Japan to develop 180-kilometer commuter railway in Philippines

The Japanese government will be extending a loan package for the development of the 180-kilometer long Clark, Pampanga to Los Baños, Laguna commuter railway, also known as North-South Commuter Railway.

“The Government of Japan will also extend support for the integral development plan of the North-South Commuter Railway covering about 180 km between Clark, Pampanga and Los Baños, Laguna, with the understanding that yen-loan will also be extended for this project,” said in the joint statement released after the bilateral meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The North-South Commuter Railway will be composed of 38-kilometer Tutuban to Malolos line also known as PNR North 1, 69.5-kilometer Malolos to Clark New City or PNR North 2, and the 72-kilometer Tutuban to Los Banos, Laguna also known as PNR South Commuter.

Moreover, the joint statement said that “the two governments will finalize the basic concept for the establishment of the Philippine railway institute, including assistance for its physical construction as well as operational needs.”

“The two Governments will further cooperate towards the quick and sure commencement of operation of these railway projects,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Bicol Express also known as PNR South Long Haul is also in the pipeline to be funded by China.

P355.6-B Metro subway project on track – Tugade

The country’s first subway system, the P355.6-billion Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) from Quirino Highway, Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Complex, Parañaque City, is on track, with one segment to be completed in advance by second quarter of 2022, Department of Secretary Arthur P. Tugade yesterday announced.

Pre-construction activities for the segment of the Official Development Assistance (ODA)-financed project, which will be partially operational in five years, will be completed within the fourth quarter of this year to the third quarter of 2018.

These include preparing the world-class design of the subway system, which will feature water-stop panels, doors, a high-level entrance for flood prevention, earthquake detection, along with a train stop system, just like subways in Tokyo.

It also includes acquiring the Right-of-Way (ROW) and bidding out of construction and supply packages.

Groundbreaking for the segment was scheduled in the 4th quarter of 2018 and all activities leading to this are on track, he confirmed.

Originally, the subway project was slated to be completed in 2025 but the DOTr negotiated with the Japanese government to complete one segment in advance.

During President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Japan last month, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirmed his government’s commitment to realize the partial operability of the MMSP, one of the Duterte Administration’s flagship projects under the Build Build Build program.

The Exchange of Notes, the binding commitment of the Japanese government to finance and support the subway project, will be signed during the ASEAN Summit this month while the Loan Agreement will be signed in January, 2018.

Star Cinema releases ‘Mayhem’

“Mayhem,” the latest directorial job of Joe Lynch, is being distributed by Star Cinema. The movie has so far won four awards : These are the Audience Award at the Chattanooga Film Festival 2017, the Fantasia Bronze Audience Award 2017; the Official Selection Motel/X Lisbon International Horror Film Festival 2017; and the Official Selection SXSW Film Festival 2017.

“Mayhem” stars Steven Yeun, Samara Weaving, Dallas Mark Roberts, Caroline Chikezie, Mark Stewart Frost, Kerry Fox, Lucy Chappell and Steven Brand. This is Lynch’s third film premiere in Austin and first for SXSW. Lynch’s previous films include cinematic classics as “Wrong Turn 2: Dead End,” “Everly, Knights Of Badassdom” with Salma Hayek in the lead role.

The story of “Mayhem” goes: A dangerous virus, one that prevents the infected from controlling their inhibitions, is discovered in a corporate law building, the very same firm that recently cleared an infected man on murder charges. When a quarantine is issued and the building goes on lockdown, all hell breaks inside, while a disgruntled employee (Yeun) and an irate client (Weaving) must fight and even kill their way to the top to have a word with the corrupt executives who wronged them before time runs out.

“Mayhem” is now in cinemas nationwide.

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Guitar competition

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a collection of heritage houses, is giving tribute to Filipino heritage through guitar competition, Himig Ng Panahon on Nov. 18.

The nationwide competition will culminate at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan. Jerry Acuzar, an advocate of Filipino culture and traditions, said he would like to revive the diminishing classical guitar-playing through the competition. “We want to keep it alive and support its longevity.”

Those interested to join may call Live Artists Production, Inc. (9202643/9260556). The winner will receive P100,000, the 2nd and 3rd placers will get P50,000 and P35,000 respectively. P5,000 will be given to 12 contestants as consolation prize..

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 9, go to Janice de Belen, Dr. Elenita Binay, Alice Tanchanco, Beth Nieva, Estela Adriano, Jojo Terencio, Viring Santos, Nancy Marcial, Dr. Ely Medina, Willy Espiritu, Tuesday Vargas, Basty Alcanses, Atty. Ferdie Topacio, Patch Arbas, and Chona Evangelista… Nov. 10: Arnel Patawaran, Merci Molina, William Uy, Ditas Lerma, Ding Zamora, Ross Ocampo, Amadeo Dacanay, Nimfa Torres, Nina Salgado, Dahlia Martinez, June Sapigao, Corazón Endozo, Norma Lozano, Tessa Mangahas, Robert Rivera, Avelina dela Ría, Samuel Dionisio, Jeremie Antiporda, Rafael Rosell, Lyn Ochavez and Pauleen Luna-Sotto…