‘Deadma’ stars deliver great performances

We watched the premiere showing of T-Rex Entertainment’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2017 entry “Deadma Walking” at Trinoma last Thursday night and we were not disappointed. The film made us laugh, it was an enjoyable cinema experience, amazed as we were at the film’s merits, especially the performances of Joross Gamboa and Edgar Allan Guzman which we believe are worthy of acting awards.

Joross and Edgar Allan got the biggest breaks in their careers playing John and Mark, respectively, in this film based on a Palanca award-winning script (by Eric Cabahug) and directed by first-timer Julius Alfonso. “Deadma Walking” also received an “A” grade from the Cinema Evaluation Board.

The movie is about two gay friends who orchestrate a fake death and funeral. Edgar Allan plays the flamboyant Mark who is asked by the straight-acting cancer-stricken John to organize a fake funeral so that he can hear what people have to say about him.

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‘Maynila’ garners five Aliw Awards

At the recently held 30th Aliw Awards held at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel, the musical “Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag” garnered five major awards.

These are: Best Actor in a Featured Role for Jim Pebangco; Best Actress in a Featured Role for Aicelle Santos; Best Stage Director (Musical) – for Joel Lamangan; Best Musical Composer for Musical Theater for Von de Guzman; and Best Original Musical Production.

“Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag, The Musical” was based on the novel by Edgardo Reyes, and the movie by the late National Artist Lino Brocka. The musical was produced by Grand Leisure Corp. and staged at KIA Theater in September-October this year.

Producer Babes Javier said the musical received nine nominations from Aliw Awards Foundation which is celebrating its 40th foundation anniversary. Founding chairman and president is Alice H. Reyes. Chairman of the executive committee was Bing Carrion.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 26, go to Fatima Princess Magsino, Former Speaker Joe de Venecia, Sen. JV Ejercito, Hajji Alejandro, Darling Cruz, Steve Sarino, Edd Palmos, Romy Magat, Nena Guevarra, Cely Gantner, Ma. Victoria Estrella, Ed Gonzalez, Naty Gonzalez, Eva Paulino, Demie Enotalio and Jennica Garcia…Condolences to the family of Cesar Javier, who passed away on December 23. A Mass was held followed by cremation today at Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City. Dec. 27: Luchi Cruz Valdez, City Sanchez, Tini Jacaria, John Ronald Robinson, Johnny Go, Wham Ilagan, Angie Henson, Lulu Lim Lee, Carlo Sarino, Bambbi Fuentes, Yolanda Pastrana, and Maila Gumila…

Ayala Land to open 3 malls in 2018

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. plans to open at least three regional shopping malls in 2018 as it continues to expand its commercial leasing business.

Ayala Land head of malls group Rowena Tomeldan said in a chance interview over the weekend the three malls included a huge shopping complex at the Aseana City complex adjacent to Pagcor Entertainment City.

The new mall will give Ayala Land a presence in Pagcor City, which is being developed as the Las Vegas-style gaming strip along Manila Bay.

“We will soft open Ayala Malls Bay Area late next year,” Tomeldan said. “The mall will have more than 200,000 square meters of leasable space. However, we will only open phase 1 one of the mall which is about 17,000 square meters and a big portion of the mall will open in 2019.”

The mall is located within a nine-hectare complex being leased from the Wenceslao Group. Aside from the huge mall, other developments within the complex include an office building for business process outsourcing companies and a 12-story hotel with at least 325 rooms.

The other malls slated for opening in 2018 are in Circuit Makati and Bacolod City.

Ayala Mall Capital Central, situated on the provincial capital of Bacolod, will have roughly 50,000 sq. m. of leasable space.

Meanwhile, the new mall in Circuit Makati, an estate development where the former Santa Ana racetrack used to operate, will have 50,000 sq. m. of leasable space.

Ayala Land this month opened Ayala Malls Feliz, a 79,000-sq. m. mall along Marcos Highway, Cainta, and Ayala Malls Marikina Heights, a 13,000-sq. m. community center.

Other malls that Ayala Land opened in 2017 were Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, a 39,000-sq. m. shopping center in Balintawak, Quezon City, Ayala Malls Vertis North in Quezon City and Ayala Mall The 30th in Ortigas Center, Pasig.

The property company has been building up recurring-income sources, including hotels, and office developments to account for 50 percent of earnings over the next couple of years.

Early this month, Ayala Mall, in partnership with Zalora Group, Asia’s online fashion store, said it would roll out ‘pop-up’ stores in January 2018 in a bid to attract online shoppers.

A ‘pop-up’ store is a short-term sales space operated by an online merchant. 

Ayala Land registered a net income of P17.8 billion in the first nine months of the year, up 18 percent year-on-year, boosted by record-high sales and steady growth in leasing income.

Ayala Land’s nine-month consolidated revenues grew 16 percent to P98.9 billion, from P85.49 billion a year ago, as real estate revenues rose 15 percent to a record P96.4 billion from a year ago level.

Residential sales surged 28 percent to P60 billion, while office for sale climbed 44 percent to P6.7 billion. Sales of commercial and industrial lots contributed P4.8 billion, up eight percent from a year ago level.

Reservation sales in the first nine months of the year amounted to P94.2 billion, which international sales accounting for 20 percent.

Mark Villar touts benefits of Cavitex C5-Southlink

The construction of the 7.7-kilometer, six-lane C-5 South Link Expressway, which will connect C-5 Road to the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (Cavitex), is in full swing.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and his officials have inspected the road construction at the CP Garcia Monument along C-5, a stone’s throw away from the Bicutan East Service Road.

“The benefits of this urgent infrastructure project will far outweigh the temporary inconvenience to the public during its construction. Upon completion, the toll road will speed up the commute of motorists and travelers from Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite, allowing them to directly cross over the South Luzon Expressway and Skyway into C-5 in Taguig City,” Villar said.

About 40,000 to 45,000 motorists are seen to benefit from the link that will also decongest EDSA, he said.

“We are all excited and proud that we have brought this project into construction stage. The first phase is 2.2 kilometers long, including a flyover above the South Luzon Expressway and skyway from C-5 Road, Taguig City to Merville in Sucat, Parañaque City,” Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. president J. Luigi Bautista said.

The expressway’s second phase, from Merville to Cavitex (Coastal Road), is estimated to cost P7.5 billion.

Villar said the project’s completion is expected in June 2019 and will be operated as an open toll collection system.

“The C5-Southlink will provide a seamless connection to the 45-kilometer Cavite-Laguna Expressway, which is under construction. We take pride in knowing that our organization contributes to the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program under Secretary Villar’s leadership,” said Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) president Rodrigo Franco.

Aside from the Cavitex network of toll roads, the MPTC, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., operates the North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, and the soon-to-be built Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.

Impressive directorial debut of Coco Martin

Very impressive is how best we can describe Coco Martin’s directorial debut for the remake of Carlo J. Caparas’ “Ang Panday.” Considering he was also taping for “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” while filming the movie, for which he is also producer and actor among others, Coco did well in making another version of “Ang Panday.”

Coco said he used both indie and mainstream moviemaking techniques. He reminded everyone that he started out as an indie actor but learned even more when he started working on mainstream projects. He specially cited awarded director Brillante Mendoza as one of his mentors.

The Panday character Flavio has been played in the past by Fernando Poe Jr., Bong Revilla, Richard Gutierrez, and Jericho Rosales. And like them, Coco will certainly make a mark.

It’s noted that Coco’s version of “Ang Panday” was well-made with its electrifying fantasy/action and its magnificent and scenic backgrounds, not usually used as shooting locales. He said in his interviews that he did not set a limit to the production budget. “Hindi talaga ako nagtipid at nagmadali sa shooting, gusto ko masulit ang ibabayad ng mga moviegoers. Sana panoorin nila ang pelikulang ito where I play the apo of Panday. At sana panoorin nila lahat ang pelikulang kasali sa 2017 MMFF.”

Coco’s leading lady is beauty queen Mariel de Leon. Also featured in “Ang Panday” are Jake Cuenca (who was very good in his portrayal of Lizardo, the main villain; Michael de Mesa, Dennis Padilla and Carmi Martin among the more that 80 in the cast.

By the way, in line with the movie, Coco also expanded his franchise via a mobile app which he co-designed and which he described as “not so violent so it is suitable to children as young as three years old. “I want our young generation to know and remember that we also have our own superheroes that we can be proud of.”

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See it to believe

Straight from London, the “Impossible,” the world’s greatest magic show comes to the Philippines for the first time this holiday season. The show will run from Dec. 25, to Jan. 3, 2018 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A family show that will thrill audiences of all ages, it features mind-boggling acts, astonishing tricks, and more. It has magicians from UK like the world’s greatest (and probably only) hip-hop magician Magical Bones, mind-blowing Mind Reader Chris Cox, Grand Illusionist Josephine Lee, Boundary-Breaking Magician Ben Hart, and Master of Magic Ali Cook; as well as “America’s Got Talent” semi-finalist Bello Nock, known as the Comic Daredevil.

“Impossible” promises major audience interaction, illusionists that levitate on stage, and performers that may even disappear right in front of your eyes. You have to see it to believe it. So make your Christmas magical this year and get your tickets now at super affordable rates starting at R160 from Ticketnet.com.ph.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 23, go to Marichu Maceda, Lorna Tolentino, Remy Monteverde, Gilopez Kabayao, Luciano Mangiafico, Zeny Tengco, Daniel Lacson, Lito Nepomuceno, Charito Doles, Juan Mayina, Jonas Cruz, Portia Leuterio, Garie Concepcion, Lizelle Orcullo and Cesar Sarino… Dec. 24: Arlene Babst, Dory Bernabe, Anna Kirsten Saruca, Andres Genito Jr., Menchie Peralta, Dominique James, Fred Palma, and Jackie Boncan… Dec. 25: LJ Reyes, Mila Catan, Jess Soriano, Josephine Roberto, Salvador Rivera, Jeanette Do, Wengweng Romero, Dr. Noel Tanopo, Antonio Gamboa, Ricky Gallardo, Hanzel Villafuerte, Crisanta Lumunsad, Noella D.C. Alegre, Ador Saluta, Camille Muñoz, Joyce Ramirez, and Bettina Carlos…MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Infra program on track; north rail line due in Q1

THE GOVERNMENT’S infrastructure timetable is on track with more project launches expected in the first quarter, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said.

His remarks follow groundbreaking on the first “hybrid PPP (Public-Private Partnership),” the Clark International Airport expansion project, which got off the ground with initial funding from the government, with the PPP mode to be employed in the operations and maintenance portion of the project.

“This shovel-ready project was approved in the first 18 months of the Duterte administration. In fact, the formal approval came only six months ago,” Mr. Dominguez III said in a speech during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Clark Airport expansion project on Wednesday.

The government tweaked the pure PPP model, which it said was too slow, by funding the initial stages of the project. It also wants to tap more official development assistance (ODA) to finance an ambitious infrastructure-building drive.

“In the previous administration, the projects of PPP took an average of 30 months from conception to start of implementation. It took the Cavite-Laguna Expressway 50 months to conceptualize and begin the implementation,” Mr. Dominguez said.

“This will not happen in the case of the many infra projects that will commence in the Duterte administration in the next few months. This administration brooks no delay in building the projects that the people need and the public deserves,” he added.

Among projects to be rolled out in the first quarter next year are the Malolos-Clark Philippine National Railways North line, the Quezon City and EDSA portion of the Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit system, and the first phase of the Mindanao Rail Project. 

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia has said that the government will be able to implement about 12 big-ticket infrastructure projects next year.

This year, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved 14 new projects, with most implemented through hybrid PPP mode.

Under the new government, 36 projects were approved by the NEDA Board, worth P1 trillion.

Mr. Pernia also said that he expects another 15 project approvals in 2018.

The government aims to spend about P8.4 trillion in infrastructure until 2022, which is expected to boost economic growth by seven to 8% over the same period, while providing more jobs to cut the unemployment rate to three to 5% from 5.5% in 2016, and bring down the poverty rate to 14% from 21.6% in 2015. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Bossing is back

Vic Sotto is back in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) this year, and he reunites with the ever beautiful Dawn Zulueta in the family comedy movie “Meant To Beh.”

His fans and supporters are thankful and excited but Bossing is even more thankful to them as he enjoins them to watch his movie.

In “Meant To Beh,” opening Dec. 25, Bossing co-stars with some of today’s hottest celebrities from the two giant networks: Daniel Matsunaga, JC Santos, Sue Ramirez, Gabbi Garcia, Ruru Madrid, Andrea Torres, and child actor, Baste.

“Masaya din akong makatrabaho ang nagsisipaggalingang mga batang ito. Masaya lang kami lagi sa set, parang isang malaking bagong pamilya,” said Bossing.

Bossing has always been vocal about his love and gratitude to his fans not only in the Philippines but from all over the world.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng hindi bumitiw at nag-abang sa pagbabalik namin sa MMFF. Salamat sa suportang natatanggap namin.”

Bossing is ambassador of CitiGlobal Realty and Development Inc. “Pareho kasi kami ng goal at ’yun ay magdala ng saya sa bawat Pinoy at kanyang pamilya,” he said.

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DZBB maintains top spot on AM radio list

GMA Network’s flagship AM radio station DZBB 594 is still the most listened to AM radio station in Mega Manila based on the most recent data from Nielsen’s Radio Audience Measurement.

Recent ratings data show DZBB posted a total week average audience share of 33.3 percent in November, winning over DZMM’s 28.8 percent and DZRH’s 11.2 percent.

From Monday to Friday, DZBB’s ratings dominance was driven by its topnotch delivery of news and fearless commentaries through “Saksi Sa Dobol B” hosted by Mike Enriquez; “Sino?” with Mike, Arnold Clavio, and Ali Sotto; “Super Balita Sa Umaga Nationwide” with Mike and Joel Reyes Zobel; and “Dobol B Balitang-Balita” hosted by Melo del Prado.

Recognized as one of the most awarded radio stations in the country, DZBB recently won as the Radio Station of the Year in the 7th People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Makatao Awards for Media Excellence.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 21, go to former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Rep. Danilo Suarez, Mila Jorge, Donna Galima, Eddie Wong, Dr. Emmanuel Ochoa, R’U Miranda, Ray Maranan, Leslie Anne Jao,  and Ryza Cenon… Dec. 22: Atty. Joey Lina, Dra. Ine Mauricio, Cora Jacob, Maurice Arcache, Ma. Alegría Limjoco, Monina Palma, Dorothy Trino, Josie Domingo, Nina D.C. Alegre, Onat Diaz, Philip Roxas and Makisig Morales…

'Secret marshalls' to add security in LRT

Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is adding security in its trains to ensure the safety of commuters in view of the Christmas holidays.

LRTA Administrator Retired Police General Reynaldo Berroya says, they have dispatched special agents who will wear civilian clothes to augment the number of security guards in the trains.

Berroya describes the additional personnel as "undercover, parang may mga secret marshalls (it seems like there are secrets marshalls inside the trains)."

LRTA currently employs about 1,000 security guards in its purple line (LRT-2) that runs from Recto in Manila to Santolan at the boundary of Marikina City and Pasig City.

LRT-1 serves around 500,000 passengers while LRT-2 serves about 200,000 commuters daily.

LRTA is a government owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) under the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Metro Manila subway construction to begin Q3 2018

Construction of the Metro Manila subway project is set to begin in the third quarter of 2018, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Wednesday.

“The DOTr is expected to commence the project implementation of the Metro Manila subway project Phase 1 as early as third quarter of 2018," Diokno told reporters during a forum in Manila City.

“Right now they’re finalizing the feasibility study. The way we will do this is through design-and-build as these are among the few projects which will be not completed under Duterte’s term because it takes about several years. But at least we can look forward to having a subway,” he said.

On the sidelines of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits last November, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kojie Haneda exchanged notes for the Metro Manila subway project.

Estimated to cost P355.6 billion or around ¥104.53 billion, the project will be funded by official development assistance (ODA) from Japan and public-private partnership (PPP) under the following loan terms:

• 0.1% a year interest rate on the loan  and 0.01% a year on consulting services
• 28-year repayment term after a grace period of 12 years
• Procurement terms tied to Japan

The project covers a 25.3-kilometer subway connecting the National Capital Region north and south, from Mindanao Ave. in Quezon City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, comprising 13 stations.



The project is expected to reduce commuting time from Quezon City to Taguig City to 31 minutes.

Diokno said the subway is expected to commence partial operations by the fourth quarter of 2025 with the completion date sometime in 2027. — VDS, GMA News

God’s business

What’s in a name?

For Cebu Catholic TV Network (CCTN) Channel 47 President and CEO Nonito Limchua aka Tatay Dodong, a name is worth more than gold.

This was the highlight of his message delivered before officers, employees and guests of CCTN and Filproducts, another firm which he also owns, during the twin companies’ Christmas party held last week at an uptown convention center. Tatay Dodong and his wife, the lovely Diana, are both active in the charismatic movement as lay leaders of the Oasis of Love Catholic Community.

As an alternative TV station, CCTN is committed to integrate Catholic teachings in its whole slew of programs aimed to attract a mainstream audience. From news, music, Cebuano soap operas, magazine and talk shows to public worship, CCTN stands out for sticking to its Catholic brand which, from a marketing point of view, would be tantamount to keeping financial statements in the red. However, Tatay Dodong defies such conventional wisdom by sticking to his guns even at the expense of his own pocket.

In his Christmas message last Saturday, he revealed having met with a national marketing group that was supposed to turn around things for the Catholic TV station. He said he was hopeful that the Manila-based firm would be able to come up with new program designs and marketing tools but the deal fell through in the last minute. The reason: The other party wanted a redesign of the station ID by replacing the word “Catholic” with “City,” such that the new ID would be Cebu City TV Network.

I actually think it was not a bad proposal, but for Tatay Dodong the Catholic ID is non-negotiable. He acknowledged that CCTN “continually struggles to make both ends meet” but being Catholic is verily CCTN’s cutting edge, if you will. He added that since the media company is God’s business, “He will see to its well-being,” Tatay Dodong stressed.

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In October this year, the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN) reported that 54 media companies under the Catholic Media Network are facing an uncertain if not altogether bleak future because the franchise of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) under which CMN affiliates operate expired in August 2017.

CBCP filed for an application seeking an extension of the legislative franchise for another 25 years, but the application got stuck at the committee level of the Lower House. Speculations are rife that House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is using the franchise issue to keep the Church from opposing Alvarez’ pet bills notably divorce, the dissolution of marriage and same sex marriage.

Strictly speaking, Catholic radio and TV stations that continue to operate under an expired franchise can be questioned anytime but so far, I haven’t heard of any friction between the government and CMN affiliates spread across 11 regions and 35 provinces. The Manila headliner is Radio Veritas. In Cebu, it is Station DYRF.

CCTN Ch 47 is a latecomer to the Catholic consortium but was able to secure franchise with the help of the late Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal. While the issue of CMN’s collective franchise hangs like the proverbial sword of Damocles over its 54 affiliates, Tatay Dodong told me CCTN was able to secure provisional approval.

This development will certainly keep him positive as he prepares the Oasis of Love community for its first lived-in spiritual retreat designed for OFWs in Hong Kong next year. The trailblazing “Walk With Jesus” seminar happens on Chinese New Year, February 17-19, 2018.

Unknown to many, the Oasis of Love has been conducting spiritual outreaches in Hong Kong’s central district, Kowloon and New Territories since October 2016. The outreach program is attached to the parish of OFW chaplain, Fr. Jay Plandes, SVD who sees to it that parishioners can avail of the sacraments of confession and Holy Eucharist each time the Oasis of Love conducts healing sessions. Ministering to thousands of OFWs burdened mostly by family problems is a huge undertaking, but Fr. Plandes together with the Cebu-based group have risen to the occasion.

Tatay Dodong told me that when they arrived in October 2016, he found OFWs linger around Hong Kong’s public park engaged in idle chatter with some gambling their hard-earned money to escape from loneliness. After more than a year of monthly visits, Tatay Dodong said he has sensed renewed hope among his countrymen. Today, they not only help bring fellow OFWs to attend Sunday masses but also do some volunteer work around the parish.

With Tatay Dodong and Oasis of Love reliables, Emmanuel Soabas, Paul Alima, Allan Abelgas, Jimmy Dagoya and music ministry members, God’s business in Hong Kong is in good hands.

Rehabilitation of MRT line 3 will not affect current train fare matrix – DOTR

The Department of Transportation (DOTR) and the Government of Japan are expected to sign next week an agreement for the rehabilitation and repair in the operation of the Metro Rail Transit or MRT line 3.

In an interview with the program ‘Get It Straight with Daniel Razon’, DOTR Assistant Secretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said the rehabilitation and development of the busiest train station in the country might take three years.

Included in the said contract are the regular repair of trains and the designation of a new maintenance provider.

Batan noted that the agreement also aims to designate a company that would solely supervise the operation of MRT.

Despite the efforts to fix the services of MRT, the DOTR vowed not to implement a fare increase in the busiest train station in the country.

“Can you categorically say that there would be no increase until the whole next year?” asked host, Daniel Razon.

Batan said, “Our rehabilitation period is from 3 years from 2018, 2019, to 2020. While that rehabilitation is ongoing, we have no plan to increase the fare in MRT.”

Meanwhile, the DOTR is now coordinating with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in line with its plan to designate a special lane on EDSA for point to point buses.

This aims to encourage passengers to patronize P2P buses as alternative transportation and to avoid the long lines in MRT.

The MMDA and DOTR plan to also designate it as carpool lanes to avoid private vehicles from getting stuck in traffic and so that passengers can be brought to their destinations.

Razon asked Batan if it’s possible to let P2P buses use the carpool lanes exclusively instead.

“Very possible Kuya Daniel. In fact, our discussions with the MMDA and LTFRB is ongoing regarding that suggestion,” Batan said.

The DOTR, however, clarified that it remains a plan and that it has no final agreement yet with the MMDA. 

MRT-3: Where did it all go wrong?

A lethal cocktail of bad engineering choices, politically driven decisions, and mismanagement made MRT-3 the mass-moving hazard it is today.

The series of errors started back in 1995. It was at that year that a consortium led by the Fil-Estate Group, along with Ayala Land, Ramcar and the Campos Groups — formed a company called the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC). The consortium was awarded the contract to Build-Lease & Transfer the MRT-3 line traversing EDSA.

The contract called for MRTC to build the railway structure, construct twelve stations along its span, purchase the rolling stock (the trains), and install its signaling system. The deal also made MRTC responsible for maintaining the system and procuring its spare parts. Government, through the then Department of Transportation and Communications, was in charge of the daily operations of the system.

Government was to pay the MRTC a lease rate equivalent to the amortized cost of the train line, plus a 16% per annum return on capital. After a period of 25 years (ending in 2025), the ownership of the line would revert back to government.

While a 16% return on capital is unusually high for a standard Build-Lease & Transfer contract, it has no bearing on the maintenance woes of the system. The problem lies on the type of rolling stock selected by MRTC.

See, the Czech-made Tarta RT8D5M was not the appropriate choice for a high-volume line like MRT-3 in the first place. Its specifications are more akin to a tramway that runs on street level, rather than that of a metro rail. Tramways are designed to run at varying speeds, often stopping to give way to traffic lights, intersections, and pedestrian crossways. They are not designed to operate at maximum speed and at maximum capacity, all the time, like a metro system can. Pushed to the limit, the tramways were bound to break-down given the stress of usage — and break-down they did.

The correct choice of rolling stock would have been one using metro-technology, similar to LRT-2, which can withstand higher operating strain.

In 2001, MRTC awarded the maintenance and the procurement of spare parts to Sumitomo under a “pass-through” agreement. A “pass-through agreement” is one where government paid the cost of maintenance and spare parts to MRTC, who, in turn, would forward payment to Sumitomo. The system worked well as it allowed Sumitomo to purchase the spare parts it needed to keep both the trains and rails in good condition. Under this arrangement, MRT-3 operated with relative reliability from 2001 to 2010.

DOTC: THE MANAGEMENT FROM HADES

In 2010, newly elected President Benigno S. C. Aquino III appointed Ping de Jesus as the Secretary of the DoTC. It was the same year that the pass-on agreement with Sumitomo was set to expire. Sec. De Jesus extended the Sumitomo contract for one more year to give him time to formulate an alternative plan for the maintenance of the trail line.

In early 2011, the DoTC crafted a plan to integrate the operations of MRT-3 and LRT-1 in preparation for the eventual expansion of LRT-1 to Cavite. The plan would have unified the maintenance systems of both train lines, a move that would have resulted in massive savings on maintenance costs.

Sumitomo was qualified to bid for the contract along with other international engineering groups. The bidding was to be held on July 2011.

A few weeks before the bidding date, however, Sec. De Jesus resigned from his post due to health reasons. Mar Roxas was assigned as his replacement. Roxas’s first act as the new DoTC Secretary was to cancel the bidding exercise.

Roxas’s move proved to be catastrophic. In one fell swoop, not only did Roxas trash a perfectly good long term maintenance plan for both MRT-3 and LRT-1, he also left MRT-3 with no maintenance contractor. Remember, by this time, the Sumitomo contract had expired.

Realizing his mistake, Roxas scrambled to renew the Sumitomo contract on annual and six-month terms. This was a bad decision since Sumitomo (or any other maintenance contractor, for that matter) would naturally not invest in long term preventive maintenance programs given the short term nature of its contract. The rolling stocks, rails and signaling systems began to deteriorate. This is when system failures began to occur.

In October 2012, Roxas awarded the maintenance contract to a firm called PH Trams CB & T. One of PH Trams’ six incorporators-directors was Wilson T. De Vera. It will be recalled that De Vera was the man accused by the Czech Ambassador of attempting to extort $30 million from Czech train maker Inekon back in July 2012. Also among its directors were Marlo de la Cruz and Manolo M. Maralit.

By this time, Roxas was moved to the DILG and Sec. Jun Abaya took over the helm of the DoTC. Abaya’s first act was to ratify the contract of PH Trams even if the bidding process was allegedly a fluke.

The terms of PH Trams contract was problematic too.

It called for PH Trams to provide the manpower for the maintenance of MRT-3, while government was to handle the procurement of spare parts. This proved to be a bad formula considering the tedious process of government procurement.

In most cases, government could not provide the spare parts on time. This left PH Trams with no choice but to resort to remedial repair work or “band-aid solutions” to keep the trains running. This caused the entire system to deteriorate even more rapidly. This went on for three years.

In 2015, the maintenance contract was awarded to SBI CB&T a Filipino-German partnership, and then, to Busan Universal Rail, Inc. in 2016. Given the short term contracts given to these firms, neither invested in long term solutions for MRT-3. The trains deteriorated to point where they became safety hazards. This was when derailments of trains and uncoupling of cars began to occur.

With one error of judgment after another, the MRT-3 line was left in a pitiful state. Most trains were out of commission due to damage and lack of spare parts. In fact, only 13 out of 73 trains were working as of February 2015. Too, the rails were in need of rehabilitation and the signaling system needed to be replaced.

With its back against the wall, the DoTC purchased 48 new train cars from Dalian of China. The new trains were meant to augment the aging and dilapidated Czech-made units. By this time, it was 2015 and the presidential campaign was in full swing with Mar Roxas running as the administration’s candidate.

Roxas was getting a lot of flack for the MRT-3 mess. He was desperate — he needed to show the public that relief was on the way.

He had the trains delivered from Dalian even without its motor, its couplers and signaling system just to have something to show.

The public relations stunt was not enough to assuage the anger of the public over the MRT-3 mess. In many respects, it cost Roxas’s his presidential bid.

MRT-3 UNDER THE DOTR

This year, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) was able to repair and use nine more Czech-made trains. A total of 22 trains now ply the line during peak hours. This is the most number of trains that the MRT has deployed since February 2013. Still, it is pitifully insufficient.

The DoTr terminated the maintenance services of BURI last September and is now maintaining the system on its own. Time will tell if the DoTr can do a better job.

What must be done now to fix the MRT-3 mess? There is quick fix solution. It requires a rehabilitation of the rails, a replacement of the trains to metro-type units, an upgrade of the signaling system and widening of the ingress/egress facilities of the stations.

MRT-3 presently 350,000 to 400,000 passengers a day. City planners expect daily ridership to top 1.1 million passengers by 2025. Clearly, something must be done lest the system collapse on its own weight.

Extensive repairs will necessitate the closure of the line and this can only be done if government can provide an alternative mode of transport for the public. This is why the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) traversing EDSA needs to be put on line as soon as possible. Only then can repairs and upgrades to MRT-3 be done.

Unfortunately, construction of EDSA BRT will only take place in 2019, to be completed in 2021, if we’re lucky. From now until then, MRT-3 will remain as is, albeit with minor repairs to the rails and hopefully, the use of new Dalian-made trains. Meanwhile, let’s hope no more accidents occur.

Andrew J. Masigan is an economist.

A. Goninan (UGL)/CSR Phase IV Light Rail vehicle

A. Goninan (UGL)/CSR Phase IV Light Rail vehicle

Train interior

CCTV

Emergency call device

Wheelchairs with seat belts

Wheelchair parking spaces

‘Deadma Walking’ an MMFF comedy entry not to miss

Because it promises to be funny and entertaining, “Deadma Walking” is a must-watch movie during the forthcoming 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival. Actually, I think it will be the first movie I will watch, impressed as I was that the movie is based on a screenplay (by Eric Cabahug) that won second prize at the Palanca Awards for Literature, and the fact that it was the first film among the eight entries to this year’s MMFF that was given an “A” from the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB).

The CEB commended “Deadma Walking” for its fine direction, editing, script, acting and heartwarming message. The CEB summation also stated: “Director Julius Alfonso has an auspicious debut film in ‘Deadma Walking,’ which is brilliantly visualized and combines, humor, drama and camp to come up with the right mix seldom seen in the year-end festival.” And according to a CEB member, “the comic timing and musical numbers give the film an engaging energy.”

The CEB praised the performance of the entire cast, citing the lead stars Joross Gamboa and Edgar Allan Guzman as “obvious standouts,” and Dimples Romana who, according to CEB “puts in a good turn.”

“Deadma Walking,” produced by T-Rex Entertainment, tells the story of two gay best friends, Joross and Edgar Allan, who mount a fake wake and funeral. “We thought of faking my death and wake because I want to know and hear about what my friends would say about me when I die, during my wake,” Joross said.

While “Deadma Walking” is about dying, the CEB highlighted that it celebrates life and friendship byn reiterating that “the tragicomedy is a different fare for the filmfest and doesnot disappoint.”

“Deadma Walking” opens in cinemas nationwide starting on Dec. 25.

• • •

30th Aliw Awards

The 30th Aliw Awards is slated tonight at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel. Applause trophies will be given to the winners of over 40 categories of life entertainers. From them will be chosen the “Entertainer of the Year,” according to Ms. Alice H. Reyes, founder/president of the Aliw Awards Foundation.

Highlights of the event is the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to Celeste Legaspi, Claire dela Fuente, Hajji Alejandro, Jun Polistico, Geleen Eugenio, Onofre Pagsanjan, Spirit of ’67 and George Yang; and the Alice H. Reyes Achievement Awards to Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, Mayor Herbert Bautista and Jomari Chan; the elevation to the Hall of Fame of Ricky Abad, Pinky Amador, Joel Lamangan, Rockin’ ’60s and Vince Tañada; and the presentation of Special Awards to Solaire’s The Theater, the Halili Cruz Junior Ballet Company, Sonny Alvendia, Dean Amado Valdez and Patrick Michael Vargas.

Posthumous awards will also be given to Agileo Baluyut, former AAFI president, and Bong Carrion, former governor of Marinduque.

Manila Bulletin is among media partners. Showtime is 7 p.m.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 19, go to Erlinda “Liding” Oledan, Lyanne Gonzalez, Efren Cruz, Abraham Divina, Jr., Junie Siytangco, and Rep. Baby Pizarro… Dec. 20: Ricky Alegre, Jim Greene, Cathy Nazareno Revilla, Neneng David, Marilú Velez, Rosie Bitong, Tim Espinosa, Anna Romulo, Jobert Brillantes, JC Crisostomo of Bay, Laguna, Mariel Lopez, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" editor Jok Tan, Philip "Dada" Roxas,  Ronald Dominguez and Maybeline dela Cruz…

Tacloban airport fully operational

The Tacloban Airport in Leyte province resumed normal operations Sunday morning, lifting the temporary suspension order occasioned by heavy rains brought about by Tropical Storm Urduja, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced.

CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the Tacloban Airport was fully operational as of 5 a.m. yesterday.

“We have experienced already before ‘di ba ‘yung kay ‘Yolanda’ so ngayon meron na kaming procedure dyan, bago pa lang dumating yung bagyo naka-safety procedure na kami. ‘Yung mga communications equipment, everything, so far ngayon naman walang malakas na hangin,” Apolonio said.

Tacloban Airport was closed to air passengers around 5 a.m. Saturday in anticipation of the landfall of Typhoon Urduja.

It was temporarily opened around 11 a.m. because the weather turned out to be fine and accommodated several flights but had to be closed again at 1 p.m.

“Kahit may bagyo pwede naman lumipad ang eroplano sa area especially yung malalaki dahil kaya naman nila ‘yan. Ang problema lang ang airport mismo kung doon dadaan so hindi makakaiwas yung eroplano, talagang hindi siya makakababa,” he said.

Typhoon Urduja landed over Eastern Samar Saturday afternoon and placed Leyte and other nearby areas under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 2.

Apolonio explained that Tacloban Airport had to be closed because of safety precautions since its location is near a sea.

“Yung Tacloban Airport beside the sea ‘yan eh so talagang diretso yan kapag tumama dyan, wipeout. But luckily for us now medyo lihis doon sa airport at puro ulan lang, kaya walang masyadong problema,” he said.

The CAAP spokesperson also assured that the airports in Region 8 affected by Typhoon Urduja suffered “minimal” damages only and were fully operational.

“‘Yung mga airports natin sa Visayas, halos ang mga nada-damage lang naman ay mga perimeter fence. Siyempre ‘yun ang unang babagsak,” he said.

Aside from Tacloban Airport, other airports in Region 8 are: Calbayog, Catarman, Catbalogan, Borongan, Guiuan, Biliran, Ormoc, Maasin and Hilongos.

CORPORATE SECURITIES INFO: Confusing TV ratings

The ratings war between the country’s top television networks—ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc.—has become tighter, and confusing, as the year nears its end.

Citing data from research company Kantar Media, ABS-CBN said it had an average audience share of 46 percent in last November’s national TV ratings as against GMA’s 34 percent.

Kantar data showed ABS-CBN had an audience share of 51 percent during primetime, where most Filipinos watch TV, compared to GMA's 32 percent, the network said. ABS-CBN also took the lead in the morning (6 a.m to 12 p.m.), noontime (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.) and afternoon (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.).

Nine of the ten most watched programs in the country were produced by ABS-CBN, led by the long running police drama “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” topbilled by Coco Martin recorded a national TV rating of 41.1 percent.

Variety show “It’s Showtime” is still the most watched noontime show in the country with a national TV rating of 38.6% on weekdays and 30.2% on Saturdays, against its rival “Eat Bulaga” which only got 20% on weekdays and 13.2% on Saturdays, ABS-CBN said.

Other programs that made it to the list include “La Luna Sangre,” “The Good Son,” “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” “Bandila,” “TV Patrol,” “Little Big Shots,” “Wansapanataym,” “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “Rated K,” “I Can See Your Voice,” “Gandang Gabi Vice,” “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin”, “ASAP,” “Pusong Ligaw,” “The Promise of Forever,” “Hanggang Saan,” “Ipaglaban Mo,” “Banana Sundae,” “Wildflower,” “Home Sweetie Home,” and “Goin’ Bulilit.”

ABS-CBN said it led ratings in other parts of the country.

For “total Luzon,” ABS-CBN said it got an audience share of 44 percent for November while GMA got 35 percent. For total Visayas, ABS-CBN cornered 54 percent versus GMA’s 27 percent, and for total Mindanao, it secured 49 percent against GMA’s 34 percent.

On the other hand, relying on data submitted by Nielsen Philippines, GMA said it had an average total day people audience of 43.2 percent, which is above ABS-CBN’s 38.2 percent.

GMA said it led in all time blocks in urban Luzon and mega Manila, which accounted for over half of all viewers in the country.

GMA said it had cornered 48.8 percent of the market in urban Luzon, versus 32.6 percent of ABS-CBN, and 51.1 percent in mega Manila, against its ABS-CBN’s 28.5 percent.

More Kapuso shows also made it to the list of top programs in NUTAM with the award-winning weekly family sitcom “Pepito Manaloto” still reigning as the most watched Kapuso program nationwide in November.

Included in the list as well were “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “Magpakailanman,” “24 Oras”, “Super Ma’am,” “All-Star Videoke,” “Road Trip,” “24 Oras Weekend” and “Alyas Robin Hood” which concluded last November 24.

Newly launched primetime series “Kambal, Karibal” immediately made its way to the list of most watched Kapuso programs in NUTAM along with consistent ratings drivers “Ika-6 na Utos”, “Tadhana,” “Wowowin”, “My Korean Jagiya”, “Bubble Gang”, “Saksi”, “Imbestigador,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Sunday PinaSaya,” “Dear Uge,” “Celebrity Bluff,” “Haplos” and “Impostora”.

GMA Network again dominated the list of top programs in Urban Luzon with 8 of the top 10; while sweeping Mega Manila’s top 10 list.

GMA Network’s flagship AM radio station DZBB 594 is still the most listened to AM radio station in Mega Manila based on the most recent data from Nielsen Radio Audience Measurement.

November ratings data show DZBB posting a total week average audience share of 33.3 percent in November, winning over DZMM’s 28.8 percent and DZRH’s 11.2 percent.

From Monday to Friday, DZBB’s ratings dominance was driven by its topnotch delivery of news and fearless commentaries through “Saksi sa Dobol B” hosted by Mike Enriquez; Sino?” with Mike, Arnold Clavio, and Ali Sotto; “Super Balita sa Umaga Nationwide” with Mike and Joel Reyes Zobel; and “Dobol B Balitang-Balita” hosted by Melo del Prado.


Meanwhile, DZBB also kept listeners tuned to its weekend line-up through its public service program “MMDA sa GMA” hosted by Orly Trinidad in partnership with MMDA; “Super Balita sa Umaga Saturday and Sunday Edition” with Sam Nielsen and Cecil Villarosa; “Super Radyo Nationwide” with Francis Flores, and Buena Manong Balita” presented by Rowena Salvacion.

GMA Network’s Vice President for Radio Operations Glenn Allona expressed his utmost gratitude for the listeners’ continuous support. “Ang pagiging number one ng DZBB ay patunay na mas marami pang mga Pilipino ang tumatangkilik sa balitang walang kinikilingan at walang pinoprotektahan. As our way of appreciation here at DZBB, mas lalo pa namin pagsisikapang makapaghatid ng Serbisyong Totoo sa ating mga Kapuso,” he added.


Recognized as one of the most awarded radio stations in the country, DZBB recently won as the Radio Station of the Year in the 7th People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Makatao Awards for Media Excellence.

Both companies have claimed conflicting superiority in viewership ratings in urban Luzon, Mega Manila, total Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The “one-upmanship” contest is mind-boggling because the two networks have cited research data collected and evaluated by reputable research firms to justify their respective claims.

Based on the limited information released by the survey companies on how they gathered information and arrived at their findings, it is difficult to say which TV network is telling the truth or is misinterpreting the figures.

The methodology used in determining TV viewing preference is different from that employed by research companies that monitor public reaction to government-related issues, e.g., trust rating of top government officials and contentious government actions.

The two TV companies’ fight for viewership superiority is understandable. It is crucial to their bottom line (and their stockholders) as the ratings play a significant role in determining the rates they can impose on advertisements, especially during the evening prime time.

For their operations and creative staff, the spike or decline in ratings could spell the difference between continued employment or promotion and loss of jobs.

The competition for advertising revenue has become more critical lately for ABS-CBN and GMA in the wake of the proliferation of national and local cable TV companies that offer a variety of programs to different audiences at reasonable prices.

Although cable TV was originally promoted in the country as advertisement-free, with the cable rental fees supposedly making up for the loss in advertising revenue, the cable companies have been allowed by the government to accept advertisements on top of rental fees.

To the chagrin of the two networks, cable TV companies can air the former’s programs without paying royalty fees since these are considered “free programs” that are available to everybody, as ruled by the National Telecommunications Commission.

As if the financial threat from cable TV is not enough, ABS-CBN and GMA have to contend also with internet websites and other social media facilities that can provide similar (if not more interesting) levels of information and entertainment.

Despite the poor state of broadband facilities in the country, more people, the millennials in particular, have taken to computers, laptops and smartphones to satisfy their information or recreation needs.

On account of this development, many commercial advertisers have—like ants attracted to sugar—moved some of their placements and other promotional activities from TV to internet-based portals that are attractive to millennials or people who have extra income to buy their products or services.

With the challenges from cable TV and the internet expected to further grow in the coming years, the two networks have their work cut out for them if they want to remain financially viable.

They have to substantially increase their viewership to take advantage of whatever advertisement revenues can still be squeezed from the commercial sources that have not yet been poached by the competition.

So what can we make out of the ongoing ratings war between ABS-CBN and GMA? It’s simply a promotional stunt aimed at drawing attention to their programs.


Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/242703/confusing-tv-ratings#ixzz53KMpgmhb 
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Barangay LS 97.1 Jingle

TugsTugan (7x) Tugstugan Na.

Kapotpot sa umaga, naka-talk to papa

todo ang saya, everyday parang fiesta

Sa Balita, Chika ang kasamang barkada, sobra ang tuwa

Isang Bansa, Isang Barangay!

Everybody nakabarangay makinig sa pinakamakulay.

Tugstugan at Tawanan walang humpay

"Isang Bansa, Isang Barangay!"

Si papa at si mama na may ngiti sa labi 

Feel na feel na alaala sa love story.

Isama mo si sweetheart isama-sama ang lahat isigaw kumaway habang buhay

TugsTugan (7x) Tugstugan Na.

Kapotpot sa umaga, naka-talk to papa

todo ang saya, everyday parang fiesta

sa Balita, Chika ang kasamang barkada, sobra ang tuwa

Isang Bansa, Isang Barangay!

Everybody nakabarangay 

Makinig sa pinakamakulay.

Tugstugan at Tawanan walang humpay

VO: "Isang Bansa, Isang Barangay!"

Si papa at si mama na may ngiti sa labi 

Feel na feel na alaala sa love story.

Isama mo si sweetheart isama-sama ang lahat isigaw kumaway habang buhay 

Everybody nakabarangay 

Makinig sa pinakamakulay.

Tugstugan at Tawanan walang humpay

Barangay LS 97.1

VO: "Sa Mega Manila!"

Barangay LS 97.1

SUPER RADYO DZBB 594 JINGLE

Tapat sa balita

Ito ang aming panata!

D-Z-Double-B Super Radyo

Singko-Nuebe-Kuatro

Laging naka-alerto, serbisyong totoo

D-Z-Double B

Kapuso niyo, sa radyo!

Walang kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan,

Serbisyong totoo lamang, walang iwanan!

May paninindigan, matatag, maaasahan

D-Z-Double-B Super Radyo

Singko-Nuebe-Kuatro

Kapusong Pilipino, Lahat Super Radyo

D-Z-Double-B

Serbisyong Totoo

Walang kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan,

Serbisyong totoo lamang, Walang iwanan!

Serbisyong totoo lamang, Walang iwanan!

D-Z-Double-B Super Radyo

Daegu Metropolitan Transit named preferred bidder for Philippines’ LRT maintenance project

South Korea’s Daegu Metropolitan Transit Corporation (DTRO) was chosen as the preferred bidder for a project worth 39 billion won ($35.7 million) to do maintenance work of the Manila Light Rail Transit (LRT) System Line 2, the company said Friday.

Once the two parties sign on a final agreement, DTRO is expected to be in charge of supporting maintenance work of the LRT Line 2 connecting the east and west of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, for the next five years. It is scheduled to sign an official contract with the Philippines’ Light Rail Transit Authority early next year after going through a qualification review around the end of this month.

Following the latest deal, the company plans to expand its overseas business. It is currently seeking to win a project for operation and maintenance of Singapore’s Sentosa Monorail and plans to tap into overseas monorail construction business in the Philippines and Thailand. DTRO President Hong Seung-hwal said that the company will work hard to secure various projects based on its 20-year-long experience of running Daegu Metro.

Duterte to attend Pacquiao's birthday bash

President Rodrigo Duterte is set attend the 39th birthday celebration of Senator Manny Pacquiao in General Santos City, Sunday.

Police and soldiers have set up checkpoints across the southern city to ensure the safety of the President and Pacquiao's 2,000 other guests.

Among those expected at the party are several senators and singers Freddie Aguilar, Victor Wood and Joey Genoroso.

GMA may digital TV signal na!

Mas makulay, mas malinaw, at mas maganda na ang Digital TV signal ng GMA Network sa Mega Manila, dahilan upang mas lalong kagiliwan ng mga Kapuso viewers ang mga inaabangang programa sa GMA at GMA News TV.

Ang mga loyal na Kapuso mula sa buong Metro Manila at sa mga kalapit na probinsya ng Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, at Pampanga ay maaari nang makapanood ng kanilang paboritong Kapuso shows nang libre mula umaga hanggang gabi sa kanilang digital converter boxes.

Para sa mga Kapuso viewers na may digital TV boxes, mae-enjoy n’yo na ang full digital broadcast ng GMA at GMA News TV in three easy steps. Pindutin ang Menu, pumunta sa Settings, at sa loob Installation piliin ang Auto Search o Auto Scan. Hintaying matapos ang scanning.

Pindutin ang OK o Exit at maaari n’yo nang hanapin ang GMA at GMA News TV gamit ang up and down buttons ng inyong remote control.

Para sa karagdagang katanungan at impo­rmasyon ukol sa digital feed ng GMA, maaa­ring tumawag sa hotline ng GMA DTV 462-8177, mag-email sa signalreception@gmanetwork.com, bisitahin ang @gmatvsignal Facebook page, o maglog-on sa www.gmanetwork.com/digitalhowto.

Enhancing beauty

Wellness and technology came together at the recent launch of Skin Rejuve Elite-Alabang held at the Grand Ballroom of The Bellevue Manila in Muntinlupa City.

Led by Skin Rejuve Inc. CEO Prescy Yulo and Skin Rejuve Elite-Alabang president Crystal Jacinto, the event was a fashion show topbilled by empowered women who are not afraid to embrace technology in order to maintain their youthful glow.

The women gave testimonials about the effectiveness of Skin Rejuve’s state-of-the-art procedures and machines, invented by Sybaritic Inc. chairman, lawyer Steve Daffer, who was also a guest of honor.

During the event, many guests won exciting prizes like free sessions for face lifting and body contouring as well as treatments from the Cocoon Wellness Pro Hot Sculpt, a machine that offers a revitalizing, rejuvenating and relaxing experience for the mind, body and spirit.

Congratulations to Skin Rejuve for a successful launch party!

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrator today, Edwina Litton Ortigas.

Advance birthday greetings to Cesar Buenaventura, Hoseki founder Faico and Lali Herrera, Dec. 18; Muebles Italiano president and chief executive officer Noel Gonzales, Dec. 19; Pie Gaspar, Dec. 20; Maritess Lopez, Fritz Azanza, Wellington Soong and STAR’s Mary Ann Reyes, Dec. 21; socialite Dely Ongsiako, Marion Salonga, Anna Sobrepeña and palangga Maurice Arcache, Dec. 22.

So, how was your week?

(For comments and inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com.)

Under-designed

My mouth was probably agape as I listened intently while San Miguel CEO Ramon Ang briefed us about what he was doing with the MRT-7 project. He had his fingers in every aspect of the undertaking.

He told us he asked added gauges for the rails, intervened in the design of the rail cars to make them lighter by using aluminum bodies and specified the highest standard steel for the bogeys that linked the rail cars. He made sure the elevated structure was better than specification, added the depth of the gravels ballasts to reduce damage to the rails. He ordered a third more cars than specified so that the trains could go on periodic maintenance servicing like jet planes do.

Will this not make the project costlier? “It is first and foremost a public service,” he said. This system will not burden commuters with frequent breakdowns.

As for the costs, he says they will still be lower than if government built the system. The over-designed MRT-7 will run smoothly for decades.

That is the opposite of the attitude taken by those who built the MRT-3. In the first 15 days of December, the MRT-3 operations broke down 16 times. It will not get better anytime soon. It can only get worse.

Every aspect of the MRT-3 appears under-designed. Corners were cut on nearly every aspect.

MRT-3 uses overweight trams converted into rapid transit trains by lifting the cars to align with the stations. There was a mismatch from the very start.

A few months after it started operating, maintenance provider Sumitomo discovered several cracked bogeys. The engineers suspected that either inferior steel was used for them or the Czech supplier delivered refurbished parts.

As early as the first year of operations, the rail system experienced too much shelling and damage to the tracks. Two things explain this: the rails were of inferior quality and the gravels ballasts were too thin to soften the impact of train wheels. Those train wheels wore out easily, explaining the swaying motion of the MRT-3.

In the Makati area, the rails were found to be misaligned, causing the trains to twist and vibrate. Engineers surmise the reason for this is that two separate contractors built the rails and failed to align them properly.

In 2003, the Czech suppliers were summoned to examine the flaws in the system. They recommended horizontal dampers be installed to absorb the excessive lateral vibrations and mitigate damage to the rail cars. Sumitomo took no corrective action. We inherit rolling wrecks as a consequence.

Cesar Chavez, before he resigned as DOTr Undersecretary for Rails, was obsessed with getting maintenance provider Busan out and bringing Sumitomo back in. He succeeded in getting Busan out, but did nothing about the structural flaws in this system. He withheld monthly payments to Buri from September last year and expected the company to deliver.

In the meantime, in-house crews do the sophisticated maintenance work needed on a daily basis. Less than a third of the trains are in use, causing the long queues and the overcrowding that further deteriorates the system.

Since Abaya’s mis-designed Dalian trains are unusable, we could run out of trains for this dinosaur of a mass transit system. Good luck to all of us.

Singing soldier realizes dreams

When Mel Sorillano won in the Grand Battle of Singing Soldiers Champions in 2012, we judged him on the basis of one song. It was only recently, when he launched his debut album “Dinggin Mo Bayan” at RJ Bistro at Dusit Thani Hotel Makati, that we found out his awesome range of musicality.

He, together with guests Haydee Manosca, Gem Mascarinas, Sheila Reyes and Ann Diglasan, the singing policewoman, all award-winning singers, sang English songs (proving he is worthy of the title given him by RJ Jacinto as the Nat King Cole of the Philippines). And then Mel performed the Tagalog songs in his album, three of them he wrote: “Kawal Ng Bayan,” “Dinggin Mo Bayan” and “Ang Bayani Ay Ikaw,” which he dedicates to the gallant men in uniform. His special guests were Dulce and Token Lizares.

Mel has gone a long way since leaving his hometown of Nabua, Camarines Sur after high school. Endowed with a rich singing voice, Mel used his talent to help his impoverished family by joining amateur singing contests. Almost always, he would win and bring home the bacon, so to speak. But his big dream then was to sing on a bigger stage in televised events in Manila.

Mel fulfilled this dream when he won in “Eat Bulaga!”’s AFP Singing Soldiers Amateur Contest in 1986. Acknowledged as the AFP Singing Ambassador, he has performed before Malacanang foreign guests during the administrations of former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Cory Aquino and Gloria Arroyo.

• • •

Winners of LRTArt

A nationwide painting competition was held to mark the 37th anniversary celebration of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA). Dubbed “LRTArt 2017” with the theme “LRT – Sasakyan Ko Sa Magandang Kinabukasan” (LRT – My Ride To A Better Future), the announcement of the winners was held recently at the LRTA Social Hall in Pasig.

According to LRTA Administrator Gen. Reynaldo I. Berroya, LRTArt aims to recognize Filipino artistry and to inform people that its train systems not only bring its passengers to their destinations but more importantly, into their journey towards their dreams and aspirations.

In the Main Competition, Robert Tiano and Juan Aguasito Jr. won the 2nd and 3rd prize and received P100,000 and R200,000 respectively. In the Junior Division, Jheco Lorica, Bianca Dominique Verano and Brahm Daniel Verano, clenched the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize, and received P150,000, P100,000, and P50,000 respectively.

Ralph Allen Semilla, the grand winner, received P300,000 and a trophy. His painting will be displayed inside the LRTA Depot.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greeting today, Dec. 16, go to Ms. Gloria Romero, Kerima Tuvera, Mila Limgenco, Catherine Santos, Tessie & Iris Benito, Annie Vergara, Dr. Randy Dellosa, Jay Gonzales and Frankie Pangilinan…Dec. 17: Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Mel Valic, Dr. Vivian Sarabia-Ong, Ernani Cuenco Jr., Elmie Roldan, Henrietta Mendez, Leon Miguel, Winnie Mariano, Aiko Melendez and Michael V.…Happy 4th wedding anniversary to Regina Mae Parungao and Daryll James Juan…Dec. 18: Frank Evaristo, Cesar Buenaventura, Jojo dela Cruz, Luna Viernesto, Anita Carlo, Roberto Tabor, Vivian Cajucom, Atty. Cirilo Tolosa and Gen. Narciso Cabrera…

LRT-1 shift to LED system seen to promote energy efficiency

The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) is investing PHP20 million for all stations of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) to shift to light emitting diode (LED) systems as part of efforts to improve passenger safety.

The LRT-1 operator has installed LED systems at six stations, namely, Doroteo Jose, Abad Santos, R. Papa, Gil Puyat, Pedro Gil, and UN Avenue with its complete installation on all stations expected by end of 2018.

“More than the benefits of lower energy cost and the elimination of mercury-containing fluorescent lights, the LED lighting marks a big improvement in illumination quality and thus enhances safety for our passengers,” LRMC Chief Operating Officer Rodolfo Chansuyco said in a statement.

“The lighting system replacement shift is in line with our Biyaheng Better Everyday commitment to the LRT-1 passengers—a step towards a safer and better riding experience for the commuters. This is also our way of ensuring that LRT-1 stations run under environment-friendly operations, with the significant reduction in toxic elements emissions,” he added.

Meanwhile, LRT-1’s 106 light rail vehicles (LRVs) will also be retrofitted with the LED system starting 2018.

LRT-1 this year received the ISO certifications Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001:2015) and Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001:2015), following a two-year, company-wide program to improve operational efficiencies in Manila’s oldest light rail system.

SM Center Moonwalk Paranaque

P1T worth of projects OKd by Neda board in 2017

The National Economic and Development Authority Board chaired by President Duterte approved P1 trillion in projects so far this year, with the rollout of up to a dozen infrastructure projects next year expected to create more jobs.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia told reporters yesterday that at least six projects would be implemented starting early next year. These are mainly big-ticket projects such as the Clark airport expansion; the Metro Manila subway; the north-south railway projects connecting Los Baños, Laguna, Tutuban, Manila and Clark free port; the 130-kilometer first phase of the Mindanao railway connecting Digos, Davao City and Tagum; Chico River dam; Kaliwa water supply, and the Cavite flood control project.

Pernia, who heads the National Economic and Development Authority, said the Neda Board had approved this year 20 projects—14 new and six existing projects with changes in scope or financing, bringing to 36 the total number of projects approved by the Duterte administration in its first 18 months in office.

Most of these projects will be financed through the national budget or official development assistance (ODA), he said.

Neda Assistant Secretary Jonathan L. Uy said the projects approved this year cost a total of P1 trillion, higher than the P400 billion total cost of the 17 projects approved last year.

Uy said they were planning to seek Neda Board approval for six more projects, including three new, and tweaks to three ongoing projects.

The three new projects include a peace and order project in a command center in Davao City to be funded by China; the purchase of helicopters for marine disaster response, and a bridge construction acceleration project, Uy said.

Pernia said that amid political instability in the Middle East, the government’s massive “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program was expected to generate more jobs that could absorb overseas Filipino workers who might be repatriated.

Neda Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon said the jobs requirement for the “Build, Build, Build” would be integrated in the portal Philjobnet to make them accessible to applicants.

Noting that the “flagship” infrastructure projects would be implemented 24/7, Pernia said jobs in construction, engineering and design would be in demand next year.

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/242554/p1t-worth-projects-okd-neda-board-2017#ixzz51iRInOP5
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Tugade now a PAF reserve lieutenant colonel

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade formally joined the Philippine Air Force (PAF) reserves as a lieutenant colonel during short ceremonies Tuesday.

Donning ceremonies were held at the Hall of Flags, Department of National Defense (DND) Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement Thursday.

The ceremonies were spearheaded by DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP Chief-of-Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, he added.

The two officials also formally donned the DOTr chief his lieutenant colonel rank.

LRT-1 operator to spend P20M for shift to LED lights

THE Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), operator of the Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1), has allocated P20 million to shift to light-emitting diode (LED) systems for all of its 20 LRT-1 stations.

“So far, we have completed the installation of LEDs at six stations: Doroteo Jose, Abad Santos, R. Papa, Gil Puyat, Pedro Gil and UN Avenue stations. The installation will be completed in all stations by end-2018,” LRMC Chief Operating Officer Rodolfo Chansuyo said in a statement.

According to Chansuyo, using LED will not only result in lower energy cost but would also eliminate the use of mercury-containing fluorescent lights.

“The lighting system replacement shift is in line with our Biyaheng Better Everyday commitment to the LRT-1 passengers, a step towards a safer and better riding experience for the commuters,” Chansuyo said.

“This is also our way of ensuring that LRT-1 stations run under environment-friendly operations, with the significant reduction in toxic elements emissions,” Chansuyco explained,” he added.

LRMC said that its 106 light rail vehicles will also be retrofitted with LED systems starting in 2018.

LRMC is a joint venture company of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation (MPLRC), Ayala Corporation’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation (AC Infra), and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Pte. Ltd. (MIHPL).

DM Consunji returns after 26 years

CONSTRUCTION giant DM Consunji Inc. is back in Cebu to build one of the biggest infrastructure projects, the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX). DM Consunji president Jorge A. Consunji said the 8.5-kilometer tollway bridge connecting Cebu City and the town of Cordova will be the fourth construction project of the company in Cebu. “The reason we were unable to return was because we suddenly had so many projects and we also became busy with the projects we did outside (overseas),” the executive said. Consunji said his company was commissioned to construct SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, and the first building of Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in 1991, its last project in the province. It’s been 26 years. Now that it has returned to the Queen City of the South for the construction of a P22.6-billion toll bridge, Consunji sees a more buoyant environment. “The market has changed. The local contractors are also strong now. The business is very competitive and there are so many players,” Consunji said. With the Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration, Consunji is optimistic about having more infrastructure projects in the country. “We are very optimistic but it’s how the government will sequence that. It’s not for us to see where it’s gonna be. Everybody, all the contractors, are very hopeful,” he said. The five-decade-old construction company claims to have constructed the largest number of commercial establishments, high-rise offices and residential condominiums and infrastructure projects in the country, as it has literally created today’s Makati Central Business and Ortigas Center financial districts, and continues to do so. Some of the notable commercial buildings it constructed include the Philippine Stock Exchange Plaza and Roxas Triangle; Makati Shangri-la Hotel, SM Megamall, Glorietta 4, and Alabang Town Center, among others. For infrastructure, its portfolio includes the Carmen Bridge, and the three interchanges on Manila’s main thoroughfare and, the LRT Line 1 North Extension Project and Trackworks on LRT-2. It is also involved in the industrial sector with the building of five semi-conductor facilities namely, Intel, NEC, Analog Device, Motorola and Philips; Enron Power Plant in Subic and Pinamucan, Batangas and recently the Panay Power Plant and Dingle Power in Iloilo. Overseas, the company constructed the Istana Nurul Iman (The Royal Palace) in the Sultanate of Brunei and got involved in the building of numerous bridges in Saudi Arabia as well as interchanges and bridges in Kuwait and an irrigation structure in the Kirkuk-Adhaim Irrigation Project in Iraq. To date, Consunji said his company has not yet made a bid for a new project in Cebu. (JOG)

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/12/14/dm-consunji-returns-after-26-years-579875
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Duterte to ABS-CBN: Promote federalism, we’ll settle case

President Rodrigo Duterte has said he was willing to have a compromise with television network ABS-CBN in one condition: promote federalism.

“Kung magtulong kayo diyan sa federal system campaign at gawain ninyong slogan also for the unity and to preserve this republic, makipag-areglo ako,” Duterte said in a speech during the PDP-Laban Christmas Benefit Dinner on Wednesday night.

Duterte had previously threatened to block the renewal of ABS-CBN television’s franchise when it expires on March 30, 2020.

ABS-CBN was now revamping its content strategy to compete with other stations.

“I think the entertainment, lifestyle and news and current affairs will stay, substantially as it is. The sports content will still be there and we’re expanding the sports content. Then there will be some entertainment shows that we will be putting in,” he said.

“It’s not a shutdown situation for ABS-CBN. I think it’s a selective kind of programming. I think it’s the only way for ABS-CBN to compete. The viewing habits for video are slowly changing, so we want to move in the direction rather than stay with the legacy where we are not competitive,” the network said.

He has accused the giant network of estafa for supposedly not providing him the airtime he had paid for during the election period.

During his speech, the President again slammed the Lopezes, which owns ABS-CBN for its supposed debt with the government.

Duterte said he had not forgotten the debt of ABS-CBN but said he was willing to talk and shake hands with the owners of ABS-CBN.

“But kayo, may mali man rin kayo, may utang rin kayo sa gobyerno, do your part and maybe we can talk about it,’ he said.

“I will go to you and say… Wala akong hingiin. Just dedicate a portion of your time, your expensive and precious time on TV, help us promote federalism, only the good ones. But if you think that it is not into your system, fine,” he added.

But said he wasn’t asking for anything but to support his agenda on federalism.

“Pero kung suportahan lang ninyo ang… Kayong mga network, wala kayo. Wala akong hingiin, ‘yan lang. And I said, I’m willing to shake hands with you,’ he said.

Duterte assured he wasn’t asking the giant network to stop its criticisms on corruption.

“You can continue with your criticisms about corruption. Pareho tayo ayaw ng corruption and wrongdoing,’ he said.

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/952371/breaking-news-rodrigo-duterte-abs-cbn-federalism-lopez#ixzz51FfQOvxm
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