Marian at Enchong nagsingilan!

Tumawag ng pansin sa social media ang picture ni Marian Rivera kasama si Enchong Dee. Nakasaad sa caption ni Enchong sa Instagram ang, “@maximuaexandros your beautiful ninang @marianrivera said hvordan dai det? Dere begge er sa sote.”

Inakala ng followers ni Enchong na inaanak siya ni Yan Yan. Pero itinama siya ng isa pang follower niya ang komento na ninang si Marian ng anak ng kapatid ng aktor na si AJ Dee.

Tugon naman ni Yan, “Hahahaha miss you!” Sinundan niya ito ng, “@mr_enchongdee oo dami ko n utang sa inaanak ko wahahaha – babawi si ninang.”

Norwegian ang language dahil nasa Norway na si AJ nga­yon. Dating magkasama sa isang management company sina Marian at AJ na pinamunuan ni Popoy Caritativo.

Kahit magkaiba ng network, hindi isyu ito kina Marian at Enchong upang hindi magkasundo, huh!

Marvin, ‘love’ ang birthday wish!

Throwback ang inilagay na litrato ni Marvin Agustin sa kanyang Instagram kahapon, ang araw ng kanyang 39th birthday. Pabiro ang caption niyang, “Sabi na nga ba e, bata pa lang cute na ko! 39 years na akong cute! Thank you sa lahat ng birthday greetings,” bahagi ng caption ni Marvin sa lumang pic.

Heto naman ang kalakip niyang birthday wish:

“My wish is for all of us to be more kind, understanding, respectful and helpful to everyone and everything around us. Let’s choose to love and not to hate. Mas masarap magpasaya ng tao kesa mana­kit. Mas masaya magpangiti kesa magpaiyak.”

Naging sentro ng malisyosong tsismis ka­­ma­­kailan si Marvin dahil sa naka­raang biyahe niya sa Japan, na­ka­sama niya ang kaibigang si Markki Stroem. Hindi na lang niya pinatulan ang ibinabato sa kanyang tsismis.

Masaya kasi ngayon si Marvin dahil sa patuloy na pagtangkilik ng manonood ng kinabibilangang series na Kambal, Karibal dahil ilang araw na nitong tinatalo sa ra­tings sa AGB Nielsen ang katapat na programang La Luna Sangre, huh!

Interaksyon hindi tsutsugiin

Ini-launch na ng ESPN TV5 ang Philippine edition ng ESPN.com at ESPN Player bilang bahagi ng ESPN5 Licen­sing and Sponsorship collaboration.

Ayon kay Chot Reyes, TV5 President, “We are proud to be able to feature Philippine sports news, stories from the PBA, PSL, Gilas and other sporting events TV5 lovers as part of ESPN’s digital platforms. Now we can truly give our audience the broadest array of sports content when they want it, where they want it,” pahayag ni Coach Chot sa launch last Monday sa Raffles Hotel Makati City.

Sa ngayon, na-produced na ng sports network ang local edition ng SportsCenter last December. Ayon kay Reyes ang mga host dito ay hindi basta matatawag na news reader dahil sila mismo ang gumagawa ng istorya nila.

Pero kahit may pagbabago sa landscape ng primetime programs sa ESPN 5, tuloy pa rin ang news prog­ram nitong Interaksyon na nabalitang mawawala na.

“Interaksyon is Media Quest concern. We are TV5. Interaksyon is not going away. It’s still gonna be there. Now, it’s going to be part of the entire Media Quest umbrella,” pahayag ni Coach Chot.

Trial run on Little Mount-DMS Metro line in February

Chennai metro rail limited (CMRL) will commence the crucial first ‘trial run’ between Little Mount and AGDMS stations in a week’s time.

Chennai: Senior CMRL sources told DT Next that they have scheduled the run on the 4km stretch, which would soon extend metro connectivity to the city’s arterial road, Anna Salai, in the first week of February.

A four-car metro train would be taken on the underground stretch with officials on board. Trains would be operated at peak speed (70-80kmph) during the trial run, though the average operational speed is only 35-40kmph. Incidentally, metro officials had operated a four-car metro train from Nehru Park to Chennai Central (2.5kms) only last Friday. CMRL has planned to open Nehru Park – Chennai Central and Little Mount – DMS stretches together sometime in March after the successful completion of the inspection of commissioner of metro rail safety.

Though CMRL had originally planned to open the entire Anna Salai stretch in mid2018, partial opening from Little Mount to DMS was taken up owing to delay in completion of tunneling from Thousand Lights to DMS, where rocky terrain had affected the work progress.

So much so that CMRL had to delay one of its “wall breakings” at DMS a few months ago after the cutters were blunted by the tough terrain. If all goes to plan, Anna Salai would be offered partial metro rail cover and the crucial Airport – Chennai Central link established in a couple of months.

COMMENTARY: Affordable housing via transit-oriented dev’t

The “Build, build, build” program has opened a great opportunity to reduce the massive lack of affordable housing that previous administrations failed to solve.

One major project under the program is the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), a mass transit system with 35 stations stretched over four provinces from Clark International Airport in the north to Los Baños in the south.

The NSCR is expected to attract further urban development, especially around its stations, similar to the commercial facilities and condominiums that sprouted around the stations of the LRT and MRT lines in Metro Manila. The 35 NSCR station areas offer a significant opportunity for the construction of affordable housing units within a short commute via the commuter railway to centers of livelihoods and employment. For example, a resident in a condo unit near the Malolos City NSCR station can get to Tutuban in 30 minutes.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency has projected Metro Manila’s population of around 13 million to reach over 16 million in 2035, thus making it even more congested. Last year, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council estimated the housing backlog in the Greater Capital Region to be over 800,000 units, with 2.4 million people living in danger zones. In 2013, the Department of Public Works and Highways reported that there were 19,440 informal-settler families living in eight priority waterways that needed to be cleared and improved to prevent future widespread flooding.

Attempts by previous administrations to relocate these informal settlers to disaster-free areas have failed miserably. The main problem is that most of the relocation sites are in places too remote from centers of livelihood and jobs. The families find the travel time too long and expensive, and most of the resettlement sites do not have schools, health centers and other community facilities.

The NSCR presents a possible solution to this problem through transit-oriented development that includes sites for affordable housing around the stations. But this will require collaboration between the government and the private sector, particularly landowners and developers, local government units, and relevant national government agencies.

There are laws and standards that can be used to implement the solution. One, Republic Act No. 7279 (the Urban Development and Housing Act, as amended), mandates “balanced housing.” This requires private developers to allocate 15 percent of the total area or total project cost of a subdivision and 5 percent of saleable area or total project cost of a condominium for socialized housing. The Local Government Code also empowers LGUs to formulate and enforce zoning laws and implement local housing programs.

The guidelines and standards of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board can also be applied to support the provision of affordable housing in the NSCR station areas. Pag-Ibig housing loans can be prioritized for such projects. The Board of Investments also can grant incentives to private companies who develop such housing units for their employees.

The LGUs where these stations are located can also benefit from the initiative. With the expected large number of people using the railway, commercial establishments will multiply around the stations, generating additional livelihood and job opportunities for the local population, and increasing LGU revenues.

Because of the NSCR’s national significance and the critical support needed from national agencies, the government has to take the lead role in planning and orchestrating this initiative. The large number of stakeholders involved requires a clear definition of their respective roles, duties and responsibilities as well as their working interrelationships. The LGUs have a critical role to play since the station areas are within their territorial jurisdiction.

If the project is implemented effectively, the NSCR station areas can accommodate at least 95,000 housing units, benefiting some 473,000 people. It’s an opportunity that the government should not miss.

* * *

Nathaniel von Einsiedel, an urban planner and architect, was commissioner for planning of the Metro Manila Commission (now MMDA). He joined the United Nations as regional director for the Asia-Pacific of the Urban Management Program. He has since returned to the Philippines and now specializes in consultancy services for sustainable and resilient cities.

Read more: https://opinion.inquirer.net/110620/affordable-housing-via-transit-oriented-devt#ixzz55enlbLPr
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

A colossal deception

A case study of corruption, cronyism and regulatory capture…

WRITTEN by veteran investigative journalist Rigoberto D. Tiglao, “this book exposes one of the biggest deceptions ever foisted on the nation, which has hidden from it foreigners’ complete domination of our telecommunication industry and certain other public utilities, a blatant violation of the Philippine Constitution. Former President Benigno S. Aquino III defied in 2012 a Supreme Court ruling ordering a stop to the foreign control of such strategic public utility.”

According to Tiglao, “Foreign ownership in Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. [PLDT] and Globe Telecom [Globe]—the duopoly in the lucrative telecom industry—are 76 percent and 73 percent, respectively, way above the 40-percent limit set by the Constitution on public-utility firms. The Constitution’s Section 11, Article XII indeed is quite categorical: ‘No franchise, certificate, or any other form of authorization for the operation of a public utility shall be granted except to citizens of the Philippines or to corporations or associations organized under the laws of the Philippines, at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens.’”

In his well-researched book, Colossal Deception, in 171 pages published in 2016 by Strong Republic Books and The Manila Times Publishing Corp., Tiglao said: “To skirt this constitutional limit, these foreign-controlled firms have claimed and widely propagated the falsehood, that they are majority Filipino-owned: PLDT claims its foreign ownership is just 18 percent, while Globe, 27 percent.”

“With such fabrications,” he explained, “foreigners have been able to control, mostly own, and profit from the country’s telecoms industry, a strategic sector of the economy that exploits sovereign natural resources and the radio spectrum, mobile telephony’s medium. This fact has been concealed from the Filipino nation since 2000.”

He explained: “In just about 15 years, an Indonesian magnate, Anthoni Salim, the biggest, controlling stockholder of PLDT through his Hong Kong-based firm First Pacific Co. Ltd. and its subsidiaries used the telco as his launching pad to establish and expand in the country a conglomerate even bigger than those built over so many decades by the old Spanish and Chinese-Filipino elites.”

“Salim, through First Pacific, now controls and mostly owns the biggest conglomerate of public-utility companies in the Philippines. Its 26-percent shares in PLDT make it the controlling stockholder in the country’s biggest telecommunications firm that has 70 percent of the telecom market. Its two other huge public-utility firms are Manila Electric Co., which has monopoly of power distribution in Metropolitan Manila and six adjacent provinces, and Maynilad Water, the water-distribution monopoly for the western part of the metropolis. It also has a major mining company, Philex Mining and Exploration, with its four oil and gas exploration subsidiaries, one of which has as its area of exploration in a disputed area in the Spratlys islands,” Tiglao said.

He further explained in the overview of the book in Chapter 1, thus:

“Through his holding firm MPIC, Salim controls Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., now the biggest toll and expressway operation in the country managing the North Luzon Expressway, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and the Manila-Cavite Expressway.

“Under President Aquino III’s administration, First Pacific has expanded rapidly and bagged the contracts for the country’s biggest infrastructure projects.

“In 2013 55-percent controlled Salim consortium was chosen to build the P65-billion Light Rail Transit [LRT] Line 1 Cavite Extension, the biggest infrastructure project awarded under the Aquino regime. In 2015 Salim led the consortium that won the bidding for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway project with its offer of P27 billion, P5 billion more than the next highest bidder, a group led by San Miguel Corp.

“Either because of Salim and his partner, the Ayalas’s persuasive genius or, allegedly, their strong influence with President Aquino, thrown in into this project was the award of the construction of the LRT-MRT common station in Quezon City to the consortium, which moved its location from its original site at SM City North EDSA to the nearby Trinoma mall of the Ayalas—who are Salim’s partners with a 35-percent stake. This government decision was so irregular that the owner of the SM group, the Henry Sy family who were originally members of the consortium, has sued government, even elevating the case to the Supreme Court, and the project was suspended.

“In partnership with the Ayala group, the Salim conglomerate also won the P1 billion worth of projects to operate an automated fare-collection system for the mass- transit lines. Other infrastructure projects awarded to Salim’s group by the Aquino Administration are the P11-billion North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) Harbor Link, the P7-billion Nlex Citi Link and the P12.4-billion Connector Road/Metro Expressway Link. The group has diversified into bridge construction, as well, with its P18-billion project to build the Cebu-Cordova Bridge.”

Tiglao added: “The last time in Philippine post-war history that a foreigner wielded such economic power in the country was in the 1950s, when a US army lieutenant who fought here during World War II and stayed on, Harry Stonehill, built a conglomerate of cigarette, glass and cement manufacturers. His net worth was estimated at $50 million at the time, equivalent to $400 million today—peanuts compared with Salim’s estimated assets in the country of $6 billion, based on the worth of his shares in PLDT, his infrastructure-holding firm Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Philex Mining.”

To reach the writer, e-mail cecilio.arillo@gmail.com.

Mainstream screening for ‘Changing Partners’

The indie movie “Changing Partners” impressed us when it won several awards at the 2017 Cinema One Originals. These awards were the Audience Choice Award, the Champion Bughaw Award for Best Film, the Best Director for Dan Villegas, Best Actress for Agot Isidro, Best Actor for Jojit Lorenzo, Best Editing for Marya Ignacio, Best Music for Vincent de Jesus, and a Special Citation for Ensemble Acting.

Agot Isidro

Co-starring Anna Luna and Sandino Martin, “Changing Partners” was also the top box-office hit. Based on the PETA play of the same title, the script was written by Lilet Reyes and Vince de Jesus.

With a cutting-edge take on gender and relationships, “Changing Partners” is about Alex and Cris who are celebrating their first anniversary as a live-in couple. Though they are very much in love with each other despite their 15-year age gap, “they navigate the different challenges that come with their relationship.

“Changing Partner” is a love story that is shown through the perspective of different genders, showing how a real relationship works,” the writers said.

They added: “‘Changing Partners’ aims to probe into the age-old question on whether or not the perfect match between couples really exist. The film is eventually a story about falling in love and falling out of love and all the realities that go with it.”

Star Cinema releases “Changing Partners” tomorrow in cinemas nationwide.

• • •

Ruru, Gabbi on ‘Sherlock, Jr.’

Gabbi Garcia and Ruru Madrid

GMA Network has started airing its newest primetime offering “Sherlock Jr.” featuring one of the network’s hottest love teams Ruru Madrid and Gabbi Garcia, along with an endearing dog named Serena. In a special guest participation is the beautiful and talented actress Janine Gutierrez.

Ruru plays Sherlock “Jack” Jackson, Jr., a clever investigative reporter who never backs out from solving mysteries. Aside from being a good son (his mom is played by Ai Ai delas Alas) and brother, he also loves his girlfriend very much.

Gabbi plays the role of Lily Pelaez, a bubbly veterinary clinic assistant. She loves joining anything that could make her famous including various contests and beauty pageants.

Catch “Sherlock Jr.” after “24 Oras” on GMA Telebabad.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 30, go to Boots Anson-Rodrigo, Omen Ortiz, Jono Babarin, Ricky Mansueto, Victor Ang, Baby de Guzman, Marissa Bernardo, Sister Mercy Medinilla, Tess Celestino, Len Llanes, Mary Charmaine Musngi, Ivy Lisa Mendoza, Aris Aldrin Medina, and Michael Locsin… Jan. 31. GMA Network’s Lilibeth Rasonable, Ronnie Liang, Bong Villafuerte, Larry Esguerra, Tere Orendain, Londoners Nicholas Manuel Almontero and Michael Jeffrey Marshall, Cynthia Sico, Iraida Tanopo, Nitz Mirrales, Noel Pura, Roxanne Fujas, Joed Serrano, Cayle Soco, Majella Villaroman,  and Marc Logan…

TV5 expects to cut losses by half in 2018 amid ESPN deal, restructuring

The country's 3rd largest media network also says it expects to break even in 2019

Broadcast firm TV5 Network, Inc. expects to cut losses by 50% in 2018, mainly on the back of its continuous restructuring program and a new partnership with global sports broadcaster ESPN. This, in turn, is seen to help TV5 finally break even in 2019.

The country's 3rd largest media network had originally targeted to break even in 2013. It was then pushed back to 2017 and then 2019.

Former TV5 president and chief executive officer Emmanuel "Noel" Lorenzana in 2013 implemented a voluntary early retirement program for employees to curb financial losses. During that year, TV5 also slowed down the launch of new shows to cut expenses.

When Vincent "Chot" Reyes replaced Lorenzana, TV5 shifted its focus to sports and news programs in a bid to finally be in the black.

"We had a very good 2017. Our business improved by 43% in 2017, from 2016....If we go on the same kind of phase, then I think we will be able to achieve our target. Our partnership with ESPN enhances our ability to break even in 2019," Reyes said in a roundtable interview in Makati City on Monday, January 29.

Last October, Reyes had announced that ESPN 5 will replace Sports 5, starting with the PBA Finals Game 1 between the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Meralco Bolts that month.

Since the announcement, the TV5 chief said his network has seen significant improvement in its bottomline.

"There were 24 million page views in ESPN in December 2016. In 2017, that number jumped to 30 million views for the month of December. That's still ESPN, not yet ESPN 5, not localized yet. We just announced it in October last year in the Philippines, and that already jumped. So the traffic is going to give us opportunity to monetize and generate revenue," Reyes said.

"When we started showing NFL (National Football League) on TV5, the traffic in ESPN grew by 37%....It's not just TV but it's online, on your mobiles, desktops, that's the kind of business model that we're looking at for TV5," he added.

360-degree perspective

It was in 2009 when the PLDT group, through its unit MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., acquired ABC Development Corporation, the operator of TV5 in 2009. MediaQuest bought TV5 from the Cojuangco group for P4 billion, and acquired MPB Primedia of Malaysia, the network's major block-timer, for $16 million.

To cut expenses, TV5 terminated its partnership with Viva Communications, which handled the network's entertainment programs.

Reyes said restructuring is an ongoing concern for TV5, like most companies, as its business model evolves.

"It's not something peculiar. The reason it is an ongoing concern is because our business model keeps on evolving. By that alone, definitely there will be more changes," Reyes said.

The network's online news portal, InterAksyon, is also set to close down on March 31 "to consolidate all brands under News5.com.ph."

"We're approaching it really from a 360-degree perspective, not only in our content but even the way we monetize the content. If before we had an ad sales group that is focused on selling TV ads, now it's 360, even digital as well, online, are all part of that package," Reyes said.

https://www.rappler.com/business/194745-tv5-outlook-2018-2019-espn-restructuring?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=business

PTV and NEC Launch Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting Services in the Philippines

People’s Television (PTV), the Philippines’ public broadcasting network, has gone from analog to fully digital after the launch of the network’s digital terrestrial broadcasting system on January 2017. NEC Philippines, Inc. provided overall support for the introduction of digital terrestrial TV equipment, including its installation and the training of personnel, as part of enabling viewers to enjoy their favorite programs with better and clearer reception.

A “switch-on” ceremony was held at PTV’s studio in Quezon City and was led by the Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Martin Andanar.

Andanar said, “The administration’s goal of bringing the government closer to its people is now more achievable than ever.” At the time of his appointment, Andanar pushed efforts to modernize the state network. He envisioned PTV to be on par with its local counterparts in the country, and expanded the breadth and depth of PTV’s educational, cultural andinternational programs.

PTV General Manager, Dino Apolonio, said that the network must keep pace with its counterparts, both locally and abroad. “As the state network, we have to take it upon ourselves to lead the charge towards digital transition. It will be very beneficial for the people first of all, and we have to keep up with the rest of the world,” he said.

“NEC is proud to be working with PTV to expand the delivery of high quality broadcasting to a larger audience in the Philippines,” said Elizabeth Pangan, President, NEC Philippines. “As part of NEC’s focus on providing Solutions for Society, this equipment will help to ensure that broadcasting and access to information is reliably maintained, especially during times of emergency, such as when powerful storms strike the region,” she added.

DOTr to pursue unsolicited proposal for MRT-3 maintenance, operation

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pursuing an unsolicited proposal for the 30-year operation and maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit-3 to end the blame game associated with the repeated breakdowns of the MRT-3’s rolling stocks.

“Many of MRT-3’s problems in recent years resulted from successive short-term and fragmented maintenance contracts, and from finger-pointing due to having different entities maintaining and operating MRT-3,” the DOTr said in a statement over the weekend.

“DOTr is addressing this by pursuing an unsolicited proposal for the 30-year operation and maintenance of MRT-3. Original proponent status has been given to the proponent, Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., and the proposal will be soon endorsed to NEDA [National Economic and Development Authority],” it added.

The DOTr also said it has formalized an arrangement with Japan for assistance in rehabilitating and maintaining the MRT-3, with the government of Japan nominating a service provider that “must be highly qualified and with a proven track record.”

The agency also apologized for the a smoke emitted from one of the seats of an MRT-3 train on Friday afternoon, causing the unloading of 600 passengers who had to walk along the sides of the railway to the nearest stations. The incident happened between the Cubao and Kamuning stations.

“The DOTr expresses [its]sincere apologies to those who were affected and inconvenienced by the recent smoke incident,” the DOTr said.

“Fault analysis is ongoing and in the interest of accuracy and transparency, DOTr has directed MRT-3 management to release to the public their technical findings at the soonest possible time,” it added.

The former maintenance provider for the MRT-3, Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI), said DOTr must stop blaming other parties and take full responsibility over the recent problems experienced by the MRT-3.

“DOTr fails to recall the fact that when they hurriedly took over the maintenance of the MRT3, it was an operational and safe MRT3. They failed to organize a transition team, composed of experienced rail engineers, to ensure the continuing safety and efficient maintenance of the MRT3,” BURI said.

“Is it not obvious that under BURI’s watch, such incidents like the uncoupling of trains on the mainline never happened?” the company added.

Case vs Rappler not a freedom of the press issue? Please.

In the days following the Securities and Exchanges Commission’s (SEC) decision to revoke Rappler’s articles of incorporation, Malacañang repeatedly denied that it was a form of political harassment. In an interview on ANC’s Headstart, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said: "What evidence does she (Maria Ressa) have that government orchestrated this decision? None, given the credibility of the persons who wrote the decision, and given the legal mandate of the SEC.”

Inasmuch as the administration would like to paint the issue as one that is not politically driven, it's imperative to look at the issue and see that it does not exist in a vacuum. 

Let’s take a look at the timeline. In President Rodrigo Duterte's second State of the Nation Address in July 2017, he echoed a false claim that Rappler is owned by Americans: “ABS, o Rappler, kayo ba ‘yan? Have you tried to pierce your identity? And I would lead you to America. Do you know that? And yet the Constitution requires you to be 100% media, Filipino. Rappler tried to pierce the identity, and you will end up American ownership.”

The President and his cabal of pundits have conflated the existence of Philippine Depositary Receipts or PDRs to be tantamount to ownership which is false.

The President had echoed this claim since then. Six months later, the SEC came with its decision based on an investigation conducted upon the prompting of the government’s counsel, Solicitor General Jose Calida. (READ: Solicitor General initiated SEC investigation into Rappler)

During the investigation period, Rappler cooperated with the SEC, cognizant of the SEC’s mandate to perform its due diligence. But due process was not followed and the company was meted with punitive action that is arguably not commensurate to the alleged violation. 

Rappler's lawyer, Francis Lim, pointed out that other remedies were available to cure the violations without resorting to the revocation of the license: "Stockholders remain the same. Voting power remains with the stockholders of Rappler Holdings and Rappler Inc. Why do you revoke? Why do you go to that extreme penalty – kill the company – when there are other measures?" (READ: 
If there was a violation, Rappler not given time to cure it – lawyer) 

In a similar case involving foreign ownership and PLDT Incorporated, SEC Memorandum Circular 8, Series of 2013 gave corporations a one-year curing period to correct violations of the foreign ownership rule. The same was not applied to Rappler’s case. SEC chairpersonTeresita Herbosa told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the Securities Regulation Code "does not provide for it (one-year curing period) in case of violation of any of its provisions.”

–– ADVERTISEMENT ––

A history of hostility

While the Duterte administration would like to insist that the incident involving Rappler is an isolated case, it would be remiss to ignore the context and the current political climate that news and media organizations perceived as critical of the government currently function in.

There have been several incidents in the past few months that show that this isn’t the first time the President and his administration have flexed their muscles to intimidate news organizations that they deem critical.

In August of 2016, Solicitor General Jose Calida himself personally served the notice to vacate to tenants of the Prietos' Mile Long property. In July 2017, President Duterte threatened an exposé against the Inquirer. He insinuated that the Prietos, the owners of the Inquirer, skirted tax laws regarding the Mile Long property.

It didn’t take long before the family announced the sale of their majority stake in Inquirerto Ramon Ang, a businessman, who President Duterte calls his friend. Ang is also hiscampaign donor.

The pressure was on and it was palpable in the Inquirer newsroom. Rappler gave a glimpse in a Newsbreak report, "Duterte's target: The Philippine Daily Inquirer."

Aware of the difficult terrain that the newspaper was navigating under Duterte, some Inquirer editors exerted extra effort to show balance in their stories to show management they were not being unreasonable.

"We would catch ourselves practicing self-censorship," one of them said. "It was sad and tears were shed," said another. 

Nothing they did, though, could seem to pacify the powers that be.

The Newsbreak report, written in August 2017, proved to be prophetic. For even after the Prietos had given up the Inquirer, it appeared that President Duterte was still not satisfied. Just this week, he hurled yet another grave threat at the family: "One of these days, I’ll file a plunder case. When I file a plunder case, you will go to jail without a bail. You'll see, you fools."

Apart from print and online media, Duterte also had a bone to pick with broadcast media. In April 2017, President Duterte sought to block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, accusing the network of "swindling" him when he was still a presidential candidate. In an interview, he said: “[The franchise] has been there for 25 years. The law said it’s okay, only if you adhere to journalistic standards. What did you do to us? Estafa, swindling, not only me but Chiz Escudero, many of us. Son of a bitch, you collected outright then you commit estafa."

The accusations are rooted in Duterte's allegations that the network refused to air his ads during the 2016 campaign. (READ: Duterte's ace against ABS-CBN, the Philippines' biggest network)

ABS-CBN's franchise ends on March 30, 2020, subject to renewal of Congress which is dominated by Duterte's allies.

#DefendPressFreedom

Malacañang has repeatedly denied the political motivations behind the Rappler case but the President's words and demeanor towards the media companies suggest otherwise.

In March 2017, he had a few choice words for Inquirer and ABS-CBN, warning them of karma. "Tingnan kung magslant. Ewan ko ba. But someday – hindi ko tinatakot – but someday, 'yung karma, dadating 'yan....Inquirer, mga bullshit kayo, pati 'yang ABS-CBN, basura 'yang inano ninyo. Dapat may magsabi sa inyo ngayon, mga putang-ina ninyo, sinobrahan 'nyo ang kalokohan ninyo."

(See how they slant. I don't know. But someday – I'm not scaring them – but someday, karma will come....Inquirer, you are bullshit, also ABS-CBN, you publish trash. Someone should tell you, "You are sons of bitches, you went too far in your nonsense.")

After Rappler reported on the alleged intervention of Special Assistant to the President Bong Go on a P15.5-billion Navy project this week, Duterte tagged the news group as a producer of "fake news." (READ: Bong Go intervenes in P15.5-B project to acquire PH warships):

"For your information, you can stop your suspicious mind from roaming somewhere else. But since you are a fake news outlet then I am not surprised that your articles are also fake... Sumobra kayo (You are going overboard), you are not only throwing toilet paper, you are throwing shit at us."

After the President's latest rant against Rappler, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said that the Department of Justice's investigation into Rappler will not be limited to possible violations of the Constitution and the Anti-Dummy Law, but "other laws" as well.

Well, this is nothing short of a "fishing expedition, and pure and simple harassment," said Rappler. "We thought this was supposed to be in relation to PDRs and the alleged violation of the Constitution."

Then, the National Bureau of Investigation suddenly summoned Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and a former Rappler reporter over a cyber libel complaint for a story that was posted in 2012. The story even predated the effectivity date of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The exercise of the law by the state, especially towards the constitutionally-protected press, is a freedom of the press issue, especially in the context of a President who has not shied away from cursing, criticizing, and slamming what he perceives as critical coverage. Even more so, in a climate where his supporters and followers constantly attack mainstream media and journalists online.

Journalist organizations, international publications, legislators, and human rights groups have voiced their concern regarding the developments in the Philippines. Human Rights Watch said: “What we're looking at here is nothing less than a politicized attack on a critical media voice in the Philippines using the pretext of alleged foreign ownership....To a certain extent, this is a weaponization of state regulatory processes to undermine and to stifle media freedom."


While the Philippine media and the government had gone through a rough patch from time to time – some rougher than others – in the period after the Marcos regime to the previous administration, there's no doubt that the current government's brazen moves are not unlike something this country had seen during his strongman idol's time. (READ: From Marcos to Duterte: How media was attacked, threatened) – Rappler.com

Clarissa Aguilera: Singing is not her passion

Artist Clarissa Aguilera with some of her paintings

She is the youngest daughter of famous singer-songwriter Rey Valera but although Clarissa Aguilera tried singing when she was younger, she realized it wasn’t her passion. “I enjoyed singing but I was tailored to follow a path towards visual arts,” she told us in a recent interview.

Clarissa and her siblings, two sisters and a brother, formed a band (she was the keyboardist) and they used to be the back-up group of their father in his performances. It was an enjoyable phase of their young life, “actually isang masayang bonding with the family ang mga panahon na ’yun,” she said. “But when my siblings got married one after the other, we disbanded. I concentrated on my studies.” It was to their advantage that their parents did not impose on them on what to do as careers, Clarissa said. “They were very supportive.”

She took up Bachelor in Fine Arts Major in Painting at the University of Sto. Tomas and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Clarissa was also given the highest academic award, The Rector’s Award in 2009.

As artist, she uses acrylic and oil and very evident in her works are the clear interpretation of symbolism balanced with technique. She calls her art conceptual. “Not realistic but not pure abstract, too,” she explained. “There’s figure, walang total form, not complete body parts.”

She sees art as an effective means of storytelling.

Clarissa, who is yet to mount a solo art exhibit although she has participated in some group exhibits, believes that “to enhance creativity is to connect with that ‘child’ within us, that playful part of us with limitless imaginations. That child in us doesn’t have to perish as we grow older and wiser.”

In 2009, Clarissa participated in Eskultura at the UST Fine Arts Gallery and also has her work exhibited at the Cervio Art Haus inaugural show in 2012.

• • •

‘Kambal, Karibal’ tops the ratings

Marvin Agustin

Because of its intriguing story that keeps viewers glued to their seats, the GMA Primetime Series “Kambal, Karibal” is reportedly on top of the ratings game, winning over its rival show. Another plus factor for the series directed by Don Michael Perez is its cast of impressive actors who showcase their talents with their respective characters.

Christopher de Leon plays a doctor like Marvin Agustin who play father and son. Marvin is the father of Diego (Miguel Tanfelix) but doesn’t want to accept this fact. Bianca Umali (Crisan) is Miguel’s love interest. The others in the cast are Carmina Villaroel who plays adoptive mother to Cheska (Kyline Alcantara); Pauline Mendoza, Alfred Vargas and Jean Garcia, among others.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 27, go to Willie Revillame, Dina Bonnevie, Tony Mabesa, Edith Ricketts, Marites Araneta, Ramon Orlina, Don Escudero, Beth Flake, Linda Manalo, Valerie Tapalla, Engr. Melito Ligon, Alex Lim, Marcel Marcelo and Fred E. Gerilla… Jan. 28: Atty. Datu Reza Sinasuat, Sen. Loren Legarda, Atty, Oscar Orbos, Bernardo Bernardo, Josie Lichauco, Tina Ocampo, JB Bangsil Jr., Susan Paredes, Deeda Tanopo, Helen Bañaría, Constancia Martinez, Sandy Javier, Regina Dee, Jules Lopez, Miguel DC Alegre, Jacob Dionisio and Patricia Macarilay…Jan. 29: Marvin Agustin, Laurice Guillen, Frankie Ferrer, Baby Arce, Ishko López, Vic Redoblado, Carolina Mangawang, Mayor Paquito Castillo, Mateo D.C. Alegre and Amb. Rosalinda Tirona…

Economic managers green-light higher project cost of Metro Manila Subway

The rollout of the country’s first underground railway system moved one step closer after economic managers on Friday approved the increase in cost of the Metro Manila Subway project.

In a text message, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) chief Ernesto M. Pernia said the project cost of the first phase of the subway was raised by P1.375 billion, from the previous P355.588 billion to P356.964 billion.

The adjustment in project cost was approved during the NEDA Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC CabCom) meeting.

In a separate text message, Neda Undersecretary Rolando G. Tungpalan said the 0.36-percent increase in project cost “included relocation of utilities not considered earlier.”

Tungpalan said the higher project cost reflected an appraisal by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Last week, Tungpalan said the Department of Transportation next year will start the implementation of the Metro Manila Subway Project (Phase 1), a 25.3-kilometer underground rail that will connect Quezon City and Taguig City as well as extend to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The subway, to be financed by the Japanese government, would be completed by 2027, according to Tungpalan.

The Department of Finance earlier said that the Philippine government is set to sign with Japan the loan agreement covering the first tranche of financing for the subway project within the month of January.

The initial tranche will amount 104.5 billion yen or about $929.1 million, to be signed during the last week of the month after the government secures Monetary Board approval as well as the Special Presidential Authority, according to the DOF.

Also discussed during the Neda ICC CabCom meeting were the Subic-Clark Railway Project to be implemented by the DOTr and the state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority; the Clark International Airport Operations and Maintenance Project of the DOTr; as well as San Miguel Corp.’s unsolicited proposal for the New Manila International Airport.

Tungpalan said these three projects were “for further discussion.”

Economic managers also tackled the National Irrigation Administration’s request to extend the implementation and duration of the National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project by one year and six months. /jpv

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/244829/economic-managers-green-light-higher-project-cost-metro-manila-subway-business-subway-project-railway-system-neda-pernia#ixzz55IIbtRGy
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Duterte under fire as Philippines moves to close news…

Duterte under fire as Philippines moves to close news website

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte‘s government rejected calls Tuesday to halt the potential closure a news website that has been reporting on his deadly drug war, with media watchdogs raising fears over eroding freedoms.

The country‘s corporate regulator revoked the incorporation papers for Rappler on Monday accusing the online portal of ceding control to foreign investors in an industry exclusively reserved for Filipinos.

Rappler, founded in 2012, has produced reports critical of Duterte‘s government, including its centrepiece drug war that has claimed thousands of lives and which has drawn criticism of alleged extrajudicial killings.

Duterte vowed last year to expose Rappler‘s “American ownership”, while suggesting the US Central Intelligence Agency funded the outfit.

The government doubled down on the ruling Tuesday, with the justice department saying it was studying whether Rappler should now be prosecuted.

“If a law has been violated, then we will file the necessary charges,” Justice Undersecretary Erickson Balmes told AFP.

Duterte spokesman Harry Roque said the president “found it unfair” for Rappler to accuse him of threatening press freedom, adding he had “nothing to do” with the verdict.

“If the president wanted to do that he could just have sent the armed forces to their offices and padlocked them, which has been done by other regimes. The president has never done that,” Roque said.

The case concerns Rappler Holdings‘ decision to issue Philippine depositary receipts for shares of Rappler Inc. that the government said were sold to foreign companies.

In Monday‘s ruling, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said Rappler had given a foreign fund veto powers in exchange for a 2015 investment in an industry that the Philippine constitution limits to Filipino entities.

Rappler maintains the securities did not constitute equity nor given the investors veto on editorial matters and has vowed to appeal the ruling.

Rights groups and media watchdogs have condemned the move as the latest salvo in a series of attacks on critical media.

“The order to close Rappler amounts to a direct assault on freedom of the press in the Philippines,” Steven Butler, Asia programme coordinator for US-based monitor Committee to Protect Journalists said.

Duterte has also publicly attacked other media outlets including the Philippine Daily Inquirer and leading television broadcaster ABS-CBN, whose application for a franchise renewal he threatened to block.

The corporate regulator said the verdict would take effect in two weeks, while Rappler announced it would continue operating while appealing the ruling in court.

“I will do everything in my power not to let Rappler go down,” Rappler chief executive Maria Ressa told CNN Philippines on Tuesday.

Press organisations in Hong Kong, Thailand and the Philippines all released statements urging the government to reverse the ruling.

“The order for Rappler to be shut down is part of a broader trend by Duterte to silence his critics,” Hong Kong‘s Foreign Correspondents Club said in a statement.

More trains eyed for MRT-3

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is looking to increase the number of trains on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) after the delivery next month of the first batch of spare parts to get defective trains running again.

“With the help of these (spare parts), we would be able to increase the number of trains running every day and reduce service interruptions,” the DOTr said yesterday.

The DOTr said it started to procure the necessary spare parts for the MRT-3 when it formed the maintenance transition team (MTT) last November.

The MTT took over the responsibility of handling the maintenance of the MRT-3 after the government terminated its contract with Busan Universal Rail Inc. for failure to comply with obligations and to procure spare parts.

The DOTr said BURI, the former maintenance provider of MRT-3, was only able to overhaul three train cars instead of 43 from 2016 to 2017.

The target under the MTT is to have 15 trains during peak hours and 12 trains at off-peak hours.

There were instances earlier this week, however, when the MRT-3 had only seven to eight trains running.

The DOTr has sought the public’s understanding as it undertakes measures to address the problems of the MRT-3.

MRT-3, which spans North Avenue station in Quezon City until Taft Avenue station in Pasay City, has been going through a series of breakdowns and service interruptions due to supposed substandard maintenance in the past years.

Part of the steps being taken by the government to address the problems of the MRT-3 is to enter into a government-to-government agreement with Japan for the much-needed rehabilitation, and maintenance provider for the train system.

The governments of the Philippines and Japan have earlier exchanged notes and the next step is for the Japan International Cooperation Agency to conduct a feasibility study for the scope of work to be done.

The DOTr said earlier the signing of the loan agreement and procurement of the new provider would take place in March to April, while mobilization of the new firm is expected to take place within the second quarter of this year.

DOTR TARGET: Sumitomo-Mitsubishi likely to start MRT3 rehab in May

Sumitomo Corp. and its technical partner, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, are likely to start the rehabilitation and maintenance works for glitch-plagued Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) in May, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Thursday.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a television interview that the goal is to have Sumitomo-Mitsubishi onboard starting May. “Ang target namin diyan mag-start sila ng May,” Tugade said.

“Ang contract nila pag-uusapan pa,” the Transportation chief added.

Tugade issued the statement weeks after the Philippines and Japan exchanged notes on having Sumitomo-Mitsubishi takeover the MRT3 maintenance and rehabilitation.

In a separate interview, Transportation Undersecretary and officer-in-charge for Rails Timothy John Batan confirmed the target date is indeed sometime next May.

“Yes, our understanding with the Japanese government is to mobilize the MRT3 rehab and maintenance contractor by May 2018,” Batan told GMA News Online.

The arrangement with Japan involves official development assistance (ODA) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP).

JICA will conduct a feasibility study in January to February to refine the project scope,  after which a loan agreement will be signed and the procurement of the rehabilitation and maintenance contract in March or April. The mobilization of Sumitomo is expected within the second quarter.

The DOTr terminated the MRT3 maintenance contract with Busan Universal Railways Inc. (BURI) last November, citing “poor performance.”

Sumitomo and Mitsubishi were the original MRT3 maintenance providers from 2003 to 2012. Sumitomo designed and built the system from 1998 to 2000. —Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/641006/sumitomo-mitsubishi-likely-to-start-mrt3-rehab-in-may/story/

Metro Manila’s sad mass transport system tale

Plumbing the internet for background material on various subject matters oftentimes yields some very interesting reading. I’d like to share in today’s column research that was put together by some academic scholars on the history of Metro Manila’s mass transport system.

The authors of the research are all from the University of the Philippines in Diliman. They are Ricardo Jose (Department of History and Third World Studies Center, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy); Daniel Mabazza, Jose Regin Regidor, and Marco Stefan Lagman (Department of Geography, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy) and Jonathan Villasper (Institute of Civil Engineering and National Center for Transportation Studies, College of Engineering).

In the research’s introduction, the authors pointed out that “several plans to move people to their destinations in an orderly fashion were drafted since the 1970s. Studying these plans shows that the current situation is a result of modifying or combining elements of one or more plans.”

Japanese-funded plan

The first plan was completed in 1973 with funding from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency. It was a truly comprehensive plan that included “road and highway development, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) and an ambitious subway/elevated rail system which would link the cities in the metropolis and decongest the city center by developing then sparsely populated areas near Manila.”

It was also in this plan that the system of circumferential roads, the most popular that we know today being C-5, was hatched. Five subway lines were also planned, with the main line passing through central Quezon City (Quezon Boulevard), the main school district in downtown Manila, through the business centers, port areas and on to the international airport.

Augmenting the subway lines would have been modern PNR trains running on elevated rails and serving areas outside of Manila that the subway trains would not reach.

The authors of the study contend that the first plan, which would take 15 years to complete, “may well have solved Manila’s traffic ills for many years to come, and opened up many potential business and residential centers outside of central Manila, including Marikina and Cainta in Rizal, and Marilao and Meycauayan in Bulacan.”

So where did the plan lose its appeal? Cost. It would have been too costly to dig tunnels and the underground rail lines, not to mention pay for all the rail cars of the five subway systems. If I remember right, there was even a lot of talk about fears of subway flooding given the notoriously ineffective Metro Manila flood control system then.

World Bank-funded plan

With former first lady Imelda Marcos as chair of the Metro Manila Commission, the Japanese-funded plan was severely criticized. Instead, a new plan was commissioned and funded by the World Bank.

Highlights of the 1977 World Bank study was the complete junking of the subway system in favor of the continued use of buses and jeepneys, supplemented by four light rail transit (LRT) lines running on existing roads.

Our academicians’ study noted that, “As light rail trains go, capacity was smaller than heavy rail trains.” Furthermore, they concluded that the World Bank study “did not foresee the overcrowding that soon became a feature of Manila’s LRT (forecast for 1980 was 190,000 to 216,00 daily; by 1990, 301,000 to 330,000).”

The World Bank plan was adopted, but with many changes made at the onset and while construction was ongoing. More importantly, instead of running at street-level, like in most European countries, the LRT-1 on Rizal Avenue was elevated.

The LRT-1 line was completed in 1985, more than a decade after the JICA-funded plan was initiated. It served Metro Manila commuters well for a few years, but by the middle of 2000, the railway cars would often break down from overcrowding.

Too many delays

During this time too, another study was completed with partial funding from the Australian Development Assistance Bureau (forerunner of AusAID). JICA also continued with its studies, largely being modifications and adaptations based on what the government had been implementing.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila’s traffic continued to deteriorate. The decision to fasttrack construction of the LRT-2 (Marikina to Recto) and MRT (along EDSA from North Avenue to Pasay City) was deemed imperative. But with People Power and other issues, construction of the two lines was further delayed.

MRT became operational in July 2000, while LRT-2 started running in October 2004. Both became stand-alone projects due to financial issues before construction, hence the vast differences in operations and the subsequent difficulty of running the three lines under a seamless mass transport system.

It took a dictator, a new Philippine Constitution, an ousted president – more than three decades – to come up with three pathetic lines that lacked the simple foresight of responding to a growing number of commuters in the metropolis.

Conclusion

We’d like to share part of our university scholars’ conclusion: “By utilizing parts of several plans and not sticking to one plan, the overall fundamentals were thus negated, resulting in confusing, if not conflicting assumptions and infrastructure.

“Plans were influenced by people and events. The plans also reflected the thinking of the framers, and later planners criticized or disagreed with the basic lines of previous studies. Making things more complicated were pragmatic—particularly cost—considerations, political will and the possible influence of funding and construction agencies.”

We hope that with the current Build Build Build program of the current administration, such pitfalls may be avoided – and better foresight comes into play.

The philanthropic side of ‘Go’-getter movie producer

PHOTO taken at the medical/dental mission held recently at Brgy. 905 Bagong Sikat, Punta, Sta. Ana Manila. Shows from left: CMB, the emcee, actress Ana Capri, producer Baby F. Go, Brgy. Chairman Edwin Zambrona, and Pilar Mateo

She made a reputation as a passionate movie producer in so short a time, but interestingly Baby F. Go is also a philanthropist who conducts medical/dental missions regularly and also sends poor but deserving students to school. We discovered this when we joined her medical/dental mission recently at Brgy. 905 Bagong Sikat, Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila.

Go now operates her philanthropic activities through her PC (Peace Care) Good Heart Foundation. Supporting her in her medical/dental missions are Dr. Arnold Ramos of Imus, Cavite, Dr. Rubén Alegrado Fullmon, PARDSS Information Officer Oyeth Banayo and Jean Go-Marasigan, VP-Finance of the foundation all of whom donated reading glasses and medicine.

Go now divides her time equally among four endeavors; her family, her businesses, her foundation and film production. Actually, she said she is now most enthusiastic about making movies. Since she started her BG Productions International in 2012, she has made 12 movies, most of them award winners in film festivals abroad. It gives her utmost fulfillment, she said. Helping the local film industry give jobs to movie workers and being on stage receiving awards for her movies, among them “Laut,” “Area,” “Balatkayo,” “Lihis,” “Laureana” and “Child Haus,” among others.

At a recent press conference held at the Marco Polo Hotel, the short trailers of her latest movies (still in production), “Latay” and “Almost A Love Story” were shown. Allen Dizon stars in “Latay” while Barbie Forteza and Derrick Monasterio topbill “Almost A Love Story” which is BG Productions’ first mainstream movie. Also starring Lotlot de Leon, Matet de Leon and Ana Capri and directed by Louie Ignacio, it was shot almost entirely in Italy. Co-producer is Salento Cinema.

BG Productions will be very busy this 2018 with several interesting projects, one starring Charo Santos (“Sixty In The City” under the direction of Mel Chionglo) and another starring Nora Aunor (about a midget wrestler to be directed by Louie Ignacio). Another project, titled “Angela Lumunsad” with Joel Lamangan as director, will star Heart Evangelista.

Also lined up this year for BG Productions are films from Jason Paul Laxamana, Neal Tan and Joey Romero. Go also has an offer to co-produce a movie in Hollywood so she will soon fly to the US for a meeting.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 25, go to Dr. Vicki Belo, Bo Cerrudo, Mrs. Anita Cuevas, Lito Bermundo, Eddie David,Jr., Merla Grupp, twins Ben and Alfred Ramos, Erly Dungo, Thess Gubi, Edgar Cruz, Amanda Masigan, Patricia Riingan, Nyoy Volante, Yasmien Kurdi, Kylie Padilla, and Luanne Dy of ‘Unang Hirit’… Jan. 26: National Artist Napoleon Abueva, Imelda Papin, Rep. Johnny Revilla, Timmy Cruz, Carol Sy, Mila dela Cruz, Tessie Goquingco, Raya Mananquil, Margaret Go, Dr. Pons Doloroso, Peep-Peep Villa, Isabella Cuartero, Mary Grace Maluya-Frones, Leandro Manuel, Alfred E. Gerilla, Jercelyn Kyee G. Juan, Rogelio Medina, and Gorgy Rula…

Xian Lim leaves Star Magic, joins Viva

Xian Lim has left ABS-CBN’s Star Magic and has signed a contract with Viva ArtistS aGENCY.

Viva confirmed the news on Tuesday, January 23, by posting photos of his contract signing on their official Instagram account. “Welcome to Viva, [Xian Lim]! we're looking forward to the years we'll be working with you,” they said in one of the photos’ captions.

According to a report on ABS-CBN News, Xian’s new 5-year contract includes 10 movies with Viva Films and new music with Viva Records.

The report also said that although the contract with Viva allows him to work with other networks, including ABS-CBN rival GMA, Viva’s Veronique del Rosario said that the actor has made it clear that he wants to remain loyal to the agency that managed him for 9 years.

The split with his former managers was amicable, he said, and fans of his tandem with actress Kim Chiu can still expect to see the rumored real-life couple together on the big screen.

Now that Xian has signed with Viva, there are more opportunities for him to work with the agency’s artists, many of whom were also previously managed by Star Magic. One Instagram post on Viva said that he will co-star with Sarah Geronimo and James Reid in the Filipino adaptation of the Korean film Miss Granny.

Xian starred in a number of ABS-CBN’s primetime drama series, including Katorse, My Binondo Girl and Ina, Kapatid, Anak. 

Big projects

Everyone seems to be banking on a near flawless roll-out of both the big infrastructure projects and the tax reform program for the economy’s continued good health this year. That is a big bet on the ability of the bureaucracy to deliver as planned. That makes me nervous.

Moody’s Analytics, in its Jan. 18 market outlook, based its bullish sentiment on our strong domestic demand and favorable demographics. Moody’s said “Domestic demand likely remained the main driver of growth…”

Other than consumer demand, Moody’s also cites the other growth driver of the Philippine economy in 2018, government’s ability to reform the tax system and rebuild the country’s infrastructure.

One major stock brokerage firm feels the same way and included an enumeration of the big projects in their daily advice to clients last week:

Infrastructure: 15 infra projects eyed for 2018 launching.

Government is looking at increased infrastructure activities this year, with 15 big-tickets items already in pre-construction stage. These projects are: 

Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

 

1) The P355.6 billion Mega-Manila Subway project, 2) The P285 billion North-South Commuter Railway, 3) The P211 billion Malolos-Clark Railway, 4) The P134 billion Philippine National Railway South Commuter Line, 5) P51.7 billion Visayas-Mindanao grid interconnection.

 6) P37.8 billion Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit EDSA line, 7) The P35.3 billion Mindanao Railway Phase 1, 8) The P25 billion Metro Manila Flood Management project, 9) The P12 billion C5 South Link Expressway, 10) The P11.4 billion construction of 30 bridges across the archipelago;

 11) The P5.47 billion Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit España-Quezon Avenue Line, 12) The P4.36 billion Arterial Road Bypass, 13) The P4.61 billion Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, 14) The P1.38 billion Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, 15) The P1.16-billion partial rehabilitation of Marawi City.

 Of these 15 projects, eight will be funded by official development (ODA), three from multilateral lenders, three from the government budget and one from public-private partnership.

 I wrote last Monday that some big projects are really getting off the ground. I particularly admire how BCDA’s Vince Dizon is keeping his promise to meet targets from bidding to groundbreaking. Mind you, Dizon’s groundbreaking of the new Clark airport is not just ceremonial, like most other projects, but actual start of construction.

There are other projects not on this list, but are also rather urgent. Conspicuously absent is MRT3. DOTr is quiet other than to tell us there are on-going negotiations with Japan to finance a feasibility study on how to rehabilitate the system. DOTr is also suggesting Japan will provide ODA financing to rehabilitate the system.

I am not sure Japan will spend the money of their taxpayers on what is still legally a privately owned system. Maybe Japan will undertake the feasibility study and that’s a good first step. But even that means we will wait for another year or more to have that completed. In the meantime, commuters must suffer the never ending breakdowns.

But the patience of the riding public is wearing thin. They may not be able to wait seven more years for the original BLT contract to expire to see some drastic improvements in the MRT-3 service. Moving with the MRT-3 requires using the so-called political will the Duterte administration claims it has. But if they have it, why haven’t they used it?

While those 15 projects have been mentioned in press statements and speeches countless times, I am not sure there are approved feasibility studies for all. The only projects in the list that are simple enough to possibly see the light of day within the next two years are the bridges across the Pasig River. But given Sec. Villar’s track record so far, I am not that sure…

The list talks of a BRT on EDSA, but the project has not been seriously discussed publicly. I hope government planners will tell us how this BRT will work together with the MRT 3. Dangling the EDSA BRT project may just be their way of trying to bring down public anger on the lack of a decent public transport system on EDSA.

I see the projects in the wish list as long term in nature. Under the best circumstances, completion will most likely happen beyond the Duterte term, assuming no term extension.

But they should prioritize the PNR projects, both commuter and long haul because the need is urgent. Beyond some trains coming from Indonesia in two years, we haven’t heard much about what they plan for PNR and target date for breaking ground.

Also on the list is a flood management project for Metro Manila. But we have always had some kind of flood control project for years… and still floods in the metro area have been troublesome. This is a DPWH project so it is best to lower expectations.

Strangely, economic analysts exude a lot of optimism about our economy this year and the years to come. They are taking government’s word that Build Build Build will deliver quickly. So much expectations have been built up by government propaganda that I am worried the inevitable big delays will cause such a huge disappointment.

Cabinet members talking about Build Build Build have yet to tell us how they plan to roll everything out. They say money is not a problem. But have they fixed the bureaucracy’s weak capability to absorb those big budgets?

Have we trained enough workers to undertake various facets of construction? Private construction companies are worried about manpower availability. We may need the next two years to train workers and Tesda alone can’t do it.

Big projects. Big hopes. Hopefully we won’t have a big letdown.

First computer

The oldest computer can be traced back to Adam and Eve.

Surprise, surprise.

It was an Apple.

But with extremely limited memory.

Just one byte.

Then everything crashed. . .

Xian Lim leaves Star Magic

(UPDATED) Kapamilya leading man Xian Lim on Tuesday signed up with Viva Artists Agency, after nearly a decade as a contract artist of ABS-CBN's Star Magic.

The 28-year-old actor was welcomed to Viva Entertainment by company executives, including Veronique del Rosario and founder Vic del Rosario, during the contract-signing at its headquarters in Pasig.

The five-year contract includes starring roles in 10 movies under Viva Films, and new music under Viva Records.

"This is going to be a very exciting year with a lot of movies coming up," Lim told reporters shortly after the contract-signing. "Para sa akin, gusto ko lang talaga magtrabaho and at the same time mas makilala pa ako ng mga tao."

Lim, who started acting in 2008, is best known for his lead roles in numerous ABS-CBN primetime drama series, including "Katorse," "My Binondo Girl," "Ina, Kapatid, Anak", and "The Story of Us". In all two, he co-starred with Enchong Dee and three, he co-starred with Kim Chiu, with whom he is also being romantically linked in real life.

As a Star Magic artist, Lim also starred in several films, mostly under ABS-CBN's Star Cinema; and released three studio albums, all under Star Music.

"I will always be thankful and grateful sa lahat ng nabigay ng Star Magic. Ms. Mariole, Mr. M, [they're] family. Family naman do'n, e," Lim said, referring to Star Magic heads Mariole Alberto and Johnny Manahan.

Asked if his contract with the ABS-CBN talent arm had already expired when he started talks with Viva, Lim confirmed that to be the case. He said the parting from his managers of nine years was amicable.

"Maayos naman po. I had my mom. Nadaan lang po sa usapan," he said.

'ABS-CBN WILL ALWAYS BE HOME'

With his move to Viva, Lim joins several other Kapamilya stars managed by the company's talent arm, including Ogie Alcasid, Sharon Cuneta, Christopher de Leon, Janno Gibbs, Jaya, Richard Gomez, Charlene Gonzales, Rosanna Roces, Maris Racal, James Reid, Nadine Lustre, Billy Crawford, Vice Ganda, Coleen Garcia, Anne Curtis, Sam Milby, Matteo Guidicelli and Sarah Geronimo.