas, rubber and pechay in Region XIII contributed to the losses, covering only 1 hectare and 69 MT. Livestock and poultry took the least hit with 42 heads of backyard chicken worth P147,700 in Region XIII. — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato
DAVAO CITY — Workers displaced by a fire that destroyed a mall in this city will be “re-assigned” to other branches, a company official said.
New City Commercial Center (NCCC) mall employees affected by the fire will be assigned to other branches in the city: NCCC Main Davao (Uyanguren), NCCC Centerpoint Matina, NCCC Panacan, and NCCC Buhangin, Atty. Darry T. Gallego, assistant vice-president for corporate services of NCCC said.
The mall’s leasing team is already taking care of the tenants while workers are now being managed, he said during a conference with the families of the victims held yesterday in one of the hotels here.
“The management doesn’t think of anything else but taking care of everyone,” Mr. Gallego said, adding that rebuilding the shopping center is not the concern and priority of management right now.
Mall management will also be offering scholarships and livelihood programs to children and spouses of the victims, Mr. Gallego said.
The official also denied allegations that the water sprinklers and the smoke alarm detectors were “useless and inefficient,” which allegedly were among the factors that led to the deaths of the 38 call center agents of Research Now SSI.
“We have working fire alarm systems and fire sprinklers,” Mr. Gallego said. “But we have to wait for the final investigations because you might say it is self serving for the NCCC.”
Mr. Gallego also denied complaints from some of the survivors who had a difficult time leaving the building using the fire exit.
“The fire exit will lead you outside the mall but there is a stair coming from the upper floor. But you have to pass through the emergency stairs before you finally able to exit the building,” he said.
It took some time for mall management to meet and assist the victims because “we still have to sort things out to make sure that everything is taken care of before we will be able to meet face to face with the families,” he said. From the start and even during the process of identification at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), the management sent their doctors to assist, he added.
Most of the families who attended the conference on Thursday expressed frustrations regarding the meeting’s outcome. They said that the management failed to answer their queries such as assistance from NCCC, reason of the fire, and why security was unable to announce a fire alert to employees of Research Now SSI.
DAVAO MAYOR CLARIFIES ROLE IN MALL FIRE PROBE
For her part, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Thursday clarified that she is not part of the team investigating last Saturday’s fire at the NCCC Mall Davao that killed 37 SSI employees and one mall employee.
She made these remarks after questions were raised about her impartiality since she became an endorser of Choice Mart, which is affiliated with the NCCC mall.
“For the record, I am not part of the investigation team. I have never presented myself to investigate the mall fire and under normal circumstances, a City Mayor does not sign fire investigation reports of the BFP,” Ms. Duterte-Carpio said.
Among the agencies tasked to investigate the NCCC Mall fire are an insurance investigator from the NCCC Mall, a task force composed of the Bureau of Fire Protection, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the city government of Davao as well as a third-party private investigator.
“I never said I [was] investigating the fire incident and I welcome any investigation on how I did my work in this particular matter,” she said. — Maya M. Padillo and Carmencita A. Carillo
LOS ANGELES — Cable channel FX said on Wednesday it had green-lit Glee creator Ryan Murphy’s Pose, a dance-musical series featuring the largest transgender regular cast in US television history.
The series will star Evan Peters (American Horror Story) and Kate Mara (The Martian, House of Cards) as a New Jersey couple who get sucked into the glamor and intrigue of New York City in the 1980s.
Through their story, the series will chronicle life and society in New York, the rise of the “luxury Trump-era universe” and the downtown social and literary scene, FX said.
Murphy said in a statement he expected the show to be “a game changer” about the “universal quest for identity, family and respect,” adding that it would also feature 50-plus LGBTQ characters — another record.
“I can’t wait for people to see this incredibly talented, passionate cast,” he said.
The series will be co-written and produced by Murphy, his longtime collaborator Brad Falchuk, and relative newcomer Steven Canals, with Murphy directing the first two episodes.
The 52-year-old is best known as the multiple Emmy Award-winning creator, producer or writer of numerous hit shows including Glee, Nip/Tuck, American Horror Story, American Crime Story, and Feud.
FX did not reveal how many transgender actors would appear in Pose but did say they included MJ Rodriguez (Nurse Jackie), Dominique Jackson (Strut), Indya Moore (Saturday Church), Hailie Sahar (Mr. Robot) and Angelica Ross (Transparent).
“In the 15 years we’ve worked with Ryan, he has demonstrated time and again that every person’s story is joyful, illuminating, and must to be told,” said FX chief John Landgraf.
“With Pose, Ryan and his producing partners… introduce us to a new group of characters whose talent, life force, and self-made community is greater than the daunting obstacles created by a society that can be threatened by their native identities.”
FX has ordered eight episodes for season one, which is scheduled to begin production in February in New York and premiere on FX, which is carried in 91 million homes, next summer. — AFP
FILIPINO world boxing champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo has had a memorable 2017 and is seeking to finish it with a bang as he guns for a unification of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) world junior flyweight titles this weekend.
Happening on Dec. 31, Mr. Melindo (37-3, 13 KOs), the current IBF titleholder, tries to add the WBA belt held by Japanese Ryoichi Taguchi in their scheduled 12-rounder at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.
Cagayan de Oro native Melindo is coming off two successful fights early this year, beating Japanese Akira Yaegashi to claim the IBF junior flyweight title by way of an impressive first-round technical knockout win in May in Tokyo before making a successful title defense over South African Hekkie Budler by split decision in September in Cebu City.
Now he channels his focus on Mr. Taguchi (26-2-2, 12 KOs) to complete a hat trick in the about-to-end year.
“The Year 2017 has been memorable so far for me as I was able to capture the IBF light flyweight belt and after that successfully defended it. Now my aim is to unify it with the WBA title currently held by Taguchi,” Mr. Melindo said in an online correspondence with BusinessWorld.
“It’s important for me to win this fight and unify the IBF and WBA titles so that I can give honor to the country and make the Filipinos happy on New Year’s Eve,” he added just as he said that he is dedicating the fight as well to his team of handlers and coaches who has stuck with him throughout his boxing journey.
Fighting in Japan anew, Mr. Melindo said he is bracing for a tougher fight than the last time he was there against erstwhile IBF champion Yaegashi, who the Filipino dropped three times in the opening round en route to the win.
“The last time I fought in Japan against Yaegashi the result was nothing I expected. I mean, to knock down the great Akira three times was just amazing and came as a surprise. For this fight, I will have the same aggressive mindset and hopefully with the help of God I can succeed on my mission and defeat Taguchi who I expect to be coming in prepared and aggressive as well,” Mr. Melindo said.
Twenty-nine-year-old Mr. Melindo went on to share that they have trained well entering this yearend fight.
“I trained very well for this fight. Just a couple of weeks after the Budler fight, I already started conditioning training after which I began boxing drills and sparring,” he said.
Adding, “I had lot of sparring partners, including long-time Filipino world champion Donnie Nietes and up-and-coming Jonas Sultan.”
He also assured his supporters that the cuts he absorbed in his last fight against Mr. Budler are already healed and that he is ready to go and give his best.
“You can expect me to give my best and put up a good fight. Let’s all hope and pray for a win and celebrate after,” Mr. Melindo said.
Like Mr. Melindo, hometown bet Taguchi is coming off a successful defense of his WBA belt over Colombian Robert Barrera in July by way of a ninth-round TKO. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
