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CA asked to dismiss Now Telecom petition

THE OFFICE of the Solicitor General (OSG) asked the Court of Appeals (CA) to dismiss Now Telecom Company, Inc.’s case questioning the selection process for the third telecommunications player.
In a 31-page comment filed last Feb. 4 before the CA Special Twelfth Division, the OSG said only the Supreme Court (SC) is authorized to issue a writ of preliminary injunction or prohibition against bidding or awarding of government projects.
To recall, Now Telecom last year filed a petition for certiorari seeking to stop the National Telecommunications Communication (NTC) from implementing certain provisions of the terms of reference in the third telco selection process. Now Telecom challenged the NTC requirement of a P700-million “participation security,” a P14 to P24 billion performance security, and a P10-million non-refundable appeal fee.
However, a Manila court last Nov. 5 denied Now Telecom’s petition.
“(Republic Act No.) 8975 prohibits the issuance of any injunctive writ to prohibit or restrain, among others, the bidding or awarding of an infrastructure project of the government,” the OSG said.
Section 3 of RA 8975 stated that “no court, except the SC,” shall issue any temporary restraining order (TRO), preliminary injunction or preliminary mandatory injunction against the government to restrain acquisition, clearance and development of the right-of-way and/or site or location of projects and bidding or awarding of contract or project, among others.
The OSG also said Now Telecom failed to prove that it “had a clear and unmistakable right, which is entitled to protection; and it shall suffer ‘grave injustice and irreparable injury,’” which are the requisites for the grant of writ for preliminary injunction.
It noted Now Telecom “waived or abandoned its claim in civil case… when it failed to submit its bid last Nov. 7, 2018.”
“With petitioner’s failure to submit its bid on November 7, 2018, it has, through its inaction, abandoned or waived what it originally intended to do when it filed the Complaint,” the OSG said.
“Otherwise stated, the ancillary remedy as well as the permanent injunction prayed for was meant to secure or protect its intention to bid. When petitioner failed to submit its bid, it has effectively abandoned or waived what it initially claimed was entitled to be secured or protected through injunctive writ-TRO (temporary restraining order), writ of preliminary injunction and, later on, a permanent injunction,” it added. The OSG also said “it is a well-settled rule” that courts should avoid issuing a writ of preliminary injunction as it would dispose a main case without trial.
A consortium formed by China Telecommunications Corp., Dennis A. Uy’s Udenna Corp. and its subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. under the name of franchise holder Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company, Inc. was named as provisional third major telco last Nov. 7, 2018. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Composer Andre Previn and Soap’s Katherine Helmond both pass at age 89

ACCLAIMED conductor, composer and pianist Andre Previn, a versatile musician who won four Academy Awards for film scores and led some of the world’s great orchestras while mastering a rainbow of musical forms, died on Thursday at age 89, his management company said.
Mr. Previn, who won numerous awards for his musical accomplishments, was composing new music until only a few days before he passed away, IMG Artists said in a statement. The circumstances of his death were not immediately clear and the company could not be reached for further comment.
The German-born musical prodigy who fled Nazi persecution with his Jewish family in 1938 to Paris and then Los Angeles, Mr. Previn made his name as a jazz musician and writing scores for movies. By the end of his career, he had become one of the prominent music figures in the second half of the 20th century.
Mr. Previn was a conductor of major orchestras in Europe and America including the London Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, Houston Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and others. He also composed numerous classical works including two operas, A Streetcar Named Desire and Brief Encounter.
His hundreds of recordings led to a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 and 10 other Grammys. Mr. Previn was knighted by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in 1996. His personal life was controversial, with five marriages, including one to actress Mia Farrow.
When he arrived in Los Angeles, an uncle was providing music to Universal Studios. Mr. Previn launched his film-score career by age 20 when the MGM studio asked him to write music to accompany a famous collie in the 1949 movie Challenge to Lassie.
He soon was the most successful music man in Hollywood. He won Academy Awards for Gigi (1958), Porgy and Bess (1959), Irma La Douce (1963), and My Fair Lady (1964). He also wrote an admired score for the film Elmer Gantry (1960).
But at the height of his success in the early 1960s, he changed his career focus from films and jazz to classical music and conducting.
“I stuck around in Hollywood for too long,” Mr. Previn told Britain’s Guardian in 2005. “I was there a long time and when I left I was smart enough to realize that what I was leaving was not just the movie business,” he said. “I wanted to get rid of the whole atmosphere. I had a lot of friends and there were a lot of very talented people that I liked — and I still like — but it’s not an atmosphere in which to make serious music, it just isn’t.”
His goal was to conduct — he had studied with well-known conductor Pierre Monteux — but found that his film work did not boost his chances.
In 1968, he became chief conductor for the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra, and became quite a celebrity in Britain. He kept the post until 1979, an unusually long tenure.
He also was a virtuoso classical and jazz pianist and performed with many big names. He also had success in musical theater and his Broadway show Coco was nominated for a Tony Award as best musical in 1970.
Mr. Previn was known for trying to popularize classical music, organizing music festivals, and inspiring children about music.
He also generated headlines with his controversial personal life. He was married five times. In 1969, while still married to his second wife, Previn became involved with Mia Farrow, the former wife of actor and singer Frank Sinatra and the future partner of movie director Woody Allen. Ms. Farrow and Previn married in 1970, after she had given birth to twins and just weeks after his divorce came through. They divorced in 1979. Soon-Yi Previn, an adopted daughter of Mr. Previn and Ms. Farrow, later became Allen’s wife.
Mr. Previn’s fifth marriage in 2002 was to famed German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, who was 24 years younger than him. They divorced in 2006.
SOAP’S KATHERINE HELMOND
Actress Katherine Helmond, a seven-time Emmy Award nominee who played lusty matriarchs on the hit TV sitcoms Soap and Who’s the Boss from the 1970s into the 1990s, died last month at the age of 89, her talent agency said on Friday.
Ms. Helmond, who also delivered a memorable turn as a vain woman obsessed with plastic surgery in director Terry Gilliam’s dystopian film Brazil (1985), died Feb. 23 at her Los Angeles home due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Ms. Helmond was in her 40s and had already been nominated for a Tony Award for her work on Broadway before landing a starring role on Soap, a prime-time parody of daytime soap operas that ran on the ABC network for four seasons from 1977 to 1981.
She then starred on Who’s the Boss? on ABC with Milano, Tony Danza, and Judith Light from 1984 to 1992, followed by recurring roles on sitcoms Coach starring Craig T. Nelson from 1995 to 1997 and Everybody Loves Raymond with Ray Romano from 1996 to 2004.
Ms. Helmond played Jessica Tate, a sex-crazed scatterbrain, Soap, a show known for warped characters and deliberately farfetched plots, including alien abduction and demonic possession. People magazine referred to its “cheerfully tasteless handling of such topics as impotence, homosexuality, promiscuity, adultery, etc.” and it caused some controversy when it debuted.
“I don’t think it’s lurid,” Helmond told People. “Daytime soaps go into areas — lesbianism, married nuns, a woman in love with a priest — that would not be touched in prime time. And they’re super-serious. We just take real situations and exaggerate them.”
On Who’s the Boss? Ms. Helmond played Mona Robinson, the man-crazy mother to Light’s character, an ad executive who hires retired baseball player Mr. Danza as her housekeeper.
Ms. Helmond won two Golden Globe awards in 1981 for Soap and in 1989 for Who’s the Boss? She never won an Emmy but was nominated four times for Soap, twice for Who’s the Boss? and once for Everybody Loves Raymond. Helmond also appeared in director Alfred Hitchcock’s last movie, Family Plot (1976), and in Gilliam’s films Time Bandits (1981) as an ogre’s wife and in the visually striking Brazil (1985) as the plastic surgery aficionado.
She is survived by her second husband, David Christian. — Reuters

Aspire Corporate Plaza to be completed by 2020

By Francis Anthony T. Valentin
Special Features Assistant Editor

GOLDEN BAY Fresh Landholdings, Inc. is looking to complete the construction of Aspire Corporate Plaza, its P2-billion office building in the Pasay City section of the Manila Bay Area, by 2020, earlier than initially planned.
The project was originally slated for completion in early 2021, Jardin Brian B. Wong, chief operating officer of Golden Bay, said at a press briefing on Feb. 21.
“We started developing the property even though we didn’t have any sale. That represents our confidence in the project,” he said.
Touted as the “first and only property in the Macapagal Bay Area to sell office spaces,” the 10-storey Aspire Corporate Plaza is aimed primarily at small and medium-sized enterprises, especially those in places like Binondo in Manila and those that prefer to own an office space rather than only leasing it.
“We offer them a chance to own their units in the booming Bay Area,” Mr. Wong said. “In the years to come, more and more people will see the benefits of relocating here. They’ll see the benefits of having relocated to an area closest to the airports and closest to key expressways.”
Golden Bay enlisted several firms, including Megawide Construction Corp., Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corp., ASYA Design Partner and Meinhardt Philippines, Inc., to put together the structure on a 3,500 square meter-property behind its food business, Golden Bay Fresh Seafood Restaurant, on Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard.
“Once we asked them to go full blast at an earlier time, kinaya nila,” Mr. Wong said.
Construction of Aspire Corporate Plaza, which will feature a sky garden, six high-speed passenger elevators and a parking space for 261 vehicles, began early last year. Mr. Wong said the topping off would be held this year and the turning over of the sold units to the owners in 2020.
Part of the reason for fast tracking of the building is that their company is going to transfer there from its office in Binondo. “We personally bought a handful of units,” Mr. Wong said.
Aspire units have been selling briskly. “We sold already around 40 [units],” Mr. Wong told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of the briefing two Thursdays ago. Their buyers include manufacturing, logistics and construction companies. An office unit starts at around P250,000 per square meter.
Golden Bay conducted a two-day open house early last month. Another one is scheduled to take place on March 9 to 10.

Gov’t partially awards six-month T-bills

THE GOVERNMENT went with a partial award of the Treasury bills (T-bill) it offered yesterday, finding room to reject higher yields as its retail bond sale has chalked up P173 billion so far.
The Bureau of the Treasury raised just P3.939 billion out of its P20-billion program for Monday’s auction, which was made up of a partial acceptance for the six-month papers.
The Treasury’s P20-billion borrowing plan for this week was divided into P6 billion each for the 91- and 182-day tenors and P8 billion for the 364-day papers.
The partial award was made even as market players wanted to place as much as P31.802 billion under these short-term papers. The government only accepted P3.939 billion in bids out of total tenders worth P11.569 billion for the 182-day tenor, which fetched an average yield of 5.975% — a slight dip from the 5.978% rate seen during the previous exercise.
The initial bids for the six-month instruments averaged 5.988%, until the Treasury capped the rates sought by banks at 5.99%.
On the other hand, the Treasury bureau rejected the P8.893 billion offers for the three-month papers as the yields averaged 5.776%, up from the 5.733% fetched during the Feb. 18 exercise.
Some P11.34 billion in tenders for the one-year T-bills were also rejected as rates were bound to climb by 6.2 basis points to 6.114% had the government made a full award.
National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon said there were reasons for the government to reject the steeper bids, such as the view that inflation in February likely continued to moderate.
“The inflation trend is declining, so there’s really no room for rates to be going up,” Ms. De Leon told reporters.
“Then of course, we see even the strong outturn for the RTB (retail Treasury bonds). There’s really reason for us to reject the 91 and 364-day and partially accept the 182-day (bids).”
The government’s offer of five-year RTBs has fetched P173 billion as of March 1, with a week left for investors to purchase the instruments for as low as P5,000.
Meanwhile, inflation is broadly expected to maintain its decline for the fourth straight month. A BusinessWorld poll yielded a median estimate of 4.1% for February’s headline print, down from 4.4% the previous month.
A bond trader added that market appetite is currently for the RTBs, giving the government “room to reject” higher T-bill rates.
The trader added that this week’s auction results were expected, as the market sees bids for the retail papers swelling to P200 billion by the end of the week.
On the other hand, Ms. De Leon said authorities are eyeing to issue a fresh set of panda or renminbi-denominated bonds within the second quarter, and another samurai or yen bonds for Japanese investors possibly by the succeeding quarter.
In 2018, the state raised $1.5 billion from their panda bond float in March and $1.39 billion from the samurai notes opened in August. These usually follow a 12-month cycle, Ms. De Leon added.
A non-deal road show in Beijing and three other cities in China is scheduled later this month. This follows a Philippine economic briefing hosted by economic managers in Osaka, Japan last February. — Melissa Luz T. Lopez

ArthaLand taps First Gen to supply power to BGC project

ARTHALAND CORP. has tapped Lopez-led First Gen Corp. to supply renewable energy to its office project in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) called ArthaLand Century Pacific Tower (ACPT).
In a statement issued Monday, the listed property developer said ACPT uses 100% clean and renewable energy through First Gen’s hydroelectric power plant from its Pantabangan-Masiway Hydroelectric Plant in Nueva Ecija.
With this, the tower is able to do away with coal-based energy sources.
“Part of this mission is to use clean and renewable energy and reduce our environmental footprint…Our partnership with First Gen is truly a perfect match because we share the same values and the same commitment to the preservation of the environment,” Arthaland Treasurer and Executive Vice-President Leonardo Arthur T. Po was quoted as saying in a statement.
First Gen is the country’s leading clean and renewable energy producer with 3,490 megawatts in installed capacity. It is one of two local firms that made it to the Carbon Clean 200, the list of the world’s top 200 biggest and greenest companies with about $632 million in estimated clean energy revenues in 2017.
“By partnering with an organization that embodies the same principles is a big step in making sustainability a way of life for every business,” First Gen Chairman Federico R. Lopez said in a statement. — Arra B. Francia

Smile Train’s Aldrian wins at LA Under the Stars Fest

CLEFT organization Smile Train’ short film, Aldrian, won Best Documentary at the LA Under the Stars Film Festival 2019 on Feb. 23. The film is about Aldrian, a six-year-old boy living with an untreated cleft lip and palate in Metro Manila, and his journey to his forever smile. Aldrian’s greatest wish was simply to eat with ease. His grandmother, who is raising Aldrian and works as a street vendor to support her family of five, barely makes enough money to feed her family, let alone enough to pay for Aldrian’s cleft surgery. Things change when a local Smile Train social worker reaches out to help and Aldrian’s dream comes true. The LA Under the Stars Film Festival is an international film festival considered one of the best showcases for independent films. Last August, Aldrian was also awarded the Best Production/Producer at the CKF International Film Festival, a monthly film festival designed for independent filmmakers. The short film was premiered at the festival last November in Swindon, England. To watch the film, visit smiletrain.org/lp/aldrian. For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and for donations, visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram@SmileTrainPh, and Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.

Luxury living at the Westin

THE FIRST Westin-branded residences in Southeast Asia can be found in the heart of Ortigas Center in Pasig City.
Robinsons Land Corp., through its high-end brand Robinsons Luxuria, developed The Residences at The Westin Manila Sonata Place within the Sonata Place complex.
In a statement, RLC described The Residences, which is managed by Marriott International, Inc., as a “vivid vision of daily world-class leisure.”
The 50-storey residential condominium offers 344 units of one to three bedrooms with sizes ranging from 47.29 square meters (sq.m.) to 254.77 sq.m. and penthouse units with size ranging from 234.25 sq.m. to 249.22 sq.m. Unit prices start from P11.4 million to P58.2 million.
Each unit will feature Westin hotel signatures such as the Westin Heavenly bed and Westin Heavenly shower, as well as the Westin SuperFoodsRX menu.
Amenities include a business lounge, function rooms, meeting rooms, boardroom, an entertainment lounge, a wine room, a private theater, playroom, a golf simulation room, a pool, and fitness facilities.

SSS targets to implement hike in contribution rate within first half

THE CONTRIBUTION RATE increase of the Social Security System (SSS) is expected to be implemented within the first half of the year once the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the pension fund’s newly amended charter are finalized.
During a public forum at its headquarters in Quezon City on Monday, the SSS clarified that the Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018 will take effect today, but still needs the approved and published IRR for its implementation.
Based on the new law, the Social Security Commission (SSC) or the policy-making body of the SSS is given until June 3 or 90 days after effectivity of the law to come out with an IRR.
“I hope it (the contribution rate hike) will be (implemented) within the first half of the year. Maybe April or May,” SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc told reporters on the sidelines of the public forum.
He added that the contribution rate hike will require further discussions during the meeting of the Social Security Commission (SSC) on March 14.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed RA 11199 last Feb. 7.
The new law allows the SSC to increase the contribution rate without the approval of the President.
Under the law, the contribution rate will be increased by a percentage point every other year starting 2019 at 12% until 15% by 2025, from the current 11%.
Starting this year, 8% of the 12% will be shouldered by the employer, and 4% by the employee, from the current 7.37%-3.63% split. By 2025, the sharing scheme will be 10% for the employer and 5% for the employee.
It also gradually raises the minimum and maximum monthly salary credits (MSC) — the basis for contribution payments — every other year starting 2019 at P2,000 and P20,000, respectively, until P5,000 and P35,000 by 2025, from P1,000 and P16,000 currently.
The newly-signed measure also introduces involuntary separation benefits as well as compulsory coverage of overseas Filipino workers with social security protection.
Mr. Dooc said the pension fund already has a working draft of rules for “practically all” of the law’s provisions, although some segments will require special IRRs.
“For instance, the condonation and the unemployment benefit because there are other government agencies that are involved…. There are still other provisions,” the SSS chief said.
Before the release of the implementing rules, the SSS also needs to conduct a public hearing and get the approval of the SSC.
“Once we have published it, probably we’ll wait for 15 days and then we can implement it,” Mr. Dooc added. — K.A.N. Vidal

Ayala Land to open Seda serviced apartments in 2nd quarter

AYALA LAND, Inc. (ALI) is opening serviced residences under the Seda brand in Makati central business district by the second quarter.
Located within the Ayala North Exchange development along Ayala Avenue, the 35-storey Seda Residences Makati is the first serviced apartment under the homegrown hotel brand.
Marc Cerqueda, general manager of Seda Residences Makati, said the company ventured into serviced apartments after seeing demand from expatriates who are sent on business assignments for an average of six months to a year.
“We expect at least 45 percent of the guests to stay long-term including expats scouting for more permanent lodgings or whose residences are being renovated. Many of them are likely to be doing consultancy work for the multinational firms and BPO offices within Ayala North Exchange as well as other Makati locations,” Mr. Cerqueda was quoted as saying in a statement.
Seda Residences Makati will have 293 units, ranging from studios to three bedrooms. All units will have kitchenettes, dining facilities, and a television, as well as Wifi and cable TV. Units with one to three bedrooms will have washers and dryers, and separate living rooms.
“We take care of all that and allow them to be productive on the same day they arrive. In addition, Seda Residences Makati provides them a prime location in the most established business district of the country,” Mr. Cerqueda said, noting Ayala North Exchange will have two towers for offices and its own retail podium.
There will be an elevator lobby on the ground floor retail area to bring guests to the 19th floor sky lobby. On the same floor, there will be serviced offices, a swimming pool, gym, game room, and kiddie play area.
Mr. Cerqueda noted the Seda chain decided to venture into serviced residences after its success running nine hotels in the country.
“Our high guest repeat rate of 42 percent is evidence that our service standards are widely appreciated and that the brand has gained a loyal following. We are confident we will deliver to this segment Seda’s unique version of Filipino hospitality aligned with world-class standards,” he said.
ALI last year said it will be spending P8-10 billion until 2020 to expand Seda Hotel. — V.M.P.Galang

Starting small, but with grand designs


Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force
Nintendo Switch
FAIRY FENCER F was released in 2013 to mixed reviews. As a product of Compile Heart, it bore the weight of unrealistic expectations stemming from its association with the developer’s immensely popular Hyperdimension Neptunia franchise. And while it banked on a promising premise to propel its gameplay, its presentation on the Sony PlayStation 3 left much to be desired. It certainly wasn’t helped by its appearance on a platform about to reach the end of a long life cycle. More importantly, it suffered from uneven pace and character development, leading even the most avid Japanese role-playing game followers to rue its inability to meet its potential.
Under the circumstances, Compile Heart was compelled by necessity to act accordingly. Bent on setting things right and propelled by the arrival of the PlayStation 4, it took into consideration all the criticisms heaped upon Fairy Fencer F to come up with an improved — make that vastly improved — iteration. Indeed, Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force bucked its quick turnaround window to boast of more content and better presentation. The reception, needless to say, was positive, prompting its jump to the personal computer in 2017 and, early this year, to the Nintendo Switch.
Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force starts small, but subsequently fosters grand designs. It focuses on Fang, a loafer whose main interests are eating and sleeping, and whose quest for a good meal triggers an adventure slated to change the world. Newly arrived at Zelwinds City, he is spurred to action by the prospect of having his wish granted should he succeed in pulling a sword out from the ground. Instead of free food, however, his King Arthur moment makes him a de facto fencer thrust in the middle of a battle between good and evil. With Eryn, a fairy who hitherto inhabited the fury he freed, by his side, he embarks on a journey to collect an aggregate hundred of the special weapons and, in the process, awaken the goddess who holds the key to peace.
Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force sports an ambitious narrative, but is creditably able to keep the proceedings light as well. Protagonists are varied and richly layered, with character development aided by interactions that are laced with humor, if with the capacity to turn serious whenever appropriate. As is typical of Compile Heart creations, it gives way to some fan service and naughty dialogue, but with the view of keeping gamers engaged, and not to the point of distraction. Parenthetically, it winds up underscoring the importance of commitment and purpose to and in life without any hint of preachiness.
As with any other JRPG title, Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force’s merits ultimately hang on its combat system. And, in this regard, it manages to take advantage of its Hyperdimension Neptunia roots to highlight turn-based mechanics with refreshing freedom of movement sprinkled in. This results in brisk interactions that dovetail with the easy-to-navigate interface. Unique to the game is the “Fairize” option, which grant fencers the capacity to upgrade themselves once the proper gauge is filled; the opportunity to deal much heavier damage and avail of special moves can prove particularly beneficial in boss encounters. As an aside, difficulty levels can be adjusted at any time, a useful recourse in avoiding frustration.
Visually, Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force offers no stylistic changes from versions in other platforms. It looks vibrant on the Switch even as it remains unable to approximate the depth and sharpness of colors on the PS4. On the minus side, graphical slowdowns are evident on occasion, especially in portable mode. Load times are likewise longer by comparison, but not frustratingly so. Meanwhile, the soundtrack benefits from the contributions of Final Fantasy veteran Nobuo Uematsu, as well as from the excellent English voice acting. That said, the Japanese audio works best, augmented by on-point text translations.
In the final analysis, Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force manages to fulfill its objective. It’s superior to Fairy Fencer F in every way and no more complete than on the Switch; all of its downloadable content, separated from the core offering on other platforms, is available from the outset, and its brisk pace is perfect for on-the-go appreciation. It’s not perfect by any means; it suffers from noticeable frame drops, and its dungeon layouts lack variety. Then again, it provides not inconsiderable replay value; it branches out into three distinct storylines depending on gamers’ choices, with each coughing up multiple endings. At $39.99, it gives great bang for the buck and guarantees some 40-odd hours of engrossing play.
THE GOOD:
• Outstanding character roster and development
• Three distinct storylines with multiple endings
• Excellent voice acting and localization
• Engaging combat system
• Difficulty settings adjustable at any time
THE BAD:
• Evident frame drops, especially when the Switch is undocked
• Lack of variety of dungeon layouts
• Longer load times compared to PS4 and PC versions
RATING: 8/10
POSTSCRIPT:
Riot: Civil Unrest (Nintendo Switch) — Inspired by personal experience demonstrating against the construction of a train line connecting France and Italy, Valve editor Leonard Menchiari launched in 2013 an Indiegogo endeavor seen to propel the development of a game aimed at entertaining as well as educating. His intent was clear: Show both perspectives of conflicts by allowing gamers to side with either policemen or with dissenters. And depending on the initial choice, the interface can be either strategic or tactical in nature and experience.
To this end, Riot: Civil Unrest succeeds, and how. It features surprisingly deep gameplay featuring events that approximate real-world dissensions; four campaigns spread across Greece, Spain, Egypt, and, needless to say, Italy (along with some 30-odd single-level scenarios in such notables as France, Venezuela, Germany, and Argentina) are on tap.
There’s a learning curve, but the standardization of the interface across varied and diverse circumstances enables gamers to keep up with the frenetic pace. For all the initial planning, quick decisions are valued, and every action has consequences. Even public perception is taken into account in attaining long-term success. It’s an acquired taste all told, but, with the right crowd, one of ingredients mixed to last. (7/10)
Utopia 9 — A Volatile Vacation (Switch) — Mana Spark publisher QubicGames is back, this time with a twin-stick-shooter offering that showcases its versatility and knack for injecting humor in frenetic gaming. The premise is simple enough: Intent on taking a break from humdrum work, you get hooked by a red-eye television advertisement and arrange a stay at a tourist resort on another planet that promises you a heavenly time. Once there, though, you’re instead treated to a continual dose of hell that compels you to file a formal complaint with the travel agency you booked your trip with.
And this is where Utopia 9 — A Volatile Vacation offers up its quirky version of fun in roguelike fashion. Even as you begin with just your trusty suitcase as your melee weapon, you get to build your arsenal over time. Level progression is straightforward, with combat occurring largely in open space. Optional entry into structures can yield useful items, but opens you up to greater risk. Because controls can be forgiving, death should be expected. Fortunately, the game tries to balance the challenges with its nemesis system, which allows you to regain the weapons hoard you accumulated by killing the exact same enemy that previously did you in. Still, the gameplay leans toward the difficult, and not always for the right reasons. The top-down look helps, and the soundtrack keeps the tone light. (7/10)
Piczle Colors (Switch) — If you love Nonograms, look no further. An aggregate 300 puzzles sporting up to 15×10 dimensions await you as you try to correct your mistake and bring back color to the world. As with other games in the Picross genre, you use the numbers on the side of a given grid as clues to determine which blocks need to be left blank and which need to be shaded. There are twists, though: You are likewise required to know what colors to use in the process, and in what order they are applied.
You’re right to think you have your work cut out for you with Piczle Colors. In a nutshell: It’s hard. Hints are available, but if you’re a completionist, the only way you get to unlock all the collectibles is to stay away from in-game help. Under the circumstances, the bright visuals and catchy music tracks are decided pluses. Ditto with the interface, which makes full use of touchscreen functions. On the whole, though, the obstacles can lead to frustration and hinder your enjoyment of an otherwise-competent compilation of picture logic puzzles. (7/10)

BoJ to debate easing exit at right time, Kuroda says

THE BANK of Japan needs to communicate its exit plan at an appropriate timing. — REUTERS

TOKYO — Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said on Monday the central bank would debate and communicate at an appropriate timing an exit plan from its ultra-loose monetary policy.
Speaking at the upper house budget committee, Kuroda also underscored the need to watch out for the side effects of prolonged monetary stimulus such as the risks of causing instability in the financial system.
Kuroda said the BoJ did not have a specific exit strategy now because it would take “significant time” in achieving its 2% inflation target.
But he said an exit from ultra-easy policy would involve a hike in interest rates on excess reserves financial institutions park with the BoJ, and measures to shrink the central bank’s balance sheet.
“To ensure markets remain stable, it’s important to come up with a strategy and guidance at an appropriate timing on how to proceed with an exit,” Kuroda said.
“When the appropriate time comes, we will debate at our policy meetings an exit strategy and guidance, and communicate them appropriately.”
Kuroda also reiterated that the BoJ will “patiently” maintain its massive stimulus program to ensure inflation accelerates toward its 2% target.
“The economy is sustaining momentum for achieving the BoJ’s price target,” he said.
Kuroda has justified nearly six years of monetary stimulus, saying it has helped Japan escape deflation, boost company profits and create almost full employment.
When pressed by an opposition lawmaker for comment on the side effects from monetary stimulus, Kuroda said powerful monetary easing could distort the government bond market and disrupt financial intermediation.
“There’s a concern low-rate environment and competition will prolong downward pressure on financial institutions’ profits. As a result I’m aware of risks that financial intermediation could stagnate and financial system could become unstable,” he said.
“I don’t think such risks are large at the moment given that financial institutions are equipped with ample capital base. But I need to pay enough attention to future developments.”
Speaking at the same parliament session, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that he had confidence in Kuroda’s ability to guide monetary policy.
“Without bold monetary easing, Japan would still have been in deflation even now,” Abe said. — Reuters

SMC allots P1 billion for Tullahan River cleanup

DIVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is pouring in P1 billion to support the government’s cleanup efforts of the Tullahan River system.
SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang on Monday signed a five-year agreement with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu for the implementation of a comprehensive dredging and clean-up program for the 59.24-kilometer river.
The cleanup will start from the La Mesa Reservoir, and will pass through the cities of Valenzuela and Malabon before reaching the Manila Bay through Navotas City. This forms part of the DENR’s Manila Bay rehabilitation program.
“We are proud to partner with the DENR on this project. In the last couple of months, we have seen what can be done when our government has both political will and a clear understanding of what can be done to make a difference,” Mr. Ang said in a statement.
SMC has committed to implement a dredging and cleanup plan provided by the DENR to reduce solid waste and floating debris. The company will also lend equipment, manpower, and fund the equipment operations, including fuel and logistics cost.
The listed firm further vowed to assist in the DENR’s community mobilization activities.
SMC has previously launched efforts to clean up the Tullahan River since it operates its oldest brewery near a portion of the river in Polo, Valenzuela. In 2010, the company also partnered with the DENR to clean up for the Valenzuela part of the river that runs 1.7 kilometers.
Mr. Ang said the Tullahan River cleanup will change people’s perception of that it is a “dead river, an eyesore, and a health hazard.”
SMC has been ramping up its sustainability efforts over the years. Last month, it announced that it beat its target of reducing water consumption by a fifth in 2020, after being able to cut operational water use by 23% across its businesses last year.
SMC is also planning to revive about 12,000 hectares of coastal fishing areas in Bulacan, where it has proposed to build the New Manila International Airport. The airport proposal has already been approved by the National Economic and Development Authority, and is now set to be subjected to a Swiss challenge.
The conglomerate’s net income attributable to the parent slipped five percent to P19.86 billion in the first nine months of 2018, as gross revenues jumped 28% to P761.17 billion in the same period.
Shares in SMC climbed 0.7% or P1.20 to close at P169.50 each at the stock exchange on Monday. — Arra B. Francia

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