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Iloilo artist made famous through social media never gave up on art

By Emme Rose S. Santiagudo
Correspondent

LARRY M. Casinao — who recently touched the hearts of netizens after photos of him painting on the sidewalk of Jaro Plaza uploaded by student Sal Molinos went viral on social media — used to go house-to-house to peddle his artworks.

The 52-year old did not just go around like a traveling salesman around his hometown Iloilo City, but ventured to the towns of Januiay, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, and even the neighboring island province of Guimaras.

“Mabudlay kay ang kontra mo init kag ulan and may mga times nga hina gid ang benta. Maayo na lang may customer ka sa isa ka semana (It was tough, especially that I had to endure the extreme heat and rain. One customer per week would be lucky enough for me),” he said in an interview last week at the Festive Walk Mall Iloilo where he now has space to display his creations.

Mr. Casinao said he managed to finish two years of his drafting course at the former Iloilo School of Arts and Trades, now ISAT-University, before he landed his first job in a sack factory.

But he kept painting, giving away his work to friends and family.

Ang una ko nga mga painting usually mga landscape. Pero wala ko pa to ginabaligya, ginahatag ko lang sa akon mga kilala kag pamilya (My first set of paintings comprised of landscapes, but at that time I would just give it to my friends and relatives),” he said.

Encouraged that he can earn an income from his talent, and with a family to raise, he started selling his paintings and accepted commissioned work for charcoal portraits.

“I practiced on my own when I had my own family. Ever since I’m in grade school, I have really been fond of art,” he said.

Mr. Casinao, hoping to earn more, decided to display his artworks on the sidewalks of Jaro in Iloilo City after his wife Angelita was diagnosed with a kidney problem four years ago and needed to undergo regular dialysis treatment.

Daw napinsaran ko naghina ang house-to-house kag may gina-dialysis pa ko. Didto ko kag nagumpisa display sa Jaro and may nagabakal three to five nga painting per week (I decided to display my artworks on the sidewalks because I had to support my wife. Eventually, I get to sell three to five of my artworks in a week),” he narrated.

There, he also met Renaldo M. Libuna, a tricycle driver whom he eventually trained to become an artist, and the two have been working together since.

After Mr. Casinao’s story went viral on social media last week, not only have they been given space for their craft, but they started selling pieces like hotcaks.

“Dasig lang maubos kag actually sold out na gina ang amon iban nga painting. Damo man naga-contact sa akon sa Facebook nga gusto man nila magbakal. Asta tulad, daw indi ko magpati. Grabe gid ang pasalamat ko kay Sal Molinos (My paintings were sold in a short period of time. A lot of people have also been contacting me through my Facebook account. Until now, I still can’t believe it. I am very grateful to Sal Molinos),” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Libuna said he has temporarily stopped plying his tricycle as he is now focused on painting.

Mr. Casinao said he has also been mentoring one of his children, Grade 12 student Lar Mae, to become a painter too.

He is also planning to organize an art workshop soon to inspire more budding artists and gain extra income.

Sa iban nga mga artists, kinahanglan hindi gid kamo mag-give up kay sa inyo man pagpangabudlay, makabulig gid ang inyo mga nabal-an sa inyo pamilya (To all the other local artists out there, don’t ever give up because through your hard work, you can also help your family),” he said.

Indonesian expo aims to boost Davao-Bitung shipping service

THE INDONESIAN Consulate General in Davao City is staging another trade expo on July 12 to 14 as part of continuing efforts to support the Davao-Bitung shipping service as well as boost economic ties within the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area.

Consul Endah Yuliarti said the Wonderful Indonesia: Tourism, Food, and Trade Expo 2019, to be held at the SM Lanang Premier, will have the roll-on roll-off service provider, Reefer Express Line Filipinas, among the exhibitors.

Ms. Yuliarti, speaking at the Habi at Kape forum last week, also announced that a business delegation from Bitung City in northern Sulawesi is expected to join the expo to look into tourism and trade opportunities.

Consul General Dicky Fabrian said they have organized an Indonesia-Philippines Business Networking Session a day ahead of the expo.

“On the 11th of July, there will be a B2B or business-to-business meeting in which hopefully we can gather and I can find opportunity from both sides in our aims to strengthen our trade relations,” Mr. Fabrian said.

The Indonesian businessmen will meet with key Davao City government officials, representatives from the regional offices of national agencies, and the business community from Davao Region and surrounding cities.

“They will also try to have a tie-up with local businessmen and the local businessmen can also talk with Indonesian exhibitors on what products can be sold in Indonesia,” Mr. Fabrian said.

Indonesian Vice-Consul for Economic Affairs Ely Syafitri Handayani, meanwhile, said they are hopeful that showcasing Indonesian products at the expo will entice local retailers to carry the goods.

”We hope some traders or business people from (Davao) city’s supermarkets and companies that run the food and beverage products will make business with these Indonesian companies,” Ms. Handani said.

”Indonesia’s authentic delicacies will be available also during the expo,” she added.

Indonesia’s top tourist destinations will also be highlighted, with tour packages to be offered by Indonesian operators and their local counterparts.

Similar expos have been organized by the Indonesian office in the past two years. — Maya M. Padillo

P200M DoT fund ready for Mati Airport rehabilitation

DAVAO ORIENTAL Gov. Nelson L. Dayanghirang is preparing to issue an executive order that will establish a body that will facilitate the rehabilitation and reopening of the Mati Airport as part of plans to boost tourism. Mr. Dayanghirang added that the Department of Tourism has already set aside P200 million to rehabilitate the airport, which has long been in disuse after it was built under the administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos and named after his wife, Imelda. “Both the provincial and the (Mati) city government believe that the reopening of the airport will bring more opportunities for the growth of Mati and the province,” said Mr. Dayanghirang in an e-mail sent to BusinessWorld by the provincial government. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has started discussions with the property owners of the airport site as the donation of the land has not been consummated. Mati Mayor Michelle Denise N. Rabat — whose family and their relatives, the Rocamoras, own the airport lot — said in a press statement over the weekend that the reopening of the airport is among her priority programs, citing that “it is necessary that the city has an airport facility if it wants to attract more tourists and investor.” Davao Oriental’s popular tourist destinations are the Dahican Beach, UNESCO World Heritage Site Mt. Hamiguitan, and Aliwagwag Falls, among others. Mr. Dayanghirang said the provincial government is also working on the construction of an inland resort as well as an 800-person capacity convention center. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

Balajadia, Senate sgt.-at-arms for 19 years, passes away

FORMER SENATE sergeant-at-arms Major General Jose V. Balajadia, Jr. passed away early Sunday morning, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III confirmed. “Passed away at 2:15 am this morning. He was suffering from a number of ailments lately. Prostate was one big problem,” Mr. Sotto told reporters in a mobile phone message. He later said initial report on Mr. Balajadia’s cause of death cited “heart attack,” but has yet to be confirmed. “Heart attack daw initial report. I’m not sure though. Trying to get more details,” Mr. Sotto said in a separate message. He added that Mr. Balajadia, who served the Senate since 2002, resigned last June 30. Mr. Sotto said he is planning to ask the Senate to elect retired Philippine Air Force General Edgardo Rene C. Samonte as the new sergeant-at-arms. “I’ll be asking the Senate to elect my appointee Gen Rene Samonte. Air Force Commander before his retirement a few years ago,” he said. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Sison says VP Robredo would do better defending the country

EXILED COMMUNIST leader Jose Maria C. Sison said Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo could better in defending the country’s territory in the highly-contested West Philippine Sea than the “traitor, coward or moron” President Rodrigo R. Duterte. In a statement issued July 6, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder said the government of the United States could easily instruct its following within the country’s security forces to have Mr. Duterte taken into custody as a “traitor” and have Ms. Robredo take over the leadership. “On behalf of the Philippines and in accordance with the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the [PCA] (Permanent Court of Arbitration) judgment in favor of the Philippines, Robredo can order the filing of cases in the US and other countries, where China has substantial assets, in order to compel China to pay rent for occupying the artificial islands and compensation for the serious damage to the marine environment in the West Philippine Sea,” said Mr. Sison. He made the statement after Mr. Duterte challenged the US to fire the “first shot” at China over sea dispute. BusinessWorld sought for comment from Ms. Robredo’s office, but has yet to reply as of this posting writing. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

SC top post open for applications

THE JUDICIAL and Bar Council (JBC) has opened for application or recommendation the position of Supreme Court chief justice, which will be vacated by Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin on Oct. 18 upon reaching the compulsory retirement age of 70. The deadline for application is Aug. 20 at 4:30 p.m. Mr. Bersamin was appointed as the top magistrate on Nov. 28, 2018 as the 25th chief justice, replacing former chief justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro. He was appointed to the SC by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on April 2, 2009. Prior to this, he served in the judiciary since 1986 as presiding judge of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 96 and a member of the Court of Appeals. The JBC also opened for application last month until July 30 the position of associate justice to be vacated by Associate Justices Francis H. Jardeleza and Antonio T. Carpio, who will retire on Sept. 26 and Oct. 26, respectively. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

TNT KaTropa assure selves of top-2 finish, incentive

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE TNT KaTropa assured themselves a top-two finish in the elimination round of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup and the twice-to-beat advantage that goes with it in the next round following their 115-97 victory over the Blackwater Elite on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Using an explosive 35-point quarter in the second frame, the KaTropa built enough cushion for the rest of the contest and notch their ninth win in 10 matches to secure one of the two coveted top spots for the quarterfinal incentive with a game to spare.

The game got off to a competitive start with the teams jostling hard to gain control of the match.

The score was at 17-all with 2:17 remaining in the first quarter before TNT went on an 8-6 finish to take hold of a two-point cushion after the opening frame.

In the second canto, the KaTropa would explode, led by import Terrence Jones.

They outscored the Elite, 21-6, in the first six minutes to build a 46-29 advantage.

TNT kept the pressure on Blackwater on its way to a 60-43 separation by the halftime break.

Rookies Ray Parks Jr. and Diego Dario sparked the Elite to a spirited charge to begin the third canto.

They outgunned the KaTropa, 9-0, to come to within eight points, 60-52, after just two minutes.

But Mr. Jones and Troy Rosario would start hitting their mark after, helping once again their team build a bigger lead of 17 points, 74-57, with six minutes to go in the quarter.

TNT would pick up from there, mounting a bigger hurdle of 91-66 after three quarters.

With the match pretty much under their control, the KaTropa spent the final canto fending off any comeback attempt by the Elite.

The score was at 100-79 with six minutes left on the clock and TNT was not to be threatened seriously after that.

TNT KaTropa (9-1), which has now won seven straight games, was paced by former NBA player Mr. Jones who wound up with a triple-double of 36 points, 16 rebounds and 14 assists. He also had three blocks.

Mr. Rosario had 14 points while Jayson Castro finished with 13 points and 10 assists. Roger Pogoy and Brian Heruela each had 12 and Don Trollano 11 for TNT.

Mr. Parks led Blackwater (6-4) with 21 points and 10 boards with Michael DiGregorio adding 19 points.

The loss officially closed the door for the Elite a shot at top two.

“We are working on the defensive end and we did that early in the game,” said Mr. Jones of their victory.

TNT plays its final elimination game on July 17 against the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok while Blackwater plays next on July 14 versus the Alaska Aces.

Lyceum opens NCAA 95 with win vs Letran, 84-80

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE LYCEUM of the Philippines University Pirates began their National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 campaign on a winning note, defeating the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, 84-80, on opening day on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Banking on their trademark hustle and energy on both ends of the court, the undermanned Pirates went on a ferocious run down the stretch to emerge on top of the Knights and get their season bid on a good start.

Lyceum got early traction behind transferee Jayson David but Letran no sooner found its collective groove to race to a 13-9 lead midway into the opening quarter.

The Knights used it as springboard to remain in control, 21-17, after the first 10 minutes.

In the second canto the Pirates went on a strong tear to start things, managing to tie the knot at 30-all, on the lead and energy of guards Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino, with just three minutes lapsing.

They built on the momentum they got, going on a 7-0 run after to mount a 37-30 advantage.

Veteran big men Larry Muyang and Jeo Ambohot tried to rally the Knights back but they would remain down, 47-39, at the half.

In the third frame, veteran forward Jerrick Balanza, who missed last season because of brain tumor, waxed hot for Letran to make an early charge.

The Pirates, however, would find ways to keep their opponents at bay and stayed on top, 52-49, at the halfway point of the quarter.

Letran showed resilience the rest of the quarter to stay within striking distance and just be down, 64-62, heading into the fourth canto.

Balanza once again jolted the Knights to a strong start in the fourth quarter. Towing his team to a 10-2 run in the first three minutes to build a six-point lead, 72-66.

Jayvee Marcelino and the Pirates moved to charge back after, overtaking the Knights, 77-76, at the 2:18 mark.

A split free throw by Ambohot tied the count at 77-all entering the last two minutes.

Jaycee Marcelino broke the tie with an and-1 play with 1:22 left to make it, 80-77, for Lyceum before he added another deuce of a fastbreak to extend their lead to five points, 82-77, with 50 seconds left.

A triple by guard Bonbon Batiller with 43 ticks to go pulled the Knights to within two points, 82-80.

They still had a chance to tie the count or win but they failed to make something out of their chance on offense and the Pirates took advantage of it to post the win.

Lyceum, which played sans import Mike Nseusseu who was out with a fractured finger, was led by Jaycee Marcelino with 24 points while his twin Jayvee had 18 markers.

Guard Reymar Caduyac, meanwhile, finished with 16 points of his own for the Pirates.

For Letran it was Balanza who top-scored with 19 points followed by Muyang with 14 and Ato Ular 12.

Lyceum next plays on Friday, July 12, against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals and Letran takes on the Arellano University Chiefs also on the same date.

PFL: Kaya FC-Iloilo’s unbeaten run halted with Green Archers United FC 0-0 draw

THE WINNING streak of Kaya FC-Iloilo at the Philippines Football League was stopped at five after it was forced to a 0-0 draw by Green Archers United FC on Saturday at the Philippine Football Federation National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

The hottest team entering the contest, Kaya struggled against GAU, whom it defeated in the league opener, 4-0, in May, to have its unblemished record spoiled as it dropped to a 5-1-0 record.

The two teams had their chances to go to the scoreboard early with Kaya’s Yannick Tuason getting two good looks inside the first 10 minutes while GAU’s Marvin Angeles also having his dibs for his team.

But they would continue to fight at nil-nil by the halftime break.

In the second half, the two teams tried to get one over the other but like the opening fold they would hold their ground and eventually settled for the draw and a point each for their efforts.

After the match, Kaya coach Noel Marcaida said finishing was a problem for his team in the game and reiterated that they have to do a better job at it if they are to maintain success in their campaign.

“The difference today is the finishing. It’s not that we were having a hard time creating chances, it’s about the fire and the killer instinct to want to score. We had some chances, especially in the first half that should’ve 100% been converted,” he said.

Adding, “We controlled the full 90 minutes in terms of possession. But it doesn’t matter how much control you have, if you don’t score, you can’t win. We will have to improve on that.”

Despite the draw, Kaya remains at the top of the heap with 16 points, three points clear of second-running and defending champion Ceres-Negros FC (4-1-0), whose game with Stallion Laguna FC also on Saturday at the Biñan Football Stadium was cancelled due to unplayable pitch because of adverse weather conditions. The game will be rescheduled to a later date.

Green Archers United (3-2-2), meanwhile, is at fourth place with 11 points. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Dominoes fall after Los Angeles Clippers’ league-altering moves

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers rocked the NBA late Friday night with news they had come to terms with free agent Kawhi Leonard and agreed to trade for Paul George, and hours later, several teams responded with moves of their own, some filling out rosters and others looking to potentially move other players.

No team was busier than the Clippers’ Staples Center co-tenants, the Lakers. Having missed out on Leonard, the Lakers used the cap space they had amassed to reportedly come to terms with five players Saturday. That’s on top of adding shooting guard Danny Green within minutes of the news of the Leonard move.

Biggest among the players the Lakers added Saturday is center DeMarcus Cousins, with whom the team agreed to a one-year, $2.3 million deal, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The other four players reportedly agreed to two-year deals: point guard Rajon Rondo, wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and center JaVale McGee — all of whom played with the Lakers last season — and free agent guard Quinn Cook, who spent the previous two seasons in Golden State.

Wojnarowski also reported Saturday that the Clippers agreed to a four-year, $28 million contract with restricted free agent center Ivica Zubac, whom the Clippers acquired with forward Michael Beasley from the Lakers in a draft-deadline trade in February in exchange for center Mike Muscala.

In Oklahoma City, the Thunder are reportedly in discussion with eight-time All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook about his future with the club in light of George’s departure to the Clippers. According to Wojnarowski, Westbrook and his agent, Thad Foucher, are in talks with Thunder general manager Sam Presti about the next steps, which could include a possible trade this summer.

Westbrook has four years and $170 million left on his contract, but with the team reportedly receiving five draft picks (plus Italian Danilo Gallinari and Canadian guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) in exchange for George, the Thunder could be looking to reshape their roster.

The Thunder also announced they have re-signed forward/center Nerlens Noel and signed undrafted guard Luguentz Dort out of Arizona State to a two-way contract.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the San Antonio Spurs agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal with free agent forward Marcus Morris, with the second year a player option.

Wojnarowski reported the Spurs are close to trading forward Davis Bertans to the Washington Wizards, a move designed to allow the Spurs to complete the signing of free agent DeMarre Carroll. Bertans reportedly will be absorbed into an exception and the value of Carroll’s deal, agreed to earlier in the offseason, will go from two years and $13 million to three years and $21 million.

New Orleans Pelicans general manager David Griffin announced No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson will miss the rest of the NBA summer league schedule after suffering a bruised left knee against the New York Knicks in his debut on Friday night.

The Toronto Raptors extended their appreciation to Leonard and Green for helping lead them to their first NBA championship, releasing a statement thanking the players hours after it was announced that the pair are headed to Los Angeles teams.

The Raptors also agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million contract with free agent forward Stanley Johnson, Charania reported, with the second year a player option.

The Brooklyn Nets sent guard Allen Crabbe, 2019 first-round pick Nickeil Alexander-Walker and a conditional 2020 first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for forward Taurean Prince and a 2021 second-round pick, completing a deal reported in June. The moved cleared cap space for the Nets to sign Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free agency. The NBA on Saturday announced Irving’s signing as official.

The Orlando Magic officially re-signed both center Nikola Vucevic (a reported four-year, $100 million max deal) and shooting guard Terrence Ross (reported four years, $54 million). The club also added free agent forward Al-Farouq Aminu (three years, $29 million) and waived center Timofey Mozgov. The Magic are expected to re-sign guard Michael Carter-Williams.

The Memphis Grizzlies announced via release that the team will retire the No. 11 jersey of Mike Conley, on the same day the NBA approved the guard’s trade to the Utah Jazz. Conley, 31, spent his first 12 pro seasons with Memphis.

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced the completion of a draft-night trade in which they sent the draft rights to No. 11 overall pick Cameron Johnson and forward Dario Saric to Phoenix for the draft rights to No. 6 overall draft pick Jarrett Culver. — Reuters

Swiss Roger Federer stardust touches everyone, and everything, at All England Club Wimbledon

LONDON — When it comes to Wimbledon, there is no hotter property than Roger Federer.

The Swiss reduced Britain’s Andy Murray to tears when he beat him in the 2012 final but having set another couple of records on Saturday and armed with what John McEnroe calls “the most beautiful shots in tennis” he remains everyone’s darling at the All England Club.

Even the person manning the “Used Championship Balls” stall around the corner from Centre Court drew in passing trade by shouting: “Roll up, roll up, come and get your used championship balls here if you want to own a piece of Federer’s DNA! Roger’s been all over these balls.”

Never mind that there was no way of identifying where exactly the balls stacked up on the pristine white counter had actually come from — considering they are collected from all 18 courts sprawled around the grounds.

The mere thought of taking home a piece of Federer for the princely sum of $1.25 certainly lured in the punters.

On Saturday, one of the birds flying over Wimbledon also wanted to get an across-the-net view of the great man.

Federer’s third-round opponent Lucas Pouille was launching into a serve but was forced to make an abrupt landing after a little bird hopped into his half of the court, edging closer and closer to the net. Until a ball boy was called in to shoo it away, the bird refused to give up its ringside perch.

While the 15,000 Centre Court capacity crowd chuckled at the bird’s audacity, a couple of Asian fans dressed in red made no secret about where their loyalties lay as they held aloft a banner declaring “We can never find another you!”

Such sentiment seems to follow Federer wherever he goes, with his rival Novak Djokovic often declaring “Roger is the most loved tennis player in the world” — mainly thanks to the strokes that ooze off his racket strings like liquid gold.

There were plenty of those 24-carat winners on show on day six of the championships as the Swiss became the first player — man or woman — to win 350 singles matches at the majors with his 7-5 6-2 7-6(4) win over Frenchman Pouille.

As the father of two sets of twins, Federer seems to have a penchant for doing things in pairs and Saturday was no different as he also set a professional-era record of reaching the last 16 for the 17th time — surpassing the previous benchmark he had shared with Jimmy Connors.

The 37-year-old is so loved that he even drew a rapturous round of applause when he simply held up his racket in the direction of a ball boy and a spectator after both ended up in his firing line as he tried to return a couple of errant Pouille serves.

Even through their pain, the two simply smiled back at him — after all they had been touched by some Federer stardust. — Reuters

Mobile Legends spin-off game out later this month

THE HIGHLY popular mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) gets a new chapter with an official spin-off set to be released later this month.

Moontoon, makers of MLBB, announced last week that Mobile Legends: Adventure (MLA), an idle RPG strategy game, will be released at the end of July and will open a new chapter for adventure in the Land of Dawn for fans of Mobile Legends.

The new RPG game will be told in the perspective of Layla, exploring a more in-depth and cohesive story on the heroes via cut-scenes, comics, dialogues and more.

Officials of Moontoon said there are key differences that separate MLA from MLBB.

“First, players will be able to train up to five heroes at a time. Secondly, MLA requires a different type of strategic thinking as players need to match heroes of different class together to form an all-round lineup and switch up their formations depending on their opponents. Lastly, instead of the more realistic 3D graphics of MLBB, MLA utilizes a 2D art style that brings out the personality and details of the characters in a lively and vibrant manner,” said Moonton Marketing Manager Hanqing Mei.

The Moonton executive added that fans will get to enjoy beloved heroes such as Miya, Tigreal, Layla and Lancelot in a new exciting way with each unique feature, skill, and trait readapted for MLA’s gameplay while keeping their core elements.

The main mechanics of the game include a carefree idle gameplay, where players can still get resources, upgrades and other rewards even when they are offline.

Also there are endless stages that offer campaign scenarios and different play modes. Not only can players summon and train heroes, they are also able to challenge other players in a PvP system, form a guild with other users, and challenge a Guild Boss. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo