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Oct. 03- Oct. 10, 2011

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PRESIDENT NOY SUMS UP 4-DAY VISIT TO JAPAN

TOKYO, Japan — President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed anoverwhelming gratitude to the people of Japan and its government fortheir hospitality as he prepared to wrap up his very successful four-dayofficial working visit here.

During his traditional late evening engagement with the members ofthe Philippine media delegation, President Aquino said he was veryheartened by the fact that Japan decided to sustain its 9.2 billion yenofficial development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines, notwithstand-ing the earthquake and tsunami that swallowed its Tohoku region onlylast March.

“So there’s a commitment na ime-maintain ‘yung ODA assistance saatin eh. So in spite of their difficulties, handa pa rin silang tumulong saatin, paano naman hindi ikagagalak ng kalooban mo ‘yon, ‘di ba?” the

President told reporters, Tuesdayevening.

President Aquino also men-tioned that all the business lead-ers he met the entire Tuesday man-ifested keen interest to expand theirexisting investments in the Philip-pines, especially those that are in-volved in the energy sector.

Most, if not all, of the compa-nies producing power in Japan hadto voluntarily reduce their energyconsumption following the GreatEast Japan Earthquake, therebyprompting their owners to reviewtheir policy and consider transfer-ring some of their operations toother locations overseas.

President Aquino also men-tioned that Japan has reaffirmed itscommitment to continue assistingthe Philippines in its ongoingpeace process with the Moro Is-lamic Liberation Front as a memberof the International MonitoringTeam. He said Japan shall keep itsprojects under the Japan Bangsam-oro Initiative for Reconstructionand Development Program.

The Japanese government fur-ther committed aid to strengthenthe capability of the PhilippineCoast Guard — both in terms ofmanpower and equipment — in itsprotection of the West PhilippineSea in keeping with its bid for free-

dom of navigation.President Aquino said freedom

of navigation was very importantfor the Japanese since all their oilexports passed through the WestPhilippine Sea. He underscoredthat Japan has been very support-ive of the Philippines’ position tosettle the dispute among claimantcountries before the internationallaw.

The President, moreover, saidJapan through Prime MinisterYoshihiko Noda also expressedcommitment to look into the Phil-ippines’ problem with respect tothe low passing rate of nurses inthe country during the annual li-

censure exams.President Aquino said Prime

Minister Noda was “quite posi-tive” when he mentioned aboutthe problem of nurses in the Phil-ippines and the Japanese leaderpromised him that they will “reviewthe procedures and see if it is toostringent”.

“Pero, syempre, I don’t think he[Noda] is in a position to commitright now that we’ll have 3,000 bynext year, 5,000 by the other,” thePresident clarified. He, however,mentioned that there was an offerto invite 400 Filipino nursing stu-dents to study in Japan as part ofthe people exchange program.

12 Maguindanao poll officials readyto testify on 2004, 2007 poll fraud

Justice Secretary Leila De Limaon Wednesday said that 13 morewitnesses have expressed theirreadiness to help in the joint probeon the alleged electoral fraud dur-ing the 2004 presidential and 2007senatorial elections.

De Lima said one of the 13 wit-nesses would surface this week.

De Lima said that Comelec Chair-man Sixto Brillantes has alreadytalked to the witness, who ex-pressed willingness to execute anaffidavit.

De Lima said that 12 election of-ficers from Maguindanao willstand as “corroborative witness-es”.

De Lima said that some membersof the Department of Justice-Com-mission on Election (DOJ-Comelec) fact-finding team wouldgo to Maguindanao to gather thetestimonies of the 12 election of-ficers.

It would be more economical ifthe investigation team would bethe one to meet the 12 witnesses,De Lima said.

De Lima will meet members ofthe fact-finding team on Thursdayto evaluate the DOJ-Comelec ac-complishments so far.

Meanwhile, GMA’s camp dis-missed DOJ’s recent move as noth-ing but diversionary tactic.

Aquino witnesses signing of business deals with Japanese firmsTOKYO, Japan — President Benigno S. Aquino

III witnessed the signing of four business agree-ments designed to help improve the Philippine’economic progress and development.

The four agreements, which were signed onTuesday at the Imperial Hotel, follows:

— Partnership Agreement between the FederalLand and the Orix Corp. on their Grand Hyatt Projectwith Francisco Sebastian, chairman of the FederalLand Inc. and Yoshihiko Miyauchi, chairman andchief executive officer of Orix Corp. signing theagreement.

— Memorandum of Agreement between FirstMetro Investment Corp.n and Mitsui and Co. Ltd.with Federal Land, Inc. chairman Sebastian sign-ing the agreement on behalf of his company while

managing officer and chief operating officer TatsuoNakayama inking the agreement on behalf of the MotorVehicles and Construction Machinery Business Unit,Mitsui and Co. Ltd.

— Reservation Agreement and Term Sheet of INGAS-CO and other Clark Development Corp. with LawyerFelipe Antonio Remolio, president and chief executiveofficer of Clark Development Corp. and Masahiko Ki-tabatake, president of INGASCO, Inc. sealing the agree-ment.

— MoU between Transnational Diversified Group andNippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) Line with Xavi-er Delgado, director of Transnational Diversified Groupand Naoya Tazawa, representative director and seniormanaging corporate director of Nippon Yusen Kabush-iki Kaisha (NYK) Line signed the agreement.

TOKYO, Japan – President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and Japan’s new Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda spearhead the two countries’ Bilateral Summit Meetingat the Prime Minister’s Office during P-Noy’s state visit in Japan recently where he allegedly netted P4.1B in future investments.

Ala eh...!

NEWS2 Oct. 03 - Oct. 10, 2011Metro Express

LRT/MRT & THE METROPOLIS

OAAP says 20,000 billboard industry workers may lose jobsThe Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP) fears

that some 20,000 workers in the billboard industry may lose their jobs ifthe Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) insists inusing the new guidelines governing the billboard industry.

Though the group said they have no quarrel with the MMDA’s driveon erring billboards, they said the new guidelines are too restrictive andmay drive majority of their members out of business.

“We will follow on the law and are more than willing to follow on theprocess but we don’t want to lose our business,” OAAP president EdAcosta said.

The group noted that if the new policy is imposed on the billboardindustry, then at least 90 percent of the billboards along the 24-kilometerEpifanio Delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) will have to be dismantled as theywould have a hard time complying with the regulations such as theprohibition on roof signages and the 10-meter setback requirementsfrom the structure to the highway.

The group also questioned the provision of the new guidelines whichstate that “effective January 1, 2012, all existing billboard building per-mits, business permits and clearances shall be disregarded or cancelled,and all billboard sign owners shall be required to apply for clearances orpermits anew from their respective local government units, while own-ers and operators along major thoroughfares such as EDSA, C-5, RoxasBoulevard and Macapagal Avenue shall obtain a clearance from theMMDA.”

All billboard owners are also required to submit their existing permitsto the MMDA and their respective local government units for verifica-tion and validation.

MMDAAnti-SmokingCampaign inFull Swing

Metropolitan Manila Develop-ment Authority (MMDA) ChairmanFrancis Tolentino today clarifiedthat the Agency’s anti-smokingcampaign is in full swing, belyingrumors of the campaign being“here today, gone tomorrow.”

“As of September 21, the Agen-cy has apprehended 8,427 violators,7,878 of which are male, and 549,female,” said the Chairman. “Wenever eased up on our anti-smok-ing efforts,” he added, clarifyingthat a temporary restraining orderissued by a Mandaluyong judgeagainst the campaign prohibitedthe agency only from apprehend-ing violators in places not withinthe coverage of the Tobacco Reg-ulation Act of 2003.

The MMDA Chairman stressedthat the Agency’s anti-smoking ef-forts are in line with world-widesentiments, citing the May 2011United Nations Report of the Sec-retary General on Non-Communi-cable Diseases (NCDs), whichstates that NCDs have reachedepidemic proportions. In 2008alone, the Report stated, 36 millionpeople died from NCDs, represent-ing 63% of the 57 million globaldeaths that year.

The Report said the four mainNCDs are: cardiovascular diseas-es, diabetes, cancers and chronicrespiratory diseases, all of whichare caused or aggravated by tobac-co use.

“The (NCD) epidemic is fuelledby a combination of rising risk fac-tors, including tobacco use, an un-healthy diet, lack of physical activ-ity and harmful alcohol use. Thefour main non-communicable dis-eases that share those risk factorscause almost 80 per cent of alldeaths from such diseases,” saidthe UN Report.

The Report concludes that NCDsaffect the developing world andlower-income populations hardest.Quoting the Report, Chairman reit-erated that “unplanned urbaniza-tion, ageing populations and theglobalization of trade and productmarketing, particularly for tobacco,alcohol and food, have led to a risein the risk factors of such diseas-es.”

“We are determined to enforceanti-smoking laws,” Tolentino add-ed.

DBM releases P521.4 millionfor BJMP pay and allowances

The Department of Budget andManagement has recently releasedP521.4 million to the Bureau of JailManagement and Penology(BJMP) for the payment of its 8,747uniformed personnel’s base payand allowances.

Budget and Management Sec-retary Florencio B. Abad said thefund release is in line with the Aqui-no administration’s commitment tostrengthen the country’s jail man-agement system by ensuring theimmediate payment of salaries andallowances of BJMP personnel.

“The jail management system’sstrength depends not only on steel

bars and garrisons but also on themorale of jail officers. The least wecould do for our jail officers is toensure that they receive their payon time,” he said.

He noted that the total numberof BJMP uniformed personnel thatwill benefit with the release of pay-ment was validated against the list-ing of BJMP personnel providedby the Government Service Insur-ance System (GSIS).

He also noted that the amountreleased to BJMP does not includethe amount to fund the creation of500 Jail Officer 1 positions, whichwill be subject to a subsequent re-

lease.BJMP is one of the five pillars of

the Criminal Justice System to ad-dress the growing concern of jailmanagement and penology prob-lem. Most of the BJMP’s detain-ees are accused before a court thatare temporarily confined in jailswhile undergoing investigation,waiting final judgement and thoseserving sentence promulgated bythe court three years and below.

Under Republic Act 6975, theBJMP is mandated to take opera-tional and administrative controlover all city, district and municipaljails.

Manila City Council laudedfor thumbing down incinerators

Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian has announced that thelocal government is implementing an “Internet curfew” as part of itsefforts to ensure that students in the city do not get addicted to on-linegames and the like.

In line with this, Gatchalian said the city government is now conduct-ing a massive information campaign on City Ordinance No. 13, Series of211, also known as the Internet Curfew Ordinance.

The campaign aims to inform the public that in Valenzuela City, minorsor any person below 18 years old are allowed at internet cafés andcomputer rental and gaming shops from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. only.

Tarpaulins have been installed at conspicuous areas around the cityand posters are being placed at internet cafés and computer rental andgaming shops to spread awareness among the owners and operators ofsuch establishments that a new local law to regulate their operation is inforce.

The poster, featuring clear-cut text and a sketch of a school-age girl infront of a personal computer stamped with a red caution symbol, is oneof the series of posters and tarpaulins released by the Office of the citymayor through the Public Information Office, along with the posters/tarpaulins against selling of liquor and tobacco products to minors, andposters/tarpaulins on the prohibited hours of selling liquor and alcohol-ic products in the city.

Under the ordinance, minors shall be restricted to enter the Internetshops and cafés from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and beyond 9:30 p.m., allowingthem ample time of five hours and a half to do school research and homeworks.

“Minors lingering at internet shops till wee hours in the morning areamong the reported concerns from parents and concerned citizens alike,”Gatchalian noted.

The regulation of the allowable hours shall be fully-implemented ex-cept during weekends, holidays and school vacations. Any violatorshall be fined with a maximum of P5,000 and/or closure of the establish-ment and cancellation of the business permit.

Healthy environment leaders commended the Manila City Council forunanimously passing on Tuesday a resolution that effectively nippedin the bud proposal to burn Manila’s trash.

Through a resolution sponsored by Councilor Numero Lim of Ma-nila’s second district, councilors from various political blocs expressed“strong and vehement opposition” to the use of incinerators for gar-bage disposal as proposed by the Metro Manila Development Author-ity (MMDA).

The City Council cited health, environmental and economic reasonsfor rejecting incinerators, adding “that these devices are notoriouslyexpensive because of the energy required to burn garbage.”

In lieu of incineration, the City Council urged the government toenforce “with vigor and political will” proven waste prevention andreduction measures such as source separation, reusing, recycling andcomposting.

The resolution immediately drew a chorus of approval from variouscitizens’ groups that see waste as a resource, which should be recycledback to nature or commerce instead of being dumped or burned andcausing toxic pollution.

Valenzuela implements‘Internet curfew’

The wrath& manyfaces oftyphoon

‘Pedring’

President Noy is warmly received by Japan-based Pinoys upon his arrival at the Catholic Church Ishinomaki KinderGarden Building during his state visit in Japan last week of September.

BUSINESS 3Oct. 03 - Oct. 10, 2011METRO EXPRESS

NEW YORK CITY — President Benigno S. Aquino III has expressedexcitement over renewed interest by potential investors on the Philip-pine coconut, a Palace official said on Monday here.

Presidential Communications and Strategic Planning Office SecretaryRamon Carandang said that the President was in good spirits after a softdrink manufacturer as well as a Filipino and American company expressedtheir intent to invest on harvesting the natural and medicinal propertiesof coconut water and selling it around the world.

In separate courtesy calls at the Guggenheim Room of the Omni Berk-shire Hotel here, soft drink giant Pepsi Corporation (PepsiCo), Americanbeverage company Vita Coco and Filipino-based Fiesta Coco Equitytold the President of its respective investment plans for the Philippinecoconut.

Carandang said that PepsiCo, Vita Coco and Fiesta Coco Equity wereaware of the growing demand for coconut water in the United States andother countries as an alternative to carbonated sodas.

He said consumers were turning to healthier means to hydrate them-selves after working out or just quench everyday thirst from normalactivities.

Because of this, Carandang said that these companies were turning tococonut-rich countries as sources for their individual products.

“So these companies want to source the demand for coconut waterfrom the Philippines. So malaking opportunity ito for our coconut indus-try and for our farmers,” Carandang said.

Carandang also said that although PepsiCo did not throw out anynumbers during the courtesy call, the company was serious in its plans

Joint Fil-Am co to invest US$ 15-M in coco industryto expand its coconut harvesting operations in the Philippines becauseof its “huge potential.”

In a separate interview, Vita Coco co-founder and chief executiveMichael Kirben and Fiesta Coco Equity (FCE) president Romeo Chansaid that they had just signed an agreement to increase the productionand harvesting of coconut water.

Chan said that FCE, which has coconut plantation in Misamis Occi-dental, has pledged to supply the demand of Vita Coco.

The duo said that they had told the President of their company’spledge to invest US$ 15-million over the next four years not only toharvest coconut water but to do its part in preserving the resource byplanting more coconut trees in the country.

“Generally we discussed the coconut industry in the Philippines andhow there’s a lot of room to bring rebirth to the industry in general,”Kirben said.

“We expressed a lot of interest in the planting of coconut trees torevive the coconut industry because we noticed that a lot of the treesare senile and old,” Chan added.

Carandang meanwhile said the President was excited over the newinvestment prospects as these would help in his government’s povertyalleviation campaign through job generation.

“It (investment) is something rural communities can benefit from so itdovetails with the President’s anti-poverty through job generation cam-paign,” Carandang said.

“Kaya nga masaya siya eh…excited siya, excited si Presidente,” headded.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said thatthe quality of employment continued to improve this year, based on theNational Statistics Office (NSO) report on the July 2011 Labor ForceSurvey.

According to the NSO, the number of employed persons in July 2011was estimated at 37.1 million, or 2.4 percent higher than the 36.2 millionemployment generated in July 2010. Employment generation for the pe-riod reached 870,000, which is higher than the 729,000 net employmentin July 2010.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Cayetano W. Paderanga, Jr. notedthe continuous improvement in the quality of employment as the num-ber of workers with wages and salaries increased by 7.9 percent to 20.9million in July 2011.

“Filipino workers who are employed in the more remunerative andstable work comprise 56.3 percent of the total workers in July 2011 fromonly 53.4 percent a year ago,” said Paderanga, who is also NEDA Direc-tor-General.

The NEDA official also said that those categorized as self-employedwithout paid employee, employer in own family-operated farm or busi-ness and unpaid family workers decreased by 1.7 percent, 6.2 percent,and 8.8 percent, respectively, in July 2011 compared with July 2010.

“This employment performance in terms of class of workers impliesthat, in general, the quality of employment in the country has improvedduring the period,” said Paderanga.

The NSO also reported that in terms of working hours, the number offull-time workers, which comprised 64.9 percent of total employment,grew strongly by 697,000 or by 3.0 percent during the said period. Thenumber of the part-time workers likewise decreased from 34.7 percent inJuly 2010 to 34.1 percent in July 2011.

“Incomes may have also increased considering the increase in the

Employment quality continues to improve -NEDAsize of paid workers, full time em-ployment, and the mean hoursworked,” added Paderanga.

The Secretary said that the av-erage net employment creation forthe months of January, April andJuly 2011 now reached 857,000.

Meanwhile, the unemploymentrate slightly went up to 7.1 percentin July 2011 from 7.0 percent in thesame period last year due to morelabor entrants recorded this year,with the labor force increasing by2.5 percent, compared to the 1.3

percent growth in July 2010. The underemployment rate, or the propor-tion of those who are already working but still wanted more work, alsowent up to 19.1 percent, or around 7.1 million employed persons, possi-bly due to the higher uncertainties caused by the surges in world oilprices, the triple disasters in Japan, the slow recovery of the U.S. andEurozone, and the social unrest in the Middle East and North Africa(MENA) region, which increased the pressure to look for more work.

The NEDA chief said that the higher unemployment and underem-ployment rates indicate that policy interventions of the governmentmust focus not only in the creation of more employment, but also ingenerating more decent, productive, and quality employment.

“In this period of slowing global economy and slowing external de-mand for Filipino goods and services, quality employment should beable to provide adequate income. Aside from keeping our workers andtheir families out of poverty, this will also boost household consump-tion, and domestic demand in general,” said Paderanga.

1. Make a full stop at intersections withstop sign or flashing red light or solid whiteline painted across the road. A full stopmeans a complete cessation of move-ment, not a rolling stop.2. Yield to vehicle traveling a road with aright of way and those which have ap-proached the intersection first.3. Approach with caution or slow down atany intersection with yellow flashing traf-fic light.4. All motorists should pull over to giveway stop to emergency vehicles (RedLight/Siren).5. Observe proper lane usage and speedlimits, and give the proper signal to othermotorists.6. Obey all traffic lights and hand signalsof traffic officers.7. Load and unload at designated areasonly.8. No driving under the influence of alco-hol or prohibited drugs.9. No parking on yellow painted curbs.10. Always have driver’s license and lat-est vehicle registration when driving.11. Fasten seatbelt.12. No traveling downgrade on neutralgear.13. No wearing of headphone/earphonewhile driving.

WHEN IN SUBIC...TRAFFIC REMINDERS

AND ADVISORIES

HHIC-Phil president Jin Kyu Ahn (3rd from right) joins Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority directors led byChairman Roberto Garcia for a ceremonial pose during the naming-ceremony for the bulk carriers M/V StarBorealis and M/V Star Polaris at the Hanjin shipyard in the Subic Bay Freeport over the weekend.

PADERANGA

Toyota Motors to expand PHL operations —PalaceTOKYO, Japan — Multination-

al automaker Toyota Motors Corp.will expand its dealership networkin the Philippines from 29 to 65 by2016, thereby placing a P3.6 billionworth of fresh investments in thecountry that and generate about5,000 jobs for the Filipinos.

Presidential CommunicationsOperations Office (PCOO) Secre-tary Herminio Coloma, Jr. an-nounced this Tuesday followingPresident Benigno S. Aquino III’ssuccessful business meeting withtop executives of Toyota at theImperial Hotel.

Coloma said that with this freshcommitment, Toyota’s total investments in the Philippines reached P20billion. Their 2010 exports alone reached US$ 860 million, which consti-tute about 30 percent of the Philippines’ total automotive exports.

“They are now looking at a short-term project [worth] 170-million USdollars [for its] planned improvement for next generation components,manufacturing and localization of spare parts in connection with theirmanufacturing activities here [in Japan],” Coloma told reporters duringa press briefing held at Tokyo Kaikan.

Toyota currently has 35,000 employees in the Philippines and has anongoing corporate social responsibility project which is the reforesta-tion development in Peñablanca, Cagayan.

Coloma said Toyota plans to produce 100,000 cars by 2013 in time forthe celebration of its 25th anniversary in the Philippines.

Coloma said the 100,000 cars project pertain to Toyota’s actual pro-duction. They are currently manufacturing Innova and Vios models inJapan and are importing Camry and Lexus types along with many othercar models.

“For manufacturing facilities — they are looking at the feasibility ofestablishing a next generation components manufacturing plant. Theyare now using this term ‘next generation’— probably referring to hybridor electric cars — so there will be a higher degree of digitization in thecomponents of the next generation cars,” Coloma said.

Founded in 1937 by Japanese entrepreneur Kiichiro Toyoda, Toyotahas become the world’s biggest automobile manufacturer by produc-tion in 2010 and is now considered as one of the world’s largest con-glomerates in the motoring industry with Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd., Lex-us, and Hino Motors serving as its subsidiaries.

President Aquino, who is a known car enthusiast, recalled that hisfather, Senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Jr. used to drive a Toyota Crownsedan which was transferred to his possession later on.

Coloma said the President shared this particular memory to the Toyo-ta company officials led by Yukitoshi Funo (executive vice president),Michinobu Sugata (president, Toyota Philippines), and Alfred V. Ty (vicechairman, Toyota Philippines) as an “icebreaker” during their meeting.

“This was the car that he [President Aquino] inherited and he likeddriving the Toyota Crown. That was what came into his mind when hetalked with the people from Toyota,” Coloma said.

Aquino vows to settledigital TV issue by ‘12

TOKYO, Japan — President Benigno Aquino III assured that thePhilippines will soon complete its technical evaluation of its digital tele-vision format in the first quarter of 2012.

During a roundtable discussion between President Aquino and Japa-nese leaders, Marubeni Corp., one of Japan’s major companies raised itsconcerns over the Digital TV issue in the Philippines, Presidential Com-munications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma, Jr. saidin a media briefing in Tokyo.

Coloma said that the President told Marubeni that the National Tele-communication Commission was still evaluating the issue, given therapid developments in communications technology.

Coloma said that when the issue was first raised last year, the domi-nant standard was the European standard. There was a Europe I stan-dard and since then a Europe II standard has also come up and thePresident pointed out that the Philippines in the past adopted the be-tamax standard when the rest of the world had the VHS format, he said.

Settling the standard issues was the reason why the President want-ed a more deliberate technical evaluation process to ensure that therewould be no disruption in the social or cultural aspect, Coloma said.

“The President mentioned that watching television is a major activityamong our people, even citing that during the political campaign, theschedule of rallies at night had to be synchronized with the schedule ofthe popular telenovelas,” Coloma said.

“He said we don’t want any disruption arising from technology mis-match and this is why he said that the process is still ongoing. Hementioned that the decision on the technical evaluation would be com-pleted by the first quarter of 2012,” he said.

Top executives of Marubeni met the President Tuesday, committingseveral big ticket projects in the country in partnership with major Phil-ippine companies like San Miguel Corp. and Aboitiz Group of Compa-nies.

PHL domestic trade hit P107.6B in Q2

Hotel developer to put up project in Clark

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga — A famous hotel firm operat-ing in Batangas province is planning to duplicate the success of theirtourism-related business from Region IV-A inside this Freeport zone.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Felipe Antonio B.Remollo said the state-owned firm is currently evaluating the project ofFino Property Ventures Inc. (FPVI).

FPVI, developer of Ponterino Hotel & Residences located in Batan-gas City, is the newest trailblazer in the real estate industry.

The company aims to be an innovative lifestyle property developer inthe country by providing stylishly creative and value-based residentialsolutions to the needs of the upscale market.

The group is planning to put up hotels, serviced apartments, condounits, townhouses, office spaces, shopping arcades, restaurants, cafes,bars and event counters on the former Duty Free area along C.M. RectoHighway here.

Domestic trade grew by 3.6 percent to P107.60 billion in the second quarter of theyear from P103.91 billion in the same period last year, the National Statistics Office(NSO) said.

NSO data show that trade through water transport accounted for 99.3 percentamounting to P106.82 billion.

The total quantity of domestic trade transactions in the second quarter, on the otherhand, decreased by 12.6 percent, resulting to 3.70 million tons from 4.24 million tonsreported during the same period of last year.

The commodities were traded mostly through water comprising 99.8 percent.The NSO said food and live animals contributed the largest share among the

commodities transacted throughout the country in the second quarter with value amountingto P29.38 billion.

This was followed by machinery and transport equipment with P27 billion, whilemineral fuels, lubricants and related materials contributed P14.04 billion .

Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes had the least share of P1.37 billion.The agency said most of the traded commodities came from National Capital Region

with value of domestic trade amounting to P24.02 billion, followed by Central Visayaswith P19.35 billion; Eastern Visayas, P13.28 billion and Western Visayas, P12.02billion.

Cagayan Valley’s domestic trade contributed the least share among the regions withonly P75,000.

The hotel firm has a credible track record in the hotel and restaurantindustry and it plans to extend its wealth of experience in lifestyle cre-ative expertise in Clark through its quality service and hospitality whichthe Fino Property Ventures, Inc. is known for.

Some of the firm’s successful business ventures include Hotel Pon-tefino in Batangas, The Glass House, Malate Pensionne, Sidebar, andits well-established chain of fine dining restaurants–Chateau 1771, Por-tico and Sentro.

Security Bank to issue P10-B LTNCD; de-clares cash dividend

Security Bank Corp. on Wednesday said it plans to issue P10 billionworth of long term negotiable certificates of deposits (LTNCD).

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Security Banksaid its Board of Directors approved Wednesday the issuance of five toseven years LTNCD “subject to regulatory approval.”

SEC. COLOMA

OPINIONVIEWS, COMMENTARIES, OPEN FORUM

4 Oct. 03 - Oct. 10, 2011

Ismael ‘El’ AmigoEditor

Fitzgerald Cecil ioAsst. Editor

A.Z. KalArt Director

Eugene LabadanPR, Marketing & Circulation Manager

Benjie Alejandro, Ana Cheza Montana, Noel DolorEditorial Contributors

EDITOR’S NOTE: All commentaries and or opinions submitted by columnists and hereinpublished shall remain as personal opinion of Metro Express’ column writers. As such,these cannot and never be construed nor considered as similar to that of this publica-tion (Metro Express)’s stand on issues discussed. Be that as it may, Metro Expressshall not be held liable on any legal issues related/pertaining to, or any column/commentaries that may appear herein.

el amigo media solutionsPublisher

EDITORIAL

The Metro Express is published and distributed weekly by el amigo media solutions atPhilippine Economic Zones, LRT Lines 1 & 2, MRT, Congress, the Senate and othergovernment offices. For press, photo releases and advertising inquiries, text or callHotlines Globe 0915-5517486 and Smart 0949-1661022. Emails:2011metroexpress@gmail.com and esns03@yahoo.com.

Metro Express

ISMAEL A. AMIGO

1ST-APLUMA

BETTER LATETHAN NEVER

Thrash trashIf our editorial photo at right is vivid enough for your

eyes, you’d instantly notice the wide contrast between amammoth vessel (far right) and the outrigger bancaowned and managed not by a multinational company butby determined fishermen scavenging on dead fisheswashed ashore courtesy of typhoon ‘Pedring’ recently.

But think again.There is a bigger picture glaring at your very own eyes.Do you know what it is?“Ahhh....trash!” You’d say. “There is no other dominant

picture in it but the two vessels!”Unfortunately, you are both right and wrong believe

me you.“Right” in a sense that our

eyes are trained to noticethe dominant figures in apicture: In this case, thetwo vessels. That’s correct.

“Wrong” in a sense thatthe big picture that our veryown eyes missed is theamount of trash lining upthe shoreline within whichthe two vessels are seem-ingly floating.

Tons of trash, again gotwashed ashore along Ma-nila Bay courtesy of ty-phoon “Pedring” recently.

And that has always beenthe case every time a typhoon lashes the Metropolis, themorning after effect so to speak.

Typhoon in, and typhoon out. That has been the case.This simply means, that we need a lot of room for im-

provement on our drive to stamp out trash or to thrashtrash and preventing them from getting into our water-ways.

It’s good to note local government units speciallyMuntinlupa City embarked on a pro-environment initia-tive by banning the use of plastic bags in each and everymall, business establishment for groceries and othergoods.

Further, its good to note other LGUs are toeing theline.

For indeed, sooner or later, those plastic bags wouldclog waterways and finally the resultant factor of wide-spread flooding and decadence of the environment.

Waste segregation is now also being followed down tothe letter.

Unsegregated trash are left uncollected by trash col-lectors and that’s fine. That will forcibly teachhomeowners to segregate biodegrable waste materialswith biodegradable materials.

With it, recycling becomes a more easier task.There is money actually in trash provided these are

properly taken care of.It’s not too late yet for us to do our share in saving

Mother Earth.All we need to do is thrash trash. Let’s learn to dump

them on proper dumpers. Littering literally destroys theenvironment.

It should be everyone’s dream to see our rivers, shore-lines and waterways free of trash.

It’s not yet too late. We can help save the environmentin more ways than one.

Government agencies and the legislative departmentshould also get involved by coming up with decisivemeasures that will penalize violators to the hilt by mak-ing it a major crime against humanity and the environ-ment.

Stiffer fines should stiffly teach violators and preventthem from wantonly throwing waste materials into wa-terways and open spaces.

For indeed extreme measures are sometimes neededto solve extreme problems.

Your trash may not be in the real sense of the word asit is for indeed there is a lot of money in trash that is, ifwe manage them properly.

Even improperly, trash provides a lot of things to a lotof us with the living proof of it serving asthe main source of livelihood of many ofour less fortunate brothers and sisters whounfortunately also learned the hard les-son that a trashslide could also kill theminstantl in the infamous case otherwise known as the“Payatas Tragedy” not so long ago.

That was when trash segregation was an alien word yet.He may not have been the perfect chairman the Metro

Manila Development authority ever had but formerMMDA chairman Bayani Fernando made famous a linethat says “There is money in trash.”

So we do strongly believe for this writer was there whenthe Municipality of Montalban in Rizal Province steppedforward and volunteered to serve as willing host for allof Metro Manila’s trash; tons and tons of them.

This came to be known as the Montalban Solid WasteDisposal Facilities or in simplier terms: Montalban land-fill.

Soon the town of Montalban metamorphosed into a newdeveloping town in East Rizal, abuzzed with commerce

Trash talkand projects sprouting here and there.

Yup, talk about golden trash.And soon too, local officials got in the mix of things.

A legal tug-of-war ensued between the Provincial Gov-ernment and the local government unit ofMontalban as the former questioned thelegal standing of the latter as collectionagent on millions of trash tipping fees withthe MMDA.

A long legal standoff ensued dotted with back-to-backsuspension of the town mayor stemming from assortedcases filed with the Sandiganbayan both imagined andreal concocted by his opponents.

Imagined or real, this led to the local chief executive’sdownfall in the most recent elections together with hisown son’s candidacy. A cause and effect thing.

Had the situation nine years ago back then or beforethe elections of 2010 been the same with the LGU ofMontalban as direct recipient of MMDA TF payments,father and son could have given their opponents a goodfight in the name of trash.

Somewhere else, trash greatly matters. Millions ofpesos, in fact, more than enough to support and perpetu-ate one’s hold on political power are derived from it.

Next time a truckful of trash passes you by, smile.

If someone asked you, “Are you a Christian?”, what would yousay? Probably “Yes.” But what if they asked, “Why?”

That’s where a lot of us have problems. I could be stumped ifsomeone asked me that and tempted to say something like, “Well,my parents raised me as a Christian” or even, “Because I believe inGod.” But lots of people believe in God, and what if my parents hadraised me wrong?

No, that is not the reason I am a Christian. When it really comesdown to it, what would I say? What would you say?

The True Definition of a Christian. The reason you are aChristian is not because you do good things like go to church orread the Bible.

It is not because you were raised in a “Christian” home or nation.It’s not even because you believe in the concept of God.

It is because you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, theSavior of the world, and the King that will reign for eternity.

Your faith in Jesus is what makes you a Christian—pure andsimple.

The Proof.Look at this contrast of two men as proof. Jesus was hanging on

the cross between two criminals.Can you picture them? Neither of these men were “good” people,

but they had very different attitudes toward Jesus.The one made fun of Jesus, saying, “Aren’t you supposed to be

the Messiah? Prove it!”But the other one was deeply humble and replied, “We deserve

to die; this man doesn’t.”Then he turned and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come

into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).That’s the clincher: He truly believed that Jesus was the Son of

God.And Jesus’ response is the proof that salvation is by faith alone:

“I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise’" (Luke 23:43).

The True Definition of a Christian

That’s where a lot of us haveproblems. I could be stumpedif someone asked me that andtempted to say something like,“Well, my parents raised meas a Christian” or even, “Be-cause I believe in God.” Butlots of people believe in God,and what if my parents hadraised me wrong? No, that isnot the reason I am a Chris-tian. When it really comesdown to it, what would I say?What would you say?

Let It Sink In. Your sal-vation—eternal life whenyou die and the com-plete forgiveness of yoursins—is not a matter ofgood deeds, family heri-tage, or general belief inGod.

It is founded on yourbelief that Jesus is theSon of God, and that Hewill come back to bringyou into His great king-dom.

Let this simple fact bethe answer to those whoask you why you are a Christian and give you great peace.

Apply It: Explain to someone this week the true definition of aChristian.

Let us know if you did it by responding to this e-mail!

So this week, let us pray that:

We would understand the true definition of a Christian

We would be able to share it with someone else

Global Media Outreach would look to Jesus for its directionand example

THANK YOU so much for your prayers. If we can pray for you, justhit “reply” to this email and let us know your prayer requests. Godloves you!

Your Friends at Global Media Outreach

LEGIS/EXEC NEWSHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SENATE & EXECUTIVE BEATS

5

OBEYTRAFFICRULES!

So that others may live.

Oct. 03 - Oct. 10, 2011 ExpressMetro

TRUSTGOD.

Father Almighty. +

TOKYO, Japan — President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed his heart-felt gratitude for the support Japan, as the top donor country to thePhilippines, has extended for poverty reduction and economic develop-ment in the Philippines.

The President’s expression of gratitude was contained in a Joint State-ment after his first Bilateral Summit Meeting with Japanese Prime Minis-ter Yoshihiko Noda at the Prime Minister’s Office (Kantei) here.

In response, the Japanese official vowed to continue its assistance tothe Philippines as an important Official Development Assistance (ODA)target country.

The two leaders also emphasized the importance of the Japanese ODAloan project “Forestland Management Project” for disaster managementas well as addressing climate change.

They also welcomed the signing and exchange of notes for the projectthat took place on Tuesday also at the Kantei, Prime Minister’s Office.

At the same time, the two leaders welcomed the entry into force onApril 8 this year of the Agreement on Technical Cooperation betweenJapan and the Philippines.

President Aquino and Prime Minister Noda likewise decided to con-tinue to promote maritime connectivity in the Philippines and its sur-rounding area through their support for the “Maritime ASEAN Econom-ic Corridor,” the initiatives to contribute to the implementation of theMaster Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC), and cooperation underthe framework of the Japan-BIMP EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia,the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area), while coordinating with theComprehensive Asia Development Plan (CADP) formulated by the Eco-nomic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).

Aquino lauds Japan for support to PHLpoverty reduction, economic dev’t

The Department of Education has released some P330 million in producing science equipment, which wasdelivered to 435 public secondary high schools nationwide, to improve the students’ learning and apprecia-tion of science concepts and its applications.

Following this, DepEd through its National Science Teaching and Instrumentation Center (NSTIC) will holda national consultative conference on the use of science equipment in Cebu City to prepare teachers on theproper handling and maintenance of the equipment.

Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro said the NSTIC together with Regional Science Supervisors and BSErepresentatives will review and finalize the experiment and repair and maintenance manuals which will be usedfor the subsequent regional training workshops which is set to start in October to cover the country’s 17regions. NSTIC and the NSTIC-trained regional trainers will train one science teacher per science subject area(Integrated Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) in each recipient school.

“The training is very important for the science teachers to master the use and application of the new scienceequipment as well as the maintenance procedures to ensure long-term use of these equipment,” Luistroadded.

A stronger science and technology curriculum in basic education is in the ten-point education agenda ofPresident Aquino aimed at producing graduates who are geared towards a science and technology-driveneconomy.

Related to this, DepEd has added 100 new special science elementary schools this year, bringing to 200 thetotal number of elementary schools offering a specialized curriculum focused on the sciences.

“The marching order is for us to continue to find ways to develop a new generation of science andtechnology-savvy graduates who will bring us to new levels of economic progress,” explained Luistro.

The list of equipment, instruments, and science learning tools include:For Integrated Science: Aneroid Barometer, Assorted Glassware, Triple Beam Balance, Terrestrial Globe,

DepEd upgrades science teaching with new equipmentSeismograph Model, Anemometer with Wind Vane, Magnetic Compass, Connecting Wires, Magnets, Alco-hol Burner, Ring and Ball Apparatus, Various Conductor and non-conductor materials, Sun-Earth-MoonModel, Constellarium, Hydrometer, Rock Samples, Astronomical Telescope and Alcohol Thermometer, Maps,Map of World Climates, Map of Philippine Climates, Map of Philippine Volcanoes, Map of Starts, Posters,Layers of the Earth, The Richter Magnitude Scale and various consumables.

For Biology: Compound Microscope, Dissecting Set, Human Torso Model, Human Skeleton Model, AnimalMitosis Model, Assorted Glassware, Alcohol Thermometer, Triple Beam Balance, Cork Borers, Glass Slides,Assorted Chemicals and Consumables, Alcohol Burner and Safety Glasses and Home Gloves, Charts, PlantCell, Animal Cell, Development of an Embryo, Mendel’s Law, Gene Map of Human Chromosomes, FoodPyramid, and Flower and Seed Structure.

For Chemistry: Alcohol Thermometer, Assorted Glassware, Electrolysis Apparatus, Cork Borers, ReagentBottles, Triple Beam Balance, Alcohol Burner, Calorimeter, Burette, Pipette, Bunsen Burner, LGP Tank withgas, Osmosis Apparatus, Conductivity Apparatus, Condenser, pH Meter, Safety Glasses and Hand Gloves,Assorted Chemicals and Consumables, Charts and Cabinets for Corrosive Materials, Periodic Table of Ele-ments, Laboratory Safety Rules, Basic Laboratory Apparatus.

For Physics : Archimedes Principle Apparatus, Open U-tube Manometer, Air Blower, Light Bulb and DryCell, Set of Connectors, Resistance Box, Introduction to Ratio-activity Kit, Switches, DC Ammeter, DC Voltme-ter, Galvanometer, Set of Coils, Motor-Generator Model, Set of Hard Tools, Advanced Electromagnetism Kit,Graphing Calculator, Basic Electronics Kits, Fuse with Holder, Variable Power Supply, Turning Fork Set,Resonance Tube Set, Sound Signal Generator Kit, Loud Speaker, Wave Demonstration Set, DC String Vibra-tor, Musical Instrument, Basic Lens Set, Prism, Refraction Blocks, Refraction Tank, Student Optical Bench Set,Multimeter, Logic Gates Trainer and Assorted Glassware and Consumables Chart, Electromagnetic Spectrumand Radioactive Elements.

The planned fare increase in theMetro Rail Transit (MRT) and theLight Rail Transit (LRT) can beaborted if the two agencies will re-structure their operational con-tracts, Senator Chiz Escudero said.

Escudero, who has been oppos-ing the proposed train fare in-crease, said there are a lot of exist-ing options that the Department ofTransportation and Communica-tions (DOTC) can explore to ad-dress the huge subsidy it continu-ously shoulders for the rail trans-port systems.

“As I have always said, raisingfares should be the last option es-pecially at this time. Yes, we needto look for viable measures to ad-dress the deficits faced by the twoagencies. It is a challenge, but thebigger challenge for now is to re-structure the whole operations andcontracts to create benefits for theriding public,” Escudero pointedout.

The senator has been pushingthe government to collect its sharefrom non-rail revenues of the LRTand MRT. He said revenue shar-

Restructure MRT/LRTcontract to halt fare hike - Chiz

ing derived from the advertise-ments and lease operations of theMRT Development Corporation(MRTDevCo) and the LRTAshould be realized between thegovernment and the two agencies.

He said MRTDevCo has beencollecting and receiving incomefrom the ads and lease operations,but the Metro Rail Transit Corpo-ration (MRTC), which operates theMRT, failed to settle its outstand-ing debt to the government nowrunning into billions of pesos.

Early this year, Escudero hadasked the LRT and MRT adminis-trators to submit to his office a fullaccounting of their revenue shar-ing from advertisements and leaseoperations. The two agencies haveyet to comply.

“In other rails in the worlds, non-rail revenues are actually used tosupplement the income of the rail-way system itself so it can subsi-dize lower rates to commuters,” heexplained.

The senator said the govern-ment should get its rightful sharefrom these non-rail revenues so

that the country can implementwhat all rails in the world are do-ing: tap non-rail revenues to sub-sidize the fares.

As this develops, the senatorcautioned the DOTC and the LandTransportation Franchising andRegulatory Board (LTFRB) againstplans to sanction those who tookpart in the transport strike the oth-er day because this might infringeon their right to free expression andorganization.

“Such retaliatory action is puni-tive and reactionary especially giv-en the fact that valid issues wereraised by the protesters as shownby the creation by the DOTC of atask force to look into possiblecollusion and overpricing betweenand among oil companies,” Escu-dero said.

Since yesterday the (LTFRB) hasstarted drawing up a list of trans-port operators who took part in thestrike.

LTFRB chairman Jaime Jacobsaid they are preparing to chargeand penalize participants for vio-lating their franchise.

Paje endorses proclamation of Marikina watershed as a protected areaEnvironment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje has

endorsed to Malacañang the proposed proclamation of the MarikinaWatershed Reservation as a protected area pursuant to Republic ActNo. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)Act.

Paje signed the endorsement on Monday (Sept. 26) at the DENRSocial Hall in Quezon City follow-ing the signing of the “Statementof Commitment to Save the Mariki-na Watershed” by various keystakeholders pushing for its dec-laration as a protected area.

“We have recommended to Pres-ident Aquino the declaration of theMarikina watershed as a protect-

ed area. Once declared, the management of Marikina watershed will bechanged into a protected area management regime,” Paje said, addingthat under such a regime, exploitation and cutting of trees within thewatershed would be reduced.

Paje also said that the DENR, together with the Climate Change Con-gress of the Philippines (CCCP), the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foun-dation (PDRF), the Alliance of 7, Rizal provincial government, the MetroManila Development Authority (MMDA), the Laguna Lake Develop-ment Authority (LLDA), and all other stakeholders, has committed toplant five million trees from 2011 to 2016 under the National GreeningProgram (NGP).

“In the Statement of Commitment we just signed with other stake-holders, we will plant five million trees to rehabilitate the Marikina wa-tershed to enhance its water-holding capacity to reduce siltation andflash flooding,” Paje explained.

Paje, who is also a forester, explained that a forested area could pre-vent flash floods, as it would absorb most rainwater and release it slow-ly to the lowlands. Forest is also important in preventing or minimizingsoil erosion, according to him.

The commitment signing coincided with the second anniversary oftyphoon Ondoy which caused massive flooding in Metro Manila andseveral municipalities in Rizal. Among the signatories include Sec. NericAcosta, Presidential Adviser and General Manager of the LLDA; Atty.Francis Tolentino, Chairman of MMDA; Atty. Christian Monsod ofCCCP; Klaas Oreel of PDRF; Rizal Vice Gov. Frisco San Juan; and Sec.Paje.

As proposed the Marikina Watershed Reservation will then be knownas the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, and will covera total area of 26,125.64 hectares in the city of Antipolo and in the munic-

Cont’d on page 6

Police escort Philippine Airline (PAL) workers out of the Philippine Airlines terminal in Manila on September 27,2011, as striking workers staged a sit-in at Manila airport. Thousands of passengers got stranded after the groundcrew declared a surprise strike to protest the carrier’s plan to spin off its ground operations. PAL said some 103flights were cancelled, leaving 14,000 passengers stranded.

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda exchange notes of Foreign Ministers Koichiro Gemba and Albert delRosario at the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday (September 27).

SHOWBIZ6Sept.12 - Sept. 19, 2011

Metro Express

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Metro Express

ipalities of Baras, Rodriquez, San Mateo, and Tanay., all in the provinceof Rizal.

Paje also stressed that the declaration of the watershed as a protectedarea is imperative to maintain the life-support system in its natural con-dition and to conserve the rich cultural features and the threatened andendangered Philippine flora and fauna thriving in the area. It is also seenas a potential source of water supply for Metro Manila, and plays a vitalrole in regulating flooding in the low-lying areas of Rizal and MetroManila.

Among the endangered wildlife species found in the Marikina water-shed include forest trees like narra, red and white lauan, bagtikan, kama-gong, and molave; while the wild fauna include birds like the Philippinebulbul, black-naped oriole and jungle fowl; mammals like the Philippinedeer, wild pig, and the Philippine monkey; and reptile such as the mon-itor lizard.

DENR records indicate that the Marikina Watershed Reservation wasestablished by virtue of Executive Order No. 33, issued on July 26, 1904,thereby making it part of the initial component of the NIPAS.

Paje endorses Marikina...From page 5

AFTER showing some skin inthe television series “Sabel”, ac-tress Jessy Mendiola is back do-ing good girl role again.

Mendiola is set to appear onABS-CBN’s upcoming show “Bu-doy” opposite hunk actor GeraldAnderson.

“Thank God at hindi ako na-typecast sa ganoong role,” shesaid, referring to sexy roles.

Asked about her role in “Bu-doy,” Mendiola said, “Ibang iba posiya sa ‘Sabel.’ Sa ‘Budoy’ po verymuch good girl po ang role ko.”

Last month, Mendiola admittedshe has been receiving hate mailand negative tweets since shestarted to work with Anderson for “Budoy.”

It was reported that there are still members of Kimerald — fans of theloveteam of Anderson and actress Kim Chiu — who do not like Ander-son’s new leading lady.

After going sexy,Jessy playsgood girl role

Jessy is set toappear on ABS-

CBN’s upcomingshow

“Budoy”opposite hunk

actorGerald

Anderson.In an interview, Mendiola said she fully understands the reaction of

some fans.Members of Kimerald, however, have denied that the hate mail came

from them.

JESSE MENDIOLA

Piolo to give more time to KCPiolo Pascual assured everyone that he has enough time to spend

with girlfriend KC Concepcion despite his hectic showbiz schedule.For the next couple of weeks, the actor would be juggling his local

showbiz commitments and his album tour in Asia.According to Piolo, though he has work to do, he will make sure to

spend quality time with KC and he’s also excited with the upcomingproject of his girlfriend.

“Yung oras naman namin para sa isa’t isa eh hindi mawawala yun eh.May bago din siyang soap and I’m also really excited for her,” he saidin a television interview

To recall, the two had a rough days a couple of weeks back whichfueled the rumors that they called their almost one-year relationshipoff.

They then attended the Star Magic Ball together for the third con-secutive year and clarified they were able to patch all misunderstand-ing between them.

“Siyempre hindi natin maiaalis yun. Basta ako ang alam ko eh okaykami. Kung ano yung iniisip ng mga tao, bahala na lang sila.”

The actor is also looking forward to his upcoming primetime projectwith the Kapamilya Network. Though he’s not in liberty to reveal de-tails about the new teleserye, Piolo said it will be his first time to workwith his co-stars.

“It’s a dream project because yung mga makakasama ko eh first timekaming magtrabaho sa soap. I’m really excited.”

Ejay Falcon says no to casual sexFOR actor Ejay Falcon, sex

should only be done by coupleswho truly love and care abouteach other.

Falcon, who is part of ABS-CBNseries “Guns and Roses,” said itwas his father who told him to beextra careful when it comes to hav-ing sex.

“Kung hahantong doon (sex),dapat eh mahal mo ang babae athindi lang [tawag ng laman],” hesaid.

“Ang sinasabi niya (father)laging mag-ingat. Basta ‘yun angsinabi niya sa akin. Huwag kanggagawa ng isang bagay na pagsi-sisihan mo.”

Last year, rumors surfaced thatFalcon got a non-celebrity girl fromMindoro pregnant. The actor hasdenied the said rumors, which he

called “baseless.”He added that he can never leave

a pregnant woman behind.

EJAY FALCON

KC CONCEPCION

ORCOLLO, BIADOOFF TO GOOD STARTIN BSCP NATIONALPOOL CHAM’SHIPS

Billiard stars Dennis Orcollo and Carlo Biado got off to a blazingstart by posting victories at the start of the 2011 BSCP National PoolChampionships at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City onMonday.

A top player of Bugsy Promotions, Orcollo, who is also known as“Robocop,” edged veteran campaigner Edgar Acaba, 8-7, while fellowBugsy bet Biado beat John Salazar, 8-7.

Acaba, who led for most part of the match, tied the score at 7-alland had a golden opportunity of completing an upset win by gettingthe privilege of breaking in the 15th and final rack.

Unfortunately, Acaba scratched the cue ball while going for thebreak, allowing the current world no.1 Orcollo to run out the table.

“I got lucky he scratched in the final rack. I was struggling thewhole game, and was lucky to pull this one off,” said Orcollo,playing under the banner of sportsman/businessman Ceferino“Perry” Mariano.

A strong contender for the World Pool Association Player of theYear award, Orcollo was surprisingly trailing, 3-5, but won four of thenext five racks to take the driver’s seat, 7-6.

A dry break in the 14th rack allowed Acaba to get back at the tableand level the count at 7-all, setting up an exciting finish until disasterstruck in the 15th when he scratched while breaking.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINOIn contrast, Renemar “Revo” David, a former national junior

standout, scored the biggest upset win of the day by upsettingformer World 9-ball runner-up Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez, 8-7,while Jeffrey de Luna, a perennial contender and the strongestpowerbreaker in pool, showed up in tip-top condition by taking threestraight matches by beating Mario Tolentino, 8-3, to stay on thewinner’s bracket and extend his winning streak to three.

The power breaking De Luna asserted his dominance over MarioTolentino, 8-3, to stay on the winner’s bracket and extend his winningstreak to three.

Also keeping a perfect record were Johann Chua, Ricky Zerna,OFW Allan Cuartero and Rene Cruz.

Chua capped his run of victories with an 8-7 decision over RamonMistica.

Zerna also survived Oliver Villafuerte in another hill-hill encounter,8-7.

Cruz stunned comebacking Leonardo Andam, 8-5, to complete thelist of players on the winner’s bracket of the event that attracted 47participants.

Two notable players also got the early exit door – reigning nationaljunior champion Jonas Magpantay and veteran campaigner RamilGallego.

Relegated to the loser’s bracket early on, Magpantay lost 4-8, toAnjo Huelgas, kissing his hopes goodbye of earning a spot in theWorld Pool Summit.

Gallego also got the boot, bowing to Reggie Geronimo, 7-8.

“I got lucky he scratched in thefinal rack. I was struggling the

whole game, and was lucky to pullthis one off,” -- Orcollo (playingunder the banner of sportsman/businessman Ceferino “Perry”

Mariano)

SUBIC BAY, PHILIPPINES Oct. 03 - Oct. 10, 2011

www.metroexpressnews.yolasite.com

Metro-SubicMetro-SubicExpressExpress

F HEALTH &MYSTERIES

AITH,

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND SEMINAR Class 38 of Immanuel Series poses with elders, “auxies” and the Ecclesial Team lead by Fr. Jess Fernandez, Team Couples Bro. John & Sis. Nitz Calamiong and Bro. Sonny and Sis.NItz Baquiran for posterity during Immanuel Series’s Marriage Encounter Weekend Seminar last Sept. 9, 10 & 11, 2011 at La Verna Retreat House, Tagaytay City. Immanuel Series is a member of M.E. Tuklasan Sector. Not in photo areseries servant leaders Bro. Smack and Sis. Bobitte Amigo. Class 38 includes couples Jon and Enid Matriano, Jose and Rosalyn Aquino, Steven and Michelle Joaquin, Edward and Michelle Lumabi, Rexmelle and Nemalyn Decapia,Edmund and Imee Rivera, William and Rosemary Perea and couples Robert and Clarivel Nagar.

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Han-jin Heavy Industries and Con-struction Co.-Philippines (HHIC-Phil) launched two newly-builtbulk carriers during a vessel-nam-ing ceremony held at its shipyardhere on Saturday.

The vessels, which were namedM/V Star Borealis and M/V StarPolaris, have an individual capac-ity of 180,000 deadweight tons anda gross tonnage of 93,681 tons.Both vessels are 292 meters long,

Hanjin launches 2 new vessels45 meters wide and 24.75 metersdeep.

The ships were purchased byStar Bulk Carriers Corp., a globalshipping company basedin Athens, Greece, providingworldwide seaborne transporta-tion solutions in the dry bulk sec-tor.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Au-thority (SBMA) chairman Rober-to Garcia, Olongapo City mayorJames Gordon, Jr., HHIC-Phil pres-

ident Jin Kyu Ahn, as well asStar Bulk president Spyros Capra-los graced the event. NicolettaPanayiotopoulos and Danae Ca-pralos served as sponsors in theceremony.

In his message, SBMA Chair-man Garcia extended his apprecia-tion to HHIC-Phil for continuingto contribute to Philippine eco-nomic development through itsshipbuilding operations in thisfree port.

“As you maybe well aware of,because of Hanjin’s presencein the Philippines in the past fewyears, the Philippines has comefrom nowhere to become the fourthlargest shipbuilder in the world.And I congratulate President Ahnand his staff for the magnificentjob that they have done here inSubic Bay,” he said.

Garcia also welcomed Hanjin’splans to expand the shipbuilder’spresence in Subic Bay, saying thatthe SBMA has already reservedan additional 200 hectares for suchpurpose.

“We hope that in a few years,the Philippines will go from num-ber four to number one in theworld,” Garcia said.

“We hope that you will contin-ue to contribute to the economy,not only in terms of the produc-tion of ships but also in creating,

especially, more jobs for Filipi-nos,” he added.

For his part, Star Bulk presidentSpyros Capralos extended his grat-itude to Hanjin for making top-quality ships for his company.

“Today’s ceremony is of highimportance because StarBorealis and Star Polaris are thecompany’s first new-building ves-sels ever,” he said in his address.“We are very pleased, not onlywith the superb construction qual-ity, but also with the safety recordof the construction since therewere zero incidents.”

Capralos also said that Star Bulkand Hanjin share the same visionfor better and more effcient shipsthat will suprpass the strictest glo-bal safety and environmental stan-dards.

“We acknowledge the effortsmade to ensure that our vessels

were designed with low-waste lev-els and highly-efficient plans andequipment to support low-energyoperation. Improving energy effi-ciency is critical not only becauseit reduces emissions, but also be-cause it directly affects our stabil-ity,” he said.

After the unveiling ceremony,both vessels were blessed in aGreek Orthodox Church religiousrite. A tour of the vessels and aceremonial horn-honking immedi-ately followed the blessing.

HHIC-Phil, which is located atSubic’s Redondo Peninsula, hasthe two largest drydocks in theworld. Its operations here nowmake the Philippines the fourth larg-est shipbuilder in the world.

The Subic shipyard currentlyemploys 22,000 skilled workersfrom various local communities.

SBMA Media BureauDanae Capralos, daughter of Star Bulk Carriers Corp. president Spyros Capralos, prepares to cut the rope to unveil M/V Star Polaris,one of the two bulk carriers that were named at the Hanjin shipyard in the Subic Bay Freeport over the weekend.

It has already been a couple ofweeks before we filed our lastpiece in this corner.

Mea culpa.And as such apologies is on

the line.The reason is, yours truly has

been so preoccupied lately withpreparations for our weekendseminar in our MarriageEncounter community,particularly, Immanuel SeriesTuklasan Sector.

Marriage Encounter:A must for couples

The Ecclesial Team of Class 38 ledby Fr. Jess Fernandez (center) TeamCouples Bro. John and Sis. NitzCalamiong, Sis. Nitz and Bro. SonnyBaquiran.

This entailed fund-raising andeverything.

The M.E. is an apostolate formarried Catholic couples whereI and my better half Esperanzaserve as Head Servants,punong tagapaglingkod sapaglalapit ng Ating PanginoongHesukristo sa mga mag-asawahan.

As I write this piece, ourseries was in the middle ofthings preparing for our very

first reunion of new graduates inClass 38 at the TechnologicalUniversity of the Philippines inTaguig City last Sunday,September 25, 2011.

Expected to attend were theeight newly-minted encounteredcouples and of course, the eldersof our series.

Former Tuklasan presidentcouples Bro. John and NitzCalamiong volunteered to presideover the proceedings of the first

reunion, which normally takeslonger than the rest of otherreunions as it involvesintroduction of elders, couple bycouple for familiarizationpurposes for the benefit of thenew grads.

Without getting into the nitty-gritty of the M.E., this worksalmost similar to that of theCouples for Christ but somepeople say there is somethingwith M.E. that cannot be found

nor experiencedat CFC althoughthey do havesimilar reasonsfor being.

Both havesimilar focus andintroducing ourGod Almighty,our Creator JesusChrist, thesupreme symbolof divine love for

married couples.A good clue for the uninitiated

is this: Once you attended aweekend seminar for M.E.,everything will not be the sameagain.

Couples have to allowsomeone in, at the center of theirmarried life: God.

Another clue is: the M.E. isnon-reformative.

Meaning, there are noguarantees.

No guarantee that an alcoholichusband or wife will be reformedovernight.

No guarantees that aphilandering husband willchange overnight, etc.

But, but, but. There is but oneguarantee: God will always makea way. God bless to all !

Immanuel Series: One big happy family in Jesus Christ. Fr. Agot (10th from left) obliges for aphoto op with elders of Immanuel Series shortly after giving an inspiring talk on commitment a week beforeIS’s ME Weekend Seminar. Bro. Fred (extreme right) and Sis. Judith Bugaoisan (fourth from left) hosted the Series’ recollection.

Subic Bay, PHILIPPINES Oct. 03 - Oct. 10, 2011

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Hanjinlaunches 2new vessels Officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and local government units in Olongapo City and Zambales join

owners of M/V Star Borealis and M/V Star Polaris for a ceremonial picture-taking during the naming-ceremony of thetwo newly-built bulk carriers at the Hanjin shipyard in the Subic Bay Freeport recently.