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LRT-1 extended operations until Dec. 31; LRT-2 cuts trips on Dec. 24, 31

LIGHT RAIL Manila Corporation (LRMC) will maintain its extended operating hours for the LRT-1, which started Dec. 11, until the end of the month. In a social media post, the company announced the LRT-1’s new last train schedule would be 11:00 p.m. from Baclaran and 11:15 p.m. from Roosevelt from Monday to Saturday, and 9:30 p.m. from Baclaran and 11:45 from Roosevelt on Sundays. Trips from both stations start at 4:30 Monday-Sunday.

LRT 2
On the other hand, the government-run Light Rail Transit Authority announced that LRT-2 will have reduced operating hours on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 “in anticipation of a significant decline in ridership and to allow our station/security personnel to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve with their families.” The LRT-2 runs between Recto and Santolan. LRT-2’s last train schedule would be:

– Dec. 24, Cubao (Westbound): 8:00 p.m.;

Recto (Eastbound): 8:00 p.m.

– Dec. 31: Cubao (Westbound): 7:30 p.m.;

Recto (Eastbound): 7:30 p.m.

MRT-3
Meanwhile, the Manila Metro Rail Transit System Line-3 also made its own announcement in social media regarding its holiday schedules, as follows:

— North Avenue Station

Dec. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 26 and 27 (first train: 4:40 a.m.; last train: 9:10 p.m.)

Dec. 21, 22, 28, 29, and 30 (first train: 4:40 a.m.;

last train: 9:10 p.m.)

Dec. 24 and 31 (first train: 4:40 a.m.; last train: 7:45 p.m.)

Dec. 25 (first train: 6:30 a.m.; last train: 9:10 p.m.)

— Taft Avenue Station

Dec. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 26 and 27 (first train: 5:41 a.m.; last train: 10:11 p.m.)

Dec. 21, 22, 28, 29, and 30 (first train: 5:37 a.m.;

last train: 10:11 p.m.)

Dec. 24 and 31 (first train: 5:37 a.m.; last train: 8:42 p.m.)

Dec. 25 (first train: 6:30 a.m.; 10:11 p.m.)

— North Avenue Station

Jan 1 (first train: 6:30 a.m.; last train: 9:10 p.m.)

Jan. 2 and 3 (first train: 4:40 a.m.; last train: 9:10 p.m.)

— Taft Avenue Station

Jan 1 (first train: 6:30 a.m.; last train: 10:11 p.m.)

Jan. 2 and 3 (first train: 5:41 a.m.; last train: 10:11 p.m.)

— Arjay L. Balinbin

Iloilo airport to enhance communications system further in emergency situations

THE ILOILO International Airport tested its response time, preparedness, and interoperability in handling a bomb explosion incident through a full-scale simulation exercise over the weekend. Manuela Luisa F. Palma, acting airport manager, said the drill showed huge improvement in the airport’s communication capabilities. “We have made improvements especially in the communication aspect. The last time we conducted this activity we had few lapses so for this one we have improved on it,” she said. One of the evaluators of the drill, Aletha A. Nogra of the Office of Civil Defense-Western Visayas, said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)-Iloilo, which manages the airport, complied with the requirements for the activation of the emergency operations center. Ms. Nogra added that small improvements can still be made for a more efficient and effective operations of the airport, particularly on its radio communication and interoperability. “All in all, successful. But there were some recommendations, particularly in enhancing the radio communications inside CAAP and interoperability of the extended hospital for the patients,” she said. The airport is required to conduct a full-scale drill every two years as a certified aerodrome. “Iloilo airport is a certified aerodrome and as an aerodrome, we are required to conduct drills. This is also to test the interoperability of the various agencies who help us when it comes to possible incidents that may happen in the airport,” Ms. Palma said. The Iloilo airport is located in the town of Cabatuan, about 30 kilometers from Iloilo City. According to Ms. Palma, the airport accommodates around 3,400 to 4,000 inbound and outbound passengers every day with an average of 31 average flights. It was voted among Asia’s 20 best airports, taking the 18th spot, in the 2019 survey of airport guide and resource site sleeping in airport. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Dec. 15 earthquake death toll rises to 8

THE DEATH toll from Sunday’s magnitude 6.9 earthquake in southern Mindanao has reached eight, and response teams have shifted from rescue operations to retrieval efforts with no more sign of life detected at the collapsed building in Padada town, the tremor’s epicenter. Franz N. Irag, designated information officer of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)–Davao Region, told BusinessWorld the third casualty pulled out of the collapsed building on Monday has been confirmed to be the woman who sent a mobile text message on Sunday saying she and several others are trapped. Of the seven, three are from the building, and one each in the towns of Matanao, Hagonoy, Bansalan and Magsaysay in Davao del Sur province, and Malita, Davao Occidental.

The casualties include a six-year old girl and a 10-year old boy.

RETRIEVAL
Senior Supt. Fred L. Trajeras Jr., Bureau of Fire Protection-Davao regional director and one of the leaders of the rescue operations, said responders have started shifting to retrieval operations in the collapsed commercial building as their equipment have not monitored any sign of life. Philippine Coast Guard K9 Unit teams have also been deployed for “life search and detection” operations. In a press conference, Mr. Trajeras said there have also been no reports of persons missing. All employees of the commercial establishment have been accounted for. The retrieval activities, he said, will take time in consideration of the rescuers’ safety. “We have to protect the safety and welfare of our responders,” he said. As of Monday, 556 aftershocks have been recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

Cagayan, Cordillera infra projects completed under P4.3-B JICA-DENR forestland program

INFRASTRUCTURE projects worth P86 million under the 9.244 billion yen (about P4.3 billion) Forestland Management Project (FMP) of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have been completed, JICA reported on Tuesday. In a statement, JICA said the projects that were recently turned over to local government units include bridge, roads, and irrigation facilities in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces in Cagayan Valley, and Ifugao in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The JICA-DENR 10-year program aims to protect 71,300 hectares of forests in the country’s watershed areas, including the Jalaur Watershed in Iloilo, Upper Magat and Cagayan River Basins, and Pampanga River Basin. “The agroforestry infrastructure support like roads and bridges are meant to support the livelihood activities of the people’s organizations (POs) in the project areas. Likewise, JICA will continue to support the training of POs so they can manage their enterprises and keep their organizations viable,” JICA Philippines Senior Representative Yo Ebisawa said in a statement. Aside from infrastructure, the FMP, which is scheduled for completion by 2022, also provides training and enterprise development support to some 149 POs.

More than half in Bangsamoro poor — SWS

MORE than half or 59% of families in the newly established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) think they are poor, compared with 53% in Mindanao and 42% for the entire country, according to the latest poll by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

“The rest of Mindanao typically also fares poorly on the human development index,” SWS said in a statement, adding that five other five regions join the Bangsamoro in being among the seven poorest regions in the country.

Self-rated poverty in the rest of Mindanao, for which SWS doubled its sample to 600 in the September poll, is closer to the Bangsamoro than to the country as a whole, it added.

Bangsamoro respondents were much more likely to be in informal employment — 62% of respondents were self-employed but not in a formally registered job compared with 34% nationwide and 36% in Mindanao areas outside Bangsamoro.

Bangsamoro looks much the same as the rest of the country as far as changes in personal quality of life, SWS said.

As has been the case since late 2014, those who feel their lives improved — termed by SWS as gainers — in the past 12 months outnumbered those who feel their lives had worsened — termed as losers — and this is true of Bangsamoro areas.

Bangsamoro respondents were more satisfied with the performance of the National Government at an “excellent” +81 net satisfaction, compared with the “very good” overall Philippine net satisfaction of +67, SWS said.

Filipinos in Bangsamoro also gave President Rodrigo R. Duterte an “excellent” net performance rating of +90 compared with the national rating of +65 and Mindanao score of +74, according to the September poll.

SWS interviewed 1,800 adults for the poll, which had an error margin of ±2 points. — NPA

Kings and Batang Pier go for 2-1 series lead

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

WITH their best-of-five Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup semifinal series knotted at a game apiece, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings and Northport Batang Pier go for the pivotal 2-1 lead in Game Three today at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Forced after the Kings bounced back in Game Two with a 113-88 victory, the teams now try to go over the other to push themselves to a win away from moving to the Big Dance of the season-ending PBA tournament.

After coming out flat in the series opener on Dec. 14 that had it losing, 124-90, Barangay Ginebra made sure there would be no repeat of such, taking control of the second game right from the get-go and not allowing Northport to really get its game going.

Six players scored in double digits for the Kings in the rout, led by Stanley Pringle with 23 points.

LA Tenorio had 20 points and Greg Slaughter 16 while import Justin Brownlee had 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Scottie Thompson had 13 markers while Jeff Chan came off the bench to score 12.

The Kings were firing from all cyclinders from the start, scoring no less than 31 points in each of the first three quarters of Game Two.

They complemented it with solid defense that had them limiting the explosive Northport duo of import Michael Qualls and Christian Standhardinger to just 30 points combined on 34% shooting and 11 rebounds, down from their Game One output of 54 points on 42% clip and 30 boards.

Veteran Sean Anthony was steady for the Batang Pier, finishing with a double-double of 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, but his effort was not enough to tow his team over the in-their-element Kings.

“I thought we came out with a lot of playoff intensity which we did not have in the first game. We had better execution this time and know more what we wanted to do,” said Kings coach Tim Cone after Game Two.

“We are happy with this win but we expect Northport to bounce back and they are capable of that. And let’s see what happens in the next game,” he added.

Recognizing that they started out bad in Game Two, Mr. Anthony reiterated that they have to do better lest they find themselves receiving another drubbing at the hands of the Kings.

“We just started badly in this game and we cannot come out like that. We have to have a better start next time,” said the Batang Pier forward.

Dar breezes through apointment body

THE COMMISSION on Appointments confirmed the appointment of Secretary William D. Dar as head of the Agriculture department.

“We believe that Secretary Dar’s background — both in his personal history and in his professional experience — would do well in the job for the benefit of millions of Filipinos who work in agriculture,” Senator Francis N. Pangilinan said in his co-sponsorship speech.

Mr. Dar was born into a family of farmers from Ilocos Sur and Tarlac. His father planted rice and vegetables and his mother sold their harvest when he was still a child, the lawmaker said.

The agriculture chief also sold sweet potato when he was a boy, he pointed out.

“The hardships and rewards of agriculture to the families who live off the land are in Secretary Dar’s blood,” he said.

Mr. Dar graduated with a degree in Agricultural Education from the then Mountain State Agricultural College, now the Benguet State University. Three years later, he graduated with a Master of Science in Agronomy from the same university.

He earned his PhD in Horticulture from the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna four years later, the youngest PhD graduate of the state university at that time at the age of 27, Mr. Pangilinan said.

Mr. Dar was Agriculture secretary from July 1998 to May 1999 under then President Joseph E. Estrada. He also served as presidential adviser on food security in 1999 and as executive director of the National Agricultural and Fishery Council in 1998. — NPA

Joshua Pacio set to defend ONE title in Manila in January

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

ONE Championship returns for its first show in the country in 2020 in January with strawweight champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio of the Philippines headlining the event, dubbed ONE: Fire & Fury.

Set for Jan. 31 at the Mall of Asia Arena, 23-year-old Pacio (15-3) will make his second defense of the title he reclaimed last April against Brazilian Alex “Little Rock” Silva.

Mr. Pacio of Team Lakay is coming into the contest fresh from a second-round submission victory over compatriot Rene Catalan in November.

It was his second straight victory after opening 2019 with a loss to Japanese Yosuke Saruta in January where he lost the strawweight belt.

Out to put a stop to the reign of the Filipino champion is Mr. Silva (9-4).

A former ONE strawweight champion, Mr. Silva, 37, has been solid of late, winning back-to-back bouts after absorbing three straight losses previously.

The most recent of his victories was over Xuewen Peng of China in November where the latter was submitted by the Brazilian in the second round by way of armbar.

He has expressed his determination to get back to the top of the 125-lb division, which he took hold of from December 2017 to May 2018.

Also seeing action at Fire & Fury are Mr. Pacio’s Lakay teammates, namely, former lightweight champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, Danny “The King” Kingad, Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang and Gina “Conviction” Iniong.

Mr. Folayang (22-8) has had a 1-2 record this year and is aiming to get his 2020 bid going on a winning note when he takes on Pakistan’s Ahmed “The Wolverine” Mujtaba.

The former champion swung back to victory in his last fight in November, winning over Tsogookhuu Amarsanaa of Mongolia by technical decision after absorbing an “unintentional” head-butt in the second round.

The win effectively halted for Mr. Folayang a two-fight losing streak to mixed martial arts legends Shinya Aoki and Eddie Alvarez, in that order.

Mr. Kingad, for his part, had his six-fight ascent crushed by American MMA star Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in the final of the ONE flyweight grand prix in October in Japan.

The Filipino fighter stood toe-to-toe with his veteran opponent but just could not get the judges’ nod in the end, losing by unanimous decision.

Mr. Adiwang, meanwhile, made it a successful debut in the main card of ONE Championship in October in Tokyo and is looking to make it two in a row when he collides with Thailand’s Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsalit.

A product of the ONE Warrior Series, Mr. Adiwang took down Japanese Senzo Ikeda in the first round by technical knockout to notch win number one in the promotion.

Ms. Iniong (8-4) just had one fight in ONE this year, a split decision victory over Hayatun Jihin Radzuan of Malaysia in February.

But she is coming on a high entering her fight with India’s Asha “Knockout Queen” Roka at Fire & Fury after winning a gold medal in kickboxing at this month’s 30th Southeast Asian Games held here.

Another Filipino woman fighter, Jomary “The Zamboanginian Fighter” Torres, is to take the ONE stage as well against Taiwanese Jenny “Lady GoGo” Huang.

Manny Pacquiao is the new Filipino male wax figure in Madame Tussauds HK

ANOTHER icon brings Pinoy pride to the world stage as Madame Tussauds Hong Kong announced its addition of a new Filipino wax figure, none other than boxing champ Manny Pacquiao!

“I’m very honored that they chose me,” said Pacquiao, whose 41st birthday also happens to fall on the same day as the announcement of the exciting news.

“Masaya ako na maitataas ko muli ang bandera ng Pilipinas sa ganitong paraan. Madame Tussauds Hong Kong has many personalities including my fellow athletes and excited ako na makatabi ko sila doon,” he added.

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong Senior Marketing Manager BoBo Yu shared her excitement to have Manny Pacquaio as another Filipino wax figure in their roster of icons. “The Philippines continues to be one of our strongest markets and having Manny Pacquaio who is known globally for his achievements in sports is an honor for us. He is one personality that the attraction has been wanting to have and we cannot wait the Filipino fans to see the figure in 2020,” said Yu.

It took six hours to measure the boxer for his wax figure. However, Pacquiao stayed in good spirits throughout the afternoon, patiently cooperating with the team from UK to make sure they got every detail right while having fun with the staff on site. “It was a new experience for me,” shared Pacquiao. “Ganito pala ka-detalye gumawa ng wax figure kaya mas na appreciate ko ‘yung mga staff.”

Pacquiao was also equally thrilled to share this news with his family. “Mas naging proud ako na maging dad nila. I can’t wait to bring them to Madame Tussauds Hong Kong to see my wax figure. Excited rin ako to see how it will look like and i-share ito to my Filipino fans,” said Pacquiao.

The wax figure is set to be unveiled in 2020, so stay tuned for updates!

For more information, visit www.madametussauds.com/hongkong/ and like Madame Tussauds Hong Kong on Facebook and follow @MadameTussaudsHongKong on Instagram and @TussaudsHK on Twitter and YouTube.

Mavs withstand Giannis, end Bucks’ 18-game win streak

LOS ANGELES — Kristaps Porzingis collected 26 points and 12 rebounds as the visiting Dallas Mavericks ended the Milwaukee Bucks’ 18-game winning streak with a 120-116 victory on Monday.

Seth Curry scored 26 points on nine-of-15 shooting from the floor for the Mavericks, who overcame Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 48-point, 14-rebound performance to post their 12th win in 15 games.

Dallas played without reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic, who sustained a moderate ankle sprain during the first quarter of Saturday’s 122-118 loss to Miami.

Kyle Korver had five 3-pointers to highlight his season-high 17 points for the Bucks, who fell two wins shy of their franchise record. The loss was Milwaukee’s first since a 103-100 setback at Utah on Nov. 8.

Porzingis connected on a pair of long-range 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to push Dallas’ advantage to 105-91 with 5:44 remaining in the fourth quarter. Curry added a no-hesitation 3-pointer in transition to appear to put the game out of reach with 4 1/2 minutes left, however Milwaukee took advantage of some shoddy Mavericks foul shooting to remain within earshot.

Antetokounmpo’s driving basket brought the Bucks to within three at 119-116, however he was unable to make the ensuing free throw. Tim Hardaway Jr. made one of two free throws with 1.9 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo scored Milwaukee’s first 11 points in the third quarter to give the Bucks a 67-66 lead before Dallas ignited a 14-2 run, with Curry scoring nine points to highlight that stretch.

The Mavericks erased an early 8-1 deficit as Porzingis scored 11 points and Dorian Finney-Smith added eight to secure a 36-22 lead after the first quarter. The 14-point deficit after one quarter matched a season high for Milwaukee, which also trailed by 14 against the Jazz on Nov. 8.

The Bucks weathered the storm after Dallas shot 7-for-13 from 3-point range in the first quarter to make a run on their own in the second. Antetokounmpo scored 13 points in the quarter as Milwaukee pulled within three at halftime. — Reuters

Brees’ record-setting night fuels Saints’ romp over Colts

LOS ANGELES — Drew Brees set NFL records for touchdown passes in a career and completion percentage in a game as the host New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 34-7 on Monday night.

Brees, who entered the game one touchdown pass behind New England’s Tom Brady and two behind former Colts and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, threw four scoring passes. He broke Manning’s record of 539 on a 5-yard pass to tight end Josh Hill on the first possession of the third quarter.

He appeared to have broken the record just before halftime, but his 5-yard pass to Tre’Quan Smith was negated by a pass interference penalty on Smith.

Brees, who surpassed Manning’s record for career passing yards last season, completed 29 of 30 passes (96.7 percent) breaking the record of 96.6 percent (28 of 29) set by the Los Angeles Chargers’ Philip Rivers against the Arizona Cardinals last season.

Brees passed for 307 yards and also threw touchdown passes to Michael Thomas, Smith and Taysom Hill. Thomas, the NFL’s leader in receptions and receiving yards, had 12 catches for 128 yards.

Though it was Brees’ night, the New Orleans defense made a statement a week after giving up 516 yards in a 48-46 loss to the San Francisco 49ers by holding Indianapolis to 205 yards and having a shutout until Jordan Wilkins ran 1 yard for a score with 3:56 left.

The NFC South champion Saints (11-3) stayed in contention for a first-round playoff bye.

The Colts, 6-8 after losing for the sixth time in seven games, were eliminated from playoff contention.

Brees drove the Saints to Wil Lutz’s 33-yard field goal on their first possession, then threw a 15-yard scoring pass to Thomas for a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.

After Brees’ 21-yard scoring pass to Smith, Lutz kicked a 26-yard field goal as time expired to give New Orleans a 20-0 halftime lead.

After throwing the record-setter, Brees added a 28-yard touchdown to Taysom Hill to give the Saints a 34-0 lead after three quarters.

The Saints honored the 10th anniversary of their 31-17 victory over the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. — Reuters

Fronda rules Lomibao-Beltran active chess championship

WOMAN International Master (WIM) Jan Jodilyn Fronda ruled via tiebreak the first Woman Fide Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao-Beltran Women’s Open chess championship at in Mandaluyong City last Saturday, Dec. 14.

Fronda, tied for first-second places with Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna 6.0 points apiece in the rapid event hosted by China Aurelio and Mimi Casas of Open Kitchen and backed up by Woman Fide Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao-Beltran in close cooperation with Dr. Alfred Paez, Joel Pineda, Ryan Lopez Sauz and Byron Gabrentina Villar.

With the highest tiebreak points, Fronda took the title while Frayna finished second.

Fronda receive P10,000 top purse plus trophy and Michael Kors watch while Frayna pocketed P6,000 plus trophy.

The Woman International Master Bernadette Galas came third place with 5.5 points to went home P4,000 plus trophy followed by 4th placer Woman National Master (WNM) Francois Marie Magpily (5.0 points, P3,000 plus trophy) and 5th placer Jamaica Marie Lagrio (5.0 points, P2,000 plus trophy). — Marlon Bernardino

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