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Villar group opens new retail hub in Las Piñas

By Arra B. Francia, Reporter

TYCOON Manuel B. Villar, Jr. unveiled a hub for its retail establishments in Las Piñas, amid efforts to strengthen his property business outside Metro Manila.

All Value Holdings Corp. (AVHC), the retail arm of the Villar group, opened the Global South Complex which houses branches of All Home, All Day Supermarket, Bake My Day and Coffee Project.

Mr. Villar, who serves as All Value’s chairman, said the expansion of its retail developments will follow that of its residential business through Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc., which is currently present in 128 cities and municipalities primarily outside Metro Manila.

“They will be looking for these things (retail establishments). That is why the group started going into this, malls, cinemas, ganitong community…bumabalik na (outside Metro Manila),” Mr. Villar told reporters on Tuesday.

The 20,000-square meter (sq.m.) complex is dominated by All Home, the company’s home building, furnishing and improvement store. The Las Piñas branch is the brand’s largest so far, bringing the All Home footprint to 150,000 sq.m. nationwide.

“The (All Home) brand continues to expand its product scope by offering more than just building and construction materials from local and international brands,” All Value said.

The complex also includes an All Day Supermarket, its 12th location in the country. The supermarket includes a “paluto” section, where customers can pick meat and seafood items to be cooked on the spot.

“All Day now also features an imported goods section, International Food Stop, which serves up the world’s best and brings them even closer to home,” the company said.

The Villar group has also opened the 21st location for its coffee chain called Coffee Project.

“The idea behind this is mas peaceful, pwede ka magtagal…maganda ambiance ng store. I feel that all developments should have a good coffee shop — it could serve as an office as well,” Mr. Villar said.

Mr. Villar noted each Coffee Project location requires around P10 million to P15 million to build.

Completing the lineup of store openings is Bake My Day, the company’s seventh in the country.

“Bake My Day, a new concept bakery, provides more than 50 variants of baked goods at every location at any given time,” the company said.

AVHC is part of Mr. Villar’s group of companies. The businessman also has investments in residential projects through listed firm Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc., mall operations through Starmall, Inc., and deathcare through Golden Haven, Inc.

Voyager Innovations looks for partnerships

PLDT, Inc.’s digital innovations unit Voyager Innovations, Inc. hopes to get partners by the first half of 2018, in order to take its business overseas.

Asked about plans for Voyager next year, PLDT Chairman, President and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan on Tuesday said: “to get partners, so we can push the various thrusts of Voyager, that this is a cash business, a capital-hungry company.”

He added Voyager will “most probably” get more than one partner, a combination of strategic and non-strategic partners.

“Hopefully, first half of next year,” Mr. Pangilinan told reporters on sidelines of the launch of Voyager’s DigiHub.

On a possible partnership with a Chinese company, the PLDT chairman was tightlipped, saying discussions so far are “confidential.”

At the same time, Mr. Pangilinan reiterated Voyager’s intention of expanding overseas, particularly the Southeast Asian market.

“At the end of the day, even if we’re able to cover the Philippine market, it’s still a small market so I think we need to scale, in larger market, to progress, at least the ASEAN market, because that’s a larger market. That means as you push, more cash are needed, to cover expenses,” he told reporters.

Voyager Innovations President and CEO Orlando B. Vea previously said the company is targeting emerging markets, particularly in Asia, where it sees a strong demand for its services.

OUTSOURCING
Meanwhile, PLDT is targeting to sign deals with Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. by year-end, and with Amdocs by the first quarter of next year, on the outsourcing of its information technology (IT) services.

“(Talks are) progressing very well, they’re asymmetric in progress. Hopefully, we could sign something with Huawei before the year-end. Amdocs probably first quarter next year,” Mr. Pangilinan said.

The number of PLDT personnel to be affected is yet to be determined. “Wala pa [none yet], that’s not yet been quantified. I think we’ll know in the next week or so. I don’t think it will be a major number,” he said.

PLDT is looking to outsource the bulk of its back-office operations, in an effort to reduce costs as part of its turnaround strategy. With this move, Mr. Pangilinan previously said the company can realize savings of as much as P7 billion over the next few years.

The company will also be looking at outsourcing personnel from the infrastructure side of the business, said Mr. Pangilinan.

“I think once we put this to bed, there might be some discussions on portions of our infrastructure which can be outsourced, we don’t know yet, so we want to put to bed Huawei and Amdocs first,” he said.

DIGIHUB
Voyager on Tuesday launched DigiHub, an office space at its Launchpad headquarters in Mandaluyong City that entrepreneurs can use.

This is part of the extension of Voyager’s digital transformation (DX) program to help equip micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines to become more competitive with the growing digital economy.

“Through DigiHub, Voyager aims to foster collaboration, accelerate learning and catalyze best practices among industry leaders, big enterprises and MSMEs,” Voyager said in a statement.

DigiHub is expected to be fully operational by first quarter next year, in cooperation with industry and trade partners.

Under the program, Voyager offers packages for MSMEs that includes its platforms and solutions, as well as digital loans from FINTQ’s Lendr partners such as First Circle, JK Capital, Development Bank of the Philippines, Esquire Financing, Asialink, Algo Leasing and Finance, and soon Radiowealth Financing.

Lendr will soon launch an “alternative credit scoring algorithm” for MSMEs, which can minimize “5-6” lending.

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. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

Peso strengthens on tax bill signing

THE PESO closed stronger against the dollar on Tuesday following the signing of the government’s tax reform bill into law.

The local currency closed the session at P50.39 versus the greenback yesterday, gaining nine centavos from the P50.48-per-dollar finish seen on Monday.

The peso opened the session stronger at P50.43 against the greenback. Its lowest point for the session was registered at P50.53, while it reached an intraday high of P50.38 versus the dollar, just a centavo above yesterday’s close.

Dollars traded soared to $604.7 million from the $467.15 million that changed hands in the previous session.

Two traders attributed the peso’s ascent to the enactment of the government’s first tax reform package yesterday afternoon.

“The peso appreciated today after the President’s ratification of the local tax reform bill,” a trader said in an e-mail on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill into law, which is expected to add P130 billion to the government’s coffers while reducing tax rates of lower income earners.

In the first of the five tax reform packages, workers with an annual salary of P250,000 and below will be exempted from paying income tax, receiving bigger take-home pays.

However, commodities such as fuel, tobacco, sweetened beverages and automobiles will have heftier taxes.

The revenues generated from the tax adjustment will help fund the government’s infrastructure push and social services.

Meanwhile, UnionBank of the Philippines Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion also noted the higher forecast of Philippine economic growth for 2018 given by HSBC Ltd.

“[Aside from the TRAIN bill,] HSBC has actually raised their forecast of Philippine growth for 2018,” Mr. Asuncion said over the phone.

In its quarterly report, HSBC raised its growth forecasts for the Philippines for this year and the next to 6.7%, higher than the 6.5% the global lender previously projected.

This is in line with the updated projection given by the World Bank last week, which also sees the country’s gross domestic product growing 6.7% for 2017 and 2018.

For today, two traders see the peso moving from P50.30 to P50.55, with one saying the local unit may land at the lower end of the range as its climb might be tempered by the positive developments in the American tax reform bill.

“Peso is seen to slightly depreciate [today] amid increasing bets by local traders that the US tax reform bill will get [President Donald J.] Trump’s signature within the week,” a trader said.

Most emerging Asian currencies crawled  higher on Tuesday, with the dollar holding steady ahead of a congressional vote on US tax cuts, while the Thai baht softened on expectations interest rates would be kept near record lows.

The dollar index, which tracks the US currency against a basket of six major rivals, was flat at 93.699, as some traders questioned the overall impact of the tax overhaul on the US economy.

Global markets have been buffeted in recent weeks by shifting expectations about Mr. Trump’s ability to push through his signature policy. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal with Reuters

Business confidence rising in Asia amid integration prospects

By Victor V. Saulon,
Sub-Editor

BUSINESS OPTIMISM has hit a two-year high in Asia Pacific, reflecting a buoyant mood across the region that is largely driven by positive prospects for increased trade, P&A Grant Thornton said in a report.

In the Philippines, the professional services firm said executives cited the three top opportunities in the country over the next five years as increased economic cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); upgrading local infrastructure; and automation of simple business processes.

“Philippine businesses are increasingly optimistic about the national economy and plan to hire additional staff based upon an improving trade picture and increasing revenue expectations,” said Marivic Españo, P&A Grant Thornton chairperson and chief executive officer, in a statement to introduce the report.

Executives from other countries also cited increased ASEAN economic cooperation as a top opportunity in the region.

P&A Grant Thornton said 33% of business leaders across the Asia Pacific named economic integration as the biggest growth opportunity.

It said companies in other countries — including Australia, China and Japan — are particularly buoyant about this trend, “indicating that the ASEAN Economic Community is delivering tangible benefits inside and outside Southeast Asia.”

“Automation of simple business processes is cited the country’s and the region’s third-largest growth opportunity,” it said.

“Automation involves freeing up workers for higher value-added tasks. As firms invest in technology-led solutions for lower-skilled roles, there is confidence that this should allow for great efficiencies,” it added.

But P&A Grant Thornton cited a warning from the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index that many economies are ill-prepared for automation.

Across the region, the firm said levels of business optimism across had hit a net 41% in the third quarter of 2017, the highest since the second quarter of 2015.

In China, optimism reached a three-year high of 52%, while in Japan it has increased 23 percentage points compared to a year ago.

The positivity across the region also had a positive effect on employment as 40% of Asia-Pacific businesses expect to hire more people over the next 12 months.

“As you would expect across such a large area, there are multiple contributing factors driving positive sentiment,” said Rodger Flynn, Grant Thornton regional head for Asia Pacific.

“The powerhouse that is the Chinese economy is becoming much more outward-looking, reflected both in its One Belt One Road initiative and the movement of lower skilled jobs to neighboring countries. This outlook is having a positive trickle-down effect across the region,” he added.

“At the same time, our research shows there are signs that the ASEAN Economic Community, established in 2015, is boosting business growth opportunities. And the Trans Pacific Partnership, considered a non-starter following the change of administration in the USA, is still seen by many businesses leaders across Asia Pacific as an opportunity to strengthen trade ties and boost exports,” Mr. Flynn said.

Davao region council sees infra projects 11.5% growth

DAVAO CITY — The Davao Regional Development Council (RDC) is banking on big-ticket infrastructure projects in the next five years as a catalyst to achieving economic growth of 11.5% by 2022.

Davao del Norte Gov. Antonio Rafael G. del Rosario, who chairs the RDC, said the target for gross regional domestic product growth is achievable if all the key infrastructure projects are implemented within the timetable.

Mr. del Rosario noted that the target is not out of reach as the region recorded a 9.4% growth rate in 2016.

“We managed to hit about 9% and it is not impossible to achieve a double-digit figure. It is easy to attain it, especially if Congress approves the budget for the projects for the region,” Mr. del Rosario said last week during a council forum where key projects were highlighted.

The economic growth target is included in the Davao Region Development Program 2017-2022.

One key component of the program is the Mindanao Railway System (MRS), particularly the first phase covering a 102-kilometer stretch running from Digos City, Davao del Sur to Tagum City, Davao del Norte with Davao City in between.

An initial P6.58 billion has been allocated out of the total estimated cost of P35.257 billion. The MRS phase 1 is targeted to be operational by 2022.

Other projects that the RDC is pushing are the bridge that will link Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal, upgrade of the Davao International Airport, Davao wharf, and a new bypass road in Davao City.

ADB LOAN
Meanwhile, Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), lauded the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) infrastructure assistance program to spur connectivity projects in Mindanao, particularly the $380-million (about P19 billion) loan for road projects in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

“This reaffirms ADB’s commitment to help strengthen the Mindanao Development Corridors and promote economic growth in Mindanao,” Mr. Alonto said in a statement released Tuesday, Dec. 19.

ADB announced last week that the institution’s Board of Directors has approved the $380-million loan under the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project.

“This is really all about bringing progress closer to the people, through connectivity infrastructure and we could not be more grateful to have ADB’s usual support,” Mr. Alonto said.

The MinDA head noted that the transport and logistics studies of ADB served as critical inputs in firming up the strategic priorities for the Mindanao Development Corridors, which is intended to improve infrastructure, establish connectivity, and spur the development of growth clusters within the island-region.

The corridors approach divides the island economy of Mindanao into four: the Northern Mindanao Development Corridor, Southern Mindanao Development Corridor, the Western Mindanao Development Corridor, and the Bangsamoro Development Corridor.

MinDA said the ADB is also supporting the new sub-regional framework of the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Vision 2025.

The road map covers $23 billion worth of priority infrastructure projects for the sub-grouping within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

ADB, which serves as the regional development advisor of BIMP-EAGA, provides technical assistance and support to projects particularly on transport, power, environment, economic corridors, and green cities. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

PHL withdraws bid for second MCC aid package

THE PHILIPPINES has withdrawn its application for a second aid package from the US-based agency Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Malacañang announced on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

“It was deemed that for the time being, we will withdraw our application for the second cycle and we will focus instead on the rebuilding of Marawi,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr., said, referring to the Mindanao city that was under siege by terrorists for practically half this year.

“Although we have invited the US government’s continued support and assistance for the reconstruction of Marawi,” Mr. Roque also said.

The Philippines’ graft-fighting efforts are also on the spotlight after it fell short of the “control of corruption” target on the MCC’s scorecard.

The MCC, as it describes itself on its Web site, is an independent US foreign aid agency created by the US Congress in 2004.

MCC on its Web site also said it “forms partnerships with poor countries that show they are committed to good governance, economic freedom, and investing in their citizens.”

The first MCC grant to the Philippines, amounting to $434 million, was allotted for infrastructure projects and took effect for the period of May 2011 until May 2016.

In December 2015, the MCC agreed to fund a second five-year development grant for the Philippines, amounting to $433 million, but deferred this in December last year.

Yet last August, the MCC upheld the eligibility of the Philippines to secure a fresh grant, after initially deferring a vote on its re-selection for help amid concern about the staggering death toll in President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s ferocious war on drugs.

Mr. Roque said the Philippines’ withdrawal from the grant is “not at all” connected with these and other issues.

“It was really just that Marawi happened. We did not expect it and it’s going to be very costly rebuilding. This is temporary. We will apply again some other time,” Mr. Roque said.

“We are confident that the US government fully understands the decision to reallocate our funding priority for this year and that this will not, in any way, adversely impact our eligibility for another round of compact assistance in the future because it calls for counterpart financing as well,” he added.

Mr. Duterte has been known to be sensitive to criticisms of his antidrug campaign, particularly by western countries and organizations that also provide assistance to the Philippines.

This year, his government rejected about 250 million euros ($295 million) in European Union grants. — reports by Rosemarie A. Zamora and Reuters

Accuser denies pressuring Chief Justice

LAWYER LORENZO G. Gadon, the complainant in the impeachment petition against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno, said he can never pressure Congress to subpoena Ms. Sereno to appear before the hearing currently being held by the House impeachment committee.

“How can someone like me, a private citizen, pressure Congress? I’m only one as against — how many? Forty members of the justice committee and 297 Congress members? Masyado lang silang dramatic (They are just being too dramatic),” Mr. Gadon said in a phone interview on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

This comes after a spokesperson of the Chief Justice issued a statement asserting “Atty. Gadon’s plan to pressure the House justice committee to subpoena Chief Justice Sereno.”

“This is yet another ridiculous statement from Mr. Gadon, who has discarded the law and turned a blind eye to our Constitution in exchange for his vain political ambitions. As earlier pointed out by House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, the Chief Justice — being a respondent in an impeachment proceeding — cannot be compelled to testify before the House committee on justice. The Chief Justice is not a witness subject to a subpoena process,” lawyer Josalee S. Deinla said in the statement.

She also warned that Ms. Sereno’s being forced to attend the House hearing will lead to a constitutional crisis.

Mr. Gadon countered: “Ang liwa-liwanag nung mga interviews ko (I had been clear during my interviews) that I will request… I will suggest and request. Wala naman akong sinabing (I never said) ‘must,’ wala naman akong sinabing (I never said), ‘it’s mandatory,’ or something for them to be pressured.”

He added: “En banc resolution, unanimous decision nga na ’yung mga justices eh pwede mag-appear doon sa Congress eh. Siyam na nga ’yung mag-a-appear eh. Nag-appear na ’yung apat, mag-a-appear pa ’yung lima. So anong constitutional crisis are they talking about?”

(An en banc and unanimous decision has already allowed the justices to appear in Congress. Nine are already going to appear. Four had appeared, another five will appear. So what constitutional crisis are they talking about?)

Ms. Deinla said Ms. Sereno does not need to disprove the allegations by Mr. Gadon “considering that he has not even proved anything.”

“Mr. Gadon cannot brush aside our fundamental laws. He is the one who deserves to be arrested or held in contempt for committing multiple perjurious statements and for putting pressure on Congress to violate the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the Chief Justice,” Ms. Deinla also said in the statement. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

Inflation impact of tax reform expected to be muted

By Melissa Luz T. Lopez,
Senior Reporter

THE FIRST TRANCHE of the tax reform plan is unlikely to have a substantial impact on overall inflation, analysts at a global research firm said.

The proposed law now awaits President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s signature, days ahead of its planned implementation by Jan. 1, 2018.

The tax package which Congress ratified on Dec. 13 consists of reduced personal income, estate and donors’ tax rates.

Foregone revenue will be offset by the removal of some exemptions to value-added tax; increased tax rates for fuel, automobiles, tobacco, coal, minerals, documentary stamps, foreign currency deposit units, capital gains for unlisted stock, and stock transactions; and new taxes for sugar-sweetened drinks and cosmetic enhancements.

These measures are expected to raise two-thirds of the P130 billion originally projected by the Department of Finance, while the balance will be sourced from another set of reforms on tax administration to be approved by Congress next year.

Capital Economics said the higher excise taxes could stoke inflation by 2018, although not at a level that would alarm the central bank.

“The increases in indirect taxes are likely to push up inflation. That said, the overall impact is likely to be relatively small given that the changes are set to be phased in over several years,” analysts at Capital Economics said in a report published yesterday.

Split into several tranches, the entire tax reform program is designed to shift the burden to those who can afford to pay more, while raising additional revenue that will help finance the government’s ambitious P8.44-trillion infrastructure development effort until 2022.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects inflation to average 3.4% in 2018, slightly higher than the 3.2% expected this year but still within the 2-4% target band.

The central bank has acknowledged that the pace of price increases is likely to pick up next year, although BSP Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo said higher oil prices — which have a significant weighting in the consumer price basket — will “not be enough to upset inflation,” referring to an impact which would bring the headline number beyond 4%.

Higher duties to be imposed under the tax reform package will likewise have a “transitory” impact on consumer prices, the BSP official added.

Capital Economics said the enactment of the first tax reform package is a net plus for the Philippine economy, as it would support increased government spending over the coming years.

“The extra tax revenue, which are the equivalent of around 1% of GDP (gross domestic product), will be used to fund the administration’s ambitious infrastructure spending plans,” the report read. “These projects should increase capacity, reduce bottlenecks in the economy and actually ease inflationary pressures over the medium term.”

The building program seeks to substantially raise public spending on infrastructure, in the process improving connectivity and the ease of doing business in the Philippines while also fueling rapid economic growth.

In turn, increased infrastructure spending is expected to propel annual GDP growth to between seven and 8% from 2018 to 2022, cementing the Philippines’ position as one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia.

Duterte wants paper work moving on 3rd telco player

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has instructed two government agencies to pave the way for the application of a third telecommunications provider in the Philippines, which “will be up and about by the first quarter of 2018.”

“I have instructed the DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) and the NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) to fast-track the entry of the third telecom player to foster competition in the market. I want this implemented during the first quarter of 2018,” Mr. Duterte said in his directive, as read by Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr., in his press briefing on Tuesday.

He also ordered the NTC to start putting together the terms of reference for the bidding of all the remaining telco frequencies, and instructed national and regional government agencies and local government units to issue the required permits within seven days once all requirements have been submitted.

“If it is not approved within seven days, it is deemed approved. That’s how serious the President is on the entry of a third telecoms player,” Mr. Roque said.

Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar had earlier announced that China Telecom had been chosen to operate as the third telco player in the Philippines in an industry currently dominated by PLDT, Inc. and Globe Telecom, Inc.

Asked whether the government is rushing the application for the entry of the third player, Mr. Roque said: “It is being rushed because we need, desperately, to have better telecoms in this country.”

Mr. Duterte for his part had said: “I do not want the courts to interfere and prolong this process. Do not issue any TROs (temporary restraining orders) or injunctions. This is a matter of national interest for the benefit of the public.”

For his part, Mr. Roque said constitutional restrictions and security concerns will be observed: “Right now, all I can say is we’re beefing up. We’ve given priority to our cybersecurity and I’m sure there would be measures to protect us, to protect our privacy and our national security interests.”

He also assured transparency in the bidding process on the watch of DICT: “The public will know what’s happening. So, the OIC, [Officer-in-charge Eliseo M.] Rio has assured me only this morning of absolute transparency in this regard.”

In a statement, Mr. Rio affirmed that the DICT and NTC can have the third telco player operational by early March 2018.

“It would help a lot if a strong statement comes from the President that for the benefit of the people, he wants the third player to compete ASAP,” he said.

As a disclosure for this story, MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund, has a unit — Hastings Holdings, Inc. — that maintains interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group. — RAZ

Navy chief replaced 3 months before retirement

PHILIPPINE NAVY Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph S. Mercado was relieved from his post as the Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command on Tuesday. Mr. Mercado, who assumed leadership in Nov. 2016, was supposed to retire in March 2018. Rear Admiral Robert A. Empedrad has taken over command of the navy. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Edgar A. Arevalo said the reason for the change of command “will be explained in due time.” — philstar.com

See full story on https://goo.gl/Uc7Gco

Jose Rizal gets a birthday bath

WHILE it seems that the Rizal Monument’s photobomber will be a permanent stain on the view, the dirt and grime that have accumulated over time on the iconic landmark itself can be easily wiped out thanks to a cleaning restoration project.

An the initiative of Kärcher, a German cleaning equipment brand, in partnership with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), the Rizal Monument has received a free makeover thanks to a two-day restoration project on Dec. 14 and 15.

The project is part of the “Kärcher Cleans the World” campaign, which is a global initiative that supports the free restoration and preservation of important landmarks, buildings, and historical mementos around the globe including the London Eye, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Mount Rushmore in the United States of America, the Merlion in Singapore, Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s colonnades in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, and Matsudagawa dam in Japan.

“For this year, Kärcher has chosen the Philippines as its beneficiary for the campaign with the cleanup of the Rizal Monument which, throughout the years, has seen its fair share of wear and tear. Its (no longer) white granite obelisk, together with the bronze statue of Rizal, is unfortunately a far cry from its original look as streaks of black dirt collected over the decades tarnishes its once-regal appearance,” said the brand on its Facebook page.

Without the aid of soap, detergent, or any other chemical, Kärcher cleaned the unpolished granite of the obelisk and the base of the monument with hot water (140°C), while high-pressured hot water was used to clean the floor tiles. The bronze statue of the National Hero was to be spared, said NHCP chair Carminda Arevalo during the event’s launch on Dec. 14.

The Rizal monument was approved by US President Theodore Roosevelt in 1901 under the United States Philippine Commission Act No. 243, which called for an international design contest to encourage famous artists around the globe to design the blueprint of the iconic landmark.

Unveiled in 1913, the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park was designed by the contest’s second-placer Swiss sculptor Richard Kissling, who got to do the project after the winner, the Italian sculptor Carlo Nicoli, was disqualified because of his overpriced project proposal, said NHCP’s senior history researcher Rommel R. Aquino.

Kissling’s winning project was called the “Motto Stella” or “Guiding Star,” which was unveiled to the public on the National Hero’s 17th death anniversary.

The nation will celebrate the 121st Rizal Day on Dec. 30 this year.

Kärcher said it would donate the cleaning machine after the Rizal Monument project was completed so the NHCP could use it. Kärcher’s country manager Zurich Fernandez recommends a quarterly cleansing of the landmark. — Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman

Retooled Alaska Aces begin ‘redeem’ season

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

HAD it rough in Season 42 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the Alaska Aces are looking to redeem themselves in the just-started 43rd edition of Asia’s first play-for-pay league.

The Aces, retooled with new additions in its roster and coaching staff, begin their campaign in the season-opening Philippine Cup today against the Magnolia Hotshots in the scheduled main game at 7 p.m. at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Serving as an appetizer to the game is the joust between Kia Picanto and NLEX Road Warriors at 4:15 p.m.

Labored for much of last season that saw it failing to advance to the playoff round in the last two conferences and had to endure a 14-game losing streak spanning two conferences and five months, Alaska now hopes to start fresh and make its way back to the high level of competitiveness that the league has gone accustomed to seeing from it.

Joining the Aces this season are rookies Jeron Teng and Davon Potts, who the team picked in last October’s draft. Free-agent Ronald Pascual has also been signed up.

They are joining the Aces core of Calvin Abueva, Chris Banchero, JVee Casio, Carl Bryan Cruz, Vic Manuel, Simon Enciso, Kevin Racal and Sonny Thoss as they try to turn things around this year.

Also part of the team now is the coaching trio of Eric Altamirano, Danny Ildefonso and Tony dela Cruz, joining the staff of head coach Alex Compton and replacing erstwhile deputies Louie Alas and Topex Robinson who are now with the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters.

“I’m excited for the start of the new PBA season. Last year was a tough one for us and hopefully we get to bounce back this around,” said Alaska coach Compton in the lead-up to the start of the Philippine Cup.

“Key for us is to regain our identity as a defensive team, bringing back the ferocity and toughness that helped us previously,” he added.

NEW NAME
Meanwhile, the newly named Hotshots are also looking to set their own campaign to a good start.

Now playing under the Magnolia brand of San Miguel Foods, Inc., the Hotshots intend on building on it as an inspiration.

“This only inspires us to be better. I’m happy with the roster with have right now. And I’m sure they are happy as well to play under Magnolia,” said Hotshots coach Chito Victolero, whose squad used to play under Purefoods Star.

Marc Pingris and Paul Lee are once again tasked to lead the team, which made it to the semifinal round of each of the three conferences last season.

Rookies Robbie Herndon and Gwyne Capacio are also now part of the team, which still has Jio Jalalon, Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang and Aldrech Ramos in the roster.

“We expect to continue to have our work cut out for us. We have been preparing our players and hopefully we stay healthy to be able to compete. I trust my players and I am very positive that we can compete with anybody,” Mr. Victolero said.

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