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La Salle’s Mbala named UAAP player of the week

SOLIDIFYING his standing as the most dominant player in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) right now, De La Salle University big man Ben Mbala snagged another accolade by being named player of the week.

Punctuated by his all-around performance in their 79-76 win over rivals Ateneo Blue Eagles last Sunday that effectively derailed the latter’s bid to sweep the elimination round and earn a direct pass to the finals, Mr. Mbala got the nod for the weekly plum given by the UAAP press corps.

Hitting 50% (10-of-12) of his field goals, Cameroonian Mr. Mbala wound up with a game-high 28 points to go along with 19 rebounds, six steals and six blocks to thwart Ateneo in its push.

Just as the defending champions Archers found the going tough early in the fourth period, Mr. Mbala came to the rescue to steady their ship, allowing them to come up big in the closeout to secure the win. “We just wanted to win. We didn’t quit. Coach [Aldin Ayo] told us, never give up,” Mr. Mbala said as he spoke of what did it for them in the crucial game.

“Coach told me to never quit on defense, to just always be there … He told me to stay composed and not overdo everything,” he added.

In winning the weekly award, which is considered by many as a prelude to him winning his second straight league most valuable player award, Mr. Mbala beat out Paul Desiderio of University of the Philippines, Steve Akomo of University of Santo Tomas, and Arvin Tolentino of Far Eastern University.

Mr. Mbala and the Archers right now are preparing for the Adamson Soaring Falcons in their Final Four encounter beginning on Saturday. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Boracay-based dragon boat teams do well in their second international race

KUCHING SARAWAK, MALAYSIA — Boracay-based dragon boat teams recently made waves at the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta 2017, bagging a pair of gold medals and a silver medal in different categories they participated in.

The Boracay Dragonflies (women’s division) and Boracay Dragonforce (men’s division), competing in only their second international race, ruled the 400-meter event International 12 crew Ladies boat competition as well as the 400-meter event International mix team.

They also bagged a silver in the 400-meter Masters.

In winning the International 12 crew Ladies boat competition, the Boracay Dragonflies clocked in 2.04 seconds.

Winning two golds and one silver out of five categories in the competition held from Nov. 10 to 12 at the Kuching Waterfront in Sarawak, team officials viewed it as a great achievement for the team’s 2nd international race participation.

“The Philippine team had overcome its competition, consistently ahead of the teams from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Brunei, Thailand and India by over a boat in every heat,” Team Coach Von Navarosa said in an e-mail from Sarawak.

The Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta was also held in conjunction with the official opening of The Golden Bridge, in Sungai Sarawak, an important event in the tourism calendar of countries involved in dragon boat races around the world.

Remy Aquino-Nation, team vice-president, said the Philippine contingent had been considered a potential champion before in view of its achievement during the 2017 Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival where it won numerous gold medals.

She hoped the team could continue to be groomed with the help of the government so that it can continue with its achievements competing and winning races internationally. Making every Filipino proud!

REMARKABLE RECORD
Often overlooked by the media, Boracay Dragonforce and the Boracay Dragonflies have earned the reputation on local races as a team to be reckoned. With overall impressive awards within four years — 18 gold awards, 10 silver awards, and five bronze awards to date. Their competitive reputation is now being recognized around Asia making them well celebrated in the last Dragon Boat Festival in Indonesia and Malaysia.

The biggest challenge that the team faced during the race was the new terrain and the difficult draw lanes. The water condition of the river is very different compared to the salt water that the Islanders train in Boracay. The Team had to adjust and come up with a different strategy to create a game plan that works with paddling against the river current, according to the Team Manager/Coach Thomas Müeller.

For now, the team is celebrating the end of the Dragon Boat Festival in Malaysia at Grand Margherita Hotel, with city tour generously provided by the Malaysian government.

They will return to the Philippines (Kalibo) today where a congratulatory ceremony awaits them.

Security, integration top ASEAN dialogue concerns

ASEAN 50 logoTHE FOLLOWING are the outcomes of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) dialogues with its global partners at the 31st ASEAN Summit:

HONG KONG: Signed the  ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA) and the ASEAN-Hong Kong Investment Agreement (AHKIA). The two agreements are part of the region’s effort to expand trade opportunities for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Host country the Philippines said the agreements provide more opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as to the country’s exporters.

CHINA: The ASEAN-China dialogue produced joint statements on anti-corruption cooperation, tourism cooperation, and infrastructure connectivity. Both sides also agreed to proceed with negotiations for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea after concluding a Framework Agreement on a Code of Conduct.

UNITED STATES: President Donald J. Trump highlighted Washington’s  commitment to partnership with ASEAN, which he called a vehicle for advancing the security and prosperity of the US and the Indo-Pacific nations.

SOUTH KOREA: The ASEAN-South Korea meeting produced a report on the progress of the implementation of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Plan of Action to implement the joint declaration on strategic partnership for peace and prosperity (2016-2020). ASEAN leaders expressed a desire for further trade, including liberalization between ASEAN and South Korea.

The two sides also expressed grave concern over the latest developments on the Korean peninsula and called for peaceful denuclearization and the early resumption of six-party talks.

JAPAN: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed a desire to deepen cooperation with the ASEAN in maritime security, defense, trade, infrastructure development, fighting terrorism, disaster risk reduction and cultural exchanges. Mr. Abe pledged to support ASEAN in upgrading the quality of its infrastructure, industry, and human resources.

Japan will also continue to expedite the Yen Loan Project, and it expressed a desire for the early conclusion of a Japan-ASEAN Technical Cooperation Agreement agreed upon at the Japan-ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in August. Japan committed to provide ¥55 billion in the next three years for the purpose of enhancing maritime law enforcement capacity.

EUROPEAN UNION: The European Union (EU) offered anti-terror cooperation through information sharing via Interpol and Europol and the exchange of best practices in dealing with violent extremism.

In June, ASEAN representatives visited the headquarters of the EU’s anti-smuggling naval mission, Operation Sophia, which targets people smugglers and trafficking networks in the Mediterranean. The EU expressed willingness to share its expertise in fighting piracy, illegal and unregulated fishing or any other type of transnational criminality at sea.

ASEAN PLUS THREE (APT): ASEAN reaffirmed its intent to further cooperation with Japan, South Korea, and China during their 20th commemorative summit on Tuesday, Nov. 14. President Rodrigo R. Duterte, chairman of the 31st ASEAN Summit, urged his fellow ASEAN leaders and three dialogue partners to continue nurturing peaceful co-existence within the region.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meanwhile underscored the significance of increased financial cooperation within the ASEAN Plus Three.

Mr. Abe said financial cooperation will enhance predictability and mitigate vulnerabilities in regional markets, and strengthen free trade.

Mr. Abe also backed APT cooperation on Food Security which was proposed by China, and adopted during the summit.

“Incidentally, it has been over six years since the Great Eastern Japan earthquake. I strongly request that input controls on Japanese food stuffs be lifted based on scientific grounds,” Mr. Abe added.

Japanese food exports such as milk, fruit and vegetables have been banned in some countries due to concerns these products may have been contaminated by radiation from the Fukushima nuclear power plant

Premier Li Keqiang said Beijing supports regional integration and the advancement of the East Asia Economic Community, noting that the world economy is still recovering from the 2007-2008 financial crisis and global trade and investment has been growing.

“China-Japan and China-ROK relations are [also] seeing signs of improvement. All these have presented new opportunities for APT Cooperation,” he added.

“I hope that through this Summit, we can build consensus and send a positive signal that we firmly support regional integration and advance East Asia Economic Community or EAEC so as to benefit the people and the country in the region.”

President Moon Jae-in said the collective experience of the region in overcoming financial crises “remains a valuable heritage to us. Now, we must take ourselves to a new level to realize a cooperative mechanism that provides protection and care to the lives of our members in the region.”

“In 1999, we have utilized the power of solidarity and overcame the financial crisis. Let us create a vision for the East Asian community of peace, prosperity, and progress. I look forward to reaffirming refining the visions of the East Asian community and our resolve for cooperation within,” Mr. Moon said.

CANADA: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his intent to broaden his country’s partnership with the ASEAN in charting a path towards sustainable development and prosperity, noting that ASEAN has been instrumental to the liberalization of trade and the establishment of fair, rules-based international systems for the past 50 years. Canada plans to join the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus “at the earliest opportunity.”

Canada likewise committed to help ASEAN in achieving safer and more secure communities by addressing humanitarian issues and regional tensions, citing its interventions in addressing the plight of the Muslim minority in Myanmar as well as its stance against the North Korean missile tests.

UNITED NATIONS: The UN said it supports measures to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism, and proposed a dedicated UN Office of Counter-Terrorism. It welcomed the adoption of the Manila Declaration to Counter the Rise of Radicalization and Violent Extremism, and its recognition of the importance of comprehensive approaches and preventive action. It also highlighted its readiness and willingness to provide technical support to ASEAN and its member countries in their efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism, and to combat transnational crime, including drug trafficking and people trafficking, through policies able to protect their citizens with effective law enforcement and respect for human rights.

INDIA: India expressed its support for improving ASEAN’s rules-based regional security architecture, which it linked to the region’s peaceful development. India urged ASEAN and its partners to jointly address security challenges in the region by intensifying cooperation. — Arjay L. Balinbin, Andrea Louise E. San Juan and Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

Human rights spice up talks on cooperation

THE PHILIPPINES capped its series of bilateral talks on Tuesday, Nov. 14, on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit — with a state leader saying he brought up the delicate subject of human rights to a “receptive” President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

ASEAN 50 logo

The Philippines on the Duterte administration’s watch chairs this year’s summit, amid international condemnation of Mr. Duterte’s brutal drug campaign.

In a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he tackled Mr. Duterte over allegations of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in Manila’s deadly drug war.

The Canadian prime minister’s Mr. Trudeau’s comments came the day after US President Donald J. Trump hailed the “great relationship” he enjoys with Mr. Duterte in a meeting the Philippine government said did not touch on human rights, although the White House said they had done so “briefly.”

“I also mentioned human rights, the rule of law, and specifically extrajudicial killings as being an issue that Canada is concerned with,” Mr. Trudeau told reporters in Manila, recounting his conversation with Mr. Duterte. “I impressed upon him the need for respect for the rule of law.”

Asked how Mr. Duterte responded, Mr. Trudeau said: “The president was receptive to my comments and it was throughout a very cordial and positive exchange.”

“This is something that is important to Canadians, and it’s important to the world and I will always bring that up,” Mr. Trudeau said, referring to human rights.

He added he offered support to Mr. Duterte “as a friend to help move forward on what is a real challenge.”

Mr. Trump, for his part, skipped the plenary session of a summit of East and Southeast Asian leaders in Manila on Tuesday because of scheduling delays, but he said his marathon trip to the region had been a success.

Mr. Trump left for home from the Philippines after a lunch with the other leaders, as meetings were running about two hours behind schedule. He told reporters on Air Force One that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would attend the plenary session in his place, a senior White House official said.

Mr. Trump said his trip had resulted in at least $300 billion, possibly triple that figure, of deals being agreed. He did not elaborate.

“We’ve explained that the United States is open for trade but we want reciprocal, we want fair trade for the United States,” he said.

Trade and concern about possible protectionism under Mr. Trump’s “America First” agenda have come up during his visit to the region, which included stops in Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam before concluding in the Philippines.

Despite Mr. Trump’s omitting human rights in his meeting with Mr. Duterte on Monday, their respective countries issued a joint statement on Tuesday that said in part the two sides “underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential, and agreed to continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda in their national programs to promote the welfare of all sectors, including the most vulnerable groups.”

Bilateral talks between the Philippines and Russia focused on specific potential projects, as both countries discussed possible cooperation in transportation, including development assistance for the Northern Luzon railway and air travel between Manila and Moscow.

Assistant Secretary Leah V. Merida-Quiambao told reporters in a text message that DoTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade and Russian Minister of Transport Maksim Sokolov met yesterday in Pasay City. Mr. Sokolov is part of the Russian delegation here in Manila.

The Philippines and Russia talked broadly about possible areas of cooperation, which can be pursued further through memoranda on partnerships in the future.

The two countries agreed to explore possible Russian development assistance for the Northern Luzon railway.

“Russia is expected to bring with it its development experience, gained in the course of building its 86,000-km of mainline and 60,000-km of secondary railway lines,” Ms. Quiambao said. The planned railway aims to extend connectivity to Northern Luzon, beyond the Manila-Clark Railway, with corridors in New Clark City to San Fernando in La Union, and Tarlac province to Tuguegarao City.

The Philippines and Russia also talked about possible utilization of Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), a Russian space-based satellite navigation system and an alternative to the global positioning system (GPS), for road emergency response, truck weight monitoring, and air navigation applications.

They also discussed possible deployment of Russian training vessels to the Philippines, a possible donation of a Russian training vessel, and exchange programs between the Philippine Merchant Maritime Academy (PMMA) and a Russian maritime academy.

With Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Mr. Duterte discussed the threat of North Korea’s nuclear program in the Northeast Asian region and beyond, saying in part, “I can assure you that in the matter of the interest of your country and mine, we are supporting you against what North Korea is doing.” he said.

But the talks also dwelt significantly on economic and development programs between the two countries, with Messrs. Duterte and Abe witnessing “the exchange of notes (on) the Metro Manila Subway project, Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase 3, and (other) economic and social development program(s),” a statement by Malacañang said.

The statement further disclosed that Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III and Japan International Cooperation Agency Chief Representative in the Philippines Susumu Ito also had an exchange of loan agreement on (the) Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project. Department of National Defense Undersecretary for Finance, Ammunitions, Installations and Materials Raymundo Elefante and Commissioner Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency Yoshiyuki Suzuki also signed an Amended Letter of Arrangement on the transfer of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force trainer aircraft TC-90s.

Mr. Duterte also had a chance to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi, wherein the chief executive urged him for more investments from India, especially in the manufacture of goods.

Four agreements in the areas of defense and logistics cooperation, agriculture, micro, small, and medium enterprises, and for collaboration between the Indian Council of World Affairs and the Foreign Service Institute of Philippines were also signed.

On the other hand, Mr. Duterte’s bilateral meeting with Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in, focused on trade and investment, with the Philippine leader urging South Korean investments in manufacturing, automotive, food production, processing, agribusiness, electronics and energy.

He also expressed his gratitude to South Korea for its imports of Philippine products into South Korea, particularly in the areas of personal care and other organic products, food and seafood, garments and chemicals and other electronic parts.

For his part, South Korean President Moon expressed hopes that he could enhance Korea-ASEAN relations ‘to the highest level,’ noting that he dispatched a Special Envoy to ASEAN following his inauguration.

Mr. Moon, for his part, was quoted in a Palace statement as saying, “I wish to further strengthen our ties with the Philippines, our longtime friend.” He also “expressed hopes that he could enhance Korea-ASEAN relations ‘to the highest level,’ noting that he dispatched a Special Envoy to ASEAN following his inauguration,” the statement also said.

Mr. Moon also noted the “people-to-people” exchange of “about 1.5 million Korean tourists who visit the Philippines annually.”

People-to-people and other ties were also the theme of the Philippines’ talks with New Zealand, with Stephen England-Hall, chief executive of that country’s tourism department, saying in a press conference yesterday that he expects tourist arrivals between the Philippines and New Zealand to increase in a year with the launching of direct flights in December between Auckland and Manila.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Philippine Airlines and Tourism New Zealand. PAL will be launching in December thrice-a-week direct flights from Manila to Auckland. Previously, the flag carrier only flew to Auckland via Cairns, Australia.

New Zealand has been targeting the Southeast Asian market and considers the Philippines to be an emerging market, in particular, banking on families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and migrants, students and tourists who want to visit New Zealand. — AFP, Reuters, Rosemarie A. Zamora, Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

Baguio mayor suspends classes as tourist influx causes road congestion

THE NOV. 13-15 holiday declared in Metro Manila, Bulacan, and Pampanga for the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit has drawn tourists to Baguio, creating heavy road congestion in the mountain city, which has prompted the mayor to declare a suspension of classes on Nov. 14-15. The suspension applies to all public and private schools from preschool to high school. Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan, in an announcement posted on his social media page Tuesday morning, said: “Classes… in the City of Baguio are suspended from Tuesday to Wednesday due to the influx of tourists… as felt yesterday with the ASEAN Summit happening in Manila and Clark.” Baguio, known as the summer capital of the Philippines, is located about 250 kilometers north of Metro Manila. Social media posts by Baguio residents referred to the gridlock as ‘carmageddon.’

Volatile coal price seen as risk for PHL power sector

THE COUNTRY’S current account deficit could increase by $1.75 billion each year by 2021 because of the doubling in the price of world-traded thermal coal since the start of last year, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) said.

In a new analysis released on Monday, the institute said at current market prices for benchmark coal of $100 per ton, the Philippines is poised to spend $3.5 billion every year for 35 million tons per annum (MTPA) of imports by 2021 in the International Energy Agency (IEA) Mid-Term Outlook.

“The unpredictability of the coal market over the past year will drive higher electricity prices and threatens the industrial strategy of the Philippines,” said Sara Jane Ahmed, an analyst at IEEFA.

“The dramatic price spike should signal to the Philippines’ Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to put an end to the automatic pass-through of costs, which means ratepayers absorb the price increases and utilities have no incentive to adopt cleaner, cheaper renewable energy,” she added.

IEEFA said raising coal imports results in commodity price and currency risks for local electricity consumers, with its negative impact on the current account deficit, which it said is “a significant driver of imported inflation.”

“The Philippines should avoid locking itself into further new long-term coal-fired power plant contracts,” Ms. Ahmed said. “Renewable energy infrastructure is deflationary, and technology gains combined with economies of scale mean in many countries, including the Philippines, it is already the least cost option.”

IEEFA cited India’s experience where it said on the back of a doubling of renewable energy installation activity in 2016 to 2017, solar and wind tariffs have both fallen nearly 50% since the start of last year. This set record low wholesale electricity tariffs of $38 per megawatt-hour. New import thermal power plants are unable to compete at this low pricing.

The institute said the doubling of the coal price to almost $100 today from $50 in January 2016 was largely “a result of Chinese central government policy aimed at an orderly coal market transition by maintaining a degree of profitability for domestic Chinese coal miners, while the central government forges ahead with an accelerating transition to clean energy.”

It said China is set to install 50 gigawatts of solar in 2017 alone, a record for a single country in a year.

It said due to the rise of the global green bond market, capital is available for countries that are willing to set a clear policy direction to transition to clean energy.

“The doubling of the thermal coal price over the past 12 months should be another wake-up call for governments that it is a high-risk $20-billon stranded asset gamble,” Ms. Ahmed said.

“Governments should pursue renewable energy as the path to enable industrial growth,” she added.

IEEFA conducts research and analyses on financial and economic issues related to energy and the environment. Its mission is to hasten the “transition to a diverse, sustainable and profitable energy economy and to reduce dependence on coal and other non-renewable energy resources.” — Victor V. Saulon

Suzuki’s iconic SUV returns

By Kap Maceda Aguila

THE million-peso mark has traditionally been an important reference point for sellers — particularly in an auto industry still seen to be price sensitive. South of that mark, the perceived and practicable accessibility of a vehicle exponentially increases. Yet, posited within this context, it is also an accepted irony that the average Filipino seems to prefer SUVs — which are expected to breach that price point and psychic barrier.

Suzuki is letting buyers have their cake and eat it, too. The famous SUV nameplate first unveiled in 1988 is back with an all-new iteration. The fourth generation — which was actually debuted globally at the Paris Motor Show in 2014 — is said to be largest in its class, while offering the “best value in terms of design, performance, and fuel efficiency,” according to Suzuki Philippines automobile division GM Shuzo Hoshikura in a statement. The executive added that the Vitara is also customizable, and carries a “wide array of colors and accessory packages.”

The SUV is 1,775 millimeters wide, 1,610 millimeters tall and 4,175 millimeters long — with a minimum ground clearance of 185 millimeters — while boasting the lightest curb weight in its category. Under the hood is a 1.6-liter engine delivering 115 hp at 6,000 rpm and 156 Nm at 4,400 rpm. Mated to Suzuki’s newly developed six-speed A/T system, the power plant promises improved response and fuel economy.

Suzuki will initially sell three variants (all 4×2 models) which, as stated, will start at a price under P1 million. The GL+ gets a tag of P938,000, while the top variant GLX costs P1.048 million. The GL is yet to be priced as of press time.

STAYING TRUE
Designers have exerted an effort to be true to the Vitara’s original styling, such as in the familiar clamshell bonnet which makes a welcome return. Additionally, “the side press lines and smooth roofline suggest a youthful, rugged look, and strong aerodynamic performance, respectively, complemented by the rear that gives off a stable look,” stressed the car maker.

Other features include daytime running lamps with vertically placed LEDs (standard in the GLX), and projector halogen head lamps giving ample light distribution even in low beam setting. The GLX is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, the GL+ has 16-inch steel wheels with full caps.

Inside, the Vitara features a stylish, legible instrument panel with a black and matte silver theme. Circular air vents fringe an analog clock. The GLX gets a combination of leather and suede-type fabric for its seats, and a panoramic sunroof designed with two glass panels that can both slide open. All variants have a paddle shifter and audio control on the steering wheel. The GLX and GL+ feature a footwell lamp and keyless push-start system.

Meanwhile, a new infotainment system offers hands-free connectivity, navigation assistance, Bluetooth tethering, and a USB port. The GLX variant serves up Wi-Fi support, while a MirrorLink function can pair a smart phone with the SUV’s Android-based system. The GLX is bestowed a 10-inch screen, while GL+ and GL variants get a seven-inch display. Up to 710 liters of luggage space is available in the Vitara with the rear seats folded.

GLX variants are available in two-tone schemes: Atlantis Turquoise Pearl, Horizon Orange Metallic, and Bright Red Metallic. GL+ and GL variants are available in Cool White Pearl, Silky Silver Metallic, Galactic Gray Metallic, Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic and Atlantis Turquoise Pearl Metallic.

In a speech during the launch held at a Pasig City events venue, Suzuki Philippines President Hiroshi Suzuki spoke of the market “trust and confidence” the company has enjoyed through the years. No secret then that the Vitara’s return is certainly planning to capitalize on that cherished history — not to mention, among others, its attractive pricing.

Louvre Abu Dhabi draws cosmopolitan crowd on opening day

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — The Louvre Abu Dhabi opened its doors to the public on Saturday, drawing thousands of visitors as cosmopolitan as the United Arab Emirates itself, a symbol of the Gulf nation’s ambitions on the global stage.

Light streamed down from the vast domed ceiling, the open-air museum reminiscent of a traditional Arabic marketplace.

Surrounded by water from three sides, the museum houses 600 artworks it has acquired, alongside 300 works on loan from 13 leading French institutions, in its 23 permanent galleries. The artists range from Paul Gauguin and Vincent Van Gogh to Pablo Picasso and Cy Twombly.

Inside, Emirati teenagers in flowing black robes snapped selfies next to a towering oil painting of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Hundreds of Asian, European, and Arab expatriates dressed in stylish attire roamed through the vast museum alongside Emirati couples in traditional Arabic dress.

“I’m so excited to see what’s in the Louvre. I don’t know how to pronounce it,” giggled Rachel Aquino, a Filipina nurse living in Abu Dhabi.

“LOOV,” her friend Ruby Fullon, a fellow nurse from the Philippines, pronounced.

Down the palatial rear steps of the open-air structure, Alex Viera and Marcelo de Paula from Brazil snapped photos on a platform jutting out over the sea, with traditional dhow wooden ships moored in the background.

“I’ve been to the Louvre in Paris three times… I think it’s very nice to see it here in a modern context,” said Viera.

EMIRATI, ARABIC, ISLAMIC
The Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first museum to bear the Louvre name outside France, presents around 600 pieces and has been billed as “the first universal museum in the Arab world.”

“It is a lot more than just a museum. It is a center of peace, acceptance, tolerance and education,” Mohamed al-Mubarak, chairman of the department of culture and tourism in Abu Dhabi, told Reuters.

Under the 30-year agreement, France provides expertise, loans works of art and organizes temporary exhibitions — in return for €1 billion ($1.16 billion).

The Louvre in France takes a €400-million share of that sum for the use of its name up to 2037.

For the next 10 years, the mother ship in Paris will lend works to its Abu Dhabi partner on a voluntary basis, for a maximum of two years.

For its permanent collection, the museum has acquired hundreds of pieces, dating from the earliest Mesopotamian civilizations to the present day.

Permanent installations include a sculpture by Auguste Rodin, an enormous bronze tree with mirrored branches called Leaves of Light by Italian artist Giuseppe Penone, and three engravings on stone walls bearing historic texts from the region by Jenny Holzer, an American neo-conceptual artist.

And there are priceless pieces. They include a statue of the Sphinx dating back to the 6th century B.C., 13 fragments of a frieze that reveals Surah al Hashr from the Holy Quran, and a marble bust of Alexander the Great.

Among the paintings is one by Leonardo DaVinci, done between 1495 and 1499 and called La Belle Ferronniere, or Portrait of an Unknown Woman, which was recently restored and is on loan from the original Musee du Louvre in Paris.

Louvre Abu Dhabi has partnered with museums and cultural institutions in the Arab world, who will lend 28 significant works. Among them are an 8,000-year-old, two-headed figure called the Ain Ghazal statue from Jordan, some 400 silver dirham coins from Oman and a pre-historic stone tool from Saudi Arabia.

On opening day, guided tours wound through the spacious galleries as Asian and African dance troupes performed in the open-air sections overlooking the sea.

“It is not a copy of the Louvre,” said Badria al-Mazimi, an architectural engineer.

The 26-year-old Emirati said she had visited the site when the museum was still under construction and had eagerly anticipated the public opening.

“The beautiful thing is they made it not just one building, but like a little neighborhood. When you walk around, you feel like you’re walking in an old Emirati quarter,” she said, beaming as her husband studied a Central Asian statuette dating from 1700 B.C.

“To see all these people from different nationalities waiting in this long line to visit the Louvre — it’s something really special,” she said.

“This is what you see when you travel abroad, and now it’s here, in the Emirates.”

ARABESQUE PATTERNS
More than a decade in the making, a VIP inauguration was held on Wednesday last week, with French President Emmanuel Macron among the first visitors.

The museum design, by France’s Pritzker prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, conjures up the image of an Arab medina as seen through the eyes of a contemporary cinematographer.

A silver-toned dome with perforated arabesque patterns appears to float over the white galleries, creating what Nouvel describes as a “rain of light.”

To reach the ground, each ray of light must cross eight layers of perforations, creating a constantly shifting pattern that mimics the shadows cast by palm trees or the roof of a traditional Arab market.

Having invested over $1 billion in the museum, Abu Dhabi is hoping culture will attract tourists. Two more museums, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, designed by Frank Gehry, and Norman Foster’s Zayed National Museum, are planned around the Louvre Abu Dhabi in the Saadiyat Cultural District that already hosts art fairs, exhibitions and performances.

“Culture is the element that will distinguish us from others,” said Saif Saeed Ghobash, director-general of the emirate’s Department of Culture & Tourism. “We will attract a different kind of traveler.”

The entrance ticket to the museum is 60 dirhams ($16.30) with all 5,000 tickets sold out for the opening day. — AFP/Reuters

Louie Alas savors chance to share court with son Kevin

BACK as head coach in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after 16 years, Louie Alas will now have a chance to either acquire his son, Kevin, from the NLEX Road Warriors, or build on their “rivalry.”

The elder Alas’s recent appointment as head coach of the Phoenix Fuel Masters put the many-time collegiate champion coach and former national team mentor in a postion to lure his son to play for him.

The last time the father and son were in one team was in 2012 when they helped the Letran Knights reach the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) finals against rivals San Beda Red Lions.

In the PBA, Louie and Kevin ended up with different teams. The elder Alas became an assistant coach of Alex Compton when he became head coach in 2014 while the younger Alas was selected second overall by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Rookie Draft that same year before being traded to the TNT Tropang Texters where he won a championship in his rookie season.

Kevin then traded to the NLEX Road Warriors where he has been able to find his niche as a player as an integral part of coach Yeng Guiao’s system.

Now back as a PBA coach, is Louie, who replaced Ariel Vanguardia as Phoenix coach, bent on adding Kevin as part of the Fuel Masters?

“Of course I want him to play for me at Phoenix, but it’s not my call. It’s his call,” the elder Alas told BusinessWorld.

“But the way I see and feel it, Kevin loves it there at NLEX. He likes the coaches, especially Coach Yeng and the management. Even if I like him, I won’t force it,” he added.

The younger Alas has made known his admiration for current coach Guiao.

In 2014, Kevin had a chance to play for the fiery mentor with Rain or Shine but was traded to TNT.

Last season, Kevin got a chance to finally play for Guiao and in just two conferences, the cager became an integral part of the team’s system.

With the reunion right now too much of a stretch, basketball fans can only look forward to a possible rivalry between father and son.

“I don’t see it as a rivalry. I always want him to play well. When he was in TNT, they beat us once, then he got injured. When he was in NLEX, he beat me twice,” said the elder Alas.

“We just want the best for both of us, so we wish each other good luck.” — Rey Joble

VW Beetle 1.4 TSI Club Edition

IN its present cut the VW Beetle is more rakish — masculine, even — than the model it replaced (the mostly unmissed New Beetle of 1998-2011). But, like its predecessor, it also shares a lot of its underpinnings with the VW Golf. While the Golf is coveted both as an appliance and a source of driving pleasure though, the Beetle seems it is always regarded as a fashion accessory. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

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• Styling really is one of the car’s strongest suits — if not the strongest. The dark alloys and body graphics worn by the 1.4 TSI Club Edition do not come across as contrived, allowing for a sporty vibe while freshening the Beetle’s seven-year-old looks.

• Decidedly retro treatment of the cabin — dashboard and door panels are defined by a huge swath of body color-painted surfaces — is uncluttered and integrates modern niceties, like the multimedia unit, climate controls and other switches, coherently.

• Various systems are operated by tools best suited for a particular purpose — large knobs for the air-conditioner and head lamps, dials for volume control, buttons for engaging multimedia functions. Car makers that insist users stab repeatedly at a touch screen just to adjust the cabin temperature should learn from the Beetle’s uncomplicated and effective example.

• Club Edition raises the luxury quotient with leather seats.

• The 1.4-liter TSI engine may be small, but the 157hp it puts out through the use of both a turbo and a supercharger means grunt is not only adequate, but is accessible throughout the rev range. Helping here is VW Group’s seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, whose ability to row through the gears as imperceptibly as it does makes it the auto industry standard.

• Build quality and construction, as expected from a VW, is flawless. Every panel gap is uniform and tight. Controls engage securely and with solid heft. Furniture and trim seem like they will never break.

• Ride feels as solid, the suspension and body structure never quivering even over bad road surfaces. The soft suspension setting also means the car does not crash over ruts or bumps.

• Domed roofline creates massive headroom for front-row occupants, large doors let them in and out effortlessly.

VW Beetle 1.4 TSI Club Edition 2
Dark alloys, body graphics lead to a sporty vibe while freshening the Beetle’s seven-year-old looks. — ALL PHOTOS: BRIAN M. AFUANG

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• Domed roofline pinches headroom for backseat occupants, large doors don’t really allow them to get in and out of the car easily. All right, it’s no worse in the Beetle than is the case for most coupes.

• Softly sprung suspension causes car to lean noticeably when taking corners quickly. While this is not exactly alarming, it does make the car feel sloppy at handling speed. Numb electrically boosted steering does not help any.

• Graphics of multimedia unit, while highly legible and easy to decipher, look dated. VW may have gone overboard on the retro thing here.

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At its price range there are few cars in the market that can match the Beetle’s solid, Germanic feel and benchmark-setting mechanicals. Even fewer, if any, can match its distinct fashion-accessory styling. — Brian M. Afuang

BLUFFER’S BOX

VW Beetle 1.4 TSI Club Edition

Price: P1.790 million (Design variant)

Engine: 1.4-liter inline-four, gasoline with turbocharger and supercharger; 157hp @ 5,800rpm, 240Nm @ 1,500 — 4,500rpm

Transmission: Seven-speed dual clutch

Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive

Wheels/Tires: 17 inches, 215/55

Key features: Bi-Xenon head lamps with LED daytime running lights; rear spoiler; multi-function display; leather steering wheel, seats and shift knob; 12-volt power socket; multimedia unit with USB, aux-in and mirror connectivity; electronic stability program; differential lock; engine drag control; smart entry system

ASEAN claims ‘significant progress’ on RCEP

ASEAN 50 logoTHE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has achieved many of the items on its economic agenda and made major progress in bringing forward the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), though the negotiations have a way to go, the Philippines’ Trade department said.

Speaking for ASEAN Economic Ministers Chairman Ramon M. Lopez, the Secretary of Trade and Industry, Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said on Tuesday in Pasay City that much had been achieved on the RCEP front.

“Significant progress in the on-going negotiations has been achieved with the finalization of the scope of the RCEP Key Elements for Significant Outcomes by end of 2017 and the Collective Assessment Report,” he said.

When asked why the RCEP still remains far from reach, Mr. Rodolfo reiterated Mr. Lopez’s former response months ago that there were issues among ASEAN’s partners in the trade agreement.

Mr. Rodolfo also said that they have already asked the concerned parties—which he refused to name –  to sort it out already.

“Actually, there’s no problem with our partners giving to ASEAN with the RCEP. The developed countries are willing to open their market to sectors of interest to ASEAN,” he added.

The RCEP has been negotiated since 2012. It seeks to bring together ASEAN member states and China, Japan, South Korea, the US, Australia and New Zealand.

The Collective Assessment Report is expected to be released during the three-day summit once the first RCEP Summit is concluded.

“This unprecedented level of engagement is telling of the importance and gravity of the regional grouping on terms of the perceived benefits that come with it and its capacity to drive economic sustainability for years to come,” he said.

“This meeting sends a strong signal to the world of the importance of the continued […] cooperation among countries if we are to realize areas of common interest, contrary to the growing prominence of protectionism and anti-globalization sentiments worldwide.”

Most of the agenda items, including the region-wide self-certification scheme and the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement, which were concluded this year are both expected to be fully delivered by next year.

The first item delivered was the operationalization of the ASEAN Roll-On and Roll-Off program which connects Davao and General Santos City to Bitung in Indonesia.

In September, the ASEAN Seamless Trade Facilitation Indicators (ASTFI) were adopted. Mr. Rodolfo said that the ASTFI, while not legally binding, should assist in drafting trade facilitation policies, regulations and procedures of ASEAN member states.

“This is expected to facilitate the goal of increasing intra-regional trade between the period 2017 and 2025, to be complemented by the agreement among member states to reduce transaction cost by 10% by 2020,” he added.

Other priorities also achieved were the development of the ASEAN Inclusive Business Framework (AIBF) and ASEAN Work Programme on Electronic Commerce 2017-2025.

The AIBF provides a platform for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to become part of the supply chains of large and multinational enterprises. The Work Programme on Electronic Commerce serves as the framework for uplifting MSMEs and lowering trade barriers through e-commerce.

During the three-day summit, Mr. Rodolfo said that two agenda items are expected to be delivered: the Action Agenda on Mainstreaming Women’s Economic Empowerment in ASEAN, a platform for supporting women in MSMEs; and the ASEAN Declaration on Innovation, which is expected to bolster regional competitiveness through technological and innovation-based entrepreneurship among the member states.

“While competition has yielded efficiency gains in trade, we need complementation, cooperation, and collaboration to develop an inclusive globalization model where everyone emerges as winners,” he said.

Mr. Rodolfo also said that the bloc is seeking to expand its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Europe, apart from expanding the existing bilateral FTAs with the six partner countries currently also involved in the RCEP.

In the ASEAN-South Korea FTA, negotiations to lower barriers to Philippine exports of agricultural products have been held, while the region has also been looking to generate more business opportunities especially for the MSMEs with the ASEAN-India FTA.

“For Canada, in particular, ASEAN has embarked on a joint feasibility study which is still a work in progress, and have agreed on the conduct of exploratory discussions to further assess the merits for such a proposal of a possible FTA,” Mr. Rodolfo said. 

Mr. Rodolfo said the ASEAN-European Union discussions to negotiate an FTA have resumed, with ASEAN proceeding with information-sharing and confidence building activities.

“At the Philippine level, the trade partners represented in these meetings and summits account for 91% of our total global exports. At the ASEAN level, this will probably be one of the largest convergence of the region’s trade partners,” Mr. Rodolfo said. — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

ASEAN’s Codes and Consequences

As the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summits comes to an end, ASEAN and China have agreed to open negotiations on a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea. This is a welcome development. It is also one that is worth watching closely to ensure that the final document is legally binding, meaningful on the issues, and concluded sooner rather than later. Delays in the conclusion of the Code of Conduct only fuel the fears that this Code will be used by the large power to cement its unlawful gains in the South China Sea.

Taking a step back, however, it does not do to be purely cynical about ASEAN. Southeast Asia has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last 50 years. One has to wonder whether ASEAN’s founding fathers envisioned the level and variety of cooperation that now goes on in ASEAN today. There is a lot to celebrate, and while we have not shied away from taking critical positions on ASEAN’s deadlocks, particularly on the South China Sea issue, we should be mindful of how far the efforts of our societies have brought us.

Nevertheless, the cohort of ASEAN states must still undertake an honest assessment of their performance in recent years.

The questions to ask are: Where could ASEAN do more? Where could ASEAN gain more confidence? These are the types of questions that I believe can push cooperation forward and to new heights.

On the political and security side, the Asia-Pacific region continues to cope with threats to the stability of inter-state relations and to the welfare and ways of life of its people. For Southeast Asia, the challenge in the South China Sea obviously persists.

While the tenor of the disputes may have lowered in light of the political changes in our region, the underlying problems need to be solved lest they risk wearing out any present or future goodwill on the part of our leaders.

Moreover, by introducing complications into the relationships among the Southeast Asian countries, and their individual and collective relations with countries like China and the United States, the disputes continue to weaken the security environment in Southeast Asia.

What is the consequence of this?

By degrading trust between nations, it may become more difficult in the future for the members of the region and our partners to cooperate on even non-traditional security threats. For this reason, the claims and disputes must be continuously and carefully managed for them not to undermine our maritime security and more general security overall.

We cannot forget that the international tribunal’s decision on the Philippines’ case against China is an essential piece of the puzzle in fostering the maritime security that we desire in Southeast Asia. The case not only showed that disputes can be resolved without recourse to force and in accordance with law, it has become an example for the region to lean on in understanding their own rights and responsibilities. The bottom line is that international law is the foundation for stability in our region.

This brings us back to ASEAN. The chorus of Southeast Asian states have worked to protect their citizens from health emergencies; participate in joint efforts to address environmental and maritime resource challenges; transition to knowledge-based societies; and create a sense of belonging.

Over the years, multilateralism has shown to provide some of the best ways to resolve misunderstandings. As platforms for our countries to present their concerns and promote cooperation, multilateral institutions are a valuable part of contemporary international society for a reason.

However, there sometimes seems to be a gap when it comes to executing the ASEAN agenda. In a region composed of several different cultures, religions, and languages, cooperation among member states can be challenging. There is also a lack of awareness about ASEAN and a lack in people’s direct participation.

To sustain our cooperation, we need to understand our neighbors and build trust among them. We need to build trust in each other and in the institutions that have been or have the potential to be transformative.

Finally, although global trade is expected to rebound from its tepid performance in 2016, the future contours of global trade are still hazy. ASEAN’s Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, sometimes considered the last active hope for greater international economic cooperation, has been delayed several times. Of course, poor connectivity remains an obstacle to improving trade flows.

In the long run, the strength of our economy will also boost the strength of our international position. The Philippines’ inspiring economic story thus far has a way to go to fully uplift our people.

As we hope for the successful conclusion and management of all our disputes, we must also place our hopes in the engines of this country’s growth, in the vision of region’s heads of state, and in our international partners to ensure that more in our country and our region are lifted into more prosperous futures.

 

Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” C. Manhit is the founder and managing director of the Stratbase Group and president of its policy think tank, Albert del Rosario Institute for Strategic and International Studies (ADRi). Prof. Manhit is a former chair and retired associate professor of Political Science of De La Salle University. He has authored numerous papers on governance, political, and electoral reforms.

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