Women’s March draws millions in resistance to US Pres. Trump

January 23, 2017 | 10:32 am

WASHINGTON — More than two million people flooded US cities on Saturday as women opposed to Donald Trump led a peaceful, stunning rebuke against the new US president that was echoed in sister protests around the world.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the Inaugural luncheon at the National Statuary Hall after being sworn-in on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S, January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

As a sea of demonstrators brought downtown Washington to a standstill, streaming past the White House in a joyous parade of pink “pussyhats,” Mr. Trump launched a withering attack on the media, accusing it of downplaying attendance at his swearing-in a day earlier.

Mr. Trump did not acknowledge the mass protests that marked his first full day in office.

But their scale illustrated the depth of resistance to the Republican hardliner, who many fear will roll back the rights of women, immigrants and minorities.

Although the US capital does not release crowd counts, organizers of the main protest, the Women’s March on Washington, told AFP they estimated turnout at one million — quadrupling initial expectations — with some 600 sister protests held around the globe.

A demonstrator has her mouth covered with tape and is handcuffed during the Women’s March on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women’s rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump. / AFP PHOTO / Joshua LOTT

“I’m part of history, and one day will tell my children about this,” said 16-year-old Maria Iman, who traveled to Washington with fellow high school students from Illinois. “It feels amazing.”

A tide of women and men teens, pensioners, parents with toddlers on their shoulders — swelled into the streets around the National Mall for hours before flowing towards the White House in a determined show of unity.

“Women won’t back down,” “Women’s rights are human rights” and “Thank you Trump — you turned me into an activist,” read some of the thousands of handmade signs held aloft in the capital.

Educator Tanya Gaxiola, 39, who flew in from Tucson, Arizona, expressed concern that Mr. Trump will seek to restrict abortion laws and otherwise clamp down on women’s rights.

“He’s a narcissist and seeks approval, and this is a big display of disapproval,” Ms. Gaxiola said. “Hopefully, it catches his attention.”

More than half a million people packed the streets of Los Angeles, according to police there, and similar numbers gathered in New York. Other marches took place in Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, St. Louis, Denver and elsewhere.

‘FIGHT BACK!’
In Boston, where up to 175,000 people demonstrated, fiery Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren took aim at Mr. Trump’s campaign of “attacks” on women and minorities.

“We can whimper. We can whine. Or we can fight back!” Ms. Warren said to a loud roar.

Saturday’s rallying cry was heard far beyond America’s shores, with protests held from Paris to Prague, Sydney to Johannesburg, and in some 20 cities across Canada.

One of the largest was in London, where tens of thousands of women, men and children marched chanting “Dump Trump.”

The human tide flooding Washington appeared to dwarf the throngs of Mr. Trump supporters in red “Make America Great Again!” caps who had cheered his swearing-in.

The knitted “pink pussyhats” they wore were an allusion to Mr. Trump’s videotaped boasts of being able to grab women’s genitals with impunity.

Mr. Trump’s defeated rival Hillary Clinton tweeted her support to the protesters, while former secretary of state John Kerry was spotted in the crowd — a day after leaving office — with his dog on a pink leash.

Celebrities Scarlett Johansson and Michael Moore were among the speakers, and pop diva Madonna made an impromptu appearance on the Washington protest stage to deliver an expletive-laden indictment of the president.

“Welcome to the revolution of love,” the 58-year-old intoned, wearing her own black pussyhat. “To the rebellion. To our refusal as women to accept this new age of tyranny.”

The Women’s March began with a simple Facebook post from Hawaii grandmother and retired lawyer Teresa Shook to about 40 friends — but word traveled quickly and the event took on a life of its own. — AFP

This photo combination shows US President Donald Trump speaking during the Inaugural luncheon at the National Statuary Hall after being sworn in on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Jan. 20 — AFP

A demonstrator with her mouth covered with tape and is handcuffed during the Women’s March on Jan. 21. — AFP

Syria regime, rebels head to Kazakhstan for first peace talks

January 23, 2017 | 10:32 am

ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN — Syria’s government and rebel fighters will on Monday sit down at the negotiating table for the first time in nearly six years of war, the latest diplomatic push to end the hostilities.

A general view shows Nur-Astana mosque in Astana on January 22, 2017.
The so-called Astana peace talks, set to begin on Monday, will be the first time a delegation composed exclusively of rebel groups will negotiate with the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. / AFP PHOTO / Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV

Hosted in the Kazakh capital Astana, the talks will see an opposition delegation composed exclusively of rebel groups negotiating with the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in an initiative sponsored by rebel backer Turkey and regime allies Russia and Iran.

Though the talks have been welcomed by all parties in the conflict, delegates from both sides are heading to Kazakhstan with apparently opposing ideas about the goals, with Mr. Assad insisting Thursday that rebels lay down their arms in exchange for an amnesty deal.

Although Mr. Assad said the talks would prioritize reaching a cease-fire, Damascus has insisted it will seek a “comprehensive” political solution to the conflict that has killed more than 300,000 and displaced over half of the country’s population.

The rebels, meanwhile, say they will focus solely on reinforcing a frail nationwide truce brokered by Moscow and Ankara last month.

The talks, which could last days, come a month after the Syrian regime, bolstered by its allies, took full control of second city Aleppo from rebels in its biggest victory in more than four years of fighting.

With stakes high and outcomes unclear, the Syrian opposition is wary that the regime could use the rebel groups’ inexperience in political talks to its advantage in Astana, a European diplomatic source told AFP.

“There is genuine worry in the opposition that the representatives of rebel groups, which are not at all used to these types of international negotiations, will be dragged into a political solution that will play into the hand of the regime,” the source said.

US REPRESENTED
The United States under new President Donald Trump will also be represented — with the US ambassador to Astana taking part.

A key negotiator in previous cease-fire agreements, Washington was last month sidelined from sponsoring the nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey after months of disengagement from the conflict.

After overcoming a rift in relations following Turkey’s downing of a Russian warplane in Syria in November 2015, the two countries this week conducted their first joint strikes against Islamic State group targets in an operation Moscow hailed as “highly effective.”

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview aired Saturday on Russian state television that deals that could help end the conflict in Syria were “unlikely” to be struck in Astana because “too many parties are involved in the process.”

Iran, the talks’ third sponsor, will be represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaber Ansari, the country’s Isna news agency reported.

Analysts say Iran, a longtime ally of Mr. Assad, views the Astana talks as an opportunity to increase its influence in the region after playing a crucial role in the symbolic recapture of Aleppo.

France, Britain and the European Union will also send their ambassadors as representatives at the talks.

A STEPPING STONE?
Divergent agendas and the absence of some key players and high-level officials cast uncertainty on how the Astana talks could serve as a building block for next month’s Geneva negotiations.

“The success or failure of Astana is not predetermined,” Russian Middle East expert Boris Dolgov told AFP.

“If something can be achieved in Astana, I think that a portion of the armed opposition will participate in the Geneva talks.” — AFP

A general view shows Nur-Astana mosque in Astana on January 22, 2017. — AFP

Fans snub Westbrook

January 23, 2017 | 10:32 am

Russell Westbrook was, of course, being disingenuous when he noted over the weekend that “I don’t play for All-Star bids. I play to win championships.” He was asked about his reaction to his failure to crack the West starting unit, and he replied the only way he could. What else was he expected to point out in the face of voting results, which placed him first in the eyes of members of the media and his peers but only third from the point of view of fans? How else was he going to react after continuing to put up astounding numbers not seen in 55 years?

In truth, Westbrook didn’t have to say anything. He was most definitely hurt by the snub; he would have been under normal circumstances, but even more so in light of his triple-double norm halfway through the season. Absent his exertions, the Thunder would have proven conventional wisdom true and performed as an also-ran following one-time league Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant’s departure. And yet he was still left out of the conference’s All-Star First Five. Heck, what else did he need to do in order to earn the nod of hoops followers? However, to admit it out loud would be tantamount to adding injury to insult.

Make no mistake. Westbrook will be at the All-Star Game. As sure as night follows day, he will be chosen by head coaches as a reserve. And while there’s nothing he can do about voting results, he remains in charge of his own showing. “I play to become a better player… I just continue doing what I’m doing and play the game the right way, and everything else will work out.” He’s right to concentrate on factors over which he has control. It’s not his fault the Thunder have a small market and offer little pull outside of the Sooner State; in comparison, the Warriors and Rockets command a significant following beyond the United States and, most importantly, in vote-rich China, thereby boosting the tallies of Stephen Curry and James Harden.

Which, in a nutshell, means Westbrook figures to be even better in the second half of his 2016-2017 campaign. He has played with a chip on his shoulder since being chosen fourth overall in the 2008 draft, and he will most definitely use the slight as motivation. Bottom line, he’s an All-Star, and he aims to show all and sundry that he’s first among equals.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is the Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Basic Energy Corp.

Local GDP data to boost stocks amid uncertainties

January 23, 2017 | 10:32 am

THE PHILIPPINES’ growth story should cushion local equities amid persisting uncertainty over the economic policy direction in the United States, as the new leadership there ushers in a protectionist regime that may negatively impact emerging markets.

“The release of the GDP (gross domestic product) data this week will provide a glimpse of the strong fundamentals of the Philippine economy despite the headwinds from these global uncertainties,” Aniceto K. Pangan, trader at Diversified Securities, Inc., said in a mobile phone message.

The Philippine Statistics Authority will release fourth-quarter and annual GDP growth figures on Thursday. After advancing 7% in the preceding quarters, the economy should have expanded 6.9% in the three months to December to hit the upper end of the government’s 6-7% target.

The data should highlight the strong fundamentals of the Philippine economy and subsequently keep investors from pulling out the equities market, Mr. Pangan said.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index declined 5.86 points or 0.08% to 7,232.66 last week, as investors turned cautious ahead of US President Donald J. Trump’s inauguration and amid renewed concerns over Britain’s looming divorce with the European Union.

Investors were hoping for clarity on the “America First” agenda of Mr. Trump, who has threatened US companies against outsourcing jobs and tightening immigration controls, among others.

In his inauguration speech last Friday, Mr. Trump reiterated a protectionist strategy in advancing the US economy forward, saying: “We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs. Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength.”

Aside from protectionist policies, the market should watch out for aggressive moves to ramp up fiscal initiatives, which would bolster expectations of the Federal Reserve hiking rates further, 2TradeAsia.com noted in a report.

“With no major local headlines in place yet, the mart might begin to factor in the country’s GDP report on Thursday to manage expectations for this year’s performance, and realign their portfolios,” it said.

2TradeAsia.com also cited the submission of the Philippine Development Plan, which should shed more light on the growth strategy of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s administration in the coming years. “Consequently, Trump and Duterte’s policies seem to mirror similar sentiment when it comes to economic priorities, which could definitely level their playing field to adopt fair and market-based trading conditions,” it added.

2TradeAsia.com pegged the local stock barometer’s immediate support at the 7,150 mark and resistance at the 7,300 level, noting: “For now, it’s better to wait on cues until the dust clears out.”

Juvic Pagunsan, four others tied for second in Singapore Open

January 23, 2017 | 10:32 am

SINGAPORE — Veteran Thai golfer Prayad Marksaeng won the Singapore Open by a single stroke on Sunday after shooting a final round of four-under-par 67 to finish at nine-under 275.

The 51-year-old Prayad finished a shot clear of four players who tied for second at eight-under, Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand, Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines, Jbe Kruger of South Africa and the defending champion, South Korea’s Song Young-Han.

The tournament favorite, Australia’s Adam Scott, led by a stroke after the third round but blew his chances of a fourth title at the Sentosa Golf Club when he hit two balls into the water. — AFP

Marcus Morris’s game winner pushes Pistons past Wizards

January 23, 2017 | 10:32 am

LOS ANGELES — Marcus Morris delivered a game-winning putback as time expired on the clock to lift the Detroit Pistons to a 113-112 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday.

AUBURN HILLS, MI – JANUARY 21: Marcus Morris #13 of the Detroit Pistons tips in the game winning buzzer beater while playing the Washington Wizards at the Palace of Auburn Hills on January 21, 2017 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Detroit won the game 113-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP
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Detroit squandered a 16-point lead in the final quarter before the clutch basket by Morris who finished with a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds.

The Pistons launched three desperation shots during a mad scramble in the closing seconds leading up to the final buzzer in front of a crowd of 18,200 at The Palace arena.

He leaned over his twin brother, Markieff Morris a Wizards forward, while scoring the basket.

Reggie Jackson had 19 points and eight assists and Tobias Harris supplied 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists for the Pistons, who have won three straight.

Joe Leuer came off the bench to score 10 points after missing the previous five games with a knee injury.

Pistons center Andre Drummond was held to three points because of foul trouble.

John Wall had 19 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for Washington. Markieff Morris contributed 19 points and nine rebounds, Bradley Beal had 17 points and Jason Smith scored a season-high 16 for the Wizards.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, Nicolas Batum converted a four-point play and hit another three-pointer in a span of 31 seconds down the stretch as the Charlotte Hornets toppled the Brooklyn Nets, 112-105.

Batum nailed a three-pointer, was fouled and converted the free throw to give the Hornets the lead for good at 101-98 with 3:21 left.

Then he hit another three-pointer on the Hornets’ next possession to extend the lead to 104-98 with 2:50 remaining. The Hornets stretched the lead to nine from there and never let the Nets get closer than five again.

Hornets coach Steve Clifford has often lamented his team’s fourth quarter difficulties, but he was pleased with how his team found a way to make plays down the stretch. — AFP

Marcus Morris, #13 of the Detroit Pistons, tips in the game winning buzzer beater while playing the Washington Wizards at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Jan. 21 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. — AFP

Vivo taps NBA star Stephen Curry as brand ambassador

January 23, 2017 | 10:32 am

VIVO, a premium smartphone brand, tapped international basketball superstar Stephen Curry as the brand ambassador and official endorser of all Vivo phones, including its breakthrough flagship product Vivo V5 Plus, considered the perfect selfie phone because it is equipped with the world’s first 20 megapixel dual front cameras.

“With Vivo being a premium brand, it’s only fitting that we choose the best ambassador for it,” Vivo brand director, Annie Lim, said of their chosen brand ambassador.

The NBA superstar, two-time MVP and Golden State Warriors’ point guard had earlier expressed his excitement in the Vivo grand launch last November, when he was first revealed as the official ambassador for all upcoming Vivo phone models. “I’m really thankful for being part of the Vivo family and I’m looking forward to more activities with Vivo,” Curry said. The Perfect Selfie phone comes with 20-megapixel primary and 8-megapixel secondary front cameras and advanced selfie features, such as the ‘bokeh’ effect, face beauty mode 6.0, and selfie soft light.

Designed with a 5.5-inch large display, ultra-slim bezel technology, and 5th generation Corning Gorilla glass with enhanced scratch resistance, Vivo V5 Plus is the perfect blend of style, convenience, and function.

For speed and efficient performance, the Perfect Selfie phone is run by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, paired with Vivo’s Funtouch OS based on Android 6.0, with a 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM, to boot.

Sound-wise, the V5 Plus uses the Vivo’s premium Hi-Fi system, the AK4376.

Finally, the newest Vivo model has an updated fingerprint technology for quick launching, and a fast-charging feature, according to International Data Corp. (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker.

Thompson best rebounding guard in PBA

January 23, 2017 | 10:32 am

Whenever the name Robert Jaworski is being brought up as a topic, people have the tendency to back track, especially when an issue is about The Big J.

Jaworski is one of the PBA’s all-time best. He even became larger than the league itself when his name is mentioned in the same breath with Barangay Ginebra, the most popular team in the pro league for the past three decades.

His charisma is like no other. His all-out attitude has become a shining example for players, particularly those average guys who were not blessed with much talent but were determined to get better because hard work is a good foundation to success

As a player and a coach, Jaworski has the skill set.

When he was still at the peak of his career as a player of the Toyota Tamaraws, he was the league’s best rebounding guard.

In fact, for two seasons, Jaworski was the PBA’s leading rebounder from 1977 to his MVP season in 1978.

Jaworski had a total rebounds of 453 in 1977 and 561 in 1978, topping all the best big men of his era, including his teammate Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben and Philip Cezar of Crispa and Manny Paner of Royal Tru-Orange.

In fact, in 1978, he would lead both the defensive and offensive rebounding, at a time when players of unlimited height were seeing action in the PBA.

Jaworski would play in the league for 22 years and grabbed a total of 5,367 boards, ranked no. 7 in the all-time list.

Fast forward 2016-2017 season, here comes Scottie Thompson, a sophomore guard who is ironically playing for Jaworski’s former team, Ginebra.

Like Jaworski before, Thompson has the nose for the ball, beating the league’s bonafide big men off the boards.

He now ranks as no. 3 overall in rebounds with close to 11 boards per game. He’s been averaging double-double for the Gin Kings.

Make mine, Thompson could become a better rebounder than Jaworski and this early, the former NCAA MVP from Perpetual Help is showing glimpses of his capability to produce triple-double performances just like the other great rebounding guards in the NBA like Magic Johnson of the LA Lakers and lately Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Watching Thompson at play, you can feel his presence everywhere. But it was his rebounding prowess which caught the fancy of many and he grabs a rebound as if he has a magnet to get the ball.

If he continues to stay healthy, I won’t be surprised if Thompson would surpass Jaworski as the best rebounding pure guard in the PBA.

People get slighted or feel hurt whenever an icon’s record or achievement would be surpassed by another player, but I think the Big J would be more proud, especially if another Ginebra player is topping what he did best.

For the time being, I think Thompson is the best rebounding guard in the PBA, probably better than Jaworski.

Rey Joble has been a sportswriter for 17 years, and has been covering the PBA games for more than a decade. He is a member of the PBA Press Corps and Philippine Sportswriters Association, the oldest journalism group in the country.

reyjoble09@gmail.com

Undermanned Navy aims to do well in Ronda Pilipinas

January 23, 2017 | 10:32 am

MISSING some key riders from its dominant team last year, Navy is still out to do well when the 2017 edition of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas rolls out early next month.

With riders Ronald Oranza, El Joshua Cariño and John Mark Camingao set to miss this year’s staging of what is considered the biggest cycling race in the country today, the Navy team is still upbeat that it can perform at a high level in the competition which it ruled last year by topping all the three legs.

“They can’t race because they’re under basic seaman course, they’re required to do it,” said team captain Lloyd Lucien Reynante of the missing team members.

Just the same, Mr. Reynante, 36, vowed they will give their all notwithstanding the top challenge to be presented by competing teams, namely, Go for Gold, Neopolitan, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Mindanao, South Luzon, Kinetix Lab-Army, Bike Extreme, Zambales, Salic and One Tarlac.

The main Ronda Pilipinas race starts on Feb. 4 with two stages in Ilocos Sur and will pass by Angeles (Feb. 8), Subic (Feb. 9), Lucena, Quezon (Feb. 12), Pili, Camarines Norte (Feb. 14 and 16), Daet (Feb. 17), Paseo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna (Feb. 19), Tagaytay and Batangas (Feb. 20), Calamba and Antipolo (Feb. 21) before wrapping up with a pair of stages in Iloilo City (March 3 and 4).

A top purse worth P1 million is up for grabs in the race courtesy of presentor LBC and in partnership with MVP Sports Foundation, Petron, Mitsubishi, Versa.ph, Victory Liner, Maynilad, Standard Insurance, CCN, Bike Xtreme, NLEX, PhilCycling and 3Q Sports Event Management. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Canada’s Hadwin fires rare 59 to grab US PGA lead

January 23, 2017 | 10:32 am

LOS ANGELES — Canada’s Adam Hadwin became only the eighth golfer to shoot 59 over 18 holes at a US PGA Tour event, sinking 13 birdies in a bogey-free third round Saturday at the CareerBuilder Challenge.

LA QUINTA, CA – JANUARY 21: Adam Hadwin of Canada reacts to a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the third round of the CareerBuilder Challenge in Partnership with The Clinton Foundation at La Quinta Country Club on January 21, 2017 in La Quinta, California. Jeff Gross/Getty Images/AFP
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The 29-year old from suburban Vancouver was one stroke off the tour record 58 fired last year by American Jim Furyk at the Travelers Championship.

It was the second US PGA Tour 59 in as many weeks, following American Justin Thomas firing 59 on the way to victory in the opening round at last week’s Sony Open in Hawaii.

Asked to describe the round, Hadwin said, “Perfect, I guess. I got away with a few shots on the back. For whatever reason, I was making every putt I had.

“I haven’t felt anything like it.”

Hadwin became only the second player from outside the United States to shoot a 59 in a US PGA event, after Australian Stuart Appleby at the 2010 Greenbrier Classic, and the PGA’s first 59-er who has never won a PGA title.

“I was nervous,” Hadwin said. “It’s exciting to get the nerves back and have a chance to be in contention again.”

Hadwin birdied the second through seventh holes at par-72 LaQuinta Country Club, one of three courses used at the event, then made another at the ninth hole.

He began a run of five more birdies at the 11th hole and after a par at 16 sank a five-foot birdie putt at 17 to match the one-round birdie record set by Chip Beck in 1991.

“Once the putt rolled in on 17, that helped,” Hadwin said. “I knew all I had to do (for 59) was par the last.”

On 18, Hadwin put his approach into the greenside rough beyond the hole, then chipped the ball three feet past the cup and rolled in his tense final putt to join a historic group.

“I was nervous. I knew what was at stake,” Hadwin said. “The last thing you want to do is miss a 3-footer when you’re shooting for 59.”

Hadwin managed only the fourth US PGA 59 on a par-72 course, the first since David Duval in 1999 at the nearby Palmer course, which was then among the layouts in the tournament’s rotation.

The only other US PGA 59s on a par-72 course were by Beck in the third round in 1991 at Las Vegas and Al Geiberger, who made the first-ever 59 in the second round at Memphis in 1977.

Hadwin, who shared 49th when the day began, leaped into the lead at 17-under par 199 for 54 holes. He opened with a 71 and fired a 69 Friday.

Hadwin’s prior US PGA low round was a 63 in the final round of the 2014 Shriners Hospitals Classic in Las Vegas.

Crediting playing partner Colt Knost with keeping tensions light, Hadwin said having amateurs alongside as the tournament does also eased the pressure.

“Colt is great, very laid back,” Hadwin said. “And this atmosphere lends itself to low scores, playing with the amateurs, you forget about what you’re doing a little bit.

“It was a lot of fun.” — AFP

Adam Hadwin of Canada reacts to a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the third round of the CareerBuilder Challenge in La Quinta, California. — AFPLOS ANGELES — Canada’s Adam Hadwin became only the eighth golfer to shoot 59 over 18 holes at a US PGA Tour event, sinking 13 birdies in a bogey-free third round Saturday at the CareerBuilder Challenge.